JC Chasez on 'America's Best Dance Crew'
In anticipation of the June 19 second season premiere of Randy Jackson's MTV reality show America’s Best Dance Crew, our Reyhaneh Fathieh chatted with show judge and former 'NSync-er JC Chasez about dance, a boy band reunion, and, of course, famous bandmate Justin Timberlake and his troubled ex-girlfriend Britney Spears. Read more below for the full report on JC, and be sure to catch the show's live casting special tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET on MTV. This season, viewers can vote on which dance crews makes the cut.
Tim McGraw sings at Wal-Mart meeting
Here's a reason to buy stock in Wal-Mart: Shareholders meetings that turn into private concerts. Tim McGraw, who performed last night in New Jersey, flew to today's meeting in Arkansas after the concert and then headed to his next show tonight in Buffalo, N.Y. He played standards like Everywhere and his ode to fallen heroes, If You're Reading This, and said thanks for all the support he's received from Wal-Mart and associates. "You have been a big part of my success and my wife's success," said McGraw.
Jessica Alba's baby name
USA WEEKEND concentrates on men's health this week but don't miss the magazine's interview with Jessica Alba, who stars with Mike Myers in his comedy The Love Guru, out June 20. Alba dishes with our writer Monica Collins on everything from religion to new husband Cash Warren's favorite dessert (hint: it involves doughnuts).
However, when it comes to the most personal matters, Alba remains tight-lipped. She is expecting a baby this summer and told Collins she had no plans to get married before the baby's arrival. She then got married May 19. She was coy with us about what she'll name her baby, though it has been well-reported that she's having a girl whom she'll name Honor. Monica did manage to unearth one little-known personal fact — Alba's own birth name was Farrah-Dawn Louisa Alba. "My parents named me one name and then named me another," Alba explained. "They had to change my name on my birth certificate."
(photo by George Kraychyk/(c) 2008 by Paramount Pictures)
Weekend Outlook
If you're fighting bad weather as much of the country has been this week (here in Washington, D.C., it's now 100-degree heat indexes), consider renting one of the many DVDs out this week. For a good laugh, try these flicks by some of the "frat packers": Vince Vaughn's Wild West Show, or Semi-Pro (at right) starring Will Ferrell and just about any other comedic actor you've ever seen. I watched Semi-Pro last night, and although it's not as funny as Ferrell's Anchorman it's definitely funnier than his Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
For a slightly more intellectual time killer, pick up David Sedaris' new book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. And be sure to check out his interview on EW.com There are several laugh-out-loud parts, including my favorite reveal — he likes "museum gift shops, not the museums themselves."
I know it's swimsuit season, but it's National Donut Day, who knew? Krispy Kreme is giving away one free doughnut per customer today.
Or, if you'd prefer to do good while carbo loading, swing by any Einstein Bros. Bagels or Noah's Bagels location this weekend. You can get a bagel and shmear for $.99 (usually $2.49) and donate the difference to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Speaking of food, Kim Cattrall (at right) hosts the James Beard Awards in New York City on Sunday. The Beard Awards are the Oscars of the food business and among nominees are Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck. Tonight is the Media Awards Dinner where the Beard foundation honors the best food journalists. I wish I could be at that dinner.
Kung Fu Panda opens this weekend, though we’ve heard all about it (and Jack Black’s reveal about Angelina Jolie’s twins) since its premiere at the Cannes. Is anyone else confused as to why an animated movie about a bear debuted at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival? Seems like that festival's entry requirements may be getting a little watered down.
(photo by Frank Masi/New Line Cinema)
Happy birthday to Sandra Bernhard
Birthday wishes go out to singer/actress/comedian Sandra Bernhard (at left), who turns 53 today. Actors Paul Giamatti and Lukas Haas turn 41 and 32, respectively, while former NHL player Cam Neely turns 43.
(photo via pr.com)
June 05, 2008
Jimmy Smits will be in Dexter
Jimmy Smits somehow forgot to mention when we talked this week that he has a new TV gig. Showtime announced today that Smits will join the creepy but spellbinding Dexter as an assistant D.A. or, as the press release puts it, "an ambitious, charismatic assistant district attorney who comes from one of Miami’s most politically powerful and beloved families." It sounds like a good and challenging place for Smits to be so Bravo, Jimmy.
Anderson Cooper says subbing for Regis is fun
Like many of my readers, I think Anderson Cooper (at right) is an outstanding reporter. That's why I chose to feature him in this weekend's print Who's News column. Unfortunately, we didn't have room for all the interesting answers he wrote to our e-mailed questions (it was the one way we could get him quickly), so I'm sharing here.
Q. We've seen you subbing for Regis Philbin on Live with Regis and Kelly. How do you like that? Could you see yourself doing a talk show in your future?
Sitting next to Kelly Ripa is one of the funnest jobs I've ever had. She and Gelman, the whole team over there are a joy to work with. My favorite part of the show is the fifteen minutes of chat in the beginning. It's all unscripted, but Kelly is so smart and funny she makes it seem easy. She is a major talent. As for doing something like that in my future? I should be so lucky.
Q. Do you think the traditional network nightly newscasts are still important? Can they be fixed (to interest more viewers) or do you think there's just so much news available all day on cable and internet that younger people don't consider nightly news vital?
Those broadcasts are still watched by a lot of people, so of course, they are still very relevant. I don't think they will be able to attract more young viewers, however. All of us are working longer and fewer and fewer of us are home at 6:30 for the traditional network newscast. That being said, the broadcast networks can do a better job of reaching out to news consumers on multiple platforms.
Q, What are some things you do when you're not working? Hobbies? Etc.?
My deal (to be on) 60 Minutes is that I can only work for them on holidays and weekends, so I am pretty much working most of the time. In my spare time I've been fixing up my house for a while and I read a lot.
Q. If you weren't a journalist, you'd be a....
...... lot less tired.
(photo courtesy cnn.com)
Steve Winwood on 'American Idol,' Tom Petty
Steve Winwood has had a busy spring, with his new CD, Nine Lives, out now and a national tour underway. He took some time out of his hectic schedule to talk to Who's News writer Gayle Carter about his thoughts on American Idol, the state of music today and working with Tom Petty.
How do you listen to new music? Do you have an iPod, or prefer records or CDs?
I do have an iPod but I don’t listen to it much. The other thing is, musicians are different than music lovers. That's something that was taught to me by an African musician: Musicians were not quite the same as music lovers. We don’t listen to the music for fun, we do it to get something from it. My wife tells me I can’t
listen to music and drive at the same time because I’ll take a wrong turn, I’ll stop at a green light. Often when I’m listening in the car, I’ll have to listen to talk radio.
What do you think of American Idol or its British counterpart? (Winwood splits his time between U.S. and U.K.)
Not to take it away from American Idol or what these talent shows do...the singers are very talented, many of
them. I just think it's quite industry driven. There are a lot of other musicians much more innovative than in these televised talent shows.
Are there younger, new artists you like?
There is some good music around at the moment. I don’t always know the names, but I hear it from my children. I’m not one of these people who think that the best music happened in the ’60s and ’70s. Now, it will never be the same, but industry change is ultimately quite good for music. Even if it’s not that good for the industry, it’s good for music.
You’re headed out on tour this summer with Tom Petty. Do you have rituals or things you do to get ready for shows?
This tour we’re doing with Tom Petty this summer, we only play for a little over an hour so it’s very hard (to make song selections). Because of that we change it up each night. As far as diet and exercise, I make sure -- I’m 59, not as young as I once was -- to exercise. I walk, I swim -- I'm not big on the gymnasium. I’m very careful what I eat.
(photo courtesy stevewinwood.com)
Happy birthday to Mark Wahlberg, Brian McKnight
Happy 37th birthday to Mark Wahlberg (at left), whose new movie, The Happening, opens next Friday. Kenny G. turns 52 today, while Brian McKnight turns 39 and Chad Allen turns 34.
(photo via usaweekend.com)
June 04, 2008
Jewel's country CD in stores now
Jewel's new CD hit stores yesterday, and is being billed as her first country album. After a few listens, our Kathy Rowings reports that, despite the country label, Perfectly Clear sounds perfectly similar to Jewel's previous records. "Sure, it's got a slight country twang, but Jewel's voice and singing style haven't changed at all. Adding some fiddles in the background may change the sound a bit, but this really isn't 'country' — like so many artists trying to enter the country genre these days, Jewel has actually gone country-pop." That's not necessarily a bad thing, particularly if you enjoy Jewel's other CDs, but we doubt she'll be getting real country props anytime soon. If you want to give it a listen yourself, click here. And if you want to read about Jewel's work to end homelessness, which we talked to her about a few months ago, click here.
