Today's Buzz stories
From staff and wire reports |
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Top film villain: Bush?
LONDON, England (AP) -- Readers of a British magazine have rated President Bush the year's top screen villain, for his appearance in Michael Moore's documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11."
Bush beat out a shortlist of fictional film bad guys, including the nefarious Doctor Octopus, played by Alfred Molina, in "Spider-Man 2"; cannibalistic Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"; Andy Serkis' creepy Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy; and the eyepatch-wearing assassin played by Daryl Hannah in "Kill Bill: Vol. 2."
Almost 10,000 people voted in the poll, conducted by Total Film magazine. Results were announced Wednesday.
"It is possible that people have been a little bit tongue in cheek here, but they are also saying that Bush was very scary in 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' " said the magazine's editor, Matt Mueller.
Almost Latifah in 'Ball'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Had things worked out differently, it might have been Queen Latifah in "Monster's Ball" instead of Halle Berry.
The rapper-singer-actress says she was slated to play the lead in the movie that netted Berry the Oscar for best actress in 2002. Berry was the first black to ever win an Oscar in that category.
"I actually had that role before Halle. But they couldn't set it up. It would have been me, Sean Penn and Robert De Niro," Latifah told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
Instead, the low-budget drama starred Berry, Heath Ledger and Billy Bob Thornton.
Would Latifah have taken it all off for the role, as did Berry, for the movie's explicit sex scene?
"You wouldn't take that role without knowing what was there already," Latifah cautiously answered. "It was the type of script that was written to be an Oscar winner, and that's the only reason you would take it, because you know it would require so much of you as an actor, that if you don't get a freakin' Oscar for this, you ain't gonna ever get one."
Latifah was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar in 2003 for her role in "Chicago." She stars in the comedy "Taxi" with Jimmy Fallon and recently released "The Dana Owens Album."
Stephen King's pet peeves
NEW YORK (AP) -- Stephen King has compiled his list of Pet Peeves of 2004, with "annoyance levels" that range from minor headache to head-splitting migraine.
King writes in his Entertainment Weekly column that although pop culture is full of pleasures, it also has its share of annoyances. "For every pretty, talented Elisha Cuthbert there is a Paris Hilton (and her little dog, too)."
By exposing his own annoyances -- "in all their triviality" -- he hopes to encourage readers to speak of their own pet peeves, King writes in the magazine's October 29 issue.
The list includes pop star Britney Spears, who rates a minor headache; real estate mogul and "The Apprentice" star Donald Trump, a moderate to severe headache (due to unavoidable comb-over); and ads before theatrical movies, a head-splitting migraine.
Of Trump, King writes: "One can avoid the TV show, but lately the Donald's face is everywhere, and the hideous comb-over always floats above it."
Food Net looking for 'Star'
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Food Network is beginning a nationwide search for "The Next Food Network Star." The hunt will be documented on a series of specials slated to air next year.
The winner, who will be determined by viewers, will host a six-episode show that will premiere in September as part of the network's weekend "In the Kitchen" programming block.
"We're looking for someone who has a great personality, unique style and a working knowledge of food and cooking," said Kathleen Finch, senior vice president, prime-time programming, in a statement Monday.
Both professionals and amateurs may apply. Applicants must submit a three-minute audition tape. Tapes will be accepted until November 30. Contest rules are posted on the Food Network's Web site.
Copyright 2004 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
