If you want to be a face among faces these days, it helps if you were once the goofy sidekick in an early 90's sitcom. Think of how well Dustin Diamond is doing for himself (not very well…but he does have a book deal). Or Alfonso Ribeiro, aka Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, who now gets his own cushy gig as the host of game show Catch-21.
And while the realm of hosting game shows might seem like banishment into purgatory for the semi-stars of yesteryear (remember Magnolia?) more and more of these not-so-young actors are turning to Regis Philbin's School of Career Choices for their next paycheck:
CONTINUED »
Ah the Emmys. Did anyone watch this year, or were you all too busy catching up on Mad Men, which as of last night is the first show on basic cable to win the award for best drama in a series?
Best comedy went to Tina Fey and the crew of 30 Rock, again. So you'd assume that this was the year where all the clever writing and poignant, meaningful, television came back from wherever it's been hiding since Arrested Development went off the air.
You'd be wrong:
CONTINUED »
It's a good year to have a fake job. First, all those Bigfoot researchers are getting some airtime. Then Jon Stewart gets fingered as the most trusted man in news. And now "Outstanding Reality Host" is a category at this year's Emmys. Taking this nonsense a step further, the nominees won't just have their names read off a teleprompter — the five contestants nominees will group-host the primetime ceremony. But as we all know in reality show hosting, one day you're in, the next day, you're out. So who's going to show up for the opening of an envelope and hear her own name called?
CONTINUED »
The best excuse we've heard – ever – for accepting free gifts:
"DEAL or No Deal" host Howie Mandel loves swag suites because the obsessive-compulsive disorder-afflicted comic doesn't have to handle cash.
Us? We only accept swag because we refuse to shop at non-unionized luxury goods shops.*
GOODIE-GRUBBER [Page Six]
* Aren't you impressed we managed to get through a 30-word Howie Mandle item without a Deal Or No Deal pun? Us too.
