RYAN BRANDENBERG / Temple University
Where in the world was Matt Lauer? He was at Temple University accepting an Excellence in the Media award.
Sideshow: Swiss reject Polanski's release offer
Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court in Geneva yesterday rejected an appeal by Polish-born director Roman Polanski to be released from prison while awaiting the outcome of his legal battle to stop extradition to Los Angeles for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
Polanski's lawyers offered bail, house arrest, and electronic monitoring as alternatives. But the court noted the 76-year-old director's previous escape from American authorities in 1978, and concluded that "the motivation to flee is high."
Polanski was arrested Sept. 26 when he arrived in Zurich to receive a film award. His lawyers have argued that prison would bankrupt Polanski and his family, since he would be unable to work on his new film, The Ghost. They noted that investors would lose $40 mil. Polanski is likely to appeal the ruling.
Chris Brown loves us
Chris Brown yesterday posted pics from his video "I Can Transform Ya" on his blog (www.mechanicaldummy.com): They show him sans shirt!
To show how much he appreciates his fans, sexy Brown also announced he is mounting a 19-city fan appreciation tour beginning Nov. 14 in Houston. The concert will hit the Electric Factory in Philly on Dec. 13.
Temple U. honors Lauer
Matt Lauer, coanchor of NBC's Today show, yesterday was awarded Temple University's Excellence in the Media award. It's part of Temple's annual Lew Klein awards, named after the longtime Temple faculty member and media professional.
Lauer, coanchor of Today since '97, was on campus to receive the award at a luncheon. Lauer joined Today in '94 as news anchor and has done many major interviews. He talked with Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales on the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. He also did an exclusive with New Jersey's Gov. Corzine after his car accident. And he had the first interview with Hillary Clinton in January '98 after the Monica Lewinsky scandal surfaced.
- Susan Snyder
OctoGosselin + 22?
If ever there was a match made in Publicity Heaven, surely this is it: Devoted mum of 14 and would-be Angelina Jolie-lookalike Nadya "Octomom" Suleman says she's hot for fame addict, and devoted dad of 8, Jon Gosselin.
"I kind of have a crush on Jon Gosselin," Octomom tells RadarOnline.com. "I think he's hot!" (Eeew!)
Octomom, 33, would have it made if Jon is a big Jolie fan: She reportedly has had thousands (well, at least a bunch) of plastic surgery procedures on her face so she could look like Jolie. But Octomom is no wanton harlot. She has a sense of decorum.
"I don't think any single mother of any amount of kids should start dating," she says, adding she'll start dating again "when the kids are older."
Frankel pregnant
Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel, who got engaged to bf Jason Hoppy this month, has announced she is expecting the couple's first baby. Frankel, 38, says she reluctantly went public with the news in response to a report on PerezHilton.com. "It's premature to be telling people this," she tells People mag. "I haven't even gone through my first trimester. . . . My [fiance's] parents didn't even know."
Kate + you
Speaking of Jon Gosselin, his estranged wife Kate will host a special episode of TLC's soon-to-be-dead (thank heavens!) reality show Jon & Kate Plus 8 on Monday. You Ask, Kate Answers will have Kate answering viewer-submitted questions. Want to ask something? Visit http://tlc.discovery.com/ for information.
Jackson fever burns hot
USAToday.com says that, because of overwhelming demand, the companion CD to the Michael Jackson concert flick This Is It will be out a day early, on Oct. 26. The flick opens Oct. 28.
Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com.
This column contains information from Inquirer wire services.
