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Showbiz Tonight
La Toya Jackson`s Bombshells on Michael Jackson; Is Debbie Rowe Giving Up Her Parental Rights for Money?; Jon Gosselin Dating: Is There Anything Wrong?
Aired July 14, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, GUEST HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Debbie for dollars? A Michael Jackson custody battle bombshell. Tonight, is Debbie Rowe about to give up her parental rights again for millions of dollars?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEBBIE ROWE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S EX-WIFE: Don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) touch me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Plus, brand-new revelations from La Toya Jackson`s explosive "he could have been murdered" interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She doesn`t want to name names. However, there are certain people that she thinks have to step forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: And how the Jacksons could help blow the investigation into Michael Jackson`s death wide open.
The great Jon and Kate debate. Tonight, is there anything wrong with the just-separated Jon globe-trotting with his much younger new girlfriend? She`s 22. He`s 32. Anything wrong with that? And she`s the daughter of Kate`s plastic surgeon. Anything wrong with that?
It chop, it dices -
(MUSIC PLAYING)
It`s the must-see remix of an infomercial sensation. Act now, SHOWBIZ operators are standing by.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Hello. I`m Ashleigh Banfield in New York. A.J. Hammer has the night off.
And tonight, is Debbie Rowe about to get another big payoff to stay out of the lives of the two kids she had with Michael Jackson? The developments were breaking fast and furious in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom today as it appeared there may finally be a deal in the works.
But a lot of people are saying, wait a minute, didn`t Debbie Rowe get paid off before? Breaking tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that sources are telling CNN Debbie Rowe could wind up with even more of Michael`s millions. But is this just plain wrong?
Also brand-new tonight, there are dramatic claims about an explosive ABC News special on the Jacksons airing nationwide. Tonight, outrage over big money that changed hands. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can now tell you that with just days to go before we finally learn what killed Michael Jackson, his own family could be blowing the lid off the investigation.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." Also from Hollywood, Leslie Marshall, radio talk show host of the "Leslie Marshall Show."
OK, folks. I want to begin with the brand-new report that the Jackson family is working on a deal with Debbie Rowe regarding custody of her two biological children with Michael Jackson. The sources telling CNN that a lawyer for Michael Jackson`s mother, Katherine, is trying to broker a deal. But does it involve money? Take a look at what CNN`s Randi Kaye learned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now as far as money, absolutely part of the deal. Seems like there is quite a large payoff, actually, in the works. Our source told us that Rowe stands to be paid, quote, "many millions," if she agrees to give up any contact and any custody with her two children so the singer`s mother, Katherine, can actually raise them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: There`s been no confirmation that an actual deal is done at this point. But Carlos, given the possibility that Rowe could still fight for custody, do you think the Jacksons might be trying to get ahead of the game, maybe prevent any custody fight in court?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Yes, it sounds like a high-profile game of chicken that`s going on right now. Because basically, right now, at this moment, Debbie Rowe doesn`t have the upper hand because if you`re looking at the court of public opinion, the last video we saw of her was her yelling at the paparazzi.
The last video we saw of Paris, Michael Jackson`s daughter, was her saying how much she loved her daddy and you know, she was right there with the family. So right now, Debbie Rowe doesn`t have the advantage.
But as they get closer to the estate hearing and the numbers start to come out, maybe how much Michael Jackson`s worth, how many hundreds of millions he could be worth, well, you know, Debbie Rowe stands to gain that.
So it`s in the best interest of the Jackson family to give her the money that they can give her now and get her out of the way so they can focus on the estate.
BANFIELD: It would be. And the "New York Post" today reported an even more specific number that Rowe would actually be getting $4 million.
But late today, I`ve got to tell you, guys, big breaking development from Rowe`s attorney in a letter denying that $4 million deal, saying, quote, "Ms. Rowe has not accepted and will not accept any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael Jackson personally agreed to several years ago."
Leslie Marshall, what does that say to you? Could it be that she`s still owed money, maybe, and that`s what she`s asking for?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": I don`t think she`s owed money except in her own mind. I think most definitely this woman - I mean, come on, any woman who could sell her children for any price once over and possibly second over, we also have to look at when DNA tests come back and they say they are going to test the children for the actual paternity.
And if Michael is not really the father biologically, she would have various legal grounds in addition to the fact that all of the agreements currently are with a man who is now deceased.
So I do believe the lawyer when they say she has not accepted $4 million. I don`t agree with what the lawyer is saying regarding that she won`t ask for any more. I think, because she sold them once, she would ask for more money again, especially in light of how much this estate could be worth.
BANFIELD: Well, you know, Rowe`s attorney also said late today that Rowe absolutely will not give up her parental rights in this story. Carlos, hold on a second, because as I think back on this story and there are so many incarnations to it, it seemed to me that she stepped out of her kids` lives years ago a couple of times and accepted money for it. So did she just take the money and run?
DIAZ: See, if you`re Debbie Rowe`s attorney, you can get in Debbie`s ear and say, "OK. Well, you stepped away from the kids when Michael was alive. Now, he`s dead - so now you need to get back in your kids` lives," in that fashion. So you can kind of see her point of view if you`re playing devil`s advocate there.
BANFIELD: Oh, I can understand that, you know, money seems to be at the heart of another big breaking development today - controversy over a new ABC News special on the Jackson family that`s airing tonight nationwide. ABC News reportedly paid the Jacksons $200,000 to license the footage of the Jackson family videos and then also got exclusive interviews with the Jacksons.
ABC News critics are saying that ABC News in effect paid for the interview. But this morning on "The View," Barbara Walters, who works for ABC News, had a very strong opinion about all of this. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": There`s a very fine line and it`s something that news organizations struggle with and I think should struggle with.
Many of the news entertainment programs do pay for interviews. The network news say they keep their virginity. They do not pay. But there are obviously ways around it. But they did actually buy this material. It wasn`t just for an interview.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, I`ll tell you, this does not seem out of the ordinary because ABC News and other news organizations pay to license footage all the time. It happens, folks. But Leslie, let me ask you this - did the Jacksons do anything wrong by selling their personal family pictures?
MARSHALL: I think what they`ve done wrong here in the minds of the public is sell their son before the grave is even cold and grass has grown and the flowers that are placed there have died.
This, in my mind, as a parent, is disgusting. I mean, how much money can you have? These people have more money than god, for crying out loud. I understand the father was written out of the will.
But this is exploiting their dead son`s memory. This is exploiting their grandchildren. This is just disgusting and I`ve got to say, I think a bit disgusting by ABC to a degree.
BANFIELD: But again, got to say, everybody in the business pays for video. It`s just part of the way that the machine works.
I do want to move on to another brand-new breaking development, the news the coroner may reveal what killed Jackson as early as this Friday. And the Jackson family is really, really pressing for answers beyond the toxicology report.
They actually could help blow this case wide open. Michael`s sister, La Toya, has just claimed, in a brand-new interview, that Michael was murdered in a conspiracy. The reporter who interviewed La Toya, Caroline Graham, tells CNN`s Larry King that La Toya is doing everything possible to get to the bottom of her brother`s death. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAROLINE GRAHAM, REPORTER: She`s even very close to the police officers who are investigating this. She doesn`t want to name names at this stage. However, there are certain people that she thinks have to step forward and step up to the plate and give some answers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: All right. Without naming any names here, La Toya`s has expressed her concerns about certain doctors who treated Michael Jackson.
Carlos, do you think the pressure the Jacksons happen to be putting on the investigators is going to lead to answers about what led to Michael Jackson`s death, maybe even beyond the toxicology?
DIAZ: I think the investigators are doing their jobs without worrying about what Jacksons think right now. They`re doing their jobs as investigators. But yes, I mean, the toxicology reports, when they come back, will say that Michael Jackson had these drugs in his system and this could have caused - this could have been the cause of death.
But beyond that, how did he get those drugs? And that`s where the investigators come in. They`re going to tell us hopefully how Michael Jackson - what was the time line and the trail with all these drugs that were in his system as reported by the toxicology report.
BANFIELD: You know, I am with you on that one because I think the police do just fine, especially when they`re under the microscope and the entire world is watching their work.
DIAZ: Yes.
BANFIELD: But at the same time, Leslie, you know, with the Jackson family fuelling that fire, that international, global spotlight, do you think that they actually might be helping the situation?
MARSHALL: No. I think they`re getting, you know, constant repeats of additional 15 minutes, seconds of fame, air time, et cetera. You know, I agree with you, Ashleigh, and with Carlos, the police are doing their job.
And anyone who has known anything about police investigation work, especially involving a celebrity, they`re going to take it slow because they want to make sure they`re accurate. They don`t want to make errors.
I don`t think there`s any fuel coming from the Jacksons and I do think part of the investigation is to question each of the family members.
BANFIELD: Well, Leslie Marshall, Carlos Diaz, the story continues. Thank you both. Also want to hear from you folks. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Michael Jackson`s Kids: Should Debbie Rowe give up her parental rights for money?"
Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
And there are more breaking Michael Jackson bombshells tonight. Brand-new revelations from La Toya Jackson`s explosive interview where she claims her brother may have been murdered.
Did the Jackson family actually try an intervention? Was Michael trying to get clean? Plus, will Michael be buried at Neverland? You don`t want to miss La Toya`s startling new revelations.
And also tonight, the great Jon and Kate debate. Jon and Kate separate. Yes, I`m rhyming. Jon goes around the world with his new 22- year-old girlfriend. Anything wrong with that? Oh, and this girlfriend is the daughter of Kate`s plastic surgeon. But come on, is there anything wrong with that?
And is there anything wrong with this?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
It chops, it dices, it is the must-see remix of an infomercial sensation. Act now, SHOWBIZ operators are standing by. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Concert promoter may put on Michael Jackson tribute show on 8/29 with his siblings. Merchandise from Jackson`s "This is It" concerts still on sale.)
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To pay tribute to Michael Jackson, a Belgian radio station, Studio Brussel, invited listeners to submit their own moonwalks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, it was the move that helped send Michael Jackson`s career into orbit - the moonwalk. And tonight, fans from around the world, even furry ones, are stepping out to pay tribute to one of the biggest stars who ever moonwalked this planet.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, everyone. I`m Ashleigh Banfield, in for A.J. Hammer.
Did you see this? Tonight, the eternal moonwalk. When Michael Jackson first did the moonwalk at Motown`s 25th anniversary back in `83, the audience screamed. It was truly a moment that will live forever in entertainment history.
And now, a make your own moonwalk tribute to Jackson has gone global. These people aren`t just talking the talk, they`re walking the moonwalk in some very unique ways.
Here`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice-over): There was the real moonwalk which begot the Michael Jackson moonwalk, which we begot the latest moonwalk, the eternal moonwalk. To pay tribute to Michael Jackson, a Belgian radio station, Studio Brussel, invited listeners to submit their own moonwalks.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Some good, some weird, some very weird. Old, young and lots of animals, from cockroaches to cats, from fish to rabbits, even stuffed animals. 7,000 or so videos have been submitted; about half have made it on to eternal moonwalk, including lots of moonwalking fingers.
Even fingers with shoes. The station manager at Studio Brussel says the station`s ad agency dreamed up the eternal moonwalk.
JAN VAN BIESEN, STUDIO BRUSSEL (through telephone): A simple idea, a tribute to Michael Jackson. It became this big. It`s amazing.
MOOS: There are moon-dancing microphones, even moon-dancing beer. People dance up steps, across car dealerships into swimming pools. There`s a moon-dancing Jesus, moon-dancing puppets and if you want, you can add little Michael Jackson-type screams.
And since Michael was so fond of grabbing himself, there`s a lot of that - even a baby crotch grab. Michael liked the wind-blown look so one guy is pushing a fan. Is the repetitive beat driving you nuts yet? If you don`t know how to moonwalk, the Web site links to an instructional video -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The toes of both feet should never come off the floor.
MOOS: Tell that to the ginger bread man or the invisible man. The only problem is that some folks don`t follow the instructions and go the wrong direction.
(on camera): So remember, right to left, right to left and keep it to 10 seconds or less. At least, no one mooned the moonwalk.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BANFIELD: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And by the way, next Monday, July 20th, marks the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk, the one actually on the moon.
All right. Now, I want to share some more of your very personal calls into SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, calls on Michael Jackson. So many of you are still calling in, like Mary in New Jersey who was really touched by Michael`s daughter, Paris, speaking out at his memorial service.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MARY, CALLER FROM NEW JERSEY: I think that it`s wonderful that Paris spoke for the love she had for her father. As the years go by, she will look back and be so proud that she did. Michael touched so many of our lives and he will be forever in our hearts. May his legacy live on forever.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Thank you, Mary. We also heard from Helen calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Indiana. Helen says that while Michael was often surrounded by controversy, we should all move on.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HELEN, CALLER FROM INDIANA: When you get in a spotlight, a lot of things can go on. Fame and fortune can get too fast in your life and it can cause other trials and tribulations in your life. But I just want to say no matter what Michael has done in the past and no matter what he did, he made us laugh, he made us smile, he made us cry. They need to let his name rest in peace.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, thank you, Helen. And Shelly from Nebraska thinks Michael`s children should stay with the Jackson family.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHELLY, CALLER FROM NEBRASKA: I grew up with the Jackson 5 and they are such a tremendous family and loving family. And I think Paris and Blanket and Prince need to stay with them. Debbie Rowe has never, ever wanted anything to do with them. God bless you, Michael. I miss you so much.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Oh, thank you, Shelly. Remember, you can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open. Call us at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail and we`ll play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, brand-new revelations from La Toya Jackson`s explosive interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAHAM: It stopped me in my tracks. When she said this, it was about midway through the interview. And she said, "I truly feel my brother was murdered."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: And that is just the beginning. Michael Jackson`s sister opens up. Did the Jackson family try an intervention? Tonight, the new La Toya Jackson bombshell.
Also, the great Jon and Kate date debate. Recently separated Jon`s got a new 22-year-old girlfriend. Anything wrong with that? Oh, yes, and she`s the daughter of Kate`s plastic surgeon. Anything wrong with that? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is any of this a big deal?
Plus, will Sarah Palin get a big deal of her own? Tonight, is she or isn`t she? I`m talking about the soon-to-be ex-Alaska governor getting a TV show. I`ve got the shocking answer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, of course, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "J-Tee": Justin Timberlake`s new golf course set to open in Memphis. Late comedian George Carlin`s final book, "Last Words," will be out in November.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BANFIELD: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Ashleigh Banfield, in for A.J. Hammer.
Tonight, Jon and Kate look for a date but separately. You know that Jon and Kate Gosselin from TLC`s "Jon & Kate Plus 8" have separated. And even though taking care of their eight children should be top priority, there`s no problem with them looking for new mates, right?
I mean, they`re both young and famous, so there`s, you know, plenty of fish in the sea and all that. Well, I can tell you Jon and Kate are taking their dating search online. Take a look at the "Match.com" profiles they just posted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS (as Kate Gosselin): I want to meet someone who likes backwards mullets that`s partly in the front, soccer mom in the back. Chocolate world, casual wear from Chicos, skorts, and doesn`t mind stretch marks, an obscene amount of stretch marks. Let`s see about me - I have eight fatherless kids who live in crooked houses and I never cry.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR (as Jon Gosselin): I want to meet someone whose haircut is symmetrical, who likes bluetooths and Harvey t-shirts, tractors and doesn`t mind that I already have eight half-white babies. About me? Full of energy and I always sit on this side of the couch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: All right. Of course, they`re not real. They`re made up by "FunnyOrDie.com." But the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff did come up with a super awesome Jon and Kate double date.
Check this out. We will set up Kate with Nick Lachey, because he and Vanessa Minnillo just broke up. And how about Jon? He can hook up with Jessica Simpson because Tony Romo just dumped her.
Come on, guys. We`re serious. We`ll even pay for the babysitter or eight of the babysitters. And if it doesn`t work out, then maybe Jessica and Nick can get back together and that would be huge.
Hey, maybe Jon doesn`t need to be set up because he`s been hanging out with a 22-year-old sweetheart.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jon`s new girlfriend also happens to be the daughter of Kate`s plastic surgeon, the guy who gave her a tummy tuck. But we`ve got to ask, is there anything wrong with that?
Also tonight, brand-new La Toya Jackson bombshells from her explosive "was Michael murdered" interview. Did the Jackson family try to save Michael?
And also this -
(MUSIC PLAYING)
BANFIELD: The knee-slapping remix of one of the hottest infomercials out there - the flap chop. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Andy Warhol painting of Michael Jackson temporarily taken off auction block. Bruce Springsteen adds 25 U.S. concert dates to "Workin` on a Dream" tour.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BANFIELD: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, La Toya Jackson`s brand-new bombshells. Tonight, Michael`s sister`s startling new claims from her "he may have been murdered" interview. Did the family desperately try to save him? Was Michael trying to get clean?
The great Jon and Kate debate. Jon globe-trotting with his new girlfriend. She`s 22, she`s the daughter of Kate`s plastic surgeon. But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, is there anything wrong with that?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
It`s the Slap Chop infomercial rap remix that will have you howling with laughter. Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m Ashleigh Banfield, in for A.J. Hammer tonight.
And tonight, explosive new revelations surrounding La Toya Jackson`s bombshell interview. Could her stunning claims throw the investigation into Michael Jackson`s death for a loop?
Here are some of the breaking developments. La Toya claims that someone murdered Michael Jackson, but who? You`ve got to hear La Toya`s startling claim that Michael Jackson didn`t even die in his own bedroom.
And the weeks before Michael Jackson died, was he really on a cleanse before his concert series? Or was he on heavy medication instead? La Toya reveals mind-blowing new details.
And did the Jackson family really try to stage an intervention to save Michael`s life? La Toya reveals the intimate truths about the family`s last desperate attempt to save Michael.
Joining me tonight in New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell, who is the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" which you can see every night 7:00 p.m. right here on HLN. And also joining me tonight in Hollywood is Leslie Marshall, who is the host of the talk radio show, "The Leslie Marshall Show."
All right. I want to start with the incredible bombshell by La Toya Jackson that Michael Jackson was found, not in his own bedroom, but in the bedroom of Dr. Conrad Murray, that doctor who was with him the day that Michael died.
La Toya is revealing these bombshells to London`s "Daily Mail" reporter, Caroline Graham. She was on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" and described what La Toya said. Watch this.
GRAHAM: Up to this point, we thought that Michael was in his own bedroom. No, no, no. He was in Dr. Murray`s bedroom.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": How does La Toya know this?
GRAHAM: She went to Michael`s house on the evening of the day he died. She spoke to people in the house that were there. One of Michael`s closest personal assistants, a guy called Brother Michael, saw Michael in Dr. Murray`s bedroom.
He was there when the emergency services got there. And basically, Michael had walked from his bedroom into Dr. Murray`s room. And this was the room where he passed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, the doctor`s spokesperson has denied these allegations by La Toya saying that Dr. Murray administered CPR in Michael`s room. But, Jane, what if La Toya`s claims are true? What do you suppose consequences could be?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, we`ve got the 911 call to compare those claims to. If you give false statement to authorities, if essentially, you lie to authorities, there are criminal repercussions for that, possible charges.
I think it is important to mention that Dr. Murray says he is cooperating with authorities. His attorneys have said that Dr. Murray never gave him Demerol or OxyContin. But that`s not really the issue. The issue is Diprivan and they wouldn`t make that kind of a blanket denial with that particular drug which has to be administered by someone else.
It cannot be self-administered because it knocks you out instantly. I think the big question is will Diprivan be found in his system, and if so, who administered it? Ad we have to really wait for the police investigation on that.
BANFIELD: Yes. La Toya is reportedly working pretty closely with the investigators. So Leslie, what do you think? Does it strike you as odd - as odd at all that she would be sharing all of this detail with the whole world right now?
MARSHALL: Absolutely. Like Jane said, the investigation is not complete. We don`t have the results of the toxicology report. We have to look at not only what was administered but how and certainly by whom, which is a further investigation.
This is her brother. If she has a huge concern that there`s foul play, if she`s alleging that this is murder, a homicide, not a suicide and not an overdose, and if it was, who administered this, there`s no reason she should be discussing this with anyone but the authorities, certainly not with the media.
Because then it just - it looks like a media circus and it looks like nothing but speculation as opposed to fact and assisting investigators.
BANFIELD: And sometimes the investigators say it makes their job even harder. Another bombshell from La Toya Jackson is that Michael was on a cleanse in preparation for that huge 50-concert tour that was supposed to start this week. Here`s how the "Daily Mail" reporter Caroline Graham explained it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAHAM: Her belief was that in the run-up to the London concerts, he was on a cleanse. He was trying to cleanse his body of any kind of, you know, old substances or whatever. And her belief is that somebody towards the end was giving him drugs to either control him or for whatever reason and that perhaps the input of a large amount of drugs after him cleansing his system, perhaps sent him over the edge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, according to La Toya, Michael was trying to get clean, but that somebody was trying to control him instead. So Jane, we`re talking about a 50-year-old man here. Do you buy La Toya`s story?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, first of all, you don`t kick drugs by going on a cleanse. That`s something an addict would do in a half-hearted attempt perhaps. But not doing the one thing that really helps you kick drugs which is going into recovery, joining a 12-step program, having a spiritual conversion.
There`s no evidence that Michael Jackson had any of those on his table. He is a long-running addict who really began his addiction back in the `80s when he got a severe burn on his scalp and had to take pain medication and got hooked.
He went into detox in the early `90s and there have been many, many reports of him appearing drugged up after that. He`s a long-running addict. You don`t get sober with a cleanse. You don`t get sober like that. Were people trying to control him? I think that part is very true. We need to find out who was the puppet master.
BANFIELD: We also know that the Jackson family hired somebody to conduct a second autopsy on Michael. And based on that, La Toya claims that Michael had four needle marks on his neck and several needle marks on his arm.
Leslie, there is some speculation here that those needle marks can easily be explained by the resuscitation efforts. But doesn`t it just add to the suspicion that Michael`s death was no accident?
MARSHALL: I`ll tell you, yes. The first thing - when I heard about this death - and I`m not an M.D. but I am certified in CPR. And it struck me odd that they were performing CPR on a bed. Anyone who`s taken CPR knows you move the body to the floor. And this was a cardiologist doing this. So I thought that was odd.
When you talk about the needle marks like Jane and I have said earlier and agree, you have to look at what comes back in the toxicology report. It is very common if a doctor is not following their Hippocratic Oath in healing someone to try and hide needle marks, behind the neck, for example.
And if Diprivan was administered and it could be administered through an injection, then it`s very possible that there were several, especially, you know, allegedly that he was an addict, several needle marks throughout his entire body. Yes, yes. Certainly suspicious.
BANFIELD: OK. Well, let`s listen to another La Toya Jackson bombshell. She says that she knew - the family knew that Michael was in trouble, that they actually tried to stage an intervention. And listen to what the "Daily Mail`s" Caroline Graham told Larry King about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAHAM: Michael was isolated from his family. The family tried to intervene. They knew that he was in trouble. They tried to stage an intervention and every time they tried to get close to that house, they were prevented.
Joe Jackson went to the front door on many occasions, she told me. He went to the front gate. They wouldn`t let him in. When La Toya called the house, she couldn`t speak to her brother. This is all very suspicious.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Yes. I`ll say. Here`s something else pretty suspicious - all these bombshells, fascinating and all. But La Toya was reportedly paid for this interview. And remember, she was famously estranged from Michael for years. Yet, she`s claiming all these people wanted Michael for his money.
So Leslie, how are we supposed to believe anything she says if she, in fact, is getting paid?
MARSHALL: They all want him for his money. He`s dead and they still want him for his money. And this is a guy, who for years, wanted nothing to do with his father. He was very clear - the father to have nothing to do with the children. Even Debbie Rowe wanted the father to have nothing to do with the children.
And we`re surprised that Michael`s not letting his father, who was allegedly abusive to him for years and helped create this madness that he was living within, wasn`t allowed in the house? And honestly, how can we believe La Toya when there`s a check with that?
(CROSS TALK)
BANFIELD: Jane, 10 seconds - 10 seconds, Jane.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: He didn`t want to let him in because he`s the addict who doesn`t want his family to intervene and send him to rehab. That`s not somebody trying to get clean.
BANFIELD: Jane Velez-Mitchell, Leslie Marshall, great to hear from both you ladies. I love you.
All right. The debate - reality show star Jon Gosselin has sparked an all-new fired-up debate of his own. Newly-separated Jon has been jet- setting and hobnobbing in the south of France with his new hot young girlfriend.
But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is daring to ask, is there anything wrong with that?
We`ll also have this -
(MUSIC PLAYING)
It is the wild new Slap Chop infomercial remix. It is guaranteed to crack you up. And I swear to god, you`re going to be singing this one tomorrow.
Also, Sarah Palin officially out of a job in about two weeks. Tonight, though, we`ve got new information about whether she will end up with a new gig, a talk show of her very own. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: L.A. mayor angry over his staff`s Web site asking for money to cover M.J. memorial costs. Farrah Fawcett`s friend, Alana Stewart, to publish Fawcett`s cancer diary.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BANFIELD: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Ashleigh Banfield, in for A.J. Hammer.
Just when you thought we were out of the Jon and Kate drama, they suck us back in. Now, the drama is around Jon Gosselin and his new girlfriend, the younger woman, whose dad performed a tummy tuck on Kate. So were people happy for Jon and his possible second chance at love?
No. Jon`s getting slammed left and right for stepping out with his new girlfriend, leading us to ask the question, is there anything wrong with what Jon`s doing?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It`s the summer show everybody`s talking about, not "Jon & Kate Plus 8" but Jon plus the daughter of his wife`s plastic surgeon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Could it be "Jon & Kate Plus 8" plus one?
BANFIELD: Jon Gosselin, the recently separated dad on "Jon & Kate Plus 8" lived it up this weekend on the French Riviera with his younger new girlfriend.
KATHIE LEE GIFFORD, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Summer loving.
BANFIELD: Kathie Lee Gifford went heavy on the sarcasm when talking about Jon`s trip on "Today."
GIFFORD: All right. Probably win Father of the Year next year -
BANFIELD: In fact, Jon`s antics have people dismissively throwing around words like "midlife crisis."
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: This does look a little bit like a midlife crisis.
BANFIELD: When talking about the newly-single father of eight`s new summer romance, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there are three main reasons why. First, there`s the age difference.
PIAZZA: Jon`s new girlfriend is a 22-year-old, fresh out of college gal.
BANFIELD: Jon Gosselin, on the other hand, is 32. Mid life crisis, anyone?
PIAZZA: He`s partying it up with fashion designers. He`s smoking. He`s drinking. He`s hanging out with a hot young 22-year-old. Who is this guy?
BANFIELD: The second issue people have with Jon`s new relationship, it cuts a little too close to home. Not only is Jon`s new girlfriend younger, she just happens to be the daughter of the surgeon who did his wife Kate`s tummy tuck.
PIAZZA: Do you think he could have found someone not as close to the family situation?
BANFIELD: And the third reason people aren`t keen on Jon`s new plus one - timing.
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": Kate and I have decided to separate.
BANFIELD: Jon and Kate`s dramatic announcement that they were splitting up was just three weeks ago. Now, less than a month later -
MIKE FLEEMAN, "PEOPLE.COM": Jon was zipping around the French Riviera with his new girlfriend. Kate was back in Pennsylvania watching the kids.
BANFIELD: But here`s the big question - is there anything wrong with that?
PIAZZA: I`ve historically supported Jon. I think that for years now, Jon has needed to sow his wild oats. "Has he gone too far?" is the question.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BANFIELD: So there you have it. Time now to play SHOWBIZ TONIGHT hot new game - we call it "anything wrong with that? Joining me tonight in New York, Cooper Lawrence, psychologist and author of the fabulous book, "The Cult of Celebrity." And also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for "StyleList.com."
OK. So you heard the facts, and let`s get to them one by one. It was less than a month ago that Jon and Kate announced their divorce on nationwide TV. And now, Jon is not only just dating, he`s dating while globe- trotting. Cooper Lawrence, anything wrong with that?
COOPER LAWRENCE, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: It`s bananas, Ashleigh. It`s bananas. But here`s the thing, it makes me think that even though they announced it just a few weeks ago, they must have been separated for much longer.
I mean, the relationship must have been over for much longer because usually, there`s a grieving period. He must be very angry at her and willing to move on so quickly. So my thought is, this must have been going on for quite a while. It`s been over.
BANFIELD: I sense you`re on to something, my girl. Ben Widdicombe, over to you, Jon dating so soon. Anything wrong with that?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, "STYLELIST.COM": There`s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Listen, there is no such thing as a prenup with a non-compete clause. If the marriage is over, they are both free to see whomever they like.
I`m a little bit surprised that Jon seems to have switched women so quickly, because, of course, there was another woman, Deanna Hummel, who was rumored his love towards the end of their relationship.
But listen, he`s an adult. He`s made it official. He`s been very honest about the fact that it`s over. So why shouldn`t he date this woman?
BANFIELD: OK. Well, let`s move on to the age difference then between Jon and the new girlfriend. Jon Gosselin`s 32 years old. He`s got eight kids. His new girlfriend, Hailey, is 22 years old.
And best we can tell is looking at her Facebook pictures. Anyway, he certainly knows how to have a good time - 32, 22, Ben, anything wrong with that?
WIDDICOMBE: Absolutely not. A 10-year age difference is absolutely nothing to worry about. You know, Jon has been through an awful lot. Maybe his marriage with Kate aged him disproportionately. But 10 years - nothing to worry about.
BANFIELD: Well, Cooper, what do you think?
LAWRENCE: Well, I think the age difference really speaks to how mature or immature Jon must be for sure. But obviously, he`s not looking for the next mother of his children. He`s looking to have a good time. You don`t choose a 22-year-old when you`re looking for the next mom.
BANFIELD: OK -
LAWRENCE: Yes.
BANFIELD: Totally no chance meeting here that brought these two together. Jon was first introduced to Hailey because - drum roll, everybody - she`s the daughter of his wife`s plastic surgeon, the same guy who gave her the tummy tuck after she gave him eight kids. Cooper, anything wrong with that?
LAWRENCE: That is such a "screw you." There are so many women out there. The fact he went after somebody that she knows and knows well, who`s hot, that she might have had suspicions about, like boy, keep my husband away. You know, that almost is a hostile act. It`s almost saying to her, "You know what? Not only am I leaving you, but I`m dating somebody that you know."
BANFIELD: Yes. You know, I`ve got to say, guys, having had two kids and not eight, I would kill my husband. First of all, I didn`t get the tummy tuck yet. But I would kill my husband if he went after the doctor`s daughter who did it.
Guys, thank you. Ben Widdicombe and Cooper Lawrence, always love to hear from you both.
So tonight, why Sarah Palin may never, ever, ever get a TV show. TV syndicators, the folks behind your favorite shows like "Morrie(ph)" and "Dr. Phil" - apparently, they are all saying, "Thanks but no thanks" to a Sarah Palin talk show. Talk about a bridge to nowhere.
According to a survey by broadcasting and cable magazines, syndicators say they will not invest in a Palin show because she doesn`t have the skills. They say she`s way too polarizing. And then, they say this - she`s a quitter. As you know, Sarah Palin is set to resign as governor of Alaska at the end of the month after her shocking resignation announcement on July the 3rd.
Forget ShamWow - your late-night munchies and infomercial watching habit is about to get rocked big-time.
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It is the Slap Chop commercial remix. I`m kidding you not, folks. You`ve just got to see it to believe it. And tonight, we`ve got the all- new ad before it hits the air waves and the wild back story on how it all came about. Trust me - you are going to be singing the Slap Chop song by the morning.
OK, now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: "American Idol" auditions for Season 9 wrap up in Denver; show begins in January. Natalie Portman cast as female lead in film based on comic book hero, "Thor.")
Time now for "Making It Work," where we find out how stars make their relationships work. Tonight, it`s Mira Sorvino who has just given birth to her third child.
The Oscar winner calls Holden Paul her miracle baby. Mira tells "People.com" she and her baby suffered serious complications which forced her to go on bed rest for more than two months. We`re happy to report both mom and baby are just fine now. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Mira when she was just a few months pregnant. And she gave us a glimpse at how she makes it work as baby makes five.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIRA SORVINO, ACTRESS: We spend all of our time with our two kids. You know, they are our favorite people in the world. We don`t spend a lot of time partying. We don`t go out much. This is like a rare night for us to really be seen out and about.
And we love our children and we love each other. And we have a good life, you know. We`re sort of normal people living in an abnormal place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: Well, as Mira mentioned, she and her husband have two other children, Mattea and Johnny. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BANFIELD: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, it is one of the most popular infomercials like you have never seen it before. Admit it, you love the wacky ads for the Slap Chop just as much as I do.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re going to love my nuts. Watch this - almonds, walnuts - comes with a cover so you can do everything on the cover, all right? Or you can do it on the board, whatever you`d like. So easy, one finger. If I can do it with one finger, you guys can do it with your whole hand. Kids can do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BANFIELD: OK. But wait, there`s more. Did you see this? Tonight, we`ve got the exclusive remix of the ad that`s coming to a TV near you really soon.
Here`s the back story. It started out as a joke - setting the Slap Chop ad to a rap song and then posting the video online. But it was so fantastic, it got the attention of the big wigs over at the Slap Chop headquarters. And the next thing you know, they made it into a real commercial. Check it out.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
And I bet you won`t be able to get that out of your head for a week. Hey, you`re welcome.
On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Michael Jackson`s Death: Do you think foul play was involved?" 30 percent of you said yes, but 70 percent of you said no.
Here are some of the E-mails that we got. Bri from Tennessee writes, "How simply ridiculous! My gosh, do we have to start this? He is a victim of drug use. Why not try to focus on finding the truth, the logical truth.
And Donna, from Oregon writes, "Michael Jackson was apparently an addict and sadly that is what ended his life. Ultimately, he was responsible."
That is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, everyone. Thanks so much for watching. I`m Ashleigh Banfield in for A.J. Hammer. And remember, you can watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and 11:00 p.m. Pacific and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
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