Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Unlike most of the local theater scene, Derek Hasenstab had no clue “The Lion King” was casting in Chicago when he got a call to audition for the extravaganza. Actually, he didn’t know what the musical was about, much less the plot of the animated Disney film that inspired the production.
Did she or didn’t she? Sleep with Michael Jackson, that is. Lisa Marie Presley reveals all in the current edition of Rolling Stone magazine and says that, yes, she had sex with Wacko Jacko. “That was part of it, for a while,” she told Rolling Stone. “And then it became the Def Con 2. It just got really ugly at the end.”
After being roundly slammed by linguists, is it possible that Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst is just misunderstood? In a heartfelt moment at last month’s Grammy Awards–rivaled only by his Web site postings in praise of Britney Spears–Durst expressed his antiwar sentiments: “I just really hope we’re all in agreeance that this war should go away as soon as possible.”
“Without a question, Bruce Lee was the uncontested idol for a lot of little black boys growing up in the ’70s. We absolutely accepted him as Soul Brother No. 1.”
What’s new, Pussycat? The Dolls, baby–as in the Pussycat Dolls. The eight-year-old revolving troupe of sexy dancers and singers is the brainchild of Robin Antin, but it’s famous for Carmen Electra, who has become the troupe’s marquee star.
If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for the Rolling Stones concerts Tuesday and Wednesday at the United Center, chances are you’re going to be too busy gawking at Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to notice the fella walking around the arena with his handheld computer.
Step aside, divas. Mariah Carey is back. Big time. The figures are still being tallied, but it’s a strong bet that her new disc, “Charmbracelet,” will be the top debut on the next Billboard album chart. Estimates of first-week sales range from 200,000 to 270,000–about double what Carey managed with last year’s much-maligned soundtrack to her movie flop “Glitter.”
Maybe it was jet lag that made him do it, but Tim McGraw actually said something Tuesday in Chicago that drew boos from diehard fans. During a break from his nine-song set at a private listening party at Isaac Hayes’ downtown club, McGraw friskily said, “I’m a Packers fan.”
After their United Center concert Tuesday night, the Stones had a craving for something their gourmet caterer hadn’t provided: sushi. Tsunami on Dearborn was more than happy to accommodate Mick Jagger and company when they rolled in around 1 a.m. to feast on maki, nigiri and other delicacies.
Tickets are so pricey that most of us won’t be able to spend any night together with the Rolling Stones. But if you keep your eyes peeled, you may be just a stone’s throw from one of the band members. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts love Chicago and have a history of exploring the best it has to offer.
Eight hundred million dollars just doesn’t stretch as far these days. Just ask Michael Jackson. The self-proclaimed King of Pop may not yet be headed for the poor house, but some experts estimate that the litigious singer is at least $200 million in debt.
“The Rising” is making a strong move toward the top. By early afternoon Tuesday, fans had snapped up about 100 copies of Bruce Springsteen’s new CD at Tower Records, 2301 N. Clark. Two dozen or so were purchased in the wee hours.
Five years ago, Susan McLaughlin Karp delivered a stillborn baby. On the first anniversary of her child’s death, Karp wrote the play she will perform at this year’s seventh annual Fillet of Solo Festival. A miscarriage isn’t exactly the best source for a one-woman show, but Karp handles her subject matter evenly in “Still.” She shares her experience in a way that won’t leave her or the audience drained.
Call it poetic justice. In “Without Me,” Eminem brags, “I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley/to do black music so selfishly/and use it to get myself wealth.” The controversial rapper has been displaced by Nelly to No. 2 on the album charts, but the best-selling single in America belongs to none other than Presley.
When most of us think about forensics, we flash to images of body fluids, hair and fiber. But when Court TV’s Mobile Investiga-tion Unit rolls into the Lincolnwood Town Center in Lincolnwood today, it’ll be more of a flour and sugar whodunit.
“A predator is a predator and if he is guilty, no matter if he pumps gas or sells millions of albums, he should be treated as such.” —Caresse Henry, Madonna’s manager
Shadow T. Carr, 28, bills himself as a 1988 Buick Grand National. Would-be contestants wait to audition for a spot on the syndicated show “Blind Date” recently in Chicago.
Cultured children. They are the ones clutching their ballet programs, clapping politely after the end of a particularly beautiful pas de deux. They know about Van Gogh’s art as much as they do the legend of his severed ear. And when they go through their CD collection, they have as much Bach and Beethoven as they do Britney.
True love never runs smooth on television, but we try to help with advice for our favorite characters.
