Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Beatty won't say if he'llgive Arnold a challenge
LOS ANGELES -- Warren Beatty says he's not ruling out running for governor of California, and thinks he could do a better job than Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I don't think anyone should ever rule public service out," Beatty said. "It's a way of saying, 'Take me out of the mix and don't listen to me any more."' The actor made the remark after giving a commencement address Saturday to graduates of the Goldman School of Public Policy of the University of California at Berkeley. Beatty, 68, who has been involved in politics for years, entertained the idea of running for the presidency six years ago. He said he has always liked Schwarzenegger, but the former action star should "rise to the higher level" of his calling as a politician. "Can't we accept that devotion to the building of the body politic is more complex and a little more sensitive than devotion to body-building?" Beatty asked. Schwarzenegger's deputy press secretary, Vince Sollitto, said: "I'm sure it's nothing personal. Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."
Harvey's double whammy
LOS ANGELES -- Comedian Steve Harvey signed off Friday after five years hosting a morning radio show in Los Angeles. "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" on KKBT-FM featured a mix of advocacy for the city's black community, ruminations on everyday life, and interviews with political figures. The WB announced last week it was canceling Harvey's TV show, "Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge."
Ashanti fascinated by autopsies, forensic science
NEW YORK -- If the coroner on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" ever retires, Ashanti would probably love to replace him. Before becoming a singer, she wanted to study forensic science. "I wanted to major in business management and minor in forensic science," the 24-year-old told reporters recently, according to AP Radio. "I watched 'Court TV,' I watched 'Autopsy,' I watched 'Forensic Files,' all of that. I was fascinated by it." Ashanti is also fascinated by autopsies. "If you can cut someone's stomach open and see the peas and they haven't digested and that can tell you what time they died, I'm amazed by that," she said with a laugh.
Shirley Jones gets degree
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Shirley Jones is finally getting the college degree that was delayed by a 50-plus year career on Broadway, movies and as the rock 'n' roll mom to television's Partridge family. Jones, 71, received an honorary doctor of fine arts degree Saturday at Washington & amp; Jefferson College's 206th commencement. Jones was raised in Smithton, about 25 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, and about as far due east of the college that will honor her. After graduating high school, Jones planned to study veterinary medicine -- after she returned from a summer trip to New York City, financed with $160 borrowed from her father. But Jones didn't return home or to college after she tried out for the chorus of "South Pacific" and Rogers and Hammerstein cast her in the Broadway production. "I wanted to become a veterinarian. As God would have it, I was given another path to follow," Jones told the Observer-Reporter of Washington, Pa. "But I most miss not necessarily getting the degree, but the broad experiences you can only get in college." Besides starring on Broadway, Jones won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 1961 for her role as a prostitute in "Elmer Gantry." She gained a new generation of fans playing the role of Shirley Partridge in TV's "Partridge Family."
Lawsuit changes venues in Zeta-Jones case
LOS ANGELES -- A lawsuit filed by Catherine Zeta-Jones over a Nevada strip club's use of her image will be transferred to a federal court there. On Thursday, a judge granted a change of venue request by the club owner, who claimed the club didn't have links to California. Zeta-Jones sued Reno-based The Spice House in October, alleging the club had used her image for advertising on its Web site without her permission. Her image was sometimes displayed alongside partially nude women, creating the false impression that she "endorsed or approved of the sexually explicit content" and could "dilute the value of her celebrity endorsement," the lawsuit said. Jones, who won a best-supporting actress Oscar for 2002's "Chicago," seeks unspecified damages and an order barring further use of her likeness.
Today's birthdays
Comedian Tommy Chong is 67. Singer Bob Dylan is 64. Actor Gary Burghoff is 62. Singer Patti LaBelle is 61. Actress Priscilla Presley is 60. Actor Jim Broadbent is 55. Actor Alfred Molina is 52. Singer Roseanne Cash is 50. Actress Kristin Scott Thomas is 45. Actor John C. Reilly is 40. Actor Eric Close is 38. Rapper-recording executive Heavy D is 38. Actor-rapper Big Tyme is 22. Country singer Billy Gilman is 17. Actor Cayden Boyd is 11.