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Showbiz Tonight
Kate Gosselin Declares Brand-New War with Jon Gosselin; Hugh Hefner Slams Tiger Woods and Jesse James; Sarah Palin`s Big Payday; Brand-New Shrek Controversy; Whitney Houston`s Fan Let Her Have It
Aired April 14, 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 - Kate Gosselin declares a brand-new war today on Jon. Why she says their new custody battle is going to get ugly.
But wait, there`s more. The fired-up controversy over reports she may move her kids to Hollywood.
Hugh Hefner slams Tiger and Jesse. He`s had many girlfriends while married. And now, the "Playboy" founder is slamming them for their cheating scandals. Wait until you hear his reason why.
Sarah Palin`s big payday revealed today. How did Palin manage to rake in $12 million just a year after leaving politics?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HLN HOST: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Kate`s new war.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. Today, Kate Gosselin reveals explosive new details of just how vicious the custody battle with her ex-husband, Jon, is getting.
ANDERSON: A.J., Kate putting Jon on notice saying no laws will keep her from their eight kids. And the custody battle is just the start of Kate`s drama.
She lost a court battle today over the reality show that made her famous, a court ruling "Jon & Kate Plus 8" violated child labor laws. Her own brother even testified against her. All this while Kate`s trying to stay alive on "Dancing with the Stars."
But, don`t count her out just yet. She`s bouncing back, dusting herself off and getting ready for her next dance.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Kate Gosselin lives to dance another day. On "Dancing with the Stars" last night, viewers voted to keep Kate on the show despite the fact that her last dance earned her the lowest combined score of all the contestants.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The technique is still very, very bad.
ANDERSON: With her miraculous survival, it`s looking like no matter what`s thrown at her, Kate just won`t stay down. She`s like Rasputin or Sanjaya.
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: The more you tick her, the more she just gets up at "Dancing."
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you despite all those cracks about her dancing -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn`t very good, Kate, and I`m sorry.
ANDERSON: The custody suit from her ex-husband and brand-new public bashing today from her brother, Kate continues to conquer Hollywood. And love her or hate her, she`s not going anywhere.
PIAZZA: We keep thinking that we`ve seen the last of Kate, but she won`t go away no matter what America does.
ANDERSON: In a brand-new interview with "People" magazine released today, Kate says, quote, "People who try to knock me down, all it does is make me more fierce, more protective, more determined to do better."
She adds, "Go ahead, take me on. This will just make me stronger."
PIAZZA: It`s really Kate against the world at this point.
HAMMER: Kate also unloads on her ex-husband, Jon Gosselin. He`s taking Kate to court to fight her for primary custody of their eight kids. He claims Kate`s run on "Dancing with the Stars" has turned her into an absentee mom.
In response, Kate tells "People," quote, "Don`t mess with me when it comes to my kids. He`s their father. I want them to see him but I`m not going to vanish to accommodate him."
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: I have eight children to provide for.
ANDERSON: In an interview aired this morning on the "Today" show, Kate told Meredith Vieira she makes no apologies for turning herself into a media giant.
K. GOSSELIN: I`m enjoying what I`m doing and I`m thankful for the opportunities that I have so I can provide for my kids.
PIAZZA: Not only is she on "Dancing with the Stars," she has a book coming out next week. And she`s gearing up for her own reality show, "A Twist of Kate." She`s become her own mini-media empire.
ANDERSON: But as Kate knocks down criticism of her "Dancing with the Stars" appearances, today, she`s taking some hits over her last TV show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8."
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: It might be a crazy life.
K. GOSSELIN: But it`s our life.
ANDERSON: Today, regulators in the Gosselin`s home state of Pennsylvania ruled the show violated child labor laws by not getting permits for the eight Gosselin kids. But state officials won`t file any charges against the show`s producers as long as it doesn`t happen again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are kind of looking more for the money rather than the welfare of the children.
ANDERSON: Also today, Kate Gosselin`s brother, who has frequently appeared on TV to accuse his sister of exploiting her kids for fame and money, is taking his complaints today to a Pennsylvania hearing on child labor laws. But no action against the show is expected to come from that either.
So, for those of you keeping score at home, it`s the state of Pennsylvania, zero. Kate, two. So, if Kate can take on Pennsylvania and her ex-husband, winning over the viewers of "Dancing with the Stars" should be no problem.
PIAZZA: People aren`t voting for Kate because of her dancing skills. They are not voting for her because she does a really mean tango. They are voting for her because of her personality.
And people are starting to like Kate more because she has become this resilient underdog-gy character. The more other people attack Kate, the more people like her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And if all that weren`t enough today, court cases, threats, a big controversy over reports Kate is actually packing her bags and moving to Hollywood with her eight kids. Huh?
With me right now in New York, Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist. Also in New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
So the brand-new reports today have Kate house hunting in Los Angeles. Reportedly, she`s been looking at homes with a pool, at least six bedrooms, a hot tub, a recording studio and all in the price range of about $2 million.
Now, Kate`s publicist told us today that these reports are not true. But Tanika, I`m thinking, so what if Kate moves to Hollywood with the kids? Would that be so terrible?
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes. I think it`s about time to start looking at places in New York City. That`s what I would say, because it`s time to go. She is going to move to L.A. because she`s a celebrity and she`s going to make her kids into a singing group like "The Partridge Family."
HAMMER: No.
RAY: I just don`t understand what she is doing. She`s not a celebrity. Stay at home. If your kids are your first priority, take care of them. But they are going to be on camera all the time, which I guess is kind of the point, isn`t it?
HAMMER: You may be on to something with "The Partridge Family" idea. You bring in Reuben Kincaid, get a bus which has lots of colors on it. I can see the Gosselins -
RAY: Coordinating outfits.
HAMMER: There`s your reality show right there, Tanika. I`m going to tell you - I was really surprised at this heated overwhelming response to this when we asked about it on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page.
Let me get a couple of comments in here. This is Tammy G., "I think Kate is doing great. If she wants to move, go for it. She has done a great job so far with her kids."
But Dena D. wrote on our wall, "She became famous for being a mom of eight and she has been riding those coattails ever since."
RAY: Bingo.
HAMMER: "You can be a working mom" - you can call it ding dong. "You can be a working mom without abandoning your children every time Hollywood calls. Please, someone tell her she is way past her 15 minutes."
Now, again, her publicist shot down the reports that she is moving to Hollywood. But Megan, are you with that last Facebook fan, Dena? Is Kate just being selfish here?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": You know, I think Kate is such an interesting, complex story because on one hand, you are rooting for her. You want to see her do good.
But on the other hand, I think she`s so busy right now that there`s a point where you start to lose your base. Being in Hollywood, flying back and forth - my gosh, I travel so much for "Inside Edition." I can`t even imagine how this woman feels.
I think she is starting to look tired. I think there`s point where we have to say, "Wait a minute - what do I want to do in life?
Tanika brought up a good point. What kind of celebrity is she, and therefore why would going to Hollywood be a good move right now? The film crews have shown us that they are willing travel to her so I say stay put.
HAMMER: Get a bus. Come on. Get happy. Now, we want to hear what you think. Get online. Vote on our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. Here`s the question - "Kate Plus Hollywood: Should Kate Gosselin move her eight kids to Hollywood?" And you can vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
OK. Got to move on to brand-new Jim Carrey - brand-new response today from Jim to critics who have been slamming him. Now, Carrey implied that Tiger Woods` wife, Elin, was a willing participant in Tiger`s cheating scandal. Brooke Anderson, tell us about this big news breaking today.
ANDERSON: A.J., when Jim Carrey tweeted the comments, it really caused a firestorm. Well, today, Jim Carrey responded by way of his publicist releasing the following statement, "To anyone whose grievances have chosen me as their cause, I would say first that I recognize that tendency in myself."
"But, if you knew me well, you`d see that your resentment has been misplaced. I wish every human being nothing but love and immeasurable happiness. Now, I`m going to re-enter the Twitter stream and see if there is anyone left to offend."
HAMMER: Good.
ANDERSON: Tanika, what do you think? Is Jim Carrey having the last laugh right now?
RAY: No. I actually think he`s scared of Twitter. He`s like, "Dang, people aren`t listening to what I`m saying? I have lost the power? Oh, no. OK. Let me go back to the publicist. Let`s go the official route so it can be official and I can get out of the hot water." That`s what I think is going on. He is a little scared. He`s going to go one toe at a time now. Powerful.
HAMMER: Yes. Obviously, to me, I think Jim`s having a good time with this to an extent. And I`ve got to say we do like Jim. He`s a good guy.
But Megan, by releasing statements like this today, poking fun at the people criticizing him, I`m thinking he`s just pouring more gas in the fire here.
ALEXANDER: I don`t know so much about that. I think he needed to say something in response. I think the key line there was, "If you knew me well."
The majority of his Twitter followers I don`t think know him well. Welcome to the world of Twitter, you know. Everybody is a stranger that`s following you.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: You`ve got to be careful. I think he feels bad.
HAMMER: Well, you have to be very careful because you can, when you do not have the filter of a publicist or a team - you can very easily shoot yourself in the foot.
RAY: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Now, I`ve got more big news breaking for you today and this is fresh from the set of "Desperate Housewives." The remarkable united front of ladies from Wisteria Lane are putting up.
They are speaking out about that lawsuit that was filed by former star, Nicollette Sheridan, against the creator of the show, Marc Cherry. I mean, this is really just an incredible split.
Tanika Ray, Megan Alexander, do not move a muscle. We are coming back with that in just a moment.
ANDERSON: OK. This is something that`s really making me laugh today. Hugh Hefner is slamming Tiger Woods and Jesse James. Yes, Hugh Hefner. I mean, he`s had many, many girlfriends while being married. And now, he is slamming those two for cheating? Something just doesn`t add up.
And you`ve got to see how the fireworks flew today when A.J. interviewed the former call girl who was at the center of the sex scandal that brought down New York`s former governor, Eliot Spitzer - Ashley Dupre.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image that a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain that to me?
ASHLEY DUPRE, FORMER ESCORT: You are really grilling me tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It`s the headline-making interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Octumom, Nadya Suleman, to be on "Oprah" on April 20th. Ellen DeGeneres tops out Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America list.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Right now, desperate times from the "Desperate Housewives."
ANDERSON: Yes. Today, the housewives at Wisteria Lane are putting up a united front against their former costar. Eva Longoria-Parker, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman issued a joint statement pledging their support for the show`s creator, Marc Cherry.
Now, cherry is being sued by ex-"Housewives" star, Nicollette Sheridan. Sheridan is claiming that Cherry assaulted her, slapped her in the face then had her character killed off because she complained about it.
Right now from New York, Megan Alexander, who is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
Megan, the ladies of Wisteria Lane didn`t hold back in their support for Marc Cherry in this brand-new statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Here`s what they said, "We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced. But we would never characterize our set as a hostile environment."
"The friendships and support that Marc Cherry, the cast, the crew and the producers have shared for the past six years have made this a wonderful job that we are grateful for every day."
I think it`s pretty darn clear where they stand. Megan, are you surprised that Nicollette`s former co-stars are going to great lengths to publicly distance themselves from her lawsuit?
I`m personally not because I don`t think they would tolerate an openly hostile work environment if that is in fact what they experienced.
ALEXANDER: This is interesting to me, Brooke, for two reasons. Number one, I`ve interviewed Eva Longoria-Parker and Ricardo Chavira of "Desperate Housewives" a couple years ago. And they spoke to this warm, positive family atmosphere that they have on the set of "Desperate Housewives." So, I believe that from what they told me.
And then, secondly, in the ego-heavy industry of Hollywood, the cast released a joint statement. I think that says a lot, Brooke. They could have released statements on their own.
Banding together and saying, "We support is our producer. We stand together. We appreciate where we work," I think it says a lot. It`s a very strong message to send.
ANDERSON: Yes. And you can`t really blame any of these stars for being extra cautious about this whole thing because their jobs are on the line. You know, these are their careers.
ALEXANDER: In a sense, it`s like a family protecting itself. Exactly. They have all said they really enjoy working on the set. They`ve all, in a sense, thanked Marc Cherry for creating a show that -
ANDERSON: Yes.
ALEXANDER: You know, for Eva Longoria, that brought her to stardom and for the rest of the cast (UNINTELLIGIBLE) their careers.
ANDERSON: Yes. We`ll have to see where this lawsuit goes if it goes anywhere. Megan Alexander, thanks.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, a lot of calls have been coming into the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines today about Jon and Kate. Is Kate taking on too much? Of course, she`s doing "Dancing with the Stars." She`s got two other new shows brewing.
ANDERSON: We got a call in to "Showbiz on Call" from Beth in California who doesn`t buy Kate`s explanation that she`s doing it all for her eight kids.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
BETH, CALLER FROM CALIFORNIA: Oh, it`s all about the kids, That`s why Kate has two new TV shows coming. She`s doing "Dancing with the Stars" and she`s going to give individual attention to eight children?
I have three of my own. I don`t think so. But good thing she`s going to be making lots of money because she`ll need it for the psychologists that her kids need to see when she continues the way she`s continuing.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Beth.
HAMMER: We also heard from Leeann calling in to "Showbiz on Call" from Pennsylvania. And Leeann says cut Kate some slack.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LEEANN, CALLER FROM PENNSYLVANIA: Women should be actually adoring her because she`s going through a hard time right now. And for as much as we don`t want to like her, you have to love her because she`s doing what she has to do for the children that she has.
So, I mean, give her a break, cut her a break. I feel like she deserves it. Kate, you charge on. You be strong and you hustle. You are doing well for your kids.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Leeann. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call" to sound off on this or anything else that`s on your mind. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are always open.
ANDERSON: Here`s the number, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
HAMMER: All right. So, if you had to guess, how much has Sarah Palin made since she left politic? What would you say, $1 million, $2 million? How about $12 million? Sarah`s big payday, but how did she do it?
An explosive new report today that Tiger Woods` wife is furious over Tiger`s new Nike ad - you know the one with Tiger`s dead father`s voice?
And wow, my interview with Ashley Dupre today, the former call girl who brought down New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was explosive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): You`ve made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image that a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain this to me?
DUPRE: You`re really grilling me tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And that was just the beginning. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Twilight" books number five on the list of most complained about books by parents and teachers. Teen superstar Demi Lovato tweets picture from guest role on "Grey`s Anatomy."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE "SNOOKI" POLIZZI, REALITY TV STAR: I used to take etiquette school. I know a couple things already. I just haven`t been using them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Check this out. The ladies of MTV`s super- successful train wreck, "Jersey Shore" ditch those five-inch heels and gobs of eyeliner for a really pretty amazing and elegant look.
And no, your eyes are not deceiving you. Let`s see this again. It`s Snooki, Sammi and JWoww. Wow! They are all glammed up for the May issue of "Harper`s Bazaar." In fact, they even got some etiquette lessons from the socialite Tinsley Mortimer who has her own show on the CW called "High Society."
I`m guessing those books on the Jersey girls` heads could actually be "The Guide to Self Tanning." That`s what I`m thinking. You can read more in the May issue of "Harper`s Bazaar" on newsstands April 27th.
ANDERSON: OK. So Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have been married for about five years. But we`ve never really heard how they met until today. Listen to the story of how they got together that Demi told Regis and Kelly this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEMI MOORE, ACTRESS: We actually just met by a mutual friend. And -
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Was it a planned date?
MOORE: No, no, no. It was a group of people. But the first night I met him, he didn`t have two words to say to me. He wasn`t interested. He had a singular focus and it was somebody else.
PHILBIN: No kidding.
MOORE: It`s true.
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": I believe he was smitten and couldn`t even look at you.
MOORE: No, no, no. Two weeks later we were actually both here for different reasons. I was shooting the cover of "Vogue" and he was hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time.
And a whole group said, "Ah, you know, this group is going to dinner." And we stopped at his hotel and we were a group of 15 people. And he was being like a little, you know - you know, doing his like, thing.
And he came out in a towel and said, "You know, I`ve got to go take a shower." And I was like, "Oh, yes. OK." You know - and oh, by the way, when you ask us two weeks if we liked your haircut, we lied.
So then I walked out actually to call my children and say good night by myself. And all of a sudden, the door of the hotel opened and he said, "That`s the most beautiful thing I`ve ever heard," and closed the door.
And I said, OK. This is somebody different. I was literally just by myself outside of this room that 15 people were in.
RIPA: And so, he connected with you on that.
MOORE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Pretty sweet story. And 47-year-old Demi recently confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that she and Ashton wouldn`t be opposed to having a baby together.
HAMMER: And now the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Hugh Hefner slams Tiger Woods and Jesse James for their cheating scandal. This is Hef, the guy who had a lot of girlfriends while he was married.
The brand-new "Shrek " controversy today. Really, new fashion spread with Shrek, Donkey and the whole gang?
And Whitney Houston`s fans let her have it. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Private Practice" star Kate Walsh`s divorce has been finalized. Rachel Weisz to play Jackie Kennedy in film about the days after JFK was killed.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Hugh Hefner slams Tiger and Jesse. You won`t believe what the "Playboy" founder says about Jesse and Tiger`s cheating sex scandals.
Ashley Dupre bears all. My explosive one-on-one interview with the former escort. Ashley`s shocking revelations about trying to move away from her notorious sex scandal with former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): You made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain that to me?
DUPRE: He`s really grilling me tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Sarah Palin`s big payday. How she made $12 million since leaving politics. She may not really be able to see Russia from her house but she can definitely see the money stacking up in her bank account.
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 coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - Elin`s new outrage.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. An explosive report broke just this afternoon that Tiger Woods` wife is furious over Tiger`s new Nike ad that featured the voice of her dead father.
"People.com" revealed today Elin is just disgusted and outraged by this creepy Nike ad. And she`s reportedly offended Tiger returned to golf so soon after he broke her heart.
And guess who is slamming Tiger Woods and Jesse James today? Only the biggest playboy on the planet. Can you believe this? "Playboy" founder Hugh Hefner tore into Tiger and Jesse saying they should not have cheated on their wives. Really, Hugh Hefner?
With me right here in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT studio in New York City, it`s Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist. And joining us from Hollywood tonight, it`s Carlos Diaz who is a correspondent for "Extra."
Let`s begin with the rage of Tiger`s wife, Elin. We learned today that she was reportedly, quote, "violently angry when she saw Tiger`s just- released ad for Nike. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EARL WOODS, FATHER OF TIGER WOODS: Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Let me tell you, Elin certainly has plenty of company in this - terms of how people feel about this ad. It has a lot of people, including myself, kind of creeped out. I get it, but it`s a little creepy.
Do you think, Tanika, that she`s just at her wits` end? I have to believe she is.
RAY: Well, is there really any real evidence that she was really upset about this? We haven`t seen anything about her. We`ve barely seen her wedding ring on her finger. So how do we know she was really that upset? I just question that first off the bat.
Second, yes, she has a lot to be upset about if that`s legitimate. But you know, I think people need to leave them both alone, let them figure it out, husband and wife, go through their consultations, get some therapy and figure it out. Everybody has comments. I don`t understand.
HAMMER: Let`s bring our buddy, Carlos, in here. Because Carlos, you and I have agreed on this, that the concept of this ad, as brilliant as it may have been, I can kind of understand that Elin might just be furious that Tiger used his dad in this ad to essentially commercially manipulate his cheating. I mean, can you blame Elin to being so angry, if she is?
CARLOS DIAZ, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": First off, who kidnapped Tanika Ray? Come on, Tanika. Get on this. Get on this train here.
RAY: I just don`t get it.
DIAZ: We all should know -
HAMMER: She`s on team Tiger no matter what you say.
RAY: Why would Elin care?
DIAZ: Yes.
RAY: It`s not even her father.
DIAZ: Hold on. Listen, when Elin watched this weekend, even if she didn`t watch, when she hears that Tiger is getting standing ovations on the golf course all weekend long and that his behavior hasn`t changed a bit on the golf course, as far as throwing clubs -
RAY: Yes.
DIAZ: And yelling curse words and then also when Nike gets on board and uses this whole thing to sell sneakers, if I`m Elin, I`m out of there. I would do exactly what she did. I would have gotten on a plane and got out of town. And I would be drawing up divorce papers right now.
RAY: You don`t think Tiger and Elin - I mean, Elin didn`t know anything about this commercial? You think this was a surprise to her?
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: No, I don`t - look, this is what the reports are saying - and that`s not the only thing that she`s reportedly very upset about. "People.com" also reporting that Elin has lost her patience after Tiger went back to playing golf so soon at the Masters.
Everybody has an opinion about this including the infamous Eliot Spitzer call girl. Yes, Ashley Dupre, who is an advice columnist.
I actually spoke with her today about the new naked layout that she just did in "Playboy." You`ll hear about that coming up. But I had to get her take on whether she actually thinks Elin and Tiger can work this out. Watch what she told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DUPRE: First, look at, OK, guys that cheat. If they get caught with that one girl, they get caught with that one girl. But how many girls were there before that one girl?
Chances are, they`re not just cheating with one girl. There`s always more so. So forget about the number. If their relationship - if they can make it work and they love each other and they go to therapy, then work it out.
But if not, it`s not healthy for the children. Go to therapy and figure out how you`re going to come together and raise the children together as a family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Tanika, I want you to control yourself here. Regardless of what you may think of Ashley Dupre, she actually made some pretty good sense.
But given what we`ve heard today, if there is all this outrage going on, these new circumstances from Elin and how she feels about the ad and his return to golf, are you holding out any hope that Elin and Tiger can actually work this out?
RAY: I do think so. But I think Ashley did solve everything in their relationship. I think we now have the answers. But outside of that, yes, I do think that they can solve their problems.
Unfortunately, it`s going to take everyone getting out of their business and them sorting it out together as a couple. Nobody else matters in this equation at all.
HAMMER: All right. Well, there is someone else that does matter in his mind. And he`s lost patience. You`re not going to believe who this is.
RAY: Oh, goodness.
HAMMER: There is this big news breaking today that Hugh Hefner, the playboy of all playboys is slamming Tiger Woods and Sandra Bullock`s husband today. The 84-year-old "Playboy" magazine founder, of course, is famous for having multiple girlfriends at once and he`s very open about it.
Brooke, what did Hef have to say about Tiger and Jesse James today?
ANDERSON: A.J., who better to weigh in on Tiger and Jesse James` cheating scandals than Hef, right?
RAY: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Here`s what Hef told the "New York Post," quote, "When you get married, you make a commitment. I had a lot of girlfriends but it`s not the same as cheating. I don`t cheat. I am very open about what I do. Sandra Bullock`s husband looks like a real creep."
"I think that when you are in a relationship, you should be honest. The real immorality of infidelity is the lying."
OK. You can`t help but laugh. I can`t help but laugh when I consider the source. Tanika, what do you think? Do you agree with Hef`s point that it`s all right to fool around as long as everybody knows?
RAY: It is Hef`s forte - I mean, we all know that. But when it comes down it, with people fooling around and everybody knows, that`s kind of like a pimp and hoe situation, right?
I mean, am I wrong? That`s what it sounds like. And if people are down with that and they decide to agree to that in their personal relationships, go for it.
HAMMER: I have to say, no matter what you think of Hugh Hefner, he`s definitely figured it out, right? I mean, he`s carved his own (UNINTELLIGIBLE), his many open girlfriends over the years and it`s been open.
Riddle me this, Carlos Diaz, let`s say - let`s say hypothetically, if you will, Tiger and Elin had agreed to have an open marriage and Tiger had all of these mistresses, do you think, in that case, anyone would have cared?
DIAZ: No. I - no, I think everyone would have cared. I`ll tell you why. Tiger Woods has been banking on this public perception that he is a choir boy. Then he goes out there playing golf and hits the golf ball better than anybody else.
And you should buy the products he endorses because he`s a family man. He already has two beautiful kids. He has a beautiful wife and a beautiful dog in their family portraits.
So that`s why people wouldn`t buy it, because he`s selling this image of perfection which we now know is completely false.
HAMMER: It looks like you are saying that people would have cared and they would been - it sounds like you`re saying people would have been really angry if they learned -
DIAZ: There would have been (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: Wait a second - yes, we have this open marriage. And I`m not suggesting that they did and all the mistresses came out. I mean, people would not have handled that well, Tanika.
RAY: Yes. I mean, we weren`t supposed to find out, don`t forget that part of the story. We were not supposed to know that they may have had this arrangement if they did have this arrangement. We will never know until they decide to write their tell-all book, their biography and we`re all going to buy it. And they`re going to make it into a movie. I`ve got the whole story.
HAMMER: She`s got this worked out. She worked out a whole "Partridge Family" scenario with Kate Gosselin earlier in the program. We`re all set.
RAY: That`s what I`m here for.
HAMMER: Tanika Ray, Carlos Diaz, thank you, guys.
ANDERSON: Let`s move now to Sarah Palin. You know, she got a lot of heat when she left politics. And today, new reports suggest that Sarah probably laughing all the way to the bank. We`ve got all the surprising details about Sarah`s $12 million salary.
And have you seen this new "Shrek" photo shoot? Let me tell you, it is far, far away from what you might expect. The outrage today over the racy "Shrek" fashion shoot.
And Ashley Dupre bares all. The former call girl`s explosive new interview today with A.J.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You`ve made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image that a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain that to me?
DUPREE: He`s really grilling me tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Ashley reveals all about her notorious sex scandal with the former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Dancing with the Stars" beats "American Idol" for the second week in a row. Brooke Shields and family star in new ad campaign for Royal Velvet towels and sheets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And Brooke, there are incredible details about Sarah Palin`s staggering new salary. And Whitney Houston fans are saying it loud and clear, "Whitney Houston, we have a problem with you." It`s all in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Whitney Houston gets booed.
(SINGING)
The singer heard boos as she opened her European tour in Birmingham, England. Tabloid headlines read, "Houston, we have a problem." Houston reportedly had to delay the start of the tour for respiratory infection and she blamed her less-than-stellar performance on a cold.
Sarah Jessica Parker`s magical moment. The "Sex and the City" star tells "Vogue" about meeting her new twin daughters for the very first time after they were delivered by a surrogate.
Parker says at that moment, nothing else existed, "I don`t remember anything but the blanket on the bed that they were lying on and my husband`s face and their faces and my son`s. It`s literally as if sound is sucked from the room."
Sarah Palin`s shocking payday. ABC News is reporting that the ex- governor has earned at least $12 million since she left office. That`s quite a raise from the $125,000 salary she earned as Alaska`s governor.
Most of the loot came from her book "Going Rogue." But she also commands big bucks as a public speaker and reportedly will get a few million from her upcoming reality series.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Wow, Sarah raking in the big bucks now. But is she in danger of losing her hockey mom, down-home image?
Right now, in New York, Cathy Areu who is publisher of "Catalina" magazine. And in Hollywood tonight is Rachel Zalis. She`s a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
Hey, ladies, my jaw dropped when I found out that Sarah Palin made an estimated $12 million since she left her job as Alaska`s governor because that was less than a year ago.
And at that time, a lot of people thought she was making a huge mistake by leaving that post. Cathy, do you think that she`s in danger of losing that down-home image, that relatable image that really endeared her to a lot of people?
CATHY AREU, PUBLISHER, "CATALINA" MAGAZINE: Sarah Palin could do no wrong for so many people. I mean, she is a female Larry the Cable Guy minus the class and intelligence.
So, she could do no wrong. She`s a Wal-Mart mom that`s made $12 million since July. I don`t think her fans will be disappointed at all to find out how much she`s made. They think she deserves it.
ANDERSON: I think that people who love her admire her for her convictions and not how much money she does or doesn`t have in her bank account.
And we know that nobody can argue that love her or hate her, she`s a bankable star. But I am still trying to wrap my head around this $12 million figure. That`s a lot of bank. Let`s break it down.
There`s her book. Palin reportedly made $7 million for writing "Going Rogue: An American Life." Then, there`s TV - she will reportedly rake in around $250,000 per episode for her new reality show. And you can`t forget about all those public appearances.
Palin typically gets six-figure fees for speaking engagements. With Sarah Palin making big money like this, Rachel, can anybody argue that Sarah Palin is here to stay? I think she`s just getting started.
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "LIFE AND STYLE WEEKLY": Absolutely. I mean, Sarah Palin might have left political office but she has certainly not left politics.
This is a very carefully plotted strategy to, A, make enough money so she can actually finally go to Russia. But, B, to cultivate enough of a fan base through her TV, public appearances and books to get the presidential nomination for 2012 - 100 percent.
AREU: No.
ANDERSON: $12 million in less than a year? And at a time when a lot of people are struggling. Say what you want, it is really, really impressive.
We`ve got to move on now to a major controversy today over "Shrek." Yes, the big green ogre causing an uproar after provocative pictures appeared of the famous PG-rated movie character and his cast mates in a men`s fashion magazine.
I was stunned when I saw these pictures. You know what they made me think about? They made me think about John Edwards` mistress posing half naked with the innocent characters Elmo, Barney and Dora.
I think we just need to leave the kids and the characters they love out of all the sexual immorality. Cathy, are you with me?
AREU: Brooke, I agree. I mean, some things are sacred in life. And I think children`s characters and children`s cartoons are sacred. Don`t touch them. Don`t put them in S and M situations and the donkey in a hotel room with like half-naked people - inappropriate.
And "Shrek" doesn`t need that kind of publicity. They are number one when they come out at the movie theaters. Inappropriate.
ANDERSON: Yes.
ZALIS: No.
ANDERSON: And what was the message they were trying to send? You know, DreamWorks, which made "Shrek," did sign off on the photos. But now, we`re hearing that the producers regret that decision.
But Rachel, I am betting they are not regretting all the publicity that they are getting from this, what do you think?
ZALIS: Come on you guys, get a sense of humor. It is hilarious, this photo shoot. I can actually see the donkey lobbying for his picture. I mean, this was just funny. It`s light.
AREU: No.
ZALIS: This is a family film but there are also adults that like this movie. And why not market it to not just kids, but adults in this kind of photo spread. So I think it`s funny.
ANDERSON: I`ve got to bring -
(CROSS TALK)
AREU: No. No.
ANDERSON: No, I`ve got to say I agree with Cathy. Some things are off limits.
AREU: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And it`s a kids` movie. They`re kids` characters. They are off limit. Leave them alone. Cathy Areu, Rachel Zalis, thanks, ladies.
HAMMER: So she wants to move beyond her sex scandal but she`s posing in "Playboy."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera): You made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image that a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain that to me?
DUPREE: He`s really grilling me tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ashley Dupree bares all. Yes, the former call girl explains to me why she`s posing in "Playboy." And she addresses her shocking sex scandal with former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. It`s the headline- making interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. 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: E! and Style Network land rights to "Sex and the City" TV reruns beginning January 2011. Mel Gibson and girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva call it quits.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Ashley Dupree bared all to me today about taking it all off in the brand-new pictorial in "Playboy." Now, Dupree, of course, is the former call girl whose hookups with Eliot Spitzer led to him resigning as the governor of New York a couple of years ago.
Dupree has been trying to change the way people of her ever since. But you have to wonder how posing naked in "Playboy" is going to help her do that. Well, Ashley sat down to me today to take on some tough questions in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DUPREE: "Playboy" has been something I`ve always wanted to do. They`re the number one monthly men`s magazine subscription out there. And they`re really well-respected and it`s very tasteful.
And if I would have done it when everything happened, I would have been that girl - you know, the article, the pictures focused on that girl. Now, it`s more about where I came from, the mistakes that I`ve made but also where I am today and where I`m going.
HAMMER: But ultimately -
DUPRE: It`s more about Ashley Dupre rather than the girl.
HAMMER: But ultimately, it`s still cashing in on something that happened.
DUPRE: Yes. But you know what? Look at the media. I mean, look at all the tabloids that bought my pictures. Sex sells. And you know, most of them - I was completely or almost naked. Pretty much naked. They made money.
So at the end of the day, me doing "Playboy" is like I am my sexuality and regaining my image.
HAMMER: You`ve made a pretty big deal over trying to get rid of an image that a lot of people still may have of you as an escort. I don`t quite understand how posing naked for "Playboy" is going to help you do that. Can you explain that to me?
DUPRE: He`s really grilling me tonight. You know, it`s so different than being an escort. I mean, Cindy Crawford has done it - Pamela Anderson, Brooke Burke. For me, to have my name along those names, I`m honored.
HAMMER: But - and I understand that. But you do have to understand, because it is sexualized, you know, granted it`s "Playboy." They have a reputation that certainly is above other magazines that have naked pictures.
But it`s sexualized and there is a sexualized image that people do have of you. So certainly, you see that connection that people will make.
DUPRE: It`s going to be - absolutely. It`s really difficult. That`s the number one - that`s like the hardest thing for me, is kind of breaking away from that. But at the same time, sex sells.
And I`m going to have to really overcome, like, that image. And I don`t know if I`m going to be able to do it. It`s been two years, but slowly I see - you know, I have the "New York Post" - my column every Sunday.
I just launched a blog with one of my girlfriends called "Stiletto Suicide." It`s a pop culture blog. And you know, slowly, I`m making the change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, you have got to hear what Ashley has to say about the sex scandal surrounding Tiger Woods and Jesse James. Ashley has now got a big-time gig as a sex advice columnist.
So we`re asking her what she`d say to Sandra Bullock and Tiger Woods` wife, Elin, since she`s been on the other side of a massive sex scandal. Thursday, it`s Ashley`s relationship advice. And that takes place in the interview you`ll see only right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, 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. Take care.
END
