Top Story: Polanski, Eminem Give Thanks
Exiled director Roman Polanski feels honored by winning the Best Director Oscar for his Holocaust drama The Pianist, Reuters reports. “I am deeply touched to have received the Oscar for best director for a film which recounts events which are so close to my personal experience, events which helped me to understand that art can transcend pain,” Polanski said Tuesday in a brief statement. “I thank the members of the Academy with all my heart for this magnificent reward.” Meanwhile, the evening’s other no-show was Best Song winner Eminem, aka Marshall Mathers, who won for his “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile. The Associated Press reports a spokesman for the rapper said Eminem was surprised by the win, but that he is “always thankful when the work he puts into his music is recognized by others.”
In More Eminem News…
As hot as Eminem is after his Oscar win, the sales from the DVD version of his debut film 8 Mile is even hotter. According to Variety, buyers spent more than $75 million on the Universal Studios Home Video release, the most ever for an R-rated film in the first week and among the top 10 overall.
NBC, Bravo Snap Up Chicago
Wasting no time, NBC and sister network Bravo have purchased the rights to Best Picture winner Chicago, Variety reports. Details of the deal weren’t fully revealed but Variety states Miramax Films will pocket about $13 million, far less than the benchmark of 15 percent of domestic box office, which indicates a winning network sale. Chicago has grossed $134.1 million so far.
P. Diddy Rekindles Love With Ex-Girlfriend
Looking for a little love in his life, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs has reconciled with his former girlfriend and mother of his youngest son, model Kim Porter, even after their bitter child-support battle that was settled in 2002. “My love life is straight. I’m back with Kim,” the rap mogul told People magazine in its March 31 issue.
Rowling Has Her Own Little Harry
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and husband Neil Murray welcomed their first child, a son, David Gordon Rowling Murray, Sunday in Scotland, Reuters reports. Rowling has a 10-year-old daughter from her first marriage.
Will & Grace “Just Jack” Lawsuit Settled
Will the real Jack please stand up? A lawsuit filed against Will & Grace writer Jason “Max” Mutchnick by his friend, interior designer Jack Deamer, claiming Deamer was the model for Sean Hayes‘ character Jack McFarland has been settled out of court, Reuters reports. The suit states Mutchnick, who patterned the TV Jack after Deamer, had promised to buy the real Jack a house and a car if the show were to become a hit.
Miss Mass. is Miss USA
Speaking of frivolity, the age-old beauty pageant Miss USA crowned Miss Massachusetts Susie Castillo as 2003’s reigning beauty. Castillo, 23, of Lawrence, Mass., takes the crown from Shauntay Hinton, who represented the District of Columbia in last year’s event. AP reports Castillo, an office manager and model, will be America’s candidate in the Miss Universe pageant in June in Panama City, Panama.
