A real red-Letterman day for ‘Regis and Kelly’
DAVID LETTERMAN CRACKED a few jokes, showed some baby pictures and, yes, was a little cranky about going on television so early in the morning. But, as Regis Philbin said, Letterman “did the right thing” and appeared on “Live with Regis and Kelly” on Monday.
He showed pictures of son Harry, joking that the 1-year-old was looking at “mom’s beer can” in one.
Philbin has appeared 83 times on Letterman’s “Late Show” since 1993, acting as guest host when Letterman underwent heart bypass surgery in 2000 and recovered from an eye infection last year.
Letterman, who’s rarely seen on TV outside of his own show, had visited “Live” only twice before, the most recent in February 1997.
Philbin said later that “Live” had asked Letterman to appear so many times that the show had nearly stopped asking.
“I know how private he is and how much he didn’t want to do this,” he said. “It was awfully nice of him to come by.”
But when Philbin asked on the air when he’d be back, Letterman replied: “None of us will live that long.”
Who’ll be the ‘Late, Late’ bloomer?
The “Late Late Show” is asking four guest hosts to stay a little longer.
Actors Craig Ferguson and Michael Ian Black, comedian D.L. Hughley and MTV “Total Request Live” host Damien Fahey are getting one-week tryouts as host of the CBS late-night talk show, which is searching for a replacement for Craig Kilborn. Ferguson is up first this week, followed by Hughley, Fahey and Black.
“The Late Late Show,” which follows the “Late Show With David Letterman,” is produced by Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, which hopes to announce its selection next month.
Just your typical neighborhood catfight
Jim Belushi has sued next-door neighbor Julie Newmar for $4 million in damages, accusing her of a “campaign of harassment” designed to drive him from his home.
Belushi claims that Newmar, who played Catwoman in the 1960s “Batman” TV series, destroyed a fence and landscaping at the home in the posh Brentwood neighborhood and repeatedly made defamatory statements about him to neighbors and friends.
It also says she spied on Belushi’s family and played loud music directed at his back yard.
Yelling? Stomping? Some scandal, Burt
Burt Reynolds sued a former girlfriend, alleging that she was threatening to falsely accuse him of abuse if he didn’t pay millions of dollars in extortion.
The lawsuit says that Pamela Seals falsely accused Reynolds of yelling at her and stomping on her toes. Seals, who was Reynolds’ girlfriend for 10 years, told the actor she would publicize her allegations if he didn’t agree to a hefty settlement that included support for Seals and her mother, half of Reynolds’ home and other compensation.
Um … we’ll bet on the brainwashing
Barry Manilow says it’s strange to see tens of thousands of people singing along with him during his concerts.
“They can’t all be fans from the ‘70s,” he told The Denver Post. “I’m sure many of them are, and I’m very grateful that they’ve stuck with me that long.
“But between 10,000 and 15,000 people a night? I just have to believe there’s another generation that has either been brainwashed by their parents or have discovered this catalog of music on their own.”
The birthday bunch
Actor Charlie Robinson (“Night Court”) is 59. Actor Robert David Hall (“CSI”) is 56. Actor Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”) is 52. Rapper Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) is 35. Rapper Scarface (Geto Boys) is 35. Blues musician Susan Tedeschi is 34. Singer Nick Lachey (98 Degrees) is 31. Singer Sisqo is 26.