Tom Returns to the Scene of the Crime
Tom Cruise went back to where it all began Friday.
We could mockingly lead you astray for pages and pages as to what that means, but you all know: The microscopically examined movie star sat down next to Oprah Winfrey today for the first time since…yeah, that.
And except for the fact that Cruise is now the remarried father of a 2-year-old daughterwho does, in fact, partly resemble himwith a recent flop under his belt rather than a box-office topper, not a whole lot has changed.
Speaking from the sanctity of Cruise and Katie Holmes' Telluride, Colo., manse on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the actor's breakthrough role in Risky Business, Oprah asked her pal about "the couch" and his relationship with Katie Holmes, Scientology and his beliefs, Brooke Shields, Matt Lauer and making movies.
This time, of course, she also got to ask about that in-house sonogram machine, whether he believes in God, whether Suri is his and whetherknowing that hindsight is 20/20he would now think twice about putting his feet (not to mention his heart and soul) on the furniture.
"That was a moment and it was real," Cruise said, referring to the infamous couch jump that seemingly set off the spiral of "What's with him?" gossip.
"But I don't know if I would…knowing what I do nowyeah, I get it," he said, referring to the 24/7 media frenzyof varying degrees of verisimilitudethat ensued. "I just felt that way [about Holmes]and I feel that way about her. That's just how I felt."
Besides, "You were egging me on!" he challenged the daytime queen.
So knowing what he knows now about the Internet's wily ways, Cruise might not have been so…expressive. But what about all those other things?
- On his feelings for "Kate": "I can't even articulate it, what it's like, that feeling and the connection and just who she is and what she means to me. It's very special and, I think you know, Suri was born a year to the day that I met her."
- And to those who say what they have isn't real: "That's laughable to me."
- On the sonogram machine he set up in-house to monitor his child in utero: "You just want the baby to be as safe as possible."
- On the especially freaky-deaky rumors that Suri is not his child: "Someone compares your daughter to Rosemary's Baby…It's one thing to say stuff about me…this is off the charts."
- His faith: "I believe in God. There's no way you can be up here [gesturing to his beauteous surroundings] and there isn't a God."
- On Nicole Kidman, and rumors that she's been pushed out of Connor and Bella's life: "That's ridiculous. We share custody." They don't exactly all gather round the table together due to everyone's busy schedule, but…"We share custody whenever."
- On his own relationship with Connor and Bella, who at times seem to belong to his former life: "They're good people, my children. I'm proud of them. I don't want them to worry. They know I'm there. No matter what, I'm always there."
Oprah's two-part interview with Cruise continues Monday from her Chicago studio, where the topic of conversation will revert more to his career accomplishments and what made him "Tom Cruise" in the first place.
Loading poll…
Tom Returns to the Scene of the Crime
Tom Cruise went back to where it all began Friday.
We could mockingly lead you astray for pages and pages as to what that means, but you all know: The microscopically examined movie star sat down next to Oprah Winfrey today for the first time since…yeah, that.
And except for the fact that Cruise is now the remarried father of a 2-year-old daughterwho does, in fact, partly resemble himwith a recent flop under his belt rather than a box-office topper, not a whole lot has changed.
Speaking from the sanctity of Cruise and Katie Holmes' Telluride, Colo., manse on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the actor's breakthrough role in Risky Business, Oprah asked her pal about "the couch" and his relationship with Katie Holmes, Scientology and his beliefs, Brooke Shields, Matt Lauer and making movies.
This time, of course, she also got to ask about that in-house sonogram machine, whether he believes in God, whether Suri is his and whetherknowing that hindsight is 20/20he would now think twice about putting his feet (not to mention his heart and soul) on the furniture.
"That was a moment and it was real," Cruise said, referring to the infamous couch jump that seemingly set off the spiral of "What's with him?" gossip.
"But I don't know if I would…knowing what I do nowyeah, I get it," he said, referring to the 24/7 media frenzyof varying degrees of verisimilitudethat ensued. "I just felt that way [about Holmes]and I feel that way about her. That's just how I felt."
Besides, "You were egging me on!" he challenged the daytime queen.
So knowing what he knows now about the Internet's wily ways, Cruise might not have been so…expressive. But what about all those other things?
- On his feelings for "Kate": "I can't even articulate it, what it's like, that feeling and the connection and just who she is and what she means to me. It's very special and, I think you know, Suri was born a year to the day that I met her."
- And to those who say what they have isn't real: "That's laughable to me."
- On the sonogram machine he set up in-house to monitor his child in utero: "You just want the baby to be as safe as possible."
- On the especially freaky-deaky rumors that Suri is not his child: "Someone compares your daughter to Rosemary's Baby…It's one thing to say stuff about me…this is off the charts."
- His faith: "I believe in God. There's no way you can be up here [gesturing to his beauteous surroundings] and there isn't a God."
- On Nicole Kidman, and rumors that she's been pushed out of Connor and Bella's life: "That's ridiculous. We share custody." They don't exactly all gather round the table together due to everyone's busy schedule, but…"We share custody whenever."
- On his own relationship with Connor and Bella, who at times seem to belong to his former life: "They're good people, my children. I'm proud of them. I don't want them to worry. They know I'm there. No matter what, I'm always there."
Oprah's two-part interview with Cruise continues Monday from her Chicago studio, where the topic of conversation will revert more to his career accomplishments and what made him "Tom Cruise" in the first place.
Loading poll…
Sony Says Tobey Macguire is Still Spider-Man…For Now
Two days ago, we delved into rumors that the next Peter Parker could be played by the Macguire-esque Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous, Wristcutters) or the younger, spunkish Michael Angarano (Sky High). Well, Sony wants to put some Internet skywriting out there and fast. Their message is: “Tobey Macguire, you’re the best, you’re our Spider-Man!…right?” Sony’s head of media relations tells IESB…
“No one is being considered for the role but Tobey. Period.”
IESB adds that numerous inside sources and agencies have confirmed that no actor in Hollywood or Bollywood has been contacted for Peter Parker. Prior to this, CHUD caught word from a producer on Fugit’s latest film who said the rumor was totally bunk. Let’s all electric slide back to square one, okay?
This premature casting drama went supernova because a higher-up at Marvel speculated that Sony will have Spider-Man 4 in theaters in 2010, which supported rumors that Sony wants to shoot Spider-Man 4 and Spider-Man 5 back-to-back. Whatever Sony says, there is movement happening with the franchise, so a little interwebs madness is expected, healthier than eating bacon even.
I don’t think Fugit would be (have been) an unwise choice, he’s talented, but he shares Macguire’s sleepy, melancholy style to a fault. Peter wonders why Shia Labeouf is not in the mix—he’s probably my first choice for Parker, and I really hope they bring in a new director as well. What’s interesting is that the fan outrage at these Macguire replacement rumors is not really there, which is odd. And fanboy hindsight on Spider-Man 3 seems to grow dimmer as time passes. More on the next Spidey flick(s) as it develops.
Survivor Micronesia: He’s a Ball of Goo!
(S16E05) “Chickens have a pecking order. They peck at the weakest until they kill them. It’s just like Survivor.” - Chet
The promos this week made this seem like a show not to miss and they didn’t steer us wrong. As promised, the tribes were mixed up and one challenge went beyond brutal. Schoolyard picks and wounded people? Now, there’s a good episode!
Once again, though, the promos didn’t steer us in the exact direction of reality. The promos had us thinking that Ozzy and Joel were having issues with each other. Nope, not the case at all. Once in context, they were both discussing Chet, not each other. CBS likes to make us panic like that. I had visions of Joel crushing Ozzy with his Hulk muscles.
The show opened in the still Fans vs. Favorites camps. Chet tells us he wants Jason out next and Jason tells us Chet has to go. I guess Chet didn’t target Joel because he flipped with them (Chet, Kathy, Tracy) by voting Mikey B. out last week. But I want Joel out. I think he’s a huge bully. Doesn’t my input matter?
I’m not sure how wise it was for Ozzy to tell anyone about his found idol. I realize that he told his alliance — James, Amanda, and Parvati. In hindsight, his decision might bring about issues. I hope it works out okay for him. Heck, I hope he never has to use it, but will bring it out to save his butt if he has to. The four-clique powerhouse might be doomed.
When the tribes met up for reward, it was “drop your buffs” time. Alas, a schoolyard pick. I really don’t like those. They bring back bad childhood memories. Gack. Jef had a bag of stones for each tribe. All the stones were white except for an orange and purple stone in respective bags. The person who drew the colored stone in their tribe would be the captain. They alternated picks between fans and favorites so the tribes became truly mixed.
The new Airai tribe is: Natalie (Captain), James, Alexis, Jonathan, Jason, Parvati, Kathy, and Eliza. The new Malakal tribe is: Ozzy (Captain), Joel (who Ozzy called Troy), Amanda, Erik, Ami, Tracy, Cirie, and Chet.
Then it was onto the brutality comp … er, the reward comp. Since the teams were new and should take some time to get to know each other, Jeff told them there would be no Exile Island. They were playing for a barbecue dinner with steaks, sausages, and all of the trimmings. Nice reward, nice ideas, but at least for a few people it was time to yell for the medics.
They had to run through a course harnessed in pairs of opposing tribes trying to grab a flag from the other tribe. It was sort of like the concept of flag football, but much rougher. Jonathan ran into a stick which impaled (literally) his knee. One of the girls had a busted lip. And, it’s amazing that poor Chet didn’t die.
Yes, I said die. I couldn’t believe how Joel slammed him around, dragged him into trees, and such. Later people (Joel and others) were saying Chet gave up. That’s not right! The poor guy never had a chance to try at the comp. I’m not a Chet fan. I do think he’s weak and on the useless side. But you don’t take a human being and do that to him with no regard for his life like they’re a rag doll! Joel should have been removed from the game right then and there. I’m glad they lost reward although then Joel blamed Chet for the loss. When Joel told Chet he didn’t care, I wanted a tree to fall on him.
I’m not too keen on the obvious adulation fan Erik has for Ozzy. Oh, I am indeed an Ozzy fan. But all I could think after watching them was that Ozzy might have to have Erik surgically removed sooner or later. I think Erik wants to BE Ozzy and that’s just not going to happen!
The tribes found out how life is on the other side, at least about half of them did. The Malakal camp is a virtual paradise compared to Airai. “it’s a wonder the poor things aren’t dead, bunch of dingbats,” said James looking over the Airai camp. I thought that line said it all. Not only did they have a bad camp, but they started the barbecue right where the tide came in and snuffed it out. Poor things indeed.
As much as I love my man Ozzy, I wasn’t happy to see him teaming up with Joel. I think I dislike Joel to the same extent I enjoy Ozzy. Yes, they did have a point in that Chet is the weakest member of the tribe. Yes, Chet does have to go. But I don’t care for Joel tainting Ozzy, not at all!
Thankfully, Cirie worked her magic (yeah, I like it when she’s not taking out someone I like) on Ozzy after Malakal lost the immunity challenge. The challenge itself was made up of elements I personally think we’ve seen too often — break tiles with rocks, get puzzle pieces, solve puzzle with a spotter. Chet was the spotter for Malakal, yet Joel bullied his way through every direction Chet gave them. I do think Chet seemed a bit defeated and ended up giving up. But the direction Joel was shouting over him was wrong. So they lost.
Cirie was told of the plan to vote Chet off. While she thinks he’s useless, she knows that the pecking order would be to her if they continued to vote off the weakest. She worked her ways with Amanda and Ozzy, convincing them that while right now it’s good to have Joel for comps of brute strength, it was Joel who didn’t break a tile and Joel who botched the puzzle.
Bye, bye, bully, bye, bye. I loved the surprise on his face when he was blindsided. Erik was also shocked and might just realize that latching onto Ozzy might not mean Ozzy will keep him in the loop. I sincerely hope Cirie doesn’t choose to target Ozzy next. While Ozzy is a small powerhouse, he also provides for others and is SO not a bully.