ROLL CALL: Barbara’s ‘View’ Of Paris & Mom’s Thoughts On Britney

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

June 14, 2007

BARBARA’S SUNNY ‘VIEW’ FORECAST: Barbara Walters appeared on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show yesterday, and spoke about the current situation on “The View.” Walters (who is getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today) said she is rather pleased with the show’s performance since Rosie O’Donnell left, reports TV GUIDE. “There are things we’ve been able to discuss that we weren’t able to discuss with Rosie, like heterosexual sex,” Walters reportedly said. “We are perhaps not quite as political [or] vocal about [things], but the Hot Topics have been very fun, and the ratings are up, so we’re quite happy.” When asked about a replacement for Rosie, Barbara reportedly replied, “We’re kind of taking our time,” but said that Whoopi Goldberg “is someone we’re considering. Whoopi is wonderful.” As for rumors that Barbara has secured a post-prison interview with Paris Hilton? “I’m telling you the truth, I have not discussed with her doing an interview,” Walters is quoted as saying. Earlier in the week, Barbara answered a listener’s question on her own Sirius satellite radio show about the possibility of Paris being a guest-host on “The View,” reports PEOPLE. Barbara reportedly said “yes” to the prospect, adding: “She would certainly always give us something to talk about.”

More Celebrity Scoop After the Video!

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD HILTON?: In other Paris news, THE NY DAILY NEWS’ BEN WIDDICOMBE claims that legendary comic book writer Stan Lee is developing an animated show for MTV starring the celebrity heiress. Widdicombe says that Lee’s office has confirmed the news, but they apparently did not offer any further details. A source who is reportedly “directly involved with the project” likened the developing cartoon to Lee’s 2003 Pamela Anderson project for Spike TV, “Striperella,” adding that that the deal for the new Hilton show “had been inked.” The source said that Hilton’s ex-boyfriend, Paris Latsis, is also involved in the project. “He’s not doing much, but she wanted him involved,’ the source reportedly said. Widdicombe reports that a start date for the alleged show has not yet been determined.

LADY AND THE TRUMP: Donald Trump is reportedly developing a new show called “Lady and the Tramp,” reports VARIETY. The show, set as a possible mid-season series for FOX, is a reality-competition series in which girls in love with the party life will be sent to a charm school to receive a stern course on debutante manners. Trump will exec produce the show and possibly come on air to evaluate contestants’ progress, insiders reportedly said. The new show is reportedly an adaptation of the British series “Ladette to Lady,” in which girls learn “how to go from throwing a kegger to throwing a tea party,” said Greg Goldman, one of the new show’s producers. Trump reportedly told VARIETY, “We are all sick and tired of the glamorization of these out-of-control young women, so I have taken it upon myself to do something about it. I am creating a real-life version of ‘My Fair Lady’ with my company Trump Productions. This show is all about getting a second chance and transforming for the better; the idea is genius and the show will be huge.”

A MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION?: Lynne Spears, mother to Britney Spears (a young woman who has gone through her own “transformation” as of late), has broken her silence over her daughter in the new issue of US WEEKLY. Despite a rumored rift between Lynne and Britney, Lynne’s quotes suggest a mother who is sympathetic to her daughter’s recent troubles. “You go into a time in your life with the world watching and you are just trying to figure yourself out,” Lynne reportedly says. “It’s sad that the whole world had to watch her make mistakes that all of us have made at one time or another.” According to US, Britney and Lynne reconciled on June 10, speaking for the first time in months and quietly taking their first steps back to a peaceful relationship. And now Lynne reportedly says how she and her daughter are coping. “Britney Jean Spears is the sweetest and the most sensitive and loving of all my children,” she is quoted as saying. “She’s just figuring things out.”

ELLEN IS SUCH A CARD: Nothing says “I love you” like a good old-fashioned greeting card, and now Ellen DeGeneres has teamed up with American Greetings to bring her own brand of feel-good humor to the card stands. E! ONLINE’s MARC MALKIN offers a sneak-peak at the cards, which go on sale Monday. The line of 32 cards features a variety of DeGeneres caricatures in her trademark crisp white pants, argyle sweaters, button-down shirts and Chuck Taylor-style kicks. Even her white bulldog, Pig, pops up on some of the cards. As an example of what consumers can expect, MALKIN describes the following card: The outside of the card reads, “Your birthday makes me wanna dance” and is followed by, “Which is weird because I’m in line at the DMV and now everyone’s staring at me. Enjoy your day!” on the inside. MALKIN’s report is accompanied by some advance images of Ellen’s greeting cards.

FEELING ‘LOST?’ PICK UP YOUR PHONE!: And finally, some assurance from the producers of “Lost” that their show will not end in a blackout, as “The Sopranos” did (much to many fans’ dismay). Speaking to a crowd at the PROMAX conference in NYC, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse offered up some tidbits on the show’s future, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. “I’m not sure there is any ending that will satisfy everyone,” Cuse reportedly said. “Our hope is that the ending will be … the logical conclusion of the story.” While “Lost” viewers will have to wait until February to see the next TV episodes, Cuse and Lindelof said in the fall there will be a series of “Lost” mobisodes featuring the entire cast and rolling out first on Verizon Wireless and then probably appearing on ABC.com. Cuse said the mobisodes, about 90 seconds each, will give the hardcore “Lost” viewer more information that they probably weren’t going to get through the show itself.

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