Celebrity Scoop
You could call it a wild and crazy diet. Steve Martin's agreed to host the 75th Academy Awards show and says he's "very pleased to be hosting the Oscars again, because fear and nausea always make me lose weight." Martin, who last emceed the ceremonies two years ago, recently finished shooting the Disney comedy "Bringing Down the House." In January, he'll begin work on "Shopgirl," a film based on his novella, of the same title. The Oscars will be on March 23 in Hollywood.
She may not like cameras following her around 24-7, but Sharon Osbourne hasn't lost her taste for the small screen. The matriarch of the reality show "The Osbournes," who revealed a few days ago her plans to wind up that show next year, has reportedly made a deal to host a syndicated talk show. That's according to Electronic Media Online, which says Telepictures Productions hopes for a fall 2003 premiere.
It's going to take more than hearts and flowers to soothe the feelings of Guns N' Roses fans in Vancouver who were outraged when lead singer Axl Rose was a no show for a scheduled concert. Police used pepper spray to disperse a crowd of thousands of angry ticketholders. The concert was supposed to kick off the North American leg of the group's "Chinese Democracy" world tour.
The Righteous Brothers may have lost that loving feeling, but they're sure to get it back now that they've been chosen as inductees into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame. Others to be inducted at the same time next March include: The Police, The Clash, Elvis Costello and The Attractions, and AC/DC.
Patty Duke is heading for Broadway. She'll be joining the cast of "Oklahoma!" as the ever-feisty Aunt Eller, a role now being played by Andrea Martin. Martin's quitting to work on a TV series based on the hit movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and also plans to star in "Paper Doll," a play about the life of "Valley of the Dolls" novelist Jacqueline Susann. Historical note: Duke, starred in the 1967 film version of "Valley of the Dolls." And how old is she now? Only 55. The Oscar-winner started her career at a very tender age, as a child actor.
Given his track record for being outspoken, one might have thought it wouldn't have happened, but British playwright Harold Pinter has been presented with the Companion of Honor accolade by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to literature. Pinter, 72, once turned down the offer of a knighthood and was sharply critical of Prime Minister Tony Blair over the NATO bombing of Serbia. Regarded as one of the U.K.'s greatest postwar dramatists, Pinter recently underwent surgery and is undergoing chemotherapy to treat throat cancer.