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Showbiz Tonight
Oprah`s Warning to Rihanna; Chris Brown and Rihanna TV Tour?; Octomom`s Publicist Quits and Calls Her Nuts; Octograndpa`s Bizarre Revelations; Barkley`s News Conference Behind Bars
Aired March 09, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Oprah`s shocking warning to Rihanna about Chris Brown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why Oprah thinks Rihanna is in major danger. And why Rihanna is now saying she would testify against Chris Brown for allegedly beating her to a pulp. Plus, the unbelievable report that Brown and Rihanna may be doing a $10 million tour. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the brand-new outrage over what happened to Rihanna.
Calling the octomom nuts. Tonight, the octomom abandoned again by a publicist. And he calls her nuts and greedy. Plus, the Octograndpa`s dramatic new revelations.
And the superstar behind bars gives the most bizarre news conference ever.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let`s be realistic. I mean I am not going to kill myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, Oprah`s chilling warning to Rihanna.
HAMMER: Yes. Is Oprah Winfrey trying to save Rihanna from herself? Oprah is getting square in the middle of the outrage over Rihanna sticking with Chris Brown. Rihanna back with him, even though he is charged with beating her up so badly an apparent picture of her, after the alleged beating, made the pop superstar almost unrecognizable.
And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned that Oprah is not done yet trying to make her point. It`s all making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WINFREY: If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s right.
WINFREY: He will hit you again. I don`t care what his plea is.
HAMMER (voice over): Powerful words from Oprah Winfrey to Rihanna, words of warning, words of advice.
WINFREY: Love doesn`t hurt.
HAMMER: Oprah spoke out following the disturbing reports that Rihanna is now back together with her boyfriend Chris Brown who faces two felony charges for allegedly beating Rihanna during an argument last month. Oprah says there is no way they should get back together. And she got right to the point.
WINFREY: Both Chris Brown and Rihanna - if I were your friend, I would call you up and I would say, give it some time, get yourself some counseling. Take care of yourself. Heal yourself first.
HAMMER: Oprah`s friend, Gayle King, also weighed in.
GAYLE KING, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: I`m worried that she is sending the wrong message to the young fans.
HAMMER: Oprah and Gail are not alone. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you just one month after the alleged beating, reports that Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together have touched a major nerve.
ALICIA QUARLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS: In general, fans are shocked and disappointed with Rihanna`s reported decision to get back with Chris Brown.
HAMMER: Some in Rihanna`s camp reportedly feel the same way.
LAURA SCHREFFLER, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": Rihanna`s friend and family find it very troubling that she might be going back to the troubled singer.
HAMMER: Laura Schreffler of the "New York Daily News" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT even those in Rihanna`s inner circle are saying the same thing Oprah is - cut Brown loose.
SCHREFFLER: Some people think that this could be a really harmful move for Rihanna`s career.
WINFREY: If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
HAMMER: But despite warnings from Oprah and just about everyone else, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, not only is Rihanna apparently working on her relationship with Chris Brown, she may also be working to make sure he doesn`t pay too dearly for his alleged crime.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People versus Christopher Brown -
HAMMER: At Chris Brown`s court hearing last week, Rihanna, through her attorney, refused to ask the judge for a stay-away order against Brown. Not only that, Rihanna`s own attorney, her own attorney, actually took a minute to reassure Brown.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, RIHANNA`S ATTORNEY: I think that Rihanna would like this over as quickly as possible as well. It benefits everybody.
HAMMER: Rihanna`s attorney has revealed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she will testify in a potential Chris Brown trial if she is subpoenaed. But all signs say she`d rather not.
QUARLES: Rihanna is not going to throw the book at this guy if they really are back together. This is her man. She`s going to want to fight for him and make sure that his life and his career aren`t ended by this incident which outrages a lot of women.
A lot of people look to her to make an example, to say to men across America it is not OK to do this. But it seems she is just doing the opposite.
WINFREY: I want to do a show about it this week, dedicated to all right Rihannas of the world.
HAMMER: There is more to come from Oprah on this. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that a show Oprah planned to do on domestic violence will be done live this Thursday. And you can bet there will be more words of advice to Rihanna.
WINFREY: If a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s right.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Absolutely. Powerful words from Oprah to Rihanna. But can Oprah even get through to the troubled pop star?
Joining me tonight in New York is Marvet Britto, celebrity publicist and founder of the Britto Agency. Also in New York, Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor with the legal network "In Session."
Well, we just heard Oprah passionately responding to reports that Rihanna and Chris Brown have reconciled telling her to take time to get counseling. Marvet, to you first. Do you think even Oprah can get through to Rihanna?
MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: A.J., I believe Oprah can. Oprah has been blessed to be the most influential voice of our time. And she has earned that spot by virtue of her character and moral standards.
So when she speaks to Rihanna, she is speaking in a motherly way. When you saw Oprah speak into that camera, she did it with such passion and conviction. And I am confident that Rihanna was listening.
HAMMER: Yes. I can`t overstate the power of Oprah`s message to Rihanna. And when you watch it, you really do understand why it is being seen as a wake-up call to Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Give it some time. Get yourself some counseling.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Both of you.
WINFREY: Take care of yourself. Heal yourself first. And also, love doesn`t hurt. I have been saying this to women for years. Love doesn`t hurt. An if a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s right.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You can hear everybody applauding there. Ashleigh, is Oprah right there? I mean, is Rihanna just delusional to think that if Chris Brown hit her once, he wouldn`t do it again?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": You know, Oprah is not talking about opinion here. She is actually stating fact. Let me tell you, the American Bar Association did a study in which 41 percent of participants stated that they were actually re-assaulted in a 30-month period following their initial assault.
Those are the ones on the books, A.J. Those are the ones that made it into court.
HAMMER: Yes.
BANFIELD: There are a whole lot more that never made it into court.
HAMMER: Yes. These are facts somebody has got to be telling Rihanna. And it just makes us wonder and wonder why the heck she is reportedly back with this guy. Now, Chris, reportedly - well, he is due in court next month, April 6th. He has his arraignment had been continued to that date.
And tonight, there are brand-new reports that Brown who is charged of course with two felonies, is going to cop a plea, but for a misdemeanor and that would bring no jail time.
Marvet, if that happens would you be outraged?
MARVET BRITTO, FOUNDER, BRITTO AGENCY: I wouldn`t necessarily be outraged. It`s not like our jail system is known for rehabilitating people. This is more about Chris getting help. This is more about Chris, you know, getting treatment.
So Chris should use his platform for change. He should use his platform to work with folks who have been abused and speak to men who are cowards and who beat on women. He should use this platform in that way.
Going to jail doesn`t mean he`s going to emerge a better person and this won`t happen again.
HAMMER: Yes. I hear what you are saying and I guess a lot of people, Marvet, are looking at the potential of him doing jail time, not as rehabilitation, but as punishment, you know. It`s punishment for the crime, if it comes to that.
Let me get to some calls because the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines just jammed up with callers. Tamara calling in from Jersey had something interesting to say. Roll that one.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TAMARA, CALLER FROM JERSEY: I think it`s despicable that they would get back together. I think they`re horrible. And I think they`re not setting a good example. They`re not being the role models they`re set out to be.
And I hope to god that she is smart enough to see this situation from outside the box and realize what she has gotten herself into.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Thanks, Tamara. I think you are saying what a lot are thinking. Ashleigh, with a campaign like Oprah Winfrey`s, could Rihanna perhaps have to bow to the pressure to leave Chris?
BANFIELD: No. No. She doesn`t have to do anything she doesn`t want if she doesn`t want the repercussions. It could kill her career to do that. And then, it could actually kill her. Let me just quote the U.S. Department of Justice study that showed that 50 percent of men who are in state prisons for spousal abuse killed their spouse. Not just hurt - killed.
That is a huge stat. And it is extraordinarily dangerous. She needs to think about that.
HAMMER: Yes. I agree with what you are saying. Obviously, she doesn`t have to do anything she doesn`t want to.
But Marvet, what do you think? You know, you work within the public relations field. You know how this game plays out. And when you have Oprah Winfrey, Queen Oprah, putting it out there like this, Rihanna`s got to be aware of this. And perhaps that could apply some pressure for her to leave.
BRITTO: I don`t know if it will apply pressure for her to leave. Nor should we judge her relationship with Chris. We still don`t know what transpired. What we do know is that Oprah has gotten herself involved and will use her platform for women to have dialogue. Maybe that dialogue will help Rihanna. Maybe that dialogue will help her understand she needs to use her voice.
What is dangerous here is that Rihanna has been silent. And in her silence, she has condoned Chris` behavior. So we need to hear people speaking. We need to hear women who have gone through this speak. And maybe that will help Rihanna emerge and really, use her voice to help women because that`s what her fans want.
HAMMER: Yes.
BRITTO: They don`t want her to be submissive and be silent. And that`s what we have seen from Rihanna thus far.
HAMMER: Well, and that plays into this sort of mixed messages that are being put out there perhaps unintentionally.
I should point out we are not just being flooded with calls coming into "Showbiz on Call." We`re getting a ton of E-mail every day. It`s showing up from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers.
I want to read one particular E-mail. This is Jennifer from Tennessee who wrote in this, "My 13-year-old daughter made a pact with her friends to never buy another Rihanna CD again if she stays with Chris."
So that is back to the message that is maybe unintentionally being put out there by Rihanna. Thirteen-year-old fans have been watching all of this unfold. Ashleigh, that`s really scary and I suppose positive at the same time isn`t it?
BANFIELD: Yes. Scary and positive. I`m sad to say them as well in the same sentence. But according to U.S. Department of Justice, A.J., one in three teenage relationships actually has physical violence as a component of it. So maybe this is something that will help bring light to kids and the problems that they can face and to adults.
It is a problem that is pervasive among women of any age. They have to realize that it is not a small problem. And it`s not just going to go away.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think what we will find is there are pacts of young women and perhaps young men making these agreements with their friend based on what is going on out here with this case. Marvet Britto, Ashleigh Banfield, I thank you both.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s coverage of the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama continues. Coming up, this explosive bombshell. Are Brown and Rihanna going on a $10- million tour together? We`ve got that in just a bit on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. What do you think? Here is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Rihanna: Is it time for her to dump Chris Brown? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or you can E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., you have got to hear what the octomom is being called tonight.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Obviously, she has been called lots of things and most of them not so nice, right?
ANDERSON: Yes. Not so nice. Tonight, somebody is reportedly calling her nuts. That`s right. Nuts. Octuplet mom abandoned again by her publicist. He is calling her nuts, even greedy. Plus the octograndpa`s dramatic new revelations, coming up.
HAMMER: The "Showbiz Obama Watch." Your first look at the secrets that Michelle Obama reveals to Oprah Winfrey. What the first lady tells Oprah about her life at the White House.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BARKLEY, FORMER NBA STAR: I want to really thank the inmates. They have been really cool. I`m not a crook as in Bernie Madoff is a crook.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Former NBA star Charles Barkley on Bernie Madoff from jail? You`ve got to see this. I think this could be the most bizarre, outrageous news conference ever. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Britney Spears visits sick kids at Miami`s children hospital. "Watchmen" debuts at number one at the box office, pulls in more than $55 million.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARRACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Christopher once told a reporter that was interviewing him, "If you came back here in 10 years, I expect that I would walk to the door to greet you."
Now, Christopher did not get that chance. But if we pursue this research, maybe one day, others like Christopher Reeve might.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: President Barack Obama paying tribute to the late Christopher Reeve after lifting the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Reeve and his wife Dana really pushed for this after Reeve became paralyzed in a horseback riding accident.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And now, the "SHOWBIZ Obama Watch." Tonight, your first look at the secrets of what life has been like for the Obamas since moving into the White House.
In the brand-new issue of "O" magazine, Oprah gets First Lady Michelle Obama to really open up about how she is turning 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue into a comfortable home for everyone, her husband, Barack, their kids and their friends.
Here is CNN`s Ted Rowlands for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): What was the first weekend like after the inauguration for First Lady Michelle Obama? "Almost like a wedding," she told Oprah Winfrey, "A huge, very complicated wedding. The last visitors didn`t leave until Sunday. And the first Monday was kind of weird, you know, now we live here. And Barack is getting up and going to work, and it`s just us. This is our home now."
A home the first lady told Oprah she is decorating to reflect the tastes of the first family. Saying, quote, "I want comfortable sofas. I want art that reflects contemporary and traditional. I want to bring in new American artisans. And you`ve got to be able to make a fort with the sofa pillows. Everything must be fort-worthy."
Winfrey on her show Friday said the first lady talked about making the White House the people`s house, including the children`s new swing set.
WINFREY: She said for other family members who work in the White House, for people who work in the White House and they bring their kids, they also have access to the swing set.
ROWLANDS: Mrs. Obama shared some funny experiences with Oprah including this on what it is like keeping up with friends, saying, quote, "That is the thing about being the first lady. You try to catch your friends up on what is happening in your life. And they`re like, `We know - we read it in the paper.`"
And this, on her daughters` excitement level about seeing dad coming home on Marine One, quote, "The girls don`t move. I`m like, "You want to see daddy landing in the helicopter?` `No, that`s OK. We are already saw it.`"
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Ted Rowlands for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And this actually marks the first time somebody other than Oprah has been on the cover of Oprah`s "O" magazine." "O" magazine with Michelle Obama on the cover is on newsstands March 17.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are still ringing nonstop with people calling in this latest Chris Brown-Rihanna development.
ANDERSON: You are right. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Brenda in Kentucky. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BRENDA, CALLER FROM KENTUCKY: If Rihanna chooses to stay with Mr. Brown, then I think that she should be dropped from the Covergirl contract with Queen Latifah and Beyonce, two very beautiful and strong women. She should not be allowed to represent such a company with those two black, gorgeous women who are also intelligent and smart.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: We do appreciate your call and your opinion, Brenda. We also heard from Steph calling into "Showbiz on Call."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
STEPH, CALLER: I have a daughter, a 13-year-old. And before I could delete all of - and any of Rihanna`s music off of her mp3 player, media player on her phone, in her computer, my daughter just expressed how disappointed she was and how - as a black female, how she is not the role model for us.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for that, Steph. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else that is on your mind.
HAMMER: Here is the phone number for the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines which are always open, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online. Our homepage is where you find them, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
So Brooke, tonight, there are brand-new shocking developments in the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama.
ANDERSON: A.J., I hear Brown and Rihanna might actually tour together. What?
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. This is just totally unbelievable. Is there a $10- million deal in the works between them? There is growing outrage over the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. Could Brown actually win an award even with his felony charges? That is coming up.
ANDERSON: Also tonight, the octomom called nuts. That`s right. The explosive news that another octuplet mom publicist quits. He reportedly calls her nuts. He reportedly calls her greedy. Plus, the octograndpa`s brand-new interview. You have got to hear what he is saying now.
HAMMER: All right. Why is Jimmy Kimmel dressing up as Rosie O`Donnell to reveal shocking news about his relationship with Sarah Silverman? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
ANDERSON: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "E! Online": "Survivor" host Jeff Probst helps woman who has seizure at awards show. First edition of Harry Potter book sells for $19,120.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Did you see this? Jimmy Kimmel`s on again-off again relationship with Sarah Silverman is off again. But that is not stopping Jimmy from having some fun.
On "The View" today, Kimmel showed up dressed like none other than former "View" co-host, Rosie O`Donnell. He talked a bit about his breakup with Sarah and took aim at one of "The View`s" more memorable guests of the recent past. Now, I`ve got it cued up for you. But first, you`ve got to take a look at what happened when he first came out on stage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, COMEDIAN: Things ended abruptly with Rosie and I wanted to give you, Ladies, a chance.
(CROSS TALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn`t know.
KIMMEL: You didn`t know? What do you think - these Koosh balls are here for my health?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My god!
KIMMEL: I am so happy to finally be here. You look disgusted, Barbara. What is wrong?
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE VIEW": You think - I was smiling at you.
KIMMEL: That was smiling?
WALTERS: Well, you were always so nasty to me on the air.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Oh, god. Here we go.
WALTERS: We never had you on the show. And they said, "How would you look to have Jimmy Kimmel on?" And I said, "I am sure he will be adorable, sweet and nice, and I`d love to." And you sit down and the first thing you do is say I look disgusted.
KIMMEL: Disgusted. I didn`t say disgusting.
(CROSS TALK)
You know what? The only thing better than breaking up is going on "The View" right after your break up. It`s really living a dream.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST: What happened? Sarah said - when she was on, she said you were going to work it out.
KIMMEL: What do you mean what happened? What do you mean? What do you think happened? I`m a 41-year-old man with a bra filled with Koosh balls. What do you think happened? I`m an imbecile. She couldn`t date an imbecile anymore.
BEHAR: Well, she liked you for a while.
KIMMEL: Yes. But you know what? All things come to an end.
(CROSS TALK)
Well, for instance there is one time and we showed a clip on my show. Ann Coulter was on here.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Oh, yes. We were lovely to her.
KIMMEL: This is a despicable woman.
BEHAR: She is not. We liked her very much.
KIMMEL: But still - no, you didn`t. You didn`t. I have a clip here.
SHEPHERD: We want to see this clip.
KIMMEL: Watch.
SHEPHERD: OK. Let`s see it.
(CROSS TALK)
SHEPHERD: I do not appreciate the way you`re talking to her. You didn`t have to -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was a pretty good look for Jimmy also. Barbara asked Jimmy if it was really over with Sarah this time. He said he doesn`t know what is going to happen. Ask her.
ANDERSON: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Brand-new Chris Brown-Rihanna developments. Tonight, do they have a $10 million deal to go on tour together?
Also tonight another octomom publicist quits. Why this guy is bailing on her and why he is reportedly calling the octomom nuts.
And Charles Barkley in the most bizarre news conference ever from jail. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: N.Y. judge adjourns case against man accused of stalking "SNL`s" Lorne Michaels. Fergie, Pussy Cat Dolls to perform at NCAA.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - a brand-new bombshell in the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Will Chris and Rihanna really go on a talk show tour together? And is there a deal for Chris Brown to pay $10 million if he hurts Rihanna? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has all the explosive late- breaking developments.
Brand-new octomom drama. Her second publicist has quit and is speaking out, calling the octomom greedy and nuts.
Plus more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. And I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the Chris Brown- Rihanna drama. Tonight, the unbelievable report that Brown and Rihanna may be doing a $10 million apology tour.
HAMMER: Brooke, this is something. It could be true. And it is the very latest shocking twist in this disturbing case. Tonight, there is a new bombshell report that Chris Brown would pay up to $10 million if he as much as squeezes her the wrong way.
Another big part of this remarkable plan, Brown and Rihanna would make the talk show rounds for emotional and revealing interviews about domestic violence. And Brown would reportedly co-write a book about his personal experience with abuse. Now, this all is coming as outrage grows over Chris Brown`s nominations for two Nickelodeon Kids` Choice Awards.
With me tonight from Hollywood, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." Here in New York, it`s Jane Velez-Mitchell host of "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell." You can see her weeknights 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
All right. We`ve got to begin with the brand-new and I think mind- boggling report in "The Chicago-Sun Times" saying Chris Brown`s road to redemption after his alleged attack on Rihanna is called "Project Mea Culpa."
I want to run through what he is reportedly considering with this because it is just wild. He`s talking about doing a talk show tour with Rihanna revealing how they are healing together, doing a book about abuse.
And, most shocking of all, if you ask me, Chris Brown making a $10 million commitment to Rihanna that nothing like this would ever happen again.
All right, Jane off to you first. Chris Brown`s attorney told us today at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that there is no truth to this. But that said, do you think something like this would actually be a good idea?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": A.J., there are elements of a good idea within it. But it has to be done for the right reasons. It cannot be done to rehabilitate a career. It has to be done to rehabilitate and redeem a human being.
And for that to happen, Chris Brown has to do a lot of work on himself. He has to, first of all, find out why he is so angry. The second thing he has to do is find out why he always goes to violence as a solution or at least did in this case, allegedly. And the third thing he has to do is learn that there are other solutions other than violence.
Now, could he do awful that on the road? In other words can Oprah and Dr. Phil or you, A.J., play shrink to him? I don`t think so. I think he`s going to have to do some work, some research on himself. Then, he can write a book. In the meantime, he should give $10 million to a battered women`s shelter today.
HAMMER: Yes, yes. No kidding on that. I am right there with you, Jane. I think anything that he does - the contrition, the healing - it has to be much more organic than a plan like this sounds. What do you make of it, Carlos?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Well, Jane, the show is called SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, not "Psychology Tonight." So let`s talk about what the actual showbiz of this portion is.
You know what? We are talking about a guy who wants - he is trying to save his career. That`s all he is doing. Jane, I agree with you, in a perfect world, this would be all about him, you know, wanting to make himself a better person.
But what he is trying to do is save Chris Brown the singer, Chris Brown the dancer. And this is the only way he can do it, go on the talk show circuit with Rihanna, holding her hand the entire time saying they made up, saying, "I will give her $10 million if I do it again. That means I will never do it again."
And you know, he`s got to get out there and say, "Look, I have learned. I`m going to put it in ink. And I`m going to donate all money from the book to a battered women`s foundation."
HAMMER: But Carlos, when he`s here and laid it out like this, doesn`t it all just sound so transparent that it could kind of backfire?
DIAZ: You know, the funny thing is, A.J., like I didn`t think about that. When I heard it, I`m like, "OK, good plan. That`s a good plan. That`s a good plan." I live in Hollywood. So my entire life is all about like, people, like spinning to lay things out. I`m like, "Oh, yes, yes. That might come off this way." But in this world of Hollywood, it`s like, "No, that`s a good plan because that`s the world we live in out here."
HAMMER: Interesting. I`ve got to tell you, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have just been overloaded with lots of people calling in who think the whole idea of Brown and Rihanna even being together for any reason at all is outrageous, Here now is what Corey from Louisiana has to say.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
COREY, CALLER FROM LOUISIANA: I think the people who are handling their music careers are forcing them together because they know if something happened, then the money would be lost. They wouldn`t be making no money for nobody. So I think it is all about the money. And I think Rihanna needs to drop him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Thanks a lot, Corey, for your call. Jane, to Corey`s point, would a "Project Mea Culpa" be a way, not only to perhaps try to rehabilitate Chris Brown`s career, but also save Rihanna`s career which, you know, has also been damaged by what`s happened here.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. Both of their careers have been damaged by this, A.J. Sadly, she has sort of become the poster child for battered women`s syndrome at this point.
But I don`t think any of this, echoing what Carlos said, can be done for PR career moves. It really has to be about what they`re going to learn or have learned as human beings.
But here is a caveat, they are celebrities. Let`s face it. Domestic violence is going on all across this country right now as we speak. The reason we care is that these two are celebrities.
So, society has an opportunity here to learn something from this experience because, let`s face it. We`re locking people up left and right and domestic violence is still occurring. So that can`t be the only solution for us as a society.
There is an opportunity for us to turn around and rehabilitate both of these people and then teach kids, because kids listen to these guys. That is the key difference.
HAMMER: Yes, I mean, I think, very clearly one of the upsides, if you can look at it that way, of all of this is the fact that it is getting a lot of discussion.
Now, if this kind of "Project Mea Culpa" happened, Rihanna, obviously, would be a huge part of it. But you have to hear what Chris from California said when he called in to "Showbiz on Call" about how outraged he is that Rihanna is back with Chris. Let`s listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CHRIS, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: Rihanna, it`s sad. It`s sad. You are throwing your career away like this. I hope you know I ripped all your pictures off my daughter`s wall, took of all of your CDs out of my daughter`s room and broke them and threw it away.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Thank you, Chris for your call. I think this is going on all over America. Carlos, are there not so many parents who, like our caller, are just plain disgusted about Chris and they`re the ones - they`re the ones that have to be brought over to the other side and convinced that he is on the right path?
DIAZ: No, exactly. This is, Chris made a great point. I mean, Rihanna`s career is going to take a downward spin if a lot of parents get behind what the caller was saying about, you know, taking their posters down and ripping up their CDs and this and that.
I`ve talked to radio stations across the country and there are a number of radio stations who were, you know, playing Rihanna more than they played her before because she was a sign of hope and power. Now, they`re talking about not playing Rihanna records now because they see her as being weak.
HAMMER: Wild. It`s wild - I mean the way this has sort of splintered in so many directions. Now, you`ve got to listen to this. Before the alleged attack, kid voters nominated both Chris Brown and Rihanna for the Nickelodeon`s upcoming Kids Choice Awards. No huge surprise there.
Again, that happened before the alleged attack. Now, there is growing pressure for Nickelodeon to take Brown off the list of nominees.
And here is what Nickelodeon told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this afternoon about all of this, quote, "Like all our KCA nominees, Chris Brown was nominated by kids several months ago based on his work as a performer. And the kids who vote will ultimately decide who wins in the category."
Jane, that said, should Nickelodeon drop Chris Brown from consideration here?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes. I think they really should at this point. I say that with this caveat, that he is 19 years old. This is not some 45-year- old guy who has a long rap sheet for beating up women.
And we do have - in our society, we have a need to offer people the possibility of redemption. And if he is really willing to change - let`s face it, that would be the best outcome for all of us. Locking him up and having him become bitter and perhaps learning about crime for five years in prison is not the optimal solution.
The optimal solution is him to change, to become a peaceful person and then to teach peace in schools around the country. That requires real transformation.
HAMMER: Yes. Tough spot for Nickelodeon there because it could potentially send a terrible message if he does remain a part of that show in some degree. Carlos Diaz, Jane Velez-Mitchell, I thank you both.
Now, we have been asking you to vote on our showbiz tonight question of the day. Here it is - "Rihanna: Is it time for her to dump Chris Brown?" Let us know, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or, E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
And we would also like you to call us at "Showbiz on Call." That way, you can let us know in your own voice exactly what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines always open for that very reason - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave your voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So Brooke, there is now brand-new drama as we move on for the octomom.
ANDERSON: You are right, A.J. For the second time in just a few weeks, her publicist has quit. And he didn`t just quit, he is talking. Coming up, why he is calling her nuts.
Also, Charles Barkley behind bars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARKLEY: I want to really thank the inmates. They have been really cool. I`m not a crook as in Bernie Madoff is a crook.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Coming up, one of the strangest press conferences I have ever seen. Why Charles Barkley held a press conference in jail.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Amy Winehouse denied work visa to perform at U.S. Coachella Music Festival. Martha Stewart`s dog dies in propane explosion at Pennsylvania kennel.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, octomom madness is getting downright ugly. And we`ve got all the late-breaking brand-new developments.
The octomom has been dumped again this time by her second publicist. And he is reportedly saying it`s because she is nuts and greedy.
Brand-new reaction from the octomom`s father. He is speaking out about the reports that his grandchildren could be taken away from octomom. Wait until you hear what he will do to prevent that from happening.
And octomom is speaking out again. She`s got something to say to people who are criticizing her for using food stamps to support her kids.
Joining me tonight in New York, Marvet Britto who is a celebrity publicist and the founder of the Britto Agency. Also in New York, Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor for the legal network "In Session."
Marvet, Ashleigh, I want to begin with the news that, for the second time, a publicist for Nadya Suleman has quit on her. UsMagazine.com is reporting that the publicist, Victor Munoz, walked out on octomom Friday night saying, quote, "It just got to be too much. It is pretty much a free-for-all over there right now. They are freaking out right now. Not to sound arrogant, but those people depended on me for everything. You have no idea what I have had to do for these people. Nadya got real greedy. This woman is nuts. This I can say - what ultimately destroyed the business arrangement was personal reasons."
Marvet, you are a publicist. Does any of this surprise you?
BRITTO: It is not surprising to me, but confidentiality agreement or not, it would not be ethically right for him to discuss what transpired between him and his client. I think him quitting will send a louder message. We already know what is going on with octomom. We know she is a hot mess for lack of a better word.
So for her, you know, we expect this behavior from her. For him, it`s about preserving his professional pedigree and just firing her as he did and going on with his professional career.
ANDERSON: OK. So you fault him for speaking out a little bit. Well, if the publicist didn`t sign any confidentiality agreement, Ashleigh, can we expect that maybe he will sing like a canary to the media about his experience with octomom?
BANFIELD: Well, I hope he gets a seven-figure deal because he isn`t ever working as a publicist again. I highly doubt he would, in fact. But can I just bring up what he said on your network, like a week or so ago? "The more I get to know her, the more I know she is level-headed. You know, I mean there is absolutely nothing wrong with her. She is a sweet lady."
Publicists who are known to lie don`t get a lot of work. So I think what he has just done is really, really stupid.
ANDERSON: Marvet, you are a miracle worker. If you got offered the job to be the octomom`s publicist would you take it?
BRITTO: Absolutely not. Because being a publicist doesn`t mean that you will, you know, jeopardize your relationships with the media to lie for clients. Firing goes both ways.
So you know, you have to look at what your client is asking you to do and if ever you feel you`re compromising your relationships or your word or ethics or moral standards, you have to walk away from that job.
I don`t think anyone is stepping up to be octomom`s publicist. But she is so calculating she doesn`t seem to need one. Maybe she needs just a good assistant to field the offers.
ANDERSON: Well I know being a publicist for her would be quite a challenge, no doubt about it.
OK. In another brand-new development, octomom`s father is speaking out about all the reporting about his daughter and the notion that her kids could be put up for adoption.
In a brand-new interview that aired this morning, watch what he had to say on ABC`s "Good Morning America."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ED DOUD, NADYA SULEMAN`S FATHER: I will stop anybody - anybody, I don`t care who they are - from taking my grandchildren away. Why do they want to waste their money on a lawyer and a judge and court and all that to take my grandchildren away for adoption? Huh? That`s waste of money. Leave them alone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Ashleigh, do you think Child Protective Services are really going to leave them alone if they have hard evidence that the octomom cannot properly care for them?
BANFIELD: Well, the first thing that has to happen if CPS is going to get involved at all is someone has filed a complaint. And we now know that happened. In fact, Gloria Allred even said she was one of the people who went ahead and filed a complaint. So step one is done.
Step two is they`ve got to meet standards. I mean, they investigate pretty thoroughly the situation that children will be going into or are currently in. There were some harrowing 911 calls in which Nadya said, "I`m going to kill myself because my child is missing," and said it in front of her other kids. That is not good.
The video that has shown her house in terrible disarray without any supportive material for these kids coming home, that is not good either. And a neighbor has complained that she doesn`t look after her kids very well. And that`s not good.
Does that meet the standard that is required to have your children not come home? I don`t know. And there is a lot we don`t know.
ANDERSON: You are right. We will have to wait and see what happens in terms of that. The octogranddad, I want to mention, is not the only one talking today. In a brand-new video diary posted on RadarOnline.com, octomom takes on all the criticism about her decision to use student loans and disability payments to care for her kids. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOTHER: I have been taking care of my children with whatever little resources I got. I guess people are very judgmental because of the disability. So yes, I was raising my kids with that and student loans. Is that OK? That`s subjective, you know. It`s not forever. It`s temporary. Disability has been stopped last summer and then food stamps - I just stopped recently.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK, that stopped recently. As far as we know, she has no other source of income. Marvet, very, very quickly. Does this say to you she`s got something in the works here?
BRITTO: We hope so. We need 14 less kids to take care of. Are you kidding me? She used student loans when there are kids that need that money to go to school. And she has been feeding her 14 children that she decided to have. We could, you know, - this is - this is crazy.
ANDERSON: I`m sure she will be talking about it soon if she does have another source of income. Marvet Britto, Ashleigh Banfield, thanks to you both.
HAMMER: Tonight, why Julia Roberts doesn`t want Clive Owen`s kids to see their new film. Now, Julia and Clive are back together in "Duplicity." They were paired up in "Closer."
Well, in "Duplicity," Julia and Clive play past lovers and competing spies who actually hook up again to pull off a big job that could bring them big money.
So when we caught up with Clive and Julia, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer, Jenny D`Attoma had to ask Clive if he would let his kids see the movie. Then you`ve got to check out Julia chiming in on this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CLIVE OWENS, ACTOR: Do you think they might be able to see this one?
JULIA ROBERTS, ACTRESS: No, I think. I advise against it.
OWENS: No?
ROBERTS: No. Because we are friends and I don`t want to come over your house and have them be like, "It`s weird you kissed my dad."
OWENS: Are you telling me they can`t see it. Are you telling me that I shouldn`t let them see it?
ROBERTS: I don`t think they should see it.
OWENS: OK.
JENNY D`ATTOMA, PRODUCER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: So do they think you are the coolest dad? Or -
OWENS: Not at all.
D`ATTOMA: Not at all?
OWENS: Very low status in my house.
ROBERTS: You`re not. Oh, they love him so.
OWENS: The most disapproving looks all day long. I deliberately play a low status because nothing makes me happier than seeing them very status looking down on their pathetic dad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t believe that for a moment. "Duplicity" opens March 20th
ANDERSON: Next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Barkley behind bars. Charles Barkley`s bizarre press conference from jail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARKLEY: I want to really thank the inmates. They`ve been really cool. I`m not a crook as in Bernie Madoff is a crook.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`ve got to tell you. This is one of the strangest press conferences I`ve ever seen. Charles Barkley speaks out from jail. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(CAPTION READS: George Clooney returns to "E.R." this Thursday. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz to return to TV in "Melrose Place.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARKLEY: Well, we would have tried to decide between boxers and briefs and we`re going to make a decision on that later tonight. Can`t find a size big enough. He gave me some thongs, but they slid in too far.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you, that is truly one of the most bizarre press conferences I`ve ever seen. Charles Barkley speaking out from jail about what kind of prison underwear he`ll be issued.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Well, former NBA star Charles Barkley is now out of jail after serving a whopping three days in Arizona for a drunk-driving conviction. He was only there for a little while when he decided, "Hey, I`m in jail. Why not have a press conference?" Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARKLEY: 100 percent screw-up, all my fault. It was unacceptable, and I let down a lot of people. That`s 100 percent on me. And I`m here. I`m going to do my time and I`m looking forward to getting past this.
Just learn not to drink and drive. Learn I got a lot of great family and friends and a lot of cool people. I told you on my show. And I`ve had hundreds of people walk up to me and tell me to hang in there, and blah, blah, blah, blah, and that meant a great deal to me.
But there are a lot of cool people. And these guys here, the sheriff and everybody that work here has been fantastic. But also, I want to really thank the inmates. They`ve been really cool and I wanted them to know something, that this doesn`t define them. They made a mistake and they`ve got to go forward.
I said, I`m not a crook as in Bernie Madoff is a crook. You guys aren`t crooks. You`re all somebody who made a mistake. Don`t let these idiots out here define you all.
I said Bernie Madoff is a crook. Martha Stewart went to jail. And she came back out and she was Martha Stewart. You guys come out of here and get your stuff together and move forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t know. To me, there was something just odd about that whole thing. Well, Barkley served his time separated from the other inmates and his meals were brought to him. He said there`s plenty of time to read for him which was good since he`s learning Spanish.
ANDERSON: Last week, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - Chris Brown-Rihanna Drama: Should Brown be forced to stand trial?" Very one-sided result - 90 percent of you say yes, he should. Only 10 percent say no.
Here are some of the e-mails we received. Dana from New Jersey, "I do agree he should have consequences, but she is willing to take him back. I don`t get it."
Tiffany from Maryland writes, "I think Chris Brown should stand trial, only because I believe that`s the only way he`ll really learn his lesson."
HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. we thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
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