Writing by John Lichman on Friday, 10 October, 2008 at 10:36 am
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Seems like Ozzy Osbourne has come out of whatever hole he last dug himself in since The Osbournes ended a satisfying pop culture death to make a variety show. Of course, probably under the assumption that he doesn’t need someone to write his lines (”Uhaghndjnnnn…SHAAARON!!”) the show’s producers have sought to make the program “half-scripted,” according to the New York Times.
Basic translation: We really do need to script the old man, but don’t feel like paying for it.
Of course, this does not please the Writer’s Guild:
Such a contract would pay reduced fees to guild-represented writers of skits, interview material and scene outlines, said the letter, written by Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of American West and Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild East.
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The guild said that Fremantle offered to “pay greatly reduced writing fees” to writers of skits, interview material and introductions, while other portions of the show would not employ guild-represented writers. Jeff Hermanson, an assistant executive director of the guild’s western branch, said that the guild had traditionally covered 100 percent of the work on programs like the proposed Osbournes show, which he called “a completely straightforward, traditional comedy-variety show.”
The tentatively titled The Osbournes: Loud and Dangerous would act as a possible companion to American Idol when it returns in 2009. No surprise that FremantleMedia North America is producing both shows.
Writing by Dave on Wednesday, 30 July, 2008 at 11:10 am
Yesterday’s taping of Judge Judy was rudely interrupted by a sudden shifting of the tectonic plates underneath the city of Los Angeles.
Our favorite moment from the video is the look on the Judge’s face after she realizes what the hell is going on. It’s almost like her silently praying: “I hope I can run with these damn robes on.”
The comedian Andy Dick was arrested early this morning in Murrieta on suspicion of drug possession and misdemeanor sexual battery, authorities said.
Dick, 42, was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. in the parking lot near the Buffalo Wild Wings at 40484 Murrieta Hot Springs Road.
He was being held this morning at the Southwest Detention Center with a bail amount set at $5,000.
Rumor on the gossip circuit is that police we called because a man was peeing in public. They arrived to find Dick drunk in a car where he groped a teenage girl and pulled her top down. When searched, Dick had a Xanex and no prescription.
Writing by Dave on Friday, 2 May, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Gary Coleman’s landmark appearance on Divorce Court finally addressed his sex life on today’s part 2 of 2. Judge Toler got down to the bottom of the issue by asking if Gary was okay and if they have actually consummated their marriage.
To which Coleman responded: “I…yeah…well…yeah….it’s a little bit complicated.”
What choo talkin’ about Willis?
Oh, this is sad. So sad we can’t think of a joke to make is less sad.
The actor hasn’t appeared on Winfrey’s daytime talk show since his June 23, 2005, appearance where in addition to promoting “War of the Worlds,” he very enthusiastically expressed his love for future wife Katie Holmes (we’re putting the whole couch incident in the past).
It’s not clear what the focus of this show will be, but it is well-timed to May sweeps, and a quick look at the calendar shows that this summer is the 25th anniversary of Cruise’s breakthrough role in “Risky Business.”
Maybe he’ll be like: “Hey, I know everyone says that my new movie is going to suck, my career is over, I’m batshit crazy and my production company is going to go bankrupt, but – By LRon! - who wants to see me strip down to my undies and dance!”
Writing by Dave on Monday, 14 April, 2008 at 9:12 am
Dr. Phil McGraw was going to do a whole show about the recent Florida beating where the teenaged suspects videotaped themselves during the attack. Seems like great fodder for a man that has tried to help Britney Spears only to get skewered by basically every media outlet who had nothing better to report on that week (there’s a what going on? War? Naw, stop foolin’!).
Too bad he can’t do the show because a member of his staff became personally involved in the story.
Writing by Dave on Friday, 28 March, 2008 at 10:20 am
Sorry about the political asides as of late, but Obama-mania is everywhere and the man can - and does - talk to anyone.
If you read us when we talk about pointless crap like celebrity sex tapes, does our opinion become moot when a media-savvy president encroaches on pop culture?
For instance, could you imagine George W Bush on The View? A few things would happen: stuttering, Elisabeth Hasselback would be fawning and giving him an easy time while Whoopi would stick it to him.
It’s a good sign that Whoopi has almost nothing to say while she’s staring starry-eyed at a man who is running for president who is capable of speaking about what he believes in.
Parts 2, 3 and 4 are below the cut, should you be interested.
