matt.mitovich

In Music News: Rockers Ozzy, Paul Stanley Ailing

Ozzy Osbourne had "a minor outpatient procedure" performed in Denver over the weekend before he took off for the next stop on his tour. What ailed him? Officially, no one's saying. But NBC affiliate KUSA-TV alleges that he underwent surgery for a blood clot after experiencing leg pain on Saturday.... Kiss lead singer Paul Stanley bailed on a weekend performance with his bandmates Friday when, during a sound check, his heart rate leapt to 190-plus beats per minute. Understandable: I mean, 190 bpm is fine for a Donna Summer show, but Kiss? Not so much.

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Weekend Weddings: Steve Martin Says "I Do," Usher Says "I Don't"

According to the Associated Press, over the weekend Steve Martin took his second wife, this one former New Yorker writer Anne Stringfield. And just to prove that he was taking his vows seriously, he spoke them to his betrothed while wearing an Inspector Clouseau moustache. OK, so the face fuzz was for a Pink Panther sequel, not for the nuptials. It's still gonna make for some pretty goofy wedding pics. Martin's best man was Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. Presiding over the nuptials was former Nebraska senator Bob Kerrey. Nowhere in sight were his ex-wife, L.A. Story leading lady Victoria Tennant, or ex-girlfriend Anne Heche. In other wedding news, People reports that Usher "changed his mind" about marrying babymama Tameka Foster on Saturday, and called the whole thing off. The reason? Try reasons. A source tells the mag that not only is the R&B sex symbol's mother against his marriage to the older woman (Foster is nine years Usher's senior), but the bride wanted a ...

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Weekend Weddings: Steve Martin Says "I Do," Usher Says "I Don't"

Casting About: Paris Hired to Act and Sing... at the Same Time!

And here I thought I was the only one who still had "Stars Are Blind" playing on an endless loop. Saw director Darren Lynn Bousman has cast the Simple Life dimbulb as Paul Sorvino's daughter in Repo! The Genetic Opera, a futuristic musical thriller in which, to survive, one must somehow pay for an organ transplant. In our fave ex-con's case, I can only assume the organ being transplanted would fit snugly in that pretty, empty head of hers.... Somehow, I don't imagine we're gonna see a feel-good dance number in this one: Cameron Diaz has taken the lead in Nick Cassavetes' My Sister's Keeper, about a couple whose 13-year-old daughter sues for emancipation. The Charlie's Angels rump-shaker will play the mom of the girl, who was conceived for the purpose of providing a genetic match to her cancer-stricken sister.... On the small screen, attorney to the stars Gloria Allred has partnered with Hearst Entertainment to star in her own reality show, No Guts, No Gloria. However, her clients wo...

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Casting About: Paris Hired to Act and Sing... at the Same Time!

News from Comic-Con: Star Trek, Heroes and More!

You'd swear that Comic-Con International was the TCA press tour the way news poured out of it over the weekend. The highlights:  Lost genius J.J. Abrams confirmed that he's cast Heroes' Zacharo Quinto as a young Spock in his upcoming Star Trek prequel  and has signed the Vulcan's original portrayer, Leonard Nimoy, to appear in the film as well. The New York Post adds that William Shatner is in talks to cameo as Cap'n Kirk.  An HD-DVD collection of Star Trek: The Original Series is being released on Nov. 20 in a set of 10 two-sided discs. (The high-def version of the classic series will be on one side of the discs, with the standard version on the other.) Extras include the new visual effects, CGI and re-recorded score that are currently being featured in the syndicated version of the show, plus a 3-D self-navigated shuttle tour of the NCC-1701, a "Starfleet Access" interface with on-screen icons that offer additional data, the ubiquitous trivia, new video interview...

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

News from Comic-Con: Star Trek, Heroes and More!

Box Office: Homer & Co. Rolling in D'oh!

Cowabunga, dude! The Simpsons Movie didn't just open big, it opened Homer's-belly big! With a haul of $71.9 million, it was not only the No. 1 flick of the week, it was also the fifth biggest debut of the year. Rounding out the top five are I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, with a $19.1 million take; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, adding $17.1 million to its kitty; Hairspray, catching another $15.6 million in its Miss Baltimore Crab nets; and the new Catherine Zeta-Jones romcom No Reservations, with a paltry $11.8 million. Of course, even Zeets' numbers looked pretty sweet compared to those of our beleaguered LiLo: Her new (last?) pic, I Know Who Killed Me, generated only $3.4 million in ticket sales. See ya soon in The Surreal Life house, honey.

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Box Office: Homer & Co. Rolling in D'oh!

Hollywood Mourns: RIP, Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman, the legendary Swedish director who helmed more than 50 films, passed away today at the age of 89. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. His classic film The Seventh Seal includes a scene in which a knight plays chess with the Grim Reaper. "I was terribly scared of death," Bergman has said of his inspiration for the tableau. His other features include Wild Strawberries, Persona and Fanny and Alexander.

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Bachelorette Baby Born to Trista and Ryan Sutter

Us reports that onetime Bachelorette Trista Sutter gave birth to her and hubby Ryan's first child, son Maxwell Alston, on July 26. The presumably proud parents met on the first season of ABC's The Bachelorette, then tied the knot on TV in 2003. "It took us a long time to get pregnant," she told the mag, "so it makes it that much sweeter."Monday's Today's News was written by Ben Katner.

Mon, Jul 30, 2007

Bachelorette Baby Born to Trista and Ryan Sutter

Dumb and Dumber: LiLo Puts the Blame on Her Own Alleged Kidnap Victim

According to TMZ.com, Lindsay's latest drunk-driving escapade began at a party to which she invited her assistant's boyfriend and three of his pals. The assistant was apparently fighting with her boyfriend, which sparked a fight between her and Lindz, which prompted the flunky to quit on La Lohan, which totally pissed her off. So when the assistant split, Lohan, the guys say, took the boyfriend's place in the driver's seat of the GMC Denali they were waiting in and took them for a thrill ride they never asked to go on. When the police finally intervened, they say she told them, "The black kid was driving." Lord have mercy. No, seriously. Mercy. — Ben KatnerRelated: Martin Sheen's advice for Lohan's parents.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Dumb and Dumber: LiLo Puts the Blame on Her Own Alleged Kidnap Victim

VH1 Gives Wannabe Dr. Dre's a Chance to Score

OK, so maybe when you think of VH1, Snoop Dogg isn't the first name that pops into mind. But apparently, MTV's younger-than-its-always-looked sibling is determined to change that. Yesterday, the cabler launched The Score, its online search for the next best hip-hop producer. And come September, VH1.com will pimp a special section of the site for VH1 Hip Hop Honors.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Nicole Richie to Enjoy the Simple Life Behind Bars

According to TMZ.com, later today Paris Hilton's 80-proof pal is going to plead guilty or no contest to DUI  her second such bust, for those keeping count. As a result, she will get sentenced to at least five days in the pokey, the minimum for anyone convicted of driving soused twice.Friday's Today's News was written by Ben Katner.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Nicole Richie to Enjoy the Simple Life Behind Bars

Heroes to Become the Next Pong?

No, fanboys, I wouldn't lie to you. The French firm Ubisoft (not to be confused with the sex-drive-inhibiting drug of the same name) is working on a video game based on the NBC hit. To make sure it doesn't suck, members of the show's writing staff will oversee the development of the game. Then again, two words: that finale. OK, three: ugh. In related news, DC Comics, Random House, Mezco Toyz and Topps have just been OK'd to produce trading cards, clothes, stationery, action figures and pretty much anything else you can think up based on the show. The future eBay auction items will start turning up in stores right before the new season's kickoff.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

BET Wants Its Own Idol, and That's the Gospel Truth

On Oct. 4, BET will debut its own version of American Idol, Sunday Best. The holier-than-thou twist? The cabler isn't just looking for a great singer, they're looking for a great gospel singer. Poor Sanjaya — ruled out not one but two ways. Anyway, if you think your voice is a gift from God, you can testify on Aug. 4 in L.A., Aug. 11 in Atlanta or Aug. 18 in Chicago. Dialing 888-PSALMS-95 will get you the rest of the audition details and, no doubt, an amen.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Angel Boss Quits CBS' Vampire Cop Show

Another day, another show-runner out the door. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Angel cocreator David Greenwalt has quit his job at the Eye's highly Angel-ic drama, Moonlight, for personal reasons. Wow, and the show's still months away from its cancellation... I mean "debut."

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Next Stop on Britney's Crackup Tour: Vegas... with the Kids!

Well, this makes sense. In her ongoing campaign to outcrazy Lindsay Lohan and worry her family to death, Britney Spears has made another brilliant move: She's taken her kids and headed to Vegas, People.com reports. The fact that neither she nor FedEx are allowed to take the young-'uns out of California without informing the other doesn't seem to have been factored into what I can only imagine was a thoroughly contemplated decision. Once there, the retired singer quickly made her presence known when her bodyguard was involved in a brawl with a paparazzo that resulted in his being issued a misdemeanor battery citation. Good times.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Next Stop on Britney's Crackup Tour: Vegas... with the Kids!

A Star Is Born: It's a Boy for King Kong's Girlfriend

Yesterday morning in Los Angeles Naomi Watts gave birth to her and Liev Schreiber's first child, son Alexander Peter. Everyone's doing fine, and the baby is said to have Mom's eyes and Dad's ego.The couple started dating in 2005 and news of the pregnancy was first announced by Schreiber himself this past February.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

A Star Is Born: It's a Boy for King Kong's Girlfriend

Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows and Other Casting News

And here I thought I was the only one left who was obsessed with Dark Shadows. But no, apparently Johnny Depp is, too. According to Variety, the erstwhile Cap'n Jack grew up wishing he was the '60s soap's anti-hero, vampire Barnabas Collins — and still does. So now that he's a big movie star and not a starry-eyed kid, he's making it happen, developing a big-screen version of the daytime drama. Oh, please, please, please, can we get Angelina Jolie to play Angelique the Witch?! Those lips, those eyes! She's perfect! Elsewhere... Susan Sarandon has been cast as the slain heroine's grandmother in The Lovely Bones, based on Alice Sebold's best-seller. Stanley Tucci is considering playing her killer. Dude, Susan Sarandon's in the movie.... What's to think about? Meanwhile, Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are teaming up to coproduce and star in New Line's Four Christmases, about a couple who visit their four divorced parents all on the same holiday. In small-screen casting news, G...

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows and Other Casting News

Wednesday's Ratings: Dance Puts a Spring in Fox's Step

In the 18-49-year-old demographic  i.e., the only one the networks seem to care about  Fox kicked tail on Wednesday, winning every half-hour between 8 and 10 pm. First the 90-minute episode of So You Think You Can Dance enticed eight million viewers in that age range for a 3.0 rating and a 9 share, then Don't Forget the Lyrics! drew 7.4 million young-'uns for a 2.8 rating and an 8 share.Speaking of So You Think You Can Dance, the top 10 hoofers from this season will be kicking up their heels in 14 more cities than last year's group, for a total of 49 North American dates. Most tix go on sale at 10 am on Aug. 11.Friday's Today's News was written by Ben Katner.

Fri, Jul 27, 2007

Wednesday's Ratings: Dance Puts a Spring in Fox's Step

Martin Sheen: Lindsay Lohan's Folks Must Fight for Her

Martin Sheen speaks from experience when he weighs in on Bobby cast mate Lindsay Lohan's imploding life and career. "The bottom line is you have to get through the entourages that surround these celebrities who are spinning out of control," he tells TV's Extra. "[These entourages] don't want to let it go, this is their meal ticket."Indeed, when Sheen's son Charlie was battling addictions of his own, Papa Sheen says, "I literally disarmed [his entourage]. Some of them had guns, literally."Sheen's directive to Lohan's folks? "You get in there and fight for life. You get between her and the grave and you say, 'I wont allow it.'" (After you get done crawling the nightclubs, that is, Dina.)

Thu, Jul 26, 2007

Martin Sheen: Lindsay Lohan's Folks Must Fight for Her

Britney Spears Is a Toxic Babysitter, Says Poll

Some of the findings of a "pop culture" poll conducted of nearly 5,000 people by Parade.com: Britney Spears is your nightmare babysitter, with 77 percent dreading the thought of the pop tart minding their own tots. Conversely, Katie Holmes and Reese Witherspoon are deemed supermoms. Britney's rep is the most tarnished (says 40 percent of respondents), with Lindsay, Rosie and Paris tying for second. Jennifer Aniston (yeah?) and Jessica Alba (oh yeah!) boast the best bikini bodies, while Matthew McConaughey wields the washboardiest abs. Alec Baldwin's voice-mail to his daughter is deemed the most shocking caught-on-tape moment. David Hasselhoff's hamburger humiliation placed second. McConaughey and George Clooney are the most eligible bachelors, while Aniston tops the list of single-and-looking femmes. King of Queens is the most-missed show to recently exit the airwaves (say 26 percent of you), with The Sopranos very close behind. Gilmore Girls was ...

Thu, Jul 26, 2007

Britney Spears Is a Toxic Babysitter, Says Poll

Damages Is Awarded 3.7 Million Viewers

Tuesday's premiere of Damages drew 3.7 million total viewers, making it basic cable's top-rated program of the night. The Glenn Close-fronted drama matched the debuts of FX's Nip/Tuck (3.7 mil), The Riches (3.8 mil) and Dirt (3.7 mil), yet fell shy of the draws of The Shield (4.8 mil) and Rescue Me (4.1 mil). Damages' audience also skewed... what's the word... old, only delivering half of the coveted 18-to-49 demo that FX typically enjoys.I'm also hearing that dogs hated the pilot.

Thu, Jul 26, 2007

A Few Good Watchmen: Comic-book Film Is Cast

Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson and Matthew Goode are among those on board as The Watchmen in Zack Snyder's adaptation of the iconic comic book, Variety reports. Crudup will play Dr. Manhattan, Wilson is Night Owl and Goode is Ozymandias, while Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley and Malin Akerman round out the cast as Comedian, Rorschach and Silk Spectre. The film will use a green-screen technique similar to what Snyder used for 300, and also reap similar greenbacks.

Thu, Jul 26, 2007

A Few Good Watchmen: Comic-book Film Is Cast

The "Definitive" Blade Runner, More Movie News

Ridley Scott is at work on Blade Runner: The Final Cut, a "definitive" version of his 25-year-old sci-fier remastered from original elements and containing never-seen and extended scenes. Per the Reporter, the film hits select theaters Oct. 5, then DVDs Dec. 18.... Tim Blake Nelson has joined The Incredible Hulk in the role of scientist Samuel Sterns aka The Leader aka he of the oversized brain.... Per Variety, DreamWorks has grabbed film rights to the comic-book series The Damned and Courtney Crumrin.... Guy Ritchie plans to direct a film version of his Gatekeeper Virgin Comics series.... Brad Pitt may reunite with Gwyneth Paltrow for the Watergate-themed Dirty Tricks, says the New York Post.

Thu, Jul 26, 2007

The "Definitive" Blade Runner, More Movie News