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Showbiz Tonight
American Idol`s Boyle Bombshell; Octomom Inked; Is Miss California the New Sarah Palin? Susan Boyle`s Newest Competition
Aired April 27, 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, HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "American Idol`s" Boyle bombshell. Tonight, is "Idol" in crisis? Ratings dropping. Judges fighting. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is YouTube sensation Susan Boyle to blame?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the Susan-Simon showdown.
The Octomom gets octo-inked. Tonight, caught on tape, your very first look at the Octomom getting tattooed for the sake of her kids. For the sake of her - what?
Plus, is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? She`s beautiful. She`s outspoken. And she`s an instant star. Tonight, will Miss California`s gay marriage controversy get her elected to office?
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. And tonight, the brand-new challenge to Susan Boyle.
Wow. A 10-year-old girl sings her heart out in a tutu and blows away Simon Cowell. Should YouTube sensation Susan Boyle be worried? Wait until you hear this kid sing. That is coming up.
But first tonight, "American Idol`s" Boyle crisis. You know all the buzz has been going on about "American Idol," right? Wait, we haven`t been hearing any buzz about "American Idol." Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is Susan Boyle to blame? Could the Scottish sensation who won over Simon Cowell on his "Britain`s Got Talent" show actually be hurting Simon`s "American Idol?"
Well, tonight, it is Simon torn two ways and it`s making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "AMERICAN IDOL": This is "American Idol."
HAMMER (voice-over): "American Idol" is cursed by dropping ratings and feuding judges.
PAULA ABDUL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I am not hearing how your voice goes in and out of these beautiful colors.
SIMON COWELL, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I don`t understand a word of what you just said.
HAMMER: To make matters worse, two of its biggest stars are talking about bailing. But with all of its troubles, "American Idol" may now be facing a threat even more powerful and insidious than any it has ever known. And that threat is - Susan Boyle?
The 47-year-old "Britain`s Got Talent" contestant is doing what no one else has managed to do - steal buzz away from "American Idol."
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Here, you have Susan Boyle, this very unlikely performer, someone who is across the pond, over in London, getting bigger buzz here in the United States than a lot of these "American Idol" contestants.
HAMMER: And that might be a big problem for Simon Cowell who produces both "American Idol" and "Britain`s Got Talent." One show clearly has the buzz, thanks to Susan Boyle. And the other, well.
SERAFIN: This year "American Idol" is great. The singers are fantastic. They just don`t have that inspirational quality, I think, that Susan Boyle has.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking: Is "American Idol" a show in crisis? And is Simon Cowell torn between two shows? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you as Boyle launches "Britain`s Got Talent" into water cooler-buzz worthiness, Simon has been making noises about leaving behind his other show, "American Idol."
SERAFIN: Adding to the buzz that Simon might leave "American Idol" is a "New York Times" article. He said when he signed the contract for "American Idol" apparently that when signed for the next season, he felt like it might be his last.
ABDUL: This is my last season on the contract.
HAMMER: In an interview on ABC`s "Nightline," Paula Abdul said her contract is up and she made no promises about coming back.
ABDUL: It is not about replacing anybody. It is about possibly moving on.
HAMMER: "American Idol" without Simon and Paula? That would be like "The Hills" without Spencer and Heidi, "The Biggest Loser" without Jillian and Bob, or "Real Housewives of New York City" without Dolce and Gabbana. "In Touch Weekly" and "American Idol" expert Kim Serafin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she is trying not to panic.
SERAFIN: I hope they don`t lose Paula. I really hope they don`t lose Simon. If they lose both of them, that would be a really big problem.
HAMMER: Simon and Paula`s departure talk comes as "American Idol`s" ratings continue to dip. And reports swirl about the judges not getting along. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT recently caught up with new "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. She told us everything was good at work.
KARA DIOGUARDI, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: They talk about the feuds and all these things. It`s just not true.
HAMMER: But with the judges taking shots at each other on camera and sometimes even in the press, it appears all is far from harmonious in "Idol" land. And that brings us back to the Susan Boyle factor.
With this "Britain`s Got Talent" contestant getting more buzz than anyone on "American Idol" these days, Simon Cowell is getting a reminder of what it is like to get a front row seat to a pop cultural juggernaut. Does that mean that it is time to let "Idol" go and concentrate on "Britain`s Got Talent," or maybe even another show?
SERAFIN: If he left, it would be to start another show.
HAMMER: You know, even with its ratings drop, "American Idol" is TV`s number one show, but nothing lasts forever, especially if there are more Susan Boyles waiting to steal the thunder.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Who knew Susan Boyle could not only become a global sensation, but could actually be threatening "American Idol?" Well, with me here in New York is Steven Smith who is a music and pop culture expert. And from Hollywood tonight, it`s June Sarpong, British TV personality and founder of PoliticsInTheCity.com.
Guy, there is no doubt about it - this voice has set the world on fire.
STEVEN SMITH, MUSIC AND POP CULTURE EXPERT: Indeed.
HAMMER: I smile every time I hear that.
Steven over to you first. What do you think about this? Is Susan Boyle possibly to blame for bumping "Idol" from its massive pedestal of talent domination because, well, people either don`t have the bandwidth or they just don`t care about "Idol" that much anymore?
SMITH: If anybody was to unseat that karaoke beauty contest that is "American Idol," it would be Susan Boyle. The whole point of "Idol" was it`s the singer not the song. It`s your voice.
And the only one we seem to see as most popular is Kelly Clarkson, still the first "American Idol" here in the States. She is the one and she`s, you know, battled weight problems, but it has always been about her singing, about the songs. And I applaud Susan Boyle. If she`s the reason, then more Susan Boyle. Clone that woman.
HAMMER: Yes. And you know, this is not put "American Idol" down. People still love the show. It`s still a good show. People can still sing on the show.
But June, this question to you, is it amazing that we are definitely buzzing a whole lot more about a show we can`t even see here in America than, of course, "Idol" which we can see?
JUNE SARPONG, FOUNDER, POLITICSANDTHECITY.COM: I know and I think really what "Idol" needs to do to sort of save its stake in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is to up the age limit on "Idol." In the UK, "X Factor," which is our version of "Idol" which is Simon`s other show - goodness, he has so many - the age limit is they have under 30s and they have over 30s. And with the over 30s, you get more of the sort of Susan Boyle characters.
HAMMER: Yes.
SARPONG: And I think that that`s what you need here. Because right now, we are bored of these teeny boppers. They`re all the same.
HAMMER: Yes.
SARPONG: The final five you have now - there`s nothing particular special. Yes, Adam might win. But he is nothing different than anything you`ve had in the past, and I think that`s what you need to do.
HAMMER: We certain have had plenty of buzz-worthy "Idol" participants and winners in the past, you know, moments that we`ve buzz about all the time while the show is going on. Think about it, we had Ruben Studdard versus Clay Aiken - that was back in Season Two. Yes, Jennifer Hudson`s surprise departure in Season Three. Nobody saw that coming. And of course, who could forget Sanjaya and his hair in Season Six.
And yes, as June mentioned, people are still talking about "Idol" frontrunner Adam Lambert. But Steven, what the show really needs is a Susan Boyle.
SMITH: Completely. I concur, and I love how over across the pond, as they say, they have age limits. We need that here. We couldn`t get a Susan Boyle here. The only reason we raised the age limit on "Idol" - we need to open it up to all people - all colors, creeds, everything.
I mean, they do that, But I am talking ages, basically. We need someone like Susan Boyle out there who can really, you know, sing her pants off. I totally agree with you. These guys with, you know, their teenyboppers, and it is just like one big Backstreet Boys concert. I`m over it.
HAMMER: Yes. Have you noticed when you watch "American Idol," Simon always seems to be sneering. When we see the clips from "Britain`s Got Talent," he is usually smiling or in awe. And in some way, I think he is competing against himself to get buzz by the fact that he judges both "American Idol" and "Britain`s Got Talent."
What do you think, June? Is he also contributing to this whole Idol crisis that`s going on? Because he seems to be more into talking about "Britain`s Got Talent" than "Idol."
SARPONG: Yes. Well, I think, you know, Simon`s one of those people - he`s seen it all in the music industry. And I do think that somebody like a Susan Boyle shocked even him because he was not expecting to see that talent come out of that package as it were.
HAMMER: Yes.
SARPONG: He`s seen all these teenyboppers. He`s bored of it. And also, I do think he probably would like to bring "X Factor" to America.
SMITH: Yes.
SARPONG: That is his other show in the U.K. So I am sure he is probably positioning himself for that. He did the same thing in the U.K. I like that.
HAMMER: Well, you know, "Idol" is still number one. But they did just have their lowest weekly ratings in eight years. This is in the season where we saw the controversial addition of the fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, the reported feud between Kara and Paula and, of course, speculation that Paula and Simon may leave the show.
Steven, no more than 10 seconds here, but do you think the tension is turning people off what they really want to see as the onstage drama?
SMITH: Yes. Completely. You want the story that is Susan Boyle. You don`t care about what the judges - the show is about people singing, not about all the crap that goes on backstage with the judges.
HAMMER: I agree. That`s where we want to have our buzz. Steven Smith, June Sarpong, I thank you both.
SMITH: Thank you.
HAMMER: Now, let me turn it over to you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here is what we need to know - "Susan Boyle: Is the YouTube sensation still an inspiration to you?" Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or e-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Well, I can certainly tell you that the Octomom got so inspired by her 14 kids she got a brand-new tattoo. Yes, it`s true. The Octomom gets inked and of course, it is all caught on tape. And get this, she says it`s for the sake of her kids. You do not want to miss this video.
Plus, the Octomom`s scary trip to the ER. She reveals why she rushed one of her kids to the emergency room.
Also, brand-new developments with the Miss USA gay marriage controversy. Is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? You know, just like Sarah, she is beautiful. She is outspoken and she certainly is an instant star. So tonight, will Miss California`s controversial comments about gay marriage get her elected to office?
And mixing news with a hip hop beat? You`ve got to see this. The most outrageous newscast I have ever seen. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt battle former bodyguard over possible tell-all book. Jennifer Hudson performs in Chicago for first time since family murders.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I want you two to pretend you`re still married and that we`re all living here together. If you don`t do this, I`ll never speak to you again.
BEA ARTHUR, ACTRESS: I don`t care.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I`ll cut you out of the will.
ARTHUR: I don`t care.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I will (UNINTELLIGIBLE) every night for the rest of your life.
ARTHUR: How bad can it be? It`s just for the day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Who didn`t love "The Golden Girls?" Boy, could Bea Arthur deliver a line.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, remembering a Golden Girl. Over the weekend, the remarkable Bea Arthur lost her battle with cancer at the age of 86.
Now, most of us remember Arthur for her snappy comebacks and hysterical one-liners as Dorothy on "The Golden Girls." But her career was more than a lifetime of comedy. It was a history of ground-breaking work that we will never forget.
Here is CNN`s Don Lemon for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bea Arthur`s opinionated character "Maude" first grabbed the attention of TV audiences in "All in the Family." She was so popular producer Norman Lear created a spin-off series.
During the `70s, the show tackled hot topics, including pornography, race relations, and in one episode titled, "Maude`s Dilemma," abortion.
KATHRYN MONTGOMERY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES: At the age of 47, she got pregnant. She didn`t want to have this baby. It was quite a shock to her. But she didn`t see abortion as an option, until her daughter proposed that to her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I`ve been thinking. There is no earthly reason for you to go through with this at your age. You know it, I know it, Walter knows it ...
ARTHUR: I don`t want you to talk about - just don`t talk about it now!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that Bea got a lot of mail - hate mail.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it would be wrong to have a child at our age.
ARTHUR: Oh, so do I, Walter.
LEMON: It spawned demonstrations from both sides of the issue. Many saw "Maude" as an enduring icon for women`s liberation, a big deal for the shy Jewish girl.
Arthur was born Bernice Frankel in New York City. During the Depression, her family left the Big Apple and opened a clothing store in Cambridge, Maryland. By the time she was 12, Arthur was nearly 5`10" and self-conscious about her height.
She masked her insecurities with comedy, and eventually, returned to New York to study acting. Along the way, she had a short-lived marriage, which she didn`t talk about, but she kept her last name, Arthur.
(MUSIC)
LEMON: Singing and stage work earned her a living on and off Broadway. Critics delighted in her haughty, serpent-tongued deliveries.
ARTHUR: You`re fat.
LEMON: She won a Tony Award for the caustic character of "Vera Charles" in the play "Mame." Arthur reprised the role in the film version opposite Lucille Ball. Other movie roles followed.
ARTHUR: How bad can it be? It`s just for the day.
LEMON: But it was on TV`s "Golden Girls" as Dorothy Zbornak that gave Arthur her other major success. The role earned her a second Emmy. The first was for "Maude." Arthur entered semiretirement after the show ended in 1992.
ARTHUR: Good morning, Beth. Am I allowed inside the house?
LEMON: She returned to TV in sporadic guest appearances, but preferred to keep her schedule open for other things.
ARTHUR: Maybe a play, maybe a musical. There are so many things. Maybe a one-woman show, I don`t know.
LEMON: Bea Arthur was definitely one woman every show she was on couldn`t do without.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It always made me smiled every time she was on screen. That was CNN`s Don Lemon for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are still bubbling about Boyle - that`s Susan Boyle. Our "Showbiz on Call" phone operators having a manic Monday today. We got one particular into "Showbiz on Call" I want to play to you from Deanna (ph) in California. Deanna thinks everyone who wants Susan Boyle to get a makeover should just back off.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think she`s just a refreshing new older star. She`s got a lovely voice, and whether she changes her appearance or not, it`s not going to change her voice. She is still going to be the same inside whether she changes the outside or not. And I think everybody just needs to leave her alone.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I am with you. Thanks, Deanna. Thanks for that call.
We also heard from Gayle (ph) calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Mississippi. And she thinks that Susan should get a touchup.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Of course, every woman wants to look as pretty as she can be. I am sure she would be thrilled to have a makeover. And just like someone said before, if she didn`t like it should could go back to where she was. This woman deserves a makeover.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Gayle. Thank you for your call. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call." That way, you can let us know what you think about this or anything at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open all the time, the number 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
The Octomom gets inked. Yes, octuplet mom who is already tatted up is now going for tattoo number eight. Of course, eight, right? You`ve got to see this brand-new video because she says she is getting the tattoo for her kids. Huh?
Plus, Nadya Suleman reveals why she rushed one of her babies to the ER. Coming up.
Also this, you`d better watch out, Susan Boyle. You have got some serious competition tonight. I`ve got your first look at this adorable little girl. Not only can sing, she can dance, too.
Plus, is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? She is beautiful. She`s outspoken and, of course, she`s an instant star. Well, tonight, will Miss California`s gay marriage controversy actually get her elected to office? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Bob Dylan going on ballpark concert tour with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. Band Creed reunites for new album after six years apart.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Here are more stories that are new right now.
Well, tonight, "Slumdog" sweethearts. There have been all kinds of reports that "Slumdog Millionaire" co-stars Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto are dating. But they kept dodging the question.
Tonight, though, Patel`s mom confirms to Britain`s "Daily Mirror" that yes, the two are, indeed, a couple. Patel just headed to Israel to meet up with Pinto who`s filming a movie there. And apparently, they were pretty touchy-feely. Hey, what I say, "mazeltov" to both of them.
And this is so cool. U2`s Bono interviews superstar George Clooney. "Time" magazine has named George to its latest 100 influential people list and is part of Anderson Cooper`s special on his 100 picks.
Well, U2`s frontman, Bono, sits down with Clooney at the Rose Theater, home of jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. They talk about a whole bunch of things including how Clooney`s aunt, the late great actress- singer, Rosemary Clooney, taught him a thing or two about dealing with fame. Here is a little sneak peek.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: We got the lesson on fame and how, sort of, little it has to do with you and how much more it is about a little bit of time and a little bit of luck, a little bit of all this (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
Also, it happened with me late. You know, ER hit me when I was 33. So I had been not famous for quite some time and not successful for a long time. So I had a really - a better idea of how it works, you know? And how literally little it has to do with you.
It has changed dramatically, I think, in the last five or six years - this with gotcha, everybody with a cell phone camera. And I think you can`t, you know, pick your nose or anything anymore, which I do enjoy.
BONO, U2 LEAD SINGER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) better on this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It is hard giving some things up, George. You can watch the "TIME 100: AC 360 SPECIAL" on CNN this Friday, May 1st.
Now it is time for the SHOWBIZ line up. Here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Octomom gets inked. The brand-new video of the octuplet mom getting a tattoo for her kids? Plus, Octomom reveals why she rushed one of her babies to the ER. Is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? She`s got the looks. But what she said about gay marriage sparked controversy. So will she run for office?
And watch out, Susan Boyle. Tonight, she`s got some serious competition from a 10-year-old. You have got hear this kid sing. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Salma Hayek and husband have star-studded wedding in Italy. Beyonce hits number one at box office with "Obsessed."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI LARTER, ACTRESS: I know how hard it must be to have someone falling in love with you. Wait, it isn`t.
BEYONCE KNOWLES, ACTRESS: Don`t touch me.
LARTER: We can talk.
KNOWLES: I told you, don`t touch me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Octomom inked. Brand-new video of the Octomom getting a tattoo - for her kids? Plus, why was one of the octuplets rushed to the hospital?
Is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? She`s gorgeous. She speaks her mind. And now, will Miss California`s gay marriage controversy get her elected to office?
Oh snap. Katie Couric goes hip-hop. It`s the new music video you have got to see to believe.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting and ever night from New York City.
Tonight, it`s octo-tattoo. Yes, we`ve got Octomom, Nadya Suleman, caught on tape, getting a brand-new tattoo after rushing one of her babies to the emergency room.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the brand-new details about why Octomom rushed to the ER with one of her babies. Nadya is going on the record to explain what went wrong and what made her so frightened.
And there is nothing like getting brand-new ink to recover from a scare like that, I tell you. We`ve got the mother of 14 caught on tape getting a brand-new tattoo that she says is a tribute to her 14 kids. Wait until you hear what she has to say about it. I am not making this up.
Joining me tonight in New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell, host, of course, of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL," seen every night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN. In Hollywood tonight is June Sarpong who is a British TV personality and the founder of "PoliticsAndTheCity.com."
I must begin with the Octomom`s scary trip to the emergency room. In a brand-new video posted on "Radar Online" Octomom explained why she decided to take one of her octuplet babies to hospital. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOTHER: There was like a protrusion on his lower right side, the lower abdomen. So I just was worried. It could be like the appendix. I don`t know. It looked like a hernia. Then I brought him in. When I was feeding him and I changed him, it was gone. It seemed like he was screaming. Maybe that, you know, exacerbated it or something. I don`t know what happened. But I brought him in, just in case, and the doctor examined him and said he had no hernia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Happy to hear nothing wrong with the little guy. Octomom did tell "Life and Style Weekly" - we remember she is working with a British production company to record her kids periodically, following them until they reach the age of 18.
Jane, I`m thinking this kind of drama, rushing to the ER with an octuplet, exactly something that people are going to tune in for.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ MITCHELL": Exactamundo, A.J. I think the operative phrase is "nothing wrong with the little child." I have gotten so cynical and jaded about this woman. I wonder if she even really thought the child was sick, or perhaps they just needed an exciting scene, OK?
We all know what makes reality television and documentary exciting and it is not people behaving reasonably or rationally. It`s panic. It is drama. It is the race to the emergency room with the little child and that`s what she does time after time. We are talking about her again because she is a genius for keeping herself in the public eye and in the news.
HAMMER: Yes. Now, we don`t know if cameras were actually with her on that journey to the emergency room. Who knows if a reality show pops up one day, if we`ll actually see that kind of stuff?
But June, this stuff makes it on TV, we are talking reality ratings Octomom gold here, right?
SARPONG: Yes, for sure. I mean - and totally agree. That is exactly what she is doing it for. She`s doing it for the publicity. And you know, in the U.K., we have a saying called, "It`s all gone, Pete Tong," which means "wrong." It is just wrong. I am over it. Enough is enough.
HAMMER: I`ll write it up and down and using (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if you don`t mind.
SARPONG: You can have it.
HAMMER: Now, the trip to the ER, however, surprisingly or perhaps not, didn`t faze out to mom too much. Because in yet another brand-new video that`s posted on "Radar Online," Nadia Suleman goes to a tattoo parlor so she can score some brand-new ink.
Now, watch Nadya brace herself for the needle and then describe what this new ink means to her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SULEMAN: Oh, no. No. I am going hurt myself. OK. Yes, yes, yes - I hurt my neck.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re really going to start, OK?
SULEMAN: All right then.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready?
SULEMAN: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you want me to start?
SULEMAN: I suppose.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How is that? That`s it, honey.
SULEMAN: Are you serious?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Are we OK now? Are we friends again? Are you sure?
SULEMAN: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re good?
SULEMAN: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
SULEMAN: I just want it to symbolize, you know, the eight babies and the six other kids and how the angel represents that they are angels. They all are miracles. And then the angel is dropping the 14 stars, one for each child. So that`s it, kind of simple, but meaningful to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Fourteen stars for 14 kids. That is cute enough.
Jane, of course, she has got the 14 kids at home. Is it wrong that I am sitting here thinking how the heck does she have time for this? And where are her priorities? Is that wrong?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know, it`s all so wrong on so many levels. I love that phrase that they use in Britain. I want to memorize it so I could use it.
SARPONG: Pete Tong.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: That`s it. Remember, here is the back story on this. Remember how she said she was not interested in Angelina Jolie, never thought about her. And then, we found out that she was allegedly writing to her and creeping her out. And then we found out her stripper name was Angelina.
Well, I just read that Angelina Jolie has a tattoo. And I believe it is also on her shoulder honoring her children. So she does not have an original thought. This appears to be another imitation in her apparent obsession with a superstar.
HAMMER: Wow. Shocker of shockers, Jane. I mean, you know - we`ve said before that nothing really surprised us any more. Octomom`s critics, of course, have complained right from the start that Nadya is irresponsible. She`s looking for attention. June, she is really just giving her critics more ammunition by putting videos of her like this out there, isn`t she?
SARPONG: Oh, she is. And you know what? I completely agree with everything Jane just said and what you said at the beginning. I mean, how many mothers who have - I don`t know - three or four children have time to go to a tattoo parlor at midnight, let alone someone with 14?
HAMMER: Yes.
SARPONG: I mean, it is madness.
HAMMER: It`s madness.
SARPONG: I mean, I`m (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: We`re going to leave it at that. Jane Velez-Mitchell, June Sarpong, thank you very much.
SARPONG: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right, look out Susan Boyle because there is another singing sensation that is stealing the spotlight. A new kid in town is a talented 10-year-old in a tutu. Her name is Hollie Steel. She`s the latest to give a scene-stealing performance that just blew away the judges on "Britain`s Got Talent." You have got take a look at this little ballerina`s rendition of "My Fair Lady`s" "I Could Have Danced All Night". Watch this.
Wow. This could be a tough face off between young and old when Hollie and, of course, fan-favorite Susan Boyle go head to head in the final round of "Britain`s Got Talent," some amazing, amazing performers over there.
All right. I`ve got to tell you as we move on, Miss California not backing down from the gay marriage debate. The beauty queen has slammed gay marriage during that Miss USA competition. She is more popular than ever.
So will Miss California actually run for office? She`s got the look. She`s got the controversy. So, I`ve really got ask, is she the new Sarah Palin?
And it`s Katie Couric like you have never seen her before. Couric`s rap on "Evening News" looks a little different these days? So has Katie gone hip hop?
Plus, did you see this? It`s a bull in a supermarket. Now, think about it for a moment. What would you do if you saw a bull charging down the cereal aisle? Well, we`ve got the "bull light special" caught on tape. That`s coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Rihanna to cops: Return $1 million in jewelry worn on night of alleged attack. Madonna named number one hardest working Hollywood mom by Forbes mag.
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HAMMER: Did you see this? It`s a bull in a supermarket. Wow! Shoppers at a grocery store in Ireland got the shock of their lives when this bull escaped from a nearby cattle market and it came charging down the aisle.
Bull clean up on aisle seven. Bull clean up on aisle seven.
The running of this bull did not last very long, though. After charging a few shopping carts, the bull found the exit and left the store. Maybe he wasn`t happy with produce or perhaps, I`ve got to say as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer (UNINTELLIGIBLE) suggested he got lost on the way to the China shop, right?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, did you see this? What would happen if hip-hop star T-Pain actually produced the "Evening News?" Picture Katie Couric accompanied by some pretty good beats and a little rhyme on the side.
Well, there is a brand-new video that does just that. It is getting huge buzz online. You`ve got to check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Embarrassing. Oh, sorry. I`ve got take this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love you, too, grandma.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. I love that. That video was made by Brooklyn musician Michael Gregory using this using Auto Tune software which basically makes every voice sound pitch perfect. Now, if it could only change the actual lyrics.
All right. Tonight, is Miss California the new Sarah Palin? You know, you can`t deny that the Miss USA contestant, Carrie Prejean, has suddenly become this conservative sensation. She spoke out against gay marriage at the Miss USA competition. Of course, that happened when celebrity blogger Perez Hilton asked her if gay marriage should be legalized. There were cheers. There were jeers.
And now, well, there is actually a whole lot of talk about a big time political career. And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, could she be the next Sarah Palin?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, it`s Carlos Diaz, a correspondent for "Extra." And tonight, in New York, April Woodard, the senior correspondent for "Inside Edition" and a former beauty pageant winner and judge.
You know, Miss California definitely caught our attention after a controversial answer about whether or not gay marriage should be legalized. Let`s take another quick look at that, shall we?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARRIE PREJEAN, MISS USA CONTESTANT: You know what? In my country and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there. But that`s how I was raised and that`s how - I think that it should be between a man and a woman.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Well, since then, we`ve all seen what`s happened. Miss California has been hailed by conservatives around the country. In fact, the state of Alabama even passed a resolution praising her.
Carlos, to you first - and take a look at this picture, if you will, of Sarah Palin who was also a beauty pageant contestant. Is Miss California destined to be the next Sarah Palin?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I think Miss California is hotter, that`s point number one. Point number two, if she does enter politics, does that make Perez Hilton Rush Limbaugh? I`m questioning that as well.
But no, I mean, in all honesty - sure, if she wants to. I mean, she`s got the next year as a way to begin her campaign. And really, what is the difference between a politician and a Miss America contestant? You go to events. You shake hands. You smile. You listen to people tell you their problems and hopefully, you can do something about it.
HAMMER: Yes. Sometimes they are a little more politically correct. And who knows what would be the case in this situation? The similarities, however, between Miss California and Sarah Palin are really pretty astounding.
Let`s put some of them up here. Both are conservative women, check. Both against gay marriage, check. Both beauty pageant divas, check, check, check.
All right. April, to you, you know, you were a Miss America finalist. So what do you think? You have great perspective on this. Does Miss California have the same goods as Sarah Palin?
APRIL WOODARD, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, you know, she has some big stilettos to fill. I mean,. Sarah Palin was a beauty queen 20 years ago. And she does have some political, you know, credentials. And that`s what Miss California needs - some credentials.
If she wants to become a politician, go back to her hometown, work in the trenches, work from the bottom to the top. And most importantly, know the answer to the question "What magazines and newspapers do you read?" And make sure that you read them cover to cover.
HAMMER: Yes. You definitely want to have that down. I think every potential politician should be brushing on that one or just happen to know it perhaps as they should. You know, the question, though, is would she be at all interested in this?
Well, it turns out Miss California pretty open to the idea of a political career. I want you to listen to her answer when CNN`s Roland Martin asked her if she would ever run for office.
Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Would you like to run for office one day?
PREJEAN: You know what? I have had some opportunities. I was in New York City and I have gotten a lot of opportunities just being passed by. And maybe - you never know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, there you go. You never know. All right. I want to take bets there and I`m going to begin with you Carlos. Do you think she may possibly ever leave the pageant circuit behind so she can take that stab at politics?
DIAZ: I think the pageant circuit will leave her behind when they choose 2010`s Miss California USA so she won`t have a choice. But you know, I applaud her, by the way, for having a stance and for not backing down on that stance and speaking her mind on what she believes.
And I don`t particularly agree. I think everyone should have the right to be married so everyone could be unhappy. But I think - the one thing she`s got going against her is she is in California. That is the most liberal state in the entire union. And so that is the one place she might not want to run.
HAMMER: Yes. Well - or if you really take a look at California, you know, it is used to conservative celebrity politicians. You know, "Terminator`s" governor. You can`t forget The Gipper Ronald Reagan.
What do you think, April? Number one, should she do the political thing? And if she did, isn`t California sort of the perfect place for her?
WOODARD: Yes. I think she can do it. I mean, there are plenty of former beauty queens that are politicians. I think there is a senator from West Virginia. There`s a representative from Tennessee.
And they are showing that there are brains underneath that crown. But as I mentioned before, she`s got to get some credibility and some credentials.
HAMMER: Yes.
WOODARD: And in addition to that, if she thinks it was tough having Perez Hilton call her the B-word on the Internet, just wait until she is a politician.
HAMMER: She ain`t seen nothing yet.
WOODARD: That`s right.
HAMMER: April Woodard, Carlos Diaz, thank you, guys.
Well, you know, this whole Miss USA gay marriage outrage really put our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines in overdrive. The "Showbiz on Call" operators - they all took off their tiaras and went to work with those wires. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Annie (ph) in California who says Miss California didn`t do anything wrong.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Miss California answered the question as it was asked and what was her opinion. She answered with honesty and grace. The question was legitimate. But Mr. Hilton`s attitude was lewd and crude. It did not do justice to his cause. He was chosen to be a judge because of his name and not his qualifications.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Thank you, Annie.
And we also heard from Becca (ph) in Arizona who says everybody should be allowed to speak his or her mind no matter what.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Since when did this country become a country to where you cannot express your own opinion? Just like Perez Hilton had the right to ask it, she had the right to answer. She should not be condemned for her answer just like he should not be condemned for the question.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And I thank you, Becca.
You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines always open for your convenience at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That is 1-888-728- 2899. Just leave us a voicemail. We`re playing your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Coming up next, Jamie Foxx and his new movie with a very real mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: I actually learned for one to stop for a second and see what these people are really about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is something you absolutely will not want to miss - the emotional and true story behind Foxx`s new movie "The Soloist" and how the family of the real-life soloist is using the film to raise awareness about mental illness. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Thirty-one percent of U.S. household have DVRs compared to 24 percent one year ago. Search warrant issued in Rihanna LAPD photo leak investigation.
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HAMMER: Thank you, Charles.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Jamie Foxx`s movie with a mission. Foxx`s new film with Robert Downey, Jr., called "The Soloist," is a moving story of a musician who is struggling with mental illness. Well, the film is not only looking to bring in box office gold, but it hopes to bring awareness to psychological disorders. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOXX: I apologize for my parents for having said this.
BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CO-HOST (voice-over): A schizophrenic homeless man with remarkable musical talents. The true story of Nathaniel Ayers is portrayed in the new film, "The Soloist."
FOXX: What`s this business about me?
ROBERT DOWNEY JR., ACTOR: It`s legal jargon.
FOXX: It`s - when I had a schizophrenic mind, I took that.
JENNIFER AYERS-MOORE, NATHANIEL AYERS` SISTER: It makes you want to realize or go beneath what you see.
ANDERSON: Nathaniel`s sister, Jennifer Ayers-Moore, hopes the movie brings attention to mental disorders. She started the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation last year in honor of her brother
ANDERSON (on camera): You want to bridge the gap between the mentally ill and the arts, right?
AYERS-MOORE: We have goals to work with arts organizations and mental health organizations that work with the mentally ill to teach art.
ANDERSON (voice-over): The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates mental illness affects one in five families in America. Jennifer is optimistic her brother`s story can help remove the stigma associated with psychological orders and benefit others struggling to cope, a goal shared by the film`s stars.
FOXX: I actually learned for once to stop for a second and see what these people are really about. Then we had a ball with them. They love to dance. They love to talk trash. And to be able to see these people that were suffering in this way that I thought, they actually had a light on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, movies can do that. They can just open your eyes to things.
ANDERSON: A silver screen effort with the potential to have an impact long after moviegoers have left the theater.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And that was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson. Well, on Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "Reported Rihanna Tour: Do you think the time is right for her return to the stage?" Well, 65 percent of you said yes; 35 percent of you said no. So it looks like quite a few people are ready for Rihanna`s return.
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Now, remember, you can always watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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