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Showbiz Tonight
Eva and Tony Personal Foul; Mel`s Baby Battle; The Donald Versus The Palin for President?; Surviving Sex Scandals; Wedding of the Century
Aired November 18, 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: We`ve got big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Brand new Eva Longoria/Tony Parker split shocker. Unbelievable claims today that Eva Longoria`s husband was cheating on her. What`s the real story?
Plus Tony speaks out for the very first time since the scandal broke.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Sarah slams "Idol"? Sarah Palin`s unbelievable reported out of the blue smackdown of "American Idol," the number one show on TV.
Sarah, are you serious?
HAMMER: Brand new details about the Prince William-Kate Middleton wedding revealed today. Where will it be? When will it be? Plus is Kate now the biggest fashion icon out there?
ANDERSON: The Lohan-"Glee" feud explodes today. Lindsay`s mom is now reportedly threatening to sue the show for making fun of Lindsay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GWYNETH PALTROW, ACTRESS (speaking in foreign language): Lindsey Lohan is totally crazy, right?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The "Showbiz Flashpoint" today, was "Glee" way out of line or come on, Lohans, can`t you take a joke?
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show --
ANDERSON: Starts right now.
HAMMER: Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City.
ANDERSON: Hi there, everyone. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today.
Eva`s heartache.
HAMMER: Eva Longoria and Tony Parker`s fairy tale romance has fallen apart. That`s the one thing the famously affectionate couple -- at least they were at one time -- can certainly agree on today.
What they can`t agree on, the devastating details of their shocking split. Now she says he betrayed her. And for the very first time today we`re hearing what he says about the breakup that has left so many people simply stunned.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the desperate divorce drama.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the hell are you doing?
EVA LONGORIA, ACTRESS: I`m helping you pack.
HAMMER: She is a "Desperate Housewife" who probably won`t be a wife much longer. He`s an NBA champion, accused of making a really bad steal.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you it`s the scandal that`s rocking Hollywood. "Desperate Housewives" start Eva Longoria-Parker and her husband San Antonio Spurs` Tony Parker are splitting up as reports swirl that Tony may have been cheating on Eva with the wife of an ex-teammate.
Talk about your personal foul.
MARC MALKIN, E! NEWS: This is really a big deal. You know Eva talked about Tony all the time and how much she is in love with him, how she wants to start a family with him. No one was expecting this.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you what once was one of Hollywood`s most glamorous marriages is now ending with the ugliest of sex scandal.
Right after she filed for divorce Wednesday, Longoria started spilling details about the breakup to her friend Mario Lopez, host of "Extra."
MALKIN: Eva told her friend Mario Lopez that several weeks ago she found hundreds of text messages between Tony and a fellow basketballer`s wife.
HAMMER: Various reports have identified that woman as Erin Berry, the estranged wife of Parker`s former team mate Brent Berry. No one involved in that alleged love triangle is confirming those reports but as E!`s Marc Malkin tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Parker is telling friends behind the scenes there was no affair.
MALKIN: A pal of Tony`s tells me that, yes, he did have a texting relationship with Erin Berry but it never got physical.
HAMMER: But with Parker reportedly denying an affair with his ex- teammate`s wife, Longoria reportedly is telling her friend, "Extra`s" Mario Lopez that Parker has been unfaithful to her in the past.
MALKIN: Eva also told Mario that earlier in the marriage Tony did have an affair with another woman and apparently they were keeping in touch via Facebook.
HAMMER: Sadly the Parkers have been dealing with cheating scandals literally since the beginning of their marriage. Back in 2007 a French model claimed on the Web site X-17 Online that she had an affair with Parker shortly after meeting him at his wedding to Longoria. Parker denied it and sued X-17 for $40 million.
LONGORIA: This particular incident was like a little too far and so false that Tony felt like, OK, that`s enough.
HAMMER: Soon after Tony Parker filed the lawsuit, his wife Eva talked about it with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. She told us her husband was angry at being falsely labeled a cheater.
LONGORIA: He really wanted to, you know, straighten the record and find this person because there can`t be anybody not held accountable.
HAMMER: Parker won that round. X-17 apologized to the Parkers and retracted the story, saying Parker`s accuser had misled them. But today with headlines labeling him a cheater once again, Parker is not spilling any details.
TONY PARKER, SAN ANTONIO SPURS PLAYER: It`s difficult for me right now for me and Eva.
HAMMER: In this new video from affiliate KSAT that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained today, Parker didn`t directly address the infidelity claims when he spoke with reporters before a Spurs game.
PARKER: I`m having great support from my teammates, you know, and my coaches and I`ll focus, you know, 100 percent on the Spurs and try to win this ball game.
HAMMER: In a Twitter post Parker writes, we love each other deeply and pray for each other`s happiness. Tony`s soon to be ex-wife tweeted the exact same message.
But even though they`re putting on a nice face for the public, the Parkers` divorce could get ugly. Today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT obtained the divorce papers Eva Longoria Parker filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
MALKIN: She wants her name changed back to her maiden name.
HAMMER: And even though Eva is making an estimated $9 million a year on "Desperate Housewives," she`s asking for spousal support from Parker who just happened to have just signed a new $50 million contract extension with the Spurs just last month.
MALKIN: If she is going for spousal support she waited until after the contract was signed? You know this could be -- you know, a woman scorned. She is going after him.
HAMMER: But whether or not this divorce gets ugly, another A-list couple going down amid a cheating scandal is always sad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It was Eva who first hinted that Tony may have broken their vows. But to our "Showbiz Flashpoint" today, did Eva make a big mistake by saying anything at all?
Right now in New York is Ereka Vetrini. She`s a senior editor for "In Touch Weekly". In Los Angeles is Tony Potts, who`s the weekend co-hosting correspondent for "Access Hollywood."
Tony, I`ll begin with you. You know we`ve both been in Hollywood long enough to know that the real story behind these splits with celebrities eventually does come out in the open.
But Eva sort of set this ball rolling with this whole text message shocker that she relayed through her friend Mario Lopez.
So, Tony, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," did Eva make a big mistake by saying anything at all? I ask you that but then I also understand exactly why she would say something because she wanted to get the truth out there from her perspective.
TONY POTTS, CORRESPONDENT, "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD": Well, that`s kind of the ying and yang of texting, like I said yesterday and I`ll continue to repeat. You know it`s one of the Shakespearean things. It`s not to be or not to be, it`s to text or not to text.
And texting has gotten everybody in trouble from Tiger Woods to god knows who. But also it`s allowed celebrities to tweeting to texting or what have you to get ahead of the story. Tiger probably could have used that almost a year ago to this very day.
So I think she`s right. It`s very carefully worded and what have you. But you know I can tell you she`s already changed her name back to her maiden name on her Web site and also in "Access Hollywood" we found out there`s also a pre-nup that was updated in 2009 as well.
ANDERSON: Right.
POTTS: So I think she seems to be in a good position here. But texting is always, always dangerous.
ANDERSON: Yes. Ereka, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint" do you think that Eva made a big mistake by saying anything at all?
EREKA VETRINI, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": No. And I think she`s actually really kind about it. Her tweet was really sweet. I think that I would not have been that kind considering the situation.
I mean this purportedly was one of her dear friends said her husband was sexting. So I think she was kind and I think it was fair enough that she should have her say first, having been the one scorned.
ANDERSON: Yes, and we obviously don`t know. It`s not confirmed that there --
VETRINI: Right.
ANDERSON: -- was any sexting going on. We`ve reached out of course to Tony`s reps, to Eva`s rep, waiting for confirmation, waiting for comment on this and we are waiting to hear back.
So we don`t know the specific details. But, Tony, do you anticipate a mistress parade like we`ve seen recently in high-profile divorces? I certainly hope not.
POTTS: Well, usually with high -- you know, high-profile athletes you kind of think -- because if you`ve ever been to a game, they`re hanging around left and right. And you know --
ANDERSON: Everywhere.
VETRINI: Right. Exactly.
POTTS: -- outside as well. But in this -- yes, but in this -- but this case I don`t think so. You know I`ve seen them together a number of times, talked to her a number of times. You know who knows what happens behind closed door. But I think if the text messages were voluminous as far as the number of women, you would hear them coming out of the woodwork now, especially with them starting that new big deal.
ANDERSON: Yes. Yes. All right. Well, we`ve got to move now, guys, from this split to a nasty star split that only seems to be getting nastier by the minute.
POTTS: Yes.
ANDERSON: Mel Gibson`s custody battle with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva -- A.J.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, today Mel is demanding full custody of the young daughter. Mel is ticked, I`ll tell you. Oksana made what he calls false statements about him in her explosive interview with CNN`s Larry King last night. Oksana telling Larry she feared for her life. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: So you were taping him in the thought that you`d be killed and you wanted the world to hear this?
OKSANA GRIGORIEVA, MEL GIBSON`S FORMER GIRLFRIEND: I wanted my mother to be able to prove that if I`m dead that this is who did it.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now the judge did say in the past that Oksana risked damaging her side of this custody fight by speaking out but she did want to tell her story.
Ereka, I think she may have made a bad choice right here. What do you think?
VETRINI: Being on Larry King, of course --
HAMMER: Well, speaking out at all if she`s told by a judge this could hurt your chances of having custody, and now Mel is seizing on that.
VETRINI: You know, originally I thought so, but here I was looking at her and watching this interview yesterday, and thinking, is this really a woman who has been battered and beaten? And maybe this is -- maybe it`s fair for her to come out here and want to clean and clear her name.
She is a mother, she has two children. I think it`s fair that we hear it. And she`s got a lot of evidence on him. He did admit to hitting her.
HAMMER: Yes, well --
VETRINI: You know, there is -- there`s real --
HAMMER: Well, there are a lot of claims that are being thrown around out there including, you know, this idea that Mel slapped her which --
VETRINI: I think he actually --
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: And Mel is perhaps upset that Oksana claimed to be living in fear of him. Mel admits, as I said, to slapping her because she was allegedly harming their baby.
I got to tell you something, I do not one bit envy the judge in this case who has to decide because this is as ugly a battle of he said-she said as they come.
Ereka Vetrini, Tony Potts, thanks, guys.
ANDERSON: All right, moving on to this. Sarah Palin, is she slamming "American Idol" contestants today in her new book? If so, that takes a whole lot of guts because she might be taking on one of the biggest shows on television. And the man running that show fights back today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIGEL LYTHGOE, "AMERICAN IDOL" PRODUCER: And I guess she wrote that before her own daughter showed her somewhat lack of talent as a dancer on "Dancing with the Stars."
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is getting ugly.
HAMMER: OK. I think Donald Trump`s obviously a pretty smart guy, a take- no-prisoners kind of guy. So will he run for president? It`s been tossed around before. But we have the Donald`s stunning new revelation today.
And then --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALTROW: (Speaking in foreign language) How many times has Lindsay Lohan been to rehab?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The Lohan-"Glee" feud explodes today. Lindsay`s mom is furious at what Gwyneth Paltrow said on "Glee" and she`s now reportedly threatening to sue the show.
But come on, Lohans, can`t you take a joke? Our big debate coming up.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. News and views.
HAMMER: It`s time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Michael Jackson`s brother Randy doubts vocals on new MJ album are Michael`s.
GRAPHICS: "Glee"-Katy Perry mashup of "Teenage Dream" posted on YouTube.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We welcome you back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood, A.J. Hammer in New York.
HAMMER: And, Brooke, I want to you listen to this. It`s Tiger pointing the finger at golf for his alleged cheating scandals. He wrote a brand new article for "Newsweek" himself.
And here`s what he is saying, quote, "Golf is a self-centered game. In ways good and bad so much depends on one`s own abilities but for me that self-reliance made me think I could tackle the world by myself. It made me think that if I was successful in golf, then I was invincible. Now I know that no matter how tough or strong we are, we all need to rely on others."
So, Brooke, obviously it doesn`t make what he did right but it does sound like he`s been working on trying to figure it all out.
ANDERSON: Yes, I think he has. And I don`t think he`s blaming golf for what he did. I think he`s blaming himself and all that he said. Yes, golf made him feel like he was untouchable but he is the one who chose to go off the rails.
HAMMER: Right.
ANDERSON: And he admits that and he says he`s trying to become a better person.
And you know, A.J., it`s still not really clear if Tiger Woods has survived his sex scandal. His golf game is definitely off. He`s lost some big endorsements. More importantly, though, I cannot even imagine what his ex- wife is feeling, how she`s doing and what will they tell their kids?
Hollywood is littered with the remains of failed celebrity marriages. Star splits that came crashing down because of affairs. But can stars actually learn something from these painful breakups? And what about their careers?
It`s my SHOWBIZ special report, "Surviving Sex Scandals."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAURIE JACOBSON, AUTHOR, "DISHING HOLLYWOOD": It almost seems like Hollywood invented the marriage scandal.
ANDERSON: Laurie Jacobson, author of "Dishing Hollywood," feels today`s scandals mirror some real doozies from the past. Including the collapse of the marriage of one of America`s most beloved couples.
JACOBSON: Take Lucy and Desi, one of America`s best known married couples.
ANDERSON: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, stars of the classic sitcom "I Love Lucy" got divorced in 1960 after being married for 20 years.
DESI ARNAZ, ACTOR: Well, I can`t promise you anything, but I can try.
JACOBSON: They were married by a judge. Honey, she should have asked for a jury. That guy gave new meaning to the casting couch.
ANDERSON: Hollywood history is full of marriage mayhem. Flash back with us to 1958 and what happened to actress Debbie Reynolds, then America`s sweetheart. That`s when Reynolds` equally famous handsome movie star husband Eddie Fisher began an affair with Elizabeth Taylor.
JACOBSON: Now this one reminded me of Brad, Jen and Angelina. Debbie Reynolds and Eddy Fisher were considered the quintessential perfect `50s American couple. Their best friends were producer Mike Todd and Elizabeth Taylor.
Mike Todd was killed in a plane crash and Eddie had Elizabeth`s back and pretty soon he worked his way around to her front as well.
ANDERSON: More recent Hollywood marriage implosions, Halle Berry and Eric Benet for instance, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe as well. Following his reported stepping out begs the question, can a man handle his wife overshadowing him professionally?
JACOBSON: Reese Witherspoon`s career was advancing a little bit more quickly than Ryan Phillippe`s. It`s really hard being Mr. Reese Witherspoon. I don`t know why these guys simply can`t keep it zipped up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Business is booming. High-profile divorces of the past can be instructive to a couple. They can learn that no matter how difficult their differences, they`re best to do it in private.
ANDERSON: In private and under control.
JACOBSON: Well, let`s see. We don`t want people going the way of actress Joan Bennett.
ANDERSON: Bennett was a big movie and film star in the `40s but in the early 1950s her career took a big hit, so to speak, thanks to her husband.
JACOBSON: When her husband found out that she was having an affair with a producer, he shot the offender in the family jewels.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And there is a big scandal brewing today involving Sarah Palin and "American Idol." Sarah slams "Idol" contestants reportedly in a new book and the show`s executive producer slams Sarah today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYTHGOE: And I guess she wrote that before her own daughter showed her somewhat lack of talent as a dancer on "Dancing with the Stars."
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. Sounds like a smackdown to me. Sarah, I am not so sure it`s such a good idea to take on the show.
ANDERSON: Brand new details about Prince Williams and Kate Middleton`s wedding revealed today. Where could the wedding take place? When will the wedding take place?
HAMMER: All right. You got to check this out. All heck breaks loose for a "Jersey Shore" star but which one?
Wait until we show you just who people are freaking out over. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. News and views. With the SHOWBIZ news ticker, these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Demi Lovato`s rep. says she will spend Thanksgiving in treatment center.
GRAPHICS: Carrie Underwood says, "It`s going to be a while" before she has kids.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Brand new revelations from Cher today about her daughter Chastity getting a sex change and becoming a man named Chaz.
In an emotional interview in "Parade" magazine, Cher says, "When Chaz first told me about wanting a sex change, I had a really hard time with it. We talked about the transgendered thing intermittently for years. She was unhappy. When I realized she was going to do it, it was rocky for me. I thought, what will the press do to her? What will they do to the two of us together? It`s going to be the biggest nightmare that will not stop, but the press was kinder than I thought they would be."
You can read more of Cher`s interview in the new issue of "Parade" magazine in newspapers everywhere this Sunday.
So, Brooke, we are still getting a ton of phone calls and Facebook posts all about Bristol Palin making it to the "Dancing with the Stars" finale.
ANDERSON: We are, A.J. Tammy calling from Indiana thinks that Bristol should be in the final.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAMMY, CALLER FROM INDIANA: Bristol Palin is the most improved dancer. She comes from no background in entertainment, be it dancing or acting, and she deserves to be in it. She`s worked hard and she dances beautifully.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Tammy makes a good point. Thanks, Tammy.
HAMMER: But Brooke, over on our Facebook wall, Diana M. is writing this, "Bristol Palin is a terribly rotten dancer. She is stiff, forgets the move. The show is supposed to be about dancing talent and not a popularity contest."
ANDERSON: Well, what do you think? Will we name Bristol the most provocative celebrity of the week? The nominees are Bristol Palin, shocking a whole lot of people for making it to the "Dancing with the Stars" finals, also Prince William and his surprising but no-so-surprising engagement to Kate Middleton, and the Parkers. Eva Longoria and her soon- to-be ex-hubby Tony getting divorced.
Who do you think the most provocative celebrity of the week is? Vote now. Send a text to 45688. Type SBT1 to vote for Bristol Palin, SBT2 for Eva and Tony and SBT3 for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Or vote on our Facebook fan page for SHOWBIZTONIGHTHLN there.
Standard text messaging rates do apply. And we will reveal who we name and your votes on Friday.
HAMMER: And now the showbiz lineup. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
What do you think about this? Donald Trump for president? Yes, "The Apprentice" star revealed today brand new information, if he`s actually thinking of running.
The Bristol Palin "Dancing with the Stars" conspiracy theory is showing no signs of slowing down today. Shocking claims of a voting flaw that may have put Bristol into the finals.
And a stunning teen mom development today. Wait until you hear about this. We`re going to tell you why Amber may be facing jail time for attacking her baby`s father on tape.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. News and views. Time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker, these are more stories from SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Bruno Mars` Las Vegas court appearance on cocaine charge postponed.
GRAPHICS: CBS announces cancellation of "Medium" on Facebook.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Sarah slams "Idol" contestants. Sarah Palin`s unbelievable reported out-of-the-blue smackdown of "American Idol." And today executive producer of the show issues a dramatic response to Sarah (INAUDIBLE).
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYTHGOE: And I guess she wrote that before her own daughter showed her somewhat lack of talent as a dancer on "Dancing with the Stars."
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Sarah Palin, "American Idol", the brand new war of words explodes today.
ANDERSON: President Donald Trump? The Donald speaks out. Will he run for president?
HAMMER: Outrageous, unbelievable "Jersey Shore" fan frenzy. Which "Shore" star are these people going crazy for? You`re going to be surprised about this.
Plus breaking today from the "Showbiz News Ticker," Jennifer Lopez`s new business venture and Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway get naked for?
ANNOUNCER: 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.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood with big news breaking today. Sarah Palin`s big problem with "American Idol" contestants.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, Sarah Palin is apparently just all fired up and taking aim at "Idol" today. Brand new excerpts from her Sarah Palin`s new memoir have just been leaked online. And I can tell you "Idol" hopefuls -- they`re not going to be so happy about this today.
Palin goes on a tear about "Idol" contestants and I got to say she is sounding an awful lot like Simon Cowell today. But was it really wise to "Simonize" one of America`s favorite shows?
With me right now in New York, Ereka Vetrini. She`s a senior editor with "In Touch Weekly." Right now on Hollywood, Tony Potts is the weekend co- host and correspondent for "Access Hollywood."
I`ve got to say when I heard that Sarah Palin may have written about "Idol" in her new memoir, I`m thinking why is she talking about "Idol" in her new memoir?
Brooke, what did she supposedly write?
ANDERSON: Well, A.J., you know, this is just about the last showdown I could have imagined, Sarah Palin ever being involved with. But here`s what Palin reportedly said about "Idol" and its contestants.
"Did you ever wonder where the producers of `American Idol` come up with the seemingly endless supply of people who can`t sing, but are deluded enough to get in front of a national television audience and screech out a song anyway?"
She goes on to say, "No one they`ve encountered in their lives, from their parents to their teacher to their president, wanted them to feel bad by hearing the truth so they grew up convinced they could become big pop stars like Michael Jackson."
She also gives Simon Cowell some props for being truthful to contestants and apparently considers him a political role model.
Ereka, here she is insulting a whole lot of people, including the contestants and everybody who never told them that they could not sing. I think she makes some extremely valid point, but is this a bad idea?
VETRINI: Well, yes. I mean this base that she`s talking to right now is probably -- pretty much the same people that support her. And I just don`t understand why she needs to go there. I don`t understand why it made it into the pages of her book let alone.
This whole week we`ve been inundated by Palins and ridiculous comments. I`m sort of fed up with them at this point. I think a lot of us are.
HAMMER: You see, I`m thinking she might have made a really terrible move here because there are hundreds of thousands of "Idol" hopefuls out there and I imagine she doesn`t want to lose their potential vote someday.
Well, "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe appeared this morning on "The View." You have got to hear what Nigel said in response to Sarah`s comments about "Idol."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LYTHGOE: I don`t know why she`s referenced the president. I think he`s probably got a bit more on his hands to worry about than "American Idol" contestants and I guess she wrote that before her own daughter showed her somewhat lack of talent as a dancer on "Dancing with the Stars."
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Just kind of slid that in there. Nigel does not sound at all like he`s pleased with what Sarah is saying about his show and its contestants.
Tony, are you with me that it`s a dumb move that Palin could potentially be alienating all of those people who think hey, they could be the next "American Idol"?
POTTS: Well, I agree. And I don`t often agree with Nigel but do I agree. I mean the president had much bigger issues last year, the deficit and a couple other things. And to worry about "Idol" people and how they felt.
You know also some could say that the same could be said about Sarah Palin in her thinking she could actually be the vice president of the United States for crying out loud. So she may want to look in the mirror once in a while.
And also, too, I think one of the things that she`s doing here is she`s kind of setting up this conversation that may backfire against her daughter as she heads into the finals for "Dancing with the Stars."
HAMMER: I don`t know if that`s even possible at this point, Tony. Can you stop that steam roller? Really. Fans with "Dancing with the Stars" remain up in arms today over all those nasty conspiracy theories about Bristol that are out there and her whole winning streak on "Dancing with the Stars."
Brooke, it really does seems like this whole thing with Bristol and "Dancing" and the theories, they`re not going away.
ANDERSON: Yes. Is "Dancing with the Stars" rigged? That`s the question. Because there`s brand new outrage today over Bristol Palin and the so- called Tea Party conspiracy.
ABC News revealed today that the network is getting flooded with complaints after the conservative Web site Hillbuzz revealed a potential flaw in the "Dancing with the Stars" voting system.
People commenting on the site say that they created multiple e-mail addresses which allowed them to vote over and over and over again. Now the show says that they have taken every precaution to eliminate the fake votes but, Ereka, do you think there should be a recount?
VETRINI: No, I don`t think there should be a recount. And I think that she just legitimately has a very huge fan base. And unfortunately I think that this is what "Dancing with the Stars" has become. And I tune in to watch great dancers, you know, and that`s what concerns me with the future of the show.
I do, however, not -- I don`t really buy into this whole rigged thing. I think she`s just that popular.
ANDERSON: Well, you know I --
POTTS: Yes.
ANDERSON: I don`t think the voting systems are ever perfect.
POTTS: It`s not rigged.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Yes, Tony, what do you think? Is this a controversy that gets carried into the finale next week?
VETRINI: It`s concerning.
POTTS: Well, it might be a nontroversy, so to speak. I mean it`s not rigged, OK? I mean "Idol" has had the same problems for years. It`s been screwed up. The voting system is screwed up.
VETRINI: Right. It just did. Yes.
POTTS: If you can find the loophole, that`s the American way. And my god, that`s politics. So there -- I mean so I don`t think there`s any sort of rigging going on there at all. But I do think that, you know, if anybody thinks that it`s just a -- it`s based on dancing, you know, they`re basically out of their minds.
By the way, my mom was so upset, she turned off the TV. There`s guy in Wisconsin 66 years old that turned to his wife and said give me the pistol and shot the damn TV out.
ANDERSON: I do want to move now to more Palin reality words today.
A.J., I know Sarah Palin has been hinting at the run for president but now she`s facing some serious competition from none other than the Donald.
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, how does this sound? Donald Trump for president. President Trump. Well, we`ve certainly heard the rumors before. Brand new today, Donald Trump has just revealed more than he ever has before that, yes, he may be considering a run for president in 2012.
Whether Sarah Palin runs or not. He told George Stephanopoulos this morning at "Good Morning America" that Sarah Palin is indeed a force to be reckoned with and he`s ready. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, REAL ESTATE MOGUL: Sarah Palin, hey, she`s very interesting and don`t underestimate her. I mean, I`m seeing what she does. Do not underestimate her.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS: Would you take her on if she gets in --
TRUMP: Oh, if I ran, I`d have no choice. I would take her on. I like her. But I`d take her on.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me go back to my original question then. What`s it going to take for you to get at it?
TRUMP: Well, I`m going to make a decision probably by June.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. So obviously this is something he`s mulling over. "I`m going to make a decision probably by June." President Donald Trump. I actually -- I mean it does have a certain ring to it but I don`t think he`ll ever, ever go through with it.
Ereka, let`s say he does.
VETRINI: OK.
HAMMER: Let`s say it comes down to the battle Trump versus Palin in 2012, god forbid. Should that happen, what will take place?
VETRINI: OK. First of all, Donald Trump will not hear the words, "You`re fired." He`s a determined man. If he`s going to decide to run, he`s going to put everything he has into it and he`s going to give every Republican out there a run for his money.
Now do I think that he`s serious about this? No. I don`t think he is.
HAMMER: Who wins between him and Sarah Palin?
(CROSSTALK)
VETRINI: Donald Trump. You know I kind of have to say this, right?
HAMMER: OK. Well, first of all, he is never going to reveal all of his financial information. Let me just say it right there. I mean that is key. And I think that`s one big reason he`ll never run.
It`s obviously a different world, Tony Potts.
POTTS: Yes.
HAMMER: Who do you think will win the presidential showdown? Because let`s face it, they are big brand names now.
VETRINI: Come on, Tony.
POTTS: Well, there`s one word. You can talk about finances and here it is. It`s bankruptcy. I mean he has filed for bankruptcy, his corporation, the Trump Entertainment Corporation filed for bankruptcy, what, two years ago? Was back in court a couple -- in early spring in New Jersey trying to save the casinos.
There have been a lot of problems. As far as finances are concern, he will not reveal that. I would say, though, head to head, I`ll take Trump.
VETRINI: Yes. And he`s worth about a billion dollars. That`s the claim, at least.
HAMMER: Fair enough.
VETRINI: So he`s got enough money in the bank, I`d say.
HAMMER: And he`s got that hair.
Ereka Vetrini, Tony Potts, thanks guys.
ANDERSON: Don`t forget the hair.
OK, there`s a big old feud blowing up today. Lindsay Lohan`s mom is now reportedly threatening to sue "Glee" for making fun of Lindsay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALTROW: (Speaking in foreign language) How many times has Lindsay Lohan been to rehab?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: This is a poker to our big SHOWBIZ "Flashpoint" today. Was "Glee" way out of line or is this no big deal?
HAMMER: Brand new details today all about Prince William and Kate Middleton`s wedding. Where will it be? When will it be? Plus the stunning new proof that Kate is the biggest fashion icon out there.
ANDERSON: From reality TV star to jail? Teen mom star Amber Portwood, she`s in a lot of trouble today.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. News and views.
HAMMER: And now the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: Robert De Niro, Jeff Bridges, Paul Rudd to host "Saturday Night Live" next month.
GRAPHICS: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to launch new fashion line for Kohl`s.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Prince William just announced his engagement to Kate Middleton. Already there`s a frenzy surrounding their wedding day, of course.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. People are absolutely clamoring for new details about what is expected to be the wedding of the century.
And today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you there is brand new information on where and when Prince William and Kate Middleton could tie the knot.
And now in New York, Rob Shuter, who is a columnist with popeater.com, also in New York is Katrina Szish who`s an entertainment journalist.
OK, Rob, Katrina, today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Kate Middleton is already scoping out the possible locations for her fairy tale wedding to Prince William. Just last night Kate was photographed walking out of Westminster Abbey.
Could this be the place where she says her I dos? Palace officials said that Kate is considering the Abbey as a possible location but nothing is set in stone.
We know that Westminster Abbey is the same place William`s grandmother Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip in 1947. It`s also the place where Princess Diana`s funeral took place. So obviously a whole lot of family history there.
Katrina, is that the perfect place for them to get married?
KATRINA SZISH, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I do think it is the perfect place. There`s lots of family history there as you just pointed out. Also it is one of the - you know the most elegant places, it is one of the most legendary, historically important places.
And of course you just can`t beat the family history, whether it`s a happy occasion or a very sad occasion.
And also I think it`s very important that Kate and William don`t follow in the foot steps of Diana and Prince Charles. They need to do their own thing but still keep it traditional.
ANDERSON: That`s a good point, family history, tradition very important to the royal family, but also they do need to carve out their own identity.
Well, today we are also hearing that Prince William and Kate could walk down the aisle as soon as March. That means there`s only four months left until the big day.
Rob, I personally can`t wait to hear more details like who`s going to be there and what do I have to do to get an invite?
(LAUGHTER)
ROB SHUTER, COLUMNIST, POPEATER.COM: There`s a lot of details to work out. However, they do have a lot of people helping them to work out these details. It`s going to be a massive wedding.
Diana`s wedding had I think 3,500 people attend. This is going to be a similar size wedding. You can bet every head of state, every president, every prime minister will be invited to the wedding so Barack Obama will be there. Michelle Obama will be there.
Their families will be there and their friends will be there but this will be much more of a state occasion than a little small sort of wedding for their friends and family.
ANDERSON: Yes. Not small at all. Can you imagine thousands of people at your wedding?
Well, still the million-dollar question remains, who will design Kate`s wedding gown? While that news will probably come closer to the big day, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can already tell you that Kate is quite the fashionista, the striking Navy blue dress that Kate wore the day her engagement to Prince William was announced sold out in London in just 24 hours. It`s flying off the racks here in the U.S.
I think she`s got a great sense of style.
Katrina, is Kate the world`s next big fashion icon?
SZISH: I think she actually is. And what I think is so refreshing about Kate is that she has an elegance to her. She`s refined. We`re not seeing micro-mini skirts and plunging neck lines. This is a woman who has real elegance.
And I think it`s really refreshing that this is who we`re looking to as a style icon but she still has a sense of youth and I think that`s what makes her particularly exciting. She`s definitely the one to watch.
ANDERSON: Yes, she`s fun but it`s a classic sense of style as well.
SZISH: Exactly.
ANDERSON: Well, we`ve got to move to another story making big news today. The Lohan family feud over the hit show "Glee".
A.J., it`s really exploding, isn`t it?
HAMMER: Yes, Brooke, Lindsay Lohan`s mom Dina is now reportedly threatening to sue over this week`s "Glee" episode that playfully takes a couple of swipes at Lindsay and her stints in rehab.
Now Gwyneth Paltrow was the guest star. She was playing the substitute Spanish teacher and referencing Lindsay in rehab in her lesson. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALTROW: (Speaking in foreign language) Lindsey Lohan is totally crazy, right? How many times has Lindsay Lohan been to rehab? Five times. Five.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, so now we know how to say that in Spanish, too. See, we`ve learned something today here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
I`ve got to say, whether Dina likes it or not, Lindsay is a part of pop culture. And Yes, I am sensitive to the whole rehab thing but Rob, I got to tell you, I think suing over this is ridiculous.
SHUTER: Well, absolutely. And there`s nothing to sue over. I spoke to some lawyers and there`s no case here. What she`s done again is sort of diverted attention from what she should be doing, which is making sure her daughter gets well.
And I think if she was focusing more on that and less on "Glee," Lindsay would probably be in a much better place.
HAMMER: Yes, Katrina, what do you think? I mean should "Glee" be forced to pay for making jokes at Lindsay`s expense? Have they done anything wrong here?
SZISH: They have absolutely not done anything wrong. They`ve simply capitalized on something that is very much out there in pop culture. And that`s what makes the show fun. They really didn`t do anything mean. And I really do think that this is continuing to portray Lindsay in a negative light instead of a positive one.
HAMMER: Yes.
SZISH: And I just think it`s absolutely ridiculous drawing attention to something that is ridiculous.
HAMMER: I could not agree with both of you more.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Rob Shuter, Katrina Szish, thank you both.
SZISH: Thanks.
HAMMER: Now I would love to know what you think. It is our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll. "Glee" makes fun of Lindsay Lohan in rehab, way out of line or no big deal? What do you think?
You can vote at CNN.com/showbiztonight. You can e-mail us, showbiztonight@CNN.com.
ANDERSON: Absolute proof today that Snooki, The Situation, Pauly D. and the cast of MTV`s "Jersey Shore" are major, major stars.
Which "Jersey Shore" star are all these hundreds and hundreds of screaming fans trying to get some GTL tips from? Surprising answer next.
HAMMER: And now to "Showbiz News Ticker" more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
GRAPHICS: "Glee" to perform Michael Jackson`s "Thriller" on post-Super Bowl episode.
GRAPHICS: Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal pose nude in new "Entertainment Weekly".
HAMMER: Time now for the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT buzz. Let`s hear what the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff is buzzing about today.
We have got -- we`re not ashamed to say it -- royal fever. Congratulations, Prince William and Kate Middleton on your engagement.
We can`t wait for the "Dancing with the Stars" finale. This one definitely promises to be the biggest, most explosive one yet.
We are grooving on Dr. Dre`s new song "Kush" and after 10 years of release date finally for Dr. Dre`s new album called "Detox."
Nintendo Wii`s "Just Dance" makes us want to boogie and we`re spellbound by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" part one.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN. News and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMMA WATSON, ACTRESS: There is a sense of nostalgia. There is definitely. I`m very aware that this is the last one. And, you know, that -- I`m trying to live it to the full and make the most of it.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let me tell you something, you don`t (EXPLETIVE DELETED) talk to mom and dad like that. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) hear me? You apologize to him.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s MTV`s teen mom star Amber Portwood infamously hitting and punching and hitting her baby`s father in a caught-on-tape attack that sparked a police investigation.
Well, today SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Portwood is official facing felony domestic violence charges. Indiana authorities claimed the couple`s child witnessed the attack. And for now Amber Portwood has not been arrested.
That could change if the prosecutor files former charges. Formal charges, rather. If convicted Portwood faces up to three years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.
Well, cops had to be called in to deal with another MTV reality TV star. Absolute bedlam broke out on the campus of the University of Rhode Island. Impromptu keg party? Nope. There was a big star on campus.
I`m talking about "Jersey Shore" star Pauly D. Poor Pauly, he just came to the campus to visit a friend. Well, word of Pauly D on campus made its way into Facebook and yes, bam, a thousand students turned out for a chance to perhaps get some GTL tips from Pauly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Getaway car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go to the car!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get to his car!
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s fantastic.
Now cops actually had to get calls to get Pauly D. the heck out there but that didn`t stop the mob. They continued running and they tried to find Pauly D.`s car.
Pauly is originally from Rhode Island. So I`m thinking the University of Rhode Island students just wanted to show some love for a local guy who made good, if you can call it that.
ANDERSON: All right. On Wednesday we asked you to vote in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Just few moments ago I received those final results. We asked you this. Bristol Palin and "Dancing with the Stars" finals, do you think she should win?
Only 11 percent of you say yes, 89 percent of you say no, but take a look at some of these e-mails. Summer from Tennessee says, "I am a 65-year-old woman, a Democrat and voted on `Dancing with the Stars` for the first time this week. I voted for Bristol."
And Anita from Louisiana says this, "Why can`t Bristol win by her own merits? Why does it have to be about politics or her mom?"
HAMMER: All right. We are about to name the most provocative celebrity of the week. The nominees are Bristol Palin, shocking a lot of people and making it to the finals of "Dancing with the Stars," Prince William and a surprising engagement to Kate Middleton, and the Parkers, Eva Longoria and her soon-to-be ex-hubby Tony getting divorced.
Vote now. Send a text to 45688. Type SBT1 to vote for Bristol Palin, SBT2 for Eva and Tony or text SBT3 for Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Or you can vote on our Facebook fan page for SHOWBIZTONIGHTHLN. Standard text message rates apply. We will reveal who we name and your votes on Friday.
ANDERSON: That`s a wrap for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
HAMMER: I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Thanks for watching.
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