- By Sunrise Hollywood Reporter Nelson Aspen

>> Mel's blog | Simon's blog |  Beretts's blog |  Nat's blog | Kochie’s blog

 

++ UPDATED 9.47am 14 April

1. What signs were there that Mel's marriage may be threatened?
Mel once referred to her as his "Rock of Gibraltar...only prettier," but in recent years they spent more and more time apart.  Now we know their seperation was ever since the time of his last DUI arrest.  Pictures of him cavorting with younger women in bars and on beaches only added fuel to the fire of speculation about the state of their marriage.

2. How does his Catholicism affect this  as opposed to other celebrity splits?
There are other Hollywood Catholics, like Schwarzenegger and Martin Sheen, but you don't see them in divorce court.  I think the decision to legally split is probably what is most shocking, especially the great lengths Gibson has always gone to, to espouse his religious beliefs.

3. Any response yet from other Hollywood stars? Do you think they will be surprised?
Marital discord isn't the shocker, but dissolving a 28 year Catholic marriage (and apparently without a pre-nup!) is definitely a surprise.

4. Phil Spector - Many people own guns, what meant Phil might use them against a loved one? motive?
For decades, everyone in Tinseltown has known about his penchant for gunplay.  In the classic "Napoleonic" fashion, he has threatened and intimidated colleagues, romantic partners and others he considered "underlings."  This is what has led many in the showbiz community to believe that justice has finally been served.  His years of recklessness culminated on that terrible night when a firearm went off and killed Lana Clarkson.  A good friend of mine, publicist Edward Lozzi, summed it up this way:  "After 6 long years of work and anxiety, knowing that Phil Spector murdered the lovely Lana Clarkson, we know the jury did the right thing---even with the 6 million in legal fees and paid fabricators used by Spector.   We are just plain HAPPY !!!! Good riddance!  Many of us who have been threatened by Phil Spector and his minions can now rest easily."


 

++ UPDATED 12.31pm Feb 25

I'm delirious. I'm punch drunk! I feel like one of Santa's elves the day after Christmas.

I'm here to tell you a bit about I'm delirious. I'm punch drunk! in a little more detail.

Least Pretentious Actress

Up there with Natalie Portman, they could have called that segment Beauty and the Beast.

Natalie Portman was my #1 on the red carpet. Did you see her? SHE LOOKED FABULOUS.

My pet peeve with the red carpet was that with all these beautiful women, they're striking ridiculous poses and it's nothing less than Cirque de Soleil!

They arch their back, push out their lips...

They all seem to think they are supermodels - like they're Ru Paul!

Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, they are so confident in their own skin, they don't have to stick their hip out. They can just be gorgeous. If they have a dress that flatters their figure, that just adds to it.

Natalie Portman, right now, is the least unpretentious actress we've got. It's a shame her body of work doesn't illustrate it. She's a Jodie Foster or a Meryl Streep. Or even Susan Sarandon.

 

Most Conspicuous Absence

Another thing, where the bloody hell was Catherine Zeta-Jones? Michael Douglas was there so I guess she may have been lurking in the shadows ...

With the song-and-dance theme of her good mate Hugh Jackman as MC, her absence was conspicuous.

I saw a private cabaret show with Hugh and Catherine Z-J in Hollywood a few months ago and it was stupendous. And what was with Beyonce and the lip-syncing? 

Ridiculous!

 

Funniest Awards Presentation

In my opinion, Ben Stiller's gag (impersonating Joaquin Phoenix) was hilarious - it just went on too long. C'mon. Of all shows, the Oscars is the one you would try and be tight for time.

Worst Dressed

Miley Cyus. The irony was that she said "It's the first thing I saw and I knew it was the one!"

And Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought maybe Matthew Broderick had lost a molar and she was going to leave him a gift.  Did she not look like the Tooth Fairy!?

I was shocked about how the journalists all ignored Matthew's presence, given the rumblings of marital discord. The very fact they came together was a statement and reporters missed it.

Biggest Disappointment

One of my disappointments was the media-created feud between Angleina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. Especially the director's decision to do a closeup on Angelina's face when Jen was on stage. That was tacky.

 

Best MC at an Awards Ceremony

Hugh Jackman worked harder, physically and mentally, than any Oscars host has ever worked. I can only think of one person who could have matched him and that is Catherine Zeta-Jones - because they both come from theatre. They're used to doing that eight times a week.

It was also great because he didn't make it all about him. He came out, didi his intro piece and then we didn't see him for ages.

Next year  - he will be nominated for an Emmy as Best Host of a TV special. So he may not have won an Oscar, but he will win an Emmy for doing the Oscars.  He certainly will have earned it!

 

Most Icy Performance by a Prima Donna

Reese Witherspoon. I want to believe she is as cute and the "little sister" I want her to be.. but she always strikes me as uptight. She's the opposite of Meryl Streep. She's just not confident. She doesn't seem to embody the true confidence that you get from real superstardom.

I know she'll invite me over for BBQ sometime and I'll bring presents for the kids, and we'll be best friends.  The forecast?  A very cold day in Hell! :)

 ----------------

++ UPDATED 1.39pm Feb 15 

BRINGING YOU THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

My new book may be titled "Hollywood Insider: Exposed!" (I hope you've read it, by the way...), but now I have a new surprise to unveil: a not-so-little project that's been in the planning stages for quite some time. I can finally announce -- I'll be TV's only International Entertainment Correspondent to be completely "bi-coastal!" Yep, I'll be splitting my life, and reportage, between the two giant hubs of showbiz news: Hollywood and New York City. As you may know, I "grew up" in Manhattan as a young actor before making L.A. my home in 1990.

But in recent years, so much of my work has been generated out of the Big Apple that I've taken the leap to become a resident of BOTH sides of the USA. Not only will I get to be on the scene for all the most important showbiz stories du jour, I'll be able to see my dear old folks more than once a year... and bring all the best bits the great metropolis has to offer directly to YOU!

Broadway...concerts..fashion...film...when it comes to chasing the lifestyles of the rich & famous, they can't escape me! From Central Park to Lincoln Center to SoHo and the Great White Way, I'll be your man on the scene. (Mel: let's go shopping on 5th Avenue! Kochie: do you fancy a tour of the NY Stock Exchange? Simon: how about crooning at the cabaret? Beretts: want to take in a game at Madison Square Garden or the new Yankee Stadium?)

It may be a little shoebox of an apartment (the French call it a "pied a terre"), but it will be my second home. So get ready to hear lots more first hand, exclusive entertainment news and schmooze. And I'll update you regularly here and on the Sunrise Family blog http://sunrisefamily.com.au/current/content/blogs/nelson/ as to how I'm acclimating to my new transcontinental life! Bring on those frequent flyer miles...

Any particular New York City sights/stories you're interested in? Let me know!

++ UPDATED 12.58pm January 27

 

There are So-ooo many Awards shows this time of years, but the SAGs are my personal faves!  TV & film come together in a relaxed atmosphere that's still swell-egant! 

It's always great to run into friends & colleagues on both sides of the velvet ropes.

See more of my shots in my flickr set.

Catch up with Nelson's latest SUNRISE reports in video: Nelson's Hollywood

or in my blog on Sunrise Family website.

++ UPDATED 28 December 2008

If you're like me, every year seems to whiz by just a wee bit faster than the previous one.  Combine that fact with the "Groundhog's Day" routine of the mild Southern California climate, and the only markers I have to differentiate seasons are Awards shows and ratings periods! 

But since Father Time always beckons us to look back at the 12 months leading up to the arrival of Baby New Year, here are some of my Memorable 08 Moments...both Good and Bad. 

Of course, this is open to debate...my choices are totally subjective.  I also have two demo reels posted on YouTube, chronicling much of my showbiz reportage from the year past if you'd like to take a look:

 (Part II)

Biggest Story of the Year: The Death of Heath Ledger
Most Shocking Murder: Jennifer Hudson family slayings
Best (Male) Celeb Interview of the Year: Tom Cruise
Best (Female) Celeb Interview of the Year: Dame Julie Andrews
Most Disappointing Interview of the Year: Reese Witherspoon
Favorite Movies: Role Models, Appaloosa, Tropic Thunder, Revolutionary Road
Favorite TV Show: Mad Men
Most Overexposed: All the US Presidential/Vice-Presidential Candidates & Amy Winehouse (tie)
Best Couple: Ellen DeGeneres & Portia DeRossi
Biggest Breakup: Madonna & Guy Ritchie
Most Unexpected Celebrity Arrest: Christian Bale/Assault
Favorite CD: Seal's "Soul"
Biggest Baby Story: Sunday Rose Kidman Urban and Max & Emme Lopez Anthony (tie)
Most Surprising Baby Story: Maddie, daughter of teen Jamie Lynn Spears
Worst Baby Name: Bronx Mowgli Simpson Wentz
Best Comeback: Britney Spears & Mickey Rourke (tie)

Thanks for watching (and reading) this year everyone! Nelson.

++ UPDATED December 24 2008 - Christmas blog

Looks like instead of a white Christmas, Hollywood is in store for a WET one.  And while Team Brangelina will be at an undisclosed location (I'm guessing France) and Paris Hilton wings her way Down Under for a lucrative New Year's Eve gig, the rest of Tinseltown will be making merry in the City of Angels. 

My little niece Merryn helped me trim the tree and my trainer Mario came along to help us sing carols and celebrate with a Oaxacan feast, so that was pretty much my holiday this year I'm afraid.  I'm not going to be able to make it back to the East Coast to see my family, but will make up for it in few months when my mom celebrates her milestone 80th birthday. 

And while it may pale in comparison to Paris' plans, I'll be having a "stay-cation" and gearing up for my annual New Years Eve party.  I bake loaves and loaves of bread and whip up a cauldron of my famous Turkey Chili, then welcome friends in to hang out around the fire and countdown to the New Year.  Much champagne shall be imbibed! 

Whatever your holiday plans are, please know that I'm sending you all my very best wishes for a happy & peaceful time.  I have much to be grateful for this year...much of it Aussie-oriented thanks to the friendships of my on & off camera Sunrise Family mates.  I look forward to making more happy memories together in 2009!

 

++ UPDATED 14 December 2008

A NOTE FROM NEW YORK: Hey, gang, I'm back in the Big Apple for some powerhouse interviews with a few celebs you might have heard of before (Do the names Tom Cruise or Scarlett Johanssen ring a bell!?) but wanted to share a funny story with you about an encounter I had last night.

I pride myself on never getting tongue tied around celebrities.  If I did, I wouldn't be much of an interviewer, would I!?  But there are a few certain stars who get my goosebump factor going and I find it best to usually acknowledge it right away and then get on to business.  Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta Jones and Brenden Fraser certainly have all fallen into that category for me.  And of course, one of my all time favourites: Viggo Mortensen.  You've seen me interview him for APPALOOSA and EASTERN PROMISES, chatting easily about our mutual salad days working on soap operas and his always daring screen work.

But last night I went out for a drink with some of my mates from Telefilm, the company that so brilliantly coordinates many of the big motion picture press tours.  I suggested we meet at "The Library," one of my top picks for Manhattan hang-outs at the Loews Regency Hotel.  Star sightings are so common there, they are almost taken for granted.  But when Viggo walked in with a buddy and sat down at the table next to us, I had to take the opportunity to say hello and remind him of all our mutual "degrees of seperation."

But when I opened my mouth to speak, all my years of education, elocution, word play and wit seemed to lodge in the back of my throat.  He is such a professional hero of mine (a true multilingual, multifaceted Renaissance man), all I could do was stammer some greetings which he patiently endured before he could turn his attention back to his dinner.  He graciously extended his appreciation and holiday wishes before I slinked back to my seat and quickly ordered a giant Chardonnay!

I consoled myself with the great advice I got many years ago from an acting teacher of mine: "Don't beat yourself up over being nervous.  It is only an indication of how much you CARE."  A good reminder the next time you start to break out in a sweat or your knees start knocking.  Everybody gets star struck some time...yep, even a "showbiz insider!"

 

++ UPDATED 8.48am December 2

Your Showbiz Guy Never Sleeps & Now I'm in the "City that Never Sleeps!"

It's always a treat to return to Manhattan for work assignments.  The
Big Apple (pop. 8,008,278) is where I lived for 10 very formative years
before I hit Hollywood and is still very much my "second home." 

Even as a kid, I'd take the train into the city for auditions, classes and Broadway shows. 

Every neighborhood, whether preserved or gentrified, eems to have happy ghosts from my past. 

My longest & closest friendships are all based here...and nearly half of all showbiz stories these days seem to be generated out of the glamorous Metropolis...home
of Carrie Bradshaw, Ugly Betty and Spiderman.

I'm lucky that my work gets to take me "home" often enough to stay in touch with old cronies, keep up with the latest trends, go for runs through Central Park and nosh on the best bagels in the world!

Of course, I love LA, but NYC will always be special.  "Showbiz"
encompasses all corners of the world nowadays, so I'm lucky that I can so easily vacillate between both US coasts to bring you the very best coverage of what American has to offer the entertainment industry.

Movies, theater, fashion, music,

dance, art.  Stick with me as I log my
frequent flyer miles to cover it all. 

And by all means, let me know our story ideas and suggestions for reporting not only from Tinseltown, but from New York, too!

Fave Restaurants: Cafe Luxembourg, Vice Versa, Arriba Arriba!

Fave Gym: Equinox Columbus Circle

Fave Department Stores: Bloomingdales & Barneys

Fave Picnic Spot: Riverside Park

Best Views: My best friend's living room and The Rainbow Room

Best Brekky: The Library at Loews Regency

Fave Broadway Theater: The Music Box on West 45 Street 

 

++ UPDATED 8.05am November 20

MOTHER NATURE DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE

Mercifully, the California wildfires seem to be under control for the time being.  Of course, the financial toll is in the billions, the lost land in the thousands of acres and the personal loss incalculable.  Celebrity homeowners in the affected areas (Rob Lowe, Ellen Degeneres, Christopher Lloyd, etc) get the most press attention but there are far more "average" citizens affected. 

Australians certainly know the wrath of Mother Nature from their own natural disasters, most recently the one-two meteorological punch of drought and then torrential rains.  No matter how many "states of emergency" our political leaders declare, the forces of nature will always have the trump card. 

That's nothing new...look at Noah.

So, what can we do other than help reduce our carbon footprint through conservation and prepare our homes as best we can for unforeseen incidents?  I suppose the answer lies in making contributions to disaster relief organizations whenever possible. 

Of course, economic times are tough and there are always more worthy charities than we can ever be able to support... But if you can ever manage to send some spare dough to Unicef, give a pint of blood to the Red Cross, donate that garage full of old junk to the Salvation Army or just volunteer to help out first-responder organizations, then you WILL be making a difference in the overall picture. 

My sister's card group donates their monthly winnings to a local charity.  All my running endeavours are geared to charitable causes.  Rather than have a yard sale, my neighbours unload their unwanted items at the Good Will Thrift Shoppe. 

Why not make a date to do something like that with family or friends this weekend?

Read More from Nelson at NelsonAspen.com

++ UPDATED  12.25pm October 29

The big news story this week is, of course, the tragic triple shooting deaths in the family of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. 

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer just last month (which you will soon be seeing on Sunrise) and I can tell you from the several hours I spent in her company that she is a very down-to-earth young lady. 

She's remarkably patient and obviously loves to sing: she'll belt out a few bars at a moment's notice...that magnificent instrument, her voice, is as powerful in person as you'd imagine it to be. 

The story of the crime that cost the lives of her mother, brother and nephew continues to develop with every passing hour, but would it be so if not for her celebrity status? 

Chicago, Illinois, is considered by many to be the crime capital of the USA , with a murder rate higher than New York City or Los Angeles (which both have bigger populations). 

Presidential frontrunner Barack Obama is the senator of Illinois and it is worrisome that he has been unable to curb the level of violence there, particularly when it comes to guns. 

How does this bode for an Obama Administration, if it comes to pass? 

It still mystifies me why Americans are so in love with their weapons and consider it a fundamental right "to bear arms."  I'm sure our colonial founding fathers never envisioned a society where firearms were used and abused the way they are today. 

Of course, this is the environment in which Hudson and other city dwellers live...where guns & gangs are an unfortunate fact of life. 

The fame factor for her obviously contributed greatly to the speed with which progress was made in the case.  Hundreds of other crime victims don't get the same opportunity for quick justice, retribution or global sympathy. 

Perhaps we can all take a moment when next we hear the latest information about the Hudson story to pay some attention to the non-headline grabbing victims of crime closer to home in our own communities.

Nelson

++ UPDATED 10.34 October 13

Can't thank you guys enough for all the love you've shown me the last fortnight during my book tour Down Under.  From Sydney to Erina, Melbourne to the Gold Coast, Brisbane to Bulimba...meeting and greeting the hundreds & hundreds of extended members of my Sunrise family has been an experience I shall never forgot. 

I'm one lucky bloke and every bit of it is warmly felt with deep appreciation.  My only regret is that I didn't get to more parts of your beautiful homeland...but that's a cool bonus: there is always much more to discover & look forward to with every visit.

I hope you enjoy the book, HOLLYWOOD INSIDER: EXPOSED, and I await to your reviews!  Meantime, I shall take home to Hollywood all the glad tidings, tight embraces and happy memories of this special visit.

I'll be back in the chair as usual on Monday morning...so see y'all then!!!

"Doing my best blue-steel!"

 

++ UPDATED 7.44am October 9

Thanks to everybody who came out to the Seven Store yesterday to say G'Day, take some happy snaps and pick up a copy of my new book. 

Mel and I also got to visit the amazing Children's Cancer Institute to meet some of the medical staff and stupendous kids...and even tour their research lab.  Then it was off to Woolongong and ended the day back in Sydney for a dinner and Q&A at the Rotary Club. 

I met hundreds of my Aussie friends in a single day.  How lucky am I!? 

And what a relief that I survived the singing segment on Sunrise!  Crooning on live TV is way out of my comfort zone, but so much fun...so thank heavens my mate Simon was there to help steady my nerves. 

Ha ha, Kochie thinks we need to take our act on the road.  Whaddya think?

++ UPDATED 12.13pm October 7

Here are my dates and appearances for the coming week I am spending in Oz promoting my new book, HOLLYWOOD INSIDER: EXPOSED! Hope to see you there!

 

And for all you who love video-blogs, here's one of my first morning in Australia. 

It involved two TV appearances (Sunrise and The Morning Show) plus a voice over in the sound booth, then off to get fitted for a NEW IDEA photo shoot with Barbra Northwood.

 

 

++ UPDATED 10.24am September 10

And now---drum roll, please---the big news that (at least some of) you have been waiting for: my secret surprise! 

I wanted to wait untilall the details were finalized and now I'm excited to announce that my new book, HOLLYWOOD INSIDER: EXPOSED!, will be released in Australianext month. 

A real labour of love...tons of never-before-revealedinside scoop, personal stories and photographs.  And the best part is:I'm coming Down Under for a whirlwind series of personal appearancesand book siginings. 

Here's a link to the current itinerary:  http://nelsonaspen.com/nelsons_secret/ Sydney!  Melbourne!  The Gold Coast! 

I'm also excited to reunite withmy Sunrise family and co-host this year's CCIA charity ball with my"satellite sister," Melissa Doyle. 

So please check the schedule andsee if there's a convenient date & time for you to come out and say"G'day!"  

Isn't it time we finally meet IN PERSON!? 

 

++ UPDATED 12 August 11.43pm

Nelson Aspen, Sunrise Hollywood Correspondent & Multi-Marathoner responds to the questions of why don't more people take up running, with its obvious benefits and new evidence it can prolong life.

Mymom was fond of saying "You never see a jogger smiling."  She has apoint, but not everything worth doing has to be as rip-roaring a goodtime as the BENEFITS you'll reap from doing it.  In the beginning, Ifound jogging a chore.  Until I started to improve.  I was a latebloomer, so I was well into my 30s before I took it up.  I began to seenot only rapid, dramatic improvements in my performance (no morejogging for me, baby...I'm a RUNNER!), but in my physicalfitness...immune system (I haven't had so much as a cold inyears!)...weight, body fat & cholesterol numbers...I'm happier,more vigorous, think more clearly...even my skin is better thanks torunning.  You can bet I'm smiling NOW!

Some tips for how to enjoy your runs more while waiting to get bitten by "the bug":

• Run with ipod full of your favorite, motivational tunes
• Makea date with a friend to go for a run.  You're less likely to blow itoff, if you have a commitment to do it with someone else.
• Run with an avid enthusiast who can share his/her passion with you.
• Pick a super scenic location to enjoy (I love Sydney's Botanical Gardens).
• Startout slowly on a treadmill at the gym and keep track of your progress. When you reach milestones, reward yourself with some new workout gearor a Spa Treatment.
• Incorporate running into other activities you enjoy, like tennis, rugby or even a game of Tag with the kids.
• Consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise regiment.
• Visithttp://www.nelsonaspen.com/ and see how running has impacted MY life.  Whileyou're there, why not make a donation to my Marathon Charity, St. JudeChildren's Hospital!? www.stjudeheroes.org/users/naspen

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++ UPDATED 22 July 12.05pm

As an ardent comic book fan (with an admitted bias to the DC Comics Universe as opposed to Marvel), I knew that sooner or later we'd see Batman kick Spiderman's webbed butt!!

But why this particular DARK KNIGHT (Watch my interview with the film's stars) installment of the Caped Crusader's franchise has struck such a chord with the movie going public is simple: it's not only meets the high expectations the pre-release hype generated, it EXCEEDS them.

Isn't it refreshing (and hopefully, an example to studios in search of blockbusters) when the QUALITY of the art matches the QUANTITY of the box office!?

 -------------------

++ UPDATED 29 May 11.41am

Lots offeedback on our SUNRISEIN FOCUS segment today about how being openly gay can affect an actor'scareer.

 

I don'tbelieve in "outing" celebrities and I'm often asked if it is wrong toout someone if it is the truth. I'vealways thought "outing" is an unnecessary invasion of privacy.

 

"Who knows what personal reasons someone has for keeping their sexualityto themselves?"

While I think it's hypocritical for a person to LIE about theirsexuality, I disagree with bloggers or tabloids who feel it's okay to blithelyexpose that info--and especially to revel in it.

Fortunately, modern times are making"coming out" more acceptable, but it's still a tremendouslysignificant, personal and often difficult process for a person...and it shouldbe at a time of THEIR choosing, alone.

There areenough interesting, offbeat, entertaining things to talk about in the world ofshowbiz without going into someone's bedroom.

Observerswonder why some gay or lesbian actors feel they need to hide theirsexuality. For better or worse, imageis everything in Hollywood.

An openlygay person is much more likely to be relegated to playing less-glam,lower-paying supporting/character roles. Years ago, a star's homosexaulity was an "industry secret" toprotect their Leading Man status (Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter, Sal Mineo, RobertReed, Dick Sargent, Anthony Perkins, etc).

Fortunately,"outed" stars like Neil Patrick Harris and TR Knight have been ableto rebound from the initial shockwave, but they might not have been able to hadit happened at an earlier, less successful stage of their careers. Rupert Everett, Ellen DeGeneres and IanMcKellan can be openly, proudly gay...but you don't see them playing romanticroles, either.

Maybe thatwill change.

I hopeso.

But in themeantime, aren't there sufficient forces trying to screw up the lives ofstars? Why add "outing" to themix!? Politicians are elected, publicservants, so I can understand that their lives are "open books," butwhy does being an actor mean you should be deprived of a private life?