Michael Douglas Optimistic About Cancer Recovery
Michael Douglas says he faces an “eight-week struggle” against throat cancer but is optimistic about his chances for recovery. During an appearance last night on David Letterman’s show, Douglas said he had just finished his first week of radiation and chemo. The disease was diagnosed three weeks ago, although he had complained of a very sore throat earlier this year and had undergone testing that failed to find the cause. Douglas said the cancer remains above the neck and that means expectations are good, with an 80% or better chance of recovery.
Zsa Zsa Back In Hospital
Zsa Zsa Gabor was readmitted to a Los Angeles hospital yesterday. John Blanchette, publicist for Gabor, said her husband, Prince Frederic Von Anhalt, made an emergency call at 10:42 a.m. Gabor was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center by ambulance. Von Anhalt said Gabor, 93, was “unresponsive.” Gabor has been hospitalized several times in recent weeks after breaking a hip in a fall at her home. She had returned home from the hospital two weeks ago, saying she wanted to spend her final days there. Before going home she had asked to see a priest, who administered last rites.
‘Virgin’ Co-Star On Trial For Stabbing
A “40-Year-Old” actor is on trial, accused of stabbing his former girlfriend repeatedly in the chest when he found her with another man at her home. Prosecutors said Monday the volatile relationship between Kendra Beebe and Shelley Malil, best known for his supporting role in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” exploded two years ago when he attacked her with two kitchen knives. Malil is charged with premeditated attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and residential burglary. Despite being stabbed more than 20 times and sustaining serious injuries, including a punctured lung, Beebe survived. A defense attorney told jurors Malil mistakenly believed he was fighting Beebe’s male companion in a dark side yard of the woman’s house. Malil was arrested on August 11, 2008.
Sliwinska Leaving ‘DWTS’
Dancing pro Edyta Sliwinska has confirmed on her Twitter page that she is leaving ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” “I decided it’s time to move on with my life, pursue other projects and finish school,” Sliwinska tweeted. Reports that she and producers had a “major disagreement” about production of “Dancing with the Stars” are incorrect, Sliwinska said. TMZ said Sliwinska remains under contract, meaning she likely will return to the show when it begins its 11th season on September 20th.
Rowling Donates $15.5 Million For MS Research
Author J.K. Rowling has donated $15.5 million to the University of Edinburgh to establish a multiple sclerosis research clinic. The creator of the “Harry Potter” series said the funds were to help attract top researchers to find a cure for the disease. Potter’s mother, Anne, had MS and died at age 45. A goal of the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic will be to put patients at the core of the research, she said. Work at the new clinic also will focus on other degenerative neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
Ronson ‘Incredibly Sad’ About Dog Attack
Celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson said nothing she could do would alter the fact that her dog fatally attacked another dog. “There is absolutely nothing I can say that will alter one minute of today, nothing,” Ronson posted on her Twitter page Monday after her pet bulldog, Cadillac, attacked a neighbor’s Maltese, which later died from the injuries. “I feel incredibly sad and wish I could offer more than condolences, unfortunately there are no words to describe how sorry I am,” Ronson wrote. The incident occurred near Ronson’s West Hollywood apartment building. The case is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control.
Update: Lohan Speaks
Lindsay Lohan says her career isn’t finished and blames bad company and her dad, Michael Lohan, for some of her troubles. “I think everyone has their own addictions and hopefully learns how to get past them,” Lohan told Vanity Fair for its October issue. “I think my biggest focus for myself is learning how to continue to get through the trauma that my father has caused in my life.” Lohan spent nearly two weeks in a solitary jail cell for violating probation in a 2007 DUI case. She left jail and went straight into an in-patient rehab center on August 2nd.
Judge Questions Two Charges In Anna Nicole Trial
The judge in the Anna Nicole Smith drug trial is questioning whether the prosecution can prove two key conspiracy charges against the model’s two doctors and lawyer-boyfriend. The Los Angeles judge told lawyers outside the jury’s presence that he also has concerns about the propriety of at least eight overt acts listed to support the 11-count case against Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, Dr. Khristine Eroshevich and Howard K. Stern. Dozens of overt acts are cited in the document. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges, including the two of conspiring to furnish excessive amounts of drugs to an addict and providing drugs by fraud. Smith died of a drug overdose in Florida in 2007.
Chad Lowe Marries Girlfriend
Chad Lowe and his film producer girlfriend, Kim Painter, were married on Saturday. The small seaside ceremony took place at Terranea Resort in Los Angeles in front of a handful of family and friends. Rob Lowe, Chad’s brother, served as best man. Chad, who was married to Hillary Swank from 1997 to 2006, has a 15-month-old daughter, Mabel, with his new wife.
Lautner Lawsuit Target Suggests Push-Ups
A California RV dealer wants to resolve the lawsuit Taylor Lautner filed against him with a push-up contest. Brent McMahon, owner of McMahon’s RV in Irvine, said he wants to settle the lawsuit brought against him by the “Twilight” star, who claims the dealership failed to deliver a $300,000 customized RV on time and up to his specifications, with a contest of muscle instead of a trial. McMahon, who claims the RV was delivered to Lautner without any complaints from the 18-year-old actor, said he’s challenging the star to a contest to see who can do the most push-ups as a means of resolving the dispute. Should Lautner refuse the challenge, McMahon said his lawyer is ready to defend him against the suit, which is seeking $40,000.
Woman Headed To Trial For Slicing DiCaprio
A judge has ordered the woman who allegedly sliced Leonardo DiCaprio’s face at a party in 2005 to stand trial. Aretha Wilson is facing one count of assault with a deadly weapon after she used a broken glass to slash DiCaprio. Leo had to have several stitches to patch up the slice. DiCaprio was not at the hearing yesterday. Wilson has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed on $150,000 bail. She’ll be back in court on September 9th.
Hasselhoff, Alley Set For ‘Dancing?’
David Hasselhoff, Kirstie Alley and Jennifer Grey are rumored to be the next contestants on Season 11 of “Dancing with the Stars.” The competitors will be officially announced Monday, but Zap2it.com said rumors are flying regarding who will be on the show’s roster next season. Also expected to be in the lineup are Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Audrina Patridge, Florence Henderson, Brandy Norwood, Michael Bolton, Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez. The new season begins September 20th.
Stars Lining Up For MDA Telethon
David Archuleta, Enrique Iglesias and Lynyrd Skynyrd have signed up to perform on Jerry Lewis’ Labor Day telethon. The Muscular Dystrophy Association also confirmed WAR, John Ondrasik, OneRepublic and Barry Manilow are on the bill for the September 5-6 event. MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis will be headlining the star-studded television program that’s expected to be watched by some 40 million Americans. Lewis will be assisted by co-hosts Alison Sweeney, Nancy O’Dell and Jann Carl. Special guest co-hosts include Nigel Lythgoe, Richard Belzer, Ace Young, Brandon Barash and John Pinette. Also expected to be featured are Tony Orlando, Taylor Dayne, Maureen McGovern, Charo and Jack Jones.
Letterman To Appear On ‘The View’
David Letterman will be on hand for the season premiere of “The View” to welcome back Barbara Walters from her medical leave, ABC said. Walters has been recovering from heart surgery since May. Letterman’s September 7th appearance will be his first on the daytime chat series, as well as the show’s 14th season premiere. “Welcome Back Barbara” week will include a “surprise” musical number, personalized video messages from a variety of top entertainers/celebrities, and medical segments, including one featuring cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Oz, who’ll talk about the details of Walters’ heart surgery and recovery.
Oprah May Tape Last Show In Soldier Field
Oprah Winfrey has hinted that the final edition of her talk show may be taped next year at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The venue would be appropriate given how many of Winfrey’s fans would like to attend the finale. Although Oprah has said the field is under consideration, she cautioned it is not a done deal. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen,” she said. “You can never count on Chicago weather.” Winfrey, who plans to wrap her “Oprah Winfrey Show” in September 2011 after 25 seasons to focus on the establishment of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, plans to headline a program called “Oprah’s Next Chapter” on OWN.
Friars Club To Roast Quentin Tarantino
The Friars Club plans to roast Quentin Tarantino at a ceremony this fall in New York. Tarantino’s frequent collaborator, Samuel L. Jackson, will serve as Roastmaster at the event, scheduled to take place October 1st in Manhattan. Expected to attend the comic skewering are Uma Thurman, Pam Grier, Kathy Griffin, Michael Madsen, Patricia Arquette, Harvey Weinstein, Neve Campbell, Jeff Ross, Eli Roth, Rob Schneider, Sarah Silverman, Rosario Dawson, Michelle Rodriguez and Bo Svenson, among others.
D.A. Has Mel Gibson Report
Mel Gibson could soon find out if he’ll be charged with hitting his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his baby. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives have given prosecutors the results of their investigation. A spokesman for the sheriff’s department says it is now up to the district attorney’s office to decide if charges will be filed. Detectives also have been investigating Gibson’s accusations that his ex, Oksana Grigorieva, tried to extort money from him. The sheriff’s spokesman says that investigation is not finished.
‘Crocodile Dundee’ Held In Australia For Millions In Back Taxes
Australia’s Taxation Office won’t let “Crocodile Dundee” star Paul Hogan leave the country because he owes millions of dollars in back taxes. Hogan lives in Los Angeles but went back to his native Australia last Friday for the funeral of his 101-year-old mother. He was served that day with an order that says he can’t leave until he pays up. Hogan denies he’s done anything wrong. He’s trying to have his lawyers get the order revoked.
Margulies To Present Special Emmy Award To Clooney
Their “ER” reunion last year wasn’t enough. The Emmy folks are bringing Nurse Carol Hathaway and Dr. Doug Ross together again. Julianna Margulies and George Clooney will be onstage together at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night as she presents Clooney with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. Meanwhile, one of the perks of winning as a guest performer at last week’s Creative Arts Emmys is getting to be a presenter at the Primetime Emmys. Jeff Probst, Betty White, Ann-Margret, Neil Patrick Harris and John Lithgow will present on Sunday. They join other presenters who have already been announced, including Stephen Colbert, Edie Falco, Tina Fey, Laurence Fishburne, Ricky Gervais, Jon Hamm, January Jones, John Krasinski, Matthew Morrison, Steven Moyer, Anna Paquin, Eva Longoria Parker, Matthew Perry and more. The Emmys airs live on NBC and will be hosted by Jimmy Fallon. See the full list of nominees at www.emmys.com. Major nominees include:
Drama Series: “Breaking Bad,” “Dexter,” “The Good Wife,” “Lost,” “True Blood” and “Mad Men.”
Comedy Series: “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Glee,” “Modern Family,” “The Office,” “Nurse Jackie” and “30 Rock.”
Miniseries: “The Pacific” and “Return to Cranford (Masterpiece).”
Made-for-TV Movie: “Endgame (Masterpiece),” “Georgia O’Keeffe,” “Moonshot,” “The Special Relationship,” “Temple Grandin” and “You Don’t Know Jack.”
Actor, Drama Series: Bryan Cranston – “Breaking Bad,” Michael C. Hall – “Dexter,” Kyle Chandler – “Friday Night Lights,” Hugh Laurie – “House,” Matthew Fox – “Lost” and Jon Hamm – “Mad Men.”
Actress, Drama Series: Kyra Sedgwick – “The Closer,” Glenn Close – “Damages,” Connie Britton – “Friday Night Lights,” Julianna Margulies – “The Good Wife,” Mariska Hargitay – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and January Jones – “Mad Men.”
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Aaron Paul – “Breaking Bad,” Martin Short – “Damages,” Terry O’Quinn – “Lost,” Michael Emerson – “Lost,” John Slattery – “Mad Men,” and Andre Braugher – “Men of a Certain Age.”
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Sharon Gless – “Burn Notice,” Rose Byrne – “Damages,” Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife,” Christine Baranski – “The Good Wife,” Christina Hendricks – “Mad Men” and Elisabeth Moss – “Mad Men.”
Actor, Comedy Series: Jim Parsons – “The Big Bang Theory,” Larry David – “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Matthew Morrison – “Glee,” Tony Shalhoub – “Monk,” Steve Carell – “The Office” and Alec Baldwin – “30 Rock.”
Actress, Comedy Series: Lea Michele – “Glee,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” Edie Falco – “Nurse Jackie,” Amy Poehler – “Parks and Recreation,” Tina Fey – “30 Rock” and Toni Collette – “United States of Tara.”
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Chris Colfer – “Glee,” Neil Patrick Harris – “How I Met Your Mother,” Jesse Tyler Ferguson – “Modern Family,” Eric Stonestreet – “Modern Family,” Ty Burrell – “Modern Family” and Jon Cryer – “Two and a Half Men.”
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Jane Lynch – “Glee,” Julie Bowen – “Modern Family,” Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family,” Kristen Wiig – “Saturday Night Live,” Jane Krakowski – “30 Rock” and Holland Taylor – “Two and a Half Men.”
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Jeff Bridges – “A Dog Year,” Ian McKellen – “The Prisoner,” Michael Sheen – “The Special Relationship,” Dennis Quaid – “The Special Relationship,” and Al Pacino – “You Don’t Know Jack.”
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Maggie Smith – “Capturing Mary,” Joan Allen – “Georgia O’Keefe,” Judi Dench – “Return to Cranford (Masterpiece),” Hope Davis – “The Special Relationship” and Claire Danes – “Temple Grandin.”
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Michael Gambon – “Emma (Masterpiece),” Patrick Stewart – “Hamlet (Great Performances),” Jonathan Pryce – “Return to Cranford (Masterpiece),” David Straithairn – “Temple Grandin,” and John Goodman – “You Don’t Know Jack.”
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kathy Bates – “Alice,” Julia Ormond – “Temple Grandin,” Catherine O’Hara – “Temple Grandin,” Brenda Vaccaro – “You Don’t Know Jack,” and Susan Sarandon – “You Don’t Know Jack.”
Xzibit To Guest Star On ‘Detroit 1-8-7’
Recording artist, actor and TV personality Xzibit has signed up to guest star in an upcoming episode of the new ABC drama “Detroit 1-8-7,” which premieres September 21st. “Xzibit will portray hustler turned businessman Russell Pitts, who is a record producer specializing in hip-hop artists. Hailing from Detroit, Xzibit’s role reflects the series producers’ ongoing effort to showcase local Detroit talent,” ABC said. “Detroit 1-8-7” stars Michael Imperioli, James McDaniel, Aisha Hinds, D.J. Cotrona, Jon Michael Hill, Shaun Majumder, Natalie Martinez and Erin Cummings.
Will Forte Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’
It’s the end of an era for MacGruber. After eight seasons, Will Forte is leaving “Saturday Night Live.” Forte’s publicist said Forte is moving on from ‘SNL’ “to pursue other opportunities.” Forte joined the cast in 2002 as a featured player. Shortly after, he was upgraded to a regular cast member.
Francis Ford Coppola To Be Given Lifetime Achievement Oscar
Francis Ford Coppola is being given the lifetime achievement award at this year’s Oscars, which will air in February. The Oscar-winning director will receive the award ahead of the ceremony at a dinner set to take place in Los Angeles in November. Coppola is best known for his work on the “Godfather” trilogy. He also wrote and directed “Apocalypse Now” and the 1974 thriller “The Conversation.” The lifetime achievement award will mark Coppola’s sixth Academy Award.
‘The Hurt Locker’ Inspires Reality Show
Not only was “The Hurt Locker” a tremendous commercial and critical success, it has continued to be a source of inspiration. The G4 network is planning to take the premise of “The Hurt Locker” and turn it into a reality TV show based on real bomb investigators. The cable channel has ordered a 10-episode series based on the “brave men and women who diffuse and dismantle explosives” on a daily basis. Cameras will follow team members of a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit as they train in the United States. The TV crew will later be embedded with the platoon when they are deployed to Afghanistan.
Smithsonian Receives Original Kermit The Frog
Jane Henson, the widow of Muppets creator Jim Henson, has donated the original Kermit the Frog puppet to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The museum, which already has a 1969 version of Kermit, Howdy Doody and dummy puppet Charlie McCarthy, received 10 puppets from the show “Sam and Friends.” The donated puppets include Pierre the French Rat, a puppet skull called Yorick and a yellow monster called Mushmellow. The original Kermit was used in Henson’s 1955 TV show “Sam and Friends,” which ran until 1961. Kermit and various other characters later made their way to “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show.”
