By Romeo San Vicente
The second – or is it third? – coming of 'Ab Fab'
Edina and Patsy would like another drink; care to join them? "Absolutely Fabulous," the British sitcom that made Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley household names in the U.S., is returning for another go-round. The first incarnation aired from 1992 to 1996 and was then reprised from 2001 to 2004. Six years later, the champagne-guzzling fashionistas are back and ready for more. Recently, Saunders began long-term treatment for breast cancer, so the comic actor's readiness to step back into Eddi's outrageous shoes is a very good news for the show and its millions of fans around the world. Lumley, meanwhile, has been starring on Broadway in "La Bete." And at 52 (Saunders) and 64 (Lumley), both women are still in prime shape to be devilish in Prada. Ideally, it won't stop until they're in their 90s.
Rachel Weisz dives into 'Deep Blue Sea'
Win that first Oscar and the opportunity to work with more prestigious directors turns into a commonplace occurrence. Not squandering her moment is Rachel Weisz, whose increasingly interesting career finds her shooting a new film with acclaimed gay Brit director Terence Davies. "The Deep Blue Sea," adapted from the play by Terence Rattigan, tells the story of a rich woman in 1950s London who leaves her high court judge husband to go live with a hot, young pilot. Davis often directs autobiographical stories like the critic's favorites "Distant Voices, Still Lives" and "The Long Day Closes." A notable exception to this was his adaptation of "The House of Mirth" starring Gillian Anderson. Now, thanks to A-lister Weisz, the filmmaker may wind up with his most high-profile success to date. Production is underway now in London; look for it in arthouse theaters sometime in 2011.
From porn to real estate to reality TV?
As "Tag Eriksson," he starred in "The Hole," a gay porn parody of "The Ring," not to mention several other high-profile adult films. But since leaving that industry several years ago, Frederik Eklund hasn't quietly gone back into private life. Instead, the young, good-looking man from a wealthy Swedish family wrote a book about his experiences (titled "Lord of the Fruit Flies") and then became a real estate mogul in New York City, one recently profiled in "The New York Times" and whose multi-million dollar portfolio and celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz make him something of a rising star all over again. Obviously, with a history like that, it was only a matter of time before Bravo TV came calling. And that's what's happening to Eklund, who's in talks to be cast as part of a reality series about real estate brokers. Not bad for a guy who used to bare it all, and proof that there really is life after a porn career.
Richard Hatch hatches a comeback plan
He defined the concept of the reality show villain, the ultimate "not here to make friends" player. And he won "Survivor"'s landmark first season. And then he lost in a big way when he was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to prison (a charge he still refutes). But Richard Hatch is back and ready to play again. This time around the naked bear will keep his clothes on – a suit to be precise – on the upcoming season of "Celebrity Apprentice." He was supposed to have been on "Survivor: Heroes and Villains" but his passport is on lockdown thanks to that prison time. "Celebrity Apprentice" is a cooler show to win anyway and given his reputation, he's going to be tough competition. Watch out, Carrot Top!
