Monica Lewinsky urged by Clinton friends not to do a new tell-all
By Bill Zwecker
October 17, 2012 10:32PM
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 05: Monica Lewinsky attends the Men's Health and Best Life magazines book release party for "BLUNT" by photographer Nigel Parry at Milk Gallery on December 5, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for Rodale)
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Updated: November 19, 2012 2:01PM
According to a couple of well-placed New York publishing sources, the tell-all memoir Monica Lewinsky is said to be shopping could snare some pretty hefty offers for the world’s most famous White House intern — possibly as much as $12 million.
I’m also hearing that a number of people who feel very protective of both former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have quietly reached out to Lewinsky, asking her to drop those plans. While my sources stress that neither of the Clintons are involved in any contact — of any kind — with Lewinsky, they, like everyone, know the impeachment scandal will never be forgotten. On top of that, any book Lewinsky might write would bring back to the news forefront one of the most painful memories in the couple’s life.
† That said, I’ve also heard from another source close to Lewinsky who firmly denies the ex-intern will rehash the scandal. For cooperation with author Andrew Morton’s book Monica’s Story, she reportedly was paid an estimated $1 million.
“This is such an old, old story,” said the Lewinsky friend. “Life has to move on. Monica has. The Clintons have. Isn’t it time America moved on?”
† Lewinsky’s former handbag business is closed. However, she has recently obtained a masters degree in social psychology.
TV TALK: Superstar chef Gordon Ramsay has found success with a series of food and hospitality-related reality shows on Fox including “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hotel Hell.”Now Ramsay — famous for his short fuse — is teaming up with NBC to create “The Inferno,” a scripted drama about two failing restaurateurs who hire a mysterious Italian chef to turn around their eatery’s fortunes. The chef becomes a sensation, but at a big personal price.
† One of the worst-kept Hollywood secrets finally has been confirmed: Khloe Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez will serve as co-hosts for the second season of “The X Factor” once the musical competition begins its live broadcasts next month.
AND STILL WORKING! You’ve got to hand it to actress Carla Laemmle, who will be feted for her 103rd birthday Saturday at the Cinefamily Silent Film House Theater in Hollywood. It’s a perfect venue as Laemmle, the niece of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle, starred in such silent classics as “The Phantom of the Opera” with Lon Chaney in 1925 before moving on to early “talkies” like “Dracula” with Bela Lugosi.Amazingly, Laemmle is still performing — including in the new web series “Broken Dreams Blvd.,” starring
Danny Aiello, playing the great grandmother of Nic Novicki (“Boardwalk Empire”).Among those involved in the Saturday tribute to Laemmle are Aiello, Novicki,
Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, Fran Drescher and Lainie Kazan.
SAVVY SHIELDS: Actress Brooke Shield s candidly shared a number of personal stories about her career and her family during a Q&A; with this columnist Wednesday after keynoting the annual Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation luncheon at the Hilton Chicago. The actress joked about finally tackling a dramatic role in L.A. last year — a staged reworking of the novel “ The Exorcist” — “which I hated,” said Shields with a laugh. “I decided I need to stick to comedy. I love making people laugh, making them happy.”The actress — whose career dates to becoming the Ivory Snow baby in commercials at 11 months — also spoke poignantly about her struggle with post-partum depression, following the birth of her first daughter — which led her to write “
And Down Came the Rain.”
“Fortunately, I didn’t have any issues after the birth of my second daughter — but I didn’t get a book out of her,” quipped Shields.
† As for her lifelong friendship with Michael Jackson, Shields summed it up by saying their bond was based on the fact they both were dealing with fame at a young age, “plus I never wanted anything from him — never needed anything from him. It was all about being kids and being friends for each other.”
As the actress revealed she was “so looking forward” to attending a London concert that never happened before his untimely death, she suddenly teared up, clearly still missing her friend.
A NEW LOOK: While the Archie & Veronica comics have been long set in a mid-20th century time warp, they now are making a big move into the present. In February, a special collector’s edition of the long-running comic books will feature characters from the hit “Glee” TV show. Among those planned to be seen running around Riverdale High School will be “Glee” mainstays Sue, Puck, Brittany, Finn, Rachel and Kurt.
SEEN ON THE SCENE: Evan Ross, the actor son of Diana Ross, was seen hanging out with “Millionaire Matchmaker’s” Jimmy D’Ambrosio at Public House. Ross also was spotted with DJ White Shadow — known for collaborating with Lady Gaga on “Born This Way” — at Hub 51, late-night munching with co-owner R.J. Melman. The hot DJ will spin Friday at Sub 51 to toast Jerrod Melman’s 30th. On Jerrod’s actual birthday (Thursday), Rihanna’s “We Found Love” cohort Calvin Harris will perform at the Melmans’ Studio Paris. … The members of All Time Low, checking out the scene at Nellcote, were spied having a drink at the bar. … While in town to play the Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks rookie forward John Henson dined at Harry Caray’s on Kinzie. … Max Sound’s Jimmy Place partied at Underground with Priscilla Presley’s rocker son Navarone — lead singer for Them Guns, a L.A.-based band about to release its debut album. … Bears kicker Robbie Gould — who’s also quite the golf enthusiast — dropped by Equinox in the Loop earlier this week to lead a golf workshop and answer questions about his recent experience: playing in the Celebrity Scramble at the Ryder Cup out at Medinah.
Bill Zwecker reports regularly on “Fox Chicago News at 9” on WFLD-Channel 32.
