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Showbiz Tonight
Lindsay Lohan`s Unbelievable Legal Bombshell; New Claims on Melissa Etheridge`s Split; Mel Gibson`s Reported Startling Death Threats; The Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired July 09, 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 - Lindsay Lohan`s unbelievable new legal bombshell. The mind-boggling mystery today over why Lindsay`s big time lawyer walked out on her. And the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - could Lindsay actually get $1 million dollars for going to jail?
Dramatic new claims today in Melissa Etheridge`s ugly split with her longtime partner and the disturbing impact it could have in the battle over gay marriage.
Mel`s startling death threats today. Unbelievable allegations that Mel Gibson threatened to kill his ex. Plus, why police are also investigating Mel for domestic abuse.
Will Mel Gibson be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week? Will it be Lindsay Lohan or basketball superstar LeBron James?
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`m Brooke Anderson from Hollywood with big news breaking today - Lindsay`s big scramble.
HAMMER: Yes. And this is a scramble, Brooke, that left Lindsay Lohan with even more egg on her face today. Why in the world did her lawyer walk out on her? I`m talking about the same lawyer who worked day and night to try to keep Lindsay Lohan out of jail and even said that Lindsay`s jail sentence was unfair.
That was just one of many growing mysteries today as Lindsay scrambles to somehow avoid spending 90 days locked up. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here tell you that Lindsay`s last days of freedom are not looking good for her.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, Lindsay, don`t be like that.
HAMMER (voice-over): In this brand new Hollywood TV video released today, we see Lindsay Lohan frustrating the paparazzi by covering her face.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lindsay, don`t be like that.
HAMMER: It`s the first time she stepped out in public since Tuesday when a judge ordered her to report to jail on July 20th to serve a 90- day sentence.
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: Don`t you dare come in this door.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We won`t.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I won`t.
HAMMER: Shopping at an art supply store with her mother and sister. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Lindsay was also shopping for a new attorney because her previous attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, abruptly left Lindsay behind.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE NEWS ANCHOR: New legal drama for Lindsay Lohan.
HAMMER: It all made for big news this morning on the "Today" show and elsewhere as everyone asked the big question - why did one of Lindsay`s most reliable defenders leave her?
KEN BAKER, EXECUTIVE NEWS DIRECTOR, "E!": It`s unclear exactly why she left.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the possible reasons why the Lilo`s lawyer left. Possible reason number one - Lindsay might have fired her.
JUDGE MARSHA REVEL, LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT: Ninety days in jail.
HAMMER: We all saw Lindsay crying on her lawyer`s shoulder Tuesday right after a judge sentenced her to jail for violating probation related to her 2007 DUI arrested.
BAKER: Lindsay is clearly very unhappy with the outcome.
HAMMER: So unhappy that she`s reportedly planning a long-shot appeal of her sentence. Today her mother, Dina, told "Entertainment Tonight," quote, I think it`s time we get another attorney just to see it from another light and do damage control.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you that the second possible reason Lilo`s lawyer left, she might have fired Lindsay. Whether it`s Lindsay showing up to court wearing a too-low-buttoned blouse or showing up to court with F.U. written on her fingernails or not showing up to court at all -
REVEL: She`s not here. There`s really no valid excuse.
HAMMER: Lohan hasn`t exactly been a model client and Lindsay`s attorney often had to be the mouthpiece for her client`s lame excuses. In this embarrassing moment from May, Lindsay`s excuse for missing a scheduled appearance blew up in her attorney`s face.
SHAWN CHAPMAN HOLLEY, LINDSAY LOHAN`S ATTORNEY: Ms. Lohan`s uncle, her mother`s brother, died last week and that`s the reason that she missed -
REVEL: Did she go to the funeral?
HOLLEY: She did not.
HAMMER: Last Tuesday, right before sentencing Lindsay to jail, the judge made it clear. She`d had enough of Lohan blowing off court orders.
REVEL: It`s like somebody who cheats doesn`t think it`s cheating unless they get caught.
HAMMER: Wow. With a judge that angry, not even a law firm made up of Perry Mason and Johnnie Cochran and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) could have kept Lindsay out of jail. Could it be Lindsay`s now former attorney had enough of being asked to do the impossible?
BAKER: If she doesn`t behave properly in front of a judge, there`s no attorney that is going to be able to help her.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also tell you that the third possible reason Lilo`s lawyer left is simple. She just got tired of watching the train wreck.
Just minutes before we learned that Shawn Chapman Holley and Lindsay had parted ways, Michael Lohan told me he recently had his own talk with Lohan`s then-attorney. Michael Lohan says Lindsay`s troubles had put her in a bind.
MICHAEL LOHAN, LINDSAY LOHAN`S FATHER (through telephone): She said, Michael, "I know she has a problem, but I`m stuck in a very, very hard place. Morally, I know I`m supposed to tell Lindsay to go into rehab and get her help. But ethically as an attorney I have to do what she wants me to do."
HAMMER: No matter the reason Lohan lost her attorney, it`s clear her legal team is the least of her problems.
BAKER: Lindsay can paint her fingernails. Lindsay can fire attorneys and hire new ones. But most people in Hollywood believe until she gets her personal life figured out and straightened out, she`s really not going to be able to move on to this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, if ask you me, it sure doesn`t look like Lindsay is straightening out anything any time soon. Right now in New York, Midwin Charles. Midwin is a legal contributor for "In Session" on our sister network Tru TV. With me, in New York, Megan Alexander. Megan is a correspondent for "Inside Edition."
Well, Lindsay certainly needs a good lawyer. Her last one seemed to just be done with her, Midwin. Now, I wanted to ask you because you are a criminal defense attorney. If Lindsay Lohan got you on the phone and said, "Would you take my case? Would you appeal this? Would you keep me from getting in the slammer?" would you take it?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: Absolutely not. I mean, at the end of the day, we all know that Lindsay Lohan is a hot mess. And to represent her would be to drag yourself into her drama, her lies and her misrepresentations.
And as an attorney, I can`t imagine who would want to take her case particularly since she does not seem to be on the up and up at least with her attorney. If she can`t be honest with her lawyer, the person who she is paying to represent her, then who can she be honest with?
HAMMER: Yes. It is certainly a tough position for any lawyer representing Lindsay because your job is to do what your client tells you to do. And it was clear to me Shawn Chapman Holley, Lindsay`s lawyer, had been working tirelessly for Lindsay, despite all those excuses, despite all the absences.
Now, Lindsay`s dad, Michael, told me he felt Lindsay`s lawyer didn`t do enough as far as he was concerned. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
M. LOHAN (through telephone): She said, Michael, "I know Lindsay has a problem." She met me in New York City, as a matter of fact. "Michael, I know Lindsay has a problem and I`m stuck in a very, very hard place. Morally, I know I`m supposed to tell Lindsay to go into a rehab and get her help. But ethically, as an attorney I have to do what she wants me to do."
And I said to her, "Shawn, if she dies in the process, are you going to feel any guilt or responsibility for that?" She couldn`t answer me.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. That`s what we call a dilemma. Now, Michael Lohan has also said he`s glad that Lindsay`s attorney ended up quitting. But Megan, what it you think? Did this lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley - did she have an obligation, a moral obligation to keep Lindsay off meds?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think that`s a really interesting question. And I think Michael Lohan gives the insight into the dilemma here. You need to defend your client. You need to present your best case you can before the judge.
But what if you think your client is under the influence, as Michael Lohan has said before? Or if you feel, you know, rehab would be a good answer? Midwin would probably be able to answer this better than I would. I think it`s a great question that probably comes up a lot in celebrity cases -
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: And we just don`t hear about it.
HAMMER: Yes. What do you do, Midwin?
CHARLES: Oh, it happens all the time. It`s like it happened to me. I mean, there`s only so much you can do. Remember, Lindsay is an adult, so no one can actually grab her, kidnap her and throw her into rehab.
So let`s remember that. And also, Shawn Chapman Holley - she was hired to represent Lindsay Lohan in this drug case. She`s not a therapist. She`s not a psychotherapist. She`s not an interventionist. So there`s only so much she could do with respect to Lindsay`s drug problems.
HAMMER: Right.
CHARLES: Now, when it comes to the legal aspect of the case, yes, of course, she has the legal acumen to get her out of trouble or at least try. We know now that she`s going to jail.
HAMMER: Right.
CHARLES: But there`s only so much she can do.
HAMMER: Yes. And she seems to be doing everything she could do. And look at what`s happened since Lindsay got the sentence. She`s been pretty busy since it came down on Tuesday.
The new video that`s out today, if we could take a look at it - Lindsay on a little shopping trip with her mom and her sister covering her face.
Now, Lindsay has been ranting about human rights and torture on Twitter as well. And this is why we asked in our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll this question, "Lindsay Lohan`s Twitter Rant: Should she just shut up already?"
Late today the results came in. Ninety-six percent said yes. Four percent said no. Now, I`m scratching my head and I`m trying to understand who these four percent are. Why do you think, Megan, there`s anybody out there who thinks Lindsay should keep talking?
ALEXANDER: I think these people are encouraging her because it`s a good show, I suppose, and they want to continue the drama. A.J., I think most hardworking Americans are disgusted with what they see. She couldn`t even show up and be on time, most of the occasions, to court.
I think, you know, in terms of talking about torture, I just encourage people to go to "HumanRightsWatch.org" to see some real torture going on around the world -
HAMMER: Yes, no kidding.
ALEXANDER: And give it attention rather than this tweeting which is ridiculous.
HAMMER: Quickly, Midwin, I have to ask you, does Lindsay Lohan have any basis for an appeal of her sentence here?
CHARLES: Not particularly. I mean, oftentimes, you appeal a sentence such as this if you believe that the judge made an error, a legal error. But I just can`t see where that would be here. I mean, there`s so much evidence that supports this sentence that it`s just a slam dunk, frankly.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, there is more big news breaking about Lindsay Lohan today. Could Lindsay actually make $1 million dollars by going to jail? Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I`m going to I reveal exactly how this could happen. So Midwin Charles, Megan Alexander, you need to stay right where you are.
ANDERSON: OK. Now, this - Mel`s startling reported death threats today. Unbelievable allegations that Mel Gibson threatened to kill his ex. Plus, why police are also investigating Mel for domestic abuse.
And let`s not forget about Mel allegedly caught on tape hurling disgusting threatening racial slurs. I think he is in big trouble here.
And dramatic new claims today in Melissa Etheridge`s ugly split with her longtime partner. Could this potentially have a disturbing impact in the battle over gay marriage? I`m just so surprised this split has gotten so nasty.
Hey, what I`m not surprised about - a gazillion people coming out to see Lady Gaga this morning.
(SINGING)
It was absolutely record breaking and it was totally free. Now, that`s a great deal. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Naomi Campbell agrees to testify at war crimes trial of former Liberian president. Katy Perry`s "California Gurls" tops Billboard 100 singles chart for 5th week.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Gaga for Gaga. An absolutely remarkable record-breaking turnout today. Some 20,000 people in New York City showed up for a free Lady Gaga concert on the "Today" show plaza.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Brooke, it was Lady Gaga madness I tell you at the "Today" show this morning.
ANDERSON: It totally was, A.J. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that everybody went gaga for Gaga today. The scene there was absolutely mind-boggling.
With me right now in Hollywood is syndicated radio show host Carlos Diaz. And right now, in New York, is Isaiah Mustafa. America knows this guy as the star of those fabulous and very funny Old Spice commercials. Watch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ISAIAH MUSTAFA, COMMERCIAL MODEL: Do you want a man who smells like he can bake you a gourmet cake in the dream kitchen he built you with his own hands? Of course you do. Swan dive into the best night of your life. So ladies, should your man smell like an Old Spice man? You tell me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This guy can walk on water. He can cook. He can build and look and smell sexy all while doing it. Isaiah, welcome to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
MUSTAFA: Hi. How are you?
ANDERSON: Great. We`re doing great. And I want to tell you, Isaiah, Lady Gaga rocked the "Today" show plaza this morning. Let`s take a look at more of Lady Gaga`s unbelievable performance. Here`s her latest number one hit, "Alejandro."
(SINGING)
OK. We all know that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is the most provocative entertainment news show, right? And Lady Gaga, without a doubt, the most provocative pop star out there right now.
So Isaiah, I`ve got to wonder, do you think Lady Gaga would be so popular if she weren`t so provocative? You`ve got to love her, right?
MUSTAFA: Yes. She`s really talented so I kind of think she would be. But then, again, she wouldn`t be Lady Gaga if she wasn`t so provocative. So -
ANDERSON: Oh, I just love your voice, Isaiah. Carlos, your turn.
CARLOS DIAZ, SYNDICATED RADIO HOST: Isaiah, I can smell you from out here. You smell spectacular, my friend.
ANDERSON: You smell good. Hey, Carlos, what do you think of Lady Gaga? I think her music stands on its own even if she`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
DIAZ: Yes. That`s what I think people have been talking about - not what she was wearing. She was singing.
ANDERSON: Yes, she was.
DIAZ: She was actually singing the words. I went to a Lady Gaga concert here in Hollywood, like, at a club, like, a year and a half ago. And it was right when "Just Dance" came out. It was like, you know, there`s Lady Gaga and she was just somewhat normally. And then, she was on "The View" last year and had, like, a little bit of - she was showing off her butt.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes.
DIAZ: And that was, oh, a little more provocative.
ANDERSON: Right.
DIAZ: I think the more provocative she gets, the bigger she gets and I applaud it.
ANDERSON: She is a phenomenal.
DIAZ: I applaud it.
ANDERSON: And her little monsters cannot get enough. We do have to move now, though, Carlos, to the story that nobody can stop talking about today. NBA superstar LeBron James makes the controversial decision to join the Miami Heat and announced it during a primetime special on ESPN. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEBRON JAMES, NBA SUPERSTAR: And this fall, I`ll take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Miami Heat? That was the conclusion you woke up with this morning?
JAMES: That`s the conclusion I woke up with this morning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Isaiah, you were a professional athlete. You played for the NFL. Quickly, are you amazed by what a spectacle this has become? It`s LeBron-mania.
MUSTAFA: Yes, I`m a huge Jordan fan and he never anything like that. I just think that, like, it`s the kids who are watching LeBron now.
That`s what I worry about because they see this and they - you know, they`re not going to go the college. They`ll go straight to the pros. And they do something like this? That`s what I worry about.
ANDERSON: So you`re saying it might not be a good example.
(CROSS TALK)
DIAZ: Isaiah loves a winner.
ANDERSON: He wants a championship. It is a business decision.
DIAZ: There`s a winner right there.
MUSTAFA: Win a championship but just don`t do it like that.
ANDERSON: That`s what he wants. All right. Is it a slam dunk now for LeBron to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week?
Or is it going to be Lindsay Lohan for - well, take your pick, her 90-day jail sentence, her obscene fingernail message in court, her attorney quitting? Or how about Mel Gibson? He is being investigated for domestic abuse? He allegedly threatened to kill his ex. Carlos Diaz, Isaiah Mustafa, stay right where you are.
HAMMER: All right. So there`s more big news breaking about Lindsay today. How she may make $1 million for going to jail. Really?
$1 million - that`s chump change compared to what Susan Boyle is pulling in. You remember Susan, of course. Well, now, she`s speaking out today about her love life. And wait until you hear her reveal how much money she`s made.
Also the unbelievable brand new controversy over the octopus, who`s been dead-on picking World Cup winners.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He`s an octopus who doesn`t realize his goal is to predict World Cup winners.
(on camera): Picked the winner like six times in a row.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re very sensitive octopus.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And it`s pretty amazing, but I`ve got bad news for this guy. Some people want to - if you want what I`m saying. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: NBC to open "Today`s" modern day wedding contest to same-sex couples. "The Office" producer wants "Dwight" to succeed "Michael" as boss.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mind if I get in there for a second?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE" Sure thing. Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just what - what the hell?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apache persuasion hold. That`s the hell.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Is a Charlie Sheen plea deal in the works today? Well, Charlie was supposed to be in court on Monday on a domestic violence charge. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the hearing has been postponed until August 2nd.
Now, TMZ reports both sides are trying to work something out. August 2nd is the day before the new season of Sheen`s CBS comedy "Two and a Half Men" is scheduled to start taping.
So you can understand the timing here. Charlie is accused of assaulting his wife Brooke Mueller and even allegedly threatening to kill her.
Brand-new Susan Boyle secrets revealed today. Now, Susan sat down for an interview with "America`s Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan this morning on the "Today" show. You`ve got to hear the stunning things that Susan said about her bank account and her love life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PIERS MORGAN, JUDGE, "AMERICA`S GOT TALENT": Is there now a man in the life of Ms. Boyle? Not that I`ve heard anything. I don`t want to be too nosey here. You know, you are obviously now very eligible?
SUSAN BOYLE, SINGER: Really?
MORGAN: You`re scrubbing up very beautifully. Earning millions of pounds. Quite a catch, aren`t you?
BOYLE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) at the moment, but if the right guy comes along, I will know.
MORGAN: I overheard the other day you got a check for four million pounds which is like, you know, $7 million.
BOYLE: That`s a lot of cash.
PIERS: Is it true? Did you?
BOYLE: Somebody told me that. It hasn`t sunk in yet. You know, it hasn`t sunk in yet.
PIERS: What does it actually mean? Does money mean much to you? Do you care if you -
BOYLE: It`s handy for paying bills but I like to help other people with bills as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, that`s amazing. Susan is literally putting her money where her mouth is. She`s going give someone a chance to record a duet with her. Pretty cool.
ANDERSON: Levi Johnston shocked me and pretty everybody else with his apology to Sarah Palin. And our Facebook fans are fired up about it, too.
Listen to this. Elizabeth G. thinks that Levi is not so sorry, writing, "The Palins have everything to do with his apology. When Levi came out in public, it was the Palins that forced him to get on stage. I do not believe the apology came from Levi. It came from Sarah."
But Marynelle V. disagrees. She thinks Levi - she thinks Levi saying he lied only so he can re-enter the spotlight, "I don`t think it was forced. I think he realized he`s had his 15 minutes of fame and it`s not going anywhere."
HAMMER: Time for the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Mel`s startling death threats today. Unbelievable allegations that Mel Gibson threatened to kill his ex.
Dramatic new claims today in Melissa Etheridge`s ugly split with her longtime partner and the disturbing impact it could actually have in the battle over gay marriage.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week - Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson or LeBron James? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - it`s more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: James Cameron will make a record-setting $350 million from "Avatar." Gwyneth Paltrow talks about her love of cooking in "Vogue" magazine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Mel`s dangerous death threat. Shocking claims today Mel Gibson threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child. Plus, bombshell domestic abuse allegations. Are there photos of an alleged beating by Mel?
Lindsay Lohan`s million dollar jail deal. Could going to jail actually land Lilo a fat multimillion dollar deal?
Octopus outrage. The sea creature with a talent for picking World Cup winners. But his latest pick could land this guy on a dinner plate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice-over): He`s on octopus who doesn`t realize his goal is to predict World Cup winners.
(on camera): Picked the winner, like, six times in a row.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re very sensitive octopus.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Celine Dion`s big baby news times two, and Drew Barrymore`s plastic surgery shocker.
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 - Mel investigated.
HAMMER: This is amazing. The Los Angeles County sheriff`s department moved full steam ahead today with its brand-new investigation of Mel Gibson for suspected domestic abuse.
This bombshell comes on the heels of disturbing reports that Mel is allegedly caught on tape hurling racial slurs and violent threats at the mother of his lovechild.
Joining me in New York is Midwin Charles who is a legal contributor with "In Session" on our sister network, Tru TV. With me, in New York, Megan Alexander. Megan is a correspondent with "Inside Edition."
So "Radar Online" had just posted those recordings. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has not heard those alleged recordings yet. We cannot confirm the existence of those alleged tape recordings of Mel and his now ex- girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva.
"Radar Online" has released them. Mel is battling her for custody. It`s a big old mess. They have an eight-year-old (sic) daughter together. Brooke, tell us about these alleged tapes and what is reportedly on them.
ANDERSON: Yes, A.J. "Radar Online" has been reporting what it says is on the tapes. More alleged details surface today. "Radar" says that Mel is heard telling Oksana that she looks like a, quote, "(EXPLETIVE DELETED) pig in heat who risks getting raped by a pack of -" and Mel uses a racial slur there.
He is also allegedly heard on the tapes threatening to bury Oksana in their rose garden.
HAMMER: Wow. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has repeatedly reached out to Mel`s camp. We did so again today. Still no response as of show time. Midwin, I am thinking Mel Gibson needs to be very, very worried about this right now.
CHARLES: I think he should be. I mean, I think law enforcement right now - the police, prosecutors - they are not taking any sort of domestic abuse lightly. And I think they`re going to investigate. And hopefully, he`ll be exonerated if nothing happened. But I think when all is said and done, he`s a jerk.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that was probably the case before any of this happened anyway, by a lot of people`s accounts from his past transgressions.
Now, Mel has not only been silent about these alleged tapes but he also refused to comment today on the domestic abuse investigation by the L.A. Sheriff`s Office. Now, Megan, it seems to me - OK, so the tape has been released. We don`t know. We can`t confirm if it is, in fact, Mel.
But even not coming out and flatly denying these domestic abuse allegations is doing him a whole lot more harm than good at this time.
ALEXANDER: And A.J., the Hollywood perspective on this - this is a giant of Hollywood. Mel Gibson, the guy who rallied the Scots in "Brave Heart," who was in "The Patriot," the "Lethal Weapon" series.
The reason I bring that up is I think people are so disappointed to see a formerly beloved star behaving so poorly. And if this is, indeed, true, I think it`s very difficult to recover from something like this and get a second chance that he`s gotten before.
HAMMER: Yes. No second chance at this point. And quite frankly, he hasn`t fully recovered from what happened four years ago. The end of this month marks four years since he went on his anti-Semitic rant after his DUI arrest.
I think this is the nail in the coffin right here. Now, according to "Radar Online," Oksana is also heard on tape reacting to Mel allegedly hitting her. Brooke, tell us what she said.
ANDERSON: A.J., according to "Radar Online," Oksana is heard saying, "What kind of man is it who would hit a woman when she`s holding a baby, hitting her twice in the face? What kind of man is that?"
"Radar: says that Mel is heard on tape responding to Oksana by saying this, "You know what? You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) deserved it."
Midwin, if these tapes are, in fact, verified and handed over to the sheriff`s office, could that mean that Mel could be charged with something here?
CHARLES: Well, he might be. I mean, at the end of the day if it is, in fact, him on the tapes, that comes in as evidence should he be on trial for domestic violence.
And then, of course, if she comes forward and says he actually did this, now, you`ve got a complaining witness. You have a victim and, yes, they can go to trial with that sort of information.
But oh my goodness, how horrific that was. She must have been scared. It`s horrific.
HAMMER: Yes. If any of this actually happened, it is horrific. It is despicable. And hopefully, if it did, in fact, happen, it`s the end of Mel.
Let`s move on from a silent Mel to a demanding Lindsay Lohan today. The soon-to-be jail bird is reportedly looking to get - are you ready for this? As much as $1 million for the very first interview after she`s no longer locked up.
Now, personally, I can`t imagine anybody coming up with that kind of money. Even Paris Hilton spoke to Larry King for free after she got out of jail. Of course, Larry does command that respect.
But Megan, do you think somebody would actually offer - I know this has been a big story, but $1 million really?
ALEXANDER: No. I cannot even think of it right now, A.J. A couple of factors, too. How much time will she really serve? I mean, if she`s really in there for a good amount of time, perhaps the story would be a bit more compelling.
But if it`s just a few days, no, I don`t think there`s anything to talk about there. And I think people will watch how she reacts. It would be much classier to turn down the money.
HAMMER: That is absolutely true. Or if she is offered the money, in my mind, give it to charity.
ALEXANDER: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Give it to an alcohol rehab program or something like that.
ALEXANDER: Yes.
HAMMER: Brooke Anderson, what do you think? I mean, hey, it`s the American way. If you can get it, get it. $1 million too much?
ANDERSON: I know. I think - yes, I think it is. I think it is a ridiculous amount of money for her to potentially profit from breaking the law over and over and over again is deplorable. But like you say, it is the American way. It`s probably going to happen and it`s probably going to bring in big ratings. And you know what? We`ll all watch it.
HAMMER: Yes, we`ll watch. Here`s the thing. We know Lindsay needs the money, right? You know, Lindsay made it no secret in court when she told the judge she has to work. She`s got to do those movies. She`s got to do her fashion line because she`s got to provide for herself, and that`s why she had to skip out on her weekly alcohol education classes. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: As far as I know, I was being in compliant with my programs - Right On programs. You know, when I would ask to leave town, they would give me permission to leave town. So that`s all that I knew that was coming to me.
I wasn`t expecting any special treatment aside from the understanding that I have to provide for myself. I have to work. And my schedule, you know, unfortunately, is very different. And they were willing to work with me on that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. Well, you know, plenty of people provide for themselves by working at fast food restaurants and making minimum wage.
ALEXANDER: Yes, they do.
HAMMER: Midwin, it does seem to me that Lindsay has no one to depend on financially, but herself. So do you think that she would get $1 million for that first interview? Is it an outrageous notion? Because we`ve seen crazy things before in terms of people getting paid for big interviews?
CHARLES: Oh, absolutely. I mean, I would not be surprised if, in fact, it happened. Remember, we are living in a day where people are rewarded for bad behavior.
I mean, we`re talking about Levi Johnston potentially getting a reality show. The mistresses of Tiger Woods and Jesse James are being spoken about of getting a show as well. So that is just unfortunately where we are as a society.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: I think it`s despicable. I think it`s deplorable but I bet you it will happen.
HAMMER: Well, Megan, let me ask you something. You know, as disgusting as it may be to us the idea that somebody might pay her this money, is there anything wrong with it? Look, she`s doing like any star does who capitalizes on their fame or something going on to cash in. I mean, this is what people do.
ALEXANDER: I think there is something wrong with it. And you brought up the point if you are going to take the money, use it to benefit a charity or to help others going through addiction problems as well.
I just think, A.J., in terms of thinking of your self-respect and your legacy as a person and who you want to be, I think it becomes a very loaded question.
HAMMER: Well, yes -
ALEXANDER: I`ll tell you what interview would be -
HAMMER: You think she`s thinking about that right now, Megan?
CHARLES: Yes.
ALEXANDER: Shawn Chapman Holley - I`d like to see her interviewed. She has something to share.
CHARLES: Exactly. Exactly.
HAMMER: And maybe she deserves the money a little more. I don`t think personally and I haven`t seen the results yet, but I don`t think - I don`t see how Lindsay Lohan cannot be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week for her 90-day jail sentence, and of course, all of her outrageous tweets.
But then, again, look at what Mel Gibson has going on with these alleged tapes, his ex-girlfriend claiming that he`s making these violent and racist comments.
Or will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name LeBron James as the most provocative celebrity of the week? He did make a stunning decision to leave the Cavs for the Heat. Midwin Charles, Megan Alexander, you will not want to go anywhere.
ANDERSON: Brand new details in today about Melissa Etheridge`s nasty breakup. The stunning new custody battle. But could it have a disturbing impact - her split - could it have a disturbing impact in the battle over gay marriage?
Also, J. Lo concert controversy. Why did J. Lo pull the plug on her plans to boogie on her birthday?
And octopus outrage. This underwater sea creature as a unique knack for picking World Cup winners. But is his latest - but his pick has landed him in hot water with some crazy fans. The brand-new death threats for Paul the octopus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it must be fixed. I don`t believe that there`s some genius octopus.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time to roll out And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Celine Dion reveals she is having twin boys. Drew Barrymore tells "Elle" magazine she is not afraid of aging, open to plastic surgery.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week today. The nominees - Lindsay Lohan for her courtroom antics and her 90 days in jail. Shocking allegations against Mel Gibson, claims of domestic abuse and reportedly threatening to kill his ex. Or will it be LeBron James and all the hype around his big decision to ditch Cleveland for Miami?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And Brooke, there`s big news breaking in "The Buzz" today. Disturbing new signs today that Melissa Etheridge`s big breakup is about to get nasty. Plus, J. Lo caught up in a new concert controversy. All that happening right now in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): J. Lo`s birthday concert backlash. Lopez is causing a huge political firestorm on the ethnically divided island of Cyprus. She scheduled a show for her 41st birthday this month at a luxury resort in the breakaway north which is controlled by Turkish Cyprians.
That outraged the Greeks in the south who saw the appearance as supporting the Turkish presence on the island. After Greeks launched an online campaign against the show, Lopez has just canceled.
Betty White gets red hotter. The 88-year-old was just nominated for an Emmy for her guest appearance on "SNL" in May. She tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT the renewed attention isn`t getting old.
BETTY WHITE, COMEDIENNE: I cannot be coy about it. I can`t be smooth or cool about it. It`s the biggest thrill in the world. And when you get to this age and when you`ve been in the business for 63 years, I still can`t believe it happened again.
White is no stranger to the Emmys. She has won six in her long career.
Melissa Etheridge`s breakup blowup. Etheridge`s ex, Tammy Lynn Michaels, is now claiming she was blindsided. And Etheridge filed court papers to legally end their domestic partnership last week.
Now, in her own court papers Michaels is asking for a dissolution of marriage. Tammy Lynn and Melissa had a marriage ceremony in 2001 though they didn`t qualify to legally marry at the time. Michaels is also demanding full physical custody of the couple`s twins which Michaels gave birth to in 2006.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So does this mean Melissa Etheridge will soon be stuck in a messy custody battle? Joining me right now in Hollywood, Carlos Diaz, who is a syndicated radio host. And right now, in New York, Janell Snowden, who is a host for VH1 News.
OK, you two - when Melissa filed to separate from Tammy Lynn Michaels last week, she said that she wanted joint custody. But today, Tammy Lynn is not only asking for a dissolution of their marriage, but also wants sole custody of their twin boys.
Carlos, since Tammy Lynn Michaels is actually the biological mom of these twins and their marriage isn`t really recognized by law, this could really get messy.
DIAZ: It could get messy and also, it could be precedent-setting.
ANDERSON: Yes.
DIAZ: I mean, because you have - you know, in most marriages that are dissolved and most divorces, the kids go with the mom. But you have two moms here, even though you have a biological mom. But could argue that Melissa Etheridge makes more money, so she might be a more fit mother.
So now you also have an equal playing field of two people battling, you know, for the kids. So this is going to be very interesting. And you`re right. It could get messy before it gets better.
ANDERSON: It could get really, really nasty. Well, it`s interesting that Tammy Lynn uses the word "marriage" in filing for the split because Melissa does not. She calls it a "domestic partnership." That`s how she describes their union.
Janell, what do you think? I`m thinking that Melissa may be in for some heat, some criticism from the gay community for suddenly not embracing the word "marriage" as she has done for years before this.
JANELL SNOWDEN, HOST, VH1 NEWS: Yes, absolutely. Because they actually did acknowledge it as a marriage in the public. I mean, they had a ceremony and they openly spoke about, you know, calling each other I guess wives or, you know, whatever they would refer to each other as.
And so if she does deny they were, indeed, married after being so public about it, I think that she will definitely experience backlash, and I think it`s unfortunate. It`s unfortunate the kids have to be involved and I hope they can resolve it amicably as the split was not.
ANDERSON: Yes. it`s really sad and it just seems so abrupt. I was shocked when I heard that they were splitting up. And you know, Melissa Etheridge may be getting ready for a major battle here, but she didn`t make the cut to be a nominee to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week.
So will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name Lindsay Lohan most provocative for, well, so many things but for her 90-day jail sentence, her outrageous tweets, her attorney quitting?
Will we choose Mel Gibson for those alleged tapes his ex-girlfriend claims it`s him making violent and racist comments?
Or will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT choose LeBron James as most provocative for snubbing his home team in Cleveland and choosing to move to Miami? Carlos, your pick?
DIAZ: You know, it goes day by day. Tuesday, it was Lindsay. Wednesday, it was Lindsay. Thursday, it was LeBron.
But I`ve got to go with Mel Gibson right now because these tapes that just came out on "RadarOnline.com" are so provocative and they`re so explosive it`s almost like you`re hearing a career ending when you hear these tapes of Mel Gibson losing his mind literally on the phone. I have to go with Mel Gibson.
ANDERSON: And we haven`t been able to validate or authenticate that that actually is Mel.
DIAZ: Exactly. Exactly.
ANDERSON: But yes, if it is him -
DIAZ: If it is Mel Gibson, then he gets it because of these tapes.
ANDERSON: Oh, my blood just boils listening to it.
DIAZ: Oh, yes.
ANDERSON: Janell, your pick?
SNOWDEN: I`m going to have to go with LeBron James as you called him. I think that Mel is definitely - do you like that? I think that Mel is definitely in the running. But I think that because we`ve seen this from him before and we kind of already lost some faith in him, it`s kind of like, OK, he`s just doing his - he`s back to his old tricks.
But LeBron James commanded an entire hour just to make this announcement. People who don`t even like sports - I mean, I was with a ton of women who were like, "LeBron who?" who now are like, LeBron.
ANDERSON: LeBron -
SNOWDEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) because of that, I`m going to go with LeBron.
ANDERSON: There it is - LeBron mania. I`ll give you that. All right. Charles, drum roll, please. Let`s announce SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s pick for most provocative celebrity of the week. We`re going with Lindsay Lohan.
DIAZ: Yes.
ANDERSON: Carlos, neither of you picked Lindsay.
DIAZ: You know what, though? It`s a wise choice. This is a tossup here. But you`ve got to go with Lindsay because of the fact that, like I said, she was in the news all week long. It was a different story.
ANDERSON: Every day -
HAMMER: Every day a new story. And finally, the Hollywood elite got burned, you know.
ANDERSON: Janell, very quickly. What do you think about Lindsay?
SNOWDEN: I think that she needs help and I think that she needs to take this time that she`s been sentenced and really evaluate her life and just be honest with the fact that she does need help. You can`t receive it until you admit you have a problem.
ANDERSON: Yes.
SNOWDEN: So she has to admit she has a problem.
ANDERSON: Reflect. Take the time to reflect on why she is in the predicament and improve herself. Carlos Diaz, Janell Snowden, thanks, guys.
HAMMER: All right. Here`s something I believe I`ve never said before - octopus outrage. Yes, who would have thought a sea creature would be one of the breakout stars of the World Cup?
Now, this is no ordinary octopus I`m talking about here. It`s Paul the octopus who has a nifty way of picking winners.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice-over): He`s on octopus who doesn`t realize his goal is to predict World Cup winners.
(on camera): Picked the winner, like, six times in a row.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re very sensitive octopus.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, could his latest pick turn him into an appetizer? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Second Drake concert cancelled due to suspected security concerns. Mark Wahlberg tells "Men`s Health" magazine he still loves his abs.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Calamari is squid, Charles. It`s squid. This is octopus we`re talking here. I have seen a lot of things in my day. Never a psychic octopus though. You see, this underwater critter has got an unusual talent to pick World Cup winners. But his latest pick landed him in hot water and perhaps on a plate, just not as calamari. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): He`s an octopus who doesn`t realize his goal is to predict World Cup winners.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paul, the oracle octopus -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The psychic sea creature.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The tense called (ph) oracle.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The psychic cephalopod.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The mystic mollusk has gotten famous.
MOOS: Paul lives at the Sea Life Aquarium in Germany where they lowered two boxes labeled with the flags of competing teams. Each box contains mussels, one of Paul`s favorite foods.
(on camera): He picked the winner like six times in a row.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They`re very sensitive octopus.
MOOS: Faced with a choice between Germany, his current home and Spain, Paul to Germany then slinked over to Spain and later straddled the two before making his final pick by opening a box with the Spanish flag. Paul`s less lucky relatives were on sale at New York`s fairway market.
(on camera): Octopus, $3.99 a pound, Paul`s worth a heck of a lot more than that.
(voice-over): Some who were buying octopus were skeptical.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This thing must be fixed. I don`t believe that there`s some genius octopus.
MOOS: Paul isn`t the first animal prognosticator. "Princess" the camel picked winning football teams by selecting one of two graham crackers from her owners` labeled palms, while "Chippy" the pundit chimp was pinned against human pundits deciding between Rudy and Hillary for U.S. Senate.
But Chippy never made it big like Paul who has his own Web site, "Don`t tell any my of my handlers that I can type," and his own Twitter account.
(on-camera): PETA has even gotten to the act demanding that Paul be set free. They`re saying an octopus is not a prop that should be used for entertainment.
(voice-over): After correctly predicting Germany`s loss to Spain, the psychic octopus has even received death threats, "Put the thing on the menu. I ate your mother."
OLIVER WALECIAK, SEA LIFE AQUARIUM: We take a little bit more careful with the octopus than before because there are quite a lot of visitors who want to kill him, to eat him.
MOOS: The prime minister of Spain joked about sending Paul a protective team. And after Spain beat Germany, Spanish celebrity Chef Jose Andres took octopus off the menu. But a jokester on YouTube made Paul the target of a Hitler assassination plot.
Posted one fan "With eight tentacles, I`d like to see him do a penalty kick."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Oh, leave the poor octopus alone. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Take care.
END
