Top Story: She Shoulda Seen It Comin’
Singer/Psychic Friends spokesperson Dionne Warwick, 62, recently told The Associated Press that her Miami drug arrest last May was the result of a frame-up. “Somebody that didn’t want to get caught thought it would be better off in somebody else’s bag,” the Grammy winner said. Charges against Warwick were dropped after a plea bargain was struck last June.
Great White Will Not Continue Touring
In the aftermath of last week’s Rhode Island nightclub fire and subsequent stampede during a Great White show, the band’s spokesperson Byron Hontas is telling Reuters that the group has no intention of continuing its tour, “despite all rumors.” Investigation into the incident, which killed 97 people including Great White guitarist Ty Longley, is ongoing.
Pam Anderson To Host CMT Awards
Pamela Anderson, along with country singer Toby Keith, will host Country Music Television’s second annual viewer-chosen music video awards show, Flameworthy 2003, CMT announced. Last year’s show, hosted by Kathy Najimy, had 6.3 million viewers; we suspect Anderson‘s presence may be intended to raise the bar a bit.
“My Big Fat Greek” Ratings
CBS told AP that Monday’s premiere of the new series My Big Fat Greek Life, based on the sleeper hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, won its time slot with 22.7 million viewers and was the network’s most-watched comedy premiere in more than four years. The series debuted in a special airing on Monday at 9:30 p.m.; it will now move to its regular time slot, Sunday at 8 p.m. It stars several members of the film’s cast, including Nia Vardalos, Andrea Martin, Michael Constantine, Louis Mandylor and Gia Carides.
MSNBC Drops Donahue
Poor Phil Donahue. It just doesn’t pay to be a liberal pundit on a conservative network. MSNBC announced on Tuesday that it was canceling Donahue‘s nightly talk show–after a mere six months–due to low ratings. The net is replacing the program with an expanded Countdown: Iraq, hosted by Lester Holt, starting next week. Wonder how long that one will last?
Ephron Honored
The Writers Guild of America, East, will honor screenwriter Nora Ephron (Sleepless in Seattle, Silkwood) with its lifetime achievement award when the 55th Annual Writers Guild Awards take place on March 8 in L.A. and New York.
Oscar-Winning Screenwriter Dies at 90
Daniel Taradash, who won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay for From Here to Eternity, has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 90. For a complete biography, click here.
Role Call: Diane Lane, Heather Locklear, “M: I3”
Oscar nominee Diane Lane is in talks to share the screen with Bruce Willis in the mystery Me Again, while Heather Locklear has signed on for the lead in a new NBC comedy tentatively called Once Around the Park. Changing more than once is the leadership of the third Mission: Impossible movie. The director’s chair will now be filled by Narc‘s Joe Carnahan; original director David Fincher (Panic Room, Fight Club) gave up the helm in favor of skater flick The Lords of Dogtown.
