Gary Coleman signs with All Comedy Radio
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Former California gubernatorial candidate Gary Coleman has signed as a political analyst with All Comedy Radio, the new Hollywood-based radio network said.
Coleman, who finished eighth out of 135 ballot candidates in last week's California recall election, will begin his on-air commentaries Friday, the network said.
ACR Chairman Kent Emmons, a supporter of Coleman's candidacy, said: "After the contract signing we did high-fives. Well, to be honest, we did fives."
Coleman is best known as a child star on the television program, "Diff'rent Strokes."
SAG lifetime award goes to Karl Malden
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Karl Malden has been named the 40th recipient of Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
The 2003 Life Achievement Award will be presented to Malden at the 10th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will premier on Turner Network Television on Feb. 22, 2004.
"In a career spanning six decades, Karl Malden has superbly achieved the goal of every actor -- to bring an extraordinarily rich range of iconic characters to the screen and stage," said SAG President Melissa Gilbert.
Malden won his first Oscar in 1951 for his supporting performance as Blanche du Bois' suitor, Mitch, in "A Streetcar Named Desire," and he won his second in 1954 for his performance as crusading priest Father Barry in "On the Waterfront."
He won an Emmy in 1985 for his leading role as Jeffrey McDonald's father-in-law in the miniseries, "Fatal Vision," and was nominated four times for his starring role as Lt. Mike Stone opposite Michael Douglas on "The Streets of San Francisco."
In addition to numerous feature films and television movies and series Malden also appeared on Broadway.
Actors join in Oscar 'screener' protest
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Actors are joining directors in protesting the Motion Picture Academy of America recent ban on the use of screeners for Oscar consideration.
"Screeners" are the DVD copies of films that are circulated to academy voters prior to the Oscars and for many smaller independent films, which often don't get wide distribution, it's their best shot at an award and as a result money, according to the Web site themediadrome.com.
Citing "a determined commitment to combat digital piracy and to save movie jobs in the future," the MPAA said in September its member companies plus DreamWorks and New Line would not send out any screeners for awards consideration.
"Screeners have become an important part of the way small, well-written films find their audience," Victoria Riskin, president of Writers Guild of America West, told Daily Variety.
"Oscar winners such as Bill Condon in "Gods and Monsters," Julian Fellowes in "Gosford Park," and John Irving in "The Cider House Rules" were first brought to the attention of academy voters via just these means. To place a gag order on 'screeners' is to tilt the playing field from small films to large."
Ozzy Osbourne gives $50,000 to charity
LONDON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Ozzy Osbourne has wowed the organizers of the British "Fashion Rocks" program after reneging on a promise to perform at the event.
The event, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London and combining fashion with rock music, is a fundraiser for the The Prince's Trust.
Osbourne promised Prince Charles he would sing at the Wednesday event but had to back out for "unforeseen commitments."
However, the aging rocker sent a check for $50,000 to the foundation.
"We couldn't believe it when we opened the envelope. As well as writing a $50,000 check, he'd also sent a lovely, heartfelt letter," a Prince's Trust insider told the London Mirror.
"He was full of apologies and offered to help in any way he can in the future. We're absolutely flabbergasted. It's so generous."
