Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Star Sighting: Ricky Martin in SoBe

Ricky Martin was just trying to enjoy a night out in Miami when some desperate hanger-on still living in the 90s got all up in his "bon-bon".

Several celebrities, including the Black Eye Peas, flocked to Miami this past weekend once again for the Winter Music Conference but Ricky Martin wasn’t living “La Vida Loca.” The Latin crooner saw red after one raucous female fan wouldn’t leave him alone at the South Beach hotspot "Mansion", where the new dad was on hand with several male friends.

“This girl kept going over and asking him to ‘Shake your bon bon!’ and screaming in his face”. Ignoring her for a little, Martin finally had enough. “He snapped back, ‘That’s really not cool. Please don’t embarrass me like this’ ” said a source.

Martin then moved his entire entourage to the other side of the club to escape the disturbing fan, eventually did start shaking it and then continued to dance until 3 a.m.

Jamie Kennedy Hospitalized for Kidney Stones

Jamie Kennedy had to cut his Mexico vacation with new girlfriend Jennifer Love Hewitt short, People reports. The comedian, best known for his roles in Scream and Scream 2, flew from the beaches of Mexico to Los Angeles for treatment after kidney stones caused him discomfort.

A source told People that Kennedy is "on the mend" with Hewitt at his side. Kennedy announced his relationship with Hewitt on Ryan Seacrest's radio show a few weeks ago. Hewitt broke up with her fiancé, actor Ross McCall, over the holidays.

Sacha Baron Cohen Faces NC-17 Rating

Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's racy new film "Bruno" is facing an adults-only certification, amid fears it may be too sexually explicit for young viewers.

The film's first review by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) panel has resulted in the restricted NC-17 cinema rating, which would prevent anyone under the age of 17 from seeing the movie.

The movie is a follow up to Cohen's cult hit "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," and follows his outrageous Austrian fashion-forward character Bruno as he attempts to make it big in Hollywood.

Ratings officials are reportedly concerned over several sexually explicit scenes, including one where Cohen's character engages in what appears to be anal sex with another man.

Confirming the rating, a spokesperson for movie studio Universal adds, "On its first submission the film did not receive an R (less restrictive rating), but it is far too early to say that there is any struggle to get there as the process is only at its inception."

"Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt" is expected to be released in July.

Madonna Adoption Ruling Delayed

Madonna will have to wait until the end of the week to find out whether she will be able to take home Mercy James, a Malawian court has delayed a ruling on the adoption until Friday.

The singer flew to the African nation over the weekend with her 12-year-old daughter Lourdes and three-year-old-David Banda, who she adopted from the country in 2006.

And she has formalised her bid to make Mercy a part of her family, filing adoption papers at a court house in capital Lilongwe on Monday morning.

But the judge presiding over the hearing has adjourned the proceedings until Friday, meaning Madonna will have to wait four days to find out whether she will be able to make the girl an official member of her family.

The adoption bid has sparked outrage amongst the child's surviving relatives, with her grandmother, Lucy Chekechiwa, 61, vowing to fight to keep the tot in Malawi.

Childrens' charities have also criticised the star for adopting from abroad, insisting orphaned kids need to remain in their native countries in the care of their extended families.

The controversy mirrors the furore which surrounded Madonna's adoption of David Banda in 2006, with some accusing the Malawian government of side-stepping the country's adoption laws because of the singer's fame and wealth. The adoption was subsequently finalised last year following two years of legal wrangling.

Farrah Fawcett Slams Paparazzi

Former Charlie's Angels pin-up Farrah Fawcett has lashed out at the paparazzi who ignored pleas not to take shots of her in a wheelchair.

The actress was being escorted from a plane to a car on Saturday after a flight from Germany, where she is seeking controversial cancer treatment, when the photographers spotted her at Los Angeles International Airport.

In an online video message, the angry actress says, "I didn’t want to be photographed in a wheelchair, which is what they’re always trying to get. That just p**ses me off."

And she insists the fact she has become prey for the paparazzi isn't helping her battle anal cancer.

Fawcett adds, "Stress is what feeds your cancer. Stress is what gives you cancer and then there’s the paparazzi giving you stress... Something has to be done."

American Idol's Top 9 Perform iTune Hits Tonight

The top 9 contestants will be singing songs from the iTunes hit collection during tonight's live performance show at 8:00 pm (ET) on FOX.

This should be a great performance night as the contestants have a large selection of songs to choose from. Hopefully they will choose the right song and make it their own. (I am confident Adam will!)

My predictions of who should go home tonight...either Megan Joy or Scott. They are both completely out of their league in comparison to the rest of the performers. Hopefully American will vote for the talented Idols, and not give out "popularity" votes.

Remember to the watch the live results tomorrow night at 9:00 pm (ET) on FOX.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Ellen & Jennifer Belt Out a Bathroom Tune

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson recently visited Ellen DeGeneres at her talk show and joined her for an unbelievable bathroom performance!

I'm sure you will agree with calling this the best and most hilarious entry in the series would be a huge understatement!

New Release Tuesday!

Plenty of new entertainments is available this Tuesday on Blu-Ray, DVD and CD. Here are this week's new releases:

Movies
The Adventures of Pinocchio (2009) (B)
An American in Paris (B)
Gigi (B)
Marley and Me(B/D)
The Matrix (B)
The Other End of the Line (D)
Seven Pounds (B/D)
Slumdog Millionaire (B/D) (shown above)
South Pacific (1958) (B)
Tell No One (B/D)
Timecrimes

Music
Billy Ray Cyrus - Back to Tennessee
Bow Wow - New Jack City II
Diana Krall - Quiet Nights
FLo Rida - R.O.O.T.S. (Routes of Overcoming the Struggle) (shown above)
Gavin DeGraw - Free
Keith Urban - Defying Gravity
Marie Osmond - Seasons
Ministry - Adios...(Live)
Prince - LOtUSFLOW3R/MPLSoUND (Target Exclusive)
Queensryche - American Soldier

TV Shows
California Dreams - 1st & 2nd Seasons
The Fugitive - 2nd Season, Volume 2
Goosebumps - Return of the Mummy & The Scarecrow Walks At Midnight
Hannah Montana - Volume 5: Keeping It Real
Hope & Faith - 1st Season (shown above)
In Plain Sight - 1st Season
The IT Crowd - 1st Season
Planet Earth - Volume 3: Great Plains/Jungles/Shallow Seas & Volume 4: Seasonal Forests/Ocean Deep
Pride and Prejudice - Mini-Series (B)
The Real Ghostbusters - Volume 1
Schoolhouse Rock - Earth
Three Sheets - 1st, 2nd & 3rd Seasons
Urban Legends - 1st Season
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea - 4th Season, Volume 1

(B) - Available on Blu-Ray
(D) - Available on DVD
(B/D) - Available on Blu-Ray & DVD

It's a Man's World:
Monday Morning Man, Matthew McConaughey!

So here is Matthew McConaughey, an actor you have surely seen either on screen or in one of the gazillion paparazzi photos taken of him as he jogs around town shirtless or is surfing in Malibu. He’s a guy who seems to live his life to the fullest.

But Matthew’s movie career has its ebbs and flows. For every hit like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Failure to Launch and A Time to Kill, there are truly awful bombs like Surfer, Dude and Fool’s Gold. My favorite McConaughey movie ever is "The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez.


He’s got his next gig lined up. Variety reports that he will star as a low-level criminal defense attorney, Mickey Haller, in the thriller ‘The Lincoln Lawyer." In the film, his character represents a wealthy client who is connected to a murder case that he once handled.

But before that, his latest film, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past", has him starring alongside leading lady Jennifer Garner and is set to his theaters May 1st.


McConaughey and his Brazilian girlfriend Camila Alves are proud parents of a beautiful son named Levi Alves McConaughey who was born on July 7, 2008 in Los Angeles.

I'm sure many of you wouldn't mind calling him Daddy anytime!

Jolie And Pitt To Adopt From India?

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are to extend their multinational brood with a child from India, according to reports.

The pair already has three adopted children - Maddox, seven, from Cambodia, Pax, four, from Vietnam and Zahara, three, from Ethiopia - as well as biological daughter Shiloh, two, and their seven-month-old twins Vivienne and Knox.

Jolie recently revealed plans to adopt from India when she met the child stars of Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

When ten year old Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail asked the Tomb Raider star why she hadn't adopted from his home country, she replied, "Well, I'll let you into a little secret, we will soon."

A source tells British newspaper the Sunday Express that the couple originally showed interest in adopting from India when they visited the country's Priya Darshini Orphanage in 2006, but were too busy to finalise the details.

The insider says, "They filled out all the paperwork but had to put the adoption on hold because of all their other commitments."

Live Stream: Listen to New Pet Shop Boys CD

The new Pet Shop Boys album Yes comes out in the U.S. on April 21st, but you can listen to the entire thing here with this handy widget.

A Brokeback Moment!

Good Morning Cruisers! I've woken up this morning yearning for a "Brokeback" moment!

Now, get your mind out of the gutter...'cause I don't mean the type of moment Ennis and Jack shared in the tent on their first encounter. I am just in the mood to (once again) watch my favorite movie of all times, Brokeback Mountain, but unfortunately I don't have enough time this morning to enjoy the entire epic film.

Instead I will settle for the movie's trailer which I am sharing with you.



Long live Ennis Del Mar and Jack "Nasty" Twist! They created great memories for years to come.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Robbie Williams is ready to rejoin Take That.

Robbie Williams is ready to rejoin Take That.

The Feel hitmaker, who left the band almost 14-years-ago, says he has healed his bitter rift with Gary Barlow and is adamant his old pals want him back.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "I'm in regular contact with them and it's looking more likely by the week. The lads all seem up for it. I think it would be fun.

"Let's see what happens, but my head’s in the right place, so the timing could be right if Gary calls. I think it would be fun. It would be good.

"The lads seem up for it and some people think it's a done deal."

"It would make sense for it to happen some time over the next year," he added. "We've matured now. We'd have a laugh."

Madonna Lands in Malawi Amid Controversy

Madonna landed in the African nation of Malawi on Sunday, but not without controversy.

The singer, 50, was accompanied by her daughter Lourdes, 12, and sons Rocco, 8, and David, 3, whom she adopted from Malawi last year. And she and Lourdes visited Chinkhota Village, where Madonna has purchased a large tract of land to construct a girls' school there, which sources say is modeled on the Leadership Academy for Girls that Oprah Winfrey built in South Africa.

Although the village chief thanked the singer for her "generosity," some residents were less enthusiastic amid fears that they would lose their ancestral lands and crop fields.

"We are told to leave our gardens after this year's harvest; we are told our houses are to be pulled down – but nobody is talking about compensation," said Esinati Nkhoma, a local mother of four. "Where will we move to?"

A senior government official said issues of compensation for the land are being handled by Raising Malawi, the charity established by Madonna.

When a journalist asked Madonna whether she was worried about the land concerns, she shouted back, "No!" Later, Madonna and Lourdes were heard asking villagers "Muli bwanji?," which translates to "How are you?" in Malawi's native tongue, Chichewa.

On Monday morning the star is scheduled to appear before a high court judge to process her second adoption. When a bystander asked, "Are you adopting another kid from Malawi?" she replied, "I don't know."

But courts records show she plans to adopt 3-year-old Mercy James, whose single teenage mother died at age 18.

Ugly Betty's Ana Ortiz Preps for Her Baby Girl

Pregnancy hasn't been a bumpy road for Ugly Betty star Ana Ortiz. In fact, the actress, who's due with a girl at the end of July, says she feels "phenomenal."

"I've had a great experience so far," the radiant actress told People Saturday at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City, where she wore a form-fitting white J. Mendel dress. But, she added, "Talk to me in another month."

So, what's she craving? "French toast and pancakes," says Ortiz, who's married to guitarist Noah Lebenzon. "Other than that, I want citrus and lots of fruits."

Ortiz is already busy designing her baby-to-be's room. "I just met with the decorator today. I didn't want it too frilly frou-frou, too canopy princess-y. So we're doing a sort of eco-friendly, beautiful room," she says. "I'm not sure of the color palette yet, but it's going to be gorgeous."

And Ugly Betty costars America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams are hosting her baby shower. "A friend of mine owns Green Baby, so Ana has all the green baby products she could ever want," Williams told People at the GLAAD event. "But my gift to her was the catering. I've got a wonderful woman who is going to cater. I said, 'Please allow me to do that.' "

"I was so flabbergasted that she even offered," said Ortiz.

It's a Man's World: George Eads

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’s George Eads has co-starred as forensic scientist Nick Stokes on one of the most popular network shows for nearly a decade but he is a television hunk who has flown below the radar.

You know you’ve made it when the gay rumors abound. But, as with Tom Cruise, they appear to be only rumors.

George, 42, was a frat boy at Texas Tech and graduated with a degree in marketing. But fortunately, he left a job selling copy machines to try his hand at an acting career.

Ashton Kutcher Gets Waxed!

There was no shouting of "Ooooh, Kelly Clarkson!" like in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," but pretty much everything else about Ashton Kutcher's chest-waxing video mimicked the hysterical movie scene.

Thanks to a freshly waxed stuntman playing Kutcher in "Five Killers," which is currently filming in France, the actor also had to bald it up for his new role in order to match his double.

In true Ashton style, he took a video camera along to document it for his fans. Check it out...

American Idols Guilty of Lip Synching

If you're a huge fan of the group numbers that kick off every episode of the American Idol results show, you'll be sad to hear the performances are pre-recorded. Yup, the latest crop of Idol contestants are guilty of lip synching.

The validity of the opening performances came into question recently when season one Idol runner-up and current co-host of TV Guide's Idol Wrap, Justin Guarini, said on his show:

"Every single year we can't stand the group performances. I know they can't stand it either. And I think what makes them even worse now is that they're lip-synched. They're really prerecorded now."

Manfred Westphal, a spokesperson for FremantleMedia North America, the company that produces American Idol, initially denied the charges. But on Wednesday Westphal owned up to the rumors telling the New York Times:

"Due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mikes against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances."

As if this is a surprise. The show takes a group of untrained and inexperienced singers and asks them to not only perform perfectly in front of a huge live audience every week, but also harmonize with a group of people, while dancing. It's a pretty daunting task, but isn't this a singing competition?

Still, Westphal assured fans that the group performance is the only part of each show that is recorded.

Except of course for the solo performances, which are recorded before each live show and sold on iTunes after the show airs. But Westphal swears that other than the group numbers, all performances on the show are live.

McConaughey Takes 'Lincoln' Case

Matthew McConaughey is taking on the case of "The Lincoln Lawyer" for Lakeshore Entertainment.

The "Fool's Gold" thesp is attached to star in the legal thriller that centers on low-level criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller who finds himself representing a wealthy client with ties to a previous murder case Haller handled.

Project is based on a Michael Connolly best-seller that was published in 2005 by Little, Brown.

Lakeshore snapped up bigscreen rights to the tome six months before "Lincoln Lawyer" hit shelves in what was dubbed a seven-figure deal.

Stone Village Pictures' Scott Steindorff is producing "Lincoln Lawyer" alongside Lakeshore principals Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi.

McConaughey, who most recently played a supporting role in the laffer "Tropic Thunder," will next be seen opposite Jennifer Garner in the romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past."

FOX Lines Up Summer Slate with the Return of
"So You Think You Can Dance"

Fox is kicking off its summer slate in late May, starting with the return of "So You Think You Can Dance" and new drama "Mental."

As previously announced, "Dance" launches its fifth season on Thursday, May 21, with a two-hour special (the night after the "American Idol" finale, as has become tradition at Fox). "Dance" will also air a two-hour special on Wednesday, May 27.

Show then will fall into a regular series pattern, with two hour performance shows on Wednesdays and one-hour weekly results shows Thursdays at 9 p.m.

The new drama "Mental," meanwhile, will air Fridays at 9 p.m. starting May 22. Fox TV Studios and Fox Intl. Channels shot 13 episodes of "Mental," starring Chris Vance and Annabella Sciorra, in the fall at Fox TeleColombia in Bogota, Colombia.

Simultaneous to its run on Fox, "Mental" will air day-and-date on Fox Intl. Channels outlets in 35 countries.

"Mental" will be paired with the return of reality skein "Don't Forget the Lyrics," which will air Fridays at 8 p.m. starting May 22. Then, on July 3, reality competish "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" will take over that slot.

Also in the summer, Fox will air the next edition of "Hell's Kitchen," which kicks off Tuesday, July 21 at 8 p.m. with a two-hour opener. Show will continue to air in the Tuesday 8 p.m. slot.

Brooke Shields' Lipstick Jungle Cancelled

Brooke Shields is available for work, her TV show "Lipstick Jungle" has been scrapped.

Rumors that the show, touted as a replacement for hit series Sex And The City, was set to be cancelled from NBC's schedule began to circulate in December.

Shields, who played film executive Wendy Healy in the series, vehemently denied the rumours, insisting she believed the project would last.

But the star has confirmed to E! Online that the show has been dropped after just two seasons.

She tells the news show, "It was going to stay and we just were officially told it's finally not coming back.

"It's very sad. I think a lot of people were really sad, but I think we hung on a really long time. It was three great years that we've been working on it."

The show, which co-starred Kim Raver and Lindsay Price, focused on the busy lives of three successful women balancing their high-flying careers and personal lives in New York City.

Madonna: 'Glad' to Be Single

She has been stepping out with model Jesus Luz recently, but Madonna is decidedly single – and happy to Tweet about it.

The singer, who is planning to adopt again from the African nation of Malawi, took to Twitter on March 25th in response to a comment posted to her pal Guy Oseary's account. "hello madonna," writes the poster, "honey am glad you are single again – you made your best music as a single woman! yeehaw!"

Tweeting back, Oseary wrote that he was sitting with Madonna, 50, and that she had this reply: "NOT AS GLAD AS I AM! M"

People has confirmed that the comment indeed came from Oseary's account.

Madonna's divorce from director Guy Ritchie was finalized in December.

Aaron Spelling Mansion on the Market for $150 Million

Are you looking for a three story mansion that boasts a whopping 56,500 square feet and sits on 4.6 acres of land? If so, you’re in luck. The largest home in L.A. County is for sale for a mere $150 million.
This French chateau style mansion called "The Manor" was built by the late Aaron Spelling back in 1991. Spelling made his fortune producing television hits, including Dynasty, Charlie’s Angel and Beverly Hills 90210.


The Hollywood legend died in 2006, leaving his home and fortune to wife Candy Spelling.

Candy spoke with the AP, saying that her dog helped her pick the perfect Realtor for the job. After she screened each, her wheaten terrier was brought in for a sniff. The pooch made the final decision.

The property is full of amenities, including a bowling alley, wine cellar, wine tasting room, gift wrapping room, humidity controlled silver storage room, China room, library, gym, media room, barber shop and beauty salon. The servants wing features a full kitchen, seven bedrooms, five fireplaces and four wet bars.

The exterior includes tennis courts, swimming pool, fountains, a waterfall, a reflection pool, a pool house with a kitchen, 16 car ports and a parking area that will hold 100 guest vehicles.

Properties that are close to the mansion are the Los Angeles Country Club and the Playboy Mansion. This is currently the most expensive home for sale in the U.S.

As for Candy, she loved the house but she’s moving into a two-story condo in a residential tower overlooking L.A. She purchased the property last year for a mere $47 million.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Star Sighting: Captain Mayer at Your Service!

John Mayer shows his gorgeous legs while dressed as a sailor on board the Mayercraft carrier cruise liner in Long Beach, California on Friday, March 27ht.

The 31-year-old singer is hosting 3,000 Mayer fans on the ship for a four-day tour which will head to Mexico and then back to San Pedro, California.

Kelly Clarkson: I Do Not Hook Up!

Check out the cover art for Kelly Clarkson’s new song, “I Do Not Hook Up.”

Check out the pink bustier and purple feather details at the bust!

“I Do Not Hook Up” is the second single off Kelly’s latest album, All I Ever Wanted. Greg Wells penned the song with Katy Perry (”I Kissed A Girl”) and Kara DioGuardi (American Idol). “I Do Not Hook Up” is expected to be released on Tuesday, April 14th.

Hilton And Reinhardt Involved In Club Fight

Paris Hilton has been left stunned and "scared" after she was allegedly abused by a DJ's bodyguard in Miami, Florida in the early hours of Friday.

The socialite was at the posh Fontainebleau hotel nightclub with her new boyfriend Doug Reinhardt when she approached the DJ to request a song to dance to.

But the music mixer, who was playing a techno set, refused and a bodyguard stepped in, reportedly pushing Hilton away.

Reinhardt leaped to her defence and lambasted the heavyweight guard for putting his hands on Hilton, sparking a brawl between the two men.

Police were called to the scene, but the fight had been broken up by hotel security. No charges were filed.

And Hilton is shocked at the way she was treated at the venue.

She tells RadarOnline.com, "I can't believe someone would do this to us, it's really scary."

The blonde heiress was not injured in the scuffle, although Reinhardt, who stars on reality TV show The Hills, was left nursing a bloody lip.

Ian Somerhalder to Cut His Fangs in
CW's 'Vampire Diaries'

Move over Twilight twink, the CW is bringing us the hottest vampire to date, Lost's Ian Somehalder as a charming immortal Damon in "Vampire Diaries".

The show is based on the book series, which centers on the love triangle of a mortal woman and two vampire brothers, one evil and one good.

Blue-eyed Somerhalder, who played 'Boone' on ABC's Lost and 'Paul Denton' on the big screen in The Rules of Attraction will play the good brother, who struggles with his intrinsic evil tendencies as an immortal.

Premiering in the fall, the series will be exec produced by Kevin Williamson (Dawson's Creek, Scream).

Casting of the evil brother, Stefan, is yet to be announced.

Same Sex Couples Welcome in the Game of 'Life'

Hasbro's classic board game "Life" allows same sex coupling in its online edition, a free trial version of which is available for download to anyone.

While many applaud the game's reflection of real lifestyle choices, some conservative parents are already complaining on the website's message boards arguing that the Milton Bradley game is "pushing the homosexual agenda."

Ironically, since the board game version first hit the market back in 1960, players have always had the option of putting the same color (blue or pink) pegs in the tiny car that drives players around a track that represents a path through life, moving from "leaving school" to "marriage" and beyond. The only thing the original game did not allow was for competitors to bypass marriage altogether, which may say a lot about how the makers of the game thought about life and equal rights long before the gay rights movement got underway in earnest.

Court Will Examine Madonna's Adoption of
'Mercy James'

Details are emerging about David Banda's prospective sister once a Malawian court investigates Madonna's application to adopt an orphaned baby girl named Mercy James – who, despite some reports, is not from the same orphanage where the pop star met David.

Mercy James is from the Kondanani Children's Village in the town of Bvumbwe, in the southern tea-grown district of Thyolo, a source at the High Court told People. Bvumbwe is 20 kilometers south of Blantyre.

Madonna met Mercy James, now 3½ years old, at the Kondanani Children's Village, when she visited Malawi for the first time in October 2006. She expressed interest to adopt Mercy then but instead adopted David Banda, now 3, from Home of Hope orphanage in central district of Mchinji on the border with Zambia.

Currently, Mercy's surviving relations – grandmother Lucy Cekechiwa and uncle John Ngalande, who initially resisted the adoption – are at Kumbali Lodge with Mercy. A nurse and a nanny are also waiting to appear in court on Monday.

According to a court notice circulated to judges and court clerks by the Registrar of the court, Madonna, 50, will appear before a High Court judge "at 9 o'clock in the fore-noon [morning] on Monday March the 30th for hearing of an adoption case. Madonna will appear without a partner or spouse."

Charles in Charge's Willie Aames Holds Garage Sale

Eight apparently wasn't enough for Willie Aames.

The star of Charles in Charge and Eight Is Enough, after filing for bankruptcy last year and whose house is in foreclosure, has been reduced to holding a garage sale at his Olathe, Kansas, home to raise some scratch.

Among the items on sale Thursday were antiques, artwork, a piano, leather couches, a TV set, a mounted lion's head and other stuffed wildlife the 48-year-old had hunted, and movie memorabilia.


Aames also signed autographs while a film crew recorded the event for a TV documentary about his life, reports the Kansas City Star.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Has Adam Lambert Basically Won American Idol?

You know, it must be incredibly embarrassing for the contestants on American Idol who aren't Adam Lambert (except for Danny Gokey, of course!).

Every week he sings circles around most of them, making some look like their singing at a karaoke bar. Yes, some of them can carry a tune, but it's not the kind of singing you'll ever remember, much less pay for.

With that said, one thing has always threatened Adam's chances of winning this game show, and that's his flamboyant, "alternative" appearance. But all that changed this week...and now there's nothing standing in the way of his inevitable win.

So Adam Lambert basically won American Idol last night.

He didn't just sing the shit out of that song, he performed it. He acted, he emoted, he was an actual entertainer...on an entertainment show!

Oh, yeah, and he looked hotter than ever, too. Reminded me of Elvis Presley in his younger years.

Don't get me wrong, I am still a dear fan of Danny Gokey, and hope he can also win this competition, but Adam knocked my out of my feet this week!

Piven Confident He Can Prove Mercury Poisoning

Actor Jeremy Piven is confident he will be cleared of allegations he faked a health scare to allow him to pull out of Broadway play Speed-the-Plow as he prepares to defend his honour in an arbitration hearing.

The Entourage star stepped down from the show in December, citing severe fatigue. He claims he was diagnosed with toxic mercury poisoning and blames regular sushi meals for his medical woes.

Broadway bosses, who were forced to replace Piven with William H. Macy at the last minute, are furious with his sudden departure and are not convinced the actor was really ill.

They filed a complaint with the Actors Equity Association, claiming Piven's exit jeopardised show earnings.

The case is due to be heard in an arbitration meeting with union bosses in June, and Piven is sure he can prove his illness was serious - because U.S. president Barack Obama has identified mercury poisoning as a "grave chemical problem".

His representative says in a statement, "After Mr. Piven was diagnosed with a potentially toxic Mercury level, he reluctantly left Speed-the-plow at the insistence of his doctors, who warned him that enforced rest was required to avoid severe medical problems, including a heart attack. Mr. Piven is looking forward to testifying in Arbitration along with his doctors so that the truth comes out about the very health serious risks caused by Mercury exposure, which the Obama administration has recently described as the world's gravest chemical problem."

And Piven is mystified by the theatre executives' decision to share details of the hearing to the press - vowing to keep his medical records private - because he has been open to being reexamined by a doctor from the start.

The rep adds, "Mr. Piven had also repeatedly offered to be examined by a doctor designated by the producers both before, during and after his hospitalisation for toxic Mercury levels. The producers never took him up on that offer.

"The fact that the producers issued a statement announcing the Arbitration dates suggests that this is part of a punitive strategy to intimidate actors so that they ignore serious health symptoms and the advice of medical professionals due to fear that they will be sued."

Star Sighting: Winehouse Hits the Streets

Following her recent court appearance where she plead not guilty to assault, Amy Winehouse hits the cobblestone streets of London, where she visited some neighbors on Thursday.

Christina Applegate is Confident Samantha Who? Will Survive Network Cull

Christina Applegate is confident her TV show Samantha Who? will survive the network axe a second time, and return for a third season later this year.

Despite the cancellation of a string of ABC shows including Life on Mars, Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money, network chiefs are keeping faith with the comedy show. Back in October they commissioned an extension to the second season.

And Applegate is hopeful the cast will all return for season three. She tells AOL Television, "No, no. They're very hush-hush over there. Believe you me, I try to get it out of everybody as much as I possibly can. (Laughs) All I hear is just, 'Be positive.' Tough times - with the economy, even networks have suffered immensely, so you just never know what's gonna happen."

Jaime Kennedy Strips for Full Frontal Scene

Funnyman Jamie Kennedy is about to show off what girlfriend Jennifer Love Hewitt loves about him most in a saucy full-frontal scene.

The actor/comedian plays a porn star in new movie Finding Bliss and takes steamy acting lessons from co-star Leelee Sobieski's character.

He tells In Touch magazine, "The hardest part was being naked. I have a full frontal nudity scene."

"I remember that day; I had them turn the heat up."

Madonna Heading to Malawi to Adopt a Girl

Being a single mom isn't keeping Madonna from expanding her family.

The singer, 50, is heading to Malawi where she is planning to adopt a child, according to officials in that country. "We are expecting her this weekend," an official from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, which is responsible for adoption in the African nation, told People.

The official says that Raising Malawi, the charity the singer established there, filed adoption papers for a baby girl, whose identity has not been revealed. "All is set for the adoption; all the paperwork is ready," he says.

Madonna is expected to appear in the High Court in the capital of Lilongwe next week to start the process for the second adoption. The singer's rep had no comment.

Madonna recently told Malawi's Nation newspaper that she wants a sister for her son David, 3, whom she adopted from the country. "Many people – especially our Malawian friends – say that David should have a Malawian brother or sister," she told the paper in a rare interview. "It's something I have been considering, but would only do if I had the support of the Malawian people and government."

David's father, Yohane Banda, told People that officials from Raising Malawi visited him last week to alert him to Madonna's impending arrival. "I was told anytime Madonna is coming with my son and her other children," said the soft-spoken tomato and onions farmer in a telephone interview. "They didn't give me dates but they just said 'soon.' "

John Mayer Ready to Cruise Again in His 'Mankini'

Must be something in the salt air.

How else do you explain John Mayer's eagerness to strip down to the barest of Borat-like essentials once he hits the high seas.

"I'm getting my bikini wax for the Mayercraft Carrier," says Mayer, 31, offering a little TMI on Twitter as he prepares to host a cruise leaving Friday from L.A. to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for four nights of partying. Last year, the crooner made a splash when he wore a green "mankini" similar to the one worn by Sacha Baron Cohen's alter ego.

Asked when he'll don the thong, Mayer tweeted, "I'm already wearing it."

Jennifer Hudson Sets Wedding Date, Returns to Idol

Five months after the tragic murders of three of her family members, Jennifer Hudson is moving forward with planning her wedding to David Otunga, and returning to the American Idol stage.

After Idol’s tribute to Motown Wednesday, Hudson, who finished in 7th place in season 3, pre-taped a performance for a future episode of the show. Host Ryan Seacrest then chatted with Hudson and asked her if she had set a date for her wedding. “Yeah, but it’s a secret,” she replied. “I can’t tell anybody.”

Hudson, who will be touring with Robin Thicke to promote her self-titled, debut album starting March 31, told Seacrest, “It feels great” to be back on the stage where she started her singing career.

Dressed in a black dress, a blazer, and leggings, Hudson, 25, who won a Grammy for best R&B album earlier this year, gave a rousing vocal performance of her single “If This Isn’t Love.”

American Idol: Top 10 Results Show

Well, last night the first finalist from the Top 10 contestant who will be performing in the live tour later this year was eliminated.

Michael Sarver, the 27 year old oilrig worker from Jasper, Texas was eliminated for his performance of "Ain't to Proud to Beg" during Motown week on American Idol.

Michael was the finalist with the lowest votes. He share the bottom three with Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre. He sang once again for the judges to determine if they would use their one "save vote" on him, but unfortunately they did not enjoy him enough to use it.

American Idol's Top 9 finalists will be performing live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm (ET) and the next results show will take place on Wednesday at 9:00 pm (ET).

Elvis Crespo, Latin Singer, Quizzed Over Plane Sex Act

Grammy award-winning singer Elvis Crespo has denied performing a sex act during a recent flight.

One passenger complained that the Merengue singer exposed himself to her shortly after the flight left Houston.

The Puerto Rican star was quizzed by authorities in Miami after the pilot contacted the control tower, but said he did not recall the incident.

As it allegedly took place over US airspace, the FBI have also been called in to investigate the claims.

The 37-year-old was not arrested by police officers at Miami airport and no charges have been made.

The singer's publicist has yet to comment on the allegations.

Crespo, whose 1998 debut album Suavemente became a hit, married his manager in Puerto Rico earlier this month.

He was due to visit New York on Thursday to discuss commitments relating to the city's annual Puerto Rico Day parade, which is due to take place in June.

Rihanna Gets a Gun Tattoo

Among Rihanna's eclectic tattoo collection are a cluster of stars on the back of her neck (later matched by Chris Brown) and a Maori-inspired tribal mark on her right wrist. But new amongst them is a gun on her right side that represents strength, says New York-based tattoo artist BangBang, 23, who came to Rihanna's home in Hollywood to do the new work on Thursday, March 19.

"She has a necklace that I love that I saw about a year ago," BangBang told People. "I was like, 'You should get a little gun tattooed on you. Then when I was in L.A. to tattoo her friend – she brought me there for his birthday as a gift to him – she wanted to get a tattoo and I brought the gun out again and I stuck it on there and she loved it."

The singer and the artist had also considered putting guns on her shoulders, but BangBang says "she's very beautiful and it took away from her face a little bit."

Guns are not the first contribution of BangBang's to Rihanna's collection of body art. "I haven't done all of her tattoos but the majority," he says, adding that they initially got acquainted when "she saw a tattoo I did of Freddy Krueger. She loves Freddy Krueger so she tracked me down and I did the tattoo on her hip. That was the first one."

And it won't be the last. The pair have another design in mind, "something along the lines of a very soft, light grey [tattoo] that will be blended into her skin," he says. "She loves getting tattoos. They mean a lot to her."

As for how Rihanna is doing now, BangBang says, "She's doing great. She's having a blast. She's on top of the world right now. Everybody loves her and supports her and she's got great friends. She's very tough and she's got more than enough people around her that if she needed anything, she's got it in a heartbeat."

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Star Sighting: Go, Speed Racer, Go!

Patrick Dempsey works up a sweat at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., Wednesday where the Grey's Anatomy star is set to motor in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

Luhrmann Eyes Knowles/Jackman Movie Musical

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann is desperate to team Beyonce Knowles and Hugh Jackman for a new movie musical after directing the stars for a medley of showtunes at the Oscars.

Knowles and Jackman whizzed through renditions of Lady Marmalade, All That Jazz and Somewhere Over The Rainbow in a performance medley last month helmed by the Moulin Rouge! filmmaker.

The singer has already enjoyed crossover success with her roles as Etta James in 2008 biopic Cadillac Records and 2006 movie musical Dreamgirls.

And Luhrmann insists Knowles is destined to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood's greatest leading ladies.

He tells Vogue magazine of his hopes to re-team the pair, saying: "One can only pray. My mind is racing already... I'm sure that there is a dramatic cinematic life for her. It's been a long time since we've seen that kind of performer, like Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross, on the screen."

Jackman admits he'd be up for the challenge: "Just watching how she processes everything, she's so fast... I just found myself going, 'Oh, my God, I want to do movies with this girl. I want to do a movie musical!'"

The X-Men actor insists Knowles has the star quality to make it big in Hollywood too: "I have no doubt she'll win an Oscar one day. I can see the ambition in her to want to do that, to be in movies and really knock something out of the park. She's got it. Whatever it is, she's got it."

Anna Nicole Smith Case to be Reexamined

Florida officials are to reexamine the circumstances surrounding Anna Nicole Smith's death, following the arrest of two doctors and her former lover.

Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, Sandeep Kapoor and Smith's longtime boyfriend and lawyer, Howard K. Stern, have all been charged with conspiring to keep the late model with a steady supply of prescription drugs, despite knowing she was an addict.

Smith died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in a Florida hotel room in 2007 and now prosecutors are reinvestigating the events leading up to the tragedy, with a view to possibly reopening the case.

Ron Ishoy, spokesman for Fort Lauderdale State Attorney Mike Satz, tells E! online, "Our prosecutors have met with representatives of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Justice and discussed the evidence they have turned up in their investigation. We are now investigating that evidence to see where it might lead in relation to Ms. Smith’s death here in Broward County in 2007.”

Stern, Kapoor and Eroshevich have all denied charges felony conspiracy to furnish drugs to Smith and prescribing, administering or dispensing a controlled substance to an addict. They are currently free on bail.

The Three Stooges: Penn, Carrey and Del Toro

Sean Penn, Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro have been lined up to star in a new movie based on 1930s comedy icons The Three Stooges.

Director siblings the Farrelly Brothers are behind the new project, about the slapstick antics of Moe and Curly Howard and Larry Fine.

Oscar winner Penn is expected to play Larry, with Carrey and Del Toro taking on the roles of Curly and Moe, respectively, reports Daily Variety.

The project marks 48-year-old Penn's first comedy movie since 1989's We're No Angels.

Hilton's Hunk Plans for a Family

Reality TV star Doug Reinhardt is so smitten with girlfriend Paris Hilton he wants to start a family with the socialite.

The Hills star and Hilton started dating shortly after the hotel heiress and rocker Benji Madden split in November, and now they're very much an item.

After a recent romantic trip to Maui, Hawaii, Hilton called the hunk "my sexy boy" and now Reinhardt has returned the compliment by insisting he'd love for Paris to be the mother of his kids.

He tells America's In Touch Weekly magazine, "Paris would make a great mom; she’s my angel princess. I’d love to have some mini Parises one day."

Liotta Loves Idol

Movie tough guy Ray Liotta has confessed to having a soft spot for American Idol.

The Goodfellas star, who has made a name for himself playing hitmen, hard men and heavies on the big screen, admits he's a big fan of the TV talent show and the performances of wannabes often move him.

He says, "Sometimes I watch and when the right guy or the right girl sings and you can see them, like, coming up to their moment... I find that really inspirational."

And he tells TV news show Extra, "Sometimes I’m moved by it... I don’t want to run out and sing a song, but I just think when people are reaching their dreams, it’s a little inspirational."

Phil Keoghan to Take His Own Amazing Race

He's no stranger to observing overwhelming challenges, but by his own estimation, "This is the most daunting physical thing I have ever attempted," Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan told People about his own amazing race – a 40-day, 39-city cycling tour from Los Angeles to New York.

Starting this Saturday, Keoghan, 41, plans to average 100 miles a day in pedal power. "Riding a bicycle is about getting back to basics," he says. "It's good for the waistline and it's good for the wallet, is what I'm saying."

But Keoghan isn't undertaking the road trip strictly for fitness. His adventure, sponsored by the health-store chain GNC, will take him to GNC outlets, to casting calls for The Amazing Race, to signings of his book No Opportunity Wasted, and to promotions of his favorite portable food NOW One Square Meals. The journey will also help him raise money and awareness for Bike MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society "is sponsoring nine of the major rides I am doing," he says. "I have been involved with the MS chapter here in California, and I have participated in their rides over the last four years."

Keoghan hopes he is not alone on the road. He is encouraging fans and well-wishers to check out his Twitter updates – or, better yet, turn out in person to see him, or even sign up to ride with him.

Also on view will be former Amazing Race contestants and even Keoghan's dad, John. "It's an absolute, monumental effort," says Keoghan, "but I think a tremendous amount of good is going to come out of it."

Here's a first look at Keoghan's itinerary:

Saturday, March 28 – Los Angeles
Sunday, March 29 – Victorville, Calif.
Monday, March 30 – Baker, Calif.
Tuesday, March 31 – Las Vegas
Wednesday, April 1 – Caliente, Nev.
Thursday, April 2 – Cedar City, Utah
Friday, April 3 – Kanab, Utah
Saturday, April 4 – Page, Ariz.
Sunday, April 5 – Kayenta, Ariz.
Monday, April 6 – Cortez, Colo.
Tuesday, April 7 – Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Wednesday, April 8 – Saguache, Colo.
Thursday, April 9 – Fairplay, Colo.
Friday, April 10 – Denver, Rest Day
Saturday, April 11 – Denver
Sunday, April 12 – Fort Morgan, Colo.
Monday, April 13 – Wray, Colo.
Tuesday, April 14 – McCook, Neb.
Wednesday, April 15 – Holdrege, Neb.
Thursday, April 16 – Sutton, Neb.
Friday, April 17 – Lincoln, Neb.
Saturday, April 18 – Omaha, Neb.
Sunday, April 19 – Atlantic, Iowa
Monday, April 20 – Des Moines, Iowa
Tuesday, April 21 – Iowa City, Iowa
Wednesday, April 22 – Davenport, Iowa
Thursday, April 23 – Rochelle, Ill.
Friday, April 24 – Chicago.
Saturday, April 25 – Chicago
Sunday, April 26 – Plymouth, Ind.
Monday, April 27 – Fort Wayne, Ind.
Tuesday, April 28 – Lima, Ohio
Wednesday, April 29 – Columbus, Ohio
Thursday, April 30 – Dennison, Ohio
Friday, May 1 – Pittsburgh, Rest Day
Saturday, May 2 – Pittsburgh
Sunday, May 3 – Frostburg, Md.
Monday. May 4 – Hagerstown, Md.
Tuesday, May 5 – Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, May 6 – Baltimore
Thursday, May 7 – Philadelphia
Friday, May 8 – New York, End City