Long before he played a drug-addicted teacher in “Half Nelson” or a misfit who’s
Long before he played a drug-addicted teacher in “Half Nelson” or a misfit who’s in love with a blow-up doll in “Lars and the Real Girl,” Ryan Gosling was a member of “The Mickey Mouse Club.” It was back in the early ’90s, when he was only 11. Gosling just earned a Golden Globe nomination for “Blue Valentine” — making this a good time to track down the five most-famous ex-Mouseketeers:
vBritney Spears: Famous, infamous ... it’s all the same thing when it comes to Britney Spears. She’s been an international superstar, one of the highest-selling artists in the world and a total mess. She’s redeemed herself somewhat lately with bit parts on popular TV shows such as “How I Met Your Mother” and “Glee.”
vJustin Timberlake: He can sing. He can dance. He can act (see him in “The Social Network”). He writes and produces songs and designs clothing. Timberlake went from “The Mickey Mouse Club” to the boy band ’N Sync to a hugely successful solo career and beyond.
vChristina Aguilera: She made her dubious film debut in this year’s clich d campfest “Burlesque” as a small-town girl with big dreams and an even bigger voice. Her massive voice has earned her multiple Grammy Awards and No. 1 hits.
vKeri Russell: Long before she became a pop-culture sensation on TV’s “Felicity,” Russell was a part of the same Mouseketeer cast that launched Spears, Timberlake, Aguilera and Gosling, as well as Timberlake’s SSRqN Sync bandmate JC Chasez.
vAnnette Funicello: The original superstar Mouseketeer, she was the picture of wholesome adorableness during the show’s primary run in the 1950s. Now 68 and battling multiple sclerosis, Funicello has founded The Annette Funicello Teddy Bear Co., with proceeds benefiting neurological-disorder research.
“Worst Cooks in America” (9 p.m., Food Network): Don’t burn the toast. “Worst Cooks in America” is back for Season 2 as star chefs Anne Burrell and Chef Robert Irvine organize a culinary boot camp aimed at transforming kitchen zeroes into heroes.
“Desperate Housewives” (9 p.m., ABC): Who shot Paul Young? It doesn’t have nearly the same buzz as that J.R. incident back in the day. But still, we’re curious to find out what went down after the Wisteria Lane riot on “Desperate Housewives.”
TV LISTINGS, B8
Entertainment news
Teen wins honors at talent showcase
NORTH JACKSON
Amanda Champney, 14, a freshman at Jackson-Milton High School, won three awards in the Arts Applause Rising Talent Showcase in Orlando, Fla., from Dec. 15-19. The event featured performances from aspiring actors, models, singers and dancers from across North America before industry professionals and scouts. Amanda is the daughter of Louis F. and Patricia D. Champney, She performed in five events: TV Commercial, winning first place; Creative Runway Modeling, winning second place; Photography, winning Honorable Mention; Fashion Runway Modeling and Swimsuit Competition.
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