day 81

show me the money

like each year, forbes has done some pretty critical r

esearch as to who in hollywood is raking in the best money for each hollywood studio (a list of the biggest losers is also compiled, but i don't think that's been released yet).  so, who were 2008's biggest forces at the box office? the answers may surprise you.  for "best performance by a male," the award goes to robert downey, jr.  the rehabed star made paramount's year with his turn in the superhero flick, iron man.  the film brought in $580 million for the studio (hence the much hyped sequel slated for next year), with paramount making $52.60 for every dollar rdj was payed.  because downey is on a bit of a comeback tour (after his trips to rehab and being shunned in hollywood), he took just $5 million for the part (that figure is sure to go up for the sequel, especially now that "oscar nominated

" can precede his name due to his role in tropic thunder), whereas some of the bigger action names (like will smith and brad pitt) would have commissioned upwards of $10 mil for the picture.  looks like the studio got a bargain.   and as for female power at the box office? meryl streep's leading role in the summer's record breaking musical mamma mia brought in the biggest bucks.  streep earned close to $50 million for the movie, with nbc/universal raking in $12 for ever $1 paid to the acting legend.  because streep earned more for her role, the studio made less per dollar paid, but still took in $575 million. streep is always in high demand and now downey probably will be, too.  how i can't wait to see who was a big loser - i'm betting on nicole kidman and hugh jackman, both for australia.  

kids get racy

today's kids choice awards aren't what they used to be.  with the onslaught of material that is always "should kids watch/listen to/admire this or shouldn't they?" the nominations for this year's nickelodeon run show push the envelope.  in the category for "best movie" are two superhero flicks much more geared to the 13 and over set, with the dark knight and iron man each getting a chance to take home an orange blimp.  when i was a kid, sure i was allowed to watch stuff like that, but it wasn't exactly the "main stream."  apparently parents aren't such sticklers about the mpaa ratings system as they used to be?  will smith even nabbed a nod for his role in hancock, whose original cut received an "r" rating.  the "favorite song" category is probably the most shocking to parents, with katy perry's lesbian themed tune "i kissed a girl," beyonce's anthem "single ladies," and chris brown's "kiss kiss" all getting recognized.  maybe kids are just hearing this stuff on the radio and not really listening to the lyrics?  with the debate going on over whether or not britney's "if u seek amy" should get radio play, it seems like there shouldn't be any discussion - if kids are already listening to this stuff, what's the difference?  other more adult nominations are: the simpsons for favorite cartoon show, jason lee for "favorite tv actor" in my name is earl, and america's next top model in the reality show category.  i think my favorite nomination, however, is michael phelps for "favorite male athlete," because of his recent herbal endeavors.  maybe he'll show up the show a little stoned? he has to drown his sorrows somehow - kellog's just dropped him and subway is about to end his sponsorship campaign.

america's got no host, but actors got work

nbc summer juggernaut america's got talent is currently host-less.  after losing regis philbin after only one season, talk show host jerry springer took over post his dancing with the stars stint that reinvigorated interest in the whitetrash brawl mediator.  springer isn't leaving the show because of creative differences, but rather because of scheduling conflicts (supposedly).  springer's syndicated "talk show" and a role in a stage production apparently would take too much time away from his duties at the peacock net (or so he says - i didn't even realize his show was still being made...).  the show will be returning to tv this summer for its fourth season, with judges sharon osbourne (who replaced brandy after season 1), david hasselhoff, and piers morgan all returning.  but who will be taking springer's spot? that is yet to be announced.  but it seems the show likes talk show personalities who've gone grey.  in other casting news, the gossip girl spin off about young lily van der woodsen has its first cast mate.  lily's older stister, carol (the black sheep of the family), will be played by confessions of a shopaholic costar krysten ritter, who's known for her stints on shows like gilmore girls, veronica mars, and til death.  krysten will make her first appearance as carol on the "backdoor pilot" episode of the spin off, airing as part of gossip girl, in march.  jennifer anison and jason bateman have also landed roles in the new film the baster, about a single woman who decides to be artificially inseminated to fulfill her dream of being a mother.  problem is jason's character, jennifer's character's best friends) switches the donor sperm with his own and hijinks ensue. and disney darling selena gomez will be making her big screen debut in beezus and ramona, a live action adaptation of the beverly cleary classic.  she'll be taking the role of big sister beezus to child actor joey king's ramona.  

speaking of aniston

jennifer made an appearance on today's ellen degeneres show to promote her new movie he's just not that into you and ellen surprised the newly 40 star with a birthday celebration.  now that ellen is running her show from the warner brother's lot, she has access to a lot of old tv sets, including that of jennifer's star-launching show friends.  check here to see a video of the duo's visit to aniston's old stomping grounds.  ellen even surprised the star with a birthday cake complete with 40 candles.  in the interview, jen said she was open to a friends reunion, but don't expect a movie.  she'd like 

to a tv special along the lines of the holiday episodes the sitcom was known for.  aniston also talked about her relationship with singer john mayer for one of the first times when ellen displayed a pic of john in a green borat thong (see above), to which jen responded "the man's got balls. what can i say? i think he's funny."  mayer makes an appearance on ellen's monday show, divulging that "yeah, there are sleepovers" at aniston's la pad.  i still think they're quite the odd couple.