By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … Ron Howard’s next is producing and directing a comedy series set in an Internal Revenue Service district office. That’s about all I know about it for now, but what I do know is that he is a multi-talented man: actor, director, writer, producer. He also is, in private life, married to Cheryl Alley and father to Bryce, Jocelyn, Paige and Reed. And surely some of you remember that he got his start as Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
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Everybody loves Betty White! Activist and actress, she gives generously of her time and money to almost every charity known to man. Come January, she will be honored by the Screen Actor’s Guild with its Life Achievement Award. At 87, she is lovely to look at, and even lovelier to know.
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In answer to all of you who have written to me about “Oprah,” what can I say? Agreed. If you’re looking for light entertainment, you won’t find it here. Sympathetic as we all should surely be, it’s hard to watch people with their faces shot off, others with no legs and still others with all sorts of infirmities. Also, the lady who cut off her husband’s vital organ, and then they found it and reattached it. All I can say is, do as I did. Switch channels.
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Want to be an actor? Read Brian O’Neil’s “Acting as a Business” (Vintage Books). He tells you how to write your resume, tactics for getting an agent and umpteen other helpful hints to make it as a thespian. It’s easier to read about it than do it, but if you are determined to be an actor or an actress, give it a try!
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A whole new look for Drew Barrymore when she appeared on a recent Conan O’Brien show. Short, short, straight blond hair. The last time she appeared on a talk show it was long, long, and she tossed it about as she talked. Meanwhile, the youngest of the great acting clan pursues her career as an actress and producer. As for her private life, I don’t really know where it stands at the moment. Everywhere some article tells a different story.
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The talk shows are still “duking it out.” For a while David Letterman led the pack in ratings, now Conan is picking up and Jay Leno is giving them all the “hee-haw” with high numbers at 10 p.m. And once again in answer to your question: No, I do not think the femme guests are told what to wear.
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Ashton Kutcher is not only an actor and husband to Demi. He devotes a great deal of his time to all manner of charities. He recently traveled to New York to participate in a Volunteers of America fund-raiser. As for his next film commitment, I’ll have to get that when it’s all firmed up. Let me add that he is one of the nicest and most polite people in the business.
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BITS ’N’ PIECES: Yes, Faye Dunaway is still around, although not working so much. Word is there’s a wee bit of temperament sometimes displayed, but you can’t prove it by me. … Zsa Zsa Gabor once said about men: “Macho doesn’t prove mucho.” … Betcha you didn’t know Robert Redford was once a sidewalk sketch artist. … Britney is behaving. Lindsay is behaving. Paris also is quiet. … Most of us would love to see pictures of Julia’s twins. Maybe sometime we will, but don’t bet on it. Celebs make a point of protecting their offspring … Trust Liz Taylor to make a funny. She once said that when people rush up to her, it’s not to ask for an autograph, it’s to “check out” her wrinkles.
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.