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Showbiz Tonight
Demi Moore`s Suicide Drama; Sarah Palin Strikes Back at Levi; Is Michelle Obama the New Oprah?
Aired April 06, 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 -- Demi Moore`s suicide drama. Tonight, the remarkable story of how Demi may have helped save the life of a desperate woman. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the inside story of how Demi being online may have stopped a fan from killing herself.
Tonight, Sarah strikes back. The sex claims that have Sarah Palin outraged. The guy that got her teenager daughter pregnant tells all about his sex life with Bristol on national TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYRA BANKS, HOST, "THE TYRA BANKS SHOW": She knew that you guys were active?
LEVI JOHNSTON, EX-BOYFRIEND OF BRISTOL PALIN: I`m pretty sure she probably knew. Her mom is very smart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the Sarah Palin sex claim showdown.
Plus, Michelle Obama versus Oprah Winfrey. Michelle`s red hot European tour, her amazing style, her incredible influence. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is Michelle the new Oprah?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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. And tonight, brand-new developments in Farrah Fawcett`s cancer fight. That is coming up.
HAMMER: But first tonight, Demi Moore`s suicide drama. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bringing you brand-new details about what might have really happened when Demi got a suicide threat from a fan online on Twitter. But how serious was the threat?
ANDERSON: Yes. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that everyone else online with Demi took that threat very seriously. Police wasted no time jumping into action. And what happened next is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): It`s the story that has the whole world tweeting with excitement.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Demi Moore had a scare today when an unknown woman sent her a message threatening suicide.
ANDERSON: Demi`s page on the social networking site, Twitter, may have saved the life of a suicidal woman. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the latest on this amazing story that has some people calling Demi Moore the hero of Twitter, and others questioning whether this was all someone`s cyber cry for attention.
ALAN DUKE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: I think it`s debatable if this really saved a woman`s life or gave her 1,000 friends.
ANDERSON: It all started Friday when Demi Moore was with husband Ashton Kutcher in the south of France. They were doing what the couple has become famous for, tweeting.
DUKE: A tweet is a message that they post on Twitter.
ANDERSON: CNN reporter Alan Duke explains the Twitter phenomenon to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
DUKE: From your cell phone or your computer, you can post up to 140 characters of what you`re doing right then or what you`re thinking right then. And people who follow you will see it on their mobile phone or on their computer. So they know what you`re doing. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are prolific tweeters.
ANDERSON: On Friday, Demi Moore received a disturbing Twitter post from a woman saying she was planning to kill herself. The woman wrote, quote, "getting a knife, a big one that is sharp. Going to cut my arm down the whole arm so it doesn`t waste time." Moore responded, quote, "Hope you are joking." She then took some serious action.
DUKE: Demi then reposted that to what she calls the Twitterverse, so the 300,000 or more people who could be reading her tweets would see it.
ANDERSON: When Moore reposted the apparent suicide note from her spot in the south of France, it went out to her fans all over the world. People who saw the suicide message were able to track its origin to San Jose, California. Callers then jammed the phone lines of the San Jose Police Department.
SGT. RONNIE LOPEZ, SAN JOSE POLICE DEPARTMENT: We received numerous phone calls from all over the country and the world, places as far as Boston, New York, Australia, Canada.
ANDERSON: The cops found the woman`s address and raced to her home.
DUKE: They said that they have found her to be meeting their criteria for a 72-hour psychological exam hold. So they took her to a hospital to be looked at by psychologists and psychiatrists. Within 12 hours or so, they let her out. And she was Twittering again.
ANDERSON: CNN reporter Alan Duke tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT there are some brand-new details about the woman who tweeted Demi Moore.
DUKE: On Wednesday, she actually posted a message, "I don`t have any followers. So nobody hears me rant." And then it was about, well, 36 hours later, that she posted this direct message to Demi Moore threatening suicide.
And now, a couple of days after that, she`s got about 1,000 followers, people who are reading her messages, people who are sending her messages on Twitter. A lot of the people who are sending her direct messages are suggesting that she is just looking for publicity.
ANDERSON: Nevertheless, Demi Moore writes that she was, quote, "very torn about responding or retweeting that woman`s post, but felt uncomfortable just letting it go."
And whether that was all a cry for help or a cry for publicity, it shows that these days, personal attention from a big-time celebrity can be one tweet away.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Amazing story. But apparently, Demi Moore has done all the talking and tweeting she plans to do about the subject. Her spokesman tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "We are not commenting. The safety and well-being of that woman is what is important."
HAMMER: Well, tonight, brand-new developments to tell you about in the Madonna adoption drama. Madonna, back in London and fighting back big time after losing her bid to adopt a little girl in Malawi.
A judge in Malawi rejected her application to adopt a little orphan girl. And now, her lawyer says they are planning to file an appeal. But will it work?
Also new right now, Madonna`s unlikely ally, her ex-husband Guy Ritchie, defends her right to adopt. You`re not going to believe his powerful and kind words to Madonna.
Plus, the little orphan girl`s long-lost father appears out of nowhere and says he wants to support his daughter. Should Madonna have reason to worry?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." And also tonight in Hollywood, Leslie Marshall, host of "The Leslie Marshall Radio Show."
So if there is one thing, guys, that we`ve learned about Madonna over the years, it is - Madonna gets what Madonna wants. And at the heart of the judge`s ruling, the judge is saying that Madonna is not a resident of Malawi, therefore she cannot adopt this little girl. Carlos, do you think Madonna`s appeal will work?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I think her appeal will work if she actually takes a plan of action where she tries to become a resident of Malawi if she really cares about the children of Malawi.
She has David Banda from Malawi and she wants to adopt Mercy from Malawi, perhaps try to set up a way where she can become a resident and then be patient for the next 18 months. She`s waited two years thus far to adopt Mercy when she first saw her two years ago. So wait another 18 months and then no one can complain in the future about her being a resident.
HAMMER: Yes. Because this is different from last time around when Madonna adopted David Banda in Malawi, and that was a couple of years ago. They obviously bent the rules over residency.
Leslie, what do you think? With a little persistence, will they perhaps bend the rules again? Or do you think she will need to do what Carlos suggests and actually take up residence in Malawi?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": Well, I actually agree with Carlos that she needs to take up residence. But remember, taking up residence doesn`t mean that you have to live there 24/7, 365 days a year. What the courts could do that they do in some countries like India sometimes is that they allow you to have temporary custody or guardianship with the child.
And technically, Malawi could set up a condition with Madonna being able to leave the country and go to England or go to the United States without officially adopting her until the 18 months has passed. So I think it`s worth her fighting. And I think that she should fight, absolutely. She has her heart set on this little girl.
HAMMER: Yes. And even though we were all a bit surprised that despite whatever advice she got last week in going to Malawi, thinking she would have success with the adoption, I am certain she has a team of very smart people working on doing exactly the right thing in this appeal.
There is another brand-new twist we have to tell you about today. People.com reporting the little girl`s missing father has now surfaced. And he claims he didn`t know Mercy was even alive. And he says he now wants to support her.
But other relatives are saying he abandoned her before she was even born. And now, he shows up. Carlos, what do you think? Should Madonna have any reason to be worried here?
DIAZ: No. Because the fact -- it`s all about the little girl. All along, I`ve been about this little girl and her well-being. So one of two things is going to happen to this little girl because her dad is showing up. One, he takes her out of the orphanage and he actually is a father which is a good thing for her. Or two, he comes forward and says, "I`m the father. I have no problem with Madonna adopting Mercy," which is good for her as well.
So it`s a win-win for the little girl. For Madonna, I mean, this is why celebrities don`t adopt in America because parents will come out of the woodwork eventually to say, "Oh, yes. I didn`t want to give her up. That`s my daughter." And that`s what`s happening in this case.
HAMMER: Yes. Madonna certainly could use the support of the little girl`s father. But Madonna also now has support we may not have been expecting as she continues with this fight, the support of her ex-husband, Guy Ritchie, just releasing a very passionate and really, as I said, unexpected statement.
He`s saying that Madonna is a loving mother who cares about her children. Here`s what he says, quote, "I fully supported her decision to apply for this adoption and I am saddened her application was rejected."
Leslie, why do you suppose that Guy Ritchie decided to come out so passionately in defense of Madonna? He didn`t have to say anything at all.
MARSHALL: No, he didn`t. But he obviously knows this woman is a mother and he knows this woman`s heart and her motivation to adopt because he went through it once before with their little boy.
So the fact that he`s coming out - I mean, this is a guy that`s saying, "Hey, look. Maybe I love her, but I can`t live with her and don`t want to be married to her. But even I support her to adopt this child."
I think it`s clear that her intentions are nothing but good. It`s not about getting publicity or being in competition with Brangelina. But I think it`s awesome. I mean, I was shocked when I heard that he came out. So I thought, well, maybe she`s an even better mom than a lot of us thought that she would be and that her intentions are definitely not just to promote herself.
HAMMER: Well, and it can help in the court of public opinion as well. Very quickly, I want to tell you when we asked in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day -- "Madonna`s Adoption Denied: Was it the right decision?" I was surprised by this -- 69 percent said yes; 31 percent said no. Carlos, are you surprised?
DIAZ: I`m shocked. I mean, congratulations, everyone out there. Congratulations. You got what you wanted.
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: Now, this girl is sitting in an orphanage right now instead of being with Madonna in the lap of luxury. Congratulations, you win.
HAMMER: It doesn`t make a lot of sense. Got to jump in there and end it. Carlos Diaz and Leslie Marshall, thanks guys.
All right. Brooke, as we move on, I cannot believe this war that`s going on between Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston, who is the father of her grandson.
ANDERSON: I know, A.J. This is such drama. Tonight, Sarah strikes back. She is furious over the claims Levi is making about his sex life with her daughter, Bristol. And he`s doing it on national TV. We`ve got this brand-new twist in the Palin sex claim showdown, straight ahead.
HAMMER: And tonight, I can tell you, there`s a brand-new showdown between Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. Michelle`s red hot European tour, her amazing style, her incredible influence tonight. Tonight, we`re daring to ask, is the first lady the new Oprah?
ANDERSON: And dramatic new developments in "Charlie`s Angels" star Farrah Fawcett`s battle with cancer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer accused of sexual assault. "Fast and Furious" has $72.5 opening weekend, making it the largest April movie opening ever.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTEN WIIG, ACTRESS, AS MADONNA: I just got a baby from Russia. That`s not that crazy?
AMY ELLIOT, ACTRESS, AS ANGELINA JOLIE: Oh, yes? My Russian baby is a baby inside a baby inside a baby.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see this? The absolutely hysterical baby wars. Madonna, Angelina Jolie -- a take-no-prisoners adoption war on "Saturday Night Live."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
So yes, it looks like Madonna may have an even tougher fight in her hands than with the Malawian courts. She`s going head-to-head with Angelina Jolie.
Did you see this really funny "SNL" adoption smack down skit? You know Angelina has three adopted kids and Madonna has one, and of course just got rejected from adopting another from Africa. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WIIG, AS MADONNA: I love babies, but I especially love getting babies from crazy places. Malawi is pretty much the most exotic place in the world to get a baby. A fancy, spicy brown baby. More and more babies -- it makes me feel good. I`m saving the world, Seth, one tiny exotic baby at a time.
ELLIOT, AS ANGELINA JOLIE: Did somebody say baby?
WIIG: Angelina Jolie.
ELLIOT: I heard you couldn`t get your baby. That`s too bad.
WIIG: Get out of here, Jolie. This is about my baby.
ELLIOT: Don`t you have enough babies?
WIIG: No. Don`t you have enough babies?
ELLIOT: No. Anyway, I found an even freaky-deaky place to get my baby. It`s even more of a freaky-deaky place.
WIIG: Really, where?
ELLIOT: My big, weird lips are sealed. All I`m going to say is that it`s an exotic island and there are tons of babies there.
WIIG: A baby island?
ELLIOT: Yes. And you can just go there and pick out a baby.
WIIG: Well, I`m going to an even crazier place to get my next baby.
ELLIOT: Oh, really? Where? Space?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s fantastic. Now, Brooke, I`m not certain but I don`t think Angelina has called in yet into "Showbiz on Call" to tell what is she thinks of Madonna. However, I can tell you that these, the "Showbiz on Call" operators still getting a ton of calls on the subject. And people are really divided.
ANDERSON: They certainly are, A.J. We`ve got a call from into "Showbiz on Call" from Michael in New York who thinks the interests of children are taking a backseat to politics.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
QUESTION: I think there is no reason for Madonna to have to live in Malawi for 18 months to adopt a child that has really no life there. I think she`s done enough for the community and she`s saved a lot of children. I also believe that none of this is in the best interests of the child. We`re talking of the child here. Put the politics and everything else behind.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Michael, I`m right there with you. Thank you for your call. We also heard from Donna who called in to "Showbiz on Call" from Idaho with a different take saying Madonna should set up shop.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
QUESTION: Madonna can afford to travel. Why don`t she move to the country for 18 months, like she should, then she may be able to adopt the baby?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Good suggestion, Donna. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let you know what you think about this or anything else.
HAMMER: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. The number is 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online there on our homepage. Just point your Web browser at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: All right. This is really cool. Former Beatles, the two surviving ones, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, performed for the first time together in seven years. They were in New York for "The Change Begins Within" concert Saturday night. Paul and Ringo brought the house down with "With a Little Help from My Friends."
(VIDEO CLIP -- "THE CHANGE BEGINS WITHIN" CONCERT)
All right. Other big stars at the concert, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder and the Beach Boys` Mike Love. Now, the show benefited the David Lynch Foundation which teaches at-risk kids meditation techniques.
Hey, A.J., Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston may want to do some meditation.
HAMMER: Yes. That could work for them, Brooke. Sarah just furious with this guy. Levi, of course, the former fiance of Palin`s daughter, Bristol. Bristol and Levi had a baby together.
Well, tonight, Levi is just blabbing about his sex life with Bristol on national TV. So of course, now, Sara is striking back. It`s the Palin sex claim showdown, coming up.
ANDERSON: Also, dramatic new developments in Farrah Fawcett`s cancer battle. The latest on how the "Charlie`s Angels" star is doing.
HAMMER: And Gary Coleman`s brand-new, out-of-control rant about his new movie, "Midgets and Mascots." Yes, that is the title. But why in the world is he dissing his own movie? And all I`ve got to say is, what are you talking about, Gary? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
ANDERSON: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Carrie Underwood wins Academy of Country Music`s "Entertainer of the Year." Underwood is first female to win ACM`s "Entertainer of the Year" since 2001. Julianne Hough wins Academy of Country Music`s "Top New Artist" award.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIANNE HOUGH, SINGER: It`s a good thing my dress ripped, because now, I have something else to think about. Oh, my gosh. First of all, thank you to my record label and my management and of course my family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Chris Brown in court today and he pleads not guilty. Brown showed up in a Los Angeles court to enter a not guilty plea on two felony charges related, of course, to his alleged beating of girlfriend Rihanna. There will be another hearing to figure out if there is enough evidence to go to trial.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Tonight, Farrah Fawcett`s doctor speaks out about her dramatic battle with cancer. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that the 62-year-old "Charlie`s Angels" star has been hospitalized.
The Associated Press also says that the cancer, reportedly anal cancer, has spread to Farrah`s liver. There are also brand-new reports that Farrah is near death. But tonight, I can tell you her doctor says that`s not true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. LAWRENCE PIRO, FARRAH FAWCETT`S PHYSICIAN: With regard to her being comatose, can`t even begin to imagine why a story like that would go around the world. And certainly also, the idea that, you know, her friends and family have gathered for her final hours. I mean, these things are so far off base from, you know, anything that`s happened or is going on.
I can`t even begin to imagine how something like that would get started. She`s got though struggles as well, but she has an incredible resolve, an incredible resilience. She`s been in great shape throughout all of her life. And she`s fighting with everything she has. And we`re using every possible tool we can.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All this comes just as Farrah`s son with Ryan O`Neal, Redmond O`Neal, was arrested Sunday for bringing drugs to a jail. He was visiting a friend behind bars and was caught during a security check.
HAMMER: Eliot Spitzer speaking out. The former governor gave his very first TV interview this morning on "Today." This is his first since he resigned a year ago in disgrace after, of course, getting caught in a prostitution scandal. Spitzer told "Today`s" Matt Lauer there was no excuse for his relationship with hooker Ashley Dupre.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIOT SPITZER, FORMER GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: I, like most of us, I suppose -- I won`t speak for anybody else. I have flaws and have tried to think about it deeply, address it. As I say, there are no excuses. I have tried to address these gremlins and confront them. What I did was an egregious violation of trust to my family, to colleagues, to the state, and I`ve paid a price.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Spitzer also says that he is sorry that his stupid mistake cost him the opportunity to help out with the nation`s economic crisis.
ANDERSON: And now the show biz lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Sarah Palin strikes back. She is furious about the sex claims by the guy who got her teenager daughter, Bristol, pregnant.
Michelle Obama versus Oprah Winfrey. Is Michelle the new Oprah? And we`re calling out the SHOWBIZ Truth Squad for this one. Is Mr. Big not going to be in the "Sex and the City" sequel? Big, Big news. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Josh Harnett out of L.A. hospital after having gastrointestinal problems. NBC developing a new version of "The Wizard of Oz" called "Dorothy Gale."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BANKS: Every time you practice 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)
HAMMER: Tonight, the explosive sex claims that have Sarah Palin outraged. Levi Johnston, the guy who got Palin`s teenager daughter, Bristol, pregnant tells all about his sex life with Bristol on national TV. And Palin is furious.
Michelle Obama versus Oprah Winfrey. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is Michelle the new Oprah?
And why is Gary Coleman dissing his new movie, "Midgets and Mascots?" Tonight, his out-of-control rant.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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: I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And tonight, Sarah Palin strikes back.
HAMMER: In a big way, Brooke. This ex-vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, just slamming another ex, her teenager daughter`s ex, for blab, blab, blabbing about their sex life on TV.
In an explosive, brand-new interview today on "The Tyra Banks Show," Levi Johnston -- this guy, who appears with his mom and his sister -- says he thinks Mama Palin actually knew that he and Bristol were having sex before they had a kid together. He even dishes about their sex life.
But now Sarah Palin has come out swinging against the sex claims. Palin is slamming the 18-year-old father of her daughter Bristol`s baby saying Bristol didn`t even know he was going on the show and Levi is just dishing out lies.
And get this, Levi says he`d still actually vote for Sarah Palin if she decides to run for president in the year 2012.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Also in Hollywood is Leslie Marshall, host of "The Leslie Marshall Show" on the radio.
And let us begin with Levi Johnston`s claims seen today on "Tyra" that he believes -- I love this -- he thinks that Sarah Palin actually knew that he and her daughter Bristol were having sex under her roof, in her house. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BANKS: She knew that you guys were active?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: You think she knew?
JOHNSTON: I`m pretty sure she probably knew.
BANKS: How are you pretty sure she knew?
JOHNSTON: Her mom`s pretty smart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Wait until you hear what Sarah Palin has to say about this, and you will in just a moment. But Carlos, should this dude be going on "Tyra" talking about their sex life? Come on.
DIAZ: Well, first off, somewhere, Matt Damon is laughing and saying, "I told you so." But yes, secondly, you know, it`s the ultimate kiss and tell, dude. You don`t go on national TV and do any kind of kissing and telling.
Does it hurt national security at all? No, not at all. But it`s going to hurt this guy`s chances of getting any kind of girls in the future in Alaska where I hear pickings are pretty slim.
HAMMER: I don`t why I find this astonishing, but yet, I`m not surprised at all by any of it. And as I mentioned, Sarah Palin just smoking mad over this. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a statement from her rep. Here`s what Sarah is saying about it, quote, "We are disappointed that Levi and his family in a quest for fame, attention and fortune are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration and even distortion of their relationship."
She goes on to say, "Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in her relationship and is the only one taking responsibility for their actions." Leslie, can you blame, in any way, Sarah Palin for being so ticked off here?
MARSHALL: Don`t faint, America. I`m actually going to agree with Sarah Palin on something. No, I can`t blame her. By the way, Carlos, this isn`t kissing and telling. This is shagging and telling. And this is worse. I mean, this is far worse.
Because quite frankly, if you can`t respect your child`s mother, even if you were not in a relationship with them -- I mean, this is a guy that has turned to trash, talking trash. This lacks class. I`m not trying to rhyme here. This is completely out of line.
I don`t care who Sarah Palin is. I don`t care who the mother is. Most people have a suspicion that kids of that age group in America are sexually active. But I mean, there`s now way to say that she knew. And this is inappropriate to do on national television. This is just trashy.
HAMMER: Yes. Inappropriate regardless of who it is. I mean, you see this thing from time to time on "Jerry Springer." And it`s not even right when you see it there.
But wait, there is more. Adding insult to injury, Levi opened up to Tyra about his sex life with Bristol Palin. Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BANKS: Were you practicing safe sex?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: Even when the born was conceived?
JOHNSTON: We were.
BANKS: And so there were just wardrobe malfunctions?
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)
HAMMER: Now, there you go, Tyra. You got the answer you were looking for. So Carlos, add that to the heap of stuff that he shouldn`t be talking about, but really, at the heart of it, I think, for so many people, it has to add to the embarrassment for Sarah Palin who preaches abstinence.
DIAZ: I mean, she preaches abstinence all the time. Not some of the time. And he`s going on there and it reminded me of that "Austin Powers" skit where if you ask him three times, you have to tell the truth. You know, it`s going to be like, "All the time. All time. Some of the time."
You know what? That`s the thing too. I mean -- and Levi, we didn`t hear from him at all during the Republican race. And now, we know why. Because he doesn`t sound like he`s the sharpest tool in the toolbox there. You know, I mean.
HAMMER: You said it, not me, Carlos. We didn`t hear from him, but we did get to see him. Because let`s not forget, last September, during the Republican National Convention, Bristol and Levi appeared together. And if you remember, and we`re looking at them here, it looked like everything was fine. Everything was terrific. Then, this past February, Bristol told Greta Van Susteren on Fox how great a dad Levi was. Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN`S DAUGHTER: He`s a really a hands-on dad. He`s just in love with him as much as I am.
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: How often does he see his son?
B. PALIN: He sees him every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. That was then. This is now. Because in this brand-new interview, just two months later, watch how Levi describes his relationship with Bristol.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSTON: She`s usually in a pretty bad mood. She`s short. She doesn`t seem -- she doesn`t want me around, I don`t think.
BANKS: Doesn`t want you around? She says what?
JOHNSTON: She says I can some see the baby and that kind of thing, but won`t let me take him anywhere.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Either things change rapidly, or one of them isn`t telling the truth here. Levi and Bristol really became the poster children for teen pregnancy and how it could work when we thought everything was going well. But Leslie, now they`re really the poster children for teenager pregnancy and how it usually turns out, aren`t they?
MARSHALL: Yes. And I think it`s actually good that he was saying they were practicing safe sex all of the time, even if that`s not true. Because hopefully teens out there that are practicing safe sex or aren`t practicing safe sex get a picture of what it`s like.
It is tough to be a parent. They really need to enjoy their teen years. And if they`re going to be having sex, to practice safe sex. And I think that was the best thing that came out of this interview is that people got to say, "Oh, gee. The condom can break."
HAMMER: And again, back to the point of Sarah Palin having abstinence as such an important issue, I have to imagine, Leslie, and this is something I know you talked about a great deal on your radio show during the campaign. Can you imagine the fireworks going on in her head?
MARSHALL: One thing is, though, Bristol Palin, a lot people may not know, if you Google, she once had a little faux pas in an interview, talked about how abstinence isn`t always possible. And obviously, we know that. Obviously, with Levi, it wasn`t always possible.
But yes, it does hurt Sarah Palin. And actually, for Sarah Palin, it`s good there is not an election year and that American voters have short memories if she does run.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, Carlos, what do you think? Sarah Palin is probably looking back now at that whole deal where they trotted him out at the RNC as these poster children, thinking, "What the heck were we doing?"
DIAZ: And how can she not control this situation in an honest way? I mean, how can she not say, "OK, guys, listen. Hold on," and be a mediator and try to bring these two kids together and at least so they can coexist so they don`t go on national talk shows and, you know, kiss-and-tell and dish-and-tell kind of a thing.
HAMMER: I have a feeling this isn`t the last we`ve heard about this. Carlos Diaz, Leslie Marshall, thank you both.
Well, as we move on, Michelle Obama`s worldwide superstar status is now official after she took Europe by storm, Brooke.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. They are still raving about her style, her charm. So with the first lady`s style, her influence, is she the new Oprah? That`s right. We`re putting Michelle up against Oprah. It is a brand-new celebrity smack down.
HAMMER: Plus, wait until you hear this. Gary Coleman rips into an off- the-wall movie called, "Midgets and Mascots" that he`s starring in. This is his own film. It is the wild caught-on-tape rant you have got to see to believe.
ANDERSON: And say it isn`t so. Is the "Sex and the City" movie in big trouble? There are reports that Mr. Big is saying no to this sex film. Tonight, the SHOWBIZ Truth Squad is on the case. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Police to probe shooting at island wedding of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen. "Slum Dog Millionaire" star Anil Kapoor who played "Millionaire" host to join "24."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Want to pull back the curtain and see what we`ve got?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure.
LAUER: You didn`t have to do a thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Gosh. That looks incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Makes you want to do a double-take, doesn`t it? The new faux first lady wax figure was center stage on the "Today" show this morning. But is the real Michelle Obama giving Oprah a run for her money?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, is Michelle Obama the new Oprah? The first lady may not have a talk show and she is definitely not handing out free cars. But Michelle Obama is captivating the world Oprah-style. During Mrs. Obama`s whirlwind week in Europe, people were mesmerized by her confidence her class, her charisma. Cameras couldn`t get enough of her.
She sounds like another powerful "O" we know by the name of Oprah. But has Michelle unseated Oprah from her throne?
Joining me tonight in New York is Midwin Charles of the law firm, Midwin Charles and Associates in New York. Also joining me tonight in Hollywood, Laura Saltman who is a correspondent for AccessHollywood.com.
Hey, Midwin, Laura, the premise that Michelle is the new Oprah comes from famed editor Tina Brown on her Web site, TheDailyBeast.com. Tina Brown wrote, "American women already admired Michelle Obama before she left for London. But the TV coverage in the last two days has dialed her up dramatically to another level. Suddenly she has zoomed passed Oprah as the inspirational `It Girl` and iconic female African-American role model."
Midwin, has Michelle Obama zoomed passed Oprah as a role model?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: I can`t say that she`s zoomed passed Oprah. Yes, she`s extraordinary. Yes, she has accomplished a lot. Yes, she came from a mediocre background and of average means.
But she`s very different from Oprah. For one, Oprah hasn`t been married and Oprah doesn`t have any children, so she`s balancing that and the professional life is quite different. Yes, she has a world presence and everyone loves her, but I don`t think she has moved past her.
ANDERSON: Yes. A lot of similarities but a lot of differences as well as you say. I do want to now break down some of the points of comparison between Oprah and Michelle Obama.
First, she is powerful and influential. There is no doubt that Oprah`s got power, fortune and influence. She says something, people do it. Laura, does Michelle have that Oprah factor?
LAURA SALTMAN, CORRESPONDENT, ACCESSHOLLYWOOD.COM: Well, let`s take them as they are. OK. So power - well, Michelle Obama is married to the president. So I think, you know, she`s definitely got some power.
ANDERSON: Check.
SALTMAN: Fortune, yes. No, I think Oprah`s got about 300 million reasons why she`s got a little bit more fortune than the Obamas right now. Influence - you know, I don`t think she`s there right now.
But let`s look at this fashion, like, here is a woman who, instead of picking couture gowns, she`s wearing things from like, J. Crew. And all of a sudden, people are going out and buying J. Crew because they see her in it. So she definitely has influence. And I think we`re going to see more and more of her as the years go by.
ANDERSON: Yes. She`s very relatable. And you know, one of the great things about Oprah is her ability to relate to people. We feel like we know her because she`s real. She gives us real feelings, real emotions. Take a look at what happened while Mrs. Obama spoke to students at a school in London.
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MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: All of you are jewels. You are precious, and you touch my heart. And it is important for the world to know that there are wonderful girls like you all over the world. All over the world.
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ANDERSON: Getting very emotional there, very authentic. Wearing her heart on her sleeve, very much like Oprah does. Midwin, has Michelle shown that she has that Oprah real factor?
CHARLES: She does. And even when we`ve seen her speak to children in the past, she`s always been able to be relatable. And even the way she interacts with her beautiful daughters, you can tell that, you know, she`s a woman of heart and of conscience and of everything.
But one thing I would like to say is, let`s remember, Oprah is an entertainer. And she has a billion-plus, to show for it. Yes, she is, you know, an amazing African-American woman, the first black - African-American woman to be a billionaire.
But she is an entertainer. So I think that is one of the biggest differences. Her purpose is to put out excellent product, whether it be in the form of a television show, a magazine or any of the other things that she`s done - movies. I mean, she has conquered it all in that respect. But she is first and foremost an entertainer. So let`s not forget that.
ANDERSON: And she certainly is. You know, we know that Oprah`s talk show has dominated the airwaves for 20 years. She`s even launching her own cable TV network next year. So obviously, she is popular and so is Michelle Obama.
Listen to this. According to a Washington Post-ABC poll, Michelle`s favorability is an astonishing 76 percent. Laura, does that mean that she is more popular than Oprah or could be?
SALTMAN: I think could be. You know, look, Oprah is in our living rooms every single day, five days a week. So we constantly see her. The media coverage of Michelle is starting to get that way. And I think over the next four or possibly eight years, we`re going to see a lot of he almost as much as maybe we saw Princess Diana. Whenever she would go somewhere, the cameras would follow her everywhere. And I think if that continues, then Michelle Obama just may be more popular than Oprah soon.
ANDERSON: Yes. She has been compared to Princess Diana in addition to Oprah and how she has the ability to connect with anyone. But I do want to go back to Oprah because her power really is undeniable. She`s powerful. She`s a friendly face and she`s charming.
And people are dubbing Michelle, hugger-in-chief because she gave out so many hugs on her tour of Europe. She even put her arm around the queen and got away with it. Midwin, what do you say? Quickly - does Michelle Obama beat Oprah in the charm department?
CHARLES: I don`t think she beats her in the charm department. I think you know, all this hoopla is because it`s so refreshing to have a first lady who seems normal, who seems real, who actually appears to love her husband and has style and has grace.
And also, remember, she is revolutionizing the image of African- American women.
ANDERSON: She certainly is.
CHARLES: I mean, let`s be frank about that. Here in America, our image has quite been -- there`s been a white (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: And I agree with you. She is quickly becoming an icon. I do have to wrap it up there. Midwin Charles, Laura Saltman. Thank you both. Good to see you.
HAMMER: Tonight, Gary Coleman`s outrageous caught on tape rant about his own movie. Did you see this? The "Different Strokes" star goes ballistic over his new movie called, "Midgets versus Mascots" saying it has totally ruined his life and nearly cost him his marriage.
In a brand-new YouTube video, Coleman goes nuts and he explains why his life has been totally turned upside down. I dare you to look away.
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GARY COLEMAN, ACTOR: It was worse than any film school project that I could ever bear to think I would be involved with. I think this whole damn thing sucks. I never should have been involved in this movie in the first place. But you know, mortgage keeps coming.
Anybody in this movie would be the last people I would go out with to dinner, because this movie almost cost me my relationship with my wife. It has caused me grief. I didn`t get paid that much, so I am not a happy camper when it comes to talking about this movie or anybody in it or had anything to do with it.
I`m just looking for the first plane out of here. I`ve learned flying lessons right now. Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) off of me you (EXPLETIVE DELETED). And I`m going to bash my fist right in my agent`s face when I get back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: If you`re wondering "Midgets versus Mascots" is exactly what the movie implies. It`s a movie that pits short people against mascots for $1 million prize. I`m guessing that it`s a shoe and next year`s Razzie Awards trophy.
ANDERSON: Hey, is the new "Sex in the City" in big trouble? Will Mr. Big be back to the sequel? The SHOWBIZ Truth Squad on the case. Next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" -- more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jackie Earle Haley to play Freddie Krueger in new "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Clay Aiken to strut his stuff as judge on "American`s Next Top Model."
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ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, we are firing up the SHOWBIZ Truth Squad to find out whether something big will be missing from the "Sex in the City" sequel. Something big as in Mr. Big.
There have been reports that Sarah Jessica Parker`s onscreen husband played by Chris Noth won`t be back as Mr. Big because he`s holding out for more cash.
But we can tell you that`s a big lie. Chris Noth tells the New York "Daily News" he`s 100 percent on board for the "Sex and the City" sequel saying, quote, "I can`t imagine `Sex in the City` without Mr. Big." And we can`t either. Carrie, Mr. Big and the rest of the gang are set to hit the big screen again next May.
HAMMER: Zac Efron is another big star who is setting the record straight about his next movie role. They were dancing in the streets of Hollywood when people got wind of a Zac Efron remake of the classic `80s movie, "Footloose." You remember, a movie all about a town that banned dancing. And it`s the movie that also made Kevin Bacon a star.
But Efron who shot to fame, of course, with the "High School Musical" franchise and he kicked up his heels in the big screen version of "Hair Spray" -- well, he says he`s hanging up his dancing shoes for now. But why?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got the inside scoop from Efron himself while he was promoting his new movie "17 Again."
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ZAC EFRON, ACTOR: Nothing against "Footloose." I think it`s going to be a fantastic project. But I`m just ready to try new things, you know. Hopefully, down the road, I can do many more musicals. But right now, you know, I would love to switch it up.
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HAMMER: So there you go. Efron is really switching it up, by the way, in his new comedy "17 Again." He plays a 30-something who gets a second chance at being -- you guessed it -- 17 years old again. That movie opens everywhere, cleverly, Friday the 17th.
ANDERSON: On Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this -- "Madonna`s Adoption Denied: Was it the right decision?" 69 percent say yes, it was; 31 percent say no, it wasn`t. Here are some of the e-mails we received.
Fay from New York, "It think that little girl has been deprived of great opportunity. I think the judge made a grave mistake and has robbed the child of a very promising future."
But Dre from California thinks Madonna should have tried to adopted an American child, "Adopting a child is a wonderful thing, but there are so many children here in the U.S. that need a family."
We do appreciate your e-mails. Please keep them coming.
HAMMER: Yes. We`re getting so many on that very subject, Brooke.
ANDERSON: We certainly are.
HAMMER: And we thank you for watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
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