Don't Need Parents to Pass, as J. Lo has the Glow

Leave it to Eminem to be a complete a--, or butt...literally.... When the rest of the world is in mourning, I guess he can't handle his fading star, which is tattered and frayed by at least EIGHT MILES anyway. He had to show his true colors and, barring the star, has shown his moon, of the butt variety, on national television no less, during the taping of the MTV Movie Awards. But MTV has decided to be somewhat circumspect, and has edited out his stellar showing. Now if they could just edit half their shows out as well, what a wonderful world it would be...

Alex Kingston of ER notoriety, who has given, since the fourth season, a stunningly adept and adroit performance (which is surprising in a weekly television drama, even of ER's caliber) of a widow of one of the show's most beloved characters, Mark Greene, won't be returning next season. In the final episode of one of the show's most finely handled seasons, we saw a sad farewell to Greene's character, and Kingston (as Elizabeth Corday) gave an unforgettable and heart-rending show of real emotion as her love succumbed to a terminal brain tumor. For many critics, as well as most fans, this sealed her future with the show. But now it appears her contract for the next seasons to come will not be renewed. Although I do feel $150,000 an episode is ridiculous, I think the reason given for her character being axed is just as ridiculous, and yet another example of what is inherently wrong with the media, and Hollywood at large. She is too old (in her forties!), and part of the dinosaur pack that is no longer interesting, according to execs. Huh? These are some of the only characters I DO find interesting on ER. That's what made ER worth watching all these years, and what has been sorely lacking since. The intensity of experiences these characters, the aging, the LIVED, have come to know. That's what I tuned in for, and may now tune out for, if dissolved. But heck, what do I know...I'm just an ancient 30 year old...

Marc Anthony won't answer questions about his weekend marriage to Jennifer Lopez (Thank God for small blessings)but, according to the glowing diva herself, the rumor mills are correct and Jennifer is expecting her own little blessing. Well, miracles are miracles, in spite of their donors...

Icon Distribution may be getting paid, and a holy hell of a lot at that. As the distributor, which is responsible for distribution of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," they are contending they were not given proper compensation from revenue of the blockbuster film. They are suing Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz's Regal Entertainment Group for $40 million. With Gibson's zeal and passion, he better pray for a non-Catholic judge come litigation day.

Sadly, the fast paced and high low speedway of the rock lifestyle has claimed another. Punk rock guitarist Robert Quine was found dead on Saturday, June 5 in his New York apartment, apparently from a heroine overdose. The much-trumpeted guitarist had recently lost his soul mate, his wife, and gave in at the tender age of 61. I don't even know what to say anymore when I read about these tragic, but still increasing deaths to drugs, alcohol, and suicide. As a writer and musician who chose my family over fame, and the lifestyle that goes with, I can only share that it's not worth it. All the money in the world is not worth it. From music piracy suits in Europe, to special passes that now let 17 year olds into R-Rated movies, it's been another day to look at. I asked myself today, as I watched Reagan's wake, what will the next generation get out of all of the this? All this frivolous nonsense they see on TV, and hear on the radio, and read in magazines. What will they inherit? But in spite of my worry for the view of life this generation is having beaten into them, I leave you with a famous quote from Ronnie, one I remember hearing as a teenager, that forever impacted me..."Let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams."