"It was never a question of my being unhappy at Fox, it was that I'd have needed a lobotomy not to take this offer. A major prime time show in a prime spot -- it was just a tremendous opportunity." So says Rita Cosby, whose nightly "Live & Direct" show has become MSNBC's top-rated program since its launch this past summer.
The dynamo news hound has been bringing viewers a mixed bag of stories, from a visit to Nevada's Bunny Ranch brothel to an ongoing parade of world leaders and other newsmakers, including Warren Beatty and Bruce Willis -- the latter of whom was on her show two nights this past week, "and offered a million bucks" of his own money as a reward Al Qaeda masterminds Zawahiri, bin Laden, or al-Zarqawi. "I was really impressed with Bruce Willis, who certainly loves his country and loves the military, and really cares about peace in the Middle East.
I was also impressed with Warren Beatty," Cosby adds of the Oscar-winning star, with whom she spoke after his demonstration against Arnold Schwarzenegger-supported California ballot propositions outside a Schwarzenegger rally.
"It's wonderful to meet folks like him who are doing more than just talking about making a difference. I love talking to passionate people on any topic. I just don't want vanilla on my air."
Cosby says she has "mixed feelings" about Willis' complaint that, having recently visited troops in Iraq, the U.S. media isn't reporting on the good things he saw going on in that beleaguered country. "I think in some ways he's right because news does tend to focus on the negative," she says. On the other hand, if people want positive stories reported, "it's their responsibility to let people like me know about them. I'm a big believer in reporting good as well as bad."
She's hoping to have some positive news to report from New Orleans, where she's making plans to spend Thanksgiving. She was there for weeks after Katrina, and "it was so heartbreaking -- but the human spirit, people pulling together, was great."
WOMAN OF MANY MEDIA:
Anne Heche, who's been busy with small screen (as in "Nip/Tuck") and big screen (as in Tom DiCillo's "Delirious" feature about celebrities and paparazzi) work, wants to get back on stage. "I really miss Broadway," says the actress, who won a Tony nomination for "On the Twentieth Century." She's made it a point to get back to New York and see shows for inspiration this month. "I'd love to do a musical next. I'm getting my courage up for that," confides Heche, who sings in her upcoming Lifetime movie, "Fatal Error."
THE INSIDE TRACK:
Rob Thomas, who's been proving his worth as a solo artist this year, makes it clear he has no intention of remaining a separate entity from his beloved Matchbox Twenty. "After the New Year I've got some overseas touring to do," he says. After that, "I'll take a break, then maybe I'll start getting together with the Matchbox guys and start writing (the band's next album)." His solo concerts include "different versions of Matchbox Twenty stuff, but I felt like if you want to see Matchbox playing the original version, then you can wait a while, and when we go back on the road again you can see it."
FROM THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT:
Johnny Wright may be busy managing mega stars like Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, but he's not too busy to help rap mogul Diddy, put together an all-girl group for MTV's "Making the Band 3." So how did he find the time to step away from his other responsibilities in order to film the show? "I happen to represent artists who are very understanding," explains Wright.
Next week's segment is due to show two groups of the girls testing their live performance chops as opening act for the Backstreet Boys. Wright says, "For the first time, thousands of kids are getting a glimpse of these girls. The reactions are going to be based on what was presented in front of them -- they're going to be very honest."
At least this time, there are some girls -- Dominique, for instance -- who can actually sing. "Unlike last season where Puffy said from the beginning that there wasn't enough talent here for him to make a band, that was not the case this time. Now the problem is how do you break it down?" So does Wright think they have some superstars in their midst? 'Oh, most definitely," he responds.
(With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster)
The Beck/Smith syndicated newspaper column includes exclusive in-depth, behind-the-scenes reports on the stars, on the business of television and movie-making, and on the recording, publishing and media beats.
©2005 Creators Syndicate, Inc
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