Links To Hollywood - #124

Huh? Josh Groban is a Pothead - City Rag

Tila Tequila Invited To The Bravo A-List Awards? - The Bastardly

Usher Back on Top of Billboard Charts - Bumpshack

Lindsay Lohan Likes Bathroom Sex - Celebrity Smack

Geri Halliwell Has Hairy Armpits - Seriously? OMG! WTF?

Beth Ditto with a Trash Bag Over Her Head - Popbytes

Britney Spears to Frolic with Pussycat Dolls - Celeb News Wire

Hayden Panettiere “Used” to be a Lesbian - Flisted

Celebrity Boob Showdown - Ninja Dude

Brittany Snow Punching a Guy in the Balls - Fatback Media

Jessica Simpson is Porking Out Again - Pop On The Pop

Ryan Phillippe Still Dating the Homewrecker - Pink is the New Blog

R.I.P. The Rock - Just Jared

Whoopi Goldberg Talks About Casual Sex - Drunken Stepfather

Jennifer Aniston Chasing a Puppy - Defamer

Brad Pitt Likes Indulgent Treats - Pretty on the Outside

How Many Stupid Faces Can Oprah Make - Best Week Ever

‘Cheers’ 15 Years Later

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.

Celebrities Who Look Like Muppets

Celebrities are truly a funny breed… but not nearly as funny as their Muppet comparisons.

I’m not sure why I am so amused by this, but one of my favorite Muppet creations was the Fraggle Rock Doozers.

Beaker and Carrot Top

Miss Piggy and Tori Spelling

Janice and Donatella Versace

Grog and Bruce Vilanch

The Swedish Chef and Dr. Phil

Fozzie Bear and Jack Black

Rowlf the Dog and Whoopi Goldberg

Gonzo and Adrien Brody

source: Hollywood Muppets [tmz]

• Hot Momma Gossip  linked with  Hot Momma Gossip Weekend Links 03-05-08
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Sherri Shepherd of ‘The View’ Has Never Voted

Sherri Shepherd of ABC’s ‘The View’ has never voted!

Before you get too upset, lets remember this is the same woman who thought the world was flat.

Reports Jezebel,

On The View this morning, Sherri Shepherd recounted her close call of almost missing the cutoff for registering to vote via absentee ballot for the election in November. (Shepherd resides in New York, but is a California resident.) And apparently this is the first time that Sherri will be voting…ever!

Having turned 18 in 1985, the now-41-year-old has missed out on the past five presidential elections because she “never knew the dates or anything.” She said it was important to vote in this one, though, because otherwise, she wouldn’t have a right to complain on The View about whomever is elected for an entire year. (She probably meant to say “four years.”)

Sherri Shepherd of ‘The View’, Doesn’t Know if the World is Flat

After declaring that she didn’t “believe in evolution, period,” the new “View” co-host Sherri Shepherd was asked if she thought the world was flat.

You would think that the question was elementary, but apparently it isn’t. She has no clue and that is completely embarrassing.

Click the picture below to view the video.

What other’s said:

• Dlisted says, “Wait…seriously…is the World flat? I’m joking! Everyone knows it’s square!”

source: New “View” Co-Host Sherri Shepherd Doesn’t Know If World Is Flat [the huffinton post]

It’s Official: Whoopi Gets The View, Sherri Shepherd Doesn’t

The View made the official announcement today that Whoopi Goldberg is the new host to replace Rosie O’Donnell. However, Sherri Shepherd did not make the cut. Apparently the negotiations went awry when Sherri tried to get the same pay Whoopi was promised: $2 million. “They just couldn’t work out the money part of it,” an insider tells In Touch. “They weren’t willing to pay Sherri what she was asking for.”

Although the negotiations with Sherri aren’t necessarily over, In Touch reports that The View has also resumed its conversation with former CNN news anchor and syndicated radio host Jacque Reid, who has guest-hosted more than six times. Barbara and the other producers are committed to adding a fifth host to The View before the new season begins on September 4.

The saga continues… Now will Barbara just get it over with and call Kathy Griffin already?

Source: In Touch; Photo: Instapunk

The View Picks Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd

MSNBC reports that The View is about announce the replacements for Rosie O’Donnell, and the winners are Whoopi Goldberg and Sherri Shepherd. Even though ABC would not comment on the news, saying “We have nothing to announce right now,” an executive of The View, who spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing, wouldn’t deny they were the top candidates.

What? No Kathy Griffin? She’s been my vote all along. And I’m not sure returning the show to a 5-member panel format is the way to go - it’s already chaotic with 4, and they’re going to add another voice to the mix? I just think it works better with four. But at least this way there’s a better chance of drowning out Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

Source: Right Celebrity

Ivanka Trump to Replace Rosie?

The National Enquirer reports that Barbara Walters likes Ivanka Trump as a candiate to replace Rosie, O’Donnell on The View. She may have some ulterior motives, though, as she supposedly wants “to stick it to Paris Hilton and her parents for their shabby treatment of her when they were trying to sell the Paris post-prison interview.” But Page Six says Barbara still has beef with the Trumps because Donald called her a liar during the Rosie feud, so she’d never hire Ivanka.

It seems drama will continue to follow The View. Candidates to replace Rosie look to be Gale King, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Griffin, Mario Cantone, and now, Ivanka.

What others are saying:

• Maple Juice says, “Looks like “The View” is getting desperate!”

• dlisted says, “They should fire Hasselcrack and hire Ivanka. That table needs some boobage and Hasselcrack’s whiny-ass voice is starting to get on my nerves.”

• hollyscoop says, “This would be one of the juiciest things to ever happen on “The View” if it were actually true. Well it’s not that juicy but it would be hella funny.”

Source: Page Six, Photo: Ask Men

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Whoopi Replacing Rosie on ‘The View’

Comedian Whoopie Goldberg will be taking over Rosie O’Donnell’s slot on “The View,” Star’s Jessica Schimmel reports.

“As far as everyone at ABC is concerned, she has the job,” a network insider confirms to Star. “They have been meeting with Kathy Griffin, Rosanne Barr, Ricki Lake and Gayle King.” While Kathy was a strong contender, Whoopi has won everyone over.”

“Everyone is acting like Whoopi already has the gig,” the show insider adds.

“Whoopi has a radio show, she lives in NYC and she is an institution. She also is liberal and outspoken but not crazy like Rosie was. She will be a perfect fit as far as the ladies on The View are concerned.” Nothing has been officially announced,” says the insider. “But it is 99 percent Whoopi at this point. They will have a few guest hosts throughout the summer but the executives and producers at The View are set on Ms. Goldberg to start in the fall.”

ABC executives are so excited about signing Whoopi that they even offered her what they refused to give Rosie – a year-to-year deal. “When Rosie finds out, she’ll be furious!” tattles another source.

Goldberg, 51, is more than qualified. She’s hosted the Oscars four times and holds a Grammy, Emmy, Oscar and Tony Award. And even Rosie O’Donnell has written on her official blog (www.rosie.com) that she would like Whoopi to take over her role. Goldberg has appeared in over 150 movies and is currently the host of Wake Up With Whoopi, which premiered in 2006.

I was never a big fan of Goldberg during her days as a vulgar standup but I warmed up to her during her acting carer, notably her recurring role as Guinan on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Certainly, she’s an improvement over O’Donnell.

image source: dlisted