Side show

THE CAMERAMAN WASN'T LAUGHING: The latest bit of actual reality to impinge on the filming of a pseudoreality TV show involved a would-be car thief, a screwdriver and the stabbing of a cameraman.

The cameraman was working on a British show called Swag, produced by Mr. Madonna, director Guy Ritchie. The show tempts people to commit illegal acts, and a supposedly hidden camera chronicles whether they give in.

For one segment, an expensive car was left unlocked in a run-down section of London. A man broke into the car, saw the cameraman filming him from across the street, ran over to the cameraman and stabbed him in one leg with the screwdriver.

The aspiring thief was caught and will appear in court next week, British broadcaster Channel Five tells Reuters.

"Happily, the cameraman was not seriously injured, and he was back at work the next day," a Channel Five spokesman says.

"In all the episodes, there's an element of uncertainty, but normally the people involved bought into the joke of it."

THIS BUD'S FOR YOU! MTV is poised to cut back even more the number of videos it airs, possibly to the point where TRL will be a smooth jazz hit parade.

Having had its fill of the likes of Busta Rhymes' Pass the Courvoisier and Nelly's Air Force Ones, the network apparently will monitor videos for blatant product placement, just as it does for sexual content and violence, Newsday says. It will pay special attention to the appearance of products that the artist has a financial interest in.

MEEEOOOOWWWWWWW: Gwyneth Paltrow, a Ben Affleck girlfriend-turned-platonic-friend and sore point with Jennifer Lopez, recently gave B magazine her view of marriage: "Marriage isn't something that should be taken lightly. I don't want to be married for six months and then say, 'Oh well, never mind. On to No. 2.' I'm not the kind of person that can take life that lightly."

In case she's wondering about her invitation to the Valentine's Day Affleck-Lopez wedding that has been rumored since Labor Day, Lopez says that no date has been set by she and hubby-to-be No. 3 (notice Paltrow's clever reference to "No. 2" to disguise her intent). Lopez also tells the Jornal do Brasil that stories stating the couple will spend $1.5-million on the ceremony are false.

We don't believe the first denial but do believe the second. Lopez would never get married on the cheap.

EVERYBODY FENG SHUI TODAY: The book Feng Shui Chic offers these tips for dressing appropriately to reach your goals through being in harmony with nature's forces:

-- Women looking for love should avoid tiered clothing; it can cause ripples that may interfere with forging commitments.

-- A combination of squares and circles helps summon wisdom.

-- Unbroken lines are needed for seeking better health.

-- Red invites fame, authority, power and happiness. Yellow brings joy, good cheer, clear thinking and tranquility.

-- To accomplish many things, change clothes as your goals change. But don't send mixed messages by pairing competing garments and colors.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright