Return to Transcripts main page
Showbiz Tonight
Katie Holmes` Final Days with Tom Cruise; Luke Bryan`s "Cheating Scandal"; Susan Boyle`s Neighbors Want Her to Shut Up; "Mockingjay" Double Whammy
Aired July 11, 2012 - 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: Brand-new secrets revealed today about the Tom-Kat split. What really happened with Katie Holmes during her final days married to Tom Cruise? Her secret escape plan? Plus, the bombshell phone call that ended it all.
(MUSIC)
Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight, SHOWBIZ investigates the Tom Cruise connection to the church of scientology and why stars like him are so important to the church.
Tom`s divorce from Katie Holmes has raised new questions about how stars like Cruise are recruited to join the church.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter went to Montreal, Canada to get some answers. And that`s where she met with the woman who used to run the church`s operation that focused on getting big stars to join.
That is until, she says, she became disillusioned with the church and left. And I can tell you that what Kareen found out - it is just fascinating. I urge you to watch this very carefully as SHOWBIZ investigates the Cruise connection.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Being a scientologist, you look at somebody and know absolutely that you can help them.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Church of Scientology`s close connection to celebrities like Tom Cruise is no accident. Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard believed celebrities could boost the church`s fortunes.
KAREN PRESSLEY, FORMER SCIENTOLOGIST: Hubbard wrote a policy years ago back in the `70s that the way to reinvigorate the church was to recruit big names. The purpose of it is to add credibility to the church`s beliefs and get more people to join.
WYNTER: Ex-scientologist Karen Pressley ran the church`s celebrity center in Hollywood in the late 1980s before quitting scientology in 1998. She says priority one was to pull in stars.
PRESSLEY: We lived and died over it.
WYNTER: Pressley told us in the `80s her team courted Demi Moore and Brad Pitt to no avail. They had better luck with another rising star.
(on camera): How big a fish was it to reel in Tom Cruise?
PRESSLEY: It was huge. I mean, there is no - is there a bigger name than Tom - than T.C.? We called him T.C.
WYNTER (voice-over): T.C. became a VIP in scientology in the church`s mind casting a glow with his star wattage. That earned him a salute from scientology`s leader in this video that leaked online.
But aligning itself so closely with celebrities has come at a price for the Church of Scientology. For every plug from another scientologist like John Travolta -
JOHN TRAVOLTA, ACTOR: I think it`s the most important movement on the planet.
WYNTER: Has come an unflattering headline. And for every shout out from Tom Cruise -
CRUISE: I think it`s a privilege to call yourself a scientologist.
WYNTER: There has been a cringe-worthy moment.
CRUISE: Do you know what Adderall is? Do you know Ritalin? Do you know now Ritalin is a street drug? Do you understand that?
MATT LAUER, CO-HOST, THE "TODAY" SHOW: The difference is -
CRUISE: Matt, Matt -
LAUER: This one -
CRUISE: Matt, I`m asking you a question.
WYNTER: A haggard Cruise appeared on NBC`s "Today" show in 2005 famously debating Matt Lauer over psychiatric drugs, an issue important to scientologists.
LAUER: Clearly, you`ve done the homework and you know the subject -
CRUISE: And you should. And you should do that also because just knowing people who are on Ritalin isn`t enough. You should be a little bit more responsible.
WYNTER: And the couch-jumping episode on "Oprah," in which Cruise proclaimed his love for Katie Holmes, made the actor, to many people, an object of ridicule.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
Now, the sudden implosion of his marriage to Holmes has created another public relations problem for the church.
PRESSLEY: It`s without a doubt a PR nightmare. I mean, to have their top two celebrities having marital problems to the extent that Katie wants this divorce is huge.
WYNTER: Scientology prides itself on providing couples with communication tools to succeed a marriage. The church`s celebrity center Web site states, "Whether applied to marital or personal relationships, to one`s family or career or simply one`s personal peace of mind, scientology changes conditions for the better."
Pressley says the Cruise-Holmes split pokes a hole in that claim.
PRESSLEY: This is Tom`s third divorce. What does that say about a scientologist, a senior level scientologist, like Tom, T.C.? What does it say about his ability to succeed in relationships? I think it`s a huge statement.
WYNTER: In response to our questions about the relationship of the church and celebrities, church spokeswoman, Kareen Powell, said in a statement, "The church does not speak about the beliefs and practices of parishioners."
Adding, "Scientology appeals to men and women in all walks of life as do other major religions. The perception that it uniquely appeals to those in the arts is a misperception conveyed by the media."
"There are as many reasons individuals turn to scientology as there are parishioners, but generally, scientology offers answers to age-old questions, spiritual awareness and greater ability because it provides tools they can use in life."
The end of the Cruise-Holmes divorce drama may come as a relief to the church, but it`s facing other challenges. Several former prominent scientologists have taken to waging a vigorous online campaign against the church.
Pressley says the high-level defections have pushed scientology to a crisis point.
PRESSLEY: I think it`s probably the most fragile that it`s ever been. I think that the church is hanging by a thread.
WYNTER: The church`s spokeswoman begs to differ telling CNN, quote, "The scientology religion is enjoying a period of tremendous growth with new churches opening throughout the world."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Great reporting there by SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter who`s joining me tonight from Hollywood.
So many questions over Tom Cruise`s divorce, his association with scientology and his career, how it`s all going to play out. And we just saw that now infamous moment with Tom Cruise ranting and raving to Matt Lauer about psychology and his staunch defense of scientology.
And Kareen, we all remember how his career suffered for years after that. Is there a sense though, now, that all this brand-new public speculation about the role scientology may have played in his divorce from Katie may actually hurt him again?
WYNTER: Well, A.J., let`s put it this way, right? It certainly doesn`t help. This is Cruise`s third divorce within the church, one that, you know, really could have turned out so messy.
] Thank goodness it was settled at lightning speed and didn`t really turn at all into a public spectacle. But you`ve got to wonder what`s going on behind scientology`s closed doors right now.
It`s an institution that prides itself on strong family, bonds, relationships. And as Karen Pressley said, this has to be a PR nightmare, disaster, not just to the church as it relates to their high-profile star, A.J., but for the actor himself, who has really spent the last several years kind of trying to rebuild his image.
HAMMER: Yes.
WYNTER: He had what seemed to be a perfect life with Katie, with Suri. That`s all been shattered. The people are wondering, was scientology to blame?
HAMMER: No, he was doing a great job. I remember sitting down with him not all that long ago and he seemed to be in such a great place. And I, quite frankly, was very happy for him.
We`re also joined tonight by "Inside Edition" correspondent, Megan Alexander. She is with me in New York.
What do you think, Megan? At the end of the day, does this hurt or maybe even help Tom Cruise? I mean, after all, you have to remember, we`re now going to move forward talking about a single Tom Cruise.
MEGAN ALEXANDER, CORRESPONDENT, "INSIDE EDITION": Right. Well, look, the conversation we`re having, this is what makes America great - freedom of religion. We can worship as we please.
But as people continue to kind of dig into scientology, these allegations of abuse and oppression, they`re disturbing to people.
So I think, at some point, Tom Cruise is going to have to give an interview. You know, I think he will need to discuss this. And it`s how he handles himself as he moves forward.
Kareen brought up some good points, relationships. It`s his third divorce. That is a problem. You know, that becomes an issue when people what went wrong.
So I think we`ll need to hear from him at some point. And David Miscavage - it will be interesting to hear from him as well as all this continues to come out.
HAMMER: And when Tom speaks, it will be interesting to see if we get the candid Tom Cruise that he has been really speaking out very candidly over the past couple of years.
It`s almost going to be very interesting to me to see who gets the bigger career bounce, Tom or Katie. Take a look at what we just asked in our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, who will have a better career post-split?
Look at this - 56 percent favored Katie, 44 percent said Tom would have the better career. What do you think, Megan?
ALEXANDER: A.J. I think this became a story of a mother rescuing her daughter, breaking free, if you will. The public was on Katie`s side. So I think, you know, the sky`s the limit for her.
Tom was already a huge megastar. But now, we`re excited to see where Katie is going. I think the public rests with Katie on this one, but the jury is still out. We will see what happens in the future.
HAMMER: I think Tom is going to be just fine.
ALEXANDER: You think?
HAMMER: Yes, I actually do. And I do think it will give a nice little boost for Katie because she`ll now be able to re-establish herself other than as Mrs. Tom Cruise. Megan, Kareen, thank you both.
Well, we might never know what role scientology, if any, truly played in Tom and Katie`s divorce. But tonight, we`re revealing some of the remarkable secrets of Katie`s detailed divorce plan.
The secret cell phone. Katie`s dad`s role in her escape plan while Katie was on the other side of the globe. Plus, the bombshell phone call that ended it all.
Also this - possibly the cutest "Call Me Maybe" viral video ever.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hey, you know, I`m like anybody. I love the Cookie Monster. But seriously, when will this "Maybe" madness end?
That question has everyone buzzing today. We`re counting down the top five biggest buzz makers. It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s top five countdown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Reality show rescue. A young boy credits reality TV with saving his life after he was attacked by an alligator.
Kaleb Langdale was swimming in a Florida lake when, out of nowhere, a 10- foot gator was on his tail. Well, to avoid getting bitten or worse, the 17-year-old tried to grab the skin under the alligator`s neck, a dangerous but potentially life-saving move that he learned on his favorite reality TV show, "Swamp People."
Now, unfortunately, the alligator chomped on the teenager`s right arm. The boy eventually freed himself. Part of his arm was left in the jaws of the animal.
But listen to this - Kaleb says he will be back in the water as soon as his arm heals. And the show that quite possibly saved his life, "Swamp People," airs their season finale tomorrow night on the History Channel.
Well, coming up next, Kellie Pickler - from contestant to the "American Idol" judge`s table?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Can I get a round of applause in here? That is not easy to do. Country music superstar and former "American Idol" contestant, Kellie Pickler there, belting out "God Bless America" last night during baseball`s all-star game in Kansas City.
And wow, I mean, she was just amazing. We`re thrilled that the amazing Kellie Pickler is here with us tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
America fell in love with the amazing Kellie Pickler when she was on "American Idol." That was all the way back in 2006. Since then, she has become a country music superstar.
So with all the speculation going on lately about all new "American Idol" judges that could be coming around, I wonder if Kellie would ever consider being a judge.
Joining me in New York for the SHOWBIZ newsmaker interview, Kellie Pickler, who has had a very busy time, among other things, working on a very important campaign with ConAgra Foods to make sure kids do not go hungry. It is called Hunger-Free Summer. Great to see you.
KELLIE PICKLER, SINGER: Yes. Good to see you again.
HAMMER: And wow, you nailed it last night.
PICKLER: Oh, gosh. Thank you.
HAMMER: And we`re just talking about how tough that is. Luke Bryan sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at the all-star game. And today, he`s had to answer critics saying that he had to check his hand for a couple of the lyrics during the song.
He had written down a few keywords from the lyrics and people have kind of been going after him today. He apologized. He said it was still from the heart.
PICKLER: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: Do you think it`s unfairly - unfair to criticize him? Because he said he just didn`t want to mess up. You know how hard that is.
PICKLER: Oh, yes. You know, regardless of what he did, people are always going to be - there`s always going to be people pulling for you and there`s always going to be those people that are just mean.
And Luke is a really great guy. And he - I mean, I didn`t realize that. I was sitting up in the stands watching so I couldn`t see. I could just hear.
But that`s a hard song to sing. There`s a lot of people there. And you know, a lot of times the people who are being bullies and picking at whoever, they wouldn`t be out there doing that.
HAMMER: Have you ever written lyrics on your hand, though? I was surprised to hear that. I`m happy he - I would do that if it helped me in a high-pressure situation.
PICKLER: Yes. I`ve never written the lyrics on my hands, but I know that there`s teleprompters and stuff at, you know, different sporting events for, I mean, people that sing the anthem or whatever.
HAMMER: People should cut him a break?
PICKLER: Yes. He`s a great guy and - so what?
HAMMER: Yes, so what.
PICKLER: He`s a really great guy and he sung his butt off. It was all about the game and having a good time, so people just need to quit being so - don`t be a bully.
HAMMER: Don`t be a bully.
PICKLER: Don`t be mean. Just be nice.
HAMMER: Let`s talk about another game that`s going on. People are making sport over talking about who is going to be a new judge on "American Idol" should they be bringing new judges in.
PICKLER: Again?
HAMMER: Yes.
PICKLER: See, I`m so out of the loop.
HAMMER: No, no. Once again, they don`t have - you know, it`s not a done deal that J. Lo is going to come back. It`s not a done deal that Steven Tyler is going to come back.
PICKLER: Oh, really? OK.
HAMMER: So names are being thrown around. Adam Lambert is one of the key names that`s being tossed around right now. I think he`d be terrific. But you are a former "Idol" contestant.
PICKLER: I do not want to be a judge.
HAMMER: No, it`s not for you?
PICKLER: No. Look, all I`ve ever wanted to do is live on a tour bus and be a country singer. All I want to do is sing my song. So I don`t want to tell anybody else what to sing. I don`t want to tell anybody else what to do. I just want to do my thing and sing my song.
HAMMER: All right. Well, we`ve talked about before what a great launching pad "Idol" was for you and your amazing career that you`re now having.
But there is one particular singer - not singer but artist who is not a big fan of the reality singing shows and that is the legendary former Guns and Roses guitarist slash. Now, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there with -
PICKLER: I love -
HAMMER: With Slash - you`re a fan?
PICKLER: Oh, yes.
HAMMER: Let me play what he has to say about shows like "American Idol" because he has been asked to do these reality singing shows before and he says he won`t do them. And here`s why.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLASH, GUITARIST, GUNS AND ROSES: I don`t relate to it. And I hate to have to use it as a stepping stone to be able to get where I want to go, you know. So I avoid it at all costs.
For younger people, it seems like the - you know, the golden, you know, road to success and so on. But it comes at a huge price, because you give up all sense of integrity and you`re at the mercy of the producers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean, would you agree with that? Did you ever feel like you had to give up all your control to the producers?
PICKLER: Well, I mean, first of all, to be able to be a part of that show - and I speak for myself. First of all, I love Slash. I`ve always been a big fan. And I read his book. Huge fan. But I can only speak for myself. I cannot complain about it.
HAMMER: It`s worked for you. It`s given you.
PICKLER: You don`t bite the hand that feeds you.
HAMMER: It`s given you a terrific platform to do things like you`re doing this summer.
PICKLER: Yes.
HAMMER: To help children who are hungry in this country.
PICKLER: Absolutely.
HAMMER: What are you doing?
PICKLER: Well, I partnered up with ConAgra Foods and Feeding America which is - they have this wonderful campaign, the Hunger-Free Summer.
And you can go to the ConAgra Foods Facebook page to find out all the information, and it`s really simple. Go to ConAgra foods Facebook page and download the "Hunger Avengers" activity booklet, absolutely free. It will keep your kids entertained for a quick minute. And a free meal will be given to a child in need here in the U.S.
HAMMER: That`s amazing.
PICKLER: So I really - I love what they`re doing and I`m very honored to be part of it.
HAMMER: Well, good for you. I love what you`re doing. It`s always great to see you, Kellie.
PICKLER: Thank you.
HAMMER: Thank you for being here. And again, for more information on the Hunger Free Summer campaign, once again, logon to Facebook.com/ConAgraFoods.
Well, Susan Boyle`s voice captivated audiences around the world. We love here. There are a couple of people who are telling her to put a sock in it.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: How could you tire of that voice? We`ll tell you who is doing that. Plus, why the story is getting big buzz tonight. We`re counting down the top five biggest buzz makers. It`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s top five countdown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: There they are, the very first pictures revealed today by "People" magazine of Alec Baldwin`s marriage to Hilaria Thomas.
Tonight, Alec ties the knot. Alec married yoga instructor, Hilaria Thomas on June 30th. That was in New York City. We, of course, want to know all about it - the dress, the party, the guest list.
"People" magazine today revealed all of the details and those very first pictures of the big event. With me in New York, Carlos Greer, who is reporter for "People" magazine, great to see you, Carlos.
So let`s put this up right now. Take a look at the happy couple. I`m looking at Alec Baldwin there, seen in these pictures. He looks calmer than we`ve seen lately, a little more sedate. What can you tell me about this wedding?
CARLOS GREER, REPORTER, "PEOPLE" MAGAZINE: This wedding - I mean, Alec is madly in love with Hilaria. Like you said, he`s looking much calmer. He`s looking more fit.
He looks really amazing. He wore a Tom Ford tuxedo. She wore an Amsale gown. His daughter, Ireland, was the maid of honor. His co-star, Tina Fey - she attended as well as Woody Allen and Sun Yi and "SNL" produce Lorne Michaels was also a guest.
HAMMER: Was it a big guest list? Because I would imagine it wouldn`t be an enormous event, not his first marriage.
GREER: It wasn`t as enormous as his first marriage. There were about 175 guests, so it wasn`t a huge Hollywood wedding. It was a small wedding. Her family was there.
The ceremony was conducted in English and Spanish because she lived most of her life in Spain.
HAMMER: Right.
GREER: It was a small event.
HAMMER: And the age difference is something that a lot of people have made note of, you know, he being 26 years her senior. What, if anything, is she saying to "People" about this age difference? She said something.
GREER: Well, Hilaria - she told "People." She actually talked to "People" and said that she didn`t expect to fall in love with someone who is 26 years older than her, but you can`t control who you fall in love with and these two are madly in love.
HAMMER: Yes. It doesn`t seem like it`s going to be a big deal. She`s OK with it. He`s OK with it. Everybody is OK with it.
GREER: Everybody`s OK with that.
HAMMER: Now, what about children, of course? Sometimes, with the age difference, people wonder, is that something that`s going to happen? Do you see that happening?
GREER: Well, it sounds like it`s going to happen. You know, he told us that there`s no babies in the immediate future right now, But he would like to have a baby with her and he would like the baby to look like her.
HAMMER: Well, all right. We know he`s definitely in love with the way she looks.
GREER: He`s in love with her.
HAMMER: Carlos Greer, thank you so much. Really fascinating to hear about this. And you, too, can read all about Alec Baldwin`s wedding in "People" magazine. That issue is going to be on newsstands this Friday.
Here`s what`s coming up on the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. We`ve got the new secrets behind Tom and Katie`s split.
Just how did Katie Holmes drop her divorce bomb on Tom? Why she got a secret cell phone. Tonight, the inside scoop on Katie`s detailed escape plan. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Right now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, brand-new inside secrets of Tom- Kat`s divorce revealed. The startling details about Katie Holmes` escape plan from Tom Cruise, from her cell phone switcheroo to the bombshell call that rocked Tom`s world. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT blows the lid off the Tom-Kat divorce secrets.
And Cookie Monster goes viral.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
COOKIE MONSTER, "SESAME STREET" CHARACTER (singing): Hey, me just met you and this is crazy, but you got cookie so share it maybe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: V is for viral. And that`s good enough for everybody. Cookie covers Carly Rae Jepsen`s "Call Me Maybe," and, well, now, it`s everywhere.
So will Cookie Monster climb to the top of the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT top five countdown? Tonight, we`re counting down today`s biggest buzz makers, but who will be number one?
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. And tonight, secrets of the split. We learned absolutely amazing new details today about the story behind Katie Holmes walking out on Tom Cruise and divorcing him.
This is a story you`ve got to hear, really has some of the secrecy of a James Bond movie. There have been so many questions about how Katie pulled it off with Tom Cruise clueless.
How did she tell him their marriage was over? And the biggest question of all, why did she leave him?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) For all the shock and surprise that greeted Katie Holmes` decision to leave Tom Cruise, apparently, no one was more surprised than Tom Cruise himself.
CHARLOTTE TRIGGS, SENIOR WRITER, "PEOPLE": Tom Cruise knew nothing about any of this happening. He was completely in the dark.
HAMMER: The brand-new "People" magazine today revealed the latest secrets of the split, including the how and why behind Katie`s decision to leave Tom. First, the why.
TRIGGS: Although a lot of people would speculate that scientology was the real reason for the breakup here, it wasn`t really the only issue.
HAMMER: "People`s" Charlotte Triggs tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Katie was motivated by something much more important to her.
TRIGGS: She wanted to be sort of her own woman again.
HAMMER: When Katie started dating Cruise in 2005, she was a former "Dawson`s Creek" teen star with a promising indy film career.
But her new relationship and getting pregnant with her daughter, Suri, just five months after she and Cruise started dating put her once promising career on hold.
TRIGGS: She was disappointed in what her career became most recently. Katie watched actresses like Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams, who was on the show, "Dawson`s Creek" back in the day.
And she felt that their career is really what she wanted for herself. People didn`t want to hire her and have him on the set hanging around. And that was really a source of depression for her.
HAMMER: The brand-new "People" magazine revealed today that Katie ultimately got sick of being Mrs. Tom Cruise.
TRIGGS: According to sources, Katie Holmes was no longer living the life that she enjoyed. It took Katie a long time to come to this decision. But once she decided to divorce Tom, she was done and there was no turning back.
HAMMER: So in early June, "People" reports that Katie set in motion a month-long super-secret plan to leave Tom. Phase one, get a new apartment.
TRIGGS: In early June, Katie Holmes rented an apartment, telling Tom she needed it for security reasons.
HAMMER: Phase two, switch out her cell phone.
TRIGGS: While Katie was in China, her inner circle began changing her cell phones.
HAMMER: Phase three, keep up appearances with Tom.
TRIGGS: Katie and Suri visited Tom in Iceland on the set of his new movie on Father`s Day. Katie was very secretive.
And although she was already planning the divorce for a while now and had the ball in motion, Tom didn`t know. And she continued to say "I love you" on the phone when she spoke to him.
HAMMER: Phase four, rid herself of Tom`s inner circle with help from her attorney father.
TRIGGS: Two days before Katie filed for divorce, her father flew into New York City. He fired all the people around her that were employed by Tom Cruise.
HAMMER: And finally, on June 28th, "People" reports that Katie initiated the final phase of her plan, breaking the news for Tom that she was filing for divorce that day.
TRIGGS: Katie called Tom. He was on the set of his movie in Iceland. He was about to do a stunt. He was basically mortified and shocked.
HAMMER: Despite his apparent shock and sadness at Katie`s decision, Cruise recovered and quickly agreed to a divorce settlement with his soon-to-be ex-wife. They reached an agreement ON Monday, 11 days after she filed for divorce.
TRIGGS: Tom did not want this to turn into a long, protracted legal battle and he wants to remain close with his daughter.
HAMMER: Cruise reportedly will have ample visitation rights with six-year- old Suri, who will live with her mother in New York.
TRIGGS: Tom has not seen his daughter since Katie filed for divorce, but he does talk to her several times a day by phone.
HAMMER: "People`s" Charlotte Triggs tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Suri is adjusting as well as can be expected.
TRIGGS: According to sources, Suri is aware that changes are happening, but she`s doing well. She`s a great little girl and she has a good head on her shoulders. And as far as everyone can tell, she`s doing OK.
HAMMER: As for Katie, she`s frequently out and about in New York City. She`s reportedly about to star in a new movie that she co-wrote, playing a single mom, just as everyone is seeing a different side of her in her real- life role as a single mom.
TRIGGS: For a long time people thought Katie was basically a brainwashed Stepford wife, that she didn`t have any personality. In reality, that`s really not true. She`s a strong person. She has a feisty personality.
Obviously, this has been hard for Katie but she`s happy to be embarking in her life as a single mom and just have some measure of freedom back in her life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: It really is amazing to me how she pull this had off. Sounds like Katie had every T crossed and every I dotted before she even told Tom that she was leaving him.
So just how was Katie able to make it seem like everything was just fine in her marriage while she was secretly hatching her plan to end things with, really, the biggest movie star on the planet?
With me in New York, Carlos Greer, who is a reporter with "People" magazine. Also, in New York, Megan Alexander, a correspondent with "Inside Edition."
And Carlos, I must compliment "People" magazine. Great reporting in this new issue. It`s going to be on newsstands on Friday.
I`ve got to ask you though about the statement that Katie`s lawyers released. They said they were, quote, "thrilled for Katie and excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life."
And I get that statement. I get why they put it out. But I think a lot of people might have expected something a little more somber.
From what "People" has learned, is there any concern at all from Katie`s team that, you know, maybe the statement sounded too exuberant?
GREER: It is an exuberant statement, but you have to keep in mind Katie was unhappy in this marriage. She`s finally free. She wanted control of her career. She`s doing that. She wanted to live in New York.
She wanted to raise Suri. She got primary custody of Suri, and that was her goal. That was her main goal in this whole settlement and that`s what she got. So she`s very happy right now.
HAMMER: I guess I would have expected something like "we have love and respect for Tom," something like that. And from what we learned today with the statement, Megan, it almost sounds like, you know, maybe they were popping champagne in the secretly rented apartment that Katie Holmes got while she was planning the escape from Tom Cruise. Do you think it was a little too gleeful?
ALEXANDER: I think so. I think, normally, in divorce, it`s never a happy thing especially when a child is involved.
But let`s not forget what was going on here. Katie`s lawyers were going up against the powerhouse legal team of Tom Cruise as well as the Church of Scientology, which has admitted they have a billion-dollar PR war chest.
I think in legal circles, A.J., this was a huge victory, legally, for Katie`s attorneys and they`re happy.
HAMMER: Yes. I guess why not express it if that`s how they feel? And when you think about it, Suri is really the only thing that stands between Tom and Katie now that they`ve settled their divorce.
In "People`s" brand-new report today we learned that Tom still has not seen Suri since Katie`s dramatic exit. Carlos, is there any sense of when that might happen?
I can`t imagine how in the world it can happen without it being like this massive public spectacle.
GREER: Well, I mean, it`s been a spectacle. Katie has been photographed out in New York with Suri. But the pap has been following Suri since the day she was born.
Tom - he`s in California right now, filming "Oblivion." So he has generous visitation rights with Suri. That`s the settlement. That`s part of the settlement. So he`ll probably see her sooner than later.
HAMMER: Yes. Megan, I`m personally thinking Katie is the one who needs to plan this. She was able to pull off this mission impossible ambush divorce from Tom. It seems she has very good skills when it comes to putting things like this together.
ALEXANDER: I absolutely think so. I think everyone has been very impressed with how this worked. Again, this is Tom Cruise, where everything is controlled and a huge production and this big, ornate design.
So I think everyone is very impressed with how she did and will be watching her as she moves forward.
HAMMER: The world will be watching. For more on Tom-Kat`s shocking split, make sure you grab the new issue of "People" magazine. It`s going to be on newsstands this Friday. Carlos Greer, Megan Alexander, I thank you both.
Tonight, Susan Boyle`s voice unbearable?
(MUSIC)
The voice that turned Susan Boyle into a worldwide sensation sparks aggravation for her neighbors. Can you believe that? You`ve got to hear why some people are actually dreaming a dream of a quieter time gone by.
Will Susan Boyle be our number one buzziest story of the day? Or could Cookie Monster`s new ode to cookies take the top spot? Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is counting down the day`s biggest buzz makers. But who will be number one?
Big "Hunger Games" news tonight, too. I`ll tell you why you`ll be seeing double at the movie theater. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: That, of course, the beautiful voice that shocked the world when we first heard it. So why is it now driving Susan Boyle`s neighbors crazy?
Get ready for tonight`s SHOWBIZ top five countdown. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT countdown of the day`s biggest buzz makers. That includes Susan Boyle, who sold more than 14 million albums around the world.
But her next door neighbors are saying they never want to hear her voice again. Now, here`s their beef. They say Susan sings the same songs over and over and over and over again day and night.
Can`t wait to hear what country music star and former "American Idol" contestant, Kellie Pickler, thinks about that. Kelly is with me in New York tonight. She is a part of an amazing program with ConAgra Foods to help hungry kids in America get the meals they need.
And then, there`s also comedian Chuck Nice right there. Good to see you both. Let`s get straight to our top five countdown.
That throw-down with Susan Boyle`s neighbors - number five on our list. Susan says her neighbors are lashing out at her because she just filed a noise complaint against them for having all kinds of fights.
Kellie, how can anybody complain about Susan Boyle`s voice?
PICKLER: I don`t know. I really don`t. It`s beyond me. I really don`t get it.
HAMMER: It`s a bully thing, right?
PICKLER: Yes. I think so. Move!
HAMMER: Now, let`s find out from Chuck Nice, though. Chuck, if Susan Boyle were singing "I Dreamed a Dream" over and over and over again next door to you, would Chuck Nice become Chuck not-so-nice?
CHUCK NICE, COMEDIAN: I wouldn`t call the police. I would kill myself.
HAMMER: Does Chuck Nice become Chuck not-so-nice?
NICE: I would kill myself. That`s what I would do. I would not call the police. I would take my own life.
HAMMER: But she`s got a beautiful voice.
NICE: You know what? You know, I love eggs and I don`t want them breakfast, lunch and dinner, you know? That`s what I`m saying. And she does sing a little loud. Let`s be for real.
PICKLER: Do you think - well -
NICE: She has a big voice.
PICKLER: Well, that`s great. I mean, she`s doing so great for herself. Do you think they`re exaggerating, though?
NICE: Maybe. Maybe.
PICKLER: I think that could be blown out of proportion, you know.
HAMMER: All right. Let us go now from the voice that is irritating the neighbors to the song that is starting to irritate people around the world.
In at number four in tonight`s SHOWBIZ buzziest countdown, just when you thought it wasn`t possible to hear yet another cover version of Carly Rae Jepsen`s "Call Me Maybe" comes this. It`s from Cookie Monster. Will the madness never end?
(MUSIC)
I love it personally. This is Cookie Monster, doing his "Call Me Maybe" cover. Now, Kellie, is it possible we can get too much of this song? Have you considered doing your own country version to take it viral?
PICKLER: To be honest, I`m more of a Tammy Wynette kind of a gal. I haven`t even heard of it.
HAMMER: You haven`t heard of this song?
NICE: That is awesome. That is great. This is an exclusive, a SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusive.
PICKLER: I`ve listened to Willy`s place, like I`m a Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard kind of a gal.
HAMMER: You haven`t turned on the American Top 40 in the past couple of months, have you?
PICKLER: No. I mean, I respect every format and I respect every artist and what they do. But I`m a Dolly Parton, die-hard Tammy Wynette kind of a girl.
NICE: I heard that Tammy Wynette is actually doing a cover of that song.
PICKLER: She`s dead so that`s kind of hard.
(CROSS TALK)
HAMMER: That`s a good shot. All right. Now, let`s leave the singing controversies behind and we get ready to reveal what`s number one on the SHOWBIZ top five countdown.
But first, at number three, the explosive controversy tonight over the official Olympic portraits. Now, look at these. The photographer who took them is getting slammed for bad lighting, awkward poses.
A lot of people are saying the pictures are an embarrassment of the Olympic team, especially when ESPN just released its own photo shoot, basically almost nude shots.
People are going gaga. What do you think, Chuck? You know, should they be swapping the pictures out here?
(CROSS TALK)
NICE: I`ve seen better glamour shots than that. You know, when you go to the mall and get - I don`t know. Why would you let a guy, a French guy take pictures of the American Olympians?
HAMMER: I would say -
NICE: Why would you do that?
HAMMER: There are people who are a little confused by it. The ESPN shots though - they are pretty terrific.
NICE: ESPN shots - they`re fantastic. The shots this guy took - I mean, they`re awful.
HAMMER: Stand by, Kellie, Chuck. We are getting ready to reveal number two and number one on the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT countdown. Think about it. Who should it be? Don`t say anything. It`s coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s counting down the day`s top five biggest buzz makers. Here`s where we are so far. Susan Boyle at number five, battling it out with her neighbors.
They say they`re tired of hearing her sing day and night. Can you imagine that?
And number four, Cookie Monster`s jumping on the viral video bandwagon with the latest of the never-ending covers of Carly Rey Jepsen`s "Call Me Maybe." We still love you, Cookie.
And at number three, it`s what some are calling the most awkward U.S. Olympic official photos ever taken. Pictures you`ve got to see for yourself.
We want to bring back country singing superstar Kellie Pickler and comedian Chuck Nice, and get next to what is next on our SHOWBIZ countdown.
It`s comedian Daniel Tosh. He is the star of Comedy Central`s Tosh.0, getting slammed today after making jokes about rape while performing at a Hollywood comedy club.
Tosh comes in at number two on our list after he reportedly joked about how a female heckler should be gang-raped, saying, "Rape jokes are always funny."
He has now apologized, sort of. Here is what he tweeted, "The point I was making before I was heckled is there are awful things in the world but you can still make jokes about them. #DeadBabies."
Chuck, as a fellow comedian, do rape jokes cross the line or would you defend Tosh here?
NICE: It`s called a joke. I mean, that`s why you`re in the comedy club because the things that are said are not literal. They are not meant to be taken seriously.
PICKLER: Not a politician.
NICE: Right. Is it over the line? Yes. Is it inappropriate? Yes. But that`s part of the comedy club experience.
And when you go to the coliseum, if you were an ancient Roman, you didn`t jump in when they were feeding Christians to the lions. You watched and you shut up.
So you don`t talk to the comedians unless you want to - that`s how they shut you up.
PICKLER: Also, she was heckling.
NICE: Right.
PICKLER: Oh, OK.
NICE: That`s what I`m saying.
HAMMER: And reportedly his suggestion was, wouldn`t it be funny if she got gang-raped right here in the club?
NICE: Someone else called out something about rape and THEN he said rape jokes are always funny. And she said they`re never funny and then he said that.
HAMMER: I`ll end it right here, because I don`t think any of this is funny and it`s kind of bringing me down, actually, so let`s get to our big reveal tonight, shall we?
PICKLER: Let`s stay positive.
HAMMER: Let`s be positive and get to number one on the SHOWBIZ top five countdown. The number one story getting the biggest buzz today - here it is.
At number one, hip-hop star, Frank Ocean - his brand-new album just came out, released a week early, just after he revealed that he`s gay.
The album is already number one in 10 countries around the world. In his TV debut this week on "The Jimmy Fallon Show," Frank even performed a new song about same-sex relationships. Let`s watch some of that together.
(MUSIC)
Unprecedented to see a big hip-hop artist singing about wanting to be with another guy. Kellie, you`re one of the biggest singing stars in this country. Does it really matter to fans what a star`s sexuality is?
PICKLER: It doesn`t to me. I can only speak for myself. I have so many friends and so many people that are so close to me that I consider family, that are gay. And I`m not. I don`t know what it`s like. So I - I love - I don`t - I`m not -
HAMMER: A lot of credit to him and this probably changes the face of hip- hop forever.
NICE: I`m so happy that this guy actually came out and said, "Look, this is the deal. You know, this is who I am. It`s high time people are just able to be who they are without being judged.
PICKLER: Yes, totally.
NICE: I think it`s great. I`m looking forward to more gay rappers. Matter of fact, I might come out of the closet myself.
PICKLER: Hey!
HAMMER: You work on your statement. Chuck and Kellie, great to see you both. Kellie is doing amazing work, by the way, with ConAgra, helping hungry kids in America get the meals they need. Check out their Facebook page. Thanks, guys.
Shakespeare, Hemmingway and R. Kelly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARY OLDMAN, ACTOR: I don`t need the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Just to know you want to work with me. That`s enough. We`ll just let it do what it do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Oscar-nominated actor, Gary Oldman, transforms the singer`s autobiography into a literary masterpiece. You`ve got to see this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Did you see this? It is a dramatic reading of a conversation featured in R. Kelly`s new autobiography. It`s performed by Oscar- nominated actor, Gary Oldman. Now, this happened on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." And you`ve got to watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLDMAN: Man, we need to do an album together. I would love to. I`m talking about a whole album, a whole concept, a big game-changing record. I`m going to send you some tracks, I said. I don`t need no tracks. Just need to know you want to work with me. That`s enough. We`ll just let it do what it do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Nice. Not quite Shakespeare, but sure sounds like it, coming from the great Gary Oldman.
Well, tonight, the legendary Peter O`Toole says goodbye to Hollywood. His heartfelt goodbye letter just revealed.
Plus, the "Hunger Games" double whammy finale, "The Mockingjay" two- part (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tops the buzz today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) Let the games continue. It`s official. Lionsgate has just announced "Mockingjay," the final book in Suzanne Collins` bestselling "Hunger Games" trilogy will be split into two films.
The "Hunger Games`" "Mockingjay Part One" will arrive on theaters on November 21st, 2014. And part two of the finale is set to hit screens in November 2015.
And that`s a wrap, Peter O`toole is saying goodbye to acting. The eight-time Academy Award nominee officially announced he was retiring from show business with a personal letter released by his rep.
"Dear all, it is time for me to chuck in the sponge, to retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me. It won`t come back."
"However, it`s my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one`s stay. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell."
Tonight, is it OK to sleep with a co-worker? Is flirting online really cheating? These questions are answered in a shocking new sex survey. Dr. Drew has that right now on HLN.
END
