MANILA, Philippines - Controversial host has a lot of explaining to do. He’s been accumulating properties of late, and it’s speculated that his salary is in the multi-million-peso ballpark.
How to explain the inexplicable wealth of an inarticulate TV star? CH’s best buddy is allegedly well-connected to people in high places. Very high.
Casting ouch
Australian-Canadian blogger Brian Gorrell is ranting about show biz personalities again; this time, talent managers who exploit hunks, promising fame in exchange for sexual favors.
The casting couch is a problem as old as the entertainment industry, but trust Gorrell to rock the boat with feverish intensity.
Remember the Jojo Veloso scandal? After all the fuzz and frenzy, including Congressional hearings, the case went pfft. But it’s been exhumed in the Gorrell blog—for the entire world wide web to relish.
Kapamilya feud
In the first week of the reported word war between ABS-CBN stars Claudine Barretto and Angel Locsin, Claudine was portrayed as an insecure queen threatened by a princess. This came from a network insider, of all people.
Well, the tide has turned—the tabloids are now regarding Angel as the baddie.
Could it be because when the controversy broke, a Network Big Boss who’s perceived as a Claudine supporter was abroad? Who’s afraid of NBB?
Salon skirmish
There are conflicting reports on the cause of the verbal tussle. The only factoid that kept cropping up is that it occurred in a salon.
One version alleges that Claudine reprimanded Angel about the latter’s less-than-genial treatment of a hairstylist or makeup artist.
Another says Claudine got upset over an endorsement deal that she lost to Angel.
One account, attributed to Claudine’s sister Gretchen, has Angel raising her voice during the exchange. In still another version, Angel is said to have said Kapamilya old-timers like Claudine and Kristine Hermosa are not too happy about her transfer to ABS-CBN.
The rumor has reached “Rashomon”-like proportions. Meanwhile, another tattle tale making the rounds: Angel’s fellow artists in Becky’s stable are purportedly not welcome in any show or movie top-billed by Claudine.
Wait, he’s Batman!
We saw “The Dark Knight” and were thrilled/chilled by the late Heath Ledger as The Joker. And since the twisted character wasn’t killed in this last Batman movie, we left the cinema wondering who in heaven’s (hell’s?) name would they get to reprise the role of the spin-tingly, skin-crawly antihero next time? After four days of moping, the answer came to us, like a thief: Christian Bale. But wait, he’s Batman already!
Where it’s at
LOS ANGELES—Teens and 20-somethings may be many TV shows’ target demographic, but when it comes to top actresses, over 40 is where it’s at.
Only one actress nominated for an Emmy on Thursday is in her 20s: “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrera, 24, for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Almost all of this year’s Emmy-nominated actresses are 40-plus; many are in their 50s and some in their 60s.
At 42, “The Closer” star Kyra Sedgwick is the youngest nominee for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Laura Linney, 44, Abigail Adams in HBO’s “John Adams,” is the baby of the Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie nominees.
“People want to tune in to complex, interesting, quirky, unexpected, flawed characters, and that’s across the board, female and male,” said Rachel Griffiths, 39, nominated for her support role on “Brothers & Sisters.”
Television has long been more accepting of women over 40, said Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 47, nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
That’s why the roles are so compelling and potentially award-winning, said Anjelica Huston, 57, nominated for her guest-starring role on “Medium.”
“In a world where the poster of ‘Mamma Mia’ doesn’t include Meryl Streep,” she said, “it’s definitely a situation in which one is gratified to be noticed.” AP
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Top of the tabloids
The top show biz stories in local tabloids this week. (And why we are moved, if we are moved.)
Boobs and frontal
Richard Gutierrez, hot na hot kay Heart Evangelista? (They’re lugging around cooling patches on the set. Joke!)
Annabelle Rama nawalan ng sex dahil sa “Monster Mom”! (Owss?)
Baron Geisler, kumpirmadong nag-frontal! (Bottoms up!)
Yasmien Kurdi at JC De Vera magdyowa na! (Whattaword.)
Nude photo ni Jennylyn Mercado di pa pwedeng ikalat! (Kasi nga, preggy?)
Burning queries
Matt Evans, iniwan ang girlfriend; Melissa Ricks, ayaw pang manlalaki?! (Should we care?)
Kris Aquino, sinisisi sa pagwawala ni James Yap?! (Why? Why not?)
Jake Cuenca, karir daw ang inaatupag, di si Bea Alonzo?! (We think we know why.)
Let’s get physical
Muntik na raw magkasakitan…Angel Locsin at Claudine Barretto, nagtarayan sa parlor?! (Darna vs Marina)
Angel pinatahimik ng ABS sa away nila ni Claudine! (Kita na ba kung sino ang star?)
Diether Ocampo, briefs lang ang suot sa birthday party! (Baka swimming party.)
Natatakot akong tumandang binata!—Diether (Kaya nag-brief lang?)
Gretchen Barretto magpapabuntis kay Tonyboy Cojuangco sa isang kondisyon… (We don’t want to know.)
Quotes of the week
Huwag ninyo akong babuyin—Ehra Madrigal
Okay lang ang magulong buhay basta maraming pera!—Greta (At least she’s consistent.)
Mabait at galante si Shaina Magdayao!—Jake Cuenca (Ayyy, explain.)
Tears for fears
Angelica iniyakan ang hiwalayan nila ni Derek! (What a waste!)
Angelica nabuking ang babae ni Derek! (Kaya pala.)
Marian Rivera, isinusumpa ng makeup artist. (Ayan na.)
Gretchen masama ang loob kay Angel! (Bakit kasali siya?)
(Bandera, Tumbok)
E-mail us: rushes@inquirer.com.ph
