James Hirsen
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2001

Waiting with bated breath for the TV show based on the Senate campaign of Hillary Clinton?

The New York Post reports that Barry Kemp, producer of "Newhart” and "Coach,” has optioned "The Girls in the Van: Covering Hillary," for a possible sitcom.

The show would be based on a book, which details the experiences of reporters who followed the ins and outs of Hillary’s New York senatorial campaign.

The Left Coast Report thinks the show might be something the Sci-Fi Channel could use during sweeps.

Winona's Method Alibi

W.L. Horowitz, better known as Winona Ryder, has recently joined the ranks of tennis player Jennifer Capriati and Bess Myerson, former Miss America. All have had the unfortunate experience of being charged with shoplifting.

When it comes to justification, though, Ryder has the others beat. She claims she was doing research for a movie role, sources told the New York Post. Ryder’s defense lawyer, Mark Geragos, who represented Susan McDougal, Robert Downey Jr. and other high-profile clients in the past, calls the incident a "misunderstanding" between Ryder and store managers. He explains that Ryder was merely carrying items between departments, not trying to steal them. The Left Coast Report wonders if the upcoming movie tells the story of Bill and Hill’s Excellent Furniture Adventure.

From Ballet to Battlefield

In the movie "Billy Elliot,” 19-year-old Stuart Wells co-starred in the story of a boy from a British industrial town who struggles to become a ballet dancer.

Now Reuters reports that Wells is pursuing a new role. He is trading in his movie costume for an authentic British army uniform.

A statement released by the army recruiting office quotes Wells as saying, "While I really enjoy acting itself, there's an awful lot of hard graft and boring meetings which no one sees and which I don't enjoy at all.”

The Left Coast Report believes Wells may once again knock ‘em dead.

Au Naturel Brawl

Representatives for Britney Spears are furious over a report in the New York Post that gives the impression she is willing to participate in an anti-fur, in-the-buff photo shoot.

Spokesmen for Britney suggest that, when it comes to their client, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals could use a lesson in ethics.

Apparently, Spears was going to supply PETA zealots with a photograph of her clothed self, but after reports of nude expectations, she canceled any involvement with the project.

PETA has a campaign called "I'd Rather Go Naked than Wear Fur." Previous celebs who have exposed their privates for PETA include Pamela Anderson, Kim Basinger, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Melissa Etheridge.

"Notwithstanding the meaningful work that PETA does, we cannot be involved with an organization that would distort the truth," Spears' publicist told Reuters.

Britney recognizes that PETA distorts the truth? Guess she’s not that innocent after all.

Geraldo Takes Heat for Packing

Geraldo Rivera has raised the ire of fellow lib journalists.

It was bad enough when the former CNBC host defected to the Fox News Channel. Now he’s getting flak for carrying a firearm.

Journalists question whether it's right for reporters to bring a gun into a war zone. For some, the fact that eight journalists were killed is not a compelling enough argument.

"If the word gets out that a journalist is carrying a gun, it makes it difficult for everyone,” says Peter Arnett, former war correspondent for the Associated Press and CNN.

During a recent film report, Geraldo narrowly escaped a sniper’s fire. Fox spokesman Robert Zimmerman confirmed that Rivera was traveling with two armed guards and had a gun readily available.

NBC prohibits correspondents from carrying firearms. ABC refuses to disclose its security arrangements. CBS and CNN were adamant that none of their personnel carries a gun.

"I haven't had a shower in two weeks, and I have to defend whether I'm carrying a six-shooter?” Geraldo quipped. "It's just ridiculous.”

The Left Coast Report says one can live without a shower. Keep on packin’, Geraldo.

The Young and the Rumsfeld

It seems that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld may be more popular than "Days of Our Lives." During an interview on Fox News Channel, Vice President Dick Cheney offered his perspective on Rumsfeld’s emerging stardom.

"The latest report that I heard was a rumor that his afternoon Pentagon briefing is taking audience share away from the afternoon soap operas. I don't know who is watching him out there, but it seems to be a fairly significant group," Cheney said.

The Left Coast Report asks, could this be the return of genuine masculinity?

Smoke-Free Flicks

News reports cited by the Scripps Howard News Service say that teens who watch movies with smoking scenes are much more likely to try smoking themselves.

A project of Dartmouth Medical School surveyed about 5,000 middle-school students in Vermont and New Hampshire. An editorial column that accompanied the new study argued that it would be much more effective for Hollywood to stop tobacco promotion than to try to figure out ways to insulate teens from pro-smoking messages. In other words, they’re requesting smoke-free films.

The Left Coast Report notes that movies are replete with scenes of ruthless brutality and offensive sexuality. And they’re telling us that the reservoir of evil in the world today is contained in a pack of cigarettes?

Heart-Pounding 'Reality' Show

ABC execs have been hinting that the former prime-time sensation "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” may be history next season, if ratings continue to fade.

But the network is supposedly grooming a heart-stopping replacement called "The Chair.” The "reality” game show tests the ability of a contestant to stay calm under pressure.

Up to eight contestants take turns sitting in the "hot seat.” While connected to a heart monitor, a contestant is questioned.

Answering correctly, while simultaneously keeping the heart rate within an assigned range, wins a player money. A heart rate that goes higher than allowed gets a player a cash reduction. The Left Coast Report can’t help but imagine a celebrity D.C. version of the game. How about Al Gore in the "hot seat” with John Ashcroft asking the questions?

The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax.

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