People: Truthiness leads to comical clash
Comedy will clash with the comical next week when Fox News talking head Bill O’Reilly will appear on the show hosted by Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert. And vice versa.
Colbert, who essentially bases his “The Colbert Report” character on the Fox News Channel personality, will trade appearances with O’Reilly (“The O’Reilly Factor”) on Jan. 18.
“I’m really looking forward to speaking to a man who owes his entire career to me,” O’Reilly said.
On “The Colbert Report,” Colbert portrays a self-involved talk-show host who has tried to bring “truthiness” to the world. His character owes an obvious debt to O’Reilly, who holds court in the “no-spin zone” each evening.
O’Reilly’s “The O’Reilly Factor” is the top-rated program in cable news.
“I look forward to the evening,” Colbert said. “It is an honor to speak face-to-face with a broadcasting legend, and I feel the same way about Mr. O’Reilly.”
No peace in Piven town
Jeremy Piven, 41, once a secondary player in John Cusack movies, used to be Cusack’s friend. But since he won an Emmy last year for the HBO show “Entourage,” Piven says things have changed. When asked how Cusack has handled Piven’s recent success, Piven told Best Life magazine, “No comment. I mean, you could fill in the blank, I bet.”
Angie is fond of the law
Angelina Jolie says she was horrified by attacks on Madonna about her adoption of a toddler from Malawi, but suggested the pop singer took a risk because of the African country’s adoption laws. “In that country, there isn’t really a legal framework for adopting. Personally, I prefer to stay on the side of the law,” the 31-year-old actress told the French gossip magazine Gala. Jolie and her husband, Brad Pitt, 43, have three children, two of whom are adopted (Cambodia, Ethiopia).
Swanks gets her sidewalk star
Hilary Swank and her mom came to Hollywood 16 years ago with only $75 in their pockets. On Monday, the two-time Oscar winner (“Boys Don’t Cry,” “Million Dollar Baby”) received the ultimate sign that the move paid off: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “I remember my mom using a roll of quarters to call agents from a pay phone and telling agents they should sign me,” said the emotional 32-year-old during the dedication ceremony. Her star is the 2325th on the Walk of Fame.
They all go gaga over Gilbert
Gilbert Arenas is bound to remember his 25th birthday party. Not only did the Washington Wizards guard score 35 points on Saturday to lead his team to a 116-105 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, but he later attended a party held for him with such celebs as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Wayne, T.I. and The Game, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.
The birthday bunch
Singer Scott McKenzie is 68. Singer Rod Stewart is 62. Singer Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is 59. Actor William Sanderson (“Deadwood”) is 59. Singer Pat Benatar is 54. Singer-guitarist Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets is 48. Singer Brad Roberts of Crash Test Dummies is 43. Guitarist Matt Roberts of 3 Doors Down is 29.