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Showbiz Tonight
Could Dr. Murray Have Saved Michael?; Ashton`s New Troubles; Larry King`s One-on-One with Johnny Depp; Bethenny Frankel Caught in a Lie; Amanda Knox Cashing In?
Aired October 13, 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: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Michael Jackson bombshell. Stunning new testimony that Dr. Conrad Murray could have saved Michael`s life. Tonight, a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with a Jackson insider. How is Michael`s family holding up?
Ashton`s new nightmare? First, the divorce reports. And now, the ratings for "Two and a Half Men" take a nosedive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: I love her so much. Whew, I don`t know if I can ever love anyone the way that I love her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Are Ashton`s marriage and career in crisis? A SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview with the one-of-a-kind, Larry King. His rare sit-down with media-shy Johnny Depp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, FORMER HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": How did you react to getting famous?
JOHNNY DEPP, ACTOR: I`m still reacting, you know. I`m still sort of dealing with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And why this interview was a wish come true for Larry.
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 - Michael Jackson bombshells.
Explosive reaction today to the testimony in Michael Jackson death trial. An expert takes the stand testifying under oath that Dr. Conrad Murray could have saved Michael`s life.
Also breaking today, new evidence that Dr. Murray`s own words to police could be the key to sealing his fate. Will his own words sink him?
And tonight, we go one-on-one with the Jackson family insider who can tell us exactly how Michael`s family is holding up as the prosecution is getting set to wrap up this case.
With me in New York for a SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, entertainment journalist and Jackson family insider Flo Anthony. I appreciate you being here. Thank you so much.
FLO ANTHONY, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Thank you so much for having me again.
HAMMER: Obviously, this trial is showing some very difficult and some very graphic things. We have painful details about Michael Jackson`s sleeping problem, painful discussion about the day that he died, of course, the gruesome autopsy photo shown in court for all of the world to see.
Obviously, this is part of this kind of a case, this kind of involuntary manslaughter trial, but how is the family holding up with all this going on?
ANTHONY: Well, they are holding up very, very well. Of course, over the weekend, they were over in Cardiff, Wales for the Michael Jackson tribute concert which went very well. 15,000 fans -
HAMMER: 50,000.
ANTHONY: Oh, 50,000. OK. I don`t know why I thought 15,000, but 50,000 fans - that`s more than I even knew were there. I mean, you know, the kids did great. Their presentations were great.
The different performances were just wonderful, so they are holding up very well, because this is an extremely difficult time.
HAMMER: Well, that is good to hear. And I want to talk specifically about the kids, because, let`s face it. Michael was so protective of the kids throughout their lives when they were all together.
And now, you have this trial going on. Is the family taking measures to shield the kids from the trial coverage, because there is so much interest in it, it is everywhere.
ANTHONY: Yes. The children are not allowed to the watch the trial. So you know, thank god they did not see that gruesome autopsy photo. They didn`t see the photo of their dad was before that, you know, lying on the gurney right after his death. And so, they have been shielded pretty well from that.
HAMMER: And you say they are doing well, and -
ANTHONY: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: You know, I hear quite a bit that they are well-adjusted. But now that I`ve got you an insider with the family - you were speaking - in fact, you were just texting with La Toya before we started.
ANTHONY: Yes, I was texting with La Toya earlier. They`re doing really great with the kids.
HAMMER: Good.
ANTHONY: I mean, they are doing good in school. They`re in theater. They`re in sports. You know, they`re really get on with their lives. And I just think that`s such a beautiful thing.
I think that Mrs. Jackson, you know, with the help of her children, are doing a very, very good job with Michael`s kids.
HAMMER: Good. Let`s get back to the trial for a moment, because we just heard a prosecution witness make what I thought was a very shocking observation, the idea that Dr. Murray actually could have saved Michael Jackson had he called 911 and not been calling various members of Michael Jackson`s staff. Let`s watch how that played out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ALON STEINBERG, CARDIOLOGIST: He had a delay in calling for help and if they had gotten there six minutes later, Mr. Jackson would have been alive. It makes logical sense to call 911.
He didn`t have any of the appropriate equipment, any help. He needs to get help, you call 911 first.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So witnesses have been saying things like that all throughout the trial that Murray could have saved Michael Jackson`s life if he had reacted more quickly when he realized that something was wrong. What`s your reaction when you hear that?
ANTHONY: Well, it is obvious that it was a conspiracy. It`s obviously - he said he killed him. I mean, first brother Amir(ph) says that Conrad Murray called him, "Get someone up here."
But then, he didn`t call 911. He called - what`s his name? Faheem Muhammad, another security person. He doesn`t call 911. He goes up to the room.
And then finally, another security person comes up to the room. They still don`t call 911. And then, the chef Kai Chase testifies they asked her to help. She didn`t call 911. This man - Michael was killed in cold blood.
HAMMER: So you think that the doctor intentionally delayed in calling 911?
ANTHONY: And everybody else there, too. Why were they calling all of these people and not calling 911? The man is laying there. He was not breathing. It did not take an expert to get on the witness stand today to say that.
HAMMER: Is that what the family is feeling as well as far you know?
ANTHONY: Well, you know, La Toya has felt from the beginning that he was murdered. I mean, as soon as I got a telephone call, I was landing on a plane in Miami. And when the plane got on the tarmac, my cell phone just blew up.
And as soon as I finally got someone on the phone - I think it was CNN. And they said that "L.A. Times" was confirming that Michael was dead. I said, "They killed him."
HAMMER: Right. Wow. Yes, we have been hearing that all along, Flo. I do appreciate your very special insight into this. Please come back and see us.
ANTHONY: Thank you.
HAMMER: All right. Flo Anthony, I appreciate you being here.
HAMMER: We go out to Los Angeles just outside the courthouse where Dr. Murray is on trial for the death of Michael Jackson. That`s where Ryan Smith is joining us from tonight.
Ryan is an entertainment attorney and a host for "In Session" on Tru TV.
So Ryan, today, the judge said the testimony could end much sooner than the date they previously thought, October 28. And as they wind down their case, prosecutors are hitting one theme over and over again.
Even if all of the things the defense is claiming about Jackson giving himself the drugs are true, Dr. Murray is still guilty. So Ryan, from your perspective, could this be the reasoning that actually ends up convicting Murray?
RYAN SMITH, HOST, "IN SESSION" ON TRU TV: It very well could be, and the prosecution is doing a very good job especially with witnesses like you just saw.
Dr. Steinberg putting it in plain terms - because, A.J., this is a standard of care case. You know, they keep talking about, well, maybe Michael Jackson injected himself. He was an addict.
None of those things matter. All that matters is Dr. Murray`s conduct and did he fall so far below the standard of care that he was reckless and that that may have caused Michael Jackson`s death.
That`s involuntary manslaughter. So right now, these experts are lining up all the ways that Dr. Murray failed Michael Jackson and basically saying you add all these things up, and it leads to voluntary manslaughter, because he failed his patient.
HAMMER: Yes. And I am loath to make predictions about cases. But it does seem like the defense has a big uphill climb right now.
And I`ve got to show you something else that I was very surprised by today. TMZ quoting law enforcement sources who say Dr. Murray would not be on trial today if he had refused to do that interview that we heard with police two days after Jackson died.
This morning, on "The View," ABC`s legal analyst, Chris Cuomo, actually made what I thought was a nice little rhyme in explaining why Murray should have just kept his mouth shut. Watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI SHEPHERD, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": Now, most people, when the cops come and you don`t have anything to hide, you talk to them.
CHRIS CUOMO, ABC LEGAL ANALYST: "Talk to the man, wind up in the can," that`s what they say. You have to be - you have to be -
SHEPHERD: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) time.
(CROSS TALK)
CUOMO: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Not exactly, "If the glove doesn`t fit, you must acquit." Still pretty good. Ryan, doing you agree that Dr. Murray would probably be a whole lot better off if he hadn`t talked to the cops at all?
SMITH: I do in so many ways, because, you know, this is was two days after Michael Jackson died. They talked to Conrad Murray.
Think about this, A.J. They didn`t know about the propofol. They didn`t have the autopsy yet. They didn`t know that Dr. Murray had been giving Michael Jackson propofol for 30 days a month for two straight months.
That led them down a path to say, "Wait a second. What`s this doctor involved in here?" They go back to Michael Jackson`s house. They start finding all these things.
All of this stuff became uncovered because Dr. Murray explained it to them. And there`s another way, too. You saw Dr. Steinberg.
Everything he had to say, this cardiologist who talked about how Dr. Murray failed Michael Jackson - it was all based on Dr. Murray`s own words from the statement to police.
So what makes that so interesting is that now there is nobody to explain Dr. Murray`s actions except Dr. Murray. And the last thing the defense wants to do is to put Dr. Murray on the stand.
So I`ll tell you if the defense would have done something different, they could have gone down and met with the police on their own without Dr. Murray. And the police might not have known anything that happened in this case.
HAMMER: Then quickly help me understand, Ryan. His attorney was there with him when he was speaking with the police. Why in the world would he have let Dr. Murray say so much?
SMITH: I don`t think they thought he would be charged. I think what they thought was, well, let`s go down and answer some questions. But if we just explain this to the police, A.J. We`ll just tell them what is going on here. They will see that Dr. Murray has nothing to do with this.
But the problem was there were so many inconsistencies in the story. And that is what the police are paid to do. They`re paid to look at those inconsistencies and say, wait, does something else exist here?
HAMMER: Yes.
SMITH: But I think that statement could be the thing that may end up putting him on the stand. I don`t think he will take the stand, but they`re going to have to think about it.
HAMMER: You know what Murray and his lawyers are saying now - oops! Ryan Smith, great to see you.
SMITH: Yes.
HAMMER: Thank you so much. All right. We have to move on because the king is here. Yes, I`m going one-on-one with Larry King. I`m going to get his insider`s take on the Michael Jackson death trial. Also, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT first look at his rare sit-down with Johnny Depp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: How did you react to getting famous?
DEPP: I`m still reacting, you know. I`m still sort of dealing with it. I don`t think it`s anything you ever get used to, you know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why this exclusive interview was a wish come true for Larry.
So is it double-trouble for Ashton? I`ve got to know what`s going on here. The ratings for "Two and a Half Men" are crashing according to brand-new reports, so is his marriage to Demi Moore. Could Ashton lose it all?
HAMMER: Bad news for Bethenny. New evidence that she may have been lying about getting lost at sea.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETHENNY FRANKEL, REALITY TV STAR, "REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK CITY": We have this wave that hits us and we go flying. And then, the GPS broke and my shrink said, you know, we don`t know where we are. And he started calling the coast guard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK. Well, the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, what`s fact and what`s a big fib here? 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: Jason Aldean and Zac Brown band top American music nominations with eight each. Naya Rivera, Chaz Bono, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones shoot new GLAAD anti-bullying PSA.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have all been hurt by words before, so before you speak, think about how your words might affect someone else.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have the power to make a difference.
CHAZ BONO, TRANSGENDERED MALE: To find out how, go to "GLAAD.org."
AMY POEHLER, ACTRESS: That is "G-L-A-A-D" dot org.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Houston, we have a problem - with Whitney Houston, that is. Brand-new reports say Whitney is now the latest celebrity to nearly get booted from a flight.
Looks like Whitney refused to buckle her seatbelt on a Delta jet that was about to take off. Eventually, she did let one of the crew members do it for her, but not until she had a diva-like fit, according to reports. It just seems to be something in the air these days with celebrities and bad behavior on the plane. What`s going on?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Tonight, did you see this? It was a truly amazing rescue. The whole point of going to the cornfield maze is to get lost, right? But what if it is after dark and it seems really spooky, and you have a baby with you?
Well, that is just what happened to one family in Massachusetts at a corn maze. Their response - to completely freak out. Get this - they actually called 911 to get out of a corn field. Here is CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You`re lost in a giant cornfield maze. You don`t know which way to turn. Darkness is falling. Who you going to call? 911.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m really scared. It`s really dark, and we got a three-week old baby with us.
911 OPERATOR: Just relax. Calm down. Your husband`s with you, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, but my baby -
MOOS: You would think that she was being stalked by the corn. A Massachusetts woman, her husband and two kids got lost and called Denver`s police an hour after the 6:00 p.m. closing time at the Connor`s Farm Maze.
And we all know from the movies how spooky cornfields can get especially after dark. When you fall into the clutches of demonic corn - actually, the killer corn wasn`t attacking but -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The mosquitoes eating us alive.
MOOS: Some folks celebrate getting lost. Oh, yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We thought this would be fun. Instead it`s a nightmare.
911 DISPATCHER: Can I talk to your husband?
MOOS: The dispatcher told the man to yell to the canine unit that was arriving at the maze to look for the lost family.
911 DISPATCHER: Say, "Hello, K-9."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, K-9.
MOOS (on camera): At one point, the lost dad took the dispatcher so literally he even repeated the "say."
911 DISPATCHER: Say it again so he - because he can`t see you so say, "Hello, K-9."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Say hello, K-9.
MOOS: Hello, K-9. Hello, K-9. It took a total of at least 10 "Hello, K- 9s."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, K-9. Hello, K-9.
UNIDENTIFIED 911 DISPATCHER: Keep going, sir. Gives them something to do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, K-9. Hello, K-9.
MOOS (voice-over): Finally towards the end of the 7 1/2 minute call -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We see a light.
MOOS: The K-9 unit officer said he found the family about 25 feet from the entrance. If they get this lost in a corn maze, the next thing you know they`ll be calling 911 from the maze at IKEA.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It`s embarrassing.
MOOS: The manager of the farm offered the couple free tickets to come back again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They didn`t answer but their faces went -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never again.
MOOS: The maze depicts an image of a headless horseman, but compared to the lost couple, the horseman kept his head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, K-9. Hello, K-9.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: That was Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And by the way, it took the K-9 unit exactly one minute to find the lost family. You guys want to give it a try?
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CREW: Hello, K-9! Hello, K-9!
HAMMER: Nothing. All right. The SHOWBIZ lines have been ringing nonstop. So many people are calling in about "Dancing with the Stars."
We`ve got a call into "Showbiz on Call" from Laurie in New Jersey who just loves HLN`s own dancing darling, Nancy Grace.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LAURIE, CALLER FROM NEW JERSEY: I think that Nancy Grace is great "Dancing with the Stars" and as far as her critics go, I just think, you know what? They should have their own (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and try to enjoy them as much as Nancy is having fun on the show.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s right, Laurie. Thank you for your call. What do you think? Let us know at "Showbiz on Call" and sound off on this, sound off on anything.
The phone lines always open at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. That is where you can leave us a voicemail so we can play your call right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, it is Jers-day, right? We`ve got your first look at the "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" reunion, if you can call it that. It looked a little bit more like a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why don`t you shut up and listen?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Quiet.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Teresa, stop it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Your favorite housewives doing what they do best, slinging insults.
A Simon-Paula love connection? You know, we`ve been watching their love-hate relationship play out for years on TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST, "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW": You and Paula - was there ever any weirdness there that there might be a dating situation?
SIMON COWELL, JUDGE, "X-FACTOR": Oh, 100.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Now, Simon Cowell is dropping bombshell secrets about his complicated connection with Paula. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, it`s the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith will host Obama fundraiser at their home. Taylor Swift reveals her desire to be a role model to young girls.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAYLOR SWIFT, SINGER: You are choosing to put out music and to be out there in the public. You realize you have to be conscious of the fact that you are part of the raising of the next generation, and you do have an impact on that.
And so, choose your outfits and your words and your actions carefully, because I think that it matters. I think it really does.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COWELL: If I was a can of dog food, she was a starving puppy, so she used to look at me all of the time, because, like, the dog would look at the can of dog food.
WILLIAMS: Right. Yes.
COWELL: And that was a responsibility -
WILLIAMS: We think that we know where you are going with this one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nice. And Simon Cowell revealing some freaky details about his relationship with "X-Factor" co-judge, Paula Abdul. And like Simon just told Wendy Williams, he has some sexual tension with Paula.
Wendy started all that when she asked Simon if he has ever thought about dating Paula. Now, people have been speculating about Paula`s love- hate relationship with Simon since the first season of "American Idol." So was it more love than hate? You`ve got to watch what Simon reveals next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAMS: No, seriously, you and Paula - was there any weirdness there that there might be a dating situation?
COWELL: Oh, 100 percent. I once described our relationship and I used dogs a lot with Paula, but not in the American dog sense, but in the English dog sense, which is we love dogs.
If I was a can of dog food, she was a starving puppy, so she used to look at me all the time like the dog would look at the can of dog food.
WILLIAMS: Right. Yes.
COWELL: And that was a responsibility -
WILLIAMS: We think we know where you are going with this one.
COWELL: No, I always - it crossed my mind, you know, should I? She probably wants to - no, mainly because, afterwards, we would have to talk.
WILLIAMS: Yes, that could be the problem.
COWELL: And that would be very uncomfortable.
WILLIAMS: But I like the sexual tension. I like that I can look in the magazines and she is sitting in your lap or whatever. It`s very adorable.
COWELL: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Simon telling all, but it gets even better. He goes on to reveal the surprising reason why he turned down $1 million for just one day`s work.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAMS: You turned down a day of work, and they were going the pay you $1 million?
COWELL: I did offer commercials. I don`t do many commercials, but my agent called me and said, "I`ve got some good news, Simon. You have been offered $1 million and it`s one day`s work."
WILLIAMS: Yes.
COWELL: And he said, "That`s the good news." And I said, "Well, how can there be bad news? He said, "Well, it`s Viagra."
(CHEERS)
WILLIAMS: You are not there yet?
COWELL: No. There is no upside. I`m trying to convince myself there has to be something positive to be taken from this offer. I couldn`t get anything positive from it. So I had to - unfortunately, I had to turn it down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: $1 million for one day on a job? I`m thinking that Simon should have tried a little harder to find that upside.
Time now for the SHOWBIZ lineup - here is what is coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Ashton`s new troubles. As if the divorce speculation is not enough, now, it looks like Ashton`s TV show could be in crisis, too. Could "Two and a Half Men" be cancelled?
Amanda Knox cashing in? Brand-new reports that she could get $2 million for her first interview. Is it wrong for her to profit from her story? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news tonight.
TEXT: Britney Spears hits 10 million Twitter followers. Fantasia Barrino is expecting a baby boy by the New Year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - is Ashton crashing? The ratings for "Two and a Half Men" are plunging and his marriage to Demi Moore appears to be on the rocks. Could Ashton lose the gig and the girl?
Bethenny Frankel caught in a lie. She claims she was lost at sea for hours.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEL: We had this wave that hits us, and we go flying, and then the GPS broke. And my shrink said, you know, we don`t know where we are, and he started calling the coast guard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The coast guard, huh? Well, they say, yes, that is not true. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT gets to the bottom of Frankel - fact or fable?
And Larry King is right here for SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. How does Larry think Michael would feel about the Conrad Murray trial?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: How did you react to getting famous?
DEPP: I`m still reacting, you know. I`m still sort of doing it. I don`t think it`s anything you ever get used to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, we have your first look at Larry`s blockbuster interview with media-shy Johnny Depp. Why this interview was a wish come true for Larry King.
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 - Ashton`s new nightmare.
First, there were divorce reports, then bombshell revelations from a woman claiming she had a fling with Kutcher. And now, the ratings for Kutcher`s "Two and a Half Men" are taking a nose dive.
Meantime, his other half is literally looking no worse for his wear. Check this out. Stunning new photos of Demi Moore in her new holiday campaign for Ann Taylor revealed today. Look at that - she looks hot. So who is getting the last laugh now?
And I don`t think that reality show star, Bethenny Frankel is having a laugh over reports today that she lied about being lost at sea. And that, by the way, is just the beginning of her bad news.
With me in New York tonight, Michael Billy. Michael is a TV and radio host. And from Hollywood, I am so pleased to welcome Suzanne Sena, of the "Onion News Network" on IFC.
So things are not looking good for Ashton right now. The season premiere of "Two and a Half Men" pulled in nearly 28 million viewers. Those numbers dropped just under 15 million viewers this past week.
Now, Suzanne, realistically, those are still big numbers. I`m guessing Ashton is not breaking a huge sweat over them. But should he be worried that so many people did not stick with him?
SUZANNE SENA, "ONION NEWS NETWORK," IFC: You know, A.J., I don`t think that is the case. I mean, I think that those are extraordinary numbers for the premiere, and I think they were due to a lot of things.
And I think it would be - what would be exciting and interesting is if those numbers actually were ever going to stay that high. But I don`t think it was ever going to likely with or without the scandal.
HAMMER: Yes. I think that if the numbers hang around right where they are, nobody will be too upset about that. The ladies of "The View," by the way, had a lot to say about Ashton this morning.
SENA: Yes.
HAMMER: Joy Behar made what I thought was a very curious point about Ashton`s whole debacle. Watch what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOY BEHAR, CO-HOST, "THE VIEW": I think that Ashton Kutcher is enjoying all of this in a certain way. He is following Charlie Sheen`s footsteps. He is in a hot tub like Charlie, and he`s like, "I got the gig and I`m going to do this thing."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes, he got the gig. But Michael, do you think that should Ashton at all be worried right now that he could possibly lose the gig and the girl in one fell swoop here? There is a lot going on.
MICHAEL BILLY, TV AND RADIO HOST: Well, look, let`s put the brakes on something. Like we said, it is still good ratings.
HAMMER: Yes.
BILLY: And this guy is not a one-trick pony. He has been known to produce, model, act. He`s got a movie career, acting - he`s going to be fine.
If anything, it is not about living the life. Let`s not forget there are kids involved here. Now, that they are grown, it is going to be easier for him to get out of the house and move on from the family without those responsibilities that the guys often feel in a divorce when kids are still young.
Those kids are grown now. I think that`s really the focus. Now, I would like to think it`s not career and more family-based.
HAMMER: OK. Well, I hope everything works out for him with Demi Moore, obviously. And quite frankly, I think he`s going to do just fine with the show, because I think he`s terrific on it.
And those are solid numbers. It`s a lot of people to go way. Well, we don`t know if Ashton cheated, by the way, and those are the allegations that have been made. But they do say, of course, looking good is the best revenge.
So look at this - Demi, her hot new ad campaign for Ann Taylor. I`ve got to say right here - and tell me if you are with me, Suzanne. Score one for Demi Moore?
SENA: Oh, score one, score many for Demi Moore. I mean, she is so hot. She is so awesome. She is so accomplished. And I think we are seeing something in Hollywood when there is scandal for a powerful woman.
Take a look back. I mean, Sandra Bullock`s personal life became very chaotic and that was in crisis. We never saw a picture of her crying. We never saw her upset. We didn`t see her at all until she was out there with the joyous news of her new baby.
And here, we see Demi Moore looking amazing already right out of the gate. Now, we don`t know the timing, of course.
HAMMER: Right.
SENA: We don`t know when those things were shot. But very interesting, this is a very smart woman with a very smart camp. I can`t help but think that those were very strategically let out just about now.
HAMMER: Yes. Well, obviously, even if they were shot months ago, I could see her or somebody calling up somebody and saying, "You know those really hot photos? Let`s get those out there right now. They kind of make everything feel good to me right now."
SENA: Exactly.
HAMMER: All right. Right now, I want to move on to somebody who may not be feeling so good about everything being said about her - Bethenny Frankel. She may be having a very bad day.
The reality show star is caught up in a big old mess right now that, quite frankly, she kind of created for herself. Now, when she appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show last week, Bethenny told a tale about being lost at sea. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEL: We were on this boat and Jason seasick, and he is, like, you know - he was supposed to cook. That was supposed to be his thing. And then, I ended up having to cook. All there was, was beans on the boat.
By the way, I don`t know why anyone would mock you on the boat with beans, but we`ll talk about that another time. Anyway, he kept saying, two or three hours - you know, we`ll be there, two to three hours.
Eight hours in, we have this wave that hits us, and we go flying. And I say things that I won`t say on daytime television. So Jason is like sleeping the whole time as any good husband would, just laying there seasick.
And a big wave hit us. We were in eight feet of water. We were supposed to be in 100 feet of water. We were lost - that is the lost part. And then the GPS broke. And my shrink said, you know, we don`t - we don`t know where we are. And he started calling the coast guard.
When the coast guard is involved, you are kind of like, are we filming a movie right now? What do you mean that the coast guard is involved? So long story short, it was eight hours. It took us 21 hours until finally this towing company that the coast guard company got us in touch with towed us in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nothing but beans, a rogue wave, the coast guard. Tim Russell is the man who rescued Bethenny and her crew. Tim is telling a very different story to "The Jewish Journal."
The columnist who interviewed Tim wrote this, "When Tim got there, he saw the boat was fine. There were nine people - Bethenny, Jason, the therapist and Bravo film crew of six. They did not need a tow as the boat was fine. They simply followed Tim and his wife back to the shore with no towing and a functioning GPS."
Suzanne, if you were to create a headline for your "Onion News Network," which I think would thrive on this story like this, what would you call this one? Please involve beans.
SENA: Well, that is a tough one. I would have to defer to the incredibly talented "Onion" writers for that. But I will say it`s interesting that she is traveling with her therapist. I think that says something right there, always have that shrink on board as she`d like to say.
But I also think it`s interesting, A.J., if you look at Bethenny Frankel and how she is always in the news and her business acumen - look just a couple of weeks ago, she was the topic of conversation about a lawsuit that was coming against her in "Skinny Girl" for some claims.
And you know, they always say, if you don`t like what people are talking about, then change the conversation. So maybe she did this with a very calculated, "Hey, let me create some different drama to talk about and make it entertaining as well." I think it is smart.
HAMMER: And we`re all going to tune in to see what actually happened here. And Bravo issued this statement about all of this to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "It is accurate that Bethenny, Jason and the therapist were stranded at sea when the navigation on their boat broke during a taping for the new season of `Bethenny Ever After.`"
"The coast guard referred a private tow vessel who eventually led their boat out. When people see the episode," plug, plug, plug, "they will certainly see for themselves that this was very real."
Michael, you were shaking your head the whole time Bethenny was talking here.
BILLY: I don`t believe this. Look, when anybody travels with the therapist on a boat, that`s a clear sign not to pay attention to everything they say. I love that she thinks that it was a movie set.
You know, that is why there`s - a tow truck came to tow the boat. It`s fantastic. This is all about spin and trying to sell the new season. Let`s be honest. And she is doing a good job because we are all talking about it, aren`t we?
HAMMER: We are all talking about it. And spending some time on the water myself as a boater, I found the whole thing very interesting and I actually can`t wait to see how it plays out. So right there, you have another viewer, Bethenny.
SENA: There you go.
HAMMER: I`m going to be tuned in. I will be watching.
BILLY: There was the professor. There was Mary Ann(ph). There was a three-hour tour, all those things. I remember very clearly - very clearly.
HAMMER: And a therapist, too. All right. Michael Billy, thank you very much and good luck with your new movie, "The One." It`s out on DVD, October 18th. Michael appearing in this thing. Suzanne Sena, good luck with your show on IFC.
All right. We`ve got to move on because the King is here tonight. Larry King is in the house and I cannot wait for this very special SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. It`s Larry and what he thinks Michael would think of the Dr. Conrad Murray trial.
The painfully private details being revealed in court about Michael`s life. The shocking nude autopsy photo. Plus, we`ve got your first look at Larry`s blockbuster interview with Johnny Depp.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: How did you react to getting famous?
DEPP: I`m still reacting, you know. I`m still sort of dealing with it. I don`t think it`s anything you get used to, you know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Larry King reveals why this interview with Depp was a dream come true.
And "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" reunite and fight, fight, fight, fight. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with your first look at Bravo`s new outrageous reunion special. 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: Hillary Swank apologizes for attending party for controversial Chechen leader. Julia Roberts talks to SHOWBIZ about working with husband on "Fireflies in the Garden."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIA ROBERTS, ACTRESS: It`s, you know, nerve-wracking when your best friend is kind of watching everything you do. I mean, he is so gentle and kind, but he is a truth teller. So for me, I knew that, better or worse, he would tell me the truth. And I was glad that we were syncopated in this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And tonight, I`m proud to say that the king is here. Yes, the one and only Larry King right here with me tonight for a very special SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
Larry was right there at the Neverland Ranch in the days following Michael Jackson`s death. So I want to know from Larry what he thinks about the Conrad Murray trial as the prosecution is getting set to wrap its case.
Another huge story in the news right now, of course, Amanda Knox. She`s in Seattle. She is getting used to freedom after being released from an Italian prison. But is she about to cash in big time on her story. And if so, really, is there anything wrong with that?
Plus, I`m really looking forward to this - it`s our first look at Larry`s incredible sit-down interview with the notoriously media-shy Hollywood icon, Johnny Depp.
Joining me now from Hollywood - there he is. It`s Larry King. It`s always good to see you, Larry.
KING: Good to see you, A.J. Good to be with you in the confines of our studios here in Hollywood.
HAMMER: Yes. You look very comfortable. Let`s get right into it here, because I have heard you say -
KING: Sure.
HAMMER: That sitting down with Johnny Depp for an interview was a wish come true. Why is that, Larry?
KING: Well, because I have had a list of people I`ve wanted over the years, and missed a few of them. We never got Fidel Castro, and still trying to get him. Bruce Springsteen would be another. I don`t know how I missed him.
And of course, Johnny Depp who is very, very hard to get, so we have been working on it a long time. And finally, we got him and it was really - I will tell you, A.J., it was really terrific. We did over an hour and we had to edit it down, because show time is actually about 45 minutes.
And we covered everything from A to Z and everything in between. He was a terrific, terrific guest - very responsive, very aware of his place in the culture, humble. He was - I hope you are going to watch it, because it was a really good hour.
HAMMER: Yes, I have had a chance to preview a little bit of it. And I want to show some of it right now, because you mentioned humility. You know, Johnny has been really well-known for well over two decades at this point.
Let`s take a look at this clip from your special airing this Sunday. You asked Johnny if he has ever gotten used to the constant attention that always follows him. Let`s watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: How did you react to getting famous?
DEPP: I`m still reacting, you know. I`m still sort of dealing with it. I don`t think that it is anything you ever get used to, you know. I could never - for many years, I could never sort of put my name in the same sort of category as the word "famous" or anything like that.
And I just found it very uncomfortable, so it is weird. It is something like if you if you get used to it, then something must be wrong, if you get used to that constant kind of thing.
Something has got to be wrong. It`s got to be sort of a part of you that somewhere in there that pines for anonymity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And Larry, Johnny Depp is undoubtedly one of the most famous actors in the world. Did you get the sense that he`s ever able to get that anonymity that he does pine for?
KING: I think he does in the elements of the - he loves his wife, and they have been together for, like, 13 years. He has a daughter, 12, and a son, eight. He is very close to them.
In fact, when we finished the interview, I went to pick up my kids. He went to pick up his kids at school. He avoids certain public places. He does not like paparazzi very much.
He lives for whatever you can live in that kind of attention when you are that famous. I would say he has got it under control as best you can in that circumstance.
HAMMER: Yes, I have always gotten the sense that he has sort of found the balance that is possible for somebody as big as he is.
KING: Yes, he has.
HAMMER: Right now, Larry, I want to move to this huge story that is making news right now. Of course, we`ve been following the Michael Jackson death trial very closely. You`ve interviewed members of the Jackson family.
You got to know Michael personally. Some really disturbing revelations have come out during this trial. We saw the autopsy photo of a naked Michael Jackson. The audio recordings of Michael Jackson slurring the speech.
As you know, Larry, Michael was a very shy guy, very private. Are you with me that he would be mortified by all of this that`s coming out in court?
KING: Oh, he would be mortified. Now, I`m not a legal expert. I`ve never judge a trial until it is over. I wasn`t there. I don`t base a case on - I hate pre-conjecture. I hate finding someone guilty before the results are in, or not guilty.
I think the trial belongs to the jury, not to me. And when the prosecution is presenting its case, it looks hopeless. And then the defense suddenly presents its case and things sort of balance out.
But Michael, as shy as he was, would have been horrified. And I don`t know why they had to show that autopsy picture.
Normally, the autopsy pictures are essential in a murder case where you show the entrance of the bullet wound or the knife stabbing so that the jury has a knowledge from the forensic expert what happened to cause that murder.
This is not a murder trial. This is a trial for involuntary manslaughter, and there were no stab wounds to show. So there was no reason to show it other than to appeal to some prurient interest. I think it was way out of line.
HAMMER: All right. I appreciate your insight on that. Let me get your take now on the Amanda Knox story, because there are new reports today she could make millions telling her story.
Now, we know Amanda`s family spent more than $700,000 in legal fees. Personally, I don`t think there`s anything wrong with Amanda making some money off of her story, especially considering how much this whole thing cost. What do you think?
KING: I agree with you completely. It`s called the American way. She spent a long time in jail. She has been judged to have not committed the crime she was charged with.
Why shouldn`t she make money off of it? That`s - hey, if somebody wants - you know, Jackie Gleason once told me something that is really true, A.J. If someone wants to pay you something, you are worth it.
HAMMER: Well, Larry, that is why you have made so much money for such a long time.
KING: Oh.
HAMMER: I do have to end it there, but it is always great to see you. And I want to make sure that everybody watches CNN on Sunday night for a "Larry King Special," his first ever interview with Hollywood legend, Johnny Depp. It`s really terrific. Sunday night, 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN.
"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" are reuniting for a brand-new special on Bravo. They caught up on life. They talked about the kids. They had an all-out, drag-out brawl, of course.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why don`t you shut up and listen?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Quiet!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Teresa, stop it!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with your very first look at an outrageous special.
Now, it`s the SHOWBIZ buzz list. These are what the SHOWBIZ staff is buzzing about this week.
"Bored to Death" - our favorite slackers are back on HBO for a brand- new season.
It`s about time for this - Facebook and iPad app. Yes. The world`s most popular social network is now available on almost any device with a mobile browser.
Old country darling, Ryan Adams, has got a new album out this week called "Ashes and Fire." Can`t get enough of that.
We are loving bestselling author Paulo Coelho`s new book "Aleph." It`s about spiritual discovery.
Get ready for some buzz from the Queen B. Beyonce`s brand-new video dropped this week. She`s putting "Love on Top." This is HLN news and views.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Time now for "The Buzz Today." "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery is celebrating an astounding album debut.
Javier Bardem is cast for the new James Bond flick, but no, he`s going to be playing the secret agent. And Hayden Panettiere tells us what she really thinks of Amanda Knox. All that in "The Buzz Today."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
Hayden Panettiere takes on Amanda Knox. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there at the new premier Pannettiere`s new film, "Fireflies in the Garden" where Hayden, who portrayed Knox in a Lifetime movie, told us what she really thinks of Knox`s release from an Italian prison.
HAYDEN PANETTIERE, ACTRESS: Having played her, having, in a way, walked a mile in her shoes, I do feel a certain connection with her.
And I would be lying if I said that`s not sort of exciting to see a young girl to have a second chance at life, and I hope she makes the most of it.
HAMMER: Javier Bardem gets bonded. Oscar winner, Javier Bardem, just confirmed that he has joined the cast of the new James Bond film. During an interview with ABC`s "Nightline," Bardem said he will play the villain alongside Daniel Craig`s secret agent in the yet-to-be-named Bond 23 movie. Javier said -
JAVIER BARDEM, ACTOR: I`m really excited. I`ve watch the movies. I have seen all of them. So to play that is going to be fun.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Scotty McCreery!
HAMMER: "Idol" Scotty McCreery shoots straight to the top. "American Idol" winner, Scotty McCreery`s debut album has grabbed the number one spot on the Billboard`s album chart, according to "Neilsen SoundScan."
The last time an "Idol" winner debuted at number one, it was back in 2001 with Ruben Studdard. McCreery`s album is entitled "Clear as Day."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: We hope he does better than (UNINTELLIGIBLE) lately. Well, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" are reuniting and it feels so good. No, wait. No, it doesn`t.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is not about the family, but you and only you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ tonight has your very first look at this incredible, not- to-be-missed volatile special, and let me tell you, it is simply fierce. That is coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Well, I hope you are ready, because we have your first look at the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" reunion. Yes, your favorite housewives got together.
And of course, they had a knock-down, drag-out fight, Jersey style. They cried. They hurled insults at each other. It was better than a soap opera, I tell you. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And now, it is good enough for you and your family.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`ll take a second with my family. It is not about your family, but about you and only you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You are full of (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You`re saying (EXPLETIVE DELETED). That is the biggest compliment in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bring it, baby. Bring it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. They are going to bring it all right. This combative, must- see reunion airs in two parts starting Sunday night on Bravo.
That it is for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. Remember, that you can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Sunday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific and that is, of course, right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "DR. DREW" coming up next. And tonight, the very latest on the Michael Jackson trial. Is there enough evidence to convict Dr. Murray of involuntary manslaughter? That starts right now on HLN.
END
