Circumstances Haunt ‘Scary 2’

In a summer full of sequels, perhaps one of the most anticipated is Wednesday’s release of “Scary Movie 2.” The gross-out comedy is an update/continuation of last year’s “Scary Movie,” which stunned industry insiders by raking in more than $157 million at the box office.

“Scary 2,” directed again by Keenen Ivory Wayans and starring Marlon and Shawn Wayans, Tori Spelling and Carmen Electra, among others, might be hampered by evolving circumstances, however.

Although “Scary Movie” was a financial hit, it was also the focus of Washington politicians criticizing Hollywood for marketing R-rated pictures to kids under 18--a huge chunk of the audience for “Scary Movie.” Some children as young as 12 went to see the movie with their parents, even though the film included graphic references to sexual body parts being dismembered and other ghoulish adult themes.

This time around, Dimension Films, the genre branch of Miramax, had to steer its marketing campaign carefully so as not to appear to target kids younger than 18.

In addition, some of the spoofs in “Scary Movie 2,” which gives credit to at least seven writers including multiple Wayans brothers, might be outdated.

Though it will pick up where the other one left off, doing takeoffs on horror flicks such as “The Exorcist” and “Stigmata,” it will also take aim at unscripted TV shows such as “Weakest Link” and “Survivor” that have permeated the broadcast networks.

“This one will be successful, but it probably won’t make as much as the last one because it’s lost some of its cache,” said Gitesh Pandya, editor of Boxofficeguru.com. “We’ve seen this type of spoofing one year ago.”

This summer’s sequels so far have have done well. “The Mummy Returns” appears comfortably on its way to grossing more than $200 million, and “Dr. Dolittle 2” made $25 million its opening weekend, a little under the $29 million of its predecessor. “Scary Movie 2” will be followed this month by “Jurassic Park III” and in August by “American Pie 2” and “Rush Hour 2.”

Bob Rivers Joins Morning Crowd

The gridlock of local morning drive time radio, already filled with Howard Stern, Rick Dees, Steve Harvey, Mark & Brian and other personalities, will become even more crowded today with the arrival of comedian and song parodist Bob Rivers at KCBS-FM (93.1), otherwise known as Arrow 93.

Rivers, a popular Seattle morning personality, said he is looking forward to bringing his morning crew and “edgy and exciting, but not mean” brand of humor to Arrow 93’s oldies music lineup. “Los Angeles is the Holy Grail of show business,” he says. “It’s perhaps the greatest radio market in the country.”

In addition to his radio gigs, Rivers is known for his “Twisted Tunes” albums, on which he changes the lyrics to classic rock songs. His parodies will be the only music heard during his show, deviating from the station’s usual music format.

Rivers is taking over the 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot from “Uncle” Joe Benson, who moved last week into the 2 to 6 p.m. slot. Benson replaced Bob Coburn, whose contract was not renewed.

Of Rivers’ hiring, Arrow’s Vice President and General Manager Dave Van Dyke says, “There’s a lot of talk radio in the morning, but so much of it is trashy. There’s a significant outcry from radio listeners who say that enough’s enough. They’ve had it up to here with the bluer material. Bob will have his edge and be controversial, but it will be adult conversation that’s funny.”

As for doing battle with an established crop of outrageous personalities, Rivers says, “I don’t take them lightly at all. But what we do is totally different. It’s a lot like National Public Radio, done comedy style. We love to talk to scientists, ordinary people, probe interesting stories that deserve attention. And when we do interviews, we make the interviewees feel good. We really can’t wait to do our thing out there.”

Jim Morrison’s Music Lives On

The strange days of Jim Morrison came to an end 30 years ago Tuesday, but he and the Doors remain favorites for longtime listeners and new generations of fans.

The famed L.A. band added a sinister, sexual vibe to a 1960s music scene often remembered for sunnier hippie ideals, and the darkness of its image was only enhanced by Morrison’s death by excess at age 27.

The seemingly endless supply of Doors compilations, rarities and concerts testifies to that staying power.

VH1’s “Storytellers” featuring the surviving band members--keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robbie Krieger and drummer John Densmore--and guest singers hit stores last month on VHS and DVD, and a half-dozen CDs of live performances and interviews are scheduled over the next year, along with a new coffee-table book.

Events marking the anniversary of Morrison’s demise will find their epicenter in Paris, the site of his death and burial. Manzarek and Doors manager Danny Sugerman will attend a special screening with rare footage of the band at a Paris theater, and the city’s police are already girding themselves. The 20th anniversary of the rocker’s death saw riot police clashing with thousands of unruly fans at the site of his tomb. “This time the police are expecting 100,000 Doors fans to come to Paris,” Sugerman says. “Why do the Doors engender that kind of devotion and passion? Because Jim Morrison was a true artist. His story and his work stand the test of time. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years. Seeing the devotion now, I don’t think Jim would believe it either.”

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Compiled by Times staff writers