ALEX TREBEK recently taped an interview for “CBS Sunday Morning”, where he discussed the SERIOUS challenges he’s faced from Stage Four pancreatic cancer. James Holzhauer ISN’T the most impressive person on “Jeopardy!” right now. Alex said, “[It] got really bad. I was on the floor writhing in pain . . . It went from a 3 to an 11 [on the pain scale]. And . . . it happened three or four times a day while we were taping. “[Once,] I taped the show, and then I made it to the dressing room . . . just barely, before I writhed in pain and cried in pain. And I had 15 minutes before the next show. So I got myself together and spasms of that kind usually last about 10 to 15 minutes. So all right, here we go again. [I said,] ‘Anybody got any pain pills?’” It’s a heavy diagnosis . . . a heavy treatment plan . . . and “Jeopardy!” is just a fun game show. “The producers said, ‘Look, if you don’t want to do the show . . . we’ll just cancel taping.” I said, ‘No. We’re here. “Jeopardy!” is currently on a mini-hiatus, but new episodes will begin airing again on May 20th. Those shows have already been taped. Alex is scheduled to return to the studio sometime in July to start taping Season 36, which will premiere in September. Sometime before the end of this season, Alex will be wearing a HAIRPIECE . . .because of course chemo makes you lose your hair. And Alex wants viewers to check and see if they can tell when that happens.
DENNIS RODMAN has been accused of helping some friends steal clothes from a yoga studio. He distracted the employees while one of the women stuffed clothing in her purse. And during the same visit, Dennis’ male companion lifted a $2,500 crystal art piece, but dropped it on the floor, where it smashed into smaller pieces. The store has surveillance video showing all this happening. The owner claims Dennis and his friends reeked of alcohol . . . and made off with $500 worth of clothing, as well as the broken crystal. He’s also filed a police report. Rodman’s rep said it’s too “premature” to comment.
JIM FOWLER from “Wild Kingdom” died on Wednesday at the age of 89. There’s no word on a cause of death. A lot of people remember him from his appearances on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”.
DAVID BECKHAM lost his license for six months, for using his phone while driving. He was reportedly using it at knee-level, in slow moving traffic. But obviously, that’s no excuse.
ELLEN DEGENERES has been on the air for 16 years – she’s not ready to hang it up yet. In an interview she said, “I hope I know when. [Maybe] when people kind of are tired of me, and I think I’ll sense that.” You know, I’ll walk away really when I stop having fun. I actually don’t care about the rest of the people. If I’m having fun and no one’s watching, I don’t care. But if I’m not having fun and everyone’s watching, then I should walk away.”
GEORGE JONES’ widow Nancy is NOT happy with a Nashville liquor store that has a mural of her late husband sitting on a riding mower. She’s probably upset about the famous quote they included where he talked about riding his mower to the liquor store because his wife hid the car keys. She issued a statement calling it “stupid, hideous, self-serving, and not sanctioned by the estate or the museum.”
LADY ANTEBELLUM played a game of “Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition. When asked if they’ve ever “faked being asleep so their significant other would have to deal with the crying baby” . . . each of them said they “have.” The next question – “Never have I ever cried during a kid’s movie.” DAVE HAYWOOD and HILLARY SCOTT told the truth and said they “have.” But CHARLES KELLEY went with “never.” “I haven’t cried. I’ve felt it. But as for actually physically crying, no.” They were asked if they’ve ever “dropped an F-bomb” in front of their kids. Hillary said, “I think so” and then changed her answer to “never.”
In honor of Mother’s Day,
REBA MCENTIRE loves that her mom treats everyone as equals.
ERIC CHURCH learned resilience from his mom. “She’s by far the toughest person I’ve met. She’s been through a lot in her life, adversity wise, and never complains, always really resilient with anything that’s happened to her.”
KENNY CHESNEY says his mom taught him that no matter what life throws at you, “take a step back, and a deep breath, and take life as it comes.”
SARA EVANS says her mom was happy with the simple life of living in a farmhouse with lots of kids. “She’d dance for us in the kitchen while cooking and I really got that from her. Just provide a happy atmosphere in the home.”
THOMAS RHETT’s respect for moms and what they do changed after his wife Lauren became a mother. “When you get to watch your wife do it to your own kids it takes that intensity to a different level. It makes you have a lot more respect for Mother’s Day for your own mom, knowing how much she did for you.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES’ “Oh, What a World” video is animated, and very trippy. It’s filled with bright colors and odd creatures like a banjo-playing frog, jellyfish, butterflies, dancing birds, plus toadstools, flowers, hearts . . . and Kacey as a half-human half-horse.
RASCAL FLATTS have reached a career milestone. They’ve passed the 30 million mark in total unit sales of singles and albums. The Recording Industry Association of America recently surprised them with plaques to commemorate it.
COLE SWINDELL released a live version of “The Ones Who Got Me Here”. It was recorded last August at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois.
JENNIFER NETTLES hit up Instagram to say that she’ll be performing at New York City’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on May 31st. She’ll be the FIRST country artist to play there. They’re also honoring her for her work with 4-H and the Human Rights Campaign.
Charlotte Motor Speedway officials requested that NASCAR take a moment to remember the fallen on Memorial Day. Speedway general manager Greg Walter said, “Our sport is so prone to supporting the military and so prone to understanding what Memorial Day is all about.” The 30-second break will take place at the completion of Stage 2 of the race. The cars will park in pit lane and be joined by their crew members.
GUNS N’ ROSES is suing a brewery over its “Guns N’ Rosé” ale.
This week’s CD Releases include music from Rodney Atkins,
IN THE MOVIE THEATRE
“Pokemon Detective Pikachu”
“The Hustle”
“Poms”
“Tolkien”
“The Professor and the Madman”
“Charlie Says”
“All Is True”
- Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on NBC: Emma Thompson hosts “Saturday Night Live”, and The Jonas Brothers perform.
- Sunday at 10:30 p.m. on HBO: The series finale of “Veep”.
Kenan Thompson is 41.
Mark David Chapman is 64.
