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Showbiz Tonight
Hulk Hogan`s Suicide Confession; Jon Gosselin at a Family Values Event; Sarah Palin to be on "Oprah"; Chris Brown-Rihanna Showdown; George Clooney`s New Girlfriend Bares All; Are Rosie O`Donnell and Kelli Carpenter Splitting?
Aired October 21, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Hulk`s suicide shocker. Hulk Hogan`s brand-new shocking admission about picking up a gun and seriously thinking about killing himself.
Hulk opens up with the heartbreaking details of what made him desperate enough to want to take his own life and what made him change his mind. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the disturbing story and is asking, is it a good idea for Hulk to be sharing his dark secrets?
Get this. Jon Gosselin grabs the mike at a family values event. Are you kidding me?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR, "JON & KATE PLUS 8": Obviously I`m going through a divorce that is pretty public.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you hear what he asked. But is this just a publicity stunt?
Oprah`s big news. Sarah Palin is going to be on her show. What will she ask? Will it be a tense interview? And should Oprah have had Palin on a long time ago?
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And Hulk Hogan, not holding back about his darkest hour, A.J.
HAMMER: No, Brooke. Hulk`s brand-new revelations today are truly disturbing. Tonight, Hulk Hogan reveals all about his suicide shocker. He details the desperate moments in his bitter divorce when he almost took his own life.
Hulk makes these dramatic confessions in his new book and in the excerpts of his book just released today. We`re getting a view of Hulk Hogan that we never could have imagined. How the strong, powerful hero broke down, took a gun and almost ended it all. So what snapped him out of it? Hulk`s heartbreaking confessions made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): They are a super-popular reality show family that seemed to fall apart before our very eyes.
HULK HOGAN, REALITY TV STAR, "HOGAN KNOWS BEST": Every day it`s drama. It`s just ridiculous.
LINDA HOGAN, HULK HOGAN`S EX-WIFE: In case you can`t tell, I`ve had it.
HAMMER: That`s wrestler Hulk Hogan, his wife Linda and children Brooke and Nick were the center of the hit VH1 reality show, "Hogan Knows Best."
L. HOGAN: It takes me two seconds to pack up my freaking closet and be gone.
HAMMER: But in real life, they provided more scandal than you`d find in any reality show. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you in a hard-hitting new book, Hulk Hogan reveals all that drama took a shocking toll.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": It`s pretty amazing to hear what Hulk Hogan is writing in this book saying that he was so close to committing suicide that he actually had the barrel of the gun in his mouth.
HAMMER: In his new book, "My Life Outside The Ring," the famous ex- wrestler admits the end of his 23-year marriage to Linda did quite a number on him. And his depression hit a dangerous low in December 2007, less than two weeks after Linda filed for divorce.
SERAFIN: He apparently went out one night, went out at a strip club, getting a lot of attention from women, came back home said he was so lonely that he drank rum, took Xanax and actually put the barrel of a gun in his mouth.
HAMMER: Hogan writes, quote, "I remember how it tasted when I put the barrel in my mouth and the sound it made when it clicked against my teeth."
Even more shocking than his suicidal thoughts is what Hulk says snapped him out of it.
SERAFIN: What saved Hulk Hogan actually from blowing his brains out with a gun that he was holding in his mouth was a phone call from Laila Ali.
HAMMER: Laila Ali is the daughter of Muhammad Ali. At that time, she and Hogan were hosting NBC`s revival of "American Gladiators." He writes, quote, "At that moment, that call saved my life."
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that`s not the only shocking allegation in his book.
L. HOGAN: Terry, I`m not going to talk to you about this anymore.
HAMMER: He writes in excruciating detail about the simmering family tensions that boiled to the surface as they filmed their reality show.
SERAFIN: In fact, the family was falling apart.
HAMMER: Hogan pins much of the blame on his ex-wife, Linda whom he claims was verbally abusive and a problem drinker. He writes, quote, "Her drinking also started to affect the family. It seemed like every night, she would get into the wine. And before long, she would start cussing everybody out, including Brooke and Nick."
SERAFIN: In addition to the family drama that was going on, it was all exacerbated by Nick`s accident. Nick totaled his car and then really seriously injured his very good friend who was left in a vegetative state. And then, of course, this is what led to Nick going to jail.
HAMMER: Hogan says Linda was threatening to file for divorce during Nick`s legal trouble. He writes, "I practically begged her, `Please don`t file. Our son`s just had the accident. If we do this now, it will make us look like the Britney Spears family. Please don`t file for divorce.`"
But Linda filed for divorce in late 2007. And now, the Hogans just settled their nasty divorce and the tabloids still can`t get enough of this famously fractured family.
SERAFIN: It makes you wonder, why would anyone want to do a reality show and put their family through that. You look at what happened to the Hogan family. You look at even what happened to Jon and Kate that we`ve been talking about for months.
And then even look at the issue with Richard Heene. Allegedly, he pulled off a stunt because he wanted a reality show. It really only leads to horrible things.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out to Linda Hogan for a comment. She didn`t respond directly to Hulk`s allegations, but here`s what she tells us, "My ex-husband`s serial infidelities forced me to take the route that I have taken. Breaking our family apart was the last thing I wanted."
Well, Hulk`s horrific details really show us just how desperate he had gotten. So can any good come from his candid confessions?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Midwin Charles of the law firm Midwin Charles and Associates. Also tonight in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, a correspondent with "Extra." So here`s a guy who was once truly larger than life. He was a hero to so many people.
And then, of course, we all witnessed his mighty fall. Carlos, even with all Hulk Hogan has been through, it is unimaginable that a guy who represented such strength would be reduced to this.
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Well, you know, it does make a lot of sense, though, because when you are on one of the highs and you have the adoration of all the fans and you`ve got your family at home and things are going great for you - when, you know, everything goes away and you are left alone, something that Hulk Hogan didn`t have to deal too many times because he had a wife of more than two decades. He had two kids. And all of a sudden, all that is gone. It takes you to a place you are not used to being.
HAMMER: And now, revealing that he was contemplating suicide. Midwin, is it a good idea for Hulk to be sharing such a dark secret?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: Well, I think he has a book to sell. And so, whenever you have dark secrets like this or anything that really shows you to be a human being. I mean, despite the fact that he was very popular and a powerful person and strong, at the end of the day, he`s a human being. He feels emotions.
And whenever you can show that in a book or in any sort of form, it will work for you. So I think that`s what`s going on with this book.
HAMMER: Yes. I think so too. All right. I want to move on to the brand- new ESPN sex shocker. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today that married ESPN baseball commentator, the former general manager of the Mets Steve Phillips, had a sexual affair with a 22-year-old woman who works with him.
And what makes this even more shocking, the mistress allegedly stalked Phillips wife and later laid out the dirty details of the affair in a letter to Phillips` wife. And that letter wound up in today`s "New York post."
You`ve got to listen to some of what she wrote, "I`m coming out now because I`m sick of hiding and sneaking around behind your back. I may only be 22, but I`m not stupid and I hope you can understand we never wanted you to find out about us this way. I want you to meet me and I want tell you anything you want to know."
Wow, Carlos, easy to see why people are outraged about this story. You have a young woman, a married man in a powerful position. And of course, the David Letterman saga is fresh in our minds here.
DIAZ: Yes. You know, I mean, it is time for people to stop with the pen in the company ink and the whole thing. Because we are seeing time and time again the repercussions of this. And it is so easy to see when you have someone on camera and their talent. And you know, they are adored by the producers and they have that certain kind of power, it`s easy to kind of take advantage of that. But I think it`s time to stop doing that.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. Absolutely. And with the stalking allegations, the cheating, the scandal really had a lot of people thinking about the movie "Fatal Attraction." And that, of course, includes the ladies of "The View."
They are always on this stuff. They just happened to have "Fatal Attraction star Glenn Close on the show today. You know Glenn had something to say about this sex scandal. What did she say?
Midwin, Carlos, stay right where you are. We`re going to be back in 30 seconds with Glenn`s surprising comments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: ESPN`s sex scandal reminds a lot of people of Glenn Close`s quintessential stalker film, "Fatal Attraction." And it just so happens, Glenn, right there on "The View" today and had something to say about the mistress accused of stalking the wife of ESPN commentator Steve Phillips and then revealing the dirty details in a litter to his wife. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Do you have any advice for the lunatic that wrote the letter?
GLENN CLOSE, ACTOR: Probably go get help.
BEHAR: Go get help, yes.
CLOSE: Yes. I was actually sent a book by a doctor who`s saying that he uses that character to teach his students about what a borderline personality is.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Yes. It was clear that something was off about her.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": How about the married - stay away from her? How about that?
(CROSS TALK)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Don`t wait until you`re out of guys and - you know.
CLOSE: Just be careful. I mean, people still come up to me and say, "Boy, you scare me and man, it was good for my marriage."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Midwin, what do you think? Should any guy even thinking about cheating on his wife just run out and rent "Fatal Attraction" right now?
CHARLES: Yes. Just don`t do it. Don`t do it, because what goes around, comes around. And I think here, it`s indicative of how it can turn ugly and criminal, too. I mean, she is stalking and making threatening comments to the family.
HAMMER: All I have to say is remember the bunny. Midwin Charles, Carlos Diaz, I do appreciate you being here. Now, a rep for Steve Phillips said today Phillips is deeply sorry for his affair and has asked ESPN for a leave of absence. ESPN tells us they have granted his request.
ANDERSON: Jon Gosselin goes looking for parenting advice.
J. GOSSELIN: As a single dad, you know, what two or three values can I use to raise good kids?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s right. Jon went to a synagogue, a family values conference, looking for answers. You just have to see this one for yourself.
Also are Rosie O`Donnell and her longtime partner calling it quits? Rosie opens up today in a tearful brand-new interview.
Plus, a nasty fight outside the Balloon Boy`s house.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can say whatever I want (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys too. (EXPLETIVE DELETED). What are you guys going to do? Get off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) street.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The curse words were a-flying faster than the balloon when things got very tense outside the Heene`s house. I will show you what happened. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Lifetime pulls "Wife Swap" episode featuring the "Balloon Boy" family. Britney Spears settles lawsuit with paparazzo who claims she ran over his foot.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? It`s an unbelievable scene caught on tape. Wow. A man in rush just barely escapes being crushed by an out-of-control bus. Now, the bus lost its brakes while the driver was entering a busy intersection just as this dude was crossing the street.
So he leapt out of the way when the bus hit a stopped car in the intersection. He was fine, but before the whole ordeal was over, the bus hit 14 cars and four people ended up with mild concussions. Unbelievable.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Hey, did you see this? Tonight, it is the balloon blow-by-blow. Fists were flying and swear words, too, when a stake out outside Balloon Boy`s home turned into a smackdown. So how did an argument between the press and one of Balloon Boy`s neighbors turn into something from the WWE?
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Balloon Boy`s story may be losing helium, but the testosterone level was up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wouldn`t talk (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
It was neighborhood guy versus the news media camped out in front of the Heene`s home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you guys, too. (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Would you guys (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? Get off the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) street.
MOOS: He then called police. Sameer Tabacoli(Ph) was fed up with the press. Fox 31 reporter Jon Bowman says Tabacoli(ph) drove by several times, yelling slurs.
JON BOWMAN, KDVR REPORTER: The next thing I know he jumps off - "I got you now. I`m going to get you people out of the neighborhood." And he comes up and he grabs me by the collar.
MOOS: Tabacoli(ph) says someone elbowed his car window and chased the Fox 31`s cameraman around their live truck. And then Tabacoli(ph) got tackled from behind by another person coming to the camera man`s rescue. The two landed harder than that now-famous balloon. The press has been outside the Heenes` house ever since the balloon chase. Bored -
RICHARD HEENE, FATHER OF FALCON HEENE: I want your questions in the box. I`ll get right back to you, OK?
MOOS: Except for the times when is Balloon Boy`s dad surfaces. Or his mom leaves the house and the media glom onto the car like locusts. These two glommed onto each other until the neighborhood guys started punching.
MOOS (on camera): It doesn`t pay to tango with the media. After deputies showed up and talked to both sides, guess who got a citation for fighting in public and careless driving.
(voice-over): Yes, the neighborhood guy tells us he`s hiring an attorney. Things outside the Heene house have since quieted down. The circus has moved on, online.
(MUSIC)
Where parodies about Balloon Boy hiding -
(MUSIC)
And T-shirts signify the story may be on its last legs. Back on the Heenes` door, the sign says, "We are not taking any interview anymore. We are tired." And so is this T-shirt, "I don`t want to hear another word about Balloon Boy." It`s a bird. It`s a plane. It`s a hoax."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Just in case you were waiting to see the re-run of the Heenes` "Wife Swap," we have some bad news. Lifetime has decided to pull the episode from its schedule.
HAMMER: Darn. There is lots of family drama out there, however, for people to watch. We always have the Gosselins, don`t we?
ANDERSON: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines - they continue to ring. So many people have been calling in about whether it`s ever OK for kids to be on reality shows.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Nancy in Washington. She says Kate Gosselin is clueless.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I just find it unbelievable that Kate Gosselin still believes that her children are not being affected by being on TV. When you have your children in between you and the shouting match with the paparazzi, I don`t know how can you find that not harmful.
And these children are going through extremely hard times with the divorce. And they do not need to see that being put on TV. And I think she needs to keep the kids off TV. And I think Jon is doing the right thing.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for your thoughts, Nancy.
HAMMER: We also heard from Karen calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Michigan. Karen says some families can handle the attention better than others.
CALLER: I think it depends on the personality of the parent. Look at the Duggars. Their children are doing very well on TV. And I think Kate Gosselin was very paranoid, afraid of a lot of things.
If you watch the show, you can see that, always worried she wouldn`t have enough money to raise the kids so this motivates her. And she was very nasty to Jon.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Karen. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open.
ANDERSON: Give us a ring - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
HAMMER: All right. The stage is set for an Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin smackdown. Palin`s going on "Oprah," but will there be fireworks? And what kinds of questions should Oprah ask?
Also, check out George Clooney`s new girlfriend. She is baring almost all. It`s for a new photo-spread. We`re asking, is this going to be the woman to make George say bye-bye to bachelorhood?
Also, Jon Gosselin goes looking for answers -
J. GOSSELIN: As a single dad, you know, what two or three values can I use to raise good kids?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Jon Gosselin right there in a synagogue in a family values conference. You`ve got to see this for yourself. 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: Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars." Taylor Swift scheduled to sing on "Dancing with the Stars" next week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Tracy Morgan dishes the dirt about his former "Saturday Night Live" colleagues. Tracy`s got a new book called "I am the New Black." In it, Tracy writes about his rise to stardom and being the low guy on the totem pole when he started out at "Saturday Night Live" back in 1996.
And he dishes about his former "SNL" costars, especially Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri. He writes, "I can remember especially those two people treating me like the invisible guy. Now, look where they`re at. Cheri Oteri - she can`t even get arrested. Where`s Chris Kattan now?"
Well, on the "Today" show, Matt Lauer asked Tracy about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: You say great things about Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels. You call them your Obi Wan Kenobi.
TRACY MORGAN, COMEDIAN: There`s my man.
LAUER: You don`t have nice things to say about Cheri Oteri and Chris Kattan.
MORGAN: Not that I don`t have nice things to say. It was just nothing was there. We never had a relationship. I don`t have anything against anybody. But what happened, happened.
If you ask me a question - any job - there are differences at any job, wherever you go. There are going to be people who don`t get along, don`t speak, so -
LAUER: So you didn`t get along?
MORGAN: No, it`s not that we didn`t get along. We never got, you know.
LAUER: You didn`t (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MORGAN: Yes. It wasn`t - none of that with them, too. But everybody else - we were like family. It`s just that that`s the nature of the business - very competitive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tracy Morgan`s new book, "I am the New Black," is on sale right now.
ANDERSON: The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page overrun with comments about Rihanna`s racy new picture. Take a look at this new photo promoting her new single. It`s Rihanna nearly nude, wrapped in barbed wire.
So we asked, with all that Rihanna has been through, the beating by Chris Brown, is this the right move for her?
We got a huge reaction on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. Rita N. writes, "Perhaps the recent events in her life are inspiring her to show a stronger side. The barbed wire may represent protection for her, keeping the bad forces out."
Angie C. writes, "I love it. She`s racy, daring and living her to her own standards. She doesn`t owe anybody anything, period."
I want to hear from you on Facebook. And also follow us on Twitter for breaking entertainment news alerts. Sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jon Gosselin goes on a spiritual quest for family values. Are you kidding me? It is true. Jon went to a synagogue asking for parenting advice. So you`ll just have to stick around and see this for yourself.
Also, the stage is set for an Oprah Winfrey-Sarah Palin smackdown. Palin is going on Oprah`s show, but will there be fireworks? And what should Oprah ask Palin?
And Chris Brown and Rihanna together again, at least in the headlines. We just saw Rihanna`s shocking new photo. Wait until you hear what Chris is up to. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Wilson Phillips singer Carnie Wilson to open up in new reality show for GSN. Eva Longoria and husband Tony Parker star in London Fog`s holiday ad.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J. GOSSELIN: As a single dad, you know, what two or three values can I use to raise good kids?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Jon Gosselin goes to temple? Tonight, Jon shows up in a synagogue seeking spiritual advice and to ask about family values. Seriously?
The Oprah Winfrey-Sarah Palin smack down. Big news - Palin is going on "Oprah." Will there be fireworks? Will they play nice? And what should Oprah ask?
And brand-new sexy pictures today of George Clooney`s hot new girlfriend. Is she the one who will tame George`s playboy ways?
Plus, more breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood. Tonight Jon Gosselin goes to temple?
HAMMER: That`s right, Brooke. Tonight, we have brand-new video of Jon Gosselin seeking spiritual advice at a New York temple. And it`s making for big news breaking today. Tonight, Jon Gosselin made an unexpected appearance at a seminar in New York City and asked a family values question.
It just so happened it was in front of hundreds of people and it just so happened to get caught on tape. Is Jon Gosselin really trying to be a better dad or is this just a great big PR move?
But wait, there is more. Wait until you hear the crazy story behind Jon Gosselin`s $10,000 demand to a Florida radio station.
ANDERSON: Oh, brother and shocking Oprah Winfrey news. She just nabbed the interview of a lifetime with former Republican VP pick and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. What will she ask? And seriously, can these two actually get along? A.J., I don`t know - there could be some big time fireworks here.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. I think this match-up is long overdue. And you know, Oprah Winfrey, trained broadcast professional.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HAMMER: Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Midwin Charles an attorney for Midwin Charles and Associates. Also in Hollywood tonight is Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent with "Extra."
All right. So Jon Gosselin wants a little spiritual advice. We have this brand-new video of Jon getting up before hundreds of people and asking a deep question to some celebrity advisors. You know their names - Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Dr. Mehmet Oz - and there were two other wise men there as well. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J. GOSSELIN: My question to the panel is - you know, obviously, I`m going through a divorce that is pretty public. And as a single dad, you know, what two or three values can I use to raise good kids?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. OK, Jon, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to you. I really want to believe you want to change your ways. I hate to be cynical about this. But Midwin, I will start with you. I`m sorry. This smacks of an enormous PR stunt. What do you think?
CHARLES: It really does. I mean, look. I`m always, for one, with people who are looking to change and find advice and counseling and what have you. But the manner in which this was done smacks of what Jon has been doing all along which is really courting the media.
I mean, this is really what he does best and has been doing for months now. So it does kind of smell a little suspicious. But hey, if he`s trying to get help, more power to him.
HAMMER: Yes. I guess - but it`s almost like the start of a bad joke. So a rabbi, a doctor and a reality show star go to temple. Actually, it was pretty serious stuff. I do want to you listen Rabbi Shmuley`s sage advice to Jon Gosselin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH: Your kids should not be on the show. I know you are fighting to get them off the show and I hope you are successful in that regard. But to the extent that you are a celebrity, consecrate your fame to a higher cause.
I hope that some of the things that you heard today, these values, you`ll share with others, because you hold the microphone to the world. You`ve become one of the most famous people in the country right now. And you can spread that very valuable message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Carlos, I mean, it is great advice. But if it`s not a PR stunt, you`ve got to wonder, why didn`t he talk to these guys in private?
DIAZ: A.J. just one second. Give me a second here. I mean, come on. Seriously - I mean, I have been saying this for so long. OK, A - it is a total PR stunt. I mean, you don`t just run into Rabbi Shmuley and go, "Oh, I`m going to ask him a question."
But B - this is what they should have been doing all along. It should have been about Jon and Kate, their divorce on TLC, move the kids out of the situation and you focus on that. And now, you are just getting that message. And Jon actually sounded contrite and you almost felt sorry for him there. But they are giving the milk away for free.
HAMMER: Yes. Let`s move on the business side of Jon because he does want to make some money for the milk, if that`s what we`ll call it tonight.
Brand-new revelations tonight about Jon`s wheeling and dealing. He has reportedly asked a Florida radio station for somewhere between $10,000 and $12,000 because they wanted him on for a one-hour appearance.
Midwin, I`ve got to ask - I mean, he is a huge celebrity. So is Jon worthy of that kind of dough? Or is he totally out of line asking for that to show up on a radio station?
CHARLES: Well, I think he`s not out of line. I mean, remember, he no longer has a job right now. He`s no longer collecting a check from TLC. And what else is he going to do? I mean, this is someone whose face was plastered on magazines and newsstands for the past six, eight, nine, 10 months.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: So he has to earn a living. And I guess this is how he is going to do it.
HAMMER: Brooke Anderson, come on back in here. Anything wrong with Jon trying to capitalize on his fame, making a little dough?
ANDERSON: Yes. I disagree with Midwin here and I love you, Midwin. But heck no - $10,000? If he did indeed ask for that load of cash, I think he is delusional. I mean, he does have to find some source of income to support his family - help support his family.
But come on. I wouldn`t pay the guy $10 to do it. He really needs to come back to earth pretty soon, A.J. That`s what I think.
And you know what? Right now, we do have to move on to a truly explosive brand-new announcement that Oprah Winfrey will be interviewing Sarah Palin.
Now, these two don`t seem like they`ll be natural bosom buddies. I mean, Oprah actively campaigned against her in 2008. But Carlos, do you think there will be some fireworks between these two?
DIAZ: Oh, I`m sorry - the producer in my ear is reminding me that I called this exactly last November that she would sit down with Oprah. I totally called this.
But no - you know what? Fireworks are good. It`s November sweeps. It`s the perfect time for Oprah. It`s a Monday. You know, people talk about it all week. And Sarah Palin needs Oprah to sell her book. Oprah kind of needs Sarah Palin for the ratings.
ANDERSON: Yes. And it is in the middle of sweeps so it is smart programming. It`s going to draw huge numbers, I`m sure.
Our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page already blowing up over this. Sarah C. writes, "I think Oprah will be civil, therefore there will not be fireworks. Although, it would be nice to see a little drama unfold between the two."
Jozie L. writes, "Palin better be ready for a thorough grilling especially if she is planning to run against Obama in 2012."
Midwin, do you think Oprah would actually be kind of tough on Palin? Because they do have different political views. Do you think she may come at her with some really challenging questions?
MIDWIN: I think she will come at her with challenging questions. But that`s what Oprah does. Oprah is a professional. She`s a journalist. And she always goes about things with credibility and integrity.
And so, of course, she`s going to come after her with challenging questions because that`s what people want to know. And no matter how you think about Sarah Palin, at the end of the day, she is a polarizing figure.
But she also has a lot of support. She has a huge fan base. And so a lot of people want to know, what was she thinking?
ANDERSON: Yes. And you know, I think she needs to be much better prepared this time than when she was with Katie Couric.
CHARLES: Let`s hope so.
ANDERSON: She`s got to get herself ready for this. That`s for sure. Carlos, I want to talk a little bit about the timing here, too. Because don`t you think Palin maybe should have done this interview a long time ago? It sort of feels like too little, too late, in a way.
DIAZ: No. In fact, it`s exactly what Midwin just said. You don`t go against the Oprah because she will take you to task. I mean, unless you know your P`s and Q`s, Oprah will find out what you do and don`t know.
But here`s the thing - I don`t think there`s going to be that many fireworks because everybody is happy. Oprah`s candidate won - Barack Obama. Sarah Palin is making a lot more money than she would have if she was vice president. And seeing the mess the country is in right, I think Sarah Palin is going, "You know what? I`m all good. I`m doing OK."
ANDERSON: yes. Oprah`s man won the race. Sarah Palin wants to sell her book. Midwin, what do you hope to see from this interview?
CHARLES: I hope to see a side of Sarah Palin that we haven`t seen thus far. I mean, we`ve all seen the jokes. We`ve seen the Tina Fey coverage. And we`ve also heard Sarah Palin in debates and what have you.
But I`m looking to hear another side of her. And I`m sure a lot of people are looking to hear explanations for what`s going on with her daughter and family and the kind of photo ops and at have you.
ANDERSON: Yes. Good point. We know that Oprah will go there. Midwin Charles, Carlos Diaz, it`s great to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: All right. So Chris Brown just announced his fan appreciation tour - two people paid attention to that - on the very same day Rihanna comes out with a brand-new song. So I`ve got to ask, is this a coincidence?
Also, Rihanna`s racy new photo, her jaw-dropping song called "Russian Roulette." You know, since she`s just back on the scene after her horrific beating by Chris Brown, people are wondering, is it Rihanna`s responsibility to be a role model and not do this type of stuff?
OK. I`ve got to tell you, I think George Clooney`s new girlfriend is absolutely beautiful. Wait until you see the brand-new photos of her. I`ve got them. They`re just out today. But does she know what she is getting into here? Will she be able to tame one of the biggest bachelors out there?
And making news right now. Are Rosie O`Donnell and her longtime partner splitting up? Well, Rosie speaks today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It is time now to roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Elizabeth Taylor gets a private screening of Michael Jackson`s movie, "This is It." Susan Boyle`s new album is the largest pre-order CD in Amazon.com history.
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HAMMER: Did you see this? Thrilling indeed. A thrilling Michael Jackson tribute on "Dancing with the Stars." The show`s professional dancers did a medley of Michael`s songs. They did "I Want You Back," "Man in the Mirror" and "Thriller," as you see there.
Michael`s mom, Katherine, sister La Toya and brother Jermaine are all in the audience. In fact, La Toya was the one to introduce the tribute and said that Michael was a big fan of the show. Hey, who knew?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Tonight, Rihanna-Chris Brown showdown. Both pop superstars make headline-making announcements on the very same day. Chris` mea culpa concert - Chris Brown announces a fan appreciation tour for supporters who stood by him following his arrest for brutally beating Rihanna.
Not to be outdone, Rihanna releases a shocking topless new photo to promote a brand-new song. Coincidence or calculated plan? And wait until you hear the explosive lyrics of her new song, "Russian Roulette."
Plus, George`s girlfriend strips. George Clooney`s new girlfriend in a smoking hot new "Maxim" magazine photo spread.
With me tonight from Washington, D.C., Jawn Murray who is a columnist for AOL Black Voices and an entertainment reporter for the "Tom Joyner Morning Show." And in New York tonight is Lauren Lake. She`s an attorney and the author of this great book, "Girl, Let Me Tell You."
OK, Jawn, Lauren, first, I want you to take a look at this jaw- dropping new picture of Rihanna promoting her upcoming album. And within hours of this shocker, Chris Brown reveals his big tour plan with a portion of the proceeds going to an anti-domestic violence program. Lauren, coincidence or outrageous calculated plan here?
LAUREN LAKE, ATTORNEY AND AUTHOR: I go for the latter. I don`t think anything in the entertainment business anymore is a coincidence. I think that truthfully, these two have received so much press together, such a publicized relationship and publicized break up.
You know what? They are going to keep working this publicity for what it`s worth. And you know, I have to say, Rihanna seems to be moving on with her life and her career. And Chris Brown is trying to make amends and move on with his as well.
ANDERSON: You know, I agree with you. I think there are very few accidents or coincidences especially like this one in Hollywood.
And as I`ve mentioned, Chris`s tour will benefit an anti-domestic violence charity. He said that he wants to be a role model after pleading guilty to brutally attacking Rihanna.
Jawn, are these two - what do you think - going to be forever linked even as they move forward from that awful life-changing incident?
JAWN MURRAY, COLUMNIST, AOL BLACK VOICES: Oh, I do. I do think they will always be linked together. I think it`s a coincidence.
ANDERSON: Oh, yes?
MURRAY: Now, I think both of them have projects coming out this fall. I think the timing is definitely eerie and ironic. But no matter what they do from this point on, people will always link the two together.
ANDERSON: Well, I certainly hope that these two are not sneaking around and spending time together. They obviously bring out the worst in one another. I do want to listen now though to Rihanna`s brand-new song that is all over the radio today. It`s called "Russian Roulette," leaves very little to the imagination.
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The song also ends with a gunshot. Lauren, is Rihanna here sort of thumbing her nose at people who wanted her to be a domestic violence role model by putting out this song? Or is it just a song?
LAKE: You know, I have said this over and over again. Everyone in America all of a sudden jumped on this bandwagon where we wanted this young girl to be the poster child for domestic violence.
And even though she was a victim of it, I think what she`s saying in this song is, "I`m moving on with my life." And I - you know, not to read too much into the lyrics because I haven`t heard the song all the way through.
But this "Russian Roulette" thing like, "Life is a gamble. Love is a gamble. I`m going for it anyway." And she`s making a huge statement that, "I`m not going to sit around here looking like, oh, the poor little victim. I`m striking back. I`m coming back hard. And I am a young woman with my own opinions and my own career and life." I think she is saying it.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know - and listen. I agree that she doesn`t have to do anything. She needs to heal. But I also think she has an amazing opportunity here to be a role model to other domestic violence victims. And I personally hope, at some point, she takes it.
OK. We are moving on because I`ve got to get tot this. George Clooney`s girlfriend strips for "Maxim" magazine. Elisabetta Canalis is the latest lovely lady to have stolen George`s heart. She is an Italian TV presenter, has had male fans breaking out in sweats over her for years.
Jawn, what do you think? Do you think that Elisabetta will be a good match for George since maybe she is a star in her own right?
MURRAY: Let me say this. Elisabetta is nobody`s dummy. I mean, George Clooney goes through women like Sherri Shepherd goes through wigs on "The View." She has to capitalize off of these 15 minutes. She has to leave an indelible impression on all of our minds because at any given moment, there could be a new woman here. And so I`m not mad at her. I`m not -
ANDERSON: Yes. I`m not -
MURRAY: We`re going to remember this one ...
ANDERSON: I`m not mad at her either.
MURRAY: ... because he has dated other high-profile women. There was Robin Givens and other actors. And so we know he has been with an assortment of women. But this one is going to leave an impression. At least, she has with me.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Sarah Larson, the last girl he was dating tried to capitalize on a modeling career. So they`re not dummies like you say.
And in a revealing new interview, George reveals even though he has had this bevy of women that he has been unlucky in love.
He tells London`s "Daily Mirror," "I`ve had some absolutely great relationships and some not-so-great relationships. I`ve been in some relationships where I felt terribly alone."
Now, this is quite a confession from George. Lauren, very quickly, you think Elisabetta has what it takes to finally make him settle down?
LAKE: I think she is older and sexy and mature. And most importantly, she has her own life. And you know what? Go for something different than coat check girls for a change, George. See what happens.
ANDERSON: No doubt about it. The girl is gorgeous. Jawn Murray, Lauren Lake, we`ll leave it there. Thanks.
HAMMER: "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert is really steaming things up in his brand-new "Details" magazine photo shoot. Let me tell you, if you didn`t know that Adam was gay, you wouldn`t be able to tell from this super-sexy photo spread.
In fact, these are only the photos that I can safely show you without getting fired, if you know what I`m saying. The other ones feature Adam with his hands all over a naked woman.
And when this guy goes out in public, women throw themselves at him. About that, Adam says, "I am gay, but I like kissing women sometimes. Women are pretty. It doesn`t mean I`m necessarily sleeping with them."
Check out the full interview with Adam and, yes, the pictures in the November issue of "Details." It will be on newsstands, October 27th.
ANDERSON: Shocking news about Rosie O`Donnell. Is she splitting up with her longtime partner, Kelli Carpenter? Now, these two have four kids, seem to be a perfect match, very compatible. But Rosie is speaking out today and things don`t sound good. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Bon Jovi to play kickoff concert at new Giants-Jets stadium in New Jersey. "The Beatles: Rock Band" was the bestselling music video game in September.
HAMMER: Thank you, Charles and Neil. And welcome back. Are Rosie O`Donnell and her longtime partner splitting up? Well, in a brand-new interview with "USA Today" Rosie says her five-year marriage to Kelli Carpenter is in trouble.
Now, Rosie didn`t deny reports that things have gotten so bad that Kelli moved out of their house. In the interview, Rosie, apparently in tears, goes on to say this about Kelli and their four children.
"Kelli and I love each other very much and we are working on our issues. Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties. But everything`s fine and everybody`s good and we`re still both raising them together. We will both continue to parent them and we`re friendly and everything`s all right.
ANDERSON: And making news right now, George Lopez` new emotional revelations. Plus, will he run for mayor of Los Angeles?
Now, George is a great, great guy. And he`s also a big part of CNN`s amazing series, "LATINO IN AMERICA," which just premiered tonight. George was also just on "LARRY KING LIVE."
I want you to take a look at how emotional George got when Soledad O`Brien, who was hosting "LATINO IN AMERICA" showed him some pictures of his idols and people he worked with on his ABC sitcom which ran from 2002 through 2007.
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SOLEDAD O`BRIEN, HOST, "LATINO IN AMERICA": We showed Lopez a stack of photos featuring Latino TV and film icons. Desi Arnaz -
GEORGE LOPEZ, ACTOR: That man right there created the way that we shoot the sitcom.
O`BRIEN: You don`t like that picture?
LOPEZ: Yes, I do like that picture. I didn`t expect it to come out. It is very emotional. I mean, it is - you know, yes.
O`BRIEN: You`re sort of choked up about this.
LOPEZ: I am - very emotional. And you know, I love them and they helped me, you know, create something that I thought would never be done.
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ANDERSON: Now, Larry asked George if he ever plans to run for public office.
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LOPEZ: I will not seek the office of the mayor, although, I think my English is good enough to be governor.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Did you ever have political designs?
LOPEZ: No, no. I wouldn`t pass the background check.
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ANDERSON: Very funny guy. George has a new talk show premiering November 9th on our sister station, TBS. And you can catch part two of "LATINO IN AMERICA" Thursday night on CNN.
HAMMER: So on Tuesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, yes, I was handed the final results - "Kids on Reality TV: Is it bad for them?" It is - look at that. Ninety- three percent say yes; only seven percent say no.
Among the E-mails, John in Illinois thinks, "Kids should never be placed on reality shows because they are too vulnerable. When your actions are being scrutinized on a reality show, you`re going to let the public`s reaction tell you who you are."
But R from Michigan says, "I say give the balloon guy his own show so he can pay back the expense of this stunt!"
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, 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 on HLN. Take care.
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