Welcome to my column! Seeing as this month is the "Hot Issue," I asked singer and actor
Harry Connick, Jr. about as many "hot" questions as I could think of. I recently sat down with him to talk about his film, "New in Town," also starring Renee Zellweger. You can catch it in theaters now.
Why did "New In Town" seem like a hot script?
It's sweet. And Renee is just great in everything she does. That's really the reason I wanted to do it -- was to work with her and I knew she was attached to it when I read the script. I thought this looks like a fun movie to do because a lot of times she does things of a heavier nature, and I've done some things like that in the past, so this was nice to just lighten up and do something fun.
Behind the scenes moments that were not hot:
The whole movie was goofy and crazy....it takes place in Minnesota but we shot it in Winnipeg and it was just so unbelievably cold. I had to have a beard in the movie and a lot of times we'd be shooting outside. Just from the condensation from your breath, you'd have these like little icicles all over your face and she'd [Renee] be the first to kind of point that stuff out. It would be a little bit embarrassing. Nostricles, beardscicles were huge on the set because it got down to 50 below. It was crazy.
Which is hotter: music or movies?
I'm just glad I can do both. If I've been on the road for six months, it's nice to remain creative off the road. If I had to pick, I'd pick music but fortunately I haven't had to so far.
On his kids getting all hot and bothered with anticipation waiting to see the film:
Yea, they're excited to see this one. This is definitely one they can see and they're looking forward to it. In fact, to my youngest, my six year old, I probably had to explain the story about six times the other night because every time I got to the end she said tell me again, I want to know about it again. She's really excited about it. My oldest is 12 so it was interesting to see my daughter in the movie have her first date come to the house to pick her up because these are things that are right around the corner for me. It was kind of interesting to test the waters a little bit. My oldest will be 13 in a couple months and so far she's not really dating, but I'm sure when she does there may be some talks down the road that I'm going to have to have with some of these young guys. She's got a "boyfriend" now and he's a great kid and it's been real cool. Of course, what boyfriend means now is a lot different than what a boyfriend means at 18, so there's not a whole lot to worry about right now. I don't know how I'm going to deal with it. I hope she chooses wisely.
On celebrating Valentine's Day with his hot wife, model Jill Goodacre:
We've never been big Valentine's Day people. We've always kind of blown it off because it forces you to throw attention on something you kind of should be doing anyway. We've never been big candy or flowers kind of folks. I'm just glad we both aren't into it. That would suck if she was really into it. If she were, I would go along with it, but I'm just glad she's not. Could you imagine if I was really into it? That would be worse (he says laughing).
On hot ladies throwing their panties on stage:
That usually happens in the dressing room.
On seeing himself as a hot sex symbol:
No. Just talk to my wife about that. She'll tell you. We laugh about it. It's a nice thing that people say that when they occasionally do, but we don't spend much time thinking about it.
On why a beard is not hot:
I'm not a beard guy. My dad has a great beard when he's worn it a couple of times in his life, and he looks great with it. But I just don't have a very good one so I'm happy to shave it off. If I don't have to shave, I don't shave, but letting it grow for a month is just never becoming.
Hot Topics This Month!
Oscar winning actress Jennifer Hudson made her first public appearance Feb. 1 at the Superbowl since the October slayings of her mother, brother and nephew. The American Idol alum belted out the National Anthem. However, she was lip synching because according to the executive producer, "There are too many variables to go live...the slightest glitch would devastate the performance." According to Entertainment Weekly, Hudson will be going on a six-week tour later this spring.
Everyone has been chattering this month about Jessica Simpson's weight gain. She looked a little bit heavier while performing at a concert in Florida. Now everyone's speaking out on it from the ladies of "The View" to her ex, Nick Lachey.
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps got caught with a bong. A picture from a University of South Carolina party hit the internet of Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe. Not only may the athlete face criminal charges, but USA Swimming has banned him from competing for the next three months. His sponsor, Kellogg's, also announced they will not be renewing the Olympian's contract.
On Christian Bale. Tapes were leaked online of a tirade the actor had while filming his movie Terminator: Salvation. Bale let loose on the director of photography after he stepped into a shot. Go to my page on
www.B96.com and click on my February 3rd podcasts to hear the audio.
Chicagoan Vince Vaughn was anything but hot last week on a chilly Chicago day. He was seen filming scenes at O'Hare airport for his upcoming movie "Couples Retreat." Last time I spoke to Vince he said he loves coming back to Chicago because "the people are nice, there's great architecture and the food doesn't hurt either." He also said there isn't one thing that makes Chicago great, "It's all things." Check out my video interview with him on my page at
www.B96.com.
It's the "Hot Issue" but try splurging on a cool treat. Check out the new, one-of-a-kind ice cream shop, iCream, opening on Milwaukee Avenue Saturday, February 21st. It's America's first custom-made ice cream café. You pick all the ingredients, including the type of milk base, flavor, etc. and it's made on the spot. More than 100,000 different combinations are possible. The secret ingredient: liquid nitrogen. Also enjoy coffee, espresso, Italian sodas and more.
iCream
Feb. 21, 2009
10am-10pm
1537 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60622
www.icreamcafe.com
If you missed the Grammy's, then don't forget to check out the Oscars this month! It will feature all the hottest stars in movie entertainment. Plus, see the only "Meet the Oscars" exhibit in the country this year in Chicago. You can have the opportunity to grasp a genuine Oscar statuette. Admission is free.
"Meet the Oscars, Chicago"
Feb. 13-22
The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Ave.
312-327-2300
81st Annual Academy Awardss
Feb. 22, 2009
7pm on ABC
Visit
www.ShowbizShelly.com or
www.B96.com for more info.
From Our Partner:
Business Cards for Professionals
Behind the scenes moments that were not hot:
The whole movie was goofy and crazy....it takes place in Minnesota but we shot it in Winnipeg and it was just so unbelievably cold. I had to have a beard in the movie and a lot of times we'd be shooting outside. Just from the condensation from your breath, you'd have these like little icicles all over your face and she'd [Renee] be the first to kind of point that stuff out. It would be a little bit embarrassing. Nostricles, beardscicles were huge on the set because it got down to 50 below. It was crazy.
Which is hotter: music or movies?
I'm just glad I can do both. If I've been on the road for six months, it's nice to remain creative off the road. If I had to pick, I'd pick music but fortunately I haven't had to so far.
On his kids getting all hot and bothered with anticipation waiting to see the film:
Yea, they're excited to see this one. This is definitely one they can see and they're looking forward to it. In fact, to my youngest, my six year old, I probably had to explain the story about six times the other night because every time I got to the end she said tell me again, I want to know about it again. She's really excited about it. My oldest is 12 so it was interesting to see my daughter in the movie have her first date come to the house to pick her up because these are things that are right around the corner for me. It was kind of interesting to test the waters a little bit. My oldest will be 13 in a couple months and so far she's not really dating, but I'm sure when she does there may be some talks down the road that I'm going to have to have with some of these young guys. She's got a "boyfriend" now and he's a great kid and it's been real cool. Of course, what boyfriend means now is a lot different than what a boyfriend means at 18, so there's not a whole lot to worry about right now. I don't know how I'm going to deal with it. I hope she chooses wisely.
On celebrating Valentine's Day with his hot wife, model Jill Goodacre:
We've never been big Valentine's Day people. We've always kind of blown it off because it forces you to throw attention on something you kind of should be doing anyway. We've never been big candy or flowers kind of folks. I'm just glad we both aren't into it. That would suck if she was really into it. If she were, I would go along with it, but I'm just glad she's not. Could you imagine if I was really into it? That would be worse (he says laughing).
On hot ladies throwing their panties on stage:
That usually happens in the dressing room.
On seeing himself as a hot sex symbol:
No. Just talk to my wife about that. She'll tell you. We laugh about it. It's a nice thing that people say that when they occasionally do, but we don't spend much time thinking about it.
On why a beard is not hot:
I'm not a beard guy. My dad has a great beard when he's worn it a couple of times in his life, and he looks great with it. But I just don't have a very good one so I'm happy to shave it off. If I don't have to shave, I don't shave, but letting it grow for a month is just never becoming.
