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Show DAILY Sunday, April 6, 2008 HERALD CS Seek out counselors for help Learn the 'Secret Talents of the Stars' L Diane Werts NEWSDAY : (I i been a Dear Seventeen good IVe always but now I'm falling so And you thought you'd seen celebrities do everything. Dance, sing, skate. Live together, lose f weight. Get arrested, go to jail, go to rehab. All dressed up, dressed down, dressed in (and out of) their underwear. But now TV has come up with a new way to feed our celebrity-craze- d pop culture cravings. . "Secret Talents of the Stars" arrives on CBS this Tuesday, at a later hour, when the little ones wont be able to see the show biz showing-of- f . Thank our stars for DVRs. Then even the tykes will be able to savor the country music song stylings of "Star Trek" helmsman turned gay Howard Stern sidekick George Takel And the stand-u- p coniedy of country crooner Clint Black. And kid star turned DJ turned human train wreck Danny Bonaduce astride a unicycle among circus clowns. Sixteen stars will compete rang- ing from R&B star Mya (tap dancing) to Olympic skater Sasha Cohen (contortion-ism- ) to the ubiquitous Ben Stein (dancing the jitterbug) talin a live seven-wee- k ent show, where viewers decide online who goes, who stays and who finally wins the, uh, whatever they win. It sounds almost too good to be true a cheesef est cornucopia along the lines of those 1980s network-glory-day- s legends "Battle of the Network Stars" and "Circus of the Stars." Add to that the reality comd petition element, and the lineup, and it's practically a trifecta of pop culture cool! But not so fast, boys and girls of all ages. Robyn Nash, executive producer of "Secret Talents of the Stars," isn't having any of that campy trashing. Nash, whose previous productions include "World's Most Amazing Videos" and "Stupid Behavior: Caught on Tape," has noble intentions. "I've always been fascinated by celebrities and interested in other things they might do," Nash said by phone last week while prepping the live show for its debut. She remembered reading an article about Pierce Brosnan also being a fire-eatsadly, not a talent to be showcased on this first edition and thought celebrities must "all have secrets like that. And they aren't always so tabloidy. I wanted to kind of find those and have it be like an variety show. "Some of them are very good at their secret talent, and some are not so good," fast. I get drunkjifid have sex with almost every guy I meet. Plus, my mom is on drugs, and 1 have no one to talk to about my problems. - Tina, Help.' 1 Teen Advice 6, Philadel- phia w Going through a tough time doesnt make you a bad person, Tina; in fact, it's so good that you reached out to us for help that's the first step to making things better. Drinking and sex might seem to offer some kind of escape for you or a sense of control, but you need to learn how to handle your complicated situation with your mom in a healthy way. Start by talking to your school guidance counselor about what's going on in your life, or ask your guidance counselor to refer you to a school or local psychologist. Talking to a counselor will help you sort out your feelings, needs and options for coping with your life. To get help with your alcohol abuse and your mother's drug problem, call the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence's i JEFFREY R. STMBCBS Olympic skater Sasha Cohen rehearses with students from the New Shanghai Circus School and members of the troupe for her performance as a contortionist on the premiere episode of "Secret Talents of the Stars," which airs Tuesday. files from TV's lower ranks. Nash admits, "but we're pairing them with really strong backing acts, so they have a chance to really shine. If someone's singing, they're singing with a orchestra. If someone's dancing, we're surrounding them with 14 to 16 great dancers. These are big production numbersWe're not looking for anyone to fall on their face." Oh, dear. Whither the cheese factor? Perhaps it will come in the costuming. When ABCs "Battle of the Network Stars" pitted 1970s and '80s celebs in teams for "sports" like the obstacle course or the baseball-throdunk tank, you had sights like the one immortalized in the label of its YouTube clip Pernell Roberts in a Speedo with the "Trapper John, M.D." star suddenly seen in a tight that might better have stayed dark. Despite the new show's title, the fun in "Secret Talents" is unlikely to come from seeing candid new sides of the stars. We already see them everywhere all the time d world. Back in the in our 70s and '80s, celebrities were at more of a distance, making it fascinating to see, say, Robert Conrad insulting his opponents and berating his teammates, clearly more invested in the contest than the many "stars" who were there to boost their pro celeb-cramme- These celebrity competition shows "had so many stars, you couldn't ignore them," says Billy Ingram, proprietor of the nostalgia site TVParty.com, which revisits trends and traumas of TV's past. "Especially during the early days (of the format), you had stars like Lucille Ball and Lauren Bacall and Tony Curtis and Vincent Price." Shows like "Circus of the Stars" were Nielsen blockbusters, but "Secret Talents" producer Nash probably would be pleased with a 12 share in these days of diminishing network numbers. That would put her show in Nielsen's weekly top 10. CBS is clearly banking on the series' appeal, scheduling it to climax during the May sweeps precisely where networks two decades earlier aired those previous star battles as ratings magnets. Unlike "Circus," which CBS's new series mdst closely resembles, but like most of today's celebrity showcases, "Secret Talents" is competitive. Nash hopes viewers will "get attached to people as they move on rounds) and cheer for (through semi-fintheir favorites." If it doesn't work here, just wait. Industry reports say NBC has picked up a "Celebrity Circus" format, and ABC, CBS and Fox are eyeing similar concepts. fame-fixate- think that's the issue, ask your teachers for extra help or if they can recommend a good tutor). Maybe when you study there are too many distractions (the TV, your computer, the phone). Or maybe the material is just plain boring to you; not everyone can love every school subject, after alL (If that's the problem, set up rewards for yourself with homework you hate, tell yourself that you can call a friend only when you're done with it; then stick to that plan!) If none of these sounds like the answer, speak to your guidance counselor; she may suggest you meet with a psychologist to be distested for attention-defic- it order, which can be regulated. Or you might just have too much on your mind to focus on your work. Your guidance counselor or another trusted adult can help you work through your distractions and get back on track. Good luck! work-and-rewa- rd Hope Line at They'll be able to help you find resources for yourself and for her. Even if you can't What should I do if one of my friends tells me she's pregnant from an older guy? Valerie, 15, New Cumberland, Pa. persuade your mom to change her behavior, you can start making the right decisions for There's only one thing you can do in such a serious situation, Valerie: Tell your friend that she absolutely must talk to her parents or a trusted pregnancy. Remember that adult (like a doctor) about sex is never completely safe; diseases can be transmitted this immediately. She needs even when your partner uses a adult help in deciding what to do. (If she remains pregnant, condom. Tina, resist the temptations of alcohol and sex, and v she'll require proper medical care and nutrition, so it's reach out for expert help. As you make these changes, you important that she goes to will start to feel better and them now.) It will be scary for more in control of your life. your friend to tell her parents that the father is an older I can't seem to get my foman, but they need to know in order to help her. But if cus on schoolwork or homeshe feels she can't talk to her work. I get into it for about mom and dad, tell her she can 15 minutes, then I lose my concentration. How can I fix contact Planned Parenthood at plannedparenthood.org or this? Mariah, 16, Hines-vill- yourself: Immediately schedule an appointment with your doctor or Planned Parenthood to get tested for STDs and al . , e, in mint itahtuda ttVyiciaa J nnnnnn nnmnrtiiinn ' 1 , AlexVeiga .THE ASSOCIATED PRESS i ANGELES MySpace, which has lured millions of big acts ind garage bands alike to biuldbrofiles on the popular sociaf networking hub to at tract fans, said Thursday it will turn those pages into portals for selling music, merchandise 'and more. Helping back the new MySpace Music are three of the biggest recording compaVivendi SA's Universal nies Music Group, Sony BMG Mu-si- k Entertainment and Warner Music Group Corp. jfinancial terms of the partnership were not disclosed, but eaqti of the music companies will receive an unspecified equity stake in the new company, saidChris DeWolfe, MySpace arid chief executive. The fourth-large- music st Company, EMI Group PLC, is not part of the deal DeWolfe said MySpace is in licensing talks with "everyone" but declined to say where discussions stand with EMI, home to artists such as Coldplay and Norah Jones. MySpace Music, which will roll out gradually in coming months, will enable artists to ' sell music downloads, concert tickets and merchandise such as through their profile pages and to offer ringtones through, a unit of MySpace parent News Corp. "We believe that the Web is becoming increasingly more social," DeWolfe said during a conference call "MySpace Music is a new way of experiencing music online that everyone can participate in." Fans also will be able to stream audio and video for free through musical artists' prof He pages. DeWolfe said some tracks will be sold without copyprotection safeguards but noted that the major labels had committed only to experimenting with offering content in an unrestricted format. Selling music without the copy protections that make such tracks incompatible with fjGAFLEX Iat thnk oit V iViH o r lto'iMni 1 from their profile pages using a third-part- y technology, but that capability never was integrated into the site the way MySpace Music's storefront will be, DeWolfe said. , MySpace, which boasts lysts said. "It's definitely got a lot of po- more than 110 million monthly tential to it, but how much it re- users, has more than 5 milally changes the game is yet to lion profile pages showcasing be determined," said Michael major label artists, indepenGartenberg, vice president and dents and unsigned acts. All those artists would eventually research director for "This is one of those be able to take advantage of important events in the history MySpace Music's offerings, of digital music and it has a lot the company said. of potential going forward." MySpace Music will operate MySpace may also be looking for ways to maintain its lead on rival social network Facebook, which has been " gaining in popularity. James McQuivey, digital music analyst for Forrester Research, noted that the venture is wisely aiming to serve as a p portal for music fans. MlUlf! UTLOt "A MySpace music store is 'ilSUMwl iHSHSflswHi swnaw-exactly the right step to get tuns KirsisuwKi IMJSISIDJIItfl the music industry to the next HUB I m m ii is im us hi t bjmsh! mwiMUK rwji level because it recognizes KVUUaWWKlK-IHIWMMi SU !W IB that consumers don't just buy IMMKm-liHIJHSIlllHI IlllWMSHSIHJ !IW1 it ... music, they experience couKftounirn iiKiiujtMWS imisms That's what people do with wins music already on MySpace, ll:3IB?IIHS ft! II WPiimtoBoviEm-nmtofflaioiTumjm it's what has made Last.FM IJSHS UII! HIM HmMtromrin-stop loss id and iMeem.com so popular so IliitlStSSlB 1HSUSMIJIMI quickly," he said. The company declined to discuss pricing or other revenue details. In 2006, MySpace began letting artists sell music g magazine for young women, reaching more than 13 million readers every month. WHEN; Tuesdays at 10:00 am SCERA Center for the Arts WHERE: AGE: Adults 18 years and older COST: $2.00 per person Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman (1995) Feb 12 WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING PG Charming story a lonely Chicago transit worker who rescues her dream man from certain death, is mistaken for his fiancee and finds she loves his family - and his brother! of Feb 19 return" r von J In RETURN TO ME David PG Duchovny, Minnie Driver (2000) "r UTTLt this romantic comedydrama, Bob, recently widowed, crosses paths with a young waitress who got a second chance at life due to a heart transplant she received r"' from Bob's deceased wife. HMTOK IRON WILL MacKenzie AstJn. Kevin Feb 26 IMS II WINS I Spacey (1993) PG sled race, and Stoneman and his faithful dogs embark on a treacherous must find the courage to continue against impossible odds. II i SIS kik-iMUUHDKII mrsisuNDiKi IHSI35H5tH5USHS II IH0HSM5IW' tSSHS MIUIITTATlOtdVIS HO IH0HIH5W SHUTTEt HMTOIIIIUKtWHOlCI MOMS MHStti5HS!flHI SflOftWiaCHIOMlOB HOIS PSHSS 10,000 LEATHERHEADS PGU ' March 11 HfYEtUaOOWK ) 40 700 20 THE RUINS R DIP 12:00 2:70 4 sffpERHFiC) MOVIE VAHTAGC IK-I- IHS PG1 PG1 March 18 AIRPORT ma PGi J JUNO THIIT1 )S?-MUHTUaUUII) IISSISMSIh! THE V DLP MESSES Slf HUT I (K-1- UVilt WD 3 'DLP THE OnfMUHC rOlSMSUSIMS HOUIHEI(Pt) . 3 SIMON PEGG mints ' U LEGEM April t MTKWU TIE SI)K PG)U USiMUUf . -- - lJ w J ' 1 AorllS "T- Six f-- INDULGE IN SOME BELLY ni PLAYING! LADY DOWN Chariton Heston (1978) PG i' 1 April 15 THE MAJESTIC t CARMIKE WYNNSONQ 4825 N Edgawood Dr. Provo 1801 9 U CObt In JWW PROVO 12O0TovmCtmtr Blvd. Provo (600) FANDANGO CINEMARK 11 AT screenwriter is accused of being Jim Carrey BOOH PG i Communist during the 1950' i car accident causes him to lose his memory, finds himself mistaken for wtllywniiilt.i f ATHOY Howard Keel (1954) home a wife for himself. A Hollywood h J SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS brothers decide to find brides for themselves after their older brother brings 1 LAUGHS." taxi NOW GRAY a freighter. 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With the faith of his daughter, they set upon a seemingly impossible goal - to win the Breeder's Cup. UIPHHEIOIOYK LUTHEIHUM(N-- DLP in G (1970) from Allied officers but finds herself falling spy is hired to retrieve love with an American officer and realizes she is unable to betray him, Info A German WWI .TWIUIIBlll WHS fmiNGLJU Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson March 4 MO W:?0 IMS 1 i best-sellin- SCtRA CINfMA CLASSICS PULLMAN fee Sleeping , "iMlMfcrtMm""!' ihtoumng-aivHiH- Ml dearseventeenhearst.com. Seventeen is today's h. one-sto- I"" i9ftKaii)M as a separate company, with a president who reports to DeWolfe and to a board of directors that will include representatives from the recording companies. SANDRA BULLOCK Questions may be sent directly to Seventeen magazine at: Lots of students feel this way, Mariah. Maybe you're not being challenged enough by your work (in which case, talk to your teachers about getting assignments that match your skill level better). It's also possible that the material is too advanced (if you el Apple Inc's iPod music players could place MySpace Music in direct competition with existing digital music stores such as Apple's fTunes, Amazon.com, Napster Inc. and others, ana- Jupiter-Researc- Ga. PMCTOMI DHUUPM HOWTUM v u who was thought to have been killed. mMi (i)M www.scera.0r3 but, after WWII soldier i ,- ' |