Chicago Sun-Times

Arsenio Hall back on late-night TV

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 02:23:17 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: He’s baaack! Arsenio Hall, who made a groundbreaking leap into TV talk in 1989, is returning to the late-night chatfest scene with the new, nationally syndicated “Arsenio Hall Show.”

Chicagoan hopes to be ‘Top Model’

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:04:55 -0500

Humboldt Park resident Kanani Andaluz, 19, is one of 16 finalists on the new cycle of “America’s Next Top Model,” returning on the CW network on Friday.

Simon Cowell a dad? Friends quick to judge

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:07:10 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: As reports say the “X Factor” judge is expecting a baby with his friend’s wife, Cowell associates say they’re “pretty skeptical” that he’ll embrace fatherhood.

New Batman needed for ‘Man of Steel’ sequel

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 06:05:01 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: Jake Gyllenhaal? Bradley Cooper? Guessing begins for the actor who will face down Superman.

Will Paula Deen join ‘Dancing With the Stars?’

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:29:34 -0500

As rumors continue to fly about disgraced Southern cook Paula Deen being tapped for “Dancing With the Stars,” TMZ asked Mark Ballas if he or other pro dancers would object. “We don’t have the say. … You get paid to do it, and just do as you’re told,” Ballas said. — B.Z. …

Very modern wedding for ‘Modern Family’ star

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:29:34 -0500

“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson married his partner Justin Mikita Saturday in New York — joined by such famous friends as Ferguson’s TV co-star Eric Stonestreet, Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn. Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner officiated. — B.Z. …

BILL ZWECKER: Snubs of ‘The Good Wife’ are Emmy’s biggest shocker

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:38:01 -0500

In a year with more than the usual number of Emmy snubs, it was the one overlooking Julianna Margulies for best actress in a drama and her CBS show, “The Good Wife,” for best drama series that had Hollywood TV types’ tongues wagging. “This was a terrible oversight,” said an admiring exec from a competing network. “Given ‘The Good Wife’s’ ratings, this will not help the show’s future prospects of being renewed.” A friend of the actress shared a similar reaction to the Chicago-set legal drama being passed over. “Julianna is not one of those actresses who is obsessed with …

Robert Downey Jr. tops rich actors list

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 20:47:05 -0500

A few years ago, Robert Downey Jr.’s addiction battles seemed likely to destroy his career, but thanks to his maintenance of sobriety — and starring roles in “Iron Man 3” and “The Avengers” — Downey tops Forbes’ list of the richest actors, earning a cool $75 million in 12 months. — B.Z. …

Emma Roberts arrest defies her squeaky clean image

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:25:14 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: In a move one producer called ‘out of character,’ the actress (and niece to Julia Roberts) was held by cops after a fight with her boyfriend, later spotted with a bloody nose.

Tina Turner marries longtime beau

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 20:53:43 -0500

Music legend Tina Turner has married Erwin Bach, her partner of 27 years,in a civil ceremony Reuters reported took place “a few days ago” in Zurich, Switzerland. That’s near the couple’s lakeside home, where they soon will celebrate with a Buddhist ceremony. — B.Z. …

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 engaged to model

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 20:53:43 -0500

Rock star and heartthrob Adam Levine of Maroon 5, a mentor on “The Voice,” has become engaged to Behati Prinsloo, the 24-year-old Namibian supermodel who is a Victoria’s Secret Angel. The couple have had an on-and-off relationship but clearly are back on track. — B.Z. …

Leah Remini surprised by reaction to her Scientology split

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 06:05:04 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: “Leah really didn’t understand how this would become a news story,” says a longtime friend. Another pal, Kirstie Alley, denies she attacked the actress.

Tom Cruise surprises acting school grads

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:40:59 -0500

The 60 graduates at the Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Studio acting school in Santa Monica, Calif., were surprised by commencement speaker Tom Cruise. The New York Post reported Cruise told the graduates not to be divas and “learn everything you can” from every job. — B.Z. …

Stevie Wonder, angry about Zimmerman, boycotts Florida

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:40:59 -0500

In the wake of George Zimmerman’s not-guilty verdict in the Trayvon Martin case, Stevie Wonder told a concert audience in Quebec City on Sunday he will not perform in Florida until the “Stand Your Ground” law is abolished there. He asked fans to join him in the boycott. — B.Z. …

Cory Monteith plays drug addict in ironic final role

Sat, 17 Aug 2013 06:05:30 -0500

BILL ZWECKER: The director of “McCanick” says the actor, who has admitted to struggles with drugs, “wanted to tap into things from his youth that he hadn’t been able to use as an actor yet.”

Chris Christie to appear on Michael J. Fox sitcom

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:13:13 -0500

It won’t be a big stretch when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plays himself in an episode this fall of the new NBC comedy “The Michael J. Fox Show.” In the somewhat autobiographical sitcom, Fox plays a sportscaster returning to work after a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. — B.Z. …

Dave Matthews needs a lift, finds one

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:13:13 -0500

En route to a Dave Matthews Band concert Saturday in Hershey, Penn., Emily Kraus and her boyfriend rescued a stranded Matthews, without his cell phone, after his bike blew a tire. They drove him to the concert and were rewarded with great onstage seats for the show. — B.Z. …

Hollywood mourns Cory Monteith’s death; Lea Michele ‘inconsolable’

Fri, 16 Aug 2013 06:04:49 -0500

Friends and “Glee” cast are grieving the loss of their dear friend and co-worker, Cory Monteith. Sources close to the young actor point to drug overdose as likely cause.