FameCrawler : Raising The Bar

Madonna Dishes on A-Rod and Kate Hudson

Josh loposer — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:31:00 GMT

A-Rod should send Madonna a thank you card. In her estimation, not only did she help him deliver the death blow to his troubled marriage with that ordinary, non-celebrity woman with which he had two kids (Natasha, 4 and a half, and Ella 13 months), she helped him raise the caliber of women who he dates.

From Gatecrasher:

“[If Madonna] is displeased with her Brazilian stud, Madonna is more than happy that another recent ex, Alex Rodriguez, has moved on with actress Kate Hudson.

Madonna is actually relieved that A-Rod seems so happy with Kate,” a Madge insider tells us. “He’s always treated women like he treats home runs anyway. He’s getting a great batting average here. In fact, Madonna is actually proud that she’s raised the bar for him, so he can date a better caliber of women.”

What's weird here is that I'm still having trouble buying this A-Rod-Kate Hudson thing. I just don't see the potential for any real long-term attraction. Sure, they're both on the rebound, and they've both got young kids, but the similarities kinda fizzle out after that.

I still think Kate's working this deal to get her son, 5 year-old Ryder, some free t-ball pointers from the 3-time American league MVP.

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Having Children Made Mark-Paul Gosselaar Mature

Karl Erikson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Saved By the Bell alum Mark-Paul Gosselaar isn't letting show business disrupt his life as a family man. Mark-Paul says "At times it can be difficult to balance my career and my famimly but my family always comes first."

Mark-Paul and his wife, Lisa Ann, have Michael Charles, 4-1/2, and Ava Lorenn, 2.

"Having children has made me mature in ways that I think are positive to my career and yes, my family does affect the type of work that I accept. Mainly with traveling. If a show were to be filmed in another state other than California, I would have to make a very educated decision regarding it."

You can catch Mark-Paul in the new TNT series "Raising the Bar," Steven Bochco's latest legal show.

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Jane Kaczmarek Says Children Keep Her Young

Karl Erikson — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:31:00 GMT

Former "Malcolm in the Middle" mom Jane Kaczmarek is 52 now and starring in the brand new "Raising The Bar" on TNT. Jane has a tribe of her own, of course, with husband Bradley Whitford. There's Frances, 11, George, 8, and Mary Louisa, 5. And she says her kids definitely keep her young, if for no other reason than the fact she is often "hanging out with all these women in their 30s."

"I think the great thing about being older is you are so much more aware that your days are numbered," Jane says. "I am so grateful for everything in my life at this point. It doesn't get any better than this, and you realize this is all going to end one day."

That very notion is what made Jane fire her nanny and take a lot of time off after "Malcolm in the Middle" wrapped for the last time. She loved her nanny, but "didn't want somebody else, no matter how good they are," to fill the mommy role. "They are my kids. I want to be taking care of them."

Brad and Jane are celebrity parents, but they keep their kids very grounded. There's only one TV in the house "that's usually never on." Both parents drive Hondas. And for birthdays, the couple requests donations for Smile Train or the Children's Defense fund, two amazing kids' charities.

I think that's where I draw the line. Not at charity, of course, but hell...birthdays are birthdays, man. Kids deserve presents on birthdays, something other than underwear and socks.

Still, it's pretty admirable, the parenting job Jane and Bradley are doing. Gotta love the family values thing. It seems pretty rare in Hollywood.

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