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Showbiz Tonight
Chris Brown and Rihanna Back Together?; A Secret Deal for the Octu- Mom?; Michelle Obama`s Right to Bare Arms; Domestic Violence Discussed in Schools; Nadya Suleman`s Video Blog
Aired March 02, 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 - a brand-new shocker in the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Are they getting back together?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARVET BRITTO, FOUNDER, BRITTO AGENCY: I wouldn`t be surprised if they were back together. They`re young and they`re in love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, if Rihanna really has gone back to Chris Brown after he allegedly assaulted her, what will that do to the case? And what about the message it sends to Rihanna`s fans? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the Rihanna drama bombshell that could blow the case wide open.
Breaking news in the octu-mom outrage. Is there a secret deal in the works to save the octu-mom? Plus, why in the world was she seen rushing out of a store hiding behind an Obama mask?
Plus, First Lady Michelle Obama`s right to bare arms. The great debate over the First Lady`s sleeveless style.
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, Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited?
HAMMER: Brooke, this is crazy. A brand-new shocking report says Chris Brown and Rihanna are actually trying to work things out and may even be getting back together. Now, this is just coming weeks after Chris Brown was arrested for allegedly assaulting Rihanna.
But, what exactly would a reunion mean for a case against Chris Brown? And would Rihanna risk some serious backlash if, indeed, she made the choice to stay with him? The outrage and the fallout over this possible Chris Brown-Rihanna reunion is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Just when you think the story can`t get any more shocking or dramatic, it does. In a brand-new report, People.com now says Chris Brown and Rihanna are back together. And not only that - they`re spending quality time in one of Sean Diddy Comb`s mansions on Miami Beach.
LAURA SCHREFFLER, COLUMNIST, "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS": I think it`s a little touchy if Rihanna and Chris Brown get back together, especially for Rihanna, and it may hurt her career.
HAMMER: "People" magazine is also reporting that the couple reconnected just last week when Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday. They say the couple still cares deeply for each other.
BRITTO: The implications of Chris and Rihanna reuniting without them speaking about the pain and speaking about what transpired could be very harmful. Because they are role models, like it or not. And their behavior is often emulated by their legions of fans worldwide.
HAMMER: This latest shocking development comes in what has been a tumultuous, very public relationship. The drama all began just three weeks ago on February 8th when both Rihanna and Brown were no-shows at the Grammies.
Police arrested and booked Brown on suspicion of making criminal threats, a possible felony charge after he allegedly attacked Rihanna.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, the case is still in the hands of the LAPD, after the District Attorney`s Office already kicked the case back to the cops for further investigation.
Now, with reports that Rihanna and Brown are back together, many are wondering what that could mean for the case against Brown.
BRITTO: You don`t have much of a case if your victim isn`t willing to prosecute or press charges against the person who was the alleged abuser. So it makes it more difficult if she`s not the face of domestic violence that sits on the stand or sits in front of that potential prosecutor and says, "This is what happened to me. And I want him to pay for what took place."
HAMMER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you, Rihanna`s dad is supporting Rihanna`s decision. Rihanna`s father told "People" magazine, quote, "Whatever road she chooses, I`m behind her. We are a family who stick together even though we`re apart."
BRITTO: It is not our place to judge her decisions or judge what transpired between them. But if you take us on this ride as your fans, if we support you in your journey, then we`re going to support you in your ups and in your downs. And you do owe your fans some sort of explanation for your behavior.
HAMMER: Throughout the whole ordeal, both Rihanna and Chris Brown have been tightlipped. Celebrity publicist Marvet Britto says it`s time to tell their fans exactly what is going on.
BRITTO: Chris Brown and Rihanna should have stood together, united, and made a statement to the public. We haven`t seen that. So therefore the speculations will continue. The media will continue to hound them until they get that shot, until they get that answer.
HAMMER: Brown`s career has suffered under allegations of domestic abuse. Several companies have canceled their sponsorships with him, and he has canceled all major public appearances.
SCHREFFLER: Chris has been cut off from a lot of his advertisements and people are generally thinking this is a bad thing for the both of them. He doesn`t have a great public image right now.
HAMMER: Rihanna`s career has been on hold indefinitely. And if reports are true that the couple is actually back together, the two now have to deal with a whole new set of implications, not only for the legal case against Brown, but for Rihanna`s future career.
BRITTO: They`re both pop icons in a sense, and she was the pop princess. He was, you know, adored by legions of fans. Even if she has decided to forgive Chris Brown we need her to say, "I have personally have forgiven him."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has reached out to reps for Rihanna and Chris Brown. As of show time, neither has issued a comment. And since the stunning news of the reported Chris Brown-Rihanna reunion, fans are absolutely outraged and quite frankly baffled over this.
Joining me tonight in New York is Lisa Bloom who is an anchor for legal network "In Session." And also joining me tonight in Hollywood, Howard Bragman, founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations and author of this fine book "Where is My 15 Minutes?"
So here we are, only three weeks since the alleged assault. Lisa, when you heard this, were you kind of like me, just shaking your head in disbelief at the idea that perhaps these two have gotten back together?
LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, "IN SESSION": Well I used to work at a battered women`s shelter, and this is a place where women would go in the middle of night to get away from a batterer with their children. And 2/3 of them would go back. So it is very, very common.
You know, I tell my kids, some people are positive role models. Some people are negative role models. If she back with him and the story is true, unfortunately, she`s become a negative role model for women.
HAMMER: And it`s one thing to simply get the news that perhaps they have gotten back together. But over the weekend, there were these brand-new images of Chris Brown smiling, and jet skiing in Miami. These pictures were showing up online. They showed up in all the papers.
Now, Howard Bragman, I know you have helped and coached some pretty big stars through pretty tough crises. I would have to imagine this is not what you would recommend to somebody in Chris Brown`s situation.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: A.J., it`s not that they were such damning, horrible images. But I certainly wouldn`t want them to be the first images out there. And I wouldn`t want them to be the only images out there. I would have loved to see Chris with his mother going to a movie, going to restaurants, something a little bit mundane, showing him interacting with family.
And the way to counteract this now is to get some more images of him out there in different scenarios, nothing as hokey as like, going to church or holding a Bible, something that might read as phony. But something that reads as sincere, as familial. And I think he can get through this by doing that.
BLOOM: And what about images of her? We haven`t seen her at all. I mean, have her bruises not healed yet? Is she not able to get around? That`s what`s really disturbing. Why is she in hiding? Why does she seem to be hiding her head in shame when she is not accused of doing anything wrong?
HAMMER: Well, quite frankly, Howard, you know, to see pictures of him having a great time in light of what happened and those really becoming the first images we`ve seen of him, it seems to a lot of people to be callus when, you know, as you are saying it should be contrition? He should seem contrite. We shouldn`t see him out there having a good time as far as I`m concerned.
BRAGMAN: Well, that is absolutely true. And as Lisa can probably tell you, I am not sure how the district attorney feels when they`re looking at him on some potential felony charges and they`re seeing him having a great time on jet skis. That may not be what you would want if you are his defense attorney right now.
HAMMER: Lisa, what about that? You know, Brown faces a possible date in court later this week. He could be facing charges of making criminal threats, domestic violence. If they`re back together, and with these images out there, where does that leave everything from a legal standpoint?
BLOOM: Legally, he can still be prosecuted. The initial reports were that she was cooperating with law enforcement. I assume what that means is that she gave them a full and complete statement.
We saw that one horrific picture of her battered and bruised face. I assume there are many other pictures, side angle pictures of her face. Pictures of her body. Potentially other bruises, other injuries.
And he can be prosecuted even without her consent. The question is, would he be? Does the district attorney have enough backbone to prosecute a high-profile celebrity if she is not cooperating? And that is going to be more of a political issue for the D.A. And it`s going to be very interesting to see how that turns out.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that`s just going to prove to complicate things quite a bit and make people even more outraged.
BLOOM: Yes.
HAMMER: Now, while we have fans outraged, while we may be outraged, we`re getting a different thing from the father of Rihanna. I want to read again. I think this is important to see what Rihanna`s dad told "People.com," quote , "Whatever road she chooses, I`m behind her."
Howard, do you think fans should perhaps be taking a cue from her dad and just supporting her no matter what she wants to do?
BRAGMAN: Well, I think what we all have to understand at this point is we do not know what happened. For all we know, and I`m not saying this is the case, she could have started it. She could have hit him first. I am not blaming her. I`m not trying to blame a victim here.
But we truly do not know what happened that night. And until we do, I think we should all reserve a little judgment.
BLOOM: Yes. But what we do know is that her face is bruised and he`s apologized. I mean, I think we can connect the dots on this thing.
BRAGMAN: Nobody is justifying what he did. And what she looked like was horrific.
HAMMER: Yes.
BRAGMAN: That`s true. But we also don`t have a complete understanding of what happened.
HAMMER: We don`t. And Howard, I will agree with you on that. There is still a lot more we have to learn about this. I do have to leave it there. Lisa Bloom, Howard Bragman, I thank you both.
Now, coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the outrage over Rihanna. If Rihanna and Chris Brown are truly back together, what kind of message does that send? We`ve got to look into that. And why are so many so outraged? That is still to come.
Let me turn it over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - here`s what we want to know. Rihanna and Chris Brown - would it be a bad idea for them to reconcile? What do you think? CNN.com/ShowbizTonight That`s where you vote. Or e-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Brooke, moving on, there is breaking news in the octu-mom drama tonight.
ANDERSON: Every day there is breaking news about the octu-mom, A.J. Could there be a secret deal in the works to save the octu-mom? And oh, yes, why in the world was she rushing out of a store hiding behind an Obama mask? We`ve got all the bizarre, late-breaking octu-mom drama, coming up.
HAMMER: Also, First Lady, Michelle Obama`s fashion flap. Some people say it is not at all appropriate for Mrs. Obama to wear sleeveless dresses. I say, are you kidding me? We have the great First Lady fashion debate.
ANDERSON: And why was Jennifer Aniston eating dog biscuits on TV? Wait until you see this. 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: Legendary news commentator Paul Harvey dies at age 90. Producers of Sarah Silverman`s TV show threaten to quit if budget is cut.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Check it out. It`s guys` night out, The presidential version. President Barack Obama drank a little beer and watched the Washington Wizards beat his hometown Chicago Bulls over the weekend.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Now, the president may have his game face on, but the truth is, all eyes are on the First Lady.
Tonight, Michelle Obama`s fashion fury. First Lady getting slammed for her sleeveless style. But we want to know what`s got people all wound up? Is it so wrong to bare arms? It is a fired up fashion debate.
With me tonight in New York, Katrina Szish who`s a celebrity journalist. Also in New York is Janelle Snowden, who is a host for VH1 News.
Katrina, Janelle, I want to first roll out the SHOWBIZ news line. Take a look at Michelle`s latest fashion choices. February 24th, she wore a plum sleeveless dress to watch her husband address Congress. On the 25th, she wore an emerald tea-length dress to the event honoring Stevie Wonder. And for her official First Lady portrait, released on Friday, she wore a black shift with pearls.
Now, I think she looks gorgeous. But some critics think otherwise. Janelle, are you shocked - as shocked as I am, actually, that people are criticizing the First Lady for her sleeveless style?
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, "VH1 NEWS": I am, Brooke. I don`t understand why people are up in arms about the fact that she is baring her arms. I mean, if she had fat, flabby arms I could see how people might take offense and say, "You know what? You may want to put those bad boys away."
But the fact is, she looks great. She`s a brilliant woman. She`s confident. She`s in great shape. So why not show off her arms? I think we are used to sort of a more, you know, traditional White House and more traditional First Lady. But this is a younger generation. It`s a whole new era. And I think people need to get over it.
ANDERSON: Yes, and you know the last time I checked, it`s the year 2009, not 1959.
SNOWDEN: Exactly.
ANDERSON: One "Chicago Tribune" reader said that the First Lady was wearing the wrong style at the wrong time of year, Katrina, basically saying that it`s out of season. Do you agree?
KATRINA SZISH, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Absolutely not. We no longer live in the era where it is not OK to wear white after Labor Day. Anything goes. Fashion rules, really, are meant to be broken if they exist at all anymore.
Her choices were appropriate. Even just the textiles, the fabrics - they were correct. She wasn`t wearing some light chiffon dress and walking outside in the middle of a snowstorm. These are photo-op events and she looks amazing.
ANDERSON: Yes.
SZISH: And why not look the part?
ANDERSON: And exposing her toned arms. She`s really an example of a strong person who puts health and well-being and fitness as a priority. And this was really a hot topic today on "The View." I want you to take a look at what they were saying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE VIEW": People are saying, "Why is she wearing sleeveless?" Oh, for heavens sake, because she can.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Anybody who had arms like that, you tell me you wouldn`t be in no sleeves every day.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Her arms look good. She should show those arms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Janell, does Elisabeth Hasselbeck have a point? If Michelle Obama is working out in the gym, has the buff arms, why not expose them?
SNOWDEN: I totally agree. I think this is one case when a lot of us, including myself, can say, "Why, I actually agree with Elisabeth Hasselbeck." I mean, Michelle looks amazing and she knows it. And that`s why she is baring her arms. I think people just need to get a life and accept that this is her trademark of sorts.
It`s like Katrina said - it`s not like she is out of season with the fabrics. She is very tasteful. Come on. She has a styling team. And I don`t think they would see her wrong. I just think that people need to open up their minds and, like you said, realize this is 2009.
ANDERSON: Yes. And it is very tasteful, as you say. It`s not like she is wearing a micro-mini and five-inch heels around the White House.
SZISH: You never know.
ANDERSON: And she is already inspiring fashion trends with her choices. Katrina, do you think that people are going to be asking for the Michelle Obama arm workout at the gym?
SZISH: I am already doing that. I E-mailed a friend of mine who teaches yoga. And I said, "Are you going to be adding this to your workout?" I think this is called everyone has the right to bare arms, B-A-R-E arms. And I think we`re going to see a lot of women looking to tone up those kind of flabby triceps, myself included.
ANDERSON: Follow into footsteps. Katrina Szish, Janell Snowden, thank you, my fashion-forward friends. I appreciate it.
HAMMER: So Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have just been slammed with people calling in about the octu-mom. Now, take a look at this. "Showbiz on Call" operators working away on nothing but coffee and adrenaline, Brooke. They may need to cut back on their caffeine intake, A.J.
We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Lynn in Missouri who doesn`t think the Octu-Mom deserves much sympathy.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LYNN, CALLER FROM MISSOURI: I think the Octu-Mom is the most selfish person. What is her deal? If she gets a reality show, not only will I not watch it, I will never watch the channel again. It`s just encouraging more of this.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Lynn. And we also heard from Rochelle calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Indiana.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ROCHELLE, CALLER FROM INDIANA: I think that if the media just leaves her alone and stops giving her all the attention that she really wants, you know, then maybe something better might come up. Because all she is doing is trying to use these kids and all these little media attention to try to get some help. And you know, maybe, if the media leaves her alone, she might be able to handle her business.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We appreciate your call, Rochelle. Give us a ring at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about the Octu-Mom or anything else that is on your mind.
HAMMER: And for that, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also, your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are on our homepage which is CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J. There is breaking news in the Octu-Mom drama.
HAMMER: There is always breaking news in this case, Brooke. Tonight, could there be a secret deal in the works to save the Octu-Mom? And here is a question for you I never thought I would ask, why in the world was she seen rushing out of a store hiding behind an Obama mask?
We have all the late-breaking, bizarre, Octu-Mom drama coming up.
Also, brand-new Rihanna drama -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let`s take the situation outside of celebrity. What impact do you think this has on people who do deal with domestic violence?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So if Rihanna really has gotten back together with Chris Brown after he allegedly assaulted her, what kind of message does that send to her young fans? And could it hurt her career?
HAMMER: Also, the Jonas Brothers hit the big screen. So did their concert movie live up to the expectation? And then, you`ve got girls nationwide screaming with delight - I`m not kidding - as the Jonas Brothers themselves actually made surprise appearances at theaters. We`re taking you right there. 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: Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam convention. "E! Online": Drew Barrymore in talks to direct third "Twilight" movie.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(CAPTION READS: "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience" has a $12.7 million debut.)
HAMMER: More stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" coming up later.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, a big disappointment for the Jonas Brothers. Although their movie, "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience," did debut in the number two spot at the weekend box office, it brought in much less money than expected.
Still, the Jonas Brothers left lots of fans very happy by making a bunch of surprise appearances at theaters around the country.
Here`s CNN`s Brooke Baldwin for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Jonas Brothers.
(SCREAMING FANS)
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The screams reminiscent of Beatlemania. The Jonas Brothers may be one fewer than the Fab Four, but their mere presence elicits a similar reaction especially when it is a total surprise.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That was awesome.
(MUSIC)
BALDWIN: We caught up with Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas before the big surprise.
NICK JONAS, THE JONAS BROTHERS: For us, we are just so honored to have fans who are so supportive and have a very unique way of showing their appreciation for us, with the screaming and the fainting sometimes and things like that. But for the most part, just really going above and beyond to make us feel really loved.
BALDWIN: The 16, 19, 21-year-olds catapulted into teen superstardom just in the last two years with appearances on the Disney Channel. They`re now acting, singing, playing music worldwide, recently sharing the stage with Stevie Wonder at the Grammies.
JOE JONAS, THE JONAS BROTHERS: The acting thing is usually fun. But I think, for all of us, the music is where we all - what we love to do. That`s our heart.
BALDWIN: These three also have some pretty big fans in the White House.
KEVIN JONAS, THE JONAS BROTHERS: To be able to perform in the White House and be invited there, not only for the kids` inaugural but to be a part of, you know, the girls` first night in the house and be the surprise at the end of the scavenger hunt was pretty much the coolest.
BALDWIN: Well, this might just be the coolest moment ever for this crowd.
(SCREAMING FANS)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I think they`re having a good time. That was CNN`s Brooke Baldwin for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Brand-new drama for Rihanna. If she is back with Chris Brown after he allegedly assaulted her, what kind of message does that send?
Plus, is there a secret deal in the works to save the Octu-Mom?
And why in the world was Jennifer Aniston eating dog biscuits on television? 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: Siegfried and Roy share performance with tiger that attacked Roy. Tennis champ Boris Becker is engaged with his on-again, off- again girlfriend.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Chris Brown and Rihanna, back together? Tonight, the brand-new outrage over reports that the couple has reconciled. What would that mean for Rihanna`s career? Would her fans be so upset that they`ll abandon her? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the late-breaking developments on the Brown-Rihanna drama.
An Octu-Mom deal in the works? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the latest. Is there a secret plan to save the Octu-Mom and her babies? And why is she running around with a Barack Obama mask?
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, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the stunning reported Rihanna-Chris Brown reunion.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there is growing outrage over the shocking news that has got everybody talking from coast-to-coast. Chris Brown and Rihanna were reportedly together all weekend long in Miami. This just three weeks after Brown`s alleged assault on her. It is a reunion Sean Diddy Combs may have helped pull off at his Miami home.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you there is absolute outrage from fans over the superstar couple`s weekend getaway. And if this reunion is for real, what does this mean for Rihanna`s career, especially her millions of fans who see her as a role model? Is Rihanna risking it all for Chris?
With me tonight in New York is Lisa Bloom. She is an anchor for the legal network "In Session." Also in New York, Cooper Lawrence, psychology expert and syndicated radio host and author of this spectacular brand-new book, "The Cult of Celebrity."
All right. So it`s been three weeks now since Chris Brown was arrested after allegedly attacking Rihanna. Then of course, we saw those disturbing images of a battered woman believed to be Rihanna surfacing.
And now, this reported reunion. Lisa, does it just boggle your mind that she may have gotten back together with him?
BLOOM: It does. It is so sad and I have nothing but compassion for Rihanna because she is the alleged victim here. On the other hand, she does have so many people who look to her.
To me this is just an example of really thinking about who our role models are. She is gorgeous. She is a phenomenal musical talent. But she`s not a role model for how women should behave if they are battered by their boyfriends. They should leave. They should not give them a second chance.
And unfortunately, I don`t think she is somebody that we should follow her example in this situation.
HAMMER: Cooper, you`re a psychology expert. I need your expertise on this. Should we be surprised if these two are really back together? Or is this something that is sort of common?
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGY EXPERT: Well, it is common. Actually, statistically, we know that women go back to their batterers an average of five times before they finally leave or something tragic happens.
So, this is - this does not bode well for her in any way, shape or form that she went back to him.
HAMMER: If she was, in fact, battered by him, which, you know, nobody has actually confirmed at this point. But let me ask you this, Cooper, because the stakes are obviously very high here in terms of their careers, in terms of the messages being sent. You know, they both have so many young fans. So what kind of a message does it send to the young fans? And I`m talking about, both men and women, Cooper.
LAWRENCE: Well, we know that one in three high school students have been in an abusive relationship or going to be in an abusive relationship. And those are the fans of Rihanna. So it sends the message to them that, "That`s OK. You can go back to an abuser," if indeed that is what happened here.
But it sends the message that`s it`s perfectly OK and you`ll work it out. But that is not the case. You don`t work it out. You have to get away from that person. So it does not send a very good message.
HAMMER: Hopefully, somebody is counseling her about this very subject. Fans are outraged. I was surfing the Internet earlier. They`re sounding off all over on the blogs and elsewhere about the reported Chris Brown- Rihanna reunion.
And we`ve gotten a bunch of fired up E-mails coming in here to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Let me read a couple to you. One from Leslie in Louisiana. She writes, "I`m really disappointed by Rihanna`s decision to reconcile with Chris Brown. I just hope, for her sake, it works out.
Here is one from Jordyn in Alabama who writes, "If the rumors are true and Rihanna and Chris Brown are `working it out,` I feel, based on my experience, this is a big mistake. If they`re not already receiving counseling, they both should be."
So, Lisa, just like you, fans are outraged. But should they be outraged about the possibility these two getting back together? Or should everybody respect their decision and kind of leave them alone?
BLOOM: I think they should be outraged. You know, counseling- schmounseling - he is not good enough for her. He is accused of punching her in the face. This is a woman who has been in hiding for three weeks while he is off jet skiing. Are you kidding me?
They`re not married. They don`t have children. This is just a dating relationship. Frankly, there is no excuse for her to stay with him after the way that he`s treated her.
HAMMER: Do you think, Lisa, that she runs the risk of fans abandoning her because of this potential decision to stay with Chris.
BLOOM: You know, probably not. I am a huge Rihanna fan. My iPod is filled up with her music. I love her music. I have compassion for her because she`s a victim and she obviously, despite being gorgeous and talented, has very low self-esteem. She doesn`t see herself as worthy enough to get rid of somebody who treated her so badly.
So I wouldn`t abandon her. I assume that her fans are not going to abandon her, but we`re going to have compassion for her.
HAMMER: And not that her health and safety isn`t the most important thing, but there is a lot at stake here when you`re dealing with huge superstars. You know, Rihanna has a lot of endorsement contracts, her biggest with CoverGirl.
And she was chosen in part because she has been such a positive role model. Well, CoverGirl still standing by Rihanna. And this is what they tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Rihanna is a CoverGirl and continues to represent the brand."
Now, we have seen Chris Brown`s career suffer because of these allegations against him. He lost radio air play. He`s lost endorsements.
But what do you think, Lisa? Whether or not it is fair, could a reunion with Chris actually hurt her career?
BLOOM: It could. I mean, how many times do we have to see this? Haven`t we progressed enough as a culture to have beautiful talented women stand up for themselves? To much is given much is expected. And she has so much. Unfortunately, I think she should be a role model and she is just not doing it.
I don`t think she has the capacity. I don`t think she`s capable of doing what we all want to see her do.
HAMMER: Cooper, you, like us, have been following this since day one. You`ve been talking about it on your radio show. You`ve been talking to fans of Rihanna. Do you see that they may abandon her because of her decision to be with Chris?
LAWRENCE: A lot of my callers have been saying that they feel the compassion like Lisa was saying, but also because they have been through the experience. But remember, she is only 21 years old.
So my audience, who are a little older, are calling and trying to give her advice by saying, "This is not going to work. You`ve got to walk away from this guy now. And find yourself and self-esteem." Because this is not just her. This is all of her fans. She is a role model. It`s a big responsibility.
HAMMER: Well, yes. Let`s talk about that, Cooper, for a moment. You know, as upset with Rihanna as her fans may be, if she does get back with Chris, if this all does prove to be true and they`re hanging out in the sun down at Diddy`s home, working things out, is that an unfair burden to place on her if people are so outraged and upset by this?
LAWRENCE: It`s only an unfair burden right now because she is going through something obviously traumatic and emotional even though we see her hanging out in the sun having a good time. Inside, you know that she is crumbling. You know that she`s having a hard time.
So right now, it`s too much of a burden. But ultimately, it is not. Ultimately, this is a great platform her, both for herself to be able to stand up against somebody like this if, indeed, this happened and to send the message to other men and other kids out there that they should not put up with this.
HAMMER: Yes. What an opportunity to make a huge statement here.
LAWRENCE: Absolutely.
BLOOM: Right.
HAMMER: Cooper Lawrence, Lisa Bloom, thank you both. And again, Chris Brown has not been formally charged in this case. We have to be clear about that. He is scheduled to be in court later this week.
Now, we have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Rihanna and Chris Brown: Would it be a bad idea for them to reconcile?" Well, you can sound off at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us more of your thoughts at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Tonight, reading, writing and Rihanna drama. Everybody is talking about this Chris Brown-Rihanna drama on TV, the blogs, Facebook, Twitter, you name it.
Now, I can tell you it is even in classrooms. That`s right - young fans of Brown and Rihanna are taking sides and speaking out about domestic abuse in school. It`s a subject that is being taught and discussed alongside English, Social Studies and Math. Here is CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): To the outside world, Rihanna has it all.
(MUSIC)
CHO: So what happens when a beautiful young singer who looks like this suddenly looks like this, in this TMZ photo, beaten allegedly by famous boyfriend Chris Brown?
JESSICA VALORIS, TEACHER: Because they`re celebrities because they`re people that people are invested in, that it opens up the conversation.
CHO: So much so the Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School in New York is making the incident part of the lesson plan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a couple of edits from the versions you guys have written so far about violence, domestic violence.
CHO: Rapping about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Violence is violence any way you put it.
CHO: And talking about it too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was like, Chris Brown? Like you wouldn`t expect Chris Brown to do that because I like his music and how he acts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you guys think that there is ever a reason or justification for abuse in relationships?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If he was brought up watching his father abuse his mother then most likely, some of the time he is going to do the same to his wife.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think abuse is abuse. And if you feel like you got anger management problems, then you need to go seek help.
CHO: Some of the girls made excuses. And many were quick to take sides.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I agree with Rihanna`s side. Even if a girl does something to the boy, the man is not supposed to hit a girl. I wouldn`t hit a girl.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s sad. But I am going to continue to pull for Chris Brown, always as ever because people make mistakes.
VALORIS: Let`s take the situation outside of celebrity. What impact do you think this has on people who do deal with domestic violence?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It may send a message to the female in the relationship that it`s OK if a man beats you, but and especially if he has status or money or something like that.
CHO (on camera): Are you surprised by anything you heard today? Is this about what you expected?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am really surprised that it just seems like it`s still that - they`re trying to blame the victim blaming the victim.
CHO (voice over): Why the teachers say this won`t be the last time they talk about this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My words (UNINTELLIGIBLE). This message is powerful. When couples act up, the results are dramatical.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Alina Cho for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And hey, A.J., everybody is still talking about the Octu-Mom, too.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. People cannot get enough of Octu-Mom.
ANDERSON: No, they can`t. We here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT have been on top of the story from day one. And tonight, we have learned that there could be a secret deal to save the Octu-Mom in the works. It would help her and her children out in a big way. So, will she take it?
Plus, why in the world is the Octu-Mom running around with a Barack Obama mask?
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, that sounds totally bizarre. But maybe not as bizarre as this - Jennifer Aniston eating doggy biscuits on live TV? Huh?
ANDERSON: And Katie Holmes` brand-new explosive interview. Tonight, Katie is setting the record straight. Is she pregnant again? And what Tom Cruise`s wife is revealing about being a mom and their daughter, Suri. 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: Fox`s "24" renewed for an 8th season. Spotted! No Doubt will perform on May 11th season finale of "Gossip Girl.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: That`s the most famous woman in the world right now. Octuplet mom Nadya Suleman hiding her face with an Obama mask. What is that about?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, does Octu-Mom have a secret deal in the works? It is just one of the brand-new Octu-Mom developments.
First, get ready for Octu-Mom`s video diary. You heard me right - Nadya Suleman has launched a brand-new blog and video diary on RadarOnline.com. And she is tackling those reality show reports.
Plus, in a brand-new interview on CNN`s "LARRY KING" is Dr. Phil, part of some secret deal to help save Nadya and her 14 kids?
And why exactly was the octuplet mom seen rushing out of a store wearing an Obama face mask over the weekend? We cannot make this stuff up.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Leslie Marshall of the "Leslie Marshall Show." Also in Hollywood, Chris Myers from RadarOnline.com.
I want to begin with a new video diary posted on RadarOnline.com by Nadya herself. Nadya talks about the offer from the charity group, Angels in Waiting, to help care for all 14 of her kids. Watch what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NADYA SULEMAN, OCTUPLET MOM: I spoke with her on the phone about a week ago for a very long time. And the only reason that I was really reluctant and still am is because they`re only located in Lake Arrowhead. And I thought what that would mean I would have to uproot all the kids for what six months or even less, less time and put them in school. And it`s extremely cold and I don`t know how conducive that is for the babies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Chris, you have spent a lot of time with her. Are you getting the impression that, hey, her mind is made up here?
CHRIS MYERS, "RADARONLINE.COM": Well, let me first say, Brooke, that Nadya turned to us to do this "Octu-Mom blog," as you put it, to kind of set the record straight and clear up a lot of these controversies and rumors swirling around about her and her family.
Now, as far as the Gloria Allred and the Angels in Waiting offer, that`s an amazing offer. And you heard Nadya in her own words say, "I didn`t want to uproot my family that far away, take the kids out of school. And she wasn`t sure if this offer was permanent or a temporary situation.
And we don`t know what other offers are coming in, what other resources there are. But we`re understanding that she has found a home, so there may have been another situation in play here. That is part of the reason I think why she turned this offer down.
So she`s found another home and she will be moving into that home which is in - you know, near her neighborhood which is what she wants in the near future.
ANDERSON: So not to uproot the kids, as she was saying. Well, speaking of the Angels in Waiting offer. On Friday, Dr. Phil was guest hosting for CNN`s Larry King, and he was joined by Nadya`s publicist, Victor Munoz. And Dr. Phil offered to help facilitate a meeting between Angels in Waiting and Nadya. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, TV PSYCHIATRIST: Well, I promise you, I will make that happen. I can make that happen because I know Lynn(ph) is so passionate about this. Everything I know about her, it is all about the kids for her. So I will do what I can to see if I can help facilitate that.
And Victor, I know you want the best for those kids as well. You and I have talked. I know where your heart is in this.
VICTOR MUNOZ, NADYA SULEMAN`S PUBLICIST: Absolutely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Leslie, do you think Dr. Phil could help save this deal?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": I don`t know if he can save the deal. He certainly can put a meeting together. And I say that because if she has the mindset, which it seems she does thus far, of not uprooting - if she does have a house, wants to stay near the family, wants to stay in a warm climate that`s going to have the two nurses in the morning, the two nurses at night to help with additional newborns. Then maybe her mind is set up.
However, I have to say just having two kids, I would take the deal, I mean, to get some help. This organization - this organization is typically known for helping medically fragile children and placing them in foster care. They`re not going to place her children in foster care. Not all of her children are medically fragile, just a few of them out of the 14 are, thankfully.
ANDERSON: Yes.
MARSHALL: But I mean, for her not to consider this is crazy because it could be temporary.
ANDERSON: Yes, Leslie. It does sound like a very, very generous offer. And you know, I want to move now to Nadya refuting those reports about doing a reality show.
On her video diary posted on "Radar Online," she says she is not, I repeat, not doing a reality show. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
N. SULEMAN: No. That is actually a lie. No. Maybe in the future, but that is still something I would really, strongly have to consider. I have always believed. I could change my mind when they`re older if the kids wanted to do it. But I personally believe it is going to be a form of exploitation depending how it`s done. A documentary is different.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Documentary different. So she`s ruling out the reality show in a way but leaving the door open by saying, "It depends on how it is done." If it`s documentary style, she says possibly she would consider it.
So Chris, your team at "Radar Online" has had major access to the Octu-Mom. If you guys offered her a documentary deal, do you think she would do it?
MYERS: Well, clearly, she`s not afraid of the camera. Clearly, she wants to get her message out. She`s used us in a way to get that message out because she knows that if we post it online, people can come to "RadarOnline.com" and hear what she has to say, and hopefully, in her opinion, change their mind about her.
But do I think she would do a reality show? You heard her in her own words. She left the door wide open. I think in her mind, she feels like a reality show is more like a three-ring circus and could be harmful for her children.
On the other hand, this is in her mind, a documentary - a film crew comes in, they shoot. They leave. It is done very tastefully. It`s done with the children`s best interest in mind. So in her mind - in her mind - there is a difference between these two entities.
ANDERSON: There is a difference to her, yes. So she is saying she might consider it a documentary style. So we`ll have to see. And as you say, she`s not afraid of the camera.
Check out this brand-new video of the Octu-Mom covering her face with an Obama mask while running out of a store. Leslie, very quickly, as much as she says she hates the spotlight, she knows how to get attention, doesn`t she?
MARSHALL: That or she wants to be the - she wants to be a man and black and president. I don`t know, but yes - that stuff. I mean, you`re going to look at that even if it isn`t the Octu-Mom. You`re going to say, hey, president -
ANDERSON: Who`s that?
MARSHALL: Who is that? What did they do -
ANDERSON: Yes, it will definitely get your attention. We`ll leave it there for now. Leslie Marshall, Chris Myers, thank you both.
HAMMER: That`s weird. And so is this. There is really no other way to put it, so I`ll just come right out and say it. Jennifer Aniston store eats doggy biscuits on live TV. Yes, you heard me correctly. It`s a star puppy chow-down.
But why, oh why would she do this? I will tell you, coming up next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "Tyler Perry`s Madea Goes to Jail" number one at the box office for the second week in a row. Conga time! Gloria Estefan is taking Greatest Hits tour to South America for the first time.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
All right, did you see this? Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson eat doggy biscuits on live German TV. This thing really happened.
Now, on the show, stars are asked to bet whether a guest can perform a particular talent. On this particular night, it was a woman who said she could identify her dog by the sound of them lapping up soup.
Well, Wilson didn`t think she can actually do it. Aniston said yes, she could, and whoever lost the bet actually had to eat doggy biscuits. Well, the show`s host said they should both chow down on puppy chow. Watch what happens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS GOTTSCHALK, HOST, "WETTEN, DASS": All right. I`ll try.
(OWEN WILSON, JENNIFER ANISTON AND THE TV HOST EATING DOGGY BISCUITS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. It tastes pretty good. Is that Danny Bonaduce hosting the show?
By the way, the show is called "Wetten Dass," which I think, unless my German`s a little rusty, translates to, "I`m going to fire my publicist for putting me on this show."
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you for humoring me, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT studio audience. Actually "Wetten Dass" means, "You Bet." And in this case, I think Aniston and Owen, who were in Deutschland to promote "Marley and Me," both lost the bet.
On Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. This was it - "Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer: Will they become more popular than Brad and Angelina?" Only 12 percent of you said yes, they will; 80 percent of you said no."
Here`s some of the E-mails. We got one from Kathy in California. Kathy writes, "Jennifer`s acting doesn`t even come close to Angelina`s nor her looks. Angie is way more gorgeous."
But Judy from Ohio thinks, "I think it`s time to put `Brangelina` to bed. I love Jennifer. Hope she takes over the spotlight."
ANDERSON: Tonight, Katie Holmes says she`s not pregnant. In a revealing new interview with "Glamour" magazine, Tom Cruise`s wife shoots down rumors that she is expecting her second child.
Katie also says their first and only kid so far, Suri, has really toughened her up, especially with all those shocking tabloid reports about her marriage and even ones that said Suri didn`t exist at all.
Katie says, quote, "Some of the stuff people said was such absolutely horrible things to say about a child. It was so uncalled for and so disgusting. Enough is enough."
And on being a mother, quote, "In an instant, you become strong. You have to be a little bit wiser. It`s the most important job in the world."
HAMMER: Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11 p.m. Pacific and in the morning, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN. Take care.
END
