|
|
||
Friday, April 16th, 2004
You're Hired! Bill Rancic got The Donald's stamp of approval--and the $250,000 a year job--on the finale of The Apprentice. Rancic will oversee the building of a new skyscraper in Chicago. An estimated 27.6 million people tuned in for the big "live" finale--of which only the last 20 or so minutes were really live. But you gotta admit, when Trump said "you're hired," and the familiar boardroom set opened up and they were suddenly in front of a cheering crowd--that was pretty cool. Don't feel bad for runner-up Kwame Jackson... he can always pick up a little change signing autographs at the Planet Hollywood. Bye Bye, Bic Boy: Jon Peter Lewis ("The Pen Salesman") was sent packin' on American Idol last night. Kathy got a similar heave-ho off Survivor: All-Stars. The MTV Video Music Awards are moving this year's August 29th telecast to Miami in order to avoid the Republican National Convention--which is happening the same week in New York City, where the show normally takes place. The Today Show has lined up some great talent for its annual concert series: Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, Counting Crows are among the stars who'll give free outdoor concerts. They've made a TV movie of the novel Britney Spears co-wrote with her mother. Brave New Girl--a new title, as the book was called A Mother's Gift--will air on ABC Family April 25th. Courtney Love claims she's been swindled out of $40 million--and some people say there's nothing left in the trust fund established for her daughter. Hey, when did spending all the money on drugs (or on other stuff while you're high on drugs) become the same thing as "being swindled?" New in theaters: Kill Bill Vol. 2 (Uma Thurman); The Punisher (based on the Marvel Comics character); Connie and Carla (My Big Fat Greek Wedding's Nia Vardalos). The VH1 Divas concert is Sunday night, featuring performances by Jessica Simpson, Ashanti, Eve, Patti Labelle, Cyndi Lauper, Gladys Knight, Debbie Harry, Joss Stone, and for a little testosterone, Tom Jones. --Greg Valentine
Bill and Kwame face off tonight for that $250,000 a year job working for Donald Trump on the live two-hour finale of The Apprentice. I say make the loser get stuck with Omarosa! Who's gonna be named "The Apprentice"? A poll on AOL has Bill winning with 55 percent of the votes. But a poll on Q102philly.com has Kwama in charge. Sticking with the holiday theme, ABC has greenlighted a Christmas-themed variety show for Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, after the great ratings of their Easter special. Did Lil' Kim lie to a grand jury about a 2001 shooting involving her entourage? The prosecutors think so and have filed perjury charges against the rapper. Kim has pleaded not guilty and has posted a 500,000 bond. Make it three weeks in a row for Usher--Confessions tops the Billboard album charts again. The disc has sold over two million copies. And make it nine in a row for Usher's song "Yeah," which has a big steak going of topping the Billboard singles chart. Film director Quentin Tarantino was a guest judge on American Idol last night. (BTW, how awesome was Fantasia Barrino!) The Results Show airs tonight--this week's shows having been moved back a day each by President Bush's press conference Tuesday. Best Tarantino quote: "You made me forget I HATE that song!"--to George Huff about his version of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds." Mix a little Punk'd with a little American Idol and what do you get? Superstar USA, an upcoming WB show where they will move the truly terrible singers (who are clueless about what's really going on) to the next round. The joke will be revealed after the final episode ("Ha ha, you suck!). I hope William Hung has some lawyers. He deserves some of the profits from Superstar USA--that's his life story they're using! Happy loving couple: Nelly and Ashanti--so sayeth the New York Post. Madonna has updated the spoken part of "Vogue" for her upcoming tour, dropping references to Marilyn Monroe and Fred Astaire. The new lyrics go (no kiddin'): "Britney Spears, and Minogue … Aguilera and J-Lo … Jessica Simpson, Avril Lavigne … On the cover of a magazine … They have style, they have class … Missy E. kicks some ass!" You know somethin' freaky's gonna happen tonight! Courtney Love makes her first-ever appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She'll sit down (or stand on her head, or get naked--there's no tellin'!) for an interview. Love will also perform a song. Looks like I'll be listening to the Nickelback CD all day--looks like they're the official band of my tax refund! --Greg Valentine
The FOX network has moved tonight's edition of American Idol to tomorrow night (and tomorrow night's to Thursday night) in order to not conflict with President Bush's televised press conference. Bush owes them a thank you note--nobody would've seen it otherwise! They should have the Idol judges critique the President's performance. Randy: "Yo, Dawg… your explanation about the August 6th terrorism memo just wasn't kickin' tonight… Is "Anpez" is real romance? Word is Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony showed up together for J-Lo's recent taping of Inside The Actor's Studio. The two have been spotted dining and dancing at several restaurants and nightclubs the last few weeks. Beyonce and her man, Jay-Z, have been invited to dine with Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace as thanks for participating in his upcoming charity concert. Her Truth or Dare phase: Cameras are capturing Britney Spears' life on tour in hopes of getting MTV to turn the footage into a reality show called OnTourage. No Friday night gigs for Madonna on her upcoming tour. As a follower of Kabbalah, Madonna observes Friday at sundown as the start of the Sabbath. Jessica Simpson and Ludacris will perform a special concert in Foot Hood, Texas on April 22nd for the troops that captured Saddam Hussein. Jessica Simpson confirms in US Weekly that she and Nick are doing the low-carb thing. I'm counting my carbs, too (good thing I can operate a calculator--cuz it looks like I'm eating a LOT of them!). Early estimates say William Hung will sell 40,000 copies of his album Inspirations its first week of release. Insiders says Christina Aguilera "has gone completely mad" for up-and-coming singer Joss Stone and wants to record a duet with her. Janet Jackson appearance on Saturday Night Live brought the show its highest ratings in 16 months (since the Al Gore hosting in 2002). Was her appearance that funny? Hmmm… let's just say there may have been a "Comedy Malfunction." Out on DVD: Kill Bill: Volume One (Uma Thurman). Cypress Hill performs tonight on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. --Greg Valentine
The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour won its timeslot last night. ABC execs are elated and busy planning future specials. Meanwhile, Jessica's busy learning how to spell ABC. 'Christ' returns for Easter: Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ resurrected its status as the nation's number one movie over the weekend, earning another $17 million. The film's made $355 million to date, the eighth best domestic gross ever. The "opinion terrorists" at PETA have targeted Beyonce. The animal-rights group has taken out a full-page ad in Billboard magazine asking her to stop wearing fur, and will be protesting outside her concert tonight in New York City. Thanks the FCC's recent crackdown on so-called indecency, Victoria's Secret has announced it's canceling this year's nationally televised fashion show. If you wanna see some hot chick in a bust-enhancing outfit walk the catwalk (before jumping into a pool of live squid, that is), you'll just have to get it on Fear Factor! Shaquille O'Stern: If the FCC wants to fine somebody, how 'bout Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal? Shaq cursed yesterday during a live televised interview, his second such profane outburst this season. Jay-Z (who's said his recent Black Album will be his last) has two releases lined up for summer--two new sneakers, part of his S. Carter collection from Reebok. There's more money in shoes, anyway--you can charge a hundred dollars and pay the little kid that made 'em a nickel! On her upcoming tour, Madonna will fly on a private jet after every concert back to her New York City apartment, Los Angeles house, or a friend's estate in Florida. "Hello, Cleveland, it's great to be here (for the one hour forty-five minutes I'll be here)!" Billboard magazine says about 173 million people heard the Usher song "Yeah" on the radio last week--the most "impressions" by a song during a given week ever. John Stamos and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos have decided to split after 5 years of marriage. Apparently the couple have been going their separate ways--she's been busy making those X-Men movies, he's been busy making cheap long distance calls… The theme on tomorrow night's American Idol? Movie songs. Director Quentin Tarantino will be the guest judge. Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant airs tonight on NBC. --Greg Valentine
|
| Home Resume Showbizz Buzz Photos Insider Email |