Hollywood vs. Italian comedy

Sanremo with Will Smith and Angelina Jolie

Will Smith and Angelina Jolie on the side of Hollywood glamour, Giorgio Panariello and Ale Franz on the side of Italian comedy: A little over a month since its opening, the Sanremo Festival is generating the usual windmill of rumours as well as a few confirmed facts.
The actor who played Mohammed Ali on the big screen will climb the stage of the Ariston Theatre to promote Hitch, to be released in Italian movie theatres on March 18 immediately following the Festival. Angelina Jolie appears to have confirmed; the same goes for Panariello and the comic duo Ale Franz.
As for the musical guests, in addition to Michael Bublè for opening night there should be the Blue, Franz Ferdinand and Gwen Stephani. There's also talk of yet another appearance by Anastacia, a Sanremo habitué, and of a difficult attempt to get Jennifer Lopez, whose fee makes producers tremble. For the closing night, the presence of Vasco Rossi is still in the cards; he would be presented with an award 23 years after competing in the Festival with his Vado al massimo.
Rumours are also fueled by Fiorello, the popular radio host who launched a "treasure hunt" for the showgirl who will assist Festival hosts Paolo Bonolis and Antonella Clerici. Fiorello gave a few clues, leading listeners on an Internet search that ended with the name of Chiara Baschetti, an 18 year old from Rimini. Fiorello nicknamed her "Italy's Cindy Crawford," saying she was chosen "by Bonolis' wife" (who is, after all, in charge of casting). Unfortunately, however, she doesn't seem to be the right assistant.

Publication Date: 2005-02-06
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4898