ROLL CALL: Scarlett, Justin, Madonna, & Donald!

Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans by Tommy Vergason

February 16, 2007

SCARLET PUDDING: Scarlett Johansson was honored yesterday by Harvard theater students as the “Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year,” The ASSOCIATED PRESS reports. The fun, offbeat event is an annual occasion in which one male and one female celebrity are celebrated for their “lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment,” and are given the coveted “Golden Pot” as a token of appreciation. Ben Stiller is the male recipient of the crown this year, which will be given to him on February 23rd. After leading a parade through Harvard Square in Boston flanked by two men in drag, Ms. Johansson was roasted by the students, who poked fun at her famous nude VANITY FAIR cover pose and enjoyed watching her take a mock SAT test. “Thank you so much for this fabulous golden pot. It’s been such a wonderful day. This is the closest I’ll ever get to a Harvard degree for sure,” Johansson said upon accepting the award. “It’s a real honor and I can’t wait till later tonight when we party.” Past recipients have included Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Cher, Mel Gibson and Halle Berry.

WHAT WOULD MADONNA DO?: Madonna hopes to be honored, particularly for her humanitarian efforts, saying “For me, we all need to be Jesus in our time” in a Valentine’s Day interview on Sirius Satellite Radio, according to PEOPLE. The quote reportedly came in response to questions about the controversial crucifixion scene in her most recent tour, which featured Madonna up on a cross in front of video images of AIDS orphans in Africa. She is said to have defended the scene in the interview by saying “Jesus’s message was to love your neighbor as yourself, and these are people in need. I hope that people got that message. Of course some people thought ‘Oh, she’s just being controversial, she’s just getting on a cross and trying to piss people off,’ but that wasn’t my intention at all.” She reportedly drives the point home by saying “I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon — but I want to stay alive.” The interview will be re-broadcast on Saturday at 1PM ET on Sirius’s new OutQ/channel 109 station.

TRUMPED UP FOR A SMACK-DOWN: Donald Trump isn’t feeling that “love thy neighbor” vibe, or at least, he’s pretending not to. The Donald made an appearance on USA Network’s broadcast of “WWE Smackdown” last night, challenging host Vince McMahon to an “ass-kicking” at the upcoming Wrestlemania event, reports THE NEW YORK POST’s PAGE SIX. No word on what sparked this challenge, but Donald is quoted as saying to McMahon, “I’m taller than you. I’m richer than you. I’m better-looking than you. And I’m stronger than you.” McMahon, citing his “bad back,” suggested that they utilize wrestling representatives for their bout instead. Donald agreed, and even raised the stakes: “Let’s make this a little more interesting,” he is claimed to have said, “I have quite possibly the most famous head of hair in the world . . . if my guy loses, you can shave my head. But if your guy loses, I’m going to shave your head.” Wrestlemania will be broadcast on April 1st, or, as it’s also known… “April Fool’s Day.”

JUSTIN’S TIMBER-VENTION?: Justin Timberlake may have been fooling around at the Brit Awards when he made a pre-taped statement telling the audience to “stop drinking,” but US WEEKLY wonders if his words were meant to be a little more pointed than that. The report questions whether Timberlake was referring to his ex, Britney Spears, when he allegedly said in the tape, “Stop drinking! You know who you are. I’m speaking to you. You are going to get sloppy. OK! magazine is going to say something bad about you.” A representative for Justin insists to US that he wasn’t referring to Britney, saying “He was addressing the audience at the Brit Awards — not anyone in particular!”

GEEKS OF THE WORLD REJOICE!: Here’s some news addressing movie lovers, and particularly, lovers of sci-fi and fantasy. Two announcements were made this morning that are sure to get the fans worked up:

1.) Although she won’t be reprising her role as Ripley, Sigourney Weaver is teaming up once again with “Aliens” director James Cameron for his new movie, “Avatar,” reports VARIETY. Fans have been pining for a return to the Aliens franchise, and particularly a return of Weaver’s “Ripley” character, but perhaps this will be the next best thing. Weaver will play a veteran interplanetary explorer who serves as a mentor to a wounded ex-Marine, who is thrust unwillingly into an effort to explore and exploit an exotic planet rich in biodiversity. The epic action film will be shown in theaters in both 2-D and 3-D, according to the report.

2.) After months of speculation, the second villain for the “Batman Begins” sequel is finally being cast, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. “Thank You For Smoking” actor Aaron Eckhart is in final negotiations to play Harvey Dent/Two Face, says the report, a character first played by Tommy Lee Jones in 1995’s “Batman Forever.” The character is described by VARIETY as being the district attorney of Gotham City and an ally of Batman. After half his face is disfigured by acid, Dent becomes the insane crime boss known as Two Face. He chooses to do good or evil by flipping a coin. The new movie (entitled “The Dark Knight”) is expected to be released next year, starring nearly all of the principle actors from “Batman Begins,” with the previously-announced addition of Heath Ledger as The Joker.

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