Top Stories
If you’re planning to see Ocean’s Eleven, prepare yourself for some deja vu come 2002, as George Clooney will make his directorial with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, starring Ocean’s pals Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts. The film, set to begin shooting in January, is a comedic biopic about Gong Show host Chuck Barris.
The early list of presenters and performers at the upcoming American Music Awards–set to air January 9 on ABC–has been released. Presenters include Alicia Keys, Chris Klein, LeAnn Rimes, Frankie Muniz, Method Man, Niki Taylor, Tyrese and many more entertainment stars. Performers include Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn and Cher.
Deaths
William Jovanovich, chief executive and chairman of publishing house Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, died of a heart attack on Tuesday in his home in Point Loma, Calif., his family announced Thursday. He was 81.
Married
Cast Away director Robert Zemeckis pulled a disappearing act of his own on Tuesday: he secretively eloped, marrying actress Leslie Harter in Venice, Italy. This is Zemeckis‘ second marriage.
Honored
A life-size bronze statue was dedicated to late actor Cary Grant on Friday in the British city of Bristol, his hometown. Grant‘s widow, Barbara Jaynes, unveiled the statue, which was paid for by the people of Bristol.
In General
On Thursday, Robert De Niro announced that he plans to launch a new event called the Tribeca Film Festival in lower Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. The festival, to be held just north of “ground zero,” the location of the World Trade Center collapse, will commence May 1, 2001 and last for five days, showcasing 40 films from around the world.
While CBS pulled off a victory in total primetime viewers in the November sweeps, the Eye Network also performed well in late-night ratings for the month, according to Nielsen Media Research. The Late Show with David Letterman had its best November since 1997, up 21% in viewers 18-49, while The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn shot up 25% in the same key demographic.
After three years on the hit NBC drama ER, actress Michael Michele–who plays Dr. Cleo Finch–is leaving the show due to physical duress caused by constant cross-country flights from New York to Los Angeles. Michele plays Will Smith‘s wife in the upcoming film Ali.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan taped an episode of Sesame Street on Thursday, The Associated Press reports. Annan will serve as a peacekeeper in the episode, teaching Elmo and the gang how to get along as friends.
Hot on the heels of the success of Harry Potter and the buzz surrounding The Lord of the Rings, Walden Media announced on Thursday that they have joined forces with The C.S. Lewis Co. to produce a live-action film based on the novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Walden Media, a newcomer on the studio scene, plans to produce all seven of Lewis’ popular “Narnia” novels.
