We all know that Katherine Heigl has never been one to keep her mouth shut when it comes to her opinions, but it now seems people in Hollywood are starting to hate her.
Apparently the bosses and crew working on her new movie Five Killers, which also stars Ashton Kutcher, are getting very tired of her diva ways - before filming has even begun.
Sources who are working on the film say she and her mother (who happens to be her manager) are difficult and “extremely unprofessional.”
A member of the crew says Katherine “had a appointments with us - from camera tests to fittings - that she just hasn’t shown up to and has been making herself unavailable, she and her mother even had the audacity to request that wardrobe people go to her. We accommodated that request and she flaked on the meeting.”
While another source on the film adds that “no one on the crew likes her, she has a sense of entitlement that is really off-putting. Many directors that she’s worked with in the past DO NOT want to work with her again.”
Some of these directors are probably from her movies 27 Dresses, where she reportedly “refused to film any scenes until her pregnant assistant ran around and got her a Coke Zero. She refused to eat lunch next to anyone or have anyone speak to her once the cameras stopped rolling.”
Or the directors could be from Knocked Up, which she said the movie was sexist, despite it raising her pay check from $300,000 to $6 million. But then again, adding a third director, it could be from Grey’s Anatomy which she has made known she wants to leave the show and even caused uproar when she was nominated for her second Emmy in as many years but withdrew her name by saying she didn’t feel there was any “material that was worthy to submit,” which upset the writers.
[Click thumbnails for a larger view]
You know, I have always thought she comes across as a complete and arrogant bitch, and like the source said Katherine Heigl gives off a complete “sense of entitlement.”
Just because your favorite dramas and comedies are back on the air after the writers strike doesn’t mean you’re necessarily watching them. A preliminary look at ratings of returning programs on the big broadcast networks reveals that the “majority of original programming has failed to return to its pre-strike levels among key demos,” according to Havas media-buying shop MPG. The firm found that audiences are “coming back to some of the shows, but not most of them,” said Nina Kanter, VP-director of communications analysis at MPG.
[...]
There are legitimate reasons for the ratings declines. Some shows have seen their competition alter as networks rearrange their schedules. CBS’s “NCIS” and “Criminal Minds” now face Fox’s “American Idol,” for instance. Because most networks put the bulk of their marketing spending into promos that run on their own air, it’s quite possible that TV audiences, turned off by repeats and strike-replacement programming, didn’t get those messages, according to MPG’s analysis.
Some returning shows are doing well. NBC’s “The Office” and “Scrubs” have demonstrated improved post-strike ratings, MPG said, though both have aired without regular competitor “Grey’s Anatomy” on the air. CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” also posted ratings gains compared to its pre-strike performance, but the sitcom may also have benefited from a guest appearance by singer Britney Spears.
It may just be that the traditional model has been overtaken by events, with the strike-forced hiatus helping push trends along.
With the exception of sporting events, I seldom watch television shows “live” anymore, instead watching the handful of shows that we TiVo. And, increasingly, my wife and I are mega-time shifting our viewing, simply waiting until the shows are available on DVD. The ability to watch the entire run of a series at one’s own pace and without commercial interruption makes it very difficult to go back to episodic viewing.
Dead last in the ratings and nearly canceled after its first year, ‘Cheers‘ went on to become one of the most successful sitcoms in history.
Let’s revisit the happy half-hour at the bar where everybody knows your name to find out what the regulars have been up to since Sam’s joint was shuttered 15 years ago.
TED DANSON
Sam Malone (1982-1993)
Then: Former Red Sox pitcher, recovering alcoholic and unrepentant ladies man Sam Malone was rarely Sam Alone as bartender/owner of the Cheers pub. Whether he was romancing Diane or indulging in one-night stands, his banter with the barflies was as nonstop as his love life.
Now: Post-’Cheers,’ Danson dated Whoopi Goldberg and caused an uproar by donning blackface for a Friar’s Club roast. Since marrying Mary Steenburgen in 1995, he’s starred in ‘Becker,’ supported eco-causes and dabbled in home-brewed scotch (Danson’s Best).
SHELLEY LONG
Diane Chambers (1982-1987)
Then: Haughty hottie Diane was stranded at Cheers by her fiancé in the series pilot and stayed to play barmaid for five seasons. An academic fish out of water amid the tanked bar patrons, she enjoyed a volatile relationship with Sam, which led to marriage proposals … but no wedding.
Now: Shelley left ‘Cheers’ for movie stardom that never quite happened (’The Money Pit,’ ‘Troop Beverly Hills’), but stayed in the game by playing Carol Brady in ‘The Brady Bunch Movie’ and appearing in scads of episodic TV, including several eps of the ‘Cheers’ spin-off ‘Frasier.’
KIRSTIE ALLEY
Rebecca Howe (1987-1993)
Then: Neurotic businesswoman Rebecca became Sam’s foil and femme fatale after Diane left. She didn’t just turn up the heat — she burned Cheers down at one point. And though she swooned over rich men, she flushed her ambitions of wealth by marrying a plumber (Tom Berenger) in the series finale.
Now: Kirstie hit it big with ‘Veronica’s Closet’; and after her Showtime comedy ‘Fat Actress,’ she cagily parlayed her weight problem into a gig with Jenny Craig. Dropped by Jenny in 2008, Alley’s exploring her own diet business. An active Scientologist, she ranks as Operating Thetan Level 7.
RHEA PERLMAN
Carla Tortelli-LeBec (1982-1993)
Then: This sharp-tongued barmaid had a harsh word for everyone: “If you can’t say anything nice, say it about Diane.” Appearing in all 273 episodes (along with Sam and Norm), Perlman’s Carla had eight kids, two ex-husbands, and one TV-requisite heart of gold.
Now: Perlman’s ‘The Tortellis’ was the first ‘Cheers’ spin-off but lasted only 13 episodes, sparking protests for perpetuating Italian-American stereotypes. These days, Perlman’s busy with stage and screen work; she authored the Otto Undercover children’s book series and is married to Danny DeVito.
WOODY HARRELSON
Woody Boyd (1985-1993)
Then: Stepping in to fill the “adorable dumb guy” role after Coach died, assistant bartender and full-time straight man Woody was the butt of many jokes, most of them based on his relentlessly good-hearted idiocy.
Now: After years of playing dumb, Woody made a lot of smart career moves, starring in hit movies like ‘White Men Can’t Jump,’ ‘Indecent Proposal’ and ‘Kingpin.’ Nominated for an Oscar in ‘The People Versus Larry Flynt,’ Harrelson also champions environmental causes and the legalization of marijuana.
GEORGE WENDT
Norm Peterson (1982-1993)
Then: Ultimate regular Norm (or “NOOORM!”) was a beer-drinking machine who joked constantly with bar staff and his snide-kick, Cliff. A six-time Emmy nominee and a very Norm-like six-time loser, Wendt appeared in every ‘Cheers’ episode.
Now: Wendt’s career has mostly amounted to appearances as Norm on series like ‘St. Elsewhere,’ ‘Wings,’ ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Frasier.’ In 1993, Wendt and John “Cliff” Ratzenberger sued (and settled with) Paramount for using their likenesses on robot characters at a chain of ‘Cheers’-themed bars.
JOHN RATZENBERGER
Cliff Clavin (1982-1993)
Then: After auditioning unsuccessfully for the part of Norm, Ratzenberger convinced producers that Cheers needed a know-nothing know-it-all. So they created mama’s boy mailman Cliff to wax erroneous on topics like how the first Thanksgiving involved ancient Egyptians and space aliens.
Now: Since ‘Cheers,’ Ratzenberger has had a full dance card, including lasting six weeks on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ His voice is featured in all of Pixar’s movies (’Toy Story,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘Cars,’ etc.), and he hosts the Travel Channel series ‘John Ratzenberger’s Made in America.’
KELSEY GRAMMER
Frasier Crane (1984-1993)
Then: Freudian fussbudget Frasier joined the ‘Cheers’ party two years late, but stayed to the bittersweet end with his smart putdowns and snooty ‘tude. Left at the altar by Diane, the Harvard shrink married fellow intellectual Lilith before dumping her on the way to his own hit sitcom in Seattle.
Now: As Frasier, Grammer enjoyed a 20-year run on ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier’; he also won an Emmy as Sideshow Bob on ‘The Simpsons.’ And despite early personal traumas, including the murders of his father and sister, Grammer continues to succeed, bouncing back with the 2007 sitcom ‘Back to You.’
BEBE NEUWIRTH
Lilith Stermin (1986-1993)
Then: Uptight Frasier met his match in psychiatrist Lilith, whose ice-queen exterior housed a smoldering sensuality. The combustible pair married and had a child, but split when she ran off to live in an eco-pod with a colleague.
Now: After the bar closed, Neuwirth, already a theater veteran, lit up the Great White Way as Velma Kelly in ‘Chicago,’ winning her second Tony. Between film and stage roles she also earned her third Emmy by reprising Lilith on ‘Frasier.’
NICHOLAS COLASANTO
Ernie ‘Coach’ Pantusso (1982-1985)
Then: Though he’d been Sam’s Red Sox mentor, the dim-bulb barman said he got the name because he liked flying coach.
Now: Colasanto’s unexpected death at 61 was a cruel blow. ‘Cheers’ kept Coach alive for a time with outtakes, and honored him by hanging his prized Geronimo portrait on set.
JAY THOMAS
Eddie LeBec
Then: Boston Bruins hockey goalie Eddie scored with Carla and married her after she got pregnant. But Thomas was written off the show for insulting Rhea Perlman’s looks on his radio talk show. Oops! The writers banished Eddie to a traveling ice show, where he was killed by a Zamboni machine.
Now: After getting iced by ‘Cheers’ scribes, Thomas played radio talker Jerry Gold on ‘Murphy Brown.’ And he continued the shock jock routine in real life, currently hosting a show on Sirius. When he’s not broadcasting or acting, Thomas sells real estate in Santa Barbara, California.
DAN HEDAYA
Nick Tortelli
Then: A sleazebag deadbeat dad, Carla’s ex-hubby was an easy mark for putdowns in the pub. Nick married bombshell Loretta in Season 2 to irk Carla, but his exes ultimately bonded over his odious personality.
Now: The longtime character actor made a go of the ill-fated ‘Cheers’ spinoff ‘The Tortellis,’ returning to film to play Alicia Silversone’s dad in ‘Clueless’ and Richard Nixon in ‘Dick.’ Among his dozens of stage and screen roles was a touching turn on ‘Monk’ as Adrian’s long-lost dad.
JEAN KASEM
Loretta Tortelli
Then: The second wife of Carla’s ex-husband Nick, ditzy aspiring singer Loretta described herself as a “taller, blonder, less-Mormon Marie Osmond.” She went from being Carla’s rival to her ally against Nick when she “realized that Carla and I are both women.”
Now: Jean is the spouse of influential rock radio legend Casey Kasem. Despite a series of small movie and TV roles, she’s been more successful in business, creating Little Liberty Cribs, a unique line of round and heart-shaped baby beds (for which she holds 11 patents).
ROGER REES
Robin Colcord
Then: Billionaire blowhard Robin wooed and wowed Rebecca, who was smitten by his cash — until Sam caught Robin conspiring to swindle the corporation that owned Cheers and frame Rebecca for it. Robin got busted, went on the lam and was later left at the altar by Rebecca.
Now: Having appeared in a wide range of stage and screen roles, he’s probably best known stateside as eccentric British diplomat Lord John Marbury on ‘The West Wing.’ He also popped recently up on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Cristina Yang’s ex-paramour, Dr. Colin Marlow.
HARRY ANDERSON
Harry the Hat
Then: Drawing upon Anderson’s real-life background as a street magician and his popular magic-comedy act, Harry the Hat thrived on the gullible marks at Cheers. He used his wiles to win bar bets from the regulars, but also helped Coach get back money he’d lost to one of Harry’s “associates.”
Now: Harry’s career did anything but disappear when he starred on the hit ‘Night Court’ and later on ‘Dave’s World.’ In 2000 Harry and his wife moved to New Orleans, opening a nightclub where Harry often performed; after Hurricane Katrina, they closed their club and moved to North Carolina.
JACKIE SWANSON
Kelly Gaines
Then: Woody took naive, rich girl Kelly to a monster truck pull on their first date, which put them on the bumpy road to matrimony. At their chaotic wedding, the minister died and tumbled onto the wedding cake. They lived hilariously ever after.
Now: A Prince pal who appeared in the singer’s ‘Raspberry Beret’ video (and for whom he wrote ‘Palomino Pleasure Ride’), Swanson didn’t have much to cheer about career-wise after she left the bar — just a few scant guest shots on shows like ‘NYPD Blue’ and ‘Cold Case.’ Call it the ‘Cheers’ hangover.
Grey’s Anatomy’s Chyler Leigh, trying to make it onto the Hollywood scene, did a movie when she was about 15 in which she played kissy face with her very own flesh and blood brother. Icky. Ewww. How very Angelina Jolie of her.
She also kicks some street urchin ass in the film “Kickboxing Academy.” It is all very 1997 teen angst and coming of age. She and her brother exchange flirtations throughout the film and maintain a very G rated relationship. Near the end of the film, seen at the end of the clip below, Chyler tells her film love interest/brother to “shut up and kiss me.” Not too awful. She did it for the sake of the film. At least that is the angle I am taking because the situation creeps me out a little.
Having a remarkable resemblance to Ellen Pompeo, she is currently playing little sis Lexi on Grey’s Anatomy. She also is in the midst of wooing Justin Chambers’ character Alex. No relation there. Just sexy doctor sex.
Here’s the video:
Source: ‘Anatomy’ of a taboo [NY Daily News] and Chyler Leigh’s Secret Smooches with Brother [PR-Inside]
Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and her fiance’ of one year, Chris Ivery, were married Friday at New York’s City Hall at 11:30 in the morning. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was their witness.
“The Mayor was in midtown for his weekly radio show, and he came back [downtown] for a series of meetings at City Hall, and this was one of the things he had planned,” Bloomberg’s rep, Stu Loeser, tells Us.” The Mayor was gracious.”
“It was a perfect day,” Pompeo’s rep, Jennifer Allen, said. “They are so happy.”
Congratulations!
Source: “Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery Wed “ [US Weekly]
For all of you wondering what the big deal is with the writers’ strike, this video does an excellent job of explaining what the writers want. And it makes sense - they just want a cut of the profits from online views. Sounds fair to me.
And it sounds fair to Steve Carell, too. He is showing his solidarity with the writers by not crossing the picket line. “The Office” set was shut down for good Tuesday afternoon, and the actors who’ve not reported to work have helped that happen. Steve Carell called in sick, telling NBC that he was unable to report to work because he is suffering from “enlarged balls”. Awesome.
Source: “The Office: ‘Shut Down For Good’” [United Hollywood] via “Nick Counter Is A Weiner, Declares ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Heigl” [Defamer]
Thursday night TV is finally back - I’ve been waiting for this day for quite some time, and it’s here! Unfortunately, the two best shows of the evening, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘The Office’ are now on at the same time, so it’s get your Tivos ready.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ returns for its fourth season, and it promises to be as drama filled as the last three. We ended last season on Christina’s wedding day, but it wasn’t as happy as it was supposed to be. Burke walked out on the wedding, and Seattle Grace, Meredith and McDreamy were growing a little distant, George failed the exam and has to be an intern again, and Meredith’s half-sister Lexie has come to the hospital to be an intern. Drama, drama, drama. And I love every minute of it.
The title of tonight’s episode is “A Change Is Gonna Come”, so get ready for that.
Season Premiere Tonight at 9 pm EST/8 pm CST on ABC
Tonight also marks the premiere of the fourth season of ‘The Office’, which starts with Michael (Steve Carell) believing the office is haunted. To get to the bottom it, he explores the religious beliefs of his employees. On the ongoing plot side of things, the show promises to bring developments in the romances of Pam and Jim, and Dwight and Angela. Get ready for some fun.
Season Premiere Tonight at 9 pm EST/8 pm CST on NBC
Other shows premiering tonight:
My Name Is Earl - 8 pm EST on NBC
Smallville - 8 pm EST on CW
Ugly Betty - 8 pm EST on ABC
CSI - 9 pm EST on CBS
Big Shots - 10 pm EST on ABC
ER - 10 pm EST on NBC
Without a Trace - 10 pm EST on CBS
Again tonight there are several shows premiering, but my guess is most eyes will be on the “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff “Private Practice” and the new ABC series “Dirty Sexy Money”.
Last year on “Grey’s Anatomy”, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) left Seattle Grace for the sunny skies of California, and while she was there, she wound up putting her neonatal surgery skills to use in the private office of her friend, Dr. Naomi Bennett. Then she decided to stay, and the “Private Practice” spinoff was born. Personally, I’m not sure spinoffs ever really work, but I love Kate Walsh and her Addison Montgomery character, so we’ll see. There are a few more friendly faces, too, with Taye Diggs and Tim Daly in the cast. The problem I’m forseeing is that the hardass we know and love from Seattle is going to get all California soft on us - that would ruin it all.
Series Premiere Tonight at 9 pm EST/8 pm CST on ABC
The new series “Dirty Sexy Money” also premieres tonight, starring Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland and Billy Baldwin. The premise reads, “A wealthy and unscrupulous family become the headache of a lawyer who takes over as their counsel when his father passes away.” Everyone at TV Guide is calling it “fun”.
Series Premiere Tonight at 10 pm EST/9 pm CST on ABC
This might be the worst poll ever taken. NewlywedKate Walsh has topped the list of Hollywood’s Hottest Redheads. But here’s the thing, who knew Kate Walsh was actually a blonde?
The former Grey’s Anatomy star is a natural blonde, but she insists redheads have more fun, stating, “When I was blonde, they treated me like a girly girl. As a redhead, it was a little more sassy.”
The top 10 List:
1. Kate Walsh
2. Lindsay Lohan
3. Nicole Kidman
4. Debra Messing
5. Geri Halliwell
6. Julianne Moore
7. Kathy Griffin
8. Marcia Cross
9. Amy Adams
10. Isla Fisher
I should change my hair color to red. Maybe I could pull in the #11 ranking. I think this poll incudes every redheaded actress in Hollywood. Lame.
Even Ryan Seacrest dressed like that couldn’t get people to watch the Emmys this year. The broadcast may have been the least-watched in history.
Preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research put the audience for Sunday’s show, aired on Fox, at 13.1 million viewers. That’s three million fewer than for last year’s telecast, on NBC, and less than the record low 13.8 million three years ago on ABC.
What were people watching? About 13.3 million viewers chose to watch the New England Patriots play the San Diego Chargers instead. Which is sad since the Patriots won 38-14 and it wasn’t even a game after the first quarter.
The best part of the whole broadcast was Katherine Heigl correcting the announcer who mispronounced her name. Other than that, there were no real surprises. But if you’re interested, you can see all the winners after the jump
Patrick Dempsey and the rest of the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ clan are back on set filming, and McDreamy has noticed something new in the air.
“It’s a lot lighter, people are having more fun. The energy and the adjustments make a big difference,” he says, referring to the departure of Isaiah Washington after an on-set altercation between the stars last season.
Yep, sorry Isaiah Washington. No one is on your side.
Source: “Patrick Dempsey: Mood Is ‘A Lot Lighter’ on Grey’s Set” [People]
Image courtesy of Picture Perfect, for use on Gone Hollywood
Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal
Grey’s Anatomy
Heroes
House
The Sopranos
Outstanding Comedy Series
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty
Outstanding Lead Actor on a Drama Series
James Spader, Boston Legal
Hugh Laurie, House
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
Kiefer Sutherland, 24
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Ricky Gervais, Extras
Tony Shaloub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Mariska Hargitay, Lay & Order: SVU
Patricia Arquette, Medium
Minnie Driver, The Riches
Edie Falco, The Sopranos
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Houswives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
America Ferrara, Ugly Betty
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Rainn Wilson, The Office
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
William Shatner, Boston Leagal
TR Knight, Grey’s Anatomy
Masi Oka, Heroes
Michael Emerson, Lost
Terry O’Quinn, Lost
Michael Imporioli, The Sopranos
Oustanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jaime Pressly, My Name is Earl
Jenna Fischer, The Office
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Conchata Ferrell, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers and Sisters
Katherine Heigl, Grey’s Anatomy
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Aida Turturro, The Sopranos
Lorraine Bracco, The Sopranos
No really, Isaiah Washington is still talking about the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ drama. He dropped the f-bomb way back in October, when he tried to save face for a few weeks, and he got fired on June 7 or thereabouts - that’s three weeks ago, and he won’t shut up. First, he told E! that he was “mad as hell”. Then, last week, he told the Houston Chronicle that they fired the wrong guy and blamed T.R. Knight for the entire episode (no, Isaiah, no one but you used homophobic slurs).
Now, Isaiah is throwing race into the mix in an interview with Newsweek on the set of the upcoming indie flick ‘The Least of These’.
On how the f-bomb slipped:
“Patrick and I had a philosophical disagreement that got out of hand and that I regret a great deal. I said a lot of negative things that were never reported, but there was one word that caught everyone’s attention, particularly someone who wasn’t even in the room with us…someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me.”
On the existing prejudice on set:
“Well, it didn’t help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn’t a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn’t speak like I’d just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime. I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that ’some people’ were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I’m a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn’t go around saying ‘Yessah, massa sir’ and ‘No sir, massa’ to everyone?”
On the lessons learned:
“My mistake was believing that I would get the support from my network and all of my cast mates across the board. My mistake was believing I could correct a wrong with honesty and sincerity. My mistake was thinking black people get second chances. I was wrong on all fronts.”
He goes on to say that he probably used that word because he’s from the South, and that it says a lot about the U.S. when a black man can’t get forgiveness.
I have an idea, Isaiah. Just stop talking. Trust me, people will like you more - you just keep digging deeper and deeper.
What others are saying:
A Socialite’s Life says, “I don’t know if Isaiah was truly the subject of racial discrimination, but for someone just trying to do his job, as he says he was, he sure does have a lot of anecdotes that involve him losing his temper with co-workers.”
dlisted says, “I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to go cut off my ears now. Click here to read the entire article, but please don’t. Unless you like the taste of bullshit.”
“The Mayor was in midtown for his weekly radio show, and he came back [downtown] for a series of meetings at City Hall, and this was one of the things he had planned,” Bloomberg’s rep, Stu Loeser, tells Us.” The Mayor was gracious.”
Preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research put the audience for Sunday’s show, aired on Fox, at 13.1 million viewers. That’s three million fewer than for last year’s telecast, on NBC, and less than the record low 13.8 million three years ago on ABC.
