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Showbiz Tonight
Farrah Fawcett`s Reaction to "Farrah`s Story"; Brooke Shields`s New Battle with the Tabloids; Jon and Kate, the Movie?; Cynthia Nixon Engaged
Aired May 18, 2009 - 21:30 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, Farrah Fawcett`s dramatic reaction to her very own story. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals what Farrah thought while watching the gripping documentary about her battle with cancer on TV. Will there actually be a follow-up film?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM O`NEIL, THEENVELOPE.COM: The original producer of "Farrah`s Story" says that this version isn`t "Farrah`s Story."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, tonight, brand-new controversy. Why some people are actually outraged over the message of "Farrah`s Story."
Brooke Shields` brand-new battle. Tonight, the shocking story of Brooke`s sick mother being checked out of her nursing home by a tabloid reporter. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Brooke`s frantic search for her mom and her outrage with the tabloids.
And Jon and Kate the movie? The explosive reports that the troubled reality TV couple may now be working on a movie. Is this really a good idea?
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.
Tonight, Farrah`s tears. For the very first time, we`re hearing Farrah Fawcett`s emotional reaction as her heartbreaking cancer documentary, "Farrah`s Story," is seen by millions.
Farrah watched the very raw film documenting her painful battle with cancer. At her side, Farrah`s longtime love, Ryan O`Neal, and her best friend, Alana Stewart, who also co-produced the special.
Well, tonight, Ryan and Alana are speaking out and sharing just how Farrah felt about the film and whether there actually will be a second part. And they aren`t the only ones reacting to the unprecedented documentary.
Tonight, some people are actually criticizing Farrah`s film. But why? Farrah`s first response and the brand-new backlash is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": For whatever reason, it`s hard to watch it.
HAMMER (voice-over): The shocked hosts of "The View" have what turned out to be a common response to Farrah`s story.
FARRAH FAWCETT, ACTRESS: There were nine tumors in my liver.
HAMMER: Farrah Fawcett`s hard-hitting documentary about her brutal fight against cancer. "View" co-host, Sherri Shepherd says the documentary had her in tears.
SHERI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It was heartbreaking, but when her son, Redmond, who they released from prison for three hours to see his mother - he climbed into bed with his mom. That just - that`s where I broke down.
FAWCETT: The strain, the nausea, the fever take turns challenging my strength, my mind and my spirit.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you "Farrah`s Story" was a ratings success with almost nine million viewers, NBC`s highest Friday night audience in a year, not counting the Olympics.
ALANA STEWART, FARRAH FAWCETT`S BEST FRIEND: When it was over I said, "OK, so did you like it?" And she said, "I liked it very, very, very, very, very much."
HAMMER: And on the "Today" show, Fawcett`s friend Alana Stewart and her companion, Ryan O`Neal, who both worked on the documentary, said Fawcett was happy with the overwhelming response.
RYAN O`NEAL, ACTOR (via telephone): I came with it and I told her. I said, "We did very well last night." And she said, "What were the numbers?"
O`NEAL: You have helped me stay brave.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the reaction isn`t all positive. From an angry ex-producer.
O`NEIL: The original producer of "Farrah`s story" says this version isn`t Farrah`s story.
HAMMER: To critics, who call it exploitative, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you "Farrah`s Story" has exploded into a very controversial one. Tom O`Neil of TheEnvelope.com interviewed Craig Nevius, an executive producer on "Farrah`s Story."
O`NEIL: Nevius says that he is pleased people are touched by this special, but that it`s not the special Farrah wanted.
HAMMER: Nevius is suing Ryan O`Neal and Alana Stewart for allegedly booting him off the documentary. Nevius tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Stewart and O`Neal took the documentary in the direction and format different from what Fawcett wanted.
REDMOND O`NEAL, SON OF FARRAH FAWCETT: Mommy, this is Red.
HAMMER: And then, there`s the documentary`s most talked-about scene, where her son Redmond is briefly released from his drug-related jail sentence to visit his heavily medicated mother. The disgruntled producer says there`s no way Farrah would have been OK with that.
O`NEIL: When Farrah had her reality TV series on TV Land Network, you never saw Redmond. She didn`t want her son on camera. If she didn`t want him on her reality show because she didn`t want us to see him at a vulnerable time early in his struggle with drugs, she certainly wouldn`t want us to see him now.
FAWCETT: I will not go gentle into that good night.
HAMMER: There are other critics of "Farrah`s Story." In a very harsh review, "The New York Times" called it awful and exploitative and blasted it for not focusing on larger medical issues, issues Nevius says Farrah wanted to explore.
O`NEIL: The very things that the special is being criticized for are the things that Nevius said Farrah didn`t want.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show, Alana Stewart slammed her former colleague for filing the suit.
STEWART: We`re just so shocked and disappointed and frankly saddened that anyone would do something like that at this time.
HAMMER: Stewart says "Farrah`s Story" has provided hope to millions of people.
STEWART: Yesterday, I was at Whole Foods and three different women came up to me and they said, "Thank you so much. Would you thank Farrah for us for doing this?" They said it was so powerful.
HAMMER: And Ryan O`Neal says we may not have heard the last of "Farrah`s Story."
O`NEAL: We haven`t stopped filming and we`re going to make a second installment of her life eventually.
FAWCETT: Today, I`ve got cancer, but on the other hand, I`m alive.
HAMMER: Meanwhile, Farrah continues to suffer from cancer, showing us all that the fighting over her documentary is nothing compared to the personal fight she continues to wage.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
A representative for Fawcett, Ryan O`Neal and Alana Stewart tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that they are shocked by Nevius` allegations and that Fawcett is pleased with the project.
And tonight we`ve got brand-new details on that massive legal battle over the film. We also have the strong reaction from Craig Nevius, the estranged documentary producer and what he really thinks of the idea of a second Fawcett documentary.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Pat Lalama, who is an investigative journalist. And in New York is Ben Widdicombe who is a celebrity editor for Stylelist.com.
Let`s begin with the emotional reaction from Farrah who watched the documentary on Friday with friends, family and a nurse on hand to check out her vital signs during the two-hour film. Farrah`s best friend, Alana Stewart, had more to say on Farrah`s reaction to the film. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: First of all, she cried a few times. It was very emotional for her, Meredith. And I think it`s because it`s been a very, very long journey, you know. And going back through it was probably a bit painful.
But when it was over, I said, "OK, so did you like it?" And she said, "I liked it very, very, very, very, very much." Those were her exact words.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She was happy with it. There you go. So, Pat, certainly an emotional reaction. At the same time, just the fact in my mind, that she could actually sit there, knowing what she`s been through, watch the highs and lows of her own cancer battle, it really does show this great strength we`ve come to know from Farrah Fawcett, doesn`t it?
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Oh, my gosh. I have to tell you, I watched it. I thought about it all weekend. It was one of the first things on my mind when I woke up today.
Here`s the issue. So "The New York Times" says "Oh, it`s exploitive and awful." Well, now, we know why "The New York times" is in such financial trouble.
Aside from that, the point of the matter is this. It`s not PBS. We aren`t exploring deep medical issues. We`re watching an American icon share her terrible, terrible disease with the rest of us. And what it made me want to do was go online this weekend and Google everything I could find out about cancer. No PSA has ever done that for me. I`m telling you. This was extraordinary.
HAMMER: Yes, and I`m right there with you, Pat. I actually, after watching it, went to sleep and had dreams about it and woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it.
LALAMA: Absolutely.
HAMMER: It was so, so powerful. And yes, Farrah was basically going on a mission here to tell the world the truth about her own cancer battle. Not the way the tabloids told it but the way she wanted to tell it. And hopefully, in the process, help others who are dealing with the same thing. Ben, what do you think? Mission accomplished?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, STYLELIST.COM: Oh, I think absolutely. You know, Farrah has anal cancer. It`s a very touch subject. People don`t like talking about it, and it really does help when a celebrity will invite cameras into their lives and you really see what it`s like to be living with this awful disease and the highs and the lows.
I was riveted. I thought it was really one of those specials that you wanted to have friends and family around you when you watch it so you could watch it together and talk about it. I`ve been thinking about it all weekend, too.
I`m astounded at "The Times`s" reaction. I think it`s a murky part of popular culture which "The Times" doesn`t deal with very well. On the one hand, you have Farrah criticizing interest in the tabloids and "Enquirer" wanting to know what`s going on. On the other hand, you have her letting cameras into what could really be her own death bed. So it`s a really tough area.
HAMMER: Yes. And additionally, another tough area that they`re dealing with - Farrah and her longtime love Ryan O`Neal in the midst of this major legal battle with this producer named Craig Nevius who actually started the project along with Farrah.
And Craig is saying this film is not the film that Farrah wanted and he`s suing because he lost creative control. However, Ryan O`Neal tells the "Today" show this morning, Nevius is in for a big battle. Take a look at what Ryan said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O`NEAL (via telephone): He`s got his work cut out for because we haven`t stopped filming and we`re going to make a second installment of her life eventually. So he`s got - he better get his lawyers, you know, up and ready.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, let me tell you what Nevius is telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. He says this: "It does not surprise me, based on what has been going on for the past four to six weeks, that they are working on a second film. I think it`s the ultimate invasion of her privacy."
Pat Lalama, everybody has been coming down hard on this guy for really what seems like incredibly insensitive timing. But the way he tells it, he has got Farrah`s best interest in mind. So with that said, do people need to back off this guy?
LALAMA: You know, here`s the thing. He`s striking while the iron is hot. I mean, obviously, now, if he makes noise about it now, he`s going to get lots of attention. So strategically, it`s wise. Insensitive, possibly.
If people don`t like the idea of a follow-up to this, here`s the remote. Here`s the on switch. Here`s the off switch. I think it can do so much more to help our understanding.
As for his legal dispute, I`d have to see the original contract to know whether somehow he`s been violated.
HAMMER: Yes.
LALAMA: But I`ll bet you it`s going to be a messy - definitely a messy and a hard-fought dispute.
HAMMER: It`s just hard to get beyond the idea that doing it right now in the midst of everything that`s going on doesn`t just seem wildly insensitive.
LALAMA: It`s a little insensitive, yes.
HAMMER: Pat Lalama, Ben Widdicombe, thank you, guys.
All right. As we move on, I cannot believe the new tabloid battle Brooke Shields is caught up in. Tonight, the shocking story of Brooke`s sick mother being checked out of her nursing home by a tabloid reporter - her mom, who is suffering from dementia. How did this happen? Brooke`s frantic search for her and how she`s declaring all-out war on the tabloids, coming up.
Also "Jon and Kate," the movie? The explosive reports that the troubled reality TV couple may now be working on a movie. Is this really a good idea right in the middle of their alleged cheating scandal?
And just weeks after the announcement that Mel Gibson is splitting up with his wife, tonight, I can tell you there are reports floating around Mel`s girlfriend is pregnant. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Angels and Demons" takes in $48 million this weekend, beating out "Star Trek`s" $43 million. MTV to air Paris Hilton documentary, "Paris, Not France" this summer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, REALITY TV SHOW STAR: It`s not what wanted as a little girl. This is not what I planned. I always looked up to like Princess Diana and all these women. And now, I could never be like that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Mel Gibson`s girlfriend is reportedly pregnant. TMZ is reporting Mel`s lady, Oksana, is in her second trimester. Mel`s publicist told us late today, "No comment."
TMZ also says that Mel has told Robyn, his soon-to-be ex-wife and their children the big news. Robyn filed for divorce on April 13th.
And now, it`s SHOWBIZ at Cannes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there at the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. Of course, all of the big stars are in town to plug their films and do a little partying along the way.
But there are some movies at Cannes that are getting buzz, not because of their A-list stars, but their provocative titles, some we can`t even show you. But you get the idea.
HLN`s Natasha Curry is in Cannes for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the scoop. Natasha.
NATASHA CURRY, HLN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, A.J., we`re still waiting for some of the really big stars to show up in Cannes - Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz. We`ve got our eye out for them because we want to see them, too.
But in the meantime, we`ve been checking out some really interesting behind-the-scenes. We found an underground city where strange films are sold.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): Hey, I want to show you something really cool here at Cannes that very few people know about. It`s called the "Marche de Film" or the film market, and it`s for filmmakers from all over the world. They come to buy and sell films of all different genres - action, comedy drama, and even horror.
Comatose, it comes to you when you sleep. It - it comes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It comes to you.
CURRY: What is it? I`m scared.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a ghost that comes to you.
CURRY: That`s scary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s not scary, but very scary.
CURRY: I do smell a rip-off here? "Ong Bak 2" - I missed "Ong Bak 1." What about you? "Mega-Shark versus Giant Octupus" - who wins? Hey, but it stars Deborah Gibson.
Now, tell me this - the octopus - it`s like it`s got a weird naked show going on, on that shark. Who wins?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re going to have to see the movie to get that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CURRY: Some of the titles are pretty interesting. So you must tell me about the title. "Reptilicant?" Am I saying.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re saying it right. It`s part reptile and part replicant. So together we get "Reptilicant."
CURRY: You know, I`m all about the fashion at Cannes, but I`ve got to know, what in the world is that on her head?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a very big anaconda, like a snake.
CURRY: Does it give her powers, special ones?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It does.
CURRY: So that wraps up our tour here of the Marche de Film. It`s really like a whole different world in here. I`m still wondering, though. This is bugging me. Who wins? Megashark or giant octopus?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And, A.J., good news. Megashark versus giant octopus comes out in the U.S. this month but only on DVD. But I am so renting that, and I can`t wait for it. Back to you.
HAMMER: Hey, Deborah Gibson is in it. I`m there, too. Thanks a lot, Natasha.
Well, we are getting a ton of calls in to "Showbiz on Call." A lot of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers are calling in with their very emotional thoughts about Farrah Fawcett`s documentary and her brave battle with cancer.
We`ve got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Jonathan in Oklahoma. Jonathan was really shaken up by this. Farrah was one of his favorite stars growing up.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I cannot believe this poor woman is going through this. This is absolutely a tragedy. This woman was on my wall as a kid. She`s such a beautiful woman. We`ve all got to die some time. They need to leave her in her peace.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Jonathan. We also heard from Donna calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Tennessee. Watching Farrah`s documentary has helped her cope with the loss of her own mother.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: It really helped me watching it because I lost my mother to metastatic breast cancer, which - the cancer went to her liver. And it, of course, it brought back a lot of memories and a lot of tears, which - I have tears to this day since I lost her.
But it helped me understand things that the doctors never did explain or tell us that, you know, we would read in paperwork. But to watch Farrah and what all the doctors would say, I understood a lot more now that I didn`t know.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Donna. We really do appreciate your call. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about Farrah`s documentary or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Make the call, leave us a voicemail so we can play your call on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and post it, too, online on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
I`ve got to tell you, this new Brooke Shields tabloid battle involving her mom, just mind-boggling. Tonight, Brooke`s 75-year-old mother, who is suffering from dementia, was checked out of her nursing home by a tabloid reporter.
Brooke didn`t know where she was. And tonight she is furious and waging war against the tabloids. It is a shocking story and it is coming up.
Also, "Jon and Kate," the movie? Jon and Kate from TLC`S "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" are having all kinds of problems. They, of course, have that alleged cheating scandal, outrage for continuing to do their show. But tonight, are they really going to do a movie? Could this possibly be a good idea?
Also this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHANE HURLBUT, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: I was looking at the light.
CHRISTIAN BALE, ACTOR: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, Christian Bale`s brand-new interview about his ridiculous on- set rant. Was this really just a one-time thing? Can we believe that? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Eminem to give free concert in Detroit Tuesday, the day new album, "Relapse," is out. Sandra Bullock honored by New Orleans school she helped rebuild after Katrina.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HURLBUT: I was looking at the light.
BALE: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, I know you`ve heard that before - Christian Bale`s out-of- control on-set rant caught on tape. And tonight, Christian says he wants to put that rant behind him.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Of course, that rant happened on the set of Bale`s brand-new movie, "Terminator Salvation." Bale totally flipped out when a crew member adjusted the lights during a scene.
Well, this morning on "Good Morning America," Bale claims that his blow-up was just a one-time thing. And he also talks about his arrest for allegedly assaulting his mom and sister also during the time he was filming "Terminator."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BALE: The whole incident was something which, you know, absolutely, I regret, and - but we were resolved within 30 seconds on the film set. This was done, you know, months and months back.
And, you know, hey. It was real unfortunate and inexcusable by me. But we`re looking at four minutes of a 77-day shoot and the rest of the time was real smooth-sailing. And the thing is, you ask any crew member - any crew member from that movie, and they`ll say absolutely, you know, people got along really well. It was just one ugly moment, and, you know, hey. I take responsibility for it.
CHRISTOPHER CUOMO, CO-HOST, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": And you apologized 10 minutes on radio.
BALE: Absolutely.
CUOMO: And on the personal side, your relationships are intact?
BALE: Absolutely, yes. Yes. With that, I maintain incredible privacy. You know, I do believe it`s, you know, nothing but a family affair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, the assault charges were dismissed. But I`ve got to say, Christian, you know, you are a huge actor. You make a whole lot of money. Maybe you need to dial it down a bit.
And tonight, Woody Allen wins a big legal settlement. The clothing company, American Apparel, has agreed to pay Woody $5 million for using an unapproved image of him as a Hasidic Jew from his movie, "Annie Hall" on billboards and on its Web site.
Woody says that he hopes the settlement will discourage anyone else from doing this. American Apparel felt the use of Woody`s image was protected by the First Amendment. All I have to say about that story is, oy.
Now the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jon and Kate plus a movie? Tonight "Jon and Kate Plus Eight`s" troubled husband and wife are reportedly working on a movie right in the middle of their alleged cheating scandal. Is this a good idea?
Brooke Shields`s shocking new tabloid battle involving her mom. Brooke`s sick mom checked out of a nursing home by a tabloid reporter.
And Cynthia Nixon reveals she`s getting married to her longtime partner. Does Cynthia`s decision have anything to do with Miss California speaking out against gay marriage? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Penelope Cruz hit by food poisoning at Cannes Film Festival. "Survivor: Africa" winner, Ethan Zohn, diagnosed with cancer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Brooke Shields` tabloid outrage. Tonight, the disturbing details of how Brooke`s sick mother got checked out of her nursing home by a tabloid reporter.
HAMMER: "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" plus a movie? The troubled reality show couple is reportedly shopping a big movie deal. Is this really a good idea right in the middle of their alleged cheating scandal?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on. Hold on. Come on. Sing it. Sing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
John Mayer sings. He dances, and it`s all to avoid the paparazzi. You heard right. Wait until you hear John`s outrageous new plan to send the paparazzi packing.
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 is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, two big stories making news right now. Brooke Shields going ballistic after a tabloid reporter checked her mom out of a nursing home. And Cynthia Nixon gets engaged to her girlfriend and jumps right in to the Miss California gay marriage controversy.
Brooke Shields is slamming "The National Enquirer" claiming the tabloid checked her 75-year-old mother out of a nursing home. Did the tabloid cross the line to get a story? Brooke is calling it disgusting.
Also new right now, Cynthia Nixon throws her ring into the gay marriage debate by getting engaged to her girlfriend. So did Miss California`s anti-gay marriage controversy help or hurt her future?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Pat Lalama, who is an investigative journalist. Also tonight in Chicago, Tamara Holder who is an attorney.
I want to begin with Brooke Shields` explosive statement about what she claims happened to her mother who suffers from dementia and has been living temporarily in a nursing home telling People.com this, quote, "My mother had been signed out of the facility by two reporters of `The National Enquirer` who falsely claimed they were friends of hers. They then drove my 75-year-old mother around looking for a tabloid story. The idea `The National Enquirer` took advantage of her state is reprehensible and disgusting."
Well, Pat Lalama, let me start with you. If that is, in fact, what happened, it is certainly reprehensible and disgusting.
LALAMA: Well, it certainly is. But there`s a lot of issues to look at, A.J. It could be fraud. It could be misrepresentation. It could be even abduction and elder abuse. Remember, the elder abuse laws are written parallel to child abuse laws. It`s like someone coming to pick up their child from the playground.
But here`s the thing. Here`s what`s important. Did this person, Brooke`s mom, was she - what is the degree of her dementia? Did she know that some nice people were coming to take her to lunch? Did she know that these are people who might have ulterior motives?
And secondly, who has guardianship? Did this facility need to call someone and say is it OK? I think we don`t know enough now to know whether it falls into a legal sort of error.
HAMMER: And on top of all of that, for their part, "The National Enquirer" is telling us they didn`t do anything wrong. In fact, they posted a statement on their Web site. This is what it says, quote, "A freelance reporter who has known Teri Shields," that`s Brooke`s mom, "for more than 10 years visited her Thursday at the assisted living facility where Brooke says she moved her. Teri asked the reporter to take her out to lunch and to run some errands. The freelance reporter then got permission from the facility to do so."
So "The Enquirer" is claiming these two were friends, in fact, they said, for more than ten years. Tamara, do you buy that? And even if it is true, does it make this any better?
TAMARA HOLDER, ATTORNEY: I don`t buy it. I mean, this is - it doesn`t matter how, you know, the degree of her dementia. This is a woman who is in a protected environment. I worked in a hospice for many years. And those people would ask me all the time to take them out shopping, to lunch - whatever. They are in an institution.
And there is no way that that person should be released without any proper consent or a phone call or something. And what about the common decency here? I mean, forget the laws. Common decency would say that "The National Enquirer" would call Brooke Shields. They know that this is her mother. I think this is the most disgusting thing I`ve seen in a very long time.
HAMMER: And in fact, I should also point out, on their statement on their Web site, "The National Enquirer" is not establishing any relationship between them and this reporter. They are saying it`s a freelance reporter. They don`t even say, "This is somebody that works for us."
But I`ve got to tell you, as soon as I heard the story and I think this is what a lot of people heard at least on its surface value today when we heard about it. You know, don`t mess with my mom. I mean, that`s what I`m thinking.
Pat, am I right? It`s the stupidest thing you can do, particularly if you are talking about a big-time celebrity like Brooke Shields who had such power behind her to use the media.
LALAMA: I`ve been a journalist for many, many years, A.J. And I`ll tell you, there`s just a point where you say enough is enough. Can I sleep at night with what I`m doing to get the story? Where are my ethics? Where`s my morality?
I mean, maybe there`s a fine line that says what they did wasn`t necessarily illegal. But what about your conscience? And - come on. What is the ulterior motive? The ulterior movie, lunch or no lunch, was to get some dirt about the mom or about Brooke, and it`s disgusting. It really is.
HAMMER: Well, no surprise, Brooke now waging a battle against the people responsible for the incident.
Tamara, you are a lawyer. What can Brooke do to get some justice here if, in fact, this is what happened?
HOLDER: Brooke can do a lot of things. I mean, she can go after this hospital, depending on what the rules are. What did she sign with them? What are the confidentiality issues?
And she can also go after the reporter. I mean, did they break any privacy rules? Did they lie to get in? I mean, it seems like there were a lot of people in this situation that violated certain privacy rights and certain protections, not only the mother, but the hospital itself.
I mean, there are a lot of different issues here. And I think that she should go after both the reporter and the hospital.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke has since moved her mom out of that particular facility, and is keeping very silent about where mom is now. Let`s just hope mom is safe and well.
Let`s move on to another story that is making news right now. "Sex and the City" star, Cynthia Nixon announcing her engagement to her longtime girlfriend at a same-sex marriage rally in New York. Take a look at what Cynthia Nixon said at that rally.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYNTHIA NIXON, ACTRESS: We have a chance to be number six and, you know, time is wasting. We want to be part of the first wave. We don`t want to be a Johnny-come-lately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Pat Lalama, let me send this one off to you. After the whole Miss California debacle and the whole anti-gay marriage message getting so much play as a part of that, do you think, Pat, that the same- sex marriage advocates should be just cheering on Cynthia Nixon right now?
LALAMA: Well, of course they should, but she`s doing this because she`s in love with someone. And I`m happy to say it`s an Italian person. I`m so happy when Italian women have people love them, so good for her.
But let me just say, you know, on a more serious note, she has every right to stand in any state in the United States of America and say, "This is who I love and this is who I want to marry." But so does Miss California have the right to disagree.
I am not here to talk about being a proponent or opponent on either side. I am here to say they both have the right to make their fame and their celebrity part of the forum for delivering their message without being under any kind of fear.
HAMMER: Yes. You got that right, Pat, absolutely. And I have to say I give Cynthia Nixon a lot of credit. She has been very candid over the past several years about her relationship and the fact that she is now speaking out so publicly about her desire to get married.
I think it can only be a good thing. Would you agree with that, Tamara, particularly coming off what we just witnessed with Miss California and the anti-gay marriage message getting out there nonstop for a couple of weeks?
HOLDER: Well, yes. It`s about time. I mean, anti-gay movement has just been so prevalent in the media. It`s nice to see that we have an American idol of sorts to come out and say, "I love someone of the same sex and I`m choosing to be with that person."
I mean, let`s look at the real issues here in America. Let`s talk about how we have an actress who contributes to society, who is a good person and who loves someone of the same sex. We need to not, you know, focus on hating somebody for their opinion and their personal preference.
HAMMER: Absolutely.
HOLDER: . whether it`s, you know, homosexuality or heterosexuality. Those are the issues that we need to focus on.
HAMMER: And we need to leave it there. Tamara Holder, Pat Lalama, thanks, guys. I appreciate you being here tonight.
Moving on now, Jon and Kate Gosselin`s reality TV marriage mess has made everyone hungry for all the juicy details, of course. But are "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" really going to do a movie now?
Tonight, the unbelievable brand-new report that the reality TV couple in the middle of a real-life cheating scandal may actually be working on a film. Could this possibly be a good idea?
We will also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on. Hold on. Come on. Sing it. Sing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: John Mayer`s wild night out. You will not believe the ridiculous story behind the lipstick and bad Michael Jackson impression, and by bad, I mean bad, not good.
Plus, Alec Baldwin sets off an international showdown after a joke about his next marriage. Will Baldwin actually be banned from a foreign country? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: ABC cancels Christina Applegate`s show, "Samantha Who?" Britney Spears expenses more than $10 million since conservatorship started last year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILL FERRELL, ACTOR: States that end in Hampshire. What color is green? And current black presidents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member, Will Ferrell, returns to one of his most memorable sketches, "Celebrity Jeopardy." Joining him, an all-star cast including Tom Hanks for "SNL`s" season finale.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Did you see this? If "Celebrity Jeopardy" was really like this, I think Alex Trebek would just flip out. This hilarious "SNL" standup never disappoints. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FERRELL: Kathy Lee, let`s start with you.
KRISTEN WIIG, ACTRESS: Potables? I`m sorry I don`t know what that is.
FERRELL: It`s about alcohol.
WIIG: Oh. In that case, I`ll take potent potables.
FERRELL: For how much?
WIIG: How about a glassful, right? Come on. Head (INAUDIBLE) to a bar. Let`s go.
FERRELL: We don`t have wine.
WIIG: OK. That`s OK. I brought my own.
FERRELL: Pick a category.
TOM HANKS, ACTOR: I`ll take 600.
FERRELL: In what category?
HANKS: The video daily double.
FERRELL: I had such high hopes for you. Sean Connery, would you pick a category?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I`ll take catch the seamen for 800.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Jon and Kate, the movie? There are brand-new reports tonight that the troubled reality TV couple, Jon and Kate Gosselin, may actually be making a movie together.
Hot on the heels of Kate`s media blitz in which she confessed to "People" magazine, she`s not sure whether her marriage to John will actually survive the alleged cheating scandal. There are reports that the couple may be closing a deal to write a book and make a TV movie out of it. All this, and we are now just days away from the premiere of their new season.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON AND KATE PLUS EIGHT": I can`t be Jon. I have to be "Jon and Kate Plus Eight."
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON AND KATE PLUS EIGHT": We`re still working on ourselves and our marriage and our relationship.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jon and Kate face each other for the first time on the season premiere of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That sure seems like they`re capitalizing on all the scandal.
Joining me tonight in New York is Amy Palmer who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly." Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity for StyleList.com.
We`ve got to begin with this brand-new incredible report in the "Chicago Sun Times" that Jon and Kate Gosselin are actually working on a deal together to write a book with a ghostwriter and then turn the whole thing into a TV movie.
Now, according to this report, the couple would address their leap into celebrity. TLC, for their part, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this movie is absolutely untrue.
Ben, let me start with you. Given all this public scrutiny that Jon and Kate have been through thus far, do you think that this idea would be the best or the worst idea for them?
WIDDICOMBE: You know, if they were any normal couple, I would say, "No, don`t write a book about your marital problems. Don`t Twitter about it. Don`t put it on your Facebook either."
But they`re not a normal family. They are Jon and Kate. They`ve invited the whole of America into their living rooms. And drama - interest in their lives is what fuels their phenomenon. So I`d say probably yes. For them, go ahead. Your moment in the sun isn`t going to last forever. Why not write a book?
HAMMER: Amy, are you on board with Ben there?
AMY PALMER, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": You know, I have to disagree with you, Ben. This is probably not the best time to draw more attention to the fact that there are problems in the marriage.
Maybe you need to step back a little bit and say, "For the sake of our kids, let`s take a break from this," you know. No more media spotlight if possible.
HAMMER: Well, that`s exactly the point that I`ve been making all along, and I think a lot of people share. Everybody`s worried about how all of the cheating controversy, all this publicity would affect the eight kids.
Well, in the new issue of "People" magazine, Kate Gosselin says about that, quote, "They are all pretty oblivious to what`s been going on, which is a huge blessing. They attend a school where nobody really cares about the tabloids so I don`t feel like any of this is going to impact them. Not yet, anyway."
Well, all right. So their kids or their friends may not read the tabloids. But you just heard for yourself, TLC, the network that carries this family reality show is heavily promoting the face-off between the parents.
Ben, this has got to make it tougher on the kids that the show really seems that - it is going to be focusing on Jon and Kate`s marriage problems for the whole world to check out.
WIDDICOMBE: You know, I really want to believe Kate when she says that her kids are oblivious to it and that no one mentions this at their school. I just don`t believe that.
HAMMER: No, it`s insane.
WIDDICOMBE: I mean, how can that be possible?
HAMMER: It`s insane.
WIDDICOMBE: I mean, are there no mean kids at their school? I mean, come on. There`s a national advertising campaign about the fact that their marriage is in trouble. I`m afraid I just don`t buy it when she says the kids are not being affected by it.
HAMMER: Well, I`m right there with you. You have to see, by the way, the way TLC described the premiere episode to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Listen to this, quote, "When we last saw Jon and Kate, they were on a different page. Where are they now? In this one-hour up close and personal season premiere, side by side, Jon and Kate address what the future holds for their family."
I don`t need to read between the lines there to see that it sounds like a clearly calculated plan to take full advantage of what really is a tough time for any family. Amy, is it wrong for them to try and capitalize on what appears to be a family falling apart?
PALMER: You know, I wish we lived in a world where networks took responsibility for some of the things that they do air in terms of, you know, exploiting a family during a tough time.
But the bottom line is TLC is a business. Businesses need to make money, and that equals ratings. So this controversy is the best thing that has happened to TLC in a long time when it concerns this show, because everybody is going to be glued to the sets when this show premieres.
HAMMER: Yes. Not as if they were going to say, "Oh, well, the family is having a tough time. Could affect the kids. Let`s yank this from the air."
No surprise, our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been slammed over the entire Jon and Kate controversy. We`ve got a call from Dotti. Dotti called in from Florida and she says, you know what? No one should care about the cheating scandal because it`s their business.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DOTTI: I watch "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" all the time and love it. The kids are precious. And he is still the father of eight children and he loves them very much. And I see no reason why they can`t continue the show.
There is no evidence that he had an alleged affair, and if there was, it`s between Jon and Kate, not everybody else. So why doesn`t everyone just leave them alone? And I will still watch the show.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Dotti. Ben, do Jon and Kate forfeit their right to have everyone leave them alone when they are making their personal business the focus of the show?
WIDDICOMBE: You know what? Unfortunately, I think Jon and Kate signed up to be public figures and this comes with the package.
HAMMER: And that is exactly right. Ben Widdicombe, Amy Palmer, thanks so much.
Well, now, we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "`Jon and Kate Plus Eight`: Is the reality show to blame for their troubles?" You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or E- mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, George Lopez opens up about the very personal reason he decided to launch his own brand-new late night talk show. The comedian`s hit sitcom, "The George Lopez Show," certainly broke a lot of barriers. But Lopez says we have still got a long way to go when it comes to Latino stereotypes on TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE LOPEZ, COMEDIAN: Nothing against "How I Met Your Mother." Nothing against that show. I haven`t seen the show a lot. I`m watching it maybe five minutes, and there`s a guy in line at the cafeteria, and the cafeteria worker is a Latina.
She`s got a hair net and she`s scooping food, and the guy is spilling his guts to her about a romance that didn`t work out. And she holds up a spoon and says, "Abondiga?" And she doesn`t speak English. And so the joke was she doesn`t speak English.
And it really breaks my heart to think that you`d hire a Latina only to make her the joke because she doesn`t speak English. That`s wrong, and that`s one of the reasons why I took the show on TBS to do the talk show every night, because without a voice, you cannot be heard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I like George Lopez. George`s comments are part of "A Latino in America." It`s a "CNN Presents" documentary reported by Soledad O`Brien coming this October. George`s new talk show debuts this November on CBS.
Well, John Mayer has a big, red-hot night out inside a Hollywood nightclub. And he`s not ashamed to tell the whole world.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on. Hold on. Come on. Sing it. Sing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You will not believe the ridiculous story behind the lipstick and the really sad, sad dancing. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Steven Spielberg gets honorary degree from Boston University. NASA astronaut to watch "Star Trek" on International Space Station.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: That`s John Mayer covered in lipstick, channeling his inner Michael Jackson just outside of a Hollywood nightclub. He`s obviously trying hard to not bring much attention to himself. Right.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. So John Mayer goes into a bar and tries to get the most red lipstick kisses on his face as possible. Now, it`s not the start of a bad joke. It`s actually part of John Mayer`s wild paparazzi smackdown that started on Twitter.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, while John was inside a club, he tweets, quote, "OK, check it. Just spent the last hour getting the reddest lipstick on me for a gag, trying to gag photogs and make a joke."
OK, that explains the lipstick, but what about that spontaneous circa 1988 Michael Jackson imitation?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MAYER, SINGER: Is that what?
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, there`s a perfectly sane explanation for that, too. It`s all about avoiding the paparazzi`s never ending questions about his love life.
John tweets, "Let me tell you this: Some of life`s questions you have to answer, some you just have to dance your face off and scream, `No comment.`"
John, do us a favor. Keep us posted on how that plan is working out for you, OK?
Tonight, Alec Baldwin sets off an international showdown after a joke on "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Baldwin, who had been locked in a bitter divorce battle with his ex- wife, Kim Basinger, told Letterman that he`d love to marry again. He joked he might consider getting a Filipino mail-order bride.
That didn`t go down so well with one senator from the Philippines who called the joke about the illegal practice, quote, "insensitive" and added, "Let him try to come here in the Philippines and he`ll se mayhem."
On Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Farrah Fawcett`s Cancer Fight: Has she been an inspiration to you?" Fifty-one percent of you say yes, 49 percent of you say no.
We`ve got a lot of e-mails on this, too. One from Judy in Tennessee who writes, "Farrah has fought a brave fight against the enemy we all fear. She has done so with grace and strength that few people possess."
And William from Wisconsin writes, quote, "I feel bad Farrah is dying. I lost my sister to the same thing 26 years ago. May God bless her and her family and may she go in peace."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. We`re on at 11:00 Eastern and Pacific and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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