Category: Showbiz News

Starring Jack Black, Amanda Peet and Jason Segel. (PG. 85 minutes. Opens Saturday at Bay Area theaters.) Like a rare and delicate flower, “Gulliver’s Travels”… Jack Black’s latest effort to wring laughter from the cineplex plays to a few of his strengths his physicality, his musicality, his eyebrows. ‘Forever Tango’ review: Key steps missing Allan Ulrich, Chronicle Dance Correspondent Of all commercial dance entertainments, “Forever Tango,” which opened here in 1994 and returned Tuesday evening to the Marines’ Memorial Theatre for a sixth visit, may be the most durable. No doubt he’d have been keen on poking fun at this new world — Swift had a fascination with human failings of the most base sort — but I don’t think a three-story Coke can that’s washed up on the shores of Lilliput with all the other debris in the latest film adaptation is what he’d have in mind. Yet, the package, created and… Black plays Lemuel Gulliver, a lonely, “Star Wars”-obsessed loser who’s stuck in the mail room at a publishing house. With director Rob Letterman (“Shark Tale” and “Monsters vs. Yeah, sure, he’s a writer. Drag takes off on N.Y. stages – grab your boa Mark Kennedy, Associated Press Will Swenson went from very hairy to virtually hairless in a matter of weeks. Jack Black’s persona has always been larger than life, so in a way, he’s the perfect choice for an adaptation of ” Gulliver’s Travels .” But while Black ably carries the movie on his super-size shoulders, Rob Letterman’s slacker take on the Jonathan Swift classic is easier to like than respect. Since this a modern-day telling, the modern world intrudes from beginning to end, and in 3-D. Unless you consider transforming Lilliput’s elegant 18th-century grand plaza into a tacky Times Square commercial strip, or having Gulliver battle a towering Transformer-like robot, doing something.

Letterman seems perfectly happy to stand back and let the lead do his thing, which makes the movie feel like — well, most of Black’s other films. Before landing on Lilliput, Gulliver was at the bottom of a Manhattan publishing giant’s ladder, the mailroom guy with a hopeless crush on Amanda Peet ‘s smart, successful beauty with a corner office and travel assignments to dole out. Gulliver himself is no longer an experienced explorer, but a lowly mailroom guy at a major New York newspaper who talks himself into a travel-writing assignment in order to impress the pretty editor (Amanda Peet) he’s been crushing on for years. Aliens ) sands the edges off of Jonathan Swift’s tale and replaces them with robots, wedgie jokes, and a neatly wrapped all-you-need-is-confidence personal message, which also plays out through Jason Segel’s attempts as a lower-caste Lilliputian to woo his kingdom’s princess (Emily Blunt). Alas, poor Horatio (Jason Segel) is but a commoner, lacking the pedigree or act of valor to make him worthy to pursue that princess. Back home, he tells the little Lilliputians, people call him President the Awesome. Deemed a “beast,” Gulliver is thrown in prison, where he befriends Horatio (Jason Segel), a kindly soul Edward locked up for daring to make eyes at his bride-to-be, Princess Mary (Emily Blunt, whose primary character trait is a taste for plunging necklines). Never mind that he plagiarized them (he’s bumbling, he’s jive, and he’s ethically challenged!). He’s even able to throw a Lillipalooza concert featuring Lilliputian versions of his favorite bands.

Before Darcy finds out, she has sent him on assignment to the Bermuda Triangle, which is how he ends up in the land of Lilliput. My suggestion would be to put it away for a day, and then, during one of those… And on Masonic Street, there’s reason for the Newsoms to…

Davidson says Holland – who alleged that Lohan was “out of control” earlier this week, causing a sprain in her right arm and hand – sympathizes with Lohan. The two share a similar struggle: They’re both recovering addicts. Lindsay Lohan’s mum Dina is backing her daughter ’100 per cent’ over her bust-up with a Betty Ford worker. That top has to be a violation of some kind, however . She said: ‘I stand behind my daughter 100 % … the whole thing with the woman is a little sketchy.’ Dina added: ‘With all the fabulous employees they have, it’s unfortunate that someone with this kind of background gets through.

After days of meetings about safety problems, the $65 million musical flew and danced and sang the way it was supposed to, considering that it is still a work in progress. Also, Natalie Mendoza, who suffered a concussion at the troubled-musical’s first preview Nov. 28, was out again Thursday reportedly on what a spokesman for the company called “vocal rest.” Mendoza was replaced by T.V. “It was like nothing you’ve ever seen in a Broadway show before,” said Rick Mars, who watched the show Thursday. Director Julie Taymor ‘s production, which has been plagued with accidents  over the past few months of rehearsals and previews, resumed only after producers confirmed to the State Department of Labor that specific safety measures had been enacted, reports Reuters.

On Thursday at 11:06 p.m., Reed (also a star of the Broadway rock musical) gave birth to daughter Malena James, who weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 19 inches long. PHOTOS: Love lives of Idol’s stars “Sometimes Christmas comes early and we’re so lucky to get the greatest gift a few days early,” Maroulis, 35, tells Us . “Sometimes Christmas comes early and we’re so lucky to get the greatest gift a few days early,” Maroulis tells the magazine. “Sometimes Christmas comes early and we’re so lucky to get the greatest gift a few days early,” Maroulis tells PEOPLE . The American Idol alum, 35, and Angel Reed welcomed their first child, Malena James, on Thursday at 11:06 p.m. Play our celebrity hair game now!

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – In the U.S., 20th Century Fox is selling the feature film “Gulliver’s Travels” as a Jack Black comedy. Overseas, where Jonathan Swift’s classic tome is far more familiar, the film is being sold on the story. Like that other recent adaptation of a classic, proportion-obsessed fantasy novel, Alice in Wonderland , this high-energy, lowbrow comedy take on Gulliver’s Travels strips the source material down to its recognizable parts and then builds something completely new out of them. No doubt he’d have been keen on poking fun at this new world — Swift had a fascination with human failings of the most base sort — but I don’t think a three-story Coke can that’s washed up on the shores of Lilliput with all the other debris in the latest film adaptation is what he’d have in mind. But even at 83 minutes, “Gulliver’s Travels” is a drag, another 3D movie for kids in which the 3D adds nothing while subtracting from their parents’ wallets. Fox will find out as Gulliver’s, rated PG, opens December 25 in 2,546 theaters in the U.S. The 3D family adventure is also making a major push overseas. If only the Lilliputians could have figured out how to keep the one-note comic actor in restraints, and maybe jab him now and again with pointy sticks. With director Rob Letterman (“Shark Tale” and “Monsters vs. One sloppy and not at all credible misunderstanding later, and Gulliver is suddenly traveling alone on assignment to the Bermuda Triangle, where a spurting cyclone sends him to Liliput, a magically miniaturized realm populated by tiny people. Yeah, sure, he’s a writer.

Jack Black’s persona has always been larger than life, so in a way, he’s the perfect choice for an adaptation of ” Gulliver’s Travels .” But while Black ably carries the movie on his super-size shoulders, Rob Letterman’s slacker take on the Jonathan Swift classic is easier to like than respect. Since this a modern-day telling, the modern world intrudes from beginning to end, and in 3-D. There, he becomes a benevolently bodacious god, using the diminutive denizens for his own amusement ? the film’s best bit comes when he has them re-enact films like Star Wars and Titanic on a stage mocked up to look like a television ? while simultaneously teaching them not to be so uptight, dude. Darcy decides he’s the right guy to send on a Bermuda Triangle travel story.

Letterman seems perfectly happy to stand back and let the lead do his thing, which makes the movie feel like — well, most of Black’s other films. Black, alack, is Lemuel Gulliver, a mail-room employee for a New York newspaper. Aliens ) sands the edges off of Jonathan Swift’s tale and replaces them with robots, wedgie jokes, and a neatly wrapped all-you-need-is-confidence personal message, which also plays out through Jason Segal’s attempts as a lower-caste Lilliputian to woo his kingdom’s princess (Emily Blunt). Gulliver copes with Lilliput the way he coped with his real life with exaggeration. “Gulliver’s” has several distinct challenges. Soon he’s sucked into the famed Triangle, which hides a tiny country called Lilliput.

So he’s got some emotional growing up to do. But then, in a panicky moment of characteristic callowness, he presents a couple of sample articles to impress her. He’s even able to throw a Lillipalooza concert featuring Lilliputian versions of his favorite bands. Black has the kind of cheeky comic sensibility that should have perfectly suited Gulliver — a straight man if there ever was one with an eye for the absurd. “Gulliver’s” production budget was $100 million. Fox didn’t carry the cost alone. Dune Entertainment and Ingenious were the studio’s co-financing partners on “Gulliver’s.” Dune and Ingenious were Fox’s partners on “Avatar.” “Gulliver’s” was initially scheduled to open in summer of this year.

Broadway’s much-troubled ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ musical resumed performances on Thursday night with new safety protocols in place following Monday night’s accident when a stunt performer plunged 30 feet when a cable snapped during an aerial stunt the musical’s fourth accident since October.

No accidents or major delays in the show. The cast and crew was ecstatic.

“It was like nothing you’ve ever seen in a Broadway show before,” said Rick Mars, who watched the show Thursday.

“It’s a safer show now, show star Reeve Carney (right) said as he signed autographs after the performance. “The stunts were the highlight of the show, I mean the audience would go nuts every time they’d start flying over the audience.” During Monday night’s performance, 31-year-old actor Christopher Tierney fell at least 20 feet while performing a stunt. Then again, the show had been scheduled to go on last night and was canceled late in the day.

“It was always safe, but now it’s safer. “You know, anything is possible,” Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) said after a midday news conference at the Foxwoods Theater. “We gave our blessing,” department spokesman Leo Rosales said. “If you weren’t nervous tonight, you’d have to be an idiot,” he said. “I think he was meant to sort of swoop over there, but he just fell off…. Tierney remains hospitalized with cracked ribs. The show’s director and co-writer, Julie Taymor, credited the show’s injured actor, Christopher Tierney, with inspiring the cast to rise above recent troubles. That second person will then be in contact with the stage manager to verify the measures have been completed. “We all got together before the show tonight and talked about Chris,” she told The Associated Press after the show. I felt even safer today considering all the measures they put in place following Monday.” Lancman said he doesn’t know whether the understudy filling Tierney’s costume was up to the job, but it’s an important question for producers to answer.

The show canceled its matinee performance on Wednesday in order to rehearse the new protocols. The show’s director and co-writer, Julie Taymor, says that Christopher Tierney, the actor recovering from his injuries after his scary fall this week, gets the credit with inspiring the cast to rise above recent troubles.

If ye want to know why I enjoy the Christmas season so much more during the past decade, then glance upwards at my image on this page and you will agree, I think, that at least to the rounded eyes of a child, I do nowadays bear a certain similarity to Santa Claus his own self. That photo is some years old now and I am somewhat more silvery and a little plumper of cheek nowadays. Sometimes Santa Claus is around and you don’t even know it. Staff answer almost 100,000 phone calls and receive more than 140,000 emails from families around the world.

So the small ones dangling at the end of their mothers’ shopping arms do tend to stop in their tracks when they see me on the town streets or in the shopping centers. I don’t think so. I’m getting with the program,” the Jolly Old Gent told reporters, with a wink. The Believe-O-Meter, of course, is the one-of-a-kind device that gauges the strength and frequency of belief in Santa Claus and gives his sleigh enough thrust to travel around the world in a single night. This year, the unworthies are to receive small aerosol canisters that spray uncontrolled puffs of greenhouse gas. After 600 youngsters, your ability to communicate in cogent sentences suddenly gets tied up. They radiate the unspoken message, “Omigod, there IS a Santa Claus and I’m looking at him!!” That is pleasantly serene. Unlike any other pilot, Santa has special permission from the FAA to fly thousands of domestic and international short-haul and long-range flights in one night. “Sure, everyone thinks Prentice is a great guy and, from the Conservatives’ standpoint, he did a bang-up job in Environment. But the youngsters just accept it.

Spidey actor Christopher Tierney ‘s dad tells TMZ, the family was set to have Christmas at home before the tragic accident earlier this week but now they’re making arrangements to be with him at the hospital in NYC. But all’s not lost Tierney’s dad tells us, “Chris cannot wait to get back into the Spidey costume … It wont be as soon as he would like but … his spirits are high and he cannot wait to get back.” We’re told Christopher will remain in the ICU until Monday and then move on to rehab. “The stunts were the highlight of the show, I mean the audience would go nuts every time they’d start flying over the audience.” During Monday night’s performance, 31-year-old actor Christopher Tierney fell at least 20 feet while performing a stunt. Spider-Man returned to the stage without any apparent hitches Thursday, a day after two performances were canceled due to a scary fall that left a stuntman seriously injured. “The show is going on as planned,” a spokesman for the musical, Rick Miramontez, said. “Spider-Man was on a bridge, and Mary Jane was dangling from it,” Dealwis said. Spider-Man producer Michael Cohl addressed Tierney’s recovery before the start of the Dec. 23 show, telling the audience the stuntman, who was hospitalized to undergo back surgery, “came through with flying colors.” The show made a smooth return, with the aerial stunts reportedly inciting enthusiastic applause from the packed house. It was beautiful to see everyone come together tonight.” Also all smiles was producer Michael Cohl. The harness, you could see it just flick off his back and fly backward.” Afterward, Dealwis said, “it just went black, and the producer came on and said we’re going to pause for a moment. “I feel great.” Before the $65 million show could resume Thursday with its nearly 40 aerial stunts intact, producers had to give final confirmation to the state Department of Labor that they had enacted certain safety measures.

The show’s director and co-writer, Julie Taymor , credited the show’s injured actor, Christopher Tierney , with inspiring the cast to rise above recent troubles. I felt even safer today considering all the measures they put in place following Monday.” “Chris gave us the spirit tonight.” Tierney, doing a stunt as Spider-Man on Monday night, plunged from a ledge about 30 feet into a stage pit despite a safety harness that should have prevented the spill. The accident occurred during one of the show’s safer stunts. He underwent back surgery and was “walking today,” Taymor said happily. “He says he wants to come back to the show, soon-ish.” Tierney was to be released from a hospital Friday or Saturday and complete his recovery at home in New Hampshire , said his brother Patrick Tierney, of Plaistow, N.H. State officials on Thursday held a press conference outside the Foxwoods Theatre to keep the focus on the show’s safety issues, saying that though it had made strides in fixing some problems it still needed to increase training for understudies and possibly hire more stagehands. “They could have made the story more clear and compelling,” he said. Ticketholder Victoria Shaw-Locknar, who was attending Thursday’s show with her daughters Ruby, 11, and Ava, 9, said she was nervous because she didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. His father, Troy Oechsner, was a little more mixed, admiring the stunts but echoing complaints that some had about a confusing plot, especially in the second act.

But she figured that producers must have worked out the kinks.

After days of meetings about safety problems, the $65 million musical flew and danced and sang the way it was supposed to, considering that it is still a work in progress. Also, Natalie Mendoza, who suffered a concussion at the troubled-musical’s first preview Nov. 28, was out again Thursday reportedly on what a spokesman for the company called “vocal rest.” Mendoza was replaced by T.V. Rory Lancman, chairman of the subcommittee on workplace safety, at a news conference outside the theater at noon. After undergoing back surgery, the 31-year-old lead stunt double for Spider-Man remained in the hospital Thursday in serious condition with injuries that included broken ribs and internal bleeding. Eric Adams (D-Prospect Heights), also at the news conference, announced he is proposing a bill that would call for the formation of a task force to analyze the safety of workers and audience members at the Foxwoods Theatre, where the show is appearing, and presumably other Broadway theaters, though the details have not been fully hashed out, he said. Rate this: (Click to rate)

Jonathan Swift probably never dreamed of the consumer excess that would elbow its way into the great satire of “Gulliver’s Travels” all these centuries later. No doubt he’d have been keen on poking fun at this new world — Swift had a fascination with human failings of the most base sort — but I don’t think a three-story Coke can that’s washed up on the shores of Lilliput with all the other debris in the latest film adaptation is what he’d have in mind. With director Rob Letterman (“Shark Tale” and “Monsters vs. Since this a modern-day telling, the modern world intrudes from beginning to end, and in 3-D. And that won’t exactly be pretty. Well it is and it isn’t. The 3-D is pretty much wasted – for long stretches it hardly seems in 3-D at all – but everything to do with Gulliver’s being a giant among the tiny Lilliputians is handled consistently (no size ratio changes) and seamlessly. But Black’s brio is off — too much here, too little there, only occasionally right. But this story is not just about Gulliver.

Imagine Amanda Peet in “The Godfather,” or in “Some Like It Hot,” or in “Citizen Kane.” They all get a little bit better. This Lilliput is modeled even more lightly than Swift’s was on a not-jolly-old-England with its royalty and rubes, rigid rules and warring kingdoms. It’s just “a little story,” she tells him. Who said the newspaper business is hurting? And so he hits a storm and wakes up in Lilliput, where everyone is about 3 or 4 inches high and where the architecture, clothing and government are stuck in the mid-19th century. Not with a hose, exactly. Mild amusement is probably about right. Swift was the wizard behind that one.

Who knew a little item like a Post-it could cause so many problems? Turns out, the answer they gave was correct, and they shouldn’t have lost all that dough! It’s Down to the Final Four! The couple had $880,000 dollars when they were asked the fifth question in the seven-question game. I thought it was going to be great, but it really isn’t. If they put any money on a wrong answer, the cash goes down a chute and is out of play. Contestants get multiple-choice options and can spread their cash over the answers, as long as one is left blank. ( See the top 10 game-show moments. ) So far so good, right? Teams can put money on multiple answers, but one trap door must be left free of cash. However, Richard Lawson of Gawker.com claims that Post-Its were released as early as 1977, which would make Okoye and May right. He is an awful game show host. The first couple to take part lost $800,000 of their remaining $880,000 on the following question: was the Macintosh computer, Sony Walkman or Post-it Notes sold in stores first. In this case, our research team spoke directly with 3M, and they confirmed that although they had given out free samples in test markets in 1977 and 1978, it wasn’t until 1980 that Post-Its were sold in stores.

Million Dollar Money Drop stands behind the answer that was revealed on the show.” However, Post-Its were actually sold in select cities starting in 1977. Okoye was convinced that the Post-it note was the correct answer. Perhaps so but the show has been in touch to try and set the record straight. The two argued for their choices, all while piling heaps of cash on the blocks representing the answers. In an emailed statement, Jeff Apploff, the Executive Producer wrote, “The integrity of the questions and answers on our show are our No. 1 priority. “I really went with Gabe’s instinct because he’s so passionate,” she said. Million Dollar Money Drop stands behind the answer that was revealed on the show.”

I say give them their money. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the viewers who brought this to our attention, and we’re thrilled to give Gabe and Brittany the opportunity to return to play the game.” Put that on your post-it and stick it! Good luck on your second chance, you two!

On Broadway, bad press doesn’t necessarily spell failure, and the struggling “Spider-Man” musical is still luring tourists and theater goers into seats as it deals with persistent technical problems. The ambitious, high-tech $65 million musical the most expensive Broadway show ever has endured four delays in its opening and four injuries to its cast. And Broadway, perhaps more than any other entertainment genre, has a history of overcoming bad reviews and turning profits for tourist-friendly, big-budget shows. The production’s opening night, (previously set for January 11, 2011) is still set to Monday, February 7. Seth Gelblum, an entertainment lawyer who represents the show’s director and co-creator Julie Taymor, as well as three major financiers, said investors were not jittery and predicted the key audience, tourists, would not be turned off. Several shows have been canceled as a result. Among the new rules enacted are a requirement to have a second stagehand and stage manager to back up all of the show’s 38 stunts involving harnesses and ropes. Still, some industry watchers predict the demise of “Spider-Man,” including New York Post columnist Michael Riedel, who said that even when the acrobatics work, the show suffers from a lack of leadership, a confusing story and bad music.

This bullied science-geek suddenly endowed with incredible powers soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test. “And it seems that … all of the different employees, all of the regulatory agencies are, and the theater itself, seem to be confident that all the necessary conditions have been met to make sure that today’s show goes forward safely.” State officials and producers agreed to a long list of safety improvements Wednesday in the wake of Monday night’s accident. Before the show could resume Thursday, producers had to give final confirmation to the state Department of Labor that they had enacted certain safety measures aimed at avoiding any further mishaps. In front of a horrified audience, lead aerialist Chris Tierney, 31, plummeted 30 feet during the show’s climax. “We’re sold out until Jan. 2,” a ticket seller told a steady stream of buyers.

Some folks had tickets already but wanted to check that the evening’s show would go on as planned, since both Wednesday’s matinee and evening performance had been canceled. “If they are not comfortable and haven’t got everything in place, we have agreed that they wouldn’t go, and so apparently that is the position that they are in right now.” As of now, “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” preview performances will proceed as planned on Thursday (December 23), and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. “They gave us a number to call later, just to make sure,” said Mike Foux, of Allentown, Pa. An avid Spider-Man fan since childhood, he had come to New York to see the show with his wife, Patti, and 20-year-old daughter, Jessie, for his birthday. “I was thinking, with four accidents happening, there must be some truly amazing stunts,” Foux said. That’s what worried another ticketholder, Victoria Shaw-Locknar, who was attending Thursday’s show with her daughters Ruby, 11, and Ava, 9. I think the world press has focused on ‘Spider-Man’ because the show is on the brink of absolute catastrophe every night.” Riedel believes the show will be closed and even if not, he sees a hard road ahead to make money given its huge cost. While many Broadway shows expect to recoup their initial investment within the first 12 months, “Spider-Man” would take several years, making it a riskier proposition than most.

The actor, 34, filed for divorce from Johansson, 26, Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court. A source told PEOPLE recently that the couple grew apart under the strain of managing two thriving careers. Ryan Reynolds didn’t feel like such a superhero when the cameras weren’t rolling on the set of Green Lantern , which was shot last spring. After Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson announced their separation last week, it was only a matter of time before the rumours began to circulate. Sandra Bullock’s representative has dismissed reports the actress has been enjoying “date nights” with Ryan Reynolds following his split from Scarlett Johansson, insisting The Proposal co-stars are “nothing except friends.” Reynolds and Johansson called time on their two-year union earlier this month and a report published in America’s Star magazine suggested the actor turned to Bullock in the wake of his marriage breakdown, after they became close on the set of the 2009 romantic comedy. Describing him as “beyond sad and depressed,” a source tells Us Weekly that he “thought they could work it out, but Scarlett made it clear it was done. “It never seemed like she made him a priority.” PHOTOS: The year’s most shocking splits After UsMagazine.com broke the news Dec. 14, the couple confirmed their split in a public statement and Reynolds is now “beyond sad and depressed,” another pal says. But just a week after Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds announced the end of their two-year marriage, new reports have emerged about what allegedly happened behind the scenes.

Ryan lists the date of separation as December 14, 2010.  Scarlett agrees on the date. Initially it was suggested that Scarlett, 26, was the one to initiate the split, after the stress of being apart from Ryan, 34, all the time got too much for her to take. The rep told Gossip Cop : “They’re literally nothing but friends.” How can you not love Sandy?! Since everything they earned is community property, presumably it will be divided 50/50, though the petitions say property rights are yet to be determined. “They went from speaking once every two days to once every two weeks,” said the source. A source that was on the set of Reynolds’ film “Green Lantern” said that Reynolds was open about the problems. “He would say she treated him badly. ‘They’re both strong-willed and stubborn people. She was very focused on her own career, and it never seemed like she made him a priority,” said that source. There was a lack of warmth between them, that was troubling,’ a source told InTouch. Play our celebrity hair game now! But it certainly wasn’t all Scarlett’s fault – it has been alleged that like Ryan’s behaviour was very controlling and selfish at times. He’s more traditional and she’s more independent.’ But although Ryan initially enjoyed Scarlett’s independent streak, even taking advantage of it to go motorbiking around Europe alone this summer, it led to friction.

They were married in a private ceremony in Canada in 2008.

- Separated from his “Rules of Engagement” actress wife for more than a year, professional soccer player Landon Donovan has taken steps to end his marriage officially. The Team U.S.A. hero in the World Cup filed for divorce Tuesday from Bianca Kajlich, according to Los Angeles Superior Court papers. “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives,” the pair say in a joint statement. Donovan, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy, cited irreconcilable differences for the split with Kajlich after nearly three years of marriage. The pair separated in October of last year, although they appeared to be reconciling when Donovan gave her an emotional thanks during an interview after his famous game-winning World Cup goal. The two stuck it out, but it appears the second honeymoon phase has fizzled — and quickly. But days later, Donovan faced rumors he had fathered a love child with an unidentified British woman. The couple does not have any children together. Just last week, Donovan tweeted a steamy picture of Kajlich in Maxim magazine with the caption, “Christmas done came early.” Although the two released a joint statement asserting that, “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives,” Donovan is seeking spousal support and attorney’s fees. Fear not, though, ye of gentle hearts. Gatorade, AT&T and Nike aren’t paying the bills, Landy? Online , “I will not be a dad any time soon, which is good news for me.” Citing irreconcilable differences, Donovan is seeking spousal support, as well as attorney fees.

According to a joint statement, Donovan and Kajlich said: “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives.” “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives,” they said in a joint statement. It could always be this:   The pair have no children. See the full article at PEOPLE.com © 2010 People and Time Inc.

14 of the cheftestants are left now, so they’re getting a wee bit more competitive. Again, this is sure to surprise.

But they all walk in happy enough to see Tony Mantuano, the chef and owner of Spiaggia in Chicago. “It’s like c’mon, you’re a cook,” Spike tells TVGuide.com. We also prepared a delicious recap of last night’s episode. He made no excuses for it. Split into two teams – orange and yellow – the chefs each devised a dish that would be appropriate to serve to tennis players and US Open-attendees. Did I mention they can’t use any cooking tools? It’s just weird.” See what else the Washington, D.C.-based chef has to say about Jamie’s “bad attitude,” why Angelo probably should’ve gone home too, and if he thinks he is, in the words of Anthony Bourdain , still the “craftiest motherf—–” to appear on Top Chef . read more Last night, Padma Laskshmi returned as the host and the remaining cheftestants headed to the site of the U.S. Open. So you know it’s going to be some good stuffing. In case you missed it last night, here is a brief recap of what went down last night. The Quickfire dishes are: Casey: Mushrooms with crispy chicken liver, miso cake and mushroom dashi Jamie: Stuffing crepinette with pork, lemon oil and broth Carla: Thai-inspired vegetable stuffing with black quinoa salad Spike: Stuffed quail with raisins, herbs, port and apricot glaze Marcel: Whole squab stuffed with raisin brioche, cherries, currants ad ras el-hanout gravy Richard: Pressure-cooked onion with nitro-fried fennel, raisins and pine nuts Tre: Southwestern stuffing with bacon, cheddar, bell peppers and chili powder Dale: Spanish-influenced stuffing with crab, oysters, chili-lemon aioli, grapes and olives Tiffani: Soy-maple stuffing with quail, grilled mushrooms and quartered grapes Fabio: Polenta bread, vegetables, smoked bacon and grated (on a shelf) parmesan The judges’ least favorites turn out to be Carla’s undercooked quinoa, Tiffani’s overly sweet stuffing and Casey’s stuffing (deemed to be more of an appetizer than a stuffing). The first team to four points wins. In the end, Tre wins.

Being that is was such a complicated task; the winner of the Quickfire would receive immunity and… $20,000. He knew it wasn’t his best work. This week, it’s at the US Open, which means the cheftestants have to cook food that is both healthy and high in energy. In reality, the strategy fell apart from the get-go. Tiffani cuts a quail with a pepper grinder. Professional tennis player Taylor Dent joins the judges for the competitive tasting.   Angelo’s team decides they will send their worst dish first and basically sacrifice someone to the chopping block. Tre uses liquid nitrogen to freeze (cheese?) so that he can then smash it to bits. These chefs are so established and so known for specific types of food. The competition is determined in a style vaguely reminiscent of a tennis match, with cheftestants going up, one at a time, to face a member of the opposing team. It is determined that Jamie’s undercooked chickpeas are the worst of the bunch, but she refuses to go first. But our heart belongs to Fabio, who, forbidden a cheese grater, turns the bars of a shelving rack into a de facto cheese grater. “That.

Did you enjoy this week’s Top Chef ? Did Spike deserve to go home?

Spidey, they insist, will take flight again. Three days after a stunt man was seriously injured during a preview performance, officials with the state and the actors union said it appears “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” will return to Broadway tonight. Today we learn that after a thorough investigation, the accident was ruled a matter of “human error” and the show has been given the green light to resume performances starting tonight . “Spider-Man” is the most challenging musical production in the history of Broadway. Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union representing American actors and stage managers in the theatre, released its third statement Dec. 21, following the Dec. 20 injury of actor Christopher Tierney in the new musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark at the Foxwoods Theatre … The statement reads, “Actors’ Equity Association worked today with the Department of Labor, OSHA and the production to determine that the cause of the accident at last night’s performance of Spiderman was, in fact, human error. Tierney plunged about 30 feet into a stage pit. Among the new rules enacted are a requirement to have a second stagehand and stage manager to back up all of the show’s 38 stunts involving harnesses and ropes. Meanwhile, no definitive word on what caused his accident.

“Spider-Man Turn of the Dark”, the costliest show on Broadway history, is currently on previews and has a new revised opening date of February 7, 2011, postponed just days before the latest accident. Previews are expected to resume Thursday, December 23rd.   Pictures taken on Wednesday, December 22nd, at both entrances of the Foxwoods Theater, on 42nd and 43rd Streets in New York City.   For some photos of the cast, go to. http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-524843 Reuters reported that following the meetings, new safety procedures were put into place in an attempt to avoid the kind of accident that injured 31-year-old aerialist Christopher Tierney . Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union representing American actors and stage managers in the theatre, released its third statement Dec. 21, following the Dec. 20 injury of actor Christopher Tierney in the new musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark at the Foxwoods Theatre … The statement reads, “Actors’ Equity Association worked today with the Department of Labor, OSHA and the production to determine that the cause of the accident at last night’s performance of Spiderman was, in fact, human error. Equity continues to vigilantly monitor the production for the safety of its members.” Director Julie Taymor , who has been ceaselessly championing her embattled show thruout all of its increasingly public problems, issued a statement regarding this latest accident: “An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally. As for Tierney, he’s recovering from broken ribs and internal bleeding. The safety tether that clips to his back failed to prevent the spill. So … the Little Spider that Could keeps on singing, dancing and flyin’ around on his merry way in the hopes of salvaging a $65 million dollar project that still, IMHO, seems doomed to failure.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our Spider-Man family and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew.” Cox said the investigation into what caused Tierney to fall and whether there were any safety codes broken is ongoing. This is good news for fans (like me) who really want to see the show before it closes … but is potentially bad news for the Spider-Man players who continue to put themselves in harm’s way just to put on a Broadway musical. “He has a strong body and an amazing attitude.” His accident was the fourth injury to occur in the already-troubled production. “He has a strong body and an amazing attitude.” Tierney, who was leaving for New York later Wednesday to visit his brother, said Christopher Tierney’s injury has been very hard on the family. I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits.

“An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally,” said Tony-winning director Julie Taymor in a statement. “I am so thankful that Chris is going to be all right and is in great spirits. OSHA has investigated other theater incidents in New York City, but none in recent history appeared to be related to incidents that occurred during the actual production, a spokesman said. Its official opening has been postponed twice, to early February. The huge costs a 41-member cast, 18 orchestra members, complicated sets and 27 daring aerial stunts, including a battle between two characters over the audience mean the 1,928-seat theater will have to virtually sell out every show for several years just to break even.

Though they wouldn’t comment on the nature of the probe or if it were directly related to that apparent scuffle between the “Mean Girls” actress and a Betty Ford staffer, the news comes just a day after the center fired the employee for giving an on-camera interview with gossip website TMZ. Experts believe the interview could violate state and federal medical privacy laws that prohibit medical personnel from discussing the treatment of patients. According to Lohan’s camp, she met a friend at the Viceroy Hotel in Palm Springs, Calif., on December 11 to get her hair done . According to TMZ , Dina Lohan said Holland’s claims that Dina was instructing her daughter to decline the breathalyzer during a phone conversation are false. LiLo, who was sent to rehab after serving 13 days in jail for violating her probation in an ’07 DUI case, claims Holland was so abusive she made her cry. Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, has declined comment on the incident, but said it was the actress who called police. “When patients come to the center for treatment, they come to a safe place where their identity is protected, where anonymity is safeguarded,” the Betty Ford Center said in a statement.

Ultimately, it’s up to Judge Fox.  Worst case scenario for Lindsay … back in the pokey for 6 months. Heroes ‘ baddest bad girl, Ali Larter , gave birth to a boy on Monday in Lalaland, her rep tells UsMagazine.com. Holland alleges Lohan hurt her bad enough for her to go on workers’ comp. “I don’t see any criminal prosecution, but I do see some investigation to see whether this is a systemic problem or just an isolated incident with one wayward employee,” Cron said.

My house was in foreclosure. Davidson said his client was only discussing a police report she wrote and filed with sheriff’s deputies, alleging the criminal act. The Hartford Courant says police have arrested two young gents, Alexander Hernandez , 19, and Santos Padilla , 21, after finding them hiding in closets in 50 Cent ‘s Farmington, Conn., manse. Cops found Hernandez sipping Fiddy’s vino. Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said in a statement that it was the actress who made the 911 call to alert authorities to the incident . She’s looking for money and fame. Holley did not provide further details. Blige , Jay-Z , and Bruce Springsteen about performing. . . . Zsa Zsa Gabor ‘s better half, Prince Frederic Von Anhalt , glued shut his right eye Tuesday after mistaking a bottle of his wife’s nail glue for eyedrops, says CNN. “I stand behind my daughter 100 percent,” Dina Lohan told TMZ. “The whole thing with the woman is a little sketchy.”

“Accidents are horrible but they happen on every show,” Page told the Associated Press . “I’ve been at this a long time, and everyone else has. I have faith that it’ll go forward,” he said. Labor officials worked at the Foxwoods Theatre on Wednesday with producers of the show, saying that a second person will be required to check whether harnesses are properly put in place. He has been recovering from broken ribs and internal bleeding at NYC’s Bellevue Hospital. During Monday’s performance, 31-year-old Christopher Tierney fell at least 20 feet and was hospitalized. Earlier, Broadway actor Adam Pascal called for the prosecution of the show’s director, Julie Taymor, because of a series of recent mishaps, including Tierney’s injury.

Wednesday’s preview performances of the Spider-Man Broadway musical were called off after a stunt man injured his back falling 30ft into a stage pit. The much-anticipated production, teaming “Lion King” creator Julie Taymor with songwriters Bono and The Edge of U2, has had a rocky route to Broadway. The official opening night has been pushed back to 7 February after a series of glitches and injuries. Tierney’s brother, Patrick Tierney, said his brother was undergoing back surgery Wednesday, was expected to be released from the hospital Friday or Saturday and would complete is recovery at home in New Hampshire. The show – which features 38 separate moves in which actors are put in harnesses to take to the air – has been beset with problems, including a lead actor suffering injury during a preview show. The announcement that Wednesday night’s sold-out performance wouldn’t take place came just three hours before showtime at the Foxwoods Theatre. Wednesday’s matinee performance had been canceled earlier. As unhappy as they are with the “Spider-Man” production, he credits it with getting his brother “in the best shape of his life” before the accident. “At this point we are satisfied they have put in place the appropriate controls,” said Maureen Cox, director of safety and health for the state Department of Labor. It has a 41-member cast, 18 orchestra members and has several complicated sets. The musical has 38 separate moves in which actors are put in harnesses to go up in the air. Initially, only the Wednesday matinee performance was postponed after the incident, and performances were to resume Wednesday evening.

If he didn’t land on his feet, he wouldn’t be with us,” said Patrick, 24, of Plaistow, N.H. “He has a strong body and an amazing attitude.” Patrick said Christopher’s injury has been very hard on the family. “I have spoken with him, and he’s in as good spirits as he can be,” Patrick said. OSHA has investigated other theater incidents in New York City, but none in recent history appeared to be related to incidents that occurred during the actual production, a spokesman said. “We’re also making sure that the actors and the stagehands know that if everything is not right, they can say, `We’re not going to go,’” Cox said. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our Spider-Man family,” Taymor told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement on Tuesday.

Separated from his actress wife Bianca Kajlich for more than a year, U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan has filed for divorce to end the union. “We remain the closest of friends and will always be important parts of each other’s lives,” the pair said Tuesday in a joint statement. LOS ANGELES, Calif. U.S. soccer superstar Landon Donovan has filed for divorce from his actress wife, Bianca Kajlich, Access Hollywood has confirmed. Fays later, Donovan faced rumors that he had fathered a love child with an unidentified British woman, but that turned out to be false. Donovan and Kajilch appeared to be reconciling as they were spotted together several times in 2009. Donovan is seeking spousal support from his wife, an actress on the show “Rules of Engagement.” The couple married back in 2006 and they have no kids together. He said Kajlich was aware of the rumor and it would not hurt his attempt to reconcile with her. Donovan, arguably the best player in US history, famously blew a kiss to Bianca after he scored the heroic game-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup match against Algeria.