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Showbiz Tonight
Brand-New Jon and Kate Smackdown; The Dave Letterman Intern Shocker; Outrageous Controversy Over Barbie`s Ankle; Why is Everyone Being Mean to Jessica Simpson; Michael Lohan and Jon Gosselin, BFFs?
Aired October 13, 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: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the brand-new Jon and Kate court smackdown. Just today, Jon and Kate battle it out in court over money. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals what was decided and why the judge is absolutely furious with them.
Plus, we asked the controversial question - should Kate pay Jon spousal support?
The Dave Letterman intern shocker. Tonight, is a big-time university making changes to its intern program because Letterman slept with his former intern?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW": I have had sex with women who work for me on this show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Plus, as Jimmy Kimmel admits, he`s dating a co-worker. The stunning results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll, is it ever OK to sleep with your boss?
And the outrageous new Barbie controversy. Is Barbie really being replaced because her ankles are too fat?
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, the brand-new Jon and Kate showdown. Jon and Kate Gosselin went head-to-head facing off right in front of a judge. And at the center of today`s big battle, money and lots of it.
Kate says Jon took $230,000 and Jon says Kate may be hiding as much as $1 million dollars from him. Tonight, I can tell you the judge in this bitter case is not happy with either of them, even scolding them for letting this fight get so messy.
Also tonight, in a late-breaking development, Jon was reportedly ordered to return $180,000 to the family bank account. I can tell you this Jon and Kate money madness has only just started and these big, brand-new fireworks definitely made for big news breaking.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It`s the biggest custody battle going right now. Ex-couple and celebrity parents, Jon Gosselin and Kate Gosselin met in court today in Pennsylvania for a tense face-off.
An angry Jon has been saying he`s the rightful guardian, while a tearful Kate has been saying that she is.
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": Obviously, I`m very upset. I can`t sleep at night.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Jon and Kate`s custody battle is nasty, epic and no-holds-barred. But this custody fight is not over Jon and Kate`s eight kids. No. Today`s big court showdown is over who has custody of the money.
MIKE WALTERS, TMZ.COM: This divorce is getting really nasty.
HAMMER: It`s Gosselin versus Gosselin in "Not Without My Money."
JO PIAZZA, WRITER, POPEATER.COM: It seems like the Jon and Kate story has finally reached a new low.
HAMMER: In this TMZ video, we see Kate and Jon arriving in court for their face-off which began when Kate accused john of looting their joint account of more than $200,000.
M. WALTERS: The judge ruled Jon is to put back $180,000 that he took out.
HAMMER: Mike Walters of TMZ tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Jon`s been ordered to return a bunch of money to the account and that today, the judge smacked him down.
M. WALTERS: He said that basically it was improperly taken and if it`s not there by October 26th, he will face contempt proceedings.
HAMMER: But Walters says Kate has to answer for her financial dealings, too.
M. WALTERS: They did say that Kate took $55,000 out of that account also, but she`s to provide accounting to the court on October 26th, the same date, to show what she spent it on.
HAMMER: Everyone was tightlipped as they left court. In fact, all Jon wanted to talk about was the World Series.
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": The Phillies will win the series.
PIAZZA: As a Philly fan I don`t know if we necessarily want Jon on our side.
HAMMER: Kate`s accusation that Jon was looting their account has put the Jon and Kate divorce in super-bitter territory. In a tearful "Today" show appearance, she said Jon`s financial shenanigans were hurting their eight kids.
K. GOSSELIN: The last thing I wanted was to do this show and end up not being able to pay my bills.
HAMMER: But Jon continually said he took out far less than the $230,000 Kate claimed and that the money he did take out in recent months was his salary for the reality show "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," which Jon says has helped earned the family more than $2 million over the last four years.
PIAZZA: Fame and fortune has not only destroyed their marriage, but it seems like it has really taken a toll on both of them psychologically.
HAMMER: In fact, Jon and Kate`s money custody battle is far from their only fight. Jon is still trying to pull the plug on the Gosselin`s reality show saying it`s harmful to the kids, while Kate has teamed up with TLC to fight Jon to keep the show going without him as "Kate Plus 8."
PIAZZA: It`s not just a family breaking up. It`s not just a couple breaking up. It really is the breakup of a quasi-corporation.
HAMMER: PopEater.com`s Jo Piazza tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Jon and Kate`s big custody fight over money is a long way from the everyday parents they were when we first saw them.
PIAZZA: We`re talking six-figure salaries, hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank accounts. Not every American family can relate to that and it makes them seem very unrelatable and also kind of nasty.
HAMMER: And after today`s big court fight, both sides were claiming victory. Kate Gosselin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "As difficult as this as has been for me, I`m pleased the court has ruled fairly on behalf of myself and my children."
And Jon Gosselin`s attorney tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "We were very pleased with the outcome of the court proceedings and the arbitration session. And we are very hopeful that there will soon be a resolution." And what are the chances of a Jon and Kate resolution?
M. WALTERS: I think there`s zero chance of that ever happening.
HAMMER: So it looks Jon and Kate`s "Not Without My Money" battle will continue to be a very public performance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And I`ve got to tell you, I`m having a pretty hard time believing that either Jon or Kate can keep their fight private. But tonight, it looks like they do have pretty big reasons to start.
And in the light of the latest breaking Jon and Kate developments, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT needs to know, is the judge right? Is it time for Jon and Kate to step out of the limelight, get a grip and - Oh, I don`t know - maybe grow up.
Also breaking tonight, the David Letterman backlash rages on today as a professor from a major university steps up and speaks out promising to protect interns from Letterman. But is that really necessary.
And is it OK to date your boss? You won`t believe the results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day.
Joining me tonight in New York - there she is - Jane Velez-Mitchell, the host of course of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." Watch it every weekday night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN. In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
OK. So Jon and Kate meet with the judge today to discuss all their financial woes. And Jon is told by the judge, you`ve got put that $180,000 back in the bank account. Now, that`s a pretty big deal because that obviously means the judge believes that Jon did take the money and he wasn`t supposed to.
Jane, I`ll begin with you. Given Jon Gosselin`s track record, I`m thinking, Jon is freaking out right about now that he`s got to come up with $180,000.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": I think it`s very, very likely that he is freaking out going, "How am I going to come up with this money because I spent it?"
I mean, take a look at his lifestyle. It`s right out of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." He has two fancy cars, a BMW and Mercedes. We all watched him shop for his bachelor pad. That`s got to cost a lot of money.
He goes over the pond and is hanging out at "Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous" locals with young women. Champagne. You know, all of that costs money. It doesn`t take that much to burn through $180,000 these days.
And if he has, how is he going to come up with the money? He doesn`t have a job right now. This is wild.
HAMMER: Maybe we`ll see him at some kind of a shack, selling clams before too long. Here`s the other big development today. A judge asked Jon and Kate - and this is my favorite thing to come out of the court hearing - please, please, keep your business out of the limelight. Keep your divorce, as the judge put it, "private and amicable." Carlos, do you think Jon and Kate have it in them to keep things chill and civil? Because I certainly do not.
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Well, Jon had a tie on today proving that anything is possible. I mean, there`s no way they can keep quiet. They haven`t kept quiet the entire time. It`s like, you know, one side is going to say something.
You know, maybe Jon doesn`t like Kate`s statement that she put out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, so he`s going to respond with his own statement that`s going to escalate that one.
The bottom line is, the most relevant thing that came out of court today was that Jon predicted the Phillies to win the NLCS. Being here in Los Angeles, Jon, you didn`t do too well with your last handling of nine people. I don`t think the Phillies want you on their side, all right? Seriously.
HAMMER: Well, you know, another development crazier than even Jon wearing a tie - Jon Gosselin getting some divorce advice from a pretty unlikely source, if you ask me - Lindsay Lohan`s dad, Michael.
Now, why in the world would Jon, let alone anyone team up with this controversial dad when he`s already under such scrutiny? We will tackle that very provocative question a bit later on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
But first, I must move on to this explosive new development today in the David Letterman sex scandal. Top leaders at a Quinnipiac University in Connecticut are vowing to do everything in their power to protect their interns from the likes of Dave Letterman.
Here`s what a representative from Quinnipiac told TMZ, "Due to recent circumstances, we will have a discussion with those in charge of placing our interns at the David Letterman show in the future. We will diligently oversee the internship program to ensure that our interns are out of harm`s way."
Out of harm`s way. Jane, is this - I don`t want to make light of it if it is a valid and important precaution. Or is it a bunch of unnecessary grandstanding.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think it`s a great idea, and they need to tell these interns before they walk into these situations what their rights are, what the sexual harassment laws are that exist, how they can respond to something inappropriate. Because, let`s face it, the casting couch is as old as show business itself.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: But today, there`s a lot less tolerance for it. Let`s say, for example, A.J., somebody, a TV producer, interviews an intern. At the end of the interview he says, "Let`s consider this our first date," wink, wink.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What do they do? You know why I use that example? That happened to me many, many years ago.
HAMMER: Wow. A university official does tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and this came in just hours ago, it`s not the official stance of the university. This was a rogue professor who made this statement.
But Carlos, let`s face it. The fact that this is even coming up really shows how the whole Letterman scandal struck such a major chord all across the nation.
DIAZ: Yes. And it`s something that is coming to light, you know. And maybe the whole David Letterman thing really brings it to the forefront where you have interns in a situation where they feel intimidated, where they feel they need - in order to get ahead, they will agree to something they can`t agree to.
I really can`t speak on this because the interns here at "Extra" are not allowed to talk to me.
HAMMER: All right. I`m sure they`ve been warned by their universities as well. Letterman is not the only one feeling the heat, by the way. Late night host Jimmy Kimmel - he came clean to the world that he`s been dating a writer on the show.
Well, in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, we asked this - "Jimmy Kimmel dating a staffer: Is there anything wrong with dating the boss?"
Jane, Carlos, stay right where you are. I`ve got those unbelievable results, coming up next.
But first, oh no, Oprah! Oprah Winfrey getting grilled about Dr. Phil right in the middle of a live broadcast? Let me tell you, this was totally awkward. I`m talking a capital A here. I will show you this incredible tape.
And poor Jessica Simpson. I mean, think about it. She loses her dog to a coyote, happening right in front of her eyes. People made fun of her for that. And now, people are still going after her by reporting fake sightings of her precious little dog.
I`ve got to ask, why the heck are people being so mean to Jessica? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Taylor Swift leads the pack with six American Music Award nominations. Michael Jackson is posthumously nominated for AMA`s Artist of the Year award. Janet Jackson to release greatest hits album called "Number Ones" on November 17th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LETTERMAN: The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show. Now, my response to that is, yes, I have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Maybe some people do think it`s funny. Tonight, the brand- new explosive brand new debate - is it OK for a boss to sleep an employee? David Letterman did it. Jimmy Kimmel does it. But does that mean that`s the right thing to do?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, is it OK to date the boss? David Letterman surely thinks it is, and so does late-night TV show host Jimmy Kimmel. Both have fessed up in the last few weeks to having office romances.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wants to know - we need to know, is it really a big deal?
Joining me tonight in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell, the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" seen weekday nights, 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN. In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
OK, guys. You must see the incredible results of our wild SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day because they were coming in fast and furious. We ask this on air and online - "Jimmy Kimmel Dating a Staffer: Is there anything wrong with dating the boss?"
And these are the results - 44 percent said yes, meaning 56 percent said no, not a big deal.
Jane, off to you. There`s been so much raging debate on this issue since the Letterman scandal broke. Are you surprised so many people think it`s OK?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, no because it`s very common today to have a relationship with somebody at work. And for women it can be a lot smarter than, let`s say, picking up a guy at a bar, which can be dangerous, or meeting somebody online which can also be dangerous.
So I think there is some common sense there. The question is, what`s the relationship between this boss and this co-worker that they`re having a relationship with.
If there is the perception that this individual is being rewarded for her relationship with the boss, if there is evidence that this person was punished upon ending the relationship with the boss and if other co-workers perceive that they cannot compete with this woman because she`s having a relationship with the boss, that`s where the problem comes in.
And those are real issues that cannot be ignored because every day, somebody gets a leg up, pun intended, because they`re having a relationship with the boss.
HAMMER: Well, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page cannot be ignored. It has been bombarded with comments about this. Overwhelmingly, people say, no big deal here.
Johanna A. writing, "Get over it. If it`s a mutual thing, then no one should get involved."
And Sunni J. writes, "Yes, it`s OK as long as both parties involved know someone is going to either get hurt or fired."
Our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have also been raging from this. Lori in Arkansas called in to say she understands why this happens.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LORI, CALLER FROM ARKANSAS: I think that a lot of people, spending a lot of time in the workplace - they meet people, how they meet them. And if you date your boss, a consenting adult - they should be able to date whoever they want. If co-workers have a problem with it, seek therapy, not blackmail.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Now, Carlos, do you agree. Because I`ve been saying this all along as far as at least the Jimmy Kimmel thing is going to be. If he`s dating a staffer and everybody is on the same page it, I think it`s OK. Where are you with this?
DIAZ: Well, I think it`s OK. The closer you are in rank kind of a thing - because Jimmy Kimmel is here and his head writer is, you know, right there, you know, as opposed to the Letterman situation with someone who is just kind of a go-for, if you will.
But I think the closer you are - I mean, Jane made some great points. The one point she didn`t make though is what happens after the relationship. I mean, when you break up with someone at work, then you`ve got to see them every single day.
HAMMER: Yes. You make a great point, too. Where is the co-head writer of the show going to get promoted? She`s pretty much at the top right there. Carlos Diaz, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
Now, I need to know how you feel about this whole dating your boss thing. So call us at "Showbiz on Call" - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899 - and let me know.
All right. So what is with Jon Gosselin and Michael Lohan spending so much time together? These two have really become best buds.
Michael who, of course, went through his own nasty divorce and custody battle over his famous daughter, Lindsay Lohan, is giving Jon advice. Really? Michael was even just at Jon`s house. So these two guys hanging out - is it a great idea or perhaps just the dumbest move ever?
And wow, what a big, awkward moment for Oprah over Dr. Phil. It all played out on live TV. You have got to see this and I will play it for you, coming up.
And the brand-new, outrageous Barbie controversy. Listen to this - is Barbie really being replaced because her ankles are too fat? Yes, I said Barbie. Yes, I said ankles. Will the most famous doll in history be forced to lose weight? Are you kidding me? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Carrie Underwood to headline two-hour variety special on Fox on December 7th. David Archuleta out with Christmas album called "Christmas from the Heart."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Oprah`s awkward Dr. Phil moment on live TV.
Did you see this? Oprah was in Dallas. She was taping her show at the Texas State Fair. And she also sat in on WFAA`s evening newscast. And after she did the usual news anchor chitchat, she got hit with a question by sports anchor Dale Hanson that made the O squirm.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DALE HANSON, SPORTS ANCHOR, WFAA: Would you like the take this opportunity to apologize to America for introducing us to Dr. Phil?
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": No, I will not.
HANSON: I`m sure about it. I think I speak on all of us from Texas.
WINFREY: Aren`t you proud of your boy from Texas?
HANSON: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Can you say "awkward?" All right. Let`s move on to some big baby news for a big star couple and a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT couple. We think they`re superstars, too.
First up, I can tell you Heidi Klum and Seal are proud parents of another child, Lou Sulola Samuel - beautiful name - a baby girl born on Friday, and she joins brothers Henry and Johan as well as sister Leni.
Now, take a look at this absolutely beautiful baby. Wow! That`s Kate Victoria right there - that is the 5-month-old daughter of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s own Brooke Anderson and her husband, Jim.
Now, Brooke has been off being a wonderful mom but I`m thrilled to tell you that Brooke coming right back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT beginning tomorrow, Wednesday. I hear she`s going to bring plenty of baby pictures to share.
And Brooke, your entire SHOWBIZ TONIGHT family is looking forward to having you back. Really, Brooke. I can`t wait.
Now, we have a lot of you writing on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall about Miley Cyrus`s bizarre rap video explaining why she shut down her Twitter account.
There has been a real uproar since Miley stopped tweeting. But Miley says she just wants some privacy. Here`s a little clip of that rap song.
(MUSIC)
Please make it stop. Javier V. didn`t like the video at all, saying, "That was so horrible. I`m not trying to hate, but if I ever catch my daughter listening to her, she`ll be grounded."
But Jerry Ann D. wasn`t so harsh about the song, "Give the girl a break. She needs a personal life, too. Imagine millions of kids twittering you all day and night. They need to pay more attention to their grades in school than Miley`s Twitter."
Excellent point. Sign up for our Facebook page and our Twitter news alerts. You can go to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight to that.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
First, Jessica Simpson loses her dog to a coyote who was right in front of her eyes. Terrible, right? And now, people are still being cruel reporting fake sightings of her beloved dog. Why is everyone being so mean to Jessica?
Lindsay Lohan`s father, Michael, not exactly dad of the year. He visits Jon Gosselin`s house and is giving Jon advice. Is this a good idea?
And is Barbie fat? Will she be replaced because she has fat ankles? What? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Olsen Twins to launch a line of sunglasses that will come out in the spring. Carly Simon sues Starbucks, claiming it did not properly promote her 2008 album.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jessica Simpson`s new doggy drama. First, Jessica loses her dog to a coyote. Now, are people really taunting her again over it? Tonight, Jessica lashes out after the new wave of cruel comments.
Tonight, big Hollywood stars famous for nothing much, Megan, Ashton, even Jessica. They`re always in the headlines but what exactly do they do again?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMY ARGETSINGER, "THE WASHINGTON POST": They want to be famous for their great acting. They want to be famous because millions of people are buying their CDs. And that`s not what`s happening here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, they`re rich. They`re famous, but for what? It`s a SHOWBIZ special report.
Plus, Jon Gosselin and Michael Lohan, BFFs? Seriously, is Jon getting parenting advice from Lindsay Lohan`s dad? Can you say "bizarre?"
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, poor Jessica Simpson. She really can`t seem to catch a break these days. First, she loses her beloved dog, Daisy, to a coyote. And now, believe it or not, people are actually calling her family with false sightings of Daisy. Jessica, not surprisingly, lashing out big-time. She just wants these cruel pranksters to leave her alone.
Joining me tonight in New York, Cooper Lawrence, who is a psychologist and author of "The Cult of Celebrity." Also in New York tonight, it is Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for StyleList.com.
None of us can forget Jessica`s valiant efforts to find her Malti-Poo Daisy after it was snatched by a coyote. She put up posters like this all around town.
Well, Jessica is coming to terms with the fact that she`ll probably never see Daisy again. But now, she`s got to deal with this. People are actually calling in with false Daisy sightings.
Jessica is firing back at them. Here`s what she posted on Twitter about that, "People have been contacting my family and friends saying that Daisy has been found. Untrue. People are so cruel. Please respect her memory."
I`ve got to tell you, this makes me pretty mad. No matter what you think of Jessica Simpson, there`s no excuse for this. Cooper, are people just idiots? Is that the clinical term here?
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGIST AND AUTHOR: Yes. That`s a clinical term, and I didn`t realize you`ve got a degree and a license the last time I saw you. No, it`s cruel and it`s - we have no boundaries anymore. This is ridiculous.
It`s not like she put out an album and we don`t like it. Or she`s put on some weight and we`re criticizing her image. I mean, this is a tragedy that happened to her. And this is cruel to poke her for it. She didn`t do anything so horrible that she deserves this sort of repercussion from her public. It`s bizarre, I think.
HAMMER: And I`m not stupid. I`m not an idiot. I know Jessica can be an easy target. People love to make fun of her. But she did lose her dog and it was a pretty awful way. Ben, what do you think? Should everybody should just lay off her already and show some sympathy?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, "STYLELIST.COM": Well, it`s undoubtedly cruel of people to make fun of her, especially at this vulnerable moment in her life. But let`s face it, Jessica Simpson - she is a figure of fun in the culture and she has listed this information. She put up the picture. There`s a way to contact her. She`s a celebrity. Of course, people are going to contact her.
So is it cruel that people are giving false sightings? Of course. But come on, Jessica, get over it. People say much worse things about you, by the way.
HAMMER: I don`t know. Let me ask you, quickly, Cooper. Is she asking for more trouble from these idiots by even bringing this to light? Do you think maybe she should have kept it to herself?
LAWRENCE: You know, it shows how vulnerable she is and how little she really understands about her celebrity that she`s was so willing to put up these posters with her information on it and she so willing to be so open with us about her pain all the time.
HAMMER: Jessica`s doggy drama has obviously been making big headlines. And really, when you think about it, everything that Jessica does makes big news - her weight gain, her messy love life.
But we really never hear much about her career, do we? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wants to know, what is up with all of the Hollywood stars like Jessica who, these days, are famous for nothing much?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Look out Hollywood A-listers, if you think you`re having your thunder stolen by the famous-for-nothing stars, you should also look out for the famous-for-nothing much stars.
Unlike their reality show counterparts, these stars actually do act or sing. But, let`s just say their professional and artistic achievements don`t exactly match the amount of attention they get.
ARGETSINGER: There are people who are sort of famous but you`ve never seen their movies and you`ve never heard their music. You`ve never seen their TV shows.
HAMMER: There`s Jessica Simpson, a big media darling despite one simple fact.
ARGETSINGER: Let`s face it. No one is buying her music.
HAMMER: And tabloid regular Sienna Miller.
ARGETSINGER: Sienna Miller, the most world famous, obscure Indy art film actress in the world.
HAMMER: Also movie star/magazine pinup girl, Megan Fox.
ARGETSINGER: Right now, I have people asking me every day, "Amy, I hate to ask you this, but who is Megan Fox? I feel like I should know."
HAMMER: And maybe even Ashton Kutcher?
ARGETSINGER: Name an Ashton Kutcher movie. Name one. And not "Dude, Where`s My Car?"
HAMMER: "The Washington Post`s" Amy Argetsinger has even coined a term for this class of famous-for-little stars.
ARGETSINGER: They`re not really famous. They`re fame-esque.
HAMMER: In the pantheon of the fame-esque, Jessica Simpson is the patron saint. Her love life, weight issues and even the loss of her dog made headlines everywhere. But her singing and acting - well, not so much.
ARGETSINGER: I mean, when was the last time Jessica Simpson had a song on the charts? She gets so much more attention than any other singer or performer of that caliber.
HAMMER: But Jessica Simpson is far from alone in the ranks of the fame- esque. British actress Sienna Miller is a tabloid staple for her romances with stars like Jude Law. But her movies are a different story.
ARGETSINGER: She was on the cover of magazines. We knew all about her love life. And yet, none of us in America had ever seen her in any movies.
SIENNA MILLER, ACTRESS: Congratulations, Duke, you just saved Paris.
HAMMER: And even though Miller`s last movie, "G.I. Joe" was a hit among young summer moviegoers, no one is giving Sienna Miller credit for that. Same with "Transformers" star, Megan Fox.
ARGETSINGER: She was in the movie, "Transformers" which, while it was big, wasn`t really a showcase for actors.
HAMMER: And when Megan Fox tried to showcase her stuff in a starring role in "Jennifer`s Body," the heavily exposed star flopped her way on to the list of the fame-esque.
ARGETSINGER: She`s one of those people who is giving all these interviews. She`s saying all these sassy things. She`s posing for sexy photos. She`s a celebrity and yet she`s kind of detached from any kind of actual product or art form.
HAMMER: And then, there`s Ashton Kutcher.
ARGETSINGER: I`ve got so many letters, so many E-mails telling me that this was not true. Ashton Kutcher - he`s a big, big star. Now, granted, yes, he was in that little show called "That 70`s Show." No, it was many years ago. He has not made a lot of movies that a whole lot of people have gone to see.
We pay attention to him. We treat him as famous or as fame-esque because we like him, because he looks fantastic on the red carpet, making self-deprecating jokes with Demi Moore.
HAMMER: But maybe, we should feel sorry for the fame-esque. After all, they usually don`t make nearly as much as true superstars.
ARGETSINGER: You are having all the invasions of privacy and giving up all that sense of self, you know, that Julia Roberts has to experience. And if you`re getting $20 million a picture like Julia Roberts, that`s got to be terrible. That`s got to be no fun at all.
HAMMER: And keep in mind, they`re probably not too happy about being fame- esque.
ARGETSINGER: That`s not the kind of fame that anyone really seeks out or originally is looking for when they get into this business. They want to be famous for their great acting. They want to be famous because millions of people are buying their CDs and that`s not what`s happening here.
HAMMER: But the one thing about being among the fame-esque - you may not be an Oscar or Grammy winner, but at least, we know who you are. That means you`re in the Hollywood game and you`re one big hit away from graduating from fame-esque to famous.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: OK. So what`s with this new category of stars, the fame-esque? Are they getting a raw deal or are they really taking over Hollywood`s A- list?
Let`s go back to Cooper Lawrence and Ben Widdicombe in New York tonight. Now, I am buying Megan Fox as a member of this group. We certainly know her name but, you know, we`re not exactly sure why.
We`ve seen her on the cover of all these magazines. And I`m always hearing people talk about how much she looks like Angelina Jolie. But Cooper, let me ask you. Does someone like Angelina really have anything to worry about with the likes of a fame-esque star like Megan Fox?
LAWRENCE: No, not even close. But, you know, they are clever because, you know, maybe they`re not making the huge salaries now. But if they become more relevant by being in the public eye, by staying on the covers of magazines, if we keep talking about them, that does translate to money.
They can garner more money for whatever roles that they play. And they can get sponsorships and they can do ads for products. So it does translate into money for them.
HAMMER: You can certainly have marquee value and not have talent. Ben, what do you think? Megan Fox, the perfect example of being famous for, well, not so much?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, to be fair, she is part of the "Transformers" franchise which makes a lot of money for Hollywood. And really, that gives her a place in the pantheon.
When Carrie Fisher was only 19 when starred as Princess Leia in "Star Wars," no one had heard of her then. But she became super-famous. So maybe Megan Fox is just on the first run. And also, she`s so beautiful people can`t get enough of her. They want to see more of her.
HAMMER: Yes. And that`s enough to be famous these days in a lot of circles. Now, I know we`re going to get E-mails from viewers who say that this guy, Ashton Kutcher, does not belong on this list.
Quite frankly, I agree. But let me ask you, Cooper. You know, Ashton really is better known these days for his marriage to Demi Moore than his acting so maybe it`s not so farfetched.
LAWRENCE: No. He`s very known for his tweeting. I mean, really. He`s all about Twitter and he`s all about his production company. He`s all about making money. Again, that`s what it comes down to.
But Ashton Kutcher was an actor at one point. And the one thing that all these people have in common that we`re talking about - they are all gorgeous. I mean, they`re not just attractive. They`re incredible to look at, like you, A.J.
So people just want to keep staring at them and watching them, so they are always going to want to be in the public eye for that reason.
HAMMER: Well, the fact is, I`m neither famous nor fame-esque. Cooper Lawrence, Ben Widdicombe, thank you both for being here. I appreciate your insight on this.
Moving on, tonight, Jon Gosselin and Michael Lohan - BFFs? Jon getting parenting advice from Lindsay Lohan`s dad. I mean, are you kidding me with this? Michael Lohan who, of course, went through a nasty public divorce, is now apparently giving advice to Jon who, of course, is in the middle of his own nasty public divorce. I have got to wonder, is this the worst duo ever or could it be genius?
Plus, who`s calling Barbie the "F" word - F-A-T, fat? This is totally outrageous. It is the Barbie controversy that is breaking today. Is Barbie being accused of having fat ankles? Yes, ankles. Will Barbie be forced to lose weight? Will she be replaced?
And famous people caught on tape doing nasty things with their gum?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When President Obama said that the president has to be able to -
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Walk and chew gum at the same time -
MOOS: He didn`t mention the ability to talk and get rid of Nicorette at the same time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the bizarre, the embarrassing, the downright weird things people do to get rid of gum. You don`t want to miss this if you`ve got the stomach. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Michael Jackson`s estate to pay Paul Anka royalties for co-writing new song, "This is It." Christie Brinkley and ex-hubby settle post-divorce battle in court.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: The outrageous, brand-new Barbie controversy that is creating a firestorm. Is Barbie really being replaced because her ankles are too fat?
There`s a very famous big French designer who women absolutely love and think Barbie`s ankles need a makeover. That`s coming up.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
First, tonight, Jon`s new mentor. You`re not going to believe who Jon Gosselin is getting advice from. Take a look at this great new picture of Michael Lohan with Jon`s kids at the Gosselin`s Pennsylvania home.
Yes, sure, Lindsay Lohan`s dad, Michael, knows a thing or two about a nasty public divorce. But should he be the guy giving advice to Jon? Is this the worst idea over, or is it genius?
Also new right now, the brand-new outrage today over a Barbie doll makeover. Is the famous French shoe designer really saying, "Barbie`s got kankles"? Is he ordering a makeover, slim down those fat ankles or else? Are you kidding me with this?
Joining me tonight in New York, Cooper Lawrence, psychologist and author of "The Cult of Celebrity." Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, celebrity editor for "StyleList.com."
Let`s take a look at this picture once again. Michael Lohan - now just hours ago, we talked to Michael about his visit over the weekend to Jon`s house. Michael told us he was there to talk to Jon about some business deals. And he also said he was giving Jon some advice, man-to- man, from a guy who went through a messy divorce himself.
Of course, he divorced Lindsay Lohan`s mom, Dina. Here is what Michael told us about his conversations with Jon, "As soon as the lawyers got involved in my own marriage, that`s when things went wrong. When others get involved, everyone pulls at you and you`re being torn apart. And who`s going to suffer? The kids. Once attorneys get involved, they have other motives, they both want to win. And I think Jon and Kate are more about the kids. It`s not about the money, it`s about control."
And I`ve got to say, I think what Michael is saying makes sense. But Cooper, given Michael Lohan`s shaky past - he has a criminal record. He had a very public battle with his ex, not to mention his estrangement from his famous daughter, Lindsay Lohan, is it just a bad idea for Jon to be taking advice from Lindsay Lohan`s dad?
LAWRENCE: It`s a horrible idea. Michael Lohan is one of the worst fathers on the planet. I mean, he screwed up his kids. His kids have nothing to do with him. He`s been in jail. Oh, he`s been divorced like every other father who`s been divorced.
He has no specific advice to give him other than - I don`t know what. And then also, Michael Lohan comes out last week and says that Lindsay is having a drug problem. They`re going to have an intervention.
Well, first of all, if you`re having an intervention you don`t tell the person. Second of all, Lindsay doesn`t have a drug problem that he knows about. Lindsay doesn`t talk to him. His children don`t talk to him. He`s a terrible role model and he`s going to find a way to help Jon Gosselin alienate his eight kids.
HAMMER: Well, we know how you feel, Cooper. Wow. Now, here`s the thing, though. I can`t pick a bit at what Michael Lohan is saying because he says it`s not all about the money, but of course, it is about the money.
Kate accused Jon of taking $230,000 out of a joint account. And Jon claims Kate took money, too, like $1 million. New tonight, Kate won the first round today in court. A judge ordered Jon to return $180,000 or face contempt charges.
And I`ve got to say, no matter what anybody thinks of Michael Lohan, he is hitting the nail on the head by saying that Jon and Kate need to focus on the kids. So Ben, what do you think? Is this a genius move for Jon to be getting advice from this guy? Or totally stupid?
WIDDICOMBE: Oh, I love that Michael Lohan is giving Jon business advice because he specifically went to prison for securities fraud. So maybe Jon had better just double check some of that advice.
Michael is a crazy guy. I have to admit, if there were a show in development of Jon and Michael Lohan, I would watch it in a heart beat.
HAMMER: Well, regardless of the advice Jon is getting right now and whoever it may be from. Jon maybe a little strapped for cash. He was kicked off the show. Clearly, Kate holds the purse strings.
So in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, we`re asking this on air and online - "Jon and Kate Money Battle: Should Kate pay Jon spousal support." Cooper, as outrageous as that sounds, what do you think? Should Kate have to pay Jon?
LAWRENCE: No. They both made plenty of money. They both had opportunities to make money. The show was about both of them and the kids. They should split everything. It`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: As much as I could talk about this for hours, I really need to just move on the to Barbie`s kankles. Please, let`s move on. A firestorm brewing over reports that a French shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, was going to slim down Barbie`s ankles. Yes, Barbie, the doll.
Well, look what I got right here. Hold on. I`ve got a brand-new statement today from Barbie. This is what Barbie tells us. I can`t believe I`m even saying that, "My ankles are only 22 millimeters in diameter. My dear friend Christian loves my ankles - it was my arch he wanted to give a little more `lift` to so I could rock those high heels. It`s all in good fashion fun."
Ben, besides the fact that Barbie herself released a statement - arches, kankles - why are people actually fired up over this?
WIDDICOMBE: I`m with Christian Louboutin. I think Barbie could stand to lose a few milligrams, personally. Listen, she`s an idealized toy. Guess what? Superman isn`t really that buff either. It`s impossible. Mickey mouse isn`t really isn`t a mouse. She should be skinny. She should be an ideal. I say, lose the kankles.
HAMMER: Oh, the pressures of being a doll. The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page on fire - comments coming in fast and furious over Barbie`s ankle makeover. Listen to what Holly B. writes on our wall, "If Barbie`s ankles are too fat, then I think we are all screwed. What are they, like, seven centimeters around?" No, they`re 22 millimeters, we just learned.
Very quickly, what do you think, Cooper? I mean, does that person, Holly, put her foot on the pulse of America right there?
LAWRENCE: I think - what year is this? Didn`t we have this conversation 20 years ago? Is Barbie an icon? Is she not? Is she relevant? Is she not? I mean, please, A.J. It`s ridiculous.
HAMMER: Cooper Lawrence, Ben Widdicombe, thank you. All right. Tonight, you may want to spit out that gum. It is the number one rule when you are on TV. Trust me, that is why I don`t chew gum. But sometimes, famous people get totally busted in sticky situations and now it is caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: When President Obama said that the president has to be able to -
OBAMA: Walk and chew gum at the same time.
MOOS: He didn`t mention the ability to talk and get rid of Nicorette at the same time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, I`ve got some of the most embarrassing and downright bizarre gum chomping moments that are sure to make you go hmm. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Former "Friends" Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc heading back to TV in separate shows. ABC gives the green-light to a full season of the hit "Flash Forward."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, SHOWBIZ caught on tape - gum chewing gone wild. Have you ever just wanted to freshen your breath and then you get caught chomping away at the wrong place at the wrong time? It`s totally embarrassing, right?
Well, you can multiply that embarrassment by about a thousand if you are caught chomping on camera and then it gets beamed around the world for everyone to see. From world leaders to actors, the one lady who does something totally freaky with her gum. Tonight we are chewing the fat on the most embarrassing gum moments caught on tape.
Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): It was one of those sticky situations. Sen. Barbara boxer was meeting with the U.N. secretary general.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Double your pleasure with Double Mint Gum.
MOOS: Sen. Boxer doubled her embarrassment.
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-CA): How are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks. Fine.
MOOS: Getting caught ripping out her gum. But hey, who hasn`t? Tom Brokaw moderated a presidential debate. He deposited his gum on the desk next to him.
When Rosie O`Donnell announced she was leaving "The View," we got this view of her gum leaving her mouth. When President Obama said that the president has to be able to -
OBAMA: Walk and chew gum at the same time -
MOOS: He didn`t mention the ability to talk and get rid of Nicorette at the same time. But the real trick is to sleep and chew gum.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let me have it because you are falling asleep.
MOOS: Wouldn`t want him to choke, but he probably will die of embarrassment -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Matthew, let`s spit your gum out, OK?
MOOS: When he sees himself sleeping, chewing gum and sucking his thumb years from now. And when driving, make sure your window is all the way open before you spit out your gum even before you go on TV.
ANN COULTER, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR: I am putting my Nicorette back in. It`s like smoking before I go on.
MOOS: Gum chewing isn`t safe from prying eyes. Ann Coulter was offered another piece of Nicorette.
COULTER: Maybe you can chop it up so I can snort it.
MOOS (on camera): Could have been worse, much worse. At least no one did this.
(voice-over): Actor Joaquin Phoenix came close to this during his bizarre appearance on "Letterman."
LETTERMAN: I`ll come to your house and chew gum.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ACTOR: No, I don`t have to.
LETTERMAN: Just relax.
MOOS: A minute later, he peeled the gum off. It`s not safe to leave it. Britney Spears had a wad of her gum auctioned off. Maybe the best thing to do is just say no. Russia`s president said yes to a piece of gum, but Vladimir Putin had the sense to say yes. Even "Pretty Woman" wasn`t that pretty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop fidgeting. Get rid of your gum. I don`t believe you did that.
MOOS: And did Toby Keith hit anyone? Sometimes, you just wish you could take it back. I spit it out and I sucked it back in.
LETTERMAN: How do you do that?
HAMMER: Yes. I`ve got one five-letter word for you - mints, 100 percent fresh breath, zero embarrassment, right? But I`ve got to tell you, you would not believe what I have seen under some of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT desks. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern here on HLN.
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