December 2007 Archives

By Jeremy Blacklow, Managing Editor

I awakened today to two pieces of urgent news:

1) Early this morning, another of Young Hollywood's elite, Mischa Barton, was arrested on Suspicion of DUI charges and driving without a valid license, and…

2) Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan was assassinated in a suicide attack, sending shock waves of rioting through a country already in the midst of nuclear instability.

Guess which story I've been spending most of my day on?

If you guessed "Mischa," you're correct!

Mischa… Mischa… Mischa … in the words of Jay Leno, "What the hell were you thinking?"

Your hit show's been cancelled, your career is at a stand-still and now you choose to jump on the DUI bandwagon?!

Looking back on 2007, this was the year when going to jail on illegal driving-related charges has been in vogue – Lindsay, Paris, Nicole, Kiefer, Michelle… the list goes on and on.

And what's truly frightening is how much these antics have kept these celebrities in the news!

Haven't been on the front pages of Celebrity Web sites lately? Heck! Get a DUI! You'll be right back up there with the rest of the pack.

By Maria Menounos

It's days like today when I love my job most. Being a reporter can, at times, give me tremendous perspective. I travel the globe to interview all different types of people, experiencing all different kinds of things: from my conversation with the health minister of South Africa about the growing AIDS crisis, to Michael J. Fox and his battle with Parkinson’s, to… Tara Llanes.

I recently interviewed Tara Llanes, a professional biker who was at the top of her game until a terrible crash on September 1, 2007 took her legs right out from underneath her. Before the crash she was a celebrity to the sport, posing in Maxim magazine, in ads for Subaru, AT&T, a beautiful, smart and determined athlete. I visited her at Craig’s Hospital -- a world-renowned hospital for spinal cord injuries. I saw so many people whose lives changed in an instant. Fifty percent of them were there because of car crashes. Second to car crashes was falls (as simple as a flight of stairs for one 15-year-old) and lastly, athletic accidents. I saw people that could only use their mouths to communicate or move. Tara is luckier than those, for sure, as she still has the power of her upper body.

Truly a moving day and a reminder of how lucky all of us are to be healthy and able to see and walk. I kept holding back the tears in this facility. Tomorrow, it could be you or I in there. Someone texting or talking on a cell phone while driving could cause a wreck. We could easily trip and fall down some stairs. Even the smallest luxuries, like having the ability to go to the bathroom alone, would be gone.

As sad as I am, I am inspired by Tara. She has an amazing spirit. The competitor in her is determined to walk again, and ride. She is fearless and hysterical, cracking jokes and even mooning our cameraman in the pool! Ha!! She has a wonderful network of family and friends helping her along the way as well as an amazing outpouring of support from strangers who hear about her story. When she told me of the strangers who had helped along the way, it reminded me of how wonderful people can be. And THAT brought me to tears!

It has been a hectic two weeks. We are shooting the last of our hiatus shows that will air during our week off for the Christmas holiday.

I am just drained. I have been working nonstop taping extra shows, anchoring, doing interviews AND Christmas shopping for family, friends, and co-workers. I had gotten in late last night but, somehow, I was able to get all the presents wrapped for my colleagues on the show, pack them into my trunk so I could pass them out at the office early this morning. Our studio is decorated to look so pretty and when I drift away, wishing for a little bit of sleep, I look at the beautiful pink and white poinsettias lining the wall, the huge white wreath glowing with balls of sea foam green, mauve, and lavender, the white garland wrapped in small white lights over the archway, and the snow gently piled next to the window near the 3-foot nutcrackers and Christmas trees - Joe and James, our show’s art directors - are so talented.

“Two minutes, Shaun, two minutes!” Our fill-in stage manager, Johnnie says to me indicating that I have to get up again to lead-in to the next story on the show. I dread leaving the warmth of the 4 heaters the crew has set up for me.

Usually, it’s near cold enough on our set to actually snow (the average temperature being about 45-to-50-degrees). Not great for gals who want to wear cute short sleeved dresses and open-toed shoes. My feet are tired from standing so long. Every moment I get, I kick off my 4-inch sandals, and slip on the white furry Ugg slippers that my makeup artist, Valerie, gave me today. They are sooo comfortable!

It’s that time of year again - when I get to sit at my desk and contemplate the year in TV. Unlike the big magazines and Internet sites with staffs full of people dedicated to watching every show ever made, here it’s just little old me. One person – watching at my desk, watching at the gym… on my iPod, watching at home, watching off my DVR. I only have so much time in my life between doing celebrity interviews and working part time for the show. So, this list encapsulates my favorite shows of the year, the ones I made it a point to tune into because I just had to know what happened next.

10. 'The Riches'
This quirky new F/X drama has grown on me, every time I turn my iPod on to watch it on the treadmill. If you can’t have the American Dream, then why not steal it? You definitely need to suspend your disbelief that a family of travelers (as they are called) can assume the identity of a dead guy and his dead wife, but Eddie Izzard does it so effortlessly you kind of get it. Minnie Driver received an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for her role as the drug addicted mother but it’s Izzard who steals the show.

9. 'The 4400'
My heart was absolutely broken yesterday when I learned that USA would not move forward with a season five. After a slow start, this sci-fi show that “Heroes” owes much of its ‘ordinary people with abilities’ storylines too, ramped up this season with a terrific twist that saw NTAC agent Tom Baldwin turning bad and taking on 'savior' Jordan Collier. Unfortunately, now it seems we will never know why the 4400 were taken in the first place and what will become of the future. Let’s hope USA whips up one of those movies of the weeks to wrap things up for us one day. Sidenote: I saw Joel Gretsch having dinner in Beverly Hills last night and thought about tackling him to discuss my anger but a cooler head prevailed.

Did anyone catch "The Biggest Loser" finale last night? It's unbelievable how these people can drop that much weight and transform themselves into basically brand new people. It made me want to put down that last slice of pizza I was contemplating!

The show, in all of its makeover madness, is right up there on my craziest TV moments of 2007. But since it just happened, I won't add it to the list. Instead I'll just count down my Top Ten most bizarre, most laughable, most ridiculous and most intense moments in television this year (up until last night!).

10. Meredith Flat lines [And So Does Season Four] On "Grey's Anatomy."
What was one of my favorite shows last year has now become one of my least favorite shows. It all started when Dr. Grey nearly kicked the bucket after falling into the water last February. Along comes McDreamy to save the day - butc after the weak storylines this year, and the chemistry lacking pairing of George and Izzie, it might have been better if he put Meredith [and all of us] out of our misery.

9. Nancy Burns Down Her Own House On "Weeds"
What is a suburban pot dealing, widowed mother of two to do when her entire world is falling to pieces? Well, at least in Nancy Botwin's, case she sets her own home ablaze.

8. Rosie vs. Elizabeth
Who doesn't love a good catfight between politicians? Wait a minute…that's not what happened at all. Instead it was a right wing/left wing feud between two co-workers on a national daytime TV show. Clearly, there were others issues bubbling under the surface for such a heated argument to come to a head like that. Rosie left the show that day and never came back.

7. Marie Osmond Collapses
It's always hard to pick the wildest reality show moment, but this year it was easy. She made it all the way through her Samba but just as the judges were hitting her with their critiques, Marie suddenly collapses to the floor. She claims her fainting spell was due to allergies from all the recent fires, but there are still some who believe it was staged by Marie and her camp.

I just landed at LAX airport, returning from New York. I turned on my BlackBerry and it started churning out the emails. When it crossed over 50, I knew something was up.

I am shocked, floored, stunned, depressed, bitter, sad but mostly disheartened with the last name Spears.

What is nagging at me the most is the fact that OK! Magazine is rolling out this story. More than any other outlet, OK! routinely pays celebrities for access to their personal life. They usually are very positive in tone and I do not blame them at all for their pay to play approach - it works.

But if OK! paid, then little Jamie Lynn and her camp (which should be one person dealing with Tiger Beat a few times a month) had the instinct to profit at a moment like this.

A sixteen-year-old girl, a baby herself, totally ill equipped to raise a child and become a mother, gets pregnant and already opportunism strikes? It would be a product of what I view as the growing underbelly of Hollywood.

Now that the writer's strike (which seems like it could be never ending) has sidelined all my favorite shows, "Lost" is the only thing I have to look forward to this January - save for the one leftover "Desperate Housewives" episode floating around that will air on January 6th.

I kind of have mixed feelings about the return of the story of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 on January 31st, 2008. First of all, I'm annoyed that ABC moved the show last year to February so that they could run the back 16 episodes continuously -- worst decision ever by a network Entertainment President!

Having to wait all that time for it to return, the show lost (pun intended) a ton of momentum. Season three started out pretty weak, with too much time spent on the Others. But then it fortunately built to a brilliant flash forward crescendo in the season three finale.

It's clearly not just me who is excited for "Lost's" return. Have you seen the brand new 1:45 minute trailer that has hit the Internet with a tease for the new season? It's good. Really good. Goose bump inducing good.

I hate it when shows I really like get the ax. NBC has not officially canceled "Journeyman" but they have chosen not to produce the back nine episodes of the show. The final two shows will air next week on Monday and Wednesday at 10 PM on NBC. The show's creator has said that Wednesday's episode will at least give a little bit of closure as to why Dan Vasser actually travels back in time.

So, at least if it never comes back we won't be left hanging like fans were for Fox's "Reunion." Remember that show? I still would love to know who the killer was.

Fans of "Journeyman" are not going down without a fight. They have taken a page from "Jericho's" loyal fans. "Jericho" was abruptly canceled by CBS, leaving tons of questions but no answers. A group banned together to save the show and sent 20 tons of nuts to CBS, which was inspired by a line Skeet Ulrich uttered in the finale. Long story on that, you'll have to watch. Go buy it on DVD. It's worth the money.

An "Idol" Top 12 with 12 great singers? Say it isn't so! That's what executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is suggesting will happen this season when "American Idol" season seven kicks off January 16th on Fox.

Though the top 24 won't be revealed until some time in February, Nigel told reporters this morning on a conference call that this year he believes there will be stand out contestants right from the get go.

"It's not just a question of seeing somebody grow like Jordin last year. This year I think you are gonna go, 'Wow, he is great, she is good... Wow and that kid's great too,' and they are gonna be standouts very very quickly."

The best city for talent this year, he says, was San Diego.

Writer's Strike be damned. It's that time again... self congratulatory time that is... here in Hollywood. Sure thousands of people are out of work and the industry is in shambles but let's still hand out awards to people for pretending to be someone else.

Do I sound bitter? OK, admittedly I am. I always find award show season to be so stressful and frankly annoying. There are way too many shows now handing out statues to actors.

How about a nationally televised award show for Best Camp Counselor or Best Scientist or Best Teacher? I'd like to see my favorite High School teacher, Mrs. D, walk down the red carpet draped in Armani.

Where am I going with this? I don't know. I just wanted to vent for a second, but since it's my job to cover TV, instead I'll move on and vent about some of the snubs and surprises among the nominees.

First of all, how could the "Desperate Housewives" not have been given a nod for Best TV Comedy? After an uneven season last year (for which they were nominated), the show has been at the top of its game with the addition of Dana Delany to Wisteria Lane and culminating with the Tornado episode. Dana would have been tops on my list for a supporting actress nomination yet neither she or any of the 'Desperate' divas made the list.

I've just learned that the producers of "American Idol" have decided that last season's charitable event, "Idol Gives Back," is worthy of coming back.

Season seven, which kicks off January 16th on Fox, will yet again feature an "Idol Gives Back" special. The two-hour concert and fundraiser will air Wednesday, April 9.

Though the show received mixed reviews for its content, it was seen by 28 million viewers and raised a whopping 75 million dollars for various US and international charities.

The show was co-hosted by Ellen DeGeneres and included performances by Gwen Stefani, Rascall Flatts, Annie Lenox and Kelly Clarkson among others. High points included Carrie Underwood's compelling music video for her version of "I'll Stand By You" and a performance by the African Children's Choir with Josh Groban -- both of which moved audiences to tears.

The show's major low point, you might recall, was that it was supposed to be a "results" show and at the end of two endless hours it was revealed no one was going home.

No word yet on which stars will participate or perform this year, but I bet somewhere on that show, Sanjaya's hair will make an appearance.

Read my coverage of last season's "Idol Gives Back" here. http://blogs.accesshollywood.com/2007/04/inside_idol_gives_back.php

I'm not sure why, but this story will just not die. Every season since Mario and Karina actually did hook up while partnering up as dancers, there has been speculation about other couples. Some turn out to be played up simply for drama and not real at all (Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Willa Ford) while other romances actually have blossomed for real (Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas).

Last season, there were rumors that "DWTS" champs Julianne Hough and Apolo Anton Ohno were getting cozy together. This season, the poor girl is being accused of breaking up Helio Castroneves' engagement to his longtime girlfriend.

Did they have chemistry on the dance floor? - Yes.

Did they deserve to win? - Maybe.

Are they dating. - Absolutely 100 percent NO!

by Courtney Andrews

When one of my fellow producers here at Access, Steve, told me he could get a Return of the Spice Girls concert ticket for me at the last minute on eBbay for $150, I wasn't so sure it would be worth it -- but after going to the opening show in LA on Wednesday, I am quite thankful for the Spice-erience!!

Upon arriving at the Staples Center on opening night, not surprisingly, the audience was overwhelmingly female but Steve (with his girlfriend) and our saucy colleague Bryant were getting me pumped for a night of Girl Power! The place was packed with devoted fans proudly decked out in tight outfits, and hairstyles reminiscent of the group in their nineties popularity. Even little girls who weren't born then represented a new spice generation...but it was a wide age range including lots of girls closer to my age -- in their late 20's and 30's.

We took our seats in the premiere seating of the Staples Center, a few levels up from the floor -- not very close to the stage but definitely decent seats. At about 8:30 the Spice Girls still hadn't taken the stage. We were wondering who was going to open for the Quintet - no one we're told. But Spice fans seated in a VIP suite (on our level, (A)!) caused a sensation before the show!

Between all that I do here for Access Hollywood and AccessHollywood.com, I sure don't have time to sit around and ponder the topic of who are the Top 25 hottest chicks from reality TV. The folks over at the Fox Reality Channel DO have the time though, and they put together a whole special this weekend called appropriately, "The Top 25 Hottest Female Reality Stars."

The way the airwaves are permeated with reality TV these days, it must have been hard to narrow this list down from what I'm guessing is up to thousands of reality show stars. Here's just a smattering of the gals who will be featured.

Two time "Dancing With the Stars" champ, Julianne Hough, makes the cut at number 24 on the list -- which personally, I think is way too far down the list. The girl is hot! She should at least be in the top ten.

Also making the cut are "American Idol" season five runner up, Katherine McPhee. Probably not making the cut is season four train wreck (and possible future jail bird), Jessica Sierra.

Just five weeks and counting until "American Idol" returns in January on Fox. Last night, I felt like I was right back in the thick of things. Well, sort of. You see, I spent the evening at a taping of Fox's latest reality music competition show, "The Next Great American Band."

"Band" shares the same studio space (Stage 36) with "Idol," as it's produced by the exact same team of people from 19 Entertainment. The stage is, of course, different -- but many things feel the same. Same audience chairs, same stage manager, same warm up guy and I believe even the same judges chairs are used. The "Band" judges even use the same dressing rooms. Female judge, Sheila E, uses Simon Cowell's dressing room. Though last night I found out that Simon also has a trailer on the lot that doubles as his dressing room too…. just so he can smoke! Somebody get the man the patch please!!

Unfortunately, ratings for the show have been pretty slow, hovering just around 3 million viewers. My guess is that this is mostly due to the fact that the show has a less than prime slot on Friday nights when most people are out for the evening. Any other night I think the show might have had a fighting chance. It's a good show -- a show worth checking out. It's got something for every age group The bands range in age from young kids to 40-something adults, all covering different musical genres.

By Eugene Monzon, Jr.
Film Researcher

“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stranger.” – The Joker (Heath Ledger)

What was the hottest ticket in Hollywood last night? If you said a ticket to the Spice Girls Reunion tour you would be gravely mistaken. Truly the hottest ticket was Warner Bros.’ special "The Dark Knight" event. I was one of the few lucky individuals who was invited to attend this special event, and as any true geek, I attended with my trusty Batman logo belt buckle and The Joker beanie. And yes, this will be a spoiler free article.

Warner Bros. and director Christopher Nolan presented the first 6 minutes of the upcoming 2008 summer release. Nolan, who was in attendance, made a short introduction to the self-contained short film. Nolan began by saying how, for the past 15 years, he has been wanting to work with the IMAX format, and true to his words, he ended up filming 4-5 sequences for the sequel using IMAX cameras. This is the first time that the cameras were ever used for shooting a feature film and let me tell you it is a sight to be seen.

Nolan, as a proud parent of his work, went on to say that the reason why he wanted to preview this footage was for the audience to get a feel for the wonders of the IMAX look. He went on to say that what we were about to see was not only the opening moments of the film but, as we all saw, easily stood up as a short film (hence my reference earlier). And it truly was a short film in every sense -- with a solid opening, conflict to overcome in the middle, and a satisfied denouement.

For the past three days I’ve been sidelined with bronchitis, which is no fun at all… but it has given me a great opportunity to clear out my DVR. I’ve finally caught up on all my favorite TV Shows ‘Friday Night Lights,” “Heroes”, “Desperate Housewives” among others. This left me wondering with the Writer’s Strike still going on how soon will my shows run out of fresh episodes. Then like someone was reading my mind, I got an email from our research department this morning that TV Guide has put together a comprehensive list of where each show stands. I found it interesting and thought I would pass it along to you all:

UPDATED 12/7
30 Rock: Ten episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are three left.

Aliens in America: Seventeen episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

Back to You: Nine episodes will be produced. Seven episodes have aired, so there are two left.

The Big Bang Theory: Eight episodes were produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are zero left.

Bionic Woman: Eight episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there is zero left.

Bones: Twelve episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are three left.

Boston Legal: Fourteen episodes will be produced. Eight episodes have aired, so there are six left.

Brothers & Sisters: Twelve episodes will be produced. Nine episodes have aired, so there are three left.

No frumpy maternity frocks for her- Jennifer Lopez delivered another killer fashion moment at the “Movie Rocks” event in Hollywood last night. It's the first time we've seen her out since she officially announced last month - what everyone already knew - she's pregnant.

The mama-to-be has gotten a lot bigger and is more beautiful than ever. She didn't need a spray tan - she had that natural glow working. She wore her hair in long, loose curls, which complimented her white flowy one shouldered goddess gown. She didn't perform, but did present a couple of times and the second time, for the show finale, she messed up a little when she couldn't read the teleprompter. She laughed about it and started over.

She and Marc had primo seats where they could check out all the action and they whispered in each other's ears during the entire event.