Don’t call it a “Comeback.”
In a cruel and somewhat ironic move, HBO canceled ex-“Friends” star Lisa Kudrow’s series “The Comeback,” in which she stars as a fading actress trying to get back on TV.
“We’ve looked at our schedule,” the network said in a statement, “and given our future commitments, we felt we would not be able to give the show the support it needed.”
Ouch. So it looks like the “Friends” curse is the new “Seinfeld” curse. Or maybe it’s the new “Sex and the City” curse.
Good lord, could it be that the cast members of every successful sitcom are cursed?
CURSED SHOWS
“Friends”
Matt LeBlanc’s NBC spin-off, “Joey,” is on life support, and Lisa Kudrow’s show just got canceled. Matthew Perry’s personal life (specifically, his on-and-off relationship with Rachel Dunn) continues to grab more headlines than his movies.
Ditto for Courteney Cox, although, to be fair, she had her daughter, Coco, which counts as a great personal success. She and husband David Arquette own a TV production company, so she’s mostly behind the scenes. So is David Schwimmer, who expressed an interest in directing after “Friends” ended. He’s kept a low profile, taking indie roles, starring on the London stage and lending his voice to the animated feature, “Madagascar.”
The hope here is Jennifer Aniston, who can truly establish herself as an A-list actress if her upcoming movies– “Rumor Has It,” “Derailed” and “The Break Up”–strike box-office gold.
“Sex and the City”
Let’s hope DVD sales and syndication keep them rich, because all Kristen Davis and Cynthia Nixon seem to be doing are cable movies. Davis will bank on an upcoming series, “Soccer Moms,” for a return to TV glory. Kim Cattrall’s big-screen comedy “Ice Princess” didn’t turn any heads. Christopher Noth (a.k.a. Mr. Big) is back where he started on “Law and Order.” And while Sarah Jessica Parker remains beloved, it’s mostly as a pitchwoman for beauty products.
“Seinfeld”
“Watching Ellie,” “Old Christine,” “The Michael Richards Show,” “Bob Patterson,” and “Listen Up”–all failed sitcoms for Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander. Even Jerry Seinfeld isn’t faring much better than Elaine, Kramer and George. He seems to be going the same kid-friendly route Eddie Murphy did, having written a book and an animated movie, “Bee Movie,” due out in 2007. The big winner here is co-creator Larry David, whose “Curb Your Enthusiasm” continues to be a cult favorite on HBO.
BLESSED SHOWS
“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
OK, so Carlton and Hilary aren’t up to much–and come to think of it, neither are Uncle Phil and Jazzy Jeff. But Will Smith is one of the most sought-after talents in Hollywood, and Tatyana Ali (Ashley) graduated from Harvard and has enjoyed success as an actress and a singer. For the record, Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton) last co-starred in the comedy “Lovewrecked,” according to imdb.com.
“Saved by the Bell”
Hey, success doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take the graduates of Bayside High. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zack) starred on “NYPD Blue,” Mario Lopez (Slater) co-hosts the entertainment show “ESPN Hollywood,” Tiffani Thiessen shook up “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie) starred in everyone’s favorite bad movie, “Showgirls.” And Dustin Diamond (Screech) wrote and directed “Dustin Diamond Teaches Chess.” And he was on “Celebrity Boxing.” Like we said, not great, but not bad.
“Cheers”
Take note, “Friends” stars, because here’s the ideal you’re striving for. Kelsey Grammer’s spin-off, “Frasier,” won him four Emmys. Woody Harrelson starred as memorable characters in “White Men Can’t Jump” and “Natural Born Killers.” Kirstie Alley was a poster child for weight gain–now she’s one for weight loss. And say what you will about Ted Danson, but “Becker” was on prime time for six years. Now that’s living the high life.
STAR GAZING
“A hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy of today’s movers and shakers”
The real Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks’ breasts are real, and they’re spectacular.
So said the plastic surgeon–well, he left out the “spectacular” part–that Banks brought on her talk show Tuesday to examine her, uh, torso.
The model-turned-TV host announced she was “really tired of this rumor” that she has breast implants. She then took off her push-up bra (keeping her shirt on, of course) and instructed the men in the audience to leave. When the show came back from commercial break, a robed Banks introduced plastic surgeon Garth Fisher, who performed a sonogram on her breasts. “I’ve examined you, I’ve reviewed your sonogram,” Fisher reportedly said. “And Tyra Banks has natural breasts.”
There you have it, another global problem solved.
DUMPED: Clothing chain H&M will drop spokesmodel Kate Moss a day after saying it would give her a second chance after she admitted to using cocaine. The company instead will look for a different model to launch a new collection designed by Stella McCartney.
LET’S TALK: Oprah didn’t waste any time to revisit her summer feud with luxury store Hermes. Halfway through Monday’s premiere, she addressed the incident in June when she was turned away from Hermes’ Paris boutique after it had closed. “Everybody who’s ever been snubbed because you were not chic enough or the right class or the right color or whatever–I don’t know what it was–you know that that is very humiliating.” The company’s CEO was a guest, and he apologized.
SUPER STAR: Star Jones Reynolds is donating the dress off her back from the Emmy Awards to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Jones Reynolds wore an amethyst velvet gown by Marc Bauer. She donated the dress to the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, which will auction off outfits worn at the Emmys and give the proceeds to hurricane victims.
VERY CAREY: The year of Mariah Carey continues. The pop diva is up for four American Music Awards, for both favorite album and favorite female singer in both the pop/rock and soul/r&b categories. Kelly Clarkson, 50 Cent and Green Day had three nominations each. The awards, to be hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, will be presented Nov. 22 and will air on ABC.
MUSIC NOTES
Around the world of sound
Bum rap
Singer-guitarist John Mayer has done hip-hop. It’s safe to say he won’t be doing it again any time soon.
Not that Mayer doesn’t enjoy working with the likes of Common and Kanye West–which he did on Common’s track “Go”–it’s just that he doesn’t want to burn out.
“The hip-hop thing, to speak very truthfully about it–I like to be involved in music because there’s something I can bring to it,” Mayer told RedEye. “Something happens in the hip-hop world when I do that.
“There’s such an emphasis on PR (public relations) in that world, that before you know it, it’s a gimmick. And then there’s news stories: ‘John Mayer, hip-hop’s latest accessory?’ It’s like, well, that’ll burn me out really fast.”
