During mid-season press tour, Mark Burnett, cast & crew of Simpsons, and American Idol judges tell all
You never know who you’re going to see at the bi-annual Critics’ Association (TCA) tour. The winter session came to an end on Saturday and the final session was hosted by FOX.
At the exceedingly swank Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, the lobby was gorgeously decorated with gleaming white tables, blue signage and staff dressed to the nines.
FOX laid a red carpet out for TV critics, had a concession stand offering popcorn and red vines (cheaper version of Twizzlers) while reality guru, Mark Burnett held court talking about his upcoming reality show On the Lot which is co-produced with Master Spielberg.
Speaking of Burnett, I I asked a staff member how Torontonian Lukas Rossi has fared since being named lead singer of Rock Star: Supernova. I was told that after living in Tommy Lee’s mansion while the latter was touring with Motley Crue, Rossi moved into in with his girlfriend into a tiny flat in Hollywood. Apparently he’s happy to use Lee’s manager as his own – a bad career move, according to the staffer. He’s not looking out for himself. He doesn’t have a plan. Rock Star: Supernova’s concerts were all sold out but the newly released CD is doing poorly.
“Lukas is buying himself $600 jackets and is arrogant as ever,” the staffer said. “He has no plan. I think he’s in trouble.” YEEOUCH!
Later that day Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard were on-stage to talk about their new show The Riches, in which they play a family of cons. The trailer looked pretty good and Driver has come a long way since Good Will Hunting.
I particularly enjoyed the session with The Simpsons cast and crew. They wouldn’t reveal details of the film but did mention that Meg Ryan and Natalie Portman are among the stars who will guest on the series. It was priceless to see Dan Castellanata, who voices Homer (and about 90 per cent of the other characters) on the show, actually voice Homer in the ballroom. Very weird to see a grown man with a cartoon voice.
Finally there was a raucous panel with the American Idol judges… and I’ll tell you more about that later this week. Sufficeth to say Simon Cowell was charming and oddly protective of Paula Abdul. Ryan Seacrest was just milquetoast. Blech.
