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Showbiz Tonight
A Disturbing Photo of Mel Gibson`s Ex; The Lost Oksana Interview; Lindsay Lohan`s Future in Show Business; The Donald`s Startling Offer to Rachel Uchitel; Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week
Aired July 16, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - a picture of abuse? A disturbing photo revealed of Mel Gibson`s ex. Was she really battered and bruised? Plus, alleged Mel Gibson rage tapes in the hands of cops today.
But wait, there`s more. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive, the lost Oksana interview found.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OKSANA GRIGORIEVA, MEL GIBSON`S EX-GIRLFRIEND: Mel`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He`s an incredible artist and visionary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Countdown to jail time for Lindsay Lohan. Lindsay`s dramatic decision to check in to a sober-living facility. Today`s "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" - is this a desperate last-ditch attempt by Lindsay to stay out of jail?
Could it be true? The Donald wants Tiger Woods` alleged mistress? Donald Trump`s startling offer to Rachel Uchitel.
Lovelorn for Levi. The heartbreak across the land today now that Levi Johnston is engaged to Bristol Palin.
(MUSIC)
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Hi, there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today - is there now a picture of abuse in the Mel Gibson drama? For the very first time today, a photo surfaced that could potentially be a smoking gun into the domestic abuse investigation of Mel Gibson.
The picture revealed is of his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, who we`ve been hearing on the explosive tapes with a man suspected of being Mel crudely and abusively ripping her apart. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that the photo only added today to the disturbing questions Mel is going to have to eventually answer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): (EXPLETIVES DELETED), gold digger!
ANDERSON (voice-over): You`ve heard the harsh, crude, offensive rant surrounding the bitter war between Mel Gibson and his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You`re a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) using (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
ANDERSON: Now, there`s a picture to go along with it. "Radar Online" posted an explosive photo today that it says shows Oksana Grigorieva just hours after an alleged argument with Mel Gibson earlier this year. She claims Gibson punched her in the face while she was holding their baby daughter.
MELANIE BROMLEY, WEST COAST BUREAU CHIEF, "US WEEKLY": The photo depicts a woman that looks just like Oksana with her teeth thought to be damaged at the front. But you can`t see bruises all over the face. But it definitely shows damaged teeth.
ANDERSON: The details of that alleged fight were heard in one of the recordings "Radar Online" posted between the man suspected of being Mel and Oksana.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You! What kind of man is that? Hitting a woman while she`s holding a child in her hands? Breaking her teeth twice in the face? What kind of man is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Oh, you`re all angry now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You know what?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): You know what? You (EXPLETIVE DELETED) deserved it.
ANDERSON: Now, as an alleged picture connected to that argument hit the Web today, L.A. County sheriffs are investigating Oksana`s abuse claim. Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that the cops have now received the leaked telephone recording.
BROMLEY: They want to see the authenticity of the tape.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You were hitting a woman with a child in her hands.
ANDERSON: As tape after tape was released, Mel repeatedly refused to make any public comment. Mel and Oksana`s attorneys met in court Thursday to try to hash out custody issues regarding their eight-month- old daughter who was the source of many of their arguments.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Go look after my child!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): She`s my child too.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Yes, I know, unfortunately, you (EXPLETIVES DELETED). I hope she doesn`t turn out like you.
ANDERSON: "Us Magazine`s" Melanie Bromley tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Mel scored a victory in court.
BROMLEY: The judge yesterday refused to take away Mel`s rights to see his daughter.
ANDERSON: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, there`s another shocking turn today in the custody battle - Mel Gibson getting support from the last person you`d expect, his wife of nearly 30 years whom he left soon before he started seeing Oksana.
BROMLEY: Mel`s first wife, Robin, has been very insistent to the court that Mel was never violent with her.
ANDERSON: Robin Gibson reportedly wrote a sworn declaration to the court saying, quote, "Mel never engaged in any physical abuse of any kind toward me before, during, or after our marriage," and that "Mel was a wonderful and loving father."
But as the new picture of Oksana hit the Web today, the big question becomes, can the words of Mel Gibson`s estranged wife counter the words of Gibson`s estranged girlfriend -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): You are hitting a woman with a child in her hands.
ANDERSON: Or the alleged words of Gibson himself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I`ll threaten - I`ll put you in the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) rose garden, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED)!
BROMLEY: We do not know for certain whether the photo is authentic. We also do not know whether the tapes are authentic. But what we can say for definite is that in the court of public opinion, Mel Gibson has a long way to go to be able to come back from this scandal.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Yes, no kidding. So how might this photo play into the custody battle? That leads to the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint" today - should Mel Gibson be legally kept away from his baby.
Joining me right now in Hollywood is Debra Opri who is a family law attorney. In Atlanta, Vinnie Politan, who is the host of "In Session" on Tru TV.
All right. After everything that`s come out on those tapes, even though it is still not officially confirmed it is Mel Gibson on those tapes, though it sounds an awful lot like him. Debra, to the "SHOWBIZ Flashpoint," do you think Mel Gibson should legally be kept away from his baby daughter?
DEBRA OPRI, FAMILY ATTORNEY: It all determines whether he is a threat, an imminent threat to his child. And that is a standard of the health, safety, and welfare of the child.
If there`s evidence, and so far, I haven`t seen any, that he has endangered his child by striking the child, being abusive to the child, and not just being involved in an argument with his ex-girlfriend, then, you know, it goes towards - he may lose a child if there`s abuse towards the child. But right now, there`s nothing.
ANDERSON: Well, I`ve got to say, during one of those phone conversations, you could hear the poor baby crying in the background, so there was some sort of neglect. The poor thing wasn`t being tended to.
And I`ve got to tell you, if that`s Mel Gibson on those tapes, I think he potentially is a dangerous person. And personally, I would be wary of leaving him alone with a child. Vinnie, what do you think? Should Mel Gibson be legally kept away from his baby?
VINNIE POLITAN, HOST, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: You just said some magic words - should he be alone with the child? And there`s lots of things that a court could do and the last thing you want to do is cut off the relationship between a parent and a child.
That is the final step of the whole process. So what you want to do is look at and say, listen, there`s a difference between what`s happening between Mel Gibson and the mother of his child and Mel Gibson and his child. That`s what the court has to focus on is that relationship, what`s in the best interest of the child.
And I think everyone would agree. It`s usually in the best interest to have a relationship with both his or her parents, so the court tries to protect that as much as they can.
And again, it comes down to exactly what Debra said, which is, is there some sort of threat or violence aimed towards that child? Is the child ever going to be in a place of danger?
ANDERSON: Yes. There`s got to be some strong proof. OK. We are asking about Mel`s mess today in our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - "Mel Gibson: Should he be legally kept away from his baby?" We want you to vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or you can E-mail us or do both - showbiztonight@cnn.com.
ANDERSON: OK. In another development, there`s the domestic abuse investigation part of this whole thing. The L.A. Sheriff`s Department said today it now has copies of Mel`s alleged recorded rants.
But Debra, even if it is proved that it is Mel on those tapes, there`s no guarantee that the tapes could be used in court, right?
OPRI: Well, you know, the procedural challenge that any good attorney is going to make, and Mel Gibson`s attorney is no different, you`re going to say you haven`t laid a foundation and there`s no authentication.
Have these tapes been tampered with? Do they have the original tapes? Have they been edited? And what was the motivation in two-party state taking a tape recording without Mr. Gibson knowing?
She has to argue violence. If, in fact, she was taking these tape recordings for extortion purposes or trying to get large sums of money out of him, that`s not going to satisfy the exception mode.
If you look at the tapes themselves - experts have gone on television and said they`ve been edited. They`ve been tampered, and she basically had a perfectly professional tape recording system set up for him.
So what was the motivation? Have they been edited? Have they been tampered? Because of what happened in court yesterday, I am of the opinion that it`s very possible that at this point in time, the court has already said, no, these tapes can not be authenticated or I`m taking this under submission. No change in custody orders until I make a final decision.
ANDERSON: "Radar Online," which has been releasing all of those tapes has said - they claim the tapes have not been professionally altered, that they have not been tampered with in any way.
Right. And you know, a lot of people were surprised today to hear that Gibson`s soon-to-be ex-wife is defending him. Robin Gibson reportedly wrote a sworn declaration to the court saying that in their nearly 30 years of marriage, Gibson never physically abused her or their seven children.
Vinnie, I`ve got to ask you, though. Does her saying that even matter because isn`t this a totally different story?
POLITAN: Yes, it`s totally different. It`s totally irrelevant. Your honor, he never killed me. You know, is that your defense to murder?
OPRI: No.
POLITAN: He never - no. So you know, at some point it may shed some light on who this guy is, who may be telling the truth, who`s lying. It would be much more telling if he had a history of abuse that could be used against him. But I don`t see much of a mitigating factor of the fact that he didn`t beat her. Well, you know, bring in everyone who he never beat up. I think it`s kind of silly.
ANDERSON: Debra, you disagree?
OPRI: I disagree because history of abuse is an important element in the domestic violence charges. And Robin`s - the ex-wife`s testimony is very important.
ANDERSON: Well, OK. All right. Well, something else absolutely fascinating today. A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. We have uncovered a fascinating lost interview with Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend. Listen to what she once had to say about Mel and his helping her produce an album.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIGORIEVA: He`s an incredible artist, as you know, a visionary. He enabled me to produce this album for my music to live. Besides, he directed four incredible videos.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`ll bet she`d never say that now. Wait until you see this SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. More of the lost Oksana interview. Debra Opri and Vinnie Politan, stay right there.
A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Brand-new bombshell details revealed today about Lindsay Lohan`s future in Hollywood. It`s the headline making interview from the director of Lindsay`s next big movie that you will only see on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually, after all of this happened and the sentence and all the brouhaha, the people who are putting money into the movie redoubled their commitment and called the same day said, you know, "We`re on. We`re doing this. We`re not going to deal with anybody else."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Lindsay`s jail drama. Mel madness with his ex-girlfriend. It`s been one heck of a week for both of them. But who will be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week?
Pink`s death-defying fall on stage. Pink takes a terrible fall during a concert. You`re going to be blown away when I tell you what Pink did while being rushed to the emergency room. 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: Jesse James breaks down in tears during bitter child custody case with porn star ex-wife. Angelina Jolie will attend Comic-Con convention to promote her new movie, "Salt."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hey, welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
You have to see Janet Jackson`s controversial new ad for Blackglama furs. But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Janet is taking a lot of heat for how she`s choosing to stay warm. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just received today the incredible new response to Janet`s ad from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
PETA tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they are outraged at Janet for flip- flopping on her support of fur saying, quote, "You were even wary of wearing fake fur out of concern that it might be real or look real in photos and send the wrong message. You were very straightforward and sensible about it. What happened?"
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reached out today to Janet for a response. She hasn`t gotten back to us as of show time.
All right. An outrageous idea for you. How about a Tiger mistress apprentice? We got some startling news today that Donald Trump might be thinking of hiring Tiger Woods` alleged mistress Rachel Uchitel who could also be firing her, too.
With me here in Hollywood is entertainment journalist, Tanika Ray.
All right. There are tons of reports today that the Donald wants to get Uchitel on his "Celebrity Apprentice" show. So Tanika, I`m thinking that if she can survive the Tiger scandal, Trump might be a piece of cake.
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes. Trump`s a lion though. Don`t get it twisted. He would want us to know that he is going to put down the gauntlet.
ANDERSON: He`s in charge.
RAY: He`s very much in charge. But obviously, you know, she`s the only mistress that we have a smidgen of respect for just because she kept her mouth shut. She got her case. She won her money and she kind of went away.
(CROSS TALK)
I said a smidgen, a smidgen. The other girls are, you know, "pouring out their stories," quote, unquote. So a little bit of respect. But here`s the thing. Obviously, she`s a good businesswoman. She got the right lawyer. She made some money and she kept her mouth shut. So I can see how she can translate that to the Trump world as a celebrity apprentice.
ANDERSON: Well, today, Trump told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he`s talking to a lot of people, but he didn`t rule out Uchitel. Somebody else we may hear Trump might be interested in - Kate Gosselin. So picture this, Tanika. Super mom Kate Gosselin against -
RAY: Super mom, OK. I`ll let you pass that.
ANDERSON: I`ll let you pass on the respect thing.
RAY: There you go.
(CROSS TALK)
ANDERSON: Super mom Kate Gosselin against alleged Tiger Woods mistress Rachel Uchitel.
RAY: I love it.
ANDERSON: Sparks could fly.
RAY: I say we throw them in a ring and let them duke it out. I actually like it. I`d love for Rachel to kick Kate Gosselin`s butt in that "Celebrity Apprentice" show. I do.
But here`s the thing. Trump was genius. Let`s not forget, again - Trump, I`m winning points with you. He`s so good at throwing out all these salacious names just to rile up the interest in his show.
So whether or not they make the show or not, we never will know until the show is ready to air. But I do think those are great choices.
Kate - I don`t know how much of a businesswoman she is. She does run a house of six kids and her seventh being Jon. But when it comes down to it, I just think that`s so juicy and lovely. I mean, we`d all watch it, right?
ANDERSON: She`s got eight kids. So you`ve got to give her a little bit more credit.
RAY: That`s right. That`s right, eight kids. Octomom - I`m getting confused. Mel Gibson -
ANDERSON: A brilliant PR move by Donald Trump.
RAY: Brilliant.
ANDERSON: All right. I`ve got to move now to another big story making big news today. And yes, this one also involves a mistress.
RAY: Exactly.
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned "West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin will be making a movie about John Edwards` life. Still time for a showbiz casting call here. Tanika, here are three possibilities to play Edwards.
RAY: Yes.
ANDERSON: These are all actors who have dealt with their own sex and love scandals.
(CROSS TALK)
They can relate. One possibility - Rob Lowe, that infamous sex tape he had.
RAY: Yes. I like that.
ANDERSON: Eddie Cibrian -
RAY: Yes.
ANDERSON: Left his wife for LeAnn Rimes. Hugh Grant - you know his prostitute scandal he could never past him.
RAY: Absolutely.
ANDERSON: Who would you cast?
RAY: Well, they`re all so good. I have to rule out Hugh Grant from the onset because he`s British. Come on. We need an American guy to play John Edwards. I loved Rob Lowe and the fact that Aaron Sorkin might be directing it and he`s writing it.
They have a past together with "West Wing." That seems to be genius. He`s got that wasp, the arrogant Ivy League thing going for him.
ANDERSON: I`m going with Rob Lowe as well.
RAY: But you don`t have to say. I have to say, Debra said in the makeup room. I mean, I`ll pull her into this. She said that Tom Cruise could maybe knock that out of the ballpark.
ANDERSON: Possibly.
RAY: I don`t think that Tom Cruise -
ANDERSON: Let`s put Tom Cruise in the mix.
RAY: Let`s put Tom Cruise in there.
ANDERSON: Tanika Ray, thank you so much. All right, a "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" exclusive - the countdown Lohan. In just four days, Lindsay Lohan is going to jail. But the director of Lindsay`s brand-new movie reveals exclusively to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Lindsay`s acting career is still red hot.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has another bombshell exclusive today. The mother of Mel Gibson`s love child first ever television interview. It`s the lost Oksana interview revealed today.
And lovelorn for Levi. The heartbreak across the land today now that Levi Johnston is engaged to Bristol Palin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Levi, you, dog. How could you just dump Kathy?
KATHY GRIFFIN, COMEDIENNE: I`m just going to be looking at his beautiful chocolate eyes all night and waiting for magic to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: 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: George Clooney testifies in Italian court regarding fraudulent use of his name. Jane Lynch`s "Glee" character to become wax figure at Madame Tussauds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ACTOR: My dreams - they feel real while we`re in them, right? It`s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The reviews are in and the overwhelming response today is that the new movie, "Inception," in theaters right now, is going to be the breakout hit of the summer.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the film, all about dreams. And today, Leo reveals a bombshell of his dreams of becoming a dad.
Leonardo DiCaprio`s on-again-off-again relationship with supermodel Bar Refaeli is red hot on again. While Leo is staying mum on reports that he and Bar might tie the knot this fall, he reveals in an interview out today that he dreams of becoming a dad one day, plus, why he really wants to be like Robert De Niro.
"Do I want to be a father? Yes, but I think I have a few more years. I want to be an actor just like my role models. Robert De Niro for example. Being discreet in his private life has allowed him to be even more credible in different roles on the big screen."
Leo`s getting some fatherhood practice. He plays one in "Inception" which is in theaters now.
All right, the "Showbiz on Call" phone lines have been blowing up today. People fired up about Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston`s bombshell engagement announcement. Jenny from Tennessee is just plain thrilled.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
JENNY, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: I`m so happy to see that Bristol and Levi are going to get married. I think this is the most mature thing that they have done since they hit the airwaves.
And hopefully, Sarah would do the most Christian thing she can do - is to embrace Levi and stay out of their marriage and not try to use their marriage as a political platform.
I`m so happy for them. I wished them well. And hey, maybe they should get a new reality show and make the big bucks like Kate and her eight.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you so much, jenny. Call us at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888- 728-2899. Leave a voicemail. We`ll play some of your calls right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - dramatic new Lindsay Lohan revelations from the director of her new film. The controversial claim today that even though Lindsay may be heading to jail, her Hollywood acting career is on the rise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely 100 percent. This is somebody that you will see soaring in the aftermath of this. You`re going to see incredible stuff that we haven`t seen yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Plus, another bombshell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - the lost interview of Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend just found today. Oksana`s first television interview ever exclusively on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Pink`s death-defying dramatic fall on stage. You won`t believe what Pink did after the fall while being rushed to the hospital. 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: Aerosmith`s Joe Perry sustains minor injuries following motorcycle crash. Beam me up! New official "Star Trek" Web site launched.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - two big SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusives. The lost interview of Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend. Oksana Grigorieva in her first television interview ever exclusively on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And another SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. Days before Lindsay Lohan goes to jail, dramatic new revelations today about Lindsay`s future from the director of her new film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually, after all of this happened and the sentence and all the brouhaha, the people who are putting money into the movie redoubled their commitment and called the same day said, you know, "We`re on. We`re doing this. We`re not going to deal with anybody else."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The controversial claim today that jail won`t hurt Lindsay`s star power at all.
And who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name the most provocative celebrity the week? Were the alleged Mel Gibson audiotapes more provocative than Bristol Palin`s engagement surprise?
Plus, breaking today in the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - Melissa Etheridge makes a brand new slam on her ex. And Amy Winehouse`s big return.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." It is 30 minute past the hour. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news braking today.
Two - I tell you - two big SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusives about two of the biggest stories out there. Big revelations about Lindsay Lohan by the director her next movie, "Inferno," playing porn star, Linda Lovelace. It`s a SHOWBIZ exclusive. We go one-on-one with the director who dropped some big time bombshells today about Lindsay. They`re halting production on the movie and waiting for Lindsay to get out of jail. But why?
Also, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing today the lost interview with Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend. They may be locked in a nasty custody battle now. But before the alleged tape rants and court appearances, Oksana Grigorieva was gaga for Mel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m just wondering if you have plans to get married.
GRIGORIEVA: We don`t know yet, you know, but I`ll tell you if we will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She`s open. She`s unguarded. Wait until you hear how she opens up about Mel.
Right now, in Hollywood, Debra Opri, who is a family law attorney. Right now, in Atlanta, Vinnie Politan who is a host for "In Session" on Tru TV.
We`ve got to start with this incredible interview with Mel`s ex- girlfriend, the lost interview. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got the first TV interview with Oksana in April 2009, back when she released her new album, an album Mel Gibson produced on his label.
Oh, and she was pregnant with their child at the time. Watch how she responded when asked how Mel had impacted her life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIGORIEVA: He`s an incredible artist as you know, a visionary. He enabled me to produce this album for my music to live. Besides, he directed four incredible videos. It`s very rare. It`s truly a gift from above. And he`s believed and his company`s believed me. It`s very touching.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Vinnie, when we hear the raging tapes of the man suspected of being Mel now, I`ve got to wonder, how could it have gotten so wrong in just a year?
POLITAN: Yes. Well, we see these things happening. What`s interesting here is her choice of words, "Mel enabled me to do this." Well, how did he enable? Did he fund the whole project?
And the problem here, though, is what`s really going on in the relationship. Why did things sour? Was it all Mel`s doing? Was it her doing? We don`t know details of all that. The only thing we know is what we hear on those tapes, if they`re authentic. And it doesn`t sound good for Mel Gibson at all.
ANDERSON: Debra, she was smitten just about a year ago. What in the world happened?
OPRI: She was in love. And something happened to rock the boat. It takes two to tango -
ANDERSON: Yes.
OPRI: In a court of law and as well in a relationship. And the fact is, they had a mediated settlement for custody and support of that child in May. So what fell apart in the past two months, I can only state that those tapes had played a big hand in it.
ANDERSON: And it didn`t just fall apart. It fell apart in spectacular fashion. My goodness. So now, we have these outlandish, violent, horrible tapes released by "Radar Online" allegedly of Mel Gibson threatening, berating Oksana and even saying how mad he is that he pumped so much money into her music career. Listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): I spent more than $5 million on you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): That`s not on me. And that was signed. I was trying to -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Say thank you!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): That was signed to the record label.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Say thank you now!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (allegedly Oksana Grigorieva): I always said thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (allegedly Mel Gibson): Yes, right now.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: "SNL" is going to have a field day with that one. All right. Now, contrast that with the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT lost interview with Oksana back in 2009. She had a much different story about working with Mel on the album for his label, "Icon." Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIGORIEVA: He heard my music first and that`s how I got invited to come in to Icon. And he didn`t jump into it right away. He wanted to explore more and understand. And then we started working together. He really liked the project because I already had all the songs pretty much conceptualized. Yes, it`s incredible. It`s amazing. Very lucky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Boy, it was all butterflies and unicorns back then. Vinnie, Oksana denies releasing the explosive tapes allegedly of Mel ranting and her character really being questioned. After seeing the SHOWBIZ lost interview, do you have any more insight into Oksana?
POLITAN: I have a lot of insight into the relationship. I was in the music business. And you know what? I don`t think Mel necessarily thought she was that talented in terms of music.
This is someone that used her to get close to her maybe because he had a crush on her, wanted to be her. And maybe the problem here is that they came together in one pretense and maybe they didn`t exactly see things the same way.
He saw a beautiful young woman. She saw a career, a great recording career. And you know, things fell apart. That tells me a lot, that interview.
ANDERSON: Yes. And Mel allegedly, you know, said on those tapes exactly what he thought of her career and her talent and that is he didn`t think she had any talent.
OK. I do have to move now to another explosive and exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT interview today. Is Lindsay Lohan a big, bankable movie star?
Well, the director of her next movie, "Inferno," says she is. On Tuesday, Lindsay is scheduled to start her 90-day jail sentence. And production on "Inferno" has come to a grinding halt. Even with reports that Lindsay`s always late and difficult on the set, the "Inferno" crew will wait for Lindsay.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter spoke with the director of the film and asked why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (on camera): So when it comes to "Inferno," you`re not recasting her role.
MATTHEW WILDER, DIRECTOR, "INFERNO": Absolutely not.
WYNTER: Finances are still there.
WILDER: Certainly there.
WYNTER: So people are still backing this project.
WILDER: I hope so.
WYNTER: But what about rescheduling things around, you know, her jail and rehab stint?
WILDER: You know, we were just talking about that yesterday. I mean, I think the way that it - things to be shaping up, I think, that all that stuff will be done probably around Thanksgiving time.
It`s not really a lot of trouble to us. And actually, after all this happened, and the sentence and all the brouhaha, the people who are putting money into the movie redoubled their commitment.
WYNTER: With the work that you`ve done so far with her, how would you describe her work ethic?
WILDER: Her work ethic. I don`t know - I don`t know if I would describe work in ethical terms. I would just say -
WYNTER: In terms of (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Is she punctual?
WILDER: I don`t think so. I don`t see her as really being any different from other people who doesn`t - certainly doesn`t like torture me more than, you know, other people have with the contract.
WYNTER: Yes. Would you believe I spoke with someone who manages a lot of top talents in the city? And he said, "You know what? Don`t write her off. She`s still bankable. She`s going to be marketable when she gets out." Would you say?
WILDER: Absolutely, 100 percent. This is somebody that you will see soaring in the aftermath of this. You`re going to see incredible stuff that you haven`t seen yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I`ve got to tell you, late today, we got confirmation that former O.J. Simpson attorney, Robert Shapiro, is representing Lindsay Lohan.
In a statement, he says, quote, "I have agreed to represent Ms. Lohan on the condition that she complies with all of the terms of her probation, including a requirement of jail time that was imposed by Judge Marsha Revel. Ms. Lohan is suffering from a disease that I am all too familiar with. Hopefully, I can be of assistance to Ms. Lohan and Judge Revel in implementing a treatment approach recommended by medical professionals for Ms. Lohan`s long-term recovery and sobriety." Deborah, is this a good sign for Lindsay?
OPRI: It`s a good sign for Lindsay, but with all do respect, it`s a no- brainer. All you do is walk her into court and say, "We`re surrendering." The hard part is over. And it`s - I don`t mean this to be in any funny way. But seriously, this woman is going into a facility that`s combed by Mr. Shapiro. And we have to ask if the facility is court-approved -
ANDERSON: Right.
OPRI: Restrictive. Monitoring -
ANDERSON: They`re monitoring the conditions -
OPRI: Yes.
ANDERSON: That I`m sure that Shapiro is looking into all of those right now. OK. We`re going to have to wrap it up for now. But we will continue this conversation. Debra Opri, Vinnie Politan, thank you both for your insight.
All right. Stunning news today that the newly engaged Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin might be getting their own reality show.
And hearts break across the country now that we know Levi is ready to give up bachelorhood. No one more upset than Levi`s supposed ex- girlfriend, Kathy Griffin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Levi, you dog. How could you just dump Kathy.
GRIFFIN: I`m just going to be looking in his beautiful chocolate eyes all night and waiting for magic to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Why Levi Johnston left Kathy Griffin and millions of others around the world brokenhearted. And Levi`s fiancee, Bristol Palin, made a bold step towards being named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. But will her Sunday night engagement outdo Mel Gibson and those shocking rants? I doubt it.
And Pink`s dramatic fall caught on tape. Brand-new video of the singer falling off stage and into a metal barricade. Ouch. 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: Melissa Etheridge claims ex Tammy using their kids as "pawns" in child custody battle. New Amy Winehouse album due to drop January 2011, her first in four years!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PINK, POP STAR: Oh. That (EXPLETIVE DELETED) hurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with dramatic new video today of Pink`s scary fall. We know Pink is an amazing aerialist. But in the middle of her concert in Germany on Thursday, Pink`s harness malfunctioned and she fell on top of the police barricade. Ouch.
She was immediately rushed to the hospital in ambulance. But Pink`s pretty tough. She tweeted the whole way to the hospital.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. And we`re going to have more of Pink`s caught-on-tape tumble in just a moment.
But first, big news breaking today - Bristol and Levi`s reality check? Are Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston getting a reality show together?
A brand-new report out today says the couple is reportedly closing in on a deal to do a show about their lives with their two-year-old son, Tripp.
And in more breaking Bristol news today, she says she wants more kids eventually. She tells "People.com" she`s not in a hurry but definitely wants more.
Also, today, Levi`s mom Sherry says she`d be devastated if she`s not invited to their wedding telling "Inside Edition" that would be the last straw.
Well, I can tell you that the news that Levi got engaged to Bristol left so many people heartbroken, no one more so than Levi`s supposed ex- girlfriend, Kathy Griffin. Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS (voice-over): She is heartbroken over news of the engagement between Bristol and Levi. No, not Sarah Palin. We mean Kathy Griffin.
GRIFFIN: My lover, Levi. I woke up this morning in your arms, spooning.
MOOS: So, what if she made it all up? Her imaginary affair with Levi is part of her comedy shtick with her playing off his "Vanity Fair" photo shoot on the ledge of a building.
LEVI JOHNSTON, BRISTOL PALIN`S FIANCE: I was all harnessed up, but yes, it was a little scary.
GRIFFIN: By the way, we`re going to recreate that later tonight at my place.
MOOS: Or going ice fishing with Levi. Part of her "Life on the D-List" reality show.
GRIFFIN: Holding Levi close, I realize this is where I`m meant to be. For three days. And then get me the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of here.
MOOS: And now, she`s forced to hear Levi gushing about his fiancee, Bristol, and their baby.
JOHNSTON: I love them both very much.
MOOS: No wonder Kathy Griffin has posted her suffering on her Web site.
(MUSIC)
Poring over Levi`s "Playgirl" spread while listening to a tearjerker by Celine Dion.
(MUSIC)
Ripping out Levi`s pictures. But Kathy Griffin wasn`t the only one thrown for a loop.
(on camera): This cover is how Levi`s own sister and mother discovered that he`s engaged to Bristol Palin.
(voice-over): In a post entitled, "Who needs coffee when you wake up to news this shocking?" Levi`s sister, Mercedes, blogged about how her crying mother woke up with the cover of "Us Weekly" on her lap top, "Not exactly the image I wanted to come face-to-face with when I first opened my eyes."
There seems to be bad blood between the Johnstons and the Palins but the Johnstons still want to be invited to the wedding. Levi`s mom told "Inside Edition," "Don`t leave us out of it. That would kill me." But its` not just women mourning the news of Levi getting married.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think Levi`s really hot. I`m pretty jealous.
MOOS: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Major crush.
MOOS: Levi may be hot, but Kathy Griffin is already moving on to another hottie, Taylor Lautner, from the "Twilight" films. Levi, you dog, how could you just dump Kathy?
GRIFFIN: I`m just going to be looking at those beautiful chocolate eyes all night and waiting for magic to happen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about you?
JOHNSTON: I`ll do the same thing.
MOOS: A man of few words, but "I do" will apparently be among them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. All right. Bristol and Levi`s engagement had our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall burning up after we asked if Sarah Palin should accept Levi Johnston`s apology now.
Lisa I. says who needs Sarah when they`re already engaged? "Does it really matter? That`s what they want, to be married and they are old enough to make their decisions now. Sarah Palin`s approval is not needed."
But Amanda D. says Sarah Palin should consider giving in, "She should accept his apology lest she push her daughter away. It does not mean, however, that she has to trust or like the guy. Cautious optimism."
Join the debate on Facebook, go behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter. Call us at "Showbiz on Call" and there`s E-mail. "Showbiz Connects" at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight.
Now, onto more stories making big news today. Pink survived a harrowing fall on stage in Germany. It`s all caught on tape. Plus, more courtroom drama for "Dancing with the Stars" finalists Erin Andrews. Those stories and more in "The Buzz" today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Pink`s stunning accident caught on camera. The rocker wiped out while performing a stunt during a concert in Germany. The scary moment was posted on YouTube. The singer couldn`t go on and was taken to the hospital.
She apologized to her fans via Twitter, saying, "I am so sorry to end the show that way. I hope it at least looked cool." But she added that she is OK, tweeting, "Nothing is broken. No fluid in the lungs, just seriously sore."
Erin Andrews strikes back. The ESPN reporter has just filed lawsuit, mainly those she claims are to blame for her stalker secretly videotaping her in various hotel rooms. The suit links two hotel chains.
Andrews` lawsuit claims they violated her privacy by giving out her room numbers at different motels which she says allowed the stalker to book an adjoining room. The convicted stalker, Michael Barrett, is also named in the suit and is now serving 30 months in prison.
An extortion victory for John Stamos. A Michigan couple was just convicted of trying to extort some $700,000 from the "E.R." star. A jury found them guilty of threatening to release pictures they claimed they had of Stamos with cocaine and strippers. They now face up to nine years in prison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
John Stamos definitely not going to be made SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. But who will. It could be Mel Gibson for being linked to disgusting rants caught on tape, although Bristol Palin did get engaged behind Sarah Palin`s back. But who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name the most provocative celebrity of the week? 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: Naomi Campbell testimony in war crimes tribunal postponed. "The Hills" series finale draws a record-breaking three million viewers for the show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Come on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love you, guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re kind of a nightmare.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Maybe, Charles, maybe. It is finally time for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. So who will it be? Mel Gibson for the alleged racial and abusive rants caught on tape? Or could it be Lindsay Lohan for possibly checking herself into rehab days before going jail? Or is it Bristol Palin for getting engaged to Levi Johnston and not telling her mom, Sarah Palin?
Right now, in Hollywood is Tanika Ray who is an entertainment journalist.
Hey, Tanika, our production assistant, Joan Yeam told me today that this week`s choice is not as clear cut as one might think. So what do you think? Do Lindsay or Bristol - does either one of them have a chance?
RAY: Let me break it down for you.
ANDERSON: Yes.
RAY: I don`t know. I think Bristol kind of broke the mold when she was an unwed teenage mom. I think that was the most provocative that she could ever sort of perform, so I`m kind of throwing her out of the mix.
Lindsay, been there, done that. It`s a train wreck. You`ve seen it before, so it`s not provocative. It`s redundant with Britney Spears and all those people.
ANDERSON: You`re bored.
RAY: I`m bored. Mel Gibson, honey, get it together. Get off of the liquor. Get your life together. Yes, you called her all of these horrible names. Obviously, that`s what attracted you in first place. He`s a complete (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
ANDERSON: If it is him on these tapes -
RAY: It`s him, Brooke.
(CROSS TALK)
RAY: It`s him. It might be darker, but he`s still a jerk when it comes down to it.
ANDERSON: And I don`t disagree. All right. Without further ado, we`ve got to make it official, Tanika. Charles, let`s see who SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names most provocative celebrity of the week. You know who it is. Mel Gibson.
RAY: What did I tell you?
ANDERSON: Mel Gibson, hands down. Now, I will repeat. We don`t know if it is Mel on these tapes. But his association with the story -
RAY: Still a jerk.
ANDERSON: Provoked endless controversies. So you agree, we got it right?
RAY: Absolutely. I mean, just anybody who spews venom like that, it`s just - they need some help. And I know he`s got a lot of money. Once again, he`s proven that all the money in the world does not buy you happiness.
ANDERSON: And I think he`s got a major uphill PR battle.
RAY: Oh, certainly.
ANDERSON: I`m talking Mt. Everest type.
RAY: Why would you even want to come back into Hollywood? Just go off. Spend your money. Go get your, like, you know - go do some yoga and get yourself together. I just don`t understand why he even needs to do another movie.
ANDERSON: Reflect on the issue. All right. Tanika Ray, thank you so much.
Hey, Thursday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. I just received the startling final results - "Sarah Palin: Should she forgive Levi Johnston?" Sixty-nine percent say, yes. Thirty-one percent of you say no.
Some of the E-mails. Victoria from Alaska writes, "I hope Levi is serious about becoming a husband and father. This is the last frontier, Bud, and your mother-in-law, your son`s grandmother, is a powerful force here."
Joanne from Rhode Island says, "Sarah Palin should forgive Levi for one reason only, because she loves her daughter."
We appreciate your E-mail. Keep them coming. And that`s a wrap for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now live at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. Don`t forget, 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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