BEVERLY HILLS—This week in Hollywoodland there was a lot of changing news, early on a story was headed in one direction and ended up being something we didn’t expect. Tanna Frederick is about to open on stage in Santa Monica, “GH” star Tyler Christopher is a dad and there are other exciting stories to discuss.

Tanna Frederick, the leading lady in “Irene in Time” and “Hollywood Dreams,” is about to blow away her critics when she opens on Saturday, October 17, in “Just 45 Minutes from Broadway,” which was written by the genius filmmaker Henry Jaglom. Previews started last week and people who attended left thinking Tanna Frederick proves she is much more than just a pretty face in Hollywood. The play also stars Julie Davis, David Garver, Jack Heller, David Proval, Diane Louise Salinger and Harriet Schock. It is produced by Alexandra Guarnieri. The play’s location is the Edgemar Center for the Arts, on the Main Stage, 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-392-7327 or go to their online service at edgemarcenter.org. Frederick is dynamic and breathtaking in a challenge that she welcomed. It’s brought to the public by The Rainbow Film Company in West Hollywood.

Thanks to Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Colbert and Brian Williams of NBC News for making a difference and supporting our returning injured soldiers from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. All three men have joined several A-list stars in supporting our service men and women by attending a benefit for the Bob Woodruff Foundation at New York's Town Hall on November 4, just in time for Veteran’s day. Thanks also to Jessica Simpson, Sandra Bullock and Jesse James among many other Hollywood A-listers who make frequent trips to the war zone to offer support for our heroes. It would be great if one cable news station would stop spending so much time talking about how much they support the troops because they claim to be conservatives and would join in with everyone else in doing something, not just talking about it.

For students in Professor Bertram Fields class in Harvard, this week they got a Hollywood surprise when actor Tom Cruise showed up as the guest lecture for their class on legal issues. Fields is Cruise’s personal lawyer and although he showed up a little late, he managed to stay long after the two-hour class to sign autographs and greet his fans who were students at the school. Cruise is in Boston right now filming “Wichita.”

All week it’s been Jon and Kate Gosselin and David Letterman making headlines. Kate Gosselin went on the “Today Show” on NBC on Monday and stated that her husband Jon had gone into their joint account and taken out over $230,000 while leaving her less than $1,000.00 to feed the kids and pay bills. A judge who is presiding over the divorce case is taking a few days to make a ruling about the alleged missing funds. David Letterman has proved getting out in front of a story can be good at times, but by making jokes about his affairs with interns and staffers at his production company, the late night host has found himself not only being ridiculed by fellow late night hosts on television but having legal analysts such as attorney Gloria Allred and HLN News host Joy Behar slamming him for potential sexual harassment legal issues in the workplace. Now is probably the time for him to not talk about it any further. Letterman’s band leader and longtime friend Paul Shaffer went on “Entertainment Tonight” this week and openly supported his friend and says he regrets the mistakes he’s made.

Former House Speaker Tom Delay told People magazine this week that he made friends with lots of liberals on the ABC show “Dancing with the Stars” which he left due to some ankle injuries. Too bad he didn’t have the same attitude when he was in Washington enjoying the nickname “the hammer” and proving to his base that he’d never work with any liberals to help solve the nation’s problems. Good luck to Mr. Delay on his trip back to Texas.

Shall we say, “...and the Oscar goes to…” for the third time? Hilary Swank does it again. Fans of the talented star can expect on October 23 to see an amazing performance in “Amelia.” The film, which chronicles the life of Amelia Earhart, also stars two brilliant leading men, Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor as George Putnam and Gene Vidal. Both leading men are incredible but it is almost uncanny how much Swank transforms herself into the maverick Earhart who has become a legend after attempting to fly around the world and was never seen again. There have been many theories about her missing status, this film delves into those ideas but it’s truly a magnificent epic picture that everyone should go to see. Congratulations Twentieth Century Fox. For a sneak peek go to foxsearchlight.com/amelia/.

“General Hospital” star Tyler Christopher, who portrays Nikolas Cassadine on the ABC soap, and his beautiful wife Brienne Pedigo, welcomed their first child last week. His name is Greysun James Christopher and the handsome fellow is home with his parents and doing well. Here’s wishing Tyler and Brienne happiness with their beautiful baby. Tyler’s costar, actress Constance Towers who portrays his grandmother Helena Cassadine on the ABC soap gives Canyon News her congratulatory message. Towers told Canyon News, “He’s absolutely beautiful, so cute.” Then added as Helena, “The new Prince of the Cassadine Dynasty has arrived. He's the handsome image of his father and his Great-grandmother Helena of course. Helena will sue for visitation rights immediately.” While Tyler's best friend and partner in the Theatre 68 Ronnie Marmo tells Canyon News, "One, now you will know the meaning of true love and two, you now will understand why your parents put up with you." Marmo, who is an actor, recently starred as Ronnie Dimestico in "General Hospital" and is currently making four films. 

A woman named Shirley Dieu claims she went to Dr. Phil to seek therapy in 2007 and that he allegedly touched her breast and forced her to look at a nude man in the room. Ms. Dieu has filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in the L.A. Superior Court. Dr. Phil’s production office was contacted but didn’t offer a comment by press time.  

Bel Air icon, Oscar winning actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor is resting after going into the hospital to repair a leaky heart valve.  Though Miss Taylor has battled many health crises, she's a very strong and determined lady and we hope she's better and at home soon.  Recently I reviewed William Mann's new biography, "How to be a Movie Star:  Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood."  Bill will be in West Hollywood at Book Soup at 8818 Sunset Blvd. on Wednesday, October 14, starting at 7 p.m. for a reading and book signing.  This is the most incredible biography on Taylor ever written.

Now for the pages of Star Wars meets Porky's.  Hollywood plot it's not!  NASA crashed a rocket into the moon's south pole this weekend to test for water beneath the surface.  While Levi Johnston, who we all met on stage at the Republican National Convention last fall is posing nude for Playgirl Magazine.  Thanks again Governor Palin for introducing us to your almost son-in-law.  He's determined that the 15 minutes of fame you offered him will last at least an hour here in Tinseltown.  If all this isn't shocking enough, Miley Cyrus canceled her Twitter account a few days ago, but thousands of her devoted fans are lobbying her to return.  That's entertainment.

Be sure to pick up this week's issue of The National Examiner tabloid at your grocery store checkout stand.  I am interviewed about the closure of part of the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills.  Vaudeville star Kay Howard Meyer is also interviewed for the feature written by Nancy Scott.

What a week in Hollywoodland.

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