San Francisco News This Week In Hollywoodland

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This Week In Hollywoodland
By Tommy Garrett
Jul 12, 2009 - 6:45:44 PM

This week in Hollywoodland was filled with sadness but also glimmers of hope. Michael Jackson’s Tuesday memorial was well attended and the LAPD report no incidents that would hinder the joy of the ceremony. There were countless stars who performed and even more attended. However, singer Diana Ross and actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor decided to stay home and grieve in private. Everyone grieves in their own way, but these two ladies showed their love for Michael in their own private way. Now lets wait for the autopsy results and leave the rest of it in the hands of the authorities, insurance companies and his family. The private matters involving custody should not be played out in the media. Which I am afraid will actually occur. That as well as the headline, “Michael Jackson’s autopsy photos, we have them exclusively,” are going to be in someone’s newspaper at some point in the next few weeks. What a shame. Now that Michael is dead, the media should show some restraint in reporting and show his three children the respect they deserve at this time.

However, L.A.’s Mayor has asked fans to consider supporting Jackson by defraying costs to the city for the memorial services. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa press representative Kenneth Hsu told San Francisco News this week, “The Mayor gives his condolences to the family of Mr. Jackson. The city however could use reimbursement for costs. We are currently experiencing the same fiscal problems as virtually every locality in the nation.” The following press release came directly from Mayor Villaraigosa last week, “"Michael Jackson transcended generations and stirred our souls for decades. His music and iconic image rallied the entire world to American pop culture. His death leaves a void in the world of pop music and in the world of philanthropy, where he supported a record number of charity organizations. Michael lives on in the music that countless generations will inevitably discover. Los Angeles mourns the death of the King of Pop."

For fans or any citizens that would like to help the city of Los Angeles at this time, please go to: http://mayor.lacity.org/PressRoom/PressReleases/LACITYP_005598

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are both in Hollywood right now. Jolie was seen earlier this week taking daughters Zahara and Shiloh to a dance studio in Studio City. The class the two adorable girls were attending with mom is famously called, “The Princess Series.” Jolie has obviously had an influence on at least one daughter. Word in town is Zahara has started to dislike the paparazzi attention and has frowned at a couple of the shutter bugs calling out her name to get her attention for shots.

Both Tori Spelling and Lindsay Lohan have been guests lately at the Silver Spoon Beach House in Malibu. Tori however is still reeling from the no show of her mom Candy a few months ago, when she invited her to a birthday party. Friends of the mother and daughter tell me, they are no closer to working things out, but Tori’s husband Dean is trying to get them together to talk soon. Here’s hoping for the best. Candy’s selling her 58,000 square foot Beverly Hills mansion and has moved to Century City. The home she’s selling is Tori’s childhood home and the one Candy shared with her late husband Aaron Spelling.

Kevin Bacon turned 51 on Wednesday. The actor has just completed two films due out this year. While Sylvester Stallone turned 63 earlier in the week. His career in Hollywood may have fizzled a bit, but his Bollywood (India) films are still very popular in that part of the world and he’s currently working on three projects. Including Rambo V, due out in 2011. Both men show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Actress Kate Walsh who starred in ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and is now the lead of her own series “Private Practice” which is a spin off of the series was not pleased this week. A judge ordered her show’s producers to be available for deposition in her divorce from estranged husband Alex Young. Walsh and ABC argued that this was harassment and that her financial arrangements with the network was no one’s business. Legal experts suggest this is a maneuver that will cause a quick settlement between the couple.

Lets call Samuel L. Jackson a champ! The actor who has a legion of fans and a few jealous haters recently decided to do something about the online bloggers who set behind their computer screens maligning his work and others, while being so cowardly, they don’t even use their real names to bash his work. The Internet is filled with such people. But the famous actor recently called some of these people out and gave them his home number in order to call him and be brave, face him and tell him to his face what they really think of his work. The actor said in a recent interview about the matter, “All these people can sit at home and can blog. They can say bad things about you online and you don't know who they are but they know who I am. It's totally unfair. I know my face, you know my face. I want to see you. Meet me at this place here and let's have that discussion: What did you mean washed up and always yelling and screaming? And if you don't believe it's me call this number. I enjoy engaging critics in that way."

Good for Samuel. It’s time someone took on such rude behavior.

Tom Cruise just loves being an international star. The actor celebrated his 47^th birthday down under in Melbourne with daughter Suri and wife Katie, who is there shooting a film with actor Guy Pearce. On his July 3 birthday, Cruise caught an AFL (Australian Football League) match between Geelong and St Kilda at Docklands from a private box.

Then the next day they saw a stage production of The Jersey Boys. Word has it, Katie and Suri have been staying in the pool ever since they arrived. Enjoying the beautiful city of Melbourne.

And who would have ever known? Jon and Kate Gosselin spent the Fourth of July holiday together with their eight kids. And no cameras were rolling. The couple who has recently separated, put their show on hiatus and halted a book being written by Kate Gosselin seemed strained by the photos paparazzi shot, but at least they put their problems aside, stopped trying to be famous Hollywood stars and spent the day as a family with their kids, who desperately need their parents at this point in their lives.

Meryl Streep admitted to Ladies Home Journal magazine that she gained fifteen pounds while filming the role of Julia Child in “Julie and Julia” due out later this year. Streep says that it’s much harder to lose weight now at sixty, but that it was worth it in order to become Ms. Child in the film.

While handsome actor Patrick Dempsey dons the hospital scrubs soon again. Not just for his role as Dr. McDreamy on “Grey’s Anatomy” but for a movie role in director Garry Marshall’s “Valentine’s Day.” Dempsey's role is that of an obstetrician dating Jennifer Garner's character, who is unaware he's married. Filming started in Hollywood this week.

Good for Samuel. It’s time someone took on such rude behavior.

Then the next day they saw a stage production of The Jersey Boys. Word has it, Katie and Suri have been staying in the pool ever since they arrived. Enjoying the beautiful city of Melbourne.

Bel Air beauty Zsa Zsa Gabor is at home resting and was not treated for flu symptoms as some are reporting. Ms. Gabor has always been one of my favorite Hollywood personalities. The actress is ninety two now, so we wish her well. Her husband Prince Frederick von Anhalt tells Canyon News, “She’s just fine. And I became a U.S. citizen a few weeks ago.” von Anhalt was born in Germany.

Good for Samuel. It’s time someone took on such rude behavior.

Then the next day they saw a stage production of The Jersey Boys. Word has it, Katie and Suri have been staying in the pool ever since they arrived. Enjoying the beautiful city of Melbourne.

My dear friend, actress Kelly DeSarla has just been cast in a film called "Confession," written and directed by maverick director and newcomer Ed Kaye. The film also stars handsome actors Maurice Benard, who plays Sonny Corinthos on ABC's daytime drama "General Hospital" and Brennan Elliott, who previously starred in "4400" and A&E's "Flight 93." Kelly is extremely happy about this opportunity and says, "Both men are wonderful to work with and very supportive. I feel honored to be stretching my wings and getting a part in this film. Tommy, this role is so exciting and it's a departure from anything I've done before. Having this opportunity to work with another great director is both challenging and exciting." DeSarla has previously worked with mega director Henry Jaglom at Rainbow Films and she adds, "I learned so much from my experience there. They are like family to me and I really owe them a lot. Working with such great people has helped me become a better actress and person." Kelly's next film to be released later this year, is "Queen of the Lot." It's a film I have a cameo in. Kelly was very helpful to me on the day I shot my scene. She also recently amazed many of us with her magnificent work in Jaglom's recent release "Irene In Time."

With Kelly and two handsome and talented leading men like Benard and Elliott, Kaye’s film is sure to be a box office hit. Benard’s acting is mesmerizing and intense like Pacino’s and Elliott’s good looks are only eclipsed by his solid performances in the actor’s previous work. For details on "Confession" go to: www.confessionthemovie.com

And finally, I'm interviewed by the National Enquirer tabloid this week about the death of my longtime friend, actress Gale Storm. Be sure to pick up the magazine at your grocery checkout stands or news stands for the exclusive interview with me about the wonderful lady. Canyon News reported last week last week on the beauty's death.