September 06, 2002 |
ARE THEY OR AREN'T THEY?
There were some funny moments on the Today show this morning as American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson "accidentally" remarked that her relationship with runner-up Justin Guarini may not be strictly platonic. When a fan asked Clarkson if she was dating Guarini, she replied: "We're just friends. Nothing like that... yet." After realizing what she implied, the Texas resident — who was seated next to Guarini — blushed and retracted the comment. Proving that she might very well be the next Mariah Carey, Clarkson blamed the slip-of-the-tongue on, um, exhaustion. In related American Idol news, ratings for Wednesday's finale were big — Justin's hair big. The swan song attracted a series high 22.5 million viewers — the show's largest audience ever. Even more staggering: Nielsen estimates that nearly one in three adults aged 18-49 watched the two-hour event. |
THEY WERE READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!
The NFL estimates that some 500,000 fans jammed Times Square on Thursday for its season opening celebration, dubbed "the world's biggest tailgate party." The event — which featured performances by Eve, Alicia Keys, Enrique Iglesias and 'N Sync's Joey Fatone — ended on a patriotic note as headliner Bon Jovi sang "America the Beautiful" as dozens of New York police officers unfurled a huge American flag. Oh, and as far as the game goes, the 49ers beat the Giants 16-13. |
MOB SCENE
The NFL wasn't the only game in town Thursday night: HBO premiered the fourth season of The Sopranos at Radio City Music Hall and all the usual suspects turned out, including series stars James Gandolfini and Lorraine Bracco. (I was seated with Aida Turturro's family and friends in the fourth row.) The first two episodes of Season Four were screened, and everyone seemed to be in agreement that they definitely were worth the year-and-a-half wait. The new season kicks off Sept. 15. |
UNSOLVED MYSTERY SOLVED?
In an investigative report out today, the Los Angeles Times has identified late rapper Notorious B.I.G. as a key player in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur. The paper alleges that B.I.G., who was himself gunned down in Los Angeles the following year, provided the weapon used to murder Shakur as well as the $1 million bounty. |
BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT
Hollywood insiders are predicting that sleeper smash My Big Fat Greek Wedding will hit another milestone this weekend: No. 1 at the box office. The romantic comedy — which was released five months ago — reached the No. 2 spot last weekend. |
PRIMETIME LIVE WIRE
Funnyman Martin Short will bring his plus-sized Comedy Central alter ego Jiminy Glick to the big screen in the feature film Lalawood. Of course, the pic — described as a murder mystery — will include a ton of celeb cameos. |
THE SHOWS WILL GO ON
David Letterman has decided to do an original Late Show on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Letterman's late-night colleagues Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien and Craig Kilborn will also be doing shows that day. |
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