MORE KUDOS
The Southeastern Film Critics Assn. huh? has named The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as the best film of the year. Lead acting kudos went to Bill Murray for Lost in Translation and Naomi Watts for 21 Grams. The Online Film Critics Society, meanwhile, showered LOTR with a leading 10 nominations, including best picture, director Peter Jackson and supporting actor for Sean Astin. |
THRILLING RATINGS
Nielsen estimates that more than 18 million viewers watched Ed Bradley's exclusive sit-down with Michael Jackson on Sunday's 60 Minutes. But not everyone apparently liked what they saw: On Monday, Jacko's chief spokesman, Stuart Backerman, resigned citing "strategic differences" with other members of the embattled pop star's camp. |
BIG FAT PRACTICAL JOKE
Fox has unveiled its latest reality series, and it sounds just dumb enough to work. In My Big Fat Obnoxious Fianc้ (debuting Jan. 19), a beautiful "bride-to-be" named Randi plays a practical joke on her family and friends when she announces her engagement to Steve an individual so loathsome he makes Bob Guiney look like Prince Charming. Randi must continue the charade all the way through to the wedding ceremony in order to win a million dollars. But the joke is also on Randi, who is under the impression that Steve is just a reality show contestant like herself. In reality, he and his family are professional actors. |
A LITTLE CASTING NEWS
Relative newcomer Erin Cottrell (Guiding Light, Legally Blonde 2) has been cast as Caroline Ingalls in ABC's upcoming miniseries update of Little House on the Prairie. Karen Grassle played the role in the 1970s series. |
MISTER ROGERS REMEMBERED
PBS will air a documentary on TV icon Fred Rogers titled Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor on New Year's Day at 9:30 pm/ET. Rogers died last February at 74. |
STILL THE BOSS
Bruce Springsteen was 2003's top concert act with $115.9 million in ticket sales. Celine Dion ranked second with $80.5 million. |
HOME-WARD BOUND
Earl Hindman the Taylor family's fenced-in neighbor, Wilson Wilson, on Home Improvement passed away yesterday at the age of 61. The funnyman can still be seen today in syndicated reruns of the sitcom as well as on SoapNet's rebroadcasts of the 1970s soap opera Ryan's Hope, where he played sad-sack second banana Bob Reid. |
BABY NEW YEAR
Marlee Matlin is a mom again. On December 26, the sometime West Wing co-star gave birth to her and husband Kevin Grandalski's second daughter, Isabelle Jane. They also have two boys and, we imagine, very dark circles under their eyes. |
IN LIEU OF A GIFT...
Here's some "TV News" scoop from the current issue of TV Guide magazine (on sale now): Brendan Fraser and Tara Reid are headed back to Scrubs during February sweeps for the first birthday party of Dr. Cox's son. Fraser and Reid play the kid's uncle and aunt just in case you forgot. |
DADDY DEAREST
CBS has tapped Paul Sorvino to play Bill's (Mark Addy) ultra-macho dad on Still Standing. He'll show up in early '04. |
