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Showbiz Tonight
Is Chris Brown Cooked?; Where is Rihanna?; Patrick Swayze`s Quiet Battle with Pancreatic Cancer; Interview with the Octuplet Mom`s Mother; The Obama Outrage over the A-Rod Steroid Scandal
Aired February 10, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, explosive new details about pop superstar Chris Brown`s alleged assault. Tonight, brand-new mysteries. Where is Rihanna? How badly was she hurt? Will there be more charges filed against Chris Brown?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERRY PENACOLI, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Chris Brown is in some really deep trouble.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the late-breaking news. And we have got to ask - is Chris Brown cooked?
Brand-new outrage over the octuplet mom. Tonight the unbelievable new interview with her mother, slamming her for having eight more babies. And the very first look inside the octuplet mom`s home. You won`t believe your eyes.
Plus, Obama outrage over the A-Rod steroid scandal. Why even President Obama is furious at Alex Rodriguez for taking steroids.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting to night and every night from New York City.
And tonight what really happened between Chris Brown and Rihanna. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal that we may only be seeing the start of Chris Brown`s troubles. There were dramatic developments today in the case surrounding the young pop superstar who is facing charges in connection with the alleged attack on his equally famous young girlfriend.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today the Los Angeles district attorney is now on the case. And there are dramatic aftershocks tonight for Rihanna. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now bring you all the big, breaking developments making news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Chris Brown, 19-year-old, R & B phenomenon is already under investigation for domestic violence, booked on a felony charge. And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you even more charges could be filed.
PENACOLI: Chris Brown is in some really deep trouble.
HAMMER: Major fallout for Brown tonight as the chief investigator of the domestic violence case against Brown turned over his files to the L.A. district attorney. And now, it seems Brown`s troubles have gotten even more serious.
HARVEY LEVIN, TMZ: Look, I don`t have any doubt that the DA will probably end up charging with the making criminal threats as well as adding at least one domestic violence charge against him.
HAMMER: The tragic story began on Sunday when Chris Brown skipped out of his scheduled performance at the Grammys. He turned himself into police after an alleged domestic violence incident.
Although authorities aren`t releasing the name of the victim, sources close to the couple tell CNN Rihanna, who also abruptly canceled her Grammy performance, was indeed the alleged victim.
PENACOLI: A very high-priced lawyer drove Chris Brown to be booked at LAPD and that`s Mark Geragos. Mark Geragos, no stranger to celebrities in trouble. If you remember he represented Robert Downy Jr., Wynona Ryder and Michael Jackson when they were all in trouble.
So Chris Brown obviously in deep, deep trouble to hire a guy like Geragos.
LEVIN: He is in big trouble. We have law enforcement sources who have nailed down for us exactly what happened to her, and it`s bad.
HAMMER: And in another shocking development, Rihanna, who hasn`t been seen publicly since the drama unfolded, abruptly canceled a major concert in Malaysia. Now, the "L.A. Times" reports that Rihanna is cooperating with police.
Her spokesperson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Rihanna is well. Thank you for your concern and support." But the question remains, will Rihanna press charges against her boyfriend?
LEVIN: I don`t think people know how she is going to react about this in the long term at all. And anybody who tells you she`s made that decision doesn`t know what they`re talking about.
HAMMER: Details from Sunday night are in short supply. And the LAPD has kept the case file closely-guarded. They say Brown and a woman were in a car near Hollywood`s Hancock Park early Sunday when an argument broke out.
The woman, they say, suffered visible injuries and identified Brown as her attacker. Police refused to let the media hear the 911 call made on Sunday. The only thing they would tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the call mostly recorded the sound of a woman screaming.
LEVIN: Chris Brown has built his career on a very squeaky clean, clean-cut image. So again, this is why this particular instance of alleged domestic violence is really just catching everybody by surprise.
HAMMER: The music industry is still reeling from the news. New tonight, hip-hop star, Kanye West is speaking out about the disturbing story. West, who toured with Rihanna, says he is completely devastated by the incident. He spoke to L.A. radio station, KISS-FM.
KANYE WEST, HIP-HOP STAR: Rihanna is so important to our culture, to, you know, pop music. In that sense, I feel like that is my baby sis. I would do any and everything to help her in any situation.
HAMMER: Now, Rihanna has reportedly even scrapped her 21st birthday party scheduled February 20th. And Brown withdrew from an NBA all-star event and is in deep with advertisers.
PENACOLI: Advertisers are just dumping Chris left and right. Got Milk has pulled their ad campaign with him. Wrigley`s pulled their Doublemint ad campaign with him. And they`re saying, "Look, this is a guy that deserves due process like any other citizen," but they`re going to just suspend everything until further notice.
HAMMER: Before Sunday`s shocking developments, Chris Brown and Rihanna seemed like an unstoppable couple at the top of their careers.
PENACOLI: Look at Chris Brown, triple threat, singer, actor, dancer. Rihanna, beautiful. You know, a voice like, you know, a songbird. I mean, these two had nowhere but up to go. And it`s just amazing the course of events that have happened over the last few days. And it is just honestly a shame.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So what is going to happen next in this truly disturbing case? Could Chris Brown face even more charges? And how much can Rihanna actually influence the outcome?
With me tonight in New York is Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor on the Legal Network "In Session." And Darren Kavinoky who is an attorney with the Kavinoky Law Firm.
So we know that Chris Brown is facing a felony charge of making a criminal threat. And today, after the case went to the district attorney to consider further charges, the DA actually sent it back to the police for further investigation.
Darren, off to you first. Sticking with the facts as far as we know them so far, would you be surprised if more charges were filed here?
DARREN KAVINOKY, ATTORNEY, KAVINOKY LAW FIRM: No, A.J. I would not be at all surprised if more charges are filed. Since Chris posted bail, his next court date is not coming up until March of this year. So the district attorney has plenty of time to file appropriate charges or dismiss other charges.
And ultimately, they have a myriad of potential charges to choose from in domestic violence cases. What they finally go with will depend on the nature of the relationship and the extent of the injuries.
HAMMER: And a lot of people are wondering what role could Rihanna play in all of this? What do you think, Ashleigh? How much influence could Rihanna possibly have on whether or not the DA decides to go forward with more charges? Could it be up to her to decide whether or not to press more charges?
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ANCHOR, IN SESSION: Well, what Darren said is absolutely on the money - nature of the assault, nature of the injuries, how bad were they, and then the victim`s cooperation level. Not to suggest that that means everything, but DAs usually like to try to get this worked out.
And especially when there is not necessarily an imminent threat of this happening again and happening worse, they would like to see this result in something like anger management, community service and that sort thing rather than full blown trial and jail.
HAMMER: Well, let me throw out this wild scenario because I`m just trying to get a handle on what could happen here. Let`s say the DA files more charges. The case is set for trial. But Rihanna comes forward and says, "You know what? I am done with this. I just want it to be over with and move on with my life and I am not going to testify." Darren, at that point, case over?
KAVINOKY: No, not likely. In California, we have many exceptions to the hearsay rule that apply in domestic violence cases and without getting too much in the legal blah, blah, blah.
Basically, what that means is that even if Rihanna doesn`t cooperate, the prosecutor can use statements that she made to investigators during the pendency of the case without her having to be there. So ultimately, it`s the district attorney that`s in control of this, not Rihanna.
(CROSS TALK)
BANFIELD: Do you know - there is something to add to that. Apparently, there was some report that it might not have been her that made the 911 call which means there could have been a witness to this. And a witness can be a part of the trial and bring convictions when the victim wants no part of it.
HAMMER: Got it. Yes. And I am hearing all this and trying to see if there is even any possibility of an upside for Chris Brown, because it seems that he is totally boxed in here. He`s facing the possible trial whether or not more charges are filed.
And at that trial, pictures taken of Rihanna the night of the alleged attack would be made public. Of course, if he makes a plea deal, he is also a potential loser. So Ashleigh, back to you, do you think this thing, number one, will actually go to trial? Or really, is he doomed either way?
BANFIELD: It`s not good. And he has already lost endorsements. Those endorsements aren`t likely to come back. That said, I don`t know how is R. Kelly`s career doing. He went to trial, too. And you know, it`s - strange things happen. But this is just not a good story no matter how you slice it.
HAMMER: Darren, do you think this will actually go to trial and, of course, become some kind of public spectacle?
KAVINOKY: Well, I love trials and I love public spectacles, so part of me, in a sort of perverse way, hopes that it does. But it`s way too early to predict. And of course, we need a lot more facts before we can make that judgment.
HAMMER: All right. But looking ahead, you know, regardless of the outcome here, Ashleigh, what do you think? Is there any way that Brown can actually clear his name other than, you know, reports coming back and saying he had nothing to do with this whole thing?
BANFIELD: It totally depends on the fact pattern that emerges after this. And the reality is, America does not like a man, if it is true, who beats up his girlfriend, leaves her bloody and bruised on a curb, and drives away for her to call 911. It`s just not good.
HAMMER: No, America does not like that. And let`s keep in mind here, we are talking about Rihanna. For people who may not be aware, she is as big of a young pop superstar as they come right now. And really, a sweet, wonderful young woman who truly is one of America`s sweethearts. So that really only adds to the heightened level that this thing is at.
Ashleigh Banfield, Darren Kavinoky, thanks for being here, guys.
And now, we want to hear from you. Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Chris Brown`s Alleged Attack: Can his career survive the scandal?"
You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Coming up, outrage over A-Rod. Even the president is not pleased.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: If you are a fan of Major League baseball, I think it tarnishes an entire era.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Even President Barack Obama is furious that Alex Rodriguez did steroids. Well, coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the brand-new scandal over a fallen hero.
Also, brand-new outrage over the octuplet mom. Wait until you hear what even her own mother is saying about her decision to have eight more babies adding to the six that she already has at home.
And we are also getting our very first look inside the octuplet mom`s house. You are not going to not believe your eyes.
Plus, Patrick Swayze`s brave battle against pancreatic cancer and the tabloids. Tonight, Patrick`s co-star right here with me shelling out the brand-new details about how Swayze is really doing. It`s the interview you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now. .
(CAPTION READS: Prosecutors want "Girls Gone Wild`s" Joe Francis` bail revoked. First Lady Michelle Obama to grace the cover of "Vogue" magazine.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATRICK SWAYZE, ACTOR: Get in. Get in. Come on!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was Patrick Swayze playing an undercover FBI agent on the hit show "The Beast."
Tonight, Swayze`s co-star opens up about how the star is doing with his battle against pancreatic cancer.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, Patrick Swayze`s brave battle. It has been a little over a year since the "Dirty Dancing" star was first diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Well, tonight, Swayze`s co-star from his TV show, "The Beast" is telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how the beloved star is really doing. I spoke with Travis Fimmel and I asked him what it was like working with Swayze during this trying time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TRAVIS FIMMEL, ACTOR: You learn a lot - you know, it`s far beyond the acting stuff. He`s just an inspiration, you know. He has got a hell of a fight that he is fighting at the moment. And he really makes you not take life for granted.
HAMMER (on camera): Yes.
FIMMEL: You know what I mean? And just the little things don`t matter. It`s just been amazing to watch him, you know, do the show.
HAMMER: Yes, this guy is fighting a very serious diagnosis and dealing with it and getting treatments. So knowing that, you go and you start working with him. You guys don`t have easy workdays. Were you just amazed by his stamina and his ability to work as hard as he did?
FIMMEL: Yes, definitely. We do a lot of long hours. He was there every morning, worked just as hard as everybody else or harder. And he`s doing his chemo on Saturdays, you know, and coming back to work on Mondays. It`s amazing, absolutely amazing. The guy`s got no quit in him, you know.
HAMMER: Yes.
FIMMEL: He looks at it like a challenge.
HAMMER: And I`ve always gotten that sense of him, separate from battling any disease, that that`s just the kind of guy he is.
FIMMEL: Yes. Yes. He`s just a bit of a cowboy in that way. Yes.
HAMMER: One of the things that has made me just as a bystander, watching pretty angry is the fact that he has had to repeatedly deny all these stories that fly around, rumors about his fight with cancer.
Recently, he had to actually repeatedly deny false reports about the battle saying that he stopped treatment for his cancer. Did you get the sense at all that he gets personally outraged when this stuff is going on?
FIMMEL: Yes, definitely. I was actually in Australia when I heard that. You know, everybody knows I`m working with him. They all say, "So why did he quit the chemo." I`m like, "I hadn`t spoken to him for a week so I knew he wouldn`t have."
But it`s just hard, you know. He`s always looking - with stuff like that, you always look for hope all the time. And people keep diminishing that for him, you know, especially it`s hard on the family and that sort of stuff to hear that stuff.
HAMMER: Yes, and knowing that none of it is true.
FIMMEL: Yes.
HAMMER: And people just like to make up the stories. Did you ever see a time when he was going through the actual chemo treatments he would come in and it would dampen his spirits at all?
FIMMEL: Sometimes. There`s a moment right at the end. It was the last scene in the whole series for the year. And you could tell he was in a bit of pain. He said to me, like, "God, Travis, it is killing me, man. I want to have fun. It`s the last scene," you know. But he gets bad cramps and that sort of stuff. It`s all the side effect from the chemo ...
HAMMER: Sure.
FIMMEL: That did the most, like, visual damage to him, you know.
HAMMER: Well, it`s good that he at least is open about that and not trying to hide the fact that he is not feeling so well.
FIMMEL: Yes. Yes. That was the first time he ever had that, you know. I felt a bit bad. He wanted to enjoy himself at the last scene of the show, and he is going through that. But no, he has never shown a weakness throughout the year.
HAMMER: And I am sure he bounces right back from that ...
FIMMEL: Yes, definitely.
HAMMER: ... when something like that happens. Yes, you know, I met him the one time he was on our show. He just seemed like the kind of guy who - I don`t know - he`s salt of the earth, you know.
FIMMEL: Yes. Yes.
HAMMER: He was a stand-up guy, not all about the showbiz or anything else.
FIMMEL: He`s very stand up, man. He wears his cowboy boots everywhere and he`s got his dogs with him. And yes, he is a great guy. I can`t say enough.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, you can catch Travis alongside Patrick Swayze on "The Beast" which airs Thursdays on A & E. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today Patrick Swayze has written a letter to Congress asking for an increase in funding for cancer research.
And in the letter, Patrick told lawmakers, quote, "My hope is that someday the word `a cure` won`t be followed by the words `is impossible.`"
Well, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines won`t stop ringing with people calling in about Chris Brown`s alleged assault. Sources close to the couple say the victim was Rihanna.
Now, we got a call I want to play to you into "Showbiz on Call" from Anita in Ohio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANITA, CALLER FROM OHIO: I don`t think it is appropriate for men, women, or any human being to put their hands on any other human being. I don`t think it`s justifiable for women to get away with it, nor do I think it is justifiable for men to get away with it.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Anita. Well said. We also heard from Ronald calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Florida.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RONALD, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I was shocked and angered to hear what happened between Chris Brown and Rihanna this weekend. I don`t know that I will ever listen to Chris Brown`s music again. My heart goes out to Rihanna and I would look to let her know one of her fans has her back.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, thank you, Ronald. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call," and let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all of the time. Use the number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. That way you can leave us a voicemail so we can play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online on our homepage which is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
As you heard people`s hearts really going out to Rihanna right now. And coming up, we`re going to look into what is perhaps the most mysterious part of this incident - how it is all affecting Rihanna? There`s news of canceled concerts, her birthday party called off.
Coming up, I will have more dramatic details about how Brown`s arrest is affecting Rihanna.
We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: If you`re a fan of Major League baseball - I think it tarnishes an entire era.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, A-Rod outrage. Coming up, why even President Barack Obama is furious that Alex Rodriguez did steroids.
Plus there is brand-new outrage over the octuplet mom. Wait until you hear what her own mother is saying about her decision to have eight more babies, adding of course to the six that she already has at home.
And we`re getting our first look inside the octuplet mom`s house. You won`t believe your eyes. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: NBC green-lights self-help show starring Tony Robbins. Nick Cannon to replace Jerry Springer as host of "America`s Got Talent.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(CAPTION READS: Steven Spielberg`s Dreamworks Studios partners with Disney. Fans launch petition to retire The Joker from future "Batman" films. Web site says Heath Ledger`s performance will never be outdone.)
HAMMER: And we`ll have more stories from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" in just a moment. But first, welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with some more stories that are new right now.
Michael Phelps may be losing some endorsements because of his pot scandal. But there is one company that finds him even more attractive now. This is wild.
Gurkha Cigars has reportedly offered Phelps a whopping $25,000 to be their official "smokesperson." Now, TMZ reports the company sent a letter to Phelps saying, quote, "We would like to provide you with the opportunity to do what you do best, smoke and swim. And while we can`t help you with your swimming skills, we can definitely offer you the best of the best when it comes to the cigar world." And there you go, some free advertising.
All right, it`s a brand-new strike in one of the strangest celebrity feuds ever. Hillary duff versus Faye Dunaway. Here`s the skinny on this. Duff, of course, is starring in a remake of "Bonnie and Clyde," a movie that Faye Dunaway was in originally. And Dunaway allegedly said, "Couldn`t they at least cast a real actress?"
Duff then lashed out at Dunaway, saying, quote, "I might be mad if I look like that now, too." Well, Hillary Duff talked about the war of words again today on "The Bonnie Hunt Show." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY DUFF, ACTRESS: She started acting way later than I did, you know. So I think I have time to grow, and I grow with each project and I`m learning and still work hard at my craft. And I don`t know. I said something mean back. But I just - you know, it`s not OK for people to take stabs at you and say mean things for no reason.
BONNIE HUNT, HOST, "THE BONNIE HUNT SHOW": You know, sometimes if you have a knee-jerk reaction, you`re just defending yourself - you are only human.
DUFF: Right.
HUNT: It`s OK.
DUFF: So I kind of said, "None of my fans even knew who she was." I couldn`t help it. I`m sorry.
HUNT: Well, it`s a different generation and maybe many of her fans don`t know who - I`ll say who we are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Reality there. Faye Dunaway was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 1967 film, "Bonnie and Clyde." And I guess, we`re just going to have to wait and see how Hillary Duff`s version goes over.
And now, the showbiz lineup here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Brand-new outrage over the octuplet mom. Tonight, the first look inside her house. Plus, why her own mother is even criticizing her.
John Mayer`s birthday present to Jennifer Aniston. So what do you get for the woman who has everything anyway?
And how the Chris Brown drama is actually affecting Rihanna. Where is she? And how is she doing?
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(Barbie turns 50, will participate in New York`s fashion week. Live Barbie models will showcase fashions from 50 top designers. "One Life to Live" actor Phil Carey dies at age 83.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - brand-new octu-mom outrage. Tonight, the octuplet mom`s mom speaks out against her own daughter. The unbelievable first pictures inside the octuplet mom`s home.
Plus, the overwhelming surprising response to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Should the octu-mom cash in on her babies?"
Brand-new developments in the alleged assault on superstar singer Rihanna by boyfriend Chris Brown. Tonight, how is she doing? Where is she? And the dramatic effect this is already having on her day-to-day life.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
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.
Tonight, octu-mom outrage. There is brand-new outrage over the octuplet mom after the unemployed mother of 14 children started speaking out and defending her choice to have so many kids. It is another dramatic turn in this amazing story.
And we have your very first look inside the octuplet mom`s home. I can tell you, you won`t believe your eyes when you see these pictures.
And wait until you hear what the octuplet mom`s own mother has to say about all of this. Yes, her own mother in an on-camera interview we will show you is slamming her daughter for having eight more babies. Could this thing get any stranger?
And we are taking your calls into the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines and revealing the shocking results to our poll asking if you would pay to hear more of the octuplet mom`s story.
Joining me tonight in New York is Carolina Bermudez who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly." Also in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell who`s the host of "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell," seen, of course, weekday nights, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on HLN."
So when the news first broke about a woman giving birth to octuplets in California, you know, everybody and myself, included, was saying, "Wow. Amazing story. How wonderful. It`s a miracle - beautiful."
And then, as we learn more about this woman who gave birth, it turns out she is a 33-year-old single, unemployed woman, already has six kids. Well, that joy at that time was quickly replaced by some outrage. Jane, why are people so fired-up about this?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": They`re outraged for many reasons, A.J. I, for example, as an environmentalist - I`m outraged because she is a big resource hog. We have an overpopulation crisis in this world, thousands of kids dying every single day from starvation and malnutrition.
So having 14 kids isn`t just a personal choice anymore the way she claims it is. There is also the tax dollars. She says, "I am not taking welfare." Reporters started digging. It turns out she is reportedly getting almost $500 a month in food stamps for her and her brood.
Three of the six kids she had before she had the eight are also getting disabilities payments and it`s going to cost up to $3 million for the hospital between the delivery and taking care of kids after birth.
The hospital wants MediCal, which is California`s health program, to pay for it. So she is definitely getting public assistance.
HAMMER: Yes. And she is also getting private assistance from her own mom who`s helping raise those first six kids. So you would kind of think that mom would be right there hanging out on top of the situation all about the eight new kids.
But in an interview with "Radar Online," even her mother Angela says it was wrong for her to get in vitro and have these octuplets. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA SULEMAN, MOTHER OF NADYA SULEMAN: To have them all is unconscionable to me. She really, really has no idea what she is doing to her children, and to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Carolina, what do you think? Should we be worried about these kids? The grand mother has had it. The octuplet mother`s life appears less than ideal, I would say, for raising a whole lot of kids. It`s not good.
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Right. It isn`t good. And of course, we should be concerned, as should the grandmother. Because, you know, we hear all of the talk about how she wants to have a career. She`s going to school. She`s going to get her degree.
But while she is pursuing that, who is going to take care of these children? Especially with three of them being disabled. It is irresponsible. And whoever the doctor was that took care of her, it`s unethical for them to have allowed this to happen.
HAMMER: Yes. It has raised a lot of questions about ethics. And then, we have these photos that were obtained by "RadarOnline.com" inside Nadya Suleman`s parent`s house.
Now, you`re looking at just a three-bedroom house. You`ve got six kids now. Then when babies come home, we`re talking 14 kids in this house.
Now, Jane, I don`t know what your situation was growing up. I had one sister and we had to fight over the bathroom that we shared. Will these pictures just add to the outrage?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Clearly, it is a mess already. It can`t handle the six kids that they already have. And they`re going to add all these other eight kids on to it. In fact, on our show, "Issues," a psychiatrist actually called for the Department of Children and Family Services to step in and see if this amounts to child abuse.
And of course, if the children are pulled out, that would truly be a Shakespearean tragedy. This woman has very deep narcissistic reasons for having all these kids. That should be worked out on a therapist`s couch, not on a cold metal table if you know what I mean.
HAMMER: Yes. I want to ask you more about that, Jane, that plays right into the fact that, you know, we have been overwhelmed by calls coming into "Showbiz on Call" about the octuplet mom. And you need to listen to what Rochelle from Minnesota has to say about this. Roll that one.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ROCHELLE, CALLER FROM MINNESOTA: She is a single parent. Why does anybody think that it is possible for her to take care of 14 children? And her parents shouldn`t have to be put under that pressure to have to deal with it. Somebody needs to remove some of those children and put them in a safe environment.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Rochelle, thanks for your call. Jane, back to what you were saying. I mean, take the kids away - is that perhaps pushing it a bit too far?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think we have to look. The devil is in the detail here. What are the disabilities of those three kids that she already had before she had the eight are experiencing? If those disabilities are severe, maybe she needs the kind of help that she can`t and her mother cannot give.
You could - you hear that the grandmother is already had it up to here. And the other kids haven`t even arrived yet. So this is a very sick situation.
And my analysis is that this is in some way - this octu-mom trying to get back at her own mother for her perceived slights because she has complained that she couldn`t have siblings. She was an only child.
HAMMER: Right.
BERMUDEZ: Right.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And so they`re working out the psycho drama. And unfortunately, these kids are going to suffer in the process.
HAMMER: Yes. And they have a long road ahead. This is not something that they will suffer with because of the crowds in the home. This is with them for their whole life one way or another.
As we mentioned, the "Today" show`s Ann Curry got the first interview with Nadya Suleman in a "Dateline" special that aired just tonight. You have to listen to what the octuplet mom told Ann Curry as she answered one of really - one of the burning questions so many people have had, "Why have such a large family?" And this is what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOM: That was always a dream of mine to have a large family, a huge family. And I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked, I believe, growing up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, as Jane summarized for us. So Carolina, people watching or seeing this on television tonight - what do you think? Did she, in any way, win some people over, maybe get a little sympathy? Or did she just make it worse for herself?
BERMUDEZ: I think it is just making it worse. You know, you can`t sympathize with somebody who makes the decision to keep eight children. She had a choice there where she could have said, "You know what? I`m going to go with two. If I want to have more, I am going to go with four."
She decided to go with eight more children. She can barely take care of the six that she has now. And this has become a problem for everyone now. California is in a state of crisis.
Now, you know, we look at this. And there are 14 more kids they`re going to have to cake care of. Somebody should have given her a psychological evaluation before she had those embryos implanted.
HAMMER: Well, the mother did her first interview with NBC for free. But you know, a lot of speculation was floating around about her selling her story. This is what we asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day, on air and online - "Octuplet Mom: Would you pay to hear more of her story?"
This is unbelievable - 99 percent said no; only one percent said yes. That is as lopsided as it gets.
Jane, why do you think that is? No interest or no interest in giving her their hard-earned money? And I`ve got about 20 seconds for you here.
VELEZ-MITCHELL People are irritated because she is so unrealistic. Her head is in the clouds. And I actually blame Hollywood. Movies like "Cheaper by the Dozen" send the wrong message out there and encourage this kind of crazy belief system.
HAMMER: It is unbelievable. And we`ll have to wait and see now what actually happens. Will she write a book? Will they print it? And will people actually go out and buy it? But this story is far from over.
Jane Velez-Mitchell, Carolina Bermudez, thank you for joining us.
And remember, you`ve got to keep calling us at "Showbiz on Call" so you can let us know what you think about the octuplet mom or really anything else on your mind.
That`s why the "showbiz on call" phone lines are always open - 1-888- SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Another big scandal that has got everybody fired up, of course. New York Yankees` star Alex Rodriguez admitting that he used steroids. And tonight, even President Obama is outraged.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: If you are a fan of Major League baseball, I think it tarnishes an entire era.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. You know A-Rod is such a big star, a hero to so many kids, looking up to him all the time. I think that obviously is why this touched off so much anger. But can A-Rod ever recover? We will get into that, next.
Also, I`ve got the latest on the alleged assault on Rihanna by boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. So how is Rihanna doing? Where the heck is she? And the startling ways this incident is already affecting her career.
And John Mayer has got a really special birthday gift for his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston. I`m thinking it better be good. It`s Jennifer`s 40th birthday. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: TMZ: Britney Spears hires two lawyers to defend her in lawsuit filed by former manager Sam Lutfi. Nearly 37 million Americans watched President Obama`s first White House news conference on TV.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC VIDEO OF RIHANNA`S HIT SONG, "REHAB")
HAMMER: Rihanna riding high with her hit song "Rehab." But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the dramatic impact Chris Brown`s arrest is having on Rihanna.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Rihanna`s stunning reaction to her boyfriend Chris Brown`s arrest. First, Rihanna pulled out of the Grammy Awards after the alleged assault on her involving Brown.
And now SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Tonight, the shocking impact this scandal is having on Rihanna`s life.
Also, tonight, hero no more. Alex Rodriguez - A-Rod struggles to hold on to his superstar status after a surprising steroid admission. Fans everywhere are totally furious. And tonight, that now includes the first fan in-chief, President Obama.
With me here in New York is Ashleigh Banfield who is an anchor with Legal Network "In Session." And in Hollywood tonight, Russell Wetanson, who is a pop culture and legal expert.
And let`s begin with the brand-new fallout from the arrest of pop superstar Chris Brown for allegedly attacking a woman who sources close to the couple say was his girlfriend, Rihanna.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the scandal is already having a dramatic impact on Rihanna`s life. Take a look at this. She cancels her performance at the Grammies just hours before she was all set to take the stage on Sunday night.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned Rihanna has also postponed a major concert in Malaysia. And there are reports Rihanna has canceled her huge 21st birthday party. Ashleigh, is Rihanna`s red-hot career simply going to be on hold until this whole thing gets settled?
BANFIELD: Probably by design of her own. Certainly, she will not have troubles with her career if she ends up being the victim of a crime. It`s usually the perpetrator who suffers in this respect. But I think staying low and under the radar at this point is probably a very good idea, especially if she has facial injuries because those pictures never lie.
HAMMER: And she has always been very good with sort of controlling what goes on around her. I had the opportunity to spend some time with her when her career was first beginning. And from that very moment, I saw this was a woman who not only took the advice of others but she had a very clear focus and idea how to handle things when things got a little out of control.
So while she might be out of sight, Kanye West, who toured with her, tells Ryan Seacrest on his radio show, "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest," that he is devastated by these allegations. Listen to what Kanye said.
WEST: She has potential to be, you know, the greatest artist of all time. And you know, in that sense, I feel like that is my baby sis and I would do any and everything to help her in any situation.
So, anything that I heard, you know I don`t want to speak too much on it. But I was completely devastated by the concept of what I heard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Russell, are you like me? Do you think Kanye is really saying what a lot of Rihanna`s friends and fans are feeling right now? They`re just devastated and worried about her future right now.
RUSSELL WETANSON, POP CULTURE AND LEGAL EXPERT: One hundred percent, A.J. I think devastation is the real keyword here. A lot of people are very worried about Rihanna and want to make sure she is OK.
And this is an artist that we have seen grow over the past few years. And her fans are definitely outpouring a lot of love in her direction. And we will remain devastated until we know more. And everyone, of course, hopes she`s OK.
HAMMER: Yes. And worth repeating that Rihanna has not officially been identified as the woman allegedly attacked by Chris Brown. But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the National Organization for Women is saying that the incident calls attention to violence against women.
Now, obviously that is very - an important message and something to consider. But Ashleigh, is it way too soon to be attaching her name to this cause?
BANFIELD: Well, I think officially, yes. Look, all sources point to her. But look, the National Organization for Women has a point here whether it is Rihanna or someone else. There is a celebrity involved with something really awful.
HAMMER: Yes.
BANFIELD: And this is a good opportunity to point out that this stuff happens and it shouldn`t whether it is Rihanna or not.
HAMMER: And we`ve got to move on now to another bombshell admission. This by a baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez on ESPN, of course, that he testified positive for steroids back in 2003. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STAR: I was young. I was stupid. I was naive. And I wanted to prove to everyone that, you know, I was worth, you know - being one of the greatest players of all time. And I did take a banned substance. And you know, for that, I`m very sorry and deeply regretful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, I`ve got to point out, A-Rod, of course, is not just a sports icon but a hero to so many people including young kids.
What do you think, Russell? Will his confession and apology be enough to stop the outrage?
WETANSON: This is a situation where a lot of Americans are really concerned about this. This has touched a chord and reached a level where people seem to be getting more and more outraged.
A simple apology may not work in this situation. Instead, I think we`re going to have to see a little more outreach from A-Rod, a little more explanation and see him going out and doing some acts that show that he is really remorseful and make some good on this.
HAMMER: Yes. No question about that. Well, the outrage over this whole A-Rod steroids scandal has even reached the White House. At his very first press conference, President Obama actually said he was totally depressed by A-Rod`s actions. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: If you are a fan of Major League baseball, I think it tarnishes an entire era to some degree. The thing I am probably most concerned about is the message that it sends to our kids.
What I`m pleased about is Major League baseball seems to finally be taking this seriously to recognize how big of a problem this is for the sport, and that our kids hopefully are watching and saying, "You know what? There are no shortcuts."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And I hope are really paying attention. It`s so well-said. Ashleigh, doesn`t it just show the kind of impact that the whole A-Rod drug scandal is having, even President Obama totally outraged by A-Rod?
BANFIELD: No, I was absolutely stunned. Because the question actually came from the "Washington Post." And when there were only 13 questions in the first presidential news conference at a time when we are in two wars and we have a congressional battle over the stimulus package, a question about A-Rod using steroids in 2003 is shocking.
HAMMER: But certainly well-handled by President Obama. Russell, don`t you agree? You know, maybe, perhaps it is going to only help sort of send the right message to all these kids who, for lack of a better term, worshipped Alex Rodriguez?
WETANSON: That`s right and that is what is great about President Obama saying something about it, because here is a guy who doesn`t take shortcuts in his on life. And he wants to make sure that people aren`t taking shortcuts who are heroes. But I`m not that surprised. And remember, he does have the magical Blackberry. Of course, he knows what`s going on in the world and is ready to comment about everything.
HAMMER: Thank goodness for the magical high-tech super-secure Blackberry. He was instantly in touch with the entire A-Rod scandal situation.
Ashleigh Banfield, Russell Wetanson, I do thank you tonight.
We`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It is this - "Chris Brown`s Alleged Attack: Can his career survive the scandal?" You can continue to vote by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. If you have more to say, well, by all means, E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. John Mayer has got a big birthday surprise for his girlfriend who happens to be Jennifer Aniston. Tonight, I have got the brand-new details about all of this. You know it`s got to be good because Jennifer is turning the big 4-0. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "U.S. WEEKLY": Katherine Heigl, T.R. Knight leaving "Grey`s Anatomy." Billy Joel and Elton John will play Chicago`s Wrigley Field together on July 21st.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And here are some more stories that are new right now.
Tonight, Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus is apologizing again for a controversial, racially insensitive photo. Now, Miley got slammed when a photo surfaced of her and friends pulling at their eyes and squinting. The photo ticked off Asian-American rights groups.
So Miley then wrote on her Web site that, you know, she was making a goofy face and in no way was not making fun of any ethnicity.
Well, half-hearted apology didn`t cut it for some. So now, Miley is flat-out saying she is sorry. On her Web site, Miley writes, quote, "I really wanted to stress how sorry I am if the photo of me with my friends offended anyone. I have learned a valuable lesson from this and know that sometimes my actions can be unintentionally hurtful."
And tonight, I can tell you that John Mayer has a big surprise for his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston. Now, Jennifer turns 40 on Wednesday. And "People" magazine is reporting that Mayer wrote her a special song for the big day. No word yet on when and where he`s going to perform it, though.
HAMMER: As I told you earlier, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Octuplet Mom: Would you pay to hear more of her story?" Get this - I don`t think we`ve ever had such a lopsided result. Only one percent of you said yes; 99 percent of you say no.
Here`s more of your fired-up calls that we got on the "Showbiz on Call," one from Charles in New York who thinks the octuplet mom should cash in on all this but she shouldn`t keep the cash.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CHARLES, CALLER FROM NEW YORK: I think it`s great that she`s making a book deal or going to cash in on this. Then maybe she can pay back the - for the welfare and the food stamps that she`s been collecting all these years and the taxpayers will get a break.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, thanks, Charles. Not a bad idea. Here`s Lucy calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Florida.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LUCY, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: Why doesn`t she give some of them to adoption? There are so many parents who don`t have children and it would be a great offer to society by her maybe giving some of the children that she just had for adoption. And I think she would be seen in a better light.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Lucy. And we thank you for your call as well.
Now, keep in mind, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open. Give us a ring at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Do it right now. Leave us a message. That way we can play your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Keep in mind you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. We`re also on in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
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