TOP DAVE GUY QUITS
David Letterman's "Late Show" has shuffled its deck behindthe scenes.
Leaving "Late Show" after eight years is director Jerry Foley, who snagged four Emmy nominations while working on Letterman's late-night CBS talk show.
Foley is developing a biopic and wants to work in episodic TV, according to Variety. He will be replaced by Randi Grossack until a new director is hired.
"They're big shoes to fill and he won't be an easy person to replace, but we understand why he thought it was time to move on," "Late Show" executive producer Rob Burnett told The Post.
"Randi will fill in for the time being and we're in the process of looking for someone right now," Burnett said. "We have no one in mind just yet, but we'll see."
Also on the "Late Show" front, Jude Brennan has been named an executive producer, joining Burnett, Barbara Gaines and Maria Pope in that capacity. Brennan had been consulting producer on the show.
"Really, the way to think about it is that everyone kind of gets together and makes decisions together," Burnett said of the four executive producers. "But Dave is the one who ultimately makes all the creative decisions on the show. It's really us presenting our ideas to Dave and Dave deciding what he'll do and won't do."
Burnett also said that, contrary to published reports, cue-card guy Tony Mendez, otherwise known as "Big Ink," won't be leaving the show.
"He's actually staying," Burnett said of Mendez, who appears in on-air skits. "He's not going anywhere right now."
Letterman, 55, returned to big numbers last week after missing four weeks battling shingles.
A roster of 14 celebrities (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Hunt, Brad Garrett and more) filled in for Letterman while he recovered.
How Will & Grace Nabbed Madonna
Madonna's April 24 guest shot on NBC's Will & Grace caps a two-year pursuit on the part of the sitcom's coexecutive producer Tim Kaiser — a mission that involved some wishful thinking, a little behind-the-scenes diplomacy and, perhaps most importantly, a bribe no material girl could resist. "I sent a lot of flowers," Kaiser laughs. "Madonna loves English roses, so I began to send these fantastic arrangements."
The floral fawning helped Kaiser penetrate Madonna's inner circle, although, "There wasn't much interest," he notes. "I was informed Madonna didn't own a television, or know Will & Grace existed." But, crazy for the pop icon, the scribe didn't give up. "I sent tapes of appearances by Matt Damon, Michael Douglas and whatnot, and... pitched how wonderful it would be for her to come on the show."
But it wasn't until last November — shortly after her latest film, Swept Away, tanked — that the singer showed any true blue consideration. However, Madonna's manager, Caresse Henry, denies that her client saw an opportunity to justify her acting ambition in the wake of the movie's failure. "She didn't do it to redeem herself," insists Henry, adding that the Evita star wanted a chance to "show her comedic side, because she's very funny." Another perk? The episode coincides with the April 22 release of her latest album, American Life.
Armed with a tentative OK, Kaiser — along with W&G exec producers Jeff Greenstein and Jhoni Marchinko — ran by the "Music" maker a number of potential plots. "She had one parameter," notes Kaiser. "She would not play herself. She wanted to act." After passing on several ideas (including one that cast her as a pupil in Jack's acting class), Madonna — a quick convert to the cult of Megan Mullally's alter ego Karen — jumped at a storyline that had her playing the socialite's new working class roomie. "She's a wannabe Sex and the City girl," says Greenstein.
Despite her insane schedule, the Queen of all Media showed up on time for rehearsals and displayed no diva behavior on the set. "I expected to put a PA on full alert," jokes Kaiser, "but she was a real professional." Just as startling, at the March 18 taping, the sitcom virgin discovered what it feels like for the new girl. "She had a few nerves," he concedes, "but once she got the first take down, she hit it out of the park."
With that success story in the bag, Kaiser is already counting the hours until he corrals his next big get. Hints the ex-Seinfeld exec: "We're big Nicole Kidman fans." We hear she thinks red roses are to die for.
Slim Pickens
There is almost absolutely nothing even worth mentioning that is being released on DVD and video today.
So why bother?
The head of Elvis Presley Enterprises releases her debut CD today.
Thirty-five year old Lisa Marie Presley bows musically with TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, an odd mixture of Sheryl Crow and over-produced pop that isn't all that bad.
There are other new discs hitting stores today, and here they are. These are the new Music Releases for Tuesday April 8, 2003:
* ANTHONY B Street Knowledge (VP)
* ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL 20 Greatest Hits (Capitol)
* BAABA MAAL Lam Too (Palm)
* BLACK UHURU Chill Out (Palm)
* BLUES BROTHERS The Essentials (Rhino)
* BOOMKAT Boomkatalog One (Universal)
* BRAVE SAINT SATURN The Light Of Things Hoped (Tooth & Nail)
* CHRIS COWIE Best Behaviour (System Recordings)
* CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE Exposure 4 (System Recordings)
* CLAUDE CHALLE Near Eastern Lounge (EMI)
* COMMANDER CODY & HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN Greatest Hits Live (EMI)
* DAVE RALPH Resident Alien (System Recordings)
* DON CAMPBELL Any Day Now (VP)
* DON MCLEAN Legendary Songs Of (Capitol)
* ELEFANT Sunlight Makes Me Paranoid (Palm)
* FEAR FACTORY Hatefiles (Roadrunner)
* FISHBELLY BLACK Crusader (Liquid)
* FLASHLIGHT BROWN My Degeneration (Hollywood)
* FRANKIE BONES Army Of One (System Recordings)
* GILLIAN WELCH The Revelator Collection (DVD Video) (Stony Plain)
* GOB Foot And Mouth Disease (Nettwerk)
* GODSMACK Faceless (Universal)
* GROVER WASHINGTON JR. The Essentials (Rhino)
* HAL KETCHUM The King Of Love (Curb)
* I MOTHER EARTH Quicksilver Meat Dream (Universal)
* JAMES TAYLOR Best of James Taylor (Warner)
* JOSH WINK Profound Sounds Vol. 1 (System Recordings)
* JOY ELECTRIC The Tick Tock Treasure (Tooth & Nail)
* JUNIOR SANCHEZ Best Of Dirty House Vol. 1 (System Recordings)
* KELLY PRICE Priceless (Def Jam)
* KENNY GARRETT Standard Of Language (Warner)
* LEO SAYER The Essentials (Rhino)
* LISA MARIE PRESLEY To Whom It May Concern (Capitol)
* LORD PRETENDER The Man Who Never Ever (Rituals Music)
* LUCINDA WILLIAMS World Without Tears (Lost Highway/Universal)
* MADONNA American Life (CD Single) (Maverick)
* MATCHBOOK ROMANCE West For Wishing (EP) (Epitaph)
* MC HONKY I Am The Messiah (Linus Entertainment)
* MISSY ELLIOTT Gossip Folks (CD Single) (Elektra)
* MOLLY HATCHET Greatest Hits Live (EMI)
* NIGEL RICHARDS Futurematic (System Recordings)
* NO FUN AT ALL Master Celebrations (Burning Heart)
* ORLEANS The Essentials (Rhino)
* R. CARLOS NAKAI Fourth Word (Canyon)
* RANDY TRAVIS The Essentials (Rhino)
* RUSSELL CROWE & 30 ODD FOOT OF GRUNTS Other Ways Of Speaking (Artemis)
* SAM KINISON Live From Hell (The Right Stuff)
* SANCHEZ He Has The Power (VP)
* SAWYER BROWN True Believer (Curb)
* SOOZIE TYRELL White Lines (Valley Entertainment)
* THE HOLLIES Greatest Hits (EMI)
* TONY ALLEN Home Cooking (Shakti)
* TRAPT Trapt (Warner)
* WINK Herehear (System Recordings)
* X-ECUTIONERS Scratchology (Sequence)
* YO LA TENGO Summer Sun (Matador)
Junos a smash hit for CTV
TORONTO (CP) -- The Juno Awards pulled in more Canadian viewers than the Grammys this year, with 2.2 million people tuning in to watch host Shania Twain and other stars of the music industry, CTV said Monday.
It's a sharp increase from last year's Junos broadcast from St. John's, Nfld., when the Barenaked Ladies hosted the event and 1.4 million viewers tuned in.
The Junos were held at the Corel Centre in Ottawa on Sunday night, capping a weekend of festivities in the nation's capital.
The Grammys on Feb. 23 in New York City, when music sensation Norah Jones claimed a total of eight prizes, pulled in 2.1 million viewers.
"The only award shows that have beat the Junos are the Oscars, of course, and the Golden Globes, which came in at just under three million viewers," said CTV spokesman Mike Cosentino.
The numbers were compiled by Nielsen Media Research and BBM. By night's end, BBM said 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch some part of the show.
Still, the music award shows didn't come close to the achievements of the Academy Awards, which pulled in 4.76 million viewers this year, and the Golden Globes at 2.9 million.
The previous high for a Junos telecast was 1996, when CBC had the broadcast and drew 2.27 million viewers.
Dude, Where Am I?
American Pie and Dude, Where's My Car? star Seann William Scott tapped to host MTV's annual Movie Awards, set for May 31 in Santa Monica.
HITCHED
Russell Crowe marrying longtime gal-pal Danielle Spencer today. The bride, dressed in Giorgio Armani, arrived at Crowe's Down Under estate in a limo flanked by three Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Toby Keith Wins Country Video of Year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Toby Keith took home three awards Monday for his patriotic song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" at Country Music Television's 2003 Flameworthy Video Music Awards.
Keith, who was the host along with actress Pamela Anderson, was the biggest winner at the fan-voted awards show. He hauled in video of the year honors and also won in categories for cocky and male video.
"I dedicate this great award to Mr. Rumsfeld and Tommy Franks, and all the people over there (in Iraq) putting it down for us tonight," Keith said.
The fan-voted awards show aired live on Country Music Television from the Gaylord Entertainment Center. The show was CMT's second since last year's inaugural event.
About 3 million fans cast votes by Internet — nearly a million more than last year. Voting was completed in all categories before the awards show, except for video of the year. Fans were allowed to vote for their favorites in that category during the program.
Patriotism was a recurring theme during the show. Darryl Worley performed his hit, "Have You Forgotten." Singer Chris Cagle wished the troops "Godspeed" and a safe return home.
Comedian Brett Butler drew some boos when she mentioned the Dixie Chicks. Natalie Maines, lead singer for the group, attracted criticism last month when she reportedly told an audience in London, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
The show included a tribute to Johnny Cash, hosted by Vince Gill, who was dressed in black in honor of singer known as "The Man in Black."
Cash was honored for his work on a video for a Nine Inch Nails song he recorded called "Hurt." The song and video are drawing attention from rock and country audiences.
"I can't begin to tell you how cool it is for this whole new young generation to be going, 'Who is this guy?,'" Gill said.
Because of the video's release date, it was not eligible for an award.
Cash, who suffers from a disease of the nervous system that makes him susceptible to pneumonia, was released from a Nashville hospital last week and did not attend the show.
Wife June Carter Cash accepted the award on Cash's behalf.
Anderson and Kid Rock brought some rock 'n' roll swagger to the show.
Rock, seated next to Hank Williams Jr., took sips from what appeared to be a tiny whiskey bottle, while Anderson brought a man onstage clad in underwear and cowboy boots with "Naked Cowboy" written across his bottom.
"I love country music. I grew up with it," Anderson said after the show.
Rock and Sheryl Crow performed their duet, "Picture," a surprise hit that landed Rock a male video of the year nomination.
The winners included:
_ Video of the Year: Toby Keith — "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue."
_ Group/Duo Video of the Year: Rascal Flatts - "These Days."
_ Female Video of the Year: Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel."
_ Male Video of the Year: Toby Keith - "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue."
_ Breakthrough Video of the Year: Joe Nichols - "Brokenheartsville."
_ Fashion Plate Video of the Year: Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain."
_ Concept Video of the Year: Shania Twain - "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"
_ Hottest Female Video of the Year: Faith Hill - "When the Lights Go Down."
_ Hottest Male Video of the Year: Tim McGraw - "She's My Kind of Rain."
_ Cocky Video of the Year: Toby Keith - "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue."
_ Video Director of the Year: Deaton Flanigen - Martina McBride - "Concrete Angel."
Winona Ryder Completes Service in Shoplifting Case
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Reuters) - Actress Winona Ryder wants to hold a charity auction to sell the $5,500 worth of clothes and accessories that she stole from a posh department store but a judge on Monday was reluctant to buy into the plan.
Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Elden Fox praised the 31-year-old actress for completing the community service part of her three-year probation ahead of schedule but sparred with her lawyer, Mark Geragos, over whether she could dispose of the merchandise by holding a charity auction.
Ryder, sentenced on Dec. 6, 2002, for shoplifting from Saks Fifth Avenue, had to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution and became owner of the property.
Fox said he was not keen on the idea of a celebrity auction to dispose of the merchandise because as he told Geragos, "Your client should not benefit" from her crime. But he postponed making a final ruling.
Geragos told the judge it was "ironic" that the court would turn down such a money-making opportunity in the face of the county court system's steep budget problems. "It seems awful silly to take thousands of dollars of merchandise and burn it in a bonfire," Geragos said.
Outside of court, he told Reuters that he really did not understand why the judge was against the idea other than it was also being opposed by the district attorney.
Geragos said, "I can probably raise $100,000 on that stuff." He did not identify a charity or give any other details.
PRAISE FOR ACTRESS
Judge Fox praised Ryder, who stood silently beside her attorney during the half-hour hearing, for completing all 480 hours of community service that he ordered -- an amount that translated into 60 eight-hour days.
She read to children and helped out in the offices of the children's ward of City of Hope, a nationally renowned cancer treatment center in Duarte, northeast of Los Angeles.
"She has done more hours than the court ordered," Geragos said. "She developed a close relationship and really bonded with a couple of kids, one of them undergoing a bone marrow transplant and another with leukemia," he added outside court.
Ryder has not worked in films since her sentencing and instead has concentrated on completing her community service and going to a court-ordered therapist.
Fox told her, "I want you to continue to do what you have been doing. These are positive reports and I expect to continue to see more of the same."
He also said that he had no objection to Ryder traveling out of the state or even out of the country for any movies that would require her to do so.
Geragos said the actress was at first was not free to travel anywhere because she had to fulfill the term of her probation.
A Beverly Hills jury convicted her of felony grand theft and vandalism for taking more than $5,500 worth of merchandise a year earlier from Saks.
Police had found eight prescription drugs in Ryder's possession when she was detained at Saks. Court papers said she had used a half-dozen different names to get the drugs, which included Valium and Diazepam.