The entertainment world saw more couplings this year than a honeymoon suite at Niagara Falls. Still, there were a few trend buckers out there — power alliances (business and otherwise) whose partners lost that lovin' feeling and went their separate ways.
Jay Leno and Branford Marsalis
The Split: The Tonight Show's bandleader gave his last official on-air smirk on Jan. 27. The Fallout: The kinder, gigglier Kevin Eubanks is helping Leno make a run at Letterman; loose cannon Marsalis seems happier touring with his band, Buckshot LeFonque.
Matsushita and MCA
The Split: In April, the electronics giant sold the headache-inducing entertainment company it bought five years ago to Seagram's Edgar Bronfman Jr. The Fallout: Bronfman, living out his dream of hanging with stars, now owns Universal; the Japanese, who lost megamillions on the deal, learn not all Hollywood endings are happy.
Hugh Grant and $60
The Split: In the backseat of a BMW, the British actor parted simultaneously with a chunk of change and his Cary Grant image. The Fallout: His partner in crime, Divine Brown, reportedly snagged $150,000 from a British tabloid and six months in jail. Grant was ordered to attend an AIDS-awareness class, saw his movie, Nine Months, do far better than it should have, and survived a rumored dressing-down from girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley.
Patricia Brentrup and Kit Culkin
The Split: Macaulay Culkin's parents went to court this summer to wrangle over their kids' fortunes. The Fallout: The case is still being argued, but whoever wins will get to control Mac's dwindling career and, more important, that of Kieran, his up-and-coming younger brother. Hope there're a few bucks left over for therapy.
...and every other Hollywood marriate
The Splits: Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett, Tommy Lee and Kimberlea Jones, Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Kevin and Cindy Costner, Michael and Diandra Douglas, Steven Seagal and Kelly LeBrock, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. The Fallout: Americans might start to think those showbiz types are fickle or something.
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