Styles & Scenes

"Boynton Beach" babes offer Mel sage advice

Folks were talking about more than the dilemma of dating at age 60 at the AARP-sponsored premiere of “Boynton Beach Club” Tuesday evening.

Some stars - who've been around the Hollywood round-about a few times - weighed in on Mel Gibson’s recent DUI and his well-publicized anti-Semitic tirade.

Sally Kellerman sounded circumspect on the whole Mel mess. “We all have our prejudices that we must quietly work on. Even those who don’t think they have any. And we must also work at not being prejudiced towards those who are. I went to the Museum of Tolerance  and there are two doors you must walk through. One is for those who have no prejudice. The other door is for those with prejudice. Of course, the door for those without is locked.”

She’s also mindful of the Oscar-winning actor/director/producer's background.

“I know that Mel grew up in a home with a father who said there was no holocaust. That’s just tragic. I do not condone or respect what he said. I feel sorry for him. To view the world like that is a big loss for him. My upbringing was that God loves all of us, not just Jews or Christians.”

Dyan Cannon had no thoughts on Gibson’s predicament. “I’m not clear about what he said or who he said it to. So I will just wish him well and hope that it all goes well for him. I’ve learned never to pass judgment. There’s a great saying, 'Unless you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, don’t judge me.'"

But Brenda Vaccaro had advice. “He should go to rehab. It's so sad. And the less we comment on it, the better. I feel bad for him. Anyone who is an alcoholic has terrible problems. I don’t know because I don’t drink. So it's hard for us who don’t have a problem to tell someone who drinks what to do.”

“If you want to age well, one thing you should not do is drink and then drive,” counseled premiere guest Lee Majors. “I wish I could reach out to him and do something about it. But it’s hardly a death bell. People have come back from much worse. I sympathize with Mel and I hope he can bounce back from this. And people forget. Johnny Depp and Charlie Sheen, they all had a few rough times. But we don’t remember it in a month.”

Maybe. But trashing a New York hotel room, as Depp was rumored to have done a few years ago when dating Kate Moss, isn’t quite the same. If he did do it, he wasn’t endangering anyone, unless you count a couple of lamps and a chair. And he didn’t go off and blame "the Jews" for “causing all the wars in the world.”

So here’s my opinion, for what it’s worth. You’ve recanted and apologized enough, Mel. Maybe one too may times. Now shut up and go to rehab. Take the cotton out of your ears. Put it in your mouth. In time, people may want to listen to what you have to say again.

Photo Credits: "Boynton Beach Club" stars Len Cariou, Dyan Cannon, Brenda Vaccaro and Sally Kellerman are no spring chickens. But they look pretty plucking good. And these gals have some advice for Mad Max.
WireImage/Jesse Grant

Keira's not starving. No, seriously.

At the London premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” Keira Knightley told reporters thats she’s not, we repeat, not, not, absolutely not anorexic.

She told People that she knows she’s not suffering from the common eating disorder because her grandmother and great-grandmother suffered from it.
Um, o-kay, but can't this eating disorder thing run in the family?

The fact that Knightley’s skimpy backless gold Gucci gown showed off her bony ribs, sharp shoulder blades, bird-thin arms, protruding sternum and spine did absolutely nothing to feed all those preposterously silly, silly rumors. How does this viscious gossip spread, anyway?

Hey, at least the London press got to actually speak to her about something. Not to mention getting actual sound bites from her “Pirates” co-stars Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.

Fat chance the hundreds of press who waited for 5 ½ hours at the Disneyland “Pirates” premiere had to get her to talk about anything.

But thumbs up for that new disheveled short bob, Keira. It makes your absolutely not anorexic hollow cheekbones look way full and healthy.

Photo Credits: Keira Knightley is not suffering from anorexia. She’s just incredibly, incredibly skinny. And anorexia runs in her family. Now leave the poor girl alone, people! 
WireImage/Ferdaus Shamim

Too many fans, too little time

Disney Studio's publicity department had a very full Monday morning, fielding questions about Saturday’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” PR nightmare at Disneyland.

Disney's head of publicity Dennis Rice was busy making amends to disenchanted print, internet, radio and TV press who’d waited for five hours on the premiere red carpet and never got to interview the film's main star, Johnny Depp.

“I had a big fallout with the press and I’m prepared to deal with it today,” Rice confirmed.

What Disney was simply not prepared for was the overwhelming number of fans who bought tickets to the park to see their favorite stars arrive for Saturday's premiere.

“We knew Johnny Depp had a huge fan base but we were simply not prepared for the number of fans who showed up,” Rice admitted. "And for Johnny, it’s all about the fans."
According to Disneyland sources, five thousand fans camped out Friday night outside the park in order to get in at 6:30 a.m. to stake out spots on the carpet so they could see – and possible shake hands with - the “Pirates” star.

“Unlike some stars, Johnny Depp is very appreciative of and loyal to his fans and he always makes time for them at his public appearances,” says a Depp source. “They all know this and that's why they show up in droves. He started signing autographs for fans in the front of the park around 6:45 and spent two hours doing it. He didn’t even do his first interview with ET until 8:45.” 

Unfortunately, his two hours of devotion to his fans up front left scant time for the countless others lining the carpet further inside the park. Or the patiently waiting reporters further down the line who were not told until after 9 p.m. that Depp would not have time to talk.

But the tremendous turn-out is proof that Depp’s popularity with fans of all ages and both genders has now hit superstar status. And he didn’t even have to jump on Oprah’s couch to get up there.

And it turns out that Depp had an even fuller plate on Saturday than most people knew. He arrived at the park at noon with his family to do press photos on the updated Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Then, according to inside sources, he spent several hours more on a “personal obligation” that Disney has refused to confirm or comment on in order to respect the actor’s privacy.

But a Hollywood Bytes investigation has uncovered that Depp’s time-consuming “obligation” was actually an unpublicized lengthy lunch/meeting with several children with life-threatening illnesses whose dream was to meet the actor. Depp's publicist Robin Baum's office confirmed the  report. Depp has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since his days on the late 80's TV series "21 Jump Street."

Well, this totally defuses any annoyance about Depp's subsequent truncated time on the red carpet. Choosing to make seriously ill kids happy over inane pointless press interviews? Hard to argue with that.

Photo Credits: Nice guy Johnny Depp arrives a little late to the Pirates premiere. But when you find out why, you'll understand why so many people love this guy.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

"Pirates" premiere is a wild carpet ride

The most popular ride at Disneyland Saturday was the red carpet for the world premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.”

And the longest. The red carpet was over 1,000 ft. long, rolling down Main Street, snaking by Fantasyland and ending at Adventureland. But for hundreds of international TV, radio, internet and print reporters and thousands of fans who'd come to see “Pirates” stars Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, the carpet ride became pretty disappointing by the end of the night.

Fans staked out coveted spots along the carpet when the park opened at 6:30 a.m. The press arrived at 3 p.m. to prepare for celebrity arrivals from 5-6. But by 6:30, only a few non-famous guests came wandering in.

Since the premiere invite stressed ‘pirate garb,' there were more eye patches, head bandanas, gold earrings, skull 'n crossbones, puffy shirts, and pirate hats - not to mention dark sooty Jack Sparrow eyeliner - than you could shake a saber at.

Early on, the throng of fans – most wearing Disney's pirate mouse ears (gold hoop earring in one ear) – were hopeful and enthusiastic, shouting, screaming, holding up banners and photos of Depp and Bloom and ‘We Love You Johnny!’ posters. They were only too happy to jump and scream to create B-roll color for the camera crews and applaud the professional Disneyland pirates who were singing, playing accordions, juggling balls and knives and walking on stilts up and down the carpet.

There was a pre-party with grog and grub at the Blue Bayou and Café Orleans for  the premiere guests. They could also ride the new Pirates ride that features characters from the film (Jack Sparrow, his nemesis Captain Barbossa and the squid-faced Davy Jones) and then fill three huge red, yellow and green bleachers to view the film scheduled to be shown on an outdoor screen at around 9 p.m.

But by 7:30, the fans out on the carpet were getting hungry and hoarse, children began whimpering and even the seasoned press was turning surly.

“We’ve been standing here 5 hours and we’ve not seen a single lead actor from the film,” groused a KTLA reporter. “This is insane. Why would they make us stand out here this long?” Even a befuddled German reporter asked, “Is this normal?”

“Is Johnny here?” reporters pestered the nervous Disney publicists. “Where’s Keira?” "Has anyone seen Orlando?” "Will they talk to us?”

“They’re here,” one publicist promised. “Johnny’s doing the new Pirates of the Caribbean ride and they’re taking photographs. But he’ll be here. Just be patient.”

So reporters relaxed and chatted up non-Pirate people to kill time. “Entourage” star Kevin Dillon told press that his fans scream “Drama!” and “Viking Quest!” wherever he goes. Director James Cameron, who has a cameo on “Entourage,” plugged his new film “Avatar,” a sci-fi flick set on another planet that will be released next year in 3-D HD.  But he admitted he’d probably do better with a real “Aquaman” since it’s gotten built-in buzz from the show.

Jon Voight stammered when a reporter asked if he’d seen his new grandchild. The answer was “No” but he’s, um, “very proud of Angie and all the work she's doing.” And he hasn’t sent a baby gift. And he’d really rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind.

Holly Robinson Peete was very popular with press because she actually knows Depp from his “21 Jump Street Days.”  “Who would you like to have a pirate adventure with?” queried a TV reporter. “Well, not Johnny. He’s a friend. Unlike every other woman in the world, I just don’t feel that way about him,” Robinson-Peete explained.

Marilyn Manson – dressed not like a pirate but like Marilyn Manson – was also a hot interview once word spread on the line that he actually knows Depp, who may star in a movie he’s making about Lewis Carroll.  “I’m just here to see Johnny. He’s my friend. He’s a real pirate. I’ve got absinthe in my boots and I’m a pirate, too.”

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed autographs, talked to a few TV reporters and tried to ignore the smattering of loud “boos” from the crowd. Inexplicably, his wife Maria Shriver wore a Dolce & Gabbana T-shirt emblazoned with Michelangelo’s David wearing a sequin fig leaf.

Finally, around 8 p.m., a few actors who actually appear in “Pirates” made their way down the press line. Bill Nighy, who plays the octo-pussed Davy Jones, said it was  surreal having to play piano with his face tentacles. Vanessa Branch, who plays the wench Giselle, revealed how much fun she had slapping Depp in all three films.

All three? ...

Photo Credit: Keira Knightley faces what Disney called the longest red carpet in the world.
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Photo Credit:
Johnny Depp signs autographs for fans at the Disneyland premiere of "Pirates."
WireImage/Lester Cohen

Photo Credit: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver walk the  "Pirates" plank.
Wire/Image/Gregg DeGuire

Johnny Depp ditched France for West Hollywood!

Johnny Depp Breaking News!

This comment just in from a reader in-the-know in response to an earlier Hollywood Bytes item about Johnny Depp's legal skirmish with the West Hollywood City Council regarding a development planned  beneath his Hollywood Hills property that will impact the view of Sunset Strip for his kids.

"I have a real problem with reporters who write articles that are inaccurate because the reporters are behind the times or did not do the proper research.  Johnny and Vanessa are not raising their kids who are 4 and 7 (not 4 & 6) in France.  Their daughter attends school in LA.  And they've been living in the West Hollywood house for almost two years.  There are exceptions, such as when Vanessa and the kids visit Johnny on location.  But, their residence has been West Hollywood, NOT France.

I suggest that, not just the person who wrote this article, but ALL "reporters" get their facts absolutely straight before writing something that could damage those they write about.   And, an article of apology for writing inaccurate information about Johnny, Vanessa and their kids, and where they live, would be very nice to see.  At least someone would have the guts to eat crow and admit to the mistaken facts.  And then, fully researching, next time, instead of going by what every other misinformed reporter and organization says, would be a good step in the right direction, as well." Linda

She's absolutely right. I owe Linda, Johnny, Vanessa and everyone in the universe an apology for writing that the retail project developers' legal defense against Depp's suit was/is that his kids are being raised in France. Except that really is what their defense claims. I didn't claim it. They did.

Frankly - and i think we can all agree here - the happy news that the Depp family has been firmly ensconced in West Hollywood for two years and that their daughter (age 7, not 6) attends school here is cause for a WeHo-wide celebration!

Forget the city's Gay Pride big celebration this weekend. Let's have a Depp Pride party! And let's hope that this revelation brings about a successful outcome for the Depp family suit against the West Hollywood City Council's decison to support those demonic developers.

Photo Credit: Longtime West Hollywood resident Johnny Depp parties at the Mont Blanc 100th Anniversary celebration in Geneva, Switzerland on April 5th, 2006. But he lives in WeHo, dammit!  And don't you forget it!
WireImage/Tony Barson

"Pirate" Johnny Depp battles City Hall

Okay, if I was an unknown French artist and Johnny Depp arranged a special showing of my work at a West Hollywood gallery, I’d look a lot happier about it.

But maybe this is what a happy French artist looks like.

The two-time Oscar nominee and his amour Vanessa Paradis showed up at their South of France pal Gravleur’s exhibit at the Trigg Ison Gallery in West Hollywood June 1. In case you missed it, his decidely disturbing pastel portraits will hang through June 20.

Depp's been chilllin' in LA, waiting for the humongous June 24th Disneyland premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest.” But he’s also been fighting the West Hollywood City Council over a retail project that threatens to block the view of the Sunset Strip from his Hollywood Hills home.

Depp’s first filed a lawsuit claiming that city council violated environmental quality laws by approving a $10 million prosed project in 2004. He lost the case but the legal scuffle did delay the project for a year. Now his sis - Christi Dembrowski - is appealing on his behalf.

The suit says the retail shops, restaurant and parking structure planned below his $5.4 million estate will ruin the view for his two children while they play outside. The developers - who must be true blue fans to know this – insist that Depp's son (4) and daughter (6) don’t actually live here year-round and are being raised by their parents in France.

Well, yeah, okay. But like they do visit occasionally.

Photo Credits: Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis take time to support their tortured artist pal, Gravleur, while fighting West Hollywood developers plans to ruin their view of the Sunset Strip.
WireImage/Jeff Vespa

Hollywood's hunt for Lincoln's killer

Who will be Booth?

That’s the burning question as Walden Media and producer Lawrence Bender search for an actor charismatic enough to play actor-assassin John Wilkes Booth in “Manhunt.”

Whoever is chosen will costar with Harrison Ford, who recently presented at the Golden Globes and the People’s Choice Awards. Ford has already signed on to play Col. Everton Conger, who led the hunt for Booth, captured hiding in a Virginia barn. But that George Lucas-like silver goatee Ford’s been sporting may have to grow a bit to portray the heavily bearded Conger.

The period film will be based on Lincoln scholar James Swanson’s just-released, critically-hailed book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” about Honest Abe’s death, the search for the missing murderer and his henchmen in April 1865.

“I just heard a report that they’ve made an offer to someone but I haven’t heard who it is,” said Swanson, from his Washington home. "Johnny Depp would be perfect. But Will Kemp, Orlando Bloom or Christian Bale would also be good. So would Matthew McConaughey. He actually looks very much like Booth around the eyes.”

The actor who will play Booth would also have to grow and then shave off his moustache, which Booth did to avoid capture during his days hiding in swamps.

“The problem with casting someone to play John Wilkes Booth is that you really need to find another John Wilkes Booth,” says Swanson. “Theatrical, incredibly handsome, seductive, an incorrigible ladies man. When he was captured, he was carrying photos of five girlfriends.” Sounds right up Depp's dark, swaggering pirate alley.

New Ecuadorian filmmaker Sebastian Cordero is set to direct Andrew W. Marlowe and Mike Rich’s “Manhunt” screenplay. But seriously, wouldn’t Oliver Stone be a better choice to direct a movie about a conspiracy to shoot the President? Just a thought.

Steven Spielberg's not available. He's already got his own Lincoln movie, "The Uniter," based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, a film rumored to star Liam Neeson as Abe. Last time Spielberg worked with Neeson was in that little Oscar-winning picture called "Schindler's List."

Which Lincoln movie will hit theaters first? My money's on "Manhunt" if only to take advantage of the book's big buzz. Also, according to producer Kathleen Kennedy, Spielberg has another movie ahead of "Uniter." "We're definitely going ahead with the project but the Lincoln film won't be the next film Steven does," Kennedy said at the BAFTA/LA Tea Party last month.

Photo: Can Harrison Ford find Lincoln's assassin in "Manhunt," after his recent David Letterman Show appearance?
(James Devaney / WireImage)

Photo: Is this the face of John Wilkes Booth — Johnny Depp, seen here at the Golden Globes?
(Steve Granitz / WireImage)