MTV To Edit Eminem Mooning
Still feeling the sting of Federal Communications Commission’s wrath following Janet Jackson‘s Super Bowl stunt in January, MTV isn’t taking any chances with the 2004 Movie Awards, set to air Thursday at 9 p.m. EDT. The Associated Press reports the music cabler plans to edit out a shot of Eminem mooning the audience. The rapper, who performed at the Saturday night taping with his group D12, appeared onstage dressed in a long red wig and jeans in a spoof of Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose. According to the AP, Eminem repeatedly groped and flashed a studded codpiece throughout the performance, which culminated in the rapper pulling down his pants and flashing lily-white backside to thousands of people in the live audience. MTV reps told the news organization Saturday night the network would sanitize Eminem‘s act by editing around the stunt.
Marc Anthony Dodges Questions About Lopez
Singer Marc Anthony, who was signing autographs outside a Santo Domingo courthouse in the Dominican Republic last week after finalizing his divorce from former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, dodged questions from NBC’s Today host Matt Lauer about his reported wedding to Jennifer Lopez. Anthony could be seen wearing what appeared to be a wedding ban on his left hand while performing in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza Tuesday for the Today show but deemed his “personal life” off limits. Lopez and Anthony reportedly wed Saturday in a small ceremony at her Beverly Hills, Calif., home. Lopez‘s representative told the AP Sunday that he had no comment about the supposed nuptials.
Halle Berry Gets Restraining Order on Stalker
A Los Angeles-area judge yesterday ordered a man accused of stalking Halle Berry to stay at least 100 yards away from her and two of her associates, Reuters reports. The Oscar-winning actress claims Greg Broussard has tried to contact her repeatedly and has imagined a relationship with her. The order against Broussard covers Berry, her publicist Karen Samfilippo and her manager, Vincent Cirrincione and also bars him from having contact with them.
Madonna’s Third Children’s Book Out in June
Madonna‘s children’s third book, titled Yakov and the Seven Thieves, will hit bookstores June 21, the AP reports. Madonna describes the book, written for readers age 6 and up, as “a story about how all of us have the ability to unlock the gates of heaven–no matter how unworthy we think we are. For when we go against our selfish natures, we make miracles happen, in our lives and in the lives of others.” The book, published by New York-based Callaway Arts & Entertainment, is among five children’s books planned by the singer, each set in a different time and place. Her fourth book, The Adventures of Abdi, will be published on Nov. 8.
ER Actress Blames Ageism For Dismissal
British actress Alex Kingston, who plays the widowed surgeon Elizabeth Corday on the NBC show ER, claims her contract wasn’t renewed because she is too old, Reuters reports. “Apparently I, according to the producers, the writers, am part of the old fogeys who are no longer interesting,” she told the BBC’s Radio Times listings magazine. She also said she had grown “deeply unhappy” with the show and felt her character was being used less and less. “There was a point where I had to find out what was going on and that was when the producers said they would no longer renew my contract,” the actress said. “It was a shock and upsetting, but it is just your ego that is upset.”
P. Diddy Gets Fashion Award
The Council of Fashion Designers of America named Sean “P. Diddy” Combs the top menswear designer of the year for his Sean John collection, AP reports. At the awards ceremony in New York Monday, Combs told the audience of fellow designers, models, fashion editors, stylists and retailers that years ago he stood in the Ralph Lauren store “saving my pennies” for a new Polo shirt. “I am living the American dream.” Designer Carolina Herrera was honored as the best womenswear designer of the year.
Punk Rock Guitarist Found Dead
Guitarist Robert Quine, one of punk rock’s most daring soloists and who heavily influenced the Velvet Underground, was found dead of a heroin overdose Saturday in his New York apartment, Reuter reports. He was 61. According to close friend and guitar maker Rick Kelly, who discovered the body, Quine had been despondent over the recent death of his wife.
Role Call: Mullally, Meyer in Rage
Will & Grace star Megan Mullally and Breckin Meyer (Garfield) are joining Martin Lawrence in the basketball comedy Rage Control. Lawrence plays a legendary college basketball coach who, after a public meltdown, is forced to coach a losing junior high school team. Mullally will play the school principal, while Meyer will star as a sports agent.
Kit Bowen contributed to this report.
