All stories by DAVE ITZKOFF on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

J'Accuse! Craig Ferguson Meets an Ardent French Admirer by Dave Itzkoff

When Mr. Ferguson learned that his "Late Late Show" was being imitated by a French program, "Tonight With Arthur," he invited the trans-Atlantic copycat onto his show.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:15AM
Monday, November 29, 2010

'The Simpsons' Explains Its Kinda-Sorta Feud With Fox News by Dave Itzkoff

Why was a jab at corporate siblings at Fox News missing from a recent episode of "The Simpsons"? An answer from the show runner Al Jean will likely disappoint conspiracy theorists.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:29PM

Sign of the 'Times': Dylan's Lyrics for Sale by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Dylan's handwritten lyrics for "The Times They Are a-Changin'" includes four verses from that famous protest song, and will be sold at a Sotheby's auction in December.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:10PM

Casting Director Is Dismissed from 'The Hobbit' Amid Racial Dispute by Dave Itzkoff

The agent was let go from Peter Jackson's film project after placing newspaper advertisements seeking extras with "light skin tones" and a prospective performer said she was told she was too…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:56PM

Irvin Kershner, 'Empire Strikes Back' Director, Dies at 87 by Dave Itzkoff

Greeted with mixed reviews at the time of its release, "The Empire Strikes Back" earned $200 million in its initial release at the U.S. box office, setting the stage for four more "Star Wars…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:23AM

A Patriotic Farewell to Leslie Nielsen by Dave Itzkoff

Though his movie credits included "Forbidden Planet" and "The Poseidon Adventure," mention Mr. Nielsen to five people and see if four of them do not reply, "Enrico Pallazzo!"

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:00AM
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Bloggers Get Their Due From 'The Tonight Show' by Dave Itzkoff

A credit on "The Tonight Show" acknowledged that two bloggers, Rich Juzwiak and Kate Spencer, had created a Taylor Swift video montage shown on the previous night's program.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:35AM

Welcome to the Courtroom: Axl Rose Sues Over Guitar Hero Game by Dave Itzkoff

The Guns N' Roses front man is suing Activision, saying the game maker broke an agreement not to use his ex-band mate Slash in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:35AM

'Glee': So Glad We Had This Time Together by Dave Itzkoff

Carol Burnett, in full-on Miss Hannigan mode, turns in an all-too-rare supporting performance as Sue Sylvester's absent mother, Doris.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:45AM
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Jennifer Grey Wins 'Dancing With the Stars' by Dave Itzkoff

Jennifer Grey beats Bristol Palin in a closely watched "Dancing With the Stars."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:23PM

'Tonight Show' Says It Will Credit Bloggers for Taylor Swift Montage by Dave Itzkoff

A "Tonight Show" video showing the country singer reacting to her awards-show victories looked familiar to two bloggers who created a similar segment for VH1.com.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:02PM

S Is for Self-Promoter: Cookie Monster Wants to Host 'Saturday Night Live' by Dave Itzkoff

Unlike, say, Betty White, the lovably greedy "Sesame Street" star is unashamed to trumpet his late-night comedy ambitions.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:58PM

Adrien Brody Prevails in Horror-Film Lawsuit by Dave Itzkoff

A federal judge halted the distribution and sale of the Dario Argento film "Giallo" after Mr. Brody said producers broke a deal with him.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:21PM

The Twitterverse Reacts to Its Inability to Purchase Kanye West Tickets by Dave Itzkoff

So how are Twitter users who missed out on tickets coping with being denied what they want? Probably better than Mr. West would.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:55PM

Australia Drops Criminal Investigation of Paul Hogan by Dave Itzkoff

Officials said a five-year investigation into the finances of the "Crocodile Dundee" star had "insufficient prospects of securing convictions."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:05AM

Portrait of the Author as a Very, Very, Very Young Man by Dave Itzkoff

A work of experimental fiction written by David Foster Wallace, age 9.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:30AM
Monday, November 22, 2010

Studio Will Take Another Stab at 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' by Dave Itzkoff

Warner Brothers said it was proceeding with plans to produce a new "Buffy" movie with a team that does not include the franchise creator Joss Whedon.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:50PM

Allman Brothers Band Gets Back the Beacon, and Gets an Apology Too by Dave Itzkoff

Executives at MSG Entertainment, which runs the Beacon Theater, acknowledged they had made a mistake earlier this year by booking a Cirque du Soleil show instead of the Allman band's customa…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:45PM

Lohan Loses Out on Lovelace Biographical Film by Dave Itzkoff

Matthew Wilder, the director of "Inferno," a biographical film about the "Deep Throat" star Linda Lovelace, said he was pursuing a new actress to replace Ms. Lohan in the role.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:50AM

Pop Quiz: The American Music Awards by Dave Itzkoff

How much of Sunday night's show do you still remember? How much do you really regret missing?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:27AM
Friday, November 19, 2010

In New Interview, Winfrey and Franzen Trade Hatchets for Hugs by Dave Itzkoff

Jonathan Franzen, the author of "Freedom," taped his first appearance for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" since a previous invitation to the program was rescinded in 2001.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:14PM

Allman Brothers Band Plans Announcement at Beacon Theater by Dave Itzkoff

Is the group about to end its rambling ways and return to its homestead on the Upper West Side?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:08PM

'30 Rock' Almost Rocks! ('The Office,' Too.) by Dave Itzkoff

Two classic rock covers that don't quite come to fruition, courtesy of Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:14AM
Thursday, November 18, 2010

What Would a 'Werewolf Bar Mitzvah' Remix Sound Like? by Dave Itzkoff

Tracy Jordan's "30 Rock" classic gets a new interpretation from the Remix Artist Collective.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:37PM

Berlusconi's Statue of Mars and Venus Are Made Whole Again by Dave Itzkoff

Venus was missing one of her hands, and Mars was lacking the very feature that some might say made him such a manly god of war.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:08PM

'The 39 Steps' Reaches Its Conclusion by Dave Itzkoff

The quick-change show adapted from the Hitchcock movie will have played more than 1,100 performances at four different theaters when it ends on Jan. 16.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:57AM

ArtsBeat: 'The 39 Steps' Reaches Its Conclusion by Dave Itzkoff

The quick-change show adapted from the Hitchcock movie will have played more than 1,100 performances at four different theaters when it ends on Jan. 16.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:57AM

ArtsBeat: No Joke: Dane Cook Coming to Broadway by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Cook, the standup comedian and actor, will star with Josh Hamilton in a Broadway production of "Fat Pig" that Neil LaBute will direct.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:17AM

No Joke: Dane Cook Coming to Broadway by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Cook, the standup comedian and actor, will star with Josh Hamilton in a Broadway production of "Fat Pig" that Neil LaBute will direct.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:00AM

Your Moment of Jay-Z: The 'Daily Show' Interview by Dave Itzkoff

Jon Stewart sits down with the rapper and mogul, who's promoting his new book, "Decoded."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:33AM
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Homework Was Never Quite Like This: Gwyneth Paltrow Does 'Glee' by Dave Itzkoff

Our favorite Gwyneth-centric moments from Tuesday's episode, in which she played a substitute teacher with a seriously reckless streak.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:28AM