entertainmentdissected

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta- affectionately known as Sandy and Danny to moviegoers- reached new heights of fame when Grease hit theaters more than 30 years ago.  (image courtesy of Paramount Pictures)

Grease was the word at theaters in 1978 and 1998, but, alas, not this year, despite the original High School Musical turning 30.

While select theaters in Britain have screened the movie this month, the United States and Canada have no plans to follow suit. A 40th anniversary return to theaters could happen, but in the meantime, there’s no reason to overlook the 30th anniversary of the most popular movie musical of all time (which actually passed back in June, to little fanfare).

Based on Jim Jacobs’ and Warren Casey’s early 1970s musical, Grease brought stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John a new level of fame upon its release. Both enjoyed success before and after Grease, but it’s their turn as teenagers in love at Rydell High that remains the highlight of their careers.

Travolta, just a year prior, hit the big time with his role as dancing machine Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, which grossed $300 million (adjusted for inflation) and earned Travolta an Academy Award nomination in the process. Saturday Night Fever defined the mid-to-late-70s, when disco music influenced fashion, and ruled dance floors and radio. Following one cultural phenomenon with what would become another, Travolta’s role as Grease’s leather-jacket-clad Danny Zuko- while not catching the eye of Oscar- proved even more popular.

Grossing nearly $160 million at the U.S. and Canadian box office in its initial theatrical run, Grease commemorated its 20th anniversary by returning to theaters in 1998 (during which it added $28.4 million to its lifetime gross). Grease’s adjusted-for-inflation haul totals $544.6 million, ranking 25th on the all-time box office list, per www.boxofficemojo.com.

Pre-Grease, Newton-John had enjoyed a number of hits on the pop and country charts, but it was her role as Sandy Olsen (Dumbrowski is her surname in the musical) that brought her superstar status. Like Sandy, Newton-John’s image was “wholesome and pure,” but Sandy’s late-movie transformation into a bad-girl type influenced Newton-John to spice up her own recording career. Sexier pop tunes followed, culminating with 1981’s ode to the horizontal hula, “Physical,” which ranks as one of the rock era’s biggest hits.

Even 30 years on, Grease’s impact and influence remains as prosperous as ever. Songs like “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want” not only ruled the charts, but remain part of culture via Broadway revivals, school and community playhouse productions and karaoke nights at the local bar.

Without Grease, would we have- for better or worse- the phenomenon that is High School Musical? The two Disney Channel movies broke ratings records, and spawned two multi-million-selling soundtracks; in fact, High School Musical graduates to the big screen, with the third installment set for theatrical release October 24.

In the years since Grease cemented its place in cinematic history, Hollywood has continued revisiting the musical genre every now and again, hoping to score a hit as successful and enduring as Grease. Over the last 15 years, films such as Evita, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera and Dreamgirls hit box office gold. Musicals’ hip factor increased such that Travolta himself returned to the genre with 2007’s Hairspray, which grossed $119 million and has a sequel in the works.

Most recently, the ABBA-inspired Mamma Mia! grossed more than $140 million. If any tunes could rival Grease’s signature tracks for good ol’ frivolity, it would be ”Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and ”Mamma Mia!” 

With musicals scoring such boffo box office, you’d think Hollywood would have revisited the top dog eons ago. (Oh, you forgot about 1982’s Grease 2? You’re not the only one). There had been talks through the years of another Grease, though plans never materialized.

Hope remains for diehard Greasers, however. Paramount recently announced a new direct-to-video division called Paramount Famous Productions, under which it will produce sequels, prequels and spin-offs to franchises that originated in theaters. One planned release- sans a plot at the moment- is Grease 3, which reportedly will be a musical (as if it could be anything else).

While we wait to see exactly what kind of treatment Grease 3 will receive, break out your leather jacket, head to the local pub, grab a mic and screech your lungs out to “Those suuuuuuuuummmmeerrrrrrr… nnnniiiiiiiigggghhhhhhhhhttttttsssssssss.”

The ladies of the Pussycat Dolls (top row,  left to right- Melody Thornton, Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts; bottom row,- Nicole Scherzinger and Jessica Sutta) this week can expect  a disappointing debut for its sophomore album, Doll Domination. (picture courtesy of Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

Don’t cha want the new Pussycat Dolls album?

Judging by industry sales projections for the Doll’s sophomore effort Doll Domination, apparently not.

His Daily Double estimates that the quintet’s album will sell between 80,000-85,000 units in its first week, easily charting in the top 10 (and, likely the top five). Those wouldn’t be terrible numbers for a debut effort, but as the follow-up to an album that’s sold three million copies in the United States, it’s a bit of a letdown.

From 2005-2007, Pussycat Dolls were one of the most ubiquitous acts in pop music- you could barely blink without turning on a radio and hearing one of their several hits, or seeing them gyrate suggestively on music television channels. The one-time sextet’s debut PCD hit No. 5 on the Billboard 200, and scored five top 40 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart, the biggest being the No. 2 smash, “Don’t Cha.” Other hits included the top five “Stickwitu” and “Buttons.”

Before entering the music world, the Dolls actually started as a burlesque/cabaret troupe. While lead singer Nicole Scherzinger wasn’t part of the burlesque incarnation, three other members were, namely Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt. Another original member from the burlesque days, Carmit Bachar, left the group earlier this year.

As usually is the case with lead vocalists, Scherzinger has commanded the most attention since PCD conquered the music charts- like Diana Ross and Beyonce before her, it seemed a natural to branch out and tackle a solo career. And last year, she did just that.

During the second half of 2007, Scherzinger (whose first foray into pop music came as part of the manufactured Popstars-winning Eden’s Crush) had no less than four singles hit radio, but none left much of an impression. “Baby Love” and “Whatever U Like” charted on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, stalling at Nos. 108 and 104, respectively. Two other releases even failed to get that high, causing the further delay of her solo debut, Her Name is Nicole.

Scherzinger maintains that she needs to do music dissimilar to the Pussycat Dolls, and that it was just bad timing for her solo endeavors. Plus, PCD was on such a roll, she insists, that fans wanted more purring from the ladies. If that’s the case, why the underwhelming start for the new record?

Doll Domination’s lead single, “When I Grow Up,” did hit Billboard’s top 10 (peaking at No. 9), thanks to strong digital sales, but radio response was more tepid. The track got no higher than No. 20 on Hot 100 Airplay, and has spent the last several weeks dropping further down the chart.

So, has America had its fill of the Dolls? It may be too early to retire the kitty litter, but the album’s soft start isn’t a good foreshadower. The pop music audience can be a fickle lot at times, and the Dolls just aren’t all that fascinating collectively (or in solo form). What do we really know about the girls, anyway? Not a whole lot.

Even though the CW Network aired two Pussycat Dolls-titled reality series (one to find a new Doll, another to form a new female pop act), the Dolls themselves barely played a role, their participation limited to videotaped messages. In fact, all we know for sure about the Dollsis that they gyrate like they’re auditioning for Showgirls: The Musical. While unquestionably sexy, so are a bunch of other pop starlets who dress the part but have little else to offer.

So, what to do when the act itself, its music and all related aspects aren’t exactly standout or distinguishable from the pack? Maybe there’s a larger-than-life personality and/or a fast-track rock-and-roll lifestyle through which audiences can live vicariously? No dice here. Unless I’ve missed something crucial, the Dolls are about as interesting as a wet nap. Maybe they should have looked at Britney Spears’ life over the last couple of years as inspiration in obtaining the “It” factor.

(The most fascinating item about the Dolls over the last few years was Hasbro’s squashing plans to release a line of toy Dolls. Advocacy group Dads and Daughters complained that PCD was targeted to a more mature audience, with a spokesman saying, “I don’t think any father wants their 6-year-old daughter walking around like a sex kitten.”)

Regardless of whether or or not Doll Domination indeed stiffs in the long run, Scherzinger probably will make another attempt to kickstart her solo career. Becaue she doesn’t ooze the natural star quality that catapulted Ross and Beyonce to solo superstardom, she may want to do something- anything- that makes her a more intriguing persona, whether musically or personally.

It’s that, or Scherzinger can follow the other Dolls out to the backyard- that’s usually where pussycats end up once we’ve tired of ‘em.

The ladies of Wisteria Lane (from left to right: Kim Delany, Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan), seen here at the 60th Annual Primetime Emmys, return tonight for more mischief and mayhem. (picture courtesy of Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)

Five years have flashed before viewers’ eyes on ABC’s Desperate Housewives, which returns tonight for a fifth season.

May’s season finale of the sudsy series teased these key developments: Gabrielle Solis is a non-glamorous mom of two; Lynette and Tom Scavo’s prime-for-juvenile-delinquency sons were causing havoc as teens; Bree still is Mrs. Orson Hodge, and she’s a big-time businesswoman; some other guy has replaced Mike Delfino as the main in Susan Mayer’s life; and Edie Britt… well, there still was no sign of her, after she had left Wisteria Lane five years prior. But, fear not, she’s back.

The flash-forward concept- also utilized by ABC’s Lost last season- leaves us wondering what events led to the present’s set of circumstances. (well, those of us who have avoided online spoilers, that is)

Gabi was (is?) a self-consumed, materialistic woman- how the devil did she come to have two kids? Yeah, we saw her pregnant once before, and the sadness she endured upon miscarrying. But she reverted back to form shortly thereafter, and hadn’t shown much interest in taking a crack at pregnancy anytime soon. Whether she made the decision on her own, or it was embezzling, now-blind ex-husband Carlos who prodded her- we’ll soon find out- that is, if Carlos even is the kids’ daddy.

Now, the Scavo offspring turning delinquents? No one saw that coming- the boys have been nothing but well-behaved through the series’ run (for those who don’t watch the series- add a big NOT to the end of that sentence). But, in truth, they looked like angels compared to Tom’s daughter. Kayla (who was sent to live with her grandparents at the end of last season). Nonetheless. there has been plenty of foreshadowing that the boys wouldn’t exactly end up showing exemplary conduct as teens.

Mom Lynette battled- and survived- cancer and a tornado prior to the time jump- and it doesn’t look like she’s going to have an easy life anytime soon.

Bree always has been the prim and proper, obsessive-compulsive-prone housewife. We never saw any real indication that she was interested in being anything but- so what led her to enter the workforce? It’s one thing to go out and find non-household employment, but it looks like Bree has become a successful, high-powered player in whatever industry she’s conquered. And, obviously, Orson’s running over Mike wasn’t enough to keep Bree away from the guy. And what of Bree’s children? Not sure about daughter Danielle, but one-time troubled gay son Andrew now is working at his mom’s side.

Now, something must have happened to Mike Delfino, who appeared to be the love of Susan’s life? Could it be that- as much of a hot mess that Susan is- she got fed up with his sordid history? There was the accidental murder, the lie about his father, the pill-popping. But before the five-year leap, Susan had just given birth to their son, Maynard, and all seemed well. Supposedly, we’ll find out what happened to Mike tonight.

Edie- who took off after failing to win Carlos’ love- returns with a new hubby in tow, per the previews. What’s most shocking is that she found a man of her own, after years of unabashedly chasing after Wisteria Lane leftovers. When Edie says she has a husband, Susan comically says, “Whose?”

Meanwhile, we don’t yet know anything about Katherine Mayfair’s actions in the last five years, other than the fact that her daughter Dylan now is engaged. Katherine spent much of last season trying to keep secret the fact that the biological daughter everyone on Wisteria Lane knew as Dylan had died right before Katherine moved away. She also had her abusive and threatening ex-husband Wayne to worry about- in the season finale, Wayne held Katherine hostage, leading Katherine to shoot (and kill) him. Gabi, Lynette, Susan and Bree concocted a self-defense story that kept Katherine out of prison.

Not enough drama for ya? You can count on the ladies of Wisteria Lane- with all their bitchiness, cattiness and deliciousness- to supply more than their status quo as another season commences.

One of Paul Newman’s most famous roles was as the bank-robbing Butch Cassidy in 1969’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (which co-strred Robert Redford as his sidekick). Newman passed away Friday at age 83, leaving behind a film legacy of more than 50 major motions pictures. (picture courtesy of Associated Press/20th Century Fox) 

Hollywood- and cinema fans- today are mourning the death of Ol’ Blue Eyes Paul Newman.

(The late Frank Sinatra was the original Ol’ Blue Eyes, but Newman arguably was the second most famous fella with a set of piercing blue eyes. He once joked, when discussing death and dying: ”I picture my epitaph: ‘Here lies Paul Newman, who died a failure because his eyes turned brown.’ ” FYI- they never did.)

Newman, 83, passed away at his Westport farmhouse Friday, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Some of the 10-time Oscar nominee’s classic works include Absence of Malice, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke, Exodus, Hud, Best Picture winner The Sting and The Verdict. He won his first of three Oscars (the other two were honorary) for 1987’s The Color of Money, in which Newman revisited his 1961 role from The Hustler, “Fast Eddie” Felson.

As legendary a figure as Newman was, I haven’t seen any of his films (his final screen appearance was 2002’s The Road to Perdition). I’ve always known who Paul Newman was- whether it was as handsome actor, condiment king (especially with his lines of salad dressing), race car driver, philanthropist or political activist- I just never made the effort and sat down to watch a Newman feature. 

However, now that another film great has passed on to the next stage of life, it may be time to investigate some of his more notable works.

In the meantime, with all the hats Newman donned during his lifetime, it’s unlikely his spirit will be sitting idle for very long. And that should give family, friends, Hollywood and fans comfort enough to know that Fast Eddie will never stop hustlin’ .

The Women- starring, among others, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Benning, Meg Ryan and Debra Messing- hasn’t collected much in the way of box office and critical gold. (picture courtesy of PictureHouse) 

Contrary to what the television and print ads want you to believe, The Women is no Sex and the City.

Sure, both movies center on a group of close-knit female pals and their various adventures. But that’s where the similarities end.

Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls’ small-screen-to big-screen transition broke box office records back in May, on its way to a $152.6 million final gross in the USA and Canada. Surely those involved with The Women- an update of the 1939 all-female film- thought audiences would lap up another slice of estrogen-fueled storytelling. Not so much the case, unfortunately.

Through Thursday (its 13th day in release), the Meg Ryan-led vehicle had grossed just $21.43 million, less than half of what Sex and the City grossed in its first three days. Having been on the back burner for some time, The Women finally got a firm release date following Sex and the City’s success earlier this year.

So, what went wrong for Meg and her pals? For one, fans of the original film (despite some regarding it as a classic) probably weren’t clamoring for the remake’s release- sure can’t say the same for Sex and the City and its rabid fanbase.

Sex and the City (which was released on DVD and Blu-Ray this week) came with a lot of hype and anticipation- the award-winning HBO series enjoyed a successful six season run and has spawned a number of imitators in its wake. Fans couldn’t wait to line up at the multiplex- martinis in tow- for another chance to spend time with Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte- as evidenced by the film’s 21.5 million-plus tickets sold.

Reviews for The Women were rather horrible- with 32 reviews at www.metacritic.com, the film’s current critical score stands at 27 out of 100. Sex and the City wasn’t exactly a critical smash, but with 38 reviews at the same site, its 53 average nearly doubles that of The Women.

The ladies of Sex and the City- Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall- take a stroll down the streets of Manhattan, likely anticipating the film’s smashing box office success. (picture courtesy of New Line Cinema)

Some movies are critic-proof, as evidenced by Sex and the City, but a well-made film rewarded with good reviews could have benefited a project like The Women.

Besides trying to overcome a slew of bad reviews, The Women opened in September, a month that historically doesn’t see huge box office numbers. But would the movie had fared all that much better had it opened in July? Probably not. On the bright side (if there is one), The Women reportedly only cost $16 million to produce, so no danger of it going down as one of the biggest disasters in cinema history.

When trying to capitalize on a hot commodity- especially something like Sex and the City- moviemakers need to realize things could go one of two ways. Either audiences are so hungry for similar fare that they’ll latch onto anything that bears even the slightest resemblance; or, they see something like The Women as an obvious wannabe and coattail rider, and save their cash for the Sex and the City DVD. Moviegoers apparently are opting for the latter.

More female-driven flicks will come, even in the wake of The Women’s disappointing performance. However, what will be the next one to challenge Sex and the City’s box office haul? Why, Sex and the City 2, of course. A sequel was in talks even before Samantha and the girls enjoyed their first big screen cocktail.

She’s larger than life- and a treasure.  Just what will the third season hold in store for the delightfully frumpy Betty? (picture courtesy of ABC-TV)

Not to break out the ol’ ”Told ya so,” but I did just that when I said I wasn’t in the minority in regards to disinterest in this year’s Emmy Awards.

Despite finishing the week as the seventh-most-watched program, the 60th annual ceremony- which aired on ABC Sunday and celebrates television’s supposed best- averaged just 12.34 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. That’s down from last year’s 13 million, and barely higher than the record-low 12.3 million that tuned into FOX’s 1990 broadcast.

Hardly a surprise, given that critics blasted the broadcast, and with the way television programming has been headed- that is, further down the toilet. But, there always are a few bright spots among the lackluster fare. I’m sure NBC’s 30 Rock- winner of its second consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series honor this year- has some merit. And, I actually tuned into Dancing With the Stars this week- a program I had little interest in prior- and enjoyed it. Then, there’s the return tonight of two programs I’ve watched on and off in recent times, and look forward to: ABC’s Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy.

After winning the 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, America Ferrera didn’t take home the prize this year, but I’ll still be watching Ugly Betty and its campy events unfold throughout the season. Did Betty choose Henry? Gio? Neither? How much more of a BITCH can Willamina be? (The possibilities are overwhelming on that one.) What further challenges await Mode magazine? Who does Hollywood’s favorite troubled girl Lindsay Lohan think she is, tossing food at our Betty?

Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo- aka McDreamy and Meredith- give love another go around this season on Grey’s Anatomy. (picture courtesy of ABC-TV)

Right after Betty’s third-season adventures begin, the Seattle Grace Hospital staff of Grey’s Anatomy return for a fifth season of drama. I had stopped watching this show for a while, and I heard it jumped the shark in numerous ways. I caught a few episodes last season, and I’m hearing good things about this new season, so I’ll give it another shot at my dedicated viewership. Will Meredith and Derek finally have an interference-free romance? Are Callie and Erica really lesbians, or just curious gals? Why would Izzie cozy up with Alex yet again? Is George settling for second best by getting involved with Meredith’s sister Lexie? What’s up with that Rose chick and her psycho behavior?

So much drama, so much time for these shows to create even more. Let the new season of turmoil begin…

Metallica bandmates (from left to right) Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo have lots to celebrate these days- continued success of its latest album and a likely Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. (picture courtesy of Associated Press/Markus Schreiber)

Heavy metal fans have double incentive to find their favorite mosh pit and celebrate this week.

Death Magnetic- the latest album by genre maven Metallica- spends a second session atop the Billboard 200, and has sold some 827,000 units in its first 10 days, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Furthermore, the band finds itself on the shortlist of nine nominees for 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Of the Big Four Thrash Metal acts- Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer being the others- Metallica is the first to receive Hall of Fame consideration, in what is the band’s second year of eligibility (an act becomes eligible 25 years after its first recording). Anthrax and Slayer became eligible this year, with Megadeth’s eligibility arriving next year. However, none of those acts have received an amount of critical acclaim or commercial success comparable to Metallica.

Formed in 1981, Metallica didn’t enjoy great success off the bat- the band’s first studio album, 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, sold rather poorly upon release (peaking at No. 120 on the Billboard 200). But, with the band’s soaring popularity over the years came strong catalog sales, with the debut, 1984’s Ride the Lightning, 1986’s Master of Puppets and 1988’s …And Justice For All shipping more than 21 million units to date combined in the United States, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

While the first four albums had a slow start on their path to multi-platinum fortune, it was with Metallica’s 1991’s self-titled release- also known as The Black Album- where immediate success greeted the Los Angeles boys. Instantly becoming the band’s first No. 1 album (out of an eventual five), the effort has shipped more than 14 million units to date in the USA, making it one of the top-selling records of all time. Despite fan grumblings that James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and the boys had “sold out” with the album’s more polished, less underground sound, rock critics didn’t mind, citing it as one of the year’s best works.

More commercial success followed, with the last three studio albums shipping more than 10 million units in the USA. While the band’s acclaim hasn’t been as strong as it was for the first handful of albums, things are looking good for the latest album- based on 23 critical reviews, Death Magnetic currently has a 77 average out of a possible 100 at www.metacritic.com. On top of all that, early sales projections for next week have Death Magnetic hanging atop the albums chart for a third week.

With commercial and artistic relevance firmly in place after more than a quarter century, it’s almost a no-brainer that Metallica will be among the five performer inductees at the Cleveland-held Hall of Fame ceremony next March. Any bets on whether fans are e-mailing the Hall of Fame organization as I write, suggesting a mosh pit for their headbanging heroes?

Former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken- photographed in 2007 while in New York- no longer has to worry about keeping it in the closet. (picture courtesy of Associated Press/Richard Drew)

OK- so maybe it’s a tad of an exaggeration to say Clay Aiken’s- ahem- revelation is a stunner. Long the subject of speculation regarding his sexuality, the American Idol runner-up and new father has finally stepped out of the closet.

Online gossiper Perez Hilton today posted the People magazine cover (more information will be posted at www.people.com Wednesday), in which Aiken- pictured with his newborn son Parker Foster- proclaims, “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things.” (Aiken and his friend and record producer Jaymes Foster had their child via artificial insemination.)

No word on how Claymates are handling this development- ever devoted to Aiken, they believed it when he told Rolling Stone in 2003 that he wasn’t gay, and probably applauded when he later told the Associated Press that he didn’t have to answer to anyone other than himself, the people he loves and God.

That is true, and even though he’s admitting to what most people already figured out long ago, I give him kudos for the acknowledgment and confirmation. With no possible American Idol victory to worry about, or a loss of huge sales (his latest album has shifted just 151,000 since its spring release, Aiken made the decision to come out when it really mattered most- to himself.

She’s conquered a grizzly bear and mulitple husbands- but Erica Kane’s never conquered a dancing compeition. Kane’s portrayer, Susan Lucci, is one of the celebrity contestants on the new season of Dancing With the Stars. (picture courtest of Associated Press/Dan Steinberg)

ABC hit Dancing With the Stars returns for its seventh installment tonight- and I’m wondering if this will be the season it finally wins me over.

The reality competition- which pairs professional ballroom dancers with celebrities, and plays out over 10 weeks- combines votes from viewers and a panel of three judges.

This year’s celebrity contestants include daytime soap vixen Susan Lucci, actress Cloris Leachman, former *NSYNC member Lance Bass (fellow former “bandmate” Joey Fatone competed in season four), chef Rocco DiSpirito, singer Toni Braxton, reality television’s Kim Kardashian and Hannah Montana’s Cody Linley (the youngest star competing this season).

Now, I’ve followed a couple reality series here and there- I tune in to American Idol (or as I affectionately call it, Karaoke Idol) to see the can’t-miss reactions of Randy, Paula and Simon, as well as some of the uber-dull performances. And I did get into the first season of the bisexual dating swankfest known as A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila (it was such a wreck that I could not peel myself away). But, Dancing With the Anything-But-A-List Stars? Never really interested me, outside of catching a couple of episodes, to see why people were fussing over the program.

It’s not that I’m not a dancing fan- I love the freedom, the escape of dance, and pride myself in being an enthusiastic, presentational-type dancer myself when the occasion calls for it. But watching what- for the most part- are second-rate celebrities competing for a trophy?(by the way, is that all they get out of it?)

Let me say that not all of the celebrity contestants would fit the bill of non-A-list stars- for instance, All My Children’s Lucci is a bonafide icon, and arguably the most popular and recognizable name (and face) in the history of daytime television. But, sift through the list of past contestants (start here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_%28US_season_1%29), and you’ll see that most either are stars of yesteryear, or current stars who aren’t anywhere close to being household names.

Granted, it would be difficult for scorching hot stars of now to compete, given their schedules. It’s just when I see and hear Dancing With the STARS, I guess I expect a little more in the way of big-name personalities. Is the pool of available talent that lacking, that the show had to recruit 82-year-old Leachman, whose biggest claim to fame- despite winning nearly every acting award known to man- remains her stint as Phyllis on the classic 1970s sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show?

Having said that, Leachman must be in some sort of admirable physical health to sign up for what actually is a grueling and tiring competition. From the looks of it, contestants literally work their bums off, preparing for their turn in the weekly ballroom spotlight. And that, I do appreciate.

Furthermore, the series’ multiple televised nights (one for competing, the other for results) consistently rank among the week’s top 10 programs. So, who am I to buzzkill the dancing sensation?

Heck, maybe I will tune in this season, just to see Erica Kane attempt to add the Foxtrot, Cha-Cha-Cha, Quickstep, Jive, Tango, Mambo, Rumba and Salsa to her list of enviable achievements. 

The 85-year-old Yankee Stadium hosts its final game tonight, making way for a new- and adjacent- ballpark to open next year. (picture courtesy of Reuters/Eric Thayer)

After hosting more than 6,500 baseball games and drawing more than 150 million attendance since its 1923 debut, New York City’s pride and joy heads into retirement after tonight’s game.

Yankee Stadium- at least the 85-year-old structure housed on East 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx- bids adieu with an 8:05 p.m. (Eastern) start time, with the New York Yankees hoping to sweep the Baltimore Orioles in what promises to be an emotional evening.

If you’ve watched Yankee games through the years on New York’s WPIX Channel 11 or in more recent years, YES network and WWOR Channel 9, you know that tonight’s game is a pretty big deal- so big, that ESPN is televising the event, rather than YES. ESPN probably is a good choice for the broadcast, as Yankee Stadium holds sentimental value not only to Yankee fans, but all baseball and sports fans. After all, many historic and memorable moments have occurred in the Bronx ballpark over the last eight decades and change.

Dubbed the House That Ruth Built (an homage to the legendary Babe Ruth), Yankee Stadium once was home to the New York Giants football team, and has hosted various events through the years, ranking from boxing matches and concerts to masses. But it’s the most popular sports franchise in history that is synonymous with the stadium.

The Yankee franchise (never mind the fact that it won’t be in the playoffs this year) has 26 World Series championships to its credit, far outdistancing the runner-up St. Louis Cardinals (10 wins). No other baseball team consistently commands sellout (or near sellout) crowds of 57,000-plus strong, nor the stratospheric salaries enjoyed by the pinstripe-clad heroes (third baseman and homerun phenomenon Alex Rodriguez probably helped both of those causes along nicely). 

While sentiments will be running high at the demise of the ol’ faithful stadium, fans need not fret too much- built on 22 acres of public parkland (Macombs Dam Park and John Mullaly Park), the new, $1.6 billion Yankee Stadium can be found adjacent to the old structure.

Reportedly the most expensive stadium ever built in the United States and the second most expensive stadium in the world (after London’s Wembley Stadium), the new ballpark will host the first Yankees home game of the 2009 season. Upon opening of the new stadium, most of the old structure will be demolished to make way for new parkland.

(The new stadium has attracted a bunch of controversy- to read about some of the fuss, go here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/59454-the-new-and-controversial-yankee-stadium.)

In the meantime, enjoy the final hours of the current and ever-reliable Yankee Stadium, and its last presentation of America’s favorite pastime. Too bad Phil Rizzuto isn’t around to get out just one last “Holy Cow!” to commemorate the occasion.