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Archive: August 2010 (161-170 of 178)

Aug 3 2010 04:04 PM ET

Ryan Seacrest says it may be weeks before new 'Idol' judges are picked

Categories: TV Biz

In the midst of all the publicity-churning speculation over who will be American Idol’s new judges, host Ryan Seacrest admitted that it could be weeks before the final lineup is announced. The AP reports that Seacrest also did not know how big the new panel will be. Names like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have been floating around the industry ether as possible replacements for departing judges Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres.

Aug 3 2010 03:45 PM ET

Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales to host Miss Universe pageant

by Archana Ram

Categories: Television

Rocker and recent Celebrity Apprentice winner Bret Michaels and Today show co-host Natalie Morales will emcee the 2010 Miss Universe pageant with John Legend, The Roots, and Orianthi performing at the festivities. The two-hour event will be broadcast live from Las Vegas Aug. 23 on NBC (9-11 p.m.).

Aug 3 2010 01:14 PM ET

Robert F. Boyle dies

by Kate Ward

Categories: In Memoriam

Academy Award-nominated art director Robert F. Boyle has passed away at 100 years of age, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Boyle — who worked on such films as North by Northwest, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Birds — died of natural causes Aug. 1 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The art director received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Guild in 1997.

Aug 3 2010 09:10 AM ET

Frank Sinatra's grandson in hospital after suicide attempt: Report

by Karen Valby

Categories: Music

According to People, Frank Sinatra’s 32-year-old grandson was taken to the Downey Regional Medical Center in Southern California on Monday after overdosing on pills. A woman in Frank Sinatra Jr.’s hospital room, who identified herself as “Aunt Dorothy,” would only say that the man “is doing okay. He had a big setback. Let’s just say it’s very similar to what his father went through with Ava Gardner. He’s been having a very tough time. He’s doing better now. We think he’ll pull through.” Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner had a famously stormy and passionate six-year marriage in the 60s.

Sinatra Jr’s hospitalization was first reported by TMZ on Monday night.

Aug 3 2010 08:00 AM ET

'Newsweek' sold to Dr. Sidney Harman

by Mandi Bierly

Categories:

The Washington Post Company has agreed to sell Newsweek magazine to Dr. Sidney Harman, it announced today. “In seeking a buyer for Newsweek, we wanted someone who feels as strongly as we do about the importance of quality journalism. We found that person in Sidney Harman,” said chairman and CEO Donald E. Graham. “He has pledged not only to continue to produce a lively, compelling and first-rate news magazine, but also an equally dynamic Newsweek.com — and he intends to keep a majority of Newsweek‘s very talented staff.” Harman, one of the pioneers who began the audio industry, is founder and chairman emeritus of Harman International.

Aug 3 2010 07:45 AM ET

'Glee' creator in talks with Susan Boyle for guest spot

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Music, Television

Glee creator Ryan Murphy told reporters at a Television Critics Association event on Monday that he’s talking to Susan Boyle about guest-starring on Fox’s hit musical dramedy. The breakout singer from Britain’s Got Talent would appear in a Christmas-themed episode.

Murphy also said that he received a surprise package from Paul McCartney that contained CDs with some of his songs — including The Beatles’ “Michelle” — along with a note asking Murphy to consider using his music on the show. “I was gob-smacked,” Murphy said. “I grew up with that guy. So, of course, we are going to do something with him.”

More ‘Glee’:
‘Glee’ at Comic-Con: Lots of season 2 dish
Ausiello: ‘Glee’: Javier Bardem meet Artie!
‘Glee’ dish from Jane Lynch
‘Glee’: 10 best performances
‘Glee’: 30 quippy Sue Sylvester gems

Aug 3 2010 04:19 AM ET

James Bond, 'Superman' screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz dies at 68

by Dan Snierson

Categories: In Memoriam, Legacy, Movies, Television

Screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz, who penned several James Bond films and was an uncredited writer on the first two Superman movies, died Saturday in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer, the AP reports. He was 68. After being hired to rewrite 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever, Mankiewicz went on to pen Live and Let Die and The Man With the Golden Gun; he also worked on The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. A respected script doctor, he received credit as a creative consultant on Superman and Superman II after director Richard Donner brought him in to rewrite those movies. Mankiewicz directed the 1987 movie Dragnet, and served as a creative consultant on Hart to Hart, directing and penning several episodes. Mankiewicz came from a well-known Hollywood family: His father, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, wrote and directed All About Eve, while his uncle, Herman J. Mankiewicz, co-wrote Citizen Kane. His cousin is Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz. According to Ben, Mankiewicz was planning to return this fall to teach graduate film classes at Chapman University in Orange, Calif.

Aug 3 2010 03:00 AM ET

Bill Cosby takes to Twitter, 'Larry King Live' to debunk rumors of his death

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television

After rumors spread Monday on Twitter that Bill Cosby had died, the 73-year-old comedian asserted that he was very much alive, posting several times on his Twitter page and calling into CNN’s Larry King Live. While Cosby’s first tweet poked fun at the rumor and the fact that this wasn’t the first time that false reports of his death have circulated (“Again, I’m rebuttaling rumors about my demise. But, I’m confirming I have an app - http://bit.ly/BillCosbyApp“), his second post was more serious (“Emotional friends have called about this misinformation. To the people behind the foolishness, I’m not sure you see how upsetting this is”). Speaking Monday night to Kyra Phillips, who was filling in for Larry King, the former star/creator of The Cosby Show said, “Maybe a psychiatrist will say I’m feeding [the rumor starter's] ego, but I just want to say to friends of that person: Just tell him to stop, because it isn’t funny.”

Aug 2 2010 08:50 PM ET

Charlie Sheen sentenced to 30 days in rehab after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television

Charlie Sheen pleaded guilty today in an Aspen court to a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a Christmas Day argument with his wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, the AP reports. In exchange for Sheen’s plea, Pitikin County (Colorado) prosecutors withdrew a felony menacing charge and criminal mischief charge. The 44-year-old Two and a Half Men star was ordered to spend 30 days in a rehabilitation facility, and was also sentenced to 30 days of probation and 36 hours of anger management counseling. In a statement after his hearing, Sheen said: ”I’m very grateful to the court and to the people of Pitkin County. I look forward to complying with the court’s decision, getting on with my life and putting this behind me.” The actor was expected back on the Men set tomorrow to begin shooting the eighth season.

Aug 2 2010 12:43 PM ET

Miramax sold to group of investors, including Rob Lowe

by Tim Stack

Categories: Industry News, Movie Biz, Movies

The Miramax name and film library has been sold to a group of investors, which includes actor Rob Lowe, for an estimated $660 million. Lowe’s involvement comes by way of a media investment fund he started with Colony Capital investment firm head Tom Barrack. “The acquisition of a classic brand like Miramax is an exciting first step in my partnership with Tom Barrack and Colony Capital,” said Lowe. “This represents an exciting new chapter for me.” New films included in the sale include the Jennifer Aniston-Jason Bateman flick The Switch and the Guillermo del Toro-produced Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.