BITS AND PIECES 02/28 Part 3
PUSSSYKATT
--Think you're a talented youngster? Lance Bass will be the judge of that. Pop
singer Bass of 'N Sync will serve as lead judge for NBC's four-episode reality
series ``The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America,'' debuting March 21.
Bass will be joined each week by two guest judges whose names are to be
announced later, the network said. Mario Lopez (of NBC's ``The Other Half'') is
the host. The series will feature young people in a competition that includes
song, dance and ``the most exceptional and unusual acts,'' NBC said. Finalists
will be chosen in three age categories, 3-7, 8-12, 13-15, and will then compete
for a grand prize -- an unspecified amount of cash.
--DALLAS - When the second season of Anna Nicole Smith's reality show debuts
Sunday on E! Entertainment Television, her stepson won't be watching. "Despite
our differences, we wish Anna the best in her program's second season," the
family of E. Pierce Marshall said in a statement Thursday, adding, "No. The
Marshall family doesn't watch the show." "The Anna Nicole Show" follows Smith's
daily misadventures. The reality series debuted in August with the highest
ratings ever for an E! program, but its numbers slipped in following weeks.
Cameras follow Smith as she spars with her lawyer, pals around with her
personal assistant and interior decorator, and coos at her poodle. Smith spent
seven years in a battle over the estate of her late oil tycoon husband, J.
Howard Marshall, who died in 1995 at 90. Last year, she won an $88 million
judgment, which E. Pierce Marshall is appealing. The 35-year-old former
Playmate and Guess? jeans model lives in Los Angeles. Smith, whose real name is
Vickie Lynn Marshall, met her husband in 1991 when she was working as a
stripper. The couple married three years later, when she was 26 and he was 89.
--LONDON - The House of Lords has agreed to hear an appeal from supermodel
Naomi Campbell in her legal battle with a British newspaper over its reporting
about her alleged drug problem. The 32-year-old British model strongly objected
to a February 2001 article in the Daily Mirror newspaper that reported her
alleged drug addiction and included a photograph of her leaving a Narcotics
Anonymous meeting in London. The High Court upheld her claim of a breach of
confidentiality, awarded her $5,530 in damages and ordered the Daily Mirror to
pay her legal costs. But the newspaper took the case to the Court of Appeal,
which reversed the judgment. The Law Lords, who serve as Britain's highest
appeal court, said Thursday that Campbell could challenge that ruling. No date
has been set for the appeal. "Ms. Campbell is delighted with the House of
Lords' decision," said Schilling & Lom, the law firm representing her. The
Daily Mirror said in a statement it was disappointed with the decision, "but we
look forward to asking their lordships to uphold the decision of the Court of
Appeal." Campbell has claimed that she felt "shocked, angry, betrayed and
violated" by the article. But the Court of Appeal said she had lied by saying
that, unlike other models, she did not take drugs, stimulants or tranquilizers.
--Robert Downey Jr. and Alan Arkin have been drafted by director Steven
Soderbergh to star in a segment of "Eros," a movie consisting of short films by
Soderbergh, Michelangelo Antonioni and Wong Kar-wai. The two actors are
shooting the Soderbergh-scripted leg of the film this week. Both were wooed by
Soderbergh after the Oscar-winning "Traffic" director agreed to sub for Pedro
Almodovar in the erotic-themed film. For Downey, the job comes before he will
join Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz in the Mathieu Kassovitz-directed "Gothika"
at Warner Bros. He's coming off "The Singing Detective," the Icon-produced film
bought by Paramount Classics after making its debut at the Sundance Film
Festival. Soderbergh, who last directed "Solaris," is shooting his part of the
film while prepping "Ocean's Twelve" with his Section Eight partner George
Clooney and producer Jerry Weintraub. They expect to shoot the ensemble drama
next February, releasing the film in late 2004. George Nolfi is rewriting his
script, which will be set in Europe.
--The fur is flying at DreamWorks. The studio that's co-producing Dr. Seuss's
"The Cat in the Hat" has optioned another high-profile feline project, a
trilogy of kids books, beginning with a novel called "Lionboy." Written by a
single mother and her 10-year old daughter, "Lionboy" created a stir in the
U.K. earlier this month when it sold to Penguin in a heated auction for nearly
$1.6 million. Penguin USA has just acquired American rights in a six-figure
deal. "Lionboy" will be produced for DreamWorks by Team Todd, the shingle of
"Austin Powers" and "Memento" producers Suzanne and Jennifer Todd. Louisa Young
and her daughter, Isabelle, penned "Lionboy," set in London in the near future,
about a boy named Charlie Ashanti, who was scratched by a leopard as a baby and
can communicate with cats. The novel, in which Charlie teams up with circus
lions to track down his kidnapped parents, has been widely compared to "Harry
Potter" by the U.K. press. "It's a family adventure movie, well suited to the
more inspired material DreamWorks makes," Jennifer Todd said. Team Todd, which
is based at DreamWorks, is developing another book series for the studio,
featuring rakish 1960s spy Matt Helm.
By Roger Friedman/FOX NEWS.....
--Al Pacino has started showing friends the movie he directed. It's called
Chinese Coffee, and it's based on the play of the same name. What's it about?
Coffee is a two-hander with Pacino and Jerry Orbach in a chess game type
dialogue. "He's hoping to take it to Cannes," a friend says. Chinese Coffee has
been brewing a long time though. Meanwhile, Pacino is staging a reading of a
script about Napoleon at his apartment tonight or tomorrow for other insiders.
"This was a project that got screwed up by 9/11," a source says. "But it's back
on." Pacino is definitely out and about. On Tuesday night he hit Elaine's on
the Upper East Side and had quite a good time. Elaine's, by the way, is on a
roll this week. Last night Robert and Katherine Altman dined with Richard Gere
and Carey Lowell. They chatted about Dr. T and the Women, the movie Altman
directed and in which Gere starred.
--It could be the weirdest combination of actors in history. Or the best.
Director David O. Russell is readying a script for his comedy Existential
Detectives. And he tells me the three main actors may indeed be -- are you
ready? -- Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, and Catherine Deneuve. "I'd like to get
Jude Law in there, too," Russell said at the Museum of Modern Art "work in
progress" tribute to About Schmidt and Election writer/director Alexander
Payne. United Artists chief Bingham Ray did Payne's interrogation following a
showing of clips including one from the Spanish surrealist Luis Buñuel film,
Viridiana, which Payne counts as his greatest influence. At the party that
followed at the W Hotel in Union Square, a panoply of stars looked for food and
got little in return. Among them: Marisa Tomei, John Waters, Matt Dillon, Mary
Kay Place, Swoosie Kurtz, Chris Meloni, June Squibb, Howard Hesseman, Dermot
Mulroney, John Ventimiglia, Aida Turturro, Alan Cumming and Willem Dafoe. But
back to Russell who, like Payne, sports quite a head of hair. (Jealous? You bet
I am.) So last year at this time, Russell thought he had Mark Wahlberg and
Patricia Arquette lined up for the same movie. Now it's this group. The main
thing is, Miramax and Warner Bros. will co-produce and finance. I have a lot of
faith in Russell. Three Kings was a great movie, and his first two -- Spanking
the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster -- weren't bad either. So we'll have to
hang on a little longer and keep watching the detectives as they develop.
--One of my favorite people in the biz, James Schamus, will get a special award
for devoted service from the Writers Guild of America East on March 8. Schamus
is not only the co-head of Focus Features, but he is also the writer of scripts
for Ang Lee's movies like Crouching Tiger, The Ice Storm and the upcoming
blockbuster The Hulk. Another terrific presence in the biz, Nora Ephron, is
getting the lifetime achievement award. I know Nora considers herself a
director and screenwriter (two more things she's good at), but go back and pick
up a copy of the book, Heartburn, when you get a chance. It's still hilarious.
Her writing holds up beautifully. You've Got Mail isn't bad either. (Parker
Posey gets the best line in that. Upon hearing an enemy died, she remarks --
I'm paraphrasing -- "Another person I wasn't talking to just died.")
Neil Haislop's Nashville Update
--The legendary George Strait made history late last week when his album The
Road Less Traveled was officially certified Platinum. With the certification,
Strait passed Kenny Rogers as the second best selling country artist in
history. With a total of 26 Platinum albums and 50 #1 hits, Strait's career
continues to gain steam. His latest effort on MCA Nashville, For The Last Time:
Live From The Astrodome debuted at #2 on the country charts and #7 on the pop
charts. The album is Strait's 30th album on MCA and his first ever live album
containing eight of his #1 hits. (George Strait will release two albums this
year, the Live album and a new studio album in early summer. Look for the first
single due out in April.)
--Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and the Dixie Chicks were among the names topping
R&R's annual Readers Choice awards. Kenny was chosen Performer of the Year. The
Chicks picked up both Album of the year (Home) and Group of the year. Top
Female Vocalist went to Martina McBride. Alan Jackson was chosen the year's top
male vocalist. Brooks and Dunn selected best duo again. Single choice of the
year "Somebody Like You" by Keith Urban. Joe Nichols came out as Best New
artist.
--One way to tell if you've become a musical "icon" is when your name turns up
in the songs of another music genre…just as Kenny Chesney's did recently IN A
RAP SONG. The song is called "Country Girl" (#24 on R&R pop chart), by rap
artist DF DUB and contains this lyric:
She likes country livin' and acoustic guitars
and KENNY CHESNEY and country bars
and Cadillacs and I couldn't relate
I'm just a concrete kid on a country date…
--Having cancelled yesterday's show at Austin, Texas' Frank Erwin Center due to
the extreme winter weather in Texas -- severe enough to have stranded a rigging
truck -- country superstar Kenny Chesney is pleased to re-schedule his Austin
play for April 2. Though support acts are to be determined, people's original
tickets will be honored. "I'm relieved we were able to figure this out so
quickly," says the Luttrell, Tennessean. "You always hate to cancel, especially
when you're so ready to get to a town. We got it figured out. April 2. Austin
in the spring. And I promise, we'll make it worth the wait."
--LeAnn Rimes and rapper, Busta Rhymes, are heading to the studio to sing a
duet. Why you ask? "We thought it would be kind of funny since we have the same
last name," says LeAnn. Next Tuesday, March 4, LeAnn Rimes, Jennifer Hanson,
Nancy O'Dell and Dick Clark will announce the final nominations for the 38th
annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The press conference will be at Tiffany
and Co. on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills at Noon ET/9am PT. The 38th Annual
Academy of Country Music Awards is an annual primetime television show
broadcast by CBS. The west coast based Academy will for the first time hold the
highly rated awards in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. This
year's CBS telecast will air on Wednesday May 21 from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET/PT.
The 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark
Productions. Dick Clark and Al Schwartz are executive producers. R.A. Clark and
Barry Adelman produce the show. Ron Weed is a co-producer.
--A few short years back Dreamworks records hit the lottery when they opened
the door to a disgruntled singer from a competing label. Six million albums
sold later and they understandably decided to celebrate with Toby Keith last
week. DreamWorks presented Toby with a 6 million album plaque as well as a
beautiful custom-made Brunswick Royal Knight billiards table for his new home
in Oklahoma. Toby gave James Stroud, Nashville's Principal Executive of
DreamWorks Records, a 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Soft Tail motorcycle we
reported to you last week. Another surprise came
when Huey Lewis dropped by the party to congratulate Toby on his success.
--After making the rounds at CRS last week, Steve Holy flew first class on
American Airlines Sunday to Los Angeles for a video shoot on Monday for "Rock A
Bye Heart." The video shoot at a vacant hospital began at noon on Monday and
ended at 3:00 AM Tuesday morning. DETAILS - The camera follows Steve down the
corridor of the hospital. Each room along the hallway foreshadows the
connection between parent and child - each child with a different illness or
injury. The story line conveys a touching message about comfort and care of the
heart. The final scene contain an unexpected surprise.
--On March 7th Mark Wills will guest on ABC's "Good Morning America." It's just
one of several high-profile stops in the Big Apple next week. Wills will also
guest with Fox Network's net news show with a live audience, "Hannity & Colmes"
for their prime time telecast, March 6th. That same day he will also make a
guest appearance on "AOL Sessions" - where online country music fans worldwide
who like to surf can see him be interviewed as well as perform his smash "19
Somethin'." MORE - MARK WILLS SIX-WEEK run at Number One with "19 Somethin'"
turns out to be the biggest chart hit for Mercury records in 42 years. Wills
surpassed Billy Ray Cyrus' 5-week stay at the #1 spot with "Achy Breaky Heart"
in 1992, Shania's 1997 stay at the top with "Love Gets Me Every Time."
Mercury's last extended play at the Billboard pinnacle was with Leroy Van
Dyke's one and only #1 hit, "Walk On By" that stayed at the top for 19 weeks in
1961.
--Tammy Cochran's "Angels In Waiting," a touching tribute to her two brothers
who died of Cystic Fibrosis, has touched millions of lives, including famed
illustrator Guy Gilchrist (Nancy, The Muppets). Gilchrist is turning "Angels In
Waiting" into the theme for his "Your Angels Speak" illustrated column on March
3, 2003, and Tammy Cochran will become one of his 'angels.' To view the column,
visit www.yourangelsspeak.com on March 3rd. "Your Angels Speak" is a weekly
inspirational drawing and thought for reflection available through United
Feature Syndicate and appears in 25 newspapers, including the Houston
Chronicle, Detroit Free Press, Portland Oregonian, Tucson Citizen and Vancouver
Province. "'Angels In Waiting' gave me a great idea [for my column]," says
Gilchrist. "She's got to be a brave girl to bare her soul that way in a song."
--Martha White, which produces a line of Southern-style baking mixes and
ingredients, is running an ad this Sunday that features International Bluegrass
Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent. The ad, which
drops in the Sunday coupon section in newspapers throughout the South, features
Vincent and her "Ragin' Cornbread" recipe that won the celebrity cook-off at
last year's National Cornbread Festival.
--TODAY, Vince Gill, President of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Board of Officers and Trustees unveils "Six String Sculpture: Unique Guitars
from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum" at the specially designed
exhibit space located within the SunTrust Music Industry Branch. The exhibit
space at the SunTrust branch was built to specifications of the Museum and is
dedicated to promoting the traditions and values of country music. More than
any genre of American music, country music is famous for unique guitars. Six
special guitars will be displayed including Bill Boyd's Martin 00-42, Juice
Newton's 1984 Washburn Monterey Artist and Shot Jackson's 1974 Sho-Bud
"Sho-Bro."
--Leaps Recordings' alt-country group, The Brooklyn Cowboys, will release "Hey
Juanica" March 1 via the Country HotDisc. Previously released in the U.S. via
video format only, the song was a huge hit on the national level, garnering
play on outlets as diverse as the Outdoor Channel and GAC. The single, from
their newest CD, DODGING BULLETS, showcases the "cowboy" side of the BCs and
features the immaculate twin fiddles of Kenny Sears and renowned Nashville
session player, Hoot Hester. A tale of a couple's search for adventure, the
track is laced with south-of-the-border rhythms and a sing-along feel. Putting
their rock side into a slight remission, the Cowboys offer up a more mainstream
country feel - with a kick.
USA TODAY....
--Rejected American Idol singers now have a little more hope. The Fox show has
added two extra finalist spots, bringing the total to 12. The four remaining
finalists will be chosen next week. Nine wild-card candidates will get another
chance to sing for a finalist spot Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. (Judge Simon Cowell
says there will be a twist next week.) The five who performed in the semifinal
shows are: Kimberly Caldwell, Trenyce, Clay Aiken, Chip Days and Nasheka
Siddall. Four other wild-card hopefuls performed earlier: Aliceyn Cooney,
Janine Falsone, Olivia Mojica and Carmen Rasmusen. Because one singer will be
eliminated each week in the finals, American Idol is likely to expand by two
episodes. The first finalist round will be a two-hour show on March 11 (8 p.m.
ET/PT).
--Pop singer Christina Aguilera will be honored at the 14th annual Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation awards April 26 in Los Angeles. GLAAD is
recognizing Aguilera for the music video to her song Beautiful. "Christina's
decision to feature gay and transgender people in her video is a strong
statement of inclusion, affirmation and acceptance," the group said.
--More than 100 works of art by French master Henri Matisse and other
20th-century artists have been donated to New York's Metropolitan Museum of
Art. The donation comes from the private collection of the artist's late son,
Pierre. The collection, worth $100 million, is the most substantial gift to the
museum in the past 50 years, the Met says. An exhibit featuring the donated
works is planned for next year.
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