Celeb superlatives: Fond farewells, happy pairings
Paste BN's Ann Oldenburg digs through the latest celebrity news to find the most surprising celebs making news this week. Think high school yearbook superlatives — if Dakota Johnson and William Shatner were classmates.
Fondest farewell from afar: LLAP! The "Live long and prosper" Star Trek abbreviation made the rounds following the news of Leonard Nimoy's death on Feb. 27. One special friend and colleague, William Shatner, was unable to make it to Nimoy's funeral, so he held his own — on Twitter. Shatner engaged with fans, answering questions and reminiscing. Shatner described Nimoy as "Intelligent, insightful, just a precious gem of a man." It was a touching tribute.
Most controversial SNL skit in a while: Humor is all about pushing the limits, but Saturday Night Live really pushed them when Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson hosted the show. And this had nothing to do with sex. Johnson was shown playing a daughter in a spoof commercial saying goodbye to dad as she cheerfully goes off to join ... ISIS. It just didn't hit right with many viewers, who said as much on Twitter, as it played off news that three London teen girls had traveled to Syria to join the Islamic State.
Worst fashion critique of the season: Giuliana Rancic got herself into major hot water with a remark made on E! Fashion Police's post-Oscar show. She made a crack about Zendaya's dreadlocks, saying the Disney star probably "smells like patchouli oil ... or weed." Zendaya was outraged, saying the remark was a "not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive." Rancic apologized; Zendaya accepted that apology. But the tempest prompted Kelly Osbourne, Rancic's co-host, to exit the show. Lessons learned? Let's hope so.
Most cringe-inducing fall: Ouch! Madonna took a tumble while performing at the Brit Awards in London. She tweeted that her cape was supposed to untie but it didn't, so she went down with it, falling backwards down a flight of steps. She got right up and finished her Living for Love performance. Later she explained on The Jonathan Ross Show: "I had a little bit of whiplash. I smacked my head." But otherwise, she was and is, thankfully, fine.
Most surprising pairing: Lady Gaga and Julie Andrews. Or rather Lady Gaga singing Julie Andrews songs in a Sound of Music tribute at the Oscars show. Gaga brought down the house. Andrews called her "my dear Lady Gaga." All was right with the world.
Happiest ending: Spoiler alert! Downton Abbey wrapped Season 5 with one very happy moment. Carson and Mrs. Hughes got engaged! When the beloved butler did the Big Ask, there were no kisses, no rings, no gushy "I love yous." Just one classic reply from the bride-to-be: "Of course I'll marry you, you old booby. I thought you'd never ask!"