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Showbiz Tonight
Joe Jackson`s Brand-New Bombshells; Could Chris Brown`s Apology Actually Backfire?; Farrah Fawcett`s Final Days
Aired July 21, 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, Joe Jackson`s brand-new bombshells. Tonight, the real story behind the unbelievable claims by Michael`s father in his first major interview since Michael`s death. Why Joe insists foul play was involved.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE JACKSON, FATHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: It wasn`t just only drugs. There was something else behind all of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joe Jackson`s bizarre new denial that he beat Michael.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE JACKSON: I`ve never been abusive to him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Also, tonight, does Joe really want to put Michael`s kids on tour? And does he know where Michael`s body is? Tonight, the SHOWBIZ Truth squad investigates.
Should we forgive Chris Brown? Brown`s dramatic video apology for beating up Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS BROWN, SINGER: I have told Rihanna countless times and I`m telling you today that I`m truly, truly sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, could Brown`s video apology backfire on him? Or should he be forgiven for his vicious attack on Rihanna?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one is from the dogcatcher.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What is that dog`s connection to U2`s Bono and Presidents Bush and Obama? The doggone answer as TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, what does Joe really know? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you the almost unbelievable brand-new bombshells from Michael Jackson`s father, Joe Jackson. And today we`ve got the SHOWBIZ Truth squad on the case to investigate what Joe just said in his first big live interview since Michael died.
The list of developments breaking today are almost too long to list. So let`s get you up to speed right now on the biggest headlines.
Tonight, is there any truth to Joe`s brand-new claims that Michael`s death was the result of foul play? His new accusations are really disturbing. And wait until you hear what`s being said about the promoters of the concerts that Michael was rehearsing for. These brand-new allegations are really serious.
Also new tonight, Joe Jackson`s brand-new claims about whether he beat and abused Michael when he was younger. You`ll see why a lot of people are saying today, are you kidding me?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Jim Moret who is a senior correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in Hollywood tonight is Lisa Bloom who is a CNN legal analyst.
And I want to begin with this first bombshell from Joe Jackson. Joe telling CNN`s Larry King that he not only suspects foul play in Michael Jackson`s death, but he puts the blame squarely on the doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, who was in the house with Michael Jackson when he went into cardiac arrest. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE JACKSON: You don`t take a doctor and stick him in the room there. And the doctor gave him something to make him rest and then he don`t wake up no more. Something is wrong there. The doctor just somehow - I understand that he left and went to sleep or something. I don`t know what happened there. But he tried to bring -
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Are you implying then the doctor committed foul play?
JOE JACKSON: Something went wrong, Larry, is because when they tried to bring Michael back, he was dead. Something went wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. We have reached out to Dr. Conrad Murray, haven`t heard back from him as of show time. Lisa, I know Joe Jackson, the father of Michael, looking for answers like everybody else. But is it really wise for him to be accusing Michael Jackson`s doctor of foul play during a live TV interview?
LISA BLOOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: My heart goes out to Joe Jackson because he just lost his son. And it`s only been a month and I`m sure the pain is very real. And I`m sure he wants to rally around his son and look for the blame elsewhere.
But a lot of people who were close to Michael Jackson said over the years that he was addicted to drugs. It was very clear to them. They tried to help him and he rejected it. Michael Jackson was an adult and it seems to me that he made certain choices that were detrimental. Now, if a doctor engaged in some negligence, of course, that should be looked at as well. But it does seem unfair to me to point all the blame at the doctor.
HAMMER: Yes. And I do want to re-emphasize the fact that he is looking for answers. And Jim, we`ve watched this play out over the last couple of weeks with Joe trying to get the words out just right. But wow, should he be going on TV and pointing fingers like that?
JIM MORET, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, you know, like him or not, this is Michael Jackson`s father. And I`m sure he`s thinking like many people are thinking. If Michael Jackson was healthy, why did he have a doctor living in the house? Why was a doctor staying overnight and what happened?
I mean, the one thing that Joe Jackson said that a lot of people probably agree with, something went wrong. That`s not to indicate it`s foul play. But clearly, something happened. And police at this point are still trying to figure out what that something is.
HAMMER: Well, I do want to move on to the next bombshell claim that Michael was being controlled and manipulated by AEG. Those are the promoters of his planned comeback concerts in London. Joe Jackson asked his good friend Leonard Rowe, who is a music and concert promoter - he`s been working with the Jackson family a long time - to explain this particular bombshell to Larry King. Watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEONARD ROWE, MUSIC AND CONCERT PROMOTER: Michael Jackson`s life at the end was being controlled and manipulated. Michael Jackson was not allowed to make his own decisions. He was not allowed to hire who he wanted to hire to work for him.
Michael Jackson was being told what to do. And people were controlling Michael Jackson. It was the promoters who was promoting in London, which was AEG. They was - at the time of Michael`s death, they were the ones that was controlling Michael`s life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Those are some pretty big accusations. Well, AEG did respond to Leonard Rowe`s claims that Michael wasn`t allowed to make his own decisions saying this, "He always had the option to change his schedule or miss a rehearsal and did indeed decide to miss certain days he had previously committed to."
Lisa Bloom, you are the legal expert. You`d have to think that there were legal contracts signed by both sides that would really tell the whole story. Are you buying what Joe is selling here?
BLOOM: Yes. As Joe Jackson would say, that`s a lot of jive talk. Give me a break. Michael Jackson, the biggest superstar in the world, didn`t have any power to negotiate with the concert promoter, couldn`t stand up for himself through all his many teams of lawyers, agents, managers, publicists? I mean, that`s just silliness.
If Michael Jackson had a problem, it should have been asserted at the beginning of the contract negotiations. There could have been amendments to the agreement. I mean, the concert promoters wanted there to be concerts so they could make money. They didn`t want Michael Jackson to be sick.
If he was hurting in my way, they would want to accommodate him, which is why they provided him with a doctor to live with him. So the claim just doesn`t make any sense.
HAMMER: Yes. And you have to believe when they`re working with so much money at stake here and with one of the biggest superstars in the world, they`re doing what they need to do to protect themselves.
All right. Let`s move on to this next big brand-new bombshell which really sheds a new light on Joe Jackson`s relationship with his son Michael. Joe revealed to Larry King that he was basically shut out of Michael`s life even when he wanted to help him with his drug problem. Watch what he said when Larry asked him if he reached out to help his son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE JACKSON: No, I did not.
KING: Why not?
JOE JACKSON: I never got a chance to.
KING: I`ll go back to - you`re his father. If you pick up the phone and you call your son and you`re worried about him and you know he`s had some problems with this, why wouldn`t you counsel him?
JOE JACKSON: Larry, I`m going to cut to the chase on this. I couldn`t never get to him. I tried all I could and I could never get to him because I was barred away from him by securities and all that type of thing.
KING: They cut you off?
JOE JACKSON: That`s right, Larry. They cut me off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Joe clearly admitting, once and for all, that he was cut out of Michael`s life. Michael cut him out of the will, left him nothing.
Jim, and again, against the backdrop and appreciation for the fact that this is a father mourning the loss of his son, I`m betting a lot of people are watching this and not seeing Joe as a sympathetic character.
MORET: I think you`re right. I think that, you know, the allegations of abuse follow him. Look, Joe Jackson has every right to claim a great deal of the success of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. He clearly molded this group and these individuals.
But the price for that was the estrangement with his son and that`s clearly evident even in death. In his will, Joe Jackson was cut off just as apparently he was during Michael`s life.
HAMMER: And it was so interesting watching this and hearing him actually come out and admit it almost in this humbled way that we`ve just never heard before from Joe Jackson.
Joe also made some other bombshell revelations about custody of Michael`s kids and abusing Michael as a child. I want you to watch this.
JOE JACKSON: Never, never have. And I raised him just like you would raise your kids, you know. But harm Michael? For what? I have no reason. That`s my son. I loved him and I still love him.
KING: "People" magazine quotes what is described as a source close to the family as saying that you`re willing to sign papers saying that you don`t live with Katherine and won`t be involved in raising Michael`s kids. Is that true or false?
JOE JACKSON: I never said I was going to sign any papers to that effect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, I thought it was a really interesting choice for Joe Jackson to do this interview because I have said from the very beginning that I didn`t think he did himself any favors by speaking out. He just doesn`t put the words together in any way that helps him.
Lisa, he`s putting all his cards out there, sitting on live television for an hour. What do you think his motivation was?
BLOOM: Well, I think he was trying to redeem his reputation. But I agree with you, it fell flat. You know, when he says "I loved him" in response to the abuse allegation, most abusive parents would say that they love their children.
What we really didn`t get from him was a sense of sorrow and of grief that Michael was gone. We didn`t get fond memories of Michael during his lifetime.
What we got were a lot of denials and simple one-word answers that didn`t make a lot of sense. And Larry, I thought, did a terrific job saying, "But you were his father." And really, Joe had no response to that. He didn`t behave like we would expect a father to.
HAMMER: Yes. And again, everybody mourns in their own way. But still, it just seems - I don`t know. It just seems a little odd to me. Jim Moret, Lisa Bloom, I do appreciate you.
And we are not done yet. We are rolling out the Joe Jackson truth squad. Tonight, Joe says he did not beat Michael, but Michael said he did. So what`s the truth?
Joe hinted he would put Michael`s kids into showbiz but now, he`s changing his tune. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is demanding the answers. It`s the Joe Jackson truth squad, and that is coming up.
Tonight, I`m asking, should we forgive Chris Brown? Now, he just came out with this dramatic video apology for beating up Rihanna. But could Brown`s video apology backfire on him? Or should he be forgiven for his vicious attack on Rihanna? It is a fired-up debate.
Also, Ryan O`Neal speaking out for the first time since the love of his life, Farrah Fawcett, died. So what were Farrah`s final days like? What were Ryan`s last words to Farrah before she died?
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This one`s from Daniel. This one`s from Adam. And this one is from the dogcatcher.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Whoa. What is this dog`s connection to U2`s Bono and Presidents Bush and Obama? I`ll have the doggone answer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Sony reportedly bids $50 million for Michael rehearsal footage. Ashton Kutcher posts fake photo of wife Demi Moore with a Mohawk on.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Hey, they don`t teach you this at driver`s ed. Did you see this? Do not - I repeat, do not drive your car through the Baboon area of Knowsley Safari park in the U.K. Because if you do, well, the baboons are going to tear your luggage open and they`re going to make off with your clothes.
This video was actually a demonstration by the park`s staff warning what could happen. But maybe, just maybe, you could get away with it if you had this ad.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dear clumsy bellboys -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Remember this famous `70s commercial for American Tourister Luggage? That`s actually an actor dressed up as a gorilla.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Well, I`m thinking we have this kind of animal theme going on here. Tonight, the big snub. You`ve got to see this dog who pulled a big snub. And get this, the dog actually has something in common with Presidents Obama, Bush and U2`s Bono. And they all have something to do with avoiding hugs.
Here now is CNN`s Jeanne Moos with the big snub for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is the diss we missed. Though this guy didn`t, it happened back in 2006 at a national prayer breakfast. Bono told the BBC`s Jonathan Ross that he tried to avoid getting a hug from President Bush.
BONO, MUSICIAN: What I was doing there was I was dodging the hug and trying to hide behind the podium.
MOOS: Bono tried to hang back behind the podium. He eventually escaped with a handshake rather than a hug, though he feels bad about it now because of how much President Bush did in terms of aid to Africa.
BONO: If I was a lesser (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because he`s done - he did a lot for our issues.
MOOS: The funny part was what happened after Bono sat down next to then- Sen. Barack Obama.
BONO: He just said, "Nice work with the hug dodge."
MOOS: Obama caught what we in the media didn`t. A Bush spokesman reacted to the hug dodge by saying, "President Bush didn`t initiate all of his history efforts to get hugs. Bono and the president have had a wonderful relationship over the years."
MOOS: Most of the snubs we hear about tend to get downplayed afterwards. For instance when Jimmy Carter kissed Barbara Bush`s cheek but walked right by Bill Clinton. Or when actress Alicia Silverstone ignored Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View" but was huggy and kissy with everyone else. Hasselbeck said Silverstone later apologized saying she was just nervous.
Or during President Obama`s visit to Russia. Video circulated of the president sticking out his hand and being ignored by supposed Russian leaders. Oh, yes? Actually, President Obama was introducing American officials to Russia`s president.
(on camera): But if you`re looking for a snub that`s truly a treat, forgive bono, check out Turbo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This one`s from Daniel. This one`s from Adam. And this one is from the dogcatcher. Oh, we don`t eat treats from the dogcatcher? This one is from Elizabeth. And this one is from the vet. Oh, you don`t eat treats from the vet either?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Apparently not. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, ever since we showed you Chris Brown`s dramatic video apology for beating Rihanna, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop. We got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Irene who accepts Brown`s apology.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
IRENE, CALLER: I do accept Chris Brown`s apology as one of his fans. Being an abused person myself, I wish that only my abuser at the time would have apologized to me publicly in any way like he did to Rihanna. So I accept it from him.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Irene. Thank you for your call. We also heard from Kirby calling into "Showbiz on Call." And he says Chris Brown needs a lot of counseling.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KIRBY, CALLER: I`m calling about Brown and bottom line, he needs to do one week of therapy - for 52 weeks. He needs to do one year of therapy, behavior over time equals trust. Not words, not apologies, not, "Please forgive me." Behavior over time equals trust.
And he needs 52 weeks of deep therapy before anybody should remotely trust him, accept his forgiveness - accept his apology, make amends. The guy needs to grow up. It`s going to take a long time.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well put, Kirby. Thanks for your call. And you can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about the Chris Brown apology or anything else. "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. This is the number 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; numerically. that`s 1-888-728- 2899. Leave us a voicemail. We`ll play some of your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online. Check out our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Tonight, the Joe Jackson truth squad. Michael`s father gives his first big live interview since his son died. Now, Joe says he didn`t beat Michael. But Michael insisted he did. Who`s telling the truth? Joe hinted he wanted to put Michael`s kids into showbiz. Now, he`s backing away from that. So what is the real story? Tonight, the SHOWBIZ Truth squad demanding answers.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I have told Rihanna countless times and I`m telling you today that I am truly, truly sorry. What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chris Brown`s dramatic new apology to Rihanna. But tonight, I have got to ask, should we forgive Chris Brown or will his shocking video actually backfire on him?
And is this guy who actually runs around all day, all year in his underwear in a cowboy hat really going to run for mayor of New York City? Is that possible? Hey, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, right? Even if you are naked. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Nicolas Cage in talks to play the bad guy in upcoming "Green Hornet" movie. "Dukes of Hazzard" star John Schneider to join the cast of the CW`s "90210.")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with more stories that are making news right now.
Tonight, the naked cowboy for mayor? This guy whose real name is Robert Burke has been making a living as the naked cowboy for a decade. He hangs out, literally, in New York City`s Times Square charging people to take pictures with him wearing nothing but a cowboy hat, boots and tidy whiteys.
But now, the naked cowboy wants to run for mayor. He`s got some serious competition. Current NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg is the favorite to win a third term. No word yet on if the naked cowboy will be giving Bloomberg a wedgie.
Also tonight, an amazing gift from actor Tyler Perry. The "Madea Goes to Jail" star is paying for 65 kids from a Philadelphia day camp to go to Walt Disney World. Tyler heard about allegations that a swim club in the Philly suburb turned the kids away because of racism. So, he decided to pick up the air, food, hotel and admission cost for a trip to Disney World instead. Listen to how happy these kids were when they heard who was behind this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you want to know the celebrity that you will be meeting that has paid for your trip to Disney World, the celebrity`s name is -
CROWD: Tyler Perry!
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you all feeling about that?
CHILDREN: Good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re going to Disney World?
CHILDREN: Yes!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. How great is that? Well, on his Web site, Tyler Perry writes about the kids, "I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them."
Now, the Valley Club in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, says that the kids were not turned away because of race, but because many couldn`t swim. It`s really such an incredible story and a real classy move obviously by Tyler Perry.
If the swim club really rejected these kids because they were black - yes, totally disgusting. I do want to tell you about a not-to-be missed CNN special. Tyler Perry is featured in it. CNN continues its investigation of the most challenging issues facing African-Americans. CNN`s Soledad O`Brien hosts "Black in America 2." You can catch it on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern only on CNN.
It`s time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what we`ve got coming up at the bottom of the hour right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The Joe Jackson truth squad. Michael`s father gives his first live interview since his son died. Did Joe really beat Michael? Does he want Michael`s kids to get into show business? SHOWBIZ investigates.
Should we forgive Chris Brown? Brown releases a brand-new dramatic apology for beating Rihanna, but is his sorry enough?
Also, this is incredible - Ryan O`Neal speaking out for the very first time since Farrah Fawcett died. So what were her final days really like? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Bruce Lee`s relatives authorize a series of films about the kung fu icon`s life. Jerry Springer in talks to star in "Chicago" on Broadway.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Joe Jackson truth squad. Joe denies beating Michael, but is it true? Joe says he won`t put Michael`s kids on tour, but is he for real? And is he still together with Katherine Jackson? We`ll find out. The SHOWBIZ Truth squad investigates.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I have told Rihanna countless times and I`m telling you today that I`m truly, truly sorry. What I did was unacceptable, 100 percent. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Chris Brown`s brand-new dramatic apology for beating Rihanna. Should we forgive him? Or will his apology backfire?
And commander-in-mom-jeans? President Obama speaks out.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, it`s the Joe Jackson truth squad. Joe Jackson really gives one of the most explosive interviews of his life to CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE." And it`s raising brand-new questions that we are investigating in tonight`s SHOWBIZ truth squad.
Tonight, did Joe Jackson beat his son, Michael? Well, he denies it to Larry King. But we`ve got Michael Jackson`s heartbreaking interview with Oprah describing how his father abused him. Who should we believe?
Also, does Joe Jackson want Michael`s children to become the new Jackson 3? Well, he denies it now to Larry King. But we`ve got his blunt interview from just weeks ago when he said he had plans for the young children. We investigate.
And is Joe Jackson still married to Michael`s mom, Katherine? They`re never seen together and their marriage and relationship are shrouded in mystery. Tonight, the Joe Jackson truth squad is getting to the bottom of it.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Jim Moret who is the chief correspondent for "Inside Edition." And also tonight in Hollywood, Lisa Bloom who is a CNN legal analyst.
And let`s start this special edition of the Joe Jackson truth squad with a big question everybody`s been wondering about - did Joe Jackson beat Michael Jackson? Well, watch what he said when CNN`s Larry King asked him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: What do you say about all these things that have been said over the years that you harmed Michael as a child?
JOE JACKSON: That`s a bunch of bull S. That`s a bunch of bull S.
KING: Straighten me out.
JOE JACKSON: That`s not true.
KING: You never physically harmed him?
JOE JACKSON: Never, never have. And I raised him just like you would raise your kids, you know. But harm Michael? For what? I have no reason. I loved him and I still love him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Lisa Bloom, over to you first. Joe Jackson said it`s a bunch of bull S. Do you buy Joe`s claims and defense?
BLOOM: Nobody raised their kids the way Joe Jackson raised his kids. We didn`t take our kids on the road when they were pre-pubescent and have them sing and dance for people. I mean, come on, this was obviously a very different kind of childhood.
Look, I tend to believe people when they say that they were abused as children. They could be making it up, that`s true. But I tended to believe Michael. I tended to believe his accuser during the trial, too. So this could cut both ways.
Joe Jackson, I think, doesn`t have a very clear defense. He simply says, "I didn`t. I raised the kids the way you did." I don`t know. I`m not buying it.
HAMMER: Yes. It was pretty consistent in not being a very articulate answer. And Joe`s claims are frankly hard to believe after you watch this candid emotional interview that Michael Jackson did with Oprah back in 1993. In this interview, he reveals that he endured emotional and physical abuse from Joe Jackson. Let`s roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL JACKSON, KING OF POP: There`s a lot of sadness about my past life and, you know, adolescence and my father and all of those things. It just makes me very, very, very sad.
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": So he would tease you and make fun of you?
MICHAEL JACKSON: Yes.
WINFREY: Did he ever beat you?
MICHAEL JACKSON: Yes, he did. Yes.
WINFREY: And that was difficult to take getting beaten and going on stage and performing?
MICHAEL JACKSON: Yes.
WINFREY: Why would he beat you?
MICHAEL JACKSON: Because he saw me - he wanted me to - I guess, I don`t know if I was his golden child or whatever it was.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Jim Moret, when you hear Michael`s side of the story, and having covered Michael Jackson for years, do you just find it hard to believe Joe Jackson`s assertion that he never laid a hand on Michael?
MORET: I think it depends on how you define harm. In Joe Jackson`s mind, maybe he wasn`t harming his son. He wasn`t beating him in his mind. But Michael Jackson not only made these statements in 1993 to Oprah. He made a similar statement in 2003 Martin Bashir in that other televised interview.
And we didn`t hear Joe Jackson come out then and say, "Look, that`s not true." And right now, Michael Jackson can`t speak for himself. He`s gone. These are the claims he made during his life. And like Lisa, I would tend to believe somebody who makes those kinds of claims especially when it`s a high-profile person and they`re making them in public.
HAMMER: And clearly, this was an incredibly strained relationship. Lisa, I mean, regardless of whether or not Joe really did beat Michael Jackson growing up, does it not speak volumes that Michael didn`t include Joe in his will? That`s pretty huge.
BLOOM: Absolutely. And he doesn`t name him as guardian of the children, also very significant. He named his mother but not his father. And he clearly had a strained relationship.
I mean, Joe Jackson says in the interview he didn`t view Michael`s body after he was deceased. I mean, these are two people who may have shared some blood but they didn`t share a lot else, at least not in Michael`s later years.
HAMMER: Yes. That was pretty clear from watching this hour with Joe Jackson last night. Well, let`s move on to this next big question in our Joe Jackson truth squad. Does Joe Jackson want to get Michael`s three kids into show business, you know, create a brand-new Jackson 3?
Well, in this brand-new bombshell live interview, Joe tells Larry King, no way. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Down the road, if they expressed an interest - I mean, you raised the family. They all got into show business. If the grandchildren wanted to, would you encourage them?
JOE JACKSON: Larry, I know where you`re trying to go with that. And I don`t want to tell -
KING: I`m not trying to go anywhere. I`m asking you, would you encourage them?
JOE: No. I`m not encouraging them to do nothing. None of the sort. They have to be what they are, kids at the moment, yes, and be raised properly.
KING: So those rumors that you wanted to tour the Jackson 3 are not true?
JOE JACKSON: Not true. That`s a bunch of jive. I wish I could say what I should say. That`s a bunch of bull.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. But that`s not what Joe said weeks ago in a candid interview he gave to ABC`s "Nightline." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does your eye see any possibility for their growing into performers someday?
JOE JACKSON: I keep watching Paris. She may want to do something, you know. Well, they say Blanket - he can really dance, that`s what they`re saying. He can really dance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Jim, it seems that Joe pretty much changed his story 180 degrees in a matter of weeks. What do you think gives here?
MORET: Sounds like he got a talking to - that`s what it sounds like. Because it seemed like he was trying to insinuate himself into those kids` lives and that came into conflict with these custody hearings.
Katherine Jackson sought custody alone. Michael Jackson wanted her to have custody alone. Michael Jackson apparently was just not close with his father. His father said on "LARRY KING" that he found out his son passed away by hearing it from fans.
And he hasn`t even gotten the autopsy results. All of this leads me to believe that somebody talked to Joe Jackson and said, "You know what? Lay off those statements."
HAMMER: Yes. Lisa, are you right there with Jim and me? Quite frankly, I think probably the Jackson family got around Joe and basically called bull S on him.
BLOOM: Yes, he`s speaking jive. Yes. For those who don`t speak lawyer, let me translate what happened in the last few weeks.
Joe Jackson was clearly told by Katherine Jackson and her attorney, "Back off. Stay away. Don`t get involved. Because if you do, you`re going to harm Katherine Jackson`s chance of getting custody. You are a negative as far as she is concerned for getting custody. If you stay in Las Vegas, you indicate you`re separated or at least not physically living together. You`re not going to have any plans for kids. You`re not going to be involved with the kids."
Katherine stands a much better chance of getting custody, that`s why he`s backpedaling now.
HAMMER: I`m surprised he`s allowed to do any interviews at all. I want to move on to this next big question in our SHOWBIZ Joe Jackson truth squad. Are Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson still married?
You know, for years, Joe and Katherine have not been seen in public together. Joe lives in Vegas, Katherine in Encino, California. So what gives here? Are the two still married? Well, here`s what Joe told Larry King.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Are you and she separated?
JOE JACKSON: No, we`re not.
KING: You`re still a married couple?
JOE JACKSON: That`s right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Once again, Jim, you`ve covered this family for a long time. Do you get the feeling that Katherine Jackson, not unlike son Michael, really doesn`t want to have much to do with Joe Jackson these days?
MORET: Well, I mean, I think they are legally married. They`re not legally separated. This is what works for them. Maybe it works better for them to be separate. But they do see each other on occasion and for times, he does come to Los Angeles.
And when he is in L.A., it`s my understanding he stays at the Encino home. But they do live separate lives. So are they married? Yes. Is it a traditional marriage? No.
BLOOM: But it wasn`t exactly a rousing vote of enthusiasm for the marriage. Are you still married? Yes.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: He wasn`t jumping around saying, "Of course, we are." Isn`t it obvious? Jim Moret, Lisa Bloom, got to end it there. Thank you both so much.
All right. Well, it took an entire month after his guilty plea for beating Rihanna before Chris Brown spoke up and publicly apologized. And a lot of people said he needed to say something. But I`ve got to wonder, is his video apology going to help his image or make it worse?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I have told Rihanna countless times and I`m telling you today that I`m truly, truly sorry. I have let a lot of people down and I realize that. And no one is more disappointed in me than I am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, could Chris Brown`s dramatic public apology backfire? Is it the right time for him to speak out or should he be laying low right about now? And the burning question - should we forgive him for beating Rihanna?
Also, Farrah Fawcett`s final days. Ryan O`Neal speaks out for the very first time since Farrah`s death. His emotional story about the final moments of Farrah`s life and how they said goodbye.
And commander-in-mom-jeans? President Obama speaks out about his fashion foul-up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Britney Spears` ex, Kevin Federline, planning a reality show with new girlfriend. Marc Anthony buys a stake in the Miami Dolphins.)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARC ANTHONY, SINGER: My wife is celebrating her birthday this weekend. I`d like to bring her on stage to present her with her own jersey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Chris Brown`s video apology shocker. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was the first entertainment news show to bring you the entire dramatic video message just after it surfaced. But as Chris makes a dramatic new plea for forgiveness for beating Rihanna, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask - could it all backfire?
With me now in New York is Marvet Britto. She is a celebrity publicist who runs the Britto Agency. In Hollywood tonight is Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
So Chris` stunning and sudden apology comes almost one month to the day after he pleaded guilty to assault after brutally attacking Rihanna after that Grammy party back in February. Now, he has not spoken publicly until he released this video apology. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Since February, my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though ever since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility. Although I will do some interviews and answer questions in the future, I thought it was time that you heard directly from me that I`m sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So Marvet, let me go to you first on this. You know, the truth is, everybody really had stopped talking about this. And now, he`s putting it out there once again. What do you think? Could it backfire?
MARVET BRITTO, FOUNDER, BRITTO AGENCY: You know, A.J., the five-month delay and Chris` apology has really - you know, I think the fans are going to question both the authenticity of the apology and the sincerity of the apology.
It took way too long for his fans and the public to hear from Chris Brown. So I think he should have let sleeping dogs lie, as they say, and he shouldn`t have rekindled this. It certainly isn`t going to help him any.
HAMMER: Yes. Now, Carlos, we were talking about this right after he released the video. He could have come out right after the plea deal was signed immediately, his first moment possible to apologize which would have lent more truth to the idea that he wanted to apologize.
But his lawyers said no. So what do you think? Now that it`s a month later, could this all backfire on him?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Backfire though - I mean, backfire would suggest that he actually has an upside to his career right now.
HAMMER: That`s true.
DIAZ: But he`s at rock bottom right now. I mean, there`s nothing to backfire on. I mean, he`s at zero. At least, maybe he might be at a one right now. I obviously disagree. I don`t think it`s going to backfire.
I think this is him kind of putting the toe in the water, you know, kind of seeing what the fans are going to like or dislike about what he`s saying. The next step is "Oprah," then "The View" and then kind of gradually work their way into more of a casual setting like a Jay Leno or Conan O`Brien.
HAMMER: Yes. And really, I mean, it`s amazing to think about how far he has fallen. Because before all of it went down, Chris literally had millions of young fans. They were mostly women. This apology is very clearly a plea for their forgiveness as well as Rihanna`s. Let`s watch some more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I am very sad and very ashamed of what I`ve done. My mother and my spiritual teachers have taught me way better than that. I have told Rihanna countless times and I`m telling you today that I`m truly, truly sorry and that I wasn`t able to handle the situation both differently and better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. You also heard Chris say in his apology that he`s going to answer more questions about the Rihanna beating in the future. Obviously, he`s going to be sitting down with someone.
But, Marvet, I was thinking perhaps that would have been a better move to start with. Maybe people would find this more sincere and more from the heart if Chris sat down with somebody like Oprah first or went on "The Tonight Show" instead of coming out of the box with this scripted sterile apology.
BRITTO: Well, clearly this apology is an attempt to jump-start a stalled career. He will do those sit-downs. And like Carlos said, he`s testing the waters right now. The problem is, it`s five months late.
And you know, he really should have come forward immediately and really communicated sincerely how he felt and really got on the road to recovery so he could move past this, get in the studio and really restore his career. But he didn`t do that.
HAMMER: No, he didn`t. But let`s keep in mind Chris` attack on Rihanna really did put the issue of domestic violence front and center for a lot of people. This apology clearly not enough for some outraged domestic abuse victims.
We heard from Angela in Washington who called "Showbiz on Call" with this just powerful, powerful message. Roll that.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANGELA, CALLER FROM WASHINGTON: I just wanted to say about Chris Brown. Every time my husband beat me up, he apologized, too, until finally my jaw was broke, my lungs were collapsed and I almost died. That sounded like a scripted apology. I don`t believe him. He doesn`t deserve another chance.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. A lot of people are siding with Angela on that. Carlos, let me tell you, I think that Chris is certainly entitled to apologize and make amends. But it certainly does not wipe the slate clean. He beat a woman.
DIAZ: And are we talking about Chris Brown the person or Chris Brown the entertainer. Because as a person, yes, he does have the right to be forgiven. But being an entertainer is not a right, it`s a privilege. So it`s up to us, the public, as to whether we want to accept this apology and welcome him back into our lives with his music and his dancing.
HAMMER: Yes. And as of show time, Rihanna saying nothing about Chris Brown`s video apology. Marvet Britto, Carlos Diaz, I do appreciate you both being here.
All right. As we move on tonight, I`ve to say, the controversy over President Obama`s jeans has really gotten out of control. This is nuts.
It took just minutes after President Obama threw out the first pitch at this year`s baseball all-star game before the fashion police threw out words like "mom jeans" and "nerd jeans." So what does Obama have to say about it?
Well, in a brand-new interview this morning on the "Today" show, Meredith Vieira asked Obama if he could defend wearing those jeans and basically he said, yes, he can.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Here`s my attitude. Michelle - she looks fabulous. I`m a little frumpy, you know. Basically, up until a few years ago, I only had four suits. She used to tease me because they`d get really shiny.
I hate to shop. Those jeans are comfortable. And for those of you who want your president, you know, to look great in his tight jeans, I`m sorry, I`m not the guy.
MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: So no low-riders for you?
OBAMA: Sorry. It doesn`t fit me. I`m not 20.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. You know, He`s got a couple of more suits. Let him keep the jeans. Besides, doesn`t he have enough to worry about anyway?
Well, it is truly hard to believe that it has been nearly a month since Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer. Tonight, for the very first time, Ryan O`Neal opens up in a stunning detail about Farrah`s final days of life and his last words to her before she died. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Neighbors of M.J.`s Neverland form group "Never!" to oppose making site tourist attraction. CBS says Walter Cronkite`s voice will continue to intro "CBS Evening News.")
Time now for "Making It Work" where we find out how stars make their relationships work. Tonight, it`s "Grey`s Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl. In her new movie, Katherine might be learning the ugly truth about relationships.
But in real life, she says her marriage with husband Josh Kelly is anything but ugly. The two have been married for nearly two years. And Katherine tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the secret is, you do what you`ve got to do.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHERINE HEIGL, ACTRESS: I`m sure, you know, people who aren`t in our situation would look at it and go, "How can you make that work? That`s impossible." But it`s the reality our relationship. It is the reality of our lives. So we don`t really know anything different.
And it does work. It just works because you want it to. So you do what you have to, to make it work.
Katherine`s movie, "The Ugly Truth," opens this Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Tonight, Farrah Fawcett`s final days. Ryan O`Neal speaking out for the first time since Farrah`s death.
Farrah lost her two-and-a-half year battle with cancer almost a month ago. And her on-and-off companion of 30 years, Ryan O`Neal, was by her side throughout that entire time. Well, this morning, Ryan O`Neal opened up to the "Today" show`s Meredith Vieira about Farrah`s final days.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN O`NEAL, ACTOR: It was horrible. It was - they thought that she would live just another couple hours and she lived a couple days. And she wouldn`t move on. She wouldn`t pass.
She just - she just looked at us with a slight smile. It was awful. And then, all the machines flat lined after about 16 hours. And she was gone.
VIEIRA: What were the last words that she said to you and the last words that you said to her, Ryan?
O`NEAL: I said I`d see her soon. And I see her every day. I write in my journal now to her.
VIEIRA: In some small way, are you at peace knowing that she is now no longer unhappy?
O`NEAL: Yes. In a sense, I am. You know, she never closed her eyes. Her eyes were open for the last three weeks of her life, watching us. She didn`t speak much, but she watched us. And then, finally, she closed her eyes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, O`Neal said that Farrah would have been really happy to hear that she was posthumously nominated for an Emmy for her documentary about her battle with cancer called "Farrah`s Story."
On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Paula Abdul: Would you watch `American Idol` without her?"
Well, look at this, 63 percent of you said yes; 37 percent of you said no.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. An anonymous viewer from California writes straight up, "I would love to see Paula go. She has a good attitude and seems very sweet, but has nothing to offer the contestants."
Patrick from Ontario is a Paula fan, "Paula is the funniest judge to watch. She makes the show way more interesting. Show her the money!"
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
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