Turn On:
Anyone who's been searching for Debra Winger can find her Monday night at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime in the telefilm "Dawn Anna," in which she plays a single mom struggling to raise four kids and survive a life-threatening illness -- not to mention the death of one of her children in the Columbine shootings. And if you're looking for something a little lighter and aren't afraid of award-show burnout, the Broadcast Film Critics Association presents its Critics' Choice Awards in a ceremony to be broadcast live tonight on the WB starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Morning Briefing:
Inside the Pitts' split: As we all know by now, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are insisting that their split -- or "separation," rather -- after seven years together is amicable: "This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration," the couple told the press. "We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity." But those of you not completely satisfied with that pretty package and waiting for some dirt to shake out will be happy to hear that People magazine is blaming Angelina Jolie for coming between Pitt and Aniston. The trouble started, People says, when Pitt was making the film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," due out in June, with Jolie. "Jennifer knows that Angelina got under his skin, and it bothered her," says one source. Another source working on the film insists that, though Pitt was "obviously taken by Angelina ... They did not sleep with each other." The decision to separate was said to have been made by Aniston, but Pitt, sources say, was "a half-step behind her." (People via N.Y. Daily News)
Winners, winners everywhere ... Awards season kicked into high gear over the weekend with the bestowal of fairly major awards on both coasts. Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" took the best film prize at the National Society of Film Critics awards, held in New York on Saturday. The movie's lead actress, Hilary Swank, shared the award for best actress with "Vera Drake" star Imelda Staunton, Eastwood won for best director, and Jamie Foxx walked away with best actor honors for his portrayal of Ray Charles in "Ray." And at the 31st annual People's Choice Awards -- held Sunday in Pasadena, Calif., and for the first time reflecting popular choices based on Internet voting rather than a Gallup poll -- both Michael Moore and Mel Gibson won big. Moore, who had petitioned fans visiting his Web site to vote for his film and who looked uncharacteristically well-groomed for the occasion, picked up the favorite movie award, saying he'd "take this as an invitation to make more 'Fahrenheit 9/11s.'" Gibson, scooping up the award for favorite drama, credited the audience with the success of "The Passion of the Christ," saying, "If it wasn't for you guys, we would have been dead in the water." (For a complete list of National Society of Film Critics award winners, click here; for People's Choice winners, click here.)
Strange revelation of the day: Sean Penn says he came to be the voice on the audio version of Bob Dylan's "Chronicles" because Dylan asked him and "you don't say no to Bob." How did Dylan get his number? Penn says the two are "friendly acquaintances. I've never known him very well. There was a period of time when we used to box together. I had a ring at my house ... The interest was serious, but it was just for enjoyment ... No broken bones. No trips to the emergency room." (Long Beach Press Telegram)
Also: Paul Newman is apparently unhurt and unfazed by an incident at the Daytona International Speedway in which a car he was driving caught fire: "I don't know what happened," he said later. "I'm fine." (Associated Press) ... Dustin Hoffman's rep says there's "no truth" to the rumor that Hoffman is planning to move to London because he's so turned off by the Bush administration. (N.Y. Daily News) ... O.D.B.'s father insists that the tale of a troubled upbringing spun by his late son was just a ploy by the rapper to get added street cred and says that O.D.B's childhood was spent in a perfectly stable, middle-class home. (Page Six) ... Jerry Springer is launching his own syndicated radio talk show next month, to run on 12 Clear Channel stations nationwide. (N.Y. Post) ... Now you don't have to wonder about whom she'll thank: Sarah Jessica Parker says she's planning to skip this year's Golden Globe Awards to go on vacation with her husband, Matthew Broderick, and their toddler son, despite the fact that she's been nominated for the award for best female performance in a comedy or musical. (Lloyd Grove's Lowdown)
-- Amy Reiter
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