HOLLYWOOD—The Romans used the term dog days in reference to July and August, when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose just before or at the same time as sunrise. According to John Brady’s A Compendious Analysis of the Calendar, published in 1813, these days were popularly believed to be an evil time when “the sea boiled, the wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and frenzies.” It’s interesting to know where the term originated from. Clearly, the upshot is that August has always gotten a bad rap.
Going through the dog days of August is reality TV stars Teresa and Joe Giudice from the “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” who face a 39-count indictment on conspiracy and fraud charges after being charged in Newark, New Jersey on July 30. Teresa Giudice, 41 and Joe, 43, were given their legal rights during the 10-minute hearing before being released on $500,000 unsecured appearance bonds. What’s at stake? Since more than half of the nearly 410,000 people deported from theUnited States last year were booted out because of criminal conviction, now, Joe Giudice faces the possibility of returning back to Italy since he’s an Italian national. Some of the charges they both face are: conspiracy to commit mail fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements on loan applications and bankruptcy fraud.
The two of them were ordered to surrender their passports and restrict travels to New Jersey and New York. The Giudices, rose to celebrity status by showcasing their lavish lifestyle on the Bravo reality TV show. Joe Giudice is also accused of failing to file tax returns from 2004 to 2008, when he allegedly earned nearly $1 million. Their arraignment was set for August 14. Their attorneys said both will plead not guilty. Teresa has parlayed her fame into cookbooks, a line of ready-made bellinis and “Skinny Italian,” a specialty food line. On the show, she is known for her expensive tastes and combative relationship with her brother and sister-in-law. The couple has four children.
August is looking good for Lindsay Lohan who will be guest-hosting for Chelsea Handler on E!’s late-night talk show, “Chelsea Lately” next week. The 27-year-old actress will host the show on August 5. Lohan just served a court-mandated 90-day stint in rehab. Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network announced that Winfrey will conduct an on-camera interview with the actress. Along with an eight-part reality show headlined by Lohan and scheduled to air next year on OWN. This is the second big announcement for Lohan this month.
So many A-listers are turning to the small screen. Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman has signed on to star in a new Showtime series called “Trending Down,” according to published reports. Hoffman is not alone, as John Malkovich is heading to NBC to star in the mid-season action-adventure series “Crossbones.” Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson will play homicide detectives on HBO’s “True Detective,” slated for 2014. Kevin Bacon’s first season of “The Following,” was a hit on Fox, as was “New Girl,” starring indie movie princess Zooey Deschanel.
Rose’s Scoop: “The Arsenio Hall Show,” will premiere on September 9. Hall will be returning to the talk show circuit nearly 20 years after his last show was cancelled.
By Rose Quintiliano
