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Showbiz Tonight
The Sandra Bullock Marriage Bombshell; Tiger Not Out of the Woods; Brand-New Kirstie Alley Scientology and Weight Controversy; Elizabeth Edwards` Message to Rielle Hunter
Aired March 18, 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, HLN HOST: big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Sandra Bullock bombshell. The unbelievable reports today that Sandra`s husband had a steamy affair with a tattoo model who works for a porn site while Sandra was shooting the movie that just got her an Oscar. The explosive new revelations today. And Sandra`s private pain.
Tiger not out of the woods. Shocking, sexy new text messages revealed today by one of Tiger`s alleged mistresses, the former porn star. But wait, there`s more. South Park tees off on Tiger and the joke is on him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) do you think you are doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m getting the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) away from you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The brand-new Kirstie Alley Scientology and weight controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Your faith, Scientology - why haven`t they helped you with weight addiction?
HAMMER: What Kirstie just told CNN`s Larry King tonight about losing weight, dieting, and the Church of Scientology.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City. And tonight, the Bullock bombshell. It is almost hard to find the words to describe the absolute shock today to Sandra`s marriage reportedly imploding.
A tattoo fetish model who works for a porn site claiming that she had an affair with Sandra`s equally tattooed husband. And the news breaking today comes just weeks after Sandra cemented her image as America`s sweetheart, winning the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the movie, "The Blind Side."
To say Sandra was blindsided - well, that would be the understatement of the year. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been working fast and furious all day to track down what`s really going on here. And I can tell you that what we found out made for big news breaking today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): In just two weeks, Sandra Bullock has gone from Oscar glory to tabloid humiliation.
MEREDITH VIEIRA, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: There`s some sad news "People" was reporting about Sandra Bullock.
HAMMER: Today, the media is buzzing about a massive cheating scandal that has reportedly torn Bullock`s world to pieces. A fiery tattoo model is telling a tabloid that she had an 11-month affair with Bullock`s husband, Jesse James, while Sandra was away filming, "The Blind Side," the role that would win her an Oscar.
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: Don`t you dare lie to me.
HAMMER: Today, Bullock`s husband, famous biker, Jesse James, is sending out an anguished apology to his wife and his children from previous relationships. In a statement provided to "People" magazine, James calls the majority of allegations against him, quote, "untrue and unfounded."
But he adds, quote, "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation and that is me. It`s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way."
Jesse James also goes on to say about the cheating scandal, quote, "This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me."
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR, "E!": No one wants this to happen to her. It`s just very ugly.
HAMMER: The new issue of "In Touch Weekly" features an interview with tattoo model, Michelle McGee, who goes by an interesting professional name.
MICHELLE MCGEE, TATTOO MODEL: My name is Michelle Bombshell.
BAKER: Michelle McGee, who is a tattoo model, is claiming that she had this steamy affair for almost a year with Jesse James.
HAMMER: McGee tells "In Touch" that she first contacted James to inquire about a modeling job.
BAKER: They met and according to this woman, and according to a report, they started an affair that`s been going on until very recently.
HAMMER: When Michelle`s allegations first exploded on to the gossip pages yesterday, Bullock did not say anything. But what she`s doing now speaks volumes.
BAKER: As soon the reports heads, we find out that Sandra`s backing out and not going to show up to the London premiere of "The Blind Side."
HAMMER: Sandra Bullock is citing unspecified personal reasons for canceling her London trip. But "People" magazine`s David Caplan tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Sandra Bullock has just made another big move.
DAVID CAPLAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: "People.com" has learned that Bullock has moved out of the home that she shared with Jesse James and they are now living separately. However, no divorce papers have been filed yet.
HAMMER: From the first moment they got together back in 2004, Sandra Bullock and Jesse James were known as one of Hollywood`s oddest couples. She was the wholesome glamorous movie star. He was the heavily tattooed biker bad boy with the outlaw image. They got married in 2005.
BAKER: They were sort of the odd couple, but it was one of those pairings that just worked.
HAMMER: It seemed to be working for Sandra. Just one month ago, at the Academy Awards nominees` luncheon, Sandra opened up to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson about how her marriage to James has made her a better actress.
BULLOCK: I just became more selective and had, you know - I had work before and that was my family until I had a family and I realized work became number two. So I just became really selective about what took me away from the thing that was my priority.
HAMMER: Now, on the very same week that Kate Winslet, the previous Best Actress Oscar, announced a split from her husband, the current Best Actress is dealing with a marital crisis of her own.
BAKER: This just goes to show that in Hollywood, just because you`re having professional success, doesn`t mean you have personal happiness. When you really see it play out with someone that people really love and adore like Sandra Bullock, it really hits home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, I`m betting that you`ll agree with me on this. Sandra Bullock is just one of those beloved stars we all feel like we know her. Now, true or not, these scandalous headlines are just heartbreaking. And now, that Sandra`s husband has broken his silence, does that really do anything to ease the pain?
In New York tonight is Carolina Bermudez, a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly," which is featuring Sandra`s marital drama in its brand-new, explosive cover story. Also with me in New York tonight, Cooper Lawrence, who is a syndicated radio show host and author of "The Cult of Celebrity."
Well, these headlines certainly would be shocking no matter what. But Cooper, the fact is, we have been cheering on Sandra Bullock with her Oscar win less than two weeks ago. And it`s like we all feel devastated for her today.
COOPER LAWRENCE, PSYCHOLOGIST: Yes, because, I mean, she is the every girl. She is just like me and that`s why we love her so much because she reminds us of ourselves. And now, our biggest fear has been realized that that the hot, sexy, tattooed woman that we can never compete with came and stole our man.
HAMMER: It`s terrible. Honestly, I`m bummed out about this. I don`t know Sandra Bullock, you know, other than having interviewed her before. I don`t -
LAWRENCE: There`s nothing negative about her. We haven`t heard or seen a sex tape. She`s a real actress who we respect. And she garners that respect from everybody.
HAMMER: Well, I`ve got read the shocking statement that Sandra`s husband, Jesse James, released late today. He told "People" magazine that the vast majority of claims against him are untrue and unfounded.
But he does go on to say this, "There is only one person to blame for this whole situation that is me. It`s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way."
"This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I`m extremely saddened to have brought this on them. I am truly very sorry for the grief I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me."
And I`ve got to tell you, I was just floored when I saw that statement. Carolina, if you`re Sandra Bullock, do Jesse`s words do anything to ease the pain that the scandal has clearly already caused?
CAROLINA BERMUDEZ, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": I wouldn`t think so, especially since he is just semi-admitting his guilt here. You know, this isn`t poor judgment. It`s downright cheating.
And if you pick up "In Touch Weekly," this week`s cover story is explosive. You`re going to hear all of the details about this alleged affair. And I think as we go on here, we`re going to get even more details about what Jesse was doing while Sandra was away.
HAMMER: I don`t even know Jesse James, Cooper. But do we have to give him any kind of credit for coming out with this statement? I`m pretty mad at him and I don`t know the guys. Obviously, you know, this has led to so much humiliation for Sandra and her family.
LAWRENCE: You give him credit if, before the Oscars, he came out and said, "Wait. Stop. I need to tell you this about me." I mean, he came out after he got caught. There`s no really big - he didn`t do anything special here. The only thing he`s sorry for is getting caught.
BERMUDEZ: You know, the one thing I have to say here is that a man would have stood up and not let his woman publicly humiliate herself on awards show after awards show.
LAWRENCE: Exactly.
BERMUDEZ: I mean, that`s the thing that`s really sticking out of my mind is that he sat there with a smile on his face while she said that she loved his support, that he made her who she is, that he had her back. I mean, he really has just totally thrown this relationship away, in my opinion.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think it`s pretty clear that if they were having these difficulties back then during the awards season, you wouldn`t have seen Sandra speaking so eloquently and glowingly about her relationship with him.
I just don`t think she would have been masking it that way. What`s really remarkable, though, is that Sandra Bullock`s marriage crisis, now is just coming days after Kate Winslet announced her split from her husband, director Sam Mendes.
And this has a lot of people saying that all this has to do with the Oscar curse. You know, you win a Best Actress award, then you lose a husband. Carolina, back to you. Do you think there`s anything to that?
BERMUDEZ: Yes, I kind of think there is. When you look at - in the past, you look at Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron - all of these women that have accomplished this in Hollywood they haven`t had successful personal lives. And I think that it`s just a testament that you just can`t have it all in Hollywood.
LAWRENCE: And it`s more than that, A.J. I think there`s a lot of men that can`t handle women that achieved this level of success.
BERMUDEZ: Yes.
LAWRENCE: I mean, this isn`t just like she did really well, you know, in her business and she made some money. This is the highest level of achievement in her class. And I think a lot of men just - it`s too much for them to handle.
HAMMER: Let me ask you this, Cooper, because I felt this a bit with Kate Winslet, having interviewed her before, and having seen how glowing she had spoken about her relationship with her husband.
And the same thing from Sandra Bullock. Is it understandable why, not just me, but I think people who are catching this news tonight, are taking this very personally in some way?
LAWRENCE: You`re talking about the two most beloved actresses, not just in Hollywood but we love them. And the fact that they stay out of the tabloids - I mean, if they get caught walking somewhere, it`s not because they have makeup on.
They haven`t put out a sex tape. There`s nothing scandalous going on with either one of this women. And we love them and everybody loves them.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, you know, Oscar curse or not, this is just a mess. I can`t ever imagine what Sandra is going through right now. And that got me thinking, is there something that Sandra can actually learn from other famous women going through a marriage drama very publicly right now?
I mean, think about it - Tiger`s wife, Elin, and Elizabeth Edwards - they`re both dealing with scandals of their own. So can Sandra learn a lesson or two from them? Carolina Bermudez, Cooper Lawrence, you guys stay right where you are. We`re going to have that in just a bit.
Right now, let me slip this to you for our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day. Here`s what we need to know -Sandra Bullock`s Marriage - are you with me? Do you feel sorry for her? Vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E- mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
Well, I can clearly tell you that South Park doesn`t feel sorry for Tiger Woods at all today. South Park just teed off on him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Check it out. It`s EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA tour for XBox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop, (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop breaking through the window, Kenny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It isn`t so funny. The joke is really on Tiger today. And more brand-new Tiger drama. There are shocking new text messages revealed today by one of Tiger`s alleged mistresses - yes, the former porn star.
John Edwards` mistress, Rielle, tells Elizabeth Edwards, too bad. Rielle Hunter`s unbelievable new words revealed today. She does not hold back one bit from her shocking new tell-all which claims she and John are still in love. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: A&E and Discovery are the leading contenders to air Sarah Palin`s TV show. New Michael Jackson movie, about his last days, due out this summer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. A new Corey Haim drug shocker, Donald Trump un-fires himself and Marie Osmond`s dramatic decision in dealing with the death of her son. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Marie Osmond`s brand-new private grief. Osmond has just canceled the rest of her Las Vegas shows this week with her brother, Donny, because she`s still having a hard time dealing with the suicide of her teenage son.
Marie returned to the stage the day after his funeral but a spokesperson now says she needs more time to spend with her family.
The return of Trump`s "Apprentice." Donald Trump has just announced that he`s resurrecting "The Apprentice" for regular people and will feature contestants who either lost their jobs or stuck in jobs that they don`t like or are recent college graduates without any offers. Trump`s other show, "Celebrity Apprentice," will also continue.
A new Corey Haim`s shocker. An arrest in California is being linked to the death of `80s teen idol, Corey Haim. California Attorney General Jerry Brown says it`s connected to an investigation into an illegal prescription drug ring that Brown says may have involved the late actor. On HLN`s "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL," he explained how it may have worked.
JERRY BROWN, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: These criminals steal an identity from a doctor. Then they take the doctor`s name and they write to a company that prints these official prescription pads for doctors.
Once they get that prescription pad and the doctor`s name, then they can write a prescription or they can sell it to someone to write a prescription like Corey Haim.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, it`s bad if that goes on. Well, I just sat down with Todd Bridges. Todd played Willis in "Diff`rent Strokes" back in the `80s. And Todd, like Corey Haim, was a child star who battled drug addiction. Todd revealed to me that he actually tried to help Corey when he was on Corey`s A & E reality show, "The Two Coreys."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): At one point, you actually reached out to Corey to try to help him with his addiction issues. Tell me about that.
TODD BRIDGES, FORMER CHILD STAR: Well, what had happened was, I had - "The Two Coreys," the show they had. And Corey Feldman called me and asked me to come by and talk with Corey and see if we can get him, you know, on a straight path.
And I went there and Corey Haim wasn`t expecting to see me, I guess, you know. And then, I showed up and we talked for a while. And I stayed with him for quite a while.
And he just - you know, the unfortunate part about it was, I guess, a lot of addicts think that they can get through this without having to pay the price. And they can continue to do what they want to do, you know, without destroying their body. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Todd has really got his stuff together. And he also insists this whole child star curse is blown out of proportion. He says for every one child star who has a problem, he can name 10 who haven`t. I think he makes a great point with that.
Well, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines were dancing today. I told you how Kate Gosselin reportedly is being a pain in the butt on "Dancing with the Stars." Have you seen our "Showbiz on Call" operators? They do a mean telephone tango, I tell you.
Check out this call from Barbara in Virginia who thinks that Kate should ditch "Dancing."
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BARBARA, CALLER FROM VIRGINIA: I don`t know why on earth she`d leave her eight children to be on something like she`s going to be on and be away from the kids all the time. It makes me sick to think that eight children are at home while she`s doing this. She could at least wait until they got a little old.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: We appreciate your call, Barbara. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open for you to sound off. So call us at 1-888-SBT- BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
What Kirstie Alley just told CNN`s Larry King tonight about losing weight, dieting, and the Church of Scientology.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Your faith, Scientology, might have the best record in America of getting people off drugs.
ALLEY: That`s true.
KING: Why haven`t they helped you with weight addiction?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What a great question. The brand-new Kirstie Alley Scientology and weight controversy.
I just can`t believe all of these reports about Sandra Bullock`s husband cheating on her with a tattoo model. Well, Sandy, I`m here to say, we`re with you.
Tonight, what you can learn from other cheated-on wives, like Elizabeth Edwards and Tiger Woods` wife, Elin.
And the literally shocking new game show. "The Price is Right" this is not.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On this French game show, contestants pose a question. But here`s the catch. If their fellow player gets the answer wrong, he`s zapped with increasing amounts of electricity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I have waited more than five years to say this. It`s a shocking shocker. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "CSI," "Glee," "Private Practice," honored for tackling social and moral issues. Cast of Fox`s "Glee" to appear on Oprah Wednesday, April 7th.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Tiger has acknowledged that he betrayed his family and that`s a personal issue that he`s got to work out. I hope they`ve worked it out. I`m sure that he`ll still be a terrific golfer.
HAMMER: That was President Obama, of course, in a brand-new interview with Fox News showing his support for Tiger Woods as Tiger returns to golf after his sex scandal. But there`s more big Tiger Woods drama breaking today. The explosive new developments coming up in just a moment.
Tonight, Kirstie Alley still has it going on for Jamie Foxx. Now, it`s no secret that Kirstie has been hot for Jamie. She even told Oprah that she wants a booty call from him. A booty call. Jamie , are you listening?
In a brand-new interview with CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" that just aired tonight, Kirstie still thinks Jamie is a real fox.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: If Jamie Foxx called you, you`d do what?
ALLEY: I would do whatever Mr. Foxx wants me to do. I am his servant.
KING: What is the attraction to Jamie Foxx?
ALLEY: He`s smart and he`s talented. And I`m not really looking for some - you know, he`s sort of a player. I sort of like that. No, I`m not looking - you know, I think that I need stepping stones. I need an affair.
KING: Are you`re saying that if Jamie Foxx were to knock on your door, you would have an affair with him almost immediately?
ALLEY: If not sooner.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So there you go. Jamie Foxx, if you`re watching, and I know you are, Kirstie has been on Oprah, now Larry King, talking about this. I`m just saying. I think she really likes you.
So as soon as we posted the news of Sandra Bullock`s marriage bombshell on our Facebook page, the posts were coming in fast and furious.
Donna W. writing, "What a jerk. She paid a tribute to her husband while accepting her Oscar saying he always watches her back. Now, he just stuck a knife in it."
Eve L. says, "I feel bad for her, but I also know that she will get through it. She is a strong woman. I just hope more women don`t start coming out like Tiger`s did."
You can connect to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in so many ways. Become our fan on Facebook. You can join us on Twitter. That way, you can get breaking entertainment news alerts. And you can always call us at "Showbiz on Call" or E-mail us. "Showbiz Connects" - check out our Web site for it at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour. Sandra Bullock`s marriage bombshell today - reports that her husband cheated on her. Tonight, what Sandra can learn from other cheated- on women - Elizabeth Edwards and Tiger Woods` wife, Elin.
And Elizabeth Edwards` explosive message today to her husband`s mistress for posing nearly naked in "GQ." We`ve got her very first reaction to the picture.
Plus, Kirstie Alley`s Scientology weight shocker. What Kirstie just told Larry King about dropping the weight and the Church of Scientology. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Ian McKellan says first of two "Hobbit" films to start shooting in July. Council of Fashion Designers of America to honor late Alexander McQueen in June.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Check it out. EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour for Xbox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop, (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop breaking through the window, Candy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Tiger not out of the woods. "South Park" tears into Tiger. Sexy new texts revealed today from one of his alleged mistresses. Can Tiger`s wife, Elin, take any more Tiger teasing?
Sandra Bullock`s private pain. Brand-new reports today her husband had a steamy affair with a tattoo model. His dramatic new public apology. Should she stand by her man? And what Sandra can learn from other cheated on wives.
HAMMER: The brand-new Kirstie Alley Scientology and weight controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Your faith, Scientology, might have the best record in America of getting people off drugs.
ALLEY: That`s true.
KING: Why haven`t they helped you with weight addiction?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What Kirstie just told CNN`s Larry King tonight about losing weight and the Church of Scientology.
Plus, more stories breaking from the SHOWBIZ "News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
Tonight, Tiger is not out of the woods yet. Just when maybe he was thinking he got past the brunt of the bashing overall of his infidelity, well, today, a whole new wave of outrageous embarrassments for Tiger and it`s making for big news breaking.
The drama really unfolds today as one of Tiger`s alleged mistresses, Joslyn James, released unbelievably raunchy text messages that she claims were from Tiger. And this is coming just days after he announces his big return to golf. It is a major embarrassment for sure. But do you feel any sympathy for the guy?
And as if that wasn`t bad enough, a brand-new no-holds-barred episode of South Park recreating their version of that dramatic Thanksgiving night when, of course, Tiger Woods crashed his car and makes it into a video game.
With me tonight in New York, Carolina Bermudez for "In Touch Weekly." And in Atlanta tonight, Vinnie Politan, who is a host for "In Session" on our sister network, truTV.
OK, so one of Tiger`s alleged mistresses, porn star Joslyn James, releases raunchy sex text that she claims are from Tiger. But I`m here to tell you guys, they are so raunchy I just can`t read them on television for fear of losing my job.
There is no doubt, however, Tiger is working hard to move past the scandal. But Carolina, is this just going to be another huge embarrassment for Tiger? That`s what I feel. There are those who would say, however, you know what the damage he`s already done.
BERMUDEZ: Well, the damage is already done but it is more embarrassing because this gives us a real look, if these texts are indeed true, of what Tiger was really about. And any type of - or any - he can`t really - he can`t reform his image now.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: It`s just so difficult to wrap your head around it when you look at these texts and what he`s saying, what he wants to do to her. I mean, it`s pretty graphic.
HAMMER: Assuming they are true, of course.
BERMUDEZ: Assuming they are true.
HAMMER: Now, there are people out there who actually feel sorry for Tiger Woods. I quite frankly don`t understand that. But there`s no doubt that Joslyn James is going for the jugular here, trying to cash in with these text messages. I personally think her plan could backfire and maybe make people feel sympathetic towards Tiger.
VINNIE POLITAN, HOST, "IN SESSION": Some people may. And you know, the golf fans that are going to be out at the Masters will probably support Tiger and they`re against this woman.
But really, what`s happening, A.J., is this is Tiger - welcome to your legacy. This is part of your legacy now. This is it. Yes, you`re a great golfer. But guess what? You`re a joke. You`re a joke, an absolute joke.
HAMMER: And cementing that legacy - and I can`t help but smile as I tell you about this. The new season "South Park" made its premiere in a big bold way last night.
They did what I thought was a pretty amazing, very funny parody and pretty outrageous, too. And it was called "Sexual Healing," all about Tiger and recreating what`s really their own version of that night on Thanksgiving when Tiger Woods smashed his car into a tree. And they turned that whole night into a videogame. Let me play this for you, shall I?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) do you think you`re going?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m getting the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) away from you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Open the door you (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes. Take (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and the car key. What are you guys doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Check it out. It`s EA sports Tiger Woods PGA tour (UNINTELLIGIBLE) for XBox.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop breaking through the window, Candy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, OK. So Carolina, we know Tiger is trying to come back to golf. We`re going to see at the Masters in Augusta.
But Vinnie just mentioned Tiger`s legacy. His legacy really is that, at least for part of it, he`s becoming a laughing stock. He will forever be a punch line.
BERMUDEZ: Yes, he will. And I`m sorry I have (UNINTELLIGIBLE) words, too. Domestic violence is never funny but the geniuses at "South Park," that power up pre-nup thing - that was just fantastic.
And one thing that people can learn from this is that we`re living in a digital world. Every person knows how to text. They know how to send texts now. So if anything you can learn a lesson from what Tiger has gone through.
HAMMER: Unbelievable. Well, in that brand-new episode, "South Park" is also making fun of people who are pretending to be outraged by Tiger`s cheating.
I want you to take a look at part of the show where the Center for Disease Control actually reacts to news about Tiger`s mistresses. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why? Why are rich, successful men suddenly going out and trying to have sex with lots of women?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tiger Woods was the only most prevalent but our data shows that their numbers are growing. David Letterman, and before that, Bill Clinton. There`s a pattern here, people.
Why would a man who is famous and makes tons of money use that to try and have sex with lots of different women? And these rich celebrities have perfectly good wives at home. Why would they even think of sex with others? Damn it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, you can understand the CDC should be very concerned here. Very funny. They attack Letterman. They`re attacking Bill Clinton. Charlie Sheen gets attacked over those scandals.
And they go on this rampant sex addiction healing campaign. OK, Vinnie, "South Park" is bashing the idea that the celebrity can rehab a big libido. And they really do make a pretty good point, don`t they?
POLITAN: Oh, they make a great point. I think it`s the same point we`ve been making here; at least, I`ve been trying to make about this sexual addiction.
Yes, we know there are people who are really addicted. But when it comes to these celebrities and they get caught and it`s all about PR, it`s all about image, it becomes another punch line. So I think there`s a huge lesson here for everybody.
HAMMER: Yes, celebrities coming up now may not feel as invincible as those that came before them. Let`s move on now to another big story making big news today.
Elizabeth Edwards striking back. "People" magazine reporting today that Elizabeth Edwards was just starting to move on when these photos of her husband`s mistress, Rielle Hunter, were published in "GQ" magazine.
Now, sources tell "People" magazine Elizabeth was, quote, "disgusted by the photos." And Carolina, I am guessing "disgusted" is probably a vast understatement for how Elizabeth is feeling right about now.
BERMUDEZ: Oh, yes. It has to make you feel bad when people keep on bringing up the scandal that broke up your marriage. And to see a picture like that, I`m sure she got physically ill after seeing that photo spread.
But you know, things have been bad for Elizabeth Edwards. They have been really bad, so it can only get better from here, hopefully.
HAMMER: I hope so. But it just - every time something like this crops up, if just feels like salt in a very open wound that is not having time to heal.
BERMUDEZ: Yes.
HAMMER: Get this, though. Even though Rielle tells "GQ" that she and John are still very much in love, well, sources close to Elizabeth are telling "People" magazine that Elizabeth says all that is pure fantasy.
And Vinnie, I`m guessing you`re with me here. I`m much quicker to side with Elizabeth as to what or may not be real. What about you?
POLITAN: Are we talking about John Edwards or Johnny Edwards here, because Rielle calls him Johnny.
HAMMER: That`s right.
POLITAN: So maybe it`s two different guys. I don`t know. I am with you here, A.J. I don`t know if they have a future but, you know, we`ll see. They do have a child together. Don`t forget that. That`s, you know - it`s just not an affair. It`s a little mini-family.
HAMMER: Yes. And, sadly, all of this now part of the legacy that that child will unfortunately one day be exposed to.
Rielle Hunter did release a statement today striking back. Pretty explosive statement to NBC. And here`s what she`s saying, reacting to Elizabeth Edwards. She says, "I stand by this interview. I would give the same exact answers under oath."
And she went on to say that she thinks these racy photos were a total mistake. Duh! Well, Carolina, there you have it. At least it`s something that Elizabeth and Rielle can agree on.
BERMUDEZ: I guess, yes.
HAMMER: Who would have thought?
BERMUDEZ: Yes. They can agree on something and that`s that, you know, it was in poor taste for her to do that type of a pictorial. But now, she just needs to put it to rest.
HAMMER: And go away.
BERMUDEZ: Yes.
HAMMER: Never speak again.
BERMUDEZ: Hopefully.
HAMMER: May we not hear from her ever, ever again.
BERMUDEZ: Yes.
HAMMER: All right. Also making big shocking news tonight. Another big mistress scandal. Jesse James publicly apologizes to Sandra Bullock after those shocking reports that he cheated. Say it isn`t so.
So is there anything that Sandra can learn from Tiger Woods and the John Edwards scandals? Carolina Bermudez, Vinnie Politan, stay right where you are. We`re going to have that in just a moment.
Tonight, Kirstie Alley`s weight controversy. Kirstie is just furious over reports floating around that say her diet program is linked to Scientology. Well, she is striking back in a big way.
You have got to see what Kirstie just told CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE" tonight about her weight, her diet and the Church of Scientology.
Plus, would you electrify someone for money?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On this French game show, contestants pose a question. But here`s the catch. If their fellow player gets the answer wrong, he`s zapped with increasing amounts of electricity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. So is this a high-voltage game of death? What would you do if someone had to shock - you had to shock somebody for money? It is the hair-raising game show with a totally unexpected ending. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Taylor Swift sets new Billboard record for Top 10 hits. Miley Cyrus says she will "rejoice" when "Hannah Montana" ends final season.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, Sandra`s pain. It has been bombshell after bombshell today after the unbelievable report that Sandra`s husband, Jesse James, has been carrying on a steamy affair with a tattoo model.
Michelle McGee is claiming in a brand-new interview that the affair went on for 11 months. Then, Sandra mysteriously pulled out of the London premiere of her Oscar-winning movie, "The Blind Side" citing personal reasons.
And then late today, another bombshell. Sandra`s husband releases a statement apologizing to Bullock and his children. So how is Sandra possibly going to deal with this and what can she learn from other scorned wives like Elizabeth Edwards and Tiger Woods` wife, Elin?
Joining me in New York, Michelle Fizer, who is an entertainment journalist. Also in New York tonight, Cooper Lawrence, who is a syndicated radio show host and the author of "The Cult of Celebrity."
Well, guys, a lot of people are just scratching their heads today saying, "How is it possible?" America`s sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, now caught in the middle of a reported cheating scandal with a man that she`s called her rock time and time again, the man that she gave a shout-out to, not even 10 days ago when she won her Oscar.
Cooper, to you first. How can Sandra possibly deal with what has to be such public embarrassment?
LAWRENCE: I mean, this is beyond humiliating, the fact that he didn`t step forward after the Golden Globes, after she said these lovely things about him and he let her continue on with all these wonderful interviews about him.
I mean, it`s unbelievably humiliating. She has to just step back and not say a word the same way that other famous people have who have been cheated on. It`s not for her to come and talk to us anymore. She needs time to deal with all this and heal and she needs private time. And she needs her privacy.
HAMMER: Yes. I just feel so badly for her because it`s almost as if she was painted into a corner with this whole thing. You know, this interview that comes out with this person alleging the affair.
Now, Jesse James, late today, apologizing publicly to Sandra and his three children that he has from previous relationships. He didn`t specifically acknowledge the affair, but in a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, he did say, "It`s because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way."
"This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely sad to have brought this on them. I am truly sorry for the grief that I have caused them. I hope one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive me."
Michelle, would you agree with me that I can`t imagine this statement is any consolation to Sandra Bullock?
MICHELLE FIZER, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: No, no. She`s nice. She`s self-deprecating. She`s funny. She`s generous. She`s on and on and on. Anyone who can cheat on Sandra Bullock - no woman is safe, basically.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s really - it`s almost beyond words. I mean, honestly, I haven`t been so bummed up by a story. We`ve all been rooting for Sandra throughout the awards season, and really for years now.
So now, sadly, Sandra may know full well what Tiger Woods` wife is going through, what Elizabeth Edwards went through. Cooper, what could Sandra learn from the way Elin and Elizabeth have both handled themselves, which I think has largely been very good.
LAWRENCE: Great. That is how they all handle themselves with grace. They rose above it. They didn`t do any - they didn`t tweet about it. They didn`t put any statements out that said anything derogatory about the mistresses.
They just stepped away and let anybody speculate. And I think that`s what Sandra needs to do here as well. Just be herself, go off on her own. Don`t make any statements and walk away with grace.
HAMMER: Yes. Michelle, what would you suggest based on what we`ve seen from these other women who only just recently have been through virtually the same thing?
FIZER: Well, she definitely got blindsided. And we know that it can happen to anyone. So just the fact that she will take a few minutes, take some time to herself. Glad that she postponed her U.K. press tour -
HAMMER: Yes.
FIZER: Because she needs time to heal and to get all of the facts straight and just handle it with style and grace.
HAMMER: Yes, 10 seconds, Cooper. What`s the single most important thing that Sandra should do right now?
LAWRENCE: Never date a guy with tattoos again.
HAMMER: That`s pretty simple, cut and dry. Sandra, you heard it right there from Cooper Lawrence. Take that advice, please. Michelle Fizer, Cooper Lawrence, I appreciate you both being here tonight.
And as we move on tonight, Kirstie Alley opens up about weight and Scientology with CNN`s Larry King. Kirstie is just furious over those wild reports that say her brand-new weight program is just a front for Scientology.
Kirstie is a Scientologist and she just slammed these reports, calling the accusations bigotry and intolerance at a screening for her new reality show. But could Scientology have helped her with her weight problem?
Well, just tonight on CNN`s "LARRY KING LIVE," Larry grilled Kirstie on why Scientology seemed to help her with everything else but not her weight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Your faith, Scientology, might have the best record in America of getting people off drugs.
ALLEY: That`s true.
KING: Why haven`t they helped you with weight addiction?
ALLEY: I don`t know. That`s a good question. Let`s call them and ask them.
KING: Well, I asked -
ALLEY: They have helped me.
KING: You remember the thing -
ALLEY: Scientology has helped me with - first of all, let`s look at the overall picture. I`ve been fat for three years of my life, maybe four.
KING: That`s all?
ALLEY: That`s it. And I`m 59. So out of 59 years, 55 were thin. So I`m not - but I`m saying, of the spirit, when something happens to you - and I`m telling you my spiritual problem is I don`t want to be accountable for certain things. Someone could say that`s psychological, but I think it`s spiritual.
KING: And your faith has helped?
ALLEY: Oh, yes. God knows what I would be if I hadn`t changed the things that I have changed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Kirstie says she has lost over 20 pounds so far.
I`ve got to say, we talk about a lot of shocking stories here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. But nothing nearly is electrifying as a game where the more shocking, the more you win.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On this French game show, contestants pose a question. But here`s the catch. If their fellow player gets the answer wrong, he`s zapped with increasing amounts of electricity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, dear viewer, ponder this, would you? Would you electrify someone for money? You might be surprised. It`s the high-voltage controversy. But is this a game show of death? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas and Shakira to perform at World Cup tournament. Michael Jackson`s sister, Rebbie, accepts Angel Award for M.J.`s youth charity.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: A controversial game show on French TV is sending shockwaves of outrage around the world today. Here`s how it works. Contestants are shocked with a mind-numbing jolt of electricity if they get the answers wrong.
And if that`s not stunning enough, there`s another strange twist to this shocking show. Here now is CNN`s Randi Kaye with the electrifying story for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It`s called "The Game of Death," and it`s torture to play. On this French game show, contestants pose a question, but here`s the catch. If their fellow player gets the answer wrong, he`s zapped with increasing amounts of electricity, as much as 460 volts. The more wrong answers, the more voltage, the more pain.
The audience shouts for more punishment. Some contestants are reluctant but are swayed by the audience demanding higher voltage.
(on camera): But here`s what the audience and contestants don`t know. There is no electricity, no pain inflicted. The players tortured for their wrong answers are really actors hired to play the part. Their screams of agony, fake.
In fact this really wasn`t a game show at all but an experiment about how far some people are willing to go to inflict pain on a complete stranger.
(voice-over): Amazingly, only 16 out of 80 refused to inflict pain on the others.
The show is part of a documentary airing on French TV, which examines what its creators call TV`s mind-numbing power to suspend morality and the striking human willingness to obey orders.
When it was over and contestants were told it was all an experiment, some said they didn`t even think about it; they just followed orders. Others said they were worried but did not want to spoil the show, so they acted against their own principles when ordered to do something extreme.
DR. JERRY BURGER, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY: Everybody`s torn. Nobody thought that this was a lot of fun or something they enjoyed doing, but they could not find a way to stop themselves from going along with it.
KAYE (on camera): The blind obedience, in this case, is being compared to the behavior of German solders ordered to commit atrocities inside the Nazi concentration camps. In fact, the show`s whole premise was based on an experiment from Yale back in the 1960s, which used a similar method.
(voice-over): In the Yale experiment, the people inflicting the painful shocks thought the electricity was real, too. That didn`t stop 2/3 of them from giving the maximum shock available, 400 volts.
BURGER: Most people will, in fact, act in this horrendous way and press the shock levers that they think are delivering very dangerous, if not lethal, electric shocks to another person.
The moral there is not that people are horrible or that we`re brutal or sadistic individuals. The lesson is really that, in certain circumstances, in the right situation, the average, typical, well-adjusted person will act in these horrendous ways.
KAYE: One added element in the French game showcase - contestants had to sign a contract agreeing to obey orders. For them, there was no turning back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was CNN`s Randi Kaye for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And that`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
END
