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Showbiz Tonight
A Botox Bombshell; "Macho Man" Dies; Arnold`s Money Mess
Aired May 20, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST: Tonight, should we feel sorry for Arnold Schwarzenegger`s mistress and her family? I`m A.J. Hammer, and this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. What about the kids? Arnold`s secret child. His four children with Maria. A disturbing future they may face.
Plus, Arnold paying for his sins. The dramatic ways Arnold`s cheating will cost him a ton.
The Botox mom bombshell. The mom who claims she gave her eight-year- old daughter Botox does a startling about-face. What should we believe? And the great debate, should her kid be taken away from her?
"Idol" outrage. The explosive "American Idol" controversy tonight about the two finalists.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking tonight. A Botox bombshell. About the woman who claimed she injected her eight-year-old daughter with Botox. Well, tonight, that woman is backtracking big-time, but, it may be too late for her to keep custody of her daughter.
The Botox mom became an overnight celebrity when she went on "Good Morning, America" and told the world how she gave her daughter Botox to help her compete in beauty pageants, but today, a startling new interview with the woman surfaced, and SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you one thing is for sure. Somebody is not telling the truth.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It could very well be the biggest lie exposed this week. OK, maybe the second biggest.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of moms are giving their kids Botox.
HAMMER: California mom, Kerry Campbell, said last week on "Good Morning, America" that she injected her eight-year-old daughter with Botox to help her compete in beauty pageants. Nowm she is saying she made the whole thing up, that she lied about the Botox, lied about the beauty pageants, and even lied about her name.
NINA PARKER, TMZ: She can`t keep track of her own stories.
HAMMER: Not to put too fine a point on it, but it`s hard to tell which story to believe. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is asking, is this Botox or faux- tox? The story of Botox mom, Kerry Campbell, first appeared in the UK paper "The Sun" this past march.
UNIDENTIFIED KID: I do it, but -- it hurts sometimes, but I get used to it.
HAMMER: Campbell and her eight-year-old daughter, Brittney, retold their story on "Good Morning, America" last week.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s a tough world in the pageant world, I`m telling you. The kids are harsh.
HAMMER: Campbell quickly became the most hated mom in America and on "The View."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The fact that she would inject this poison into your eight-year-old daughter. This is the dumbest mama I have ever seen in my life.
HAMMER: The national outcry was so huge, child Protective Services actually removed Brittney from Campbell`s home. Now, Campbell is changing her story in a brand new interview with TMZ. First off, she says her name isn`t Kerry Campbell. It`s Sheena Upton.
PARKER: According to her, it was a made-up name for "The Sun" article.
HAMMER: Sheena or Kerry tells TMZ the Botox mom story was an acting job that began with "The Sun" and continued through her "Good Morning, America" appearance.
PARKER: She told us that "The Sun" had reached out to her for what she called an acting job, where she would have been given $200 in exchange for telling some ridiculous story and pretending to inject her daughter with Botox.
HAMMER: Now, in a brand-new interview, the Botox mom tells TMZ, quote, "I was scripted to do everything, and I was kind of manipulated." And for good measure, she adds, "I don`t even know what Botox is." TMZ reports that since her about-face, she`s gotten her daughter back, but there may be some questions about her credibility.
PARKER: During the interview, she changed her story multiple times.
HAMMER: As you can imagine, "The Sun" and "Good Morning, America" aren`t happy with the Botox`s mom`s change of heart. "The Sun" tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT it`s considering legal action, saying, quote, "The Sun strongly denies any suggestion it solicited or knowingly published a false story regarding Kerry Campbell and her daughter. The agency reporter watched Ms. Campbell administering what appeared to be Botox to her daughter and provided compelling photographs."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just what this mother did or didn`t do to her child is still very much under investigation.
HAMMER: Today, "Good Morning, America" defended its conduct while questioning the mothers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Either way, you have a mom who gave her eight- year-old daughter Botox, or, you`ve got a mom who made up a story, lied about it, had her eight-year-old daughter lie about it.
HAMMER: This possible Botox mom hoax brings to mind the balloon boy hoax, where the Heene Family tried to score a reality show by conning the world into thinking their little boy had been stuck in a runaway balloon. It all unraveled when the Heene boy couldn`t stick to the script in his TV interviews.
UNIDENTIFIED KID: We did this for the show.
HAMMER: Unlike the Heene boy, the Botox girl was able to stick to her story.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does it look better after you get Botox?
UNIDENTIFIED KID: Yes.
HAMMER: But even if her mom made it all up, as she now says, a lot of people would still like to see her punished for using her child for what she now claims was a hoax.
PARKER: You know, a lot of people are more outraged with the mother at this point, because they say that she`s using her daughter.
HAMMER: So if Upton or Campbell or whatever the heck her name is hopes her new about-face will clear her name, it seems her rep as a questionable parent is something the Botox mom might be stuck with.
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HAMMER (on-camera): I`m not exactly sure which is worse, getting your eight-year-old child Botox or lying about getting your eight-year-old child Botox for 200 bucks. That`s a pretty tough one. Either way, this lady is not exactly outing herself up in the running for any mother of the year awards. This leads to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," should the young girl be taken away from her mother?
I want to head out to Hollywood with Wendy Walsh. She`s a TV journalist and a doctor of psychology. So Wendy, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," hearing all of these new revelation revelations, do you think the little girl should be taken away from her mother who clearly has some issues?
WENDY WALSH, TV JOURNALIST, CLINICAL OF PSYCHOLOGIST: Absolutely not, although, this woman clearly has done some emotional abuse on the child by convincing her to lie, maybe some physical abuse by injecting something into her, Botox or not, for the cameras, the truth is, it would only hurt the child more to have an attachment injury. The woman needs support. She needs to be monitored. She needs parenting classes, but to hurt the child further by removing her primary caregiver is not the right way to go.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s kind of how I`ve been feeling as we`ve been pondering this today, and I want to go over to Megyn Price in Hollywood right now. We`re thrilled to have you, Megan. One of the stars of the wildly popular show "Rules of Engagement" on CBS. And I want to get your take on really what is an unbelievable story. As a mother yourself, Megyn, do you think the eight-year-old girl should be taken away from her mom for all of this?
MEGYN PRICE, CBS`S "RULES OF ENGAGEMENT": Well, I think I have to start by saying, I love this story, because I was beating myself up that I gave my kid a Mrs. Fields Pretzel for dinner last night. That`s not that bad. I kind of agree with Wendy, because I think taking a child away from a parent is one of the worst things you can do. Certainly, worse than whatever nonsense this lady is pulling. And by the way, what I do is acting. What she is doing is called fraud.
HAMMER: Yes.
PRICE: And for 200 bucks, not very well lucrative fraud, either.
HAMMER: No, not well-played at all. A lot of people, obviously, have been comparing this faux-tox story to the whole balloon boy hoax. In both cases, a lot of people were outraged. Wendy, quickly, which do you think is more outrageous? I can`t quite figure it out myself.
WALSH: I think they`re both pretty bad. I mean, making a small child lie? What are the lessons here in that? I think it was damaging to both kids, and I could never pick one worse than the other, really.
HAMMER: Yes, I mean, both pretty serious.
PRICE: Oh, I can easily pick one.
HAMMER: OK. Well, quickly, Megan, which one would that be?
PRICE: Definitely Botox because she is a double offender. The pageant mom and then the Botox? I think she has a history of horrible abuse.
WALSH: You`re right.
HAMMER: There is that. I do want to move from one kid being thrown into the spotlight for all of the wrong reasons to Arnold Schwarzenegger`s kids being thrown into just a firestorm. And that`s thanks, of course, to dear old dad`s outrageous cheating scandal. Now, today, there`s a brand- new call to leave all of the Schwarzenegger kids alone.
Ever since we first heard the shocking news about Arnold secretly fathering a child with another woman, I have felt so badly for that boy, and quite frankly, all of Arnold`s children with Maria Shriver. What a terrible situation for them. Wendy, how do they ever get past this considering, you know, really the most innocent victims of his betrayal?
WALSH: Absolutely. They`re going to need a lot of therapy. And they`re going to need a lot of time to process this. This is a traumatic, emotional injury. When you look at the person who you`ve looked up to, who is your primary caregiver, who is your father, and you have adopted some of his values and morals because you think he`s the way to live, and all of a sudden, you realize he`s a fraud! That`s a trauma. A big trauma.
And, you know, the fact that the kids are tweeting, I think, is kind of good. They`re working it out in their own way, but they`re controlling their media.
HAMMER: One of Arnold`s former co-stars and I have a great deal of respect for her, Jamie Lee Curtis. She, of course, starred alongside Arnold in "True Lies." She feels very strongly that the kids should absolutely be off limits. I want you to watch what she told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. This was at the opening of "Beauty Culture." It`s a new photo exhibit in Hollywood last night. Roll that, Charles.
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JAMIE LEE CURTIS, ACTRESS: In cases like this where families who are good people are -- their children are trying to walk through all of this. I`m not sure what kind of effect it has to have cameras pointed at you all day long as you`re going through stuff. And I`m urging the media to leave all of these children alone.
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HAMMER: I think Jamie Lee speaks the truth, but Megyn, really, I mean, let`s be realistic for a second. Is there any chance that the overwhelming interest in their lives is going to face any time soon even if it is the right thing?
PRICE: Oh, of course. I mean, everything fades. The tragedy in this I really think is, you know, from "Terminator" to governorator to inseminator. I think that when you`re a kid, you shouldn`t have to address adult problems, and I think that`s the real crime. I mean, I think that sadly, lots of people cheat on their spouses.
It`s awful, it`s reprehensible, but I think a kid being forced to deal with adult issues, especially in the spotlight, even if they weren`t in the spotlight, it`s horrible. I mean, what an awful responsibility to put on your child.
HAMMER: Yes, just an evil, evil situation that they`ve been --
WALSH: And especially if they`re the kid who`s the product of it all.
HAMMER: Well, yes.
WALSH: The product of this affair.
HAMMER: And I can`t imagine what kind of future there is, and hopefully, there is going to be some counseling involved. Wendy, I want to go back to something you mentioned, because earlier this week, Arnold and Maria`s son, Patrick, did tweet a message that he loves his family. Now, he also changed his name from Schwarzenegger to Shriver on his Twitter account. There`s a big debate about this on "The View." Watch this.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Younger kids use Twitter and Facebook and MySpace as a personal diary. As an adult, we know, you know what, -- if you put it on social media, you might as well give it to TMZ.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, HOST: If your mom says, listen, I want to keep this in the family, and I want privacy for me and my children, it seems slightly disrespectful to me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What about that, really quickly, Wendy? Because you said it`s healthy, but on the other hand, isn`t that inviting an invasion of privacy?
WALSH: No, because they`re controlling it. It`s only outgoing, and they don`t have to respond to tweets they get back. And I think there`s a new social culture for the young generations. My own kids tweet every time they`ve had a good meal. So, I understand it. I really do.
HAMMER: All right. Wendy Walsh, Megyn Price, we`ll leave it there. And Megyn, congratulations on your, show "Rules of Engagement," getting picked up for yet another season on CBS. We`re all very pleased to hear that.
PRICE: Oh, thank you.
HAMMER: Right now, you got to move on to this because coming up, Arnold pays for his sins.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): We`re revealing the dramatic ways Arnold`s cheating will cost him a fortune.
And one-on-one with Dr. Phil tonight about Oprah`s last week on the air.
DR. PHIL, HOST: She was gracious enough to have me on her show for so long and to put, you know, the Oprah stamp of approval, and then trained me and teach me how to do it all and then launched the show.
HAMMER: Why tonight, the doctor is saying, Oprah, I owe you, with more of our not to be missed week long Oprah final farewell coverage, next.
And "Idol" outrage. Explosive "American Idol" controversy tonight about the two finalists, Lauren and Scotty.
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 tonight.
ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, ACTOR: I think if there is a third one, we should sip tea for two hours. And that`s what it should be. And that`s it. Just us chatting about -- it`d be like -- it will be like my dinner with Andre, but it will be the three of us just sipping tea, and -- that`s what I would like the third one to be. Just a nice, long conversation about what it is to be -- what it`s like to go parasailing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And now, more of our showbiz farewell to Oprah. Tonight, Oprah, I owe you. Well, not me, but that`s something that Dr. Phil probably has said few times to Oprah Winfrey. She`d launched his TV career, got him his own talk show. We just caught up with Dr. Phil and his house in California. We asked him all about Oprah`s star-studded farewell spectacular and if he will forever be grateful for what Oprah did for him. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter one-on-one with Dr. Phil.
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KAREEN WYNTER CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I have to ask, you know, the party went on all night long, wrapped up a little before midnight. What did Oprah say to you after her spectacular party?
DR. PHIL: Well, she was so appreciative and so blown away. And I think people wonder if she really didn`t know, and she really did not know. She probably could have guessed some of the people that were going to show up, but nobody told her. So, it was a great night for her to just kind of go with the flow. And then afterwards, we had a party at the Four Seasons. And I got to bed about four o`clock. So, it was a night that she was really just kicking her heels up and having a good time.
WYNTER: What did she say to you? What was her favorite part? Was she just absolutely blown away? Because it really was just that spectacular.
DR. PHIL: Well, you know, she was just overwhelmed. And when we were talking about it, it was like trying to remember everything that took place, and everybody that was there. I got an e-mail from her the next day that said, love you, dude. Thanks for getting out of your comfort zone.
WYNTER: She called Dr. Phil dude.
DR. PHIL: Yes, she always does.
(LAUGHTER)
DR. PHIL: She always does. I was actually in a musical number, and she knows that`s way out of my comfort zone. So, she said thanks for getting out of your comfort zone.
WYNTER: Do you think Oprah -- do you attribute much of your success to her? For example, would you be where you are right now if it weren`t for her stamp?
DR. PHIL: It`s more than just her stamp. Let me tell you something. When you spend five years doing the Oprah show, and she is your sponsor, your mentor, the person that really talks to you about how to do this to the gold standard, that is so invaluable. And the things I learned at Oprah -- because I`ve never been involved in television in any way before that. So, people say, you know, would you be where you are without Oprah Winfrey, are you kidding me?
There would be no Dr. Phil without Oprah Winfrey. She was gracious enough to have me on her show for so long, and to put, you know, the Oprah stamp of approval. Then trained me and teach me how to do it all, and then, launched the show. Other than that, she hadn`t really been too involved.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And nice to see he`s humbled by the whole thing. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter there, and be sure to mark this down on your calendar because next Wednesday, Oprah`s last day on the air. We`re doing a blowout, showbiz special event, a full hour on Oprah`s final farewell right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific on HLN.
Well, I can tell you, Arnold Schwarzenegger will really pay for his sins.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): I mean, really, literally, from his wallet. The incredible amount of money Arnold`s cheating scandal could cost him revealed, coming up.
Sad news tonight. One of the most popular wrestlers of all-time, Randy "Macho Man Savage" dead tonight. We`ll tell you what happened next.
And you`ve seen the earth destroyed a bunch of times in the movies, but is a real doom`s day coming on Saturday?
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Here`s what`s supposed to happen around 6:00 p.m. eastern time Saturday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The largest earthquake the world has ever seen.
MOOS: But this is my birthday. Put this on me is weird.
(SINGING) happy doom`s day, dear Jeanne.
HAMMER: It`s showbiz trending tonight.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
And now the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
KATIE COURIC, FORMER CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHOR: And to all of you watching, thank you so much for coming along with me on this incredible journey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER (on-camera): Well, we have some sad news to tell you about tonight. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmed that one of the most popular wrestlers of the 1980s, Randy "Macho Man" Savage died today in a car accident. Truly an icon. Here`s what I can tell you at this point.
Savage, who`s real name is Randy Poffo who was driving with his wife in Florida. Now, there are reports that Savage lost control of his car after suffering a heart attack. His car, apparently, jumped a barrier and hit a tree. Savage died at the hospital. His wife suffered minor injuries. Wrestling great, Hulk Hogan, who competed with Savage during the wrestling days together tweeted this today, "I`m completely devastated. He had so much life in his eyes and in his spirit. I just pray he`s happy and in a better place, and we miss him."
And we`ve got this statement from the WWE. "WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest superstars of his time, Randy Poffo a.k.a Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Poffo was under contract with the WWE from 1985 to 1993, and held both the WWE and intercontinental championships. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. And of course, we wish a very speedy recovery to his wife, Lynn. Poffo will be greatly missed by the WWE and all of his fans." I remember his famous, "ooh, yeah." How did that go, Frank?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ooh yeah!
HAMMER: Ooh yeah! And the iconic slim Jim commercials, of course, as well. Our condolences go out to his family and friends tonight.
Well, we`re moving on right now to Oprah. Hard to believe, Oprah Winfrey is signing off the talk show next week. We`ve been getting a lot of your iReport videos about Oprah and how she inspires you. Thank you for sending them in. I want you to check this one out. It`s an iReport from Lena G. from China who says Oprah inspired her to become a TV reporter.
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LENA G. CHINA: Oprah has really brought me the power of words. When I was growing up, my dad always said to me, if you try hard enough, you too can be like Oprah Winfrey. And true enough, I watched all of her shows. I learned life`s best lessons from Oprah Winfrey, and I really, really tried my best to do exactly what she said. Pay it forward, be a good person, give and you`ll get back as much.
And true enough, 20 years later, I became a TV anchor and a host right here in China, one of the few foreign anchors, actually, in Guangzhou. And I`m so happy, and I`m so proud to say that Oprah Winfrey is my teacher. She`s my guru. She`s my mentor, and she`s truly an inspiration to me and to so many people around the world. Thank you, Oprah, for everything that you have done for all of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I love that story. Send me your iReport about Oprah. Head on ireport.com/oprah. You only have until Sunday to do it.
Time now for the showbiz line-up. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. "Idol" outrage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): The explosive "American Idol" controversy tonight about the two finalists.
Lindsay Lohan stalker nightmare. Lindsay making a dramatic move to avoid a stalker, coming up.
And Kate Gosselin ordered to cough up some serious cash over her divorce.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
And now the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Arnold pays for his sins. The cheating scandal. His Hollywood jobs disappearing. Our "Showbiz Flashpoint, is Arnold Schwarzenegger over in Hollywood?
Big "American Idol" controversy today. Two remain. Lauren and Scotty. But did America get it right?
Hey, did you hear? It could be the end of the world as we know it.
MOOS: Earthquakes worldwide. Believers will experience rapture, heavenly ascent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ninety-seven percent of the people God will destroy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t believe in such (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: You`ve seen it at the movies, but is the real doom`s day here?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking tonight. Hosed in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned today that Arnold Schwarzenegger`s double life, having a child with his house keeper, it could wind up costing him an outrageous amount of money, and quite frankly, a good chunk of his estimated $200 million fortune.
And joining me tonight, in New York, Luann De Lesseps. She stars on the hit TV show "Real Housewives of New York City" on Bravo. Also with us tonight, Megyn Price who stars in the big hit sitcom on CBS, "The Rules of Engagement" thrilled that it`s coming back for another season. Well, here are the rules of engagement for Arnold as he tries to dig himself out of this big hole, and it`s going to cost him a fortune.
Look at this. Arnold just pulled out of the big-budget movie "Cry Macho" losing a reported $12.5 million payday for that. He could be out tens of millions more because the "Terminator" project is also on hold and as this plan that governator animated series.
Luann, what do you think? Is Arnold paying too high of a price for his mistake, separate from what he might have to shell out to his family? Is this too much or is he getting what he deserved?
LUANN DE LESSEPS, BRAVO`S "THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY": Well, I think, you know, he`s going to learn a lesson from this, and you know, I feel really awful that his wife and his family has to be dragged through the lesson. I think it`s a high price, but I think it`s one that you have to pay when you do something that heavy. I mean, this is not just, you know, a roll in the hay. This is much more than just --
HAMMER: Yes. All right. Well, let`s go out to Megyn who`s right there in Hollywood. What do you think? Is Arnold getting what he deserves with all of this?
PRICE: You know, I -- "A," I don`t think he`s going to learn any lesson at all. I think he`s been fairly notorious for his whole life. I think that, you know, once he involves children in this, then, yes, you`ve got to pay the piper. It`s crazy. And I think that the -- the narcissism is just unbelievable to me. But as far as Hollywood shunning him, I think it`s going to be much more America shunning him.
I mean, Hollywood has a very short memory. I mean, look at Hugh Grant, look at Jude Law. Look at, you know, people who`ve cheated and bounced right back and make another movie, but I think Arnold has always been beloved by the American public and that`s really tough to get back. If you lose that, how do you possibly get it back?
HAMMER: Hey, we`re seeing it with Mel Gibson. You know, I, quite frankly, don`t watch Mel Gibson movies anymore. I can`t seem to separate it. And people are capitalizing putting the Arnold movies on right now. I`m flipping by the other night, and I didn`t want to watch the thing. And we learned today that top Hollywood divorce lawyers say if Maria divorces him, which I think is pretty likely, besides splitting everything 50/50, arnold may have to pay $150,000 a month in spousal support 40 grand a month in child support.
Luann, you`ve been there. Your own divorce all caught on camera. What would be your advice for Maria and the kids as she moves forward?
DE LESSEPS: Just to really, you know, maintain her composure, you know? She has a family that she has to look after. And I think that`s the most important thing is to keep her integrity and dignity about her. I mean, she is a candidate. And, you know, that`s a big name, very well- known names, and that`s why this is not going to be forgotten about easily.
HAMMER: Well, sure.
DE LESSEPS: Schwarzenegger`s story because this is such an important family in American history.
HAMMER: But let me ask you, having been there, is there a piece of you sitting, trying to sit in her shoes that says, take him for all he`s worth?
DE LESSEPS: Well, absolutely.
(LAUGHTER)
DE LESSEPS: Absolutely. And I think she deserves it. They have four children together. And, she has a certain lifestyle. She gave up her job to stand by his side.
HAMMER: Yes.
DE LESSEPS: And so, I think she deserves every penny that she can get.
HAMMER: Well, I think Arnold is clearly in a huge money mess no matter how you look at it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been talking with stars all week. I got to tell you, we haven`t been able to find anybody who has any sympathy for him at this point. And that leads to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," is Arnold dead in Hollywood? Megyn, you kind of alluded to your thoughts on this, but really, is he dead in Hollywood at this point as much as, you know, we may forget?
PRICE: Well, I mean, I think all of that stuff is very tough. Like I said, I think Hollywood has a short memory. So, you know, there`s a possibility that he could go on and sort of make fun of his problem, you know, like Hugh Grant went on "Leno" and sort of said what was I thinking and, you know, he kind of made light of it, but again, I just keep coming back to the fact there are kids involved in this. It is so hard to turn it around into a joke.
HAMMER: Luann, you`re not feeling a comeback, are you?
DE LESSEPS: I think it`s going to be very difficult for him because of the nature of the Kennedy family, because of the nature of the crime, because I consider it, you know, almost criminal, you know, what happened in the whole story. It`s not just a one night stand. It has nothing to do with the Hugh Grant story. I think this is far, far bigger.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, it`s huge. And we still don`t know what`s coming down the road, quite frankly, is how I feel. What should Arnold do next, though? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the premier of "The Hangover 2" last night. One of the stars of the film had this suggestion for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wicked fans, wicked cameos, you know. So, I think that would be amazing. I mean, whatever he would like to do. I mean, it`s just pretty -- it`s going through a bit of a personal problem. Maybe get his life back together a little bit. You know, but "Hangover" is all about second chances.
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HAMMER: Yes, I mean, Megyn, I think that really affirms what you`re saying. It may sound like a crazy idea, but let`s not forget, Tom Cruise, remember his image was pretty damaged. He started turning things around with his cameo, that little comic turn he took in "Tropic Thunder." The movie ironically was with, of course, Robert Downey Jr. whose career seemed dead for a while. So, you know, maybe to that point, Megyn, he really can turn a couple ameos and make a big comeback.
PRICE: I think it`s a stretch, because once again, Tom Cruise didn`t hurt anybody, and you know, Robert Downey Jr. snuggled in some little kids bed in Malibu. He didn`t create such havoc, and I think that`s really what the problem is here, whuich is why it`s going to be triply tough.
HAMMER: Megyn, Luann, thank you very much. It`s going to be really interesting to see what ends up happening. You can watch "The Countess" and "The Real Housewives of New York City" Thursday nights on Bravo, "Rules of Engagement" picked up for another season on CBS. Thank you both for being here.
DE LESSEPS: Thanks, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, there is no doubt that Arnold is trying to do some major spin control tonight. Let`s bring in the showbiz spin doctor, Howard Bragman, the founder of Fifteen Minutes Public Relations. Howard joins us tonight from Hollywood. So, Howard, as resident spin doctor tonight, we`re putting you to the test. This is a big test this week. I got this statement for you. You`ve got to take a look at this.
This comes from Arnold`s entertainment attorney. This is what they tell on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about Arnold putting his projects on hold. "At the request of Arnold Schwarzenegger, we`ve asked creative artists agency to inform all his motion picture projects currently underway or being negotiated to stop planning until further notice. Governor Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or time lines. This includes "Cry Macho," the "Terminator" franchise, and other projects under consideration. We will resume discussions when Governor Schwarzenegger decides."
Howard, that was their spin. If you were advising Arnold, I want to know how you would spin it within a minute. Go.
HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, FIFTEEN MINUTES PR: Well, first of all, A.J, that was probably the smartest thing he did. When you do a statement like that, it tells me that Arnold absolutely understands the magnitude of his problems. And that he`s got to give 110 percent of his energy to solving that problem. Nobody wants to take a meeting with Arnold. Nobody wants to touch something this radioactive right now.
And my gut, my PR instincts of 30 years tells me that there`s more to come out. When you do a statement like that, you don`t think the worst is behind you. You think the worst is ahead of you, and it was actually a kind of smart move.
HAMMER: So, he`s being proactive. I think that Arnold has to know he`s a pariah in Hollywood right now. I don`t think anybody wants to see him in a movie either. What does his spin tell you? So, you`re saying it was a good move.
BRAGMAN: Well, it tells me that he gets it. OK? It tells me that he`s taking this very seriously, which he needs to do. And that he absolutely understands, he`s done a lot of damage, potentially, to his career, certainly, to his family and to his kids. And that`s going to -- that`s going to take all of the energy right now that he has.
HAMMER: Well, he`s going to be keeping his publicist busy for sure, but what`s your bottom line for Arnold right now, Howard?
BRAGMAN: Arnold, fasten your seatbelt, it`s going to be a bumpy ride, I promise you.
HAMMER: Bumpy with all capital letters. Howard Bragman, thank you so much. And it is that time of the week when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week. I`ve got to tell you, it was very close. A tie between three candidates. Is It Arnold Schwarzenegger for admitting that he fathered a child with his housekeeper? Could it be Arnold Schwarzenegger for admitting that he fathered a child with his house keeper or possibly Arnold Schwarzenegger for admitting that he fathered a child with his house keeper?
Look, I don`t think anyone could compete this week for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s "Most Provocative Celebrity of the Week. So, there you have it. A tie. Howard Bragman, I thank you again.
Well, it was certainly a provocative end to this week`s "American Idol." Were you watching this thing?
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HAMMER (voice-over): Tonight big "Idol" controversy, the final two, a little bit country with Scotty and Lauren and a little less rock and roll with one of my favorites Haley out. Did America get it right? Next.
Kate minus thousands of dollars. Why Kate Gosselin has got to shell out some big bucks over her divorce from John Gosselin?
Bad news for people who have plans for tomorrow. You know, it could be the end of the world as we know it.
MOOS: Here`s what`s supposed to happen around 6:00 p.m. eastern time Saturday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The largest earthquake the world has ever seen.
MOOS: But this is my birthday. Put this on me is weird
(SINGING) happy doom`s day, dear Jeanne.
HAMMER: We`ve seen it in Hollywood movies, and now, some people say tomorrow is doom`s day. I thought it was just Saturday. Showbiz trending tonight.
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 tonight.
ED HELMS, ACTOR: I actually was worried, because it became clear as his arrival onset was pending that no one had told him about this joke. So, I was actually worried that he would be mad, and be mad at me, but he`s -- like -- he`s just -- couldn`t be cooler.
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RYAN SEACREST, HOST: The person who will compete against Scotty in the finale is -- Lauren Alaina.
HAMMER: Yes, another one bites the dust. Twenty-one million people watched "American Idol" Thursday night as fan favorite Haley Reinhart was sent home, but did America get it right?
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HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, and tonight, there`s "Idol" fury after an astounding 95 million votes, the most ever soulful singer Haley got the boot last night. That sparked some big-time controversy over the remaining two finalists. We`ve got country young in Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina and that leads to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," did America get it right?
I got to tell you, I was pretty surprised. Lauren, obviously, very talented. I did expect Haley to wind up in the finals. I`ve been joining up (ph) from all season. Let me go to Brian Balthazar. He`s the editor of popgoestheweek.com. Brian, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," did America get it right, my friend?
BRIAN BALTHAZAR, EDITOR, POPGOESTHEWEEK.COM: They didn`t, but not every viewer is a voter, and I think the viewers that appreciated her, unfortunately, aren`t always the voters. The young people are voting, and I think they`re voting for younger people with songs they`re more familiar with. So, no, they didn`t get it right, but historically, they do OK.
HAMMER: Yes, you know, look at Chris Daughtry is a great example. And quite frankly, country music is huge, and you have two country stars for the first time competing for the top spot. A lot of people blown away over the fact that America would send home somebody like Haley. You know, she`s got the rock, the pop, the blues, really a strong set of skills across the board.
Lauren and Scotty, very talented, as I said, but very traditional country singers. Out to Hollywood now and entertainment journalist, Kelley Carter. Kelley, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," did America get it right?
KELLEY CARTER, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: America got it right by putting Lauren in the finals because when you saw her audition, I mean, she didn`t miss a beat, stinging a duet with Steven Tyler. She had a great story with her cousin. She looked like an unpolished super, you know, future pop star. And so, I think they got it right by putting her in the finals. I think Scotty is going to be a really tough sell, should he ultimately win.
HAMMER: Really?
CARTER: Yes, I just don`t -- I mean, I think he`s very one- dimensional as a singer, and I think that`s probably where a bit of the controversy comes from because Haley is certainly, you know, you could kind of move her in and out of different genres. I think Scotty is going to be a little bit more difficult to market for them should he win this competition.
HAMMER: Yes, although, he has such a strong following, particularly, obviously, among younger people. And I just think there is something so fascinating about this really young kid with this unbelievable deep, deep voice. And a lot of people are saying that having two country singers is going to make for a boring finale, but "Idol" ratings are through the roof this season.
Just last night, they were far and away the number one show on television, 21 million people were watching. Brian, I`m thinking producers really don`t have to worry about a big tune out for the finale because people are so invested at this point.
BALTHAZAR: Oh no. They`ve been watching it all this time. They want to see who wins. This is the big payoff. All of the networks were suffering because of this show, and they will continue to until this runs its course.
HAMMER: Hey, Kelley, let me ask you a question, because now, we have the two youngest ever finalists competing against each other. Do you think that will help them or hurt them in terms of moving forward beyond "American Idol"? Do you think they will be more or less successful because they are so young?
CARTER: I think they`ll end up being more successful, because quite frankly, they`re not tarnished. They`re not, you know, frustrated lounge singers who are in their 20s. These are young kids who are at the start of their careers, and I think they`re going to have a long future ahead of them because of that. And also, the label gets to come in and do a little bit more, you know, than they would be able to, had they had an older contestant, I think.
HAMMER: Still plenty of time for them to be bruised and abused. Kelley Carter, Brian Balthazar, I thank you both.
Moving on now, the Palins making big news today as someone in the Palin Family just tied the knot in Alaska. We, of course, have the details.
Also, Kate Gosselin taking a big hit in her wallet over her divorce from John Gosselin.
And Lindsay Lohan`s stalker nightmare. All that making big news in the buzz today.
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HAMMER (voice-over): Lindsay`s stalker nightmare. Lindsay Lohan has just been granted a restraining order against a man she says has been stalking her for two years. According to documents on TMZ, Lindsay is terrified for her personal safety and even fears that the man wants to sexually assault her.
Kate minus 10K. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has confirmed Kate Gosselin has just been ordered to fork over more than $10,000 to a company she hired for marriage counseling services. According to the documents obtained by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Creative Energy Options claims Kate never paid for services that they provided in March of 2009. Kate and John Gosselin divorced in September of that year.
Palins, just married. Sarah Palin`s oldest son, Track, in his long time love, Britta Hanson had just tied the knot. "People" reports the high school sweethearts wed in a small ceremony in Alaska and will celebrate with a bigger bash this winter. In a joint statement, their family said, we`re tickled that have two decades of friendship, we proudly witnessed their marriage knowing their new life together will be blessed.
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HAMMER (on-camera): All right. So, it`s a big day tomorrow, could be, the end of the world as we know it. Not really. I heard it from a guy in the subway.
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HAMMER (voice-over): We`ve seen it in big Hollywood movies, and now, people are predicting tomorrow is our last day on earth.
MOOS: Earthquakes worldwide. Believers will experience rupture, heavenly ascent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ninety-seven percent of the people God will destroy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t believe in such (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
HAMMER: OK. So, not everybody believes it, but could it actually be the judgment day is really here? Showbiz trending tonight.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
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HAMMER (on-camera): Now the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
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HAMMER: Are you ready? Saturday is the end of the world. Well, at least, that`s what some people think. in showbiz trending tonight, hash tag if the world ends on Saturday. You know, we`ve all seen the Hollywood movies. There were basically swallows itself up on doom`s day, but we`re finding out that true believers of judgment day are making some major plans for this weekend. Here now CNN`s Jeanne Moos with our showbiz trending story tonight.
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MOOS: I hate to be judgmental when he keeps saying judgment day this Saturday, the end of the world is almost here. It doesn`t improve the daily commute. Here`s what`s supposed to happen around 6:00 p.m. eastern time Saturday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The largest earthquake the world has ever seen is going to be banks, buildings will collapse. It`s going to be quite awful.
MOOS: Like the disaster movie, "2012," arriving early. Earthquakes worldwide, believers will experience rapture, heavenly ascent, while nonbelievers stay for a few hellish months until the fiery end of time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ninety-seven percent of the people God will destroy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don`t believe in such (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
MOOS: The generally low key and polite folks who believe this need tough skin as they hand out their leaflets.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, right!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It`s all over. It`s all over.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See you this time next year.
MOOS: And you`re convinced, you`re absolutely convinced.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, because the bible guarantees it.
MOOS: The bible as interpreted by this California preacher, Harold Camping (ph), head of family radio. Lately, he`s been getting some flack.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My bible warns about false cheater (ph), and buddy, you are one of the worst.
MOOS: Camping miscalculated his last end times prediction from 1994.
What happens if on Sunday we`re all still here and there`s no earthquake and --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, there will be an earthquake.
MOOS: This retired New York City transit engineer spent $140,000 in subway and bus shelter ads warning of judgment day.
That`s your life savings?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A good chunk of it.
MOOS: On Saturday, where will Robert Fitzpatrick be?
ROBERT FITZPATRICK, AUTHOR "THE DOOMSDAY CODE": As of now, I`m planning to be in Times Square.
MOOS: With media tagging along expecting to see him with egg on his face or in rapture. And if those in heaven need someone to take care of the pets they leave behind. You can arrange with services like after the rapture pet care and eternal earthbound pets to have non-Christians take care of your animals.
One nonbeliever wants to celebrate we`re still here day on the 22nd. For some of us, the 21st is problematic.
But this is my birthday. Put this on me is weird. So, if my birthday is on the 21st, what do you recommend I do?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pray.
MOOS: And maybe celebrate early.
(SINGING) happy dooms day, dear Jeanne. Happy doomsday to you
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
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HAMMER: Hey, the world is better not into buy (ph). Going to (INAUDIBLE). Got to dance the whole (ph). That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now seen exclusively Monday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific right here on HLN.
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