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Showbiz Tonight
Tears for Steve Jobs; Amanda Knox`s Angst; The Judgment of Conrad Murray in the Online Court; Candidate Clooney?
Aired October 06, 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, SHOWBIZ HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - tears for Jobs. Tonight, Hollywood`s remarkable and overwhelming grief over the death of Steve Jobs. Why Jobs touched them so much, and how he changed the world forever.
Amanda`s angst. Tonight, Amanda Knox`s father speaks out for the first time today since she got out of jail. His incredible revelations. Can Amanda ever recover?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CURT KNOX, AMANDA KNOX`S FATHER: It`s a big concern of mine, you know, if there`s any traumatic, you know, circumstances that arise later on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The shocking and chilling brand-new Michael Jackson tape. His haunting, disturbing voice, ripped straight from Conrad Murray`s cell phone.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MICHAEL JACKSON, POP STAR: I hurt, you know. I hurt.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - can the jury ever forget Michael`s haunting words?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from Los Angeles tonight. I am right across from the courthouse where Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial, accused of causing the death of Michael Jackson.
And it has been said that Michael Jackson changed music forever. And of course, when he died, the entire world mourned his passing. Well, tonight, the world is again mourning a man who also changed music forever - how we buy it, how we listen to it.
He also changed how we watch TV shows and movies, how we use our phones, how we use computers. Although everyone knew just how sick Steve Jobs was, it still came as a shock when we learned that he had died.
And around the world today, from London to a vigil in Japan to people in Hong Kong and even at an Apple store in Beijing, China, the loss of Steve Jobs was felt everywhere.
It is also being felt profoundly in Hollywood tonight, where, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the overwhelming reaction to the death of Steve Jobs and how he changed entertainment forever.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE NEWS ANCHOR: We begin with the passing of Apple founder, Steve Jobs.
HAMMER (voice-over): Today, there was one and only one story - the death of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The death of Steve Jobs.
HAMMER: The morning news shows were filled with reports, tributes, and memories of the man who some call the Thomas Edison of our time. The "Today" show`s Matt Lauer provided a reminder of Steve Jobs` impact to help the crowd gathered at 30 Rock.
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: Raise your hand if you have an iPod, an iPad, an iPhone.
HAMMER: In fact, Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple with Jobs in the 1970s, hit the morning news show, "Trifecta," appearing on all three big broadcast news shows and CNN "AMERICAN MORNING" to talk about his old friend.
STEVE WOZNIAK, CO-FOUNDER, APPLE: I think Apple products were so exceptional, because that`s how Steve saw himself.
HAMMER: And "The View" paid tribute to him as well.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": He really is like Magellan and Columbus and Alexander Graham Bell, you know.
ELISABETH HASSELBECK, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": The inventors.
GOLDBERG: Edison, all of them.
KELLY RIPA, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": He really has changed everything.
HAMMER: Regis and Kelly took a moment to talk about Steve Jobs. And Regis, true to form, used the occasion to go off on a half-joking, anti- technology rant.
REGIS PHILBIN, CO-HOST, "LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY": Last night, so I said to Holly(ph), look over there at that table. There were four people sitting at the table, and each one was looking down. It`s just unbelievable the control that it has on people.
How do these people have so many friends that they just can`t keep watching what the friends are saying to them? I don`t have any friends. Nobody bothers me.
HAMMER: And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, Steve Jobs` death is being felt today in Hollywood. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has been monitoring Twitter, where dozens on top of dozens of celebrities are reacting to Jobs` passing.
Ashton Kutcher tweeted, likely on an iPhone, quote, "I never thought I could be so busted up about the loss of someone I never met."
In fact, on Twitter today, stars and others are commenting on the death of Steve Jobs at a lightning fast rate that, at up with point, hit 10,000 tweets per second.
STEVE JOBS, CO-FOUNDER, APPLE: Apple is going to reinvent the phone.
HAMMER: Today stars aren`t just remembering the impact Jobs had on technology, but they`re also remembering him as a Hollywood revolutionary. Jobs turned Pixar Animation Studios into a movie powerhouse.
TOM HANKS, ACTOR: We`re here for Andy when he needs us.
HAMMER: With such movies as "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo."
ELLEN DEGENERES, ACTRESS AND TV HOST: Stop following me, OK?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What are you talking about?
HAMMER: And today the voices behind Dory and Marlin are paying tribute to Steve Jobs. Ellen DeGeneres, a.k.a., Dory the Fish said, quote, "He was an amazing man with an incredible vision. He changed the world."
And Albert Brooks, the voice of Marlin, tweets, quote, "Had the pleasure of working for him and knowing him. He was our Edison. RIP, Steve Jobs."
JOBS: What is iPod?
HAMMER: The iPod, which Jobs introduced in 2001, combined with iTunes to revolutionize the way we buy music.
EMMYLOU HARRIS, COUNTRY SINGER: I love my iPod.
HAMMER: Just last month, country music star Emmylou Harris told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, she`s a big iPod fan.
HARRIS: I just think it`s great, so kudos to him. I mean, he really has changed the world for those of us who love music.
HAMMER: But some musicians have a love/hate relationship with Jobs` invention, iTunes.
TOM MORELLO, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE: On the one hand, it provides the opportunity and it democratizes listening.
HAMMER: Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine recently told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, iTunes has contributed to a download culture that may actually devalue music.
MORELLO: Now, music is going to be like water. It`s everywhere all the time and that they (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HILLARY SCOTT, LEAD SINGER, LADY ANTEBELLUM: iTunes really speaks for itself.
HAMMER: The country music stars Lady Antebellum recently told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they wouldn`t be where they are today without Steve Jobs` creation.
SCOTT: Our online presence has been something that`s been important to us since day one, so we appreciate everything that he`s done for technology.
HAMMER: And today, the whole world and Hollywood is showing their appreciation for Steve Jobs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
It really is remarkable how so many of our lives have changed in the way we are now entertained. And I have to think, that is one of the many reasons so much of Hollywood, which, of course, lives to entertain us, feels so touched by the death of Steve Jobs, because he changed their lives, too.
Joining me right now in Los Angeles, Blaine Zuckerman, who is a staff writer for "People" magazine. And also right now in Los Angeles, Midwin Charles from the law firm of Midwin Charles and Associates.
I`ve got to tell you, I don`t think I have ever felt the loss of a company head so much before. Yet, I feel this so profoundly. And as we`re seeing, obviously, so does Hollywood.
I want you to take a look at Ashton Kutcher`s avatar today. This was up on twitter. It shows the Apple logo with the profile of Steve Jobs. The avatar - this thing is spreading like wildfire at the Twitter world. Blaine, why do you think Steve Jobs touched Hollywood so much?
BLAINE ZUCKERMAN, STAFF WRITER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: Well, I think it comes down to the connection that we all had with Apple. And whether you made a movie in your garage about your family or with your buddies that went to Sundance, there`s a real personal connection we all have with the technology that he gave to Hollywood to really express themselves.
HAMMER: And for me, separate to the stuff that entertains me, I still have my original Mac SE computer with a 20-meg hard drive from 1986 and it still works. I don`t use it but -
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, of course, is monitoring all the Twitter feeds from celebrities today. They were coming in fast and furious. We counted several dozen more pouring in today comments, like Alec Baldwin tweeting, "Sad about Steve Jobs, on par with Henry Ford, Carnegie and Edison."
Nicki Minaj tweeting, "An innovator. Contributed so much to this generation and beyond. RIP, Steve Jobs."
Neil Patrick Harris tweeting, "Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. Your genius will live on for generations to come," which I absolutely believe. Midwin, why do you think Jobs touched Hollywood in particular so deeply?
MIDWIN CHARLES, ATTORNEY, MIDWIN CHARLES AND ASSOCIATES: Well, I think, not only did he touch Hollywood, but he touched everyone. And I think it`s because we carry a piece of him with us everywhere we go.
I mean, who can remember what life was like B.I., before iPod, before iPhone, before iPad. There you go.
HAMMER: It comes with me everywhere I go.
CHARLES: There you go. And I think he was always ahead of the curve, and I also think his story is inspirational. You know, he was adopted. He dropped out of college. He was fired by Apple and brought back on later on in life. So I think people are really inspired by him, and to leave such a legacy at 56 years old.
HAMMER: Yes. It`s almost a made-for-Hollywood story.
CHARLES: It really is.
HAMMER: It`s going to be interesting to see how that is documented moving on. But I want to read to you something that came in our Facebook wall today which I think says it all.
This coming from Katrina K., among the many posts we got, "Thank you for all the great stuff you left us. You were truly a great man. Prayers to his family in this time of loss."
Very quickly, Blaine, I think not only will we be thinking of the entertainment he is bringing to us. I`m saying, we`ll think of Steve Jobs, not just the pieces of equipment.
ZUCKERMAN: Yes. He was a man. He was an innovator, and he gave people inspiration in every industry. His quotes are what are popping up now.
HAMMER: Yes.
ZUCKERMAN: The things he said to humanity. He said, "This is what you go for. Go for you love."
HAMMER: Live your life as Steve Jobs would have had it. That`s definitely how I`m feeling as well. Midwin Charles and Blaine Zuckerman, thank you so much.
And remember, you can pick up your copy of this week`s "People" magazines on newsstands right now.
Moving on now to Amanda`s angst. The amazing revelations from her father. He is speaking out today for the very first time on "GMA" since Amanda`s release from jail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBIN ROBERTS, CO-HOST, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA": Many people, after going through something as traumatic as this, need some assistance, need some counseling to help them. Do you expect that that will be the case with your daughter?
C. KNOX: You know, we`re going to kind of take it on a day-by-day basis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Four years in an Italian prison, pushed into the media spotlight. Can she ever recover?
Clooney for president? Well, he is running for office in his brand- new movie, so what do you think? Is a real-life run far behind? It`s a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT one-on-one with George Clooney, setting the record straight. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT remembers Steve Jobs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
H. SCOTT: We`re behind Steve Jobs as he`s talking about the iPad. And that`s just a small piece of everything, obviously, that he`s done.
And I think, you know, iTunes really speaks for itself. I mean, it`s where a huge percentage of our sales come from. And you know, our online presence has been something that`s been important to us from day one. So we appreciate everything that he`s done.
JOBS: If there`s going to be a third category of device, it`s going to have to be better at these kinds of tasks than a laptop or a smart phone. Otherwise, it has no reason for being.
But we think we`ve got something that is. And we`d like to show it to you today for the first time. And we call it the iPad. What this device does is extraordinary. You can browse the web with it. It is the best browsing experience you`ve ever had.
It`s phenomenal to see a whole Web page right in front of you that you can manipulate with your fingers. Right there, holding the Internet in your hands. It`s an incredible experience.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles. Tonight, trial by Twitter. The social media explosion to the Michael Jackson death trial. I can tell you, this trial is not just taking place in the L.A. courthouse behind me.
Dr. Murray is also being judged online, in a powerful court of public opinion. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter brings us an incredible look at the Conrad Murray trial through social media.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: It`s the most controversial trial making headlines.
CROWD: Justice for Michael!
WYNTER: And whether you support the Jackson family -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe in him wholeheartedly.
WYNTER: Dr. Conrad Murray -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To return with a verdict of guilty.
WYNTER (on camera): Or just want the latest on all the courtroom drama, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you with the help of social media following and even commenting on every minute of Conrad Murray trial, is just a click away.
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: People are not only seeing the justice system at work. They feel that they are part of the justice system.
WYNTER: Sunny Hostin, legal contributor for "In Session," tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that with the use of sites like Facebook and Twitter, people feel a real connection with the hearing, no matter where they are, a powerful tool when considering Michael Jackson`s massive popularity around the world.
HOSTIN: When I`m talking about the trial on television, I`m getting tweets from Michael Jackson fans. I`m getting tweets from Conrad Murray supporters. They feel as if they are in the courtroom, before you could watch something on television, like with the O.J. Simpson trial, and scream at the television. Well, you don`t have to scream at the television now. People can actually hear you.
WYNTER: And there are many places for Jackson fans to be heard, all over the social media universe, as "Inside Edition" chief correspondent, Jim Moret, tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
JIM MORET, CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": I think in this trial, social media is very important because of the victim. Michael Jackson has such a huge fan base, and that fan base is so organized that they use social media a great deal to contact one another and to keep each other up to date on what`s going on.
WYNTER: La Toya Jackson kept us up to date when she attended a hearing. Michael`s older sis gave her Twitter followers a play-by-play from inside the courtroom, with shocking tweets like, "This is definitely a straight murder trial."
HOSTIN: That`s something I don`t think anybody`s ever seen - a family member of a victim, and especially a famous victim like Michael Jackson, tweeting to Michael Jackson`s fans and connecting them to Michael Jackson.
CROWD: Justice for Michael!
HOSTIN: A YouTube channel dedicated to connecting fans is run by M.J. fanatic, Goward Horton, who`s posted videos and updates from outside the courthouse.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can also report that Facebook pages following the hearing are popping up where users can get updates on the trial and sound off on their anger or support for Michael Jackson`s personal doctor.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Immediately after your arrival -
WYNTER: Not near a TV? Web outlets like TMZ, U-Stream "Radar Online" are streaming the hearing live. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can reveal that even celebrities are getting involved, like Nick Cannon.
He`s also live streaming the trial on his official Web site. There`s also this, the top-selling Michael Jackson Doctor Trial app for the iPhone which provides news alerts and a live video stream from the hearing.
And as testimony for the Conrad Murray trial continues inside the courtroom, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that social media chatter outside the court walls is only beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So why don`t you join the social media revolution and tell us exactly what you think about the Michael Jackson death trial?
You can connect with me by joining our debates on Facebook - ShowbizTonightHLN there. You can follow @ShowbizTonight on Twitter. That`s where you get breaking entertainment news alerts.
Moving now to a "Partridge Family" smackdown. So is David Cassidy owed a bundle for decades of merchandising that`s using his name?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID CASSIDY, ENTERTAINER: If somebody does not pay you and you are entitled to a percentage of the profits and you know they`re making profits, is that stealing?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The `70s. Pop icon faces off with one of Hollywood`s most famous studios.
Baby panic? Is Jen Aniston desperate to have a baby? Everybody seems to be planning her family for her, but does she really want one herself? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT reveals the truth. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT remembering Steve Jobs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOZNIAK: He was knowledgeable about technology and really believed that that as his big future, that that was the thing he was meant to do.
And he was just always trying to think ahead of somebody else and look at newest little building parts and what can you make with those, and thinking in terms of how it affects society. A great, great, great visionary.
JOBS: Three things. A widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough Internet communication device.
An iPod, a phone, and an Internet communicator. An iPod, a phone - are you getting it? These are not three separate devices. This is one device, and we are calling it iPhone.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: He may have been your pop idol. "Partridge Family" star, David Cassidy, was famous around the world for playing Keith Partridge in the `70s television hit.
But now, nearly 40 years after "The Partridge Family" went off the air, David Cassidy has just filed a lawsuit against Sony, which owns the show, claiming he didn`t get paid for all the merchandise with his image on it.
Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you this exclusive from CNN MONEY`s Poppy Harlow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It`s 1970, and a 20- year- old named David Cassidy is starring in "The Partridge Family."
(MUSIC)
Not only did the show and sold-out concerts go on to make him a star, but the teen idol`s success spawned an avalanche of merchandise. And now, he`s on a personal mission - to get paid for that merchandise from Sony, which owns the show.
(on camera) You say you`ve been robbed for the last few decades.
CASSIDY: How would you call it? If somebody does not pay you, and you are entitled to a percentage of the profits, and you know they`re making profits, is that stealing?
HARLOW (voice-over): Cassidy says according to his contract, while the program was on the air, he was entitled to 15 percent of net merchandising profits when his image was used, half that if he appeared with other cast members.
Cassidy`s lawyer sent this letter to Sony requesting a prompt and full accounting and payment of proceeds for any merchandise sold using his name, likeness, voice, or other exercise of such merchandising rights.
Sony responded that it could not locate any merchandising statements, but found letters showing that Mr. Cassidy`s representatives audited such statements. Therefore, they must have been rendered to him.
The company went on to say it was not aware of any new merchandising licenses with his name, voice, and likeness after "The Partridge Family" went off the air, and said the statute of limitations had run out on any claims. Sony had no other comment to CNN.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
CASSIDY: Just be fair. Be real. Be genuine. Don`t be greedy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That exclusive from "CNN MONEY`s" Poppy Harlow for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Poppy also reports that Cassidy says he only received $5,000 for all of that merchandise.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Candidate Clooney? He`s running for office in his brand-new movie. Let`s face it, George is about as charming as they come, so is he considering a real-life campaign? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT sets the record straight. A SHOWBIZ one-on-one with Clooney.
And Amanda`s agony tonight. Her father`s amazing revelations about her troubled state of mind. Years in prison. Now, a media blitz. Can she ever recover? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Amanda`s agony. Amanda Knox back at home after four years in prison. Tonight, a brand-new remarkable revelation about her state of mind. Why her father is worried.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Many people, after going through something as traumatic as this, need some assistance, need some counseling to help them. Do you expect that that will be the case with your daughter?
C. KNOX: You know, we`re going to kind of take it on a day-by-day basis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The great debate tonight - can Amanda ever recover?
The chilling audio recordings of Michael Jackson`s haunting and slurred voice recorded by Dr. Conrad Murray and played in front of a jury.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
M. JACKSON: My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn`t have a childhood.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - can the jury ever forget Michael`s haunting words?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles and I am right across from the courthouse from where Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.
There are dramatic developments tonight surrounding that unbelievable audio tape just released of an apparent drugged Michael Jackson sharing his personal pain. We`re going to get to that in just a minute.
But first, the other sensational case that has captured the world`s imagination - Amanda Knox. Today, her father gave his very first interview since Amanda was set free.
He spoke this morning with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" who asked him how Amanda`s doing since arriving back in the United States from Italy, where she`s been in jail for four years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Has she had a chance to feel the grass beneath her feet?
C. KNOX: She has. And it`s been very nice to watch her do it. And you know, it`s those little things that she hasn`t had a chance to do for four years that, you know, really make it worthwhile and really kind of get her reconnected again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But why is Amanda`s father worried about her recovery from the trauma? With me in Los Angeles tonight, Judge Mary Ann Gunn, who runs the most successful drug court in the country. And you can and should now watch her on the new syndicated TV show, "Last Shot with Judge Gunn."
Midwin Charles is also here from the law firm, Midwin Charles and Associates.
Amanda Knox`s dad revealed today that Amanda didn`t even know how many people had been following the story of her murder conviction and battle for freedom until she spoke to reporters at a press conference in Seattle when she returned home earlier this week. Watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. KNOX: The only exposure she really saw was, you know, when she would enter the courtroom and all of the cameras are flashing during each of the hearings. But to see all of the cameras at that particular press conference, I think, gave her a better idea of, you know, what people were following and the fact that they were following her case so closely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s really amazing to me that she truly had no idea. And we must not forget that people really first got to know Amanda and who she was because she was on trial and convicted of murder.
Midwin, I want to know from your particular experience as a criminal defense attorney, what kind of advice can you offer Amanda`s parents on how to help them handle all of the baggage that Amanda`s now coming home with?
CHARLES: Well, at least two things. One, counseling - that`s for sure. I mean, I`ve visited clients in prison and just being there for a day or a few hours, you can just imagine what they`re going through.
And to have to be there, like she was, for four years, is probably something that neither of us can imagine. So she`s going to need counseling, just kind of adjusting back to normal life. That`s one.
And two, I think she ought to be surrounded by friends and family only for the meantime. The needs need to just be her needs and she need not worry about what the public will probably want from her, which is interviews and things like that.
HAMMER: And all of that can come in time. And I think that makes a great deal of sense. I also think perhaps her parents are going to want to seek some counseling as well.
CHARLES: Oh, sure.
HAMMER: This morning in this interview, Amanda`s dad did also reveal that getting some outside help in the form of therapy for Amanda, it`s not out of the question. Watch what he said about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. KNOX: Now, we`re going to kind of take it on a day-by-day basis and see how she continues to react and kind of blend back into, you know, just being a regular person outside of prison.
And you know, it`s a big concern of mine, you know, if there`s any traumatic, you know, circumstances that arise later on. But we`ll kind of take it a day at a time right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. It`s easy to imagine that spending 22 hours a day inside an 18` x 13` cell for four years is going to have some major impact on you.
Judge Gunn, aside from counseling, and I think Midwin`s terrific advice that she surround herself only with friends and family, what else could you advise to help her get through this really tough time?
JUDGE MARY ANN GUNN, HOST, "LAST SHOT WITH JUDGE GUNN": You know, she`s - the one thing we can all see is that she`s trying really, really hard. And she needs her privacy and she needs to learn how to walk down the street again.
You know, she`s just - can you imagine what she went through for four years? It`s almost a sixth of her life. And she needs to go back and catch up on 18 to 21.
HAMMER: Yes. And you can really take your time, I would think. You should take your time, when you`re having this kind of reentry that Amanda`s having.
I do want to move on right now to the immeasurable reaction today to Michael Jackson`s haunting words that are being heard in the courtroom during the Dr. Conrad Murray trial.
It`s remarkable when you look online, seeing what everybody is writing about those audiotapes that were just played in court. Jackson heard talking about his upcoming tour and why he wanted so badly, so immensely to have a successful comeback. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
M. JACKSON: My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn`t have a childhood. I had no childhood. I feel their pain. I feel their hurt.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: So here`s our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint - will the jury ever be able to forget Michael Jackson`s haunting words. And Judge Gunn, let me start with you.
Do you think the jury will be able to put that out of their mind or forget those words at all when they`re considering the charges of involuntary manslaughter, even though it may really have nothing directly to do with it?
GUNN: No. They don`t even have to -
HAMMER: And pardon the ambulances. By the way, we`re in downtown Los Angeles, so ambulances, fire trucks - they`re all around. But go ahead.
GUNN: At least it`s not raining. Well, they don`t even have to take notes on those recordings. I mean, you can glean immediately from those recordings how much sacred trust he had in Dr. Murray.
He was pouring his heart out to him and he was recording him. And you have to go, why? Why was he doing that? He had a relationship that he trusted him as much or more than anyone else in his life.
HAMMER: He was, of course, clearly under the influence of something. But at the same time, and when I`ve been saying all along is, you know, when you`re under the influence of something and you`re speaking, usually it`s a real truth that`s coming out.
And I think that`s what we were getting there. And to that end, one of Michael Jackson`s fans was very pleased that SHOWBIZ TONIGHT did air these audiotapes of Michael.
I want to read what Melanie wrote to me on our Facebook wall. She said, "A.J., please continue to speak of the content of the M.J. audio recording. He was truly innocent. The media made him into something that he wasn`t. He is still not vindicated in the court of public opinion."
A lot of people would agree with Melanie`s post. Michael was never vindicated in the court of public opinion going back to the days of the molestation trial. Midwin, do you agree that these tapes give us a clear sense of what Michael`s real truth was?
CHARLES: I do. I think most people will agree that when you`re under the influence, you are probably speaking the truth, the most truth you will ever do.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: And I think it shows that he really, genuinely cared about children. He cared about their welfare, and he talked about the fact that he was hurt by not having a childhood.
HAMMER: He really hurt. Midwin Charles, Judge Gunn, thank you both for being here. I really appreciate you being here.
As we move on tonight, I`ve got to know - is George Clooney running for president? I mean, think about it. President George Clooney? Sounds nice, right? So is or isn`t he? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one on one with George. He sets the record straight tonight.
And Aniston`s baby rush. Is Jennifer Aniston in a panic to have a baby? Well, tonight, Jen Aniston speaks out about becoming a mom. Is she in a big hurry? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT remembering Steve Jobs.
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HARRIS: I love my iPod. I mean, it`s like before and after. And I`m technologically challenged. But I had somebody help me, you know, learn how to use it, and how to put the music in there, and I never travel without it.
I love the fact that it fits in my hand and I can put all the music in there. I just think it`s great. So kudos to him. I mean, he really has changed the world for those of us who love music, certainly.
JOBS: I`ve got a pocket right here. Now, this pocket`s been the one that your iPod`s gone in, traditionally. The iPod and the iPod mini fit great in there. Ever wonder what this pocket`s for? I`ve always wondered that.
Well, now, we know, because this is the new iPod mini. All right. Let`s take a closer look at it. This is the new iPod.
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GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: Help him get an education. We`re going to create a national unity, teach young people a trade, and we`re going to get them out of debt for their college loans. Now, when does that fail?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: That`s exactly right, governor. It`s just - if you`re going to do it, do it.
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HAMMER: That`s the great George Clooney as a powerful Democrat running for president in "The Ides of March." Clooney not only stars in the film. He directed it. He produced it, and he co-wrote it too. Is there anything this guy can`t do?
Well, tonight, Clooney reveals to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT whether or not he would actually ever run for president.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles. Tonight, Clooney for president?
In "The Ides of March," Clooney is knee-deep in the corrupt underbelly of politics. But off screen, let`s face it. The guy seems like the perfect candidate.
He`s smart. He`s one of the most likable people in the world. And he really does know his politics. So would Clooney ever consider a run for the White House? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at "The Ides of March" premiere.
Joining me right now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. So Nischelle, what do you think? Can we count Clooney in for 2012?
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Let`s see. Not quite, A.J. You know, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with the always affable George at "The Ides of March" premiere last night. And when we asked him if he would ever run for office, well, he actually answered like a true politician.
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CLOONEY: No. I would be no good at making those kind of compromises. The kind of compromises those guys make are unbelievable. I don`t know how they do it. And clearly, they don`t do it right now. But I couldn`t do it.
I think there`s a tremendous amount of focus on celebrity, because anybody can - if you can get a lot of attention from celebrity, usually that sort of comes up if they have any sort of political aspirations at all.
Usually, funnily enough, there`s been a lot more Republican actors, which there are fewer of, than there have been Democratic actors, you know, running for office. So it`s a funny - it`s a weird juxtaposition.
But you know, I think, mostly, it just ends up being an easy thing to focus on. People like to say that.
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HAMMER: Yes, OK. That said, I still think "President Clooney" has a nice ring to it. I guess it`s not happening. Something else a lot of people, of course, want to know about, Nischelle, is, exactly what is the deal with him and his new girlfriend, Stacy Kiebler? Did George have anything to say about that?
TURNER: Well, A.J., you know, George has made it clear that he doesn`t like to talk about his personal life. So we actually asked him if he ever gets sick and tired of being asked about it and watch what he told us.
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CLOONEY: No. But of course, they will, because they will tire - everybody ends up on the sidelines sooner or later. Your job is to try and stave that off as long as you can.
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TURNER: Yes. So George is still not talking about that personal life there, A.J. And you know what? I say good on you, Mr. Clooney.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, he has figured out a way to not talk about it. And people are still OK with that. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner. Thanks so much, Nischelle.
Moving on now to no more "Simpsons"? The most popular animated show in American history may become history pretty soon itself.
The lovable cartoon family that`s been a part of our Sunday nights for 23 incredible seasons may just have one season left. The voices and the producers of the show are in a deadlock with Fox over money.
And tomorrow, Friday, is the big deadline for an agreement, or Fox is going to say, "Bye-bye, Homer." I can tell you, this isn`t going to be solved over, you know, just a couple of Duff Beers at Moe`s. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The show`s over, folks.
WYNTER: You may be right, Chief Wiggums. "The Simpsons," the longest- running sitcom in television history, could soon be shutting down after 23 seasons. It`s due to a financial dispute.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is the whole world going insane?
WYNTER: "The Daily Beast`s" Lloyd Grove broke the story of the Simpson`s money standoff. He says the actors who voice the parts of the key characters are in a big battle with the studio, 20th Century Fox Television, over the cost of production.
LLOYD GROVE, EDITOR, "THE DAILY BEAST": Fox Studios, which syndicates the show and produces the show, wants the actors to take a 45 percent pay cut. Now, they are already making $8 million a year. If they took a 45 percent pay cut, that`s about, a little over $4 million they`d still be getting.
WYNTER: The actors, Grove says, includes Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer, Julie Kavner, who voices Marge, Nancy Cartwright, the voice behind Bart, Yardley Smith, the voice of Lisa, as well as Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer, who provide voices for a multitude of Simpson characters.
Grove says that a 45 percent slash in salary is too deep for these stars, but they`ve made a counteroffer.
GROVE: We`ll take a 30 percent pay cut, but give us a taste of the back end. Give us a small percentage of the merchandising syndication and all of that. And Fox Studios is adamant, no way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don`t ask me how the economy works.
WYNTER: 20th Century Fox has been mum on negotiations with the cast of the Simpsons, but did acknowledge the dispute in a statement to CNN, "We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model."
"We`re hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows `the Simpsons` to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come."
"The Simpsons," which debuted in 1989, has been a staple of Fox`s Sunday primetime lineup for decades and a multibillion dollar success.
However, Grove says the actors have very little leverage in negotiations and that even if a deal isn`t reached, Fox will still rake in huge profits from the animated series.
GROVE: Fox Studios has an archive of over 500 episodes. We`ll just sort of send it around the world and put the money in our bank account. Really, for them, the best-case scenario - let`s stop the show after the 23rd season.
WYNTER: A scenario that would likely have many Simpson fans up in arms.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a nightmare!
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HAMMER: That was SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. There are brand-new reports today saying that all sides in the Simpsons dispute believe they can find some middle ground. No one wants to see this show go away, especially me.
So is Jennifer Aniston freaking out about getting pregnant? You know the nursery rhyme, "First comes love" - well, Jen`s got that. "Then comes marriage" - she`s had that. So when will there be a baby?
Jennifer Aniston speaks out in brand-new interview about becoming a mom. Is she really in a hurry? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
It is time now for the SHOWBIZ buzz list. These are the things we cannot stop buzzing about this week.
It`s the return of "Arrested Development." We couldn`t be more thrilled that fan favorite is coming back to TV for a fourth season and a movie.
We`re taking the kids to "Yo Gabba Gabba Live" in a brand-new 55-city "It`s Time to Dance" tour that`s already underway.
"Dexter`s" back in all its bloody glory and we can`t get enough of season six.
We`re loving the cheaper iPhone 4S. It`s $199 for the 16-gig version. It goes up from there. You can pre-order starting this Friday.
And we are over the moon for "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," out on Blu-Ray and DVD.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who doesn`t want to get married?
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN, REALITY TV STAR: I don`t.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don`t?
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN: No. I mean, I think we both just feel like it`s not the right time. A piece of paper, to me, doesn`t make our relationship any better or worse than anyone else`s.
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HAMMER: Kourtney Kardashian`s big wedding confessions today. While she was co-hosting the "Today" show`s 10:00 hour this morning, Kourtney made it clear she is not about to marry her boyfriend, Scott Disick, just because everyone wants her to.
Kourtney says even if she hadn`t got pregnant with baby Mason, she still wouldn`t have married Scott by now.
Moving now to the jaw-dropping, head-spinning, mind-boggling "Twilight" romance news today. So are Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson finally admitting they`re really a couple?
And Jennifer Aniston opens up about babies. It`s all making big news in "The Buzz Today."
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(voice-over) Jen`s thin. Jennifer Aniston is slamming down rumors that she`s desperate to become a mom. In a new interview with "Elle" magazine, Aniston just revealed she`s not panicked about getting pregnant and starting a family.
The 42-year-old is confessing she`s relaxed about the possibility of kids in her future, "If it`s meant to be, it`s meant to be. I`m at peace with whatever the plan is."
In her interview, Aniston declined to comment on her relationship with actor, Justin Theroux. The "Women in Hollywood" issue of "Elle" magazine hits stands on October 18.
Kristen Stewart lets the cats out of the bag. After years of speculation, Stewart has just finally confirmed her relationship with her London-born "Twilight" co-star, Robert Pattinson.
During an interview with Britain`s "GQ" magazine, Stewart, who is in the U.K. filming "Snow White and the Huntsman" slipped, referring to her boyfriend as being English.
Kristen also suggested the romance shouldn`t be a mystery to anyone anymore, "So much of my life is so easily Googled. I mean, it`s like, `Come on, guys, it (their relationship) is so obvious."
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And now, to Beyonce`s growing baby bump revealed. Beyonce is showing off her baby bump again. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
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HAMMER: Countdown to Beyonce`s baby bump. Of course, we saw the proud mother-to-be showing off the baby bump back in August at the MTV VMAs. But now, she`s doing it again in the video for her brand-new single, "Countdown."
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Did you see it? Well, "MTV.com" just released a sneak peek of Beyonce`s brand-new video. And as you can see, we get a little sneak peek of B`s baby bump as well. I guess we`ll take Beyonce`s baby bump any place they`ll show it to us, right?
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in Los Angeles. Remember, you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Sunday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific right here on HLN.
And stay right here for "DR. DREW," next. Tonight, Dr. Drew sits down with HLN`s Nancy Grace and goes inside her mind to get her thoughts on the Dr. Conrad Murray trial. It starts right now on HLN.
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