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Showbiz Tonight
The Final Days of Casey Johnson; How Tila Tequila is Handling Casey`s Death; Joan Rivers` Jet Rage; Kate Gosselin`s New Look; Outrage Over "Marie Claire`s" Cover; Heidi Fleiss on Abortion
Aired January 06, 2010 - 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, poor little rich girl. The brand-new disturbing details today about the final days of Hollywood heiress Casey Johnson. Was she really so down and out she was living with rats?
Plus, the absolute fury over the way Casey`s lover, reality show star Tila Tequila, is handling Casey`s death.
Joan`s jet rage. Tonight, Joan Rivers blows her stack over being banned from a flight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAN RIVERS, COMEDIENNE: Men or women at the gate, who will not look at my passport, says to me, "You cannot go on." No, she was a moron.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Joan Rivers, a danger to air travel? Did she deserve to get grounded? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Joan Rivers` brand-new unbelievable air anger.
Kate`s shocking new look revealed today. Wait until we show you Kate Gosselin`s big time mommy makeover. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the great debate. Is Kate`s new do a do or don`t?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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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 from Hollywood. And tonight, the brand-new and very disturbing developments in the death of the poor little rich girl.
HAMMER: Absolutely chilling new details surfaced today about the life of young Hollywood heiress Casey Johnson before her shocking, sudden and mysterious death. How could this young woman, who stood to inherit the incredible Johnson & Johnson fortune wind up leading a life of reported squalor and deprivation?
There are also really troubling claims today about her lover, train wreck reality show star Tila Tequila and what Tila has been doing and saying since Casey`s death. And it all made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): It may have been one of the last parties attended by one of Hollywood`s big party girls.
CASEY JOHNSON, SOCIALITE AND HEIRESS TO THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON FORTUNE: I`m here to have fun.
HAMMER: This brand-new "Hollywood TV" video just revealed today shows Casey Johnson, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, out on the town with her girlfriend, reality show star, Tila Tequila in early December.
Three weeks later, Johnson died alone in her Los Angeles home. Her body remained undiscovered until Monday. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, there were more questions today about this wealthy woman`s death and disturbing new revelations about her wild and troubled life.
MARC MALKIN, "E! NEWS ONLINE": She was only 30 years old. No one should have to die so young.
HAMMER: In this new TMZ video, Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie are seen gathered at Nikki Hilton`s home for an impromptu memorial for Casey.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you have any comment on her?
HAMMER: Not all that long ago, Paris, Ritchie, Nikki Hilton and Casey Johnson were all part of the young Hollywood party jet set.
Today, Paris Hilton described the gathering, writing on her Twitter page, quote, "It was nice to get together and share our feelings and memories of our dear friend. We celebrated her life. We all miss and love her so much."
Johnson`s wealthy family, including her father, New York Jets owner, Woody Johnson, are said to be overcome with grief over Casey`s shocking death.
MALKIN: Now, it`s a question of what killed this 30-year-old woman. Was it substance abuse? Was it - did it something to do with her diabetes?
HAMMER: But now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, the more details that emerge from Johnson`s final days, the more it looks like this Hollywood party girl was stuck in a long, downward spiral.
ALICIA QUARLES, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: By all accounts, Casey grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth on Fifth Avenue, but reportedly had some big trouble.
HAMMER: New reports today suggest Johnson, whose family had reportedly cut her out of massive Johnson & Johnson fortune, was tens of thousands of dollars in debt when she died. And reports say her rented home, where she lived without utilities, because she couldn`t pay the bills, was overrun with trash and rats.
MALKIN: For years, Casey was said to have had substance abuse problems. There are talks that she was in and out of rehab. Most recently, though, she was arrested and charged with grand theft. She apparently stole jewelry from a former pal.
TILA TEQUILA, REALITY TV STAR: Casey Johnson and Ms. Tila Tequila are now officially engaged.
HAMMER: In a bizarre online proclamation last month, Johnson and her girlfriend, former reality show star, Tila Tequila, announced their engagement.
TEQUILA: Check out this rock.
HAMMER: And now, in the days after Johnson`s death, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, people are taking shots at Tequila for the numerous Twitter statements she`s making about Johnson`s death.
MALKIN: She was actually the first person to officially confirm that Casey had passed away.
HAMMER: In one of her many tweets since Johnson`s death, Tila Tequila writes, "I love you so much and we will marry when I see you in heaven, my wifey."
But with Tila Tequila`s reputation for bizarre attention-getting antics, some are wondering if this is another performance.
MALKIN: There`s no doubt in my mind that, you know, Tila Tequila is enjoying the spotlight that`s on her right now.
HAMMER: And now, Tequila`s tweets about Casey Johnson have ignited a Twitter war with Johnson`s friends. Model Jasmine Lennard, the one who had Casey Johnson arrested for stealing from her last November, is blaming Tequila for Johnson`s troubles.
On Twitter, she writes to Tequila, "You have known Casey for a total of one month and took advantage of someone in her weakest moment. You enabled her death and prevented her getting the help she so desperately needed for your own selfish purposes."
A bitter Hollywood war that`s adding another bizarre chapter to what appears to have been a very tragic life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So how did this poor little rich girl`s life become so tragic? Joining me tonight in New York is Jane Velez-Mitchell, the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL," which can be seen every night right here on HLN. Also tonight in New York, Jim Moret, who is a senior correspondent for "Inside Edition" and the author of this fascinating new book, "The Last Day of My Life."
Welcome, Jim, Jane. Hey, I`ve got to begin with all these brand-new reports today that Casey Johnson, born an heiress, reportedly died living in squalor, struggled with substance abuse, her daughter taken away from her because of her reported troubles.
Jim Moret, I want to ask you this, because in your new book called "The Last Day of My Life," you talk about your highs and your rock bottom lows that you experienced in your own life. Can you understand how someone so privileged could hit rock bottom like this?
JIM MORET, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, this story is a bit more complicated for her because it apparently involved substance abuse. And clearly, it`s not an overnight fall. This is a long journey as you reported in the piece just before, that this was years in the making and that many people in her own family saw this. And that`s why they apparently cut her off from the family fortune.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Jane, you`ve also got a hot new book out right now. It`s called "I Want." And in that book, you talk about how you beat your demons, your lowest lows. Help us understand how somebody so privileged could just throw it all away?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, being fabulously wealthy is fabulously overrated when you are given everything from an early age. And this girl was apparently given Cartier watches worth tens of thousands of dollars and Chanel purses worth many of thousands of dollars from a young age.
You don`t have to work for anything, therefore you do not develop a sense of accomplishment; therefore, you develop instead low self-esteem. For a lot of these trust fund babies - and I`ve seen this - there`s a fork in the road. Either you get involved in the family business and you excel there and you prove yourself to your family and/or you get involved in charity work and give away a lot of money and do good deeds.
Or you have a tendency to turn to excelling in the dark arts and really turn towards debauchery and degeneracy. And it does happen that often-dubbed tales with drug and alcohol addiction.
ANDERSON: Well, it`s just so tragic. She had so many resources, so much potential for what she could have done with her life and her wealth.
And there also this big controversy today over Casey`s fiancee, reality show star Tila Tequila who is the first one who actually tweeted to the world that Casey died.
Well, Tila`s been tweeting nonstop ever since, even writing today, "I shouldn`t be on the Net, but this is the only place I can find some temporary solace. I miss her so much, so much. Didn`t get to say goodbye."
I`ve got to say that reading a lot of Tila`s tweets, I find them very scattered. They contradict themselves but she does seem to be pretty upset. Jim Moret, does Tila deserve to be criticized?
MORET: Well, let me just back up really quickly to what Jane said, because I want to pick up on an important point. The value of your life is not determined by your bank account, but by the contacts and the relationships you have.
This is, I think, one of tragic areas in Casey`s life. As far as Tila - I talked to her not long ago, just before this engagement that she announced. And she said something to me that seemed very tragic. She tweets a great deal because she said that`s her family.
She no one in her life other than her public. And I think that there`s a loneliness in Tila Tequila`s life so that I really can`t criticize her for going on the Web because I don`t know that she has anything else.
ANDERSON: Maybe that`s all she`s got. As you say, how lonely can that be? And you both make a great point, money is not everything.
I want to move now to another story making big news breaking today - Joan Rivers air rage. Legendary comedian was stopped by airport security in Costa Rica on her way to New York because the name on her ticket didn`t match the name on her passport.
Well, Joan went nuts. Take a look at what she told CNN`s Larry King.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I had my ticket. I had my boarding pass. I had gone, as I said, through all immigration and customs. This is nonsense. And how dare they?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What the heck set Joan up? Was she just plain out of line? And come on, Joan Rivers a danger? Jim, Jane, stay right there.
HAMMER: Well, we all know Joan Rivers has had many looks over the years. She`s not shy admitting all the work that she`s had done.
Tonight, I cannot wait to show you Kate Gosselin`s new look. Now, no plastic surgery for her this time around, but I am going to reveal Kate`s big-time mommy makeover. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the great debate, is Kate`s new do a do or don`t?
Also, the outrage over a dating Web site that`s kicking people off because it says they are too fat.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is very ugly, seeing what they`re doing. It is hideous.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It at least says yes to this because our members want it to be -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is insulting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I think it is insulting as well. Then again, there are some saying it`s no big deal. The ugly beauty battle. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Charlie Sheen back at work on the set of CBS` "Two and a Half Men." Susan Boyle`s "I Dreamed a Dream" is the number one album for the sixth week in a row.
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ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, the ugly beauty battle.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. An exclusive dating Web site that only picks beautiful people as members called cleverly enough, "BeautifulPeople.com."
It is sparking worldwide outrage. The site is ditching people from the U.S. to Russia and everywhere in between because it says they are too fat. The people who run the site say these members broke the strict beauty rules by packing on a few pounds over the holidays.
CNN`s Jeanne Moos gets the skinny for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Imagine you`re a beautiful person on a dating Web site called "Beautiful People" and all that holiday food was just too beautiful to resist. You gained a few pounds.
GREG HODGE, CO-FOUNDER, "BEAUTIFULPEOPLE.COM" (through telephone): We`ve had over 5,000 of our newly chubby members who have been removed from the site.
MOOS: Five thousand members dumped like a second helping. in the words of the founder of "Beautiful People," "Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s a very ugly thing that they are doing. It`s hideous.
MOOS: You could only become a member of "Beautiful People" if existing members of the opposite sex vote you on. You probably think this Web site is about you. Maybe both eyes - that`s how we began a piece we did five years ago about the site.
(on camera): What we need is a guinea pig. Not him - me. But despite our best efforts -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Excellent.
MOOS: The photo I submitted was rejected. I didn`t stack up. At least, I`m not alone. Four out of five applicants are rejected by "Beautiful People." Let them eat cake.
(voice-over): At least, better not eat any cake now that they say they`re shedding beautiful people that packed on a few pounds. Members supposedly complained when they meet the actual person.
HODGE: And they hadn`t looked as they had represented themselves in their initial pictures.
MOOS (on camera): That`s a shocker, huh?
HODGE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It does at least says to this because our members want it to be -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is insulting.
MOOS (voice-over): Mia Ambergate(ph) is a plus-sized model who sees no pluses in this.
(on camera): As you look at the beautiful people, anything you would like to say to the beautiful people?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They all deserve teach other. Get a life.
MOOS (voice-over): She and we wondered if it all could be just a publicity stunt. Co-founder Greg Hodge says no. When he looks in the mirror, he sees this - a 7.84.
(on camera): How do you look at yourself in the mirror every morning when this is the kind of superficial thing you do?
HODGE: Look, is it politically correct? No, it is not. It is certainly very honest. People want to be with people they are attracted to.
MOOS: Those kicked off the site can reapply to be voted back on. You think even a guinea pig wouldn`t be a glutton for punishment.
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(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s beautiful Jeanne Moos and her guinea pig for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. So is this fatty outrage justified or does it serve the self-proclaimed hotties right?
With me right now in New York is Bethenny Frankel, who stars in the hit reality show, "Real Housewives of New York." She`s also the author of a fantastic new book. It`s called "The Skinny Girl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life."
So Bethenny, here`s the thing. I think - look, it`s their own Web site. They`re entitled to do whatever the heck they want to do. That doesn`t mean I think it`s a good idea or that it`s politically correct as they said. But do you think it`s just wrong for them to be kicking the so- called fatties off the site?
BETHENNY FRANKEL, AUTHOR, "THE SKINNY GIRL DISH": I mean the guy is obviously ugly person inside and out. But the truth is he could be a Website called "Superficial Moron." And you know what I mean. That`s what he is.
But the truth is, there are wasp-y gold club that won`t let Jewish people in. I mean, this happens all the time. It`s just really hard for it to be right in your face. It`s really ugly and it`s a terrible, terrible statement. And the guy is probably going to be beaten up in some alley, probably by me.
HAMMER: Well, yes. And please feel free if you feel so (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I mean, I`m not endorsing any kind of violence. But doesn`t it kind of make women everywhere nuts? Because I see they`re just making people feel insecure. They put on a couple of pounds - these beautiful people put on a couple of pounds over the holidays. I think it sends a bad message.
FRANKEL: Look, the girl is right. They do deserve each other. I mean, I`ve gone out with people that I ultimately didn`t find attractive. But you become attracted to them because of their personality, because they`re intelligent.
I mean, this is the most moronic statement in the world. I mean, literally, I want to punch the guy in the face and I think I might. I really do. Then, he`ll be ugly. Then, he won`t be on this Web site.
HAMMER: Again, I`m not endorsing this - but isn`t the joy of working out and taking good care of yourself, eating a couple of extra things over the holidays. That`s what I always say.
FRANKEL: Then, he`s a robot. Right. These are robots. They all want to be perfect, perfect Stepford people.
HAMMER: So here`s the thing, 500,000 people are members of this Web site. Is it outrageous that so many people want a Web site`s validation that they are beautiful? I mean, really, what does that say?
FRANKEL: Well, I think it says that people want somebody else who is superficially beautiful. And I think that everyone should go on and post fake pictures of them 25 pounds, 25 years ago and just mess with that guy. It is so wrong. It`s terrible. So wrong.
HAMMER: So here`s the thing. Were you single and out there on the scene, you wouldn`t be signing up for this site, even if you qualify?
FRANKEL: Never. No, I`m not like a model (UNINTELLIGIBLE) who always wants to go out with the guy who`s not eating carbs and bulking. I mean, this is idiot. No.
HAMMER: Not for you. All right. Well, Bethenny, there`s also an explosive new weight debate tonight over a beauty queen who is posing nude on the cover of a major fashion magazine.
Now, "Marie Claire" magazine is getting slammed for saying that this woman, a former Miss Universe, represents the average woman because she posed without air brushing. Average - are you kidding me? Bethenny, I want you to stay right where you are. We`re going to get to that in just a moment.
ANDERSON: Hey, listen, I know it`s never a good idea to mess with Joan Rivers. But I guess some folks at one airport didn`t get that memo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I had my ticket. I had my boarding pass. I had gone through all immigration and customs. This is nonsense. And how dare they?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Oy vey! Tonight, Joan`s jet rage. Joan Rivers blows her stack over being banned from a flight. But did she deserve to get grounded?
Also making news right now, former Hollywood madam, Heidi Fleiss, makes unbelievable comments about abortion. Caught on tape, you`ve got to hear what she says. 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: Carrie Underwood to guest star on CBS` "How I Met Your Mother." Hulk Hogan`s return to wrestling sets ratings record for Spike TV.
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ANDERSON: Tonight, Mariah`s unbelievable, seemingly drunken speech caught on tape. We were right there at the Palm Springs International Film Festival last night. The good news, Mariah Carey the breakthrough actress award for her role as a social worker in "Precious."
The bad news? When she accepted her award from "Precious" director Lee Daniels, Mariah seemed like she had done a little bit too much - if you know what I mean. Watch.
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MARIAH CAREY, ACTRESS AND SINGER: I have to say, this is - and please forgive me because I`m a little bit - yes. Oh, my goodness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes, Mimi may have had one too many margaritas, but her performance in "Precious" is really good. And what`s even more amazing, you can barely recognize her in the movie her in the movie.
There`s been talk that Mariah went without makeup in "Precious," but Mariah tells us that when she goes without makeup, she doesn`t look anything like her unmade-up character.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAREY: That`s not my no-makeup look. And if they think that is, I`m mortified. Because I`ll go wash my face right now and come out and say, "OK, here`s my no-makeup look. Are you guys cool?" Fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I think she always looks great, right? Hey, more big news for Mariah today. She was nominated for a NAACP award, too.
HAMMER: OK. So I just checked the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. A lot of people are really fired up about how it seems that Charlie Sheen gets a pass for his shocking behavior while Tiger Woods constantly gets slammed.
Let`s look a couple. This is Karen G. writing, "Charlie Sheen already has a bad boy rep, so there is no tearing down and the thrill of mauling a reputation."
Aida M. agrees, "Charlie has always been an everyday guy, while Tiger, from day one, has played the `I`m perfect` card. So now, the world knows he`s not. It`s news."
I want to hear from you on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter. For breaking entertainment news alerts, sign up for our Facebook and Twitter pages at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
ANDERSON: Here now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Do not go anywhere, because tonight we are revealing Kate Gosselin`s unbelievable brand-new look. Bye bye reverse mullet. Hello - well, you`ll have to keep watching to find out.
Also, big news breaking - the worldwide outrage today over the nude, un-airbrushed, un-Photoshopped model on the cover of "Marie Claire" magazine.
And Joan Rivers` air anger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I had my ticket. I had my boarding pass. I had gone, as I said, through all immigration and customs. This is nonsense. And how dare they?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Joan goes off for being banned from a flight. Did she deserve to get grounded? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Donnie Osmond to launch daytime radio show on January 18th. "Precious" tops the NAACP Awards nomination list, movie gets eight nominations.
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HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, a new year and a new look for Kate Gosselin. The reverse mullet gone. But is Kate`s new do, a do or a don`t? Tonight, the great makeover debate.
Also, Joan Rivers` air rage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I had my ticket. I had my boarding pass. I had gone as I said through all immigration and customs. This is nonsense. And how dare they?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: How dare they, indeed. Joan is furious about not being allowed to board a plane. Did she get a raw deal or is it a lot of hot air? One thing is for sure - Joan is not happy and she isn`t keeping it to herself.
And former Hollywood madam, Heidi Fleiss, is stirring up a brand-new controversy. Wait until you hear what she said about abortion, caught on tape.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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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, Kate`s shocking new look. Kate Gosselin has ditched the hairdo that launched a thousand parodies of the reality show mom.
HAMMER: Yes. Kate is showing off her brand-new look for the very first time today on the cover of the brand-new issue of "People" magazine. And you have got to hear what Jon Gosselin`s ex-girlfriend is saying about the do.
Also breaking tonight, the explosive reaction to this nude photo of Miss Universe 2004. It`s on the coverage of "Marie Claire" magazine in Australia.
Now, her picture has not been airbrushed for a good reason. But women are absolutely fired up and furious about it.
Joining me tonight in New York, David Caplan who is a senior editor for "People" magazine. Also with me in New York, Bethenny Frankel, who stars in the hit reality show, "Real Housewives of New York." And Bethenny is also the author of this hot, new book "Skinny Girl Dish." Also in New York tonight, it`s Marvet Britto who is a publicist and brand strategist.
All right. Let us begin with Kate Gosselin`s brand-new hair do. Charles, I`d like you put this picture up and I want to tell you what Kate is saying in brand-new interview today.
"It`s good to have hair again. I never thought I`d have short hair for as long as I did. I feel like this is a fresh start, a fresh me, a fresh life."
All right. Bethenny, what do you think? You know, fashion - is this new do a good move for Kate? Or is it a big don`t?
FRANKEL: I mean, look. Her divorce is very `09 so she has to have something to pour in to `10. So I guess her hair is what it is going to be. I mean, did she ever have a job? Did have a career or anything besides being in these magazines?
HAMMER: We`re not really sure anymore.
FRANKEL: Yes. The only thing I can ever think of is just seeing her in weeklies and now it`s going to be about her hair?
HAMMER: There you go. But you can`t blame her for wanting to get a new start. In fact, David Caplan, let me ask you what else Kate tells "People" magazine about her new look and her new life.
DAVID CAPLAN, SENIOR EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Look, Kate essentially says that it`s very cathartic, cutting off her hair, that it was a new year and that this was really just part of the process, that that`s what she wanted to do.
And really, that the hair was almost really symbolic of all the changes she`s gone through. In the article, she also speaks about her kids are now - they`re going to be going to therapy in a couple of weeks, how she wants to start some new projects and stuff like that.
I should add it took 20 hours for the hairstylist, who is also from TLC, to redo her hair.
HAMMER: What?
CAPLAN: So there`s many extensions in there.
FRANKEL: How long?
HAMMER: Twenty hours?
CAPLAN: Twenty hours. That`s the hairstyle.
FRANKEL: She looks good.
CAPLAN: She looks good.
HAMMER: She does look good. And here`s the thing that I think a lot of people are dying to know. What does Jon Gosselin think about Kate`s new `do? I mean, if you consider some of the women that he has dated, I`m thinking he would go for this.
Now, so far there hasn`t been any reaction. However in a brand-new "E.T." interview, Jon`s very angry and very bitter ex-girlfriend Hailey Glassman did have something to say about it. Brooke, tell us what she`s saying.
ANDERSON: She sure did, A.J. Hailey was actually very complimentary. She said this, "I like it. It`s a little shocking due to how short it was before. I think a new look is a new start and happier times. She`s like fine wine, better over time. Did I mention how great her body looks? I wonder who her surgeon is?"
And then Hailey got to Jon saying this, "Jon is poison. He plays the victim when he is the villain. This is also a way for her to throw it in his face. Jon always gave her (EXPLETIVE DELETED) about having short hair. Props to Kate. She can now be a MILF."
Marvet, does Hailey have that right? A good way to throw this in Jon`s face and say, "Hey, I`m over you?"
MARVET, CELEBRITY PUBLICIST: I don`t think she should be using Jon`s ex to throw anything in his face. And I think that her judging what Kate does or what Jon does is really irrelevant. And she really even shouldn`t be speaking at this point.
I think she should move on. I think - it`s 2010. I think they all should move on and really look forward to the rest of their lives.
HAMMER: Well, in her brand-new interview with "People" magazine, Kate also reveals that she`s not ruling out dating again.
Back at you, Marvet. Kate is working with TLC right now. She`s developing her own show. Do you think that she should be putting dating on the backburner at least for this year? I mean, would that be a good PR move for her to stop dating or to go out there and date, do you think?
BRITTO: I think for Kate it really is about moving forward and whatever she can do to put her past in her past and refocus on her life, and her life with her family and really reemerge as single Kate and really focused on Kate.
So I think whatever she decides to do, whether it`s dating, which obviously a part of just evolving, I think that she should do it in the way that makes her most comfortable and happy.
HAMMER: Well, here`s what I want to say to Kate and you new do, good for you. Let`s move onto the brand-new cover the "Marie Claire" magazine in Australia. You`ve got to take a look at this.
This picture of Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer Hawkins, has women everywhere up in arms, I tell you. Now, "Marie Claire" did not airbrush her picture. That is pretty unusual for one of their covers - is not entirely unusual.
They said they wanted to show what real women look like. But you know, women everywhere are furious because they are saying, "You know, come on. A former Miss Universe, drop dead gorgeous, while still naked represents real women?"
Now, Bethenny, you posed naked for an ad for PETA, and it was retouched and then, you released it un-retouched. But there was also a bit of a controversy about that. Do you get why women are outraged over this photo and it saying, "This is real women"?
FRANKEL: You can`t win for losing. If they retouched it, they would be mad. If they didn`t, they would be mad. I mean, there have been plenty of those ads. It does ads where it had real women.
I mean, I don`t own an air brushing machine. I put my real picture out there because it`s like, "This is me. It is what it is." You can decide - I don`t really care that much about it. I think everybody airbrushes everything. So maybe they should scale it all back and let it be a completely even playing field.
HAMMER: But to point that they are saying, this woman represents real women. Look, she was Miss Universe.
FRANKEL: Right. Yes.
HAMMER: I think that`s really where people - that`s at the heart of the outrage.
FRANKEL: Right. If they had just said, this is the model that is, you know, not retouched, great. A woman would like to find little flaws.
But yes, they should have taken a real woman, a woman who is a normal size, an average size and made everyone feel a little bit better about themselves instead of making them feel bad, because people want to feel like, "Oh, she`s retouched. So I feel good about myself because I don`t know what`s under there."
Now, they know what`s under the hood, and they want to go back to the other.
HAMMER: Well, as soon as we decide we were doing this story on the show tonight, Brooke Anderson picked up her phone and gave me a call. Wow, you were pretty reactionary to this photo when you saw it and the kind of message that it`s sending, Brooke.
ANDERSON: I was. And A.J., I applaud this girl for doing this for the reasons that she did it. I know that she has her own insecurities. But please, she is pretty darn flawless even without the airbrushing. So I do not think she represents real women.
I think that "Marie Claire" really missed the mark if that`s the message they intended to send with this particular issue. And I think they should take a page from the Dove campaign which recently has hit the mark every single time.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m right there with you on that. They post real women and attainable looks and sizes and all of that. I`ve always been a big fan of that. Well, we put this cover of "Marie Claire" on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page.
Right away, the comments were coming in fast and furious. Let`s look at a couple. Kelly G. writing this, "What is a real woman? Is she a robot? Just because not every single person looks as good as that doesn`t mean she`s not real. She looks healthy to me. Beautiful."
I actually think that`s a great point. Rebecca P. writes this, "I think she looks great on airbrush but I have to agree she doesn`t represent real women. I want bigger women on covers, maybe a size eight would be good." Marvet Britto, what are you thinking about this?
BRITTO: I think we live in an aspirational society where most women are never fully happy with what they have. And I think - I commend "Marie Claire" for not putting a woman the size of a fetus on the cover because they could have done that like most of the magazines.
So I agree that most people would rather see someone larger which represents most of the population. But again, this woman allowed herself to be photographed in an imperfect state. And I think that really is what the message that "Marie Claire" was trying to send.
HAMMER: Do you think it`s dangerous when they do something like this? Because it can make women genuinely feel badly about themselves.
FRANKEL: I mean, I kind of - I think the woman is beautiful. She`s not a toothpick. And I mean they have beautiful women on the cover every month. It`s not like if you`re buying the magazine, you expect to see the woman at the checkout counter of the supermarket.
HAMMER: Yes.
I mean, there`s always a beautiful woman. I don`t think this is like - this should be a massive, massive problem. I mean, like I said, you can`t win. The girl is gorgeous. They decided to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and tell her story.
She came out with it. And I mean, I don`t think it`s that drastic of a situation. I don`t think people should be slitting their wrists because they don`t look like her.
HAMMER: People need to calm down a little bit. OK.
FRANKEL: Yes. I mean, you know, not everyone looks like her. But you know, you learn that in high school, and - no, not everybody is the prettiest in the world. And there`s always somebody prettier.
HAMMER: Fair enough, Bethenny Frankel. Thank you very much. David Caplan and Marvet Britto, I thank you for being here as well.
ANDERSON: Tonight, a major case of air rage for Joan Rivers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I had my ticket. I had my boarding pass. I had gone, as I said, through all immigration and customs. This is nonsense. And how dare they?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Joan speaks out about not being allowed to board a plane, but is it all hot air? Or did Joan get a raw deal? One thing is for sure, Joan is furious.
Also, the fur is flying over a new PETA ad. And this time, they really might have messed with the wrong people. The White House is not amused about First Lady Michelle Obama appearing in the ad.
And former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss setting off major controversy with what she said about abortion. It was all caught on tape. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Taylor Lautner is Hollywood`s highest-paid teen actor, will get $7.5 million for next film. Battery charges dropped against Gerard Butler over photog incident in L.A.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, Redmond O`Neal arrested again.
HAMMER: Yes. And Joan Rivers flies off the handle over being held up at an airport. It`s all in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Joan Rivers air rage. The 76-year-old comedienne is furious after she was prevented from boarding a flight back to the U.S. from Costa Rica because of security concerns. Rivers was stopped because the name on her passport didn`t precisely match the name on her ticket.
RIVERS: I taken through four different checkpoints, all of which I had to do. Took off my shoes. Take off everything. And then, at the last minute, some moron, idiot, decided as we were literally going to the plane and ripping your ticket, that they didn`t understand why my passport had two names on it. And I was denied access to the plane.
HAMMER: Rivers had to driver six hours to another airport to fly out.
A new Redmond O`Neal drug shocker. The son of Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O`Neal was arrested again and ordered into a 30-day drug rehab facility for allegedly violating his probation.
The 24-year-old O`Neal has had multiple run-ins with the law over drugs over the years and reportedly failed a December drug test after getting a 24-hour pass from the rehab facility he was already in.
The fur is flying over a new PETA ad. The animal rights group has put Michelle Obama in an ad featuring her with Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks and Carrie Underwood to praise them for not wearing fur. The White House is upset, saying her image was used without her permission.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: We will get to the Michelle Obama PETA outrage in just a moment. But first, we want to talk about Joan Rivers` pure rage at a Costa Rican airport over the holidays. Is Joan overreacting just a little bit maybe?
Tonight, in New York, Marvet Britto, who is a publicist and brand strategist. Also tonight in New York, Jim Moret, the chief correspondent for "Inside Edition" and author of the brand-new book, "The Last Day of My Life."
OK, guys. Passport in hand, an angry and bedazzled Joan Rivers went on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" hog wild about her experience at a Costa Rican airport. Let`s watch more of her wild interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: I was given a boarding pass with the wrong name on it. I went through five different security passes. And then a woman at the gate who will not look at my passport, who will not call Continental, who will not call for help, who will not recheck into the records, says to me, "You cannot go on." No, she was a moron.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`m sure it was frustrating. But Jim, let`s face it. We have all had nightmare airport experiences. And I understand that things are very tense these days. But come on, how could anybody think that 76-year- old Joan Rivers was a danger?
MORET: I don`t think anybody in and out she was a danger. If the name on the boarding pass doesn`t match the name on the passport, you don`t get on the plane. Joan said that she had two names on the passport and the person didn`t notice both names or didn`t understand it, and that`s a legitimate grievance.
But the fact is that when you`re at the gate, the person who takes the ticket has the ultimate authority. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and say, "I`ll take the next flight," and that`s unfortunately what Joan had to do.
ANDERSON: Or maybe they mistook her for an impostor, maybe a Joan Rivers drag queen. I don`t know. And you know, I think what may have infuriated Joan the most was nobody was giving her the star treatment that she felt she deserved. She tells Larry King the woman at the gate wouldn`t listen to any of her pleas. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: All the people in line knew me and asking for autographs and taking pictures. At one point, I got so frustrated I said, "Get the pilot. Call the pilot. He will know me." They refused to do that. I said, "Call the airline in New York City." They refused to do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Marvet, as I said, everybody has horrible experiences these days at the airport. So Joan Rivers got flagged. Was it really such a great idea to go on national TV and kind of whine and whine and whine?
BRITTO: I don`t think it was. Joan Rivers should realize that celebrities are not excluded from following the laws. And there`s a heightened protocol put in place, you know, due to the Christmas security infraction.
So I don`t think that Joan Rivers, ranting and crying about it, does her any good. Obviously, she`s not a global brand that is recognized around the world. And I think that, you know, probably due to her demeanor is why she wasn`t treated the way she`s accustomed to being treated as a celebrity.
But again, this is a rule that applies to everyone and really is there for our safety. And no one knows if it`s going to be a grandmother or Joan Rivers. I don`t think we can take that chance and she has to understand that.
ANDERSON: Yes, you`re right. She`s probably not going to get much sympathy from many people. And there is no doubt that the entire world was on high alert after a terrorist`s thwarted attempt to detonate a bomb on a flight landing in Detroit recently. But A.J., what do you think? Did they go too far with Joan?
HAMMER: No.
ANDERSON: Or did she go too far.
HAMMER: Yes. Absolutely, Brooke. You know, the fact that she tries to rationalize what happened and her anger by saying, "Well, you know, they told me the first three checkpoints that I was OK. And then, finally, somebody got it right"?
No, you screwed up, Joan. You broke the rules. Too bad, we have to all deal with it. Guess what. It may not actually say "A.J." on my passport. Those are my two initials. I`ll make sure my full name is actually on my plane tickets. And yes.
ANDERSON: And you`ve got to make sure they match.
HAMMER: Yes. And you asked, Brooke, if she`s a danger. Yes, she`s a danger to herself. Not that you care, Joan, but don`t go on TV and whine about this. Nobody wants to hear it.
ANDERSON: Never a dull moment with Joan.
HAMMER: And that`s how I feel.
ANDERSON: She will always keep you on your toes. I want to move now to a whole different kind of outrage, this time over this brand-new anti-fur ad featuring the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama.
PETA is actually saying, "Hey, it`s OK they used her image without her permission and without the White House`s permission because, hey, she doesn`t wear fur for real." Marvet, I`m not buying that argument. It makes it seem like Michelle is endorsing PETA here.
BRITTO: Absolutely. And I think it`s highly disrespectful for PETA to force an endorsement on our first lady. She should be respected. Really, everyone should be respected, but particularly the first lady.
I think it goes beyond, you know, the bully nature of even PETA to put her alongside Oprah and Tyra without her consent.
ANDERSON: Yes.
BRITTO: I think that they went overboard, and I think that really this will compromise the integrity and the standing of PETA. I think that we will look at them differently for this.
ANDERSON: Yes, maybe so in the future. White House, not too happy about this one. Marvet Britto, Jim Moret, good to see you. Thanks.
HAMMER: Well, Heidi Fleiss certainly knows all about controversy. But wait until you hear what she did this time. The former Hollywood madam said this on camera, "Thank god for abortion." Yes, I`m thinking there`s going to be some huge fallout from this one. 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: Singer Katy Perry engaged to British comedian Russell Brand. Sharon Stone to guest star on "Law and Order: SVU" as cop turned lawyer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, thank you, Charles. Tonight, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss is sure to stir up a brand-new controversy with this one. She says, "Thank god for abortion."
Fleiss is on the U.K. reality show "Celebrity Big Brother" along with Stephen Baldwin and former "Dynasty" actress Stephanie Beecham.
Well, on Sunday night`s episode, the stars were sitting around the dinner table when the talk turned to children. And Heidi did not hold back with her opinions. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CROSSTALK)
HEIDI FLEISS, FORMER HOLLYWOOD MADAM: (INAUDIBLE) it would kill me because I`d be every minute, "Is the baby OK?" I`d be worried too much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You don`t want to have babies?
FLEISS: I`ve never had kids. Thank god for abortion, my god. I don`t mean to offend anyone, but I wouldn`t be a good mother, you know. I shouldn`t have kids.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did you see Stephen Baldwin`s reaction there? He was clearly pretty shocked by what had Heidi said. He became a born-again Christian after the 9/11 attacks. And on that same episode of "Celebrity Big Brother," Heidi called him an idiot for the way he preaches.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone ringing off the hook. People really fired-up. We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Audrey in Kentucky sounding off about reports that Beyonce was paid $2 million to do a private New Year`s Eve gig for Muammar Gadhafi`s son. Audrey thinks that was a bad idea.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I want to know what on earth was Beyonce thinking of? She does not need the money. She should not associate herself with anything, by any way, with Gadhafi or anything to do with Libya.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Audrey. We also heard from Rose calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from New Jersey. Rose called in about FOX News analyst Brit Hume advising Tiger Woods to drop Buddhism and become a Christian.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think Mr. Brit Hume is out of line with such a terrible suggestion. I happen to be a Christian also, but definitely, you don`t become a Christian in order to save your image.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Rose. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what`s on your mind about this or anything else. Don`t forget, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines open 24/7. The number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1- 888-728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: We have been asking you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Charlie Sheen: Is he scandal-proof?" I`ve been working on the calculator getting these up-to-the-minute results. Let`s take a look at this. Twenty-six percent of you say yes; 74 percent of you say no.
A lot of email coming on this, too. Here`s Darlene in New York writing, "Charlie Sheen is a disgrace to himself, his wife and his children. He is a piece of work with a bad temper."
Another - this was interesting - came from Shaketa in Georgia who writes, "Why isn`t there a media frenzy over this story as was the case when Chris Brown attacked Rihanna? I truly feel there is a double standard or bias when it comes to celebrity scandals."
We thank you for your E-mails. We thank you for watching. That`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Don`t forget you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, that`s at 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN. Take care.
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