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Archive: August 2006
Catching Up with Robbie Rist
I am a dork. A huge dork. You read the blog, you know this. I am caught up in "Rock Star: Supernova," I wrote a thesis yesterday about "Celebrity Duets" and I admittedly worship a William Shatner video. We all have issues. Cousin Oliver, circa 1974. I wasn't aware of how big of a dork I am, though, until I was on the phone with a certain Robbie Rist and spied my reflection in my darkened computer monitor. I was grinning from ear to ear like a corn-syrup-addled six-year-old. That's because Rist is, you guessed it, the guy in the picture to the right here. Cute, wholesome, precocious Cousin Oliver from "The Brady Bunch" and if you, too, were reared by the television in the early- to mid-70s, the Bradys are also a part of your extended family. So, when I found myself talking to Rist on Tuesday, I knew...
By Liz | August 31, 2006; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (28)
Morning Mix: CBS Slims Katie; Jessica Plumps Lips
Headlines: CBS magazine slims down Katie Couric in photo (second item)... Jessica Simpson admits to artificially plumping lips... TMZ: Seagal's Waist Line is "Under Siege"... Oh no, we missed Paris Hilton Day... Suri's bronzed pooh. Rumor Mill: Janet Jackson says Michael called her "fat butt"... George Clooney dating Ellen Barkin?... Is Britney expecting a girl?... Bam Margera sets the record straight about Jessica Simpson... Sultan of Brunei gives Mariah $4 million in jewels, just because... Orlando Bloom turns down "Knight Rider" movie... John Mark Karr wants Johnny Depp to play him... R.I.P. Glenn Ford: For an evening's tribute, rent "Gilda," "Blackboard Jungle" and "Superman." P.S. MTV Video Music Awards tonight. As usual, MTV is already deep into 24/7 coverage....
By Liz | August 31, 2006; 8:30 AM ET | Comments (4)
Perfect Pitch: Celebrity Duets
As a child of the 70s, I was privileged to live in the era of the variety show. Sonny and Cher, the Mandrell sisters, Donnie and Marie Osmond, "Hee-Haw," Sha-Na-Na, the Muppets -- even the Brady Bunch -- all jostled one another for the primetime viewers by unleashing a cavalcade of fading stars and corny skits to us on an almost nightly basis. And guess what kids, there was no cable so it was Donnie and Marie hamming it up with Ruth Buzzi or -- bummer -- back to the Spirograph or, heavens forbid, a book. Singer Cheech Marin. (Photo Courtesy Fox Broadcasting) So it was no surprise last night when former variety show queen (and current disturbing doll designer) Marie Osmond herself declared that television variety is back. And so it is, as a somewhat predictable off-shoot from the celeb-reality tree. It was only a matter of time before...
By Liz | August 30, 2006; 11:52 AM ET | Comments (31)
Morning Mix: Jessica Simpson to Give Voice a Rest
Headlines: Jessica Simpson told to rest her voice (we'll second that)... Ashlee Simpson to debut in London production of "Chicago"... Nick Lachey buys basketball team... Bronze Suri poop sculpture to go on display at New York gallery... Estranged granddad Jon Voight mistakenly calls Zahara "Shakira"... Colin Farrell gets three-year restraining order against woman... Fox to launch series based on "Terminator's" Sarah Connor... Fake snakes up for auction. Rumor Mill: Kate Hudson and Chris Robinson to mend marriage with a little NASCAR magic?... Is Jessica Simpson dating John Mayer?... Lindsay Lohan's new boyfriend cleaning up her act.. Gwen Stefani boycotting Thursday's MTV Music Awards... Tori Spelling's husband not so crazy about her pet menagerie... Diddy's Video Diary: The erstwhile musician and media mogul philosophizes about peeing while peeing. P.S. Napoleon Dynamite's sweet map of Preston, Idaho. P.P.S. Dave Navarro is adamantly defending his praise of Dilana's freakish performance on last night's...
By Liz | August 30, 2006; 8:43 AM ET | Comments (16)
Celebritology 101: Pop Quiz
Who is the smartest celeb of them all... today? a. Eric McCormack, who has handily prevented any chance of future TV mediocrity by actually choosing to avoid sitcom work now that his eight-season (syndicated) run with "Will & Grace" has come to an end. b. Meredith Vieira, who recently called "The View" a "joke" and says she no longer watches now that she is moving on to co-host the "Today" show. c. Every D-list celebrity and rusty musician who chose NOT to participate in "Celebrity Duets." d. Paris Hilton, just because. Your answer: ________________ (Answer key after the jump)...
By Liz | August 29, 2006; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (12)
Morning Mix: Springsteen Denies Split from Wife
Headlines: Tom Cruise's production company gets backing from Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder... Springsteen denies split from wife... Matthew Broderick, Barbara Bach hurt in (separate) riding accidents... Tom Arnold separates from wife... Foxy Brown tries to withdraw guilty plea in manicure assault case... Kate Moss named Britain's best hat wearer. Rumor Mill: Paris Hilton furious over Elijah Blue Allman's sex claims (Oh, and Paris' album is a flop, so far)... K-Fed claims Sean Preston said first word (and it wasn't "PopoZao" or "y'all")... Katharine McPhee frontrunner for "Wonder Woman" role... Carly Simon gets spanked before performances (third item)... Keith Richards won't be fined for Scotland smoking incident (oh, and this might quite possibly be the worst picture of Rainbow Brite Keith ever). Video: Tara Reid slips from A to D list in this TMZ.com footage painfully chronicling her inability to get into trendy Hollywood club Hyde while former friend Paris Hilton...
By Liz | August 29, 2006; 9:45 AM ET | Comments (8)
Elton's Shizzle
Just received an important dispatch from sometime guest Celebritologist Mike Corones: From: Michael Corones Sent: Mon 8/28/2006 2:58 PM To: Liz Kelly Subject: RE: help! This Elton John rapping thing has me all atwitter. Some possibilities: Saturdizzle Nizzle is All Rizzle for a Fizzle Don't Let the Sizzle go Dizzle on Mizzle Goodbizzle Yizzle Brizzle Rizzle I Guezzle That's Whizzle They Cizzle it the Blizzles Crockadizzle Rizzle Candizzle in the Wizzle Bennizzle and the Jizzles Philadelphizzle Frizzle Don't Gizzle Brezzling My Hizzzle Sad Sizzles (Sizzle So Mizzle) ---------- I think I could get my shoulder lean on to some "Crockadizzle Rizzle." But can Elton top this?...
By Liz | August 28, 2006; 4:11 PM ET | Comments (3)
Comment Box: Insider Insight and a Screech Update
Lee Majors, totally not kicking your a** for me. (Reuters) Comment of the Week: Do you remember around age 7 or 8 when you're mercilessly make fun of the kids in your class who didn't realize that Fonzi[e] wasn't real? They'd be angry and saying that they'd get the Six Million Dollar Man to beat you up and you'd just laugh at them because you'd just seen Lee Majors on the "Battle of the Network Stars?" I'm not saying kids don't confuse reality and television, but you know what? Those that did, got their butts kicked on the playground for being fools. -- Don comments on Tom & Jerry, Bad Influences? --- I've sat next to Jeff Probst at film premieres, and even I think this is a dumb idea. Heck, it's the 21st century -- my family alone has more multi-racial members and can check 20 boxes on...
By Liz | August 28, 2006; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (3)
Morning Mix: Remove 'Sexist' from the Cruise-Bashing Arsenal
Headlines: Cruise never said award-winning sexist comment... Japan allows pregnant Britney poster in subway; K-Fed to appear on episode of "CSI"... Popster apologizes for saying J.Lo is pregnant... Elton John wants to record hip-hop album... Meredith Vieira no longer watches "The View"... Martin Sheen enrolls at Irish university... Fire burns 40 acres of Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch... Rumor Mill: Is Tom Cruise sorry about the Brooke Shields bashing?... Ex says Hasselhoff "tricked" her into signing pre-nup... Angelina dodges dad at party... Supermodel Amber Valletta in rehab... Sean Penn turned down Joker role in new "Batman"... Woman sues Matt LeBlanc for defamation... Keith Richards in trouble for lighting up at Scotland gig... "Gilligan's Island" boat up for sale... Emmy Central: - "24," "The Office" Take Top Honors |All Winners - Galleries: Red Carpet Fashion | On Stage - 2 ET: Lisa de Moraes Live | Blog - Conan's Mall Bangs...
By Liz | August 28, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (9)
Morning Mix: Cruise Camp Fires Back at Paramount
Headlines: Cruise camp fires back at Paramount; how involved was Redstone's wife in decision?; Matt Lauer defends Tom... William H. Macy chides Lindsay Lohan for lateness... Joan Rivers to score 1,000th interview during Emmy pre-show... Disney issues most idiotic press release ever... Taylor Hicks sues ex-producer to prevent song release... Linda Rondstadt cancels tour after surgery... Jamaican bank releases Bob Marley coins. Rumor Mill: Mel Gibson making apology calls?... Paris Hilton dropped from phone service for "hacking" Lindsay Lohan's account; Lohan hoping to create eponymous perfume... Model Amber Valletta in rehab... Tween singer claims J.Lo is pregnant (How does he know? He's dating Katie Cassidy, who is now attached to "Dallas" which, as you'll recall, J.Lo dropped out of because of John Travolta's lack of, umm, manliness. Oh, and Katie is "I think I Love You's" daughter). Bonus: Christian Slater and Winona Ryder reunite for "Heathers" sequel....
By Liz | August 25, 2006; 8:53 AM ET | Comments (15)
'Survivor's' Dis-Integration
We may not live in an era with a snazzy moniker like "Enlightenment" or "Rennaissance" or even "Industrial Revolution," but at least we can say we were around for the decline of Western civilization. There is no clearer harbinger of the end times than the avalanche of reality shows jockeying for our scant TV viewing attention -- from "Extreme Makeover's" Frankensteinish reinvention of average Joes and Jills to the intimate peeks inside soon-to-fail celebrity marriages to unapologetic teens squandering their parents' disposable income on Sweet 16 parties to adults who will eat bugs or face extreme danger for the opportunity to one day evade taxes -- our society reached its acme sometime in the mid-70s. We are Caligula at this point. Me, I'm tempted to crawl into a fetal position with my Betamax and watch the glory days of TV -- you know, "Alice," "Falcon Crest," "The Brady Bunch" (that...
By Liz | August 24, 2006; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Owen Wilson Flashed by Fan
Headlines: Cindy Crawford attributes good skin to cosmetic surgery... Owen Wilson flashed by fan at London premiere... Usher makes "Chicago" debut (is Ashlee Simpson next?)... Lindsay Lohan selling Hollywood condo... K-Fed happy with Teen Choice peformance... Attention hog Stephen Colbert rocks the Internet... Two rattlesnakes found at "SoaP" showing in Arizona. Rumor Mill: Bruce Springsteen separated from wife Patti Scialfa?... John Aniston (Jennifer's dad) reportedly suffers heart attack... Some dude says he saw Suri Cruise... Tori Spelling not invited to Emmy tribute to dad Aaron... Nicole Richie dating Kristin Cavallari ex Brody Jenner?... Britney snubs shrinking Jessica Simpson at awards show. Name That Star: Guess the stars' real names with the Us Weekly online game. I can't believe Hulk Hogan's a maker-upper. P.S. The Prison Art of Katie Holmes....
By Liz | August 24, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Overblown Rumor of the Summer: Brangelina Breakup?
Considering the big headlines of just a couple weeks ago (Pam and Kid Rock, Mel Gibson) and the massive "SoaP" hype hangover, celebrity news sites are somewhat becalmed by a relatively uneventful late August. Cunning marketing execs try to take advantage of the news vacuum to drum up interest in novelty releases, photogs flock to pools and beaches for a few last shots of skimpy Speedos and so-what somehow passes for breaking news. Conditions are therefore perfect for The Overblown Rumor. In this instance, a rumor so anemic Nicole Richie could best it in a cage match is multiplying across the the Web like so many Tribbles. Being a responsible, restrained purveyor of celebrity scuttlebutt, I have no choice but ignore it and return to the distribution of stories of import. Who am I kidding? Brad and Angie (complete with pillow-lips), together forever in wax. (Getty Images) BRANGELINA IS ARE...
By Liz | August 23, 2006; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Cruise's Business Too Risky for Paramount
Cruise Update: Paramount and Tom Cruise both claim to have ended relationship. For more details, review last night's reports. Headlines: Jake Gyllenhaal beats out Matthew McConaughey to play Lance Armstrong in biopic... Lindsay Lohan's dad draws (bizarre) editorial cartoon... "Superman" Brandon Routh engaged... Brittany Murphy ends engagement to fiance of eight months... James Gandolfini to star as Ernest Hemingway... Joey Lawrence rocks a bald head on "Dancing With the Stars" (video)... Ricky Gervais launches third season of Internet audio show... Trey Parker, Matt Stone to make two new live-action movies... Willie Nelson speaks out against wild horse slaughter... DMX to entertain troops in Persian Gulf... Hilary Duff to serve school lunches on Katrina anniversary trip... Ozzy Osbourne voted Britain's "silliest celeb." Rumor Mill: Paris Hilton shacks up with "firecrotch" spewing Brandon Davis... Beyoncé planning $3 million November wedding to Jay-Z (second item)... Did Pete Doherty miss wedding to Kate Moss...
By Liz | August 23, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (2)
Paramount Cuts Ties to Tom Cruise
Cruise at the June Japanese premiere of "Mission: Impossible III." (Reuters) The Wall Street Journal tonight reported that Paramount Pictures has ended its 14-year business relationship with Tom Cruise, citing his off-screen behavior: "As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal," [Viacom Chairman Sumner] Redstone was quoted as saying in the Wall Street Journal report e-mailed to reporters. "His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount. (Full Story) The past year has been a public relations fiasco for Cruise, an outspoken Scientologist, who in 2005 criticized Brooke Shields for using antidepressants to treat postpartum depression and tangled with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show about prescription drugs (video via TMZ.com). His whirlwind romance to Katie Holmes and subsequent birth of daughter Suri have been somewhat mysterious, with rampant speculation about Katie's conversion to Scientology and estrangement from her own family....
By Liz | August 22, 2006; 9:12 PM ET | Comments (0)
Tom & Jerry, Bad Influences?
Today we take a step back from the world of celebrity to pay a visit to the world of cartoons. It's okay, you'll be comfortable here. There's not much difference: a cast of exaggerated characters all clamoring for your attention span. The only difference? The cartoons are one-dimensional. Oh, wait. Well, at least they're not smoking. (Courtesy Hanna-Barbera) In particular, yesterday afternoon I ran across a story about Turner Broadcasting which is currently scouring its catalog of 1,500 hours of Hanna-Barbera cartoons to remove scenes that "glamorize" smoking. The move is in response to one viewer's complaint about an episode of "Tom and Jerry." A Turner spokesperson said the viewer complained about a cartoon in which Tom lights a cigarette in an attempt to impress a female cat and that only cartoons "where smoking could be deemed to be cool or glamorized," would be cut and that scenes in which...
By Liz | August 22, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Paris Hilton's Music Makes Her Cry, Too
"I, like, cry, when I listen to it, it's so good." -- Paris Hilton on her debut album, released today, enabling us all to cry. "If she's wearing black, you just wear black. Matching is not her job. It's yours. You're the purse." -- Ashton Kutcher on coordinating his outfits with wife Demi Moore in the latest issue of Details Headlines: Diddy and long-time girlfriend Kim Porter expecting second child... "Rockstar: Supernova" host Brooke Burke engaged and pregnant... Internet sleuths rout out MySpace celebrity impostors... Both Keane and Darkness frontmen enter rehab. Rumor Mill: Britney says she wants to be buried with her dog, inaptly named "Lucky"... Madonna claims Kabbalah liquid will clean up nuclear waste... David Hasselhoff contemplating move to U.K. P.S. This movie trailer mash-up re-imagines "Snakes on a Plane" with an all-star cast. P.P.S. The Style section reviews tonight's debut of "Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty." Ouch....
By Liz | August 22, 2006; 8:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
K-Fed Up With the Teen Choice Awards
A decade and a half away from my teenage years, I am not ashamed to say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching last night's Teen Choice Awards. And by "thoroughly enjoyed" I mean an evening spent engaging in adolescent-style criticisms and witticisms about the entire production, ably assisted by my equally juvenile husband. Confession: As K-Fed performed I wished that Ludacris and Snoop Dogg would suddenly spring onto the stage, ninja style, and lock him in his piano. (AP) Still, some things about the show remain cryptic to my age-addled brain. No doubt there were parts of the production understood only by consumer culture drones between the ages of 13 - 19. Perhaps some teen, or the parent of a teen, can answer my lingering questions from last night's show: 1. Why was there a hot tub full of girls on the corner of the stage? I have to admit I...
By Liz | August 21, 2006; 10:48 AM ET | Comments (49)
Morning Mix: Bin Laden Reportedly Wants to Save Whitney Houston
Headlines: Daniel Craig signs on for two more Bond films... Mick Jagger recovered from laryngitis; Stones tour resumes... Beckhams to unveil two new fragrances... Sharon Osbourne launching new U.K. dating show... Busta Rhymes charged with assault... Bam Margera's uncle Vincent "Don Vito" Margera arrested for sexual assault of a child... Rupert Everett tries to keep Starbucks out of London neighborhood. Rumor Mill: Bin Laden wants to convert Whitney Houston to Islam?... Madonna targeted by Russian mob's kidnapping plot?... Heather Mills filming diary of divorce from McCartney, offered kiss-and-tell book deal... Paris Hilton says she was poor when she first moved to L.A... Val Kilmer dating Herbalife heiresss....
By Liz | August 21, 2006; 8:44 AM ET | Comments (0)
For Bill Shatner, Phasers Set to Roast
William Shatner poses for photographers ahead of his Comedy Central roast. Browse a gallery of the night's attendees. (AP) William Shatner. His very name bespeaks of the past tense of, umm, something bears do in the woods. It suggests that he was once hot something but is now the past tense of that something. True enough, though he has found a post-Trek life on ABC's moderately successful "Boston Legal." It's "Star Trek," though, that made him a cultural icon and, tapping into this, Comedy Central wisely chose him as the latest honoree in their too infrequent roasts (The last roast, of Pam Anderson, is worth catching in re-run). "Star Trek," coincidentally, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. There's no shortage of rich material (expect jokes about Shatner's halting speech, his "music" career, his status as a Trekkie god, his girth) or of quality roasters (Carrie Fisher, Betty White, Nichelle...
By Liz | August 18, 2006; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (11)
Morning Mix: Haley Joel Osment Charged with DUI, Pot Possession
Headlines: Haley Joel Osment charged with DUI, pot possession (official charges)... Mel Gibson takes plea bargain in his DUI case... Anderson, Kid Rock wed again in Tennessee... David Hasselhoff's divorce is official... Christopher Walken to play Travolta's husband in "Hairspray"... Barry Manilow to have hip surgery... Singer Pete Doherty facing new drug charges... Police drop road rage charges against actor Jon Gries ("Napoleon Dynamite's" Uncle Rico)... No more Oscar goodie bags... Photos: Katie Holmes shops Barney's in some massive heels. Rumor Mill: Owen Wilson hires lawyer to combat Hudson romance rumors... Justin Timberlake refuses Lindsay Lohan spot on guestlist... Brad and Angie moving to escape Aniston?... Nick Lachey plans to auction Jessica Simpson keepsakes online... Ann Curry sued by neighbors for noisy home renovations. Video: Tipsy Kelly Clarkson jumps on stage at metal cover show, swigs from the bottle and sings "Sweet Child of Mine." Snakes on a Chat: Actor...
By Liz | August 18, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
10 Things You Should Know About 'Snakes on a Plane'
In our lifetimes, an event of epic proportions is about to unfold. It has been foretold. As we speak, pilgrimages are being made to greet its arrival. Although not yet among us, it is already famous and it promises to change the course of... this weekend, if not cinema history. Samuel L. Jackson. Snake. Plane. (Photo courtesy New Line Cinema) I'm talking about "Snakes on a Plane" (SoaP) and, based on the hype surrounding this movie, the above paragraph is an understatement. But. If you're anything like me you have been cautiously monitoring this "SoaP" hullabaloo from afar, casually bemused by the posters, the promise of Samuel L. Jackson portraying yet another bad ass (he's just so good at it) and the prospect of over-the-top fake critter violence not seen since "Anaconda" or "Piranha." But, again, if you're like me, that's where your knowledge ends. Help is at hand. Your...
By Liz | August 17, 2006; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (28)
Morning Mix: Did Kate Hudson End Marriage for Owen Wilson?
"I'll get up in the middle of the night and I'll get a Hershey's bar, the real big ones, and I'll put it in the microwave and melt it and eat it. It sounds disgusting, but it's so satisfying." -- Britney Spears on her pregnancy diet Headlines: Jennifer Aniston denies engagement to Vaughn... U.K.'s Sun apologizes for Prince Harry groping pix (but apparently, the paper isn't sorry enough to remove them from their Web site)... Travis Barker says he still loves Shanna (even though she egged his manager's car)... Gwyneth Paltrow ready to start acting again... Johnny Depp to star in Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd"... Cheech Marin, Lucy Lawless to appear on "Celebrity Duets" show. Rumor Mill: Us Weekly says Kate Hudson's budding relationship with Owen Wilson broke up marriage... Tom Cruise flies Katie's folks to Telluride compound for some bonding (third item, after the ones about Justin Timberlake saying...
By Liz | August 17, 2006; 8:05 AM ET | Comments (5)
Paris vs. Nicole, Again and Again
Sadly, they even compete for the best sultry over-the-left-shoulder pose. (Photos: Reuters/Getty Images) AOL, long recognized as a purveyor of quality Internet content, has a present for us. Two, in fact. Both Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are featured in two new debuts over at AOL Music: Nicole's in dad Lionel Richie's video for the new song "I Call It Love" and Paris' album, "Paris", is now available for free streaming in its entirety. Paris' New Tracks | Nicole's Video Debut What timing. It's as if the poor things are in their own velvet-roped circle of hell in which they are doomed to some kind of eternal competition for bad relationships, bad outfits, bad diets and bad press (not necessarily in that order). How do the girls stack up in what has become, yet again, a mano-a-mano contest? My grades are below (Scale of 1 - 10 with 10...
By Liz | August 16, 2006; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (17)
Morning Mix: Actor Bruno Kirby Dies
Headlines: Actor Bruno Kirby ("When Harry Met Sally," "City Slickers") dies... Guinness names Paris Hilton Most Overrated Person (why does that sound familiar?)... The Barkers Battle on MySpace... Drew Barrymore says she's ready for children... David Copperfield says he's discovered fountain of youth... Ashton Kutcher to produce show for ABC... J.Lo to produce new FX show... Pink shaves her head, kind of... "Raymond's" Brad Garrett, wife separate... Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams salute the paparazzi... "Real World's" Puck welcomes second child, Rocco Kokopelli... Rapper Lil' Wayne arrested in Atlanta. Rumor Mill: Courteney Cox says Aniston is not engaged... Lindsay Lohan says "Sex and the City" inspired her dating philosophy... James Woods (59) breaks up with 20-year-old girlfriend. You Wanted the Best, You Got the Best: Submit your questions early for rock god Gene Simmons who will be answering questions about KISS and his new show, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," at 3:30...
By Liz | August 16, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (12)
Why We Should Stop Sizing Up Starlets
Jessica Simpson visits MTV's "Total Request Live" in July. (AP) Some photos of Jessica Simpson have been making the rounds lately accompanied by breathless commentary about how she's packing on the pounds. This photo in particular has at least three blogs I normally read mercilessly proclaiming her chubby and predicting a huge future for the singer, if you get my meaning. I can't say I'm blameless when it comes to making sport of a celebrity's physical appearance, but I think weight is an entirely different issue. One that is likely to inflict damage on the starlet in question and others, such as the scores of adolescent girls who idolize and look to these women for fashion and beauty cues. Lindsay Lohan goes from curvy to skeletal to curvy in the space of a year (Exhibit A | Exhibit B). Nicole Richie and Kate Bosworth are practically non-existent at this...
By Liz | August 15, 2006; 10:40 AM ET | Comments (55)
Morning Mix: Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson Split
Headlines: Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson separate after six years of marriage... Sigourney Weaver says Mel Gibson is a "decent guy"... AOL streams Paris Hilton's new album online... Lance Bass and Reichen Lehmkul say they're happier than ever... Matt Lauer and wife expecting third child... Linda Rondstadt calls George W. Bush an "idiot"... William Shatner pens new "Star Trek" novel (did someone say William Shatner?)... Sheen, Richards amicably resolve divorce case... Boy George snaps at reporters while on trash duty... Shannen Doherty hangs up on Newsweek... Rumor Mill: Does K-Fed get a stud fee for each kid with Britney?... Diddy refuses to eat from plastic plates at BBC studios... Nick Lachey prefers Satan to ex-father-in-law... Has Jennifer Aniston agreed to "Friends" reunion? Why was Naomi Watts straddling a gargoyle 61 floors above the earth? Dancing with the Stars? Such rich material, so little time... Tucker Carlson, Jerry Springer, Vivica A. Fox,...
By Liz | August 15, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (7)
Boy George, Garbage Man
Boy George performs his court-ordered community service today in New York City. The singer was sentenced to five days working for the New York Dept. of Sanitation after falsely reporting a burglary at his Manhattan apartment, where police found a quantity of cocaine. (Getty Images)...
By Liz | August 14, 2006; 1:19 PM ET | Comments (9)
Comment Box: Screech, SPF and Six More Weeks of Celibacy
Happy Monday on an uncharacteristically refreshing August morning in D.C., where we don't flinch when the fighter jets fly over anymore. Whatever happened to Screech's house? Remember the banks were going to foreclose on it, so he went online and sold T-shirts to pay off his debt. So whats the scoop, Liz? -- Pete on Celebrity Head-Scratchers Good question, Pete. Yes, Diamond was all over the place earlier this summer trying to sell his "I gave 15 dollars to help Screech save his house" T-shirts at $15 a pop (or $20 for an autographed shirt). He estimated he would need to sell approximately 30,000 shirts to save his home from foreclosure. He was also offered $1,000 per show by Howard Stern wingman Artie Lange to appear in a stand up show. Though Diamond agreed, he never showed up. We're way past the 30-day deadline now and neither Diamond's official Web...
By Liz | August 14, 2006; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (7)
Morning Mix: Tom & Katie Comfort Accident Victims
Headlines: Tom and Katie comfort car accident victims... Jennifer Garner collapses on Arizona movie set... K-Fed launches his own record label...William Shatner launches online sci-fi DVD club; will reprise Captain Kirk role in new videogame... Kanye West engaged to longtime girlfriend... Dr. Phil's son marries former Playboy Playmate... Kevin Costner returns to "Field of Dreams"... Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band plays for troops... Keanu Reeves stopped for running red light at LAX... Lou Diamond Phillips arrested for allegedly assaulting girlfriend... Boy George slated to start court-ordered garbage duty today. Rumor Mill: Suri Cruise makes appearance at Pinkett-Smith birthday party... Aniston's publicist punishes "Today" show for engagement rumor... Britney spotted house-shopping in Santa Barbara... Hugh Grant to wed girlfriend Jemima Khan?... Ex-wife claims Sean Connery beat her... Is Pete Doherty selling a heroin implant on eBay?...
By Liz | August 14, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (2)
Friday List: Movie Jerks We Love to Hate
James Spader: I'm not a jerk, but I play one on TV -- and on the big screen. (ABC) GQ recently published a list of Movie Jerks. Well, their title is a bit saltier, but this being The Washington Post Web site, we don't go in for slang. Ahem. What constitutes a movie jerk? Think James Spader in "Pretty in Pink" or Craig Sheffer in "Some Kind of Wonderful" -- the smug, assured pretty boy who delights in crushing the dreams of friends and foes alike. GQ's list, below, concentrates mainly on '80s movies: 1. Billy Zabka as Johnny Lawrence "The Karate Kid", 1984 2. Bradley Cooper as Zachary "Sack" Lodge "Wedding Crashers", 2005 3. James Daughton as Greg Marmalard "National Lampoon's Animal House", 1978 4. Eriq La Salle as Darryl Jenks "Coming to America", 1988 5. Robert Prescott as Cole Whittier "Bachelor Party", 1984 6. Ted McGinley as...
By Liz | August 11, 2006; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (55)
Morning Mix: Sean Preston Named Worst Dressed
"My hat - no, my clothes go off to the single mother with no help; I stand naked, kowtowing before her." -- Gwyneth Paltrow on motherhood in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar Headlines: Sean Preston named worst dressed man in the world... Paris Hilton bit by pet kinkajou... Director M. Night Shyamalan says Mel Gibson is a "sweet guy"... Carmen Electra files for divorce from Dave Navarro... Jack Black will host MTV Music Video Awards... Nicolas Cage buys Bavarian castle... Brooke Hogan gets her grills on... Val Kilmer gets his middle age spread on... Kristen Bell fine after slamming hand in car door... Nervous hopeful pukes at "American Idol" audition. Rumor Mill: Security team mobilizes to protect Lindsay Lohan from stalker; LL on verge of eviction from Hollywood hotel... Tom and Katie invite the Beckhams to meet Suri... Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett moving in together?... Charlize Theron scolded...
By Liz | August 11, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (7)
Celebrity Head-Scratchers
If you haven't yet visited, I suggest at least a daily sojourn to Emil Steiner's OFF/beat blog for the RDA of screwy news. But celebrity news -- as regular readers well know -- offers a modest supply of oddities, too. Some recent head-scratchers below. Doncha Wish Your Burqa Was Hot Like Me? KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian authorities fined organizers of a concert by the chart-topping Pussycat Dolls for allowing the singers to wear skimpy costumes and for their "sexually suggestive routines," a news report said Wednesday. (Full Story) This straight-faced Associated Press story dutifully reports the reaction of incensed Malaysian officials following a standard Pussycat Dolls concert. The article gives us only a taste of the absurdity here, though -- a burlesque-inspired girl group performing "sexually suggestive routines" in a predominantly Muslim nation (to a sold out house, by the way). Officials routinely ask Western acts to "tone down"...
By Liz | August 10, 2006; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (4)
Aniston, Vaughn Deny Engagement Rumors
Headlines: Candidate scraps Mel Gibson fund-raising letter... Katie Couric says she's ready for marriage... Daniel Craig named best-dressed man by Esquire... Jay-Z wants us to conserve water... Nicole Richie snapped with mystery man... Alfonso Ribeiro ("Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Silver Spoons") divorcing wife of four years... Porn star Mary Carey launches second gubernatorial campaign... Suzanne Pleshette battling lung cancer. Rumor Mill: Are they or aren't they? Jennifer Aniston's publicist denies Us Weekly report of an engagement to Vince Vaughn... Pete Doherty vows to clean himself up, marry Kate Moss... Crew member says Lindsay Lohan partied way through "Herbie: Fully Loaded" shoot; Meanwhile, is LL planning to open a tattoo parlor?... Hasselhoff loves being groped by female fans... Will Disney drop distribution of Gibson's "Apocalypto"?... Zooey Deschanel to play Janis Joplin in upcoming biopic. Suri Watch: Page Six reports that photos of TomKitten were recently shot by Annie Leibovitz and will...
By Liz | August 10, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (6)
Robin Williams in Rehab
Williams in April. (AP) A quick afternoon update: Robin Williams' publicist released a statement this afternoon saying the 55-year-old actor/comedian is seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. The statement added that Williams had been sober for 20 years, but recently relapsed. Read the full story here. Read up on Williams' life and filmography....
By Liz | August 9, 2006; 3:20 PM ET | Comments (10)
Celebritology 101: Lindsay Lohan & the Celebrity Spin Machine
Believe what I say, not what I do. (AP) Pay close attention to what comes out of the mouths of celebrities. They may not always mean what they say. They probably didn't actually come up with these words (remember, most are paid performers) and in most cases their utterances -- whether on Entertainment Tonight or surrounded by salt-of-the-earth villagers in Namibia -- are calculated to add value to their brand. Imagine them henceforth as officially sanctioned sociopaths very carefully manipulated by an able band of helpers. Below we study an annotated version of a very commonly used celebrity device in attempted image rehabilitation: ---- Lohan Wants to Visit U.S. Troops in Iraq The Associated Press Celebritology Annotation in Italics NEW YORK -- Lindsay Lohan says she wants to go to Iraq with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and entertain American troops there. Lindsay Lohan has suffered some big setbacks in...
By Liz | August 9, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (20)
Morning Mix: MTV Curse Claims The Barkers
Headlines: The Barkers become latest MTV reality show couple to split... In other MTV splitsville news, Laguna Beach's Kristin Cavallari breaks up with boyfriend Brody Jenner, Lauren "L.C." Conrad and Jason Wahler are, like, so over, too... Authorities won't release tapes of Mel Gibson arrest...Madonna crashes Rome wedding... Bryce Dallas Howard ("Lady in the Water") expecting first child... McCartneys hire Charles and Diana divorce lawyers... Bruce Willis sues former friend for alleged extortion... HBO signs on for sixth season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Rumor Mill: Photos of Suri Cruise "coming soon"... Dave Navarro, Jenna Jameson dating... Tabloid alleges drinking is least of Gibson's problems... Britney wants to work with Charlie Sheen on children's clothing line... Colin Farrell only has "half a baguette in his lunchbox" (Hunh? What about Lunchables?)... OutKast deny breakup rumors. P.S. I'm starting to doubt the relative sanity of the "Rockstar: Supernova" judges. After Gilby, Tommy and...
By Liz | August 9, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (8)
Aging Action Heroes: The Perfect Vintage
With Sylvester Stallone resurrecting both the Rocky and Rambo franchises and Harrison Ford on tap to reprise his role as Indiana Jones one more time, it isn't that much of a stretch to imagine other action heroes of yesteryear eagerly queuing up to reanimate characters ripe for some boomer-style butt kicking. Bruce Willis. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) The latest addition to this buffet of "mature" hams is Bruce Willis, who is on tap to make a fourth "Die Hard" movie as detective John McClane in "Live Free or Die Hard," tentatively planned for an Independence Day 2007 release. The flavor of the millennium thus far has cast most of our big budget action stars as superheroes -- with no old reliable opponent (i.e. The Cold War and the Soviet threat), Hollywood has turned its action agenda over to comic book heroism. We have Batman, X-Men (and women), Superman, Electra, etc., but...
By Liz | August 8, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (19)
Morning Mix: Jackson Says Conspirators Out to Ruin Him
Headlines: Michael Jackson says conspiracy out to ruin him... Janet Jackson poses topless for Vibe magazine cover; demands water chilled to specific temperature... Police called to McCartney home after Heather Mills denied entry... Mistaking himself for a real pirate, Johnny Depp records album of sea shanties... Frances Bean poses in dad Kurt Cobain's PJs... Fred Savage and wife welcome baby boy... Kristy Swanson and "Skating With Celebrities" partner expecting first child... Spelling feud holds up Tori's tribute to dad... Hugh Hefner denies he had a stroke... Rumor Mill: Oliver Stone planning Hefner-based musical...Paris Hilton, Stavros Niarchos split again; meanwhile, Paris gets Hello Kitty-fied... Pam Anderson, Kid Rock hold second wedding; already expecting?... Gwyneth Paltrow considering weight-loss surgery?... J.Lo dropped "Dallas" because Travolta not a "man's man."...
By Liz | August 8, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (5)
Comment Box: Mel, Mix Tapes and Love Between the Lines
"For me, the key is whether I can continue to believe in them as a character in a movie. If I'm spending too much mental effort being skeezed out by Mel's anti-semitism or Tom's mental breakdown, I can't separate the actor from the character. I think I'm over it for both those guys." -- MKC on Mel Gibson, Past Rehabilitation? Last week's Mel Gibson news inspired much heated debate in the comment threads, but MKC's terse explainer pretty much sums up the collective opinion about Gibson's future, at least with fans. Wednesday's poll results echoed this sentiment with 58 percent of respondents saying they would not pay to see future Gibson films. "Man, this list is worse than getting one of these earworms stuck in your head. Gotta share a few more..." -- Sean on The Uncoolest Cuts Believe it or not, the above is a compliment. More than 200...
By Liz | August 7, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (3)
Morning Mix: Swayze, Foster Defend Gibson
"When you are a pit bull, and you love what you do and you are going to continue to grow, that talent will find its way out." -- Patrick Swayze's cryptic defense of pal Mel Gibson. (Maybe he should try "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" again.) Headlines: Jodie Foster backs Gibson, too... Paris Hilton says she's celibate, likens herself to Princess Diana, doesn't know who British PM Blair is. Oh, and she fears sweat... Lindsay Lohan e-mails rant to gossip blogger Perez Hilton... Jessica Simpson says her album's not about Nick... Barry Manilow to have hip surgery... Jay Leno to fill in for ailing Roger Ebert... Home Movies: In this "Chaotic" era footage, Britney chows down, belches and proves that she was unhinged long before her June Matt Lauer interview. (PG-13, because Ms. Spears has a potty mouth) Watch It: Move over Osbournes -- "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," chronicling...
By Liz | August 7, 2006; 8:25 AM ET | Comments (8)
Friday List: The Uncoolest Cuts
Anyone ever heard of Q magazine? Hunh. Me either, but thanks to Q anyway for providing us with fodder for another Friday List. Q recently published a list of "Uncool Songs It's Okay to Admit You Love." Although Q published an "official" list, I contend that the list is a very personal experience, different for all of us. Perhaps more than anything, this list reveals much about our personalities and desires. I think we can all admit that we have an ideal "me" we try to project to the world -- depending on who you are, that ideal me may wear a Motorhead T-shirt and drive a Prius or wear Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. line of clothes and ride comfortably in a Porsche. Either way, we are saying this is who I want to be and I want the world to know it. But, when you admit to liking an uncool...
By Liz | August 4, 2006; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (246)
Morning Mix: Penelope Cruz Says She's Met Suri
Headlines: Gibson opts for outpatient treatment program; Rob Schneider publicly announces he'll never work with Gibson (In what? "Deuce Bigalow: Beyond Thunderdome"?)... Penelope Cruz says she's met camera-shy Suri Cruise... Katharine McPhee fractures left foot... Melanie Griffith and 17-year-old daughter bond over smokes... Bruce Willis sues childhood friend... "Chuck Norris" leads contest for Budapest bridge name... Forbes ranks the "Hottest Billionaire Heiresses"... New Kurt Cobain documentary premiering at Canadian film fest. Rumor Mill: K-Fed eyes movie career... Kid Rock dumped ex via text message... Leonardo DiCaprio, Gisele Bündchen secretly hooking up?... Carnie Wilson: "I get horny when I eat donuts"... Nicole Richie to star in dad Lionel's new video. Field operatives Russ Walker and Frank Thomason contributed to this report....
By Liz | August 4, 2006; 8:42 AM ET | Comments (10)
A Scheme of Hasselhoffian Proportions
A seemingly innocuous David Hasselhoff signals to his minions at Wimbledon. (Reuters) There is some kind of wrinkle in the fabric of the universe, a glitch in the matrix, if you will, and this intergalactic snafu, this disturbance in the force, centers on one man: David Hasselhoff. To wit, Hasselhoff's "Baywatch" co-star Pamela Anderson married Kid Rock over the weekend. But Anderson was previously married to Tommy Lee, who is currently appearing on "Rockstar: Supernova" with Dave Navarro, who recently split with Carmen Electra, who also co-starred on "Baywatch" with, yes, David Hasselhoff. (Graphic illustration by Liz Kelly) Dismissed as coincidence. I'm not yet sure what this means or why we should care, but it's no coincidence. Hasselhoffian forces are mobilizing and up to no good. The evidence continues to mount: Why would Pam and Kid suddenly reunite and marry if it weren't somehow to Hasselhoff's advantage? Why would...
By Liz | August 3, 2006; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (19)
Morning Mix: TomKat Wedding Imminent?
Headlines: Mel Gibson charged with drunk driving (Official Complaint - PDF); Scientology-spoofing "South Park" ad ill-timed; Us Weekly's "Hunk to Drunk" Gibson morph... Christie Brinkley meets with estranged husband... Barbara Walters scolds "View" co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck... Nick Lachey calls new girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo a "guy's girl"... Fashion icon (umm) Elton John sick of American bands' style... Anna Nicole Smith reaches out to Britney Spears (and cooks up a peanut butter, cheese and mayo sandwich -- third item)... J.Lo drops out of "Dallas" remake... Helena Bonham Carter signs on to next "Harry Potter" film... Marie Osmond hospitalized for adverse medication reaction (publicist denies suicide attempt rumors)... New reality show will chronicle search for new Pussycat Doll... Lindsay Lohan subpoenaed in lawsuit against mom... Star Jones Reynolds says she's not divorcing... Dog destroys Elvis' teddy bear. Rumor Mill: TomKat wedding imminent?... Jennifer Aniston single again?... "Lost's" Naveen Andrews spotted in liplock with...
By Liz | August 3, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (8)
Mel Gibson, Past Rehabilitation?
Mel Gibson's Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office booking photo. (Getty Images) Mel Gibson is essentially fighting for his life. He's issued an appropriately humbling apology and checked himself in to an alcoholism-treatment program. He's making all the right moves, but is his a recoverable offense? Will last week's arrest and subsequent anti-Semitic outburst eventually fade from the public conciousness? Will this apocalypto, too, pass? Maybe. Robert Downey Jr. has bounced back more than once from the brink of addiction and is generally agreed to be one Hollywood's most talented actors. Hugh Grant, once arrested for picking up prostitute Divine Brown, has settled back into his comfortably foppish romantic comedy track. And Woody Allen, who famously married his ex-wife's adopted daughter, has emerged relatively unscathed from the scandal, scoring a big hit with this year's "Match Point." Or maybe not. Yesterday in Gene Weingarten's online discussion he also talked about...
By Liz | August 2, 2006; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Jacko's Lawyers Quit
Headlines: Citing non-payment, Jacko's lawyers quit case... Mel Gibson asks Jewish community for help; sheriff's department investigating "special" treatment; Al Franken's rehab plan; TMZ.com in the spotlight... Kid Rock ties knot with Pamela Anderson in baseball cap (Note: The two previously separate entities will henceforth be known as "Pam Rock")... Tommy Lee says he's the strict parent (to 90210 characters sons Brandon and Dylan)... Paris Hilton's missing baubles turn up on eBay... Stella McCartney expecting second child... Derek Jeter cologne smells like "ambition, courage, passion and confidence"...Alice Cooper building Arizona teen center... Jackie Chan, Jet Li near movie deal... Rumor Mill: Lindsay Lohan reportedly fired by U.K. record label... Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie may reunite on Letterman in September... Hugh Grant to be best man at ex Liz Hurley's wedding... Diddy five hours late to his own party... Tori Spelling and new hubby admit to regular porn habit... P.S....
By Liz | August 2, 2006; 8:35 AM ET | Comments (16)
Parsing Mel's Meltdown
For the second time in as many years, we are witnessing the unraveling of a fervently religious star. The first, Tom Cruise, is taking the long way round. He hasn't lost all credibility, but his increasing deference to Scientology isn't doing his questionably flagging career any favors. The second -- Mel Gibson -- has literally gone straight to jail, without passing go, without collecting $200. Gibson in October 2005. (Reuters) Disbelief gave way to embarrassment-tinged outrage as details about Gibson's DUI arrest and subsequent anti-Semitic tirade trickled out over the weekend. The first thing to do, of course, was to make Mel the butt of our jokes, which I did here yesterday morning. The short-lived mirth has subsided, though. There just isn't much humor in watching a once-great superstar commit professional suicide by way of slurring an ethnicity and descending into alcoholism. For some, though, there is an element of...
By Liz | August 1, 2006; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Gibson Enters Rehab; Paris and Stavros Together Again
Headlines: Mel Gibson enters alcoholism treatment program; sheriff's dept. releases mug shot; tabloid publishes pictures of star earlier that evening; ABC pulls Gibson's Holocaust miniseries... Paris Hilton says she's back with Stavros Niarchos (how will this affect the celibacy vow?)... Heath Ledger to take on Joker role in next Batman film... Katharine McPhee re-joins "American Idol" tour... Kanye West, Gwen Stefani make Vanity Fair's best-dressed list... Corey Feldman celebrates 35th birthday with mega-bash... Paul McCartney releasing classical album... Cher auctioning contents of Malibu home... LAPD reopens Notorious B.I.G. murder investigation... Axl Rose gets sick during concert... Wesley Snipes sued by former agent... Shannen Doherty suing tabloid over plastic surgery story... Boy George to sweep NYC streets for community service... Rumor Mill: Lance Bass on brink of break-up with boyfriend... Neighbors complain about Sean Penn's stinky trailer home... Biographers say Frank Sinatra was a "functioning alcoholic."...
By Liz | August 1, 2006; 8:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
