July 28, 2003 |
DEATH OF A LEGEND
Legendary entertainer Bob Hope — whose remarkable career spanned seven decades and encompassed vaudeville, radio, stage, television and film — died Sunday night of pneumonia at his home in Toluca Lake, Calif., two months after his 100th birthday. In a statement, President Bush said Monday that "the nation lost a great citizen" with Hope's passing. "Bob Hope served our nation when he went to battlefields to entertain thousands of troops from different generations. We extend our prayers to his family. God bless his soul." |
I SPY A HIT
Never underestimate the power of cheap, disposable 3-D glasses, folks. Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over claimed the top spot at the box office over the weekend, grossing a better-than-expected $32.5 million. That's nearly double what Spy Kids 2 earned during its opening weekend last summer. Also looking strong out of the gate: the Tobey Maguire Depression-era racehorse drama Seabiscuit, which debuted at No. 5 with $21.5 million. That's particularly impressive when you consider the film opened on half as many screens as Spy Kids 2. The news wasn't so good for Angelina Jolie. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life ranked fourth with $21.8 million, about half of what the first Raider made in its debut in 2001. |
POLITICAL UPHEAVAL
Is there another scandal brewing in The West Wing? According to Variety, four of the show's stars — Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford and John Spencer — are once again hitting up their bosses for a raise. The actors are allegedly seeking to double their per-episode take, which currently stands at a measly $80,000. Two years ago, the quartet threatened to skip work if Warner Bros. TV didn't meet their salary demands. Such a drama isn't expected to play out this time around. |
WILD ABOUT HARRY
NBC may give actor-crooner-Will & Grace star Harry Connick Jr. his own sitcom, Variety reports. Word is the show would not be a spinoff of his W&G character, which is good because that so wouldn't be funny. |
SAY IT ISN'T SO
The fairytale romance between Liza Minnelli and David Gest is over. After 18 months of marriage, the couple have separated. No word on what caused the split, although rumor has it the last straw came when Minnelli started thinking for herself. |
PARTY OF FOUR
Aaron Spelling is developing an hourlong drama series for the WB starring Full House grad Lori Loughlin. "It's called Summerland," Spelling tells TV Guide magazine in the current issue, on sale now. "It's about a single girl (Loughlin) whose sister and brother-in-law are killed in a fire, and [she ends up having] to raise their three kids." The show, which Loughlin pitched to Spelling herself, could air as early as midseason. |
THE BIG 6-0
Rolling Stones icon Mick Jagger rang in his 60th birthday Saturday with a private bash in Prague. Didn't get an invitation. |
SWEET CAMEO
American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson will guest star as Brenda Lee in an episode of NBC's American Dreams to air this season. Clarkson will sing Lee's hit "Sweet Nothings." |
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