The expression "That's Showbiz!" was coined a century ago, in the days of vaudeville when performers had hard-knock lives, struggling to find performance opportunities (which is why someone who plods along in spite of the odds is known as a "trouper"). No one knows better than show business folks that the thrill & satisfaction of spotlights and applause are far more rare than the disappointment of lost roles or production flops. Somehow, those two little words..."that's showbiz!"...sum it all up.

That's all I could console myself with this week when I was notified that my one on one interview with Nicole Kidman was canceled. Apparently, she isn't going to be doing International press for her quirky new movie, "Margot at the Wedding," which I think is particularly unfortunate given the love and support her Australian fans always give her. When I was in Sydney last year to cover her wedding, I was struck by the overall good will that her Aussie countrymen seemed to display toward her. Even the paparazzi swarming around her house were cheerful and supportive of her matrimonial extravaganza. You bloggers certainly came through with some great interview questions for her, which I'll certainly refer back to the next time I'm given an opp to sit down and chat with her. A lot has been made in recent press about Nicole's running streak of box-office disappointments, so I was anxious to see this latest picture...the fact that it is opening at the end of the calendar year is a good indication that it would be considered an Oscar contender. While she and costars Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black are certainly interesting to watch in this often dark comedy/drama about a dysfunctional family, I'm not confident it's going to resonate with the box office. That's showbiz.

I did get to sit down this week and chat with Tommy Lee Jones and Patrick Dempsey, however, and had the chance to use some of your questions for them. You asked if Tommy ever lost out on a part he really wanted and, in his matter of fact manner, simply stated "No, never!" TLJ has a reputation for being a tough interviewee but I found him to be a perfect gentleman.

Likewise with Dempsey, who was friendly, engaging and seemed to possess absolutely no "celebrity arrogance" whatsover, but plenty of celebrity charisma. He reminded me a lot of George Clooney that way. You wanted to know how it made him feel when women swoon over him and he literally BLUSHED at the mere question! Frankly, I don't think he's quite used to all the attention "McDreamy" seems to bring him. Both men also happened to be impeccably groomed, which I appreciated. Do you think they have stylists or do it all themselves?

These and many more of my sit-down chats with Hollywood's favourite stars can be seen on Seven's "Weekend Sunrise":

Nelson talks to Naomi Watts about her latest movie thriller "Eastern Promises", starring opposite Viggo Mortensen Watch Interview

Nelson Aspen spoke to Leonardo DiCaprio about his new environmental documentary, 'The 11th Hour' Watch Interview

Most are also archived on their website: Weekend Sunrise

Meantime, keep the questions & comments coming...we make a great interview team!