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Archive: TomKat
10 Truths About Tom Cruise
Oprah gets a hug from pal TC. (AP/Harpo Productions) After two years of battling bad PR, courtesy of his own couch-jumping and weirdly devout ways, Tom Cruise's image rehab is officially underway. Monday's second hour of Oprah's Tom Cruise fest was, well, enh. Unlike Friday's visit to the Colorado Cruise compound (Tom Shales reviewed part one in yesterday's paper) -- complete with a peek inside Tom's inner sanctum and a visit from Suri -- yesterday's in-studio visit had all the charm of an infomercial: enthusiastic sales pitches, marketing posters and an audience of rabid believers. Still, it isn't every day we get to study the elusive Mr. Cruise for the better part of an hour and, never one to squander a chance to flop in front of a TV for 60 whole minutes, I watched. And, because this is how I work people, I took notes -- resulting in...
By Liz | May 6, 2008; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (271)
Katie Holmes, Tomboy?
Tom Cruise (or is it?) in October 2007. (Getty Images) Katie Holmes is teasing us now, right? I really want to believe that her new haircut (see it here, we don't have rights to republish the picture ourselves) is a nod to Mia Farrow's "Rosemary's Baby" look. This theory runs something like this: Annoyed with all the comparisons made between her own shadowy Scientology birth of daughter Suri and Farrow's deliverance of the anti-Christ in the 1968 horror flick, Holmes is showing off her well-known penchant for ironic, Andy Kaufman-esque humor. She's embracing the mythology we've built up around her as the innocent offering to Tom Cruise's insatiable religiosity. I'm sure that's it. But if not, there's another possible explanation: She's sending us a message. She's shorn her once-luxurious mane in a bid to alert us to her desperation. This, her sacrifice tells us, is my cry for help....
By Liz | April 2, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (50)
Highbrow: Tom Cruise's Straight-to-Video Hit
Cruise in an image from what celeb-tracking Web site Gawker calls his 'Indoctrination Video.' (YouTube) In one of the feverishly earnest videos that surfaced last week in which Tom Cruise extols the virtues of Scientology, he says something to the about the duty of that group's members to stop at car crashes because, see, only a Scientologist is capable of truly understanding the situation and providing help. In that spirit, today's Highbrow attempts to shed a little light on Cruise and his recent ramblings. Proving the old saw that there's no such thing as bad publicity, Cruise's IMDB Star Rating (I'd link, but it's behind a pay-for-play wall) has spiked since the release of the videos last week. He's nowhere near list toppers Ellen Page ("Juno") and Johnny Depp ("Sweeney Todd"), but Cruise's Scientology vids have given the actor the kind of profile bump he sorely needed when "Lions...
By Liz | January 22, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (51)
Risky Business: Chronicling Cruise
(St. Martin's Press) Ah, the celebrity biography -- usually a quick, dirty read (unless the author is Tina Brown, in which case forget the "quick" bit) designed to reinforce our preconceived notions about the mythology of celebrity without actually bolstering that myth with fact. Which is, coincidentally, the perfect formula for maximum book sales, a spot on the bestseller list and a sit down with Larry King. It would appear that the latest entrant into the genre promises more of the same. Despite a scathing early review from Entertainment Weekly ("a 323-page air sandwich"), Andrew Morton's unauthorized biography of that enigmatic couch-jumping box office battleaxe Tom Cruise hit the radar this week with all the force of a pre-release PR blitz. And, on queue, Cruise is reportedly considering a $100 million lawsuit against Morton and his publisher. Cha-ching! Set to hit shelves next week, Morton's book (if the name...
By Liz | January 9, 2008; 10:42 AM ET | Comments (29)
Trailer Trash: Katie Holmes in 'Mad Money'
So yesterday I nipped out in the middle of the day to take in a matinee of "Charlie Wilson's War." I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm a slacker of the first order. You're thinking this is the part where I declare this film the worst hair movie ever. (Seriously, big props to the stylist who can make Julia Roberts look like a skeleton wearing a labradoodle and to the cataract-ridden person who dyed Philip Seymour Hoffman's hair black -- you missed a spot!) However, today's post is dedicated to a much more important topic -- the trailer for "Mad Money," the mind-melting upcoming release which promises approximately 90 minutes of "entertainment" facilitated by the detestable Diane Keaton, the I'm-in-everything Queen Latifah and the pert shell of what used to be Katie Holmes. How bad could it possibly be? Based on the trailer alone (see above), I'd have to...
By Liz | January 3, 2008; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (44)
Celebritology 101: TomKat Triage
Shiny happy people Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. (Getty Images) Earlier this week, fellow Scientologist Jenna Elfman, who you may remember from sitcom TV past, surfaced to reassure us that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are "happy." Thanks, Jenna. It wasn't until yesterday, though, when Jada Pinkett Smith emphatically remarked that Katie Holmes isn't a prisoner in her own home and is, in fact, a "tigress" (roar!), that my TomKat radar (like "Spidey Sense" minus the webbing) went into all kinds of high alert. See, of late our insatiable appetite for details (true, false and in-between) about the private lives of the TomKat clan has been well fed. Let's face it, we've been downright spoiled. Here's just a sampling of recent buzz about the mythical pair: -- Katie has been flirting with "Mad Money" co-star Adam Rothenberg. -- Katie has been secretly meeting with Catholic priests. -- Katie's telling...
By Liz | May 4, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
Happy Birthday to Suri
Birthday girl Suri Cruise. (Reuters) As Little Suri Cruise celebrates her first human birthday today, we pause to wish her well and reflect back on a idyllic era for stargazers -- when tabloid breathlessness, a cultish religion and superstardom flowed like so much manna into a perfect melange of celebrity sensationalism. Was it only a year ago that we were agog at rumors of silent births, adult pacifiers and the confinement of Katie Holmes? Remember the months-long wait for the first pictures that had us questioning Suri's very existence? And do you remember where you were when you first gazed upon the stylishly-coiffed visage of the hirsute pixie? (Okay, me either.) No word yet on how the Cruise brood plans to celebrate Suri's big day, but festivities will likely take place in Louisiana where Holmes is filming "Mad Money" when not calling the cops. A quick spin around the...
By Liz | April 18, 2007; 10:43 AM ET | Email a Comment
Report Card: TomKat Gets Schooled
Matchy-Matchy-ness: Towering six inches over one's spouse? Grade: D. (Getty Images) How are Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes faring as they approach their five-month anniversary? Celebritology attempts to make sense of Hollywood's most inscrutable relationship by applying the one-size-fits-all high school report card approach. Don't worry TomKat, no pesky standardized testing here, but as my high school guidance counselor would say, perhaps you'd better apply to more than one safety school. Romance Gone are the days of Tom devouring Katie on international red carpets. Body language says it all, kids, and pix like this speak volumes. Rumors of Tom's micromanagement of Katie's career and her hours-long calls to Victoria Beckham for advice on how to cope with Cruise's controlling ways only add to overall concern. Grade: D Friendships Aside from the above-mentioned Victoria Beckham, Katie seems to spend most of her time with her credit card and baby Suri....
By Liz | April 10, 2007; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (17)
TomKat: A Fairy Tale Wedding in Verse
Tom Cruise stands tall next to wife Katie Holmes. (HO/AFP/Getty Images) Photo Gallery: TomKat Wedding Once upon a time A bet I did lose, When Katie Holmes walked the aisle With that freakbot Tom Cruise. The bride was taken to a tower Swathed in cloth of great price. Scientology advisors on hand For any last minute advice. Did Tom vow to Give her a pan, a comb And maybe a cat? Who can pay any attention, When Posh is wearing that hat? Who wouldn't at least scoff Turn catty and dis, When they overdo Even their nuptial kiss? Now as they frolic On a honeymoon trip I'll give rest to the sarcasm Though I may sometime slip. So, Congratulations TomKat On your star-spangled wedding display. Still, the mystery remains How the groom grew two inches that day. Join me Live Online at Noon ET to talk about all the...
By Liz | November 20, 2006; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (27)
TomKat Wedding: Believe the Hype
Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise in Rome on Wednesday. (AP) And so the circle of life continues to turn. Make way Britney and Kevin, we must now shove the wasteland of your dying marriage aside to make room for the pomp, circumstance and overblown hype that herald the union of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. As Celebritologists, we too have a vested interest in this marriage. We will be bold with snap judgments about Katie's dress. We'll speculate about the relative merits of her going barefoot or Tom standing on a box. We'll wonder if L. Ron Hubbard's cryogenic chamber has been shipped special to Italy to witness the commingling of Scientology royalty (like Dan Snyder and J.Lo) or if he'll only be there in spirit (like Oprah). Before we I get too carried away (because I have to tell you, I was headed for an inevitable...
By Liz | November 16, 2006; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (17)
Comment Box: Secrets of Scientology Weddings
"Traditional" Scientology ceremony? What tradition? It's a fictional "belief system" whose sole purpose is to grub as much money as possible. Maybe they could have the traditional shakedown of everyone at the wedding, followed by the traditional threatening and blackmail of the guests who try to leave early. -- Skeptic comments on Morning Mix: Flavor Flav Expecting Seventh Child Tom and Katie share a kiss in June 2005. (Reuters) Having a passing interest in the subject myself, I've already devoted some time to finding out what exactly makes a wedding ceremony unique to Scientology. Despite all outward appearances, it has nothing to do with Giorgio Armani, Mussolini or John Travolta's private Boeing 707. A rather well-publicized example will take place on Nov. 18, though, when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes tie the knot in Italy. The official Scientology Web site contains this rather vague description of the wedding celebration: Scientology...
By Liz | November 6, 2006; 10:44 AM ET | Comments (30)
Tom Cruise, Studio Honcho
And here I thought Tom Cruise was busy planning his impending wedding. Proving that no mission is impossible, it was announced today that Cruise and producing partner Paula Wagner will run United Artists studio. The duo apparently secured a controlling interest in the MGM division and will make up to four movies a year. As one colleague jokingly put it, "Battleship Earth 2!" For more details see the wires and the official press release. Take that, Sumner Redstone....
By Liz | November 2, 2006; 04:14 PM ET | Comments (3)
TomKat Moving to Virginia?
Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx at the September Redskins season opener. We can confirm that Jamie Foxx is NOT moving to Loudoun County. (Getty Images) News radio station WTOP and another local paper are both reporting that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes may be finalizing a deal to purchase a $22 million home in Upperville, Va. The 1,100 acre Loudoun County farm boasts several barns, ponds and other horsey-set/landed gentry type accoutrements. As of this writing, Rick Lowe with the real estate agency representing the home says there is no confirmation that rumors surrounding Cruise and Holmes as the potential purchasers are true. Cruise and Holmes wouldn't be Loudoun's first bold name residents: Robert Duvall has made his home there for years. Update: The Examiner debunked their own gossip the following day with this story, denying that Tom and Katie will be taking up residence in Virginia....
By Liz | October 4, 2006; 05:14 PM ET | Comments (11)
TomKat Make the Scene at Redskins Game
TomKat cruises FedEx field. (Reuters) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes turned up for the Redskins' season opener tonight at FedEx Field. Savvy stars that they are, they've already adopted the Skins' fan uniform of designer suit and tie for him, black turtleneck for her and -- absolute de rigeur at a night game -- sunglasses for both. The Reliable Source has the scoop on the entire family's (including Isabella, Connor and Suri) visit to new backer Dan Snyder's Potomac home and their Sunday outing to Six Flags. Celebritology field agent Frank Thomason contributed to this report....
By Liz | September 11, 2006; 07:49 PM ET | Comments (7)
We're Soooo Suri
It seems like only yesterday that it was relatively acceptable to question Suri Cruise's existence. Actually, it was Monday. Katie Couric, in what was a decidedly non-real news liftoff to her reign at CBS Evening News, was the first to share the Annie Leibovitz-shot photos of TomKitten and her parents. Vanity Fair has since posted the cover shot on its Web site but is peskily refusing to allow other online outlets to post the photo. Because I hate an un-illustrated blog posting. So plain. (Nancy and Sluggo courtesy Comics.com) But at this point everyone has seen her, right? No? Well, she looks kind of like spunky, cherubic little Nancy here to the right (And, no, that's not some kind of junior Scientology handler she's with. That's Nancy's best bud Sluggo.), but you can still view the actual photo here. Rather than put an end to speculation, though, the photos have...
By Liz | September 6, 2006; 02:03 PM ET | Comments (48)
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; 09:12 PM ET | Comments (34)
Sean Preston Chats With Suri
Vacation is all she ever wanted; Vacation, she had to get away... but Liz will be back next week. For now, tune into an exciting episode of “Great Moments in Celebaby Wiretaps.” Thanks to a fortuitous combination of NSA wiretapping and well-timed leaks (thanks Karl!), we were able to get our hands on a transcript of a recent IM chat between Sean Preston Spears-Federline and Suri the Pseudo-Baby. Sean Preston: Yo Suri! Wazzup? Suri: Sean! I'm just chillin' and trying to clear my latest engrams (painful memories). My daddy was dancing around in his underwear and screaming “You're dangerous, Maverick!” into the mirror. Mommy then mistakenly yelled, “Be quiet Dawson!” and it went downhill from there. Sean Preston: At least your dad is in his underwear. My folks walk around the house naked and make up raps like: We're country y'all, and we've hit the wall;Cuz we got no chance,...
By | July 24, 2006; 10:45 AM ET | Email a Comment
