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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Robin Roberts memoir coming
“Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, who has shared her life-threatening battles with both breast cancer and a rare blood disorder with millions of TV viewers, will write a memoir, set for release from Grand Central Publishing in April 2014. — B.Z. …Read More
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Billy Crystal cleared for FX sitcom
Billy Crystal has inked a deal with the FX network to star in a pilot for a potential sitcom. Based on a Swedish show, “The Comedians” would feature Crystal as a comic attempting to revive his career by teaming up with a young up-and-comer in …Read More
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Justin Bieber booed because he’s ‘a whiner,’ music insider says
BILL ZWECKER: “He should know how to act,” the source says after the mixed response to Bieber at the Billboard awards. Even Jon Bon Jovi says the teen pop star is acting like “an a--hole.”
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Carol Burnett to get Mark Twain honor
The Kennedy Center announced Monday that Carol Burnett will be the next recipient of the Mark Twain Award, for her contributions to American humor. The actress and comedian will receive the award this fall, in a ceremony to be broadcast Oct. 30 on PBS. — …
Brad Pitt: I’m not ‘conceited,’ I’m impaired
Brad Pitt says he believes he suffers from prosopagnosia — facial blindness — making him unable to remember people’s faces. “So many people hate me because they think I’m disrespecting them” and assume he’s “egotistical … conceited,” Pitt told Esquire magazine. — B.Z. …
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson split seems permanent this time
BILL ZWECKER: A Pattinson friend is convinced the “Twilight” couple is over because he reportedly removed his dogs from Stewart’s house.
Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio join ‘The X Factor’
It seems Simon Cowell has signed Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio as “The X Factor” judges, replacing L.A. Reid and Britney Spears. The ex-Destiny’s Child singer earlier judged the U.K. version of “The X Factor,” and Latin star Rubio was on the “La Voz: Mexico” …
Seth MacFarlane: I won’t be Oscar host in 2014
While thanking Academy Award show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for again asking him back as host, Seth MacFarlane made clear Monday on Twitter that his busy scheduled prevents him from returning next year — joking, “My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix.” — …
Kanye West’s hatred of paparazzi strains his love for Kim Kardashian
BILL ZWECKER: Kim’s hunger for the spotlight isn’t easy for a rapper who just proclaimed, “I ain’t no mother-[expletive] celebrity.”
One Directions sets 2014 shows, promises ‘edgy’ album
One Direction long ago announced July 13 and 14 concerts at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre here, and now the hot boy band is looking further ahead, booking South American and European dates in 2014. Singer Liam Payne also spromised the group’s next album will be …
Angelina Jolie used disguises to keep surgery secret, sources say
BILL ZWECKER: Determined to keep her three-month process under wraps, Jolie reportedly relied on wigs and aliases while undergoing the double mastectomy.
Rod Stewart’s gender bender
Proven ladies’ man Rod Stewart, who has fathered eight children with five women, told Howard Stern he once seduced a man — thinking it was a woman. The rocker said he was set up for the practical joke by his former Faces bandmates in Australia …
Why Angelina Jolie went public with her double mastectomy
BILL ZWECKER: After getting tests and treatment to ease her risk of breast cancer, the star hopes to help others do the same.
Bill Hader to exit ‘SNL’
No word yet about Fred Armisen or Jason Sudeikis, but Bill Hader has confirmed he is ending his eight-season run on “Saturday Night Live” after this weekend’s season finale. Among Hader’s best-known characters: his bizarre “Weekend Update” city correspondent, Stefon. — B.Z. …
Beyonce postpones concert, blames exhaustion
Citing dehydration and exhaustion, Beyonce missed a show in “The Mrs. Carter Show” tour in Belgium Tuesday — just as her camp was trying to quash stories alleging the pop diva and husband Jay-Z were expecting their second child. The tour comes to Chicago’s United …
Is Beyonce pregnant? Probably not, but soon she’d like to be
BILL ZWECKER: Since Beyonce’s mention that “my daughter needs company,” curious observers have been looking for signs of a baby bump. But insiders doubt the superstar would want to be expecting while on the road.
‘Today’ anchor Savannah Guthrie plans wedding
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie announced Monday she’s engaged to media consultant Mike Feldman. It’s the second marriage for the “Today” co-host, 41, who got engaged to Feldman over the weekend in Turks & Caicos. The couple have dated for four years. — B.Z. …
Angie Everhart battling cancer
Model and actress Angie Everhart will undergo surgery for thyroid cancer Thursday. Since rumors about Everhart’s health have been circulating, her rep told “Extra,” she wanted to set the record straight — confirming the cancer but adding “the prognosis is very good.” — B.Z. …
Gillian Anderson, Dermot Mulroney, Christian Slater doing TV shows in Chicago
BILL ZWECKER: To the delight of local film crews and celebrity watchers, NBC and ABC order four series that will be shot in Our Town.
‘Crisis,’ new NBC drama, to shoot in Chicago
BILL ZWECKER: Sources tell me NBC’s green-lighted conspiracy drama “Crisis,” starring Gillian Anderson and Dermot Mulroney, will be shot in Chicago. The pilot was filmed in Los Angeles, but will head our way this season. …
