zwecker
Bill Zwecker biography
From the top stars of Hollywood to Chicago's best-known celebrities like Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey, Bill Zwecker is the expert when it comes to …Read More
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Amanda Bynes wants her $3 million in savings, but parents balk
BILL ZWECKER: “I’m not crazy,” the former actress insists, but her mom and dad worry about her bizarre behavior and fear she’ll waste her money on a doomed fashion business.
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Meredith Vieira reportedly planning daytime talk show
Veteran broadcaster and ex-“Today” co-anchor Meredith Vieira reportedly is planning a return to daytime TV. According to Us Weekly, Vieira is shooting a pilot for an NBC talk show similar to Katie Couric’s daily chatfest. If the pilot is picked up, the show would launch …Read More
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Lil Wayne writes to family of Emmett Till
It took more than two months, but Lil Wayne finally has reached out to the family of civil rights icon Emmett Till. In a letter, he said he wanted to “acknowledge your hurt” about his lyric referencing the 14-year-old black Chicagoan beaten to death for …Read More
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‘Two and Half Men’ producers ponder their second ‘Half’
BILL ZWECKER: Angus T. Jones, who condemned the CBS sitcom as “filth,” is out as a series regular, leaving a void for a young sidekick for returning stars Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer.
Sarah Silverman special coming to HBO
Comedian Sarah Silverman will bring her edgy style of humor to the small screen this fall with her very first HBO special. The cable network and Funny Or Die are teaming up on “Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles.” The standup concert will be filmed next …
Michael Jordan wedding singers: Robin Thicke and Usher
BILL ZWECKER: The NBA superstar and bride Yvette Pietro treated each other to surprise pop-star serenades at their wedding reception in Florida.
Rihanna reunion worries Chris Brown’s dad
Chris Brown’s dad, Clinton Brown, told the New York Daily News he fears his son’s reignited romance with Rihanna again will end badly. The senior Brown prefers Jordin Sparks or his son’s ex Karrueche Tran as better long-term choices, though he gets RiRi’s “exotic” appeal. …
Elton John and Madonna make nice
Once critical of Madonna, Elton John revealed on “Extra” that the pop giants ended their feud at a French restaurant last summer. “I apologized profusely,” Sir Elton said, “because what I said should never have appeared in public.” A “very gracious” Madonna accepted the apology. …
Mariah Carey’s weak critiques blamed as ‘Idol’ ratings tumble
BILL ZWECKER: But “American Idol” insiders scoff at reports that she was on the verge of being replaced midseason by Jennifer Lopez.
Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz added to Cannes jury
There’s big star power in the upcoming Cannes Film Festival’s jury: Oscar winners Nicole Kidman, Ang Lee and Christoph Waltz, plus French actor Daniel Autiel and directors Christian Mungin and Naomi Kawase, join already announced panel president Steven Spielberg. — B.Z. …
Jimmy Buffet takes in “Big Fish” peformance Tuesday night
There was a bit of musical celebrity gracing the Oriental Theatre Tuesday night as Jimmy Buffett checked in on the Broadway-bound production of “Big Fish.” The “Cheeseburger in Paradise” legend — joined by Frank Marshall — attended the Tuesday performance of the show. Both men …
Justin Bieber’s grandpa, ‘never a nice man,’ covets the star’s money
BILL ZWECKER: The singer is being criticized as neglectful by a relative who in the past, a source says, “ never paid him any attention.”
Matt Damon lists home for $20 million
While Matt Damon likely supports his BFF Ben Affleck’s plan to spend less than $1.50 per day on food and drink to bring attention to the 1.4 billion people living on less than that, it is ironic that news broke as Damon’s Miami mansion hit …
Ben Affleck to live on $1.50 a day
Oscar winner Ben Affleck, who long has done charity work in the Congo, hopes to bring attention to worldwide hunger by spending no more than $1.50 per day on food and drink — the definition of extreme poverty — for five days. The “Live Below …
Khloe Kardashian gets the ax at ‘The X Factor’
BILL ZWECKER: The reality TV star “could barely read the TelePrompTer,” says one insider. Mario Lopez stays on, and he hopes to host the show solo.
Seth MacFarlane back as Oscars host?
Though Seth MacFarlane has said he’d never host the Oscars again, his 2013 show producers have invited him back for next year. Deadline.com reports MacFarlane is considering the offer but may have to pass because of the big amount of time required to prep for …
Nicollette Sheridan doesn’t give up
A year after her wrongful termination suit against “Desperate Housewives” and producer Marc Cherry ended in a mistrial, Nicollette Sheridan has been granted a new trial date: Dec. 2. The actress claims she was fired in 2009 after an intense on-set fight with Cherry. — …
Reese Witherspoon, husband arrested after clash with Atlanta cop
BILL ZWECKER: Police say while her husband took a Breathlyzer test, the actress defied the officer’s order to stay in her car and said, “Do you know my name?”
Snoop Lion’s ‘420 Festival’ smoked out
Rapper and marijuana fan Snoop Lion — formerly Snoop Dogg — had his annual “420 Festival” in Hollywood shut down temporarily by police when neighbors complained about parking and noise issues. Despite the lack of a permit, the “smoky” fete continued late into the night. …
Al Michaels fails sobriety test, police say
Veteran sportscaster Al Michaels was arrested and booked on suspicion of a DUI after failing a sobriety test Friday at a checkpoint in Santa Monica, Calif., police said. Michaels, 68, was released on his own recognizance early Saturday. He’s scheduled to appear in court June …
