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Showbiz Tonight
Blockbuster Custody Deal on Michael Jackson`s Children; Michael Jackson`s Love Child?; Michael Jackson`s Chef Speaks; Jon and Kate Family Feud; Why Joan Rivers Dropped the F-Bomb on Live TV
Aired July 30, 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, it`s a deal. Tonight, the brand-new explosive developments surrounding Michael Jackson`s children. A blockbuster custody deal. Tonight, who`s getting custody of Jackson`s three kids? Is big money involved? Is Debbie Rowe being cut out?
Plus, Michael`s father, Joe, drops a bombshell of his own. Joe Jackson on whether Michael has a secret fourth child.
Let`s play the Jon and Kate family feud. Tonight, an unbelievable attack by Kate`s own brother and sister-in-law. Why they are now warning Jon and Kate`s kids are in danger. But why?
Joan Rivers goes off about going off on live TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: The man insulted my family. Wrong, off-limits.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Joan speaks with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her F-word rant. The Joan explosion 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, there is a remarkable custody deal in the battle over Michael Jackson`s kids. That was just one of the nonstop breaking bombshells that were coming in fast and furious into the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom all day long. Let us not waste a second and get right to the breaking developments.
After weeks of wild speculation over what would happen to Michael Jackson`s three children, Michael Jackson`s 79-year-old mother Katherine and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe announced today they have agreed to settle things. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the incredible details of this deal.
Also breaking today, the $2 billion bombshell from Katherine Jackson`s attorney about how much Michael was really worth when he died. And if what he said is true, wow, this is a game changer.
Then, there`s this brand-new bombshell from Michael Jackson`s own father about whether Michael had a secret fourth child. But the big question today - why would Joe Jackson say what he did about that suspected love child? Well, we`ve got the interview with Joe Jackson and I will be speaking with the guy who did the interview.
Joining me tonight in New York is Sunny Hostin, who is a legal analyst and a former federal prosecutor. From Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
And I want to begin with the first big bombshell today, this custody agreement between Michael Jackson`s mother Katherine and Debbie Rowe, the biological mom of Jackson`s two oldest kids. For me, this is some of the first good news we`ve gotten since the whole Michael Jackson saga started.
As Michael wanted in his will, his mom Katherine, who is 79 years old, is getting custody of the kids. Carlos, there was some talk along the way that perhaps Michael`s sisters Janet or maybe even Rebbie should get custody. What do you think? Is this the right decision?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": It`s the right decision. I think one of the best decisions they made in their settlement was that there would be a psychiatrist that sees the kids and does a psychological evaluation of these kids on a very regular basis.
And in that way, it`s not Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe trying to find out, you know, where the kids want to be. You have a third party involved that can say, "Hey, you know what? These kids really do accept Debbie Rowe or do not accept her in some other way." So that way the kid`s voices can be heard through a professional`s mouth.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s going to be crucial. Let me take you through the details of this agreement that was released today. Katherine Jackson is officially named guardian of Michael Jackson`s three kids - that`s Prince, Katherine (sic) and Blanket.
Debbie Rowe, the biological mother to Michael Jackson`s two oldest kids, Prince and Katherine (sic), will receive visitation rights with the two kids. And the timing and the frequency of those visits will be determined, as Carlos pointed out, by a child psychologist that both Katherine and Debbie will pay for.
And a big deal here, no money exchanged between Katherine and Debbie. Debbie will continue to receive spousal support payments that she and Michael agreed to. A lot of people thought that maybe she was holding out for some cash.
Now, this morning on the CBS`s "Early Show," Katherine`s attorney said this agreement makes perfect sense. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LONDELL MCMILLAN, KATHERINE JACKSON`S ATTORNEY: It`s an agreement, an agreement for the best interest of the children. This is not a money deal. This is not about money. There`s no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared under the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Sonny Hostin, let me go to you. You are the attorney I have on retainer for the hour. This still has to be approved by a judge next Monday. And right now, it looks essentially like an agreement between Katherine and Debbie. Do you see anything getting in the way of a judge putting his stamp of approval on this?
SUNNY HOSTIN, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Well, I really don`t. I think the standard, of course, in California, as it is in most states, is what is in the best interest of the children - what is in their best interest. And apparently, both parties have agreed that that is in their best interest. And not to mention that Michael in his will also said, "I want my children with, you know, my mother."
However, one thing that is, and it`s expected to be, by the way - the court is expected to accept this agreement as courts typically do. I`m a little concerned about her age. She`s 79 years old and she has sole custody.
Although Debbie Rowe has visitation, his mother, Katherine Jackson, now has sole custody. And that means they will live with her. It also means she makes all decisions about their welfare, including where they`ll go to school, what sort of religion they`ll practice. You know, all their summer vacations, who they`ll be around, that sort of thing.
And we know, I think, that any parent, especially one now that will have three young children with them at age 79 could be - that could be very, very difficult.
HAMMER: Sure. Fortunately, we DO know the Jacksons being a tight-knit family. We know that the sisters of Michael Jackson are very close to the kids, so hopefully, Katherine Jackson will be getting all the support that she needs.
Now, back to Debbie Rowe for a moment, because until now, let`s remember, she`s had basically no part in the kid`s lives. But as I mentioned under the agreement, she`s going to have at least visitation. This is something we haven`t seen her have an interest before. So Carlos, do you think this is a good idea? I mean, she is the biological mother.
DIAZ: It can`t be a bad idea. I mean, she`s proven herself to be a good person. I mean, she`s not - she`s never proven to be a bad mother at all. So it can`t hurt the kids to have, you know, another parent involved.
Now, we don`t know though - it`s not like in this agreement it said, OK, every other Wednesday she`ll be there and then two weekends a summer. You know, it`s very vague as to when those visitation rights will happen. I`m sure they`ll iron that out when they get more of an iron-clad agreement.
HAMMER: Yes. This could be just be, you know, "Hey, at holidays I`m going to see the kids and keep a tie to them since I am a biological parent and their father is no longer alive."
This brand-new bombshell about Debbie Rowe, by the way, of course, had the ladies of "The View" talking earlier today. Let`s take a look at what they said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She wants to change her image from the Joan Crawford "Mommy Dearest" to an image that she has to make America like her again. Because her vibe out there was really bad.
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Do you think it`s better for the children to have this woman who has not been there and hasn`t seemed to want them, now to have them in their life?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Let`s talk about what Barbara Walters just said. Sonny, Barbara brings up a great point. Do you think it is better for the kids to have Debbie Rowe in their life?
HOSTIN: I`m troubled by it. We know that she has sold her rights to her children to Michael Jackson for $8.5 million. She has had almost no contact with them. And, you know, that is why I think in the agreement, what the agreement really says is she will get visitation and the timing of that visitation is going to be determined after a child psychologist meets with everyone.
I am troubled by the fact that she`s now interested in having a relationship with them when she hasn`t had any relationship with them before.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, and considering what Debbie Rowe told "Good Morning America" back in 2003 about what people were saying about her and her hands-off existence with her two children, a lot of people are concerned. Let`s watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEBBIE ROWE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S EX-WIFE: These are the ultimate love children. If it hadn`t been for how much I love him, I would never have had children. And people make remarks, "Oh, I can`t believe she left her children. Left them? I left my children? I did not leave my children. My children are with their father where they`re supposed to be."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Carlos, she said that many times. Do you think people are going to be willing to accept that she genuinely wants these kids in her life? She`s been the subject of a lot of ridicule and accusations.
DIAZ: She has been, but now is a time for healing. And maybe a positive that can come out of this is that Debbie Rowe reestablishes a relationship with the two children that are hers. And you know, time and time again, everyone that I interviewed has said that Michael Jackson was the father of the year. He was a great dad.
So, maybe Debbie said, you know what, the kids are in good hands. But now that Michael`s gone, you know, she can kind of ease her way back into their lives.
HAMMER: As you mentioned from the very start a very important point. And missing from this equation, the children`s grandfather, Joe Jackson, not mentioned in the custody agreement. But that really is in line with Michael`s will. He didn`t name his father in the will at all.
Joe Jackson, however, has his own bombshell. In a brand-new interview, Joe addresses that whole Michael Jackson love-child controversy. It`s been around for years, some reports that Michael had a fourth child. Joe sat down with Smokey Fontaine, the chief content officer for NewsOne.com. I`ll be speaking with Smokey in just a few minutes. Watch what Joe told him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMOKEY FONTAINE, CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER, NEWSONE.COM: There was a - Michael may have had another child. Omer is his name. He was sitting there right next to Rebbie and everyone was trying to connect some dots. Do you know that as Michael`s other son?
JOE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S FATHER: Yes. I mean, he had another son. Yes, he did.
FONTAINE: And he looks like a Jackson.
JOE JACKSON: Oh, yes. He looks like a Jackson. He acts like a Jackson. He can dance like a Jackson. He`s his dad. This boy is a fantastic dancer. As a matter of fact, he teaches dance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. He said, "Yes, I knew he had another son." Sunny, I found his answer a little ambiguous. Do you think he`s actually confirming that this man, Omer, is indeed Michael Jackson`s son? Or maybe, does this sound to you like he`s saying it simply could be true that he has another son, not necessarily this guy?
HOSTIN: Well, you know, I couldn`t tell what he said, to be honest with you.
HAMMER: That was Joe Jackson.
HOSTIN: And I have to tell you, I just don`t believe it. I don`t think he`s a credible person, clearly. Michael Jackson did not like his father and said that his father was the reason why he had a lot of problems in his life. And we all know that he left Joe Jackson, his father, out of his will and didn`t want him to have any knowledge about what was going on in his life.
So, I would be very surprised that Joe Jackson knew that this kid was Michael Jackson`s love child or son. And I just don`t believe that that`s true. By all accounts Michael Jackson loved his children. And had he had another one, I think he would have claimed that child and we would have known about this child and that child would have been in the will as well.
HAMMER: Just another bizarre component to a very bizarre story. Sunny Hostin, Carlos Diaz, thanks, guys.
The bombshell interviews keep on coming. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has chef`s bombshells. Michael Jackson`s chef was right there the day Michael died, gave her very first on-camera interview today about what happened on that terrible day. What she`s revealing is just chilling and disturbing. You won`t want to miss it.
Now, over to you. Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Michael Jackson`s Children: Michael`s mom gets custody - is it the right decision?" Let us know what you think at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Well, tonight, I have got to ask, is this the right decision - turning Michael Jackson`s burnt hair into diamonds?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: ... a bit of Michael Jackson`s hair and turn it into man-made diamonds?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that sounds pretty crazy and unrealistic. Can they even do that?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, for the very first time, the guy behind this idea, taking Michael`s burnt hair that he burned during that horrific Pepsi commercial accident and making it into diamonds - he`s speaking out. Is it a good thing, or is this just tacky? And will anyone actually buy the M.J. hair diamonds?
Also, did Mel go mad again? Tonight, there is a report that Mel Gibson got so mad at someone he actually ripped the guy`s shirt off. We`ve got to check this out.
Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The man insulted my family. Wrong, off-limits. Totally inappropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan Rivers goes off about going off on live TV. Tonight, Joan talks to us about her F-word rant. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Kara DioGuardi will be back as a judge on the next season of "American Idol." "American Idol" is picked as "Best Reality Show" in AOL reality poll.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? You are looking at a world record attempt at mattress dominos. 41 people lined up and laid down to try to get into the "Guinness Book of World Records."
Now, this try was set up by Bensons for Beds, a mattress store chain in the U.K. No word yet on if they broke the record, although I`m actually hearing that no record exists for mattress domino to break. So to this story I say, leave off the last S for "silly."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, hairy diamonds for sale. Michael Jackson`s burnt hair from that terrible Pepsi commercial accident sold as diamonds. Yes, tonight, for the very first time, we are hearing first hand the truly remarkable story about somebody got a hold of some of Michael Jackson`s charred hair and how that hair is now being turned into diamonds that will be sold to the public.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): Take a bit of Michael Jackson`s hair.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, I don`t see how that`s possible.
MOOS: Take his hair and turn it into man-made diamonds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it sounds pretty crazy and unrealistic. Can they even do that?
GREG HERRO, PRESIDENT/CO-FOUNDER, LIFEGEM: We`re going to reduce Michael Jackson`s hair to pure carbon.
MOOS: It may sound like pure B.S. That`s what they do at LifeGem, use pressure and heat to turn hair or cremated ashes of a loved one into diamond keepsakes.
But Michael Jackson? His hair came from that Pepsi commercial fire. "Us Weekly" obtained the unforgettable film. The man in the mustache was the executive producer of the shoot. Ralph Cohen helped put out Michael`s hair using an Armani jacket. After Michael was taken away.
JOHN REZNIKOFF, HAIR COLLECTOR (via telephone): We noticed on the floor there was this charred piece of hair and he put it in his pocket.
MOOS: John Reznikoff is the world`s foremost hair collector who`s got locks from Marilyn Monroe, form Abraham Lincoln, from Einstein.
REZNIKOFF: I have Geronimo`s ponytail.
MOOS (on camera): The whole ponytail?
REZNIKOFF: Yes.
MOOS (voice-over): Reznikoff says he paid a little under $100,000 for a clump of Michael Jackson`s hair. The executive producer, stuck in a hospital envoy after following Michael to the hospital.
(on camera): The whole idea of picking up his hair and turning it into a diamond - I mean, right away some people say yuck.
REZNIKOFF: I`m usually able to disarm people on the hair thing when I say that, "I bet your mother has a lock of your baby hair in your baby book."
MOOS: How many diamonds do you get from a lock of hair? Well, anywhere between one or two to 10. LifeGem folks say they plan to offer the Jackson family one of the diamonds free of charge.
(voice-over): The collector Reznikoff teamed up with LifeGem in 2007 to turn Beethoven`s hair into diamonds, one of which was auctioned off for almost $200,000, the figure that Michael`s might fetch much more. Reaction online was average - this is tasteful and refined? To who, pigs?
(on camera): I think that`s what people find a little creepy, making money off his hair.
HERRO: We create diamonds from hair. We have Michael Jackson`s hair. It would almost be remiss of us not to make a diamond and offer that to the world.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
MOOS: We are the diamonds.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And it`s weird, right? It`s not just me, right? That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The hair collector, by the way, says he`s keeping some of Jackson`s hair for his personal collection of hair. And LifeGem is analyzing the rest to see how many diamonds they can get out of it. Best of luck to them on that.
Well, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" has been ratings gold for TLC. But people sounding off about their off-screen drama has been keeping our "Showbiz on Call" operators plenty busy. Jann from Texas just thinks Jon and Kate need to go away.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think the show has run its course and needs to be taken off the air. They`re no longer a functioning family unit.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you so much, Jann. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call." That way, you can let us know what you think about Jon and Kate or anything else that`s on your mind. The phone lines are open all the time. This is the number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That`s where you can leave us a voicemail so we can play your calls here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, we have breaking Michael Jackson bombshells to talk about. Michael Jackson`s father, Joe, reveals if Michael has a secret fourth child. What? Plus, Michael`s chef speaks for the very first time on camera. She reveals the dramatic details of what she saw at Michael Jackson`s house on the day that he died.
Also brand new, Jon and Kate bombshells. Tonight, why Kate`s own flesh and blood, her brother, is lashing out. Why he insists the eight kids are in danger and what he`s demanding be done about it.
And I`ve got the dramatic 911 call made by the ESPN reporter who secretly was taped in the nude with a peephole camera.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ERIN ANDREWS, ESPN REPORTER: I`m the girl that was videotaped without her knowing without her clothes on in the hotel.
911 OPERATOR: Are you OK?
ANDREW: Yes. I`m just - I did nothing wrong, and I`m being treated like (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Britney Spears and it sucks. I`m sorry.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: You have got to hear this. I`ll play it for you. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jennifer Aniston will play a woman who likes younger guys in new movie, "Pumas." Steve Carell and NBC working on new "Rockford Files," original starred James Garner.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with some more stories that are making news right now.
Tonight, did Mel Gibson really tear a guy`s shirt off after the guy tried to take a picture of him? Well, Gibson and his girlfriend were hanging out at some hot Hollywood nightclub. And according to TMZ, this guy kept trying to take a picture of them despite security telling him photos were not allowed in the club.
So then this guy claims Mel got so ticked off that he ripped off his shirt. But after interviewing this dude, cops think that he made the whole shirt-ripping incident up. Witnesses say they didn`t see Mel do anything like that either.
Tonight, Ashton Kutcher says, "I`m an idiot." Not me, he`s calling himself that. And Ashton is A-OK with it. Ashton who, of course, is married to Demi Moore, admits that he is still pretty darn silly. Just follow him on Twitter and you`ll see what we`re talking about.
Here`s what Ashton tells "Parade" magazine, "I`m still looking for trouble. I`m still disruptive. I`m still doing some things that other people don`t like. I hear, `You`re a moron,` about once a day from someone in a genuine way, not as a joke. I see it and I read it. I don`t have anything that is too sacred to make fun of. The truth is, I`m an idiot. I am. I don`t do things by the rule sometimes. I say things I probably shouldn`t say. I push buttons. I deserve to be made fun of."
You can read more about Ashton`s antics in the new issue of "Parade" magazine. It`s out on Sunday.
Well, let me tell you everybody at the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is totally psyched about this. We are going to be on HBO`s smash series "Entourage" this Sunday. You guys psyched? Everybody is excited.
In case you don`t know, "Entourage" follows a group of guys who moved to L.A. from New York. One of them big-time star. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there, hanging out with Vince, E, Johnny Drama, Turtle and Ari Gold.
Now, you`ve got to see exactly how the whole scene plays out with E and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, so be sure to tune in to "Entourage," Sunday, August 2nd on HBO. What a good shift.
And now, the showbiz lineup. Here is what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Brand-new Michael Jackson bombshells. Tonight, Michael`s father, Joe Jackson, reveals if Michael really is the father of a secret fourth child.
Plus, Michael`s chef speaks. The startling details of what she saw at the Jackson house on the day Michael died. It`s amazing.
Also, a brand-new Jon and Kate bombshell. Kate`s own brother making startling claims. Why does he think Jon and Kate`s kids are in danger.
And wait until you hear this. We are playing the dramatic 911 call made by the ESPN reporter who was secretly taped nude with a peephole camera.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANDREWS: I`m the girl that was videotaped without her knowing, without her clothes on in the hotel.
911 OPERATOR: Are you OK?
ANDREWS: Yes, I`m just - I did nothing wrong, and I`m being treated like (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Britney Spears, and it sucks. I`m sorry.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: You have got to hear this. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jude Law to become a father for the fourth time, the mom is a mystery. Dolly Parton`s "9 to 5" Broadway musical to close in September.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FONTAINE: Michael may have had another child?
JACKSON: Yes. I mean, he had another child. Yes, he did.
FONTAINE: And he looks like a Jackson.
JACKSON: Oh, yes. He looks like a Jackson. He acts like a Jackson. He can dance like a Jackson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, did Michael Jackson really have a secret love child? Tonight, Michael`s father, Joe, with the bombshell - new revelations.
Michael`s final days. For the first time, his personal chef speaks out about the panic and frenzy inside Michael`s home the day he died.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The man insulted my family. Wrong, off-limits. Totally inappropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan Rivers`s new F-bomb rant. Tonight, Joan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT why she went of on live TV.
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, Michael Jackson`s secret child bombshell. On a day that we learned of a custody deal involving Michael Jackson`s three children, Michael`s father, Joe, has just done an explosive interview about Michael`s alleged fourth and secret child.
Smokey Fontaine did the interview with Joe Jackson. Smokey is the chief content officer for "NewsOne.com." He is with us tonight in New York. Smokey, I do appreciate you being here.
There has long been this speculation that this guy, 25-year-old aspiring Norwegian rapper named Omer Bhatti, is Jackson`s love child. And the speculation really only grew when we saw right here, Bhatti, sitting there with the Jackson family at Michael Jackson`s memorial. And he`s sitting right next to Jackson`s sister, Rebbie.
Take a look now at this brand-new interview Smokey just did with Joe Jackson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FONTAINE: Michael may have had another child, Omer is his name? And then he was - oh, he was sitting there right next to Rebbie and everyone was trying to connect some dots. Do you know that as Michael`s other son?
JACKSON: Yes, I knew he had another son. Yes, I did.
FONTAINE: And he looks like a Jackson?
JACKSON: Oh, yes. He looks like a Jackson. He acts like a Jackson. He can dance like a Jackson.
FONTAINE: So maybe he`s the future of the family?
JACKSON: I don`t know. I can`t say that yet until I see it happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to tell you, I was sitting there, watching that interview and all I could say is, wow! It has never been confirmed that Omer is Michael`s secret child. In fact, Omer himself has repeatedly denied it. But Smokey, were you surprised, sitting right there with Joe, to hear him say what he said?
FONTAINE: I was surprised. And you know, this is one of the most intimate interviews I`ve never done. I`ve interviewed many celebrities, artists over the years. And the level of honesty that I was able to get from Mr. Jackson - this was the last question that I asked of him.
We spent two hours talking about his life, the life of his family, the history all the way back to the Gary, Indiana days to the present. And it was my last question when I asked him directly about Omer. And he paused and then he looked at me and said, "Yes, that is Michael`s son."
HAMMER: And as we both know from having seen Joe Jackson throughout the years, things don`t always come out clearly when he speaks. And when you listen carefully to how Joe Jackson answered to you, he never really flatly does say that Bhatti is, without a doubt, Michael`s son. The way he phrased it, I think, kind of left it open to question.
So Smokey, Joe has certainly said some weird and wild stuff in the past. Do you think we should file this under the same category? Or do you think, as far as Joe says, this is confirmation?
FONTAINE: No, I think we should believe him. I believe him. You know, at the end of the day, Joe Jackson is not crazy. He`s not an inarticulate man, the man that I met, the man that I spent a whole afternoon with and days prior before, was a father. He was a grieving father. He was a man who was hurting.
This was also a man who had grown up with a real guard, you know, against the media. Who was not all that trusting of reporters or journalists. He`s been a man who has been dealing with the media for over 50 years.
And so it took a while for me to kind of build a comfort level with him and to have him gain my respect and me gain his. And so I think he should be believed. I think he deserves more kind of respect than we`ve seen. For an 80-year-old man to be expected to be, you know, super-clear in sound bites on a red carpet, I think, is a little unfair.
HAMMER: Well, no. That`s good to hear your perspective on that, because I`ve said in the past, it never seemed like he was the best person to be speaking out on behalf of the Jackson family. To hear you say he`s not as inarticulate as he sometimes appears - I am happy to hear that. Smokey Fontaine, I really appreciate you being with us tonight. Thank you so much.
FONTAINE: Thank you so much.
HAMMER: The bombshell interviews just keep on coming. Michael Jackson`s chef, who was right there the day that he died, gave her very first on- camera interview today about what happened on that terrible day.
And what she`s revealing is chilling and disturbing. The chef tells in excruciating detail what happened inside the house where Michael died as his children desperately try to understand what was going on.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, this brand-new interview is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAI CHASE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S PERSONAL CHEF: This man was sensational, you know, beloved to everyone.
HAMMER (voice-over): Michael Jackson`s personal chef, Kai Chase, praised the King of Pop during her interview on NBC`s "Today" show.
CHASE: Everyone appreciated the man`s, you know, generosity.
HAMMER: But along with her kind words, Chase is revealing some personal, powerful new details about Jackson`s home life. What she saw the day he died.
CHASE: I see paramedics running up the stairs.
HAMMER: And about Jackson`s unusual mood in his final days.
CHASE: He was moving kind of slow. He just seemed a little not with it.
KATRINA SZISH, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: At this point, I think she feels it`s safe to come out with these very intimate details.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show, Chase talked about the everyday routine at the Jackson household and the role played by Jackson`s doctor, Conrad Murray, who is now under investigation in Jackson`s death.
CHASE: I`m really - Dr. Murray, he would come down and -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dr. Conrad Murray?
CHASE: Conrad Murray.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His personal doctor?
CHASE: Right, would come down and retrieve maybe something for Mr. Jackson to start his day off with.
HAMMER: In addition to getting Jackson`s breakfast, Chase says Dr. Murray had an even more unusual morning routine.
CHASE: I saw sometimes the oxygen tank that he would carry downstairs.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you wonder what that was about?
CHASE: Of course. Of course, I did.
HAMMER: But Chase said she never asked anyone why Dr. Murray was bringing oxygen tanks from Jackson`s room. And entertainment journalist Katrina Szish tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she`s not surprised.
SZISH: They have to remember, in the household of a celebrity, when you`re on the staff, anything can happen. You keep your mouth shut.
HAMMER: On June 25th, the day Jackson died, Chase says things were different around the house. She says that morning, Dr. Murray did not come downstairs with the oxygen tank as he often did, nor did she see him go back upstairs to bring Jackson his breakfast.
Chase tells the "Today" show that when she finally saw Dr. Murray at around lunchtime, the day took a tragic turn.
CHASE: At around 12:00, 12:10, Dr. Murray comes running down the stairs and he comes into the kitchen screaming, "Hurry, go get Prince. Go get security." And so I drop everything at that point and run into the gym, which is not too far away from the kitchen and get Prince. You know, Prince, hurry, come with me. Dr. Murray is screaming something may be wrong with your dad.
HAMMER: Prince is Jackson`s oldest son who, along with Jackson`s two other children was kept downstairs with Chase while Murray, and later the paramedics, were upstairs trying to revive Jackson.
CHASE: We were all panicking and wondering what`s going on. You know, Prince was screaming and crying "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." We were wondering what was going on. We come together in the living room. We stand in a circle. We start holding hands and we start praying. We`re praying, "Dear God, please let Mr. Jackson be OK."
HAMMER: Jackson was later taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Chase says she was in her car when she heard the news.
CHASE: I pulled over to the side of the road because - why? Who knew? I mean, I panicked. And I was devastated and I started crying. You know, this was a lovely man.
HAMMER: Chase first started preparing meals for Jackson last March and was briefly let go in May. She tells the "Today" show that by the time she started working for Jackson again in early June, he`d changed.
CHASE: I noticed that he, you know, appeared to be not as vibrant as he was when I was there.
HAMMER: This was around the time Jackson was rehearsing for his upcoming comeback concert and Chase says those rehearsals were taking a toll.
CHASE: He said, "I need you to take care of me. I need you to feed me healthy. They`re killing me. I`m rehearsing very hard, you know, maybe too (INAUDIBLE) for the day.
HAMMER: But Chase says she saw no evidence of the drug use that investigators believe may have killed Jackson. She says Jackson spent his final days happy about the future.
CHASE: He was doing a wonderful job, you know. He would show some of his dance moves in the home to us, you know, while we would have a conversation with us. And he would just - you know, he was thrilled.
Everyone was so happy and excited about this tour, you know, and ready to - but for this to happen is just - it was devastating.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, her story is not over yet. Chase says that she wants to write a cookbook featuring the dishes that she used to make for Michael Jackson. Her working title is "Fit for a King."
HAMMER: All right. As we move on, tonight, legendary comic Joan Rivers certainly never pulls any punches. She`s one tough cookie. But tonight, she`s getting emotional and lashing out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The man insulted my family. Wrong, off-limits. Totally inappropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT what got her so ticked off that it made her drop an F-bomb on live TV.
The new Jon and Kate family feud. Tonight, an unbelievable new attack by Kate`s own brother and sister-in-law. Why they believe Jon and Kate`s eight kids may be in danger.
Plus, the emotional 911 call by the ESPN reporter caught up in the whole naked peephole scandal.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ANDREWS: I`m the girl that was videotaped without her knowing without her clothes on in the hotel.
911 OPERATOR: Are you OK?
ANDREWS: Yes. I`m just - I did nothing wrong and I`m being treated like (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Britney Spears and it sucks. I`m sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why the heck was she calling the police? And what`s up with her comparing herself to Britney Spears? It`s the wild 911 call you`ve got to hear to believe. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "America`s Got Talent" judge David Hasselhoff voted worst reality TV judge. "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi voted second worst reality judge in new poll.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three, two, one!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see this? That blur was Zac Efron bungee-jumping over a raging river in Canada. Zac is north of the border shooting his first big drama, "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud." I`m thinking with that death defying feat, maybe Zac is trying to get the jump on an action movie role.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
All right. Tonight., let`s play the Jon and Kate family feud, a brand-new attack today on "Jon & Kate Plus 8" by Kate`s own flesh and blood. This is amazing. Kate`s brother and sister-in-law went to national TV this morning to slam the show and warn that Jon and Kate`s kids are in danger.
Also new right now, a brand-new explosive naked peephole shocker. The ESPN reporter who was videotaped naked through a peephole in her hotel room calls the police, but what happened? Wait until you hear this 911 tape.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood is Laura Saltman, who is a correspondent for AccessHollywood.com. Also joining me in New York tonight, Dawn Yanek who is editor-at-large for "Life and Style Weekly."
All right. Let`s begin with "Jon & Kate Plus 8." So there I am, I`m flipping through the channels this morning. I almost fell off my chair. Kate`s brother and sister-in-law were on the attack on the CBS "Early Show." Kate`s brother says that with all that`s gone down in Jon and Kate`s life in turmoil with the divorce, the kids are in danger and TLC needs to take "Jon & Kate Plus 8" off the air. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN KRIEDER, KATE GOSSELIN`S BROTHER: What we`re seeing now is a family that`s in crisis, and we feel like TLC needs to be held responsible for what they`re choosing to air.
JODI KRIEDER, KATE GOSSELIN`S SISTER-IN-LAW: Absolutely.
K. KRIEDER: We feel like it`s a - it`s value they`re setting aside for the monetary gain. And it`s a ratings thing, but they`re playing with these kids` lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kate`s brother pointing his finger squarely at TLC. Laura, is he right? Is it time for TLC to finally pull the plug on "Jon & Kate Plus 8?"
LAURA SALTMAN, CORRESPONDENT, ACCESSHOLLYWOOD.COM: I don`t know, A.J., if I necessarily agree with what the brother and sister-in-law have to say about it. But look, this show is called "Jon & Kate Plus 8." There is no longer a Jon and Kate. Their relationship is irretrievably broken by doing this television show.
And I think it is time for it to end because there is no more them. And I think that the kids don`t need the cameras in their faces anymore.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that`s the point that he`s really making. It`s not a good or safe situation by everything we`re able to tell. And it should be mentioned, I think, out of fairness that Kate`s brother and sister-in- law used to be on the show. A lot of people say that they`re just bitter.
Dawn, what do you think? All of that aside, do they have a point? Is it time to take these eight kids off TV?
DAWN YANEK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Well, I think it`s a decision that should be weighed very carefully, most notably by Jon and Kate. You know, the question should not be, is this going to make a good TV show? The question should be, what is best for these children?
And the seeming lack of consideration for the answer to that question has caused a pretty serious backlash against the two of them, and their actions have come under such intense scrutiny.
For example, in the current issue of "Life and Style Weekly," we`re looking at John hanging out with Michael Lohan. We`re looking at him spending lots of money on frivolous things $950 shoes as opposed to spending time with his children, making sure they`re taken care of emotionally and financially.
HAMMER: Yes.
YANEK: And I think that`s a big, big issue.
HAMMER: Well, and he`s getting a lot of attention for this stuff. This is a guy who said he didn`t like all the attention. So it`s hard to understand exactly what`s going on there.
And the new season of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" is resuming on Monday. It went on hiatus after Jon and Kate announced their divorce. A lot has obviously happened since then, including Jon turning into that globe- trotting playboy. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did obtain an advanced look at the episode. You`ve got to watch Kate talking about how she and the kids are now coping.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: It is not their fault that what has transpired has transpired. And it is my new attitude that I`m going to do things I have never done before. I have to. I just put a screen in a window for the first time in my life. Not happy about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Now, I should point out this was taped shortly after they filed for divorce. But I`ve got to say that other than that, the new episode has no hint of what has really been going on. Laura, aren`t people going to watch this and say, hey, where is all the juicy stuff?
SALTMAN: I wonder if they should change the name to "Jon and Kate take advantage of their situation and continue their show." You know, look, there`s fans who like the show before all the drama and watch it for the kids. And there are fans who are going to tune in because of the juicy bits and the drama.
And I think they have - if the show is going to continue, they`re going to have to walk a fine line between doing a little bit of both.
HAMMER: Man, I just hope they make the right move, as we keep saying, on behalf of the kids.
All right. We`ve got to move on to a brand-new topic. It is the explosive peephole 911 shocker. ESPN reporter Erin Andrews - she, of course, the woman who was videotaped naked in her hotel room through a peephole. Furious, she called 911 because paparazzi were camped out on her doorstep. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
911 OPERATOR: What`s your name?
ANDREWS: My name is Erin, and my last name is Andrews. I`m all over the news right now.
911 OPERATOR: I`m not familiar.
ANDREWS: I`m the girl that was videotaped without her knowing without her clothes on in the hotel.
911 OPERATOR: Really?
ANDREWS: And I`ve got two (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sitting outside my house.
911 OPERATOR: Are you OK?
ANDREWS: Yes. I`m just - I did nothing wrong and I`m being treated like (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Britney Spears and it sucks. I`m sorry.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Dawn, as strange as it sounds for her to compare herself to Britney Spears, you`ve got to feel a little sorry for her. It seems like she`s being a victim for a second time because of a terrible thing that happened to her the first time.
YANEK: Absolutely. I mean, there`s a huge difference between being a public figure like a reporter and being a public figure like Britney Spears or like Jon and Kate, for that matter, you know, who are thrust into the public spotlight for things they did.
Something happened to Erin. She was photographed without her knowledge. But yes, here she`s being victimized again by the paparazzi. Leave this poor woman alone.
HAMMER: I`m right with you. Dawn Yanek, Laura Saltman, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
Moving on, Joan Rivers speaking out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her F bomb rant on live TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: The man insulted my family. Wrong, off limits. Totally inappropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She`s got a few choice words for Jay Leno, too. You don`t want to miss this - Joan unleashed. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Jon & Kate Plus 8" tops "So Over" category in poll about best and worst in reality TV. Videogames based on ABC`s "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" go on sale next year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Joan Rivers unleashed. The acid-tongued comic is ripping into Jay Leno and defending her F bomb tirade on live TV.
Now, Joan can usually take it as much as she can dish it. But when it comes to her family, can we talk? Joan went off during an interview for her new show, "How Did You Get So Rich?" after a joke on "Good Day, Sacramento" went horribly wrong. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you ever run up to someone and say, "Hey, how did you get so rich," and the woman said, "By riding on my mom`s coattails." And you said, "Melissa, this is my show."
(CROSSTALK)
RIVERS: I don`t think so. And think we`re going to end the interview right now. Don`t get so (EXPLETIVE DELETED) smart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. And the anchors go, ha ha ha. Joan Rivers reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that was no joke. She actually was really ticked of and has absolutely no regrets for dropping that F bomb on live TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: It was the best thing that happened to Sacramento television since Maria Shriver got new teeth. The man insulted my family. Wrong, off limits. Totally inappropriate.
And you know, every star - Judy Garland helped Liza, Kirk Douglas helped Michael Douglas, George Bush, Sr. helped - that was a mistake. But up to George Bush, I could see a parent helping a child.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, Joan. And Joan also had a few choice words for Jay Leno. The former "Tonight Show" host launches his new primetime show this fall. And I`m guessing Joan is not going to be watching or on as a guest.
Listen to what she told reporters at the Television Critics Association Conference in Los Angeles, "I think it`s brilliant that Leno is at 10:00 p.m. because America can get bored more easily and go to sleep earlier."
Yikes. Joan`s feud with the "Tonight Show" goes all the way back to the `80s when she had her own late night show. Johnny Carson then banned her from the "Tonight Show" when he was the host. And Leno never had her on when he was hosting.
On Wednesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of day. It was this - "Michael Jackson Death Mystery: Are you surprised the case is unsolved." Only 19 percent of you say yes, you are surprised; 81 percent of you say no.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Jessica from Mississippi, "I`m not surprised about the ongoing mystery surrounding M.J.`s death. His life was such an enigma, why not his death as well?"
And Toneisha from North Carolina writing, "I hope justice finally comes and somehow they find out who or what killed Michael Jackson."
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. 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, we`re on at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, and that`s right here on HLN.
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