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Showbiz Tonight
The Mysterious Death of David Carradine; Jon and Kate Before "Jon & Kate Plus 8"; Brooke Shields Versus the "National Enquirer"; John Travolta Breaks Silence After His Son`s Death
Aired June 08, 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, bizarre, brand-new twists in the mysterious death of David Carradine, found hanged to death in Thailand. Tonight, the unbelievable claim the kung fu star was killed by a mysterious kung fu cult.
And what about the claims that his death may have been related to a strange sex act? Also tonight, why does Carradine`s family want the FBI to investigate? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the brand-new disturbing developments.
Jon and Kate before Jon and Kate. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with remarkable new video of the controversial reality couple before they became famous.
Plus, team Jon, team Kate. Whose side are you on? Wait until you hear the surprising results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll.
The Brooke Shields-"National Enquirer" smackdown. Tonight, how Brooke is making the tabloid pay big time after accusing them of checking her sick mom out of a nursing home.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, the absolutely startling news about the sister of former "View" co-host Lisa Ling who was sentenced today in North Korea to spend 12 years doing hard labor in prison. The disturbing, late-breaking developments, coming up in just a moment.
But first, tonight, the late-breaking developments in the bizarre mystery surrounding the death of David Carradine. Carradine`s body was flown back to the U.S. today from Thailand where he was found hanged to death in a hotel room. Well, tonight, there are wild suggestions that Carradine, the former star of the "Kung Fu" TV series, may have been killed by a secret kung fu cult.
Now, all of this follows the investigation into whether Carradine accidentally killed himself during a bizarre sex act. Well, the FBI said today it is now getting involved in the investigation and that is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): The death of a TV icon, in an exotic faraway setting, under circumstances that can only be described as scandalous.
ALICIA QUARLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Some people initially said it was a suicide. Some people are saying it`s sex play gone bad. This is a true Hollywood mystery.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, people the world over are talking about the death of actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV show "Kung Fu" and Quentin Tarantino`s "Kill Bill" movies.
UMA THURMAN, ACTRESS: Are you going to be nice?
DAVID CARRADINE, ACTOR: I`ve never been nice in my whole life.
HAMMER: From disturbing rumors about how he died to a disgusting photo that reportedly shows his body, to wild theories that a secret martial arts society might be involved, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the latest details and biggest questions about Carradine`s death.
The first question about David Carradine`s death - was it an accident? In Bangkok, Thailand, the body of the 72-year-old actor was found in a closet of a hotel room last Thursday.
QUARLES: David was found with his hands tied above his head hanging from a pole in the closet. But there were ropes tied around his - down there.
HAMMER: Those details are leading some to wonder if this was sex play gone wrong. Bangkok police aren`t jumping to any conclusions.
SOMPRASONG YENTHUAM, BANGKOK POLICE (through translator): From our investigations around the incident area, our preliminary assumptions is that the cause of death was suffocation, because there was a rope tied to his neck.
HAMMER: As if all the lurid speculation wasn`t hard enough on Carradine`s family, a Thai tabloid has now published a photo of what appears to be Carradine`s body soon after it`s discovered.
QUARLES: The family is dealing with the death of their loved one under mysterious circumstances. And then, they have to look at these photos - it`s awful.
HAMMER: And that brings us to the second question about Carradine`s death - was it foul play? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned Thai authorities have released Carradine`s body to U.S. officials.
QUARLES: An autopsy was conducted in Bangkok on Friday, but we won`t know the results for about three weeks. As the family said, enough is enough. They`ve hired an independent person to do an autopsy, because they want to find out if somebody else was involved.
HAMMER: Could that someone else have been from a secret martial arts society? On "LARRY KING LIVE," guests discussed that wild theory suggested by a former colleague of Carradine.
JERRY PENACOLI, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": He said that no one else knows this, but his family, Carradine`s family, and friends, and people closest to him. But David was very interested in investigating and disclosing secret societies. So, whatever that means.
MARK GERAGOS, ATTORNEY FOR CARRADINE`S BROTHER, KEITH: What that means is connected to martial arts and his interest in martial arts. And so there is a suspicion that if there was some foul play, that that may be the first area where they should look.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the FBI may be brought in to sort out the matter. The bureau confirms to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it`s been contacted by Carradine`s family and is waiting to see if Thai police want its help. Meanwhile, Thai police aren`t exactly keen on the foul play theory.
QUARLES: The Thai authorities have basically ruled out foul play. Hotel staff said that they didn`t see anybody entering or leaving his room. They`ve looked at all of the footage and they`re saying, "You know what? Nobody else was in there."
HAMMER: That leaves the third question, could this be a suicide? On "LARRY KING LIVE," friends and Hollywood stars who worked with Carradine insisted that David Carradine was not suicidal.
ROB SCHNEIDER, ACTOR: There`s no way that David killed himself. I mean, this guy had everything going for him. He had a beautiful, young family. People really loved him. And he was really in an upswing.
QUENTIN TARANTINO, DIRECTOR: There might have been a period of David`s long life that he could have been suicidal, but this wasn`t the time.
HAMMER: So at the end of the day, the only thing known for sure is that a beloved TV and film icon is gone. As for the other questions, it will take a while before we learn the answer, if we ever do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Well, Thai officials have said that they had welcomed the FBI`s participation in the Carradine investigation, but just as observers.
Well, tonight, an almost unbelievable prison shocker. The sister of former "View" co-host Lisa Ling was sentenced today in North Korea to 12 years of hard labor in prison. Lisa`s sister and another reporter for Current TV, Euna lee, were arrested in North Korea in March. They were charged with being in the country illegally while they were covering a story for the cable network, Current TV.
On "The View" this morning, Whoopi Goldberg broke the news to a shocked audience. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": We wanted to start with a headline that`s close to our hearts. North Korea sentenced journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee to 12 years hard labor for, quote, "hostility towards the Korean people."
Experts predict they will most likely be used as bargaining chips with America and the U.N. in the wake of their defiant nuclear testing. And you know, Lisa`s family to this show. So, it`s just amazing that you can go and these things can happen to you - anywhere in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, with us tonight in New York, Lisa Bloom, who`s a CNN legal analyst. In Hollywood tonight is Leslie Marshall, the host of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Leslie Marshall Show."
Lisa, I want to begin with you. Were you as shocked as so many people were that North Korea would sentence these two ladies to 12 years doing hard labor in a prison camp? Or should we not be so surprised?
LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I was, because I remember the heartfelt pleas that were made just last week on the "LARRY KING" show by Lisa Ling and the family, the 4-year-old daughter of Euna Lee. And these were two women who were covering an important story, the possibility of sex trafficking along that border that catches up so many women.
If they accidentally stepped into a stream or stepped over a border, it was clearly an accident. And to incarcerate them and sentence them to 12 years hard labor really is appalling. I can only hope that diplomatic efforts are going to get them released.
HAMMER: Yes. How heartbreaking for this family. As Whoopi Goldberg mentioned, she is family to "The View." Lisa Ling first joined up with "The View" back in 1999 and was one of their co-hosts. She was there for about 2 1/2 years. And on "the view" this morning, Joy Behar could hardly believe what happened. Watch what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Lisa Ling was part of our family for a few years. And we - I just think it`s just awful. And when I heard that they got 12 years this morning, I really was shocked. Steve was sleeping, and I woke him up to tell him, and he was very upset. It`s like, you can`t believe that this happens, you know.
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HAMMER: Leslie Marshall, over to you. Should we be surprised?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": Well, I think the sentence and the type of sentence - North Korea`s labor camps are notorious for torture, for beatings, for inhumane treatment. What we`re hopeful for, if you remember, all the diplomatic negotiations for their release prior to this - they just stopped in their tracks and they said, "You`ve got to let the court do what it has to do."
I believe the court is clearly - and the country is clearly shaking its fist, sticking up its middle finger, if you will, at the United States with this ruling. But I do believe with the efforts of our great nation and the great diplomacy on our side with North Korea, I do believe it`s possible for these women to be released.
But right now we`re looking at 10 days before these women are entering extremely harsh conditions in these types of labor camps in North Korea. So it`s - the type of the sentence is - the length of the sentence and the labor camps are certainly surprising. The timing of it is certainly not.
HAMMER: Yes. And on those labor camps and the conditions there, I`ve got to tell you, I discovered some pretty chilling information today on what it`s like to be in one of those hard labor camps in North Korea.
David Hawk is the author of a study on what it`s like inside those prisons. He says, quote, "It`s extremely hard labor, under extremely brutal conditions. These places have very high rates of deaths in detention. The casualties from forced labor and inadequate food supplies are very high."
Lisa Bloom, Lisa Ling and her family really has every reason to worry about Lisa`s sister.
BLOOM: They do. And this is also a reminder of what a lot of journalists in North Korea and China routinely encounter, being imprisoned for long periods of time, simply for doing what we are all protected here in the United States under the First Amendment for doing. It`s absolutely appalling.
I only hope that because they are American that they can be released. And I also hope that after they`re released, we`ll remember the other journalists that are also incarcerated in that part of the world.
HAMMER: Yes. I want to ask you something quickly, Leslie Marshall. I mentioned Laura Ling and Euna Lee were working on a story in North Korea for Current TV, created and overseen by former VP Al Gore. Should Lisa and her family be thinking positive now that Al Gore could get involved here and get something done?
MARSHALL: Well, I don`t even think that former Vice President Gore needs to get involved with the incredible team we have, certainly our secretary of state leading the helm, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
But I do think obviously he certainly can make some phone calls and can move people faster at much higher levels here and in North Korea.
HAMMER: Yes.
MARSHALL: But diplomatically, it`s the only way this is going to be turned around. There is no way they can appeal this in the country of North Korea.
HAMMER: I do need to end it there. We`re hoping for the best. And late today, we did learn that the state department is getting involved, as you mentioned there Leslie.
So clearly, this has reached the highest levels of the U.S. government. And we`ll continue to send our prayers out to their families. Lisa Bloom, Leslie Marshall, thanks for being with us tonight.
Well, all right, if you think you know everything about Jon and Kate from "Jon & Kate Plus 8", I`ve got to tell you, you haven`t seen nothing yet. Tonight, the remarkable new video of the controversial reality couple before they became famous.
And team Jon, team Kate - whose side are you on? The surprising results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll are coming up.
Also, the Brooke Shields-"National Enquirer" smackdown. Tonight, how Brooke`s making the tabloids pay big-time after accusing them of checking her sick mom out of a nursing home.
Also this.
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Yes. We all know Susan Boyle can belt out tunes from "Les Mis" and "Cats." But are Broadway`s biggest stars at the Tony Awards think? Is Boyle Broadway bound? 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: "American Idol" champ Kris Allen`s album due out this fall. Elton John`s "Billy Elliot" wins best musical, best actor awards at Tony Awards.
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ELTON JOHN, MUSICIAN: This is the icing on the cake for us. This is, you know, the acceptance we wanted and we can`t thank everybody enough. We`ve been so welcomed on to Broadway. We haven`t had any hostility at all from them. It`s only just open arms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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HAMMER: Tonight, is Susan Boyle heading to star on Broadway following her amazing performances on "Britain`s Got Talent?"
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, is Boyle back? Susan Boyle`s out of the hospital and tonight she`s reunited with her cat Pebbles after recovering from exhaustion. Well, there is now talk Boyle could be headed to Broadway and she`s just hired an A-list manager.
Joining me tonight in New York, Ben Widdicombe, celebrity editor for the StyleList.com.
All right, Ben. Now that Susan Boyle is out of the hospital, on her way to making a full recovery, a lot of people want to know when Boyle`s going to get to work on her music career. Well, this morning on the "Today" show, "Britain`s Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan talked about what he saw in Boyle`s future. Take a look.
PIERS MORGAN, JUDGE, "BRITAIN`S GOT TALENT": There`s no question she will be in a recording studio within days, weeks, you know, certainly before the end of the month, I would imagine, and will start recording an album that I think is going to be one of the biggest selling albums of the year. I think there`s a great appetite to hear her sing more. And I think we also wish her great success.
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HAMMER: One of the biggest selling albums of the year. What do you think, Ben? Do you agree with Piers Morgan? A lot of people still can`t wait to get their hands on that first Susan Boyle album.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, STYLELIST.COM: You know, I think the magic quality that Susan Boyle was with able to generate was just an incredible amount of goodwill in the audience. People want her to succeed. And that kind of celebrity star power draws people to the theater, which of course, is what you want if you`re a Broadway producer. I think that, you know, Middle America, who are the people who come to New York to go to Broadway, want to see her on stage.
HAMMER: Well, I think Boyle clearly seems to be on her way to stardom. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did want to know if Susan Boyle could ever have a career on Broadway. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, right there on the red carpet at the Tony Awards Sunday night. We asked some of the current stars if Boyle has a shot to make it on the Great White Way. Here`s what they told us.
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BRIAN D`ARCY JAMES, STAR OF "SHREK THE MUSICAL": I think there`s a question of singing and there`s a question of doing eight shows a week. And I think that is the true difference in terms of what it takes, you know, to actually be in a Broadway show. But she`s got an extraordinary voice, no doubt about it.
MARK INDELICATO, ABC`S "UGLY BETTY": I think it would be a great idea. I mean, why not? It`s totally logical. I mean, she`s got a great voice, obviously.
JULIE CHEN, ANCHOR, "THE EARLY SHOW": I think there`s not a person on the planet who doesn`t know who she is. And everybody loves a comeback. I think she has the talent. And I think - yes, she`ll probably go about it carefully and she`ll succeed. I hope so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ben, it`s a lot of pressure. Do you think Susan Boyle could handle seven or eight shows a week on Broadway?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, not only that. There`s no question of can she sing, but can she act and can she dance? I think, that`s the kind of the triple thread you need to be a big Broadway star. Maybe her medeae (ph) will be Constance (ph) rather than, you know, an actual musical. So I think people are curious. But you know, she has to pull out the talent on all these fronts to be a big Broadway star.
HAMMER: No question about it. She has a lot of marquis value. Ben Widdicombe, thanks very much.
WIDDICOMBE: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, if Susan Boyle doesn`t head to Broadway, we certainly can offer her a job right here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. You know, she can be a singing "Showbiz on Call" operator, don`t you think? Maybe even work on a "Jon & Kate plus 8" musical. We`re still getting a ton of calls into "Showbiz on Call" about these two. We got a call coming in from Casey. And Casey thinks Kate needs to shut her face.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: (INAUDIBLE) and eight kids. But Kate needs to pipe down. She acts as a mother towards Jon instead of his partner. If I had a spouse with that attitude, I wouldn`t take it either.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Casey, thanks for the call. We also heard from Kim calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Kentucky who thinks Jon and Kate need to take a time out and focus on themselves.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Do you think that Jon and Kate need to really just reflect and take inventory of what`s really important in their lives? You know, what they truly, truly want out of life. And I think it`s sad that nothing has been said about their marriage in terms of the two of them speaking about each other, about how much they care about each other and want it to work.
It`s all been about the kids and the kids are very important. But I think it`s more important for them to focus on each other right now.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Kim, thank you for your call. Please, call us at "Showbiz on Call." That`s how you`re going to let us know what you think about this or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Just leave us a voicemail. That gives us the chance to play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, you have got to see this amazing just-uncovered video of Jon and Kate before they were, well, the Jon and Kate.
Also, team Jon, team Kate. Whose side are you on? We`ve got the startling results SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. You blew us away with your response.
Also John Travolta, in a very rare move, speaking out on how he`s doing. Of course, he`s still mourning the tragic death of his son, Jett. Tonight, John with a very special message for his fans.
And the Brooke Shields-"National Enquirer" smackdown. Tonight, Brooke`s friends are all fired up about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHY GRIFFIN, COMEDIENNE: I think this is a story that any American, whether they`re beautiful like Brooke Shields or rich and famous - no matter what. You`re going to read the story and think, "Oh, that`s an awful thing to have happen to my mom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kathy Griffin there. Brooke is really making the tabloid pay after accusing them of checking her sick mom out of a nursing home. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Brokeback Mountain" stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway to reunite in film. "The Hangover" wins weekend box office in big upset over Disney`s "Up."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOBBY DALL, POISON: Hey, this is Bobby Dall over here.
BRET MICHAELS, POISON: This is Bret Michaels. Right here. And we are.
DALL: And we are Poison.
MICHAEL: Facebook rock on SHOWBIZ.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s "Rock of Love" star Bret Michaels and his Poison bandmate Bobby Dall. They`re sending a shoutout to our brand-new Facebook page.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight, I am so excited to announce the launch of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. It is so cool. You`ve got to sign up for this. You`ll get all the latest breaking entertainment news. You`ll have the chance to interact with me and Brooke Anderson.
We`re going to be adding new stuff to our Facebook page all the time. And it`s easy to sign up. You can do it right now on our Web page, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Click on the Facebook logo.
And now, speaking of Brooke Anderson, as we recently told you, she`s out on maternity leave. She just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Kate Victoria. And I`ve got to tell you SHOWBIZ TONIGHT viewers have been posting lots of messages already on our Facebook page for Brooke.
Brenda B. writes, "Gorgeous baby girl! Congrats to you both. Job well done. We miss you, Brooke, but baby duty comes first."
Ellen H. says this on Facebook, "Congratulations to both you and your hubby. A little advice, absorb everything. My son is 16 and I don`t know how, where did the time go? Enjoy your baby, guys."
And Jennifer V. adds, "She is an absolute doll. Little Kate is precious."
And I`ve got to point this out, not only our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook friends speaking out about Brooke Anderson`s adorable daughter, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT star friends are as well. I just sat down with the always hysterical "My Life on the D-List" star Kathy Griffin, and she, too, was very excited about Brooke`s baby in her own Kathy Griffin-ish way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: I don`t have to say hi to Brooke Anderson`s kid, do I?
HAMMER (on camera): No.
GRIFFIN: Brooke, seriously, congratulations. But enough already. Congratulations. So annoying. I`m sorry - except for your child. Brooke is gifted - people always think their kids are gifted. Congratulations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She brought it up. I didn`t bring it up. Kathy Griffin, if nothing else, is always Kathy Griffin. Now, I want to let you know you can see my full sit-down with Kathy on Wednesday. Wait until you hear her take on Jon and Kate and, of course, the octomom. No surprise, she really goes off. You don`t want to miss that.
And remember, sign up for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. You can do it simply by going to our Web page, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Just look for the logo and be sure to tell all of your friends about it.
And now, the showbiz lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The remarkable new video of Jon and Kate before their show. Before the alleged cheating scandal. Before they became famous.
HAMMER: Kyra Sedgwick setting the record straight. Did she and her hubby, Kevin Bacon, really lose all of their money to admitted Wall Street scammer Bernie Madoff? And did Charlie Sheen and his ex, Denise Richards, really play nice and go to dinner to together? The SHOWBIZ Truth Squad is on the case.
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 in process of settling lawsuit brought by former manager. Bette Midler marks 100th of "The Showgirl Must Go On" in Las Vegas.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jon and Kate before they were famous. Before the alleged cheating controversy and their reality TV show. They were just Jon and Kate and the kids. It`s the unbelievable brand-new video of a young Jon and Kate.
Brooke Shields`s incredible tabloid smackdown victory. Brooke makes the "National Enquirer" pay after accusing them of checking her mom out of a nursing home. All of Hollywood is fired up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: I think this is a story that any American, whether they`re beautiful like Brooke Shields or rich and famous - no matter what, you`re going to read this story and think, "Oh, that`s an awful thing to have happen to my mom."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And John Travolta`s special message to his fans. Travolta reveals how his family is doing after the tragic death of his son.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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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, Jon and Kate before they were famous, caught on video. All I`ve got to say is, wow, what a difference five years makes. The 100th episode of TLC`s hit show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" just aired tonight. And now, we have this amazing, must-see look at the family before they were famous and before their very public marriage meltdown.
And you`re not going to believe this video of Jon and Kate back in 2004 before they were famous. You`ve got to see how drastically they`ve changed since this video was shot. And considering all their marriage drama now, does this video show them at their happiest?
Also tonight, astounding results from our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jon Versus Kate: Whose side are you on?" You`re not going to believe the results of the vote and the fired-up phone calls coming in to "Showbiz on Call."
Joining me tonight in New York is Lisa Bloom who`s a CNN legal analyst. Tonight, in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
All right. We`ve got to take a look at this. It is exclusive video shown this morning on NBC`s "Today" show of Jon and Kate back in 2004. Just look at her. Now, this, of course, is when their sextuplets were just born. This is before their smash hit show. This is before all of their marriage drama, before the paparazzi were hounding them.
Just remarkable to watch them in action back then. Still reeling from having so many kids. And it`s also remarkable to watch Kate describe a scare that she had while she was pregnant. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": I had a scare that I was losing them. And I landed Christmas Eve morning in the hospital at Hershey Med. They thought I was miscarrying. And I lay in a bed in the emergency room for four hours praying that I wouldn`t lose them. A very hard day. Very hard. I mean, you shouldn`t find words to describe it.
HAMMER: Who is that woman? I`m looking at that thinking I don`t know her. Carlos, do you think Jon and Kate are better off now, even with all of the drama than they were back in 2004 when they were just sort of innocent about it, trying to figure things out?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You know, A.J., you and I have had long discussions about how I feel about love. I don`t believe in it. But, you know, I seriously - I got emotional when I watched this because they are so like, in love.
You know, you look at these earlier - they`re so innocent. And they`re just like - they`re not the Jon and Kate we see now. And when you watch this, you realize how they`re kind of not the way they were back then. They were so in love back then. And they just seem so innocent. Are they better off financially? Yes. Are they better off emotionally? No.
HAMMER: Yes. I look at it, too, with that same feeling of - wow, sort of there`s sweet naivete to the whole thing. And I`m thinking if only Kate of 2004 could have seen into the future. You know, now they live in this million-dollar home. They`re reportedly making as much as $75,000 an episode for the reality show. And they`re getting tons of perks all along the way, stuff that they do need for their kids.
Lisa bloom, what do you think? Are they better off now than back in 2004 when everything was perhaps even a little simpler?
BLOOM: Carlos, I`m shocked. You don`t believe in love? I mean.
DIAZ: Lisa, I only believe in love when it comes to you, Lisa.
BLOOM: OK.
DIAZ: But since you have said no, I`ve got to move on.
BLOOM: I mean, I do believe in love, and I also think that something happens when people suddenly became rich and famous. We saw it with Susan Boyle. We see what lottery winners - when they have this significantly higher rates of suicide and depression and divorce.
And I wonder if it`s the celebrity and the money that really got in the way of their relationship. They do look happier back then. And now, they have the money. They have the fame, but they don`t have the love. I think it`s a sad outcome.
HAMMER: Not only did they look happier, they looked completely different. I`ve got to tell you, I was so struck by how radically Jon and Kate have each changed in the last five years.
I mean, look at this side-by-side shot of Kate right here. That`s Kate then and Kate now. I`m telling you, it doesn`t look like.
BLOOM: That`s what hair and makeup will do for you.
HAMMER: I mean, hair, makeup - maybe a few other things. Carlos, let me throw this to you. You know, Kate does look terrific these days. But when you think of Jon, he just looks tired now compared to how he looked back then. Fame really has impacted each of them in very different ways in the last five years. Hasn`t it?
DIAZ: Well, fame gave Jon new hair. You know what I mean?
HAMMER: True.
DIAZ: He`s got the hair plugs that came in. And you`re right, Kate does look different. And see, that`s another great irony about this show. You know, back then, they were so much happier.
Now, Kate looks so much better, but is she happier? And it`s kind of like the whole Hollywood thing. We have people in Hollywood who, on the outside look pretty and they`re beautiful people, but who do they feel on the inside? And that`s really kind of the same example with Jon and Kate right now.
HAMMER: As one of Billy Crystal`s famous characters once said, "Sometimes it`s better to look good than to feel good." You know what I`m saying?
DIAZ: Yes.
HAMMER: And you know who you are. It turns out that before Jon and Kate were famous or had their own show, they actually were the recipients of a brand-new house. They got one back then on another reality show. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. All the babies are out. Let`s go see your house, Jon and Kate. Come on. I know you`ve been waiting for this.
K. GOSSELIN: We have not been back to our house since it started. No idea what`s going on. A little nervous.
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE" PLUS 8": I just want to be blown away.
K. GOSSELIN: Yes. Me, too.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is your living room.
J. GOSSELIN: Oh, my goodness.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Take a look at it.
J. GOSSELIN: We were so excited. This place is incredible. We were so thankful to be back. We just miss our house so much. Thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It only gets better. Do you love it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, everybody seems to have an opinion of who they like better on this team - team Jon or team Kate. I want you to take a look at what I think are just extraordinary results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here`s what we asked on air and online, "Jon Gosselin versus Kate Gosselin: Whose side are you on?"
A whopping 73 percent voted for Jon; only 27 percent voted for Kate. Carlos, to you, does it surprise you that so few people are on Kate`s side?
DIAZ: How`s that number even come up? I mean, here`s this thing. People don`t like Kate because she gets things done, all right? Jon is lazy. All Jon does is sit around and go, "Yes, I don`t know what I want to do." You know, it`s like - if I were Kate, I would be like, "Dude, get off your butt and do something." I would be in his grill too.
I think what we`ve learned here is that Kate is the way Kate is because of Jon. And we`ve also learned that I could never have a relationship with Jon either.
HAMMER: There you go. But you`re working on one with Lisa apparently. Let me get to a phone call, because we have been overwhelmed at "Showbiz on Call." Karen calling in from Kansas says she`s not taking sides on this. She feels bad for everyone. Listen to Karen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I feel sorry for the entire family. I`d really like to see them go to a marriage counselor, stay together. They`ve got beautiful children. I think too much - they`ve been on TV too much and they need to step back and get a little peace and quiet and get themselves back to together. I really hope they make it.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Lisa, Karen says she hopes they make it. The cards seem stacked against them. Do you think it`s possible that Kate and Jon could overcome all of these and pull through it?
BLOOM: It`s always possible. But I do agree with Carlos, that they are so different. I mean, she is the woman who makes things happen. She`s assertive. She`s got that kind of a personality. And he does seem like a kind of a quiet, passive guy.
It`s hard to see how they`re going to reconcile, where they`re going to find that spark with each other. I`m taking the kids` side.
HAMMER: Yes.
BLOOM: I think we all just hope those adorable kids are going to be OK, even if they end up having single parents.
HAMMER: At the end of the day, you get big nods from Carlos and myself.
BLOOM: How about that?
HAMMER: . and everybody else. Lisa Bloom, Carlos Diaz, thank you, guys.
BLOOM: I believe in love.
HAMMER: All right. What do you think? Jon Gosselin versus Kate Gosselin: Whose side are you on?" Keep voting on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Well, I`ve got to tell you, I was pretty upset when I heard about Brooke Shields` mother and how she was allegedly checked out of a nursing home by tabloid reporters. Tonight, it is the smackdown of all smackdowns. I`ve got the story behind Brooke Shields` dramatic throw-down with the "National Enquirer." You have got to hear what Brooke is doing to get back at the tabloids.
And "The Closer" star Kyra Sedgwick`s brand-new revelation about losing money to confessed Wall Street scammer Bernie Madoff. Did she and her husband, Kevin Bacon, really lose their entire fortune? Well, Kyra sets the record straight.
And we`ve got this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: It really helped to go back to the group of people whom I trusted and who were there with open arms and who literally - I mean, these girls literally helped me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Cameron Diaz revealed how she coped with the loss of her father on the set of her new movie. She`s telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how she got through the grief. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Bret Michaels suffers nose fracture and busted lip after Tony performance. Tony Awards ratings go up 20 percent. Angela Lansbury wins 5th Tony.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA LANSBURY, ACTRESS: I never believed in my wildest dreams I would have the opportunity to get another Tony. And therefore, this is such a complete surprise and a thrill for me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: You tell him I wanted 100,000 $100 bills. You got that?
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACTOR: I got it. What about the one cent?
TRAVOLTA: Well, you keep that one cent - you`re broker`s fee.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: John Travolta takes over a subway in "The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3." Now, John`s been out of the spotlight since the tragic death of his son. But tonight, Travolta makes a dramatic new statement directly to fans. We`ve got that coming up.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Brand-new tonight, Brooke Shields is delivering the smackdown of all smackdowns to the "National Enquirer." It`s just one of two more big stories that are making news right now.
Brooke is making the tabloid pay big time after accusing them of hiring a reporter to check her 75-year-old sick mother out of a nursing home just to get a story.
Also making big news right now, Kyra Sedgwick`s confession after reports circulated that Sedgwick and her husband, Kevin Bacon, left all their money to scam artist, Bernie Madoff. "The Closer" star is setting the record straight for the first time about how much money they really lost.
Joining me in New York, Gina Barreca, who`s the author of "It`s Not That I`m Bitter" just out from St. Martin`s Press. Gina`s also a professor at the University of Connecticut. Big hello to you, Conn. Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe who`s the celebrity editor for StyleList.com.
I do want to begin with this new report that Brooke Shields has reached a settlement with The "National Enquirer." Shields, publicly furious, and understandably so, accusing the "Enquirer" of trying to get a story from her elderly mother who suffers from dementia.
Well, in a statement through her lawyer to People.com, Brooke is saying, quote, "I am very pleased to report that the `National Enquirer` was prevailed upon not to publish a story. Further, it has or will be apologizing publicly. Finally, it has agreed to make a generous donation to further research on dementia and to encourage others to do so."
A public apology from a tabloid magazine and a big fat donation to fund research for dementia. Ben, I`m thinking this is a pretty big win for Brooke, isn`t it?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, it`s a stunning turnaround for the "Enquirer" which initially had dug their heels and claimed that the freelance journalist was not necessarily associated with them and was a longtime friend of Teri Shields.
I know Teri myself, and I know that she can be very funny. She has an edge on her to control blood. And it`s well-known she has some mother- daughter issues with Brooke. So, that`s probably why she was targeted. But the fact that the "Enquirer`s" lawyers would not only offer an apology according to Brooke`s lawyers, but also donate money, suggest that their own lawyers feel that they would lose an anticipated court battle. So, whatever Brooke said to them, it certainly worked.
HAMMER: Yes, and very quickly, too. I found that very surprising because remember, this only all happened just a couple of weeks ago. One person who also knows Brooke`s mom and who has been absolutely horrified by the story is Kathy Griffin. She, of course, is the star of the reality show, "My Life on the D-List."
And Kathy co-starred with Brooke, as you remember, in the TV series, "Suddenly Susan." They`re still good friends. And when I sat down with Kathy today, she really laid into the "Enquirer." Watch what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: Any American, whether they`re beautiful like Brooke Shields or rich and famous - no matter what, you`re going to read the story and think, "Oh, that`s an awful thing to have happen to my mom."
I can`t even imagine having journalists go in and like, remove my mom from a facility. In a way, it`s maybe a good thing it became public just so people can be aware that that`s how far the tabs are willing to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: And by the way, you can see my full interview with Kathy Wednesday on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. So now that this story is out there, and as painful as it`s been for Brooke, Gina, do you think that Brooke is really paving the way now for more stars to fight back when the tabloids go too far?
GINA BARRECA, AUTHOR, "IT`S NOT THAT I`M BITTER": I think that she`s set a terrific example. And I think she`s actually risen to the occasion several times now, where - when she had that altercation with Tom Cruise about the postpartum depression, where she is now having to deal with the issue that so many Americans have to deal with, which is, "What do we do with our elderly parents? How to protect them? How to make sure they are comfortable, that they have a life of their own?"
And yet, we make sure we are comforting them, that we`re protecting them in some ways that`s really valuable. And Brooke Shields, I never thought of her as, like, the poster child for all of these issues that were going to be the sandwich generation.
I remember her in her Calvin Klein jean ads. And now, I`m glad there`s a lot between her - not between her and her Calvins but between her and, you know, the "National Enquirer." I think it`s terrific.
HAMMER: Yes. "You don`t mess with mom" is really also what it comes down to. And hopefully, this will give them some closure, at least. What a terrible thing to have had happened.
All right. Let`s move on to "The Closer" star Kyra Sedgwick and her startling confession. She gave a brand-new interview to "Entertainment Weekly." And Kyra, in that interview`s setting the record straight about reports that she and her husband Kevin Bacon lost all of their money to convicted scam artist Bernie Madoff.
Well, Sedgwick says that she didn`t know what it was like to be in the tabloids until word got out that she and Kevin invested with Madoff.
Here`s what she said, quote, "I always joked that the best thing for mine and Kevin`s careers would be for one of us to have an affair. I didn`t realize how unfunny it was until the Madoff news broke. Suddenly, I felt like when I walked into a room, people were whispering, and they probably weren`t. Then, they`re saying we lost everything? We didn`t lose everything. We lost a pension. Some people had it so much worse. I have such newfound empathy for people who are always on these covers like Jennifer Aniston."
Ben, I have to believe Kyra Sedgwick right now feeling much better that she has set the record straight. But do you think it was a good idea for her to speak out about this?
WIDDICOMBE: I think it was probably a good idea for her to clear the air because she and Kevin were the most famous celebrities caught up with the Madoff scandal. It was inevitable that the media would always attach their names whenever they talked about the story.
And I think what happened, hyperbole crept in and the media started saying they lost everything which, as she pointed out, is really not the case. Other people did, of course, mortgage their homes because they were getting this what turned out to be illusory 15 percent return on their investments.
And most people now risk losing their homes. So as a New Yorker, I`m very glad that Kevin and the kids will not be sleeping on the sidewalk this summer.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m right there with you. Gina, what do you think? Is it really was kind of like the big elephant in the room for these guys? She almost had to set the record straight about it, didn`t she?
BARRECA: Well, I mean, I think that once again that what I admire about these celebrities are people who accept their celebrity for the work that they do. She wants to be known as the terrific actor she is. You know, Kevin Bacon wants to be known for the wonderful actor and producer that he is.
They don`t want to be known as just people who are either, you know, going to have to be saving their pennies now. We`re going to be clipping coupons for them. You know, do we need to send them, you know, money from the jar that we have in our basement.
You know, that they`re saying everybody has it worse that them - she`s so generous to be able to say, "Now I feel bad for other people. I`m worried about how other people are having to deal with, you know, the issues that they have in their lives."
Then, she brings up Jennifer Aniston. I think that was really classy in a way.
HAMMER: Yes.
BARRECA: .that was just sexy and wonderful and makes me admire her even more.
HAMMER: Yes, you can really understand where that empathy comes from when she was splashed all over the tabloids because of the Madoff story. Thank you so much, Gina Barreca, Ben Widdicombe. I do appreciate it.
Right now, John Travolta makes an extraordinary statement directly to fans. Travolta`s been out of the spotlight since the January death of his 16-year-old son, Jett.
Well, on the brand-new post on his Web site, Travolta thanks the co- stars of his new movie, "The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3" for giving him more time to grieve.
He says, quote, "Tony, Denzel, Luis, John, James and Sony Pictures stepped up without hesitation to help promote this wonderful film, and their unselfish efforts have allowed my family the additional time to reconcile our loss. Thank you all for the bottom of my heart."
He goes on to tell fans to set their calendars for the opening of the film. He says, quote, "You won`t be disappointed." "The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3" opens on Friday.
So, it has been over a year now since Cameron Diaz suffered the sad and sudden death of her father. Well, tonight, Cameron talks to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about going through the unbelievable pain while filming her latest movie. She also reveals who helped her get through the toughest days. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Apple drops price of least expensive iPhone to $99. "Dancing with the Stars" runner up, Gilles Marini, to join "Brothers and Sisters" next fall.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, Cameron Diaz`s emotional revelations about coping with her father`s death. Cameron`s dad died suddenly last year from complications of pneumonia while she was on the set of "My Sister`s Keeper."
So, she took off two weeks from shooting to deal with his death. And in a brand-new interview, sitting alongside co-star Sofia Vassilieva, Cameron tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the cast and crew of the film became her support system.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: I had to go back to work. There was no option to it. And of course, I want to fulfill my responsibilities. And you know, it really helped to go back to a group of people whom I trusted, and who were there with open arms and who literally - I mean, these girls literally helped me.
So I, you know, it was a blessing that each though that happened during that time, that the blessing was that I got to go back to that group of people.
HAMMER: Cameron`s new film, "My Sister`s Keeper," will be open on June 26th.
Well, tonight, the "SHOWBIZ Truth Squad" has been working all day to answer the question, did Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards actually have dinner together? Now, to say their divorce has been nasty - that would be the understatement of the century. These guys have been going at it since Denise filed back in 2006.
So, did these two actually sit down to dinner with their kids and even Charlie`s new wife? I hope you`re sitting down, because the "SHOWBIZ Truth Squad" says yes, it`s true.
Denise tells this to "E!`s" "Daily Ten," quote, "Believe it or not, we had dinner together with all of us. Obviously, my divorce was very public and it got very nasty. Charlie and I didn`t want that. We`ve worked very hard to get it to this place, and I`m so grateful for it.
Former president George H.W. Bush turns 85 this Friday, and he`s celebrating by skydiving with the Army`s Golden Knights. He celebrated his 75th and his 80th birthday this way.
And this time, listen to this, HLN`s own Robin Meade, who hosts "Morning Express," has the honor of interviewing the former president and then skydiving with him. This is going to be his seventh jump, Robin`s first. We will see the actual jump, Friday on HLN`s "Morning Express." And then, my good friend Robin is going to be right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to tell us all about it.
Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jon Gosselin versus Kate Gosselin: Whose side are you on?" Look at this, 73 percent of you said Jon; 27 percent of you said Kate.
A lot of e-mails came in, too. Jennifer from Mississippi writing, "I`m Team Jon. Kate has always belittled him in front of millions of people and sold out her marriage for money and fame."
And Adrian from Virginia writes, "I`m on the kids` side. They are the ones who are going to have to deal with the consequences."
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks a lot for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
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