Burning Q’s: When to Boo & the Walk of Fame Game
What happens at a movie premiere if the movie just totally sucks? Is there awkward silence and booing? Thunder Wolf
People booed at the Berlin premiere of J.Lo’s bomb Bordertown. There was also cackling, but that was by me, when I read about it way back here in my office. Now, onward with your blistering Burning Q’s!
Why did Randy Quaid get a Walk of Fame star in 2003, but three-time Oscar nominee Michelle Pfeiffer didn’t get hers until 2007? More importantly, why did Randy Quaid get a star at all?Jen
The Walk of Fame is a publicity game. A movie studio or, sometimes, a fan club, applies for those plaques on the celebrity’s behalf. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce then meets in secret once a year to consider applications, and much of the selection process is also never disclosed.
Once the honorees are picked, the celebrities or, more likely, their studios or fan clubs, must pay a $25,000 “sponsorship fee” to the chamber before the star can be installed on the Walk of Fame. In other words, a celebrity’s level of achievement can easily be trumped by an ambitiousand richpublicity campaign.
Oh, and Randy Quaid? Got his first Oscar nom 16 years before Pfeiffer.
Do contestants on reality shows (specifically American Idol) receive any payment for, say, the Idol Tour?Jason
Yep.
Are Eric Stein and Jessica Hughbanks, who met last summer on Big Brother 8, still together and maintaining their long-distance relationship? Please update me about this cute couple. Kent
A Big Brother spokeswoman tells me this: “Some people tell me they’re not together, other people tell me they’re together.” That work for you? Yeah, me neither.
Would love to hear your remarkable insight about one of the most fabulous celebrities of all time, Elizabeth Taylor. Your thoughts?Tyra, Montgomeryville, Pa.
Wait, she’s that older version of Jennifer Lopez and Angelina Jolie, right? The one in the muumuus? Why do you ask? Has she adopted a Zimbabwean refugee child and tattooed its name on one of her million-dollar ankles as she poses in her cream-and-gold-leafed baby nursery for People while her man performs his feverishly rehearsed adoring gaze, terrified that he might get another shock stick to his eardrum if he fails? No? Then I have nothing to add.
Oh, and be my fan on Facebook, ’kay?
Jessica Simpson Does NYC, Grease
Jessica Simpson Does NYC, Grease
If you’re reading this from the Big Apple, get your shoes on and head over to Macy’s Herald Square at 34th and Broadway. You just may get a glimpse of Jessica Simpson.
The former “Newlyweds” star was spotted yesterday headed through LAX, complete with Louis Vuitton gear and her dog Daisy, on her way to NYC.
The “With You” singer is doing an appearance at the famous department store and a few lucky attendees will get a chance to meet her. Jess will be on the 4th floor in the Juniors footwear department.
The catch? You had to be one of the first 250 customers yesterday to drop $50 on Jessica Simpson merchandise to get a pass to meet her today at 11am. But you can still gawk with the best of them, even if you don’t have a pass.
Along with her merchandising gig, Jess is looking more and more into acting. And there are reports that she’ll be starring in a remake of “Grease.”
Michelle Pfeiffer spilled the beans that Simpson may be reprising Olivia Newton-John’s role of Sandy. She recently told press, “It’s a great idea and I hear they would like to get Jessica Simpson for the role of Sandy. She would be good.”
Amanda Bynes’ Hairspray Week
Amanda Bynes’ Hairspray Week
One of the perks of being a movie star is getting gifts just for being who you are. And Amanda Bynes (along with her puppy) enjoyed the fringe benefits of her success yesterday at the 2008 World Experience DPA Gift Lounge, along with some of her Hairspray cast mates.
And speaking of Hairspray, the “She’s the Man” actress delighted her fans earlier this week at the Palm Springs International Film Festival during a free outdoor screening of the film.
According to Bynes, it was the movie’s values that drew her in. “The reason I wanted to be in this movie so badly is because it has such a great message to send to kids. It’s a wonderful movie that families can watch together. It’s a movie about accepting yourself and accepting others for their differences and it’s just got great music. I feel very lucky to be in it.”
And the “What a Girl Wants” hottie confessed that working with the amazing cast of the John Waters remake was a bit overwhelming. “I was lucky to be in this ensemble. To be with Queen Latifah and Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Allison Janney and John Travolta, I look up to all those actors. So I got to learn a lot and I got to work with Adam Shankman, who is such a talented, amazing director. I felt so blessed.”
As for the writers strike, Amanda is trying to look on the bright side of things. “The strike is affecting me. I had a few projects in the works and they were sort of stopped dead in their tracks. But I’ve taken it as a time to play with my puppy and just relax because once it is over, I think everything is going to come back strong. I hope!”
Charlize Theron: “Sleepwalking” In NYC
Charlize Theron: “Sleepwalking” In NYC
The Tribeca Grand Screening Room was the place to be last night for fans of Charlize Theron. The beautiful actress showed up at the event, hosted by the Cinema Society and Dior Beauty, looking as hot as ever.
Theron wore a gold knee-length, plunging neckline halter dress, along with matching massive heels and a coif that screamed “bring back the ‘80s!” And for some reason, the retro look (think Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface) really worked for her.
And while looking amazing is one of Charlize’s specialties, she recently revealed that she doesn’t put any emphasis on her appearance.
She told FOX’s Pop Tarts, “At the end of the day, it isn’t about what I physically look like — it comes back to storytelling. If I can find a good story, [that] is all that matters; I don’t judge a character on what I physically look like. I really don’t care about appearance; that is so secondary to everything else that’s more important in life.”