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Showbiz Tonight
The Hollywood War Over Tiger Woods` Car Crash; White House "Gatecrashers" Speak; Hulk Hogan Getting Hitched Again?; Adam Lambert Not Apologizing; Rihanna`s Nude Pictures; New Ruling on Jennifer Lopez` Tape Scandal
Aired December 01, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the unbelievable new Hollywood war over Tiger Woods` mysterious car crash. Tonight, stars fired up and speaking out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT defending Tiger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN: He had a car accident. What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But the mayor of Tiger`s hometown slams Tiger. The lines are drawn. People are taking sides. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the all- out, coast-to-coast Tiger outrage.
The outrageous alleged White House party crashers speak. Tonight, for the very first time, the couple opens up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAREQ SALAHI, ALLEGED GATECRASHER: The American public is actually going to be extremely surprised.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the explosive debate. Should these two get a reality show? Or should they be locked up?
And is Hulk Hogan getting hitched again?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HULK HOGAN, REALITY TV STAR: That will be the new Mrs. Hogan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The big new surprise the Hulk just revealed.
ANNOUNCER: 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, HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
And A.J., I cannot believe the explosive controversy brewing today over Tiger Woods` mystery crash.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. I can tell you the Tiger Woods` drama is not going away quietly. Tonight, there is brand new Tiger outrage. And just hours ago, the Florida Highway Patrol announced that Tiger Woods is getting a ticket for the crash that ignited this whole firestorm.
And now, the woman accused of having an affair with Tiger is speaking out for the very first time. These explosive new developments have made for big news breaking today.
Today, the alleged other woman, Rachel Uchitel, is publicly saying she and Tiger never had a sexual relationship. And she`s ready to sue anyone who says otherwise. We`re going to have her exact words in just a moment. You`d want to hear what she`s saying.
But first, mayor of the town Tiger lives in tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the golf great himself fed the drama surrounding the car wreck by not just putting an end to the frenzy and setting the record straight right away.
On the other side of the fired-up debate, Chris Rock shouted his outrage on the red carpet. Alongside Hollywood`s biggest stars, he is defending Tiger. He tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the whole controversy is ridiculous. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNY D`ATTOMA, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT PRODUCER: How do you think they should handle it? He hasn`t fed...
ROCK: Handle what? He crashed his car.
D`ATTOMA: Well, he said that it`s a private matter and he...
ROCK: If I crashed my car on my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) property, it`s a private matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So is this just an accident blown out of proportion? Or has Tiger dropped the ball and let this minor crash turn into a big-time circus?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood is Jim Moret, who is the chief correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in Hollywood tonight, Jill Simonian who is an entertainment journalist.
So we have huge news late-breaking today. The Florida Highway Patrol held this impromptu press conference. It was just hours ago. And they declared Tiger Woods is guilty of a moving violation for careless driving. The case is closed. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. CINDY WILLIAMS, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL: The FHP is not pursuing criminal charges in this matter. Nor is there any testimony or other evidence to support any additional charges of any kind other than the charge of careless driving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, there you have it. So the case is closed and his radio silence seems to have worked at least legally speaking. Jim, no criminal charges here. Do you see that, at least, as a huge victory for Tiger?
JIM MORET, CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, sure. If, in fact, Tiger Woods didn`t want to speak out because the injuries were inconsistent with those that you would sustain in an accident and his wife actually hit him - let`s use that as a scenario - he would not want charges filed against his wife.
He wasn`t under any obligation to say anything under Florida law. I wouldn`t say anything either. So in that sense, big deal. He got a ticket. That`s the least of his problems right now.
HAMMER: Well, of course, there`s still a circus of speculation about what really went down that night. Jill, do you still think that Tiger still should come forward and speak? You know, for the sake of his reputation which certainly is worthy of a lot more concern than a traffic violation.
JILL SIMONIAN, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Well, yes. That`s the thing. I mean, Tiger is a guy, as we all know and love him - he`s built his reputation on being this wholesome husband, family man.
And I`ve got to tell you, I`m a little bit mixed on this, because in my heart of hearts, I want to say, leave Tiger alone. But - you know, so he can handle his family business as he sees appropriate.
But at the same time, he`s a public figure. He`s making millions of dollars. He`s making more than any other athlete around here.
HAMMER: Yes.
SIMONIAN: And here`s the thing. He has to realize that, you know, he has to take care of business because the companies that give him endorsement opportunities depend on that image. So that is something that he has to take care of.
MORET: But wait a minute. What does he have to do? If it`s alleged that he had an affair and he says he didn`t have an affair. And the woman who supposedly had the affair would say, it`s not true, you know, the damage is done just by making the allegations.
And in that sense, he has said, "Look, this is a private matter. I`m taking care of it. Leave me alone." What is he supposed to do, A.J.? What would you do?
HAMMER: No, no. Exactly - I think, Jim - I think the problem stems from the fact - and this is what most people are saying - that he did not handle it correctly from the start which only fuelled the speculation. And as you said, maybe the damage has been done.
I want to get to that in just a moment. But first, from the legal side, you know, it looks like that the worst that could happen has happened on the legal front. Tiger is going to have to pay this $164 fine and get four points on his driving record.
But, Jim, now back to the question of his reputation, do you think the damage that has been done is irreparable? Or can he simply move on from this?
MORET: Look, Tiger Woods has a long history with the public. He`s known as an honorable guy. He`s known as a family guy. You can make these allegations and sometimes, they stick.
But you`ve got to look at the body of who Tiger Woods is. I think ultimately in the long run - I think he`ll be OK. I think that he holds himself out. He doesn`t want to feed into this. He`s been a very private person in the past.
And I kind of have to respect the fact that he doesn`t want to talk about it, especially if these allegations are true. And if they are true, then it`s between him and his wife.
HAMMER: Well, adding of course to the entire circus around Tiger Woods, the rampant reports that we`re talking about here that Tiger cheated on his wife of five years with this woman - if we could put the picture up - of Rachel Uchitel.
Again, these are the reports. This is not what anybody - and certainly we`re not saying - happened. Rachel now speaking out for the very first time telling the "New York Post" the affair rumor is flat-out false.
Here`s what she`s saying about that, "I don`t people to think I`m having an affair with Tiger Woods or that I`m trying to leak some stories that I`m having an affair with Tiger Woods. I work in clubs and I`m a businesswoman. I do not have sex with celebrities and I have not had an affair with Tiger Woods."
So, Jill, do you think Rachel`s denial is enough to perhaps close the case on this whole chapter in the Tiger Woods` drama?
SIMONIAN: It could be. It could be. I don`t know. I always say you never know what`s going on behind the scenes when it comes to PR and all of that kind of good stuff. But we have to question, why did she hire Gloria Allred? Gloria Allred represents victims` rights.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, that said, you know, when I think - and Jim, you can probably back me up on this - if you`re caught up in a situation like this where Rachel obviously has been, you`re going to want to have some muscle behind you to make sure things go smoothly. And certainly, Gloria is somebody with that kind of experience.
MORET: Oh, she`s an advocate. There`s no question about it. And if I`m in trouble or if I feel I`m being attacked, I would call her myself. But there is a question, why did she come to L.A.? There have got to be lawyers in New York that she could have gone to.
HAMMER: Yes.
MORET: But that said, Gloria is a great advocate for her.
HAMMER: Well, Rachel went on to say that the people making the affair claims about her and Tiger told lies for money. Here`s what she told "The Post" about that, speaking of one of the people, "She got paid money to sell the story to the `National Enquirer` and another girl got $25,000. The other magazines heard about it, but turned it down because there was no hard evidence."
This certainly would not be the first time that a star`s name has been muddied by a tabloid report. So Jim, do you think the case is closed as far as the rumored affair is concerned? Or is the damage done here now that Rachel has spoken out?
HAMMER: I think what you often see in these cases and we may very well see in this case are that floodgates are open and there will be other people. They make similar allegations.
And the problem with these things is it`s really easy to make the allegations. It`s very difficult to prove something didn`t happen. So in this sense, I think Tiger Woods is probably smart not to address every single allegation that comes out because, you know, once you start addressing one, you`re going to have to constantly make denials and you`re never in a good position when you`re doing that.
HAMMER: Well, now that Rachel`s denial is out there and Tiger`s car crash investigation is behind him, you`d think he`d be a free man - free and clear. But no. Now, the mayor of the town that Tiger lives in has taken a swipe at Tiger.
Just today, the mayor of Windermere, Florida, where Tiger lives, is adding to the noise by slamming Tiger. He tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Tiger blew it, saying, "He should have just set the record straight right away." And the mayor wasn`t so diplomatic when he spoke to the "New York Post."
This is what the mayor said, "No one ever came forward to tell the full story. It was allowed to fester. I think had it been approached immediately, `There was an accident in front my yard and nothing is wrong. I have some minor injuries and I`m fine,` then I don`t think it would have gotten this far."
I`ve got to tell you, Jill. I`m with the mayor. Do you think that Tiger is to blame, as I said before for perhaps some of the insanity surrounding the whole incident?
SIMONIAN: Some people, yes. You could say that. And I partially agree with that because when I think back to David Letterman`s controversy a few months ago, David got ahead of that story.
And he kind of took care of it from the get-go. And it was detrimental at that time. But now, I`m not talking about David Letterman. I`m not thinking about and it came and went.
HAMMER: The mayor of the town where Tiger lives is not the only one fired up about this. A lot of people disagree with the mayor. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT producer extraordinaire, Jenny D`Attoma, got a real earful about this whole thing from comedian Chris Rock. She caught up with Chris last night on the red carpet of the Gotham Awards. You`ve got to watch Chris.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROCK: He had a car accident. What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED)?
D`ATTOMA: How do you think he should handle it? He hasn`t said...
ROCK: Handle what? He crashed his car.
D`ATTOMA: Well, he said it`s a private matter and he needs...
ROCK: If I crash my car on my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) property, it`s a private matter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Quickly, Jim Moret, is it that simple - is it that simple when you`re Tiger Woods?
MORET: It`s not that simple because he had a meeting scheduled with the cops and he cancelled each one. That was the problem. The police felt that they looked bad. So they had to do something so they issued him a citation.
If his injuries were not consistent with a crash, Tiger would have to explain how he got those. I would have kept quiet, too.
HAMMER: Appreciate your time tonight. Jim Moret, Jill Simonian, thanks so much.
ANDERSON: They are the biggest brand-new instant stars and everybody wants to hear from them. I`m talking about the outrageous alleged White House party crashers. And for the very first time, I can tell you the couple is speaking out today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Were you or were you not invited to attend that state dinner? How do you answer that?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tonight, the Salahis reveal if they were invited to the White House. But no matter they say, should we believe them? And we`ve got the explosive debate - should the Salahis get a reality show?
Making news right now, Hulk-a-mania running wild again. Down the aisle? Is Hulk Hogan about to get married just after his ugly divorce ended? You`ve got to hear what he just said on tape.
Also this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDRE DIMINOS, PRESIDENT, UNICO: They show them being arrested, fighting, hitting a girl. A girl kissing a girl. It`s just trash. It`s just trash.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): But isn`t this normal reality show fare?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The brand new controversy today over a new TV show which some say makes Italian women look like bimbos and Italian guys look like meatheads. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Sarah Palin`s book, "Going Rogue," has sold more than one million copies. Michael Jackson is Yahoo`s most searched celebrity of 2009, beating Britney Spears.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Hey, did you see this? It looks like the love train made a stop on "The View" this morning. They did a great job backing up musical guest Rod Stewart who sang the O`Jay`s classic, "Love Train."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, a brand-new huge reality show ruckus. There`s a new MTV show called "Jersey Shore." And tonight, the same group that was outraged over "The Sopranos" doesn`t like this one either. That`s because they say "Jersey Shore" portrays Italian Americans as bimbos and buffoons. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): Just what New Jersey needs - another slap.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: MTV`s new series, "Jersey Shore."
MOOS: But what`s creating waves is the way Italians come across on this reality series.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love "Jersey Shore." (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love Guido.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love Guidos.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who are the hottest, tannest, craziest Guidos?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The tannest, hottest, craziest Guidos.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Guido.
MOOS: The G-word really grates on Andre DiMino`s nerves. He`s president of UNICO, an Italian-American organization that would love "Jersey Shore" to be cancelled.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love tan Italian boys with muscles.
MOOS: Even though it hasn`t yet aired.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They keep their hair high -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It takes me about 25 minutes to do my hair.
DIMINO: They`re going to the lowest common denominator. It`s just a bunch of pumped-up young bimbos and buffoons acting on the beach with their spiked-up hair.
MOOS (on camera): You have nice spiked hair.
A. DIMINOS Thank you. Thank you.
MOOS: But it`s not spiked, though. It`s nice, though.
A. DIMINOS That`s right.
MOOS: The reality show gets hairy. It`s about a group of 20- somethings that share a summer rental in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m a good looking well-groomed Italian who is very, very good with the ladies.
A. DIMINOS They show them being arrested, fighting, you know, hitting a girl. A girl kissing a girl. It`s just trash. It`s just trash.
MOOS: But isn`t this just normal reality show fare?
A. DIMINOS What`s the insult on injury is that they connected it so closely to being Italian-American.
MOOS (voice-over): The last show UNICO protested was "The Sopranos."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Where`s my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) money. Keep crying about HMO, huh?
MOOS: The cast of "Jersey Shore" makes Tony Soprano seem modest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can hate on me all you want. What can you possibly say to somebody that looks like Rambo pretty with his shirt off?
MOOS: MTV released a statement saying, "This show continues MTV`s history of documenting various subcultures in a way that they self- identify."
But DiMinos is not buying the anthropological explanation of MTV. He says -
A. DIMINOS: Now, the M-T stands for "empty." That`s really an empty network.
MOOS: His wife, Jenny, agrees.
JENNY DIMINOS, WIFE OF ANDRE A. DIMINOS It looks like "Girls Gone Wild." That show, "Girls Gone Wild."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get ready for a whole new crazy.
A. DIMINOS: They call the girls the "guidettes."
J. DIMINOS: I don`t think I`m a Guidette.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You never know at the "Jersey Shore" what`s going to go down.
MOOS: What their hair -
(on camera): Has he ever had gel in his hair?
J. DIMINOS: Never. Even when I met him.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And if you want to check out "Jersey Shore," it premieres on Thursday night on MTV.
HAMMER: And you know, Brooke, it`s going to be a massive hit. I can also tell you, by the way, our "Showbiz on Call" operators may not have known this. They themselves have been to the "Jersey Shore." I think it was very different back in their day. I mean, take a look at this. No big hair on them.
ANDERSON: Yes, no big hair. And, hey, A.J., I know the "Showbiz on Call" operators also love to party.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: And our viewers are so fired up about those White House party crashers. Listen to this call we got from Denise in Alabama. She is furious.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DENISE, CALLER FROM ALABAMA: Please. I thought we already, you know, have enough trouble with the stuff going on in America today without somebody showing that our president is unsafe.
I think they should be fined, put in jail, whatever it takes to prove to the world and to America that our president will be taken care of at all costs.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: You can call us at "Showbiz on Call." That way you can let us know what you think about this or anything else at all.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are never closed. Give us a ring at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ. Mark it down - 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: Well, for the very first time since they allegedly crashed into the White House state dinner, the Salahis are speaking out. Now, they faced some very tough question this morning. Like, were they really invited to the dinner?
Also, the great SHOWBIZ TONIGHT debate, do these two deserve a reality show? Now, I don`t think so but there are some people think what they did is no big deal.
And just in today Adam Lambert`s brand-new interview with Ellen about his sexually-charged controversial AMA performance.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM LAMBERT, "AMERICAN IDOL" RUNNER-UP: I think in hindsight, I look back and go, "OK, maybe that wasn`t the best first impression to make."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is Adam finally going to apologize? Does he think he went too far? Wait until you see what got Ellen all worked up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Roman Polanski will be jailed until at least Friday, he needs more time to pay $4.5 million bail. E! releases racy ad for new season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Alec Baldwin says he`s giving up showbiz again. In a brand-new interview with "Man`s Journal" just revealed today, Alec says he will quit acting when his contract on NBC`s "30 Rock" runs out in 2012. Alec says he`d like to do something else.
Now, this is not the first time Alec has said he`s done with Hollywood. After that whole thing in 2007 where he called his daughter a "rude pig," Alec said he may hang it up since.
HAMMER: Tonight, Barry Manilow, an "American Idol" star. Barry obviously has had such a long and really successful career. I mean, he has sold more than 75 million records. Wow.
But Barry did pay his dues. And when I sat down with Mr. Manilow today, I asked what he thinks of the instant success of "American Idol" stars?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): It`s a lot different now with all the different outlets and the avenues to have instant overnight success. And a show like "American Idol" can certainly give that to someone. Is there anything wrong with that, though?
BARRY MANILOW, SINGER: Well, they certainly are going to have to pay their dues one way or another, or else, they`re just going to crash and burn. But these things - you know, I was kind of cynical just like all of us were when this whole thing started. But when you see Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and these are really talented young people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, we also just learned today that Barry has signed a two- year deal to perform at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas right there on the strip. And get into the holiday spirit and grab a copy of Barry`s great new album. It`s "In the Swing of Christmas." It is in stores right now.
ANDERSON: I just checked our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. I can tell you there`s a raging debate over this puzzling Tiger Woods car crash. I`m seeing hundreds of your posts on our wall.
Carl G. writes, "I think that if Tiger wants to keep it private, he should issue a press release stating so. Then the whole thing will blow over. He`s creating more drama by not saying anything."
But Melissa S. says leave Tiger alone, "Honestly, I don`t care. He is a great man and a great golfer and this is a personal issue. The man and his wife had a fight. I am sure he can replace the fire hydrant."
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 on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T. SALAHI: You can mischaracterize, you know, through the media and other paparazzi forum. And, you know, our homes have been invaded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: For the first time, the alleged White House party crashers speak. Tonight, we`ve got the fired-up debate. Should this couple get a reality show?
Also for the first time, Rihanna is now speaking out about the nude photos of her which ended up online. Why she suggests that nude photos are a good thing.
Plus, a dramatic ruling today in the reported Jennifer Lopez tape scandal. Will the tape ever see the light of day? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Nick Jonas and his new band to kick off tour January 2, Nick thanks brothers for their support. Kelsey Grammer to stay in his first Broadway musical, "La Cage Aux Folles," opens April 2010.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAUER: Were you or were you not invited to attend that state dinner? How do you answer that?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the White House party crashers. For the first time, the reality show wannabes who got into the White House state dinner speak out on camera.
Is Hulk Hogan getting married again? Wait until you see the shocking new video of Hulk, his girlfriend and a ring.
And Adam Lambert says he`s still not sorry about his racy performance at the American Music Awards. But he admits he might have gone too far. What Adam told Ellen today.
Plus, more stories breaking from the SHOWBIZ news ticker.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s 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. And tonight, the White House gatecrashers break their silence and you won`t believe what they revealed.
HAMMER: Yes. Brooke, the reality show wannabe stars are striking back at critics who say they crashed the White House state dinner. And their brand-new interview is making for big news breaking today.
On the "Today" show this morning, Tareq and Michaele Salahi slammed blistering accusations that they charmed their way into the White House state dinner. They claim they were invited. But are they telling the truth?
HAMMER: Also, brand-new today, in a shocking development, the gatecrashers have been summoned to testify in front of Congress. Is this absolutely ridiculous or is it fair game?
And let`s not forget, these two are still contenders for a brand-new reality show. So I`ve got to ask, are these two fame-seekers getting exactly what they wanted?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood is Jim Moret, who is the chief correspondent for "Inside Edition." Also in Hollywood tonight, Jill Simonian, who is an entertainment journalist.
So the White House gatecrashers are finally speaking out today. They`re claiming they are innocent. This morning on the "Today" show, they answered the one question everyone wants answered - did they crash the White House? Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAUER: Were you or were you not invited to attend that state dinner? How do you answer that?
MICHAELE SALAHI, ALLEGED GATECRASHER: Well, we were invited. Not crashers. And there isn`t anyone that would have the audacity or the poor behavior to do that. The White House is the most - it is the house. And no one would do that.
T. SALAHI: We`re greatly saddened by all the circumstances that have, you know, been involved in portraying my wife and I as party-crashers. I can tell you we did not party-crash the White House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, there you go. They are emphatically denying that they crashed the White House. Jim Moret, over to you, do you buy it?
MORET: No. Where`s the invitation? If you have an invitation, you say, "Here`s my invitation. Here`s the E-mail." Also, if they were invited to the dinner, why did they leave before the dinner, right after they had their pictures taken? I would suspect it`s because, as the White House says, they weren`t invited.
HAMMER: Jim, maybe they were serving beef and they`re vegetarians. Oh, come on. Jill, what do you think? Are you buying this at all? They flat-out denied being crashers.
SIMONIAN: No, no, I don`t buy this. I don`t think anyone buys this. Very few people buy this. Please - just like Jim said, where was the invitation? Why did they leave during dinner?
They want to become reality show stars. Apparently, Bravo Network cameras were following them, you know, to try to get them on "The Real Housewives of D.C." And they want to be stars. And they`re getting exactly what they wanted.
And if I didn`t like this show so much, I would say that I`m so mad that I`m still talking about this and that we`re all still talking about this because these people are getting what they want.
HAMMER: Yes. But here`s the thing. The Salahis did also say today that they do have proof that they were invited to the White House because they kept a couple of E-mails. Watch what they said about that on the "Today" show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T. SALAHI: We`re going to show you documentation from e-mails that, you know, you`ll get a chance to see. I think the American public is actually going to be extremely surprised with all the details that went from beginning to end into what was supposed to be a lovely, beautiful evening.
M. SALAHI: A lifetime memory...
T. SALAHI: You know, a lifetime memory. So, you know, we`re prepared to be coming up there, hopefully, very soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: No. I hope they`re a little more energetic than that if they`re going to be on reality TV. But there, you have it. The Salahis saying right there, "Hey, you know, the proof is there. We`ve got the e- mails."
But, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT heard directly from the woman they exchanged e- mails with, Defense Department official Michelle Jones. She says she never invited them. They came anyway. Sounds like somebody`s got their story mixed up here.
So Jim, if these e-mails don`t prove their claims are real, are Salahis just cooked?
MORET: Oh, I think there`s another problem because the congressional black caucus said the same couple did the same thing at a dinner in September. They got their photo take within Charlie Rangel and then, they were escorted out.
Why? Because they weren`t invited there either. Yes, I think they`re cooked. You know, I think this is very serious. This is a breach of security. It`s a black eye for the Secret Service, but this is a very serious matter.
This is the president, the vice president, the prime minister of India. This isn`t just - I could not get on to the red carpet of a Hollywood premiere if I`m not cleared. How do you get into the White House?
HAMMER: No. I`m right there with you. And to that end, you know, you would think locking horns with a Pentagon official might be enough. There`s more to this. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did learn today that these reality show wannabes have been summoned to testify before Congress about the whole mess.
Now, I know and we`ve been seeing the comments on Facebook, there are a lot of people out there who think, "You know what? That`s a huge waste of time." On the other hand, Jim, I`m right there with you saying if they got through the system, this needs to be dealt with.
Brooke Anderson, let me ask you. Do you think it`s ridiculous or do you think it`s completely fair game?
ANDERSON: Well, on the surface, it all seems completely ridiculous, A.J. But we are talking about people gaining access to the president of the United States. That should not happen.
The security, the Secret Service at the White House, are topnotch. Nobody should get past them. This is extremely concerning and very embarrassing for the White House. And, really, the whole thing is so, so fishy. There was obviously a breach in security somewhere. And they do have to get to the bottom of it to ensure that it never happens again.
HAMMER: Jill, what do you think? Fair game given the circumstances here that they actually testify?
SIMONIAN: Fair game that they need to be dealt with, definitely. But doing it through a congressional hearing - I don`t know. I do not work in politics. But to me, do not waste time with these people in a congressional hearing. That`s just me.
HAMMER: All right. Well, that`s just fair enough. And they`re not just having to answer to Congress and the Secret Service. But really, the fury of people coast to coast, the outrage, not just here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s safe to tell you that more than they bargained for, perhaps, is what they got out of this whole deal. And they say, and get set to shed a tear, they`re suffering. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
T. SALAHI: It`s been just devastating to us what`s happened to Michaele and I and our friends, colleagues, our business partners.
M. SALAHI: Our lives have been destroyed.
T. SALAHI: Our lives have been destroyed.
M. SALAHI: Everything we worked for, Matt. For me, 44 years, just destroyed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She`s been working hard for 44 years. Does that mean she`s 44? I`m confused there, really.
MORET: I don`t know either.
HAMMER: I`m having a hard time imaging that anybody is sitting there crying in their soup over this couple. But, Jim, what do you think? We`ve seen this before. Do you think this interview brought them some sympathy here? Or, as Jill suggested earlier, are they getting exactly what they asked for? They`re getting some fame, so deal with it?
MORET: Well, you`re right about their lack of energy. If there`s anything, we see that they`re not an exciting couple on camera. And I wanted the swell of violins because I heard, I felt their pain.
Look, I don`t think it was an accident, OK? They spent all day getting ready. If they have an invitation, show it. If they`re innocent, prove it. But they`re not doing that. They`re dragging this out and we`re all buying into it because we`re talking about it.
But that being said, you might be able to get them for some misdemeanor trespass and throw them in the cooler for a few days and let them think about it.
HAMMER: Oh, wouldn`t that be nice? And who knows? Maybe somebody will come along and film that. And if Bravo is going to continue to follow them for "The Real Housewives of D.C." and consider them, I actually don`t think that`s such a good idea if this proves to be true that they crashed and they should cut them loose. Jim Moret, Jill Simonian, thanks so much.
Now, let me turn this over to you. Here`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "White House Party Crashers: Should they get a reality show?" I`m really interested to see what you have to say about this. Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Is Hulk Hogan really getting married again? We all know how his marriage to Linda ended. It got really ugly. Is Hulk really planning to walk down the aisle again so soon? We`ve got the shocking new video.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAMBERT: I think in hindsight I look back on it and I go, "OK, maybe that wasn`t the best first impression to make."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Adam Lambert speaks out to Ellen today about his racy performance on the American Music Awards. And wait until you see what got Ellen really worked up.
And Rihanna`s nude photo scandal. A few weeks after Rihanna was beaten by Chris Brown, some nude photos of her showed up online. Now, Rihanna is speaking out about the photos. You`re not going to believe what she`s saying. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Let us roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Nicole Richie to create, produce and star in new comedy series for ABC. Regis Philbin said to be doing great after hip replacement surgery.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s getting a hip replacement, I would imagine.
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": And I believe a partial face lift.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really? Is that true.
RIPA: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No?
RIPA: It`s just a professional - he`s going to kill me when he wakes up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. I love this. Did you see this? It`s a YouTube video called "Cutest Kitten of the World." Now, this little kitten has - I don`t know what you call those. Jazz paws, perhaps? It`s almost like the little kitty is saying, "Surprise. I`m a star. I`m going viral." So, so cute.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Tonight, is Hulk Hogan getting hitched again?
ANDERSON: A.J., Hogan knocked a paparazzo with a one-two punch at the airport and all this without even using his fist. This just in. Hogan took a paparazzo by surprise when he told them to zoom in on the money shot - his girlfriend`s ring finger on her left hand. Is Hulk getting ready to walk down the aisle again?
Also, just in today, Adam Lambert sat down with Ellen DeGeneres and said he`s still not sorry for his sexually-charged performance at the American Music Awards. And wait until you hear why Ellen is still so outraged about the whole thing.
Joining me tonight from New York, Brian Balthazar, who is a comic and editor of "PopGoesTheWeek.com." In Hollywood, Rachel Zalis, who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
Brian, Rachel, I want to begin with Hulk Hogan`s brand-new bombshell. Hulk was walking through an airport when he tipped of a TMZ cameraman to the bling on his girlfriend Jennifer`s finger. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAPARAZZO: That`s a pretty lady you`re traveling today, man.
HOGAN: That lady right there?
PAPARAZZO: Yes.
HOGAN: Man, you`re missing the money shot. Check that left hand out.
PAPARAZZO: Oh, the left hand?
HOGAN: Yes. That`s the one.
PAPARAZZO: Oh, the ring on it.
HOGAN: Oh, man.
PAPARAZZO: There we go. That`s the story right there.
HOGAN: No, you don`t know the real story. That could be the new Mrs. Hogan. You guys know Jennifer Hogan there?
PAPARAZZO: Don`t know her yet. Nice to meet you, Jennifer.
JENNIFER, HULK HOGAN`S GIRLFRIEND: Hi. How are you doing?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Rachel, he introduced her as Jennifer Hogan. Does that sound like some kind of wrestling shenanigans to you? Or do you think that Hulk`s giving us the real deal here?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Yes. I mean, ordinarily, I would say it`s as fake as his matches, but I think he`s found true love. They asked hi, what makes her the perfect one. And he said she doesn`t do drugs. She doesn`t drink. And she doesn`t watch TMZ. What better mate could there be for him? If it`s real.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: It`s funny how he left it up in the air like he did, saying she could be the new Mrs. Hogan. Brian, why do you think that Hulk is being a little bit cagey about this.
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": Well, it keeps the story alive. You know, if he clears it up right away, it`s done. It`s out of the way. If he keeps it going, we`re left to speculate. By the way, she looks really young. I mean, I think his bandanna is older than she is, actually.
ZALIS: At least not as young as his last girlfriend.
ANDERSON: She does look pretty young. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - you know, his ex-wife is not quite that young. We reached out to Hulk`s ex- wife of 25 years, Linda. She had no comment for us.
Now, the bitter ex`s finalized their divorce just four months ago. Rachel, is this just another strange chapter to what`s been a very dramatic year?
ZALIS: Absolutely. I mean, this has been one of the most tumultuous years in his life, you know, between the tragic car accident that his son Nick was in. You know, everything that`s going on with his daughter, Brooke. He was dating her friend, you know, for a point of time. The bitter divorce with Linda.
So, you know, it`s obviously been a very, you know, crazy year. So who knows where this is going to go? I`m just enjoying watching.
ANDERSON: It`s been tough. And you know, he recently revealed in his book that he almost committed suicide at one point because things got so bad. So if he`s with Jennifer now and he`s happy, that`s wonderful. All the best to them.
I want to move now to Adam Lambert`s brand-new interview with Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show today. Adam really opened up to Ellen about how life`s been since he created such a firestorm with his sexually explicit performance at the AMAs. Ellen asked Adam if he thinks he went too far. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAMBERT: I think in hindsight, I look back and I go, "OK, maybe that wasn`t the best first impression to make. Like, you know, the first or second impression.
And - I mean, I had fun up there. I had a good time. My dancers had fun. The band had fun. But I also recognize that - thank you. Thank you.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
You know what? I respect people and I feel like people walk away from that feeling disrespected and I would never intend to disrespect anybody.
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Right.
LAMBERT: So that was not my intention.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Brian, does it sound like he`s having a change of heart maybe about how he handled that performance?
BALTHAZAR: Well, I think this whole thing is about as accidental as Paris Hilton`s hair extensions. But I think he`s panicking a little bit. You know, he`s never had to do damage control before, so he`s in an unusual situation. I think he`s been appropriately contrite, just enough to make this go away and let his talent speak for itself in future performances.
ANDERSON: It`s an indirect apology, I think. And that may be all that we`re going to get from. He still has not formally directly apologized for that racy performance. But he did tell Ellen that his own father suggested that he do just that. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAMBERT: My dad was like, "Maybe you should apologize, Adam. I don`t know."
DEGENERES: Yes.
LAMBERT: "Maybe you should do that." And I was like, "Well, Dad, I don`t feel like I did anything wrong. It just that maybe wasn`t the right judgment call.
DEGENERES: Right. But like you said -
LAMBERT: It`s a taste thing.
DEGENERES: Yes.
LAMBERT: I think, more than obscenity thing.
DEGENERES: Yes.
LAMBERT: Or, you know, it`s just a taste level.
DEGENERES: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP) v
ANDERSON: Wow. Adam sticking to his guns there, not apologizing but saying he made a bad call. Rachel, even though he`s still not directly saying he`s sorry, do you think maybe he`s retreating a bit? Because I sensed a little bit of regret in his voice.
ZALIS: Yes. I mean, listen, the AMAs have always been known as a great coming-out party for new artists. And he might just have taken it a little too literally. But at the same time, does he really need to apologize for being the new "bad boy" of rock `n roll?
I mean, the music industry has become very boring and sanitized. And here`s a night where there`s Rihanna, Lady Gaga, J. Lo. Who is everyone talking about? Adam Lambert. It was a smart move.
ANDERSON: Well, You know, Ellen seemed to be really outraged by the whole thing. And she basically said that if you`re offended by a show of sexuality on stage, then you should offended by all shows of sexuality in all forms. Brian, do you think that Ellen`s outrage helps Adam? Quickly.
BALTHAZAR: I think so. Actually, there`s a long history of doing shocking things at awards performances. You know, well, Sinead ripped up a picture of the pope on "SNL." And people have shown their butt cheeks. Prince and Marilyn Manson showed their butt cheeks. So you`re watching the wrong program if you want to just be boring.
ANDERSON: Oh, yes. They`re never boring, no doubt about that. Brian Balthazar, Rachel Zalis, we`ll leave it there for now. Thanks.
HAMMER: Well, tonight there has been a big ruling in the case of J. Lo`s tape scandal. Today, a judge in Los Angeles said that he`s keeping a ban in place that keep home videos of Jennifer Lopez from being released.
Now, Lopez` ex-husband, Ojani Noa, and his manager have been trying to release 11 hours of footage. Last month, Lopez sued them for $10 million saying her ex was violating the terms of the divorce and a confidentiality agreement.
And up until today, there was a temporary restraining order to keep the tapes from seeing the light of day. Well, today`s ban will stay in effect until the case is resolved. An attorney for Lopez says the footage does not involve sexual situations.
Tonight, Rihanna`s nude photo scandal. Two weeks after Rihanna was beaten by Chris Brown, some nude photos showed up online. Now, Rihanna is speaking out about the photos. You`re going to not believe what she is saying. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Forty-three people busted for drugs at Phish Concert in Portland, Maine over the weekend. Sarah Palin, Adam Lambert, Kate Gosselin among Barbara Walters` "Most Fascinating."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Rihanna`s nude photo scandal. Rihanna is speaking out about the nude pictures that ended up online just a few weeks after Chris Brown beat her.
In an interview with New York City radio station, Hot 97, Rihanna says she is the woman in the photos and that they were for her boyfriend at the time. She even suggested that it is a good idea to take those kinds of pictures of yourself.
Listen to what she says, "If you don`t send your boyfriend naked pictures, then I feel bad for him." Wow. I can`t believe she said that even though she says that when the pictures ended up online, it was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to her.
Listen to this, "It was humiliating and embarrassing, especially my mom having to see that." Now, Rihanna did say that she sent her mother flowers before she called to break the news to her. But her mom was very supportive.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a shocking tragic story. A former beauty queen has died after complications from plastic surgery, a butt lift. Former Miss Argentina, Solange Magnano was only 37 years old and the mother of 8- year-old twins.
On "The View" this morning, the co-hosts were talking about the story. And Sherri said she has often thought about getting plastic surgery on her butt. But Whoopi says she shouldn`t do it. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I mean, you`ve always - every time I talk about it, you also go, "Don`t cut. Don`t cut."
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Don`t cut unless you absolutely - I mean, this is just my opinion and all those folks out there who do this for a living, it`s no - you know, it`s no slam on you.
But to me, if you are choosing to go under anesthesia and a knife, you have to know that there are huge risks. Because you don`t know if you are not going do well until you are not doing well. That`s the thing.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Even now, too, in hospitals, there`s that airborne - I mean, whenever you open up - you`re opening up your body for infection. And that`s one thing rampant right now in hospitals.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": She was getting silicone injections which went to her lungs instead of her butt.
SHEPHERD: So many of these people - you see these girls (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BEHAR: You don`t know which way to turn, these silicone injections.
(LAUGHTER)
SHEPHERD: Already, you see, all of these girls. Now, it`s the new thing. The butts are the new boobs. You see everybody with a but now.
BEHAR: It`s so funny.
(CROSSTALK)
HASSELBECK: Do some exercises, maybe.
ANDERSON: Yes. I`m with Elisabeth. Try some exercises maybe before you choose to go under the knife. Authorities say the former Miss Argentina`s death is under investigation.
On Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we got the final results. "Tiger Woods` Crash: Is he handling the controversy well?" Only 36 percent of you say yes. Most of you, 64 percent, say no way.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Pamela from Florida writes, "This is a private matter between a husband and a wife. It is none of our business."
Carlos from Texas says, "Thousands of people have car accidents each year and life goes on. It is time to leave Tiger and his family alone." And we do appreciate your E-mails. Keep them coming.
HAMMER: Thank you very much and, as always, for sounding off. Love hearing from you. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Thanks so much for watching. 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 on HLN. Take care.
END
