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DeVito becoming more like "Taxi's"Louie Every Day
DeVito laughs past his besotted debacle on "The View," focusing on many new projects for 2007

By Amy Kaufman for Hollywood Today

HOLLYWOOD, CA (rushprnews) 01/15/2007-- Actor/producer Danny DeVito, 52, is now every bit as ornery, unconcerned with outside opinion - and as funny - as his classic character Louis DePalma on "Taxi." Even his character on the television series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is a "little meaner this year."

DeVito, speaking out after his nationally televised calamity on "The View," isn't looking in the rearview mirror but is instead focusing on at least six demanding new projects for 2007, it was reported in entertainment newsmagazine Hollywood Today (www.hollywoodtoday.net ).

Many accessed the actor's drunken "View" tirade via YouTube after DeVito clumsily appeared on the talk show tipsy in November following an all-nighter spent with buddy George Clooney. The pint-sized powerhouse even referred to President George W. Bush as "numb nuts" in the slurred conversation with host Barbara Walters.

But is any press good press? When asked if he was embarrassed by the widespread video, DeVito replied that he doesn't "get upset about stuff like that."

The actor went on to explain that he had been up "pretty late" the evening before flying off to his now-infamous appearance.

"I didn't know what the hell anybody was talking about," he admitted, referring to the co-host's banter and questioning. He even applauded the demonstration of the reach of the Internet, stating that the program invited "congratulatory calls from all over the world."

Despite his night of fun with People Magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive,' DeVito remains unfazed. In fact, the actor/producer will be serving up a full plate of projects for the New Year.

DeVito will act beside with Oscar hopeful Penelope Cruz "The Good Night," where he helps give perspective to a man having a mid-life crisis. He will also star in "One Part Sugar" as a stranger who arrives in a small town planning to rejuvenate the hamlet. He'll play a lesser role in "Nobel Son," appearing in the story of son struggling to emerge from the shadow of his Nobel Prize winning-father. The busy guy will also act and produce "Reno 911!: Miami," the feature-length version of the "Cops" spoof series on Comedy Central.

In addition, the actor is busy promoting his FX series as well as Hilary Swank's "Freedom Writers," which he produced.

With all of those projects on par, it might seem as if DeVito certainly needs a drink.

The star was in Pasadena, Calif. on Thursday to promote his most recent and prominent project, FX's "Philadelphia." When asked if he was drunk during the show's press conference at the TV critics annual conference, DeVito replied: "Absolutely."
The FX series details the lives of four friends with large egos who attempt to navigate the trials of jobs and love, all while running a neighborhood Irish pub in Philadelphia. DeVito plays Frank Reynolds, the street-kid made country-club guy attempting to make good with his kids. The show was up 31 percent in its viewership last season, largely in part thanks to the second season addition of cast member DeVito.

On set, writer-actor Rob McElhenney joked that the veteran DeVito often cuts in - he's "slapping us around," McElhenney commented.

"More like, you know, 'Hey asshole, what are you thinking?'" DeVito corrected.
The "Taxi" star's bad boy attitude has even influenced the writer to change the course of character Frank's direction.

"Danny feels comfortable with doing … pretty much anything," McElhenney said, adding that Frank has even gotten a "little bit meaner this year."

Read the rest of DeVito's interview and his advice for Donald Trump in Hollywood Today at this link (www.hollywoodtoday.net).

Permission to re-print or rebroadcast granted provided entertainment newsmagazine Hollywood Today is credited and web address (www.hollywoodtoday.net) is listed whenever possible.

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