Instead of raging Rivers, we’ll be getting Star lite
Star Jones is stepping into Joan Rivers‘ stilettos at Sunday’s Emmy pre-show, but don’t expect too many catty words from “The View” co-host. “One thing I will not do is try to duplicate Joan, because you never duplicate an original. That’s not smart,” says Jones.
She replaces both Joan and daughter Melissa Rivers as the fashion cop for E! Entertainment Television’s “Live From the Red Carpet” broadcast Sunday at 6 p.m.
“My biggest challenge is not to be a stupid, gushing fan because I really love most of the people who are nominated and presenting,” Jones said.
She’s looking forward most to seeing “my girls from ‘Sex and the City,’ (Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Kristin Davis) as well as Bernie Mac, Damon Wayans and Ray Romano.”
But she won’t ignore any fashion faux pas, either.
Says Jones: “There’s no question I would’ve asked Bjork (at the 2001 Oscars), ‘What went into the decision on the swan?’ “
Natural causes claimed this freak
Funk singer Rick James died last month from a heart attack due to an enlarged heart, with numerous drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine, contributing factors, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office announced Thursday.
None of the drugs were found to be at life-threatening levels. “He didn’t die of a drug overdose,” a coroner’s spokesman said.
James, 56, best known for the 1981 hit “Super Freak,” had a long history of cocaine addiction, which led to a prison term for assaulting two women. In more recent years he suffered health problems, including a stroke.
Happy meals again for Mary-Kate?
Mary-Kate Olsen, recently treated for an eating disorder, and her twin sister Ashley are promoting McDonald’s fast-food restaurants in France.
A Happy Meal campaign featuring the 18-year-old twins started Sept. 8 in the 1,035 McDonald’s outlets in France. The meals come either with a photo album bearing their pictures or a denim bag or a crayon box with their names.
Well isn’t he the cathouse’s pajamas
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is the first inductee into the Erotic Museum of Hollywood’s hall of fame for being “one of the most democratizing forces in sexuality in the last century.”
Hefner donated some artifacts to his exhibit, which was unveiled in a ceremony hosted by comedian Bill Maher.
“They have a pair of my pajamas, slippers, a pipe and a bunny costume,” Hefner said. “And a very handsome oil portrait that was apparently painted in Russia.”
Come on, Paris never bedded any hamsters
Apparently not everyone is amused by Paris Hilton‘s literary efforts.
The hotel heiress/party girl was doing a book signing for her memoirs, “Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose,” in West Hollywood when she was met with a group of protesters, reports MSNBC.com.
“There were about 50 people carrying placards that said things like ‘Paris, your book is only good for hamster bedding,’ ” an observer said.
“E! the entertainment network started filming them, and they began chanting: ‘Paris can’t spell E!’ “
The birthday bunch
Actor Jack Warden is 84. Actor Robert Blake is 71. Actor Fred Willard is 65. Singer-actor Frankie Avalon is 64. Actor James Gandolfini is 43. Actress Holly Robinson Peete (“Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper”) is 40. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is 33. Actor James Marsden is 31. Actors Taylor and Brandon Porter (“Party of Five”) are 11.