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Showbiz Tonight
The Tale of Two Chris Browns; Cashing In on the One-Hit Wonders on YouTube; Paula Abdul Speaks Out; The Battle of the Former Beauty Queen
Aired September 01, 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, the tale of two Chris Browns. Brand-new exclusive bombshells from his first TV interview since he was arrested for beating Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Do you remember doing it?
CHRIS BROWN, SINGER: No.
KING: You don`t remember it?
BROWN: I don`t. It`s like - it`s crazy. I`m like, wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the explosive controversy over Chris saying that he doesn`t remember hitting Rihanna. And what he`s saying now.
Paula Abdul speaks out. For the first time, Paula is answering the burning questions. Does she regret leaving "American Idol"? Is there anything they can do to get her back? Is she really getting her own show in Vegas? Tonight, Paula is in the hot seat, telling all.
Plus, the battle of the former beauty queen. First, Carrie Prejean sparked a gay marriage controversy. Now, what`s behind her shocking new battle?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING PLAYING)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, it`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, a brand-new, first look at Chris Brown`s first TV interview since his arrest for beating Rihanna.
Tonight, for the very first time, we are hearing Brown`s chilling words about the violence that he witnessed as a child with his own mother being beaten. Brown`s brand-new comments come as the fury just flares up over his earlier words.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was first to bring you his controversial comments where Brown says he doesn`t really remember his brutal beating of Rihanna. Well, those words really got people everywhere fired up.
And now, Brown is changing his tune. But will his latest about-face be enough to calm the growing outrage? This brand-new Chris Brown controversy is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROWN: I was like, growing up in domestic violence situations. There used to be times like you`re scared to go to bed.
HAMMER (voice-over): It`s an explosive first look at Chris Brown`s interview with "LARRY KING LIVE" that you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Chris Brown with his emotional mother by his side talks about how he witnessed his mother being abused by his stepfather when he was a child.
KING: You saw a lot of violence?
BROWN: It depends. It didn`t like - I would hear it. I didn`t really see it all the time in my house. There might have been one or two occasions.
KING: How old were you?
BROWN: I was like 7 or 8.
KING: Were you scared?
BROWN: Yes, very. Sometimes I didn`t even want to come to the house because it was crazy.
KING: You feel - you feel any guilt at all, Joyce? Like do you say to yourself, "Maybe I should have left?"
JOYCE HAWKINS, CHRIS BROWN`S MOTHER: Yes. And I did leave eventually because of him.
HAMMER: Last week, Chris Brown was sentenced to five years probation, plus counseling and community labor for brutally beating Rihanna back in February.
KING: What happened to you, do you think?
BROWN: Well, I`m glad to say I guess, at night, I wish I could take back. And I really regret it and I`m totally ashamed of what I did.
HAMMER: And his interview with Larry King set to air on Wednesday is the latest stop for Chris Brown`s apology tour which so far includes a YouTube video -
BROWN: I can ask and pray that you forgive me.
HAMMER: And a song "Changed Man."
(MUSIC PLAYING PLAYING)
But now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Chris Brown is derailing his own apology tour with his own fuzzy memory, saying and instantly taking back his statement that he doesn`t remember the night he beat Rihanna.
BROWN: I`m in shock. First of all, that`s not who I am as a person and that`s not who I pride myself in being. So I just - when I look at the police report or hear about the police reports, I don`t know what to think. I just don`t know what to think. This is not -
KING: Do you remember doing it?
BROWN: No.
KING: You don`t remember doing it?
BROWN: I don`t - it`s like. It`s crazy. I`m like, wow.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, it`s a tale of two Chris Browns. One is a apologizing for that horrific incident. The other doesn`t quite remember it, and that Chris Brown is getting slammed left and right.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": It seems like a cop out. It seems like he`s not really taking responsibility for what happened.
HAMMER: And now, Chris Brown is in damage-control mode. He says that statement was just a small part of an hour-long interview when he was asked multiple times about the incident.
He tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Of course I remember what happened. Several times during the interview, my mother said that I came to her right afterwards and told her everything. But it was and still is a blur. And, yes, I still can`t believe it happened because it is not me or who I am, or is what happened like anything I have ever done before."
"I am ashamed of and sorry for what happened that night and wish I could relive that moment and change things, but I can`t. I take full responsibility for my actions."
DR. JUDY KURIANSKY, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST: All of Chris Brown`s responses are typical of an abusive guy.
HAMMER: Psychologist Dr. Judy Kuriansky tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Chris Brown`s comments sound all too familiar.
KURIANSKY: What Chris Brown is saying is extremely typical of abusers, "I`m sorry. I don`t remember it happened. I don`t think it was that bad. I really love her."
HAMMER: And she`s not surprised that Brown witnessed abuse when he was a kid.
KURIANSKY: It is absolutely typical that when you watch abuse and you see it and you hear it, then you`re very likely to repeat it.
HAMMER: But if Chris Brown`s apology tour is going to work, his memory needs to get better. Or his once-hot music career will be nothing but a memory.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Well, Chris Brown`s apology tour rolls on. He`ll be interviewed in the next issue of "People" magazine that will be released on Friday.
And you definitely don`t want to miss the rest of Larry King`s exclusive interview with Chris Brown. It airs on Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.
And now, over to you. Here is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Chris Brown Speaks Out: Should Rihanna tell her side of the story?" Please sound off by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight, or E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Tonight, is the Michael Jackson investigation botched? Well, brand- new burning questions tonight as details emerge about those first hours after Michael Jackson`s death. Is this case tainted? What damage done in those hours after Michael`s death when family members had full access to Michael`s home before the police began their investigation? Did they accidentally ruin important evidence?
Also tonight, is Michael Jackson alive? Well, that was the burning question that`s been buzzing around the Internet after this video was released. So what is the story here? The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT truth squad on the case.
Joining me tonight in New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell. She is the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." Catch it every night of the week, 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on HLN. Also tonight, it`s Midwin Charles who is an attorney for the law firm of Midwin Charles and Associates.
All right. Let`s fire things up with this explosive revelation that police did not secure Jackson`s house after he died. Now, if you remember, Jackson`s death wasn`t suspected to be a crime right at the beginning.
So the family members could come and go in and out of his house as freely as they wanted, and possibly, and perhaps unintentionally, tainting evidence. Jane, is this investigation botched?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": It could be, A.J. And it all goes back to the O.J. Simpson trial. Remember the "dream team?" They coined this very famous phrase or at least it`s famous now - garbage in, garbage out, essentially saying that if evidence is contaminated at the scene, you cannot believe a word that prosecutors say.
And that could be the argument here. Ever since O.J. Simpson, every high-powered defense team has used that argument. Garbage in, garbage out. You can`t believe anything the prosecutors say because the evidence was contaminated at the scene.
But this time, they`ve got a good argument. They didn`t put the yellow tape around Jackson`s mansion. They let the family members go in and out retrieving whatever they wanted. And who knows what evidence they destroyed.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, it`s been well-documented what was allowed to happen. Here`s some of what we know about those first days after Jackson`s death. Not only was Jackson`s home not secured by the investigators, but family members were allowed into the home, as I mentioned.
La Toya went in and out and she went into his house, into his safe. Not only that, police records mention that family members told police they thought they found drugs in Jackson`s home and that turned out to be untrue.
But Midwin, should prosecutors be worried that the whole thing could fall apart because the scene wasn`t secure?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: I don`t think anything will fall apart here. Remember, the biggest issue here is Michael Jackson a body. An autopsy will reveal what sort of medications were in his body.
So with respect to what we`re looking at, I just don`t know how big of an issue this will be. Now, if I were representing that doctor, oh yes, you better believe, I`d make a party out of this.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean -
CHARLES: But I think the issue at hand here has to deal with medication and what was in his body at the time of his death. So right there, the prosecutors can start with all sorts of leads.
HAMMER: What do you think about that, Jane? Do you think Dr. Conrad Murray - and of course, that`s Jackson`s personal physician who`s been at the center of the investigation. Do you think he`s hoping that these facts or the fact that the scene might have been tainted could help his defense?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: He is hoping for that. In confusion, there is opportunity for the defense because all they need is reasonable doubt.
So he wants more and more confusion, more doctors involved with prescribing to Michael Jackson. More and more mistakes that the cops made, because all they need is that one juror to say, "I`ve got reasonable doubt," and he walks.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on because I`ve got to talk about this. It is also making big news tonight. Is Michael Jackson alive and living in Kalamazoo with his ex-father-in-law, Elvis?
Well, what do you think? Now, people started buzzing about this when this video turned up on the Internet of what appeared to be Michael Jackson hopping out of the coroner`s van alive.
I`m here to tell you, the SHOWBIZ truth squad was on the case. I`m not even going to say it. Here`s what happened. A German TV station fessed up. Really, Jane, I almost said Michael Jackson is not alive. I`m not going to say it.
A German TV station made this video because they said they wanted to show people how quickly rumors spread. What do you think here, Midwin? A valuable public service announcement?
CHARLES: It sure is. I mean, it just goes to show you what kind of world we`re living in now with the Internet and social networking sites and YouTube, how quickly nonsense can spread.
But you know, I`ve got to hand it to Michael Jackson. I`m sure he`s happy looking down now because he has reached Elvis` status with respect to people thinking he might be alive.
HAMMER: And mark my words, place a wager if you want, a legal wager if you will, the Michael Jackson conspiracy theories - they have only just begun.
CHARLES: Begun.
HAMMER: Bank on it. Jane Velez-Mitchell and Midwin Charles, thanks, guys. I appreciate you being here.
Hey, Paula Abdul. You just left the biggest show on television. Any regrets? Well, Paula Abdul is finally answering that burning question, and whether the rumors of her Vegas show are true.
Also, the battle of the former beauty queens. This sounds like a bad B movie to me but it`s actually happening. Carrie Prejean - you remember her? She isn`t stopping with her anti-gay marriage controversy. Now, she`s battling another former crown-wearer.
And cashing in on YouTube sensations -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Remember David after the dentist, still loopy on anesthesia?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Is this real life?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. This is real life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I love that video. And how did the guy who videotaped his son after the trip to the dentist turn the hot YouTube video into cold hard cash? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom. They are making big news right now.
TEXT: Filming for "Sex and the City" sequel has begun in New York City. ESPN reporter Erin Andrews talks to Oprah about "peeping tom" nude videos.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, one hit wonders are making big bucks on YouTube. You`ve got to see this. So many YouTube videos, of course, have become viral sensations almost overnight. You remember that kid who was videotaped by his dad after he was given anesthesia at the dentist?
Or how about that adorable baby named Charlie that enjoyed biting his brother`s finger? Well, now, these YouTube hits can start making big cash for advertisers.
Here`s CNN Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): If your kid is extra cute telling mommy how he doesn`t like you all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I love you, too, but I don`t like you all the time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Thanks.
MOOS: Now, you can cash in on ad revenue. You can make a bundle if you shop, say, those otters holding hands. It used to be that YouTube only shared ad money with people like this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Fred -
MOOS: Fred constantly pumped out popular videos. He was sort of a semi- professional crazy content provider. Now, it`s the turn of the one-hit wonder, the YouTube videos that come out of nowhere and become Internet sensations.
Remember David after the dentist, still loopy on anesthesia?
DAVID DEVORE, JR., "DAVID AFTER DENTIST": Is this real life?
DAVID DEVORE, SR., DAVID`S FATHER: Yes, this is real life.
MOOS: In the past seven months, David`s dad has made -
DAVID DEVORE, SR. (through telephone): A little over $25,000. Not bad?
MOOS (on camera): Wow, not bad, huh?
DAVID DEVORE, SR.: Not bad.
MOOS (voice-over): Money generated from ads for, not surprisingly, dentists, though the ads for a dating service to find senior men left us scratching our heads.
Several one-hit wonders have been sharing ad revenue in the test phase. And now, it`s open to everyone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You caught him.
MOOS: Take this famous safari video. A baby buffalo gets caught by lions, chewed on by crocodiles and rescued when the buffalo herd returns and turns the tables on the lions. The tourist who shot this, the one in the burgundy shirt, let a partner handle the video and didn`t even know it was getting ad money until we told him about "David After the Dentist."
(on camera): Well, his dad made $25,000 off that video now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re kidding.
MOOS: I think you`d better talk to your partner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I think I should.
MOOS (voice-over): The folks at YouTube decide if your one-hit wonder is doing wondrously enough to merit ads and sends you this invite.
SHISHIR MEHROTRA, YOUTUBE ADVERTISING: We`re looking for overall viewership. So does the video attract a lot of viewers?
MOOS: Over 117 million views is definitely enough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Ouch, Charlie. Ouch! Charlie, that really hurt.
MOOS: Now, Lipitor is advertising alongside Charlie`s finger bite.
DAVID DEVORE, SR.: I think it`s great. I think it`s really great.
MOOS (on camera): So there`s your son.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`ve got to get home and start uploading videos. That was Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, I`ve got to tell you the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been burning up. So many people calling in about Chris Brown`s bombshell interview when he told CNN`s Larry King he doesn`t remember hitting Rihanna.
Well, now, he`s saying that was taken out of context. But a lot of viewers calling into "Showbiz on Call" - they`re not buying it.
We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Judy in Arkansas.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: There is no way Chris Brown doesn`t remember beating Rihanna to a pulp. His body language says otherwise. You can tell he`s lying by the way he`s talking. His answers don`t make any sense. He doesn`t give a straight answer. He had beaten her before. And there`s no way he doesn`t believe or remember doing that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you so much, Judy. We also heard from Paul calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Arizona.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think Chris Brown not only should have gotten community service. He should have gone to jail just like anybody else who would put their hands on a woman.
To me, any man that puts their hands on a woman deserves to go to jail. I don`t care if you`re a celebrity. I don`t care if you`re a young man or an older man. It`s a crime and he should pay with time.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I appreciate your call as well, Paul. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this. Let us know what you think about anything. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open. Call this number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
Well, these bombshells just keep coming from that explosive interview with Chris Brown, his first on TV since he was arrested for beating Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I have to say, I guess that night is just one of the nights I wish I could just take back and I really regret it and I feel totally ashamed of what I did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Really stunning new comments from Chris. Tonight, how he`s trying to set the record straight after that interview. Plus, shocking new details about how he grew up under the shadow of domestic violence.
Also, Paula Abdul finally speaking out. Does she regret leaving "American Idol?" Is there anything the show could do to get her back? And is she really packing up and heading to Vegas for her own show?
Also, Jon Gosselin shows that life after divorce can be a drag, literally. I will tell you why Jon got all gussied up and it`s caught on camera. 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: AMC renews the hit show "Mad Men" for a fourth season. Court rules Paris Hilton can sue Hallmark for using her image and "That`s hot."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with some more stories that are making news right now.
Well, Blink 182 has pulled out of a concert in New York saying band members are grieving the death of their friend, celebrity DJ Adam Goldstein.
DJ AM and Blink 182 drummer, Travis Barker, survived a plane crash together in South Carolina last year. The day after DJ AM`s death, the band struggled through a concert in Connecticut and Barker left the stage before the end of the song that they dedicated to their friend.
Well, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of the TLC reality show, "18 Kids and Counting" - they`re going to have to change the name of the show. The parents of 18 kids made a big announcement on the "Today" show this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: So, Michelle, I know you have some important news you want to share with the world. I`m going to go out on a limb here. I`m going to guess you`re getting a puppy. Am I right?
MICHELLE DUGGAR, REALITY SHOW STAR, "18 KIDS AND COUNTING": Well, not exactly. But we are thrilled to announce that we found out that we`re expecting our 19th child!
VIEIRA: Oh, my god. Who would have thunk it, Michelle. Geez, now, how far along are you? Congratulations, first off.
DUGGAR: Thank you. Thank you. We`re almost three months along.
VIEIRA: How are you feeling?
DUGGAR: I`m feeling sick and tired which is a good way to be feeling about right now. I always tell myself that`s a good way to be because that means good things are happening.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, you think that`s big news. Check this out. The Duggars will become grandparents before their new baby arrives. Their oldest son`s first child is due next month. Just wild.
Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page is burning up. A lot of comments coming in about Chris Brown telling CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" that he didn`t remember hitting Rihanna.
Now, he`s saying he was taken out of context. But listen to what Cameron H. writes, "Chris Brown is telling lie after lie. He meant to say the lie that he didn`t remember, and now that the media is attacking that, he has changed his story. All he wants is for someone to feel sorry for him. Chris, here is a wake up call: No one does!"
Carry S. writing, "Chris Brown needs to hush up! Go on about your way, man! No excuses, just hush! Just do your music and hush! Dude, hush up!"
Remember, you can sign up for our Facebook and Twitter page simply by going to our homepage at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what we`ve got coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
More of the brand-new Chris Brown controversy after he said he didn`t remember hitting Rihanna. Now, Chris is setting the record straight.
It`s a side of Jon Gosselin we`ve never seen before and never really wanted to see. It`s Jon in drag. Why did Jon don a pink dress?
And get ready for the battle of the former beauty queens. Former Miss California USA had the gay marriage controversy. Now, she`s fighting mad and striking out against another former crown-wearer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Bones" star David Boreanaz and his wife welcome a baby girl. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy to perform on "America`s Got Talent."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, it`s the tale of two Chris Browns. Brand-new outrage after Chris Brown says he doesn`t remember beating Rihanna.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I just say, I guess that night is just one of those nights I wish I could take back and I really regret it. And I feel totally ashamed of what I did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Chris Brown sets the record straight on the controversial words that came out of his own mouth. Plus, his explosive new revelations about his violent past.
And Paula Abdul speaks - Paula answering all the burning questions about her post-"Idol" plans. Is she getting a show in Vegas? Would she ever go back to "Idol?" It`s Paula Abdul unplugged.
And Madonna`s brand-new music video featuring her 22-year-old partially-clothed boyfriend and her daughter. We will show it to you.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s most provocative news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING PLAYING)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minute past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, the tale of two Chris Browns. Brand-new bombshells from the pop star`s interview with CNN`s Larry King. Chris has set off a firestorm of controversy by saying he didn`t remember the night he beat Rihanna bloody.
Well, tonight, Chris is firing back. And he says it`s everyone else that`s got it all wrong. What he`s saying now to set the record straight again.
Plus, an SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. You will hear Chris Brown`s brand-new revelations about growing up with domestic violence. And you will hear it only here. These are the chilling details you haven`t heard before.
And should Rihanna finally break her silence and tell her version of what happened that fateful night just hours before the Grammy Awards?
With me tonight in New York, it is Jane Velez-Mitchell, host, of course, of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." You can catch her every night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
Also in New York, Midwin Charles. She`s an attorney who runs Midwin Charles and Associates.
All right. So let`s start with what Chris Brown told CNN`s Larry King about that night that he beat up Rihanna, all the way back in February, and what has been reported based on the police reports about the case. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: When I look at, like, the police reports or hear about the police reports, I don`t know what to think. I just don`t know what to think. This is like, well -
KING: Do you remember doing it?
BROWN: No.
KING: You don`t remember doing it? I don`t - it`s like - it`s crazy. I`m like, wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And I`m still like, wow. You heard Chris say twice there - he didn`t remember. Now, Chris tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT this whole thing was taken totally out of context.
I want to read to you what he says to us late today, "That 30 seconds of the interview they used of me was taken from a one-hour interview during which that same question was asked something like four or five times. Of course, I remember what happened. But it was and still is a blur and yes, I still can`t believe it happened because it is not me or who I am."
It`s almost like we`re hearing from two different Chris Browns here. And, Jane, even if we give Chris the benefit of the doubt, I think this new statement is kind of leaving everyone a bit more confused and less sympathetic than they were before.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I think the keyword he said is "blur," because rage is terrifying, not just for the victim, but also for the perpetrator. When somebody is in a rage, they are out of control. It is an out-of-body experience.
It`s kind of like being drunk. But instead of being drunk on alcohol, you are drunk on rage. And so things do become a blur. You are not in control of your actions and just as drunks wake up and feel remorseful for their behavior, a rage-aholic or somebody who`s been out-of-control rage- ful will then look back at that moment in shock and horror and say, "Who was that person?"
And that`s why uncontrolled rage is so scary. And I think that`s what he meant by, "It`s a blur," or "I don`t remember." It`s almost like, "I don`t want to remember."
HAMMER: Well, he talked about it some more. He also tells us that when he said he didn`t remember beating up Rihanna, he actually misspoke that time. And on "LARRY KING LIVE" we actually do see some contrition when he tells Larry that he`s not a violent person and that`s he`s actually remorseful. Let`s take a look at that part.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: I have to say I guess that night is just one of those nights I wish I could just take back and I really regret and feel totally ashamed of what I did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Back to the point of the two Chris Browns here, Midwin Charles. He really cannot afford any mixed messages right now, can he?
CHARLES: He can`t. And if I were his attorney, I`d advise him to just be quiet. Do not talk about this. Don`t take questions about this. At this point, he needs to be focusing on building awareness on the issue, focusing on what happens when you grow up in a household in which there is abuse. That`s one of the best things that he ought to be doing now. He`s a convicted felon. Just keep it quiet.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: Don`t talk about what happened that day. Keep it quiet.
HAMMER: Well, we`ve seen a bit of what he`ll say on "LARRY KING LIVE" tomorrow night. But tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has another never-before-seen part of Chris Brown`s explosive interview with Larry King. Nobody else has shown you this.
In what I`m about to show you, Chris describes the personal pain he felt as a kid living in an abusive household. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: As far as growing up in domestic violence situations, as far as my mom and her ex-husband, there used to be times I was just scared to go to bed. Well, I don`t know -
KING: This was a husband or a boyfriend?
BROWN: This was her boyfriend - husband at the time. It was just like -
KING: So you saw a lot of violence?
BROWN: It depends. I didn`t like - I would hear it. I didn`t really see it all the time. There might have been one or two occasions.
KING: How old were you?
BROWN: I was like, 7 or 8.
KING: Were you scared?
BROWN: Yes, very. Sometimes, I just didn`t want to come to the house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Even look at that out of context of the whole interview - you see the mom crying there. You hear Chris speaking. And again, I`m going back to how striking it is, how there are really two Chris Browns.
You have that wounded young man who witnessed terrible abuse when he was growing up. And then, of course, you have Chris, the abuser which is ultimately the reason he`s on with Larry King.
Jane, do you think at all that the sympathy that people may feel for Chris when they see this will outweigh the outrage they feel toward him because of the abuse?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think, ultimately, this is a teaching moment. And the sad fact is that if you witness abuse as a child, you are statistically more likely to become an abuser.
He`s just a famous guy that has become now an infamous statistic. I was struck by looking at the mom. She`s looking away. She`s crying because she kind of knows that chickens come home to roost.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What we really need to do as a society is learn from this and say we need to educate the Chris Browns before they act out so that they can break out of the cycle of violence.
He`s a young man. He`s so talented. He`s so smart. He`s got everything going for him. And yet, this imprint on him has threatened to destroy his life and we can do better than that.
HAMMER: Yes. And Midwin, to that point, can we really separate these two Chris Browns? You know, the wounded boy and the abuser, or should we?
CHARLES: I don`t think you can and I don`t think we should. I think the point is what Jane was making - this is someone who`s the result of witnessing violence in the home.
Violence against women is so far-reaching and so as Jane said, this was a good lesson, not just for future Chris Browns, but also for future perpetrators, grown adult men who violate women in the presence of children. I don`t think you can separate the two. You need one to get the other.
HAMMER: Well, I don`t know if either of you have been over to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page yet today. But I`ve got to tell you, the Chris Brown debate raging over there. I want to read a few of the postings on our wall.
Dru B. thinks Chris Brown should zip it, saying, "Speaking out right now isn`t the best think for Chris Brown. Space and time may be the best thing for all parties involved."
Jane, what do you think? Judging by what we have seen and Midwin thinks so, do you think it is too soon for Chris to be speaking out?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: No. I don`t think it`s ever too soon to confront your demons and to try to help society learn from a mistake. They say there`s no mess you can`t clean up. This was a horrific mess. This was a very violent incident. I don`t want to downplay it. If you read the police report, it is truly brutal.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: But if we don`t take a look at this and say, "Hey, this is something we can learn from." And he`s capable of redemption. And the way he does that is by working on himself and also reaching out and being honest about his character defects.
HAMMER: Well, we`ve heard from Chris Brown, not from Rihanna yet. And we`re asking you on air and online on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Chris Brown Speaks Out: Should Rihanna tell her side of the story?" Midwin, quickly, is it time?
CHARLES: No, no. To clarify what I said earlier, I don`t think Chris Brown or Rihanna ought to be talking about the finer, specific details of what happened though on that horrific day. However, I think it`s excellent for either two of them to talk about prevention ...
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: ... issues that lead to event such as this. Yes, there`s never a time to not speak about those things but they don`t need to talk about the finer issues.
HAMMER: No. And I`m happy to also to have heard Chris say he really is interested in seeking out an understanding of why he did what he did. Let`s hope that those are true words from him. Midwin Charles, Jane Velez- Mitchell, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
Well, you do not want to miss the rest of Larry King`s exclusive interview with Chris Brown. It will air on Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.
It certainly could not have been easy for Paula Abdul to leave "American Idol." It`s the highest rated show on television. How can she possibly rebound from that? Well, tonight, Paula is finally opening up and telling all. Did she really sign on for a one-woman show in Vegas? Is she having a change of heart, possibly going back to "Idol?" Paula breaks her silence and answers all the burning questions.
And are you ready for a beauty queen rumble? Anti-gay marriage beauty queen Carrie Prejean warming up for her major smackdown in the ring with another former beauty queen. What`s got her so fighting mad? Well, I will tell you.
And Jon Gosselin in drag? It`s the video you have got to see to believe. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Michael Jackson Vienna tribute lineup to be unveiled next week. Oprah to close stretch of Chicago`s Michigan Ave. to kick off her 24th season.
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SOLEIL MOON FRYE, ACTRESS: I`ve been trying to think of the perfect gift to give you for hitting 1 million. So I decided to get all the nerve up inside of me and do a Punky (INAUDIBLE).
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HAMMER: Move over, Ashton Kutcher. Guess who`s got 1 million Twitter followers now? It`s Punky Brewster, that`s who. As a thank you to the 1 million fans who follow her, Soleil Moon Frye actually, as you see, dressed up like her old TV character and screamed out Punky`s favorite phrase, "Punky power!" Can you believe that show was on 25 years ago? Holy McCanoli(ph)!
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Paula Abdul is speaking out. The former "American Idol" judge finally breaking her silence about the show that made her a household name again.
In a brand-new interview, Paula Abdul is talking and all ears are on her. Is she ready to give it another go with Idol? And what about those reports of her getting her own show in Vegas, baby? Well, wait until you hear what Paula has to say about all of this.
Also brand new tonight, ex-Miss California Carrie Prejean is stirring up controversy once again. Only this time, she`s headed for a courtroom.
The former beauty queen first sparked a gay marriage controversy during the Miss USA pageant. And now, she`s suing the Miss California pageant officials claiming she lost her crown over her religious beliefs.
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Joe Levy who is the editor-in-chief of "Maxim" magazine. Also from Hollywood, Melanie Bromley who is the west coast bureau chief for "Us Weekly."
I would like to begin with Paula Abdul`s brand-new interview with "Extra." Now, Paula, in a surreal moment in my mind, is sitting with Liza Minnelli at a party for Paula`s Lifetime show called "Drop Dead Diva." And that`s when "Extra" reporter Terri Seymour asked Paula if she so thinks there`s a shot that she could wind back up on "American Idol" this season? Watch Paula carefully.
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TERRI SEYMOUR, REPORTER, "EXTRA": Like you think you`ve been through the live shows. Surely, something can change.
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HAMMER: Yes, yes, yes. That stare means a thousand words, doesn`t it? Adding fuel to the fire, in a new interview with "TV Guide" magazine, Paula was asked if there`s anything that "American Idol" can do to get her back. And here`s what she says, "I don`t think I can answer that right now."
Melanie, off to you first. It seems to me Paula is leaving the door open for returning to "American Idol?"
MELANIE BROMLEY, WEST COAST BUREAU CHIEF, "US WEEKLY": I think she is. I mean, I think she knows - we know, actually, from Paula and from her contract negotiations that this is all about money. And I think that if they offered her the right - if they did come up with the right figure that she`s been looking for, maybe she would go back. You know, we just have to wait and see.
HAMMER: All right. Wait and see. In another brand-new interview, Paula opening up about those reports that have been floating around that she may be heading to Vegas to do her own show there.
And in an interview with "Access Hollywood," Paula says, "That will be really announced later, when everything`s worked out. It`s going to happen but the details have yet to be ironed out."
So she`s going to do that show, Joe. You kind of got to hand it to Paula. She keeps everybody guessing. But is this a smart move for her to sort of not tip her hand so much especially if there`s a shot at doing an "Idol" deal?
JOE LEVY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "MAXIM" MAGAZINE: It`s a pretty smart move. Let`s face facts. Vegas, she can stay put and do a show there. The main question, the details that need to be worked out, is anybody going to buy tickets?
Tickets not going so fast for Vegas shows right now. Of course, if she can go back on "American Idol," she`s going to do it. And I`m just guessing the closer we get to the show going on, the more her price is going to drop.
HAMMER: If she can promise wackiness in Vegas, I think it`s going to be a gold mine. Melanie, what do you think? Predictions - are we going to see Paula resurfacing on "American Idol" in addition to doing this Vegas gig?
BROMLEY: I think she will. I think she`ll come back, but maybe in a kind of guest capacity as a way to boost the ratings, if not at the beginning of the season, right halfway through. But I think she`ll be back.
HAMMER: All right. Let`s move on now to another big story that is making news right now. Former Miss California Carrie Prejean. You remember her? Well, she`s in a brand-new battle.
She says the real reason that she lost her crown was because of her religious beliefs. And now, she wants to take it to the judge. She`s suing pageant officials including former Miss USA and Miss California co- director Shanna Moakler.
Well, official word from the Miss California USA people is that Carrie was fired for missing appearances. In this brand-new war of words, Shanna Moakler is fighting back.
This is what her attorney is telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Ms. Moakler has not yet been served with Carrie Prejean`s lawsuit. However, on Ms. Moakler`s behalf, I can say unequivocally that Ms. Prejean`s lawsuit is without merit. More importantly, as everyone who watched or read her public statement is well aware, Ms. Prejean`s unfortunate and bigoted statements are responsible for any public humiliation or damages to her reputation that she has claimed to have suffered."
Joe Levy, do you think Carrie Prejean actually has a case here?
LEVY: Well, she`s alleging libel and slander. I doubt very much she has a case there at all. The real fight is, why did they dismiss her? Her attorney continues to insist she didn`t really mis-schedule the appearances.
I suspect whether or not she wins the lawsuit, this is all angling for some sort of out-of-court settlement.
HAMMER: Yes.
LEVY: I think she`d like to get some money out of this.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, if they can prove that she didn`t miss those appearances with documents, and I`m guessing they may be able to do that if that`s why they fired, then they may have a case. Quickly, Melanie, you know, Carrie is suing the pageant officials, not Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss California USA pageant. I`m thinking that`s the smartest move she`s made so far.
BROMLEY: I think it is smart. (INAUDIBLE) she was seeing him. But also bear in mind, this is a woman that also has a book deal. So all of this stuff - I was kind of looking on the Internet today where people were commenting and what their opinions are. And kind of most people are thinking that this is some sort of publicity stunt.
HAMMER: You think?
BROMLEY: But whatever it is, it`s going to give her a lot of - kind of more material for her book. It`s another chapter.
HAMMER: No question about it. We`ve got to wrap it there. Melanie Bromley, Joe Levy, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.
All right. Did you see this? Jon Gosselin in drag. Well, this was all in good fun. On Monday`s episode of "Jon & Kate Plus 8," the Gosselin daughters pressured dad to play a little dress-up. And well, it was a hot pink mess. Watch.
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JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": I`m not putting a dress on. Not on TV, not ever.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Yes, please?
J. GOSSELIN: No. I pulled this dress down. And Leah said there`s no way she`s wearing it. At first I was like, "I`m not going to wear it. It`s crazy to do that." And then, I was like, "Well, it`s from my girls." And that`s for Mady and Cara.
OK. OK. I`m going to the concert. It`s girl day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Look at Daddy! Look at that. You`re funny.
J. GOSSELIN: I am a true Gosselin. So I did it. I went in drag and put a hat and some glasses and chilled out with my purse and my little girls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: He was wearing a pink dress and a big hat and a girl`s dress, and his belly was fat. He was going to have a baby.
J. GOSSELIN: Come on, my water is going to break.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: That`s your baby.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Daddy was a mom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: (INAUDIBLE) more babies. He was being a pretty good sport there and a good look on Jon.
All right. As we move on, someone who obviously plays dress up better than anyone on the planet is Madonna. Madonna`s brand-new music video called "Celebration" just out today. And you have got see it because it shows off her brand-new 22-year-old boyfriend and her daughter Lourdes. Your very first look. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom. They are making big news right now.
TEXT: Showtime to revive "The L Word" as reality series about lesbians in Los Angeles. $4.25 billion taken in at the box office this summer, setting a new record.
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HAMMER: And oh, what an F-block it is. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, Madonna unveils her brand-new music video and her new man at the same time. Today, Madonna released a music video for her brand-new single called "Celebration."
And in the video, in pure Madonna style, she unveiled and undresses her 22-year-old boyfriend, Brazilian model and D.J. Jesus Luz. So without further ado, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT your very first look at "Celebration."
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But wait there is more. Madonna`s daughter, Lourdes, also makes a cameo in the video. Now, it`s pretty quick, but take a look at this. Roll that Charles. Lourdes is showing off some fancy foot work in her mom`s hot new video.
If you would like to watch the whole video for "Celebration," it is available right now as a free download exclusively on iTunes and that is until tomorrow night.
Moving right along, on Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day about Whitney Houston, talking about her new comeback. Will it work?
Not a lot of enthusiasm for Whitney here. 39 percent of you said yes, it will; 61 percent no.
A bunch of E-mails came in. That`s what I`m trying to say. A viewer in Texas writes, "I am a huge Whitney Houston fan and have awaited her comeback for years, however, after hearing the single prior to the release of her album, it just doesn`t quite sound like the old Queen of the Night. I wish Whitney the best."
Marie in Louisiana, "I think she has learned a great deal from all her past experiences. This is the right time for her comeback. She looks and sounds fantastic."
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN.
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