Rosie O'Donnell: If ABC's The View producer ever tries to book Brad Pitt for the show, his appearance better be set for a day when new co-host O'Donnell is on vacation. Newsweek's senior writer Marc Peyser spoke with her for an article that appears in the September 11 issue of the magazine (on newsstands today). When she had a popular talk show of her own, O'Donnell often said how much she cared for Tom Cruise. She added to that prior history by telling Peyser, "I love him, and love is eternal. It never went to sexual. My Angelina Jolie crush was much more sexual than my Tom Cruise crush ever was." The Newsweek issue didn't have to be labeled with an "X" for content because O'Donnell didn't elaborate on her Jolie crush. If nothing else today, that simple fact should be rewarded with a sigh of relief.
Gene Kelly: The late actor's Singin' in the Rain was honored by the American Film Institute (AFI) when it was declared the Greatest Movie Musical of all time Sunday night during a special concert featuring Director John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Kelly co-directed, acted and sang in the classic 1952 MGM production with Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen and Cyd Charisse. When I interviewed O'Connor a few months before his death, he explained his energetic work with Kelly as follows: "I didn't smoke then, and I don't smoke now. We worked every day. That keeps you in pretty good shape. We could go for a long time in one take. You had to be in good shape with Gene Kelly." The top five AFI picks also include West Side Story (1961), The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Sound of Music (1965) and Cabaret (1972). Visit the official AFI web site for a list of the Institute's 25 top Movie Musicals.
Steve Irwin: The man known to millions as the "croc hunter" was killed earlier today while filming a documentary entitled "Ocean's Deadliest." Irwin was swimming in shallow water at Australia's Batt Reef off Port Douglas when a stingray stung him in the chest. Early reports in Australia suggest that the stingray's barb pierced his chest and punctured his heart. The 44-year-old daredevil was snorkeling in shallow water when he was fatally wounded. His manager, John Stainton, told reporters, "It's likely that he possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don't think that he felt any pain." Irwin was able to use his popularity and money to champion causes that made his Australian neighbors proud. Prime Minister John Howard said, "He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people." No funeral or memorial information has been released to the press yet.
Brooke Shields: The battle between the actress and Tom Cruise appears to be over for good. Friday night, she spoke with Jay Leno about the feud that was caused when the Mission Impossible star questioned her use of medication to treat postpartum depression. Shields told The Tonight Show audience that Cruise came to her house to apologize for getting her involved in his rant. She said, "He came over to my house, and he gave me a heartfelt apology," She later added, "I didn't feel at any time that I had to defend myself, nor did I feel that he was trying to convince me of anything other than the fact that he was deeply sorry." Maybe the leaders of North Korea and America can meet somewhere to make nice with each other like the two Hollywood stars. The world would be a safer place.
Britney Spears: The folks in charge of GoldenPalace.com don't believe the press reports that the former pop star's career is in the tank. On the contrary, the executives have total faith in Spears and her husband's (Kevin Federline) ability to rise above their negative press. GoldenPalace bought another Spears eBay goodie from a caterer who worked the couple's table at a music industry event dinner. Spears' half-eaten egg salad sandwich and a corn dog that was sampled by both stars sold for $520. The online casino folks will add the food to their Spears collection, which includes among other things her baby pacifier and a used pregnancy test kit. Maybe now we have a better idea why so many people think the celebrity world is full of kooks.
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