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Archive: February 2007
Morning Mix: Hugh Grant Cuffed to Fan
Headlines: Fan cuffs self to Hugh Grant (Watch video)... Maybe Hugh needs to take lessons from Daniel Craig... Katherine Heigl drops out of "Grey's" contract talks... Mick and Marty (that's Scorsese) to pair up on new project... Liev Schreiber proud he'll be a papa... Madonna to Lourdes: Cover yourself!... Seal loses court appeal... Santa Monica bans Tyra's new ad... "Dancing With the Stars": the book... Former Phish frontman pleads not guilty to drug charges... Paris Hilton ticketed for driving on suspended license... Hold the phone: Naomi Campbell says she's sorry... Anna Nicole corpse case continues. Rumor Mill: Did Diddy commit assault?... And did James Blunt hit and run?... Ruffalo to Gyllenhaal: Quit yer whinin'... Has the Kate-Posh friendship cooled?... Were Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck clients of this Hollywood madam? More on washingtonpost.com: Where's Angelina been? Writing this op-ed on Darfur Idol Watch continues: Lisa de Moraes recaps last night's...
By Maura McCarthy | February 28, 2007; 8:05 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Bobby Brown Jailed
Headlines: Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter" to you and me) mobbed by teenage fans after his revealing "Equus" preview.... Gwyneth Paltrow says being a housewife is "amazing." (Yeah, but what about cleaning those toilets?)... Judge makes no ruling on Smith baby, leaving Dannielynn in Howard K. Stern's custody. Meanwhile, Larry Birkhead finally has a face-to-face meeting with baby Dannielynn, his purported daughter... Brandon Davis's boorish behavior made Paris Hilton cry at her 26th birthday party. (Why exactly is he considered a friend? Oh right, he's rich.).... Friend says racy pictures posted on the Internet are not "American Idol" contestant Antonella Barba... Ellen DeGeneres admits she was "scared to death" hosting Oscars... Katie Holmes raised eyebrows when she refused to be photgraphed without her hubby at the Vanity Fair post-Oscar bash... Bobby Brown arrested and jailed until he pays $19,000 in late child support and court fees... Beckhams ink deal to star...
By Nancy Kerr | February 27, 2007; 9:25 AM ET | Comments (23)
Morning Mix: All About Oscar
Oscar Roundup: A complete list of winners... The broadcast goes on and on and on... Martin Scorsese finally brings home the gold... Showing why they're on the 'A' list... Oscar.com missed its moment to strut its digital stuff... Transcript: Jen Chaney dissects the telecast... All the latest at Academy Awards Central. Photos: Winners take the stage... The stars bring on the bling... Red carpet fashions from the 79th Academy Awards... Oscar hair and makeup favorites. Today's Live Discussions: Suzanne D'Amato chats about Oscar fashions and foibles at 11 a.m. ET... From the red carpet to backstage to the after-parties, William Booth and Hank Stuever have the scoop at 2 p.m. ET. Headlines: Spears ex Jason Alexander worries she'll wind up like Anna Nicole... Brit's baby boys visit her in rehab... John Mayer is not denying a romance with Jessica Simpson... Is that a baby bump on Naomi Watts?... Financial guru...
By Nancy Kerr | February 26, 2007; 6:51 AM ET | Comments (27)
TTYL
I'm out of here for a week -- joining fellow post.com blogger Kim O'Donnel in celebrating her wedding in a warm, tropical environs where the beach is only a few steps away and the mojitos are closer. I'll be back next Monday, but in the meantime enjoy the all-star team of guest bloggers taking over Celebritology this week. (And I'll try to bring some of the warm back with me). Cheers....
By Liz | February 25, 2007; 4:31 PM ET | Comments (1)
Friday List: Celeb-Zeros -- Running on Fumes
Hey, Charo was on 'Fantasy Island' twice. (20th Century Fox Television) In yesterday's Celebritology Live chat, some anonymous genius posed this fabulous question: Who invented this notion of people who are famous for being famous? I'm not sure who invented the notion, but over the years we've been subjected to or fascinated with an array of talentless, yet seemingly ubiquitous, celebrities. The current crop of celeb-zeros is presided over by Paris Hilton, who has managed to turn her lack of skills into a cottage industry, spawning a (relatively contrived) reality show and a lucrative sideline as a paid party guest. And she's not alone -- gossip pages now regularly track the sons and daughters of the famous, recording every drunken revel or, umm, parachute jump to feed our inexplicable appetite for these empty calories. Yesterday's chatters came up with the start of a fabulous Friday list, dropping names like...
By Liz | February 23, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (100)
Morning Mix: Britney's Umbrella Attack
Headlines: Rehab could help Britney Spears keep her children... Anna Nicole Smith will be buried in Bahamas; judge breaks down delivering decision... Prince Harry to be sent to Iraq... Country dude Brad Paisley and wife welcome son... White Stripe Jack White and wife expecting second child... Busta Rhymes charged with driving on suspended license. Rumor Mill: Britney Spears reportedly attacks paparazzi with umbrella (Video -- Warning: Some explicit language)... Brangelina to adopt again, this time from Vietnam... Naomi Campbell and Terrence Howard to come out as a couple on Oscar night... Michael Jackson in talks with "American Idol" producers... Pizza Hut spokesperson Jessica Simpson allergic to pizza... Jimmy Fallon may be next late-night talk-show host. Oscar Watch: Is it Martin Scorsese's year?... Swag bags include free Botox treatment... Show producers hoping backstage "thank-you cam" will shorten on-stage speeches... Full Coverage Quote of the Day: "The only question you answered is...
By Liz | February 23, 2007; 8:18 AM ET | Comments (10)
Britney Back in Rehab (Again)
AP is reporting that Britney Spears has returned to a treatment facility. We will add more details as we get them. Interestingly, People.com says the confirmation came from Kevin Federline's camp and that Federline has since canceled an emergency custody hearing scheduled for today....
By Liz | February 22, 2007; 12:41 PM ET | Comments (4)
'Lost' Episode 9 -- A Big Distraction
Spoilers Ahead: If you haven't already watched last night's installment -- "Stranger in a Strange Land" -- please do so now at ABC.com. Achara (Bai Ling) greets Jack in Phuket. (Photo courtesy ABC) Tonight on "Lost": Will Bai Ling distract Liz enough to ruin her enjoyment of an otherwise watchable episode? Well, almost. For anyone out there who just checks in on Thursdays for show analysis, I spend the rest of the week immersed in the world of celebrity news. Don't get me wrong. I love me some hot celebrity scoop, but "Lost" and these Thursday posts function as a sanity-saving oasis for me, a DMZ free of break-ups, breakdowns, deaths, arrests and... oh wait. Nevermind. Anyhow, imagine my dismay when settling in for an evening of "Lost" -- where the closest thing to a celebrity would have to be Hurley -- only to be slapped in the face with...
By Liz | February 22, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (70)
Morning Mix: K-Fed Calls Emergency Custody Hearing
Britney Spears: Spears leaves rehab again, visits lawyer, checks into hotel with Chihuahua and reportedly tries to drop in on Kevin Federline... K-Fed plans to make emergency custody bid for Sean Preston and Jayden James... National Enquirer says Spears attempted suicide twice over weekend... Who will land the first Spears interview and can her celebrity survive? Anna Nicole Smith: Stern says Smith was on medication at time of death, paid his rent... Larry Birkhead says he and Smith talked marriage... Feuding parties view "rapidly decomposing" body... Judge expects to rule on who gets custody of corpse by Friday... Smith's mother wants Daniel exhumed, buried in Texas. In Other Headlines: J.Lo to perform on "American Idol"... Marcia Cross gives birth to twin girls... Kate Winslet says she was once addicted to losing weight... Tyra Banks recreates Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover... Orlando Bloom building eco-conscious home... Jim Carrey posts iTunes playlist... Second...
By Liz | February 22, 2007; 7:49 AM ET | Comments (18)
Oops, She Did It Again: Britney Leaves Rehab
Apologies for not posting this sooner, but that Paris Hilton midget thing scared me off for a good long while: The Associated Press is reporting that "Britney Spears left a live-in drug rehabilitation facility early Wednesday, less than a day after checking in, according to several reports." TMZ.com is also investigating a report that Spears tried to hit a tattoo parlor on her way home, but it was closed. Last week, Spears spent one day in the Crossroads rehab facility in Antigua. Unless she checks into a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, I'll save further details for tomorrow's Morning Mix....
By Liz | February 21, 2007; 3:48 PM ET | Comments (11)
Paris Hilton and Midgets and Goats, Oh My
(Photo Illustration courtesy Worth1000.com) With all the heavy news we've had lately -- Anna Nicole's death, Britney's rehab and the bust up of the Van Halen reunion that never got off the ground anyway -- my mind was ripe for distraction. So, let me tell you how this went down. I was minding my own business, clicking around the New York Post when I read the following sentence about Paris Hilton's 26th birthday party: After downing TY KU liquor and bottles of Dom Perignon, guests reported seeing Hilton play with a monkey while a band of midgets led a pack of goats around the room. (Full Item) Immediately recognizing that my 26th birthday party did not include midgets, goats or monkeys, my finely-tuned Celebritologist sixth sense knew there was something here worth investigating. So, because it's my job (hey, someone has to do it) to probe these things while...
By Liz | February 21, 2007; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (8)
Morning Mix: Britney Enters Rehab
Headlines: Britney Spears enters rehab facility... K-Fed cancels Vegas party plans out of concern for Spears and children... Nicole Richie pleads not guilty to drunk driving... Howard K. Stern tells judge Anna Nicole Smith wanted to be buried in Bahamas... Tom Brady "excited" about being a father to ex Bridget Moynahan's unborn baby... Celebrities raise $1.3 million for Barack Obama... Family agrees on burial site for James Brown... Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra finalize divorce... Daniel Baldwin pleads innocent to car theft... Dead woman's family sues Michael Jackson... Judge awards O.J. Simpson's past earnings to Goldman family. Rumor Mill: Is Christina Aguilera shopping for baby clothes?... Mischa Barton's younger sister checks in to rehab... Sorry kids, but Spandau Ballet will not reunite....
By Liz | February 21, 2007; 6:52 AM ET | Comments (11)
Parsing Britney's Meltdown
A bald Britney. (AFP/Getty Images) Photo Gallery: Britney's Changing Look Unless you spent the long weekend in a sensory deprivation chamber, you know Britney Spears -- in full view of a horde of photographers -- wandered into a neighborhood hair salon in California on Friday night and proceeded to shave her head. Images of a bald Britney have been burned into our retinas, joining Michael Jackson's balcony baby dangle, Tom Cruise's couch jumping and Mel Gibson's mug shot in the celebrity meltdown hall of fame. Mothers who once accompanied teenyboppers to Spears's concerts are faced with the daunting task of turning this trainwreck into a life lesson. Grown men who slavered over the post-Disney/pre-preggo Brit just a couple of years ago have now dropped her from their top five. And the AARP crowd -- more accustomed to stars who self-destruct the old-fashioned way -- are risking whiplash with the...
By Liz | February 20, 2007; 11:01 AM ET | Comments (78)
Daily Mix: Lindsay Lohan Exits Rehab
Headlines: Newly-bald Britney Spears dons a wig, parties at night club... Hair on sale for $1 million... Web site says these eight women look better than Britney bald... Lindsay Lohan checks out of rehab after 30-day stay... Tug-of-war over Anna Nicole Smith's baby continues, bizarre video of clown-faced Smith emerges... Playboy says Scarlett Johansson is sexiest celebrity... Publicist says Bridget Moynahan expecting Tom Brady's child... Kelly Osbourne says family member is HIV positive... Australian officials search Sylvester Stallone's private jet... Ray Liotta arrested for suspected drunk driving... Bryce Dallas Howard ("Lady in the Water") gives birth. Rumor Mill: Heather Mills prepared to claim Paul McCartney is a bad father... Victoria Beckham to style TomKat for Oscar night... J.Lo tears up after new movie booed at Berlin film festival... Whitney Houston spends weekend in Vegas with 26-year-old Ray J... Nicole Richie skips Paris Hilton's birthday bash (second item)... Kate Hudson and...
By Liz | February 20, 2007; 8:11 AM ET | Comments (19)
Britney's Bold Bald New Look
Britney Spears shows off her newly-shorn skull. After reportedly spending one day in rehab, the pop singer shaved her own hair off after a California salon owner refused to do it for her. | Full Story (AP/KABC-TV)...
By Liz | February 19, 2007; 7:57 AM ET | Comments (0)
Friday List: Stars We Hate to Love
A couple weeks back I unwittingly set off a torrent of star-hating when I unburdened myself of a lifelong, and somewhat inexplicable, aversion to Diane Keaton. Three-hundred-plus comments later, an initially tentative response had morphed into a cacophony of contempt by the end of the day. I only can imagine if I had detailed my much deeper abhorrence of Dabney Coleman. The mind reels. (Aside: In an informal and highly unscientific count Angelina Jolie emerged as the most-hated celebrity for Celebritology readers. She was closely trailed by Oprah Winfrey and the "insouciant" Gwyneth Paltrow.) Although we offered up varied reasons for our loathing, the common thread was an immediate and visceral dislike. Today, after prompting from Celebritology readers, we turn this mother upside down and -- keeping in mind that this is a (mostly) anonymous forum -- come clean about the stars we hate to love. Yet again, Liz takes...
By Liz | February 16, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Kenny Chesney Says He's Not Gay
Headlines: Kenny Chesney says he's not gay... Judge orders DNA test on Anna Nicole Smith's body... Gabor's husband files paternity suit... California examining doctor who may have prescribed methadone to pregnant Smith... Ryan Phillippe says his daughter helped him cope with divorce... Scarlett Johansson crowned Hasty Pudding's woman of the year... Madonna says she wants to be like Gandhi... North Dakota lawmakers reject bill to honor Bono... Citing "personality conflicts," Chris Cornell leaving Audioslave... Ian Astbury drops the Doors to re-form The Cult... Carlos Santana opening three California restaurants... Keri Russell ("Felicity") marries longtime boyfriend... "Lost" hits an all-time ratings low. Rumor Mill: Flight attendant now says she did induct Ralph Fiennes into Mile High Club... Austrian crowd pelts Paris Hilton with trash... Britney Spears and sons take solo Florida mini-vacation... Justin Timberlake says "quit drinking" comment wasn't aimed at Spears... J.Lo and Marc Anthony spotted at Scientology meetings... Norah...
By Liz | February 16, 2007; 7:59 AM ET | Comments (0)
Lost Analysis: Episode 8 -- Time Travel, Anyone?
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own risk or head over to ABC to watch last night's episode first. Last week's episode kicked off a frenzy of theorizing not seen since the early days of the hatch, the button and the numbers and suddenly talk of "Lost" as a rudderless ship have evaporated, like so much black smoke. Why? Turns out that the scene in which Karl (Alex's Other boyfriend) is subjected to some kind of sensory overload chamber -- and I dismissed as an homage to "A Clockwork Orange" -- held what looks to be a king-sized clue (or one whopper of a red herring). Thanks to some industrious fans, we now know that the scene contained a backwards message. That's right, a genuine Paul-is-dead moment right here in our very own "Lost:" NewbrainUploaded by DarkUFO Listen closely or you might just miss the voice repeating this cryptic message:...
By Liz | February 15, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (70)
Morning Mix: Britney Spears Urged to Get Help
(AP) Headlines: California judge releases lock on Anna Nicole Smith's body... Nanny says smith starved baby Dannielynn... Smith's mother wants guardianship... Doctor allegedly prescribed methadone to Smith 13 days before she gave birth... Courteney Cox says Jennifer Aniston kiss is "no big deal"... Paula Abdul says she's never been drunk... Howard Stern engaged to longtime girlfriend... Ben & Jerry's launches new Stephen Colbert Americone Dream ice cream... Al Franken enters Minnesota Senate race... Milli Vanilli movie in the works... Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg set for fighter film... Pink recalls working at McDonald's... Tracy Morgan pleads guilty to DWI... Heather Mills McCartney visits police station (maybe for kicking a photographer?). Rumor Mill: Former assistant urges Britney Spears to get help... Shana Moakler and Travis Barker together again?... America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") engaged... Eminem's ex explains suicide attempt... Another on-set fight -- this time between McDreamy and McSteamy -- at...
By Liz | February 15, 2007; 7:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
Hump Day Snow Day Valentine's Day Wednesday List
Violets are blue, Roses are red, Get in on the list, If you're not still in bed. (For real poetic artistry, see last post) In a survey of 5,000 Australians, more than 70 percent of respondents (of both sexes) said they'd rather spend Valentine's Day with their partner than a celebrity dream date. While fidelity is commendable, we here in the land of list-making know that there's nothing wrong with a healthy imagination and today we'll get our creative juices flowing by compiling a list of fantasy dream dates. We could opt for the obvious and name our celebrity dream dates ("and then Russell Crowe would duel the "Donnie Darko"-era Jake Gyllenhaal for my affection"), but why make this a rehash of our top fives? To give this list a little twist, we'll make the objects of our affection completely unattainable: If you could spend Valentine's Day with one fictional...
By Liz | February 14, 2007; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
My Funny Valentine
Full disclosure: I asked celebrated wit and official Celebritology mentor Gene Weingarten to craft me a few stanzas having to do with celebrities and Valentine's Day, but -- shucks -- I never expected this masterpiece, proving -- once again -- that the funny bone is the quickest route to a girl's heart (at least this one's heart): Paris in the springtime Is like Paris in the fall. A minute watching Paris, And Paris starts to pall. Britney is a spaniel Nice but really dumb. Don't care if she wears panties -- Who wants to see her bum? Lindsay's got no flesh left And J.Lo's got too much -- Anna's dead; besides, I dread Her creepy Midas touch. My choice of famous valentine Takes no apologist -- It's without shame I say the name Of the Celebritologist....
By Liz | February 14, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Heather Mills to Dance with the Stars?
(AP/Sports Illustrated) Headlines: Anna Nicole Smith 911 tape released (audio)... Smith's last movie due in May on DVD... Smith's will reportedly left everything to son Daniel... Beyonce scores cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue... Elle magazine names Madonna as top fashion icon... Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's L.A. home burglarized... Tiki Barber joins "Today" show... Reese Witherspoon fires agents... Nicky Hilton sued over hotel project... Toni Braxton settles suit with ex-manager... Omar Sharif pleads no contest to battery for punching parking valet... Rumor Mill: Heather Mills reportedly signs on to "Dancing With the Stars"... Jon Bon Jovi wants to ban Denise Richards from tour... Belinda Carlisle was approached to replace "Idol's" Paula Abdul... Whitney Houston denies reconciling with Bobby Brown... J.J. Abrams planning "Dark Tower" (Stephen King) mini-series. Coming Soon (to a DVD player near you): WKRP in Cincinnati...
By Liz | February 14, 2007; 7:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Anna Nicole's Paper Trail
In some random episode of "The Simpsons" from years ago Homer is watching a reasonable facsimile of "Married With Children" in which the punch line of every scene is the Al Bundy character reaching over and flushing a toilet. Doing its usual bang-up job of distilling popular culture down to its essence, "The Simpsons" is helping us to understand that the particular genius of at least one sitcom is nothing more than potty humor. To quote Homer: It's funny 'cause it's true. (AP) It was this image of a flushing toilet that came back to me when I was looking through wire photos related to the Anna Nicole Smith story. I came across the photo you see to the right, described in its wire service caption (and I paraphrase) as a roll of toilet paper from a suite at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino similar to the one...
By Liz | February 13, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Bodyguard Says He May Be Smith's Baby's Daddy
Headlines: Howard K. Stern says Bahamas house ransacked... Photos of Anna Nicole Smith with immigration official surface... Gabor's husband plans to file claim for baby... Meanwhile, bodyguard becomes fifth potential father... And it was only a matter of time until this happened... Vince Vaughn helps Jennifer Aniston celebrate birthday... Judi Dench won't attend Oscar ceremony... John Mayer, Jessica Simpson come out at post-Grammy party... Jennifer Hudson to appear on cover of Vogue... Kate Winslet may sue over diet claims... Robbie Williams enters rehab for drug addiction... Goldman family subpoenas O.J. Simpson records... Vanilla Ice hired to sell tax preparation software... Dave Grohl says he's still alive... Leonardo DiCaprio to star in Enron movie. Rumor Mill: Lindsay Lohan buys Marilyn Monroe's former home... Ralph Fiennes joins the Mile High Club (or at least applies for membership)... Britney Spears reportedly strips at New York club... Spears ex Isaac Cohen spills to British...
By Liz | February 13, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (0)
Comment Box: Why Is Anna Nicole Front Page News?
Why is this front page news? No impact on our lives at all. Much like Princess Diana. As nice as she was... I really did not care. Moving on... -- MediaHound Well, you've asked it so I guess I have to try to answer, though I think the answer may involve pop psychology 101, voyeurism, a celebrity-obsessed culture and plain old human nature. Luckily, scads of people way smarter than me have already thought this one through. If you're still interested, keep reading for a sampling of their insight. The L.A. Times' Tim Rutten (registration required), as mentioned this morning by Howard Kurtz, describes the wall-to-wall coverage of Smith's death as a response to media expectations -- after all, both Princess Diana and O.J. Simpson pushed our threshold for tabloid crossovers to a new level. But he also offers this more basic explanation: "Americans have a hard time abiding a...
By Liz | February 12, 2007; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Smith's Partner Gives Interview
Headlines: Anna Nicole Smith companion/lawyer Howard K. Stern's interview to air Monday night; Stern, baby return to disputed Bahamas mansion; Methadone found in Smith's refrigerator; Smith's sister says J. Howard Marshall is Dannielynn's father; fans mourn online... Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige win big at Grammys (Photo Galleries); The Police reunite, announce tour details today... Tony Danza takes on "The Producers"... Gerald Levert's death caused by accidental drug mix... Mom says Lindsay Lohan's "happy" in rehab... Helen Mirren rules British film awards. Rumor Mill: Scarlett Johansson says Justin Timberlake's just a friend... "Idol" Kellie Pickler's father arrested again... Simon Cowell accused of planting contestant on "American Idol."...
By Liz | February 12, 2007; 6:03 AM ET | Comments (8)
Morning Mix: Latest Anna Nicole Headlines
Anna Nicole Smith, 1967 - 2007 (AP) Updated at 4:29 p.m. ET: Medical examiner says more tests needed to determine cause of death... Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband says he may be baby's father... Judge denies Larry Birkhead's request for immediate DNA test... Birkhead posts tribute to Smith on Web site (currently unavailable)... Smith's mother blames drugs for death... Sources say baby Dannielynn remains in Bahamas... Friends react to Smith's death... Smith's final interview posted online... People: Key questions answered... ABC: Medical FAQ... Death leaves tangled legal web... Source tells CBS affiliate illegal drugs found in Smith's room... Access Hollywood carries eyewitness report... Tabloid news agency shopping videotape of Smith's last moments... Wikipedia entry defaced as Smith dies. Anna Nicole Smith, a postmodern pinup for a tabloid age, died of unknown causes yesterday after being rushed to a Florida hospital, her sudden death at 39 delivering the same shock and uproar...
By Liz | February 9, 2007; 7:03 AM ET | Comments (33)
Anna Nicole Dead: A Timeline
Anna Nicole Smith, daughter Dannielyn Hope, Howard K. Stern and "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Mark Steines in Nov. 2006. (AP) If you haven't already heard, Anna Nicole Smith died this afternoon in Florida. Outrageous in life, her death -- to which we are still reacting -- has already become a spectacle. Hugh Hefner is commenting (He's "saddened") and local TV stations are asking other Hard Rock hotel guests if they saw the model/actress/reality show star's blond hair as she was taken out on a stretcher. MSNBC has sent professional celebrity bad-news-breaker Nancy Grace in to cover the story. Former boyfriend Larry Birkhead has been calling TV stations to share his shock, sadness and plans to press his paternity suit of child Dannielynn. Speaking of Dannielynn, no word yet on whether or not the child was with Smith, lawyer/kinda husband Howard K. Stern and a personal nurse at the Seminole Hard...
By Liz | February 8, 2007; 4:56 PM ET | Comments (95)
Anna Nicole Smith Dead
(AP) The Associated Press is reporting that sometime model, actress, diet pill spokesperson and tabloid darling Anna Nicole Smith has died. News broke late this afternoon that Smith had collapsed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. A local fire official said told MSNBC Smith was found unresponsive when rescue workers arrived and was transported to a hospital after being intubated at the scene. As mentioned in today's Morning Mix, a judge yesterday ordered Anna Nicole to submit to a paternity test for daughter Dannielynn. A press conference is expected soon an I'll post more details as they become available. Share your reaction in the comments area. Sensitivity is the watchword. Resources: Wikipedia's Anna Nicole Smith entry...
By Liz | February 8, 2007; 3:05 PM ET | Comments (115)
Lost Episode 7 Analysis: It's Back, Baby
***Spoilers Ahead*** If you haven't yet watched Wednesday night's mid-season premiere, please visit ABC.com to do so before proceeding. Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), a woman with a lot on her mind. (Photo courtesy ABC) Yesterday in the comment section of the look-ahead post here in Celebritology, reader Janie used the term "nerdgasm" to describe the frenzied next-day discussions of "Lost" in her office each week. Thank you, Janie, for giving our bliss a name. Let the nerdgasm begin. I was skeptical going into last night's show. After three long months to stew over a mediocre fall season, I didn't have high hopes for the return. After all, the six fall shows had only served to dilute the plot, drop vital threads and kill off one of my favorite characters (Mr. Eko). Then I made the mistake of watching the hour-long infomercial preamble at 9 p.m. Hosted by Damon Lindelof and Carlton...
By Liz | February 8, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (96)
Morning Mix: Lohan Parties Her Way Through Rehab
Headlines: Teri Hatcher denies Botox and surgery rumors... Brangelina buy apartment in Berlin, Germany... The Police to reunite at Sunday's Grammys for performance of "Roxanne"... Because it's all about the movies, man, Celine Dion to unveil new song at Oscars... Mandy Moore says it took time to accept her size (I, on the other hand, accepted her size long ago)... Jermaine Dupri to head up Island Record Urban Music division... National Boycott of Paris Hilton Movement asks FILA to drop socialite's endorsement... Judge gives Anna Nicole Smith Feb. 21 deadline for paternity test... Judge may allow Phil Spector trial to be televised... "Idol" hopeful with drug history disinvited from Hollywood round... Fugitive Daniel Baldwin surfaces in Detroit... Pink pays tribute to dead dog with new tattoo. Rumor Mill: Lindsay Lohan adds clubbing to her rehab regimen... Ryan O'Neal, son blame each other for weekend incident; what's all this about a...
By Liz | February 8, 2007; 7:44 AM ET | Comments (17)
Ready to Get 'Lost' Again?
Tonight on "Lost": Not in Portland -- Jack is in command as the fate of Ben's life literally rests in his hands. But do we care? Yet another chance to post this photo of Sawyer (Josh Holloway). (Photo courtesy ABC) It feels like forever since we talked about "Lost" here on Nov. 9. Still, a lot has happened in the intervening weeks -- the holidays, the return of "24" and "American Idol," the kickoff of the Hollywood awards season and, speaking of kickoffs -- the Super Bowl. A few new shows have also quietly crept into our daily routines -- "Ugly Betty" and "Heroes" emerged as keepers from last fall's cornucopia of pilots. Me, I've used the time to Netflix some of my favorite old shows (and am here to testify that the "Larry Sanders Show" is still puts latter-day imitators to shame -- sorry Tina Fey). With all the...
By Liz | February 7, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (24)
Morning Mix: Aguilera Describes 'Naked Sundays'
Headlines: Christina Aguilera and husband enjoy "naked Sundays"... Prince's halftime show looked phallic to some... Beyonce leads Soul Train Award nominations... Keith Urban sues Keith Urban over Web domain... Ozzy Osbourne says this summer's Ozzfest concerts will be free... Actor David Faustino ("Married With Children") files for divorce... Jason Priestley and wife expecting first child... Dave Matthews and wife expecting their third child in June... Actor Michael Madsen to auction off "Reservoir Dogs" car... Anna Nicole Smith and TrimSpa sued for weight loss claims... Charlize Theron sued by Swiss watchmaker for wearing Dior timepiece... Vietnam reduces Gary Glitter's jail sentence... Arrest warrant issued for Daniel Baldwin... Photo: Michelle Rodriguez's fashion statement flop. Rumor Mill: Britney Spears single again after long-distance break-up... Eminem spokesman says the rapper is not engaged to ex-wife Kim Mathers... Tabloid says Naomi Watts expecting first child with Liev Schreiber... Spokesperson for Wonderland Center (current address of...
By Liz | February 7, 2007; 8:01 AM ET | Comments (0)
Catching Up With Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio. (Getty Images) How to explain the duality of Ralph Macchio? One of his first film performances, as raspy-voiced, tentative Johnny Cade in 1983's "The Outsiders," hit a magic sweet spot channeling teen angst, insecurity and purity through the lens of S.E. Hinton's tale of warring gangs in 1960's Tulsa. Macchio became the sacrifice made to the altar of innocence and the performances of a microcosm of young Hollywood talent (Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, C. Thomas Howell, Emilio Estevez) all spun around his unassuming axis. But, as we learned in "The Outsiders," nothing gold can stay and Macchio spent the remainder of the '80s utterly subsumed by his role as plucky karate wannabe Daniel LaRusso in the wax on-wax off "Karate Kid" trilogy (except for 1986's guitar-nerd flick "Crossroads"). By 1989's third installment, an initially endearing story was hopelessly corrupted by what became a...
By Liz | February 6, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (22)
Morning Mix: Jessica Simpson Hurt by Lachey's Dating
Olympic skater Oksana Baiul, who clearly fell on her head at some point, arrives at the Playboy Super Bowl XLI party in Miami. (AP) Headlines: Jessica Simpson says Nick Lachey's dating hurt her... Woman made 911 call before Ryan O'Neal arrest; Tatum O'Neal says brother was defending himself... Barbra Streisand giving money to three Democratic candidates... Ne-Yo penning comeback tracks for Britney Spears and Whitney Houston... Tara Reid falls off red carpet in Miami... "Jackass" star Bam Margera marries childhood friend... Academy Award nominees chow down at annual Oscar luncheon... Charles Barkley says he has a gambling problem, but won $700K over Super Bowl weekend... Andy Dick ejected from Jimmy Kimmel Show after fondling Ivanka Trump... Actor Granville Adams ("Oz") charged in New York homicide. Rumor Mill: Gay leaders want Paris Hilton to apologize for racial slurs and homophobic remarks... Justin Timberlake parties Super Bowl style with Scarlett Johansson......
By Liz | February 6, 2007; 7:56 AM ET | Comments (25)
Comment Box: Ryan Seacrest vs. Billy Bush
Seacrest and Bush... or Bush and Seacrest? (Getty Images) How can you tell Billy Bush apart from Ryan Seacrest? They seem interchangeable to me. I guess all smirks look alike to me. Well, duh, Billy Bush is obviously the one described in Wikipedia as: "known for his light-hearted sense of humor and on-air hijinks with celebrity interviewees." Now that that's clear, we can move on to the more interesting question: Which one would win in a cage match, duel or arm-wrestling match? Seacrest is three years younger than Bush, so he may have the vigor of youth on his side. Also, he's used to holding his own with reputed sourpuss Simon Cowell and has managed to dispatch former "Idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman, supplant Rick Dees on radio, Dick Clark on New Year's Eve and D-lister Kathy Griffin on E!. Still, he has fumbled in the past -- most notably...
By Liz | February 5, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (16)
Morning Mix: Ryan O'Neal Accused of Assaulting Son
Headlines: Ryan O'Neal arrested, accused of assaulting son (mug shot), manager says O'Neal was defending himself... Farrah Fawcett says she's beaten cancer... Judge issues injunction against Paris Hilton Web site... Britney Spears says being single is "awesome"... Tom and Katie party in Miami with J.Lo, Marc Anthony, Tara Reid... Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling says he knits to relax... Anne Heche's husband files for divorce...Martin Scorcese wins top honors at Directors Guild Awards.... Justin Timberlake to host Kids' Choice Awards. Rumor Mill: Partial transcript of O.J. Simpson interview describes murder... Did Jennifer Aniston have a secret date with Keanu Reeves?... Are Ciara and 50 Cent (second item) a couple?... Beyonce giving back-up dancers a raw deal?... Mandy Moore says she's no Nicole Richie... Mariah Carey says Eminem is obsessed with her... Steve-O booted from club for urinating on bar; Jim Carrey shocks film crew by urinating on set... Wham! reuniting to...
By Liz | February 5, 2007; 7:31 AM ET | Comments (8)
Friday List: Your 'Idol' Audition
If I hear one more rendition of "Unchained Melody" sung by some poor misguided "American Idol" hopeful, I will turn off my TV and go read a book. There, I've said it. Take that, Simon Cowell. And you, too, Simon Fuller. Do you hear me? The songs chosen by contestants and put through to the audition room by your pre-screeners are a big yawn. Not that I'd expect anything more from a show that stocks its judges panel with "Forever Your Girl" singer Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, who toured with Journey and thinks "What's up, dawg" is still an au currant catchphrase. So when I saw this post on EW.com earlier this week asking readers what song they would choose to sing if given the chance to audition for "Idol," well, I knew we had the makings of a Friday List. My choices: "Putty in Your Hands"/The Shirelles "Down...
By Liz | February 2, 2007; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (89)
Morning Mix: Jacko's Kids Hit Vegas
Headlines: Photos: Michael Jackson's kids hit Las Vegas... James Brown's partner sues for access to home, possessions... Britney Spears and K-Fed to continue joint custody arrangement in February; Taco Bell offers K-Fed a job... Jennifer Hudson calls "American Idol" abusive... Clint Eastwood to receive humanitarian award... Prince and Billy Joel set to sing at Super Bowl... Jay-Z moves into Trump Towers... Patrick Dempsey and wife welcome twin sons... Sara Gilbert ("Roseanne") expecting second child with partner... Whitney Houston wants to speed up divorce from Bobby Brown... Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock agree to finalize divorce on May 28... Miss USA Tara Conner hints at childhood abuse as cause of addiction... Vincent "Don Vito" Margera (Bam's uncle) charged with fondling underage girls... Convicted sex offender Gary Glitter may be released from Vietnam prison. Rumor Mill: Heather Mills to convert to Catholicism after split from McCartney... J.Lo demands dim lighting, Cuban bread...
By Liz | February 2, 2007; 7:56 AM ET | Comments (21)
Celebritology 101: Stars We Love to Hate
That annoying Diane Keaton mugs at the premiere of her new movie, 'Because I Said So.' (Getty Images) So many stars and not enough room in our hearts to love them all. This explains why my sainted, nurturing mother can hate Matt Damon or why a friend who shall remain nameless contorts her face into a hideous mask when she catches even a brief glimpse of Jim Carrey or, to get to the point, why it is that I utterly and completely detest Diane Keaton. I apologize to the Keaton lovers out there. I'm willing to concede that Keaton is a perfectly fine actor and deserves some kind of credit for her part in movies like "Annie Hall," "The Godfather(s)" and "Reds." Grudging credit granted. Still, there is just something about the fashion-challenged, whiny, goggle-eyed woman that I find maddening. And no, beyond these superficial criticisms, I just can't...
By Liz | February 1, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (403)
Morning Mix: No Love for "Idol"
Headlines: Producer says Courtney Love is NOT joining "American Idol" judging panel... Police want Lane Garrison ("Prison Break") charged with manslaughter for fatal car crash... Jennifer Aniston says nose job was to fix deviated septum... Video: "The View's" Joy Behar calls Vogue editor a "war criminal"... Beyonce named top fantasy girlfriend in online poll... Jay-Z to be the new face of Cherry Coke... Josh Hartnett confirms split from Scarlett Johansson... Keith Urban to take stage on Feb. 10 "Saturday Night Live"... Kiefer Sutherland says he torched Jack Bauer doll prototype... Ralph Fiennes visits HIV patients in India for UNICEF. Rumor Mill: Publicist says Sienna Miller, Hayden Christiansen sex scenes were "not real"; Miller says she lost her innocence when Jude Law cheated on her... Lindsay Lohan texting up Brody Jenner from rehab; Lohan's dad says he's proud of her for taking control of her life... Is Britney Spears set to...
By Liz | February 1, 2007; 7:55 AM ET | Comments (0)
