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Showbiz Tonight
Is Tiger Woods Out of Sex Rehab?; Charlie Sheen`s Felony Shocker; Kelly Clarkson`s Rant Over Taylor Swift Singing; Jenny Sanford`s Revelation to Barbara Walters; Howard Stern to Replace Simon Cowell; Jon Gosselin to Allow His Kids to Be Filmed Again
Aired February 05, 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: Big news breaking right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - is Tiger Woods out of sex rehab? Brand-new revelations today that Tiger may be done with sex rehab. And the startling news, his cheated-on wife is right by his side.
Charlie Sheen`s felony shocker. Unbelievable reports today that Charlie may be hit with felony charges for allegedly attacking his wife on Christmas. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has got to ask - will CBS be forced to pull his hit sitcom, "Two and a Half Men," off the air?
Kelly Clarkson`s remarkable new rant today over Taylor Swift singing. Why Kelly is so upset.
And today`s incredible news that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell could be replaced by Howard Stern.
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.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And tonight, Tiger Woods out of sex rehab?
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Just when you thought that Tiger`s story couldn`t get any more outrageous, there is a brand-new explosive development. "Radar Online" reported a surprise revelation today that Tiger Woods is not only out of sex rehab in Mississippi, but his wife Elin, was right there by his side on the plane taking him home.
And there are also brand-new intimate details about his reported sex rehab. Also late-breaking news today that Michael Jackson`s troubled, personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, will be charged in Jackson`s death on Monday. People are talking manslaughter here.
Also breaking today, more incredible Charlie Sheen drama. The alleged Christmas Day brawl with his wife Brooke Mueller not only got him arrested. We now learn that Charlie may face felony charges for domestic abuse. This is some serious, serious stuff.
Joining me tonight in New York, Midwin Charles from "In Session" - our sister network, Tru TV has that. Also tonight in New York, Jane Velez- Mitchell, host, of course, of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." She`s also the author of this excellent book, "I Want."
All right. Ladies, I`ve got to begin with "Radar Online`s" explosive brand-new reports today that Tiger Woods is now out of sex rehab and returning home with Elin to see his children. This will be the first time in a month that he`s seen them.
Jane, let me start with you. I`ve got to tell you, people were hearing this news today and saying, his wife is with him after sex rehab, after he cheated on her with all these women. Is this nuts? Jane, is this nuts?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, I think we can`t tell, because we don`t know the whole story. What we know is about five percent of what`s actually going on.
There are probably incredibly intense negotiations going on behind the scenes. Gloria Allred, who represents two of Tiger`s alleged mistresses, told me yesterday that we have to consider the possibility that she dropped the plan to divorce him because she`s renegotiated perhaps or her pre-nup.
We could be talking tens of millions of dollars here. Now, I have no knowledge of that. But you know, she`s just not taking him back with open arms without getting something in return.
HAMMER: Yes. That wouldn`t surprise me. Because, really, in this world, everything seems to come down to money. Well, "Radar Online" is reporting today the intimate details of Tiger`s sex rehab. And get this, they`re reporting that Tiger`s treatment at the Gentle Path clinic in Mississippi included him living in a simple cabin, going to group therapy, also getting individual counseling.
"Radar" reports today that Tiger is determined to get his life back on track. But Midwin, I`ve been hearing this. We`ve been talking about the sex rehab.
I`m thinking a month of sex rehab, if that`s what he was doing, against all of these women he reportedly cheated on. Is that really enough? What do you think?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": I don`t know. I mean, let`s think about it. He cheated with a lot of women over the course of about three years. And you get one month of sex rehab?
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: I don`t know. I think you need a whole lot more than that. `
HAMMER: Well, Tiger`s reportedly leaving the sex rehab comes just one day after another alleged mistress, former porn star, Joslyn James, stepped forward saying she had an affair with Tiger Woods.
Her lawyer, famed attorney Gloria Allred who Jane was just talking about a moment ago, entertained us, and I do mean entertained, by revealing what Joslyn claimed were some of Tiger`s steamy text messages to her. Listen carefully.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY FOR JOSLYN JAMES: On October 1st, 2009, Mr. Woods wrote, quote, "Baby, I`m not going anywhere or doing anything. You please me like no other has or ever will. I am not losing that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Gloria, I love you. I don`t know why I get so much enjoyment out of hearing you read that. Well, what these explosive mistress revelations still rolling after months?
Brooke, I want to bring you in here. Still sounds to me like the makings of a doomed marriage. I mean, I certainly give them credit for trying to work things out. But what do you think? Is there really any chance this could work?
ANDERSON: I`m a glass-half-full kind of person, A.J. So yes, anything`s possible. Am I surprised that she is letting this lying, dishonorable, cheating scoundrel of a person stick around? Yes, yes and yes. I am shocked.
But that said, I do believe in the institution of marriage even though he`s violated those marriage vows over and over and over again.
But if she wants to make it work for the sake of her family, more power to her. I sincerely hope this is not about money, because, as we know, money obviously not the key to happiness.
HAMMER: No.
ANDERSON: I hope he`s a changed person.
HAMMER: I`m also a glass-half-full person, but my glass seems to - I don`t know - maybe there`s a leak in there. I don`t what`s going on.
All right. Let me move on to what is an urgent and late-breaking story that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s been following all day long today. The Los Angeles district attorney announced today that charges against Michael Jackson`s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, will be filed on Monday. Finally.
The thing is, they didn`t say exactly what he`d be charged with. Now, Jane, there are some reports out there it`s going to be involuntary manslaughter.
Now, let`s remember, shall we, that this is the guy who was with Michael when he died, the guy who administered the drug that led to his death. A lot of people are saying he should be charged with murder.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, the Jackson family would like to see him charged with murder. But a charge isn`t a conviction. The district attorney wants to get a conviction. They had a hard time in celebrity cases in Los Angeles. Remember O.J.? Remember Robert Blake? So they want to win here.
And I think they believe that involuntary manslaughter is a much more winnable case because Dr. Conrad Murray has already indicated that he gave Michael Jackson five sedatives over the course of six hours before giving him propofol, which ultimately did him in.
Now, involuntary manslaughter involves gross negligence. It doesn`t involve having a proof that he wanted to hurt Michael Jackson. I think that`s going to be a lot harder to prove and I don`t think the D.A. wants to go there.
HAMMER: Yes. Midwin, you`re an attorney. You understand these things far better than I ever will. I think, for me, it sounds like it`s an emotional reaction that so many people want to see murder attached to this. And when I mentioned the word "murder," you said, "No, not going to happen."
CHARLES: Not at all. Not at all. And I think what a lot of people need to understand is that in order to charge murder, you have to show that this person actually intended to kill person, right?
HAMMER: Right.
CHARLES: You have to show premeditation. You have to show malice. You have to show that they thought about it. And you don`t have that here. And as Jane said, and she`s right, you`d want a conviction if you`re the prosecution, right? You don`t want to -
HAMMER: So if he was negligent in his responsibilities, that`s not murder.
CHARLES: It`s not murder.
HAMMER: OK.
CHARLES: It`s not murder.
HAMMER: I get it.
CHARLES: It`s manslaughter. It`s involuntary manslaughter.
HAMMER: Yes. We`ll be following this very carefully on Monday. But I want to move on now to truly stunning new revelations in the Charlie Sheen domestic violence allegations.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that on Monday, Sheen will reportedly be charged with a domestic violence felony for attacking his wife, Brooke Mueller, on Christmas Day.
Now, Jane, a felony is a big deal. This is no small potatoes. It`s not a traffic violation. And look, we know it`s not usual. Somebody gets charged with a felony, their employer might suspend them. It happens all the time until the case is settled.
But I don`t know if that`s going to happen in Charlie`s case. And given his historic immunity to scandal, it`s probably unlikely. But do you think CBS will have to yank his hit show, "Two and a Half Men," until all this is settled? VELEZ-MITCHELL: I have a new nickname for Charlie Sheen - Teflon Charlie. Time after time, his career seems to emerge unscathed from scandal. It is really amazing what Hollywood will put up with when somebody is a known ratings-getter as Charlie is.
Now, there is one caveat. If he`s convicted, I don`t know if he`ll be able to tape the show from behind bars. That might be a little tough to arrange.
HAMMER: That might give him away.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: That would be "Two and a Half Men" plus a prison guard.
HAMMER: Yes. Midwin, quickly. You know, people may start to protest CBS. Who knows? There are some dollars at stake here certainly. Do you see them yanking his show?
CHARLES: Look, I think people are probably going to protest. They`re going to write in. They`re going to text. They`re going to Twitter. They`re going to Facebook. But at the end of the day, CBS will pull the show if it comes down to money, OK?
HAMMER: Exactly.
CHARLES: It`s all about the dinero. And if they can still get money from the show, they will do it until they can`t.
HAMMER: All right. Midwin Charles, Jane Velez-Mitchell, I thank you both.
ANDERSON: Tonight, the unbelievable story of another woman`s public marriage meltdown - Jenny Sanford. She`s the wife of South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford. That`s the guy who said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, but who really was visiting his mistress in Argentina. Just a short time ago, tonight, she gave her very first interview to Barbara Walters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, TV JOURNALIST: After this press conference, your husband called you.
JENNY SANFORD, WIFE OF SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD: Right away, right. So how did I do? How did you do? Are you kidding? You know, you talked about days crying for her. It was her. You hardly said anything about the boys or I.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That`s incredible. He admits to adultery then called his wife to see how he did? What a jerk.
And Howard replacing Simon? The brand-new report today that Howard Stern is being considered to replace Simon Cowell at the judges table on "American Idol." This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WANDA SYKES, COMEDIAN: Black History Month. NBC, that`s how they celebrate, "Oh no, you all don`t need to know about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass. Here`s some fried chicken. Here you go."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s the very funny Wanda Sykes slamming NBC on "The Jay Leno Show." Wait until you see what NBC was serving in the cafeteria in honor of Black History Month that set Wanda off.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. So Brooke, did you see this NBC cafeteria menu?
ANDERSON: Yes, I did, A.J. And people are really fired-up about it today. Some say it`s racist, while others say, hey, it`s no big whoop.
Here`s the deal. An African-American chef at NBC`s cafeteria in New York prepared a special menu for Black History Month. Questlove, who was part of the house band for Jimmy Fallon`s late night show took a picture of the menu and posted it on Twitter with the message, "Hmm. HR?" Then all heck broke lose. Listen to Wanda Sykes on "The Jay Leno Show."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SYKES: At NBC, they had a menu for Black History Month. You all remember - yes, they were serving fried chickens, collard greens, black eyed peas, corn bread -
JAY LENO, HOST, "THE JAY LENO SHOW": Is that real?
SYKES: That is real, Jay.
LENO: Oh, that`s it.
SYKES: And only thing I`m - did you see everything? Did you get any of that? Black History Month. NBC, that`s how they celebrate, "Oh no, you all don`t need to know about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass. Here`s some fried chicken." What is happening at NBC?
LENO: We are a very progressive country.
SYKES: Is the whole damn network on medical marijuana? What the hell is going on here?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. As we mentioned, the chef is African-American and she is pretty upset over the whole thing. She says that she`s been fighting for a while to get Black History Month - get a menu for Black History Month and doesn`t really get why people are so upset. Listen to what she tells "TheGrio.com."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE NBC CAFETERIA CHEF: I don`t understand at all. It`s not trying to offend anybody and it`s not trying to suggest that that`s all that African-Americans eat. It`s just a good meal and that`s something that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, NBC has apologized.
ANDERSON: Tonight, caught on tape, the campaign to save Dave. A raging battle broke hell this week to save an Australian banker`s job. His name, Dave. Dave became a star when he was caught on live TV looking at nearly naked photos.
It seemed like Dave`s days were numbered. But people all over the world jumped up to say, "Hey, don`t fire the guy." Well, today we actually found out if he got canned. But before we let you know though, here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They`re calling it the "Save Dave" campaign.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe you should save Dave.
MOOS: Save Dave`s job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t think Dave should be fired.
MOOS: Dave Kiely is the guy who got nabbed on an Australian news broadcast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Which was where they were at a low -
MOOS: During a live interview at MacQuarie`s bank, he was in the background opening photos of a nearly-naked famous model, Miranda Kerr.
(on camera): Now the pictures he`s looking at are from -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God. This is nude pictures of women. I mean, were we born with clothes on?
MOOS (voice-over): Take it off, stripper music was played.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The problem was he did it during a live interview here on seven about -
MOOS: As local anchors chortled over the story, but now the "Save Dave" campaign has come to his rescue, started by a financial news Web site in London.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the world is going politically correct mad.
MOOS: There`s all kinds of speculation that Dave was set up, that this could have been a practical joke with the photos E-mailed to him so he`d unwittingly open them during the live broadcast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The theory goes that as he opened the third attachment and he scrolled down there was a message at the end of the E-mail that said, "Turn around now."
MOOS: That`s everybody`s favorite part, when he turns around. Now, he`s got support groups on Facebook. "Who hasn`t done that?" asked one fan. "Post a photo of yourself checking out Miranda Kerr to show your support."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Save Dave, definitely.
MOOS: "The Australian" reports Dave is waiting to hear his fate as the bank forensically examines his E-mails.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Next time, Dave, be a little more careful, and company, don`t fire him right off the spot.
MOOS (on camera): You`re saying out. He`s out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Out, yes.
MOOS: Out the door?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Out the door. 10 to 4, out the door.
MOOS: But what would Miranda think about some guy possibly getting sacked just for looking at her?
(voice-over): The Victoria`s Secret model told the Melbourne "Herald-Sun," "I am told there is a petition to save his job and of course I would sign it." And while she`s signing things, might as well autograph one of her photos and send it to Dave, but not to his work E-mail.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Save him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should tell him to take those pictures home and leave them home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Now, did Dave get to keep his job? The answer is yes. Today, Dave`s employer released the following statement, "He will remain an employee of MacQuarie. MacQuarie and the employee apologized for any offense that may have been caused." Congratulations, Dave.
HAMMER: Good for you, Dave. Well, let me tell you that Mel Gibson may need some saving from himself. Well, that`s what I`m thinking. You know how he just went after those reporters for asking him a question related to his drunk-driving arrest and anti-Semitic rant. He even swore at one of them.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. I`ll tell you this, though. Our "Showbiz on Call" callers are pretty split on it. Joyce calling from Florida wants nothing to do with Mel anymore.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JOYCE, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I`m watching Mel Gibson and I used to be a big fan of his. And I will never see another one of his movies. I think he needs to get out of show business and stay out. He`s the most rude, obnoxious person I`ve ever seen.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Joyce.
HAMMER: But Jeanne(ph) from Illinois thinks the reporters were out of line.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JEANNE, CALLER FROM ILLINOIS: It`s been five years since that incident. He did not need to bring that up. So I think that Sam Rubin and Dean Richards made him feel uncomfortable for no reason and he should just focus on the movie which is coming out. He`s an incredible actor and a good person. You know, he`s made his amends.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: I`ve got to say I think they were perfectly legitimate questions, but I do appreciate your call, Jeanne.
ANDERSON: And the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open 24/7. We want you to give us a ring. So write down this number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899. We appreciate your calls.
HAMMER: Hey, I bet our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are going to light up about this. What do you think?
Howard Stern, the new "American Idol" judge. There are brand-new reports today that Howard Stern is being considered to take over for Simon Cowell. This would be pretty cool.
Also, Kelly Clarkson`s remarkable new rant today over Taylor Swift singing. You know, there`s a huge controversy about Taylor`s brand-new performance. Tonight, I can tell you Kelly is really upset.
And is Taylor Swift the most provocative celebrity of the week? How about Tiger Woods` wife, Elin, for sticking by him even as Tiger reportedly gets out of sex rehab? What about Mel "My big mouth is a lethal weapon" Gibson? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": Mike, your nickname is "the situation." Who hosts "The Situation Room" on CNN.
MIKE SORRENTINO, REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": I know I should know this -
DEGENERES: Yes, you should.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. We can`t wait any longer. We only have an hour to show here. The "Jersey Shore" cast brought by Ellen with some Q and A. Let me tell you, the answers were pretty hard come by. You`ve got to love the "Jersey Shore" cast. They know who they are, right?
Well, just watch what else happened when Ellen had Paulie D., Snooki and The Situation on for some good, old-fashioned "get the question right or get dunked in the water."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEGENERES: New Jersey nickname is "The Garden State." What is the slogan for the Olive Garden?
PAULIE D., REALITY TV STAR, "JERSEY SHORE": Olive Garden? We don`t pump our gas. We pump our fists.
DEGENERES: Mike, your name is "The Situation." Who hosts "The Situation Room" on CNN?
SORRENTINO: I know I should know this -
DEGENERES: You should.
SORRENTINO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) went on this show.
DEGENERES: No.
SORRENTINO: OK. Can I get a hint? Are you for anyone?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Press the button.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I really enjoyed seeing that happen. The Situation, the host of "The Situation Room" - that`s Wolf Blitzer, of course. Find out what else happened with the "Jersey Shore" cast. Tune in to "Ellen" on Monday.
ANDERSON: You know, A.J., what I would love to see? Wolf doing a little bit of fist-pumping. All right. Our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page going mad right now over Mad Mel. Mel Gibson lashing out two reporters and swearing at one because they asked him about his drunk-driving arrest and anti-Semitic rant.
Casey(ph) M. says, "The reporters were out of line. He`s clearly made some poor choices in the past and it`s just plain rude to bring it up in a public forum and put him in such an awkward position."
But Carey(ph) P. says Mel blew it, "Mel should have said, `I made a mistake and I apologized for it and moved on.` But because he keeps showing he hasn`t changed, I refuse to support his movies."
Write me on Facebook and sign up for our Twitter breaking news alerts. Sign up at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Big news breaking today - is Jon Gosselin really willing to allow his eight kids to be filmed again?
Howard Stern, the new Simon Cowell? What? Could Howard replace Simon on "American Idol?"
And who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name the most provocative celebrity of the week? Tiger Woods` wife, Elin, for standing by him? Mel Gibson for his outrageous new outburst? Or Taylor Swift for her Grammy singing controversy? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford drops another bomb tonight, about what her husband said to her moments after he blew up their marriage on live TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: After this press conference, your husband called you.
SANFORD: Right away, right. So how did I do? How did you do? Are you kidding? You know, you talked about days crying for her. It was her. You hardly said anything about the boys or I
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jenny Sanford`s stunning new revelations just out tonight.
Kelly Clarkson`s remarkable Taylor Swift rant. And tonight, why she`s now dragging "American Idol" into it.
Taylor`s Grammy singing fallout. Tiger Woods` wife reportedly takes Tiger back after sex rehab. Mel Gibson`s new A-bomb outburst. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week.
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.
HAMMER: Tonight, Jon Gosselin`s mind-boggling about-face. Kelly Clarkson`s remarkable rant over Taylor Swift and "American Idol." And will "Idol" judge Simon Cowell be replaced by Howard Stern? All big news breaking in the SHOWBIZ buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice over): Is Jon Gosselin backing down? Gosselin will reportedly let TLC film his eight kids again for a future show. "Radar Online" reports Gosselin will back down if TLC drops its breach of contract lawsuit against him.
TLC, which aired "Jon and Kate Plus 8," got a preliminary injunction against Gosselin, preventing him from getting paid for media appearances because he is still under contract to them.
Kelly Clarkson`s angrily defends Taylor Swift and "American Idol." Clarkson has just blogged a biting response to a record company executive who defended Swift`s criticized singing at the Grammys.
He called Swift a true artist saying, quote, "This is not `American Idol.`" Clarkson, a season one "Idol" winner fired back, insulted that he dissed "Idol" contestants and said, quote, "We not only hit the high notes, you forget to mention, we generally hit the right notes as well."
Will the next "American Idol" judge be Howard Stern? The "New York Post" reports "Idol" wants Stern to replace Simon Cowell after he leaves at the end of the season. Stern`s Sirius Satellite Radio contract is up next January. The self-proclaimed king of all media is sending mixed signals saying that he may not even want to work next year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So if Howard Stern were to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol," would that be the best thing to happen to the show? Or would it be a nightmare?
Joining me tonight in Hollywood, Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist. And from New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
Tanika, Ben, Fox is not commenting on this. But Tanika, I`ve got to get your take on this. Howard Stern, the new Simon - good idea or terrible idea?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: You know what? I love listening to Howard. I just think he`s entertaining. He`s provocative. People love what he has to say.
But I`m a little over the stunt casting on "American Idol." We already have one person, Ellen, who is hilarious, but she really doesn`t have any singing experience on the panel.
So it will be a little odd to have another person that really doesn`t have anything to do with music as far as hits that are made or decisions that are made being on the panel. It just sort of takes away "American Idol`s" credibility going forward. But then, he`s a good choice, but a little odd.
ANDERSON: And he`s never really been considered family-friendly, so he`d, of course, have to tone down act a little bit. But you know, I think he and Simon have a lot in common. They`re loud. They`re opinionated. They`re confident.
Maybe it could be a seamless transition. A.J., I know that you`ve followed Howard for years. You listen to Howard. What do you think about this possibility?
HAMMER: Well, first of all, Tanika, you know, I love you. I have to disagree with you. I think Howard has a real intuitive understanding of the music business and what it takes for a pop star to be a pop star.
I think this would be huge for "American Idol." They need a shot in the arm. Obviously, he brings along built-in audience of millions and millions of people. He`s talked about how enjoys the show, much to the amusement of his coworkers.
Having said that, it`s not going to happen. You know, Howard doesn`t show up the party. He throws the party. Howard doesn`t work himself into somebody else`s formula. He innovates the formula. So as great an idea as I think this is, it`s not going to happen.
RAY: A.J., I love music, too, so you can put me on the show, that`s all I`m saying. We all love music.
ANDERSON: There you go. There you go. Mark that one down. Tanika Ray to replace Simon Cowell. I think that`s a great possibility. And you know, I guess there`s some major fireworks though between Howard Stern and new "American Idol" host Ellen DeGeneres. Ben, what do you think about that? Are you with me?
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Oh, absolutely. I think they would play very well with each other. But you know, his act has always been very lascivious. You know, he makes inappropriate comments about women - he has one of the best porn stars on his program. I don`t think the audience is going to be waiting to see how he`s going to interact with the flower of American youth if they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on "American Idol."
ANDERSON: As I said, he has to tone down his act a little bit.
RAY: A lot.
ANDERSON: Well, we revealed today on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. I thought the wall was going to explode, disintegrate. Dozens of comments in just 15 minutes.
Caroline G. writes, "Oh, heck no. If that happens, I will never watch it ever again."
But Donna R. says, "I do like Howard. Howard with the show would kind of seem like a joke. It`s getting out of hand now with who`s leaving, who`s staying. Concentrate on the future idols out there. Forget putting the spotlight on the judges already."
ANDERSON: Tanika, that kind of goes to your point you were making.
RAY: Go ahead, Donna. She knows what she`s talking about. You know that`s absolutely true. We don`t want to pull all the focus to who is on the panel. It really is about those young kids trying to make their dreams come true.
So I did like Elton John as a choice, though. But I do think it should be somebody who`s legitimately in the business, who is a producer who really knows what it makes and what it takes to be a superstar. That would be my choice.
ANDERSON: And the contestant should be center stage. I want to move now to more big news breaking today. Kelly Clarkson`s rant today about the whole Taylor Swift controversy at the Grammys.
The head of Taylor`s record label blew a gasket after Taylor was criticized for her singing, that with her duet with the legendary Steve Nicks, he basically said that Taylor is a true artist, not like those singers on "American Idol."
Well, Kelly blew her stack on her blog responding, "I understand defending your artist, obviously because I have done the same in the past for artists I like including Taylor, so you might see why it`s upsetting to read you attack `American Idol` for producing simply vocalists that hit the high notes. Thank you for that, `Captain Obvious` sense of humor, because, you know what? We not only hit the high notes. You forgot to mention we generally hit the right notes as well."
Ben, Kelly tweeted that she actually was not taking a dig at Taylor. She is a fan. So, she got right to the point there, did she? She got it right?
WIDDICOMBE: She did. I mean, her comments were unfairly passed by some media as taking a dig at Taylor. But I don`t think she was. But you know, the swipe that the guy took at "American Idol" was so completely gratuitous. And sir, you didn`t need to criticize "American Idol" or the great singers they produced to comment on Taylor`s performance at the Grammys.
ANDERSON: Yes, it was a cheap shot, a low blow. I think it was unnecessary. And true, he didn`t have to do that.
All right. I`ve got to move on a big news breaking today about Jon Gosselin apparently waving the white flag of surrender. Jon has blocked TLC from filming his kids since the end of "Jon and Kate Plus 8."
But now, he is reportedly willing to let them film the kids if they drop their breach of contract lawsuit against him. Tanika, Jon just took his kids off the show because he felt like they were being exploited. So it seems to me he is exploiting them now to get what he wants.
RAY: Yes. He just got himself caught in a lie. That`s not really obviously why he took his kids off the show. He took them off the show because he was being sued by TLC. It`s the perfect entertainment tit for tat.
So if he gets his lawsuit scratched, then of course, the kids could be on, because that`s what brings in the money for his family. So you know what? If you`re going to do it, you`ve just got to be honest about it and say, "TLC, drop the lawsuit and you can have my kids back." That`s what really it comes down to.
ANDERSON: Well, Jon`s attorney told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT late today that it`s all speculation right now. But here`s another bombshell for you. Jon`s attorney also tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Jon would even be willing to go back to TLC -
RAY: Duh -
ANDERSON: He tells us, quote, "Jon Gosselin is a media magnate. When he last appeared together with Kate, there were over 12 million viewers. When Kate subsequently appeared without Jon, there were only 1.4 million viewers. Whether the viewers love Jon or they hate him, they can`t wait to see what he does next. And he has an electrifying charisma about him."
(CROSS TALK)
"The media can`t get enough of him. Last year, it was reported that he sold more tabloids than Brad Pitt." TLC says no comment on all. And I`m just going to leave it there, because it just keeps getting nuttier and nuttier.
RAY: Delusions of grandeur -
ANDERSON: Tanika Ray, Ben Widdicombe, thanks, guys.
HAMMER: Tonight, the wife of love gov, Mark Sanford, reveals brand-new details about her husband`s Argentine affair that may be almost as bad as the affair itself. It`s off the wall it left Jenny Sanford virtually speechless.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, TV JOURNALIST: After this press conference, your husband called you.
JENNY SANFORD, WIFE OF SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD: Right away, right. So how did I do? How did you do? Are you kidding? You know, you talked about days crying for her. It was her. You hardly said anything about the boys or I.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Jenny Sanford`s intimate new revelations. Plus, a dramatic new development just in today about the John Edwards sex tape. Will the tape go public?
And it`s time once again. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is naming the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Tiger Woods` wife Elin for reportedly taking him back as he reportedly gets out of sex rehab? Or Mel Gibson for once again getting a case of foot-in-mouth disease? Or Taylor Swift`s Grammy singing shocker. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Is it Tiger Woods` wife Elin Nordegren who we learned just today may have left with Tiger Woods from his stay in sex addiction rehab?
Or is it Mel Gibson who yelled a nasty curse word during a TV interview when a reporter dared - dared bring up the anti-Semitic remarks Gibson made in 2006?
Or is it Taylor Swift who had both her fans and her haters chattering at full volume this week after her shaky performance at last Sunday`s Grammy Awards?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And we will name SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week in just a moment.
ANDERSON: But first tonight, big news breaking in the tale of two wives. Tiger`s wife Elin, who we just mentioned, and the wife of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford who dropped a new bombshell tonight on TV.
The very-soon-to-be-ex-wife of the governor told all on ABC tonight to Barbara Walters in her first TV interview since her husband disappeared last summer, then confessed he went to Argentina to be with his mistress.
Joining me now in New York, Midwin Charles, legal contributor to "In Session" on our sister network, Tru TV. Also in New York is Jane Velez- Mitchell. She hosts HLN`s "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL" and she`s the author of this fantastic book, "I Want: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life."
Jane, Midwin, I could hardly believe what I heard tonight on "20/20." And one of the most shocking things was Jenny Sanford telling Barbara Walters about her husband calling her after his weepy, whiny press conference where he admitted his affair. Listen to what she says.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, TV JOURNALIST: After this press conference, your husband called you.
JENNY SANFORD, WIFE OF SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD: Right away, right. So how did I do? How did you do?
WALTERS: What did you say?
SANFORD: I think I said, you know, "How did you do? Are you kidding? You know, you talked about days crying for her. It was her. You hardly said anything about the boys or I." No, the whole thing was surreal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`m sure it was. Jane, I am stunned. I mean, what a self- centered, immature thing to say to the wife whom you just crushed. When you hear that, does it blow your mind?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: It does blow my mind in a way. But then again, I kind of expected - I mean, this is the guy who lied and said he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail. And I think that kind of sums up his character. He`s a liar. Liar, liar, pants on fire, Mr. Governor. Please, hike away from us. Hit the trail and get out of our lives.
You know, he is a total narcissist. It`s almost all about him. He treats his wife like a factotum and then continues to romanticize his relationship with his mistress in a news conference.
ANDERSON: Yes, extremely selfish, this guy. And that`s not even the most explosive thing we heard Jenny Sanford say if you can believe it in tonight`s "20/20" interview. She told Barbara Walters her husband actually refused to promise to stay faithful when they got married 20 years ago. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: Mark refused to promise to be faithful when he took his vows. Did that bother you?
SANFORD: You know, I`ve thought long and hard about that now, given where we are today. And it bothered me to some extent. But you know what? I questioned it, but I got past it, you know, along with other doubts that I had.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. Well, people are slamming Jenny Sanford left and right for having married this guy after he did really what was mother of all red flags. Midwin, did she have this coming? Or should we have sympathy for her? Because we all know love will make you do crazy things.
CHARLES: Brooke, I`m not going to say that she had it coming. I mean, clearly, is a victim here and what have you.
But for her husband to tell her that he was not going to abide by this particular term that is in every single person`s marriage vows, it should have been a light bulb moment for her. And I can`t believe the light bulb didn`t go off.
ANDERSON: Yes. I`ve said it before. I`ll say it again - love, though, can be blind. I want to now compare Jenny Sanford to Tiger Woods` wife, Elin.
Because talk about a tale of two wives. We`ve got the news today, Tiger`s reportedly out of sex addiction rehab. Elin is still by his side despite his serial cheating. But Jenny Sanford left Mark Sanford after just one affair. Jane, very quickly, explain this to me.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, I have no clue for this, but I`ve got to believe there`s something else going on with Elin. I mean, she had hired this high-powered divorce attorney, and suddenly in the midst of damaging new revelations, she decides to drop them and make it work.
I think money talks and something happened behind the scenes. As far as Jenny Sanford - well, her hubby didn`t have the tens and tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
ANDERSON: Good point.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And I think she finally woke and smelled the coffee.
ANDERSON: And I`m sure we don`t know the full story behind Elin and Tiger. And A.J., I can tell you this - Tiger`s wife, Elin, is one of the candidates who could be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Don`t you think?
HAMMER: Yes. She definitely is in the running. Let`s get right to the next nominees, Brooke. There, of course, is Elin for her reported loyalty to Tiger Woods during this major cheating scandal.
Or is Mel Gibson our most provocative celebrity of the week for freaking out on a reporter who asked the question related to his anti- Semitic remarks back in 2006 that I thought was a perfectly legitimate question.
And then, there`s Taylor Swift. Taylor and people both slamming and defending her for her performance on the Grammy Awards last weekend. Many saying that her singing was really off in her duet with Stevie Nicks.
So now, without further ado, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week - Mel Gibson. It is true. Midwin, Mel had my vote all the way. You know, he dissed somebody who does what I do and a couple of guys I like a whole like.
CHARLES: Yes.
HAMMER: Did we get this right?
CHARLES: You know what? He has my vote, too. You know, Mel Gibson used to wake up and smell the coffee and recognize that he is an actor, which means you make your checks based on the fact that people like you, OK?
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: And this incident that he was criticizing the reporter for happened about four years ago. And how dare he ask this reporter to move on, because he clearly hasn`t, because it touched a nerve.
HAMMER: Yes. Jane, very quickly. I mean, Mel should know better. Did he get your vote?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: You know, he`s promoting "The Edge of Darkness" and I think he`s on the edge of darkness. Who does a press tour that insults not just one but two reporters.
HAMMER: And I`ve said it before. He definitely, definitely knew these questions were coming. There are better ways to prepare and answer those questions when you know they`re going to happen. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Midwin Charles, thank you so much.
ANDERSON: Tonight, the new John Edwards sex tape shocker. A dramatic new development just today about the reported sex tape showing the former senator and the mother of his love child. It is the latest twist in this crazy saga. Will the Edwards sex tape go public?
According to that fine graphic, it is time now for "Making It Work." This is where we reveal how stars make their relationships work in Hollywood and beyond.
Tonight, Keith Urban. The country superstar, of course, is married to Hollywood superstar, Nicole Kidman. It is tough juggling two high-profile careers. But Keith says Nicole makes it work because she makes his job easier. How you might ask?
Well, Keith tells "People" magazine that Nicole`s loves inspires and can pump out great songs. Here`s what he tells "People" about his hit, "My Heart is Open," "My wife and I had been out a couple of times. And I wondered how she felt about me. It came out as, `How was your heart?` She says, `It`s open.`"
Keith also says Nicole has helped him become the person he always to be. I think that is a great story. And this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thank you wacky Charles Wegman(ph). A dramatic decision about the John Edwards sex tape. Tonight, a North Carolina judge is demanding the senator`s former aide hand over the racy tape of Edwards and the woman believed to be his mistress, Rielle Hunter.
Andrew Young has been all over TV claiming to have been offered gigantic money to sell the tape he says he found of Edwards.
Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that this guy not only has to cough up the tape to the courts, but he has got no shot at making it public either. That`s because the judge also upheld a temporary restraining forbidding him from giving anyone the tape. And this is just the latest fallout from the bombshell tell-all written by Edwards` former aide.
He admits to covering up for Edwards` messy love life including lying to the world about being the father of Edwards` love child with Hunter. Edwards finally admitted to fathering the baby just days before the tell- all was about to hit store shelves.
ANDERSON: Tonight, your very first look on Ellen DeGeneres on "American Idol." Now, I have been super excited about her debut ever since I heard that Ellen was stepping after Paula Abdul left.
Now, the moment has arrived as the queen of nice takes her seat next to that meanie, Simon Cowell. So will there be fireworks? Will she still be nice? Tonight, your first look at Ellen at the judges` table on "Idol." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: The real competition is about to begin. "Idol" hits Hollywood.
ELLEN DEGENERES, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: I don`t love you. You have to sing it well.
ANNOUNCER: Be there for all the drama and the arrival of Ellen.
DEGENERES: That was something else.
ANNOUNCER: "American Idol" in Hollywood, this Tuesday on Fox.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A.J., I`m excited about Ellen. I think she`ll be fresh for the show. She`s very funny. And I think she`ll balanced out Simon really well.
HAMMER: Yes. I`m right there with you, Brooke. I`ve been looking forward to this. There`s a lot of mixed feelings about how she`ll do. It would be a shot in the arm for the show. And quite frankly, I think we`ll get to see a new side of Ellen here.
Moving on, on Thursday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Just moments ago, we got the final results. "Mel Gibson Lashes Again: Is he ruining his chance for a comeback." Well, more of you think so than not. Fifty-seven percent of you said yes. Forty- three percent of you said no.
Here are some of the E-mails we got. Katt(ph) from Missouri writes, "OMG. Leave Mel alone. It`s pretty sad that a reporter needs to bring up an incident that happened almost four years ago. That story is old. Move on."
Joanne from Arizona writes, "I love Mel Gibson as an actor. But his attitude with this reporter was inexcusable. I am so disappointed."
Well, Brooke, I noticed today that you are looking very lovely in red. And I know you`re not just making a simple fashion statement here.
ANDERSON: No, I`m not, A.J. It`s for a good cause. Today is actually "National Wear Red Day." I`m supporting the American Heart Association`s "Go Red for Women Movement" to raise awareness of women`s heart health. It`s actually very, very important.
HAMMER: A really important work, Brooke. That`s terrific. And nice to see you in read in any event.
ANDERSON: Thanks.
HAMMER: That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. Thank you for wearing red. 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 Pacific, and in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN. Take care.
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