Home For Thanksgiving! Brad and Angelina's Showdown in Missouri

If you think you're stressing over turkey recipes, brining and basting this Thanksgiving, consider yourself lucky. And if you think you've got family drama for whatever reason — because we all do — then again just be grateful that you're not Brad Pitt. All the perks of stardom and $100 million in the bank can do nothing to diminish the fact that he'll be the man in the middle between Angelina Jolie and his mom, Jane Pitt, at the dinner table this Thursday. And if you believe some of the reports — and I do — there is no love lost between these two ladies, to say the least.

That's not to say that Brad didn't help bring this tense situation on himself. According to our sources at Star magazine, Brad is the one who is insisting that his better half, their four kids and their entourage private-jet into his hometown of Springfield, Missouri to break bread with his parents and the rest of his family. And Angie can't be thrilled about it.

Imagine how she feels. Jane Pitt has been publicly spotted several times dining, hugging, and even visiting her former daughter-in-law Jennifer Aniston at home, since the exes became exes. That in itself would qualify as monster-in-law material for lesser women. Then I'm sure Angelina got quite the earful from Brad's mom after she confessed to British Cosmopolitan that she took a wild trip to Disneyland while high on LSD. "I've done just about every drug possible. Coke, heroin, ecstasy, everything," Angelina admitted to the mag. Clearly, she wasn't thinking about how her words were going to play back in Missouri when she gave the interview.

Then again, think of it from Jane Pitt's perspective. How do she and her husband Bill, perfectly normal non-Hollywood people, explain that kind of confession to their hometown friends? How do they deal with a "daughter-in-law" who's also admitted that she used to like to cut herself, wear the blood of her last husband around her neck and boasted publicly about the unbelievable sex life she had with that last husband? It would be a wonder if Jane didn't have agita.

I think we can all wish Brad good luck coping with the conversation around that dinner table.

But Brangelina isn't the only Hollywood couple facing turkey day trauma. Many A-listers hail from humble beginnings and have to face returning to their roots sometimes if they want to retain any relationship with their families.

If Ashton Kutcher wants to see his mom, Diane, and twin brother, Michael, this Thanksgiving, he has to drop into Homestead, Iowa, population 103. When his private charter lands, it's like a tornado from the land of Oz touching down in...well you know where. Poor Diane then has to worry about cooking for her cougarlicious daughter-in-law Demi and her three daughters by Bruce Willis, including the newly named Miss Golden Globe, Rumer Willis. And then, what about Diane's dishes and silverware? Are they up to A list? And is the house clean enough? You know the drill. We'd all be quaking, too.

On the other hand, there are a couple of mothers of Hollywood biggies that are thanking their lucky stars this Thanksgiving. Mrs. Gyllenhaal is no doubt thrilled to add extra place-settings to her table for Jake's new mom-friendly paramour Reese Witherspoon and her adorable offspring. Any mother would welcome Oscar-winning Witherspoon who's never been seen partied-out like Jake's last love, wild child Kirsten Dunst.

And seemingly down-to-earth Jen Garner who's been photographed fresh-faced shopping in farmers' markets must seem heaven-sent to Ben Affleck's mom, Chris. When Ben was engaged to La Lopez, Chris' modest Boston home was overrun by paparazzi every time her son and JLo came to town. It was impossible for them to slip in unnoticed since JLo couldn't seem to travel entourage-less.

If you're still dreading going home for the holidays and are freaking over who you're having for dinner, just take comfort in this: in a poll of Star readers, 78% think that despite all, Brad would be right if he insisted that Angie meet the in-laws for Thanksgiving. Not even A-listers can avoid obligation, and neither can you.

Angelina's Thanksgiving Showdown! Should Brad Insist On Angie Visiting His Family? [Star]

Related:
Star Poll: Who would be the easiest daughter-in-law/girlfriend to bring home for the holidays? Jennifer Aniston! [Star]

Follow Bonnie Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bonniefuller

Comments

[Halsey]

ya know Springfield is like the crystal meth capital of the world...

family dynamics..gotta luv 'em.

[SpanishDancer]

Seriously, people need to get over their righteousness vis-a-vis celebrity news. Yes, of course, it is ultimately vapid and worthless, but there is a reason it is called "entertainment." Entertainment has existed in all cultures since the beginning of human history. It is a harmless diversion. As the world grows uglier and uglier, let people have their eye candy where they can get it. CALM DOWN!
And I wouldn't be the first to say that celebrities are modern-day archetypes: The "gods" and "goddesses" (who, in typical Classic fashion, are inherently, humanly, flawed) of our time. The stories they tell are timeless. I think the reason the Pitt-Aniston-Jolie triangle has attracted so much attention over the last four years is that is it is a CLASSIC tale, appealing to deep-rooted unconscious messages we have all received from our own culture. As with all celebrities, we work out our issues through them: There's not a cheated-on­-and-divor­ced woman in America who has not identified with Aniston. Maybe not so "worthless" after all: If the real-life drama of celebrities can serve as some sort of collective, public catharsis, then let it. It doesn't necessarily have to distract from meaningful endeavors. It is an leisure activity: No more harmless than golf. Again, calm down.

[avicenna]

I know - I am sharing the weight of the albatross by even responding to this piece ... but it brought out the best of my disdain. Really, how empty does one's own life have to be to spend this much time thinking about the family dynamics of people they don't even know. That brings a tear to the eye if it wasn't so not worth it. I'm in awe of all the normal, non-"A listers" out there with the perfect white picket fence - away from teenage rebellion, sex, and large planes - with the big loving, turkey eating family. I don't know what there is to be thankful for in that stimulating environment - but I'll leave it to their grace to figure out.

[momilitia]

I live less than a half hour from Pitts home and I give not a damn.

Let's worry about what is killing our county, not the A list people, you want British royalty?

Bush and Company to jail or execution, will settle for nothing less, you should settle for nothing less also, f*ck your royalty, let us worry about the real people in our country!!!!

[lexdee]

This blog is a huge disappointment to me regarding the Huffington Post. This is National Enquirer level crap that has no place in a serious journal. It's depressing to see how many readers fall into actually taking these make believe lives seriously. You know, thousands of people adopt every year. Whatsername adopts and everyone goes ooooh! I don't think that anything these people do, say or think is real, important, or with meaning. It's about time you all, at least the adults, get a grip and a life.

[mick3]

Women who provide holiday feasts should never have to quake in their boots because of any guest in their home, especially a mere actor. In fact, they should be honored and thanked. But who gets the thanks? A male. An imaginary male, in fact. Just as women provide the Christmases we all expect to have, the planning, the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, the COOKING, and all the rest of it. Done entirely by women. And who gets the credit? A male. An imaginary male, in fact. And so it goes and continues to go until religion dies out once and for all, after which women will have the place they deserve.

[BillW51]

This article sounds like it takes a pretty arrogant attitude toward the Midwest. Being stuck in Homestead Iowa or better yet being able to make it home to the Springfield, Branson area for the holidays would be a dream for me right now. My mother stayed friends with my ex-wife until she died – 36 years after my divorce – and if my current wife would have had a problem with it, she wouldn’t have been my wife. Grow a pair Brad and tell Angelina if she wants a big family it starts with the family you already have – and you’re mother doesn’t need some spoiled brat telling her who she can be friends with or talk to.

The real question is how bad is Angelina going to screw up holiday traffic at Springfield Regional if she demands the stupid security she has in the past?

[Dansden]

Methinks the 'projections' of the author's commentary in regards to her 'gossip column' mentality is JUST THAT- her own projections of how 'someone' might feel- mainly, the author!

When Jen becomes the emissary for children around the globe that Angelina has become, then she can comment- Jen's comments say much more about who she ISN'T than about who Angelina HAS BECOME!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF THEM AND TO YOU, TOO, BONNIE, while you sit around your family table talking about the celebrity's family table....
Bonnie, go watch some football with your male cousins...smile....

[deminmo]

Brad & wife will be only 2 hrs from me on
Thanksgiving. Oh whoopie! If I had an
"A" list Hollywood daughter-in-law, she would
understand very quickly, here in the Mid-West
you drop the Hollywood attitude or really
understand what the "A" stands for!

[The New York Crank]

Phew! What a relief to have read this column.

The world may be going to hell in a hand basket. We may be getting soldiers on their fourth tour of duty blown up in Iraq, torturing people who may or may not be evil-doers, draining our national treasury, ignoring a metastasizing national healthcare crisis, plummeting in international esteem, watching our highway infrastructure fall apart, standing by while the dollar descends from currency to a new form of toilet paper, skating in slow motion toward a Social Security precipice and walking past homeless people in the streets.

But we all can take comfort knowing where Brad and Angelina, Ashton and Whatzerface and the rest of the really, truly important people are doing for Thanksgiving, not to mention their mothers-in-law. I mean, isn't that why we all take the trouble to read The Huffington Post?

Thank you for this extremely valuable contribution.

Yours Very Crankily,
The New York Crank

[GJKBEAR]

What right have we to set in judgement over anyone else's life? There are other things in life than who is "better" and whether this celebrity celebrates this cause or that one. While I don't condone the wearing of real fur; I don't live in a part of the country where fur is needed for warmth. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; but I like a good steak now and then and turkey! Thanksgiving is a time for sharing our lives with our families and this kind of drivel about celebrity -vs- celebrity just reduces us to harpies. I just hope that all of them have a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and love.

[eaglecapri]

One more thing...(if my previous comment is deleted AGAIN!)

Angelina may not have a cookie-cutter persona, but I'd hope Mrs. Pitt would treat her and their children (ALL of them) with dignity and respect. We can't always choose the spouses of our children, but I'd also hope that Mrs. Pitt sees the good heart and love that Angelina has and leave her past where it belongs. She's been judged long enough.

And how can anyone deny Mad, Z and Pax? They are truly adorable and they seem like a load of fun!

[wrightthewrong]

When did they get married?

[Levittown]

THANKSGIVING IS A HAPPY HOLIDAY. THIS COLUMN IS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY AT A TIME WHEN FAMILY IS VERY IMPORTANT. SAVE THE GOSSIP FOR THE POLITICIANS. LETS ENJOY A DAY OF COMMUNICATION WITH ONE ANOTHER IN A GENIAL MOOD WITH GOOD EATS.

[Bozwellian]

LOL, Think BP's Ma should be "thankful" her son settled down with someone he loves and loves him in return with the plus of a grandchild (uh, any remember how Jen just was NOT up to the prospect of "parenthoo­d/motherho­od" as HER CAREER came first on her list ? Still can NOT fanthom how Jen gets such an EZ pass in the breakup--Brad wanted a family, Jen was not "ready" and gave no indication of ever really wanting to be "ready" to plunge into such as parenthood..Angie relishes being a "Mama" and sure she had many life experiences but look where she is NOW...not given enough credit and Jen is given way too much !!! )