NAMES & FACES

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Beam Him Out of the Picture

Actor William Shatner, 76, says director J.J. Abrams made an unwise business decision when he didn't ask Shatner to reprise his role as Captain Kirk in an upcoming "Star Trek" movie -- especially since Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, will be onboard the Starship Enterprise.

"I couldn't believe it. I'm not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me," Shatner told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office."

Last summer, Abrams said Shatner likely would have a part in the film, due in theaters in December 2008. Shatner said he met with Abrams, but nothing came of it.

Abrams's "Trek" film will recount an early adventure for the Enterprise crew, with Chris Pine as the young Kirk and Zachary Quinto as the young Spock. Nimoy's involvement, of course, leaves "Trek" fans wondering if another actor will portray the older Kirk -- but Paramount, the film's production company, has kept mum.

'House' Is Still Standing

Relax, "House" fans: Star Hugh Laurie's unscheduled trip home to England on Thursday won't disrupt production of his show.

"Hugh had family obligations in England to attend to, but production is continuing in his absence," a spokeswoman for Universal Media Studios, which produces the popular Fox medical drama, told Reuters yesterday. No further details were given.

Since the 2004 launch of "House," Laurie has been living apart from his wife and kids in England. A Laurie rep told Reuters the trip had been cleared with producers and that Dr. House is expected back at work Monday.

Explain Britney. Please.

While Britney Spears and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, met in court yesterday for a progress-report hearing in their child custody case, a different Spears was making news: Lynne Spears, Britney's mother, who just inked a deal to write a tell-all book about raising famous kids.

Publishers Marketplace describes the book as "Lynne Spears's personal story of raising high-profile children while coming from a low-profile Louisiana community." The book is set to be published in spring 2008 by Thomas Nelson, which also publishes Bibles, inspirational books and work by some celebrities, including Bill Cosby.

Lynne recently reconciled with Britney, 25, and is also mom to actress Jamie Lynn Spears, 16.

Russell Crowe, Inquiring Mind

Don't divulge anything personal to Russell Crowe. For someone who says he hates tabloids so much, the Aussie actor should consider working for one -- at least after having this to say about his "Body of Lies" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in Entertainment Weekly: "You know, I worked with Leonardo when he was 17 on 'The Quick and the Dead.' He was a virgin, and he'd talk about that constantly. So I'm hoping we have some time so he can fill in what's happened in between, maybe show some photos, because I'm sure life's different now."

Leo? Any thoughts?

End Notes

Born: Fraternal twins -- Ava Rose and William Peter-- to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and his wife, Nancy (owner of New York City's Strand Book Store), yesterday morning in Portland, Ore. The twins are the couple's first kids; Wyden has two older children from his previous marriage. Everyone is doing very well, Wyden's press secretary said.

Spotted: Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior from "The Sopranos") enjoying a late Thursday dinner at Teatro Goldoni. Chianese was in town performing at the Knock Out Abuse sponsor dinner.

Quoted: "Grocery shopping is one of my great, great pleasures." -- actor and conservative columnist Ben Stein describing to National Journal the best thing about his apartment at the Watergate: its proximity to a Safeway.

-- Marissa Newhall, from staff and wire reports