Celebrity Birthdays
Jeffrey Tambor-64 Rob Burnett (Writer-producer)-46
Anjelica Huston (Medium: Cynthia Keener)-57 Joan Osborne-46
Kevin Bacon-50 Billy Crudup-40
Graham Jones (Haircut 100)-47 Beck-38
Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode)-47 Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill: Brooke Davis)-26
Celebrity News Update: A-Rod’s Wife Alleges He Cheated Alex Rodriguez’s wife filed for divorce yesterday, calling her husband an adulterer who “emotionally abandoned his wife and children.” According to Cynthia Rodriguez’s petition for dissolution of marriage, “The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband’s extramarital
affairs and other marital misconduct.” A-Rod, who plays third-base for the Yankees, has been linked to Madonna in recent weeks, but he is refusing to talk about any romantic involvement. The couple, who tied the knot in November 2002, have a $12 million, six-bedroom home in the swanky Miami suburb of Coral Gables. They also have a $7.4 million apartment at Trump Park Avenue in Manhattan. Cynthia is asking for primary custody of their two children, as well as child support and alimony.
More Osbourne Reality Ozzy Osbourne, his wife and two of his children are set to star in a new hour-long TV variety show. FOX has ordered six episodes for the as-yet-untitled show, which will feature Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and
Kelly. A FOX rep said the show will be something along the lines of “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” or “Donny and Marie,” and will feature musical performances, comedy sketches, audience participation and taped segments. FOX hopes to kick off the series with a Christmas special.
‘Doc Hollywood’ Enters Psych Ward Plastic surgeon Steven “Doc Hollywood” Hoefflin has checked into a California psychiatric ward after discovering two former business partners are suing him for $100 million. Hoefflin – who boasts an Alist clientele including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Sylvester Stallone and Donald Trump –
admitted himself into L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on June 23rd. Three days earlier, a $100 million defamation suit was filed against him at New York’s Manhattan federal court, according to the New York Post.
‘Access Hollywood’ Heading To China “Access Hollywood” will be the first U.S. entertainment news program to broadcast from China when it covers the 2008 Summer Olympics. Co-anchor Billy Bush, who covered the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece, and the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy, has been named cohost
of “Access Hollywood’s” coverage of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, alongside weekend coanchor and correspondent Shaun Robinson. “Access Hollywood’s” on-air coverage is to begin August 4th and run through August 22nd.
Lynda Carter Confesses To Alcoholism “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter has publicly admitted she’s an alcoholic. The 56-year-old said she has been sober for nearly 10 years after being confronted by her husband, attorney Robert Altman. “I needed help – I begged God in heaven to help me figure this out,” she said of her struggles with the
affliction. Carter said the support of Altman and their children gave her the courage she needed at the rehab facility.
‘Heroes’ Comic-Book Artist Dies Comic-book artist Michael Turner has died in a Santa Monica, California, hospital of complications related to cancer. He was 37. Turner created online comic adaptations for the TV series “Heroes”
and published his own titles, including “Fathom,” a deep-sea tale featuring a female superhero protagonist. He also co-created “Witchblade,” a comic series about a female detective. Turner also drew covers for DC Comics like “Superman/Batman,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl,” and created alternate covers for Marvel Comics publications featuring characters such as the Incredible Hulk.
Christie Brinkley Takes The Stand Christie Brinkley was in court yesterday to tell her side of the story in what is proving to be a very public divorce from Peter Cook. Brinkley said, “Anyone who would run the risk of destroying this
wonderful life, anybody that would chase a teenager – I mean, a young girl – where is his judgment?” Brinkley was referring to Cook’s fling with a teenager he hired. Lawyers for Cook said Brinkley has some serious anger management issues and is only dragging the divorce through the media to teach her soon-to-be-ex a lesson.
TCM To Honor FBI With Movie Marathon Turner Classic Movies plans to mark this month’s 100th anniversary of the U.S. Federal Bureau Investigation by airing a marathon of FBI-themed films. Among the movies to be presented are “G
Men,” “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” “Walk East on Beacon,” and “Down Three Dark Streets.” The films air July 24th on TCM.
TV Handyman Arrested TV handyman Andrew Dan-Jumbo, who starred on TLC’s hit “While You Were Out” and is currently on “Take Home Handyman,” turned himself into Amherst, New York, police on July 1st and has been
charged with 3rd degree assault, petty larceny and 2nd degree harassment. The charges stem from an incident in March where Dan-Jumbo allegedly stole property from a home. Last summer, he was arrested by Buffalo cops after getting into an argument at the American Red Cross’ Annual Mash Bash.
Nicole Kidman Gives Birth Nicole Kidman has given birth to a baby girl. Kidman’s rep said Sunday Rose Kidman Urban was born Monday morning in Nashville. Sunday is the first child for Kidman and her husband, country
music singer Keith Urban. Kidman was previously married to Tom Cruise, with whom she adopted two children.
Music News Missy Elliott’s Birthday Party Ends In Brawl Missy Elliott’s 37th birthday party in New York was cut short last weekend when her make-up artist was arrested for allegedly assaulting a fan. Deborah Padilla was taken into custody after the brawl at New York City’s Marquee nightclub, where a waitress reportedly attempted to get close to guest
Busta Rhymes. A witness tells the New York Post, “The waitress got into it with the make-up artist, then fists flew. There were people crying, bottles flying and Missy trying to get out of there. It was pandemonium.” The unnamed waitress filed charges against Padilla, claiming she had been “hit above the eye” in the incident.
Nick Cannon Calls Marriage ‘Amazing’ Nick Cannon tells People magazine that being married to Mariah Carey is “amazing.” The couple wed in May after a brief courtship. Cannon made his comments while in Las Vegas. “It’s the best
thing that ever happened to me,” Cannon said.
Kanye West To Attend Anger Management Classes? Reports are surfacing that Kanye West is a hot-head and needs to attend anger management classes. According to the Chicago Sun Times, West is being asked to tame his temper in order to be more attractive to potential advertisers. Two major companies are reportedly interested in working
with Kanye – including an auto company and a cosmetics/fragrance firm, but the corporations are concerned about “how easy he’ll be to work with.” Apparently, West’s temper tantrums have harmed his personal life as well, reportedly driving away a number of “longtime friends.”
Amy Winehouse Back On The Bottle Amy Winehouse is back on the bottle, and 40,000 people saw her do it. Winehouse sipped from a glass of red wine and looked a little unsteady as she performed at the Rock in Rio music festival south of Madrid on Friday. The unsteady part may be due to her shoes rather than the wine. She
told the crowd she was going to change her shoes, and then kicked off her stilettos and put on white moccasins. She then picked up a white guitar and broke into a performance of “Rehab.” Winehouse did not stay for an encore – she left by helicopter.
Jesse McCartney Finally Meets Leona Lewis It took a while for Jesse McCartney to make contact with Leona Lewis, but he did it. McCartney cowrote Leona’s hit “Bleeding Love.” He says his friend called him to say Lewis was at a bar down the street from him. McCartney jumped into his car drove to meet her. He says as soon as he walked
up, Lewis came up and gave him a big hug. He calls her “an absolute sweetheart.”
MLB Teams With ‘Projekt Revolution’ Tour Through an ongoing partnership with Major League Baseball, some concertgoers attending the 2008 “Projekt Revolution” tour could walk away with access to exclusive, unreleased tracks by Linkin Park and other acts on the 24-date trek. Random fans at each show will be given a lanyard, which can be
exchanged at any Champs Sports store for a free USB wristband containing four unreleased Linkin Park MP3s, along with five songs from other artists, including Busta Rhymes and Ashes Divide. Champs shoppers who spend at least $50 on MLB products will also receive a free USB wristband. The fifth installment of “Projekt Revolution” launches July 16th near Boston and wraps August 24th in Houston. Other acts on the jaunt are Chris Cornell, the Bravery, Atreyu, 10 Years, Hawthorne Heights, Armor For Sleep and the Street Drum Corps.
Update: Nate Dogg Charged With Road Rage Nate Dogg has been charged with threatening and stalking his estranged wife. Dogg, real name Nathaniel Hale, was pulled over by California Highway Patrol officers after a car chase with his estranged wife in Los Angeles on June 23rd. His unnamed spouse had called 911 after Nate
allegedly made death threats against her and followed her “dangerously.” Police charged the rapper with three felony counts of making criminal threats and stalking and one count of driving on a suspended license.
Snoop’s Wife Cleared Of DUI Snoop Dogg’s wife has been cleared of driving under the influence of marijuana, because police failed to provide enough evidence to prosecutors. Shante Broadus was pulled over on June 14th
while driving in Fullerton, California.
Britney Spears To Film Segment For Madonna’s Tour Britney Spears will team up with Madonna – virtually – during the singer’s upcoming “Sticky & Sweet” tour. “Britney is going to film something for Madonna’s show in the next week or so,” Madonna’s rep, Liz Rosenberg, said. As for details about what they will be doing – and where it will be filmed –
Rosenberg says, “I don’t know. It’s a secret.” Contrary to reports, Spears is not in New York to film the video segments, nor has she already shot anything. Madonna’s tour kicks off in Wales next month. The U.S. leg starts October 4th in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Bon Jovi Brings Down The House Jon Bon Jovi was in Detroit yesterday to announce the building of five new homes as part of a partnership with his Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, Saturn and Habitat for Humanity.
Detroit, which has all but closed down due to the serious hit to automakers, was a good place for Bon Jovi to announce the initiative. He was in town to play a show at the Palace of Auburn Hills last night.
Olympic Inspiration From Sheryl Crow And Nelly Sheryl Crow and Nelly have been named unofficial motivators of the U.S. Olympic team. Crow and Nelly are among the list of artists who have recorded exclusive tracks for the upcoming AT&T Team USA Soundtrack, which will be used as a motivational tool for Olympians in Beijing. All proceeds
from sales of the CD will go to Team USA.
Joel Madden Named Newest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden has been named UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador. The news came Sunday during a cable broadcast on global child survival titled “The Survival Project: One Child at a Time,” which aired on CNN. Madden, along with fellow ambassador Lucy Liu, participated in the hour-long special which explored the causes and actions needed to stop the unnecessary deaths of
children under age five. Madden’s first field visit as an official UNICEF Ambassador is scheduled for the fall.
Bruce Springsteen Offers ‘Highlights’ For Charity Fans will be able to get a taste of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s current live outing when “Magic Tour Highlights” hits digital download stores next week. The set includes four audio tracks and four videos, all recorded live during the band’s “Magic Tour.” Highlights include late E Street
Band keyboardist Danny Federici’s final performance with the Boss. The artists, songwriters and music publishers are waiving all of their royalties, and Columbia Records is donating all of its net profits to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund. iTunes is donating its first year’s net profits as well.
