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Showbiz Tonight
New Information About the Big "Idol" Upset; Marriage Counseling for Jon and Kate Gosselin; Miss California`s New Talk Show; Chris Brown`s Summer Comeback
Aired May 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: Why he hates the reality show.
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You can say all you want about the fact that these kids being exploited for TV. But where was that argument four and a half years ago when this show started?
HAMMER: Plus, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" sends Jon and Kate to marriage counseling. But is it a lost cause?
A shocking new "American Idol" scandal. Tonight, was the "Idol" finale fixed? Should loser Adam Lambert insist on a do-over with winner Kris Allen?
Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" with the disturbing breaking new information about the big "Idol" upset.
Plus, Carrie`s close-up. Tonight Miss California thrown back in the middle of the great gay marriage debate as she debuts as a morning talk show host.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A. J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And the latest breaking developments in the startling "American Idol" voting scandal coming up.
But first, Jon and Kate attacked by Kate`s own brother. Tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" is bringing you an explosive new interview with Kate Gosselin`s brother.
He claimed today that Jon and Kate`s eight kids, who we all now know from their reality show, could actually be getting hurt by the show. There is disturbing brand new fallout from the Jon and Kate scandal. Tonight, just days after the record-setting season debut of "Jon and Kate Plus 8."
And "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" can tell you that, without a doubt, there is no shortage of big Jon and Kate developments making big news right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re speaking out now because we want to be the voice of our nieces and nephews.
HAMMER: Explosive bran new accusations that the stars of TLC`s reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" are exploiting their children. In an exclusive interview with the "CBS Early Show," Kate Gosselin`s brother Kevin and his wife Jodi accuse Jon and Kate of using their eight children to get big time ratings.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t imagine as a child, realizing my birthday party, that all the outings that my parents took me on were for ratings, for ratings, and all organized by production companies.
HAMMER: For almost five years, "Jon & Kate plus eight" has been recording the lives of two parents struggling to raise their eight kids, their twins and sextuplets.
But the big time marital woes of Jon and Kate, and tabloid reports that they`re cheating on each other, are now the main focus for this TV family.
JON GOSSELIN, TLC, "JON AND KATE PLUS 8": I never cheated on Kate, and I don`t care who believes me.
HAMMER: It`s even more stress for an already stressed-out family as Kate`s own brother go on national television, making claim she and her husband are exploiting their kids.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They`re being exploited. And it is tame for America to see the situation for what it really is, which is unfortunately, there are no laws protecting children in reality TV shows.
HAMMER: Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jody, as they`re called, say they`re speaking up for their nephews and nieces, who, they say, hate being on camera.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They don`t want the cameras around. And they would say, Aunt Jody, I don`t like the cameras on every vacation with us. I don`t like them.
And having the camera zoom in on a crying child. I mean, this is just, this should not be a form of entertainment.
DIAZ: You can say all you want about these kids being exploited for TV. But where was that argument four and a half years ago when this show started? We`re in season five now.
HAMMER: Monday`s season five premier "Jon & Kate plus Eight" had record breaking, jaw-dropping number, almost 10 million viewers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is the status of where you guys are right now?
KATE GOSSELIN, TLC, "JON AND KATE PLUS 8": I wish I knew.
HAMMER: And now that Jon and Kate are dealing with a rocky marriage and wild rumors that both are cheating, "Extra!" correspondent Carlos Diaz tells "Showbiz Tonight," it is not the kids bringing in the ratings anymore.
DIAZ: I have news for you. They doubled their ratings from the season debut, and it had nothing to do with the kids. They doubled their ratings on Monday because people wanted to see what Jon and Kate had to say about Jon and Kate.
Parents of multiples have like triple the divorce rates.
HAMMER: But Kevin and Jodi say that the show`s success has only made it worse for the kids.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The first season it started, I think eight episodes. It turned into 40 episodes in a six-month span. And there were cameras in the children`s bedroom at one point. And they were filming all year round.
And these were very huge concerns for us.
HAMMER: But TLC calls the brand new accusations a bunch of bunk, telling "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" that they only shoot two hour a day, two days a week. If one of the kids doesn`t want to be filmed, they aren`t.
TLC also says they don`t shoot in the kids` bedroom, and it has been the same crew shooting the show since the very beginning, so they`re like extended family.
And as the old saying goes, even bad publicity is better than no publicity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If Kate`s brother and sister-in-law think they`re damaging the show, they`re doing the exact opposite. They`re causing more intrigue, and they`re causing the ratings to go even higher.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: All right, so are the kids being exploited for ratings? And are Kate`s brother and sister-in-law helping out here or really just adding to the chaos surrounding Jon and Kate`s family?
Joining me tonight in New York, CNN legal analyst and "In Session" anchor Lisa Bloom. Also in New York, Carolina Bermudez, who is the senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
Lisa Bloom, I begin with you. What do you think? Are the kids battleground exploited?
LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION," CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I said it for Octomom, and I think it`s the same thing for "Jon and Kate plus Eight." It is absolutely exploitive to have kids on camera when they are trying to live their normal lives.
And I disagree, though. I think the child labor laws do apply. They certainly do in California.
When the camera is on you, it is work. It doesn`t matter if you`re having a birthday party, if you`re sitting around in your living roomful. There are gigantic piece of equipment. There are lights focused on you. There are other human beings there. We don`t see them when we`re watching the TV show, but we know all of that crew is there.
And it is absolutely wrong for children to have to grow up in that kind of environment. If they`re going to work and be child actors, all the labor laws should apply. And for young children, those rules are very, very strict.
HAMMER: Yes, and even if it is for very short periods of time, as TLC is claiming, I found it very disturbing watching the show, seeing how close the cameras had to be getting to these kids following their every move as they just went about their day.
Carolina, what do you think? Are they being exploited here?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Absolutely, I have to agree with Lisa, because, here`s the point. They`re trying to make a television show. What are they doing to the kids to kind of urge them to do certain things? What are the scenarios and the situations they`re being put in?
I don`t think that these kids are -- have this behavior from the very beginning. They have to learn thing. They have to be put into certain situations.
And the child labor laws should definitely be applied to them. If they are, indeed, even being filmed for two hours a day, they should be protected.
HAMMER: It is very different than shooting a documentary, when the cameras really fall into the background, and after a while you don`t even notice that they`re there.
In their brand new interview this morning, Kate`s brother and sister- in-law demanded that there be laws protecting kids like Jon and Kate`s from being exploited if, in fact, they don`t exist. Lisa says maybe they do.
Here are some of the complaints about the show. I want to run a few of these down for you. The number of episodes "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" started out as, six episodes. Now it is up to 40.
They complain that there were cameras in the children`s bedrooms, and that the kids were uncomfortable with the kids following them all the time year round.
Again, TLC denies that the cameras are with the kids all the time. But, even so, Lisa Bloom, given the madness surrounding Jon and Kate, isn`t it just time to pull the plug here?
BLOOM: It probably is. And, look, it doesn`t matter what the kids want. These are very young children. So whether they want it or not is irrelevant. We as adults know that it`s better for them not to be in this kind of environment.
I mean, children make mistakes. That`s the nature of childhood. They trip and fall, they cry, they have tantrums. That should not be broadcast to the entire world.
And by the way, child labor laws also require that money be set aside for those children in a trust because they are working. I wonder if that`s happening or if all the money is going to Jon and Kate.
HAMMER: It is worth noting that Kate` brother, Uncle Kevin, his sister-in-law Aunt Jody were featured in early episodes of the show. Kate`s brother is now saying he can`t stand the show because it focuses too much on getting high ratings.
Watch what he said about that on the CBS early show today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can`t imagine as a child realizing that my birthday party, that all the outings my parents took me on, were because of ratings, for ratings, and all organized by production company.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Carolina, exactly to your point. Can you imagine, someday Jon and Kate`s kids, they may look back, see the birthday party or whatever, and resent everything their parents did for them, think it was just for the show.
BERMUDEZ: Yes. They`ll be able to comprehend everything. They`ll watch it from season to season when they get a little bit older. What about those tender moments that you have with mom and dad? What about those embarrassing moments that you have as a child?
I think in the end what they`re going to resent is that if their parents do not stay together, they can look at this and they can document every reason why it went wrong.
And "In Touch" has exclusively learned that Jon, the producers are looking for an apartment for him that is camera crew ready. So they`re going to be able to see the disintegration of their parents` marriage, and that`s what`s unfortunate.
HAMMER: All right, we will look forward to finding out more about that. That as of yet unconfirmed by "Showbiz Tonight."
But Carolina Bermudez and Lisa Bloom, I thank you both.
I have to point out, we`re certainly not done with Jon and Kate. Tonight we`re sending them to marriage counseling.
Coming up, we have got the best marriage therapists around right here. The question is, can Jon and Kate`s marriage be saved, or is it too late?
Now the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" question of the day, "Jon & Kate plus Eight," are the kids being exploited? Vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight, or email us at showbiztonight@CNN.com.
Tonight, a developing "American Idol" scandal. Was the "Idol" finale rig for Kris? Should runner up Adam Lambert demand a do-over? I have to tell you, I`m still shocked by Kris`s win, and I have the latest on this breaking story about the big "Idol" upset.
Also, Carrie`s close-up. Tonight Miss California, Carrie Prejean, thrown back in the mill of the explosive great gay marriage debate as she debuts as a morning talk show host.
And the ladies who make you laugh. Get ready to crack a big old smile, because right here tonight, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" is naming the funniest women in Hollywood.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SYKES: Dick Cheney. Oh my god. He`s a scary man. He scares me to death. I tell my kids, look, if two cars pull up, and one has a stranger, and the other car has Dick Cheney, you get in the car with the stranger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
And now the Showbiz News ticker. Its more stories for the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" newsroom, making news right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight," I`m A. J. Hammer.
Tonight, funny and fabulous. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has teamed with "More" Magazine to name the top 10 women over 40 who still make us laugh out loud.
I am talking about legendary comical ladies like Whoopi Goldberg and Ellen DeGeneres, even Dianne Keaton, who at 63-years-old proves that comedy can show up in the most dangerous of places. In her case, I`m talking about live TV -- whoops.
So without further ado, tonight our exclusive look at the top 10 women over 40 who are funny and fabulous.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE).
HAMMER: Only a comedienne like Ellen could make us laugh while the future president of the United States shakes his groove thing. Shake it, Ellen.
Funnyman Ray Romano tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" Ellen was born to make us laugh.
RAY ROMANO, COMEDIAN: She has a very natural style. She is self- deprecating. It all kind of works for me, you know.
HAMMER: Which is just one reason Ellen makes the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" and "More" Magazine list of fabulous women over 40 in Hollywood who know how to make us laugh.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When one of these women targets you with the butt of their joke, it is an honor. It`s sort of like being in a spoof on "Saturday Night Live."
HAMMER: You can say that again -- 45-year-old comedienne Wanda Sykes proved just that at the White House Correspondent`s dinner when she poked fun at a certain former vice president.
SYKES: Dick Cheney. He`s a scary man. He scares me to death. I tell my kids, I say, look, if two cars pull up, and one has a stranger and the other car has Dick Cheney, you get in the car with the stranger.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s what is great about being over 40.
HAMMER: 63-year-old Dianne Keaton made every one chuckle in the hit movie "Something`s Got to Give" also makes "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" "More" Magazine list of fabulous funny women over 40.
David Hasselhoff tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" it`s Keaton`s classic candor that cracks him up the most.
DAVID HASSELHOFF, ACTOR: She is just so unbelievably innocent and unbelievably honest. You just know that something terribly dramatic is going to happen to her. And it is going to be a big crisis and it will all end up funny in the end.
HAMMER: Keaton had her own crisis moment on TV that is definitely one for the history books.
In a priceless moment on ABC`s "Good Morning America," Keaton let the f-bomb fly on poor Diane Sawyer.
DIANE KEATON, ACTRESS: I would like to have looks like that. Then I wouldn`t have to work on my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) personality.
HAMMER: Oh, Diane, we love your personality just the way it is.
The same way we love our next funny lady over 40. Whoop it up for 53- year-old "View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg.
GOLDBERG: In our day, we did not cross. We did not say "We`re leaving," because -- probably not your mom, but my mom would have said, "All right." And then you`re sort of going, well, I don`t know what time I`m leaving.
HAMMER: Comedian Jorge Lopez says that Whoopi is a living legend.
JORGE LOPEZ, COMEDIAN: Whoopi Goldberg is a trailblazer and a groundbreaker.
HAMMER: Another big Whoopi fan is Mariah Carey`s husband Nick Cannon, who tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" tonight he is amazed how she has just gotten better with age.
NICK CANNON, MARIAH CAREY`S HUSBAND: Every time you saw her, she just turned into this more just glorious woman over the years. And now when you see her, she is truly an icon.
HAMMER: An icon who, according to rocker Sheryl Crow, knows how to make real life funny.
SHERYL CROW, SINGER: Any great comedian takes what happens in real life and pokes fun at it.
HAMMER: Also poking fun at herself is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" and "More" magazine`s next fabulous woman over 40.
"My Life on the D-list" star Kathy Griffin leaves nothing about her personal life on the cutting room floor.
GRIFFIN: I do important thing on my show. I get Botox and I go on auditions. It`s very important work that I do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What`s interesting about Kathy Griffin is that, even though she is a d-list diva, she has won two Emmys. So there.
She loves talk about her plastic surgery. She loves to show off her body. She loves to just do things that make your mouth drop open.
HAMMER: And it`s that over-the-top, do anything for a laugh approach that makes Kathy Griffin one more lady on the "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" "More" magazine list of fabulous funny women over 40.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And here`s the rest of the list of the top 10 women over 40 who just make us laugh. Margaret Cho, she`s 40. Tracie Ullman is 49, Lily Tomlin is 69. Jane Brokowsky (ph), who is 40, and "Two-and-a-half Men" star Holland Taylor who is 66.
I have to tell you, there is nothing funny about this Jon and Kate controversy, including those cheating accusations that are flying around. So what is this controversy doing to their marriage and their eight kids?
Tonight, we are going to try and help. We have put together some of the best therapists in the business so we can take Jon and Kate to marriage counseling. Can their marriage be saved, or is it too late? That is coming up.
It`s never too late for a good old "American Idol" controversy, right? Tonight breaking news -- was the "Idol" finale rigged for Kris? And if so, should Adam Lambert demand a recount?
Tonight I am investigating this brand new, brewing "Idol" scandal. We will also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said the bad news is Nicole is going to die. The good news is she doesn`t have to.
I remember that look on her face of sheer panic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Dramatic new revelations from Lionel Ritchie about his daughter`s drug use and how he feared that she may not live.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight." I`m A. J. Hammer.
Tonight the shocking and tragic death of Mike Tyson`s four-year-old daughter. Exodus Tyson died Tuesday, a day after a bizarre strangulation accident. This horrible, horrible tragedy happened as Exodus was at home in Phoenix with her mom, Tyson`s ex-girlfriend and a seven-year-old brother.
Here`s Phoenix Police Sergeant Andy Hill telling CNN`s Greta King the awful story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mother was at home with a seven and a four- year-old. Unbeknownst to her the young Exodus got on that treadmill, somehow worked that cord out of the underneath of the console, got caught on it, strangled.
The mom was looking for the daughter and actually sent the seven-year- old to see what the sister was doing, found her, and called mom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Just so, so sad. Mike Tyson rushed back to Phoenix from Las Vegas where he had been living, but his daughter was already on life support.
The family of the former heavyweight champ is asking for privacy at this time.
Well, we are still getting tons of call into "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on call about the Jon and Kate controversy. Kate`s own brother now slamming her and the show.
But Kate has plenty of people on her side. I want you to check out this call into "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on call from Cindy in New York. Cindy is on team Kate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just think that everybody needs to give Kate a little break here. She does have eight kids that she is taking care of them and trying to hold down the fort.
Yes, she is a little cranky. But, you know what? I don`t think he`s too much of a prince either in how he treats her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Cindy.
We also heard from Tess calling into "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on call from Connecticut. Tess is a big fan of the show and of Jon and Kate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love "Jon & Kate plus Eight" and all of their children. I think they`re wonderful parents. And I think the show is fantastic.
I just think the pressure is getting to both of them. And you know what? They get counseling, they can recoup from this. And I wish them all the best.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: We appreciate your call, Tess. You can call us at "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on call and let us know what you think about this or anything at all. The "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on call phone lines are open always at 1-888- 728-2899. Give us a call, leave us a voicemail. We`ll play your call here on "Showbiz Tonight."
And your calls are also online on our home page. Surf on over to CNN.com/showbiztonight.
Time now for the "Showbiz" line up. Here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on "Showbiz Tonight."
Tonight we have got a dream team of marriage therapists, and they are right here. That`s because we are sending Jon and Kate to marriage counseling. Can their marriage be saved?
The breaking "American Idol" scandal. Was the show actually rigged so Kris would win?
And for the very first time on camera since he was accused of beating Rihanna, Chris Brown is now speaking out.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
K. GOSSELIN: Parents of multiples have like triple the divorce rate. I thought we were going to beat that, but I don`t know if I can say that anymore.
HAMMER: Now on "Showbiz Tonight," Jon and Kate plus marriage counseling. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" puts reality TV`s most controversial marriage into therapy.
Can their marriage be saved? And what about the kids?
Miss Carrie back in the gay marriage debate. Tonight, as she debuts as a TV talk show host, Carrie Prejean speaks out again.
And for the very first time, Chris Brown talks on camera about allegedly beating Rihanna.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "Showbiz" new ticker.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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.
Tonight, it`s saving Jon and Kate`s marriage. Yes, the cat is officially out of the bag now that the family reality show has made its brand new season premier.
And now that we see Jon and Kate for the very first time after their alleged cheating scandals, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" showbiz is doing the right thing and putting Jon and Kate into marriage counseling.
Let me tell you why. There is no denying that the Gosselins are in crisis mode. And the outrage over their eight kids being front and center in the middle of it all is getting even worse.
There are big questions about their family reality show versus the reality of their life. Can Jon and Kate make both of these things work together?
And with so much at stake for this family, what do Jon and Kate need to do from this point on to make their marriage work?
The "Showbiz" marriage counseling now open for business. Joining me tonight in New York, Dr. Judy Kuriansky, who is a clinical psychologist and author of the "Complete Idiot`s Guide to a Healthy Relationship."
Also in New York, Dr. Robi Ludwig, who is a psychotherapist and contributor for the fabulous Web site -- you have to check it out -- called Myworkbutterfly.com.
All right, some serious work to do here. Let`s get down to business. The first question we`re asking in this marriage counseling session to save Jon and Kate`s marriage has to do with the kids. For the sake of the kids and their marriage, should they just call it quits on this reality show?
Dr. Robi, have at it.
DR. ROBI LUDWIG, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: I don`t know if being on this reality show has caused their issues. It could have exacerbated it.
But really the bottom line is they need to ask themselves, what do they want? Do they want to work on their marriage? What is the priority in their life right now? Is it just having a highly rated show that everybody watches, or is it trying to figure out what created the problem in their marriage, and are they willing to work hard to fix it?
HAMMER: It does seem so much bigger than the reality show. However, it feels like, with that reality show going on, how would they ever possibly fix it?
In addition to our experts, we also have a lot of people out there who consider themselves marriage counselors. They`re calling into our Showbiz on call phone lines, including Frankie from Vegas. Frankie has been watching "Jon & Kate plus Eight" since the beginning and says enough is enough.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the best solution -- I`ve been watching the program for five years -- get their kids out of the limelight and their own whatever so they can survive. He should go back to work and she should go back to being a nurse.
The kids are in school now, and if they really want the love for their children, get out of the situation and try to work on their marriage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Frankie, we really appreciate your call.
And I`ve got to tell you, we`ve been hearing this over and over again -- enough with the show, work on your marriage.
Dr. Judy, do Jon and Kate need to stop doing the reality show?
JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: Yes, they do, A. J., because they`re not themselves anymore.
If they were sitting the in my office, here is the things I would prescribe. Number one, they have to go back to the -- remember the Barbara Streisand movie "The Way We Were"? Well, reenact the way they were. Kate, get rid of that hair style, trying to be like Gwen Stefani with this new hairdo. And Jon, stop being the bad boy.
So back to the way they were. Reenact those earlier time.
Second of all, press the delete button on all the bad stuff. Force yourself to forget it, and start afresh.
And three, recognize that you can be happy. They don`t have to be grumpy and be so sad for the show. Take a page out the Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott book, who are doing very well with their reality show being happy.
HAMMER: Yes, I don`t think we saw Jon smile even once during that whole show.
KURIANSKY: There you go.
LUDWIG: And he`s not being treated well.
HAMMER: That`s also true. I`m not saying that there is not a good reason for him seeming to be so disgruntled.
Dr. Judy, everything you bring out brings us right into our next question in our Showbiz marriage counseling center, as we try to help save Jon and Kate`s marriage -- reality show versus reality.
Because, as you said, Dr. Judy, I`m thinking the same thing. Jon and Kate don`t even know the difference anymore. So, Dr. Robi, I`ll put this to you. Do they need to start changing their lives to make a clear distinction here?
LUDWIG: I think they need to change their lives anyway.
But you make a good point. Reality television isn`t necessarily reality. And if you are playing to the cameras and playing to the producers so you feel you`re getting a good show, but in the process your marriage is failing, then you have a problem. Then you are engaged and loving a show that is creating a crisis in your relationship.
Having said that, I think that there were problems prior to going into this show, and this show just highlighted it. And yes, it is distracting them from the issues. How could it not?
HAMMER: Yes, it can make things very, very confusing. You start forgetting what`s real, what`s not, and what your priorities are, for sure.
Both Jon and Kate clearly very comfortable talking to the cameras about how they`re feeling. In fact, I want to you watch what they say about what the future holds as they sit down for a little barbecue with the kids. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON GOSSELIN: You can be friends and get along, whether you`re married or not married. And they can see that the relationship is important. And we come together for them, it is really benefiting them in the long run.
KATE GOSSELIN: None of anything is their fault. And they just deserve the best of both of us. And it is important to do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Dr. Judy, let me ask you something. If you heard them say that while they were in a marriage counseling session with you, what would you tell them?
KURIANSKY: I would tell them, listen to what you`re saying. If you really are believing that your kids matter, then put yourself in a different frame of mind.
I would advise them to have a new love script. Totally take away the way they are. Give them a new script where they would say loving things toward one another, where they would, all of a sudden, totally be the way that they should be toward each other, saying kind things, remembering what they once fell in love with, and going back to that time, reenacting those events that they did, and being a new person instead of, as you said, the grumpy Jon and this new, sad and so victimized Kate.
HAMMER: Dr. Robi, do you concur?
LUDWIG: Yes. Although I don`t know if the way they were was ever completely right. But they certainly need to treat each other well.
And think about, if they do split up now, what is their life going to be like two years, five years, 10 years from now? What will it be like when your children will love your partner`s new spouse?
I mean, they really need to think about the fallout of their actions and see if this is really what they want, or they`re somehow getting caught up in a snowball of events that really won`t benefit anyone.
HAMMER: Here`s a real explosive reality check for Jon and Kate. The results of our "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" question of the day that we`ve been asking on air and online.
This is the question, Jon and Kate`s new season, will their marriage survive? Take a look at this -- a whopping 78 percent of people say no. So there`s not a lot of optimism there, only 22 percent saying yes.
Dr. Judy, do you -- not a good reality there for Jon and Kate. Do you do think they can possibly make it through without marriage counseling and some professional guidance?
KURIANSKY: They`re going to absolutely need marriage counseling. And if the producers were smart, they would put marriage counseling on the show, make it part of the show.
Look, they`re already not themselves. They`re in a program. They`re being produced. And so they`re going to make a drama out of it, and that`s the way their life will be.
So marriage counseling -- they`ll break up. They`ll try to together back together again. This will be just like the Desperate Housewives that people will tune into. Is he seeing someone else? Is she seeing someone else? And that will keep the show going.
And that`s the way their life is going to be, I`m sorry to say, unless they get off the show, get on a hiatus, and get back to who they are.
HAMMER: Dr. Robi, quickly, what do you think? Do they have even a chance of making it here?
LUDWIG: There is always hopeful. It really depends on what do they want.
It would be very interesting if the show said, listen, we are invested in you staying married and becoming happily married. What would happen then? I think they would have a great chance of staying together if that`s what the producers thought would work for the show.
KURIANSKY: Do we want a happy ending here or do we want a disaster?
HAMMER: That wouldn`t necessarily be real, but yes.
KURIANSKY: And the kids go into therapy.
LUDWIG: What is reality these days anyway, right?
HAMMER: Dr. Robi Ludwig, Dr. Judy Kuriansky, I thank you for your professional time and counsel tonight.
And, again, we`ve been asking to you vote on this "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" question of the day. Sound off. "Jon and Kate Plus Eight," are the kids being exploited?
A lot of people, myself included, just couldn`t believe it when Adam Lambert lost to Kris Allen on "American Idol." Bu will there be a do-over? Tonight a brand new "Idol" voting controversy. Did somebody actually stuff the ballot box for Kris? Should Adam Lambert demand a recount?
Miss California jumps back into the gay marriage debate again just after California upholds a gay marriage ban. And at the same time, she debuts as a morning show host.
Plus, Chris Brown speaking out, finally, for the very first time on camera about allegedly beating Rihanna and his comeback. All of this is caught on tape.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The winner of "American Idol" 2009 is Kris Allen!
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HAMMER: It was the "American Idol" finale that stunned the nation. But tonight, explosive suggestions that the finale was rigged in Kris Allen`s favor.
Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight." Tonight, the brand new "American Idol" controversy. This is one of two big stories making news right now. A shocking "New York Times" report out claim AT&T, a major "Idol" sponsor, could have tip the scales by hosting a texting party in Kris Allen`s home state of Arkansas.
Should Adam Lambert demand a recount?
Also new right now, one day after California upholds the ban on same- sex marriage, controversial beauty queen Miss California is speaking out for the very first time since that decision. Wait until you hear where she did it.
With me here in New York, Lisa Bloom. She`s a legal analyst for CNN and anchor of the Legal Network "In Session." Also in New York is Caroline Bermudez, senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
So Kris Allen`s upset win over Adam Lambert in the "American Idol" finale still has people around the planet buzzing. And now there is this unbelievable report that AT&T actually hosted had two power texting parties in Kris`s home state.
And apparently with this power texting you can vote 10 or more times just by pressing one button.
What do you think, Lisa Bloom? Are we going to see a coast to coast outcry for a recount here?
LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION," CNN LEGAL ANALYST: There should be. I think it is absolutely outrageous, because the rules for "American Idol" say in writing that people are not supposed to vote multiple times.
Here you have a major corporate sponsor whose logo is on the show constantly actually helping people break the rule. And we know that 38 million people from Arkansas voted out of 100 million. This very well could have tipped the balance. We just don`t know. I think it really calls the results into question.
HAMMER: Let me crunch those numbers that you were throwing at us a little more deeply here. These are the statistics that AT&T first reported about "American Idol." Nearly 100 million votes were cast. Nearly 38 million of those came from Arkansas. Arkansas only has a population of 2.8 million people.
AT&T did later back away from those numbers. Today the company told "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" tonight this, quote, "It is quite a leap to suggest that a few individuals could have impacted the final results."
Leap or not, Carolina, could this just be a major blow to the credibility of "American Idol"?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Oh, it will definitely be, A. J.
And has AT&T ever been in a room with preteen girls who know how to text?
(LAUGHTER)
I mean, these girls can teach their friends, and their friends can learn.
The number is significant. If you look at it, why didn`t they break the down and let us know how many votes Adam Lambert got? I think that that`s the real reason why people are in such arms about this, because they want to know whether or not the votes were swayed by Arkansas or not.
HAMMER: It makes a lot of sense.
And "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" did reach out to "Idol" today. Here`s what we were told from them, quote, "FOX and the producers of "American Idol" are absolutely certain that the results of this competition are fair, accurate, and verified. Kris Allen is, without a doubt, the American Idol."
I`m certain we have not heard the last of this story.
Moving on to another big story, new right now, Miss California back in the center of the gay marriage firestorm.
This morning, one day after California`s landmark ruling to uphold the ban on gay marriage, Carrie Prejean made her morning talk show host debut on FOX News. And no, she did not shy away from the question everyone is dying to know, does she feel vindicated? Watch this.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: California`s Supreme Court yesterday agreed with you and the voters as well after passing Prop 8 in November by a ruling of 6-1. They upheld the state law banning same sex marriages.
So do you know what? You`re --
CARRIE PREJEAN, MISS CALIFRONIA: I`m not the bad guy.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your point of view is the same as the Supreme Court in California, the same as the voters, the same as our president.
PREJEAN: Right. And I`m glad that the people in California got to vote on this. And the decision was made.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Lisa. Besides the fact that she didn`t really answer any question there, do you think she`s feeling pretty smug right about now? It kind of looked that way. And she perhaps would have loved to have look at the camera and said, "I told you so."
BLOOM: I`m sure she didn`t read the Supreme Court decision as did I yesterday, because, after all, she said she didn`t even read her own 12- page contract.
But that`s not what the court said. The court that a year ago that gay people do have equal rights and that there should be gay marriage. Yesterday they said, reluctantly, they had to uphold the will of the voters.
But I`m sure those legal niceties are lost on her as she sits there gloating about the fact that she gets to deny the rights to millions of Californians now. Good for her.
HAMMER: Don`t confuse anybody, Lisa with the legalese and what this really means.
BLOOM: Sorry.
HAMMER: Carolina, what do you think. Is she probably feeling pretty smug about this whole thing?
BERMUDEZ: Definitely. I`m surprised she didn`t tell Perez Hilton to suck it right there.
(LAUGHTER)
Because he took her and dragged her through the mud.
I think she did not answer the question, but I think that she handled herself very well. Unfortunately, I disagree with her and with a lot of other people. But we`re just going to have to wait and see.
Maybe FOX has a new correspondent on their hands.
HAMMER: If she did say that to Perez, wow, that would have been a great clip to have.
Lisa Bloom, Carolina Bermudez, I thank you both.
As we move on, tonight, Hollywood is just furious over the controversial decision to keep a gay marriage ban in California.
And after news spread that the California Supreme Court voted to uphold Proposition 8, a voter approved ban against gay marriage, well protestors just spilled out on to the streets of West Hollywood in California on Tuesday night, outraged over the decision.
And they were not alone. Some of the biggest stars came out to show their support. I`m talking Pete Went, Kelly Osborne, and Drew Barrymore. They all held out signs and they all spoke out against the ban.
Drew says the decision is just plain unfair.
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DREW BARRYMORE, ACTRESS: (inaudible) a positive way. And we cannot take a step forward (inaudible)
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HAMMER: "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" also caught up with singer Mandy Moore, who is out promoting her new album "Amanda Leigh." She tells us she, too, is outraged by the decision, but hopes things will change soon.
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MANDY MOORE, SINGER: Disbelief. I`m shocked. Living here in California, people are so open-minded and -- it`s just, you know, it`s disheartening that we live in a day and age where there even has to be a vote on something like this.
But I guess the positive thing is, you know, I really, truly believe that it will come back around again. And the next time that it sort of is up for a debate, people will sort of, will vote the right way.
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HAMMER: And in a brand new development today, a lawsuit has been filed to overturn the decision, claiming the ban violates the U.S. constitution.
Well, Chris Brown has been keeping a pretty low profile ever since he allegedly beat Rihanna the night before the Grammy Awards.
Tonight, for the very first time, Chris Brown speaks out on camera about the incident, and even some new music that he`s making. I`m going to show you that video coming up next.
This is "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight."
Tonight for the first time on camera, Chris Brown is speaking out about allegedly beating Rihanna. Brown has been charged with two felonies related to the incident, and up until now he`s kept pretty quiet.
Well, in a brand new video posted online, Brown talks about his summer comeback and says a few words to his fans about his damaged reputation.
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BROWN: About to drop a single this summer for you all. So we aren`t going anywhere. Everybody that`s haters, you`ve just been haters.
All my real fans, I love you all. I ain`t a monster.
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HAMMER: He says "I ain`t a monster."
Well, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" did reach out to Chris Brown`s rep about the video. He had no comment.
Rihanna`s spokesperson tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" that it`s not even clear whether or not Rihanna knows about the video.
Tonight, Nicole Richie and Lionel Richie open up about Nicole`s near death experience with drugs. You may remember back in 2003, Nicole was charged with possession of heroin and driving with a suspended license, leading Nicole to check into rehab.
In a brand new joint interview with his daughter, Lionel tells CNN`s Larry King about how he reacted to the news and the moment Nicole told him she had to go to rehab.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIONEL RICHIE, SINGER: I think for Nicole`s mom and for me, it gave me an amazing opportunity to step up to the plate. I said to her one day, I came in and I said, I have some good news and I have some bad news. I said the bad news is that Nicole is going to die. The good news is she doesn`t have to.
I remember that look on her face of sheer panic. And I said the only person who will be able to save Nicole is Nicole. And she went away. And about three week later, I got a phone call saying "Dad, I want to go into rehab."
And when she checked into rehab, her mother and I checked into rehab with her, because we wanted to know exactly...
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: You stayed there with her?
RICHIE: We stayed there for the first...
NICOLE RICHIE, ACTRESS: Thee days, maybe.
RICHIE: Three days -- well, actually it was a week that we stayed there, because we wanted to make sure we understood exactly what she was getting into.
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HAMMER: You can see the entire interview with the great Lionel Richie and Nicole Richie Thursday on CNN`s "Larry King Live."
Tuesday we asked to you vote on our "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" question of the day, Jon and Kate`s new season, will their marriage survive? Only 22 percent of you said yes, 78 percent of you said no, it won`t survive.
Among the emails, we heard from Mellissa in Ohio, who writes "If Kate really wants her marriage to work, then she should listen to her husband and quit the show. Therapy is what they need."
And Taylor from South Dakota writes "I think that Jon and Kate will survive because they have the will power and the love it takes to survive a marriage."
Well, that is it for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." Thank you for watching.
I`m A. J. Hammer in New York. You can always catch "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. eastern on HLN.
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