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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
Jon and Kate Custody War; Kate Major to Become Lindsay Lohan`s Stepmom?; Sandra Bullock`s Sex Tape Denial; "Dancing with the Star" Beats "American Idol
Aired April 7, 2010 - 23:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Big news breaking today on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - the brand-new remarkable Jon and Kate custody war. Jon Gosselin`s startling claims today that Kate competing on "Dancing with the Stars" is hurting their eight kids. His dramatic move to get them back.
Mind-boggling news today that Jon Gosselin`s former girlfriend is set to become the stepmother of Lindsay Lohan. Let me say it again. Jon`s former girlfriend is set to become the stepmother of Lindsay Lohan. Is the end of the world near?
Sandra`s startling sex tape denial. Why did Sandra Bullock respond to reports there`s a sex tape of her and her no-good hubby? What she`s saying today and why it could show her marriage is over.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
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HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer, coming to you from New York City with big news breaking today - Jon`s "Dancing" diss. Yes, Jon Gosselin has apparently come to the conclusion his ex-wife, Kate dancing with the stars equals bad motherhood.
An absolutely ferocious war broke out today between Jon and Kate. Jon claiming Kate`s neglecting her eight kids so she can keep on dancing. I can tell you that Kate is safe again today although she came awfully close to getting kicked off the show last night.
Sure, it was a good thing that the 35-year-old Kate had an 80-year-old former astronaut around to do slightly worse than she did. So with Kate still on "Dancing with the Stars," Jon now has some fancy dancing to do himself trying to convince a judge that he should get full custody of their eight kids.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kate Gosselin and her partner Tony Dovolani --
HAMMER (voice-over): Kate Gosselin may be burning up the dance floor on "Dancing with the Stars," but now, she`s doing a bitter tango with her ex. Jon Gosselin is dragging Kate to court in a new custody fight over their eight adorable little kids. Jon`s reason --
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Jon says Kate is spending too much time dancing with the stars and not enough time parenting with the kids.
KATE GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: Please don`t squish the cereal in your anger.
JON GOSSELIN, REALITY TV STAR: I`m not squishing anything.
HAMMER: If you thought Jon and Kate bickered while they`re married, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you their brand-new custody and money battle could be epic.
J. GOSSELIN: Kate and I have decided to separate.
HAMMER: After Jon and Kate announced their split on their old reality show, the divorce settlement gave Kate primary custody of their kids who live in the family in Pennsylvania.
But in court papers filed today in Pennsylvania, Jon is now saying he should get primary custody because Kate`s "Dancing with the Stars" gig in L.A. has made her what Jon`s lawyer calls, a quote, "absentee mom."
JO PIAZZA, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Jon is claiming that Kate`s time with "Dancing with the Stars" has taken away from quality time with the children. And she`s been delegating her motherly duties to a staff of nannies and various assistants.
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HAMMER: And since Kate is raking in the money with her "Dancing with the Stars" appearance, her upcoming TLC show and soon-to-be-released book, Jon`s attorney says he wants the court to reduce Jon`s $20,000 a month child support payment.
PIAZZA: Jon`s been ordered to pay $20,000 a month in child support and I`m sorry he just can`t make that making an appearance local (INAUDIBLE).
HAMMER: Just this week, Kate admitted on "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" that "Dancing with the Stars" is keeping her from her kids.
K. GOSSELIN: One day, this week, during practice, I had a little meltdown while we were dancing. And I heard them upstairs. I just, like, started crying and I was, like, I just miss my kids.
HAMMER: But she says she`s ultimately doing the show to earn money for her family.
K. GOSSELIN: I am in a job that any work that comes my way in this job is most cost effective.
HAMMER: As for Jon`s new custody fight, Kate`s not commenting on it, but in a statement to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, she says, quote, "I am and always will be a mother first. But as a single working mom, I will do everything necessary to provide for my kids despite the opinions of others."
Kate`s attorney is even more blunt telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Jon`s action is, quote, "reckless." Since their split Kate`s definitely become a bigger star.
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Her time on "Dancing with the Stars" which reportedly pays in the $200,000 range, helped the show beat "American Idol" for the first time last week. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has learned that tomorrow, TLC will announce details of her new show. Kate recently told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she`s well aware of her personal ratings magic.
K. GOSSELIN: I know for whatever reason, love me, hate me, I do bring in the ratings for whatever reason.
HAMMER: As for Jon, well, he hasn`t been nearly as busy as his ex.
PIAZZA: Jon has been blocked by TLC from pursuing a lot of different projects. But Kate has this earning potential that Jon just doesn`t have.
HAMMER: So it looks like Kate is going to go from a ballroom dance to a courtroom duel. Another sad chapter in what was once an optimistic young family that seems to have been torn apart by the glare of Hollywood.
PIAZZA: It started out as a cute family. And essentially, they just turned into a mini-corporation. This has the potential to get ridiculously nasty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Yes, I think it`s pretty safe to say that this new Jon and Kate battle is already pretty nasty. But the controversial question here is, does Jon Gosselin actually have a legitimate gripe or is he just taking an unfair swipe really at working moms everywhere?
With me in New York tonight is Midwin Charles who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on Tru TV. Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
OK. So late today, Jon Gosselin`s attorney filed the papers for primary custody of his eight kids claiming Kate is an absentee mom so he should have more time with the kids.
Midwin, I`ve got the court documents right here. You`ve had a chance to peruse these things. I think this claim is ridiculous. I`m not an attorney. You saw the document. Does he have in kind of a legitimate claim that would hold up in court?
MIDWIN CHARLES, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": Well, based on what we know right now with respect to Kate being on "Dancing with the Stars," I don`t think he has enough, unless there`s more he`s not telling us. She installed a dance studio in her basement in her house so she could be with her kids.
HAMMER: Right.
CHARLES: And at the end of the day, if he watches the show, he`ll know she won`t be on there much longer.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s also true. And it seems to me that she has done everything right as far as we`re able to see in terms of how she`s structured her life with the show.
Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT just spoke with Jon Gosselin`s lawyer late today. He tells us Kate is not doing the job of good mother because, among other things, she`s looking for fame.
Listen to what he tells us, "She has focused her entire attention on creating a name for herself in the showbiz world; part of the package that promotes that image is the children. It`s the fact that she has eight children that gives her the uniqueness."
Really? You know, the way I see it, Jon`s uniqueness also comes from fact he has those same eight kids and he`s also trying to make a name for himself in showbiz. I mean, Ben, I see this as wildly hypocritical.
BEN WIDDICOMBE, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: Well, you know, I think the legal filing is opportunistic. And I think it`s tactical more than anything else. I think its role really is just to put some pressure on the other side.
But also, it`s a little self-defeating because if Kate is the one in that whole arrangement that ends up making the money, that`s good for all parties. Because then, Jon can use that to maybe lower his own payments of spousal support and family support and maybe even go after her for money. So really, if Kate`s bringing in the money, it`s not so bad for him.
HAMMER: It`s almost like he shoots himself in the foot with this thing. Well, Jon`s attorney went on to tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT that Jon`s only suing Kate because he`s focused on spending as much time as possible with his kids.
Jon`s attorney telling us today, "Jon really wants to be their father and he wants an opportunity to spend the time that he can and is available to do. The children are his top priority and she is standing in his way."
Midwin, what about that? If Kate isn`t at home to be with the kids as much as Jon could be, doesn`t he have a legitimate reason in that to fight for more custody?
CHARLES: Well, he has a legitimate concern if he wants to spend more time with the children and she`s putting up road blocks and preventing him from doing that - of course.
Absolutely, he has every right to see his children. He`s the father. She doesn`t have sole custody. She`s a primary caregiver. So of course, if he wants to see them, he should be allowed to do so.
HAMMER: Well, no surprise Kate has shot back at Jon`s claims that she`s an absentee mom. She tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT she`s trying to provide to her children and "Dancing with the Stars" is pay her a pretty, pretty penny. And that`s a point that`s not lost on Jon as we were just talking about.
Jon also wants the court to lower the amount of money that he pays for child support. So Ben, to your point, he`s trying to have it all here. But maybe he`s got a point with that given all that Kate is doing.
I want to take a look at this Jon versus Kate scorecard I`ve whipped together for you. Kate has a new book coming out. Jon, as far as I know, is not writing a thing. Kate is competing on one of the biggest shows on TV, "Dancing with the Stars." Jon is competing on - well, nothing. Kate has another new show in the works with TLC and Jon - no, zero.
Ben, I think he may have a case there at least to save some of whatever money he does have since Kate seems to be raking it in.
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I don`t think that he can really afford the $20,000 a month that he`s currently paying. And as your celebrity math showed just there, if Kate`s making more money, then it`s right that she should be bearing the financial burden of the family, maybe even, dare I say it, paying him.
I think people still have old-fashioned ideas that it`s the man who should pay the family. But really, he`s not earning and she is. There`s no reason why she shouldn`t pay.
HAMMER: Yes. You`re nodding your head, Midwin. Shouldn`t it be the breadwinner there? And he`s not even, at this point, asking for spousal support. He`s just looking to lower what he pays out.
CHARLES: Right. And at the end of the day, it`s going to be just a simple math equation here. Who makes the most? Who can afford to support who and what have you? Really, it should be straightforward here.
HAMMER: You know what they could do in the courtroom? They could take that little graphic I whipped together and use that with the exes there. And right there, the job`s done.
CHARLES: All right.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has taken care of it once again. All right. We also have this startling news today. Jon`s former girlfriend is set to become Lindsay Lohan`s stepmom. Yes, you heard me right. And this could be a sign of the apocalypse. Ben Widdicombe, Midwin Charles, I want you to stay right where you are.
All right. Now, I`d like to turn it over to you. It`s our exclusive SHOWBIZ TONIGHT poll - "Jon sues Kate: Should Kate pay Jon spousal support?" Think about it then vote at CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. You can also E-mail us at showbiztonight@cnn.com.
All right. Here`s something I definitely still don`t quite get. There are a lot of reports out there today there`s this Sandra Bullock- Jesse James sex tape. So why did Sandy respond so quickly and so firmly to these reports?
She`s totally denying them. I`m happy to hear that, but here`s the thing. What she said may reveal clues to whether or not her marriage is over. What Sandra is saying today.
Jessica Simpson`s naked face. The shocking new pictures revealed today. I`m talking no eyeliner, no lipstick, not even any of that goop in her hair. So we`ve got to ask, why did Jess go without makeup? 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 today.
TEXT: Eva Longoria "confused" by Nicollette Sheridan`s "Housewives" suit. Bristol Palin`s Candies` teen pregnancy prevention PSA released.
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BRISTOL PALIN, SARAH PALIN`S DAUGHTER: What if I didn`t have all these opportunities? Believe me, it wouldn`t be pretty.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. A big return for a major TV star battling cancer. And a superstar couple`s shocking split, and I am so bummed out by this one. All that and more in "The Buzz" today.
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(voice-over): Martina Navratilova`s cancer scare. The tennis legend has just revealed she has breast cancer.
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA, TENNIS CHAMPION: I have breast cancer. The good news is it`s DCIS which is a noninvasive form of breast cancer because it is just in that one breast. I`m OK and I`ll make a full recovery.
HAMMER: Navratilova has already undergone a lumpectomy and will begin radiation treatments in May.
Maura Tierney battles back from breast cancer. "TVGuide.com" reports the longtime "ER" star is returning to work and will resume her recurring role playing Denis Leary`s love interest on the hit FX drama, "Rescue Me." Tierney`s breast cancer diagnosis forced her to abandon a lead role in NBC`s new sitcom, "Parenthood."
Jim and Jenny`s shocking split. Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy have just revealed they are breaking up after five years together. The couple who had a public image of having a very stable relationship revealed their split on Twitter.
McCarthy writing that she will, quote, "always keep Jim as a leading man in my heart." And Carrey tweeted, quote, "I`m grateful for the many blessings we`ve shared, and I wish her the very best."
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Who would have thought Jim and Jenny would split? We love these guys together. Right now, in New York, Cathy Areu, who is the publisher for "Catalina" magazine.
Cathy, I am just shocked that Jim and Jenny split. They were really one of America`s great celebrity couples. I`ve gotten to know Jenny over the years. I was always so happy for her. She seemed happy. Hard to believe. Were you as shocked as I was?
CATHY AREU, PUBLISHER, "CATALINA" MAGAZINE: I wasn`t so shocked, but everyone is so shocked. Our readers are so shocked. They were the perfect couple. They were always all over each other and so in love.
And they recently explained what they did for each other on Valentine`s Day. And she once said that if he was missing his arms and his legs and was just a stump, she would love him no matter what.
HAMMER: She always has a nice way of putting things.
AREU: Yes.
HAMMER: And you know, it`s not the first time these two have split.
AREU: No.
HAMMER: Jenny McCarthy confessed to Oprah last year that she broke up with him once before and this was when her son Evan`s autism was at its worse. Watch what he said.
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JENNY MCCARTHY, ACTRESS: I said good-bye. And then after, you know, Evan started to recover, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And I told a story in my book where I`m holding, you know, my phone saying, "Do I text him?"
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": You texted him. What did you say?
MCCARTHY: I texted and said, "Is there still room on your sofa or has the seat been filled?"
WINFREY: Nice. Nice.
MCCARTHY: And then I waited and waited to hear that beep, beep going oh. And I heard the beep, beep and I picked up the phone. And it said, "Your seat will always be here."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. So that was nice enough. They got back together after that and - and I don`t know, Cathy. Should we hold out some hope of hopes that maybe they will wind up back together again? Or do you think this is it or something?
AREU: Rumor has it that they are still so physically into each other that that might draw them together. The physical love they have for each other actually might bring them back together.
Maybe they can ignore all the other things that happened in their lives. Maybe they had a fight and they will make up, you know. Makeup sex.
HAMMER: Yes. But this was the couple we didn`t think was going to break up. Should we just put aside any faith we have that Hollywood romance can last anymore?
AREU: They do say that five years in Hollywood - they are like dog years.
HAMMER: Fair enough.
AREU: They have been together 30 years. It was a long time. It was a long time.
HAMMER: You know, I just really wanted it to work.
AREU: I`m sorry, A.J.
HAMMER: Look, I don`t usually say this thing about Hollywood couples, but I like them both so much. Oh, well. Cathy Areu, thank you so much.
AREU: Thank you.
HAMMER: As we move on tonight, this is huge. "Dancing with the Stars" beats "American Idol" in the ratings. Wow. You know, this is the very first time that this happened since the two shows started going head to head.
So we`ve got to ask today, should the suits over at ABC actually be thanking Kate Gosselin for this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I know for whatever reason, love me, hate me, I do bring in the ratings for whatever reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, ever since I read today that Jon Gosselin`s ex- girlfriend is about to become Lindsay Lohan`s stepmom, well, I`ve been hoping to wake up. Maybe it`s just a really bad nightmare. But I`m sad to say, it`s not.
Also this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: I`m going to take off my jacket, guys. So if you want to do the same thing - it`s a little hot.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: But sometimes the crowd reacts as if he`s hot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It`s getting hot in here. So the president`s taking off some of his clothes. All right. Just his jacket. I hope I don`t get audited now. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Time now for the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Former KC and the Sunshine member pleads not guilty to charges of sex with teenage boys. Famous portrait of Michael Jackson up for auction on eBay, minimum bid is $2.75 million.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(SINGING)
HAMMER: Holy moly, listen to that guy belt out Whitney Houston`s version of "I Will Always Love You." Lin Yu Chun is the favorite to win the million dollar prize on Taiwan`s superstar new reality show. Now, this clip is making the rounds on YouTube today. He totally killed it.
(SINGING)
HAMMER: And so, here`s the deal. If this guy wins, he also gets a chance to put out an album. And now, Whitney Houston who, of course, made that song famous from the movie, "The Bodyguard" - she is not doing so well.
Today, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT learned Whitney postponed the first four shows of the European leg of her comeback tour because she has an upper respiratory infection.
A lot of you calling into "Showbiz on Call" today about the brand-new custody battle that`s going on right now between Jon and Kate Gosselin.
Now, Jon says Kate doing "Dancing with the Stars" is hurting their eight kids. We`ve got a call to "Showbiz on Call" from Cathy. Now, Cathy thinks Kate should hang up her dancing shoes.
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CALLER: I`m really tired of all the people who are voting for Kate Gosselin to stay on "Dancing with the Stars." Like, come on. She has two left feet and they don`t look that good. She looks ridiculous. The fun is over now. She needs to go home and look after her eight kids.
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HAMMER: Thank you so much for your call, Cathy. Now, Leanne doesn`t agree with you. She thinks that Jon is complaining so he can squeeze out a little more cash from Kate.
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CALLER: What does she do for a living right now? What paycheck does he have? He wants the kids so he can have the paycheck of having Kate pay him child support. That`s all. Go Kate.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks, Leanne. We`re hearing a lot of that today as well. Call me at "Showbiz on Call" about the whole new Jon and Kate battle or really anything else that has you fired up - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; that`s 1-888-728- 2899.
Here comes the SHOWBIZ lineup. This is what we`ve got at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Sandra`s startling sex tape denial. So why did Sandra Bullock respond to reports that there`s a sex tape of her and that no good hubby of hers? And did Sandra reveal any clues that her marriage is over?
The brand-new pictures out today of Jessica Simpson without any makeup on. I think she looks great, but why did she do it?
Jon Gosselin`s former girlfriend is going to be Lindsay Lohan`s stepmom. And that is not a late April Fools` joke. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
This is the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Robin Thicke and wife Paula Patton welcome their first child, a son named Julian Fuego. TLC revives "American Chopper" after the network just canceled it!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - startling news today that Jon Gosselin`s former girlfriend could become Lindsay Lohan`s new stepmom, seriously. And the blushing bride-to-be is barely four years older than Lindsay.
Sandra Bullock`s sex tape denial. Why did Sandra Bullock respond to reports there`s a sex tape of her and her no-good hubby. Does Sandy`s statement reveal her husband to Jesse James is over?
Dancing with the record ratings. "Dancing with the Stars" beats "American Idol." Could the key be Kate Gosselin?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I know, for whatever reason, love me, hate me, I do bring in the ratings for whatever reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, more stories breaking from the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker."
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
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HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with big breaking news today.
Right now, the absolutely mind-boggling marriage news about Lindsay Lohan`s dad, Michael. Is Lindsay Lohan really about to welcome a new stepmom, maybe even a step baby sister or brother into her life?
Yes, you heard me right. Lindsay`s 49-year-old dad, Michael Lohan, has asked former tabloid reporter, Kate Major, to marry him. Now, keep in mind this is the same Kate Major who famously fell for Jon Gosselin and even quit her day job to be with Jon. Today, we have Lindsay`s very first reaction to the news.
And in more big news breaking today, Sandra Bullock`s big denial today of reports of a sex tape with her and her cheating louse husband, Jesse James. She says there is no sex tape. There never will be a sex tape. It`s the first time we are hearing from Sandra since this whole marriage mess started to unfold. But is Sandra trying to tell us something else here?
With me in New York is Midwin Charles who is a legal contributor for "In Session" on TruTV. Also in New York, Ben Widdicombe, who is a celebrity journalist.
All right. I`ve got to begin with this mind-boggling news today Jon Gosselin`s ex-girlfriend is going to be Lindsay Lohan`s stepmom. Now, please allow me to just say that again because you have to hear this out.
Jon Gosselin`s ex-girlfriend is going to be Lindsay Lohan`s stepmom. Now, Lindsay`s dad, Michael Lohan, telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT late today, "All I can say is that I have found closure with my past relationship, and I thank God that I have met someone with no baggage. Kate is a wonderful person and somebody who has been there for me through thick and thin."
Midwin, I hear that, and I think Armageddon is indeed upon us.
CHARLES: Well, initially, when I heard this, I thought, what a major mistake, right? But perhaps these two deserve each other.
HAMMER: Yes.
CHARLES: Isn`t that right?
HAMMER: You could be on to something there. Or else this could be a ploy for the greatest reality show ever, I`m just saying.
CHARLES: Another 15 seconds of fame.
HAMMER: Now, Kate Major, the fiancee to Michael Lohan, Lindsay`s dad, over the moon. She`s joyful about the news. This is what she tells "People" magazine, "I`m ecstatic. I`m very happy. Michael and I have known each other for four years, and it`s meant to be."
All right. Ben Widdicombe, you worked with Kate Major. Is there any surprise at all that this former tabloid reporter is marrying a major tabloid star?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I am quite surprised. You know, Kate and Lindsay Lohan actually go way back. Kate was great friends with Lindsay in Los Angeles. She acted in minor, setting some kind of a system capacity.
She may have just been a sort of key member of the entourage. But certainly, she would drive Lindsay and she would do the sort of things an assistant would do even if they were close friends.
So her association with Michael goes back to that. So in effect, really, if Kate marries Michael, it`s Lindsay`s older sister marrying her dad. So I think that is contributing to the kind of weirdness about the whole thing.
HAMMER: Well, you are confusing me. I`m sorry, Ben. You`re just confusing me. Yes. And as far as the kids, Lindsay`s dad is actually pretty sure that the kids will be cool with this news.
This is what he tells SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about that, "Just like they want their mother to get on with their life and be happy, I`m sure they want me to be happy as well."
Well, Michael, here`s how Lindsay really feels. When a reporter from "UsMagazine.com" broke the news to Lindsay, she replied this - are you ready? "I`m going to vomit. I so didn`t need that info. Yuck."
Now, as you mentioned there, Ben, Michael told us today Lindsay and his new fiancee were once friends. Midwin, I`ve got to tell you, I wouldn`t blame Lindsay one bit if this was more than a little weird for her. I mean, come on.
CHARLES: Well, as Ben mentioned, you know, she was part of the entourage. And actually, there`s the age difference, right? Kate Major`s only about maybe four years older than Lindsay.
HAMMER: Just --
CHARLES: Barely, right? Just four years - just a little bit. And so I can imagine how odd and awkward that would be for her.
HAMMER: You know, I mentioned a moment ago I was getting very confused about the whole thing. This story is so weird and it is so twisted. I actually asked our stupendous SHOWBIZ TONIGHT bombshell flowchart unit - you may not have known we have such a unit.
I wanted them to put this into terms that we all could understand today. It appears that if Jon Gosselin had only stayed true to Kate Major, Kate could have become stepmom to the little eight kids of the Gosselins.
Instead, Kate Major is now going to be stepmom to Lindsay Lohan. Did that help at all? Ben, do you see Michael`s soon-to-be wife who, again, is only just about four years older than Lindsay Lohan.
Do you see her giving Lindsay perhaps, you know, some motherly advice, maybe help her get her life back on track?
WIDDICOMBE: Yes. Not really. I think she perhaps would have given her that impression already if she was going to give her any.
But you know, Michael Lohan has a rocky history of relationships himself. It was reported that he was engaged to his last girlfriend by "OK" magazine. So whether these two actually make it to the altar by the end of the year as Kate says they will kind of remains to be seen.
HAMMER: All right. If Lindsay is going to vomit as she said after hearing the news that her father is marrying Jon Gosselin`s ex, I`m afraid to think about what she might do when she gets a load of this.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT asked Michael today, if - I don`t know - perhaps kids are in his future with his soon-to-be bride. Here`s what he told us about that, "Look, I`m not going to deprive Kate from having children. She wants children and I can`t deprive her of that. I told her, one is enough."
Midwin, I`m guessing Lindsay won`t be signing up for diaper duty if they have kids.
CHARLES: And I don`t think she`ll be at the baby shower either.
HAMMER: All right. So let`s move on, shall we? Maybe, you know, could you get the Purell for me, Jay? Thanks.
We have the brand new denial by Sandra Bullock that has been making headlines all day today. In a statement to "People" magazine, Sandra Bullock is fighting back the online reports that a sex tape of her and Jesse exists.
Here is what she says, "There is no sex tape. There never has been one and there never will be one." I`ve got to say when I first read the statement, part of me thought that where Sandra says about the sex tape that there never will be one, perhaps she`s saying, "I just want to affirm to everybody our marriage is over." Ben, how do you see it?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I don`t know. I don`t know whether I would take that assumption from it necessarily. I think she`s just saying she`s not the kind of trashy person who would make a sex tape.
And you know, it`s hard to know whether this kind of thing exists. I would have thought there was no chance that John Edwards would make a sex tape and look, he did. So maybe there`s one. Who knows?
HAMMER: But what do you think about that, Midwin? Is there any chance that Sandra, in her first time speaking out, is sort of subtly saying to all of us, "Hey, you know, not even an opportunity that this will ever happen again because I`m never going to see the dude again"?
CHARLES: You know, I agree with Ben. I think her reason of coming out and making the statement is just to show her pure outrage at the idea that some would even think she`d be associated with a sex tape.
HAMMER: Now, as I mentioned, this is the very first time that we are hearing word one from Sandra Bullock. And that struck me as curious. All this drama has been going on for a month now and Sandra has remained understandably very quiet.
But the reports come out about a sex tape. Suddenly, she chooses this opportunity to speak out and speak out in a very pointed way. Ben, why do you think she seized this moment?
WIDDICOMBE: Well, I think she has to do damage control at this point. This kind of rumor can really fester on the Internet that she might have a sex tape out there. So I think that her personal dignity requires her to at least say that much.
But she really hasn`t given us clear signal about whether she will or won`t try to work on her marriage with Jesse James.
HAMMER: Right. But again - and I understand she may want to set the record straight specifically about the sex tape. But it seems to me there were a whole lot of other things that - I don`t know - could have been even higher on the priority list maybe because this is just so disgusting, the thought of it to her.
CHARLES: I think so. And you know, with all the information we have heard recently with Rielle Hunter`s sex tape and the like, I think she was probably just feeling so eww about this. But she felt she ought to say something about it.
HAMMER: Yes. I mean, that`s the thing. Everything else was pretty much out of her control. He may have done some terrible things that had nothing to do with Sandra.
CHARLES: Exactly. Exactly.
HAMMER: This one dragged her into it. I can actually understand. But at the same time, as I said, I understand why she can keep completely silent at this time. Midwin Charles, Ben Widdicombe, I appreciate you both being here tonight.
Well, as we move on tonight, it`s the "Dancing with the Stars"- "American Idol" smack down. Just in today, for the very first time, "Dancing" beats the ratings king. But today we`ve got to ask, is the reason for "Dancing`s" history-making win the Kate factor? Is America`s love affair with Kate Gosselin actually behind the ratings boost?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I know for whatever reason, love me, hate me, I do bring in the ratings for whatever reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Jessica Simpson`s naked face. Yes, the remarkable pictures revealed today and why Jess volunteered to take off all her makeup.
Also, President Obama is taking off his coat.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: I`m going to take off my jacket, guys. So if you want to do the same thing - it`s a little hot.
MOOS: And sometimes, the crowd reacts as if he`s hot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why President Obama`s coat and what he does with it has developed a rock-star-like fan club of its own. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - these are more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: George Clooney denies that he has split up with girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis. "O" what a b`day! Oprah Winfrey reveals the 10th anniversary cover of "O" magazine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Jessica Simpson`s new nude photo. She has stripped off all of her makeup. Jessica is on the May issue of "Marie Claire," with the headline that reads "No Makeup, No Retouching, No Regrets." Wow, no kidding. I do think she looks just stunning here. And that`s really no surprise. But what is surprising is the reason Jessica took it all off.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. You know, Jessica has been all about inner beauty since she`s been traveling the globe for her VH1 show, "The Price of Beauty" where she talks to women about their unique beauty rituals.
Jessica`s looks, specifically her weight, have really been under nonstop scrutiny. But it seems like Jess is over that now. Here`s what she tells "Marie Claire" about that, "I don`t have anything to prove anymore. What other people think of me is not my business."
Well said. Well, I saw the entire spread in the magazine today. I don`t think Jessica has ever looked more radiant. So well done, Jessica. The May issue of "Marie Claire" on sale right now.
The "Dancing with the Stars"-"American Idol" smackdown. "Dancing" wins the ratings war over "Idol." So the question is, is "Idol" now clearly in trouble?
And brand-new "Dancing" controversy today. Could Kate Gosselin`s outrageous personal life be the reason that "Dancing`s" dominating?
And look out Sarah Palin, Tina Fey is hosting "Saturday Night Live." But will she return as Sarah Palin? You remember this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TINA FEY, ACTRESS (as Sarah Palin): And I can see Russia from my house.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I hope she does it. You`ve got to hear what Tina just revealed to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about her big Palin plans.
With me right now in New York is Cathy Areu who is the publisher of "Catalina" magazine. Also in New York, Jennifer Armstrong, who is a senior writer for "Entertainment Weekly."
What had to happen sooner or later - let`s break it down here. These are the numbers. "Dancing with the Stars" earned an estimated 23 million viewers last week while "American Idol`s" highest-rated show last week about 21.8 million viewers.
Now, personally, I don`t see this "Idol" loss as an ongoing thing necessarily. But Jennifer, let me start with you. Is this a sign that "Idol" perhaps has indeed lost its edge?
JENNIFER ARMSTRONG, SENIOR WRITER, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": You know, any sign of weakness on "Idol`s" part is cause for great celebration across the other networks. This is something they`ve been wanting to take down for some time. So it`s very exciting.
However, you know, it`s only a million viewers which, in the grand scheme of things, isn`t huge. And they have a much younger and more desirable demographic. So you know, not all is lost for "Idol."
HAMMER: Well, demographics all aside, you know that the people who are in the big offices there at the network are sitting around saying, But why is this happening? Well, it just so happens tabloid queen Kate Gosselin is on "Dancing with the Stars."
And of course, where there`s Kate, there`s drama. Her partner nearly quit on her. By all accounts, she`s a bad dancer. Somebody said to me, "Wow, she`s terrible." Yet she continues to escape elimination on the show.
I don`t think there`s any doubt that people want to see Kate whether they like her or not. And in fact, when SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Kate on the set of "Dancing with the Stars," she told us she agrees. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
K. GOSSELIN: I know for whatever reason, love me, hate me, I do bring in the ratings for whatever reason. And that is great because I just look at that as supporters.
I only choose to view them as supporters, and it`s - I`m a mom. I`m a mom, you know, dressed up in all of these crazy costumes and with the opportunity that a lot of moms would enjoy having.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, I`m happy to hear that Kate gets it. Love her, hate her, people are watching her. Actually, I think she`s a big part of the show`s success this season. Cathy, are you with me?
AREU: Agree.
HAMMER: Should "Dancing with the Stars" absolutely be thanking Kate for this ratings coup?
AREU: I totally agree. "TV Insider" called it the Gosselin effect. Put this woman on a reality show, you`re going to beat "American Idol." "American Idol" should ask her to be a judge, actually.
I think and their ratings would go right back up. We`re watching a custody battle. This man hates this woman. She goes on the air. She says to her children, "I love you" right before she dances. I mean, it`s perfect. It`s gold. None of the other dancers can do that before they go on.
HAMMER: Yes. Jennifer, do you think the folks over at Fox who have "American Idol," of course, are thinking that it`s Kate Gosselin that is causing all this problem for them?
ARMSTRONG: Yes, that could be a huge part of it. On top of which, you make a good point. You know, they have the judge switch over on "American Idol" this year which people may or may not be taking to very well. Plus, a kind of a weak contestant field across the board.
HAMMER: Yes.
ARMSTRONG: So it really does matter who you have on your show.
HAMMER: I bet Kate never thought she`d have quite this impact. I think she knew she was going to make a difference for them though.
All right. Let`s move on. This is another story just in today. Sarah Palin`s worst nightmare returns - Tina Fey hosting "Saturday Night Live." But will she unveil yet another brilliant Sarah Palin skit? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT caught up with Tina while Tina was promoting her new film, "Date Night." she told us about her Palin plans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PALIN: I`m sure we`ll attempt something about something. And let`s see if it makes it to the live show.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You made her more popular than she was at some point. So you might take some credit for that.
PALIN: No, no. She helped me, I think.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe you can return the favor and be on her reality show.
FEY: YES. Maybe they`ll hunt me in Alaska. I`ll be like the most dangerous game.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Yes. I don`t see Tina volunteering to be on Sarah Palin`s show. But a lot of people do blame Tina Fey`s impression for hurting Palin`s vice presidential campaign.
Now, as biting as the spoofs are, I think, at this point, they really can only help Palin`s popularity. Jennifer, are you with me that Sarah doesn`t have anything to worry about here?
ARMSTRONG: Absolutely. Here`s the thing. She`s in show business now. And all publicity is good publicity there, right? So I think she is going to only benefit from this if it happens.
HAMMER: Cathy, quickly. Are you right there with us?
AREU: I don`t agree. I think she should be afraid. I think she should be very afraid. Tina Fey`s funny. I mean, she makes fun of her. So be afraid.
HAMMER: I always enjoy it, looking forward to see what she does. Cathy Areu, Jennifer Armstrong, thanks. I appreciate it.
OK. President Obama`s passed health care. He`s working on the economy. So what does the leader of the free world do when he gets a little hot from dealing with all of these hot button issues? He strips off his jacket in public.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: I`m going to take off my jacket, guys. So if you want to do the same thing - it`s a little hot.
MOOS: Sometimes, the crowd reacts as if he`s hot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why President Obama`s suit jacket has developed a cult-like following. It`s crazy. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
Now, the "SHOWBIZ News Ticker" - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news today.
TEXT: Kirk Douglas pleads for leniency for jailed grandson Cameron Douglas. "Avatar" star Sam Worthington says director James Cameron is working on sequel.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: President Obama`s coat tales? Did you see this? The president`s coat is getting a lot of attention these days. That`s because he`s always taking it off. It seems the president is always getting a little hot under the collar and he`s not afraid to show a little skin. So what`s up with that?
Here`s CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Normally, rated PG, the presidential strip.
OBAMA: It`s a little warm in here.
MOOS: As the campaign to sell health care heated up -
OBAMA: It`s a little hot, I think.
MOOS: Off came the president`s jacket.
OBAMA: I`m going to take off my jacket, guys. So if you want to do the same thing - it`s a little hot.
MOOS: And sometimes, the crowd reacts as if he`s hot.
(CHEERS)
There`s no whistling at the president. Look how happy she looks.
(on camera): But then again, the crowd tends to cheer for anyone who takes off their jacket.
(voice-over): Watch how they reacted to Joe Biden.
JOE BIDEN, UNITED STATES VICE PRESIDENT: In my neighborhood - in my neighborhood --
MOOS: Though one snarky critic noted that at the exact moment Joe Biden took off his jacket, the Dow dropped four points.
BIDEN: In my neighborhood --
MOOS: Of course, no president took it off quite like Bill Clinton. In this JibJab video, George Bush`s crowd --
GEORGE BUSH, FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Do you think it`s all right if I take off my jacket?
CROWD: Yes.
MOOS: Tended to be more sedate about presidential stripping.
BUSH: Thanks for coming out. Hope I didn`t spill any sauce on my shirt after I had barbecue at the Whole Hog.
MOOS: Remember how Bush supporters went whole hog attacking President Obama for taking his jacket off in the Oval Office and even putting his feet up on the historic desk. But Obama defenders struck back with their own photos.
KEITH OLBERMANN, HOST, "COUNTDOWN": Same desk, different shoes. If you don`t recognize the guy, it`s George W. Bush.
MOOS (on camera): And then there`s the matter of what to do with the jacket.
(voice-over): President Obama either puts it on something or hands it to his aide, Reggie Love, along with his Blackberry or -
OBAMA: Joe, you want to hold my coat?
BIDEN: You answer all the tough questions. I`ll hold the coat.
MOOS: Just so it`s just the coat -
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Take it off. Take it all off. Nothing takes it off like -
MOOS: Obama.
OBAMA: Thank you, Portland!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I love you, Jeanne. That was CNN`s Jeanne Moos for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. There was one time that the president put on a jacket and it caused a fury. You might remember this. He was snapped wearing a weather proof brand jacket on the trip to China.
Well, the company that made that jacket used the image for a huge billboard in Times Square. The folks in the White House understandably didn`t care for that and they made the company strip that down.
That is it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. Thank you so much for watching. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT now live 5:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday. Don`t forget, every night, we are still TV`s most provocative entertainment news show and that`s seven days a week at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
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