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Showbiz Tonight
Shocking Hoaxes; Getting off Easy?; Leann`s Cheating War; Kim Sex Doll? M-Word Sex Talk Backlash
Aired September 17, 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, HLN ANCHOR: Big news, breaking today, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Shocking hoaxes: The woman who became famous after claiming she was the victim of an acid attack, admitting today she made it all up.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, with her Oprah connection, is that why she confessed? But wait there`s more.
The rap on Joaquin Phoenix`s bizarre rap star acts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ACTOR: Wait a minute, I`m a mountain top water trap.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Come on, Joaquin. You know you were faking. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the revealing truth.
Leann Rimes` incredible cheating confession war; Leann Rimes` startling counterattack today after a big talk show host calls her sloppy.
Big Oprah news today: Oprah Winfrey`s incredible move that could settle the controversy over giving her audience a free trip to Australia.
Paris Hilton, getting off easy? Surprising reports today about how Paris Hilton could get a stay-out-of-jail card related to those cocaine charges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today.
Shocking hoaxes -- SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today of two incredible hoaxes. We begin with the woman who became a worldwide celebrity after claiming a stranger tossed acid in her face.
But there has been a startling revelation today that she may not have been attacked and may have tossed the acid into her own face. For the very first time today Oprah Winfrey`s show is speaking out about a possible Oprah connection.
Did the woman decide to fess up after canceling on Oprah? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the burning questions about the chilling hoax.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It was first portrayed as a horrific crime and an inspiring tale of perseverance.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She says a complete stranger threw acid on her face.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now she is showing her strength once again.
HAMMER: And today, it`s shocking news of an outrageous hoax.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An acid hoax.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She apparently did it to herself.
HAMMER: Today the whole nation is reacting to the incredible revelation from Bethany Storro. She got worldwide sympathy and a booking on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for surviving what she said was a brutal acid attack.
Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that she admits she made it all up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ms. Storro admitted that her injuries were self-inflicted.
HAMMER: On the "Today" show this morning a police official revealed that Storro is distraught.
MARLA SCHUMAN, VANCOUVER POLICE COMMANDER: She was visibly upset; shaking, crying, very sad, very sad little girl. Most of us just don`t know or understand how anybody can be in that state of mind and inflict such -- what had to be obviously incredible pain upon themselves.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you whether it was a desperate attack by a troubled woman, or a cynical attempt at fame and fortune, the acid attack that wasn`t, is the latest case of someone using the media to take our sympathy for a ride.
KIM SERAFIN, IN TOUCH WEEKLY: So many people not just around the country but around the world watched this play out on TV. I think people just feel duped.
HAMMER: The story horrified the nation. On the evening of August 30th, Storro a pretty 28-year-old said she stopped at this Starbucks in Vancouver, Washington.
SERAFIN: Bethany said that what happened was that as she was walking in, a woman, an African-American woman, who had her hair slicked back in a ponytail, came up to her and said, "Hey, pretty girl, do you want to drink this?" Holding a cup, and then threw acid in her face.
BETHANY STORRO, FALSELY CLAIMED TO BE AN ATTACK VICTIM: My heart stopped. I almost passed out.
HAMMER: And after undergoing agonizing surgery, Storro bravely faced cameras and shared with the world graphic details about her ordeal.
STORRO: And I could actually hear it bubbling and sizzling in my skin.
HAMMER: Storro inspired us all with her humor.
STORRO: I`m trying to stay positive, and I`m a happy person. I like making others laugh, because I`m just hilarious. I mean, hello.
HAMMER: And she amazed us with her willingness to forgive.
STORRO: In time I`m going to forgive her, because if I don`t then it`s hard to move on with my life.
SERAFIN: This woman just dealt with something so horrible in such a good way and that she was such an inspiration really.
HAMMER: People moved by Storro`s ordeal planned fund-raisers for her. She was even booked on Oprah. But today producers of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" confirmed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Storro abruptly canceled her scheduled appearance on the program a few days ago just as whispers her story maybe bogus were starting to get louder. And police officials say after they searched her house she came clean.
SGT. SCOTT CREAGER, VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT: We presented her with some of the discrepancies that have come up in this investigation. She ultimately described her injuries and described to the detectives what happened.
HAMMER: Sadly this isn`t the first time the nation`s sympathy turned out to be misplaced. Who can forget last year when the entire nation watched on live TV that runaway balloon and feared a 6-year-old boy was trapped inside only to find out later that he was safe at home the whole time, put up to the hoax by a father desperate to land a reality show.
SERAFIN: When somebody has their sympathies betrayed like this, it just makes you harder inside.
HAMMER: "In Touch Weekly`s" Kim Serafin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT like the balloon boy hoax, the story of the false acid attack has America feeling betrayed.
SERAFIN: It`s really a shame, because when something like this happens, all the people who really just open their hearts and maybe open their wallets now might think twice before doing that again the next time they hear a story about a victim like this.
HAMMER: So now, the story of an innocent victim of an acid attack has now become something just as tragic. The story of a sad, young woman with obvious problems and a country that may have just become a little more cynical.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And think about it. This woman is going to have to live with this hoax of a story for the rest of her life.
With me in New York, Sam Rubin, Sam is the entertainment reporter for KTLA TV. He`s also the host of "Hollywood, Uncensored with Sam Rubin" on ReelzChannel. From Hollywood, it`s Tanika Ray, who is an entertainment journalist.
This whole story is just really sad. Obviously this is a woman with some major problems. But Sam, I think it is perfectly understandable that the nation just feels betrayed yet again.
SAM RUBIN, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER, KTLA-TV: I tell you what though -- in a strange way, I`m thinking much more about what prompts our culture to make people do this. I think the fact of the matter is people think the brass ring is a reality show.
HAMMER: Sure.
RUBIN: -- is guesting with Oprah.
So, yes, she has duped the country, but what is it about our culture that motivates these people -- and we`re learning more and more of the balloon boy`s father -- it`s -- I think it`s probably the tip of the iceberg.
I think other people are going to make these same sad attempts. This -- this desperation for attention --
HAMMER: Yes --
RUBIN: -- and the idea that lights and cameras and all this is the most important thing of all.
HAMMER: Yes, it is seeming to me to be something that feeds on itself. That`s a terrific point. I`m just glad it didn`t get to the point where this woman was actually there sitting on Oprah`s couch telling her story to the whole world.
TANIKA RAY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Yes.
HAMMER: Now, Oprah is confirming to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that the woman canceled her planned appearance last week.
Tanika, are you with me? I mean, that -- that would have made things so much worse.
RAY: Oh this woman finally came to her senses when it came to going on Oprah. Oprah would have verbally filleted her. So I`m happy that she had a moment of sanity. I`m just so sick of these people who are desperate for fame, which is pathetic anyway, blaming it on some random African-American person. It`s so pedestrian. I`m sick of it.
Get a clue, lady. Apparently she`s -- and this is my amateur analysis, somewhat of a lunatic and she needs to get it together.
HAMMER: All right, well, clearly she does have some issues and let`s all hope that she`s dealing with those right now.
And let`s move now from one awful and sad hoax to another hoax that`s just, well, kind of ridiculous. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter is in Hollywood.
Kareen, tell us about the big Hollywood hoax pulled off by Joaquin Phoenix, even though I`ve got to say, a lot of us had a feeling about what he was up to, to begin with.
KAREEN WINTER, HLN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we -- we actually did. We did. Well, A.J., for the past couple of years, Joaquin, he`s been acting like well, a bizarre actor, saying he`s quit acting. And then there was that infamous appearance on Letterman. Remember that? It was in February of last year.
And let me tell you, Letterman let Joaquin have it. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": What can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber? Is this a little joke? And I heard that -- that you were leaving acting? And I said to myself, that`s too bad, because you`re great.
So here`s my hope that after some time off, and I think you`re taking a little time off tonight --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: Ok.
So Joaquin who was shooting a documentary about his new strange life, it`s directed by Casey Affleck and called "I`m Still Here." Well, "The New York Times" revealed just today that Affleck admits the whole thing was a put-on.
But he says, "The idea of hoax never, never entered my mind. We wanted to create a space. You believe what is happening is real."
HAMMER: All right, Kareen, I mean, I don`t know about you and Sam. I`ve got to get your take on this. I don`t care what Casey Affleck says. Did you ever think for a moment, because I know I didn`t, that Joaquin Phoenix had gone off the deep end?
RUBIN: Oh I -- I did think for a moment he had gone off the deep end and I think a lot of people --
HAMMER: You?
RUBIN: Oh yes, I think a --
HAMMER: You`ve been in the studios a long time and you were fooled.
RUBIN: I think a lot of people were fooled. The real dilemma here A.J., is the quality of the movie. The movie isn`t good, and the movie`s not been well-received. If the movie had turned out to be wonderfully entertaining and at the very end you`re like, oh, it`s a hoax, gee, or you know, it`s -- it`s a put-on, or it`s real, the movie`s very depressing, it`s really sad and uncomfortable to watch.
And now with 20/20 hindsight, Joaquin on Letterman, that was a really incredible performance. And lent itself -- they re-ran it last night. And they it lent itself, he`s great you know Letterman jokes, that was -- but the movie`s not brilliant. The reason this has all kind of unraveled is because the end product, the result of the film is bad.
HAMMER: Wow, then what a waste of time.
RAY: Right.
RUBIN: Yes.
HAMMER: And Tanika, I`m thinking this whole hoax thing could really backfire on Joaquin.
RAY: Oh, absolutely. And you know, unfortunately, it isn`t a very good movie. But I think they`re trying a different PR spin. The fact that nobody is really going to see it, maybe they want to say that it`s kind of like "Punk`d" --
HAMMER: Yes.
RAY: But in movie form.
So now go check it out. Now that we`re in on the joke, too --
HAMMER: Yes.
RAY: Let`s see if that works.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Yes but -- but now we`re all out here saying it`s not too good.
Sam Rubin and Tanika Ray --
RAY: I know.
HAMMER: We`ve got to leave there. Thanks, guys.
RUBIN: Thank you.
HAMMER: We do move on now to Leann Rimes` cheating confessions exploding into an incredible war of words today. The country singer`s fired up response to the teeny talk show host who says Leann is doing a bad job of handling her business. I`m telling you this one is about to get real nasty real fast.
Kim Kardashian, sex scandal? Yes and this time it doesn`t involve a tape of any kind. Kim`s fired up response to the way she is being used to sell a sex toy.
Lady Gaga, making a big impact with a brand new video today; it`s Gaga`s unbelievable plea to Congress that could actually help overturn a rule banning gays from the military.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News and View.
Time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn`t realize how hard it would be to say good-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, you know, darling, I don`t think there should be good-byes. Just good night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I hope this is the last time I ever do this. Here we go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What`s going on there? And why did that guy just push Kelly Ripa? He did it so she could help set a world record today. Did you see this?
This morning on "Live with Regis and Kelly," Kelly, guest co-host CNN`s Anderson Cooper and over 300 fans lined up like dominos to fall down to a set of -- to set a new Guinness World Record for the most human dominos. It`s pretty cool. It looks like a lot of fun.
But do you see the guy running around with the camera to record all this for the world record? Couldn`t they spring for an extra camera operator or something?
Well, Guinness does confirm a world record was indeed set and all the mattresses I`m happy to say that were used for this will be donated to charity.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
So could Paris Hilton be getting off easy? There are startling reports today that Paris could get a get-out-of-jail-free card in connection to her cocaine arrest.
But would it be just wrong for Paris to avoid doing any jail time here?
With me in New York, Brian Balthazar, the editor for the Web site, PopGoesTheWeek.com.
We know that Paris Hilton was arrested on felony drug charges last month. That`s when cocaine was found in her purse. Today we`re hearing that when Paris appears in Las Vegas in court on October 27th, she could enter a plea deal and avoid getting jail time altogether.
Brian, it seems to me a lot of people would be pretty ticked off if she gets let off the hook here.
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM: Absolutely, this is the consummate spoiled little rich girl who thinks she`s entitled and above accountability. And this is not going to do her any favors in the big picture.
Every time something happens, it`s always somebody else. It wasn`t mine -- she could be holding it in her hands --
HAMMER: Right.
BALTHAZAR: -- and it`s somebody else`s. And it`s just ridiculous.
HAMMER: Yes, my feeling is as long as, as her punishment or plea deal is on par with what a non-celebrity would get, well, then it`s ok. But I can tell you this latest drug arrest not slowing down Paris one bit.
Oh, no, just today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got a press release which announced Paris is heading to Asia to open a brand-new Paris Hilton store.
Just the thought of that, alone, is criminal.
Brian, I don`t know, do you think there`s anything wrong given her legal troubles right now with her traipsing around the world? Or there`s a perfect reason?
BALTHAZAR: I think it`s business as usual for Paris. I remember though, when she first got out of jail she said she was going to go to Rwanda and do -- do some good work. But you didn`t see her do that, she didn`t actually do that.
HAMMER: No, no.
BALTHAZAR: She`s out spreading -- spreading the brand, and making some money, just being an entitled heiress.
HAMMER: Maybe she`ll sell Bibles in the Paris Hilton store.
BALTHAZAR: Maybe. We`ll see about that.
HAMMER: I`m not exactly sure.
BALTHAZAR: Let`s place our bets after the show.
HAMMER: All right, there is another story that`s making big news today. John Mayer explains why he quit Twitter. Now a lot of people, including his 3.7 million Twitter followers, were just shocked, I tell you, when he just quit the site.
Well, Mayer, just did his first interview about this on Fuse Network`s "A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus". Mayer said that he wanted to make some changes in his life. Watch John.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MAYER, ACTOR: Stage one of getting my life back together is getting rid of Twitter. Stage two is probably getting to the Verizon flip phone. I just want the clamshell phone.
MARK HOPPUS, TV HOST: Right. The old school one.
MAYER: I`m going to go back to the phone and eventually do away with text. Because I feel like if you make somebody have to call you most people will never call you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right. So he`s paring things down, Brian. But why do you think John Mayer has all of sudden had this epiphany that he has to stop tweeting and go back to an old-style non-texting phone?
BALTHAZAR: It`s not the technology that the trouble. It`s his mouth -- his mouth has gotten him into trouble. He should have stopped this maybe six months to a year ago. But you know, the things that he said, he should start with what he`s saying and how he`s saying it.
People -- and I`m reluctant to make a promise like that.
HAMMER: Yes.
BALTHAZAR: Britney Spears once said she wasn`t going to have sex until she got married. And I`m not sure how that went.
HAMMER: Yes, he`s got to be careful not to look like a hypocrite.
BALTHAZAR: Right.
HAMMER: I think John is just trying to protect him from himself at this point, right?
BALTHAZAR: Yes.
HAMMER: Brian Balthazar, thanks so much.
BALTHAZAR: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right.
I`ve got to tell you the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff was not shocked at all when we heard this: Kim Kardashian and a sex scandal. This time, Kim`s sex scandal does not involve a video camera or "Playboy," but a blow-up doll. How about that?
That`s not the only situation Kim`s got today. "Jersey Shore" star "The Situation" could be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week for saying he`s bigger than Kim K.
Will Lady Gaga get the award for her raw meat dress disaster?
Or is it going to be Oprah with the controversy over her Australian trip giveaway?
Watch out, Sarah Palin. Brand new political star is on the rise. And she`s got a sex controversy on her hands.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE O`DONNELL, (R) DELAWARE SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can`t masturbate without lust.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, really?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News and View.
Time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker"; more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Grimm.
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HAMMER: The new "America`s Got Talent" winner Michael Grimm has proven he`s got major talent. And today he reveals to the world he`s got major love for one special lady.
Did you see this? This is fantastic.
Michael Grimm dedicating his winning performance of "When a Man Loves a Woman" to his long-time lady love, Lucy. I`ve got to tell you, a lot of "America`s Got Talent" fans were shocked by underdog Michael`s big win.
Through it all, week after agonizing week, his number one fan, Lucy was right there. Well, Lucy was also right there when Michael sat down with Ellen DeGeneres today. And that`s when the tables turned and it was Lucy who ended up the big winner. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL GRIMM, "AMERICA GOT TALENT" WINNER: She`s been there for me, and, you know, once you find a good woman, you hang on to her. You know? Come here, love.
I want to ask you to be my wife. Will you marry me?
LUCY: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I don`t care how cynical you are, you have got to love that.
All right, let`s move on over to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall right now.
There`s a huge debate going on today about the stunning new political ad featuring Justin Bieber. Is the Biebs being exploited for political purposes? Well, Cheek T. says, "Yes, even if it`s for voting which is a good thing, I think to use someone famous like this is wrong."
Gordon J. posting this saying that Bieber is being exploited. "He probably is being exploited because celebrities can have an impact on politics."
We love for you to join the debate on Facebook. Jump behind the scenes of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT and get your breaking entertainment news alerts on Twitter. You can call us at "Showbiz on Call". And of course, we`re still working on that e-mail. "Showbiz Connects" can be found at CNN.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT.
Time now for the "Showbiz Lineup". Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Leann Rimes and her cheating confession just explodes into an incredible war of words today after talk show host Wendy Williams calls her sloppy.
Big Oprah news today: how Oprah Winfrey plans to settle her Australian trip drama once and for all today.
And speaking of Oprah, will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name her the most provocative celebrity of the week for her giveaway controversy?
Maybe it`s going to be Lady Gage for that raw meat dress drama.
Or will it be "The Situation" for saying he is bigger than Kim Kardashian?
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News and View.
And this is the "Showbiz News Ticker"; these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Leann`s cheating confession war. Leann on the attack today, ticked off after getting slammed by TV talk show host Wendy Williams. It`s on.
Big Oprah news today: Oprah Winfrey`s incredible and generous deal to settle the shocking controversy over giving her audience a free trip to Australia.
Kim Kardashian`s sex doll fury today; why Kim claims she has been violated by an inflatable sex doll.
Plus, breaking today from the "Showbiz News Ticker," Betty White, fashion diva? And Will.I.Am kicks it with Big Bird.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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. And we have big news breaking today. Leann`s cheating war. It is an all-out smack down blowout between Leann Rimes and talk show host Wendy Williams.
Now, Leann came out swinging today after Wendy Williams called her affair with Eddie Cibrian, quote, "sloppy." Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WENDY WILLIAMS, TALK SHOW HOST: Leann now lives with Eddie Cibrian and they have -- he has two sons with his wife who, I mean, you know, there`s another cheating situation going on. I don`t like any of it. It feels uncomfortable to talk about this because I`m the wife so I do judge. It`s all very messy. It`s all very sloppy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, well, Leann Rimes struck back in a scathing tweet today. But the big question is, today, is Leann`s outrage even justified?
Joining me right now from Hollywood is Tanika Ray, she`s an entertainment journalist; with me in New York is Sam Rubin, Sam in an entertainment reporter for KTLA TV. And he`s the host for "Hollywood Uncensored" on the Reelzchannel. Also in Hollywood, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
Kareen, I seriously thought that we had heard the last about Leann cheating on and leaving her husband for her TV movie co-star Eddie Cibrian after her brand new and really candid interview that was just revealed in "Shape" magazine.
Now, she talked very candidly in that interview about why she cheated. And I thought we were done with it.
WYNTER: You know, A.J., I -- I did, too.
But it`s obvious here. Leann -- she couldn`t resist reacting to Wendy Williams` explosive comments. Listen to what she tweeted today, "To say, `I`ve reserved myself for a place in hell?` I`m incredibly disappointed to see someone with that kind of platform, use it for such negativity and could be so mean and judgmental about a situation they know nothing about. I don`t like how it happened either, said it a million times, but this is out of control."
A.J., it sounds like an all-out war here.
HAMMER: Yes, Kareen, it is on.
And look, I totally get where Leann is coming from based on what Wendy said. But I really actually thought that Leann would have been better off not responding to Wendy at all. Some people are saying, "Hey, you know what, Leann, you cheated, you don`t even have the right to be outraged."
What do you think, Sam?
RUBIN: Well, I think actually A.J., your point is very well taken. Probably the best thing to have done would have been to have said nothing. It`s brought added attention to your remark.
HAMMER: Yes.
RUBIN: The fact that Wendy Williams and others certainly would feel this way, I don`t think sloppy is an incorrect adjective.
HAMMER: I think probably they`ll --
RUBIN: No, and I think it`s also fair that Leann, herself, has to a large degree finally own up to it.
HAMMER: Yes.
RUBIN: So this only reignites stuff that I think probably best, for everyone, would have been left in the past.
HAMMER: Yes, sometimes you just walk away.
Tanika, what do you think? Was Leann`s new outrage today totally out of line, or do you think Wendy Williams crossed the line with the way that she called out Leann?
RAY: No, I think Wendy Williams was right on point. And I think messy was a very kind adjective, actually. You know when it comes down to it, Leann has a guilty conscience and she was speaking from there.
And her mother, I mean, at the beginning of it, she said, you piss my mama off. Well, actually, her mom should be upset with Leann, that she was so messy with her marriage. And she is young, she`s learning.
But -- but silence actually speaks volumes and it`s better left for her to just kind of keep it quiet from here on out. Maybe somebody else should close down their Twitter accounts.
HAMMER: Well, look, I`m betting -- I`m betting the message will get back to her and maybe it is the last we`ll now hear from Leann. She got it out there, she talked about what she needed to talk about and maybe she should just move on and let everybody else move on.
That of course is not the only story --
RAY: Big win for Wendy.
HAMMER: Yes -- not the only story making big buzz today. Kelly Preston speaking out about the baby that she and John Travolta are about to have.
And Oprah tops her big Australia giveaway.
Plus the White House gate crashers, the Salahis, are they getting fired from their TV show?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: White House gate crashers fired? It`s just been revealed that Tareq and Michaele Salahi are reportedly getting the boot from Bravo`s "Real Housewives of D.C." PopEater.com reports the pair apparently ticked off show producers by skipping public appearances and telling people Bravo doesn`t want them talking about their White House appearance.
The Network denies they`ve ever told the Salahis what to say.
Kelly Preston`s pregnant bliss: John Travolta`s wife tells "People" magazine her pregnancy is, quote, "Very easy and so wonderful." The 47- year-old is expecting a baby boy to arrive by the end of fall. Preston added that John and their 10-year-old daughter can`t wait for the day to come.
Oprah`s big tax plan: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just learned Oprah Winfrey is not only taking some lucky fans on an all-expenses paid trip to Australia, but she`s paying all the taxes, too.
But some say Oprah learned a big lesson after the fallout of her great car giveaway in 2004. It turns out some audience members couldn`t keep their cars because they couldn`t afford the taxes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, obviously a lesson learned there. I say way to go, Oprah. Sam Rubin, isn`t it about time that people just back off? Oprah is trying to do a good thing here. And I think it is a win/win situation across the --
RUBIN: Absolutely. And there`s no need for criticism here. I think she is doing the appropriate thing. And obviously it was a great way to start off this new farewell season, a very generous thing, a very magnanimous thing to bring all of these people with her. And to pay the tax bill, that makes sense, too.
HAMMER: Yes.
RUBIN: Because I imagine there are people are sitting at that audience, sure, who doesn`t want to go to Australia on a fabulous free trip? Gee, if it`s a $1,200, $1,500 tax bill, they can`t make the trip.
HAMMER: Yes.
RUBIN: I think she did the right thing.
HAMMER: It just blows my mind to this day. Oprah does something and people have to poke, poke, poke away at Oprah Winfrey.
All right, well, now I want to move on to new salacious Salahi news. And the reports today that Bravo is just fed up with these guys and is firing them from "The Real Housewives of D.C."
Tanika, my friend, if those reports are true --
RAY: Yes.
HAMMER: I hear that you are thrilled.
But let`s -- let`s talk about this from a practical standpoint. If you are running this network --
RAY: I`ll try.
HAMMER: -- if you were producing this TV show, why get rid of your most controversial couple? I mean, is that not the most important part of a good reality show?
RAY: Well, it will be great if they were controversial and interesting, but they`re not. As I said on this show when it was about to premiere, I will not be watching "Real Housewives of D.C." They`re annoying and they turned me off of that entire show.
And they`re the worst rated show of all the "Real Housewives." And I think it`s because of the Salahis. Everyone else agrees with me. Annoying enough, let`s move on to the Beverly Hills. That`s going to be so good.
RUBIN: I think that will be good. And you know what, there`s got to be more than two dozen of these TV housewives who sort of are under contract at Bravo. And one thing that reality stars forget very quickly is it`s very often -- and particularly in the case the "Real Housewives", the franchise is much bigger than any individual housewife.
RAY: Yes.
RUBIN: And --
RAY: Yes.
RUBIN: -- you know, they really do want to kind of keep these people under their direction. And if they skip appearances, the whole point of having these shows is it`s a giant promotion. If they won`t do the promotional appearances, out they go. That`s no surprise to me.
HAMMER: But -- but here`s the thing. The "Real Housewives of New Jersey" had that Danielle Staub. She`s off the show. She was the epicenter of controversy. And for better or for worse, I believe she was the reason that a lot of people tuned in to that.
Now, won`t they be potentially facing the same problem with the Salahis off the show? I mean, I hear Tanika`s not going to be tuning in or maybe she`ll tune in now. I don`t know.
RUBIN: Well, I think sometimes --
RAY: Maybe.
RUBIN: -- these things create opportunity. And there`s an adage that`s applicable in show business as in everyone else. Life is too short and you don`t want to deal with Danielle Staub every single day --
HAMMER: Yes.
RUBIN: -- working on that show or being her colleagues. I think you can replace the Salahis -- I think --
HAMMER: Here`s the truth and let me just be perfectly honest here.
RUBIN: Sure.
HAMMER: I -- I completely agree. I don`t believe people have any right to be that obnoxious or -- or -- or get that carried away with themselves and people shouldn`t have to deal with that for the sake of a TV show. So good riddance, Salahis.
RAY: Bravo created kind of a monster with Danielle Staub -- Danielle Staub and once the monster takes over they get cut from the show, which makes a lot of sense. It`s about the franchise, not the individuals. So salute to you, Bravo.
RUBIN: The problem -- the problem is now Tanika for whoever`s going to be picking her up, the monster is on the loose.
HAMMER: Sam Rubin and Tanika Ray, Kareen Wynter, thank you, guys, I appreciate it.
All right, let`s move on to Kim Kardashian. Why not? She`s no prude, right? She has flaunted her most famous assets in "Playboy". But today Kim is caught up in a sexy controversy. And boy, is she just furious.
Kim`s sex doll war -- Kim claims she`s been violated by an inflatable sex doll. If that`s not enough, Kim`s got another situation to deal with today, this guy, "Jersey Shore`s" "The Situation."
A nominee for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week" for saying he`s bigger than Kim K.
Or are we going to name Lady Gaga for that meat couture dress that she chose to wear at the VMAs? Or maybe it`s going to be Oprah Winfrey for her Australia trip giveaway controversy.
Well, Sarah Palin, you want to watch out, there`s a new political star just nipping at your heels today. And she is involved in a sex controversy.
But we can`t even repeat what Republican hot shot Christine O`Donnell said on TV. This is a family show, after all.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, TALK SHOW HOST: I have a feeling Christine O`Donnell opposes masturbation the same way Bristol Palin opposes premarital sex.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All right, Jimmy.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News and Views.
Now the "Showbiz News Ticker"; more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTY WHITE, ACTESS: All right, everyone, listen up. I`m Betty (EXPLETIVE DELETED) White.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today.
Who will SHOWBIZ TONIGHT name as the "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week?" Will it be Lady Gaga for her meat couture? Or will we name Oprah Winfrey, the controversy over her Australia trip giveaway? Or will we name "Jersey Shore`s" "The Situation" for saying he`s bigger than Kim Kardashian?
Well, you are mere moments away from the big reveal.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
A Kim Kardashian sex doll, could it be? Big news breaking today, as Kim Kardashian blows up over a blow-up doll that seems to have been inspired by her. In fact, Kim is so furious her attorney just issued a cease-and-desist order to the company that makes the doll.
But I`ve got to ask, should Kim really be surprised that the sex doll is out there? Right now in New York is Brian Balthazar, he`s the editor of PopGoesTheWeek.com. With me in New York, Megan Alexander, who is correspondent for "Inside Edition".
Well, the sex doll in question is called -- let me make sure, I get this right -- "The Kinky Kim Filthy Love Doll." On the box, I am told, I have not seen it myself, there`s an image of a woman looks a heck of a lot like Kim Kardashian with a description to match.
Now we know Kim`s whole career has been built around her sexuality. She even posed for "Playboy", she had the sex tape. Megan, does she have any right to be upset here?
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think you can look at this in two different ways. First, she never gave permission for this doll. So she has a right to be upset. She has the right to legally say, you cannot use my image.
But then the other argument is, she has continually projected a very sexy image to the public.
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: It started with the explicit tape. It moved on to "Playboy". So should she be surprised? Some would say no. But again, she didn`t give permission.
HAMMER: Right, maybe it`s going to work out like the sex tape did and maybe she`ll say, "ok, well, you can do this, you just need to give me a cut", and she`ll be capitalizing on her sexuality once again.
Even though Kim continues to be famous for being the sex symbol, Brian, can you understand why she feels so violated by this sex doll?
BALTHAZAR: Oh sure, I`m sure it`s a little creepy. But remember, this is not the Kim Kardashian known for her missionary work.
ALEXANDER: Right.
BALTHAZAR: This is the Kim Kardashian who has put herself out there as an object of a man`s desire. And suddenly she`s the object of a man`s desire and she doesn`t like it.
I get that she`s going to fight it. I understand that. But don`t be stunned. Don`t be shocked that you`re Kim Kardashian.
HAMMER: All right, well, let`s move on to a celebrity doing something good.
It`s Lady Gaga she`s making big news today -- Gaga going political. She has a brand new video that was posted on her Web site today. In this thing Lady Gaga pleads with her fans to write and call their senators to demand they vote to repeal the military`s "don`t ask, don`t tell" policy.
Let`s take a look at Gaga.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LADY GAGA, SINGER: I am here to be a voice for my generation, not the generation of the senators who are voting, but for the youth of this country, the generation that is affected by this law and whose children will be affected. We are not asking you to agree with or approve the moral implications of homosexuality. We`re asking you to do your job, to protect the Constitution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I give Gaga a lot of credit, she has been relentlessly fighting for the rights of gays in the military and this week she even got positive responses from Nevada Senator Harry Reid and New York Senators Kristen Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer.
So -- so far those are the people who are responding. And Megan, I actually think if anybody can make a difference given her popularity, Gaga can.
ALEXANDER: Look, she`s a force to be reckoned with. She`s passionate about this issue.
A.J., the only thing I see is she needs to be taken seriously when you delve into politics or serious issues. I think she`s right on the verge of sometimes she`s just too much with her image of --
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: -- being taken as a joke, versus being taken seriously.
So we`ll see if she continues.
HAMMER: Yes and it`s hard to know if she has the right balance --
ALEXANDER: Right.
HAMMER: -- because when you wear a dress made of meat --
BALTHAZAR: Right.
HAMMER: -- maybe people won`t take you seriously.
ALEXANDER: That`s the problem, right.
HAMMER: But it is -- it is exactly this. It`s things like her political activist -- activism and wearing a dress made of meat at the Video Music Awards that has Gaga nominated to be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week.
Good qualifications there.
Her competition, Oprah Winfrey for Oprah`s controversial Australia trip giveaway on her show and "The Situation" for saying he`s bigger than Kim Kardashian.
Now we asked you our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook fans who you think should be nominated?
I want to get to a couple of posts we have. This is Agne writing this. "I would have thought Ines Sainz would have been one of them. Everyone was making a big deal about her."
That`s the Mexican reporter who was -- claimed to have been sexually harassed by members of the NFL.
We also have Linda H. who`s surprised Leann Rimes didn`t get nominated for speaking out about her affair, writing "Leann Rimes, no one should feel sorry for her, she brought all of this on herself."
Brian, you`ve heard our choices, you`ve heard our Facebook fans. Who do you think from our nominees should be named SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week?
BALTHAZAR: Well, I think Gaga has proven she`s more than a meat dress. I think she made a smart, articulate comment.
But I`m going to go with "The Situation." Because just how bold a statement that is, consider Kim Kardashian has 4.8 million Twitter -- Twitter followers and he has 43,000.
So I think it speaks for itself. He`s got a great manager, but he is outrageous.
HAMMER: Interesting --
ALEXANDER: Wow.
HAMMER: I`m going to give you an early a tip here. I did not place my vote for "The Situation" even though I thought it was good he was in the running.
ALEXANDER: Great.
HAMMER: But let`s get to it right now. May I have a drum roll, please? Here it is, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT naming as its Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week, as you see the Lady Gaga.
I mean, really, how can it not be: the raw meat dress, even the announcement about her fragrance deal the same week as the raw meat dress and for pushing her political weight around. Provocative can be good as well. Do you think we have it right? Was that your choice, Megan?
ALEXANDER: My choice was Lady Gaga. And A.J., I`m glad you chose her. Because if she hadn`t have won, think of what she would have done then --
HAMMER: Yes.
ALEXANDER: -- to get nominated the next week and win.
On a serious note, though, I thought Oprah was very interesting, because of the fact that there`s never a free lunch in life --
HAMMER: Right.
ALEXANDER: -- and yet now she stepped up to the plate and said that she`s going to help put the bill.
HAMMER: She`s doing the right thing.
ALEXANDER: It always make a way ,you`re right.
HAMMER: I`ll tell you this, in Oprah`s final season, she won`t be wearing a meat dress. I just have that feeling.
ALEXANDER: You never know.
HAMMER: Brian Balthazar and Megan Alexander, I thank you both.
BALTHAZAR: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, there is a new political star to be reckoned with poised to outshine Sarah Palin believe it or not. She`s got a sex controversy that could launch her into infamy today. So steamy, almost too hot for TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O`DONNELL: The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can`t masturbate without lust.
KIMMEL: Oh, really? You bet you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN News and Views.
Here comes the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Watch out, Sarah Palin, there is a new political star making waves today. Now, she`s not making up words, but there is one word that she has said that`s got everyone talking. It is a sexy new controversy that`s getting -- how should I put this -- out of hand.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Get the kiddies out of the room. Most of America never even heard of Christine O`Donnell. Now the first thing they hear is her using the "M" word from an MTV show 14 years ago.
O`DONNELL: The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. So you can`t masturbate without lust.
KIMMEL: Oh, really? And -- and how do you know that, exactly? Have you been privately lusting?
MOOS: As if it weren`t enough that everyone`s comparing her to you-know-who.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My God, just give her bangs and a pair of rimmed glasses. And she would be a dead ringer. Oh, my God. No I don`t --
JOY BEHAR, HLN HOST, "THE JOY BEHAR SHOW": The Tea Party`s got a younger model. Watch out, Sarah.
MOOS: As if it weren`t enough that even a staunch Republican is dissing her.
KARL ROVE, FORMER ADVISOR TO GEORGE W. BUSH: I mean there are just a lot of nutty things she`s been saying.
O`DONNELL: Everything that he`s saying is unfactual.
MOOS: The fact is our first impression of her is from an ancient show about teens and sex.
O`DONNELL: He already knows what pleases him and he can please himself, then why am I in the picture.
MOOS: It`s enough to make an anchor wish she could get out of the picture.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All righty then.
MOOS: We haven`t heard this much discussion of that since Joycelyn Elders, the surgeon general got fired by President Clinton.
JOYCELYN ELDERS, SURGEON GENERAL: In regard to masturbation --
MOOS: Just for saying maybe it should be part of a child`s education.
(on camera): We in the news media won`t even say the word.
RACHELL MADDOW, MSNBC: You know what while they were alone. Warning kids not to get busy with themselves.
MOOS (on camera): We leave actually saying it to our most outspoken pundits.
JAMES CARVILLE, CNN POLITICAL STRATEGIST: In terms of getting in the bedroom, this woman has run against masturbation.
MOOS: And comedians.
KIMMEL: I have a feeling Christine O`Donnell opposes masturbation the same way Bristol Palin opposes premarital sex.
MOOS: In response to all the hoopla over her morality and sex talk 14 years ago, O`Donnell told NBC News --
O`DONNELL: I`m in my 40s now. I`ve matured in a lot of my positions.
MOOS: But we haven`t. Faced with equating the "M" word with adultery -- pretend-conservative Stephen Colbert came up with this solution.
STEPHEN COLBERT, COMEDY CENTRAL: Simply, marry your hand. I now pronounce you man and hand.
MOOS: Stephen, you may say "I do," but I don`t.
COLBERT: I will love you forever. Hello, stranger.
O`DONNELL: You bet you.
SARAH PALIN (R), FORMER GOVERNOR OF ALASKA: You bet you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Well, that was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
I`m not entirely convinced Christine O`Donnell and Sarah Palin aren`t like separated at birth. But I do wonder if they`ll become BFFs or even frienemies. We just don`t know.
Well, that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer here in New York.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live at 5:00 Eastern Monday through Friday. And we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
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