Entertainment News from Eye On Weho

Eye on Entertainment
Nathaniel Grey
Entertainment Editor
March 15, 2012

Hunky Oscar Date

If you thought Octavia Spencer's hot date at the Oscars looked familiar It was The Help director Tate Taylor. But some may have recognized him from a guest role he played on Queer As Folk in 2005 and his multiple appearances on Sordid Lives.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand star Jai Courtney will play Bruce Willis' son in the 5th Die Hard movie, so far being called A Good Day To Die Hard. Casting the role has been a lengthy process while Willis was pulling for his G.I. Joe 2 costar D.J. Cotrona, 20th Century Fox was pushing Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth. The plot has John McClane and son Jack taking on bad guys in Russia with Star Trek The Next Generation's Patrick Stewart rumored to play a Russian General. What was that line he used on that show - "Make it So-viet?"

Actor Fares Fares has joined the cast of Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow's film on the Navy Seals who took down Osama Bin Laden. Not well known in the USA, he is Lebanese as in, from Lebanon, not as in a character from The L Word. Confirmed cast members include Star Trek's Chris Pine, Money Ball's Chris Pratt and Friday Night Lights Kyle Chandler.

I would never accuse Bravo of angling for a gay audience for their new series Million Dollar Listing New York. Yet I couldn't help but drool and laugh at how last week's premiere episode featured the two hottest agents, Frederik and Ryan, taking showers. I'm still trying to comprehend the image of Ryan shaving the underside of his lathered up bicep. Of course the biggest Gay lure is the fact that Frederik has previously appeared in Gay porn under the name of Tag Eriksson. Oh wait a minute, I didn't mean to say "biggest?"

Comedy legend Lily Tomlin has joined the cast of the Reba McEntire pilot Malibu Country about a newly divorced mom who leaves Nashville and moves to Malibu. Wasn't that a Shania Twain song? Former writer and producer on Reba's self titled sitcom, Kevin Abbott returns as writer with star, Reba also holding executive producer title.

Avatar and Terra Nova star Stephen Lang begins a three episode guest stint on the March 16 return of In Plain Sight on the USA Network. Proof that hunkiness can defy age, Lang will be playing Mary's father.

Fans of Julia Roberts, Nathan Lane and J. Edgar's Armie Hammer can catch them in person on the premiere of Mirror Mirror at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on March 17 at 10am. This opulent fairy tale retelling of Snow White comes from Master visualist Tarsem Singh, the man behind last years Immortals.

If you prefer celebrities of the fabric kind, The Muppets are getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 20th. The ceremony honoring the children that Henson built will kick off at 11:30 at 6834 Hollywood Blvd.

I should point out that the March 21 debut of the NBC comedy titled Bent, has no connection with the Martin Sherman play. About the only close connection to anything from Gay culture would be that series star David Walton, previously appeared in Burlesque as one of Stanley Tucci's tricks. Costarring in the show is Rick Gonzalez who some will remember from the series Reaper or the Lady GaGa video for Judas in which he played the Bike Gang leader with braided hair and a a golden crown of thorns.

Fans of the original Charlies Angels should check out the March 21st episode of CSI in which Jaclyn Smith guest stars as the mother of Wallace Langham's character.

Glee vet Cheyenne Jackson joins Cloverfield star Michael Stahl David for the independent comedy Mutual Friends. The story explores the lives of a group of NYC thirtysomething friends who gather for a birthday party. Half of Rachel's dad on Glee, Jeff Goldblum has been cast in the Sarah Silverman comedy pilot for NBC. The premise follows a woman rebuilding her world at the end of a 10 year relationship. Still receiving raves for his performance in the Glee mid-season finale, Max Adler has wrapped filming on the comedy horror film Detention of the Dead. If the title confuses you on it's premise then just consider it The Breakfast Club with zombies. Max joins fellow cast members Jacob Zachar (Greek), Alexa Nikolas (Red State) and Justin Chon from Twilight.

Sci Fi epic maker Roland Emmerich's supernatural themed pilot for ABC features Ed Wood vet Martin Landau, Max Thierot (Jumper) and Linus Roache (Priest). No title yet even though filming began here in LA almost two weeks ago.

LA's Outfest presents their annual Fusion - LGBGT People of Color Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater through March 24.

Fans of comedian/actor Jason Stuart shouldn't miss the Lifetime cable movie Home Invasion, airing March 17 & 18.. The thriller focuses on a woman who kills a burglar in self defense and is later befriended by his sister who seeks revenge. Jason plays the woman's friend and chef at her restaurant, and costars with Haylie Duff, C. Thomas Howell (Southland) and Lisa Sheridan who ironically was a star of ABC's short lived series Invasion, without the word "home." Jason will be among the comics on stage at the April 1st Laugh Out Loud at the Sunset Strip comedy store. Bruce Vilanch will host this benefit for the LA Gay & Lesbian Center's youth services.

West LA based American Fine Arts Academy presents it's inaugural production Cabaret Nights starting March 30 and continuing every Friday and Saturday through May 12. The production brings back the glamor of old Hollywood with jazz, blues and cabaret songs combined with original tunes. The recently formed organization aims to unify people through the power of the arts, and shine a new light on local Los Angeles talent. AFAA will offer year-round classes with a special appeal to students of all generations and cultures while providing performance space and opportunities for their scholars. Find out more about their bright future at at www.americanfineartsacademy.com

When American Idol contestant Jermaine Jones was kicked off the show during Wednesday's episode, I was furious. Not because he was dismissed but at his reaction to the fact he has FOUR unresolved warrants for his arrest in New Jersey. Echoing a sentiment I often see among people in their twenties, he stated "I didn't want to get penalized for anything that happened in the past." Seriously? Dude, THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE WARRANTS! You didn't take care of issues from the "past." At the risk of sounding like some old fart yelling at kids to get off my lawn, I'd like to know when personal responsibility became extinct. It has. Just watch shows like Parking Wars in which car booting victims curse out the traffic cop even though the car owner has over $700 in unpaid parking tickets. Episodes of Judge Judy and People's Court frequently display 20 something defendants who actually deny owing money they borrowed saying, "well that's cause she was harassing me, always calling and asking for the money." or worse, a defendant who wrecks a friend's car and says "well, she knew I didn't have a valid license" or "She has insurance, they should pay for it." So to anyone who thinks American Idol was unfair to Jermaine Jones, its time for a reality check.

For the latest in production, casting and release news, follow my Twitter account @Greyagenda.

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