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Showbiz Tonight
Video Diary of Casey Anthony Posted on YouTube; Interview with Brad Goreski; Rob Lowe Discusses New Role as Suspected Murderer; Teen Mom Kills Home Intruder; "X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro Interviewed
Aired January 05, 2012 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": News breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Casey`s act of desperation? Casey Anthony`s first-ever video revealed today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CASEY ANTHONY: The good thing is that things are starting to look up and change.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Casey`s different do, leading to the SHOWBIZ business burning questions. Is her cover blown? Why did she make such a bizarre video diary? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT takes the tape straight to a body language expert.
Marc Anthony sticks it to J-Lo. Marc Anthony`s in your face revelation about letter brand new 24-year-old girlfriend, after J-Lo goes public with her 24-year-old back-up dancer. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the battle of the hot young playthings.
Tonight, Melanie`s money. Brand new revelations from "X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro about her $5 million prize. What is she going to do with all that money? We ask her tonight in a must-see SHOWBIZ maker interview.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And we have big news breaking tonight -- Casey caught on tape. Tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can slow that although it seems Casey Anthony intentionally came out of hiding today, all is not that it seems to be. That was exactly six months ago today that Casey officially became the most hated mom in America. That`s when the jury acquitted her of the charges she killed letter daughter, Caylee.
Ever since then, Casey has pretty much been a ghost. But today in the ghost of outrage past surfaced on YouTube, of all places. Let me bring you Jane Velez-Mitchell who covered the Casey Anthony trial just about every day in Orlando and hosts the fabulous show "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ- MITCHELL" weeknights at 7:00 p.m. eastern here in HLN. Also with us in New York is Sunny Hostin, legal contributor on "In Session" on Tru-TV.
So Casey goes on for about four minutes this video in what seems to be the first of what may be many video diaries. But she never mentioned her daughter, Caylee. Let us watch there together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY: And I`m extremely excited. I`m extremely excited that I will be able to Skype and obviously keep a video log, take some pictures, and that I have something I can finally call mine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: First of all, it is just jarring for me to see her speaking today at all. But why did Casey release this video? Well, her attorney says Casey didn`t release the video. Here is what he told "In Session." "Casey has maintained notes and memoirs for her personal counseling. She did not upload or release this to YouTube. She doesn`t know how the video got to YouTube. She did not authorize it and therefore it had to be obtained illegally."
Jane, all right, this may not have been for us to see initially. But when you watch this, it seems like she is desperate to talk to somebody.
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": Oh yes. I think that, if she did release it herself, it is a sign of desperation, absolute desperation, A.J. Cheney Mason is saying no, this was obtained illegally, she had nothing do with it. But someone says they found it on a pay-for website where they were charging a couple of bucks.
Who knows? When it`s Casey Anthony it`s like the abominable snowman or Big Foot. Who knows what`s real, who knows what`s fake? But bottom line, if she did release it for money, it is Lowest of the low.
HAMMER: Quite frankly, I`m one of those people who does believe in Big Foot.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: But what a difference six months can make. We are talking about a major makeover here. Can we put up the side by side? Yes, left side of the screen, Casey on the video we saw today. And on the right side, that`s how she looked all those weeks when she was in the courtroom. When you see this, Sunny, because this is a radical change. I don`t know that I would have necessarily even recognized her. What does it say to you?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": I mean, certainly, being in prison changes people. So we know she was in solitary confinement for a long time and under the stress after trial. We are talking about three years. Six months made a huge difference. She looks more relaxed. She looks pretty good. She is not as gaunt as she was before.
But I also agree with Jane in that she seemed lonely. She seemed desperate. I wonder whether or not she released this to gauge public opinion, right, to sort of take our temperature, to see, is she still the most hated woman in America or not? I released, I commented, sent out a tweet, put it on my Facebook page. Instantaneously, I got hundreds of responses from people. And let me tell you, she is still the most hated woman in America.
HAMMER: That`s not surprising. But again, her attorney, Cheney Mason, saying, no, he`s didn`t release it. So right now that`s what we have to go on. And let`s not forget Casey was forced to go to Florida for probation on the bad check conviction. She didn`t want to go. In her video diary when Casey talked about her probation ending, I couldn`t help but notice she seemed to be looking at someone or something else that caught her eye while she was talking. Watch this with me and see what you think.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY: Seven months, marks my birthday, just either way. Whether it`s six months, or it`s a year from now, or a year from the middle of August, I don`t know. It has just been such a blessing in so many ways. And now I have someone to talk to even though I`m by myself, so I`m not bothering the poor dog that I`ve adopted and I love. And he is as much my dog as any of the other pets I`ve ever had.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: OK, looking at that I`m thinking, maybe a therapist. Her attorney does claim Casey was using this for personal counseling. I`m going to bring under a body expert, a body language expert in just a second. I`m dying to find out exactly what Casey may have been thinking. We will figure that out. But Casey talks about letter birthday in March, talks about getting a dog, obviously rebuilding her life. Jane, do you think in any way, this may hurt chances at big time payday? You know, networks are supposedly going to come calling one day. Will this get in the way of that?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think this may have been a response to the fact there was no payday. It almost looked to me like coming up attractions trailer, like she announces there will be more videos. Again, Cheney mason saying this was a personal memoir, it was hacked. But it is almost like a coming up attraction. You can`t underestimate the fact she is wearing a tank top. She is revealing those shoulders.
HAMMER: And she looks pretty styled as well. Great to see you both as always.
Still so much mystery surrounding Casey Anthony`s video diary that surfaced today on YouTube. What about the way that she acts? What does her body language tell us? I want some answers. Patti Wood, you can help us. Patti is a body language expert. She is with us tonight from Atlanta. Patti, in the video, you hear Casey say she is excited. But what does your body language tell you? I want to watch together and you tell me what is going on in her head. You tell us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY: I`m extremely excited. I`m extremely excited that I will be able to Skype and obviously keep a video log, take some pictures, and that I have something that I can finally call mine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PATTI WOOD, BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT: All right, Patti, stay with me. Put up the side by side, if you would, Charles. I want you to look, patty, of the side by side video. We have Casey new video, Casey in the courtroom. How has her body language changed?
WOOD: What is interesting and yet disturbing about this video is for the first time we see her be present in her body. She is feeling an emotion then expressing it, which is authentic communication. So we see true emotion. She actually sounds like a college girl doing a video diary out to the world and to her parents. It is very, very unsettling.
HAMMER: I think there is a lot that she reveals about what is going on in her mind. And I`m no expert, that`s why you are here. But I keep thinking about the videotape when Casey talks about her probation and upcoming birthday in March. It`s like she is looking way. It is like she is looking at someone. Let`s watch that again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY: Seven months, march my birthday, just either way. Whether it is six months, or it is a year from now, or a year from the middle of August, I don`t know. This has just been such a blessing in so many ways.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Patti, I`m trying to figure out what`s going on. When I`m thinking about what I`m going to do next -- oh, look, I just did it. We off then look away. Is that it, or is someone in the room?
WOOD: I don`t think someone is in the room. She is so consistently looking just before and just after. Her baseline, she typically looks to the right, that`s her right in this picture, when she is thinking about the past. I think she is reflecting back to previous birthdays just before she makes the statement about the birthday coming up in the future.
HAMMER: OK.
WOOD: What is also unsettling, that when she talks about this being truly a blessing, and that`s an absolutely authentic, honest communication. That`s a true statement to her.
HAMMER: So you are watching this, and are you thinking, at least in her mind, she is actually in a good place?
WOOD: Well, she`s trying to be in a good place. That`s her wish. That`s her desire. You hear her wistfulness and her voice and tempo speaking, right. But then you recognize how she goes back it what she typically did in the courtroom. She has a cover when she gets scared. She goes to another age and another personality.
HAMMER: Right. It is so fascinating. I appreciate your expertise. Thank you very much.
WOOD: My pleasure.
HAMMER: Tonight, Casey Anthony surfaces in a YouTube video. Did she blow her big interview payday? What do you think? Let us know at hln.com/SHOWBIZTONIGHT.
We`ve got more big SHOWBIZ true crime stories tonight you cannot miss. Heart-throb Rob Lowe turning the tables. He is taking on a role that I never thought would he do, the creepy accused killer Drew Peterson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROB LOWE, ACTOR: Clearly, where these young beautiful women are continually attracted to him. And so he clearly has some kind of swagger going.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This coming from man with major swagger. So Rob saying real life murder suspect drew Peterson actually has sex appeal? You don`t want to miss this. It`s a must see interview with Rob Lowe.
And the shotgun mom. This is a wild story. She called 911 to ask if she could shoot an intruder. Then the teen mother did what she to do to protect her son.
Then, Melanie`s millions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melanie Amaro. Melanie, you just won a $5 million recording contract and you will star in your own Pepsi commercial.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wow, Melanie Amaro`s golden voice which gave letter the biggest payout in TV history on "X Factor," what`s she going to do with all that cash? I go one-on-one with Melanie.
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.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD GORESKI, REALITY TV STAR: I`m not in the business of holding people`s hands after I`ve expressed to them my needs numerous times. It didn`t end very well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oh, well things actually did end really well for Brad. He has a brand new reality show on Bravo called, "It`s a Brad, Brad World." But what about the nasty reports out there of a fallout between him and his old boss Rachel Zoe? He is here to set the record straight.
Tonight, stealing the spotlight. A stylist to the stars who worked under Rachel Zoe, styles Jessica Alba, and just landed a contract with Kate Spade, builds his own career out of a garage. I`m talking about star stylist and reality star Brad Goreski, of course. The show "It`s a Brad, Brad World" just debuted on Bravo, but not without controversy. Brad is with me in New York. First of all, congratulations. Pretty big deal, winning the Rachel Zoe project, getting your own show, nice.
GORESKI: Thanks.
HAMMER: That`s got to feel pretty good. People do know you from "The Rachel Zoe Project," but I`ve got to have you clear the deal up with me. There was talk of Rachel saying after you left her show and weren`t working with her any more, you went after her star clients, and now you guys aren`t talking any more. What`s the reality there?
GORESKI: Well, unfortunately, that`s not the reality. I loved working for Rachel. I had a really good experience with her. But you know, when I left, I tried to leave on very good terms. I gave letter her two-and-half-months notice. I didn`t have anything set up for my show. As you could see. So there was no soliciting of client or anything like that. Unfortunately that`s the way she sees things.
HAMMER: So you guys aren`t talking? She actually does believe that this happened.
GORESKI: Well, she is not speaking to me. I would gladly speak to her.
HAMMER: Rachel, are you paying attention? Brad wants to talk to you. He is still in your speed dial, I`m sure.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: So the show isn`t all about fashion and glamour. It is a reality show after all. So we get to see the good, bad and ugly. We see you cry.
GORESKI: A lot.
HAMMER: We see you with your long-time boyfriend features in the show as well.
GORESKI: Yes.
HAMMER: Was there a moment, because you see what happens to people on reality shows, everything is put out there. Was there a moment when Bravo came to you, when you said, maybe this isn`t such a good idea.
GORESKI: I don`t know if it wasn`t such a good idea, but I wasn`t prepared for being in the starring role. But having Gary by my side to go through it with brought us closer together instead of further apart. So it is a strange experience to share with somebody. And we are having fun with it.
HAMMER: You bring up a good point. Often collateral damage in some cases, but people who aren`t looking for the spotlight in particular, like your boyfriend, is thrust into the spotlight. Did he handle that OK?
GORESKI: Yes, he is fine. He still goes to work every day, work at family guy, as a writer. We both have jobs we have go to everyday. So it is a funny kind of thing happening with us right now. But we are just enjoying it.
HAMMER: And it brought you closer together. Everybody has a different experience when they do reality TV. Penn Gilette actually went on a rant about reality TV. He calls it an improvised soap opera. Here is what he said. "It is really funny it see people that you know acting unpleasantly just because there are TV cameras on."
Now your show is pretty straight forward. We`re not saying, you know, tables being tossed around. But what`s your take on that? People do heighten it up with the cameras on sometimes.
GORESKI: Some people choose to do that. For me, I choose to act pleasantly. It is just the way that I am. Like, I`m not a table-flipper. I`m a crier. You won`t see me lashing out, but you will see me crying a lot.
HAMMER: So you are not just pouring it on because it is a reality show and you know what works.
GORESKI: No, not at all.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Thank you for being here. Appreciate it.
GORESKI: Thanks for having me.
HAMMER: Make sure to catch Brad on "It`s a Brad, Brad World" Monday nights on Bravo.
So yesterday we showed you David Beckham`s new underwear ads. We will show you again. These pictures have our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff abuzz with excitement. One faithful viewers from Alaska didn`t appreciate them as much as we did. She called in and here is what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: David Beckham does not need tattoos. Tattoos are a turnoff. I think I`m not alone. Tattoos are a turnoff. To me, he is not sexy looking. They are just a turn-off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jody, are tattoos a turnoff to you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
HAMMER: A turn off to Jodi. But our staff, not a turnoff. Thank you, Lelani. Our staff loves David Beckham with the tattoos.
All right, we move on now to Marc Anthony sticking it to his ex, J-Lo. He is showing off his new hot new 24-year-old plaything. This is after she is strutting around with her 20-something backup dancer. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask, who is win willing the rebound battle?
Also, when game show contestants attack. I don`t think Drew Carey or the "Price is Right" has seen anything quite like that. The SHOWBIZ viral video of the day is coming up.
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.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, the brand new J-Lo, Marc Anthony rebound battle for the hottest young plaything. We already know J-Lo is palling around with 24-year-old backup dancer, but now it looks like Marc is fighting back. He just tweeted himself with a 24-year-old Venezuelan model. Don`t you think it is Marc saying, "Hey, Jennifer, my girlfriend is hotter than your boyfriend"?
Let`s go out to Hollywood right now. Psychologist Wendy Walsh is standing by. She is the cohost of "The Doctors." So Wendy, not that mark can`t date whoever the heck he want to date but when I say this, I kind of getting feeling he is trying to keep up with his ex. It is like a high school rebound battle here.
WENDY WALSH, CO-HOST, "THE DOCTORS": If that is true, A.J., that is a common phenomenon that exes try to say, I`m happier, hotter, I have a hotter mate, et cetera. But this guy has had five children by three women. It`s time for him to grow up. Generally peers stay attracted to peers across the life span. Guys tend to date younger women for their fertility reasons. And now women? Are we insecure? I don`t get it.
HAMMER: You bring up a good point. He had these children, including kids with, of course, Jennifer Lopez. Put on your psychologist hat for just a moment, if you would. I can`t imagine all this in your face sniping is any good for their kids.
WALSH: That`s my concern. I don`t really know, A.J., how much the children are exposed to this. But when people say, oh, they won`t remembering with they are young. It`s the opposite. The younger you are, the more you store uncomfortable feelings as feelings in your body. So it is important that they keep their crazy love lives away from their children and focus on nurturing right now.
HAMMER: Guess what? Because they are such big stars, these kids may not remember it firsthand. But you know that someday in the future they will be surfing around online or whatever the version of the internet is, and they will find out all about it. Wendy Walsh, thank you.
Here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We have two big newsmakers. I`m so thrilled to talk to Rob Lowe about his new role of the creepy accused murderer, Drew Peterson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOWE: There is something about him, clearly, where these young beautiful women are continually attracted to him. And so he clearly has some kind of swagger going.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s coming from a guy with swagger. Rob Lowe tells me what it is like playing a real life murder suspect.
HAMMER: Also, Melanie`s money.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melanie Amaro. Melanie, you just won a $5 million recording contract. And you will star in your own Pepsi commercial.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I have to ask "X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro what she is going to do with the biggest payout in TV history, $5 million.
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.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Rob`s role transformation -- Rob Lowe`s killer new role as accused murderer Drew Peterson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOWE: I love doing something where I would go from "Parks and Recreation," literally the same week sometimes, I would go and play Chris Traeger, drive to another set, hours and hours of make-up, and emerge as drew Peterson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Did Rob really love playing be an accused murderer?
Plus, will Rob`s his next role be a real live political candidate?
Plus, an 18-year-old woman with her infant in tow kills a man who invades her home, and the entire thing is caught on a chilling 911 tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melanie Amaro. Melanie, you just won a $5 million recording contract and you will star in your own Pepsi commercial.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Melanie`s money. Melanie Amaro about her history making $5 million prize. What is she going to do with all that money?
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight. SHOWBIZ true crime -- a teenage mother turned into national TV folk hero of sorts today because she shot someone who was breaking into her house and the guy was killed. But she did ask for permission to shoot first. She called 911. And what did they tell her? Do what you need to do.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH MCKINLEY, KILLED INTRUDER: I knew it was him or my son, and it wasn`t going to be my son.
HAMMER: Eighteen-year-old Sarah Dawn McKinley is being called the mom you don`t want to mess with. This Oklahoma mom, who lost her husband cancer on Christmas Day, is now a major media sensation for killing an intruder who tried to break into the home she shares with her three-month old baby. The whole thing was captured in a chilling 911 call.
MCKINLEY: I have two guns in my hand. Is it OK to shoot if he comes in the door?
HAMMER: Now Sarah is getting the network news hero treatment.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We turn now to the young mom in Oklahoma.
HAMMER: ABC did a story on her complete with the graphic reading pistol packing ma and a classic McKinley in the classic Annie Oakley pose. Now she is speaking out with HLN.
MCKINLEY: When he busted in the door, he had a hunting knife.
HAMMER: And so is the 911 operator who on that fateful night gave Sarah some blunt mother to mother advice.
DIANE GRAHAM, 911 OPERATOR WHO SAID "PROTECT YOUR BABY": You do what you have to do to protect your baby.
MCKINLEY: I do not know them but I know that they were something evil and it wasn`t to rob the house.
HAMMER: On HLN`s "Dr. Drew," Sarah McKinley described the scary scene on New Year`s Eve when man she says had been stalking her, brought along a friend, to try to break into her home.
MCKINLEY: He knew I was home because my son was screaming. He was in the bedroom. My son was screaming.
HAMMER: That`s when Sarah says she grabbed a pistol and a 12 gauge shotgun and called 911.
MCKINLEY: This guy is up to no good. My husband just passed away. I`m here by myself with my infant baby. Can I please get an inspector out here immediately?
GRAHAM: OK, hang on. Just stay with me. Are your doors locked?
MCKINLEY: Yes. I have two guns in my hand. Is it OK to shoot if he comes through the door.
GRAHAM: You have to do whatever you can do to protect yourself. I can`t tell you that you can do that, but you do what you have to do to protect your baby.
HAMMER: That`s exactly what Sarah did. When Justin Shane Martin allegedly broke through her door armed with a knife, Sarah shot him dead. The other alleged suspect, Dustin Louis Stewart, ran away.
And here is the big twist in this violent tale. Because someone died in the commission after crime, Stewart, the alleged accomplice, is being charged with first degree murder in the death of the man Sarah shot. As for the one who did the shooting, Sarah is not being charged with anything.
GRAHAM: One of the first things they tell you is don`t ever tell anybody that they can shoot someone.
HAMMER: The 911 operator who talked to Sarah that night tells HLN`s Jane Velez-Mitchell, as a fellow mom, she knew what Sarah had to tell Sarah what to do.
GRAHAM: I couldn`t just tell her she can shoot, but I wanted her to protect her baby.
HAMMER: As for Sarah McKinley, she is not shedding any tears over the man she killed.
DR. DREW PINSKY, HLN HOST: Let me ask you a tough question. Do you regret what you did?
MCKINLEY: No, we could be in a whole different situation right now if I wouldn`t have done it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: No kidding. Sarah says it was her late husband who taught her how to shoot, and police believe the two would-be intruders may have actually been trying to get their hands on her late husband`s medication.
One of the most infamous alleged killers of recent times is now getting the full Hollywood treatment from Rob Lowe. Tonight SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the real "Lowe down." Rob is playing accused wife killer drew Peterson in a new lifetime movie called "Drew Peterson -- Untouchable." It makes its debut on January 21 on Lifetime.
Peterson is the former cop, of course, who is accused of murdering his third wife and is also the prime suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife. And you have to take a look at this, Rob Lowe as Drew Peterson and the real drew Peterson. I have to tell you, I would never have pictured rob in this role. Apparently neither did he. So why did he end up taking this gig? Wait and hear what he told me.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOWE: When they came here and asked know play him, I thought that they must have gotten the wrong phone number, because I couldn`t think of anything about me in terms of just how I look and just sort of who I am as an actor. That I could even begin to access somebody like Drew. And I honestly had no idea how ways going to do it. That`s why I ended up saying yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don`t ever hold me down again.
HAMMER: Here you have this guy in prison who has fans.
LOWE: I know. The thing that was -- that`s among the many things that`s interesting about drew Peterson and complex about him, is that there is something about him clearly where these young beautiful women are continually attracted to him. And so he clearly has some kind of swagger going.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She`s like a flower. They bloom and put her scent out everywhere, and don`t tell me that you can`t smell it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I ain`t touching that one with a ten-foot pole.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That`s right. You keep your damn pole away from my wife.
HAMMER: I`m watching you play this guy and maybe it a reach, but he is a having a lot of fun doing this.
LOWE: I did. I had a lot of fun. Because -- look, I watched him. I`m a news junky. I watched him walk off of live interviews. I watched him talk about being on "Dial-a-Date," win a date with Drew Peterson when people were searching for his missing wife at the same moment. I watched this outrageous behavior. So I knew there was going to be a lot of stuff to play.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We`re done, Drew. It`s over.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, you know you`re not going anywhere.
HAMMER: A little piece of you that had to rinse off with Purell every day? Come on, pretty creepy, Rob.
LOWE: Yes, I`m thinking this is probably not my wife`s favorite portrayal that I`ve ever done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I can`t really blame Rob`s wife at all. Rob`s performance is very convincing. I just don`t think she is hanging that picture on the wall when he`s gone.
And when he`s not acting, he is following every twist and turn in politics. Rob was also very convincing as a senator on "Brothers and Sisters." So could Rob Lowe the actor ever become rob Lowe the candidate? What does he think of President Obama support in Hollywood right now?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: As we both well know when Obama was running, the support from Hollywood was --
LOWE: Huge.
HAMMER: -- almost unprecedented.
LOWE: Unprecedented.
HAMMER: Have you felt the waning? You`re inside.
LOWE: I`m definitely inside. I don`t feel like it`s waned. I really don`t. I think that, you know, in all things familiarity breeds contempt. But I don`t think -- I don`t think there is any lack of enthusiasm for the president. I think folks are still fans.
HAMMER: So obviously, being a political junky, having played political characters throughout your career, and there`s always been that suggestion, you should run. You said in other times, that oh, I`m tinkered with the idea of public service. Really?
LOWE: I do love public service. By the way, I don`t know if public service and running for public office are even synonymous anymore.
HAMMER: Have you given any further thought, though, to the possibility that if not now, maybe one day you actually would consider running for something? Is that something you have been spending any additional time thinking about?
LOWE: I know I would love to find way to give back, without a doubt. But again, I don`t know if you can get the things done that one would want to do in public office. I mean, things feel awfully broken right now. I don`t know. But you know, at a certain point, I`m going to get tired of wearing make-up every day and standing on mark and having people tell me what to say and want to do something more with my life. Who knows what will be.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It will be big for sure. In the meantime, you can see Rob as an actor in his Lifetime movie called "Drew Peterson -- Untouchable." It makes its debut on January 21st.
Moving on to a young woman now who has Simon Cowell on speed dial. She`s got amazing pipes, but here is what I want to know, I`m sure you do too. What is Melanie Amaro going to do with a big payout in TV history?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melanie Amaro. Melanie, you just won a $5 million recording contract and you will star in your own Pepsi commercial.
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HAMMER: Melanie`s money, brand new revelations from the teen superstar. Melanie tells me about being rich, famous and ready for the world in her first SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview.
"The Price it Right" goes all wrong for the show`s host Drew Carey. There is excitement and then there`s this one.
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HAMMER: Yes. You don`t want to miss this SHOWBIZ viral video. It is a contestant who tackles drew and another huge TV star with her full contact hug.
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.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Melanie Amaro. Melanie, you just won a $5 million recording contract and you will star in your own Pepsi commercial.
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HAMMER: How great was that moment? That is Melanie Amaro, taking home the big win in the very first season of "The X Factor." She walked away with a brand new recording contract worth $5 million. That is the most anyone has ever won on television.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, the $5 million lady, all that competition, pressure, that unforgettable crowning moment that we just saw. "The X Factor" champ Melanie Amaro is fresh off her major hit show, now a singing sensation. The big question now, what is she going to do with the big winnings in the history of TV?
Melanie joins us right now in New York for our SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview. Great to meet you. Feel the energy in the room. You seem excited about everything going on. Let`s clear something up for people who may not understand this. It is not like they handed you a suitcase for $5 million and scratched you a check. Here you go, have a nice day. It is a recording contract.
MELANIE AMARO, WINNER, "THE X FACTOR": It is. It means I will be in the studio working and getting my music out there. That`s what that means.
HAMMER: But you did get a payday. Which is --
AMARO: Correct.
HAMMER: -- well-deserved, of course. My question is because any time anyone wines a big prize lottery or contest or something, you want to know what is the one big indulgence. Have you add moment to treat yourself whether it is a new car, pair of shoes you never otherwise would have spent the money on?
AMARO: No, not yet. I`m going to go and buy a good foot massager though, definitely.
HAMMER: You are really splurging, Melanie.
AMARO: Definitely. I think I need one because of all of the heels I`ve been wearing. I need to spoil myself with that.
HAMMER: Maybe one of those that you fill with hot water.
AMARO: Yes.
HAMMER: Good luck with that.
It is hard it believe that you were booted off from the show early on. I still can`t get over the fact that that actually happened, and it is sort of sweet justice that you are the one who won. Let us watch the moment that changed your life.
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SIMON COWELL, HOST, "THE X FACTOR": I want to personally apologize to you and your family for the mistake I made.
AMARO: Apology accepted.
COWELL: Because you were so good. And this comes from me and the other three judges. We are going to ask you to come back and enter the competition. We want you back on the live shows.
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HAMMER: I imagine watching that, that was one of the most emotional things you ever went through. Are you getting a little emotional watching it?
AMARO: I am. Because -- oh, wow. I would never think that after that, that I would be here in this position right now. You know?
HAMMER: You get the recording contract. You obviously have been travel willing around the country. You just told me this is your first time in New York.
AMARO: It is.
HAMMER: What is the most drastic way your life has changed. And trust me, it`ll change a whole lot more. But so far?
AMARO: Now that when I leave out of the room, hotel room, or anywhere, I`m getting bombarded by people.
HAMMER: How crazy is that?
AMARO: It`s really crazy. It is so weird to look back and watch all of these different clips of, like, me on the show and everything.
HAMMER: Is it scary at all, though, realizing you have really given over your privacy and you have those people waiting around? All with good intentions. They want to meet you feel a little bit of your energy. Does it make you nervous sometimes?
AMARO: I don`t think it makes me nervous. I`m happy to interact with the fans and see how they feel. It lets me know that I did something right. That`s where y they want pictures.
HAMMER: You certainly did do something right.
AMARO: That makes me happy to know that I did something to inspire some people to believe in themselves and to want to go for their dreams.
HAMMER: And what a neat way to have the first season of "The X Factor: unfold. Of course, Simon was the guy working with you. And he was fully on your side after bringing you back. Another one of the judges, L.A. Reid, however, is now your boss. You got signed to L.A.`s record label. And let`s face it, I don`t have to tell you, some of his criticism during the competition, was pretty tough.
AMARO: It was.
HAMMER: Does that make it at all awkward working with L.A.? Or is it like, that`s in the past, on to business?
AMARO: Not at all. To me, to be honest, I was so happy he was honest with me every week. I would hate for him to say, you know what y, you were great every week, and not say what he was feeling, and I don`t progress each week or make it through. I`m glad he told me what he thought so I could build and get bigger and bigger.
HAMMER: And you`re going 20 get bigger and bigger and bigger. I think have you a huge future ahead. Anyway, we are so thrilled to have you here. So nice to meet you, melanie. Best of luck with everything.
AMARO: Thank you.
HAMMER: So if it is Wednesday, it`s hump day, right? If it is Thursday, it must be dump day. And it is Thursday here and in Hollywood. Zooey Deschanel splits from her hubby and Martha Stewart gets the boot from TV. Those stories today.
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HAMMER: Mayday to Martha. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has just learned that Martha Stewart`s daytime show on the Hallmark Network has been cancelled due to poor ratings. What is Martha to do after her show wraps? According to her company and Hallmark, they are in discussions about potential new programming and concepts for daytime.
The new girl calls it quits. Zooey Deschanel filed for divorce from rocker husband. According to the documents Zooey filed on December 27 in Los Angeles. Zooey, who was just nominated for a golden globe for her role in the hit TV show "New Girl" married the front man for Death Cab for Cutie in 2009.
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HAMMER: "Come on down." Yes, you know the famous phrase from price it right. Tonight that is about to be replaced by the screams of "Man down, man down."
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HAMMER: Wow, imagine that. Crew carey getting most exuberant and awesome contestant greeting ever. Drew wasn`t the only person in danger. You have got to see which other big star this tiny woman tackled to the ground on national television.
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.
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HAMMER: The price is crazy. And it is tonight`s SHOWBIZ viral video. You got to see this. When contestants hear those immortal words, "Come on down," on "The Price is Right," they know they are getting the shot of a lifetime, right? But it Drew Carey, the show`s host, who got a shot all right, a shot to the gut. You see when Destiny Ramsey bolted onstage to play the iconic game show, she was so filled with glee, apparently, that she attacked Drew, and she mauled Neil Patrick Harris, who was a guest on the show. Watch what happened.
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DREW CAREY, HOST, "THE PRICE IS RIGHT": The future Mrs. Carey right here, That`s who this is. Say hello to Neil Patrick Harris, won`t you?
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CAREY: Yes! That`s what I`m talking about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You OK?
CAREY: Yes, great. I`m great.
Let me show you, Neil Patrick Harris won $19,471 for the Marine Frazier Foundation. George, what is she going to win?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We`re going to send destiny on a trip to Portugal.
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HAMMER: Yes. She was jumping up and down, but unfortunately Destiny did the win that fabulous trip to Portugal and she lost the showcase showdown which included a walk-on role own Neil`s show "How I Met Your Mother". This is obviously a mother who has no issues of getting in someone`s personal space. Destiny, your crazy stunt did win you a spot on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And I have to tell you, I kind of understand what she goes through, because every day here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- please, OK. OK. We get it. He is so excited to see me every day and I have to deal with that. Not just you destiny and Neil Patrick Harris and Drew Carey.
Is Maria Shriver ready to put a ring back on for Arnold? Tonight we will show that you huge ring she is sporting next.
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HAMMER: Everybody`s been going nuts about the news that Maria Shriver may be calling off her divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger. Should she? Shouldn`t she? And the speculation just exploded this week when Maria was spotted wearing a ring on her left hand.
Tonight the Maria mystery is solved. The ring belonged to her late mother, Eunice Shriver, who just died last year, and Maria has been wearing the ring in her memory. As for rumors about an Arnold and Maria reunion, a source tells "People" magazine, quote, "The reports of a reconciliation are not true."
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thanks for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You can always catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Sunday through Friday at 11:00 p.m. eastern and pacific. And of course that`s right here on HLN.
Stay right here for "Dr. Drew" coming up next. Tonight, what is Casey Anthony trying to prove with her shocking video diary? Dr. Drew talks to people close to her to find out. "Dr. Drew" starts right now.
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