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Showbiz Tonight
Jaycee Dugard Revealed; Are Michael Jackson`s Kids in Danger?; Is Jon Gosselin Posing Nude?; Sean Penn`s Death Wish for His Critics; Mo`Nique`s Open Marriage
Aired March 05, 2010 - 230:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Jaycee Dugard revealed. For the very first time today, the woman who was kidnapped and held captive for 18 years is revealed on television.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAYCEE LEE DUGARD, KIDNAPPING VICTIM: Hi. I`m Jaycee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the brand-new revelations about Jaycee and her life now after the nightmare of being held captive and sexually abused for 18 years.
Are Michael Jackson`s kids in danger? Startling reports today about an investigation. The mother of Prince and Paris worried. Jermaine Jackson`s revelations today about his young son and a stun gun. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates, what`s going on with Michael`s kids?
And Jon Gosselin posing nude? Gosselin finally reveals whether he is going to take it all off for "Playgirl."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: 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, Jaycee Dugard after the nightmare.
Just a short time ago, tonight on ABC, the nation watched something truly incredible. We saw the very first video of Jaycee Dugard since she was rescued from an 18-year-long kidnapping and sexual assault nightmare.
The remarkable video just seen tonight on the ABC show "20/20" is our first glimpse at the woman who was kidnapped as a young girl and then forced to live a life that was completely unimaginable.
Yet, she survived it all. And it is her story after the nightmare that made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
J. DUGARD: Hi. I`m Jaycee.
ANDERSON (voice-over): You have just heard the first public words from a brave young woman recovering from an unspeakable ordeal and from her mother, now reconnecting with the daughter she`d once feared was lost forever.
TERRY PROBYN, JAYCEE LEE DUGARD`S MOTHER: It is my desire to share our miracle with the world, but it must be done on our terms.
ANDERSON: ABC News today aired the very first video we`ve seen of Jaycee Dugard since she was rescued last summer from the creepy sex offender who allegedly kidnapped her when she was a little girl and held her in his secret backyard prison for 18 years.
In the ABC video shown tonight on "20/20" and this morning on "Good Morning America," we get a heartwarming new image of Jaycee, now 29 years old. She`s laughing and making Christmas cookies with her half-sister and her mother, Terry Probyn.
The last time we saw her mother on camera was 18 years ago when she pleaded for her kidnapped little girl`s safe return.
T. PROBYN: Jaycee, if you hear mommy, I love you and I want you to come home tonight.
ANDERSON: Now, Jaycee`s mom is appearing on TV once again to plead on behalf of her daughter, asking America to let her family heal in peace.
T. PROBYN: As a mother, I am praying for our privacy in this very public story.
ALICIA QUARLES, REPORTER, ASSOCIATED PRESS: This video really speaks to the power of love. My heart really warmed up to see Jaycee so happy after everything that she`s been through.
ANDERSON: Jaycee was a fresh-faced 11-year-old when she was kidnapped right in front of her family`s California home back in 1991. Her disappearance was featured on the TV show, "America`s Most Wanted."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you seen Jaycee Lee Dugard?
ANDERSON: Desperate efforts to find Jaycee failed and she found herself in a horrifying situation, held captive by her alleged kidnappers, convicted sex offender Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy.
QUARLES: Allegedly, they held her behind their house, where she was repeatedly raped.
ANDERSON: Jaycee gave birth to two daughters officials say were fathered by Garrido. She raised them alone in the hidden series of sheds and tents behind her captors` home.
QUARLES: Jaycee only had a sixth grade education, yet she taught herself. And not only did she teach herself, she taught her two daughters in this ramshackle shack behind her captors` house. She`s now working to get her GED. From there, she wants to go to college. She`s just getting birth certificates for her daughters.
ANDERSON: Today, Garrido and his wife are awaiting trial on various kidnapping and rape charges. The Garridos are pleading not guilty. But Jaycee reportedly is prepared to testify against them.
J. DUGARD: Hi, I`m Jaycee.
ANDERSON: And tonight on ABC, we saw Jaycee reconnecting with the family and the outside world she`d been kept from for so long.
QUARLES: They`re all living with her mother at an undisclosed location.
ANDERSON: Jaycee`s mother explains why her family is giving America this intimate peek into their private world.
T. PROBYN: We released this video so that you can see that we are happy and well. And when we have more to share, we will.
ANDERSON: Meanwhile, Jaycee Dugard`s story continues to inspire.
QUARLES: to see her soldiering on, to see her laughing, to see her cooking with her family - if she can get through these things, we can get through the small things in our lives.
J. DUGARD: Hi. I`m Jaycee.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Published reports say ABC paid Jaycee Dugard`s family in the low six figures for their home video. When contacted by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, ABC acknowledged licensing the footage, but would not confirm how much the network paid for it.
HAMMER: Wow, such an amazing transformation this whole family has made during such a terrible ordeal. Jaycee`s mom clearly pleading for more privacy so her family can continue to heal in private.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood is Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist. Also in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Well, clearly, guys, Jaycee`s mom has had a pretty tough time protecting Jaycee`s privacy since she was reuniting with her family. Carlos, now that we`ve seen this video, are you with me that everybody should just leave the family alone and let them be at this point?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes. I`m completely with you on that one, A.J. I hope that they do in this situation. Hopefully, it`s a situation where the appetite has been fed now.
We`ve seen video. We`ve seen what she`s like. By the way, that whole licensing fee by ABC - hey, you know what? Give her seven figures. Give her eight figures. Give her what you want because she deserves everything that she can get after the hellish ordeal that she was in.
But you know what? This was a situation where this story one of the most horrific stories in the last 12 months. And it`s so heartwarming to see her doing as well she is doing right now.
HAMMER: Yes. But still imagine a lifetime of healing that`s ahead. Good for her, though.
HAMMER: Well, let`s move on from that story to the other big news that`s breaking today. This involves Michael Jackson`s kids. And Big questions tonight about whether they are in real danger.
Now, this all started when Jermaine Jackson`s 13-year-old son, Jafar, got a stun gun. Apparently, he bought it online. The gun was delivered to Katherine Jackson`s home where, of course, Michael Jackson`s three children live.
Well, the plot thickens. We learned today that L.A. County Child Services may have made as many as three visits to the home after the stun gun incident. For the very first time in a brand-new interview, Jermaine Jackson is now speaking out about the incident.
And Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael`s two oldest kids, Paris and Prince, is also speaking out in brand-new interview today. I can tell you she is worried especially after hearing reports that the stun gun was aimed at Michael`s youngest son, Blanket. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you not know about the stun gun incident?
DEBBIE ROWE, MOTHER OF PRINCE AND PARIS JACKSON: I don`t know the specifics about anything.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not even about the stun incident or anything?
ROWE: Well, yes, that`s been reported. But I don`t know any details about anything. So I can`t really comment on anything.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, are you allowed to contact your kids?
ROWE: Of course, I`m worried about my kids. Why would I not be worried about a child?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, over and above anything else.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, she is the mother of the children.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you worried as a general relative or are you worried as a -
ROWE: Yes, it`s their brother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, even though Katherine Jackson`s attorney told CNN the gun was never aimed at Blanket, Tanika, it seems to me there really might be some good reason to be concerned here. I mean, come on.
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes, it`s a little weird. Anytime you have the word "gun" involved with children around, you`ve got to kind of pull back a little bit. It is a really bizarre circumstance. It`s kind of a non-story, but maybe people can learn from this.
You know, Jermaine was on German television saying that it was all about much ado about nothing and that his son was buying him a little thing for Jermaine. And I`m like, why does Jermaine need a stun gun? Like, what are you talking about?
So there was a lot more to this story and I think it`s just bizarre and we should just leave it alone and let them figure it out. But maybe Katherine needs to spank Jermaine one good time.
HAMMER: Well, this is a brand-new interview with Dutch TV you`re referring to that was seen today. Let me read to you exactly what Jermaine said about the whole thing.
"There was no accident. That was my son. He was getting a little thing for me and somehow someone alerted the press and it got out of hand. There was no encounter with Blanket or anything. My son feels very, very bad because he had told me he was going to get me something online. Somehow, it just got out of hand." OK -
RAY: Weird.
HAMMER: Carlos, Jermaine says his son was getting a little thing for him - stun gun. What son buys their dad a stun gun? And I`m talking about a 13- year-old kid here.
RAY: Give it to him, Carlos.
DIAZ: A.J., now, hold on. I`m calling my nine-year-old nephew right now. I need some nunchakus, if you could, some Chinese stars. Some mace would be good as well.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Carlos, you summed it up right there, so let`s just stop right there. I think we all know how we feel about this. Carlos Diaz, Tanika Ray, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: Jon Gosselin posing nude? Oh, my. Jon reveals today whether he`s really going to take it all off for "Playgirl." We actually heard from Jon`s people directly from this. But personally, I hope he keeps all of his clothes on.
Wow, is Sean Penn going on a rampage or what? Why Mr. Temper Temper says today that his critics should die of rectal cancer. Dude, whatever`s bugging you, can it really be that bad? That is so provocative.
Hey. What a great segue, though, to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT naming the most provocative celebrity of week tonight. Sarah Palin, going rogue and reportedly working on a reality show. Jessica Simpson for slamming John Mayer on "Oprah" for his sex and tell-all about her. Or Naomi "keep anything throwable out of her reach" Campbell and her reportedly smacking someone around again. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Yoko Ono slammed for allowing old John Lennon footage to be used in Citroen car ad. Oscar nominees Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon to present Oscar Awards.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA KENDRICK, ACTRESS: How can you not think about that? How does it not even cross your mind that you might want a future with someone?
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: It`s simple. You know that moment when you look into somebody`s eyes and you can feel them staring into your soul and the whole world goes quiet just for a second?
KENDRICK: Yes.
CLOONEY: Right. Well, I don`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, both up for Oscars for "Up in the Air." Let me tell you, their characters spent some serious time on planes and in airports so I know they don`t have time for someone else, let alone themselves.
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. And now, the SHOWBIZ "Road to Gold."
HAMMER: Brooke, I think you`re with me. "Up in the Air," just a great movie. It`s nominated for Best Picture. It should be, too. And in the movie, George Clooney`s character runs up about a gazillion frequent flier miles, which really got me wondering - are there really people like this in real life, Brooke?
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., tonight, I can tell you there are people like this. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): George Clooney is the 10 million-mile man in the Oscar-nominated film, "Up in the Air," a frequent flier whose life is one long business trip.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god. I wasn`t sure this actually existed.
CLOONEY: It`s a concierge key, yes. I was pretty excited today about that before it came in.
WYNTER: Hard to imagine, but some people actually live this hectic lifestyle and love it.
JENNIFER MOODY, FREQUENT FLYER: This would be my executive platinum card that I have here.
WYNTER: We`re talking serious air mileage.
MOODY: This is earned by flying 100,000 miles a year.
WYNTER: That, for some, comes with big rewards. Business traveler Jennifer Moody has her own precious piece of plastic.
MOODY: It`s fairly cherished considering how much sweat equity I have to put into earning it.
WYNTER: The health care consultant who travels the world advising medical facilities says her life is up in the air.
MOODY: It`s funny, when the movie first came out, my friends would go see it, and then they`d call me and say, "You`re not going to believe this, but they made a movie, and George Clooney is starring as you."
It`s in my blood, it`s my life, and it`s something that I can`t imagine not doing - racking up miles.
WYNTER: More than 200,000 last year alone. That was just for work. This year, she hopes to fly past the three-million-mile mark.
(on camera): This is one of the many perks that comes with being a frequent flyer.
MOODY: Absolutely. Massage chairs in some airports. Even showers.
WYNTER (voice-over): Also private bars, comfy lounges, even nurseries. Forget waiting in long airport lines, fighting for seats at cramped airport gates. The life of an ultimate frequent flyer means access to elite airport clubs like this one at LAX at a discount.
(on camera): So you`re going to be boarding in a couple hours. We`re going to give you a little quality time.
MOODY: Thanks.
WYNTER (voice-over): She needs it after her last trip that included stops in Miami, London, Chicago and L.A., all in one week. Moody says she wouldn`t have it any other way, and feels for Clooney, who gets grounded in the film when his company cuts back on travel.
CLOONEY: They`re pulling us off the road. We`re going home.
MOODY: I think I might be devastated, too. For me, it`s my routine, and so being home is a little bit of a disruption.
WYNTER: At 38, she`s single and admits there`s a downside to the lifestyle.
MOODY: It`s very hard to establish relationships. Friendships, I have to work at.
WYNTER: But has no intention of touching down. Her next stop, Vegas. First class, of course.
MOODY: Finally, now I can relax. This is my life, up in the air.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And that was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. OK, as A.J. told you, "Up in the Air" is up for a whole bunch of Oscars. George Clooney for Best Actor, Vera Farmiga, Best Supporting Actress, Anna Kendrick, also for Best Supporting Actress.
"Up in the Air" is one of 10 Best Picture nominees. George Clooney, a household name, of course. Anna Kendrick, though, definitely not. So who is Anna Kendrick. Once again, here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KENDRICK: Isn`t 10 million just a number?
CLOONEY: Pi is just a number.
WYNTER: Anna Kendrick knows about numbers. At 12, she was the third youngest person ever nominated for a Tony Award for the musical "High Society." Now, at 24, she`s a supporting actress Oscar nominee for playing George Clooney`s uptight yet endearing tagalong in Jason Reitman`s "Up in the Air."
KENDRICK: It`s great but it doesn`t force the message down throat. And it just makes you think about your life and what you want in your life.
ANDERSON: Best known for starring with Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the "Twilight" movies -
KENDRICK: Oh, you`re an adrenaline junkie now?
WYNTER: Kendrick began pursuing her acting dream when she was 10. She and her 12-year-old brother would take a six-hour bus ride from Maine to New York for auditions. A bold move for a little girl who would catch her first two film breaks in 2003`s "Camp" and 2007`s "Rocket Science."
KENDRICK: I`m trying to say thank you. I thought you might be stuck trying to say thank you. You`re welcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It must be quite a life. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Brooke and I, of course, are going to be live right there at the Oscars on Sunday night. Always very exciting, Brooke, and I can`t way to be there with you.
ANDERSON: I can`t wait to see you, A.J. I`m looking forward to two very special live editions of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with you on Sunday. It is the SHOWBIZ "Road to Gold," 7:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN, then at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on HLN.
HAMMER: All right. I`m thinking if they were awarding an Oscar for most shocking secret about an Oscar nominee. Hands down, that would have to go to Mo`Nique. Wait until you see her brand-new interview today about her open marriage.
Am I reading this right? The guy Naomi Campbell allegedly just smacked upside the head is now apologizing to her today?
And bad, bad news for Charlie Sheen today. I`ve got to tell you I think his chances of heading to prison for allegedly threatening to kill his wife just went up big time. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: ABC moving forward with new series: "Dancing with the Stars" on ice! New "Dancing with the Stars" co-host to be revealed on Monday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Yes, Barbara Walters says bye-bye to her Oscar specials. And tonight, she`s revealing to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT why she`s quitting them.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there as Barbara taped her very last Oscar special. After nearly three decades, her last one will air this Sunday. We had to ask her, why is she packing it in after all this time?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, HOST, OSCAR SPECIALS: Over the years of the Oscar specials, the stars opened up to us. These were interviews in depth. You really got to know them, as I think you will this year with Sandra Bullock and Mo`Nique.
But now we see movie stars everywhere on every show. And reality shows - they`re celebrities in two minutes. So it`s just different. And that`s one of the reasons that I wanted to stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, get this. At first, getting access to the stars wasn`t easy for Barbara. The Academy actually refused to let her interview the nominees. According to Barbara, the academy said her Oscar show would be too distracting for the actual Oscar show.
It wasn`t until 1988 that Barbara got her first chance to interview the nominees. And today, Barbara is sharing some of her most special moments with us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: Do you think that you deserve to win for "Fatal Attraction." I know that`s a terrible question, but -
GLENN CLOSE, ACTRESS: I don`t think it`s a terrible question, because I think I do deserve to win.
WALTERS: Well, maybe, but she didn`t. The award went to our other guest who was nominated for "Moonstruck," Cher.
CHER, SINGER AND ACTRESS: It`s not enough to be nominated. I think that`s (EXPLETIVE DELETED). You must win one time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The one celebrity interview Barbara said she just hated, interviewing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She says, never again.
HAMMER: All right. The news of Sarah Palin going Hollywood is really firing up our Facebook fans right now. I just checked our wall. As a matter of fact, so many of you writing in about a reported Sarah Palin reality show in the works.
Wlepla has a great theory, saying, "The show will be the guide to making the best moose stew, killing wolves, and hanging out at that turkey slaughter place. Oh, I forgot - maybe the cameras will show us if she really can see Russia from her house."
But Robin W. is pulling for Palin, "I love Sarah, good for her. If Kate is going to dance on `Dancing with the Stars,` Sarah can have her own show."
We`d love for you to become our fan on Facebook. You can also join us on Twitter to get breaking entertainment news alerts. And you can call us at "Showbiz on Call." There`s always E-mail, of course.
It`s "Showbiz Connects," right there on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: And now, here`s the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Is Jon Gosselin finally taking off those Ed Hardy t-shirts and possibly a whole lot more? New today, Jon Gosselin tell us if he`s posing for "Playgirl."
Shocking new outrage today over Sean Penn. Get this - why he says he wishes his critics die of rectal cancer.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Grey`s Anatomy" star Eric Dane and wife Rebecca Gayheart welcome a baby girl. Revenge of the `80s! Remakes of "Police Academy" and "Pet Sematary" in the works.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jon Gosselin posing for "Playgirl?" Jon tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT today if he`s really going to take it all off.
Just in today, Sean Penn`s death-wish rant. Details about who Sean wants to die a slow, painful death for talking smack about his personal Haiti mission.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Sarah Palin for reports she`s shopping a reality show? Jessica Simpson for her John Mayer sex-and-tell slam on Oprah? Or Naomi Campbell for allegedly hitting her driver?
Plus, more stories breaking from the SHOWBIZ News Ticker.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, is Jon Gosselin posing for "Playgirl?" A.J., say it ain`t so.
HAMMER: Please, say it ain`t so. Brooke, "Playgirl" offered Jon Gosselin a bargain basement price to pose in their magazine. And how Jon responded today to their offer, it made for big news breaking today.
Yes, "Playgirl" offered Jon Gosselin $20,000 to pose naked. I know, cringe-worthy, right? The best part, they totally low-balled him. Sarah Palin`s nemesis Levi Johnston got $100,000. So the big question today - will Jon Gosselin accept their measly offer?
Also breaking today, Naomi Campbell`s limo driver is now taking back his accusations that she smacked him upside the head. One day he says, Naomi roughed him up. Today, he says, "I overreacted. I`m sorry." What`s up with that?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist. Tonight, in New York, is Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
Well, one thing is for certain - Jon Gosselin will never be described as sexual napalm.
RAY: No!
HAMMER: I think we can all agree on that. That is because "Playgirl" really made it official by offering Jon Gosselin to take it all off for the camera. But they say - and I love this - they`re doing it for the novelty of it, not because it`s going to be hot.
Check out what "Playgirl`s" spokesperson said as read by a new addition we`d like to introduce to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - it`s SHOWBIZ Quote Guy. Take it away, SHOWBIZ Quote Guy.
SHOWBIZ QUOTE GUY: Thanks, A.J. The "Playgirl" spokesman said, and I quote, "I said maybe $20,000. Maybe for the novelty factor. No offense, but I don`t think Jon is that attractive. People aren`t going to be like, "Oh, it`s going to be a hot shoot."
HAMMER: Thank you, "SHOWBIZ Quote Guy." Now, late today - yes, I know - Jon Gosselin`s rep did tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, no, he`s not doing it. Tanika, I think we all collectively say, good, because quite frankly, he`s already as overexposed as he needs to be.
RAY: Oh, I`m totally gagging right now. The thing I love about this the most, I`ve been reading all over the blogs that apparently he was offered $10,000 per inch.
HAMMER: OK, all right.
HAMMER: Yes, $20,000 does not add up to a whole lot. Now, check this out. We know that Levi Johnston had the "Playgirl" deal where he was on the cover with the magazine. They paid him a reported $100,000.
There`s the cover. Jon tweeted today that "Playgirl" never even offered him anything. In fact, he said in his tweet, "By all means, I am not doing `Playgirl.` I have no intentions on doing it whatsoever. No one ever contacted my reps or myself."
Now, Ben Widdicombe, looking at it, oh, somehow from a different perspective, I`m thinking, not that anybody wants to see it, but maybe he should reconsider, because quite frankly, what else does he have going on. And he does have child support payments, right?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, you know, I don`t think there`s a lot of public curiosity to see where else Jon might have had hair plugs. But you know, he could probably use the $20,000.
Listen, as he said, no one actually offered him any money. It`s "Playgirl" trying to get some publicity. By the way, my information is that they paid Levi much less than $100,000. And they`re happy to let that figure keep floating out there, but it`s not actually true.
HAMMER: OK.
WIDDICOMBE: Frankly -
RAY: He didn`t even show anything. It was not worth that much money.
WIDDICOMBE: Jon Gosselin has said that he`s too famous to get a job like regular people, so maybe he should think about gigs like this, because they`re the only people offering him anything.
RAY: Wow.
HAMMER: OK. Would anybody be upset if moved on right now. Jay, would go get me some Purell, please? Thank you. Let us move on to another explosive new story making big news today. Naomi Campbell`s limo driver apologizes and claims he was overreacting.
Yes. Just a few days ago - you remember this - he accused the hot- headed model of losing it and beating him up. Today he said, oops, my bad. The SHOWBIZ Quote Guy has exactly what he said.
SHOWBIZ QUOTE GUY: A.J., Naomi`s liver driver says, quote, "On March 2nd, I had an argument with Naomi Campbell. I got angry and overreacted. It was a misunderstanding and I regret involving the police. This whole thing has been blown out of proportion and I apologize to Ms. Campbell for causing that to happen."
HAMMER: All right. Thank you again, SHOWBIZ Quote Guy. So let me get this straight. The limo driver called police saying Naomi Campbell pulled a Naomi Campbell on him and now, he regrets how big the whole story got.
I mean, come on. Tanika, I`m thinking, look, something stinks here and the conspiracy theorist part of me says somebody got to this guy.
RAY: Absolutely. I was just about to say, it smells a little fishy. Look, Naomi - I don`t know if she`s ever learned a lesson in her life. She`s done this a couple of times - actually, four or five times now.
I think she just knows how to deal with it a little bit better, maybe a little payola under the table. It just seems like her people may have gotten to him, paid him off, and now the story, all of a sudden, has magically gone away. But trust me, there will be another altercation.
HAMMER: I hope she`s getting rehab, but quite frankly, I`m still afraid of her.
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: Naomi Campbell did react today to her limo driver. SHOWBIZ Quote Guy, what did she say?
SHOWBIZ QUOTE GUY: A.J., Naomi Campbell said, and I quote, "I try to treat everyone with respect and I am pleased the driver has apologized. I would like to put the last few days behind me and move on." That`s all from the Quote Guy.
HAMMER: All right, Quote Guy. Have a nice weekend. I really wish Naomi the best here as I said. Anger management classes should still be in her future.
But, Ben, you know, does something stink here for you too as far as why the limo driver suddenly backed away from the story?
WIDDICOMBE: Oh, absolutely. Let`s not forget that the driver is actually employed by the Russian businessman who is said to be Naomi`s current boyfriend, so he`s the boss.
RAY: Exactly.
WIDDICOMBE: He was asked directly in the presence of his lawyer at a press conference in New York today whether he received payola to not press charges and he flatly refused to answer the question. So it`s a case of if it ever walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it`s probably a duck.
HAMMER: It`s pretty easy to just say no, right? And he wouldn`t answer the question at all. Well, tonight, Naomi Campbell is certainly a qualified nominee to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
The question is, will we, in fact, choose her? Or will we choose Jessica Simpson for striking back against John Mayer, so publicly on Oprah, no less? Or maybe we`ll choose Sarah Palin for shopping around a reality show, or as she likes to call it, a docudrama?
We`re going to name that winner in just a moment, but first, I want to move on to another troubling new story that`s making big news today.
Prosecutors in Charlie Sheen`s domestic violence case reportedly are not going to accept a plea deal from Sheen. Now, of course, he`s accused of holding a knife to his wife`s throat back on Christmas Day.
Tanika, I`m thinking, if this is true, if he can`t plead this thing out, this is terrible news for Charlie. I mean, he truly could wind up getting a lot of jail time here. This is very serious.
RAY: You know, it depends on how you see it. Yes, it would be terrible for him, initially, that he would possibly go to jail. But maybe he`ll finally turn his life around and he`ll fix himself.
That`s the problem with Naomi Campbell. She never has to pay her dues. She always kind of gets away with it so she keeps on doing things. Maybe Charlie finally needs to get slapped on the wrist and go to jail and he`ll turn his life around.
HAMMER: You know, Ben Widdicombe, I know you`ve been following Charlie Sheen in all of his drama throughout the years. And you and I have spoken frequently about how he has had this Teflon coating, which quite frankly, I think we all see is starting to wear thin.
RAY: Yes.
Do you think, Ben, that this could actually wind up being the last straw for his career? I mean, if he gets thrown in jail for domestic violence and all this stuff proves to be true, all I can say is wow.
WIDDICOMBE: Well, as you know, A.J., in Hollywood, it`s all about the ratings. If the show continues topping the numbers as it has been doing, then, I think that his advertisers in the studio would be prepared, you know, to let bygones be bygones.
But as Tanika implied, I think this could be a jail term that Charlie has to serve to rehabilitate his own image. And I think this could be a turning point in his career. I think in the long run, it will be better for him if he takes his medicine and shows the audience that he`s trying to redeem himself.
RAY: Absolutely. Then it will be a comeback story.
HAMMER: Everybody needs a rock bottom in order to turn it around. Maybe this is his. Tanika Ray, Ben Widdicombe, thank you, guys. I appreciate it.
RAY: Thanks.
ANDERSON: Sean Penn`s bizarre death wish for his critics. The actor, whose hair-trigger temper has been unleashed on many, now wants his critics to drop dead. Details just in today about Sean Penn`s vile war of words against people he claims are talking smack about his Haiti mission. Sean, buddy, you`ve got to lighten up.
Mo`Nique`s unique open marriage revelations. Cheating, not a deal breaker. I know things are different for big Hollywood stars, but this is way out there for me.
Miley`s shocking rocker hookup - musical hookup, that is. The teen queen is making music with Hair Band legend Brett Michaels - Cyrus and Michaels. This could be totally great or totally awkward. I cannot wait for you to hear this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Tiger Woods turns down $75 million sponsorship deal from Irish gambling company. Martha Stewart re-teaming with reality TV Mike Burnett for "Help me, Martha."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Sean Penn`s absolutely vile verbal smackdown. He says he wants his critics to die.
HAMMER: Unbelievable. Plus, Miley Cyrus` shocking musical hookup with Brett Michaels. And new details today about Marie Osmond`s sad farewell to her beloved son. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): The Osmonds` private grief. Funeral plans have just been revealed for Marie Osmond`s 18-year-old son who committed suicide last week. Marie and her family plan to mourn her son, Michael, with a private funeral, Monday, in Utah.
In Osmond`s only public statement since his death, she asks for, quote, "everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Poison meets Miley Cyrus. Poison front man Brett Michaels is teaming up with Miley on his new album and the lyrics are making some people a little uncomfortable.
(MUSIC)
The 46-year-old rocker and 17-year-old Miley also cut a cover of the poison hit "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" that will appear on Cyrus` next album.
Sean Penn wants his critics to get cancer and die. The thin-skinned actor made the explosive comments to CBS in an interview that will air Sunday. Penn was asked about speculation by some people that his relief trip to Haiti was a ploy to improve his image.
He responded, quote, "Do I hope that those people die screaming of rectal cancer? Yes. You know, but I`m not going to spend a lot of energy on it." Penn has made two aid trips to Haiti since the devastating earthquake there.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I cannot believe Sean Penn actually said that. But we`ve got it all caught on tape. Joining me tonight in New York is Steven Smith, who is the host of the "MySpace Music Feed." Also tonight in Hollywood, Kim Serafin, who is a senior editor with "In Touch Weekly."
Guys, Sean Penn says death to his critics. It`s really incredible and pretty awful how he slams critics of his trips to Haiti in an interview that will air this Sunday on CBS` "Sunday Morning." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does it make you angry when people talk about, you know, Sean Penn, the Hollywood star, the movie star, coming in and trying to do something and they`re kind of cynical about it?
SEAN PENN, ACTOR: I haven`t had an awful lot of time to pay attention to them. You know, do I hope that those people die screaming of rectal cancer? Yes. You know, but I`m not going to spend a lot of energy on it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wow. I do think it`s definitely wrong for anybody to criticize Sean Penn`s efforts to help Haiti. But, Steven, at the same time, wishing cancer, wishing death on somebody? Talk about a low blow. Are you with me that this is totally out of line?
STEVEN SMITH, HOST, MYSPACE MUSIC FEED: It`s an out of line comment, but it`s also quite hilarious that he`s poking back at people who are criticizing his humanitarian effort.
Yes, it is weird to wish anyone cancer, especially those who are talking about something like him going to Haiti. But he`s doing it out of the kindness of his heart, like he did for Katrina.
And who are people to criticize him? Maybe he stepped over the line saying, get rectal cancer, but -
ANDERSON: Yes.
SMITH: Yes. He stepped over the line.
ANDERSON: He stepped over the line, big-time. Kim, we know that Sean Penn has a temper, but why did he have to go this far?
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Yes. You know, first of all, I haven`t heard a lot of people really criticizing him. And if you listen to that interview, he says, "You know, I haven`t spent a lot of time thinking about it."
You know, he`s been busy in Haiti. A better end to that question would have been, "And they should come down here and join me and then let`s hear what they have to say." Or, "Let`s not bring politics into this." Or several other responses other than, "They should get cancer and die." Because that just puts him on their level even worse. I mean, that`s really even worse than anyone criticizing him.
ANDERSON: Exactly. It`s just incredibly calloused, just incredibly hardened. And it would have been so much more respectable of him not to even dignify those critics with any sort of response, I think.
SMITH: I agree.
ANDERSON: Well, Sean`s comments came in just past the deadline to be considered a nominee to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
So here are this week`s nominees - Sarah Palin for going Hollywood and pitching a reality TV show to the major TV networks. Jessica Simpson going on Oprah, striking back at John Mayer for telling about their sex life with her. And then, there`s serial assaulter Naomi Campbell for allegedly angrily smacking her driver in the head.
So who is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week? Here we go - it is Jessica Simpson. And I say good for her because I think she`s emerged from all of this, this kiss-and-tell, a new woman, strong, independent, open, forthcoming. Steven, do you agree?
SMITH: I do agree. I hope she does something like put out a good album or maybe star in a good movie and show us why we liked her in the first place instead of being just tabloid fodder.
ANDERSON: Kim, what do you with say? Is Jessica Simpson your pick?
SERAFIN: Yes. I think a great pick, because she`s doing something that we don`t expect. She went on "Oprah." She addressed these comments about John Mayer, made some really good points and made it clear she was not happy with him, but then still showed a little personality, made the joke about how her phone is ringing off the hook.
But you definitely saw a more grown-up Jessica. And really, she did a great job. It`s hard to address questions about weight, about the sex questions about John Mayer. But she did it and she looked great doing it. Sounded great, too.
ANDERSON: She certainly did. She handled it very, very well. Jessica Simpson, our most provocative celebrity of the week. Steven Smith, Kim Serafin, thank you both.
HAMMER: Tonight, Mo`Nique`s new TV open marriage revelations. Wow, this is incredible. The Oscar nominee has eye-popping new Barbara Walter`s interview. And Mo`Nique says, cheating, not a deal breaker, even if her husband cheats 20 times. Which makes me wonder, what is a deal breaker in Mo`Nique`s marriage?
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Precious" and "The Last Station" lead Independent Spirit Awards with five noms each. Apple`s iPad available April 3, slightly later than originally planned.
ANDERSON: It is time now for "Making it Work." Now, this is where we reveal how stars make their relationships work in Hollywood and beyond.
Tonight, Denzel Washington, the ever-sexy superstar. He`s been married to his wife, Pauletta, for nearly 27 years. They`ve got four adult kids. And the Oscar winner credits his wife`s skills as a mom as the secret to making it all work.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACTOR: My wife has done a brilliant job with them. She really did the heavy lifting while I was out working. You know, she gave them very strict religious instruction and she made breakfast for them every day, and she took them to school.
And she, you know - she was running around with all the after-school activities and trying to keep a quote, unquote, "normal" life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And that normal life resulted in four successful kids, including one who is signed to a NFL team and three Ivy Leaguers. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Oscar nominee Mo`Nique reveals new details just out today about her open marriage telling Barbara Walters she`s totally OK if her husband cheats.
The Best Supporting Actress nominee spills all of her intimate secrets to Barbara Walters for her final primetime Oscar special. Mo`Nique`s openness is pretty mind-blowing. But Mo`Nique tells Barbara, hey, it works for her. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: You have said -
MO`NIQUE, ACTRESS: Yes.
WALTERS: Cheating is when you lie and are deceitful.
MO`NIQUE: Yes.
WALTERS: not when you have sex outside of the marriage.
MO`NIQUE: Yes.
WALTER: Do you and Sid have sex outside of the marriage?
MO`NIQUE: I have not had sex outside of my marriage with Sidney. Could I have sex outside of my marriage with Sidney? Yes. Could Sid have sex outside of his marriage with me? Yes. That`s not a deal breaker.
WALTER: You are in an open marriage?
MO`NIQUE: Open means you know what, let me tell you my every secret, my fantasies, my thoughts, so that way there are no surprises.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. I`ve got to give it up to Mo`Nique for making Barbara`s final Oscar show oh-so memorable. But something must be working. Mo`Nique has been happily married for almost three years.
HAMMER: Unbelievable. Well, Brooke and I are going to be right there live at the Oscars on Sunday, March 7th. I hope you get to speak with Mo`Nique. Maybe you can ask her about that, Brooke.
We`re going to have two very special live editions of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s the SHOWBIZ "Road to Gold," 7:00 p.m. Eastern, we`ll be On CNN; 11:00 p.m. Eastern, we`ll be on HLN.
ANDERSON: I also want to tell you, we`ve got the Oscars covered online like no other entertainment news show. We`ve got a whole team that`s going to be with us, tweeting live from the red carpet, from the Oscar parties, the up-to-the-minute Oscar winner reaction tweets.
And on Facebook, we`re going to be asking you to weigh in on all the Oscar shockers and controversies. We`re even including your wall posts on air all night long. So head on over to CNN.com right now and check out the "Showbiz Connects" box and get connected right now.
And hey, A.J., the sheer number of Best Picture nominees is a huge story this year - 10 versus the traditional five. The Academy wants to open it up, make it more mainstream, appeal to more people. My money is on "Avatar."
HAMMER: Yes, I`m with you on the "Avatar". I think it has the edge over "Hurt Locker." But I think it`s a great fight because the movies are so incredibly different.
And as we said, we`re going to include you in our coverage. Who do you think deserves to go home with the Best Picture Oscar?
Well, we`re asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, which is this - "The Oscars: Which movie should win Best Picture?" Are you with Brooke and I with "Avatar?" Or do you think "The Hurt Locker?" Maybe your choice is "Up."
Please keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or you can always E- mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
And that is it for tonight. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN. See you at the Oscars.
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