March 15, 2004 |
CHRIST ALMIGHTY!
The Passion of the Christ maintained its grip atop the box office for a third straight weekend, grossing $31.7 million for a 19-day total of $264 million. Mel Gibson's little-pet-project-that-could is on track to take in between $350 million and $400 million and rank as one of the top 10 earners in movie history. The Johnny Depp spooker Secret Window opened at No. 2 with a strong $19 million, followed by Starsky & Hutch (No. 3 with $16 million), Hidalgo (No. 4 with $11.7 million) and Agent Cody Banks: Destination London (No. 5 with $8 million). |
OH, LORDY!
In other Passion news, 60 Minutes' grumpy old man Andy Rooney said on Sunday's edition that he received 30,000 mostly angry letters in response to his Feb. 22 commentary in which he called Mel Gibson a "wacko." It was the show's biggest viewer response ever. One piece of mail referred to the 85-year-old Rooney as an "asinine, bottom-dwelling, numb-skulled, low-life, slimy, sickening, gutless, spineless, ignorant, pot-licking, cowardly pathetic little weasel," but surprisingly made no mention of his out-of-control eyebrows. |
YOU WANNA BE FIRED?
More than 1000 people lined up outside NBC's Burbank studios Saturday to audition for the second season of The Apprentice. Producers are reportedly looking for "real people" (hotties) who aren't afraid to speak their minds (drop the F-bomb). It also helps if you're a drama queen (prone to concussions) and not afraid to pick a fight (falsely accuse people of using racial slurs). On Thursday, the casting call moves to New York, where Donald Trump and sidekicks George Ross and Carolyn Kepcher will be on hand at 40 Wall Street to help screen prospective candidates (pose for pictures.) |
NEW LEASE ON LIFE
Filming of The Simple Life 2 got underway over the weekend as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie embarked on a 30-day cross-country trip from Miami to Beverly Hills aboard a shiny metallic Airstream trailer. "I've never been on a road trip anywhere," Hilton told The Associated Press. "The farthest I've driven is from L.A. to Palm Springs." Among the everyday conveniences the duo were forced to leave behind: money, credit cards, cell phones, boyfriends and grainy night-vision cameras. |
WONDERFALLS FLAT
Despite wondrous critical notices, Fox's quirky new drama Wonderfalls attracted less than 5 million viewers in its premiere Friday. The network fared slightly better with Playing It Straight, which drew 5.3 million viewers in its debut. For a revealing interview with Straight's leading lady, click here. |
IN THE FAMILY
In what is being called an amicable (nasty) split, Tom Cruise has parted ways with his long-time publicist, Pat Kingsley. Cruise will now be repped by his sister, Lee Anne DeVette, who has worked (ordered lunch) at his production company for the last 14 years. |
WHAT COULD IT BE?
Lisa Marie Presley is breaking her silence about her brief marriage to Michael Jackson. In an interview with the Australian TV show Enough Rope, the ex-Mrs. Wacko Jacko said she "saw things she could do nothing about... And don't ask me what sort of things, because I'm not going to answer. But just stuff." Yeah, we know: He's hooked on Jesus Juice. Who isn't? |
FOND FAREWELL
In what was billed as his final night of staged opera, legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti received a 15-minute standing ovation Saturday at New York's Metropolitan Opera following his performance of "Tosca." Although he's retiring from opera, the 68-year-old still plans to hold concerts up until his 70th birthday on Oct. 12, 2005. |
BACK IN THE RING
Five-time world champ Sugar Ray Leonard has been tapped to play a key role in NBC's upcoming boxing reality show The Contender. In the 16-episode series, from exec producers Mark Burnett, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sylvester Stallone, Leonard would serve as an adviser and mentor to the aspiring Rocky Balboas. |
WILL IT BE TOXIC?
Britney Spears has signed a deal with Elizabeth Arden to develop (slap her name on) a line of fragrance, skincare and color cosmetics. The products will be in stores this fall. |
SHORT CUTS
The National Trust of Australia named Down Under natives Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman "Living National Treasures" on Sunday... Chris Tucker and Charlie Sheen are in talks to headline Money Talks 2, a sequel to their modestly-successful 1997 action comedy. |
PERFECT STRANGERS
Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw may have said au revoir to Paris, but Sarah Jessica Parker still can't resist the language of amour. As reported in next week's issue of TV Guide magazine (on sale March 22), the actress will play a "very funny, sexy French teacher" in Strangers with Candy: The Movie, the big-screen supersizing of Comedy Central's cult high-school satire (which stars sometime Sex guest Amy Sedaris). Parker's real-life hubby, Matthew Broderick, is also on board as a fellow "who comes between [gay teachers in love] Jellineck and Noblet," reports producer Mark Roberts, adding that, before shooting starts in June, more A-listers are sure to make the grade. "The cast of characters will be long and distinguished. There are a lot of [Candy fans] coming out of the woodwork." |
IT'S AN INEVITABLE THING
As expected, Martha Stewart resigned from the board of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. today. However, the domestic goddess-turned-convicted-felon will stay on at the company in some creative capacity (she'll choose the hold music). |
TWO AND A HALF
Charlie Sheen and wife Denise Richards are the proud parents of a daughter, Sam Sheen, born March 8 in Los Angeles. This is the couple's first child together. Sheen also has a 19-year-old daughter, Cassandra, from a previous relationship. |
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