Beck/Smith Hollywood

Farrah Fawcett Majors "Charlie's Angels"

Oct. 4, 1976

Farrah Fawcett-Majors Free to Pursue Career  – As Long as Housework is Done

By Marilyn Beck

HOLLYWOOD – Farrah Fawcett-Majors says that the grind of starring in ABC’s “Charlie’s Angels” series isn’t giving her an excuse to escape from domestic duties.  And that’s the way she feels things should be.

The beautiful, 28-year-old wife of “$6 Million Man” lead Lee Majors likes the arrangement they share. Though both are working dawn-to-dusk on their shows, Farrah assumes the traditional wifely duties of keeping house – while Lee maintains the responsibility of supporting her.

Farrah suspects that her approval of such an arrangement might make her “A prime target of women’s libbers – and I’m sorry about that, because I believe in women’s lib.  But I like my life with Lee – enjoy having him the dominant figure, and my not having to support the family.

“I can be choosy about the roles I accept.  Lee can’t. And he wouldn’t care if I never worked again, he just wants me to do what makes me happy.”

As long as it doesn’t interfere with their established domestic routine.

The way Farrah outlines their relationship, “It’s fine with Lee if I work – but I still have to keep house.  Though I may not be doing all the cooking and cleaning myself, I do have to plan the meals and oversee the work of the gardener and housekeepers.  He expects me to take total charge of our home, and I don’t resent it.”

She does admit that she sometimes gets to wishing that her man would help out a bit more at home, and says tat at times she has to remind him, “Hey, we’re equals, remember?”

*          *          *

Interview with Farrah Fawcett Majors, conducted 9-16-1976 by Andee Beck includes the following:

“When people say I’m beautiful, I go to myself, ‘Well, I fooled another one!’  I look around and see beautiful women like Catherine Deneuve and I don’t believe that I’m pretty.  I think the reason others think I’m beautiful is partly because of my charisma.”

JUST THEN HER AGENTS COME IN WITH ARMLOADS OF POSTERS JUST RECEIVED FROM THE PRINTER.  POSTERS ARE AUTOGRAPHED PICTURES OF FARRAH SMILING IN A ONE-PIECE BUT REVEALING BATHING SUIT.  SHE SAYS…

“This is like the movies, you know?  Who would think there would be a poster of me?  I can remember looking at Raquel Welch’s poster.  They wanted me in a bikini, but I just don’t like cheesecaky poses.

“It seems like I’d be a prime target for women’s libbers, but I’ve never been attacked by them…

“What I used to worry about was, ‘Is mother going to think I didn’t keep my legs together, that I wore an ugly dress?’  I still care about what my parents think, and about what Lee thinks.  But I don’t care what the public thinks, if my smile is too big or whatever.  Deep down I do feel a responsibility to my friends.

“I’m not thinking about where I’ll be tomorrow, where my career will be.  When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nun, then a doctor.  It changed from day to day.  I never dreamed of being an actress.  And now I’m here.

“When everything happens so fast, when stardom hits, it takes you back.  I now have less time to spend with friends.  Things change in their importance.”…

“If I weren’t working now, I’d be doing my sculpture or something else.  It’s fine if I work, but I still have to keep house.  I have to plan the meals.”…

“Lee’s been very good about my production schedule.  He leaves the house at 6 every morning, he’s home at 8 p.m..  If I get up after him and come home a few minutes before him, he doesn’t seem to realize I haven’t been home all day.  We try to limit work on weekends.  It’s our time together.  I just hope our hiatus schedules work out together.”

"Can You Duet" Host Lance Smith with judges Scott Borchetta, Big Kenny and Naomi Judd

Naomi and Wynonna Judd are doing “a full-out concert” at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun resort next week.  It’s one of the occasional dual performances put on by the superstar mother-daughter act, who went separate ways in 1991, toured together in 2000, then went seven years before singing together publicly again, with tales of rifts along the way.

“We get offers, which is always such a sweet pat on the back,” notes Naomi.   “We were together at the Fan Fair concert the other day.  It was a treat for us.  On the bus, Wynonna and I were giggling, laughing and sharing.  We have respect for each other’s boundaries now.  The entire concert, I never had to worry that she was going to tear my hair out,” she adds with a laugh.

But seriously, “For anyone out there who is struggling with your relationship, I highly recommend counseling,” says Naomi, who successfully battled the Hepatitis C that caused her to back away from career seventeen years ago.  She went on to become a health advocate and celebrity guru of self-help and healing, who’s written several books and hosted her own mind-body-spirit-centered talk show, “Naomi’s New Morning.” She adds, “A few good communication techniques can make a world of difference.”

Naomi’s role as one of the judge-mentors on CMT’s hit reality competition series “Can You Duet” is what has most of her attention right now.  She really is emotionally involved.  “I watched the first show of this new season sitting on my couch with my dogs, eating my popcorn.  As a consumer, when I saw Big Kenny pass on Jonathan, I thought I was going to have a stroke,” she admits, referring to fellow judge Big Kenny Alphin.  “In my head, I’m screaming,. ‘This is one of the rawest and most exquisite talents I’ve ever heard – ever!’”

MEANWHILE: As for potential new Judds going into show business, Naomi says that Wynonna’s 14-year-old son Elijah has been serving as their go-fer.  “He’s such a sweet-natured kid.”  And her daughter Grace, 13, “says she wants to be a singer.  But I think right now she’s just getting all the [trappings] of celebritydom and all that.”  How would Naomi feel about Grace going into show business?  “I would rather see her be a nuclear physicist or paleontologist,” she replies.  Why?”  “Because I’m fascinated by those fields.”  This is from a woman who actually has nuclear physicists and a paleontologist – Jack Horner — among her friends.  She tells us she may go out on a dig soon with Horner, who’s known as “Jurassic Park’s” technical advisor among other things.

Dan Cortese Lisa Leslie

“On the court, I’m extremely serious and aggressive.  Who I am at home probably showed a little bit more while we were making this show,” says three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lisa Leslie, talking about ABC’s “The Superstars” competition show.  Leslie is half of the red team, along with actor Dan Cortese, on the program that pairs celebs and athletes in various contests, such as kayaking with immense man-made waves and a race across a bridge that called for getting on and off a bicycle along the way.  “My problem was I couldn’t focus.  Some things seemed funny to me,” says Leslie.  However, “Week after week, hopefully I’ll win over people with my no-give-up attitude, no matter what the challenges are,” she notes.  In the end, “II had an awesome time.”

Leslie, currently on the L.A. Sparks’ DL with a sprained right knee, says that these days, her life revolves around her and husband Michael Lockwood’s daughter, Lauren.  “It’s totally changed my world – being a mom.  I love it.  She’s already starting to read and she just turned two.  She can count to 30.  She’s awesome.  On ABC, on our first home game this year, she grabbed the microphone and sang, ‘Yes, Jesus Love Me,’” Leslie recounts, giggling.  “At least you can tell I’m teaching her good things at home.”

Mark Feuerstein

Mark Feuerstein has been on the cusp of having leading man status for several years now, but it looks like he may actually have a bonafide hit on his hands with the USA show “Royal Pains.” His co-star Reshma Shetty says he certainly deserves the success.

“Mark is such a charming man in real life and his character is so molded to him. I hope it’s his time. Sometimes projects that are really good don’t work out for whatever reason, but hopefully people will keep watching and be as excited about it as they are now,” says the British actress, who plays Feurestein’s onscreen physician’s assistant Divya Katdare.

So far the cast couldn’t be more pleased with the show’s numbers.  “It was like the second-highest USA networks premiere show.  For the first time ever in the network’s history, we got more people watching the second episode. Then the episode after that we got a million more viewers.  It’s been overwhelmingly positive, to say the least,” notes Shetty.  “I think it gets better with every episode, and what I like is that there’s something for everyone.  The show doesn’t only focus on the rich people in the Hamptons and the ideas that we have about what that life is like, but it also shows a doctor who wants to do the right thing.  He’s there to help everyone from the fishermen who work on the coast to the rich socialites.”

Emily-Fortune Feimster

Bill Engvall

Bill Engvall, who recently hosted the CMT Music Awards, tells us the biggest shock was discovering how many country singers are tuning into his TBS sitcom.  “I was amazed at how many of the country stars came up to me and said, ‘Hey, man!  I just wanted you to know our family watches your show and we love it,’” says Engvall of his self-titled series, which returns July 18 for a third season.

For an industry that is big on family values, Engvall feels it’s a good fit.  “I think what sets us apart is the fact that we don’t delve into the gutter.  What drives me crazy is when I see a show that has so much potential and then there’s potty humor and smart-ass kids.  I just don’t think that’s real,” he notes.  “There’s a lot out there that can make you laugh that isn’t dirty.”

Luckily for the fans, Engvall claims this season will be one of their best.  “Last year was fun and I didn’t know if we could top it, but we did.  The writers really stepped up this year.  I think the show is funnier.  I love that in the first episode we deal with what’s going on in the economy in that the family is affected by tighter money issues,” says Engvall, who also uses personal experiences from his own family for storylines.  “I don’t mind doing that because that’s one of the reasons for my success in stand-up comedy.  I keep my stuff very relatable.  I think it’s important that I keep my finger on the pulse of the show because in the end it’s my name on the show.”  And what a good feeling that is!  “Every day I sit outside of my dressing room and I look over at this big stage door that says “The Bill Engvall Show,” and I hope that never gets old.”

Emily-Fortune Feimster

Timothy Hutton "Leverage"

Timothy Hutton, in the midst of filming his second season of TNT’s “Leverage” in Portland, Oregon, is combining business with fatherhood.

His seven-year-old son Milo, by Hutton’s current wife, French illustrator Aurore Giscard d’Estaing, attends school in Paris, but will be spending the summer with his dad in Portland. So will 22-year-old son Noah, Tim’s son by actress Debra Winger. Noah has just graduated college as an art history major. According to Tim, Milo wants to be Indiana Jones. Neither son has any interest in acting — and Tim might not be too disappointed about that.

As the son of the late actor Jim Hutton, Tim learned early “That an acting career has a lot of ups and down. You make a movie that does well, but then, unexpectedly, a rough spot comes along.”

He, of course, couldn’t have hit it much bigger than he did when he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar at age 20 for his remarkable work as Conrad Jarrett in “Ordinary People.” Within the next few years, he would star in such hit films as “Taps” and “The Falcon and the Snowman.” But there was also the 1983 “Daniel” for Sidney Lumet. “That was a great movie, but no one seemed to want to see it. It’s one of the things in this business you can’t control, but you have to move on.” And move on Hutton has.

Since “Ordinary People,” he has been featured in 36 features, starred in three TV series and has been in dozens of television movies and specials.

“There’s as lot you can’t do anything about,” notes Hutton. “You never know when a rough patch is coming. You’ve just got to keep yourself ready, and maintain a good work ethic.”

Handy advice to his sons — regardless of whatever career they choose to follow.

It’s sad to see the signs of Michael Jackson’s fragile world coming apart at the seams now that he is gone.   Debbie Rowe’s reported declaration that he wasnt the father of her children…TV showing pictures of the caucasian looking sons and daughter…close associates offering up reports of his pill dependence, his seeming stressed as he faced the prospect of a 50 concert load while evidently in significant pain, so as to get out from under his $500 million in debt.   One can’t help but feel sorry for someone with such mountainous duress and so many people around him anxious to take advantage no matter the cost.

How did the debt accumulate?  We filed this story with many of the details awhile back:

http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/becksmith.jsp?p=bsf_loseafortune

As more details emerge of the death of Michael Jackson yesterday (6/25) , it’s becoming clear that the final act of the King of Pop resembles that of one of Jackson’s icons, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley — in many ways beyond the crowds of tearful fans leaving flowers and greetings at sites associated with the entertainers.

ELVIS NICKNAME:

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

MICHAEL NICKNAME:

The King of Pop

ELVIS DEATH:  Died young of heart attack, though questions about drug involvement persisted.  A 1994 re-opening of the case led the coroner to declare that all signs pointed to a sudden violent heart attack, but that there was little doubt that his “polypharmacy/Combined Drug Intoxication Pill dependence” was a factor in his declining health.

MICHAEL DEATH:  Died young of coronary failure.  Questions swirling about possible drug involvement as police impound car of doctor.

EP LAST PERFORMANCE:  Barely made it through his final concerts as his health issues escalated.

MJ LAST PERFORMANCE:  Health problems and “a onetime prescription pill addiction” had doubters saying he wouldn’t make London concerts as scheduled (L.A. Times May 12)

EP RIDICULED:  In the years before his death, was called a gross caricature of his former self, a washed up has-been.

MJ RIDICULED:  In the years before his death, was called a gross caricature of his former self, a washed up has-been.

TABLOID FODDER, EP:  As paparazzi captured pictures of his grossly bloated body and cheesy, jumpsuit-clad performances – and tales abounded of his eccentric behavior, such as gunning down a TV set.

TABLOID FODDER, MJ:  As paparazzi snapped photos of his grossly distorted face and his eerie disguises and militaristic costumes – and stories abounded of his eccentric behavior, such as dangling his baby from a hotel balcony.

MARRIED w/CHILDREN, ELVIS:  To Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley’s mother, later divorced.

MARRIED w/CHILDREN, MICHAEL:  To Lisa Marie Presley, later divorced.  Also married to Debbie Rowe.  Children: Michael Jr., Paris, Prince

ELVIS’ TELLING NUMBERS:  Estimated to have sold a billion records and counting.  1,500,000,000 viewers watched his “Aloha From Hawaii” global satellite special.

MICHAEL’S TELLING NUMBERS:  More than 750 million records sold, and counting.  60,000,000 viewers tuned in to Diane Sawyer interview with Jackson and Lisa Marie.  $500 million in debt.

ELVIS, RACIAL CONTROVERSY:  For sounding black

MICHAEL, RACIAL CONTROVERSY:  For looking white

FAMOUS PRESLEY HOME:  Graceland

FAMOUS JACKSON HOME:  Neverland

ELVIS’ GRAND GESTURES:  Loved to give away cars

MICHAEL’S GRAND GESTURES:  Loved to treat disadvantaged children and sick children to days of fun at his Neverland fairground and zoo

ELVIS INFAMY:  Overeating and pill dependence; one doctor was found to have prescribed more than 10,000 doses of sedatives, amphetamines and narcotics in Elvis’ name in the first eight months of 1977 alone.

MICHAEL INFAMY:  Child molestation charges, despite being acquitted.

ELIVS RESURGENCE:  All but deified as soon as he died.

MICHAEL RESURGENCE:  All but deified as soon as he died.

Lisa Marie Presley has written in her MySpace blog about a conversation with ex-husband Michael Jackson, in which he said he thought he would end up like her father…Deepak Chopra has now written about Michael’s extensive prescription drug use, including narcotics.   Could have been deliberately following Presley’s example.   Similarities of their last acts:

http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/celebgossip.jsp?feature=ce_cel_06272009

While Michael Jackson’s work mates and fans were responding to his death en masse via Twitter, the funny crowd was typing out cracks about the day’s big story.   Even those who feel a personal sense of loss in the wake of Jackson’s death would probably get a smile out of Kevin Nealon’s Tweet awhile ago:

Been devastated for the last few days over the Ed McMahon news.  Time to pull myself together. Maybe I’ll watch some tv to cheer myself up.

Other funny people charged ahead as usual, taste considerations be damned.  For instance:

Carlos Mencia, Thursday afternoon:   Michael Jackson just died of a heart attack. When reached for comment Joe Jackson, father said “why couldn’t it be Tito”.  Too soon?

And Sarah Silverman, Thursday afternoon, put out this Tweet:  Did you hear Michael Jackson’s kids are free? That’s not nice. I’m sorry. Ugh, I feel bad for saying that. LOOK A BLUE CAR!