Top Story: Lanes, Ya-Ya Sisterhood Get Nods for PRISM Awards
Changing Lanes and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood were among the films nominated on Tuesday for PRISM awards, which honor the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, Reuters reports. Other film nominees included Narc, The Salton Sea and Skins. Samuel L. Jackson (Changing Lanes), Ashley Judd (Divine Secrets), Jason Patric (Narc), and Val Kilmer (The Salton Sea) were also some of the actors nominated for their performances. Under the television category, Jeremy Irons and Neve Campbell were both nominated for their work in the Showtime movie Last Call about the final days of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, while Bernie Mac got a nod for his show The Bernie Mac Show.
Osbourne Gets a Clean Bill of Health
Sharon Osbourne, the matriarch of television’s first family of dysfunction, appears to be free of the colon cancer she’s been battling since last year. “Ozzy says Sharon has completed her treatment and has no signs of cancer,” a spokesman for the rocker told Reuters on Wednesday.
Singer Braxton Has Baby No. 2
Toni Braxton and her husband, Keri Lewis, welcomed their second child, a son, Diezel Ky Braxton Lewis on Sunday, The Associated Press reports. The couple also has a 1-year-old son, Denim.
Actor Conrad Arrested
Robert Conrad, star of the 1960s TV show Wild, Wild West, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence when his car collided with another Monday night in Northern Calif., injuring himself and the other driver. According to Reuters, the actor was rushed to a hospital in Modesto, Calif., where he was listed in stable condition.
Actor Jason Mewes Ordered Into Rehab
Jason Mewes, known as stoner Jay in the Kevin Smith films Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Clerks, has been ordered by a judge to complete a drug rehabilitation program or face jail time, AP reports. Mewes, 28, who failed to report for a court hearing stemming from a 1999 heroin conviction, had a warrant issued for his arrest in December 2001. According to AP, the actor surrendered Tuesday and pleaded guilty to probation violation charges, failing to report to his probation officer, take drug tests or undergo counseling.
Wanna Be a Superhero?
Here’s your chance. The WB network has ordered six episodes of a new reality TV show Who Wants To Be a Superhero?, a fantasy-oriented contest from comic book icon Stan Lee. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show revolves around real people who come up with ideas for original superheroes and perform in character before a panel of celebrity judges who have played onscreen superheroes. Semifinalists will undergo a “superhero makeover” overseen by Spider-Man creator Lee and compete in various stunts and challenges that mimic comic book derring-do. The winner will then be eligible to have his or her idea developed and expanded by Lee’s team, possibly for a comic book spinoff.
Wanna Work with Donald Trump?
Here’s your chance. NBC is developing a new reality series with Survivor producer Mark Burnett called The Apprentice. AP reports the show will gather 20 people who will compete in a fun, entertaining and still cutthroat way for a job with Donald Trump and his company and will feature the business tycoon firing contestants each week. The winner will receive a six-figure salary.
Rivera Taken Out of Iraq
Following on the heels of NBC’s firing of reporter Peter Arnett, Fox News Channel has reassigned field correspondent Geraldo Rivera from Iraq to Kuwait after U.S. military officials complained the reporter disclosed unauthorized information about military movements. AP reports that when Rivera, who had been traveling with the 101st Airbourne unit in Iraq, did his report Monday, he was squatting in the desert and outlining the details in the dirt. Rivera, on the other hand, told KSTP-TV in “I feel like I have been scolded,” and said he hoped to stay in Kuwait for a week and then arrange to rejoin the 101st Airborne as an embedded reporter. Fat chance.
Role Call: Queen Latifah’s Beauty Shop
Hot off her Oscar nomination, Queen Latifah has signed on to star in Beauty Shop, a female version to the hit film Barbershop. Variety quotes sources as saying the rapper-turned-actress will receive a paycheck of at least $10 million for the film. She’ll also have a cameo in the sequel to Barbershop, setting up a spinoff movie with her as the owner of a beauty shop next door to the original barbershop locale.
