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Simpson's 'Public Affair' swipes at Lachey's friend
Jessica Simpson turned up on MTV's "Total Request Live" on Wednesday to premiere her much-anticipated, first-post-Nick Lachey video (performance milestones just aren't what they used to be, are they?) titled "A Public Affair." The appearance came on a day when Vanessa Minnillo, Lachey's new girlfriend and a "TRL" host, wasn't around. That's just as well, because Minnillo probably wouldn't have enjoyed the clip.
The celebrity Web site Tmz.com reports the video, which largely involves a scene of Simpson roller skating with Christina Applegate, Eva Longoria and Christina Milian, contains a not-so subtle swipe at Minnillo. This comes during a segment in which, as Tmz.com describes it, "Simpson spots a hunky dark-haired stranger cavorting with a brunette bimbette, who has an aggressive fantasy about going all Naomi Campbell on Jessica out of jealousy." The actress playing the "bimbette," as it were, bears a noticeable resemblance to Minnillo, the Web site notes.
Ryan Seacrest and Andy Dick also appear in the video, which was directed by Brett Ratner, who directed Simpson's "These Boots Are Made for Walking" video, as well as an obscure sci-fi arthouse flick called "X-Men: The Last Stand."
Meanwhile, Simpson continues to deny that she's more than "just friends" with Dane Cook, her co-star in the upcoming big-screen comedy "Employee of the Month." But MSNBC.com reported Wednesday that the two were spotted hugging, cuddling and kissing -- "on the lips" -- last week at the Los Angeles club Hyde. Apparently, they didn't Hyde well enough.
WELCOME TO THE BIGS, KID: Danville native Marla Sokoloff, 25, has played minor roles in a number of TV shows, including "The Practice," "Desperate Housewives" and "Party of Five." But when she appeared this week at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, it marked her first time as one of the marquee stars of a new network series.
"I've been to TCA a million times, but I was always able to fall through the cracks without really being noticed, and that was fine with me," said Sokoloff, who heads the cast of ABC's upcoming "Big Day." "This is terrifying, but it's exciting, too."
"Big Day" chronicles a young couple's preparations for an extravagant wedding over the course of the show's season -- think "24" meets "Father of the Bride" -- and Sokoloff plays the bride-to-be.
It's not a case of fiction imitating real life, according to Sokoloff, who is single (but attached) and insists a big-scale wedding is not in her future.
"People put so much pressure and expectation on that big day," she said. "I have two friends who had huge weddings and now they're both divorced. ... I wouldn't want a major production. I'd keep things small and limited to the people who mean the most to me. I definitely wouldn't invite cousins I haven't seen in 10 years."
WE'RE SURE KEITH RICHARDS REMEMBERS THIS CASE WITH ABSOLUTE CLARITY: The state of Arkansas is prepared to pardon Keith Richards for being a reckless driver, 31 years later.
The state Parole Board on July 3 approved an application for clemency submitted on behalf of Richards, the 62-year-old guitarist for the Rolling Stones, by Gov. Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is expected to formally sign off on the pardon within 30 days.
Richards was arrested July 5, 1975, as he, bandmate Ron Wood, a security guard and a fan traveled from Memphis, Tenn., to Dallas. An officer in Fordyce, Ark., saw the car swerve -- Richards said later he bent to adjust the radio -- and stopped the vehicle. Police said they smelled marijuana and took the four to City Hall.
Wait a minute ... it's the mid-'70s, Keith Richards was in the car, and all they found was weed? They should have given these guys the keys to the city.
Richards was charged with reckless driving and possession of a concealed knife, and the fan was charged with possession of a controlled substance. The knife charge was dropped, and Richards pleaded guilty to reckless driving and paid a $162.50 fine.
Fran Curtis, a Stones publicist, said she knew nothing about the application for clemency. The move might have been motivated by the fact that Huckabee is a music fan -- he plays bass guitar in a band called Capitol Offense that performed for the Republican National Convention in 2004 in New York City.
COUNTRY SINGER ACQUITTED OF DUI: Mindy McCready was found not guilty Wednesday of driving under the influence in May 2005. But a Nashville jury found her guilty on the charge of driving on a suspended license.
The case centered on a series of field sobriety tests that police administered to McReady after she refused to take a breath test. The singer argued that police did not administer the test correctly. Police claim she smelled of alcohol, had watery, bloodshot eyes, was unsteady on her feet and admitted she had been drinking at a nightclub. The jury sided with McCready.
Why do we get the feeling that people's views of public drinking might be slightly skewed in Nashville?
The trial judge also dropped a contempt of court charge against McCready for arriving 10 minutes late Monday for the first day of court.
Today's People Column was compiled by Randy McMullen and Chuck Barney from staff and news service reports. Comments? Write to us c/o the Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94596-8099. Or call 925-943-8262, fax 925-943-8265, or e-mail spin@cctimes.com.
