The Academy Awards show will probably go on as scheduled Sunday, but for the first time in its 75-year history there won't be any red carpets or bleachers filled with fans. Joan Rivers, among other celeb interviewers, will have to find other gigs. In a sign of the seriousness of it all, shoe designer Stuart Weitzman has pulled a pair of $1.5 million ruby and platinum shoes that were going to be on loan to an unnamed actress. Perhaps clicking the heels of such shoes is just what we need right now. (LA Times)
Shunning French wine and lingerie may be enough for some, but others are suggesting boycotts of shows with stars considered "appeasement-loving celebs." Included in the list are Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, Laurence Fishburn, Sheryl Crow, Alfre Woodard and Jackson Browne. The NY Post goes on to say: "You've probably already stopped watching NBC's "The West Wing" on Wednesdays, thanks to Martin Sheen. Now, you can skip the network's new political series "Mr. Sterling" on Fridays, since it stars the peacenik James Whitmore." But what do we do if we don't know where our favorite star stands, politically? Where is Mister Rogers when we need him?
We've come a long way from Khrushchev. The latest Russian export is a controversial "lesbian" duo Tatu. The concept was created in 1999 by a former child psychologist, Ivan Shapovalov, to cause buzz -- and he succeeded. Their debut album, "200km/hour in the Wrong Lane," has sold more than 1 million copies and their single, "All the Things She Said," is No. 20 on the U.S. Billboard chart. The two 18-year-old girlskies have been taught well how to taunt. They are spotted with boyfriends, but are also shown kissing and holding hands on their video while a Russian Orthodox priest crosses himself. Move over, Madonna! (CNN)
Speaking of Russia, Sir Paul McCartney just announced he'll play for the first time in Moscow -- in Red Square no less -- on May 24 as part of a world tour that starts its European leg in Paris on March 24. (Ananova)
Christopher Guest's Nigel Tufnel in "Spinal Tap" rivals the work of Peter Sellers, and his "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show" were genius. Now he takes on the world of folk music in "A Mighty Wind." We can't wait. (NY Times)
Finally, someone has said in public what we've all been thinking! Al Pacino on Robert De Niro's recent film-role choices: "I think he needs cash." (Cindy Adams) But we can't forget the great things both actors have done, including "Heat" (the only film they act in together), which James Wolcott brilliantly remembers in this month's Vanity Fair.
We've been thinking it's time to hear from Lawrence of Arabia and, delightfully, we get to since he's doing interviews about his upcoming honorary Oscar. Peter O'Toole came of age in 1950s London with the likes of Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Michael Caine, Richard Burton, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson. Listening to or reading O'Toole's stories is like being with those chaps in a pub with several pints in you. In one chat he remembers pissing in a sink while meeting future gal pal Kate Hepburn. Do memories get any better than that? (Guardian)
Bookmark the Fix here.
Shares