JOEY CHEEK SKATES INTO REALITY TV SHOW

MTV-U has gotten the okay for a new series tentatively titled “Joey Cheek Goes To College.” The show will examine the hot U.S. speed-skaters life “in the aftermath” of winning Gold and Silver Medals at the Turin Olympics. Cameras will follow him “as he rallies support for pressing global issues while also trying to decide which college to choose.” Cheeks appeared on “Cold Pizza” yesterday where he said of the show, “I’m like Van Wilder, all old going back to school”

HOTTIES ON SCREEN
Football HOFer Dan Marino, Yankees Johnny Damon and ultra-hot Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo will appear in the upcoming movie version of “Mob Over Miami” which is based on the book written by Michele McPhee.


And no word yet on whether or not Johnny Damon will take his clothes off in the movie. In case he doesn’t, we can revert back to his Puma commercial….

RED SOX LOTTERY TICKETS

Massachusetts Lottery officials said that the Red Sox scratch ticket did $6.5M in sales in its first three days after launching last Tuesday, “the fastest out of the gate for any $5 scratch ticket” in the state’s history. Losing tickets were called “traders” and sent to the Yankees.

BOYS DON’T CRY

Poor Johnny Weir. The U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) is dodging claims by fans of hot skater Johnny Weir that he is being sidelined by the organization because of his flamboyant persona. Fans starting complaining after Weir “was nixed from pre-publicity” materials for the ’07 U.S. Championships in Spokane. Apparently, Weir’s picture was not included in a brochure released last week, and he was added to the Web site “only after a call … about the controversy.” Is this a pattern? Last December at an event where the audience voted on a winner, Weir won by 64%. This year, surprise, it’s a ‘showcase,’ meaning no voting. Evan Lysacek skates three times to Weir’s twice. Sources said that the USFSA is “trying to promote the face of Lysacek, who is referred to on some message boards as ‘the great straight hope.’

STEVE NASH WHEATIES LANDS BOX COVER

Sexy Canadian Suns Guard Steve Nash will appear on the cover of a Wheaties box scheduled to hit shelves next month. Nash won the NBA MVP award last year and is also one of the “favorites” to win this year’s award.

DAVE MIRRA STARTS MIRRACO

Hot BMXer Dave Mirra has left Haro Bikes “to launch his own line of bicycles,” Mirraco. He is headlining the Local Exposure Tour, a “six-city stop in which professionals jam with amateurs.” There is “also is a contest where local riders compete for top prizes and a chance to be sponsored” by Mirraco.

I LOVE THIS KID

Columbia Pictures “has acquired the life rights” for a movie on Jason McElwain, the autistic student manager for the Greece Athena High basketball team in Rochester, New York, who scored 20 points in four minutes during a game in February. (Haven’t seen Kobe do that) McElwain’s story snowballed from a local story to a media feeding frenzy as footage from his on-court performance aired on numerous networks. Columbia also acquired the rights to McElwain’s family and his coach. The William Morris Agency brokered the deal on behalf of all parties and is also expected to broker a book deal with the kid. Laura Ziskin will produce the film, while Mary Martin and Magic Johnson are exec producers.

LUCRATIVE GOLF TOURNEY COMING TO WYNN
The Ultimate Golf Game: a mix of match play and stroke play with a $2[M] first prize … the richest in golf history is scheduled for June 6-8, 2007, at Wynn Las Vegas Golf Course & Country Club. The Ultimate Game is derived from the Big Stakes Match Play, which launched last year with a $100,000 entry fee and a $3M first prize for a two-man team. The event will consist of 160 hot, rich players who will pay a $50,000 entry fee, and is open to all golfers who have not been exempt on either the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour, the Champions Tour or the PGA European Tour in the last three years.

VIJAY SINGH AND THE DON

Kinda hot PGA Tour player Vijay Singh will appear on the April 24 episode of “The Apprentice” joining the Don and the candidates at the Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. No information yet on what “role” Vijay will have on the episode.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
Jose Acasuso gains points.

Jose Acasuso of Argentina, reacts after losing a point against Gaston Gaudio of Argentina, during their second round match of the Monte Carlo Open Tennis tournament in Monaco, Wednesday, April 19, 2006. We can only hope that other hot tennis players follow his lead and react in the same manner.

That’s it for today. As always, thanks for reading. Delinda