STEVEN SPIELBERG DRAWS WARHORSE STARS

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THE WEB GOSSIP

Gossip By The Nostalgic New Yorker
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Steven Spielberg

WARHORSE AT AVERY FISHER -- Steven Spielberg’s big screen adaptation of Warhorse was world-premiered at Avery Fisher Hall this past Sunday evening and drew a most impressive array of bold-faced names, including: NBC’s Brian Williams; Eric LaSalle; Michael Michele; Tony Danza; Fox’s Arnold (Shame, Shame, Shame) Diaz; ABC’s Art McFarland; Mariska Hargitay with husband Peter Hermann; PR-pasha David Salidor with client Dayme; Elizabeth Olsen; Jessica Capshaw; Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick; Ralph Macchio; as well as the terrific cast: Tom Hiddleston; Celine Buckens; David Thewlis; Jeremy Irvine; and, Emily Watson. I saw the play earlier this year and Spielberg has opened it up dramatically for the screen. A most impressive effort for sure. The horse-Joey deserves some sort of recognition as well. How they got him to accomplish what he does in the film, is nothing short of astonishing. Special note: the John Williams score to this movie is not to be believed; it is the best thing he’s ever done. Evocative, compelling … simply brilliant! A supper followed the premiere. Disney knows how to stage a proper premiere for sure. Our thanks to Elaine Lazelle for her sterling efforts. Her taste is impeccable. One last note: if you haven't read this week's Entertainment Weekly interview with Spielberg ... you should. It is captivating!


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Alice Eve

TREK ADDITIONS -- J.J. Abrams’ second installment of his re-booted Star trek series is gearing up with the cast additions of Robo Copo-Peter Weller and Alice Eve. Weller, who is a consummate actor, was in a terrific episode last year from Fox’s Fringe, called “White Tulip,” and Fringe-fanatics (myself included!) will tell you it was one of the show’s best episodes ever. Cast as the main villain for the film is none other than Benicio Del Toro; rumored via the ‘net to be playing Khan! Weller has been rumored to be essaying one of the dreaded-Borg, due to current rather-out-worldly appearance. In my book, his addition is another reason to be greatly anticipating the film; directed by Abrams, it is due on May 17, 2013.


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Ruth Buzzi

SUES PASSES ON -- Alan Sues, best known as the flamboyant cast member on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has passed at 85. He died last Thursday in L.A. “We lost a very funny man last night, our dear friend Alan Sues, whom you remember as the very funny sportscaster on Laugh-In,” fellow cast member Ruth Buzzi posted on twitter. “Alan Sues was one of those guys even funnier in person than on camera. Across a dinner table … over the phone … hysterical. We'll miss him.” He portrayed an array of characters on the show, including Uncle Al the Kiddies' Pal; a hungover children's entertainer; and, of course, sportscaster Big Al, who cared more about the colors of their uniforms, rather than the actions on the field. He left the show before its last season. Sues, who went onto additional film and commercial work, was working on an audio book called Oh, Nothing, which he described as "a collection of show stories, personal anecdotes and whatever else happened to enter my mind at the time of recording." Rest easy Alan!


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Gayle King

CBS NAME CHANGE, AGAIN? -- CBS has announced the title of its upcoming AM replacement for The Early Show; now, to be called CBS This Morning. Broadcast will air opposite NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America, both ultra-profitable and very similar programs; and, against which, The Early Show would perennially come in last. The new show will be hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, with a premier set for January 9 at 7AM. I'd expect the first show and first week to be most interesting; seeing Rose (and, King for the matter) that early, could just be the right morning-jolt we all need!


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Neil Patrick Harris

RIPA R.I.P.? -- I have watched the first two weeks of Live With Kelly and have been mildly amused. Jerry Seinfeld, Jerry O'Connell, and Neil Patrick Harris, have been her early guest-co-hosts thus far, and the results have been a mixed bag. Kelly and Seinfeld seemed to get off to a good start, but he looked like he got bored ... real fast! I have always thought of Jerry as a nighttime comedian; his guests spots on Letterman are legend. Here ... he's much too early. O'Connell fared much better; interestingly, he and Kelly do have a nice rhythm ... though I thought he'd have brought my fave Alan Rickman with him. Her stint with NPH was good too, until he unfortunately mentioned he felt like a tranny at one point, after viewing an odd photo of himself. That's a no no for the show! Damn! Funnily enough, all these guests hosts have made almost everyone realize that what Regis did looked easy ... but, wasn't. I like her, don't get me wrong, but there's no way she can last. Even some of the guests have look exasperated. Regis' last appearance on the show, November 18, drew a record 9.45 million viewers. Not more than the final Oprah ... but, very close and it set a record! Boy, do we miss him!


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Tom Cruise

ALL YOU NEED IS KILL --Tom Cruise has inked his third major movie deal in as many months. He will topline the sci-fi All You Need Is Kill, to be directed by Doug Liman, from the Bourne-series. The movie is based on a graphic novel, but, with a twist: A soldier in a war against aliens finds himself reliving his last day over and over after he’s killed. Through the training and battles he experiences, he becomes a better soldier. Cruise has Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol out later this month; and, is currently shooting the movie One Shot; with another movie Oblivion waiting. Interestingly, both of these are sci-fi epics as well. And, March will see the release of the screen adaptation of Rock Of Ages … featuring Tom.


Photos By: Sara De Boer/Walter McBride/RD/Leon/Kirkland/Retna