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Showbiz Tonight
Jerry Seinfeld`s Lady Gaga Fury; Brand-New Anna Nicole Smith Bombshell; "Jersey Shore" Gay Controversy; Tom Cruise`s Superstar Makeover; A Reality Star`s Death Caught on Tape
Aired June 23, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Jerry Seinfeld`s Lady Gaga fury. The funny man goes gaga over Gaga flipping the bird in her underwear at a baseball game. Then, sitting in his seat.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JERRY SEINFELD, COMEDIAN: She`s a jerk. Rhinestone bikinis and giving people the finger.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: So does Lady Gaga owe Seinfeld an apology today? A brand-new Anna Nicole Smith bombshell. The crying judge who was in the middle of the battle over Anna`s remains speaks out. His dramatic new accusations about Anna Nicole`s death.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDGE LARRY SEIDLIN, JUDGE IN THE ANNA NICOLE SMITH CASE: It`s for the jury to decide whether it was murder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
"Jersey Shore" gay controversy. Were The Situation and his Jersey Shore costars tricked into posing for a gay cover story?
Tom Cruise`s superstar makeover. It`s a brand-new SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report today. Will Tom`s transformation put him back in cruise control?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today - The Seinfeld-Lady Gaga showdown.
I am not kidding and it is no joke when I tell you that Jerry Seinfeld`s unbelievable rant about Lady Gaga has ignited an explosive new controversy today. I`ve got to say this is one of the most bizarre celebrity showdowns ever.
All this began with Lady Gaga acting outrageous at a major league baseball game and sitting in, of all places, Jerry Seinfeld`s luxury box. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the brand-new and head spinning developments today in the Seinfeld-Gaga showdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEINFELD: Hello, Newman.
HAMMER (voice-over): Jerry Seinfeld tangled with evil forces before, like battles with his sitcom nemesis, Newman.
WAYNE KNIGHT, ACTOR (as Newman): Mark my word, Seinfeld. Your day of reckoning is coming when an evil wind will blow through your little play world and wipe that smug smile off your face.
HAMMER: And now, as Newman predicted, an evil wind has blown through Seinfeld`s little play world, i.e. his luxury baseball seats. And that evil wind is named Gaga.
SEINFELD: This woman is a jerk. I hate her.
HAMMER: In a brand-new interview, Seinfeld is dissing Lady Gaga in the latest round of a Seinfeld feud that is putting his battles with Newman to shame.
In a talk with WFAN`s Steve Somers, Jerry is responding to the first time to Lady Gaga`s controversial headline-making visit earlier this month to New York Citi Field, home of Jerry`s beloved New York Mets.
JEFF KREISLER, COMEDIAN AND AUTHOR, "GET RICH CHEATING": She didn`t like her seat and she gave everyone the finger. They then escorted her up to Jerry Seinfeld`s box. And then when she was there, she proceeded, I guess, to disrobe and just kind of make a mockery of the whole thing.
HAMMER: And in his radio interview, Seinfeld made clear seeing a misbehaving pop star in his expensive luxury seats did not sit well with him.
SEINFELD: I can`t believe they gave - put her in my box which I paid for.
STEVE SOMERS, RADIO HOST, WFAN: They did.
SEINFELD: This is, what, you give people the finger and you get upgraded? Is that the world we are living in now?
KREISLER: Jerry made the interesting point that you give someone the finger and then you get upgraded. I would like to try that at the airport one day.
HAMMER: Comedian Jeff Kreisler, author of "Get Rich Cheating," tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Jerry has a right to be upset.
KREISLER: I would definitely be upset if someone came into my box like Lady Gaga whom the disinfectant price alone has got to be outrageous.
HAMMER: After defiling Jerry Seinfeld`s box at Citi Field, Lady Gaga made more headlines last Friday when she took in a Yankee game in her underwear and crashed the home team`s clubhouse. In his radio interviews, Seinfeld slammed Gaga`s outrageous antics.
SEINFELD: I`m not one of these "all publicity is good" people. You know, you can - people talk about - you know, you need exposure. You could die of exposure.
SOMERS: That`s right.
SEINFELD: And I don`t understand how this was good for her. But I`m sure she understands her milieu better than I ever could.
HAMMER: Seinfeld ended his Gaga rants with a backhanded compliment.
SEINFELD: What an act - rhinestone bikinis and giving people the finger.
SOMERS: And then she goes -
SEINFELD: She`s talented. I don`t know why she is doing this stuff.
HAMMER: But maybe Jerry shouldn`t take Gaga`s misbehaviors so personally. Just this week, in a brand-new "Rolling Stone" interview, Gaga suggested her flamboyant acts are just that - an act.
In the new rolling stone, she says, quote, "This is showbiz for me. I don`t want people to see that I am a human being." She adds, quote, "I`m not a diva in any sense of the word."
But now, that her diva-like antics have ticked off the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is thinking maybe Gaga owes Seinfeld an apology.
KREISLER: I think she should apologize, but should do it in an overproduced song with lasers coming out of her eyes and like her ears are on fire and like - na, na, na, na, na, na, Seinfeld.
HAMMER: But it doesn`t look like that`s going to happen any time soon. So for now, all Seinfeld can do is lock up his luxury box to keep out all the peculiar pop stars and portly post men.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Well, all this leads us to the great debate. Here is today`s "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" - does Lady Gaga owe Jerry Seinfeld an apology? You will not want to miss our fired-up SHOWBIZ showdown.
And now, the crying judge bombshell. There is an explosive new charge by the infamous crying judge who decided where Anna Nicole Smith would be buried. Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental drug overdose. That was back in 2007.
But today, Judge Larry Seidlin claims he`s got brand-new evidence there may be something more going on here. And Judge Seidlin has one person in his cross hairs, Anna Nicole`s lawyer and one-time boyfriend, Howard K. Stern.
With me, in New York, is Jane Velez-Mitchell. Jane is the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ MITCHELL." Catch her every night, 7:00 p.m. Eastern right here on HLN. In Burbank, it`s Tony Potts. He`s a weekend co-host and correspondent for "Access Hollywood."
HAMMER: Hey, who can forget this guy? Judge Larry Seidlin and his one-man show presiding over where Anna Nicole`s final resting place should be.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEIDLIN: And I hope to God you guys give the kid the right shot. And I`m not going to talk about this case ever again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, today, he is talking about this case in his new book called "The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith." And in this book, Judge Seidlin claims someone, possibly Howard K. Stern, should be directly blamed for Anna Nicole`s death.
Jane, I know that the crying judge wants to sell books here. But I have to wonder, why the heck is he bringing this up now considering it is three years since Anna Nicole died?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, maybe to sell some more books. A.J., this guy is charming. He is funny. I personally like him, but he has a credibility problem - his over-the-top behavior in court during the Anna Nicole Smith case. The crying.
Somebody in that entire scenario began singing in court and that was a first. So we have to remember that charges have been filed in this case. Two doctors and Howard K. Stern has been accused of conspiring to furnish drugs to Anna Nicole Smith, a known addict. Those cases haven`t even gone to trial yet. Let`s let the system play out.
HAMMER: And as you might well imagine, Howard K. Stern has got to be just steaming about all of this.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: I want to tell you what his attorney told us today. Howard K. Stern`s attorney saying any allegations made by Judge Seidlin against Howard K. Stern are truly unworthy of response.
Tony Potts, my friend, you were right there through all the Anna Nicole drama. What is your take on the judge`s finger-pointing that`s going on today?
TONY POTTS, WEEKEND CO-HOST AND CORRESPONDENT, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": By the way, Stern`s attorney`s non-response is actually a response. I think we all get that.
HAMMER: Yes. Yes.
POTTS: You know, it`s interesting, I think Stern - what he brought up court and admitted in the court of Judge Seidlin that, you know, he did bring drugs into the room for Anna Nicole Smith, which she was trying to be weaned off.
And he mentions this in his book, that you know, how could somebody who was being weaned off of drugs be brought drugs by Howard K. Stern if he alleges into the hospital when the woman is pregnant? I am one of the few people on this planet who has seen the entire clown video that was played in his courtroom. It`s about eight minutes there.
I saw all 43 minutes. And there were some very disturbing scenes in that video, sores on her legs and what have you. But I think, Seidlin, you know, in reflection, looks back and says, you know, there some really salient points there that I think people missed.
You know, he calls the Bahamian police keystone cops. He says that the Seminole Indian tribe that has - that`s where - you know, where she died on the Hard Rock casino. It`s on their tribal land.
Their police department, ineffective at best. So I think, in reflection and looking back at the bigger case, he sees some holes and some red flags. And quite frankly, all of us who were on the ground down there at the time through all of this, you know, we saw a lot of red flags as well that people just passed by.
I think, now, Jane made a good point. On August 4th, when this trial comes here in California for Eroshevich and Dr. Kapoor as well as Howard K. Stern about the over-prescribing of drugs, that`s when the real truth will come out.
HAMMER: Well, yes. And you bring up a terrific point because we`re sitting wondering what kind of evidence could this judge have to be making the claims that he is making?
Well, this morning on the "Today" show, Judge Seidlin kind of danced around the question. I want you to watch exactly what Matt Lauer asked him about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: Let`s just go to the title of your book, "The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith." So are you alleging now that it was not an accidental overdose as the coroner concluded? Was this something worse? Was it something more nefarious?
SEIDLIN: I state the word "killing" of Anna Nicole. And it`s for the jury to decide whether it was murder.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And he says the people who read the book, Jane, will be the jury. But is it far-fetched for me to suggest, this book comes out and this evidence or whatever it is that he brings forward could possibly lead to an investigation being opened up even though charges haven`t been filed?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I don`t see that happening. It was ruled an accidental overdose. And even though there was a mind-boggling array of drugs in her system, something like nine different prescription drugs, the fact is Anna Nicole Smith was an adult. There was even testimony that she walked around with a bottle of a powerful sedative and was swigging it herself.
HAMMER: Right.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: So nobody strapped her down and actually put those pills in her mouth. They may have handed them to her, but that`s a different thing. Adults have responsibility.
HAMMER: It`s amazing this thing still goes on, though. Jane Velez- Mitchell, Tony Potts, I thank you both so much. We are moving on today to Tom Cruise`s dramatic transformation. As the new movie hits theaters today, look at what he`s got, from the bad - you know, couch jumping - to the good, making us laugh big time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a few years ago. And now, the message is I`m in on the joke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s a groundbreaking SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report today - the unbelievable new transformation of Tom Cruise.
Well, Sandra`s got some skills. The new video of Sandra Bullock today getting down on the guitar. Not too bad.
And the big bachelor breakup today. Startling new details why Jake and Vienna called it quits. Today, Jake sets the record straight. 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: Bristol Palin on new episode of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" July 15. Camp "Twilight"? Fans sleeping in tens waiting for "Eclipse" premier Thursday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Jake and Vienna have split. Shocking, I know. She told "Star" magazine that they hadn`t had sex in months and he wouldn`t even kiss her unless there were cameras around. And when he did, he gave like a granny kiss - it was like -
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": For four months - sounds like a marriage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The ladies of "The View" all fired up over the bachelor`s bombshell break up. So why did Jake and Vienna call it quits? Well, today, Jake tells his side of the story.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And everybody is talking about the bachelor`s break up bombshell today. In a brand-new interview today, Jake Pavelka reveals stories of jealously, betrayal, how he couldn`t take rumors that his now ex-fiancee was cheating. But his ex says he is obsessed with fame. So who is telling the truth here?
Right now, in New York, is Cathy Areu who is the publisher of "Catalina" magazine.
So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained an advanced copy of "People" magazine today. Inside this thing, Jake reveals jealously tore his relationship apart. He says, quote, "She was watching these doors fly open for me and it was causing an intense amount of jealously. I think it was jealousy that killed us. It seemed to me the fame is basically what she was after in the end."
So that`s his side of the story there. Well, today, Jake`s ex, Vienna Girardi, is claiming to "Star" magazine that, as you heard on "The View," she and Jake had serious intimacy issues. She even claimed that Jake would only kiss her in front of cameras. Cathy, my head is going to explode. Who are we to believe here?
CATHY AREU, PUBLISHER, "CATALINA" MAGAZINE: I don`t know. I believe them both. It depends on what article I`m reading. I read "Star" and she says that he wanted the fame and that she only wanted to go back to Florida and live a quite, normal life away from the cameras and no more red carpets.
But he says it`s the opposite. He wanted to go to Florida and he wanted to live away from the cameras, but that she wanted the fame. So I don`t know. It just depends on what article you read which one to believe. I mean, I like Vienna. I believe Vienna until I read Jake`s side.
HAMMER: All right. Well, here`s the thing that really is surprising me today - how much buzz this thing has sparked. It`s on every entertainment Web site today. Their story is all over the newsstands. In fact, you`ve got to check out what Jake said about the whole drama when TMZ caught up with him at the airport. Roll that, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you break up with her or did she break up with you? What happened?
JAKE PAVELKA, REALITY TV STAR, "THE BACHELOR": You know what? It doesn`t really matter. I`m just saddened by the whole thing. But, you know, sometimes love just isn`t enough in a relationship.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Look, Cathy, even if you don`t know who these two are, they met on a reality show -
AREU: Right.
HAMMER: He chose the bad girl over the good girl. Did anybody think this was going to last?
AREU: Well, I did. I mean, at the very end, the bad girl was quivering her lip. She was crying. She had changed. She was the good girl.
HAMMER: I don`t know.
AREU: I fell for it.
HAMMER: I think you`re all alone, Cathy.
AREU: I fell for it.
HAMMER: Nobody thought it was going to last.
AREU: Oh, I`m sorry.
HAMMER: People were hoping it wasn`t going to, I think.
AREU: I wanted it to.
HAMMER: Cathy Areu, thanks so much. Moving on, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been ringing nonstop today with people fired up about Miley Cyrus right now and the super-sexy way she has been dressing and acting.
Now, remember, Miley still only 17 years old. We heard from Doug in Virginia. He called in to say he is not buying what Miley is selling.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DOUG, CALLER FROM VIRGINIA: Do like I did for my niece. Instead of buying a Miley Cyrus CD, I bought her a Taylor Swift CD. Taylor Swift is a young lady also and but look at all the awards she`s won without trying to be trashy.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Doug, thanks for your call. Monica from Louisiana says stop picking on Miley.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MONICA, CALLER FROM LOUISIANA: She is allowed to grow up and she is 17. She has barely six months until she`s 18, so why is it a big deal. There is no big deal where rappers come from little boys and grow into young men and have their shirts off, showing their tattoos, flashing around the string. What`s the difference?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Monica, thanks for your call. Love for you to call us at "Showbiz on Call" and let us know what you think about Miley or anything else. The "Showbiz on Call" phone lines are open all the time at 1-888- SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899.
Well, Jerry is gaga over Gaga and not in a good way.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SEINFELD: This woman is a jerk. I hate her. I say I can`t believe that they put her in my box that I paid for.
SOMERS: They did.
SEINFELD: This is, what, you give people the finger and you get upgraded?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: The brand-new fallout today from the Gaga`s baseball finger- flipping disaster and she was acting like no lady in Jerry`s exclusive baseball seats. Gaga, I love you. Might be time for to you make nice with the Sein.
"Jersey Shore`s" gay controversy. There`s brand-new reaction today to this photo. So were the guys from "Jersey Shore" actually duped into posing for a gay cover story?
And I don`t get this. Mel Gibson - here is a guy who has more money than just about everyone. I was shocked to learn Mel is accused today of not paying someone just a few thousand bucks. You know, that`s just chump change for Mel. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Idol" alum, Kelli Pickler, reveals she is engaged to songwriter Kyle Jacobs. Daniel Radcliffe signs on to star in new version of "All Quiet on the Western Front."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Making news today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmed that former football star, Lawrence Taylor, was indicted today by a New York grand jury on rape, sexual abuse and other charges.
Taylor, who played for the New York Giants, was arrested in May for allegedly having sex with an underage prostitute.
Also making news today no-good, cheating Tiger Woods is not the most hated guy in sports. There are actually some big surprises on "Forbes`" "Most Disliked People in Sports" list revealed today.
You`ve got to check this out. Tiger and his who-knows-how-many mistresses tied for fourth most hated men in sports. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been accused of two sexual assaults is number three.
NFL quarterback Michael Vick is actually the most hated. Vick was sent to prison for setting up vicious, cruel dogfights.
Also making the list, Hollywood-star dating A-Rod. New York Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez, who has admitted to using steroids, is the eighth most hated man in sports.
Well, "Twilight" fans are taking over. Take a look at this incredible scene that`s happening right now outside L.A.`s Nokia Theater. Hundreds of die-hard twi-hards have been staked out for nearly a week of this thing.
They`re calling it "Camp Twilight." They`re all pumped up for the red carpet premier for the new "Twilight" movie, "Eclipse" that happens on Thursday. And of course, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT will be right there with all of the fans and of course, the mega "Twilight" stars, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Julie, one of our many intrepid iReporters is on the scene for us today and got this reaction from "Twilight."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We camped out for the first one. We also camped out for the second time. We are back for more with the third. We are kind of like the "Twilight" style where this is the "Twilight" camp out saga.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks for that, Julie. Love for you to be an iReporter just like Julie. So grab your camcorder, your webcam, your cell phone cam - whatever. Make us a video. Send us your opinion about anything showbiz- related. To do it, head over to CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. Send us your iReport.
Well, it`s a big day for our sister, CNN. CNN has announced today that it will launch a brand-new primetime show hosted by these guys, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Kathleen Parker. The new show is making its debut this fall and it`s going to air week nights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Jerry Seinfeld-Lady Gaga fury. Jerry calls Gaga a jerk for flipping off people at a New York Mets game from his seat. The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - should Gaga apologize to Jerry?
Tom Cruise`s new movie is out today. Tom is trying to change his image from the bad - the couch jumping - to the good - making us laugh. It`s a SHOWBIZ special report, the transformation of Tom Cruise.
And a reality show death controversy today. A really big reality star`s death caught on tape. Should it be aired? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers recovering well after liver transplant. Ice skating star Scott Hamilton undergoes brain surgery.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the Lady Gaga-Seinfeld baseball feud. Gaga flips the bird at a game. Then, Gaga takes over Jerry`s seat. What`s the deal with that? The "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - should Gaga apologize to Seinfeld?
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SEINFELD: This woman is a jerk. I hate her. I can`t believe they put her in my box which I paid for.
SOMERS: They did.
SEINFELD: This is, what, you give people the finger and you get upgraded?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The transformation of Tom Cruise from the king of couch jumping and bad publicity to the king of comedy? His new movie is out today. It`s a blockbuster SHOWBIZ special report.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took some (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a few years ago. And now the message is I`m in on the joke.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And a "Jersey Shore" gay controversy. Were the guys of the show tricked into taking their shirts off for a gay cover story?
And speaking of Jersey Shore, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker," big news for The Situation. And Michael Jackson`s chimp, Bubbles, gets a star visit.
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 with big news breaking today - the great debate over the Seinfeld-Lady Gaga showdown.
Now, Jerry Seinfeld did not hold back one bit on what he thinks of Lady Gaga`s outrageous baseball behavior in his luxury box at a New York Mets game. Remember this? Lady Gaga stripping down to her skivvies, flipping off the paparazzi and drinking lots of beer in her underwear.
Well, her antics drove Jerry gaga. And in a brand-new interview that everyone is talking about today, he calls her a jerk.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SEINFELD: She`s a jerk. Rhinestone bikinis and giving people the finger.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And it brings us to today`s "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint." So does Lady Gaga owe Jerry Seinfeld an apology?
Right now, in New York, is Brian Balthazar who is an editor for "PopGoesTheWeek.com." With me in New York, Rachel Zalis who is a contributing editor for "Life and Style Weekly."
And look, I know we are asking the question, but I don`t think that Lady Gaga owes Seinfeld an apology. I am a huge Seinfeldian(ph), huge fan of Jerry`s. But she is a bizarre pop star doing bizarre things and happened to take place in Jerry`s box. Brian, are you with me on that?
Brian Balthazar, editor, "POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM": I`m totally with you. First of all, I think Jerry is in on it. And you know, when you think about the long history of rock stars that have trashed hotel rooms. Ozzie Osburne bit the head off of doves.
Sure, it was a little childish, but she is just being Gaga. Did she demand to be put there? No. The stadium officials put her there. So half the people there were like, "Who`s the woman with the finger?" They didn`t even know.
HAMMER: Yes. Rachel, what do you think? Do you think that she should apologize to Jerry or, you know, tip her exotic hat to him and say, "Jerry, baby, I`m sorry for indiscretions" or however she would say it?
RACHEL ZALIS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": I totally disagree with you guys. Come on. We know she is eccentric and provocative, but not rude and disrespectful. We are going to have to strip that lady from her title because she is certainly not acting like one. And she owes an apology.
HAMMER: All right.
ZALIS: Here`s she is acting like - he is a die-hard fan and she is sitting his box acting that way.
HAMMER: Rachel, it will kill her street cred if she apologizes, though. This is Lady Gaga.
ZALIS: I don`t agree.
HAMMER: Here`s the thing that really ticked off Jerry Seinfeld, the fact that they escorted Gaga to his luxury after she complained about the paparazzi. Listen to this.
SOMERS: They don`t escort her out of Citi Field.
SEINFELD: Yes.
SOMERS: They escorted her to your luxury box.
SEINFELD: You know, I changed my mind. You are right. This woman is a jerk. I hate her. I can`t believe they put her in my box which I paid for.
SOMERS: They did.
SEINFELD: This is, what, you give people the finger and you get upgraded? Oh, she`s a jerk. Rhinestone bikinis and giving people the finger.
SOMERS: And then, she goes to -
SEINFELD: She is talented. I don`t know why she is doing this stuff.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Well, Brian, again, I agree with you. She is doing it because she is Lady Gaga. But just for argument`s sake and maybe this will appease Rachel for just a moment, suppose Gaga does decide to apologize to Jerry.
I was thinking about what she should possibly say. Maybe, it`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE) letter, maybe writing something like, "Jerry, I`m sorry. I intruded on your box because you are the master of your domain."
BALTHAZAR: I love fighting things with humor. He`s the master of his domain and she is always flashing hers. So I think you can always disarm the situation with a good joke, so why not?
HAMMER: All right.
BALTHAZAR: But still, I think she is a character. She`s playing the part of Lady Gaga.
HAMMER: That`s exactly right. Well, our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall did go gaga today over whether Gaga should apologize to Jerry.
Let`s to get to Corey P. Corey P. writes, "No, he wasn`t there to use his seats. So she flipped the bird. Who cares? She wasn`t flipping off the team, just the photographer."
Listen, Rachel. I know Lady Gaga happens to watch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT every day. She is watching you right now.
ZALIS: Are you sure?
HAMMER: Here`s your camera. Go ahead. What would you tell Lady Gaga she needs to do right now?
ZALIS: Lady Gaga, you have exhibited bad behavior. When we come to your house at your concert, you can do whatever you want. But when you come to the Mets and you are in Jerry`s box, you`ve got to be a good guest.
HAMMER: All right. Brian Balthazar, can you top that? What does Lady Gaga need to do? Tell her right now, please.
BALTHAZAR: You know what? Keep flashing, you know, maybe not so much of the finger. Keep all of them up and wave. But you know, keep doing what you do, you crazy diamond.
HAMMER: I think she should change her name to Mulva(ph) but that`s just me. Brian Balthazar and Rachel Zalis, I thank you both.
Well, as we move on, it is a big day for Tom Cruise. His new movie, "Night and Day, costarring Cameron Diaz, is out today. Now, this really, when you think about it, could be a make or break moment for Tom, who is still one of the biggest stars on the planet.
If it bombs, this could truly be devastating to his career. Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Tom has been working very hard at making over his image, but the question is, will it actually work?
Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with a very revealing SHOWBIZ special report - it`s the transformation of Tom Cruise.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sorry. Who are you?
CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: This is the guy.
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: I`m the guy.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who is he? Just like the title of his new comedy action flick, "Night and Day," the difference between Tom Cruise today and the Tom Cruise of the past few years is night and day, transforming himself from this guy -
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": Have you ever felt this way before?
(CHEERS)
WYNTER: The couch jumper who professed his love for Katie Holmes on "Oprah" in 2005 -
CRUISE: You don`t even - you`re glib. You don`t even know what Ritalin is.
WYNTER: And the loose cannon, who, a month later, butted heads with "Today`s" Matt Lauer about psychiatric meds. To this guy.
CRUISE: I will (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you off!
WYNTER: Mouthing off may now be a good thing for Cruise. The balding overweight studio exec, Les Grosman, he played in "Tropic Thunder" is back and helping Cruise continue to clean up his battered public image.
CRUISE: What was I supposed to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
WYNTER (on camera): Leading some to ask, can trading in the trademark good looks for a zany unrecognizable character actually lead to a career face- lift for Cruise?
(voice-over): Entertainment reporter Jo Piazza says it doesn`t hurt.
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Tom Cruise has a lot of baggage.
WYNTER: But that it will take more than just a Les Grosman makeover to shake the bad memories of the past few years.
PIAZZA: Where I think he can really invent himself with this Les Grosman role is making himself very palatable to a younger audience, an audience that might not necessarily know about his past faux pas. And they are just seeing him as this funny, quirky old guy that kind of reminds them of their dad at bar mitzvahs.
(MUSIC)
WYNTER: That`s exactly how Cruise appeared in this year`s MTV Movie Awards where his aging alter ego jammed with J. Lo onstage. Just two days later, a Les Grosman movie was announced which Cruise will produce and star in. A genius PR move says PR guru, Howard Bragman, since comedy sells.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PUBLIC RELATIONS: He is showing that he`s really got the chops to do it.
WYNTER: But Bragman brushes off critics who feel Cruise needs to reinvent himself to regain his A-list status and says, hey, he`s just having a little fun.
BRAGMAN: He took some heat a few years ago. And now, the message is I`m in on the joke. I get it and I can laugh. Tom had some controversy in his life. He`s never had true crisis in his life.
And that`s a big difference here. It`s not a game changer. His work is the game changer. He was always a pretty serious guy. And I think we are liking this Tom Cruise that we are seeing.
WYNTER: We will be seeing a lot more. Cruise has a batch of new movies coming out including "Mission Impossible 4." But Jo Piazza says Cruise isn`t the bankable box office king he used to be. So there is arguably a lot riding on "Night and Day" which costars Cameron Diaz.
PIAZZA: He is reaching a certain age in an actor`s career. He can`t just come out and be this very cute personable action star. He has to have some more substance.
BRAGMAN: Very few things Tom Cruise does are not successful. And if you are a betting person, bet on Tom Cruise. You have two of the biggest movie stars ever. The critics are liking it. There is enough action to keep it interesting.
WYNTER: Speaking of action, Cruise and Cameron hype their movie live on "Good Morning America" by reenacting a scene from "Night and Day." Some say it`s not such an impossible mission that Cruise will keep his top gun status in Hollywood, dancing all the way to the bank, costume and all and cracking up critics who had written him off.
CRUISE: Sometimes, things happen for a reason.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`m with Howard Bragman. I think Tom is still arguably a huge star and does not have a whole lot to prove. I`m a huge fan myself. That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Don`t forget if you do want to catch Tom Cruise`s new flick, "Night and Day," it is in theaters right now.
Well, Sandy strums. You`ve got to see this. Yes, make no mistake about it. That is Sandra Bullock doing some classic Deep Purple. So is this going to be her new thing? Take that, Jesse James.
A "Jersey Shore" gay controversy? What`s going on here? Did The Situation, Vinny and Ronnie actually get tricked into posing for a gay cover story?
And another reality show shocker today. What do you think of this? The death of a big-time reality star caught on tape on one of the most popular shows out there. Should this be aired? The great debate today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker. These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Michael Jackson tribute to be held Friday in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. La Toya Jackson has emotional reunion with Michael`s chimp, Bubbles.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANDRA BULLOCK, ACTRESS: OK. That was my favorite.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Where is my lighter? Check this out - Sandra Bullock strumming those classic first few chords of Deep Purple`s "Smoke on the Water." Sandy B. surprised everyone by showing up at the "Nashville Rising" benefit concert for flood relief.
Of course, she got a standing O for her plucking. The benefit raised more than $2 million for flood victims. Nice going there.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Big news today about a "Jersey Shore" gay controversy. I can tell you we definitely have a situation here. MTV`s break out reality star, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and his "Jersey Shore" buddies just posed shirtless for the new issue of the "Village Voice" that`s out today.
Here`s the catch. The trio reportedly did not know the shot would be used on the cover of this, the "Village Voice`s" annual queer issue with this headline reading, "The Guido Ideal: A story about the gay Jersey guidos on the down low."
With me in New York is Steven Smith who is a pop culture expert. Also in New York, Cathy Areu who is the publisher of "Catalina" magazine.
So the boys from "Jersey Shore" reportedly thought they were just flexing their muscles and their abs as usual for a regular issue of the "Village Voice," not a special issue on gay guidos.
Now, Steven, if it is true that these guys were not told that they were being photographed for this particular issue, do you think the "Village Voice" did anything wrong?
STEVEN SMITH, MUSIC AND POP CULTURE EXPERT: No, I don`t think there were any shady dealings whatsoever. They probably told them what was going on. All the dudes heard was "photo, shirts off." They were like, "Yes. Fine. Whatever," and just did so. Oil them up.
HAMMER: All right. OK. Cathy Areu, what do you think? Were these guys duped?
CATHY AREU, PUBLISHER, "CATALINA" MAGAZINE: Yes. I think they actually were duped, so I`m going to have to disagree. As a magazine, when we do cover shoots, we tell our cover subjects that we`re going to interview them for the cover story.
If you read the sidebar, the tiny sidebar that these guys were given, it has nothing to do with the topic of the cover. So if they knew what the cover was going to be about, I`m pretty sure they would have made a comment about it in their interview, which they did not. I think they were duped.
HAMMER: Yes. But here`s the thing. I mean, I actually don`t think the "Village Voice" necessarily did anything wrong here, because sad as it may be, the "Jersey Shore" guys are now iconic for the "Jersey Shore." We can`t argue with that, right?
This article was certainly focused on the "Jersey Shore," not necessarily on them. But they are the poster kids for the "Jersey Shore," like I said, for better or worse. I`m guessing that - Steven, you may disagree with me - the guys will be smarter than to make a fuss about this.
And you know, to your point, they probably love the attention even if they can`t admit it. Are with you me on that?
SMITH: Oh, yes. I think they totally love the attention and they will probably, you know, make a play for it, like "We had no idea, but, you know, still, we are on another cover of something."
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, Cathy, can you argue with that, with these guys knowing what we know about? They are still loving it, right?
AREU: They love all publicity. The Situation loves the situation.
HAMMER: All right. There`s no question about that. Well, we`ve got to move on to a shocking reality show death caught on tape. Now, the Discovery Channel has decided to document it in grueling detail, I might add, the death of one of the stars of their hit reality show, "Deadliest Catch."
I love this show. I was a big fan of Captain Phil Harris. Now, he died back in February. He suffered a massive stroke while they were shooting the show. The Discovery Network decided to include the dramatic moments in the show. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you tell me your name? What`s your name? Phil? Breathe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`ll be (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He just had a stroke.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He didn`t answer the phone. I knew something wasn`t right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you smile for me? Can you make your cheeks go up, Phil?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know (UNINTELLIGIBLE). But just try it and see if it helps.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will give you a little extra.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`ll just give you a little oxygen here, Phil.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t worry, Dad. It`s going to be OK. It will help you out with your breathing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, whether or not you watch the show, you look at that and that can be tough to see. To be fair, Discovery did reportedly opt out of showing several graphic hospital scenes which they had captured.
But at the same time, Cathy, you know, they are documenting the moments leading up to this guy`s death. Do you think they crossed the line here? Do you feel - look, we know how far reality TV has gone. Do you think this is too much ever for reality TV?
AREU: Yes. I think it`s tasteless. I think it`s gross. I think that this is - the "Deadliest Catch" is not a show for people who like to look at car accidents. And I think when you are showing someone`s last days, that`s tacky.
And even the "Jersey Shore" didn`t show when Snooki got punched in the face. So if the "Jersey Shore" has more ethics that the "Deadliest Catch," there is a problem.
HAMMER: Well, I`m not getting into - you know, that might be a slightly flawed argument there. But Steven, you know, Phil wanted them to keep shooting and the family signed off on it. Do you think it was too much?
SMITH: No, not in the slightest. Phil wanted them to keep going. He wanted an end to the story. He said that repeatedly. If you watch a lot of documentaries - documentaries will show you their subjects sometimes dying, maybe not towards - but towards the end of death.
It`s very important for the stories. And in the weirdest way, the viewers deserve to see the ending of the story and Phil wanted that.
HAMMER: I`m right there with you. Got to leave it there. Steven Smith, Cathy Areu, thank you, guys.
Well, as we move on today, they shocked us. They left us shaking our heads. I`m talking about the most traumatic, the most surprising, juiciest star splits of all time. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and "More" magazine naming them today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Jersey Shore`s" "The Situation" to design a clothing line. Dr. Jill Biden, V.P. Joe Biden`s wife, to appear on Lifetime`s "Army Wives."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thank you, Charles "Shocking" Wegman. Well, they shocked us. They left us shaking our collective heads. I know I, for one, couldn`t believe them, the most surprising downright juiciest celebrity splits ever.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and "More" magazine joining forces to reveal the most shocking splits today. And on this list, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, of course. Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook.
For more on all of the juiciest splits, check out the issue of "More" magazine. You`ll find it on newsstands Friday.
Well, lots of big stuff we were buzzing about today. Katie Perry gets all cut up. And brand-new money problems for Mel Gibson. All this making news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Mel Gibson`s money madness. Mel and his soon-to-be ex-wife Robin are having a reunion of sorts. A construction company is accusing the Gibsons of not paying their bill.
TMZ obtained legal documents the company filed suing the Gibsons for $6,000. The company also claims the Gibsons owe as much as $200,000 in unpaid projects over the last 20 years they have worked for them.
Perry in stitches. "California Girl" singer, Katie Perry is nursing a pretty big gash on her leg. Britain`s "Daily Mail" reports Perry hurt herself after falling at a party after Sunday`s Much Music Video Awards in Toronto.
Perry told fans on Twitter, quote, "Seventeen stitches later, don`t make fun of my dance moves tomorrow. That`s what got me here in the first place. Thanks for the souvenir, Canada."
Jimmy Kimmel`s power struggle. The ABC late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, went low tech for Tuesday night`s "Jimmy Kimmel Live" after his Hollywood studio lost power. He wound up doing his show on a webcam.
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": Yes, we are having some problems.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I heard. I heard.
KIMMEL: Yes. OK, more than usual.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I get to pray really hard you -
KIMMEL: Yes, pray a little harder because it`s not working.
HAMMER: The studio light had some juice, but the power outage took out the cameras and the control room. Kimmel and his guests seemed to make the most of the technical glitch. The show aired in its entirety.
So on Tuesday, we asked you to vote in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. As you see, I was just handed the final results. "Miley Cyrus: Does she need to become sexy to become a bigger star?"
And look at that - very one-sided here. Only 19 percent of you say Miley does need to sex it up. Eighty-one percent say, no, she doesn`t.
Millie in Tennessee sent me this E-mail. She and her daughter are no longer Miley fans, "Since she chooses to sell sex and not be a role model anymore, we will no longer support her in any way."
Now, Paige F. on our Facebook page doesn`t agree with that, writing, "I think people are getting her mixed up with Hannah Montana. She just wants to create an image different from Hannah Montana. Christina Aguilera did the same thing and she turned out fine."
We thank you for your E-mails and Facebook comments and we thank you for watching. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. And we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
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