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Showbiz Tonight
No Mercy for Madonna; John Mayer`s Breakup Song?; Michelle Obama`s "30 Rock" Invitation; Bristol Palin`s Ex Talks About Sex
Aired April 03, 2009 - 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 - no Mercy for Madonna. Why a little girl named Mercy will not be adopted by Madonna. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in Malawi with the story behind the shocking decision to deny Madonna`s adoption plea.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is all fired-up with the great Madonna adoption debate. Is Madonna being treated unfairly?
Tonight, did John Mayer diss Jennifer Aniston big time with a song about love? Tonight, the lyrics you have got to hear.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MAYER, SINGER (sung): If you want more love why don`t you say so?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, John`s emotional song about heartache. But is that song really about Aniston?
Plus, the first lady of primetime? Will Michelle Obama be starring on "30 Rock?" The unbelievable invitation she may find hard to refuse.
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: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood with the Madonna adoption shocker.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. Tonight, no Mercy for Madonna. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you the 3-year-old girl in Malawi named Mercy will not be calling Madonna Mama. A judge in Malawi revealed, an absolutely startling decision today telling Madonna she cannot adopt the little girl.
But why was she turned down? Was that the right decision? And will Madonna fight it? And what is she saying now? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is covering the decision, the outrage, and the great Madonna adoption debate. Because, without a doubt, what happened today is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): We are used to Madonna being the one who shocks us. But in the African nation of Malawi, the Material Girl got a shock of her own.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I must decline to grant the application for adoption.
HAMMER: Stunned journalists in Malawi read the local judge`s surprise decision to deny Madonna`s adoption of a second child from Malawi, 3-year- old Mercy James. Journalists in this country were shocked as well.
ALICIA QUARLES, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: None of us were prepared for her to be denied.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you a shell-shocked Madonna is left wondering what the heck went wrong? And what to do next?
QUARLES: When is the last time somebody actually told Madonna no. This is unheard of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Madonna, are you at peace today with the court ruling?
HAMMER: In the brand-new video from Malawi, just hours after the court decision, we see Madonna was in no mood to talk to reporters about the rejection. Instead, she toured a village and talked to charity workers.
MADONNA, POP STAR: Keep up the good work.
HAMMER: The country`s minister of justice explained to CNN International why little Mercy James won`t be joining Madonna`s family of three children just yet.
ZIONE NTABA, MALAWI MINISTRY OF JUSTICE (on the phone): The fact that the child is at orphanage and is being taken care of and is going through school, the school education system - that does qualify as the best interests of the child.
HAMMER: Alicia Quarles of the Associated Press tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Malawi`s strict residency rules for adoption were another reason for the decision.
QUARLES: The judge says Madonna does not meet the need required to adopt Mercy. A person has to live in Malawi or establish residency for 18 months. And she says she didn`t want to make an exception here and open the floodgates for everyone else.
HAMMER: Madonna managed to slip past Malawi`s residency rules in 2006 when she was allowed to take the then 1-year-old David Banda home to London. That controversial adoption became final just last year.
And the heat Madonna took for that adoption got even hotter this time around when she tried to adopt the little girl named Mercy James.
QUARLES: Since she adopted David there were all of these groups coming out saying she was using her celebrity to bypass the laws, that she had not established residency there, why is she getting special treatment. People are outraged that she is trying to do it again.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, over the past few days, some human rights activists in Malawi weren`t exactly restrained in their Madonna bashing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This process is merely amounting to child kidnapping. We feel that Madonna is behaving like a bully.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Malawi`s government supported Madonna`s adoption efforts, as did a lot of other people in that country.
QUARLES: A lot of local people are very supportive of her. She has made their conditions a lot better. The country is ravaged by AIDS, by malaria, by poverty.
Madonna has been involved in charity work, particularly focusing on Malawi for years. She started an organization to benefit Malawi, called Raising Malawi. She`s also building a school there. There is a lot of efforts going on. You have got to give her props, because none of us really knew where Malawi was before Madonna put it on the map.
HAMMER: And the ironic part - the judge who rejected Madonna`s adoption says the pop singer`s own charity work in Malawi has the made it possible for Mercy James to have a good life right where she is.
QUARLES: They say that no good deed goes unpunished.
HAMMER: So for now, Mercy remains at a Malawian orphanage. But no one expects this to be the end of Madonna`s adoption quest.
QUARLES: Madonna is not a woman that gives up easily.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: But Madonna, no surprise, here is not giving up. Late today, her attorneys saying she does plan to appeal the decision.
Joining me in Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Tonight in New York is Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for "StyleList.com."
And I`m thinking about this, guys. And this has got to be, not only devastating to Madonna, but even for Madonna, I have to imagine, embarrassing.
Tanika, over to you first. You`d have to think that Madonna`s legal team and her PR team would never send her over there to Malawi this past week if they didn`t think she had a great chance of getting this adoption approved?
TANIKA RAY, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You know, that is true. But we always heard rumors that it was going to be really, really a hard situation for Madonna to adopt her second child. It`s going to be an uphill climb.
But you know what? Madonna - I don`t know if you know her very well. She does not take no for an answer. That is absolutely correct. She is not going to stop. And she is going to have her child, the one that she wants.
And I think it is a beautiful thing. Don`t see what the problem is. I know the girl is in a foster care, and that`s great. But you can`t say that a foster care situation is better than having a mom who is going to provide the world for her.
So I have a feeling Madonna is not done yet and she is going to be victorious.
HAMMER: Yes. The young girl in an orphanage over there. And to Tanika`s point Ben, you know, we may have been hearing all the buzz that this was going to be uphill. But again, to my earlier point, what do you think? Because Madonna has never done anything half-baked ...
RAY: No.
HAMMER: ... or walked into a situation where she even had the potential of being embarrassed?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, "STYLELIST.COM": No, I think she has staged a very careful campaign. She staged a hearts and minds campaign by talking to the Malawian media. She supported this charity, Raising Malawi, and anecdotal evidence from Malawi, from the media there is that the public really is behind her. And I think she is a good thing for the country.
Also, if the adoption doesn`t go through, you`d have to think that Mercy might be a little miffed in later life when she sees the life she missed for herself.
HAMMER: Can you imagine? Can you imagine, all of a sudden, Madonna is playing somewhere and she hears somebody says, "You know that could have been your mommy"? Here`s what - in all seriousness, a lot of people are confused by this fact. Madonna was rejected in part because she is not a resident of Malawi.
But we all know a couple of years ago, she was allowed to adopt her son, David, from Malawi. Listen to what a spokeswoman from the Malawi`s Ministry of Justice told CNN.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NTABA: The judge has tried to distinguish the case in terms of with the David Banda case. She still sees that does agree - the law did allow the adoption of David Banda. But the situation is, she has tried to distinguish the current situation and the David Banda case in terms of the residency issue.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. That`s what I call a non-answer. Tanika, I`d have to think Madonna is also thinking what we are all thinking. Explain this to me because it doesn`t make any sense.
RAY: Oh, this will not end any time soon. And it does need to be explained. Because I`m not really understanding what the other side is campaigning for here. What is the problem if she takes another child? This child is going to have a better life. And it is going to just give more light to Malawi and their issues which obviously she is giving a lot of money to.
So that`s what they need right now is help. And the more that they can befriend people like Madonna, the better their situation is going to be. Now, what is Madonna going to do? Is she going to take away her charity? No.
HAMMER: Yes.
RAY: But I just feel like, it`s - what are they fighting here? I am not really understanding the problem, the issue.
HAMMER: Well, Tanika, the government spokesperson that we just heard from also made mention of a point that you mentioned a little earlier, saying that the little girl`s welfare was taken into consideration. She is being well taken care of in that orphanage.
But Ben, over to you for this. A lot of people would argue, how do you compare that to the life and the family that the incredibly wealthy Madonna could give her?
WIDDICOMBE: I think there is no question that Madonna could give Mercy a life of unbelievable luxury. But the point that government is trying to make, I think, is they want to make it clear that wealthy westerners can`t just swoop in to their country and pick up one of their citizens as she were an object in the supermarket. So I think that`s an issue of national pride which is what the judiciary is expressing by trying to block Madonna`s adoption.
HAMMER: But there is no question in my mind that is a bit shortsighted. Now, Madonna has done a lot of charity work that we`ve mentioned. Tanika, do you think she is thinking as far as that`s concerned, "This is the thanks I get"?
RAY: Yes, I do. I think she is probably like, "Ungrateful country there." But Madonna is not going to stop like I said. And she really wants to get David probably a little sister so that he knows a little bit more about himself.
There are reports now that he met his father and he didn`t recognize him, number one. He said - he asked his dad, did he ride horses like he did. And his dad said, "No, that is for rich people." There`s a little bit of disconnect.
HAMMER: She made it very clear this week she would want to keep any of the children she adopts from there close to their roots. Got to end it there.
RAY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Tanika Ray, Ben Widdicombe, thank you very much. Now, coming up, is Madonna being treated unfairly? We`ve got the fired-up great Madonna adoption debate. All of your burning questions answered here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Now, to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Madonna`s Adoption Denied: Was that the right decision?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E- mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: A.J., can you believe the timing behind the new John Mayer song?
HAMMER: I know - right, Brooke? He and Jennifer Aniston just break up. Now, what do you know? Out comes a song from Mayer about heartbreak.
ANDERSON: Yes. Everybody is wondering, is Mayer`s new song really about his split with Jennifer Aniston? Did Mayer diss Aniston big time? Wait until you hear the lyrics and John`s explanation behind the songs.
HAMMER: Plus, the father of the baby of Sarah Palin`s daughter is telling all about their sex life. So, how much did Sarah Palin really know about her daughter`s relationship before the baby bombshell? You have got to hear what he said.
And we will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s very pensive, and his eyes are constantly almost downward as he is thinking. And he chooses his word very carefully.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wait, double take. That is a President Obama impersonator. It`s an impression you won`t forget. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Jamie Foxx stalker suspect arrested after storming into Foxx`s hotel room. Carlos Santana asks President Obama to legalize pot.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRED ARMISEN, ACTOR (as Joy Behar): You know what I would say? I`d say, who cares? Just have a glass of Pinot Grigio. Go to bed. So what?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? "Saturday Night Live`s" Fred Armisen getting huge laughs for his impersonation of "The View`s" Joy Behar. But what happens when Fred and Joy meet on the set of "The View," that hilarious, must-see moment in just a bit.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Well, it is not just Joy, Fred Armisen also does a hysterical impersonation of Barack Obama, too. But he may have some stiff competition.
Tonight, just like Barack. A young man from Ohio has become a YouTube hit with his Obama impressions. In the online music videos, the Obama look-alike sings to Beyonce`s "Single Lady" and mimics Obama`s now-infamous dance moves.
Here`s CNN`s Kara Finnstrom for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (as Sarah Palin): And I can see Russia from my house.
KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Resembling a political figure can pay off, whether you are Tina Fey or aspiring actor from Ohio.
IMAN CROSSON, OBAMA IMPERSONATOR (sung): In the White House, now watch your mouth, I`m doing my presidential thing
FINNSTROM: Twenty-seven-year-old Iman Crosson(ph) has become a YouTube sensation for his music videos impersonating President Barack Obama. This one, set to a Beyonce tune, has gotten more than 7.5 million views according to the Web site.
(MUSIC)
CROSSON: I got into it because people at work were just kind of teasing me about - every time I came to work, "Oh, here comes Barack Obama." But it was only because I was the only black guy at work. So -
FINNSTROM: Crosson says he writes, shoots and edits the videos.
CROSSON: Then all their attention goes on how you gray and how it shows and your wife`s arms and sleeveless clothes. Get over it, that`s how it rolls.
FINNSTROM: And now, he`s landed a commercial with Sanyo.
CROSSON: Is it too late to add this to the stimulus bill?
FINNSTROM: His impression based on careful study.
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: But this isn`t about me. It`s about you.
CROSSON: He`s very pensive. And his eyes are constantly almost downward as he is thinking. And he chooses his words very carefully.
FINNSTROM: Crosson has also studied President Obama`s dance moves.
CROSSON: He is famous for that dance. And when I saw it I was like, I have to do this dance. Every time I see my mom, she`s like, "Do the dance. Do the dance."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: See, he does a nice job. He`s pretty good. That was CNN`s Kara Finnstrom for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: All right. Here we go. Did you see this - when Joy meets Fred. Now, most of us have seen "SNL" star Fred Armisen in his hilarious impersonation of "View" co-host Joy Behar. The impressions are so good, so spot on, some people have even started to wonder why haven`t we seen Joy and Fred at the same time.
Well, wonder no more. Today, on "The View," Joy had some strong words for her impersonator and then, he suddenly appeared on set. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": "Saturday Night Live" has been doing "View" sketches recently, OK? And although they`re hilarious, I don`t think Fred Armisen, who plays me, looks or sounds anything like me. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMISEN (as Joy Behar): You know what I always say - who cares? Just go home and have a glass of Pinot Grigio. Go to bed. So what?
I swear to god, the only way I can have a movement is with a dump truck of Benefiber. So what? Who cares?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
ARMISEN (as Behar): You know, I don`t get it. So what? Who cares? He looks nothing like me.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Nothing.
ARMISEN: I don`t think so.
HASSELBECK: Nothing.
ARMISEN: Not his face - nothing. Who cares? You know, the other thing is - so what? Who cares?
BEHAR: Excuse me.
ARMISEN: Who is this?
BEHAR: This is me and my horny dwarf. OK. Now, six months in review to - so what? Who cares?
ARMISEN: So what?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Could hardly tell who is who, although Joy clearly has less stubble. I`m just saying.
ANDERSON: I think you are right.
Our "Showbiz on Call" phone operators wish they had some impersonators because they need help. I mean, look at them. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines jammed with people calling in about Madonna`s adoption denial.
ANDERSON: You are right, A.J. A judge rejected Madonna`s request to adopt a second child from Malawi. And people are fired-up over it. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call," from Keelah in North Carolina who says Madonna`s critics need to pipe down.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KEELAH, CALLER FROM NORTH CAROLINA: I believe that Madonna should adopt from whatever place she wants. It really doesn`t matter where as long as you help a needy child, and just giving them a life they can`t have. I think it is OK. I don`t know why people are making a big deal about it. So they`re not doing anything to help the situation. They`re just making it a big mess.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Keelah. Fran in Tennessee also called into "Showbiz on Call" saying Madonna has the right idea, but that she should adopt here at home.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
FRAN, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: I think it is really great what she is doing as far as adopting. But there are children in this country that don`t have homes or families and need to be adopted by someone who can make a difference in their life. And I do understand - why go outside of this country when there are so many children in this country that need the help that she is offering?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Fran. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines, open 24/7. Give us a ring - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave 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 on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Check them out.
HAMMER: Well, clearly this Madonna adoption drama has struck a chord, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Yes. And don`t go anywhere because we are all fired-up.
HAMMER: Tonight, it`s the great Madonna debate. Is she being treated unfairly? Was the decision wrong? Should Madonna appeal? We`ve got an explosive debate.
ANDERSON: Also, did John Mayer really diss Jennifer Aniston big time with a new song about their breakup? You`ve got to hear the lyrics.
HAMMER: And sex talk from Bristol Palin`s ex, the guy that fathered the baby of Sarah Palin`s teenage daughter, blab, blab, blabbing about their sex life. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Farrah Fawcett TV series on cancer battle to air on NBC. Naomi Campbell lashes out saying fashion industry prefers blonde, blue-eyed models.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
Tonight the X-Men movie controversy. It seems even superhero powers of Hugh Jackman`s X-Men character Wolverine couldn`t stop a criminal from releasing the newest film in the franchise before it ever even made it into theaters.
The upcoming film, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was somehow illegally posted on the Internet. And now that the cat is literally out of the bag, the caper behind the superhero flick is taking on some real-life drama.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HUGH JACKMAN, ACTOR (as Wolverine): Trust me, I have been through worse.
ANDERSON (voice over): It doesn`t get much worse than this for a film studio preparing to usher out its 10th movie of the summer. A month before "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is scheduled to hit theaters, May 1st, a version of the film was posted on the Internet and downloaded at least 100,000 times.
20th Century-Fox told CNN, quote, "A stolen, incomplete and early version was posted illegally on a Web site. It was without many effects, had missing and unedited scenes and temporary sound and music."
ANDERSON: This isn`t the first time a movie has leaked online. Another major film, Universal`s "The Hulk" appeared on the Web two weeks before the film`s opening day in 2003.
The X-Men franchise has been a juggernaut at the box office, the first three films raking in $1.1 billion worldwide. It`s unclear whether the leak will impact potential box office revenue for "Origins" but it does raise other concerns.
STEVEN ZEITCHIK, SENIOR WRITER, "HOLLYWOOD REPORTER": This is something the studio has really been pushing for a long time. The marketing campaign is really starting to kick into high gear. And I think what this has potential to do more than anything else is really throw a monkey wrench into the plans.
ANDERSON: Bloggers who claim to have seen the film are breathless with reviews including this, "I wasn`t so sure how this would turn out, and it`s good. Can`t wait to see it on the big screen."
A sign that maybe this film, regardless of illegal cyber-exposure, is invincible just like Wolverine.
JACKMAN: Oh, shiny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Fox also tells us the source of the stolen version of the movie would be prosecuted and the FBI confirms to us that they are on the case.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT lineup. Here is what we are firing up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The great Madonna debate. She was denied her latest adoption plea. Is Madonna being treated unfairly? Was this the right decision? Or should she fight it.
Did John Mayer really diss Jennifer Aniston big time? In his latest song, everybody is wondering - is it all about their high-profile split? Wait until you hear the lyrics.
And the first lady of primetime? Will Michelle Obama actually appear on NBC`s "30 Rock?" It`s an offer she may not be able to refuse. 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: Miley Cyrus set to team with Jonas Brothers for a Disney version of "We are the World." Star Jones and Rosie O`Donnell put aside rift to auction date for charity.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the great Madonna adoption debate. The shocking decision in Madonna`s adoption battle. Was it right? Was it wrong? Buckle up for the fired-up debate.
John Mayer`s heartbreak. Is Mayer`s brand-new song really about his breakup with Jennifer Aniston? And has he broken the breakup code of silence? Tonight, what Mayer is singing about now and why Jennifer Aniston may be furious.
Michelle Obama - good-bye Europe. Hello, "30 Rock." the invitation to star on Tina Fey`s "30 Rock" that the first lady may find too hard to refuse.
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`s 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. And tonight, the great Madonna adoption debate.
HAMMER: Yes, no doubt about it. Madonna was just shocked today when a judge in Malawi rejected her plea to adopt 3-year-old Mercy James.
Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the raging debate over whether Madonna is being treated unfairly. Madonna has been in Malawi with her children since early this week and set up an emotional reunion between her son David, whom she adopted from Malawi, and his biological father while waiting for the judge to decide on her next adoption.
Madonna was also - to adopt this child, 3-year-old Mercy James. But would it be wrong for Madonna to take this child away? Or is Madonna being treated unfairly?
Joining me tonight in New York is Midwin Charles who is an attorney for the law firm, Midwin Charles and Associates. And from Hollywood, Leslie Marshall host of "The Leslie Marshal Show" on the radio.
So at the decision of the - at the heart of this decision today, guys, to turn Madonna down was this. A judge said she is not a resident of Malawi, can`t adopt this child. Listen to what a spokesperson for Malawi`s ministry of justice told CNN right after the judge turned down Madonna.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NTABA: Madonna still doesn`t seem to have permanent residence in Malawi. So that`s one reason that she (the judge) has raised as an issue for denying the adoption - the interim adoption. She has also raised in terms of the best interest of the child. For Malawians, the fact that the child is at orphanage and is being taken care of and is going through the school - the school education system, that does qualify as the best interests of the child.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, so despite the incredible life that Madonna could obviously give little Mercy, the judge in this case felt Madonna, taking her out of Malawi, not in the girl`s best interest.
Midwin off to you first. Do you agree with that?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: I do agree with it. Look, Malawi has these rules in place. They weren`t followed. Madonna gets denied. After all, why is it that these brown babies are now the latest accessory in Hollywood? What`s wrong with the brown children in south central Los Angeles? That`s what I say.
HAMMER: Leslie, what about you?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": Well, being that I have adopted one of the brown children from Pakistan, try adopting one of the brown children especially if you are a white chick, by the way, here in the United States. They do not condone interracial adoption as heavily as they do international adoption.
And a lot of those children are trying to be placed with their biological parents. But, regarding this, yes there are laws and Madonna can appeal and can stay there for 18 months.
But if you think the best interest of this child is AIDS, impoverished conditions, starvation, I`ll tell you - I have traveled the world. And as orphans, these children say the same thing to me. Their wish is to be adopted - to have a mommy and/or a daddy.
HAMMER: Midwin, I hear you throw that accessory label on it. And that bothers me a little bit, because I have heard that thrown around. Do you really think that that`s what it was for Madonna?
CHARLES: I think it was. I mean, why is it that you need to have a press conference before you decide to adopt a child? I mean, let`s be clear here. It is abundantly clear that it is chic to do this now.
And it is not that difficult to adopt here in the United States. There are plenty of people who do it all the time ...
MARSHALL: Have you tried?
CHARLES: ... all day long. I haven`t tried, but I`ve looked at the rules. And the rules are not that difficult to overcome nor surmount. The problem is that people have a particular preference with where they want to adopt, where they want to get the child from. And so they go ahead and get the child from that particular country. It`s not because it is impossible to do it here in the United States.
HAMMER: I just don`t see Madonna as trendy as she may be as doing it because she is trendy. But here`s the thing. Let`s talk about these rules, because here is what baffled so many people about the decision. You know, Madonna adopted her son David from Malawi in 2006. And the rules were the same back then. Doesn`t that seem unfair to you, Midwin?
CHARLES: If the rules were the same back then and they weren`t followed this time, then I don`t know. I mean, if they have a residency requirement, she was able to skirt that the first time around. I don`t know. Did she skirt it this time? I don`t know.
But why is it that Madonna thinks she has this inalienable right to adopt this child from Malawi? Why is it? Why, because she`s rich and wealthy? There are thousand of children in that country who are just fine in these adoption centers.
HAMMER: Leslie, what do you think? Because they did obviously seem to set a precedent back then. And I`m sure this judge is getting a fair amount of grief about this?
MARSHALL: Well, there are rules in place that were in place then. The problem is, you`ve got to be consistent as a country, a judge or otherwise. If there was an exception made because of her celebrity, because of the amount of money she put into the country and how much she has helped those people, well then maybe they need to look at this, this time.
Why is she lambasted when Angelina Jolie is put on a pedestal? You don`t think that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt get preferential treatment or any celebrity or, by the way, any non-celebrity who is wealthy when it comes to any transaction, adoption included. That`s a reality.
HAMMER: I don`t think Madonna is the one who should be vilified if the rules are bent on her behalf.
CHARLES: Right.
HAMMER: The person who bends the rules - maybe vilify them. That`s just where I sit. We have been talking about this all week, obviously. You`ve got to take a look at the response in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We asked on air and online - "Madonna`s New Adoption: Is the criticism of her unfair?"
And as you se here, 46 percent said yes; 54 percent, no, not unfair - a majority, although a small one, against Madonna here.
Now, Leslie, back to you. Do you think that is because Madonna is simply such a polarizing figure people aren`t even bothering to base it on whether or not she is a good mom or can give this child a good home?
MARSHALL: Are you saying that she is the Hillary Rodham Clinton of pop? Yes.
HAMMER: Yes.
MARSHALL: Yes. I mean, really, because once again, Angelina Jolie has adopted from many countries and has not waited in the line, I and many other people have in the internationally. And Madonna wouldn`t wait in line in America either. You watch.
But I do think that Madonna is judged more harshly because Angelina technically is a single parent like Madonna is. I don`t think it has to with the race here. I do think it has to do with people either love or hate Madonna. That`s why you see the polls so close on this.
HAMMER: Off to the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines. They`ve been ringing nonstop. Everybody has got something to say about this. I want you to listen to what, Hephizizah, who says she`s from Malawi, has to say about Madonna wanting to adopt little Mercy. Listen.
HEPHIZIZAH, CALLER WHO SAYS SHE IS FROM MALAWI: I am from Malawi, and I believe Madonna has every right to adopt a child from whatever country she believes is worthy of her love. And so if she decides Malawi is it, even though I am from Malawi, that is fine. We are more than happy to have her and the children - they need love.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Hephizizah, we appreciate your call. Now, Madonna, as we have been talking about has committed herself to the people of Malawi. Lots of charity work there. She is planning to continue with that work as far as we know.
So what do you think, Midwin, given everything that Madonna has done for the people of Malawi - and yes, it is because she is rich and famous. But should that not have been taken into consideration?
CHARLES: I`m sure it was taken into consideration. But at the end of the day, what the judge I think was doing here is concerning the welfare of that individual child. I don`t care how much money you pour into Malawi. You have to consider the welfare and well-being of this individual child.
And I`m sure the judge had facts before him that we don`t have in making that determination. But I`m sure that those people, quote, unquote, to use the term that the other woman used earlier, "have the right to make the determination" whether or not they feel it is in the best interest of a child to leave that country and be in the hands and care of someone else.
HAMMER: I want to get to one more call. Kathy in Mexico calling into "Showbiz on Call," with an opinion we`ve really been hearing from so many people all week. Listen to this -
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KATHY, CALLER FROM MEXICO: I think it is really great that peep want to adopt children, period. But I think home is where the heart is. And I think there are enough children in this country that need good homes, you know. And I don`t think you get extra credit for adopting children from third world countries. Home is where the heart is.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Kathy, thank you for your call. Leslie, what about that? So much has been made. Midwin has been talking about it. She should maybe be adopting in the States instead of elsewhere. Now that this may not be through - and I have 10 seconds for you - should she be focusing on this country and perhaps adopting here?
MARSHALL: I`m going to tell you something somebody told me as an adoptive parent. You don`t find your child. They find you. And, when they say home is where the heart is, that`s true. And, your heart will lead you to that child whether it is here in the U.S., in Malawi, or in my case, Pakistan. But let me tell you, you will know which child is for you because they find you.
HAMMER: Got to leave it there. Well said. Leslie Marshal, Midwin Charles, I thank you both.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., that new John Mayer song has got everybody wondering if he is singing about Jennifer Aniston.
HAMMER: Yes. Brooke, it kind of makes sense. The song is called "Heartbreak Warfare."
ANDERSON: Exactly. You`ve got to hear some of these lyrics. It sounds like it`s all about his breakup with Aniston, but is it really? We`ll let you decide, coming up.
HAMMER: And I`ve got to say, Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol probably - there is going to be a little argument when they hear what Bristol`s ex- boyfriend is saying now. Levi Johnson is telling all about his sex life with Bristol and reveals whether or not Sarah Palin knew about it. We`ll show you what he said.
ANDERSON: And will Michelle Obama go on "30 Rock?" Alec Baldwin`s open invitation. Should she do it? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Launch of Oprah`s cable channel "OWN" delayed until 2010. Over 16 million tune in for "ER" finale - the show signed off after 15 years.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe the way the chicken could protest Popeye`s Chicken here. Maybe it doesn`t like the chicken selection, possibly?
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HAMMER: Did you see this? Is this the dumbest chicken ever? I mean, this chicken lives right by the drive through of a Popeye`s Chicken restaurant. He has been there two weeks now. Doesn`t he know the people inside want to eat him? No one knows how he got there. But either he is the dumbest chicken in the world or I`m thinking maybe he just loves their biscuits.
ANDERSON: Maybe so. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, does John Mayer still have Jennifer Aniston angst? His new song "Heartbreak Warfare" has people wondering big time. It is just one story making big news right now.
John Mayer has just debuted a new song and the lyrics have people wondering, is John a little bitter over his split with Jennifer Aniston? Wait until you hear his lyrics.
Also making news right now - will Michelle Obama go on the hit show "30 Rock?" Alec Baldwin hopes so. We`ve got his personal invitation to the First Lady.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is a correspondent for "Extra." And tonight in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for "StyleList.com."
Tanika, Ben, you just have to hear these lyrics of the new song John Mayer debuted on one of his cruise ship tours. He does those tours with fans. The song is called "Heartache Warfare." And when you hear the lyrics, it`s hard not to wonder if they are about Jennifer Aniston whom he just broke up with for a second time.
Mayer croons, "If you want more love. Why don`t you say so?" And it gets even better than that. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYER (sung): Drop his name. Push it in and twist the knife again. Watch my face as I pretend to feel no pain, pain, pain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh, the pain. Tanika, he debuts this song just weeks after splitting with Aniston. What do you think it is about? Is it about her?
RAY: Probably. You know, what I love about John Mayer IS he doesn`t care what we think about everything that he does. He wore the green bathing suit with all of his business hanging out. He loves the attention. And he kind of makes fun of himself.
He doesn`t take himself so seriously. And he loves the fact that we talk about it. You know, I asked him - actually, he was on the cruise ship before it launched and took off for a couple days - and asked him about that. He said, "You know what, I am a schmuck." I said, "Yes, you`re a schmuck that dates hot girls." He goes, "I`m still a schmuck." So he knows what he`s doing and - this is perfect. We are talking about it. And that`s what John loves. So we`re playing right into his hand.
ANDERSON: Exactly. He is very expressive, open about his feelings for a reason like you say. You know, his camp though had no comment on the thing. But Mayer himself, no surprise, did have plenty to say about it on that cruise ship. Listen to what he said about his new album, caught on tape. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYER: It`s sort of the concept album is the war of love - the art of war of love. And so this is a song called "Heartbreak Warfare." Sometimes, instead of saying I love you, people can`t recognize that. They recognize how much you come to their aid when they are in pain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. A lot of talk here about love and pain. Ben, coincidence?
WIDDICOMBE: I think not, Brooke. Honestly, maybe he should have called this song, the tool bag cantada. Because if you remember, the last time he broke up with America`s ex-girlfriend, he had a press conference about it on the streets of New York.
Now, he debuts the song about how painful a relationship he has just been in. You know, I think really - with all the twittering he has been doing as well - Jen might as well have dated Perez Hilton.
ANDERSON: Oh no, Ben! Tanika, what do you think that he did if he did write this about Aniston? Has he officially violated and broken the breakup code of silence?
RAY: I think so. And I think there will be no third breakup. I think Jennifer has had it. And it`s true - he is addicted to twittering. He probably will be uttering. That`s the next thing - utterly, where you actually call and your fans can hear you leave verbal messages.
So he is all about self promotion. His camp doesn`t have to say anything because John has said it all.
ANDERSON: And here we are, promoting, talking about it just like he probably wants.
RAY: Exactly.
ANDERSON: OK. Also making news right now, Alec Baldwin has just said in a brand-new interview that he wants Michelle Obama, the first lady, to appear on his hit NBC show "30 Rock." Makes sense to me. The show has already seen the likes of Oprah, Al Gore, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Ben, do you think that Michelle would and should do it?
WIDDICOMBE: No, I don`t think she would and I don`t think she should either. Because as much as we enjoy "30 Rock" and as much as we like Michelle Obama, I don`t really think it is appropriate for a first lady to be on a sitcom no matter how good it is.
Also, her people are being very careful to make sure she doesn`t appear to be fiddling while Rome burns if you like because the economy is in such crisis. They`re being very careful that she does dignified things and isn`t seen to be having too much fun. So no, I don`t think it is the right thing to do.
ANDERSON: I don`t know. Tanika, what do you think? Should she make an appearance, a little cameo?
RAY: No. I agree with you, Ben. There is no reason for her to go on "30 Rock." Now, I do have a campaign going on. I would look to see her in the next "Sex and the City" movie. Is that wrong? Her and SJP looking fabulous on the streets of New York.
ANDERSON: Well, that may be wrong too. Who knows? We will see what happens with that. Alec Baldwin really campaigning for it. Tanika Ray, Ben Widdicombe. Good to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: It`s time now for making it work. This is where we reveal the secrets of how stars make their relationships work in Hollywood and beyond.
Tonight, Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, and her husband Attorney Robert Altman. Carter, of course, starred in the original "Wonder Woman" TV series back in the `70s. She and Altman have been married for an astonishing 25 years. They have two children together and they have stayed together through thick and thin, even after Carter`s bout with alcoholism. And she says, that is one of the keys.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYNDA CARTER: We have been through very tough times. He with me. He went through a very public illegal thing, 15 years ago now. And so, I have been in his corner; he`s been in my corner. He`s never the enemy as so oftentimes happens in a relationship.
And you know, I think women have a great ability to want to talk about their feelings. And my husband has - even if he doesn`t understand it, he will - you know, he`ll try to be empathetic. Even though I can see that he`s antsy as hell and would love to just, like - we really have to go through this? I think most guys are that way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Lynda Carter is now singing. She`s currently on tour. Her new album "Lynda Carter at Last" is going to be out in June.
ANDERSON: OK. It is the sex shocker that Sarah Palin probably doesn`t want you to hear. The ex-boyfriend of Sarah Palin`s daughter speaks out about his sex life with Bristol and what Sarah Palin knew. We will show you what he said. 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: "Little Fockers," the third of the "Meet the Parents" movies begins production in July. "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will return for a fifth season despite rumors of a troubled marriage.)
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ANDERSON: And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
Tonight, the former boyfriend of Sarah Palin`s daughter is revealing sex secrets. Bristol Palin, the daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, stunned the world when it was announced that she was pregnant at just 17 years old.
The two appeared together at the Republican National Convention in 2008 and were engaged to be married until the engagement was broken off in March. In a brand-new shocking interview on "The Tyra Banks Show," Levi Johnston talks about whether Palin knew he and Bristol were having sex and did he practice safe sex? He answers that, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYRA BANKS, HOST, "THE TYRA BANKS SHOW": She knew you guys were active?
LEVI JOHNSTON, BRISTOL PALIN`S EX-BOYFRIEND: I`m - yes.
BANKS: You think she knew?
JOHNSTON: I`m pretty sure she probably knew.
BANKS: How are you pretty sure she knew?
JOHNSTON: Moms are pretty smart.
BANKS: So I have to ask you a personal question. But you`re on my Tyra couch and there are no personal questions. Were you practicing safe sex?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: Even when the baby was conceived?
JOHNSTON: We were.
BANKS: And so there was just wardrobe malfunction?
JOHNSTON: I guess.
BANKS: Yes?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: Really?
JOHNSTON: Yes, I guess so.
BANKS: Every time you practiced safe sex?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: Every time?
JOHNSTON: Every time.
BANKS: Levi -
JOHNSTON: Most of the time.
BANKS: Most of the time - there you go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK, there you go. Well, Johnston also revealed to Tyra what his relationship with Bristol is like now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSTON: When she`s in a pretty bad mood, she`s short. She doesn`t seem - she doesn`t want me around. I don`t think -
BANKS: She doesn`t want you around?
JOHNSTON: And she says - yes.
BANKS: She says what?
JOHNSTON: She says that I can come see the baby and that kind of thing but won`t let me take him anywhere.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You can watch Tyra`s full interview with Levi Johnston Monday on "The Tyra Bank Show."
HAMMER: So Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, which was this - "Octumom`s Car Vandalized: Do you feel sorry for her?" Oh, shocking - 35 percent of you said yes; 65 percent of you say no. Pretty tough crowd here.
Among the E-mails, we got one from Tania in Texas who writes, "It was probably one of her neighbors and I don`t blame them. Attention was what she wanted, right?"
And Jamal from Alabama writing, "We can hate her for what she is doing but it doesn`t give us the right to damage her property."
Jim from Hawaii, "Feel sorry? She`s ripped off every taxpayer in the state of California. They`re the ones deserving of sympathy."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN. Take care.
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