Did Mel Gibson go Mad Max?

Is Mel Gibson ready for "Lethal Weapon 5?"

Sure sounds like it. If you buy the report on TMZ about the actor/producer/director's behavior (anti-semitic racial slurs, profanity, threatening police officers) after his Thursday June 27 arrest for drunk driving in Malibu.

Four pages of what TMZ alleges is the original police report certainly suggests that Mel needs to start going to meetings again.

Or perhaps the "Braveheart" Oscar winner (Best Director, Best Picture) has just been spending way too much time making movies about the apocalypse, doomed cultures and ancient wars.

His new film, "Apocalypto," deals with the decline of the Mayan Empire and a young man who flees the dying kingdom rather than be sacrificed to the Gods. It's due out in December.

His next one is called "Warrior," about Boudica, a peasant woman who rose to lead Britain against the Romans in 61 AD and who was posthumously crowned Queen of the Empire.

One theory is that he just went postal after seeing a screening of Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center" and realized that he shouldn't have turned down the role of Sgt. John McLoughlin to direct "Apocalypto."

Frankly, I think the "WTC" role Mel should have gone for is that of Dave Karnes, the real-life former Marine who, after watching the towers fall, felt compelled by God to go to the still-burning site and search for survivors. That brave, if slighty unhinged, patriotic commando part sounds tailor-made for the Mel Man.

Hey, maybe Mel's defense for this arrest will be to pull a Winona Ryder. He could say he was doing research for his new role in another film he's producing called "Sam and George." It's about two friends who reunite after one (Gibson) gets released from prison after serving twenty years for a crime he didn't commit.

Yeah, that's what I was doing. Role research, dammit!

But at least Mel had the good grace, er, sense to profusely apologize in a statement released on Saturday, July 29....

Photo Credits: Gosh, Mel Gibson looks completely sane at a press conference in Veracruz back in October 2005. Wonder what happened to set him off this week?
Queen/WireImage 

Even with all the Emmy awards buzz, Hollywood insiders are still asking, "Where's little Suri?"

There are still no photos, not even a cartoon likeness, of the TomKat spawn.

And TMZ has reported some strange things about Suri Cruise's birth certificate. Like the late filing date (8 days after her April 18 birth) and the unusual signatures (an illegible signature of a "friend") and the missing parental signatures. Hmmmm.

Now suddenly, we have, not one, but two breathless Suri reports from Leah Remini and Jada Pinkett Smith, both babbling about the baby to People magazine.

Call me suspicious, but does anyone else think it's odd that both of these gals are also Scientologists?

First, church member Remini raves about seeing the MIA baby to People. She says she even got to pick up the TomKitten. Gosh, she must be one of the chosen "clear" ones.

Now Pinkett Smith, Cruise's "Collateral" co-star and new fan of Hubbard's teachings, is also spouting off to People about having seen the missing Scientology link.

Who will be next to Suri spot? Scrolling down the church's role call list, here are some distinct possibilities: John Travolta and Kelly Preston, Jenna Elfman, Jason Lee, Isaac Hayes, Kirstie Alley and/or Lisa Marie Presley.

But here's someone it probably won't be: Steven Spielberg, who is most definitely not a Scientologist.

Plus I hear he's still pretty PO-ed at Tom for having sicced the Scientologists dogs on a friend of his, a doctor who has had success treating kids with Ritalin.

But be warned, Camp Cruise. People magazine - and people in general - aren't as dumb as they look.

And if the next FOTC (Friend of Tom Cruise) to report seeing Suri just happens to be another Xenu Freak, folks are gonna get suspicious.

Make that more suspicious.

Photo Credits: Jada Pinkett (Yeah, I saw Suri. What, you don't believe me?) Smith talks about her new show, "Everybody Hates Chris" at the 2006 TCA press tour July 17. Hey, I'm not gonna question her. Go ahead, you ask her.
WireImage/Michael Caulfield

Photo Credits: Cruise - with gritted teeth and a death grip on the phallic-shaped Lifetime Achievement Award - tries to hug it out with Spielberg at the Chicago International Film Fest July 15. But the director, reportedly still miffed about Cruise siccing Scientology picketers on a doctor pal, keeps the actor at arm's length.
WireImage exclusive coverage
 

Okay, let's stop yer whining about the unfair Emmy voting screw-up.

Time to start thinking about more important issues, like the Emmy party line-up.

Why? Because the after-parties are where stars from snubbed shows like "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" who aren't attending the broadcast may turn up. That's why.

Here's how the TV industry's big weekend is shaping up.

Saturday, August 26

Emmy weekend kicks off Saturday with BAFTA/LA's annual Emmy Tea Party at the Park Hyatt in Century City from 2-5 p.m. It's a terribly civilized party (yeah, right) with a casual patio feel for Emmy nominees from the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, sponsored by BBC America.

Good guesses for the Tea Party guest list would be Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford, Jeremy Irons, Sir Ben Kingsley, Hugh Laurie, maybe even Kiefer Sutherland, since he was actually born in London. 

The place to be the night before the Emmys is Spago for NBC/Universal Television Group's popular Pre-Emmy party. it's being billed as an 'informal gathering' with no red carpet and no annoying party reporters trolling for soundbites with tape recorders.

The party is a relative newcomer to the Emmy fete scene, started just two years ago and co-sponsored first by Details, then Vanity Fair. Now it's become "the place to be seen the night before the Emmys," according to Variety, who certainly should know.

Expect stars and honchos from the NBC-U family including NBC, USA, Sci-Fi and Bravo, as well as luminaries like past attendees Conan O'Brien (this year's broadcast host), Donald Trump, Hugh Laurie, Jill Hennessy, Mary Tyler Moore, Hugh Jackman, Danny DeVito, Heather Graham, Carmen Electra, and Sylvester Stallone.

Natch, it's likely that nominees Jaime Pressley, Mariska Hargitay, Steve Carell, Debra Messing, Alan Alda, Allison Janney and other "West Wing" alum will show up. Oh, and let's not forget those competitive "Project Runway" folks.

Sunday, August 27

Right after the awards, there's the official Emmy Governor's Ball held next to the Shrine. The big unveiling was held today so watch this space for more party poop next week.

But there's also the popular Entertainment Tonight/People Emmy splash on the Skybar pool area in the Mondrian. Expect every star at the Emmys to at least do a drive by.

The big draw, besides chatting with ET and People reporters which is always high on a star's list of things-to-do, is the party's gluttonous goody bag given democratically to every party guest, not just Emmy-going stars. We're talking a Cole Haan natural canvas and leather 'Weekender' bag worth $400, literally stuffed with $2,500 worth of fabulous freebies.

Then there's the TV Guide soiree at the swanky Social Hollywood, the site of the first Emmy Awards and this season's hot new party place. Punky rock singer Pink will get the party started at 10. p.m. Just in time to drown out all the "You rock!" and/or  "You were robbed!" for the winners/losers who'll roll in after hitting the Gov Ball, always the first pit stop.

HBO always has their hot ticket Emmy party at the Pacific Design Center. No official word yet but with so many nominations, the cable network's bash will again be the most sought after invite of the night. Guaranteed entrance to anyone clutching an Emmy.

Also expected: Annette Bening with hubby Warren Beatty, Jeremy Irons, Ellen Burstyn, Cloris Leachman, Alfre Woodard, funny guys Bill Maher, Larry David and George Carlin, Jeremy Piven and his "Entourage," a couple of "Six Feel Under" stars, some "Sopranos," the Queenly Helen Mirren and former "Friend" Lisa Kudrow, who was nominated for her role on the swiftly cancelled HBO series, "The Comeback." Hey, If she wins, will HBO resurrect the show and call it "The Second Comeback?"

The big Fox Network/Studio annual shindig will be back at Spago this year. Stars Kiefer Sutherland, Jean Smart and other "24" stars as well as the actors from "House," "American Idol," and "Arrested Development" are likely to show up.

This year's party décor, designed and executed by Rob Smith at Laurels Events, will be pure platinum.

"We literally take everything out of the restaurant and re-skin the interior of the restaurant and the furniture," says Smith. This delicate Spago facelift procedure starts at 7 a.m. on Emmy day. And actresses think they have it rough getting dolled up for the awards.  At least they don't have to get 'reskinned.' Or do they?

Expect gleaming platinum lacquered furniture, crystal chandeliers in glass boxes, mirrored table tops for a flattering sheen on every happy face, and Swarovski crystals on the floor. "It's all about the flow," says Smith, "We want the party space to feel spacious, upscale, refined and elegant because everyone will be wearing their best evening attire."

And hopefully carrying a few bright shiny Emmy statues.

Photo Credit: Eva, Flicka, Marcia and Nicollette were like the Four Muskateers at last year's post Emmy Governor's Ball bash. So what party will the un-nominated "Desperate" gals show up at this year? Gentleman, place your bets.
WireImage/Steve Granitz

Hundreds of journalists who attended last summer's big "Lost" Season One DVD launch event are still talking about it. Including (full disclosure) me. I covered the bash as a freelancer writing for the now defunct Variety publication, VLife.

First, there were the free flights to Oahu and lodgings at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore of the island. Then there was the travel intinerary/party invite with an Oceanic Airlines plane ticket for a tram ride to the secret party location, complete with chirpy stewardesses handing out packages of peanuts.

The 'flight' hit a little planned 'turbulence' (a bumpy road and slightly erratic steering by the driver) as the tram performed a rocky landing in the dark jungle. Hidden speakers blasted loud roars and sounds of crashing vegetation as guests and reporters followed the colored lights to a clearing deep in the mangroves.

The centerpiece of the party  was a burned Oceanic fuselage, where a band performed while guests enjoyed Hawaiian fare and tropical fruit drinks, occasionally checking out the penned and totally bored wild boar.

Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Naveen Andrews, Jorge Garcia, Dominic Monaghan, Terry O'Quinn, Daniel Dae Kim and others came to talk to reporters waiting on the red carpet rolled out on the sand. Even the cast was impressed by the elaborate jungle party space, where the sand was specially cleared and cleaned for the event.

With all this planning it's no wonder the event, executed by Paradigm Shift Worldwide, just won the Event Marketer Organization's 2006 EX Award for "Best Press Event (Consumer/Mass Media)."

"We wanted to create an event that got our talent, guests, and the press to experience 'Lost' as if they were really in that environment," Gordon Ho, Buena Vista Home Entertainment told Event Marketer, a trade publication. "We wanted to enable the press to feel excited about it--to be able to have in-depth conversations with the talent about the DVD and the show, and then translate that to the consumer."

So how will BV top this act? They're not even gonna try.

The next "Lost" Season Two DVD Release event is again being held at the Turtle Bay Resort on August 15 for the DVD which will be released on Sept 5. But for starters, the invited press list has been drastically cut.

"We're only inviting half the press we did last year and the list is mostly broadcast press," says an inside source. "The red carpet was so long last year that it took the cast members two hours to do the press line."

And that expensive bungle in the jungle party? It's been changed to a much smaller party at the resort's spiffy new 125-seat restaurant, Ola, (meaning life or living), which was under construction at the time of the last launch.

The party is still early in the planning stages and more intricate details about the "Lost" launch may be forthcoming. But it's worth noting that one reason for this year's low key shindig could be that BVHE, a division of financially challenged Disney Studios, may be feeling the Disney purse strings tightening up. Especially since 650 Disney employees were let go yesterday.

Or maybe BVHE is just not willing to pony up to promote "Lost," which was noticeably – and explicably - snubbed for so many Emmys this year. Does this much smaller and less expensive "Lost" DVD launch signal the death bell of the hit ABC show as a moneymaking franchise?

Let's hope not.

Photo Credit: A close look at the "Lost" DVD Season One launch party in a jungle near Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu in 2005.
Photo by Elizabeth Snead

Scarlett Johansson showed off her ability to climb up on a podium at the New York press conference for her collaboration with Reebok on Tuesday.

Her new sportswear line will be called "Scarlett 'hearts' Rbk.' But you probably already knew that.

Wearing a billowy Stella McCartney frock, her hair gelled and braided and sporting pale glossy lips for a tres sportif look, she told reporters that she was really looking forward to designing athletic clothes that she and her friends, who are built like real women,  could wear.

Okay, Scarlett is unquestionably a very talented actress and a sweet, lovely person. But if you believe she's going to be "designing" or "consulting" or doing anything other than cashing a big fat paycheck for posing for ads and endorsing Reebok's clothing/shoe line, well, then I have some exclusive naked photos of Baby Suri to sell you.

Anyway, Scarlett's new movie  "Scoop" -  her second collaboration with dirty old man, er acclaimed director, Woody Allen - also happens to be opening this weekend.

Which is coincidental timing, I assure you. No, really.

I haven't seen "Scoop" yet. But I heard Scarlett wears a swimsuit in one scene and looks very fit, toned and with an admirably flat stomach.

But then again, she's also wearing a one-piece suit which – and I think you'll all agree with me on this - is cheating. Some of those maillots have enough hidden Lycra girdle control to make Queen Elizabeth look like she has a waist.

Photo Credits: Scarlett Johansson sprints for the finish line at the Reebok press conference at XChange in New York.
WireImage/Theo Wargo

There is now proof positive of the power of prayer and the existence of God.

At least for fans of "Lost."

After the devastating lack of Emmy noms for the show's cast, we've received confirmation from on high that "Lost" super-sexy tom girl Evangeline Lilly will be a presenter at the Emmys.

Can we get a Hallelujah?

No word on what category she will present. But here's even more good news: her steady squeeze/costar Dominic Monaghan may also be at the ceremony. And while it's too soon to confirm whether or not the "Lost" man of reason - Matthew Fox - will also be an Emmy presenter, as of post time, he's a distinct possibility to hand out an award.

Lilly has been taking a break from shooting "Lost" until she's due back on set in Oahu on August 5. After doing her big Michelle K footwear launch with a big bash at Kitson last month, she headed out on a vacation to parts unknown. Or at least, parts where she's still unknown.

"The show is everywhere now," she explained at Kitson. "I was in South Africa last summer and got recognized in a mall! Maybe I'll try Mongolia or Timbuktu."

Matthew was definitely not relaxing. He shot two films during his brief hiatus. First up, "We Are Marshall," shot in Atlanta and West Virginia, about a deadly plane crash (oh, no, not another deadly plane crash) that kills members of a football team and its fans and the new coach who keeps the survivors going. Jeepers. Let's hope there are no "others" around.

Fox's other project is "Vantage Point," a dramatic thriller (or a thrilling drama) about the assassination of the President told from five different perspectives, still filming in Mexico City.

As for what both of them may wear, I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that Fox will wear a conservative classic tux. But Lilly? She's literally up for grabs.

Since she's one of about oh, about four actresses attending the Emmy Awards who can actually fit into a designer sample size, she'll be major fashion bait, courted by every house from Armani to Prada, Dolce & Gabbana to Dior.

All I can safely predict is that Evangeline is gonna look hot on the Emmy carpet. And not just because of this ungodly summer heat wave.

Photo Credits: "Lost" hottie Evangeline Lilly - seen at her Michelle K shoe party - will be a breath of fresh fashion air at the upcoming Emmys. She's confirmed as a presenter and a dozen designers will be falling all over themselves to dress this babe.   
WireImage/Albert L. Ortega

What do Scarlett Johansson, Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb have in common?

Inexplicably, the four-time Golden Globe nominee ("Match Point," "A Love Song for Bobby Long," "Girl with a Pearl Earring," "Lost in Translation") will join the Philadelphia 76er and the Philly Eagles quarterback in endorsing Reebok.

Okay, guys. Who made this brilliant marketing call? And who was the runner-up, Patricia Arquette?

No question the talented buxom blonde actress oozes sex appeal onscreen. Just ask Scarlett's "Match Point" director Woody Allen. Their second film, "Scoop," opens July 28 and he told reporters last year that the pillow-lipped starlet is so divinely sexy that she's been "touched by God." 

But let's face it. Johansson's voluptuous image is way more bedroom than weight room. She just doesn't fly as a fitness role model. Certainly not when compared to buffer babes like "Charlie's Angels" Cameron Diaz, "X-Men"s Famke Janssen, "Fantastic Four" femme fatale Jessica Alba or even Tomb Raider Angelina Jolie. 

Miss Scarlett won't be appearing in Reebok's "When Did I Know" campaign or in the "I Am What I Am" campaign which has featured the equally uninspiring and unathletic-inclined actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal and Christina Ricci.

Wonder if Reebok knew that a few years ago Ricci's former Hollywood trainer - who shall go unnamed - fired her, making her the only actress client he's ever dumped, because she smoked cigarettes between workouts and missed her morning training sessions due to late night partying.

Come to think about it, the only Reebok poster actress who made sense was Lucy Liu. She'd at least been a believable kick-butt babe in films like "Charlie's Angels" and "Kill Bill" and looks like she might wear Reebok sneaks and duds somewhere other than a photo shoot.

Anyway, Miss Scarlett's multi-year contract will have her posing for "Scarlett "hearts" Rbk," a "fashion-forward athletic-inspired footwear and apparel collection" aimed at the international sportswear company's young female customers. The line will debut in spring 2007 in high-end department stores and boutiques.

According to new prez/chief executive officer Paul Harrington, Reebok will make marketing changes after being gobbled up by Adidas earlier this year. So expect fewer music figures like Nelly, Jay-Z and 50 Cent and more pretty Hollywood faces like Johansson.

There is one consolation to their latest choice.

At least Reebok chose a healthy-looking actress with a body fat level over 10% and didn't sign up one of Team Anorexia's bony babes Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth, Mary-Kate Olsen or Keira Knightley.

Photo Credits: Woody Allen admires Scarlett's astonishing athletic achievements at the LA "Match Point" premiere.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau

Photo Credits: Wonder if Reebok saw Scarlett's graceful sprints on the set of "The Nanny Diaries" before they signed her to a multi-year contract?
WireImage/James Devaney

Oscar nominee Sir Ian McKellen is best known for his marvelously wicked villains such as the hump-backed Richard III and the magnificently caped creep Magneto in the "X-Men" trilogy.

But he revealed his comedic flair during the Sunday night premiere of his new one-man show "A Knight Out in LA" at UCLA's Freud Theatre.

Brimming with new material, the one-knight-only (figuratively and literally) show was a delightful hodgepodge of poetry, Shakespeare and amusingly droll memories of past co-stars such as Ava Gardner, who got her ex-hubby "Frank" to arrange for a suitable trailer for "Priest of Love."

He had the hall howling over his Queen Elizabeth imitation, especially his horrified reaction to her "lime green frock" worn to his knighthood ceremony. He even read from Roget's Thesaurus and made it sound like the bard.

For film buffs, McKellen did a show-and-tell with props such as director James Whale's portrait of a very young John Derek, Gandalf's gleaming sword, and a cryptice from "The Da Vinci Code." But most entertaining was his blended film roles, doing bits from the fire and brimstone-spewing preacher Amos Starkadder in "Cold Comfort Farm," crippled grail scholar Sir Leigh Teabing, the cat-petting Nazi Kurt Dussander from "Apt Pupil," and the wizard Gandalf's stand-down with the Balrog in the mines of Moria.

"They say all actors play only one role," he shrugged, as the audience applauded his seamless transitions. "These are all just variations on a theme." 

After the show, which benefited The Los Angeles Young Actors Company, McKellen and friends Gore Vidal, Armistead Maupin, Annie Lennox and Trudie Styler, gathered at the Napa Valley Grille. Also on hand, his agent Chris Andrews, who just executed a real coup, snatching away McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sir Ben Kingsley and other hot properties from ICM and taking them with him to rival agency, CAA.

But McKellen's next gig will not be another big blockbuster movie. Instead, he'll star in "King Lear" on stage.

"The Royal Shakespeare Company is doing all of Shakespeare's plays in twelve months next year," McKellen explained. "Trevor Nunn will direct "Lear," which will open at Stratford-on-Avon. Then we'll go on that old English-speaking route: Canada, Brooklyn, Minneapolis, hopefully here at the Mark Taper, then Melbourne, Wellington, Bombay, Capetown, and finally London."

But what about the buzz about a "Magneto" movie? The script is said to be about a young Magneto who seeks revenge on the Nazis who killed his family while befriending a young Charles Xavier.

"Ah, yes, "Magneto,"" McKellen said with a sly smile. "Well, it's really only me saying it should be a movie, so perhaps if I say it often enough, it will be."

But the project is listed on the Internet Movie database website as "announced."

"Yes, but that's only because I said it."

Still. rumors are that Sheldon Turner ("The Longest Yard") has written the script and his X-Men co-stars Patrick Stewart and Rebecca Romijn are already cast. But Sir Ian has had enough movie talk. Until he starts Lear rehearsals, this knight's only plans are to take time off.

"I'm going on holiday, starting now," he stated. "I'm not doing anything until I start rehearsing on January 6. I'm not drunk yet, but I soon will be!"

"Magneto" will just have to wait.

Photo Credits: Will Sir Ian McKellen bring Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart - seen together at Cannes - into his "Magneto?" We'll have to wait until after he does King Lear to find out.
WireImage/Eric Charbonneau