HOLLYWOOD - Top Story: Political Missteps Continue to Dog Schwarzenegger
You can't say they didn't warn him. The Smoking Gun Web site, known for unearthing sordid details about celebrities' lives, dug up a 1977 interview that the Calif. gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger did with the now-defunct magazine Oui, in which he described experiences with drugs and group sex plus his views on penis size and posing for gay magazines, Reuters reports. In the interview, Schwarzenegger admitted to joining in on an orgy with one woman and several other bodybuilders at a Gold's Gym in Venice, Calif and also said men "shouldn't feel like fags just because they want to have nice-looking bodies ... Gay people are fighting the same kind of stereotyping that bodybuilders are: People have certain misconceptions about them just as they do about us." Reuter reports Schwarzenegger recently spoke on a talk radio show in Los Angeles, to discuss his views on topics such as abortion (he's pro-choice), gay marriages (he is against them) and illegal immigrants (he doesn't believe they should be allowed to get driver's licenses). When asked about the Oui interview, Schwarzenegger simply replied, "I haven't lived my life to be a politician."
Kill Bill Pas Deux
Miramax will release the Volume Two of Quentin Tarantino's three-hour bloody opus Kill Bill Feb. 20, Variety reports, thus alleviating any worries about Oscar campaigning for the two halves at the same time. Kill Bill Volume One is set to hit theaters Oct. 10.
Cash Hospitalized With Stomach Problem
Country music icon Johnny Cash was hospitalized in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday with a stomach ailment, Reuters reports. The problem, however, is not related to Cash's chronic nervous system disorder called autonomic neuropathy, which makes him susceptible to pneumonia and other illnesses. His spokeswoman told Reuters he watched the MTV Video Music Awards Thursday, hoping to win for his music video "Hurt."
Sandler, Diaz Top Best Paid List
Adam Sandler and Cameron Diaz both topped the 2004 Guinness World Records edition as the biggest earning celebrities for the year 2001 in the male and female categories, Reuters reports. Sandler earned $47 million, supplanting Bruce Willis, who had the top spot in 2000, while Diaz earned $40 million, taking over from Julia Roberts. The book cites last year's Forbes' "Celebrity 100" list, Reuters reports.
Photographer Pleads Innocent in Trying To Extort Diaz
Photographer John Rutter pleaded innocent Thursday to allegations he tried to use photos he took of Cameron Diaz--some which allegedly show Diaz topless-- to extort $3.3 million from the actress, The Associated Press reports. The photos were taken before Diaz had made her break in the 1994 The Mask. Rutter's lawyer told AP, "You'll be surprised how tame some of these shots are." Rutter was arrested Aug. 12 and a judge ordered the pictures, as well as a videotape found in Rutter's apartment, sealed. The hearing is set for Sept. 12.
Jack Osbourne Gets British Series
The wiry-haired, wire-rimmed wearing Jack Osbourne will host his own TV series for Britain's Channel 4, AP reports. Called Union Jack, the series will follow the 17-year-old son of Ozzy Osbourne as he goes to Hollywood parties, premieres and celebrity haunts and will feature his opinions on the latest movie and music. Channel 4 told AP the show would "give a fresh take on all things cool and strange in Hollywood."
Place Your Bets on Next Survivor
After the 16 Survivor: Pearl Islands contestants were introduced on CBS' The Early Show Thursday, bets were placed immediately on who would win the $1 million prize, Reuters reports. The Web site BoDog.com claimed to be the first site to let fans place bets on the outcome of the next Survivor, which premieres Sept. 18, and it quickly listed Burton Roberts as the 4-to-1 favorite.
Omar Sharif Awarded Golden Lion
Omar Sharif, best known for his classic films Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia, was honored by the Venice Film Festival Friday with a Golden Lion lifetime achievement award, Reuters reports. "This is my 50th year of being a professional actor. That already is worth an award, just to survive 50 years," the Egyptian-born actor said at a press conference.
Role Call: xXx Times Two
A sequel to the Vin Diesel actioner xXx is currently in the works, but the original director Rob Cohen may not take over the helm this time around. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cohen has first right of refusal, and if he plans to make Columbia Pictures' Stealth as his next feature, the reins will likely go to Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day), who is also in discussions to direct the xXx sequel. No word yet on whether star Diesel will reprise his role.