Zwecker on TomKat, Seth Meyers, Oprah, and 'Savages'
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By Bill Zwecker, FOX 32 News Entertainment Reporter - bio | email
The mystery surrounding the TomKat split deepens -- and a big TV shake-up that impacts Saturday Night Live and Kelly Ripa.
Sounds like the lull before the storm in the Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes divorce is about to break -- kind of like the big storm that hit our area this afternoon,
Thursday, Cruise's camp leaked a story that there is no truth to the Holmes camp's story -- that Katie is leaving Tom due to her disillusionment with the Church of Scientology. However, my Holmes sources insist it's the all-controlling aspect of the controversial church that was central to the high-profile couple drifting apart.
In much happier news -- fans of "Saturday Night Live" mainstay Seth Meyers will be happy to hear the comedian reportedly has the inside track to become Kelly Ripa's permanent co-host on her "Live!" daily talk show. Meyers -- an Evanston native and 1996 graduate of Northwestern University -- has been a popular guest replacement during the season since Regis Philbin left the show. He'll fill in again next week. If the deal is struck, Meyers would leave his job as "SNL" head writer -- but may stay on to host the 'weekend update' segment.
Oprah Winfrey's financial bail-out of her father's Nashville business has plunged her into the middle of a family feud. The new building where Vernon Winfrey had moved his 50-year old barbershop faced foreclosure and Oprah's six-figure check saved the day. However, Vernon's wife Barbara just filed for divorce and claimed Oprah has locked out of the family company's operation. Oprah's spokeswoman said, the TV titan's purchase was because " Vernon Winfrey has been a fixture in the community for decades and will continue to manage the business on a day-to-day basis."
As we come to the end of this holiday week -- Oliver Stone is back -- with a hard-edged -- often-violent -- thriller that is more like the Oscar winner's earlier films. "Savages" is well-titled -- reminiscent of earlier Stone films like "Natural Born Killers," "U-Turn," or "Salvador." This is a terrific film -- ripped from today's headlines. Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson are two laid-back California marijuana growers who end up in a deadly mix with a vicious Mexican drug cartel run by Salma Hayek and her brutal enforcer played magnificently by Benicio del Toro. John Travolta delivers perfectly as a crooked cop. And Blake Lively is spot-on as the hapless, kidnapped girlfriend.
Also in theaters today is the excellent documentary, "Katy Perry: Part of Me," -- also need to mention the "American Idol" season eleven tour hits the Allstate Arena Saturday. And country star Kenny Chesney plays Soldier Field -- also Saturday.
The Art Museo at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare will showcase the talent of autistic artists in a special exhibit, "Brilliance of Autism." Curator Dr. Jacqueline Marquette, her son, artist Trent Altman explain.
The Art Museo at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare will showcase the talent of autistic artists in a special exhibit, "Brilliance of Autism." Curator Dr. Jacqueline Marquette, her son, artist Trent Altman explain.
Country crooner Rick Monroe is on the Jagermeister country tour, which stops in Bloomington and South Bend this week. He performed his new single "Just the Same" for Good Day Chicago on Monday!
Country crooner Rick Monroe is on the Jagermeister country tour, which stops in Bloomington and South Bend this week. He performed his new single "Just the Same" for Good Day Chicago on Monday!
Leslie Zemeckis, wife of Oscar winning director Robert Zemeckis, has released her new book, "Behind the Burly Q: The History of American Burlesque." She explains where it all started - with a documentary.
Leslie Zemeckis, wife of Oscar winning director Robert Zemeckis, has released her new book, "Behind the Burly Q: The History of American Burlesque." She explains where it all started - with a documentary.
FOX's Bill Zwecker shares photos from "The Hangover Part III" premiere after party in Las Vegas, and sat down with stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms to get their take on the film.
FOX's Bill Zwecker shares photos from "The Hangover Part III" premiere after party in Las Vegas, and sat down with stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms to get their take on the film.
FOX entertainment guru Bill Zwecker reviewed "Star Trek: Into Darkness" and "The Ice Man" starring Michael Shannon in the Screening Room Friday. Both are must-see movies, and they open this weekend! Don't miss out!
FOX entertainment guru Bill Zwecker reviewed "Star Trek: Into Darkness" and "The Ice Man" starring Michael Shannon in the Screening Room Friday. Both are must-see movies, and they open this weekend! Don't miss out!
Candice Glover was named the nation's favorite singer on "American Idol" Thursday night, after singing with Aretha Franklin and Chicago native and "Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson. She never, ever gave up on her dream.
Candice Glover was named the nation's favorite singer on "American Idol" Thursday night, after singing with Aretha Franklin and Chicago native and "Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson. She never, ever gave up on her dream.