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Showbiz Tonight
Octomom`s Million-Dollar Deadline; Jennifer Hudson`s Speaks at "Oprah"; Maniston versus Brangelina; What Alec Baldwin Thinks of Sarah Palin
Aired February 27, 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, the octomom`s million- dollar deadline drama. Tonight, did the octuplet mom accept a million- dollar offer to help her kids? Is her ex actually behind it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: This is a person - a mother who really needs to focus on the care and the protection and the health and the safety and the welfare of her children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, brand-new revelations about her alleged plastic surgery. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is a reality show really the best thing for the octomom?
Maniston, versus Brangelina. The brand-new obsession with Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer. Tonight, the secrets of how they make their relationship work. Plus, the controversial question, could Maniston become more popular than Brangelina?
And Jennifer Hudson`s dramatic brand-new interview. What she tells Oprah.
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 tonight from Hollywood. And tonight, the brand-new octomom really show bombshell.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. An absolutely incredible turn of events today in the story everyone is talking about.
Listen to this. The octomom, Nadya Suleman, has turned down a million-dollar offer of help for her and her 14 kids. That`s not even the most bizarre part of the story. Famed celebrity attorney Gloria Allred tells me the real reason behind the octomom`s refusal of the million-dollar deal. Get this, octomom may be holding out for a reality TV deal. This octomom reality show bombshell is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALLRED: We are now concerned about the future of these infants.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the octomom turned down an offer from non-profit group, Angels in Waiting, for 24/7 medical care of her 14 children apparently because she wants to do a reality show.
ALLRED: In those conversations, however, she appeared to be more concerned about capitalizing on her infants, about doing a reality show, than she did about the care of her little babies.
HAMMER: The drama began unfolding a few weeks ago, when Angels in Waiting offered the octomom unlimited medical and psychological care for all her kids.
ALLRED: These infants could suffer serious consequences which could have long-lasting affects for their future.
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that the resulting conversations with the octomom and the founder of Angels in Waiting, Linda West Conforti, were downright disturbing.
ALLRED: Linda tried to explain she definitely would not allow a reality show if Angels in Waiting were taking care of those infants because of the risk of infection, of flu.
HAMMER: But that`s not what Nadya Suleman`s people say. Her spokesperson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "I have been calling Angels in Waiting. And I have not heard back from them. I am not calling Gloria directly; I`m calling Angels in Waiting. We already have an attorney and we`re very happy with them. I`ve been trying to get in touch with Linda directly. There`s no reason for us to go and meet in L.A. in Gloria Allred`s office. She has nothing to do with this. And I can`t understand why she`s trying to get involved."
But Allred said she did hear from Suleman`s people.
ALLRED: She made an appointment. She was to come in on Monday. She didn`t show up. Her agent called with one excuse. And then, she presented another to Angels in Waiting.
HAMMER: As for the reality show, the octomom`s spokesperson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "I can`t make any comment on that. Nothing has been brought to my attention."
Even if the reality show is actually happening, Neil Woulfe, the senior news editor for "Radar Online," tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, people need to keep an open mind.
NEIL WOULFE, SENIOR NEWS EDITOR: We really don`t know what`s going through her mind and what her situation is truly like. And maybe the reality show is - she feels that it`s her best way to make money over a long period of time. And it`s hard to stand in judgment about when you have 14 children.
HAMMER: In spite of the reports of the reality show, the octomom tells "Radar Online" in the latest installment of a series of interviews, that she doesn`t even really think about being a celebrity.
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOTHER: I think that a lot of people - some people really like the attention. They want that and notoriety - and I want none of it.
WOULFE: It`s interesting, too - she said that she doesn`t want the fame. And she doesn`t want the cameras there. And yet, she has agreed to do interviews. So, it`s kind of interesting.
HAMMER: And that`s not all the octomom had to say. She actually reacts to being called octomom. And the best part was her mother`s reaction. Watch this.
N. SULEMAN: I`m not realistic to them? And I`d rather be - so it`s easy for them. And it helps them to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) looking at themselves, I mean, their own, you know, wrongdoings or ineptitude.
ANGELA SULEMAN, MOTHER OF NADYA SULEMAN: It`s psychological.
N. SULEMAN: No, no. It`s not psychological. I think it`s just a fact.
WOULFE: The mother-daughter relationship is always fascinating. I think sometimes things like that - body language - tells more than what they`re actually saying.
HAMMER: But if this octomom reality show becomes reality, this kind of the tug-and-pull with her own mother, can make one more dramatic angle to an already explosive story.
One thing is for sure, if the reality show actually happens, you can bet public outrage is sure to follow.
ALLRED: We`re concerned about three things - babies, babies, babies.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Babies, babies, babies and more babies. And this bombshell - octomom missed the Angels in Waiting deadline. And she may miss another deadline, the babies` scheduled homecoming.
Joining me tonight in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell, who of course is the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." You can see it weekday nights right her, 7:00 p.m. Eastern on HLN. And joining me tonight from Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent with "Extra."
Jane, off to you first. I don`t know about you. But when Gloria said that Nadya turned down this incredible offer of help because she wants to capitalize on her situation by doing a reality show, I`ve got to tell you, I thought my head was going to explode.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": It`s absolutely outrageous, A.J. First of all, we got her on tape saying she doesn`t want a reality show. And she thinks it`s exploitation of her kids. So now, apparently, she is speaking out of both sides of her mouth which she has done over and over again.
It would be exploitation. She would be turning her kids into commodities to take part in a freak show. We all know that reality TV isn`t reality. There are producers there, running around, trying to create confrontation and drama to make it exciting.
So, these kids are not only going to be turned into commodities, but they`re going to lead these phony lives. It`s absolutely exploitation.
HAMMER: Carlos, Jane is fired-up. Do you share the same fired-up feeling?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I completely disagree with Jane. I`m sorry, Jane. I completely - who the heck is Gloria Allred in this situation? What right does she have to put any kind of deadline on anyone? I`m sorry. If anyone who took advantage of (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Actually, Carlos - let me be clear. Let me be clear. I`m going to speak on behalf of Gloria for just a moment, based on what she has told me in the past. She got involved because Angels in Waiting had this great offer out there and they were not responding.
DIAZ: Great -
HAMMER: Suleman`s people were not responding. So she thought she would take the first step to try to get her to respond.
DIAZ: OK. Everyone is -
HAMMER: Go ahead.
DIAZ: Everyone is ripping on the fact that she wants a reality show. And Jane is characterizing reality shows like "Temptation Island" and things like that. Maybe this might actually be a reality show that has a heart and that cares.
And if you`re talking about nonstop care for these kids, that`s what they`re going to get in the reality show. Maybe she`s negotiating a deal - hold on. Hold on, Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Come on, Carlos.
DIAZ: Hold on, Jane. Maybe she`s negotiating a deal where they`ll have nonstop care for years to come on top of that. Money on top of that. So they get the care and she gets the money. Well, do you not want to get paid in this situation?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, good. They`ll be able to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the psychiatrist bills when they grow up and they`re completely neurotic, because they`re (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on camera their whole lives.
(CROSS TALK)
DIAZ: There`s a whole thing called web cams these days, Jane. Kids are on camera every day of their lives, all right. The whole reality thing doesn`t faze kids anymore, OK? Get with this century, Jane. Seriously.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: They`re not property. And they should not be exploited and used as commodities.
DIAZ: I completely agree with you, Jane. If you`re talking about nonstop care, they will get that. The entire nation watch these kids and have an eye on these kids. That`s what the nation wants. They want to make sure these kids grow up, you know, in a good environment.
And she gets money. She doesn`t have a job. She`ll have a way to get money.
HAMMER: And to be clear in all of this, Nadya`s publicist - yes, she has a publicist - Nadya`s publicist told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he`s not aware of any reality show plans to this point.
But Carlos, I have to imagine that Nadya has to have some sort of a plan in mind, or she would not have turned down, what really seems like a perfect offer of help to me.
DIAZ: Right. Exactly. I mean, listen, I watched the entire thing with Dr. Phil. That`s what I`ve seen of her. I`ve seen the interviews. I have not sat down with her so I don`t know her state of mind.
But you would have to imagine that if she`s turning down these amazing offers of nonstop care, there`s got to be a stupendous offer on the table of nonstop care, and possibly housing and possibly millions of dollars on the back end where she can get the care and the money that she needs to support herself and her 14 kids.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know what, Carlos? Happiness is an inside job. It`s not just about the money. What these kids need more than anything else is uncomplicated love from a mother who cares about them, not capitalizing on the kids.
DIAZ: Where does the money come from, Jane? Where does the money come from? Where is she going to get the money?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I don`t think - I think Angels in Waiting was a good idea. She should have taken them up on their offer.
DIAZ: OK. Great. The kids get the care. But how does she bring any money into the family at all - into the household overall?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Don`t you realize this is going to encourage other people to do the same thing? Other people will realize they can make money and they`re going to go out and have multiple births and try to capitalize the same way. It is going to create a horrible industry, Carlos.
DIAZ: You know what? It may, but here`s another way to think of it, that this happens once, OK? And there`s no more market for it. In other words, it happens. It`s on TV. And that`s it.
HAMMER: That`s where I`ve got to end it. We`re going to leave it right there, Carlos. Thank you for chiming in, though. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Carlos Diaz, thanks.
Be sure to catch Jane on her show, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" weekday nights, 7:00 p.m. right here on HLN.
The octo-outrage, just heating up. Coming up, my full explosive interview with Gloria Allred who, of course, is behind the million-dollar offer that the octomom turned down.
Plus, head to our Web site for complete coverage of the octomom drama - CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., moving on, which team are you on? Team Maniston or team Brangelina?
HAMMER: Oh, Brooke. Must I choose? I like all of them.
ANDERSON: yes, I`m not going to choose either. OK. Tonight, it is Maniston, versus Brangelina. Jen and John may now be the hottest Hollywood couple out there. But will they become more popular than Brad and Angie? It`s a fired-up debate.
HAMMER: Jennifer Hudson`s dramatic new interview with Oprah Winfrey. Tonight, it`s her first major interview since the horrific murders of her mother, brother and nephew. How is she dealing with the tragedy? And what Rihanna can learn from Jennifer`s brave comeback.
ANDERSON: And Alec Baldwin on Sarah Palin. Remember, these two appeared on "Saturday Night Live" together. So what does Alec now think of Palin`s presidential chances? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Heart`s Ann and Nancy Wilson to be honored with lifetime songwriting award. Antonio Banderas to star in Woody Allen`s next film, alongside Freida Pinto.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Jennifer Hudson`s brave return to the spotlight. She goes to Oprah Winfrey for her first, big one-on-one, since the tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, Jennifer`s brave return. In her first interview since the tragedy that turned her life upside down, Jennifer Hudson tells Oprah how she is pulling her life together, and getting back to music.
Are there lessons to be learned from Jennifer`s road back to the spotlight for Rihanna who`s been through her own personal struggle?
Joining me tonight in New York, Carolina Bermudez, senior editor of "In Touch Weekly." And in Hollywood, Ken Baker who is the executive news editor at "E!"
OK, guys. Let`s take a look at what Jennifer told Oprah about getting back to work.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": How are you?
JENNIFER HUDSON, SINGER: I`m good. I`m really good. I`m just glad to be back and be back to working and just doing what I love to do. You know? It`s like therapy.
WINFREY: You`re in a good place?
HUDSON: I`m in a very good place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now, Hudson never made a direct reference to the murders of her mother, brother and nephew. But clearly, everybody knew that that`s what they were discussing. Ken, Oprah was very sensitive to Jennifer. But still, this had to be tough.
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "E!": Yes. I think some Oprah fans were expecting a little bit more probing questions about things. But it`s - right now, it`s such a legal mess. I`m sure that that was probably ground rules before the interview.
But I have to say, there are two ways to be a role model. One is to say things. The other is to do things. Just Jennifer getting out there, and singing and performing and being a professional, what a great role model for a lot of people out there, who are going through tragedy in their lives or trying to pick up the pieces.
And look what she`s doing. Singing at the Super Bowl. Picking up awards at the Grammies. Singing on Oprah and being out there publicly and being composed. Good for her. And you really have to be rooting for her.
ANDERSON: And speaking of that, Carolina, are you just amazed at the degree of composure she has shown through it all? And all of those performances - it really does seem kind of like a carefully orchestrated return to the spotlight.
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, it has to be, and it is amazing, her composure throughout this time. If you look back maybe four years ago, she was a contestant on "American Idol." She won an Oscar. She`s now won a Grammy. And then this tragedy happened.
And if you look at the progression of things that have happened in Jennifer Hudson`s life, it would break anyone. But it seems like she`s a much stronger person. She`s coming out. She`s got her fans behind her. So it looks like it`s going to be good for her now that she`s ready for the comeback.
ANDERSON: Yes. And it seems like her music has really been a comfort for her.
Another one of America`s biggest singing stars, Rihanna, has been through some personal struggles of her own. She was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend, R & B star Chris Brown. Now, their stories are extremely different. I am not comparing what they experienced.
But Jennifer and Rihanna are both dealing with their private pain in a very, very public forum. Ken, can Rihanna actually learn something from Jennifer about entering the spotlight again after dealing with something so private, so personal?
BAKER: Well, I think a good message is not to rush back, you know, to take time to collect yourself, to find strength in yourself as a person before you put yourself back out there as an artist and as a celebrity.
Jennifer Hudson has done it right and that`s why we`re sitting here today, seeing a composed woman. If she had tried to rush back, get herself back out there too quickly, it wouldn`t have the same result.
And I think Rihanna is doing that. She has good people taking care of her. And hopefully, she`ll have the same outcome.
ANDERSON: Hopefully so. We wish them both the best. The strength that they have shown is remarkable. Carolina Bermudez, Ken Baker, thank you.
HAMMER: So Brooke no surprise, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are going nonstop on the octomom. In fact, the "Showbiz on Call" operators - watch this. They are patching the calls through just as fast as they can.
ANDERSON: They certainly are, A.J. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Maggie. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MAGGIE, CALLER: I think the octomom is making a big mistake by not having the baby daddy involved. Babies need their daddy. And that would be a built-in support system for her. So I think she`s being very selfish for not letting him be apart of his biological children`s life.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for that, Maggie. And we also heard from Miranda calling into "Showbiz on Call" from California.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MIRANDA, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: Just leave the octomom alone and support her in her decisions. I believe if we can give money to children in Africa and other countries and we never even see them. I believe that, as a country, we should be able to help her out.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot for your call, Miranda. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else.
ANDERSON: Yes, please do. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open around the clock. Give us a ring. The number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728- 2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online. That`s on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. Do you think the octomom should do a reality show? Come on.
ANDERSON: OK, A.J. I understand that she probably needs the money, but I don`t think that`s a good idea.
HAMMER: I am right there with you. But tonight, wait until you hear this. We`ve got a fired-up debate over this octo-reality show bombshell.
Plus, did the octomom really reject a blockbuster million-dollar offer to help raise her kids to hold out for a reality show? Tonight, the woman who is behind the offer is right here. It is the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: Also, it`s Maniston versus Brangelina. Tonight, Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer - the secrets of how they are making their relationship work. Plus, will Jen and John become more popular than Brad and Angie?
And we`ve also got this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Earth, wind and fire. Stevie Wonder. Elton John. The Rolling Stones. These are all artists he`s shouted out in the past.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: President Obama`s favorite music revealed. 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: Fox renews "The Simpsons" for two more seasons. "The Simpsons" will become the longest-running prime-time series in history. Playbill: Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal to appear in film version of "Damn Yankees.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson. And now, the SHOWBIZ Obama Watch. Tonight, the secrets of President Obama`s favorite music revealed.
Now, the president really has a wide range of music he listens to. But right off the bat, I can tell you one artist the president loves is Stevie Wonder because Stevie brought him love. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Please give it up for Mr. Stevie Wonder.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
ANDERSON (voice over): He`s one of President Barack Obama`s favorites - Stevie Wonder, the guest of honor at the White House.
STEVIE WONDER, SINGER: Wow.
ANDERSON: Wonder, who`s won 25 Grammies during his career, can now add what`s considered the nation`s most prestigious award for pop music, the Library of Congress` Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
WONDER: I want to first of all thank God for this moment.
ANDERSON: Talking quickly turned into full-on proving as Wonder performed a number of his hits, including one of the president`s campaign theme songs.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Mr. Obama, who calls Wonder`s music the soundtrack to his youth, admits he owes a lot to him personally.
B. OBAMA: Had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me. We might not have married. So the fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship.
ANDERSON: Their love of the music legend brought Wonder`s talents to the Democratic National Convention, the inaugural Lincoln Memorial concert, and their wedding 17 years ago.
MICHELLE OBAMA, UNITED STATES FIRST LADY: Barack and I chose the song "You and I" as our wedding song.
ANDERSON: The president`s taste in music, harkens back to growing up in the `70s.
JOE LEVY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "BLENDER" MAGAZINE: Earth Wind and Fire. Stevie Wonder. Elton John. The Rolling Stones. These are all artists he shouted out in the past. He also listens to jazz. Charlie parker. John Coltrane. Miles Davis.
ANDERSON: A number of the president`s favorites played during his inaugural festivities, Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Crow, U2 - demonstrating a mutual admiration.
LEVY: Obama is in part attracted to them because of their message. And they are attracted to him for the same reason.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Now, Tony Benet, Will.I.am and Martina McBride were among the performers who paid tribute to Stevie Wonder. And by the way, the only other winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song so far, Paul Simon in 2007.
HAMMER: Now, it`s time for the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The octomom reality show bombshell. Did she really turn down a million-dollar offer of free baby care to hold out for a reality show?
Maniston versus Brangelina. Will Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer become more popular than Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie?
And what does Alec Baldwin really think about Sarah Palin`s chances in 2012 presidential election? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Britney Spears` ex, Kevin Federline, reportedly in talks to launch kids clothing line. "Hollywood Reporter": Chris O`Donnell and LL Cool J to star in "NCIS" spinoff.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: We`re concerned about three things - babies, babies and babies.
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a deadline for the octomom. The octomom gets a million-dollar offer for help. Will she take it? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the late-breaking, brand-new, octomom drama.
John and Jen`s relationship secrets. Tonight, how John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston make their relationship work.
Plus, we`re asking, could John and Jen eclipse Brad and Angelina as Hollywood`s most popular couple?
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 now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of octomom`s reality show shocker.
HAMMER: Yes. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Nadya Suleman has turned down an incredible offer to get help for her and her 14 kids. But tonight, big news, she may be shopping a reality show.
In a bombshell development, Nadya Suleman just may be looking to solve all of her problems by inviting cameras into her life. Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred presented the offer of help on behalf of the group Angels in Waiting. I spoke with Gloria Allred who pulled no punches about the idea of an octo-reality show after she dropped the bombshell that Nadya said no thanks to the offer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLRED: She did not accept. She did not, A.J. However, she did communicate with Angels in Waiting and had conversations at length, with the founder, Linda West Conforti, my client.
And in those conversations, however, she appeared at least to Linda, to be more concerned about capitalizing on her infants, about doing a reality show, than she did about the care of her little babies and how they could be protected and the specific plan that Angels in Waiting had for them.
As to the reality show, Linda, a registered pediatric nurse for 25 years and very experienced with medically fragile and premature infants, tried to explain that she definitely would not allow a reality show if Angels in Waiting were taking care of those infants because of the risk of infection, of flu.
There would be many, many nurses and educational specialists, therapists, others who would be caring for these infants, in an individualized way. And having cameras come in with cords and other equipment, would just simply increase the risk of infection.
HAMMER (on camera): Well, Gloria, I`ve to tell you, this is all pretty shocking. I want to back up just a moment, just so we`re clear. Your impression is that she turned down this magnanimous offer from Angels in Waiting to help with the care of the kids.
And what an expensive proposition that was and what a financial burden she would be released from if Angels in Waiting did come in. So you`re saying she passed up on all of that, as far as you understand, because she is interested in capitalizing on her situation and doing a reality show?
ALLRED: Well, that certainly would be one of the reasons. And she did emphasize that. Whereas Angels in Waiting is concerned about the appropriate care givers and how they will be able to carry out that plan.
HAMMER: Let me ask you this, Gloria, because a lot of people have suggested throughout this whole entire episode with Nadya that, you know what, maybe in the end, doing a reality show might be a great opportunity for her to have a way, a means to provide for her family.
You said that Angels in Waiting wouldn`t get on board, if there was a reality show involved. So, obviously, they think it`s a terrible idea. What about you? What do you think?
ALLRED: Well, we`re concerned about three things - babies, babies and babies. What is in their best interest? We have never had any problem with Nadya going out and earning some money so that she can support these babies. Obviously, she`s going to need to support these babies. Otherwise, the taxpayers will.
But everything that is planned has to be done with the protection of the babies in mind. And she has to take into account how often she`s going to do it, when she`s going to do it. How she`s going to do it and not expose her little premature infants, who are medically fragile, to any risk of harm, if she can possibly avoid it.
So the question is, is she going to have cameras in there every day? Once in a while? I mean, the point is, what`s in - these children have medically complicated needs and emotional needs. And that has to be paramount. That was our concern.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, not everything is lining up here because Nadya`s publicist tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "I have been calling Angels in Waiting and I have not heard back from them. I am not calling Gloria Allred directly. I`m calling Angels in Waiting directly. I`ve been trying to get in touch with Angels in Waiting founder, Linda, directly. There`s no reason for us to go and meet in L.A. in Gloria Allred`s office. She has nothing to do with this. And I can`t understand why she is trying to get involved."
So now that Nadya`s offer from Angels in Waiting is no longer an option, does anybody think a reality show would actually be a good idea?
Well, joining me tonight, in New York is Cooper Lawrence who is a psychologist and author of the book, "The Cult of Celebrity." In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
So, all right. You both heard Gloria Allred saying what a terrible idea a reality show would be. And I`ve got to tell you, I think she raised some very valid points. Carlos, do you agree?
DIAZ: No, I don`t. If her thing is babies, babies, babies - OK, let`s talk about how the babies benefit from this. She`s worried about the care for the babies. Well, they`re going to get the best care in the world, because whomever is caring for them is going to be under the microscope of America every night that this show is on.
The babies are taken care of in that way. As far as making money off the show, let`s say octomom signs a $10 million deal. That money will be there for the kids for their futures.
So, I just - am I insane? I think this is a great idea. I think a reality show`s a good idea.
HAMMER: Cooper, is Carlos insane?
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGIST: Wow, $10 million for a reality show? Boy. I didn`t get paid that for my show. I had the wrong agent, I guess.
Well, no. It`s not even about the money. It`s about the fact that this woman is not right in her head. If she had $10 million or $10, she is not able to care for these children because she`s not mentally stable. She clearly has some major issues that are internal. They have nothing to do with who`s caring for the children or how much money she has.
HAMMER: No question about it. Lots of people have lots of things to say about this, a whole bunch of opinions coming into the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines about the idea of an octo-reality show. You have to listen to what Sheila calling from Georgia has to say. Roll that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHEILA, CALLER FROM GEORGIA: She is jumping at this opportunity to be a star. To write a book. To get a movie deal. To get a reality TV show. And if she`s going to do that, this is going to set the precedence for everybody to do that, because, you know - how does she get the money to keep having these IVFs?
So, to me, that`s a quick out. I thought about it. Maybe I should do it. I have no children. So I really think she`s selfish. But it`s greed behind it.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Sheila. I do appreciate your call. Carlos, Sheila thinks Nadya is clearly motivated by greed here. Gloria thinks that Nadya wants to capitalize on her kids.
For all the good reasons you said, aren`t those the worst reasons to do a reality show if that is the motivation?
DIAZ: Allow me to quote Gordon Gecko. Greed is good, all right? That`s what we`re talking about here. You guys are thinking way too small. Like I said before, think not reality show. Think reality network. Think about a 24-hour channel -
LAWRENCE: It`s not about the money. It`s about the care of children. This woman cannot mother these children properly. Who cares about how much money? She has mental problems. She definitely cannot mother these children.
DIAZ: Exactly, if she has mental problems, then we - if she has mental problems, then an American audience can make sure these kids are taken care of correctly. I mean, you want no eye on this woman at all. You want her to have the proper care. But no eye on this woman whatsoever? A reality network provides an eye for everyone to watch out for her and how she handles her kids. It`s perfect.
LAWRENCE: They will watch her abuse her children and treat them terribly because she has some psychological issues.
DIAZ: No. She`s not going to abuse her kids. She won`t abuse her kids.
LAWRENCE: It`s not even a question of physical abuse, emotional abuse.
(CROSS TALK)
Carlos, Carlos. The woman is not capable of handling - any woman that has six children, decides to have eight more, is not mentally stable. I don`t want to watch that.
DIAZ: So you`re saying if she`s standing there and she starts abusing her kids, the producers will go, "Hey this is great TV."
COOPER: Not physical abuse. I`m not saying physical abuse. I`m saying emotional abuse. I`m saying years of neglect because she has too many children and it`s just her. She has nobody to help care. She has no plan for these children.
DIAZ: But that`s all in there. That`s there right now.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: All right. Hold on. Hold on. Let me reel this back in here. Now, Carlos, the truth is, and we`ve been talking about this for a while now, the idea of her possibly doing a reality show. It`s interesting to hear your viewpoints. Not a lot of people we`re hearing from think it`s a good idea.
And I just want to show you the results we got when we posted on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of day on air and online. Here`s what we asked, "Octomom: Would a reality show be the best thing for her?"
These results are pretty telling. And we got a lot of votes coming in to this. Certainly, it`s unscientific. But you see right there, 92 percent said no, not the best thing for octomom to do the show.
So Carlos, as much as people say no, let`s have the reality check on this. People may agree with Cooper and everyone else is saying this is a terrible idea. But still, do you think people would tune in to watch?
DIAZ: Yes. I mean, it`s the number one story on "Extra." We talk about it every day on "Extra." Octomom - she`s not a celebrity yet she`s on "Extra" every day. People will watch.
What I`m saying to you is this - I completely agree with the 92 percent when it first happened. I said reality show - terrible idea. But you know what? I am here saying reality show is the only viable way to provide this woman with the money that she needs to care for the kids in the future.
LAWRENCE: It`s not about the money, Carlos.
HAMMER: All right -
LAWRENCE: It`s about giving her -
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: And that is exactly where we have to leave it tonight, guys. I do appreciate all of your opinions on this. Cooper Lawrence, Carlos Diaz, thanks to both of you.
LAWRENCE: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: All right, Brooke. There is a bizarre new twist as we move on in all the drama surrounding Hulk Hogan and his family. Remember them?
ANDERSON: Yes. That`s right, A.J. Could there actually have been a hit- out on Hulk`s estranged wife, Linda? She is speaking out, and that`s coming up next on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Plus, John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston, the secrets behind their relationship. So how are John and Jen keeping it together and making their relationship work with all the attention they`re getting? Plus, we`re asking, can John and Jen end up eclipsing Brad and Angelina as Hollywood`s most popular couple?
ANDERSON: And Alec Baldwin speaks out about Gov. Sarah Palin. She told her on "SNL" that she was way hotter in person. But what does he really think about her? It`s Alec in his own words. And this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Robin Williams heading to Broadway with his stand-up show. Russell Simmons ordered to pay $40,000 a month in child support.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, is there a hit-out on Hulk Hogan`s estranged wife, Linda?
Well, police have arrested Ed Graziano. Now, Ed is the father of John Graziano who, of course, was seriously hurt in that car crash involving Hulk and Linda`s son, Nick. Ed is charged with hiring someone to kill his estranged wife.
And now, there are reports that Ed Graziano also allegedly made threats against Linda Hogan. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got this statement from Linda`s publicist. She seems pretty scared here, quoting now, "Any threat from Ed Graziano would and is being taken very seriously. We all pray for John`s recovery. This kind of behavior is why John turned to us as a loving family and we made him one of our own. God bless John."
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to officials but did not hear back as of show time.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Maniston versus Brangelina. It`s the brand-new obsession with Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer, and how they`re making it work. Since their huge coming out at the Oscars, Jen and John are poised to replace Brad and Angelina as the Hollywood`s reigning "it" couple.
And Jennifer Aniston is the hottest star in Hollywood at this very moment. And wait until you hear whom she beat out for the top spot on a new poll.
With me now, in New York, Carolina Bermudez - she`s a senior editor at "In Touch Weekly." Here in Hollywood tonight is Ken Baker who is the executive news editor for "E!"
Carolina, Ken, as we saw, Jennifer rocked the Oscars. She and John Mayer had their first big coming out as a couple on the same night.
And now, she tops the brand-new "USA Today" celebrity heat index, beating out - look at this, her ex, Brad Pitt and his main squeeze, Angelina Jolie.
Carolina, is this a big score for their newly-minted team Maniston?
BERMUDEZ: Not only is it a big score for team Maniston, but it`s also a big score for Jennifer Aniston. Ever since she got divorced, people have pegged her as the lonely girl who can`t get it right in her relationship.
So this is a good sign for her future with her relationship with John, but also just for herself.
ANDERSON: Ken, good sign for Jen and her future, and as Carolina said, her relationship with John Mayer?
BAKER: I mean, of course it is. Look, she`s 40 years old. Angelina`s is about, I think, 33. Jen Aniston - she looks better, OK? This is Hollywood where looks matter. And she`s winning the game.
I`m sorry. I had to put it out there. But I don`t want to rain on everyone`s parade here. Everyone wanted to see the big clash between - I call it Johniston, by the way, not Maniston. I prefer Johniston.
ANDERSON: That`s pretty good, too. Maybe we can that as well.
BAKER: OK. We can use both. Johniston versus Brangelina. We want to see them on the red carpet. You know, we didn`t see that because they snuck in while Brangelina were on the red carpet. John and Jen snuck in through a side door.
But really, we`re talking about two different things. This is apples and oranges. Brangelina - look, Angelina is practically the octomom, OK? They have so many kids. She`s so caught up in saving the world and keeping her kids fed.
ANDERSON: You cannot compare her to the octomom, Ken.
BERMUDEZ: No way.
BAKER: I`m just saying that it`s a different reality for her. Jen Aniston - she`s basically single. You`ve got to realize just a few months ago, she and John Mayer had broken up. They only rekindled since New Year`s. We`ve seen them out.
They finally came out in a big way since at the Oscars. But this is a very starting kind of relationship. They have not evolved. Brad and Angelina have been together four years. So it`s really two different couples. And of course, in Hollywood, we like the new, next big thing. They`re just like the new hot thing on the block, that`s why we`re into the Johniston.
ANDERSON: OK. OK. And just for the record, I think that Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie both are beautiful. OK. Just to your first point, Ken.
All right. John Mayer and Jennifer Aniston also really have never admitted that they were dating up until this point. But they were very much a couple at the Oscars. Listen to what John Mayer revealed about their big coming out on Ryan Seacrest`s radio show.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, RADIO HOST: What was the thought before you went out there? You don`t want to say too much, but at the same time, you want to say something.
JOHN MAYER, SINGER: You know, it was really - it was actually very effortless. I was sort of there to - you know, it`s not my world, the Oscar thing.
SEACREST: Yes.
MAYER: But I really felt like, gosh, it`s so sweet to me that night, you know, because you can go from Grammy winner to a water boy, when you walk into the Kodak Theater on Oscar night. That`s just like - that`s a whole different level, you know. So I was sort of like moral support/"Will you please introduce me to so and so?"
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Sounds like he was just being supportive. Carolina, it seems like a huge step in the right direction, in terms of making their relationship work.
BERMUDEZ: It is a huge step in the right direction. You know what? I likened it to going back to your high school reunion. If you`re single, you don`t want to show up by yourself. So you ask a boyfriend or a guy.
You start dating someone for a couple of months before, so you don`t have to show up alone. But it did seem like he was very supportive. Their body language - you could tell he was there for her, not for himself.
So it was good to see Jen being supported like that. And John, you know, previously had opened his big mouth. I think that`s the reason they broke up before. But now, it seems like he`s taking it a little more seriously so that`s a good thing for her.
ANDERSON: They are very, very cute together. And we`ve been asking you to vote online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer: Will they become more popular than Brangelina?"
Remember, keep voting CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. We want to hear what you think.
But I`ll ask you the same question, Ken. Do you think Maniston or Johniston, as you call them, could actually topple Brangelina as Hollywood`s "it" couple?
BAKER: Well, I think - look, Brad and Angelina are major movie stars. They made over $1.4 billion together as a couple since they`ve gotten together. They are a force, OK?
ANDERSON: Yes.
BAKER: So that`s not to be mistaken here. Now, as far as John and Jen - look, John is a music star. Jen is still, basically, a TV star who has dabbled in movies, hasn`t really broken out in a big way. I still think Brangelina eclipses Johniston.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BAKER: But there is hope. But I think it`s far off in the future.
ANDERSON: It would be really difficult to dethrone Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at this point.
BAKER: That`s true.
ANDERSON: Carolina Bermudez, Ken Baker, thank you. Good to see you.
BERMUDEZ: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And be sure to pick up your copy of "In Touch Weekly" on newsstands now.
HAMMER: More star couple news. Gisele and Tom have tied the knot. Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen got married on in a small private ceremony in Santa Monica on Thursday. "People" magazine say they got married in a Catholic church and then had a small gathering at their house in Brentwood. They have been dating since 2006.
Well, Alec Baldwin is speaking out about Sarah Palin. What does Alec really think about Palin? Remember on "SNL," he said she was way hotter in person? You don`t want to miss this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Brittany Snow to star in "Gossip Girl" spin-off. Tyler Perry to purchase island for his 40th birthday in September.)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LORNE MICHAELS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": This is governor Palin.
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): Hi there.
ALEC BALDWIN, ACTOR: I see. Forgive me. But I feel I must say this. You are way hotter in person.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Remember that? Alec Baldwin in that famous "Saturday Night Live" sketch with Sarah Palin. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
And tonight, Alec Baldwin is speaking out about how he really feels about Sarah Palin.
Check out what he told "New York 1 News."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: I think that Palin suffers from, or I should say, will live with the same thing that happens to most people who run for office who lose. It`s tough to get out of that mold. If the Republican Party sees her as their future, you know, that`s their business.
Do I think that they should see her as their future? I don`t know. But I do know that when you run for office and you lose, it`s tough to shake that stigma. It would be tough for John Kerry to run for president again.
Once you lose a major election like that - it`s not like the old days, you know, where Nixon came back from the political, you know, mortuary so to speak, and came back from the dead and won the presidency in `68. It`s very, very tough to come back from that again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Alec himself has said he may run for political office someday.
ANDERSON: OK, on Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Octomom: Would a reality show be the best thing for her?" Only eight percent of you say yes; 92 percent say no.
Some of the E-mails we received - Jennie from Vermont writes, "Not only does she not deserve a reality show, she does not deserve all the media attention she is getting."
Angela from North Dakota says, "Why would you do a reality show on octomom? This is real clearly not reality."
We are also getting tons of calls into "Showbiz on Call" about the octomom. We heard from Cynthia calling into "Showbiz on Call" from California.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CYNTHIA, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: I`m disappointed in society for judging her the way they`ve judged her. Nobody has even given her a fair chance. It would be nice if we could, at least, give her a chance to take those babies home and get the siblings together and see how she can do as a mom. With 14, maybe she can do it.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We appreciate your opinions. Thanks for your call, Cynthia. And remember, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open 24/7. We do want to hear from you - the number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. That`s 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Keep them coming.
HAMMER: Yes, we will play them, Brooke. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: Thanks so much for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
