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Showbiz Tonight
Kate Gosselin Accuses Jon Gosselin of Wiping Out Their Bank Account; The Joke is on David Letterman; A Shocking Arrest in The ESPN Peephole Nude Tape; SNL`s Obama Slam; Chynna Phillips on Her Sister Mackenzie Phillips; Levi Johnston Gets Nutty
Aired October 05, 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: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Kate strikes back. Big news breaking. Kate Gosselin goes on TV today and accuses Jon of wiping out their bank account.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV SHOW, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": He took $230,000 of the $231,000 we have liquid. And I have a stack of bills in my purse I can`t drop in the mail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Kate`s disturbing warning that their kids necessary jeopardy. And her shocking new plea to Jon today, "Come back, Jon."
Tonight, big news breaking in the Letterman sex-extortion scandal. The attorney for the extortion suspect makes a startling claim today. And the joke`s on Dave.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE JAY LENO SHOW": If you came here tonight for sex with a talk show host, you`ve got the wrong studio.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the brand-new brutally funny jokes about Dave from his biggest rivals. But can Dave take a joke?
Tonight, has the mystery of the ESPN peephole sex tape finally been solved? A shocking arrest. But will Erin Andrews be forced to relive her nightmare in court?
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, Jon and Kate craziness. America`s most infamous divorcees went at each other`s throats today again. This time in an explosive vicious public fight about money, money that Kate claims Jon took from their joint checking account.
The extraordinary developments made for big news breaking today. Jaws just dropped today as Kate Gosselin went on live national television and claimed that Jon basically took $230,000 from their children. Kate accuses Jon of taking the money that she needs to support the family and says, in tears, she can`t pay their bills.
But Jon Gosselin said today Kate is spewing lies, lies, lies. He says that she`s got plenty of money and is totally fabricating the claims. He says he has the paper trail to prove it. Actually, they both say they have paper trails. So whose side are you buying?
And Kate slams Jon`s claims that their kids asked him to end their show "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Kate tells NBC`s "Today" show that the kids cried at the news that their show is indefinitely on hold. Wow.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." And tonight, in New York, is Carolina Bermudez who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
And tonight, TMZ is reporting that Kate Gosselin filed legal papers today in Pennsylvania. She is demanding Jon return that $230,000 she claims he took from their joint checking account. And just for a little added oomph, she also wants him cited for contempt.
Now, she gave a very tearful interview this morning to NBC`s "Today" show. And in that interview, Kate didn`t hide any of the sordid details. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: He was literally buying erratic purchases, randomly purchasing things and - I`m sorry. The last thing I wanted was to do this show and not being able to pay my bills. And he took $230,000 of the $231,000 that we have liquid. And I have a stack of bills in my purse I can`t drop in the mail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Holy Molly. Carlos, off to you. If what Kate claims is true here, Jon took out all their money. He`s definitely the biggest loser, isn`t he?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": If it`s true, yes, he is. And how does he not figure out yet that whatever he does, Kate will talk about the next day on the "Today" show or "Good Morning America" ...
HAMMER: Yes.
DIAZ: ... you can`t get away with anything, Jon. I mean, so how in the world are you going to - and by the way, what did they say you were doing with a joint checking account? I thought, the first thing they would have done is, "OK, here`s your money, here`s my money. We`re all good."
But what amazes me is that Jon would take the money and go, "Yes, you know, I`m going to do it and she won`t talk about it." Of course, she`s going to talk about it. She talks about everything.
HAMMER: Yes. And now, to be clear about the joint checking account, the rules are supposed to have been that they have to each agree if money is withdrawn from the account. So apparently, he did it without her knowing - that`s according to her.
But Jon is basically saying, you know, this is not true - none of it. It`s all lies. He did issue a statement today to another entertainment news show saying, yes, sure. He`s withdrawn some money, but he certainly didn`t tap out their account.
Now, I would like you to hear what Jon had to say. And this is as read by our extraordinary SHOWBIZ TONIGHT editor, Matt Moskowitz(ph). Matt, Take it away.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MATT MOSKOWITZ(ph), EDITOR: Kate`s claims are a total fabrication. I withdrew $22,000 last Thursday. I have the paper trail to prove it. I`ve never taken any money out because over 10 years, Kate handled all the banking. Over the past four years during the show, we accrued $2.25 million.
She says in the past week, I took $230,000. I have withdrawn roughly $177,000 over the course of a year, which is less than 10 percent of what we made. That`s like my paycheck.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Carolina, what do you think? Kate and Jon claiming two different things here and they`re both adamant that what they are saying is true. Whose side are you buying?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Neither of them. Neither of their paper trails are working out. And I think they`ve both lost sight of what is most important, and that is the kids. And they`re coming out and they`re battling each other on national television yet again.
These two need a mediator. They need a child advocate in the room. They need to go into a closed door - behind close doors and figure out what exactly is going on. They can`t keep sniffing at each other like this. It`s really reached a proportion where people are not just believing either of them anymore.
HAMMER: Well, Carolina, I must say despite what you may think, Kate said Jon is full of it, telling Meredith Vieira this morning she`s got that paper trail. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I have the accounting over the last few months and it`s exactly $230,000 beginning on August 10th and his last withdrawal was September 29th. You have left your children and their mother unable to pay for the roof over their head. It`s not acceptable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Both Jon and Kate claiming the other one is lying. They`re both saying they have paper trails to prove it. Carlos, I want to ask you the same question. Whose side are you buying, if either of those?
DIAZ: You know, it doesn`t matter. It doesn`t matter, A.J. They are using terms like liquid. They`ve made $2.25 million over the last few years. He`s withdrawing $231,000. This is a down economy. The reason your show was so great is because we could relate to you.
We can`t relate to you anymore. I don`t know anyone - I don`t know anyone who has got $230,000 in the bank that they can just withdraw whenever they want. I don`t know anyone who uses the term "liquid" when they`re talking about their money.
I mean, what they are doing is they`re further distancing themselves from, not only reality, but the people who watch their show on a religious basis.
HAMMER: Yes. Well said. I think the reality has been out of the equation for some time now. Jon says thought, Kate is not having problem paying these bills.
In fact, listen to what Jon told another entertainment show and this is, once again, as read by our fabulous editor, Matt. This is what Jon said when he was asked if thought that Kate really didn`t have the money for the bills. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MOSKOWITZ: No. She`s hiding money. We have 11 bank accounts. That was just our joint account. She had a bestselling book. Where is that million dollars? I didn`t want these things to come public. I didn`t want this to be embarrassing for her.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I am embarrassed for both of them to be quite honest. Shouldn`t, you know, they be embarrassed that they are doing this so publicly? I mean, they are talking about the numbers of the bank account. And all along, Kate is saying she is revealing all this to protect the kids so they know the truth one day.
BERMUDEZ: Oh, please, Kate. You know what? Don`t start crying over there to say you can`t pay your house bills. You want to come and check out my bills. I can`t pay my bills. You have so much money in the bank right now.
And I really do believe Jon on this one. Now, I wouldn`t - here`s my theory on why Jon is taking away the money. If this show goes kaput, then he has to pay alimony. He was to pay child support. I think he is looking out for himself in the future.
But Kate, realistically, you think we`re going to believe you can`t pay your house bills? TLC would never let that happen. Nobody will let that happen. It`s very unbelievable.
HAMMER: Yes. Let me get to this other blockbuster revelation from this morning`s "Today" show. Kate revealed she is finally no longer wearing that wedding ring. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: It`s a different - it`s my Hawaii wedding thing. I`m changing them out. I`m switching them out now just to give the kids a little bit of - we`ve discussed a ring that I might buy at some point. It has eight little diamonds and mother-of-pearl, so it`s symbolic and the kids are happy about that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Carolina, let me throw this back to you, because women I know who have gotten divorced when they finally take that ring off, it`s a pretty big deal. Is it a sure sign that Kate is moving on once and for all, would you say?
BERMUDEZ: Definitely, I think she`s going to put that new ring on her middle finger, so every time anyone asks her what she`s done with the other one, she can just show them that. I think Kate is definitely moving on from Jon and this is a sign (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: That`s the best advice that, I think, she`s had so far this week. That`s not all, however. Kate did tell the "Today" show in a blockbuster revelation that she just still wants her old Jon back. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I`m still hoping that at some point I will receive a phone call and the old Jon is back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. What are we supposed to make of Kate`s just unbelievable plea to Jon? Does she really want him back? Is it even possible? We`re going to be talking about that and so much more in just a half an hour from right now.
Plus, we all know, David Letterman, famous, of course, for making fun of big star scandals. Well, he always makes them the butt of his late night jokes. But now, that Letterman is under fire for his own scandal, can he take as good as he gives?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LENO: If you came here tonight for sex with a talk show host, you`ve got the wrong studio.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. The joke is definitely on Dave. Letterman`s biggest late night rivals delivering some brutal jokes all about Dave`s sex scandal. So can he handle it?
And has the ESPN peephole mystery been solved? Big news today that an arrest has been made, but will the reporter, videotaped half-naked in her room be forced to relive the nightmare in court?
Also, it`s the "Saturday Night Live" skit that`s got everybody talking.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRED ARMISEN, ACTOR (as President Barack Obama): When you look at my record, it`s very clear what I have done so far. And that is nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Who said it would be tough to make fun of President Obama? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt meet with Iraqi refugees in Syria. Lindsay Lohan`s spring 2010 fashion line slammed by critics at Paris fashion week.
HAMMER: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Right now, I want to you keep watching the bottom of your screen for more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that you won`t see anywhere else in the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LENO: This guy that was trying to blackmail Letterman was a producer for the show "48 Hours." He was the producer of "48 Hours." It could have been worse. At least, he wasn`t the producer of "To Catch a Predator." That would have been bad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Tonight, the joke`s on Dave after a shocking on-air confession that he was having sex with women who worked for him. And it`s not just Jay Leno who`s going after Dave.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And there is plenty of big news breaking tonight on the Letterman sex and extortion scandal. In fact, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producers today dug up brand-new clips of Letterman laughs.
But comedians are not laughing with him. They`re laughing at him. You have got to see what we are about to show you.
In another development today, the attorney for the suspect charged with trying to extort $2 million from Letterman went on the attack. But did he do more harm than good?
And you may be startled when you hear the results of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll on Letterman. The shocking results came in late today.
Joining us tonight in New York, Cooper Lawrence. Cooper is a psychologist and author of the fantastic book called "The Cult of Celebrity." Also in New York tonight, Ben Widdicombe, who is the celebrity editor for StyleList.com.
All right. So Robert Halderman is the name of the CBS News producer who was charged with trying to extort money from Dave so he`d keep quiet about an affair that Dave had with one of his staffers who happens to be a woman that Halderman recently broke up with.
We all saw Dave Letterman`s confession on his show on Thursday. Well, this morning, Halderman`s attorney went on the "Today" show and called Letterman a master at manipulation. You`ve got to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GERALD SHARGEL, ROBERT HALDERMAN`S ATTORNEY: He has access to the media. He has access to a huge audience.
ANN CURRY, ANCHOR, "TODAY" SHOW: But I`m giving you access to the media this morning and you`re not actually giving your client`s side of the story.
SHARGEL: But you know what? David Letterman didn`t give his side of the story. David Letterman gave what he wanted the public to know. He wanted to get out ahead of the story and that`s exactly what he did. He`s a master at manipulating audiences. That`s what he does for a living.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That was kind of weird. Here`s what struck me watching the interview this morning. In no time did the attorney deny that his client Halderman tried to extort money from Letterman. But instead, he just tried to paint Dave as a not-great guy. Cooper, it seems to me what he needed to do is come right out of the box and say "Hey, my client didn`t do this."
COOPER LAWRENCE, AUTHOR AND PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, exactly. We all know David Letterman. He`s not a new talent. He`s somebody that most of us have grown up watching. So I mean, you may not like what he`s done, but I don`t think I would call him a "master manipulator." Nobody sees him that way. It`s a bizarre comment. And it really reeks of spin.
HAMMER: Yes. Yes. And Letterman made another apology today, by the way. He apologized to his wife and to any other women who might have been hurt by the scandal. I can tell you, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll is giving major kudos to Dave for the way that he`s handled this whole thing.
Results came late today for what we asked on air and online. It was this - "Letterman Sex Scandal: Was his TV confession the right way to go?"
And we got an unusually high response to this. An overwhelming 84 percent - 84 percent of the vote said it was the right way to go. Only 16 percent disagreed with the way he handled this.
Ben Widdicombe, let me ask you this. If, as the suspect`s lawyer claims, Dave is a master manipulator, well, it seems like he has done a darn good job, I guess.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY EDITOR, "STYLELIST.COM": Well, you know, I`m sure he had a frosty weekend at home with his wife. I`m very surprised that he didn`t apologize to her first and foremost when he made the announcement last Thursday.
I think she is the one who deserves the apology, frankly. But let`s remember, David Letterman did not make his announcement because he thought it was the right thing to do, either for his young son or his wife or even for workplace law. He made his announcement because his hand was forced by an extortionist.
HAMMER: Yes.
WIDDICOMBE: He didn`t say because it`s the right thing to do. He had to do it. So I think, frankly, he loses points for that.
HAMMER: Well, he is not in the clear any stretch. At least one other woman has come forward to claim that she had an affair with him while she was working for him. But I was watching "The View" this morning and I saw Barbara Walters come to Dave`s defense. Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, CO-HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "THE VIEW": I just want us to stick to the facts that nobody says that David Letterman - you know, that you didn`t get a job because you didn`t do that this or that with him. Nobody has claimed sexual harassment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. That`s Barbara`s take. But former "View" host, Lisa Ling, who returned to "The View" to sit in as a guest host sees things - well, how shall I say, quite differently.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA LING, GUEST HOST, "THE VIEW": When you are the boss though, Barbara, you have to keep your friend in your pants.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Very quickly, Cooper, to Lisa Ling`s point, does it matter that, like Barbara said, that no one has claimed sexual harassment. Or you know, if you are the boss, you need to put it - well, you heard what Lisa said.
LAWRENCE: Well, I mean, the bigger issue is really, you know, women that thought, "You know, I would like to get further in my career. I`d sleep with David Letterman and I didn`t have the opportunity." I guess that would only be the problem with it.
But you know, I know people on "The Letterman Show" and they said that nobody knew this was going on. They found out when we found out, and they are just as shocked as we are. So clearly, nobody had an issue with it.
HAMMER: Well, we all know Dave`s made a career of poking fun out of people getting into messes like his. Now, he`s on the receiving end and it didn`t take long for this to happen. Roll that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LENO: Folks, if you came here tonight for sex with a talk show host, you`ve got the wrong studio. All right. Sorry.
(LAUGHTER)
JIMMY FALLON, HOST, "LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON": There is a new book out called "Why Women Have Sex" that has a list of 237 reasons why women have sex, and Letterman knows the top 10.
SETH MEYERS, ANCHOR, "WEEKEND UPDATE": A producer for "48 Hours" was arrested Thursday for attempting a stupid human trick. They reported that the blackmailer Joe Halderman was threatening to reveal embarrassing details of Letterman`s personal life. For example, after sex, he would always say, "Stay tuned for Craig Ferguson."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And I`m guessing that is just the beginning. Ben Widdicombe, Cooper Lawrence, thanks for being here. I appreciate it, guys.
As we move on tonight, this Jon and Kate divorce is getting so ugly and out of hand. Why is Kate telling Jon today, "Come back?"
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: Call me crazy. I`ve said it before. But I`m still hoping that, at some point, I`ll receive a phone call and the old Jon is back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kate Gosselin`s brand-new plea to Jon today, the same day she`s accusing him of wiping out their bank account. And what Kate says the kids did when they found out the reality show had been stopped.
Has the mystery of the ESPN peephole stalker been solved? The man has been arrested for allegedly filming Erin Andrews half nude in her hotel room. So will she have to relive her nightmare all over again in court?
Also, Mackenzie Phillips`s half sister Chynna speaks out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHYNNA PHILLIPS, SINGER: I`m just walking through the fire right now, essentially, and it`s scary that it`s on such a public platform.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chynna Phillips really opens up to me about Mackenzie`s shocking claim that she had sex with her dad. It`s the interview you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Decision due this week on Roman Polanski`s request for bail. Christ Evert and Greg Norman separate, just 15 months after they got married.
HAMMER: You`re watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Stay put because right now, I want you to keep on watching the bottom of your screen for more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that you won`t see anywhere else in the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Lisa Ling returns to "The View." The former co-host returned today for the very first time since her since her sister Laura Ling and fellow journalist Euna Lee were released from a North Korea prison. They had them back in August. Ling gave the ladies an update on how life has been for her family since the ordeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA LING: Our whole family feels like if we complain about anything else ever, they`ll shoot us, because we`ve got such an incredible gift. Yes. And it came at a time when there was so much bad news and I feel that kind of lifted people up all over the world - what they went through, what they were able to overcome. And she`s my little sister and I`m so protective of her. But I am so in awe of her.
(END VIDEO CLIP) b
HAMMER: Yes, Lisa also did say that the women suffered some posttraumatic stress. But it`s nothing some time at home couldn`t cure.
"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kandi Burruss is mourning the death of her fiance, Ashley A.J. Jewel. Now, police say that Jewel died of blunt force trauma to the head. This is after a fistfight he was in on Saturday.
In a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Kandi says, quote, "I had spoken to A.J. two hours before I got the call that he was in the hospital. Never in a thousand years did I think it was going to be the last time I heard his voice." Jewel was only 34.
Well, Kate Gosselin was in tears when she accused Jon today of taking more than $200,000 from their joint bank account. Our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page blew up after we asked you if you feel sorry for Kate.
Here`s what Teresa G. says, "Kate needs someone to save her from herself. I do feel sorry for her. I mostly feel sorry that her desperate need to control led her to marry a goofball and have eight kids with him. And I also feel sorry that she`s having to deal with the fallout of her own bad judgment.
We heard this from Janell P. who feels absolutely no sympathy for Kate writing, "Does Kate ever stop blaming Jon for everything. She has done `nothing` wrong? Really? I`m so sick of her pity party."
Remember, you can sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages simply by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Kate Gosselin`s startling plea to Jon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: He has gone way far off the trail. I will keep peace where I need to keep peace. Obviously, I`m very upset. I can`t sleep at night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The same day Kate accuses Jon of wiping out their bank account - is she really saying, "Come back"? And accused peeping tom is arrested today for the ESPN nude peephole nightmare. But will Erin Andrews be forced to relive it all in court?
And the father of Sarah Palin`s grandson gets nutty for a new ad campaign. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Movie based on Fox TV series, "Arrested Development," is in the works. Mr. Big is getting hitched! "Sex and the City" star Chris Noth is engaged.
HAMMER: You`re watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Don`t go anywhere because right now, you`ve got to keep watching the bottom of your screen for more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that you won`t see anywhere else in the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: Call me crazy. I`ve said it before, but I`m still hoping that at some point, I will receive a phone call and the old Jon is back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Kate Gosselin`s startling plea. Today, as Kate accuses Jon of wiping out their bank account, is she really admitting that she wants him back?
Breaking developments today in the ESPN nude peeping tom case. The man accused of peeping at reporter Erin Andrews is behind bars. But will she have a courtroom showdown with this guy?
"Saturday Night Live`s" big time slam of the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMISEN: When you look at my record, it`s very clear what I have done so far. And that is nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: We`ve got the hilarious "SNL" Obama sketch that`s got everyone talking.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
And tonight, the brand-new Jon and Kate craziness. It is just nutty. An absolutely brutal war of words broke out today after Kate Gosselin went on the "Today" show this morning and accused Jon of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from their bank account.
And everywhere you look today, there was big Jon and Kate news breaking. A weepy, tearful Kate struck back today in a remarkable no- holds-barred interview covering everything from the missing money to her claims that their kids cried when they were told that their show is on hold indefinitely.
And why you can almost smell the bitterness oozing from Kate about Jon. She dropped this is blockbuster in the very same interview today, a virtual plea for Jon to come back.
Also breaking today, the startling news that a man is charged with being the peephole cameraman who shot ESPN reporter Erin Andrews naked in her hotel.
In Hollywood tonight is Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra." In New York tonight, Carolina Bermudez, who is a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly."
I have got to tell you our heads were literally spinning today. We`re just trying to keep up with all the newest and the most bizarre Jon and Kate developments.
In fact, I swore at one point I saw our executive producer Dave Levine popping a couple of Dramamine just to try to keep things level today. Now you have Kate accusing Jon today of taking more than $200,000 from their joint bank account and leaving her with a mere $1,000.
Jon denying that, and on the "Today" show this morning, Kate claims her kids started crying when she told them over the weekend that production had been halted on the show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Watch what Kate told Meredith Vieira.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: The kids have - over the weekend, I told them we are not filming at this point. And actually, times eight, there was whaling and sobbing. They love our crew. They love the interaction. They love the events and there is nothing harmful about it. They are angry.
MEREDITH VIEIRA, ANCHOR, "TODAY" SHOW: So when are he says the kids have said to him they want the filming to stop, your response to that is -
K. GOSSELIN: I`m sorry. I`m not present all the time. But it has never happened, not the response I saw this weekend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, Carlos Diaz, my friend. Let me begin with you, because if what we just heard is true, here`s what I find most disturbing. The kids are crying over being told they can`t do the show that has led to their family falling apart which says to me they are growing up completely dependent on having cameras around. That cannot be healthy.
DIAZ: Yes, it can`t be. I mean, basically, the show is the cool activity. So meaning, if you watch the show, every time they are on the kids, they do something cool as far as taking them here or building houses in the back yard.
So when they see the cameras, it`s kind of like Pavlov`s dog where it`s like, "Oh, cool activities are coming." But here`s the thing, though. Both Kate and Jon are using these kids to the nth degree, Jon saying the kids don`t like the cameras and then Kate is saying they need the cameras. And they`re crying because they don`t have them. They`re both using the kids way too much to garner public sympathy.
HAMMER: But wait a second. They both say they want to protect the kids. I`m so confused.
DIAZ: Exactly.
HAMMER: What`s going on? And yes, I mean, as you pointed out, let`s not forgot it was just last week when Jon was on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" claiming the kids don`t want to do the show anymore, and that`s why they shut the whole thing down.
Carolina, are you buying what Kate is selling here? I don`t think either one of them has credibility.
BERMUDEZ: I don`t think either of them are telling the truth here. I think they are looking out for their own best interest. And I agree with you. Like you said, A.J., the dependence on the camera crews and on being on a show - it`s a little disturbing.
They have a skewed sense of reality. The show`s going to come to an end very soon anyway. So what is she going to do to explain this to them? What is she doing to get them ready for that? It seems like she is just really holding out and what`s to have another season.
HAMMER: Well, here, I`m not one for throwing around suggestions to my guests, but I`ll throw this to the guests and the audience as well. If you are throwing a party, I have two people you shouldn`t put on the guest list, OK? You don`t want them in the same room, Kate Gosselin and Lisa Ling.
Lisa Ling, of course, is a former "View" co-host. She was back on the show today, filling in as a guest host. She had a little message for Kate. Kids, reality show - not such a good idea. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA LING: I don`t see what the problem is with stopping the show or taking the kids off the show for a period of time until things can get resolved.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She needs money. She needs to make money. And this is where she`s making - she`ll make more money on television than at McDonald`s.
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": You can`t work at McDonald`s and take care of eight kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Carlos, I mean, are you thinking Kate that maybe Kate is just so desperate for money right now and she can`t see any other way to make the money she`ll never see Lisa`s point?
DIAZ: You know, A.J., I`m just trying to think back to a few months ago on this show when I said that they should have the kids off the show and Jane Velez-Mitchell yelled at me and said, "Oh, then what`s the show going to be about?"
I think we`re realizing my point here. The show can be about them getting a divorce, move the kids off the show, have the two of them not duke it out physically, but verbally duke it out on the show, get their act together. And then, when everything is worked out, bring the kids back into the fold.
HAMMER: If they have to do something, that`s really the most viable thing. And yes, I remember you mentioning that. Let me just recap what we are looking at here. You have Kate at war with Jon over the kids. They are at war over the show. They are at war over money. They are at war over pretty much everything.
So perhaps somebody can explain this to me. In this very same interview I was watching this morning on the "Today" show, Kate said she would welcome the old Jon back. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: He has gone way far off the trail. I will keep peace where I need to keep peace. Obviously, I`m very upset. I can`t sleep at night. I can`t pay my bills. I think that he is receiving bad counsel. He has always been to listen to the person next to him.
And I think he is receiving bad advice. I think he is making bad decisions. And you know, I honestly - call me crazy, I`ve said it before. But I`m still hoping that at some point I will receive a phone call and the old Jon is back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Hello. Hello. Kate, are you there? Carolina, quickly. I mean, that`s just delusional to think that will ever happen, isn`t it.
BERMUDEZ: It is. And she said call her crazy. You are crazy, Kate. It`s not going to happen just because you`re bored and want to beat up on him again. She doesn`t like it because he`s not listening to her. So it`s not going to happen.
HAMMER: Well, let`s move from the Jon and Kate nightmare to ESPN report Erin Andrews` naked peephole nightmare. Erin Andrews has to be feeling at least a little better today after a man was arrested in Chicago being charged with being that creep who shot videos of her naked through the peephole in a hotel room. Well, then he put them on the Internet to boot.
The guy`s name is Michael Barrett. He`s a 48-year-old insurance salesman who allegedly stalked Andrews around the country. And remember what she told Oprah about calling her parents to let them know when the tape first appeared on the Internet? Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN ANDREWS, ESPN REPORTER: It was such a painful phone call. I mean, having to call my parents and they thought I was physically injured how bad I was screaming. I kept screaming, "I`m done. My career is over. I`m done. Get it off. Get it off the Internet. Get it off."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Quickly, Carolina, she felt violated there. I`m sure she is relieved about the arrest. I`m guessing she`d be mortified to have to face this guy in court at a trial.
BERMUDEZ: I bet she is. But it`s extremely important to get her version of the story in order to go ahead and prosecute this guy and put him behind bars.
HAMMER: Yes.
BERMUDEZ: She has done things the right way for her whole career. And there`s no reason why she shouldn`t go out there and defend herself now.
HAMMER: Carolina Bermudez, Carlos Diaz, thanks so much, guys. I appreciate you being here tonight.
Well, here`s somebody that I definitely feel sorry for today - President Obama because the joke apparently is on him. For the very first time, "Saturday Night Live" is slamming the president in a big way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMISEN: When you look at my record, it`s very clear what I have done so far. And that is nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you see this. We`ve got the hilarious "SNL" Obama sketch everybody is talking about.
And wait until you hear what`s got former SNL target Sarah Palin cringing today. The father of her grandson starring in his very first commercial. It is very funny, but well, it`s probably going to make Sarah Palin pretty mad. We`ve got the commercial for you to see. You can`t miss it.
Plus, new revelations by Chynna Phillips to me about her half sister Mackenzie`s incest claims. Chynna tells me what it`s like to be one of the few people standing up for Mack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. PHILLIPS: Well, I`m just walking through the fire right now, essentially. And it`s scary that it`s on such a public platform.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It is Chynna`s emotional new interview you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Representative for author Maya Angelou says she is fine, denies reports that she was sick. L.A. judge is "very pleased" with the way Michael Jackson`s mom is raising his kids.
HAMMER: You`re watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Right now, I want you to keep on watching the bottom of your screen for more of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that you won`t see anywhere else in the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And tonight, the joke`s on President Obama and I`m betting that the president is not laughing. "Saturday Night Live," the same show considered responsible for basically destroying Sarah Palin has just done a devastating skit that had everyone talking from Washington to Hollywood.
And I can tell you there is big buzz today that the honeymoon is so over. "SNL`s Fred Armisen put on his Obama ears and he slammed the president for not keeping one of his promises since taking office. You`ve got to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARMISEN: On my first day in office, I said I would close Guantanamo Bay. Is it closed yet? No. I said we`d be out of Iraq. Are we? Not the last time I checked. I said I would make improvements in the war in Afghanistan. Is it better? No, I think it`s actually worse.
How about healthcare reform? Hell no. Immigration reform? No. Gays in the military? No. Limits on executive powers? No. Torture prosecutions? No. So looking at this list, I am seeing two big accomplishments. Jack and squat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. With me now in New York is Ben Widdicombe. He`s the celebrity editor for "StyleList.com." Also in New York tonight, Cooper Lawrence - she is a psychologist and author.
You know, remember back in the beginning, comics were kind of bummed out about Obama getting into the White House because they liked the guy. He`s actually pretty cool for a president. But it seems, Ben, the tide is turning. To paraphrase what Lyndon Johnson said about Walter Cronkite, "If Obama`s lost `SNL,` has he lost the country?"
WIDDICOMBE: Well, A.J., I was so going to bust that (UNINTELLIGIBLE) up myself. And we`re going to have to come up and say, "As `SNL` goes, so goes the country." So I think whatever happens in the next four years, that will be the mildest skit he ever has to endure. It`s all downhill from here.
HAMMER: Yes. And I have to say, though, you know, more to Obama`s credit than "SNL`s," it`s a little lame going after a guy for so much stuff when he has been in office for, you know, barely nine months.
What do you think, Cooper? All that said, while Obama is probably cringing at the whole sketch, Sarah Palin may be around - I don`t know - hunting moose and gloating, saying, "Hey, see how it feels?"
LAWRENCE: Well, I mean, she can see Russia from her house so it`s very different for her. But no, "Saturday Night Live" had a history of going after presidents. But it`s interesting they went after the policies, not after him personally. They have to tread lightly when it comes to Obama.
HAMMER: Do you think, though, Ben, this is just going to be the very beginning of it all? You know, because again, they really were loathed to try to hammer the guy too badly, trying to get him into office. They wanted to help him out.
WIDDICOMBE: Oh, sure. Listen, if `SNL` is not, you know, gently ribbing the president, then they`re not doing their job. They`re satirists. They`re supposed to be ridiculing people in power and letting them know that we are watching them. So frankly, I say bring it on. That`s their job to do that.
HAMMER: We will watch it all unfold. Ben Widdicombe, Cooper Lawrence, thanks so much, guys.
Well, moving on, making news right now, Chynna Phillips` revelations to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her half sister Mackenzie Phillips and her claims of an incestuous relationship.
John Phillips of the iconic `60s group, The Mamas and the Papas, was Chynna and Mack`s dad. Mackenzie, of course, just made that bombshell claim that she and her dad had a sexual relationship spanning 10 years.
Chynna was one of the first people that came out to say that she believes Mackenzie. And in this interview you will see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Chynna told me she knows her faith will help her through this tremendously difficult time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. PHILLIPS: I can`t hold any resentments.
HAMMER: Yes.
C. PHILLIPS: I just can`t and I love my sister. And I`m really, really proud of her. I won`t lie. It`s definitely had somewhat of a negative impact on my family and some of the relationships. But I know that that will be healed because Jesus is on board. I`ve got the Lord on board.
HAMMER: How can you go wrong? It is so nice to see, though, hearing what you say about Mackenzie and hearing what she says about you. There is an obvious closeness about you, guys. There is a connection. I do want to take a look at what she said about you on "LARRY KING LIVE."
C. PHILLIPS: Sure.
HAMMER: Because you can see it in her face. And I want to watch your reaction because I think I can see it in your face hearing her voice. Let`s look at that.
C. PHILLIPS: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MACKENZIE PHILLIPS, ACTRESS: Chynna and I sat down several months ago and had a beautiful dinner together. And I told her the story that I have told you. And Chynna has known this in form or another for a long time as well.
And I can tell you Chynna has a Christian album coming out which is absolutely brilliant. She`s an amazing artist. And I can`t tell you how much her support means to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Was there any doubt, Chynna, in your mind. You knew it was going to have some tough stuff in it. But was there any doubt that you had to get out there and support her publicly the way you instantly did?
C. PHILLIPS: Not really, because I knew that it must have been some sort of divine intervention that my album came out a day before her book. What are the chances of that? And so I sort of figured like God was caressing me and saying, "You know, I know this is tough. I know this is going to be difficult, but I have a reason for it."
HAMMER: And everybody has been asking Mackenzie in the aftermath of her revelation how she is doing. How are you doing?
C. PHILLIPS: Thank you for asking.
HAMMER: Well, you know, I have been wondering that. And it struck me instantly before you said anything. Oh my goodness - the family and of course, you. So how are you doing?
C. PHILLIPS: You know, some days are better than others. Sometimes, I just have to have a good cry. It hasn`t been easy. But today, I`m having a good day. And I`ve got my husband supporting me and I`ve got a really good therapist.
And you know, it`s like I`m just walking through the fire right now, essentially. And it`s scary that it`s on such a public platform. But that`s the way it`s supposed to be, I guess, right now.
HAMMER: One of the difficult things for me has been watching how people have been going after her saying, wow, you know, "No way. She is making this up." Were you, right from the very start, saying, "How can you make something like this up?"
And among those who have said that she is lying essentially have been members of your family. Have you had a chance to speak with any people who are saying that and help them reconcile this?
C. PHILLIPS: There is nothing I can say or do. Everyone has their own personal opinion about the subject. I choose to believe her and others don`t.
HAMMER: Fair enough. You have said that you wish that she handled this privately.
C. PHILLIPS: Well, yes. Yes. It`s a huge revelation and it`s something my poor dad is not even here to talk about. And that makes me sad that he can`t defend himself in any way, shape or form, or at least, come out and talk about it publicly.
He doesn`t have a choice and that makes me sad. I don`t condone the behavior. I don`t condone what happened between my father and my sister. But it is helping people. The incest and rape hotlines have gone up 50 percent. And that is a miracle. That`s a miracle - that my sister coming out with this was able to change and touch so many lives. I hope that people find a lot of healing and peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well, there is much more of my revealing interview with Chynna Phillips. Wait until you hear what made her spontaneously break out into song on set with me. It`s a special moment and I will play it for you, coming up next.
Well, tonight, Levi Johnson goes nuts in a brand-new commercial just released online today. This thing is hysterical. It is provocative. And it`s the ad that is bound to have everyone talking except perhaps with Palins who may be speechless, but not in a good way. It`s the commercial you have just got to see.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Conde Nast to fold "Gourmet," "Cookie," "Modern Bride," "Elegant Bride" magazines. Lady Gaga says she`ll tour without Kanye West, their "Fame Kills" tour was cancelled.
HAMMER: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Do not move, because right now, I want you to keep on watching the bottom of your screen for more SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that you will not see anywhere else in the show.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Well, Levi Johnson`s eye-popping news commercial is released today. The father of Sarah Palin`s grandson just got his first acting gig in this commercial for Wonderful Pistachios. Levi pokes fun at himself as part of the company`s Get Cracking campaign. But the joke is bound to make the Palins furious.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, Levi Johnston does it with protection. Wonderful Pistachios. Get cracking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, tonight, moving on to my amazing Chynna Phillips` serenade. This was a beautiful moment. Chynna, of course, was in the hit 1990s group Wilson Phillips.
And now, after a long break, Chynna is back as part of the Christian duo, "Chynna & Vaughn." Chynna told me as she deals with the massive fall out from her sister Mackenzie`s stunning incest claims, she is leaning on her faith more than ever.
One of Chynna`s inspirations in her song is called "Eye for an Eye." And right in the middle of our interview, she spontaneously broke out in song. You`ve got to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. PHILLIPS: I`m not going to hate even if I ache inside. I`m not going to hurt someone even if I`m justified. I`m not going to lie even if I`ve been deceived. An eye for an eye, it`s not the life I choose to lead.
HAMMER: Look at this. We`re being serenaded by Chynna Phillips right here.
C. PHILLIPS: How could that not be inspirational? I mean, it`s a song written by Vaughn Penn. And it is all about forgiveness. It`s all about not returning an eye for an eye. It is all about redemption.
And I mean, you know? It`s just one of those songs that - yes, it definitely, definitely correlates a lot to what`s going on in my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Well, Chynna`s voice is as good, if not better than ever. The album is fantastic. It`s called "One Reason." It`s in stores right now.
So on Friday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, Jay handed me the final results - my stage manager Jay, "David Letterman Sex Scandal: Was his TV confession the right way to go? Eighty-four percent of you said yes; 16 percent no.
Among E-mails, we heard from Ann Marie in Georgia writing, "Enough is enough. It is now time to move on past the Letterman incident. Letterman was right to come forward."
Tina from Michigan writing, "David Letterman releasing the info on his show was the right thing to do. He was upfront with people and didn`t hide it. Either way, he can`t win. It`s just sad that these stars have no privacy."
Well that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks 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 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern here on HLN.
END
