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Archive: October 2007
'Lost' Book Club: Time for 'Time'
After weathering the challenging but mercifully short "The Turn of the Screw," Book Club regulars might assume our November choice to be easy and breezy; something to set the tone for the onset of the holiday season. Perhaps the Sawyer fave "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" or the well-worn high school standard "Of Mice and Men" so we can all fake it a bit. (Bantam) No such luck. As we close in on February's season opening shows, we owe it to ourselves to kick our literary sleuthing up a notch. So like Juliet, who downed the drug-laced orange juice to find her way to the island, or Locke, who didn't let reason prevent him from blowing the hatch wide open or Matthew Fox, who bravely allowed the make-up department to spirit gum a patchy beard to his face in last season's finale, we too must push past our...
By Jen Chaney | October 31, 2007; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (24)
Morning Mix: Elvis Top-Earning Dead Celeb
Rosie O'Donnell and Martha Stewart in their Halloween finery on today's 'Martha Stewart Show.' Headlines: Elvis tops Forbes list of highest-earning dead celebrities... Sexy pirate Britney Spears allowed sleepovers with sons if she sticks to judge's orders... "House" star Hugh Laurie battling mild depression... Jerry Seinfeld says his wife didn't plagiarize healthy cookbook, does McDonald's ads... Designer Roberto Cavalli latest to out J.Lo's pregnancy... New J.Lo movie "Bordertown" going straight to DVD... Paris Hilton reschedules Rwanda trip for next year... Robert Goulet dies at 73 while awaiting lung transplant... Ailing Jane Seymour misses "Dancing With the Stars"... Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan cut from show... Gerard Butler escapes from Snake Plissken remake... Naomi Campbell is latest in string of stars to meet Venezuela president Hugo Chavez... Actor Mekhi Phifer welcomes a son... Pierce Brosnan accused of assaulting photographer. Rumor Mill: Prince Harry questioned by police for allegedly shooting rare birds......
By Liz | October 31, 2007; 8:01 AM ET | Comments (0)
The World According to Kanye
I have completely flip-flopped on Kanye West. I like him. And not as a musician really, though I can dig a little "Touch the Sky" from time to time when it pops up on the old iPod. What I like about Kanye is his never-say-die approach to self promotion. When faced with adversity, Kanye does not go quietly into that good night. No, as seen in the footage below, captured at August's Video Music Awards, this guy is a one-man Kanye West activist. (Although his tirade is laced with profanities, most have been bleeped, but this is still NSFW. The good stuff starts at 00:41.): Is he really so blindly self-absorbed or is this all some kind of Andy Kaufman-esque persona created to keep his name in the press? The first few times Kanye's mouth made headlines, I dismissed him as a loudmouthed egomaniac. And so he is, but the...
By Liz | October 30, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (14)
Morning Mix: Brad Pitt Spurned by Obama Campaign
The horror! Play-pappy Hugh Hefner is flanked by Hilton sisters Nicky (left) and Paris (complete with googly eye) at Hef's annual Halloween fest. (AP) Headlines: Can Britney Spears's new album "Blackout" bad press? | Catholics slam CD sleeve confessional pix | Post review... NBC exec says Jay Leno will be out in '09... Gwen Stefani donating concert take to wildfire victims... Unidentified royal targeted by blackmail scheme... Details editor apologizes for putting words in Ben Affleck's mouth... Justin Timberlake donates $100K to Steve Irwin charity... Yo, Adrian (Grenier) -- lose the spandex!... Supreme Court says Liz Taylor can keep Van Gogh painting... Rapper Coolio to star in reality show for women's network Oxygen... Third alleged accomplice turns on O.J. Simpson... Kid Rock won't be charged for VMA fisticuffs... TV host Gary Collins charged with DUI... "Chef Tell" Erhardt Dies at 63. Rumor Mill: Brad Pitt spurned by Obama campaign......
By Liz | October 30, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (31)
Comment Box: Royal Wedding? Katie's Net Worth?
Prince William and Kate Middleton in February. (AP) What do you think is going on with Prince William and Kate? I think they are secretly engaged. What do your secret, royal Weblinks tell you? And is there a really good Website [sic] for following such things? Thanks. -- Submitted via last week's Celebritology Live discussion If I had to take a guess, I'd say Kate and Wills are two young people (they're both 25) trying their best -- despite an inordinate amount of scrutiny -- to explore the viability of a relationship. And this professional celeb watcher errs on the side of giving these two a wide berth to do so. After all, Wills lost his mother partly due to the overzealous attention of the paparazzi. He deserves a little space, as does rowdy younger brother Harry. That said, here's what we know: Kate and William began dating sometime...
By Liz | October 29, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (211)
Morning Mix: Top Halloween Costume: Brangelina
Headlines: Brangelina top Halloween costume pick... Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon dress up for Halloween fete... Federal grand jury investigating David Copperfield on rape allegation... Luciano Pavarotti's widow denies tenor left her several million in debt, says she has multiple sclerosis... Britney Spears custody hearing ends with no decision... Spears parties with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo... Catherine Zeta-Jones says diet and exercise responsible for recent weight loss... Victoria Beckham returns to her (brunette) roots... "Walk the Line" named best music biopic in online poll... William Shatner conspicuously absent from 'Star Trek' remake... Kate Beckinsale won't star in "Underworld" prequel... Orlando Bloom cleared of hit-and-run charges... "Lost's" Daniel Dae Kim apologizes for DUI arrest... Rapper T.I. released on bail in weapons case... Online gaming company giving away Thanksgiving dinner with Ozzy Osbourne... Country star Porter Wagoner dies at 80... Owen Wilson sticks to business in MySpace Interview: Rumor Mill: Daniel...
By Liz | October 29, 2007; 8:06 AM ET | Comments (51)
Friday List: Dream Show Marathon?
'Ab Fab's' Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. (AP) washingtonpost.com's new Channel This TV blog is my new go-to spot for post-show analysis of Celebritology-critical TV fare like "Dancing With the Stars," but sometimes the heart longs for the TV of seasons past. That's where EW's Mandi Bierly comes in. Earlier this week, Bierly asked EW readers to share picks for the ultimate dream show marathon. Bierly opted for a non-stop dose of "America's Next Top Model" while commenters' choices were all over the dial -- from the obvious ("Lost") to the mystifying ("Head of the Class"). Today we build upon EW's list by adding our own recommendations (which may come in handy around D.C. this weekend if the rain keeps falling). My picks, in no particular order: - "My So-Called Life" (Angst. Growing pains. Teen romance. Perfection.) - "Absolutely Fabulous" (Love it.) - "Deadwood" (Who can get enough Al...
By Liz | October 26, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (147)
Morning Mix: Sarah Jessica Parker Named 'Unsexiest Woman'
Headlines: Maxim names Sarah Jessica Parker world's unsexiest woman... Owen Wilson to speak out for first time since suicide attempt... Paris Hilton postpones trip to Rwanda... Britney Spears and Kevin Federline due in court today to resume custody case... Hit-and-run charge against Spears dismissed... "Ellen DeGeneres Show" ratings up 10 percent following Iggy-gate... Queen Latifah says she loves her curves... Michael Lohan hopes for "redemption"... Dina Lohan's reality show to start filming next week... Notorious B.I.G. immortalized in wax... Akon show canceled after stage collapses... Kate Hudson, Chris Robinson divorce finalized... "Lost's" Daniel Dae Kim arrested on suspicion of DUI... Fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges. Rumor Mill: Lynne Spears (Brit's mom) to publish tell-all autobiography in spring 2008... Amy Winehouse promises not to drink before shows... Christina Aguilera expecting twins?... Evan Rachel Wood to sign record deal?... James Brolin and Diane Ladd may...
By Liz | October 26, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (77)
Creative Captioning: TomKat Strut
(AP) At first glance this photo appears to be yet another typical red carpet scene: A Hollywood power couple and their blinding starpower promoting a new project -- in this case Tom Cruise's new movie "Lions for Lambs." But perhaps all is not as it appears. After all, this is TomKat and the Creative Captionologist (hint hint) knows this picture is worth a thousand words. Or at least 10 or 20. What is to be made of Tom's high-and-tight new 'do or Katie's seemingly oversized bustier? And what, one wonders, is Cruise thinking as he gazes into the ear of his young bride? Perhaps dreaming about -- just once -- saying no to Suri? You know the drill. The best entry will be elevated to a position of prominence here in the blog and the writer of that entry may call him (or her) self "Official Celebritology Captionologist" for...
By Liz | October 25, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (156)
Morning Mix: Brit and K-Fed Meet for Parenting Class
Headlines: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline attend first co-parenting class... Anti-sleep medication spotted in Spears's purse... Maria Shriver says Anna Nicole Smith coverage soured her on TV news career... Diddy says assault reports were "overblown"; inks deal to sponsor vodka brand... Don Henley defends Eagles's Wal-Mart deal... Jennifer Lopez mourns death of grandmother... Vanity Fair names "Purple Rain" best movie soundtrack of all time (we beg to differ)... British engineer mistaken for rock god in Russia... Guy Ritchie set to direct "Dirty Dozen" remake... Coercion charge filed against O.J. Simpson... Jailed "Girls Gone Wild" creator Joe Francis mounts Internet marketing campaign... TV host Gary Collins arrested for suspected DUI in Los Angeles... The pic that inspired Halle Berry's "Jewish" comment. Rumor Mill: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi couplehood coming to an end?... Did David Copperfield offer woman $2 million to drop rape charge?... Tabloid claims Oprah had "secret weight...
By Liz | October 25, 2007; 7:34 AM ET | Comments (36)
Trouble in the Kidman-Urban Paradise?
(Reuters) When asked about her level of marital bliss, Nicole Kidman recently told Interview magazine that marriage is "beautiful and complicated" and that you "never know where something's going." Some would take this as refreshingly honest. Here in Celebritology 101, though, where we are fluent in celeb speak, Kidman's words took our interest in this still young union to DefCon 1. Could Kidman be telegraphing an unstated message? Is there trouble in what has been, until now, a rocky first year of marriage? To recap: Kidman married country singer, and fellow Aussie, Keith Urban in June 2006. Four short months later Urban checked into rehab for treatment of alcohol abuse. After three months in recovery, Urban emerged in January to announce plans for a world tour, which continues through mid-December. Kidman, in the meantime, has continued to work at a frenzied level, with three movies hitting theaters in 2007...
By Liz | October 24, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (29)
Morning Mix: Reese and Jake Take Romantic Rome Vacation
Headlines: Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal come out as a couple... Ellen DeGeneres hopes her rule-breaking won't discourage people from adopting pets... Elvis memorabilia collection lost to Malibu wildfires... Could Tori Spelling's B&B be next?... Marie Osmond's partner blames fires for fainting spell... Tom Cruise plans to "cheer up" David Beckham after injury-riddled soccer season... Beckham voted Manliest Man by Web site... Ewan McGregor annoyed by Britain's "nanny state"... Larry David denies "Curb Your Enthusiasm" plot mirrors his own divorce... Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat") welcome baby girl. Is good... Gretchen Mol delivered a healthy baby boy in September and we didn't notice. Shame on us... Lindsay Lohan and new boyfriend give good photo op... Mariah Carey says she wants marriage before having kids... Robert Goulet sedated, awaiting lung transplant... Judge issues arrest warrant for reggae artist Beenie Man on tax evasion charges... Garrison Keillor gets restraint warrant...
By Liz | October 24, 2007; 8:04 AM ET | Comments (45)
Tom Hanks: His Space
It would seem that sometime last spring, Tom Hanks quietly (as is his wont) jumped on the MySpace train (see his profile here). He joins hordes of celebs who have come before to use the ubiquitous social networking site. One can only assume that witnessing Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler's shoutfest and Courtney Love's stream-of-semi-conciousness screeds, that Hanks said "I need to get me some of that." And so Hanks -- Oscar winner, Hollywood untouchable -- has populated his page with details that defy his previously low profile. Aside from movie premieres and the occasional late night interview, we don't see much of Hanks off-screen. But, thanks to the magic of MySpace, we can now read about his summer reading ("The Diana Chronicles") and his love of Disney's "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." And we can watch shaky home movies, like this one in which Hanks talks about his...
By Liz | October 23, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (23)
Morning Mix: Malibu Fires Threaten Celeb Homes
Headlines: Wildfires torch Sean Penn's land, threaten more celebrity homes... Halle Berry apologizes for Jewish remark... Howard K. Stern files claim for 6 percent of Anna Nicole Smith's estate... Paris Hilton booed at horror movie awards show... Group calls for life-saving Britney Spears boycott... Chuck Norris backs Republican Mike Huckabee in presidential race... Israeli police detain surfer Kelly Slater after scuffling with photographers trying to snap pix with model (and recent Leo DiCaprio ex?) Bar Refaeli... Roger Moore squires four former Bond girls to UNICEF gala... Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon welcomes twin boys... Pix: The most-airbrushed celebs of 2007 (so far)... SJP as Carrie Bradshaw: Annoyingly over and underdressed at the same time... Brangelina team up to produce HBO series... Steve Martin pens children's book... Soap actor Nathaniel Marston arrested for assault. In Case You Missed It: Marie Osmond faints on "Dancing with the Stars"... Rumor Mill: Jessica Simpson to join "View"...
By Liz | October 23, 2007; 8:00 AM ET | Comments (42)
Comment Box: We (Heart) Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling. (AP) Did you read the article about Ryan Gosling in GQ [The Loner]? I like him more after every interview. Hopefully he can keep his head on straight as he becomes more famous. Seriously, he's quality. -- Submitted during last week's Celebritology Live discussion Maybe I'm biased because not 24 hours ago I was utterly charmed by Gosling's portrayal of a lovable misanthrope in "Lars and the Real Girl." If you haven't seen this movie yet, go now. I'll wait. I'm being unreasonable, yes? Okay. Since you may not be able to get to the theaters until lunchtime, you'll have to content yourself with the trailer for now. (Aside: Read all about RealDolls here. ) Okay. Now that we're all up to speed -- yes, I did read GQ's peek inside the life of the guy who has transcended his early work as a child actor (see...
By Liz | October 22, 2007; 10:32 AM ET | Comments (25)
Morning Mix: Spears Regains Visitation Rights
Headlines: Britney Spears regains child visitation rights... Jerry Seinfeld credits Scientology for jumpstarting his career... J.K. Rowling outs "Potter's" Dumbledore... Naomi Watts to star in remake of "The Birds"... K-Fed-ex Shar Jackson wins "Celebrity Rap Superstar" crown... Magician David Copperfield accused of rape... Michael Douglas's son to stand trial on cocaine charges... Kid Rock arrested after Waffle House melee... Bill Maher boots protester from audience... Soap star Hunter Tylo's son dies in accidental drowning. Rumor Mill: Redskins owner Dan Snyder no longer backing Tom Cruise?... Ellen DeGeneres may be a chronic dog re-gifter... Investigator says O.J. Simpson bugged Nicole Brown Simpson's house. Bonus: Inside Val Kilmer's tree house. Say What? "I think Justin Timberlake is a talented performer. But he's very ordinary-looking. He could be any skinny white kid from the suburbs of Orlando. You could go to the mall and find another Justin. He doesn't make his style interesting...
By Liz | October 22, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (39)
Friday Follies: Waste a Day the Celebritology Way
List-a-palooza This Friday I present a trio of lists from other sources with which to while away the few short hours until the official start of the weekend. None particularly lends itself to much outside input, but all three are well worth your precious surfing time. 1. Top 10 Topical Halloween Costumes Everyone Will Be Wearing Even Though We Wish They Wouldn't. Best Week Ever presents their list of the season's top annoying and inevitably ubiquitous disguises. From JT's "SNL" song parody to an iPhone to a post-life Anna Nicole Smith, this list is not for the faint of heart (and possibly not safe for work). 2. Worst Movies Directed by Actors. For those of us who didn't realize that Nicolas Cage and William Shatner have both spent time behind the lens, this list is edifying. For those among us who are fans of "Braveheart" and "The Cable Guy," this...
By Liz | October 19, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (150)
Morning Mix: Brit Runs Over Paparazzo's Foot
Headlines: Ellen DeGeneres says she's done talking about Iggy, cancels show taping... Britney Spears apparently runs over paparazzo's foot... Amy Winehouse arrested for marijuana possession... Actress Deborah Kerr dies at 86... Rat Packer Joey Bishop dies... Bianca Jagger evicted from New York apartment... Jon Stewart re-ups for three more years as 'Daily Show' host... TomKat back in the U.S... The two Coreys on the outs... Bobby Brown, Dee Snyder and Maureen McCormick sign on to "Gone Country" reality series... FBI raids magician David Copperfield's warehouse... Cookbook author accuses Jessica Seinfeld of plagiarism... What do celebrities blog about? Themselves. Non-News: Katie Holmes is not pregnant... Lindsay Lohan is not engaged. Say What? "I was craving bone marrow one day, and I scoured the whole of Paris searching for the leg of a cow. When I finally found what I was looking for, I cut it in half, digging out the yellowish...
By Liz | October 19, 2007; 8:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
Britney Loses Visitation Rights
Another wrinkle in the ongoing custody case between Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. On Wednesday the court commissioner presiding over the case revoked Spears's right to any visitation with her two sons, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, pending word about the singer's compliance with court orders. The ruling was announced today. Maybe Commissioner Scott Gordon got wind of her recent criticism of his own performance: "He is so mean. Just an old fart. He told me I was being catty with him, but he was being catty with me and paid me no respect at all." (Source) No word on how this latest ruling affects Iggy the dog (see previous blog entry)....
By Liz | October 18, 2007; 1:44 PM ET | Comments (0)
Outrage Over Iggy, but Not Brit's Kids?
Britney Spears carries son Jayden James in September. (AP/TMZ.com) As the controversy over Ellen's pound puppy, Iggy, continues to unfold I can't help but compare this case of puppy love gone wrong to another custody case originating from the general 90210 area: the question of who will ultimately retain primary custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline. And, measuring the relative public outrage sparked by the two cases I can only assume that SPF and JJ would have a better chance of tugging on our heartstrings if they grew tails and wore collars (hush you). For anyone who hasn't been paying attention, a quick rundown of each case: SPF & JJ Federline: A judge removed Britney Spears's sons from her care and handed them over to ex-husband Kevin Federline in September. Pending several hoops through which Spears must jump (including counseling and regular drug testing), she may or...
By Liz | October 18, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (92)
Morning Mix: Threats Over Fate of Ellen's Pup Iggy
Headlines: Animal rescue official says she's received threats over Ellen DeGeneres dog flap But has the dog already been placed with a new family?....Britney Spears sports jacket emblazoned with the "F" bomb... John Goodman ("Roseanne," "The Big Lebowski") checks out of Malibu rehab... Slash recounts drug-induced hallucinations in new memoir... Tracey Edmonds and Eddie Murphy to wed by year's end... Accomplice says O.J. Simpson asked him to bring "firepower" to Vegas meeting... Simpson, Dionne Warwick named on California tax shame list... Mugshot: Lindsay Lohan's new boyfriend. Rumor Mill: Owen Wilson spotted partying at Santa Monica hotel... Jamie Lynn Spears lands part in Ashton-Kutcher produced sitcom... Disney dumping Vanessa Hudgens from "High School Musical 3"?... Kirsten Dunst to star in Debbie Harry biopic (fab NYT Debby Harry profile)... Ben Affleck ditches screening of his directorial debut to watch baseball game... Paris Hilton vying for role in "Dallas" movie? Say What? "I'm...
By Liz | October 18, 2007; 8:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Resume Redux: Bill Maher
The road to the top -- or even the middle -- is often paved with excrement. Today we inaugurate a new semi-regular feature: Resume Redux, a look at the credits our favorites stars may well wish we'd forget. This political wag once worked with science fiction siren Adrienne Barbeau. (AP) Before he became a fixture of the liberal left, talk show host Bill Maher was best known (or not) for parts in blockbusters of the B-movie circuit (today we call that "straight to DVD") and guest spots on TV shows from "Max Headroom" to "Murder She Wrote." What better way to prepare for his eventual career of political punditry than sharing screen time with Mr. T and Shannon Tweed? Bill Maher's Resume Redux: -- "DC Cab": This 1983 classic is actually a must-own for any self-respecting Mr. T fan. Co-starring Garey Busey, Paul Rodriguez and Irene Cara. (Catch a brief...
By Liz | October 17, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (30)
Morning Mix: Meredith Vieira's 'Brokeback' Crack
Headlines: Stephen Colbert announces presidential bid... Despite tearful plea from Ellen DeGeneres, adopted dog stays with agency. (Were those tears genuine?)... J.K. Rowling inadvertently gives peep show... Jon Voight still hopes to mend relationship with daughter Angelina Jolie... Clay Aiken joins cast of "Spamalot"... Madonna and LiveNation announce $120M deal... Ricky Martin gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame... Steve-O fronts new PETA anti-fur campaign... Foxy Brown pleads innocent to BlackBerry attack... Hot this Halloween: Jailbird Socialite and hair-raising murder defendant Phil Spector top list of pop-culture-inspired costumes. Rumor Mill: LAPD investigating possible hit-and-run involving Orlando Bloom... Pam Anderson and Rick Salomon score reality show... Lindsay Lohan's new boyfriend was engaged. In Case You Missed It: Meredith Vieira cracks a "Brokeback Mountain" joke when interviewing Jake Gyllenhaal... P.S. Britney Spears still hasn't updated her Web site....
By Liz | October 17, 2007; 7:20 AM ET | Comments (0)
Love to Hate: Oprah's Shoe Fetish
I have not been an Oprah Winfrey fan for years. I think she's self-absorbed, disconnected from reality and holds way too much sway over the minds and tastes of her target demographic. So, my disgust wasn't too difficult to summon when I saw this story about Jessica Seinfeld's $15,000 thank you note to Oprah. Seinfeld -- wife of Jerry -- appeared on Oprah's show last week to promote her new cookbook "Deceptively Delicious." With the book now comfortably perched on the bestseller list, Mrs. Seinfeld sent Oprah a thank you gift of what is estimated to be $15,000 to $20,000 worth of shoes. Here's a look, along with a peek in Oprah's closet: Yes, Jessica is undeniably guilty of Gilded Age behavior here; I expect a velvet-liveried monkey delivered the gift on a recommissioned Concord. But by sharing a glimpse of Seinfeld's largesse with her audience -- along with a...
By Liz | October 16, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (104)
Morning Mix: Spears Surrenders on Hit-and-Run Charges
Headlines: Britney Spears turns herself in for Aug. 6 hit and run incident, then paints town pink... Optimist Paul McCartney hopes for "dignified" divorce... Paris Hilton wants to leave her mark on the world; plans to start with Rwanda... Lindsay Lohan returns to movie set... Jennifer Aniston is boring in print again... Ellen DeGeneres under fire for giving dog to hairdresser... Colin Farrell opens up about son's cerebral palsy... "Law & Order's" Vincent D'Onofrio and wife expecting baby... Michael Jackson ordered to pay law firm $175K in overdue fees... Hilary Swank to play Amelia Earhart in new biopic... Lauren Bacall, Scarlett Johannson among honorees at Elle event... Actor Barry Williams (aka Greg Brady, aka Johnny Bravo) honored by Air Force... Two accomplices make deals to testify against O.J. Simpson. Rumor Mill: Diddy expected to turn himself in on club dust-up charges... Prince William and Kate Middleton spend Balmoral weekend with...
By Liz | October 16, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (48)
Comment Box: Reese and Jake -- Over Already?
This Jake and Reese thing. What's up with that? Staying far away from each other on the red carpet? And Reese's divorce is final today? Shades of Brad and Angie? And do you think she's too old for him? -- Submitted to last week's Celebritology Live discussion You're talking, of course, about last week's premiere of "Rendition," the prescient new thriller in which Donnie Darko and Elle Woods strike brooding and defiant poses to illustrate the questionable American practice of disappearing suspected foreign terrorists to secret facilities for torture-assisted confessionals. Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal keep their distance at last week's 'Rendition' premiere. (AP) As noted by those who track this sort of thing -- and one USA Today correspondent who apparently watched closely enough to note that "the two did not share eye contact on the red carpet" -- the on-again/off-again/on-again/who knows pair played it cool at last Thursday's...
By Liz | October 15, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (43)
Morning Mix: Diddy Reportedly Socks Romantic Rival
Headlines: Doctors raided in Anna Nicole Smith death investigation... "View"-ster Elisabeth Hasselbeck to start maternity leave next month... Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis welcomes son Everly Bear... Britney Spears's new album cover gives Celebritologist seizure... Orlando Bloom says paparazzi caused minor car crash... Rapper T.I. arrested in weapons sting... Ex-"Idol" contestant Corey Clark pleads guilty to harassment charge... "America's Most Smartest Model" contestant outs him/herself as winner (fourth item). Rumor Mill: Lindsay Lohan broke after blowing $7 million on party lifestyle... Diddy gives romantic rival bloody nose... James Gandolfini disses presidential hopeful John McCain... Ashlee Simpson denies Botox reports... Josh Hartnett and Rihanna spotted necking in New York club... Vanessa Williams signs $20 million deal with Proactiv... Brangelina spend $2 million on Banksy artwork while "Idol" judge Simon Cowell spends the same amount on two cars... Janet Jackson writing book about her yo-yo weight. Say What? "I think the...
By Liz | October 15, 2007; 8:02 AM ET | Comments (17)
Friday List: Top Movie Badasses?
One of my favorite movie moments: Sergio Leone's "Fistful of Dollars." Clint Eastwood's man with no name gnaws on a stump of a cigar as he warns the town coffinmaker to "get three coffins ready" then kills four men after admonishing them for laughing at his mule. Then, he -- well, here just watch it: Yet, oddly, Clint's performance -- in "Fistful of Dollars" (or anything else) -- didn't make it to Maxim's list of the Top 10 Movie Badasses. Instead, they've assembled the following confounding group: 1. Lee Marvin in Point Blank (1967) 2. Jamison Newlander in The Lost Boys (1987) 2. Corey Haim in The Lost Boys (1987) 2. Corey Feldman in The Lost Boys (1987) 5. Charles Bronson in The Magnificent Seven (1960) 6. Jean Reno in Leon (aka The Professional) (1994) 7. James Caan in Thief (1981) 8. Michael Caine in Get Carter (1971) 9. Tony...
By Liz | October 12, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (112)
Morning Mix: Brit Wins Right to Sleepovers with Kids
Updated 2 p.m. ET: Search warrants served in investigation of Anna Nicole Smith death. Headlines: Britney Spears wins expanded visitation with kids... Spears's label sues blogger Perez Hilton for leaked songs... Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem heat up the Maldives... Paunchy Bond Roger Moore gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star... Drew Carey engaged... "My Girl's" Anna Chlumsky to marry Army reservist... Jessica Simpson re-ups with Proactiv... Pic: Benicio del Toro as Che Guevara... Man indicted for allegedly stalking Uma Thurman... Wesley Snipes's tax trial postponed until January... Jude Law cleared in paparazzi assault... Snoop Dogg given community service for weapons charges. Rumor Mill: McCartney-Mills divorce talks collapse... Rose McGowan engaged to director Robert Rodriguez... Spears planning comeback tour... America's most stupidest models feud over Kid Rock... Long Island woman says a two-timing Michael Lohan "broke my heart"... Gene Simmons's sky high advances rebuffed... Kimberly Stewart's new look -- surgically assisted?...
By Liz | October 12, 2007; 7:41 AM ET | Comments (30)
Creative Captioning: Kiss and Tell
What are the odds? One week yields two photos of stars sandwiched between a set of big-haired smoochers. Up top, Bruce Willis is comfortably flanked by actress Eva Mendes (left) and model Petra Nemcova while, below, new "View"-er Whoopi Goldberg gets a double-dose of Muppet love from new character Abizo (left) and that ticklish rake Elmo. But which makes better Creative Captioning material? That, should you choose to accept it, is your mission. Find the hidden ironies, the fantastical absurdities, the immature yuks in one (or both) of the above photos and post it below. The best entry will be elevated to a position of prominence here in Celebritology land and its writer crowned Official Celebritology Captionologist for the week of Oct. 7 - 13, a title not to be taken lightly as it entitles the bearer to myriad delusions of grandeur. (Top: Getty Images, Bottom: AP) Winning Captions: 1....
By Liz | October 11, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (82)
Morning Mix: Reese & Ryan -- Officially Over
Headlines: Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe divorce official... Paul McCartney and Heather Mills attend divorce hearing... Rosie O'Donnell exhibits paintings in New York... Bobby Brown denies having a heart attack... Britney Spears to release album two weeks earlier than planned... Spears files motion to expand visitation with children... Michelle Rodriguez gets six months in jail for failing to complete community service... Madonna set to sign $120M recording and touring contract with new label... Lohan pal DJ Samantha Ronson sues Perez Hilton for defamation... Man sues Diddy for alleged bodyguard beat down. Rumor Mill: Linsday Lohan wants to move to Utah to be near new boyfriend, snowboarder Riley Giles; fires mom Dina as manager... Is Pam Anderson two months pregnant?... Janice Dickinson gets tummy tuck and neck lift. Say What? "I don't know why it seems to be of note that actors do any kind of preparation. It's just what you're...
By Liz | October 11, 2007; 8:16 AM ET | Comments (56)
High Brow: Sarah Silverman -- Funny Girl?
(Photo Illustration by Liz Kelly/Photo: AP) Does Sarah Silverman Suck? alternet.org/TheNation.com. Sarah Silverman -- the thinking man's pin-up, the angel with a dirty mouth -- may deliver shock value, but does she make us laugh? I'm not so sure. Neither is writer Kera Bolonik. Bon Mots: Sarah Silverman is like sushi, a raw delicacy that people either love or hate -- and too much will make you gag. Just One More Before Bedtime! New York Times. Dubbed "Pipsqueak Paparazzi" by David Spade, two tweeners armed with $6,000 cameras ditch school to cash in on the tabloid picture game. Bon Mots: In an era when even the most mundane images of the marginally famous are fodder for magazines and Web sites, almost anyone with a camera, it seems, can make a living as a celebrity photographer. Even a couple of kids who haven't started shaving. What is Pop? Guardian Unlimited....
By Liz | October 10, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (31)
Morning Mix: Charlize Theron is 'Sexiest Woman Alive'
Headlines: Esquire magazine says Charlize Theron is "sexiest woman alive"... Recovering alcoholic David Hasselhoff hospitalized for relapse... Wayne Newton cut from "Dancing with the Stars"... Yoko Ono to unveil peace tower honoring John Lennon... Elvis Costello to play at Hillary Clinton's 60th birthday party... Don Imus set for December return to radio... Spice Girls to perform at Victoria's Secret fashion show... Nick Nolte and girlfriend welcome baby girl... Nick Hogan's car crash passenger on life support... Kiefer Sutherland to do jail time for DUI charges... Danny Bonaduce sued for awards show dust up... New Jersey hospital staffers suspended for peeking at George Clooney's file... Britney Spears to be booked on hit-and-run charges. Rumor Mill: Spears passes first court-ordered drug test... Brit's house burgled over the weekend?... Music award belonging to Amy Winehouse found in bar bathroom... Hugh Grant snapped necking at college party. In Case You Missed It: Britney's "Gimme...
By Liz | October 10, 2007; 8:03 AM ET | Comments (34)
Lindsay Lohan: A Changed Woman?
Lohan at the November 2006 premiere of 'Bobby.' (AP) Lindsay Lohan, fresh from a two-month stint in rehab, is like so changed. I know this because LL said so in a new SUPER EXCLUSIVE post-rehab interview with OK! Magazine in which the penitent party girl says she's ready to lead a different life. Though the issue won't hit stands until Thursday, OK! is already busy flakking some tidbits -- and an EXCLUSIVE gallery of her exit from rehab -- online. Rehab was "a sobering experience," said Lilo. "It made me look at myself and all the people, places and things in my life in a different way." By "different way" she must mean in OK! as opposed to at TMZ.com. Because surely making a pit stop with one of the skeevier tabloids while running as fast as you can back to Los Angeles isn't necessarily the best way to...
By Liz | October 9, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Sting Tops List of Worst Lyricists
Headlines: Lindsay Lohan plans to settle in Utah... Sting tops list of worst lyricists... Pix: Inside Gwyneth Paltrow's Hamptons home... Osbournes auction contents of three homes... O.J. Simpson's fake Rolex returned by Goldman family... Victoria Beckham blogs from Paris fashion shows... Hef's girlfriend Holly Madison takes a non-naked job at Playboy... David Spade gives $25K to slain police officer's family. Rumor Mill: Britney Spears applies for bartending job... Charlie Sheen promises to remove his 13 tattoos for new fiancee... Angelina Jolie meets with estranged dad Jon Voight... Is daughter Zahara giving paparazzi the finger?... Prince Harry snorts vodka, does fair impression of frat boy... Pam Anderson had fake cake at latest wedding; Paris Hilton sends new couple a video camera... Penelope Cruz dating actor Javier Bardem? Say What? "I don't know how to get to my Malibu house will you help me?" -- Britney Spears (who, like, so needs to...
By Liz | October 9, 2007; 8:06 AM ET | Comments (29)
Comment Box: Leave Hannah Montana Alone
I can't wait til Hannah Montana gets a little older and then crashes like Britney and Lindsay and Paris and Nicole. She's headed there. What do you think? -- Submitted to last week's Celebritology Live chat I'm including this crass question because it reminded me of a perception that I see pretty often -- usually from folks who profess a certain distaste for celebrity news: The belief that all starlets are on an unstoppable collision course with what we will hereby dub "The Brit-down." Definition: Brit-down The period of time in which a young female celebrity may experience one or more of the following: -- An ill-advised romantic entanglement resulting in an Internet sex video, a short-lived marriage or an obsession with Marilyn Manson. -- An addiction to drugs, alcohol, paparazzi cameras, plastic surgery, hair extensions, tanning salons or Taco Bell. -- Jail time, rehab or an alcohol-monitoring anklet. --...
By Liz | October 8, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Lohan Leaves Rehab; Pam Anderson Weds (Again)
Headlines: Lindsay Lohan reportedly leaves rehab... Pam Anderson marries Rick Salomon in Vegas... Montel Williams marries in Bermuda... Britney Spears reunites with mom; Brit names new album: "Blackout"; "Gimme More" video debuts today on "TRL"... Jim Carrey calls for U.N. sanctions against Myanmar... Bryan Adams to headline Middle East peace concert... Brad Pitt says George Clooney should run for president... Spice Girls lease Boeing 757 for world tour... British singer Lily Allen credits hypnotism for recent weight loss... Diddy takes responsibility for sixth child... Lil' Wayne arrested after Idaho contest... Danny Bonaduce won't be charged for awards show scuffle. Rumor Mill: Spears missed first supervised visit with sons; storms out of family intervention... Mary-Kate Olsen spotted getting a little Parisian PDA. Say What? "I don't know! Do you really want me to try and think about it?" -- Mariah Carey, when asked how many bathrooms she has in her New...
By Liz | October 8, 2007; 7:59 AM ET | Comments (30)
Friday List: Brit-ish Humor
Britney Spears -- Death Eater? (AP) The inspiration for this week's Friday List is the post below by guest blogger (and Discussions producer) Paul Williams, who is able to take a crucial step back from the episodic hype served here daily and make lemonade from Britney Spears's life, which -- of late -- has taken on the general dimensions of a freighter full of lemons. Before one person decries this focus on Brit -- yet again -- consider this. Train wreck or not, Spears is the proud mama (okay, perhaps a bad choice of words) of a hit song. Spears's new single "Gimme More" -- the same song Brit killed with a rusty knife at the last month's Video Music Awards -- is the top downloaded song on iTunes. An anomaly, you say? Hardly. Her song is also comfortably perched at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart....
By Liz | October 5, 2007; 11:26 AM ET | Comments (0)
Morning Mix: Rosie Says She Was Fired from 'View'
Headlines: Rosie O'Donnell says Barbara Walters "fired" her from "The View"... Owen Wilson attends L.A. premiere of "Darjeeling Limited"... Britney Spears's "Gimme More" video to debut Monday... Former bodyguard files child abuse claim against Spears, who used a Starbucks run as an opportunity to publicly unravel just a bit more... America Ferrera named Hispanic Woman of the Year... Warren Beatty to receive AFI Lifetime Achievement Award... Comedy Central cancels David Spade's "Showbiz Show"... Hollywood fashion designer Anand Jon faces new rape charges... David Gest punks out... Taylor Hicks (remember him?) helps hawk Alabama condos... Tracey Gold ("Growing Pains") expecting fourth son... Blood clot removed from lung of Isaac Hanson. Rumor Mill: No post-show romance for "Rock of Love's" Bret Michaels and Jes Rickieff... Jennifer Lopez to announce pregnancy at New York concert... Jennifer Aniston and Orlando Bloom just friends... Lindsay Lohan romancing Sonny Bono's son in rehab?... Larry Birkhead working...
By Liz | October 5, 2007; 7:41 AM ET | Comments (0)
Creative Captioning: When Billy Met Jack
Thanks to the American Film Institute's 40th anniversary celebration for bringing together the unlikely pair below. From the balding pates to the black blazers, these two could almost be clones if it weren't for the fact that a true genetic match would have probably resulted in both of these ghosts of Hollywood past being ridiculously talented. In any case, this mismatch makes rich fodder for this week's Creative Captioning exercise in which you tell us what's happening below. The best entry will be elevated to a position of prominence here in the blog and the writer of that entry may call him (or her) self "Official Celebritology Captionologist" for the week of Oct. 1 - 5. C'mon, give it some thought. Submit more than one. All work and no play makes [your name here] a dull boy/girl. (AP) Top Captions: 1. You can't handle the receding hairline. -- Irish_Ed 2....
By Liz | October 4, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (88)
Morning Mix: Kid Rock Says Anderson Lied About Miscarriage
Headlines: Kid Rock says Pam Anderson lied about miscarriage... After failing to show up at court, Britney Spears fails to regain custody of kids... Forbes names Jennifer Aniston top-selling celeb face... Eldest member of Hanson hospitalized with chest pains... Hulk Hogan to host "American Gladiators" revival... Photographer investigated for selling underage pics of Kim Kardashian... Former "Survivor" contestant accuses Danny Bonaduce of assualt over this: Rumor Mill: Brit headed to Antigua rehab this weekend?... Lindsay Lohan leaves Utah rehab with dad Michael... Tabloid tries to supress svelte snaps of Angelina Jolie... Paris Hilton dating Swedish model (that she discovered)?... Matt Damon's wife tells him to ease up on work. Say What? "When I first joined a band, I just wanted to make some good tunes.... But I got to go meet the president, and he slaps me a high-five while I'm having a Jim Beam and Coke with Rumsfeld." --...
By Liz | October 4, 2007; 7:57 AM ET | Comments (28)
Highbrow: The Beehive Buzzes Again
Amy Winehouse. (AP) The Beehive: Amy Honey, How Do You Stand It? Telegraph.co.uk. One intrepid reporter gives Amy's top-heavy tangle a go (on tape) and finds it's more work than pleasure. Crucial Nugget: Winehouse's hairdresser, Alex Foden, uses furballs made from part-synthetic, part-real hair stuffed inside hairnets to pad out the singer's barnet, but top stylist Hari -- who teases the most famous tresses in London -- assures me that the same effect can be achieved with backcombing. Not That Innocent Slate.com. Can Britney Spears get her kids back? Slate's Emily Bazelon handicaps Brit's odds of tipping the scales of justice back in her favor. Crucial Nugget: K-Fed is hardly looking like the ideal long-term alternative here -- his drug use has also concerned the court in the recent past. Maybe he only looks good now because Spears looks so infuriating. Dream Role New York Magazine. Brother Jake talks...
By Liz | October 3, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (17)
Morning Mix: Spears Disobeyed Judge
Headlines: Lawyer: Britney Spears lost custody because she disobeyed judge... Spears now a valid California driver... Howard K. Stern files $60 million libel suit against Rita Cosby over Anna Nicole Smith book... Eva Longoria makes "sex tape" for Will Ferrell's comedy site... Brad Pitt says he's his own man; doesn't see a political career... Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Batali embark on gastronomic roadtrip through Spain... Soleil Moon Frye expecting second child... "Daily Show's Demetri Martin gets spin-off series... Asteroid named after "Star Trek's" George Takei... Michael Vick completes PETA animal empathy class... O.J. Simpson ordered to turn over Rolex watch, other assets to family of Ron Goldman... Naked man charged with breaking in to Nicolas Cage's home. Rumor Mill: Pam Anderson pregnant?... Is there a Spears sex tape after all?... Tory Burch and Lance Armstrong call it quits (though I thought this happened a month ago)... Melissa Rivers working at...
By Liz | October 3, 2007; 8:27 AM ET | Comments (29)
Bai Ling's Literary Juggernaut
Author Bai Ling in January 2006. (AP) Jenna Bush isn't the only gossip column bold-facer to give in to the writing bug. While the first daughter opted to promote her book, "Ana's Story," the old school way -- with the expected in-store appearances and the obligatory Diane Sawyer interview -- Hollywood fashion mash-up queen Bai Ling hyped her upcoming book with a refreshing shin Band-aid campaign. See, on one shin she pasted a Band-Aid and used a Sharpie to write the words "MY BOOK." On the other leg -- pay attention -- she also pasted a Band-Aid, but this time scribbled the name of her book: "NIPPLES." Genius. Doubtless, Ling's "Nipples" will soon take the literary world by storm because who can hold out in the face of this spacey multimedia tour-de-force? First, though, the book will need to actually exist. Perhaps Amazon's buyers haven't been keeping up with...
By Liz | October 2, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (60)
Morning Mix: After Surrendering Kids, Spears Tans
Headlines: Britney Spears heads to tanning salon after handing kids over to K-Fed's bodyguard; applies for California driver's license... Sylvester Stallone witnessed Myanmar uprising aftermath... Lindsay Lohan gets another visit from dad... Angelina Jolie has taco fever... Tori Spelling as a "Love Boat" inspired Pussycat Doll... Ben Affleck says dating J.Lo was bad for his career... Hayden Panettiere dresses for dog walking... Keith Urban blames photographer for motorcycle accident. Rumor Mill: Jennifer Aniston and Orlando Bloom?... Cameron Diaz spends cozy weekend in New York with Bradley Cooper... Will Smith to direct "Karate Kid" remake... Rolling Stone Ron Wood once took out insurance loan to fund drug habit....
By Liz | October 2, 2007; 7:59 AM ET | Comments (47)
Breaking News: Britney Loses Custody -- Your Take?
Spears at the Sept. 1 opening of Las Vegas nightclub LAX. (AP) The Associated Press is reporting that Britney Spears has to turn over custody of her children to Kevin Federline by Wednesday: Superior Court Judge Scott M. Gordon ruled that Federline will take custody of Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, beginning Wednesday "until further order of the court." Details are scant, but People.com reports that Gordon issued the written decision after lawyers met with him in a private session requested by Federline's lawyer. TMZ.com is reporting that Spears was again ordered to take parenting classes and submit to drug testing. No reason was included in the judge's written decision and we're obviously still waiting for more details to trickle out. Spears was spotted at Malibu eatery Taverna Tony's on Sunday with her sons. E! News Online adds that "sources familiar with the case" say Spears lost...
By Liz | October 1, 2007; 4:33 PM ET | Comments (41)
Britney: Just a Gum Blonde
A portrait of Spears made of chewed bubble gum titled 'Gum Blonde XLVIII' by artist Jason Kronenwald is shown at left. (Reuters) We've called Britney Spears many things here in the blog -- "bat guano," "nutty," "loopy"... even "bald" -- but "art world phenom" is an unexpected addition to her unintentional resume. One that adds a certain thoughtful irony to the sideshow of a life that Spears has managed to eke out over the last year or so. That sideshow (each chapter more gruesome and twisted than the last!) is chronicled in the new gallery show "Just Britney," an understated title that speaks volumes about our obsession with this girlie-woman gone wild. From demure teen mag cover shots to earnest paintings of what Celebritologists term "the bald phase" to a self-portrait of the latest Brit spin-off sensation Chris Crocker, it is all here in Technicolor horribleness. The show, now...
By Liz | October 1, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (15)
Morning Mix: Pam Anderson Ready to Marry Again
Headlines: Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon apply for marriage license... Jackie Chan doesn't like the "Rush Hour" movies, either... Beyonce cancels Kuala Lumpur concert after Muslim protests... George Michael says he's trying to cut back on marijuana... Watch out George Foreman, Evander Holyfield to unveil "Real Deal Grill"... Actress Lois Maxwell, Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond movies, dies at 80... Man in Tom Cruise extortion plot found dead... Kiefer Sutherland charged with DUI... Michelle Rodriguez accused of probation violation. Rumor Mill: Actor Ian McShane says HBO scraps plans for "Deadwood" movies... Paris Hilton vows to never appear on David Letterman show again (see video below)... Nicole Richie and Joel Madden set October wedding date?... Brady alumna Maureen McCormick (Marsha, Marsha, Marsha) says she had lesbian fling with co-star Eve Plumb (Jan)... Jessica Biel turns down "Wonder Woman" lead. Thank You: A big thanks to Kanye West who, with a...
By Liz | October 1, 2007; 8:17 AM ET | Comments (31)
