A lot of interesting things have happened in the world since we last left you. Here is a brief rundown of the top stories that surfaced over the break.
Britney Spears has had quite a bit of trouble over the past couple of months. So much so that Dr. Phil was called in to stabilize the “Crossroads” star. Apparently, his tough talk and incomprehensible metaphors didn’t do much for her. The former star refused to relinquish custody of her children, and, instead, locked herself in a room with her child and began speaking in a British accent. Brit was then hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation. Her visitation rights with her children were also suspended, and she generally continued to make K-Fed appear to be the responsible parent. But it doesn’t end there for Britney; she was involved in a chase that ended with Paparazzi being arrested, and her paparazzo boy-toy hit a motorcyclist while the two were crusin’ the streets of LA.
The Spice Girls have continued their comeback, hitting the road on their world tour. After a six year hiatus, the British girl band has reunited. However their name has been changed, as Spice Girls no longer seems appropriate. They now prefer to be known as The Golden Girls.
The writers’ strike has taken its toll, putting many scripted TV shows on hold as negotiations continue between writers and studio execs. So, how is it that “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” has made it to the air? Oh, that’s right, monkeys at keyboards aren’t part of the Writer’s Guild of America.
You can say a lot of things about singer Amy Winehouse, but you can’t say she doesn’t know how to party. A video recently surfaced, apparently showing the troubled singer taking hits from a crack pipe, admitting to taking several valium and snorting cocaine and ecstasy.
Tragedy struck on Jan. 15 when actor Brad Renfro was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment. Renfro had recently completed filming a movie costarring Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton. The cause of death of the star of “The Client,” “Sleepers” and “Apt Pupil” has yet to be determined.
A week after Renfro’s death, the world was again shocked by the death of a young actor. Heath Ledger, perhaps best known for his onscreen love affair with Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain,” was found dead in his New York City apartment. Ledger was reportedly completely nude with sleeping pills at a near by table. First Renfro, then Ledger. These things usually happen in threes. That kid from “Terminator 2” better be careful.