The Scoop: People Magazine reports that Tom and Katie sent Tom's ex-wife Nicole Kidman some baby gifts in celebration of the birth of her daughter. Tom and Nicole have 2 children together, Connor and Isabelle. People Magazine reports that contrary to rumors, Tom, Katie, and the kids did not send a room full of flowers, instead they sent a gift basket with Giraffe chenille blankets and Hermes baby clothes, in addition to other high end baby items.
Colleen says: How decent of the Holmes-Cruises! Seriously, even if it was just a PR stunt, I think it's really thoughtful of Tom to give a gift to the mother of his two older children. It sets a really good example for the kids.
What do you think? Whether or not this was strictly for PR (which I think we can all agree, it is), is it the right thing to do to send a gift like this? Would it be proper to send a nice and thoughtful gift to your ex and the parent of your children upon the birth of a subsequent child from a different relationship?
The Scoop: Holy celebaby-boom Batman! The Kidman-Urban baby, Sunday, was born Saturday (yes, it's confusing). Then, on Monday evening, Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend, Camila Alves welcomed a baby boy.
Colleen says: I wonder if the Kidman-Urbans are friends with the McConaughey-Alves? Do they run in the same circles? Because, those could be some really fun, star-studded kiddie birthday parties! Lots of pony rides and Tiffany rattles.
You know, on second thought, it's no fun to share a birthday celebration. My brother was born 2 years and 19 hours (to the minute) before I was born, and we had to share every birthday celebration growing up. Kids deserve a little fanfare for their birthday - and it's way more fun to celebrate solo. Although, I bet these celebabies get quite enough fanfare every day of the week.
In any case, these things almost always come in threes, so I wonder if Brangelina will issue forth some twins (who will always have to share a birthday celebration) today??? Let's all stay tuned (I know you'll get nothing done today in anxious anticipation).
The Scoop: Minnesota's own Josh Hartnett is set to play the role of Charlie Babbit in the stage adaptation of Rainman. The role was originated on screen by Tom Cruise and Hartnett will be playing the role for London audiences on a West End stage.
Colleen says: I'm sure, like many actors, Josh Hartnett got his start on the stage (probably in a high school production of Guys and Dolls or some other such musical), so it's probably like returning to his roots.
I gotta wonder, why Rainman? Deciding whether or not to adapt a screenplay for stage is probably akin to deciding whether or not to do a sequel. Can it really match up to the acclaim of the movie? I'm sure time will tell. In the meantime, I'm booking a trip to London. I've never been and I love to support the home town folks.
The Scoop: Dr. Drew is speaking out about the length of time celebrities allow themselves for rehabilitation from drug and alcohol abuse. He says that celebrities often opt for shorter treatment periods and that leads to a lack of success in sobriety. Read the whole story here.
Colleen says: I have the utmost respect for Dr. Drew! He really is tapping into uncharted territory in making himself the celebrity rehab expert. It is really respectable because celebrities, whether we like it or not, serve as examples, and to see them healthily dealing with their demons with help is a public service.
In addition, I am in love with Dr. Drew. He is everything the modern man should be.
Will Smith 's soon-to-open private school is not a Scientology facility, as some reports have suggested, the academy's director said.
Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, have founded the New Village Academy, scheduled to open in September.
The school will use instructional methods developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard called study technology. And a few teachers belong to the church.
But the couple say they are not Scientologists, and the academy's director insists the facility has no religious affiliation.
"We are a secular school, and just like all nonreligious independent schools, faculty and staff do not promote their own religions at school or pass on the beliefs of their particular faith to children," New Village Academy director Jacqueline Olivier told the Los Angeles Times.
Oliver said some of the school's staffers are Scientologists, Muslim, Christian or Jewish.
In addition to reading and math, the school offers classes on yoga, robotics and etiquette.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Colleen says: Not that I really care, because for various reasons, no child of mine will ever attend the Will Smith School (For Children Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too), but please someone explain to me what "study technology" is.
Also, I totally endorse and understand yoga classes and etiquette classes (I'd like to take a couple of those), but robotics? Seriously? Robotics? What? I suppose that robots are going to rule the world any day now, so we might want to be teaching our kids how to program them. Okay, it makes sense now.
I wonder if there will be some coursework on just how parents just don't understand... take it from Will Smith.
