June 2012

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are divorcing

"TomKat" is officially kaput.

It seems that we are ending the week with a bang, at least as far as huge gossip goes! One of the biggest Hollywood couples around is calling it quits: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Yes, TomKat is officially over. Katie Holmes filed for divorce yesterday.

I have to be honest -- I didn't see this one coming. Without question, this is the biggest celebrity break-up of the year (so far). What happened? A recent report suggests that Scientology might be one reason.

Famed screenwriter Nora Ephron has died

Films include 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Sleepless in Seattle'

Just a short time ago, I read that one of my all-time favorite Hollywood screenwriters, Nora Ephron, was gravely ill. I am a huge fan, so I tend to keep up with the headlines on Ephron-related news, so imagine my surprise to learn she might be near death! Now, sadly, reports indicate that Ephron has passed away.

Ephron's death is such a tragedy. She was a bright light for so many decades, giving us so many incredible, memorable films. Her film credits include some of the best romantic comedy movies in recent memory, including Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally.

Katz's Delicatessen - in "When Harry Met Sally"

Welcome back, Arsenio Hall

Will return with a new talk show next year

The big buzz in the TV world so far this week is the news that Arsenio Hall is returning to late-night TV. And I couldn't be happier! I've long lamented the fact that Arsenio's been gone far too long, and after he won the last Celebrity Apprentice, I'd hoped this marked the start of his television comeback.

I was right! Arsenio is indeed coming back, with a syndicated talk show that's set to start in the fall of 2013. As a former fan of The Arsenio Hall Show, I can only hope that this new show, a partnership with CBS Television Distribution, is half as entertaining.

More health challenges for Robin Roberts

'Good Morning America' host has rare blood disorder

Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts is without a doubt one of my favorite women on TV. When she underwent treatment for breast cancer several years ago, I kept track of her condition as much as possible and cheered her on from the comfort of my couch each morning as I sipped my coffee. It seems I'm going to have to start cheering once again.

Robin Roberts made a shocking and saddening announcement on GMA earlier this week: She's developed a rare blood/bone marrow disease as a result of her breast cancer treatment. She's going to need a bone marrow transplant, and she's already started chemotherapy to prepare. It's time to fight again, and if anyone can fight and win, it's Robin! Her courage is truly inspiring.

Celebrity Close-Up

One blog celebrates the silly and imperfect moments of the beautiful and famous.

So this is interesting. Usually, when we're subjected to images of celebrities, it's in advertising, on magazine covers, in films or on television. In these prepared images, they've been tweaked and recreated to something resembling a proto-human: airless, poreless, in perfect shape, wearing designer faces and spouting written speech. These are not the people, but the shells around the people that Hollywood wishes to sell to you. Or Chanel, ClearChannel, ProActiv, whoever. Corporate America takes famous people, builds a product around them then profits from that product. 

Which is why it's so interesting just to see celebrity faces without all that sheen. No professional lighting, no Photoshop. Makeup, sure, but that's a given--and this close, we can even see individual pores under all that foundation. We can see wrinkles and creases and spots and moles and all that stuff that makes up the good old-fashioned human face. We can see imperfections and we're not asked to balk at them. 

Miley Cyrus will walk down the aisle with Liam Hemsworth

Famous couple got engaged, but have little time to celebrate

Miley Cyrus is all grown up now. In case you were still under the impression that Miley was the sweet, young Hannah Montana, think again: Miley's engaged! Yes, Cyrus and her longtime boyfriend Liam Hemsworth are tying the knot and there's no doubt this will be a massive celebrity wedding!

I have to confess that when Miley and Liam started dating (they met and fell in love while filming The Last Song), I never thought they'd last. I thought both of them were just too young. Apparently I was wrong, because three years after they first got together, wedding bells are about to ring. That's what I get for being so cynical.