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Showbiz Tonight
Coverage of the Michael Jackson Death Trial; Like Anna, Like Michael?; Amanda Knox Freed; Inside the Mind of Katherine Jackson; Will Demi and Ashton`s Marriage Survive?; Outrage Over Kendall Jenner`s Boots
Aired October 03, 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: I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles, covering the Michael Jackson death trial, and this is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - two headline-making SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusives. Like Anna, like Michael? The startling comparisons between Anna Nicole Smith`s death and Michael Jackson`s death.
The disturbing drug details. Tonight, the father of Anna Nicole Smith`s baby, Larry Birkhead, right here with me in Los Angeles for an exclusive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Another SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive - revelations from Cedric the Entertainer on his close connection to Michael Jackson`s mother, Katherine. Cedric, the entertainer, in another headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMANDA KNOX, ACQUITTED OF MURDER CHARGES (through translator): I am not what they say I am. I wasn`t there. I wasn`t present in that crime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Amanda Knox`s desperate plea today to get out of jail. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint tonight - has justice been served for Amanda Knox?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you tonight from Los Angeles. We`re right across the street from where I am right now.
It was day five of testimony in the trial of Michael Jackson`s doctor, Conrad Murray, accused, of course, of giving Michael the drug that caused his death. And tonight, we begin with a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive. The startling comparisons between Michael`s death and the death of Anna Nicole Smith.
Anna Nicole died from an overdose of prescription drugs that were illegally prescribed to her. Michael Jackson died when Conrad Murray allegedly gave him the anesthetic, propofol.
Michael was also reportedly addicted to enormous amounts of prescription drugs. And just like with Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson was surrounded by people who should have been protecting him, but instead, failed.
With me tonight in Los Angeles for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker exclusive, it`s Larry Birkhead. Larry is the father of Anna Nicole`s child.
Larry did everything possible to protect Anna Nicole and was frustrated by the roadblocks that he ran into. Larry, it is great to have you here.
LARRY BIRKHEAD, FATHER OF ANNA NICOLE SMITH`S BABY: Thank you.
HAMMER: I appreciate you being here with us tonight. So I`m wondering as you`re watching this trial play out right across the street from where we`re sitting right now, do you find it amazing how many similarities that there are between this trial and what you experienced with Anna Nicole`s trial? It has to be mind-boggling.
HAMMER: I think in both trials, you know, obviously, it brings back a lot of memories for me with Anna`s trial. But this trial, as well as Anna`s trial, was a big circus - the amount of attention and the crazy testimony that you hear coming out.
And just the tragedy that the family has to relive. It`s mind-boggling, the number of comparisons, the people swirling around Michael as there were with Anna, and obviously, the similarities in the way that they died, the tragic ways they died.
HAMMER: Well, specifically to that, when you hear the testimony playing out, I have to imagine it is bringing back all matter of memories in terms of what Anna Nicole was struggling with in the months before she died.
BIRKHEAD: You know, it does bring back many memories. The thing is, is that, you know - obviously, you know, Anna had her problems with, you know - with her pains and medications and things like that. You hear the same coming out of this trial with the testimonies with some of the witnesses.
But just some of the crazy things that you hear with Dr. Murray and the way he`s handled things as well as some of the doctors involved in all these different cases with these celebrities where tragedy strikes, it`s just - it`s crazy.
HAMMER: Well, people obviously want to know if Conrad Murray enabled Michael Jackson`s drug addiction. It is sort of like what happened with Anna Nicole Smith.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spoke with one of Anna Nicole`s doctors, Sandeep Kapoor, who was charged with illegally prescribing her prescription drugs.
He was acquitted. His name was totally cleared in this. But he told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT we shouldn`t be so quick to judge Dr. Murray. Let`s watch that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. SANDEEP KAPOOR, ANNA NICOLE SMITH`S FORMER DOCTOR: I think, again, "blame" is a strong word. I mean, to blame one person, I think, is difficult to do. Conrad Murray arguably walks into a situation or is brought into a situation that arguably was pretty disastrous to begin with.
In reality, nobody really knows what happened in that room or in that house the day he passed away. Conrad Murray sort of left holding the IV, if you will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Do you think that it is possible that Conrad Murray was an enabler and did actually have a role in Michael`s death based on what you`ve seen as you follow the case?
BIRKHEAD: I don`t know if - you know, like Dr. Kapoor said, I don`t know he was left holding the IV, because I think he wasn`t really in the room.
But you know, I think that when these doctors commit to caring for the patient, some of the testimony that I`ve heard from some of the witnesses here, you know, where he wasn`t in the room. He didn`t perform CPR. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) about CPR. A $40 machine might have saved Michael Jackson`s life.
The same thing with Anna. You know, these people insulate themselves with a circle of friends or people that work for them around that actually keep the people out of their lives that actually could help them.
And I think the thing with Dr. Murray, from what I`m hearing from the testimony, it doesn`t sound like that he is coming up like a bumbling medical student than an actual caregiver that took an oath to protect Michael.
So the same thing with Anna. I know, you know, she had different situations and different circumstances. But you know, she had these pains and she had these problems. But she also had doctors that said yes, yes, yes.
HAMMER: Yes. You witnessed firsthand the enablers, the so-called enablers who were right there basically doing whatever she wanted done or whatever the people who were supposed to be protecting her thought was in her best interest, which was, as we all know, proved to be far on the other side of that.
I imagine it has to be somewhat emotional for you watching this because that was obviously a very emotional time.
BIRKHEAD: It is. You know, the thing is that - do you know if any one person could have prevented it? Maybe and maybe not.
You know, the person, I do believe, you know, that I will say even though there are these doctors and there are these people that are swirling around in this group and entourage of people in most of the cases.
Whereas, you know, you have to look back at sometimes the celebrity has to have a little hand in this, you know. Without the pleas and the cries and the requests from these pharmacists or doctors or whatever, they do have a little bit to play.
HAMMER: And a lot of people have been saying that, at the end of the day, particularly when somebody`s under the influence of these prescription medications, they don`t necessarily have the wherewithal to make the proper and sane decisions that these enablers seem to be making on their behalf.
There`s talk, of course, that some of Michael`s family may actually get on the stand and speak at the trial and give testimony.
You obviously had to do that repeatedly in your efforts to prove that you were, in fact, Dannielynn, Anna Nicole`s daughter`s father, which we all know what the outcome of that was. She is, in fact, your daughter.
I remember how emotional you were and how it affected you. Let`s a little bit of a look at what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Answer the question.
BIRKHEAD: Because when we -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did you make her pregnant when you knew she was overmedicated?
BIRKHEAD: Well, the answer to the question is, when she came back from South Carolina, she was not medicated as much and she cleared herself up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you mean -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As much?
BIRKHEAD: Well, she - I could understand what she was saying. I could understand her. She was in a better state of mind. Her skin was clear. She was a better - it was totally different.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Give me some insight, Larry, as what kind of a toll that takes on a person. I can`t even imagine what the Jackson family would feel having to get up there and endure testifying, let alone what they have been feeling sitting there in that courtroom.
BIRKHEAD: That`s right. Well, you know, just like what you see in that clip there, you know, you`re there for a reason. There`s expectations from some side or the other about what your testimony is going to be.
If you don`t give them what you want, then like you saw in that clip, they want to try to break you down. So be careful, I would say, to the family members.
You know, I know nobody wants to be in that position of testifying, but it is not as easy as it looks. It is very nerve-wracking. It`s very emotional.
And again, you know, just because you`re there for the prosecution, you might not be a prosecution witness when it`s over with. You might turn into a defense witness.
HAMMER: Sure.
BIRKHEAD: And it takes - they play ping pong with you. So it is an emotional toll. And at the end of the day, you know, you do your best. You try to stay truthful. But you know -
HAMMER: I am sure you walked away some days, like, saying, "Did I say the right thing?" And, "Did that go well?" But look, here we are. You obviously had to recover from that experience, but you made it through.
BIRKHEAD: Yes.
HAMMER: It seems like you`re doing very well. It sounds like Dannielynn has a terrific home. And I can`t believe - I saw that she`s in kindergarten now. She`s five years old.
BIRKHEAD: She just turned five.
HAMMER: How is she doing? Give us a little insight into the life of Dannielynn.
BIRKHEAD: She`s doing great. She`s, you know, into everything. And she`s active and she`s got a great group of friends.
And she`s going to a great school, and she`s just, you know, really inquisitive and wants to learn. And that comes, you know, with her asking questions about her mom and -
HAMMER: How do you deal with that?
BIRKHEAD: You know, we graduated. We started with, you know, "Mommy is in heaven. Mommy is in the clouds." You know, we now have a little bit of a deeper understanding on a kid level of, you know, that, you know, mom has passed away, and she understands it.
And you know, in fact, a kid at school actually said, "She said my mom is in heaven." It was actually Michael Jackson music week at school. And they were talking about Michael Jackson. One of the teachers said, "You know, he`s in heaven."
And Dannielynn said, "My mom is in heaven." And then one of the kids turned to her and said, "That means she`s dead." So you know, the obvious things to where you have to - it`s unexpected.
HAMMER: Sure.
BIRKHEAD: But you have make those things clear.
HAMMER: It is part of being a kid.
BIRKHEAD: But other than that, she`s adjusted well. She`s happy and she`s happy. And she`s surrounded with love and she`s just doing great.
HAMMER: That`s great to hear. And I appreciate you sharing that with us, and continued success in raising her.
BIRKHEAD: Thank you.
HAMMER: And I appreciate you being here.
BIRKHEAD: Thanks a lot.
HAMMER: Thank you so much.
BIRKHEAD: Thank you.
HAMMER: Well, as we move on tonight, there is big controversy obviously surrounding this trial as well as the Michael Jackson tribute concert over the weekend in Wales.
So here`s what we`re asking you in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll - is it OK for this concert to take place during the M.J. death trial? Give me your vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight or E-mail me as well. Our address - showbiztonight@cnn.com.
We have more big Jackson news to get to tonight. Michael Jackson`s mother, Katherine, of course, has been here at the Los Angeles courthouse every single day of the death trial.
I`ve got to know what could be going through her mind right now. Well, coming up, it`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive with Cedric the Entertainer. Cedric to give me his brand-new revelations about his good friend Katherine. It`s a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Also, Demi and Ashton. They`re reportedly running to Kabbalah, but they can`t run from reports that Ashton may have cheated. Here`s our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - will Demi and Ashton`s marriage survive?
Also, a 15-year-old Kardashian in bondage boots? What is going on here? These racy photos are sparking outrage tonight. Is it too sexy? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And this is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Kanye West debuts his first fashion collection at Paris fashion week. "Lost" actor, Adewale Akinnuoye, shares his thought on M.J. death trial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADEWALE AKINNUOYE, ACTOR: The thing about that is it`s a sad episode. Let`s face it, a legend has died and, unfortunately, in a manner that wasn`t really, you know, appropriate.
But I don`t know. I mean, you know, the case will decide. I just kind of feel sad that, you know, somebody is going to take the fall for that. I think the man was a great legend and left us with amazing legacy. Let sleeping dogs lie, but somebody has to take the fall, I suppose.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Oh, yes. The moves, the music, the memories - all captured in "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour." The high-flying new Cirque de Soleil show which just opened in Canada.
Right there in the audience, Michael`s three children and his mother. Michael`s family remembers the very best of him just as the details of his final days play out thousands of miles away in Los Angeles.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles.
I`m just outside the courthouse where Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial for allegedly causing the death of Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson`s family has been united in court. It`s been a show of force from them every single day.
But there will be fewer than there later this week. Several Jacksons head to the U.K. for this coming weekend`s highly-anticipated and highly- controversial M.J. tribute concert.
It is a concert that has divided the family because many of them feel it`s just inappropriate for the show to go on while this trial is in session. Here is the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - could the Jackson`s absence from court actually affect the jury?
With me outside the L.A. courthouse, Judge Mary Ann Gunn, the host of the great new syndicated show, "Last Shot with Judge Gunn." Also, with me tonight from L.A., Atty. Midwin Charles of Midwin Charles and Associates.
Judge, let me start with you. To our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, will the very conspicuous absence of so many Jackson family members later this week actually possibly affect the jury and how they interpret what`s going on in this court case?
JUDGE MARY ANN GUNN, HOST, "LAST SHOT WITH JUDGE GUNN": You know, A.J., I don`t think so. I think that the jury is very aware every day of who is walking in the door and who is in the courtroom, and how they are acting in the courtroom.
But this is the second week of trial. It is going to go five weeks. And I just really don`t think that it will have, in reality, an impact on how they decide guilt or innocence.
HAMMER: Now, I have a feeling Janet Jackson will continue to show up every day. She has been against this concert. She actually hasn`t spoken out about the concert. She`s not going to be going to the concert in Wales.
But Midwin, I have to imagine, you`re in the jury. You see Janet Jackson. I mean, come on. You see her sitting there.
ATTY. MIDWIN CHARLES, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: Yes.
HAMMER: You`re taking a look at the expression on her face as some of the testimony is going on. Do you think it will have any impact how this case is going?
CHARLES: I think, over time, it won`t. I think, in the beginning, the family all got there. They came together, and it was kind of a show of support for the family.
But I think, over time, they recognized that some of these family members are stars in their own right. They`ve got their own responsibilities that they may have to tend to.
So it may not be possible for them to be in trial every single day for five or six weeks. So I think the jury is going to understand that.
HAMMER: And again, to Judge Gunn`s point, now, the time has sort of moved on and we`re sort of into the trial. The routine is setting in, I think.
CHARLES: Yes.
HAMMER: Well, Jermaine Jackson is one of the family members who thinks that the concert in Wales shouldn`t be held. I want you to watch what he told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERMAINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S BROTHER: That`s going to be an ongoing thing, to pay homage to Michael and to keep the legacy alive, as well as the families and the Jackson 5, too, but the timing - the timing is most important.
Once they start saying these horrible things and news media is putting out this stuff, part of the family is off doing a concert, it is just not appropriate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Not only is the Jackson family split. I want you to take a look at our latest SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive poll. We asked - "Michael Jackson Tribute Concert: Is it OK for the concert to take place during the M.J. death trial?"
The results came in late today. Pretty even split right here with 46 percent saying, "Yes, the concert is OK." Fifty-four percent say, "No, it`s not."
Judge Gunn, I do think the timing is unfortunate, but what do you think? Is it OK?
GUNN: Oh, I think, ultimately, it`s OK, because the fact of the matter is, the jury is sequestered. I mean, they are not sequestered. I`m sorry, but they`re not allowed to be involved.
HAMMER: What would separate from the jury, just in terms of the idea, that this celebration is happening while the man accused of being a part of Michael Jackson dying is on trial?
GUNN: I understand that, and the timing is suspect. But it will also be a great tribute, obviously. But I just think that the jury needs to stay away from that.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, I think, hopefully, they`re staying away from everything. Hopefully, this is good for the kids. All right. Judge Mary Ann Gunn, Midwin Charles, thank you as always.
As we move on tonight, D-Day for Amanda Knox. This is a worldwide shocker. Amanda Knox ordered freed tonight after nearly four years in jail in Italy, following her desperate plea today to get out of jail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOX (through translator): I am not what they say I am. I haven`t murdered. I haven`t raped. I haven`t stolen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint tonight, has justice been served for Amanda Knox?
Also, inside the mind of Katherine Jackson. She has been seen every day at the Jackson death trial here in Los Angeles. I am wondering what she is thinking.
Well, tonight, I`ve got a SHOWBIZ exclusive with Katherine`s good friend. Cedric the Entertainer is right here with his brand-new revelations about his friend, Katherine for a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr hit London premiere of George Harrison documentary. T.I. surprises Taylor Swift concert in first performance since release from halfway house.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: Khloe is saying that everyone is talking about Kris behind his back, but she`s the one that`s like really stirring it up. She`s the one who`s creating all this drama.
I don`t want any of this bad energy at my wedding, and if all of you are talking (EXPLETIVE DELETED) behind my back, there`s no reason why any of you should be at my wedding.
KHLOE KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: All I`m doing is telling you what`s being said behind your back, Kim. So what? You don`t want me at your wedding?
KIM KARDASHIAN: No, I don`t.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Kardashians clash over Kim`s big wedding. It`s a brand-new look at Kim Kardashian`s blockbuster wedding special revealing big-time family infighting over Kim`s at-the-time husband-to-be, Kris Humphries.
So did Kim really dis-invite her matron of honor, Khloe? We`ll find out the whole story on Kim`s fairytale wedding, a Kardashian event starting this Sunday on E!
And there`s more big Kardashian news out today. Disney star, Demi Lovato, reveals how Kim Kardashian came through for her at a very dark time. We`ve got all that and more in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Who`s got Demi Lovato`s back? Kim Kardashian. The Disney sweetheart just revealed to "Billboard.com" that Kim K. was right there to support her during her time in rehab for issues including an eating disorder.
Lovato says her friendship with Kim and fellow Disney star, Selena Gomez, goes far beyond texting, "The people that were calling me while I was in there were Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez. Those two girls, they meant the world to me. They still do."
Gene Simmons finally put a ring on it. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT confirms the KISS bassist married longtime love, Shannon Tweed, after 28 years of living together and raising two kids.
The marriage-shy rocker and former Playboy playmate tied the knot in front of 400 guests. The crowd reportedly cheered when Simmons said "I do." The couple`s first dance to the Etta James` classic "At Last" performed by their daughter, Sophie.
Liz Hurley is engaged. The 46-year-old "Gossip Girl" actress is headed to the altar with a 41-year-old Australian cricket star, Shane Warren. The couple confirmed the news via their Twitter accounts. Hurley and Warren have both been married before.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Congratulations, Liz. Now, the SHOWBIZ lineup - here is what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Inside the mind of Katherine Jackson during the Michael Jackson death trial. Katherine`s good friend, Cedric the Entertainer, is here. I cannot wait to hear his brand-new revelations about his good friend, Katherine. It`s a headline-making SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Also, Demi and Ashton reportedly run to Kabbalah, but they can`t seem to run from reports that Ashton may have cheated. SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, will Demi and Ashton`s marriage survive? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Hercules" star, Kevin Sorbo, reveals he`s suffered several strokes. Jason Bateman tweets about return of TV`s "Arrested Development."
"It`s true. We will do 10 episodes and the movie. Probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early `13. Very excited!" @BatemanJason
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Michael Jackson`s family not at court? His mom Katherine Jackson has been at the Jackson death trial every day until now. So what`s going on?
Her good friend Cedric the Entertainer is going to take us inside the mind of Katherine in a SHOWBIZ newsmaker exclusive.
Plus, Amanda Knox`s D-Day.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOX (through translator): I am not what they say I am. I haven`t murdered. I haven`t raped. I haven`t stolen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Her heartfelt plea to go free after four years in an Italian prison. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - was justice done?
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, reunited? They are wearing their wedding rings after Ashton`s alleged cheating. Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - can the marriage survive?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you tonight from Los Angeles. I am just across the street from the courthouse where Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial for allegedly causing the death of Michael Jackson.
Right now, it is a SHOWBIZ exclusive. I`ve really been looking forward to this. It`s with a close Jackson family friend.
The great comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer is very close to Michael Jackson`s mother, Katherine Jackson. In fact, a couple of years ago, Katherine invited Cedric to her home because she was such a big fan of his.
In fact, it has been said that Katherine even considers Cedric as one of her own sons. Cedric is going to be hosting Soul Train Awards on November 27th. He`s also making directorial debut with "Dance Fu" out on DVD tomorrow.
Cedric the Entertainer joining me from New York for an exclusive SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Cedric, it is so great to have you here. I really appreciate you being with us.
CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, COMEDIAN: Hey, A.J. What`s going on, man?
HAMMER: Well, here I am in L.A.
CEDRIC: I know. I was trying to find you in New York and you`re in L.A.
HAMMER: I know. I skipped out here for the week. And I am really looking forward to hearing about the Soul Train Awards which you are going to be hosting. It sounds like it`s going to be an amazing night.
But first, obviously, Cedric, we know how hard these times are for Katherine Jackson and her entire family right now. She has been right there in court at the trial every single day.
Over the weekend, I was actually really happy to see that she took Michael`s kids to Montreal, Canada for the opening of Cirque de Soleil`s "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour." How do you think she`s holding up right now, Cedric?
CEDRIC: It`s got to be tough. She`s a, you know, really sweet lady who loves her children, loves her grandchildren, and of course, you know, just had a great love and affection for Michael.
So just so you know, any mother, to be part of something like this, to have to continue to live it over and over again, to hear, you know, nasty details and rumors and speculations - it`s got to be tough.
And you know, it is one of those things that, you know, my heart goes out to her 100 percent. She`s nothing but a genuine loving lady for sure, and a queen.
And so you know, it`s just tough to see that she has to go through something like this, you know, especially trying to dig and get the truth to see what`s going on and what happened there.
HAMMER: Hey, you know, you say it so well - a queen. I mean, I`ve never met or known Katherine, and I get that sense just from seeing her and listening to her speak.
And I have been thinking, as I`m sure you have been, about how difficult it must be for her to sit there every single day, listening to this graphic testimony at times about her son.
What can you tell us about how Katherine got ready to deal with that? Because I`m sure it required some degree of mental preparation.
CEDRIC: You know, I think that in this build up, it has been a kind of stop-and-start to the trial thing. And so - but, you know, from early on since Michael`s death, I think her preparation is really trying to - I would say is to make sure that those grandkids, that those kids are, you know, being well taken care of, kind of protected, away from this circumstance as much as possible, you know.
Michael and the rest of the Jackson family have been celebrities for a long time. And so she has kind of grown up with them in the spotlight.
But now having to, you know, really kind of keep Michael`s kids away from it and away from the news and away from some of those gory details is probably, you know, again, where she will focus the most as a grandmother, just protecting the family.
HAMMER: And at the same time, she has been very candid about how she feels about what`s been going on. To me, there doesn`t seem to be any doubt that Katherine thinks that Conrad Murray is guilty and that he should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter. I want you to take a look at what she told us when we spoke with her back in May. Let`s look at that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S MOTHER: There is not a day that passes that I don`t think about my child. And he should be here right now. But it was negligence of a doctor. And it`s just hard. It`s really hard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Cedric, it sounds like Katherine places the blame squarely on Dr. Murray. What are some of the thoughts that she shared with you about Dr. Conrad Murray?
CEDRIC: Well, you know, I haven`t actually had an opportunity to speak with her since, you know, this trial started or even, you know - even to that degree about, you know, anything about the case itself.
We spoke - you know, I just called to send my condolences and spoke to her and shared my love for her once Michael passed. But you know, I think that we all have medical professionals and we trust them.
And if you have someone as your doctor around you, you trust them for their advice and their expertise. And I think that`s where she`s looking at for him to be a doctor inside the house, that he should have had a responsibility to make sure Michael was OK.
And so I think that`s really what - you know, what her point of view is. That can be my only assumption on this matter.
HAMMER: Sure. Sure. And I am curious, knowing Katherine as you do, do you think a guilty verdict will finally help her get some closure? Because I know she needs it.
CEDRIC: You know, I would think so to a certain degree. I mean, again, you know, loss of a child is going to be one of those things that you will never be able to replace that feeling, that emptiness.
But if indeed you find that someone is, you know, the culprit, someone who actually contributed to that, then that brings a little bit of closure to the situation. So I`m sure that that would be very helpful.
It could also be disheartening if, indeed, you know, the case didn`t turn out that way. So I would love for her to have some closure, you know, to Michael`s death at this stage and be able to start to mend and start to heal to whatever degree that, you know, she could find comfort in that, you know, as a mother, you know.
HAMMER: And I`m sure, you know, you, like me, want people to start thinking those positive memories of Michael Jackson. And for me, among my many memories of Michael are all of the appearances he made at the Soul Train Music Awards.
In fact, I know you`ll be hosting this year`s show in November. I particularly remember when Michael was honored with the Heritage Award. He was also honored with the Sammy Davis Jr. Award.
That was a lifetime entertainment award. That was back in 1989. I remember it like it was yesterday. This year, some other legends will obviously be honored, including the great Gladys Knight. She is performing this weekend at the Michael Jackson tribute concert. Earth, Wind and Fire as well. How do you get ready for the big show, Cedric?
CEDRIC: Man, you know, this is a great thing. Soul Train was a part of my life growing up, watching it every week, you know, being let into - seeing our music accessed this way before videos, music videos.
So this is the first time you get to see your acts. I mean, you pick up on fashion and the latest dance styles. So I am going to have fun with it all, man. I`m going to dance a little big, sing.
We`re going to have a great time with this show and celebrate these great artists - Earth, Wind and Fire, Gladys Knight. I look forward to it. We`re going to have a blast on that evening.
HAMMER: And I know you remember back in `93 when Michael performed "Remember the Time" at the Soul Train Music Awards. Do you have a favorite Michael memory you can share?
CEDRIC: Well, yes. I mean, of course, there are many great ones. But I`m sure - well, one that was very personal was that Michael called me at my house one day. And I mean, I didn`t have his number or anything, and it was just like getting a call from the White House or something.
It was like my phone rang and I picked up. And he was like, "Is this Cedric?" And I said, "Yes." He was like, "You have a call from Michael Jackson." And I thought it was a joke.
He was like, "Hey, man, it`s Michael." And he was really - he loved the movie "Johnson Family Vacation." And he thought it was a great family film. And he wanted to personally call me and thank me.
That was probably one of my biggest memories of Michael Jackson. It was the most so ironic and crazy. But that was kind of his personality, man. If he wanted to say something to you, he`d track you down.
HAMMER: That was beautiful. Cedric, great to see you. Cedric the Entertainer, congratulations on making your directorial debut in "Dance Fu." Can`t wait to see you hosting the Soul Train Music Awards on November 27th. Thank you, my friend.
CEDRIC: Thank you, brother. Appreciate it, man.
HAMMER: As we move on, tonight, D-Day for Amanda Knox. This is a worldwide shocker. Amanda Knox, ordered freed after nearly four years in jail in Italy, following her desperate plea today to get out of jail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOX (through translator): I am not what they say I am. I haven`t murdered. I haven`t raped. I haven`t stolen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, was justice done? Also, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher reunite for the Jewish New Year. They`re wearing wedding rings, but I want to know, what about Ashton`s alleged cheating? Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - can Demi and Ashton`s marriage survive? 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: Black Eyed Peas raise $4 million in Central Park concert to fight poverty in NYC. Jack Black admits to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that he loves "Project Runway."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK BLACK, ACTRESS: I do love the "Project Runway." My wife and I watch it together. And yes, we found out that that`s where our interests meet. It is great fuel as an actor to see real people, you know, competing or just being captured on film. Get some real behavior.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOX: I want to go back home. I want to go back to my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: All eyes were on an Italian courtroom this morning as Amanda Knox fought back tears while she addressed the court to say she was innocent of killing her roommate nearly four years ago.
The American exchange student begged an appeals court to throw out her murder conviction and her 26-year prison sentence.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from Los Angeles. And late today, the shocker seen and heard around the world. An Italian court ordering Amanda Knox freed after nearly four years in jail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Knox Amanda is free and Sollecito Raffaele as well. Please. Silence, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Amanda Knox broke down in tears when she heard the news. The court throwing out her murder conviction in the death of her roommate Meredith Kercher back in November of 2007, who was found in the house that the two women shared.
The decision came in late night in Italy. This leads to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - has justice been served in the Amanda Knox case?
I want to bring in a judge to pass judgment on the judgment, Judge Mary Ann Gunn who stars in the syndicated show, "Last Shot with Judge Gunn," joining me tonight in Los Angeles. What do you think, Judge Gunn? To our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, justice served here?
GUNN: Justice is served. And A.J., good for Italy because the courtroom was a search for the truth, and at the lower court level, it was unanimous decision, and at the appeals level.
The evidence for the DNA was - they found it to be tainted or they disregarded it. And they found her to be very credible. Good for them.
HAMMER: No surprise to you at all, it sounds like.
GUNN: I think everyone is very relieved -
HAMMER: Yes.
GUNN: Because you don`t - she was facing up to 26 years in jail or more.
HAMMER: I guess - yes, a huge sigh of relief. I think I actually felt it wafting over here from Italy or certainly from Amanda`s home. I want to bring in Midwin Charles. Midwin is with Midwin Charles and Associates. Justice served as far as you can tell?
CHARLES: Absolutely.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: You know I have to tell you, I am shocked. You know, this was a trial that had turned into kind of an anti-American tone that was attached to it. And she had already spent four years in jail. So I`m sure that she and her family are just relieved at the outcome.
HAMMER: Well, as we saw this morning, Amanda Knox made this dramatic statement in court. She stood up and said in almost perfect Italian, "I am innocent." I want you to watch what she told the court.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOX (through translator): I am not what they say I am. I haven`t murdered. I haven`t raped. I haven`t stolen. I wasn`t there. I wasn`t present in that crime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Judge Gunn, Amanda addressed the court quite frequently during her appeal. What effect, if any, do you think that that had on the decision this morning to overturn the conviction?
GUNN: I think that they were obviously judging her credibility to determine whether or not they believed her, whether she was believable, as well as the rest of the evidence. And so I think that was - that went in her favor.
HAMMER: So Midwin, it sounds like you were truly surprised that this actually happened.
MIDWIN: I am. I am. I really am. Given the way the justice system is there, it is so different from ours. And the kind of tone that the trial had, you know, this prosecutor, the lead prosecutor, as you know, is now being investigated for ethics violations.
He really had kind of turned this into some sort of circus, but most importantly, in a kind of an anti-American stance that he took, so I am surprised.
HAMMER: Would we have seen the same thing play out here in the United States? I`ve often wondered that about this case, because you say it is such a different system over there.
CHARLES: It is very different. I doubt it. I doubt it. I think our system has checks and balances that are in place that would perhaps have prevented what we saw going on in Perugia.
HAMMER: Well, I don`t have to tell you, guys, I certainly am not exaggerating when I say this case had almost worldwide obsession. I want to take a look back at the Amanda Knox saga in the SHOWBIZ news line.
Remember, November 2, 2007 was when the body of Knox`s roommate is found in the house the two women shared. July 11, 2008, Amanda, her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, and a drug dealer, all charged with Kercher`s murder.
December 4th, 2009, Knox and her boyfriend are found guilty. Knox gets 26- year sentence. The drug dealer convicted a year earlier. February 21st, 2011, that TV movie about the case, "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy" - it debuts on Lifetime. Almost three million people watched this.
Judge Gunn, there were reports that Amanda planned to go back home to Seattle. And I`m wondering after all of the attention she has been through, is there any way she could actually go on and lead a normal life? It`s got to be an uphill battle now coming back.
GUNN: Not a chance for awhile, because you`re right. Everyone in this country has been riveted on this four-year saga. And I don`t think there`s a chance at all for her.
But you know, she`s very young. And so as time passes - but is she going to write a book? Is she going to get interviews and give interviews? I mean, you don`t know what`s in her mind. She wants to come home to mom and daddy for sure.
HAMMER: Yes, I don`t think she`s a pariah in the way that Casey Anthony is.
GUNN: I was about to say that was the parallel that was running in my mind. Yes.
HAMMER: But certainly, Casey Anthony is not going to be able to go anywhere and have an easy time of it. So do you agree with Judge Gunn, Midwin, that Amanda Knox has a tough road ahead of her, despite the fact that this was overturned and there`s celebration going on?
CHARLES: I don`t know that her road will be that difficult. Remember, I think people saw her as someone who didn`t do the crimes that were alleged, unlike a Casey Anthony. Many people believe that Casey Anthony was guilty.
You don`t have that here with Amanda. She`s kind of, I think, going to be revered and celebrated for enduring what she endured. I mean, four years in jail for something you didn`t do. I think she may not - she may adjust better than you think.
HAMMER: People are going to be asking for her autograph instead of shunning her as we`re going to see with Casey Anthony.
CHARLES: Yes. Book deals, TV shows, you know.
HAMMER: All right. Midwin, thank you. Judge Gunn, thank you very much. Make sure you check out Judge Gunn`s show, "Last Shot with Judge Gunn." Check your local listings for show times.
Well, as we move on tonight, Demi and Ashton`s surprising reunion. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT spots the couple together in L.A. just a week after Ashton is accused of cheating on his anniversary.
Here is the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint tonight, can their marriage survive? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, it`s time for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: "Dolphin Tale" starring Morgan Freeman captures weekend box office with $14.2 million. Melissa McCarthy gets huge ratings as "SNL" host beating out Alec Baldwin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She`s got to go. You`ve got to go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, this was way too spicy for me. I`m sorry.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not me. I could eat a whole bottle.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I could eat a whole bottle, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Are Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher reunited? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal the pair were just spotted together at a Kabbalah center in L.A., and both were wearing their wedding rings. This just as brand-new details emerged today of Ashton`s reported wild night with a 23-year-old woman from Texas.
Joining me right here in L.A., defense attorney Midwin Charles.
So Ashton and Demi were together for Jewish New Year, and that was just a week after the startling reports that Ashton allegedly cheated on Demi the night of their sixth wedding anniversary.
That leads to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, can Demi and Ashton`s marriage survive? Midwin, I need your expert opinion on this.
CHARLES: Well, I think everybody is rooting for Ashton and Demi. I think they look to them as sort of like celebrity couple that has pretty much withstood the time, right?
Six years in L.A. is 36 years normal time for a marriage to last. There`s the whole - she`s older than him by about 15 years. And people want them to last, so hopefully, they`ll work through it.
HAMMER: You can count me on team Demi and Ashton.
CHARLES: Yes.
HAMMER: I am not on either one side. I actually don`t want to believe a word of any of this.
CHARLES: I know.
HAMMER: But there are a lot of people unlike myself who won`t believe that they are actually OK until one of them speaks up. Now, this is a couple famous for tweeting everything that`s going on in their lives.
And Ashton has certainly tweeted some hints. But do you think the only way people will definitively stop and believe that Ashton didn`t cheat is if he actually speaks out at this point?
CHARLES: Probably for the same reasons you just said. Look, they`re people who are very, very public, at least with respect to their love for each other, using social media to communicate. So I think people are waiting for them to say something.
HAMMER: I wish they would just because I want the rumors to go away, so I`m getting a little worried. All right. Midwin Charles, great to see you out here in L.A.
CHARLES: Same here.
HAMMER: Thanks for stopping by. More big Kardashian news breaking. Why is Kim K`s little sister posing in bondage boots? She`s just 15. The outrage over these controversial new modeling pics, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, Kim Kardashian`s little sister is sparking some big controversy with a brand-new photo shoot. People are asking, is it just too sexy for a 15-year-old girl? Well, I`m going to let you decide.
Take a look at this brand-new photo - actually, a couple of them to show you here. Kendall Jenner wearing bondage heels in new modeling pics. And in another shot, she`s showing off a pair of leather hot pants.
Kendall posted the pics for her upcoming spread in "Lovecat" magazine right there on her Twitter page. These photos understandably sparked almost instant outrage. Kendall says she just doesn`t get what the big deal is.
Here is what she tweeted, "I`m very excited about the pics." I am sure a lot of people are and I am sure a lot of people think it is just wrong.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Monday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. Tonight, the character of Dr. Conrad Murray. His friends, patients and colleagues reveal just what kind of man he is.
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