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Showbiz Tonight
The Supermodel Extortion Shocker; Is Jon Gosselin Too Famous?; Sarah Palin`s Brand-New Revelations to Oprah Winfrey; The Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week; Did Carrie Prejean Lie?
Aired November 13, 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, the supermodel extortion shocker. Cindy Crawford allegedly blackmailed over a disturbing photo of her young daughter in revealing clothing and bound and gagged.
Tonight, the man allegedly behind the plot and the remarkable story revealing where the photo came from. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the chilling extortion plot almost too alarming to believe.
Brand-new revelations from Sarah Palin`s tell-all book and her tell- all to Oprah Winfrey. What Palin really thought when she found out her teenage daughter was pregnant. And the incredible revelations about the father of the baby, Levi Johnston. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the Oprah, Palin, Levi Johnston bombshells.
And Sarah Palin in the running as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Palin, disgraced beauty queen Carrie Prejean, or Lindsay Lohan`s dad, Michael?
TV`s 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 tonight, Cindy Crawford`s extortion nightmare. I`ve got to tell you that when I first heard about this story, it made me sick. Supermodel Cindy Crawford`s daughter photographed when she was just seven years old in revealing clothing, bound and gagged.
And today, a man is accused of trying to get Crawford to give him big- time money so he would not make the photo public. And if that`s not disturbing enough, today, we learned the disgusting picture was taken by the girl`s nanny. And it all made for big news breaking today. .
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It`s a sick, twisted story that plays out like an episode of "Law and Order" only this script is very real. Cindy Crawford and her business mogul husband, Randy Gerber, are fighting back tonight over an alleged extortion plot for tens of thousands of dollars.
The worst part of this real-life drama, the reported scheme involves a provocative photo of their young daughter, a photo they didn`t even know was taken. Court documents say the photo shows Crawford`s daughter bound, gagged, and dressed provocatively. And she was just seven years old at the time.
DAVID CAPLAN, SENIOR EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Extortion cases are nothing new in Hollywood. And if you look at a recent extortion case, the David Letterman case, you put that up against this, the Cindy Crawford extortion case, the current case is so much more ickier because it involves a child and exploiting that child.
ANDERSON: In July, this man, Edis Kayalar, a German model, allegedly contacted Cindy and her husband, saying he had a photo of their daughter.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained the star couple`s criminal complaint against the man and it claims the suspect said he had a, quote, "`sexy` photograph of the victim`s daughter in revealing clothing bound to a chair and gagged."
He asked for money and then, later, threatened to release the photo to the media.
CAPLAN: The Crawfords right now are really sort of torn over this. In fact, a rep of Cindy said they had no idea that the photo even existed.
ANDERSON: The complaint also said that Cindy`s husband complied and obtained a hard copy of the photograph from Kayalar and that Gerber gave him $1,000 cash for his trouble.
Shockingly, Crawford discovered that a nanny she had just fired was the one who took the perverse photo, telling the little girl they were playing a game of cops and robbers.
CAPLAN: It`s shocking really that for any parent to discover that their 7- year-old daughter is being exploited in this way for money and that it involved a former nanny. You really have those feelings of betrayal.
ANDERSON: And then, it gets worse. Kayalar, who, it turns out, was an ex- boyfriend of the nanny, apparently continued to harass the celebrity couple, demanding even more money.
Crawford`s complaints led authorities to discover that Kayalar was in the United States illegally. By September, he was deported back to Germany. But Kayalar continued to call and harassed Cindy and her family.
Just two months later, according to the criminal complaint, Kayalar stated that $100,000 was a reasonable amount of money to keep him from releasing the photo of their daughter to the media.
The star couple haven`t given him any more money and Kayalar is still at large and allegedly still threatening to release the photo.
CAPLAN: There is a chance he could be arrested actually in Germany. It`s believed that he is actually in the city at Stuttgard. So right now, the authorities are looking for him.
ANDERSON: In the meantime, a spokesperson for Cindy and her husband says, quote, Randy Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter. If caught and convicted, Kayalar could serve up to two years in prison.
CAPLAN: For any celebrity to be involved an extortion case, particularly when it involves her family, is awful. But Cindy, in particular, is a very private celebrity. She doesn`t like to air dirty laundry. She doesn`t like to discuss her family too much. So for her to have this come out - it`s really a slap in the face.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It really is such a slap in the face for Cindy Crawford and her family. And the explosive new extortion plot isn`t the only news that made for big news breaking today.
Jon Gosselin is now claiming he is just too famous. Yes, it`s true. In brand-new court papers that we are seeing for the first time today, Jon claims he just can`t find regular work because everybody knows who he is. And filed a $5 million lawsuit against TLC - that, of courses, is the network that made him famous with "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Unbelievable.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Hyla, who is an entertainment journalist from "5DollarPrep.com." Tonight, in New York, is Atty. Vikki Ziegler.
Let`s begin with the Cindy Crawford extortion plot here. You just heard the disgusting and depraved details about what this guy allegedly tried to do with the picture of Cindy Crawford`s 7-year-old daughter in revealing clothes, bound and gagged.
Hyla, I just kept on thinking today, what made this guy think he could actually get away with this? This is just plain crazy, isn`t it?
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST, "5DOLLARPREP.COM": This is absolutely disgusting. You know what? There is a zero tolerance I have just a couple of things. It`s abuse on women and especially abuse on children. This guy is a punk and someone needs to find him, maybe do a little vigilante justice on the side before he gets turned in to the cops.
HAMMER: Yes. Cindy Crawford, by the way, and this is what makes it particularly appalling - she has done such a great job keeping her family out of the public eye throughout all of her years in the public eye.
Vikki, does it seem to you Cindy and her husband had no other choice but to go to the cops? Or perhaps is it almost just as bad that we now know about the existence of this possible picture, you know, now that she`s had to talk about it?
VIKKI ZIEGLER, ATTORNEY: Yes. I think it`s a catch 22. I mean, I think they had to get a copy of that photograph and go to the police. So I think they did the right thing there. And you know what? They are a class act couple. And you`re right, they have kept their children and their whole entire career out of the media as best as possible - their personal lives.
But at the end of the day, this is about who can you trust? Bring a nanny into the home, firing her and somehow a picture on her cell phone gets out and gets to her ex-boyfriend. It`s disgusting.
HAMMER: Well, let`s hope, if this proves to be true, they have everything that`s coming to them. Let`s move on now to Jon Gosselin`s brand-new claim today that he is just too famous.
Yes, in brand-new court documents that surfaced today in his $5 million lawsuit, get a load of what Jon Gosselin says. I love this, "I find myself unemployed and without the ability to secure non-entertainment related engagements because of the enormous media interest, cameras, reporters.
And public interest it makes it impossible to carry on normal daily activities, let alone find, secure and maintain a job with an employer who is willing to be exposed to the daily media intrusions that has impeded my life."
Hyla, he is basically saying, "I can`t get a job because I`m too darn famous. First of all, do you buy that?
HYLA: You know what? It pains me to say you might have to admit he could be right. Who is bigger than him? Who`s getting more publicity than Jon Gosselin right now? Who is on the cover of more magazines? Who do you cover more on your show? The guy is huge and maybe his lawyers figure out a way - well, maybe we can make some money out of this.
HAMMER: Yes, but here`s that thing. And Vikki, I`ll go to you as an attorney. Does he have a legitimate case here? Because I agree, Hyla, you are probably right. You know what? He is not just famous, but he`s infamous. Who`s going to want him flipping burgers at their McDonald`s with all the paparazzi always hanging around. But can he really sue TLC? I mean, give me a break.
ZIEGLER: I think this is ridiculous. On its face, yes, it sounds great. Maybe he was flipping burgers before he had eight children and got the show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8." But he has a contract. They executed it. It`s been renegotiated.
This guy is a joke, seriously. I mean, if he can`t make money in any other fashion, then you know what? Go away. Go home. Who even wants to see this guy anymore? I don`t think he is any good. So I think he is going nowhere from a legal standpoint, A.J., on this issue.
HAMMER: Yes. Let this serve as a warning to anybody who wants to go for their 15 minutes of fame and then try to go back to a life where you don`t have that anymore. You may have some difficulty and that`s sort of the collateral damage that`s done. It`s the price of fame.
Well, in this new court document, Jon is also claiming some of the "Jon & Kate Plus 8" show was staged. Oh, the horror. Now, he says that the people involved with the show actually rehearsed and staged scenes. They directed actions and suggested dialogue, words, responses and conduct.
Now, Hyla, obviously we don`t know whether or not that is true. We certainly have heard claims like that before about reality shows. But what does that have to do with suing TLC in your mind?
HYLA: I have no idea. I think he is trying to muddy the water and confuse everybody. But this is not a new evolution. We understand that there is, you know, scripted reality. This is the way reality shows work. Sometimes, it needs to be picked up. Someone needs to say a line over. I don`t know what he is trying to prove by putting this in this lawsuit.
HAMMER: Vikki, does claiming that some of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" may have been stage get him any mileage in this lawsuit, do you think?
ZIEGLER: No. I think they are trying to throw as much mud, you know, that can stick on the wall. I don`t think they have a strong legal argument at all. Nobody said that they were forced or coerced into entering into the contracts with TLC.
They may not have had attorneys in 2005, but they`ve renegotiated, as I said, and they had attorneys. So he`s going nowhere. Hang it up. He makes $45,000 an episode, more than most people in this country make.
HAMMER: Yes, no kidding. Well said. Vikki Ziegler, Hyla, thanks so much, guys.
ANDERSON: Does Sarah Palin want to start playing nice with Levi Johnston?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We don`t have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama all the time. We are not really into the drama. We don`t really like that -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, brand-new Sarah Palin shockers from her interview from Oprah Winfrey and her new tell-all book. And what Levi Johnston has to say today.
Also explosive reaction to my exclusive interview with Donald Trump about his war of words with Carrie Prejean. And disturbing new information today that Carrie may be lying about being only 17 when she made that solo sex tape.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Carrie Prejean; Sarah Palin for her brand-new tell all; or Michael Lohan for releasing private family phone calls about Lindsay?
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom. They are making news right now.
TEXT: Balloon boy parents plead guilty to charges that could lead to jail or probation. "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe denies reports he smoked pot at a party.
You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. And right now, I want you to keep on watching the bottom of your screen for more nonstop, compelling and provocative news from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, caught on tape, an awesome week for awkward moments on TV.
From Carrie Prejean threatening to walk off "LARRY KING LIVE" to a dumbstruck kid on the "Today" show. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with this week`s most awkward TV moments.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We never turn up our nose for news.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is disgusting, I know.
MOOS: Especially not at the wonderfully awkward moments.
CARRIE PREJEAN, FORMER MISS CALIFORNIA USA: Larry, you are being inappropriate. You really are.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": What?
PREJEAN: So I`m not going to talk about -
KING: I`m asking a question.
SEAN HANNITY, HOST, "HANNITY": We screwed up -
MOOS: This week had more than its share of awkward TV moments, thanks to the former Miss California USA. You saw her getting miffed at Larry King and taking off her mike.
KING: Is she leaving because I asked what motivated the settlement? Did you hear the question?
PREJEAN: No, I can`t hear you.
MOOS: But I`m answering what I can`t hear.
PREJEAN: And I`m about to leave your show.
KING: Who are you talking to? Hello.
MOOS: But we crowned Carrie Prejean, Miss Awkward Moments because she inspired awkward moments on more than one show.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": And that you say you were a victim. I don`t totally buy it.
PREJEAN: Did you see the attack that I was under.
BARBARA WALTERS, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": It`s the best thing that happened to you. I`m not worried about you, Carrie.
MOOS: But our favorite awkward moment was Barbara Walters describing Prejean`s X-rated home movie.
WALTERS: You were on, doing whatever you were doing with yourself.
MOOS: What was Sean Hannity doing on Fox News, Jon Stewart wondered, using video of a major rally two months ago to illustrate a smaller protest against health care reform?
JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": Not a cloud in the sky, the leaves have changed. All of a sudden, the trees turn green again and it`s cloudy.
MOOS: Trying to make the smaller rally seem bigger, said Stewart. Inadvertent mistake said Hannity, but he apologized.
HANNITY: So Mr. Stewart, you were right. I want to thank you and all your writers for watching.
MOOS: CNN`s "SITUATION ROOM" went to pot this week.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: So Wolf, would you know a marijuana plant if you saw one?
WOLF BLITZER, ANCHOR, "SITUATION ROOM": I`m not sure I would. I could smell it. You can smell the marijuana, but you probably wouldn`t recognize a plant. Am I right or wrong.
LOU DOBBS, FORMER CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Well, you`re dead wrong.
MOOS: Certitude plus attitude - what a dude. Lou, we`re going to miss you.
DOBBS: This will be my last broadcast here on CNN.
MOOS: From veteran leaving to cob variety, the "Today" show announced the winner of its kid reporter competition. It`s you. It`s you! You are the winner.
ANN CURRY, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: Deidra Shores. It`s you. Deidra, it`s you. It`s you. You won.
AL ROKER, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: You`re "Today`s" kid reporter winner. You`re the winner, dear girl.
MOOS: If you`re going to be a reporter, kid, you`ve got to learn to fill dead air. He said fill it, not kill it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That is so funny. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: I`ve seen you do that, Brooke. I have. Well, I`m just kidding. You know, Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines, by the way, they have been ringing nonstop -
ANDERSON: Hold on. Hold on, A.J. Hold on. I`m going to let you finish, but I`ve got to say our "Showbiz on Call" operators are the best operators of all time.
HAMMER: Yes. Very funny, Brooke, because you know what I was trying to say is all the calls have been coming in about country`s biggest stars giving Kanye West a swift kick at the CMA Awards for dissing Taylor Swift.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Carol in Delaware thinks this Taylor-Kanye thing has helped Taylor big time.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CAROL, CALLER FROM DELAWARE: The little fray between Kanye West and Taylor Swift - I think it`s brought Taylor Swift actually more popularity. I had never heard of her before then. Now, she is a real big deal. So I think she won in this case.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Thanks a lot, Carol. But Casey calling in to "Showbiz on Call" in Arizona says enough already.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CASEY, CALLER FROM ARIZONA: You know, I think enough has been said about that whole thing by now. And at this point, people are starting to not look any better than him. I mean, initially, it was fine, but there is such a thing as overkill. And at this point, Taylor herself will not be America`s sweetheart much longer if this continues.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for your call, Casey. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind.
HAMMER: That`s why we keep the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open all the time - all weekend long, in fact - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave us a voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Tonight, it is the interview that everyone - yes, everyone, even me - we have been waiting for this. Sarah Palin going head to head with Oprah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: We don`t have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama all the time. We don`t really into the drama. We don`t really that -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got the brand-new revelations from Sarah today to Oprah. What does she have to say about Levi Johnston? Plus, just revealed secrets from her book. What did Sarah really think when she first heard her teenage daughter was pregnant?
And we name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Carrie "Temper Tantrum" Prejean; Sarah "Going Rogue" Palin, as she releases her new tell-all; or maybe Michael Lohan, Lindsay`s dad, who did the unthinkable by releasing secret recordings of his daughter?
And I think this is unbelievable. Chris Brown - the Chris Brown that beat up Rihanna getting a standing ovation from a roomful of women. Are you kidding me?
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Yusuf Islam, a.k.a. Cat Stevens, on first full tour in 33 years. Reports: The Who to play this year`s Super Bowl halftime show on February 7.
You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Keep watching the bottom of your screen for more nonstop, compelling and provocative news from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres are dishing about what the new season of "American Idol" will be like. As you know, Ellen is joining the judges` table for the upcoming season. And today, on Ellen`s show, Ryan said he is really excited that she is joining the "Idol" team. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "AMERICAN IDOL": It`s fun to have a good friend on the show. And I can`t wait to see what the dynamic is like between you and Cowell. Everybody asks me, right? Everybody is asking me, you know, what`s it going to be like with the two of you?
Because, you know, no doubt, you are very quick. He`s quick and not so shy. So I can`t wait. You look much younger next to him as well, but I can`t wait to see what it`s going to be like with you guys.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Yes. I think that`s what everybody is looking forward to more than even the judging of the contestants. It`s just what Simon and I are going to be - you know, he is opinionated. I`m opinionated.
SEACREST: I know. I love it.
DEGENERES: And I respect him.
SEACREST: I`m like, I don`t have to do anything but just sit back. And we`ll have the results tomorrow night. Goodbye, everybody.
DEGENERES: Well, we`ll see. I mean, I just think that sometimes he`s too mean. I respect his opinion and I think he is right a lot of times. But I don`t think that`s not the way you say it. And so, if he is rude, I will tell him he`s rude.
SEACREST: God has answered my prayers.
DEGENERES: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, we don`t have to wait much longer to see exactly what the Ellen-Simon dynamic is really like. The new season of "American Idol" will hit the airwaves in January.
ANDERSON: The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page overflowing with comments about Carrie Prejean`s war of words with Donald Trump and my exclusive interview with the Donald. People are writing about whether Carrie can take on someone like Trump.
Yvonne R. writes, "Donald doesn`t play petty games. He will capitalize where he can with Carrie and ignore her when he has to."
Karen G. has this to say about Carrie, "Her only strategy for saying in the limelight is to make controversial remarks that are so ridiculous, it will keep people talking about her."
Sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Does Sarah Palin want to kiss and make up with Levi Johnson?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: We don`t have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama all the time. We don`t really into the drama. We don`t really like that -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Brand-new Palin shockers from her interview with Oprah and her new tell-all book.
Disturbing new information today that Carrie Prejean may be lying about being only 17 when she made her solo sex tape. Plus, more reaction to our exclusive interview with Donald Trump.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Carrie Prejean; Sarah Palin for her brand-new tell-all; or Michael Lohan for releasing private phone calls about Lindsay Lohan?
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: A sequel is planned for the hit movie, "Independence Day." The next installment of the "Saw" horror movie franchise will be in 3-D.
You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. And right now, I want you to keep watching the bottom of your screen. We have more nonstop, compelling and provocative news from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new Sarah Palin revelations today from her tell-all book and interview with Oprah. The startling new things Sarah says about Levi Johnston.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: We don`t have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama all the time. We are not into the drama. We don`t really like it -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Also, what Palin really thought when she found out her teen daughter was pregnant.
The fired-up reaction to Brooke Anderson`s exclusive interview with Donald Trump about Carrie Prejean. Plus, disturbing new evidence that Carrie may have been lying when she said she was only 17 in that tape.
And will Carrie be named the most provocative celebrity of the week? Or will it be Sarah Palin for her brand-new tell-all? Or Lindsay Lohan`s dad for leaking secret tapes about his daughter?
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
TV`s 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: I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, when Sarah met Oprah. It`s Sarah Palin in her very first interview with Oprah Winfrey about her tell-all book, "Going Rogue."
HAMMER: Yes, it is the Sarah Palin comeback tour. And she is kicking it off by opening up to Oprah Winfrey. Do you remember when Katie Couric asked what newspaper she likes to read?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: All of them. Any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.
KATIE COURIC, ANCHOR, CBS EVENING NEWS: Can you name a few?
PALIN: I have a vast variety of sources.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Today, we learned what Palin told Oprah about that and it all made for big news breaking. Palin reveals how she really feels about Levi Johnston, the father, of course, of her grandson.
But there is also a head-spinning contradiction from Palin about Levi. And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained a brand-new interview with Levi in which he breaks more news about posing nude for "Playgirl." Wait until you hear what this dude is saying now.
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Hyla, who is an entertainment journalist for "5DollarPrep.com." Also tonight, from Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist.
Well, let`s begin with Sarah Palin`s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. This is really something. Palin really opens up to Oprah about that Katie Couric interview that really, when you think about it, became such a defining moment in the presidential campaign for her after it basically made her look not that bright. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": Do you think that was a seminal, defining moment for you, that interview?
PALIN: I did not and neither did the campaign. In fact, that is why segment two and three and four and maybe five were scheduled. The campaign said, "Right on. Good. You are showing your independence. This is what America needs to see." And it was a good interview.
And of course, I`m thinking, "If you thought that was a good interview, I don`t know what bad interview was because I knew it wasn`t a good interview.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, so she`s admitting that her interview is, at least that one, bad. Really? You think? I mean, we all know what happened there. Now, Palin also calls Couric badgering. She even writes in her new book that she felt sorry for Katie Couric. Hyla, does any of it make sense to you?
HYLA: I`m all a little confused about the whole thing. Why are you attacking Katie Couric? All she did was ask questions. And she was a completely brand-new candidate on the national scene. And we didn`t know anything about her.
So she was just asking a simple question like, "What newspapers do you read?" That`s not Katie Couric`s fault for not being able to answer - I don`t know - "The Washington Post" or a hundred other newspapers you can choose from.
HAMMER: Yes. And it doesn`t make her partisan as was also claimed by Sarah Palin. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out today to Katie Couric. We wanted to hear what she or the "CBS Evening New" had to say about this. They said no comment about Palin`s claims in her book.
Tanika, Sarah Palin is obviously not going anywhere. Neither is Katie Couric. Would you not love to see a rematch between these two? Wouldn`t that be great?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Oh, yes. First of all, I love Oprah. You guys know this. So I think this interview is going to be unbelievable. And I`m sure everybody who has Tivo is going to watch it over and over and over. But her against Katie Couric is like a WWE match- up. And I want to see it again.
HAMMER: Yes.
RAY: I want to see if maybe she knows how to spell her name this time. I don`t know.
HAMMER: No. Come on. Come on. You don`t have to go there, Tanika.
RAY: I`m just saying. Newspapers?
HAMMER: I think the interview would be a lot of fun. And I think that Katie certainly would have a good sense of humor about it. Obviously, it`s been discussed ad nauseum, as I like to say.
Palin also opening up to Oprah on another big thorn in her side. That, of course, would be Levi Johnston who, of course, is the father of Sarah Palin`s grand child.
Now, get this, in the new book, you want to know how many times Palin writes about the father of her grandchild? Not once. Zero. Nada. It`s not in there. His name is not mentioned. But take a look at what Oprah asked her and what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Will he be invited to Thanksgiving dinner?
PALIN: You know, that`s a great question. And it`s lovely to think that he would ever even consider such a thing. Because of course, he is a part of the family and you want to bring him into the fold and kind of under your wing.
And he needs that too, Oprah. I think he needs to know that he is loved and he has the most beautiful child. And this can all work out for good. It really can. We don`t have to keep going down this road of controversy and drama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I have to say, this was actually pretty refreshing to watch, keeping in mind this is the same Sarah Palin called Levi malicious and someone in desperate need of attention - her words. Hyla, is Palin acting like a true politician here, trying to have it both ways?
HYLA: I`m a little confused. Yes, she has gone pretty hard on him in the media. And you know, he just recently won an award, so maybe that`s warmed her up to Levi a little bit.
It is a porn industry award. So hopefully, that won`t be awkward at the Thanksgiving dinner table. But you know, this is smart PR. Don`t lower yourself to Levi`s standards. You are the future presidential candidate for the Republican Party. You can`t be going toe to toe about some guy who is in "Playgirl" magazine. Not smart. She only got smart on Oprah.
HAMMER: Yes, I agree with that. And Brooke Anderson, you know, off that point, you and I have said all along as far as Sarah and Levi are concerned that she would be better served to really not even respond to him or to even talk about him or say anything.
All right. So she is talking about him. But at least she is saying something nice. You think she is dealing with it the right way now?
ANDERSON: Yes. And this is a huge contrast to what we`ve seen in the past when she`s talked about Levi Johnston as you mentioned. I think the turnaround will work in her favor.
She was classy when she so easily could have been trashy. Let Levi do the trashing. You know, I hope her responses were sincere, because, really, who wants a family feud? Honestly, nobody.
HAMMER: And if she does want to have a future and particularly, if she wants to run for the presidential office again - high road - that`s the road to take. Levi, though, he is certainly keeping busy in the meantime. He had that nude "Playgirl" photo shoot.
In a brand-new development today, Levi revealing how he thinks that guys, not girls, will respond to his nude photo shoot. Listen to what he said on "The Derek and Romaine Show" on the OutQ Channel on Sirius XM satellite radio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ROMAINE PATTERSON, CO-HOST, "THE DEREK AND ROMAINE SHOW": How do you feel about fact that gay guys all around the country are going to rush out to take a look at all you`ve got to offer?
LEVI JOHNSTON, FATHER OF SARAH PALIN`S GRANDSON: That`s totally cool with me. I don`t have a problem with gay people.
DEREK HARTLEY, FATHER OF SARAH PALIN`S GRANDSON: What`s next on your agenda?
JOHNSTON: I`m thinking about going to some acting classes back in California and really start the modeling gigs and you will be seeing a lot of me.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, good for all of us. We`re going to see a lot of Levi. Hyla, you know, let`s put that aside for a moment. Whatever you think of Levi Johnston, we have got to give this guy credit for perhaps getting the biggest bang for 15 minutes of fame of anybody in the history of the world.
HYLA: Yes, 100 percent. You`ve got to give him a high five for that. He`s just trying to milk what was given to him or what was thrown in his lap.
I think all of us would take advantage of it, probably not the exact same way. I know I wouldn`t throw my junk around in a "Playgirl" magazine. But A.J., maybe you would. I don`t know. Only you can answer that.
HAMMER: I don`t think that will be happening any time soon. And Tanika, I think we all talked about the fact that when we first learned he was going to be posing for "Playgirl," perhaps Levi was not informed or did not realize that it was a magazine predominantly read by men.
I think he actually handled himself pretty well, all that considered. And he did go on the show and, well, put it all out there.
RAY: Yes. I don`t think he really cares. You know, I have seen Levi on different red carpets. He just wants to be famous. And whatever is going to do it for him whether it be gay men, whether it be teen girls, he is down for it.
HAMMER: Yes. This is a guy - remember that "Vanity Fair" interview he gave where he said, "Oh, I never wanted any of this." Things are a little different now, I`ll say.
RAY: He didn`t want it, but he is taking it.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Hyla, Tanika Ray, thank you so much. Now, Oprah`s interview with Sarah Palin airs on Monday. Make sure you tune in to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on Monday night for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.
We`re going to have on the always fiery, the always controversial Ann Coulter. We will get her first reaction to Sarah Palin`s bombshell claims in her book and her brand-new interview with Oprah, Monday night, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now, over to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT of the day. It is this - "Sarah Palin: Was it a good idea for her to sit down with Oprah?" We`d like you to keep voting at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., I think it was a great idea for Donald Trump to sit down with us. Everybody today is talking about our exclusive interview with him about Carrie Prejean.
And there is other big news about Carrie tonight, disturbing new evidence that she may have been lying when she said that she was only 17 in that sex tape.
Plus, will Carrie be named the most provocative celebrity of the week? How about Sarah Palin? Or should it be Michael Lohan, Lindsay`s dad, for his disgusting release of secret tapes about her? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week.
And Chris Brown gets a standing ovation from a roomful of women? Are you kidding me?
HAMMER: It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Sharon Osbourne apologizes to Susan Boyle for calling her ugly. TLC to replace "Jon & Kate Plus 8" with "Cake Boss," beginning November 30th.
HAMMER: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Right now, keep on watching the bottom of your screen right there. We have more nonstop, compelling and provocative news from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Carrie Prejean her solo sex tape and the fallout from her disastrous "LARRY KING LIVE" interview? Or will it be Sarah Palin for her explosive tell-all book, "Going Rogue?" Or will it be Michael Lohan for his week-long leaking of tapes involving his train wreck daughter, Lindsay Lohan?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
We will be naming SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week in just a moment. But first, the explosive reaction today to my exclusive interview with Donald Trump and his response to Carrie Prejean`s TV meltdown and her claim he humiliated beauty pageant contestants.
Also, breaking today, the remarkable revelations from the boyfriend who she sent her solo sex tape. He disputes Carrie`s claim she was 17 when she made this tape, says she was older and wanted him to lie about it.
Joining me tonight in New York is Brian Baltazar who is the editor for "PopGoesTheWeek.com." In Hollywood, Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist.
Brian, Tanika, let`s start with my exclusive interview with Donald Trump. I asked him what he thought of Carrie Prejean`s downright embarrassing tantrum on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE." Watch what he told me.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, OWNER, MISS USA FRANCHISE (through telephone): I was watching this and I was very surprised to see it because she was talking about how inappropriate he was. Inappropriate is more of a sexual term as far as I`m concerned.
I mean, inappropriate? He asked a very, very easy question. And I was surprised that she just didn`t say, "Hey, listen. I can`t answer that question."
ANDERSON: Tanika, here`s what I was hearing today. As news outlets everywhere reported on my exclusive interview with Trump that Donald was absolutely right, that Carrie Prejean blew it big time. What do you think? Do you agree?
RAY: Oh, absolutely. I mean, I think the reason why she stepped out of the interview is because she doesn`t really have anything to stand on. And any time anybody sort of peels back that veil and really calls her out on what she`s saying, she kind of cracked under the pressure.
And for Donald not to really give it to her, I was surprised. He is being incredibly sweet to her which is not really his nature when somebody pisses him off. Remember, Rosie O`Donnell and Star Jones, Elisabeth Hasselbeck. He goes toe-to-toe with the chicas.
So good for her. She hasn`t really pissed off Trump enough for him to go at her. But really shocking that she is crumbling when she`s trying to really profit off with what she`s done so far.
ANDERSON: You know, she had a real chance to say something meaningful and she didn`t. She gave canned responses when she did answer question. But for the most part, she just refused to answer questions. It was awful. And speaking of -
RAY: I don`t think she has anything -
ANDERSON: Yes. Meaningful to say. I really don`t think she had anything meaningful to say. And I think it`s apparent now. Well, she certainly didn`t on "LARRY KING LIVE."
RAY: Right.
ANDERSON: And tonight, there more shocking revelations about Carrie Prejean regarding her sex tape. Carrie Prejean`s ex-boyfriend says Carrie is lying and that she was older than 17 when she made her solo exhibitionist sex tape. Listen who what he tells TMZ.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TMZ: How old was she? How old was she?
CARRIE PREJEAN`S EX-BOYFRIEND: She was 19 when I was out there. The videos poured in all the way in to just shy of - gosh. I mean, she had to be 21 - 21 years old.
Yes, I got a call from Carrie basically screaming at me, asking me why - why did I do this? And then, she basically, at that point, said, "Will you tell them I was 17?"
TMZ: How did you respond when she said, "Will you say I was 17?"
CARRIE PREJEAN`S EX-BOYFRIEND: I said hell no, I won`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Brian, who are you believing here?
BRAIN BALTAZAR, EDITOR, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": I`m believing him. I think - honestly, I think the first thing we can learn from this is there are very few people out there that are going to say to themselves later, "Boy, I`m really glad I made that sex tape."
But I think, you know, that`s the first inclination you`re going to take if there`s a sex tape that`s being released. The only way to keep people from seeing it is to be a minor when it was taken.
And so I think that was her gut instinct to just say, "I`ve got to make this go away and the only way I`m going to do it is to say that I was under 18."
So I think that was kind of a gut instinct. I almost can`t blame her for it. But I think the problem is that she puts herself in a position of kind of being high and mighty and very conservative. And people will forgive a lot, but they won`t forgive hypocrisy.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: It`s hard to forgive lying. She is certainly not coming across as very credible. A.J., all of this sure makes Carrie Prejean - what do you think - a leading candidate to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week?
HAMMER: Well, Tanika just said it. Dingdong, I don`t think that`s what she was referring to. Brooke, she does have some very good competition. Let`s take a look at her right now.
Another nominee, of course, is Sarah Palin for her revealing and very intimate tell-all book, "Going Rogue." And of course, we have Michael Lohan who has been slammed for leaking very private voicemails left for him by his daughter, Lindsay and ex-wife, Dina.
So who is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT naming as the most provocative celebrity of the week? The winner, in a landslide vote is, of course, Carrie Prejean.
Tanika, to you, are you with us on this pick?
RAY: Well, look, she`s obviously controversial. But I`ve got to tell you, the two ladies sort of cancel themselves out with their hypocrisy.
I`m going to go with Michael Lohan and let me tell you why. Because I just feel like all the people in the world that you trust, your parents should be the number one people that just come to your aid and don`t betray you.
And I feel that for him to betray Lindsay, I kind of feel bad for her to be perfectly honest. So my vote is for him right now.
HAMMER: OK. All right, Tanika. That`s fair enough. But Brian, are you with me? I`m with Sarah Palin as the vote. I mean, she called Larry very inappropriate - Larry King. I mean, you don`t call the King inappropriate.
BALTAZAR: I think it`s a tight race between Carrie and Michael in that, you know, sometimes it`s hard to tell if they are this foolish naturally or if they`re making an extra effort. But I will say that I think this is one crown that Carrie has won and earned.
HAMMER: She has won it. She has earned it and nobody is going to get up and try to take it away from her. How about that? The most provocative celebrity of the week, Carrie Prejean.
RAY: Be glad, Carrie. She can wear that crown.
HAMMER: You got it. Brian Baltazar, Tanika Ray, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: Here`s something else that I think is so provocative. Chris Brown gets a standing ovation from a room full of women? Are you I kidding me?
HAMMER: It`s time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Rihanna scores her 12th career top 10 single, as "Russian Roulette" soars to number nine. Taylor Swift`s big wins at the CMA Awards boost show to its best ratings in four years.
ANDERSON: it`s time now for "Making It Work." Now, this is where we reveal the secrets of how Hollywood`s biggest stars make their relationships work.
Tonight, country superstar, Faith Hill. Faith got married to another big time country singer, Tim McGraw. They have been together for 13 years and have three kids. When we caught up with Faith who was out promoting her new perfume, she told us that family is priority number one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAITH HILL, COUNTRY SUPERSTAR: Our family is our main focus. And we just work around their schedule, really. It`s a lot of behind-the-scenes working, trying to coordinate the schedules so I am not doing something big and time-consuming while Tim is in the midst of doing something time- consuming. So we try and even it out so one of us is always there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A little juggling but Faith is definitely making it work.
HAMMER: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. Right now, you`ve got to keep watching the bottom of your screen. It`s more nonstop, compelling and provocative news from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST, "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW": Please welcome, Chris Brown.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chris Brown getting a standing ovation there from a roomful of women. Wait until you hear what Chris had to say about Rihanna and whether he`s dating.
Tonight, Chris Brown gets almost a hero`s welcome. Chris was at "The Wendy Williams Show" today. I`ve got to say I was pretty surprised by the reception he got. The audience, mostly women, gave him a standing ovation as you saw.
Brown was on the show to debut his new music video. But of course, the talk did turn to the night that he did beat Rihanna. Wendy asked him what he thinks about Rihanna speaking out about. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS BROWN, SINGER: I respect her opinion and her decision to speak on her behalf. But me, personally, I would rather keep all the situations and the incident, what happened between me and her, private. But I can only just be responsible for my actions and what I did. So -
WILLIAMS: Would you get back with her if you could?
BROWN: At this point, I am really just focused on my life, just focusing on getting me right.
WILLIAMS: Yes. Are you dating?
BROWN: Of course. I love women.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Eloquent as always. Wendy also asked what Chris had to say to people who say that he doesn`t act like he is sorry for what he did. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Well, I think the steps that I have taken to show that I am sorry probably have been perceived wrong like certain things when I`m doing different interviews and how my posture is and how I am acting.
At the end of the day, I am definitely remorseful. It`s not something that I take lightly or (UNINTELLIGIBLE) under the rug. I really think it is something that is a serious matter and I am learning from it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Chris said that he is going anger management classes and they are helping him.
ANDERSON: Tonight, does Britney Spears really worship the devil. If you`re one of the 3.7 million who follow her on Twitter, you might have thought so, based on her posts yesterday.
But today, I can tell you, never fear. That was apparently the handiwork of a hacker. After Spears` management regained control of her account, they deleted a bunch of unusual messages including whole Satan- worshipping thing.
HAMMER: So on Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we received the final results. "Carrie Prejean Versus Donald Trump: Is the former beauty queen in over her head?" Ninety-two percent of you think so. Yes, look at that. Eight percent of you said no.
Here are a couple of the E-mails we received. And thank you for writing, by the way. Sheryl in Alabama writing this, "You have to wonder how really `over her head` she is. Maybe she`s dumb like a fox. She is getting her 15 minutes of fame."
We heard from Sherri in Washington, not a Prejean fan. She writes, "If she were in a kiddie pool, she would be in over her head. I wouldn`t buy her book or anything else she tries to promote."
And perhaps, Brooke, that is why she was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
ANDERSON: Perhaps.
HAMMER: Among other things. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember, You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
