Names In The News
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Beckham (l) May Appear On Italy's "Big
Brother" Program While On Loan To AC Milan |
In London, Nick Pisa reported MLS Galaxy MF DAVID BECKHAM, who is on loan to Italian Serie A club AC Milan, may make a "guest appearance on Italy's Big Brother." Italian soccer players "regularly appear on lifestyle and variety programmes," and sources said that the "most likely programme" Beckham would be on would be "Grande Fratello" or "Big Brother." "Big Brother" is the "most popular show in the country and the eighth series is due to start shortly" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 12/20). Meanwhile, AC Milan VP ADRIANO GALLIANI said that Beckham "would stay with Milan until March 8." Galliani: "We resolved numerous problems, much larger than you would normally have when you buy a player -- with the US League, with Galaxy and with all the Beckham entourage" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 12/20).
IT ALL ADS UP: USA TODAY writes, “Sorry, MICHAEL PHELPS, but the sports star most likely to turn TV star is still … PEYTON MANNING.” Phelps “may yet grow into his fame, but Manning’s latest [MasterCard] commercial -- with him blithely oblivious to the insults being thrown at him -- proves he’s TV-ready now.” Manning “seems to be a perfect fit for a good-guy blue-collar comedy.” If the networks are “stupid enough to waste him as an analyst, they deserve their increasing ratings problems” (USA TODAY, 12/22).
THE THRILL OF IT: Actor TOM CRUISE appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” last night to promote his new release “VALKYRIE.” Cruise compared the film to sports, saying, “Any great sporting event that you are watching, you are on the edge of your seat. You can say it’s the same thing. … You want the audience to experience it on a visceral level the way you are watching a great match” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 12/21).
IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD: Sirius XM Radio's CHRIS RUSSO in an interview with Edward Lewine of N.Y. TIMES' MAGAZINE described his "morning routine." Since beginning his new show this fall, Russo said, "I've been getting up around 6 a.m. I'll run outside or work with a trainer in town. After 7 a.m., it's organize kids off to school. Then I'll take the 8:03 or 8:49 train to work or drive in. I'll get to the office between 9:30 and 10 a.m." (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 12/21 issue).
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Jamaica Sprinter Usain Bolt (r) Visited Celtics
Locker Room Friday Night After Team's Win |
NAMES: Sources indicated that Rock Creek Ventures co-Founder & Managing Dir JULIUS GENACHOWSKI will be appointed FCC Chair "any moment now." A source said Genachowski is the "choice" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 12/22)....The Magic invited the Allen family of Maitland, Florida, who were "witnesses to the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai," to Thursday night's game against the Spurs at Amway Arena. Magic officials "arranged for the family not only to attend the game but also meet with" Magic C ADONAL FOYLE pregame (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/19)....Informercial host BILLY MAYS today will start appearing in TV ads for the ESPN360.com broadband service (USA TODAY, 12/22)....Jamaica Gold Medal-winning sprinter USAIN BOLT visited the Celtics locker room Friday night after the team's win against the Bulls at TD Banknorth Garden (BOSTON HERALD, 12/20)....Patriots QB TOM BRADY has closed on the purchase of a 3.6-acre vacant lot in Brentwood, California, for $11.75M. The lot is located "right down the road" from California Gov. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER's home. Also, Star magazine reported Brady and girlfriend GISELE BUNDCHEN "will tie the knot in March in Costa Rica" (BOSTON HERALD, 12/22)....Massachusetts Gov. DEVAL PATRICK and his wife, DIANE, were in the owner's box for yesterday's Cardinals-Patriots game at Gillette Stadium (BOSTON HERALD, 12/22).
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