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Showbiz Tonight
The Backlash Against Elizabeth Edwards; Rihanna`s Naked Nightmare; The Comedian in Chief; Brand-New Developments in Miss California`s Controversy; Susan Boyle Tells All to Oprah
Aired May 11, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the shocking backlash against Elizabeth Edwards. Tonight, why Elizabeth is getting slammed for speaking out about her husband John`s affair, about her fight with terminal cancer, and her very private family secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": People haven`t said, "Why is she doing this? Why is she putting herself out there? This is not good for the children."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the disturbing backlash and the great debate. Is it unfair or is it justified?
Tonight, Rihanna`s naked nightmare. Is that really Rihanna naked in very graphic, jaw dropping photos all over the Internet? Where did they come from? And could they influence the case against Chris Brown for allegedly beating her?
Plus, mysterious, brand-new developments in the Miss California seminude photo scandal. Will she be fired?
And Susan Boyle tells all to Oprah with Simon Cowell right by her side.
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. And tonight, the exclusive brand-new showdown over Miss California, gay marriage and her seminude photos. That is coming up.
But first tonight, the disturbing tell-all backlash against Elizabeth Edwards. Elizabeth Edwards, who`s dying of cancer and is answering tough questions about her husband`s affair, now finds herself in the middle of a raging debate about what she is revealing.
It all began on "Oprah Winfrey Show," Elizabeth opening up to Oprah about everything. And she continues to do interviews to promote her tell- all book, including a one-on-one this morning with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show that was, I`ve got to say, at times, pretty uncomfortable to watch.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now reveal the questions and comments Elizabeth is facing is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH EDWARDS, WIFE OF JOHN EDWARDS: I`m actually doing all right.
HAMMER (voice-over): On the "Today" show, Elizabeth Edwards told Matt Lauer how her inoperable cancer is now progressing.
EDWARDS: Sometimes, it will go to new places, so now I have it in my thigh.
HAMMER: And she clarified her feelings about her husband, former presidential candidate John Edwards, as they continue to work on their marriage after his devastating affair.
EDWARDS: I do love him. I wouldn`t be - you know, I would be making all this effort and certainly, you know, undergoing all this scrutiny if I didn`t love him.
HAMMER: But now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, even though there`s still tons of sympathy for Elizabeth Edwards, she`s also experiencing something you might now expect - a full-on backlash.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: There has been some backlash against you.
HAMMER: In Edwards` interview on the "Today" show, Lauer read some of the harsh criticism columnists are firing at her and her new tell-all book, "Resilience."
LAUER: "Now, St. Elizabeth has dragged him back into the public square for a flogging on `Oprah` and in `Time` and at bookstores near you."
SERAFIN: People haven`t said, "Why is she doing this? Why is she putting herself out there? This is not good for the children."
HAMMER: But from headlines that label her a co-conspirator to guests teeing off on her right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Maybe she just wants get her story out there. But I don`t think this is helping anyone.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, with all the horrible things Edwards is experiencing, is this backlash cruel or justified?
EDWARDS: I agreed to write this book long before there was any stories about John`s indiscretion.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show, Edwards said flat-out that when she was writing the book, she thought her husband John had just had a one-night stand with freelance videographer Rielle Hunter. It turns out it was an ongoing affair.
LAUER: Well, you were telling me that.
EDWARDS: I was wrong.
LAUER: . had you known the whole truth, you might have decided not to write the book.
EDWARDS: No, but I probably would have been more adamant about his not running.
HAMMER: Rielle Hunter has a little daughter. And there are reports that Hunter will soon demand John Edwards take a DNA test to settle once and for all if he`s the father.
EDWARDS: My personal experience - the, you know, betrayal happened whether or not - whatever the consequences were.
HAMMER: Elizabeth Edwards, who refuses to talk about Hunter by name in her interviews, says it doesn`t matter to her whether her husband fathered Hunter`s child.
EDWARDS: I wish for it to never be an issue. But you know, if it becomes an issue, that`s just another thing to deal with. But it`s not. That`s not like a further betrayal that I need to deal with.
HAMMER: And Edwards` attitude about Hunter`s baby is also exposing her to more heat.
BLOOM: Elizabeth Edwards refers to the baby as "it." Everyone can run and hide and say, "It`s not about you, it`s about me." How about this innocent baby who deserves to know from the beginning, from her newborn days, who her father is? And everybody running and hiding and writing books is not helping that baby.
HAMMER: And then, there`s the toughest question.
SERAFIN: The question that is on everyone`s mind is why did she stay with John?
HAMMER: Edwards answered that one on "Today."
EDWARDS: This sounds odd, but except for this very big thing that he did that was bad, I thought I was married - I believed and I believe now that I was married to a magnificent man, you know, someone who truly cared about other people.
SERAFIN: She had to know she was going to be asked these questions. And she`s obviously a woman who wanted to answer these questions.
HAMMER: But as she faces these tough questions, Elizabeth Edwards is finding out that getting sympathy in the public eye doesn`t always shield one from criticism.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, we are just getting started on the Elizabeth Edwards backlash. Tonight, the fired-up great debate. Is the backlash against her unfair? Is it wrong to criticize Elizabeth for speaking out about her husband`s affair and other very private family issues? Or is it all justified? That is coming up.
And now, we want to turn it over to you. Here is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Elizabeth Edwards Tells All: Is the backlash against her unfair?" And here`s where you go to vote, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also send us more of your thoughts by E-mailing us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, nude photos of Rihanna? Scandalous, graphic, naked photos all over the Internet reportedly of Rihanna - but is it really her? Tonight, the shocking and raunchy new photo scandal raises a whole slew of tantalizing questions. Where did they come from? And what is Rihanna saying?
And Chris Brown is actually being accused of leaking the nude photos. Well, we have his angry response to those allegations. Plus, details on one particular racy photo that features a guy who looks just like Chris Brown. Is that really Brown with underwear on his head?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz - no underwear on his head. He`s a correspondent for "Extra." Also in Hollywood, Arthel Neville, a TV journalist.
OK. So two of the photos that are out there in this batch clearly show a woman, guys, who looks like Rihanna wearing clothes. And then, a few more photos that are just, well, plain naughty, but we don`t see a face in those. Carlos, you have seen those photos, what do you think?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Right. You know, the thing is, I`m not going to sit there and say, "Oh, these are definitely Rihanna, unless I see a picture of Rihanna with her face naked. Because, like you said, the pictures where you see Rihanna`s face, she has clothes on.
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: Then you see naked pictures with no face. But what I can tell you is this - Island Def Jam is trying to have everyone who put these pictures on their Web site take them down immediately. So that`s an indication right there that it might be Rihanna.
Rihanna`s people have not come forward and said anything about it not being Rihanna. So you would think they would jump at the opportunity to say, "This is not our client." That`s number two.
And number three, I mean, you know, this is not the best thing in the world for her image. So if it wasn`t her, they would be doing some kind of spin control to say, "This is not her. Do not believe the hype."
HAMMER: Yes. I want to talk to you more about that in just a moment. But one of the things that`s so striking is that in two of the tamer photos, Rihanna appears to have taken the photos herself in the mirror. And in the mirror, it`s written, "I love you. I miss you." And it`s signed "Robyn." Robyn happens to be Rihanna`s real first name. Arthel, that`s a pretty heavy duty coincidence, wouldn`t you say?
ARTHEL NEVILLE, TV JOURNALIST: Yes. You know, I mean, I`m not sure if, in fact, these photos - if indeed they are Rihanna. We don`t know that. I`m not so sure they`re not going to - I don`t think they`re going to hurt her image, quite frankly. I think once you got past the alleged beating incident, to me, that`s more damaging quite frankly. So you know, she`s an artist. She`s a beautiful girl. And I think this is just going to go by the wayside.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s something that a lot of people are also saying, "Hey, you know what? People take pictures like this all the time." I always say if you`re going to be famous, don`t ever take nude photos - or if you are famous because they`re going to come out. I mean, that`s just always happens.
Rihanna has come under fire, of course, as we know. Right or wrong, a lot of people have gotten after her for remaining silent after Chris Brown allegedly beat her and then was arrested after that.
Carlos, I imagine, right now, as you`re saying, this is the last thing her image does need, whether or not she cares all that much.
DIAZ: You know A.J., I completely agree with you that I don`t think this is right or good or anything for Rihanna. But I talked to a record rep today who told me that this - that Rihanna, in fact, was the one who leaked these photos because she`s right now, she`s in between projects.
She has nothing else to talk about or no one`s really talking about her right now. So she put these photos out to put herself back in the news. I don`t agree with that, but I`m just giving you the scoop on what people in the record industry are saying.
HAMMER: Yes. And of course, we have not confirmed that. We have no idea if there`s any truth to the idea that she may have put these photos out. And for their part, Rihanna`s record label, Def Jam, as you mentioned, Carlos, has sent letters to several Web sites that feature the photos saying, "Hey, take them down. Cease and desist."
And they go on to call the photos, quote, "a violation of the artist`s rights. Now, Arthel, Rihanna`s record label - not really denying that it`s Rihanna in the photos, which I think they would do.
NEVILLE: Yes, you would think that they would that. But you know, piggy- backing on something that Carlos said, you know, perhaps this is the distraction. And quite frankly, you know, if I am Rihanna - and, again, we don`t know if she put out these photos or who put these photos out, quite frankly. But if it is, in fact a distraction, so be it. Because, really, let`s move on from that other horrible situation that she was in.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, in terms of who may have leaked these things, one interesting photo including a man who looks just like Chris Brown, apparently wearing underwear on his head. And celebrity blogger Perez Hilton writing it had be Chris Brown who released the photos.
Brown`s representatives shot back. They tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "This is both a false and defamatory statement. Chris has not released or leaked any photos of Rihanna or anyone else for that matter."
Very quickly, Carlos, really, what would be the point of Chris Brown releasing these photos be, especially considering he may be in them?
DIAZ: Yes, exactly. I don`t there`s any point at all. And one point that I want to make before we go is that these photos - from people I have talked to - if they are Rihanna and Chris Brown, were taken before the incident, not after the incident.
HAMMER: Well, we`ll continue to keep an eye, of course. Carlos Diaz, Arthel Neville, I thank you both.
I`ve got to tell you, as we move on, I am just surprised by the shocking backlash against Elizabeth Edwards. She is getting slammed for speaking out about her husband`s affair and her family`s very private secrets. But is that criticism unfair? It is the great Elizabeth Edwards backlash debate, and it is coming up.
HAMMER: Also, a Miss California coup. Tonight, a dramatic, late-breaking development that could set up a big fight with Donald Trump. Will the Donald now have no choice but to fire Carrie Prejean for her seminude photos and speaking out against gay marriage?
And you have got to check this out, a brand-new comedian. Just hysterical. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I believe that my next 100 days will be so successful, I will be able to complete them in 72 days, and on the 73rd day, I will rest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s President Obama. I mean, he`s very funny. And to keep a roomful of grumpy White House reporters and big-time stars cracking up all night, you have got to see this video of President Obama doing a standup comedy routine.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio donate money to help last living "Titanic" survivor. "Star Trek" has out this world debut, earning $76.5 million in opening weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Who are you?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: We have traveled at warp speed. How did you manage to be aboard this ship?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You`re a genius. You figure it out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Dick Cheney was supposed to be here, but he is very busy working on his memoirs, tentatively titled "How to Shoot Friends and Interrogate People."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s President Barack Obama taking a swag at former Vice President Dick Cheney at the annual White House correspondents` dinner on Saturday.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, it`s the comedian in chief. There was some megastar power at the dinner. Everybody from Jon Bon Jovi and his wife to Twittering couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.
But of course, the real star of the night was Barack Obama himself. The president and comedienne Wanda Sykes both took the stage and entertained the audience with their sometimes off-the-cuff jokes. No topic was off-limits and they got some serious laughs. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
OBAMA: I would like to welcome you all to the 10-day anniversary of my first 100 days.
(LAUGHTER)
WANDA SYKES, COMEDIAN: Whose idea was it to give the queen an iPod? What an awful gift. What is she going to do, download Lady Gaga? What are you going to give the pope, a Bluetooth?
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: Michelle Obama is here, first lady of the United States. Hasn`t she been an outstanding first lady? She`s even begun to bridge the differences that have divided us for so long, because no matter which party you belong to, we can all agree that Michelle has the right to bare arms.
(LAUGHTER)
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
SYKES: It`s hard to poke fun at the president, you know, because he`s so likable. Everybody likes, you know, his T-shirts and bumper stickers. Even the media, you guys have been very favorable towards the president. You know, it`s funny to me that they have never caught you smoking but they somehow always catch you with your shirt off.
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: All this change hasn`t been easy. Change never is. So I have cut the tension by bringing a new friend to the White House. He`s warm. He`s cuddly, loyal, enthusiastic - you just have to keep him on a tight leash. Every once in a while, he goes charging off in the wrong direction and gets himself into trouble. But enough about Joe Biden.
(LAUGHTER)
SYKES: He`s taken the first lady out on dates. I mean, I wouldn`t be surprised if I passed by the White House and see you out there mowing the lawn.
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: I believe my next 100 days will be so successful, I will be able to complete them in 72 days. And on the 73rd day, I will rest.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well done, Mr. President. Well, I`ve got to tell you our "Showbiz on Call" operators haven`t been getting any rest. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines just won`t stop ringing - so many have been calling in about the backlash Elizabeth Edwards is getting for telling all about her husband`s affair.
We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Pat in California. Pat says leave Elizabeth alone.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I feel so sorry for this man`s wife who is battling for her life. Her husband was unfaithful to her. If she wrote a book, so be it. That was her way of coping.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Pat. Thank you so much for your call. We also heard from Patricia calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Florida. She thinks what`s Mrs. Edwards is doing will leave a lasting impact.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think that it`s a wonderful thing what she`s doing because then, she has her side of the story out there. And it`s a legacy for her children and that`s important. And it will also help her heal.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Patricia. I invite you to call to "Showbiz on Call" to tell us what you think about this or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open all the time for you at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728- 2899. Call the number and leave a voicemail so we could play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, one of the worst things I can possibly imagine is thinking your newborn baby may be sick. Well, tonight, Jennifer Lopez is speaking out about a frightening scare, what she went through when she thought one of her twins was in trouble. We`ve got that next.
Also tonight, the shocking backlash against Elizabeth Edwards. She obviously has been dealing with so much, so why Elizabeth getting slammed for speaking out about her husband John`s affair? We`ve got the fired-up great debate. Is this criticism unfair or is it justified?
Also, Christian Bale`s very first interview to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT since his out-of-control rant.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHANE HURLBUT, DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: I was just looking at the light.
CHRISTIAN BALE, ACTOR: Oh, good for you, and how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, it`s good for us that Christian is talking. Is he surprised by how big a deal his screaming became? You definitely do not want to miss this, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Christopher Reeve`s son to run NYC marathon to raise funds for Reeve Foundation. Actor Tobey Maguire`s wife gives birth to baby boy, their second child.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony revealing a frightening scare they had with one of their twins. J. Lo telling "E! Online" that they discovered a lump on daughter Emmy`s head when she and her twin brother Max were just three weeks old.
Well, they rushed Emmy to the hospital. Fortunately, everything did turn out to be OK. But the scare did inspire Jennifer and Marc to form a foundation to provide pediatric medical services to the less fortunate.
J. Lo also just debuted a new song for her twins who are about 14 months old.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Kate Winslet has been named "Glamour" magazine`s Most Glamorous Woman of 2009. And get this, it`s the first time she has even made this list. So not a bad start.
"Glamour" points out Kate says I-love-my-curves attitude and looks, and of course, her great performances, including her Oscar-winning role in "The Reader." So when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Kate`s husband Sam Mendes while he was out plugging his new movie, "Away We Go," well, we had to ask Sam, do he and his wife even pay attention to stuff like this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAM MENDES, KATE WINSLET`S HUSBAND: She doesn`t read any of that stuff. People have said, "Did you know that?" Oh, really? That`s great. She had to be told she was one of "Time" magazine`s 100 most influential people, you know. She doesn`t go online.
She doesn`t read the newspapers particularly. I mean, she reads "The New York Times" occasionally, you know what I mean? But that`s basically it. So, you know, she`s pretty much unaware of all that stuff, which is a very good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Sam also tells us that he`d like to work with his wife again. Of course, they teamed up on "Revolutionary Road."
And Oprah had a very special gift for nearly 4,500 graduates of Duke University. No, she wasn`t giving out any KFC or cars, but she was giving out some great advice.
Oprah was the class of 2009 commencement speaker. She also received an honorary doctorate degree. Her message for graduates, "You will be more successful if you help others achieve their dreams."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": We all need makeovers from time to time in our lives. And graduates, I know this, that if you can see the possibility of change in your life, of seeing what you can become and not just what you are, you will be a huge success.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Oprah`s godson, the son of her best friend, Gail King, was one of the graduates. So I`m thinking it might have helped get Oprah down to Durham for that graduation.
Well, now, here comes the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Late-breaking and mysterious Miss Cali developments. Will the Donald Trump now have no choice but to fire Carrie Prejean for her seminude photos and speaking out against gay marriage?
The great debate over the Elizabeth Edwards backlash. Is it fair to slam her for speaking out about her husband`s affair? Or is the criticism justified?
And Christian Bale`s very first interview to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT since his out-of-control on-set rant.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TEXT: Ryan Seacrest and Chef Jamie Oliver team up for reality show on health makeovers. "Celebrity Apprentice" finale had more viewers than "Brothers and Sisters."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, backlash against Elizabeth Edwards. Why is she getting slammed for telling all about her husband`s affair, her battle with terminal cancer and her family`s secrets? Is it justified or just plain unfair?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Accepting the title comes with the responsibility to represent everyone in her state, not just those who share her opinion.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Miss California under attack. Breaking developments in the Miss California nude photo scandal that might force Donald Trump to say, "You`re fired."
And Susan Boyle on "Oprah" with Simon Cowell. Did she have a makeover and will she win? Superstar Susan speaks out.
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 is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, the Miss California coup and the backlash to the Elizabeth Edwards tell all. They are big stories making the news right now.
First, in a bombshell development late today, Miss California USA organizers effectively staged a coup against Miss California, Carrie Prejean, following her controversies over gay marriage and the release of those seminude photos. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have a responsibility to adhere to the regulations you agreed to when you accepted all the prizes, support and notoriety of the title.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And they`re saying shame, shame, shame on you to the National Organization for Marriage accusing them of exploiting the beauty queen.
And speaking of exploiting, well, that`s what some are claiming Elizabeth Edwards is doing with her revealing new book. Tonight, the disturbing backlash against Edwards is just exploding.
She`s actually getting slammed for speaking out about her husband John Edwards` affair with his videographer, her battle with cancer and her deep dark family secrets.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, June Sarpong, who`s the founder of PoliticsAndTheCity.com. Also from Hollywood, Arthel Neville who is a TV journalist.
All right. Let`s get right to it. In an explosive press conference late this afternoon, organizers for the Miss California USA pageant basically staged this coup against Miss California. What they did was appoint Miss California`s runner-up, Tami Ferrell, as a special ambassador so she can fulfill the responsibilities that they claim Carrie Prejean has been ignoring.
June, I`m going to start with you. Do you think this was the smartest thing they could have done or perhaps the dumbest?
JUNE SARPONG, FOUNDER, POLITICSANDTHECITY.COM: I think it`s the only thing they could have done because the problem is Carrie Prejean hasn`t been returning their calls. She`s not prepared to sort of meet her responsibilities. And I think that Carrie Prejean should be happy that she`s not being sued by the pageant organizers. And she should be happy she got a free boob job. And just go away - we`ve had enough of her.
HAMMER: Like they said, "Hey, you know, you had your winnings. You had your prizes. You need to adhere to your contract." You`re right. Maybe she should be happy.
And the pageant, by the way, says they, for their part, technically are not the ones who can fire her.
SARPONG: Yes.
HAMMER: That`s up to Donald Trump. He`s going to decide on that tomorrow afternoon. Arthel, to you, all that said, was this coup a pretty smart move on their part?
NEVILLE: Listen, it was the thing they should have done. Because guess what? If Donald Trump decides tomorrow that Carrie Prejean`s crown is gone, then nobody`s going to be mad at the Donald. The pageant folks, on the other hand, they`re just to, you know, curry favor with the fans of the pageants and they just want to stay the course. So it`s what they had to do, quite frankly.
HAMMER: Yes. And I don`t think the Trumpster is going to kick her to the curb. That`s just me. At the news conference late today, the co-directors at the pageant had some pretty choice words for the National Organization for Marriage and the fact that they used Miss California to promote their cause. Watch the fireworks fly here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shame, shame, shame, shame. Shame for taking this young woman and exploiting her to further your own agenda. Shame for not preparing her for the firestorm you knew you were creating. Shame for doing it all the while knowing that you placed her in a position where she stood to possibly lose her crown, not for her beliefs, as you so screamed, but for the breach of contract you so willingly encouraged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: They`re pulling no punches there. They`re basically saying this pro-marriage group is in large part to blame for what has been happening and that it`s their fault. But June, I mean, shouldn`t we keep in mind Carrie Prejean did go to work with them willingly, didn`t she?
SARPONG: Yes. And I don`t think Carrie Prejean is particularly naive, is she? I mean, this is a girl that knows not to put on a form that she`s got topless pictures, when actually it states that, you know, you should people that and that maybe you`re not allowed to enter a competition if you have done that in the past.
So I think - I wouldn`t be blaming the organization. I think the blame lies with her. I think we`ve had enough now. You know, she`s had her five minutes. She`s got her free boob job. Enough.
NEVILLE: Yes.
HAMMER: Well, she`s still out there defending herself, by the way, you know, "Why did you answer the question about gay marriage the way that you did?" Well, she did a brand-new radio interview this morning with Star 94.1 in San Diego. And Carrie says that she believes pageant officials are trying to remove her. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CARRIE PREJEAN, MISS CALIFORNIA USA 2009: I think that the - you know, the Miss California organization is not real happy with me right now with my views.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
PREJEAN: So, they`re pretty much doing everything possible to get me out of there. This has given me such a bigger platform now. I actually have, you know, a purpose and a platform where I can go out and I can speak to people just about standing up for what you believe in and not, you know, compromising your beliefs for anything.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hey, she`s found her special purpose. She actually sounds pretty empowered by all this. Arthel, are you with me? It sounds like she wouldn`t even really be bothered if she did lose her crown.
NEVILLE: Hey, listen. You know, A.J., and I know that infamy goes a long way. So, Miss California - if she already has a platform she just told you, she is going to milk this. And she is, you know, capitalizing on the publicity. And she`s going to go much farther had this not even happened. So, she`s not crying for herself. So, she`s saying to everybody else, "Don`t cry for me, I`m going to be just fine."
HAMMER: Yes. I think you`re exactly right. All right. I`ve got to move on to the brand-new backlash surrounding Elizabeth Edwards. Elizabeth Edwards has been out promoting her tell-all book which is about her husband`s affair, her cancer fight and her son`s death. Serious, serious stuff.
Now, all of this began, the media blitz - it all started with Oprah last week. But now, listen to what "New York Times" op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd wrote. This is amazing, quote, "St. Elizabeth has dragged him," meaning John Edwards, "back into the public square for a flogging on `Oprah` and in `Time` at bookstores near you. The book is billed as helping people `facing life`s adversities,` but it`s just a gratuitous peek into their lives, and one that exposes her kids by pedaling more dregs about their personal family life in a book."
June, what do you think? Is that just out of line?
SARPONG: No, I actually agree with it. I think, you know, the whole problem with the Elizabeth Edwards case is that, actually, you know, it`s one thing John Edwards is lying about having an affair and then running and actually putting the Democratic Party in such a precarious position had he been selected.
But to know that she was in on that lie, I think is just too much for Americans to take. And you wouldn`t expect that from her.
NEVILLE: Oh, come on, June. Come on, June. Hang on here. You know, she - Mrs. Edwards should not be vilified. She`s the victim in all of this. And quite frankly, until you walk into her shoes - here`s a woman who`s fighting for her life, fighting for her marriage. You know, you don`t know how that feels until you`re in that position. So excuse me, so don`t blame her.
SARPONG: No. But you don`t campaign - you don`t campaign with your husband knowing he`s having an affair.
NEVILLE: Yes. You stand by your guy.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Here`s the thing - let me jump in, because I think we need to hear from Elizabeth Edwards on all this because she`s speaking out. She gave a terrific interview, at times a little uncomfortable, to Matt Lauer this morning on the "Today" show. And she responded to all of this backlash saying that the book was in the works before her husband`s affair, which is important an important point. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EDWARDS: I agreed to write this book long before there was any stories about John`s indiscretion. And I intended to write just a book about my experiences prior to that. When I found out, and for a large part of writing the book, I only knew about a single night, a single moment of weakness. I didn`t think that that was a fatal flaw.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. So Arthel, I think this is your point. She`s the woman scorned here and she`s getting slammed for that. It doesn`t quite seem fair, does it?
NEVILLE: You`re right, A.J. And there she said - she figured that her husband made a mistake. He had some indiscretions one night and, "I will forgive. I will stand by him. I will not publicize this." But guess what? Go for it, Mrs. Edwards. Tell all. In my opinion, you are the victim here not, Mr. Edwards.
HAMMER: June, I have 15 seconds for you, but I`m hearing what you`re saying, you sort of agree that maybe this book, not such a great idea. But don`t you think maybe it is doing more good than harm in terms of helping other people dealing with similar things?
SARPONG: No, I think it`s either - well, maybe it`s helping other people. But I don`t think it`s helping the Edwards at all. And it`s not helping Elizabeth because she was the one we all sympathized with. But to know that she knew and still went out and campaigned, you just think, "No, that`s wrong."
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: A lot of people feel that way. I do have to.
NEVILLE: But she said she thought it was one night.
HAMMER: I do have to end it there. Arthel Neville, June Sarpong, thanks, guys.
All right. What do you think? We`re asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Elizabeth Edwards Tells All: Is the backlash against her unfair?" You let us know how you feel about this at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
You remember when Christian Bale went on that massive rant on the set of his new movie, right?
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HURLBUT: I was looking at the light.
BALE: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Coming up, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT going one-on-one with Christian Bale for the first time since that infamous rant on the set of "Terminator Salvation." Is he sorry for what he said? Or is he just sorry it got out?
And superstar Susan Boyle does "Oprah" with Simon Cowell. You`ve got to hear what she says about her new look, her new competition and what Simon says about her chances to win.
Plus, Justin Timberlake`s stunning Britney Spears revelations. Tonight, Justin revealing whether he and Britney slept together, and he does it on "Saturday Night Live." You`ve got to see this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Snoop Dogg cleared in fan beating case. Fan awarded $449,400 in damages. Expectant couple Seal and Heidi Klum renew their vows for the fourth time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HURLBUT: I was looking at the light.
BALE: Oh, good for you. And how was it? I hope it was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) good because it`s useless now, isn`t it?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, for the very first time, Christian Bale opening up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about his F-bomb tirade on the set of his new movie, "Terminator Salvation."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Well, it certainly was the rant heard around the world. Christian Bale`s four- minute tirade on set while shooting "Terminator Salvation."
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is one-on-one with Bale who has apologized for blowing his stack. Bale`s out promoting "Terminator Salvation" right now. It opens up in a couple of weeks. And he spoke with CNN Entertainment and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer K.J. Matthews about the movie and the rant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BALE: I want you off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) set you, (EXPLETIVE DELETED)!
(END AUDIO CLIP)
K.J. MATTHEWS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: Are you surprised that they made such a big thing out of the audio at all.
BALE: You know what? I really kind of keep my head in the sand over anything, but the work I love doing. So, no, I really don`t have any wonderful insights into any of that. I like doing what I`m doing and I don`t want to do anything to ruin that or corrupt that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
Why the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is Shane walking in there? What is he doing there? Do you understand my mind is not in the scene if you`re doing that?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
MATTHEWS: Tell me the percentage of stuff that`s written about you that`s actually accurate.
BALE: I don`t have any idea, because I don`t read any of it. You know, I don`t read it, so I don`t know what`s real and what`s not true.
MATTHEWS: Are you hoping that people will focus on the film and not all the hype behind the film with the character or the actor Christian Bale at all? Because there`s so much out there.
BALE: Yes. But I think people understand that a film set is a passionate place. And I think the film is going to speak for itself. And people understand that anything can be taken out of context.
BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD, ACTRESS: Privacy with the set is so imperative because you want people to be able to really enjoy the film and enjoy the story and to not read into anything.
BALE: It`s a summer, you know, action movie in essence. And we wanted to try and make it, you know, the best action movie for this summer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEWS: Well, joining me right now from Hollywood is the fantastic CNN Entertainment and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer K.J. Matthews.
So, K.J., I`ve got to know - did you get the sense that Bale was uncomfortable talking about this now-infamous rant?
MATTHEWS: In one word, yes. When I walked in the room, it was very quiet. I could tell that he really wasn`t in the mood to talk about that. So, I asked him about his character. I asked him about his film first. And of course, he talked about that.
And then, I saved that question about the audiotape to the very last in - just in case they were going to cut me off. And he answered it, but you can tell that he was visibly annoyed. You know, he basically just told me that he wants to focus on his acting.
HAMMER: Yes.
MATTHEWS: And that he doesn`t even read the blogs. He doesn`t care what`s said about him. He doesn`t pay it any mind which I find it surprising because everybody has listened to this audiotape. Everybody has heard it. It`s been played and replayed. So hard to believe that he doesn`t pay attention to it.
HAMMER: Yes. And I know you talked to the rest of the cast of "Terminator Salvation." Really quickly, do they seem annoyed that this whole rant has really overshadowed the actual movie?
MATTHEWS: Yes. They did seem a little bit annoyed. The director told me that basically, you know, anybody can be taken out of context ...
HAMMER: Yes.
MATTHEWS: . and that you have to realize, they spent days and weeks making this film. And that was just a little part of it and that the overall mood was pretty good. And even the cast members - the wrap are actually coming. And Moon Bloodgood said the reason why they signed on to this film was to basically work with him. They love Christian Bale. So, you know, they`re all behind him and they just want everybody to focus on "Terminator Salvation."
HAMMER: We`ll see if people can move on. Great job. K.J. Matthews, I appreciate you joining us. "Terminator Salvation" is the fourth in the series of "Terminator" movies that of course began with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It will be in theaters, May 21.
Well, tonight, Susan Boyle, the superstar, does "Oprah." The "Britain`s Got Talent" and YouTube star talked about for the first time with Oprah since shocking the world with her unbelievable voice.
The sensational spinster spoke to Oprah and judge Simon Cowell from her home in Scotland. And she said she`s been loving her newfound fame and she`s even getting fan mail for her cat, Tibbles.
But what everybody wants to know, did she or did she not get a makeover? On today`s Oprah, she answered that question and talked about some of the tough competition. Even Simon chimed in on her chances of winning the whole thing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Did you want a makeover?
SUSAN BOYLE, CONTESTANT, "BRITAIN`S GOT TALENT": It depends on what you mean by a makeover. I mean, my best friend actually helps me with my makeup. You know, that`s hardly a makeover.
WINFREY: But it seems like you did do a little something, didn`t you cut your hair and get your hair colored?
BOYLE: I did a bit, yes. I did a bit. But that was just to tidy myself up like any other female would have done.
WINFREY: Do you believe she has a chance to win the whole thing now?
SIMON COWELL, "BRITAIN`S GOT TALENT" JUDGE: I do, but I was looking at things through Susan`s eyes, you know, which is one minute you`re living with Tibbles, the cat.
WINFREY: Yes.
COWELL: Suddenly, you`ve got the whole world outside your front door. That put you under tremendous pressure and tremendous scrutiny. But you know, I think that`s a high class problem. You`re now representing Scotland in the competition. And I think you want to win it, don`t you?
BOYLE: If I had the chance, but at the same time, there are a lot of the other talents and the competition. So I`m willing to take my place with them. There`s a lot of good talent on the show.
COWELL: Good for you. Good for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Such a humble lady. I guess we`re just going to have to wait and see if Susan does win or not during the finals of "Britain`s Got Talent." That`s going to happen at the end of the month.
Well, our "Showbiz on Call" the phone lines are still being bombarded with people calling in about the Miss California seminude photo controversy. So many calls that our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT switchboard beauty queens actually had to put down their crowns and scepters just to answer them all.
We`ve got a call to "Showbiz on Call" from Cocoa in Tennessee who says the rules are the rules.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I seem to remember that they took the crown from Vanessa Williams when she had nude photos. And I think it`s a shame that some people get their crown taken and some don`t for the same exact thing.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Cocoa. We do appreciate your call and we would like you to call us as well at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open 24 hours day, seven days a week. And this is the number 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. That`s the number to call to leave us a voicemail.
We`re playing your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And we`re posting them, too. Your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online. They`re on our homepage - that address, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Set a bookmark.
Well, I`ve got to say Justin Timberlake is just hysterical whenever he hosts "Saturday Night Live." Am I right? I`m right.
Well, coming up, I have got to show you the funny skit where Justin is revealing a big secret about his relationship with Britney Spears. Did they or didn`t they? You know, do it. Justin tells all, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Dolly Parton receives an honorary doctorate from University of Tennessee. Robe Lowe joins California Governor Schwarzenegger to support wildfire victims.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, BUSINESS TYCOON: Joan, your level of strength, your level of energy - the energy has just been amazing. You really are a role model for so many people. And I have to tell you - Annie, do you know what I`m going to say?
ANNIE DUKE, POKER PLAYER: No, I have no idea.
TRUMP: I`m going to say, Annie, you`re fired. Joan, congratulations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan Rivers, you`re hired. Did you see this? Almost nine million people watched this smackdown between poker champ Annie Duke and legendary comedienne Joan Rivers on the "Celebrity Apprentice" finale.
Donald Trump hired 75-year-old Rivers and she collected $250,000 for her charity, God`s Love We Deliver. Nice going, Joan.
And welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And did you see this? Justin Timberlake dishes on Britney Spears. Remember back in the day when J.T. and Britney were dating? Britney went out of her way to say she was a virgin.
Well, now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmation to the contrary - sort of. While playing great, great immigrant grandfather, Cornelius Timberlake, in a skit on "Saturday Night Live," Justin finally answered that age-old question, did they or didn`t they?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, SINGER: I actually dream of a day when my great great- grandson will bring sexy back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bring sexy back, what does that mean?
TIMBERLAKE: It will be gone and he`ll bring it back.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did it go?
TIMBERLAKE: Just trust me. People will be onboard.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it sounds like he`ll have his pick of the ladies.
TIMBERLAKE: I, indeed - I`d like to think that at first, he`ll date a popular female singer. Publicly, they`ll claim to be virgins, but privately, he hit it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, it kind of appears the look on his face says it, right?
Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It was this - "Who is the most controversial reality show mom? Clearly no competition here - octomom, Kate Gosselin or Linda Hogan. Octomom winning 77 percent of the vote. "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" star Kate Gosselin getting nine percent. Linda Hogan, 13.
Some of the E-mails we got included one from Laure in Wisconsin writing, "Octomom is the most controversial because you never know what`s going to happen with her."
And another viewer from Wisconsin, "I think all three moms should be ashamed of themselves. It`s mom`s job not to protect their children, not to exploit them."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Have a great night.
END
