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Showbiz Tonight
K-Fed Going For Full Custody of Children; Reality Show Plastic Surgery
Aired August 14, 2007 - 23:00 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: Is Don Imus getting ready to make a comeback? And which member of the young Hollywood elite is going on the road while his parents make sure he`s not on the road to rehab. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Britney Spears in crisis. Tonight, Kevin Federline`s daring move to get full custody of their kids. Should K-Fed get them, or is he just in it for the money?
Plus, Britney and Anna Nicole Smith, the remarkable similarities. Is Britney just like Anna Nicole? Tonight a SHOWBIZ special report, Britney in crisis.
Tonight, a plastic surgery reality TV check. Startling new proof that an unbelievable number of people are watching reality TV shows, then banging down the doors of the nearest plastic surgeon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My boyfriend says I`m not allowed to watch "Dr. 90210" because it becomes a shopping list.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, are reality shows sending the worst possible message. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates an alarming new trend. Tuning in and then going under the knife.
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. The Britney versus K-Fed smack down is on. Their battle over the custody of their kids moved into a court room today. And let me just say there is no love lost between the two. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there, and what better time than now to say, let the mud slinging begin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): When Kevin Federline and Britney Spears did their reality show "Chaotic," they were inseparable and almost cute, in an icky TMI kind of way.
BRITNEY SPEARS, SINGER: The kisses are really good. The sex is really good.
HAMMER: But those days are over, and the two are now in an ugly war over their two small sons. No more sweet talk.
SPEARS: Here is cute Kevin.
HAMMER: Now their lawyers do all the talking.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It only has to do with these children`s interests.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is about doing what`s really best for these kids.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was there as the two sides squared off in their latest court battle over the custody of their two kids, Sean Preston and Jaden James. It`s a battle that could pit Britney against her own family. A battle that, like their reality show, could get chaotic.
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": I think the Britney custody battle is going to be the celebrity story of the fall.
HAMMER: Lawyers were in court, arguing to keep the documents in this case sealed. It`s the one thing they`re agreeing on.
LAURA WASSER, ATTORNEY: They`re minors, and it`s not any of the public`s business.
MARK VINCENT KAPLAN, FEDERLINE`S ATTORNEY: Any time you have a case that involves celebrities with minor children, small children, it`s important that the children be protected.
HAMMER: But that`s where the agreement ends. Federline is also seeking a bigger share of the fifty-fifty agreement he has with Britney for custody of their sons. And don`t say he is after Brit`s massive fortune.
KAPLAN: I can tell you this has nothing to do with finances. I will tell you that he has filed this because he wants to pursue a custodial arrangement that he feels is best for his children.
PIAZZA: We`re hearing from our sources that he wants full custody.
HAMMER: Jo Piazza of the "New York Daily News" told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that K-Fed is gearing up for a full-on custody battle. And he may be getting help from, of all places, his ex-wife`s family.
PIAZZA: We`re hearing that Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney`s sister, and possibly even Lynn Spears, have been really cooperative with Federline`s legal team to try to make sure that the safety of these babies is taken care of. I think that this really is a sign that Britney`s behavior has reached a tipping point, where even her family is concerned that these babies are in danger.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Britney`s behavior has been on full display lately. Her late-night clubbing, tabloid reports of steamy hook-ups, and scenes like this one, with Britney Spears out at a hip L.A. restaurant with her boys at around 10:00 p.m. We just got to ask, isn`t that past their bed time?
JULIA ALLISON, "STAR MAGAZINE": I think people find it bizarre to watch her out doing things that most normal mothers don`t do.
HAMMER: Julia Allison of "Star Magazine" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Federline has been putting out a much different parental image than Britney has.
ALLISON: He doesn`t generally take them out when he goes out. And lately, we haven`t seen much of Kevin out.
HAMMER: And it`s looking like K-Fed is looking to make Britney`s behavior a key issue in his custody bid.
KAPLAN: I think that he feels that he would like to provide a consistent structure that he knows that they have when they`re with him.
PIAZZA: I think that was a veiled reference to was that they won`t be going out in public until 10:00, 11:00 p.m. every night, being subjected to the paparazzi, and being subjected to some of these influences that are in Spears` camp.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you those influences in Britney`s camp may find themselves in court. Federline reportedly has subpoenaed Britney`s cousin/assistant, Ally Simms, as well as Brit`s former bodyguard, and F-Fed`s attorney suggests more subpoenas are coming.
KAPLAN: Kevin is pursuing relevant information from all available sources.
PIAZZA: I think everyone that`s ever had any _ association with Britney, I mean, including some of the bartenders at these Los Angeles night clubs, can expect to get a subpoena from Mark Vincent Kaplan within the next week or so. Kevin`s camp is desperate to get any and all information they can on Britney`s partying habits, and her parenting abilities.
HAMMER: So it`s looking more like this former lovy-dovy couple --
SPEARS: He is so cute.
HAMMER: -- will not be seeing any love in court.
ALLISON: The "War of The Roses" is nothing compared to this. It`s just going to get crazier and crazier.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, if you thought you had seen the worst of it, I want you to brace yourself. Britney`s battle for her babies is just starting. Joining me tonight from Hollywood, investigative journalist Pat Lalama and from New York entertainment attorney and BET host Ryan Smith. Ryan, Pat, it`s lovely to see you both.
Of course, a whole lot of this story has played out in public, and now you have both attorneys on both sides singing the same tune. We want this to remain private. Pat, I`m thinking it`s a little too late to try to keep the horse in the barn, if you know what I`m saying. I mean, the dirty laundry is out there.
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: You know, there`s a lot of interesting aspects to this. A.J., in one way Britney plays -- acts like a Shakespearian drama every time she leaves the house. And I think she asks for a lot of it. You know, no doubt about it. On the other hand, you know, family law is a very private place, as I`m sure your other guest will tell you, where they keep records sealed and they protect the welfare and interest of the children.
But today, my understanding is, the commissioner said he would consider opening up the records, because a local TV station and "People Magazine" wanted them, and the commissioner indicated that that was legitimate request. I was shocked at that.
HAMMER: Yes, why is that a legitimate request? I mean, I hope it happens because it will be good information to report, but why is that legitimate?
LALAMA: Well, you are asking me?
HAMMER: Yes.
LALAMA: My guess -- I cannot figure it out. I was stunned because I know family law, and they would rather you, you know, faint in the hallway than come near their courtrooms. This is a very private place. I`m shocked, unless the judge just thinks because, you know, of the celebrity involved that it`s the public`s right to know, but I just cannot answer that legitimately.
HAMMER: It does seem kind of strange. Here`s something that I`m continually baffled by, and Ryan, maybe you can help me out here. We have seen Britney out partying and acting as if she doesn`t have a care in the world. She is getting into what is sure to be a nasty, down right evil custody battle. It seems to me -- and tell me what you think -- is she missing a sensitivity chip upstairs?
RYAN SMITH, ATTORNEY, BET HOST: She absolutely is. I don`t know what it is that she doesn`t understand about the fact that when she goes out and behaves the way she does, people will cover it. And the more they cover it, the worse she looks. What she really needs is a handler. She needs a press representative. She needs somebody she trusts to go out there and to change her image. Maybe take her out of the public spotlight a little bit.
With this recent thing that the commissioner said about possibly unsealing the records -- and that sometimes happens when a member of the media requests it, because that trumps the rights of private citizens -- that is going to make it look even worse for her. Now, she`ll try to get it sealed, with respect to the children, and that might happen. But no matter what she does, she needs to get out of the public spotlight.
Unless she wants this attention, she needs to change her image, change the way she`s viewed. And in order to do that, she has to trust someone other than her own instincts.
HAMMER: A lot of people are saying that that shouldn`t necessarily play into how a custody battle plays out. I had a woman actually stop me - - listen. I had a woman stop me in the street and say something to the effect of, you know, come on, just because Britney is a mother, it doesn`t mean she stops living. Pat, --
(CROSS TALK)
SMITH: The difference with that -- I`m sorry. The difference with that is that it`s not that they`re not saying that Britney can`t party or do these things. What she cannot do is look like a train wreck. That`s what she`s doing right now.
LALAMA: Amen.
SMITH: Let me just say this -- let me just say this, judges, people who rule over these cases, they`re human too. They read the newspaper.
HAMMER: They watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
SMITH: It`s not like they`re sealed away in a closet. They see these things. Sometimes they try not to, but sometimes they take that, and it influences their decision. All she needs to do right now is take herself out of the spotlight. There are many things she can do, in terms of having fun without being in the public 24 hours.
LALAMA: AJ, I was just going to say that, you know, your other guest makes the greatest point, because, you know, let`s keep in mind she doesn`t have the children all the time, and perhaps she goes out when Kevin has the children. She`s perfectly allowed to have a social life.
Not wearing underwear, hitting and running, you know, parked cars, behaving like a crazy woman, behaving like she`s insane, a judge absolutely can take that behavior into consideration. And she has -- I just read recently, you know, on some website, so I can`t pretend that I know it to be true, that a mother ran up to her on the street on Robertson, where she was shopping and said, you know, you need to get your act together, and what are you doing. And this mother was with her teenage girl, and Britney allegedly yelled the F-word at her.
This is not good stuff. And a judge -- a judge is human. How can you not take craziness into consideration? Just having a good time is OK.
HAMMER: I agree. And, Ryan, I`m going to ask you real quick, and I only have ten seconds for the answer. Can you believe how we`re talking about the transformation of Kevin Federline?
SMITH: Absolutely. By doing nothing, he looks so much better than she does. That`s how bad she looks right now. That`s the funniest thing. He is doing nothing, and by doing nothing, he comes off as the greatest parent in the world.
HAMMER: She could take a clue from her ex-husband. How about that? Investigative journalist Pat Lalama, entertainment attorney Ryan Smith, I thank you both.
LALAMA: Thank you.
SMITH: Thank you.
HAMMER: Now let`s hear from you. What do you think? For our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day; here`s what we want to know from you tonight. Britney`s kids, should Kevin Federline get full custody? Tell us what you think at CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT. Our email address is SHOWBIZTONIGHT@CNN.com.
Now, here is something I have been pondering. Listen to this; is Britney Spears just like Anna Nicole Smith? There are actually some striking similarities that, frankly, shocked me when I really took a look at the side-by-side. Looking at their lives; it`s not just the constant partying either. The question is, can Britney turn it around? We will get into al of that at 30 minutes past the hour. A not to be missed SHOWBIZ special report, Britney in crisis.
We`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My boyfriend says I`m not allowed to watch "Dr. 90210" because it becomes a shopping list.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She`s not lying. This is just shocking to me that someone would watch reality shows about plastic surgery and decide, hey, why not? I`m going to go get work done too? This is unbelievable. Just how much this is happening. A major reality check for reality TV is coming up.
And before all this gets you too thoroughly depressed, have no fear, cute baby animals are here. And it isn`t just the adorable baby panda video. Oh, no. When was the last time you saw how cute baby hippos are? Don`t move. It`s coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m AJ hammer in New York. It is time now for the SHOWBIZ video of the day. And tonight I have two for you, but I have to warn you, they`re both cute, and they`re both baby animals. In fact, some viewers might even find them too cute.
Look at this. Let us get started in China. Cute little baby pandas. Four pandas born on the same day at breeding centers in China, which is really a lot, when you consider only 34 were born in all of last year. Look at that, very cute little pandas.
Now on to something a little larger. It`s a baby hippo at the Berlin Zoo. This cute little guy is named Paul. I`m not exactly sure what kind of a name that is for a baby hippo. It seems a little strange to me, but he is cute nonetheless. Three months old. Weighing in at 66 pounds. And that does it for this very special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, cute baby animal videos of the day. That`s where you all go awe.
Here`s something that might not make you go awe. Maybe it`s a little startling. A new trend straight out of Hollywood, TV-inspired plastic surgery. Now, of course, you remember shows like "The Swan," a reality show that took so called ugly ducklings and turned them into swans with some very fancy plastic surgery.
Believe it or not, there`s a new study out that shows reality TV shows like "the Swan" have actually inspired a lot of people to go out and get nipped and tucked in real life. Here is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas with the new trend in the quest for perfection.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get ready for the most radical transformations ever brought to television.
SIBILA VARGAS, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Plastic surgery as entertainment; it`s a reality of reality TV. With shows like ABC`s "Extreme Makeover," E Entertainment`s "Dr. 90210," and "The Swan" on Fox attracting people who want to showcase their radical transformations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Turning into the beautiful swan will apply to me.
VARGAS: More and more doctors say they`re seeing this televised quest for perfection influence real life medical decisions.
ERIKA LAMOREAUX, PLASTIC SURGERY PATIENT: I had a little bit of lypo. I`ve had a little bit of breast augmentation.
VARGAS: Erika Lamoreaux has had a series of cosmetic surgeries, and not just the ones she`s mentioned. There was a chin implant, a nose job, a face lift, and lip injections. Surgery, she says, were inspired by makeovers on reality TV.
LAMOREAUX: My boyfriend says that I`m not allowed to watch "Dr. 90210" because it becomes a shopping list.
VARGAS: Erika is not alone. A recent study published in the academic journal "Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery" samples 42 people seeking cosmetic surgery and found that four out of five said they were directly influenced by procedures they had seen on reality TV shows. And more than half said they watched at least one such program regularly.
LAMOREAUX: I guess I am influence, because that`s how I found my doctor.
DR. RICHARD ELLENBOGAN, PLASTIC SURGEON: A little bit of icing on the cake, sort of like what we`re doing today with the botox.
VARGAS: Doctor Richard Ellenbogan (ph) has been practicing plastic surgery for more than 30 years.
He has been featured on several makeover shows and says their popularity has contributed to an increase in real world cosmetic procedures.
ELLENBOGAN: Before extreme make overs, plastic surgery patients were coming for one thing. They didn`t realize they could have two, three, four things done at the same time.
VARGAS: That trend concerns Dr. Z Paul Lorenc, a New York plastic surgeon, and co-author of "A Little Work, The Truth Behind Plastic Surgery`s Park Avenue Facade."
DR. Z PAUL LORENC, PLASTIC SURGEON: I don`t necessarily think it`s healthy for the surgery that we are performing to be, in a way, trivialized on reality shows.
VARGAS (on camera): Lorenc says not only are the risks and recovery periods associated with plastic surgery minimized on these makeover series, but shows like MTV`s "I Want A Famous Face," seen here on Youtube, can create unrealistic expectations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I admire Carmen Electra. I want my body to be more like hers.
LORENC: I think it`s important for patients to realize that. That it will not change their life. It`s not going to finish or get rid of all of your worries, all of your financial worries. And so I think it`s important for patients to be realistic about it.
VARGAS: There is an up side to these shows that even Dr. Lorenc can agree with. They provide would-be patients with general information about procedures and innovative techniques before going under the knife. And while some of these series are no longer on the air, it`s clear with some viewers they left a lasting impression.
(on camera): You are a big fan of plastic surgery.
LAMOREAUX: Plastic surgery is wonderful.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Amazing. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Sibila Vargas.
Tonight, it looks like Don Imus is getting ready to make a comeback. The radio talk show host has reached a settlement with CBS, and he is reportedly negotiating with WABC radio in New York to pick up his broadcasting career where he left off. It`s been four months now since Imus got fired over his racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women`s basketball team.
Imus had threatened to sue CBS for 120 million dollars for breach of contract. Now a settlement has been reached. No one is talking about the terms of it, but the Reverend Al Sharpton has a lot to say about it. He called for Imus`s firing back when this whole thing blew up. And today in a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Sharpton says, when and if Imus gets back on the air, he will be monitored closely to make sure the same kind of thing doesn`t happen again.
Well, Hollywood`s bad girls may be having a bad run, but, you know, there`s at least one male member of Hollywood`s elite who is doing well. He is going on tour, and his famous mom is very proud. That`s coming up next.
Also, back to Britney Spears` baby battle. Kevin Federline`s lawyer says it`s not all about the money.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAPLAN: I can tell you unequivocally this has nothing to do with finances. Kevin has never made finances a link to custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Crazy as it may be to think about, will K-Fed get the kids? I got to tell you, Britney`s constant club hopping just can`t be looking good to a judge right about now. Will her bizarre behavior ever end? That`s just ahead in the SHOWBIZ special report, Britney in crisis.
And how do you possibly follow up playing the man in black? Joaquin Phoenix so talented, simply amazing as Johnny Cash. He is back in a movie that definitely looks like it could set theaters on fire all over again. You got your first look at "We Own The Night" coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, Van Halen has gone back on tour with singer David Lee Roth and one new member in the line-up. This may not be the most rock `n` roll thing to say, but the new bass player`s mommy is really proud of him. The new bass player is Wolfgang Van Halen. That is him all the way on the right there. He is the 16-year-old son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and his ex wife, Valerie Bertonelli.
At a press conference announcing the tour, Wolfy, as he is called, says he is aware that his mom will be watching him closely to make sure he doesn`t develop any bad rock star habits. Valerie says she`s proud of her son, and that Eddie is a great father, and will be with him the whole time. She`s cool with it. It`s also the very first time David Lee Roth has toured with the band in 22 years. I`m sure they`ll get along famously.
The tour will start next month in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Well, sounds like Wolfy obviously has a lot of support from his parents. I got to tell you, I wish I could say the same thing about Britney Spears. You know, her life has been one train wreck after another. And now could she actually be in danger of losing her kids to Kevin Federline? Whoever would have thought, but can she stop all the bizarre behavior, or is she going down a tragic road, ala Anna Nicole Smith?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA NICOLE SMITH, DECEASED MODEL: I just wanted to say to Britney Spears, if you see this, for some oddball reason, because I look at your stuff too, and you want to be friends, I would so much love to hang out with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Erie, isn`t it? Remember that. When Anna reached out to Britney online. That is only the beginning. I did a little digging around and found some remarkable connections between Britney and Anna Nicole. That`s all ahead in a SHOWBIZ special report, Britney in crisis.
And how do you possibly follow-up playing the man in black? I mean, really. Joaquin Phoenix so talented, simply amazing as Johnny Cash; well now he is back in a movie that looks like it could set theaters on fire all over again. We`ve got your very first look at "We Own The Night" coming up when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT return.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Britney Spears in Crises". Tonight her ex, Kevin Federline, makes a stunning move to get full custody of their kids, but is he just trying to squeeze more cash out of Britney?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK VINCENT KAPLAN, FEDERLINE`S ATTORNEY: I can tell you, unequivocally, this has nothing to do with finances. Kevin has never, never made finances a link to custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Also, Britney`s nonstop partying post-rehab. The shocking similarities between Britney and Anna Nicole Smith. Is Britney heading down a dangerous path of destruction? Tonight, we`ve got all the controversial angles covered like no other entertainment news show. It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report, "Britney in Crises".
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This is TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
I would like you to pull up a chair at this point in time and maybe grab some Cheetos -- some Baked Lay`s, I don`t know -- and get ready for some fists and hair extensions to fly because the Britney Spears/Kevin Federline child custody battle over their two boys, well, it`s getting really ugly.
The fight moved into an L.A. courtroom today. Here`s the latest. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that K-Fed is seeking more than the 50/50 custody he has right now. He is denying that it`s just a move to squeeze more cash out of Britney. The "New York Daily News" reports that Britney`s sister, Jamie Lynn, and mom, Lynn, are actually cooperating with him.
And in court today attorneys for Spears and K-Fed did agree on something. They wanted divorce documents sealed, but "People" magazine and TV station KNBC have filed a motion to make everything public.
We have got a passionate coast-to-coast panel with us tonight all fired up over this one. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report "Britney In Crises". Joining me tonight in New York, celebrity divorce attorney Raoul Felder and entertainment attorney, BET host Ryan Smith. Out in Hollywood tonight, investigative journalist Pat Lalama and publicist to the stars Howard Bragman of Fifteen Minutes PR, in Philadelphia tonight family law attorney, Jennifer Brandt.
Gang, thanks for being with us tonight. I don`t know if you have seen the video yet. It was mayhem out at the court today. I mean, paparazzi everywhere. Reporters, cameras, and this was only about sealing documents.
Pat, what do you think? Is this really about protecting the kids or possibly protecting whatever dirty little secrets may be in those documents?
PAT LALAMA, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: I think there`s probably a lot in those documents that Britney and K-Fed don`t want the public to know. I think it`s very common, and, actually, very normal to want to keep family law matters secret.
I just think, you know, it`s all so inconsistent because of the way they behaved publicly. And I`m torn between whether this should be private for the sake of the children, or whether we do have a right to know so we know all the facts, and we don`t speculate about who they are. and what they`re doing.
HAMMER: I can understand wanting to keep certain matters private. You know, in terms of very specific things about the kids, or addresses, but who knows? This is interesting because it`s becoming a family affair now. Her cousin and former assistant, Alli Simms, was served with papers ordering her to testify about Britney`s parenting skills. She`s defended them in the past. And the bodyguard was also served with a subpoena this week.
Raul, I`m curious to hear what you think is a play here, as a famed divorce attorney, because obviously they`re going after Britney `s circle to testify against her. And I would have to assume that K-Fed`s camp actually thinks the testimony could be damaging to Britney.
RAOUL FELDER, CELEBRITY DIVORCE ATTORNEY: Oh, A.J., it could be murderous. No one knows more about a celebrity than the personal assistant. Sometimes they know more about the celebrity than the celebrity knows about their life, of could remember what they did the night before.
Then you have the potential witness, her own mother against her. There`s no more devastating witness to have -- than to have a parent testify against a parent seeking custody. That`s bad. Other relatives, this is all dynamite stuff. I think she`s got real trouble here. She may be the ideal litigant, and a litigant can win custody in a case like this.
HAMMER: I got to say it would seem odd to me that K-Fed`s team would go after all of these people if they thought it would backfire. They must know there`s something going on.
Ryan, what do you think? Because this could also be turning -- family -- and former friends of Britney Spears -- you know, once allies into real enemies of this woman.
RYAN SMITH, BET HOST: I think that`s going to be the problem here, and what they know are the private details of the alcoholism and the treatment of the children that we can`t really know. All we see are glimpses when we read "People" magazine and see the other press reports. But they know things that only Britney, and they know.
And, you know, once they turn that corner against Britney, I don`t think that relationship can really be rehabbed, especially the one with her mother, which has been especially contentious over the past couple of years.
Now, the key here, for her, is going to be to set some kind of image that she is not what everybody portraits her to be. And that`s going to be tough with the way she`s been acting. That`s the biggest problem here.
If she can get herself out of the public eye maybe it can change a little bit, but you can already see the storm brewing. You can see that everybody is stacked against her, and I really don`t know how she comes out a winner on this one.
HAMMER: I think it`s going to get really ugly, as was just said by Raul for Britney, because it doesn`t seem, at least from what we`re seeing, that anything is going right for her. Everything seems to be going right for K-Fed, which is just odd to hear those words even coming out of my mouth.
A lot of people are also saying K-Fed is really pursuing this. He is really pressing this custody matter. He wants more custody of the kids than the current 50/50 arrangement so he can get more child support.
Outside the court today, I want you to hear what K-Fed`s lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said about all that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK VINCENT KAPLAN, FEDERLINE`S ATTORNEY: It`s nothing to do with money. It never has. Certainly if, in fact, this had to do with money, Kevin would have kept those children in his primary custody back in March - - or April. He wants them to have a good relationship with both parents, but he wants them to be in the best possible environment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I got to say if -- I just -- it`s understandable to me why people may think this. We are, after all, talking about Kevin Federline, but, Jennifer, let me go to you as somebody who does family law. If it`s not about the money, then why is it that Kevin agreed to 50/50 custody just two weeks ago? How different could Britney`s behavior really be now?
JENNIFER BRANDT, FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY: That`s right. How could it not be about the money? I mean, you`re talking about K-Fed here. What`s his career really? I mean, what is this guy doing? He is living in a multimillion-dollar home. He is renting it with the intention of buying it. And, oh, by the way, his spousal support order is set to run out in November. So how could it not be about money? Especially, as you mention, he just agreed 50/50 custody. What has really changed? Has Britney changed drastically over these last few weeks? I really don`t think so.
HAMMER: Why is a judge not going to see right through that?
BRANDT: Why is the judge not going to see right through that? Well, the judge has to listen to the evidence, and the judge is going to listen to both sides. But if Britney`s lawyers know what they`re doing, they`re essentially going to bring up that motivating factor for him.
As for the witnesses that we mentioned, I mean, you got Britney`s mom here. They haven`t had a great relationship over the last couple of months. And so, of course, she`s going to come in and she`s going to try to do what she can, so maybe side with Kevin. Maybe Britney is not letting her see the kids. So she figures, well, hey, I side with Kevin, and I have a chance to see my grandkids. And otherwise, with Britney, you know, we`ve been fighting and my odds aren`t so good.
I think you have to look at the motivating factors of all these people. And I think K-Fed`s camp is doing risky maneuver by subpoenaing an assistant, and her bodyguard. You know, as I said, this people might come in and say, hey, Britney is a great mom. We`ve seen her with the kids, we`ve observed her on many occasions, and there`s nothing she`s doing wrong, as a mom. And that`s what we need to focus on.
HAMMER: Maybe risky legal maneuvers, but in terms of image, I mean, K-Fed really seems to be winning the battle. Let me bring in Howard Bragman.
You have certainly helped along the images of so many celebrities that, well, let`s just say, needed a lot of help, Howard. Just last night Britney Spears out with the kids for dinner, in public. TMZ cameras catching her at 10 o`clock at night. She knows the paparazzi follow her everywhere, yet, she`s out this late with the kids, while the custody battle is going on. A lot of people are saying she maybe should have hitting the early bird special at a much more low-key place instead.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: It might not have been the best move. I do think she needs to be doing, quote/unquote, "normal things" which is taking the kids out to dinner, taking the kids to a park, and looking like they`re normal. But at the same time, 10:00 at night, to take little kids out to dinner. I don`t think that`s the best thing for her image right now.
But let me also put something in perspective. I was at dinner last week at one of her celebrity neighbors, and Britney lives in a gated community. And you would be shocked. You drive in there, there`s literally 25 SUVs with cameras people, just waiting. There`s no way for Britney can even leave her own home unless she`s stuffed under a blanket in the trunk of her car. I mean, it`s pretty outrageous the way this young lady has to live, too. The paparazzi --
HAMMER: I don`t --
BRAGMAN: Go ahead.
HAMMER: I don`t think anybody disputes that, Howard, but at this time, when she is involved with this very important -- one of the most important legal battles of her life, perhaps, you know, she should be fully aware, her picture is going to get taken, and maybe the image -- as you would tell her, I`m sure -- that she should be putting out, should be a little different than the one that`s getting out.
I want you to stay put for just a second. We have been asking our viewers to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. And here`s what we want to know from you tonight: Britney`s kids, should Kevin Federline get full custody? Keep voting at CNN.com/showbiztonight. Write to us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Something I have been thinking a lot about. It`s fascinating to me. Could there actually be a connection between Britney Spears and Anna Nicole Smith. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA NICOLE SMITH: I just wanted to say to Britney Spears, if you see this for some oddball reason, because I look at your stuff too -- and you want to be friends, I would so much love to hang out with you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Of course, the late Anna Nicole Smith, and she`s reaching out to Britney Spears right there on her web site. But that is just the beginning. I`m investigating the startling ties between these two with our fired up panel. Our special report, "Britney in Crisis", coming right back.
Mike Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix have a surprising connection. They are teaming up to take on the Russian mob. Hang on for this wild ride coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVIE NICKS, SINGER: Look, I`m going to be your mom for a minute. I`m going to really tell you what`s happening. And I`m going to tell you how much you`re going to regret all this. But I don`t think until Britney is ready to make a change for herself, I don`t think anybody can tell her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Fleetwood Mac`s Stevie Nicks opening up about Britney Spears. Stevie knows all about being young, famous, and out of control. Nick spent years battling a cocaine and prescription pill habit.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, and our special report, "Britney in Crises" continues now with a shocking look at the connections between Britney Spears and the late Anna Nicole Smith.
Our passionate coast-to-coast panel here to discuss whether Britney is heading down that same scary road as the former "Playboy" centerfold.
Guys, I have to play you this eerie bit of video, once again. I had forgotten about this. Somebody raised it at one of our editorial meetings. When Anna Nicole was alive, she seemed to think that she could be great friends with Britney Spears. Watch one of the entries that she recorded on her video journal, while she was pregnant with her daughter Dannielynn. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA NICOLE SMITH: I just wanted to say to Britney Spears, if you see this -- for some oddball reason, because I look at your stuff too -- and you want to be friends, I would so much love to hang out with you. I think you`re a totally cool and I think we`re about to have our babies about the same time. And, I don`t know, I`d just like to meet you, and we could be friends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Pat Lalama, let me go to you first. Creepiness aside, Anna Nicole saw similarities between herself and Britney. What do you think?
LALAMA: I think that in a way Anna Nicole was so reaching out to be part of the big celebrity scene, and I`m -- with all due respect to her -- you know, it was so pathetic. Why would she need to hang around Britney Spears? What is she going to get from Britney Spears? So for me, that was Anna Nicole saying make me as famous as I need to be.
As for Britney, you know, look, A.J., it comes down to one thing. This is about the interest of these children. If Britney wants to self-destruct, that`s her issue. If K-Fed wants go around plant the seed of his procreation everywhere in the universe, that`s another problem. I`m concerned about these two children. Her behavior is erratic. We`re not talking about a person who may or may not have a rehab issue. We`re talking about somebody whose behavior almost seems slightly mentally ill. That concerns me.
I am hoping that this court, you know, even if K-Fed is after the money, if it`s deemed that he is going to be a better parent for the sake of these children, then so be it. This is what I`m concerned about.
HAMMER: But back to the similarities between Anna Nicole and Britney. You used the operative term, Pat, self-destructive.
LALAMA: Yes, absolutely.
HAMMER: Anna Nicole Smith`s life absolutely self-destructive for a long time. Even when she became a mother.
LALAMA: Yes.
HAMMER: For Britney, being the mother of two young sons, obviously, that hasn`t slowed her down at all in how she is self-destructing. You know, a lot of people are wondering if Britney is turning into the next Anna Nicole. Let me go Raoul on this, Pat.
LALAMA: OK, go ahead.
FELDER: You know, I listen to Anna Nicole, and -- I don`t -- it`s sort of sad. It`s like the captain of the Titanic giving advice to the captain of the Lusitania. I mean, the two shipwrecks here, and one figure to another, sort of pathetic. I think that`s the right word to use here.
I think the judge is going to see Federline is probably in it for the money. I mean, he didn`t marry her because of her erudition, or she knew French literature, or her political insight, or anything like that. But having said that, the ultimate test is the best interest of the child, or children here. And how could you say the best interest would be with this woman who is apparently on the edge of being deranged, as far as the kids are concerned.
HAMMER: To that end, let me float this comparison for you. Britney doesn`t seem to care at all if the paparazzi photograph her children. That is far different from Anna Nicole. She moved to the Bahamas to keep her daughter out of the limelight.
Ryan Smith from BET, and of course, an entertainment lawyer, let me ask you, is it possible Anna Nicole was a better mom than Britney? How about that one?
SMITH: You know, it`s an interesting point. Remember, Britney is very young. She`s 25 years old. So she`s in a different place than Anna Nicole was. But I will say this, Anna Nicole, to me, seems to have a much deeper concern for her children and a much better understanding of why you should keep your children out of the limelight.
I think Britney is just clueless on that fact. I she`s kind of walking around like a 25-year old. You not to say that all 25-year olds act like she does, but she`s kind of walking around like a person who has not a care in the world.
Whereas Anna Nicole understood from the very beginning the impact of the limelight on her son. Kept him largely out of the limelight, until that reality series.
LALAMA: I disagree.
SMITH: Until the reality series --
LALAMA: No, no.
SMITH: Until the reality series she kept him largely out of the limelight. And when her daughter was born tried to separate her from the public eye. I think that Anna Nicole --
LALAMA: No, she was trying to stay away from Larry Birkhead. That wasn`t to save her daughter. She wanted to get away from Larry Birkhead.
SMITH: But -- but --
HAMMER: Let`s not get into the whole Larry Birkhead issue right now.
SMITH: Yes.
HAMMER: Hey, listen, what keeps coming up, no matter what we`re talking about here, it all seems to be focusing back on the fact that Britney`s mother skills are really at the heart of this custody battle. I want you to listen, once again, to K-Fed`s lawyer. This is earlier today. He gave an urgent message, to the media, about why Kevin wants the kids. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAPLAN: I think Kevin is concerned that the more time that the children they are with him, he feels the more insulated they are from risks that would otherwise be possibly visited upon them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Howard Bragman, celebrity PR, let me ask you, do you get the feeling that time is of the essence now?
BRAGMAN: It is about time with these kids. You know, we go back to Anna Nicole, and you can just see a spiral. When somebody has these kinds of problems like Britney has, they either get better or they get worse. They don`t stay at a level. And, obviously, Anna Nicole`s got worse. And I think that`s the fear with Britney and I think Pat hit upon it. We`re all talking about K-Fed, we`re all talking about Britney, is there a nice family in Iowa that could adopt these kids or something?
LALAMA: Thank you. Thank you.
BRAGMAN: I`d like to -- you know, I think we should be concerned about these kids. I mean, they shouldn`t be out at 10 o`clock at night. They should not be surrounded by paparazzi flashbulbs. There`s got to be some sense of normalcy. I had a friend who was trying to organize a play date for his kid and one of Britney`s kids. And even that took three weeks, and it never happened. She flaked out. If you can`t organize a play date for your kid I don`t know if you should be a mother.
HAMMER: Family law attorney Jennifer Brant let me get your quick reaction. What do you actually think is going to happen here? What`s your prediction? Will Kevin get what he wants, full custody of the kids.
BRANDT: I don`t think so at all, no way. K-Fed, is he father of the year? I mean, he left Char Jackson when she was eight months pregnant. Does that make him a great father? And as for arranging play dates -- I mean, we`re talking about celebrity children here. These are not like your average children, so how can we expect their lives to be the same. It`s very hard to imagine that Britney can have -- you know, go to the park without being followed, or go on a shopping spree. I mean, this woman has cameras after her 24/7. So how is she supposed to have a normal life.
BRAGMAN: A.J. this is --
(CROSS TALK)
LALAMA: We`re talking about keeping them up till all hours of the night and hanging off her arm and practically falling on the pavement --
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: And that is where I have to end it, simply because the clock says I`m out of time, gang. It`s been a great panel tonight. I do appreciate you all being with us. Raoul Felder, Ryan Smith, Pat Lalama, Howard Bragman, Jennifer Brandt. I do appreciate your insight. I`m sorry that are out of time.
Well, Marky Mark Wahlberg is all grown up and he`s certainly put his wild ways behind him. He`s truly a great actor. I mean, you remember he was nominated for an Oscar for "The Departed"? Well, now he is taking on the Russian mob with Joaquin Phoenix. We will show it to you, your "First Look" coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Let me flash you back for a moment to the 1990s, when Marky Mark Wahlberg gave us "Good Vibrations".
You remember that? Well, now he`s a Oscar-nominated actor, staring alongside Joaquin Phoenix, in "We Own The Night". This is a film about two brothers who take on the Russian mob to protect their father. Here now is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "First Look".
(BEGIN MOVIE TRAILER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice place man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just wait until I take over Manhattan, baby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I used to tell my kids, work first, play later. My son Joseph really took that to heart.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We like what you are doing at the club very much. You are like a son to me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the police!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What`s that? You want something?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t touch me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You had to hit that spot? Of all the places, you got to come to my place?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s where the drug dealers have been seen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice friends you got there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pop, he`s not my friend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are we supposed to do, compromise the whole thing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What, you want me to come into your place?
(SHOUTING, FIGHT NOISES)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sooner or later, you either gonna be with us, or you can be with the dealers.
This is like a war out there.
(WOMAN SCREAMING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got some products coming in. Maybe you could help us get it out there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The cops, ain`t no problem.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The chief of police will be next.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I wanted to help you, what would I have to do?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Take down a ring.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s one of Pops.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You call the Dean`s people and set it up. You won`t see us, but we`ll be following your every move. Don`t be a hero.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re breathing heavy. Are you nervous?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait! Wait!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Make your promise right now. I`m going to protect you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I never meant to get you involved in all this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Baby, you could be killed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s going to be OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get down! Get down!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All that matters is that we finish this.
(END MOVIE TRAILER)
HAMMER: "We Own The Night" opens this October. That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. This guy is coming up next after the latest from CNN "Headline News". Have a great night.
END
