Show Business Commentary: Heidi Oringer
Aug. 30, 2000 -- Apparently Hollywood has decided that, along with the general population, it too should vacation at the end of summer. I say this because nothing is really going on in the land of plenty (plenty of face-lifts, plenty of money, etc). And I mean nothing.
Yes, Madonna is sporting a nice ring and may be walking down the aisle soon with Guy Ritchie, father of their new son, Rocco. (It’d be nice to make at least one of her kids legitimate.)
Yes, Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres broke up, and rumors are now circulating that Anne may be swinging back toward the heterosexual domain. One word is she’s been with old flame Vince Vaughn. Another hot rumor says she’s involved with an “unnamed actor” from the set of her new movie, John Q., which she’s shooting with Denzel Washington.
And then there are the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmys, which are heading our way Sept. 10.
But that’s about it.
Surviving Survivor
So what’s a girl to talk about in the high and naughty world of entertainment? Maybe that sometimes there is nothing going on … at least since the Survivor finale.
And as an aside (of which I have many), I predict something dreadful will happen to one of the Survivor castaways in the Australian Outback. You can’t dodge scorpions, alligators, baby-eating dingoes and turncoat cast members. Just remember … you read it here first.
Since we don’t have anyone or anything in Hollywood to pounce upon this week (relax, this is only temporary), let’s have a look see at the tube, shall we?
The top five shows last week were Survivor and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in various forms. Three more from the top 10 were newsmagazine shows. There was a repeat drama and a comedy rerun sprinkled in the mix. There you have it: squat to watch.
Lest I be too hasty, there is a repeat of Dear God with Greg Kinnear airing on CBS. (The only reason to utter “Dear God” is if you are actually at home watching it!) Then there’s ABC-TV’s compelling docu-drama series (or something like that … it’s real, it’s dramatic, blah, blah, blah … ), Hopkins 24/7.
Granted, its reviews have been incredibly favorable. We step into Johns Hopkins Medical Center for a real look at whassssup. It’s gritty, it’s fast-paced, it’s breath-taking, it only airs on Wednesdays through September. (We will see another episode this Thursday night, though.)
Of course, there’s the season conclusion of Oz on HBO. A lot of people don’t have HBO. And a lot of people don’t like men jumping men in the prison showers as part of their weekly TV diet. So, maybe not Oz.
Waiting for the Puff Daddies …So, whaddya gonna do with the rest of your time?
Should we go to the movies?
We could go see Autumn in New York with Richard Gere and Winona Ryder. He’s handsome, she’s sick, we’ll cry. Nah! We could grab some popcorn and strap ourselves in for the Highlander sequel, which opens this week. (Shouldn’t have a problem getting a ticket for this one!)
We could go look at Jennifer Lopez’s derriere in her feather dress in The Cell. (The ONLY reason to go see this.) Or we could check out John Waters’ Cecil B. Demented, starring Melanie Griffith. Then again, any movie with the word “demented” in it doesn’t give out a very good vibe from the get-go.
So, now what?
Now, we wait.
We wait for Hollywood to hitch back into high gear. For the Jack Nicholsons and Lara Flynn Boyles to return from their glorious vacations in the South of France. For the Alec Baldwins, the Steven Spielbergs and the Puff Daddies to leave their colossal mansions in the Hamptons and get back to work in L.A. For the TV networks to start running new episodes of our favorite shows. For the movie companies to start releasing the Oscar contenders.
For me to have something good to write about …
In the meantime, I will be on my way to Hollywood to saddle up for the Emmys … where there will be plenty to write about.And I’ll tell you everything. I promise!
Until then, I’m not writing another word.
I’m going Hollywood. In other words, I’m on vacation.
Heidi Oringer is director of entertainment programming at ABCNEWS Radio.