Wrestling hall will finally honor the incredible Hulk
Hulk Hogan, who’ll be inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame today, figures he’s earned it. “To me, it’s huge to be part of the Hall of Fame because I was there from day one when this business went from small-time to big-time,” Hogan said.
He had tough times starting out in the 1970s, even sleeping in his car.
Then he joined Vince McMahon‘s World Wrestling Federation as it was beginning to expand from local to national TV distribution in the early ‘80s, and was part of the evolution from a “small-time carnival atmosphere to a huge multibillion-dollar entertainment force in the world.”
While wrestling is deemed entertainment and not sport because the outcome is predetermined, Hogan said, that doesn’t lessen the demands.
“I can’t remember one night when I ever came out the same way I went in,” he said. “I’m usually hurt some way or another physically.”
Remember: ‘Idols’ are not role models
“American Idol” finalist Scott Savol was once arrested after a confrontation with his son’s mother, but it won’t cost the singer his shot at stardom.
Although several previous contestants have been booted for not disclosing arrests, Savol was forthcoming about his past “the situation did not warrant his disqualification,” the Fox network said.
When the woman tried to call police during the incident, Savol shoved her, pulled the phone from her hand and threw it at her, striking her in the chest and causing the phone to break, according to police reports.
He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was fined $500, ordered to complete an anger management or domestic violence program, and placed on a year’s probation.
They’re just Osbourne victims
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne had to flee their English country mansion last week after a fire broke out in the living room.
It was the latest in a series of domestic mishaps to befall the former Black Sabbath frontman and his manager-wife, whose family was featured in the MTV reality show “The Osbournes.”
In December 2003, Ozzy was in a coma for eight days following a quadbike accident on the estate’s grounds. Last November, he tried to tackle a thief who stole a large amount of jewelry from the home.
She almost had a foot in the door
Christina Applegate‘s Broadway career may be over before it started.
After the former “Married … with Children” star broke her foot during a Chicago preview performance of “Sweet Charity,” she was replaced by her understudy.
Applegate was expected to be back in shape to open the show in New York on April 18, but it’s been shut down because of poor ticket sales.
The fat lady singing? That’s over
Deborah Voigt, the opera soprano who was fired from a London production last year for being too fat to fit into her costume, has undergone gastric bypass surgery.
Voigt, 44, called the procedure, which creates a small pouch out of the top of the stomach and connects it to half of the small intestine, “a blessing,”
The birthday bunch
Singer Leon Russell is 63. Actress Linda Hunt is 60. Singer Emmylou Harris is 58. Actress Pamela Reed is 56. Country singer Buddy Jewell is 44. Actor Chris Meloni is 44. Country singer Billy Dean is 43.