Jay Leno Show...Helen Hunt a control freak! Snatches cue cards from host's hands!

Surf is up!

(so was Hunt's ire!)



Over the years, make-up and wardrobe personnel at the studios (and in the employ of Independent Film companies) have tittered that Oscar Award-Winning actress - Helen Hunt - was difficult to work with.

After Ms. Hunt's appearance on the Jay Leno Show last night - it was quite evident to the multitudes that the normally low-key movie star is not only a control freak - but an ill-mannered guest to contend with!

Bookers on the late-night circuit beware!

An old Chinese proverb says it all.

"Never insult a host in his own home."

If you want to be asked back, that is.

So, what was all the brouhaha about?

When the talented thespian (who has played opposite respected biggies in the industry like megastar Jack Nicholson) was asked to participate in a quiz about surfing, a short way into the upbeat segment - the pushy broad not only balked at some of the questions - but was inclined to snatch the cue cards right out of Jay's sweaty palm!

Mr. Leno reacted politely, in spite of her outrageous behavior, but was obviously startled by Hunt's insulting conduct and lack of sense of humor (judging by the expression on his face).

Hunt was on the top-rated talk show to tout her new feature which is about the gripping real-life tale of a female surfer (which has been adapted for the Silver Screen) who lost her arm in a shark attack.

Hunt, getting on in years, was cast to play the mother for obvious reasons.

Because the ultra thin (she was all bones if 'ya ask moi) actress boasted to be a surfer, Jay was posed a few questions - understandably so - in an amusing bold-faced effort to sort-out the lingo surfers often coolly spit out as they dart off to hang ten.

Ms. Hunt wasn't put off by the first expression "gnarly", but - not surprisingly- she didn't get it quite right.

When Jay offered up the next expression - "tubed" - she reacted suspiciously (just betcha, she thought she was going to be the brunt of some twisted on-camera joke).

At this juncture, the ice Queen not only went through the roof, but committed the unthinkable.

Uh-huh!

Hunt put a halt to this phase of the interview, and did so, without an apology.

Across the country, I expect viewers at home were screaming at their television sets.

"Bit**!"

And, how was your day?

http://www.thetattler.biz



Leno fast on feet!

Roman Polanski...2nd Appellate court denies appeal! Final chapter of drama on horizon...

Rape occurred in Nicholson's Hollywood Hills Mansion

(Jack starred in Polanski's Chinatown)

Yesterday - with a minimum amount of fuss - the 2nd Appellate Court dismissed Roman Polanski's bid to end his long drawn-out sex case on the grounds of Judicial misconduct and lower-court error.

Polanski's highly-irregular request to be sentenced in absentia was also denied.

The Justices in the Appeals court - located in downtown Los Angeles - issued up their ruling without a formal opinion to back it up (which tends to suggest the bench-warmers found little merit in the arguments submitted by the beleaugered film director's lawyers a scant few weeks ago).

Samantha Geimer, the victim at the center of the controversial criminal proceeding, also filed a motion with the Justices for a dismissal in recent weeks.

Unfortunately for Polanski, her pleadings lacked the bite necessary to sway the minds of the Jurists.

Now that the issue has been resolved on these shores, all eyes are on Swiss authorities, who held back on extradition proceedings pending a decision from the California Judiciary.

Polanski was indicted on six felony counts which included rape by use of drugs, child molestation,  and sodomy.

He later pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse.

The District Attorney's response was short and sweet.

"The appellate court read the briefs and made what we feel is the appropriate decision,"  spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said in a prepared statement.

Gibbons noted there would be  no further comment from the DA's office.

Polanski in happier days with Sharon Tate

http://www.thetattler.biz

Insomniac Cinema...Chinatown screens at midnight! Actors Jack Nicholson & Faye Dunaway rivetting...

On Friday, November 14 at the witching hour - Chinatown - will screen at Insomniac Cinema at the Regency Theatre in the Fairfax District.

If you haven't screened this period thriller starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway - hustle over to the theatre - and snap up a ticket.

The ultra-dark murder mystery was not only directed by Roman Polanski at the height of his creative powers, but also features a remarkable stand-out performance by legendary actor, John Huston.

Jack Nicholson plays a seedy Private Dick - Jake Gittes - who is hired to investigate a case of alleged infidelity.

When the subject of his sleuthing ends up dead, instead of walking away empty-handed, Gittes is inclined to investigate further.

Something doesn't gel, he figures rightly.

In a complicated - but thoroughly intriguing plot twist - Gittes uncovers a scam masterminded by Noah Cross (Huston) to buy un-watered (unwanted) land on the cheap and sell it off later at inflated prices.

A mysterious young girl surfaces along the way - who appears to be of particular interest to Faye Dunaway's character for some inexplicable reason - and the crotchety old-letch, Noah Cross.

In a bizarre reveal at the end, a shocking truth about the Cross family, is enough to turn the stomach.

Intense, suspenseful - and highly original - Chinatown is a masterpiece of filmmaking - worth catching.

P.S.

Throughout the film, Nicholson sports a ubiquitous bandage on his nose, which should signal how offbeat and quirky the award-winning film is at the heart of its ominous beat.

Info: www.regencymovies.com

Truman Capote...a brief encounter!

Years ago, I rented a small flat on quaint Flores Street in the heart of West Hollywood.

One of my favorite past-times was to slip into the Nicholas Wilder Contemporary Art Gallery on Santa Monica Boulevard right across from Circus Books (stocked with skin mags, mostly) where David Hockey was often spied in the backroom flipping through racy gay porn.

Talk about the distance between high and low-brow art!

Wilder's gallery was an oasis in a vast cultural wasteland long before galleries opened their doors along Melrose, La Cienega, and La Brea.

After mingling with the likes of Jack Nicholson at an afternoon art opening, I trundled on down the street to the Posh Bagel where I planned to snack on a couple of their house specialties.

As I strolled down the strip, suddenly I spied Truman Capote sauntering along in my direction just up-a-ways. Obviously, he was a friend of Nick's, and on his way to take in the stimulating exhibition.

As we were about to pass on the sidewalk, Mr. Capote half-turned, eyed me appreciatively up and down, and exclaimed:

"Oh my!"

I chuckled, gave a little nod, and went on my merry way.

Later, I could of kicked myself.

I guess I should have stopped and engaged in a little idle chit-chat.

After all, the celebrated author was quite a remarkable intellectual, and a fascinating complex person, to boot!

Ah, but I still have the memory of our brief encounter!

One of my favorites quotes pertains to his hilarious observations about Tinsel town.

"It's a scientific fact," he slyly asserted one day.

"For every year a person lives in Hollywood, they lose two points off their IQ."


Portrait of Nicholas Wilder by David Hockney...
(Nick tried to set me up with the artist, being blond, pretty & all!)