Keith Urban was asked about country music’s evolution, and said he thinks it’s great.  He noted that it’s not a new trend.  Country purists have always complained, even back in the ’50s when Patsy Cline changed things up. He said the “purists were outraged” then, just like they are now. So, changing things up . . . and hearing people complain about it . . . isn’t exactly new territory.

As cool as it would be, don’t expect to see a Jodie Foster cameo in the upcoming “Freaky Friday” sequel, “Freakier Friday”.  Jodie, of course, was the star of the 1976 original. She turned down the offer from director Nisha Ganatra, and never said why.  Quote, “We begged her.  She’s not going to do it.  We were going to make her the principal at the school [of Lindsay Lohan’s character Anna]. “Honestly, we tried everything.” “Freakier Friday” hits theaters August 8th.  It’ll reunite Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan for some more body-swapping chaos.

The National Enquirer says American Idol’s ratings have soared thanks to Jelly Roll, but not all of the judges are thrilled. A source says, “They may be polite to his face, but they’re jealous of Jelly’s success and griping to each other that this guy is stealing their thunder. Their lousy attitude is becoming a problem for other people who work on the show. No one can understand why Lionel and Luke can’t just be happy that Idol’s been doing great since Jelly Roll came on board. He lives in Nashville so he’s got a big, rented place in L.A. and he’s been having everyone over. He has a chef cooking up big meals and they’re all eating together and hanging out late and bonding. Jelly already has a great connection with Carrie because of the country music world. They have a very comfortable vibe. He really is as warm and joyful as he seems. It’s too bad Lionel and Luke can’t appreciate Jelly Roll and what his presence has done for the show.”

If there’s one thing Steven Spielberg knows about, it’s great moviemaking. From Jaws to Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List to Saving Private Ryan, the three-time Oscar winner has spent the past half-century making some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed pictures. So when he gives you a movie recommendation, you’re going to want to take it. While presenting Francis Ford Coppola with an award, Steven Spielberg said “The Godfather” is the greatest American movie ever made. “When we’re young, it’s our parents we want to make proud, and then it’s our friends, and then it’s our colleagues, and finally, it’s our peers.  But you, sir, are peerless.” He added, quote, “You’ve inspired a generation of storytellers who want to make you proud of their work, proud of our work, and I always want to make you proud of my work.”

Angela Kinsey from “The Office” has a hack for short people who need to get things from high cabinets.

Carrie Underwood slipped back into the dress she wore when she won season four of “Idol” in 2005.  She wore it on Monday’s show.  20 years later . . . and it still fits. (Here’s a then-and-now shot.) (Here’s a video.)

Christie Brinkley hesitated to include stories of Billy Joel’s drinking problems in her new memoir.  Quote, “It demonstrates what I was up against.  I was 100% dedicated to Billy, but I never told anyone about our issues, not even my friends.” In an interview earlier this month, she said she never wanted to end things, but that his drinking was bigger than the both of them. 

Tinsel Town Talk – Mon 05/05/2025