Off The Record...

Barenaked Ladies

Stunt

With the surprise success of Live Spectacle in the States due to the rerelease of the hit song Brian Wilson, the BNL's have taken that momentum and run with it.  Stunt gives you plenty of what the Ladies are famous for, sarcastic wit, clever lyrics and catchy tunes that stick in your head after only one listen.  The new hit single One Week has gained massive radio airplay, and with a headlining spot on the HOARDE Tour showcasing their phenomenal live show, this will certainly be the year of the Ladies, Barenaked or not.

At The Movies...

Lethal Weapon 4

In a summer oddly lacking in sequels, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover reprise their popular roles of Riggs and Murtaugh for LW4.  Not very much outside the formula here, lots of explosions, car chases and fight scenes, but it's tried and true and very entertaining.  Kind of playing like a greatest hits album,  Joe Pesci and Rene Russo jump in for the ride, with Chris Rock adding new blood as a wise-cracking, tough talking rookie, fans of the Lethal Weapon franchise should be delighted.

On Video...

Wag The Dog

When the President of the United States is about to be scandalized,  White House Spin Doctor (Robert De Niro) is brought in to fix it.  First and foremost this film makes us think about who we are as a part of North American culture, how we react to media stories and just who is pulling the strings.  De Niro one again is simply a joy to watch, and Dustin Hoffman gives a performance that is right on the nose funny.

The Buzz...

The PG-13 rating for the movie Small Soldiers due to violent content caught the promotions people at Burger King off guard, causing the food chain to move some of it's commercials for their kid's meal tie in to prime time.  The Kids Club logo was dropped from the tie in packaging and the dozen toys will be offered as an option with the meals instead of being included. 

The femme fatale's in the new big screen version of Charlie's Angels have been announced.  Jenny McCarthy will take over as Jill Munroe for Farrah Fawcett, Jada Pinkett Smith will replace Kate Jackson as Sabrina Duncan, and Bond sidekick Michelle Yeoh subs in for Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett.  The budget is set at $96 million and original series creator Aaron Spelling will oversee the project.

Even though Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly have reconciled and are planning to remarry, she is still going to hold on to the divorce settlement of $9.6 million she received after they first split up.  And if that isn't enough already, she could stand to earn even more if the couple breaks up again. 

Recently married Barbra Streisand must have taken note when writing up her prenup with James Brolin.  The deal calls for Babs to shell out for Brolins' tax and alimony bills in exchange for his agreement not to touch her $140 million fortune.  He will receive $32,000 for every year they are together in the event of a divorce, with an $11 million bonus if the marriage last over 10 years.  Isn't love grand...

Former Cincinnati Bengals QB, Boomer Esiason, has been signed as the host for this years Miss America pageant, as the producers go for a newer, hipper look to revive sagging ratings.

David Letterman's show has been knocked off the air in seven Southern and Midwestern cities this week because the stations' owner, Nick Evans of Spartan Communications, had trouble getting tickets for people who wanted to see the show in New York. Dave has been replaced by infomercials and reruns of Married With Children and Mama's Family.

Woody Allen has hired young superstar Leonardo DiCaprio for his new film Celebrity.  This should ensure a more diverse audience for Allen, who's movies, although critical successes, have been lagging at the box office.

Madonna headed the pack when nominations for the 1998 Video Music Awards were announced.  The Material Girl landed nine nominations, leading Garbage who garnered eight nods, Will Smith with six, and Aerosmith and Radiohead with four each.  Look for live performances by Dave Matthews Band and Madonna.  The popular Viewer's Choice category includes Smith, Puff Daddy, Green Day, Matchbox 20, and Celine Dion.

Don't believe those wild rumors about Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley overdosing on heroin while in Canada. His flack says it isn't true.

Lethal Weapon 4's $35 million dollar opening was the highest for the franchise so far, outselling former champ Lethal Weapon 3 by $2 million.

Rip Torn was awarded $475,000 for a defamation verdict against fellow actor Dennis Hopper after Hopper told the Tonight Show's audience that Torn had lost out on a role in the cult classic Easy Rider after her pulled a knife on Dennis in a restaurant.

Ratings for the World Cup have yet to generate the impact here in North America that they do on a worldwide scale.  ABC grabbed 6.9 share with the tournament, or roughly 10 million viewers.

Raquel Welch will walk down the aisle with L.A. restauranteur Richard Palmer sometime next year.  And in a scene right out of her former series Dynasty, Catherine Oxenberg will marry producer Robert Evans, who is 30 plus years her senior.  But this might be lucky, it's the seventh marriage between them.

The Verve have replaced guitarist Nick McCabe with BJ Cole for the rest of their current tour after McCabe's sudden departure from the band due to the stress of being on the road. 

Teen Dream Jennifer Love Hewitt has been getting serious with MTV VJ Carson Daly, admitting that she is in love, but denying that the diamond on her left hand is an engagement ring.

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