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Showbiz Tonight
Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston Engaged Again; Mel Gibson`s Alleged Tape Tirade; A Huge Debate Over "Huge"; Sandra Bullock`s Sticky Situation; Lindsay Lohan and Joan Rivers` Twitter War
Aired July 14, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Bristol`s bombshell. Bristol Palin`s shocking announcement today, she is engaged to Levi Johnston again. Is it all about love? Or could it be about Sarah Palin running for president?
Mel Gibson`s alleged taped tirade. What may be the most explosive tape yet released today, including sexually-charged threats to burn down his ex-girlfriend`s house.
The bizarre Lindsay Lohan-Joan Rivers smackdown. An all-out war as Lindsay gets ready to go to jail. Joan`s desperate plea to Lindsay, "Let me help you."
The huge debate today over "Huge." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the set of TV`s most controversial new show about overweight teenagers at a so-called fat camp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think our reaction should be the same as if we were amusing ourselves on television about anorexia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: By no way, shape or form are we putting out a bad message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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 in Hollywood with big news breaking today, the Bristol bombshell.
HAMMER: All right. I`ve got to admit. Nobody saw this coming. Bristol Palin`s startling revelation today that she and Levi Johnston are engaged again and that she may have revealed this to the world before even telling her mother, Sarah Palin who, of course, until recently, seemed to be Levi`s biggest enemy.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the more we learn today about the surprise re-engagement, the stranger and more mysterious the story became.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): If hell was going to freeze over, we should have known it was going to happen in Alaska.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston are engaged.
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Oh -
HAMMER: Gasps broke out this morning on "The View" when the hosts announced the jaw-dropping news that broke today in the new issue of "Us Weekly" magazine.
Sarah Palin`s 19-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is not only back together with Levi Johnston, the father of her 1-year-old son, Tripp. They are getting married.
MELANIE BROMLEY, "US WEEKLY": I have no doubt that this couple are in love.
HAMMER: The newly-reunited couple is dropping another bombshell, that Bristol`s mom, Sarah, who has publicly feuded bitterly with Levi in the past, didn`t know about their engagement. Bristol, she knows now.
BROMLEY: She definitely felt like by doing it through "Us Weekly" that her mother was going to have to take notice and listen.
HAMMER: About her mother, Sarah Palin, Bristol tells "Us Weekly," quote, "I just hope she comes around and supports us as a couple. I want her to know Levi has grown up and that he is going to be there as a dad."
And Levi tells "Us Weekly," "I know her family sees me how I was a couple of years ago, like a punk. But that`s not who I am anymore. I`m a dad now and it feels great and I want to show them."
BROMLEY: She wanted to just kind of like do this and get engaged and make things right and on her own timeframe and not on her mother`s.
HAMMER: Bristol and Levi broke up last year, soon after their son, Tripp, was born. And after that, the Johnstons and the Palins engaged in the biggest feud since the Hatfields and McCoys.
LEVI JOHNSTON, FATHER OF BRISTOL PALIN`S CHILD: But I have things that can - you know, that would get her in trouble and could hurt her.
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK): He doesn`t anything on me.
HAMMER: Levi recently issued an unexpected apology to the Palins saying he told lies about them during their feud. And "Us Weekly`s" Melanie Bromley tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT these two ex-high school sweethearts patched things up about six weeks ago.
BROMLEY: He texted her said, "I love you. I miss you. I want to be back with you." And she immediately texted back and said, "I miss you too." And it is from that moment on that they have not spent a day apart.
HAMMER: Bristol Palin has now become an advocate for teen abstinence and she`s vowed not to have sex again before marriage. So SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the answer to the question we know you`re thinking. Are Bristol and Levi - you know?
BROMLEY: She insists they are not having sex.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that we have been noticing that both Levi and Bristol were dropping hints that they are patch things up. Bristol recently spoke with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her guest appearance on the TV show, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." But she was tight-lipped about Levi and her mom when questioned by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Have they made nice?
BRISTOL PALIN, DAUGHTER OF FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN: I`m not here to talk about any of that. Thank you, though.
HAMMER: And this past March, Levi told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT things are better with Bristol.
JOHNSTON: Our faith in that friendship again, you know, getting comfortable with each other. So things are getting better.
HAMMER: But Levi`s relationship with his future in-laws - well, that`s another story.
BROMLEY: Levi has absolutely not won over Sarah and Todd yet.
HAMMER: After learning of their daughter`s engagement today, Sarah and Todd Palin issued a statement saying, quote, "Bristol at 19 is now a young adult. As parents, we obviously want what is best for our children. But Bristol is ultimately in charge of determining what is best for her and her beautiful son."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of their new future son-in-law, but with news of the engagement blaring everywhere, Bristol has proven she is not the only Palin who knows how to go rogue.
BROMLEY: In an ideal world, she will have her mother and her father`s blessing. But she will still go ahead with this wedding, whether her mother approves of it or not.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I`m not kidding here. I heard this news this morning and my head almost exploded. So what is more shocking, the fact that Bristol and Levi are engaged again or the fact that they got engaged and didn`t tell Sarah Palin?
That brings us to our "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" - why in the world would Levi and Bristol do this? Right now, in Hollywood, Jim Moret, who is the chief correspondent of "Inside Edition" and author of a great book. It`s called "The Last Day of My Life." Right now, in Washington, D.C. Amy Argetsinger. Amy is the "Reliable Source" columnist with the "Washington Post."
So guys, there were all guys of conspiracy theories floating around there today. And I was not alone in thinking that maybe, just maybe, this has more than a little something to do with Bristol`s mom, Sarah, possibly running for president in 2012, you know, clean up the mess now.
So that`s me. But Jim Moret, to the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," why do you think Bristol is doing this again?
JIM MORET, CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Well, I was a little bit more cynical, because it`s a better story if Sarah Palin doesn`t know about it. You could probably get more from "Us Weekly" if Sarah didn`t know about it.
Look, they are 19 and 20 years old. I mean, these are kids. It didn`t surprise me, given the fact that he made the public apology, what, a week ago?
I would not have predicted this but I`m not terribly surprised because they are young. They have a child. It`s certainly great for the child if they are a family. And I`m not really that surprised, ultimately.
HAMMER: Don`t let me mislead you here. I`m not unromantic. I do believe that love can, in fact, prevail. But I`ve got to tell you, I`m just not buying it. It smells fishy to me.
MORET: You are cynical. You are cynical.
AMY ARGETSINGER, COLUMNIST, "RELIABLE SOURCE": Right.
HAMMER: You know what? About some things, Jim, I am. Amy, help me out on the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint." Why do you think Bristol and Levi are doing this?
ARGETSINGER: Why are they back together? Well, look, maybe I`m devil`s advocate here, but I could actually see this - I`m not going to say I can see it working but makes sense they would gravitate back together.
Look, she`s 19, he`s 20. Yes, they`re enjoying a certain amount of fame, but at the end of the day, they are kids who would probably like to have a significant other. But what are the dating prospects for either of them?
It`s going to be very hard for her to find a guy that she can relate to. It is going to be very hard for him to find a girl who gets what he is all about. This is what they have in common. They are both small-town kids who, two years ago, were completely obscure.
HAMMER: Yes.
ARGETSINGER: And now who have this weird, worldwide fame in common. You know, that`s something to bond over anyway.
HAMMER: I suppose. Is it cynical for me to think, guys, that, you know, well, she saw the "Playgirl" spread and said, "Hey, he got in shape for that, so maybe I should take him back?"
MORET: No.
ARGETSINGER: I don`t think the "playgirl" thing helped.
HAMMER: Let me move on from that - no, he probably ran out of that money, though, by now. Frankly, I was a bit dumfounded, though, this afternoon when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got this statement from Sarah Palin and her husband.
It read, in part this, "Bristol at 19 is now a young adult. As parents, we obviously want what is best for our children but Bristol is ultimately in charge of determining what best for her and her beautiful son." Now, Jim, to me, that is not a ringing endorsement.
MORET: No. As a matter of fact, implied in that is something to the effect that, "We don`t think this is a good idea but she`s the master of her own fate." Look, I don`t expect that the Palins are going to embrace him right now, Levi Johnston.
He said some horrible things. They have traded barbs. But ultimately, as a parent myself, if my daughter is in love with someone and they are being a good spouse and a good parent to their child, I will embrace them ultimately.
HAMMER: Well, yes. And I would expect that from you, Jim. And quite frankly, I would expect that from any good parent.
Well, another thing about this whole deal that blows my mind, and I know I`m not alone in this, the fact that Bristol and Levi apparently - apparently - broke the news about their engagement to "Us Weekly" before Bristol told her own parents. That is highly suspect to me to begin with. But Amy what does that say to you if, in fact that is true?
ARGETSINGER: That suggests that Bristol may not have the best relationship with her mother when it comes to the subject of Levi Johnston. There`s been a lot of theories that Sarah knew about this all along.
However, that seems unlikely. I don`t know why it would benefit Sarah Palin for this to come out looking like she didn`t know about it. I think if Sarah Palin knew about this and wanted it to get out, she would want it to be, you know, herself on the cover with the two of them, you know, mending the fence here.
Why did it come out this way? That`s the mystery. And I think - but I mean, again, it is not the first time that a 19-year-old has spoken back to her mother.
HAMMER: No.
ARGETSINGER: She just has a national megaphone for doing it.
HAMMER: Exactly right. We`ve got to end it there. Jim Moret, Amy Argetsinger, I appreciate you joining us. So here`s what we`re asking in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin Engaged Again: Do you really think they will get married?" Let us know what you think at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight is where you vote or E-mail showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: The shocking new twist today in the alleged Mel Gibson tape scandal - violent threats, even threatening a criminal act. It all has SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asking, is the latest alleged Mel Gibson tape the most explosive yet?
Lindsay Lohan is in a heated battle today with, of all people, Joan Rivers. Plus, Joan`s shocking response today.
And the huge debate today over "Huge." It is a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT special report on TV`s new show about overweight teenagers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think our reaction should be the same as if we were amusing ourselves on television about anorexia.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: By no way, shape or form are we putting out a bad message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Kate Gosselin targeted in new child labor probe in Pennsylvania. Bret Michaels sets the record straight today, he is not engaged.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kristi is your on-and-off girlfriend of six years and the mother of your girls.
BRET MICHAELS, SINGER: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you two now engaged? Did you just propose?
MICHAELS: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
MICHAELS: We are not engaged yet. We`re a work in progress. What happened was she has a beautiful promise ring, a promise ring of a friendship with benefits.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good-bye, I guess.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t believe this is really good-bye.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: "The Hills" is history. Four years and plenty of drama later, it`s a wrap for the reality show. But the biggest bombshell was saved for the last episode. Yes, as everyone suspected, "The Hills" wasn`t a reality show at all.
It was a scripted show, and as you`re seeing, they copped to it by wheeling away the set in the final scene. Wow. What a relief. Now, everyone can go back to being normal, Brooke.
ANDERSON: All right. Right now, a SHOWBIZ special report, a huge controversy. The huge controversy is about "Huge" the brand-new hit TV show about young girls at a camp for overweight teens.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that anti-obesity advocates are furious, claiming the show sends a terrible message. But don`t tell that to the star of the show, Nikki Blonsky, who spoke with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From her award-winning role with John Travolta in "Hairspray" -
NIKKI BLONSKY, ACTRESS: People who are different - their time is coming.
WYNTER: To ABC Family`s new comedy, "Huge" -
BLONSKY: Exasperation -
WYNTER: Bodacious actress Nikki Blonsky is once again making a big splash in Hollywood and offering no apologies for being, well, she said it, fat. It`s not just her scantily clad scenes where she strips down to a bra that has anti-obesity critics like Mimi Roth cringing.
MIMI ROTH, FOUNDER, NATIONAL ACTION AGAINST OBESITY: I find the concept behind "Huge" alarming.
WYNTER: But the show`s blaring publicity billboard, a blatantly unflattering shot of an overweight Blonsky in a one-piece.
ROTH: I think our reaction should be the same as if we were amusing ourselves on television about anorexia.
WYNTER: I caught up with the young star on the set of "Huge" where she plays a rebellious teen whose parents force her to attend fat camp.
BLONSKY: When I see propaganda that I know is destroying girls` brains, it is my duty as an angry feminist to destroy it.
WYNTER: Don`t expect an extreme makeover. Blonsky`s character, Wilhelmina smuggles in snacks and sells them to other overweight kids. She eventually smartens up and starts making healthy choices. As for "Huge`s" ad campaign, Blonsky says she is the perfect poster child for those who packed on the pounds.
WYNTER: It has to be pretty exhausting. Some people are saying this sends not the best message there.
BLONSKY: BY no way, shape or form are they putting out a bad message. Everybody sees skinny girls in a bathing suit. That`s the norm. You open any magazine, it`s there. Nobody has ever had a plus-sized girl on the cover in a bathing suit.
WYNTER: But "ActionAgainstObesity.com`s" Mimi Roth says Blonsky is no role model, that living large means living on the edge.
ROTH: It has become commonplace to see obesity, yet it doesn`t make it any less dangerous. Anyone who cares anything for her as an actress or as a human being should be alarmed and wanting to intervene, just as if she were starving herself.
WYNTER: You don`t feel like you`re being exploited or -
BLONSKY: Not any chance, because I feel so privileged that it was me, that I`m the first one to be out there. Here I am, world. I`m in a one-piece. Take it or leave it. I don`t care. I`m just comfortable with me. If I was a size zero, it would be against who I am.
WYNTER: And who she is a healthy representation of society, says author and self-esteem expert Jess Weiner.
JESSICA WEINER, AUTHOR AND SELF-ESTEEM EXPERT: I knew that this was a conversation started about women and girls everywhere had to have. This population that I work with was going to just want to see these characters succeed because that is a reflection of them in their every day lives.
WYNTER: Lives ABC Family hopes will become more enriched, adding, quote, "If it leaves audiences thinking and talking about these important issues, we couldn`t be more proud."
The network`s new health initiatives surrounding the show include the "Live Huge" bus that has toured the country and is filled with personal messages from fans.
BLONSKY: This is unbelievable.
WYNTER: How does this make you feel, Nikki?
BLONSKY: Amazing - to write what they feel, "You only live once." These are beautiful words.
WYNTER: There are also PSA`s airing in each episode, linking viewers to "ABCFamily.com" where experts like activist and author, Katherine Schwarzenegger, daughter of this famous dad, blogged about body image.
KATHERINE SCHWARZENEGGER, DAUGHTER OF ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: People need to just own what they have, need to rock what they have got is the title of my book. If they are confident in themselves, there`s nothing more, nothing better than that that you can have.
WYNTER: As for critics concerned that "Huge" is serving up unhealthy programming -
ROTH: No reason to glamorize obesity or hold it up as a health and beauty ideal.
WYNTER: The show`s supporters say there is a new plus-size population taking over.
WEINER: This is an evolution and a revolution. I think we have to stir things up.
WYNTER: Blonsky`s bringing viewers along for the ride.
BLONSKY: Kids want to see something they can relate to.
WYNTER: With a series she says is not just entertaining but empowering and finally puts plump people in the driver`s seat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Now, ABC Family tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that it hopes the show will leave the audience thinking about this important issue. And the network also says it is very proud of "Huge."
HAMMER: Mel`s alleged taped tirade, a disturbing new tape released today. Could it be the most explosive one yet?
We will also have this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get her to my car, right now. Right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t walk. Stop!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why are you doing? (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The startling new "Real Housewives of New Jersey" hair-pulling controversy. What we found out today about how this ugly battle could go from the streets to the courts.
Is Angelina Jolie quitting acting? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on-one with Angelina to set the story straight. 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: Kelsey Grammer asks court not to award estranged wife spousal support. Courtney Cox tells "In Style" magazine she`s been to couples counseling with hubby David.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Angelina Jolie is kicking butt and taking names in her new film, "Salt." She plays a CIA officer accused of being a Russian spy. Now, Angelina and her family traveled around the world while filming.
But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Angelina for a special one-on-one interview, and she drops some major bombshells on us, like what she won`t do for a role. And she reveals if she is really considering retiring from acting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: If there`s something that could kill me, yes. If it could break my arm, I think that`s OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s OK?
JOLIE: My kids can have a mom with a broken arm. But anything that I - that is something that would - that would kill me is obviously something I don`t do. I have a few more stories I`d like to tell. I do love being an actor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "Salt," starring Angelina Jolie, opens July 23rd.
HAMMER: Is Tori Spelling`s little tyke about to give Ashton Kutcher a run for his money as Twitter king? Well, Tori and her husband, Dean, has just launched Liam`s world. This is a Twitter page filled with all the funny things that Dean and Tori`s three-year-old son says.
The kid already has 19,000 followers. You won`t believe what little Liam said about his mother, Tori, on Twitter. Listen to this, "Mama, you`re Lady Gaga because you have yellow hair and you are fancy."
Now, check out Liam`s tweet to his dad, Dean, who is recovering from a motorcycle accident. He tweets, "You have to stay in bed. Doctors said you`re sick. You have a boo-boo."
Here Brooke, your beautiful daughter is now one year old, right? How about it?
ANDERSON: Yes. I don`t think so, A.J. She`s just learning how to talk, so I don`t think she is quite ready for Twitter.
HAMMER: Soon. Soon.
ANDERSON: All right. Moving now to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall, it is overrun with reactions today about Bristol Palin`s bombshell engagement announcement. As we reported earlier, Bristol tells "Us Weekly" that she is ready to tie the knot with Levi Johnston.
Gloria G. is outraged that Bristol told "Us Weekly" before she told her own mother, Sarah Palin, "Talk about a slap in the face for her parents. After all they have done for her, she could have at least given them the courtesy of a phone call."
But Linda N. is definitely rooting for Bristol and Levi, "Bristol is a very forgiving young lady to give Levi another chance. I hope he doesn`t mess up again."
HAMMER: Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Sandra Bullock`s sticky situation. The war of words about who is a better mother, Sandra or Jesse James` porn star ex-wife.
Jail-bound Lindsay Lohan is in a heated battle today with Joan Rivers. The shocking reason why these two are at war.
The unbelievable caught-on-tape singing mystery. This is wild. A plain girl walks into a karaoke bar as an office worker. She walks out a rock star.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Who is that show-stopping singer? 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: Vince Vaughn and wife announce they are expecting their first child. MTV announces today "Beavis and Butthead" are coming back!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, the brand new alleged Mel Gibson tirade. It is possibly the most explosive tape yet, released just today.
The bizarre Lindsay Lohan-Joan Rivers war today. The shocking she said/she said as Lindsay gets ready to go to jail. But could Lindsay and Joan`s battle turn out to be a good thing?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get her to my car, right now. Right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t walk. Stop!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I told her to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) her hair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A dramatic twist in the "New Jersey Housewives" cat fight today. Housewife Danielle Staub may be taking her battle from the streets to the courtroom.
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - the Donald teaming up with Kate Gosselin? And does baby make three for star newlyweds?
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: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - a brand-new fourth tape allegedly of Mel Gibson is out today. And the man on the tape, in a sexually-charged rant, threatens to burn down a house.
HAMMER: So is this the scariest tape yet? Well, if you thought the first three tapes of the alleged voice of Mel Gibson are frightening, you have got to hear this fourth tape. The latest rant released today by "Radar Online" is, without a doubt, absolutely terrifying.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): How dare you? How (EXPLETIVE DELETED) dare you? You wanted the number of my therapist? Don`t you ever speak to him! Find your own (EXPLETIVE DELETED) therapist, because you got problems, more than me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You need medication.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You know how to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) push my buttons and it`s not going to work with us. It`s not. I can`t get like this anymore. And you know you`re doing it. And you are a liar and you`re dishonest and you`re (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up. So you stay the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) away from me.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And there are more fast-moving developments in the Mel Gibson mess today. Right now, in Hollywood, is Jim Moret, who is a senior correspondent for "Inside Edition." And with me in New York, Jane Velez- Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL," seen every night of the week right here on HLN.
I mean, all of these tapes have just been frightening. But Jim, are you with me that this one, the fourth one released today is the scariest yet?
MORET: Well, it`s the scariest in that he sounds totally out of control and potentially violent. I mean, he makes a threat to burn down her house. There have been threats in some of the other tapes.
It`s hard to know the context of all these tapes. We don`t know if they were all the same day, if there were many conversations over a couple of days. We don`t know what led up to it. But clearly, what he says on this phone call is very disturbing.
HAMMER: I mean, it just sounds like - and again we can`t confirm it is Mel Gibson. It just sounds like a wild man. Charles, can we put up this brand-new video? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained brand-new video today of Mel`s ex, Oksana Grigorieva.
There she is, out in public in Los Angeles, just as the brand new audio tape was released today. And in another part of this disgusting rant on the new audio tapes, the alleged voice of Mel Gibson goes on this sexually-charged rant threatening to burn Oksana`s house down.
Now, we`ve heard the man on this tape threatening to kill to Oksana, basically admitting to domestic violence, and now this. Jane, does it seem inevitable that if it is proven that this is Mel Gibson on this tape and all the things he has said are things that he has done, he`s going to jail?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Well, I talked to a prosecutor yesterday who said the D.A. could very well decide to file charges. Obviously, it would be up to a jury to decide whether or not to convict. And you know he would have a dream team defending him.
HAMMER: Sure.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: So I don`t think it is a slam-dunk necessarily. Obviously, key witnesses - that is something that investigators are going to have to talk to. They are reportedly interested in talking to her 12- year-old son, who may have heard some of these altercations.
And Oksana`s dentist has already, according to TMZ, given a sworn deposition talking about her enamel being knocked out of her teeth. Of course, Mel, through his attorney, denies that he socked her and damaged her teeth.
HAMMER: But those things you mentioned - the son, the dentist - that just piles on to what seems to be mounting evidence here. Jim, you filled in for Larry King on CNN last night. You played an exclusive part of the tape. I want to listen to that.
MORET: Sure.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I`m really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) angry and really sad and really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) just want to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) hurt someone or myself, do you understand?
You`ve done this to me. I was never like this. You did it. All right? It`s your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) fault. If something happens, be it on your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) head, you know?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): I didn`t do -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Be it on your head.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): I didn`t do anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You did (EXPLETIVE DELETED) so. You`re a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): I didn`t do anything.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: And I just noticed - I hadn`t noticed it before. You hear a baby crying in the background as we hear the man saying he wants to hurt someone or hurt himself. Jim, again, if it is confirmed this is Mel Gibson, what does that say to you?
MORET: Well, I talked to Drew Pinsky last night on "LARRY KING LIVE." And he said that this is consistent with alcoholic and bipolar behavior and that in this kind of situation, a person can be a danger to themselves as well as to other people.
So this is clearly - the person who is saying this - this is more menacing in that it`s very low key, you know. He`s not out-of-control but very down and soft spoken but almost more menacing. But clearly, this person needs help.
HAMMER: What about you, Jane? When you hear those words, "I could hurt myself, I could hurt you," what does that say?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, we understand from the tape that he is in therapy. And boy, I would love to be a fly on the wall in that therapy session now in the wake of all this. We also know this man is well-known for making anti-Semitic remarks, homophobic remarks.
Racist remarks now have been heard on these tapes if it is him. But I think the biggest thing is sexism. This betrays a misogyny, an attitude toward women that they are there merely to serve and be vessels. And that, to me, is the thing that underlines all of the commentary.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I am up here. You are down there. How dare you?
HAMMER: Yes. I actually think that narcissism is a word that is getting tossed around an awful lot and everybody speaking about Mel. But I think you are right, misogyny - it even trumps that to me.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes, absolutely.
HAMMER: Absolutely. Well, there are more breaking new developments in the Mel Gibson saga today. Whoopi Goldberg furious because after she said that she doesn`t believe Mel is a racist - she said that on "The View" - people accused her of defending him. Well, she made it clear today on "The View" that that is not case here. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t condone this. I don`t think this is right. I don`t think this is smart. But here is the piece of information that I have. My experience tells me that this is not a racist.
Now, being a black woman, you`d think you would give me a little bit of, you know, leeway to have some feel, if I was around a racist. But then people called my office - called my office, and went off on the young lady that works there. You`re going to call because you think I`m doing something wrong?
And you do the same thing to this young lady that you don`t even know, that Mel Gibson supposedly did? Who are you? You can kiss my behind.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. And quite frankly, if these people did what Whoopi claims that they did, I agree with her. But, Jim, to the point of what she said, she doesn`t believe he is a racist, but she said she is not defending what he may have done in this situation, do you think that she deserves the backlash she is receiving here?
MORET: Well, I think that people didn`t really listen to what she said. She said she knows Mel Gibson. He has been to her home. This is not the Mel Gibson she knows. She did not condone the behavior.
She said he may be an idiot. He may be something even worse, but that - this isn`t consistent with the guy she knows. That only underscores the fact that there may be a Mel Gibson that`s been hidden from those around him.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Exactly.
HAMMER: Yes.
MORET: She did not defend him at all.
HAMMER: No, not at all. And today, as we have done every day, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Mel Gibson to confirm the authenticity of these audio tapes. Mel`s rep says today he has no comment. Jim Moret, Jane Velez-Mitchell, thanks.
ANDERSON: Brand-new "New Jersey Housewives" madness today. The caught on tape cat fights on the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" may have sunk to a new low. And the next nasty battle could be inside a courtroom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get her to my car, right now. Right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can`t walk. Stop!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Danielle Staub is reportedly suing her TV frenemies over their shocking hair-pulling fight. Brand-new details today about how Danielle`s reality war could become a real life courtroom drama.
Sandra Bullock`s new Jesse James drama today. Sandra just can`t seem to free herself from her no-good cheating, lying ex-husband. You got to hear how Jesse might be dragging Sandra through the mud again.
Plus, the unbelievable caught-on-tape undercover singing mystery. A regular gal walks into a karaoke bar an office worker and walks out a rock star. Can you tell who this international singing star is?
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: You are not going to believe your ears when we reveal her identity. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Ryan Reynolds hurts shoulder on the set of "The Green Lantern." Carrie Underwood shows off her wedding dress on the cover of "People."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And there is shocking new fallout today from the massive "Real Housewives of New Jersey" brawl. And Sandra Bullock still can`t escape Jesse James and all of his drama. It is all making big news in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Sandra caught in the middle. Sandra Bullock is center stage in the custody battle in court between Bullock`s ex-husband, Jesse James, and his ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder over their six-year-old daughter. Lindemulder is claiming is trying to replace her as a mom with Sandra with his plans to move to Texas to be closer to Bullock.
Penelope`s surprise wedding. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just confirmed Penelope Cruz and long-time flame, Javier Bardem, got married earlier this month. The rep tells us it was a small ceremony with family at a friend`s house in the Bahamas. We do know the stunning Cruz wore a dress designed by her long-time friend, designer John Galliano.
"Jersey Housewives" madness. More fallout from the shocking fight just seen on Bravo`s "Real Housewives of New Jersey." Housewife Danielle Staub reportedly plans to sue the women who attacked her on camera, pulling out her hair extensions.
Staub`s attorney tells "HollywoodLife.com" they will be seeking punitive damages and a restraining order against the other housewives. But viewers loved the train wreck TV. More than 3 million people watched - a record for a non-finale episode of the series.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: So what`s next on the "Real Housewives of New Jersey?" Gun duels? Right now, in New York, is Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist. Also in New York is Ereka Vetrini, who is a senior editor at "In Touch Weekly."
Ben, Ereka, what happened on the show is by far the most outrageous thing I have seen on reality TV in a long time. It was crazy. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get her away from me. (EXPLETIVE DELETED). My heels are broken.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop it! Stop it!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hold her back. Teresa, stop. Please stop.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get her to my car right now. Get her to my car right now! Leave her alone! Stop!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop! Stop it!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who do you think you are?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Leave her alone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I called a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) police officer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now, I know this is reality TV. Anything can happen. But Ben, hair pulling, fights involving grown women - I think they should be embarrassed by the way that they are acting.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, you know, I love my guilty pleasure reality TV just like anyone else does. I do watch the show. I enjoyed the episode. But you know, we understand also this is kind of contrived. They are always running into each other conveniently and getting into fights.
I don`t mind if they`re going to lock themselves in a room and yell at each other. I don`t like when they start involving public agencies like the courts and the police. I think that`s going a bit far.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. It was a trash fest, but I`m not sure all of it was contrived, Ben, because Danielle Staub not taking all this lying down. Today, her attorney confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she is definitely going to press charges for assault and battery. She is going to be suing for defamation of character. And Staub is looking for punitive damages.
Here`s what I don`t get. Ereka, by dragging this whole mess into court, I think Danielle could be jeopardizing the show that she stars on. Isn`t that kind of a dumb move?
EREKA VETRINI, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Well, I don`t know. I mean, this is good TV. And I think we all know that. And I think this is why we all tune in.
I don`t think Danielle is really going to do anything that jeopardizes her relationship with the show because she has gotten some significant success out of the show. I think that executive producers have a bigger hand in the whole matter than we think.
The incident happened in November. She is now pressing charges in July right after the episode aired. I don`t know - a little fishy. I think it is a little more planned than we think it is.
ANDERSON: It is interesting timing, you`re right about that. It is train wreck TV at its finest and people just gobble it up like a Thanksgiving - like a turkey on a Thanksgiving dinner, as our director would say.
WIDDICOMBE: I love it.
ANDERSON: All right. I got move now to another story making big news today. A big development in the custody battle between Sandra Bullock`s ex-husband Jesse James and his ex-wife, Janine Lindemulder. They`re fighting over custody of their six-year-old daughter. And A.J., Lindemulder just made a pretty outrageous claim in court, didn`t she?
HAMMER: Yes, she did, Brooke. Jesse`s ex is claiming even though he and Sandra are now split, Jesse still wants Sandra to raise Sunny by moving closer to her in Texas.
She said in court this, quote, "Sandra Bullock might as well be the mayor of Austin and I`m going in like the black sheep. Jesse will follow Sandra wherever she goes. I cannot compete with what they gave to offer Sunny with these incredible mansions and lifestyles." Ereka, does she have a point. Are you at all buying what she is saying there?
VETRINI: OK. Janine, I understand you want to be close to your daughter. But recently, earlier this month, Jesse actually filed documents, E-mails, where Janine admitted to having been paid for sex - prostitution virtually - using drugs, neglecting her daughter.
I mean, if you are wondering why your daughter is seeking a new mommy, I think you have the evidence right in your hands. She is not exactly the mama bear.
ANDERSON: It is all very, very sad that a six-year-old child is caught up in this mess. And I do feel sorry for Sandra Bullock, too. She`s got a new life, a new baby, a new home. Just let her be. All right. Ben Widdicombe, Ereka Vetrini, good see you both. Thanks.
HAMMER: Right now, the great singing mystery. I love this. Did you see this? It is the unbelievable caught-on-tape moment when a plain girl walks into a karaoke bar with co-workers from a frozen food company. And then minutes later, she blows the crowd away singing Jewel songs. Someone in the crowd even calls her the American Susan Boyle. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: Karen! Karen! Karen!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Karen to the stage, please. Karen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She can sing. Plain Jane gets invited back for an encore and that is when she reveals her secret identity.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please welcome to the stage, Jewel!
(SINGING)
JEWEL, SINGER: I wrote a song when I was 18. And here we are, years later. There`s a whole bar of karaoke kids. They`re all singing it. Everybody knew all the words. It was really sweet.
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: By the way, "FunnyOrDie.com" set the entire thing up with Jewel.
ANDERSON: Hey, there`s an outrageous Twitter war today between two people that I didn`t even think knew each other - Lindsay Lohan and Joan Rivers. Lindsay and Joan are locked in an ugly, public argument, the likes of which I can`t remember seeing before. We`ve got the blow-by-blow on Lindsay and Joan`s shocking smackdown. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Penelope Cruz` rep denies she is expecting with new husband Javier Bardem. Donald Trump considering Kate Gosselin for "Celebrity Apprentice."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Thank you, Chuckie Wagman. There`s an outrageous Twitter smackdown going on today between two brand-new Hollywood enemies - Lindsay Lohan and Joan Rivers. The troubled actress and the legendary comedian are now in this bizarre new war of words.
ANDERSON: This all started when Joan slammed Lindsay via Twitter on her court date and sentencing to jail and rehab. Joan tweets, "Lindsay Lohan is so dumb. Her idea of being sworn in is cursing at the judge."
Joan followed up with this zinger, "I was just reading about the new Lindsay Lohan diet which is all liquid, 80 proof."
OK, A.J., you get to read Lindsay`s fired up tweets. What did she write?
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, Lindsay lashed out tweeting this back to Joan, "Joan Rivers and her `stargument` make me believe that she and Michael Lohan are a match made in heaven."
But there`s more, Lindsay`s ex-girlfriend even jumped into the battle to defend Lindsay. This is what she tweeted, "Hey, Joan Rivers, you have collagen older than Lindsay. Pick on someone your own age. Oh, wait, I guess people that old can`t hear."
ANDERSON: Ouch. Well, then, a grateful Lindsay tweeted Samantha Ronson, "Thank you." Smiley face. So Lindsay and Samantha are totally ticked at Joan, but Joan says that it`s all in fun, telling another entertainment news show that poking fun at stars is what she does on Twitter all the time.
But in another bizarre twist, Joan tweeted this just hours ago, "Samantha, Lindsay, you`re welcome." Along with that tweet, Joan then posted a link to a tabloid Web site that claims the twitter war may have brought Lindsay and Samantha closer together. And I`ve got to say, A.J., this is what Joan does.
HAMMER: Yes.
ANDERSON: She makes jokes. And you know, the fact that Lindsay responded and publicly dissed Joan in the way that she did is indicative of why Lindsay is in the mess that she`s in. She needs to stop worry being other people and take care of herself before it`s too late.
HAMMER: Yes. She should go to jail just for what she says on Twitter. But I`ve got to give Joan credit. She always does a great job of staying relevant. And quite frankly, she`s the first person to make fun of her own plastic surgery as we all well know.
ANDERSON: So she can definitely take what Samantha and Lindsay dishing out. All right. Tuesday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Just moments ago, we just got those final results - "Mel Gibson`s Alleged Tape Rants: Do you think he`s totally to blame?" Fifty- eight percent of you say yes; 42 percent of you say no. Pretty close.
Here are some of the e-mails we received. Lorraine from Edmonton, Canada writes, "Oksana set him up. She provoked him and then taped him."
Charles from Iowa says this, "I think Mel is innocent. We all say crazy things when we are angry. I think she drove him crazy and she is after his money."
HAMMER: Unbelievable. I still think, Brooke, no excuse for any of the things said on that tape.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Absolutely.
HAMMER: But of course, we cannot confirm if it`s, in fact, Mel Gibson. And that is for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And 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.
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