Ashton Kutcher...Network trots out "Two and a Half Men" star! Former Underwear model in spotlight!

Former underwear model catapulted into spotlight!







Ashton Kutcher - an actor the big brass at the studio is counting on to revive a hit show (that some say is on its last legs ) - was trotted out earlier today to introduce himself to loyal fans of the effervescent comedy "Two and a Half Men".
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Looking lean and raring-to-go - the sexy star of such films as "Where's my Car, Dude?" - was noticeably keyed-up and quick to take a dig at Charlie Sheen who once starred on the entertaining sitcom..

“I can’t wait to get to work with this ridiculously talented ‘2.5’ team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in viewers’ homes,” Kutcher qupped, as he fielded questions from journalists at a high-profile press conference aimed at triggering renewed interest in the once-smart, amusing, well-written comedy which continued to snag top ratings over the past eight years.

Of course, Kutcher was taking a poke at Sheen who recently inferred that charismatic performer was not capable of drawing in the all-important 2.5 demographic that is needed to propel "Two" forward and beyond with American viewers who have sat on the sidelines fascinated by all the brouhaha generated by the scandalous antics of bad-boy Sheen.

Producers are optimistic that the casting of Kutcher - who faired well in "That 70's Show" will trigger new directions in plot lines for the writers - and ultimately - breathe new life into the popular TV sitcom.

“Sheen’s character was getting a little thin,” says Robert Thompson, founder of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University in New York.

“As good as Charlie Sheen was, his TV alter ego, Charlie Harper, had begun to wear out. You can only do so many stories with a drinking, drugged-out womanizer."

As Charlie Sheen is beginning to find out in real life!

With that in mind, one has to seriously wonder about the obvious, in the aftermath.
 Will “Two and a Half Men” be as successful as it was when the mean Sheen machine was at the helm?

More importantly, will the entertaining piece of fluff continue to be a magnet capable of attracting A-list talent to CBS like moth to flame once again?

Predictions become iffy, at best, when analysts are forced to take a wider view of the terrain.

In some instances, when stars have departed suddenly from Television bill-of-fare for whatever reason (death, contract disputes, to move on), a handful of top-rated shows have managed to not only maintain a toehold - but also (with the right set of circumstances) - leap forward in popularity to gain momentum and "stick" even after the curiosity factor has long since worn off.

For example, when David Caruso left “NYPD Blue” in 1994, critics opined that the show would suffer.

“The ultimately interesting point in all this is debated in television and theater classes across America all the time,” says Fordham University communications professor Paul Levinson, author of “New New Media.

“Is it the overall characters or the overall story that is most compelling to audiences?”

“If Ashton Kutcher succeeds in the absence of Sheen, it will weigh in on the side that characters are less important than the overall story. If he doesn’t succeed, it will be evidence that overall, characters are more important.”

On the other hand, some shows just konk out, after all the potential storylines (and the obvious variables) have inevitably panned out.

In the case of Sheen, the one joke joke, may have rustled up its last laugh this past season.

With Kutcher in the role of a fresh character, the sitcom may find itself transfused with life-saving creative energy, that may catapult it forward for another season or two.

In the final analysis, the network may prove the critics wrong, once again.

"Two and a Half Men" may have survived all these years not because of Sheen's sheer talent - and comic genius - but by virtue of ensemble cast performances that charmed and won over the American public.

Notwithstanding, Kutcher's demographics across the board may be a force to reckon with, too.

Does lightning strike twiice?

The jury is still out.

We'll see!

http://www.thetattler.biz


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Ashton out-on-town with Cougar Demi Moore!

Big Brother..."Open Call" Auditions in San Francisco! Saturday April 16th!



One of night-time televisions's long-time survivors on the reality-show circuit - "Big Brother" - is rolling in to town to cast a wide net for fresh talent to feature on the upcoming season on CBS.

In response, a swarm of excited hopefuls are expected to descend on the "open call" tomorrow in downtown San Francisco to try their luck at landing a coveted spot on the popular highly-rated bill-of-fare.

With that in mind, casting Director Robyn Kass - who has hand-picked sexy contestants for "The Bachelor" and the "Bachelorette" in the recent past - has offered up a handful of tips to ensure the audition process runs smoothly for starry-eyed talents anxious to break into spotlight and roar on to infamey in pop culture.

For starters, Kass urges potential candidates to be at ease while they're on the hot seat.

"Just come in a good mood and talk to us like you're taking to your best friends," she stressed in a recent upbeat interview with the local press.

"There are certain people you are just naturally drawn to. It may be the way they talk, laugh, move, yell, use their hands, express themselves. It's something intriguing about them that makes us want to hear more. There are just certain people out there who are great at capturing our attention,without trying too hard."
 
In a nutshell?
 
Don't look desperate, eh?

When it come to the issue of a "look", Kass underscored the importance of dressing sharp.

Don't wear "costumes" in a bold-faced effort to "call attention" to your - um - fantastic personality, though.

If you read between the lines - the message rings out - crystal clear.

Avoid going for "broke' or being too over-the-top!

Ms. Kass stressed that "Big Brother" does not have their eye out for any specific types at the auditions tomorrow.

"Every city we go to we hope to find unique, colorful personalities. We don't have any specific expectations for San Fran, but we do expect everyone to show up with their "A" game."

A final bit of advice to get prepped for the big day?

"Get a good night sleep before hand. If ou look good and feel good your chances will be better. Please come with stories to back up anything you tell us. For example, if you say you are conniving, you better have some stories in your real life to back up why you would say that. Don't just say that just to say it."

Parting words?

"If you're a fan of Big Brother GO FOR IT! Now is your chance."

Okie-Dokie!

Break a leg, eh?

AUDITION INFO

Big Brother
CBS
Reality Show

GUIDELINES

PRINT & FILL OUT APPLICATION

http://www.cbs.com/casting/big_brother/Application.pdf

PROOF OF IDENTITY
(Driver's license or State issued ID)

PUBLICITY SHOTS
(one face and one body shot)

LOCATION

Sugar Cafe
679 Sutter Street

San Francisco, CA
94102

DATE

April 16th
(Saturday)

AUDITION TIMES

3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

http://www.thetattler.biz



Big Brother is watching!

People's Choice Awards...kicks off New Year with glitzy bash!

 

While critics and academy members were gearing up for the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars - the little people at home in their armchairs in front of the TV and below the floodlights at the local theatre - were busy rustling up their faves for the much-anticipated People's Choice Awards.

Last night, the industry turned out amidst a lot of fanfare to celebrate their choices!

Among the winners?

Jane Lynch was a shoe-in for favorite comedy actress.

But, some were surprised when Conan O'Brien edged out Big "O" and snatched up the coveted statuette for Best Talk show!

"I've been loving the new show, and we're very comfortable doing it, but I like things to evolve," he noted after graciously accepting the award.

 In that event, I expect viewers may expect some transformations over the next few months, eh?

Although Johnny Depp has been in the dumper with film reviewers - in large part due to his last role in the box office flop in the big-budget fiasco - "The Tourist" - fans remained loyal.

Uh-huh!

Depp was named favorite male actor!

It was a no-brainer, of course, when "Twilight" scooped up the nod for best film category.

Don't underestimate the voting power of a gaggle of adoring giggling female fans!  No doubt Robert Pattinson's sexy screen persona boosted the ballots a tad with the teeny-bopper set.

By the way, Kristen Stewart was chosen as favorite Movie Actress.

Neil Patrick was all smiles when he strode to the podium to accept an award for his role in "How I met your Mother".

The kid's longevity in the biz has been simply amazing, hasn't it?

Katy Perry and Eninem scored big as female and male music artists respectively.

The popular People's Choice Awards were broadcast live on CBS and hosted by hilarious Queen Latifah - a heavyweight in the industry - oh yeah!

http://www.thetattler.biz

 

 

 

Twilight ever-popular!

 

 

Paula Abdul..."Live to Dance" has potential to charm!

Judges give contestants standing ovation!

With a lot of fanfare, CBS launched - "Live to Dance" - Paula Abdul's attempt to rise up and prove critics wrong after a much-publicized (embarrassing) fall from Grace last year when she parted ways with Fox's American Idol.

To the reality-show's credit, Paula (who wears a hat as Executive Producer) has laid a workable foundation to build on, in the event the dance competition gains momentum in the coming weeks and rustles up a solid fan base sufficient to please the Network brass and sponsors alike.

Although the entertaining bill-of-fare - packaged into one-hour segments - doesn't stray far from its roots (i.e. talent shows where viewers at home root for the underdog or participate in the voting process).

There are a couple of departures from stale old concepts, however, that have the potential to uplift.

The "open door" policy is refreshing, for starters.

Dance enthusiasts aren't burdened down with a set of criteria - age restrictions, a need for an armful of professional credits to land an audition, training - that might otherwise discourage hopeful two-steppers (with original ideas on choreographed moves) from pursuing their day in the sun.

The contestants need only demonstrate their dance ability to take a stab at the jaw-dropping $500,000.00 prize!

In contrast to other popular ratings-getters on air 'til now - the panel of Judges presiding over the auditions (Michael Jackson's choreographer, a Pussy Dolls band member, and Paula Abdul) have a background in the discipline.

Consequently - the panel is able to render intelligent, well-rounded, truthful assessments (based on style, originality, and technique) that resonate with a chord of truth.

Decisions that fly-by-the-seat of the pants rarely go over well with sophisticated audiences around the country today, after all.

Unfortunately, disgruntled contestants are not always that easy to appease, when they are rejected.

Such was the case tonight, sadly, in one isolated incident.

When a hefty middle-aged gal got the thumbs down from the Pussy Doll adjudicator, the angry contestant was quick on the uptake.

"The skinny girl's hate," she snarled at the pretty celebrity, as a hush fell over the "dome".

Which begs the question.

"American Idol" often fueled controversies to trigger angry viewer response - with the aim achieving that end.

For example - the producers appeared to rub their hands with glee whenever ugly battles (and mind-boggling sinister power-plays) between Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul - played out in all their tawdry glory in the weekly gossip rags.

I'm betting that all the superficial "sweetness and light" - on the part of Paula Abdul in particular (a transparent B-list celeb who gushed once-too-often tonight on air in my estimation) - may eventually grate on the nerves.

"Live to Dance" may have to take a cue from the Wild World of Wrestling to appeal to the gladiator mentality now-and-then during sluggish runs.

A bitch fight may just be in the offing in the near future if the overnight ratings aren't up to snuff tomorrow morning.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Paula & Simon before the split!

Dave Letterman...Ooops moment! Ryan Seacrest pot shots! Say what, Paula Abdula?

Boy, that was quite an Oops! moment last night on the Dave Letterman show!

Do you suppose the head honcho at Worldwide Pants (Dave Letterman) fired a camera operator at the crack of dawn this morning?

Or - just maybe - a stage manager's head will get the axe later in the day.

Who knows!

Bottom line?

There was definitely a slip up in communication somewhere along the line.

The unthinkable occurred about half-way through the highly-rated talk show.

On a return from commercial break - suddenly (without warning) - viewers at home found themselves staring at a ghastly shot of Dave bent over his desk (caught in the act of snatching up a scrap of paper off the floor) with a bald spot "comb over" on the crown of his head in plain view!

Judging by the embarrassed look on his face, I surmise that Dave was unaware that he was on air , when he finally righted himself in the chair.

When the cameraman quickly cut-away to Paul Shaffer - the awkward look on the bandleader's face said it all  - you betcha!

Uh-huh!

Dave got caught with his pants down!

Ouch!

For some inexplicable reason, Letterman had the knives out for Ryan Seacrest last night.

After mentioning a bit of scuttlebutt about a guest referring to themselves as a "douche bag" on a New Years show (hosted by the perky DJ and Dick Clark on another network) Dave was inclined to issue a cautionary warning to everyone within earshot in the event they were not in the "know" about Ryan.

"That Seacrest guy pulled a Jay Leno. Got them all fired. He's the one with all the money, 'ya know," he kidded.

At the end of the segment (and at the close of the show) the camera focused on a blow-up photograph of Ryan Seacrest tacked to the studio wall - all smiles - in spite of the fact he was not a guest on the show.

Bizarre!

But, Paul Abdul's interview was the most intriguing, to say the least.

Reluctant to initially reveal the specific details of her new dance show - slated to broadcast tonight on CBS - Dave was forced to joist with her a bit (the segment was painful to watch and tantamount to pulling teeth ) to get his money's worth.

Ms. Abdul is either in denial or just totally clueless.

For instance, when Dave quizzed her as to the whereabouts of Simon Cowel these days, she tried to subtly insult the former American Idol Judge she once worked alongside.

"Oh, he's doing a small show," she uttered up with a straight face.

When asked how much she liked Cowell, she was quick on the uptake.

"About this much," she teased, as she used her fingers to elaborate her point.

If you read between the lines, you probably figured it out.

Abdul, who has allegedly slept with Cowell, was inferring that he wasn't very well hung.

As to the show, Abdul was referring to X Factor - an overseas hit that Cowell is currently involved with  - expected to fair well when it launches in the U.S.

If Ms. Abdul appeared on the Late Show with the aim of changing her image - without doubt - she failed miserably.

How long is this scorned woman going to try to save face, as she continues to make a fool of herself on Network TV in front of an amused world?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Seacrest brunt of Dave's scorn!