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Showbiz Tonight
Heath Ledger`s Case Closed; Paris` Blockbuster Spoof; Stars` Plea for Privacy; First Class Freak-Outs
Aired August 07, 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, CO-HOST: Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz beg for privacy. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: And the inside story of how Nick Hogan is doing in jail. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
`On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Heath Ledger, case closed. A sudden development in the investigation into Ledger`s tragic death. The feds said they wanted to talk to Mary-Kate Olsen about the drugs found in Ledger`s room, but now they say the investigation is over.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JO PIAZZA, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": Mary-Kate`s lawyer asked for immunity, which no one else in this case had asked for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What`s behind the turn around? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT investigates.
HAMMER: First-class freak-outs. The wife of world-famous evangelist Joel Osteen on trial for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant. Naomi Campbell`s high-fashion air rage. And "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky`s alleged high-flaying fracas. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flies the unfriendly skies with first class celebrity freak-outs.
Paris Hilton`s campaign ad spoof. Could Paris` slam on John McCain actually give her new credibility?
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, Paris Hilton`s presidential campaign is on fire. Her video spoof in which she fires back at Sen. John McCain has picked up so much steam that Congress is even considering her energy policy. I am not kidding. Is this some sort of new world order? Paris Hilton goes from the Hollywood hills to Capitol Hill. And now, we have to ask, should we all be very scared?
ANDERSON: But first tonight, Heath Ledger, case closed? A dramatic turn into the federal investigation into Heath Ledger`s death. The feds were clamoring to speak to actress Mary-Kate Olsen about her connection to the late actor. And now, just days after reports that they were hammering out a deal to grant Olsen immunity, the prosecution is saying, case closed. The mysterious development is making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEATH LEDGER, ACTOR: Who wants to play? Come on.
ANDERSON (voice over): You thought Batman was serious about taking down The Joker in "The Dark Knight?" For a while, it looked like the feds were just as serious about looking into the death of "The Dark Knight" star Heath Ledger. The feds even threatened to haul actress and Ledger`s friend Mary-Kate Olsen into court.
PIAZZA: They were very serious about getting Mary-Kate to testify about exactly what she knew about what happened the night that Heath Ledger was found dead.
ANDERSON: And now, just as the Ledger investigation seemed to be heating up, federal prosecutors are sending a shocking new message: Never mind. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you federal prosecutors have officially dropped their drug probe into Ledger`s death. Now, Mary-Kate Olsen is off the hook, and everyone is scratching their heads.
PIAZZA: It seems so weird to everyone that they went through all this trouble to try to get Mary-Kate to talk, and they`re like, "Mary-Kate, we`re just not that into you."
ANDERSON: Soon after Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs last January, attention quickly shifted to Ledger`s friend Mary-Kate Olsen.
PIAZZA: Heath Ledger was found dead by his masseuse who came to the apartment, found him naked in bed. And she immediately called Mary-Kate Olsen, not once, but three times before she called 911.
ANDERSON: The NYPD looked into the case and closed it. But then, the feds got involved to look into the deadly combination of prescription drugs that killed Ledger.
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, TRU TV HOST: The grand jury subpoena would have given them every opportunity to speak with Mary-Kate Olsen where they felt it was necessary.
ANDERSON: A law enforcement source tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the feds interviewed everyone they wanted to during their Ledger probe including Ledger`s ex-girlfriend actress Michelle Williams. But when it came time to talk to Mary-Kate, the actress so chatty on "Full House" -
MARY-KATE OLSEN, ACTRESS: Hi, Harry.
ANDERSON: Suddenly clammed up.
PIAZZA: Mary-Kate`s lawyer asked for immunity, which no one else in this case had asked for.
ANDERSON: In fact, the only thing Mary-Kate is saying is that she`s got nothing to say. Her attorney tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Despite tabloid speculation, Mary-Kate Olsen had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger`s home or his body, and she does not know where he obtained them."
Mary-Kate`s immunity request raised some eyebrows.
PIAZZA: Mary-Kate has nothing to say but, "I want immunity. For what, I don`t have to say."
ANDERSON: Others say it was a smart move.
BANFIELD: She is a celebrity, and every move of hers is scrutinized. So she probably had a very, very good lawyer crossing every T and dotting every I and making sure she wasn`t exposed to anything that could have long-lasting implications regardless of her interest in the case.
ANDERSON: But now, the feds have dropped the investigation. And about that subpoena, which by the way Mary-Kate never got -
BANFIELD: It`s as useless as a candy wrapper.
ANDERSON: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, why did the feds who have kind of have a lot on their plate right now go through this big subpoena dance with Mary-Kate, only to suddenly let the whole matter drop?
BANFIELD: It might surprise people that subpoenas are dropped on the floor all the time.
ANDERSON: Tru TV`s Ashleigh Banfield tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that`s sometimes how the ball bounces.
BANFIELD: As the investigation progressed, I believe the investigators deemed it unnecessary. I think they figured Mary-Kate wouldn`t add the pieces to the puzzle that they needed anyway, therefore they felt no need to exercise it.
ANDERSON: At the end of the day, no one, Mary-Kate included, is suspected of wrongdoing in Ledger`s death. So, now Ledger`s death is just a very tragic loss that leaves questions that may never be answered.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "It is our office policy neither to confirm nor deny the existence of investigations." Mary-Kate Olsen`s attorney and her reps did not respond to our request for comment.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, Paris Hilton`s campaign for president has officially reached Congress. Her new video spoof which slams John McCain has already been watched more than 5 million times. The video was a response, of course, to McCain`s ad portraying her as an empty celebrity, and that was an attack on Barack Obama. But are people actually taking Paris Hilton`s word seriously?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, "Extra" correspondent Tanika Ray. Also in Hollywood tonight, Jane Velez-Mitchell, investigative journalist and author of, "Secrets Can Be Murder."
All right. Tanika, Jane, no denying Paris Hilton`s video is the biggest Internet sensation of the moment. And, in fact, we`ve got to take another look because quite frankly I just can`t get enough. Charles?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARIS HILTON, CELEBRITY: But then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ad, which I guess means I`m running for president. So thanks for the endorsement, white-haired dude. And I want America to know I`m like, totally ready to lead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And now, because of this video, Paris is on everyone`s mind, and not just because of the bikini. Tanika, help me understand, what does it say that now more than 5 million people have seen this thing, and it really is all the talk of Washington?
TANIKA RAY, "EXTRA" CORRESPONDENT: You know, I was hoping that Paris was done. I thought the 15 minutes was over. But now, as much as I hate to admit it, I was entertained. I thought it was brilliant! I know I`m hitting myself as I say it. Here`s the thing -
HAMMER: No. I`m right there with you, yes.
RAY: You know, every time I had spoken to her in interviews, "Yes. Oh, my goodness. It`s hot." One-syllable words. And now, all of a sudden, she`s got a monologue. Where did that come from? She had a lobotomy or something. I don`t understand. But it was entertaining, and if McCain is going to make decisions like that as president, get him out of there. I don`t know.
HAMMER: Where did that come from? I don`t think it came from up here.
I just don`t. Right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT as a matter of fact I suggested that with Paris` infiltration of Washington, we certainly have a sign of the apocalypse among us. But now, perhaps the world really is ending because Paris has literally gone from the Hollywood hills to Capitol Hill. You have to watch this. It`s Republican Congressman Michael Burgess saying something about Paris` energy plan. Unbelievable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MICHAEL BURGESS (R-TX): Even Paris Hilton had an energy plan that she`s talking about and said, "I`ll see you in the debates. Well, let`s bring up the Paris Hilton plan."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Let me bring this up right now. Paris Hilton`s name comes up in the presidential debates, I`m live leaving the country. I`m going on record with that right now. Now, that aside, and Jane, keeping in mind that she didn`t come up with that energy plan, do you think this video spoof has actually helped Paris` credibility?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR OF "SECRETS CAN BE MURDER": First of all, I have to point out that the politician didn`t quote her accurately. He said, "I`ll see you at the debates." She said, "I`ll see you at the debates, B word."
HAMMER: Yes, that`s true.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: This is the best thing that has happened to Paris Hilton since she got out of jail. I mean, this is extraordinary for her, because we all have that little Paris Hilton file folder in our heads that says things like, "superficial, arrogant, whiner, promises to do charity work and doesn`t follow-through." And now, we can add, "very funny, has her finger on the pulse of pop culture and politics, self-deprecating, knows how to deliver a line," all of it, of course, coming at John McCain`s expense. Who wants to be compared to Yoda?
HAMMER: Tanika, I have to point out, you know, going back to something you were saying. I with you, thinking Paris was done. We`re done with dealing with her. But we have to acknowledge the timing of all of this here, because she really had gotten out of the headlines, thankfully. She had become somewhat irrelevant, thankfully. Then, this video just really stumbles into her lap or the opportunity to do it. Did she just hit a publicity grand slam here?
RAY: Yes. They handed her the perfect opportunity to come out, sound eloquent, sound articulate. What is going on with this country? And this is the thing I found most impressive. I found out that there was no teleprompter involved nor cue cards, that she actually memorized the entire monologue. The acting skills are excelling, I have to say. Everything looks up for Paris from here on out. Let`s hope she`s not at the debates. I don`t want to hear anything more about that monokini or her energy plan.
HAMMER: Tanika, you mentioned she didn`t use a teleprompter. I`ll make you $100 bet right now she didn`t get it on the first take. I`m just saying -
RAY: Oh, that`s easy money. I`m not going to bet you that, obviously. Come on.
HAMMER: Tanika Ray, Jane Velez-Mitchell, I thank you and we`ll see you at the inaugural ball.
ANDERSON: Now, we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, "Paris` Campaign Spoof: Was it her best performance ever?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
A.J., you know, it is getting to the point that I`m afraid to fly.
HAMMER: Yes, I mean, forget about the all extra fees, Brooke - paying for pillows, the delays. Now, we have to worry about stars freaking out.
ANDERSON: Yes, check this out. Evangelist Joel Osteen`s wife on trial for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant. Naomi Campbell banned from British Airways. And "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky allegedly had air rage, too. Buckle your seatbelts. First class freak-outs, coming up.
HAMMER: Also, stars speak out like never before saying, "Leave me alone!" Nicole Kidman calls into a radio show begging for privacy. Penelope Cruz faces off with Diane Sawyer about her private life. That is coming up.
And Miley Cyrus talks about getting her heart broken. She says the whole reason she dyed her hair black is because of a breakup. You don`t want to miss this, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JACKIE O.: So you have to tell us what does Sunday Rose look like. Who does she take after? Does she have hair? What color is the hair?
NICOLE KIDMAN, ACTRESS: She looks like Keith.
JACKIE O.: Does she?
KIDMAN: Yes, I think she does.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s a very happy, content sounding Nicole Kidman speaking to an Australian radio show in the most revealing interview since the birth of her baby girl.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. Tonight, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz speaking out like never before about the battle to protect their privacy. Both stories are new right now.
In a brand-new interview, Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban made a public plea for privacy. They called into Australia`s "2day Radio" and their message, "Give us some space, please."
Also new right now, Penelope Cruz is peeved. In a new interview with Diane Sawyer, Cruz stands her ground saying she won`t talk about her private life ever. But could her privacy plan backfire?
Joining me tonight from New York is Michael Lewittes, news producer for "Access Hollywood." Also tonight, joining me from Hollywood, Kim Serafin, senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
Kim, Michael, great seeing you both. And hey, in the most revealing interview with Nicole Kidman since the birth of her daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman, Nicole called into Australia`s "2day Radio" and asked the press and photographers, the paparazzi to keep their distance. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KIDMAN: Yes, you know also, I suppose Keith and I both are sort of just appealing to the press and stuff just to give just a little, little space so we can walk around Sydney and show the baby ...
KYLE: As if.
KIDMAN: ... around town, you know. Well, a little bit because otherwise it - she`s tiny. She`s not a doll. She`s like a little, little thing.
KYLE: Yes. So what do you want the press to do? Where do you want them? How far back?
KIDMAN: You know, just not right in her face, or in our faces because it`s scary for her. She`s tiny. Tiny little thing.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She sounds very sweet here, but obviously, she`s worried. Kim, she`s trying to set some boundaries. Is she being realistic?
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, realistic in the sense that she knows people are going to take pictures of her and her baby. And I guess realistic in the sense that she`s basically saying, `We`re going to be out there. We`re going to be walking around Sydney," sort of giving people a heads up. "You`re going to see us. You`re going to get the shot, so don`t try to, you know, crawl into our backyard or try to get into our car with us." You know, she`s sort of saying, `We`re going to be out there, so you will get the picture."
ANDERSON: Yes.
SERAFIN: You know, whether they`re going to give her that space, you know, obviously, the host asked that question, "Where exactly do you want them?" I mean, telling them not in her face. So where? Ten feet? Five feet? Where do you want them? I think she`s trying to take a different tact to this in saying, "We`re going to give you the shot. But just don`t attack us. Don`t eat us ...
ANDERSON: Yes -
SERAFIN: ... give us a little space.
ANDERSON: Right. I think she has every right to ask for a little decency, a little respectful behavior from the photographers. And she and Keith have told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that they`ve got no plans to sell photos of their daughters. But Michael, if they fear paparazzi attention, some say it would make more sense for them to just hurry up, get that first photo out there, just get it out of the way. Give them what they want.
MICHAEL LEWITTES: Well, that`s right. No matter how politely they ask the paparazzi not to take photos of them and their child, someone is going to take that photo because they`re big bucks out there, because people want to see baby pictures of celebrities. So the best tact for them at this point is to either do a magazine spread very privately and get that magazine on the stands, or to stand outside their home and pose for a few minutes in front of all the paparazzi, let them get their shots and everyone will be happy.
You know, a few years ago, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, as soon as their baby was born - they walked outside of the hospital. They posed for all the paparazzi. They took the photos and they weren`t hounded. That was the right tact.
ANDERSON: Yes. But you know, I don`t blame them for not wanting to expose their baby to the world. It`s their innocent child. It`s a baby, for goodness` sake. And you know, interestingly enough, just as Kidman made her plea for privacy, another of Tom Cruise`s exes, Penelope Cruz, stonewalled Diane Sawyer of her questions about her personal life. Take a look at what Cruz said on "Good Morning, America."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PENELOPE CRUZ, ACTRESS: I`ve been making movies since I was 17, and with this job that puts you very much in the public eye in a way that is very strange - they tell you when you start out so young. So I learned that lesson then, you know, of really separating what is your job and protecting your private life. And I never changed that rule.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Penelope not messing around here. Kim, I`ve got to ask, is she creating maybe more tabloid scrutiny by saying nothing at all? Quickly.
SERAFIN: Well, I don`t know if she creates more of it. I mean, she did set this rule. She has been very private about her personal life, and she sticks to it. And I think, you know, you don`t hear her complaining about it. I always remember George Clooney had the best quote in that "Time" magazine article and he said like, "I know what pisses people off about famous: When famous people complain about it." And I think she`s kind of taking the right tactic, you know. She says, "This is how it is. I`m going to keep it separate. People are going say what they will, but this is how I`m handling my life."
ANDERSON: Maybe the best approach. All right. Kim Serafin, Michael Lewittes, we will leave it there for now. Thank you both.
HAMMER: All right. I`ve got to say the story of this Paris Hilton spoof just keeps getting crazier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This could be Paris Hilton`s comeback among the intelligentsia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she ever have something to come from?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paris Hilton? Intelligentsia? Could there be something to that? Could Paris actually gain credibility because of one very viral video? That is coming up.
ANDERSON: Also, first-class freak-outs. Evangelist Joel Osteen`s wife is on trial for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and she`s not the only one who seems to have a case of celebrity air rage - Naomi Campbell, Nikki Blonsky. What in the world is going on out there? We`re flying the unfriendly star-studded skies. Coming up?
HAMMER: And remember when Miley Cyrus dyed her hair black? Well, she says it was all because of a breakup. Ah, teenage love. Miley`s confession you won`t want to miss, next 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.
I`ve got some good news to tell you tonight. Morgan freeman finally out of the hospital. A spokeswoman at the hospital in Memphis says Freeman has been released after being treated for his injuries from that car accident he had. The crash happened on Sunday in Mississippi, and it left the actor with a broken arm, a broken elbow and shoulder damage. Now, people in Hollywood and everywhere else have been pulling for Morgan. We`re certainly glad to hear he is back home. Well done.
Miley Cyrus says she was in love. In an interview with "Seventeen" magazine, Miley is speaking out about her relationship with Nick Jonas. Miley says she and Nick were in love during their two years together. She says when they broke up last year, she cried for a month straight, then she dyed her hair black. She says, quote, "I wanted to it look hard core. I was rebelling against everything Nick wanted me to be, and then I was like, I`ve got to be myself for now and just figure out who I really am." For more with Miley, you can pick up a copy of the September issue of "Seventeen" magazine.
And Usher fired his manager, Benny Medina, and hired his mom again. Usher and his mother stopped working together in 2007, right around the time he got engaged to a woman that his mom reportedly didn`t get along with. Brooke?
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., moving to this now, it seems like the stars and the sky just don`t mix.
HAMMER: Seriously, Brooke. We`ve seen some major first class freak-outs, haven`t we?
ANDERSON: Evangelist Joel Osteen`s wife on trial for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant, Naomi Campbell banned from an airline and "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky allegedly goes berserk. First class freak-outs, coming up.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: This could be Paris Hilton`s come back municipal the intelligentsia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does she ever have something to come back from?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now I`ve heard it all. Paris Hilton in the same sentence with intelligentsia. But could there be something to that? Could Paris actually gain a little credibility because of her campaign ad spoof? We look into that, coming up.
ANDERSON: And Nick Hogan`s life behind bars. For the first time, we`re getting the inside story of how Nick is really doing in jail. That is coming up.
(NEWS BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: On SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, first class freak-outs. Supermodel Naomi Campbell arrested for attacking airport cops. "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky allegedly at the center of an airport melee, and the wife of televangelist Joel Osteen sued for allegedly attacking a flight attendant. Tonight a showbiz special report, first class freak-outs, when stars attack at 30,000 feet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: This could be Paris Hilton`s come back among the intelligentsia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does she ever have something to come back from?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paris the politico? Say it isn`t so. We get the back story on how Paris` presidential parody came to be.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 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, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. You`re watching TV`s most provocative entertainment news show.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, it`s a showbiz special report, first class freak- outs. What is about flying the supposedly friendly skies that causes celebrities to fly off the handle?
Victoria Osteen, wife of Joel Osteen, only the biggest televangelist since Jimmy Swaggart - well, she`s in court for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant over a stained seat. Nikki Blonsky and her dad were arrested for allegedly brawling in the Caribbean airport lounge with a former contestant from "America`s Next Top Model." Maybe they were fighting over some hairspray. And temper tantrum queen, Naomi Campbell, had to be removed from a British Airways flight after she assaulted two officers over what else? Her high-fashion luggage.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, "Extra" correspondent Tanika Ray. Also Jane Velez-Mitchell, investigative journalist and author of "Secrets Can Be Murder." And in New York tonight, comedian Godfrey.
And gang, I appreciate you all being here. I`ve got to start off with what I think is just an unbelievable story. Mega-preacher Joel Osteen`s wife being sued by a flight attendant who claims that in 2005, Victoria Osteen pushed her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the chest. This was apparently during some sort of outburst over a stain on her first class seat.
Now, a spokesman for the Osteen Lakewood Church does say, quote, "We feel strongly that the facts will come out and vindicate Victoria Osteen." But after its own investigation, the FAA fined Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member. Now, we all have to deal with the various annoyances in air travel. And Jane, we don`t know if she actually freaked out, but she was removed from the flight. This is a pretty serious charge, isn`t it?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Oh, absolutely. Come on, A.J. We`ve all seen rude and difficult passengers on commercial flights. But when a flight attendant asks somebody to get off the plane, it generally signifies that it`s something more than rudeness. In this case, the flight attendant is claiming that the preacher`s wife pushed her against a door and then elbowed her in the chest. Of course, the preacher`s wife is saying this is a minor incident and it didn`t really happen that way.
You know what I`d like to see? Videotape. The time has come with all these celebrities and others, out of control on these flights that maybe we should have security tape that becomes available so we can see who did what to whom and settle it once and for all.
HAMMER: Oh, boy. You want Big Brother in there, Jane, do you? OK. Certainly, it would make for some good video for our TV program.
Now, Larry King had the opportunity to ask Victoria Osteen about this particular incident. Now, I want you to watch what she told Larry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VICTORIA OSTEEN, WIFE OF TELEVANGELIST JOEL OSTEEN: It was nothing. It was just a small incident that was blown out of proportion. And the truth is, I`ve never spoken about it because you know what that does? That makes me have start accusing and pointing a finger at someone else. And I just want to take the high road, because -
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": But don`t you want to answer in contrary to what media might have reported? Don`t you feel that, hey, there`s another side to this.
V. OSTEEN: You asked me a few minutes ago. Is it hard to be this? Yes, it is. But when you do what you`re supposed to do, it makes you stronger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I guess I hear where she`s coming from. Victoria is saying basically she`s taking the high road by not speaking out about the incident. Tanika, let me ask you this, if she`s really not guilty, don`t you think she`d want to set the record straight? I don`t know. That`s just what I think.
Yes, but you know, this is something we always hear in Hollywood, "I`m taking the high road." I don`t know what the high road is, but apparently it`s really quiet because nobody is speaking there. When it comes down to it, she doesn`t want to exploit this any further than she wants to. I don`t really know if anybody in Hollywood has even heard this story until today. This is new for me.
So I`m thinking if she talks about it, the more it`s blown up. That seems to happen around the tabloid and the media. So maybe kind of throw it under the bed, and maybe it will go away and she doesn`t have to worry about it. I`m sure Joel wants it to go away. He`s not very happy about this.
HAMMER: No, and they`re being sued for a lot of money here. And of course, the Osteen`s camp claiming extortion in the whole thing. Godfrey, I`ve got to get your take on this. I mean, can you really blame Victoria Osteen for complaining about a stain on her seat in first class? I mean, after all - and tell me if I`m not correct here - cleanliness is next to godliness, right?
GODFREY, COMEDIAN: Oh, yes, it is, considering I have "God" in my name. But I think it`s kind of funny, because - I mean, maybe it all started when, you know, when they told her to turn off her cell phone. And she`s like, "Excuse me, but I`m texting the Lord. Can you hold on?" So they just all snapped.
And then, listen, she can get away with anything. First of all, she`s hot, right? So also, she could say the devil got in her. She is sorry, "But the devil was in me. You know, the devil forgave me." If they`re trying to sue her, you know that the collection plate - they`re going to need some more money in the collection plate. So he has 42,000 people, so that`s a lot of money he`s going to be collecting.
HAMMER: I knew Godfrey would have a theory here.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on. Because sometimes, you know, the seats that cause celebrities to have the most amount of air rage - those aren`t on the plane. "Hairspray" star Nikki Blonsky and former "America`s Next Top Model" contestant Bianca Goldman apparently had a first class freak- out. They were both arrested for allegedly brawling over saved seats in a Caribbean airport`s lounge area. You can`t do that. And it wasn`t just the two of them. Blonsky`s dad was arrested and Goldman`s mom actually had to be airlifted to a hospital because she had some injuries that needed to be taken care of. Clearly, something happened here. Everybody is pointing fingers in different directions. Jane, wouldn`t you think that with so many involved, one of them, especially the celebrities, would have enough sense to break it up before it got so serious?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely not, A.J. This is a show you can`t pay for. Imagine having front row seats while you`re on vacation and you`re at the airport and watching these two celebrities fighting over, of all things, seats not on the plane but on the departure area to the point where one of their mothers has to go to the hospital? I mean, that`s just something that will be the high point of the vacation of everybody who watches. They`ll have a story to tell.
And I think life is becoming tough for these celebrities on airlines because in the post 9/11 world, they don`t bend over backwards. I don`t care if you`re a celebrity. Take off your shoes and wait in line. And they don`t like it.
HAMMER: Oh, no. The airlines are now - they`re like the subway in New York, the great equalizer. Now, the thing that caught me off guard was my previous image of Nikki versus the story. And again, we don`t really know what happened. But I sat down with Nikki Blonsky shortly after she was first nominated for Golden Globe for her role in "Hairspray." Watch what she told me then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIKKI BLONSKY, ACTRESS: Well, you know, I enjoy living life, and I think each day is a gift, so why not have fun? And you know, I was made this way for a reason. We were all made different. So I`m just going to continue being me, and I hope everybody likes it. If not, that`s OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean, look at that. She seems like such a down-to-earth role model for girls. Perhaps she still is. But Tanika, with that image that we all sort of had of her, were you shocked as I was to see that sweet Nikki Blonsky was mixed up in this really terrible incident?
RAY: Yes, I was. I thought maybe they were going to break out to dance or something. I was very confused. But then again, we don`t really know her. This is how Hollywood is. Yes, she seemed really sweet. We`ve seen people sound really sweet on interviews before - Britney, Lindsay, Paris, and whoever else. So it happens. You never know what these people are really made of. And the other component is her dad. Her dad might be a rager. It sounds like it.
HAMMER: Yes. Well - and the fact is this whole thing took place in a beautiful place. I thought Caribbean vacations were supposed to be relaxing. Now, we`ve got to move on to somebody who really needs to relax - Naomi Campbell, the queen of temper tantrums. That title that holds true even when she travels. Remember, earlier this year Campbell`s rap sheet got even longer when she was arrested for assaulting officers after British Airways lost her luggage. Godfrey, what do you think? Does she just hold the title of the champion of first class freak-outs?
GODFREY: Yes. She is a champion. She`s crazy. You should call her Campbell Soup because that`s her brain. Listen, I think she got mad because they wouldn`t let her bad wigs on the plane. You know, like, "I`m sorry, Naomi. We can`t fit your bad wigs on the airplane. I won`t fit in the overhead. So she just snapped."
RAY: Godfrey, her bags are probably filled with designer clothes. I would hurt somebody, too. Let`s be real.
HAMMER: All right. Tanika Ray, coming to the defense of Naomi Campbell, the queen of the first class freak-out. I thank you all for joining us.
ANDERSON: As if it`s not tough enough to fly these days, A.J. You`ve got these big stars just flying off the handle.
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, I, for one, am going to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground here for at least a while.
Another star, of course, who seems to be really flying high these days is Paris Hilton. Who would have thought?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: This could be Paris Hilton`s come back among the intelligentsia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does she ever have something to come back from?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Paris` political spoof has just exploded and has got everybody talking. But exactly how did this phenomenon come to be? We will show you coming up.
ANDERSON: Tonight for the first time, we will hear how Hulk Hogan`s son is adjusting to life behind bars. He just turned 18 and is now in an adult jail.
And talk show host Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, juggle two careers, three kids and seem to keep one thing under control, keeping the paparazzi at bay. My revealing interview with Mark Consuelos, straight ahead.
HAMMER: Now, remember, you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT video anytime. As a matter of fact, we`re posting new stuff for you to check out all the time right there on our Web site which happens to be CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Bookmark it. Among the videos playing right now, Tyra Banks and Eva Mendes causing controversy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
Well, Paris Hilton`s political parody has gotten more than four million hits in just two days. I have to be responsible for at least 10 or 20 of those myself. But how in the world did this now-infamous video actually come about, and how much did Paris really contribute to that script?
Well, CNN`s Jeanne Moos goes straight to the source, to the brains behind the "FunnyOrDie" Web site for the hilarious answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Thanks to these two jokers, a funny thing happened to Paris Hilton.
HILTON: Then that wrinkly white-haired guy used me in his campaign ads, which I guess means I`m running for president.
MOOS: She did a parody response ad to John McCain`s real ad -
FEMALE VOICE OVER: He`s the biggest celebrity in the world.
MOOS: And the response to Paris is good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m going to bump it up to maybe seven.
HILTON: I`m just hot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nine out of ten.
MOOS (on camera): This could be Paris Hilton`s come back among the intelligentsia, sort of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she ever have something to come back from?
MOOS (voice over): Now, she does. These two made her a political star.
ADAM MCKAY, CREATOR OF THE POLITICAL PARODY: We called her. We pretty much straight up gave her a call. She called back. We told her our idea, and she was into it.
MOOS: Adam McKay and Chris Henchy - Chris happens to be married to actress Brooke Shields - are the brains behind Will Ferrell`s comedy Web site "FunnyOrDie." They wrote the parody and shot it out in the Hamptons with Paris contributing live.
CHRIS HENCHY, CREATOR OF THE POLITICAL PARODY: Paint the White House pink. Wasn`t that hers?
MCKAY: That was hers.
HILTON: I`ll see you at the White House. Oh, and I might paint it pink.
MOOS: But it was Paris` energy policy -
HILTON: Why don`t we do a hybrid of both candidates` ideas?
MOOS: That went over big even with real pundits.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Her energy policy, if you just look at the words, really is better than Barack Obama`s and John McCain`s.
MOOS: Her biggest laugh line included the word that rhymes with witches.
HILTON: I`ll se you at the debates (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
MOOS: Even Jay Leno was impressed.
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": Paris Hilton making sense. Wow!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She`s a plunker. She really is plunker.
MOOS: A what?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A plunker. She`s an idiot.
MOOS (on camera): Now, if you think Paris Hilton is such an airhead, consider this. She wasn`t using a teleprompter like I am. She memorized all that and did it in about four takes. Yes, she can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paris for president?
MOOS: Paris for president? T-shirts are already available, "Vote Paris, not old dude."
HILTON: Now, if you`ll excuse me. I have to go pick out a vice president. I`m thinking Rihanna.
MOOS: Though there were other potential running mates.
MCKAY: We considered the 40-pound cat was one we talked about. The Montauk sea creature was mentioned.
MOOS: Speaking of sea creatures, what`s with the leopard cut-out swimsuit?
MCKAY: Classic Paris. That was classic Paris. She answered the door in that suit.
MOOS: As one person posted, "Just be glad it`s Paris talking politics and not McCain releasing a sex video." That would wake up this faker.
HILTON: I`m Paris Hilton and I approved this message because I think it`s totally hot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Paris for president. What do you think, gang?
(CHEERING)
That was Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And we`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Paris Campaign Spoof: Was it her best performance ever?" Keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or E-mail more of your thoughts to showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Well, some celebrities like Paris are used to the constant paparazzi presence. But other Hollywood starts like talk show host Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos try and keep their personal lives out of the spotlight. I had the chance to speak with Mark Consuelos while he was promoting his new Hallmark Channel movie, "For the Love of Grace." I asked him how he and Kelly are ale to have a relatively normal life while being one of the most recognized celebrity couples.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK CONSUELOS, ACTOR: You know what? If you were to put us like in a top 20 list, I think we`d probably be like, 18 or 19 as famous couples. The fact that we live in New York City I think is really cool for us, too. You know, it`s not a one-industry town. The entertainment industry is just a small part of this city.
And you know, they leave us alone for the most part. Having three kids at home keeps things really, really kind of grounded, you know. I`m glad we have those kids. They keep it really real for us.
ANDERSON (on camera): Mark, we have seen how the paparazzi can be relentless in following celebrity families. Angelina and Brad, for instance, Seal and Heidi. How do you deal with trying to keep your life private? Because I know that it can`t always be easy.
CONSUELOS: It`s part of the price you pay, you know. Everybody usually understands that, you know, they`re doing a job, and when we`re not working, and we understand that. But when we`re parents, we`re doing our job as parents in trying to keep our life with our kids as normal as possible. And you know, we do - Listen, we do benefit from a lot of advantages. So I`m not going to say it`s a horrible existence.
But like I said before, you know, most of the time, you know, people come in, they take a photo. They say thank you and then they go on with their way. And then we have a pretty good relationship with those people. But yes, as long as there`s other people like Brad and Angelina, I think we`re pretty safe.
ANDERSON: And Halle Berry also recently spoke out against paparazzi photos, Mark, that were taken of her and her newborn daughter. She said that she chose a career that makes her a public figure, but that her daughter didn`t chose that life. So do you agree that the children of stars should be off limits unless you choose otherwise?
CONSUELOS: You know, that would be nice, actually. You know, sometimes the kids don`t like it. You know, sometimes the cameras kind of freak out the kids, and they don`t understand what`s going on. And I think that it is an extra layer that you have to explain to your children, and it does make it a little more complicated absolutely. I`ve been very, very protective of my children, and you kind of pick and choose the moments that you want to exposure family to that.
ANDERSON: Well, have you and Kelly discussed whether or not to encourage your kids to go into show business, to follow your path?
CONSUELOS: Absolutely. We`ve discussed it, and we`ve come to a conclusion that they have to all be like plastic surgeons so they can freshen us up later on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: He was a pleasure to speak with, and don`t forget to tune into the Hallmark Channel on August 30th. You can catch Mark Consuelos in "For the Love of Grace." And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Mark has just landed a guest spot on "Ugly Betty," so look for him this fall.
Well, it is almost hard to believe it has been three months since Hulk Hogan`s son was sent to jail for an accident that nearly killed his best friend. But now, for the very first time, we are hearing how Nick is adjusting to adult jail where he has been since turning 18 just last week. You`re going to want to stick around for the brand-new details, straight ahead.
HAMMER: Well, it is time for a look at what`s new at the movies. This is brought to you by Fiber One Yogurt from Yo-Plait. In theaters now, America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel are back for the sequel "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2."
Also in theaters right now, "Pineapple Express." This looks like it`s a lot of fun. Seth Rogen and James Franco star in this bloody comedy about two pot smokers.
Also Friday, "Elegy." Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley star in this drama about a young beauty who captivates a celebrated college professor.
And that`s a look at what`s new at the movies this weekend brought to you by Fiber One Yogurt from Yo-Plait. "Cardboard, no. Delicious, yes." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
Tonight, for the very first time, we are hearing about how Hulk Hogan`s son is doing behind bars. Nick Bollea has been in jail since May for a car accident that left his friend seriously injured. Nick had been in a juvenile facility, but he was moved to an adult jail when he turned 18 just over a week ago. You might remember when Nick first got to jail, he was in solitary confinement and was struggling to adjust to life behind bars. But now, an attorney for Nick`s mom, Linda, says Nick is doing his best despite the circumstances.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
A.J. BARRANCO, ATTORNEY FOR LINDA HOGAN: He`s adapted to the jail. He`s making his own bed. He`s made friends there. He`s got a job within the Jail Department. I think he`s in the Property Department. He`s responded. He is not doing anywhere near as badly as he was when he first was incarcerated. His attitude is good and from everything we`ve heard and we`ve seen, he is doing very well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Nick is serving eight months in jail for reckless driving. Entertainment Web site TMZ is also reporting Nick will move home with his mom, Linda, after he is released from jail.
HAMMER: So on Wednesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day which was this - "Paris Responds to the McCain Ad: Does she have any place in politics." Why, am I not surprised by how this vote went. Look at that - 14 percent of you said yes; 86 percent of you say no.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. One from Beth in Ohio. She writes, "Paris has no right to even try to get into politics. Thanks, but no thanks, Paris, Britney and John McCain."
Dennis from Dallas writes, "Paris does have a place in politics. She can cast her vote for change or the olden days."
We also heard from Ash in Arizona. Ash writes, "At least Paris admits that she is full of air. It would be nice to see any of the candidates do the same."
I`ve got to say, Brooke, we`ve been having a lot of fun with this whole Paris Hilton ad spoof and being involved with the political race. It`s just kind of nuts though, isn`t it?
ANDERSON: Yes, it`s truly frightening to think of her truly getting involved politically, A.J. But she has injected some humor into the campaign. I can give her that.
HAMMER: Now, she can just stay away.
That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Thanks so much for watching. Remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. The latest from "CNN HEADLINE NEWS" is next.
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