Article published July 27, 2004
SUMMER PRESS TOUR
Say what? Celebs utter darndest things
By ROB OWEN
BLOCK NEWS ALLIANCE
LOS ANGELES - Pitching new shows, trying to woo and wow the critics, celebrities and network executives turned out in force over the past two weeks at the TV critics summer press tour. And, as usual, they said the darndest things:
"Fear Factor will celebrate its 100th episode with a show shot on location for the first time ever from New York City," said NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly, "where I believe the contestants will actually be licking the pavement all the way down Fifth Avenue. That was a joke." We think.
"Well, I do like Law & Order," said amateur TV critic Donald Trump. "I think it's a great show, and the good news is I can watch it all the time. Seems to be everywhere."
On a completely different subject, Trump, star of NBC's The Apprentice, said, "I thought I was the biggest star before, but now I'm bigger."
But don't look for the Donald to jump into the Hollywood biz.
"Honestly, I love building buildings," he said. "This is sort of beautiful because I have a big project in Los Angeles. I come to Los Angeles, I scream at people all day long on my project, and then I come over and do some television. It's sort of a nice way of living."How has life changed for William Shatner since he started appearing in commercials for priceline.com?
"Well, I can get a ticket on an airline now," he said. "No, it's gotten really popular and has become part of the conversation right across the country. Maybe not dinner, but certainly e-mail."
Tony Danza hosts a new syndicated talk show this fall, and he hopes to make cooking - and maybe name dropping - a regular segment.
"I did a week of The Rick Dees Show. And I had Arnold come on and make sauce with me, Arnold Schwarzenegger came on. I don't mean to drop names. 'Don't drop names' - my friend Bobby De Niro told me that."
Christine Lahti was directed by her husband, Tommy Schlamme (The West Wing), in the pilot for The WB's Jack & Bobby. "I find that he listens a lot better as a director than he does as a husband," Lahti said, laughing. "I actually prefer working with him than being married to him."
CBS chieftain Leslie Moonves said the next time CBS presents the Super Bowl, Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction won't be repeated. "We've already booked The Young Americans to do the half-time show," he joked. "And Andy Williams is making a comeback."
Dave Foley, one of the hosts of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, described how stars are chosen to participate.
"It's a pretty rigorous screening process that involves people not saying no," Foley cracked.
The Block News Alliance consists of The Blade and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Rob Owen, the TV editor for the Post-Gazette, is attending the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles.
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