Bill Zwecker has been following the story of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin possibly popping up on SNL one of these days to have a little fun with former Second City star Tina Fey and Fey's Palin impression. Says the Z-Man, "I'm hearing some sort of Palin tweak of Fey's American Express commercials is in the works. While next weekend's 'Saturday Night Live' will be a rerun, it is possible Palin could appear Thursday on the first of NBC's 'Weekend Update' specials in prime time." Well, that'll be interesting, as Fey has no love for Palin, saying at the Emmy Awards, “I want to be done playing this lady November 5th." more ›

where she will not only take on the role of executive producer but will also star as legendary singer Etta James. No word yet on when she will actually arrive, but we’re certain well know as soon as her private jet lands, as Beyonce buzz travels fast. The film will mainly be shot in New Jersey and Mississippi, but may shoot in Chicago for a few exteriors. more ›

Another item for the Cart Before the Horse file: Will Smith was in town last week for the Chicago premiere of his new film The Pursuit of Happyness. In the film he plays real-life Cinderella man Chris Gardner, who went from being homeless on the streets of San Francisco to managing his own very successful investment firm here in Chicago. That's not the real story however. The real story is that Will Smith wants to... more ›

You know, when Chicagoist received an internal office email alerting us to the impending divorce of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston, the subject line read "!!!." Obviously, we all were just as animated in our reaction to this news as the next celebrity stalker. more ›

Attention television and movie also-rans: please stay out of Chicago. more ›

"Kill Your Idols" never rang so true. more ›

Yesterday Roger Ebert received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Congratulations, Roger. You’ve finally arrived. Bill Zwecker’s got all the news that’s fit to print in a press release this morning about the ceremony. Apparently, this was the first time that a star was given to a critic. Finally! Pointing out people’s flaws has been legitimized! By an organization that honors people whose friends have $15,000 dollars to spare! Let freedom ring! Ebert’s... more ›

Back in April, we wondered if genius or madness would show up on June 24th when Lauryn Hill was to take the Taste of Chicago stage. In today's Sun-Times, Bill Zwecker answered the question with the news that Lauryn Hill has “reportedly” been replaced in the Taste of Chicago lineup by LL Cool J. more ›

Hey menfolk: have you got style? Do you press your pocket squares each and every evening, and hand-fray your tattered jeans into a delightfully distressed oblivion? Do you starch your designer underwear, and use the word "Dockers" as an expletive? more ›

We don't normally go to Bill Zwecker for breaking news, but we'll give credit where credit is due. Though the AP wires just picked it up this weekend (thanks to a press release from Disney), Zwecker reported back at the beginning of April about Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Timed to coincide with the end of his Overlooked Film Festival wrapped up in Urbana, the announcement also... more ›

Fresh off her recent children's books/Kaballah propaganda, Madonna (or, as she's now called, Esther � way to desexualize her, religion!) is performing two more shows in Chicago tonight and tomorrow at that most intimate of venues, the United Center. Reports from Ms. Ciccone's first shows here have been decidedly mixed, but the overwhelming opinion seems to be that she's (gasp!) favoring style over substance. The show features, in some capacity, all of the following: bagpipes, explosions, a skateboarding ramp, video screens, and an electric chair. Yowza! Now that's entertainment! more ›