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Showbiz Tonight
The Octo-Mom`s Publicist Opens Up About Death Threats; Octo-Mom Says She is Not a Celebrity; Rihanna`s Career in Jeopardy?; Bristol Palin Speaks
Aired February 17, 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, CO-HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - explosive, brand-new octo- mom outrage. Tonight, startling new details about the death threats against the octoplet mom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOANN KILLEEN, NADYA SULEMAN`S PUBLICIST: They said to me my client`s uterus should be ripped out. She should be put on an island.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, for the very first time, the octo-mom speaks out. Is she really going to do a reality show? And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask the controversial question - do you think the octoplet mom is trying to be a celebrity?
Is Rihanna`s future ruined? Her music, her endorsements. Will her career become a victim of the alleged attack on her by Chris Brown? And does she really owe it to the public to be the new face in the fight against domestic violence?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with a tough new question in the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama.
Plus, Bristol Palin`s very first interview since giving birth. But is Sarah Palin`s daughter glamorizing teen pregnancy?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
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. And tonight an octo-mom reality check.
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. Tonight, for the very first time the octoplet mother is revealing whether she might do a reality show with her eight babies and the six she had before.
And as we have been saying over and over again as we have been bringing to the breaking developments in this bizarre story - wait! There is more. And tonight, that includes the very first interview with the octo-mom`s former publicist who quit because of death threats.
And what she is revealing about some of the threats is absolutely chilling. Make no mistake about it, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that without a doubt, this is all making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): She is on the cover of countless magazines. She is constantly talked about on TV.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why would you do this?
HAMMER: And she has become one of the most discussed and controversial women in America.
LAURA SCHREFFLER, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": People are fascinated by Nadya.
HAMMER: No doubt about it. So-called octo-mom, Nadya Suleman, is the biggest celebrity going right now. Just don`t tell her that.
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOM: I don`t like celebrities, thank you.
HAMMER: For the first time since she gave birth to octoplets adding to the six kids she already has, Suleman is responding to her new-found celebrity by denying it in this TMZ video.
SULEMAN: I am not a celebrity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are a celebrity.
SULEMAN: I`m not.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re absolutely a celebrity. You`ve got paparazzi around you.
HAMMER: Sorry, Nadya. But with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy.
JEFF FOXWORTHY, STAND-UP COMEDIAN: If you refer to the fifth grade as "my senior year," you might be a redneck.
HAMMER: Nadya, you might be a celebrity if you`re hounded by paparazzi wherever you go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can your other kids count to 14?
SULEMAN: Everybody can count to 14. Even my 2-year-old.
HAMMER: If "Dateline" NBC devotes a whole hour to an interview with you -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How did an only child end up with 14 children?
SULEMAN: That was always a dream of mine - to have a large family.
HAMMER: You might be a celebrity. And Nadya, you are definitely a celebrity if two of the biggest celebrities in the world have you answer questions about you, as we see in this TMZ video of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in L.A. the other night.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, you guys in competition with octo-mom?
BRAD PITT, ACTOR: Yes, sure we are.
HAMMER: It`s only natural for the paparazzi to ask about Brangelina about the octo-mom since tabloids are buzzing about an Angelina Jolie-Nadya connection.
SCHREFFLER: Reports are saying Nadya wants to look like Angelina, that she loves Angelina and that she`s written to Angelina.
HAMMER: But in her parking lot paparazzi press conference, Suleman denies being an Angelina clone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you a big fan of Angelina?
SULEMAN: No. I`m actually not a fan of anybody. Drives me nuts. I don`t put people on pedestals.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": What about the stories that she is obsessed with Angelina Jolie, even had work done on her face to look like her?
HAMMER: On "LARRY KING LIVE" last night, Suleman`s publicist also knocked down rumors of a Jolie connection.
KILLEEN: She has said to me she has not had plastic surgery of any kind. And so I have to believe to believe what my client tells me if it`s actually correct.
HAMMER: Something else the octo-mom is denying - reports that she is shopping around a reality show.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you thinking of starting a reality show ...
SULEMAN: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... when your kids are all, like, grown up?
SULEMAN: No, I think that is exploitation of my kids.
HAMMER: Some are skeptical about her reality show reluctance.
SCHREFFER: It is totally conceivable that she would have her own reality show because these days, who doesn`t have their own reality show? Verne Troyer had a reality show.
HAMMER: And if Mini-Me can have a reality show, you think Suleman and her 14 Mini-Mes would be a shoo-in.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Whoever is sitting nicely I will dress first.
HAMMER: There is already a hit reality show about a big family, "Jon & Kate plus Eight." And the president of the network that airs it, TLC, said last week they might be interested in Suleman for a possible show of her own down the road.
And even if Suleman says she isn`t interested in being a TV star now, some feel that could change for the unemployed single mother of 14.
SCHREFFER: She collects $490 a week in food stamps. Right now, she`s got 14 mouths to feed as well as herself. So it would be a completely plausible idea for her to do a reality show. Financially, she definitely needs the help.
SULEMAN: I am not a celebrity!
HAMMER: But right now, the self-styled non-celebrity wants to be left alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are you coping with having to go out and get eight cribs?
SULEMAN: Well, I want to go out and get eight cribs on my own without people following me.
HAMMER: Sorry, Nadya, but as any celebrity will tell you, being followed by the paparazzi is part of the celebrity job description.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Whether or not she calls herself a celebrity, the octo-mom is the most famous mom in America right now. So would she really turn down a shot at reality show fame? And can we really put to rest reports of an Angelina Jolie obsession once and for all?
Joining me tonight in New York is Lisa Bloom, who is an anchor for the Legal Network`s "In Session." It`s also Jane Velez-Mitchell, who is the host of "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell," seen weekday nights, 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
All right. So let`s start off with this whole octo-reality show speculation that`s been going on. Let`s listen to what octoplet mom, Nadya Suleman told TMZ cameras. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you thinking of starting a reality show ...
SULEMAN: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... when your kids are all, like, grown up?
SULEMAN: No, I think that is exploitation of my kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She says no, no. Sounds like a flat-out no to me. Lisa Bloom, what do you think? Has she totally boxed herself in with that answer? And perhaps more importantly, do you believe her?
LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": It`s not very convincing to deny that she wants a reality show or to deny she wants to be a celebrity when she hired a publicist, when she did a "Dateline" one-hour special and when she sat for a long interview with Ann Curry.
I mean, it`s one or the other, "I don`t want to be on TV. I don`t want anybody following me around. Or I do." I think, clearly, she does. She needs money for those kids.
Look, I`m in favor if somebody wants to give her some money, and it`s going to help with those kids. You know, frankly I am al for it, because there is no way she can support 14 kids under the age of seven as it stands.
HAMMER: And somebody should probably tell that just pulling a hood over her head once when they`re already shooting her isn`t going to make us not be able to tell that it`s her.
All right. Now, I have this crazy idea. And Jane, I`m going to go to you. Tell me if I am wrong and perhaps wasting my time and resources, but should I hold on to this video of her saying no so I can play it again, oh, I don`t know maybe in a year from now to see if her comments still match with reality, so to speak?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Here is my prediction - that will be the opening sequence in the new reality show, TMZ chasing her down the block and asking her that question. And then she can come out and say, "Never mind. Here I am."
This woman has absolutely no respect for the truth. She has lied about the welfare. She`s lied about Angelina Jolie. We have caught her in numerous inconsistencies. And she just kind of shrugs and says, "Well, I have another explanation."
And that is really her pattern. Anything that pops into her brain is suddenly reality so she can say that. And then, if we catch her in a lie she`ll come up with something else to say. The truth is irrelevant to this woman. All she wants to do is whatever she wants to do at the moment.
HAMMER: Well, a lot of people are saying that Nadya Suleman has gone well past her limits of her 15 minutes of fame. However, the mother of 14 insists she is not trying to be a celebrity. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are a celebrity.
SULEMAN: I`m not.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re absolutely a celebrity. You`ve got paparazzi around you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. She`s got the paparazzi following her every move. Everybody wants to know what is going on with her. She`s on TV all the time. Here we are, talking about her.
Lisa, is there any denying that she has become a celebrity? Do you think that was her goal? And she did put herself out there.
BLOOM: She did put herself out there. And I do think that she did it unintentionally. I don`t understand the Carol Channing voice, by the way, that strange scratchy voice that she is putting out there. She clearly wants this. I mean, she`s got an obsession with children, to have 14 children, intentionally, have them surgically implanted. She`s clearly got a problem.
I think she did it intentionally to get a reality show, a book deal, to get freebies. And now, it`s all backfiring, by the way. I don`t know if any of that is going to come to fruition. But I think she is toxic.
HAMMER: Yes. But what a story it has become. And you mentioned the word "obsession," another point that keeps feeding this whole thought that Suleman wants to be a celebrity is her reported obsession with Angelina Jolie.
We`re taking a look again at the side-by-side shot. I mean, I`ve got to say the similarities are just unbelievable here.
Jane, octo-mom says she is not - I repeat - not obsessed with Angelina Jolie. But, come on, are we missing something here? What`s up?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Doth protest too loudly is what comes to mind. Obviously, she is obsessed with her. She wrote to her according to sources for more than a year. Again, this woman appears to be a pathological liar.
But what strikes me about her when I see her walking down the street is how she is loving every second of this. "I`m not a celebrity," but she`s putting up the hoodie just like the celebrities do. And she`s got this diddy quality to her voice. It reminds of the tagline for that fabulous movie "To Die For," "All she ever wanted was a little attention." I think all this woman ever wanted was a little attention. And boy, she is getting it now.
HAMMER: And the big, dark glasses not far behind. Go ahead, Lisa.
BLOOM: And I was going to say she says that the weight gain from the babies is what caused her appearance to change.
HAMMER: Yes, what about that?
BLOOM: I mean, If that is true, if having octoplets makes you look like Angelina Jolie, then sign me up. But I don`t think so. It doesn`t make your nose smaller and it doesn`t make your lips bigger.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And it`s not the real cult of celebrity. If she really wanted to emulate Angelina Jolie, she would have adopted some kids. Angelina Jolie adopted three kids. This is so surface-y. And that`s what is so pathetic about it.
HAMMER: And that is what makes the story something that we just can`t stop talking about. Lisa Bloom, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you both.
And please remember, you can catch my good friend, Jane, week nights on her show "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." You can catch it 7:30 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
Well, now, we`d love to hear from you. It is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Octoplet Mom: Is she trying to be a celebrity?" Let us know what you think at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. Moving on now, Brooke, even though she is the alleged victim here, do you think that there is going to be some serious damage done to Rihanna`s celebrity?
ANDERSON: You know, I think that would be just awful, A.J. But tonight, we are asking, is Rihanna`s future ruined? Her music, her endorsements - will her career become a victim of the alleged attack on her by Chris Brown? And does she really owe it to the public to be the new face in the fight against domestic violence?
HAMMER: Also, Bristol Palin`s first TV interview since giving birth. But tonight, we`ve got to ask, is Sarah Palin`s teenage daughter glamorizing teenage pregnancy? It is a fired-up debate.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): When it comes to examples of people apparently drunk at the mike, our cup runneth over.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: They`re famous and they`ve got nowhere to hide. But are they really drunk? The most outrageous, tipsy moments caught on tape. 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 Tarino Lightbourne, accused in Travolta plot, out of jail on bond. 2,000 items from Michael Jackson`s Neverland Ranch to be auctioned in April. Jackson`s items to be auctioned: famous white glove, throne, three suits of armor)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hey, welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. Now, it`s time for "SHOWBIZ Caught on Tape," tipsy on tape. I bet many of you have had a couple drinks, have said some things you shouldn`t have. Can you say drunk dial. Or done some things that will leave you hiding your face in shame the next day, even worse than the old lamp shade on your head.
But when you are a big-time star or a world leader, you`ve always got to assume cameras will be rolling.
Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice over): Falling asleep at your own press conference is bad. But maybe it`s worse to wake up and slur your speech.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you know, get this -
MOOS: Drunk, cried critics of Japan`s Finance Minister. He says it was just too much cold medicine.
(on camera): When it comes to examples of people apparently drunk at the mike, our cup runneth over.
(voice over): With former Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, you could never be quite sure whether he was soused or just jolly. But sometimes, there`s no denying.
JOE NAMATH, FOOTBALL PLAYER: I want to kiss you. I couldn`t care less about the team struggling.
MOOS: From Joe Namath to Anna Nicole Smith -
ANNA NICOLE SMITH, ACTRESS: And if I ever record an album -
MOOS: She made French President Nicolas Sarkozy seem sober, and maybe he was.
NICOLAS SARKOZY, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE: Qu`est-ce que vous preferez, que je reponde aux questions? Alors.
MOOS: President Sarkozy later explained, "I was not drunk, just out of breath from racing upstairs." There`s something mesmerizing about watching another human being in an altered state.
Take the latest kid sensation, David, after the dentist, his dad taped him as the anesthesia wore off.
DAVID: Is this real life?
MOOS: One viewer admitted to watching this 36 times.
DAVID: I feel funny. Why is this happening to me?
DAVID`S FATHER: It`s OK, bud. It`s just from the medicine, OK?
DAVID: Is this going to be forever?
DAVID`S FATHER: No.
MOOS (on camera): Oh, it`s going to be forever, all right, captured forever on YouTube.
(voice over): But before you say how could his dad exploit the poor kid that way, the poor kid seems thrilled with his fame and expressed his gratitude.
DAVID: Thank you for watching "David After Dentist."
MOOS: But don`t believe every slur you hear.
CRAIG FERGUSON, HOST, "LATE, LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON": There are rumors in this country that President Bush is drinking again.
MOOS: An altered state might just be an altered tape.
GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: I thank the leaders. This morning, when I called him on the phone. We`re strategizing.
MOOS: Cheers!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. By the way, the Japanese Finance Minister has resigned. But A.J., he still denies that he was drunk. By the way, A.J., are there any pictures of you floating around the Internet maybe with a lampshade on your head?
HAMMER: Brooke, I write a check every month so that doesn`t happen.
Moving on now, you know, Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines - they are ringing so much with people calling in about the octo-mom. Our ringer has broken. I`m not kidding.
ANDERSON: You know, A.J., I think our "Showbiz on Call" operators need eight hours to handle them all.
HAMMER: Wow!
ANDERSON: We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Mary Ann in Oregon.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MARY ANN, CALLER FROM OREGON: I just don`t understand how responsible people should be left out in the cold without any assistance when people like this octo-mom is just going out and getting in-vitro so that she can get money in. That`s all it looks like. Her fancy nails. Her fancy hair. Her new face. Her Angelina Jolie wannabe-thing. It`s not fair to those of us who are responsible and choose not to have children that we cannot afford to support.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Mary Ann. We also heard from Ella calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Kentucky.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ELLA, CALLER FROM KENTUCKY: Regardless of what she is doing regarding the babies in her life, as good-hearted Americans, I think we have to help. We have all over the world and we need to help here at home. And God bless her little children.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Ella. Now, check out Lisa calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Arizona.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LISA, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: I feel that all of us are being really too hard on this mother of the octoplets. And I think that we should just back off and leave her alone. Because even though she has so many children, mothers can be extraordinary and so can grandmothers. And I think we need to give them some peace and a chance.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We thank you for that, Lisa. Don`t forget you can call us at "Showbiz on Call." Let us know what you think about this or anything else that is on your mind.
HAMMER: And you know, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. 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 right there on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: A.J., I know we all feel for Rihanna.
HAMMER: In a huge way, Brooke. It is really awful. And what`s really terrible about the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama - people are asking now, could Rihanna`s career be in jeopardy? She, of course, is a super-selling singer, a lot of endorsements.
But will Chris Brown`s alleged attack on her actually hurt her career? Plus, does Rihanna have no choice but to be the new face in the fight against domestic violence? Coming up. Also, brand-new details surrounding the death threats aimed at the octoplet mom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KILLEEN: Well they have said to me that I should be put down like an old dog. I should be paralyzed. My client`s uterus should be ripped out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Wow, that is some frightening stuff. The octo-mom`s former publicist opens up.
HAMMER: For the first time since his bombshell admission that he used steroids, Alex Rodriguez is speaking out. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Ben Affleck goes to Congo and writes essay for "Time" magazine about war there. After 41 years, Sam Donaldson retires from full- time work at ABC News.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories making news right now.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, Michael Phelps is speaking out after dodging a big- time bullet. The South Carolina sheriff has decided not to press charges against the record breaking Olympic swimmer.
Phelps, of course, was caught in a photo smoking from a marijuana bong at a University of South Carolina party. Well, just after the sheriff decided to let this go, Phelps said he has learned from his mistake and wants kids to do the same.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL PHELPS, OLYMPIC SWIMMING CHAMPION: Yes, I realized that I have made a mistake and a bad judgment. And it is something that I need to learn from, I will learn from and have learned from.
And, you know I think from now on, it`s for me to try to get a message across to kids. You know, I know that a lot of people make mistakes. And you know, the best way to learn from them is changing things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Also new right now, for the very first time since his shocking admission that he used steroids, New York Yankees` all star Alex Rodriguez is speaking out. Check out this emotional press conference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER: I knew we weren`t taking Tic Tacs. I knew that it was - potentially could be something that, perhaps, was wrong. But I really didn`t get into the investigation, perhaps, like I would have. I mean, I wouldn`t imagine thinking of doing something like that today, obviously. It`s a different world. It`s a different culture.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: To his credit, A-Rod was very apologetic. And now, I want you to take a look at this. There is nothing wrong with your set. I think the silence is pretty revealing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RODRIGUEZ: And to my teammates - thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: There you have it. One of baseball`s greats. Alex Rodriguez, almost breaking down. A-Rod maintains he only used the performance- enhancing drugs until 2003.
HAMMER: And now the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You will not want to miss it.
Brand-new, frightening details about the death threats against the octoplet mom. For the first time, her former publicist is speaking out.
Is Rihanna`s career in jeopardy? She`s a top-selling artist, of course. She`s got all these endorsements. But will Chris Brown`s alleged attack on her hurt her career?
And Bristol Palin`s first TV interview since giving birth. Is Sarah Palin`s teenage daughter glamorizing teenage pregnancy? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
ANDERSON: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "Heroes" stars Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia break up in real life.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KILLEEN: Well they said to me that I should be put down like an old dog. I should be paralyzed. My client`s uterus should be ripped out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new, explosive details about the death threats against the octoplet mom. Her publicist speaks out with the disturbing new information and brand-new octoplet mom outrage.
The Rihanna drama. Tonight, brand-new disturbing questions. Will Rihanna`s image and endorsement deals suffer after the alleged attack on her by boyfriend Chris Brown? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the heated debate.
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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And tonight brand new developments about the terrifying death threats against octo-mom and her publicist.
HAMMER: Brooke, this is crazy. Tonight octo-mom outrage. Just wait until you hear the harrowing, really startling new details about the death threats octo-mom and her publicist have been receiving. These threats were so horrendous that octo-mom`s publicist had to quit. How scary is that?
Now, for the very first time, Octo-mom is speaking out about doing a reality show with her 14 children. So will she do it to support the kids? Plus, we`ve got your fired-up calls into the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines.
Also new tonight, Sarah Palin`s teenage daughter, Bristol, giving her very first TV interview since becoming a teen mom. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is Bristol Palin glamorizing teen pregnancy?
Joining me tonight in New York, Lisa Bloom, who is an anchor for the Legal Network`s "In Session." And from Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
So let us begin with octo-mom Nadya Suleman`s publicist. Her name is Joann Killeen. And let`s start with her describing to CNN`s Larry King just how vicious these death threats had become after she began representing Suleman. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KILLEEN: Well they have said to me that I should be put down like an old dog. I should be paralyzed. My client`s uterus should be ripped out. She should be put on an island.
I mean, Larry, I don`t know what happened with America, but they are really, really angry and letting me know what they think about this issue.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Do you take special security precautions?
KILLEEN: Yes, I do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I just think that is reprehensible. Lisa, off to you first. Why do you think the outrage is so severe that even the octo-mom`s publicist is getting these death threats?
BLOOM: Yes. This is really sick. A lot of us are outraged about octo- mom, and I am one of them. But we can disagree without being disagreeable.
And how dare anyone go after people like this, accuse them of things and be hateful and threaten violence or even death or something. This is completely out of the question, and unwarranted and disgusting. And I hope it stops immediately. Really, it`s just awful to think this is going on.
HAMMER: And hope it is not a reflection of America, as a larger issue, because it`s really sad. And I`m not stretching the truth at all when I tell you the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have gone into labor over this octo-mom story.
I have got to play for you, a young woman, Lakeisha calling in from Florida. Listen to what she had to say about why she thinks people are so outraged.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LAKEISHA, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I think what is most upsetting about the octoplet mom is not the fact that she`s had so many kids, because there are many people who have a lot of kids, but because she has chosen to use her money in a way of surgeries and having all of these babies instead of using it towards the babies.
I think that`s why people are most upset about hearing this. She is on food stamps and receiving social security benefits, because that stuff is for people who are struggling.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Lakeisha, I appreciate that. And I`ve to tell you, I think Lakeisha has it exactly right over why so many people are outraged.
But Tanika, to you, how do you go from that to threatening someone`s life? It is so far over the line to me that the people making the threats can`t even see the line?
TANIKA RAY, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes, you are right. And I think it`s just the economic situation that this country is in. People are mad. They`re losing their benefits. It`s like one more thing we, in California, have to spend our money on is this selfish woman`s children.
And that`s what it comes down to me. You know, for me, she made over $100,000 with some lawsuit. And instead of spending it on the six kids that she had, she had plastic surgery and she paid for in-vitro. It makes no sense.
It is selfish. It is irresponsible. And that`s why people are so upset. Why are people answering with violence? Well, I think this country, for a while now, has known that you take care of problems with violence. I think that`s been happening for the last eight years with the past president and his organization.
Unfortunately, it has seeped down into the consciousness of this country. And it is not going to swing in the other way until we get it, that violence is not the way. But that definitely is a big point to bring up.
HAMMER: Nothing right about it. Let me play another call. It`s Renee calling in from Michigan. She called in to "Showbiz on Call" to express why she is so angry about the story. Here is Renee.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RENEE, CALLER FROM MICHIGAN: She has the mentality of a teenage girl. If having six children doesn`t seem to be enough love, you have wonder. If she is just looking to be loved rather than to give love, it`s like that saying, "It`s not the quantity; it`s the quality."
If she loved them, she would not be cheating them out of the time and money she needs to invest in each child.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, thank you, Renee. And you know, so many of the calls into "Showbiz on Call" basically saying the same thing. People are really worried about the fate of Nadya`s 14 kids.
Lisa, one of my biggest problems with the death threats is, really, they`re deflecting from what is really important here - the babies.
BLOOM: Yes. I mean, the real problem is a little bit more boring. And that is, hey, whatever happened to the idea of not having children until you are able to provide for them, until there are enough adults around who are going to be able to love and support them and give them a bottle in the middle of the night?
I mean, that is all we are asking. And clearly, one person, no matter what income level, cannot take care of 14 children under the age of seven. And when you add in, she doesn`t have a nickel to her name, apparently.
She`s getting food stamps, $1.5 million to the taxpayers just for the hospital bill so far. I mean, it is an outrageous situation. And frankly, I am getting worried about when those babies go home. Is there anybody who can care for them properly?
HAMMER: I want to move on to reports that octo-mom says she doesn`t want to do a reality show even to make the money that she obviously needs. Now, Suleman told TMZ that she has got a good reason to say no to reality TV. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you thinking of starting a reality show ...
SULEMAN: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... when your kids are all, like, grown up?
SULEMAN: No, I think that is exploitation of my kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. If she really feels that way, then for the first time, I can say, bravo, octo-mom. Great decision.
Let us move on to another fascinating baby story that is new right now. Former VP nominee Sarah Palin`s daughter, Bristol Palin, speaking out for the very first time since becoming a mom herself. Watch what happened when Greta Van Susteren asked her if motherhood is what she expected.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST, "ON THE RECORD": Is this what you expected?
BRISTOL PALIN, DAUGHTER OF GOV. SARAH PALIN: I don`t know if it is what I expected, but it is just a lot different.
VAN SUSTEREN: You had no hint of the sort of the demands of being a new mother?
B. PALIN: Well, it`s not just the baby that`s hard. It`s just like I`m not living for myself anymore. It`s like, for another person. So that`s different.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Some people might say that by going on television to talk about being a teen mom, 18-year-old Bristol Palin is somehow glamorizing teen pregnancy.
Lisa, is that how you see it? Or do you think perhaps she is giving teens a well-needed reality check on what it is like to be a teen mom?
BLOOM: Well, I love that she says that abstinence-only education isn`t realistic. I wonder what her first clue was. You know, maybe when she started giving birth, she started to notice that abstinence education - you know, what you call people who do abstinence-only education? Parents.
And that`s what happened to Bristol Palin. I think it is great that she is out there telling everyone, "Hey, don`t do what I did." Even better would be to advocate for contraception in schools, god forbid. You go, Bristol. I`m behind you.
HAMMER: Tanika, you see it that way as well? Are you behind her?
RAY: No, I`m not behind her. I thought it was ridiculous when Sarah Palin was on the road saying, "Yes, my daughter is pregnant. But you know, we`re making sure that she`s going to have the baby," as if that was OK.
I just feel like, she missed something along the way parenting her daughter. Yes, abstinence is not really realistic today. But she also - Bristol also didn`t want to talk about why - how she got pregnant in the first place. Was it the lack of contraception? Was it - and she didn`t want to talk about it. So I think that is very interesting. There`s definitely something amiss here.
HAMMER: Yes. She said abstinence is unrealistic, totally against what Sarah Palin went on the road saying. So Lisa, very quickly, five seconds, do you think that, you know, Sarah and Bristol having a little chat today about that?
BLOOM: Oh, I think probably they are. But Bristol, you stand by your guns because you`re right on this one.
RAY: Long overdue. Long overdue.
HAMMER: Lisa Bloom, Tanika Ray, I thank you both.
BLOOM: Thanks.
RAY: Thanks. Bye.
HAMMER: We`ve been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Octoplet Mom: Is she trying to be a celebrity?" What do you think? Well, let us know at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or you can always E- mail us your thoughts at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. Brooke, it is disturbing but there is a possibility that Rihanna`s career could actually suffer because of the whole incident with Chris Brown.
ANDERSON: Possibly, A.J. Her endorsements, her image could be in jeopardy because of Brown`s alleged attack on her. It doesn`t seem fair. But could it cost her more than whatever personal toll it is taking? We`re looking into it. Coming up.
And we`ll also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANCE ARMSTRONG, TOUR DE FRANCE CHAMPION: I don`t think anybody in this room what sit down for that interview. You are not worth the chair you are sitting on with a statement like that.
HAMMER: Lance Armstrong versus the reporter. Wait until you hear this - Lance chewing out a reporter. You have got to hear why because you won`t believe what this guy said that upset Lance.
ANDERSON: And absolute outrage over something that Facebook is up to that could affect everything you put on there. And wait until you hear how fired-up the ladies of "The View" are over this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Donald Trump`s "entertainment resorts" files Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Sirius XM Radio saved from bankruptcy by last-minute investment deal.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(VIDEO CLIP OF RIHANNA`S COVERGIRL ADVERTISEMENT)
ANDERSON: Rihanna is not only a mega-selling pop star, but she`s also one of the fresh faces of Covergirl cosmetics. But would they really pull the plug because of the alleged attack by her boyfriend Chris Brown?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Rihanna`s new battle - is her career in jeopardy? Rihanna has a squeaky clean image and makes millions, not only selling records, but also from endorsements with companies like Covergirl, Gucci and Verizon.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, could she lose it all if companies lose faith in her good-girl image?
With me now from New York is Aisha Tyler. She`s got a special on Comedy Central called "Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore." And she`s a very outspoken advocate for victims of domestic violence. Also in New York tonight, Marvet Britto, who is a celebrity publicist and founder of the Britto Agency.
All right. Aisha, Marvet, Rihanna has been not only the darling of the music world, but she`s also being considered an advertiser`s dream. Let`s take a look at juts a few of her big-money endorsement deals.
As we`ve mentioned, her biggest deal, Covergirl Cosmetics. Then there`s Venus Razors, Nike, Totes - which featured her song "Umbrella" in their ads.
Now, none of these companies has dropped Rihanna. Covergirl has even issued a statement saying that they don`t share information regarding stars` personal lives but that Rihanna continues to represent the brand.
That said, Marvet, as disturbing as it sounds, do you think the other companies might be skittish to attach themselves to Rihanna because of the alleged attack by Rihanna`s boyfriend Chris Brown?
MARVET BRITTO, FOUNDER, BRITTO AGENCY: I don`t think corporations will shy away from Rihanna. This is a young woman who is epitome of youth, beauty and grace. And remember, she is the alleged victim in this matter.
And, you know domestic abuse is often faced by legions of women in America. These are the same consumers that a lot of the corporations that Rihanna is currently endorsing speaks to.
So it would be the worst PR move for a company to abandon Rihanna during this difficult valley in her life. They would see an enormous backlash from their consumers particularly the women that they actually ...
ANDERSON: Yes.
BRITTO: ... you know, are selling to.
ANDERSON: Yes, exactly. Great point that they`re trying to attract - and like you said, she is the alleged victim here. I agree she does not deserve to be punished. You know, she was chosen for Covergirl and for her many other endorsements, not only because she is a gorgeous girl but she has been such a positive role model.
Aisha, is there any reason to believe that her career as a spokesperson could be in jeopardy in the short term even though as we say she was the alleged victim here?
AISHA TYLER, COMEDIENNE AND ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Yes. I don`t think so. I don`t think so either. I agree with Marvet. I think that the issue may come up for companies that have a target demographic of a very young girl. You know, let`s say girls that are eight to 13 or in their early teens.
They may struggle with how to reconcile stories that, you know, young girls are seeing in the news with the image that the image that they`re presenting for the brand. But again, she is the victim here.
And I think there is an opportunity, A, to stand behind this woman who`s obviously going through a really challenging and difficult time that will help, not only the company appeal to these women who feel some more sympathy towards her. You know, celebrities are people too. They have these personal problems. But also to support her. I mean, to have her feel at least in her public life that she`s got some support, that she`s got some strength and people that people that have partnered with her when things were going well and that they`re not abandoning her.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes.
TYLER: So I think there is also an opportunity for parents to bring these topics up with young girls, about how to see themselves, how to interact with boys. I mean, it seems like a crazy topic to talk about. But it is important that young women respect themselves from an early age. And this is a teaching opportunity, I think.
ANDERSON: Yes, something that does need to be addressed, you are right. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also reveal there really is a growing crusade for Rihanna to become an advocate for women who have been abused.
Here`s what actress Kerry Washington had to say about the Chris Brown- Rihanna incident, "This is a problem that goes from the Congo to Hollywood. When it happens to someone famous, it is a tragedy. But what I hope is that people become less and less afraid to talk about how truly devastating this social illness is."
A lot of people would say this - since Rihanna is a celebrity, she should use her fame to bring attention to domestic violence.
Marvet, does Rihanna owe it to her fans to become an advocate?
BRITTO: I don`t think she owes it to her fans to become an advocate. She owes it to herself to look out for her own health and well-being. If she emerges from this difficult journey in her life and decides she wants to use the platform to be a spokesperson for it, then that should be her choice.
But she shouldn`t be forced into it, you know, just because we think it`s what she should be doing. She was the victim, and we have to remember that.
ANDERSON: Right.
BRITTO: The platform really should be for Chris, not Rihanna.
TYLER: Right. I agree.
ANDERSON: Right. Aisha, quickly, do you think that she should become an advocate or is there too much pressure at this point?
TYLER: Look, I think that - I want to say that I agree with Marvet. And I feel very strongly about this. The person that needs to step up right now and become an advocate and talk about these issues is Chris.
Chris grew up in a home where he was surrounded by domestic abuse. And it is a proven fact that children who grow up in abusive environments become abusive as adults. He needs to step forward and set a new example for men, "What I did was wrong. It is unacceptable." Men who are out there doing it ...
ANDERSON: Right.
TYLER: ... you are wrong and you need to take the steps.
ANDERSON: Yes. We may see that from him in the future. All right. Aisha Tyler, Marvet Britto, we`ll leave it there. Thank you both.
And hey, be sure to check out Aisha`s stand-up comedy special. It`s called, "Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore," airing on Comedy Central, February 21st at 10:00 p.m.
HAMMER: A major deadline today in anticipation of Hollywood`s biggest night. The Oscar ballots were due at 5:00 p.m. today. They were mailed to about 5,800 Academy members three weeks ago.
Oscars awarded this Sunday of course. And there are all kinds of events leading up to the big night. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there at the Oscar luncheon where all the nominees gathered to mingle. And they answered questions from the press.
Robert Downey, Jr. was there. I`ve got to tell you, if he doesn`t win best supporting actor, he can always walk away knowing he gave quite a performance at the podium. I have to show you some of his answers starting with when he was asked if he ever imagined he would get nominated for "Tropic Thunder."
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. ACTOR: Well, it was a shock. I mean, the funny thing is, you know, I was playing a guy, Oscar-crazed weirdo whose every motivation was somehow geared towards accolades. So I thought it was, kind of - what isn`t ironic when you think about me standing up here right now?
Next interrogator. I`m sorry you seem like a nice-enough guy, but I am largely up here to entertain myself until I eat. I`m sorry. It`s really hard work holding up this jacket. Go ahead.
Yes. My personal life is a tortured role, and then I decided I would do the other things. I`m sorry are you online or would you like to ask me a question? OK. I`ll post the answer and then you can Google what I said later. I`m sorry. What was the question?
I`m on a roll now. Can we put these right on me and maybe waterboard me for 10 minutes, too? God, I`m just trying. What I think is endearing about Kirk Lazarus and Lincoln Osiris in "Tropic Thunder" is that there is no way that I could have read the script and said, "It`s Oscar time." I was just hoping I wasn`t, you know, shot at the premiere. Is that the "get lost" smile? I`ve seen it. Fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tune in on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Oscar night for "Hollywood`s Gold Rush," live Sunday, 11:00 p.m. Eastern.
ANDERSON: Straight ahead, Lance Armstrong versus the reporter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMSTRONG: I don`t think anybody in this room would sit down for that interview. You are not worth the chair that you are sitting on with a statement like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why Armstrong went off on a reporter. You are not going to believe what the reporter said to make him so mad. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making stories right now.
(CAPTION READS: Roman Polanski`s sex prosecution trial starts without Polanski`s presence. Rap producer Marion "Suge" Knight injured in fight at Arizona hotel.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Charles. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And tonight, it is Lance Armstrong versus the reporters.
Armstrong is in a war of words with a reporter from London`s "Sunday Times." Reporter Paul Kimmage has not only linked Armstrong with cycle`s doping scandal, even though Armstrong has never failed a drug test, he called Armstrong`s return to cycling a cancer on the sport.
Armstrong obviously took issue with that and confronted the reporter at a press conference after refusing to give him an interview. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMSTRONG: You said, "Folks, the cancer has been in remission for four years, but our cancer has now returned." Meaning me. I am here to fight this disease. And I don`t think anybody in this room would sit down for that interview. You are not worth the chair that you are sitting on with a statement like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Armstrong is getting ready to race in California in the first American event since the seven-time Tour de France winner began his comeback.
HAMMER: All right. Have you heard about this new Facebook controversy? The social networking site has recently changed its terms of services essentially saying that they can use whatever you put on there however they want, even if you delete your account.
Now, obviously, a lot of people are not happy at all about this, including the ladies of "The View," where it was a hot topic today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, HOST, "THE VIEW": What about the teenagers out there whose parents - a parent would never, in their right mind, ever agree to any of this, OK? So there are children on this site, and they`re logging on and they`re throwing all this personal information on. They are left completely unprotected. This is a one-sided contract that they are entering into.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": To me it sounds as though it`s just as dangerous to put your picture out there for Facebook to own it. Because Facebook could be challenged in court and they won`t be able to own it in perpetuity. You`ve got your kid`s picture out there -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, the chief executive of Facebook says the site`s philosophy remains that users own the content, not the company.
ANDERSON: On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Chris Brown`s Apology: Is it enough?" Only 11 percent of you say yes; 89 percent say no.
Here are some of the E-mails we received. Codez from Florida writes, "His apology was a joke. He might as well not have said anything."
Meg says, "Chris Brown`s apology is enough. It should especially be enough for the time being, seeing as how we don`t really know what transpired that night.
HAMMER: Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m octo-A.J. in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
