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Showbiz Tonight
Actor Christian Bale Drops the F-Bomb; New Twists in Mystery of Olivia Newton-John`s Ex-Boyfriend; Questions Over Octuplet Baby Mom`s Motives
Aired February 03, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
A.J. HAMMER, HOST (voice over): Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Bale goes "Bale-Listic!" Tonight, Christian Bale`s jaw-dropping f-word rant. And it`s all caught on tape.
CHRISTIAN BALE, ACTOR: Check your (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I want you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: Holy swearing, Batman! The "Dark Knight" star drops the f-bomb. But why did Bale go berserk? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the unbelievable tape.
Startling brand-new developments in the case of Olivia Newton-John`s missing ex-boyfriend. Has Patrick McDermott been found alive and hiding out in Mexico?
Tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the dramatic new twists in the mystery that could rock Olivia Newton-John`s world.
And the octuplet baby mom outrage.
RONN TOROSSIAN, CEO, 5W PUBLIC RELATIONS: I think that this woman is delusional in thinking that she`s going to become a star.
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone, I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood tonight with big breaking developments in the Michael Phelps pot scandal.
In an incredible new twist today we learn that the Olympic super hero could face criminal charges in connection with that photo that shows him, apparently, smoking pot from a bong. Why Phelps may find himself standing before a judge asking for bail. We are all over this developing story.
HAMMER: But first, Batman goes ballistic. Holy temper tantrum! Tonight you`re going to hear a tape of Christian Bale so explosive and so profane you almost want to beg the guy to go to an anger management class.
Bale, of course, is best known for playing Batman in the "Dark Knight" and he`s been caught on tape on the set of a movie in an absolute rage. And he wasn`t acting.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to let you hear it for yourself because it is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice over): He plays Batman on the big screen, but in Christian Bale`s latest production, he sounds like another super hero, the Incredible Hulk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL BIXBY, ACTOR: Don`t make me angry. You wouldn`t like me when I`m angry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALE: Kick your (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I want you off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED)!
HAMMER: And angry Bale certainly doesn`t sound very likable in this new tape of the actor going off on a crew member on the set of his latest film.
BALE: What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) are you doing?
I don`t know if we can win this war.
HAMMER: It all happened when Bale was shooting his next movie, "Terminator Salvation."
HARVEY LEVIN, TMZ: You hear Christian Bale just go ballistic at a director of photography who apparently walked on to a shot and kind of spoiled it.
HAMMER: Harvey Levin of TMZ which obtained the recording tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Bale`s tirade at "Terminator" director of photography Shane Hurlbut was more explosive than anything you will see in the movie.
LEVIN: He was crazed.
HAMMER: In fact, it`s a new game. Count how many times Bale drops the f- bomb in his tirade.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: Am I going to walk around and rip your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) lights down in the middle of a scene? Then why the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) are you walking right through, (INAUDIBLE), like this in the background? What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is it with you? What don`t you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) understand?
SHANE HURLBUT, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: I was looking at the light.
BALE: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(EXPLETIVE DELETED) sake man, you`re amateur.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: The poor D.P. tries to apologize.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HURLBUT: I absolutely apologize. I`m sorry. I did not mean anything by it.
BALE: Stay off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, man. For (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sake.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: But Bale starts up again. And this time he almost gets physical.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: You don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) understand what it`s like working with actors. That`s what that is. That`s what that is man, I`m telling you. I`m not asking, I`m telling you. You wouldn`t have done that otherwise.
HURLBUT: No, what it is is looking at the light and making sure that.
BALE: Oh no. I`m going to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) kick your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) ass if you don`t shut up for a second, alright?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christian, Christian, just hold it.
BALE: I`m going to go, you want me to go (EXPLETIVE DELETED) trash your lights? Do you want me to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) trash them? Then why are you trashing my scene?
HURLBUT: I`m not trying to trash.
BALE: You are trashing my scene.
HURLBUT: Christian.
BALE: You do it one more (EXPLETIVE DELETED) time, I ain`t walking on this set if you`re still hired. I`m (EXPLETIVE DELETED) serious. You`re a nice guy. You`re a nice guy. But I don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) cut it when you`re (EXPLETIVE DELETED) and (EXPLETIVE DELETED) around like this on set.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: For the record, the number of f-bombs Bale drops during his four- minute tirade, 36.
BALE: What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is it with you?
HAMMER: But TMZ`s Levin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it was Bale`s threat to leave the set that really worried the film`s producer.
LEVIN: The insurance company ended up getting this audio tape because the movie producers were afraid Bale was just going to quit outright and it might torpedo the film.
HAMMER: Now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Bale`s tantrum has become a major phenomenon. The host of NBC`s "Today" show discussed it with their own crew.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think this is not good for Mr. Bale.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, it`s not good for him. You don`t treat people that way.
HAMMER: On HLN`s "MORNING EXPRESS WITH ROBIN MEADE," they staged a little re-enactment during the weather report.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I say, get out of my shot. Always in my shot. He`s a nice guy but he`s always in my shot.
HAMMER: And a music producer has even set it to music on YouTube.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, THE VIEW: Wasn`t he in the movie "American Psycho?" I think.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: There was some Bale bashing on "The View" but co-host Whoopi Goldberg, a movie star herself, says she can understand why Bale went ballistic.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, THE VIEW: It`s tough. I mean I know it sounds, it sounds ridiculous. But I too have gone off on people because if you`re professional you know what you`re not supposed to do.
HAMMER: Ironically it was just days after this verbal assault that Bale was accused of a physical assault by his mother and sister in London. Bale`s relatives later dropped the matter. But Bale`s verbal smack down may have a lasting effect on his reputation. And, who knows?
BALE: I want you off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: If this is the way Bale handles disputes, those "Terminator" robots don`t stand a chance.
BALE: I am going to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) kick your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) ass.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Wow. All right, both Bale`s publicist and Warner Brothers Studios tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they have no statement on Bale`s rant.
So why did Bale go so ballistic? And just how is Hollywood`s beloved Batman going to come back from this apparent case of bad, bad judgment.
Joining me tonight in New York, Lisa Bloom, who`s an anchor for "In Session." Also in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" which you can see week day nights at 7:00 p.m. right here on HLN.
Now when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT heard back from Bale`s publicist it wasn`t with the standard "no comment." They actually told us, quote, "nothing." Nothing was the word that they used.
Jane, Bale went on this tirade with the cameras rolling, microphones were on. Can he possibly say anything to defend his despicable behavior here?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Yes, it`s pretty awful, A.J. You know there`s a lingo in recovery that says there is no mess you can`t clean up. This is a huge mess. But I do believe that there`s always a way to try to clean it up.
He can accept responsibility. He can come out and publicly say I did something despicable and I`m sorry, and I apologize to my fans and I apologize to this man, this professional whom I verbally assaulted.
I can`t say that he`s a rage-aholic. But as a recovering alcoholic with almost 14 years of sobriety I can tell you that he sure sounds like a rage- aholic to me and that is an addiction.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s an illness. He needs help. And there are programs for that. There is anger management. There are anger workshops. He needs to get help. And he needs to acknowledge that he needs help right away.
HAMMER: And trying to step back from it for just a moment to imagine, OK, you`re working, you`re very focused. Something distracts you, you lose your concentration. And yes, maybe you lose your cool -- for a moment. But this thing went on for close to four minutes.
What do you think, Lisa, any excuse for that kind of behavior?
LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, IN SESSION: Absolutely not. Holy bleeping, bleep, Batman. I mean this is just shocking to me because it`s not just mean, nasty, ugly, bullying behavior. This is a guy at the top of the food chain on a movie set who makes tens of millions of dollars per movie.
Yelling at somebody on the crew who probably makes 1/100 of what he makes. I mean how dare he treats a fellow employee like on the set like that. We all make mistakes. I`m on a live television set for two hours every day. I make mistakes. My crew makes mistakes. You`re all on the same team. You`ve got no right to treat somebody like that that you`re working with.
HAMMER: I am right there with you. I want to listen again, too, to what apparently set Christian Bale off on the set of the movie which is called "Terminator Salvation." When the director of photography walked into a shot, this is what ensued.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: You got any (EXPLETIVE DELETED) idea about, hey, it`s (EXPLETIVE DELETED) distracting having somebody walking up behind Bryce in the middle of a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) scene. Give me a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) answer. What don`t you get about it?
HURLBUT: I was looking at the light.
BALE: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, there is nothing defensible about that if you ask me. And just a note, a little programming note for you. We will be playing much more of this rant, stuff you haven`t heard. That`s coming up later in the show.
Now let`s not forget. Bale`s massive hit film "The Dark Knight" up for eight Oscars. That`s in just a few weeks. Well, we`ll see what kind of awards it walks away with.
Jane, does this kind of put a taint on things?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know, I don`t know. He`s not individually nominated. I think if he were that would definitely put a taint on his nomination. But I don`t think that that`s how people in the business react to a movie as a whole.
I have to say a couple of things. One is going back to the rage-aholic issue, why it`s like alcoholism is that once it starts you can`t stop. What is notable about this tirade is not its intensity, so much as how long it goes on. And that to me says the addictive component there. That he can`t stop.
Once he stops -- once he starts he just, keeps going. And even when he sort of tapers down, somebody says something and he goes right back in.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: That means he`s not in control. The anger is in control of him.
HAMMER: And who wants to put themselves near this behavior. I mean granted Bale is a popular actor. He`s -- has a long history with Hollywood. But Lisa, who`s going to want to work with this guy after hearing this? Or is this business as usual in Hollywood? And I just have a short time for you?
BLOOM: Well, unfortunately the crew doesn`t have a lot of power and they don`t choose which actors are chosen for the movies. The producers and the companies are the ones that choose them based on how much money they make. So, unfortunately, you know, unless the rest of us as a movie going public sticks up for people in the crew.
HAMMER: Yes.
BLOOM: . by not buying tickets to his film, he`s going to continue to get parts.
HAMMER: But this will certainly expose behavior to producers and the people who do the hiring that may not have been familiar with this behavior from Christian Bale.
Lisa Bloom, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you.
BLOOM: Thanks.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: You can catch Jane on "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" right here on HLN, weekday nights, 7:00 p.m. And don`t go anywhere because as promised coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT we`ll be playing more of the shocking Christian Bale tape.
All right, Brooke, people are also very fired up over Olympic record breaker Michael Phelps, of course, caught in a picture, apparently, apparently smoking marijuana.
ANDERSON: Yes, that`s right, A.J. We are getting so many calls into our "Showbiz On Call" phone line. And we`ve got those coming up next.
HAMMER: And Brooke, there are brand-new developments tonight. Will Phelps get arrested for this? Plus what are some of his biggest sponsors doing? Are they standing behind him? We`ve got that coming up.
ANDERSON: And startling new developments in the case of Olivia Newton- John`s missing ex-boyfriend. Has Patrick McDermott been found alive and hiding out in Mexico? There are some dramatic new twists here that could totally turn Olivia`s world upside down.
Also, the octuplet mom outrage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOROSSIAN: I think that this woman is delusional in thinking that she`s going to become a star or become rich simply because she`s having a lot of children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight anger over the woman trying to cash in on her eight children.
You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
ANDERSON: And now the "Showbiz News Ticker" more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
GRAPHICS: Super Bowl 43 is most watched TV show in history; it reached 151.6 million viewers.
Comcast is offering subscribers $10 after 30-sec. porn clip aired during Super Bowl.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Actually she has six kids with one set of twins. But at that point in time, my focus was on taking care of the patient and dealing with the seven babies that we thought were on board at that time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: For the very first time, the doctor who delivered the octuplets speaks out to CNN`s "LARRY KING" and tonight the controversy over the mom rages on.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. And tonight, the latest on the octuplet outrage. There is growing criticism for the California woman who just gave birth to eight babies. And it`s not just because she has six other kids, too.
She`s reportedly trying to cash in and sell her story to the highest bidder. Names like Oprah have been tossed around. But will these big TV players go for it? And will there be a big backlash if they do?
Here`s CNN`s Randi Kaye for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She may turn out to be the ultimate working mother. With 14 children all under the age of 8, the California octuplets` mom now wants a job. Not just any job, but a career as a child care expert on television. This public relations CEO says not so fast.
TOROSSIAN: I think that this woman is delusional in thinking she is going to become a star or become rich simply because she`s having a lot of children.
KAYE (on camera): Thirty-three-year-old Nadya Suleman hasn`t been employed for years. The "L.A. Times" reports she was once a psychiatric technician but stopped working after she was injured on the job. She became a student, the paper says, and started having babies, lots of them.
(voice-over): The octuplets are all from the same sperm donor but why would a single mother who already has six children want to deliver eight more.
JEFF GARDERE, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: It`s quite possible that she hasn`t found success or significance in her life. This is something that she feels that she can do right. I think this is a woman who`s looking at being good at being a mother and being good at having a lot of children and this puts her in a very significant and important place in our present history.
KAYE: But what about the babies` future? With 14 mouths to feed and eight new bottoms to wipe, not to mention all that medical attention preemies require, the unemployed single mom may not be able to provide for them.
Her parents bailed her out once already when they bought her a small home in 2007. But soon filed for bankruptcy and had to move in with her.
The mother of 14 hasn`t even left the hospital yet, but she`s already hired a publicist who told us her client is "the most sought-after mom in the world right now." The publicist says she`s been bombarded with offers for everything from book deals to TV shows including some paid interviews and various business proposals.
Media outlets report the mega mom is looking to land millions in commercial endorsements and media interviews.
GARDERE: It seems to me that this is a woman who has a very unique way of thinking which may not be rooted in reality.
KAYE: The octuplets` grandmother, Angela Suleman, told the "L.A. Times" her daughter "is not evil but she is obsessed with children. She loves children, she`s very good with children, but obviously, she overdid herself." Then added, "I wish she would have become a kindergarten teacher."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Randi Kaye for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now we want to hear from you about this. What do you think? It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, "Octuplet mom, should she sell her story?"
Vote CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, the address, it`s showbiztonight@CNN.com.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines won`t stop ringing with people calling in all about Olympic record breaker Michael Phelps who, of course, was caught in a picture apparently smoking marijuana, and whether he should lose his millions of dollars in endorsements of course.
ANDERSON: That`s right. We got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Katie in West Virginia.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KATIE, CALLING FROM WEST VIRGINIA: I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Give the kid a break. I mean he won all these gold medals for us. So what? He went and he smoked a little weed. My god, there are worse things out there he could have done.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thanks, Katie. We also heard from D.J. calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Alaska.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
D.J., CALLING FROM ALASKA: Maybe Michael Phelps should lose his endorsements and we need to send a message to those who look up to him especially with kids and I don`t think he`s necessarily a great moral role model.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, appreciate your side of the story, D.J.
You too can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else on your mind.
ANDERSON: Yes, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open 24/7. The number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ, 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online. That`s on our home page CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
And A.J., there are brand new developments in this Michael Phelps` pot picture scandal.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, a lot of people have been wondering if he could possibly face some criminal charges for this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEON LOTT, RICHMOND COUNTY, S.C. SHERIFF: If he comes to Richmond County, breaks the law he`d be like anybody else. He`s got to be charged. I would not be doing my job if we did not look into this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The sheriff speaks. Will Phelps get arrested, and what are Phelps` million dollar sponsors doing? Are they getting his back or are they bailing? We`ve got the latest coming up.
ANDERSON: I cannot believe Christian Bale`s f-bomb shocker. You`ve got to hear this. The "Dark Knight" star goes off on set. I don`t think I`ve heard anyone ever swear so much. And will he get fired for this?
HAMMER: And remember how Olivia Newton-John`s ex just disappeared a few years ago? Such a bizarre mystery. Well, tonight a brand new twist that could totally rock Olivia`s world.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now the "Showbiz News Ticker" more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
GRAPHICS: Original "90210" stars Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth to reunite on CW`s "90210" spin-off. "Girl Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis has been arrested for arriving late to hearing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson.
Hey, A.J., I just want to the Oscar luncheon in Beverly Hills. Now this is where all the nominees get together ahead of the Academy Award. And the stars were speaking out about all sorts of big Hollywood stories.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, you get to hang with all the stars. I know they had a lot to tell you. So I really want to know what were they saying.
ANDERSON: Well, first, A.J., Amy Adams opened up to me about the outrage over Jessica Simpson getting slammed for putting on a few pounds. She says that there is plenty of blame to go around.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMY ADAMS, "DOUBT" OSCAR NOMINEE: I think each person has to take personal responsibility for that. The people who make the magazines, the people who buy the magazines and sort of revel in other people`s misfortune, be it weight gain. So I don`t think it`s necessarily Hollywood. I think it`s more societal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I also asked Frank Langella who`s nominated for Best Actor in "Frost/Nixon" if Heath Ledger being nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the "Dark Knight" is a fitting tribute to Heath`s legacy?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANK LANGELLA, "FROST/NIXON" OSCAR NOMINEE: I think that his family would much prefer to have him, have in his -- in their arms and alive and happy. And no, no object can possibly take the place of the human person there. And that`s what`s bittersweet and sad about this, is that -- is that the young man isn`t here, first of all, to accept it and appreciate it. But more importantly that his family won`t have him around. That`s the saddest part.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Heath is the favorite to win in a couple of weeks.
Jennifer Hudson bounced back from tragedy. She gave really an amazing performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl this past Sunday. And this, of course, was her first appearance since the tragic killings of her mom, her brother, her nephew. Now Jennifer really inspired Viola Davis, who`s up for Best Supporting Actress in "Doubt."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VIOLA DAVIS, "DOUBT" OSCAR NOMINEE: It blew me away. Her voice is just beautiful. The range. The strength. You know? The expression that comes from her heart and her gut. You know, sometimes you can find a singer who has the technique, the range, but they don`t always move you. And she has it all at what, 23? 24?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, Jennifer did an amazing job. Viola was terrific in "Doubt," too. By the way, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who are nominated for Best Actor and Actress were no shows at the luncheon.
Brooke, why -- why not? Why weren`t they there? Any idea?
ANDERSON: They were busy.
HAMMER: All right. Have you ever used the f-word, by the way, 36 times in four minutes?
ANDERSON: Yes, I just did in the commercial break.
HAMMER: Yes, I`m sure.
ANDERSON: Just kidding, no, never.
HAMMER: Not you, no. Christian Bale, however, he did. He went off on set at his new movie. And it`s all caught on tape. He wasn`t acting by the way. Is this going to impact future roles? You`ve got to hear this. And I think we`ve got to look for a big bar of soap to wash his mouth out.
ANDERSON: Also some brand-new developments in the Michael Phelps pot picture scandal. A sheriff says Phelps could be charged. So what about all his sponsors? Are they sticking by him? And this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You feel that you`re seeing into their soul.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From Larry King grimacing, to Wolf Blitzer sinking his teeth into his script. To Joe Biden sinking his teeth into a pastry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The wildest things you were never supposed to see until tonight. The most outrageous TV outtakes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BALE: Kick your (EXPLETIVE DELETED). I want you off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED)!
HAMMER (voice over): Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Batman goes ballistic. The "Dark Knight" star Christian Bale goes off on a crew member on the set of his new movie. Tonight the f-bomb laden rant you have got to hear for yourself.
Michael Phelps` marijuana scandal. Brand-new developments. A sheriff threatens to bust Phelps over the photo of him smoking pot. Will there be a joint investigation or is this just a token effort? Plus why this has all been a massive hit for the tabloid that broke the story.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Batman star Christian Bale`s complete and totally ballistic rant on the set of his new movie.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, this is so unbelievable. And right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of "The Dark Knight" star`s angry profanity filled attack, and we are bringing more of it to you caught on tape.
I got to tell you this thing made me uncomfortable when I listened to it. Bale`s nearly four-minute f-bomb filled rant on the set of his new movie called "Terminator Salvation." So who was Christian Bale going ballistic on? And how will this impact his future in Hollywood?
Also new tonight, startling brand-new developments in the case of Olivia Newton-John`s missing ex-boyfriend. Three years after he vanished he may be alive and well and hiding out in Mexico. But you are not going to believe who may be close to blowing his cover.
With me tonight in New York is Lisa Bloom, who`s an anchor for "In Session." Also in New York is David Caplan, senior editor for "People" magazine.
All right, Guys, let`s start off with Christian Bale`s completely insane tirade. As we said a bit earlier in the show this thing involved the director of photography, the D.P., on the set of his new movie "Terminator." He distracts Bale, apparently, while Bale is in the middle of shooting a scene. Bale goes nuts on him. And listen to what happens next.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: You`re unbelievable, man. You`re un-(EXPLETIVE DELETED) believable. The number of times you`re strolling and (EXPLETIVE DELETED) around in the background. I`ve never had a D.P. behave like this.
You don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) understand what it`s like working with actors. That`s what that is.
HURLBUT: No, that`s not what it is.
BALE: That`s what that is, man, I`m telling you. I`m not asking, I`m telling you. You wouldn`t have done that otherwise.
HURLBUT: No, what it is is looking at the light and making sure that.
BALE: Oh no. I`m going to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) kick your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) ass if you don`t shut up for a second, alright?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christian, Christian, just hold it.
BALE: I`m going to go, you want me to go (EXPLETIVE DELETED) trash your lights? Do you want me to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) trash them? Then why are you trashing my scene?
HURLBUT: I`m not trying to trash.
BALE: You are trashing my scene.
HURLBUT: Christian.
BALE: You do it one more (EXPLETIVE DELETED) time, I ain`t walking on this set if you`re still hired. I`m (EXPLETIVE DELETED) serious. You`re a nice guy. You`re a nice guy. But I don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) cut it when you`re (EXPLETIVE DELETED) and (EXPLETIVE DELETED) around like this on set.
MCG, DIRECTOR: Listen, listen to me, I get it.
BALE: Yes, you might get it. He doesn`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) get it.
MCG: No, no. I get it.
BALE: You might. He does not get it!
MCG: I know. Good adjustments, OK? For real, honestly, I get it. Walk for five seconds.
BALE: No, I don`t need any (EXPLETIVE DELETED) walking. He needs to stop walking. I ain`t the one walking.
Let`s get Tom and put this back on. Let`s go again. Seriously man, you and me, we`re (EXPLETIVE DELETED) done professionally.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. All right. Now I want to point out that was 1:26. That`s all. This thing goes on for nearly four minutes.
Lisa Bloom, is this simply one of the most shocking and really unprofessional things you`ve ever heard?
BLOOM: I call it abusive and I call it harassment of another employee. What Christian Bale doesn`t understand in his egomaniacal state is that it`s not just all about him that when he works on a film he`s part of a team just like when we`re doing this show. We`re a part of the team.
There are people behind the scenes working very hard to make this thing happen. I mean what a lack of respect for another person who`s just trying to do a job and maybe made a mistake. Everybody makes mistakes in their jobs. I mean I`m just appalled hearing this.
HAMMER: Yes, a lack of respect and a lack of judgment for how to properly react.
David, we`ve heard the stories over the years of big egos in Hollywood and stars going off. But this goes well beyond an actor just getting ticked off when something goes wrong.
DAVID CAPLAN, SENIOR EDITOR, PEOPLE MAGAZINE. You know, definitely. It`s obviously disrespectful. It clearly doesn`t engender good will. And the thing that`s shocking about his sort of rant is not necessarily the message because it`s fair enough to say to the D.P. hey, don`t be in my sight line. And to be honest, you may expect that from somebody who has that two decades of experience which this D.P. did have.
It`s more the tenor of his rant, the duration of it, and just his delivery. That is what really left people shocked.
HAMMER: Well, Christian`s tirade happened right there on the set of "Terminator Salvation" last July. So this is several months ago that this happened. The audio was just obtained by TMZ. And we`ve got to listen to a little bit more of this shocking tape.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: I want you off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HURLBUT: Sorry.
BALE: No, don`t just be sorry. Think for one (EXPLETIVE DELETED) second. What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) are you doing? Are you professional or not?
HURLBUT: Yes, I am.
BALE: So I (EXPLETIVE DELETED) walk around and rip down -- no, shut the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up, Bruce. Do I want -- no! No! Don`t shut me up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen.
BALE: Am I going to walk around and rip your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) lights down in the middle of a scene? Then why the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) are you walking right through, like this in the background?
HURLBUT: I absolutely apologize. I`m sorry. I did not mean anything by it.
BALE: Stay off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set, man. For (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sake.
All right, let`s go again.
MCG: Let`s just take a minute.
BALE: No, let`s not take a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) minute. Let`s go again. And let`s not have you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) walking in.
Can I have Tom put this on, please?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: It sounds a little O`Reilly right there at the end. And I happen to love that Christian politely asks Tom, some wardrobe guy, apparently, to help him put his wardrobe on at the end of the rant.
BLOOM: Right.
HAMMER: David, back to you. You`re also working on this story for People.com. What kind of fallout do you see happening here for Bale? Because this is not good.
CAPLAN: No, it`s something not good definitely. In Hollywood, the rank- and-file, crews, people who work on the sets, of course, are not going to want to work with him. It`s clear he is an open nerve. And he already has that reputation. He has a reputation as having a bit of a temper. He`s taken as a serious actor. But this really takes it to the nth degree and people aren`t going to work with him.
However, you know, the buzz in Hollywood right now is that he does sell movies. So until that changes, a lot of people are saying they`re just going to have to put up with it.
HAMMER: Yes, but, you know, there`s a point where some things are just not worth it. All right, I`ve got to say that is really not the kind of behavior I like on my set where I work.
Charles, can we take a shot of Jay Convoy. Jay is the stage manager here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Does a terrific job working on the floor for us every day.
Now, Jay, there`s -- I mean you deal with all kinds of egos and talents.
JAY CONVOY, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT STAGE MANAGER: Yes.
HAMMER: But is there any excuse for something like this?
CONVOY: Absolutely not, A.J. Absolutely not.
HAMMER: Never, right?
CONVOY: Never.
HAMMER: It`s totally uncool.
CONVOY: Totally uncool.
HAMMER: Jay Convoy, ladies and gentlemen. You see.
All right, now be professional and get back to where you belong.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Let`s move on to another big story that is new right now, shocking new developments in the case of Olivia Newton-John`s missing ex-boyfriend. This is wild.
Patrick McDermott has been missing now since 2005 since he took off on a fishing trip. But now, incredibly, NBC`s "Dateline" may have cracked the case with witnesses who say they`ve seen Olivia`s ex in Mexico. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. This man has seen Patrick McDermott. He was here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said, he said he looked the same in the photo, but he said his hair was a little shorter. Same color and he looked almost the same.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now we have a sighting. We have a confirmed sighting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I knew it. I knew it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Lisa, off to you. Do you find it remarkable that not the FBI, not the police, but NBC News may be cracking this case? They actually could be figuring out if Olivia Newton-John`s ex-boyfriend is still alive.
BLOOM: Yes, it really is. But if you think about it, many times the networks, if they decide to go after a story they may have more money and more resources than law enforcement which is stretched very, very thin right now.
And law enforcement may look at this as look, we don`t even know if a crime was committed. The guy is missing. He could have taken off on his own. We`ve got other crimes that we`ve got to investigate. NBC wants to get to the bottom of it. If they assign a few people to be dogged and persistent go down to Mexico, it doesn`t surprise me that they could crack the case.
HAMMER: Yes. Yes, think of the resources they put behind it and the money that they put into something like that. That makes perfect sense.
All right, Lisa Bloom, David Caplan, thank you for being here again. Appreciate it.
BLOOM: Thanks.
HAMMER: So, Brooke, there are brand-new developments tonight in the Michael Phelps` pot scandal.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. Could Phelps get busted over this? A sheriff is threatening to charge him. We`ve got the latest on that. Plus, why this has all been a huge hit for the tabloid that broke the story. That, plus your fired-up phone calls to "Showbiz on Call" straight ahead. And we`ll also have this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You feel that you`re seeing into their soul.
MOOS: From Larry King grimacing, to Wolf Blitzer sinking his teeth into his script, to Joe Biden sinking his teeth into a pastry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love this. Outrageous TV outtakes. The stuff, of course, that you`re not supposed to see but it`s caught on tape. And we`re showing it to you coming up.
ANDERSON: And Paris is in London. And there`s at least one British star who isn`t happy about it. I`ll tell you who is so fired up about Paris Hilton buying a house near him that he has written a letter to President Obama.
Yes, this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
GRAPHICS: Bob Costas leaving HBO to work for MLB network. Diddy sued by artist claiming he stole the design for his cologne bottle.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hey, welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, a dramatic new development in the Michael Phelps pot scandal. Will he be arrested? We all know about that photo that shows Phelps smoking from a bong at a party in South Carolina. Today, the big news that the sheriff of Richland, South Carolina, where Phelps took the now infamous hit, says he may charge him with possession of marijuana.
But Phelps seems to have escaped the wrath of his sponsors. Both Speedo and luxury Swiss watch maker Omega are standing by Phelps. And "News of the World," the British tabloid that got the exclusive on the Phelps pot photo are high on Phelps. The paper says that that photo drove so many viewers to their Web page it broke records.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who`s a correspondent for "Extra."
Hey, Carlos, I want you first to take a look at this photo seen here on the cover of "Star" magazine. You cannot deny it the guy has got a bong. And until now Phelps` biggest worry seemed to be losing his sponsors. Now he could face criminal charges.
Carlos, should he be worried?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I don`t think he should be worried because right now the sheriff is the only one making a case for this. Both the University of South Carolina Police and the police department there in South Carolina, both -- departments have said they`re not going to pursue this case.
And I think the sheriff has to say something like, well, you know, yes, I have to look into this, because you know it happened in my precinct. But if I`m Michael Phelps right now I`m not too worried.
ANDERSON: You`re not too worried. Well, let`s talk about that sheriff. He is not amused at all by the whole thing. His name is Sheriff Leon Lott. He`s the guy who enforces the law in the county where it`s believed that Phelps actually smoked the bong. Take a look at what he is saying about this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOTT: He should not have broke the law in Richland County. And that`s what the people elect me to do is enforce the law. And he`s no different. If he comes to Richmond County, breaks the law he`d be like anybody else. He`s got to be charged. I would not be doing my job if we did not look into this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now the sheriff says if Phelps is charged with possession, he could get 30 days in jail or a few hundred dollars in fines.
Carlos, if that happens, if he is actually convicted of a crime, is it a sure thing that he may lose millions of dollars in endorsement deals?
DIAZ: No. Listen he will never serve time for this. And let me ask you this, how do you prove this? I mean it`s not illegal to smoke out of a bong. It`s illegal to smoke marijuana out of a bong. But how do you prove there was marijuana in that bong unless you have witnesses that come forward and say, yes, I saw him smoking marijuana in that bong.
And do you really want to be that witness who takes down an American hero?
(LAUGHTER)
DIAZ: As far as the endorsements go, I mean, you know, we`re several steps away from the endorsement deals, shriveling up for Michael Phelps.
ANDERSON: Well, you know, so far only two companies that Phelps endorses, Speedo and the watch maker, Omega, have said they`re going to stand by him and accept his apology.
But, Carlos, if this does become a criminal case, do you think that could change?
DIAZ: If it does become a criminal case, yes, then he is in trouble. I love the fact, by the way, that Speedo and Omega watches both come forward because we have now said Speedo and Omega watches a billion times on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So it`s like one of those things where now they`re getting paid, you know, they`re getting their name out there. But no, it has to become a criminal case for him to even begin to consider losing these endorsement deals.
Everyone I talk to at the Super Bowl this weekend said it`s a nonissue. It`s not something that`s going to have legs. It`s not a story that`s going to be around a long time.
ANDERSON: All right. Well, we will leave it there. Again, Michael Phelps did apologize for his actions.
Carlos Diaz, thank you so much. Good to see you.
HAMMER: So, Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been all jammed up with people calling in about the Phelps pot scandal.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. And we`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Karen in Michigan.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KAREN, CALLING FROM MICHIGAN: Marijuana is illegal. Why wasn`t he arrested just like anyone else? Just because he can swim doesn`t mean he can break the law.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We appreciate your call, Karen. And we also heard from Sharon calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Ohio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHARON, CALLING FROM OHIO: You know what, everybody needs to leave this guy alone. He is no role model. Parents want role models then they should be their own children`s role model. Everybody makes mistakes. He is not perfect. Leave him alone.
Parents, remember, parents are the first teacher. Home is the first school. And quit looking for outsiders and entertainers to be your children`s role models.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Sharon. And call us at "Showbiz on Call." Let us know what you think about this or anything else that is on your mind.
HAMMER: You know the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. 1-888-SBT-BUZZ, 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail. We`ll play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right, tonight, did you see this? They are outrageous outtakes. They`re the moments that you are never supposed to see. Did you ever wonder what a TV guest is doing mere minutes before they go on the air? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you everyone from President Obama to CNN`s very own Larry King caught in amazing off-air outtakes.
Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice over): They sit down and get miked up. They get ready for their close-ups. But something seems off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s quiet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`ve just never seen anybody in such repose. He looks almost meditative.
MOOS: Carville, quiet? An oxymoron.
(on camera): You know, all those talking heads on TV going blah, blah, blah? Not here, what`s called the silent echo chamber.
(voice over): There`s John McCain, military bearing, eyes boring into you. And Chris Matthews who seems to forget to blink.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Looks like a complete statue.
MOOS: The statue would be Henry Kissinger, like portraits they hang on the walls at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somehow you feel that you`re seeing into their soul.
MOOS: From Larry King grimacing, to Wolf Blitzer sinking his teeth into his script, to Joe Biden sinking his teeth into a pastry, washing it down, then coming back for more.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could have been like an eclaire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looked like an eclaire, isn`t it?
MOOS: Who collects this stuff?
HARRY SHEARER, COMEDIAN/ACTOR: Well, I call it a hobby or a sickness.
MOOS: Comedian and actor Harry Shearer is mum on the how part.
(On camera): I just assume he`s stealing satellite signals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he won`t admit to any -- any technique.
SHEARER: I`m like Dick Cheney, sources and methods.
MOOS: Shearer got hooked more than three decades ago when he saw footage of Richard Nixon right before his resignation speech, before Nixon even sat down.
RICHARD NIXON, FORMER PRESIDENT: Hey, you`re better looking than I am, why don`t you stay here? All Secret Service -- any Secret Service in the room? Out. I`m just kidding you.
MOOS: It was sheer who collected this famous John Edwards clip. Someone else put it to music. Other Harry Shearer found objects include annoyed hosts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing?
MOOS: Ann Coulter joking around about chewing Nicorete.
ANN COULTER, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST & AUTHOR: . if you can chop it up, I feel I can snort it.
MOOS: Dan Rather debating how to wear the collar of his trench coat.
DAN RATHER, HOST: My concern about the cold be distracting so you can put it now.
MOOS: And Katie Couric mimicking Dan Rather.
KATIE COURIC, CBS NEWS ANCHOR: What do you think? Open?
MOOS: The Aldridge Museum exhibit doesn`t show embarrassing moments but rather who the person is.
SHEARER: In those moments before they put their TV personality on.
MOOS: For instance, Dr. Phil, not giving advice. Sean Hannity, sanitizing or moisturizing.
Before our interview with Shearer, we nabbed him making noises and tucking his shirt into his pants. At least when the talking head is silent, he doesn`t have to eat his words.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some more.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I love it. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Straight ahead, Paris is in London. And there`s at least one British star who isn`t happy about it. I`ll tell you who`s so fired up about Paris Hilton buying a house near him that he`s written a letter to President Obama about it.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now the "Showbiz News Ticker" more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
GRAPHICS: Hollywood executives receive big bonuses during recession. Disney`s Bob Iger got $30 million in 2008; Les Moonves of CBS got $36.8 million.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with some more stories that are new right now.
Well, Ricky Gervais has written a letter to President Obama complaining that Paris Hilton has bought a house near him. In a hilarious blog, the star of "Extras" and the British version of "The Office" tells the president one of his flock has strayed. He says he has no problem that Paris is in England filming her new reality show, "Paris Hilton`s British Best Friend," but Gervais draws the line at the fact that she bought a house in North London a few miles from where he lives.
Listen to what he writes. Quote, "This is clearly a retaliatory strike for Posh Spice moving to L.A. I know it, and you know it, so let`s cut the `it`s a free country` nonsense and come to some agreement."
Well, Gervais then suggests a kind of a diplomatic exchange, I kind of like this idea. He says that he and President Obama could call Victoria Beckham and Paris, tell them there`s some kind of giant paparazzi nest in New York and once they`re there, they can swap their limos around.
Nice going, Ricky.
Well, Britney Spears` comeback tour is on. There were reports yesterday that Britney was threatening to cancel the tour if she couldn`t bring along her son. Well, Britney`s blog says both Sean Preston and Jaden James will, in fact, be joining Britney throughout the duration of the tour. The Circus Tour starts March 3rd in New Orleans.
And Nick Hogan is allowed to drive again. TMZ reports that Nick has been granted a driving permit to get back and forth for work. Hogan`s license was revoked for three years because of the crash that left his friend with serious brain damage.
ANDERSON: OK, on Monday we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this, "Michael Phelps pot scandal, should he lose his endorsement?" Well, 37 percent of you say yes, he should but 63 percent of you say no, he shouldn`t.
Here are some of the e-mails we received.
Walter from Iowa, "It`s an illegal drug. What a sad country we live in when a gold medal winner is allowed to do dope."
Toni from Colorado says, "I say leave the kid alone. It`s about time that someone has shown they can smoke weed and still be successful."
We appreciate your insights.
HAMMER: Yes, we really did hear on all sides of this particular issue, didn`t we, Brooke?
All right, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We do thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11`s. 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
Take care.
END
