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Showbiz Tonight
Farrah Fawcett`s Brave Fight; Chris Brown`s Explosive Day in Court; Mothers in Distress
Aired April 07, 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, Farrah Fawcett`s brave fight. Tonight for the very first time, the "Charlie`s Angels" star speaks out about her dramatic battle with cancer. Plus, Farrah`s doctor also speaks. His brand-new revelations about her condition.
Chris Brown`s explosive day in court. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there as Chris Brown pleads not guilty to beating Rihanna. But why did Brown get so many cheers? And is it now time for Rihanna to break her silence?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD ETRA, RIHANNA`S ATTORNEY: If asked to testify, she will do so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And the very first interview with Michelle Obama and her mom. Tonight, their secrets to raising kids in the White House.
Plus, the surprising results of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. Is Michelle more influential than Oprah?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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.
HAMMER: Wow, it was an explosive day for Chris Brown in court as he pleads not guilty to beating Rihanna.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. But first, tonight, Farrah`s fight. For the first time in months, we are hearing directly from Farrah Fawcett about her battle with cancer. She and the doctor treating her are setting the record straight about the real state of her health.
Their dramatic new comments came out after shocking reports claiming her outlook was grim. Now, Farrah`s doctor reveals her brave battle is not over and it`s making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FARRAH FAWCETT, ACTRESS: Stress is what feeds your cancer. Stress is what gives you cancer.
ANDERSON (voice-over): A defiant and sometimes angry Farrah Fawcett speaking out for the first time about her fight against cancer and her fight to keep it all private.
FAWCETT: Stress gives you cancer. And here`s the paparazzi giving you stress. It seems that there are areas that should be off limits, you know, that would interfere with your healing.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has for you this early look at Fawcett`s shocking new documentary "A Wing and a Prayer" for NBC.
FAWCETT: I just so didn`t want to be, you know, photographed in a wheelchair, which is what they`re always trying to get, you know.
ANDERSON: Fawcett and those close to her share what they say is the true story about her painful cancer battle and those tabloid reports that this 62-year-old TV icon is close to death.
FAWCETT: That just pisses me off, OK? It just makes me mad.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Fawcett is hospitalized in Los Angeles. Fawcett`s documentary producer reportedly tells the Associated Press the anal cancer she was diagnosed with in 2006 has now spread to her liver.
DR. LAURENCE PIRO, FARRAH FAWCETT`S PHYSICIAN: With regard to her being comatose, I can`t even begin to imagine why a story like that would go around the world.
ANDERSON: In their documentary "A Wing and a Prayer" Fawcett and her doctor try to knock down what they call false reports that she is near death.
PIRO: And these things are so far off base from, you know, anything that`s happened or is going on. I can`t even begin to imagine how something like that would get started.
ANDERSON: Fawcett`s doctor says that kind of rumor-mongering isn`t helping her recovery.
PIRO: You can imagine what it would be like to sit in the hospital room and try to recover from a small procedure and see television footage saying that you`re comatose and that all of your friends and family have gathered for your final days. That certainly isn`t a particularly good feeling.
ANDERSON: When Fawcett`s cancer was first diagnosed in 2006, it was a shocking moment for those who remember her as the knockout pin-up model and break-out star of the 1970s show "Charlie`s Angels."
LINDSAY POWERS, STAFF EDITOR, "US MAGAZINE": Farrah has been such an icon since she burst on to the scene in "Charlie`s Angels."
ANDERSON: "US" magazine`s Lindsay Powers tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Fawcett`s popularity is the reason her cancer fight has drawn so much attention.
POWERS: People are really fascinated with the Farrah story because she`s so relatable. Women relate to her struggle.
ANDERSON: In her documentary, Fawcett says she understands why people are interested in her, but the tabloid attention on her cancer simply goes too far.
FAWCETT: There`s a part of you that goes OK, I am. This is what goes with the job. So I don`t complain so much about that. But this - I don`t know.
ANDERSON: And to make matters worse for her, just this past Sunday, Fawcett`s son, with former partner Ryan O`Neal, Redmond, was arrested on drug charges. The 24-year-old has a history of drug problems.
POWERS: As if Farrah and her family didn`t have enough trouble.
ANDERSON: But through all her challenges, Fawcett and her doctor say she`s fighting the fight.
PIRO: She has an incredible resolve, an incredible resilience. She`s been in great shape throughout all of her life and she`s fighting with everything she has.
FAWCETT: I`m holding on to the hope that there is some reason that I got cancer, and there is something that may not be very clear to me right now, but that I will do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Even though Fawcett`s documentary "A Wing and a Prayer" is being produced for NBC, there is no air date as of yet. A spokesperson for the network tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that NBC looks forward to airing it soon.
HAMMER: Tonight, Chris Brown`s plea. Brand-new developments in Chris Brown`s alleged beating of Rihanna that is making big news right now. Tonight, Chris Brown pleads not guilty to two felony charges - assault and making criminal threats. But will he face trial?
Also Rihanna`s lawyer speaks. He says Rihanna wants this whole case over and done with as soon as possible. She`s cooperating with the court but why isn`t she pressing charges?
Joining me tonight in New York is Carolina Bermudez, a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly," and Lauren Lake who is an attorney and author of the book, "Girl! Let Me Tell You."
So guys, I`ve got to show you this video. You have to take a look at it. It`s Chris Brown making his way through throngs of paparazzi and cheering fans that you can hear. But people are cheering for this guy like he was walking a red carpet.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there as this was going on. Carolina, are you with me? Did you just find it shocking that people were cheering him on like a big superstar?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": It`s shocking. It`s sickening. Have they forgotten that he`s going to face two felony charges? I mean, that`s the thing that I was so surprised about. It seems as if people have forgotten that there`s a brutal beating that went down that night. And although he is innocent until proven guilty, the fact that they`re there supporting him in throngs like this, it`s just - it`s baffling.
HAMMER: It`s almost like they just don`t care. I don`t know what their motivation is. But judging by the cheers coming from the crowd, that`s what it felt like. And he pleaded not guilty to those two felony counts. It looks to me like this thing - and everybody expects it`s going to go down the path of a plea deal.
Lauren, over to you, given what we know and what we`ve seen in this case so far, should we find it hard to believe that this probably won`t go to trial and he probably will not serve any jail time? I`m dumbfounded.
LAUREN LAKE, ATTORNEY: No, not hard to believe at all. I mean, we have to keep it real here, people. There are people in America that have done far worse than what Chris Brown had allegedly done, we have to remember, and have not gone to jail either.
And plea deals are just what they are. They are a deal. You give something, you give up a little something. And it may be that they are negotiating something to save Chris Brown and Rihanna the humiliation and the stress, anguish, aggravation and cost of the trial as well as the public, and that`s what plea deals are for. We shouldn`t be mad about it.
HAMMER: All right, Lauren, we`ll do our best to keep it real here. But I`ll tell you what. You look at what`s going on in the courtroom. You`ve got Rihanna`s lawyer seen shaking hands with Brown in the courtroom. A whole friendly vibe seems to be evident.
LAKE: That happens every day in regular American courts.
HAMMER: Well, no, no. But what it really seems is that everybody is definitely on the same page there. And in fact, Rihanna`s lawyer says that Rihanna wants the case over and done with and fast. Let`s watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ETRA: She would prefer that the matter be resolved expeditiously and fairly. She believes that the quicker this case is over, the more quickly she can get back to her life and her career, which is exactly what she would like to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Which is certainly understandable. And he did say that Rihanna would testify and fully cooperate with the court if it came to that. But Carolina, do you get the feeling that Rihanna isn`t seeking any punishment against Brown, doesn`t want to see the guy put away and perhaps that everyone involved just wants the whole thing kind of brushed under the rug and done with?
BERMUDEZ: Definitely. I mean, they want this done and over with so they can move on with their careers, so that Chris Brown can try to rejuvenate whatever little is left of his career.
This may happen every day in court as Lauren said before that there were plea deals going on. But what we`re forgetting is that these are two role models. These are two huge celebrities. And this happened in public, basically. Everybody has seen what has happened.
And you know, I think that somebody needs to be accountable for these actions, whether or not it`s Chris Brown, somebody needs to fess up. And we need to make an example out of this that this is not going to be tolerated.
HAMMER: Yes, I mean, Lauren, think about it. We`ve seen the pictures of what allegedly happened to Rihanna. Everybody is tuned in to what went on here. Rihanna`s lawyer says Rihanna wants what is fair in the case. But I guess people see what they`ve seen and think that what would be fair is to have this guy put away.
LAKE: Well, we can all judge what we think would be fair. However, this entire ordeal that this young man is having to go through is part of the process, and he`s showing up for what he needs to do. If a plea deal is on the table, and he takes it, why are we all so up in arms?
Everyone wants to make an example of this young kid. Well, there are a lot of people out here that we could have made examples of and we didn`t. If the legal process is working, then just let it work.
HAMMER: Well, let me ask you this, Carolina. Rihanna has been quiet about this. She apparently is in Barbados right now. We`ve heard from Chris Brown. We`ve heard from all the lawyers in the case. Is it time for Rihanna herself to speak out? Or should we just let her be and she`ll speak out on her time? I`ve got 10 seconds for you.
BERMUDEZ: I think she needs to speak out as soon as possible. She has an opportunity to make a difference, not only for herself, but in the lives of many other women out there. It`s time, Rihanna. She needs to come out and say what she feels about this.
HAMMER: Well, thank you very much, Carolina and Lauren Lake.
And now, let me turn it over to you. Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Chris Brown Pleads Not Guilty: Is it time for Rihanna to speak out about the alleged attack?" Do you agree with Carolina? You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or you can E-mail at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
So Brooke, tonight, we`ve got brand-new details about two big celebrity moms who are in distress.
ANDERSON: We do, A.J. Both Madonna and Sarah Palin are going through some pretty tough stuff right now. Madonna had her request to adopt another African child rejected, but she`s still fighting. However, for the first time that little girl`s dad is speaking out. Will that put an end to Madonna`s adoption biz?
HAMMER: And then you`ve got Sarah Palin in trouble. Levi Johnston has just been blabbing about his sex life with Palin`s daughter, Bristol. Palin has been furious about it. Will this actually hurt her presidential hopes? Or will this actually get Sarah more sympathy?
Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the president of the United States. He`s not a damn Chia pet.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s a Chia and you can trim any hairline you want. Give it a haircut. What does that have to do with racism?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The brand new controversy over the President Obama Chia pet. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Entire original Beatles catalog remastered, will released on 9/9/09. Charlie Sheen`s son Max released from hospital three weeks after his birth.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, first, it was her husband, President Obama. Now tonight, First Lady Michelle has her very own wax figure. She`s the third wife of the U.S. president to be put into wax at Madame Tussauds. The other two - Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. All right. So from wax Obamas to a hairy one. Tonight the Chia Obama, banned? You know those cute terra- cotta figures you water and they magically grow hair.
There`s a Barack Obama one out there now. But tonight, I can tell you this hairy presidential plant is being trimmed from store shelves.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It`s a Chia pet that got shoved out the door of Walgreens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Introducing, Chia Obama.
MOOS: A mere week or so after its introduction at certain Walgreens in Chicago and Florida -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just spread the seeds, water and watch it grow.
MOOS: What`s growing is controversy.
(on camera): Do you see a racial angle to this?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not at all.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I don`t.
MOOS: What do you mean what`s the problem?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the president of the United States. He`s not a damn Chia pet.
MOOS: Now, he is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Display it on your desk -
MOOS: Most folks just laugh. But some worry about others - splitting hairs.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It would grow and it would look like an Afro.
MOOS: Do you see anything offensive about it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a little. I mean, with the little Jheri curl looking like that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looks like a Jheri curl.
MOOS: Are you guys offended by this?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
MOOS: But you understand how someone else could be?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
MOOS (voice-over): Walgreens got a few complaints and decided Chia Obama is not appropriate for its corporate image. And that has left Chia Obama`s maker pulling out his hair.
JOSEPH PEDOTT, CREATOR OF CHIA OBAMA: I just don`t understand. I wish I knew. I`m just hurt.
MOOS: Joseph Pedott says Chia Obama was flying off the shelves especially at the Walgreens near Barack Obama`s Chicago home.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would put one in my classroom.
MOOS: This teacher already has a Chia hippo for her fourth graders.
(on camera): You would make a great Chia pet. Can`t you just imagine him as a Chia?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think Chia pets should be left to animals.
MOOS (voice-over): Online, someone posted it looks more like Chia Billy Crystal. Posted another, it would be racist if it were Richard Simmons. And if the Afro angle worries you.
PEDOTT: It`s a Chia. You can trim it any hairline you want. Give it a haircut. What does that have to do with racism?
MOOS: The other day, Chia Obama was spotted on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange sneaking out behind a CNBC reporter.
(on camera): You know who they`ll do next? Chia Hillary.
CROWD: Wow.
(voice-over): Yes. The prototype - the hair will be just like Chia Obamas. Also coming soon, statue of liberty.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wouldn`t want my face to be somebody`s plant.
MOOS: Daunting Chia Obama sort of takes the green out of Walgreens. When it comes to get a couple complaints companies tend to be ch-ch chicken.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: It`s time now for Hollywood at Home. This is where we get stars to reveal the secrets of how they balance their Hollywood careers and their home life. Tonight, it`s Tori Spelling.
Now, Tori is married to Dean McDermott. They have two kids together. And Tori is definitely keeping busy with her career. She`s got her reality show on Oxygen, Tori and Dean. And she`s about to play Donna Martin once again in the CW`s "90210." So when we caught up with Tori, we just had to ask, how does she juggle all of it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TORI SPELLING, ACTRESS: You make your family first, no matter what. It`s simple. You just do that. And everything else, you know, comes into play. And it all intersects for us because we work family business. We have a reality show.
So we all, you know, work together, play together and we stay together, which is really important. And I always say, I`m so thankful for my reality show, because it`s the best job in the business. I get to show the fans the real me and I get to stay with my family all day long.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She is one busy lady. By the way, you can catch Tori on "90210." That happens April 14th.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., I have got to imagine there`s a lot going on at Sarah Palin`s house right now.
HAMMER: Yes, there`s got to be, Brooke. Sarah just furious at Levi Johnston for yapping about his sex life with her daughter, Bristol. So tonight, Sarah Palin, mom in distress. Will Levi`s blabbing hurt her presidential hopes? Or how about the opposite? Will it get Sarah more sympathy? That`s coming up.
ANDERSON: And A.J., another mom in distress - Madonna. You know, she`s fighting to adopt another African child. Tonight, though, that girl`s dad finally speaking out. Will this put end to Madonna`s hopes to adopt the child?
And this.
(VIDEO CLIP -- EMINEM`S MUSIC VIDEO)
HAMMER: Eminem - remember him? Well, we`ve got your first look at his brand-new music video. He rips into just about everyone in Hollywood. It is totally funny. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Britney Spears make take her "Circus" tour to Australia. Samuel L. Jackson to host ESPN`s Espy Awards for the fourth time on July 19th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. New right now, Anna Nicole Smith`s former lover and her psychiatrist in court today. Howard K. Stern and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich showed up in a Los Angeles court to answer charges that, along with another doctor, they supplied Anna Nicole with tons of prescription drugs. Stern`s attorney insisted today that his client didn`t force anything on Anna Nicole.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE SADOW, HOWARD K. STERN`S ATTORNEY: She was in control of her own life. Anna made her own choices and decisions. No one told her what to do or when to do it. No one enabled Anna Nicole Smith. She was her own person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Stern and Eroshevich`s arraignment on felony charges was pushed until May 13th. Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental drug overdose in 2007.
HAMMER: So Brooke, have you been paying attention to what has been going on here? The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines - they have been ringing. They`ve been buzzing, vibrating. They`ve been doing all sorts of things, people are very fire-up about Madonna trying to adopt another child in Malawi.
ANDERSON: You`re right, A.J. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Dorothy in Pennsylvania who thinks that Madonna got what she deserved.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DOROTHY, CALLER FROM PENNSYLVANIA: I think justice was finally done in Madonna being rejected the adoption. Listen, she got away with it the first time because - who knows why? Probably because of her celebrity and the money she had, et cetera.
But it`s not fair. It`s not fair to everyone else in the world who has to go by the rules. So this time, they decided to make her go by the rules.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for that, Dorothy. We also heard from Jill calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Arizona. Now, Jill thinks the criticism of Madonna is out of line.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JILL, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: I just want to make a comment on all of the people that are calling in, leaving their messages, their comments saying that Madonna should be adopting a child from this country instead of the other country. My point is, what makes the difference - what country she chooses a child from? A child is a child.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Jill. I`m right with you. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else you want to vent about.
ANDERSON: Yes. Don`t hold back. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open around the clock, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave a message. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT lineup. Here`s what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Mom in distress. Sarah Palin - will Levi Johnston`s blabbing about his sex life with Palin`s daughter, Bristol, get Sarah more sympathy?
Also another mom in distress - Madonna fighting to adopt another African child as we`ve been talking about. Tonight, that girl`s dad speaking out.
Michelle Obama and her mom give their first interview. Their secrets to raising kids in the White House. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford to star as dueling morning show hosts in new film. Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx to appear at Apollo Theater`s 75th anniversary.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, mothers in distress. Tonight, for the very first time, the father of the African girl Madonna is trying to adopt is speaking out.
Another mother in distress, Sarah Palin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYRA BANKS, HOST, "THE TYRA BANKS SHOW": Did she think you were abstinent?
LEVI JOHNSTON, EX-BOYFRIEND OF BRISTOL PALIN: No.
BANKS: You think she knew?
JOHNSTON: I`m pretty sure she probably knew.
BANKS: How are you pretty sure she knew?
JOHNSTON: Moms are pretty smart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, has Levi Johnson`s sex talk about his relationship with Sarah Palin`s daughter Bristol brought Sarah more sympathy?
First Lady Michelle Obama and her mom. Tonight, their very first interview together.
Plus, more stories breaking from the SHOWBIZ News Ticker.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
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.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, we`ve got star moms in distress. Sarah Palin fights back against Levi Johnson`s sex revelation. Madonna`s brand-new adoption road block. Those stories new right now.
Sarah Palin just furious over Levi Johnson`s sex talk on national TV. Levi`s loose-lipped fiasco may have cost Palin some major political points. But could there be sympathy for Palin?
And more Madonna adoption drama. The biological father of the little girl she wanted to adopt steps forward. Will he put a stop to Madonna`s quest for the young girl named Mercy?
Joining me tonight in New York, Carolina Bermudez who is a senior editor of "In Touch Weekly." Also joining me tonight in New York is Lauren Lake, attorney and author of this fine book "Girl! Let Me Tell You."
Let`s begin with Sarah Palin. Sarah still reeling from the fallout of her daughter Bristol`s ex-fiance, just spilling his guts on "The Tyra Banks Show" talking about his sex life with Bristol and even how they broke the pregnancy news to Sarah Palin. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNSTON: We walked in there and it took a while for Sarah to believe us. I mean, she kept thinking we were lying or something.
BANKS: Did she think you were abstinent?
JOHNSTON: No.
BANKS: OK. So she knew that you guys were active?
JOHNSTON: Yes.
BANKS: You think she knew?
JOHNSTON: I`m pretty sure she probably knew.
BANKS: How are you pretty sure she knew?
JOHNSTON: Moms are pretty smart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Moms are pretty smart. And no matter what you think of Sarah Palin, you can certainly understand why her head must be spinning over this. Carolina, off to you first. Do you think that right now, there is a lot of sympathy for Palin even coming from people who, you know, may have hated on her in the past?
BERMUDEZ: Well, there has to be a lot of sympathy for her. Nobody likes their dirty laundry aired on national television, much less when it`s your underage daughter and a single mother now. So I think they`re probably looking at this and thinking, "Well, maybe it`s better that they didn`t get married in the end."
HAMMER: Yes. And in fact Sarah Palin said that Bristol made a mistake with that relationship to begin with and certainly understands that now.
Lauren, what do you think? Because certainly, Sarah Palin has been a polarizing figure since she came into the national spotlight. But I`m hearing a lot of people, even those who had some unkind words for her in the past, taking her side on this.
LAKE: You know what? To be honest with you, we`re making it about Sarah Palin. But I feel bad for Bristol. I mean, you know, who wants people to talk about what is going on behind closed doors? It`s bad enough she`s paraded around during the campaign, pregnant. She`s underage.
Now, we`ve got the boyfriend on TV talking about how the mother probably knew what was going on. This is ugly for this young girl and I want to focus on how is she handling all of this. Sarah can get over it.
HAMMER: Yes. You know, an excellent point. Yes. Sarah, I think, has pretty thick skin especially after having gone through what she went through with the presidential election.
But Sarah Palin calls Levi`s words about Bristol a distortion of their relationship, said it was a quest for fame and attention. I`ve got to say though a lot of people remember Levi Johnson being trotted out with the whole Palin family and that new hair cut, that nice new suit when they held the Republican National Convention, as we`re seeing here.
So Carolina, don`t you think Sarah Palin has to kind of accept some of the blame here for putting him on the world stage?
BERMUDEZ: She definitely does. You know, they cleaned him up really nice before that convention. And the fact they even brought him out with their family, he could have been in the background. They didn`t really need to draw that attention to himself. Now, he does want his 15 minutes. And they kind of have to suck it up and take it.
HAMMER: Well, despite all of the drama, a lot of people were very surprised to learn who exactly Levi Johnston would vote for should Sarah Palin run for president? Take a look at what he told Tyra.
JOHNSTON: I`d be happy for her if she made it that far. But at the same time, I think it would make things even harder than it is now.
BANKS: So if there are two boxes, and one says "Sarah Palin for President" and the other one says, "Barack Obama," which one are you checking?
JOHNSTON: I still think I`m going to go with Sarah Palin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, there you go. I`m not sure if she wants his vote. Maybe he kept the suit - I`m thinking. Lauren, do you think Sarah Palin`s political future, in any way, despite your personal concern for Bristol - do you think her political future could take a hit from all of this?
LAKE: You know what? I definitely think that people are not going to forget about this. You`d be surprised the thing they drum up. You know, we`ve witnessed a campaign unlike any other this past November. So, yes, this could come back to haunt her. And I`m going to be honest with you. It is not that pretty. Teenagers in your house having sex.
HAMMER: Yes. That pretty much is consistent with a lot of ugliness that we saw throughout that whole campaign and all of that the stuff hurled at Sarah Palin along the way.
Well, you know, Sarah Palin not the only mom in distress right now. Also new right now, Madonna with a brand-new challenge in her attempt to adopt a 3-year-old Malawian girl named Mercy.
So all of a sudden, Mercy`s biological father has stepped forward saying that he wants to be in his daughter`s life. Take a look what he told People.com, "Now that I know Mercy is alive, I`m willing to support her. I will see what I can do."
Lauren, back to you. Should Madonna be at all worried here that Mercy`s father stepping forward could be yet another hurdle in Madonna`s adoption plans?
LAKE: You know, I`d like to refrain - I don`t know if Madonna should be worried and that she should be sympathetic and concerned. And she should want to make sure that this baby she is adopting doesn`t have a parent that truly wants to be in their life.
Now, when she met the baby, she was at an orphanage. So yes, quite frankly, she thought she had no living relatives that could care for her. But if her young father is there, and he wants to be a part - if I were Madonna, I would reach out instead of creating some type of, you know, polarized communication.
HAMMER: Well, but at the same time, we really have to look closely, don`t we, Lauren, at this guy`s motivation. You know, he wasn`t there. He thought - he claims that this child wasn`t even alive.
LAKE: But he might be wasn`t there because he thought the mom passed away and child did, too. No, we don`t know if that`s true. What I`m saying, what Madonna needs to do is not go out there and say, "I`m coming to this poor country. And if I want this baby, I`m taking it." That`s how she doesn`t want to come off. If I were her, I`d lay low.
HAMMER: Carolina, what do you think? I heard you make a noise there. A little suspicious?
BERMUDEZ: I don`t know, Lauren. I smell an opportunist here. Because, you know, her grandmother had been caring for her and visiting her in the orphanage - Mercy`s grandmother, rather. And you know what? There`s a way to communicate. He could have found out after the fact whether or not the baby survived.
I think it`s very funny that now that there this international pop star that wants to adopt his daughter, all of a sudden he wants to come forward start contributing his time and being a part of her life. I smell something a little bit fishy here.
HAMMER: Well, we don`t know necessarily for sure if it is fishy or not. But let me ask you this, Lauren. Is it just me or is it nuts that Madonna and her team did not know of the existence of this guy or that he might potentially come forward. I mean, she`s got to be pretty ticked off about it, I would think.
LAKE: Well, you know, it`s not a surprise to me that Madonna herself didn`t know. But I would think that her team would have done a little bit further investigation to make sure in these surrounding areas that there was no one there claiming to be the father.
And I know that`s disappointing to her. However, we`re not in the United States, OK? So things are different there.
HAMMER: Sure.
LAKE: And so we have to take that in mind when we`re dealing with people of another culture. And understand that maybe all of this news, you know, they`re not on the Internet all day every day, getting nude, Googling everybody. OK?
HAMMER: Well, Madonna adopted her son David in Malawi, of course. His biological father still alive. And Madonna has made a point of keeping these two connected.
Carolina, 10 seconds for you. But I`d have to think that that would play pretty well on Madonna`s appeal to get her adoption of Mercy to go through.
BERMUDEZ: A.J., I would hope so. But you know what? With this case, you just don`t know. It looks like the Malawian government may be trying to make an example of her.
HAMMER: yes.
BERMUDEZ: And even though she tried in the past, it may not work this time.
HAMMER: We need to end it there. Carolina Bermudez, Lauren Lake, thank you both.
All right. As we move on - and Brooke, I`ve got to say I really do hope the drama dies down for both Madonna and even Sarah Palin.
ANDERSON: Yes, I do too, A.J. But I can also tell you there is one high profile mom who is sharing her personal story of keeping it all together under the spotlight.
Tonight we`re going inside the White House with mom and grandma-in- chief. It is the exclusive new interview with Michelle Obama and her mom. You just got to hear the absolutely amazing effect that the Obama women are having on people everywhere.
HAMMER: Miley`s confessions. The teen queen tells all about what really goes on behind the scenes of a glamorous photo shoot, and her heartfelt message for all young girls.
We also have this.
(VIDEO CLIP -- EMINEM`S MUSIC VIDEO)
ANDERSON: Eminem is back with a no-holds-barred video smackdown - Britney, Lindsay, Jessica, you better take cover. We`ve got your sneak peek, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Lindsay Lohan splits from Samantha Ronson. "America`s Next Top Model" will hold another tryout after last month`s N.Y. melee.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? The feathers were flying in court over this parrot. Now, one woman says that she bought the African gray bird over a decade ago, but it flew away and it ended up in the hands the of another woman who now says that the bird is hers. Well, they both cried foul and they took the battle and the bird to court. And here`s the end of this bird`s tale. The judge ruled that the parrot should go back to its original owner.
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson.
Tonight, Mighty Michelle. Michelle Obama and her mother are revealing brand-new details about life inside the White House.
In an exclusive interview with "Essence Magazine," the First Lady, Michelle Obama, sat down with her mom Marian to reveal the details about raising the Obama girls.
And we`re also revealing the surprising results to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We asked you, is Michelle Obama more influential than Oprah?
Joining me tonight in New York, Tasha Robertson who`s a deputy editor for "Essence" magazine. In Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who`s a correspondent for "Extra."
We appreciate you both being here, Tasha and Tanika. And we all know the world has been watching the Obamas make their transition into the White House. And it`s the first time in decades that we are seeing a first grandmother living in the White House.
Tasha, up until now, Marian has kept mum literally. How did "Essence" get her to open up?
TASHA ROBERTSON, DEPUTY EDITOR, "ESSENCE" MAGAZINE: Well, at first, she was a little nervous when she came into the White House to Ms. Obama`s office. She was a little nervous. But Ms. Obama is a great daughter. So she held close to her mom, wiping some time - making sure her hair was in place. They whispered and they laughed. So the first grandmother soon warmed up. She was wonderful. Our staff loved her.
ANDERSON: Yes. Her daughter really made her feel comfortable.
ROBERTSON: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: And Marian seems like a really lovely lady. And when "Essence" asked Marian if she likes living in the White House? She said quote, "I really am. You want to know why? Because my children are good parents. It makes it very easy to be a grandmother when your children are good parents."
Now, Tasha, this says so much about the president and first lady that parenting Malia and Sasha really is their first priority, isn`t it?
ROBERTSON: Absolutely. When the editor of the magazine asked that question, she wasn`t really shocked about that because - I mean, Michelle Obama has always said, "Being the mom, a mom-in-chief, is my priority." And that is definitely true. You can just tell right there.
And then, just having a grandmother - a grandmother there keeping the kids when the mom and dad are very busy, I think it just helps with the transition, helps everything just go smoothly.
ANDERSON: Yes, shows how important family really is. I think a lot of people appreciate that about them. First Lady Obama also tells "Essence" magazine she is happy to provide another image of an African-American woman.
Listen to this, quote, "The women in videos and the stereotypes are just not the truth of who we are as a community. We already know that because we are living these lives every single day. It`s nice to have this reminder in the White House, but I would say we don`t need it. All you need to do is look around your own community and you will see this same family in churches and in schools."
Very powerful words. Tanika, do you think they fully grasped the amazing influence that they have on changing those stereotypes?
TANIKA RAY, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I do. I think they knew exactly what they were getting into. You know, when they were in Chicago before they even ran for this campaign, I think they took all of this in consideration. You know, "Essence" magazine, of course they got this interview. They are the number one magazine for African-American women of influence which is what Michelle Obama and her mom are.
Her mom did a great job with Michelle, so she`s obviously going to do a great job with Sasha and Malia. And they are very well-versed in what it is that our community has problems with and where we need to improve and evolve.
And you know, I`ve got to tell you, when you`re watching "Gs to Gents" on MTV and they`re thinking about Obama and how they should button up their shirt and put a belt on, they`ve made quite the impact and will continue to do so.
ANDERSON: They certainly have their impact as far reaching and really long-lasting. And to that end, Mrs. Obama has been so influential in so many ways, from the way that she dresses to what she says.
So we asked our viewers in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day on- air and online - "Michelle Obama: Is she more influential than Oprah? Look at the results, 48 percent said yes; 52 percent said no. Tasha, are you surprised here?
ROBERTSON: I`m not surprised. You know, we notice how people really gravitated to Michelle during the campaign. And I think people are starting to realize who she is. People are starting to get her, you know, understand this is a lady with so many talents. Like Oprah, she can connect. So I`m not surprised that so many people are connecting to this wonderful lady.
ANDERSON: Me either. Tasha Robertson thank you so much for sharing this interview. We appreciate it. It was great to hear from Michelle Obama and her mom, the grandma-in-chief. Tanika Ray, always good to have you. Thanks.
And you can read the entire interview with the first lady and the first grandmother in the new issue of "Essence" magazines on newsstands everywhere.
HAMMER: Now, more big Hollywood stories that are new right now. Tonight, Miley Cyrus is revealing new behind-the-scenes secrets about all of her glamorous photo shoots. The "Hannah Montana" star is so idolized by so many girls who think she`s got perfect skin, perfect hair and a perfect style.
But this morning on "Good Morning America," Miley confessed she worries about her flaws like any other girl. And as looking perfect in every picture you see of her in the magazines, well Miley revealed the real deal for all her young fans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MILEY CYRUS, STAR OF "HANNAH MONTANA": If you saw the process of - I wish I could take every kid that looks in the mirror and says, "I`m not beautiful," and take them into the process of what it takes to look like that in a magazine, they would feel so much better about themselves. Because it takes an hour and a half before you`re even there.
They`re working on the lighting. They were standing. It`s not real. And if you look at any magazine, you - and I look at that and I`m just like, "My gosh! These people - how do they look like that?" And they don`t, you know. And that`s what I`ve learned - is that they don`t and that it`s not real. And that`s why I think the glamour shoot - I liked it so much because it was very me. It wasn`t all pose and all that. It was just me having fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You make some great points there. Also new right now, Kal Penn who, of course, co-stars on the hit TV show "House" - well, he got killed off so he could take a real-life job in the White House. Penn, who was Kumar, of course, in the "Harold and Kumar" movies, is moving to Washington to become a public liaison for President Obama.
Well, Eminem is not making any friends on his return to the spotlight. His new song just slams everyone from Jessica Simpson to Sarah Palin.
(VIDEO CLIP OF EMINEM`S NEW MUSIC VIDEO)
It looks like Eminem is making more enemies. No one is spared in this full-on celebrity smackdown. Coming up, it`s your sneak peek at the video you`ve got to see to believe. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Hawaii apartment building where Barack Obama grew up could become landmark. Ret. Gen. Colin Powell to be on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, it`s Eminem`s all-out celebrity smackdown. The rap star is hardly easing back into the spotlight.
Instead, his brand-new song and brand-new music video slammed more stars than we can tell and I can count. From Jessica Simpson to Sarah Palin, nobody is safe. Here`s your sneak peek.
(VIDEO CLIP -- EMINEM`S MUSIC VIDEO)
HAMMER: He never fails. Eminem`s new album is called "Relapse." It`s due in stores on May 19th. You can check out the entire video on MTV.com.
ANDERSON: And long before "High School Musical," there was "Fame." Remember that? And now it`s kicking it to a 21st century beat. The remake of the 1980 movie stars Kelsey Grammer and Debbie Allen who was in the original film and the TV spin-off. Here`s your SHOWBIZ first look at "Fame."
(VIDEO -- "FAME")
ANDERSON: "Fame" is set to hit theaters this September.
HAMMER: And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Take care.
END
