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Survivor Desegregates

September 29, 2006

It didn’t take the Supreme Court, and the public got used to a race-based "Survivor." (Maybe because life is still race-based, unfortunately?)

Yet after only two episodes, producers merged the black, white, Asian and Latino tribes into mixed-race groups on the CBS reality show Thursday night. No explanation was given for the quick abandonment of segregation.

''We're back to America. We're a melting pot,'' said Parvati, a boxer on the new Raro tribe. ''I love it.''

Oh yeah. Which “America?” The one we here at BBCancelled live in is not made up of small islands, and we have food, water, fire and access to laundry facilities. What planet are you on?

The average viewership of the first two episodes was essentially the same as ''Survivor'' last year, even up slightly, Nielsen Media Research said. An unexpectedly strong showing by ABC's ''Ugly Betty'' in the same time slot this week is likely to cut into ''Survivor'' ratings.

Liza Minnelli Has Criminal Intent

Fresh off her cameo appearance in the film ''The OH in Ohio'' (about orgasms) and her recurring role in ''Arrested Development,'' Liza will guest-star in an upcoming episode of ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent.''

This should, probably, maybe, be seen as a bit of a comeback for the star. Instead of reading about herpes and divorces: she’s acting again.

Minnelli, 59, will play a former beauty queen whose daughter, an aspiring beauty queen, was found murdered on Halloween night, said Pam Golum, a spokeswoman for Wolf Films, which produces the NBC show.
The episode, called ''Masquerade,'' is filming now and will air in November.

At BBCancelled, we try not to forget that Liza was once a lot more than Michael Jackson’s friend and a hip-replaced freak. Minnelli won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the 1972 film Cabaret. She won an Emmy for the 1972 TV special ''Liza with a Z.'' She also won Tony Awards in 1965, 1974 and 1978.

Hoo-Ray for Don Ho

The singer of “Tiny Bubbles” (and the star of his own TV show, “The Don Ho Show” on ABC in 1976-77) was released from a hospital following a two-week stay after having a new pacemaker installed.

''I'm recuperating from the hospital! I feel great,'' the 76-year-old Waikiki crooner said Thursday as he had lunch at one of his favorite restaurants.

Hawaii. So we hope he wasn’t eating Spam. That can’t be good for the heart. Yet those Hawaiians love it.

Ho said Thursday he hasn't decided when to resume his show at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber hotel where he has entertained tourists for more than four decades.

Charlie $heen. 'Nuff Said.

September 28, 2006

Very little tickles us here at BBCancelled news more than a story like this. Charlie Sheen is now, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and Reuters, and CNN.com: The highest paid comedy actor in television today.

Paycheck for "Two and A Half Men?"

Supposedly, $350,000 per episode.

Does he deserve it? You tell us. It's not as much as the "Friends" made. or Ray Romano. But still. That's a lot of money. Then again, it is VERY hard to create a show that people like. So maybe he deserves extra credit. And in Hollywood extra credit is given in cold, hard cash.

Screech Selling His Own Porn

Leave it to a newspaper in San Francisco (SF Gate) to get the real "scoop" on the Screech Powers (real name: Dustin Diamond) sex tape.

The former TV personality is releasing a 40 minute porn, yes let's just call it a porn, of himself and two women. We say "he's releasing it" because his agent David Hans Schmidt tells the newspaper that he has the rights to it and they are for sale.

Oh, save us from the "bell" of Screech!

What kind of world is this where a has-been makes his own sex tape in order to drum up business?

Schmidt told another paper, the New York Daily News, "Just when you think you have seen everything in this business, mankind has raised the bar another notch. Or lowered it."

And Mr. Power's manager -- heaven knows why he still has a manager -- hopes the tape will help his clients career.

Well, we gotta hand it to Diamond. He's got the "Powers," apparently. He's living up to his last name. Two women in bed. And two handlers helping to sell this thing.

Project Runway Whiplash

Rarely does TV give us a headache. And we mean that in a good way. But last night’s episode of “Project Runway” was supposed to feature a final elimination. Four contestants began “The Elle Challenge,” but only the winner and runners-up would make it to the next level.

That’s how it was on Season 1, Season 2, and … not so fast!

At the end of the show, all four contestants (Uli, Laura, Jeffrey and Michael) were sent on to the finals, and all showed at Fashion Week.

They’ve done four Fashion Week shows in the past, with a decoy so as not to reveal the final three. (Last season was Kara Janx.) This season, all four shows were the real deal. No decoy!

And no elimination!

Why the huge change?! Inquiring minds and fans of all ages want to know.

For guidance, we dashed down the hall and asked Andy Cohen, Vice-President of Production and Programming at Bravo and “Project Runway” guru.

“The judges,” he said, “agonized over the decision and were equally disenchanted with three of the dresses. But they were steadfast in their desire to see more from each of these four designers, who each represent such a clear point of view and had each excelled so much throughout the series. They decided the fair thing to do was let them all compete at fashion week."

So, four finalists. Wow!

Tim Gunn: Dean of F.U.

Think your teen has what it takes to be a fashion designer? Well then get that youngster to a computer! The deadline is rapidly approaching!

Tim Gunn is one of many fashion big wigs that will take part in Teen Vogue’s “Fashion University” next month.

What? There’s a “Fashion University”?

Actually -- it’s a three-day fashion seminar for aspiring teenage fashionistas, putting them together with people like Gunn, Simon Doonan, the Trovata Boys and Amy Astley to “discuss fashion careers and education.”

What’s the catch? No catch. Just $75 bucks and you have to be between the age of 16 and 21.

Application deadline has been extended to September 30th. For more info go to the very loud website.

If you get in -- tell Tim we said “Hi!”

Four Ounces of Brad Pitt

Variety is reporting that Brad Pitt has a soft spot for Trannies.

Well, more exactly, he's in a deal with FX and Ryan Murphy (who created “Nip/Tuck”) and Dede Gardner (who co-produced Augusten Borroughs' Running with Scissors), to produce "4 oz," a show that FX that details the transformation of a man who becomes a woman.

We’re, of course, thrilled when anybody takes a risk like this on television. And a story about a married sportswriter, with two teenage sons, who takes on the process of gender reassignment just makes us want to set our TiVos early.

In a quote to Variety, Murphy (who is writing a pilot now) says that he has an ambitious five-season plan for the show.

Five seasons!!??

"The first season deals with the revelation of his secret," Murphy said. "In the second season, he begins dressing like a woman. The third covers the surgery, and his inherent doubts about going through with it, and by the fourth season, he's living as a woman and attempting to find love."

So, what is the relevance of the weight "4 oz"? It’s the average weight of a penis.

The Coreys Lost and Found

September 27, 2006

This must be good news for the heirs of "The Coreys" (Corey Feldman and Corey Haim). They probably thought their dads were going to leave them with nothing but bad reputations.

But fret not little ones: Daddy is going to make good thanks to (sinking fast?) A&E cable channel. They've ordered eight episodes of a new reality series for next year called "The Coreys: Return of the Lost Boys," featuring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman.

No word on how much money is involved in this deal, or if and when it's suppsoed to be completed. But we here at BBCancelled are looking forward to it with bated breath.

Backstory: "The two Corey's were a popular pair about 20 years ago, and this weekly half hour series brings updates viewers on what the Coreys have been up to."

Wow, makes you long for ad supported old fashion three network television.

Dr. Phil Busted Shilling Snake Oil

We sorta figured that whole "Ultimate Weight Loss" thing from Dr. Phil was a sham. We bought the book, read (half) of it, and threw it out.

Then we ate bon-bons.

How is this "doctor" making a zillion dollars with a weight loss plan when he himself is ... well ... husky?

It's America, kiddos. Hucksters have gotten away with worse.

But Dr. Phil McGraw is not getting away this time ... or rather the company that produced the Shape Up! Supplements that went along with Dr. Phil's diet is not getting away. In fact, according to an article on Eonline.com, they are paying out a $10.8 million dollar settlement to people who bought the worthless supplements suggested by Dr. Phil and the Shape Up! Diet.

Zing! It's payback time!

So if you were one of the suckers ... sorry, "dieters" that spent $120 a month for the Shape Up! supplements you can get a chunk of that $10.8 million.

How much is your share?

$12.50. (Wah Wah)

If that's as disappointing as it sounds, you can also skip the money and get a bottle of Nutrilite vitamins as replacements for the completely ineffective Shape Up! Products.

So how does Dr. Phil feel about this comeuppance? Is he saying one big "Mea Culpa" for hawking this stuff in his many diet books, his own talk show, the ubiquitous ad campaigns, or his prime time special with Katie Couric?

Nope.

The good ol' doc is denying any wrongdoing for shilling for the worthless supplements. Now, that's tough love.
Lesson to everyone: Don't buy diet pills from a fat man.

Pervez on Television

Who knew the Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharaf was a TV star. But John Stewart helped him (make a dream come true?) on “The Daily Show" last night.

If you missed it, we're sure it will be floating around the Internet today. Check it out.

Highlights:

After welcoming Musharraf onto his show with an offering of tea and Twinkies, Stewart promptly asked: "Where's Osama bin Laden?"

"I don't know," Musharraf quickly replied. "You know where he is? You lead on, we'll follow you."

The general’s got timing!

Now that he’s working his lucrative book deal, maybe this clip will help him land his own late night talkshow gig. Midnight with Musharraf? Party-time with Pervez?

Get Andy Cohen on the line! We have to talk development!

The best part of the entire show came at the end when Stewart put Musharraf on the "Seat that is Hot" and asked: "George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden. Be truthful, who would win a popular vote in Pakistan?"

"I think they'll both lose miserably," Musharraf replied.

The audience lost it, and so did we.

We wonder: do they get The Daily Show in Pakistan?

On the Net:
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_daily_show/index.jhtml

Cosby wants YOU

September 26, 2006

You know that check-off box on the top of your tax returns (or is it on the bottom)? Well, imagine if Bill Cosby took over the IRS: He'd be asking for money for slavery.

For educating the world about the evils of slavery.

Bill Cosby has called on each American to contribute $8 to help build a national slavery museum amid the battlefields of the Civil War.

Right on. It's about time. No?

Cosby has committed $1 million to the project and launched the campaign with the mayor of Richmond, Virginia. $100 million is needed to make a dent in the Fredericksburg museum's $200 million price tag.

''The incentive is that they would join in with the rest of the United States of America in saying yes, as an American, I gave $8 to help build something that tells the story,'' said Cosby, adding that in a nation of some 300 million people, even a tepid response would surpass the $100 million goal.

He then went on to admit that this kind of campaign ''generally fails badly. But I'm going to try again because I'm going to present this national slavery museum as a jewel that's missing in a crown.''

You have to give the man props for trying. At BBCancelled we give the man props for just about everything -- from his early stand-up to his classic sitcoms. This country has made its share of serious blunders. And we’re not so good about admitting them Building a national slavery museum seems like a darn good idea. We’re sending off our eight bucks … right … now.

On the Net:

U.S. National Slavery Museum, http://www.usnationalslaverymuseum.org

America loves a Jackass

Remember when it was just a TV show about dumb boys? Well, Johnny Knoxville and his crew of jackasses topped the weekend's box office with their second big screen adaptation!

Jackass Two beat Jet Li's Fearless by nearly 18 million!

Jackass Two was made for just $11.5 million, and it pulled in $28.1 million this weekend alone. You know what that means, dontcha?

There will be a third.

According to a report on the AP even the filmmakers were shocked at the response.

Uhnhuh. And Katie Couric was surprised when CBS offered her the evening news’ anchor chair.

Van Toffler, president of MTV's music and film group, said Knoxville and his Jackass co-stars were beyond thrilled by the box office news.

Toffler quoted the intrepid-yet-adolescent super stars as saying something like "Holy S#!%! We've done it again. What's wrong with this country?"

Good point. By the way, 70% of the Jackass tickets were sold to young males 25 and younger.

Question: Did that really need reporting?

George Takei: Leatherman

September 25, 2006

With flowing hair and a costume make of hide (aka leather), George Takei agreed to age 30 years for an Internet download-able episode of ''Star Trek.'' The 50-minute production by Trekkie enthusiasts is being filmed at an old car dealership in the Adirondacks.

Probably a lot cheaper than renting a soundstage...

The new episode, ''World Enough and Time,'' has Sulu being unexpectedly transported. ''I find myself on another alien planet. I live 30 years of my life there. I have a child,'' Takei said.

Then he returns to the starship Enterprise.

''It turns out to be only a minute or two that's passed on the Enterprise. I'm a changed man.''

Standing in for William Shatner as Captain Kirk is the episode's producer, James Cawley of nearby Ticonderoga, who has financed 15 years of such ''Star Trek'' episodes from his earnings as an Elvis impersonator.

Of course. But wait: There’s that much cash to be made as an Elvis impersonator? Damn. Editing a news is not that lucrative!

Cawley said the episode will be released in March as a free Internet download from his Star Trek New Voyages Web site. http://www.newvoyages.com/

''It's huge now,'' Cawley said. ''It started out as my friends and me getting together playing 'Star Trek.' Now it's film crews donating their time. People take it seriously.''

Including Takei.

Al Pacino Inside The Actor’s Studio

He is one of those actors’s who half the world considers “Michael Corleone,” and the rest think of as “that great actor in … not only The Godfather, Serpico, The Godfather, Part II, Dog Day Afternoon, Scent of a Woman, and "Angels in America."

We can now call Al Pacino a guest of “Insider The Actor’s Studio.” His full interview airs Monday, October 2, and from what we’ve seen: it’s a good one.

Our favorite quote comes from Pacino talking about how intense the resistance was to Francis Ford Coppola casting him in The Godfather.

“The reason I was eventually hired,” Pacino explains, “Was because the producers finally saw eight minutes from The Panic in Needle Park. Just eight minutes.”

Well, sometimes, eight minutes is all you need.

Matt LeBlanc's Divorce Finalized

Single ladies: Word up! Matt LeBlanc is back on the market.

After little more than three years of marriage, the “Frends”ter’s divorce has been finalized.

The 39-year-old has been granted joint custody of his 2-year-old daughter with wife Melissa LeBlanc, according to court papers filed Wednesday. Melissa LeBlanc has two children from a previous marriage.

The LeBlancs filed for divorce on April 6, citing irreconcilable differences. They will be officially single again on Oct. 6.

Just in time for bachelorettes to meet Mr. LeBlanc at a Halloween party?

Under the terms of the divorce, LeBlanc will be financially responsible for his daughter's education, nanny and other needs. He will also pay $15,000 a month in child support.

The pair married in a celebrity-studded wedding in Hawaii in 2003 with several of LeBlanc's ''Friends'' co-stars in attendance.

LeBlanc played struggling actor Joey Tribbiani in the long-running sit-com that ended in 2004. He reprised the character for the NBC spinoff ''Joey,'' which was canceled in May after two seasons.