Top Story: A Repeat Performance?
Not exactly. Janet Jackson, who has kept a low profile since she caused a public uproar by baring her breast at the Super Bowl halftime show, is coming out of seclusion to host Saturday Night Live next month, Reuter reports. NBC said on Thursday that the 37-year-old pop diva will host and perform on the April 10 show and will no doubt have to pay some sort of tribute to her Super Bowl stunt. Of course, SNL already lampooned the incident, once when guest host Megan Mullally of Will & Grace ripped American Idol star Clay Aiken‘s breast pocket off, and again with a parody of ABC’s Nightline, in which Ted Koppel (played by Darrell Hammond) stymied several Democratic presidential contenders by wanting to talk about nothing else but Jackson. The diva previously appeared on SNL as a musical guest in 1994.
McCartney Richer Than Most
Paul McCartney is rolling in the cash–he has more dough than Elton John, Madonna and Mick Jagger combined, to be precise. Reuters reports that according to Britain’s 2004 Rich Report, the former Beatle is worth $1.3 billion and joins other fellow rich folk on the list such as Sean Connery (estimated at $120 million) and British comedienne Tracey Ullman (estimated at $81.8 million).
Speaking of Money…
Lionel Ritchie‘s estranged wife, Diane Alexander Richie, is asking for $300,000 a month in child and spousal support, The Associated Press reports. She says, “[there was] no limit on what I could spend” during the couple’s nearly seven years of marriage. Diane Richie claimed in court documents that besides taking care of their 5-year-old daughter and the upkeep for their $40 million, 30-room Beverly Hills mansion, she also spent–among many things–$20,000 a year on plastic surgery as well as $50,000 a month on other personal expenses.
Stewart Blames Hollywood Stereotypes on Violence Toward Women
At a press conference to launch an Amnesty International campaign against violence toward women, actor Patrick Stewart felt part of the blame fell on the film industry, citing Quentin Tarantino‘s latest film Kill Bill Vol.1 as an example, Reuters reports. “The entertainment industry has been extremely irresponsible in perpetuating and stereotyping the violent attitudes of men to women,” said Stewart. “I condemn utterly films like Kill Bill. We are told it is about empowering women. All it does is empower a woman to kill other women.”
Jackson Family Collection Sold
Henry V. Vaccaro Sr., 63, who owned a huge collection of stage costumes, photographs, documents and props belonging to Michael Jackson and his famous family, sold the collection to an unnamed buyer who plans to display the collection in Europe and Japan, AP reports. Vaccaro acquired the memorabilia after nine years of legal wrangling with the Jackson family; he says a company formed by the Jacksons had agreed to buy his Neptune N.J.-based Kramer Guitar Co. in 1992, but then defaulted on $1.4 million in payments the next year. Vaccaro ultimately acquired the collection after paying off a storage and shipping bill Jackson family owed to an Oxnard, Calif., warehouse, he told AP.
Reiser Asks Kudrow To Star in Pilot
Now that Lisa Kudrow, formerly of Friends, is a free agent, Paul Reiser, formerly of Mad About You, has asked his old friend to star in his pilot, My 11:30, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The pilot stars Jeff Goldblum as a playboy New York businessman who seeks help from a no-nonsense female shrink. Kudrow is not shopping for a new TV series starring role, but sources told the trade paper that she was considering various ways to help support Reiser‘s pilot, including appearing as a guest star.
Jackman Handles Tonys Hosting Chores…Again
For the second year in a row, Aussie actor Hugh Jackman (X-Men), who starred in the Broadway show The Boy From Oz, will host the 2004 Tony Awards, AP reports. “I’m honored to be invited to host the Tonys for a second time,” Jackman said in a statement. “This, on top of the incredible reception I’ve received from the Broadway community, caps a thrilling year being the new kid on the block.” The three-hour show will be air on June 6 from Radio City Music Hall on CBS.
