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Entertainment Highlights from 2003
Aired December 29, 2003 - 15:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN: Hollywood hookups and breakups; 2003 also saw the final farewell for some entertainment favorites.
Brooke Anderson looks back at the glitziest headlines of the year.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you marry me?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They were the best of times, the worst of times and downright ugly times. They were the times of 2003. Here's a look back.
You could say it was the year of the "B," meaning Britney Spears and Beyonce Knowles.
Since launching her solo career in early 2003, "Destiny's child" singer Beyonce has earned at least eight prestigious music awards, including five Billboard trophies.
Britney is also back with a bang after spending months out the public eye. Among her highlights for 2003, a controversial kiss with Madonna during the MTV Video Music Awards.
Britney also released a new CD called "In the Zone," which gave the pop singer her third number one album release.
RUBEN STODDARD, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER (singing): Long ago...
ANDERSON: On television, American voted Ruben Stoddard its new "American Idol." That was in May, 2003.
Since then, Ruben and his runner up, Clay Aiken, have enjoyed a momentous year. Both singers have landed number one album debuts. Ruben is up for a Grammy, while Clay has earned an American Music Award and a Billboard trophy.
Some tube watchers also idolized this moment. In December, "Bachelorette" star Trista Rehn married Ryan Sutter, becoming the first couple from ABC's bachelor dating show to say "I do."
Other couples sharing their wedded bliss, Carmen Electra and guitarist Dave Navarro, who got hitched in November. Hollywood bad boy Robert Downy Jr., who got engaged the same month to film producer Susan Levin. And actress Gwyneth Paltrow married Coldplay singer Chris Martin in December, shortly after announcing they were having a baby.
But if course, along with life's highs come the low moments.
In 2003, Oscar winner Halle Berry and her hubbie, singer Eric Benet, split after three years of marriage. R&B singer Brandy separated from her husband of two years.
And Liza Minnelli and David Gest called it quits after a year of joyful matrimony. OK. Maybe not. Guest claims Minnelli abused him and is suing her for $10 million. Minnelli, alleging Gest stole from her, is countersuing for $2 million.
Then there's the ongoing saga of "Bennifer." Since calling off their high profile wedding and reportedly their engagement in September, J-Lo and Ben have been seen together on several occasions, leaving America with one big question, "What's the real deal?"
Stars facing legal battles in 2003: Michael Jackson is facing child molestation charges. In November, Santa Barbara, California, police arrested the King of Pop on multiple counts of the crime. He's currently free on bond.
Record producer Phil Spector is charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Actor Tom Sizemore is serving prison time for abusing former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.
R&B singer Bobby Brown, who is currently on probation on a drunk driving conviction, recently was charged with battery for allegedly hitting his wife, Whitney Houston.
Singer Wynonna Judd recently pled guilty to driving under the influence, and actress/singer Courtney Love has been charged with felony drug possession.
Also in 2003, America mourned the death of legendary stars like 100-year-old comedian Bob Hope, performer Gregory Hines, actor Gregory Peck, actress Audrey Hepburn, Bobby Hatfield of the music duo The Righteous Brothers, actor John Ritter, country singer Johnny Cash, his wife, singer-songwriter June Carter Cash, and actor Hume Cronin.
And that's a wrap of entertainment highlights for 2003. From good times to bad ones, one thing's for certain. The year certainly was a time to remember.
I'm Brooke Anderson for CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 29, 2003 - 15:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN: Hollywood hookups and breakups; 2003 also saw the final farewell for some entertainment favorites.
Brooke Anderson looks back at the glitziest headlines of the year.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will you marry me?
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They were the best of times, the worst of times and downright ugly times. They were the times of 2003. Here's a look back.
You could say it was the year of the "B," meaning Britney Spears and Beyonce Knowles.
Since launching her solo career in early 2003, "Destiny's child" singer Beyonce has earned at least eight prestigious music awards, including five Billboard trophies.
Britney is also back with a bang after spending months out the public eye. Among her highlights for 2003, a controversial kiss with Madonna during the MTV Video Music Awards.
Britney also released a new CD called "In the Zone," which gave the pop singer her third number one album release.
RUBEN STODDARD, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER (singing): Long ago...
ANDERSON: On television, American voted Ruben Stoddard its new "American Idol." That was in May, 2003.
Since then, Ruben and his runner up, Clay Aiken, have enjoyed a momentous year. Both singers have landed number one album debuts. Ruben is up for a Grammy, while Clay has earned an American Music Award and a Billboard trophy.
Some tube watchers also idolized this moment. In December, "Bachelorette" star Trista Rehn married Ryan Sutter, becoming the first couple from ABC's bachelor dating show to say "I do."
Other couples sharing their wedded bliss, Carmen Electra and guitarist Dave Navarro, who got hitched in November. Hollywood bad boy Robert Downy Jr., who got engaged the same month to film producer Susan Levin. And actress Gwyneth Paltrow married Coldplay singer Chris Martin in December, shortly after announcing they were having a baby.
But if course, along with life's highs come the low moments.
In 2003, Oscar winner Halle Berry and her hubbie, singer Eric Benet, split after three years of marriage. R&B singer Brandy separated from her husband of two years.
And Liza Minnelli and David Gest called it quits after a year of joyful matrimony. OK. Maybe not. Guest claims Minnelli abused him and is suing her for $10 million. Minnelli, alleging Gest stole from her, is countersuing for $2 million.
Then there's the ongoing saga of "Bennifer." Since calling off their high profile wedding and reportedly their engagement in September, J-Lo and Ben have been seen together on several occasions, leaving America with one big question, "What's the real deal?"
Stars facing legal battles in 2003: Michael Jackson is facing child molestation charges. In November, Santa Barbara, California, police arrested the King of Pop on multiple counts of the crime. He's currently free on bond.
Record producer Phil Spector is charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Actor Tom Sizemore is serving prison time for abusing former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss.
R&B singer Bobby Brown, who is currently on probation on a drunk driving conviction, recently was charged with battery for allegedly hitting his wife, Whitney Houston.
Singer Wynonna Judd recently pled guilty to driving under the influence, and actress/singer Courtney Love has been charged with felony drug possession.
Also in 2003, America mourned the death of legendary stars like 100-year-old comedian Bob Hope, performer Gregory Hines, actor Gregory Peck, actress Audrey Hepburn, Bobby Hatfield of the music duo The Righteous Brothers, actor John Ritter, country singer Johnny Cash, his wife, singer-songwriter June Carter Cash, and actor Hume Cronin.
And that's a wrap of entertainment highlights for 2003. From good times to bad ones, one thing's for certain. The year certainly was a time to remember.
I'm Brooke Anderson for CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
