Chicago Sun-Times

Amanda Bynes wants her $3 million in savings, but parents balk

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:31:35 -0500

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.

Meredith Vieira reportedly planning daytime talk show

Wed, 01 May 2013 22:34:22 -0500

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 in 2014. — B.Z. …

Lil Wayne writes to family of Emmett Till

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:31:43 -0500

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 whistling at a white woman in Mississippi in 1955. — B.Z. …

‘Two and Half Men’ producers ponder their second ‘Half’

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:14:51 -0500

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

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:14:51 -0500

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 month in Los Angeles. — B.Z. …

Michael Jordan wedding singers: Robin Thicke and Usher

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:20:10 -0500

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

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:58:58 -0500

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. — B.Z. …

Elton John and Madonna make nice

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:58:58 -0500

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. — B. Z. …

Mariah Carey’s weak critiques blamed as ‘Idol’ ratings tumble

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:33:45 -0500

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

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:06:01 -0500

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

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:36:00 -0500

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 are producers of “Big Fish.” Afterward, Buffett and Marshall posed with the musical’s three principals — Bobby Steggert, Kate Baldwin and two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz. “Big Fish” runs through May 5 and is slated for its Broadway bow this fall. …

Justin Bieber’s grandpa, ‘never a nice man,’ covets the star’s money

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:23:37 -0500

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

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:43:21 -0500

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 the market for $20 million. — B.Z. …

Ben Affleck to live on $1.50 a day

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:40:58 -0500

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 the Line” campaign runs April 29-May 3. — B.Z. …

Khloe Kardashian gets the ax at ‘The X Factor’

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:20:16 -0500

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?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:17:58 -0500

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 the awards. — B.Z. …

Nicollette Sheridan doesn’t give up

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:43:21 -0500

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. — B.Z. …

Reese Witherspoon, husband arrested after clash with Atlanta cop

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:14:28 -0500

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?”