TV Notes: Gumbel Divorce Finalized
Aug. 22 -- — The bitter, highly publicized divorce between Bryant Gumbel and his wife is over, ending a four-year dispute that included charges that The Early Show host cheated with aseries of mistresses.
June Gumbel contended that the $5 million-a-year television star had left her destitute. But both sides were subdued at the Westchester County courtroom in New York on Tuesday.
Details of the agreement were sealed. The New York Post reported that June got the couple's Upper East Side apartment and Westchester estate, in addition to 50 percent of her ex's estimated $20 million worth.
June had accused Bryant of being a "serial adulterer" for much of their marriage. However, the final straw was when he moved in with 41-year-old Hilary Quinlan, who's been described as a "leggy blonde."
"Mrs. Gumbel was satisfied that this part of her life is over and she can go on without the concerns she had before," her attorney Barry Slotnick told the Associated Press. "It was sometimes a bitter process, but she's happy and satisfied."
Who’s the Queen?
Tony Danza has been a TV cab driver and a TV housekeeper. Now he's going to crown a TV queen.
The former Taxi star has moved on to host this year's Miss America Pageant. Danza replaces Donny and Marie Osmond for the 81st contest, held in Atlantic City on Sept. 22.
Danza will have to change with the times. Last week, the pageant announced they would add quiz show and reality show components to the competition by letting contestants cast votes for the winner.
Moreover
Looking for sexual tension? Turn on ABC's Once and Again. Readers of In-Style magazine voted the show as the TV drama with the best sexual tension. But right behind is The Sopranos, ER, The X-Files and The West Wing. Readers say Sarah Jessica Parker is TV's sexiest siren.
The world has changed, says British comic John Cleese, star of Fawlty Towers and Monty Python. In a BBC interview Tuesday, he said "For the first time for a very long time the comedy on American television is rather better than we are producing." … Anthony Hopkins says acting is "just a job," as he was promoting two special-edition DVDs of his most infamous screen creation — the spine-chilling, flesh-eating gourmet Hannibal Lecter.
