Speaking with … Bill Maher
The beginning of the end for the late, great television show “Politically Incorrect” came shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Category: Interviews
Viggo Mortensen: Now, an even longer ‘Rings’!
Viggo Mortensen has 30 minutes left before he has to return to the set to reshoot a scene for “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” which will be in theaters next month. Dressed in character as Aragorn, he is muddied, tired and looking forward to digging into the food he’s carrying on a tray. But first, he searches the make-shift cafeteria for his son Henry. As he walks past the cast and crew, bystanders aren’t sure whether to look away or bow to the oddly regal actor.
Justin time: Sync-ed up to a mature new sound
With “Justified,” Justin Timberlake has declared his independence. From ‘N Sync, the boy band that made him famous. From his female counterpart Britney Spears. And from critics who gleefully depicted him as a bubble-headed, curly-haired playboy.
Speaking with … Wynonna
Phoning from Canada, Wynonna Judd has her hands full. Sure, there are the back-to-back concerts she has to perform. But she’s also getting her
children’s lesson plans ready for the day. “I teach,” says Judd, 38. “I homeschool. When I’m in the studio recording, I have a nanny/tutor to teach my kids.”
Speaking with … Donna McKechnie
Donna McKechnie still is one singular sensation. The Tony Award-winning actress/singer/dancer made a name for herself as Cassie in the original Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line” in 1976. But it’s her storytelling ability that’s winning her kudos in her latest production, “An Evening With Donna McKechnie–My Musical Comedy Life!” The show is running through this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights.
Speaking with … Shane Williams
When Shane Williams occasionally sang on the television series “Early Edition,” her performance was good enough that many viewers wondered who was dubbing her singing voice.
Speaking with … Joan Osborne
“How Sweet It Is” is Joan Osborne’s answer to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The singer-songwriter was in Los Angeles working on an album when she heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center back home in New York City.
Some idol chatter on the road
Sure, the kids competing on “American Idol” looked gracious and chummy on TV last summer. But on tour, there has to be some backstabbing and bickering backstage, right?
Not if you believe the contestants, now on a national tour that’ll bring them to the Allstate Arena on Wednesday.
Speaking with … Savian Glover
A few performers probably could boast a Tony Award, a best-selling book and a successful film career. But Savion Glover has a leg up on the competition. The renowned tap dancer also had a stint on “Sesame Street.”
Jonathan Jackson: From ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Everlasting’ success
“If someone gave me the option of staying this age forever, I’d say no,” says Jonathan Jackson, who stars in the love story “Tuck Everlasting”–which opens Friday in local theaters. “Just thinking about staying the same age forever and seeing everyone else grow old and die would be depressing. I’d rather die and go to heaven.”
The name’s Brosnan — Pierce Brosnan
Arriving at 7:30 Friday night at the Chicago Theatre, a dapper Pierce Brosnan surveyed the fans screaming out his name. “Being an Irishman, I’m very happy and proud to be here in Chicago,” Brosnan said. “Chicago is a good Irish city in many respects, and I’m here to premier our film ‘Evelyn,’ which is an Irish story. Everything just feels right.”
Dressed in a black suit and accompanied by his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, Brosnan was honored at the 38th Chicago International Film Festival with the Career Achievement Award.
Jackie Chan is dressed for success
Though Jackie Chan is hesitant to show off his dexterous martial arts moves when he’s not on set filming, he’s game for just about anything else. Last week, the popular actor helped Fox news anchor Tamron Hall celebrate her birthday by presenting her with a cake. Later that day when a reporter asked him to sing, he broke into a pitch perfect rendition of “Always on My Mind” that was more Willie Nelson than Elvis Presley.
A warm and tender moment with Watts
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.
Rush Street, blues bars best bet to spot a Stone
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.
Speaking with … Vicki Lawrence
Vicki Lawrence is one woman who gets along just fine with her Mama. She likes her so much, in fact, Lawrence is on tour and she’ll be the opening act for the cantankerous old lady. “It’s a two-woman tour that’s really been years in the making,” says Lawrence, 53, phoning from New York. “I’m thrilled to be doing it. It’s me on stage for an hour for the first half and then Mama comes out for the second half.”
Avril Lavigne: the anti-Britney?
“I kind of like being a minor,” says Avril Lavigne, who favors laid-back skateboarder chic over high heels and midriff-baring tops. “I don’t have as many responsibilities as an adult. I’m not looking forward to my birthday at all.”
Piper Perabo
Piper Perabo doesn’t look like the type of woman who could take on The Rock. But the big-time wrestler had nothing on the diminutive actress when he accidentally spilled a glass of champagne on her mother. “I looked at him and said, ‘You’re huge. You shouldn’t be going around bumping into people and spilling things on them,'” says Perabo, laughing.
Speaking with … Maureen McCormick
“My father happened to be over the day that I was sent the script [for ‘The Vagina Monologues,'” says McCormick, 46. “He read the whole play and said, ‘Every gal and guy should go see this.’ He was so amazed by it. It’s such a well-written, well-crafted show. I have to say that when I read the script, I was like, ‘Yes, I’ll do it. This is so cool.’ ”
Speaking with … Toby Keith
Toby Keith isn’t the “angry American” anymore.His latest album, “Unleashed,” debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts. First-week sales of approximately 338,000 units are nearly three times the first-week sales of his previous album, last year’s “Pull My Chain.”
TV tougher than ring for mending Lita
Pro wrestler Lita has fought some of wrestling’s toughest women. But it was a stunt double who put her out of commission for at least another year. While filming a fight scene on the series finale of “Dark Angel,” Lita (born Amy Dumas) landed head first on the ground. Lita, 27, said star Jessica Alba’s stunt double “wasn’t familiar with wrestling, and I didn’t think I’d need a stunt double to handle my fights. I was in pain, but I finished shooting. I didn’t realize how serious my injury was until later. I cracked three vertebrae and had to have surgery.”