Brosnan turns in license to kill
Pierce Brosnan appears to giving up his 007 moniker, according to Entertainment Weekly. In an interview on the magazine’s Web site posted Tuesday, the Irish-born actor said 2002’s Die Another Day was his last mission for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, he’s turning in his license to kill. “That’s it. I’ve said all I’ve got to say on the world of James Bond…another lifetime behind me,” Brosnan said. Speculation on who will replace him include King Arthur co-stars Clive Owen and Ioan Gruffudd, as well as fellow Brits Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gerard Butler, Jude Law and Ewan McGregor and Aussies Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger and Eric Bana.
Hoffman aids bee sting victim
Dustin Hoffman and his wife, Lisa, rushed to the aid of a woman who was stung by a bee near the couple’s Malibu, Calif., home two weeks ago, The Associated Press reports. The woman, Lydia Graham, began having a severe allergic reaction after being stung while walking on the beach. As a friend rushed to get help from the beach patrol, the Hoffmans, who witnessed the action from their deck, hurried to Graham’s aid. Lucky break for Graham–Lisa Hoffman is also allergic to bee stings, and used her own emergency injection kit to combat the reaction. Graham, 36, told CBS’s The Early Show, that as her eyes and lips were swelling up and her throat was closing she recognized a familiar face was on the sand with her. “I did recognize that it was Dustin Hoffman but I was sure that…I could possibly die,” Graham said.
On-Air? More like, “Off-Air”
American Idol host Ryan Seacrest‘s syndicated talk show was canceled Tuesday, a day after reports surfaced that the Sinclair Broadcast Group had yanked On-Air With Ryan Seacrest from more than 20 of its TV stations. Twentieth Television, the show’s Fox-owned distributor, said in a statement: “It was our desire that the program would appeal to a wide array of viewers, but unfortunately, the marketplace’s response was not as strong as we had hoped.” On-Air ends production Thursday but will continue to air until Sept. 17, the AP reports. Seacrest, meanwhile, will continue in his host duties on Fox’s American Idol, which heads into its fourth season in January, and as morning disc jockey on Los Angeles’ KIIS-FM.
Timberlake gets restraining order against stalking photographer
A Santa Monica, Calif., judge Tuesday barred a photographer from coming within 50 yards of pop singer Justin Timberlake for the next three years, City News reports. Timberlake, 23, filed a civil harassment suit on July 9, asking for a restraining order against Artemus Earl Lister, alleging the photographer had “stalked and continually harassed ” Timberlake since mid May. On May 26, according to the suit, Lister almost struck Timberlake‘s trainer, Robert Bonner, in the face with a camera. “When I am driving on the street, (Lister) drives recklessly, erratically and aggressively, and endangers the safety of myself, my passengers and innocent drivers on the roadway,” Timberlake stated. Meanwhile, in other Timberlake court news, the singer also filed suit in London against the British tabloid News of the World, for a story reporting he cheated on girlfriend Cameron Diaz with British model Lucy Clarkson, publicist Ken Sunshine told City News. “Justin never met the woman in question, and we are confident a lot of money will be won for a wonderful charity when we win this case,” Sunshine said.
Sizemore back in court is Fleiss case
Speaking of endless court battles, Tom Sizemore was ordered yesterday to appear in court Aug. 5 to set another hearing over whether he violated probation after being convicted of abusing ex-girlfriend and former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. Sizemore was sentenced in October to six months in jail on misdemeanor charges of harassing, annoying and physically abusing Fleiss during their two-year relationship. His probation terms called for him to stay away from Fleiss, undergo counseling for domestic violence and anger management and submit to regular drug testing. Prosecutors allege the actor violated his probation by contacting Fleiss and testing positive for drugs. Sizemore‘s lawyer, however, told the AP Sizemore is doing well and did not violate his probation.
Rocco DiSpirito not only loses restaurant, he’s barred from it
Rocco DiSpirito, the TV chef of NBC’s primetime reality series The Restaurant, lost a battle in New York civil court Tuesday against the eatery’s co-owner. Variety reports Jeffrey Chodorow can now sell Rocco’s restaurant, or renovate it under a different name, without any input from the chef. Acting Justice Ira Gammerman also issued a restraining order to keep DiSpirito from setting foot in the restaurant. Chodorow and his investment group, China Grill Management, had sued DiSpirito, claiming he mismanaged the restaurant, causing the group financial losses. DiSpirito claims Rocco’s had begun to make money in the last few months and has a shot at becoming successful.
Paris and Nicole to host Teen Choice Awards
The Simple Life stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie will host the 2004 Teen Choice Awards, Fox announced Tuesday. The AP reports the awards are unveiling new categories this year, including “Choice Hissy Fit,” “Choice Liplock” and “Choice Movie Your Parents Didn’t Want You to See.” Not such surprising categories, considering the awards are voted on by teens aged 13 through 19. The award show, taping Aug. 8 at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, will air Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. Other appearances will include Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Usher and Ashton Kutcher.
Guylaine Cadorette contributed to this report.
