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Showbiz Tonight
Startling Revelations from a Casey Anthony Juror; Dr. Phil on the Hot Seat Over Hot Sauce?; Stars to the Rescue; Interest on Kim Kardashian Sex Tape Rekindled
Aired August 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, SHOWBIZ justice. Startling new revelations about the vote to acquit Casey Anthony from one of the jurors. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
More SHOWBIZ justice news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - will Dr. Phil be on the hot seat over hot sauce? Tonight, dramatic developments in the trial of the mom accused of forcing her son to swallow hot sauce so she could be on Dr. Phil`s show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSICA BEAGLEY, ACCUSED OF CHILD ABUSE: What happens when you lie to me?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was this (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You get hot sauce.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, stars to the rescue. Brand-new details about Kate Winslet saving Richard Branson`s 90-year-old mom when his mansion burned down.
And caught on tape - did Ryan Gosling risk his life by breaking up a nasty New York street fight?
Tonight, the remarkable story of how Kim Kardashian`s wedding sparked a new frenzy over her homemade sex tape. Could this come back to haunt her again?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight - SHOWBIZ justice, including the Dr. Phil hot sauce controversy.
Caught on tape, a woman on trial for allegedly forcing her young son to drink hot sauce so she could have a chance at fame and possible fortune on "The Dr. Phil Show." This is a case that has naturally triggered international outrage.
The woman`s name is Jessica Beagley. She poured hot sauce into the mouth of her adopted son from Russia and then forced him to take an ice cold shower all so she could be a part of a "Dr. Phil" segment called "Angry Mom."
On the just concluded closing arguments at her trial, a prosecutor said this, "There is no reason in the world why someone would have to hurt a child to get on a reality show."
Also breaking today, SHOWBIZ justice news in the death of two-year-old Caylee Anthony. We learned disturbing new details today from a juror about exactly what went on in that jury room before Casey was acquitted on charges that she killed Caylee.
Former prosecutor Holly Hughes is in Atlanta tonight. With me in New York is Sunny Hostin.
All right, guys. Let`s begin with this trial of the woman who, if you ask me, could have qualified to do - I don`t know - a stupid stunt in the "Jack Ass" movie. I mean, what this mom did to her seven-year-old boy - it is beyond disturbing. Watch this tape that was aired on Dr. Phil`s show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEAGLEY: Open. Close your mouth. Did you swallow it? Go ahead. Do you lie to me? No, don`t spit it. Are lies supposed to come out of your mouth? No. Does it make it better to lie? (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(SCREAMING)
You are to do what you are told! You are supposed to listen to your teacher and when you are told to stop, you stop!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, boy. I mean, that is just beyond disturbing to me. Look, every parent knows kids can be really difficult. There is simply a line, however, you don`t cross when you`re punishing a kid.
And to me, that goes way beyond that line. Holly, to you first. Any question that this woman deserved to be arrested and put on trial?
HOLLY HUGHES, FORMER PROSECUTOR: No question whatsoever, A.J. And what I would like to see happen is I would like to see the people at "Dr. Phil" prosecuted for this as well under party to a crime of child abuse.
The problem becomes, there`s not going to be any proof because initially, A.J., she just sent in a tape of her sitting around the kitchen table. And they said, "Not really what we`re looking for if you want to get on the show. Perhaps you should show yourself punishing the child."
They encouraged her to do this and it is outrageous that they`re not being held accountable.
HAMMER: Yes, outrageous with a capital O. All right, Sunny, mother, prosecutor. What do you say to this?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: You know where I come down on it. I mean, not only am I a mother of a boy and a girl, nine years old and five years old, I was also a prosecutor that prosecuted child sex crimes and crimes against children.
There`s no question in my mind that this is child abuse. She`s facing up to a year in prison. She should be found guilty. She should face up to a year in prison. I`m not certain about the "Dr. Phil Show`s" liability. I don`t know what went on behind the scenes.
But she is the mother, right? And so she is the person in my mind who is responsible. She is the person who should be advocating for her child and taking care of him and protecting him.
HAMMER: Yes.
HOSTIN: And instead, she`s abusing him. It`s all about the mother, in my opinion.
HAMMER: Well, the prosecutors in the case, again, say that Jessica Beagley did tape herself punishing the child just to get on TV. And when she went on "Dr. Phil Show" to reveal how she punished her son, of course the audience was outraged there. You`ve got watch the reaction of these moms in the audience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just think when I saw your son, I was outraged and hurting for him. People crying - I hear tears in the audience. He needs to be taken out of the home now.
DR. PHIL MCGRAW, HOST, "THE DR. PHIL SHOW": Ramona, what do you want to say?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a mom with six children at home, so you cannot tell me that you don`t feel the abuse and attack that you`re giving to a seven-year-old. You need to be put on a time-out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I`ve got to say I completely agree. At the least, she needs to be on a time-out. But you know, it`s easy also to wonder if Dr. Phil also might need a time-out here.
A lot of people are criticizing him for not offering this woman counseling after she was on the show. Holly, we do not have independent confirmation that this woman was encouraged to behave this way to get on the show.
But if Dr. Phil is going to show this kind of abuse, do you think that he has a responsibility to get the people he`s exposing help?
HUGHES: Well, absolutely. And I think she should have been given help in lieu of being put on a television show, A.J. And what would have been so awful about having her describe how she punishes the little boy instead of videotaping it and then showing it?
I mean, would it not have been enough for her to say to the audience, "When I lose my temper, I put hot sauce on his tongue." But, no, they wanted the big ratings. They wanted the big show, and that`s what they got.
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t know who is watching that and saying, "Oh, that`s good. That`s entertaining."
All right. We do have move on right now to more big SHOWBIZ justice news tonight involving another mother, of course, who faced charges for allegedly doing something terrible to her child, Casey Anthony.
Now, Casey, as we all know, was acquitted of killing her daughter, Caylee. And today, we got dramatic new details of exactly what happened in that jury room everybody is wanting to know.
One of the jurors has just revealed all to "People" magazine and he`s so worried about the Casey backlash he wouldn`t reveal his name.
Here`s what he just told "People," "The jurors may have acquitted Casey Anthony, but they really didn`t like her. They also thought that she was a horrible person." And the juror says life has been a nightmare for him since the trial ended.
"People" magazine`s assistant managing editor, Julie Dam is with us tonight. Julie, considering the jury acquitted Casey, I`ve got to tell you I was really struck by what this juror just told "People" magazine.
He said, "Generally, none of us liked Casey Anthony at all. She seems like a horrible person, but the prosecutors did not give us enough evidence to convict."
So Julie, what exactly did this juror tell "People" about how torn the jury must have been to find her not guilty on these charges that she murdered Caylee?
JULIE DAM, ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Yes. This juror said that, you know, none of them liked her. They felt that she was a bad person. They felt that she probably did something wrong, but there was not enough evidence to - there was reasonable doubt so they could not convict her on the more serious charges.
And at the end of the vote, you know, one of the other jurors said to him, you know, "Are you OK with this?" And he said, "No, I`m not OK. I`m not OK but what else can we do?"
HAMMER: And it`s a fascinating read. The juror also talking about how his own sister attacked him verbally for this decision and how difficult his life has been for him.
Now, on to more SHOWBIZ justice news tonight, dramatic new details revealed today in the case of the missing American woman in Aruba.
This is a case that has, of course, gotten everybody thinking again about Natalee Holloway, who still hasn`t been found since disappearing in Aruba. That`s more than six years ago.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter has been following every twist and turn in this case. Kareen joining me now from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom in Hollywood. Kareen?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: A.J., SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned of brand-new reports today that Robyn Gardner appeared to have been drunk just hours before she went missing.
Gardener was last seen alive in a restaurant in Aruba with her companion on the trip, Gary Giordano, who is being held, by the way, by police as the only possible suspect in the case.
Now, ABC News today quoted a witness as saying Gardner appeared to be intoxicated and she was also wearing a fancy dress with her hair and make- up done.
And you know, A.J., that`s odd because Gary Giordano returned to the same restaurant just a couple hours later to report Robyn had vanished while they were snorkeling.
And A.J., there`s even a new photo with time stamp verifying exactly when Giordano and Robyn and when Giordano returned to the restaurant. Bizarre, bizarre case.
HAMMER: Yes, very bizarre. So many twists in this. Thanks, Kareen. Let me go back to "In Session`s" Sunny Hostin. What do you make of this? Does it seem to be yet another sign that Giordano`s claim that she went snorkeling and then disappeared, that this claim is now all made up?
HOSTIN: It doesn`t make any sense. I think that`s very, very clear. And we`ve got to remember, this investigation is ongoing.
HAMMER: Right.
HOSTIN: It`s ongoing in Aruba. They`ve been interrogating him so they`re getting more and more information. But I think, A.J, one of the things that`s been missing in this story is the fact that she met him online and that if you look now at his past, there were two women that filed temporary restraining orders against him, one of them his ex-wife.
So she really walked into the situation without, I think, knowing the full picture. And that really is the take away here. When you meet someone online, you`ve got to practice online dating safety.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, it`s so amazing to me how many cases that we see that are connected to an online dating hookup.
HOSTIN: Yes. Yes.
HAMMER: Here`s something that is fascinating, some other brand-new reports that came in today that while they were at the restaurant where Robyn was last seen alive, Gary Giordano apparently suddenly jumped up and announced who they were.
This is a very strange thing, but it was so strange that the server reported it to the police. Does it seem to you - I mean, first of all, I don`t understand why anybody would do that. OK, but let`s take a look at this objectively and say maybe he was trying to create an alibi?
HOSTIN: Exactly. I mean, that`s what it sounds like. Why would someone do that? And because it`s so odd, you have to try to make sense of the behavior. I would say you can`t really make sense of crazy. I remember saying that so many times as a prosecutor looking at these types of case.
But it does sound like he had a plan. Hopefully, the police will get to the bottom of this, but we`ve got a woman just missing as if she vanished. And that is terrifying to me.
HAMMER: Yes. And of course, shades of Natalee Holloway here. Do you think there would be this level of interest in this case were it not for our experience with the Natalee Holloway case?
HOSTIN: I don`t think so, and that`s one thing I`ve been thinking about. Perhaps that is one of the good things that have come away and come out of the Natalee Holloway case, that people are now paying attention to these kinds of cases, especially had they come from places like Aruba and other (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: Yes. I think it`s just going to continue to get more and more interesting, given these facts that we`ve learned today. Sunny Hostin, thank you as always.
Got to move on tonight to the Kardashian porn shocker? Yes. Tonight, how Kim Kardashian`s wedding has now sparked a new frenzy over her infamous sex tape. Did this really come back to haunt Kim again?
Tonight, it`s stars to the rescue. I love this. We`ve got new details for you about Kate Winslet saving billionaire Richard Branson`s 90-year-old mom as his mansion burned to the ground.
And caught on tape, did Ryan Gosling actually risk his life by breaking up a nasty New York street fight? That`s him in that striped shirt, right there.
Plus, shocking new demand tonight coming for the "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" to be cancelled after Russell Armstrong`s suicide. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Here comes the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Amy Winehouse`s toxicology report: No illegal substances in body at time of death. SHOWBIZ first look: Comedy Central`s Charlie Sheen roast.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLIE SHEEN, ACTOR: Whoa! All aboard!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Just when you thought Ryan Gosling couldn`t be any more loveable, he takes to the streets of New York City and saves the day. Ryan Gosling caught on camera there breaking up a brawl between two men.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And right now, it`s stars to the rescue. Ryan Gosling is not the only Hollywood hero today. Oh, no. Oscar-winning actress, Kate Winslet, saved not one, not two, but three people over the weekend after a raging fire destroyed a home of billionaire business mogul, Richard Branson.
With me tonight Hollywood, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Kareen, this is an unbelievable story. Kate Winslet escapes this fire and she saves Richard Branson`s 90-year-old mother. Exactly what happened?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: A.J., this really is such an amazing story that ended with somewhat of a happy ending. Kate Winslet - she was standing at Branson`s Caribbean Island home with about 20 other people and was forced to evacuate early Monday morning after a lightning strike - that`s right, a lighting strike - from tropical storm Irene.
It hit the property, sparking a massive fire. Now, Branson spoke with CNN International and explained how the Oscar winner saved his 90-year-old mother and her two small children. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
RICHARD BRANSON, BILLIONAIRE BUSINESS MOGUL (through telephone): She was staying there with her children. She carried my mother out of the house. She said it was like being in a film where you`re waiting for the word "cut," but it just didn`t come.
She was great. She swept her in her arms and plus her two kids and got them out of house.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow. And it`s so wild to me and it`s so scary, Kareen. I`m obviously glad that Kate was able to, you know, kind of snap into survival mode so quickly.
WYNTER: Yes.
HAMMER: You look at these images and it is just amazing that everyone survived this thing.
WYNTER: Incredible it is, A.J. And after the fire, Richard said in a statement, listen to this, "Many thanks to Kate Winslet for helping carry my 90-year-old Mum out of the main house to safety. All my family and friends are well, which, in the end, is all that really matters."
HAMMER: He`s got that so right. And I give Richard Branson a lot of credit staying so positive after losing such an unbelievable home. He`s looking forward to rebuilding.
But right now, let`s talk about another huge superstar to the rescue - Ryan Gosling. Let`s put up that video of Ryan breaking up a brawl between two men in New York`s east village. Look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know who that is, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That guy from the movie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What movie?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "The Notebook."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Kareen, you`ve got this famous actor just walking by.
WYNTER: Yes.
HAMMER: And out of nowhere, he stumbles upon these two. Does it surprise you that Ryan was able to get in the middle of these two strangers and break them up? Because I`m watching this happening and thinking if I`m Ryan, I`m staying out of it.
WYNTER: I`m on the edge of my seat, because you know what? We all love Ryan, right? He`s a big star in Hollywood. But we`re not used to seeing him in the tough guy roles, like, for example, Matt Damon.
He always plays a sweet guy, such a romantic. So of course, it was really surprising to see him put himself in the middle of things, put his life on the line, and we know all women in and out of Hollywood. If Ryan had got even one scratch on that beautiful little face, we`d all been brought to tears. So thank goodness he didn`t get hurt.
HAMMER: Hey, look, he was breaking a fight there, so maybe some casting director is going to see him and say, "Oh, maybe we will make him an action hero." All right. Kareen Wynter, thanks so much.
WYNTER: That`s right.
HAMMER: Moving on to SHOWBIZ trending tonight, should women wear engagement rings on job interviews? That is next.
Also this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey! I like your umbrella. Your umbrella. I really like it. It`s pretty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: What did I say to say to somebody? But could you say something nice about the stars you love to hate. I`m talking about, you know, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson. Could you say something nice about Charlie Sheen?
Simon`s worst nightmare revealed. Simon Cowell has been the nightmare of many "American Idol" contestants, but what`s his nightmare? Wait until you hear this, coming up. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - here come more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Lady Gaga to guest star on "The Simpsons." Katie Couric`s new talk show to be called "Katie."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ trending tonight - should women wear engagement rings to job interviews? This is actually a big debate going on all day on "The Huffington Post" and "UrbanBaby.com."
Now, some people are saying if you show up to an interview with some bling, that`s a bad idea, especially if you`ve got a huge diamond rock on your finger. The reason, apparently, it could send the message, "Hey, I don`t really need this job."
Let me bring in Amanda Seales, host of "Music Choice." What do you think, Amanda? It doesn`t seem fair to me. Should a woman really lose out on a job because they show up with a big engagement ring on their finger? Is there anything right about that?
AMANDA SEALES, HOST, "MUSIC CHOICE": There`s nothing right about that. I don`t know. Maybe she`s having her own personal issues.
The woman who actually started this whole debate apparently works for a nonprofit and she deals with children that are victims of the blood diamond conflict. And so when she sees a diamond, she feels like it`s actually someone who is exacerbating this issue.
HAMMER: I can understand that point of view. But honestly, look, for one thing, if you`re engaged and you happen to get a big diamond and then you take it off and somebody asks you, "Oh, are you married?" You know, whatever, you showing up and sort of people are going to presume you`re single.
SEALES: You`re a liar.
HAMMER: Yes.
SEALES: You know, it`s really - the reality is this - I think you have to differentiate between the rock and the reason.
HAMMER: Yes.
SEALES: You know, there`s the rock and, OK, you`re upset about the diamond. But you have to understand that the reason for the diamond is a marriage. I mean, it`s not like they just walked in with a bunch of chains swinging and bling bling.
HAMMER: Right. Well, let me ask you this then, because that brings me to the point of is there a double standard if a guy shows up with really nice cuff links? You`re supposed to dress for success. Do you think that would keep a guy from, you know, getting a possible job?
SEALES: I`m not really sure. I mean, I think she`s looking at this the wrong way. I think if she sees somebody walking around with a big rock and they`re walking into a nonprofit, she should really be saying to herself, "How can we get this rich person to give money to these kids?"
That`s what she should really be looking at instead of saying, "They`re obviously well to do and they don`t deserve this job." If they`re well to do and they want to come help and, you know, work for charity, take that on.
HAMMER: I think that`s a good idea. And all that said I`m thinking Kim Kardashian with her 20-carat engagement ring.
SEALES: She could have paid for an entire African village`s college.
HAMMER: Yes. She probably wouldn`t wear that, but again, she`s probably showing up for your traditional job interview. Amanda Seales, great to have you. Thank you so much.
And you can join the debate. Tweet #EngagementRings and @ShowbizTonight on Twitter right now if you`re outraged like me.
Now, it`s time for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at the bottom of the hour,
Kardashian porn shocker? Tonight, we have the remarkable story of how Kim Kardashian`s wedding has sparked a new frenzy over her sex tape. Could this come back to haunt her yet again?
Megan Fox gets rid of her Marilyn Monroe tattoo. I actually found that surprising. Megan`s always showed it off. Why did she do it? I will tell you. 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.
TEXT: Brad Pitt puts his Malibu, California home on the market for $13.5 million. Miss Piggy to appear at "opening ceremony" store during N.Y. fashion week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Kim K`s porn shocker? Tonight, how Kim Kardashian`s wedding sparked a new frenzy over the infamous sex tape that made her famous.
"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cancelled? New outrage over the show tonight after the death of Russell Armstrong. Should Bravo yank the entire series or should the show go on?
SHOWBIZ trending tonight. Check out what happens when a megaphone is left unmanned on a New York City street.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, you with the umbrella, the blue umbrella. I really like it. It`s pretty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s nice. But can you say nice things about celebrities you love to hate? You know, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen?
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 in New York with big news breaking today - Kim`s porn shocker.
Yes, tonight, truly outrageous news the Kim Kardashian gilded wedding may be good news for the peddlers of her homemade sex tape. Yes, you heard it right. TMZ is reporting today that about two million people visited the Web site that hosts Kim`s sex tape just this weekend alone.
So why the heck did Kim`s wedding spark such renewed interest in that little old sex tape?
Joining me tonight from Hollywood, Lisa Gastineau former star of the reality show, "Gastineau Girls" and creator of the Gastineau family line of jewelry. And right now, in New York, Michael Billy is with me. Michael is a TV and radio show host.
This really is incredible. The Kim K. sex Web site usually has about 300,000 unique visitors in a month - 300,000 in a month. The fact that over the course of a weekend more than two million people viewed her sex tape while her wedding was happening, that`s pretty amazing to me, Michael.
I mean, it`s a little bit sad. My sensitivity chip is going off here. I feel a little bit badly for her on the one hand. But it really does reinforce, does it not, that that`s what made her famous.
MICHAEL BILLY, TV AND RADIO SHOW HOST: Yes, why badly? I`m sure she`s having the time of her life with this. Look, the honest truth is, everybody wasn`t invited. So, guys wanted to be a part of the wedding in that special moment in sort of way. And the Internet allowed them to be part of that special moment in Kim`s life.
HAMMER: OK. To be clear, badly because - and well, look, she did put it out there. The tape`s out there. I don`t think she still wants it around. I think she wishes it went away.
Lisa, let me get to you. I know you`re a close friend of the Kardashian family. You are right there this past weekend at Kim`s wedding. And I`m sure this was not the talk of the wedding.
Does it frustrate you that after all this time she is still associated with that sex tape?
LISA GASTINEAU, FOUNDER, GASTINEAU GLAMOUR JEWELRY: Oh, wow. That`s the last thing I thought of when I thought about the wedding. I think when so much attention comes to things on a world level, people who don`t know of someone and they just read about it, they want to know more about something so it will bring that attention.
HAMMER: Yes, I certainly can understand the fascination. People have been hearing all about Kim for months now and the big wedding. And after, doing a little research, oh, a sex tape? We certainly have talked about it here before. They may want to see what`s that all about.
But however, I`m here to say that that`s not the only Kardashian wedding bombshell that`s making big news today. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you how much Kim Kardashian`s three Vera Wang dresses cost.
Get this, the cost of the dress that she wore down the aisle alone was estimated to be worth over $25,000. That dress, her other two dresses and the Vera Wang dresses for her sisters and her mother - they totaled somewhere between $135,000 and $150,000.
Michael, let`s face it. Kim is United States royalty for sure. Does the figure make sense to you? Do you think it is probably a bigger number than that? Do you think they paid a dime for any of that?
BILLY: See, there`s conflicting reports. I don`t know if they really paid a dime for it. But regardless of how much they paid for the wedding dress, in these financial times, I`m sorry to pooh-pooh on the parade.
It just doesn`t seem the right thing to do to spend so much money on a wedding. You know, she`s got a great audience out there. They`re going through some tough times. I don`t know. It just doesn`t sit well with me.
HAMMER: It`s a mixed thing because if you can afford it, why not do it?
BILLY: Right.
HAMMER: But again, if you`re going to flaunt it, why register for wedding gifts, for instance?
BILLY: Exactly.
HAMMER: Why not donate it to charity. Lisa, let me ask you. You were right there at the Kardashian wedding - go ahead. Did you have something to chime in on that?
GASTINEAU: Well, I think, you know, there`s a conflict. You`re televising a wedding special. People are tuning in to see certain elements of glamour. And you know, people who are tuning in are not concerned of who is paying for what and how much it cost.
They want to see a real beautiful finished product. And any bride will tell you that probably the most expensive purchase they`ll ever make will be for their bridal dress.
And there are so many Kardashians, no matter - you know, even if you bought something off the rack, just the sheer quantity of people there alone - it`s going to be pretty expensive.
You know, there is always that conflict. These are really tough times and people are having a really hard time. But on the same token, there`s the escapism that people tune in to watch somebody else`s glamour.
HAMMER: Yes. I do agree with that. No, I think you`re going to have it on both sides. I think you`re going to have people saying, "Oh, my god. What is she doing given all that is going on in our world?" But I think you`re exactly right that a lot of people will say, "You know what? It`s a nice distraction whatever it cost."
But let`s look at some of that glamour. We have some images I want to show you courtesy of "E! Entertainment" of Kim`s big day. What a lavish reception. I mean, it was something else.
That third dress that she wore, amazing. Take a look at how stunning the whole get-up is - I mean, the cake, reception area, that amazing white draping, intricate decorations. And Lisa, you were right there for all of it.
And I understand you brought along some wedding keepsakes from the wedding that I presume you were allowed to take with you.
GASTINEAU: I did.
HAMMER: What did you walk away with? What can you show us?
GASTINEAU: I only took the things that I was allowed to take. I took my place card, my seating chart, the favor afterward was a beautiful candle. There was a note pad that had - the background was a picture of Kris and Kim.
I didn`t do any sneaky photos or anything that, you know, would make me very unwelcome for future events.
HAMMER: I think you should have walked away with the candelabra personally. But let`s move on right now -
GASTINEAU: I should probably have.
HAMMER: There are some other stuff we have to get to tonight. This is obviously a very explosive story still making big news today. We`re talking about "Real Housewives," real backlash.
Now, "People.com" isn`t known for posting their own editorials as their big major headline on the side. I was very surprised by this. I found it to be an extraordinary move.
"People.com" just posted a big headline which reads "Why `Real Housewives of Beverly Hills` Should Be Scrapped." This was written by their own TV critic and, of course, it comes after the tragic suicide the husband of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star, Taylor Armstrong.
Here`s what TV critic Tom Gliotto writes. Tom writes, "In a better world, Bravo would just go ahead and scrap, not just the season, but the entire series." He says Russell Armstrong`s death wasn`t incidental to his fame from the show.
Now, Lisa, tomorrow - I know it`s a difficult day. You`re planning on attending Russell`s funeral. You`re friendly with many of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." Do you agree with "People`s" call to scrap the show entirely? You think that`s the best move?
GASTINEAU: I don`t. I don`t. I think that the bar has been lowered so much instead of raised in reality TV. When you do reality, you are going in. You get to edit yourself.
Let`s be fair. You know, everybody is looking for their moment where they want to push the envelope and be the next Kardashian or the next thing. And it`s changed where people are no longer having personal integrity.
And you know what? You go in there and you do a TV show and you are allowed to be you. You draw the line of what you will and will not allow to be shown. So I think that, respectfully, perhaps Taylor should take the time off and go take care of her daughter and heal and mourn and do all the things.
But I don`t think you can scrap an entire TV series because of someone`s personal issues. Do I think the show may have driven him to the breaking point? Yes, I do.
HAMMER: Yes. And I think that`s -
GASTINEAU: But in all fairness, you can`t keep secrets on reality TV. Somebody will expose you.
HAMMER: Absolutely. I just want to get to you very quickly, Michael. I mean, this is really piling on some pressure to Bravo here. Do you think this is going to make them reconsider scrapping it?
BILLY: No, I don`t think they should and I hope not. I mean, the reality of television and the reality of reality TV are these are adults that wanted to be a part of this and those actions have certain repercussions.
HAMMER: Yes. Keep in mind what you`re doing is getting on tape and it will get on TV. Lisa Gastineau and Michael Billy, thank you both. I really appreciate it.
Well, the "The Real Housewives" drama has sparked such heated debate. I`d love to hear from you on it. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - "`Real Housewives of Beverly Hills` Suicide: `People` magazine critic says show should be canceled." Are you thinking, "I agree" or "no way"? Sound off at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail me. Our address is showbiztonight@cnn.com.
SHOWBIZ trending tonight. On the streets of New York City, you don`t know what remarkable thing you will see or hear next. So you`ve got to check out what happens when a megaphone is left on the street with a note that says, "Say something nice."
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, you with the umbrella, the blue umbrella. I really like it. It`s pretty.
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HAMMER: Yes. When does that happen? These people said something nice. But could you say something nice about the celebs you love to hate? You know, Lindsay? Paris? I double dare you to say something nice about her or Mel Gibson or Charlie Sheen. Is there anything nice to say at all?
Megan, Marilyn and bad mojo. Wait until you hear the unbelievable reason why Megan Fox took a laser beam to her Marilyn Monroe tattoo. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck expecting their third child. SHOWBIZ first look: Eminem`s new video featuring Bruno Mars, "Lighters."
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is real, the green shirt you`re wearing. Yes. TV 101 my friend.
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HAMMER: Yes. TV 101, Lara. Did you see this? "Good Morning America`s" Lara Spencer with her body disappearing. She was sitting in front of what we in the TV call a green screen. You mostly see them used by the weather guys.
But it`s a big no-no to wear green in front of a green screen, because, as you see here, she disappeared. Lara did reappear after she borrowed a black shirt to do her report. Poof, no magician required.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ trending tonight - a strange new epidemic that has now broken out in New York City. It`s an epidemic of niceness. Here`s what we mean.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have a good day, everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Arianna, mommy loves you.
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HAMMER: This is a viral video some fine odder than that piano-playing cat. New Yorkers just couldn`t stop saying nice things as they passed by this megaphone in the city`s Union Square.
Now, the megaphone and lectern were set up by a local improv group who invited passers-by to stop by and say something nice into said megaphone. Kind of warms the heart, doesn`t it?
The "Say Something Nice" project made us here at SHOWBIZ TONIGHT do a little soul searching. Many of us may spend a bit of time criticizing celebrities. But tonight, inspired by the "Say Something Nice" megaphone, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is going to say something nice about some of the celebrities who often get slammed.
And to help us, we brought in D.J. and comedienne, Amanda Seales, who is reputed to be very nice, joining me here in New York. Also here in New York, he`s really the perfect person to talk about the "Say Something Nice" project, comedian Chuck Nice.
CHUCK NICE, COMEDIAN: Doesn`t get any nicer than that.
HAMMER: You got cast just for your name.
NICE: Exactly.
HAMMER: But because you are, too, a nice person. But we have a challenge for you. We`re going to have you guys stepping before the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Say Something Nice" megaphone to say something nice about certain celebrities.
And first, let`s talk about Gwyneth Paltrow. Now, for some strange reason, Gwyneth seems to elicit a lot of hatred. In fact, "Time" magazine actually wrote an article on the hating Gwyneth phenomenon.
Let me say for the record, I like Gwyneth. I`ve always liked Gwyneth. For the life of me, I can`t understand why so many people seem to delight in bashing Gwyneth. But Chuck, please speak into the SHOWBIZ "Say Something Nice" megaphone and say something nice about Gwyneth Paltrow.
NICE: Oh, it`s my pleasure. Gwyneth Paltrow, you are beautiful. You have perfect hair. You can act. You can sing. You can dance. You`re the perfect wife with the perfect kids, and that`s why no one likes you.
HAMMER: Chuck Nice, everybody.
HAMMER: Amanda Seales, please say something nice about Gwyneth.
SEALES: You have an excellent English accent. As an American, you are very able to infuse the Britishness in you without any problems and I have always been a great supporter of that. Gwyneth, I heart you.
NICE: Wait a minute, you`re supposed to say something nice, not lie.
SEALES: You`re the one who said she could sing.
HAMMER: OK. Please be nice to each other while we conduct our little experiment today. And now, inspired by New York`s "Say Something Nice" megaphone, the next celebrity we`re going to try to praise - how about the winning warlock, Charlie Sheen?
Chuck, can you speak into the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT "Say Something Nice" microphone - megaphone? It`s a microphone. It`s a megaphone. It`s all these things. Something nice about Charlie Sheen? A little challenging
NICE: Wow. OK. Here we go. Here we go. Very quickly. Charlie Sheen, you make us all feel like winners when we compare our lives to you.
SEALES: Yes.
HAMMER: I`m here to let you know this is going to get more challenging as we roll on. Please feel free to play along at home as we go to the next star in our "Say Something Nice" megaphone.
We want to talk about the troubled - trouble-prone starlet, Lindsay Lohan. You know, we`ve certainly done our share of Lohan criticism. So Amanda, step up to the megaphone and say something nice about Li-Lo, please.
SEALES: Li-Loser. You, Lindsay Lohan were a really nice girl in "Mean Girls." That`s as good as I can get.
HAMMER: Amanda Seales, everybody. OK. I promised you it would get challenging. Here we go. I hope you`re inspired now because we`re going to hit you with the most challenging celebrity in our SHOWBIZ "Say Something Nice" megaphone. That is none other than Mel Gibson.
Now, start thinking about this because we`re talking about Mel. He had the anti-Semitic rants, racial slurs and very angry voicemails. Chuck Nice, do you have it within you? Can you reach deep inside, find something, step up to that megaphone now and say something nice about Mel Gibson?
NICE: OK. Here we go. Mel Gibson, you believe in Jesus. Jesus believes in forgiveness. That makes us think about forgiving you, but realizing that we`re not Jesus, so we don`t.
SEALES: Wow.
HAMMER: Holy molly.
SEALES: That was a doozy.
HAMMER: The bar has been raised, Amanda.
SEALES: The bar has been raised. Mel, you - you, you, you, guy - "Brave Heart" was really good.
HAMMER: Can I save you some trouble? There you go. That`s a good fallback. Quickly, I want to get to Paris Hilton. Now, of course, Paris certainly has been worthy of some of the un-nice things said about her for so many years.
SEALES: Yes.
HAMMER: But chuck nice, step up to that megaphone and say something nice about this lovely - I mean, look at her.
NICE: Yes. Paris Hilton very, very simply said - I don`t know anybody who looks as good in night vision as you do.
HAMMER: All right. Well, I don`t know how much time we have.
SEALES: OK.
HAMMER: I think I just felt the earth shake in New York City again. Think of all the niceness. Amanda Seales, Chuck Nice, I thank you both.
Moving now To Megan Fox, known for her beauty and that huge tattoo of Marilyn Monroe on her arm, right? Is she really scared of that thing now? You`ve got to hear the unbelievable story just revealed today about why she dumped her Marilyn tat. That is next.
It is time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Beyonce to perform at October 8 Michael Jackson tribute show via satellite. First clip of "The Hunger Games" to debut during MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.
HAMMER: Time for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. These are the things we can`t stop buzzing about this week. We are pumped about the U.S. Open. The final grand slam of the year starts on Sunday.
We`re buzzing about the long-awaited unveiling of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in Washington this weekend. It`s very cool.
It`s not easy being green. We`re listening to "Muppets: The Green Album" that`s out today.
From punky to parent. We`re buzzing all about "Punky Brewster" star, Soleil Moon Frye`s new book, "Happy Chaos." And bring on the drama. We can`t get enough of "The A-List" on Logo. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do think it will be a great piece for you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Try it on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to try on the dress.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait until you see this!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my god. Oh!
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HAMMER: Tonight, the Osbournes hit the big screen. New details about the documentary about Ozzy directed by his son.
Also, why Megan Fox dumped her famous Marilyn Monroe tattoo. And mourning the loss of a music legend. All those stories in "The Buzz Today."
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(voice-over) Saying good-bye to Nick Ashford. He was known for half of the R & B duo Ashford and Simpson. And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you Nick Ashford has just lost his long battle with throat cancer.
With his wife and collaborator, Valerie Simpson, he was behind some of the most iconic R & B songs ever recorded, including "Ain`t No Mountain High Enough" and "I`m Every Woman." Nick`s rep tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT he passed away surrounded by his wife and their two daughters. He was 69.
Osbourne family rock-u-mentary. Jack Osbourne has just debuted a brand-new documentary directed about his dad, Ozzy. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the premiere of "Good Bless Ozzy Osbourne." Jack reveals to us we`ll see the king of darkness in a sobering new light.
JACK OSBOURNE, SON OF OZZY OSBOURNE: It`s not so much Ozzie as it is John. And it`s kind of letting us showcase, you know, him, his life and his accomplishments and have him talk about it.
Megan`s Marilyn mystery solved. Megan Fox has just revealed why she had her Marilyn Monroe tattoo removed. In a brand-new interview with Italy`s "Amica" magazine, Fox confessed she got rid it have because she believes Monroe had bad karma.
"It`s a negative character as Marilyn Monroe suffered from and was bipolar. I do not want to attract this kind of negative energy in my life."
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HAMMER: Well, Monday, we asked you to vote on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. Moments ago, we got final results. "Kim Kardashian Could Make Millions From Her Wedding: Anything wrong with that?" Fifty-nine percent of you say yes. Forty-one percent of you say heck no.
Here`s some of the messages that were posted on our Facebook wall today. Amanda D. writes, "She`s making money off of what should be a beautiful time with family and friends."
But Margie C. says, you go, girl, "No, Kim is a shrewd businesswoman. I say go for it."
And tonight, we`ve uncovered Simon Cowell`s worst nightmare. Not a shortage of black tees. But I guarantee you it`s pretty fascinating. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
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HAMMER: Right now, it`s Simon Cowell`s worst nightmare. The original nightmare judge on "American Idol" says there`s one thing that scares him to death. That`s having a nine-to-five job. Does that make you feel good?
He just told "GQ" magazine, quote, "My worst nightmare would have been if I had to join a golf club and have miserable suck-up evenings with the boss. I actually would rather throw myself off a bridge than have that."
Simon also confessed that there were many days at the end of his "American Idol" stint where he wanted to call in sick. But he says, quote, "You`ve got to do what you`ve been paid to do."
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Monday through Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. The Conrad Murray trial starts in just a few days. And tonight, Dr. Drew, speaking with Michael Jackson`s former chief of security in a rare one-on-one interview. "DR. DREW" on HLN starts right now.
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