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Showbiz Tonight
Brand-New Sarah Palin-Levi Johnston Smackdown; The Sexiest Man of the Year in 2009; Michael Jackson Suicide Shocker; Carrie Prejean`s Porn War; The Ryan Seacrest-Robert Pattinson Smack Down
Aired November 18, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the brand-new Sarah Palin-Levi Johnston smack down. Big news breaking - Levi`s unbelievable new Sarah slam caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What does she think about you posing nude?
LEVI JOHNSTON, FATHER OF SARAH PALIN`S GRANDSON: Who knows? I`m not thinking about her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Also, just in today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the very first look at Levi`s naked "Playgirl" photo shoot. And who do you think is winning the Sarah-Levi war of words? The startling results just in from a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll.
The Michael Jackson suicide shocker. A startling development as a major figure who caused big trouble for Jackson kills himself. What really happened?
HAMMER: The brand-new explosive Carrie Prejean porn war. Tonight, Carrie`s dramatic threat over her solo sex tape. Will she stop it from getting out?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, there are remarkable new developments in the Sarah Palin-Levi Johnston smack down.
HAMMER: Yes. And Brooke, here`s what I`m thinking, that Sarah Palin could have never imagined when she trotted Levi Johnston up there at the Republican National Convention along with her pregnant teenage daughter. This will be the big news we would be the big news we would be talking about just over a year later, that this would be the big news breaking today. Unbelievable.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today new video of Levi Johnston strutting his stuff, so to speak, and taking brand-new swings at his almost one-time mother-in-law as he arrived in Los Angeles in all his glory. That glory includes this is news. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has now obtained the very first photo released from his "Playgirl" photo shoot and we will show it to you.
We`re also revealing tonight the startling results we got today of a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll that asked, who is winning the war of words - Levi or Sarah Palin? And I`ve got to tell you we never could have predicted these wild results.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Tonight, in New York, is Lauren Lake, who is an attorney and author of the book, "Girl, Let Me Tell You."
And I think it`s fair to say Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston are not all that fond of each other. I want to show you this truly outrageous new video we got of Levi Johnston. He`s caught on tape arriving last night at the airport in Los Angeles, because yes, even in his off time, he is still slamming Sarah. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What does Sarah think about you posing nude?
JOHNSTON: Who?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sarah Palin. What does she think about you posing nude?
JOHNSTON: Who knows? I`m not thinking about her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Lauren Lake, off to you first. I`m thinking that he should be thinking about her, because, basically, it`s the only reason he is famous.
LAUREN LAKE, ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR: Right. And he is thinking about her. The bottom line is he is using this entire situation to build his brand. I`m not sure what it is yet, but it`s a naked brand so far, but a brand nonetheless. And he is extending his 15 minutes of fame to 20 to 30 right now.
HAMMER: All right. Carlos, to Lauren`s point, Levi is milking this for all its worth, isn`t it?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes, but to defend him very quickly, the question was asked, what do you think about - "What does Sarah Palin think about you posing nude?" I don`t want to hear about my possible mother-in-law and "nude" in the same sentence.
So maybe he was just kind of blowing that off. But yes, he needs to milk it as much as possible and give her thanks because she`s the only reason we care about him.
HAMMER: You know, it`s freakish. Every time I see pictures of him - we are looking at a video of him right now with the big aviator glasses on, playing the part of the star with his bodyguard.
He`s the guy who told "Vanity Fair" he never wanted to have anything to do with a life like this. Just amazing. Of course, we have seen Sarah Palin everywhere this week having her say.
Monday, of course, she did Oprah, and now, Barbara Walters. And she told Barbara that he basically needs to grow up. So who is winning this war of words? I could not believe the results that came in late today to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day.
Here`s what we asked - "Sarah Versus Levi: Who is winning the war of words?" A pretty even split here with 47 percent of the people who voted said Sarah Palin. Fifty-three percent voted for Levi. Lauren, I`ve got to tell you, I thought that Levi would have gotten clobbered here. Are you surprised that he`s holding his own so to speak?
LAKE: No, I would have voted the same way to be very honest. That`s hilarious. But no, I`m not really surprised. What I feel like is people recognize that Levi is acting very age-appropriate.
I mean, he`s kind of being a jerk, but he`s an immature kid. What I think people don`t like about Sarah is she`s supposed to be the adult in this situation. She`s the grandmother, the mother of Bristol. I simply want her to stop engaging this young little guy in his back-and-forth because she is only going to come out looking immature. And he is immature.
HAMMER: Yes. And I`ve said it all along. She really shouldn`t respond to any questions about him at all at this point unless she`s got something nice to say.
And also today, we`ve got Levi Johnston`s first photo from his "Playgirl" shoot. Oh, goody. We`re going to show that to you in just a moment. You want to see this, but first, the Levi-Palin smack down rages on.
I want you to check out how Nancy from Colorado praises Sarah when she called in to "Showbiz on Call." Roll that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
NANCY, CALLER FROM COLORADO: I did not vote for Sarah Palin. However, I am very impressed with her. I thought she was very authentic. I thought she was very genuine. I think she is brilliant. I can`t wait to read her book and possibly vote for her in the next election.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Nancy. Thanks for your call. But I am very excited to play this for you. I have somebody who disagrees with you, Nancy. It`s none other than Martha Stewart. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Martha Stewart last night and she says Sarah is not so brilliant.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MARTHA STEWART, TV HOST: I wouldn`t watch her if you paid me. She is very boring to me. Very boring - to me, kind of a dangerous person. I mean, she`s dangerous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In what way?
STEWART: She speaks - she is so confused. And anyone like that in government is a real problem.
HAMMER: There you go. Martha calling it like she sees it. Carlos, are you on team Levi or team Sarah or team Martha?
DIAZ: I will go with team Martha. I`m going to go with team Martha. Thank you - by the way, thank you for giving me a choice C there. You know, if I had to choose between Sarah Palin and Levi Johnston, I`m going to have to go with Levi Johnston.
And just like in the poll that you guys have, it shows that people are tired of the lying. And Sarah Palin went on "Oprah" and lied, because no, she wouldn`t want Levi Johnston at Thanksgiving. She wouldn`t welcome him to the table. And Levi Johnston, even though he is being immature, at least he is being truthful.
HAMMER: Yes. What do you think, Lauren?
LAKE: Amen to Carlos. He is being authentically him, a little kid, kind of immature and a little bit of a jerk. Sarah is not being authentic in my eyes. She needs to just say, "This is private family business. Yes, we are obviously having issues with my grandson`s father, but I`m not discussing it because I`m a grown woman and I`m supposed to protect my family." Quit engaging in this nonsense with this good. It is not a good look.
HAMMER: No, it`s not a good look. And you`ve got to love Martha Stewart once again.
LAKE: Yes.
HAMMER: Now, I know she did not wear a Sarah Palin costume for Halloween. I wasn`t sure about that.
LAKE: Go team Martha. Go team Martha.
HAMMER: All right. Well, Levi is, of course, hoping to get more people on his team doing that very first "Playgirl" photo shoot. We have the very first photo to show you. Stay right where you are. Back in just 30 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Back now with the moment we`ve all been waiting for, right? Right, everybody? The very first photo released from Levi Johnston`s "Playgirl" photo shoot. May I have the drumroll, please? Tada, here it is. Levi`s first photo. Take a good look.
Lauren, off to you first. I`ve got to ask you. Hey, are you impressed?
LAKE: I see way too much armpit. Is it just me? It`s like when I see and I look right past him into like - armpit. You know what? He`s a handsome young guy. I guess people will like it. His looks may take him another 15 minutes. I`m really just not that interested in the kid, though. I`m sorry.
HAMMER: All right. Carlos, dare I ask you? Are you impressed by what Levi has been able to put together here in the photo shoot?
DIAZ: Really, A.J.? Really? You know what? Let me just quote the "New York Daily News." Their poll says 39 percent say hot, 14 percent say not, and 47 percent say, "Why am I looking at this?" So there you go.
HAMMER: Yes, exactly. Lauren, let me ask you this. Do you think Levi`s fans are up for a big case of what we like to call antici-pointment with the whole "Playgirl" thing? I mean, what really happens to his career once he reveals what God or did not give him?
LAKE: Oh, well, you know, depending on how much is revealed and how valuable the family jewels are, let`s say. Maybe his career could take him somewhere else? But where? To porn? I mean, he may have his sights on the big screen, but does he have acting talent?
HAMMER: Yes.
LAKE: We have no idea where this guy is going. I think he needs to go back dating Kathy Griffin.
HAMMER: Good idea. The big question is, how much did he reveal? That is coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Carlos Diaz, Lauren Lake, thank you.
ANDERSON: Tonight, big news breaking. The Michael Jackson suicide shocker. This is startling developing today as a major figure who caused big trouble for Jackson kills himself. What really happened?
Also, the unbelievable Ryan Seacrest-Robert Pattinson smack down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "E! NEWS": What do you say to your fans who are desperate to know about you and your costar, Kristen? It`s his costar. It`s a fair question. I was cut off for the first time ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wow. This is incredible. Now, Robert is one of the hottest stars around and you`ve got to see what happened when Ryan asked the "New Moon" star if he is dating costar, Kristen Stewart. I don`t see what`s the big deal was. These two are on the cover of every magazine.
And the brand-new nasty Carrie Prejean porn war. Tonight, Carrie`s dramatic threat over her solo sex tape. Will she be able to stop it from getting out? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Interview with Sarah Palin gives Oprah Winfrey her highest ratings in two years. Pop star and ex "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Aaron Carter owes $1 million in back taxes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? The cat who made friends with a cop during a traffic stop. Check out this oh-so-cute video caught on dash cam. A Texas police officer pulled over a guy and the cat just showed up, climbed up the cop`s leg on to his shoulders as he wrote out the ticket.
I`ve got to give the officer credit. The kitty didn`t stop him from doing his job. One other thing, the cop is named Keith Urban. So maybe they should name the cat Nicole Kitty-man.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, the Super Bowl of sexy. "People" magazine today named its 2009 sexiest man alive and, drumroll please, it is Captain Jack Sparrow himself, the uber-sexy Johnny Depp.
But tonight, I can tell you that the choice has sparked a heated coast-to-coast debate. Is Johnny really the sexiest man alive?
With us in New York tonight is Julie Jordan. She is a special correspondent for "People" magazine. Julie, great to see you.
JULIE JORDAN, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, "PEOPLE": Hi, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Now, this is the second time for Johnny Depp. Why is he the sexiest man alive?
JORDAN: OK. Well, the thing about Johnny is there`s not many men out there can pull off Willie Wonka, the Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland" and still exude sex appeal.
He has stood the test of time. We`re looking for a guy who is mature and kind of wise with age. And Johnny - there`s no one is as sexy as he is, you know, right here, right now.
ANDERSON: Yes. And he is very versatile, as you say, and he`s sexy in that dark, brooding, "I haven`t washed my hair in a few days" kind of way.
JORDAN: He`s a bad boy. Yes, exactly.
ANDERSON: Exactly. Well, Julie, I`ve got to tell you that minutes after we posted on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page that Johnny Depp was named this year`s sexiest man alive, we could not hold back the flood of ecstatic messages on our Facebook wall.
Tati H. writes, "He hasn`t aged a day since `Nightmare on Elm Street` or `21 Jump Street.` He has gotten hotter with age."
Then, there`s Jennifer S., "Like him or not, there few men sexier. Meow."
And just two words from Vanessa M., "Damn sexy." Julie, Johnny Depp is 46 years old, but it doesn`t matter, does it?
JORDAN: No, although I will say I think he has gotten sexier in his old age. He`s enjoyed the sensation of, you know, younger actors like those that are enjoying the mania right now when he was on "21 Jump Street" like you said. But he has evolved into a family man.
You know, he`s so comfortable in his own skin. And our readers really want someone who has staying power. And that`s what`s important when it comes to sexiest man alive.
ANDERSON: Yes. And he has been at this for more than 20 years. He is like a fine line, just better with age. I`ve got to tell you, Julie, especially with "Twilight: New Moon" opening this weekend, we`ve got a lot of people writing our Facebook wall, some stunned, though, that Depp won the title this year.
Brooke G. wrote, "I totally disagree. The sexiest man alive is so obviously Robert Pattinson."
But Jennifer S. says, "Robert is cute, but he is not a man. Give him 10 years, then maybe."
So Julie, come on. Is Johnny really sexier than vampire Edward, Robert Pattinson?
JORDAN: Well, I think that`s what I`ve meant. Robert Pattinson is enjoying that sensation, the mania, you know, when the career just starts out. And Johnny Depp experienced that as well.
The thing about Johnny is that his sexiness, his maturity - he`s kind of the complete package. And I guarantee you, Robert Pattinson - he is one to watch. And you know, if beyond Edward, he can be sexier in roles like Johnny has pulled off, then, you know, there`s no telling what Robert is capable of.
ANDERSON: Yes. Give him a little bit of time ...
JORDAN: A little bit of time, exactly.
ANDERSON: ... and he may have that broad appeal just like Johnny Depp.
ANDERSON: OK. Julie Jordan, it is always fun talking the sexiest man alive with you.
JORDAN: Most definitely.
ANDERSON: I appreciate it. Thanks.
JORDAN: Thanks, Brooke.
ANDERSON: And don`t forget to pick up the brand-new issue of "People" magazine, the sexiest man alive issue, when it hits newsstands everywhere this Friday.
So now, we want to get your take on it. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Johnny Depp: Do you agree he is the sexiest man alive?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us - the address is showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, who I think is pretty sexy? Don`t know if they made the list, though.
ANDERSON: Who`s that, A.J.?
HAMMER: The "Showbiz on Call" operators. In fact, I`ve got to tell you, I think they look especially hot right here when they are answering all those calls about Sarah Palin. We are getting so many after we told you about Sarah getting reality show offers. In fact, Kathy from Kansas loves the idea. Loves it.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KATHY, CALLER FROM KANSAS: Sarah on the cover of "Newsweek" with shorts - big deal. And she should do the reality show. The reality show would be a greater gig than the book, OK? I`d watch it. You know, I think it would be great. Sarah should do the reality show.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Kathy.
ANDERSON: But Ellie from Iowa says the reality is, she doesn`t want a Sarah Palin reality show.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ELLIE, CALLER FROM IOWA: I don`t feel like that she should be doing a reality show. We didn`t like her for vice president. So why would we want to watch her for a reality show? I think her true colors are really coming out with the interview with Barbara Walters. And I think that`s who she really is.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for your call, Ellie.
HAMMER: Keep in mind the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open.
ANDERSON: The number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; mark it down - 1-888-728-2899.
HAMMER: Tonight, big news breaking - the Michael Jackson suicide shocker. This is unbelievable. There`s a startling development as a major figure who caused big trouble for Jackson kills himself. Who was this person and what really happened?
And the unbelievable story of how Nicolas Cage may have blown through his entire fortune. I`m talking shocking reports today from the guy who used to handle Cage`s money. We`re talking 15 houses, 22 cars, even $1.5 million comic book collection.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): "Playgirl" figures its audience is about 60 percent gay. The print edition was actually discontinued about a year ago. And they are bringing it back with Levi Johnston is starring in the first issue in January.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, yes. We just showed you the very first pictures of Levi posing nude. Tonight, we are taking you inside the shoot. The secrets of the revealing shoot revealed. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela in an upcoming movie. Michael Jackson sequined glove from "Motown 25" 1983 to be auctioned off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: You might want to get our teeny tiny violin, because tonight, I can tell you Paris Hilton and her boyfriend - they got into a nasty fight, so nasty, actually, the police had to be called.
But before you go and grab your box of Kleenex, what is absolutely incredible is that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spoke with Paris just hours after this fight broke out and she couldn`t stop gushing about this guy.
TMZ reports that Paris and her man, Doug Reinhardt, got into a huge fight early today and the cops were called. The witness says he saw Paris and Doug shoving each other in her driveway.
Now, check out what Paris told us when we showed up at the launch for her brand-new hair and beauty line in Beverly Hills just before this all went down. We had to ask her what she just can`t live without.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, ACTRESS: I can`t live without my Blackberry, my boyfriend, my pets, my family and my best friends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, Paris. Well, she did put her Blackberry ahead of her boyfriend. Now, listen to what Paris told us when we asked her how she makes her relationship work. Really.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILTON: I think it`s just about staying true to yourself and not letting all of this get to your head. I always remain the same person I was since I was a little girl. And I keep people around me that I love and I trust. And I just don`t pay attention to any of the nonsense that`s around in this town.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: No, Paris, you don`t pay attention to any nonsense in Hollywood. That`s because you are the nonsense. By the way, late today, Paris told TMZ that it wasn`t her and her boyfriend who were fighting. It was Doug`s house guests. But eyewitnesses are disputing Paris` claim.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., what do you think? Would you ever watch a Paris Hilton talk show?
HAMMER: Wouldn`t miss a single show, Brooke. Not one.
ANDERSON: Well, that makes one of us. And our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans duking it out right now about whether Sarah Palin should get a talk show.
Stephanie R. writes this on our wall, "Sarah should get her own show. In her recent interviews, she seems far more sophisticated and intelligent than we know her to be."
But Leanne C. says, "No way. I don`t think she should be a talk show host with Levi in the picture. I think that she should focus on her family."
Sign up for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page and our Twitter entertainment news alerts at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The Michael Jackson suicide shocker. A startling development as a major figure who has caused big trouble for Jackson kills himself.
And a brand-new explosive Carrie Prejean porn war. Tonight, Carrie`s dramatic threat over her solo sex tape.
Also, the Ryan Seacrest and Robert Pattinson smack down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: What do you say to your fans who are desperate to know about you and your costar, Kristen? It`s his costar. It`s a fair question. I was cut off for the first time ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You have got to see what happened when Ryan asked if the "New Moon" star if he is dating costar Kristen Stewart. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Taylor Swift to create a line of greeting cards with American Greetings Corp. "The Wendy Williams Show" renewed through 2012.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a suicide shocker. A startling development as a major figure who caused big trouble for Michael Jackson kills himself. What really happened?
Carrie Prejean`s porn fight. The battle between the former beauty queen and the company that wants to release her solo sex tape. Can she stop the tape from getting out?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: What do you say to your fans who are desperate to know about you and your costar, Kristen? It`s his costar. It`s a fair question. I was cut off for the first time ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Ryan Seacrest-Robert Pattinson smack down. The explosive reaction when Ryan dared to ask the "New Moon" star if he`s dating Kristen Stewart.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, the Michael Jackson suicide shocker.
HAMMER: Yes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirmed today that the father of the young boy who was the first to publicly accuse Michael Jackson of sexual molestation has killed himself. More than 15 years after his son turned Michael Jackson`s life upside down, police say Evan Chandler put a gun to his head and committed suicide.
But why did he do it? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been digging to get to the bottom of this disturbing mystery which made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Just five months after Michael Jackson`s death, a major figure in Michael Jackson`s first major scandal has also met a tragic end. Police in New Jersey tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Evan Chandler, who accused Michael Jackson of molesting his 13-year-old son in 1993, was found dead in a Jersey City high-rise on November 5th. It`s an apparent suicide.
ALAN DUKE, CNN LOS ANGELES: The police say they found Mr. Chandler with no questions that it was a suicide. It was his own personal .38 caliber clutched in his hand and one gunshot wound to his head.
HAMMER: The shocking death of 65-year-old Evan Chandler was big news today with "The New York Post" declaring, "Jacko molest-rap dad kills himself." Now, the big question is why?
DUKE: There was no suicide note left according to the sources.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has obtained the police report where police say Chandler had been extremely ill and suffering from cancer. CNN`s Alan Duke tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT sources tell him that Chandler`s role in the Michael Jackson scandal left him despondent and fearful right up until the day he died.
DUKE: He still apparently feared for his life. And that`s why, they say, they think he had the .38 caliber pistol that he used to shoot himself there.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes you back to 1993 when Jackson was still a major music star. In the summer of that year, Chandler accused the pop star of molesting his 13-year-old son.
DUKE: Evan Chandler was a Beverly Hills dentist who, in 1993, said that he found out about the alleged molestation of his son - his 13-year-old son - when he was pulling his tooth, had him under anesthesia and that his son told him at that time that Michael Jackson had molested him.
HAMMER: The accusation exploded on to the front pages. Authorities searched Jackson`s Neverland Ranch for evidence.
MICHAEL JACKSON, POP SUPERSTAR: Don`t treat me like a criminal.
HAMMER: A defiant Jackson declared his innocence.
M. JACKSON: I am totally innocent of any wrongdoing and I know these terrible allegations will all be proven false.
HAMMER: Jackson eventually settled with the family for a reported $20 million. But things were never the same again for Jackson or his accuser`s family.
DUKE: In the years after the settlement, according to Evan Chandler`s brother, Ray, his brother was in fear for his life because of threats against him that they blamed on Michael Jackson fans.
We understand that Evan Chandler was estranged from most of his family and that he moved to Jersey City somewhat to escape that and was living in a high-rise luxury apartment in Jersey City. And that`s where he was found dead.
HAMMER: In another big Jackson development today, Janet Jackson is breaking her silence about Michael`s drug use.
ROBIN ROBERTS, CO-HOST, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": Was Michael in denial?
JANET JACKSON, POP STAR AND MICHAEL JACKSON`S SISTER: I wish he could answer this question for you and not me.
HAMMER: This morning on "Good Morning America" Michael`s famous sister Janet publicly acknowledged for the very first time the Jackson family tried an intervention to help Michael kick his drug problem. She spoke with ABC`s Robin Roberts.
ROBERTS: How did he react to the intervention that you all conducted?
J. JACKSON: How do I say this? He understood that it was out of love, because of caring. But when it`s something like that, people continue to be in denial.
HAMMER: So with Janet`s new revelations and the shocking news about the suicide, clearly, the aftershock of Michael Jackson`s death are far from over.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: In the past, Ray Chandler, who is the brother of Evan Chandler, has spoken to CNN about the problems Evan had faced in the years after molestation case. So far, Ray Chandler has not responded to CNN`s calls for comment about his brother`s apparent suicide.
ANDERSON: Tonight`s Prejean`s porn fight. The war is on between conservative beauty queen Carrie Prejean and a porn company that wants to sell her solo sex tape. It is just one of the stories that made for news breaking today.
Carrie Prejean is now threatening to sue the porn company, Vivid Entertainment, because they won`t take no for an answer. The company reportedly offered the beauty queen millions for her solo sex tape, but Prejean said, no way. Now, Carrie`s lawyers are saying they will sue Vivid if they sell her solo sex tape anyway.
And speaking of lawsuits, even more bad news breaking today for Jon Gosselin. He is being threatened with another lawsuit for breach of contract today, only this one has nothing to do with TLC, the company who produces his family reality show or soon to be ex-wife, Kate. Jon`s other ex, Kate Major, says she may sue Jon for this alleged handwritten agreement between them.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Hyla, who is an entertainment journalist with "5DollarPrep.com." And from New York, Megan Alexander who is a correspondent with "Inside Edition."
Hyla, Megan, I want to begin with the brand-new war of words between Carrie Prejean`s lawyers and the porn company. Now, Vivid Entertainment offered Carrie millions of dollars for her solo sex tape and she said no way and that she`ll sue to stop them.
Megan, why do you think this porn company won`t take no for an answer? It seems like they are just badgering her.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Yes, Brooke, the fact that Carrie is talking about this and battling this and not talking about her book shows you just how much she has truly fallen.
Obviously, she wants to keep those tapes under wraps and I say "tapes" because there are rumors now that there are several of them. I think it`s something she`s going to be battling for a very long time now.
And it`s really too bad, but these are the consequences that come from not being honest in the first place about all this.
ANDERSON: Take a look at what Vivid Entertainment told us today, quote, "Last week, we obtained the sex tape made by Carrie Prejean. She is a beautiful woman and we believe that a movie based on this footage could be the bestselling celebrity sex title of all time. We`ve reached out to her several times and look forward to speaking to her about her options and getting started on a business deal with her."
Now, Carrie`s lawyers told us today they are not commenting. Hyla, do you think that this porn company will try to release it without her approval anyway?
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT, "5DOLLARPREP.COM": It all depends on how much money they can make. I mean if it`s going to turn a profit even if they get sued, then, yes, sure. I mean, from their perspective, this is a good idea.
I don`t necessarily feel bad for Carrie Prejean either. She made these sex tapes. She`s responsible for it. If she didn`t want it out there, she shouldn`t have done it.
And I wouldn`t be surprised. There is a lot of speculation going on out there that the timing of the release of the sex tapes coincides with her book. So to me, this is one big grand thing for her that is actually benefiting her. It`s keeping her name in the press.
ANDERSON: Oh, yes. A lot of questions surrounding it though I think it would be super-slimy if this company released the tape anyway although we are talking about a porn company so it might be par for the course.
I want to move now to Jon Gosselin`s brand-new legal problems. Kate Major, who says she was Jon`s girlfriend after he broke up with his wife, Kate, is threatening to sue him over breach of contract.
"Radar Online" posted the alleged contract between Jon and Kate on their Web site today. It reads in part, "I, Kate Major, will run any media inquiries past John Gosselin before doing on air or print work. I, Kate Major, will not make any negative or disparaging remarks. Jon and I will not comment publicly about our relationship."
Well, Jon reportedly scribbled his end of the deal to Kate as well. It read, "I, Jon Gosselin, will employ Kate major as a personal assistant. She will be a subcontractor. She will receive a percentage of accounts for payment based upon involvement."
Megan, if this whole thing is real, does Jon Gosselin have another big problem on his hands here?
ALEXANDER: I think he does, Brooke. The fact that it was scribbled just shows how chaotic this man`s lifestyle is that he is trying to capitalize at any moment on anything going on in this media circus around him.
And it shows you that Kate Major was naive enough to sign it, too. It shows both of them were lying about the relationship and that he, you know, in the first place, denied it. So he`s got big problems, I think.
HYLA: The biggest problem - who signs a contract on a piece of paper? What is that?
ANDERSON: It reminds me of that whole Steven Spielberg-Amy Irving pre-nups scribbled on paper. He ended up having to pay her like $100 million.
But I want to get to these guys. In a brand-new statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just hours ago, Jon`s attorney firing back at Kate Major telling us, "Kate Major apparently believes that Jon Gosselin is her Obama stimulus package. The note, which I highly doubt was ever written by Jon Gosselin, holds as much legal water as a six-inch bucket with a nine-inch hole in the bottom. Bring it on. We`re ready."
Jon`s attorney pretty funny there. But Hyla, very quickly, does it seem to you that Jon really wrote this thing up?
HYLA: I wouldn`t be surprised. The guy is a scumbag. He comes up with the craziest ideas in the world. This is balloon boy status right here. Who writes a contract on a piece of paper?
ANDERSON: Very good question. We`ll leave it there. Hyla, Megan Alexander, thanks.
HAMMER: Tonight, it`s the Ryan Seacrest-Robert Pattinson smack down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: What do you say to your fans who are desperate to know about you and your costar, Kristen? It`s his costar. It`s a fair question. I was cut off for the first time ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The explosive question when Ryan dared to ask the "New Moon" star if he`s dating Kristen Stewart. Shame on him.
Did Nicolas Cage spend himself into the poor house? Outrageous reports today from his former financial advisor - 15 houses, 22 cars, a $1.5 million comic book collection.
Also, Levi Johnston in "Playgirl" -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): "Playgirl" figures its audience is about 60 percent gay. The print edition was actually discontinued about a year ago and they are bringing it back with Levi Johnston starring in the first issue in January.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The first photos are starting to circulate. But does Levi bare all? And what does Sarah Palin think? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Nicole Richie hospitalized in Los Angeles with pneumonia. "New Moon" accounting for 94 percent of ticket sales on "Fandango.com."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
And tonight, the Ryan Seacrest-Robert Pattinson smack down. Why did the "Twilight" star walk out on Ryan during an interview? The video is just in today. It is remarkable.
At the big Hollywood premiere of "Twilight Saga: New Moon," Robert Pattinson was having a nice conversation right there on Ryan Seacrest`s radio show when Robert`s publicist bared her fangs and shot the interview down. You have got to see what Ryan said that cause this major ruckus.
Also just in today, brand-new details about how Nicolas Cage lost his fortune - talking tens of millions of dollars. I can hardly believe all of what Nick bought.
Joining us tonight in Hollywood is Hyla who is an entertainment journalist for "5DollarPrep.com." In New York, Megan Alexander who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
All right. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there on the "Twilight" red carpet where Ryan Seacrest had set up his radio show. The tabloids have been going crazy over all these reports that Robert Pattinson and his "Twilight" costar Kristen Stewart are romantically involved.
Well, I`ve got to have you watch what happened when Ryan asked him about it and his publicist shut it all down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEACREST: What do you say to your fans who are desperate to know about you and your costar, Kristen? What can you tell them? What can you tell them about it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sorry, got to run. Let`s go. Sorry, guys. SEACREST: We can`t ask that question? You can`t ask that question to the guy? It`s his costar. It`s a fair question. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on. We`re talking about the movie today.
SEACREST: I was cut off for the first time ever.
ROBERT PATTINSON, ACTOR: The thing that I can say to you is watch "New Moon." It`s amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Hyla, let me roll this to you first. It seems absurd to me. I mean, obviously, Robert is a big boy. Was it ridiculous that he was not allowed to answer a simple question that, quite frankly, millions of his fans want an answer?
HYLA: It`s a ridiculous response. And it`s not Robert`s fault. It`s the publicist`s fault. You see her in the background wrapping it up. The way Ryan phrased the question, he could have answered it in a way that didn`t necessarily talk about his personal relationship with Kristen Stewart.
He could have said we love milk shakes. Either his publicist is really good or really bad at her job. Because either way, what she did made the whole situation bigger, makes us talking about it as if you were just blowing it off. So I don`t know what this publicist is trying to accomplish. I give her the benefit of the doubt and say she knew what she was doing, knowing this should generate more press.
HAMMER: I don`t know about that. It doesn`t look too good. And quite frankly, you know, Ryan is not going to be all that happy with having her clients on his show in the future.
And as you said, certainly, there graceful ways to avoid answering questions even if personal questions are sometimes off limits.
Megan, it`s not like Pattinson hasn`t been asked this question already a million times before. And you know, to diss Ryan on his show really seems like a bad move to me. Don`t you agree?
ALEXANDER: I agree. I actually don`t think Rob did that bad. I thought he still showed that British charm. He gave a quick plug to his movie. He was smiling. He didn`t throw his hands. It could have been a lot worse.
But I agree with Hyla. The publicist - she knows these questions are coming and he should have a prepared response, maybe a sentence or two, a way that will keep the audience enticed and satisfy the interviewer without giving too much away.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: I think it could have been handled better.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Yes, Hyla.
HYLA: As big as Rob Pattinson is and "Twilight," Ryan Seacrest is Mr. Pop Culture. He is Mr. Hollywood. The guy has been around for 10 years. And he`s going to be around another 10 years. Not a smart move on the publicist`s part.
HAMMER: And this is a big time publicist here. You know, not somebody who is new at the job any stretch.
HYLA: Yes.
HAMMER: Moving on now, another breaking story just in today. Nick Cage`s spectacular spending spree. Now, Nicolas Cage sued his manager, Sam Levin, last month claiming he mismanaged Cage`s money.
Well, now, Levin has filed really what I think is a spectacular counter-complaint claiming that Cage spent himself into the poor house.
Look at this. He claims that just last year, Cage owned 15 palatial homes, four yachts, an island in the Bahamas and a Gulfstream jet.
Now, I want to you look at some photos we found of the palatial estate. This comes from "Luxist.com." Hyla, if the claims are true, I am guessing Nicolas Cage will get zero sympathy from the public for blowing the fortune.
HYLA: First, I want to say I`m the wrong person for this segment because I have negative dollars in my account. This is not something I can relate to very well. But you know what? Nicolas Cage really didn`t do anything different than half the country did.
And the reason why we are in a recession. The problem is we did it with maybe one more car we shouldn`t have bought or a house - an extension to our house. He did it with four yachts. So it`s on a much bigger scale, but it`s no different than what everyone else kind of did.
HAMMER: Yes. I have a feeling he has a lot of fans. He`s made a lot of money. But at the same time, I don`t think he`ll be getting a whole lot of pity.
And Hyla, by the way, not for nothing, I would have thought "5DollarPrep.com," you would have at least $5 in the bank. Hyla, Megan Alexander, thanks so much.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Ryan O`Neal says he wasn`t surprised at all to be left out of Farrah Fawcett`s will. Fawcett died from cancer in June at the age of 62. In her will, she reportedly left everything to her son, Redmond and nothing to O`Neal. In a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, O`Neal says he and Farrah decided that together.
He said, quote, "After discussing how her financial affairs would be handled in the event of her passing, we agreed that our son Redmond would be the primary beneficiary of her estate. These were Farrah`s wishes and I am perfectly happy with them. I sincerely hope that everyone will remember and celebrate the legacy that Farrah left behind, and will now let her rest in peace."
HAMMER: Well, Levi Johnston is making "Playgirl" history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): "Playgirl" figures its audience is about 60 percent gay. The print edition was actually discontinued about a year ago. And they`re bringing it back with Levi Johnston starring in the first issue in January.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The first pictures of Levi in "Playgirl." They are starting to make the rounds. But everybody wants to know, does Levi bear all? And what does Sarah Palin think? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Let`s roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom. They`re making news right now.
TEXT: Roman Polanski could find out soon if he`ll be released on bail from a Swiss jail. Heather Locklear`s appearance on "Melrose Place" gives show small ratings boost.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Hey, I know you are excited. The first photos are starting to go around of Levi Johnston`s "Playgirl" shoot. And as it turns out, he did not bare all for the pictures. But is that good news or bad news? I guess it depends on how you look at it or whether or not you`re going to look at all. I think it is safe to say one person who definitely will not be checking out the photo spread is Sarah Palin.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: He is gone from a page in history to the pages of "Playgirl."
(on camera): There is actually going be a pullout centerfold of Levi.
DANIEL NARDICIO, "PLAYGIRL MARKETING DIRECTOR": Yes. Yes. October.
JOHNSTON: Welcome to my photo shoot.
MOOS (voice-over): "Entertainment Tonight" paid for exclusive rights to shoot Levi Johnston`s "Playgirl" photo shoot.
JOHNSTON: I am taking it off.
MOOS: But not all of it.
(on camera): Full frontal, half frontal, quarter frontal - what frontal is it?
NARDICIO: We have sort of well placed objects in front of the frontal. There`s like hockey sticks, shirts -
MOOS (voice-over): The first photo, released on "Playgirl`s" Web site was a demure one from the obligatory shower scene. Levi`s almost mother-in-law told Oprah there is a name for this.
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I call it porn.
MOOS: Yes. But blogs complained it was a tease. The Web site "Gawker" reacted with mock dismay. "Playgirl" says at the last minute Levi insisted on a clause in the contract excluding full frontal nudity. How big has this story become?
NARDICIO: The "New York Times" called me saying, "So, how big is he?"
MOOS (on camera): "Playgirl" figures its audience is about 60 percent gay. The print edition was actually discontinued about a year ago. And they are bringing it back with Levi Johnston starring in the first issue in January.
PALIN: I hear he goes by the name Ricky Hollywood now.
NARDICIO: I took him out multiple times. He didn`t drink. You know, he really had his head on straight. He really sees this as business. It is about his son.
MOOS (voice-over): Meanwhile, critics of Sarah Palin went about the business of dissecting her latest interviews looking for inconsistencies. For instance, when Oprah asked who she consulted when John McCain asked her to be his V.P.
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": Was there a family vote or discussion?
PALIN: This time, there wasn`t a family vote.
MOOS: That is not what she told Sean Hannity back then.
PALIN: It was the time of asking the girls to vote on it anyway. And they voted unanimously yes.
MOOS: Sounds like a full frontal contradiction.
PALIN: This time there was not a family vote. It was a time of asking the girls to vote.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: My eyes. My eyes. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: On Tuesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we did get those final results - "Sarah Versus Levi: Who is winning the war of words." Pretty close here. Forty- seven percent of you say Sarah Palin. Fifty-three percent say Levi.
Here are some of the E-mails. Drew from Georgia says, "Wouldn`t Palin need to understand how to articulate coherent sentences in order to win a word war with Levi?"
John from Delaware, "Neither Sarah Palin nor Levi is winning their war of words. It`s obvious that neither of them is being completely truthful." Thanks for your E-mails.
HAMMER: That is it for us tonight. We thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
