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Showbiz Tonight
Holly Robinson Peete`s About-Face on John Mayer; Elizabeth Edwards Brand-New Sex Tape War; Bizarre, Brand-New Alec Baldwin Mysteries; Is Tiger Woods Trying to Win Elin Back With a Boat?; The Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired February 12, 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, HOST: Big news breaking right now on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - remarkable new backlash today over John Mayer`s racially charged N-word controversy. A big star who had nice things to say about Mayer does a dramatic about face.
Tonight, the big slam and a hot debate. Will John Mayer`s fans bail on him? Or is the N-word outrage much ado about nothing?
Elizabeth Edwards brand-new sex tape war. Tonight, the dramatic action she may take over her cheating husband`s reported sex tape and her incredible new claim today who she`s also blaming for destroying her marriage.
Bizarre, brand-new Alec Baldwin mysteries. Why was the "30 Rock" star rushed to the hospital? And did Baldwin really go ballistic?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And tonight, John Mayer`s remarkable new mess over his N-word controversy. A big star today was forced to make an abrupt about face over her reaction to Mayer`s devastating "Playboy" that included his racially- charged comments and sex-and-tell all about Jessica Simpson.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also reveal that the great debate broke out today whether what Mayer said was really no big deal or a potential career crusher. I can also tell you that as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT covered all of the fast moving developments, they all made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): It`s a rule that`s true in Hollywood and everywhere else. If you stand too close to an explosion, you could get burned. And now, the explosive John Mayer racial controversy has burned someone else - African- American actress Holly Robinson Peete, who is best known for starring with Johnny Depp in the 1980s cop show, "21 Jump Street."
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Holly Robinson Peete is now getting slammed by some critics after speaking out about John Mayer`s outrageous "Playboy" interview. In that interview released this week, Mayer used the N-word.
And while sharing way too much about his sex life, he talked about why he hasn`t dated African-American women using language we just can`t repeat here. But he added, quote, "I always thought Holly Robinson Peete was gorgeous.
MARC MALKIN, COLUMNIST, "E! ONLINE": I spoke to Holly shortly thereafter, she was so excited.
HAMMER: "E! News" columnist Marc Malkin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he interviewed Holly Robinson Peete shortly after she found out what Mayer said about her.
Holly told "E! News," quote, I`m levitating. There`s nothing that makes a 45-year-old mother of four feel better when she`s dropping her kids off at school than to get a link on my iPhone that says John Mayer thinks I`m hot.
And about John`s super-crude explanation about why he hasn`t dated African-American women -
MALKIN: She said, obviously, this is John Mayer. He says some wild things. But she was just glad she was in a good part of the quote.
HAMMER: But when Holly`s words appeared online in Marc Malkin`s column, she got a big taste of the heat Mayer has been getting.
MALKIN: Holly got a lot of flak for what she told me.
HAMMER: Robinson Peete`s Web site exploded with angry posts accusing her of excusing Mayer`s crude comments about black women. One person called Robinson Peete, quote, "idiotic and foolish." And another wrote, "You went from mommy to mammy with the power of your own tongue. Even though John Mayer did much damage to our people, believe me, so have you."
HAMMER: Now, today, Holly is backing off her comments about Mayer.
MALKIN: She took to her blog to explain herself adding that she probably should have read the entire story before talking to me.
HAMMER: Robinson Peete writes on her blog, quote, "By gushing in public about a compliment by one of my fave artists in this article filled with offenses, I look like I`m giving him some sort of free pass just because he said I was cute."
She adds, quote, "I just hate that anyone would have the impression I condone or excuse racist comments in any context. I do not."
MALKIN: She does not think John Mayer is a racist and she`s even getting flak for saying that she doesn`t think John Mayer is a racist.
HAMMER: Still the criticism Holly Robinson Peete is getting is nothing like the heat John Mayer is taking. It all got to him Wednesday night when he choked up on stage while promising to tone down his outrageous comments.
JOHN MAYER, SINGER AND MUSICIAN: In the quest to be clever, I completely forgot about the people that I love and the people that love me. And that feels absolutely terrible.
HAMMER: Still, not everyone is letting him off the hook.
JOY BEHAR, HOST, "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW": Is it ever OK for a white person to use the N-word the way John Mayer did this week? What do you think? Is it all right, Khloe?
KHLOE KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: No.
HAMMER: On HLN`s "JOY BEHAR SHOW," reality star Khloe Kardashian, who is married to an African-American NBA star Lamar Odom, blasted Mayer for using the N-word.
KARDASHIAN: I really don`t think it`s OK when anyone says it.
HAMMER: So it looks like the outrage over John Mayer`s comments won`t go away any time soon. And as Holly Robinson Peete found out the hard way, in the hot seat John Mayer is currently in, there`s plenty of room for two.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So what is really going to happen here? Are John Mayer`s fans going to bail on him or will this just blow over? Let the SHOWBIZ great debate begin.
With me tonight, right here in New York, Midwin Charles, who is a legal contributor from "In Session" on our sister network, "Tru TV." In Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Actually, a lot of people are just outraged that John Mayer would use such racially-charged language. What do you think, Midwin? Is the whole thing going to blow over? Or is it much ado about nothing? I mean, what was your take?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": Well, I think it will blow over. I think John Mayer is no different from a lot of other artists. He`s a brilliant artist, great musician. But he, from time to time, puts his foot in it.
His comments were crass, rude and disrespectful. But at the end of the day, I don`t know why he thinks we want to hear about his (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: Yes. Well, he feels - I think part of the deal was he is giving this interview to "Playboy" magazine. He wants to be provocative. And he tried a little too hard.
CHARLES: Well, OK. Well, then, I need a better definition of "provocative," because I just thought it was dumb at the end of the day.
HAMMER: Yes. No question about it. Carlos, we`ve seen this before. People do have short attention spans when it comes to celebrities putting their foot in it. So do you think everybody is just going to forget about it before too long?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": I`ve got to tell you. Midwin hit it right on the nose with that. I mean, I`ve talked to a lot of people in our newsroom here at "Extra." And they all kind of said, you know, "What? What was he trying to accomplish?"
But the thing he has going for him is that he actually has talent as opposed to say, a reality star. He has talent as far as being a talented musician, and not having to be a standup comedian. He can rely on the music and doesn`t have to get in front of the audience and speak.
HAMMER: Well, if what he said on stage is to be believed, we`re not going to be hearing about him in the press any time soon - at least, not from his own mouth. I think he`s going to become somewhat of a recluse as far as giving interviews is concerned in the future.
And in all of this mess, I`ve got to say, the one person I feel badly for is Holly Robinson Peete. She didn`t realize her gushing about John made her look really bad. Again, I think she should have known better. She claims not to have read the whole article before she commented.
And as for John Mayer`s whole mess-up, well, we posted the hot debate just hours ago on our Facebook page, taking a look at what people think.
Here`s one. Delphine L. writing on our wall, "If J.M. keeps making music the way he does (fantastically), I don`t think his career will suffer. He`s apologized more than we`ve seen any other celeb who is in the middle of controversy."
And that`s the point that you were making, Midwin and Carlos is making. And I agree with Delphine here that maybe his music is actually what could end up saving him and the fact he does have certifiable talent.
CHARLES Exactly. And I think he`s been consistent with showing that he can`t keep his mouth shut, whether it`s about his dalliances with various, different women in Hollywood and what have you. So he is being consistent in his crassness.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, that`s true. Consistency is important in this business. I`ve got to tell you, Mayer`s mess made a mess on our "Showbiz on Call" phone lines today. They`ve been going ballistic.
We heard from Joy in Virginia who called in today. She`s saying she`s no longer a John Mayer fan.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JOY, CALLER FROM VIRGINIA: He is such a jerk. And after his comments about black women and women in general, I will never buy anything or listen to any of his music again.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So Joy from Virginia says she`s done with John Mayer and his music. And quite honestly, we have heard that from other people. But Carlos, again, getting back to the idea that maybe his music is enough, is it enough for you to say you`re going to give him a pass this time?
DIAZ: Listen, I caution anyone who wants to jump to conclusions. Read the entire article. Read it word for word, because if you hear the N-word you go - and he shouldn`t have said that.
But if you read it, he`s trying in vain to be clever. John Mayer is not a racist, so that`s why I think he comes out with this not having his career completely ruined.
HAMMER: Yes. But the point is, as far as the use of the N-word, look - as far as I`m concerned -
DIAZ: He should never do it. He shouldn`t -
HAMMER: Yes. Carlos, I admit -
DIAZ: He should never say it.
HAMMER: I mean, that was just not a word that anybody should use, in my opinion, in casual conversation, white, black or otherwise.
DIAZ: Ever -
CHARLES: Just stay away from it. Stay away from it. It prevents you from having any drama or any kind of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) such as this.
HAMMER: Well, we have a question of the day that I do want everybody to weigh in on tonight. Let`s put that up if we can, Charles - "John Mayer`s N-word Fallout: Are you no longer a fan of his?"
Now, Carlos, I didn`t get a complete answer in my last question, so you`ve got to chime in. Are you remaining, at least, for the time, a John Mayer fan?
DIAZ: He gets a pass as far as for now, OK? If he comes out and keeps talking like this, then maybe he loses me as a fan. But for now, if he stays quiet, focuses on the music - you know, I applaud him for trying to be provocative. But you know what? His jokes and his provocative-ness just fell flat in this instance. I`m still a fan.
HAMMER: Now, we`ve heard, Midwin, from some people saying, "Look, I`m going to go to my iPod and I`m deleting John Mayer music from it at least for now, because I don`t feel good about it." I don`t know if you have any John Mayer music.
CHARLES: I do. I love him.
HAMMER: Is it going to remain on there despite what he said?
CHARLES: It will. It totally will.
HAMMER: It comes up in shuffle. Are you going to hit fast forward to the next one?
CHARLES: Not at all. I mean, it totally will. I think that, you know, hey, he has at least been honest and come out with this and what have you. But for him to claim that he`s not particularly interested in African- American women, that`s fine. Maybe African-American women don`t want him.
HAMMER: Aren`t into him - exactly. Well, with all the fallout from John Mayer using the N-word in that "Playboy" magazine interview, there`s no doubt in my mind he is super-qualified as a nominee tonight as we name SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Is there any doubt that John Mayer is the most provocative celebrity of the week?
How about Michael Jackson`s doctor, Conrad Murray who, of course, was just charged in connection with Jackson`s death. Or what about Lindsay Lohan for her controversial pose as Jesus wearing a low-cut dress?
Midwin Charles, Carlos Diaz, don`t go anywhere. The big announcement is coming up.
But as we move on tonight, bizarre brand-new Alec Baldwin mysteries. Why was the "30 Rock" star rushed to the hospital?
And this mystery doesn`t stop there. Did Alec go ballistic and get into a fight with someone after he left the hospital? Well, we have been investigating this all day today.
And the new Elizabeth Edwards sex tape war today. Tonight, dramatic action that she may take over her cheating husband`s reported sex tape and her incredible new claim today over who Elizabeth is also blaming for destroying her marriage. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Angelina Jolie back in Los Angeles after helping out with earthquake relief in Haiti. The final book in the "Twilight" series will be made into two back-to-back films.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Sarah Jessica Parker says she is devastated by the death of fashion designer, Alexander McQueen. McQueen, who was found dead in his London apartment on Thursday, put SJP in many of his outfits, including that funky green dress Parker wore to the London premiere of the "Sex and the City" movie.
Sarah Jessica Parker telling "People" magazine, "I am shocked and overcome with grief upon learning about the untimely death of the quiet genius, Alexander McQueen. Every single, inspired, original, lofty, whimsical, stunning, brilliant and jaw-dropping detail was Alexander McQueen. There has never been anyone like him and there simply never will be."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And it is not just Sarah Jessica. Tons of stars are mourning Alexander McQueen today. The outpouring today is just amazing, from the many superstars, the singers, the models, the actresses who loved his clothes. His death has sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood, especially Alexander McQueen has gone far too soon.
Here`s CNN`s Randi Kaye for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): On fashion designer Alexander McQueen`s Twitter page just last week, a tweet announcing his mother`s death. It reads, "I`m letting my followers know my mother passed away yesterday. Rest in peace, mum."
A minute later, another tweet, "But life must go on." Especially haunting now that eight days later Alexander McQueen is dead. Style expert Mary Alice Stevenson knew McQueen well.
MARY ALICE STEVENSON, STYLE EXPERT: His said that his biggest fear was that he would die before his mother Joyce died and he died a week after she died.
KAYE: His body was found at his London apartment. Police say the death is not suspicious.
(on camera): It appears McQueen committed suicide according to various media reports including the "New York Times" and "The London Times." If that`s true, why would a fashion designer at the top of his game take his life? He was only 40.
(voice over): Psychologist Karen Binder Brynes never treated McQueen but says he sounded depressed.
KAREN BINDER BRYNES, PSYCHOLOGIST: And the fact his mother died a week ago and that he was so distraught about it as he was twittering to people, seems just to me that there might have been a correlation between, you know, his tragic death and the death of his mother.
KAYE: And just days ago, another tweet, "Sunday evening, been an awful week. I have to somehow pull myself together."
McQueen, who is born Lee Alexander McQueen, also may have been mourning the loss of his mentor and close friend, stylist Isabella Blow. She took her life by drinking weed killer three years ago. This was McQueen at her funeral.
For years, McQueen stunned the fashion world with his outlandish designs. A few years ago, he told CNN he would like to create clothing that made a statement. He had a reputation as the hooligan of the fashion world.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, FASHION DESIGNER: I think of fashion as the future, not as the past.
STEVENSON: He liked to take things and twist them up and turn them upside down and stand them on their heads. He would take things like trash, birds, feathers, kaleidoscope prints and create clothes with them.
KAYE: Among McQueen`s fans, singer Lady Gaga, model Kate Moss and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, seen here with McQueen in 2006.
STEVENSON: He was not afraid to show what haunted him and take those fears and work that out through the clothes that he created.
KAYE: Lee Alexander McQueen lived and appears to have died on his own terms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Such a sad loss. That was CNN`s Randi Kaye for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I can tell you, today, that the tributes are still pouring in from McQueen`s Hollywood`s fans, including Katy Perry, Courtney Love, and Smashing Pumkins` Billy Corgan.
Well, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop over the whole John Mayer N-word controversy. We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Hazel in Florida who is disgusted by John`s use of the N-word and by what Mayer said about Jessica Simpson being crazy in bed.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
HAZEL, CALLER FROM FLORIDA: I think John Mayer is pathetic. And I think that he needs to step back, take a deep breath and go away for a while. He needs therapy. You know, he cannot just go around saying off-the-wall thing about women. And he can`t be using words that are inappropriate. He needs to take time out.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Time out for John, indeed. Thanks, Hazel. Now, Shekia, calling in from Mississippi, thinks Mayer should get a pass this time.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SHEKIA, CALLER FROM MISSISSIPPI: I don`t think he`s been a racist. I think he`s just probably needs to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) his mouth this time. And I think we should just let him have this one.
But next time we hear him saying something this outrageous, we need to stand up and let him know that we`re not going to take it. And he shouldn`t say those types of things.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Shekia, thank you for your call. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to sound off on John Mayer or anything else at all. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time. Call us at 1-888-SBT- BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Leave your voicemail so we can play your call here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
All right. For my money, Ellen DeGeneres is doing a great job. Her first week and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on "American Idol." But I`ve got to admit, I miss Paula Abdul.
Well, just today, Paula revealed she is returning to TV. But did she spill about which show she`s going to be on? Could she be working with Simon Cowell? I`m filing this under "things that make you go hmm."
And today, it`s time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. Of course, John Mayer for his shocking N-word controversy and for blabbing about his sex life with Jessica Simpson. How about Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson`s doctor who was just charged in connection with Michael`s death? Or how about Lindsay Lohan for her jaw- dropping posing as Jesus in a low cut dress?
All right. What`s going on here? Am I reading this right? Did somebody really mug a dog? You`re not going to believe this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONNA MCPHERSON, INVESTMENT BANKER: I looked at Lexie and said, "Where`s your coat?" as if he was going to tell me. And he was like, "I just got mugged while you were buying milk."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I go so far as to say, it`s doggone ridiculous. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: "Pregnant Man" Thomas Beatie is expecting a third child! Heidi Klum and Paulina Porizkova to guest star on "Desperate Housewives."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Paula Abdul reveals she is coming back to TV. Paula made a surprise visit just this morning to the "John Jay and Rich Show" on Phoenix`s Kiss FM Radio.
While they couldn`t pin down Paula on exactly what TV show she was going to do, outgoing "Idol" judge Simon Cowell has said he would like to have Paula on his upcoming show, "X Factor." Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAULA ABDUL, FORMER "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: It`s got an X in it and it`s a show.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need to be on TV. Tell us what happened.
ABDUL: I`m going to be doing television. That`s all -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re going to be doing television?
ABDUL: Definitely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A weekly show?
ABDUL: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you be working with a certain English man that smokes?
ABDUL: I don`t know. Does he still smoke?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So Paula is not exactly spilling on who`s she`s going to be working with yet, if it`s going to be Simon or not. But do you remember how she and Simon used to have this kind of a weird relationship on "Idol?" Some people had said it was a kind of sexual tension between them.
Well, right now, I`m going to show you that Simon may be moving in on Paula`s replacement, Ellen DeGeneres. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLEN DEGENERES, HOST, "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW": I`ll show you what was edited out. And there was a lot of tension. It was sexual tension. And it was - well, I`ll show you. This didn`t end up in the show. But I`ll show you.
(MUSIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Very, very funny. Nicely done, Ellen. All right. The brand-new "National Enquirer" report that John Edwards proposed to his mistress, Rielle Hunter, has just set off our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans.
Here`s Lori L. writing, "If he proposed or not, he`s a human being and like so many, we all make mistakes in our lives. I hope he and his family find a way to heal."
But Cindy W. is just angry, writing, "Who cares? Rielle and John they deserve each other. Never thought I`d believe the "National Enquirer" over the man I supported for president. Makes me sick."
You can sign up for our Facebook pages and our Twitter pages by going to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tiger Woods trying to win back his wife with a multimillion dollar boat. So is Elin going to go for it?
Elizabeth Edwards brand-new sex tape war. Tonight, the dramatic action she may take over her cheating husband`s reported sex tape.
And Jessica`s revenge. Tonight, Jessica Simpson`s great revenge on John Mayer for blabbing about their sex life. Wait until you see the results of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll today on who she should be dating. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Vin Diesel signs on for another "Riddick" film. Kate Winslet to star in new HBO miniseries, "Mildred Pierce."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the new Elizabeth Edwards sex tape war today. The dramatic new move she may make over her cheating husband`s reported sex tape.
Tonight, brand-new Alec Baldwin mysteries. Why was the "30 Rock" star rushed to the hospital? And did Alec really go ballistic when he got out?
Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. There`s John Mayer for his Jessica Simpson sex confessions and N- word outrage. Michael Jackson`s doc after being formally charged. Or will we name Lindsay Lohan for her Jesus pose.
Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, the big Baldwin mystery, explosive new developments today after Alec Baldwin is mysteriously rushed to the hospital. And the bizarre Baldwin mystery made for big news breaking today.
Just one day after Alec Baldwin was rushed to the hospital, brand-new reports today that the star of "30 Rock" actually attacked a photographer. And now, the exclusive details about why Alec was rushed to the hospital in the first place.
More big news breaking today in the John Edwards sex tape drama. Edwards` former aide, Andrew Young, handed over a purported sex tape of Edwards and his former mistress. But we learned today his wife Elizabeth has come up with a startling new way to make everyone pay for this.
And in the wake of John Mayer`s Jessica Simpson sex tell-all, we got the shocking results today of a brand-new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll that would make Jessica`s head spin.
Joining me tonight in New York is Dr. Wendy Walsh who is a relationship expert and author of a fine book called "The Boyfriend Test." Also tonight from Hollywood, it`s Hyla who is an entertainment journalist for "5DollarPrep.com."
Guys, let`s begin with the great Alec Baldwin mystery. Alec was rushed to the hospital on Thursday. And today, brand-new reports that his daughter called 911 after a big blow out with her dad.
Now, Alec is co-hosting the Oscars in just a couple of weeks with Steve Martin. And Hyla, I`m thinking this is not a case of any press is good press.
HYLA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST, "5DOLLARPREP.COM": I don`t necessarily agree. I mean, Alec Baldwin is a master of being able to spin things into a joke. I mean, he seems to have the same pass that Charlene Sheen has. I think once you see the Oscars come, he`s going to make light of it and everyone is going to move on. He can actually use this to his advantage.
HAMMER: Well, he has gotten a pretty hard time in the past, though. He hasn`t gotten as much of a pass as Sheen has. I mean, when you hear these reports, at least from me, it`s hard not to think of Baldwin`s infamous voicemail.
We all remember when he called his daughter a rude, thoughtless, little pig. And I have to say what concerns a lot of people when they hear this is the memory of Baldwin writing in his recent book that he actually thought about committing suicide after all that drama.
Now, today, Alec`s spokesperson tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that everything is fine. Here`s what they say, quote, "This was a misunderstanding on one person`s part. Alec was quickly release from the hospital. He is completely fine and will be at work today. If there was any real issue or concern, he wouldn`t have been released from the hospital so quickly."
Now, Wendy, we certainly all hope that all is fine with Alec. We`re glad to hear he`s back at work on a great show at "30 Rock." But are you with me that calling this a misunderstanding without really explaining what happened kind of gets people`s imaginations going?
DR. WENDY WALSH, RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: Well, there have also been leaked reports about this very complicated relationship that he has with his now 14-year-old daughter. You`ve got to understand, you know, I`m a mother of girls. These adolescents can do a lot of things, especially when they have access to the Internet and 911 calls and what have you.
But why did - my question is, why did he get in the ambulance and go to the hospital if everything was OK? You don`t have to get in the ambulance, you know?
HAMMER: Yes. That`s right. That`s why, you know, it sort of begs the question, is this really more than just a misunderstanding as was characterized by Alec`s spokesperson.
Now, Alec less than thrilled to see a bunch of photographers when he got home and he pushed one of them. Hyla, clearly, he`s not happy that all of this got out.
HYLA: Absolutely not. But you know what? I mean, that`s a separate issue. When a photog gets in your face and the paparazzi are just all up in your area and your space. I love it when a celebrity puts the beat down on a paparazzi. So I`m 100 percent for this.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, violence is never a good thing, but you know, we have certainly seen where celebrities have reached their breaking points when it comes to the paparazzi in the past.
All right. Let`s move on to the other big breaking news today. It`s Elizabeth Edwards on the warpath over the guy who just handed over to a judge a reported sex tape of her husband John and his mistress.
A brand-new report today claims Elizabeth is suing John`s former aide, Andrew Young, for breaking up her marriage. Now, remember, this is the guy that helped protect John during his affair.
Wendy, do you think this is a good move on Elizabeth`s part?
WALSH: A.J., I have something to tell you - guess who reported that she might sue him? Andrew Young. Every week, he`s trying to sell more books.
Every week, he`s trying to get us titillated to this story so that he can continue to be in the media`s eye. Elizabeth has said nothing. All he said is that she told him she might sue him for this.
HAMMER: But if it is, in fact, happening, Wendy, do you think that`s a smart move on her behalf? It`s kind of allowing something that`s gone on for so long to fester further.
WALSH: I don`t know what court would actually uphold that a third party could be responsible for somebody`s divorce. I`m not a lawyer. But let me say one thing - Elizabeth, right now, should be concentrating on her health and getting better.
If being a fighter and helping her stay enraged is a thing will help her get better, then, maybe that`s what she`s doing here.
HAMMER: Well, listen to this. According to ABC News, Elizabeth is making the following demands before she throws down the gauntlet.
Here`s what she wants Young to do. She wants Young to donate $250,000 to the charitable donation named after her late son, Wade. She wants Andrew Young to stop talking publicly about the Edwards marriage - I`d like to see that, too. And she wants him to return the recordings of voicemails that she left for him during the presidential campaign.
Hyla, I`ve got to believe a lot scorned women out there right now are cheering and saying, "Right on, Elizabeth."
HYLA: Elizabeth Edwards is one of the most amazing women that we`ve got to witness. And you know what? Good for her for finally stepping up and saying, "I`m over this guy cashing in on my problem. You know what? Why don`t we take some of that money put it towards good? Maybe something can come out of all this."
HAMMER: Yes. Can you imagine $250,000 he would have to donate? He`s out there talking about her. He has to put that money towards a charity named for her late son. I think that would be amazing.
All right. Fair to say a lot of people don`t think that Elizabeth and John should ever get back together. But what about some other famous couples?
Now, that John Mayer has just spilled the beans on his relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT conducted an exclusive poll just in time for Valentine`s Day. And the absolutely shocking results have just been handed to me.
This is what we asked - "Valentine`s Day: Which couple would you like to see get back together?" Check this out. Only 19 percent wanted John Mayer to get back together with Jennifer Aniston - which makes sense to me. Sixty-two percent want John`s other ex-girlfriend, Jessica Simpson, to reunite with her ex-husband Nick Lachey. Then there is 19 percent who say Jon Gosselin should get back together with Kate and the eight.
Wendy, you are the relationship expert on board. What do you think? Should Nick and Jessica reunite? Is it time?
WALSH: Hey, you know, the public wants to see those two beautiful people together again. Why not? But my vote would actually go for Jon and Kate, because guess what? There are eight other people who are far more important than the lovers in any of those situations.
HAMMER: That got a very low amount of votes and I think the reason behind that is, even if they should get back together for the sake of the kids, it seems like such a volatile situation which, in a lot of people`s minds, can only be worse for the kids.
All right. Hyla, let me throw this to you about the Gosselins. What do you think of that?
HYLA: No, no, no, no. Not at all. Not anywhere close to that. That`s a train wreck. Absolutely not. Same thing with Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson. I mean, here`s a guy who was an awesome husband. I love watching "The Newlyweds." He moved into his own house without anyone helping him. And she totally screwed it up, wouldn`t let him come over on Thanksgiving to try and save the marriage. No, no, no. She lost her chance with Nick Lachey. Next.
HAMMER: Well, well. You know, look, I like Nick a lot and I`m happy he`s back in the news if only for this reason that our viewers think Nick and Jessica should get back together. I guess people are just in a romantic mood and they want to live in that beautiful land of the past where Chicken of the Sea was really chicken. Wendy Walsh -
HYLA: It was great. It was delicious.
HAMMER: Hyla - thanks, guys. I appreciate it. As we move on, I`ve got to tell you, I was so stunned that you guys all want this fairy tale ending for Nick and Jess.
But tonight, I`ve got to ask, could Tiger and his wife really sail off into the sunset together after their stormy sex scandal? New reports that Tiger is building a multimillion dollar boat just for his wife, Elin. Hey, it`s Valentine`s weekend. A big boat beats the heck out of a bunch of flowers right? Should Tiger`s wife take the bait?
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be John Mayer for his sex-and-tell and N-word outrage? Is it Conrad Murray after being formally charged in Michael Jackson`s death? Or Lindsay Lohan for her shocking Jesus pose?
It`s a howling shame. What kind of pigs steals a dog`s coat?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCPHERSON: I looked at Lexie and said, "Where`s your coat?" as if he was going to tell me. And he was like, "I just got mugged while you were buying milk."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, the bizarre but true story about a dog being mugged on a New York City street. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Julia Roberts paid $500,000 for each of the six minutes she`s in "Valentine`s Day." "The Hills" Lauren Conrad`s second book tops "New York Times" bestseller list.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be John Mayer for his Jessica Simpson sex tell-all and racially-charged comment in a new "Playboy" interview? Or is it Michael Jackson`s doctor who was charged this week with having a hand in Jackson`s death? What about Lindsay Lohan and her outrageous pose as Jesus wearing a low-cut dress?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. We will name SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week in just a moment.
But first, Kim Kardashian reveals whether she might get a wedding ring to match her boyfriend`s Super Bowl ring. Also, Madonna moves a village and a battle for Betty White. All making news in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Is Kim Kardashian finally getting married? Kardashian is speaking out about all those reports that she`s about to tie the knot with her boyfriend, Super Bowl superstar Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints. The report said if Reggie got a Super Bowl ring, he would be ready to give Kim a wedding ring. Joe Behar asked her about that on the "JOY BEHAR SHOW" on HLN.
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: There was like, some crazy rumor going on that if he won the Super Bowl, he would propose to me. But it`s a rumor. I swear we`ve been engaged like 60 times this week.
BEHAR: Well, what`s holding it up?
KIM KARDASHIAN: I don`t know, you should ask him.
HAMMER: A village moves for Madonna. Some 200 residents of a village in Malawi have just been ordered to move to make way for a $15 million school for poor girls Madonna plans to build there.
Madonna, who has adopted two children from Malawi, had her charity pay the residents $500,000 in compensation. They were holding out for more, but the government has now told them to move out.
Going to bat for Betty White. A big online campaign has been launched to get 88-year-old Betty White to host "Saturday Night Live." More than 200,000 fans have joined the Facebook page called "Betty White to Host SNL, Please." The campaign really took off after Betty White`s big hit Super Bowl ad for Snickers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Go Betty White! Go Betty White! Also, big news to talk about tonight in the Tiger Woods drama, we learned today Tiger might be trying to win back his wife Elin with a boat. Forget about wooing Elin with diamonds - a boat.
"People.com" reported today that Tiger just purchased a custom-made dive boat worth millions of dollars for his wife.
Joining me tonight in New York, Midwin Charles, who is a legal contributor from "In Session," our sister network, Tru TV. And Hollywood tonight, Carlos Diaz, who is a correspondent for "Extra."
All right, guys. So the story goes that Tiger bought a dive boat since diving was something that both of them were into when they first got married. Now, Midwin, we hear this boat is named Solitude.
They already have a big 150-foot yacht. But this is specifically for Elin. Personally, I`m thinking, for what he did, it`s going to take a whole lot more than a new $2 million boat?
CHARLES: I don`t know. We`ve seen it done before. Remember when Kobe Bryant bought that huge ring for his wife when he cheated on her as well? So I think this is in line with the same thing.
DIAZ: That`s really interesting.
HAMMER: Yes. Boat - you`ll stay with me, right? OK, all is well. Well, as much as Tiger and Elin may be trying to work things out, she cannot escape the never-ending reminders of what he did.
Think about it. They`re all out there. And the latest example, the mistress who released what she says was personal voicemail messages from Tiger. And she`s still speaking out. This is amazing. She gave an interview to CNN Los Angeles affiliate, KTLA. Jaimee Grubbs is saying that Tiger was able to easily change his personality. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAIMEE GRUBBS, ALLEGED MISTRESS OF TIGER WOODS: I think he`s very good at playing the person you want him to be. I think he`s very manipulative that way. And there are so many sides to him I didn`t know, that I couldn`t tell you the person he is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So Carlos, tell me. Are you with me? I`m thinking if Tiger`s wife is hearing something like this, I can`t help but wonder if she now thinks that he is manipulating her?
DIAZ: It`s not going to get any better for her. I`ve said all along, maybe the better choice for Tiger Woods would have been to get a divorce because now, wherever he goes with her, they are going to hear it in those concentrated areas that they are at.
And the mistresses are not going to keep quiet. If they`ve spoken, they`re going to keep speaking and she has to keep going through that. I do have one on the lighter side for Tiger - if he does go diving with Elin, check your equipment thoroughly, please.
HAMMER: Yes. No kidding. Check that regulator in your mask. And maybe that`s why he`s getting a boat and naming it Solitude so she won`t be able to hear any of this, because they`re just going to sail off and stay off shore somewhere.
Well, Tiger did not make our list, the final list that we put together for our nominees to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. And that`s because we have a whole new crop to pick from this week.
Here we go with the nominees. Put them up, please. John Mayer for his off-the-wall Jessica Simpson sex tell-all and of course those racially- charged comments in a new "Playboy" interview. And of course, there`s Dr. Conrad Murray finally charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Michael Jackson`s death. Or should we name Lindsay Lohan who was seen on a cover of a fashion magazine this week posing as Jesus Christ while wearing a low-cut dress. And I`m saying, Lindsay, what were you thinking?
May I have the drum roll please? So without further ado, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. And yes, it is John Mayer. I`m not hearing a lot of gasps from the crowd, Midwin, like we got this wrong or anything.
CHARLES: You guys are fight on the money. I entirely agree. John Mayer, great musician, nasty boy. Very nasty boy - uncouth, disrespectful comments about women and African-American women as well.
HAMMER: All over the place this week. Carlos, could we have picked anybody else?
DIAZ: As always, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT crew right on target. Oh, it`s something on my nose. But here`s the thing - it`s kind of a process of elimination. Conrad Murray - the only way he`s provocative is if he pleads not guilty. Lindsay Lohan - the only way she`s provocative is if she actually acts in a movie which we haven`t seen her do forever. So John Mayer wins by the process of elimination.
HAMMER: Well, we did have a couple of write-in votes on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page. One came from Renee M., "Who would want him to judge `American Idol,`" talking about Howard Stern as a potential nominee.
She also wrote, "He`s all about sex and sluts, not a very good candidate." Well, obviously, he`s not all about sex and sluts. But Midwin, what do you think? Should he have been somebody who is a finalist? Or you know, even our three finalists, I think, were the toppers this week for sure.
CHARLES: No, I think the finalists that you guys have were excellent choices. I think they`ve all created enough drama for us to talk about from here until infinity.
HAMMER: Well, guess what? We`ll be working on this come infinity. Is that even a proper term? I don`t know. Midwin Charles, Carlos Diaz, I thank you as always.
Well, tonight, here`s what I`m wondering, has the world just gone doggone crazy?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCPHERSON: I looked at Lexie and said, "Where`s your coat?" as if he was going to tell me. And he was like, "I just got mugged while you were buying milk."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Little Lexie mugged for his coat. Who the heck would do something like that? Tonight, the bizarre but true story about a dog getting ripped off on a New York City street.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Dennis Hopper gets restraining order against wife during divorce battle. Swiss vow no extradition to the United States for Roman Polanski on sex charge.
HAMMER: It`s time now for "Making it Work," where we reveal how stars make their relationships work in Hollywood and beyond. And tonight, Channing Tatum. Channing, of course, is the star of the biggest movie at the box office right now, "Dear John."
But off screen, he`s married to Jenna Dewan. They met on the set of the 2004 hit movie, "Step Up," and they got married last July. So how do the newlyweds make it work?
Well, Channing, for his part, says it`s a no-brainer - spending time together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TATUM CHANNING, ACTOR: This formula - everybody has got to do it differently. I think you have to do it differently every day. I think the main key is just to make time for each other and you never go more than two or three weeks without seeing each other because I think that`s a huge - you know, it would be a big mistake, you know, just because you lose connection, you lose feeling. And there`s no need to do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Channing will be back on the big screen this summer in "The Eagle of the Night." And this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thanks, Charles. Tonight, the mysterious case of the dog mugger. Did you see this? It has been doggone cold this week on much of the east coast. But has it really gotten so bad that you need to mug a dog for its coat?
It is unbelievable but only in New York tale making news today. But this little pup is not the only animal who`s gotten himself in a pickle.
CNN`s Jeanne Moos goes hog wild on this report for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It`s the sort of dastardly crime that makes a dachshund in a down jacket nervously look over his shoulder.
News that leaves a Westie in a shearling shaken. A pair decked out in baby blue and pink shivering with trepidation.
MCPHERSON: Who would take a coat off a dog? I mean, it`s ludicrous.
MOOS: Investment banker Donna McPherson momentarily left her dog, Lexie, outside this Brooklyn supermarket. She went inside to buy milk, left him in his green wool coat. When she came out -
MCPHERSON: I looked at Lexie and said, "Where`s your coat?" as if he was going to tell me. And he was like, "I just got mugged while you were buying milk."
MOOS (on camera): The good news is that the mugger only got Lexie`s cheap, $25 coat and not his pricier (UNINTELLIGIBLE). The really good news is -
MCPHERSON: I`m thankful that they didn`t take my dog. I`ll never leave him again, ever.
MOOS (voice over): Anyway, Lexie still seems to have a better coat on than his owner. One animal loses an accessory, another animal gains one. Check out the Houston cow with a tire necklace. That`s SPCA investigator Trisha Price trying to help the cow out of its jam.
(on camera): Do we have any idea how she got the tire on her?
TRISHA PRICE, SPCA INVESTIGATOR (through telephone): It`s a busy street probably someone threw out a tire, landed in there. And there was something growing in the center of it. So she reached her head in there.
MOOS: They managed to herd the year-old cow into a corral. But she wasn`t helping them help her. They finally got her into a squeeze chute. Changing this tire was a two-person operation.
The animal rescue folks are always trying to get critters out of self- imposed fixes - a squirrel with a cup on its head to the deer decked out with Christmas lights on its antlers to skunks stuck in a jar of peanut butter - this is one snack he probably wished he`d skipped. Oh, what a relief.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I was very happy to hear that Lexie`s owner vows to never leave her dog out in the cold again. You should never do that. But not only that, she says that she feels so bad she bought Lexie two new coats.
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Remember, you can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s. We`re on at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, we`re on at 11:00 p.m. Pacific, and in the morning, and we`re on at 11:00 a.m. Eastern weekdays right here on HLN.
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