Original subtitles

So, Crystal was by herself, and this is when your father came into the room?

What happened then?

He's leaning over her like he's going to help her with her homework or

something. But what he was really doing was looking down her dress.

How did your mother react to this?

Like it wasn't happening.

My mama should have been born one of them birds that stick their head in the

sand.

An ostrich.

Yeah, exactly.

She should have been born an ostrich.

So, your mother ignored

what was going on between Crystal and your father.

Yeah, just like always.

And then Daddy starts telling Crystal how pretty she is, how he bets that all

the boys can hardly keep their hands off of her, and how he was...

He'd be chasing after her, too.

Everything is so elaborate. I mean, at Margolis, we were all sort of shoehorned

into these cubbyholes.

Oh, Howard's show is a first -class ride. He insists on it. So does Sadie.

sure you don't need an appointment?

Trust me, it's better this way.

It's hot, ain't it? A real torture of the night.

A night like this ain't nothing better than an ice cream.

Hey, she has her father's mustache.

Yes, sir, he says.

Thank you.

Crystal over here. She says she's the same way.

When it gets hot and close and she gets to feeling sticky all over and all she

can think about is the ice cream and then the two of them, they go off

like they was on a date.

Okay, we've heard from Lucille Ann.

So there are two green rooms.

Ever since Sadie came on board, she likes to keep the opposing sides

so if there's a fight, it happens in front of the camera that's put back

You know what she calls them?

Holding hands.

Well,

we need some of the guests.

Terry, Sadie needs you on the floor. Okay, 30 seconds, Jimmy. Just give me 30

seconds. And remember, be honest with them. Tell them everything you told me.

They'll be with you every step of the way.

Oh, Terry. Not now. Waiter. Sorry.

Hi.

I'm Terry.

I'm Sadie's pupil. It's a little tense.

Yeah. Oh, I'm starting to feel like I should have stayed in Chicago.

Oh, come on. You belong right here in New York with me. All you got to do is

sell yourself to Sadie.

Come out quite right, did it?

When is she going to cry?

Cry? Damn it, Terry.

You want our audience surfing off to Oprah? I have told you, I want tears or

fight within the first segment.

Just between you and me.

...start to talk when you began spending time with a married man almost twice

your age. Sadie wants you to stay off Howard's back. His battery pack is

through his jacket.

Sadie wants you on the floor now. Okay.

Butt shots.

We need lots of butt shots.

Howard Grant is wired?

Sadie's idea.

He's got the cue cards, too.

He doesn't like him working with other men. When you're doing it, it's a five

-minute drive to the Dairy Queen, okay? You guys are going for it now. Ask him

why his wife didn't join him on the show.

I'm just falling apart. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Wait a second now, Randy. Hey, come

on. Folks, take a breath now. Wait just a second. Randy, question for you now.

Why didn't your wife join us on the show?

Take four.

Wasn't that Scarecrow here last week?

Hello. Are we interrupting your nap? Take three.

She's here every week.

How did she slip by Alan? Take two. Alan loves her. She has great questions.

Ready, four.

Take four. You are nothing but a slut. Okay, you're nothing but a slut. Well,

we're certainly not shy of our opinions here on the Howard Grant Show.

What happens when flirtation becomes seduction? When we come back, we'll

introduce you to a young woman with the answer.

Music up.

Okay,

you're up next.

Oh, I don't fucking do this.

Sure you can.

You're going to go out there, you're going to tell your story, and you're

to feel a whole lot better for it afterward.

I've seen it over and over.

People hold a thing inside, it eats away at them. They come on the show, they

get it out in the open, they get rid of it.

Oh, I don't know.

It's going to be fine. I'll be right there, and I'll support you all the way.

But remember, you've got to get the audience on your side, so be honest.

them everything you told me, okay?

Okay. Okay, good.

Look, Dad, you're not even listening to me. I am, and I want to hear your side

of the story, but this isn't the time. Dad, I am not one of your guests, and

not going to let you talk to me like that.

Ted. Dad, just do the show.

Thank God you can save my life. Hurry, there's no time. Come on, come on. This

is Alan, our artist coordinator.

Come on, I'm dying here.

Are you okay?

Yes.

I was just going through something.

Empty seats, the kiss of death. You know what I mean?

Smile.

We've been talking to young women whose fathers flirt with their friends.

But what happens when dad's flirtations turn serious?

Meet Wanda, whose best friend is now her mother.

Wanda, help me out here. You and your father used to be close, didn't you?

We was real close.

My mom would die when I was born and all.

But that was before him and Thelma started sleeping together.

They just tore off the pot.

And then they got married.

I couldn't believe it. I still can't. She's going down.

She's going down.

Tighter. But I'll wait.

This is Vernon, Wanda's father, and his wife Thelma.

And they're anxious to tell their side of the story.

We met,

we fell in love, and we got married.

Now, what's the harm in that, huh?

Well, I think Wanda here, I think she's just jealous, that's all.

Jealous? Hell, yes.

She's used to having me all to herself. Just don't sit right with her now she's

got a shot.

Are you saying... I'm saying I'm man enough for both of them.

ones that really matter the audiences transvestites and strippers and then hit

them with something really thoughtful like next week's segment on race and

intelligence you know i will never forget the show you did on the clan i

i saw that one and i knew well then i had to work and talk now i'm really

embarrassed about today's show oh no excuse me howard diane's being summoned

well it was really really nice meeting you you too

Talk to me. What have you done? I majored in communications at Iowa State,

then I did the news at WNXT in Chicago. I'm not interested in the news. I'm

interested in talk.

Stan was an AP at the Margolis show. She'd made producer, but then they got

canceled. We don't do issues here. We don't do issues. Not anymore. We do

theater.

Confrontation, conflict, drama. That's what the audiences are buying. That's

what we're selling.

You want to do issues, you talk to Bill Moyers.

Issues killed Margolis. It almost killed Howard.

Look, Jenny says that you're okay, so I'm going to give you a chance.

One month, four shows.

You deliver, you're on staff.

You let me down, you join Margolis in the unemployment line.

I never made producer Margolis.

Oh, come on, scruples and someone with a collection of overdue bills.

Well, you didn't have the title, but you did the work.

Besides, his show is gone. Who's she going to check with? You're so bad. And

are a producer.

embarrassed about that, too. It's this new executive producer that he has.

Yeah, you know, next week's shows are going to be a lot... Wait, what?

I... You know what? I can't hear you very well. Why don't I... I'll call you

back when my phone gets hooked back up.

Yeah, I love you.

I'm going to make some crowd, Mom.

So that I love you, too. Bye.

What'd they say?

Well, they said that Howard was beginning to sound a little like Geraldo

maybe I should come home.

Oh, yeah, Howard is still Howard.

He's just been fighting for his life. I mean, when the ratings come back...

Yeah, I know. I know, and in the meantime, I figure I could convince

anything with a sensationalistic hook to it, even if it does have some meat on

it. I don't know, Diane.

Sadie's not into causes.

If you do the sort of thing you're pushing at Margolis... Look!

I'm going to do the kind of shows I want to do by convincing Sadie that they're

the kind of shows she wants to do.

Ooh, who is the punk?

Mark Halston.

Outside counsel for the show.

He just bailed us out of a $10 million lawsuit by taking the plaintiff apart on

the stand.

Sadie's been panting after him ever since.

Oh, he works on Sadie by night and the Lulabelle Barton case by day.

It's kind of like watching cobras mate.

What is this? A celebration.

It's on Sadie. She just doesn't know it.

To money in the bank and life in the fast lane.

Don't hang up, okay? No, don't hang up.

Look, I don't think you understand the situation here.

I told Howard you were coming and he's dying to meet you. He's... Damn.

I don't have a show. What? I don't have a show. Neither do I, Myra. Now go to

your kennel and let me slash my wrist in peace.

I don't have a show. I know, Myra, you don't have a show, and neither will I

unless you stop pestering me. You let him in the sky, don't you?

I don't have a show.

You must be Myra.

Hi, I'm Diane.

Welcome to the rock.

Congratulations, girls. The warden's given me my release.

Oh, God.

What are you going to do, huh?

I don't know.

Big bitches bring to earth something with dignity.

There goes another one of Howard's people.

It's one o 'clock, guys.

The dragon lady awaits.

Terrific. Another great story ruined by checking.

We're taping your segment tomorrow, Myra. I'm going to be very annoyed if we

don't have anything to put in front of the camera.

Alex, talk to me. What have you got?

Girls in gangs.

Pretty much virgin territory.

There's no such thing in talk. Not anymore.

You got rival gang members?

And their boyfriends.

Good. Tell Nick to beef up security.

Okay, new girl on the block. Let's hear it.

I was looking over last month's shows.

And I saw that Howard's ratings really went through the roof when he went out

the street and talked to prostitutes.

So I thought we could bring back one of those girls and maybe bring back your

family. I'm just going to talk to you. He says I can't wait.

Back inside, folks.

Okay, what the hell is that? You should try reading the tree.

He's upset about the announcement from United Media.

They're giving his son a talk show.

Well, why would that make him upset?

It's his son. Demographics.

He doesn't want to compete with the younger version of himself.

Unless I miss my guess, he's out there wringing his hands.

A pound of flesh.

That's what he's taking from me.

While he's at it, he may as well take a piece of my heart.

Bravo, Alex.

But I catch you again and your act's going to get canceled permanently.

Now, prostitutes.

Is there one hooker in this entire city that hasn't guessed it on a talk show?

We've had most of them right here on our own.

But we haven't had their families.

Most of these girls are addicts.

I mean, we know that. That's why they're out there hooking, right? I mean,

that's double impact right there.

We bring their families on with them, and that dramatizes the human cost.

The other victims in this victimless crime.

What have we got here, boys and girls?

Could it be a new angle?

That's what I like about fresh blood.

Okay, you got it.

Now, one last thing.

For the party Wednesday evening, for the stations that carry the show, everyone

attends. These people are bread and butter folks, and I want every last one

them to feel a part of our happy little family. Understand?

Okay, get out of here and get to work.

What's up, babe?

Well,

I guess you could say he offered to sponsor me.

I'm thrilled for you.

But the bottom line is, you don't have a guest, no guest, no show.

Sit down.

Look, I like you, kid. You got guts.

Took guts to lie to me that you produced for Margolis.

You thought I wouldn't check.

And it took guts for you to go out on the street like that.

Look, if you want to be a success in talk, you got to use your head, too. So

me give you some advice.

Never tell a lie you can get caught in. Never hit the streets without backup and

never, ever admit to failure.

Now, uh, this is a good idea you have.

But it's not going to amount to much if you go out on the street and you get

yourself whacked.

Aye, Jimmy, yank the letters that came in after last month's show on

prostitutes.

Unless I've missed my guess.

What you're looking for, you'll find right there.

Thanks. Thanks, E. I don't want thanks.

I want a killer show.

Hello? Mark Halston on two.

Yeah, all right. Put him through.

Sure, I can believe it.

My girlfriend's the same way.

I lie all the time, don't you?

No, she doesn't, Alex.

And neither should you.

No one's calling me back. I might as well start clearing out my desk.

Oh, yeah, you should do that, Lara. They won't call back. I know they won't.

Hello?

How the hell are you? Listen, I'm so glad you called. That story of yours is

funniest thing I ever heard.

Jenny?

Listen to this.

Dear Howard, I am writing to you because I don't know where to turn.

Every day my daughter breaks my heart.

She's only 19, but her life is already over.

She's a drug -addicted prostitute and the mother of a two -year -old girl. I

at my wit's end with her, but your show gives me hope.

Oh, this is it.

I mean, this is the one. I can help these people. I can put the daughter

a treatment program. I can show the audience what the cost of prostitution

And I can give 80 readings to die for.

I love the way you get all those kids down there in the filth and darkness.

Rubbing elbows with the derelicts and the rest of the sewage from the slums.

It's the same thing in talk.

We take the audience for a tour of the underbelly, the lower depths, and we

introduce them to the ghetto garbage and the trail of trash, and then we send

them back to their clean, safe little lives.

That's why this piece of yours is perfect.

The audience can shake its head, isn't that tragic?

They can go to sleep happy because it's not their daughter who's out hooking for

a fix.

So, how did you talk this girl into coming on the show?

Oh, um, well, I haven't actually spoken with her. I spoke to her mom, and her

mom seemed to... You come in here, and you tell me you want to build a whole

show around this girl and her family, and now you're telling me you haven't

talked to her? Sadie, nobody knows exactly where she is. If you just give

few days, I'm sure... Forget it. Your show tape's on Friday. You find another

girl.

Or find enough job.

I'm in a meeting.

It's for you.

Hello?

Sadie, Sadie, it's the mother. It's her.

Yes, um, this is Diane Shepard.

Oh, thank God.

Have you found Kelly yet?

Well, she's here, but her pimp's with her, and I'm scared, and she's looking

really sick. There's some trash in the place looking for money. I've never...

This

girl may walk it through on herself.

She does figure out what she wants, and then you offer it to her. Remember to

wait for the camera first.

They spend a lot of time on the streets. They know how to handle themselves.

So don't go in without them, okay? Okay. Oh, here.

Thank you. All right.

Good luck.

There we go.

My phone. Oh, never your phone.

This is the Riley residence.

I don't know.

It might be.

Hey, uh, uh, Brenda, what's your last name?

I'll work you out of here. Riley.

Looks like you came to the right place.

I talked the whole room.

Who's that?

I don't know.

Hi, I'm, uh, Diane Shepard. What do you got? What'd you dig up?

Listen. Nothing.

Nothing.

You wouldn't happen to have a little something you could loan us?

See, we're experiencing a little cash flow problem.

And Kelly here needs some groceries, don't you, honey?

Sorry. I spent all my money on the cab over here.

Cab? It's terrible, isn't it, with them caddies, Charlie?

Nothing left in highway robbery.

I'll tell you what.

I'll take a little look, seeing that purse of yours, just to kind of make

That's it?

That's all?

Two lousy dollars?

Boy, you travel light, don't you, honey?

Like my mama said.

You want something done right? Do it yourself!

Diane Shepard.

I'm a producer from the Howard Grant Show.

I'd like to talk to you about being a guest.

That's real funny, Ma.

But I got an even better idea.

Why don't we all...

Let's go on American Funniest Homes in the World and give the folks a real

laugh. I

just

want our sweet little girl back

again. You know what I want?

I just can't get well.

Hey, you, get out of there. You know you're not welcome here.

How can you do this?

I held you and I loved you when you were a baby.

When you talked with Jerry, I was always here for you. That's the problem.

You weren't always trying to take away from me. Maybe I was always fighting

her. Shut up!

You're always doing this.

You're tearing me to pieces.

Brenda.

10, 15, 20.

It's a star.

What did you say you did again?

She just wants to put me on her own TV show.

Oh, yeah?

The Howard Grant show.

No kidding. I know that show.

I know that show.

Well, you know, you should be talking to me then, because I'm Kelly.

I'm her business manager.

How much did they pay for one of them? That is none of your business. Hey!

What do they pay for one of those guest appearances?

Well, um, ordinarily we don't pay our guests. We just give them an opportunity

to talk about whatever's bothering them. Yeah, yeah, but I mean, you wouldn't be

opposed to a little, uh, I don't know what you would have done.

Help me out, please.

Honorary. A little honorary.

Baby, please.

I gotta go.

I know, I know. I am just having a little business conversation, all right?

No, it's not all right.

I'm sick.

I have to go.

Okay? Okay.

We gotta go.

We have to go on a little shopping trip.

Why don't you come along with us?

This way we can continue our little negotiations.

You want on the show or not?

Maybe you should wait for my car. I can't wait.

I can't wait.

Never fail. If you don't want a cab, just reach for a yellow with the damn

thing.

Hello?

Am I pointing?

All right, here we go.

Whoa, wait a minute.

That's not a cab.

No, it's not a cab. Gentlemen, it's what you call an entrepreneur.

But I don't think it's...

14th Street.

Now, where were we?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

See, what you've got to realize is that Kelly is special.

She's just, she's real class.

She does not work the streets anymore.

Not since I become her businessman.

All of our business is strictly by appointment only.

Cash by meeting.

The way I figure it is she is worth so much more than any...

garden variety hooker that you're just going to pick up on some street corner.

Now listen, buddy. I just remembered.

They got Central all blocked up. Construction.

We're going to have to go the long way around.

The long way?

We're going to have to charge them more.

Really?

20 bucks.

No kidding.

Well, whatever you think is fair.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

What is he doing? I cannot abide by him.

Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask him to pull over.

Bingo. Are you offering me a cash settlement over our little business

Whatever you want me to do, but you know something? Now, if you were throwing

the car... I might see my way clear of calling us even. Sure, mister, sure.

All right, well, so we have a deal then.

Whatever you want, mister. Yeah, you just open up your car door there, and

your stuff out.

Pleasure doing business with you.

You understand what I'm saying, right? That Kelly is a very special girl, and I

think that she deserves more than what an ordinary guest would get.

Would you say?

I do.

I do, but like I was trying to say before, we don't ordinarily... You

know what? I am sure that we could come up with some sort of an arrangement.

Good. Good.

I was thinking... Oh, five.

Well, I have to talk to my boss, but I... I ain't going on no TV show.

Pleasure doing business with you.

We have another little duck inside.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Jimmy. Quick, get out of the car. I want to get some footage

of the car.

Oh, come on, quick, before it gets away, please.

Hurry.

Dear Howard, I am writing to you because I

don't know where to turn.

Cut. What?

Jimmy. I'm so sorry. Damn it.

What? Hi.

Diane,

it's for you.

Diane? Oh, Sadie, hi.

Yeah, yeah, I've been trying to get in touch with you all morning. Well, I

understand you had another little adventure.

Yeah, I know. The video crew hadn't shown up. Did we have a conversation

backup, or did I just imagine it?

Oh, I know. I'm sorry, Sadie, I am.

Why'd you call?

Okay, um, well, Kelly's boyfriend, he wants $500, and...

I don't know what to do because at Margolis we had a policy never to pay

guests. Yeah, well, the money's on the way. Get back to work.

Okay.

Where'd she go?

She's inside. She's having second thoughts. What?

You really think it's bad?

This is right for Kelly. It's going to help her.

It's going to help a lot of people. Jerry, just think about it. Think about

people watching the show.

If it turns around just one girl who is heading the direction that Kelly was.

Maybe it'll keep a Dwayne out there from exploiting a young girl like Kelly.

This is so important, Jerry. It's important for Kelly.

It's important for you. It's important for Brenda. It's important for so many

people you don't even know.

But, you know, I don't read so well.

Maybe you could just get Howard to read my letter.

Oh, no, you have to read it.

You read it so beautifully. They're your words.

Just, um...

Just think about how you felt when you wrote them, okay?

You hold on to that and everything will be perfect.

You talk to these girls with such understanding and you treat them like

beings instead of garbage that belongs in the gutter.

So I know you will hear me too. Please, Howard.

Help me save my daughter.

Help me stop the pain.

Cut.

Cut.

Are you okay? No.

No, I just have such a hard time talking about this.

You were beautiful.

You were just beautiful.

Look,

why don't you go back up to your apartment, okay?

We'll be up to tape you and Brenda together.

Okay.

All right.

Let's get some B -roll.

The street, garbage piles, anything that'll give us a sense of place.

Listen, are you sure she's okay about this? Oh, yeah, of course she is, of

course, yeah.

If she's in any trouble at all, you just, you know, just talk to me.

Good.

Sure, he talks to me.

Nice and sweet.

Said I don't do it, he'd kill me.

Well, he was kidding, right?

I said, uh, what am I, a freak in a sideshow?

He says...

If you don't do it, you're going to be a side of beef in a meat locker.

It's a big joke, huh?

Look, I'll do it.

Get the old broads off my back.

I mean, why should I even care, right?

Because you should care.

Kelly, this is going to give you a chance to get your life back.

You get to where I am, you don't go back.

I'm on the express, one way to the end of the line.

It don't matter what I do.

They're not stopping the train for me.

You give me a sec, okay? I gotta fix my face.

Kelly? Yeah.

Oh, I'm sorry. We really have to go.

Are you okay?

I'm fine now.

Let's just get this over with.

Smile.

Yeah, that's a pretty picture.

Jimmy, please, can you take care of this? All right.

Okay, Kelly, please sit in the red chair.

Oh, God.

Kelly, not for the interview.

You have no respect.

You do this terrible thing to yourself in my house, in my bathroom.

Brenda, Jerry, I need you to wait in the other room, okay, until we're done.

It's just that Kelly's going to have a really hard time with this, and I don't

want her to be distracted.

Please.

Thank you.

Are we rolling?

Mm -hmm.

Did you shoot up before this interview?

It was good.

Why, Kelly?

Kelly?

Kelly?

Kelly,

why are you here?

On TV.

No, why are you here with your family?

I needed money.

Does your family give you money to buy drugs?

Nope. I take it.

How do you feel about that?

What about prostitution, Kelly?

How does that make you feel?

Do you ever feel... Why do you keep on asking me how I feel?

I don't feel anything.

Kelly?

Kelly?

What's happening?

She's fine.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, is she overdosing? No, she's fine.

She's fine. She's fine.

What are you... Oh, God, Jimmy, call 911.

Call 911.

No, Mom, he was right. She was... She was fine. She just passed out. Thank

Well, no, that's the whole point here. We're trying to get her to stop being

victim, Mom.

Mom, it's best if I don't talk to you during work, okay?

Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm under a lot of pressure. I was up all night. I

was editing the videotape and... Look,

look, my boss is coming in. I gotta go, okay? I'll call you later.

Yes, I love you too.

Um, well, no, there's more crying at the tail end of the tape.

Oh, play it out.

Play some music over it.

Something plaintive.

You dig up anything on her, kid?

Well, I spoke with social services and the record's sealed.

Keep pushing.

There may be some way around that.

Okay, now, I want to intercut some footage of Kelly working on the street.

you have anything we can use?

Not yet, but I am meeting her and Duane tonight at his office.

His office?

Street corner in the Bronx.

What makes you think they'll show?

I had to offer a little incentive.

Yeah, we'll make sure we get our money's worth.

One other thing, I want you to track down a recovered addict that we can

in the audience.

You know, toss him a bone of hope.

Three months.

Oh, no. Unfortunately, I need somebody who is playing a little longer than just

three months.

Yes, of course I understand.

But if she's willing to come on... Can you hold on? You Miriam?

Hi, I'm back.

Yeah,

so if she's willing to appear on the show, it would be great. I'm Lana.

Oh, Miriam Reeder. Have a seat.

Oh, did, uh, Jimmy explain the segment to you?

Yeah. How it's fun to do a strip.

Your kids?

Uh -huh.

Oh, they're really cute.

Yeah.

So, uh, Jimmy told me that you're the one that did the shows on, uh, body

piercing and, uh, boyfriends who couldn't get enough. Ah!

I really love that one. Yeah, I'm the resident pervert.

No kidding.

Okay, gang, I'm taking orders.

Miriam, what can I get you?

Voice of the purple pussycat. They're always rowdy.

You got it. You know, for an extra buck, you can upgrade to a combo and get

fries and a drink with that.

Diane.

I'm sorry. I don't understand.

What kind of audience do you want for your hooker show? You're telling me I

specify an audience. Sure. You know, we aim to please and all that.

Yeah, but at Margolis, we just had to take... Hot luck. Sadie doesn't like to

leave anything to chance.

You got that right. You want college kids? We got sororities and frat houses

go to. You want the mature, conservative types? We go to church groups. You want

large people? We hang out at the hot dog vendors. You want Johns looking to pick

up transvestite prostitutes? We end down the 42nd Street. You want Bibles?

Jenny?

Who's with her?

Jenny? Was it something I said?

They're at the show I did on The 100 Wives.

I'm the one at the cast.

Jenny, come on. It's okay. What?

It's okay.

Her husband saw the show and he beat her up.

He has an intensive care.

And they don't know if she'll make it.

Did you beat up that woman?

Of course you did.

You placed her in a halfway house.

But she ran back to her husband, sweetie.

I was responsible for what happened, huh?

She is.

She knew what he was.

She went back to him anyway, in spite of everything he tried to do for her.

The people we deal with are victims and they will always be victims.

The only mistake you made was to get involved emotionally.

Come on.

Let's tie one on. What do you think?

What do you think of all the quits?

We've got enough footage here for a movie.

Yeah.

Okay, let me just try and talk to our friend Dwayne one more time.

Dwayne.

Dwayne, it's 1 .30. Where is she?

You kidding me already?

I don't have a... Well, it's probably like I told you. She probably got all

up in a business meeting.

Really? Well, that's what you told me two hours ago.

Forget it. We're out of here.

Wait, wait.

Wait.

I just had an idea. You don't even really need Kelly. Let me introduce you

Constance. Constance!

Now, she's freelance, but she has agreed to commission me on this. Turn around,

honey. Huh?

Forget it, Dwayne. There's no deal. You better deliver Kelly or the whole thing

is off.

Tough chick.

I'm sorry, but we have a strict policy, Lurleen.

No teeth, no talk.

Yes, I know. I know, but we can't... As I said, we do have a strict policy. We

have standards here at the Howard Grant Show.

The producers of this show have only one job, Diane, and that is to make me

happy. Do I look happy?

I told you, no interruptions.

Put her on.

I am not interested in sick children, Miriam, yours or anyone else's. I am

interested in your show.

It is taping tonight at nine. With or without you, which will it be?

I am going to give you another chance, Diane.

I am going to let you take over Miriam's show.

How's that strip?

Jeffrey Madden from corporate is paying us a surprise visit tonight, and I want

the show to be perfect. Understand?

Yes, Sadie, but I really... Get Miriam's book and get on it.

Okay, Terry, you have to help me out here.

Miriam has you down as an expert for the stripper show.

If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

One of us comes up short a guest or an expert, one of the others fills in.

I've been a guest twice now, but this is my first time as an expert.

Fine, but what makes you an expert?

I had breast reduction surgery a few years ago, so Miriam thought that I'd be

the perfect candidate for... Hello.

Yes, Diane.

Oh, hi. Yes, of course.

Yes, I understand, but how long do you really think you're going to be able to

keep this a secret? Can you hold on?

I think I'm losing a guest.

No, you're not.

Open the prize closet.

Offer her an extra day or two in the city. If that doesn't work, throw some

money at her. But don't even think about telling me you've lost her.

Myra.

We need to talk. Hi.

Um, you know, I'm thinking that it's probably just stage fright.

What could I possibly do to make this a little easier for you?

Oh, and I want to hear it right on, brother. Tell it like it is, girl.

You better start talking to my hand, because my face just stopped listening

an hour ago to yours. Okay?

I want everyone to say hello to my main man, Keith.

All right. Keith is going to help you out. So every time you see my man Keith

this, we expect to hear from you.

Ladies and gentlemen of New York City, without further ado, Thank

you.

Take one.

Key land up.

Ready, two.

Take two.

Take ten or three. Tighten up on Howard.

Tighten up.

Ready, one. Take one. A week doesn't go by without one of our competitors

staging a show just like this.

We've got a few new wrinkles, haven't we, Diane?

I better go prep the next job.

I bloomed kind of young.

And the guys, I mean, they were always, like, at me. And, you know, I figured,

you know, when opportunity knocked, I mean, hello, why not?

Why not?

Camera three's out of focus.

That operator's history.

I want him off the stage now. Even without knowing your husband, I think we

safely assume he's a very understanding fellow.

Let's say hi to Pete.

Thanks for joining us, Pete.

Now, before we go any further, I have to ask.

It doesn't bother you seeing your wife take off her clothes in front of all

those other men? She can go right ahead. They can swab her all they want.

They're just a bunch of hogs gathering at the trough.

I can tell you, this old boy is the only one that ever gets the slop.

I thought romance was dead.

Well, I guess you could say that Lana here was my birthday present.

Ta -da!

A bunch of boys got together, you know. They hired her to strip at your party.

Actually, it was a little bit more intimate than that.

for a show, Housewives Who Hook.

Or have we already done that one?

Yes.

I've got something to say to Lana.

How can you let him treat you like a piece of meat?

You're just jealous.

And you, Howard, I used to admire you, but now you're like all the rest. You

demean women.

You demean the human race.

Damn, mark that.

comment right after piece of meat.

Who cut the rest in post?

They're comfortable with her line of work, but some of our guests perform

without their husband's knowledge.

I just don't know how he's going to take it.

Well, just, you know, relax.

I'm sure it'll be fine once you get out there.

When we come back, we'll answer the question, what happens...

when the unsuspecting hubby discovers that the little woman moonlights as a

stripper.

Let's give a nice hello to Shelly.

During the day.

I'm curious, how did you go from taking dictation in an office to taking your

clothes off in a bar? Well, it was my surgery, really.

Well, you know, it's like when you get a new car.

It don't mean much if you can't, you know, show it off a little bit. So when

got my new boobs, I just sort of wanted to share them.

No. No.

About your stripping.

No. No.

I wasn't sure how he was going to take it. Shall we find out?

We've had Shelly's husband in

isolation backstage, but now we're going to ask him to join us. Ladies and

gentlemen, let's give Bill a big round of applause.

I'll give you a hint.

Shelly's been moonlighting lately to bring in a little extra cash, hasn't

Yeah, she's been, uh, waitressing.

That's what she's been telling you.

How would you like to know what she's really been doing?

I don't get it.

Why don't we let her show you? My show?

You're not supposed to do that.

This

is

great! This is what a thot's all about.

If I won't get that date, I will personally murder him. I told you we had

new rainbows.

No, there's a $500 bonus for any on -the -air fights.

Keep up the good work, and even Sadie will have to start watching her back.

Hi.

A terrific show.

Well, no rest for the wicked.

Congratulations.

You won Madden's heart.

I know it's a very small prize, but it matters.

It's gotten to you, hasn't it?

You feel what?

Unclean?

This just isn't what I came here to do.

You know what your trouble is? You're an idealist. You think that you can do

shows to improve people's lives, but you can't. There's no audience for it.

Everything in talk is entertainment.

Everybody in the business is a whore.

But there's a bright side.

We're highly paid whores.

Diane, it's Mom.

I just want to remind you about Daddy's birthday.

Now, the party's at 2, so why don't you call and surprise him when everyone's

here, okay?

We love you.

Bye.

Diane, it's Jenny.

Nothing special.

I just felt like talking.

I'll catch you at the office.

Who is it?

It's Jimmy.

Jimmy?

Hi.

She's leaving my studio in.

It's Kelly.

She's in jail.

It was right after we left the apartment.

Dwayne, he sees him coming and he fades away like he was never there.

I figured...

It was the usual roundup, you know.

In and out in a couple of hours, but no.

It was that cabbie.

Could we get some help? Could somebody help us, please? Can you get me out of

here?

I can't.

It took me all day just to get in.

Are you going to be okay?

Yeah, I feel great.

I'm very sorry.

I mean, I really wish there was something I could do for you.

There is. You could get me out of here.

Mom said you could get me out.

I can't get you out.

Kelly, if she said that, she just misunderstood, all right?

I told her that I could propose a satellite remote.

What?

Well, I could interview you live in jail while talking to your family.

on the show, but then, you know, we could go in front of the judge and offer

put you in a treatment program, maybe instead of jail time.

What am I supposed to do in the meantime?

I don't know.

Hang in there, I guess. I don't know what to tell you.

This is a treatment program.

They got methadone.

Forget it.

I'm not going to let you people play God with this girl.

But we're not trying to play God. I'm due in court.

Please just hear me out.

Look, you want to help this girl?

Yes. Then don't humiliate her by putting her on TV.

Let nature and the legal system take their course.

Let her go cold turkey.

But give her something to think about next time she feels like sticking a

in her arm.

That's just it. We want to put her in a treatment program.

Hey, look, do I look like some kind of idiot here? In a couple of days, the

assistant DA is going to show up and he's going to say, Jack, what can we do?

And I'm going to say... Mike, the jails are overcrowded, and the only person

this girl's ever hurt is herself. So why don't we do everybody a favor and we'll

put her into a treatment program in lieu of jail? Great idea, he says. Nice

talking to you. By then, she'll have gone cold turkey.

She'll be off the stuff. She'll go in clean. Maybe even have some chance of

going all the way. And she won't have the memory of going on TV and rubbing

face in her dirt.

What are you going to call this, anyway?

I was a teenage junkie?

The satellite remote, it's not happening. Why not?

Well, there are public defenders against it, and so is the jail.

Bail her out.

What? Wait a minute, Sadie. Wouldn't that be crossing some sort of a line?

You're going soft on me?

You crossed a line when you paid off her pimp. You crossed another line when you

witnessed that carjacking.

Now you're worried about fronting her bail?

I know. It's just that I don't know... If you look at it with a clear head,

you'll see that there really aren't any lines. Just frontiers.

You want to succeed in talk, you got to keep pushing them back.

Bail her out.

Okay. Okay, it's just that the court's closed now. Well, then tomorrow.

And Diane?

Yeah? You haven't forgotten about the station manager's party, have you?

I've always prided myself on being in touch.

The landscape of talk is changing. You can bet the Howard Grant show is going

change, too. I'm telling you, the Democrats get younger

every day. They don't want Howard. They want Ricky.

Howard's son.

Yes, well, you know, what you have to understand is that our owners are

Farmers. Big farmers.

But they're still good old boys with good old -fashioned values.

I mean, those old -fashioned values do include an appreciation of the bottom

line, don't they?

Yes, sir, they do.

And that's my second point.

Our big sponsors are getting cold feet and starting to pull out.

And for every one that pulls out, there are two or three others standing in

line, waiting to step in.

Everything's always threatening to fall apart, but at the last minute, you

managed to pull it out of the toilet.

It's a constant rush. I can't wait until I become a producer.

The critics can say what they want, but we're dealing with stuff the average Joe

cares about.

Bosnia, the bomber, but they don't care about that stuff.

They care about the stuff that impacts them, the stuff talk deals with.

And Sadie, she's tough, but you know what?

You gotta be.

And she cares, too. When she saw that thing upset Jenny the other day, she

care of her. I tell you, I'm right where I want to be, right in the thick of it.

Jimmy, I'm sorry. Can you excuse me? I just want to go talk to Jenny for a

minute.

Oh, what's the matter with you? I'm sorry.

Oh, don't be. I'm grateful.

You're grateful?

Yes, for the opportunity to meet such a lovely young woman.

I'm Mark Halston.

Diane Shepard. Oh, you're Diane.

Oh, I understand Sadie has great hopes for you.

Oh, no, I mean, I'm new. I'm just, I'm sort of feeling my way through, you

Well, we're soulmates.

Oh, no. I mean, you're a lawyer. I mean, you don't go through this.

Oh.

Diane, have you been fine on me? No, no, I just... Well, of course I know who

you are. I mean, I know about the case that you wanted.

And?

I just, I know about you and Sadie. Ah, then you have been fine on me. No, no,

no. It's okay.

Because we're soulmates, I forgive you.

You know, I think you and I should go together for dinner.

Then you could tell me all about yourself. I could tell you all about

And then you could give up your career as a spy.

That's sweet. I don't think they would like that.

Sadie doesn't have to know. Oh, now I couldn't do that, Mark. I'm sure you

could. You know, people do it all the time.

Mark.

Sadie!

We have to talk.

You'll excuse me, won't you? Oh, yes.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, James.

We've got a little program planned, so if you'll gather around the monitors,

we'll get started.

Maestro, if you will.

Where's Sadie?

Oh, I'm not sure. I just saw her. Find her. She's up right after the clips.

For 15 years now, America has trusted Howard Grant to bring it the most

compelling programming in talk TV.

Whether the issue is race or relationships.

You can't talk yourself out of it.

Sadie? Don't you think you're overreacting?

I had to stand there and listen politely while that... Tramp bragged about

sleeping with you. It meant nothing, all right? It was just sex.

How many of these sweet little nothings have you got, Mark? A station manager

here, a legal secretary there?

Sadie, I'm telling you.

No, I am telling you, Mark.

You can forget about us if there ever was enough.

And you can forget about the show, too, because as of this moment, you are

history.

You know, you were always history, Sadie.

Old, dusty dog.

Howard

Grant.

All right with America.

She was saved in jail from a pimp, from a habit, from herself. Now, you just

spent $8 ,000 to put her at risk again. No, no, no. I promise you she's going to

be safe with us. We're going to place her in a jail cell. You're going to

her back in the same hell she just left. Now, that is not bail money. That is

blood money.

What's this?

My apartment.

The hotel usually provides the guests with a hotel room. I thought you'd be

comfortable here.

What's the matter? You figure I'm going to run off or something?

Look, they told me to keep an eye on you, okay? I could have put you in a

room with a bodyguard, all right?

Whatever.

Nice place.

It's a... Just a sublet.

Um, listen.

Make yourself at home, okay?

I just... I gotta make a phone call.

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Oh, yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I missed your party.

You what?

in front of everybody, I can't believe I missed that.

Oh, that is so embarrassing.

You know what, I have someone here, so I just called to wish you a happy

birthday and tell you that I love you very, very much.

Yes, yes, I'll be careful.

I love you too.

He sounds like a nice guy or something.

Yeah. Yeah, well,

I don't believe in nice guys.

I never met one that didn't want something.

You know, not everybody is out for themselves.

Yeah?

Yeah, well, what about you?

You're being all nicey -nice, but it isn't real.

You just want something.

You're just like those Johns that...

Tell me how pretty I am and wonder what a girl like me is doing out on the

street. No.

I mean, yeah, I want you on the show, but I also care about what happens to

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Everybody's the same, all right?

I go on the show tomorrow.

I do my little act.

Your boss pats you on the back, and it's on to the next one.

Goodbye, Kelly.

Hello, whoever.

You got something to eat? I'm starving.

Mm -hmm.

Man, it's always like this when I come down.

I can never get enough to eat.

So you've been clean before?

Mm -hmm.

When I was pregnant, I went cold turkey.

I didn't want my kid born a junkie.

You seen her picture?

She's cute, isn't she?

She's beautiful.

So, um... Why, uh... Why did you go back to the drugs?

I mean, how could you let your little girl go like that?

What was I gonna do for her?

You know, me?

A junkie.

No job.

No education. No home.

What was I going to do for her?

It doesn't have to be that way.

Yes, it does.

It does have to be that way.

No, it doesn't.

You can help yourself.

You could go to a treatment program.

You could go to school. Hey, what do you know about it?

You've never had that needle in your arm.

We're sitting here talking about my kid, my child, all right? What am I thinking

about?

I'm thinking about that needle. I'm thinking about how just a spoonful of

white sugar will make all of this go away.

See, I don't want to care.

I don't want to care about anything.

But you do.

You know how to do.

Have you suffered brain death? Of course we're going ahead.

I am not suggesting that we should. I'm just saying that she seems a little

fragile, you know? I'm concerned about what could happen to her afterwards.

She's going into a rehab program. Or she could end up back on the streets.

That's exactly where you found her.

Look, the bottom line, I don't care what happens to her, and neither should you.

You book them, interview them, get rid of them.

Bing, bang, boom.

Wait a second. I've been really worried about you, you know?

I'm fine.

Oh, I... I just, I've been feeling like I let you down the other day. I'm fine,

really.

See, he was right. It was bound to happen anyways.

It's just a mistake to get so emotionally involved.

I gotta run. I'll catch you later, okay?

So I said to him, Ted, don't you have any pride?

How could you ride my pure tail like this?

Where's the kid, Diane?

I don't see any sign of her here.

Right. I told you the record was sealed.

And I told you there was a way around that.

Look, Sadie, I thought about it, and I really don't think we should subject

Kelly to that kind of emotion. I have already briefed Howard on this one.

Could we read through it?

As many of you know, I have for years tried to focus attention on the plague

of drugs devastating the youth of our nation.

It is a plague with many symptoms.

AIDS, violent crime, prostitution. Pick up the pace, Howard, and give me a pause

before prostitution.

As many of you know, I have for years tried to focus attention on the plague

drugs devastating the youth.

of those candy bars?

All right, I'll talk to Jimmy.

You sure you're up to this?

What kind of question is that?

Like I'm going to back out now?

Then what?

Go back to jail?

I'm cool.

You just take care of those candy bars, all right?

As many of you know, I have for years now tried to focus attention on the

of drugs devastating the youth of our nation. It is a plague with many

AIDS.

Violent crime.

Prostitution.

In fact, a shockingly high percentage of the prostitutes on our streets are

there simply to feed their habit.

Not long ago, the mother of one such girl wrote me a letter.

Dear Howard, I am writing to you because I don't know where else to

turn. Every day, my daughter breaks my heart.

She's only 19, but her life is already over. She is a drug -addicted

prostitute and the mother of a three -year -old girl.

Like so many of our young people today, Kelly started out with the world all

before her.

Then heroin changed her life.

Did you shoot up before this interview?

Why,

Kelly?

Look around you.

Kelly flies her trade from a corner of the Bronx. Hey, baby, you looking for

some company?

She feeds her habit here, at a nearby crack house.

What do you mean?

Whatever helps you, I've got to kill you.

She has been beaten, intimidated, raped, but nothing slakes her thirst. Nothing

keeps her from coming back.

Kelly and her boyfriend, Dwayne, have come home not to see her family, but to

scavenge her money for drugs.

Oh, yeah? Well, how about you? Whose house did she come to to shoot up? Well,

where was she going to go? To you or one of your boyfriends? What?

Why are you here now?

I need some money.

Your family gives you money for drugs?

No. I take it.

How do you feel about that?

prostitution how does that make you feel do

you ever feel why do you keep on asking me how i feel

i don't i don't feel anything

hey you talk to these girls with such understanding

you treat them like human beings instead of

Garbage that belongs in the gutter.

So I know.

You will hear me too. Please, Howard.

Please, Howard.

Help me save my daughter.

Help me stop the pain.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Kelly.

Kelly, after seeing yourself like that, how does it make you feel?

Ashamed.

But you're drug -free now.

Yes.

How did you get started?

I knew this girl at school, and

it was a real rush at first, you know?

But now it's not.

It's work.

It's hard work.

You lie, you cheat, you steal, you turn tricks,

you do... Whatever.

And you're going to stay clean?

I'm going to try.

When we come back, we'll talk with two people who are determined to help Kelly

keep that vow.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jerry and Brenda

And

welcome to the Howard Grant show What

did you do to try to help Kelly

We tried detox.

We tried to get her into a treatment program, but I even tried locking her in

her room.

She's a beautiful girl when she's clean, but, you know, when she's high, she

steals. She steals from me and from Jerry, and she brings these terrible

into our home.

Kelly, how does that make you feel, knowing that you put your family through

that?

Like garbage.

When you're high, you just don't care.

But I care.

I just don't care about you.

You have a child.

She's in foster care.

But she's clean.

I went off the staff when I found out I was pregnant.

You had her for two months.

And then you went back on the drugs again.

Yeah, but I loved her.

I still love her. Of course you do, Kelly. I'm just trying to understand.

You think I like knowing that she called someone else mom?

I just wasn't strong enough.

I just wasn't strong enough.

Kelly, would you like to see Joey? Would you like to see your little girl again?

Ladies and gentlemen, we've arranged a little surprise for Kelly.

Joey's adoptive parents have brought her here to see Kelly.

So now let's please welcome Lee Kathleen.

Bear in mind, Joey doesn't know that Kelly is her biological mother. She's

told she's here to meet her aunt. So we're depending on your discretion,

audience.

At two, Joey is a bright, lively child with no sign of addiction.

And now let's introduce Joey to Kelly. Kathleen?

are very good with strangers.

She's probably just upset by the crowd.

I'm sure in time she'll come round.

Unfortunately, we're out of time.

But before we go, let me just say that what you have seen here today is a

cautionary tale, but one that may yet end happily.

Lee and Kathleen have told us that if Kelly stays clean...

And off the streets, they'll consider letting her visit Joey from time to

Well, until tomorrow, goodbye, and God

bless.

Why wasn't I told?

You were getting cold feet, so I put Jimmy on it. He's not hamstrung by

scruples.

Hattie, they're people, you know.

They're not puppets. That is where you are wrong, Diane. They are nothing but

puppets. Puppets jerked around by their pathetic desires. I ought to go check on

them.

Diane, great show. When I grow up, I want to be just like you. Where's Kelly?

You know that old saying in talk. Get a limo out and attach it. I sent her home.

I didn't want to, but I couldn't take care of myself.

Oh, their paws always were terrible. Okay, just tell me, where did you go? We

don't know.

We just grabbed that taxi that the nicer man just hailed for us.

Sure, I know. But I ain't seen him in a couple of weeks.

Can I say something?

Kelly Lonegan.

Look, I know she comes here all the time.

You want information?

I'll see you.

You want relief?

Come talk to me.

Well, maybe... Maybe you can relieve my ignorance, huh?

I was pregnant.

And then you went back on the drugs?

Yeah, but I loved her.

I still love her.

Of course you do, Kelly. I'm just trying to understand.

You think I like knowing that she calls no one else mom?

I just wasn't strong enough.

I just wasn't strong enough.

Would you like to see Joey?

See your little girl?

Ladies and gentlemen, we've arranged a little surprise for Kelly.

Joey's adoptive parents have brought her here to see Kelly.

Please welcome Lee Kathleen.

Now, bear in mind, Joey doesn't... know that Kelly is her biological mother.

She's been told she's here to meet her aunt, so we're depending on your

discretion.

At two, Joey is a bright, lively child with no sign of addiction.

And now let's introduce Joey to Kelly.

Kathleen?

Probably just upset by the crowd.

I'm sure in time she'll come round.

Unfortunately, we're out of time.

Hello?

Yes. I ordered it for the hallway outside the stage. Does it look like it

belongs in an office?

Yeah, well, I'm not interested in any regulations. I am interested in getting

the damn thing out of my office. Diane, we just heard. I'm so sorry. Oh, you put

me on hold.

We did not kill that girl, Diane.

I've heard the speech, Sadie. She killed herself.

And she would have done it if she'd never heard of you or of the Howard

show. Maybe.

We... We deal with people who are dysfunctional, and there is nothing that

anyone can do for them, so let it go.

I already have.

I'm quitting.

What?

I'm quitting.

I didn't hear that.

I refuse to hear that.

Well, I guess you just have to be surprised when I don't show up for work

tomorrow.

You want more money.

I don't want any more money, Sadie. I just... I don't want any more.

How much?

Please, who is it?

Geraldo, I'll double the offer.

Terry, I didn't think... Are we losing that girl? No, of course not. She's just

negotiating. Like your ex -boyfriend.

What the?

A $12 million lawsuit for wrongful termination.

He couldn't possibly... I hope not, Sadie, for your sake.

Because I'm not prepared to pay $12 million for an executive producer.

I'm going back to Newf.

It's where I started and where I belong.

But you're doing such wonderful work with Howard.

We'll never forget what you did for us and for Kelly.

Never.

You and Howard were the only ones who cared.

You were the only ones that even noticed that we loved you.

Yes, he called to offer his condolences, and he invited us to

join him on the show again.

He said, maybe we could help some other girl in Kelly's situation.

I'm so sorry you won't be there.

Wayne under control. Brenda, thanks for coming. Oh yeah, good to be watching.

I am so very, very sorry.

Before we begin, I'd like to share something with you.

You see, the reason I feel so deeply about Kelly's fate is

that... I nearly lost my son, Ted, to drugs some years ago. What did he do?

Like... I believe it's called Adlery. ...so many other parents, my wife and I

ignored the early warning signs, rationalizing Ted's behavior... What is

going to do to Ted?

...as nothing more than... Who cares?

Adolescence is a rebellion. It's great theater.

After all, it's a teenager's job to be... It doesn't get any better than

Mm -mm.

Secretive.

By the time we woke up, Ted had almost died of an overdose.

Fortunately, Ted's story had a happier ending than Kelly's. He's clean.

For now.

But it will always be day to day.

But it could just as easily...