The Abrams report
J.J. Abrams will be the sole subject of next Friday’s (May 12) “Jimmy Kimmel Live” – and is also expected to direct the episode – a la Quentin Tarantino, who directed “Kimmel” in April 2004.
Abrams, who created “Lost,” “Alias” and “Felicity” – and directs Tom Cruise in “MI:3” – will also be a guest on the show (although he won’t be directing his own segment). “Lost” star Dominic Monaghan will drop by, as will several other “special guests” who’ve impacted Abrams’ work over the years.
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“Sopranos” tough guy Frank Vincent (Phil Leotardo) will be in Staten Island at Barnes & Noble (2245 Richmond Ave.) tonight at 7 to sign copies of his book, “A Guy’s Guide to Being a Man’s Man.” Speaking of “Sopranos,” Frankie Valli, whose mobster character, Rusty, was rubbed out in the April 23 episode, celebrates his 72nd birthday tomorrow by speaking at the Friar’s Club “celebrity luncheon” series. He’ll be interviewed by funnyman Stewie Stone.
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Was that really worth $2,000? “Extra” Las Vegas correspondent Carlos Diaz was covering the “Scrubs” DVD launch/wrap party in Sin City last Thursday (at the GQ Lounge at The Palms) when series star Zach Braff bet Diaz he wouldn’t get the “Scrubs” logo tattooed on his body – while co-star Donald Faison added another $1,000 to the kitty. So, Diaz went next door and got the “Scrubs” logo tattooed on his ankle, walking away with $2,000 in the process. It all airs on tonight’s “Extra.”
Last, but not least:
* Big promotion for CNBC’s Mary Duffy, who’s been upped to EP, primetime development.
* WFAN’s Ann Liguori contributed a quote for the “Sugar & Spice: Little Girls in the Funnies” exhibit at the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center (Santa Rosa, Calif.).
* Out today on DVD: “Life in the Undergrowth,” hosted by Sir David Attenborough. It aired Sunday on Animal Planet.
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* The girl TV couldn’t find a home for, Jessica Alba (right), has been named the host of MTV’s Movie Awards show next month. Alba, who starred in the ill-fated “Dark Angel” series, has been a red-carpet regular after the “Fantastic Four.”
* Mark your calendars: the “American Idol” tour – the live show starring the show’s top nine losers – is coming to the Continental Arena in Jersey July 13 and Nassau Coliseum two days later, it was announced yesterday.