RIDING THE ‘L’: Katherine Moennig knows what it’s like to be a superstar.
She’s not there yet, but her cousin, none other than Gwyneth Paltrow, is.
Now Moennig has her shot, the New York Daily News reports, as star of the lesbian drama “The L Word,” which Showtime hopes will be as popular as HBO’s “Sex and the City.”
“My parents have not yet seen the show–and I don’t know if Gwyneth would be shocked–but they will be proud of me,” Moennig says, “and happy I am making a living.”
COURT-NEY? As if Courtney Love didn’t have enough troubles, she’s being sued by a California law firm that claims she owes $228,926 in legal fees, The Smoking Gun reports.
Love has fought drug charges and battled for custody of daughter Frances Bean after an arrest in October. She made a well-reported New Year’s resolution to clean up in 2004. We’ll see how it goes.
STRUNG UP: The wave of success that carried Evanescence after its hit debut album “Fallen” crashed when guitarist Ben Moody left the band he helped put together.
But the group believes it has found Moody’s replacement in guitarist Terry Balsamo, Australia’s Undercover News reports.
“[It’s] better than I ever expected,” singer Amy Lee said. “Terry’s an insane guitar player with awesome stage presence.”
SENTENCED: Former “Party of Five” star Scott Bairstow was sentenced to 4 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.
Bairstow originally was charged with second-degree child rape.
Appearing before a superior court judge in Washington on Friday, Bairstow said, “I did not rape her. But I believe I’ve caused some stress and obviously anxiety, and for that I am sorry.”
Bairstow could be released in 37 days with credit for time served and good behavior.
HE’S BOOKED: You read on the back page that Britney’s thinking of writing a tell-all book. Well, Justin’s got her beat there too.
Timberlake has inked a deal with a British publishing house to write his autobiography, MTV.com reports. Details of the deal haven’t been released, but bidding is said to have reached seven figures.
“Possibly, sure,” said Timberlake when asked about it. “I have no idea. I have no clue.”
Playing coy, Justin?
Mr. Cameron Diaz began shopping his story to book publishers in October. His publisher plans to have Timberlake’s book out by September. Meanwhile, JT is gearing up to host “Motown 45,” an ABC special celebrating Motown Records.
JANET GETS DOWN: Janet Jackson has made hot videos and graced hot magazine covers, but if you believe her producer, her new album will be “easily the most sexy thing she’s done.”
“Guys won’t know what to do with themselves after this,” producer Dallas Austin tells MTV. “It’s one of the best records she’s made.”
The still-untitled follow-up to 2001’s “All For You” is due out March 30.
“It’s a really sexy record but not in a sensual way,” Austin says. “It’s bold, it’s fun, it’s really positive.”
Catty corner
Dissin’ …
Kelis’ milkshake is better than yours–and she feels she’s better than everyone she’s up against for a Grammy, the World Entertainment News Network reports.
“I look at the other nominees, and I don’t feel honored,” she says. “It’s a joke.”
She’s up for a best urban/alternative performance along with Erykah Badu, Les Nubians, Musiq and OutKast.
… and dissed
Johnny Depp was nominated for a BAFTA (a British Oscar) for “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Apparently that didn’t sit well with BBC film critic Mark Kermode.
“Everyone loves ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ but I needed to check again–is Johnny Depp up for a BAFTA for best actor in a leading role? Yes, he really is!” Kermode said. “I thought he was rubbish. There was absolutely no merit in his performance.”
Yeesh. Tell us what you really think.
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Compiled from RedEye news services and edited by Leo Ebersole (lebersole@tribune.com) and Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com)
