Beck/Smith Hollywood

Reese Witherspoon

Jennifer Aniston

Tomorrow (1/1) not only marks the beginning of a brand new year  — it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of celebrities besieged by paparazzi.  This is the day a new law intended to curb dangerous excesses by hounding photographers goes into effect, thanks to the tireless efforts of Paparazzi Reform Initiative Founder & CEO Sean Burke, and former California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.

“We feel this newest law will make a difference – it increases penalties on reckless driving when someone is in pursuit of a photograph for commercial sale,” Burke tells us.  “In short – paparazzi chasing celebrities by car, when they run lights and otherwise drive recklessly, can be arrested for a misdemeanor (instead of a simple traffic infraction) and can be put in jail for up to a year if the car they were chasing had a minor in it and if that minor was put in any kind of danger as a result of the chase.  We are already getting indications that the paparazzi won’t be chasing like they have in the past.  And with that, the general public (as well as the celebrity and their children) are safer.”

Burke also notes, “To help ensure this is the case, we are designing a video system with an automotive audio/video installation company that celebrities can install in their car to shoot video out the back to capture footage of any paparazzi chasing them.  Likewise, we have been coordinating with the LA County DA’s office and LA City Attorney’s office on exactly what they will need to prosecute offenders of the new law. ”

The bill — supported by celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon – passed months ago.  You may recall a first paparazzi reform bill — that imposes fines on photogs who violate famous persons’ right to privacy, and the media outlets that buy them — being signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009.  That, too, was a result of former celebrity security man Burke’s work.  More information can be found at his organization’s web site, www.paparazzi-reform.org.

Media organizations have complained about these laws potentially interfering with First Amendment rights, but we sincerely disbelieve that Amendment was intended to make camera mob harassment legal.  Perhaps if the energy being put into those complaints went into efforts toward self-regulation instead, it would be more productive.  Meanwhile, here’s hoping that if California can manage to enforce reasonable safe practices, it will serve as a model for other states and countries.

Nancy ODell Fox photo

Nancy O’Dell is on her way to fabulous Las Vegas, where she’ll host Fox’s “New Year’s Eve Live” tonight (12/31) — and says it’ll be an adults only affair.

“I’m bringing my husband with me, and my father,” says the soon-to-be “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent, whose dad came to stay with her and her husband, stepsons and daughter for Christmas.  “The kids will stay back in L.A., I think.  My baby girl is 3 1/2, but knowing her, she’ll stay wide awake.  She can count to 40 or so, and she’s been practicing counting backwards, so maybe I’ll have her count down to ‘Happy New Year.’”

Even if little Ashby’s New Year’s countdown doesn’t make it to TV, Nancy says she’ll cherish the video.  “I have a million and one videos of her.  I’m a mamarazzi,” she tells us.

For Nancy, who’ll preside over the Fox New Year’s Eve show featuring Travie McCoy and David Archuleta, the gig is particularly special.  “I’ve always wanted to do a New Year’s Eve show, so now I get to check that off my bucket list.”

Stacy and David

Today, we lost one of our own with the passing of David Dithmart, man in life of Stacy Jenel Smith.

Iowa native David was an actor whose credits included TV shows, commercials  and independent films, but his most widely-appreciated performance was at Mel’s Drive-In in Sherman Oaks, where he was a waiter known as “Double D.”

A dispenser of sayings, stories, witticisms, wisdom, sports analysis, inspiration, thoughts for the day, uplifting chats, silliness and, sometimes, free songs on the jukebox, he tended to make an impact.  David was admittedly a big kid himself, and he had a great way with children, especially his unofficial step-daughter, Darcy Rice.   Survived by brothers Robert and Terry Cram and sister Debbie,  David touched the lives of many.   He will be sorely missed.

A memorial was held at Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church (next door to Mel’s) Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.   David Slide Show Click here to see slideshow by Darcy Rice that was presented at memorial.

With his “Break Your Heart” and “Dynamite” No. 1 singles hurtling through the stratosphere, his Rokstarr fashion and accessory brand expanding, and his writing for Justin Beiber, super hot talent Taio Cruz is experiencing the breakthrough success pop star wannabes dream about.  And he’s learning to handle it, which, he admits, turns out to be a biggest job than he anticipated.

“I don’t think anyone is prepared for this,” says the London-born singer-songwriter, producer, musician, who’ll be seen as part of the lineup on this year’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” along with such names as Drake, Willow Smith and Ne-Yo.

“The work load was a drastic jump from what I was used to in the UK.  Everyone gets surprised by how many places you have to go.  When you’re a consumer, you see artists on TV, you see their music videos,  see them in interviews, but you don’t actually connect with the fact that they do that in every country.  I now appreciate people like Will Smith, who go out and promote their movies in every single country where they play.”

In the countless interviews Cruz has done, one thing he says stands out is, “I usually get the question, ‘What is “Break Your Heart” about?’ — which I find quite funny.  I would have thought the answer was quite obvious.”

He makes it clear he’s not complaining.  “It’s been really, really good fun.  I love it.  I love the fans.  I just love positivity in general — whenever people are projecting positivity, so to have loads and loads of fans screaming compliments is wonderful.”

Still, Taio doesn’t mind admitting he’ll be ready for the couple of weeks he has planned to rest up in January, after “NYRE.”   “You need little spots of time to recharge, and then blitz it again.  ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ is the last thing I’m going to do before my break.  It’s going to be insane.  I have never been to New York on New Year’s Eve,” says the 28-year-old, who just shot the videos for his new “Higher” single — with Kylie Minogue for the U.K. version, and with Travie McCoy for the U.S.   “I’ve been told it’s phenomenal. It’s an insane way to end the year.”

Cat Deeley

Cat Deeley’s taking a breather – briefly – to go “home to Mom and Dad’s for a big family Christmas” in the countryside of her native England, with special company.

“My brother and his wife had a new baby two weeks ago, a little girl.  He called and said, ‘Hello!  Get your dressing box up and ready.  You’ve got a little girl to play with,’” recounts the “So You Think You Can Dance” hostess.  Besides baby Anna, she’ll be with her two-year-old nephew, Harry, and assorted other relatives.

We caught up with Cat as she was leaving a Christmas pantomime “in London town, and now the snow is coming down in the streets,” she described by phone.  “Now I’m really getting into the Christmas spirit.”

She’ll quickly get back to work after the festivities are over, however.  “We’re already into auditions for the new season of the American show, and we’re already in Vegas week for the U.K. show,” she says speaking of her dual “SYTYCD” chores.

Beyond that, she has her Pantene spokesmodel work to do in England, her jewelry line, a UNICEF trip to plan, and two shows she says she has in the works with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics “that I can’t talk about yet.”  Also, “I’m working with Oprah’s old producer of 17 years on a couple of TV shows as well,” reports the energetic Brit.  “So I have pitch meetings ahead in New York.”

Rumors of her joining Simon Cowell’s upcoming “X Factor” show remain just that, she says.  “I haven’t heard anything.  And I don’t know how I could have the time for anything else.”

Matt Bomer, Tiffani Thiessen USA Network photo

While the "White Collar" team is busy creating episodes of their sophisticated crime dramedy, off-camera their set is becoming something of a romper room. At least, that's the feeling one gets listening to Tiffani Thiessen, whose six-month-old daughter, Harper, is the latest addition to the tiny visitor contingent.

"There are a lot of people on our show who have kids. She's definitely the newest one. I think they love having her energy around the set. It's fun. I think we're going to have a little playroom/nursery when we go back into production," says the actress, who plays the smart wife of an FBI man (Tim DeKay) on the popular series that also stars Matt Bomer as a reformed, debonair thief. They'll resume work in March for the show's third season. "White Collar" returns to the USA Network schedule with part two of Season 2 on Jan. 18.

It wasn't easy going back to work six-and-a-half weeks after giving birth, Thiessen admits. "I missed everyone, but I was not real excited about going back. It was definitely challenging. You're kind of like a walking zombie, tired all the time. I'm nursing, so my mom would come to the set and take care of her while I was working. The show has been amazing. They gave me time whenever I had to nurse her. I'm really blessed to have had so much understanding and a lot of great help. I have to give credit where it's due -- I couldn't have done it without help from my mom and my husband (actor Brady Smith)."

Right now, Thiessen's attention is on Harper's first Christmas and "all the things you've got to do -- the cheesy photos with Santa, the Christmas tree," she notes happily. The Smiths will spend "half our Christmas in California with my family, and half in Texas with his," she adds.

There's also Thiessen's new entrepreneurial sideline: Petit Nest, the baby furnishings line, including, she says, "cribs, dressers, chairs, gliders, decorative art and things like bedding and linens."

"When I was designing my own nursery ... I realized there was not a lot out there that appealed to (my) tastes," she says.

All of which might lead one to think the one-time "Saved by the Bell" and "Beverly Hills, 90210" cutie has a baby-centric mindset these days. And that's just fine with her. "She's the light of my life," she says of Harper. "I fall in love with her more every day."

FAMILY TRADITIONS: Speaking of families and holidays, Andy Garcia reports it will be a big family gathering this Christmas for him and his kin. "We take our holidays very seriously. We have 30 people over for Thanksgiving every year, and celebrate Christmas with our extended family members. We have four kids," reminds the actor, whose grown daughters, Dominik and Daniella, have already followed him into the acting realm.

Indeed, acting is quite the family affair in the Garcia clan. Speaking of 19-year-old college student Alessandra and 8-year-old son Andres, he notes, "In school, they always take story theater and that kind of thing. They're exposed to the theater. I think that being comfortable performing in front of people is very good for their self-esteem. My oldest daughters did that from a very early age. Now they're obviously colleagues. We've done two movies together," he says, referring to his "City Island" and "The Lost City."

He adds, "As a proud father, it's always good to look across the dining room table and see your child there is happy and being fulfilled."

PILOT TIME: Interesting that "SHREDD," the proposed series about real-life skateboarders, is being preceded by a pilot that is a mere 11 minutes long. Next thing you know, we'll be seeing two-minute pilots or even 30-second pilots. It's the economy, of course, and heck, wouldn't want anyone to work too hard.

They're rounding out the cast of another pilot, for "Dead Time Stories," an anthology of tales referred to as "cool, creepy and fun" -- but not too horrible for the tween set and older.

Clint Walker in "Cheyenne"

Clint Walker, who reigned o’er TV screens in the late 1950s as true blue hero sheriff Cheyenne Bodie, still gets heaps of fan attention at age 83 — and not just from folks who are old enough to have watched the show.  He and his wife Susan, he reports “are busy with our website seven days a week.  It’s grown more and more,” he says of his Clintwalker.com, where he posts his appearance schedule, makes memorabilia available for sale, and communicates with followers.  He also gets “Crayola drawings from youngsters who are just discovering the series now, mail from 17-25 year olds who are familiar with the series or other movies I made.  I feel so blessed.”
Warner Archive Collection released his “Cheyenne Season 2 – Parts 1 & 2″ this month on demand and digital download.  The shows, dotted with intriguing guest stars like Dennis Hopper, Marie Windsor and John Carradine, still hold up.  So do Walker’s anecdotes.  Turns out, things could get mighty funny out there on the prairie.

“One time, we started our day at 7 a.m. and we were still shooting at 1:30 the next morning.  The leading lady was so tired she was crying.  We were doing a scene where the Indians were approaching, and I was supposed to say, ‘Don’t shoot!  They’re carrying their rifles butt-first.’  But it came out, ‘Don’t shoot!  They’re carrying their butts first.’  Everyone broke up.”

Another time, the hunky, 6’6″ Walker had a scene in which he doffed his shirt and splashed water on his face.  “I stole a little piece of black take from the crew and put it on my chest, and attached my sheriff’s badge to the tape.  When we did the scene, I took off my shirt, and people started laughing. The director said, ‘What’s wrong?’  And then he realized I had the badge there.  He retaliated later by having the script girl hide in a closet when I was supposed to open it to get my coat.  She jumped out and said, ‘Darling!’” he recalls.

“I know some people thought those things were a waste of film, but I don’t think so.  They energized everyone and put them in a light mood.”

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts' dust-up with paparazzi who were swarming her and her children during an outing the other day points up -- again -- the need for some sort of regulation regarding overzealous photogs. It's time. It's years past time, in fact.

Best of all would be self-regulation, in the form of a pact between the celebrities' camps and the agencies who rep the camera-wielding hordes. Buyers, from the tabloids to TMZ and other online and TV outlets, would then have to do their part by purchasing pictures and video only from signers of the agreement. And if they didn't, they, and their parent companies, networks, or production entities would be barred from having any celebrity access -- and from film/TV/music advertising involving stars.

Items to be included: discretionary distance when children are involved.

Roberts' encounter is just the latest in a string of messy, even scary episodes involving paparazzi and celebrity children.

Pamela Anderson recalls cameramen swarming her car to the point she and her then-young sons could not escape without her driving over a photographer(perhaps she should have.

Heidi Klum recalls the incident in Central Park awhile back when paparazzi swarmed her and her children -- and other parents on the scene took matters into their own hands and started pelting the offending photogs with water balloons.

"It sounds like fun when you read it maybe in a newspaper somewhere, but in reality, it's not so much fun when there are children involved," she told us at the time. "My children are screaming, 'What's going on?!" I don't think that people should start fighting over it. I don't want people to get hurt ... I'm like, 'Let's just go away.'

"It's something that you just deal with, unfortunately," she went on. "I wish there was some sort of a law that maybe they have to be at a certain distance, or there can't be more than two ... I wish there could be something done. I know people say, 'They're celebrities, and why shouldn't we get photos of them all the time?' But people forget about the person being shot all day long and their children." Amen.

Fionnula Flanagan Hallmark Channel photo

Fionnula Flanagan had a blast making the festive Hallmark Channel Christmas movie “Three Wise Women,” premiering Tuesday (12/14) in her home town of Dublin.  The esteemed veteran actress, whose credits range from “James Joyce’s Women” to “Lost,” plays the senior version of a character she shares with two other actresses (Amy Huberman, Lauren Coe) in the romp about a workaholic doctor who needs to change her ways to find true love.

“It gave me the opportunity to play her less attractive as a personality — the woman she may become in her older years.  I leave her somewhat horrified, with very good reason,” notes Flanagan.  “It was great fun.”

It’s been a prolific year for Flanagan, who divides her time between her L.A. home and Ireland.  Besides “Three Wise Women,” “I have three films waiting to come out,” she says.  “One is a comedy I did for Edoardo Ponti, a little comedy called ‘Coming & Going,’ which I’m hoping will come out soon.  I get to play this kind of funny, bossy woman in it, the aunt of Rhys Darby from ‘Flight of the Conchords.’

“Then I have a big film, a big drama film called ‘Kill The Irishman,’ which Jonathan Hensleigh directed,” she says, speaking of the true story of 1970s Cleveland-based Irish mobster Danny Greene, with a cast including Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Vincent D’Onofrio, Linda Cardellini and Paul Sorvino.  “That’s supposed to come out in March, I think.

“Then I have a little film with Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle, called ‘The Guard,’  which again is supposed to come out next year.  That’s directed by John Michael McDonagh, who is the brother of Martin McDonagh, the great Irish playwright.  I did that last winter,” she says.

“So, yes, I’ve been busy.   That’s always good for an actor, especially these days.  And I’ve been fortunate.”

Helen Mirren, Felicity Jones, Djimon Hounsou

Will the 2010 Oscars be a whites-only club? Gregg Kilday and Matthew Belloni projected the possibility in the Hollywood Reporter back in September, and as this awards season has moved forward, indeed, the focus has been on a collection of Caucasian colossi.

Where are the faces of color? Minority stars have been busy cranking out big commercial movies this year rather than Oscar-type fare, goes the prevailing industry wisdom — Denzel Washington in “Unstoppable,” Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson in “Iron Man 2.” The dearth of African-American, Latino and Asian players in the critics’ awards picks is either 1) just a coincidence or 2)another result of the recession, as distributors fail to pick up independent films that feature minorities, and studios “play it safe.”

Before we get too carried away with this theme, however, the picture could still change. There are Oscar-worthy performances by non-whites in this year’s crop of films, performances that merit more attention than they’ve been getting, starting with Djimon Hounsou in Julie Taymor’s “The Tempest.”

Two-time Academy Award nominee Hounsou plays the enslaved island native Caliban as quite literally a force of nature, the offspring of a witch and the devil. The actor studied Butoh, an ancient form of Japanese dance that represents nature, to prepare for the role. He moves with raw, animalistic grace. He went through five hours a day having makeup applied to his nearly naked body, a process the actor admits always left him in a terrible mood — which he used in his performance as a not-quite-human being consumed by rage.

Taymor continues to have the artistic audacity to follow her own creative instincts rather than playing to critics’ or audiences’ expectations, which has resulted in a “Tempest” that’s excited passionate responses both negative and positive. That this film, with its flawless performances and unforgettable stark imagery, will stand the test of time is without doubt, whether the Academy pays more attention than critics’ groups or not. “The Tempest” opens tomorrow
(12/10).

Meanwhile, would Kimberly Elise be getting more notice for her heart-wrenching portrayal of a woman who submits to abuse in “For Colored Girls” if it weren’t for the fact that Tyler Perry directed the film, and critics don’t like Perry?

The flaws of Halle Berry’s “Frankie and Alice” — also opening, in limited release, tomorrow (12/10) — have been widely enumerated, but there is no ignoring the daring performance of Oscar-winner Berry as a severely emotionally damaged woman with two alternate personalities.

Almost certainly, Javier Bardem, another Academy Awards nomination veteran, will be remembered for his portrayal of a terminally ill criminal in “Biutiful,” which already won him Best Actor honors at the Cannes Film Festival. That, at least, will add a dash of Spanish flavor to the mix.