John Travolta...sex scandal! Extortion suit up in air!

Has John been cheating on his wife?

If you were on the Internet this morning, and whizzed by the Yahoo site, you probably noticed that actor John Travolta was trending at No. 1 - in part due to a news alert - that reported the Scientologist sought a dismissal of extortion charges which were pending against two individuals in respect to the death of his son.

According to one media outlet, the Hairspray star concluded that it was in his family's best interests not to voluntarily return to the Bahamas to testify a second time at trial.

"Almost a year later, the long pending status of this matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family, causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us," the Los Angeles resident noted in prepared press statement.

Notwithstanding, there appears to be more urgent matters to consider pursuing on these shores, that strike at the heart of his marriage and subsequent character.

A tabloid gossip rag, for instance, has alleged in a shocking front-page expose that Travolta has been cheating on his wife - in the steam room at his gym - with gay men!

The tawdry allegations have persisted for years.

For example, in one issue of a supermarket tell-all, a member of the club alleged that on one occasion shortly after he strode into the sauna, the triple-threat performer exposed his package.

"It (Travolta's co**) was quite impressive," the guest confided to the reporter, in spite of the fact he was allegedly "straight" and resisted the uninvited sexual advances.

A couple of decades ago (!) a male escort swore up-and-down that he had an affair with the star that was ongoing.

According to the pay-for-play model, Travolta would cruise by in a stretch limo, and lavish him with party favors.

In both instances, Travolta preferred to remain silent for some inexplicable reason, rather than issue a denial or take legal action to quell the rumors.

Of course, it would not be possible to sue an individual for libel and/or defamation of character if the allegations were - indeed - true.

If he dipped his stick, he's not kissing and telling!

News at 11!

Travolta camps it up in Hairspray!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Newport Beach Film Festival...composer Marc Shaiman the gay Marvin Hamlisch? Wows audience with intimate Palm Garden concert...

Marc Shaiman didn't need any props or gimmicks to win over a rapt audience who hung on every note, hilarious joke, and side-splitting anecdote that he offered up at what was touted as an intimate evening of film & fun set to music at a special gala event at the Newport Beach Festival last night.

"I'm the gay Marvin Hamlisch," he quipped, as he stepped into the floodlights with a flourish.

The celebrated composer (who has written scores for Hairspray, When Harry met Sally, A Few Good Men & Sister Act) was right at home on the cozy stage in front of a baby grand piano as his agent fielded questions about his humble start, career highlights, and a bevy of high-profile megastars he's worked with over the years.

"When I was 17, I was into the Cabaret-style of music which was popular then."

Just prior to bursting out into song when the 1st number was about to start, he warned us that he wasn't much of a vocalist.

"I call it the Jewish cry for help," he giggled, as his fans roared in response.

When it comes to composing, it is quite another matter, indeed!

The diminutive performer - a flashy dresser prone to wrap himself in well-tailored suits stylishly matched-up with dress shirts in peacock hues and brightly-colored ties - has been nominated at least 5 times for the Academy Award for his musical musings, in addition to nabbing a handful of Tony Awards and Grammys over the course of his illustrious career.

The dazzling niche he managed to carve out for himself in show business is obviously due to the fact he is intensely focused (in both waking and dream states) on his hopes, dreams, and wishes.

For example, Shaiman idolized Bette Midler in his salad & lettuce days in Manhattan, and vowed to be working the boards with her one day.

"I had this fantasy that I would run down the aisle at her concert one evening, jump up on stage, and plead with her to let me play backup piano."

"I know every note, every word, every nuance," he imagined himself saying to the startled stage performer in front of a bemused audience.

Well, as fate would have it, Mr. Shaiman rented an apartment which happened to be located right across from one the Harlettes (Midler's back up singers) were holed up in.

Naturally, being the outgoing personable individual he was, Marc soon hooked up with the talented gals, and subsequently, ended up wiling away a fun-filled hour or two with the performers in their little nest.

One day, Miss Midler walked through the door and informed the trio that she was putting together a new act, and summarily asked them to jump on the bandwagon.

When they excitedly agreed, she barked out a command.

"Boys, let's try one on my third album."

"Bette talked like that," the likable showman noted in an aside before continuing.

The Harlettes looked at each other this way 'n that and were forced to admit they weren't familiar with the tune.

Marc, on the other hand, uttered in an almost inaudible voice from the back of the room that he knew the piece.

"You back there," Bette cried out in his direction.

"You say, you know it?"

As he stepped forward, he suddenly found himself saying to Divine Miss "M":

"Ms. Midler, I know every note, every word."

The audience went wild.

Yup, his fantasy came true.

Before he knew it, he was ensconced in Bette's guest room; after all, she wasn't inclined to splurge for a costly Hotel room.

"She was cheap," he half-whispered to his amused fans.

"So, there I was, sharing her home. Each morning we'd sit opposite each other at the breakfast table. Bette was usually dressed in an open housecoat with no bra. It was just the four of us, really."

What a laugh riot this man was!

The entertaining repartee continued throughout the mirth-filled night.

That was not surprising, since Shaiman is a natural with a ballsy sense of humor, quick wit, and a devil-may-care attitude that is infectious.

His agent - a great handler by the name of Richard Kraft - was no slouch in the humor department either.

"One day Marc showed up at my door years ago when my wife was expecting our first child. I quipped that he looked like my unborn fetus. The off-handed remark didn't offend him at all - in fact - a bond was forged at that precise moment," he recalled in so many words.

"I signed him on personality and on the promise that he would compose music."

Boy, did he!

How did he end up writing the score for Hairspray?

Apparently, Scott Rudin bought the rights for the movie - then an another associate by the name of Paul Rudick - lost interest.

So, the project was abandoned.

Then, the fledgling project was snapped up by Margot Lynn who called immediately to cajole him into penning the score.

His arm didn't need twisting, though.

"She didn't know I wrote lyrics. When I made a pitch for that assignment she was reticent since she was doubtful I could pull it off."

Marc was forced to audition!

Needless to say, he nabbed it.

"I wrote the first four songs right off-the-bat - which were the tent poles of the score - if anything."

"Good morning Baltimore" and "Welcome to the Sixties" were two exciting ditties that got the ball rolling in the right direction.

A big break came along one day when Rob Reiner rang up his agent and asked if Marc would be available to pen music for "City Slickers" to star Billy Crystal.

But, Marc hadn't recorded any music yet, so the dynamic duo was unable to comply with the actor/writer/producer's request.

Rob shrugged and stated matter-of-fact, "Talent is Talent".

That became an ongoing gag in the early stages of Marc's career.

At one juncture, Marc pulled off some hilarious schtick about the "print master".

Apparently, whenever he was in the studio laying down tracks and there was a glitch or problem, the woman in charge at the recording end would quip:

"Oh, I'll take care of that in the print master."

The composer was beside himself.

What the heck was the print master?

After he explained the role it played in the soundtrack. he proceeded to share some keen insights.

"Over time - as special effects became more developed and enhanced in filmmaking - the score became more of an undercurrent."

On occasion, though, his skillful compositions were tough to meddle with.

For example, when Marc composed the opening music for the feature - American President - it was written for a photo montage of Washington, D.C.

When Marc's fingers touched the keys of the piano and the score spilled out, everyone in the packed house, fell silent.

The classical piece was moving, eloquent, uplifting, reverent, reflective, poignan, you name it.

Mr. Shaiman recalled on one occasion when he was asked to write a score for "Bob", an intriguing tale about a character in a movie who hears the "music" in the heads of people he encounters on the street, in a restaurant, wherever.

"Four screenplays had been written, but no one thought to write a score."

This was strange to Marc who has very definite ideas about characters on screen, musicals, and the magic behind the musings.

"When a character sings, it represents the voice - or thoughts - inside his or her head."

Because of the level of success he has achieved in recent days in his enviable career, he has been basically offered the moon in respect to work assignments.

"I was told I could turn any movie I wanted into a stage musical."

So, he chose "Catch me if you can", the Leonardo DiCaprio tale about the check forger which played in theatres just a short while ago.

Securing the rights, believe it or not, was a snap for the entertainer.

Apparently, he goes to Martin Short's Christmas party each year.

"His parties are famous. Big stars breeze in for the holiday season, jump up enthusiastically and sing in the living-room, that sort-of-thing."

He giggled, then revealed a juicy tidbit of inside gossip about Tom Hanks.

"He has the filthiest sense of humor!"

The audience guffawed wildly.

Can you imagine it, old goody-two-shoes with the mind of a letch???

Anyhoo, Marc met Steven Speilberg at the soiree one year. When the dilemma about the rights to the movie reared its ugly head, the musical whiz kid simply called up the director with his request.

No problem!

Off-the-cuff, he performed a couple of the off-the-wall numbers, as works in progress.

I dunno!

But, in view of the fact Mr. Shaiman appears to have horse shoes up his a**, I'm sure the mucho-talented impresario will pull the challening task off in spades.

If you ever get the chance to catch Mr. Shaiman in concert, snap up a ticket.

It may be one of the most memorable moments in the musical theatre that you will ever have the good fortune to experience.

Marc is close pals with Bette's "girls"

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Oscars...the envelope, please!

For me, the big event each year is the Oscar Celebration.

Allegedly, when a friend of studio employee first gazed upon the little golden statuette, she declared:

"That looks just like my Uncle Oscar."

The name stuck.

I always wanted to attend in person and experience all the glitz and glamour in the flesh.

But, I made myself a promise.

I'd never stroll the red carpet (or even slip in a side door) until I was a nominee.

Well, I can dream, can't I?

One year - I was booked on a modeling shoot for a fashion lay-out for Vancouver Magazine - when it came to my attention that the assignment was slated to shoot on the eve of the Oscar show.

What was a boy to do?

Should I cancel the job, or forgo on the Oscar celebration for one year?

Well, the big bucks beckoned, so I trundled off to the location to fulfill my career obligation.

As luck would have it - the Fashion Editor was an avid fan of the Oscars - too.

Consequently, I was able to sneak quick peaks of the gala festivities on the old boob tube in the green room, in-between "takes".

But what about this year's star extravaganza?

Word from Tinseltown is that the show goes forward in spite of the WGA strike.

However, a number of actors are reticent about crossing a picket line.

Tony Gilroy - a nominee for Best Director for "Michael Clayton" - noted for the record:

"I would never cross a picket line ever. I couldn't. I'm a 20-year member of the Writers Guild. I think whatever they work out is going to be one way or the other. But no, I could never cross a picket line. I think there are a lot of people who feel that way."

So, it begs the question.

In the true Hollywood tradition, will the show go on?

Fortunately, animated talks between the producers and the writers started up this week.

Now, actors are inclined to cross their fingers and pray to the "Gods" of Award Shows, that the evening's festivities will go off without a hitch.

In the event there is a go, here are some of the contenders to place your bets on.

Best picture nominees include "Atonement" (a love story gone awry), "Juno" (the tale of an unplanned pregnancy), "Michael Clayton" (a legal suspense thriller), "No Country for Old Men" (a favorite with an ending that "fizzled" out into oblivion), and "There will be Blood" (a period piece with a top-notch performance by Daniel Day Lewis).

"No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" lead the Oscar race with eight Academy Awards nominations each.

In the male lead acting category, talented thespians include George Clooney (Michael Clayton), Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd), Daniel-Day Lewis (There will Be Blood), Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah), and Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises).

The bar for Best Actress was set pretty high due to stellar performances by the likes of Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), Julie Christie (Away from Her), Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose), Laura Linney (The Savages), and Ellen Page (Juno).

Best director should go to Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), but other auteurs breathing down his neck for the coveted prize include Jason Reitman (Juno), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men), and Paul Thomas Anderson (There will be blood).

The choices for animated film are Ratatouille, Persepolis, and Surf's Up.

The little rat chef will win, in my estimation.

Although Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James) was a first choice for best supporting actor earlier in the year, along came the release of "No Country for old Men" and the remarkable performance by Javier Bardem as a crazed bad guy.

Sorry, Casey, looks like the award is going that-a-way!

It is a toss up for Cate Blanchett for "I'm not there" and Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone" for the supporting actress category, in my estimation.

Surprisingly, there were no nods this year for crowd-pleasers like Angelina Jolie, or Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild).

Sean Penn was also snubbed, despite a fine directorial stint (Into the Wild).

The whole scenario makes one scratch their head a little in wonderment.

After all, "Hairspray" - deserving at least one or two nominations in my opinion - was completely shut out.

At times, it appears that the Academy's taste, is up their wazoo.

Orson Welles once said:

“A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.”

Hairspray...glitzy film adaptation of Broadway Show!

If you like kitsch and don't mind a little plaid or a cardigan or two, HAIRSPRAY is the movie for you.

The Broadway hit was recently adapted for the big screen and never lets up from the get-go.

The setting is in Baltimore in the 1950's.

The premise goes something like this.

Each day, when the school bell signals the end of class, excited teens dash home to turn on the boob tube to grind and gyrate to popular tunes on the Corny Collins Show (undoubtedly styled after yesteryear's trail-blazing American Bandstand once hosted by the affable perennial host Dick Clark).

Here, James Marsden has more sex appeal in his baby finger than Mr. Clark ever resonated in his entire being.

Sorry, Dick!

In fact, there are a number of stand-out performances by up-and-coming young performers.

For instance, actress Nikki Blonsky is captivating in the lead role as "Tracy Turnblad".

And, there's also a surprising on-screen turn by Michelle Pfeiffer, as well.

One day Tracy receives a slip for tardiness and heads down to detention hall where she encounters a juggernaut of appealing black youths lithely jiving and raucously harmonizin' to a jungle beat she finds irresistible.

At last, she is in her element.

When she learns that Corny Collins will be auditioning for a replacement for the popular Dance Show, she's first in line to strut her stuff - all jowls and cheek - much to the dismay of the Station Manager who has a slanted eye towards what is palpable for the hit music show.

Of course, Tracy is turfed out because she's way too hefty and a tad beyond light of foot.

But, some intriguing plot twists put her up front with all the underdogs rooting for her on the way to the annual "Miss Hairspray Talent Competition".

The musical numbers are all big and glitzy and way over-the-top - but in their context - make HAIRSPRAY truly entertaining toe-tapping bill-of-fare.

Unfortunately, the Travolta bit didn't work for me.

John, whatever were you thinking?

The role was more suited for a "Divine" type, if you get my drift.