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Showbiz Tonight
Michael Jackson`s Drug Problems; John Walsh on Catching Predators
Aired September 06, 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: "America`s Most Wanted" host John Walsh on the shocking debate over shows that target suspected child sex sickos.
BROOKE ANDERSON, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT ANCHOR: And Rosie O`Donnell grades Whoopi Goldberg. Plus an explosive announcement, who else is coming to "The View?" I`m Brooke Anderson. We`re in New York. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- inside Michael Jackson`s secret world. Tonight, startling, explosive new allegations. Does he have a dangerous addiction? Are his kids OK? And is he really broke?
Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a shocking look at how stars like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston went from the top of the pop charts to rock bottom. It`s a revealing SHOWBIZ special report.
The rising controversy of the fall TV season. Tonight, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show, that`s us, reveals TV most provocative new shows. Gossip, money, sex, scandals, and kids dumped in to the wilderness.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a passionate look at the prime time series that will be causing shock waves.
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Tonight what does Britney Spears have in common with Michael Jackson? The answers will surprise you in tonight`s SHOWBIZ special report from pop to rock bottom. And that`s coming up.
HAMMER: And tonight we begin with Michael Jackson and a shocking new report that takes us inside his secret world. I don`t have to tell you that a lot of people find Michael Jackson -- let`s just say, a little out of the ordinary. Well, tonight, there are startling new details of what life is like now for the former king of pop.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): He was once the biggest pop star in the world. But now, a shocking new report says Michael Jackson is losing touch with his famous family.
MAGGIE MURPHY, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": The Jackson family siblings have felt estranged from Michael.
HAMMER: Has some serious money trouble.
MURPHY: He`s running out of cash.
HAMMER: And those close to him reportedly say he faces an even bigger problem.
MURPHY: There are reports that he`s struggling with an addiction to painkillers.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the most shocking life yet inside the life of Michael Jackson, the mysterious lives of his kids, who are often seen wearing masks, his family drama and a reported addiction that one of Jackson`s famous brothers fears will bring an end to the former king of pop.
MURPHY: Randy, according to sources, continues to worry that Jackson could end up like Anna Nicole Smith.
HAMMER: An explosive investigation by "People Magazine" reports on the inside world of Michael Jackson and his three children, his 10-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe, and his five- year-old son with a still unidentified mystery surrogate.
MURPHY: We`re getting a glimpse in to what their life looks like.
HAMMER: "People Magazine`s" Maggie Murphy, who oversaw the Michael Jackson piece, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Michael and his kids have spent most of their time living outside the United States since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.
MURPHY: Jackson has pretty much lived a gypsy lifestyle with his three children. They`ve been living with Michael outside of the country for the last three years, in Bahrain, Ireland and England.
HAMMER: "People" also reports Michael Jackson has been battling a serious addiction to pain pill, and his family is virtually powerless to stop it.
MURPHY: Jermaine Jackson, his brother, told us in July he`s worried about Michael`s health.
HAMMER: Murphy tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "People" has learned the Jackson family worries boiled over in a failed intervention with Michael last year.
MURPHY: According to other source, there was an intervention. Janet Jackson was on the phone, but it came to no avail. Jackson stormed out, said he did not have a problem.
HAMMER: But those close To Michael tell "People" he doesn`t have a problem.
MURPHY: Michael Jackson`s publicist denies that Michael has a drug problem. Also, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who has seen Michael, says that Michael is spry and healthy and sparkling and effervescent. So there`s lots of counter argument to some of the drug allegations.
HAMMER: Meanwhile, "People Magazine" is reporting the once fabulously wealthy Jackson is struggling to keep his head above water, but still spends money like there`s no tomorrow.
MURPHY: According to sources, Michael is spending up to one million dollars a month. And you have to remember, he hasn`t recorded and he hasn`t toured in many years.
HAMMER: And "People Magazine" says the Beetles catalog that Michael Jackson co-owns isn`t helping his financial situation, which is, to quote one of his albums, dangerous.
MURPHY: Even though the Beetles catalog is incredibly lucrative, he`s taken loans out against it. At a certain point, there`s not as much value in it because he owes so much against it.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you the most shocking words in "People Magazine`s" report are the ones sources used to describe Michael Jackson`s three kids.
MURPHY: Fun-loving, and really sort of engaging, bright, smart kids with you know, very good manners.
HAMMER: That`s right. "People Magazine" reports the guy who once shocked the world by dangling his baby from a hotel room balcony is raising three good happy kids.
MURPHY: Michael is very giddy and fun with the kids. He writes songs. He plays games with them. There`s teasing. There`s great interaction, and a lot of just enormous fun.
HAMMER: While "People" says Michael Jackson`s kids may be normal and healthy, its shocking new report suggests that some people aren`t saying the same thing about their dad, and there`s one big story that has yet to be told.
MURPHY: When his children are old enough to tell us once and for all what it was like to be Michael Jackson`s child.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Really fascinating, if you think about it. This private life of Michael Jackson, a life that is both bizarre and shocking. What could it possibly be like for his children? Joining me tonight, two premiere Michael Jackson experts from Hollywood, investigative journalist and author of "Secrets Can Be Murder," Jane Velez-Mitchell, and joining us in New York, investigative journalist Diane Diamond, who has been covering the king of pop for 15 years now. She`s also the author of the Jackson book "Be Careful Who You Love."
Jane, Diane, it`s always good to see you both. Diane, let me start with you, as one of the premiere authorities on Michael Jackson. You`ve been covering this guy, all his trials and tribulations, for so long. You wrote this book about his battles against child molestation charges. Is it hard for you to buy what these sources in "People Magazine," in that article, are saying that Michael Jackson actually provides a normal life for his kids? We`re talking, after all, about a guy who famously dangled his baby out of a hotel window?
DIANE DIAMOND, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Exactly. Well, what`s normal? What is normal to a kid is what a kid is used to having. And what kid wouldn`t want to live with Peter Pan for a father? I`m sure it`s fun. I`m sure that he taught them manners. He was taught to be a very obedient child in the Jackson clan, and I`m sure he taught that to his children too.
I think, A.J., the bigger question is what will become of them? I mean, it`s great to have fun for your whole childhood, but when do you sit down and learn discipline and when do you get an education and when do you learn how to interact with the outside world? Those are the things I would be worried about those children not getting.
HAMMER: Jane Velez-Mitchell, where do you think this is going? How can a guy who makes his children wear masks and veils in public ever really give them a normal life?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST: Well, A.J., there are bodyguards -- I`ve spoke with them -- who spent time with these kids and say they are incredibly well adjusted. I think it speaks to the resilience of children. There are a lot kids who had incredibly eccentric and dysfunctional show business parents who somehow turn out OK. I do think they are getting an education in life just by tagging along with their dad. They`ve lived in the Middle East. They have lived in Ireland. They appear to go to culture events and museums day in and day out.
What I do worry about is this home schooling. As they get older, that`s going to become a real problem. The good news is, they have each other. If this was an only child, I would be a lot more worried. But these three kids, relatively close in age, have each other to hang on to.
HAMMER: They have a lot going on right now, and I kind of get that they`re well adjusted now, in the context of their current life. And, yes, how fascinating to be able to travel around the world. They lived on a ranch with monkeys and zebras and lions and things of that nature. But what about the future? That`s what I`m curious about. Diane, you know, you`re a mom. What do you think we`re going to be caring about these kids in the future? Obviously, they`re going to be closely watched, not only by the people in their inner circles, but anybody who can get a glimpse in from the outside?
DIAMOND: Oh, absolutely. A.J., these three children are going to be curiosities for the rest of their lives simply because Michael Jackson was their father. I can tell you sources of mine tell me that his family, estranged as they are all are, are very worry about the fate of these three children. Yes, they`re having a lot of fun, but do they know how to do arithmetic or write a grammatical sentence? Do they know how to relate to people outside of their little cocoon without wearing a veil or mask?
These are very basic things to most kids, but to these children, the normal is not the norm for them. It`s just not right, in my opinion, as a mother, to take kids out most of the time or even some of the time with a Halloween mask on or a veil on. It`s got to play mind tricks with their mind as they get older.
HAMMER: And will have some impact on the rest of their life. Then there is the concern for dad`s health. Anybody who`s taken a look at this guy over the past many years has known he has health issues. The "People Magazine" article says sources say he`s very ill. Of course, his camp denies that to people. We heard that Jesse Jackson said he`s doing OK.
Jane, maybe you can put this in perspective for us?
MITCHELL: Well, A.J., we`re hearing from "People Magazine" that his family wants to do an intervention on him. Let`s face it, the extended Jackson clan is not exactly a bastion of normalcy. So, if they are concerned, maybe there`s something to worry about. Many, many, many years ago, decades ago, Jackson did admit he had a prescription habit because he suffered an accident in a Pepsi commercial where his hair went on fire.
Now, as a recovering alcoholic myself, I can tell you, if you don`t treat addiction, it gets progressively work. I do not hear anything about him going to 12-step programs or treating his addiction. So it certainly makes sense, although he denies it. If he does have this problem, obviously, that is going to impact the kids.
HAMMER: All right, Jane Velez Mitchell, Diane Diamond, premier Michael Jackson experts, it`s going to be interesting to see what the next story we hear about Michael is. Will he fade away quietly or will it be something big? Hopefully not bad. Thank you for joining us tonight.
ANDERSON: And now we want to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day; Michael Jackson, can he ever make a comeback? Vote at CNN.com/SHOWBIZTOINGT. Send us an e-mail to SHOWBIZTONIGHT@CNN.com.
HAMMER: So, I`m thinking about the whole Michael Jackson thing, which is completely mind-boggling to me. This guy was, after all, one of the biggest stars on the planet.
ANDERSON: You`re right. He seemed so unstoppable. There have been other star, like Whitney Houston, George Michael, on top of the world and poof, their careers shattered.
HAMMER: Coming up, I`ve got a SHOWBIZ special report from pop to rock bottom. That will be at 30 past the hour.
ANDERSON: Next, John Walsh right here; this guy has done so much great work catching the bad guys as host of "America`s Most Wanted." I`m going one on one with him. You aren`t going to want to miss what he thinks of the fired up debate over TV shows that go after suspected sex predators. I`ve also got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does everyone else feel about Raja and his differences?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I guess I feel angry. Because his people blew up the buildings in New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Even the World Trade Center bombing not off limits this TV season. Scandal, money, gossip, sex; tonight, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show -- that is us -- with a startling look at fall`s most provocative new prime time shows. That is straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And right now I can put to rest all the rumors about Britney Spears performing at the MTV Music Awards. Tonight I can tell you, Britney will open the show. She will be singing her brand new single called "Give Me More." When you think about it, this is possibly the biggest moment of Brit`s career. With the head shaving, the rehab, she`s really got to show the world that she`s still got it.
Of course, Britney is no stranger to the VMAS. You remember this? The luscious lip lock with Madonna from back in 2003? Who know what will happen this Sunday. Tune in at 9:00 p.m. on MTV for all the fun.
ANDERSON: All right, tonight, crime and punishment in Hollywood and beyond. One of the most successful shows in television history to help capture real life criminals is "America`s Most Wanted," which is about to begin -- listen to this -- it`s 21st season on the air. From the beginning, its host, John Walsh, has been leading the charge to get criminals off the streets.
John Walsh is with us here in New York tonight. Our good friend, John Walsh. Good to see you.
JOHN WALSH, "AMERICA`S MOST WANTED": Nice to see you, Brooke.
ANDERSON: OK, there is an absolute fascination with crime on television. If you look at the top shows on TV, you`ve got the fictional shows, "CSI," "Law & Order." Why do you think people so obsessed with crime on TV? My mother loves those "CSI" shows.
WALSH: Absolutely. I think people see that there is a dark side to life. And that throughout history, people have been fascinated by criminals and how they get away with things, from the days of the worst of the worst through the Jack Ripper -- Jack the Ripper, et cetera.
ANDERSON: The suspense.
WALSH: Yes, the suspense. And there`s a voyeuristic quality to people. They don`t want do go there, but they`re fascinated how someone can cross that line.
ANDERSON: Well, it`s not just fictional crime, of course. There`s also the real life crime that`s on television. One show that has been both praised and criticized is "Dateline`s To Catch a Predator," which goes after alleged Internet child predators, working with law enforcement and a private group. What do you think? Is there ever a thing as crossing the line, or is it OK to do whatever it takes to get the criminal?
WALSH: I don`t think you do whatever it takes. You know, we`ve been on 20 years, as you said, 21 seasons. When I started "America`s Most Wanted," I come from the crime victim world. I`m the father of a murdered child. So, the arrangement I had with Fox is we will try never to exploit a victim. We will never cross that line. We won`t show the face of a child that`s been molested, a woman that`s been raped, if she doesn`t want her face shown. That`s one side of it.
And "Dateline" has received some criticism I think because their first couple shows they didn`t partner with law enforcement. There`s one way to do it. That`s the right way. I really believe that if you do things within the system, that`s the right way to do it. You partner up with a law enforcement agency, with the district attorney`s office, cross your T`s, dot your I`s.
Yes, it`s a terrible thing when a man exchanges information over the Internet, and he shows up somewhere purposefully to have sex a 12 year old child. You should be held responsible for your actions, but you have to do it through the established criminal justice system.
ANDERSON: In the proper way and manner. Speaking of the premiere of "America`s Most Wanted," the 21st season. We`re going to see in the premiere the capture of two suspected child predators. And there are so many stories like that. Why did you choose these two in particular?
WALSH: Well, number one is Kenneth Freeman. He was a reserve sheriff`s deputy, and his case was brought to us by his daughter, and the police officer investigating it. He`s alleged to have molested his own daughter when she was nine years old. Not only did he do that, he made a video of it, and it is the second most downloaded child pornography video in the world, on the Internet.
And with the passage of the Adam Walsh Child Protection Law last year that President Bush signed in the Rose Garden, it allowed American law enforcement to go to foreign countries. Kenneth Freeman was just caught by the U.S. marshals and ICE agents crossing from China in to Hong Kong. This is a great get. And Kiley Freeman has been waiting for years for justice. She`s 18 years old right now and it`s a great example of how child pornography, which is a record of child abuse, is a five billion dollar a year business, mainly over the Internet, is a horrible, horrible thing and it`s now become a global issue. And people come in to the United States and molest here and go to other places.
ANDERSON: Like you say, great gets that we`ll see in the premiere. You guys have such a great track record. Very quickly, you have profiled more than 3,000 fugitives, led to the capture of nearly 1,000 of them, led to the safe recovery of 51 people, most of them missing children. Quickly, does anything ever surprise you anymore?
WALSH: No, it doesn`t. But there are happy endings, not just catching the worst of the worst. The 958 guys are incredible. We`ve caught 15 guys off the FBI`s Ten Most Wanted List over the years. The recovery of the missing children, like Elizabeth Smart, are the high points. That`s what makes it all worth it. It`s tough stuff.
ANDERSON: Keep up the good work. John Walsh, always a pleasure. Thanks for being here. "America`s Most Wanted" new season; it`s new season starts Saturday on Fox.
HAMMER: Well, they used to be America`s most wanted. I`m talking about Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston. I know, Brooke, you were a big fan of their music.
ANDERSON: Of course, George Michael too. Big fan.
HAMMER: Well, what happened? Why did their careers crash? Coming up at 30 past the hour, it`s my SHOWBIZ special report from pop to rock bottom. Plus, Britney Spears` startling connections to Michael Jackson. Brooke, I know you also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GWEN STEFANI, SINGER: I had all these thing I wanted to do and accomplish and now that I did that, I feel a little calmer and a little more completed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Gwen Stefani there. She is great; fun music, also a fashion line. But there`s something else she`s even more proud of. I got to tell you, I wasn`t surprised by what she said it is. That`s coming up.
ANDERSON: And Whoopi is new on "The View." But how did she do according to Rosie? Rosie`s own words coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: I was right there on Tuesday for Whoopi Goldberg`s big View debut. I`ve got more big View news. Tonight I can tell you that "The View" is adding another panelist. And no real surprise here. It`s comedian Sherri Shepherd. Sherri has guest hosted a bunch of times. I think she`s a very funny person. She will be a positive addition to the show. "The View" is now having its full first cast of characters since Rosie O`Donnell came and left. Remember, Star Jones left the show in the spring of 2006.
Speaking of Rosie, she did have something to say about how she thinks Whoopi did. Not a lot to say, but on her blog, Rosie says, quote, Whoopi was good. By the way, Rosie did say something about "The View" wasn`t good, the set. She didn`t like the new colors. She thought it was too beige.
Oh, that`s not all Rosie is talking about. She`s furious about her new book "Celebrity Detox," which is supposed to come out in about a month. Listen to what Rosie says about this, quote, "so I just got my first hard copy of my new book `Celebrity Detox.` There on the front flap in print, `when Rosie O`Donnell`s mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1968, 10-year- old Rosie thought fame could cure her.` I was born in 1962. My mother was diagnosed in 1973. WTF! I want to scream. The book has been more of a pain in the ass than it was worth."
There you go. Even though Rosie O`Donnell is in our face every day, Brook. I know that she is coming back some way in a daily way, bigger and better than ever. We can`t say the same for Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, George Michael. Some of the biggest stars of their time, but why did their careers crash and burn? My special report from pop to rock bottom, coming up next. Also this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does everyone else feel about the Raja and his differences? Stephanie?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I guess I feel angry, because his people blew up the buildings in New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK, even the World Trade Center bombings are not of limits this TV season. Scandal, gossip, sex, money; tonight, a revealing look at this fall`s most controversial and provocative new shows by TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: I want you to prepare yourself to say awe. It`s going to happen when we show you a very special birthday for this special little panda guy. Look at him, he`s so cute. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
ANDERSON: Awe.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, how the mighty have fallen. Just think about what Michael Jackson used to be and what he is now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A source says Michael is spending up to $1 million a month. He hasn`t recorded or toured in many years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But Michael isn`t the only `80s music superstar who has had a complete meltdown. From Whitney Huston to George Michael, what is behind the career suicides of stars who were once the biggest names in music? Tonight, a SHOWBIZ special report "From Pop to Rock Bottom".
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. You are watching TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Tonight, explosive allegations about the secret life of Michael Jackson. "People" magazine reports despite his big-time financial woes, Jackson is spending over $1 million a month. Even more disturbing, "People" magazines reports Jackson is very ill due to a prescription drug addiction and that his family has already staged an intervention. That`s something that a Jackson spokesperson denies.
Of course, Michael Jackson is not the only star who has fallen from the top to the bottom. Tonight, SHOWBIZ special report, "From Pop to Rock Bottom".
Joining me, investigative journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell, she is the author of "Secrets Can Be Murder". And from New York, Steven Kandell, deputy editor of "Spin" magazine and Courtney Hazlett, a senior reporter for "OK" magazine.
Gang I appreciate you being here. As I was getting ready to do the segment today, what was really striking me are these amazing parallels in the lives of Michael Jackson, and a pop star of today, or a hopefully still a pop star today, Britney Spears. Starting with the fact that these were both child stars. Courtney, how much do you think that shaped both of them, including what they`re dealing with in terms of their troubles today?
COURTNEY HAZLETT, "OK" MAGAZINE: I think the fact both were child stars. That they were in trust in to the spotlight so young and never had a typical adolescence, has so much to do with the fact they`re making really questionable choices today. Questionable choices financially, personally, et cetera, et cetera. Britney goes through a lot of money every month, as well. It`s surprising how similar her fate has become to Michael Jackson`s.
HAMMER: Fortunately for Britney, latest reports earning over $700,000 a month. So, not exactly in the same boat as Michael, there.
Steve Kandell, from "Spin " magazine, let me go to you. Music is your life what do you think about the impact of having been a child music super star and their lives of today?
STEVEN KANDELL, "SPIN": It`s kind of like what Courtney said, as well. If you`re preparing your entire life, learning how to perform in front of people, it`s not necessarily preparing you for how to live once you already are successful. These guys didn`t really have the support systems to necessarily to learn how to deal with what happens when you get everything that you`re shooting for.
So they have surrounded themselves with different people and not necessarily the same people that made them successful. And they don`t get good advice. Or in Britney`s case, got a manager, a publicist to speak of.
HAMMER: She`s not getting any advice.
KANDELL: She`s not getting any advice at all. And you know, the people that are advising them, might have different motives. And, you know, it`s not necessarily in the artist`s best interest sometimes. It`s a matter of making them a money-making entity, as opposed to just a tabloid figure.
HAMMER: And the parallels between Jacko and Britney don`t stop there. Any time we hear about the latest behavior of either of them, there`s always a circus-like freak show vibe to their lives. It almost doesn`t seem like they live in the same reality as the rest of us.
Jane Valez-Mitchell, let`s go to you. Not because you live in alternate reality.
(LAUGHTER)
But I`m curious as to your perspective as to why do you think they seem to living on their own private planets?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yeah, it`s a planet called, planet me, or planet narcissism, or planet grandiosity. And it is in this universe called the celebrity bubble. They have the resources to try to change the world, by creating a false universe, as opposed to accepting life on life`s terms and dealing with what they`re going through internally, getting help. And really, you know, dealing with their problems. There are plenty of major, major stars living in Malibu, Beverly Hills, never chased by tabloids never have anything said about them. Because they know who they are, they are grounded, they have a sense of self that is independent of their celebrity.
But these troubled celebrities they never got to develop that authentic self. So what they seek is the roar of the crowd for approval and validation. Sometimes negative attention will do when they get can`t positive attention.
HAMMER: Not everybody crashes and burns, not everybody needs a comeback. Britney and Michael, they need a comeback. In fact, Britney`s big comeback performance is scheduled to be this Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards. She`ll be opening up singing her new song. I keep using that word "comeback." Courtney Hazlett, what do you think? Can Britney and Michael ever make a real comeback based on what got them famous in the first place, which is their music?
HAZLETT: Their music, and their ability to perform in front of lots of people is what made them famous. I don`t think they necessarily goes away just because your going rehab or jumping into questionable marriages or things like that.
On the other hand, I think that unless the comeback comes from the right place. In other words, unless they`re doing it because they love performing, it`s not going to stick. If they`re doing it just because they feel, my gosh, I have to have a comeback, there`s all this pressure, it`s not going to be long lasting.
HAMMER: Let`s move beyond Brit and Jacko, because they certainly are not the only pop icons who went from "Pop To Rock Bottom." We also have Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum Whitney Houston. Now, of course, mostly known for her broken marriage to Bobby Brown, her drug problem. Steve Kandell, what do you think, can she ever repair what really has become a train wreck of an image?
KANDELL: If she wants to. I think being a performer and being an artist isn`t really the same as being famous. You can`t undo being famous. It there are going to be that well known. But as far as whether they want to be known for performing, whether she wants to be up in front of thousands of people, singing which is what she was originally known for way back when. You know, that`s -- you know, it`s not necessarily definite that that`s something she wants to do.
So that`s where it has to start. These people have to want to be in front of people for the right reasons. To be famous for the right things as opposed to infamous. That have to sort of go back to, you know, think back to before they were successful. And whatever was driving them to be successful, and when it was really more about the talent than notoriety. And really sort of channel that, and sort of get back in to that. Strip everything else away, and sort of rediscover that desire.
HAMMER: Yeah. It`s hard to listen to you and not feel a little sad for them. And I don`t think necessarily they want our sympathy. Whitney Houston, I mean, the golden voice, amazing performances she used to give. I feel the same way about George Michael. Here`s a guy who is one of the most successful male pop artists of all time. He sold something like 85 million albums or more. Jane, is he a classic example of how such major success can lead to someone falling so low?
VALEZ-MITCHELL: A.J., it`s very easy for anybody to point the finger, but I think what we need to show is compassion. It`s not easy to live a private life on the world stage, and have to go through all your changes, and your battles with what your identity is with the entire world watching.
So it`s easy for us, who are not selling 85 million copies, and who are not followed by the tabloids to say, hey, they should do this or that. But we have to have compassion, because we`re not walking in their shoes. And when we do walk in their shoes, then we`ll understand how tough it is to really evolve as a human being with the entire world watching your every move.
HAMMER: Yeah. I agree with you. They do live, because of the lives they have developed, this alternate reality. I agree with you. Compassion is really important. Let me toss this one around here. If you could sit Britney Spears down and say, you know what, take a look at Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, George Michael, and what happened to them. Learn a lesson from that.
Courtney, what is the biggest takeaway for somebody like Britney from these guys?
HAZLETT: I think one of the biggest things to learn, is that she`s not alone in this situation. I`ve spoken to her friends, when I`ve spoken to friends of Lindsay Lohan. They all convey these stars feel like nobody understand what`s they`re going through. If Britney learned, listen, there are people that you can lean on, people who can give you really good advice for the pressures you`re under, and actually take that advice, she`d be in much better shape.
HAMMER: Steve Kandell, real quickly, what do you think?
KANDELL: The same thing she has to question what does she really want out of this? Does she really want to be performing again, surround herself with people that are going to make her accomplish that, as opposed to people that will shove her out in front of people before she`s maybe really ready to; and if she can surround herself with people who are going to be serving her rather than -- surrounding herself with people at all, for that matter --
HAMMER: Exactly.
KANDELL: That would be a good start.
HAMMER: We`re going have to end it there, guys. Hopefully Britney`s paying attention as she goes into her big weekend. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Steven Kandell, Courtney Hazlett, I appreciate you all joining us tonight.
We`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Michael Jackson, can he ever make a comeback? Keep voting at CNN.com/showbiztonight. Our e-mail address is Showbiz tonight@cnn.com, you can also vote on our question of the day by zipping off a cell phone text message to 45688. Yes, showbiz, yes. No, showbiz, Once again, that text message goes to 45688.
ANDERSON: At SHOWBIZ TONIGHT we like to call ourselves the most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: That is true. So I figure what better place to find out about TV`s most provocative "new" shows for the new season? That`s us, right? Find out which shows going to be stirring up plenty of controversy this fall, coming up next.
Also this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are all these things I wanted to do and to accomplish, and now that I did that I feel a little calmer and kind of completed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Gwen Stefani, she has so much going on, she told me there is indeed one thing that trumps all of her other accomplishments. My revealing chat with Gwen, straight ahead.
HAMMER: And you`re invited to a panda party. I did not say pajama party. I said a panda party. How cute is this panda? We`re taking you to the Atlanta Zoo for the first birthday of one of its favorite residents. Coming up on the "Video of the Day."
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
It is time now for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Video of the Day". And here`s a question, what kind of party could get officials from China to travel all the way to Georgia? A birthday party for a panda, of course. It was a first birthday party for the May Lan (ph) at the zoo in Atlanta. One of only four U.S. zoos that keep endangered giant pandas in a partnership with China. There were traditional Chinese songs and dancing and birthday songs, of course. The cake made out of low-carb bamboo or something. May Lan (ph) was the only giant panda cub born in an American zoo last year. So happy birthday!
ANDERSON: All right. Here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT we call ourselves TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. Which is why tonight we are taking on TV`s most provocative new shows. There are plenty of them in the new fall TV season, but there might be a little to offend just about everybody out there.
The new "Entertainment Weekly" has a fascinating take on all the new fall shows this season. With us tonight, here in New York, assistant managing editor for "Entertainment Weekly" Kristen Baldwin.
Good to see you. Kristen.
KRISTEN BALDWIN, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": Hi.
ANDERSON: OK, I want to start with one of the most provocative new shows this fall, which is on CBS, called "Kid Nation", Kristen. Children ages eight through 15 dropped of in a New Mexico ghost town to build their own society. CBC has taken a lot of heat for this. What could really be so entertaining about show that features kids in what looks like could be painful situations?
BALDWIN: You know, CBS is pitching this show as very heartwarming and uplifting, saying these children band together and work through their differences to form a society. Obviously, we`ve all seen the headlines. We know, yes, there were adults there. Crew and medical professionals and things like that, but things still went wrong.
Some of the kids accidentally drank bleach, because it was in a soda bottle. One little girl got burned on her face. And the state of New Mexico is investigating as to whether child labor laws were broken.
ANDERSON: You bring up the allegations, the complaints by some, But CBS says everything was as it should be and it was a safe environment for the kids. But, Kristen, call me crazy, eight years old, seeing those kids cry, not something I think I want to watch week after week. Am I missing something here?
BALDWIN: I kind of had the same reaction when I saw the five-minute trailer they`ve shown. We shill haven`t seen the entire show. A lot of kids crying, stressed out.
ANDERSON: I was crying. I was tearing up.
BALDWIN: It really does -- I didn`t see the appeal. What CBS is trying to drive home, like I said, it`s going to be heartwarming and surprising that these kids can run their society. And there are a lot of people at my magazine very excited to see it.
ANDERSON: Hopefully so. Hopefully it will be more uplifting than what I`ve seen thus far. OK, hopefully moving on. The next one, it`s called "Aliens in America" on the CW Network. It is about a Pakistani boy comes to live with an American family. Look at this scene where they have just welcomed Raja, who they call a, quote, "real life Pakistani who practicing Muslimism."
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How does everyone else feel about Raja and his differences? Yes, Stephanie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess I feel angry because those people blew up the buildings in New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK, and this is a comedy? Bound to ruffle more than a few feathers. Do you think comedy is the right way to address thee kinds of stereotypes?
BALDWIN: Absolutely. Television has been dealing with social issues through comedy on other shows for years, for decades. Think of "All In The Family" things like that. Certainly this is a satire and the idea is to examine Americans and how they feel about Muslims and how they feel about different cultures in general.
Yeah, it is going to offend some people, but it will have a self- selecting audience. If you`re the type of person who gets offended by comedy about religion, you probably won`t tune in to this show.
ANDERSON: OK, not going to watch that one. OK, another one of TV`s most provocative new shows is "Gossip Girls" on the CW Network. Based on a series of books. It`s about high school kids engaging in sex, drugs, rock `n` roll. We keep talking about the right role models for young kids. Is this really what we should being on television?
BALDWIN: Certainly, this is a show that has a lot of teenage kids indulging in adult behavior. The pilot alone has sex, allusions to drugs and drinking, a lot of drinking. No. It may not be appropriate for all children, but the CW is certainly trying to reach an audience from 12 to 34. There are adults who want to watch this show and kids are going to want to watch it. But I think the most responsible thing to do would be to tell parents to watch it with their kids. If you don`t think it`s appropriate, don`t let them watch it again.
ANDERSON: Really have some guidance there in the home. Another show quickly, "Dirty, Sexy, Money." Are people going to tune in?
BALDWIN: Absolutely. This is a fun show, a primetime soap. It`s really poking fun at our culture`s obsession with celebrity and people who are famous just for being famous. It`s about a rich wealthy New York family, who is glamorous on the outside, pure dysfunction on the inside.
ANDERSON: All right, who needs the news when you have a show like that? Kristen Baldwin, thanks for your insight. Thanks for joining us.
BALDWIN: No problem.
ANDERSON: Check out the new issue of "Entertainment Weekly" for these new show. It hits newsstands tomorrow.
Gwen Stefani unveils her provocative new fashion on the opening day of Fashion Week in New York City. I was right there. As for Gwen`s husband Gavin Rostell (ph) and their adorable son. Look at him! His name is Kingston, how cute.
Gwen has so much going on in her life. You know, the fashion line, the music, the as to your touring. When I spoke to her right before the show, she says there`s one thing that trumps is all. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GWEN STEFANI: One thing that I`m really, really excited about is being a mom. I mean, that thing is -- now that I`ve done that, I always was kind of feeling like the clock was ticking, I had all of these thing I wanted to do, accomplish. Now that I did that I feel a little calmer, a little more kind of completed. But I just you know -- I`m busy and I have too much on my plate, but everything seems to work out.
ANDERSON: How do you balance it?
STEFANI: I don`t. I live day to day, and see what`s going to happen. He`s 16 months, he`s been with me everywhere. Already been on 30 flights, around the world. We just toured the world together.
ANDERSON: Well traveled.
STEFANI: He`s incredible. He`ll be here tonight. He`s jet-lagged, he`s allowed to be up late. It`s just really, really fun. It`s hard.
The one thing that is hard is I don`t sleep like I used to. I`m one of those people that love sleeping. But I also, you know, it`s worth it. Last night, 4:00 in the morning, we were up together hanging out. I was, oh, my god, I have the show! But it doesn`t matter. I`ll sleep later. It`s great. It`s amazing. My favorite thing that`s ever happened to me. He is the most spectacular, most delicious, most beautiful baby in the universe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Ah, how sweet is that? Such a cool person. Her fashion show was big hit. Gwen told me this is her favorite line so far and critics seem to agree. It`s getting rave reviews for being young, cute and hip.
HAMMER: One of the greatest voices in music is silent tonight. Famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died. Everybody from President Bush to Bono is talking about the legacy he leaves behind. That`s coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
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Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Tonight everyone from President Bush to Bono is mourning death of a legend. One of the strongest voices in music history.
LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, OPERA SINGER: (SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at his home in Modana in Italy. He was 71 years old. He was diagnosed last year with pancreatic cancer. His manager says even as he fought the cancer he remained positive and steadfast. A spirit that has been apparent every time Pavarotti spoke publicly.
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PAVAROTTI: I dreamed of becoming a singer when I was four, when I heard my father singing in the church with a beautiful tenor voice. And I said to myself, well, let`s try to do something. I think I just stopped for one year, when I become a man, my voice was changing. I was an alto and became a tenor. That is the only time, I think, I remember to have stopped to sing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Such a loss. President Bush called Pavarotti one of the most accomplished, acclaimed opera singers of all time. Bono issued a statement, he and Pavarotti sang together at charity events and recorded together as well. Bono called him a great and generous friend. And also said, quote, "Some can sing opera. Luciano Pavarotti was an opera. I spoke to him last week. The voice that was louder than any rock band was a whisper. Still, he communicated his love, full of love."
ANDERSON: We asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this: Paparazzi, should the children of stars be off limits? And 93 percent of you said, say yes. Only 70 percent of you say no.
Here are some of the e-mails we received. Trish from New York writes: "Children of stars should most definitely be off limits. They did not choose to be in the public eye.
And Linda from Oklahoma, "If stars wanted to protect their children, they could. You don`t see Madonna`s kids or Julia Roberts` kids constantly. "
HAMMER: Time now to see what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tomorrow, it`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special event, "Showbiz Weight Watch." From stars who gain and loose, and gain and lose weight. And the double standard when it comes to when it comes to males stars who put on the pounds. We got it cover.
Plus SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares Hollywood to stop its obsession with thinness once and for all. It is a passionate and controversial special event you just can`t miss. The "SHOWBIZ Weight Watch", tomorrow, right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I am A.J. Hammer. We are in New York.
ANDERSON: That`s right. I`m Brooke Anderson. That`s for watching. "Glenn Beck" is coming up next after the latest headlines from CNN "Headline News."
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