Thanks to Dave, for one last time, theeere’s Johnny
It was Johnny Carson‘s last monologue and, predictably, it drew plenty of laughs. David Letterman paid tribute to Carson by delivering a “Late Show” monologue Monday composed entirely of jokes the retired “Tonight” show host had quietly sent him.
Only after Letterman was back behind his desk did he tell the audience who had written the jokes.
Former “Tonight Show” producer Peter Lassally told Letterman the one thing Carson missed after retiring in May 1992 was his nightly monologue.
Carson would read the newspapers in the morning and write jokes, often calling Lassally and delivering them over the phone. Only after much prodding did he agree to send some to Letterman.
“He was delighted that you did them and that the audience laughed at them,” Lassally said.
A grateful Letterman said getting a call from Carson with jokes was “like Christmas morning, for God’s sake.”
Snoop sued over alleged rape
A celebrity makeup artist has filed a $25 million lawsuit against rapper Snoop Dogg, claiming he and several men in his entourage drugged and raped her two years ago.
The woman also says one of Snoop’s associates beat her following a taping of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show, which the rapper guest-hosted in January 2003.
Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, had filed a lawsuit against the woman in December alleging she had been trying to extort $5 million from him.
A little too brave ‘New World’
Colin Farrell had to re-shoot love scenes for the upcoming “The New World” because Hollywood lawyers feared the footage breaks child pornography laws.
The 28-year-old actor stars as colonist John Smith, who falls in love with American Indian Pocahontas, played by 14-year-old Q’Orianka Kilcher, in the period drama.
“He played the scene brilliantly, and he really put Q’Orianka at her ease,” a source said. “But when the lawyers saw the finished product with Colin and Q’Orianka rolling around on the ground kissing, they just flipped out.”
A Hollywood star? Most excellent, dude
Keanu Reeves, whose acting credits range from “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” to “The Matrix” films, has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
His star was placed along Hollywood Boulevard on Monday near the spot where some action scenes for the thriller “Speed” were shot.
Reeves, 40, next stars as the title character in the comic book adaptation “Constantine.”
But does it come with a lifetime guarantee?
Leonardo DiCaprio accepted the Platinum Award, given to commemorate the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s 20th anniversary, at a ceremony Sunday.
“It’s a lifetime achievement award, which is completely and utterly surreal, given I’m only 30 years old,” said DiCaprio, nominated for a best actor Oscar for playing Howard Hughes in “The Aviator.”
The prize was presented by Martin Scorsese, who directed DiCaprio in “The Aviator,” 2002’s “Gangs of New York” and the upcoming crime drama “The Departed,” also starring Matt Damon.
The birthday bunch
Actress Elaine Stritch is 80. Comedian Tom Smothers is 68. Singer Graham Nash is 63. Actress Farrah Fawcett is 58. Actor Brent Spiner (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 56. Model Christie Brinkley is 51. Actor Michael Talbott (“Miami Vice”) is 50. Actress Kim Zimmer (“Guiding Light”) is 50. Rapper T-Mo (Goodie Mob) is 33. Singer Shakira is 28.