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Showbiz Tonight
Sarah Palin`s "Family Guy" Fury; Has Oprah Banned John Mayer from Her Show?; Did Kevin Smith Deserve to be Kicked Off a Plane?; Jessica Simpson`s Weight Battle
Aired February 16, 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 - Sarah Palin`s "Family Guy" fury. Sarah Palin`s remarkable smackdown of the hit Fox comedy today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mom is the former governor of Alaska.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Palin`s outrage at "Family Guy" for making her son with Down syndrome an apparent punch line. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask - does "Family Guy" owe Palin an apology?
Tonight, the great weight debate. Did Hollywood director Kevin Smith deserve to be kicked off a plane for being too fat?
KEVIN SMITH, DIRECTOR: Well, I`m a fat man. I`ve grown up fat. There are varying degrees of fat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But does Smith really have a right to complain?
Plus the Jessica Simpson weight battle. Jessica makes new revelations about getting slammed for her weight as she reveals her hot, new body today. Is this Jessica`s ultimate revenge?
Has Oprah really banned John Mayer from her show for using the N-word? The SHOWBIZ truth squad is on the case.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, Sarah Palin`s "Family Guy" smackdown.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. An absolutely furious Sarah Palin fired back today at an outrageous episode of the Fox comedy "The Family Guy" and made it perfectly clear she is not laughing and for good reason.
The just-aired "Family Guy" episode dared to go where perhaps no other show has ever gone before, using Down syndrome and Palin as a plot line and punch line. Palin`s youngest son suffers from Down syndrome and she could not be any more angry about this. And what Sarah is saying made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Talk about an animated war. On one side, the Palin family of Alaska.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN: They say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.
HAMMER: And on the other, the Griffin family of the taste-challenged Fox series "Family Guy."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`ll defend myself and the hell with all of you.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it`s Sarah versus Stewie in the most bitter political TV battle since Dan Quayle took on Murphy Brown.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": They probably aren`t evenly mad. Stewie certainly fights dirty but Sarah Palin does not back down. I don`t know who would win in that fight.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you former vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol went after "Family Guy" today for a gag in this past Sunday`s episode, featuring Chris on a date with a girl with Down syndrome.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So what do your parents do?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That`s better. My dad is an accountant and my mom is the former governor of Alaska.
HAMMER: Palin, the former governor of Alaska, sees that gag as a cheap shot as her and her one-year-old son, Trig, who has Down syndrome.
SERAFIN: I think that Sarah Palin, at least, and probably a lot of other people thought that it maybe crossed the line.
HAMMER: Today, on her Facebook page, Sarah Palin said "The Family Guy" quote, "felt like another kick in the gut."
SERAFIN: She seems really angry.
HAMMER: Then, Sarah Palin posted a harsh response from her 19 year old daughter, Bristol Palin who writes, quote, "When you`re the son or daughter of a public figure, you have to develop thick skin. My siblings and I all have that, but insults directed at our youngest brother hurt too much for us to remain silent."
About people with special needs, Bristol writes, quote, "Their lives are difficult enough as it is, so why would anyone want to make their lives more difficult by mocking them?"
And then, Bristol unloads on the "Family Guy" creators writing, quote, "If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they`re heartless jerks."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, that is violent, odious lie!
HAMMER: If Stewie doesn`t like what Bristol said, he should be glad her mom limited her comments on "The Family Guy" joke. On her Facebook page Sarah Palin says her daughter`s response is, quote, "a much more restrained and gracious statement than I want to make."
SERAFIN: If "heartless jerk" is much more gracious than what Sarah Palin thinks about it, I think we all know what Sarah Palin thinks about this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My dad`s an accountant and my mom is the former governor of Alaska.
HAMMER: Palin`s anti-"Family Guy" slam is far from the first time the show`s been accused of being offensive.
SERAFIN: The list of people and things that "Family Guy" has insulted is about this thick and that`s just this season.
HAMMER: Similarly, this isn`t the first time Palin has gone ballistic when she felt her son, or special needs people in general, were being attacked. When recent reports said White House chief-of-staff, Rahm Emanuel, angrily used the word "retard" during a meeting, Palin demanded he be fired. And she also criticized Rush Limbaugh, albeit in less harsh terms, after he said the R-word, too.
SERAFIN: Even if she`s giving "Family Guy" more publicity, she still has kind of made it a habit of going after people that attack her kids. She had to respond.
HAMMER: But it`s interesting to note, Palin`s anti-"Family Guy" crusade is a bit of a family feud. She recently started work as a commentator for Fox News.
SERAFIN: "Family Guy," by the way, Fox show. Sarah Palin, a Fox commentator, same company. It could be interesting - the dynamic at the Christmas party.
HAMMER: Maybe then, Sarah and Stewie can settle their differences over eggnog.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who the hell do you think you are?
HAMMER: But until that happens, the Sarah versus "Family Guy" war rages on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
So what do you think? Is Sarah Palin`s new war of words completely justified? Or is this just a case of tasteless comedy?
Joining me tonight, right here with me in New York is Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist. And from Hollywood tonight is Leslie Marshall, who is the host of talk radio show, "The Leslie Marshall Show."
All right. I completely get "Family Guy." They go after anyone. They go after everyone. The show is an equal-opportunity offender. And maybe my sensitivity meter is a little high, Tanika.
But as far as I`m concerned, it is never OK to make fun of anybody, in any capacity, who has a developmental disability. And I actually think "Family Guy" was out of line even though it was only for a few seconds. What do you think?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I absolutely agree with you. I mean, I`ve made it very known on the show that I think Sarah Palin is somewhat of a joke. But you never joke about her child. He`s an innocent little kid who absolutely is going to have the best life possible being the child of Sarah Palin, but has some challenges.
But let`s not forget the fact that "Family Guy" is a show that appeals to the lowest common denominator of America. It is for teenage boys who are drinking beer in their dorm room and men that refuse to grow up and are appealing to the teenage boy inside.
HAMMER: That`s a tough justification though.
RAY: It`s not justifying it. What I`m saying is that, that show is not sophisticated. That show has never professed to be sophisticated.
HAMMER: That`s also true.
RAY: Or politically correct so take it with a grain of salt and move on. The fact that she`s even responding to this is making it a bigger deal than it ever could have been.
HAMMER: Well, you know, I want to get into that in a moment. Palin says that the controversial "Family Guy" episode was "another kick in the gut." Those are her words.
But rather than go into detail and her own feelings about it, Palin actually posted her daughter Bristol`s response on Facebook.
Here`s what Bristol wrote about this "Family Guy" episode, "Are there any limits to what some people will do or say in regards to my little brother or others in the special needs community? If the writers of a particularly pathetic cartoon show thought they were being clever in mocking my brother and my family yesterday, they failed. All they proved is that they`re heartless jerks."
And I think Bristol actually said that pretty well there. There are certainly some topics that are not fair to joke about as I made clear.
But Leslie, what do you think? The writers of "Family Guy" - were they being heartless for the sake of a laugh here?
LESLIE MARSHALL, HOST, "THE LESLIE MARSHALL SHOW": Yes. I don`t think they care about a heart. And I don`t think they care about anyone, children, especially, who have special needs.
You know, A.J., I am no fan of Sarah Palin. I constantly have said I don`t feel she is fit to be president. But on the issue, I`m a mom. Stay away from my kids. And anyone running for office - kids should be off limits.
HAMMER: Yes.
MARSHALL: You know, in comedy, there`s something called "going blue." and this was "going blue" and beyond.
HAMMER: Yes.
MARSHALL: This is a child. This is a child with special needs. Her and all politicians` and public figures` kids should be off limits. And nobody, especially a child, should be attacked for his special needs. This has gone black and blue.
HAMMER: Well, I think that`s why it`s become a hot button issue and it has transcended party lines. And that`s why everybody`s talking about it including, of course, the ladies of "The View." They had to dig into it.
RAY: Of course.
HAMMER: HLN`s own Joy Behar seems to defend the show. This is interesting perspective that she has and how it portrayed the special needs character. Take a look at Joy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Well, I think the character is feisty and assertive. And it`s like, "Come on. Fix my chair." It`s not like they made her into a pathetic kid.
I remember times when I`ve been doing stand-up and there would be a blind guy sitting in front, you know. And I didn`t realize he was blind and I was talking to him. I said, "What are you doing in the front? You`re blind." He laughs. He thought it was funny. He could sit in the back. What`s the difference, you know? I mean, that is the way comedians operate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I understand Joy`s point there. But she also - I don`t necessarily agree with the logic there. I think there are different levels of disabilities.
RAY: Nobody is off limits on that show. They make fun of black people. They make fun of fat people. And if they want equal opportunity, not to say it`s OK to make fun of them, but they`re just like everybody else.
Seth MacFarlane doesn`t care who you are. You`re going to be made fun of on his show. And that is the mark of success for him. He thinks if Sarah Palin is responding, he did his job.
HAMMER: Well, so Sarah Palin is responding. And what do you think about that, Leslie Marshall? Do you think that was a smart thing for her to do? Or is she just fanning the flames here and maybe making the situation worse?
MARSHALL: I don`t think she is making the situation worse for her because this is part of her campaign.
RAY: Exactly.
MARSHALL: Even if she`s not running because she has a child with special needs. So that actually ups her popularity and the show`s popularity. So her reacting is actually a win-win for her and for the "Family Guy."
HAMMER: Well, I should point out that as of show time neither Fox or "Family Guy" has commented on this. But Tanika, quickly, do you think that "Family Guy" or Fox owes Sarah Palin an apology?
RAY: They`ll never do it.
HAMMER: Do you think they owe it to her?
RAY: I think they do owe it to her if she was sensitive about it, only because she`s on a Fox show. They are distant cousins and maybe it would touch a little bit too close to that line. But he won`t and I don`t think he should. And for the legitimacy of his show, he won`t do it.
HAMMER: I appreciate that. Tanika Ray, great to have you here. Leslie Marshall, thank you as well.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J. I can tell you there`s another big battle that may be brewing today. This one involves Oprah and John Mayer. Has Oprah really banned John from her show for using the N-word? I`m going to send the SHOWBIZ truth squad out in the snow on this one.
Also, two brand-new great weight debates today. Too fat to fly?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: She goes, "The captain says you can`t sit here." What she wanted to say is, "You`re too fat. You have to buy two seats. But the plane is too full so you can`t buy two seats so you`re going to have to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did Hollywood director Kevin Smith deserve to be kicked off the plane for being too fat? You know, the airline policy is if you don`t fit into one seat, off you go. So does Smith really have a right to complain today?
Plus, the Jessica Simpson weight battle. Jessica makes new revelations for getting slammed for her weight as she reveals her hot, new body today. Is this Jessica`s ultimate revenge? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Leonardo DiCaprio admits fame can make you "a little bit of nuts." "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris posts Twitpic with guest star, J. Lo.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And Brooke, as they like to say in Hollywood and beyond, let`s do lunch. What`s on the menu?
ANDERSON: A.J., I`ve got a gigantic serving of Oscar nominees. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there for the official start of the "Countdown to Oscar Night," the absolutely remarkable annual luncheon for Oscar nominees in Beverly Hills.
And I couldn`t help but notice as I spoke with the celebrities at the luncheon how much this year`s Oscars are turning into an incredible, high- tension showdown between the biggest stars in the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, ACTRESS: When it`s on, it`s just on.
ANDERSON: And it`s definitely on. Oscar contenders went toe-to-toe for the last time before their final showdown on Oscar night, March 7th.
It`s the battle of the exes for best director, James Cameron versus his ex-wife, Kathryn Bigelow, who directed "The Hurt Locker.
Another big showdown is for best actress. It`s Meryl Streep for "Julie and Julia" versus Sandra Bullock for "The Blindside."
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: Bring it, you know.
ANDERSON: They`ve been a faux feud all Oscar season. But Bullock tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, they`ve declared a truce. Now, she`s taking aim at the boys.
BULLOCK: I want to feud with someone else, like one in the male category.
ANDERSON: Say, Jeff Bridges, who is nominated for best actor in "Crazy Heart." I asked Bridges later about Bullock`s challenge.
JEFF BRIDGES, ACTOR: I`ll beware. I know she`s tough, although I did take her down on our first film, I believe, "The Vanishing." There is (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: And somewhere between the main course and desert, the luncheon turned into a mutual stalking society. That included Carey Mulligan who is nominated for best actress for "An Education."
CAREY MULLIGAN, ACTRESS: I kind of followed Kathryn Bigelow around a lot. And I don`t know if she noticed, but I`m always like, "hi."
KATHRYN BIGELOW, DIRECTOR: I`ve been following her around.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the leading actress category for "Precious," Gabourey Sidibe.
GABOUREY SIDIBE, ACTRESS: I got offstage while getting my certificate and Meryl Streep says, "I just took the cutest picture of you. I said, "Why are you taking a picture of me, Meryl Streep? Do you like me, Meryl Streep?"
ANDERSON: Gabourey Sidibe is up against Streep for best actress for her role in "Precious." And while this is Streep`s record 16th nomination, for Sandra Bullock, it`s her first. And Sandra tells me she could get used to this.
BULLOCK: (INAUDIBLE). This is what happens when one is an Oscar nominee. It`s like that telephone commercial. They follow me everywhere now. They make sure I have service on my cell. They make sure I have my cappuccino. Where`s my scotch?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: The Oscar luncheon is just the start of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Road to Gold" coverage. I`m going to be live on the red carpet along with A.J. on Oscar night, March 7th. We`ve got a red carpet special at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN. Then at 11:00, it`s a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. So mark your calendars.
HAMMER: Can`t wait, Brooke. All right. So we just did that story about Sarah Palin smackdown on Fox`s "Family Guy."
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. Sarah is furious about the show apparently joking about her son who has Down Syndrome. And the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines already lighting up about this. Ann from Massachusetts thinks "Family Guy" went too far.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: I think "Family Guy" stepped over the line making fun of Sarah Palin`s son, Trig. And I usually watch the program and I usually enjoy it, but that`s a little bit too much. And I won`t be watching it anymore.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I agree. Thank you, Ann.
HAMMER: We also heard from Sam calling into "Showbiz on Call" from Virginia. And he says, hey, you know, "Family Guy" goes after everyone, so no big deal.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CALLER: "Family Guy" is an equal opportunity offender. Nobody is safe. Nobody is spared. That`s why we love the show. So, there.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: So there. Thanks a lot, Sam. What do you think? Call us at "Showbiz on Call" to give us your thoughts on the whole "Family Guy"-Palin smackdown or anything else at all.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open 24/7. Give us a ring - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728-2899.
HAMMER: All right. We have more big news breaking today. Is there really a battle going on between John Mayer and Oprah Winfrey today? You know, John Mayer put his foot - actually both of his feet in his mouth because of that explosive "Playboy" interview where he used the N-word?
Well, has Oprah now banned Mayer from her show? I am sending out the SHOWBIZ truth squad right now to check this out.
Also, this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM LAMBERT, SINGER: Sorry. Sorry. Can you get off your phone? You`re yelling into it. You`re not watching TV, honey. It`s a live show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Caught on tape. Wait until you see this Adam Lambert`s fan slam. The "American Idol" star stopped his live concert so he can tear into a fan who was yapping on her cell phone. And I`m thinking the fan probably deserved it.
HAMMER: Also, wait until you hear the unbelievable "We are the World" controversy that`s going on today. Here`s what we asked, if you think the song should have been remade. And wow, the response we`re getting - totally blowing me away. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Jay Leno`s bandleader, Kevin Eubanks, may be leaving "The Tonight Show." Jessica Simpson says she will never do a nude scene in a movie.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: The brand-new "We are the World" controversy. Well, you just heard the remake, and this is the original.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: All right. So which one do you like better? Should the song have been redone at all? Brooke, I can`t believe this massive battle that`s going on right now on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page over the new version of "We are the World."
ANDERSON: A.J., Jay-Z said he did not participate in the remake because he felt the song should have been left alone.
HAMMER: Well, we asked our on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page, should the song have been redone. We`re getting hundreds of posts on this.
Here`s one right now from Vassie B. who writes, "I think Jay-Z needs to sit down and shut up. I loved the new `We are the World.`"
ANDERSON: But Angela L. doesn`t like the new version, "I think they should have left this song alone. I thought that the remake did not have the same emotion the original one had." Here`s a part of the new "We are the World" that I really like. Listen.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: All right. Brooke, here`s one of the more controversial parts of the song. Let`s roll that.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: All right. I think there`s a whole lot to like in this version of the song. And I do like the idea that they shook it up with rap. But that part, to me, just doesn`t feel like that it fits in with the rest of it.
We want to know what you think. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "`We are the World`: Was it wrong to remake the song?" Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: Or write us on Facebook. Search "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HLN."
HAMMER: Now, it`s the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what else is coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Hollywood director Kevin Smith gets booted off a flight because he`s supposedly too fat. But does Kevin have any right to complain?
Jessica Simpson makes new revelations today about getting slammed for her weight.
And the brand-new Oprah-John Mayer battle today. What is this about? Has Oprah really banned Mayer from her show for using the N-word? Well, I am sending out the SHOWBIZ truth squad to check this out right now. Get out there, truth squad, right now.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: The CW renews "The Vampire Diaries," "Gossip Girl," "90210" and "Top Model." Tori Spelling to write children`s book called "Presenting Tallulah."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the new Oprah-John Mayer smackdown today. Has Oprah Winfrey really banned John from her show for his TMI "Playboy" interview where he dropped the N-word?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: She goes, "The captain says you can`t sit here." What she wanted to say was, "You`re too fat. You have to buy two seats. But this plane is too full, so you can`t buy two seats so you`re going to have to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, two great weight debates. Did Hollywood director, Kevin Smith, deserve to be kicked off a plane for being to fat? Does he really have a right to complain?
And Jessica Simpson`s ultimate weight revenge. Today, Jessica reveals her smoking new bod and makes new revelations about getting slammed for her weight.
Plus, more news stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
HAMMER: 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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you tonight from Hollywood. And tonight, John Mayer`s mess. Now Oprah? There was startling news today that John Mayer`s N-word controversy and his shocking interview with "Playboy" got him in hot water with Oprah. The late-breaking developments are making big news breaking today.
A brand new report just out today claimed Oprah is reportedly furious over Mayer`s explosive use of the N-word and his shocking revelations about his sex life with Jessica Simpson and that she has banned him from doing her show. No confessions on her couch. But, is that true? The SHOWBIZ truth squad got on the case today.
And then more big news breaking today - Chynna Phillips rehab shocker. The Wilson Phillips singer goes to rehab to treat anxiety just a few months after her half sister, Mackenzie, claims that she had an incestuous relationship with their father, John Phillips, of the Mamas and the Papas.
Joining me tonight in New York is Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist. Also tonight in Hollywood is Leslie Marshall who is a talk radio host of the excellent "Leslie Marshall Show."
Hey, Tanika, Leslie, I want to kick it off with John Mayer and Oprah. There`s no question that what Mayer said in his "Playboy" interview, dropping the N-word, the revelations about his sex life with Jessica Simpson - it was all offensive, downright disrespectful.
And even if Oprah is close friends with John`s other ex, Jennifer Aniston, I highly doubt Oprah`s even thought all of this. Tanika, do you seriously think Oprah would ban John Mayer from her show?
RAY: Oh, gosh. You know, she hasn`t banned very many people before. I think she`s probably offended, but I don`t think anybody`s even broached the topic with her yet.
Yes, it was disgusting. John Mayer has a really bad way of using his sharp wit in ways that are inappropriate and he`s never been called on it before. Finally, people are saying, "Wait a minute. You`ve gone too far."
Hopefully, Oprah will make a public announcement, but I doubt it. We`ll have to just speculate from here on out.
ANDERSON: Yes. I don`t think she would ban him from her show. If anything, I think she uses her show as a forum.
RAY: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: When people have some explaining to do.
RAY: Big ratings, right?
ANDERSON: Right. I did want to get to the bottom of this alleged Oprah- Mayer smackdown. So we handed the case over to the SHOWBIZ truth squad and here is what they found.
They tracked down Oprah`s reps who tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, quote, "There`s no truth to the story." So it looks like Oprah`s couch still may be open for Mayer`s big mea culpa.
But I personally think John Mayer should just lie low, shut up. Keep his mouth shut, zipped up tight.
RAY: No.
ANDERSON: Not talk to Oprah or anybody else. Leslie, though, a lot of people think John should pick up the phone right now and beg, beg, beg Oprah to be on the show. What do you think?
MARSHALL: I don`t think so, because first of all, he`s not banned. Second of all, not being on the show certainly has not hurt his record sales. But I do think, ladies, none of us should date John Mayer because he loves to kiss and tell, especially not me.
RAY: I definitely think that, you know, he shouldn`t beg Oprah, but it wouldn`t hurt, because, I mean, people are going to just hate him from here on out. That`s just crossing the line. He`s a douche.
ANDERSON: Yes. And I think he really needs to let the dust settle, let people love him and remember him for the talented musician that he is.
RAY: Yes. Not for what (INAUDIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: (INAUDIBLE) his words get him into trouble. And I do want to say the SHOWBIZ truth squad also tracked down John Mayer`s spokesperson who wisely told us, "No comment."
So Tanika, are you with me that keeping his mouth shut, not speaking to Oprah or anybody else, may be the best thing he could do right now? Because you can`t get in trouble when you keep your lips zipped?
RAY: Well, I`m going to confess. The reason why I`m so angry is because he was one of my celebrity crushes. I think he`s super-hot. I love his music. But to hear this, I`m like, oy, I`ve got to change - I`ve got to turn to A.J. now. Now, A.J. is my celebrity crush.
HAMMER: Oh, what`s wrong with that?
ANDERSON: Aww. A.J., you should be very flattered.
RAY: Yes, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes, I am.
ANDERSON: On that note, this has been a pretty unbelievable day of breaking news, hasn`t it? What else do you have?
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, there are definitely some more big stories breaking today, including Chynna Phillips checking into rehab. Also, Celine Dion opening up about her recent miscarriage.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice over): Celine Dion`s baby heartbreak. Dion has just opened up to CNN`s Larry King about her tragic miscarriage and, for the first time, detailed her emotional and unrelenting effort to become a mom again through fertility treatments.
CELINE DION, SINGER: We tried four times.
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Then, what happened?
DION: It didn`t work. We had - the first time, we had a miscarriage. And the three other times, it did not work. It`s kind of - that`s common, you know? Right now, we`re trying our fifth try. If the doctor says, "That`s it, you can`t try anymore. You can`t," then I will turn the page.
HAMMER: Nicole Richie`s boyfriend put a ring on it. The fashionista and her rock-star boyfriend Joel Madden are finally tying knot. Madden tweeted the news writing, "Yes, I`m engaged. Very happy. Yes we have been engaged for a while, so you`re all kind of late on that. But thanks for the hoopla all the same."
Madden and Richie have been together for three years and have two kids together, Sparrow and Harlow.
Chynna Phillips` rehab shocker. The Wilson Phillips singer and half sister of Mackenzie has just become the latest Phillips family member to enter a treatment program. Chynna checked herself into an undisclosed facility for help with anxiety.
Chynna has been publicly supporting her sister since Mackenzie revealed she had a longtime sexual relationship with their father, John Phillips.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I have to say I can`t help but feel bad for Chynna. I spoke with Chynna just after Mackenzie made that shocking incest confession. She told me how tough it has been handling the fact that her sister went public. Look at this.
CHYNNA PHILLIPS, SINGER: You know, some days are better than others. Sometimes, I just have to have a good cry. It hasn`t been easy. But today, I`m having a good day. And I`ve got my husband supporting me and I`ve got a really good therapist.
And you know, it`s like I`m just walking through the fire right now, essentially. And it`s scary that it`s on such a public platform, but that`s the way it`s supposed to be, I guess, right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All we know is that Chynna checked into rehab for anxiety. But Leslie, sadly, I`m thinking this happening is just going to dredge up all of the drama around Mackenzie`s incest claims and make it even harder on her to deal with what she`s dealing with.
MARSHALL: Well, yes. This is key because this is such a difficult issue. And this is a woman who is standing by her sister. Lord knows what she experienced as a child. And not only the pressure of that, but the pressure of having this in the public eye.
So bringing this up, I think, is going to bring up more anxiety for the entire family. And obviously, this is split with the family and that has and leads itself to enough anxiety as well, again, in the public eye.
So I don`t think this is surprising when you look at what victims of incest and other terrible, heinous situations within families, have gone through. I think there`s a lot on her shoulders right now.
HAMMER: Yes. You remember, Tanika, we talked about how difficult it was for Mackenzie to come forward and reveal to the world her claims that her father, John Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas had a sexual relationship with her.
RAY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Chynna is her sister who stood there and supported her. But at the same time, this was her sister and her father. And now, it`s all bubbling back up.
RAY: You know what? The more you hold back the water and you`re a dam, the more it is just going to explode right through it. The more she suppresses it, it`s going to ruin her even more. She`s got to face it head-on.
HAMMER: Yes.
RAY: And yes, it`s going to bring it up. But she`s got to go through the pain. She can`t ignore it anymore.
HAMMER: And yes, we don`t know, again, that this is exactly what led her going into rehab for the anxiety. But certainly.
RAY: Yes. A part of it for sure.
HAMMER: She`s had a lot to deal with.
RAY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: That`s what we can say. Well, Mackenzie speaking out today, supporting Chynna this time around. Here`s what Mackenzie tells "In Touch Weekly," "I love my sister so much. She was there for me and I am here for her."
And Leslie, obviously, Chynna is going to need that support right now.
MARSHALL: Oh, definitely. You know, we know what it`s like dealing with Hollywood and New York scene, but not on that level and putting this out there.
HAMMER: Yes.
MARSHALL: So I think it`s awesome that Chynna has her husband, has Mackenzie and certainly other friends and family to support her and she needs that right now.
HAMMER: Very much so. Leslie Marshall, Tanika Ray, thanks so much, guys.
ANDERSON: Tonight, two great weight debates. Did Hollywood director Kevin Smith deserve to be kicked off a plane for being too fat?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: She goes, "The captain says you can`t sit here." What she wanted to say was, "You`re too fat. You have to buy two seats. But this plane is too full, so you can`t buy two seats so you`re going to have to go."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The fired-up debate today. Does Smith really have a right to complain?
Plus, Jessica Simpson`s weight revenge. I think Jess looks better than ever in a brand-new magazine spread out just today. Forget about revenge being a dish best served cold. Jessica is red hot. And she`s making brand-new revelations about getting slammed for her weight.
And Adam Lambert caught on tape, slamming one of his own fans. It`s the video that`s gone viral just today. You`ve got to see the "American Idol" finalist stop in the middle of his live show to hand out a big old smackdown. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Kevin James to host Nickelodeon`s kids choice awards on March 27th. Lady Gaga releases pictures from her new video shoot for "Telephone."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little bit excited here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Did you see this? A pelican goes bonkers on TV attacking a reporter at a zoo in Australia. The guy was doing a weather report from inside the pelican`s pen when the bird got a little bit testy. No weatherman or animals were harm in this report. What was he doing in the pen?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
And tonight, it`s the great weight debate. Is film director Kevin Smith really too fat to fly? He got kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight for being too fat. And tonight, the sparks with flying.
A full-on weight debate kept on raging today. It`s the battle of the airline and the movie director. Which side are you on? Did Kevin Smith deserve to be kicked off that flight?
Also Jessica Simpson`s weight revenge after years of fat jokes and snickering about her weight gain. You`ve got to see this brand-new sexy photo spread in "Allure" magazine which hit newsstands today in this felt sexy photo shoot. Is it Jessica`s ultimate revenge?
Joining me from New York, Mimi Roth, who is president of the National Action Against Obesity. Also in New York, Emme, who is founder of "EmmeStyle.com."
Ladies, I want to start with Kevin Smith who says that he usually buys two seats on Southwest, not because he`s too fat, but for comfort. But this time, only one was available on stand-by.
The flight attendant approached him and told he had to get off the flight for the safety and for the comfort of others around him. Emme, let the debate begin. Did Kevin deserve to be kicked off the flight?
EMME, FOUNDER, "EMMESTYLE.COM": I don`t think so. I mean, he does know that buys two seats normally. And when they did admit him onto the flight, they thought that he was fine.
From what I read if the article, one lady was leaning against the window because she was going to go to sleep and another lady was leaning to the other side and he asked both of them, "Am I getting in your way?" And they both said, "Absolutely not."
And the airlines said that the ladies did complain, but in fact did not do a report, a follow-up report, and so they actually didn`t have anything to substantiate him being taken off the flight.
ANDERSON: Yes, that`s what it sounds like. And Kevin has said, "Hey, I`m fat. But I`m not too fat to fly." Mimi, what do you think? Did he deserve to be kicked off?
MIMI ROTH, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ACTION AGAINST OBESITY: This is a 25-year- old policy from Southwest and all the airlines have this. If an airline professional thinks that there could be any kind of safety compromise on a flight, they have to take action.
In this incident, that`s what they observed and they decided to do what they thought to be safest. So, yes. You know, we can`t second-guess the judgment call of any of these airline officials. I think they did what they needed to do.
ANDERSON: And it is very subjective. We know that. I do want you to listen now to Kevin`s livid side of the story on his brand-new podcast.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SMITH: She goes, "The captain says that you can`t sit here." And she goes, "Well, no. It`s a safety issue, a security measure." What she wanted to say was, "You`re too fat. You have to buy two seats. But this plane is too full so you can`t by two seats so you`re going to have to go."
(END AUDIO CLIP)
EMME: That`s really hard.
ANDERSON: And I want to say he says he was able to lower the arm rest and Southwest says they were following the policy as Mimi says, a 25 year old policy. So you can see both sides here.
And Smith also said he would have been able to buckle the seatbelt, but he had not even been settled in his seat when he was approached by the gate agent to leave.
EMME: That`s right.
ANDERSON: Emme, what do you think? Every airline does have these kinds of policies in place. So what`s wrong with them?
EMME: Well, I think that they were probably trying to fill the seats and, you know, make everybody comfortable. And it seems like he had asked the two ladies beside him, "Is everything OK." And they said, "Absolutely."
So there were other people on the flight that were bigger than he was, from what I understand, and they weren`t talked to. They weren`t, you know, asked to leave.
ANDERSON: Yes, Kevin said he spotted someone that he thought was bigger.
EMME: Yes.
ANDERSON: And he wasn`t kicked of the flight. And Mimi I listened to his podcast and read his blogs and his tweets. And it seems to me that he`s not really frustrated by the policy so much.
EMME: No, because (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: Even though I think it was wrongly enforced by the policy. It`s the customer-service aspect and how he feels he was treated.
ROTH: Southwest and all the airlines get hundreds of complaints every year about oversized passengers. Those poor women sitting next to him should have never been put on the spot and asked.
That actually is the only customer service failing that I can observe. But here, Kevin Smith, over a year ago, he said that his eating and his weight had gotten so out of hand that he broke a toilet. He said he was going to take time off to get his act together.
(CROSSTALK)
You`re right. In this instance, he was not - they were not able to accommodate him. Most airlines do everything they can to accommodate an oversized passenger. In the case of Southwest, if a flight is not overbooked and you buy two seats so you can fit comfortably and safely, they will refund the cost of that second seat.
EMME: They should have let him on.
ANDERSON: They did refund his ticket. They did offer him a $100 voucher which he refused. This one is a really tough call.
But I do want to move now, you guys, to another big story just in today that is sparking even more passion in the great weight debate. Jessica Simpson`s revenge. Check this out.
Her brand new sizzling photo shoot that she did with "Allure" magazine, showing a fit, gorgeous Simpson, looking glamorous, old-school Hollywood. She says all the criticism about her weight was disgusting and that she wouldn`t wish on her worst enemy what she went through.
And frankly, Emme, when I read that she said that, it made me really sad for her. But when you look at these photos, did she get her ultimate revenge on all the critics?
EMME: I think what she`s doing is that she`s doing - not, you know, trying to fight the game with the fashion industry. She`s doing her own groove to her own beat. And she is fit and she has the curves. She has whipped curves and she`s also firm, you know.
It`s herself as a woman and I think that`s healthy. I think it`s desirable. I think it`s a beautiful message to send that she doesn`t have to be a waif to be, you know, admittedly gorgeous. She`s just beautiful.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. It was reprehensible how hurtful some people were about her weight. Good for her for opening up.
(CROSSTALK)
ROTH: Come on. It`s Hollywood. It`s Hollywood. It`s a (INAUDIBLE) bargain. If she doesn`t want to be a starlet, there`s a million girls lined up behind her.
ANDERSON: Mimi think she signed up for this. All right.
EMME: Mimi, the industry has to change. We have children that are looking.
(CROSSTALK)
ROTH: She was never underweight. She was never emaciated.
ANDERSON: We will continue this conversation.
(CROSSTALK)
ROTH: She loved the ogling in the Daisy Dukes. She doesn`t like it now? Come on.
ANDERSON: Mimi Roth and Emme, can`t (INAUDIBLE) with either of you. Thanks.
HAMMER: All right. As we move on, Adam Lambert slams one of his own fans. It`s all caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAMBERT: Sorry. Sorry. Can you get off your phone? You`re yelling into it. You`re not watching TV, honey. It`s a live show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s the video that`s gone totally viral online today. The "American Idol" finalist stopping right there, in the middle of his concert live to give one of his fans a smackdown. It`s the caught-on-tape drama you have got to see and we`ve got it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
TEXT: Report: Madonna to launch an exclusive clothing line at Macy`s. Naomi Campbell to host gala in London to raise money for Haiti.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thank you Charles and Joe. And tonight, Adam Lambert rips into one of his own fans at a concert. Now, all this went down when the "American Idol" star was performing at a special, invite-only show in New York. It`s all caught on tape.
This thing has gone viral today. Adam was performing for I Heart Radio. It`s a radio network found online and on mobile devices. And that`s when a fan started yapping away, yap, yap, yap, right on her cell phone in the middle of his live performance.
Well, Adam wasn`t having any of it and let her have it. You have got to see this
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
LAMBERT: OK. Sorry, sorry, can you get off your phone? You`re yelling into it. Sorry, we`re going to start over. Sorry, guys.
(CHEERS)
Really? Dominoes, we deliver. You`re not watching TV, honey. It`s a live show. OK, let`s try that one more time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, good for you, Adam. Who does that? What`s so important that you need speak with somebody as you`re sitting in the front row at a concert? I`m guessing everybody else waited until the show was over before asking, "Can you hear me now?" Brooke, you would never do that. I know you would never do that.
ANDERSON: Never. Never.
HAMMER: Brooke, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been burning up. Maybe that`s who she was calling. A lot of people calling in about the new controversy over the "We are the World" remake.
Jay-Z says he supports Haiti but calls the original version of the song untouchable and that it should not have been redone. The remake benefits Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
ANDERSON: We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Cindy in Iowa who totally disagrees with Jay and even thinks the new version is more special than the original.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CINDY, CALLER FROM IOWA: It`s great they did "We are the World" again. I think it`s wonderful. And I love - I was so hoping they would. I loved the fact that they put in Michael`s voice and they put in the video of him like he`s here today, singing on the new version. It is fantastic. I saw that and I started crying. It`s wonderful.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you, Cindy.
HAMMER: We also heard from Cathy calling from Pennsylvania into "Showbiz on Call" who agrees with Jay-Z 100 percent.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
CATHY, CALLER FROM PENNSYLVANIA: I`m with Jay-Z. I think Michael Jackson`s version of "We are the World" is untouchable and cannot compare to that new one they just released. Michael Jackson`s version is first rate and should have never been touched.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thank you for your call, Cathy. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" and that way, you can express your view and let us know what you think about this or anything else that`s on your mind.
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines, we keep them open for you all the time. Write down this number - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; again, that`s 1-888- 728-2899. Simply leave a voicemail. We will play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And don`t forget, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every night on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern, 11:00 p.m. Pacific, also in the morning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern right here on HLN. Take care.
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