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Showbiz Tonight
The Bigamy Bombshell Backlash; The Blunder Down Under; Sarah Palin, the Secret Weapon of Bristol the Pistol?; Britney Spears` Glee; Snooki Keeping Up with the Kardashians?
Aired September 29, 2010 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the bigamy bombshell backlash today. One man, four wives. The growing outrage over "Sister Wives." Should the show be cancelled?
The unbelievable blunder down under. The wrong winner named live on "Australia`s Next Top Model." Today`s burning question - was it all just a big-time publicity stunt?
Is Sarah Palin Bristol`s secret weapon? How much is Bristol`s mom, Sarah, influencing the vote on "Dancing with the Stars"?
Britney`s "Glee." Britney Spears` amazing return.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re really hot.
BRITNEY SPEARS, POP STAR: You`re sweet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What Lindsay Lohan can learn from Britney.
Plus size TV. The brand new revelations today over plus-size stars in primetime. It`s a must see SHOWBIZ special report.
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 - does Bristol Palin have a secret weapon on "Dancing with the Stars"?
HAMMER: Yes. That secret weapon could be Bristol`s mother, Sarah. Bristol is once again a survivor today as she battles to win "Dancing with the Stars." Because when the votes came in last night, Bristol escaped the ax.
And whatever you say, folks, and Sarah Palin in the same breath, you can`t ignore one thing - Sarah`s popularity and influence. Tea party anyone?
Got to tell you that, late today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT received the results of our exclusive poll on whether Sarah Palin might influence the "Dancing" vote. And it just adds to the great debate today over just how much America wants to keep on dancing with the Palins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Millions of Americans are preparing to vote to determine who will win the battle for the U.S. Congress and millions of Americans are preparing to vote to see who will be the battle to be the winner of "Dancing with the Stars."
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you both votes have one thing in common - Sarah Palin.
TOM BERGERON, CO-HOST, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": I`m here with a guest ballroom commentator Sarah Palin, who joins us from Alaska.
HAMMER: Palin, whose daughter Bristol is competing on "Dancing with the Stars," is so front-and-center on the super popular dance show one would think they stumbled into a tea party rally.
ROB SHUTER, COLUMNIST, "POPEATER.COM": Sarah`s followers are watching the show. She`s tweeting about the show. Sarah has an enormous fan base and they`re all watching and rooting for Bristol.
FMR. GOV. SARAH PALIN (R-AK), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you for taking care of our girl.
HAMMER: With Sarah Palin appearing on "Dancing with the Stars" to support her daughter and tweeting about the show, everyone`s asking - could Sarah, the politician, actually affect whether Bristol wins or loses "Dancing with the Stars"?
SHUTER: It doesn`t matter where Sarah Palin goes. There`s always some controversy that follows her.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bristol and Mark -
HAMMER: Even though "Dancing with the Stars" viewers voted last night to keep Bristol on the show, all the attention was about her mom, specifically the boo-gate controversy.
BROOKE BURKE, CO-HOST, "DANCING WITH THE STARS": All right. Well, if you don`t want to see them meet the same shock that ended David Hasselhoff`s -
HAMMER: Boo-gate started Monday night on "Dancing with the Stars" when we heard boos from the studio audience right before Sarah Palin was introduced.
BURKE: There`s booing in the ballroom. We don`t know why.
JENNIFER GREY, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: Why is there booing?
BURKE: I don`t know.
HAMMER: That led to an explosion of headlines as everyone asked was Sarah Palin booed on live TV on the country`s most popular show?
BURKE: We have a clip that I want to show you. I think it`s going to show what actually happened.
HAMMER: But on last night`s episode, "Dancing with the Stars" showed a clip that showed the booing wasn`t for Sarah Palin. The audience was upset with the scores the judges gave fellow contestant, Jennifer Grey.
BURKE: Seems to me, based on that footage, the audience was booing because they thought you deserved higher scores.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can see the trophy from her house.
HAMMER: Ever since Bristol was announced as a contestant, "Dancing with the Stars" hasn`t exactly been shy about exploiting the Sarah Palin connection. When SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Bristol after her "Dancing with the Stars" debut, she told us she was happy to have her mom`s support.
BRISTOL PALIN, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: I think she`s going to be proud of me.
HAMMER: But just like people are still debating whether the polarizing Sarah Palin helped or hurt John McCain`s quest for votes in the 2008 election, people are wondering whether Sarah Palin will win or lose votes for her daughter, Bristol, on "Dancing with the Stars."
A SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll asked if Sarah Palin influences the vote on "Dancing with the Stars." The results in late today show 21 percent saying, yes, she does influence the vote. But a whopping 79 percent said, no, she doesn`t.
SHUTER: You vote for the person you like, not the person you don`t like.
HAMMER: "PopEater.com`s" Rob Shuter tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT even though Bristol Palin may get a boost from fans of her mom, she may not be hurt too much by those who don`t like Sarah Palin.
SHUTER: Although Sarah haters out there have really nothing to do unless they vote for somebody else out of spite.
HAMMER: But no matter if Bristol wins or loses "Dancing with the Stars," she`s going to learn what a ton of politicians are learning this political season - the Sarah Palin factor just can`t be ignored.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OK. So Bristol may have survived yet another round of "Dancing with the Stars." But the big question remains could her mama bear, Sarah Palin, determine whether Bristol wins or loses? With me right now in New York is Ereka Vetrini. Ereka is an "In Touch Weekly" senior editor. Also right now in New York, it`s the great comedian John Fugelsang.
JOHN FUGELSANG, COMEDIAN: Hello, A.J.
HAMMER: Hello, John. And Ereka, I`m going to start with you. Do you think that when people are calling in to vote for Bristol, they`re really actually casting a vote for Sarah Palin?
EREKA VETRINI, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Absolutely. I think there`s no doubt that she`s bringing in her fan base for her daughter and also just the amount of publicity that she brings to it, whether it be boo- gate or her presence in the studio, there`s an attention being paid to "Bristol the Pistol," we should call her.
Even the name itself she`s created. So they`re like taglines and there`s just - she`s just pulling in viewers and I think fans to vote for her daughter.
HAMMER: Yes. And I don`t want to take anything away from the hard work Bristol has obviously putting into the show and whether she can dance or cannot dance. But I`ve said it before, I do believe that Sarah absolutely influences the vote one way or the other. It goes both ways.
So I was really surprised when I got the results late today of our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. The question we asked was - "Sarah Palin: Does she influence the vote on `Dancing with the Stars`?" Because we wanted your take.
And look at this. Only 21 percent of you say, yes, she does. Seventy-nine percent say, no, Sarah Palin does not influence the vote. John, I`ve got to tell you. I am surprised by that. What about you?
FUGELSANG: Well, I think Sarah influences the vote. I mean, she influences the decision to cast Bristol. I like Sarah Palin. To me, she`s kind of like a female Ann Coulter.
And when this show began, a lot of people were saying, well, Bristol`s not a real celebrity. In fact, she is the most famous unwed teenage mom in history to lecture other kids about abstinence ever.
HAMMER: Yes.
FUGELSANG: And to her credit, she`s done pretty well. Her dancing has improved a lot. It was really the people that booed Sarah last night. They really were booing her. They`re spinning a lot at ABC.
But you know, I think that we`ve seen Bristol make a big improvement. And I`m sure Sarah`s going to get her some votes, not enough to tilt the show.
HAMMER: All right. So John Fugelsang, you are convinced they were booing Sarah. And I have Ann Coulter on the phone for you.
Brooke Anderson, let me bring you in. It looks like people pretty much still think that Bristol is in the show not because of her mom but because of her fancy feet. I honestly have to say I think it will become more clear as the competition gets deeper into the season.
ANDERSON: I agree with you and I agree with John that her mother, of course, influenced the casting of Bristol. But I think the judges are impressed with what Bristol is doing on her own, not because of anything her mother is saying or doing.
And I think Bristol, of course, has a lot of room for improvement and that`s what the show is about. People - viewers are voting for her. They want to see her transform into a ballroom dancer. I think she`s doing it on her own.
OK. I`ve got to move now to another story making big news today. Couldn`t wait to talk about this. Britney Spears on "Glee." It was an all-Britney Spears bonanza on "Glee" last night.
And get this - we learned today that Britney`s appearance on the show brought in the highest ratings ever for "Glee," even higher than Madonna`s episode. Everybody is buzzing today about the episode and Britney`s sexy little cameo appearance. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re really hot.
SPEARS: You`re sweet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And your breath smells really good.
SPEARS: So does yours. And you know why? Because this is a fantasy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I wish Britney herself had been on the episode herself a little bit longer. But that aside, "Glee" devoted the entire hour to Britney Spears` performances, to her hits.
Ereka, I think this just shows how far Britney has come since she hit rock bottom a few years ago. So do you think Lindsay Lohan can learn from Britney and turn her career around, too?
VETRINI: Well, I hope so. I hope that she can - Lindsay can at least be painted in a better light like Britney is. But as far as coming - how far she`s gone career-wise, I`m not sure the show did exactly that for her.
In watching the show, I was thinking, wow, we miss that Britney. Where is that Britney? We know that she`s made her image a lot stronger. But her career seems to have been, you know, kind of tossed to the side.
And these actresses were so phenomenal in doing what Britney did. It kind of made me a little bit sad, too. I miss Britney.
ANDERSON: Well, that`s true, but it was a great start, I think. And John, I have to hope that if Lindsay was not a scheduled counseling session at her rehab facility, then maybe she was watching and learning a little something from Britney on "Glee." Very quickly.
FUGELSANG: Well, I have to agree. As a heterosexual male, I was thrilled that Britney was going to be on "Glee." But it was really was more of a commercial for her perfume, that`s why you heard the word "fantasy" and it kept showing that perfume commercial throughout the entire show.
So I kind of feel like Lindsay Lohan is in a place where she needs a lot of growth and needs to be off reality shows. And I`m hoping Americans addicted to addicts and watching addicts screw up - and I don`t really think this was a real comeback for Britney. When they have an ELO show, that`s a comeback.
ANDERSON: OK. You two are skeptical right now. Ereka Vetrini, John Fugelsang, thank you both.
HAMMER: Well, moving on, there are some big burning reality show questions sparking outrage today. We`re going to try to answer them right here.
The unbelievable blunder down under. The wrong winner named live on "Australia`s Next Top Model." So one of today`s burning questions - was it all just a big-time publicity stunt?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god. I don`t know what to say right now. I`m feeling a bit sick about this. No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The bigamy bombshell backlash today. One man, four wives. The growing outrage today over "Sister Wives." And another big burning question - should the show be cancelled?
Also, plus-size TV. And I think this is great, more and more plus- size actors on primetime shows. But there is major battle going on today. Some think that plus-size actors are actually setting a bad example.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hefty teens -
GABOUREY SIDIBE, ACTRESS: Fat camp didn`t work for me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Obese adults -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look that up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Across primetime, TV is suddenly bursting out with plus-size portrayals.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You don`t want to miss our explosive SHOWBIZ special report. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Three "Deadliest Catch" captains are leaving the show due to Discovery Channel lawsuit. President Obama reveals his iTunes includes Lil Wayne, Nas and Jay-Z.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hey, we welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J. Hammer in New York. And now a SHOWBIZ special report, plus-size TV.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. There is a big change going on right now on TV. We`re seeing more and more plus-size stars. I, for one, think that`s terrific. But believe it or not, there are actually people who say putting larger actors in primetime is sending a terrible message.
Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter with the raging debate today over plus-size TV stars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hefty teens -
SIDIBE: Fat camp didn`t work for me.
WYNTER: Obese adults.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look that up.
WYNTER: Across primetime TV is suddenly bursting out with plus-size portrayals. And the latest is "Mike and Molly." It`s the new CBS sitcom where the size of the stars is extra, extra large.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD ACTOR: How can you be a cop and be so fat.
WYNTER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you this trend is provoking a battle over body image. Fat acceptance advocate Julianne Wotasik is among those thrilled to see TV get real.
JULIANNE WOTASIK, FAT ACCEPTANCE ADVOCATE: I do think it`s progress. It`s awfully nice to see people that look at little bit more like me and like many Americans on TV.
NIKKI BLONSKY, ACTRESS: I`m driving a huge bus!
WYNTER: And you can have actor Nikki Blonsky in the big and beautiful camp. She stars in the ABC Family series, "Huge" playing a sassy teen who makes apologies for her ample proportion.
BLONSKY: I feel like inside me, there`s an even badder person just trying to get out. That`s what "Huge" is doing. I think it`s giving the positivity and the feeling to kids that you can be who you are. You can love who you are. It`s fat-spiration.
WYNTER: Wotasik, president of the L.A. chapter of the national Association to Advance Fat Acceptance applauds this portrayal.
WOTASIK: Fifty-five percent of people in America are considered fat. How great that the majority of our population can look at a character like Nikki Blonsky`s and say, "Oh, there`s an alternative to hating myself and dieting. I could be proud and happy. And I`m excited about that."
WYNTER: But not everyone is excited. Anti-obesity crusader MeMe Roth tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she is outraged.
MEME ROTH, ANTI-OBESITY CRUSADER: The reality is, this is dangerous obesity. I find "Huge" particularly disturbing because these are young people in the throes of adolescence.
WYNTER: Roth blasts TV`s hefty leading ladies as, well, bad role models.
ROTH: You`ve got Gabourey Sidibe on "The Big C." You`ve got Brooke Elliott on "Drop Dead Diva." We have several actresses right now. They aren`t just a little overweight, aren`t big boned and aren`t chubby but they are dangerously, morbidly, drop-dead-any-minute obese.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I`m going to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a Margarita.
WYNTER: "Mike and Molly" centers on a couple who meet at Overeaters Anonymous. But not since "Roseanne" has a sitcom featured such weighty leads. Unlike that show where the laughs sprang from family dynamics, "Mike and Molly" mostly (UNINTELLIGIBLE) mostly on a diet of fat jokes.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Sweet Jesus, it`s like hugging a futon.
WYNTER: TV analyst Louis Virtel of "Movieline.com" finds of the humor wince-worthy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re never going to meet a cute guy at the chub club.
LOUIS VIRTEL, TV ANALYST, "MOVIELINE.COM": The laugh track is overwhelming that we have no choice but tackle it down. And it`s uncomfortable.
WOTASIK: The whole show is about them losing weight. That`s really discouraging to me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where`s the 500?
WYNTER: And America`s weight obsession is reflected not just on scripted shows, but a tide of reality series from "Too Fat for 15" -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like I need to lose weight.
WYNTER: To "The Biggest Loser" and "Thintervention."
VIRTEL: The name of it alone is kind of insulting like "Thintervention" -
WYNTER: Roth, who promotes healthy eating through her Web site, "ActionAgainstObesity.com" praises these reality shows for offering practical advice.
ROTH: What they do best is they`re saying, "Look, realistically, here`s how you have to eat. Realistically, here`s how much exercise you have to do.
WYNTER: But Wotasik charges weight loss reality shows are part of the problem.
WOTASIK: I think that the strongest message is that there is something wrong with you if you`re fat. And that means we`re telling the majority of Americans that there is something wrong with them and they need to change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. And by the way, "Mike and Molly" and "Huge" are doing pretty well in the ratings.
ANDERSON: Making news today, after all those reported awful Mel Gibson tapes, after all the claims of domestic abuse, Mel Gibson`s ex, Oksana Grigorieva, may be finally ready to speak out to Oprah.
Snooki and the Kardashian sisters partying together. Hey, Halloween guests, right? No one asked me. Trick or treat.
Oh, and take a look at this - Heidi Klum, her husband, Seal, his new music video. They are both in the birthday suit.
(MUSIC)
That`s pretty steamy. Your first look today. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Let`s roll out the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom that are making news today.
TEXT: Betty White among those who will honor Tina Fey with Mark Twain prize for humor. Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert to perform at CMA Awards on November 10th.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Look at this - Mel Gibson`s ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, who has a child with Mel, is reportedly getting ready to tell her story. TMZ reports today that she is going to be sitting down with Oprah Winfrey to talk for the first time about her messy, ugly, angry custody battle with Mel.
The big question today, why in the world has it taken so long for Oksana to speak? And why is it taking so long for investigators to find if charges will be filed in their bitter dispute that has included claims of extortion?
Joining me right now in New York, Midwin Charles, who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on Tru TV.
Midwin, as we know, Oksana was on the receiving end of these angry, deplorable voicemail messages that a man believed to be Mel Gibson left. They were violent. They were insulting. They were downright mean.
Midwin, why do you suppose she may be finally ready to speak out about this?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" TRU TV: Well, I think she`s decided her time has come and she wants to share that coveted couch with Oprah. I mean, who can turn down an interview with Oprah, right?
I mean, I think at the end of the day she`s been accused of setting up Mel Gibson with these tapes. And I think she really wants to clear her name.
ANDERSON: And Oprah is a great place to do that. Well, Oksana is still in the middle of a lot of legal drama with Mel Gibson, including Mel`s claims, his allegations, that Oksana tried to extort him with those voicemail tapes.
Those are claims that Los Angeles investigators are taking very seriously. But today, Oksana tells "Hollywood.tv," well, she`s not worried about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OKSANA GRIGORIEVA, MEL GIBSON`S EX-GIRLFRIEND: I`ve never been afraid of extortion charges because there is none.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: OK. Midwin, what could be taking investigators so darn long to decide whether extortion charges should be filed in the first place? Quickly.
CHARLES: You know, investigations take a long time, Brooke. They`re probably going through the evidence. They`re talking to people. And they`re examining this tape and whether it`s been fabricated and the like.
And I think, oftentimes, investigations take a long time. They want to make sure they cross every T and dot every I.
ANDERSON: It`s reassuring to know that investigators want to get it right. Midwin Charles, thank you so much. And we reached out to Oprah for comment, but they said they are not ready to comment on whether Oksana will be appearing on the show.
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup. Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
The unbelievable blunder down under. The wrong winner named live on "Australia`s Next Top Model." So today`s burning question - was this all just a big-time publicity stunt?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don`t know what to say. This is a complete accident. I`m so sorry. It`s Amanda. I`m so sorry. It was fed to me wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Snooki, the Kardashians, partying together? Are they new best friends? If so, we`ve really got a major situation here.
Who needs (UNINTELLIGIBLE)? Beyonce is happy just crashing a block party. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Bonnie and Clyde" director Arthur Penn dies at the age of 88. "Lost" star Josh Holloway just cast in "Mission: Impossible 4."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god. I don`t know what to say right now. I`m feeling a bit sick about this. No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, burning reality show questions. The wrong winner is revealed live on "Australia`s Next Top Model." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask - was this just a publicity stunt?
Growing outrage today over TLC`s polygamy show "Sister Wives." The burning question today - should the show be cancelled?
George Clooney, crazy in love with girlfriend Elisabetta. Is he ready to turn his bachelor card in for good?
Snooki parties with the Kardashians. Is Snooki really trying to keep up with the Kardashians?
Plus, breaking today from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - which "Jersey Shore" star is writing a book? And the new way to get your Justin Bieber fix.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. it`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news involving the reality show bigamy bombshell.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke. There are so many big burning questions today about the big bigamy bombshell from the reality show, "Sister Wives."
Now, the ratings came in today. Wow, this thing is a runaway hit for TLC. But now that the family is being investigated for bigamy, the big burning question today is, should TLC pull the show off the air?
With me, in New York, Tony Potts who is a correspondent and weekend co-host for "Access Hollywood." And also right now, in New York, Midwin Charles who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on our sister network Tru TV.
So people are obviously fascinated with "Sister Wives." It`s all about Kodi Brown, his four wives and their 13 collective children.
Now, we learned today the show`s debut had about 3.2 million viewers. That is TLC`s most watched season premiere in a year. But it does not erase the fact that, you know, these guys, the Browns - they are being investigated for bigamy because the show`s on TV.
And bigamy is a felony in Utah. That leads to my first big burning question, should TLC take "Sister Wives" off the air? Tony, I actually don`t think they should because of this. Are you?
TONY POTTS, CORRESPONDENT AND WEEKEND CO-HOST, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": I don`t think so either. The Utah authorities we talked to today at "Access Hollywood" said, "You know what? We really don`t investigate this very often."
HAMMER: Right.
POTTS: "We don`t even actually prosecute on this. But since they`re kind of flaunting it, then, maybe we should look into it." You think?
Leave it alone. It not like, you know, they`re out committing murders and doing, you know, egregious things. In some people`s minds I understand it is egregious. But it`s fascinating. I watch.
HAMMER: Yes. And as I`ve said, it comes under the category what were they thinking was going to happen? I mean, really.
POTTS: Right.
HAMMER: Now, to your point -
POTTS: But the family new that, by the way. The family said they knew that.
HAMMER: That`s it. The Brown family said they knew they were taking a risk by doing this show.
POTTS: Yes.
HAMMER: But they also said they wanted to educate people about their unusual lifestyle. Well, on the "Today" show this morning, to Tony`s point, a former head of Utah`s Special Victims Unit the said bigamy is rarely prosecuted in Utah but flaunting it on TV was not a risk worth taking. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You`re right, we don`t prosecute polygamy in Utah. We don`t prosecute crimes between consenting adults. But that - we`ve sort of gone over the line in this case because, now, they`re doing it. They`re flaunting this, and it is a felony on national TV.
You know, we don`t prosecute bingo parlors. We don`t prosecute people who gamble in their homes. But if they want to do that type of thing on national TV, certainly, if you`re going to have the law, you`ve got to at least look into it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, to me, breaking the law is breaking the law. And if the Brown family is flaunting their law-breaking on TV and they`re not being investigated, what kind of message does that really send? You know, maybe that laws doesn`t matter.
So Midwin, to our burning question, should TLC pull the show off the air?
CHARLES: You know, I really don`t think that they should. I mean, this guy just said that Utah does not prosecute these things. So you kind of have to ask yourself, are they just pissed off and embarrassed that this show is letting people know what happens in Utah while the legislatures and the courts look the other way.
POTTS: I think you can get arrested by saying "pissed off" and "embarrassed" in Utah, by the way.
(CROSS TALK)
CHARLES: I wouldn`t be surprised.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in New York City. And Midwin, the cops are on the way. But she`s a lawyer. She`ll get out of it. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, by the way, did reach out to TLC today. They are simply not commenting.
But right now, I have to move on to another story that is sparking another big burning question today. It`s the blunder down under. Shockwaves, I tell you, shockwaves around the world as the host of "Australia`s Next Top Model" names the wrong winner. But was this blunder down under one big publicity stunt? You decide.
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You feel like a loser when you blow the "who`s the winner" announcement, as we in the media -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We call Florida.
MOOS: Know all too well.
DAN RATHER, FORMER CBS ANCHOR: Excuse me one second. I`m so sorry to interrupt you. Mike, you know I wouldn`t do this if it weren`t big. Florida goes for Al Gore.
MOOS: Oh, no. It didn`t.
RATHER: Bush wins. Florida goes Bush.
MOOS: Announcing the winner of the presidency is big, but announcing -
SARAH MURDOCH, HOST, "AUSTRALIA`S NEXT TOP MODEL": And "Australia`s Next Top Model" is -
MOOS: Not so big - until you get it wrong.
MURDOCH: It`s you, Kelsey.
MOOS: The victor, Kelsey Martinovich, and a vanquished, Amanda Ware, hugged. And then, live on Australia`s FOX 8, host Sarah Murdoch heard a voice in her ear. Uh-oh.
MURDOCH: Oh my God. I don`t know what to say right now. I`m feeling a bit sick about this. This is not - this was a complete accident. I`m so sorry. It`s Amanda. I`m so sorry. It was fed to me wrong.
MOOS (on camera): The TV folks say there was a miscommunication between the broadcast truck and the stage.
(voice-over): The loser consoled the host.
MURDOCH: It`s ridiculous.
KELSEY MARTINOVICH, RUNNER-UP, "AUSTRALIA`S NEXT TOP MODEL": It`s fine. Don`t worry. It`s OK. It`s an honest mistake. It`s fine.
MOOS (on camera): The loser did get an apology and $25,000 as a consolation prize.
(voice-over): The new winner seemed thrilled.
AMANDA WARE, WINNER, "AUSTRALIA`S NEXT TOP MODEL": Woo!
MOOS: Talent contests seem especially vulnerable to gaffes like this. At the Eurovision song contest three years ago, it came down to a face-off between a group named Scooch and a performer named Cyndi. And the winner is -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One, two, three, Cyndi!
MOOS: Two announcers simultaneously declared different winners.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cyndi!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Scooch!
MOOS: For Cyndi, victory was fleeting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s Scooch! It is Scooch! Cyndi - Cyndi, darling, I`m so sorry. You were so close.
MOOS (on camera): You win some, you lose some. But not usually at the same time.
(voice-over): "Australia`s Next Top Model" has been dubbed "Australia`s Next Top Mistake."
MOOS: There`s no mistaking how big a mistake when it attracts that Internet symbol of failure.
MURDOCH: I`m so sorry.
(MUSIC)
MOOS: The next top model got played off by the keyboard cat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: That was Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It really is unbelievable the publicity they are getting that they wouldn`t otherwise have gotten. And that has got people crying foul today.
So Tony, that leads to our next big burning question today, does it seem to you the blunder down under was a publicity stunt?
POTTS: Absolutely not. I mean, the shock in her face. I think that all of us who have been on television especially (UNINTELLIGIBLE) have done things that have been incredibly egregious.
We head home to the bar afterwards and hit ourselves silly. You could see on her face that, you know, it was a mistake. And she was shocked. She was upset. It`s stuff that she`s probably drinking about now. But no. I don`t think it`s a publicity stunt at all. No.
ANDERSON: Yes. To me, it seemed like a genuine look of dismay, like she was truly nauseous over the whole thing. And in a late-breaking development today, that host of "Australia`s Next Top Model," Sarah Murdoch, spoke out about the speculation that her big blunder was a publicity stunt.
She told the Australian TV show, "A Current Affair," absolutely not, and, quote, "Obviously, you can see how close we are to the girls. You would never put your worst enemy in a situation like that, let alone these gorgeous girls."
She also claims she was given the wrong information at first is in her ear. And when it was corrected, due to a technical glitch, she didn`t hear it. Her ear piece went out. Midwin, I believe her. Do you?
CHARLES: You know, initially I would say I believe her, too, but for the really bad - what I think is acting. The whole "Oh, my god. I`ve made a mistake." It is so - I don`t know - a little bit staged.
ANDERSON: Really?
CHARLES: Yes.
ANDERSON: Tony, I feel sorry for her and she said she doesn`t even want to do live TV in the future. She`s going to stick to prerecorded. She`s gotten so gun-shy about the whole thing.
POTTS: She may not do live TV anymore because of that blunder. She`s now the employable. But we all have ear pieces and things happen all the time. And I`ve heard some strange stuff in my ear that was never meant for me. So I can believe that.
ANDERSON: Yes, I can, too. All right. We`ll leave it there for now. Tony Potts, Midwin Charles, thank you both.
HAMMER: I`ll get my cue. Yes. Partying with the Kardashians, Snooki`s style today. That`s what we`re moving on to. Snooki and the Kardashians` big night out. Hey, I knew this was probably inevitable. But why? Why? Why is Snooki trying to keep up with the Kardashians? Or perhaps, the Kardashians are trying to keep up with Snooks?
Are George Clooney`s bachelor days numbered? The Bombshell new detail today about George and his lady love, Elisabetta. Has George found the love of his life?
And this is just incredible. Imagine you`re hanging out of the block party when all of a sudden, one of the biggest stars on the planet shows up. I`m talking Beyonce. So cool. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: "Jersey Shore" star, Snooki, writing a book called "A Shore Thing." Michael Bolton kicked off "DWTS" after harsh criticism from Judge Bruno.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNO TONIOLI, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" JUDGE: I think this is probably the worst job in 11 seasons.
MICHAEL BOLTON, "DANCING WITH THE STARS" CONTESTANT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that even Len stopped him and said, "That`s inappropriate." And you know, I think he should apologize publicly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Caught on tape from sold-out venues around the world to the streets of West Orange, New Jersey. Yes, check out the lady in the white t-shirt. That is Beyonce rocking out at a block party. This party was on the block where her mother-in-law lives and of course her mother-in-law happens to be Jay-Z`s mom.
This block party truly a fairly affair. Beyonce`s husband, Jay-Z, providing the music. Hey, this time it really is true - stars are just like us. Who doesn`t love a block party? I love a block party. Brooke, you love a block party?
ANDERSON: I do. Yes.
HAMMER: Yes. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Brooke Anderson is in Hollywood. So Brooke, separate from the block parties, let`s move on to George Clooney. What is it I`m hearing about his love life heating up?
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., first came love, then came - believe it or not - George Clooney might be ready, getting ready to get married. "People" magazine is reporting that Clooney`s relationship with his girlfriend of 15 months, Elisabetta Canalis, is getting serious. Could they be walking down the aisle soon?
Right now, in New York, is comedian John Fugelsang. And right now, in Hollywood, is Wendy Walsh. She is a relationship expert and author of "The Boyfriend Test" and "The Girlfriend Test."
OK, take a look at the brand-new cover of "People" magazine SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today. The big cover story is about the new bachelor, Brad Womack. Don`t even get me started on that.
Up there, on the top right, in the corner, the big news about Hollywood`s most eligible bachelor, George Clooney and the headline "George`s Sexy Romance Heats Up." "People" reporting today that George in love with Elisabetta, even spent some time in her native Italy meeting her parents. That`s big.
So could she be the one? Wendy, are you getting the sense that George is finally ready to settle down?
WENDY WALSH, RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: You know, Brooke, I say this all the time. There`s no such thing as the one. He`s had many ones come through his life. It`s about a sense of timing for a guy. When a guy is ready, it`s whoever`s up at bat, babe.
So is he going to get married? I don`t know. The world sure wants the world`s most eligible bachelor to get married, don`t we? But I don`t know if he will at his age. Does he need to?
ANDERSON: I don`t if we do or not.
WALSH: What do you think?
ANDERSON: That would take him off market for all the hopeful single women out there. And to talk - let`s talk about those string of ones that have come through his life. It`s no secret that George is known as a serial dater.
His past girlfriends have included Celine Balitran, Lisa Snowdon, Krista Allen, Sarah Larson - just a string of beautiful women there. It seems to me he loves the single life, even at 49. He`s in no rush to settle down despite the latest news.
He doesn`t have to, really. John, do you agree that George will remain a bachelor for a while?
FUGELSANG: Yes, I do. And the guy is on my bowling squad. We`re all talking about George Clooney`s dating life nonstop. But I think you have a better chance getting of James Keith(ph) to lure him into a sex video sting than an actual marriage. If you believe Clooney`s going to get married, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) drama to sell you.
ANDERSON: OK. Well, guys, there`s also big buzz today about what may have been the ultimate reality show train wreck party - Snooki and the Kardashians. Yes, "Jersey Shore`s" Snooki out for a night with the Kardashian sisters to celebrate Khloe`s wedding anniversary.
And speaking of Khloe, Khloe has revealed that she is getting some serious pregnancy practice. And big "Star Wars" news breaking today. Get out those 3-D glasses.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): "Star Wars" 3-D. George Lucas just announced all six "Star Wars" films will be re-released in the next few years. Starting in 2012 with "The Phantom Menace," the roll out will continue with one film a year, which means the original "Star Wars" won`t be seen in 3-D until 2015. Lucas tells "The Hollywood Reporter" the success of "Avatar" convinced him the time was right for "Star Wars" in 3-D.
Big Kardashian baby news. Khloe Kardashian just revealed to "Life and Style" magazine that she and her husband, Lamar Odom, want kids right now. The pair, who just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, say they`ve been trying for a while now.
But Khloe says, "Getting pregnant is much harder than we thought - but practicing making babies is amazing." The magazine says the couple doesn`t just want one baby. They`re hoping to have twins.
Snooki parties with the Kardashians. In a shocking reality surprise, the Snookster and the Kardashian sisters were just caught fist-pumping and celebrating Khloe`s first anniversary together. "The Jersey Shore" star posted some Twitter pictures of her with the, quote, "Kardash sex pots" just hours after Khloe renewed her wedding vows.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes. What a sight to behold, right? My day is complete now. Snooki hanging out with the Kardashians. John, I`ve got to tell you. I don`t know what to make of that. Should we call that a reality show match made in heaven, or perhaps, better, sign of the apocalypse.
FUGELSANG: Well, yes. It does look like the four illiterates of the apocalypse, A.J. But I do have to say it`s kind of appropriate because Snooki has been self-tanning herself into being an old Armenian woman. So I have high hopes for the meeting.
HAMMER: Yes. OK. It all worked out. They can be family. Well, Snooki was keeping up with the Kardashians at this party to celebrate Khloe`s one- year wedding anniversary. And you saw Khloe revealed in great detail about how she and her husband, Lamar Odom, are hard at work trying to get pregnant.
Now, Wendy, I`ve got to ask you. Is this the kind of thing they should be keeping to themselves until perhaps they have baby news to report?
WALSH: Absolutely, considering he already has children who are out there listening to this. I don`t know. Did you really want to know that that`s what your dad`s doing?
HAMMER: Yes. John, TMI, right?
WALSH: Yes. You know, they shouldn`t.
FUGELSANG: Yes. I`m shocked a reality star would reveal too much about their lives.
WALSH: TMI.
HAMMER: Yes. You know, basically, it doesn`t really matter. And I guess even if they shouldn`t be doing it, we should always expect this. Really, it is what happens. Well, John Fugelsang, Wendy Walsh, let`s hope it`s not the apocalypse coming. Thanks for being here. I appreciate it. Thank you.
ANDERSON: Heidi Klum, her husband Seal, naked. We`ve got your very first look at Seal`s new music video. They`re both bearing it all.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: I have to say Heidi and Seal have some nerve looking this good. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
HAMMER: Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker." These are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: GLAAD study reveals HBO`s "True Blood" has the most gay characters on television. It`s official! Justin Bieber is a doll.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Did you see this? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has your first look today at Heidi Klum and husband Seal in Seal`s brand-new music video. As you can see, they just happen to be naked. So Brooke, Heidi and Seal are getting naked for his new song, "Secret."
I don`t know if everybody`s paying a whole lot of attention to the music when you have these two rolling around with next to nothing on. You know, let`s listen to some more. Charles, can we play the song for the people. And please, listen to the lyrics.
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: For the record, Seal is wearing a necklace and look like a watch there.
HAMMER: Yes. I love these guys. They can do no wrong. All right. Let`s move on now to when stars fight, because you`d better watch out. Right now, we`ve got some of the nastiest name-calling, the most furious star spats of all time. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is teaming up with "More" magazine with this brand-new list of the biggest celebrity spats ever.
Now, when David Letterman made unsavory remarks about one of Sarah Palin`s daughters, it was on. David apologized on national TV.
"The View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck was brought to tears on national TV when she apologized to ESPN`s Erin Andrews for mocking Erin`s stalker nightmare.
And certainly, one of the longest and most controversial celebrity spats ever, the word wars between Rosie O`Donnell and Donald Trump. Remember when Rosie did this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSIE O`DONNELL, TV PERSONALITY: And I`m going to give you a second chance. He hates me on a multitude of levels. He hates the moral authority. Left the first wife, had an affair. Left the second wife, had an affair. Had kids both times. But he`s the moral compass for 20-year- olds in America. Donald, sit and spin, my friend.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ah, good times. For the entire list of more magazine celebrity feuds, run out and pick up the October issue of "More" magazine on newsstands right now.
ANDERSON: Wednesday, we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. I did just get those final results. "Sarah Palin: Does she influence the vote on `Dancing with the Stars`?" Twenty-one percent of you say yes, but 79 percent say no.
Over to the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall now where Dorthy K. says having Sarah Palin on "Dancing with the Stars" will impact the votes, "I am sure she figures she can influence the vote. That`s part of the reason why she was there."
Lisa H. saying having Sarah Palin on the show steals the spotlight from the stars, "Sarah Palin got more air time than all the stars."
HAMMER: Doesn`t seem to be hurting the ratings one bit. Well, thank you very much for watching. That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. Remember SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now live 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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