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Showbiz Tonight

Michael Strahan Joins Kelly Ripa on `Live`; Secrets from the Sit-com Set; Is Kanye Reconsidering `B` Word?; Top Five Breakup Blockbusters

Aired September 04, 2012 - 23:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Tonight it`s the "SHOWBIZ Countdown," Breakup Blockbusters." Seal slams Heidi Klum, claiming she was hooking up with the help. Plus Evelyn Lozada`s bombshell new interview on her alleged abuse. It`s the "SHOWBIZ Countdown," the top five "Breakup Blockbusters."

Hello and thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer.

And SHOWBIZ is on location everywhere today, including right here where I am which was once, of course, the set of "Live with Regis & Kelly." Then for the past year it`s been just "Live with Kelly." And then today, after what was probably the worst-kept secret in all of television, it officially became "Live with Kelly & Michael," as Michael Strahan was officially named as the replacement for the man once thought to be irreplaceable, the great Regis Philbin.

SHOWBIZ is also on location at "The View" today. I was right there as the ladies returned to the fireworks. SHOWBIZ on location with sitcom secrets today. But first, introducing "Live with Kelly & Michael."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, ABC`S "LIVE WITH KELLY & MICHAEL": It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the newest member of our "Live" family. We are honored to have him here, Michael Strahan.

HAMMER (voice-over): With a grand red carpet entrance and a hug that seemed to last half the show, the era of "Live with Kelly" that began when Regis Philbin left the show last November, officially ended. Now the "Live with Kelly & Michael" era has begun.

MICHAEL STRAHAN, CO-HOST, ABC`S "LIVE WITH KELLY & MICHAEL": You know you say it`s a dream come true. I truly can`t say that I could be glad to know I could even dream this.

HAMMER: I was there for SHOWBIZ on location this morning for the debut of former NFL great Michael Strahan as the co-host of the newly- minted "Live with Kelly & Michael."

(on camera) Hi, guys.

(voice-over) After the show I spent some time with the new TV duo.

(on camera) Congratulations, Michael. I feel like I`m at a wedding.

RIPA: You want to squeeze in here?

HAMMER: Wow, this was the worst-kept secret in all of television.

RIPA: Well, we never confirmed anything, so I assure you I have no idea what you mean.

HAMMER: Right, exactly.

RIPA: Luckily for me, I was on vacation so I missed most of that hullabaloo.

HAMMER (voice-over): Yes, even though Michael was one of a steady stream of famous guests who filled the chair Regis sat in for 28 years, Strahan seemed almost destined to become Kelly`s permanent sidekick. Back in 2008, fresh off his Super Bowl win with the New York Giants, Strahan appeared on "Live with Regis & Kelly" and made a bold prediction.

REGIS PHILBIN, FORMER CO-HOST, ABC`s "LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY": I know it`s too soon to ask you if you`re coming back next year, but one day you are going to have to leave. And what are you going to do with the rest of your life? You know, you`ve got a lot of personality. A lot of charisma. What do you think you`re going to do?

STRAHAN: Well, the show that I`m on right now that, maybe, you know, you want to...

PHILBIN: Are you saying...

STRAHAN: "Live with Michael & Kelly." Welcome.

PHILBIN: You never know who`s going to sit here next.

RIPA: I like the sound of that.

HAMMER: And just last month, Strahan had SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner over to his house. And he told her that he`d love to go from Kelly`s sometime guest host to a more permanent status.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CORRESPONDENT, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: So if they offered you the gig, you`d be like, "New York City"?

STRAHAN: If they offered me the gig, I`d be in New York before the ink was dry, of course.

HAMMER: This morning I reminded Michael what he told Nischelle.

(on camera) You said, "I`ll be there before the ink is dry if they do ask."

STRAHAN: They asked me. I said, "I`ll be there before the ink is dry." Of course who wouldn`t want to take this job? But at that point, I had no idea. So I saw you guys kept airing that. And I`m going, stop it, stop it.

HAMMER: And keep in mind, we aired it saying, well, it`s not officially confirmed, but Michael`s in. What are you nervous about?

STRAHAN: You know, I was more nervous about just coming in on the first show. And everyone said, well, are you nervous? I wasn`t nervous about doing the show. I`m so comfortable with Kelly. Love Kelly. I mean, it`s like we just have this thing where we can sit here all day, entertain whoever`s watching. But that was never a thing to be nervous about. The only thing I was nervous about was tripping getting out of the car.

HAMMER: You made it.

STRAHAN: And just that initial, OK, here is the new guy. And just getting through that. Once we got through that, the show just became the show. And that`s the great thing about it. She puts me at ease.

HAMMER: And here you are. I speak for the fans. We`re thrilled about the choice. Congratulations.

RIPA: Thanks very much. Thank you. Great to see you, too.

HAMMER: See you, Michael.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: Coming up live on "The View" the show that redefined daytime TV is celebrating its sweet 16 with a brand-new season of the hottest, toughest celebrity scandals and a presidential election that`s reaching the boiling point.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: The ladies of "The View" came back with a bang today. That was my next stop for SHOWBIZ on location. And there was no shortage of explosive hot topics. And I got into all of them with the ladies of "The View."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Well, welcome back.

BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": Thank you. Happy to be back. Sixteen years.

HAMMER: Sweet 16. Does that mean people are going to be a little sweeter to each other? Because there were -- they came back ready to rumble today.

WALTERS: Sweetness is not one of the things we are noted for.

HAMMER: You guys got right back into it today. Of course, politics a very hot topic right at this moment.

WALTERS: The reality is we talk about it all the time and we have the Democratic convention this week. But people are not that interested in politics. The convention -- I shouldn`t -- you know, the networks are carrying them, but in general...

JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": Also that people, they`re so close, it`s practically even on both sides.

HAMMER: You guys came back with a bang today.

BEHAR: We did.

HAMMER: It`s going to happen when politics are one of the hottest of the hot topics at the moment. You and Elisabeth right back at it.

BEHAR: Well, no, we`re not -- I`m not going there. I`m not doing it. I refuse to have those fights anymore.

HAMMER: Really?

BEHAR: Listen, I think...

ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": They`re tired because they don`t have jobs right now.

BEHAR: More jobs than they had. Remember that.

HASSELBECK: What, than the Great Depression?

BEHAR: Here we go. Go ahead, Barbara. I`m not doing this.

HAMMER: You guys have a conversation about that either before or after?

BEHAR: I have made a resolution, I`m not getting into those fights anymore. I`m just not.

HAMMER: Does she know that?

BEHAR: I don`t know.

HAMMER: So here`s my question about this new season. It`s sweet 16. Will it be a sweeter season? Are we going to find you ladies being a little sweeter to each other perhaps than in the past? Is that possible?

HASSELBECK: You know when you see siblings sort of like knuckle it out? I think it will be like that.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": I have some bad-ass shoes.

HAMMER: These were the star of the show today. We`ve got to start here. Holy mackerel.

GOLDBERG: Yes, these came from United New downtown. And I love them. And I love walking around in them. And I`m actually now the height that I`m supposed to be.

HAMMER: Well, now we can stand side by side, appropriately. Yes.

GOLDBERG: Yes.

An article in the new issue of "Vanity Fair" claims that Tom Cruise used the Church of Scientology to help him audition the woman to be his next wife before he married Katie Holmes. And Tom and the Scientology spokespeople say the story is completely untrue. And I can tell you, you know, when I went with Tom, it wasn`t...

HAMMER: Tom Cruise, of course, getting grief, again, because of the Church of Scientology. I think he gets a raw deal.

GOLDBERG: You know, I -- listen, Tom Cruise is one of the best actors we have. Actors who work with him find themselves in contention for an Academy Award.

However he lives his private life is his business. If it`s not true, it`s not true. I don`t know why people are obsessed with this. I`m not -- I don`t get it.

BEHAR: It`s kind of like a Scientology version of "The Bachelorette" thing. You know, there are these women auditioning for Tom Cruise as if, you know, they`re on some TV show.

WALTERS: I just want to say something about Tom Cruise, and I`ve said it before. I don`t believe any of this stuff. OK? I think that it is his religion and his faith, whether you like it or don`t like it, the way Romney is Mormon and somebody else is Christian. Tom Cruise is one of the nicest men, people, I have ever known.

HAMMER: Really interesting to hear the different take that you had on the Prince Harry situation than some of your colleagues this morning.

GOLDBERG: Prince Harry just made his first public appearance since the nude photos of him surfaced of him partying in Las Vegas. I thought he looked good.

SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, ABC`S "THE VIEW": You want to see Prince Harry naked? Very nice at the party, there was a lot of nakedness going on.

WALTERS: If you want to be a private citizen, give up your title, be a private citizen. Give up the allowance that you get, give up the place that you live in.

If you are going to be a member of royalty with a certain kind of dignity and responsibility, then you don`t go to Las Vegas and parade around in the nude.

HAMMER: You think that he should get out of that life if this is the kind of behavior he wants to exhibit.

WALTERS: Well, look, the ladies on "The View" thought, isn`t he cute? You know, my feeling is if you`re taking the money, as he does from the British citizens, if you are a member of royalty and your home is being paid for also by the citizens, the only thing you have to do is to act dignified, do some charity work and be royal.

SHEPHERD: I mean, he didn`t ask for this. He was born into it. I think he should be able to have a little bit of fun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I brought you what we give out in Beverly Hills which is kind of where I`m from but not really, which is a new car for your 16th birthday. So everyone gets a lovely car.

HAMMER: For now, happy sweet 16 to you.

HASSELBECK: Hey, thanks. Going to go drive my car.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: SHOWBIZ on location heads to Hollywood. We`re revealing secrets from the TV Land sitcom "The Exes." So what`s it really like to perform in front of a live studio audience?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD FAISON, ACTOR: Before today we had a week`s worth of rehearsals starting last Thursday. And it all comes down to tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: And wait until you hear what the cast of "The Exes" does when the cameras aren`t rolling.

And coming up, Seal and Heidi Klum`s split is taking a nasty turn. Seal claims that Heidi was hooking up with the help. Fighting words, for sure, but Seal isn`t the only big star throwing vicious verbal jabs tonight. It`s the "SHOWBIZ Countdown," the top five "Breakup Blockbusters."

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Right now, more naked Prince Harry details. One of the women who was with the prince told "The People," a British tabloid, all about that wild night in Las Vegas.

She says she was one of the nine women who were hand-picked to party with the prince. And here`s what she said happened next: "We kissed, he was naked. It was a drunken fumble. It wasn`t romantic. Just fun."

She also said that Prince Harry wanted everyone naked. and at one point Harry pressed his naked body against the window of the posh hotel suite and said, "Look at me, Vegas." Classy.

Speaking of classy, is Kim K. Actually helping Kanye West clean up his potty mouth?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ on location. I`m A.J. Hammer. I`m on the set of "The View," where the ladies came to kick off their brand-new and explosive season this morning.

Now, before I got here, I stopped on the brand-new set for "Live with Kelly & Michael," as in Michael Strahan, the new co-host on that show. It`s great to see them both.

But now SHOWBIZ takes you on location with sitcom secrets. What really goes on behind the scenes when the cameras aren`t rolling on sitcoms like TV Land`s "The Exes"? Well, "The Exes" has a season finale on Tuesday night. But before they wrapped up their season, "SHOWBIZ tonight`s" Nischelle Turner stopped by to unearth the sitcom series.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER: Meet the cast of "The Exes."

FAISON: I`m Donald Faison. This is Kristen Johnson. David Alan Basche. Wayne Knight.

TURNER: Today they`ll spend 12 hours shooting an episode of their TV Land sitcom, just one of many days` work.

FAISON: Before today we had a week`s worth of rehearsals, starting last Thursday. And it all comes down to tonight. Everything, all the work that we`ve done throughout the week, you get to see the final product on your television screen.

TURNER: What you don`t get to see at home is what`s really happening as the sitcom is taped. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got exclusive access behind the scenes.

The day begins with a full run-through before the studio audience arrives.

DAVID ALAN BASCHE, ACTOR: You`re going to give it to her? (EXPLETIVE DELETED) One more time.

WAYNE KNIGHT, ACTOR: It`s a semiautobiographical movie entitled...

TURNER: That gives the actors time to nail down their lines so they seem effortless on screen.

KNIGHT: It`s a semiautobiographical film called "Dial `M` for Murder."

TURNER: Director Andy Cadiff studies the action from a video village, tweaking the performances.

ANDY CADIFF, DIRECTOR: I liked the intensity.

TURNER: As the day goes on, the script evolves, as writers make improvements. This line from rehearsal...

FAISON: I`m about to have me a supermodel sandwich.

TURNER: ... becomes this in the final version...

FAISON: Oh, yes, well, I`m about to have me a supermodel sundae with Phil on top.

TURNER (on camera): Laughs are authentic, provided by the audience that loads into the bleachers at around 6 p.m. You never see them or that warm-up guy that keeps them amped.

(voice-over) Some lines that get laughs wind up being cut for time. Viewers at home heard this...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I wasn`t pregnant and was a guy, I`d totally tap that.

TURNER: But this got axed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes, slap it up, flip it and rub it down.

TURNER: Between scenes, the crew motors from set to set.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The cameras are moving into position. That`s right.

TURNER: And the stars stay busy. On their phones. In the middle of taping they constantly hit social media.

FAISON: Either Instagramming or tweeting or Facebooking to the people out there, to the people that follow me to tell them, please watch my show.

TURNER: The episode that airs on TV appears seamless, but on set, there are interruptions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go. And...

FAISON: Here we go. Here we go.

TURNER: Crackups are redone, and this unscripted moment never made air.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh!

TURNER: But maybe the biggest difference between what you see at home and what happens on set is the way an episode ends. On screen, you get tiny credits. On set, there`s a slightly bigger sendoff.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: We move now to Katy Perry and John Mayer, hooking up, breaking up and drunk texting? Look, I think Katy and John`s romance is already dramatic enough for a love song. I mean, come on. It`s only been two months, too.

Will their split become the biggest breakup blockbuster of the summer? We`re counting down the top five "Breakup Blockbusters" tonight. It`s the "SHOWBIZ Countdown."

Plus we`re pulling back the curtain on an ugly secret of a world- famous Music Hall Rockette. Greta Gleissner is right here. She is sharing her shocking true confessions about bulimia.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: Yes, that`s Kanye West, and if you didn`t blink, you saw Kim Kardashian there as he name checks her in the video for "I Wish You Would."

And tonight there`s new evidence that Kim`s power over Kanye has given him second thoughts about using the "B" word.

You know, Kanye broke the news of his love for Kim musically, so of course, you knew an ode to Kim couldn`t be too far away. But Kanye got a lot of heat for the title of his yet-to-be released song that he dedicated to his girl. Let`s call the song "Perfect B." And yes, the "B" word rhymes with "witch."

So is Yesie (ph) having second thoughts about calling his boo that other "B" word? Well, Kanye took to Twitter for this moral dilemma. In a brand-new Twitter rant he wrote, "I usually never tweet questions, but I struggle with this. So here goes. Is the word `B` acceptable? To be more specific, is it acceptable for a man to call a woman a `B` word even if it`s endearing? Has hip-hop conditioned us to accept this word?"

Rachel Zalis, contributing editor of "Life and Style Weekly," is here with me in Hollywood. Rachel, what about Kanye`s question? Is it acceptable for a man to call a woman a "B" word, even if he means it in an enduring way?

RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Absolutely not. I mean, nowhere that I have ever worked in any workplace or any friendship has that word been considered a term of endearment. And I think it`s a little bit of a dangerous road to go down to start using it in that way.

And I think he uses a lot of questionable words that he has gotten away with. And I like that Kim Kardashian is actually kind of softening his heart and giving him some self-awareness. It`s nice that he`s actually asking people if it`s OK to go through with that. It`s hard to believe.

TURNER: You know, it seems like she might be a little bit. You know, I wanted to check to see, though, what Kim K. was tweeting as Kanye was having this whole debate. Her dilemma, it turns out, though, that she was asking her tweets, what should she wear that day? That`s what she was doing at that point.

But anyway, I also did come across this tweet from a Kanye fan about his questions. And they said, "Personally wouldn`t like to be called `B.` Just don`t think it`s what I am. Want to be endearing? How about use `my darling`?"

I like that.

Rachel, if Kanye does bag the "B" word, I`m thinking that could be the best thing for all of us. And when I say us, you know, I mean women, that comes out of this love affair with Kim. What do you think?

ZALIS: I couldn`t agree more. I mean, I think we`ve all worked really hard to be seen as strong and confident and powerful without any negative association. So I think if he can, you know, have a relationship with Kim and not use those kind of words and find other things to use to call her in positive ways would be a nice change.

TURNER: I have to say, though, I think it would be pretty remarkable if he cut out all of that from, you know, his vocabulary. Because, you know, to be honest, a lot of times in the musical world and especially the hip hop game, you hear it a lot. It`s kind of engrained into the music there a lot of times.

Rachel Zalis, you`re the best. Thank you very much for joining us today.

And now, here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

Seal`s slam. He`s accusing his soon to be ex-wife Heidi Klum of being classless and claiming she`s cavorting with the help. Geez. Can you say bitter breakup? Is Seal and Heidi`s drama tonight`s biggest "Breakup Blockbuster"? We`re counting down the top five. It`s the SHOWBIZ Countdown.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Right now on tonight`s "SHOWBIZ Countdown," it`s the "Breakup Blockbusters." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s counting down the top five brand-new shocking developments today in Hollywood`s biggest heartbreak stories. Heidi Klum and Seal. Did he really just accuse her of sleeping with the help?

Startling news about the parents of Kim Kardashian`s ex, Kris Humphries, and what she can learn from their divorce.

Plus, did sexting lead to John Mayer and Katy Perry`s breakup makeup? Which "Breakup Blockbuster" will make its way to the top on the SHOWBIZ Countdown? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continues right now.

Welcome back to "Showbiz Tonight." Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer with tonight`s showbiz countdown. The top five breakup blockbusters. And kicking us off at number five, the just revealed leaked phone call that is claimed to be from Leean Rimes. It`s reportedly from a woman who accused Rimes of being a home wrecker. It comes just days after Leann checked herself into a facility for 30 days because of emotional problems. You got to watch this with me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEANN RIMES, SINGER: I`m sorry, I`m sorry for anything that`s been offensive and I really, really mean it. And you know, other than that, honestly I was kind of excited to talk to you because I thought, like, we could get past all of this because it`s just so stupid. And it`s my life and her life and Eddie`s life and Dean`s life and no one else`s. And so I kind of thought that, like, we could kind of move off this, and just like, even just talking. I thought we, just like cut ties and move on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Wow. I mean it`s just incredible to actually hear Leann just laying out her feelings like that on that call. With me tonight in New York is pop culture reporter, Brian Balthazar, who is the editor of "Pop goes the Week." From Hollywood, Rachel Zalis, contributing editor to "Life and Style Weekly." So guys, part of Leann`s emotional and coping problems reportedly have been over her continuing to get harassed on the internet for being a part of the breakup of her now-husband`s Eddie Cibrian`s old marriage.

The woman Leann apparently called was giving her a hard time on Twitter and Leann is now actually suing the woman and her daughter after parts of that call surfaced on the internet. Rachel, it seems to me that if Leann did make the call hoping to make peace, it shows really just how much all this has gotten to her.

RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY" : It was a horrible idea, by the way, A.J.. I think she has the Lindsay Lohan spotlight syndrome. She cannot stay away from attention. But the worst part is she did herself no favor. She said, "I`m really sorry about anything offensive, and by the way, brandy is a vindictive you know what." I mean, what is she doing?

HAMMER: Yes, I mean, Brian, are you with me on this? I got to tell you, it surprised me to no end that Leann could actually be calling her Twitter followers and even spending time with them. I mean, doesn`t it shock you?

BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR "POP GOES THE WEEK": It is absolutely shocking. And this is a really stark reminder that celebrities are people, too. You know, they have thousands of Twitter followers. She`s singling this one - just to call them and kind of make amends or break it up. What kills me, she`s really taking all this personally. And it`s based on the fact that she does have some problems right now and I sympathize with her. But it`s really shocking that she`s actually reaching out to these people.

HAMMER: Yes, so many celebrities that I speak with who have been at the game particularly for a time are very capable of just shutting it all down and ignoring all the noise around them. Sadly Leann hasn`t been able to do that and you know, her trouble follows her all over the place.

All right. Coming up next at number four on our showbiz countdown of our top five breakup blockbusters. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries` seemingly never ending divorce and what they can learn from Kris` own parents. Now listen to this, we just learned that Kris` parents - they just finalized their divorce in only 26 days, less than a month. Kim and Kris have been at it for nearly a year now. Brian, isn`t it just ridiculous that Kim and Kris cannot work this out? I don`t get it.

BALTHAZAR: Honestly it is ridiculous. That word kind of comes up quite often when I think of Kim Kardashian.

HAMMER: There is that.

BALTHAZAR: It is surprising, you know, in the fact that they can`t just end it already. End it, please.

HAMMER: Yes. Listen to Brian, Kim. And, look, she`s moved on very publicly, Rachel, making headlines every day with her boyfriend, Kanye, who can forget, you know, they`re together when we`re seeing it everywhere, every day. Why can`t they get the divorce papers signed? Is it just Kris is trying to stick it to her? What`s happening?

ZALIS: Of course he`s trying to. I mean the longer it takes the more money he is incurring. It`s already been something like $250,000. You know, the less quick that she can remarry with Kanye. You know, he`s trying to say this whole marriage was a fraud and the only way he can prove that is by getting her to admit that it was. He`s going to keep pushing it and pushing it as long as he can.

HAMMER: I still will say by the end of 2014 we will have this thing settled.

OK. Let`s move from the 72 day marriage to one that was remarkably even shorter if you can believe that. And it`s number three on the showbiz countdown of our top five breakup blockbusters.

Evelyn Lozada in her very big first interview since she announced she was interviewing Chad Johnson after just 41 days of marriage after he was arrested for allegedly head butting her. She was just on ABC`s "Nightline" and she talked about what went down during that violent confrontation. Let`s watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EVELYN LOZADA: He grabbed me right here and he had (INAUDIBLE). And all I felt was, you know, I felt like, you know, blood coming down my face.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are you feeling at that moment?

LOZADA: Humiliated. Embarrassed. In shock. My fairytale just ended.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: This is a tough woman. I got to tell you I`m feeling some sympathy for her watching her in this interview. But of course, a lot of people blamed Evelyn for what happened because they had seen her in so many violent confrontations on her reality show "Basketball Wives."

Rachel, do you think, maybe look, she had an influence on media. Do you think Evelyn needed people to hear from her to believe her story?

ZALIS: I think she probably did. You know, she is portrayed on that other show as fiery and feisty. But the thing is, A.J., no matter how much your personality is like that, nothing ever warrants any violence. And I think it`s important for that to get out to people. You know, don`t question that at all.

HAMMER: I`m right there with you. I want to bring in "Showbiz Tonight`s" Michelle Turner who`s in Hollywood. Michelle, you saw Evelyn`s interview. Do you think that maybe it did help her in the court of public opinion, maybe gained her some sympathy, because she did have a lot of detractors?

NISCHELLE TURNER, CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, she definitely did have a lot of detractors, A.J. and to be honest, I think it did do her some good doing this interview, because now we have been forced to see her in another light except for the bully that she was on that show. And our colleague, Richelle Carey, wrote a great blog saying a bully can be a victim. And I think in that case that is what happened. So now we look at her as a real person with feelings. I think that`s good in her case.

HAMMER: Yes, it`s tough. It`s tough. She basically did have that one image and now well, she clearly has another one.

All right. I want to move on to number two on our showbiz countdown, top five breakup blockbusters. One of the most talked about budding romances in Hollywood. But it actually already appears to be on shaky ground. Now Nischelle, a lot of music fans are hoping this one will actually work out. Is love still in the air here? Oh, please do tell.

TURNER: Oh, you know what, A.J., all eyes are on Katy Perry and John Mayer right now. You know, fans were stunned but they were also thrilled to find out that they were dating, but there were reports just last week that John Mayer had dumped her and moved on with his life.

Well, A.J., here`s a word to those fans. Don`t believe everything that you read. Because there are brand new sightings and a frenzy of fan Twitter pics showing Katy and John hanging out, and having a great time with friends over the holiday weekend. And one report that they got back together after, yes, sexting each other. Who know, A.J.. Let`s just keep watching this one. We may see another walk down the aisle.

HAMMER: Let me bring in Brian Balthazar on this one, because Brian, you know, I had the impression that John had become somewhat of a pariah after his bad history with things he said about his exes in the press in the past. Are you surprised that he got Katy to begin with?

BALTHAZAR: I`m still trying to figure out what woman says to herself, "Yeah, dating John Mayer seems like a really good idea." You know, I mean, this is a guy who has a reputation. And I actually like - you know, I love his music and I like to think that Katy has a head on her shoulders. But she`s a grown woman and she can handle herself. But you can`t say there aren`t red flags all over this.

HAMMER: No. Woman`s perspective, Rachel, are we missing something?

ZALIS: We love the bad boys. It`s like candy. You know it`s bad for you but you want it more and more is all I can say about that.

HAMMER: All right. Well, look, Katy Perry and John Mayer right here proving that breaking up is hard to do, but moving on, apparently, is even harder. Question is, who will be number one tonight on the showbiz countdown of breakup blockbusters? Well, it does include brand new developments that I must tell you are very hard to believe.

So Brian, Rachel, I want you both to stay right where you are.

But now, from blockbuster breakups to blockbuster revelations, from an iconic former Rockette, an unbelievable story. Tonight, I have a spectacular newsmaker interview with this woman - former Rockette, Greta Gleissner. She`s right here and she is revealing the pressure, the stardom, the fascinating world of Radio City Music Hall and how she overcame her personal battle with bulimia. This is "Showbiz Tonight" on HLN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: I`m going to presume you`re ready because it is time to unveil our number one in the showbiz countdown of the top five breakup blockbusters tonight. Here`s where we are so far.

Number five, Leann Rimes` leaked phone call defending her marriage to Eddie Cibrian. And number four, Kim Kardashian`s-Kris Humphries` never ending divorce. So how come his parents were just able to get their own divorce done in a mere 26 days.

Number three, "Basketball Wife" Evelyn Lozada breaks her silence in her first big interview since her split from Chad Ochocinco-Johnson. Number two tonight, John Mayer and Katy Perry, looking like quite the item again.

And our number one breakup shocker tonight, Heidi Klum and Seal`s war of words. Him now accusing her of sleeping with the help. What? Well, these two split back in January. At the time an optimistic Seal told CNN`s Piers Morgan he actually could see them getting back together.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAL, SINGER: Is it irreparable? You can never say never. Obviously I can`t speak for my wife, and, again, I`m not going to sit here and bs you and tell you we haven`t had problems. Of course we`ve had problems, otherwise why are we splitting up? Whether we get back together or not, it may happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Or it may not happen. A very fired up Seal singing a very different tune after responding to reports that Heidi is dating her bodyguard. "Showbiz Tonight`s" Nischelle Turner is joining me now from Hollywood. Exactly what did Seal say, Nischelle?

TURNER: This is a wow, A.J.. You know, it`s been about five months since Heidi Klum filed for divorce from Seal after seven years after marriage. And now Seal is speaking out about Heidi getting close with the bodyguard. And despite the fact that he`s separated from Heidi, he wasn`t happy when asked about the two dating. Seal told TMZ, quote, "I don`t necessarily expect Heidi to all of a sudden become a nun. But as always, my main priority is the emotional well-being of our children. At once, I didn`t expect any better of him, I would have thought Heidi would have shown a little more class and at least waited until we`ve separated before deciding to fornicate with the help as it were."

HAMMER: Wow.

TURNER: Uh-huh. Seal told the photogs that now they had the answer they`ve been waiting for seven months, which led a lot of people to think he`s saying Heidi cheated on him.

HAMMER: Which is not exactly the case. We`re going to get to that in just a moment. Right now, I want to welcome back pop culture expert Brian Balthazar, Rachel Zalis from "Life and Style Weekly." Look obviously Seal not happy about the budding relationship Heidi allegedly has with her bodyguard. But here`s the thing Seal says that he`s looking out for the emotional well-being of their children. Certainly understandable, Rachel. Do you think that Seal, though, should have kept his mouth shut and not publicly accused her of sleeping with her bodyguard if he`s really caring about the kids?

ZALIS: Absolutely. And who even speaks like that? Fornicate with the help? I mean, I`m so sick of people airing their trashy, dirty laundry in public. I mean if he really cared about the kids, he would keep it very private between them. I mean he needs to embody his name and Seal those lips. Come on.

HAMMER: Yes, I mean it`s amazing. That`s right. Seal told the paparazzi he wished Heidi had waited until they separated before she fornicated with the help. But, Nischelle, by separate, getting to the nitty-gritty of this story, I`m guessing he meant finalize the divorce.

TURNER: Yes, he did clarification, a little bit of back tracking there, A.J.. "Showbiz Tonight" reached out to Seal`s rep, who told us, Seal would like to clarify that he was not implying his wife was cheating while they were together, rather he was merely pointing out that their separation and divorce are not yet final and they are, indeed, still legally married."

Now, we also hear from Heidi Klum who tells us, I cherish all of the great memories Seal and I created together over the years. Our separation was based on issues between the two of us. Seal has moved on, and so have I. My priority has and continues to be protecting and providing for our children." I would say she is taking the high road. A.J.?

HAMMER: Yes, I just wish everybody didn`t feel the need to always respond when things are being thrown around and rumors are being floated around. All right, Nischelle, thank you. Brian, Rachel, thank you both so much. Appreciate it tonight.

Well, here`s a big makeup that`s making the headlines tonight. Stevie Wonder letting the world know that he`s sorry for the weird remarks that he made about artist Frank Oshins` revelation he had fallen in love with a man. We have Stevie`s big apology coming up.

Right now it`s time for the showbiz buzz list. This is what the "Showbiz Tonight" staff is buzzing all about this week. The living lend. The great Prince just announced that he`s playing a single show. It`s going to be in Chicago in late September. Tickets will go on sale Thursday through livenation.com. So get ready to get your mouse finger clicking for that.

The Kindle Fire is about to set fire to the tablet wars. A new version of the Kindle is reportedly being launched this week and I got to tell you, we cannot wait to get our hands on this thing.

Reality TV goes highbrow. Well, sort of, Bravo`s new series "Gallery Girls" features the cut-throat business of New York`s commercial art world. Iphone users rejoice, iPhone 5 expected to be released on September 21st. Reports say it`s going to have a larger screen a slimmer profile.

It`s the "new normal." We love NBC`s new show about a gay couple trying to start a family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you look at that? Just strutting down the middle of buckeye road in broad daylight, proud as gay peacocks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why shouldn`t they be, nanna?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t call me that. I don`t look old enough to be a grandmother.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Great-grandmother.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I happen to love the gaze. I could never get to get my hair to look this good (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Tonight a showbiz true confession. We know the Radio City Rockettes for their big smiles and those high flying kicks. But behind the scenes, the pressure to fill those legendary shoes led a former Rockette to nearly kill herself because of an eating disorder. Greta Gleissner tells her dramatic story in a new book called "Something Spectacular: A True Story of a Rockette`s Battle with Bulimia." Greta joins me now in New York. Good to have you here, Greta.

GRETA GLEISSNER, FMR. ROCKETTES: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: Absolutely. And to be clear you had bulimia before you joined up with the Rockettes and you thought that becoming a Rockette would actually help you change, maybe even recover, but it got worse, didn`t it?

GLEISSNER: It did. Prior to Rockettes, I had had bulimia since I was age 16 and by the time I started Rockettes at age 25, it had progressed to, you know, daily bingeing and purging, several times a day.

HAMMER: And the Rockettes actually really proved a challenge because when you join up with them, you got to take what you call the fat test. You literally get measured for fat. What are some of the things that you still can`t believe you had to do to stay on as a Rockette?

GLEISSNER: Well, I think, you know, we did have to, you know, weigh in and get some body fat testing, but on the other hand, it is part of the business. So it wasn`t surprising to me.

HAMMER: But did that just feed into what you were already dealing with, having that kind of pressure and, you know, having the weigh-ins with all those other women?

GLEISSNER: I think it was my own internal pressure that I put, you know, that really affected me. The weight ranges were very broad. I was never told to lose weight, but it was just my own comparison to the other talented, beautiful women that were dancing alongside me.

HAMMER: So what was rock bottom for you?

GLEISSNER: Rock bottom was purging about up to 30 times a day, spending $50 to $100 a day on food. Pawning my belongings to get money for binge food. Getting kicked out of my apartment. Not having a job because of - I couldn`t stop bingeing and purging. And then going to see Tucson for treatment is, you know, where I went after rock bottom.

HAMMER: Well, it seems like you got on the right path and you`re doing well now. I`m sure writing this book was cathartic. I appreciate you sharing our story with us, Greta. Thank you so much.

GLEISSNER: Thank you so much.

HAMMER: For more of Greta`s incredible story pick up "Something Spectacular," it is available right now.

And we move on now to some huge movie news. It`s big history made in the movie biz over the weekend. The brand new kid`s movie that is the lowest grossing wide release film of all time. I mean, this is astonishing how little money this thing made. I`ll reveal this serious box office bomb coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Tonight, Stevie`s big blunder. The musician who`s known for being all about love is forced to clarify his remarks about a gay rapper.

Also the labor day box office dud. A much hyped kid`s movie has the worst wide screen opening in history.

And big up for big Mike. Hollywood remembers Michael Clarke Duncan who died over the weekend. Your "Showbiz Tonight`s" Nischelle Turner with the buzz today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER (voice-over): Honoring Michael Clarke Duncan, the bodyguard turned actor whose many roles include the Oscar-nominated performance as a death row inmate in "The Green Mile" died Monday at age 54, almost two months after suffering from a heart attack. Although he only turned to acting in his 30s, his gentle giant persona made him much loved across Hollywood. Tom Hanks, Duncan`s "Green Mile" co-star told "Showbiz Tonight," "I`m terribly saddened at the loss of big Mike. He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of "The Green Mile." He was magic. He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us stunned.

Stevie`s sorry. Stevie Wonder just released a brand new statement clarifying comments he made about Frank Ocean, the R&B artist who recently revealed that he fell in love with a man. In an interview with UK`s "The Guardian" Wonder was asked if he was surprised that in this day and age there could be a, "furor at the revelation that rapper Frank Ocean is gay." Wonder responded, "I think honestly some people who think they`re gay, they`re confused. People can misconstrue closeness for love." Wonder issued a brand new statement this weekend to clear up his thought saying, "I`m sorry that my words about anyone feeling confused about their love was misunderstood."

Box office bomb. With only $448,000 earned this weekend, the "Oogieloves and the Big Balloon Adventure" is officially the lowest grossing wide release of all time. The Interactive Kids Film averaged just 207 per theater, the lowest ever for an opening on 2,000 or more theaters. "Oogieloves" takes the top flop spot from 2008`s "Delgo."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: Moving on to a teen tragedy. The sweet 16 party that ended in a boy`s shocking death after a terrible and risky decision. Why do teenagers make such dangerous choices. Dr. Drew starts with that right now.

END