Italian actor near death after hanging himself as part of show

TATTLE LIKES to stay away from the terrible stories that are out in the universe - there are so many - but today . . . this is too messed up.

In Italy yesterday, actor Raphael Schumacher, ended up in a coma and fighting for his life, when the hanging scene he was performing actually hanged him.

CNN.com reported that Schumacher, wearing a covering over his head, was performing in an experimental production in the courtyard of Pisa's Teatro Lux when a female med student in the audience saw him trembling and realized something was wrong.

With the help of another theatergoer she loosened the noose and helped Schumacher down to the ground, and he was soon taken to the hospital.

Police are looking into whether proper safety procedures were in place.

Tattle will take a shot at that one: No.

CNN said Schumacher's directors told Il Giorno newspaper that it was the actor's last-minute idea to change the scene from a gunshot to a hanging.

What the heck is going on in Barbie land?

The busy doll, which unveiled new looks last week, yesterday unveiled the official Abby Wambach Barbie doll at The Makers Conference in California according to People magazine.

"At Barbie we believe that if she can see it, she can be it," Kim Culmone, Vice President of Barbie Global said during the conference while unveiling the doll, perhaps not realizing that the doll can't actually see anything. She added, "Makers and Barbie are really, really thrilled to honor an extraordinary 'shero,' who has elevated and redefined what's possible for women through her own effort, her bravery and her accomplishments."

Wouldn't that be something, a Fred Shero Barbie doll.

"I'm not gonna lie, you guys may not believe this, I was a Barbie kid . . . I played with Barbies my whole life," the 35-year-old Wambach told the audience. She continued, "Playing with Barbies that may or may not have looked like myself growing up, I think this is a really impactful statement . . . it just proves that we really are getting somewhere . . . if you're out there and maybe your doll doesn't look exactly like you feel, here's another option."

And Abby Wambach Barbie has already told Ken she's not interested.

* The CMT network is casting for its "Million Dollar Quartet" miniseries this month at

Elvis Presley

's alma mater in Memphis, Tennessee.

CMT is adapting the Tony Award-winning musical on the recording sessions featuring Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis into an eight-episode drama. It's set to air sometime later this year.

The series will focus on the musicians' rapid rise to fame during a time of political change and social unrest.

Producers are looking for actors to portray the stars and other featured characters, and are holding an open casting call on Feb. 13 at the Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School. Would-be actors are asked to come in 1950s wardrobes.

* Tiffany Gillespie, owner of To the "T" Events (6301 N. 10th St.), will be featured on an upcoming episode of "American Diner Revival" on the Food Network.

Hosts of the series are Ty Pennington, who once gave homes extreme makeovers and chef Amanda Freitag.

Gillespie's episode has a special twist. While the main purpose of the show is to help Linda (Kay) and James Lovelace improve their struggling Linda Kay's Diner in Scranton, the hosts realize the pair has been working so hard on their business, they've put off their wedding.

Enter Gillespie.

The episode is set to air at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12 on the Food Network.

* Set your DVR's girls.

Entertainment Weekly reports that former One Direction member Zayn Malik, a/k/a ZAYN, will make his solo debut on "The Tonight Show," Feb. 17.

He'll probably sing his new single, "Pillowtalk."

* Ah, vengeance is sweet.

Donald Trump. Loser.

Megyn Kelly. Winner.

Deadline.com reported late yesterday that Fox News's Kelly had signed a book deal with HarperCollins for a sorta memoir to hit stands in the fall.

Her people wouldn't confirm the number but Deadline says it's in the $10 million range.

Now, HarperCollins, like Fox News, are both owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp so basically one hand is paying to promote the other hand.

Still, it's a nice hand.

- Daily News wire services

contributed to this report.

Email: gensleh@phillynews.com

Phone: 215-854-5678

On Twitter: @DNTattle