Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
Lucky Lindsay; Trump`s Reality Raise?; J.Lo Leaving "Idol"?
Aired June 23, 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, a bombshell in the Casey Anthony trial as Casey`s mom testifies.
Plus, Kim Kardashian, Reggie Bush dating a Kim K. look-a-like?
I`m A.J. Hammer, and this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Lucky Lindsay. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there as Lindsay Lohan gets dragged into court after failing an alcohol test, but the judge gives Lindsay a big break. Our "Showbiz Flashpoint" tonight, should we?
More big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Judging Casey. Tonight, one of the biggest TV judges, Judge Alex on the obsession with the Casey Anthony trial. Plus, he`s answering your questions right here in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
The inside story behind George`s shocking split. What really caused George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis to break up? And tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asks, why does Clooney always seem to remain the good guy even after his big breakup?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big news breaking. Tonight, court chaos. There are bombshell new developments in two big legal dramas playing out on TV today. A truly explosive report today in the Casey Anthony murder case. She, of course, is the young mom accused of killing her two-year-old daughter, Caylee. Now, her own parents are raising doubts that Casey is innocent.
Tonight, we have TV`s judge Alex Ferrer with us from Orlando where Casey`s trial is taking place. Judge Alex is a circuit court judge in Florida and brings us his very unique insight into this case. He`ll join us in just a bit for a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsmaker interview.
But now, to the other big court chaos that played out on TV today. Lindsay Lohan`s big break. Yes, Lindsay once again faces a judge today after failing an alcohol test while on probation for a 2007 DUI charge. Well, today, in a shocking turn of events Lindsay gets another huge break and gets off on a technicality. Tonight, Lindsay is back in the comfort of her own home on house arrest instead of jail. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with Lindsay`s last chance.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): We know summer`s the time for reruns, but this is ridiculous. Today, Lindsay Lohan was back in court again. Accused of violating her probation again. Accused of flunking a booze test again.
KEN BAKER, E! CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT: We`ve seen this happen time and time again. It`s kind of like Groundhog Day.
HAMMER: Lindsay`s court date came after she reportedly failed a court ordered alcohol test on June 13th while on house arrest.
BAKER: Lindsay was under house arrest for pleading no contest to stealing a necklace from a Venice Beach jewelry store. She`s on probation for a 2007 DUI conviction.
HAMMER: But while confined to her home in Venice Beach, California, she wasn`t exactly living like a prisoner.
BAKER: It appears that the positive test for alcohol came right around the time that she had this rooftop barbecue with friends.
HAMMER: News and photos of Lindsay`s house arrest party hit the web, and the day after that party was when the reported failed alcohol test took place. But today, the judge gave Lindsay a break, by not sending her to jail.
SHAWN HOLLEY, LINDSAY LOHAN`S ATTORNEY: I feel like you guys are all disappointed to hear that, but the reality is she`s done everything right this time.
HAMMER: The judge says Lohan exercised bad judgment by having a party while under house arrest, but the judge added, bad judgment is not a probation violation. And as for that alcohol test, Lindsay reportedly flunked --
HOLLEY: She`s not supposed to be tested at all, and, alcohol is a legal substance. So, to the extent that she tested positive for alcohol, if she did, it`s not a violation of her probation.
MATT LAUER, HOST: I was actually with Lindsay on Tuesday afternoon at her home in Los Angeles.
HAMMER: This morning, before Lindsay`s court date, the "Today Show`s" Matt Lauer revealed he got an early indication that something was brewing in Lindsay land. On Tuesday, he hopped on a plane to fly to L.A. to interview the troubled prone starlet. But after Lauer and his NBC crew got to Lindsay`s house, Lauer says Lindsay and her people abruptly and mysteriously cancelled the interview. So, Lauer had to fly back to New York empty handed. And back on the "Today Show" this morning, Lauer talked about the aborted interview.
LAUER: At the last minute, Lindsay and her people did express concerns about the timing of the interview, and it was cancelled. I think we`re learning more this morning about the reasons for their concern.
HAMMER: That failed alcohol test was just the latest in Lindsay`s legal hiccups. Beginning with her DUI arrests in 2007, Lindsay`s appearances in court on various crimes and alleged probation violations have been frequent to say the least. Last Saturday, Lohan gave an interview to "Life & Style" magazine and said, those troubles were behind her.
BAKER: In her most recent interview, Lindsay claimed that there was no alcohol around her. It`s not in her house. That alcohol is not a part of her life, and she was very adamant about that.
HAMMER: And today, it appears Lindsay will escape her latest scrape with a warning. The judge told her not to have any more parties for the duration of her house arrest. Lindsay`s attorney says she just wants to move on.
HOLLEY: She`s done nothing wrong. She`s done everything right. And let`s give her credit for that today.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on-camera): So Lindsay lucks out. No jail. And if all goes well, her house arrest ends next Wednesday, but I think the bigger issue is what landed Lindsay in this latest mess in the first place, her seeming total disregard for authority and the assumption that the rules just don`t apply to her.
Right on Hollywood, Judge Mablean Ephriam. She`s a legal expert, but you recognize her. We all know her best as the former judge on "Divorce Court." Also in Hollywood tonight, Wendy Walsh. She`s a TV journalist and doctor of psychology. I appreciate you both being here. And I want to put Lindsay`s arrest, rehab stance, and lockups, and today`s court chaos into some context here.
Here`s the showbiz news line. She was arrested twice in 2007 on DUI charges. She went to jail twice in 2007 and 2010. That doesn`t include her current house arrest. And she`s been to rehab five times in three years. Judge Mablean, off to you first. Now, this wasn`t a probation violation for her to be drinking at home, but if you ask me, it was just remarkably stupid. What would you say to her if she was in your courtroom today?
JUDGE MABLEAN EPHRIAM, LEGAL EXPERT: It was remarkably stupid, and I would simply say to her that you are not taking your probation seriously, and you are not concerned about what`s happening with you, and she`s not trying to do better. I think the judge made a mistake, and she really regrets it that she did not add those other conditions because, typically, when you`re convicted of DUI, there is always a no alcohol-no drug charge. And I`m sure the judge was oversight that she did not include that.
But Lindsay should say, I am on house arrest. I`ve been blessed. I`ve been lucky. I haven`t been to jail for a long period of time on any of these violations. If she had good sense, she would be afraid to just spit on the ground. I think that she is not taking it seriously at all because her consequences have not been severe to her at all. And she keeps partying and having fun because she doesn`t believe as my pa (ph) used to say that fat meat is greasy. She just doesn`t believe it.
HAMMER: Yes.
EPHRIAM: I think there`s going to have to be a time where the judge is going to have to say to her, you`re going to jail. If I were her, I would do nothing. I mean, I wouldn`t come close to acting like that, and the people around her should say to her, come on, Lindsay, alcohol and drugs usually go hand in hand. If you have a drug problem, then alcohol is also a substance, and you should just stop all of the substance abuse. Just drink water. Just stick with water so you don`t get in any trouble.
HAMMER: Yes. If her friends were really her friends, all those people who came over for that party, even if there was no alcohol, which she says, Lindsay says, there was no alcohol at the party, her friends should have said, you know what, not a good time for you to be throwing a party, even if you`re allowed to throw a party.
EPHRIAM: That`s right.
HAMMER: I have to tell you, though, I was at least happy to hear that the judge pointed out to Lindsay you`re extremely guilty of extremely poor judgment. So, to our "Showbiz Flashpoint," the judge gave Lindsay a break. Well, I know where Judge Mablean stands on that, but Wendy Walsh, do you think we should be giving her a break?
WENDY WALSH, TV JOURNALIST AND DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: No, I don`t think so. I think she needs to have as much pressure as possible to get her to a state of readiness to come clean. This young girl needs an in- residence treatment for a minimum of a year. She needs to get as clean as possible and to stop lying to herself and the rest of the world. And, you know, we are watching some very sad potentially dangerous events happening, and the more pressure she gets from us for a wake-up call, the better, A.J.
HAMMER: Well, I can`t imagine her getting it together after all she`s been through, and she hasn`t done so yet, but I still really hold out hope that she will.
Right now, however, let me move on to Chris Brown. Another day, another apology for this guy. Unbelievable. Tonight, Chris is taking heat not for hurling his fist, but for hurling the N word and a homophobic slur at a paparazzo. Now, this all happened when Chris weaseled his way out of a parking ticket, then he got ticked at a paparazzi when they arrived. Chris` not-safe-for-TV rant was all caught on tape, of course.
Here`s his apolo-tweet. "I have total respect for the gay community, and my intention was not to insult anyone in it." Judge Mablean, there seems to be a rush in this kind of behavior in Hollywood lately, but in the case of Chris Brown, this just shows me that he hasn`t grown up at all, even with all that he`s been through. Is that how you see it?
EPHRIAM: That`s how I see it. It`s another case of young people having so much power, having influence, and they just don`t believe that they are, you know, that they are held accountable to any particular standard. Again, Chris Brown should be at the point recognizing that he is a celebrity, that people are watching every move he makes.
HAMMER: Yes.
EPHRIAM: He should be afraid to even turn his head or do anything that he shouldn`t do, but he`s young, and he doesn`t surround himself with people. That`s what`s wrong with the young people in Hollywood.
HAMMER: Yes.
EPHRIAM: They`re not surrounded with people who have wisdom, who have good judgment, who say to them don`t do stupid stuff like this.
HAMMER: Unbelievable. I do have to end it there. Judge Mablean Ephriam, it is great to see you. Wendy Walsh, thank you, as always.
WALSH: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right. Moving on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): We are judging Casey Anthony tonight as Casey`s mom is taking the stand. One of TV`s biggest judges is going to weigh in on the obsession with the Casey Anthony trial. Judge Alex right here to answer your questions in a "Showbiz Newsmaker Interview."
But what really caused George Clooney and the lovely Elisabetta Canalis to break up? Tonight, we`re asking, how does Clooney always seem to remain the good guy even after the big break-up?
A Kim K. clone? Revealed tonight, Kim Kardashian`s ex, Reggie Bush, dating a woman who looks just like her. Reggie must still not be over Kim.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
Here`s your "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And now, it is a showbiz special report. "That`s not me." Paris, the spoiled heiress, Ryan, the Hollywood playboy, Kim, a sex symbol. Tonight, they are just some of the stars who are telling us when it comes to their reputation, we`ve got it all wrong. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PARIS HILTON, MODEL: Introduction (ph) to me is completely different than who I am.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What Paris Hilton told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT seems to be a favorite line of stars.
JENNIFER LOPEZ, SINGER: I always thought they knew me.
WYNTER: A-list stars who feel like they`re on the short list when it comes to how the public thinks of them. Just ask Russell Brand. We did.
RUSSELL BRAND, COMEDIAN: I think people think I`m still a crazy drug addict who pursues women.
WYNTER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to reveal the great disconnect, stars who feel like their reputations are nothing like their reality. HLN`s Dr. Drew Pinsky literally wrote the book on this, a best-selling book called "The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America," based on his study as nearly 200 celebrities which led to some explosive discoveries.
DR. DREW PINSKY, HOST "DR. DREW": What my research has shown is that celebrities have a liability for narcissistic personality structures, and narcissists tend to put on a veneer to protect themselves and to get what they need from the world, which is called a pseudo-self.
HILTON: Ninety percent of what they say is not true.
PINSKY: For the most part, the tabloids are actually very careful about what they report. They will portray themselves one way in the world and then be surprised when the world sees that as that.
MELANIE BROMLEY, US WEEKLY MAGAZINE: The public perception of Paris Hilton is that she`s spoiled.
BETH LITTLEFORD, CELEBRITY REPORTER: She seems to think that she`s above the law.
WYNTER: TV`s Beth Littleford has been interviewing celebs for years.
LITTLEFORD: When she spills cocaine out of her purse and says, well, that`s not mine and expects people to believe her, I think that comes across as entitled.
WYNTER: So, whether it`s the image of an entitled princess like Paris or, sometimes, party boy like Reese Witherspoon`s ex, Ryan Phillippe, some labels are hard to shake.
RYAN PHILLIPPE, ACTOR: I`m not like this label, like, you know, a carefree party guy that I think which sometimes they paint me as. It`s so bizarre.
LITTLEFORD: It`s not bizarre when people are documenting you and your newest young thing.
BROMLEY: If you do go to parties and night clubs and (INAUDIBLE) coming out of the night clubs. That is what people are going to think of you.
WYNTER: But whether you`re a player or a pin up, HLN`s Dr. Drew says living a life of extreme privilege surrounded by a doting entourage doesn`t help.
PINSKY: They never had the challenges that are necessary to really take a good look at yourself, have your face pressed to the mirror on a regular basis.
WYNTER (on-camera): And no matter how much Kim Kardashian looks in the mirror, believe it or not, she says she doesn`t see herself as a sex symbol telling "Glamour" magazine, quote, "I don`t find myself as sexy as everyone thinks. I`m a lot more insecure than people would assume but with little stupid things. When I get dressed, I`m always so indecisive."
You said, people see me as a sex symbol, and I don`t see that about myself, which is mind boggling. How could that be, Kim?
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY STAR: It`s kind of hard to look at yourself in a certain way, sometimes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The fact she is really, only a bombshell, always a bombshell.
WYNTER (voice-over): However, for those that do take a good look and make a few changes, the public`s perception can change as well. That`s been the case for Russell Brand.
BRAND: The fact that I`m a person who is very happily married whose life has been changed by love.
BROMLEY: He was known for being a fun, single guy about town, and he`s been able to change his image through his marriage.
WYNTER: And Jennifer Lopez`s gig as a judge on "American Idol" has done wonders for her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think "American Idol" has definitely meant that Jennifer Lopez has become more likable.
WYNTER: But SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, no matter how hard some stars try, there`s only so much they can do.
PHILLIPPE: At a certain point, you accept that it`s beyond your control.
WYNTER: In the end, it`s up to them to fix the great disconnect.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter, and Kareen tells us there`s actually a test in the back of Dr. Drew`s book, "The Mirror Effect," that will tell you whether or not you are a narcissist. I`d actually like to see some stars take that and turn the results over to us, see how it turns out.
Well, we move now to Lindsay Lohan who really got the full effect (ph).
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): She was in court after she failed an alcohol test. She didn`t get thrown in the slammer this time, but tonight, we are revealing the big lie Lindsay just reportedly told. Could this come back to haunt her?
The inside story behind George`s shocking split. So, what really cause George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis to break up?
Also big news tonight about Jennifer Lopez and "American Idol." So, has J.Lo finally decided that she`s going to be returning to the show because we all want to know? I`ll fill you in.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): And now, it is time for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom makings news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BEYONCE KNOWLES, SINGER: It`s hard to see. I`m going to move so fast. I left the stage, and I joined the audience. I didn`t perform. I observed.
HAMMER (voice-over): Did you see this? It`s Beyonce`s hot new commercial for her equally hot new CD, the de luxe version of "4" which is available at target. The CD has six, count them, six bonus tracks and the cool ad shows Beyonce during some down time and some of the sights that inspired her new album. "4" coming out next Tuesday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Showbiz trending online tonight, a disturbing cockpit rant by a southwest pilot. It`s all caught on tape. The pilot flew off at the mouth, and he bashed gays, the elderly, women, and overweight people. This rant (ph) was actually picked up by other plane crews and air traffic controllers because a cockpit microphone became stuck. This is incredible. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eleven (EXPLETIVE DELETED) over the top (EXPLETIVE DELETED) homosexuals and a granny. Eleven! I mean, think of the odds of that. I thought I was in Chicago, which was party land. After that, it was just a continuous stream of gays and grannies and grandes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nice. Definitely no friendly skies here. Obviously, what he said is purely disgusting. And now, the pilot is actually back at work. He was suspended without pay and got some diversity education, but over on "The View" this morning, there were plenty of turbulence, so please, fasten your seat belts for this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let me tell you something, Mr. Pilot, I didn`t know who you are because you are nameless right now, these are the men and women who have been helping you keep that flight under control all that time.
(APPLAUSE)
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, HOST: Oh, my God! Excuse me. If I`m me, too, I`m going to be the granny from hell, honey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. Imagine hearing all that.
All right. Moving on now, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook wall is on fire tonight, all about Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo. After I told you about Nick and Vanessa taping their wedding for a new TV special, posts just started flying. You remember, Nick did the same thing with Jessica Simpson, that whole show "Newlyweds." Well, we know how that all turned out.
Here`s what Kelly K. writes. She doesn`t get this. "Bad idea. Nick should have learned from the first time around. It`s better to keep some things sacred and private."
But Jade S. says, "Brilliant! They will get the whole thing paid for, free food, dress, venues, et cetera, and we get a peek into the lives if we want it. I say good for them. They are so darn cute together."
Well, now, it is time for the showbiz line-up. Here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Donald Trump, the highest paid reality star. Wait until you hear how much he`s reportedly getting paid for "The Apprentice."
Lindsay`s big lie. Lindsay avoids jail today but could this just- revealed lie actually come back to haunt her?
And wait until you hear this "Glee" shocker tonight. It`s the "Glee" star who just admitted to a major drug problem.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): It`s time now for the "Showbiz News Ticker," more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Lindsay`s big lie? Lindsay Lohan avoids jail today but just revealed tonight, will her reported big lie come back to haunt her?
The brand new Casey Anthony bombshell. Her mom testifies today. Plus tonight, judging Casey. One of TV`s biggest judges right here taking your Casey Anthony questions.
Inside George Clooney`s big split. So, why did George and Elisabetta Canalis break up? And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has to ask, how does George keep his Mr. Nice guy image even after all of his big breakups?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City. We`ve got big news breaking today. Judging Casey. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the bombshell admission in the Casey Anthony case that could seriously hurt her defense in what I think was one of the strangest twists yet in this very bizarre case.
The lawyer for Casey`s parents revealed to CNN exclusively that they don`t think their own daughter is innocent. Joining me now from Orlando for a newsmaker interview is Judge Alex Ferrer. He`s the host of TV`s "Judge Alex." Oh, it`s good to see you, Judge Alex. I appreciate you being here.
JUDGE ALEX FERRER, HOST OF "JUDGE ALEX": My pleasure, A.J. Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: All right. Well, let`s get right to that new bombshell revelation, Judge Alex, in the Casey Anthony trial today. No one has better insight into this case than you. You spent years in the Florida courts as a lawyer and a judge, and now, the lawyer for Casey`s parents have just revealed to CNN`s Gary Tuchman they do not believe their own daughter is innocent.
And after they dropped that bombshell, he backtracked a little bit, and here`s the statement that he released. He said, "The Anthony family maintains that they simply want justice in this case. The Anthony family maintains they do not, under any circumstances, wish to see that the state achieves the ultimate sanction, the death penalty."
Judge Alex, I got to ask you. If Casey`s own parents are saying, they don`t think she`s innocent despite the backtracking, what are the chances of jury will disagree with it?
FERRER: Well, remember, they know a lot more than the jury doe, because they`re not hearing all of the coverage and all of the -- and they haven`t lived this. You know, they have inside information. The jury is sequestered. They`re never going to hear that the parents have made that statement. So, really, what they`re looking at is just the evidence presented in court, but I tell you this, I`ve watched this case, this evidence -- the circumstantial case that`s been presented is a very strong circumstantial case. I think the prosecution is in a pretty good seat right now.
HAMMER: And you`re seeing as you`re watching every minute of this thing, this Casey Anthony trial is really playing out like a real life soap opera, and it did again today. Casey`s mom took the stand and defended her daughter despite that statement from her lawyer. She told the court that she was the one who made all those searches for chloroform on the internet, the searches that prosecution says Casey used find ways to kill Caylee. You got to listen to Cindy Anthony`s testimony here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CINDY ANTHONY, CASEY ANTHONY`S MOTHER: Well, I started looking at chlorophyll. And, I was concerned about my smallest -- two Yorkie puppies. And the smallest one was having some issues where she was extremely tired all the time. And both of the dogs would eat the bamboo leaves out in the back. So, I started looking up sources from the backyard that could potentially cause her to be more sleepy than it would affect the larger dog.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So, judge, I don`t get it. How can Casey`s parents both defend her and also say they don`t think she`s innocent?
FERRER: I have always said that I would never want to be in their shoes. I mean, can you imagine not only having to testify against your daughter in the murder trial of your granddaughter, the murder trial of the granddaughter being the victim, but also being the mother who picked up the phone, called 911, and started the ball rolling towards the death penalty of your own daughter. So, number one, I`m not surprised.
Number two, I`ve had so many cases where the mother takes the stand and swears to everything holy that her son was with her and was not murdering these people, even though, they`ve got a million witnesses, fingerprint, DNA, and everything else. And I really, you know, as much you don`t want anybody to perjure themselves, I can`t really hold that much against her because she`s a mother.
And anybody who`s a parent out there knows you would do anything to protect your child. And I think that`s the point the prosecution is going to make to the jury. She`s a good mother. She`s not a good witness. She shouldn`t have done that. It`s a felony to commit perjury, but we all understand why. That`s where they`re going to go with it.
HAMMER: That`s a really interesting perspective from someone who has been there and someone who has seen that time and time again, because obviously, the last thing that the mother wants to see is her daughter getting the death penalty. You know, millions of people are following this trial online, hundreds of Face and Twitter pages dedicated to the case.
And the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook and Twitter pages no exception. In fact, all day today, Judge Alex, our page has been blowing up with questions for you, and I want to get to a couple of those right now. People are very interested in your perspective on this.
@Shelleycameron (ph) tweets, "If you were a jury member in the Casey trial based on all the evidence presented as of today, how would you vote? What do you say to that?
FERRER: Well, as of today, we`re just talking about today, I would vote to convict, but to be fair, we`ve only seen all of the state`s case and part of the defense`s case. So, I don`t know how I would feel tomorrow, which is why jurors are told don`t make up your mind. Keep an open mind. Your opinions may change throughout the trial. And judges do the same thing.
HAMMER: All right. I want to get your very quick reaction to this question from @shelldal (ph) who tweets, "If the alleged mistress doesn`t testify, how does the state handle allegations Casey`s father was trying to cover up Caylee`s accidental drowning?
FERRER: Well, I mean, the same way they would if she does testify. The bottom line is that Casey is the one who has to take the stand and make the accidental drowning claim because the other woman it`s hearsay. I don`t even think it`s going to come in, to be honest with you. So, if Casey gets on the stand, they`re going to rip her apart about it.
HAMMER: It`s going to be interesting to see what happens with that if anything at all. Judge Alex, again, great perspective from you. I really appreciate you being here tonight.
And don`t forget to keep it right here on HLN. We`ve got continuing coverage in all the latest developments in the Casey Anthony murder trial.
Moving on tonight to more big news about Lindsay`s last chance. Lindsay Lohan was ordered back to court today after testing positive for alcohol, but a judge let her off the hook on a technicality. You see, it turns out that she no longer was required to be tested for alcohol even if she did drink while on probation.
Right before Lindsay`s court appearance today, she gave her first and only interview while under house arrest. This interview was done just days after Lindsay failed an alcohol test and, get this, in the interview Lindsay tells "Life & Style" magazine "Alcohol is not in my house, so it`s just not part of my life." Well, looks like that was a lie.
With me tonight in New York, Jordi Lippe, the senior news reporter for "Life & Style Weekly" magazine. She was the one who sit down with Lindsay for this exclusive interview in the new issue of "Life & Style Weekly." The incident that got Lindsay into her current mess was this rooftop barbeque that Lindsay had on June 12th. This is the day before sources tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Lindsay failed her alcohol test.
When you asked Lindsay about this party, she said there was no booze. I`m going to quote what she said in this article. "I had these great people come over who I haven`t seen in a while. When my friends come over, they`re not drinking. Alcohol is not in my house, so it`s just not a part of my life." And now, we know Lindsay was drinking. She failed the alcohol test. Jordi, did you believe Lindsay when she said she was staying away from alcohol?
JORDI LIPPE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, LIFE & SYLE WEEKLY: When I was there, it was very low-key, so it`s a completely different situation. And she seemed very confident in what she was saying, but at the same time I said, so does this mean we`ll never see you in a night club again? And her only response was, well, I never say never.
HAMMER: Did you have any sense, though, that she was flat out lying to you at any point? I mean, obviously, you know, you say it`s a low-key situation, but you read her body language, you read her face, I`m sure, when you`re speaking with her. You`ve interviewed so many people.
LIPPE: She seemed extremely confident and adamant in what she was saying. She said she wants to get on the right path. She wants this part of her life to be over. I even asked her what`s the first thing you want to do when you get out of here? And she said I want to do my community service so I can get back on the movie set. So --
HAMMER: She was saying all the right things as what it sounds like to me, especially when you find out, you know, that she has failed this alcohol test. She`s telling you that she doesn`t involve herself with alcohol. And you mentioned when you asked her again about going to night clubs, as you said, she said to you, I don`t think you should ever say never.
And actually, I understand that because celebrities get themselves into trouble all the time by saying thing and then we pull it up, obviously, if they go against that. But still, did that raise a huge red flag to you when she said that? This is somebody who obviously has serious issues to deal with alcohol-related.
LIPPE: Right. I mean, I even asked her, too. I said, what`s the biggest misconception about you? And she said that people don`t think I take things seriously. So, even though, she got out of, you know, got her jail free card this time, I think people are still going to be hesitant to take her seriously, because she did tell me, I`m sober. There`s no alcohol in my house, and that was clearly not true.
HAMMER: I mean, I think this is a big strike against her, and even though she says to you that she wants to go and do her community service, then she gets caught in this lie, I really have a hard time understanding how she`ll be hirable at all in Hollywood. Did she give you any indication that she`s actually concerned for what she is doing to her reputation and what she continues to do?
LIPPE: Absolutely. Lindsay said numerous times that she wants to take responsibility for her actions, and she`s hearing a lot more no`s in terms of her career than yes. And I think this might be another opportunity for her to hear more no`s, unfortunately.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, it really -- what a dumb move. It`s like, you know, do the right thing, Lindsay. You said you wanted to do the right thing. Jordi Lippe, thank you so much.
LIPPE: Thank you.
HAMMER: And to read more about Lindsay`s interview with "Life & Style," grab a copy of the magazine on newsstands now.
It is time now to move on to George Clooney`s big breakup tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Women aflutter all over the world. Exclusive new details of why Clooney broke up with his girlfriend, and I got to ask, how does good guy George keep his nice guy image even after all these breakups?
Brand new unbelievable confessions from a "Glee" star tonight. You`ve got to hear this. We`re talking booze, drugs, even stealing. It`s the squeaking clean "Glee" star`s shocking revelation.
And does Reggie Bush actually want to get back together with Kim Kardashian? It kind of looks that way to me. He`s dating a Kim clone.
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.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER (on-camera): Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big Kim Kardashian news. Sort of. Kim`s ex, Reggie Bush, caught with a Kim Kardashian look-alike. This isn`t a joke.
Also, is J.Lo leaving "American Idol" for the movies?
And Donald Trump, the highest paid reality TV star? All that making big news in the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (voice-over): Is Donald Trump the highest paid reality star on TV? NBC is reportedly giving Donald Trump a hefty raise for hosting "Celebrity Apprentice." "The New York Post" claims that Donald will reportedly take home a whopping $65 million for his small screen firing duties. If that`s true, he may become the highest earner on reality TV. NBC has denied the reports.
J.Lo on the down low about "Idol." Jennifer Lopez just revealed she may bypass the "America Idol" judges table for the big screen. She tells BBC Radio that she hasn`t been forced to make a decision about her return to AI yet. Lopez has reportedly signed on for two movie roles and is shopping around her own international singing competition show with husband, Marc Anthony and idol creator, Simon Fuller.
Is Kim Kardashian`s ex getting cozy with a Kim clone? Footballer, Reggie Bush, has reportedly been dating Kim Kardashian impersonator, Melissa Molinaro. She`s an actress who made viewers look twice when she starred in an Old Navy commercial. Sources say the two have been dating since last year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER (on-camera): So, the big question today, is Reggie still really hooked on Kim Kardashian? I mean, can we roll out this Old Navy commercial? That`s his current girlfriend, Melissa Molinaro. The spitting image of Kim. I mean, come on. You can`t deny it.
Let me bring in Wendy Walsh, TV journalist and doctor of psychology. Wendy, I`m thinking, no coincidence here that Reggie is dating a woman who looks exactly like Kim. I think, you know, either he`s still hooked on Kim, obviously, or maybe he`s just into brunette bombshells. What`s your thought?
WALSH: I think it might be a bit of both, but I think, really, Kim is his type, and we know, I don`t have to tell you, A.J., that guys are visually wired and plenty of guys like visual variety and plenty of guys have a type, and I think this is his type.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, it is pretty true. How often have you seen a guy, celebrity or otherwise, with a woman who looks just like another woman he`s been dating. So, maybe it`s not crazy. Then, again, maybe he knew (ph) that, you know, oh, there is a Kim K. look alike out there --
WALSH: It`s fascinating that they`re both famous. It`s fascinating that they`re both famous kind at the same time. And so, he has a choice of two famous one (ph).
HAMMER: And maybe now, he gets a discount at the Old Navy. Let me move on now to another big story that`s making big news today.
WALSH: That`s right.
HAMMER: George Clooney, as you know by now, is officially single. People cannot stop buzzing about this. George confirms that to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. He and his Italian girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis, are no longer together. Here`s what he`s telling us. "We are not together anymore. It`s very difficult and very personal, and we hope everyone can respect our privacy."
And a lot of people feel like this split was probably inevitable. I mean, let`s face it. George has been straight up for years. He doesn`t want to get married, even though, Elisabetta has said publicly and recently, she does want to tie the knot, eventually. Let me bring in "Us Weekly" writer, Erica Souter. Erica, do you think that`s what caused the tension between George and Elisabetta? We don`t know exactly what happened here, but what`s your thought on that?
ERICA SOUTER, STAFF WRITER, US WEEKLY: Well, sources close to (INAUDIBLE) magazine that trouble has been brewing for months. Actually, they took a get away for New Years to Mexico, and they were bickering then, and bickering over little things that got very annoying. He was very annoyed with her and even sort of distancing himself from hanging with his friends, leaving her to hang out with hers.
HAMMER: Now, we can`t independently confirm the reports of this bickering that you`re talking about, but it`s even hard for me to imagine having spent some time with George, him bickering with anybody.
SOUTER: Well, I think she was -- the bickering is probably more in her side than his.
HAMMER: Again, we don`t really know what was going on --
SOUTER: We don`t know, but sources believed that that`s what happened.
HAMMER: OK. But I can tell you that George was mighty evasive about marriage back in January when he appeared on CNN`s "Piers Morgan Tonight." Let`s relive that moment, shall we?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: I need to blow your whole news story, but I was married. So, I gave it a shot.
PIERS MORGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Do you think you`ll have -- will you (ph) re-marry, George?
CLOONEY: There we go. You`re going to wait until the last segment to pull it off.
MORGAN: You don`t have to answer.
CLOONEY: I`m not going to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: He`s not going to answer or he`s not going to get married? That was always unclear to me. Listen, George has got to be one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Maybe he is the nicest guy, and a lot of times, he`s simply going to be able to walk away from these big break-ups, keeping his nice guy rep intact. Wendy Walsh, why do you think that is?
WALSH: I think people love him besides the fact that they all hope that then they have a chance with him every time he breaks up, but, I think the main thing is that we love that George Clooney is so darn honest. He says it straight up. And yes, you know, one of his girlfriends can try to apply pressure by saying publicly that she wants to get married, but the truth is, if you`re with George Clooney, you know it`s not going to be a long run, it`s not for the long run, and it`s also not a long run to the altar.
SOUTER: A lot of his relationships have petered out. You know, when girls get antsy, they`ve been dating for a couple of years, they were happy with just dating and having fun and being hot and heavy, and it`s housing like (INAUDIBLE), and then, eventually, like, where`s the ring? Put a ring on it, George.
HAMMER: They should know whether getting into, going into (ph). I got to end it there, Wendy, but I do wish George and Elisabetta both the best.
WALSH: Sure.
HAMMER: You know, they`re both nice people. So, you know, off to the net (ph). Erica Souter, Wendy Walsh, thank you so much.
Moving now to brand new shocking confessions tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): I couldn`t believe it when I saw it. It`s coming from a "Glee" star, and I`m talking about booze, drugs, and even stealing. It`s the squeaky clean "Glee" star who reveal he`s been anything but squeaky clean. Jaw-dropping confessions. You won`t want to miss that next.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN, news and views.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): And now, it`s the "Showbiz News Ticker", more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SCREAMING)
HAMMER (voice-over): That looks like fun. Did you see this? Justin Bieber challenges Elisabeth Hasselbeck to a Segway race. That happened this morning on "The View." You know, the Segway, the automated two-wheel scooter thing, but the Biebs apparently rides one of these backstage at his concert tour. So, as you can see, he had no problem winning the race, although, I will say Elisabeth looked awfully terrific in her helmet there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on-camera): Safety first, Elisabeth. Got to move on now to an absolute shocking "Glee" drug confession tonight. Believe it or not Cory Monteith who, of course, plays Finn on "Glee," isn`t exactly the squeaky clean football player you see on the show in real life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (voice-over): Monteith just revealed to "Parade" magazine, he actually abused drugs and alcohol when he was a teenager. He even stole money from his own family. Amazing revelations in this Sunday`s issue of "Parade" magazine where he admits, quote, "I am not Finn Hudson. I`m lucky to be alive. I burned a lot of bridges. I was out of control."
He goes on to say that even after we have, quote, "I stole a significant amount of money from a family member. I knew I was going to get caught, but I was so desperate, I didn`t care. It was a cry for help. I was confronted and said, yes, it was me. It was the first honorable, truthful thing that had come out of my mouth in years."
Now, Monteith says that his mother and friends staged an intervention when he was just 19 because they thought he could die and that, he says, was the turning point. For more on Monteith`s shocking confessions, you pick up a copy of "Parade." It`s out this Sunday.
Well, there has been an unbelievable reaction tonight to our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll all about who will replace Regis Philbin in "Live! with Regis and Kelly" in the fall? Check this out. This is what we asked. Regis Philbin set to retire from "Live! with Regis and Kelly," who should replace him?
Twenty percent say Bravo`s Andy Cohen and 46 percent agree with me. It should be Kelly`s husband, Mark Consuelos, and 34 percent say, Ryan Seacrest.
We get some couple of e-mails. We`ve got this one from Kathleen T in Florida who writes, "I like when Kelly and Mark are on together, but I feel it would end up being a problem for them. Too much togetherness isn`t always that good."
Jeanne Mary writes, "Andy Cohen. He reminds me of a younger Regis. I think he would be a great complement to Kelly."
The showbiz on-call phone lines are out of control on this. Everyone has an opinion on this one. We got a call in the showbiz on-call from Marilyn in Virginia who says Mark Consuelos all the way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARILYN, VIRGINIA: I think Mark Consuelos should. I think he`d be perfect with Kelly. So, I hope he gets the gig.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Me, too. Thanks, Marilyn. You can always call to showbiz on-call to sound off on this. Give us your pick. Who should replace Regis or sound off on anything else. The showbiz on-call phone lines are open all the time. Our number is this: 1-888-sbt-buzz, 1-888-728-2899. Call the number, leave a voicemail, that way we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And that is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now seen exclusively Monday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific here on HLN.
END