Word that MTV is planning to remake the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was greeted with apprehension by more than a few fans of the original film — and by Barry Bostwick, who starred in that 1975 feature with Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry.

"I'm sort of shocked at that. I don't think you should remake 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.' Certain things you shouldn't touch," claims Bostwick, who played Sarandon's fiancé, Brad Majors, in the musical comedy film that parodies science fiction and horror flicks. The movie's creator, Richard O'Brien, has told the press that the project does not have his blessing.

"It's of its time. It's brilliant for what it was. To make it specifically for MTV or television, it loses its energy, its audience participation," Bostwick continues. "We made it in 1975. I just think there's something about the morals of it that are a bit old fashioned now. It was a bit salacious for the time, but when you look back on it, it's pretty tame. You'd have to keep it as a period piece, but then why? It's already been done. If you can't update it, then you'd have to turn it into something really different. I don't know how they'd do it. Maybe they can come up with something."

In a strange twist, though, Bostwick says if they do end up greenlighting the project, he's not entirely opposed to helping out. "I think I'm too old to play Brad. I'd have to play the narrator, which I would love to do if they asked me."

ACTING PRESIDENTIAL: Oliver Stone, who has criticized George W. Bush in the past, said he had no intentions of making his film "W." anti-Bush. Actor Michael Gaston, who plays Army General Tommy Franks, claims he's sticking with his promise. In fact, the actor says the movie makes you feel compassion for the guy. Bush admirers might get a different feeling, however.

"He's just a fairly simple guy with some addictions and no direction, and somehow he goes straight to being the leader of the free world. I was stunned by how I kind of felt sorry for him during this movie," notes Gaston. "I think our problem with our president is that he still is very boyish, and Josh [Brolin] gets right up into that. I don't think he convinces anybody that he's a very serious man. Russia is invading Georgia, and he's huddled with the ballplayers at the Olympics."

One thing people can expect from the movie, Gaston says, is a lot of humor. "We're experiencing some pretty dark times right now. It's as low as we've gone in 30 or 40 years as a country. No one would want to see it if it's just a total downer," he points out. "I went in kind of loaded for bears because there were so many big actors and there is so much mythology surrounding Oliver as far as what kind of guy he is, but I was amazed at how much fun I had."

Gaston next stars opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in "Body of Lies," which brought forth Leo's collaborative side. "My concern was I thought the guy I was playing seemed a little too inept," he says of his CIA character. "I wasn't sure how I was going to approach this, and then Leo came up to me with questions about the scene unrelated to mine and wanted to run things by me. I ran my stuff by him, too, and he was like, 'You're right. Let's talk to Ridley [Scott].' It was as collaborative an experience as I've ever had."

AGING LIKE FINE WINE: Virginia Madsen says she's having a ball working on the documentary "I Know a Woman Like That" with none other than her own mom, Emmy-winning writer-producer-director-playwright Elaine Madsen. "It's about women from age 64 to 94 that are living vibrantly when the world tells you that you should go get old," says the actress/producer and "Sideways" Oscar nominee. "It's going to be a while before we can reveal it; it's being edited now. But we've got a really nice trailer on the website, iknowawomanlikethat.com. It just went live this month."

HIGHER PROFILE: Madison Hildebrand's popularity has been on the rise since he's become a prominent part of Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing" during its current second season. The young, hunky real estate agent tells us it's been a whirlwind, but he's handling it as best he can. "It just means more delegating as far as phone calls and emails and all of that stuff. You always have voicemail waiting. My cell phone minutes are over 5,000 a month. It's ridiculous," he says with a laugh. "I'm grateful that I get to work for myself essentially, though, so no matter how bad it gets I can turn off the switch and take a break when I want to."

With reports by Emily Feimster.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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