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Showbiz Tonight
Billie Jean Jackson in Neverland Ranch; Patrick Swayze`s Cancer Battle; Tori Spelling`s Revelations; Outrage and Humor Over Eliot Spitzer; What Spitzer Can Learn from Hollywood Sex Scandals
Aired March 12, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: A woman named Billie Jean arrested at Michael Jackson`s Neverland, and I`m not kidding. And Mariah Carey is taking Janet Jackson`s job. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Hollywood sex scandal. Tonight, as New York governor Eliot Spitzer resigns because of his high-priced hooker scandal, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT gives him a hard-nosed, in your face Hollywood reality check.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": Governor Spitzer could learn a lot from the Hollywood actors have been involved in sex scandals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, from Hugh to Jude to Charlie. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the tough lessons for Eliot Spitzer from Hollywood`s most explosive sex scandals.
Patrick Swayze`s brave cancer battle. Tonight, brand new and revealing information about what the beloved star is doing to fight his pancreatic cancer. The inside story of how he`s really doing and how the love of his life, his wife of 33 years, is helping. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the breaking new details and the inspiring story of Patrick`s battle.
Plus, Tori Spelling tells all about her "Beverly Hills 90210" sexcapade, in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And it seems that no matter where we turn today, we couldn`t escape one thing - powerful people and stars talking about their cheating. Tonight, former "Beverly Hills 90210" star, Tori Spelling, opens up to me like never before about why she cheated on her newly wed husband and broke up two, that`s two marriages at once. It is truly the remarkable Tori tell-all and it`s the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
But first, tonight, the Spitzer sex scandal. Well, to say that the life of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer appears to be in ruins, that might be the understatement of the year. Spitzer announced today he is resigning after getting busted for hooking up with prostitutes.
But I want you to listen up, Governor. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to tell you that Hollywood is full of stars whose careers also seemed to be in ruins after they got caught up in scandals. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal the hard core lessons that were learned.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIOT SPITZER: I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me.
HAMMER (voice over): So New York governor Eliot Spitzer, whom headlines dub "the luv gov" will soon be "the former luv gov."
SPITZER: I am resigning from the office of governor.
HAMMER: TV viewers all over the country tuned in to watch him squirm through his awkward resignation as he`s investigated for allegedly patronizing a high-priced prostitution ring. It was a classic made-for-TV my bad.
PIAZZA: Everyone was tuned to the TV. I definitely couldn`t get enough of it.
HAMMER: But the alleged john has a lot to apologize for. Actress Julianne Moore minced no words when talking about the politician she once supported. She tells "People" magazine, the scandal is, quote "A (EXPLETIVE DELETED) embarrassment. I`m really pissed." Ouch.
AMY ARGETSINGER, "WASHINGTON POST" COLUMNIST: Everyone is wondering why didn`t Spitzer resign two days ago. Clearly, he was waiting to see which way Julianne Moore was going to go.
HAMMER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, ticked-off, Oscar-nominated actresses aside, Spitzer can learn something from Hollywood, which has had to deal with this kind of thing every once in a while.
PIAZZA: Governor Spitzer could learn a lot from Hollywood actors who have involved in sex scandals.
HAMMER: Number one in our Hollywood guide to surviving sex scandals, apologize brilliantly.
SPITZER: To every New Yorker and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, sincerely apologize.
HAMMER: That apology was OK. But it doesn`t come close to topping apology-hall-of-famer, Hugh Grant, who issued a mea culpa for the ages on the "Tonight" show after he got caught with a prostitute in 1995.
HUGH GRANT, ACTOR: I did a bad thing. There you have it.
PIAZZA: He just said I`m kind of a bad person and I`m sorry and I want you to forgive me. And the public loves it.
Rule number two in the Hollywood guide to surviving sex scandals, stay married, if you can. OK, Spitzer may not get much say in that, but in the off-chance he can manage to keep his family together, the case of NBA star Kobe Bryant could be an inspiration to him.
KOBE BRYAN, NBA STAR: I love my wife so much.
HAMMER: In 2003, Bryant tearfully admitted to adultery with a hotel worker who had accused him of rape. The charges were dismissed and his wife stayed with him through the whole thing, with the help of some bling.
ARGETSINGER: He stayed married. He bought his wife a fantastic ring and she stayed by his side. And that`s more or less blown over for him.
HAMMER: And it may have spawned a possible new segment of the jewelry industry.
PIAZZA: Seriously, a whole line of "I`m sorry. I`ve been bad. I`ve cheated on you" ring. Some QVC would have skyrocketed in sales after the Kobe Bryant scandal.
HAMMER: And the final item in the Hollywood guide to surviving sex scandals, lay low. Governor Spitzer, listen up. This one also involves prostitutes. In 1995, Charlie Sheen had to testify in the trial of Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss. He admitted that he had spent more than $50,000 on ladies of the evening, over many evenings.
ARGETSINGER: Was anyone really surprised when he got caught with hookers
HAMMER: What did he do?
PIAZZA: Charlie laid low for a little bit and the scandal seemed to die down.
HAMMER: Sheen worked steadily and below the radar, kept out of trouble, mostly, and then redemption came in a big way.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: This couple - how long have they been together?
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: Fine. I met you in Thailand and bought you from a guy.
HAMMER: His sitcom "2 1/2 Men" isn`t above making a wink, wink acknowledgement of Sheen`s bad boy past, and it`s now the top rated comedy series on TV.
ARGETSINGER: It`s just kind of, you know, wise-guy bad-guy swaggering image which is part of his schtick on TV.
HAMMER: So Gov. Spitzer, you might just recover if you follow the Hollywood guide to surviving sex scandals. But meanwhile, you might just want to stay away from prostitutes and while you`re at it, stay away from Julianne Moore, too. At least until she cools down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
See, I think that`s a good idea. While SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is offering Eliot Spitzer a lot of tips from Hollywood, will Hollywood stories of survival work for him?
With us tonight from Hollywood, Howard Bragman, founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations. Also tonight, in Hollywood, Kim Serafin, senior editor of "In Touch Weekly." Howard, Kim, we`ve seen it before. We saw the case of Hugh Grant. He went on a late night talk show. He apologized for what he had done so wrongly. Now that can do wonders. Kim, should Spitzer book a seat on - I don`t know -Conan or Kimmel? What do think that would be like?
KIM SERAFIN, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, I think, you know, the "Tonight" show has already been done by Hugh Grant. So I would say he should go for like a Letterman type because that would show he`s kind of not afraid, because you know Letterman will go after him. It`s also a New York-based show, so he`s there with, you know, his former constituency.
And then of course, there`s the top ten list and there are so many jokes I can make about, you know, clients one through eight can come on and do the top eight, of the top ten list. So yes, I think, you know, if he`s going to try to play this in a Hollywood way, if he wants to make a transition to Hollywood, maybe Letterman would be the way to go.
HAMMER: Yes, I guess doing Leno is so 1995. Spitzer now reportedly spent, as we`ve been these reports unbelievably unfolding, some $80,000 on prostitutes over a long period of time.
We also mentioned that Charlie Sheen spent $50,000 on prostitutes. And now, I`m thinking you adjust that for inflation, it`s about the same amount of money. And now, of course, Charlie Sheen on a hit sitcom, "2 1/2 Men." Howard, tell me if you think this could work for Eliot Spitzer, a show called, I don`t know, "2 1/2 prostitutes?" Now, Howard, hear me out on this. Tell me if you think this could possibly work for Eliot Spitzer, a called - I don`t know - "2 1/2 Prostitutes."
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: You know, A.J., if a Hollywood writer turned in a script about Eliot Spitzer, they would go, "Hey, tone this down. This is outrageous. Nobody is going to believe this." I sort of think that`s why we like reality TV so much because people are much crazier and more stupid than anybody could imagine.
HAMMER: Yes. This is a conversation a lot of people are having. I was standing in my executive producer, Dave Levine`s office earlier today. And we both looked at each other saying, "Hey, you can`t make this stuff up." What do you think, Kim?
SERAFIN: Oh, yes. I mean this like - Howard is right. I mean, if he turned this in, people would say, "This can`t actually happen. Just tone it down." This should be something different because this is not even true. And I think we probably will be learning a lot more.
And I think we probably will be learning a lot more. I mean it seems like this story, as the days go on, first it was one prostitute, now it`s many over the course of several years - so possibly ten years. Yes, I mean, it`s a wonder that this hadn`t come out sooner.
HAMMER: Yes. And we`re going to see a lot more parallels to Hollywood, too. I want to bring up again another one of our tips to getting past a sex scandal. I think this is particularly good one. Stay married. Obviously, it`s a little hard to do when you cheat, but we saw this guy, Kobe Bryant, do it. What do you think, Howard? Should Spitzer just break down and get his wife a little $4-million piece of bling like Kobe did?
BRAGMAN: You know, money is not the issue in the Spitzer family right now. I don`t know. It looked to me like somebody gave her about 15 Valium before she was propped up next to him in the press conference.
I think a little hair and makeup would have helped her. You know, nobody can help but feel bad and jewelry is not going to cover this one. This is a little bigger issue right now.
HAMMER: Yes, well, I have to say it probably was not one of the happier times of her life, Howard. I can`t imagine how well she would have looked. I was watching her, because when he resigned, she had pretty much the same face on when that first announcement was made.
SERAFIN: And, you know, former Gov. Spitzer`s family is worth like $500 million. So money is not an issue and Mrs. Spitzer was a former lawyer. I mean very well educated, you know, a star lawyer who quit her job to support her husband. So yes, somehow I don`t think even a $4- million ring is going to make up for anything going on.
HAMMER: Yes. I saw the apology and well, he has given the apology. It kind of reminded me of Jude Law`s apology. Remember, he cheated Sienna Miller with that 26-year-old nanny? He apologized right away.
This is what he said - I pulled this out today, "I just want to say I`m deeply ashamed and upset that I`ve hurt Sienna and the people most close to us. There`s no defense for my actions which I sincerely regret and I ask that you respect our privacy in this very difficult time."
Howard, you have clients who have to apologize from time to time. Spitzer went relatively quick with his apology. I don`t know. What do you think? He`s not exactly any Jude Law here. Of course, he could reprise Jude Law`s womanizing role in "Alfie."
BRAGMAN: Governor, you`re no Jude Law. Now, the rules are different in Hollywood than they are in politics. And that`s just a reality that the governor has learned very quickly. Hollywood people are called sex symbols. We don`t think of politicians as sex symbols. And really, this was about hypocrisy for Spitzer, that`s why he`s falling down.
HAMMER: Indeed. I`ve got to wrap you there, Howard. I`m out of time. Howard Bragman, Kim Serafin, I appreciate you being here. Coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, you won`t want to miss this - outrage in Hollywood.
Why has this story sparked such outrage coast to coast, including from some of the biggest stars. Wait until you hear what the ladies of "The View" had to say about it. All coming up at 30 minutes past the hour.
We want you to know that you can now watch video reports from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT any time right on our Web site, which you`ll find at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight/.
Right now, I do want you to sound off for our question of the day. Here`s what we`re asking tonight - Hollywood Sex Scandals: Is it harder for powerful people to stay faithful? What do you think?
Let us know at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, of the E-mail address, showbiztonight@CNN.com. Now, to one of the strongest marriages I`ve ever heard of. Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa, married for almost 33 years.
Tonight, we`re getting brand-new details about how they are fighting Patrick`s cancer together. This is truly an inspiring story. Patrick Swayze`s brave battle, next. Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TORI SPELLING, ACTRESS: In life you have to really - you have to look out for yourself and I found my soulmate and I couldn`t deny love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, Tori Spelling couldn`t deny love. There`s just one problem - she and her true love were already married to other people and there were kids involved. Tori really opened up to me about that sticky situation. Tori tells all, just ahead in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also, Mariah Carey taking Janet Jackson`s job? Yes, you heard me right. I`ll tell you why Mariah is taking over a gig for Ms. Jackson. That is still to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATRICK SWAYZE, ACTOR: I`ve always been - felt like I was a, you know, man trapped in a kid`s body because I looked so young so long. And it was like as time goes on you want to grow up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was Patrick Swayze opening up to me back in 2005. And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bringing you brand-new breaking details about his brave fight to beat a very deadly form of cancer.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, for the very first time since we got the heartbreaking news that Patrick Swayze is now in the fight of his life, we`re now learning what he`s going through. Those closest to the "Dirty Dancing" star are opening up to "People" magazine about Swayze`s treatment, his wife Lisa`s loving support, and so much more.
Joining me tonight in New York, David Caplan, staff editor of "People" magazine. David, I appreciate you being here. I have to tell you, I was reading the story today. I was just blown away, not entirely surprised but blown away by Swayze`s resolve. His brother Don now revealing for the first time to "People" magazine how Patrick reacted when he learned of the treatment he faces.
I want to read that quote to you. This is from brother Don. "I was looking in his eyes and I didn`t see a flicker of fear. I saw him think about it for like five seconds and then he moved right into, `Well, we`ve got a battle ahead of us.` You never really know what kind of soldier you would be until you`re faced with a battle of your life. He`s a warrior."
David, it is just amazing how Patrick can remain so calm at such a difficult time.
DAVID CAPLAN, STAFF EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: It`s very refreshing to see that he`s really embracing this. He`s very positive. He has a great outlook and it`s not that surprising to speak to friends of his. "People" spoke to some of his celebrity friends.
In fact, Tom Cruise tells "People" that Patrick is, quote, you know, "a fighter." Natasha Richardson, another celebrity friend of his, tells "People," he`s a Texan, so you know, he`s very strong. And that really reflects his whole outlook on this situation.
And he really has a great support system around him, not only his brother Don. We`ve always known about the story book love affair between him and his wife. We`re learning for the first time the very big role that his wife, Lisa, almost 33 years they have been together, that she is playing in getting through all of this. "People" magazine revealing that Lisa has been flying Patrick to his treatments in California. David, she`s literally doing the flying, isn`t she?
CAPLAN: She is, which is pretty surprising. She is a licensed pilot and she`s flying him actually to Stanford Medical Center in Stanford, California. So she is doing that for him. She`s also even pureeing sort of high-fat meals for him to keep his weight up. She`s also keeping track of his medications. So like the family members tell people, she really is a pillar of strength during this whole ordeal for Patrick.
HAMMER: You mentioned what she`s doing as far as his weight is concerned. Now, obviously when anybody is faced with an illness like this, going through treatments, they`re going to lose weight. There are going to be all sorts of side effects. A lot of reports floating around that Patrick has lost weight, that he`s lost his hair because of the treatments he`s going through. "People" magazine got the scoop on that, I understand. What can you now reveal to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about that, David?
CAPLAN: Patrick`s brother Don tells "People" that Patrick has not lost any serious amount of weight. Plus he has not lost those infamous blond locks that everyone knows, that his hair has not fallen out despite all those reports.
HAMMER: Yes, because here`s a guy, you know, who is so known for his appearance, right? Everybody was always so in love with him after the "Dirty Dancing" days and he`s not a vain guy, I should say, at all.
CAPLAN: No, absolutely not. He`s very humble and all again, the friends and family that spoke to "People" really tells them he`s very down to earth. He`s very grounded. So it`s great to see that not much, while, of course, he`s dealing with this, sort of the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) so much of the public knows about him. It`s still there in terms of his hair and all that.
HAMMER: Well, we know. And I just thought this was terrible. The "National Enquirer" was the one to reveal to the world that Patrick had cancer before he got the chance to let everyone know himself. Obviously, a lot of outrage, especially about the report that he may only have five weeks to live. Now, David, from what you`re hearing, was Patrick also pretty upset about this?
CAPLAN: Oh, absolutely. His brother Don tells "People" that it was very hurtful for Patrick to read about this before he or anyone in his family was ready to come forward with it under their own terms. So absolutely, it was hurtful.
HAMMER: What a terrible thing to have had happen to him. Now the odds of beating pancreatic cancer we know are very slim. At the same time we hear Patrick is even telling his doctors that he`s going to be one of the rare five percent who actually lives more than five years. He really believes, David - doesn`t he - that he`s going to beat this thing.
CAPLAN: He does. He is an eternal optimist. His brother is telling "People" that wants to be the guy in five years to say to the doctors, "Remember this day. Can you imagine right. Look at us five years ago." So he`s definitely hoping that this will just be OK in five years.
HAMMER: As I said, such a strong resolve. We, of course, do wish him the best. "People" magazine`s David Caplan, I really appreciate you being here.
CAPLAN: Thank you.
HAMMER: And you can pick up a copy of "People" magazine. There`s Patrick Swayze right on the cover. It will be on newsstands this Friday.
Well, obviously, it`s the story everybody is talking about. Eliot Spitzer resigning as governor of New York, in a high-priced hooker scandal. I got to tell you there is absolute outrage in Hollywood over this, from Julianne Moore to the ladies of "The View." You will not believe the explosive things that the stars are now saying about the scandal. That is coming up. Speaking of marriage and scandal, we will also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPELLING: That was the hardest thing for both of us is that there were children involved. There were two other people innocently involved. Still, at the end of the day, people are going to get hurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you hear this. Tori Spelling really opening up to me about finding the love of her life when he and she were married to other people. Yikes. Tori tells all, just ahead in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also, Mariah Carey is taking Janet Jackson`s job. Yes, you heard me right. I`ll tell you why Mariah is taking over a gig for Janet. You won`t want to miss that. Still to come on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Here are some more stories that are new right now. A woman has been arrested for trespassing at Michael Jackson`s Neverland Ranch. Check out her name - Billie Jean Jackson. I kid you not. The 60-year-old woman claims she`s Michael Jackson`s wife and that Neverland also belongs to her.
Michael`s sister, Janet, was supposed to be the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend but she`s come down with the flu. Have no fear, however, it is Mariah Carey to the rescue. Mariah`s going to be filling in for Jackson this Saturday.
And it isn`t the first time Charlie Sheen has been caught with his pants down. But at least, this time he`s getting paid for it. Sheen has signed on to do some Hanes underwear commercials. Sheen and Michael Jordan will team up for the ad campaign. Wait until he gets his Hanes on you.
Well, obviously everybody has been talking about this - Eliot Spitzer resigning as the governor of New York in a hooker scandal. Absolute outrage everywhere, in Hollywood as well, over this scandal. From Julianne Moore to the ladies of "The View," you`re not going to believe that the explosive things that the stars are all saying about the scandal. That is coming up.
Speaking of marriage and scandal, we will also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPELLING: In life you have to really - you have to look out for yourself and I found my soulmate, and I couldn`t deny love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: No, you can`t deny love, Tori Spelling. There was just one problem in your particular case. Tori and her true love were already married to other people, and there were kids involved. Tori really opened up to me about what was a very, very sticky situation. And that is just ahead in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. I`ve got two big names to throw at you. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Yes, two of the best and biggest actors of all time and guess what? They`re teaming up once again for a new movie called "Righteous Kill." I`m going to give your righteous first look. You will definitely not want to miss it coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
But first, keep in mind, you can always stay on top of the most provocative entertainment news with our daily SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsletter. Just head on over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. If you click on the "sign up for newsletter" link right there at the bottom of the page, it will magically show up in your inbox every single day. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT coming right back.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, absolute outrage in Hollywood over the Eliot Spitzer sex scandal. From Julianne Moore to "The View," stars are not holding back and saying what they think about Spitzer`s habit of high- priced hookers. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the explosive things the stars are saying about the scandal that everyone is talking about.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPELLING: That was the hardest thing for both of us is that there were children involved. There were two other people innocently involved. Still, at the end of the day, people are going to get hurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tori Spelling opens up to me like never before about finding the love of her life when he and she were married to other people. How did that work? Tori tells all just ahead in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment news show. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, the Spitzer sex scandal. New York`s governor resigned today for allegedly soliciting prostitutes. And tonight, from New York to Hollywood and beyond, there is shock, there is outrage from some big stars who know a thing or two about sex scandals.
And let me tell you, the fireworks flew on "The View" today, the ladies, of course, all fired up. Joining me tonight from Washington D.C., clinical psychologist, Dr. Judy Kuriansky. In Hollywood tonight, founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations, Howard Bragman and senior editor of "In Touch Weekly," Kim Serafin.
Let`s dig into this, gang, and I want to begin with actress Julianne Moore. Here is one of my favorite actresses, politically astute, very, very bright. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in "Far From Heaven," by the way, playing an unhappily married woman.
In real life, Julianne, who happens to live in New York City, not mincing words about the governor`s infidelity. Here`s what she told "People" magazine, quote, "It`s a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) embarrassment. I honestly don`t care where or how people have sex, or with whom, but prostitution is illegal. For someone who`s got such a reputation for having a real attitude towards crime, you have to walk the walk."
Howard Bragman, straight out to you, Julianne really speaking for a lot of people.
BRAGMAN: Julianne is really speaking for a lot of women. Have you noticed men have not been so quick to criticize? They`re going, "Oh, my god, it could have been me." So I think the women are the ones who are much more upset about this than the men right now. And men are just trying to save their own butts right now and shutting up.
HAMMER: Kim Serafin, are you onboard with that?
SERAFIN: Howard, unfortunately, might be right, I hate to admit that. But no, I think it`s great that Julianne is speaking out. And I think what she talks about is really what`s hitting the core with people. It`s a lot of the hypocrisy, not necessarily what he did, but who he was before and the things he stood for. And then it turns out he wasn`t really living up to what he was saying he was doing. I think that`s a big part of it.
HAMMER: And Julianne Moore, one Hollywooder by way of New York City is somebody who has supported Spitzer in the past. Man, she was peeved. Now, I mentioned that the ladies on "The View" certainly had a lot to say about this today. Barbara Walters, in fact, kicking all of the chat off by giving some Hollywood context for how a mistress is different than a prostitute. Play close attention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": A mistress is emotional. A hooker is physical. If you have - who wants that choice? But if you have to have the choice, I would take the prostitute.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Do you think that - I`ve watched "The Sopranos." Remember in "The Sopranos," they have a guma. Do you think they`re emotionally attached to the guma? No, the guma is somebody who`s over there waiting just for Tony. And she`s clean and alert.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Clean and alert. I will refrain from comment here. Dr. Judy, you`re in Washington tonight. What do you think? Do high-powered men from Washington to Hollywood really prefer prostitutes over a mistress? Is that part of the outrage here?
JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: It`s a lot safer, that`s certainly for true. And there are a lot of men here that sit in the seat of power with all the politicians in Washington. And many of them throughout history have gone to prostitutes. Why? Because they often wants kinds of sex that real women wouldn`t want.
And, by the way, when Howard said the men are not speaking out because they`re thinking it could happen to me, the women are speaking out because they think yes, it could happen to me And so many of them have had their guys cheat on them, and in Hollywood with prostitutes with Heidi Fleiss` ring.
HAMMER: I`m still having a hard time, Howard Bragman, getting past the fact that on national TV, Barbara Walters said, "I would prefer a prostitute."
BRAGMAN: You know, what you have to understand about these high- powered guys, $4,000 sounds like a lot of money for a prostitute, but it`s a lot cheaper than a multimillion-dollar divorce. And there`s an old saying in Hollywood, "Men are not paying for the prostitute to come over. The money is paid for them to leave and take their emotions with them." And you just have to understand it`s a business transaction.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s a pure matter of economics.
BRAGMAN: Exactly.
KURIANSKY: Right. And I think that Barbara Walters is right. There are a lot of women who would prefer that their man, if he`s going to stray, goes to a prostitute because emotional cheating, which is so prevalent now, even without the sex where they have just the emotional affair, is devastating for a woman.
Women want the heart, they want the love. And if he`s getting the sex and the wild sex from somebody else, they can handle that and stick with it and try to figure it out.
HAMMER: Well, somebody who made it very easy for a lot of people in Hollywood, Madame Heidi Fleiss, the former Hollywood madame of course. She once ran that call girl business that served clients like Charlie Sheen.
Now, there`s a brand new interview with her. In it, she`s telling "Newsweek" magazine, "Dude, these are men. They think about sex 98 percent of the time." Kim Serafin, it really goes right to the heart of the matter, doesn`t it? Why so many powerful men, whether they`re politicians or Hollywood stars, they just can`t keep their pants zippered.
SERAFIN: Well, yes. I think that certainly is what made all the ladies on "The View" kind of agree. You rarely see them all come together on an issue. This has certainly struck a chord.
I think it`s certainly more than a business transaction like Howard said. I mean I think this is very emotional for women to deal with. But, you know - yes, I mean Heidi Fleiss obviously has been through this. She`s worked in this business. She certainly knows what men want and I think that`s why you`re seeing people like Julianne Moore and the ladies of "The View" really come out so strongly against this.
HAMMER: What is Mrs. Spitzer going to do? Will she stand by her man? Will she bolt? Watch what the ladies of "The View" said about that and another famous political wife who also might get hurt by all this drama. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: Cindy Adams is a friend. She is New York columnist and she`s a friend of Mrs. Spitzer. And she went through all of the different relationships with Bill Clinton and even George Washington. And she said don`t leave him over a prostitute, stay with him. You`ve got children, work it out. And you know, you`re back to the argument we had years ago with Hillary, should she have left him? Would we thing better of her she had?
BEHAR: This brings up a lot of Hillary. This is not good for Hillary, let`s put it that way. Because it reminds everybody of what Clinton did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, when you think about it, things worked out for Monica Lewinsky. She wound up with her reality show at one point. Howard Bragman, how long until we see the first Spitzer TV movie, "Client Number Nine Goes to Washington," I`m thinking as the title?
BRAGMAN: Oh, it`s not going to be long. I already heard there`s a great t-shirt out. It said, "I was client number eight and all I got was this lousy t-shirt." So how far away can a movie be?
HAMMER: Exactly right. Howard Bragman, Judy Kuriansky, Kim Serafin, I appreciate you all being here tonight.
Now, we want you to know that you can watch video reports from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT any time you`d like on our Web site. You`ll find it at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
And we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, definitely chime off on this. "Hollywood Sex Scandals: Is it harder for powerful people to stay faithful?"
You can keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. The E-mail address, if you have more to say, is showbiztonight@CNN.com.
Now, you may think there`s just nothing funny about what happened to New York`s governor. Spitzer forced to resign, his family in crisis. A high-priced prostitution ring busted.
But I am here to tell you, oh yes. Plenty to laugh at on TV and on the Web. People are turning this into a big joke. What we`re about to show you, absolutely hysterical, because the joke is truly on Spitzer.
We`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPELLING: In life, you have to really look out for yourself. I found my soulmate and I couldn`t deny love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Tori Spelling really had a problem there because her soulmate was married to someone else and she had just gotten married to someone else. Coming up next, the shocking Tori tell-all about what happened when she sits down with me in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. Here is something I can`t wait to see. You will not want to miss this. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, back on screen for their first movie together since "Heat." It is powerful stuff. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your very first look, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPITZER: I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was New York Governor Eliot Spitzer after he called it quits on live TV following, of course, a sex scandal that has been the talk of the country. And I can tell you, you could hear a pin drop almost anywhere this was being seen.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TV`s most provocative entertainment show. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You know, this amazing Eliot Spitzer story really has everything ready made for just being glued to the TV. You`ve got sex. You`ve got power and it`s got secrets. And as CNN`s Jeanne Moos reports for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, this juicy story makes client number nine America`s number one TV story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The scandal broke.
ANNOUNCER: Gov. Spitzer`s shocking prostitution scandal.
MOOS: Within hours, the comedians broke out their Spitzer jokes.
DAVID LETTERMAN, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Do you think it`s to soon to be hitting on Mrs. Eliot Spitzer.
MOOS: Some of the laughter was awkward but it was the hot talk.
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": They found the source of all global warming in America, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer`s pants.
LETTERMAN: Did you happen to see the press conference? The yellow crime scene tape draped around his pants is crazy.
MOOS: Those that did see the press conference couldn`t help but feel sorry for Spitzer`s wife, Silda who is getting advice from newspaper columnist and sympathy from someone who had been there herself, the wife of former Governor "I am a gay American" McGreevey.
DINA MCGREEVEY, WIFE OF JIM MCGREEVEY: As I watched her, my heart just broke for her, because I know exactly how she`s feeling.
MOOS: On "The View," the point of view was mixed - humor, sympathy and anger over what Spitzer did to his family.
ELIZABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": He destroyed their world. He just destroyed their world.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Aren`t you sick of men? I mean -
MOOS: But Sherri Shepherd garnered groans when she went one joke too far to discuss New York`s legally blind lieutenant governor.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": And he`s legally blind.
SHEPHERD: His wife doesn`t have to worry. He can`t see to cheat.
BEHAR: No, but he can still pay for it.
MOOS: Disability and infidelity, a dangerous combination for humor.
STEPHEN COLBERT, COMEDIAN: I hope and pray that the press deals with this tastefully.
MOOS: "The View`s" Joy Behar mused about the scandals psychotomy(ph).
BEHAR: It`s serious but it`s funny too for some reason.
MOOS: How could it not be funny when New York`s governor goes by a new name.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR: Client number nine.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE NEWS REPORTER: Client number nine.
MOOS: Now, client number nine..
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Client nine.
LENO: Number nine. He`s the governor. Who were the eight guys in front of him?
MOOS: Number nine has become so ubiquitous -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE COMEDIAN: Oh my god, I totally know this guy. That`s client number nine.
MOOS: A certain song is being labeled by YouTubers as Spitzer`s theme song. They`re even writing new lyrics.
MOOS: These days -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE COMEDIAN: Client number nine.
MOOS: Is the new number one joke.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Well, tonight, another shocking sex scandal. But this one appears to have ended happily ever after. Well, at least for one couple. I sat down with "Beverly Hills 90210" star Tori Spelling, all about her new book. It`s a tell-all book called "sTori Telling." Now, you`re not going to believe Tori told me about the sexcapade shenanigans going on, on the set of "90210."
But you know, with everyone talking about sex scandals right now, here`s one I just had to ask about, Tori cheated on her husband number one with now husband number two. I asked Tori point blank if she ever stopped to think about the damage she was doing not only to her marriage but to her now husband`s marriage as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPELLING: That was the hardest thing for both of us is that there were children involved. There were two other people innocently involved. You know, whether they were happy marriages, whether they were meant to work out, it`s still at the end of the day people are going to get hurt. And that was the hardest thing about that whole situation. But, you know, in life you have to really - you have to look out for yourself and I found my soulmate and I couldn`t deny love. So what was I supposed to do?
HAMMER: I think that`s something that a lot of people can relate to, even though it such an ugly thing to think about the idea of having an affair and busting up marriages especially when there are kids involved. And when you are going through it, it has to have been an impossible time when you were lying to other people, perhaps lying to yourself a little bit. But when you got through it, did it work out as well as you hoped? Did the pain sort of wash away of all that you were going through at that time?
SPELLING: Well, there is a lot of people involved and a lot of parties were in pain. I can`t answer for them. I don`t know how they feel about the whole situation. But for us, you know, we got through it and out of that situation, I got an amazing relationship. I found my soulmate. I got an amazing stepson that I have a very close relationship with. So it did work out.
And at the end of the day, I have to believe that when something is meant to be, it`s meant to be. And if it`s not meant to be, it`s not meant to be. And those marriages weren`t meant to be. Better to find out sooner than later.
HAMMER: One of the things that was truly shocking to read in the book was the fact that your mom was having an affair while you dad, Aaron Spelling, was dying. I mean there`s nothing good to say about that in my mind. When did you find out that that was happening?
SPELLING: I don`t actually come out and say those words because I don`t want to speculate. But I do know that she was spending a lot of time with a certain individual that was very present in our lives. And after my dad passed, they definitely became public with their relationship.
HAMMER: OK. So you were aware of it while your dad was still ill, that there was something perhaps going on?
SPELLING: There was someone present in our family.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: How did you deal with that?
SPELLING: It was hard. It was hard because I feel like, in a way, that person`s presence did put a rift in our family unit in a lot of ways. But at the end of the day, you know what? It`s not just one person that`s responsible for people being estranged. You know you`re all somehow responsible.
HAMMER: One of the reasons I know you wrote the book was to just get it all out there in truth as opposed to the things that have been written about you over the years. A lot has been made certainly of your relationship with your mom, which has certainly been a troubled relationship. I know you`re happy to have her as the grandmother to your son and future child.
The one thing that just is wild to me is that when you were a young girl, you asked year mom if you were pretty, and she said, "You will be once you have a nose job." Wow. That has to have impacted your self- esteem or self-image ever since, I imagine.
SPELLING: Definitely. That was a hard story to tell because that`s how I remembered the story. That`s my truth. My mother in her defense absolutely does not remember that story. And we talked about it over the years and she cries every time she hears that story. She`s devastated that I would think that she would say that and she doesn`t remember saying it. But it is something that greatly impacted my life.
HAMMER: You talk about the "90210" cast and how everybody was basically sleeping with everybody. And I`m curious was that -
SPELLING: I had to give that tidbit up.
HAMMER: Was that going on just to kind of pass the time while you had some downtime on the set, or was it something that you guys didn`t realize was happening until you would finish shooting for good?
SPELLING: No. I think, it was a group of young people kind of thrust into a very unique situation that bonded. Everyone bonded really quickly. We all really liked each other. And you know, it`s like you go to high school and there`s a cute boy and you want to date him. That happened on the set, just like high school.
HAMMER: Yes, just like high school. Everybody wants everybody.
SPELLING: Yes. And then the next figure is another cute boy.
HAMMER: Well, of course, "90210" fans everywhere, and they still exist all over the planet.
SPELLING: They do.
HAMMER: They want to know who Tori Spelling was sleeping with. I mean it`s not me, it`s just they want to know.
SPELLING: Well, they have to read the book because I divulged that.
HAMMER: You do mention David Austin Green -
SPELLING: Yes - Brian Austin Green.
HAMMER: Brian Austin Green, who of course, played David on "90210." And of course, anybody, when they find that out, the great irony of the fact that Dana Martin, your character was the great virgin of the show and wouldn`t sleep with David.
SPELLING: But she did lose her virginity to David. So kind of all bounces out. She married him, so -
HAMMER: It`s life imitating art imitating life or something like that.
SPELLING: Something crazy like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tori also told me that she and her mom do have a relationship. It`s a complicated one but her mom is a terrific grandmother to Tori and Dean`s son, Liam. "sTori Telling" is in bookstores now.
There`s just something that I thought that I`ve got to show you because I was absolutely blown away when I watched it today. How can you not love the fact that Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are back together onscreen for the very first movie, doing it together since "Heat." It`s powerful stuff. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with your first look when we come right back.
And now, by the way, you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT any time you would like by downloading our podcast. The podcast is free. It`s not going to cost you a thing. You`ll find our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT podcast on our Web site, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. On I-tunes, type "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" into the search box. We`ll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, I hope you`re ready. One of the most anticipated movies of the year, probably the decade. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, two of Hollywood`s best and biggest actors of all time, teaming up once again.
This is the first time in 13 years they`re together. This time for "Righteous Kill." and here, the two play hardened New York City detectives on the search for a serial killer. Right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with your first look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You messed up. Therefore, I am forced to dismiss all charges of rape and assault.
ROBERT DE NIRO, ACTOR: Are you happy? When you walk outside, watch your back.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Order in my court. Order!
AL PACINO, ACTOR: You keep smiling.
DE NIRO: You don`t become a cop because you want to serve and protect. Anybody that believes that is an idiot. You do it because you get respect, because they let you carry a gun and a badge. Most people respect the badge. Everybody respects the gun.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Who we got this time?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Jonathan van Liken(ph), who`s up on rape charges, but he got tossed out last week.
DE NIRO: What is it going to be for their old pal, Johnny?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Somebody shot another bad guy.
PACINO: We got to find out who did this, and give him a medal.
DE NIRO: He`s going to kill again. You know it. And I know it.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You could lose it all if you`re taking this case. You want to risk that?
PACINO: Yes.
DE NIRO: Yes.
PACINO: Nothing wrong with a little shooting as long as the right people get shot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Can`t wait for that. "Righteous Kill" opens up in September. Now, Tuesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. This was coming on the heels of Madonna`s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Here`s what we asked - "Madonna: Does she deserve to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?" Look at what you said. Most of you said yes; 64 percent of you against 36 percent of you saying no.
One of the E-mails that came our way was from Michael in California. He thinks Madonna has every right to be in the Hall of Fame saying, quote, "Why, yes indeed. She`s outlasted every pop star since she started. She`s even outlasted the Energizer Bunny!"
Energizer isn`t a pop star, but it`s OK. We do appreciate your E- mails. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the elevens - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is coming up next.
END
