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Showbiz Tonight
Steve Phillips` Sex Shocker; Brand-New Developments in the Michael Jackson Case; Katherine Jackson Speaks Out; Chris Brown`s Beef with Oprah; A Stunning Development in the Travolta Extortion Case
Aired October 22, 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: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brand-new shocking developments in the ESPN sex shocker. Did Steve Phillips` mistress try to get him to his family`s home? A frightening new 911 call is released.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MARNI PHILLIPS, STEVE PHILLIPS` WIFE: I have a crazy woman, who was involved with my husband, and she has come to my house.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, should the married baseball analyst who had an affair with a much younger coworker get fired?
Brand-new developments in the Michael Jackson case. Newly released documents on the investigation into his death. Brand-new clips from the Michael Jackson movie, "This Is It." And Katherine Jackson speaks out for the first time. Will she see the movie?
Plus, Chris Brown speaks out about his feelings for Rihanna and why he`s still upset with Oprah. Is it time to forgive Chris?
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.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
TV sportscaster Steve Phillips is in hot water over his affair with a 22-year-old ESPN production assistant.
HAMMER: And tonight, the ESPN sex scandal just even got more shocking. A just-released 911 tape is putting a dramatic, frightening new spin on this already outrageous tale of sex, lies and TV.
On this new tape, you can hear Phillips` wife desperately calling for help, saying she fears for her family`s safety as her husband`s former mistress shows up at the family home. And that is just the beginning of a sordid affair that is making for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Some are calling it a modern day "Fatal Attraction" story.
KATRINA SZISH, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: It might even top "Fatal Attraction" even though there isn`t a bunny involved.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this is not a movie, but a real-life sex scandal that like the David Letterman scandal has set the gossip pages on fire. This one also involves a dashing and married TV personality, ESPN baseball analyst and former New York Mets general manager, Steve Phillips.
STEVE PHILLIPS, ESPN BASEBALL ANALYST: He doesn`t pass the gut check for me.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Phillips is admitting to an affair with a young production assistant, 22-year-old Brooke Hundley who allegedly went to the dark side, way to the dark side after Phillips ended things.
JO PIAZZA, AOL POPEATER: According to Steve, they only had three intimate encounters before he broke it off which led Brooke to go all "Fatal Attraction."
HAMMER: According to police reports filed by Phillips, his wife and 16- year-old son, after Phillips ended their brief affair this summer, the young woman began calling Phillips` wife and sending her letters.
In this letter obtained by the "New York Post," Hundley allegedly writes to Phillips` wife, quote, "I`m a real person in his life and I care deeply about his happiness. I`m coming out now because I`m sick of hiding and sneaking around behind your back."
PIAZZA: She even went so far as to describe birthmarks that Steve had in his very personal regions. She said things like, "We both can`t have him. I just want him to be happy."
SZISH: It really makes you realize that this is a terrifying situation.
HAMMER: It got even more terrifying because Hundley allegedly tried to confront Phillips` wife at their home.
M. PHILLIPS: I have a crazy woman who is involved with my husband and she has come to my house to harm me and my children.
HAMMER: TMZ obtained the frantic 911 call placed by Phillips` wife Marni. She tells police she saw Hundley at the Phillips` home while Marni was alone with their seven-year-old son.
M. PHILLIPS: Oh, my god. She`s going down my driveway and down the street. It`s a blue car. It`s a blue sedan.
911 OPERATOR: OK. I`m sending officers right now.
M. PHILLIPS: Please hurry.
911 OPERATOR: Did she confront you? Did she threaten you?
M. PHILLIPS: She has been threatening me via text and phone calls.
HAMMER: Plus, Phillips` 16-year-old son tells police that Hundley also harassed him via text and Facebook to get dirt on his dad. In this police report, the teen says, quote, "She asked specific, inappropriate questions about my parents. `Do they sleep in the same bed? Do you think they will be getting a divorce?`"
SZISH: Let me tell you, as a 16-year-old, you don`t even want to be thinking of your parents that way. The questions that were asked were completely over the line.
HAMMER: In a statement to police, a clearly frightened Steve Phillips says about his ex-mistress, quote, "This woman has clearly displayed erratic behavior and delusional tendencies. I have extreme concerns about the health and safety of my kids and myself."
SZISH: This is not just about an affair. This is about a potentially very dangerous situation. And I think luckily, it didn`t escalate as far as perhaps it could have.
HAMMER: Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you ESPN has been rocked by the sex scandal. Phillips is on a leave of absence and his wife has filed for divorce.
In a statement, he says, quote, "I am deeply sorry that I have put my family and colleagues through this." But some are not ready to forgive Phillips whose past affairs have also become public.
SZISH: Frankly, it`s disgusting and it`s really unfortunate that he has done this, not only to his wife, but truly set such a bad example for his four sons.
HAMMER: As for Hundley, ESPN tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she is still an employee. And police tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Phillips dropped the issue and she will not be charged. But as we always see in these public sex scandals, everyone involved has been burned.
SZISH: It does seem to be an epidemic. It`s like, you know, it affects politicians. And then you`ve got Letterman involved. And here`s that baseball analyst. You just kind of think, "Guys, you know, get it together. Why is this something you feel the need to do?"
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. No, kidding. Well, whatever Phillips` reasons for having the affair, he probably couldn`t have imagined it would end up like this. He lost his wife, his reputation. So a lot of people are asking, should he lose his job over this whole scandal?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Jess Weiner who is the creator of the self esteem Web site, JessWeiner.com. Tonight, in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
And Carlos, my friend, let me begin with you. When you hear such an outrageous and tangled story, I am thinking it`s kind of hard to know who the bigger offender is here. Is it Steve Phillips for cheating on his wife with a 22-year-old? Or is it Brooke, his production assistant for such threatening behavior?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": You know, I will have to go with they are both wrong in this one. I mean it`s never right at all to cheat on your wife. So he made the first mistake by cheating on his wife.
But her behavior after this is terrible. And it really is kind of a fatal attraction move to be broken up with and then try to mess with the relationship of the person that broke up with you.
But I have to go with Steve Phillips being more wrong because he has done it before. He should have learned his lesson. He`s bringing ESPN down with him because this should be a time when we`re talking about baseball instead of talking about Steve Phillips. And you know, basically it`s kind of a black eye on ESPN at this very, very important time for them, the baseball pro-season.
HAMMER: Yes. This guy was actually sued for sexual harassment back in 1998. That was when he was the general manager for the Mets. He obviously didn`t learn his lesson then.
So he`s already lost his wife. Jess, do you think he should also lose his job over this? Or should his personal life be out of bounds here?
JESSICA WEINER, CREATOR, JESSICAWEINER.COM: You know, A.J., all joking about "Fatal Attraction" aside because it`s easy to do and it`s an easy reference. But this is a really scary situation for his children and for his wife.
But I think Steve Phillips is a chronic offender in this area. I think he needs serious psychiatric help. And I think this is the conversation we are having now about corporate America with David Letterman and Steve Phillips.
Should they be punished and lose their jobs? If we were talking about Joe Smith from Iowa who slept the secretary or an assistant, would we be more outraged that he should lose his job?
I think sometimes we let fame and celebrity get in the way of this judgment. And I think Steve Phillips, since this isn`t the first time and he should have thought about all he was going to lose before he made the choices that he made.
HAMMER: Yes. And it really what it does come down to regardless of any personal judgments we may have, whatever the company`s policy may have been. If it says, you know, you can`t be involved with people who work with you or for you, then you are out on your butt.
Let us move on to another big-time TV guy involved in a sex scandal. David Letterman still feeling the heat after he admitted to sleeping with women who worked for him.
And today, the National Organization for Women wrote a really angry letter to Letterman`s production company which unfortunately is called Worldwide Pants, calling their work environment toxic for women. They demanded a meeting.
But Letterman`s company simply said, "You know what? Three out of four executive producers on our show are women." They also said that among the "Late Night" staff, 58 percent are women.
Jess, let me go back to you on this. A lot of people of would say, "That`s a pretty lame response."
WEINER: It is a lame response. And the guy who made it is a guy and David Letterman didn`t want to sleep with him probably. So I think what goes on here, though, A.J. - we have just to take apart the layers here. Again, this is about power and this is about workplace power.
And it is not equitable for women in the workplace contrary to popular belief. It is still a place where women need to sort of walk a fine line being powerful.
And if they`re too powerful, they`re called a bitch. And if they are involved with coworkers or they wear kind of revealing clothes to work, then they`re kind of looked as using their body and their sexuality to gain favors.
So it`s not an even playing field. David Letterman is a boss. He manages a company of people. He has to lead by example and set the tone and if this was one time, a one-time experience and he was deeply sorry, I think we have a different sensibility.
HAMMER: Yes.
WEINER: But again, this is a chronic issue for him and we love Dave. Nobody wants to look at his behavior. But we have to see through the celebrity and look at the action and the influence that it does have in a work place.
Again, if this was Middle America and not CBS, would we be having a different opinion about this?
HAMMER: Yes. But despite all of that, Letterman`s human resources department says in their defense, they have no complaints on record. They`ve talked to all the female employees.
Carlos, quickly, do you think they have any obligations to sit down with the women`s group even to save face?
DIAZ: Obligated, no. Should they? Yes. I mean, just open the books. You know, I mean, let them in. You know, let NOW in - you know, meet with them. It`s just a great PR move. It`s a great smoothing-over technique. What can it hurt?
HAMMER: Yes, I agree. I`ve got to end it there, Jess.
WEINER: But don`t (INAUDIBLE) placate now.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: It`s not to placate, but I do think they should do it because some good could come out of it that they couldn`t anticipate. Carlos Diaz, Jess Weiner, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Chris Brown`s brand-new interview. Guess what? He is still mad at Oprah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So Oprah gets on the TV and says -
CHRIS BROWN, SINGER: Can I clear that up first?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are definitely mad at Oprah.
BROWN: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So why is Chris holding a grudge against Oprah? And we`re asking the controversial question - is it time to forgive Chris for beating Rihanna? We`ve got the heated debate.
Also, brand-new Michael Jackson bombshells - new documents revealed just today in the investigation into his death. So what do they show?
Plus, your first look at brand-new footage from the Michael Jackson film, "This is It."
And truly a shocker in the John Travolta extortion case. I tell you, nobody saw this coming. You are not going to believe what happened and what happened next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Let`s roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom. They are making news right now.
TEXT: Roman Polanski`s lawyers split on his possible surrender to United States. Paul McCartney plans European tour in December.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: All right. Did you see this? One of the hottest Halloween costumes this year - no surprise, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star Kate Gosselin.
Check this out. This is called the "eight is enough" wig with Kate`s signature reverse mullet hairstyle. The wig goes for about $20. The eight kids - they`re not included.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson. Tonight, grab a mop. That was the message from President Obama to his critics who are saying he hasn`t done enough since taking office in January.
Well, the crowd liked the metaphor so much they even started their own mop chant. Now, from late night TV to the Internet, everybody is putting their own twist on the mop metaphor. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He is chortling. He`s chuckling. Not even a mop could wipe the smile off the president`s face.
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Now, for every mop, my mop. With a mop cleaning up somebody else`s mess.
MOOS (on camera): It`s one thing for a politician to wrap himself with the American flag, but to wrap yourself in a mop?
(voice-over): President Obama is trying to mop the floor with critics who go after him for not having fixed the country`s problems yet.
BARACK: We don`t want somebody sitting back saying, "You`re not holding the mop the right way."
MOOS: Not since Gene Kelly practically made love to one has such attention been lavished on a mop.
(MUSIC)
OBAMA: Don`t stand there and say you are not mopping fast enough. Don`t accuse me of having a socialist mop.
MOOS: That`s exactly what some are saying. There is even a socialist mop tie for sale. Critics of the president say the mop stops here lest President Obama can`t keep blaming his predecessor for the mess.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST: And then he says, "You`re not holding it up the right way. Well, there is a right way to hold the mop. And use the one (INAUDIBLE) mop is a socialist. Boys - I hate boys.
MOOS: Conservatives seem to take the mop riff as a slap in the face. Everyone is putting their own twist on the metaphor.
(MUSIC)
Even Jay Leno.
OBAMA: Why don`t you grab a mop? Why don`t you help clean up? You are not holding the mop the right way. That`s a socialist mop.
MOOS: President Obama`s supporters even taunted the opposition.
CROWD: Grab a mop!
OBAMA: That`s right.
MOOS: While Mrs. Obama is grabbing a hula hoop to promote exercise for kids, Mr. Obama is grabbing his imaginary mop.
OBAMA: You are not holding the mop the right way.
MOOS: More critics call it stupid and maybe should kick the bucket. The president is holding on to the metaphor of the dog with the mop.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And the clip you just saw of Michelle Obama hula-hooping, A.J..
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Here`s a fun fact. She was able to get a whopping 142 swivels in before the hula hoop hit the ground.
HAMMER: 142 - holly molly! All right. Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been slammed. A lot of people are calling in very (INAUDIBLE) about Jon Gosselin going to a family values event at a synagogue, looking for parenting advice.
ANDERSON: Yes, that`s right. We got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Carole in Ohio. She says the whole thing was just another ploy to get some time on camera.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: He never misses a chance to get out there and get publicity. If he really wants spiritual - to show how to raise his kids, he would be home praying with them instead of going out, gallivanting around all those happy parties he goes to.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Carole.
HAMMER: We also heard from Latrice calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Texas who says both Jon and Kate need to get their acts together.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: Jon and Kate both need to realize it`s not about them. It`s about their children who will be grown some day and will look and see how they`re bashing each other on national television. And they need to think about the kids, leave the reality show, go and do what`s best for the kids and not for themselves.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Latrice. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" to let us know what you`re thinking about.
ANDERSON: And remember, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open. Call us at 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. And your calls to "Showbiz on Call" are also now online - that`s on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: Is Chris Brown still mad at Oprah Winfrey? In a brand-new interview today, Chris talks about whether he is holding a grudge against Oprah.
Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, is it time to forgive Chris for beating Rihanna?
Also David Beckham gets caught. I`m going to tell you what Becks did caught on camera that is against the law.
And just when you thought this infomercial couldn`t get any better.
(MUSIC)
Just wait until you hear the techno remakes. It`s the ShamWow song that is soaking up the spotlight. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Michael Buble tops U.S. album chart for second week in a row. "Law and Order" stars to lobby Congress to do more to stop child abuse.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Tonight, SHOWBIZ caught on camera. You know, bend it like Beckham, right? But how about send it like Beckham as in a text message while driving? That`s right. Becks got busted big time texting and driving.
He was leaving soccer practice for the L.A. Galaxy. It`s illegal to text while driving in California. But he is not the only star doing it. Maria Shriver also got caught using her cell phone while driving plenty of times.
HAMMER: Well, Nicole Kidman was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. She was speaking out about whether Hollywood actually contributes violence against women. Kidman was testifying before a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.
She said Hollywood probably has played a role in contributing to violence against women by portraying them as weak and as sex objects. And she said she personally stays away from those kinds of roles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE KIDMAN, ACTRESS: I get offered films often that depict violence against women. And if I feel that it`s exploitive or that would actually demean women, then I`m not interested and I pass. I can`t be responsible for the whole of Hollywood, but I can certainly be responsible for my own career.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kidman spoke to the committee as part of her role as good will ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. She is promoting the International Violence Against Women Act.
ANDERSON: We are getting a lot of comments on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page about Sarah Palin going on the "Oprah Winfrey Show." That interview is supposed to happen next month. And according to a lot of our Facebook comments it may not be a good move for Palin.
Douglas B. writes, "Palin already does not do well in interviews and Oprah will make her look like an amateur."
Helen B. writes, "I think Oprah should ask her why she quit her job as governor. Sarah is just another money hungry wannabe politician."
I want to hear from you on Facebook. 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 lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
So is Chris Brown still mad at Oprah Winfrey?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So Oprah gets on TV and says.
BROWN: Can I clear that up first?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`ve got to be mad at Oprah.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So is Chris holding a grudge again Oprah? And if so, why? Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, is it time to forgive Chris Brown for beating Rihanna?
Also brand-new, Michael Jackson bombshell. New documents revealed just today in the investigation into his death. So what do these documents show? Plus, we`ve got your first look at brand-new incredible footage from the Michael Jackson movie, "This Is It." And Jackson`s mother speaking out.
And a stunning turn of events in the trial of the people who tried to extort millions of dollars from John Travolta in the aftermath of his son`s death. You are not going to believe what happened at this trial. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Wolverine" is the bestselling Blu-Ray disc of 2009 so far. Rapper Lil` Wayne pleads guilty to attempted weapons possession, one-year sentence expected.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new Michael Jackson bombshells. Tonight, Katherine Jackson speaks out for the very first time since the death of her son.
Plus, new documents revealed in the investigation into Michael`s death. And your very first look at brand-new footage from Michael`s movie, "This Is It."
Chris Brown`s shocking new interview. Tonight, why he is still mad at Oprah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So Oprah gets on TV and says.
BROWN: Can I clear that up first?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`ve got to be mad at Oprah.
BROWN: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chris Brown versus Oprah. Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks the controversial question, is it time to forgive Chris for beating Rihanna?
Also the shocking decision of John Travolta $25 million extortion case.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s first most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: 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: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
Tonight, new breaking bombshells today in the Michael Jackson`s death investigation. Plus, your first look at brand-new footage from Michael`s final rehearsals.
HAMMER: All right. The breaking development new today. A Nevada judge ruled to unseal documents revealing exactly what police were looking for at the home and office of Dr. Conrad Murray. He, of course, is the guy who is suspected of administering the lethal dose of propofol that killed Michael Jackson.
And in more news breaking, Jackson`s mother, Katherine, is speaking out for the first time since he died. Wait until you hear what she said about the new Michael Jackson movie. Is she going to go out and see it?
And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will show you an amazing brand-new look at footage from "This Is It." It`s the controversial movie featuring Michael`s last concert rehearsals just days before his death. Wait until you see how he looks and sounds.
Joining me tonight in New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell who is the host of HLN`s "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL," and the author of the fine new book - you`ve got to go out and get it, "I Want." Also in New York, Jean Casarez who is a legal correspondent for "In Session."
I do want to begin with your dramatic first look at Michael Jackson`s film, "This is It." Now, the film is not going to hit theaters until next Wednesday. But today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a hold of some brand-new scenes from the movie which shows Jackson rehearsing for his London concert series just days before he died. Check out Michael performing "The Way You Make Me Feel."
(MUSIC)
You know, it is hard to get away from the idea when you see him move around on stage and hearing his voice and watching him perform, set against the backdrop of the fact that he died just days later. I mean, Jane, that is pretty remarkable, isn`t it?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": It`s astounding. It is actually mind-boggling. We`ve heard so much about his illness, in being emaciated, him suffering from insomnia. Well, if you`ve got all that going on, it`s very hard to do a spin and land perfectly on both feet. And you see him doing precisely that.
For me, it`s especially astounding because I covered his criminal trial in 2005. He was often in the hospital. When he walked into court, he had somebody on either elbow almost carrying him in and out. We have seen pictures of him in a wheelchair.
So this is absolutely the polar opposite. And it just reminds me that it`s always hard to tell what`s fiction and what`s fact when it comes to Michael Jackson. And it was always a case of smoke-and-mirrors. And we always wondered is that falsetto voice really his voice. Does he talk like a regular guy when nobody is watching? You never know exactly what is going on.
HAMMER: Yes. And we all know that a lot of people are going to go out to see the movie because they are curious. They want to see what kind of shape Michael was in before he died.
Now, obviously, it`s no surprise that filmmakers wanted to show Jackson on his game, at his strongest. So Jean, at least based on the footage that we are seeing here, I think it`s easy to suggest that Michael probably could have pulled off 50 concerts.
JEAN CASAREZ, LEGAL CONSULTANT, "IN SESSION": That`s right. I think what they are saying the 50 concerts weren`t going to be one after the other. There was going to be a little bit of time span.
But when I look at this and it`s going to released next week in whole as the movie, I think about the criminal investigation. There is an investigation that`s taking place right now. The death was ruled a homicide - death at the hands of another.
We don`t know if charges will come, but there is a potential jury pool that will look at him appearing very fit, striding up and down the stage and rehearsals are tough.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s a really good point. And a lot of people through all of this have been questioning the timing of the film`s release. And it was put into production pretty quickly after he died.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT sat down with the film`s director. Kenny Ortega is that guy. And he spoke with us about how it felt putting this movie together so soon after Jackson`s death. You`ve got to watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KENNY ORTEGA, DIRECTOR, "THIS IS IT": I thought I`d collapse. I`d never get through it, you know. It`s just too hard, too soon. But in fact, it was healing and helpful.
I think in this film, it`s that kind of experience. Michael is very present, very much alive, very much in the moment and you feel that. I`m looking forward to sharing that with the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, he says it was healing. He says it was helpful. A lot of people are saying releasing the film just four months after Michael`s death just plain tacky and greedy.
Brooke Anderson, come on back in here. I`ve got to get your take on this. What do you think? Bad timing or was it just the right move?
ANDERSON: You know, I think it`s the right move, A.J. And I think it`s going to bring some closure to all of his fans out there. You take a look at these clips and you see that it really honors Michael Jackson as a talented performer.
I don`t think it`s tacky at all. And you watch it - he looks crisp as Jane and Jean said. He`s still hitting those moves. And it`s smart business. They need to capitalize now. They don`t need to wait until the interest is not as high. I don`t think that`s greedy because it`s not really exploiting him. It seems to be honoring him.
HAMMER: And the film is selling out everywhere. Jane, do you think it`s more about the true fans wanting to see performance? Or do you think there`s a lot of morbid curiosity out there?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It`s a combination of both, A.J. There is a lot of ardent fans who want to forget about all about Michael Jackson`s troubles and simply enjoy and relish his music.
1 But then, there`s a whole other set of people who are absolutely obsessed with all the troubles of a criminal trial where he was acquitted, of the talk of drug addiction and they have that morbid curiosity. So I basically think it`s going to be a big hit because everybody wants to see it for different reasons.
HAMMER: Yes. And of course, it`s in this limited run. I`m certain it will be out as a mastered DVD set before too long.
Somebody who obviously suffered a great deal through the whole ordeal - Michael Jackson`s mother who we love so much, Katherine. Today, we are hearing for the very first time from Katherine since she lost her superstar son. Just this week, "Dancing with the Stars" did this amazing tribute to Michael. Katherine told "Access Hollywood" how much that meant to her. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: I loved it. I thought they did a really, really wonderful, beautiful job. This is my first time at "Dancing with the Stars." And I`m looking forward to coming back. I had a really nice time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We understand Michael was a fan of the show.
K. JACKSON: You know Michael - he loves to dance. And he`d watched them because he loved to watch the dancers and especially the stars that are dancing. Because some of them are - can`t dance a bit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Really heartwarming seeing her smiling like that. Jean, off to you. Great to see her with a smile on her face, especially when you consider the ugly legal mess still going on over Jackson`s estate.
CASAREZ: That`s right. It`s foolproof in court. You know, I think it`s so wonderful they did the tribute. I think it`s even more wonderful that she went. And I`m sure she was touched. I`m sure it was so emotional for her.
But this is a very powerful woman. She is not only the legal guardian of the children, but she definitely has some control over that estate and all the issues that are coming from that.
HAMMER: A lot of people are wondering, though, will the Jackson family go to see the movie? "Access Hollywood" did ask Katherine if she plans on seeing the film next week. Watch what she told them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. JACKSON: That`s been a question they have been asking me. I don`t think I can bear to look at it right now. But eventually, in time, I will watch it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, not going to see it right away. Jane, quickly, you can`t blame her, can you?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: No, of course not. That`s got to be traumatizing because there is her precious son whom she lost. And he is there, seemingly alive and full of life, but yet, he is not here with us. And it is a tragic passing. He died way too young.
HAMMER: Yes. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Jean Casarez, thanks, guys. I do appreciate it.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Chris Brown is speaking out in a brand-new interview. And this guy is still mad at Oprah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So Oprah gets on the TV and says.
BROWN: Can I clear that up first?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`ve got to be mad at Oprah.
BROWN: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Chris versus Oprah again? What`s his beef now? Plus, tonight, we are asking is it time to forgive Chris for beating Rihanna? There are even some big stars coming to his side. The fired-up debate.
Also making news right now, a stunning move in the John Travolta extortion trial. I don`t think anyone saw this coming.
And get ready to say wow when you see this hysterical ShamWow song.
(MUSIC)
You can use it anywhere. It holes tons of water. And now, it`s all mixed up. The incredible ShamWow remix. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Elizabeth Taylor takes two of Michael Jackson`s kids to Universal Studios. Online TV site Hulu.com to start charging for content as soon as 2010.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, there`s a stunning development in the John Travolta extortion trial. A Bahamian judge has declared a mistrial. There is evidence that someone on the jury which was still deliberating may have linked the verdict to a lawmaker.
Listen to the sound that TMZ got a hold of, of the lawmaker announcing that one of the defendants was off the hook. And this happened at a political party last night.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we have some good news, PLP. Pleasant Bridgewater is a free woman. PLP! God is good, PLP. Pleasant is a free woman, PLP.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, PLP is the Progressive Liberal Party and Pleasant Bridgewater is one of the people accused of demanding $25 million to keep quiet about details surrounding the death of Travolta`s teenage son, Jett. The judge has now ordered a new trial.
ANDERSON: Tonight, Chris Brown`s explosive new confessions about Rihanna and his big beef with Oprah Winfrey. What is that all about?
In Brown`s first radio interview since pleading guilty to brutally attacking Rihanna, he says he is totally ticked off that Oprah took sides in this domestic violence case.
Plus, Chris reveals intimate details about the emotional call he got from Will Smith after his arrest. Is it time for everyone to forgive Chris Brown?
And we`ve got the shocking brand-new results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. We asked, "Is Rihanna obligated to be a role model?"
With me here in Hollywood is Jess Weiner. She is the creator of the self esteem Web site, JessWeiner.com. In New York tonight, Marvet Britto. She is a celebrity publicist and brand strategist.
Jess, Marvet, Chris Brown is going on tour to thank fans who stood by him after his domestic violence case. But now, he`s lashing out at one of the biggest critics - Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah slammed Chris on her show warning her if he hit once, he`d do it again. Chris told Hot 97`s Angie Martinez that he was blindsided by Oprah`s attack.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BROWN: I just felt that, at the time, I needed a helping hand, not saying to boost my career - just me as a person. For her to reach out and just talk to me and Rihanna or Sam Mendes and make it like look, "This is what it is. This is wrong. This is right. This is right. This is not what it`s supposed to be or whatever the case maybe.
And maybe - I`m not even saying have me on her show, but make it to where.
ANGIE MARTINEZ, HOT 97: Help.
BROWN: Yes, help - just help. That`s all I was asking for. Because at the end of the day, I thought we had that relationship where it could be like that.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. I get that he is disappointed that Oprah did not support him, but Marvet, why does he still act like he is the victim here? He`s the one that slammed Rihanna`s head into a car window.
MARVET BRITTO, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: Absolutely, and Oprah`s only obligation is to her audience. You know, what she said to Rihanna was simply the facts that if a man hits you once, he will hit you again.
Oprah doesn`t owe Chris anything. And I think he might be looking for love in all the wrong places. She is not his parent. And the advice she gave to the audience, which was predominantly women, was truthful, correct, proper guidance. And that`s all that Oprah is expected to do.
ANDERSON: Yes. It was great advice from Oprah. It sounds like just a bunch of whining to me from Chris Brown. And another shocking confession here, Chris says that Will Smith was actually one of the few stars to reach out to him with amazing words of encouragement. Chris admits he was stunned, but pretty grateful for the call.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BROWN: When the situation went down like - and certain people that called me, like Will Smith called me. And he was like really talking to me one on one, man to man.
MARTINEZ: Will Smith?
BROWN: Yes. Like real.
MARTINEZ: Did you know him before?
BROWN: I met him at a couple of events. I spoke to his kids and different things like that. But he actually reached out a hand to help. You know what I`m saying. He really was a man that - as a young black man myself, I need older black men role models to step in and like, "Look man, this is not how you do things."
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. This is not how you do things. I think Chris having someone like Will Smith as a mentor is awesome. And hopefully, Chris will never harm anybody again. But Jess, do you think it`s time, that said, to forgive Chris Brown? Or is leaving Rihanna bloodied and bruised unforgivable?
WEINER: Look, I don`t know Chris Brown, so it`s not up to me to forgive him or not. This is what I will tell you.
ANDERSON: Yes, it is. What would you do?
WEINER: All right. Well, here`s the deal then. If it is up to me, then no, because I think this is the biggest bunch of malarkey I have ever heard in my entire life, Brooke.
Here is the deal. He is a complete idiot around this right now. He is playing the PR game. I`m sure he is, like, not as remorseful as he needs to be. He`s not getting the point as it was said earlier.
It`s not anyone else is responsibility to teach him how to control his anger and how to look at some of the demons in his life. That is up for him to do.
I will believe, Brooke, and I will forgive him when he dedicates all proceeds to this tour to every domestic crisis shelter in the country. Then I`ll believe him.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know - and a portion of the proceeds is going to a domestic violence charity, but not all. And you are right. It`s a bunch of malarkey too. I want him to be sincere.
He also says this new interview is the last time he is going to publicly talk about the Rihanna attack. It`s been eight months. We still have not heard word one from Rihanna speaking of her. Marvet, do you think Rihanna owes it to her fans to finally speak out?
BRITTO: I think she does as a role model and she is a role model. The day she signed on to represent CoverGirl, she became a role model that day. So yes, you do owe it to your fans because they do want to know how you dealt with this. How did you forgive him? Why did you forgive him?
You know, but I think, more importantly, Chris should be allowed, you know, to move past this pain and to redeem himself. We can`t hold this kid`s future hostage by his past. But Rihanna and him.
WEINER: No, but we also can do things, Marvet. I think we can also have conversations right now that don`t let celebrities off the hook so easy.
BRITTO: No, no, no. And we are not letting him off the hook, but we also aren`t here to judge. And we can`t let people push past the pain of their mistakes onto their future if we hold their past hostage.
WEINER: He needs to do that.
ANDERSON: But Chris Brown should stop acting like a victim and be remorseful, genuinely remorseful. Jess Weiner, Marvet Britto, we do have to leave it there for now. Thank you both.
HAMMER: Right now, did you see this? The ShamWow remix. Another big time infomercial getting a techno treatment. This time, it`s the ShamWow. You know, the super-towel that soaks up tons of water. Tonight, SHOWBIZ operators are standing by with your first look. And listen.
(MUSIC)
Yes. It`s kind of catchy, right? And just for kicks, can we play the other remix? The same TV guy, different product. You know, the Slap Chop. Charles, do we have that? Can we play that, please?
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: My troubles feel slapped away. Love that part. But I`ve got to say some people do have too much time in their hands.
ANDERSON: Yes, they do, A.J. OK. Stay put because we`ve got your first look at John Travolta`s new film. And it is really all in the family. His wife Kelly Preston co-stars and it`s their daughter`s Ella Bleu`s very first film. And it is really funny, too. Robin Williams is in it. It is good to the Travoltas family getting some laughs. They deserve it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Khloe Kardashian`s wedding to L.A. Lakers star Lamar Odom to air on E! November 8th. Madonna allows "Glee" to use her song for an upcoming episode.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, your first look at John Travolta`s new movie. This is called "Old Dog." This stars Travolta, his wife Kelly Preston and their daughter Ella Bleu. This is Ella`s first movie. And Robin Williams is in it, too. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBIN WILLIAMS, ACTOR: This is more of a media group. Entering the U.S. sports market is a huge deal.
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: Banzai.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Hey mister, a little help?
WILLIAMS: Sure thing, guys.
TRAVOLTA: Whoa. Why did you do that?
WILLIAMS: Sorry, my bad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: You`re a monster.
KELLY PRESTON, ACTRESS: How are you?
TRAVOLTA: Well, hello. Didn`t know they could afford to hire supermodels here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dan? Wow!
WILLIAMS: Vicky? I haven`t seen that woman in seven years.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really don`t where to start, Dan.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN: Daddy!
WILLIAMS: I have kids.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Twins.
WILLIAMS: I will be an old dad. You`re going to be Uncle Charlie. We can do this.
TRAVOLTA: We?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: You guys better pack.
WILLIAMS: What do we have to pack for?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Camping.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You remind me of the old dude who stole my girlfriend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you saying?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My beef is not with your old woman.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You ladies ready to play ultimate frisbee?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think so, Mr. Testosterone.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How did that feel?
WILLIAMS: One of my magic pills.
TRAVOLTA: Watch out for sudden loss of depth perception.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I think I remember where they go.
WILLIAMS: Catch your later. (INAUDIBLE). It`s an honor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice to meet you.
WILLIAMS: My kids are in there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sorry, the zoo closes at 3:00.
WILLIAMS: We are in a zoo.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are in the gorilla enclosure. Don`t look him in the eyes. Just look away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every man for himself! Penguins.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "Old Dogs" will be in theaters on November 25th.
ANDERSON: Just moments ago, we got the final results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. On Wednesday, we asked - "Rihanna`s Racy Photo Controversy: Is she obligated to be a role model." Twenty-one percent of you say yes, but 79 percent of you say no.
Here is an e-mail from B. from Alabama who thinks Rihanna should be a role model, "Instead of trying to sell herself as a barbed wire, one eye patched survivor, show young girl and teens a sophisticated intelligent young diva who doesn`t have to show all of her breasts."
HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I am Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
END
