The latest on Lopez: no baby, no ring
Jennifer Lopez finally speaks at least, her representative does. According to Salon.com, the singer-actress neither carries the love child nor is engaged to marry Cris Judd. Got it? Actually, publicist Alan Nierob didn’t sound so definite on the rumored impending nuptials. “I have no comment on her private life,” he told USA Today.
Also untrue: Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake did not die in a Los Angeles car crash, thereby prompting Christina Aguilera remakes of “Leader of the Pack” and “Teen Angel” complete with crashing noises. (“Vroom! Vroom! Errrrr! KaBOOM!”). What, did you not hear the hoax perpetuated by a pair of Dallas radio yucksters who spread the false word, thereby prompting hysterical teens to clog Los Angeles police, fire and hospital phone lines?
“There is no truth to the rumor circulating around the world that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were involved in a car accident on Tuesday,” Spears publicist Lisa Kasteler said in a statement. “Representatives for both Spears and Timberlake are looking into the situation to determine the original source of the rumor and if legal action is appropriate.”
Gabrina Soliz, a spokeswoman for KEGL-FM’s owner, Clear Channel Communications, said officials there were looking into the incident. Hmmm, first pump up oil prices, then lock up our emergency services tarnation, Ma and Pa, get the rifles Texas is set to invade California.
Baby got backup: So much for the cause of patriotism: Ben Affleck may have switched derrieres on an unsuspecting public. That’s right, that fleeting moment in “Pearl Harbor” when he drops his trousers to get an inoculation may be cinematic trickery, the ol’ bait-and-twitch. The source of this revelation comes from none other than the woman who served as hand double for Kate Beckinsale, who was allegedly administering said shot into said buttock.
“I was looking forward to getting my hands on Ben, but it wasn’t to be,” said one Breezy Dawn Douglas to the Internet Movie Database (she is listed as a photo double). As to why Affleck’s posterior was so elusive, so far no reasons put forth, such as excessive hair or fear of needles.
MURDER, THE APPETIZER: Anthony Hopkins had already been offered the prequel before “Hannibal” opened in February, and Universal Pictures hasn’t changed its plans to make the film. Instead of Jonathan Demme or Ridley Scott, though, Variety reports that the director being offered $4 million to direct the film is Brett Ratner, who has proven his gruesome twist with movies such as “Rush Hour” and “The Family Man.” Anyhow, Hopkins is on if the script is written, and Ted Tally (“The Silence of the Lambs” screenwriter) will adapt “Red Dragon.”
The book had already been made into a movie, 1986’s “Manhunter.”
THIS ONE’S FOR THE BIRDS, LITERALLY: The Eagles are so protective of their name, the rock group was finding fault with a group that protects the once-endangered species, reports ABCnews.com.
The rockers were considering a copyright infringement lawsuit against the American Eagle Foundation, which has a Web site at www.Eagles.org. The nonprofit also uses an 800-number ending in the word Eagles.
But after some consideration, and obviously coming to their senses, the band decided not to take action, and the foundation will be allowed to keep using the name without worrying about a suit.
The 70s stars are highly protective of their name. Last year, Don Henley and his bandmates told a Dallas restaurant, the Hotel California Grill, to find a new name or face a copyright infringement lawsuit.
Today’s People Column was compiled by Vera H-C Chan from staff and wire reports. Comments? Write to us c/o the Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099. Or call 925-943-8262, fax 925-943-8362, or e-mail spin@cctimes.com.