George Clooney Might be the Nicest Guy in Hollywood

George Clooney arrived at the Oscars, and he stayed outside for quite some time to greet the fans before walking the red carpet.  I love him.  Clooney’s reputation as a Hollywood nice guy began on ER when he hit it big as a movie star before his contract was up.  Instead of kicking and screaming to get out of his contract like everyone other actor in that position would have, he sat pretty and finished his contract.  To top it off, he returned to ER for the final episode.  Did I mention that I love him?

Impending Doom: Millions of People May not be able to Watch the Oscars

As many have heard, Cablevision and ABC are in the midst of a contract dispute just in time for the Oscars.  Here’s the issue: Cablevision is a cable television company with over 3 million subscribers in New York.  It is the fifth largest cable television company in the United States.  WABC-TV (a station owned by ABC), has pulled its programming from Cablevision, unless a  new payment structure is agreed on.  ABC is blaming Cablevision, and Cablevision is blaming ABC.  ABC has just put a new proposal on the bargaining table, in hopes that an agreement can be reached in time for the Oscars.  We’ll see what happens.  The clock is ticking . . .  

Alice In Wonderland Comes in #1 at the Box Office

‘Alice’ came in #1 this weekend with over 116 million dollars.  That sure is a lot of money.  The IMAX ticket prices greatly helped the film, and potentially solidified my worst fear: 3-D isn’t going anywhere for a very long time.  In fact, 65% of this weekend’s gross is attributed to 3-D sales.  Am I the only person that got a throbbing headache from Avatar?

James Cameron Still Supports ‘Hurt Locker’ Despite Controversy

Why can’t all divorced couples keep this healthy a relationship? After the ‘Hurt Locker’ producer was banned from the Oscars for campaigning for votes, James Cameron defended Kathryn Bigelow (the director of ‘Hurt Locker’), stating that the producer’s actions don’t reflect at all on Kathryn Bigelow’s integrity.  Here’s my question: when Cameron says over and over again on the talk show circuit that he wants the Best Picture Oscar for Avatar, isn’t that “campaigning?”  Don’t all these guys do this?  Where’s the line?  I guess you just can’t email Academy members directly and ask for votes.  You have to be much sneakier about it. 

‘California Dreams’ Reunion on Jimmy Fallon

Not sure if anyone remembers this show, but I absolutely loved it!  It came on after ‘Saved by the Bell.’  Jimmy Fallon got the cast to reunite and update on their current lives.  They also sang the great theme song from the show!  It does sort of depress me that though that this show was the high point of their careers in the industry.  I really did think they would all be huge stars one day.  Sigh…the delusions of youth.

Johnny Depp Will Star in a Movie Alongside his Wife, Vanessa Paradis

According to Johnny, Vanessa will play french feminist Simone de Beauvoir and he will play her lover Nelson Algren.  Paradis has been scratching at the Hollywood bubble for some time now.  She began her career in France as a singer, actress, and model, but she has never really had success crossing over into the U.S.  Perhaps this film is the vehicle she needs.  Listen to one of her songs below. 

Say Goodbye to Jack Bauer: ’24’ May be Over

This season may be the last for ’24.’  Fox has yet to renew the series, and Kiefer Sutherland’s contract is up at the end of season 8.  Renegotiating Sutherland’s contract could be pricey, and Fox may not want to front the bill.  Sutherland claims that his decision to remain with the series has nothing to do with his contract, and everything to do with whether the show will maintain its artistic integrity moving forward.  My guess?  It’s a little of both.  Rumors are swirling that if Fox does not renew the show, it could move to NBC.  We will find out soon enough.  ’24’ fans are used to biting their nails in anticipation anyways. 

Red Carpet Fashion: The ‘Hollywood Reporter’ Oscar Nominee Reception

The Oscar countdown has begun and so have the red carpet looks.  The ‘Hollywood Reporter,’ one of Hollywood’s leading trade publications, hosts a reception honoring Oscar nominees.  This year’s reception was co-hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  Confused about why the Mayor of Los Angeles would take the time out of his busy deficit plagued schedule to host such an event?  So were a lot of people.  Regardless, the reception provides a very good excuse for a bunch of celebrities to show up looking pretty.  See some of them below. 


[Eva Longoria]


[Marlee Matlin]


[Michelle Rodriguez]


[Nia Vardalos]


[Terri Seymour]


[Jeremy Renner – and yes he goes on the “pretty” list]

Simon and Garfunkel Plan Another Tour

This makes me very happy.  Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are planning another U.S. tour.  This is a good move for them, considering that their 2003 tour grossed more than 50 million dollars.  Here is some Simon and Garfunkel history: The two released their last album together, ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ in 1970, and Paul Simon wrote the song ‘So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright,’ as a personal goodbye to Art Garfunkel.  Simon was admittedly very hurt by Garfunkel’s departure.  What’s interesting to me about these two reuniting on tour again, is that I heard through the Hollywood grapevine that they did not get along at all on their 2003 tour, which is a shame since their friendship dates back to grade school.  Maybe they worked it out.  Listen to ‘So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright’ below.