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Showbiz Tonight
Defending Mel Gibson; Sandra Bullock`s New Battle; Brangelina`s Marriage Bombshell; Paul the Octopus Retires
Aired July 13, 2010 - 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: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - defending Mel Gibson. Startling support today for Mel even as another tape is released today of his alleged racist rants against his ex-girlfriend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I know Mel and I know he`s not a racist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Today`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flashpoint - how in the world can anyone possibly defend Mel?
Sandra Bullock`s new battle revealed today. Sandra dragged into the middle of her ex-husband`s child custody battle with a porn star.
Angelina`s marriage bombshell. New revelations today from Angelina Jolie on when she and Brad Pitt might get married.
A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell. The incredible video of two of the world`s most provocative and controversial stars both exposed on double exposure.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The idea of this whole shoot, what we`d love to do is really convey is that sense of almost being a wet cat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson from Hollywood with big news breaking today - defending Mel Gibson.
HAMMER: Yes. I know, it seems absurd that anyone could be defending Mel Gibson, especially with the release today of yet another racially-charged, expletive-filled tape of a man who sounds like Mel, ranting and raving at his ex-girlfriend.
Now, you`re about to hear that tape. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Mel had his defenders today. Now, no one is saying that the actual vile words and threats we`re hearing on the recordings should be excused in any way.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to reveal that some people were saying today that Mel is not totally to blame and that it`s not right to call him a racist.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Another day and an even more offensive rant allegedly from Mel Gibson.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You`re a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) using (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: "RadarOnline.com" posted another recording today purported to be Mel Gibson in a bitter argument with his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) count.
HAMMER: In this brand-new, explosive rant revealed today, we hear a knockdown, drag-out custody fight, but it`s not out Mel and Oksana`s eight- month-old daughter. It is one of the workers. The man purported to be Mel Gibson uses a racial slur as he threatens to fire a woman if she goes to work at Oksana`s house.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I`ll report her to the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) PEOPLE who take (EXPLETIVE DELETED) money from the (EXPLETIVE DELETED), OK?
HAMMER: You also hear an explosive fight over money.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): So you`re telling me that you take away whatever pennies you`ve just given to me. I don`t have anything because I`ve given you my life. Three years now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I gave you everything. Don`t you dare (EXPLETIVE DELETED) complain to me.
HAMMER: And Mel and Oksana purportedly even go at it over their baby daughter.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Go look after my child.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): Yes, I know, unfortunately, you (EXPLETIVES DELETED)! I hope she doesn`t turn out like you!
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has not been able to independently confirm whether the male voice on the "Radar Online" recording is Gibson. Oksana says it is. And if it is Mel, he`s definitely set a new low in offensive language. In recordings "Radar Online" posted last week, the male voice purported to be Gibson uses the N-word.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): If you get raped by a pack of (EXPLETIVE DELETED), it will be your fault.
HAMMER: In fact, these recordings contain so many F-words, C-words, N- words, an entire alphabet soup of offensive language, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can`t even list them all, that is if we want to stay the air. The second batch of recorded rants took a violent turn when the male voice appeared to admit to having hit Oksana.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You! What kind of man is that? Hitting a woman when she is holding a child in her hands. Breaking her teeth twice in the face. What kind of man is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Oh, you`re all angry now. You know what?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You know what?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) deserved it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You`re going to -
HAMMER: The L.A. County Sheriff`s Department confirms it is investigating Oksana`s claim that Mel hit her during an argument. And the Sheriff`s Department now confirms to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the recordings will be a part of their just-launched domestic violence investigation against Gibson.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": If he is basically admitting on the tape that he hit her, his career is over.
HAMMER: But now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you a strange phenomenon emerged in the Mel Gibson story. People are actually coming to his defense. Whoopi Goldberg did so on "The View."
GOLDBERG: You can say he`s being a bonehead, but I can`t sit and say he`s a racist having spent time with him in my house with my kids. I can`t say it, so I really just need to say that.
HAMMER: And some of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans are also backing Mel. Today, Mitchell writing on our Facebook page, quote, "He is entitled to his free speech just like the rest of us no matter what one thinks of it. The person that released those tapes is the one that should be hung out to dry."
And on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Marquee" blog, someone wrote, "The argument was private and that is how it should stay. You can say what you like in your own home and let`s face it. We all say nasty things in the heat of an argument."
But despite his defenders, Mel`s nasty battle with his ex, on top of the infamous anti-Semitic comments Mel Gibson made in 2006 threaten to make Mel a virtual pariah in Hollywood.
SERAFIN: There are people willing to give him one more chance after the incident in 2006. I don`t think he gets anymore chances after people hear these tapes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out again today to Mel Gibson`s rep who never got back to us as of show time and has told us before, quote, "We can`t comment due to legal nature of the matter."
I`ve got to tell you, after "Radar Online" released the first tape of Gibson`s alleged rant, they said there would be more and they weren`t kidding. And with a total of three tapes released, I`ve got to wonder if we`re at the point where it just can`t get any worse.
Right now, in New York, Sunny Hostin, who is a legal contributor with "In Session" on our sister network Tru TV. Also in New York Megan Alexander who is a correspondent with Inside edition.
Sunny, Megan, police confirmed that they will consider the tapes in their domestic violence investigation of Mel. But keep in mind, we still don`t know whether it was actually legal to record these phone conversations.
So Sunny, is it possible that Mel gets charged with domestic violence, but then the tapes can never be played in court?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: I think that`s absolutely is that true. In California - California is a two-consent state and so one person can`t tape the other without the other person`s content.
We already know that she is saying that it`s her voice and then it is his voice. But I think we also probably know that he didn`t consent to it being played. But he can certainly still be charged with domestic violence, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HOSTIN: I mean, it will be her word against his. And I think we all, from the beginning, thought, well, perhaps she`s a gold digger. Perhaps, we shouldn`t believe her. Well, now, we all saw "Lethal Weapon." We know it`s his voice. Come on. So I think - you know, come on.
ANDERSON: Yes, it certainly sounds like Mel Gibson.
HOSTIN: Sure.
ANDERSON: Right. But of course, his representatives have not even acknowledged the existence of the tapes, nor have they authenticated the tapes. On the explosive, six-minute tape released today, we hear the man purportedly to be Mel verbally abusing Oksana. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I`ll report her to the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) people that take the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) money from the (EXPLETIVE DELETED), OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You`re telling me that you take away whatever pennies that you have just given to me? I don`t have anything because I`ve given you my life! Three years now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I gave you everything. Don`t you dare (EXPLETIVE DELETED) complain to me. You don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) count. You`re a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) using (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Go look after my child!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): She is my child, too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Yes, I know. Unfortunately, you (EXPLETIVES DELETED). I hope she doesn`t turn out like you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oh. As shocking as the tape released today is, I have to say it almost pales in comparison to the tape released yesterday. Megan, as sad at this is, it seems to me that we are at the point now where nothing can shock us.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Yes, I think you`re exactly right, unfortunately. And Brooke, every single thing in there that is offensive to people, there is some - he has offended nearly every ethnic group there is.
ANDERSON: Yes.
ALEXANDER: He has - you know, lashed out at the mother of his child. I don`t think things could possibly get any worse for him. And I pray that they won`t because I`m not sure how much worse it could get.
But you know, Brooke, what I also hear on those tapes is somebody who a lot of people have obviously said is in a very serious and depressed state. You know, he`s obviously had a problem with alcohol a lot of his career that he`s admitted.
But some of the exchanges, Brooke - at one point, he said to Oksana on the tape, "You have no friends and I have no friends. I tried to be your friend." These things - they`re very dangerous to me when you hear them. And it strikes that he`s in a bitterness and in a depression that - it`s just dangerous.
ANDERSON: It`s dangerous. It`s frightening. It`s sick.
ALEXANDER: Right.
ANDERSON: And it`s just really sad. This person on this tape needs serious help. And I do have to say, though, Whoopi Goldberg - she is not defending Mel, she says, because she says that he is a bonehead for what he did.
But she did make headlines when she said on "The View" yesterday that even though Mel, again, uses the N-word, she doesn`t believe he is a racist. Well, this morning, on "The View," Whoopi asked something that we have all been asking. How come the tapes were given to "Radar Online" and not to the cops? Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOLDBERG: This is the thing that bothers me and it bothers me whenever anybody does it. If there`s a beef, take it to the cops, to the people who can take care of it. To release it -
JOY BEHAR CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Look, she has a restraining order.
(CROSS TALK)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Why did they have these tapes?
GOLDBERG: That`s my question.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Sunny, you`re the SHOWBIZ attorney on retainer here. If it turns out that Oksana did leak these tapes, which she denies, would this hurt her court case against Mel?
HOSTIN: Well, absolutely not. I don`t think so. I mean, again, they can`t be used in court anyway. They are being used in the court of public opinion. And I think it`s masterful that they have been leaked because we need to be able to corroborate her story somewhat.
It is her word against his word. And when this story broke, Brooke, no one believed her. I believe her now. I think everyone believes her.
ANDERSON: Absolutely.
HOSTIN: And so what the police can`t use it? They`re going to use it in their investigation. They may not be able to use it in court. But I say, you know, victims of domestic violence, you have to do things like this sometimes.
ANDERSON: Right. And she was probably desperate. Sunny Hostin, Megan Alexander, thank you both. And so I`ve got to ask, is it possible that Mel Gibson is not totally to blame here, though?
We want to hear from you. It is our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - "Mel Gibson`s Alleged Tape Rants: Do you think he is totally to blame?" Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Sandra Bullock versus Jesse`s ex? The reported explosive new battle with her ex-hubby`s porn star ex.
Angelina`s marriage shocker. Angelina Jolie reveals today the six reasons that will determine when and if she`ll ever walk down the aisle with Brad Pitt.
HAMMER: Well, Lady Gaga and supermodel Naomi Campbell, certainly two of the world`s most provocative celebrities of all time. Today, it`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. The new host of the brand-new Bravo show, "Double Exposure," exposed the real Gaga and Naomi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The idea of this whole shoot, what we`d love to do is really convey is that sense of almost being a wet cat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views. Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: John Stamos` suit over alleged extortion goes to trial. Eminem`s new album, "Recovery," now number one on iTunes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get into my car. Right now. Stop! Stop it. Stop.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Leave her alone. Leave her alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Calm down.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There she goes.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ANDERSON: That`s got to hurt. "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Danielle under attack by her co-stars. Did you see this? Danielle gets her hair extensions pulled out after an explosive confrontation with her "Housewives" co-star, Teresa.
Danielle and Teresa looked like they wanted to kill each other, didn`t they? With all the fists flying and the nasty name calling, I`m thinking all the housewives need a serious time-out.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York City.
In a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell exposed.
HAMMER: That`s right Brooke. It is double exposure for two of the world`s most provocative and controversial stars. It`s the incredible brand-new video today of Gaga and Naomi from the fantastic hit Bravo show, "Double Exposure" airing Tuesday nights.
And right now, with me in New York, the stars of "Double Exposure," world-famous fashion photographers, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri and Markus Klinko. Good to have you guys here.
So you guys have worked with some of the biggest A-list stars on the planet and you got the opportunity to work with Gaga in this new episode. And some bad behavior breaks out on the set. But it doesn`t happen to be Gaga whose bad behavior breaks out. It`s you two trying to work together and figure things out.
MARKUS KLINKO, PHOTOGRAPHER, "DOUBLE EXPOSURE": Well, actually, to be quite fair, you know, this bad behavior that everybody talks about, lasted a grand total of 30 seconds. You know? I think -
INDRANI PAL-CHAUDHURI, PHOTOGRAPHER, "DOUBLE EXPOSURE": We`re very passionate. We love what we do.
HAMMER: Understandable.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: We live for our work.
HAMMER: Well, I think we should look at exactly what happened and we`ll be the judge. Roll it, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KLINKO: Hot.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: Fantastic.
KLINKO: Take a position that`s a little bit straight.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: This is a straight position. Yes, it`s fantastic.
KLINKO: OK, OK, OK. Calm down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Fair enough. You guys can get intense when you`re working like that. But I have to ask you, Markus, she was calm and cool up there. Given how she has this outrageous reputation and she does these shocking things, were you surprised that she was just as cool a professional as she was?
KLINKO: Oh, yes. No. She was absolutely amazing to work with her because she`s so creative and has a strong mind. And we do, too. And it was a completely understandable that she got a little annoyed because she was wearing a dress that actually weighs probably 25 pounds or 30 pounds more.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: Like this one.
HAMMER: She is a pro is what you`re basically saying.
KLINKO: We put her up on a double table that were like two tables on top of each other. And it was a wobbly position.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: And she had to have her eyes closed the whole time. We painted on her eyelids, so it was a tough thing for her to do. And you know, we wanted to make sure we got the shot perfect, so we argued.
HAMMER: Fair enough. There`s another star, big star who is known to cause a bit of a trouble - Naomi Campbell. She, of course, appeared on the show as well and she was barely able to keep her anger in check with you, guys. Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAL-CHAUDHURI: My idea of this whole shoot, what we love to really convey is that sense of almost being a wet cat.
NAOMI CAMPBELL, SUPERMODEL: No.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: You say I draw on my modeling experience to help direct people, but my experience does not compare to hers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. I`ve got to ask you quickly, Indrani. Were you, at all, fearing for your own safety, you know, Blackberry might be coming across the room at you?
PAL-CHAUDHURI: I was. I actually was terrified, because you hear the press reports.
HAMMER: Yes.
PAL-CHAUDHURI: And you know, it`s hard not to believe those things. So I was very nervous and that nervousness probably came across. And I was on my best behavior and so was she.
HAMMER: All right. Well, that`s good to know that she was. Indrani, Markus, thanks so much. And be sure to catch them on "Double Exposure" Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. Eastern on Bravo.
ANDERSON: Hey, hard to believe but it`s true. Mel Gibson has defenders. The caught-on-tape controversy heats up today as more alleged Mel sexist and racist rants are released. We`re revealing today where some of Mel`s biggest support is coming from.
And Barbara Walters, the movie? Is Babs really working on a movie about herself and could there be a surprising Oprah connection here?
Paul the octopus is retiring after all his winning World Cup predictions. It is time for this psychic sea creature to rest his tentacles. You will be surprised when you find out what`s next for Paul.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paul isn`t going anywhere despite offers from a company wanting to use him to predict sporting events and a fortune- telling outfit asking to use his image.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Chris Daughtry and wife expecting twins via a surrogate. "CSI: NY" star Melina Kanakarades leaving show, Sela Ward taking over.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Whatever you`re doing stops today right now.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Sebastian De August(ph) has killed two people and I don`t think he`s finished. The guys is taunting me, Mac(ph). He sent me a dead rat as a message. Put yourself in my shoes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Sad news today - New York Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, died today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned Steinbrenner, known as the boss, died following a massive heart attack in Tampa, Florida. George Steinbrenner was 80 years old. A.J., Steinbrenner was definitely one of a kind. And today, Hollywood is reacting to his death.
HAMMER: And Brooke, Steinbrenner certainly had a lot of ups and downs. You certainly can`t argue with the fact that he won a lot of World Series. The Yankees went seven under George Steinbrenner`s leadership.
And of course, who can forget all the firings? The boss not shy at all about canning his managers. George Steinbrenner fired Billy Martin five times.
ANDERSON: A.J., SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just received this statement from Alec Baldwin. Alec tells us this, quote, "I am saddened to see passing of a true sports legend from the ranks of ownership. George Steinbrenner set the standard and will always be remembered with the Maras, the Tischs and the Wilpons as one of the great New York sports owners."
On behalf of all of us here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the Steinbrenner family.
HAMMER: Breaking news right now, Heath Ledger`s character, The Joker, will not appear in the next "Batman" movie. "Dark Knight" creator Christopher Nolan just revealed this today. Ledger won an Academy Award, of course, for his incredible turn as The Joker in the last "Batman" film. No word on which villains will appear in the next movie which is scheduled to be released next July.
ANDERSON: There`s brand-new reaction today to remarkable details SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovered about what Lindsay Lohan can expect when she goes to jail.
In one week, Lindsay`s expected to turn herself in and begin her 90- day sentence. Right now, a fierce battle taking place on our Facebook page.
Stephanie B. just posted what she thinks Lindsay`s experience in jail should be like, "Make her punishment real and let her know she is no different from anyone else by putting her with everyone else."
Pamela C. has a little hope for Lindsay. She says, "I hope jail is life-altering experience for Lindsay."
Join the debate on Facebook. Go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get breaking news alerts on Twitter. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and there`s always E-mail. "Showbiz Connects," CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the bottom of the hour.
Defending Mel Gibson. The shocking show of support for the embattled actor today. Who`s got Mel`s back even as more racist, sexist tapes, reportedly of him, are released today?
Also, brand-new revelations today from Angelina Jolie. So, when will she and Brad get actually married?
Sandra Bullock`s explosive battle with her ex`s porn star ex. Will Sandra be dragged into a nasty custody battle? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: N.Y. Yankees star Alex Rodriguez to appear in new movie, "Friends with Benefits." Music video directed by Heath Ledger for rapper N`Fa debuts today.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - another shocking tape released allegedly of Mel Gibson. More reported racial slurs, more alleged threats against his ex. Today`s "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" - are Mel`s startling actions defensible?
Sandra Bullock`s new battle revealed today. Why she may be dragged into her ex-husband`s nasty child custody battle with his ex.
The Brangelina marriage bombshell. Brand-new revelations today from Angelina when she and Brad might get married.
Plus, breaking today on the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," big news about the next "Twilight" movie. And Angelina Jolie, a witch?
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 coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today as a third shocking, alleged tape of Mel Gibson is released today. Will the tapes play against him in court?
HAMMER: And it is hard to believe but there are actually people who are actually defending Mel Gibson today after hearing the alleged tapes of what could very well be his demonic, paralyzing voice spewing threats and racial slurs all over the place including this new tape released today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I`ll report her to the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) people that take (EXPLETIVE DELETED) money from the (EXPLETIVE DELETED). OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You`re telling me that you take away whatever pennies you`ve just given to me? I don`t have anything because I`ve given you my life. Three years now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I gave you everything. Don`t you dare (EXPLETIVE DELETED) complain to me. You don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) count. You`re a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) using (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Go look after my child!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): She`s my child, too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Yes, I know. Unfortunately, you (EXPLETIVES DELETED). I hope she doesn`t turn out like you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t care who it is on that tape. It is frightening no matter what. That brings us to the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint today - is Mel totally to blame?
With me, in New York, is Sunny Hostin. Sunny is a legal contributor for "In Session" in our sister network, Tru TV. Also, right now, in Hollywood, it`s Dr. Carole Lieberman, who is a psychiatrist and author of the book, "Bad Boys," and the upcoming book, "bad girls."
Well, we were pretty surprised today to hear there are some people defending Mel saying, "Hey, he is not totally to blame here," that perhaps Oksana egged him on. Sunny, to our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," what do you think? Is Mel totally to blame?
HOSTIN: Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, I don`t think anything he said is defensible in any way. He was just really abusive, verbally abusive. He threatened her. He clearly, I think, tacitly admitted to punching her in the face and breaking her teeth.
I don`t think that any of that behavior can be explained away because she taped him. I mean, I just - I can`t imagine the people are coming up and being able to defend him. He is indefensible.
HAMMER: And I should point out that while Oksana has said, yes, that`s her on the tape, and, yes, that`s Mel on the tape, we have not independently confirmed that it is, in fact, Mel and Oksana on this tape.
HOSTIN: I think it is Mel on the tape.
HAMMER: All right. Well, listen, I`m saying, if it`s not Mel, whoever that is, give him a development deal or something, because, wow, what an impression.
Off to you, Dr. Carole. To the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today, is Mel totally to blame here?
DR. CAROLE LIEBERMAN, PSYCHIATRIST AND AUTHOR: Absolutely not. I mean, I don`t defend his being a racist or his being anti-Semitic, and certainly not being domestically violent, if indeed, he did do these things. But what people are missing here is that Oksana deserves an Oscar for her performance.
HOSTIN: Oh, that`s ridiculous.
LIEBERMAN: What`s happening on this tape is that she has driven Mel to the point of absolute pure sexual frustration. When she was courting him, seducing him to leave his family, she was promising him - it even alludes to that on the tape - love, sex. She told him that he was the best man, sexiest man alive.
(CROSS TALK)
HOSTIN: Blame the victim. Let`s blame the victim. Let`s blame the victim of domestic violence who has been harassed.
LIEBERMAN: That`s not the only thing.
HOSTIN: Let`s blame the victim that`s being threatened. We should blame her then.
LIEBERMAN: No. I am - look. I said at the beginning I`m not saying that it is OK to be the perpetrator of domestic violence. However, she is clearly a gold digger. She has clearly set him up.
In fact, he says on the tape that when he said something about her career, this being the end of the career, her career, that she ran out of there as quickly as she could.
What`s happening is he`s realizing that he was duped, that he was taken in, that all of these things - these promises of love and sex and, you know, being there forever for him were totally false.
HOSTIN: That`s absurd.
HAMMER: Here`s the thing I wonder when this gets brought up about the possibility that she is a gold digger. Or whatever the motives are or whatever you think of her, it does not, in my mind, excuse what is, number one, said on this tape or what is alleged to have taken place.
I want to get to a little piece of tape that plays into what we`re talking about here because the ladies of "The View" today - they were furiously questioning the release of these tapes and whether or not Mel tried to pay Oksana for her silence. Charles, can we roll that?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEPHERD: Why do they have these tapes?
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It is also reported, too, and no one knows if this is true, that there was money to be offered to her to not say anything that was going on. So you have to understand money is also power and can be used as a weapon. And if he, indeed, was using it to try to muffle her -
GOLDBERG: Nobody knows that better than me. But if somebody`s kicking your behind -
HASSELBECK: Sure.
GOLDBERG: And punching you in the face while you`re holding your kid and you don`t go to the cops first, you go to "Radar Online" -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Oksana has denied leaking the tapes to "Radar Online." She didn`t say that she did it. And they`re even saying that she didn`t do it. There`s no proof that any money was extorted or that she`s tried to extort money.
But Sunny, what is happening here is there`s this genuine backlash against Oksana because people believe that she set Mel up.
HOSTIN: And I think that is horrible. I mean, it is, again, blaming the victim for somehow putting herself in this position. Nobody forced Mel Gibson to use those words. Nobody forced him to hit her in the face. Nobody forced him to cheat on his wife with her.
LIEBERMAN: But there`s two different things.
HOSTIN: No one`s forced him. He`s got to take responsibility for it.
LIEBERMAN: No.
HOSTIN: No.
LIEBERMAN: It is two separate things.
HOSTIN: It`s not separate at all.
LIEBERMAN: We are not saying - we`re not saying that he didn`t do whatever he may have done physically to her. But why are you then denying she did anything wrong? I mean, those two things can both still exist.
HAMMER: But I think that`s the point, Dr. Carole and this is what I`m trying to understand. And I think, Sunny, you`re right there with me. Even if she did set him up, even if she did - you know, it`s pretty clear she knew the tapes were being recorded.
LIEBERMAN: Wait a second -
HAMMER: And she was pushing her buttons -
HAMMER: But does that -
LIEBERMAN: Sure, yes.
HAMMER: I don`t see how that justifies it.
HOSTIN: It doesn`t justify it. Of course not. No other person would react in that way. No one normally reacts in that way.
LIEBERMAN: It`s not just about the tape.
HOSTIN: He reacted in that way.
LIEBERMAN: This is not about the tape.
HOSTIN: And he must take responsibility for his actions.
LIEBERMAN: This is about three years of her promising one thing at the beginning and -
(CROSS TALK)
HOSTIN: How do we know that? What did she promise? She gave him her companionship. They have a child together. And what did he do in return? He punches her in the mouth allegedly and breaks her teeth.
LIEBERMAN: He even said on the tape, "You said you were a good woman. You said that you loved me." We know this is - we have been in the media. She`s been giving that impression all along in any case. So it`s not just about her setting him up. It`s about her having him waking up form his illusions.
HOSTIN: That`s not setting him up. That`s not setting him up. He needs to take responsibility for his actions, end of story.
HAMMER: Let me get to another -
LIEBERMAN: Yes.
HAMMER: Let me get to another point that`s come up in defense of Mel Gibson. Whoopi Goldberg making big news on "The View" when she defended Mel, not against what he`s purported to have done, but against claims he is a racist. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOLDBERG: I don`t like what he did here but I know Mel and I know he is not a racist.
BEHAR: Oh, really?
GOLDBERG: Yes, I do. He may be a bonehead, you know.
BEHAR: Well, that language certainly sounded racist to me.
GOLDBERG: You can say he`s being a bonehead, but I can`t sit and say that he`s a racist having spent time with him in my house with my kids. I can`t say it so I really just need to say that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. So this is what I have a hard time with. I can almost understand how when somebody recklessly throws around racial slurs - maybe they`re not necessarily racist. They`re just being stupid. But when you use the words that he used in context, in the way he used, over and over again -
HOSTIN: Over and over again.
HAMMER: How do you say that he`s not - I mean, do you think he`s a racist?
HOSTIN: I, of course, think he is a racist. And I think - shame on Whoopi. Shame on Whoopi. Just because he`s nice to her does not mean that he isn`t a racist.
I think it`s very clear that when someone uses those sorts of terms over and over and over again, and says other things the way he has said them to sort of justify it and say, "He is my friend, he is not a racist," is a very dangerous thing. It`s the same thing that Whoopi Goldberg did with Roman Polanski. She`s wrong then, and she`s wrong now.
HAMMER: I don`t get it at all. Sonny Hostin -
LIEBERMAN: Yes -
HAMMER: Dr. Carole, I have to wrap it up there but I appreciate you both being here. Sunny Hostin, Dr. Carole Lieberman, thank you so much.
ANDERSON: All right. Moving on to this - Sandra Bullock, locked in a brand-new battle revealed today. Why Sandra may be dragged into her ex- husband`s nasty child custody battle with his ex - his ex who happens to be a porn star.
You know, it seems like every day Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are asked if they`re going to get married. Today, Angelina is out with brand- new revelations about when they may actually do it.
And the World Cup is over. He picked the winner. So what`s next for Paul the octopus today?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Of course, Paul now has his very own official song.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Don`t think of serving Paul up for dinner. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time now to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: The next "Twilight" movie, "Breaking Dawn," may be shot in 3-D. Rihanna cancels some concerts amid reports of poor ticket sales.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: So Brooke, what is this I hear - a Barbara Walters movie? Could that be? And just when I thought Melissa Etheridge`s split couldn`t get any uglier, well, sadly, today I`m here to say it has. Here`s "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Melissa Etheridge`s ugly divorce. The attorney for Etheridge`s longtime partner, Tammy Lynn Michaels, has just claimed Melissa`s decision to break up with her has left Tammy destitute while she cares for the couple`s twins.
But Melissa`s attorney tells "People" magazine she is paying Tammy Lynn $2,000 a month in support. Tammy Lynn`s attorney says that`s true, but says, quote, "It doesn`t put money in her wallet. Literally, she has no cash."
Erin Andrews dancing to the bank. Sports reporter and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant has just re-upped with ESPN. The more multi-year deal gets Andrews more exposure on ESPN`s college football programming and gives her a regular role on ABC`s "Good Morning America."
Barbara Walters, the movie. Barbara Walters is reportedly in talks with HBO to turn the bestselling memoir, "Audition" into a movie. The "New York Post" reports the longtime ABC star has met with HBO to discuss doing a movie with a similar format to HBO`s hit movie about Teddy Kennedy called "Teddy, In His Own Words."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I`ve got to tell you, I can`t wait to see Barbara`s biopic. But I can tell you there may be a shopping Oprah connection to Barbara`s made- for-TV movie plans.
Right now, in Hollywood is Lauren Sanchez. She is a correspondent for "Extra." In New York is Megan Alexander. She is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
So Lauren, Megan, a lot of people were wondering why Barbara, who`s been with ABC for more 30 years, might shop her movie to HBO.
There`s been wild speculation today that Barbara is ticked off that ABC isn`t planning to move "The View" to Oprah`s afternoon coveted time slot when Oprah`s show goes away. Megan, do you really think Barbara could be so mad that she could do something like that?
ALEXANDER: I don`t think so, Brooke. You know, there`s few women that can say they`re in the same league as Oprah Winfrey. Barbara Walters is one of them. I think she`s shares admiration for Oprah.
They`ve talked about the fact that they`re good friends. She`s been on her show and vice versa. You know, she`s also a smart business woman, so if HBO made the better offer, she is going with the highest bidder.
ANDERSON: Yes. Lauren, what do you think? Because I just don`t see Barbara as a vindictive person.
LAUREN SANCHEZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": No, she`s not. And I don`t think that they`re going to move. You know, I don`t think she wants to move "The View" anyway to Oprah`s coveted timeslot.
They have an amazing timeslot. They have a great audience. I don`t think that has anything to do with it. But I do think it`s all about, you know, the bottom line - the money. And if she gets more money with HBO -
ANDERSON: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Why wouldn`t she sell it to HBO?
ANDERSON: Yes. HBO has a history of airing successful, well-made documentaries. All right. I`ve got to move now, girls, to Brangelina marriage news breaking today.
It is the question that everybody keeps asking. When will Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt get married? In a new interview on "Good Morning America," Angelina dropped a bombshell saying if one of their six kids asked them to get married, they would. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She`s been quoted as saying she and Pitt would get married if the kids asked them to. True?
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I think it would be hard to say no to the kids. They`re not asking.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They don`t seem to care?
JOLIE: They`re very aware that nothing`s missing, so -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Angelina may really be on to something here. I mean, after all, Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler got married after one of their kids asked them to. Lauren, I think Angelina really means it here. What do you think?
SANCHEZ: Yes. You know what Brooke? I think so, too. Now, remember, this is the same couple that said they wouldn`t get married until gay marriage was legalized across the U.S. Different tune now, of course. And let me tell you, kids will change you. The mother now of six kids.
ANDERSON: Yes.
SANCHEZ: It would be hard to say no if her kids asked her and Brad to get married. And like she said, they`re not asking. So don`t buy a dress quite yet, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Kids change everything. You are right about that.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
ANDERSON: And I want to mention that, every week, the cover of the tabloids say that Angelina and Brad`s relationship is either over or on the verge of being over.
But Angelina made another revelation on "GMA" saying flat-out they`re together forever, and all about the kids, once again. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is he the love of your life or do you not think there`s one love in your life?
JOLIE: He makes me feel that there is, yes. Yes. No, he is of course the love of my life, yes, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you see growing old together?
JOLIE: Of course. We wouldn`t have six children together if we weren`t absolutely sure of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Megan, very quickly, is there any question in your mind that these two will be together for forever?
ALEXANDER: What I love, Brooke, is how she answered that question. She said that her and Brad put their six children first and that is why they have a history together.
ANDERSON: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Putting their kids first. They should be commended for that. It is beautiful.
ANDERSON: They`re obviously still head over heels for one another. OK. Got to move now to the new drama for Sandra Bullock. Jesse James now fighting in court with his porn star ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder, over custody of their daughter.
TMZ reports today that it came out in court that Sandra Bullock went ballistic on James` ex-wife in a recent phone call. Lauren, I would hate to see Sandra dragged into court to testify in this case because I think she deserves to be left alone already.
SANCHEZ: Well, I would have to be agree with you. The bottom line is, yes, she can be subpoenaed. But making her open her mouth and talk - that`s a completely different story.
But remember. This is an ugly custody battle between Jesse James and his ex-wife, Janine. Now, Janine is saying that Sandra Bullock trying to poison her own daughter against her and that James` decision to move to Austin was completely unjustified.
ANDERSON: Yes.
SANCHEZ: So if they want Sandra to talk, it would be about what kind of father Jesse is. And I know he may have done a lot of horrible things -
ANDERSON: I just say -
SANCHEZ: But that doesn`t make him a horrible father.
ANDERSON: You`re right about that. I just say, please, let Sandra have some peace already.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Lauren Sanchez, Megan Alexander, thanks, ladies.
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you, like so many people, I was stunned by Paul the octopus. This octopus picked a lot of World Cup winners. He even got the final right this year - Spain over the Netherlands. So, what`s next for Paul?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Paul isn`t going anywhere. Despite offers from a company wanting to use him to predict sporting events, and a fortunetelling outfit asking to use his image.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I actually have some ideas. How about a dance show with Paula Abdul? It could be Paul and Paula, right? Or maybe he has too many left feet or tentacles. Maybe something with the octomom. I don`t know.
Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Angelina Jolie says she`d love to play the witch in "Sleeping Beauty." Fox announces season premiere date for "Glee": September 21st.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: And now the SHOWBIZ buzz list. These are the things the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff just can`t stop buzzing about this week. We think the new show "D.C. Cupcakes," about to premiere on TLC, is really sweet.
We`re also liking the trailer for the social network, the upcoming film about the founding of Facebook. The new season of white collar on USA has us buzzing. And the summer 2010 edition of the Canal House cookbook series is making us hungry. Finally, Travie McCoy`s "Billionaire" is tearing up the radio, getting everybody in SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom bouncing. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: OK. So you know Paul the psychic octopus who predicted all those World Cup game winners. He even got the final match right, Spain over the Netherlands. Well, today I can tell you he is hanging up his tentacles. Here now is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): While the captain of the Spanish soccer team held the World Cup with two hands or even just one, Paul the octopus wrapped at least four or five tentacles around his replica of the cup. But then, came the news about Paul the prophet, the seersucker supreme.
GOLDBERG: The AP reports he`s retiring from predicting sports.
MOOS: After correctly predicting which team would win eight out of eight times, after being touted as octopus of the year on his very own Facebook page -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: I am absolutely breathless. I can`t believe - I mean how does he do that?
MOOS: Beats us. The aquarium folks put the same amount of food, a mussel, in each of two flag-adorned boxes and Paul picked the winner eight times. When it paid tribute to him by dropping a World Cup replica into his tank, a mussel is what got Paul to nestle with it.
Last time an octopus was in the spotlight was when this grabbed a diver`s camera and proceeded to become the first octopus cinematographer, shooting mainly blurry images of himself before the diver managed to grab back his camera. But all the attention paid to Paul has taken its toll.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But now, he`s a little bit tired.
MOOS: At least Paul didn`t do what a dolphin in a Japanese aquarium did - jumped right out of the tank. Some saw it as an attempt to escape. The other dolphins came over to watch the action.
The aquarium told "The Daily Mail" the female dolphin suffered minor scratches and was just playing around when it jumped out by accident from the momentum. They used a crane to get her bark in the tank.
Paul isn`t going anywhere despite offers from a company wanting to use him to predict sporting events and a fortunetelling outfit asking to use his image.
(on camera): Of course, Paul now has his very own official song.
(MUSIC)
And of course someone cut up the original song into a subversive version.
(MUSIC)
(voice-over): Don`t worry, Paul`s on the trophy, not the plate.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes. We do love Paul the octopus. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT who we love as well. But Brooke, the person I`m really going to miss from the World Cup is this guy -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Score! Score! Goal! Goal!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Can`t get enough of him. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Take care.
END
