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Bosom Buddy Become Honorary Army Brat

June 30, 2006

Tom Hanks was inducted into the U.S. Army's Ranger Hall of Fame as an honorary member, the first actor to receive such an honor.

Hanks, 49, was unable to attend Thursday's induction ceremony. But sources tell BBCanclled News that it did in fact take place. At the ceremony, Hanks was cited for his role in Saving Private Ryan and his continued commitment to honoring those who served in World War II. He was also honored for being among the writers, producers and directors of the Emmy-winning 2001 miniseries ''Band of Brothers.''

Hanks was cited for serving as the national spokesman for the World War II Memorial Campaign and for being honorary chairman of the D-Day Museum Capital Campaign.

No mention was made about his career making television role as a cross-dresser on “Bosom Buddies,” an activity that would currently get his booted from the real army under their anti-gay “Don’t’ Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Nothing like a PR event to reveal government, or quasi-government hypocrisy and discrimination.

Law & Order Breeds Again

Instead of a new “Law & Order” franchise, Mariska Hargitay, star ''Law & Order: SVU,'' and her husband Peter Hermann welcomed their first child Thursday.

His name is August, although he was born in June. No reason for the interesting naming strategy. But we here at BBCcancelled wish August-born-in-June and his parents well.

Hargitay, 42, won a Golden Globe last year for her work on the “L&O” show.

Trivial tidbit: Hargitay’s mom is blond screen siren Jayne Mansfield, who died in a car crash in 1967. Hargitay's father is former bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay.

Heat, Bad Food Knocks Out SNL Alumn

Former ''Saturday Night Live'' cast member Rob Schneider passed out from food poisoning and heat exhaustion while directing a comedy, Big Stan, in Northern California. The actor was taken to the hospital to recover, but is already back at work today.

Schneider, 42, was filming the comedy at a women's prison near Stockton, about 80 miles east of San Francisco in the San Joaquin Valley where temperatures have soared above 100 in recent days.

Firefighters were called to the set for several cases of heat exhaustion since the movie shoot began earlier this month, said firefighter Michael Olizas with the Montezuma Fire District.

Schneider, who recently starred in The Benchwarmers and Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, is directing the new movie in which he plays Big Stan, a con man locked up on fraud charges who learns kung fu to defend himself against other inmates.

Luke and Laura Lather Up, Again

June 29, 2006

''General Hospital'' is bringing back the soap's sudsiest couple: Luke and Laura Spencer.

Genie Francis, who originated the role of Laura nearly 30 years ago, will return to the show -- and to the fictional town of Port Charles -- to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Luke and Laura's wedding, which was seen by 30 million viewers on Nov. 16, 1981.

Francis, 44, will appear in a series of episodes beginning in the middle of October, the network said.

''I'm very happy to return to my 'General Hospital' family and look forward to portraying a role that means a lot to me as well as the fans who have supported the character throughout the years,'' Francis.

No details were provided about Laura's story line and the upcoming anniversary. Four years ago, the character suffered a mental breakdown after she killed her father, and has been living at a psychiatric hospital in a catatonic state.

Claire Does Not Marry Charlie

“Lost” starlet Emilie de Ravin — Claire Littleton on wild-n-crazy deserted island adventure show we all love to hate, or hate to love? — married actor Josh Janowicz (best known for an appearance on the 2003 crime drama “Cold Case”).

The pair, who live in Los Angeles, wed June 19 in a ''small, intimate ceremony'' in Melbourne, Australia. Which means that she actually was the first high-profile wedding “Down Under” this month. “Claire” beat Nicole Kidman to the altar by a week.

No word on whether poor drug addicted and lovelorn “Charlie” was invited to the wedding.

Bennett Brings Music Back to Prime Time

For his 80th birthday, NBC is giving Tony Bennett the all-star television treatment: A variety show in honor of his 80th birthday.

“Tony Bennett: An American Classic" is the title of a music special the network will air in his honor later this summer.

The special will include a who’s who of musical legend who will sing at the event: Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and k.d. lang — all of whom perform on Bennett's upcoming album, ''Tony Bennett: Duets/An American Classic.”

At least one solo is guaranteed on the TV special, as Bennett plans to take the stage alone to sing his signature tune, ''I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Heterosexual Cowboys Ride High

June 28, 2006

Move over gay cowboys, the straight guys can still rule the roost.

Robert Duvall and his movie ''Broken Trail'' proved an historic hit for AMC on Sunday. The old-fashioned Western—even more old-fashioned than last year's Oscar-winning flick Brokeback Mountain, thanks to straight cow-pokes—raked in 9.8 million viewers making it the most-watched program in the network's history.

It was more popular than any other program on broadcast or cable Sunday night. In fact, only five other programs all week on the broadcast networks brought in more people.

Duvall played a cowboy trying to move 500 horses from Oregon to Wyoming with his nephew when they come across five Chinese girls who had been sold into slavery. ''Broken Trail'' was the first original movie that the film-focused AMC has produced in more than two decades.

''Everything doesn't need to be edgy and pushing the envelope,'' said Ed Carroll, AMC president, on Tuesday. ''The AMC audience appreciates strong scripts and good acting shot in a cinematic way.''

Soprano Won’t Be Singing Behind Bars

The actor who plays temperamental chef Artie Bucco on ''The Sopranos'' avoided jail time for driving while “impaired.” Instead, John Ventimiglia, 42, who portrays Tony Soprano's high school buddy on the HBO show, will visit 30 schools to caution against drinking and driving.

No word on whether students will be allowed to ask for autographs.

Ventimiglia will also lose his license for 90 days and pay a $500 fine, among other conditions.

He was arraigned May 1 on drunken driving, drug possession and other charges after officers spotted him weaving in and out of traffic. The plea to driving while impaired settled all the charges against him.Ventimiglia's blood-alcohol content was 0.12 -- the legal limit is 0.08 -- and he was carrying a zip-lock bag with cocaine residue, according to the complaint.

Frasier’s Eddie Not So Feisty Anymore

The scrappy dog known as Eddie on TV's ''Frasier'' has died.
The 16-year-old Jack Russell terrier, whose real name was Moose, passed away of old age Thursday at the Los Angeles home of trainer Mathilde Halberg.

The canine character Eddie drove Kelsey Grammer's lead character crazy for 10 years on the show.
It wasn't all acting on Moose's part, though. He was naturally ''extremely mischievous,'' Halberg said.

His contribution to the show's and Grammer's success was publicly noted by the actor when he accepted a 1994 Emmy for best actor in a comedy.

''Most important, Moose, this is for you,'' Grammer added.

Cowboy Visits Cemetery, Comes Home Married

June 27, 2006

''Wyatt Earp'' star Hugh O'Brian, 81, married for the first time in what the he dubbed a ''a wedding to die for.'' The weekend ceremony was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

''This is my first, and most definitely, my last trip down the aisle,'' O'Brian said after marrying his girlfriend of 18 years, teacher Virginia Barber, 54.

300 guests—including look-alikes of John Wayne and Pope John Paul—witnessed the ceremony at the cemetery's Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection. The Rev. Robert Schuller, pastor of the supersized Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, officiated and the couple was serenaded by close friend Debbie Reynolds.

O'Brian may be best known to baby boomers as television's tough Old West marshal on ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp,'' which aired from 1955 to 1961.

Besides cleaning up the Tombstone Territory on TV, O'Brian appeared on dozens of shows over the years, including ''The Love Boat,'' ''Murder, She Wrote,'' ''Fantasy Island,'' ''L.A. Law,'' ''Charlie's Angels,'' ''Police Story,'' ''Perry Mason'' and ''General Electric Theater.''

Fall Season Starts Now on YouTube

NBC is going to kick-start their fall season by teaming up with the wildly popular video-sharing website. They announced a deal to share videos that will promote the network’s fall lineup.

''Saturday Night Live'' parody raps are not included.

But part of the content release will include clips from new shows as well as old shows such as ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,'' behind-the-scenes interviews and other features largely exclusive to the Internet. NBC also is sponsoring a contest for fans of ''The Office'' to create their own promotional videos.

The hope is that folks who may tune out television over the summer -- but continue to surf the Internet -- will be primed for television when September rolls around.

Under the deal, YouTube will create a separate channel for NBC video, so that visitors can easily pull up the half-dozen or more items that NBC plans to offer at any given time. It will be similar to channels that other companies, filmmakers and everyday users create.

"Medium"-Size Wedding in Italy

Emmy-winner Patricia Arquette (for “Medium") married her actor paramour, the action star Thomas Jane, in Venice, Italy this weekend.

Arquette and Jane wed Sunday ''surrounded by family and friends,'' said Arquette’s publicist. Wow. Thank heavens for publicists. Otherwise we may have imagined they married “surrounded by enemies and strangers.”

Engaged since 2002, the couple have a daughter, 3-year-old Harlow. Arquette, formerly married to Nicolas Cage, also has a 17-year-old son, Enzo, from her relationship with musician Paul Rossi.

Jane's film roles include 2004's ''The Punisher,” and he was Mickey Mantle in the TV movie ''61.”

Putting the Wife in Housewife

June 26, 2006

Marcia Cross (AKA Bree Van De Kamp on “Desperate Housewives”) tied the knot with stockbroker Tom Mahoney this weekend.

The wealthy couple was married in po-dunk L.A. suburb of San Gabriel, California. (We know it’s a po-dunk suburb because a staff member at BBCancelled News grew up there and knows just how po-dunk it is. But hey, it’s a trend. Get married in a homely way or at home. It worked for Nicole Kidman.)

Two hundred guests attended the wedding at the Church of Our Savior Episcopal Parish. The children of some of Cross’ closest friends served as the seven flower girls.

Before Cross was cast as Bree Van De Kamp on ''Desperate Housewives,'' she had roles on ''Everwood'' and ''Melrose Place.''

Newsweek Shines on Soledad

CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien is the only TV personality to be named one of the ''15 People Who Make America Great'' by Newsweek magazine. Brad Pitt, whose use of celebrity to draw attention to poverty in Africa, may be the best known -- but that only makes O’Brien’s pick more surprising (in a good way).

After all, her CNN colleague with the silver hair (and new book) stole a lot of thunder for his emotional coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Now, Newsweek is calling for kudos to Soledad for showing her “inner rage” while reporting on the aftermath of the devastating hurricane.

A quick click over to Newsweek.com reveals a single clip of Soledad touring New Orleans a week after the hurricane. There is little sign of “inner rage,” actually. But a somber, solemn, and respectful report on counting the dead. Soledad mixed personal “realness” (“The water smells terrible -- like sewage, basically.”) with matter-of-fact coverage.

Picking just 15 people must have been difficult for the editors of Newsweek, but at BBCancelled News we think they did an excellent job.

Tom Green Can’t Get Enough ManiaTV

Less than two weeks after ManiaTV.com started streaming Green's live call-in show from his Hollywood Hills living room, Green is turning the weekly show into a nearly nightly deal.

“Nearly” being the key word in the new(ish) digital television universe. ManiaTV will broadcast four original shows a week, with a fifth night of either a repeat or an original episode (depending on their mood?).

ManiaTV and Green originally agreed to a year of hour-long weekly episodes, but Green asked for more time after the first episode aired June 15. He was live an extra two hours that night. Green has been calling at odd hours ever since, asking to go live soon after each call, ManiaTV spokesman Jason Damata said.

Green broadcast for 8½ hours the first week.

''So he's, like, hijacking our network, which we're cool with,'' Damata said. ''But we said, 'Do us a favor. Can we at least have some structure?'''

ManiaTV expects 5 million viewers for its site for July.

Rob Wants a Bigger Pad

June 23, 2006

“Sam Seaborne” narrowly won approval from planners for a massive dream estate on his $8.5 million Montecito lot in Northern California, despite a neighbor's complaint the mansion would spoil his own panoramic ocean view.

''I've always been a big believer in the process. I'm obviously pleased with the outcome,'' the 42-year-old actor said after Wednesday's 3-2 vote by the Montecito Planning Commission.

The vote came after a day-long debate over whether the proposed 14,260-square-foot estate would overwhelm the Picacho Lane neighborhood, which is also home to mystery writer Sue Grafton.

Lowe's proposal calls for a 24-foot-high privacy hedge that would screen the estate from neighbor Fred Gluck, former head of the international consulting firm McKinsey & Co. Gluck said the hedge would partially block views of the Pacific. Lowe purchased the 3.4-acre undeveloped property for about $8.5 million last year. Gluck first complained about potential view loss, then on the size of the home.

Lowe and his people noted that Gluck's 8,577-square-foot home also exceeds Montecito guidelines Lowe's proposal is to build a 9,860-square-foot home with a 2,000-square-foot basement, an 800-square-foot guesthouse, an 800-square-foot second-story cabana with an 800-square-foot garage below.

Lowe also plans to build a swimming pool, spa and tennis court.

Chaka Khan Receives BET Award

Best known for deeply-felt singing, R&B diva Chaka Khan received a Lifetime Acheivement Award Tuesday night from Black Entertainment Television at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

At only 53, it seems early for a “lifetime achievement” award -- but Khan first broke into the pop charts when she was only 17, with the band Rufus. Since then she’s had a continuous string of hits, including ''I Feel For You,'' ''I'm Every Woman,'' ''Tell Me Something Good'' and ''Ain't Nobody.''

All the while she’s overcome serious personal adversity -- including including the horror of her son, Damien Holland, 27, facing murder charges and ultimately being acquitted.

About the BET award, Khan said: “It's brilliant. I'm excited about it and I'm very grateful. I'm grateful to be acknowledged at that level by our (black) people. It's a wonderful thing."

When asked if a lifetime achievement award means she’s made it, Khan demurred.

“I still don't (think so). I'm waiting for that moment. Making it for me is just being able to touch a lot of lives in a positive way and to do God's will. To do what I'm put here to do. You know, that's an ongoing journey.”

Khan’s next CD will be released in October 2006.

Captain Kirk to Roast, But Will He Burn?

William Shatner has always done an excellent job of poking fun at himself, but he's going to have plenty of help this summer.

The 75-year-old actor will be the recipient of cheap shots and bawdy jokes—as Pamela Anderson was last year—at a Comedy Central celebrity roast in his honor.

''The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner,'' scheduled to air Aug. 20 (10 p.m. EDT), will be taped earlier that month in Los Angeles.

''It takes a real man to follow Pamela Anderson into the 'Roast' pit and William Shatner is truly a hero among men,'' Elizabeth Porter, senior vice president, specials and talent for Comedy Central, said in a statement. ''By the end of this year's 'Roast,' Shatner may wish he was in a galaxy far, far away.''

Fans of Shatner “need” to check out the episode of “Cooking’s A Drag” airing on OUTzonetv.com.

Blige Delivers More "Drama" on Soap

June 22, 2006

Though she famously sang about wanting ''No More Drama'' in her own life, Mary J. Blige is taping an appearance on ABC’s soap opera, “One Life to Live.”

Fans of the diva can relax. She will not be acting. Blige will be playing herself.

The 35-year-old R&B diva, whose latest album, ''The Breakthrough,'' has sold more than two million copies, will perform two hits from that disc at the club Capricorn in the town of Llanview. The episode is set to air July 28.

''The cast and I, being huge fans of Mary J. Blige's tremendous talent, are thrilled that she will be appearing on 'OLTL,''' said executive producer Frank Valenti in a recent statement.

“OLTL”—not to be confused with the MTV show “TRL”—is making a name for itself with musical guest appearances. Erykah Badu and Chris Botti have previously performed on the show.

Is Coop After King's Crown?

Is Anderson Cooper after Larry King’s job? With two high-profile celebrity interviews in a row on his show, “360,” Cooper is rapidly moving in on King’s celebrity turf.

While Larry King is still hugely popular, his show has become a place that old-timers go to wallow in their infirmities (mental and physical). This week, Dan Rather extolled the drama of leaving CBS. And a few weeks ago, Elizabeth Taylor joined the chat host to tell people she did not have Alzheimer’s.

Meanwhile, Cooper scored the an-depth interview with Angelina Jolie. And tomorrow, he’ll be airing an interview with Cher about how she does not support the war in Iraq, but supports the troops.

Maybe because he’s a non-threatening host, both gals have opened up to Cooper in ways that have made headlines days before the interviews actually aired. Young Coop is becoming a master of buzz.

Hogan and Crew "Downscale" and Cash In

Real Estate hounds in Florida are abuzz about Hulk Hogan’s recent purchase of a mansion near Tampa that the ex-wrester just put on the market for $25 million.

The pro ‘rastler/actor, legally named Terry Bollea, moved south to Miami Beach. With his wife, Linda, daughter Brooke, 18, and son Nick, 15, the clan is now shacked up in new $12 million bay front estate.

So why the $25 million dollar price tag for the old digs near Tampa—Tampa!? Because the “French-style manse is familiar to fans of the family's VH1 reality TV series, ''Hogan Knows Best.” The home has seven fireplaces, 2.3-acre grounds overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico, a guesthouse, swimming pool, waterfall and four-car garage.

''I've got to downscale,'' Hogan told The Miami Herald. ''We'll head toward Miami like the Beverly Hillbillies.''

Tops Finally Tossed Off The Tube

June 21, 2006

"American Bandstand" went the way of the Dodo decades ago. America’s Top 40 lingers on a few radio stations. Now, finally, the UK is catching up to the demise of countdown shows. The BBC is killing “Top of the Pops” after 42 years.

The last episode will air July 30.

''Top of the Pops'' has featured everyone from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Nirvana and the Spice Girls. At its peak, the weekly rundown of Britain's best-selling acts attracted more than 15 million viewers.

The end should have been clear last year when the show was moved from the main BBC1 channel to BBC2, which attracts a smaller audience.

Or, they could have looked to the Yanks and seen that countdown shows for a general audience just don't satisfy the diverse audiences made possible in the digital age.

Hall of Fame Makes Room for Boys

A few good men who toil behind the scenes -- and yes, unfortunately, this year they are all men -- will be inducted into the Academy of Television Art & Sciences Hall of Fame this year.

Not to worry paparazzi: William Shatner, Tom Brokaw and Regis Philbin will be there in person.

The lesser-known talent includes director James Burrows (''Will & Grace,'' ''Cheers'') and former network executive and producer Leonard Goldberg (''Brian's Song,'' ''Hart to Hart'').

The same folks who put on the Emmy Awards organize the Hall of Fame. Hmm … women win Emmys every year. Couldn’t they find a few good women for the Hall of Fame 2006?

Notorious Hollywood Honcho Back In Divorce Court

Robert Evans's illustrious career in movies -- he produced Chinatown and much more -- and "unique personality" was the subject of the documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture. And the subject of a stylish cartoon: “Kid Notorious.”

But his latest claim to fame will be a seventh ex-wife.

Evans filed for divorce this week from Victoria White O'Gara citing irreconcilable differences. The pair were married last August in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was the third marriage for White O'Gara, 43, who has three children.

Evans was previously married to former Versace model Leslie Ann Woodward, Ali MacGraw, former Miss America Phyllis George, Catherine Oxenberg, Sharon Hugueny and Camilla Sparv.

Battle of The Network Stars

June 20, 2006

It should surprise no one -- 'cause really, how often do folks change the channel, especially in the morning while they’re brushing their teeth? -- that “Today” has not suffered in the ratings since Katie Couric departed.

In the two weeks since Don't-Call-Me-Perky departed, “Today” without Katie beat second-place “Good Morning America” (led by Diane Sawyer) by an average of 1.3 million viewers a day.

NBC talking heads breathed a sigh of relief and said they were always confident the show would go on, so to speak. While ABC folks say Matt Lauer had big interviews to drive traffic such as tête-à-têtes with Britney Spears and Ann Coulter.

Meanwhile, over at CBS, employees are rejiggering their summer vacation plans in order to prepare for Katie’s arrival. So far they’ve hired an old friend of the new anchor to be “creative director,” and all teams -- from “Evening News” to “Special Events” -- are planning tutorials to teach Katie what she needs to know before a big event (i.e. the November elections).

But back on the morning schedule: Charlie Gibson leaves “GMA” next Wednesday. And the real battle will begin in September when Meredith Viera takes over for Katie, and ABC settles on a new sunrise team.

Let the games begin!

Amazonian Comedy For Bleak Times

Bill Maher says his new half-hour comedy airing on Amazon.com is “the future” in spite of its odd and unruly title: “Amazon Fishbowl With Bill Maher.”

The first weekly episode is history and the results pleased everyone involved -- although no numbers were released publicly.

A show on a website that sells books and diapers “is kind of an odd choice,” Maher admits. “Because I'm not the most tech-savvy person in the world.” But “it’s the future and I’m glad they're inviting me to lead the parade.''

Before hitting the ‘Net, Maher earned 18 Emmy nominations during the nine years that his hit program, “Politically Incorrect,” was on.

In a promotional interview for his new “Fishbowl,” Maher said he is not hopeful for the future of the country, but that such a state is a good thing for comedy because: “People need to laugh all the more when things are bleak.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Did Star Throw Paparazzi "Over The Hedge"?

Not according to Bruce Willis, he didn't

The actor, ex-of Demi Moore, and current star of the animated feature, Over the Hedge, filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against a photographer who accused the ''Die Hard'' actor of attacking him outside a restaurant.

The complaint says the snapper made ''malicious, fabricated and defamatory statements'' about an encounter as Willis entered the Los Angeles restaurant Koi.

Willis, 51, was entering the restaurant when he was confronted by Goodrich and other ''stalker-paparazzi'' flashing high powered strobe lights, the suit said. The suit seeks no less that $1 million in general, special and consequential damages as well as punitive damages to be determined at trial.
No one was hurt in the incident, and the doorman at Koi supports Willis’s story.

Save Dustin. Buy a T-Shirt.

June 19, 2006

Best known as geeky Screech Powers on the 1989-1993 teen comedy series ''Saved by the Bell,'' Dustin Diamond is selling T-shirts with his photo on them to try to raise $250,000 so he doesn't lose his gray, two-story house under a foreclosure order.

''If the public didn't care, I, as an entertainer, wouldn't have been a success,'' he said.

Diamond, 29, is trying to sell nearly 30,000 shirts — for $15 or $20 (autographed) — to supplement the income he makes as a standup comic so he doesn't have to move from his Port Washington home, about 25 miles north of Milwaukee.

The T-shirt has a photo of Diamond holding a sign that says, ''Save My House.'' The back of the shirt reads, ''I paid $15.00 to save Screeech's house.'' The third ''e'' was added to get around copyright laws, he said. Shirts are available via his web site: getdshirts.com

The foreclosure order was filed last month in Ozaukee County Circuit Court. Diamond appeared on Howard Stern's satellite radio show Tuesday to plead his case. ''I'm doing great with my comedy, but this is definitely a low point,'' he said. ''Real life comes in and affects you.''

Judgment Day on Today

The talented folks who will cast votes on the new show, “America’s Got Talent,” appeared together on “Today” this morning.

Talent is such a relative and diverse term, as we will apparently learn from this show -- both from the judges and the contestants.

Host Regis Philbin headlines an all-star cast of judges including David Hasselhoff (a megastar in … Germany), Brandy (best knows as “Moesha”) and Piers Morgan (former editor of Brit tabloid The Daily Mirror).

The crew greeted Matt Lauer this morning with a clip of a contestant balancing a washing machine on his nose. We are hoping (praying?) that this was only a joke. The show premieres June 21.

No Pants Party Lights Up Fuse

Jodie Sweetin, the unsung, unheralded sister to the Olsen twins on ''Full House,'' will return to the small screen on Fuse Music Television. Sweetin is set to host the reality show ''Pants-Off Dance-Off.''

The reality show/dance party begins July 18.

The 24-year-old actress told ''Good Morning America'' earlier this year that she checked herself into rehab in March 2005 to recover from methamphetamine addiction. She plans to visit college campuses around the country to speak about her recovery.

But not until after she dances her pants off. Okay, we admit it. We just like to say "no pants." It's fun.

Nicole Scores #95 on Power List!

June 16, 2006

Kudos to Tom Cruise, Howard Stern and Oprah Winfrey — numbers one, two and three on the Forbes magazine's just-released list of most powerful celebrities. But gigantic congratulations must go to gossip princess, daughter of music royalty, and recovering addict Nicole Richie.

Ms. Richie, co-star of “The Simple Life” and perennial bold-face-name, came in at #95.

Forbes magazine editor Lea Goldman admits the rankings are less-than-scientific, and are based on a combination of earnings and buzz.

Other “interesting” placements: the entire cast of “The Sopranos” came in 9th, Mel Gibson, after topping the list in 2004, is missing completely, and Angelina Jolie tied with Jennifer Aniston for 35th place.

Now, who doesn’t think the kids at Forbes didn't purposefully put both of Brad Pitt's paramours, one ex- and the other current, together on purpose?

Connie Embarrassed, Then Canned

Only a few weeks after the tabloids reported that Ms.Chung’s husband, Maury Povich, was allegedly having an affair with an underling, it's announced that “Weekends with Maury & Connie” will sign off this Saturday — for good.

The news comes just days after legal correspondent Dan Abrams was put in charge of MSNBC. The couple’s late-ish night talk show (10 p.m.) premiered in January of this year.

CNN cancelled Connie’s last show in 2003. Povich will continue as host of the long-running syndicated talk show, ''Maury.''

Maybe now that Dan Rather is leaving CBS, supposedly for good, he and his old friend Connie can team up for an "Evening News" reunion.

Female Reporter Kicked Off The Gridiron

There is no women’s football league, and because ladies don’t last for long on the sidelines either, there likely won’t be a WNFL any time soon. The latest woman to move (be pushed?) off the grass is Lisa Guerrero, who just finished a season-long stint as a reporter for ''Monday Night Football.”

She has been named West Coast correspondent for the newsmagazine ''Inside Edition.”

Before football, Guerrero covered the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, Super Bowl and the World Series. And her diverse talents don’t end there. As an actress, she’s appeared on ''Seinfeld,'' ''Frasier'' and ''Sunset Beach.'' Guerrero is married to pitcher Scott Erickson -- who was cut by the New York Yankees last week.

Her first story for ''Inside Edition'' will air June 22.

Taylor Hicks Wants You To Waste Gas

June 15, 2006

The silver fox of “A.I.” fame is making headlines today — and not just for being named “hottest bachelor” by People magazine. Starting tomorrow, Taylor Hicks will be singing and “dancing” his way across television screens for the Ford Motor Company.

The auto giant signed Hicks to pitch their year-end clearance sale. Oh, man. He’s an Idol! Does he have to pitch a sales event? Couldn’t Ford make him spokes-singer/dancer for a new hybrid or something cool?

Luckily, the commercials are only 30 and 60 seconds long — and will run only through July 31.

Post CNN, And After Jane Fonda: Ted Earns $4.5 Million for Memoir

It’s only half the amount Bill Clinton got for his memoirs, but then again, Ted Turner was not president of the United States. The outspoken buffalo herder, philanthropist, CNN founder and ex-husband of Jane Fonda sold the rights to his memoirs for more than $4 Million smackeroos.

The book, not to be released until 2008—2008!?—will be titled “Call Me Ted: The Life and Times of Ted Turner.” No comment from publisher Warner Books why the man who revolutionized instant news (at CNN) needs two years to write a book. Maybe he’s a slow typist?

Point to ponder: Teddy now has spent part of his fortune buying land, about 1.7 million acres of it, which now make him the largest individual property owner in the United States.

Clint Eastwood Gets The Boot

Two-timer at the Oscars, Mr. Milion Dollar Baby is getting a Golden Boot from the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Los Angeles.

No, even with the word “fund,” it’s not cash for his next project, but an honor given to “performers, stunt people, producers and directors who have furthered the tradition of the Western on film and in television."

Huh? Eastwood, 76 years-young, is just now getting the Golden Boot? Were there really that many more worthy Western-enthusiasts to get the prize before him? The organization has been giving prizes for more than 20 years.

Well, better late than never. Clint will get his Boot on August 21.

Clint’s next project, not scheduled for release until 2007, is a video game version of Dirty Harry. Now that’s a reason to give him a different kind of boot.

TV Folk Vacation On NY Stage

June 14, 2006

While on hiatus, a handful of Hollywood hotshots — writers and actors — are appearing Off-Broadway in a new play about…financial analysts.

It’s a stretch for those sunny Southern California types, but that’s what acting is all about.

The play is called “Burleigh Grime$” and features a score by David Yazbeck, Emmy-winner for work with David Letterman’s show, and man responsible for the theme song to “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?”

More recognizable to masters of their remote control are the two stars: Wendie Malick of “Just Shoot Me” and Mark Moses, the scoundrel from “Desperate Housewives.”

Potatoes leave thy couch and head to the theater!

David Letterman Saves Strangers With Candy

In exchange for a plug of his world famous Explod-O-Pop microwavable popcorn, the “Late Night” host gave Amy Sedaris and her creative cohorts finishing funds to wrap up their film, Strangers With Candy.

The flick is a prequel to the Comedy Central cult-comedy written by Sedaris and now more-famous-than-her Stephen Colbert. The film has been playing gay festivals this summer to lukewarm reviews -- unless you’re a hard-core “Candy” fan... then the applause has been rapturous.

The film, which cost a cool $3 million to make, follows Jerri Blank’s exit from prison and return to high school where she hopes to succeed (on many levels) and snap her father out of a coma.

Strangers With Candy opens June 28.

Don’t Mess with Rue

Because the Golden Girl has very good lawyers. First Rue McClanahan lost a $3.75 million dollar default judgment against her for slander — all because she didn’t respond to the complaint in time. Then yesterday, she won a reversal on a very clever technicality.

Turns out the lawyers for a filmmaker suing her — for defamation after a business deal went sour — sent the summons to her agent, not her lawyers, and that's just not cool (or legal).

The decision was unanimous, but Blanche Devereaux is not completely off the hook. The Appeals Court in Los Angeles sent the case back to a lower court to reconsider in light of the mistakes by the plaintiff’s lackluster legal team.

Richard Chamberlain Reunites with “Thorn Birds” Co-Star

Everybody’s favorite tormented priest is going to the dark side. And he couldn’t be happier about it.

“I am a very bad guy in this,” says Chamberlain. “It’s great fun.”

The 72-year-old actor is teaming up with Rachel Ward for the first time since they scorched TVs everywhere with their heated romance in the 1983 miniseries, “The Thorn Birds.” The new project is “Blackbeard,” a Hallmark Channel original movie about a corrupt governor who will stop at nothing -- including having his adopted daughter killed -- to get what he wants.

And just what does Mr. C. want? Well, you’ll have to check out the movie Saturday night (on the Hallmark Channel) to find out.

Dan Abrams Cancels His Own Show

June 13, 2006

MSNBC moved star legal correspondent Dan Abrams — and Anderson Cooper rival in the handsome-young-man-with-gray-hair-department — to the front office. Abrams will now be general manager of the cable news channel.

His first decision? Kill his own show.

“Over the next few months you will hopefully see the network become a little more exciting, a little more vibrant and a little more irreverent,” Abrams said.

Does that mean that he thinks his own show .... Oh, nevermind.

Super-Sized Director Runs Right Into Immigration Fray

As part of his new series on FX, director Morgan Spurlock (maker of the Academy Award nominated Super Size Me about McDonald’s) set up a clash between anti-immigrant Minutemen and a family of illegal immigrants.

As part of “30 Days,” Spurlock put everyone in a one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles in March — the same month huge pro-immigration rallies rocked the country.

FX says their lawyers advised them everything was kosher. But then admit to advising the family to “seek outside counsel.”

Anthony Michael Hall Has No Shame

The 80s heartthrob and star of numerous John Hughes films (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, etc.) may have found a new TV life in “The Dead Zone.” But he's not embarassed about his younger days.

“To be part of some films that people have grown up with…it’s amazing,” the 38-year-old said. “It’s actually quite humbling.”

Hall is quite aware of the new fans he’s earned working for a show on USA, mostly elderly women. One lady approached him recently and grabbed him. She said: “‘I don’t know if I should touch you…but I have to touch you.’”

“I really get a lot of joy out of that,” Hall said.

Burt Reynolds Is Homeless

June 12, 2006

His memorabilia is about to be out on the curb in posh Jupiter Island, Florida. That’s where the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum is located. The center doubles as homage to all things Burt as well as a community center for film education students.

Now, because the Jupiter Town Council wants to make way for a huge bioresearch institute, Reynolds is getting the boot. The town has pledged $3 million to bring Scripps to the community.

“This decision,” says museum director Mike Daniel, “means that we’re looking for a new home.”

Reynolds lives nearby, but has so far not offered to bring the collection home.

Baby for Bateman

Just when we thought it was safe to even consider the beauty of childbirth again — now that Brangelina’s bundle of joy is safely out of Namibia and onto the cover of People — Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka announced they’re having a kid, too.

We at BBCancelled are almost happy because Jason and Amanda just aren’t that famous.

The couple has been married for five years, but skipped the kiddie track to work. Bateman had “Arrested Development” (and “Jake’s Effect”, which you can watch here on this site). Meanwhile Anka, daughter of singer Paul Anka, has been on “Buffy” and “Diagnosis Murder.”

Running of the Brides

Time Square residents woke this morning to bulls, er, brides running through the streets screaming. The game gals were competing for a $25,000 dream wedding — and a spot on WE television’s matrimonial-madness series “Bridezillas.”

The ladies ran an obstacle course in wedding gowns and helmets decorated with Viking horns. The final hurdle was an 8-foot tall, frosting-covered slope nicknamed “Brideback Mountain.”

Casey Scheulen scrambled her way to first place. Her fiancé, Tim McGowan, was in the stands cheering her on. Now they’ll be taking their grand prize — cash, an invasive camera crew, and their lost egos—back to Washingtonville, New York, to start filming.

Let The Freak Fur Fly

It’s a reality show, a commercial, and a whacked-out-catcall. Ten pussycats from shelters nationwide are going to live together in a house. Their feline activities will then be edited down into 10 three-minute segments to air during the 9 p.m. hour on Animal Planet.

Ira Cohen, the channel’s director of marketing says: “This thing is very tongue in cheek,” but it’s also a way to draw attention to the need for pet adoptions.

The “Meow Mix House” will result in two winners, one from judges and the other from viewers voting online. The winners receive “corporate jobs” at Meow Mix.

Deadwood Gets a Star

June 09, 2006

A star fell from the sky and implanted itself on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday. The latest recipient of the concrete honor is “Deadwood” creator David Milch.

The series began its third season Sunday with lots of dust, cussing, and mood music. Still no word about the show's future, but some insiders are saying this season will be the last.

On hand to witness the unveiling — an awkward event that real cowboys would never participate in — was Steven Bochco, who worked with Milch on “Hill Street Blues.”

Next up for Milch is a new show for HBO about surfers tentatively titled “John From Cincinatti.” No word on whether actors will need to be able to surf and swear simultaneously.

Hot Stars Hawk Threads

June 08, 2006

Dr. McDreamy — AKA Patrick Dempsey — is teaming up with his “Grey’s Anatomy” co-star Ellen Pompeo to sell womenswear.

No, Dempsey is not promoting ladies tailored slacks for handsome men like himself. He’s just the eye candy in an ad campaign for New York & Company clothiers. Pompeo had to do all the heavy lifting/modeling.

“Our customer is very invested in TV, in what’s going on and who’s hot,” explains a spokesperson.

In the ads, the couple's chemistry is obvious. No word whether the lovebirds will be singing the same tune when the new season returns in September.

Cybil Moonlights on “The L Word”

Fans of the Showtime's hottest hour will get see Cybill Shephard struggle to come out of the closet in January. The actress with the blondest hair in Hollywood is joining the hot-lesbians-in-L.A. series.

The 56-year-old beauty—who can also sing like a siren, by the way—is slated to appear all season long as a married woman with kids who begins to question her sexuality.

We’ve been questioning her sexuality for decades! Remember how hard it was for her to get “intimate” with Bruce Willis?

Piven Sings Kumbaya in Lotus Position

Days before the new season of “Entourage” begins, Jeremy Piven is taking pains to separate himself from his character — by singing.

If only. Instead, Ari says he does yoga so he can operate from a “more centered place.”

“I think you would be viciously bored by me if you met me,” says Piven. “If I told you the way I am, it would be very kumbaya.”

Uhm…okay. If this is true, then Mr. P. is a better actor than we thought.