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Showbiz Tonight
Interview With Larry Birkhead`s Former Lawyer; Anna Nicole DNA Results Ready But Not
Aired April 03, 2007 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ANCHOR: Your first look at "Law and Order`s" Anna Nicole smith episode. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ANCHOR: And Halle Berry tells me why she`s upset about reports of her suicide attempt. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the dramatic court showdown today over Anna Nicole Smith`s baby. Tonight, when will we find out once and for all who is the father of baby Dannielynne? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes you straight to the Bahamas for a very big day in court.
Plus, why Zsa Zsa Gabor`s husband is still insisting he is the daddy. The prince himself right here in the explosive interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Hollywood`s biggest stars in big trouble with the law. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates, when stars mess up, do they get special treatment. From Paris Hilton to Mel Gibson, when celebrities get nailed, do the cops get star struck? Do they really get the same treatment as the average Joe? You will not want to miss this very special SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report.
ANDERSON: Hi there. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, and tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got the Anna Nicole baby battle covered like nobody else, a big showdown in the Bohemian court today over who really is the father of baby Dannielynn, Howard K. Stern, Larry Birkhead, or maybe even Zsa Zsa Gabor`s husband, Prince Frederick Van Anhalt.
Now coming up shortly, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going one on one exclusively with Birkhead`s former attorney, Debra Opri, who fought passionately for Birkhead to be named the father. And later, another exclusive on this crucial day, the prince himself comes to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to reveal why he`s still so sure he`ll be named the father.
ANDERSON: But first tonight, the battle in the Bahamas. Everybody was on pins and needles today. The expectation that a court might finally reveal the results of DNA tests to determine who the daddy is. With us tonight from the Bahamas is CNN correspondent Rusty Dornin for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Hi, Rusty.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Brooke. Well, mum is still the word here in the Bahamas. All of the attorneys came out of the court, said that the DNA results had not been revealed. But Larry Birkhead`s attorney, Emerick Knowles (ph) did say that things went very much in favor of his client. Also, Virgie Arthur, who is also in on these proceedings, of course the mother of Anna Nicole Smith, she said she would like to be able to tell us what went on in court, but she can`t because there is a gag order.
Remember, here in the Bahamas, closed hearing on this family court issue. Also, attorneys are not allowed to talk about the issues until the matter is resolved. But we did also hear from Virgie Arthur`s attorney that she believes things progressed very well. But still no final word on who`s the daddy.
ANDERSON: OK, well, was there any indication, Rusty, any indication given whatsoever as to when the results of who the father is might finally be released?
DORNIN: From what we understand, Dr. Michael Baird from DNA Diagnostics in Ohio is the one that`s going to be presenting the evidence for the DNA results. Now, apparently he is not in the Bahamas. That was one of the reasons we felt that probably they might not reveal the results of the test. He is supposed to be here -- or was able to get to the Bahamas sometime next week. We do not know if he is going to be here next week, but they are holding a hearing on Tuesday of next week.
There`s a long holiday here in the Bahamas through Monday. Monday is a holiday. So Tuesday afternoon is the day that this hearing will resume. Now, also, just to let you know, Brooke, Howard Stern did not come. And Larry Birkhead, I spoke to him earlier today. He had told me he was not coming to this hearing because he did not believe that the DNA results were going to be revealed.
ANDERSON: Well that`s something that I don`t understand, Rusty, because this is a three-way intense battle for the custody of that baby Dannielynn, but the only person out of those three who attended was Virgie Arthur and then the DNA expert wasn`t there. So is all of that holding things up?
DORNIN: No, because initially they felt that this was only going to be a hearing that was going to set the date for another schedule. But no one here knew. All on pins and needles, certainly the media, a lot of tourists, everybody outside the court were really not sure what was going to happen, whether the judge was going to reveal to the attorneys the results of the DNA and then perhaps have the DNA expert come next week and provide evidence of the reason he came to those results.
Now, that`s not -- We don`t know that that didn`t happen in court today. We really don`t know, because nobody is talking. But it was never said that absolutely today was the day.
ANDERSON: Right. With that gag order, it certainly makes it difficult. OK, CNN`s Rusty Dornin in the Bahamas. Thank you so much.
HAMMER: Tonight, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the former attorney for Larry Birkhead, Debra Opri, who passionately fought for Birkhead in the battle over the baby and the battle to get custody of Anna Nicole`s body after her death. Opri and Birkhead recently parted ways and she`s here tonight to set the record straight on a number of issues.
Debra Opri joining us tonight from Los Angeles. Good to see you Debra.
DEBRA OPRI, LAWYER: Hey, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, listen, as we just heard, the battle over who is going to be named the father of this baby still unresolved. Now even though you`re not working with Larry Birkhead anymore, even though you`re not together in a professional relationship, are you still rooting for the guy in this fight?
OPRI: I`m rooting for the cause and that`s to get Dannielynn home. And my client, I believe, is the father of the child and I believe everything we did from October 2nd brought us to where we are today. And I am going to say, I think he`s the father and I think he should be getting custody of that child very soon.
HAMMER: Now, you did just refer to him as your client. I assume you mean former client. You don`t have a professional working relationship with Larry anymore?
OPRI: That`s correct.
HAMMER: OK, there are a couple of things I would like you to set the record straight on. First of all, regarding your split with Larry, you were very diplomatic in your comments after you parted ways. It had been characterized in the media as something that was less than amicable, that it wasn`t pleasant in the end. Any truth to that?
OPRI: No, we terminated the relationship for a number of reasons which will not be discussed. I maintain contact with Larry and I wish him well. But there are reasons why attorneys leave cases, and sometimes you just have to go your way. And it was time to go and I went on my way.
HAMMER: And you can`t get more specific as to those reasons?
OPRI: No.
HAMMER: Hey, I got to ask.
OPRI: I know. It`s just -- all I can tell you is this. I came here to talk about the DNA. And I know that I was asked to mention something about the hoopla last night on television.
HAMMER: Yes, let me set up what that hoopla is. There were reports that you had sent this big, fat legal bill to Larry Birkhead. TMZ.com reporting it was a bill for more than 600,000 bucks. So can you set the record straight on that?
OPRI: Well, as my attorney has made clear, my publicist has made clear and as I have made clear, I want to defend myself. I have asked my client to allow me to get on there and set the record straight. But my client holds an attorney/client privilege and he has not waived it, which means he happens not allowed me to defend myself. And I want to say something specifically, my name and reputation I`ve built carefully. I`ve got a great reputation. My ethics are as high as I can make them. I care very much for the clients. And whatever billing is out there, I am telling the public and whoever -- and that person knows who leaked that bill -- that the bill that was leaked may have been altered. It may have been incomplete.
The manipulation and the backup information that was provided and which was put on the news was not accurate, could have only come from a very limited number of people. And all I can say is the bell goes ding- dong. And whoever is attempting to assassinate my character -- and I can tell you I will fight diligently. I will not allow that. This is a bill that is probably going to remain in dispute. It will go to a fee dispute arbitration.
My bills and my high profile clients, I have never had anything leaked to the press before. I can only imagine why it was done now. But I am telling everyone and I am being very, very clear about it, I will not allow anyone to call me despicable, that I am disrespectful of the legal profession and the Marie Antoinette. There are explanations for everything and I will have my day in court and I will explain carefully every bill, every charge and what the public has heard finally, I want them to know it was incomplete. It was a lie. It was manipulated. And it was defamatory.
So I want the public to know my reputation is everything to me and I will fight to keep it so.
HAMMER: Absolutely fair enough, Debra. And I do appreciate you setting that record straight on that particular issue.
OPRI: Thank you.
HAMMER: While I got you here though, because you were right in the middle of this whole thing, and you just said before, moments ago emphatically, as you`ve said before -- you`ve been on the show quite a few times and you have always maintained Larry Birkhead, with complete certainty in your mind, is the father of Dannielynn.
Now, I asked that exact same question to Stern`s attorney Lilly Ann Sanchez, recently. I want you to take a look at what she said to that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Do you, Howard K. Stern`s attorneys, have any doubts whatsoever that Howard K. Stern is the father of the child?
LILLY ANN SANCHEZ, LAWYER FOR HOWARD K. STERN: I do not have any doubts that Howard K. Stern is the legal father of the child.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She used that word legal. I could not get the word biological out of her.
OPRI: This is a law school exam question. All I can tell you is people play with words all the time. When I asked Mr. Stern in court in Ft. Lauderdale, are you the by biological father, he laughed at me. Mr. Stern, in my humble, experienced and knowing opinion, is not the biological father. Under Bohemian law, as he has testified, he may be the legal father.
But that lawsuit we filed in the Bahamas for fraud on the birth certificate, it depends as to how the lordship, the judges in the Bahamas will rule that after the DNA test finds Larry Birkhead to be the biological father.
HAMMER: Well hopefully the word play will not be getting in the way there. Now, I`m curious to get your expert opinion, having been right there, why you really think it is that Howard K. Stern is just continuing to drag this whole process out, which to us only adds to the perception he`s hiding something.
OPRI: Well, I`m going to see the big picture, like I`ve always seen it. And the big picture always revolves around money. And the money situation here is that there may or may not be a settlement with the Marshall estate. I`m leaning towards no. I`m leaning towards what Larry always said, it was a pipe dream.
HAMMER: Yes.
OPRI: If in fact there is a money trail, if in fact this child may be worth something to someone, in terms of the Marshall estate or the name and likeness of Anna Nicole, I would suspect that that individual may want to hold on to the child. But in the end, a biological father is a biological father.
HAMMER: Debra Opri, as always, I thank you for taking the time with us tonight.
OPRI: Thank you.
HAMMER: Still to come, another man claiming to be the father of Anna Nicole`s baby, Zsa Zsa Gabor`s husband, Prince Frederick Van Anhalt joining us right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at 31 past the hour.
ANDERSON: A.J. we all knew this one was coming. "Law & Order" doing an episode that`s ripped from the headlines of this Anna Nicole Smith saga. Ant tonight, we have your first look at Christy Swanson in the Anna Nicole role. It`s a really amazing resemblance. We also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARVEY LEVIN, TMZ.COM: The reality is that sometimes stars are treated preferentially because authorities are star struck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: When stars like Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson get in trouble with the law, do they get special treatment? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates in a special report coming up.
ANDERSON: And they say breaking up is hard to do, but is that any reason to start smashing things over your own head? A strange story of love, loss and breaking bottles straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight we have a picture for you that will definitely make you look twice. Take a look at this. All right, it`s not Anna Nicole Smith but Christy Swanson playing her for an upcoming episode of "Law and Order: Criminal Intent." I`ve got to say, the resemblance is uncanny.
In the episode, Swanson plays a voluptuous drug abusing model, the widow of a rich old man whose son is found dead. Sound familiar? TV Guide got a first look at Swanson in the role. The episode will air on May 8th. For more pick up a copy of TV Guide. It`s on newsstands Thursday.
HAMMER: Here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT we`re always digging for the truth and tonight we are digging deep into celebrities who get into big trouble with the law. You know them, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, even Super model Naomi Campbell. They all have arrest records, but do they get handled with kid gloves by the police who arrest them or do they get treated the same way as the average Joe? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with this special report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): When Nicole Richie was pulled over for driving the wrong way on a California freeway last December, cops say she admitted she had been smoking pot and taken some Vicodin and arrested her. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Richie got no special treatment and could be doing time.
LEVIN: Nicole Richie is in trouble. Nicole Richie has a prior DUI and she will get mandatory jail time if she`s convicted this time around.
HAMMER: The arrest of Richie, the recent arrest of Paris Hilton, also on DUI charges, and cops grabbing everyone from Mel Gibson to Naomi Campbell has SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asking, are stars treated differently when arrested or do they get treated like any other Joe?
NICKI GOSTIN, "NEWSWEEK": No, they definitely don`t get treated like any other Joe when arrested. They definitely get kid gloves when they are arrested because our culture worships celebrities. So law enforcement isn`t different. They get off easier.
LEVIN: The reality is sometimes that stars are treated preferentially because authorities are star struck. But a lot of times they are scrutinized more because when a police department or a D.A.`s office gets a celebrity case, they feel everyone is watching, so they have to be extra hard.
HAMMER: Let`s take a look at what happened to supermodel Naomi Campbell, who admitted to slapping her maid upside the head with a cell phone.
GOSTIN: I think Naomi Campbell is a prime example of someone who has completely worked the legal system in their favor.
HAMMER: Campbell pled guilty to assault and did five days of community service cleaning at the New York City Sanitation Department. But it was the sight of a police officer carrying Naomi`s bag for her on the way to her first day of service that made everyone say, are you kidding me?
GOSTIN: She also paraded in a Dolce and Gabana dress at the end of the day of her last day of service and managed to con some police official to carry her bag when she walks in to service. So she clearly didn`t serve it like a regular person.
HAMMER: Campbell pled guilty to assault once before in Toronto for assaulting one of her assistants with a hotel phone. And last year she was arrested in London on suspicion of assault, but later released on bail. Lots of assault charges for one supermodel, but no jail sentences so far.
GOSTIN: She clearly has this insane temper and I think she would probably be really, really scary to be around.
HAMMER: And even scarier, Paris Hilton, arrested for DUI, her license suspended. Yet she had the nerve to get behind the wheel anyway and got stopped again. While the cops didn`t give her special treatment, Paris clearly thinks she deserves to be treated special.
LEVIN: The problem with Paris Hilton is that she`s gotten away with so much in the way of petty things that it`s going to come back to bite her eventually, because you get away with it, you do it again. You get away with it, you become bolder. Now she could end up going to jail for a probation violation and she really could be doing time. So Paris Hilton skating could ultimately land her in the slammer.
HAMMER (on camera): What a day it`s been. Today Mel Gibson released an apology. It`s amazing.
(voice-over): The cops cut Mel Gibson no slack when they first arrested him on DUI, or so it seemed at first, until TMZ.com broke the news that Gibson went on a drunken anti-semitic tirade after his arrest that police tried to sweep under the carpet.
LEVIN: It was only after we turned up this arrest report that they change their story. So they were trying to protect him.
HAMMER: Ultimately the truth got out and made many wonder if it were anyone else would his comments have been kept so secret? And in the end, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this, the perception that all stars are treated special when they get in to trouble is just not true, but it happens often enough that the perception becomes the reality.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The rule of thumb is that celebrities do get special treatment. But just like there`s exception to the English language, I think there`s certain exceptions with celebrities who do wrong and sort of are made examples of.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Now we`d like to hear from you for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here`s what we want to know: Stars in trouble, do they get special treatment. You can vote at CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT. You can e-mail us at SHOWBIZTONIGHT@CNN.com. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show where you can express your opinion on video by sending us a video e-mail. Just go to our website, CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT, for more info.
Brooke, of course, one of the more surprising contenders in this whole battle over Anna Nicole Smith`s baby, Prince Frederick Van Anhalt. That`s Zsa Zsa Gabor`s husband. What is it with this guy and could he really be the daddy? He`s going to join us on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to tell us at 31 minutes past the hour.
ANDERSON: Also, A.J., Justin Timberlake really ticked off and he`s not going to take it anymore. He lashes out about all those questions about his exes. Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE, SINGER/ACTRESS: I have my insecurities in "Sports Illustrated." I`m like, oh god, am I going to look all right?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: No, the beautiful, talented, successful Beyonce body image issues? Say it ain`t so. Beyonce opening up to me about weight and the pressure to be thin, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well if you ever had any doubt that 40 is fabulous, all you have to do is take one look at Halle Berry. I was right there today as Halle got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and I can tell you, she looks absolutely fantastic. The woman is stunning. And I spoke to Halle after the ceremony and I asked her about a recent article in "Parade Magazine" that revealed that Halle tried to kill herself after her break-up from baseball star David Justice. Listen to what she had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: Unfortunately, the magazine decided to regurgitate some old information and sensationalize it a little bit and present it as if it were like new. It`s not what I want to talk about. It`s so not where I am. It was ten years ago and I`m in the best time of my life ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Hale also told me life is full of ups and downs and her life is no different.
HAMMER: Well Justin Timberlake says he`s absolutely had it with the tabloids. In an interview with "Details Magazine" J.T. refused to talk about ending his four year relationship with Cameron Diaz or his past relationship with Britney Spears. He then went on to rant about gossip magazines, saying, quote, "I despise what they do. They create soap operas out of people`s lives. It`s a spin game and I choose not to take part in it."
For more, you can pick up a copy of "Details Magazine" on newsstands now. My hat is off to Justin for saying that.
Coming up, my revealing chat with Beyonce.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE: I have my insecurities in "Sports Illustrated" and I`m like, oh god, am I going to look right?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It seems even the beautiful Beyonce has body image issues. She really opens up with us about the pressure to be thin. That is coming up.
ANDERSON: I can`t believe that, A.J. She`s gorgeous. Also, take a look at this. They say love hurts. Well, I guess that`s especially true when you`re smashing things over your head. We`ve got that very strange story coming up.
HAMMER: And Brooke, in the battle over who is the father of Anna Nicole Smith`s baby, he is certainly one of the more colorful contenders, Prince Frederick Van Anhalt. He`ll be right here in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`re coming right back.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I am Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And you are watching TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Brooke, still to come, I go one-on-one with Beyonce. Certainly one of the biggest stars in the world. Certainly one of the most beautiful. If you think she lacks insecurities, you`d be wrong. Beyonce on body image and so much, moments from now.
ANDERSON: Just proves she`s just like the rest of us, A.J.
HAMMER: That`s right.
ANDERSON: All right. Tonight, another SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with one of the many men claiming to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith`s baby.
In the Bahamas, yet another court hearing ended without any decision announced by who the daddy is. The main contenders, Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead. And then there`s Zsa Zsa Gabor`s husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, who says he was sleeping with Anna Nicole Smith at the time Dannielynn was conceived, and has provided his own DNA sample to try to prove that.
Prince Frederic with me tonight in Hollywood.
Welcome.
PRINCE FREDERIC VON ANHALT, CLAIMS TO HAVE FATHERED ANNA NICOLE`S BABY: Welcome.
HAMMER: All right. As we mentioned, Prince, you recently took a DNA test. Do you have any doubt in your mind whatsoever that it will prove that you`re the father. Or are you just doing it because you think that there might be a chance it could be true.
VON ANHALT: No, I could be easily the father, because I was together with her in January 2006. So I could be easily the father. And I`m a little bit nervous today, because I was watching - I was thinking it would be over today, they will have the DNA test probably matching with (INAUDIBLE), you know? Now it`s delayed, you know?
I can`t sleep overnights. You know, the last four weeks I didn`t even sleep because I was thinking, `Well, it could be your baby. What happened if it is your baby. And then what does my wife does say? What did I do to my wife, you know, to get this baby` and things like that.
So I thought it will be over day. Now that battle goes on again, you know? I mean, it`s terrible.
ANDERSON: So you`re really anxious about this. And I want to - I want to know, if the DNA results show that you`re not the father, are you going to be disappointed. In other words, are you really hoping that you can get baby Dannielynn and care for her?
VON ANHALT: Well, if - if I - if I`m not the father, I am a little bit disappointed, but I always will - I always will be happy. Because then I didn`t hurt my wife so much, you know? Can you imagine being married since 20 years to Zsa Zsa Gabor, and then all of a sudden coming home with a baby? This is terrible for my wife, of course.
But it.
ANDERSON: Yes, well what - what has she said about this, Prince Frederic? Have you discussed it with her in case it is proven that you`re the father? Is she willing to play a role in Dannielynn`s life, willing to be her mommy?
VON ANHALT: Well, I discussed everything with my wife, and - and we talked about it. And I said, `Look, it can happen,` you know? It - it - maybe it is my baby. We talked about it; my wife was very upset. At the beginning, she was mad at me. And then all of a sudden she said, `Well, if it is your baby, you have to fight for it, naturally, and you have to bring the baby home.`
But I know that`s what she said now, and that`s very easy. But if I get the child, if the child comes to Los Angeles, I bring it home, then of course she will be upset again and she will be mad again. But I think eventually it will - she will get over it, because then it is my baby, you know? And - and.
ANDERSON: So a range of emotions, both with you and your wife, understandably.
And, you know, I want to assume that right now, hypothetically, the DNA results prove that maybe you`re not the father. And that really leaves Larry Birkhead on one side, Howard K. Stern on the other. I know you`ve got strong opinions here.
Of the two of them, who do you think is more likely to be the father? And who - who would you hope to be the father in that situation?
VON ANHALT: Well, if I am not the father, then I hope Larry Birkhead is the father. I`m 100 percent sure Howard Stern is not the father, because Nicole always told me, `I never saw Howard naked.` So they`ve never been in bed together. So she - he couldn`t be the father.
But I - you know, it is between - it`s - it`s between me and - and Larry Birkhead. And if Larry Birkhead is the father, yes, it makes me happy. I have peace; he is the father. But on the end, I still will fight against Howard Stern, because I want somebody to be - to be prosecuted, because I liked Nicole very much, and she was killed here. Somebody gave her all the pills she didn`t need and she didn`t deserve. Somebody gave her the pills, and that person, either Howard Stern or his doctor friend, should be prosecuted in this case.
ANDERSON: Well, you know, you`re not the only person who has said that. You know, there have been many people who have said that Howard K. Stern could have done more to prevent her death. You know, in fact, Prince Frederic, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT revealed first on our show last night that eight of the 11 drugs found in her hotel room were prescribed to Stern.
So do you think he failed Anna Nicole? Do you think he could have done more to prevent her death?
VON ANHALT: Of course he could. I mean, if you - if you - as he says, `I was so much in love with that woman; I`m married to that woman. I have her baby. I was so much in love with her` - you take care of somebody. You take everything away. Don`t give her all those things.
If you give her those things, yes, you want to kill her. You want to get rid of her. I mean, Jesus Christ, if you a cupboard full of this stuff, you know, you throw it in the trash can, you throw it out of the window. You do not give it to the woman you love.
ANDERSON: Well let me ask you this: did you - you knew Anna Nicole for 10 years. You obviously cared her for very, very much.
Did you know about her prescription drug abuse, and really the terrible shape that she was in? Did you have any indication?
VON ANHALT: No, she never told - we talked lately about drugs she had, and she said, `Howard Stern is giving me all kinds of stuff.` But over years, you know, I would say, in seven years, we didn`t talk very much about it, just in the last two years we talked very much about those things. And especially after Daniel died, you know, she was furious; she didn`t want to take Taxin (ph) anymore. She wanted to get away from everything, and Howard still always gave her the stuff, you know?
We don`t know why. But I think I know why: because he wanted to get rid of her.
For Howard, it`s only about the money. It`s nothing else. And if he wants the money, naturally Nicole was in the way. Daniel was in his way. And the baby. Now either is in the way, or he gets the baby. But he doesn`t get the baby, so I wonder what he`s going to do next.
And this.
ANDERSON: It`s a tragic situation. It really is. And - and, you know, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, we do have to end it there. But, you know, hopefully, this situation will be resolved, not only for you, but for everybody else involved. Thanks so much for your time tonight.
VON ANHALT: You`re welcome.
HAMMER: See, now I hope he is the father.
What do we make of Prince Frederic von Anhalt and what he just told us, and - and what about his competition with Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead?
Well, joining me tonight, in the Bahamas, Court TV`s Michael Bryant, correspondent for Court TV.
In New York with a big smile on her face, investigative journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell. She`s the author of this book: "Secrets Can Be Murder." It`s going to be out in stores this summer.
Well, I could have listened to that all day, Jane. You - you heard what Prince Frederic von Anhalt had - had to say. Did anything convince you that maybe there is a chance he`s the baby daddy?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: I don`t know. He is definitely the dark horse in this race, if you can call it that.
I keep coming back to what Anna Nicole`s half sister purportedly said in a manuscript, that she claimed Anna Nicole Smith kept the sperm of her late oil tycoon husband J. Howard Marshall for the purposes of inseminating herself so that she could have a trump card in the battle over his estate. So I think it`s just as likely if it`s not Larry Birkhead, that it could be - actually, the father could be this late oil tycoon.
HAMMER: Yes. That theory`s been floated around a little bit. Could you imagine if there were able to - to - to figure out that that indeed was the case?
Michael, of course, we know yesterday, Howard K. Stern suffered a major setback in this whole thing, having to withdraw the appeal to block the results of the DNA on baby Dannielynn. He`s trying to put this thing off as much as possible. The judge said, `No, you`re being frivolous.` They fined him $10,000.
Did anything get accomplished today, Michael in - in the latest hearing that took place?
MICHAEL BRYANT, CORRESPONDENT, COURT TV: Well, you know, A.J. we got this close. It was so close. Today we were certainly as close as we`ve been to finding out the DNA test results, which would determine yes or no, is Larry Birkhead the father of Dannielynn?
But we had kind of a problem based on the efficiency of yesterday`s action in the appellate court. It happened so quickly and so surprisingly, that Dr. Michael Baird, the DNA expert who collected the samples and did the testing, couldn`t get here from Ohio. And basically, he`s got to do it next week. He`ll be here next Tuesday. We`ll expect that is when the results will be revealed.
HAMMER: Well, we`ll just see about that, as I`ve been managing to say just about every day, in terms of getting this thing done.
Of course, Jane, another big player in this whole thing, Anna Nicole`s estranged mom, Virgie Arthur. She`s spending time right there in the Bahamas. She was there in the courtroom today.
Now she also wants custody of this baby. Now today, I know she said that progress was made, and she actually appeared happy down there. And Michael may be able to fill some more on that.
But Jane, do you think there`s even a snowball`s chance here that - that Virgie Arthur, the estranged mother of Anna Nicole, could ever wind up with custody of this child?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think if Larry Birkhead turns out not to be the father, then we`re sort of back to square one. And she can go after Howard as an unfit parent.
Let`s face it: even if Howard K. Stern was the biological father - and very few people believe that he is - there`s a lot of questions about his parenting. We`ve had complaints from ex-nannies saying that that household was wild and unpredictable and filled with drug use. Well, he was the father in that house at the time, presumably. So he is accountable.
I think that she should go after him if it turns out Larry Birkhead is not the father, `I am not only the only known person with a bloodline, but I am the best parent to raise this child.`
HAMMER: Michael, are people down there talking about the fact that - you know, the longer this thing goes on, we can`t lose sight of the fact that baby Dannielynn is without a permanent home perhaps, and - and this really can have some massive effect on - on her.
Is - is this being discussed in the Bahamas?
BRYANT: Oh sure. I mean, we`re talking about a baby girl that`s almost seven months old. And every day that she spends with Howard K. Stern, she doesn`t know that he`s the disputed father. She is bonding with this man as the only father she`s known her entire life.
And - and so every day they`re together means it`s going to be harder if they are separated. So it is a conversation point here, and it is a problem that really needs to be resolved sooner rather than later, because it`s - it`s compounding himself.
HAMMER: And hopefully, as you said, next Tuesday, we could actually find out. But I think I`ve said that before.
Michael Bryant, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thanks for joining us, as always.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you, A.J.
BRYANT: You bet.
ANDERSON: And yesterday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day." It was this: "Howard K. Stern: Did he fail Anna Nicole Smith?"
Take a look at this: 80 percent of you say "yes"; only 20 percent of you say "no."
And here are some of the e-mails we received:
Shar from Canada says, "Not only did he fail Anna, he contributed to her death. It is clear that he enabled her to keep himself in her life."
Dana from Indiana says, "Howard is not responsible for Anna. You cannot be in control of someone who is a drug addict."
HAMMER: Hey Brooke, did you absolutely love 10-year-old Abigail Breslin, who starred in "Little Miss Sunshine."
ANDERSON: Yes. What a talented little girl. Loved her, A.J. You know, and it`s a shame that she didn`t win that Best Supporting Actress Oscar after her nomination.
HAMMER: But it was great for her to be nominated. And if you stick around, we have a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first look at her next big movie, which also features one of Hollywood`s biggest stars. I got to tell you, it looks great. You won`t want to miss it.
Also this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE, ENTERTAINER: I have my insecurities. And "Sports Illustrated," I`m like, `Oh God, am I going to look right,` and.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait a second: Beyonce insecurities? Yes, you heard right. And right from her. Beyonce really opens up to me about how she feels about herself.
That is next, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: And then there`s this guy, smashing bottles over his head over and over again. And it`s all because of love. Yes, that`s coming up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Master, stand by to your break. A.J.`s going to Camera 1`s desk shot.
Roll your break now, and effect black.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Well, it`s time now for a story that made us say, "That`s Ridiculous!"
All right, we`ve all had our hearts broken, right? And, you know, it drives some people to pick up a beer, have a drink. But get a load of this guy in India. He`s picking up beer bottles, and then smashing over his head, over and over and over.
Now the story is that he performs dangerous stunts in public in memory of a woman who once dumped him, even though he`s now married. And when he runs out of beer bottles, he takes the longest fluorescent bulbs he can find and smashes them over his head. I`m guessing that if he keeps on doing that, he will see the light. Sorry, couldn`t resist that one.
Smashing bottles and light bulbs over your heat because you`re heartbroken? Now "That`s Ridiculous!"
HAMMER: I know something else that might sound ridiculous when you first hear it: Beyonce, certainly one of the world`s most beautiful women, admitting that, yes, even she has insecurities. Well, that`s what she told me when we sat together for a very frank and revealing interview.
Beyonce is following up her acclaimed role in "Dreamgirls" with a deluxe re-release of her album "B`day," which includes several songs sung entirely in Spanish.
When Beyonce stopped by the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT studios, we talked about what keeps her grounded in the business. And I got her thoughts on being a role model for women and girls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: We talked after you did "Dreamgirls" about the fact that you`d lost 20 pounds for the role, and how happy you were, you told me, to put the weight back on.
BEYONCE: Yes!
HAMMER: And - and I know between that and - and obviously when you did "Bootylicious," celebrating the curvier women, a lot of people gave you a big thumbs up?
Do people - and particularly after "Dreamgirls" - did they come up to you - with all of the talking you did - about how comfortable you were with being a - a little bit curvier, and gave you a high five, and say, `Right on. You know, you really are a great role model for those of us who want to avoid that super-skinniness"?
BEYONCE: A lot of people did. And I know I don`t really focus too much on - on weight. I feel like we all have our own, you know, body weight that is a natural body weight for us. And some people are naturally thin, and it looks great. And some people are naturally thicker or heavy or curvy or whatever you want to call it. And it looks great.
And I don`t really think about it. I just try to eat healthy, and I don`t all the time, because I love bad foods like everyone else. But I do know that I am a role model for people that are not the - you know, the perception of what beautiful is.
HAMMER: But part of marketing, really for any singer, is image. There`s so much that - that goes along with it. You look at the photographs and the packaging that - that goes along, and you look at - you know, you - you`re obviously a very beautiful woman, but you have to pose in these very sexy photographs. You did the "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit cover. The very sexy videos.
Is that something you`re comfortable with? Or do you kind of have to force yourself into that mode? Do you - are you OK getting out there and putting yourself out there like that?
BEYONCE: I don`t feel like that I`m - I`m every putting myself out there. If I ever feel uncomfortable, I don`t do - I don`t do it.
I definitely - you know, I`m a woman. I enjoy being - you know, wearing fashionable clothes and wearing different hairstyles and make-up. I - I enjoy, you know, creating my image. That`s something that, you know, is very artistic for me and exciting.
Of course, you know, I have my insecurities in "Sports Illustrated," and I`m like, `Oh God, am I going to look right,` and you know - but ultimately, I`m always comfortable with everything I do. And if - if I don`t feel like a woman, if I don`t feel like a lady, then, you know - I don`t - I don`t do it.
HAMMER: You`ll draw the line.
BEYONCE: Absolutely.
HAMMER: .if - if a - if a director or a photographer comes to you and say, `Hey, why don`t we try it this way, ` and.
BEYONCE: But really, no one`s ever asked me to do anything that - that I felt was inappropriate.
HAMMER: You know, you got your 10 Grammys. You got your Golden Globe nomination. You have, you know, numerous No. 1 albums and singles. Of course, your fashion line, your films. The first time a non-supermodel or athlete on the cover of "Sports Illustrated."
I could go on and on; we don`t have enough time. You`re 25 years old. You`re not done yet is something I`m absolutely certain of.
What`s - what`s the dream? What`s the one thing you want to make sure you can add to this list?
BEYONCE: Well, I always said I would love to - to the first African- American woman to have a Tony, a Grammy and an Oscar.
HAMMER: The triple threat.
BEYONCE: Yes. But I don`t know. I mean, I`ve been working so hard that maybe, you know, in five years, I might just say, `Well, maybe I`ll just be a mother and - and a wife, and just do albums.` And I don`t know. I still have so much growth, and my priorities keep changing.
But I - I definitely want to grow as an actress.
HAMMER: At - at 25, you are close in age to quite a few young stars out there who have had their degrees of difficulty. You know, and whether we`re talking about somebody like Britney Spears or - or Paris Hilton, you have avoided those pitfalls. And I`ve always admired that about you.
How - how do you avoid them? And how have you sort of kept your head screwed on straight and stayed grounded through all of it?
BEYONCE: I have an amazing support system. My parents and - and my friends and - you know, are the same people that I`ve been working with since I was a little kid - are still around me. And I think ultimately, it`s your choice. Because, you know, I could at this point, have different people around me. But I feel like it`s important. And I`m not going to be happy at the end of the day, if - if I don`t have honesty, or any - I`d want to feel like I have a little bit of privacy, or a little piece of myself.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hard not to be a Beyonce fan. Such a class act.
Pick up her great new dual disc "B`Day Deluxe Edition" and the companion "B`Day" anthology DVD. They`re both in stores right now.
ANDERSON: Now there`s something we want to ask you. A little bit earlier, we investigated what happens when big stars get into big trouble with the law, which leads us to this, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Question of the Day": "Stars in Legal Trouble: Do they get special treatment?"
Keep voting at cnn.com/showbiztonight. And write us at showbiztonight@cnn.com. We`re going to read some of your e-mails tomorrow.
And don`t forget, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the only entertainment news show that lets you express your opinion on video. So to send us a video e-mail, just go to our Web site, cnn.com/showbiztonight.
HAMMER: You know the young girl from what was certainly one of our favorite movies of last year, the Oscar-nominated "Little Miss Sunshine" herself? Talking about Abigail Breslin. Well, she is back. We can`t wait to show you. It`s 10-year-old Abigail co-starring with Catherine Zeta-Jones in a huge new movie. We can tell you something is definitely cooking here.
See what we mean, when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: She`s the 10-year-old girl who became Hollywood`s darling this year: Abigail Breslin, nominated for an Oscar for "Little Miss Sunshine." Well, now she`s starring alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays a chef whose life is turned upside down after her sister is killed in an accident.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said I want my steak rare!
(MUSIC)
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you out of your mind?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, ACTRESS: My boss said she`d fire me if I didn`t get better (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought we agreed you weren`t going to cook for me anymore.
My God, this is so good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So what are you doing? (INAUDIBLE), right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Say bye to your Aunt Kate.
ABIGAIL BRESLIN, ACTRESS: Bye, Aunt Kate.
(CROSSTALK)
ZETA-JONES: I have no idea what to do with a kid. Especially one who`s lost her mother.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want you to take a week off.
ZETA-JONES: There has to be someone better-suited for this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
BRESLIN: I don`t need a babysitter.
ZETA-JONES: Oh, I see. You`ve brought something (INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Rapidly mutating deadly viruses.
ZETA-JONES: I can`t get Zoe (ph) to eat anything I make.
Bon apetit.
BRESLIN: Ah!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about fish sticks? Kids love them.
ZETA-JONES: I can`t believe I`m paying for these suggestions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you please tell me the secret of your saffron sauce?
ZETA-JONES: Who do you think you are?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nicholas (INAUDIBLE)
ZETA-JONES : You bring us a new chef from an Italian restaurant?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He said he wanted to work with you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re not bad.
ZETA-JONES: You can have those dishes, and I`ll take care of these.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have (INAUDIBLE)
(MUSIC)
(SINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why are you so mad at me?
ZETA-JONES: I`m not mad at you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re very mad.
ZETA-JONES: This is my kitchen, and I`m not going to let you take it away from me. This is who I am.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE). It`s OK to let people inside sometimes.
(SINGING)
ZETA-JONES: I know I`m doing everything wrong. (INAUDIBLE)
BRESLIN: Kate, you`re not doing everything wrong.
(SINGING)
ZETA-JONES: Aren`t you cold?
BRESLIN: (INAUDIBLE)
ZETA-JONES: I wish there was a cookbook for life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know better than anyone, it`s the recipes you create yourself that are the best.
(SINGING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re leaning on my scarf.
ZETA-JONES: (INAUDIBLE)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And "No Reservations" in theaters July 27.
HAMMER: And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
"GLENN BECK" coming up next. Stay tuned for that.
END
