Nancy Loves Ronnie
You would think openly gay producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron would have their hands full with their ABC fall sitcom, It's All
Relative, about a blue-collar guy in love with a Harvard gal who has two gay dads. But the prolific producing pair, who brought TV
audiences Martin and Lewis and Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, have got yet another high-profile miniseries in the
works. This one will explore the greatest love affair of the 1980s—and I'm not talking about Sean and Madonna! Zadan and Meron
are planning a four-hour miniseries on Ronald and Nancy Reagan, covering everything from their beginnings in Hollywood to their
final days in the White House. Judy Davis, who starred as Garland in the 2001 miniseries, has just said yes to playing Nancy, but
there's no word on who will take on the role of the former president. (My suggestion: Victor Garber, who portrayed Sid Luft in Life with
Judy Garland.) The movie should air on CBS in November.
John Waters' Dirty Movie
What does John Waters do after seeing his most family friendly film turned into a Tony-sweeping Broadway musical? Make a
comedy about head injuries and sex addiction, of course. The trash-loving Waters will write and direct A Dirty Shame for Killer Films,
lesbian producer Christine Vachon's company. The film concerns a female convenience-store owner who, after suffering a
concussion, becomes an uncontrollable sex addict. The lead has not been cast yet, although Waters has publicly wished for Meryl
Streep to take the part. Confirmed supporting cast members include Paul Giamatti, Selma Blair, Waters regular Patricia Hearst, and
Jackass's Johnny Knoxville, a man who knows a thing or two about concussions and uncontrolled behavior.
Kid Opera Star Will Star in Opera
Director Joel Schumacher has finally filled the female lead in the film version of Phantom of the Opera: 16-year-old Emmy
Rossum will play Christine. Reportedly, everyone else was just too 'old,' including Dawson's Creek antique Katie Holmes. In case
you think this is another example of Hollywood ageism (it is, but whatever), consider Rossum's qualifications. She's no stranger to the
camera—she co-stars in Clint Eastwood's Mystic River and has a slew of TV movies under her belt (in The Audrey Hepburn Story,
she played the actress as an adolescent). Rossum has also performed in more than 20 operas with New York's Metropolitan Opera,
so I guess she can sing anything Andrew Lloyd Webber can dish out (and he is writing new songs for the film). And for the Phantom?
Not Antonio Banderas or Hugh Jackman, but up-and-coming Scottish actor Gerard Butler (Reign of Fire) will don the mask when
shooting begins in London and Prague in September.
Strangers with Amy
Amy Sedaris, best-known for her roles in Sex and the City and Maid in Manhattan (and for being gay humorist David Sedaris'
sister), is taking her Comedy Central sitcom, Strangers with Candy, to the big screen. In the little-watched but very funny show,
Sedaris starred as Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old dropout who returns to high school after decades of prostitution and drug use. The sick
comedy spoofed after-school specials and pulled in major guest stars, including Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, and Paul Rudd.
Sedaris, along with Strangers co-stars Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert, is writing the film script. Hopefully the movie will explore the
relationship between Dinello's and Colbert's characters, two teachers at Jerri's high school having a torrid homo affair! Romeo San
Vicente doesn't understand what's to like about opera. He can be reached care of this publication or at Write2Romeo@yahoo.com .
E-mail Write2Romeo@yahoo.com .
