Entertainment News
Alex's Entertainment Report
Alex
Tom Sizemore is planning to tie the knot with the former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. Sizemore who admitted he'd fallen "head over heels" for Fleiss back in September, called her "the loveliest woman I have ever met" in more recent comments. Now friends are saying the loved-up pair are hoping to marry next year. Fleiss, 35, spent three years in prison after being found guilty of tax evasion and laundering which stemmed from her life as Hollywood's best known madam.
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Sexy actress Sandra Bullock is one step closer to clinching the coveted Wonder Woman role. Sandra looks the most likely of all female contenders to take on the movie role of the action heroine, initially made famous by Lynda Carter in the '70s TV series. Jennifer Aniston and wrestling ace Chyna, had both been tipped to take on the role earlier this year, but Bullock is the closest to grabbing the part. Leonard Goldberg, who's producing the film with Joel Silver, says, "We have a script, and we're in discussions with Sandra, her representative and the studio. We're discussing what changes need to be made to the script so that we are all enthusiastic about going forward... just trying to come to a conclusion so that we're all on the same page in terms of what the character's going to be and what the story's going to be."
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Curvy supermodel Gisele Bundchen (above) has rekindled her romance with Leonardo DeCaprio. The gorgeous Brazilian reportedly split from Leo last month after a year-long romance because she was fed up with his laddish partying ways. However, the golden couple have reignited the passionate flame of love after a sexy vacation in Maui - where eyewitnesses report seeing the pair frolicking practically naked on a private beach.
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Walt Disney Co. Chairman Michael Eisner has told a German weekly that he is interested in buying The Jim Henson Co. but that the German conglomerate that currently owns it has placed an "unrealistic" price on the company. Eisner told Focus magazine that he currently isn't in talks with the Muppet maker's owner, EM.TV, "but you can tell them they can give me a call."
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Fox is cutting back the yuks, trimming episodic orders for comedies ``Undeclared,'' ``Titus'' and ``Grounded for Life.'' Just six weeks after ordering nine additional episodes of critically hailed rookie college comedy ``Undeclared,'' the network late Wednesday informed producer DreamWorks TV that it was reducing the number to four.
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As for the episode of "Family Guy" from Thursday, it was great. I couldn't believe they got away with that on the Rupert Murdoch network, but they did. They pretty much covered all the stuff the real media is so afraid to mention (stolen election, dirty money, drugs, knocked up girl, and more). I couldn't believe my ears. I am curious if "Family Guy" will be cancelled come January?
~~ Alex
Alex's Site
Best wishes for a fabulous Christmas go to Alex, visiting in CT.
Reader Recommendation
Rasslin'
Reader Response
'The Family Guy'
The first strong anti-Bush statement I've heard over the air came on FOX-TV
Thursday night.
Thank Koresh Murdoch allows his shows to be a little liberal (Mr. Burns on "The
Simpsons" is actually based on Murdoch).
Anyway, on a little-watched cartoon called "Family Guy" the main character was
trying to psyche up his friend before a track meet.
In the style of Belushi's famous "was it over?" speech in "Animal House" the
father asks his friend:
"Did President Bush quit when he lost the popular vote?"
Did he quit when he was convicted of drunk driving?
Did Bush quit when he knocked that girl up?
Did he quit when he was arrested for public drunkeness and disorderly conduct?
Did he quit when....
At that point, his friend stops him, saying "All right, I get your point!"
It was classic.
~~ JK
Reader Response
More 'The Family Guy'
The Big Dog Watch
Bill Clinton
After gathering this week in his Harlem office, former President Clinton and his advisers are forming a strategy to remind
the nation of his administration's accomplishments and to renew the moderate Democrat agenda.
A big part of the strategy is to get Clinton out in public, talking.
"The president ran as a New Democrat, he governed as a New Democrat, he accomplished a lot as a New Democrat," said
John Podesta, Clinton's former chief of staff and part of the kitchen cabinet that met Wednesday. "We want to project
that sense of program, politics and reform of government into the future."
"We want to use Clinton's expertise to help nurture leaders who are just starting out in state and local government,"
said Al From, the Democratic Leadership Council founder who led the meeting.
The ex-president and the aides agreed to come up with a list of achievements of the Clinton years - participants
mentioned welfare reform, fiscal restraint, crime drops and a growth in national service - to help his supporters make their case.
Although participants said they were unconcerned about any challenges to the former president's reputation,
they said compiling a list of achievements will enable them to talk about the Clinton administration effectively.
Bill Clinton
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Didn't get to see much TV in primetime...was busy in the kitchen.
Tonight, Saturday, CBS has nothing but reruns.
NBC is showing 'Face-Off', with a rerun on 'SNL'.
ABC has 'MNF' on Saturday Night....poor Dennis Miller has to work.
TCM is doing an 'outlaws'-thing....'Bonnie & Clyde', 'High Sierra',
'Stagecoach'.
AMC has 'Rock 'n Roll High School', where the Ramones rule!
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
Egg-Stra! Egg-Stra!
Matt & Russell & Ron & John
Matt Drudge is a little late to the party.
The Internet columnist used his Web site to criticize the makers of the new Russell Crowe movie, "A
Beautiful Mind," for leaving out the homosexual themes explored in Sylvia Nasar's book on which the film is based.
Drudge, in an "exclusive" report on what he terms a box-office ploy, says director Ron Howard's
movie, starring Crowe as the schizophrenic mathematical genius and Nobel laureate John Nash, never
touches on Nasar's "repeated homosexual references. These include a 1954 arrest for 'indecent exposure'
and 'making a come-on to another man' in a public bathroom."
Drudge obviously hasn't been reading the Advocate, The New York Times, New York Observer or the
Daily News, which have all mentioned the gay angle reported in Nasar's biography along with the
fact that none of this appears in the film. Today's Jami Bernard review of "A Beautiful Mind"
brings the discrepancy up yet again.
Howard has insisted all along that "A Beautiful Mind" is not a biopic and is only "loosely based"
on Nasar's book. According to the movie's screenwriter, Akiva Goldsman, a lot more about Nash was
left out of the film than just gay references.
"He had a son with a woman [other than his wife], and neither are dealt with," Goldsman told me.
"Everything in the movie is structured around telling the story of genius, madness and the Nobel
Prize. In order to do that, tremendous portions of this man's life had to be omitted."
Another reason Howard and Goldsman held back was because of Nash himself. "John personally says he's not
gay or bi," said Goldsman. "We tried to be true to his life and the relationship he had with his
wife, Alicia, and she says he's not gay."
Matt & Russell & Ron & John
New! Updated!
(10 Dec., 2001)
The official BartCop Astrologer, Geneva, has done good, again!
Currently, look at the charts of George Harrison.
Very interesting reading!
Weekly 'Survivor' Update
Buh-Bye Frank
With the Moto Maji tribe whittled down to seven, Frank Garrison picked the wrong day to show his "sensitive
side" on Survivor: Africa Thursday, as he sealed his fate during a diatribe against "liberals" and people
who support gun control.
In the end, not even his beloved "T-bird" (Teresa) sided with him, as the 43-year-old phone technician
from Odessa, New York, was sent packing by a 6-1 vote.
As was the case with past seasons, Thursday's episode featured the usual lethargy, starvation and just plain
hairiness we've come to expect from the crusty backstabbers at this point in the game.
Host Jeff Probst once again teased the tribe with food during the auction-style reward challenge. Country bumpkin
Tom came away with the fullest belly, but not before going on a politically incorrect victory dance when he found
out he'd get to eat a plate of bacon because his partner Ethan was Jewish.
"He's a Jew! He's a Jew!" Tom screamed.
Ethan laughed it off, while others were just scratching their heads. "Tom, he's not the most politically correct
human being," Kim Powers said.
Which brings us to the night's other highlight--Kim and Tom sharing a lovely shower scene, in which Tom delighted
in dousing her with buckets of water. To which the home audience universally replied: Yeesh.
Buh-Bye Frank
Officially, Buh-(Bam)-Bye
'Emeril' & 'Inside Schwartz'
NBC has canceled two of its high-profile new comedies from this season, ``Emeril'' and ``Inside Schwartz.''
The network failed in its attempt to build a sitcom around the life of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
Critics savaged the show, and his fans apparently preferred that Lagasse stick to the kitchen: it's
tied for 84th place in Nielsen Media Research's season ranking.
After a few more completed episodes air, ``Inside Schwartz'' will be replaced on Thursday at 8:30 p.m., at
least temporarily, by ``Will & Grace'' reruns. The new Hank Azaria comedy, ``Imagine That,'' will take the
Tuesday 8 p.m. time slot vacated by ``Emeril.''
Buh-(Bam)-Bye 'Emeril' & 'Inside Schwartz'
''Anger Management''
Jack & Adam
Jack Nicholson has committed to star alongside Adam Sandler in ``Anger Management,'' a comedy now
headed for a March start.
Sandler will play a timid businessman who is wrongly sentenced to an anger-management program, where
he has his life turned upside-down by an ultra-aggressive instructor who hardly practices what he preaches.
Jack & Adam
''Queen Of The Damned''
Aaliyah
The vampire movie ``Queen of the Damned,'' whose star, R&B vocalist Aaliyah, was killed in a plane crash,
will make it to theaters in February with a little help from her brother, Time magazine reported.
Aaliyah's older sibling, Rashad, whose voice has a similarly smooth, serene timber, has re-recorded a small
number of words and stray lines to provide some needed touch-up of his sister's dialogue, according the
magazine's Web site, Time.com. Rashad's voice was then mixed with hers to give the lines more force and clarity.
The technique has been used before. James Dean's friend, Nick Adams, recorded a few lines of dialogue
for his buddy when Dean was killed in a car crash shortly before work was completed on the 1956 film ``Giant.
Aaliyah, who stars as a 6,000-year-old Egyptian vampire in the movie, had nearly completed her work on the
film when she was killed in a plane crash with eight others in the Bahamas in August.
She also was set to appear in a sequel to the hit sci-fi action film ``The Matrix,'' also a Warner Bros.
film, but Time said because Aaliyah had done little filming for that movie before her death, it was doubtful
how much if any of her role could be salvaged.
More Aaliyah
Friedkin & Blatty Sue Warners
'Exorcist' Residuals
Director William Friedkin sued Warner Bros., accusing the studio of fraud in last year's release of a
version of his 1973 horror classic, "The Exorcist."
The screenwriter, Peter Blatty, joined Friedkin in the lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court. They seek
unspecified damages for alleged copyright infringement, breach of contract and fraud.
The legal action raises the complicated legal question as to what constitutes a new film and a rerelease.
The Oscar-winning movie about a young girl possessed by the devil earned more than $40 million when it was shown last year.
Friedkin and Blatty argue that the movie is an entirely new version, containing 11 minutes of additional
footage and new sound recordings.
The suit claims that Warner Bros.' copyright registration included a number of false statements, including
identifying the studio as the movie's author. The suit also claims that the studio licensed the film to
broadcasting companies for less than market value.
'The Exorcist' & Residuals
New!
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
More On The Golden Globes
'24'
They snagged just two nominations each, but ABC's ``Alias'' and Fox's ``24'' could be the biggest
winners among this year's crop of Golden Globe TV nominees.
That's because both shows -- while generating some of the year's best reviews -- have yet to fully
connect with audiences. The extra hype and prestige of being nominated can only help ratings, and a
win for either show could serve to be a key boost come May, when Fox and ABC decide whether to bring
the shows back for a second season.
A hint of controversy surrounded Thursday's ``24'' nominations, however.
As most TV industry insiders understand them, Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. eligibility rules state
that a show must have aired seven original episodes in a calendar year to make the cut. But ``24''
has been seen just six times since it bowed in November.
The official start of the TV season was pushed back a week because of Sept. 11, which is one reason
that HFPA officials say an exception was made for ``24.'' In addition, Fox next week plans to air a
new ``24'' in New York and Los Angeles -- although outside of primetime.
HFPA and Fox reps argue that as long as a show is seen in Los Angeles, it qualifies for nomination.
``The HFPA acknowledges that due to the tragic events of Sept. 11, the drama series '24' did
not air seven original episodes in primetime during the qualifying period for the 2002 Golden
Globe Awards,'' an HFPA spokesman said. ``However, seven episodes of '24' were screened in the
greater Los Angeles area during the stipulated period, thus satisfying all requirements of the association's bylaws.''
Overall, the Globes' roster of TV nominations offered up the usual mix of repeat performers,
pleasant surprises and just-plain-weird nominations.
The Golden Globes & '24'
New 'Incredible Hulk' Movie
Sam Elliott & Nick Nolte
Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte will star in ``The Hulk,'' the feature-film version of the Marvel comic ``The Incredible Hulk.''
Ang Lee will direct the movie, a combination of live-action and computer-generated effects, which is scheduled to open in June 2003.
According to Thursday's Hollywood Reporter, Elliott will play Gen. Ross, who's in charge of the military base where
research scientist Dr. Bruce Banner (Eric Bana of ``Chopper'') makes his accidental transformation into the gargantuan, green-skinned Hulk.
Nolte will play Banner's scientist father, and Jennifer Connelly, who was nominated Thursday for a Golden Globe for her
supporting role in ``A Beautiful Mind,'' will play Banner's girlfriend, Betty - who happens to be Gen. Ross' daughter.
New 'Incredible Hulk' Movie
An International PSA
Muhammad Ali
The committee mulling Hollywood's war effort has greenlit its first international public service
announcement (PSA), in which Muhammad Ali will emphasize that the war on terrorism isn't a war against Islam or Arabs.
The PSA, which is in production, will be translated into numerous languages for audiences in the
Middle East, Pakistan and elsewhere in the Muslim world.
Motion Picture Assn. of America president-CEO Jack Valenti, de facto chair of the special wartime
committee, revealed details about the PSA at a press conference Thursday announcing a parallel
series of PSAs unveiled by cable channel Starz! Encore. The Starz! campaign was hatched
separately from the Hollywood committee.
Intended for domestic audiences, the two PSAs produced by Starz! -- in conjunction with the Arab
American Institute and Cleveland's Brokaw Inc. -- urge tolerance toward Arab-Americans. The spots
will run in more than 71 million U.S. households, with six major cable operators and direct satellite
broadcasters committing to carriage.
The Arab American Institute also released a pamphlet highlighting well-known Arab-Americans, including
Danny and Marlo Thomas; veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas; John Sununu, White House chief of
staff for President George Bush; and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.
Starz will make the PSAs available to broadcasters via satellite linkup.
International PSA
``Even the Greatest can tell bad jokes''
More Muhammad Ali
A day after he was named to star in an international campaign promoting tolerance, boxing legend Muhammad Ali took
one on the chin for making ethnic jokes at the premiere party for the biographical movie ``Ali.''
The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement Friday expressing ``disappointment'' at remarks Ali made before a crowd
of politicians and Hollywood figures on Wednesday night at the Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C's posh Georgetown section.
The following day, Motion Picture Association of America president Jack Valenti unveiled plans for a global public
service announcement (PSA) featuring Ali and the message that the American war on terrorism is not a war against Islam or Arabs.
Despite all that, and the protestations of his wife, Lonnie (who according to the Washington Post was overheard
pleading, ''No, no, no, don't''), Ali, 58, delivered a one-two punch of politically incorrect humor as he took
the microphone at the premiere party.
Ali's wife had the last word on Friday, issuing a brief statement to Reuters when asked about the incident.
``Even the Greatest can tell bad jokes.''
``Even the Greatest can tell bad jokes''
One-Show Regrouping
'The Gin Blossoms'
The Gin Blossoms, which rose from Tempe nightclubs in the early '90s to platinum-selling album success
before disbanding in 1997, is scheduled to appear at Nita's Hideaway in Tempe on New Year's Eve.
It will be the band's first performance since a one-show regrouping for Phoenix's New Year's 2000 celebration.
Guitarist Scott Johnson said the reunion grew from a few casual jam sessions in November. Since then,
the Gin Blossoms have been practicing together for the New Year's Eve show, trying to line up
additional performances and working on new songs.
It's unclear whether the group, which no longer has a recording contract, will record a full album.
Gin Blossoms
aoltimewarner Pulls Out
Buh-Bye Goodwill Games
The Goodwill Games, the sports event created by media mogul Ted Turner in the waning days of the Cold War, have
been scrapped by AOL Time Warner Inc. after racking up millions of dollars in losses.
The multi-sport games, organized by Turner after the Olympic boycotts of the 1980s, were aimed at promoting peace
and brotherhood by bringing together top athletes from countries such as Cuba, the former Soviet Union and the United States.
The move by AOL Time Warner comes as the world's largest Internet and media company aggressively looks to cut costs
in order to meet financial targets amid the economic slowdown and the worst advertising slump in recent history.
Turner, who this week renewed his contract as vice chairman of AOL Time Warner after a public dispute, had said
in August he would consider financing the games themselves.
Turner, who founded Cable News Network in 1980, lost operational control of the games after he sold Turner
Broadcasting Systems to Time Warner in 1996 in a deal he has since voiced regrets about.
Buh-Bye Goodwill Games?
'Antiques Roadshow'
Another Scam Artist
An antiques dealer who specialized in Civil War relics pleaded guilty Friday to swindling the family of
Confederate Gen. George Pickett and staging phony televised appraisals on the PBS television series ``Antiques Roadshow.''
Russell Pritchard, 38, of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, admitted in federal court that he also bought relics
at artificially low prices from the descendants of other Civil War officers and sold them for large
profits to private dealers after assuring family members that they would go to a museum.
Pritchard admitted to buying a trunkload of Pickett memorabilia from North Carolina contractor George
Pickett V in 1996 for $87,500 and then reselling the relics to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's National
Civil War Museum for $870,000.
Pritchard also pleaded guilty to stealing from the same museum a rare Union Zouave uniform, a style
of Civil War military dress modeled after the uniforms of 19th century French Moroccan military units.
He allegedly sold the uniform for $20,000 to a private dealer.
Pritchard regularly appeared on the PBS series ``Antiques Roadshow,'' where members of the public
present items for appraisal. Pritchard admitted that he and a co-defendant named George Juno staged
at least two phony appraisals in 1996 to enhance the program's viewership.
On both occasions, they had friends pose as members of the public to show off antique swords secretly
provided by Juno and Pritchard.
Another Antique Scam-Artist
Grammy President Denies Blacklist
Dick Clark
The people who put on the Grammys strive to bring the public the "freshest show" possible, but they
don't blacklist performers who appear on the rival American Music Awards, the recording academy's president said.
In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Dick Clark accused the president of the National Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences of blacklisting performers who appear on his American Music Awards. The action seeks
$10 million in damages and a halt to the practice.
"I guess the only thing about Dick's publicity stunt-lawsuit today that irritates me is characterizing
it as some blacklist," he said. "We don't have a blacklist."
"If you take Michael Jackson or any of the other acts that he references, you have to remember they have
to make a decision," he said. "It's a very simple decision."
He added that the Grammy show only has time to showcase 14 performers out of some 500 nominees, and wants to
make sure it gives the public the best show possible.
Grammy President Denies Blacklisting
Super Bowl Entertainment
Marc, Mary J. & U2 (so far)
Marc Anthony and Mary J. Blige just signed on for the Super Bowl pregame show, joining Mariah Carey in the
lineup. They're due to perform a patriotic duet. U2 will rock the halftime show. ...
Super Bowl Entertainment
Updated!
BartCop TV!
Visit the site at BC TV
The 'Vidiot' never seems to rest - and doesn't let little things like laundry or
housekeeping get in the way!
Damn near every show on TV must is listed - days & days worth of great reading.
If you have any questions about nearly any tv program, check out
BC TV!
Divorce News
Hunter - Kaminski
In Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday, Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter was sued for divorce by Polish
cinematographer Janusz Kaminski.
The papers gave the oft-used phrase "irreconcilable differences" as the reason Kaminski wanted out of his
six-plus-year marriage to the star of "The Piano."
The two wed secretly in L.A. in 1995. Steven Spielberg acted as the couple's best man at the beachside
ceremony. The couple has no children.
Hunter - Kaminski Divorce
Drew Barrymore, Tom Green, George Clooney &
Chuck Barris
Barely 48 hours after MTV funnyman Tom Green filed for divorce in Los Angeles, Drew Barrymore showed
up for work in Montreal.
The 26-year-old actress, who was married a mere six months, was shooting her first scene for director
George Clooney in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind." The film chronicles the life of game show host Chuck
Barris, who, the film suggests, was a CIA assassin using his TV career as a cover.
Sources in Canada said that Barrymore appeared very friendly to the crew on the set and that her
breakup was not discussed. In fact, Green's name was purposely never mentioned.
"She didn't want to talk about it," said one source, "and people respected her privacy and left her alone."
Drew, The Trooper
''Watching Ellie''
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Yet another "Seinfeld"-alum's sitcom is almost ready for TV.
''Watching Ellie,'' starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is the latest title given to the new comedy which, in
its various stages of development has also been called "23:12" and the tongue-twisting "23 Minutes and 12
Seconds in the Life of Eleanor Riggs."
The series is expected to debut later this season as a mid-season replacement show, possibly on Thursdays
in place of "Inside Schwartz," sources said.
Each episode of the show takes place in real time: 23 minutes and 12 seconds in the life of Ellie Riggs,
a lounge singer in Los Angeles .
''23:12'' Is Now ''Watching Ellie''
Liberal Radio !
Erin Hart
Liberal radio - what a concept!
Join Erin Hart and celebrate the Christmas holidays Dec. 22 & 23rd, nearly regulation times (9 pm to 1 am Sat &
10 pm to 1 am Sun [pst]) at www.710kiro.com or www.kiro710.com (It's
a browser thing).
AND again when she subs for Lou Pate on Dec. 27th and 28th from 1 am to 5 am (that's Thursday and Friday REALLLY early,
or late depending on your pov).
She'll be back to celebrate the New Year and Year in Review Dec 29th and 30th, regular or near regular time.
A very very Merry to all who celebrate Christmas and/or Solstice and get ready for Kwanzaa and a Prosperous 2002.
Thanks for listening.
For more details, visit Erin's homepage, http://www.erinistas.com/.
Say 'Hi' to Brian, the Webmaster, and, while you're there, check out his computer tips!
A Quota System For The Golden Globes?
Per Favore!
The Golden Globes has room for only one Italian-American family.
Nominations for the Golden Globes announced yesterday surprised Hollywood TV people by completely shutting out
the Barones from "Everybody Loves Raymond," which had been a favorite.
Instead, "The Sopranos" grabbed four nominations - including best dramatic series and best actor for James Gandolfini.
An Italian Quota System?
ABC Stirring Up Wednesday Nights
Returning Series
ABC is shaking up its Wednesday schedule, bringing back critically hailed cop comedy ``The Job'' and newsmagazine ``Downtown.''
Both shows will return Jan. 16, with ``The Job'' airing at 9:30 p.m. and ``Downtown'' at 10.
Chris Cuomo will join Elizabeth Vargas, John Quinones and Cynthia McFadden as anchors of ``Downtown,'' which premiered in 1999.
As originally planned, ``Once and Again'' will move to 9 p.m. Fridays to make room for ``20/20'' in its old 10 p.m. slot.
ABC has yet to announce its new Monday lineup, though it's likely the night will be a mix of movies and
reality series. ``The Mole 2'' and new quizzer ``The Chair'' are both potential players on the night.
Returning Series
BC Entertainment Favorite Link
Moose & Squirrel Information One-Stop
http://geocities.com/mooseandsquirrel1
What a great site! Information and reference materials of the first order!
Between 'Moose & Squirrel' and 'Google', who needs 'refdesk'!
Trimming Episodic Comedies
At Faux
Fox is cutting back the yuks, trimming episodic orders for comedies ``Undeclared,'' ``Titus'' and ``Grounded for Life.''
Just six weeks after ordering nine additional episodes of critically hailed rookie college comedy
``Undeclared,'' the network late Wednesday informed producer DreamWorks TV that it was reducing the
number to four. A total of 17 episodes will now be produced -- one less than series creator Judd
Apatow's short-lived NBC hour ``Freaks and Geeks.''
The first 13 episodes of ``Undeclared'' were produced nearly a year ago. Production on the additional
nine had resumed barely three weeks ago.
Fox has also quietly reduced 22-episode orders for ``Grounded'' and ``Titus'' to 20 episodes.
It's also unclear how long the network will continue scheduling comedies on Thursday nights, which may
further reduce its episodic needs. Industry insiders also believe the cutbacks could be an attempt to
save money in the wake of a depressed ad market for all broadcasters.
The cutback of ``Undeclared'' episodes isn't likely to help the show establish itself fully. Since bowing
13 weeks ago, it has been pre-empted or aired repeats five weeks. Until this week, it had been two months
since more than two consecutive episodes aired.
Programming Cut-Backs At faux
Time To Write If You Like
''Undeclared''
Freaks and Geeks creator Judd Apatow is once again asking fans to give it the ol' college try and help save his
newest comedy, Undeclared, after Fox this week cut back its full-season commitment to the series amid disappointing
ratings on an ultra-competitive Tuesday night.
"If you care, now would be the time to write some letters to Fox and the media," he adds. "Last time, it didn't
save Freaks and Geeks from the axe, but it definitely kept us shooting the show a lot longer than if you didn't
write. Thanks for all your support and if you are not into it, enjoy your day."
At first glance, Undeclared appeared to have a bright future. After a promising October debut, Fox decided
to order the show's "back nine" episodes, bringing it to a full-season count of 22 beer-chugging, frat-nasty installments.
But since then, the DreamWorks Television production has tumbled in the ratings, bleeding viewers from its
That '70s Show lead-in. All told, the series has averaged less than 8 million viewers, and Apatow says Fox
has now decided to order only four more episodes--not nine as originally planned. That means the cast and
crew have one last episode to shoot after Christmas break, and only a handful of chances left to prove their worth to Fox.
Lately, it seems the executive producer has generated more attention from his emails than his shows. Two
weeks ago, he found himself at the center of a gossip whirlwind when media outlets published a nasty email
exchange between him and That '70s Show executive producer Mark Brazill, who apparently holds a grudge
against Apatow because he thinks Apatow once stole one of his ideas for a sketch on The Ben Stiller Show.
While Apatow tried to smooth things over, Brazill eventually replied by telling him to go "get cancer" and
"die in a fiery accident and taste your own blood."
Brazill later said he regretted the harsh words, adding that he had apologized to Apatow.
If You Like ''Undeclared'' It's Time To Speak Up
The Last Mrs. J. Howard Marshall
Anna Nicole Smith
In a final bid to win money from her late husband, former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith stonewalled a
cross-examining lawyer yesterday, prompting him to ask if she was on drugs.
Smith testified in a bankruptcy claim that the late Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall promised her up to
half of his massive estate - as much as $474 million - before he died in August 1995. Their 14-month marriage
began when he was 89 and she was 25.
The soft-spoken former Playboy and Guess jeans model continually gave vague and unresponsive answers in the
cross-examination, frustrating lawyer Rusty Hardin, who represents Marshall's son, E. Pierce Marshall.
"Are you under any kind of medication today that would interfere with you testifying?" Hardin barked at Smith.
An angry Smith hissed back, "No sir, I'm not!"
Smith conceded in cross-examination that she never mentioned her late husband's promises to friends or the
family. Hardin pushed her on this point, and the former model shot back defensively, "Are you saying I'm a
liar? It's my word, it's my husband's word."
Ana Nicole
The Goldfish Defense?
steven seagal
Steven Seagal used a little-known sea-life defense against a sexual harassment charge this week.
"At the risk of being rude, I would rather do that with a goldfish," Seagal told jurors.
Nichols claimed that the offensive behavior occurred while she and Seagal were working on an album in 1999.
Seagal insisted that their relationship was professional.
steven seagal
Hmmmm, 'do it with a goldfish?' He must be really tiny!
Goldfish Defense, Part 2
steven seagal, slanderer
Jurors on Friday found that "Hard to Kill" star Steven Seagal slandered a co-worker but ruled he doesn't
owe her any damages.
Patricia Nichols wept after the verdict was read, then vowed to appeal.
Nichols filed the Superior Court lawsuit last year, saying she worked with the "Under Siege" star on a
failed 1999 music recording project.
She claimed the 50-year-old actor "directed inappropriate comments and actions toward her," falsely
accused her of embezzling from the production company and said she was "unfit as an employee."
steven seagal, slanderer
Rufus Thomas' Funeral
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes rocked mourners yesterday at the funeral of legendary musician Rufus Thomas, who died in Memphis
on Saturday at age 84.
"He sang 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,'" said one attendee. "People were shocked."
The source said Thomas' friends and relatives were expecting to hear Hayes sing something like "Amazing
Grace." "Even if he had done one of Rufus' songs like 'Do the Funky Chicken," that you can understand,"
said the source. "But a Christmas song, when Rufus isn't here to celebrate Christmas? That I don't get."
Hayes was still in Memphis and couldn't be reached for comment.
Isaac Hayes At Rufus Thomas' Funeral
In Memory
Foster Brooks
Comedian Foster Brooks, a television personality known for his "Lovable Lush" fake drunk act, has died. He was 89.
The comic, who appeared as a panelist on "Match Game" in the 1970s and "Circus of the Stars" in 1979, had a pacemaker and died at his Encino home from apparent heart trouble, according to family friend Milton Metz.
"He was a great clown," Metz said. "The 'Lovable Lush' act was funny because he always tried to look so dignified, he made it look like he was trying to be sober."
The bearded, silver-maned Brooks had supporting roles in comedies such as "The Villain" (1979), "Oddballs" and "Cannonball Run II" (both 1984).
He also co-starred on the Robin Williams sitcom "Mork & Mindy" for one season in 1981.
Brooks would frequently appear on the Las Vegas stage or as a talk show guest and pretend to be drunk, stumbling about the stage and swallowing burps while he interacted with those around him. Brooks was at regular fixture at celebrity roasts, Hollywood parties at which performers poked rude fun at an honored guest.
Born in Louisville, Ky., in 1912, Brooks was a disc jockey on a local radio station. He moved to Hollywood and took background roles in television Westerns and sitcoms such as "The Munsters" and "Bewitched" before honing his drunk act and becoming a regular on talk shows such as 1970's "The Real Tom Kennedy Show."
Brooks is survived by his second wife, Terry, and a daughter.
Foster Brooks
"Boondocks" (9 Oct 01)
Still MISSING
Marc Chagall's "Study for 'Over Vitebsk'"
