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Showbiz Tonight
Outpouring of Support for Jennifer Hudson and Her Sister; Cloris Leachman Gets the Boot; "High School Musical": The Lost Interview
Aired October 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: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Hudson family killings. Tonight, disturbing new developments in the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew. Startling new questions about Hudson`s brother-in-law who is in police custody. Did he slip through the cracks of the criminal justice system?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My son did not do this.
HAMMER: Also tonight, right here, Hudson`s close friend, Diana Degarmo who competed against Hudson on "American Idol." It`s the emotional headline- making interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, is 80 the new 40? Eighty-year-old woman Cloris Leachman gets booted from "Dancing With The Stars" - 82. But could Cloris getting kicked off actually be a good thing for older women everywhere?
Plus, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the stars of "High School Musical," the lost interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): Could you even imagine that this was going to blow up into the phenomenon that it is?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the amazing lost "HSM" interview you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, there are brand-new and I`ve got to say disturbing developments in the Jennifer Hudson mystery.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal troubling information about the man who police have in custody in their investigation of the killings of Hudson`s mother, brother and young nephew. And in just a moment, I`ll be joined by Diana Degarmo who competed on "American Idol" the same season Hudson was on and they remain close friends.
But first, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with so much more new information that developed today in this tragic story, and it`s all making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): An unfathomable tragedy for Oscar-winning star Jennifer Hudson. Her mother and brother shot and killed in this Chicago home. Her seven-year-old nephew, Julian, gunned down apparently in this abandoned SUV a short distance away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Julian King`s death was officially ruled a homicide.
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you brand-new details emerging about the man at the center of the investigation, William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson`s sister. And as Balfour`s mother takes to the airways to defend her son -
MICHELLE BALFOUR, WILLIAM BALFOUR`S MOTHER: My son did not do this.
HAMMER: People are outraged about Balfour`s recent brush with the law that that some say should have gotten him locked up before the killings took place.
ALICIA QUARLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS: If his parole was revoked, he`d most likely be in prison right now. This guy just keeps getting to the system.
HAMMER: While Jennifer Hudson was pursuing her Oscar-winning career, back in the rough Chicago neighborhood where she grew up, her family was dealing with some tough times, mainly due to her sister Julia`s troubled marriage to William Balfour, an ex-con on parole.
QUARLES: William Balfour has a long criminal history. He was in prison for vehicular hijacking and attempted murder. He served seven years. He was living in the same house with Jennifer`s sister, her mother, her brother and of course little Julian, the sister`s son.
The reports show that this is really an estranged relationship. Jennifer Hudson`s mother reportedly kicked William out of the house.
HAMMER: "People" magazine is now reporting brand-new information that domestic trouble in the Hudson household was common knowledge, according to the neighbor who talked to the magazine.
DAVID CAPLAN, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": She tells "People" that after they would have domestic disputes, William would say things like, "I`m going to kill Julia," who is Jennifer`s sister, "I`m going to kill the whole family." But really, what the neighbor tells "People" is that she didn`t really believe it. In her heart of hearts, she really just thinks that William was blowing off steam, so to speak.
HAMMER: Now, Balfour`s mother, Michelle, is speaking out and passionately defending him.
M. BALFOUR: By no means did my son do this.
HAMMER: In a brand-new interview with Nancy Grace on her show here on HEADLINE NEWS, Balfour`s mother angrily denied reports that her son had been fighting with his wife, Hudson`s sister, Julia.
M. BALFOUR: People don`t understand what`s going on. My son loved her. She loved him. If Julia felt that William was a threat, don`t you think she would have put a restraining order on him?
NANCY GRACE, HOST, "NANCY GRACE": Well, according to sources -
M. BALFOUR: Yes or no! Yes or no!
GRACE: No, I don`t know that she would have done that. No, I don`t know their situation at all.
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned of another brand-new development that Balfour was arrested and released a just a few months before the killing. Did he slip through the cracks in the criminal justice system?
QUARLES: Associated Press broke the news that in June, William Balfour was pulled over by a police officer. The police officer found a crack rock in the guy`s car, about $100 street value.
HAMMER: Officials reportedly declined to revoke his parole and send him back to prison, because according to a correction department spokesman, quote, "The evidence wouldn`t have necessarily warranted a violation."
QUARLES: We`re told that if his parole was revoked he would have gone in jail until May of `09.
HAMMER: Balfour`s mother tells Nancy Grace that cocaine case was bogus from the start.
M. BALFOUR: They had no probable cause for searching that car. That`s why the charges were dropped. William said the police put the drugs in there.
HAMMER: After last Friday`s killings, authorities finally detained Balfour on an unrelated parole violation while they looked into the tragic crimes, crimes his mother desperately contends he had nothing to do with.
M. BALFOUR: No, he has never had a gun. No, he has never done bodily harm to no one.
QUARLES: It`s sad, because you know what? William Balfour has his mother in his corner. Jennifer Hudson doesn`t have her mother there anymore.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Jennifer Hudson`s heart breaking tragedy is naturally touching so many people around the world. And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you someone who knows Hudson very well and who competed with her on "American Idol."
Joining me tonight in Nashville is Jennifer`s friend and fellow season three "American Idol" contestant, Diana Degarmo.
Diana, I really appreciate you being here. Unfortunately, under such terrible and tragic circumstances. You have known Jennifer now since you guys did "Idol" back together in 2004. You both made it to the final seven on "American Idol." And I know you`ve kept in touch ever since. What`s been going through your mind, Diana, since you got this terrible news?
DIANA DEGARMO, FRIEND AND FELLOW "AMERICAN IDOL" CONTESTANT OF JENNIFER HUDSON: Well, I know how close Jennifer was to her mother and her brother, very similar to my family situation. So I can only imagine where to begin or how she might be putting her life back together, I know, just to have almost your entire family completely cleared in one weekend is just - it`s mind boggling. And it`s been such a heartbreak. I mean, my phone has been ringing off the hook with everything from, you know, fellow friends and family members of my own, and of course, my family from "Idol." Everyone has been calling and we`re all in complete shock.
HAMMER: Yes. What we have seen is that everybody, whether they`re somehow connected with her or not, is just looking for a way to reach out and express themselves. I`m not surprised at all to hear you`ve been hearing from a lot of people. Have you yourself been able to reach Jennifer?
DEGARMO: No, I have not. If you call her phone, it goes straight to voicemail which I can - I can imagine her phone is absolutely blown up. But you know, I just - her mother and brother were wonderful people. And nobody deserves to be, you know, killed like that, or have anything like that happen to their family. And they were just wonderful people and it`s just such a tragic thing.
HAMMER: Yes, and I think really at the heart of the tragedy, you really nailed it on the head how close Jennifer was with her family. She spoke about it all the time. She told me about them on a number of occasions. Let me play something that she told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her mom, specifically. Roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUDSON: I`ve always had a positive upbringing, and positive people around me, you know. So that definitely helped out. And even when I feel down or feel like I don`t want to do this anymore, I can`t do it anymore, my mother was there to say, "You know what, this is what you have to do. You have to hold on to that." My boyfriend was even there, like, "Please, you could never give up." And they would remind me of who I was and what I wanted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Diana, you mentioned that you guys related to each other because you had a similar family situation. What kinds of things specifically did she tell you about her family?
DEGARMO: Well, I know her father wasn`t a large part of her family and her mother just was her whole light and whole being. And I know - she always talked about her mom and would always say to my mom and I, "Oh, you remind me so much of my mom." And we talked about it.
And you know, Miss Darnell came to the show a couple times and she was always so pleasant and so wonderful. And you saw why Jennifer loved her mom so much. She was a great person, and I know she just looked up to her so much, and did everything for her mother. You know, that was her inspiration. And I can - I mean, I can only begin to think what I would be doing if I were in a similar situation.
HAMMER: Yes, it`s really - it`s just unthinkable. There are no words for it. As I mentioned, everybody looking for a way to reach out in any way possible. And ever since we got news of the tragedy, the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been literally overflowing, people calling up nonstop, supportive messages coming in for Jennifer Hudson and for her family.
I want to play a call for you right now. This is Sonya from Mississippi who called in with her thoughts. Let`s listen to that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SONYA, CALLER FROM MISSISSIPPI: Just a small prayer for Jennifer and her family. Just keep God ahead of you, and He will definitely pull you through, any and everything you have going in your life. We`re praying for you. Just hold on.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jennifer has talked a lot over the course of the time we have gotten to know her about the role of faith in her success. The medical examiner`s office even called her, Diana, brilliant and strong when he had to deal with her through this tough time. Does faith and strength just really sound to you like the Jennifer you know?
DEGARMO: Definitely. Throughout the show, and while we were on tour, and, you know, in the years that I`ve known her, she is such a strong believer in family and faith. And I know she is using her faith to cope with this horrendous heartache and catastrophe in her life. And I know Jennifer that she`s got the boldest and brightest personality you can ever meet in person. And I know that she is going to be there for her family now.
HAMMER: Well, I know, as you said at the beginning of our conversation, you were not able, understandably, to get directly a hold of her. Your call went to voicemail. What would you like to say to her right now? I`ll give you the opportunity to do that here.
DEGARMO: Well, definitely, Jennifer, you are always in my thoughts and prayers, and even more so at this time of need. And know that you have your entire "Idol" family her for you, and everyone around the world is just hoping that, you know, you can get through this tough time.
HAMMER: And I have to say, Diana, she is lucky to have good friends like you that she can count on in what is going to be a rough road ahead. Diana Degarmo, we appreciate you being here tonight.
Well, as I said, Brooke, we have been getting a lot of very personal messages coming in, literally nonstop for Jennifer Hudson into the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines.
ANDERSON: We have, A.J. And I want to remind our friends at home that they can leave a message for Jennifer and her family by calling "Showbiz On Call." The number is 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some more of your "Showbiz On Call" phone calls for Jennifer and her family, straight ahead.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. Moving on, I know you`re a fan of "Dancing With The Stars." Have you been able to keep up with this season with your busy schedule?
ANDERSON: You know, I catch it when I have time, A.J. But I do love the show. It`s well done. It`s entertaining. And what a season it has been. I was so impressed with 82-year-old Cloris Leachman. Now, even though she got booted from the show, she sure has some serious moves. So, is 80 the new 40? Could Cloris` getting kick off actually be a good thing for older women everywhere? We`ve got that next.
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): Could you even imagine then that this was going to blow up into the phenomenon that it is?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, "High School Musical", the lost interview. You have got to see what we dug up. The cast just before they became huge. You will see it only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And for the very first time since his shocking announcement that he was battling pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze is speaking out in detail about what he sees in his future. You definitely don`t want to miss this. Coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: After six weeks of strutting her stuff on ABC`S "Dancing With The Stars," 82-year-old Cloris Leachman gets the boot. But, hey, she is 82. Cut her a break.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Cloris Leachman won the hearts of the "Dancing With The Stars" viewers and judges with her off-the-wall comments and memorable dance moves. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Cloris may have been canned, but she has become an inspiration. Like I said, she is 82.
Joining me tonight in New York, April Woodard, who is a senior correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in New York, Carolina Bermudez who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly." Hey, ladies, welcome.
And you know, Cloris is not only 82, but listen - the ladies of "The View" had a lot to say today about her leaving the show, and it really says it all. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRY SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": What I admire about Cloris Leachman - because she stepped out of her comfort zone. She was against two Olympians, an NFL Super Bowl champ, a person who I think is 16 years old. And she actually - she kept up and she did well.
(CROSS TALK)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": That`s what`s fascinating it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It is fascinating. She made it to week six. Carolina, was it her moves, her wacky, unpredictable behavior, a sympathy vote - what was it?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": I think it was just the whole package all together. Cloris Leachman was the entertainment. I mean, nothing was better than seeing Samantha Harris and how uncomfortable she would get whenever Cloris would come around. And as far as I`m concerned, anyone that can beat out Kim Kardashian and her ginormous(ph) butt is the winner with me. So Cloris - I`m so sad to see her go. I thought she was the best.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know, I think the producers, the viewers, are really going to miss her. She added so much spark to the show. She was really a fire cracker. And you`ve got any doubt that 82-year-old Cloris didn`t get hurt at all - you know, Joy was saying, "Yes, she didn`t break a hip," you`ve got to take a look at this. Watch.
(VIDEO CLIP OF CLORIS LEACHMAN DANCING)
ANDERSON: It`s pretty amazing to watch what she did on the dance floor. April, I would have to imagine that 80-year-olds everywhere are saying, "Hey, I`m going to dust off my dancing shoes."
And you know, not just 80-year-olds - 40-year-olds, 50-year-olds. She is a real inspiration, isn`t she?
APRIL WOODARD, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Absolutely. And, in fact, our - I`m sorry. I`m so excited about it. But our producers are now calling her "Cleach." And so, you know, any time you get one of those cute little names, you know, you`re going to be around. And she really has inspired everybody to get their groove on.
ANDERSON: She certainly has. And here is something you`ve really got to love. Before she was on "Dancing With The Stars," Mel Brooks apparently told her that she was too old to do her show, "Young Frankenstein," eight days a week on Broadway. Well now, he is reportedly knocking on her door again. Carolina, seems to me that Cloris going to have the last laugh.
BERMUDEZ: Oh, that`s right. You know what? Cloris, hold out for more money. And you know, I smell some endorsements on the way. Maybe some Metamucil, Raisin Bran, you never know. I don`t think we`ve seen the last of Cloris Leachman. And I`m really, really glad. Like you said, she is an inspiration and she makes me feel lazy. You know, I`m 30, and I can`t move like that.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know, we`ve got to give her so much credit for competing with people half her age and more than that. And she really held her own. April, the show is not going to be the same without her, is it?
WOODARD: It really isn`t going to be the same. I want to bring her back. And I heard that - there`s some rumor that she may be coming back in somebody else`s uniform. But they definitely have to get her back on, because she has got a great fan base. And people definitely want to see her on that show again.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. She is an Oscar-winner, a multiple Emmy winner, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE). She has just proven that when she puts her mind into something, she is going to do it. April Woodard, Carolina Bermudez, good to see you. Thanks.
Now, here are some more big reality show news tonight. Kellie Pickler is opening up about her painful struggle with depression. Kellie was a season five finalist on "American Idol." She has a great voice and she also didn`t what "calamari" was. Pickler`s got a pretty good country music career going on right now. And overall, things are going very well for her. But Kellie reveals to Ellen DeGeneres the difficulty she has had battling depression and getting rid of the bad people in her life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KELLIE PICKLER, SINGER: I would definitely say that the past year, you know, which was everything in my professional life, my career, were always going great. But everything in my personal life was just kind of crumbling and I was in a little bit of a dark hole. And I think everyone kind of goes through that stage in your life where you`re trying to figure out who you are.
And I think the thing that I`ve found that`s brought me the most happiness is the filtering that I`ve done. You know, from the people around me. And I truly believe you`re only as good as the company you keep. And it`s been such a struggle filtering out, I guess, the bad. Because you can`t - the good doesn`t go with bad, you know? So it`s been, I guess, a struggle.
ANDERSON: You know, A.J., Kellie is such a sincere, such a sweet girl. I`m happy to hear that she is working to get past her troubles.
HAMMER: Yes. Me, too, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Yes, you know - but moving on, I really don`t know how Jennifer Hudson is going to get past and cope with the horrific killings of her mom, her brother, and her nephew.
ANDERSON: Yes, Brooke, tonight, there is brand-new startling information, a new report that there may have been more than one person involved in these killings. Coming up, the powerful new statements from Hudson`s family. Plus, more of your very personal "Showbiz On Call" messages for Jennifer Hudson.
Also tonight, this will put a smile on your face - SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, "High School Musical," the lost interview. You`ve got to see what we dug up here - the cast right before they became huge. You will see it only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also, this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Cabbage Patch candidates, Obama and Biden, McCain and Palin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. One of a kind Cabbage Patch Kids of the presidential candidates. Just more proof that this is the funniest campaign ever. More brand-new, hysterical laughs in a bit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories making news right now.
HAMMER: Well, Britney Spears` dad has been named permanent conservator of Britney`s personal and money matters. Jamie was named co-conservator last February after Brit checked into a hospital to deal with some psychiatric problems. Well, since then, Brit has turned her life around with the help of her parents.
"People" magazine says Britney, through her lawyer, did not want to object to her father getting the permanent status for now so she can concentrate on her kids and her career.
ANDERSON: Even though there were rumors that Denise Richards` reality show is getting cancelled, tonight, I can tell you, it`s back. "It`s Complicated" has been picked up for a second season on "E!" Shooting will begin in early 2009. Her ex, Charlie Sheen, had protested the show because he didn`t want their kids in it.
HAMMER: Well, here`s some very exciting news. This TV season, we, of course, headed back to "90210." Next year, yes, we could be headed back to "Melrose Place."
All right. The CW, which just launched the "Beverly Hills 90210" spin-off is thinking about a spin-off of Aaron Spelling`s other mid-`90s hit. Not a lot of details yet, but you know, you may remember, big stars in this - Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue Courtney Thorne-Smith, and "Desperate Housewives`" Marcia Cross. They all starred. We`d love to see the "Melrose" reunion, Brooke. And maybe even Jack Wagner will join up.
ANDERSON: Maybe so. You`ll never know. All right. Moving on to Jennifer Hudson and her family`s tragedy. I really cannot imagine what she is going through, what they`re all going through.
HAMMER: Yes. And Brooke, tonight, there are some dramatic new developments in the killings of her mom, her brother and her little nephew. Are police any closer to solving the mystery? Could more than one person be involved?
Plus, the powerful new statements from Hudson`s family, and your personal "Showbiz On Call" messages of support for Hudson. That`s all next.
ANDERSON: All right. I think Patrick Swayze has been so incredibly courageous in his battle with pancreatic cancer. Tonight, Patrick is speaking out for the first time about what the future may hold for him. We`ve got that, coming up.
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): Could you even imagine then that this was going to blow up into the phenomenon that it is?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, "High School Musical," the lost interview. Wow. You`ve got to see what we dug up. The cast just before they became huge. You will see it only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And we are coming right back.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Hudson family killings. Shocking new developments in the killings of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew. Hudson`s brother-in-law in custody. His mom speaking out. Plus, brand-new star reaction to the tragedy. And your "Showbiz On Call" thoughts for Jennifer Hudson. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the latest on the Hudson family killings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): Could you even imagine then that this was going to blow up into the phenomenon that it is?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the long lost interview with the stars of the super huge "High School Musical." You`ve got to see what we dug up, only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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 to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the killing of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew. Tonight, the disturbing new developments. Startling questions surface today about Hudson`s brother-in- law, William Balfour, who is in custody.
Also new tonight, an exclusive and dramatic new interview with Balfour`s mother who is speaking out about her son`s relationship with his estranged wife Julia. And tonight, the dramatic new blog written by Julia on her MySpace page, and how she is dealing with this tragedy, including, of course, the killing of her seven-year-old son.
Joining me tonight in New York is David Caplan, who is a staff editor from "People" magazine. The Hudson tragedy is the cover story of "People`s" new issue. It will be on newsstands this Friday. In Hollywood tonight is Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." I appreciate you guys being here tonight.
A lot of ground to cover, a lot of new developments. Wild reports floating around today, including that police are now investigating whether actually there may have been more than one person involved in these killings. Police today, in fact, told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they can`t confirm that. But David Caplan, are police giving any indication on how close they are to figuring out who killed Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew?
CAPLAN: No, right now they still remain mum exactly on who. They haven`t determined actually, in fact, that Jennifer Hudson`s, you know, estranged brother-in-law is even officially a suspect. He still remains a person of interest. So they`re keeping, you know, very tight-lipped about it.
However, there was a new interesting development today, though, where they found out that William Balfour was actually arrested in June after police found crack cocaine in the driver`s seat of a car he was in. And his parole wasn`t revoked at that time, so he could have been in jail, actually, for the past few months.
HAMMER: And you`re talking about William Balfour ...
CAPLAN: Yes.
HAMMER: ... who is being held on a parole violation currently. That`s how they`re able to hold on to him and looking at him as a person of interest. But a lot was made today, David, of that cocaine arrest, the fact that he got picked up on a cocaine charge back in June and wasn`t jailed for then violating parole as some people saw it. Carlos Diaz, are people jumping to conclusions here? We need to see how this plays out, don`t we?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": We need to see how it plays out, to see if he goes from person of interest to actual suspect. Now, if he does become a suspect in this, and he is the person that everyone is pointing at, you do have to look at this, because he was found in a car with cocaine in it.
And also, he didn`t complete anger management courses that were required by his parole. So that being said, those two things combined, if I`m the family, I`m pretty ticked off.
HAMMER: Yes. And if it does go down that road, obviously, another reason for people just to be so angry about what has happened here. But, again, we cannot jump to conclusions as far as that is concerned.
And what we have seen is this incredible out pouring of support and of goodwill for Jennifer Hudson right now in this unbelievable time. It`s just touched so many people around the country, including, of course, her friends and her admirers in Hollywood.
And in fact, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT had the opportunity to catch up with legendary singer Natalie Cole. Natalie shared her thoughts about Jennifer is going through. I want you to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATALIE COLE, SINGER: I`m sure that she never could have anticipated something like this happening. She is on such a streak of success, and it`s really, really sad. But we`re going to pray for her. She has got fans who love her and support her. And I just hope that they, you know, can give her some closure and find out who did this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "People" magazine`s David Caplan, even for members of the Hollywood community who may not know Jennifer, she really is beloved by them, isn`t she?
CAPLAN: Oh, yes. She is absolutely beloved, because she has this great rags-to-riches story. And a lot of people in Hollywood have similar stories so they completely relate, whether to her whether they`re from Chicago or they have a similar background, you know, they see her as this girl who did well and they love her for it.
HAMMER: And as I mentioned, the mother of William Balfour speaking out. She gave an exclusive interview to Nancy Grace on her show right here on HEADLINE NEWS. And Michelle Balfour describes the relationship her son had with Jennifer`s sister Julia. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRACE: What is your son`s alibi for the time of the shooting?
M. BALFOUR: My son`s alibi was he was with one of his girlfriends. Julia and William were separated, but they were still together. William was not raised to disrespect no one. So he left the home. He wasn`t kicked out. He wasn`t put out. Julia wanted William back. Do that - if William - if Julia felt that William was a threat, don`t you think she would have put a restraining order on him?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: David, Balfour`s mother staunchly defending her son. Carlos, you know, I`m listening to that. Did these statements have the potential to hurt more than help in this case?
DIAZ: If his story contradicts what the mom is saying, yes, it could hurt. And also, if you listen to the mom in that situation, she is saying, well, "William was with one of his girlfriends."
Well, no, no, wait a minute, hold on, they`re still together, but - so she is kind of contradicting herself within that statement saying it`s a girlfriend, but, you know, they are still kind of, you know, together in some way. You have to watch what she is saying because it could come back to hurt him if his story doesn`t, you know, kind of coincide with hers.
HAMMER: We do have another new development I want to get to. Jennifer Hudson`s sister, Julia, who, of course, lost her seven-year-old son. He was also killed. She is now speaking out. We`re hearing from her for the first time on her MySpace page.
Let me read to you what she wrote, quote, "Because I chose to do what was natural to me and love someone, it cost me my beautiful family, my wonderful, beautiful loving supporting mother, Darnell, my true blue baby brother Jason - I love you, big baby. And last but never not least, my only son Julian, my innocent baby, one that was sheltered from all of the evil in the world because we loved him so much."
David Caplan, what has "People" magazine learned about just how devastated Julia, Jennifer Hudson`s sister, is by all this? It just has to be unimaginable.
CAPLAN: You`re absolutely right. Now, Julia, needless to say, is really devastated. And the key thing that she is saying and that she`s feeling is that she feels that, you know, her family is gone, or the majority of the members, because she chose to love somebody. That is what she is saying.
So that`s really to a certain degree why, you know, in hindsight, she almost kicking herself right now. Because she views it like, you know, "I opened myself up to somebody and this is what happened." And in doing so, it`s sort of like she is sort of pointing fingers or sort of narrowing down the suspects.
HAMMER: And it also shows that she does have a certain amount of strength, the fact that she is able to speak out at a time like this. I give her a lot of credit for being able to do that.
And I have to tell you, our "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been inundated. We have been receiving nonstop messages of support for Jennifer Hudson since news broke of this tragedy. I want to play a few for you. One right now from Kimberly in California. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIMBERLY, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: I would like to send my condolences to Jennifer Hudson. I`m a big fan of yours, Jennifer. And just remember - may God bless you and your sister at this time, and mom, your nephew and your brother would want you to keep succeeding in life, so do not give up, Jennifer. They would want you to move forward with your success.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. No question about that. Carlos Diaz, if Jennifer Hudson ever had any doubt, she really now knows how many fans she has around the world and obviously how much they want her to prevail through this.
DIAZ: It`s an amazing story. Jennifer Hudson made it out. She got out of that situation and then the situation pulled her right back in. I think a lot of fans can relate to that. And it`s just a sad, sad story when you not only lose your mom, but your brother and then your beautiful nephew in the same way, and then to have your sister going through all this at the same time. People can really empathize with what she is going through.
HAMMER: Another call I want to get to right now. This is Lania from Nebraska calling in to "Showbiz On Call." Roll that one.
LANIA, CALLER FROM NEBRASKA: I would like to leave my condolences for Julia and Jennifer Hudson, as well as the rest of their family and friends during this very hard time that they`re going through. I hope that the media gives you the respect that you guys deserve, and that I want you to know that you are definitely in our hearts and our prayers.
HAMMER: Yes. Real quickly, wrap it up for me David Caplan. Do we have a sense of when the funeral is taking place?
CAPLAN: Right now, no date is being set. But I do know that the fact that Jennifer`s aunt owns a funeral home in Chicago. And the aunt has said that the arrangements, when they do have them, will be held there. So it will be a family affair.
HAMMER: And there are reports that everyone from Oprah to Beyonce will come out to show their support. We don`t have any confirmation of that yet. But David Caplan, Carlos Diaz, I do appreciate you being here tonight.
Keep in mind you can get the new issue of "People" magazine on newsstands this Friday.
As I`ve said, Brooke, we have been getting a ton of personal messages for Jennifer Hudson. I wish we could play all of them that are coming into "Showbiz On Call."
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. And I do want to remind our viewers that they can leave a message for Jennifer and her family by calling "Showbiz On Call." The number is 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail, as A.J. said. We wish we could play them all, but we will play some of your "Showbiz On Call" phone calls on this show.
All right. Moving on, A.J. It is no secret the "High School Musical" movie is number one at the box office and breaking records.
HAMMER: Yes. It doesn`t surprise me at all. But I can guarantee you, we`ll be surprised by what we are about to show you, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the cast of "High School Musical," the lost interview. It is unbelievable what we have dug up. You`ve got to stick around for that.
And also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Cabbage Patch candidates, Obama and Biden, McCain and Palin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The presidential campaign going to the dolls - Cabbage Patch dolls. I`m not kidding. Just another reason SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is calling this the funniest campaign ever.
HAMMER: Plus, the incredible Patrick Swayze survival story. Tonight, Swayze`s first interview since being diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago and being told he had little chance of surviving. His amazing personal tale of survival when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT comes right back.
ANDERSON: And remember, you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT video any time. We are posting new stuff for you at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Among the videos now playing, "Ambassador Oprah?" If Barack Obama becomes president, could he possibly name Oprah ambassador to England?
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HAMMER: All right. I know we`re all a little sick of the election hype by now. But did you see this? A New Mexico newspaper declared Barack Obama the winner of next Tuesday`s election.
Here`s the deal as to why this happened. The "Sun" news only comes out twice a month. The new edition doesn`t come out until after the election. So the admittedly left-leaning paper took a little leap of faith. It kind of reminds me the old "Dewey Beats Truman" headline which turned out to be wrong 60 years ago.
Well, obviously we`ll have to wait and see if history repeats itself here or if those folks at "Sun" news got the scoop of the year.
ANDERSON: All right. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, more proof that this truly is the funniest campaign ever. I have been cracking up, watching all kinds of stars get in on the action from Ron Howard`s pro-Obama "Happy Days" spoof to Paris Hilton`s fake run for the White House. And now, the campaign has gone to the dolls, the Cabbage Patch dolls. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice over): Cuddly candidates, cold candidates. In jacket and jeans, Sen. Obama addressed supporters in a monsoon that left Obama fans shivering.
CROWD: We want change!
MOOS: Change of temperature, change of drapes?
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Sen. Obama is measuring the drapes.
GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: You`ve got him measuring the drapes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re not measuring any drapes.
MCCAIN: He`s measuring the drapes.
MOOS (on camera): Did you actually measure the drapes?
KAKI HOCKERSMITH, INTERIOR DESIGNER: Yes, I did, on January 2nd.
MOOS: Interior designer Kaki Hockersmith changed the Oval Office drapes to gold after Bill Clinton was elected, changed them from the blue drapes favored by George Bush, Sr. Do they have to change the drapes for every president?
HOCKERSMITH: Most presidents do change the Oval Office.
MOOS (voice over): Currently, the drapes are gold again. Even "Saturday Night Live" may have to change its drapes.
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: Thumbs up, everybody.
MOOS: Just imagine the drapes Paris Hilton would install.
CHORUS: Paris for president.
PARIS HILTON, ACTRESS: Your commander in bikini.
MOOS: This is her new "Paris for President" video. Other political videos are capitalizing on the false story told by that McCain supporter who claimed an Obama supporter carved a "B" in her cheek. Here come the parodies.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re going to be a John McCain supporter.
MOOS: On "The Daily Show," fake business correspondent Samantha B claimed Allen Greenspan disfigured her.
JON STEWART, COMEDIAN: The "B" on your cheek is backward backwards.
SAMANTHA B., COMEDIENNE: I know. He must have done it from inside my mouth somehow.
MOOS: Speaking of initials, there is the N-word controversy that wasn`t. Someone screamed something about Barack Obama at a Sarah Palin rally. Left-wing blogs thought the n word had been hurled, but soon, right-wing blogs were analyzing the sound bite.
Most listeners concluded the woman yelled, "He`s a re-distributor," referring to redistribution of wealth. The bite was even slowed down for analysis. With all this hostility, maybe it`s time for a hug.
MOOS: Let`s get them in the right order here. Cabbage Patch candidates, Obama and Biden, McCain and Palin.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I`m buying that and bring it home, my mother would kill me.
MOOS: Actually, these are one of a kind to be auctioned off on eBay to mark the 25th anniversary of the Cabbage Patch kids with proceeds going to charity. Sarah -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t know - I like her.
MOOS: At least no one is asking her where the outfit`s from.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: All right. Are you ready, because tonight, we`ve got a great SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, "High School Musical," the lost interview. "High School Musical III: Senior Year" is a box office smash, opened up at number one. It`s made a record $42 million so far.
But before they were huge stars, these guys were on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This was back in 2006 when a very giddy cast spoke with me about their excitement and awe just before they made it big time. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively reveals "High School Musical," the lost interview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Look at you. Look at what has happened to your lives. I mean, this is pretty unbelievable. I have to imagine, you know, when you went in for the gig some of you thought just another audition. We`ll see how this one goes. Am I right about that?
VANESSA ANNE HUDGENS, ACTRESS: Yes.
HAMMER: OK. So fast forward to when you actually get the part and you see the script and you`re reading it. Could you even imagine then that this was going blow up into the phenomenon that it is?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
MONIQUE COLEMAN, ACTRESS: There were moments, there were little glimmers shooting a couple of scenes that there`s something special going here.
HAMMER: Shaquille O`Neal reportedly singing one of the songs from your movie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you serious?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where`s Shaq? Get Shaq!
HAMMER: Can you guess which song?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Get in the Game".
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Get in the Game".
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Get in the Game".
HUDGENS: That`s so cool.
HAMMER: There you go. Who would have thought?
BLEU: Why don`t they bring Shaq out for me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, Shaq!
HAMMER: Shaq`s a little busy right now, but tell me why it is that you think it has also now connected with adults in such a big way.
ASHLEY TISDALE, ACTRESS: I think the characters are really relatable. They`ve gone to school with them. You`ve gone to school with our characters. I think they`re a little bit over exaggerated. But you know, everyone has a Sharpay and everyone has a brainy girl. And you - it`s just actually, like, you relate to it, especially adults do.
HAMMER: Here we go. We`ve got a sequel. I understand you`re all onboard for the sequel.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
HAMMER: You`re currently in negotiation. I don`t know if all the papers have been signed yet. There`s a book.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A book?
HAMMER: They`re talking about doing a version in Bollywood over in India of this. Where would you like to see this go? Ultimate dream?
COLEMAN: I want an action figure.
HAMMER: Action figure?
COLEMAN: I really do.
TISDALE: I want a Barbie doll.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My gosh.
HUDGENS: I think I`d like to see "High School Musical" in school productions, because I mean, that`s what I grew up doing. So seeing other kid doing it.
ZAC EFRON, ACTOR: We went to this school and these kids were actually taking scenes from this movie and acting them out. And it was these 10, 11, 12- year-old kids doing it. And it was just like - it was amazing. It was the greatest feeling.
HUDGENS: That`s one of my favorite...
TISDALE: Whoever puts it on the first, I want the whole cast to be there and watch it.
LUCAS GABRIEL, ACTOR: I want it to be re-written and take it to New York. I would love to see - yes, people on the big stage do it. I think that would be cool.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, it was a pretty good idea. Wouldn`t you know it, two years after we did that interview, there are dolls made up in their image. And yes, there`s word that there may be a Broadway version of this show in the works.
ANDERSON: Wow. All right. Up next, Patrick Swayze`s very first interview since diagnosed with cancer almost a year ago. The star of "Dirty Dancing" was told he had little chance of surviving. But wait until you hear Patrick`s amazing story of survival and what he says about the future. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
HAMMER: Do you check out the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast? Well, you should because, first of all, it`s free. And we`re changing it up all the time. You can find them right on our Website at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You go right to the homepage. You click where you need to click and you download the podcast. Or if you like to use iTunes, you can get it there too. Just do a little search for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming straight back. Don`t go anywhere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Believe it or not, it was just 10 months ago when we all heard the shocking news that Patrick Swayze had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a grim diagnosis.
But tonight, Patrick is speaking out for the very first time in a revealing "New York Times" interview getting personal about surviving cancer and his future.
Patrick is working on and starring in a brand new TV series and he tells the "New York Times" he has only missed a day and a half of work while being treated for cancer. That is unbelievable.
Patrick says it is his work that keeps him going, saying, quote, "How do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you`re a dead man. You go to work."
Patrick also says although cancer slowed him down, he`s got big plans for the future saying, quote, "I sure would like to make a mark in life. I`ve made a pretty decent mark so far - nothing to scoff at, but it does make you thin, `Wait a minute there is more I want to do. Lots more.`" truly an inspiration.
Patrick`s new show is called "The Beast." And it starts in January on A & E.
ANDERSON: A.J., Paul Newman was an inspiration to so many as well. He lost his battle with cancer last month. But his Hollywood friends came out to pay tribute and raise money for a charity that was close to his heart.
Danny Glover, Rita Wilson and Danny DeVito were just a few of the huge stars who attended a benefit for the Painted Turtle, a camp for sick kids that Newman started in `99. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis who both worked with Newman but admired him for more than just his talents on screen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HANKS, ACTOR: I don`t even want to say he was an artist because I think that would diminish him as a man. He taught us all how to do this, how to be in the business and live up to responsibilities and pull our weight and give service to our country in a way that only we can.
BRUCE WILLIS, ACTOR: You see his films you can see him when he`s a young kid. And you can see him when he is a veteran, when he is no longer a kid, when he is a grown man. And I got to work with him when he was a grown man. He is a great example of how to live your life as a grown man in a very - you know, in a very public way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Yes, giving back, right?
WILLIS: Right. Exactly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Paul Newman and his Newman`s Own brand have given more than $250 million to charity.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s nice to see that legacy will continue. A lot of money will continue to be raised for all of the causes that Paul believed in, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Right.
HAMMER: Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s, - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is coming up next. Take care.
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