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Showbiz Tonight
What`s Next for Jon and Kate and Their Kids?; Should Chris Brown Be Forgiven?; In Memory of Ed McMahon; Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Welcome Their Twins
Aired June 23, 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, brand-new burning questions on two big stories. What`s next for Jon and Kate after their dramatic divorce bombshell? Tonight, what about Jon and Kate`s kids? Should "Jon & Kate Plus 8" be canceled? Or will their kids actually be better off if the show goes on?
And the great Jon and Kate debate exploding online on our Facebook page and on our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines. Your fired-up responses.
Also tonight, burning questions about the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Tonight, the outrage after Brown pleads guilty to beating Rihanna but doesn`t get any jail time. But now that he`s confessed, should Chris Brown be forgiven?
Plus the death of Ed McMahon, a revealing look at the life of one of Hollywood`s most beloved stars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ED MCMAHON, TV PERSONALITY: It`s A.J.!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, the brand-new breaking fallout from the Jon and Kate divorce shocker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": Kate and I have decided to separate.
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": Yes. We have decided that we will separate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The day after Jon and Kate revealed to the world on their show that they`re getting divorced - more big news today. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, is on top of every breaking development. TLC, the network that airs the reality show, revealed today "Jon & Kate Plus 8" is shutting down. So are they just taking a break from the show or is this it for good?
Also breaking today, now that Jon and Kate are moving on with their own lives separately, we have brand-new details of what`s next straight from Jon and Kate. And a fierce debate erupted today over their eight kids. Could it actually be good for the kids if the show did go on?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra." In New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" seen every night of the week, 7:00 p.m. Easter, and it is right here on HLN.
So, after their announcement last night, the big question became, what`s going to happen to the show? Well, today, we found out. In a brand-new statement released just hours ago to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, TLC revealed that "Jon & Kate Plus 8" is, in fact, going on a hiatus for six weeks until August 3rd.
Here`s what TLC is saying, "During this time, the family will take some time off to regroup and then a modified schedule will be in place to support the family`s transition."
Jane, I don`t know about you. I`m thinking this is the best news to come out of all this so far. The family definitely needs a break away from these cameras. Are you on my side here?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, A.J., it`s a start. But I don`t think a one-month hiatus is enough. This family needs a permanent hiatus from reality television so they can get back to plain-old reality. Watching that show last night, it became clear to me that the two older girls know like seasoned experts how to mug for the camera. That kind of attention is addictive and I worry about the kids when the camera is ultimately taken away.
That`s why so many child stars go into deep depression. The sooner they get weaned off these cameras, the better, especially for the younger kids.
HAMMER: See, I completely agree with you. Carlos, on the other hand has said right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in the past, he thinks doing the show is what they`ve got to do because they need the money and have no other means to raise all of these kids.
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes.
HAMMER: But, Carlos, now given the circumstance, given the fact that they are separating and going for a divorce, don`t you think this is a smart move, putting the show on hiatus for a while?
DIAZ: Oh, yes. No, I definitely agree. And I think maybe August 3rd might be a little too ambitious to try to get the show back on the air because you have a lot of things to worry about, you know, in the time that they`re off. I mean, how are they going to handle Kate dating now? I mean, do guys have to sign waivers to go on dates with her? And all these different things.
I mean, how do you handle, you know, when Jon is there and Kate leaves? Do you shoot all that? Do you shoot Jon`s single life? There`s all of these things. But Jane, come on, how many times do we have to go through this? How is this family going to make $75,000 a week if they don`t have the show? And what`s wrong with two 8-year-old girls mugging for a camera? How is that unhealthy?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Have you ever talked to these child stars who are discarded after they`ve given their all to the camera and nobody knows who they are? And that`s their whole sense of self-esteem all that attention.
DIAZ: I understand that -
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Then it`s taken from them and they`re devastated. And these girls are being trained - they`re actually being hooked on this kind of attention.
DIAZ: I disagree, Jane. I think these girls are being hooked on being little girls, OK? And they`re getting paid - the family is getting paid a lot of money to do this. And did you hear?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s all about the money.
DIAZ: They had sky-high ratings yesterday, Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Whenever you see exploitation, follow the money.
DIAZ: The show`s not going away anytime soon.
HAMMER: Let me jump in on that, because TLC certainly can`t be thrilled the show has to go off right now, given that late today, we learned last night`s show on this big divorce announcement, the highest rated in TLC history. I`m not exactly surprised by all the coverage it has gotten. More than 10 million viewers watched drama like this unfold. Let`s take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J. GOSSELIN: I try to contemplate and think about it - would it be better for us? It`s just not good for our kids - for us to be arguing in front of our kids. And it`s just -- we can`t be cordial with one another. Then we`ve decided to separate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, you think the interest was big last night. Jane, when this show resumes, you know people are going to want to see how Jon and Kate plus their eight get to deal with their new lives.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Oh, it`s great for ratings. It`s a rating blockbuster. But it`s a tragedy for this particular family and the additional tragedy is that they can`t see it. They can`t see how soul-sucking it is for them to be playing out their laundry on this national stage.
I mean, what? Now, we`re going to have Jon dating and we`re going to see her reaction? I mean, who wants to do any of that with everybody sitting there taking notes with a score card? Is that what real life is about?
DIAZ: Yes -
HAMMER: Well, in terms of why this would happen, for better or worse, Kate did say in the bombshell episode that her and Jon`s split not something caused by the show. Let`s take a look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: It`s the next chapter. Not a chapter that`s been brought on by our show, not a chapter that`s been caused by our career choices at all. I believe that it`s a chapter that probably would have played out had the world been watching or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. So Carlos, she`s saying that their marriage was doomed even if the show hadn`t existed. Are you buying that?
DIAZ: Yes, totally. I mean, it`s a matter of Jon is lazy, doesn`t do anything. All he does is complain about things. And Kate is the one who has to like, get the family going constantly.
She`s always saying, "Come on, Jon, we have to do this, we have to do that." It`s not a match made in heaven. And I don`t see how a TV show is going to accentuate the fact that these two already had problems to begin with.
HAMMER: I think it exacerbated it in terms of the pressure and maybe this happened even sooner because of the TV cameras. But yes, I know, Jane, you`re really all that concerned. .
DIAZ: But the money involved, though - the money involved makes it easier.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: She reveals a big problem here. She`s saying her career - you know, parading your family on TV in this fashion is not a career. It`s an exploitation. She`s not an actress -
DIAZ: Being a mother is having -
VELEZ-MITCHELL: She is not a writer.
DIAZ: Do you watch the show, Jane?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.
DIAZ: Did you watch yesterday?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.
DIAZ: They had a picnic. How is having a picnic exploitation? Please explain that to me.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Because it`s trotting her kids out and using them as commodities.
HAMMER: I`m with you on that, Jane. That`s how they`re making their money. It is, by the definition of "exploitation," exploitation. Let me get to this statement because this is pretty big. More drama with the statement that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today, very late today from Kate. Here`s why she said she filed for divorce.
We get a little insight here, "Over the course of this weekend, Jon`s activities have left me no choice but to file legal procedures in order to protect myself and our children. While there are reasons why it was appropriate and necessary for initiate this proceeding, I do now wish to discuss those reasons at this time in the hope that all issues will be resolved amicably between and myself. As always, my first priority remains our children."
Jane, I`m thinking it wasn`t even necessary for her to make this statement, given the kids are supposed to be the priority. You know, enough with any publicly damaging statements, right?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Anytime anybody somebody feels the need to say, "My kids are my top priority," it always makes me nervous. It kind of reminds me of those family values people who end up - oh, they`re having an affair. But they were promoting family values for the last 10 years.
HAMMER: And Jon releasing a statement that essentially has him saying that, of course, he is deeply saddened that we`re divorcing. But he also says the kids, his number one priority. Carlos, yes, saddened. But are you getting the impression a huge weight has been lifted off this man`s shoulders?
DIAZ: The key quote from last night, "I am only 32 years old." That`s the key quote, because he knows he`s still young enough to date and have fun. And yes, he will miss the kids, he made that point time and time again last night. But he can`t wait to get out there and be single.
HAMMER: Yes. What do you think about that, Jane? A huge relief for Jon of "Jon and Kate?"
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think so. I think he may have actually had second thoughts about this whole deal with the devil and going on reality TV and I think he wants out. I think he wants out of the marriage and I think he wants less of a role on this show.
DIAZ: And I would have said one more thing. I think TV is hurting Jane and I`s relationship. Seriously, Jane Velez-Mitchell and I -
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And he`s playing out all the dirty laundry in public.
DIAZ: We had a better relationship before TV - exactly.
HAMMER: We`re not putting you two on hiatus. I apologize right now for that. Thanks, guys.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I love you, Carlos.
HAMMER: Jane Velez-Mitchell, Carlos Diaz, I appreciate it. And now, let me toss it over to you. Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Jon and Kate Divorce: Should their show be canceled for the sake of the kids?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight; E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
There are so many burning Jon and Kate questions. And also tonight, burning questions about the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Tonight, the outrage after Brown pleads guilty to beating Rihanna but doesn`t get a moment of jail time. But now that he`s confessed, let me ask you this, should Chris Brown be forgiven? That`s coming up.
Big breaking baby news for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Their surrogate gives birth to their twins and this, of course, coming just a week after a shocking break-in. It`s a scandal involving two police chiefs accused of trying to dig up dirt on the surrogate. So are the newborns in danger?
HAMMER: Also, Ed McMahon remembered. Sad, sad news today about the death of "The Tonight Show" legend. We`ve got a revealing look back at Ed McMahon`s amazing career you will not want to miss. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Madonna tops "Forbes`" list of top-earning musicians, earning $40 million to $50 million annually. David Beckham wins suit against U.K. paper which said he was pursuing another woman.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCMAHON: Ladies and gentlemen, here`s Johnny!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s Ed McMahon with one of the most famous introductions of all time. Ed spent nearly 30 years alongside Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show." Sad, sad news today that Ed McMahon has died.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, the death of a true legend. We`ve got the very sad news today that Ed McMahon has died at the age of 86. The long-time sidekick of Johnny Carson and host of "Star Search" died after a long battle with cancer and had been hospitalized with pneumonia.
Well, tonight, the tributes - they are pouring in for the man who made us laugh and entertained us for so many decades.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCMAHON: Here`s Johnny!
HAMMER (voice-over): For 30 years, generation after generation got to know Ed McMahon as Johnny Carson`s sidekick on "The Tonight Show." He was everybody`s favorite uncle with the booming laugh and the occasional quip.
JOHNNY CARSON, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW": Who did you take to the high school prom?
MCMAHON: Eileen Mason(ph) -
CARSON: You remember.
MCMAHON: I took her before you did.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE ANCHOR: Sad news this morning, CNN confirming Hollywood icon Ed McMahon has died.
HAMMER: So when the news broke that Ed McMahon died Tuesday at age 86, he was remembered not only as the man who played second fiddle to a TV icon but as a TV icon himself.
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE (through telephone): He went beyond "The Tonight Show" and had his own - which is very nice - identity. And America liked him very much.
HAMMER: Ed McMahon started as a TV host in Philadelphia. He first teamed up with Johnny Carson in 1957 for the game show "Who Do You Trust," before the two of them headed over to NBC`s " Tonight Show" in 1962.
MCMAHON: I hold in my hand the last envelope.
HAMMER: For 30 years, Ed reliably backed up Johnny Carson`s antics.
MIKE FLEEMAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: He was the consummate guy you wanted to sit next to in a bar and have a drink with and hang out with and laugh with. He was the ultimate sidekick.
MCMAHON: You are correct, sir.
HAMMER: His second banana routine was spoofed on "Saturday Night Live."
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Just wild, weird stuff.
MCMAHON: Yes.
HAMMER: But as far as second fiddles go, McMahon was the master. David Letterman tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Ed was a true broadcaster, and an integral part of Johnny Caron`s "Tonight Show." We will miss him.
But the thing McMahon was most famous for was that catch phrase -
MCMAHON: Here`s Johnny!
HAMMER: McMahon once told me here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he never gets tired of saying it for fans.
MCMAHON: You know, I do it all the time. If somebody stops me in an airport, they say, "Would you mind saying hello to my wife? And I`ll say, "What`s her name? And he`ll say, "Well, it`s Irene." So, OK, let me do that. And I grab it and I say, "And now, ladies and gentlemen, here`s Irene!" And that makes her day. It`s just a great thing.
HAMMER: And Ed even gave me a personalized version.
MCMAHON: All right. And now, ladies and gentlemen, here`s A.J.! I almost lost it. I`m sorry about that, A.J. But look, put that up on eBay and you`ll really have something.
HAMMER: But while "The Tonight Show" made Ed McMahon famous, his other TV ventures helped to make him legendary. As host of the `80s TV talent show "Star Search," he helped introduce America to some of its biggest stars including Justin Timberlake, Rosie O`Donnell and a very young Britney Spears.
MCMAHON: We`ve got a lot of things planned tonight.
HAMMER: Ed McMahon also co-hosted "TV`s Bloopers and Practical Jokes" with his other frequent TV partner, Dick Clark who today told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "Ed was a big man, had big talent and a really big heart. We`ll all miss him."
Unfortunately, in his later years, McMahon found himself in the limelight for a less-entertaining reason. Financial problems almost cost him his Beverly Hills home last year.
MCMAHON: Now`s the time to send your unwanted gold for cash.
HAMMER: But TV pro that he was, he was able to spoof his predicament in a commercial that aired in this year`s Super Bowl. The last time I talked to him, McMahon told me he was happy to be back in the limelight.
(on camera): Do you love being back at work or were you kind of hoping at this time in your life you could chill out in retirement?
MCMAHON: Oh, no, I never even thought of it. I never have a dream about that. I`m going to do this, god willing, until the last second.
HAMMER (voice-over): And that he did. And Ed McMahon`s many fans are grateful for the years we got to spend laughing with Ed.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: What a guy. McMahon is survived by his wife, Pamela and five children.
Well, as we move on, tonight, as soon as the Chris Brown plea deal came out, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines started ringing and they would not stop. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Allison in California. Allison thinks Brown should be locked up.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ALLISON, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: I don`t care that Chris Brown pleaded guilty to a felony. He should have gone to jail. Justice was not served in this case. I am appalled by this terrible, terrible plea deal.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Allison. We also heard from Beverly calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Missouri. She feels the same way.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BEVERLY, CALLER FROM MISSOURI: I`m very disappoint that had he got out of it and not spending any time in jail. Had that been the average person or just any Joe blow on the street, they would have gotten some time for that. It sends a very bad message to women, period, especially those in this type of situation.
And it`s not good. He knows what he did. Everybody keeps saying he`s a kid, but he knows what he`s doing. And that`s so wrong and I`m so disgusted.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. We`re hearing a lot of that. Thank you, Beverly. Call us 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 a day. The number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
Still, so many burning questions tonight about Jon and Kate`s shocking divorce. We`ve got breaking details on the future of their show. And we`re also asking, should Jon and Kate just end the show for the sake of their kids or would it actually be a good thing to keep it on the air? There is a raging debate over this. We`ve got your Facebook comment, E- mails and your calls into "Showbiz on Call."
Also burning questions about the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Tonight, the outrage after Brown pleads guilty to beating Rihanna but doesn`t get any jail time. But now that he`s confessed, should Chris Brown be forgiven?
Also, one of the first men to walk on the moon teaming up with Snoop Dogg?
(MUSIC)
Buzz Aldrin rapping with Snoop? That`s out of this world, I tell you. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Sheryl Crow will headline MLB`s concert, all-star game is July 14th. "Friends" star Courtney Cox and Lisa Kudrow reunite for online comedy series.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: This is NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon on July 20th, 1969. This was almost 40 years ago. Along with Neil Armstrong, Buzz was one of the first two people to walk on the moon during the famous Apollo 11 mission.
But did you see this? Check out what Buzz is doing today.
(MUSIC)
Buzz Aldrin recording a song with Snoop Dogg. Talk about out of this world.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. So did you see this? Buzz and Snoop working on a song together? For rizzle? I mean, for real? Check out "Rocket Experience."
(MUSIC)
SNOOP DOGG, RAP ARTIST: All you need is the rocket experience. All you need is the rocket experience.
BUZZ ALDRIN, ASTRONAUT: All you need is the rocket experience. All you need is the rocket experience. All you need is the rocket experience. There it is. Tape it. Tape it.
HAMMER: Snoop trying to give some buzz some buzzizzle(ph), maybe. Something like that. OK. So the song does benefit some charities, one being Buzz Aldrin`s Share Space Foundation. You`ll find that tune on iTunes.
Well, tonight, the Perez Hilton-Will.I.Am feud is getting a whole lot messier. Now, Perez is demanding that GLADD apologize to him.
Here`s what allegedly happened. Perez claims he got into an argument with Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas outside a Toronto night club. Then, Perez says he was punched by Will`s manager and posted this hysterical rant on his Web site -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEREZ HILTON, CELEBRITY BLOGGER: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Will.I.Am, for lying. Shame on you. God is looking down on you and shaming you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, police have charged Will`s manager with assault. Now, in that fight with Will.I.Am and his crew, Perez who`s openly gay, shouted an anti-gay slur at Will. Well, that ticked off the gay rights organization, GLADD, who wants Perez to apologize.
They issued this statement to us, quote, "It legitimizes use of a slur that is often linked to violence against our community."
Well, get this - tonight, Perez says, GLAAD owes him on apology, telling TMZ, "I am saddened GLADD chose to victimize me further by criticizing me for how I non-violently dealt with a very scary situation that unfortunately turned violent."
HAMMER: Well, now the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Burning questions in two huge stories. Jon and Kate shock the world with the divorce. Tonight, should they end their show for the sake of their kids?
Also, the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Now that he`s confessed to beating Rihanna, should Chris Brown be forgiven?
And Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick`s surrogate gives birth to their twins, but are their newborns in danger? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: John Grisham`s bestselling "The Testament" may be turned into a movie. Scarlet Johansson`s directorial debut to premiere at L.A. shorts fest.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK GERAGOS, CHRIS BROWN`S ATTORNEY: This is a kid who`s never been in trouble before who wants to move past this and obviously wants to make sure that the message gets out that these kinds of things and domestic violence are not acceptable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, burning questions in the Chris Brown- Rihanna drama, outrage as Chris Brown pleads guilty to beating Rihanna but gets no jail time. Should he be forgiven or should he go to jail?
And burning questions as Jon and Kate separate. The divorce papers filed. So what`s next for the Gosselins? Should their show be canceled for the sake of their kids, or must the show go on?
And Sarah Jessica Parker`s surrogate gives birth to twins, but are the babies in danger?
Plus more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, brand-new burning questions on two huge stories that are sparking absolute outrage from coast to coast. Here now, the breaking developments. Late today, we learned that a record 10 million people tuned in to "Jon & Kate Plus 8" last night to see with their own eyes the most dramatic reality TV divorce announcement ever. But tonight, disturbing questions about their kids. What`s next for their eight children?
Also tonight, burning questions about the Chris Brown-Rihanna drama. Tonight, brand-new outrage after Brown pleads guilty to beating Rihanna and doesn`t get a moment of jail time. Tonight, we`ve got breaking developments and the burning questions you want answered.
With me now in New York is Marvet Britto, who`s a celebrity publicist and founder of the Britto Agency. Also in New York, Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." Make sure you watch her every night of the week at 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN.
I`ve got to tell you, the whole Jon and Kate bombshell announcement still sinking in for me and a lot of people tonight. I am just stunned by I think what has to be one of the most emotionally raw moments I`ve ever seen on reality TV. Let`s watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J. GOSSELIN: Kate and I have decided to separate.
K. GOSSELIN: Yes. We have decided that we will separate.
J. GOSSELIN: I tried to contemplate and think about it, would it be better - it`s not good for our kids to be arguing in front of our kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did learn late today, TLC is putting "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on hiatus for most of the summer. That way, the couple can have some privacy. I say, good move there. But Jane, this brings me to our first burning question, should they end their show completely for the sake of their kids?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: The answer, A.J., yes, 100 percent. Look at what it did to their marriage. I have never seen two more unhappy people. You look up clinical depression in the dictionary, there`s Jon and Kate. I mean, these people are miserable. It`s clear. So why take the risk with their kids who seem at this point still quite happy? They`re still running around building tree houses, whatever, having a good time.
But who knows what the repercussions are going to be down the road? Why are they taking this kind of risk with their kids given what this show has done to their marriage? And I don`t care what she says. The show played a big role in the break-up.
HAMMER: Yes, J.V., I`m right there with you. A lot of people don`t want to let the show go, though. But a lot of people are saying, take the show off the air already. And the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines just inundated. Everybody`s calling in, demanding Jon and Kate work it out for their kids in terms of their marriage.
We heard from Patti in Arizona who believes that would be the best thing for the kids.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PATTI, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: I think that they need to stay together for the kids and work out their bickering. If they`re getting divorced or separated because they can`t get along, well, I just think they need to work it out for the kids. If they get divorced, they`re going to ruin those kids.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s next burning question. Could continuing the show actually be a good thing to provide some sort of financial stability for the kids? Let`s not forget that Jon and Kate don`t have traditional jobs and they reportedly make as much as $75,000 an episode. So Marvet, what do you think? Could it be good for the kids to keep the show going?
MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST AND FOUNDER OF THE BRITTO AGENCY: Financially, it would be good for the family but it certainly would not be good for the kids. You know, I agree with Jane earlier - you can`t keep families together just because it`s good for children.
I think it does more harm than good. Children can sense the dissension in a household. And I think it`s important for children to be around happy parents than to be around parents who are together unhappy.
HAMMER: This was once almost a happy show. It`s almost difficult to remember that Jon and Kate began as this wholesome reality show that people originally fell in love with. So now, you`ve got this divorce looming and Jon and Kate aren`t the only ones in pain.
The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page is just jam-packed. We`ve got emotional messages coming in from lots of viewers of the show. This is Jennifer H. writing, "I am so sad. I knew it was coming but I still cried my eyes out. I have watched this show from the very beginning and I love them. I believed that they loved each other. After all, didn`t they just get remarried not too long ago? This makes me feel that if they can`t keep it together, how can we?"
So let`s get to our next burning question, should "Jon & Kate Plus 8" be retooled to really dive into this divorce head-first? Now, Jane, I realize you think the show should go off the air altogether. But if it stays on the air, what about that idea? Good or bad?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think there`s always an opportunity to use an experience like this as a learning tool, both for them and for the nation as a whole. But I think that the lesson that we might actually learn are not necessarily the lessons that they want us to learn. I think authenticity is the most important thing you can have in a marriage and intimacy.
And this show, unfortunately, killed both those two things. So the lesson that we`re going to learn is, if you want your marriage to last, don`t put your family on a reality TV show.
HAMMER: Yes. Jane, to use your phrase, a cautionary tale indeed. We`re going to keep this fire going with burning questions now about Chris Brown`s guilty plea for beating up Rihanna.
Now, Chris Brown is now a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to assault and making criminal threats against Rihanna on the morning of the Grammys. And here`s what his attorney, Mark Geragos, had to say about the plea deal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GERAGOS: He entered a plea today of guilty. He did not enter a no-contest plea. He`s as long as I`ve known him - in connection with this case, he`s wanted to take responsibility. I advised him to wait and let me work through the legal process, which he did.
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HAMMER: All right. So Chris obviously did an awful, hideous thing. And now, he`s been punished with the five years probation, a years` worth of anti-domestic violence classes and 180 hours of community service which leads to our next burning question. He`s going to take his punishment. So Marvet, should Chris be forgiven?
BRITTO: Absolutely, I think he should be forgiven. He made a mistake. And according to his lawyer, he was willing to stand up to that mistake. I think this has been hovering over him for the last four, five months and he really wants to move on with his life and move on with his career.
So I think that he should be able to do just that. He made a mistake. We all make mistakes and I think he wants to move on with his life and move past this very unfortunate mishap in his career.
HAMMER: Jane Velez-Mitchell?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think that you can`t just say, "Oh, he made a mistake and now he wants to move on with his career." This wasn`t a momentary lapse in judgment where he did one little pop. According to police report, this was a pummeling that went on for minutes on end, involved hitting her in the face, choking her to the point where she began to lose consciousness, biting her on the ear, biting her on the fingers and threatening to kill her.
That`s not just a momentary lapse. And if that doesn`t land somebody at least one night in jail, I don`t know what could. This is an example, because the courts were saying, this is exactly what anybody else would get with no prior record. This is an example of how messed up our criminal justice system is that he doesn`t even get one single solitary night in jail. And I don`t think he is showing remorse. I think he is just interested in moving on with his career.
HAMMER: Yes. And I`ve heard it from a lot of people that they feel this just perpetuates the cycle of violence that goes on in domestic abuse cases. And as far as Rihanna is concerned, you know, it`s been nearly five months since this attack happened by Chris Brown. She`s never publicly said a word about the beating. There was one three-line comment from her camp saying she wouldn`t comment.
So the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT burning question is this, is it time for Rihanna to speak out? Marvet, do you think she needs to speak out.
BRITTO: I do. I think that Rihanna needs to set the record straight. That`s part of the problem. We really don`t know what happened. Yes, he`s sentenced and yes, he admitted to what transpired. But we don`t know exactly what that was.
So Rihanna wants to move on. Chris wants to move on. But we do need to hear from Rihanna. Otherwise, she`s just going to continue to be hounded by the media until we hear what she has to say. It`s not going to go away. So it`s better that she set the record straight and then she can move on and restore her career and as well as Chris restoring his.
HAMMER: But not a moment sooner than she`s absolutely ready to do that. Marvet Britto, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you both.
We have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. It is this - "Jon and Kate Divorce: Should their show be canceled for the sake of the kids?" You can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. If you have more to say, well then, E-mail us by all means at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Coming up, I`ve got big breaking Sarah Jessica Parker news - her surrogate gives birth. This is certainly terrific news, but just a week after the surrogate mom was being chased down by the tabloids and even allegedly by two police chiefs.
I have got to ask, are these babies in danger? What will Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick have to do to keep their newborns safe?
And Elisabeth Hasselbeck is getting sued. So who`s behind the suit? And what did "The View" co-host allegedly do that`s got her in some major legal hot water?
We have also got this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) x
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s Barack Obama. He`s come to save the day.
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HAMMER: President Obama in tights? That`s right. He`s Barack Obama, superhero. And it`s the brand-new video parody that will be viral in no time. We`ve got your first look. 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.
(CAPTION READS: Cher to star with Christina Aguilera in "Burlesque," it will be Cher`s first film in 10 years. "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert releases new single, "Want," on iTunes today.)
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HAMMER: Tonight, Katie Holmes on Fox`s "So You Think You Can Dance" is one of two stories new right now. Katie Holmes is reportedly ready to don tights and a leotard to perform Judy Garland`s "Get Happy" on the season finale of "So You Think You Can Dance" which will air in August.
Jessica Simpson returns to reality TV, but this time, it`s not tuna she is looking for. It`s beauty. Simpson is going to travel the globe to find beauty in different cultures for the VH1 documentary series called "The Price of Beauty." It`s set to debut in July.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Sarah`s surrogate twins. Late this afternoon, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT received word from Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick announcing the birth of their twin girls via a surrogate mother.
Well, this comes just one week after two police chiefs were accused of trying to dig up dirt on the woman for a tabloid.
With me now from Hollywood, Melanie Bromley - she`s the west coast bureau chief for "Us Weekly" magazine. And also from Hollywood, Ken Baker who is the executive news editor for "E!"
So Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick released the following statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This came late today. They said, "Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are delighted to announce the healthy arrival of their two daughters. Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick weighed five pounds, 11 ounces, and Tabitha Hodge Broderick weighed six pounds. The babies are doing beautifully and the entire family is over the moon."
And our entire family at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, over the moon for them. But this has certainly not been an easy time for them and for the surrogate mother. Tabloids haven`t left the surrogate alone. Her home was broken into, her computer hacked.
Melanie, let me start with you. If there was a frenzy before this birth, I would have to imagine it`s only going to get worse now.
MELANIE BROMLEY, WEST COAST EDITOR, "US WEEKLY": Well, I mean, you would think so, although - I mean, this has been - the investigating on this story has kind of pushed the boundaries of what we`ve seen before with celebrity births. But I do think that now the babies are born, things might calm down a little bit.
I mean, Sarah Jessica and Matthew are followed daily in New York City anyway. And I would imagine the security that`s going to be in place for these twins is going to be very strong. I don`t think they`re going to be in any danger really.
HAMMER: Well, this has been going on before the birth, as I mentioned. Sarah Jessica feared for the safety of her surrogate and her unborn children throughout the whole pregnancy.
Listen to what Sarah Jessica Parker recently told "Access Hollywood`s" Billy Bush about the harassment the surrogate was dealing with. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTRESS: There are those that don`t care about her or her health or safety or my children`s health and safety and that they should go to term and not go into an early labor, and god forbid suffer all the things that can happen. And that is a real possibility. It keeps me up every night. It`s really incredibly upsetting to think of her so far away and me not being able to do something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What a terrible fear to have to live with. Really, every parent`s nightmare, not being able to protect their kids. Ken Baker, over to you. How do you think Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are going to deal with the paparazzi now that everybody is going to want the first shots of the babies?
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "E!": Well, what they did six years ago with their son was they came out, did a photo op on the sidewalk outside their Manhattan apartment. And that pretty much worked at that time to just let everyone chill out, "Here`s our baby, now leave us alone."
It worked well for a short period of time. But of course, eventually, the paparazzi come back. But the best model nowadays for how to deal with this insatiable appetite for images of someone`s newborn children is Brad and Angelina.
And what they have done is they have sold the photo rights internationally to magazines and made a lot of money for charity purposes. And I think - I would bet they`re probably considering this because it seems to be very effective, at least for Brad and Angelina.
HAMMER: Yes.
BAKER: Now, the one drawback for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick is that unlike Brad and Angelina who are sequestered in a chateau in the countryside of the south of France, they live in Manhattan. They can`t hide, really.
HAMMER: Yes.
BAKER: They live full lives and they are out there just down the street from you, A.J. So I think they have a lot of challenges to keep their privacy. They`re going to have to give it up eventually.
HAMMER: They`ve always been so good, though, with dealing with the media. I am sure they`re crafting a master plan to make this work out like they did back in 2002 after their son was born.
But again, I just think there`s going to be a frenzy. Don`t you think, Melanie? Yes, of course, they`re going to have security. But do you see that their kids may be in danger in some way?
BROMLEY: I mean, of course all celebrity children are in danger. You know that of course they are. But I do think that nowadays, you know, there`s enough security that you can hire and that you can put in place that will protect you.
And I mean, going back to the photo, Ken is absolutely right. But also that first photo, once that has been taken, once the pictures of these twins are out there, then things will calm down.
HAMMER: We`re just going to hope for the best and that the tabloids will be on their best behavior as far as the story is concerned.
BROMLEY: Sure.
HAMMER: Melanie Bromley, Ken Baker, thank you both. OK. Did you see this? Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive - no, he`s not Superman; he`s Barack Obama. The Jibjab guys are back, you know, the guys who made those incredibly viral videos featuring the hysterical parodies of President Clinton and Bush. Well, now, they`re putting Barack Obama in tights and he is fighting, the deficits and even bears. Oh, my.
(MUSIC VIDEO OF "BARACK OBAMA SUPERHERO")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, we`ve got a situation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pirates -
(MUSIC)
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HAMMER: I love the fact Obama has superpower ears. All right. Elisabeth Hasselbeck might need superpowers right now because she`s getting sued. The brand-new legal nightmare for her - you will not believe what "The View" co-host is accused of doing and who`s pointing fingers. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Gloria Estefan and husband Emilio are buying a small stake in the Miami Dolphins. Paul Giamatti may replace Sean Penn in the "Three Stooges" movie.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Elisabeth Hasselbeck`s brand-new legal drama. "The View" co-host is reportedly being sued for plagiarism by another author.
After announcing publicly she suffered from celiac disease, Hasselbeck released this book, the "G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide" in May. Well, since then, it has become a big, bestselling hit.
Now, according to a brand-new lawsuit filed in Massachusetts, an author named Susan Hassett says Hasselbeck stole her words. In the lawsuit, Hassett is claiming she sent her own book called "Living with Celia Disease" to Hasselbeck as a gift last year.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT received this statement from Elisabeth Hasselbeck and the publisher of her book, Center Street, "Neither Center Street nor Elisabeth Hasselbeck has been served with the complaint in this action. However, there is no basis for the allegations in the complaint as published in the press. Ms. Hasselbeck worked diligently and tirelessly on her book and is disappointed in this attempt to discredit her work."
Tonight, are Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon having a baby soon? Well, according to Nick the answer is yes. Nick and Mariah have been married for just over a year. And in a brand-new interview with "People.com," Nick says they are on track to have a baby, but they`re working to establish a solid comfortable home first.
Well, on "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning, Nick said he still can`t believe he`s married to Mariah Carey and talked about how they first met.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK CANNON, MARIAH CAREY`S HUSBAND: Everybody would always ask, "Who is your celebrity crush?" for years. And I would be like - Mariah Carey. And they were like, "Get out of here." I was like, "No, if I ever get the opportunity" - and I met her a couple of times at an awards show. I was like, "I love you."
The handlers moved her off. One day, and I just spoke it into existence. And she asked me to be in a video. And from that point on, we just hit it off and never looked back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, good for him. It looks like it worked out. Nick says the two will renew their wedding vows every year.
On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here`s what we were asking - "Jon and Kate: Can their marriage be saved?" Only 40 percent of you said yes; 60 percent, no.
Here`s some of the E-mails we got. Jennifer from Minnesota writes, "Kate said she does not believe that the show had an impact on the final decision that they made. I believe that it had it everything to do with the show. They should not continue to do the show. The kids will pay for it in the long run."
And Donna from Arizona says, "Jon, grow up. And, Kate, don`t be so headstrong. Get over yourselves and work it out for the children."
Thanks for your E-mails. Thank you for watching. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern here on HLN.
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