Beck/Smith Hollywood

Indrani, Markus Klinko Bravo photo

The high stress, high art, high friction, high ego world of A-list celebrity photographers gets the docu-reality treatment in Bravo’s June 15-debuting “Double Exposure” – which follows the work of photographers (and former couple) Markus Klinko and Indrani.   The team has worked with such famous personalities as Beyonce, Kate Winslet, Lady Gaga, Will Smith and Lindsay Lohan.  As the show reveals, they have plenty of personality themselves.

Former model Indrani tells us no two shoots are alike.  “Some will come in with very strong visions.  David Bowie told us he’d been following our work from the very beginning and he loved what we did, which we found very exciting.  He asked us to do things we’d never done before, working in black and white with old school style photography solarization.  Others time people come in and they’re very open, ready for a total change of their image.  It really depends.  Sometimes the collaborative process is really fighting for ideas.”

“Double Exposure,” she says, “is our idea, because for many years, people have told us we should have a TV show.  We’re crazy and hysterical and there’s a lot of drama on our shoots,” she admist.  “It’s because our work is our lives and we’re very passionate about it.”  It’s also because “photo shoots are often where people feel the most vulnerable.”  The stars, she adds, “are just as insecure as you or me or anyone about having their photo taken.”

IT PAYS TO BE RICH AND FAMOUS:  News that Charlie Sheen is likely to wind up serving half of a 30-day sentence – sans probation – in his plea bargain deal in the Christmas day domestic violence case involving his wife, Brooke Mueller, would be unsettling enough on its own.  Has anyone taken a look at his prior record?  But to have it be in the pattycake Pitkin County Jail?  The notoriously cushy spot, where Claudine Longet served her 30-day sentence for misdemeanor negligent homicide in the shooting of skier Spider Sabich back in the ‘70s, is outfitted with homey comforts from plants and TVs to coed areas where inmates can mingle freely.  Not much tougher than the luxury rehab facility Sheen visited earlier this year as a “preventative” measure.

A NEW STAGE:  Fred Willard says he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be called upon to return to his role as Ty Burrell’s dad on “Modern Family.”  He’s certainly not waiting around to find out.  Willard has his family on a European vacation. When they get back, “someone is talking to me about a stage show on Broadway.  I’m not sure about that.  I have to find out more,” he says.  “I’ve been wanting to do more theater.  We’ll see if this is the time.”

Jesse James

What serves as both a shield and a publicity-generating mechanism, deflects responsibility, dodges legal trouble, garners oodles of public sympathy and career comeback opportunities, and can be exploited in an unlimited, multi-platform way?

Celebrity rehab, of course!

No wonder so many are rushing to check into their favorite $24,000-75,000-a-month rehab center.

Is anyone surprised that, now that his multiple mistresses have been exposed, Jesse James has gone the sex rehab route at a facility in Arizona, trying to save his marriage to Sandra Bullock?  After all, rehab was First Stop on the Image Rebuilding Train for Tiger Woods.

Or that Charlie Sheen is already back working on a closed “Two and a Half Men” set after his three-week “preventative” rehab stint?  Being rehabilitated for something you have not done makes sense in the land of legalese, as in morals clauses in one’s contract, we guess.  Let’s hope it’s not the modern answer to the Middle Ages’ selling of indulgences in advance of the commission of sins.

Don’t get us wrong – it’s great that famous personalities like Maureen McCormick, Ben Affleck and Robert Downey, Jr., have beaten down their addiction demons with the help of rehab, and we applaud the good work that goes on at plush and not-so-plus centers alike.  But you know things have gotten out of hand when you read treatment facility websites that boast of “lush grounds, tennis court, swimming pools, and hot tubs, with great outdoor activities located just across from Malibu beach” (Passages Malibu) or  “a luxurious mountain retreat…Stunning views from each room help residents connect with their higher power” (Cirque Lodge) .

Dr. Drew Pinsky – who shows up for every celebrity rehab just as attorney Gloria Allred shows up for every wronged female celebrity legal case – is up to three celebrity rehab reality shows.  There also A&E and TLC reality shows about addicts.

Addiction as entertainment, whod’a thunk it?  We’re in a media landscape where Paddy Chayefsky’s darkly satirical lines in “Network” about an executions show becoming a huge ratings-getter don’t seem out of the realm of possibility any more.

Rory Albanese Comedy Central photo

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW:  Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” has been surprising some of its audience of late, tweaking the Obama administration and various other Democrats – which means it’s time to take a fresh look at “The Daily Show” for what it is, to hear the show’s Rory Albanese tell it.

“I think people thought we were just this left-wing group that were going after the Bush administration, but in reality we’re the wise-asses in the back of the classroom making fun of the people in charge.  At first the audience was like, ‘What are you doing?’ but Obama was screwing up a lot so it was fun to change the tone of the show.   None of us really have political allegiances,” he adds.  “We’re just thinking about how we can make things funny.”

Albanese makes things funny in his own his first Comedy Central special, airing tonight (4/2).  He tells us performing in front of his boss proved to be quite nerve-wracking.  “I was extra nervous because a lot of family and friends were there as well as a lot of co-workers. With Jon Stewart standing in the back you don’t want to bomb,” notes Albanese.

He says Stewart couldn’t have been more supportive.  “Before the show, he came by the green room to give me a pep talk. He gets comedy on every level – as a writer, as a producer, and as a performer – so to have him in my corner is unbelievable.  I work hard on his show and I work hard in standup so I never want to let him down in either.”

Leigh-Allyn Baker

OH, BABY:  The Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie” launches Sunday (4/4).  Touted as more of a traditional family sitcom than a show geared towards kids alone, it has a trio of older siblings – teen stars Jason Dolley and Bridgit Mendler, and Bradley Steven Perry — taking care of their baby sister while their parents are both at work.   Series mom Leigh-Allyn Baker admits, “When I entered into this I was very cautious, wondering about working on a show with kids.  I could never have guessed how much fun it would turn out to be.  I love their energy, and it’s just like a giggle fest 24/7.’

Baker’s the mother of a baby in real life as well as on the show, and she says that when she brings son Griffin to work, her young cast mates help her with him.  “He loves them all.  I was glad I could take him,” she says.  “He was starting to be a shy baby who’d cry when people said ‘Hi’ to him.”  His teenage buddies have changed that.

Little Mia Talerico, who portrays the show’s 9-month-old title baby, “Charlie,” has met Griffin as well.  “We all joke that theirs will be the true love story from our show, this little match,” says Baker.

CASTING CORNER:  Speaking of babies, casting forces are seeing candidates for the role of the baby in “The Astral” with Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson – six-month-olds to younger-looking two-year-olds.  But stage parents, be forewarned: it’s from the creators of “Paranormal Activity” and “Saw.”

And actresses are being considered for one of the more “high concept” pilots on the boards this season is NBC’s “In My Shoes,” a body switcheroo spotlighting a short-tempered high school teacher who – thanks to the work of two guardian angels — finds herself in the form of a poor single mother.  Sounds like a variation on “Drop Dead Diva.”

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

Denise Richards

Anyone who follows Denise Richards’ Twitter feed knows that the actress has been besieged this month by inquiries as to whether she – like former husband Charlie Sheen, who wrote to President Obama about the subject – is among the “Truthers” who believe the 9/11 attacks were actually the result of a conspiracy within the government.  

“I don’t believe that.  Charlie’s entitled to his beliefs and his opinions, but I don’t believe any of it,” she makes it clear.  “It’s such a sensitive topic.  My heart goes out to all the victims – that’s where the focus is for me,” adds Denise.

 She has a full plate of activities to focus on in her own life, meanwhile, beginning with plans to meet with Ryan Seacrest this coming week about the future of her “Denise Richards: It’s Complicated” E! Channel show, which he produces.

 “I knew that I wanted to do a second season because the first season was very much about all the stuff I was dealing with,” notes the beauty, referring to her grief over losing her mother, paparazzi problems, insomnia and the aftermath of her ugly divorce from Sheen.  “I wanted to show you can move on and move forward, take the high road and keep pursing what you want to pursue.  A third season – I know it’s reality and our life, and but I also want it to still be interesting,” says Denise, who is also shooting a pilot for a comedy series next month.

Denise is serving on the event committee for the Best Friends Animal Society’s Lint Roller Party, Oct. 3 at the Hollywood Palladium — where The Bangles will perform and Katherine Heigl will be honored.   Denise will be introducing a retrospective of the organization’s 25-year history of pet rescue, including roundups in which “they go to the shelters and rescue the dogs that are about to be euthanized, get them spayed and neutered and find them homes.” 

 Some of those animals have found homes in the “large menagerie” maintained by Denise, with her four and five-year-old daughters’ approval.  “My daughters are very nurturing with animals.  They would rather save a dog with three legs or blindness that needs extra care,” she says.  “I’m so proud of them for that.”

 HE’S GOT THE MOVES:  Tyce Diorio, who has been a standout choreographer and judge on “So You Think You Can Dance,” tells us the Fox show has done wonders for his career.  While he’s currently involved in the show’s sixth season, he’s also busy choreographing Cher in Las Vegas.  “It’s really taken me to new heights and I’m excited for what’s happening.  The show keeps me busy, and when I’m not working on the show, I try to find time for my personal life and other exciting projects,” says Diorio, who’s also worked with Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, and Janet Jackson.  In fact, he’s already planning to branch out.  “I’ll be working on an animated film in November.  I would like to direct films at some point too.  But dancing-wise, I want to choreograph for as many legendary icons as I can.”   

 In the meantime, Diorio will be busy helping select America’s next favorite new dancer.  “So far we’ve got some really dynamic characters this season.  When you see the top 20, then I think you’ll see what it’s shaping up into and that’s when I’ll know too,” he notes.  “It’s always different because no two people are alike so the individuality is what makes it great.  There’s real, real talent and it’s honest and it’s passionate and it’s the truth, and people connect to the truth.”

 ALWAYS GREEN:  With his “A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa” coming out on DVD at month’s end – plus a guesting on David Foster’s new Christmas special coming up – we asked Kermit the Frog who has stood out the most among the many iconic performers he’s worked with.  “Some of my favorite moments have been dancing with Gene Kelly to ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ and singing a Christmas carol on ‘SNL’ with Bobby De Niro.  And I’ve worked with so many great stars over the years – Bob Hope, Prince, Tony Bennett, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin…and too many legends to mention,” he replies. 

 And as for stars he’d like to collaborate with in the future?  “There are a lot of stars I’d still like to share the stage with,” he says.  “Al Pacino, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, to name a few.  I’d also like to work with Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz, but I know better than to mention that in a newspaper that Miss Piggy might read….Oops, was this on the record? Sheesh!” 

FOLLOW THE MONEY:  Casting is underway for filmmaker Paula Van der Oest’s “Domino Effect,” which takes a form somewhat similar to that of the acclaimed 2006 “Babel” with separate stories that interlock.  In the case of that film, action was touched off by a gun accident.  In Van der Oest’s forthcoming feature, it’s about a business banker in London who tries to take over a bank in Amserdam and fails, causing both banks to go bankrupt – which in turn creates a crisis for a mechanic in Michigan, and for characters in India, China, and Brazil. 

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

Dennis Hopper and Eric Roberts (photo from Starz)

Eric Roberts tells us, “I hope to retire young, in the next year and a half or maybe two years.”  For real?  “I probably will.  Unless someone offers me my own series and it’s incredible, I think I’m going to hang it up in about a year and a half – because, you know, Hollywood is run by lawyers not by artists, and I don’t find that terribly appealing.”

But in the meantime, he’s certainly not showing any signs of slowing down.  Right now, he’s busy filming Starz’ “Crash” series, in which he’ll debut next month playing a billionaire entrepreneur who has designs on bringing an NFL franchise into Los Angeles.  He also just finished his role on Sylvester Stallone’s big-screen “The Expendables.”  The movie shot in Brazil, L.A. and New Orleans, and Roberts describes production on the action picture as rigorous and then some.  Or, as he puts it, “It was a $#@%!! every day.”

Roberts did a lot of his work with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in the picture that also features Stallone himself, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews and a cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger — in a tale of mercenary soldiers on assignment in South America.  “I’m telling you, Steve Austin is one of the greatest cats on the planet.  He’s my new best friend and I mean that.  I love that guy to his bone marrow,” Roberts says.  “He’s the coolest, nicest most generous man I think I might have ever worked with.”

The series has him working with the also cool Dennis Hopper, “an old, dear friend,” says Roberts — as well as Ross McCall, “an actor I’m crazy about.”  “Crash” will keep him working in New Mexico for the next seven weeks.  He likes the people, but “every day around 1 o’clock it’s 105 degrees or more,” he points out.

No wonder visions of retirement are dancing in his head.
Says the actor, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the 1985 “Runaway Train,” “Ever since they gave my Oscar to the wrong guy, I keep working as hard as I can because I realize, I’m a workaholic.  It makes me happy.  That’s what I do.”

ON THE PERSONAL SIDE:  It’s been all over the news that Candy Spelling chose not to attend her granddaughter’s first birthday party upon discovering that it was being set up for daughter Tori’s Oxygen reality show, “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.”

To hear Tori talk about her life on TV, however, is to get the impression that  having the cameras around is no big deal to her – and it’s the same with her offspring.

“Liam figured it out pretty early on in his life.  For one, he’s bonded with all of the cameraman,” she tells us.  “Even with the paparazzi, he’d play with the camera, but now he’s over it.  Now Stella has stepped in and is hamming it up.”

While some might get tired of the lack of privacy, Spelling says it’s not as bad as people think.  “People always say to me, ‘Is it weird having cameras in your face 24 hours a day,’ and it’s not.  It’s not what people think.  It’s not like a regular television show,” she explains.  “It’s reality so it’s a very small crew and they become like family to you.  They’re more like flies on the wall so I forget they’re there.  I just go about my life.  And they’re obviously not there 24 hours a day.  We have down time alone with our family.  I really have enjoyed the experience.”

WOMAN ON THE SCENE: “Two and a Half Men” is set to return Sept. 21 and this season we’ll be seeing a lot more of Charlie Sheen’s onscreen love interest.  Actress Jennifer Taylor, who plays his fiancé Chelsea, has been made a series regular, so does this mean marriage for his bachelor character?  “I hope.  I’d love to be there forever,” says Taylor, who has had various small roles on the show since the pilot.  “I think it’d be interesting if they got married.  People could see Charlie’s character stumble along through everything that it entails.  I think that’s more interesting than being the same thing over and over again.  You can still preserve the essence of his character but in a committed relationship.”

No matter what happens, though, Taylor is just excited to be a more permanent member of the popular show.  “I never thought when I had a small part on the pilot that it would lead to me being a regular seven seasons later.  When I heard, I thought maybe it was a joke because they told me on April Fools Day. I was pleasantly surprised,” she says.  “I’ve kept different journals over the years and one time I wrote that I wanted to be a regular on a Chuck Lorre sitcom after working with him on a pilot like 10 years ago.  It’s literally a dream come true.  I feel like the pressure is on, though.  Now I have to earn my keep!  I’m just going to take everyday I’m here as a gift and just hope it keeps going.”

ASTUTE OBSERVER: Legendary writer Budd Schulberg, who died last week at age 95 leaving a legacy of great work (“On the Waterfront,” “The Harder They Fall,” “A Face in the Crowd,” etc.) was truly one of a kind.  The Oscar winner gave us a great many insightful comments through the years.  Marilyn recalls his observation that society had changed so much that the hot, young up-and-comers in Hollywood bought copies of  his “What Makes Sammy Run” because they considered the unethical central character Sammy Glick a hero — and wanted to be just like him.

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

Bob Harper

“The Biggest Loser” has its Season 7 live finale tonight (11/12) – which, for trainer Bob Harper, is a little like graduation time.

“I feel like a school teacher, living vicariously with my students as they go on in life,” says the popular fitness expert.  Harper, in fact, does stay in touch with quite a few of his former “Biggest Loser” contestants, “through emails, Facebook, text messaging.  Certain people strike a heartstring,” he says.

Viewers of the hit NBC show probably won’t be surprised to know that among the alumni who keep trainer Bob apprised of their doings are Mark and Jay Kruger, Roger Shultz and Dan Evans – guys from Season 5.  

Then there are those who don’t.  Case in point:  This season’s Joelle Gwynn, who got into on-camera battles with Bob on more than one occasion and wound up estranged from Carla Triplett, the Best Friend with whom she entered the weight loss competition.

He’s surprised himself by his “yelling and screaming at Joelle this season.  There are times you just get your buttons pressed,” he says with a sigh. 

Then there is the occasional unwelcome news that a former contestant has packed on the pounds again.  “I understand why people gain weight,” says Bob.  “I try to tell people, ‘It’s a lifestyle change — you have to manage it for the rest of your life.  You can’t go back to your old ways.’  But some do.” 

Compared to many weight loss regimens, he notes, “The Biggest Loser” has “a really good success rate, about 50-50” of those who manage to keep off the pounds and those who gain back.   He cites such “Biggest Loser” successes as Ali Vincent, the Season 5 winner, who is now the spokesperson for 24 Hour Fitness gyms, Bill Germanakos from Season 4, “who does public speaking,” and Dan Evans  The latter, “has a music career going now, he’s done a great job.”

PUTTING IN THE GOOD WORD:  Charlie Sheen has been staying on the straight and narrow both on and off screen of late, but Emmanuelle Vaugier, who plays his ex-fiancé on “Two and a Half Men,” tells us she’s coming back to make things interesting. 

It certainly must involve some drama, considering his character is engaged. 

“I’m back to stir the pot!  I seem to get brought back on the show for that reason quite a bit, but I have no complaints.  I’m perfectly happy to go stir the pot,” says Vaugier of her May 18 episode on the popular CBS series.  Working with Sheen is a treat, claims the actress, who insists he’s a lot different from his past party boy reputation.  “He’s a sweetheart.  He’s nothing like the persona people have of him.” 

Fans will see Vaugier’s more serious side as she reprises her role on Thursday’s (5/14) finale of “CSI: NY.”  “I’ve been on the show for three years now as a recurring character.  The season finale is coming up and it’s a very action packed episode with lots of twists and turns.  That was a lot of fun to shoot,” she says of playing Detective Jennifer Angell.  “It’s very different from what I’m used to doing because with this show, the less you do the better.  To them, murder is not a big deal, whereas you and I would be like, ‘Oh my God, someone’s been murdered!’  It’s so cool, though.  I’ve been able to work with guns, chase people down, and do some of my own stunts.” 

When asked if we can see more of her next year, she responds, “We will have to wait and see what they muster up next season.  I have some ideas but I’m not at liberty to say what they might be doing.”  

INSIDE INSIGHT: Wayne Brady has made a living doing improv, and while he has become quite skilled at it, he admits he gets nervous every time he goes out on stage.  “I get nervous all the time.  If I didn’t, I would be in trouble,” says Brady who is currently starring in his own show in Las Vegas.  “If you don’t get nervous then you’re probably not at the top of your game because nerves keep things heightened and it keeps you on your toes while you’re always trying to find that punch line.  They’re actually a good part of the job.” 

NEW MEDIA MAN:  “My Boys” star Reid Scott tells us he’s not just a pretty face on camera.  He’s about to also be a pretty face behind the scenes as he’s set to direct a series of webisodes this summer.  “Directing is what I started off doing.  I went to Syracuse and combined directing and theatre into one.  I’ve always loved acting and it’s been good to me so that’s been my focus,” he notes.  “I’m going to direct a web series for crackle.com called ‘The Prick.’  I’m not sure when that’s going to launch, but I’m excited about delving into it.  It’s easier branch out now that I’m at a position where I have kind of a regular schedule.  I know when I have time off so I can plan around that.”

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster