Ferrell, Vaughn Join Kilborn's Farewell
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Craig Kilborn will say goodbye to late-night TV with some of the folks who provided clip-worthy material on "The Late Late Show."
Kilborn's farewell show will air Friday (Aug. 27). "The Late Late Show" is then going into reruns for three weeks and will return in mid-September with a roster of yet-to-be-named guest hosts.
"Elf" and "Anchorman" star Will Ferrell, actor Vince Vaughn -- whose name is oft mentioned as a potential guest host -- and actress Marlee Matlin will be among Kilborn's final guests. Former Batman Adam West and Martin Mull will also join Kilborn, as will entertainer extraordinaire Wayne Newton, via satellite from Las Vegas.
Friday's show will also include highlights from Kilborn's five years on "The Late Late Show," which he took over after the departure of Tom Snyder in 1999.
Kilborn announced earlier this month that he wasn't asking for a contract renewal from CBS and Worldwide Pants, which produces the show. His departure came as something of a surprise, leading to the scramble for guest hosts.
Charlize Theron to be new face of Christian Dior's fragrance J'adore
NEW YORK (AP) - Add Christian Dior to the list of Charlize Theron fans. The company announced Thursday that the Oscar winner will be the new face of J'adore, the designer's fragrance that debuted in 2000.
Theron will start appearing in print ads and TV commercials next month -about the same time that ads for Chanel No. 5, featuring another Oscar winner, Nicole Kidman, debut.
"Ms. Theron was chosen because she represents modern femininity and embodies the spirit and energy of Dior. She is a classic beauty," said Pamela Baxter, president and CEO of LVMH Perfumes and Cosmetics, Dior's parent company.
The advertising deal with Theron is the first one between the beauty brand and a celebrity. Dior's artistic director John Galliano oversaw all aspects of the ad campaign.
Paris Hilton to Publish 198-Page Memoir
NEW YORK - Paris Hilton is trying on a new outfit: a hard cover. The model-reality TV star is publishing a 198-page memoir, "Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose," (Fireside).
Though the missing Chihuahua saga was too recent to make the book, Hilton writes about her youth as an heiress in a "really close" family. Excerpts of the book (to hit shelves Sept. 7) are printed in the Sept. 6 issue of People magazine.
"It's traditional for an heiress to be raised in a sheltered way," she writes. "No one thinks that's true of me, but it actually was."
Still, Hilton insists that she was not coddled: "The rumor is that I got a credit card at age 9, which is ridiculous. It was more like 19, and I had to get one myself without my parents."
Her "Confessions" reveal a girl not as confident as the runway model frequently seen in the tabloids. "It was so embarrassing being flat-chested that I wore padded bras til I was 17. Now, I'm happy to be small. It looks better in clothes. But back then I was really insecure."
The notorious party-girl also feels a change coming: "I don't always want the glamorous, jet-set life. Let's face it, I've done it. Someday soon, I want to have children and a big house with a lot of animals — like my parents had."
Hilton's memoirs are not without fashion tips, either. "Trust me, people act differently to you when you've got jewelry on your head."
MTV Awards May Be Toned Down
NEW YORK - In the 21-year history of MTV's Video Music Awards, viewers have been treated to some eye-popping moments — Prince's bare buttocks, Lil' Kim's sequined pasty, Britney and Madonna's steamy kiss last year.
But after the firestorm over the MTV-produced Super Bowl halftime show, in which Justin Timberlake ripped off part of Janet Jackson's costume to reveal her bare breast, might we see tamer VMAs when they air Sunday?
MTV President Van Toffler isn't promising any flesh-baring moments. But he's also not promising a Nickelodeon-friendly affair.
"You never know what they're going to do or say," Toffler said of the various artists who will converge at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, where the awards will be held for the first time. "Our audience has come to expect of MTV, and this event, very unpredictable, compelling television. That is not going to change, regardless of the Super Bowl or the kiss."
Still, there's talk of using a video delay for the first time on the live broadcast (it's had an audio delay for years).
"It simply happens when you put musicians and artists together: They don't always do want you want them to do," Toffler told The Associated Press in an interview.
That's usually the best part of the show, however. Few watch because of the awards — who can even remember last year's top winner for video of the year? (In case you forgot, it was Missy Elliott's surreal "Work It?") Instead, people watch to see Eminem threaten a sock puppet, Diana Ross fondle Lil' Kim's breast or Michael Jackson kiss then-wife Lisa Marie Presley.
"It's always a fun time, a time to relax and let loose," said Jessica Simpson, one of the performers slated for Sunday night.
Other presenters and performers include Usher, Jennifer Lopez, P. Diddy, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, Dave Chapelle, Will Smith, Hilary Duff and the Miami Heat's newest member — Shaquille O'Neal.
There will be awards to dole out — Jay-Z's gritty "99 Problems," which depicts his own killing as a metaphor for his supposed retirement, received the most nominations: six.
Other multiple nominees include his girlfriend, Beyonce, for her videos "Me Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl"; OutKast for "Hey Ya!"; and No Doubt's "It's My Life."
Usher is up for five awards. He's never won a moonman trophy, so he told the AP that a win "would mean the world. You don't win one every day, and it's very hard to get one."
But for those not nominated, it's a big party.
Traditionally, the show has been held in New York; occasionally, in Los Angeles. But for the first time, it's being held outside those two cities, in Miami. The network plans to take advantage of the beach town — celebrities will ferried to the red carpet on luxury yachts.
"Everybody's on a vacation mindset. It's going to be more of a party this time," Simpson said. "It will be nice to lay out at the pool before I perform."
There will be other changes too. There's no host, and it will be held on a Sunday, instead of the traditional Thursday night.
"There's just so much going on this summer with the conventions and the Olympics," Toffler explained. "Sunday night's a festive night over the summer."
There's usually a surprise element to the awards, in the form of a special performer or presenter. Toffler teased: "I would not be late to the show, especially in light of what happened last year," referring to the Madonna, Spears and Aguilera performance that kicked off the show and led to same-sex kissing.
Simpson says her performance will include a "pretty cool entrance." But don't expect anything shocking from her.
"I'm not good at shocking people unless I'm letting some `Chicken of the Sea' comment fly out my mouth," she said, joking about her infamous bubbleheaded comment. "I think leaving more to the imagination is better, and that's sexier to me."
Although Toffler says MTV hasn't issued any edicts to performers to be on their best behavior, he doesn't expect any Jackson-Timberlake moments at the show.
"At the end of the day, what Janet Jackson did at the Super Bowl didn't work for her, and the artists that we work with are professionals," he said.
R.E.M. Not Feeling Sunny for New 'Around the Sun'
NEW YORK (Reuters) - When R.E.M. went into the studio last year to record its 15th album, the influential rock band didn't set out to make political statements or tributes to Sept. 11 victims, but a recent first listen to "Around the Sun" revealed that is exactly what they did.
After sifting through a handful of songs ranging from rock tunes to brooding acoustic ballads, the album's mood suggested itself, the band's members told Reuters. "Around The Sun" became about "capturing the feeling of what it's like to live in America right now," guitarist Peter Buck said.
"We didn't set out to make a pointedly political record ... but to me the overwhelming feeling is sadness. Sadness for the families that have lost loved ones. Sadness for my children who have to grow up in a country where much of what we consider essential freedoms are disappearing."
The album is due in record stores on Oct. 5 in the United States and Oct. 4 internationally on Warner Brothers Records, but the band was offering an early preview to reporters late last week.
The band eliminated the harder rocking songs, making the final version a brooding affair that contains elements of every period of the band's career including the familiar 12-string guitar chimes of their early music, the acoustic ballads of "Automatic For The People" and the subtle textured sounds of their last two albums, "Up" and "Reveal."
It also contains singer Michael Stipe's most directly political lyrics to date on the song "Final Straw." "As I raise my head to broadcast my objection/As your latest triumph draw the final straw/Who died and lifted you up to perfection/And what silenced me is written into law."
The band's politics will be put into action this fall when they join Bruce Springsteen and others on the "Vote For Change" tour to benefit the liberal MoveOn political action committee.
SPEAKING OUT WITH SONGS
"Given the dire situation we find ourselves in, it was inevitable that (politics) would creep into the music," said bassist Mike Mills. "As a citizen, you have to do everything in your power to make things better, whether that's writing songs or playing the 'Vote For Change' tour."
Stipe has been ambivalent about his role. "I always believed that music and politics do not mix," he said. "It's like oil and water. There are people who write great political songs. I'm not one of them," he said. "I tried for four months not to write political songs. Finally, I gave in."
Stipe's lyrics are abstract enough to throw listeners off the scent and Mills said they remain "open to interpretation."
R.E.M. wrote many of the rules for indie rock in the 1980s with a combination of jangly folk rock, punk attitude, oblique lyrics and a stubbornly independent and tireless work ethic.
When they jumped to Warner Bros, one of the world's largest record labels, their albums got weirder, and more popular, with hits like "Losing My Religion," "Stand" and "Man On The Moon." But as the 90s wore on, their audience in the U.S. evaporated, while overseas the band's popularity grew exponentially.
It remains to be seen if "Around the Sun" can reinvigorate sales in the U.S. Each of the band's last four albums sank lower than the previous one on album charts.
Buck will not allow himself to be deluded: "I don't expect 18-year-old kids to go berserk and start dressing like us."
"Take Bob Dylan," he said. "In 1975, people thought he was going to be president. Now he plays 3,000 seat theaters. His last two records are the best things he's done in years. So I won't calculate who our audience is. I'll take whoever I can get at whatever level I can get them."
SCTV is on the air again
Shout! Factory has a second volume of Canadian Sketch Comedy on the way with SCTV: Volume 2 arriving in October.
SCTV Volume 2 picks up where the first volume left off, presenting nine more 90-minute shows from SCTV's memorable fourth season. Originally broadcast on NBC in 1981 and 1982, this set contains several of the episodes widely considered to be SCTV's best. Eugene Levy in "The Jazz Singer" or John Candy as the village idiot in the Russian TV show "Hey Giorgy!" are just two examples of the level of excellence the series achieved throughout this season. "CCCP 1," "The Godfather," "Zontar" and "Teacher's Pet" are some of the inspired wraparounds for these memorable shows.
Several featurettes are on the set including Larger Than Life: The Norman Seeff Photo Sessions, SCTV Remembers, The SCTV Writers and The Juul Haalmeyer Dancers. Also included are photo galleries.
It all arrives on October 19th!
Woo hoo!!!
Shania to release hits package
Canadian country queen Shania Twain has recorded three new tracks for a forthcoming greatest hits package, Universal Music has announced.
"Party For Two," one of the three new songs, will be the first single off the 21-track "Greatest Hits." Two versions of the single were recorded -- one with Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath, and the other with country artist Billy Currington.
The compilation is scheduled to hit Canadian stores on November 9.
Twain's last album, 2002's "Up!," spent a record 11 straight weeks on top of the Nielsen SoundScan charts.
Here's the full track listing for "Greatest Hits":
"Forever and For Always"
"I'm Gonna Getcha Good"
"UP!"
"Come On Over"
"Man! I Feel Like A Woman!"
"That Don't Impress Me Much"
"From This Moment"
"Honey, I'm Home"
"You're Still The One"
"Don't Be Stupid"
"Love Gets Me Every Time"
"No One Needs To Know"
"You Win My Love"
"I'm Outta Here"
"The Woman In Me"
"Any Man Of Mine"
"Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?"
"Party for Two' (with Mark McGrath)" (new track)
"Don't!" (new track)
"Party for Two (with Billy Currington)" (new track)
"I Ain't No Quitter" (new track)
New Tunage
Here are the new music releases for Tuesday, August 24, 2004:
BILL FRISELL Unspeakable (Nonesuch/Warner)
DAVID BYRNE Live At Union Chapel (MVA)
DAWN UPSHAW Voices Of Light (Nonesuch/Warner)
FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS Greatest Hits (Rhino)
FINN BROTHERS Everyone Is Here (Nettwerk)
GLASS TIGER No Turning Back: Glass Tiger 1985-2005 (EMI)
GUIDED BY VOICES Half Smiles of the Decomposed (Matador)
INSTRUCTION God Doesn't Care (Geffen)
JASON MRAZ Tonight Not Again: Jason Mraz Live At The Eagles Ballroom (Elektra)
JASON MRAZ Tonight Not Again: Jason Mraz Live At The Eagles Ballroom (Elektra)
JOHN BUTLER TRIO What You Want (Atlantic)
KEITH SWEAT The Best of Keith Sweat: The Video Collection (Rhino)
KELLY R Happy People/U Saved Me (Zomba)
KIDZ BOP KIDS Kidz Bop Halloween (Razor & Tie)
LAURA VEIRS Carbon Glacier (Nonesuch/Warner)
MARBLE INDEX The Marble Index (Universal Music Canada)
MASE Welcome Back (Bad Boy)
MIDTOWN Forget What You Know (Sony)
PHIL COLLINS Ballads (Warner)
RAY CHARLES OST Ray! (Rhino)
RAY CHARLES OST Ray! (Rhino)
RAY ROBINSON What It Is (Soulclap)
REED LOU NYC Man - The Greatest Hits (RCA)
TIFT MERRITT Tambourine (Lost Highway/Universal)
TIM MCGRAW Live Like You Were Dying (Curb)
VARIOUS (ANIME) Tranformers Armada: Best Of The Autobots (Rhino)
VARIOUS (ANIME) Tranformers Armada: Best Of the Decepticons (Rhino)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Disney Karaoke - Aladdin/Disney, Karaoke - Radio Disney (Disney)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Park Hyatt Chicago: On The Seventh (Milan)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Soul To Soul (MVA)
VARIOUS ARTISTS Legends Of Bluegrass (Time Life)
VOIVOD Negatron (Linus Entertainment)
The Couch Potato Report - August 24th, 2004
This week in The Couch Potato Report there are women who are enchanted, smitten and one who lives next door.
Over the last few months there have been a slew of films that have come out that have been perfect for young girls and no one else. THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE and CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN are two recent examples.
But I am happy to report that this week's first film is not only a movie that is perfect for young girls, but the rest of us can enjoy it too!
ELLA ENCHANTED is a movie where fairy tales and contemporary satire collide.
The charming and personable Anne Hathaway from THE PRINCESS DIARIES is Elle. Upon birth she receives an unfortunate gift from her fairy godmother: No matter what anyone tells her to do, she's compelled to obey.
In order to have this unfortunate gift removed, Ella must brave a forest packed with ogres, elves, and giants to find her fairy godmother, as only she - the giver of the gift - can take it back.
Sounds pretty standard, right? Well, much like the SHREK films, ELLA ENCHANTED has many modern jokes and comedic references to traditional stories.
While ELLA ENCHANTED isn't as thoroughly entertaining as either SHREK movie, I liked it a lot.
Anne Hathaway is perfectly cast, and perfectly lovely, and the supporting cast of Cary Elwes from THE PRINCESS BRIDE, Minnie Driver of GROSSE POINTE BLANK and Monty Python's Eric Idle as the narrator are all wonderful.
Yes, wonderful. That is the word I will use to describe the cast and the entire movie. ELLA ENCHANTED is wonderful.
Sadly, even though the cast of LAWS OF ATTRACTION is also wonderful, the movie itself is not.
Julianne Moore from THE HOURS and current JAMES BOND Pierce Brosnan star in LAWS OF ATTRACTION as divorce lawyers. In court they have many conflicts and when they are in Ireland they "accidentally" get married.
LAWS OF ATTRACTION doesn't have an original moment in it, but somehow Moore and Brosnan rise above the material.
As I said, the cast of LAWS OF ATTRACTION is wonderful, the movie itself is not.
The final new film this week is also less than wonderful, although the star does have some talent.
Canada's Elisha Cuthbert, from the television show 24, is THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.
In this modern day remake of RISKY BUSINESS a high school boy takes his ex-porn star neighbor to his prom.
There are some good laughs in this movie, but it just doesn't know if it wants to be a raunchy comedy or a film that teenagers can see.
That indecision stops the film in its tracks every time it starts to get going.
RISKY BUSINESS knew what it wanted to be and that is why it is a modern day classic.
THE GIRL NEXT DOOR is just a modern day release.
ELLA ENCHANTED, LAWS OF ATTRACTION and THE GIRL NEXT DOOR are all available now at your favourite local video store.
COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUCH POTATO REPORT
Mel Gibson's controversial, but oh so successful film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST will debut on video and DVD. It stars Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci and tells the story of the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life.
In TWISTED Ashley Judd plays another one of her patented tough-but-misunderstood-women-who-get-into-trouble roles. This time she's a detective must solve serial killings to exonerate herself. Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia co-star.
And
Star Trek nerds unite! STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON features all 29 first-run episodes, and a starship full of extras, on eight discs.
Oh yeah!!
I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.
For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.
Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next week on The Couch!