Celebrity Birthdays
Catherine Hicks (7th Heaven: Annie)-57
M. Night Shyamalan (Writer-Director)-38
Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3)-56
Merrin Dungey (The King of Queens: Kelly)-37
Stephanie Kramer (Hunter: Dee Dee)-52 Geri Halliwell (Spice Girls)-36
Randy DeBarge (DeBarge)-50 Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster)-32
Moosie Drier (Laugh In)-44 Melissa George (Alias: Lauren)-32
Lisa Boyle (Baywatch: Debra Sinclair)-40
Celebrity News Peter Brady Gets Game-Show Gig “Brady Bunch” star Christopher Knight has signed on to host “Trivial Pursuit: America Plays.” Based on the popular board game, the new half-hour “Trivial Pursuit” show is to debut September 22nd. The series’ premiere is timed to coincide with the release of Hasbro’s 25th anniversary edition of the
game.
Morgan Freeman Recovering From Surgery Morgan Freeman’s publicist says the actor has been walking around after undergoing surgery to repair injuries sustained in a weekend car crash in Mississippi. Freeman and a passenger were
pulled from their vehicle by rescue workers who used the Jaws of Life after the car accident Sunday night. Freeman reportedly sustained a broken arm and elbow, as well as an injured shoulder. His passenger was treated for injuries and was released from the hospital.
Celeb Medical Record ‘Peeking’ Widespread California officials say nearly twice as many UCLA Medical Center employees than previously thought have been peeking at celebrities’ medical records. A report by the California Department of Public Health also found two nurses and an emergency room technician had looked up the medical records of a “well-known individual” in April after medical center officials had warned employees against
accessing celebrities’ records. The report found that as many as 127 employees had gained unauthorized access to the medical records of such celebrities as Maria Shriver, Farrah Fawcett and Britney Spears, nearly 60 more than previously thought.
Another Record For ‘Dark Knight’ “The Dark Knight” has climbed past $400 million at the box office in just 18 days, the fastest pace ever. As of Monday, the Batman sequel had taken in $400.03 million domestically. The film hit the
mark in less than half the time it took for the previous record-holder, “Shrek 2,” which crossed the $400 million level on its 43rd day of release. “The Dark Knight” is now No. 8 on the all-time box-office charts, and was poised to move up to No. 7 yesterday, passing the $403.7 million haul of the original “Spider-Man.” That will make “The Dark Knight” the top-grossing comic-book adaptation ever.
Kelsey Grammer Out Of The Hospital Kelsey Grammer has been released from a New York area hospital. His rep said the actor is “feeling great and about to resume normal activities at home.” Grammer, who had suffered a heart attack in
late May while paddle-boarding in Hawaii with his wife, was admitted to Southampton Hospital last week after feeling faint.
Robin Williams Returns To Standup Robin Williams is gearing up for his first stand-up comedy tour in six years. Williams is set to roll out his “Weapons of Self-Destruction” show September 25th in Minneapolis. “It’s an election year, which is basically Christmas for stand-up comics,” Williams said, adding he wanted to get back on the road
“while the Shrub is still in office.” Some of the comedy will also reflect Williams’ tough times over the last few years, in which he spent time in rehab and split from his wife of 19 years. Williams is also currently filming the Bobcat Goldthwait comedy “World’s Greatest Dad” and will star opposite John Travolta in the Disney flick “Old Dogs.” He will also reprise his role as Teddy Roosevelt in the sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.”
Snipes Must Reimburse Government A judge has ruled that Wesley Snipes must reimburse the government for his tax conviction. U.S. District Court Judge William Terrell Hodges ruled last week the actor must reimburse the government
about $217,000. Snipes had objected to the cost. A jury convicted Snipes in February of three counts of willfully failing to file his income taxes. He has appealed the conviction and his three-year prison sentence.
Jerry Lewis To Return As Telethon’s Co-Host Jerry Lewis is set to return as co-host of his 43rd Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the MDA said yesterday. Originating from the South Point Hotel, Casino &
Spa in Las Vegas, the live show will air for 21 1/2 hours, beginning at 9 p.m. [ET] on August 31st. The telethon will be shown on 180 “Love Network” stations in the United States. Check www.mda.org for local stations and start times. Lewis, 82, will share the stage with a variety of celebrity co-hosts, including Nancy O’Dell of “Access Hollywood,” Tom Bergeron of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars,” Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight” and Alison Sweeney of “Days of Our Lives.”
Music News
Smash Mouth Guitarist Goes Solo Guitarist Greg Camp of Smash Mouth has left the band to go solo. His rep says Camp has decided to take that step so he can “further explore the hidden corners of his overactive pop muse.” Camp
will release a solo album called “Defektor” on September 9th.
Kaiser Chiefs To Release Album In October The Kaiser Chiefs will release their new album, “Off With Their Heads,” on October 13th. The followup to last year’s “Yours Truly, Angry Mob” will feature contributions from Lily Allen, New York PonyClub and composer David Arnold.
David Cook Teams With Grammy-Winning Producer “American Idol” winner David Cook has teamed up with Grammy winning producer Rob Cavallo on his debut album for 19 Recordings/RCA Records, due out this fall. Cavallo, best known for his work with Green Day, has also produced records for Kid Rock, Eric Clapton, My Chemical Romance and
the Goo Goo Dolls. He’s also working with the Dave Matthews Band on an upcoming release.
The Police Raise $40,000 For New York Public TV The Police raised more than $40,000 for New York public TV just one week after launching online auctions of their memorabilia. The reunited trio began selling packages and keepsakes for charity on eBay on Monday in a bid to boost funds for two public television stations in the Big Apple. Last week, in a similar Internet auction, the band sold four sets of VIP tickets and backstage passes to their final concert for $40,000. The “Public Television Rocks” fundraising drive between the band and PBS willculminate with tomorrow’s show at Madison Square Garden. Other items for sale include signed instruments, concert souvenirs and meet-and-greet packages.
Sara Bareilles Maps Second Headlining Jaunt Sara Bareilles has added a new string of fall headlining dates to support her gold-certified major label debut, “Little Voice.” Bareilles is currently on the road with Counting Crows and Maroon 5, and will spend a week in Europe next month before launching her North American fall outing on October 9th
in San Diego. The tour will cover nearly 20 cities. “Love Song,” the lead single from “Little Voice,” got a boost from Bareilles’ appearance in a commercial for the Rhapsody music service and remains No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart after 29 weeks. The follow-up single, “Bottle It Up,” is currently making its way up the charts. Bareilles says the independent record she released in2004, “Careful Confessions,” is also being reissued.
‘Disney Block Party’ Tour Scaled Back The “Disney Block Party” tour, which was initially scheduled to play 23 dates in nine cities, has been pared down to a three-day run of benefit shows in New York. The tour was canceled due to
“unforeseen circumstances.” Initially scheduled to kick off last Friday in Hartford, Connecticut, the tour now will run August 22-24 in Uniondale, New York, and is being billed as “Disney Block Party Music Tour Presents the Playskool Play Aid Benefit Concert.” Performers include Dan Zanes, They Might Be Giants, Imagination Movers, Ralph’s World and Choo Choo Soul. Barenaked Ladies were also on the original bill, but dropped off after singer Steven Page was arrested with his girlfriend inNew York on charges of possessing cocaine.
Free Keane Download Keane is introducing their third album, “Perfect Symmetry,” with a free download of the track
“Spiralling” via the group’s Web site, www.keanemusic.com. The set is due October 14th. “Spiralling” will hit digital retailers August 12th.
