Celebrity Grapevine

Hebrew gossip columnists are salivating with speculation about a possible romance between Ninette Taib, who recently split up from heart-throb Ran Danker, and Yehuda Levy who parted from Efrat Boimvald after a five-year liaison.

Ninette Taib 88 298 (photo credit: )
Ninette Taib 88 298
(photo credit: )
WHAT GOES around comes around. Veteran electronic and print media journalist Dan Shilon, who began his broadcasting career with Israel Radio some 45 years ago, and was among the pioneers of Israel Television, may be returning to public broadcasting. Israel Radio general manager Yoni Ben Menachem wants to bring Shilon back to the radio to anchor a nightly current affairs program, and there is a possibility that Shilon may be hosting a similar show on Channel One. Shilon was also among the founders of Channel Two, when as the general manager of Channel Two franchisee, Reshet, he hosted the enormously popular Live with Dan Shilon. Both Channel One and Channel Two brought Shilon back into their program line-ups in previous years, but he could never quite live up to his former glory or command anywhere near the same ratings. Nonetheless, his reputation as a consummate professional remains intact, and if the Broadcasting Authority, with its budgetary constraints, can get a green light for his salary, chances are high that he will soon be back on air. LAST YEAR was a very rough year for Danny Sanderson, whose wife Naomi died of cancer after fighting a valiant battle against the cruel disease. She died just before the release of his new album Kongo Blue and was therefore unable to share in the joy of positive reviews that the album received. This looks like a better year for Sanderson, who along with Mati Caspi received the Life Achievement Award at last week's annual ACUM Prize gala. Though delighted to be singled out for their contributions to Israeli song and entertainment, Sanderson and Caspi both quipped that a Life Achievement award makes it seem as if they're already over the hill. Each still has a lot of creativity left in him. HEBREW GOSSIP columnists are salivating with speculation about a possible romance between Ninette Taib, who recently split up from heart-throb Ran Danker, and Yehuda Levy who parted from Efrat Boimvald after a five-year liaison. The romance between Taib and Levy was supposedly kindled on the set of A Star is Born. The two have been seen together publicly in Tel Aviv, and thus far are claiming to be "only good friends." THERE ARE obvious commercials and there are subtle commercials. Intercosma, the local agent for Escada perfumes, has chosen the subtle option in Sarit Hadad's new video clip "French Perfume" (Bosem Tzarfati). For a five-second exposure in the clip, Escada is reportedly paying Hadad $100,000. To anyone struggling to make ends meet on a basic wage, it may seem somewhat extravagant to pay that kind of money for the blink of an eye inclusion of a brand name. However given Hadad's popularity and the awareness that at some time or another, the video clip will be screened on every television channel in Israel, $100,000 may prove to be a sound marketing investment. EVER ENERGETIC Roni Duani, better known as Roni Superstar, is looking for a new dance team to accompanying her performances. Duani, whose choreography, arranged by Omer Steier, usually includes two people dancing with her as she belts out her song, is not necessarily getting rid of her current dancers, but is considering expanding the group. Auditions are being held on Thursday, March 9, between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dance City Studios in Herzliya. The final choice will be Steier's, although Duani will meet with the candidates to ensure that the mutual chemistry required for the job is there. Candidates should preferably have completed their army service and should have sociable personalities that will reflect in their performances.