Even before its Jan. 10 premiere, the FOX reality series Temptation Island—featuring four unmarried couples shipped for two weeks to Belize, where 26 hard-bodied singles try to seduce them—had already incited the ire of TV critics, conservatives and religious groups. "Destroying a relationship for the purpose of securing ratings and profit is just unacceptable," said Dallas rabbi Kenneth D. Roseman, who asked his local TV station (unsuccessfully) to resist Temptation. And L. Brent Bozell, chairman of the Parents Television Council, called the show's message "potentially dangerous." FOX said racy promos may have misled some into thinking the show is merely about sex. (Or maybe it was because all players were screened for sexually transmitted diseases; or because one contestant described it as "like the Pepsi challenge, except it's ladies instead of soft drinks.") Some contestants frolicked at Nadia Taricco Berthome's Mata Chica resort, where, she says, they "did striptease games, walking seminaked on the beach." She was quick to add that "it was artistic, nothing sleazy or cheap." Of course.
The Skinny on Kate
A vocal critic of the unrealistic body image standards imposed on Hollywood actresses, Kate Winslet is sounding an apologetic call to her fans: Don't hate me because I'm trying to shed a few pounds. "I'm trying to diet," Winslet, 25, who gave birth to daughter Mia three months ago, told Britain's Radio Times magazine. "I constantly wave the flag of 'Don't go on diets because they're rubbish,' but I'd like to get a bit of the baby weight off or I won't work," she said. "What annoys me most is that the more terribly thin and fit actresses we have, the less real our films become, which is sad. Thank God for British [films]. They don't care what shape you are."
Basic Manhunt
Finding the right guy for Sharon Stone proves more than a matter of instinct
Focus
Reports that MGM had killed the long-awaited sequel to 1992's sexy thriller Basic Instinct may have been the best thing to happen to the stalled project in months. "She's got a deal to make this movie, I can tell you that," says Stone's publicist Cindi Berger, a comment that seemed to suggest that Stone had no plans to voluntarily forgo a reported $15 million payday. An MGM official denied that any plugs were pulled, saying, "The movie is happening. MGM loves the script. We're committed to making it." Basic Instinct 2's producers, Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar, said through a spokesman they did not know the source of the reports, but a likely cause is the seemingly endless search for a male lead opposite Stone's ice-pick-wielding Catherine Tramell. Her original costar, Michael Douglas, is out since, as his rep Allen Burry notes, "he dies at the end; how could he be in it?" (Actually, the death of Douglas's cop character is only implied.) Robert Downey Jr. and Pierce Brosnan were both offered the part, and both declined. And although at least one press account had Harrison Ford stepping in, Ford denies he received a bid. The latest contender? It could be Kurt Russell, who, columnist Liz Smith reports, was offered $5 million for the role. Russell's agent had no comment.
Why all the fuss over a sequel to an eight-year-old movie? Basic Instinct earned $116 million, a princely sum for its day. Just as noteworthy, the film—in particular Stone's underwear-free interrogation scene—established her as one of America's premier sex symbols. Says an MGM rep: "People still talk about it."
POP QUIZ
with Rosie O'Donnell
Pass the green eggs: On Jan. 16 Rosie O'Donnell is set to take over the lead, for 24 shows, in a Broadway musical based on the works of children's author Dr. Seuss. News of her stint as the Cat in the Hat boosted ticket sales following less-than-kind opening night reviews last November. And, yes, Rosie's keeping her day job on TV, as she told Scoop while en route to the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
What do you know that the critics don't?
It's their job, sort of, to be snotty and above it all and to think that theater has to be something that's grandiose and opulent. It doesn't. I mean, when you get an 8-year-old kid to sit through a musical and clap along and leave singing...my 5-year-old son [Parker] said to me, "Mom, I'm a thinker," after seeing a matinee. And I thought, that's reason to keep the show open right there! It encourages kids to use their imagination.
Are any of your children interested in show business?
Chelsea, my daughter who's 3½, does every number from The Wizard of Oz in full voice.
So you've got the musical and the TV show and Parker and Chelsea [plus son Blake, 1, and foster daughter Maria, 3] at home. Isn't that a little much?
When I told my publicist that I was doing the [Broadway] show, she said, "What are you, crazy?" But the [TV] show runs itself now, it's such a well-oiled machine.
Seems challenging.
I do it because I have a huge staff and a lot of money. I always want reporters to go ask the woman who lives in Harlem or The Bronx and who has four kids and is trying to get them Nikes and works as a cleaning woman and a waitress. Those are the people you ask, "How do you do it?" It's not like I'm slaving away.
How are rehearsals going?
I'm totally out of shape. When I did Grease [in 1994], I was 30 lbs. lighter. I'm huffin' and puffin', but I'm hoping it'll get a little easier.
Are you the show's savior?
I think I helped ticket sales, but the show's really great on its own.
Interested in producing on Broadway?
Oh, no, it's way too much work!
ON THE BLOCK
ON THE RIVERA FRONT
This just in: The home that TV newsman Geraldo Rivera shared with wife C.C. Dyer and their two young daughters is up for sale now that the couple are divorcing. Asking price: about $9 million. The property, which the couple have owned for 11 years, is on the Navesink River in Middletown Township, N.J., 49 miles south of New York City. It includes a three-story home, built m 1893, and a large guest house. The 10,000-sq.-ft. main residence has four fireplaces and five bedrooms and sits on seven secluded acres, with a pool, tennis court and 165-ft. dock. Neighbors include Jon Bon Jovi and Maury Povich and Connie Chung.
- Contributors:
- Ting Yu,
- Liza Hamm,
- Liz Corcoran,
- Lucia Greene,
- Eve Heyn,
- Bob Meadows,
- Jill Movshin Singer,
- Bob Stewart,
- Linda Trischitta.
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
