The Jane Report 1-5-09
John Travolta and Kelly Preston are speaking out for the first time since the death of their son Jett. In a post made yesterday on Preston’s Web site, they said: “We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent their love and condolences. Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered.” …
In order to make sure there are no mistakes, two pathologists in the Bahamas will conduct the autopsy on John Travolta’s son, Jett, who died at the actor’s vacation home in Grand Bahama. The 16-year-old was found collapsed in a bathroom on Friday after having a seizure and hitting his head on the bathtub. Jett was taken by ambulance to a Freeport hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Jett was known to have seizures, at times, up to four a week. The family will have their son’s body flown to Ocala, Florida where the Travolta’s have a home, by midweek. Jett was the couple’s oldest child. They also have an 8-year-old daughter, Ella Bleu.
For the first time in over 15 years, “Live! with Regis and Kelly” will be debuting today with a new theme song, a new logo and a new opening…plus it will air in HD. Which explains a lot about the furniture getting a facelift…HD shows every nick and scratch… The new theme song was the result of an on-air, $100,000 contest - which was eventually won by 35-year-old Gabriel Saientz, a professional musician from Miami.
The Star is reporting that the weather has turned frosty on the “30 Rock” set between Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. Evidently, during a recent photo shoot on the set, Baldwin sniped to the photographer, “Get ready to do a lot of airbrushing.” Tina, who has a childhood scar on her left cheek, fired back, “Something wrong with my face?” Alec upped the ante by saying it’s her entire body that’s the problem. “Tina shot back that this was coming from a guy with a double chin who thinks Sarah Palin is hot.” According to a source, Tina is becoming more confident about her position as creator and star of the hit comedy series and has begun calling Alec out on things. Another source says “She’s finally saying she doesn’t need to take his crap.”
Professional dancers Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff of “Dancing With the Stars” fame are engaged. This comes about six months after Karina announced her split with former contestant and dance partner Mario Lopez.
Lindsay Lohan and her DJ partner Samantha Ronson have reportedly been house hunting in the United Arab Emirates paradise of Dubai in an effort to get away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. The pair reportedly fell in love with glamorous Palm Island resort after Ronson performed at the nearby luxurious Atlantis Hotel last year. While the sun, beaches and shopping are fabulous, the couple will have to be careful because being gay is against the law in the country.
Former Led Zeppelin star, Robert Plant, was named the Greatest Voice in Rock in an online British radio network poll.
The only woman to make the new list at all is Janis Joplin.
Top Ten Money-Making Stars of 2008
1. Will Smith
2. Robert Downey, Jr.
3. Christian Bale
4. Shia LaBeouf
5. Harrison Ford
6. Adam Sandler
7. Reese Witherspoon
8. George Clooney
9. Angelina Jolie
10. Daniel Craig
Ryan Seacrest arrived in the Caribbean Friday with 24-year-old Playboy Playmate Sara Jean Underwood.
Heather Locklear went to court Friday and pleaded no contest to a lesser offense to avoid DUI charges stemming from that September arrest. She pled no contest to reckless driving, a misdemeanor and was given probation and a $700 fine.
Here’s the weekend box office tally:
1. “Marley & Me,” $24.1 million.
2. “Bedtime Stories,” $20.3 million.
3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” $18.4 million.
4. “Valkyrie,” $14 million.
5. “Yes Man,” $13.9 million.
6. “Seven Pounds,” $10 million.
7. “The Tale of Despereaux,” $7 million.
8. “Doubt,” $5 million.
9. “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” $4.9 million.
10. “Slumdog Millionaire,” $4.8 million.
BIRTHDAYS
Walter Mondale: 81
Diane Keaton: 63
Robert Duvall: 78
Charlie Rose: 67
Marilyn Manson: 40
Jon Bon Jovi will play a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton on January 15 at Manhattan’s Town Hall to help her reduce her campaign debt, which stood at $6.3 million as of last month.
The surviving members of the Grateful Dead will regroup for a 19-city tour that will kick off in April.
The Allman Brothers Band will play 10 shows at New York’s Beacon Theater in March.
February 10 is the release date for India.Arie’s next album, “Love & Politics.”
Pollstar reports Madonna and Celine Dion were the biggest worldwide concert draws in 2008. Both sold more than $200 million worth of tickets.