Britney Spears' 'Bond' Girl Dreams
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Britney Spears is setting her sights on becoming the next "Bond" girl.
The 22-year-old met with the producers of the "James Bond" franchise during her stay in London to discuss the possibility, according to entertainment newsmagazine "Extra."
The pop princess met with producer Barbara Broccoli, who has been setting up the next 007 installment. Production is slated to begin in January 2005, with a release date around Thanksgiving of that year.
The untitled "Bond 21" will star Pierce Brosnan, reprising the role of the suave agent who has incredible luck with a constantly changing stable of sexy women with ludicrous names.
If Spears gets her wish, she will join the ranks of Kim Basinger, Denise Richards and Halle Berry, who last starred in 2002's "Die Another Day."
Spears starred in 2002's "Crossroads" and appeared in a cameo as herself in "Austin Powers in Goldmember" that same year. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November.
IN ABSENTIA
Reps for Luther Vandross say he is too ill to attend Sunday's Grammy Awards where he's nominated for five awards, including Song of the Year for "Dance with My Father." The singer suffered a severe stroke last April and is still in a wheelchair.
Nicholson Says Wild Days Are Over, Wants Partner
LONDON (Reuters) - Jack Nicholson says periods of loneliness and yearning for a partner have replaced his hell-raising days as one of Hollywood's most notorious womanizers.
"I think it is very unattractive for me to be seen fawning over little, tiny girls," the Oscar-winning actor said. "I didn't feel that for a long time in my life, but now I do.
The 66-year-old said in a newspaper interview in Britain that he still wants a sex life, but can't be bothered to play the dating game.
"Of course I get lonely. Not lonely the way I might have been when I was 25 and it would have filled me with angst.
"I have learned to enjoy times alone. But I wish I had a partner," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper in an interview published Wednesday to promote his film "Something's Got to Give."
Asked whether he could remember his carousing days in the '60s, he replied: "Honey, I am one of those who can remember the '40s."
Although he admits his wildest days are gone, he isn't ready to give up all his old habits and can still cut the mustard between the sheets.
"I only take Viagra when I'm with more than one woman," he quipped.
Nicholson said he wanted to look like he did when he made "The Shining" horror film in 1980.
"I am always a little bit shocked when I look in the mirror. I expect to see some earlier version of myself staring back," he said, adding that he expects to see a 42-year-old Jack.
Nicholson, who divorced actress Sandra Knight in 1968, had a long relationship with Anjelica Huston and more recently dated Lara Flynn Boyle, said he doesn't miss dating.
"Dating just does not happen to be my scene at the moment. You know, I don't want to queue up, I don't want to get in line."
Asked if his life had passed quickly, he replied: "It's been like smoke through a keyhole."
Bowl Sponsor AOL Seeks Refund
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The controversial Super Bowl halftime show, in which Janet Jackson bared a breast to the chagrin of the NFL, CBS and show producer MTV, has touched the world's largest Internet service.
America Online has canceled plans to stream on-demand the halftime show that it reportedly paid $7.5 million to sponsor. The Time Warner-owned firm is reportedly seeking a refund for all or some of that money. Although AOL issued a statement distancing itself from what some government officials are calling a crass halftime performance, a representative declined comment on TW's desire for compensation from Viacom.
"While AOL was the sponsor of the Super Bowl halftime show, we did not produce it," the company said. "Like the NFL, we were surprised and disappointed with certain elements of the show. In deference to our membership and fans, AOL and AOL.com will not be presenting the halftime show online as originally planned."
The $7.5 million AOL paid to sponsor the halftime show included several ads for its new TopSpeed service. The sponsorship, therefore, represents a significant discount to the $2.3 million CBS reportedly charged per 30-second Super Bowl ad.