The Waukegan News Sun :: Entertainment ::

Jonas Brothers buy house in Dallas-Fort Worth area

The Associated Press — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

The Jonas Brothers reportedly bought a house in a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb � and some young neighbors sound thrilled. Tarrant County records indicate that the three band members granted power of attorney to their mother, Denise Jonas, to buy a $2.8 million, six-bedroom house in Vaquero, a gated community in the suburb of Westlake.

Estelle Getty of 'Golden Girls' dies

BY BOB THOMAS The Associated Press — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Estelle Getty, the diminutive actress who spent 40 years struggling for success before landing a role of a lifetime in 1985 as the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia on TV's "The Golden Girls," has died. She was 84.

Disney taps two Bens to host new 'At the Movies'

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Robert Feder: One day after Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper signed off as hosts of "At the Movies," Disney ABC Domestic Television announced their replacements along with a new format for the Chicago-based syndicated movie-review show. Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz were named Tuesday as co-hosts of show when its new season begins Sept. 6.

Update: Bale arrested and released; denies assault

BY RAPHAEL G. SATTER — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Christian Bale on Tuesday denied allegations of assault made by his mother and sister, hours after the star of "The Dark Knight" was arrested, questioned by London police and released. The 34-year-old Bale spent four hours at a police station, but was not charged and was released on bail.

Miley Cyrus' solo debut relies on formula of fun

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Jim DeRogatis: The good news about Miley Cyrus� first album under her own name is that it mostly offers a fresh helping of more of what�s made her fans happy: cheerfully precocious, fundamentally innocuous up-tempo pop that encourages self-empowerment through self-esteem.

Roeper to part ways with 'At the Movies' after 8 years

FROM SUN TIMES STAFF REPORTS — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper announced Sunday he is leaving the nationally syndicated show �At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper� after eight seasons. In a statement, Roeper said: �Several months ago, Disney offered to extend my contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season. I opted to wait. Much transpired after that behind the scenes, but an agreement was never reached, and we are all moving on."

80th year final year for fair in Grayslake

BY DAN MORAN dmoran@scn1.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Summer 2008 will see the Lake County Fair return to its traditional stomping grounds for one final week of blue ribbons, demolished cars and rib-eye sandwiches. Here are five things to put on your own farewell tour of the grounds at routes 45 and 120.

Salma Hayek, Pinault call off their engagement

The Associated Press — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Salma Hayek has called off her engagement to businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, her representative said Friday. The couple announced their plans to wed in March 2007, and welcomed a daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, several months later.

Taste of Summer kicks off in Antioch

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

After horseback riding at the Chain O' Lakes State Park, Billy Ignatowicz of Gurnee hunkered down with a steak burrito and beer on Thursday during Antioch's 18th annual Taste of Summer. Between 25,000 and 30,000 visitors are expected at the four-day festival.

Where's Charlie?: Wings of Freedom brings a piece of history

BY CHARLIE ADELMAN cadelman@scn1.com — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Watching the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator fly into the Waukegan Regional Airport as part of the Wings of Freedom tour on Wednesday was like welcoming two supernatural beings into town. The bomber planes -- which date back to 1942 -- are still in immaculate condition, despite all that they've been through.

'Mad Men,' 'Damages' make Emmy noms history

BY LYNN ELBER — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "Mad Men," AMC's sleek drama set in the advertising world circa 1960, and FX's legal thriller "Damages" made Emmy nominations history Thursday as the first basic cable programs to gain best-series nods.

Country Thunder rolls into town

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

TWIN LAKES, WIS. -- Country Thunder USA is set to bring some of the biggest names in country music to Twin Lakes, Wis., this weekend, rain or shine. The outdoor event will run today through July 19.

Here & Now

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

antioch Art on the lawn: Antioch Fine Arts Foundation will present its annual Art on the Lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20 at 983 Main St. Details, (847) 265-0572.

Katie Holmes to guest star on 'Eli Stone'

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Katie Holmes is coming back to TV � and yes, there's a "Dawson's Creek" connection. The actress and wife of Tom Cruise will guest star as a nonprofit attorney in one episode of the legal dramedy "Eli Stone," an ABC publicist told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Andy Dick jailed on drug, sex allegations

The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

MURRIETA, Calif. (AP) -- Andy Dick was arrested early Wednesday for investigation of drug use and sexual battery after the comedian allegedly pulled down a teenager's top, police said.

Ben & Jerry's makes 'Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road'

BY JOHN CURRAN The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Ben & Jerry's has done it again: Hoping to honor rocker Elton John before his first-ever Vermont performance, Vermont's crazy-cool confectioner has whipped up a flavor just for him � "Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road." The limited-batch ice cream is made from "an outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate."

Bad guy Oldman shows good side in 'Dark Knight'

BY DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

In some earlier parallel universe of Batman's Gotham City, it might have been Gary Oldman instead of Heath Ledger cackling and conniving as the maniacal Joker. Nowadays, Oldman is dogged, upright cop Jim Gordon in the Batman world or the solicitous Sirius Black, the surrogate father to boy wizard Harry Potter.

Brad, Angelina have their atypical twins

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

NICE, France---- Brad Pitt was emotional but calm, Angelina Jolie laughed and chatted. The world's most famous celebrity couple were joined in emotion during the birth of their twins -- a boy and a girl -- and all ''are doing marvelously well,'' the doctor who delivered the babies in a seaside hospital on the French Riviera said Sunday.

Former Joliet man changes career path and still spreads a message

By Denise Baran-Unland, SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Former Joliet resident Eric Raddatz was working as an extra on the set of the Matt Damon-Jim Carrey movie "Stuck on You" when he decided it was time to make his own independent films. His first film was accepted by the New York International Film and Video Festival. He's producing his newest film in conjunction with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

'Hellboy' star Perlman buries himself in roles

BY DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Hollywood's modern man of a thousand faces, Ron Perlman, never minded hiding behind rubber masks and mounds of makeup early in his career. Perlman, who reprises his title role as a wisecracking demon turned superhero in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," says he was able to put more into his acting when he was disguised as a caveman, a hunchbacked monk or the homely half of TV's "Beauty and the Beast."

Laura to return to 'General Hospital'

BY DERRIK J. LANG — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Genie Francis is checking back into "General Hospital." The 46-year-old actress again will reprise her role as Laura on the ABC daytime soap opera beginning Aug. 26. "This is a short visit," Francis told The Associated Press on Friday. "It's a mother-daughter story."

Chicago blues scene wanes as genre grows tired

BY CARYN ROUSSEAU — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Blues virtuosos filled the Chicago streets with music during the 1950s. Muddy Waters' guitar seeped from corner juke joints. Willie Dixon strummed bass guitar beats, echoing the city's blues sound. Its fan base is aging and key blues haunts have shuttered. Nowhere is the decline more evident than in Chicago, arguably the city that made the genre famous.

'Hellboy II' director del Toro loves his demons

BY DAVID GERMAIN The Associated Press — Wed, 9 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

The worst monsters in your most terrifying dreams probably would run and hide from the creatures Guillermo del Toro puts on a movie screen. Del Toro, creator of the visionary fairy tale "Pan's Labyrinth," offers a universe of otherworldly creations in "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," the follow-up to his 2004 adventure about a superhero who's a demon from below.

Amy Jacobson sues CBS 2 for airing bikini video

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Robert Feder: One year after a secretly recorded videotape of her in a bikini derailed her career as a Chicago television news reporter, Amy Jacobson is fighting back. On Monday, Jacobson filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 for airing the tape of her at the home of Craig Stebic, the southwest suburban Plainfield man whose estranged wife, Lisa, has been missing since April 2007. The tape of her at Stebic�s backyard pool led to her termination after 11 years as a reporter for NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5.

Kidman gives birth to girl named Sunday

BY JOHN GEROME — Mon, 7 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Nicole Kidman gave birth Monday to a baby girl named Sunday. The statement released today, said: "Nicole and Keith Urban are delighted to announce that Nicole Kidman gave birth to a baby girl on Monday morning, July 7, 2008, in the United States. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban weighed 6 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces."

A-Rod's wife alleges infidelity in divorce papers

BY CURT ANDERSON — Mon, 7 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Alex Rodriguez's wife filed for divorce Monday, calling her husband an adulterer who "emotionally abandoned his wife and children. "The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramarital affairs and other marital misconduct," according to Cynthia Rodriguez's petition for dissolution of marriage, filed in the family division of Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.

Koppel series shows changes in China

BY DAVID BAUDER The Associated Press — Mon, 7 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Ted Koppel's four-part Discovery Channel series, "The People's Republic of Capitalism," premieres this Wednesday and illustrates how dramatically China has changed. "Let me tell you, what happens over there is going to make quite a difference with what is going to happen over here," said Koppel.

What will Leno do after O'Brien takes over?

BY JAMES HIBBERD AND PAUL J. GOUGH — Sat, 5 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Don't pity Jay Leno. ''The Tonight Show'' host is losing his home of 17 years, but Leno finds himself in an enviable position. Still packing the ratings punch that delivers the lion's share of NBC's estimated $300 million in annual late-night revenue, Leno has a line of suitors hoping to land his services. And he won't come cheap: NBC pays him $27 million per year.

Larry Harmon, longtime Bozo the Clown, dead at 83

BY JOHN ROGERS The Associated Press — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Larry Harmon, who turned the character Bozo the Clown into a show business staple that delighted children for more than a half-century, died Thursday of congestive heart failure. He was 83. Although not the original Bozo, Harmon portrayed the popular clown in countless appearances and, as an entrepreneur, he licensed the character to others, including WGN in Chicago.

Just how close 'friends' are Madonna and A-Rod?

BY JAKE COYLE The Associated Press — Fri, 4 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

A-Rod and the Material Girl? That's a lot of hits. Reports that Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have both the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world � each a chatty bunch � buzzing with questions about the two "friends."

Rush Limbaugh sets new multi-million dollar deal

BY DAVID BAUDER The Associated Press — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Approaching his 20th anniversary as talk radio's most dominant force, Rush Limbaugh has signed a lucrative new deal with Premiere Radio Networks that will keep him on the air until 2016. Premiere wouldn't disclose details on Wednesday, but Limbaugh told The New York Times that he would be getting a nine-figure signing bonus and would make about $38 million a year.

Doctor: Birth of Jolie twins may be weeks away

BY COLLEEN BARRY — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

Angelina Jolie's doctor says her twins may take a few more weeks to arrive. Dr. Michel Sussmann spoke at a brief news conference Wednesday in Nice, where Jolie is hospitalized. Asked when the 33-year-old actress is expected to have her twins, he replied: "I can't give you a date. Let's say the birth will happen in the weeks to come."

LeBron James helping kids save planet

BY TOM WITHERS The Associated Press — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 04:00 CST

SpongeBob SquarePants won't help LeBron James win any NBA titles, but the Cavaliers' superstar has paired up with Nickelodeon, the home of SpongeBob and his ocean-dwelling cartoon chums, to raise awareness about the environment.

Stevie Wonder gives Taste-y performance

BY BOBBY REED — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Saturday afternoon Stevie Wonder returned to Taste of Chicago with a concert that was generous, adventurous, populist, humorous and amorous. "A lot has happened over the past 20 years, but I'm still looking good," Wonder quipped during his introductory comments, alluding to his 1988 appearance at the free Grant Park festival.

Local fireworks shows aim for the sky

BY DAN MORAN dmoran@scn1.com — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Skyrockets in flight might have meant "Afternoon Delight" to the Starland Vocal Band, but to most Americans, they mean one thing: Independence Day. True, fireworks are used as a garnish for many summertime events, but no Fourth of July is complete without the rockets' red glare at twilights' last gleaming. Here are five locations to see exactly that in Lake County.

Mr. Big out, Goldblum in for 'Criminal Intent'

BY LYNN ELBER — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Mr. Big is out, and Mr. Goldblum is in. Jeff Goldblum will be joining "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" while Chris Noth � Mr. Big in the "Sex and the City" TV show and movie � is leaving after three seasons, a series spokeswoman said Thursday.

Robot romance 'Wall-e' has heart of gold

BY CHRISTY LEMIRE — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Within the rumbling, stumbling hunk of junk that is WALL-E beats the sweetest, warmest heart � a robotic representation of humanity's highest potential. And within the sci-fi adventure "WALL-E" lies an artistic truth: that Pixar's track record remains impeccable.

Here & Now

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

Antioch

New book coming from 'Marley & Me' author

The Associated Press — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00 CST

"Marley & Me" author John Grogan is working on a prequel to the million-selling memoir about his dog. According to the publisher for the new book, William Morrow, "The Longest Trip Home" to be released in October "is the powerful, often hilarious story of a son in the making, and of growing up in a loving, but comically old-school Catholic family."