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Showbiz Tonight
The Special Coverage on the Death of the Icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson; Mel Gibson in a Bitter Battle with Oksana Grigorieva; Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired June 25, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the death of the icons, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, one year later. The absolutely remarkable legal attack launched by Michael`s dad on the anniversary of his death. And Michael`s mom, Katherine, on TV today revealing intimate details about Michael`s kids.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: Paris loves the piano. Prince has a lot of talent and he`ll sing. Blanket just loves to sing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Remembering Farrah Fawcett. Brand-new revelations today how Farrah would have felt being so overshadowed by Michael Jackson.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week? Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for slamming Lady Gaga? Miley Cyrus for her new sexually suggestive performance? Or Jake and Vienna for their "Bachelor" breakup bombshell?
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.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi, there, everyone. I am Brooke Anderson with big news breaking today - the death of the icons one year later.
HAMMER: You know, Brooke, it seems almost surreal to me that it was just one year ago today that I sat right here at this very desk breaking the news that both Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett had died on the same day. And today, just like one year ago, it was death of Michael Jackson and the worldwide tributes overshadowed all else.
Now, today began with a bombshell from Michael`s father who went after the doctor accused of giving Michael the fatal dose of the drugs.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: A year ago today, the world lost its King of Pop and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the world came to a stop today to remember him.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there today at the epicenter of the worldwide tributes to Jackson, his final resting place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California. Fans came from all over to stand in line and pay their respects to their idol.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To commemorate Michael Jackson`s life and legacy. He deserves it. He lived a great life.
HAMMER: CNN`s Ted Rowlands tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he is seeing firsthand the emotion these fans are bringing with them.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have seen a lot of people breaking down and crying. It`s a testament to how emotional a lot of these fans are and the depths that Michael Jackson touched people from around the world.
HAMMER: Other mourners as far away as Tokyo and India spent the day remembering the day we all heard the bombshell news, that the music superstar was dead after suffering cardiac arrest at his home. And exactly one year later, we`re getting another bombshell today, this one from Jackson`s father, Joe.
ROWLANDS: A wrongful death lawsuit against Conrad Murray.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has obtained this copy of the wrongful death lawsuit Michael Jackson`s father, Joe, is filing against Dr. Conrad Murray. It accuses the doctor of giving a lethal amount of the anesthetic propofol to help the pop star sleep.
NINA PARKER, PRODUCER, TMZ: He says that Dr. Murray tried to cover up what happened with Michael Jackson in the last moments.
HAMMER: The suit accuses Murray of removing bottles of propofol from Jackson`s room before paramedics arrived and of lying to doctors at the hospital about Jackson`s drug use.
PARKER: He is basically saying Dr. Murray kind of covered up the situation and he wasn`t truthful.
HAMMER: Murray has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson`s death. He`s pleaded not guilty and he defended himself in a video he put on YouTube last August.
DR. CONRAD MURRAY, MICHAEL JACKSON`S DOCTOR: I told the truth and I have faith that the truth will prevail.
HAMMER: And in a brand new interview that aired this morning on NBC`s "Today," Dr. Murray`s medical assistant said her boss is not to blame for Jackson`s death.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If Dr. Murray wasn`t responsible for Michael Jackson`s death, who was?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE ASSISTANT OF DR. CONRAD MURRAY: The addict.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Jackson?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Also today, we are getting brand-new information about the most tragic part of Jackson`s death, the three adoring children he left behind.
PARIS KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S DAUGHTER: Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.
HAMMER: For the first time, Michael`s 80-year-old mother, Katherine, who is the legal guardian of Jackson`s kids, is speaking on TV about her grandchildren in an interview that aired today on NBC.
K. JACKSON: Paris loves the piano and she also wants to be an actress. And she can pick out any song that she wants to. Prince has a lot of talent also. He wants to be a camera man and he wants to write movies. And Blanket, he just - he loves to sing and he plays with his toys most of the time. He is very young yet. But he can carry a tune very well.
HAMMER: From children struggling to go on with their lives to fans lining up to pay tribute to lawyers gearing up for battle, today, it`s clear that even after a year, Michael Jackson`s death continues to have a huge impact.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A huge impact indeed. And late today, an emotional scene as Janet Jackson, her brother, Jermaine, and other relatives arrived at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California to pay their respects to Michael.
There are still so many mysteries about Michael`s death which brings us to today`s "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" one year later - are you surprised at how many questions about Michael Jackson`s death remain?
Right now from New York, Diane Dimond who is an investigative journalist and the author of "Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case." And from the Forest Lawn Cemetery is CNN`s Don Lemon, who is with CNN`s special investigations.
Diane, out to you first. Are you surprised that there are still so many questions?
DIMOND: No. You know, Brooke, I have been covering Michael Jackson since 1993. And one thing I learned is to never be surprised that you never learn all the answers to the questions that you have.
I think the biggest question is, what happened? What happened in the hours and minutes and moments before he breathed his last breath? We may not know that question - the answer to that question, rather, until Dr. Murray goes on trial.
There`s a little bit of talk that there might be a plea agreement. I don`t think that that`s going to happen. And I think, really, we`d better be prepared that even after that trial, we may still not know the full truth.
ANDERSON: Yes. We may never know the 100 percent honest truth about what actually happened. And to the concerns about Michael`s health, today, Michael Jackson`s longtime make-up artist spoke out about his final days. It was in a brand-new interview with ABC News.
Make-up artist, Karen Faye said that there were several troubling signs about Michael`s health and his emotional state just before he died. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREN FAYE, MICHAEL JACKSON`S LONGTIME MAKEUP ARTIST: He was very sad. He was starting to lose weight. He wasn`t sleeping and he was losing weight drastically the week before he died, probably about 15 pounds, I would say.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And he didn`t have 15 pounds to lose?
FAYE: In fact, when I met him in March, what I very first discerned was that I thought he was too thin to really be able to do a show.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. Thought he was too fragile. Hearing this, Don, does it surprise you there are still so many questions about Michael`s death one year later?
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It does not surprise me. And you know, we have been saying the same thing about Elvis, and it`s been decades. But it doesn`t surprise me because some people who are around Michael Jackson, including his family, people who are close him - they all say the same thing.
They thought that he was fine. He looked OK. But there were many who said he looked thin and that they thought that he could not do this 50-show tour. Basically, it was just 50 shows because it was on one venue. But I am not surprised by it.
And I have to disagree with you, guys, just a little bit. I think we`re going get many answers from this especially from that complaint that was filed to the medical board from Brian Oxman through Michael Jackson`s father.
The medical board here has an obligation to answer all the questions in that complaint and that`s where we might get the bulk of the information. Where did this medication come from? How did you get it? Who asked for it? Who hired you? How much did you use? The medical board has an obligation to answer those questions.
DIMOND: But they take forever to do that.
LEMON: So I think that`s where we are going get the answers from.
DIMOND: They take forever to do that.
LEMON: Yes.
DIMOND: And that will come well after - I think after the criminal trial is over.
ANDERSON: Well, I hope we do get those answers -
LEMON: Are they still going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
ANDERSON: And I hope everyone is honest and truthful in answering the questions asked of them. And here is what we ask in the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "Michael Jackson One Year Later: Do you believe anyone will go to jail over his death?"
Late today the results came in. Look at this. Only 16 percent said yes. A whopping 84 percent said no. Diane, why do you think the results were so incredibly lopsided here?
DIMOND: You know, I think there are two schools of thought on Michael Jackson. People ether adore him, almost deify him, hold him up as the finest entertainer ever. And my gosh, he was a genius.
And then there are others who say, well, you know, there was a dark side to the guy and I don`t really know and it`s all so mysterious. We may never, never know. So I think, you know, the wheels of justice grind really slowly here in America.
ANDERSON: Yes.
DIMOND: And Joe Jackson can file all the lawsuits he wants but it`s really - I think the real important stuff will come out of a criminal trial.
ANDERSON: Yes. We will just have to wait and see.
DIMOND: Yes.
ANDERSON: I`m serving on a jury right now so I speak from experience as well. The wheels of justice do grind really slowly. Well, there are so many burning questions one year since Michael Jackson`s sudden death.
The one that intrigues so many right now is this. Will somebody actually go to jail as a result of his death? We will answer that burning in just a moment. Diane Dimond, Don Lemon, stay right there.
ANDERSON: We`re also remembering Farrah Fawcett today. Brand-new revelations on this, the one-year anniversary of her death. So how would Farrah have felt about being so overshadowed by Michael Jackson? Well, Farrah`s dear friend, Alana Stewart, with the surprising answer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALANA STEWART, ACTRESS AND FARRAH FAWCETT`S BEST FRIEND: It was such an odd coincidence that she and Michael Jackson should die just within hours of each other. I do believe that all the publicity surrounding Michael took precedence for many reasons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week? Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for slamming Lady Gaga for behaving badly at a baseball game in his pricey baseball seats? Miley Cyrus for her new sexually suggestive performance? Or will it possibly be Jake and Vienna and their big "Bachelor" breakup bombshell? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
ANDERSON: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Farrah Fawcett Michael Jackson one year later.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL JACKSON, POP STAR: I am honored to be inducted twice in the Rock `N` Roll Hall of Fame. It`s a great blessing. For me, the gift of music has been a blessing from God.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We proudly welcome to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ms. Farrah Fawcett.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Farrah, look up. Farrah, look up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: That was Michael Jackson`s monster hit, "Thriller." You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, one year later.
Welcome back SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And I would like to share something personal with you right now - my memories of what it was like to be telling the world that two of its most enduring entertainment icons had died on the same day.
That, of course, was Farrah Fawcett who died first that day. And just hours after her heartbreaking death, time seemed to stop when the shocking news came in that Michael Jackson had also died.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My breaking news to CNN. CNN has just learned that actress Farrah Fawcett has passed away after a longtime battle with anal cancer.
HAMMER (on camera): I do remember as soon as we got word of her death, I had to start getting my thoughts and my notes together. And at the same time, we were preparing for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and our tribute to Farrah Fawcett. But I had to get on air so I could speak with Ali Velshi and talk more about the life and legacy of Farrah Fawcett.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Joining me now from New York, A.J. Hammer, host of HLN`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
HAMMER: It`s a sad passing this morning, certainly not unexpected, 9:28 a.m. Pacific Time when she passed away, as you mentioned, Ali, with her long time companion, Ryan O`Neal by her side.
(voice-over): Farrah Fawcett loses her brave battle with cancer.
(on camera): We were just about wrapping up our show about Farrah Fawcett for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
David, she really fought this fight to the end and just wouldn`t give up, would she?
DAVID CAPLAN, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Oh, absolutely. She was very determined -
HAMMER: We hadn`t quite finished it up when, suddenly, production started grinding to a halt. E-mails were flying fast and furious. All of a sudden we hear, "Ambulance was rushed to Michael Jackson`s house."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s 50 years old.
911 OPERATOR: Fifty? OK. He`s not breathing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, he is not breathing.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news. We are following Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. We`re told by our affiliates in Los Angeles he has been rushed to a local hospital suffering from cardiac arrest.
HAMMER: I am sitting on the set. Information is coming in. Then, all of the sudden, our executive producer of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Dave Levin, gets in my air and he says, "A.J., Wolf Blitzer is going to be coming to you. And as he is saying that, I hear in my ear Wolf saying, "Let`s go to A.J. Hammer in New York."
BLITZER: What are you hearing, A.J.?
HAMMER: To suddenly learn that he had been rushed to the hospital and he was on the eve of putting on what was to be his ultimate comeback and it actually looked like he was going pull this off.
JERMAINE JACKSON, BROTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: My brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
HAMMER: So the moment we learned that Michael had died, all of our efforts were being poured into getting our show together for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that evening on Michael`s death.
And of course, we still didn`t know all the facts. Everything is coming in. Meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I am thinking, wait a second. We just shot an entire show in memoriam of Farrah Fawcett.
Now, on this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the shocking deaths of two of Hollywood`s biggest legends.
We were really working so hard to catch all of the developments in this incredible once-in-a-lifetime story and make sure we were bringing viewers everything, every legitimate bit of information that was out there. But it did not take long for the theories to start flying around.
Now, CNN did speak with Jackson family spokesperson Brian Oxman late today and he said that he was very concerned about Jackson`s use of medication.
BRIAN OXMAN, JACKSON FAMILY SPOKESPERSON: This family has been trying for months and months and months to take care of Michael Jackson. The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him.
HAMMER: The images from the day Michael Jackson died are still so powerful to me, seeing all of the footage of the fans. I remember very distinctly the fans at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in New York City.
And they were truly representative of all of the fans across the country who came out singing Michael Jackson songs, dancing like Michael Jackson, dressing like Michael Jackson.
Thank you all for being here. It is astounding that I am saying - Michael Jackson the King of Pop gone at just 50 years old.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Wow. What an incredible year it has been. Farrah and Michael, two incredible celebrities who both had absolutely astounding careers. And certainly, they will not be forgotten.
ANDERSON: No, they certainly won`t. And big burning questions today, A.J., one year to the day after Michael Jackson`s sudden death. Will somebody go to jail for Michael`s death? What about the future of Michael`s kids?
Remembering Farrah Fawcett. She lost her battle with cancer the same day Michael died. Today, Farrah`s closest friend reveals exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT her outrage at Farrah`s Oscar snub.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: You know, I get chills all over when I think about that, because I was sitting with a friend watching it. And I thought we`re going to miss this thing or they must be saving Farrah for last.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And explosive new reports today about Mel Gibson. Is Mel at war with the mother of his baby daughter? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: You`re watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett one year later.
We remember Farrah Fawcett in "Charlie`s Angels." It`s the role that made her a star.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAWCETT: Hi, fellas. What are you playing? I hope it`s not gin. You know, my daddy says gin -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big reality TV news breaking right now. "The Deadliest Catch" scores a record breaking haul. Plus, "Twilight" mania is on fire. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there on the red carpet with Taylor, Kirsten and R-Pats. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): "Twilight" mania. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there in Hollywood as thousands of crazed fans turn out for the premier for the next movie in the "Twilight" saga, "Eclipse." It was an absolutely wild scene as the stars of the movie stopped to talk with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ROBERT PATTINSON, ACTOR: It`s very deep in there. It feels sort of bigger. It feels a little more adult.
KRISTEN STEWART, ACTRESS: I will never get this again. I mean, I don`t want to, like, limit my career or whatever. But this is a once in a lifetime thing.
TAYLOR LAUTNER, ACTOR: It`s just hard to believe. It is. I mean I do believe it when I see the fans and see their passion but it`s unreal.
HAMMER: The "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" opens in theaters on June 30th.
Stallone`s mob tie. Sylvester Stallone has just confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he may play famed mobster, John Gotti. Sly is in talks with John Gotti, Jr. to star in the movie about the life of his father who is known as the Teflon Don.
A record haul for "The Deadliest Catch." We`ve just learned a record five million viewers watched the newest episode of the Discovery Channel reality show. The episode was the first to deal with the sudden death of beloved cast member, Phil Harris, who died of a stroke during filming.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Reaction pouring in today from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT fans on Facebook about the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson one year later.
Many were concerned that Farrah`s legacy might be forgotten today. Check out what Frank H. just posted, "It was hard for me to hear about Farrah`s death. I was also shocked when Michael died, but give Farrah her due."
Brenda P. said this on our Facebook page, "Glad you are not forgetting Farrah. She got the backburner when Michael died. Her fans will always remember her, too.
Remember you can always join us on Facebook and go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter, call us at "Showbiz on Call" and there is always E-mail. "SHOWBIZ Connects" at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ line-up. Here is what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Michael Jackson`s burning questions. Today, one year after his tragic death, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, will someone be held responsible for his death? Will Michael`s kids have a normal future?
Plus SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is naming the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for his baseball feud with Lady Gaga? Will it be Miley Cyrus for her sexually suggestive performances? Or Jake and Vienna and their big "Bachelor" break-up.
And explosive new reports today about Mel Gibson. Here`s the question, is the "Mad Max" star really at war with the mother of his baby daughter? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
ANDERSON: You`re watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons - Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson one year later.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Michael Jackson burning questions. One year after his death, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask today - will his kids have a normal future? Will someone go jail for M.J.`s death?
New Farrah Fawcett revelations one year after Farrah lost her cancer battle. Why Farrah might have wanted her death to be overshadowed by the media frenzy over Michael`s death. The dramatic new interview today with Farrah`s best friend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: It was such an odd coincidence that she and Michael Jackson should die within hours of each other. I do believe that all the publicity surrounding Michael took precedence for many reasons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for his fury over Lady Gaga`s un- ladylike behavior? Miley Cyrus for her new sexually suggestive performance? Jake and Vienna for their "Bachelor" breakup implosion?
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 surrounding the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson`s death.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. It is just mind boggling that Michael Jackson died one year ago today. His death, of course, was ruled a homicide and still, no one is in jail.
Well, right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes on the biggest burning questions today surrounding Michael Jackson one year after his death. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, right there late today as the Jackson family arrived at the Forest Lawn Cemetery where Michael was laid to rest.
And family members tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they want answers. So today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going straight to the two people, I guarantee you, can answer these questions better than anyone else.
With me in New York is Diane Dimond. Diane is one of the best known investigative journalists in the country. She has been following Michael Jackson for years. She is the author of this fantastic book, "Be Careful Who You Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case." Also right now, in New York, is Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. Rabbi is Michael Jackson`s former spiritual adviser and he`s the author of "The Michael Jackson Tapes."
So Dr. Conrad Murray is going be going on trial soon in connection with Michael`s death. And that leads to our first burning question today - will anyone go jail for M.J.`s death? Really Diane Dimond, what do you think?
DIMOND: You know, I`m not so sure. That is the $64,000 question at this point rather than what exactly killed Michael Jackson. You know, they`re going to - the prosecution is going to have a time with this, because Michael Jackson, as we heard his longtime makeup artist say, was in ill health. He was very thin.
He was a drug addict. He did not take care of his body. So can you blame one man for his death? Or was it a repeated occurrence of events that caused his death? Did he do it himself?
HAMMER: Yes. And this is one thing that we have always thought. We`re all eager for justice. It was Michael Jackson, but the truth is, as we`ve been talking about, the wheels of justice spin slowly. I`d rather see them get it right than not, obviously
DIMOND: And that`s what the D.A. says. That`s what anyone in the in the D.A.`s office will say. We are going take our time. We`re going to do it right. We`re not necessarily going to do it fast.
HAMMER: Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, right there at the Forest Lawn Cemetery this afternoon when Michael`s family arrived for Michael`s memorial service. I want you to listen to his brother, Tito and what he told us today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TITO JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S BROTHER: Yesterday, I remembered that my brother was living on that day. And it was a hard day yesterday knowing that that was his last day of life on this earth, so it`s a sad moment.
At the same time, it`s a cheerful moment because you think of the greatness and love that he shared and people that loved him and all that he gave to our earth and this is something that you cherish as a brother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, there`s some astonishing new development today. Michael Jackson`s, Joe, got the day started today by filing a wrongful death suit against Dr. Murray. Rabbi Shmuley, to our burning question - do you think anyone will end up going to jail over Michael`s death?
RABBI SHMULEY BOTEACH, MICHAEL JACKSON`S FORMER SPIRITUAL ADVISER: Well, it`s not a question of "will" but "should" and the answer, of course, is definitely. Diane may be right that Michael may have had serious drug issues.
But that does not mean that doctors should become pushers. We all knew that Michael`s life was in crisis. We all knew this was a man who need serious counseling. We all knew that this was a man whose life held so much promise.
But he lived in a lot of pain. And the problem is that this pain was being medicated away. Why were these self-destructive mechanisms given to him? Why is he allowed to avail himself of them when doctors - they have taken the Hippocratic Oath in order to preserve life and not to just to dispense drugs.
HAMMER: Well, for me, the biggest tragedy in all this has to be that Michael Jackson had three kids who are now fatherless. And Paris, Prince and Blanket did spend the day today in Hawaii. They are far away from the memorials. I personally I think that`s best.
But as we know Michael Jackson - when he was alive, he covered them up with scarves and masks. And in a brand-new interview first seen on "Access Hollywood," Michael`s mom, Katherine, the closest person to him, revealed she never liked that the kids were hidden. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. JACKSON: I did never like that he put scarves or veils over their faces. I didn`t and so that`s why I didn`t do it, because as long as we have them protected with the security guards, I think that`s fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, Katherine also just revealed that she`s going to be sending Michael`s kids to private school, taking them out of home- schooling. And that leads to our next big burning question today - will Jackson`s kids have a normal future?
Of course, Diane, "normal" is a very relative term to use when you are talking about anything related to Michael Jackson. But I, for one, think at least as best as they can, they are on the right path.
DIMOND: Oh, I think putting them in a school where they can interact with other children, who are not their cousins or something, is a very positive development. Will they ever have a normal future? No. They are the children of Michael Jackson.
They have these names like Paris and Blanket. And you know, they`re always going to stick out. But it`s what happens from here on out with them.
HAMMER: Yes.
DIMOND: I will tell you what I worry about the most. Their primary caretaker now is grandma. They love grandma. Grandma is 80 years old.
HAMMER: Yes. Right.
DIMOND: And what will happen when Grandma dies? Because then, all of the money will go to the children.
HAMMER: You do have the sense right now -
DIMOND: Yes.
HAMMER: That they are protected.
DIMOND: They`re going to be (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: And that the vultures may be circling from far away. But when she unfortunately passes away at some time inevitably, it`s going change the whole game.
(CROSS TALK)
Rabbi Shmuley, let me have you sound off on this because I know you spent a lot of time with Michael`s kids. So do you think they could ever have a normal future - to our burning question there?
SHMULEY: The answer is, of course. And we all have a responsibility to ensure that they do. I find it appalling that there have been television specials speculating as to their paternity. That is disgusting. It is positively loathsome.
These are children. How dare we sit there and discuss who their father is? Could you imagine this being done with any other child in the public eye? We have a president of the United States who has two young children and the press respects their privacy.
Who are we to come and tell Prince and Paris that, "Your father may be this person or that person"? These kids are innocent. What did they do wrong? You know, one of the reasons Michael did hide his children behind those veils, which is inexcusable and I criticized him greatly when he did it.
But it wasn`t because he feared for their safety or that he feared that they would be kidnapped. As Katherine said bodyguards would protect them from that. He feared this constant speculation as to their paternity.
Could you imagine going to a dinner party and sitting across from your child and looking at host and saying, did you have an affair? I don`t know. Those eyes don`t look like yours.
Television is going to ruin these children. And press also has a responsibility. Michael was a public figure. He is fair game. Prince and Paris and Blanket are not.
DIMOND: Well, you know what, though? Nobody at your dinner table is going have a dermatologist that comes out and says, "Yes, I donated sperm. I might be the parent." Or a man named Dr. Lester in Europe - or in England rather, who says the same thing, A.J.
So, you know, it`s not the press that is pressing this. It`s the people coming out saying, "Yes, Michael didn`t want to have children the normal way. He asked for my sperm and I gave it."
HAMMER: Yes.
BOTEACH: But you see - we have to be the responsible adults. If they are not going be responsible, if you have these fools who come forward to make these ridiculous statements and who are just utterly immature and perhaps just shameless attention-seekers, that doesn`t mean we should participate in the exploitation of his kids.
Look at the final analysis. We are all sort of guilty of exploiting Michael. He`s guilty of exploiting himself. I respect Diane very much. She is a serious investigative reported and she has reported things.
And Michael sat down with me for 30 hours and he recorded these things and he wanted it out to the public. We are all sort of complicit. I get it. But the kids are the kids and all of us have to have limitations.
DIMOND: This is the bottom line to your answer, the answer to your question - they are not going have a normal life because we have conversations like this. And this will be on the Internet and they will be able to pull it up when they are 15, 16 years old.
BOTEACH: That`s why I think that the kids should really not be part of it.
HAMMER: Rabbi Shmuley, I`ve got to jump in and end it there. But look, we`re talking about Michael Jackson. As I said, nothing normal here. We can do our best to make things as normal as possible but it`s an entirely different universe. When you`re talking about him, that has always been the case.
DIMOND: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Diane Dimond, Rabbi Shmuley, I thank you both.
ANDERSON: OK. It`s still remarkable to me that Farrah Fawcett died on the same day as Michael Jackson. The tributes and honors poured into Michael. But there was outrage when Farrah`s iconic legacy was forgotten at the Oscars. Today, her best friend reveals the shock over Farrah`s Oscar snub.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: You know, I get chills all over when I think about that because I was sitting with a friend watching it and I thought they must be saving Farrah for last.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Mel Gibson`s dramatic new battle. Mel is reportedly at war with his ex-girlfriend. Ugly allegations have them both reportedly fighting in court today.
And today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for slamming Lady Gaga after her bad baseball behavior? Or Miley Cyrus for her barely-there outfit and her sexually suggestive performance? Or Jake and Vienna for their "Bachelor" breakup bombshell? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And you are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, one year later. And of course, no one can ever forget Farrah`s classic performance in the TV movie, "The Burning Bed."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I want you not to go in town without me. Please.
FAWCETT: My husband said he would kill me if I left.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAWCETT: For Redmond, my boy, I will always be there. When you are so very young, I will be there. When you fall, I will be there. When you are over six feet tall, I will be there. When one day you wake up - oh - and realize that I am gone, I will still be there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson one year later.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
ANDERSON: Today, we are remembering Farrah Fawcett in a very special way. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has an incredible new interview today with Farrah`s very best friend, Alana Stewart.
Alana has some remarkable and frank revelations honoring Farrah and speaking out about the profound irony that her dear friend Farrah and Michael Jackson died on the same day.
Alana spoke with "CNN Wire" entertainment writer, Alan Duke. He joins me right now here in Hollywood with that incredible interview. Also here in Hollywood right now, Carlos Diaz, who is syndicated radio show host. Carlos was one of the few journalists who attended Farrah`s funeral last year.
Alan, I want to begin with you. Alana Stewart told you that Farrah`s death - yes, it may have been overshadowed a little bit by the media frenzy surrounding Michael Jackson`s death, but that Farrah would have found the coincidence kind of humorous. Here`s what she told you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: I always had the sense that Farrah would kind of be getting a laugh out of that and saying, "Thank god they are over here, finally. They are leaving me alone - the paparazzi, the reporters, the news cameras." So I always thought that - somehow, that she might have gotten a smile out of the attention being off her.
ANDERSON: Alan, you know, I`m really struck by Alana`s revelation. What kind of insight can you give us on what she told you about that?
ALAN DUKE, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER, "CNN WIRE": Well, it seems that humor was very important in Farrah`s battle with cancer. Alana said that they were joking about the smallest things and that laughing a lot. Can you believe it?
The lady wasn`t acknowledging that she was dying. She was fighting and keeping hope. Another interesting thing when she talked about the media and paparazzi - yes, we watched slowly as she slowly went to her death.
ANDERSON: A scary way to die.
DUKE: When they - when they filmed the documentary, she never wore makeup. She just let us see her in reality without makeup, without that trademark hair as she deteriorated.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. And she wanted it to be very, very real. And yes, how many times have we heard laugher is the best medicine?
And you know, Farrah`s long time lover, Ryan O`Neal, revealed to "Radar Online" that his and Farrah`s son, Redmond, got a pass from his sober living community to meet today with Ryan and his sister, Tatum, to remember, to celebrate Farrah.
Carlos, it has been a year since those closest to Farrah gathered for her funeral to celebrate her life to honor her. You were one of the few journalists allowed into the service.
CARLOS DIAZ, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: Yes.
ANDERSON: What strikes you still one year later?
DIAZ: You know, it was one of those things. We were so caught up in Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett dying and reporting the news. And then, you know, I got an invitation to the funeral.
I went into the memorial service. And all of a sudden, it became real. This was a real service with people who really loved Farrah Fawcett. There was nothing pretentious about it whatsoever.
And the one thing that struck me was, most of the service was really talking to Redmond O`Neal. It was everyone saying, "Redmond, this is your wakeup call. You know, this is your chance to make your mom proud and this is your chance to become an adult today."
And every message seemed to be what Farrah wanted for Redmond. And it was truly a heartfelt service. And at one point, I kind of like - you know, you go in as a journalist and then you leave as a human being, you know.
You are like, wow, this is something that I will never forget. And in walking out, there was a moment when Ryan O`Neal - you walk out and you see all the press across the street.
And Ryan O`Neal took a moment and walked behind a wall and just sat down and put his head in his hands and had a moment for himself away from all the eyes.
ANDERSON: Profound. Yes.
DIAZ: It was overwhelming.
ANDERSON: And all the attention on Redmond there indicative of Farrah`s intense fierce love for her son.
DIAZ: And it seems to have worked. It seems to have worked. Ryan is going on the "Today" show and talking about how Redmond is a changed man a year later.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. Good for him. And you know, Carlos, we talked about this numerous times on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT after the Oscars. We all remember the outrage after Farrah was not included in the memorial tribute at the Oscars for celebrities who had died that year.
Well, the academy said it didn`t include her because she was a TV star, not a movie star. But Alana told you, Alan, that that`s not true. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: She did 16 or 17 movies and some of them were very critically acclaimed. I can`t imagine why they would have made that decision. And it was just really wrong. It was a bad decision. She deserved to be up there because she spanned television and movies and theater.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She certainly did. She may have been left out of the tribute but her legacy will live on forever. Alan Duke, thank you so much for sharing that interview. Carlos Diaz, always a pleasure to see you, too. Thanks.
HAMMER: Well, as we move on, we are getting fired up as SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week? Will it be Jerry Seinfeld for slamming Lady Gaga after she disrespected his beloved Mets? Miley Cyrus for her eye-popping outfit and sexually suggestive performance? Or Jake and Vienna for their "Bachelor" breakup bombshell? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
You are watching SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s continuing coverage of the death of the icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson one year later.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. JACKSON: Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him -
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Mel Gibson`s breakup with the mother of his youngest child is getting ugly. An explosive he-said, she-said court battle may be brewing today with wild accusations flying on both sides including claims of domestic violence.
Mel is reportedly in a startling new war with his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. Now, Oksana, reportedly fearing for her safety, filed a restraining order claiming Mel was violent towards her.
Well, there are other reports that say it was Mel who filed the restraining order in a battle over custody issues with the couple`s seven-month-old daughter, Lucia. The court documents are sealed so nobody really knows what all the details are for sure. Mel`s rep had no comment today.
Oksana and Mel went public with their shocking romance and baby news just months after Mel`s wife of 29 years filed for divorce. And of course, that was last April.
ANDERSON: A.J., I can tell you that Mel`s ex-girlfriend baby mama drama today was not enough for him to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
But we do have two big stars and a star couple in the running for the esteemed title. Will we name Jerry Seinfeld for his battle with Lady Gaga for her bikini-wearing un-ladylike behavior in his pricey baseball luxury box? Or will it be Miley Cyrus for her unapologetic, envelope-pushing, sexually suggestive performance? Or is it "The Bachelor`s" Jake and Vienna for their explosive he-said she said break up drama?
A.J. I`ve got to say, I want to begin with Jerry Seinfeld because I`ve got to say amen Jerry for demanding that Gaga show a little respect and apologize to Mets fans. You know, it takes nerve. It takes a lot of courage to call her out publicly.
He calls her a jerk. And you know, I admire him for sticking to guns. I really thought Gaga should apologize.
HAMMER: Well, not me. I think she`s Lady Gaga. Look, don`t respect the sign. I`m a huge Seinfeld fan, big as they come. But she is Lady Gaga. I actually don`t think Jerry cared about disrespecting the seats. The Mets? That`s a whole different story. But we move on now to -
ANDERSON: Yes, he cared about the Mets.
HAMMER: Brooke, it is time now to reveal SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. Jason, may I have a drum roll, please. It is "The Bachelor`s" Jake and Vienna. Now, listen, even if you`ve never seen these two before, wow, what a soap opera.
And Brooke Anderson, I know, for one, you have seen every episode of Jake and Vienna`s season on "The Bachelor." So obviously, you know all about Jake`s good guy image and all those rumors about Vienna`s cheating ways. Were they the hands-down winner in your mind this week for the best shocking split months after their engagement?
ANDERSON: Hands down. No question, A.J. And yes, I admit - I watched every single episode of their season of "The Bachelor." And I will tell you I was skeptical of their relationship from the beginning when I saw it on the show. So I`m not surprised that it all imploded in such a spectacular fashion.
But I am surprised that he says he ended the engagement over the telephone and not face to face? He must have been really ticked off.
HAMMER: Well, he said it on a Post-It note right? I mean, at least he didn`t do it that way?
ANDERSON: Yes, better through Post-It.
HAMMER: Hey, look, they got together on a reality show. Are we really so shocked? That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks so much for watching. I am A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I am Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
HAMMER: 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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