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Showbiz Tonight

Morgan`s Anti-Gay Rant; Alec Baldwin Defends Weiner!

Aired June 10, 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, is Alec Baldwin really defending Anthony Weiner? Why Alec says he understands why the congressman tweeted his private part.

I`m A.J. Hammer. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

More big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT:

Tracy Morgan`s anti-gay rant revealed today. Why the "30 Rock" star said he`d stab his son to death if he was gay. Tonight, my headline-making showbiz maker interview with the guy had revealed Tracy`s rant to the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEVIN ROGERS, ATTENDED MORGAN`S STAND-UP SHOW: I was very stunned, appalled, in shock. I didn`t know what to do, what to say, what to think.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Our showbiz flashpoint. Should NBC fire Tracy from "30 Rock"?

Tonight, a showbiz news maker exclusive in the Kim Kardashian cheating scandal. We are one-on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating her now fiance. Kim says he is lying. He says she`s lying. Who is telling the truth? Watch and you decide in our news maker exclusive.

TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.

(MUSIC)

HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you tonight from New York City.

And he said what? "30 Rock "star Tracy Morgan must have rocks in his head. I mean, how else to explain this antigay, homophobic rants at one of his concerts that blew up in his face big time today?

How else to explain why he would said he would stab his son to death if he found out his son was gay, and staying it during a standup routine during a concert in Nashville? I`m sorry, Tracy. Not funny.

The world learned about Tracy`s brain freeze today after an openly fan of his who was at the concern went on Facebook and revealed what Tracy said. The guy`s name is Kevin Rogers.

This afternoon, I spoke with Kevin in a headline-making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEVIN ROGERS: He discussed if his son came in his house and spoke to him in an a feminine voice as he thinks apparently must gay speak in, that he would pull out a knife and stab him to death if he couldn`t talk to him like a man. It was just really hate filled and very straight forward that just at that moment in time, he wasn`t very accepting of my community.

HAMMER: I mean, you go into a Tracy Morgan show -- obviously, you know his comedy is on the edge and this certainly is not comedy I think under any description. So, you`re hearing that. How did you react?

ROGERS: I was very stunned, appalled, in shock. I didn`t know what to do, what to say, what to think, and certainly from that point forward, nothing else he said was funny to me or it was just very saddening to me.

HAMMER: Were there people in the audience laughing or cheering for him at this point when he was saying these hateful things?

ROGERS: Sadly, yes, there was a lot of cheers and things for him to just be I guess -- I usually put it kind of attaboy, yes, go get `em kind of attitude for some people and that was very disheartening. I like to think of Nashville as a pretty progressive city. But, you know, that was a crowd of people that doesn`t seem to be very progressive.

HAMMER: Well, here`s what kills me. It`s a week later and only after the outrage erupted did Tracy finally release a statement today. Let me read to you what he said.

"I want to apologize to my fans and the gay and lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent standup act in Nashville. I`m not a hateful person and I don`t condone any kind of violence against others. While I am an equal opportunity jokester and my friends knew what it is my heart, even in a comedy club, this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."

And, again, Kevin, this only coming a week later and after the word got out. So, from where you sit, apology accepted?

ROGERS: Just as long as he`s sincere about his apology and realizes where he went wrong and where the comedy ended and the seriousness began. Yes, I`m more than willing to accept his apology.

But, you know, it`s going to take a little bit more on his part to show that he`s willing to take that information out of his show. And, you know, I would love to see more support from him going forward of our community.

HAMMER: And as you I`m sure have heard, there have been calls from various organizations for NBC to come out and condemn Tracy and what he said. Do you think they should fire him perhaps over this?

ROGERS: I don`t believe so, just because I`m not a vicious person. And, you know, I would hate for someone to lose their job or career over something. Everybody makes mistakes and, you know, I think that he made a huge mistake that night in his thinking or lack thereof. I just want an apology and for him to change his way of thinking.

HAMMER: Specifically, what kinds of things would you like to see him do to make you feel once again better about Tracy Morgan and perhaps make you a fan again?

ROGERS: Actually, I think it would be awesome if he would take his proceeds from that night`s performance and donate those to gay and lesbian charity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HAMMER: So, here`s the question: is that apology from Tracy Morgan enough? I have real doubts about how sincere it was, because, again, I need to point out Tracy went on this rant a week ago. He only apologized after all the outrage and after this all came to light.

I can tell you, the gay rights group GLAD, they`re not buying it. Today, here`s what they told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

They said, "Tracy Morgan must not only apologize but assure us this won`t happen again and send a clear message to Americans that antigay violence is no joke."

I think Tracy`s apology is certainly a good first step, but it sure doesn`t make it OK for him to joke about killing his son if he were gay. I`m personal going to have a hard time being a fan of this guy for a while now, at least. I want to see what he brings to the table.

Let me bring in resident SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spin doctor, Howard Bragman, who is in Hollywood tonight. Howard is the founder of Fifteen Minutes PR. He`s openly gay and he works a lot with Hollywood stars who are coming out, including CNN`s own Don Lemon.

Howard, as someone who has helped out a lot of big name stars coming out to the world and fight this kind of hatred, do you think Tracy`s apology is enough?

HOWARD BRAGMAN, FOUNDER, 15 MINUTES PR: I don`t think it`s enough because I don`t believe it. I found the words he said utterly heinous, utterly offensive. And I don`t believe in light switch apologies. Oh, I got caught, so I`ll say I`m sorry. It doesn`t work.

You really need to understand what he did, where he went wrong. As the concert-goer said, he needs to start making some amends to the gay and lesbian community and he needs to understand the difference. There`s this huge rift between the African-American and gay and lesbian community where the gay and lesbian community doesn`t feel like a lot of African-Americans respect our movement as a true civil rights movement.

If you would substitute the N-word and some of those things about African-American people, we`d be having a totally different discussion were it a white comedian who said those things on stage, A.J.

Time is the secret weapon. We`ll see how he behaves, what kind of amends he makes. And then I`m willing to give him a chance. But only if he makes the right steps.

HAMMER: Yes, he`s got more to do, clearly, in my mind. All that outrage from so many groups and so many individuals out there, all those questions about -- like you said, Howard -- how heartfelt this apology really is.

All that leads to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT flashpoint: should NBC fire Tracy Morgan?

Let me bring in Laura Midwin Charles with Midwin Charles and Associates.

So, Midwin, to our showbiz flashpoint, should NBC fire the guy?

MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY: I don`t think that they should. I mean, this is a guy who is first and foremost a comedian. He made those comments during a comic tour. He was not under the scope of employment with NBC at the time.

Were his words heinous? Yes. Were they disrespectful? Yes.

I think his apology was heartfelt, but I agree with your other guest, he needs to do more, perhaps donate his proceeds from the show.

HAMMER: Wasn`t the timing suspect to you? I mean, really? How sorry can he feel about something when he`s only coming out to apologize about it after the outrage?

CHARLES: Hello. But that`s what everybody does, right? I mean, everybody apologizes after they have been caught doing something untoward, right?

(CROSSTALK)

HAMMER: Exactly. And usually, hat says to me they don`t generally feel sorry about, it they`re embarrassed they got caught and they`re going to spin it.

CHARLES: No, not necessarily. Perhaps it was brought to their attention. Remember, he said these things during -- while he was performing as a comedian. He probably thought it was funny, unfortunately. He probably didn`t realize how horrible it was and how it was going to go over on people.

And, you know, I don`t understand why he would ever think advocating violence, particularly such graphic violence -- I mean, stabbing your own child, I think we can all agree, is a bit crazy. But he was saying these things during a comic tour. So, remember that`s the scope of it.

HAMMER: I do -- I do think something must run deep with Tracy, though, to have said such hateful things and to have said them reportedly throughout this entire concert event.

I want to move on because maybe there`s something in the water there at "30 Rock." Alec Baldwin went on his own rant of sorts today about Congressman Anthony Weiner tweeting his private parts.

Here`s what Alec wrote on "Huffington Post." He said, "Weiner is a modern human being. He`s so ensnared himself in things modern humans do. I`m sad for him, his family, his district and his colleagues."

And I get his point a whole lot of men are really, really stupid when it comes to sex, they`ll use whatever means they can to get a thrill. But when you`re famous, you got to keep it in check.

Howard, is it really good idea to be defending a guy who is the butt of every joke in America right now?

BRAGMAN: I don`t think he was defending him. I think he said I understand what it`s like when your conversations, your most private things, are made public. I think it was an expression of empathy and sadness.

But he didn`t say, what you did is all right. You should go on. I read the column. I didn`t hear that.

HAMMER: All right.

BRAGMAN: I think it was purely empathy.

HAMMER: Fantastic spin for Alec Baldwin from Howard Bragman, I thank you. Midwin Charles, I thank you as well.

All right. Coming up tonight, you got to see this -- a Kim Kardashian showbiz newsmaker exclusive. I`m going to go one-on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating the guy who is now her fiance. And Kim says he`s lying. He says she`s lying.

Who is telling the truth? You got to watch this and decide yourself in our showbiz newsmaker exclusive.

And George Clooney, my friend, you may have to get married. Wait until you hear what your girlfriend just said. That is coming up.

And Russell Crowe goes on a anti-circumcision rant. A lot of people are outrage by this. I know it sounds goofy, right?

Why is Crowe saying what he`s saying?

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.

(SHOWBIZ NEWS TICKER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LADY GAGA: I got really bullied. And I -- you know, I had, you know, a nice group of friends. But getting picked on in school it, sticks with you for life. I don`t think I realized how deeply it affected me until I started to become more successful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Lady Gaga tells the ladies of "The View" about her personal bullying nightmare she battled when she was growing up. And, tonight, sadly, Lady Gaga is not alone.

Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

Tonight, battling the bullies. Lady Gaga has a powerful new ally in her war on bullying, TV superstar actress Faith Ford -- who, of course, we love in shows like "Murphy Brown" and "Hope and Faith." And she`s starring in a powerful must-see TV movie called "Field of Vision." It debuts this week on Saturday night on NBC.

Faith joins me tonight in New York for a showbiz newsmaker interview.

It`s great to see you. And I`m thrilled you`re here. This looks like a terrific movie this weekend on NBC.

FAITH FORD, ACTRESS: Thank you.

HAMMER: And talk about timing of your coming here today because we learned today that "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan went on a homophobic antigay rant while he was doing a standup routine in Nashville. He said gay kids that are bullied need to stop whining. Unbelievable.

Today, here`s what the Human Rights Campaign told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: "Hateful remarks that mock youth suicides and the very real emotional and sometimes physical bullying LGBT kids face on a daily basis is no place in a comedy routine."

Now, Faith, when you are on "Murphy Brown" -- I remember the show got a lot heat at times for being politically charged. Do you think we need to cut Tracy some comedy slack here or did he -- and I think he did -- definitely cross the line?

FORD: There is a line in comedy. You have to go to the edge, but not cross over. It`s very important you don`t offend people.

The way we did it with "Murphy Brown" and the way Archie Bunker did, it was his show, is that ultimately, the joke is on the person that`s making, you know, the joke.

HAMMER: Right.

FORD: So, in Tracy, I didn`t see it, but I think that we have to be very careful. If we`re going to put it out there, we`ve got to be able to take the heat. So, he`s evidently going to get a lot of hit for this.

HAMMER: Yes, there was no way this was any joke about Tracy or even the error of his ways in saying what he`s saying. It didn`t come back to him at all.

And it turns, a guy named Kevin Rogers, he`s the openly gay man who is at Tracy`s concert and revealed to the world on Facebook today what Tracy said, he was bullied himself. I spoke with Kevin this afternoon. I want you to watch what he told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROGERS: I was bullied. And I think a large majority of the population was bullied for whatever reason, whether they had braces or not clear skin, or if they were portrayed to be gay or what have you. You know, I don`t think bullying of any type is a push-it-under-the-rug issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: Now, Kevin got it absolutely right. And I know you can identify with that. You yourself were bullied as a kid.

What happened? How bad did it get?

FORD: Well, mine started in elementary school. I was a skinny child and I wore glasses and I had to bring all my books home because I had to study and I wanted to have good grades. And because I sat on the front seat of the bus, a couple of kids in my neighborhood just decided it was funny to sort of hit me over the head with a book every day.

And that doesn`t feel good, you know?

HAMMER: Yes.

FORD: It doesn`t feel good to be called lizard legs. It doesn`t feel good to have rocks thrown at you.

But, you know what? It was part of it. And, luckily, I had a mother who was an elementary school teacher, and she just taught me to face the problem. Go face to face with it.

But, you know, not everybody can do that.

So, what I like about our film is it`s about having an advocate, someone that helps. The onlookers can help that victim of bullying so much which ultimately can help the bullied.

HAMMER: How great that you have this vehicle now after what you experience, to put all this forward? It`s called "Field of Vision." And you play a high school guidance counselor and a mom whose son is faced with a choice of being a bully, or being one of the person who pushes back against them. Let`s take a look at that a bit of that right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This boy, Curry Cromwell (ph), his clothes were stolen from the locker room when he was in the shower. Do you know anything about this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: So what`s the big take away from you from "Field of Vision"?

FORD: I just like that it gives you hope. It`s positive. It`s a positive look at it and it doesn`t preach. It certainly doesn`t preach and it`s not preaching (ph).

I love it. I`m very proud of it.

HAMMER: As I said, it got a great message. It`s a hot button issue right now. Everybody needs to pay attention to this.

Faith Ford, thank you so much for sharing your battle against bullying right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.

And make sure you see Faith in a new TV movie, "Field of Vision," Saturday night on NBC.

Moving on tonight, a showbiz newsmaker exclusive in the Kim Kardashian cheating scandal. You don`t want to miss this. I`m going one- on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating the guy who is now her fiance.

Kim says he`s lying. He says she is lying. So, who is telling the truth? Well, take a look and you decide, coming up.

Rocker Jack White, formerly with the White Stripes and his wife -- well, they are divorcing. So, they`re throwing a big party to celebrate. Look at this. We got the invite.

What`s going on here? I`ll explain in just a bit.

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.

(SHOWBIZ NEWS TICKER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Tonight, Russell Crowe`s circumcision controversy.

Yes, there is outrage over Russell sniping about snipping. Listen to what Crowe just wrote in a Twitter rant that was revealed today. "Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that God require as donation of a foreskin? I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats, but stop cutting the babies.

If you feel it is your right to cut things off your babies, please unfollow and blank off, I`ll take attentive parenting over barbarism."

Now, Russell apologized today for his tweets. But a lot of people are ticked of the Oscar winner over what he said and how he appeared to be mocking Jewish traditions.

Let me bring in comedian Beth Littleford.

Beth, Russell has said he`s a changed man. And I like Russell Crowe a lot. But he has got his temper under control he said. He`s thrown phones at people. He`s walked out of interviews.

Now, he`s fired up about foreskin. I believe I just said he`s fired up about foreskin.

Beth, what do you think? What do you think about circumcision under his skin, so to speak? Sorry, couldn`t resist.

BETH LITTLEFORD, COMEDIAN: Well, you know, I think it`s fantastic - - fantastic pun. I did a movie with Russell years ago. I found him to have that gruff Australian charm, but anti-Semitic? No. I mean, when I first heard like anti-Semitic tirade, I thought, oh, no, another Mel Gibson on our hands.

I don`t think so. I think he`s hair trigger. I think he`s impulsive. And I think that celebrities need to realize that Twitter is not the forum for a debate on a sensitive issue.

Circumcision is a sensitive issue. And I think you can be anti- circumcision and not be anti-Semitic. I just think that he needs to realize that he`s not sending a private message to Eli Roth.

(CROSSTALK)

LITTLEFORD: He`s beaming it out into the universe.

HAMMER: What do you think his intention was?

LITTLEFORD: What do I think his intention was? I think he has strong feelings about it and I don`t think he realized how offended people would be. It`s a custom in our culture, people have strong feelings.

But I think he didn`t realize. He was making a political statement and beaming it out to the universe. I do think he had a thoughtful, well- timed apology.

HAMMER: I got to say -- yes, he did but when celebs get on Twitter, it`s just like getting on stage. They do need to realize that.

Beth Littleford, I thank you so much.

I got to move now to the showbiz line, here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Tonight, it`s the showbiz newsmaker exclusive in the Kim Kardashian cheating scandal with this guy. I go one-on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating the guy who`s now her fiance. Kim says he`s lying. He says she`s lying.

And will we name Kim Kardashian the most provocative celebrity of the week? Maybe it will be Anthony Weiner. Or how about Tracy Morgan? That is coming up.

Plus, why George Clooney may have no choice but to get married now. You got to hear this.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.

Here comes the showbiz news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom, making news tonight.

(SHOWBIZ NEWS TICKER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT:

A Kim Kardashian cheating scandal exclusive. One-on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating the guy who is now her fiance. Kim says he`s lying. He says she`s lying.

So, who`s telling the truth? You decide. It`s our showbiz newsmaker exclusive.

Will we name Kim Kardashian the most provocative celebrity of the week? How about Anthony Weiner for his naked tweets and texts? Tracy Morgan for his homophobic standup rant?

Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes, gets divorced and throws as star-studied party. What? Look at this -- the rock star and his model wife cordially invite you to splitsville.

ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.

(MUSIC)

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.

We`ve got big news breaking today. Cheating Kim? Tonight, it`s a showbiz news maker exclusive with Bret Lockett. Bret is the NFL player who just made the shocking allegations that Kim Kardashian cheated with him on her now fiance Kris Humphries. Lockett claims he and Kim texted and even spoke on the phone. But Kim says she`s never heard of the guy and now she`s threatening to sue him.

So, what`s the deal?

Right now in Boston with his side of the story and showbiz newsmaker explosive, it is New England Patriots safety Bret Lockett.

And, Bret, I`m glad you`re here, because, obviously, there`s a lot of stuff out here about your alleged relationship with Kim Kardashian. And you say you want people to know the truth.

So, let us help you clear up the air right now, all right?

BRET LOCKETT, NFL PLAYER: Sounds good, A.J.

HAMMER: OK. Well, first of all, in the magazine that broke the story, "In Touch Weekly," it says you had a five-month relationship with Kim. I got to ask you: was this a relationship exclusively over text and over the phone, or was it a physical relationship, Bret?

LOCKETT: Well, I`ve said before that it was a physical relationship, but what I mean physical, I say that, meaning there was a physical aspect in the relationship, meaning that I don`t want to get really into the details, but she did tell me that she was, you know, touching herself in a physical way over the phone towards me. So, when I say physical, that`s what I mean physical.

But was it a physical relationship meaning I saw her in person, no.

HAMMER: Got it. OK. So, to clear that up, she says she has never met you. I assume she means by that face to face.

Have the two of you ever met face to face?

LOCKETT: No, we have not. She was very busy. It was during my football season. She was opening her stores in Miami and New York, and her book signing was being launched at the time. So, we weren`t able to connect at the time.

HAMMER: How did you come to communicate with her in the first place, Bret?

LOCKETT: My younger brother, Colin, was talking to Lauren London, one of her best friends. And my brother called me one day, I was in the studio recording a song and he said, you know, Lauren wants to know if Kim can have your number. And I said, "Kim who?" He said Kim Kardashian.

I thought he was playing and he was dead serious. So, I said, "Sure, why not?" And about 10 minutes later, I received a phone call in the studio and that`s how it all happened.

HAMMER: So, in your mind, it is clear this was Kim Kardashian. This actually went down. And as you well know, Bret, Kim not that happy at all about what you`re putting out there.

In a brand new court document just obtained by TMZ, Kim`s attorney claims you have made false, defamatory and injurious statements. And they basically want to you stop talking. The letter reveals claims they would like to you retract and apologize for.

I just want to run a couple of this down. That you and Ms. Kardashian secretly had a five-month affair during the time Ms. Kardashian has been in a relationship with her fiance Kris Humphries. Then Ms. Kardashian engaged in sexting and phone sex with you during that time, that Ms. Kardashian sent sexually explicit pictures of herself to you. And the list goes on and on, Bret.

Clearly, Kim, not playing around here. Do you plan to apologize or retract any of these claims that I just mentioned?

LOCKETT: I do not plan to apologize and retract anything. What I`ve said is the complete honest truth. And, I mean, you can`t fault somebody for telling the truth. That`s just plain and simple.

HAMMER: Well, here`s the thing I`m having a hard time wrapping my head around, Bret, is I can`t understand what reason you would possibly have to lie about something like this because, obviously, you know what`s at stake. Here you and I are talking about it.

I also can`t understand why Kim would threaten to sue you and release a statement saying she`s never even heard of you if this wasn`t all a lie.

You`ve come forward to clear your name but I got to tell you and I think you`re coming to understand this, unless you can offer up some kind of proof, it is only really making you look like you`re lying. You know, people are starting to question your credibility, and I know you`re talking, so you can help clear up your name.

So, Bret, what can you tell us today that would help people believe you are telling the truth? Because, obviously, simply saying it isn`t enough for most people.

LOCKETT: Right, A.J., and at the end of the day, I don`t understand how you can take somebody to court and sue somebody for telling the truth. Because once we all go to court, we are under oath. So, I don`t understand how you can fault me or try to sue me for telling the truth.

HAMMER: But I guess what I`m saying now is just in terms of what`s happening publicly right now, you`re speaking out about it and basically all you`re saying is I`m telling the truth. And, as I said, that`s really not enough for people who are hearing this. And that I think is going to just hurt you even more.

And I`m trying to help you, if there`s any way to do that. Do you have anything to show us, any pictures, any texts, you can actually read to us?

LOCKETT: Well, A.J., in the first place, I was never the one that wanted any of this to happen. I dislike this -- I mean, there`s -- I have so many mixed emotions about this and the last two days have been very, very difficult from -- you know, I`ve received phone calls from everybody and their mother, my whole family has been calling me. You know, my mother and father don`t know anything about this and they didn`t raise a son like this.

So, I really don`t want to even go into any more further detail of the subject. I know what happened and, you know, I told my version. But I don`t want my personal life out there like that. So, for me to even go into something as detailed as the relationship, I told you the hard copy facts of the relationship, but I don`t want to go into any further detail, because I don`t kiss and tell. That`s not what I do.

HAMMER: And I understand that all, Bret. But, obviously, you`re now in a position and I don`t know why anyone would intentionally want to put themselves in this position which to me, you know, can speak to, you know, why would you even come forward if there wasn`t something to this.

But let me run this for you. "In Touch Weekly" somehow got a hold of texts they claim were between you and Kim. I want to read a portion of this alleged text. You saw it, it`s in the magazine.

Kim says "Mister." Bret says "Yes, Miss." Kim says, "How are you doll?" Bret says "I`m good and you?" And Kim says, "Why don`t you put in effort to try to make me your girlfriend, doll?"

Bret says, "But don`t ask for something you`re not ready for." Kim says, "I`m sure I`m ready."

The conversation goes on. She`s asking for a sexy picture in this conversation.

Kim says this is definitely something that she would not text to any guy, Bret. Is this an actual text between you and Kim Kardashian?

LOCKETT: Yes, it is an actual text. I don`t -- I don`t know how or who got it. I just have to be more careful about who I let in my inner circle, because I just don`t trust people, especially after this whole situation. I mean, with technology and hacking nowadays, it`s ridiculous how can you find stuff and get this type of, you know, these messages.

So, I have no clue how they got it, but that is a conversation -- I don`t know if it`s exactly how it went, but that was a conversation that me and Kim did have.

HAMMER: OK. Well, Bret, well, I do appreciate you coming on with us today and sharing your side of the story.

Bret Lockett, thank you very much.

And I want to point out, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did reach out to Kim K. today, asking if she had any reaction to you speaking out. Kim`s rep told us, nah, it`s old news.

All right. So, there you have it. That`s Bret`s side of the story.

Now, the great debate. Who should we believe, Bret or Kim?

Now, we have our resident spin doctor in the house. He`s got his own diagnosis on Kim`s massive cheating headache.

Kim`s cheating drama has her in the running for the most provocative celebrity of the week? Will we name Congressman Anthony Weiner for his naked tweets and texts? Maybe Tracy Morgan for his nasty homophobic stand- up rant?

George Clooney`s marriage ultimatum. George`s girl friend she`s getting married no matter what. You got to hear what she just revealed about her romance with George.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.

This is the showbiz news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.

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FRAN DRESHER, ACTRESS: He was the representative for the neighborhood that I grew up in.

REPORTER: Really?

DRESHER: Yes. So, but I didn`t know. I didn`t know what to make of it. I`m so surprised and I`m so sorry and sad.

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HAMMER: Hey, George Clooney, your girl friend wants to get married. Don`t believe us? Well, she just told the world in a new interview.

Elisabetta Canalis tells the Italian magazine, "Chi," "I`m a firm believer in marriage. In the future, I will be married, but for the time being, I am happy as I am."

She also describes life with George as a fairy tale.

But, George, I think you`re officially on notice, buddy. Look out.

Welcome to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, with Kim`s cheating war -- a Kim Kardashian cheating scandal exclusive.

Now, I just went one-on-one with the football star who claims he had an affair with Kim while she was dating the guy who is now her fiance. Kim says Bret Lockett is lying. He says she`s lying. Who`s telling the truth?

With me from Hollywood: Beth Littleford, who is a comedian and the star of MTV`s "The Hard Times of RJ Berger," and the upcoming Steve Carell comedy, "Crazy, Stupid Love." Also from Hollywood, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s spin doctor, Howard Bragman, who`s the founder of 15 Minutes Public Relations. We let him do that on the side.

So, just moments ago right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, Bret Lockett made some pretty strong claims to me about his alleged relationship with Kim Kardashian. Let`s watch a bit of what he said.

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LOCKETT: I`ve said before that it was a physical relationship, but when I mean physical, I say that, meaning there was a physical aspect in the relationship, meaning that I don`t want to get really into the details but she did tell me that she was, you know, touching herself in a physical way over the phone towards me. So, when I say physical, that`s what I mean physical. But was it a physical relationship meaning I saw her in person? No.

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HAMMER: OK. So, he says they never met face to face. It wasn`t physical one-on-one, but you heard what he said, Howard --

LITTLEFORD: It was a virtual --

HAMMER: Yes, exactly.

HAMMER: Let me go to you first, Howard. He`s not backing down at all on these claims. That`s pretty strong because Kim is threatening this lawsuit. Now, I know you`ve handled some of the biggest celebrity scandals in Hollywood.

What do you think is going on here?

BRAGMAN: Well, I think there`s a -- what we`ve got here is a failure to communicate. People are claiming affair, people are claiming cheating, and they`re really talking about sexting.

And I can understand why Kim says we didn`t have an affair, but I also understand Bret`s point of view. And I think you asked the salient question, A.J., what reason does Bret have to lie here? And there`s absolutely no reason for him to lie.

HAMMER: Yes. But Kim, Howard, has said that she`s never even heard of the guy before all of this came up. And I can`t imagine her saying that if it wasn`t true because it will come back to bite her if it`s proven true.

BRAGMAN: You know what --

LITTLEFORD: It`s quite the game of chicken. If he has, if he has proof, it`s quite a game of chicken. Let`s see who makes the next move.

HAMMER: What`s your take, Howard?

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LITTLEFORD: He says he has text.

BRAGMAN: I think that we have to understand we`re in a world where the truth doesn`t need to get in the way of a good story. Don`t think this is bad for Kim. This is good for Kim.

Like a lot of stars, she understands that controversy is like yeast. It helps a career rise. She`s about to launch a new season of her show. Let`s not be naive and pretend this isn`t working for her right now because I think it is.

HAMMER: I don`t know. You know, I rarely disagree with you, but I think it really would hurt her credibility if what she`s saying is wrong.

What do you think this did for his credibility? Watching this interview, do you think this interview helped him or hurt him?

BRAGMAN: I don`t think it was the best --

HAMMER: Let me get to Howard`s take as our P.R. guru and then, Beth, I`ll go to you.

LITTLEFORD: Please. Sorry I keep interrupting.

BRAGMAN: I don`t think it was the most polished interview I`ve seen. And I would like to see some evidence and texts, some photos. Not that I`d personally like to see them, but I think we`d like to know they exist.

But at the same time, again, why would this guy lie? Why would he make it up? I just -- it just doesn`t register that that would happen, A.J.

HAMMER: Beth, what do you make of Bret`s claims about Kim Kardashian?

LITTLEFORD: I agree with Howard. Why would he make it up? And he does -- he says he has proof. And it seems like that proof will have to come to the fore. So, she has a lot more to protect, she has a lot more reason to lie, although I don`t know that any of us thought that the relationship between the reality star and pro athlete would last that long to begin with, as far as her and Kris Humphries.

So, yes. I mean, after I saw your interview with him, I believed him.

HAMMER: Again, it`s really -- I sit here and we`ve been talking about it with the crew. We can`t understand why would the guy make all of this up. I don`t think he`s doing the best job defending himself, but at the same time, to put yourself through this kind of a thing if what he claims is true that he doesn`t have an interest in this sort of thing, it`s hard to understand.

Well, Bret is not one of the nominees of by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s most provocative celebrity of the week. But Kim Kardashian is. And she`s got some stiff competition this week. OK, dare I say it?

Will it be Congressman Anthony Weiner for lying about his sexting scandal? Will it be Tracy Morgan for his homophobic standup rant?

Beth, who do you think it should be?

LITTLEFORD: Anthony "the weasel" Weiner. And I can just note to all the middle-aged politicians out there -- we don`t want too-to-see pictures of your naked genitalia. Weiner-baiting does not work on young women. It doesn`t work on any women. Keep it yourself, because we don`t want it on our phones.

HAMMER: Well, Beth, let`s see -- let`s see if you`re right. May have I the drum roll, please?

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT names the most provocative celebrity of the week of Anthony Weiner.

Howard Bragman, did we get it right? I mean, how do you have a choice here?

BRAGMAN: No, you absolutely got it right. My new name is the left- leaning Congressman Weiner. But I think -- I think this guy is going to have to resign, A.J. He`s painted in a corner because if he doesn`t resign, his own party is probably going to district him out.

If he resigns and says, "I`m doing it for my family, I`m doing it for my party," this guy may be able to build a career again. If he goes out in shame, it`s over for him.

HAMMER: Yes. I think he`s done.

All right. Howard Bragman, Beth Littleford -- thank you both so much.

Moving on now, as Tracy Morgan tries to cover his rump, MTV sheds its "Skins." Big news about the controversial teen dram topping the buzz today.

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HAMMER (voice-over): "Skins" scrapped. MTV has just canceled its U.S. adaptation of the British show "Skins." Parents groups have blasted the series nonstop for its provocative portrayals of teen sex. "Skins" got axed after advertisers dropped out around the protests and ratings took a dive.

In a statement, MTV said, "`Skins` is a global television phenomenon that unfortunately didn`t connect with a U.S. audience as much as we had hoped."

Morgan`s night of a lifetime. Morgan Freeman has just been crowned with one of Hollywood`s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there where Morgan`s revealed that, decades ago, he thought his career was over.

MORGAN FREEMAN, ACTOR: Oh, heavens, yes. Yes. Even after -- even after I thought my career was on the rise, you know, I got started working in 1967. A little role there, nice little role going -- steady going, and then 1980, it all stopped. So, I thought, OK, there it is, champ, your 15 minutes are up.

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HAMMER: (INAUDIBLE) Morgan, nice going.

Jack White, formerly of the White Stripes, cordially invites you to splitsville. The rock star and his model wife getting divorced, throwing a big fancy bash to celebrate. They got invites and everything. The mindboggling details next.

This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.

Now the showbiz news ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.

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HAMMER: You got to get a load of this. This happy couple, former White Stripes singer Jack White and his model wife Karen Elson just announced they`re getting divorced, and they`re celebrating the momentous occasion with a very big party.

An invitation to a divorce party? I never heard of this before.

SHOWBIZ TONIGHT got the invitation. You`re looking at it right now. I got to say, I think it`s terrific that Jack White and his soon-to-be ex are putting their differences aside as husband and wife and celebrating their future happiness as exes.

Why can`t anyone in Hollywood to do that?

With me from Hollywood: Beth Littleford. She`s comedian. And also from Hollywood, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spin doctor, Howard Bragman. He`s also the founder of 15 Minutes Public Relations.

And, Howard, what a way to get ahead of their own story here. They announce they`re divorcing and they`re throwing this big time party to celebrate. I actually don`t think it a calculated P.R. move. I just think it`s heartfelt. Do you love it?

BRAGMAN: You know, I do love it. You know well, A.J., that I`ve been involved with a lot of contentious Hollywood divorces and the people who ultimately can suffer are the children -- and this sends the right message to the children in the world in a mommy and daddy don`t love each other but they still love the children, they`re going to be civil.

And I wish everyone can do it, but unfortunately it doesn`t work that way most of the time, does it, A.J.?

HAMMER: No, it doesn`t. But they`re going on style. I mean, listen, it sounds like they`re throwing a rock `n` roll wedding. It`s got booze, dancing, photos, a walk down memory lane.

Beth, wouldn`t you just actually love it if they wound up reuniting and the divorce party turned into a second wedding? That`d be kind of funny.

LITTLEFORD: Well, I would love it because I`m not fan of divorce and I do have children. But, I mean -- please, people, make up your mind. You know, a third ceremony, would you need new invitations, new flowers? It`s just excess at that point.

But I wonder what this party does entail. Do the single ladies throw the bouquet back to the former bride?

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HAMMER: Yes, I mean --

LITTLEFORD: And what do you expect from the couple who got married on a canoe in the Amazon? I mean, freaky to begin with.

HAMMER: I guess we saw this could have been coming at some point.

And look at that. We`re all showing up on June 10th in Nashville for the big gig.

Beth Littleford, Howard Bragman, I thank you both. I`ll see you at the party.

Well, while there are jeers for Weiner tonight, we`re getting cheers from our Facebook fans for our interview with Ice-T and Coco, the wife of the Law & Order SUV" star told me all about how she sends racy tweets showing off her assets but Coco thinks what the congressman did was plain wrong.

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COCO, MODEL: There`s a different showing off your body parts. I love my assets. I want to show them off. So, he obviously wasn`t doing that. There were probably a lot of comments that were going with that, he maybe this -

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HAMMER: There were whole bunch of comments going with that.

ICE-T, RAPPER: That`s when you cross it.

COCO: I`m just seasoning pictures out there, you know? I`m not, you know, reeling anybody in.

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HAMMER: And Joanna M. thought that Ice and Coco are right on the mark. Here`s what she wrote on our Facebook wall. "I truly cannot think of a better guest to discuss a political sexting scandal. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT for the win!"

Thank you very much, Joanna, especially for your clever "Hollywood Squares" reference there, too, for the win!

And that is it for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.

Remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now seen exclusively Monday through Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.

Have a great night.

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