Issue Date: July 4, 2004
What has become of rocker Billy Idol? Has he retired from the music business? Will he star in any future movies?
Jerry Mucha, Shenandoah, Pa.
No movies, but his music career may soon be recharged. Idol, 48 and still sporting the spiky blond hairdo, is recording a new CD, with release possible early next year. Once a mainstay of alternative pop, the Brit singer has been somewhat missing in action since his last album, 1993's "Cyberpunk," tanked. Now living in Hollywood, Idol thinks he'll do a full-fledged U.S. tour once the new album is out.
Rachel Bilson's dark hair and eyes set her apart on "The O.C.," a show full of beautiful stars. My daughter and I think she must have Mexican ancestry. We'd like to know more about her.
Marita Yuen, Honolulu
We're told Bilson, 22, has no Mexican ancestry; she considers herself "American." Her sunny good looks are Californian; she's a bona-fide "Valley girl" who grew up in L.A. She dates co-star Adam Brody, 24, and they return to work this month. "The O.C." returns in November on Thursdays.
What is Reese Witherspoon's next movie? Is she finished with the "Legally Blonde" series?
Jennifer Sauers, Rochester, N.Y.
There are no plans for another "Legally Blonde," thank goodness. Witherspoon's next movie comes in September; she's Becky Sharpe in "Vanity Fair," an adaptation of the classic novel. Also, she's filming "Walk the Line." Witherspoon, 28, plays June Carter Cash to Joaquin Phoenix's Johnny.
When my husband and I watch CBS' "NCIS," we argue about which '60s spy show David McCallum was on. I say "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," and he says "Mission: Impossible." Who is right?
Gale Morrison, Nederland, Texas
I can't believe you two are even fighting about this. Of course, it was "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." McCallum, 70, was the very sexy Illya Kuryakin, a Russian secret agent battling the evil THRUSH.
What will Sharon Osbourne do now that her talk show is over?
Melissa Watson, Warren, Ohio
She still manages Ozzy and Ozzfest, of course, and "The Osbournes" continues on MTV. But come September Osbourne, 51, will be a judge on Simon Cowell's new British "American Idol"-like talent show, "X-Factor," which has no age limit. She's perfect. She can be profane and sweet -- at the same time -- but she tells it like it is, a lot like "Idol's" Simon.
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Tennis great John McEnroe is out to prove he can still keep a volley going -- in conversation, that is. This Wednesday, the retired four-time world champ introduces a nightly talk show, "McEnroe," on CNBC (10 p.m. ET). McEnroe tells us he'll emulate his favorite nighttime talkers, David Letterman ("He can roll with the punches or help a guest out if they're struggling a bit") and Johnny Carson, his dream guest. (McEnroe bought Carson's Malibu home for a dollar sum plus three tennis lessons in the '80s; he still owes Carson one lesson.) He's excited about the chance to talk politics, music and current events, as well as sports, on the hour-long show. "I know a lot of people are saying, 'Why is he doing a talk show?' Fair enough," McEnroe says, adding that his knowledge of art (he owns a gallery in Manhattan's Soho) and music (from years of playing guitar) will come into play. "People are going to expect some reincarnation of Morton Downey," McEnroe says. "But I'm a different person at 45."
Everyone's wondering why Esai Morales left "NYPD Blue" and what he's doing now.
Eva Williams, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
His "Blue" contract was up, and Morales, 41 and single, wanted to find his own show. "Unfortunately, that didn't happen," he says. He did make "Colderon," a drama produced by Sandra Bullock that could get picked up midseason; some directing jobs are possible, and he tells us he's in talks to join a Broadway musical. Is work why he's not seen at more red-carpet events? "I'd rather be known for my work and causes than for partying," he says, "although ... I do like to have a social life." W
What is Kelly Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos, doing these days? I've heard nothing about his career except that he had been working on a movie.
Barbara Muzy, Findlay, Ohio
That war movie, "The Great Raid," with Benjamin Bratt and Joseph Fiennes, is due in February. But Consuelos has joined the cast of Lifetime's series "Missing," which begins a second season next Saturday. From Toronto, where "Missing" is filmed, Consuelos, 34, tells us he was a little "freaked out about making the move" so far from Ripa and their three kids in New York. "I miss bedtime stories, checking on the kids, and the couple hours with my wife when everyone else is asleep," he says. He gets home often for four-day weekends. Consuelos also subs for Regis Philbin on occasion, which he finds difficult. "It's live TV. It's terrifying," he confesses.
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BIRTHDAYS
July 4: Abigail Van Buren, 86
July 5: Edie Falco, 41
July 6: George W. Bush, 58; Sylvester Stallone, 58
July 7: Michelle Kwan, 24; Ringo Starr, 64
July 8: Beck, 34; Toby Keith, 43; Kevin Bacon, 46
July 9: Courtney Love, 40; Tom Hanks, 48; Jimmy Smits, 48
July 10: Jessica Simpson, 24
 Ask Lorrie Lynch a question about a celeb!
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