So we’re finally finding out what exactly happened when Bret Michaels was knocked out by a rogue set piece at the Tonys Sunday night. Bret broke his nose and split his lip in the incident, and his representative is claiming that despite his injuries, Bret loved performing, and was “honored” to even be invited to the Tonys. He also claims that when he got knocked out, Shrek, Donkey, and Liza Minnelli helped him with his injuries. Now I feel bad that I watched Bret getting knocked on his ass about a dozen times yesterday. Even if Bret was just invited for kitsch value, he sounds like he saw it as a true honor.

Bret Michaels may have broken his nose and busted his lip during a scenery-related malfunction at the Tonys on Sunday – but the Poison frontman and Rock of Love star left with his sense of humor intact.

“He told me, ‘All I remember is Shrek and the donkey helping me up, and Liza [Minnelli] giving me a towel,’” says his rep, Joann Mignano. “And Bret was laughing when he heard [Tonys host] Neil Patrick Harris said he gave new meaning to ‘headbanging.’ ”

Michaels, 46, was hit by a large sign descending from the ceiling as he exited the stage following Poison’s performance of “Nothin’ But a Good Time” with the Rock of Ages cast, and was tended to by paramedics offstage. He required three stitches to his bloodied lip, and his rep says that X-rays later revealed the rocker fractured his nose.

Despite his injuries, she says, “Bret did not walk off the stage angry or in a hissy fit. He was honored to be asked to participate and be amongst Broadway royalty, like Liza and Sir Elton [John]. He did the red carpet, and he was taking pictures with Angela Lansbury backstage. He was so happy to be there.”

During the hours after accident, Michaels continued to suffer neck and back pains, so he told his rep that he was seeking further medical attention to be on the safe side.

“His neck was hurt in an accident years ago, so he’s being cautious,” she says, adding that she does not know the results of his tests yet. “He said he wanted to make sure this was all looked at and taken care of, and I said it was the right thing to do.”

The rep also refuted a Tonys spokesperson account that the rocker “missed his mark.”

“By all means, he did not miss his mark,” says Mignano. “He did exactly what they asked him to do in rehearsal, where everything went fine. And when the sign came down [at the show], it smacked him on the head.”

For now, the rocker, who’s currently on a solo tour, is taking things a day at a time.

“He may have to cancel his next show – we’ll see,” says his rep. “Bret is a tough son of a bitch, but he’s really banged up.”

[From People]

I would be psyched to meet Angela Lansbury too! Who am I kidding? If I had been invited to the Tonys, I would have totally geeked out on everyone there. Even Elton John, who I have no desire to meet.

In any case, I’m glad Bret wasn’t too hurt, and it sounds like he’ll be able to come out of this experience just fine. Let this be a lesson to all metal bands: when invited to the Tonys, keep your eyes peeled for massive, rapidly descending set pieces. Heads up, headbangers!

Photo credit: WENN.com

I’m not such an awards-show lover that I obsessively watch the Tonys, the awards for Broadway plays and musicals. The Tonys aren’t really like film and television awards shows – the Tonys seem to be more familial, kinder, and dare I say, gayer. It’s not a bad thing, but it does seem like every man who wins a Tony thanks his boyfriend or husband. It’s actually pretty sweet – most of the Tony-Award winning actors I recognize from Law & Order, and I’m always thinking to myself “Oh, that guy who played the serial killer on Criminal Intent is married to such a nice young man!”

In any case, this year’s Tony Awards went off without a hitch – with one notable exception. It was someone’s bright idea to invite Bret Michaels and Poison, to perform with the cast of the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages”. I suspect Bret was invited for kitsch value, but Bret was game. Sidenote: even though I think Bret is pretty sleazy with women, he seems like a generally nice guy. He performed his song, and then went to walk off stage when he was struck by a rogue set piece. Bret went down pretty hard. I’m trying not to laugh (he could have been really hurt) but it was pretty funny.

People has a great rundown on the show and the winners – most notably, Angela “Murder She Wrote” Lansbury! I love Angela Lansbury, she’s so friggin’ cool. Her win last night was her fifth career Tony Award, too! And they gave her a standing ovation. Good times:

Broadway did what Broadway does best to open Sunday night’s 63rd annual Tony Awards – delivering an electrifying musical number that starred Dolly Parton, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, the casts of West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Pal Joey, Shrek, 9 to 5: The Musical, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages and Billy Elliot and finished off with a love-in: a rousing rendition of “Let the Sun Shine” from the new best-revival production of Hair that got all 6,000 attendees inside Radio City Music Hall dancing in their seats.

When the spectacle concluded, the evening’s host, How I Met Your Mother star Neal Patrick Harris, called it “the biggest and most expensive number in the history of the Tonys. That is why I am your host tonight.”

But not everything went smoothly during the elaborate number, which was broadcast live on CBS. Rock of Love reality star Bret Michaels – who hit the stage with his band Poison along with the cast of Broadway’s Rock of Ages – ran into a piece of scenery when he missed his mark after performing Poison’s hit “Nothin’ But a Good Time.” He was knocked to the ground, and while the extent of his injury was not known, he did not break his nose, despite wide speculation that he had.

A publicist later told PEOPLE that Michaels was hoping to hit some after-parties but was “getting X-rays.” Calling him “a trooper,” she added that Michaels “had a blast performing.”

Besides the singing and dancing, there were awards, with Billy Elliot, composer Elton John’s adaptation of director Stephen Daldry’s 2000 film about a boy who lives to dance, sweeping the night as best musical and winning 10 Tonys in all – while French dramatist Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage was named best play.

God of Carnage – an unmannered “comedy of manners” about two married couples in Brooklyn – was also honored for its direction and its leading actress, Marcia Gay Harden.

Oscar winner (for the 1996 film Shine) Geoffrey Rush added to his trophy case with the best actor Tony for the revival of the French existential absurdist tragic-comedy Exit the King, by Eugene Ionesco.

Sopranos star James Gandolfini, now starring in God of Carnage, served as a presenter and “set the record straight,” he said. “I am not Shrek.” He and costar Jeff Daniels handed over the best featured actress Tony to Broadway favorite Angela Lansbury, for her role as spiritual medium Madame Arcati in the revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

The win marked Mame and Murder, She Wrote star Lansbury’s fifth Tony, and the audience – which included Anne Hathaway – received her with a standing ovation.

“This is amazing,” said the veteran actress, 83. “Who would have thought? Who knew at this time of my life that I would be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I can’t believe I am standing here.”

West Side Story’s Karen Olivo, who played the defiant Anita, was named best featured actress in a musical. In her acceptance speech, which brought tears to members of the audience, she stressed the importance of surrounding oneself “with people who love you.”

Liza Minnelli’s concert, Liza’s at the Palace, beat Will Ferrell’s one-man show, You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush, as best special theatrical event. The indomitable star thanked her parents, showbiz legend Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, for giving her her godmother, musical stylist Kay Thompson.

Next to Normal, an offbeat musical about a family’s coping with a bipolar mother, beat Dolly Parton (for 9 to 5) and Elton John (for Billy Elliot) in the best score category, with Tonys going to composer Tom Kitt and lyricist Brian Yorkey – who acknowledged Parton and John’s inspiration. Its star, Alice Ripley, was named best leading actress in a musical.

[From People]

Liza with a Z! I love Liza, too! Wow, Angela Lansbury and Liza Minnelli – not to mention Neal Patrick Harris. Am I geek for loving these people? So why was Bret Michaels invited again? Oh, right. For the love of kitsch. I’d really like to see that play “God of Carnage”, I’ve read a lot about it and it sounds great. Other than that… what with all of the films that get made into musicals? Billy Elliot? Really? I guess they have to give a Tony to whatever Elton John touches.

Shown at the Tony Awards are Anne Hathaway and Jane Fonda, John Stamos, Angela Lansbury, Piper Perabo, Dolly Parton, Gina Gershon and Edie Falco, Marica Gay Harden, Brett Michaeals, Allison Janney, and Liza Minelli. Credit: WENN.com.

Liza Minelli’s former husband and Scariest Looking Man Ever contest winner David Gest’s ITV television show has been canceled. Gest hosted a show called “This is David Gest” which was a sort of fly-on-the-wall type show. Apparently he got the gig because he won fans with his, “quirky sense of humor on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” I wasn’t under the impression that people thought he was funny, they just thought he was a jerk. Exciting as his show sounds; it only attracted two million viewers, so ITV axed it after six months, even though they’d signed on for a year. Apparently there was a lot of backstage drama and too many problems ensued. The sexually questionable Gest has long been famousfor his temper tantrums and hissy fits. Gest also had a part on the critically denigrated show “Grease Is The Word.”

The best part of the story is the quote given from ITV head honcho Simon Shaps. “’We don’t have any plans for him. We’re not signing him to another deal – I’m not sure what you would do next.’” I think that’s probably representative of the feelings the general public has towards Gest as well.

In equally appalling David Gest/Liza Minnelli news, the pair are together again… at least their wedding is. Their lavish (tacky) union just topped Forbes.com’s list as the most expensive celebrity wedding ever, coming in at over $3.5 million. I don’t think they spent their money that well, because the only lasting impression I have of their wedding are those absolutely horrifying pictures of them with Liz Taylor (the matron of honor) and Michael Jackson (the best man). I thought they held their wedding at a Taco Bell or something. Apparently there were 15 bridesmaids and 15 groomsmen, and 55 famous singers performed at their reception, held at the Regent Hotel in New York. They also register for four soup bowls that were $3,000 apiece. They made Star Jones’s affair look classy and understated in comparison.

Brittany Murphy showed off her giant engagement ring at “Liza with a Z” presented by Showtime in Century City, CA yesterday. Murphy contorted herself on the red carpet in a skintight dress and gold heels like the attention whore that she is.

Murphy was embroiled in a scandal in November of last year when she was said to be “Jordache Junkie,” the unnamed starlet in E-Online’s Ted Casablanca’s column who did heroin and screwed the help in a stairway at an industry party. Murphy then either fired or was let go by her representation, and denied the charge. She has been engaged to Joe Macaluso, who was a production assistant on her 2004 film “Little Black Book” since January of this year.

Hyenia Liza Minelli was also at the “Liza with a Z” west coast opening, along with Lorna Lufte, cutie Sean Farris, and the ever-creepy Bruce Vilanch.

12 more pictures after the jump.

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The DVD release party for Liza Minelli’s Liza With A “Z” was held last night at the Ziegfeld Theatre. The DVD features Minelli’s 1972 television special and includes new special features and interviews. Attendees pictured at the party include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Alan Cumming, Joan Collins, Lili Taylor, Tony Danza, Michael Feinstein, Parker Posey, Peter Boyle, Bebe Neuwirth, Linda Lavin, Rosie O’Donnell, George C. Wolfe, Jane Krakowski, and John Waters.

Minelli just celebrated her 60th birthday March 12th.

16 more pictures after the jump.

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