Pat Summerall Dies at age 82 (04/17)

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all tings dat mattah in Pop Culture!)

Wednesday (November 18, 2009) "Hump Day" stories developing. . . .

Johnny Depp Is People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2009!


Johnny Depp, is People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2009!

People Magazine paid tribute to the Pirate Man, Johnny Depp, for being the "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2009! Depp joins a "select" company of men who have won the award TWICE (Brad Pitt and George Clooney are the other two). Depp was honored in 2003.

Depp "beat out" the likes of Twilight Saga's Robert Pattison, Wolverine's Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gylenhall (the upcoming "Brothers" and the long-awaited Prince of Persia), Hangover star Bradley Cooper, Iron Man's Robert Downey Jr., Soccer Idol David Beckham, Gilles Marini (Tv's Brothers and Sisters), Nick Cannon, American Idol runnerup Adam Lambert, and Harold and Kumar's John Cho.

Other notable SMA winners have been Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman, Matthew McCougnahay, Jude Law, Ben Affleck, and Pierce Brosnan.

At 46, Depp is guaranteed to earn a staggering $38M for the 4th installment of the Pirates of the Carribean series due out tentatively in 2011. Depp lives on his Bahamian island with his wife Vanessa Paradis and two children Lily Rose, 8, and Jack, 5.

See the People cover of Depp and full article:

http://www.people.com/people/package/ar ... 94,00.html

The Amazing Story of Baltimore Raven Offensive Tackle Michael Oher!


Baltimore Ravens football player Michael Oher. Oher's life story is the subject of the film, "The Blind Side."

Oher's Story is the Subject of the Sandra Bullock film, "The Blind Side" Opening Nov. 20

(guidepost) During his young life, current Baltimore Raven offensive tackle Michael Oher was homeless and bouncing from couch to couch until his life was changed when he was taken in by the Tuohy family. Oher's inspirational story is a testament to the power of family, faith and hope, that eventually became a book Blind Side: The Evolution of A Game, and then a film, "The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.

Oher is one of 12 siblings who was semi-raised by a crack addict. He and his siblings would survive by begging for food from neighbors and hiding from social services. With no one to care for him, Oher spent his days on the basketball courts of Hurt Village, a housing project that was so dilapidated that the city of Memphis abandoned it.

When he was a 16-year-old in Memphis, Tennessee, Oher was essentially homeless, going from foster homes to various friends' houses, though none of them felt like a home. However, that all changed with Oher was noticed by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.

After seeing him walking outside in below freezing temperatures with only a t-shirt and shorts on, the Tuohy's took him in, which in turn became a life-changing experience for everyone.

The couple hired a tutor to help Oher makeup for his years of missed education and eventually became eligible to attend school. Most likely because of his commanding 6-foot-5 frame, Oher was brought onto the school's football team.


Proud adoptive parents Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, pictured with Michael Oher!

Today, he is an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.

The release of the film on November 20 coincides with National Adoption Day--and recognition that 130,000 kids and young adults like Michael Oher are waiting for a family to adopt them.

See "The Blind Side" trailer:



Link

Erin Andrew's "Peeping Tom" Is Officially Charged!


Michael Barrett, Erin Andrew's peeping tom.

(TMZ) Michael Barrett, the man who secretly filmed ESPN reporter Erin Andrews naked in various hotel rooms around the country, was officially charged with 1 count of interstate stalking. According to Federal charging documents, Barrett followed Andrews around the country calling various hotels to ask if the ESPN reporter was staying at that location.

When Barrett "struck gold," he immediately booked the room next door to her and fixated a peephole device and took video of Andrews. He then used the internet to send the video to his email account.

Barrett, at one time, sent one of his videos to TMZ but they did not post it. He posted some of his videos to his Google video account calling the video, "Erin Andrews naked butt."

Barrett's lawyer said, "Mr. Barrett would like to express his deep regret for the circumstances that have caused the issuance of the charges against him today. It is his sincere hope that this matter can be resolved as soon as possible."

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!!


Sarah Palin and her children with Oprah Winfrey. Palin's interview was a big hit on Oprah!

(EW) Sarah Palin's visit on the Oprah Winfrey was a "God-send" for the talk-show host, who had her highest ratings in two years! Palin's interview even beat out the much anticipated interview of Whitney Houston! The former VP candidate was out promoting her new book, "Going Rogue," which is atop the bestseller list.

Was the big ratings an indication of a large gathering of Sarah Palin fans or out of sheer curiousity? Doesn't matter, the Big O is happy that she played in front of a BIG audience this time!


Aaron Eckhart and Molly Sims are reported to be a couple!

Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Love Happens) and actress/model Molly Sims are a couple as confirmed by People Magazine. The couple has been dating for two weeks now! They were last spotted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana having dinner together.


Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett. O'Neal said that the couple agreed that their son Redmond would be the primary beneficiary of her will.

Ryan O'Neal did not confirm if he received anything from the will of long-time love Farrah Fawcett but he did confirm that he and Farrah agreed that their son Redmond would be the primary beneficiary of Farrah's assets. O'Neal added that he is financially well-off from real estate investments he made earlier in his career, so he's set.


Wilmer Valderrama and Avril Lavigne. A new couple?

A new couple in the works? Actor Wilmer Valderama and musician Avril Lavigne. A source said that the two had been friends and things started to heat up last month. Seen together at a Hollywood nightclub Wonderland, the two stayed until closing at 2am.


"The Box" is a major bomb at the Box-Office!

Cameron Diaz and James Marsden's film, "The Box" has been a certified bomb at the box office. The horror film was panned by critics and moviegoers. Cinemascore, the film industry's top research company, said that the film was the 4th LEAST popular film of the decade!


Carrie Underwood and Mike Fischer. Underwood says NO to "living in sin."

Country star Carrie Underwood shot down rumors of her planning to "live in" with boyfriend hockey player Mike Fischer by saying that she doesn't believe in that.


2008 Miss Japan Hiroko Mima and 2008 Miss Trinidad and Tobago Anya Ayoung-Chee. Anya's boyfriend says that Mima was NOT the one in the sex tape!

The recent "Miss Universe" sex tape scandal which was reported to involve 2008 Miss Japan Hiroko Mima and 2008 Miss Trinidad and Tobago Anya Ayoung-Chee is a case of "mistaken identity" according to Anya's boyfriend Wyatt Gallery, who was also in the video. Gallery says, "that is NOT Hiroko Mima in the video but a look-alike."

Gallery also explains that the video was "stolen" from his laptop when brought it in for repairs at a Trinidad repair shop.


Carrie Prejean. Vivid Entertainment is turning "up the heat" in its legality to release the notorious sex tape by the former Miss California!

Vivid Entertainment says that they will release the solo porn tape of former Miss California Carrie Prejean WITH OR WITHOUT her consent! Prejean's legal team said NO WAY is that happening!

Prejean has refused to allow the video to be bought by the porn company for a reported $1M.


Singer Rod Stewart is being sued. . . by his own lawyers?

Aw crap! What to do when your OWN LAWYERS are suing you? That's what's happening to crooner Rod Stewart who is being sued by his own lawyers for $3.3M for their services on 3 separate cases that were unpaid for! So who represents Stewart in that case?

Might as well give up and pay those sharks!

WHO IS SUING MICHAEL JACKSON?


The late Michael Jackson, gets his "goofy on." You'd go nuts too with all these creditors "coming out of the woodwork!"

Yesterday, the London law firm of Arnold and Porter put in their creditor's claim with the Michael Jackson Estate and they wanted to be paid in British pounds! The firm claims that they are owed for services rendered between February and June 2009.

The amount in British pounds, 103, 179.10. Which amounts to over $173,000 in U.S..

Not bad, considering most of the claims have been seven-figures and above!

Put in the I.O.U. stack! NEXT!!!!!!


Sammy Sosa new "whiter" face has stirred some debate as to why he decided to change his complexion!

The new lighter complexion of former baseball player Sammy Sosa has stirred some debate on why Sosa decided to "whiten" his face. SITV.com Online Editor Jesus Trivino Alarcon's interesting commentary in Essence magazine recalls a past Dominican Dictator Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961) who instilled hate among his people towards the African Dominicans and Haitians.

This hatred resulted in the Parsley Massacre in which tens of thousands of Haitians were killed and led to Jewish refugees from Europe to come to the island in order to "lighten" the Afro-isle.

Trujillo self-hatred was evident when he would powder his own face to lighten his skin. This racist idealogy permeated the islands and Sosa may be a product of a Afro-latino culture that embraces a whiter complexion as opposed to a dark complexion. Alarcon adds that "Latinos are still under the Spanish spell that--white is better."

See the full article:

http://www.essence.com/news/commentary_ ... hp?cnn=yes


New Jersey's Bon Jovi has the no.1 album in the nation!

Nielsen Soundscan numbers found Bon Jovi at no. 1 on the album charts with their album, "The Circle", selling 163,000 copies. No. 2 is a holiday collection "My Christmas" from famed tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Dropping to no. 3 is Carrie Underwood's "Play On" while Michael Jackson's movie soundtrack "This Is It" took no. 4. Country pop star Taylor Swift rounded out the top 5 with her multi-million selling (4.3M to be exact) "Fearless."

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Thursday (NOvember 19, 2009) stories developing. . . .

BREAKING NEWS!!!!


Oprah Winfrey will announce on her show Friday tomorrow that 2011 will be her last year!

(CNN) Oprah Winfrey will announce on Friday that she will be ending her talk show, said a spokesperson for Winfrey's Harpo Productions.

So make your plans for Chicago soon cause tickets will be a hot commodity until 2011! Hopefully, you'll be a member of the audience when Oprah gives away something! Yeehah!

The final show will be on September 9, 2011.

Court Ruling: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Liable for Catastrophic Flooding in New Orleans!


Judge rules that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are liable for the disaster that had befallen New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina!

(CNN) A federal Judge ruled yesterday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were liable for the catastrophic flooding that overcame New Orleans during Hurrican Katrina! The Corp of Engineers failure to maintain the the city's levee system caused 1,800 people to lose their lives, displaced 300,000 people, and caused $81M in damages.

U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. ruled that the "negligence of the Corps" by failing to maintain the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet waterway "was not policy, but insouciance, myopia and short-sightedness."

"For over 40 years, the Corps was aware that the Reach II levee protecting Chalmette and the Lower Ninth Ward was going to be compromised by the continued deterioration of the [waterway]. ... The Corps had an opportunity to take a myriad of actions to alleviate this deterioration or rehabilitate this deterioration and failed to do so. Clearly, the expression 'talk is cheap' applies here."

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin thought the ruling was a long shot but called the judge's decision, "A surprise and a pleasant one."

Ivor van Heerden, a former Deputy Director of the Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, who was fired because of his investigation of the failed levees, said the ruling is "total vindication for everybody who was involved." It was Heerden who warned of the potential catastrophic damage from a hurricane.

Nagin hopes the ruling "opens the floodgates" for others to sue the federal government and the Louisiana city.

(Oops, better be careful what you say Nagin because you may be held liable too!)

However, he acknowledged that it is likely the Federal Government will appeal Wednesday's ruling.

Aerosmith Band Members Concerned About Tyler's Possible Drug Use!


Aerosmith. A band that has weathered tensions before, but is it enough now to break up the band?

(ABC News) Aerosmith band members are concerned about frontman Steven Tyler's possible drug use but the band wants to move on and find a new singer.

That's the feeling among Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler's bandmates, who are dropping loud hints that he is back on drugs.

The allegations, most recently from rhythm guitarist Brad Whitford and drummer Joey Kramer, are fueling a public feud that is crippling one of America's most successful rock 'n' roll bands.


Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, aka "The Toxic Twins" was noted in their biographical book "Walk This Way."

Tensions have been simmering for some time, exacerbated by a troubled summer tour that was canceled in August when the 61-year-old Tyler fell off the stage and broke his shoulder.

The final straw came earlier this month, when Tyler's personal managers informed the rest of the band that he wants to take two years off to work on "Brand Tyler." That did not sit well with the bandmates, who want to keep on touring and recording.

Guitarist Joe Perry, 59, has been especially vocal, both in interviews and on Twitter, about his differences with Tyler. He and his cohorts say Tyler has stopped talking to them and they have decided to go into a new direction and find a new frontman.

Tyler's publicist said the singer is not commenting, because he is busy writing his memoirs.



Joe Perry and his co-horts remain mum on the recruitment process for the band's new frontman!

The band are no strangers to drugs, discord, and division among its members. The band's success has been a roller-coaster ride since their start in the 70s to their comeback in the 80s to chart success in the 90s. The ride has always been accompanied with bouts of drugs and alcohol, and success began to take shape in the 80s after they decided to get sober.

Kramer hopes to tour next year to mark the band's 40th anniversary, even if it could be a hollow celebration without the energetic Tyler belting out the hits from his scarf-draped microphone stand.

Forbes Lists Hollywood's Most Overpaid Stars!


Actor Will Farrell is listed by Forbes to be the Most Overpaid Star in Hollywood!

Will Ferrell is Hollywood’s most overpaid star, according to an annual Forbes.com study that examined the average return of investment (ROI) for each dollar spent on an actor’s salary. Forbes claims that for every dollar Ferrell was paid, the comedian’s films earned $3.29 — the lowest amount among Hollywood’s 100 biggest stars. Most of the blame can be placed on Ferrell’s summer bomb, Land of the Lost, which grossed only $64.8 million worldwide, but had an estimated budget of $100 million.

This in contrast to actor Shia Labeouf (Transformers, Eagle Eye) was named "Best Actor for the Buck," earning studios an average of $160 for every dollar he was paid!

Below is Forbes’ list of the 10 most overpaid stars, with each actor’s average return on investment and some of the actor's disappointing films in parenthesis:

1. Will Ferrell ($3.29) (Land of the Lost)
2. Ewan McGregor ($3.75) (Incendiary, Deception)


Ewan Macgregor, may have made money on the "Star Wars" series but his recent films have been bombs!

3. Billy Bob Thornton ($4.00) (Mr. Woodcock, Astronaut Farmer)
4. Eddie Murphy ($4.43) (Imagine That!, Meet Dave) *
5. Ice Cube ($4.77) (The Longshot)
6. Tom Cruise ($7.18) (Lions for Lambs) *
7. Drew Barrymore ($7.43) (Lucky You)


Drew Barrymore is only the female of this group. Surprisingly, she's a more successful producer than an actress!

8. Leonardo DiCaprio ($7.52) (The 11th Hour, Revolutionary Road) *
9. Samuel L. Jackson ($8.59) (Longview Terrace)
10. Jim Carrey ($8.62) (Number 23) *


Jim Carrey. Because of Carrey's high salary ($25M), his films have to hit a "home run" in order for the studio to make money. So far, his recent films have earned nothing but "doubles."

* These actors reportedly make $20-25M a picture and in order for a studio to make money, the actor's films have to make HUGE money in order to have a good ROI for the studios.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!


ABC announces the premiere of "Lost" will be on February 2, 2010!

(Variety) ABC has just announced that the final season premiere of "Lost" will be on February 2nd! The premiere will be 2 hour episode, preceded by a one-hour Lost special. Then starting February 9, it's permanent home will be on Tuesdays at 9pm (PST, check your local listings).

ABC has been vilified by the show's creator/producers for changing the show's schedule from Wednesdays to Thursdays and now to its current home on Tuesday. ABC hopes Lost will make a formidable block of television shows when it pairs up with "V" at 10pm.

This will be the last season of "Lost" and industry experts are wondering if the show will go out with a BANG or a thud because its competition will be the "king of prime time," American Idol, and NBC will have coverage of the Winter Olympic games from Vancouver (good luck to LOST if NBC decides to schedule figure skating that night!). Should be an interesting battle on Tuesdays!


The Mississippi chapter of the KKK just wants to say "HEY" on the Ole Miss campus! All law enforcement in riot gear will be ready on Saturday!

(Sportsbybrooks) The KKK has been "University approved" to protest on the Ole Miss campus on Saturday between 10am-11pm. Keep in mind the Rebels will host the LSU Tigers at 330pm EST.

Shane Tate, of the Mississippi White Knights of the Klu Klux Klan, says that they will be protesting the Ole Miss Chancellor's ruling to remove the song,"From Dixie With Love" from the band's playlist because the song contains offensive lyrics . . . the South will rise again. . . .

Tate says that they won't cause trouble. Uh huh, we trust him on that? Wow, and to think that their appearance is school-approved. SE--CURITY!!!!!!


Fantasia Barrino. The former American Idol winner is dating a married man!

(Perez Hilton) Ex-American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino is being labeled a "homewrecker" because she is dating a man who is married and has two children (4 and 1 years old). Barrino met her new love Antwaun Cook at a T-Mobile store in August.

They were so in love that Cook bailed out on his wife and two kids and moved into Fantasia's $1.3M mansion! Looks like Cook has found his "sugar Mama!"


Tila Tequila. Tequila is experiencing a "melt-down" of sorts, after the alleged beat-down from Shawne Merriman!

Former reality star Tila Tequila is going crazy! Tequila appeared live on her Upstream page naked and ranting about her former beau San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman. She's been exhibiting this bizarre behavior and ranting about Merriman being a "woman-beater" for hours on her page. In her rant, she said this was the last time she would do this!

Tequila is suing Merriman for $1.5M for the alleged beating she got from the linebacker this past September.

Tequila's lawyer, Cyrus Nownejad, blames Merriman for causing Tequila "to go over-the-edge" and that he (Nownejad) is trying to figure out how to get his client some help!


Alexandra Forbes Kerry, was arrested on suspicion of DUI!

Senator John Kerry's daughter, Alexandra Forbes Kerry, 36, a Hollywood producer and director, was arrested early this morning on suspicion of DUI. She was pulled over because she violated a traffic law and it appeared she was under the influence of an intoxicant.

She was booked at the LAPD Hollywood station and later released.


UCLA students protest student fee hike! These protests on student fees may be common at many college campuses around the nation!

(LA Times) In a scene that may be duplicated at other campuses around the nation, 30 UCLA students barricaded a UCLA building today to protest the UC board of regents proposed increase in student fees. Hundreds are outside Campbell Hall protesting the rate hike.

The proposed two-step student fee increase would raise UC undergraduate education costs more than $2,500, or 32%.The annual cost of a UC education, not including campus-based fees would rise to $10,302.

“I’m here in solidarity with people across the state of California that are being subjugated to these outrageous fee increases,” said Kyle Tramberly, a UC San Diego student. He added, “I can’t afford the fee increases, personally. I have to take out private loans in order to cover this. It’s completely unjust to put the burden on students.”


Mexican journalists are no longer spectators of the drug wars, they are becoming VICTIMS as well!

(CNN) The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 25 journalists in Mexico have been killed since 2005, most of them covering crime and corruption in drug cartel cities. Compared to journalists covering the war in Afghanistan, only 10 have died during that same 4 year period. The war on drugs in Mexico is never-ending and every reporter is in danger of becoming a target.

Veteran crime reporter, Armando "El Cholo" Rodriguez, 40, was gunned down by an unidentified gunmen while he was parked in his car with his 8 year-old daughter in the car. She was left unharmed. Rodriguez's death was a warning to other journalists from the local cartel "to mind your own business!"

Mexican newspapers are in a paradox and may be practicing a form of "self-censorship" because their stories about the drug cartel's cannot involve backstories, any investigative reporting whatsover, and no thoughts of a motive. Doing any investigative reporting about the drug cartels seals a reporter's "death warrant." Journalists have to tread carefully in a world where well-armed groups have no respect for law-and-order.

In effect, Mexican journalists must be wondering, the journalists in the Middle East "have it easy."


Doug Reinhardt and Paris Hilton. The LAPD has issued a warning against the Hollywood couple!

The recent "blow up" between Paris Hilton and boyfriend Doug Reinhardt on Hilton's driveway caused such a disturbance that the LAPD was sent to calm the situation. However, the LAPD said that that was not the first time such an occurance has happened at the Hilton home. There have been numerous complaints from neighbors about the noise, out of control parties, and fighting.

LAPD has warned Hilton that the next time they are called to the scene there will be tickets or arrests!


France's Thierry Henry. His "handball incident" and unapologetic response may bring an unwelcomed notoriety!

In World Cup qualifying news, France's elimination of Ireland came at the HANDS of Thierry Henry who is seen on instant replay to have touched the ball TWICE with his left hand before passing it to a teammate for an important goal! The controversial 2-1 win secured France's entrance into the World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, many have sympathized with the Irish and the referees who "blew the call." Irish fans are calling Henry a cheat and what made matters worse is that Henry was unapologetic for his actions! The so-called handball may bring Henry some unwelcomed notoriety and a bit of a stain on an illustrious career.

See the video:



Link


Nicole Fox is crowned America's Next Top Model season finale last night!

Nicole Fox won America's Next Top Model's 13th season in last night's season finale. As Top Model's winner, the 18-year-old student from Louisville, CO won a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a cover and six-page spread in Seventeen magazine.

In addition, Nicole became Top Model's first 5'7" or under "petite edition" winner.


The devastating wildfires in Australia this past February has residents on "red alert!"

Residents in South Australia have been warned to flee the area during an intense heatwave (Temperatures up to 104 degrees) in the region that may lead to a catastrophic fire. This warning comes months after the February wildfires killed 170 people and destroyed 2,000 homes.

Currently the region is in a severe drought. Although the "Code Red" is in effect, the warning does not mandate the residents to leave, but the idea is to give them a "heads up" on current weather and possible fire conditions.


University of Georgia bulldog mascot, UGA VII, has died.

UGA VII, the University of Georgia bulldog mascot has died, according to the school's sports information desk. The cause of death was a heart attack. The Bulldog football team was 16-7 during UGA VII's tenure! UGA VII had replaced his Father UGA VI in 2008, when he died of heart failure.

Better re-think their Southern diet?

Low-Budget/Independent/Foreign Films You Must See!

Okay, let the teens go and watch "Twilight Sage: New Moon" or "Planet 51." The others can watch "The Blindside." You can go and watch some great low-budget/independent/foreign films for a change!

Coming November 20: (At selected theatres, films are limited release, dates and showtimes are subject to change!)

The Missing Person - (Unrated) A neo-noir film about a private detective (Michael Shannon) hired to track down a married man presumed dead since the attack at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Also starring Amy Ryan, Margaret Colin, and John Ventimiglia.



Link

Red Cliff - (R- for killer action scenes) The triumphant return to Asian cinema of action Director John Woo. Most of you have already seen this epic film at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Set during the final days of the Han dynasty depicting the battle of Red Cliff in which the prime minister leads a million man army against rebel forces in Southern China.



Link

Mammoth - (Unrated) Gael Garcia Bernal stars as a happy family man and businessman who goes to Thailand on a business trip. While on his trip, he falls for a single mom turned prostitute and is dragged into a another world. Michelle Williams plays Bernal's devoted wife who stays in New York to watch the couple's only child.



Link

Fix - (Unrated) A documentary about a filmmaker (Tao Ruspoli) who is in a desperate race to get his own brother into rehab before he starts serving a 3 year prison sentence for a drug violation.



Link

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (All things that matter in pop culture!)

ALOHA FRIDAY!!!!! (November 20, 2009)

Oprah Announces Her Last Year Will Be 2011!


Oprah Winfrey, a daytime icon will call it quits in 2011 and start her "O" Network!

Oprah Winfrey Will End Her Talk Show in 2011 and New Destination is Cable Television

(Google/Mira Oberman) CHICAGO — A tearful Oprah Winfrey on Friday announced that she will take her iconic talk show off the air in 2011 at the end of its 25th season.

"I love this show. This show has been my life and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye," Winfrey told viewers at the end of her live broadcast.

"Twenty five years feels right in my bones and it feels right in my spirit. It's the perfect number, the exact right time."

"The Oprah Winfrey Show," which is currently syndicated in 145 countries, has transformed Winfrey, 55, into a cultural phenomenon.

She is credited with changing the way people talk to each other, having popularized a confessional interview style that has coaxed secrets, revelations and often tears from guests of all stripes. The OPRAH BRAND has endorsed products, books, a way of life, and promoted individuals who appeared on her show such as Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil, who later branched out on his own talk show.


Oprah Winfrey with Dr. Oz (left) and Dr. Phil (right)

Although the program has been revered, the show has had its share of controversy. Winfrey herself has been the subject of controversy for promoting her yo-yo weight problems, thyroid problems in which many questioned her methods of treatment, and her recent shameless plug of then Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and her "interview" snub of VP candidate Sarah Palin. Ironically, Palin's recent interview on Oprah last week brought The Oprah Winfrey Show its best ratings in two years!

Her book club was the subject of controversy when author James Frey's book, "A Million Little Pieces," was featured on Oprah and Frey admitted later that facts involving his bout with substance abuse in his memoir/novel were untrue. In addition, another Oprah Book Club selection, "Night," a Holocaust memoir by Elie Wiesel brought on another firestorm of controversy on whether the book was fiction or non-fiction. Amazon.com labelled it as "fiction" while Wiesel said that his novel was non-fiction. Whatever the case, "Night" like all Oprah Book Club's endorsements, shot to the top of the bestseller's list.


Oprah's endorsement of Eckhart Tolle's new age teachings sparked a firestorm among Christians!

A controversial topic that Oprah decided to take on one of her shows was the subject of "New Age" religion with author Eckhart Tolle and his book, "New Earth." Although Oprah considers herself a Christian, many have accused the talk show host of dealing with Tolle's anti-Christ teachings and new ageism. While many have criticized her for her new found beliefs, Oprah has said that she decided to "open her mind up about God. She added, "I took God out of the box."


Oprah has the "midas-touch" with her magazine, television, film, and endorsements!

Despite the controversy, Oprah is a uniquely influential tastemaker, whose recommendation of a book or product has instantaneous and enormous effect. Her magazine, radio, film, and television businesses are all remarkably successful, and her foray into cable television should also be a monumental success.

"She blazed a trail," said Ellen Degeneres, a comedian who hosts her own daytime talk show, "Ellen."

"She will always be the queen of daytime."

Born into a life of abuse and poverty in Mississippi, Winfrey is now estimated to be worth 2.7 billion dollars and is regularly ranked among the world's most powerful women, celebrities and media personalities.

With Oprah Gone In 2011, Who Takes Over?


Talk show hosts Tyra Banks and Rachel Ray.

With Oprah set to leave network television in 2011, her departure leaves the door open for a possible "successor." The list of potential candidates are Tyra Banks, Ellen Degeneres, Rachel Ray, Wendy Williams, the gals from The View, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Bonnie Hunt, and Martha Stewart.


Bonnie Hunt (left) and Wendy Williams (right)

Why these talk show hosts should succeed or not succeed

1) Tyra Banks - a younger version of Oprah who is taking on the "entrepreneurial-spirit" like Winfrey, branching out to TV shows, fashion, and other media.

2) Ellen Degeneres - a popular figure on Daytime. A popular host of Award shows, who is also a judge on American Idol.

3) Rachel Ray - manages a "cooking empire" with books, television shows, and products.

4) Wendy Williams - a more "hip" version of Oprah who never shys away from controversy.


The View, is a show that could take the place of Oprah in 2011!

5) The View - four personalities that share the spotlight may work?

6) Dr. Oz - a show that may be too myopic on subject matter. Don't know if a "medical advice and living well" show can work. No guests with star power.

7) Dr. Phil - like Dr. Oz, having only one type of subject matter.

Bonnie Hunt - her non-intimidating, laid-back style does well on television.

9) Martha Stewart - her prison sentence caused her to lose some of her luster and some members of her audience.

Personalities that may have a daytime talk show could be Wanda Sykes (she has a late night show but ratings are tanking), actress Patricia Heaton (in discussion but no deal yet), Ricki Lake (her show cancelled in 2006 but will she do it again?), Kelly Ripa (time to consider it since her days may be numbered since Regis Philbin's age is going up there), and Sarah Palin (hinted in her Oprah interview).


Kelly Ripa, has done well alongside Regis Philbin. Can she do it solo?

Didn't mention the old standbys Maury Povich Show, Jerry Springer, and Regis and Kelly Live because they are all "riding into the sunset." Don't know if Montell Williams wants to come back?


Ellen Degeneres. With her popular show, she is the best candidate to replace Oprah on Daytime television.

Ellen is probably the best bet to be the "successor" for Oprah, however, no one can possibly fill the GREAT ONE'S SHOES. It's like Jay Leno trying to fill Johnny Carson's shoes?

Whatever the case, Ellen is the best bet to take over the talk-show landscape after 2011.

American Music Awards Nominees for 2009!


Ms. Janet Jackson will be the opening act of the AMA's this Sunday!

The American Music Awards will be broadcast on ABC on Sunday November 22 at 8pm PST. Opening the show will be a performance by Janet Jackson doing a compilation of her songs and a tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson. Joining Jackson on the "set to perform list" are Eminem, Lady Ga Ga, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z with Alicia Keyes, Black Eyed Peas, Adam Lambert, and Whitney Houston.


Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson lead the AMA nominations list!

Notable nominations include Taylor Swift (nominated for 6 awards); the late Michael Jackson (nominated for 5 awards); Eminem, Lady Ga Ga, and Beyonce have 3 noms; and Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, and Zac Brown have 2 noms each.

For a complete list of the AMA nominees see:

http://bumpshack.com/2009/10/13/america ... nees-list/

See the AMA trailer:

http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!!


UFC Champ Brock Lesnar. Lesnar's coach confirms that the UFC champ will return to action sometime in the Spring of 2010!

(TMZ) Rodrigo Medeiros, Brock Lesnar's Jiu Jitsu coach, said, "He (Lesnar) will be fine and be fighting again in 6 months!" That's good news for UFC fans who were give the "doomsday" news from UFC boss Dana White that Lesnar would never fight again.

White did indicate that Lesnar's condition was life-threatening at one point and that he (White) could not comment any further from that. His vague explanation caused MMA blogs to question the validity of what White was saying.

In this case, everyone, especially MMA fans, hopes what Medeiros is saying is true.


A judge dismissed the lawsuit by Lucie Kim, on behalf of LA Asians, for this offensive photo that included the Hannah Montana star, Miley Cyrus.

A judge "threw out" a lawsuit by Lucie Kim, who filed a $4B suit against actress/pop singer Miley Cyrus for her offensive "slant eye" photo. When the photo went wide on the internet and the media, Cyrus apologized many times for the offensive picture.

Kim plans to appeal the judge's ruling.


Former couple Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra. Navarro wished he was the camerman who filmed ex-wife Electra's sex tape!

(TMZ) Carmen Electra's girl-on-girl sex tape got the seal of approval from ex-husband Dave Navarro, who wishes he was the cameraman! Yowzah!


Gilbert Arenas and fiance Laura Govan (left). Shaquille O'Neal (right)

(Sportsbybrooks) The supposed love triangle involving Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas, Arenas' Fiance Laura Govan, and Cleveland Cavaliers Shaquille O'Neal took a strange twist when Arenas posted a bizarre video on Twitter:. . .

Voice off camera: So you guys wanna follow Shaq, huh? I advise that you follow me, or this here’s what will happen to you. . . (he hits Nick Young on the head with a belt and everyone goes OOOHHH). . .

Voice off camera: Shaq got a million followers, and he don’t have to do this.

This message comes days after Young, Black and Fabulous (YBF) published the sexually-explicit emails between Shaq and Govan, prompting calls that the two are involved in an affair. Govan was a close friend of Shaq's wife, Shaunie. Govan has 2 children with Arenas and is pregnant with his 3rd. Shaunie filed for divorce from Shaq last week.

BTW, two days ago the Cavaliers played the Gilbert Arenas-led Wizards and Shaq sat that game out due to a "shoulder injury."


Adnan Ghalib, ex-boyfriend of Britney Spears, is going to jail for awhile!

Britney Spear's ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib was sentenced to 45 days in jail, after pleading no contest for hitting a process server with his car! In addition, he gets 36 months probation, 52 weeks of anger management classes, and 45 days with Cal Trans cleaning up the roadside and other places!


"Twilight Sage: New Moon" may break box-office records with its debut early today!

"Twilight Sage: New Moon" has earned an estimated $23-24M for it's midnight showing! If that's the case, those numbers will beat "The Dark Knight" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" numbers!


Jesus Luz and Madonna. Madonna visits his native country of Brazil.

Pop singer Madonna is vacationing with her boyfriend Jesus Luz in Brazil and she took time-out to visit one of the more not-so-glamorous parts of town called Dona Marta. The singer is planning to build a school in the shanty town after raising $10M from local businessmen!

Of course, for protective measures, Madonna wore a bulletproof vest under her leather jacket while touring the area.


Halle Barry knows what Rihanna "went through."

Actress Halle Barry said that she is proud of the way Rihanna handled her abusive relationship with Chris Brown. Barry should know because she herself came from an abusive household when she was growing up when her father beat her mother and being abused herself in a previous relationship.


James Van Der Beek and wife Heather McComb have split!

Former Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has filed for divorce from his wife, Heather McComb, of six years. No comment on why the split except that they remain "good friends."


Miley Cyrus. Her tour bus was involved in an accident in which 1 person was killed and 9 injured! Cyrus was not involved in the crash and was at home in Nashville.

A Miley Cyrus Tourbus crashed in Virginia, killing 1 person and injuring 9. A spokesperson has confirmed that Cyrus was not on the bus and that the occupants were members of the lighting crew. Cyrus was home in Nashville at the time of the crash.


The NBA and the NFL are liberal when it comes to use of the instant replay! The MLB and FIFA have some lame excuses NOT to use the technology!

Major League Baseball (MLB) and FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the governing body of soccer are TWO leagues that do not believe in the technology of instant replay! The MLB has limited use of instant replay that involves only home run calls (if it is a fair ball or did the ball leave the field or spectator interference), NOT other calls that may affect the game! After a postseason filled with botched umpire calls, the MLB still decided to leave its current status of instant replay as is.

As for FIFA, the French victory over Ireland in a World Cup qualifying match a few days ago, in which France's Thierry Henry touched the ball with his hand TWICE before assisting on a goal, should have been proof that instant replay is necessary on crucial plays. Henry's assist led to a game-tying goal for France. Ireland requested that the game between Ireland and France be re-played because of insurmountable evidence against Henry. However, FIFA saw the instant replay and ruled that since the umpire and the assisting umpire DID NOT SEE Henry's hand touch the ball the ruling on the field to allow the goal--stands! OUCH!

OH MY, the Irish got punked again!!!!


Brett Favre. Green Bay Packers fans in Iraq can't seem to catch a break from Brett Favre!

(WTMJ) The Wisconsin National Guard made themselves at home in Iraq by decorating their compound in Green Bay Packers colors. The Iraqi detainees were curious about the meaning of Green Bay Packers (Soccer is their number 1 sport in Iraq, BTW) that they "caught wind" of it and started teasing their captors with references about Brett Favre. Sayings like. . . 'He's (Favre) so good for the Vikings,' and 'The Packers have got to really feel bad about that one.'"

First Lieutenant Tim Boehnen, from New Richmond, Wisconsin said, "They (detainees) started up the conversations, and started talking about Brett Favre. They soon learned about Favre going to the Vikings, and things just started going downhill from there."

Wow! Didn't know Favre had such a worldwide affect, even in Iraq!


SF Giant Tim Lincecum is going to earn mucho bucks and he can buy all the jo**ts he needs!

Dude, how will San Francisco Giant Pitcher Tim Lincecum celebrate his 2nd Cy Young Award? By lighting up. . . (what were you thinking?) the SF owners with a new contract! And then pulling out a . . .

Dude doesn't make a mil (reported to be making $600,000) and after this Cy Young award, he's going to arbitration and get HIS! If the Giants don't want to lose him, they'll have to pay up! BIG TIME! If Ryan Howard can get his $10M during arbitration, can't see why Lincecum doesn't deserve it as well?

Stay tuned. . . .

WHO IS SUING MICHAEL JACKSON?


Michael Jackson. Creditor's claims are still coming in "by the truckload."

(TMZ) This creditor's claim was actually inserted yesterday. A company called Video & Audio Center (VAC) installed electronic audio and video equipment at Neverland Ranch in late 2003 and early 2004. We're told the company rewired the house, installed plasma TVs and put speakers all over the house.

VAC claims Jackson's camp ran up a bill of $109,540.85 -- and paid $25,000 of that, but never settled the bill completely. According to the docs, VAC says they won a judgment back in 2007 for the remainder.

They're asking for $128,482.77 -- the unpaid bill plus interest.

There it goes into the stack of I.O.U.'s. NEXT!!!!!!!


Laugh to the Weekend!!!!!

Let's "Laugh to the Weekend" with Comedian Chris Rock on Love: (Warning: Explicit Language)



Link

Comedian Wanda Sykes on acting "dignified": (Warning: Explicit Language)



Link

and Comedian Russell Peters and his Arab Jokes: (Warning: Explicit Language)



Link
Have a great weekend!!!!!!

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (All things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Monday (November 23, 2009) stories developing. . . .


"Twilight Saga: New Moon" has a monster opening with $140.7M for No.1 at the Box-office!

(EW) Women ruled the box-office this past week with Kristen Stewart's "Twilight Saga: New Moon" raking in an astounding $140.7M, making the film the 3rd biggest opening in history (Behind The Dark Knight $158.4M and Spiderman 3 $151.1M) while Sandra Bullock's "The Blind Side" took second place with $34.5M, her biggest gross opening ever!

New Moon was a definite winner with the female audience because a whopping 80% of the tickets were bought by women! Cinemascore, the film audience research company, scored New Moon with an A- rating, which indicates that moviegoers were satisfied with Summit Entertainment's second installment of Twilight. The film started with an opening day of $72.7M on Friday and dropped to $43.2 on Saturday, and estimates show that it will take in $24.8M on Sunday, bringing it's worldwide total to $258.8M!!!


"The Blind Side" is another hit for Sandra Bullock taking in $34.5M and No. 2 at the Box-office!

The Blind Side, performed very well at the box office and especially for actress Sandra Bullock who has been a roll as of late. The Blind Side opening beat Bullock's previous record of $33.6 for her other hit film "The Proposal." Cinemascore also scored Blind Side with an A- rating which indicates that the actress has another hit on her hands this year!

It was expected that the disaster flick 2012 would take a plunge with the release of New Moon but surprisingly the film took only a slight dip of 59% and grossing an impressive $26.5M for a worldwide total of $108.2M and third place!

The big casualty of the weekend was the animated Planet 51 which took in only $12.6M for fourth place. Disney's A Christmas Carol took 5th place with earnings of $12.2M and $79.8M total while Oprah Winfrey/Tyler Perry's hit Precious pulled in a phenomenal $11M on just 692 screens for a total of $21.4!

Taylor Swift and the late Michael Jackson Lead the Winners at the American Music Awards!


Taylor Swift wins big again at the 2009 American Music Awards last night!

(Times Live) Country pop star Taylor Swift edged out the late Michael Jackson by scooping 5 awards--including artist of the year--while the King of Pop garnerd 4 awards last night at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.


Michael Jackson won 4 awards, including favorite rock/pop artist and rock album of the year!

“I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition, and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson, who we will miss and love forever, is an unimaginable honor and I just want to say, I’m sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet,” Swift said in her acceptance speech for the artist of the year award.

Michael Jackson's awards for Favorite Rock/Pop Artist and Rock Album of the Year were accepted by his brother Jermaine Jackson.


Black Eyed Peas won the award for best rock/pop band!

It was a night filled with performances starting with the opening of the AMA's with Janet Jackson to Shakira, Mary J Blige, The Black Eyed Peas, Nelly Furtado, Keith Urban, Lady Ga Ga, Kelly Clarkson, Timbaland, J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez), who "fell on her butt" and more. The talk of the night was by American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert, who wanted to "push the envelope" with a risque performance of his song "For Your Entertainement" filled with elaborate costumes and a controversial scene involving another male.

Some notable award winners:

Pop/Rock Band, duo or group: The Black Eyed Peas

Female Artist of the Year: Beyonce

Rap Hip-Hop Artist of the Year: Jay-Z

Country Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts

Alternative Rock: Green Day

For a complete list of the winners see:

http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/beautifuly ... -the-pack/


HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!!


Southwest Airlines. A full flight on today's airlines is NOT a good sign for an overweight passenger!

(KGO) A 400 pound San Jose man was denied a seat on a Southwest Airlines because he was too big to fit in one seat. Okamoni Fa, wanted to fly to his Uncle's funeral but was denied a seat by a Southwest Airlines agent and told to buy a second seat because of his size. Unfortunately, Fa tried to fly last minute and his flight was full and Southwest could not accomodate Fa for TWO SEATS on the plane.

With fewer but crowded planes, overweight people may find that flying last minute may be a problem in today's airline industry. Southwest's policy says that if a passenger cannot fit in a seat with the armrests down without encroaching the passenger beside them, they will be asked to purchase a second seat. If the plane is NOT oversold and a second seat can be given free, the purchase of the second seat will be refunded.

Fa eventually missed the funeral and he said that he never had a problem with other carriers before. SWA officials are investigating and will give Fa a full refund.


Celebrity Chef Paula Deen got smacked from a pig!

Celebrity chef and Food Network star Paula Deen got a smack on the face from a ham at a charitable event in Atlanta. Deen was hit in the face from an errant throw as the chef was handing hams to needy families in the area. The celebrity chef was okay and still managed to continue on despite hurting around the nose area.


Chris Brown. The singer wants to be removed of all responsibility for something his bodyguard allegedly did at an LA Fitness last May!

Chris Brown just filed legal papers to deny that he is responsible for a paparazzi member who fell down the stairs at a LA Fitness club, after being chased by one of Brown's bodyguards. The papers say that Brown is not responsible for the paps' injuries last May because "LA Fitness did not properly maintain and secure its building from photogs!"


Alexandra Forbes Kerry. She won't be prosecuted for her DUI because she tested below the legal limit!

(TMZ) Senator John Kerry's daughter, Alexandra Forbes Kerry, is "off the hook" from her DUI arrest because her alcohol level of .06 was below the legal limit of .08. The City Attorney won't prosecute any case that is .06. . . so the case will be rejected.


San Diego Charger Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie with wife Terricka Cason.

San Diego Chargers Defensive back Antonio Cromartie was involved in a bystander being hit in the head with a bottle at a local San Diego bar last night. Cromartie was celebrating with some teammates (Stephen Cooper and Shaun Phillips) after the 32-3 win over the Denver Broncos. They were spraying champagne in celebration when the mood changed and a bottle was thrown hitting someone on the head. No ambulance was called but one person identified Cromartie as the one who threw the bottle. . . but there are conflicting stories from other witnesses.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he received 3 staples and underwent a CAT scan.

No word from the police yet who are still investigating.


Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. Regis will be out because of surgery and Kelly can go at it SOLO!

Regis Philbin, 78, just announced that he will be taking a leave of absence from "Live With Regis and Kelly" to recover from hip surgery. His leave will start December 1 until 2010. As for co-host Kelly Ripa, here's your chance to try it solo without Philbin? No word yet if guest hosts or any host in particular will replace Philbin during that time.


Tiger Woods. Can't ever think of a time that Tiger Woods has EVER been booed, 'cept at the Cal-Stanford game?

Tiger Woods appeared at the Cal-Stanford Football game to accept his entrance to the Stanford Hall of Fame. As part of his induction, Woods gave a speech during halftime and was met with a round of boos. The boos became so deafening that Woods had to stop mid-sentence during his speech. It was later learned that most of the boos came from visiting Cal fans but still. . . Woods was clearly surprised.


Manny Pacquiao and his rumored affair with actress Krista Ranillo.

The rumors of boxer Manny Pacquiao having an affair with actress Krista Ranillo were strong when she and her family were spotted in Las Vegas watching Pac Man's fight against Cotto. At the time, Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee's marriage were rumored to "on the rocks." However, a recent appearance by Pacquiao with wife Jinkee together cleared up the gossip and Pacquiao said in an interview that "we're (Pacquaio and Ranillo) are just good friends." Ironically, Ranillo will be appearing with the Pac Man in his next movie Wapakman.

Hmmm. . . any love scenes in that new film for Pacquaio and Ranillo? You better cut those out or else?


Nicole Murphy and Michael Strahan. The engaged couple plan to marry June 2010!

(People) Nicole Murphy, Eddie Murphy's ex-wife and Baby Mama to his 5 children, is getting married in June 2010 to former NY Giants Defensive Lineman Michael Strahan, who is also starring in his show "Brothers." Murphy is planning a simple beach wedding and will incorporate her 5 children and Strahan's 4 children.

As for questions regarding whether her ex-husband and fiancee get along, Murphy says, "They're cool." She adds, "They'll give each a hug when they see each other."


Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Browns' Quarterback Brady Quinn. Both QB's and their respective teams gave us an "ESPN classic!"

Young NFL guns Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions (2-8) and Brady Quinn of the Cleveland Browns (1-9) actually gave the football audience an ESPN classic type of game! The entertaining game involving 2 NFL doormats had the hapless Browns on-the-doorstep of victory until a hail mary pass by Stafford resulted in a defensive interference against Cleveland in the end zone. Stafford, who aired it out, was nailed in the process and injured his left shoulder on the play. However, Stafford managed to get in the game for the final play and threw a 1 yard touchdown to Brandon Pettigrew with 0:00 on the clock that resulted in an improbable 38-37 win for the Lions.

Matthew Stafford, 21, became the youngest NFL quarterback to throw 5 touchdowns in a game. Brady Quinn completed 4 touchdown passes in one game than he has in his whole 2 year career (3).

Sign of things to come for Stafford and Quinn? Let's hope that these two can revive their once-proud franchises.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE BACKBOARD. . . .



If Larry Bird can do it, so can Kobe Bryant! Check these two as they shoot over the backboard for two!



Link



Link


2009 American Music Awards Show. Viewership was up 16% for this year's telecast!

(Variety) The American Music Awards did well on ABC taking 2nd place last night with 14.2M viewers, up 16% from last year's telecast. The broadcast was at least in "shouting distance" of the Sunday Night Football telecast which brought in 15.1M on NBC.

At CBS, the football overrun helped the EYE with their lineup of 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, and hospital-drama Three Rivers, which benefitted greatly from the switch with Cold Case.


CBS' "Three Rivers" did well (7.7M) after taking the spot of "Cold Case" last night!

Fox's "animation domination" was anything but dominating and seemed greatly affected by the AMA's and Sunday Night football sending The Simpsons, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, and American Dad to below-average scores and a 4th place finish for the network.

Overall, in total viewers, NBC 12.9M viewers, CBS 12.7M, ABC 12.1, and Fox 5.5M.

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (All things that matter in Pop Culture!)

(To all the SportsHawaii Brothers and Sisters, Hollywood Insider will be on vacation starting November 25 and BE BACK on November 30! Mahalo everyone and have a great Thanksgiving!)

Tuesday (November 24, 2009) stories developing. . . .

Police Chief Convicted in Sarah Jessica Parker Twins Case!


The case that involves the surrogate that gave birth to twins for parents Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick results in a guilty verdict for a Police Chief!

(People) Martin's Ferry, Ohio - Martin's Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter, 40, who was accused of stealing items from the surrogate mother of actress Sarah Jessica Parker/Matthew Broderick twin babies, was found guilty yesterday on 3 of the 6 charges.

Carpenter, along with another Police Chief, was accused of meeting with freelance photographers last May and offering items such as photos, legal documents about the surrogate agreement, and pictures of the ultra sound that were allegedly "confiscated" from 26 year-old surrogate Michelle Ross. One of the photographers alerted the surrogate agency, which reported the thefts to Police.


Michelle Ross, who was pregnant at the time with the twins.

A jury found Carpenter guilty of receiving stolen property, theft in office and tampering with evidence. The Police Chief faces up to 10 years in prison at his sentencing on December 10.

Ross was one of the last witnesses who testified in the trial. She gave birth to twins last June by emergency C-section.

Carpenter still maintains his innocence and claims he did not take anything from the house and the videotape showing him and the photographers was just him joking around.

His alleged accomplice, Bridgeport Police Chief Chad M. Dojack, 29, will stand trial in January.

Los Angeles Clippers Announcers Get Suspended for 1 game for "Inappropriate Comments!


Long-time LA Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler (left) and Michael Smith were suspended for offensive remarks made last week!

All it took was 1 season-ticket holder to complain and announcing team gets suspended!

(AP) Long-time LA Clippers announcer Ralph Lawler and sidekick Michael Smith were suspended one game by Fox Sports Prime Ticket cable network for making "inappropriate comments" that involved Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi. The remarks were made during the Clippers versus Grizzlies game on Wednesday November 18 and one viewer was offended and emailed his complaint to Fox Sports Prime Ticket. The duo served their suspension for the Friday game against the Nuggets November 20, in which they were replaced by halftime reporters Michael Eaves and Don Maclean.

Lawler, 71, is in his 31st year of broadcasting and Smith is in his 12th year. Here are the highlights of the exchange that was considered "offensive": (LA Times transcript)

Lawler: Wow! Haddadi that's H-A-D-D-A-D-I.

Smith: You're sure it's not Borat's older brother?

Smith: If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I'm going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part!

Lawler: Here's Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess, those Iranians can pass the ball?

Here's the youtube video (exchange starts at :58 til 1:58):



Link

Fox Sports Prime Ticket apologized to the viewers and to Hamed Haddadi and the Memphis Grizzlies for the offensive remarks. They said they addressed the situation with Lawler and Smith and took appropriate action.

The Clippers did not comment.

"Only 1,500 people complained" about Adam Lambert's Performance on American Music Awards!


Adam Lambert. Lambert's closing performance on the AMAs was meant to shock . . . and in the process show little talent!

(Rolling Stone) While Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's famed Super Bowl perfomance resulted in Jackson's nipple being exposed drew 500,000 complaints, Adam Lambert's performance on the American Music Awards ONLY drew 1,500 complaints in which he rubbed his crotch to the face of a male dancer, kissed the male keyboardist, and a middle finger to a stunned audience.

Of course, Timberlake and Jackson's "nipple-gate" was during the most-televised event in the U.S.--the Super Bowl--while Lambert's show-closing performance was AFTER the dreaded 6-10pm prime-time hour on a show that had less than a quarter of the audience of a Super Bowl. Dick Clark Productions producer of the AMAs “did not expect the impromptu moments” based on Lambert’s pre-show rehearsals.

ABC was able to edit the "fire-crotch" portion for the West Coast feed but kept the male kiss in the final cut. The Federal Communications Commission would not confirm or deny whether they received complaints on the broadcast. However, Lambert's performance was after 10pm and ABC avoided a massive fine from the FCC.

Lambert defended his performance and said that there is a "double standard" in the entertainment industry in which women have been "pushing the envelope" with their sexuality! He added that "his goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom."

Makes one wonder why many publications around the U.S. were amazed that Lambert's performance only received 1,500 complaints? Was it because that homosexual behavior in the entertainment industry is so widely accepted that many audience members didn't bother to call and complain about it? OR, is it because the performance alone was so superficial and lacked any singing talent per se, that the audience just didn't care for Lambert's performance?

The answer could be the latter.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!


Actor Colin Farrell and Janet Jackson. A new couple in the making?

Entertainment Tonight reported about a "new couple" in the making when they saw Janet Jackson having lunch and warming up with actor Colin Farrell at the Polo Lounge booth located in the Beverly Hills Hotel.

I guess you can kiss those "getting-back-with-Jermaine Dupri" rumors goodbye!


Vernita Lee. Nice knowing you got a billionaire daughter covering your back!

Vernita Lee had a $155, 547 bill with a clothing boutique and wondered who could she call to help her out? Well, it's your Billionaire daughter Oprah Winfrey, girl? Oprah covered her Mom's bill and settled the suit filed against her Mom!

Nothing like having a billionaire at your back?


After the double OT loss against the Huskies, ND QB Jimmy Clausen gets involved in a bar fight!

(Chicago Tribune) If "it rains it pours." At Notre Dame, Charley Weis' coaching job is in jeopardy and now the Fighting Irish QB Jimmy Clausen suffered a black-eye when he was "sucker punched" by a patron at a bar, early Sunday morning. Clausen and his parents were at a bar in South Bend having dinner Saturday night after the ND double OT loss to Connecticut and when they tried to leave, Clausen was hit in the face during a "bar fight."

Clausen is sporting a black-eye but will start in the game against Stanford.


British sensation Susan Boyle. Her debut album is stirring excitement with retailers!

British sensation Susan Boyle new album "I Dreamed A Dream" has sold two to three times the estimated pre-release total to retailers. She set the highest pre-order of all-time for an album at Amazon.com.

Retailers are expecting to sell 500,000 copies of her record well above new albums from Rihanna, Adam Lambert, and Lady Ga Ga! Well, if that's the case, she'll be making one of the biggest debuts for the year!


"Black Friday" will bring an increase of shoppers this year, according to a survey!

CNN Money reports that on "Black Friday," there will be a 16% increase of people heading out to the stores to do their holiday shopping based on a survey released today.

A staggering 57 million people said they would "definitely" head to stores on the day after Thanksgiving, up from 49 million in 2008, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. An additional 77 million said they would wait to decide after seeing the weekend deals.

Surprising news to some but one can see how "getting away" from the stress of life and going shopping or just window-shopping can be a high--even for broke people! Like Mama used to say, we're going shopping but no one said anything about spending!


Rain, the Korean pop singer, takes on America once again!

(CNN) Korean pop star Rain (Speed Racer) stars in the action-flick "Ninja Assassin" opening November 25! Directed by James McTeigue (V for Vendetta), the film is about a rogue hitman who betrays his clan of assassins. Rain is hoping that his portrayl of Raizo in this digitally-enhanced bloodfest will give him the crossover appeal in the U.S.. The actor has sacrificed for the movie by working out extensively and doing his own stunts for the part of Raizo and admits he is "starting from the bottom again in order to have name-recognition in America."

Will Rain accomplish what other Asian-lead actors (except Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li) have failed to do and make it big in Hollywood? We'll check the box-office results on Monday!


Tyler Perry. The creator of the Madea franchise and executive producer of "Precious" donates $1M to the NAACP!

(People) Media mogul/Director/Screenwriter/Producer/Actor Tyler Perry (I Can Do Bad By Myself) gave $1M to the civil rights organization the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

"I feel so honored and blessed to be in a position where I can give," said Perry. "Had it not been for the perseverance and vision of the thousands who came before me in the 100 years of this legendary organization, I would not be in the position I am in today."

The gift, which will be distributed over the next four years, will support advocacy programs on economic equality education, health care and criminal justice.


Alicia Sacramone. She wasn't coy about mentioning WHO she was dating---somebody in Cleveland!

(Sportsbybrooks) Cleveland Browns Quarterback Brady Quinn is dating someone who is almost as "buff" as he is, Olympic gymnast Alicia Sacramone! Sacramone admitted dating the quarterback when she was interviewed by the USA Gymnastics' official website!


Emma "Hermoine" Watson is all growed up!

Seen at a New York Rangers-Florida Panthers hockey game recently was Emma Watson ("Hermoine" from Harry Potter) and her Spanish-rocker boyfriend Rafael Cebrian (from the band Monomes). In case you're wondering, Watson is over 18 now and going to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Cebrian is a fellow student at Brown.


Jesse Ventura. He takes on conspiracy theories on his new show to debut on TruTv on Wednesday!

Former Wrestler and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura will be hosting a TruTV's The Conspiracy Theory show with Jesse Ventura that will debut on Wednesday (check your local listings). The show has been shooting since October and topics that are featured on the show deal with 9/11, Bigfoot, Roswell, Government secrets, and so on.

Now, there's a conspiracy theory on how his show will deal with conspiracy theories. . . checkout the website!

see the website for TruTV's Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura:

http://www.trutv.com/shows/conspiracy_theory/index.html


(To all the SportsHawaii Brothers and Sisters, Hollywood Insider will be on vacation starting November 25 and BE BACK on November 30! Mahalo everyone and have a great Thanksgiving!)

[GARRISON]

(To all the SportsHawaii Brothers and Sisters, Hollywood Insider will be on vacation starting November 25 and BE BACK on November 30! Mahalo everyone and have a great Thanksgiving!)

Same to you Paul B - Thanks for all the news and entertainment that I read everyday!

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (All things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Monday (November 30, 2009) stories developing. . . . .

Breaking News!

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis Has been Fired!


Embattled Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis has been fired, the search for a new coach begins!

The New York Daily News reports that Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis has been fired by the University. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick decided to make a change after the team finished at 6-6 for the season. Weis coached for 5 years at Notre Dame and compiled a 35-27 record. He said that he has received 5 offers from NFL teams to become their offensive coordinator.

Tiger Woods' Rumors Getting Loud!


Elin Nordegren Woods and Tiger Woods. The tabloid world has caught up with Tiger Woods!

No. 1 Golfer Releases Statement But Grants No Interviews

(Yahoo/TMZ) The fortress of privacy surrounding Tiger Woods is slowly crumbling. Woods is now part of the tabloid world who are curious about Golf's no. 1 player and most recognizable athlete.

Questions are still being raised about his "minor accident" that occurred this past Saturday. An accident in which Woods drove his Cadillac SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree in the middle of the night. His wife Elin Nordegren told Windermere Police that she used a golf club to smash the back window of the SUV to help her husband out of the vehicle. Woods was reported to be slipping in-and-out of consciousness at the time and the accident left him bloodied and bruised.

Woods released a statement yesterday:

“This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way,” Woods said. “Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible. …

“I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received,” the statement concluded. “But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.”

“The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false,” Woods said.

However, his statement revealed nothing and his meeting with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has been postponed twice (while his legal and PR team figure out a way to "get out of this this!").

Questions that have been raised are:

Where was Tiger Woods going at the middle of the night?

How did he lose control of his SUV at such a speed that his airbags didn't deploy?

Why were both rear windows of the SUV smashed?

If it was a careless mistake, admit it and talk with the FHP and you're done with it?

Why is the National Enquirer reporting that Woods is having an affair with New York club hostess Rachel Uchitel?

If Uchitel did not have an affair with Woods, why hire Hollywood Attorney Gloria Allred? Furthermore, there are reports of Uchitel and Woods being seen together when he was playing at the Australian Masters.

What prescription meds was Woods taking that may have caused him to slip in-and-out of consciousness while driving? That warrants a DUI in this case.

Why are there reports of Woods telling a friend that his wife had attacked him after she learned that he cheated on her? Moreover, there are reports that Elin told FHP that she had followed Tiger in a golf cart and came upon her husband after the accident and used a golf club to shatter the window in order to remove her husband. However, no golf cart was found anywhere near the scene of the accident! This story contradicts the report she gave Windermere Police in which she "wallked out of the house and saw the accident, went inside her home to get a golf club and that's when she smashed the SUV windows to help her husband out of the vehicle."

If Elin did attack Woods, it would constitute domestic violence and she could be arrested.


Rachel Uchitel. Tiger Woods' lover?

Despite being denied twice for an interview, the FHP has obtained a search warrant to seize the medical records from the hospital where Woods was taken, to determine if the wounds are consistent with an accident or domestic violence.

In addition, it has been reported that Attorney Gloria Allred will be making a statement about her client Rachel Uchitel's involvement in the Woods incident sometime on Monday.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: (9:42AM PST) FHP has been looking into obtaining the video of surveillance cameras that surround the Tiger Woods property. In addition, the FHP visited the hospital where Woods went for treatment after the accident. Their visit was to obtain Woods' medical records from the hospital.

Is this a "witch-hunt" by the FHP, as some have suggested? No, this is normal protocol for the Florida Highway Patrol to investigate the possibility of an accident or domestic violence. Just so happens that the person being investigated is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.

As for the tabloids and paparazzi, Woods now realizes that his "silence" may bring false accusations and tabloid-like headlines. Welcome to a "TMZ world," where internet bloggers chat about YOU, and where everyone has a cellphone camera to take pictures or spread the word about YOU. Being a celebrity, Woods should know that by now. There is only so much privacy that Woods can protect.

Unfortunately, Woods has appeared ALONE at nightclubs in the past and has had a "stand-offish" approach with the press. Is this REVENGE by the press?

UPDATE: (12:37PM PST) Acesshowbiz reports is reporting that Tiger and Rachel Uchitel met while she was working as an event planner in New York City, and kept in touch through phone calls and text messages with Woods, being the initiator. A friend of Rachel, is going as far as to say she's heard Tiger on the phone talking to her and asking things such as "What are you wearing"? Rachel is a well known party girl in New York and has a reputation for dating married men (and single men including Derek Jeter and A-Rod), her last affair being with Bones actor David Boreanaz.

Woods has pulled out of his tournament the Chevron World tournament and will NOT be playing anymore for the rest of 2009.

More rumors:

The injuries to Tiger have rumored to be inflicted by Elin and the golf club she was holding.

Tiger remarked to a friend that Elin had gone "ghetto on him" and he was looking to get a "Kobe-Special" (what Kobe Bryant did by buying his wife an expensive ring to seek forgiveness for his affair) as a way to apologize to Elin for his affair!

Stay tuned. . . .

Why Do Women Choose Attorney/Feminist Gloria Allred?


Attorney Gloria Allred. The Hollywood sign behind Allred shows clients "what they are dealing with."

Tiger Woods' alleged mistress Rachel Uchitel chose Attorney/Feminist Gloria Allred to represent her in the "Tiger Woods-crisis." Attorney Allred last represented "Octo-Mom" (Nadya Suleiman) and is famous for taking cases that involve "defenseless" women against male-dominated organizations.

Allred is NOT shy about her intentions and smartly directed her career that involve high-profile cases that involve the media. Her first successful case in which she sued the male-Friars club in Beverly Hills and won, becoming the only-female member at the time, was a testament of things to come for Allred.

She represented Paula Jones in the sexual harassment suit against former President Bill Clinton; Amber Frey, mistress of convicted murderer Scott Peterson; 11 year-old Katrina Yeaw suit against the Boy Scouts of America; actress Hunter Tylo, who was fired by Aaron Spelling because she was pregnant; Nicole Brown Simpson's family in the OJ Simpson murder trial; Jessica Gibson who was countersuing actor Rob Lowe for sexual harrassment; asked Child Protective Services to investigate the safety of Michael Jackson's children after witnessing Jackson dangle one of his children over the railing in Berlin, Germany; Elizabeth Mazocchi in her suit against actor Esai Morales for domestic violence and terroristic threats against her; and many other cases.

Allred regularly appears with her clients on Larry King Live and other news services. She is admired by many and loathe by many. No case is too big for her, AND for every case she pursues, expect a press conference and appearances on radio and television.

Consider that Rachel Uchitel was "nobody at the time." Her alliance with Allred will suddenly catapult Uchitel as a celebrity.

"New Moon" Wins Box-Office for 2nd Consecutive Week During Best Thanksgiving Ever!


New Moon's gross earnings make the Twilight sage a legitimate franchise film series!

(EW) First-place finisher New Moon brought in $42.5 million over the three-day (Friday through Sunday) weekend, driving its cume to a fantastic $230.7 million — the sixth highest of the year, just below Star Trek ($257.7 million). Not far behind, The Blind Side came in at No. 2 with $40.1 million by appealing to audiences who would rather watch a movie about football than stay home for a game on TV. With a $100.3 million total so far, the pigskin pic is Sandra Bullock’s second $100 million hit of the year after this summer’s The Proposal ($164 million).


"The Blind Side" has performed well for an audience looking for alternative besides vampires!

Disaster pic 2012 ($18 million) continued to perform well, beating a duo of new releases: the Robin Williams-John Travolta buddy pic Old Dogs (fourth place, $16.8 million) and the actioner Ninja Assassin (sixth place, $13.1 million). With a $24.1 million total so far, Old Dogs hasn’t captured the same men-of-a-certain-age crowds that drove Travolta’s Wild Hogs to a $39.7 million debut back in 2007. As for Ninja Assassin, dreams of becoming an American action star may be put on the "back-burner" for now, for Asian star Rain. Assassin has been plagued by mixed reviews, especially about night fight-scenes that are viewed as "murky" and "hard to see." Meanwhile, Disney’s A Christmas Carol (fifth place, $16 million) got a holiday bump, jumping 30 percent over last weekend to a total of $105.3 million.


John Travolta and Robin Williams play "men of a certain age" in Disney's "Old Dogs."

Specialty pics found modest success, with the animated Fantastic Mr. Fox earning $7 million Fri.-Sun. in its first wide-release weekend, and The Road grossing $1.5 million at 111 theaters.

Overall, the box office raked in an all-time high of $278 million over the five-day weekend.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!


MLB player Grady Sizemore and girlfriend Brittany Binger. The MLB star had a nude photo of him leak on the internet!

Cleveland Indians baseball player Grady Sizemore got a "shock" when his photos to his Playmate/girlfriend Brittany Binger displaying his JUNK were leaked on the internet! Apparently, Binger had those photos on her computer but it leaked somehow. . . . yah, right?


Tennis Player Serena Williams. Seen here in her infamous outburst at the 2009 U.S. Open that was complete with the F-word and threats against a tennis official!

Tennis player Serena Williams was levied a $82,500 fine for her verbal outburst toward a line umpire at the U.S. Open. This fine is in addition to the $10k she already paid. Her fine is double the fine of a then-record set by Jeff Tarango who was fined for $48,000 back in the 90s. Along with the fine, Williams will be on a 2 year probation and if she messes up again, she will face a fine that is double the 80k amount and a ban from the U.S. Open.

You think Williams will be quiet now?


Susan Boyle (right), pictured with her "mentor" Simon Cowell. Boyle's album is selling like hotcakes!

Susan Boyle has sold a whopping 410,000 copies of her debut album, "I Dreamed A Dream." Sales are expected to surpass 1M by the end of the week! Wow!


Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon. Rumors of their breakup have been denied by their reps!

Reps from Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon have denied rumors of the A-listers alleged breakup. Witherspoon's rep said that the rumors are "are not true and they have not split." Gyllenhaal's rep echoes the same sentiment.

The denials refute what People Magazine first reported.



Link

The "gratuitous late touchdown" by USC against UCLA stirred the Bruins team to approach the Trojans at midfield. The controversial 48 yard bomb for a touchdown came after UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel decided to call "time-out" with less than minute remaining in the game instead of letting USC "run out the clock" by Barkley taking a knee. Perhaps "insulted" for taking that time-out, Carroll decided to launch a "missle to add further alcohol on the wound of the UCLA Bruins" and throw a bomb for a touchdown, complete with chest-thumping and over-celebration!

Whatever the case, the "LA monopoly is still a Trojan-thing" until further notice! Neuheisel and Carroll shook hands at midfield and you can bet the Bruin Coach was going on a recruiting visit somewhere. . . .


"Black Friday" crowds on November 27. Now, comes Cyber Monday on November 30!

The results of "Black Friday" showed sales at $10.66B which translates to only a 0.5% improvement from last year, according to Reuters and Shopper Trak. Whatever the case, an increase is an increase. Following "Black Friday" is Cyber Monday, the internet version of Friday which is the busiest day for online shopping.


Pamela Bach (right) pictured with ex-hubby David Hasselhoff.

Pamela Bach, David Hasselhoff's ex-wife, got arrested Saturday night for a DUI but she's being sued for another incident this past March. Bach pled no contest to her DUI this past Spring in which she slammed into another vehicle! Mitchell Paulson, the man she slammed into in her accident, is suing her for unspecified damages.


New Jersey Nets Coach Lawrence Frank. Frank was handed a starting roster that wouldn't crack any other NBA team's starting lineup.

The New Jersey Nets fired Coach Lawrence Frank after their loss to defending champions Los Angeles Lakers last night. The Nets are at 0-17 and tied with the 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1999 LA Clippers for worst win-loss record to open the season. With a "frightening" Nets starting lineup of Devin Harris, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Trenton Hassel, Josh Boone, and Brook Lopez, Frank was unceremoniously "let go."

Nets President Rod Thorn saw Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin, and Jason Kidd depart ways from the organization to the current starting lineup. The Nets were only six years removed from the NBA Finals (losing to the San Antonio Spurs in 6 games) but are in complete disarray now.


Efren Penaflorida of the Philippines wins CNN's Hero of the Year award for 2009!

(CNN/Manila Bulletin) Efren Penaflorida, of the Philippines was honored as CNN's Hero of the Year at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles this past Saturday. Penaflorida founded his company, Dynamic Teen Co., a school on pushcart wheels, to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership. He wins $100k to continue his work (in addition, he also received $25k for finishing in the top 10). He was chosen after seven weeks of voting online at CNN.com with more than 2.75M votes cast.

The organization supports itself by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle. With Peñaflorida's Kariton Klasrum Program, books and other learning materials are placed in a pushcart where children learn reading, writing, arithmetic, and English. In the last 12 years, an estimated 10,000 volunteers of DTC have helped teach close to 2,000 children who live in the slums, recreating a school setting in unconventional locations such as cemeteries and municipal dumpsites. Through the group, Peñaflorida has successfully mentored former gang members, addicts, and dropouts, seeing their potentials where others see only problems. They credit Peñaflorida for pushing them to get their lives together.

See his acceptance speech:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cn ... index.html


Titans Quarterback Vince Young was an "after-thought" just 5 weeks ago when Tennessee was winless! Not anymore.

Was it "deja-vu" for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart when Vince Young led his Tennessee Titans down the field in the last few seconds to score a touchdown and snatch victory away from the former USC quarterback? It happened before when Leinart's Trojans were on the verge of victory in the Rose Bowl/National Championship Game until Vince Young led his Texas Longhorns down the field to score the winning touchdown. Amazing.

The Titans are now 5-6 and were seemingly "left for dead" 5 weeks ago when they were a pitiful 0-6 with Kerry Collins at quarterback. Since Young was inserted in the lineup, they are on a 5 game winning streak! Remember the Titans, indeed!

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all things that matter in pop culture!)

Tuesday (December 1, 2009) stories developing. . . .

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

New Tiger Woods' Mistress Comes Forward, AND There's More to Come!


Jaimee Grubbs, claims that she was Tiger Woods' mistress back in 2007!

(US Weekly/TMZ) Us Weekly reports that a new woman has come forward claiming that she is Tiger Woods mistress.

Her name is Jaimee Grubbs and she met the golfer in Las Vegas in 2007. She was a cocktail waitress at the time and she had a 31-month affair with Woods.

According to Grubbs, she has more than 300 text messages from Tiger. Us Weekly will come out with their issue tomorrow on the alleged affair and they report that Grubbs has photos, racy texts from Tiger, and a November 24 voicemail from Tiger in which he suggests that his wife might know of the affair.

Grubbs appeard on the VH1 show, "Tool Academy."

UPDATE: (1:16pm PST) SportsbyBrooks reports that Radaronline has information that more women will come out to provide evidence of having an affair with Tiger Woods. His sponsors are monitoring the situation and Tiger's silence is not doing him a favor.

The website gives sage advice to Tiger by saying, "if he wants to maintain his marriage and endorsements, he needs to make a move (meet with the press) now."

"His sponsor, from my sources, are seriously wavering. He’s basically alone now, and if he doesn’t come forward at this moment, he could lose everything that matters to him."

"Or perhaps Woods has already talked wife Elin Nordegren through the worst case sce"narios, and is prepared to kiss his endorsements goodbye. If that’s the case, then I highly advise he say nothing."

(People) UPDATE: (2:07pm PST) The Florida Highway Patrol has issued Tiger Woods a $164 citation for "careless driving," a result of his accident thanksgiving night. The FHP concludes that the investigation into the accident is complete and no search warrant of Tiger's medical records will be pursued.

In addition, a FHP spokesperson said, "there will be no criminal charges and the case is closed."

TIGER-GATE: It's On!


Tiger Woods. The richest golfer is using his legal team to block every avenue to protect his privacy. . . so far, it's working!

(Tmz) Windermere, Florida - Tiger Woods' gated community is on security lockdown. Curious neighbors have been turned away from the infamous crash site near Tiger Woods' home. One neighbor's memory card was confiscated by Isleworth Security! They are being told where they can and where they CANNOT go.

Florida Highway Patrol has been told by Tiger Woods' lawyer that the surveillance camera video that was filming on the night of the crash is NOT AVAILABLE. Woods' medical records were also NOT AVAILABLE when FHP officers went to the hospital to obtain it for clues regarding Woods' injuries to classify the incident as an accident or domestic violence.


Elin Nordegren, is under suspicion of giving the World's No. 1 Golfer "an okole-whooping" for an alleged affair!

Have a feeling the lawyer blocked that route as well. FHP is looking into obtaining a search warrant to obtain the medical records but have NOT officially pursued that route YET.

Tiger Woods' neighbors have hired a lawyer in order to talk to the media.

In the meantime, Rachel Uchitel, Tiger Woods' alleged mistress, remains "guarded" by Attorney Gloria Allred and are looking to sue the National Enquirer about their claims that Uchitel and Woods were involved in an affair days before the Woods accident.


Super Attorney Gloria Allred. Tiger's alleged mistress is "using" Allred as a buffer to ride through the "storm of controversy!"

Windermere Police said that no blood was evident from Tiger but his lower lip was split open and there were other marks as well. There is growing suspicion that his bruises were NOT the result of the vehicle hitting the fire hydrant and the tree.

Law enforcement officials are focusing on whether the No.1 Golfer was driving under the influence of prescription drugs. When paramedics came upon the scene, Tiger was unresponsive and they asked Elin if he was taking any meds. She went inside, retrieved two prescription bottles and gave them to paramedics. Elin said she did not know when Tiger had last taken the meds. It was reported that Tiger had told a friend he was taking prescription pain meds.

In Florida, it's almost impossible to charge someone with DUI unless someone actually sees the suspect behind the wheel, driving the vehicle. No one has come forward saying they saw Tiger driving.

Stay tuned. . . .

Florida State University Coach Bobby Bowden Forced Out!


FSU Coach Bobby Bowden is forced to retire after 34 years!

ESPN announces Bowden's "retirement" but that headline is further from the truth

(CBS/TBO) Would it have been better off if long-time Florida State University Coach Bobby Bowden, 80, been fired, instead of being FORCED to retire in this case? Probably.

Bowden, a national institution at FSU and winner of two national football titles in 1993 and 1999, is expected to retire today. As for the way he approached his decision, he was given 2 options by FSU officials: they were not going to renew his contract and retire or become a "figure-head" on the FSU staff with Jimbo Fisher installed as the new Coach.

Inexplicably, FSU was "under the gun" to install Fisher as head coach because of a deal between the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach and FSU President TK Wetherwell that if Fisher was NOT chosen as the FSU head coach by 2011, he would be paid $5M. In effect, he was promised the head coaching job (with a promise from Fisher himself that he would stay at FSU and ignore overtures from other Colleges) while Bowden was still in charge!

While other news services are announcing Bowden's retirement, the truth of the matter is, it is a forced resignation.

After 34 years of service, Bowden deserved better. . . . being fired would have been more dignified but FSU officials instead backed the beloved coach into a corner! If FSU had the courage to fire him 4 years ago, it wouldn't have come to this.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!!


Paparazzi "staked-out" LAX and found a goldmine of celebrities!

Monday was a busy day at LAX for the paparazzi! Some of the celebrities seen at LAX were Britney Spears returning from Australia, Rihanna arriving from London, Orlando Bloom from London, David Beckham was flying out, and Jennifer Aniston--don't know if she was coming or going.


ABC whips out a "performance contract" for next year's American Music Awards, after controversial performance by Adam Lambert!

(Perez Hilton) ABC, amid complaints from viewers about Adam Lambert's risque performance at the American Music Awards, has drawn up a performance contract that the performer's rehearsal "must mirror their live performance." Apparently, Lambert's rehearsal was nothing like his controversial live performance on the AMAs which drew 1,500 viewer complaints.

ABC's decision was in no way meant to "suppress the artistry" of a performer but to be cognizant of who our audience is."


Ireland is "holding their breath" when the World Cup Committe meets in Cape Town tomorrow!

(Rediff.com) FIFA President Seppen Blatter, who is head of Soccer's governing body, has dashed the hopes of the Irish once AGAIN, by saying that Ireland's request to participate in next year's World Cup is "utterly impossible," despite video evidence of Frenchman Thierry Henry's hand touching the ball TWICE which led to an assist of a game-tying goal in a qualifying match between France and Ireland! France won 2-1 against Ireland in a much-disputed match.

The World Cup organizing committe will convene on Wednesday and Ireland is expected to make an official request then. According to Blatter, the Irish have "no chance of success" in the matter. If Ireland is allowed to participate, there would be 33 teams vying for the World Cup. If Ireland is NOT allowed in, the country will be "wronged again."


"The Hurt Locker" and "The Maid" received awards at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in NYC!

The film, "The Hurt Locker," took top honors at the Gotham Independent Film Awards last night in New York. The popular action film depicting an American bomb-squad in Iraq is also expected to do well at the Academy Awards next year. The breakthrough actor award went to Catalina Saavedra from the Chilean film, "The Maid." "Food Inc." took best documentary honors and breakthrough director award went to Robert Siegel (who penned "The Wrestler"). In addition, career tribute awards went to Natalie Portman and Stanley Tucci.


"Paranormal Activity" director Oren Peli. His follow up will center around 3 teenagers who find themselves in Area 51!

Director Oren Peli's follow-up to "Paranormal Activity" will be his new studio-backed film, "Area 51." The basis of the film Area 51 will be centered around 3 teenagers whose curiousity leads them to the notorious Area 51 portion of Nellis Air Force Base in the Nevada desert.

Peli's budget will be substantially more than what he used in his debut pic (on Paranormal activity he used $11,000 on a film that has grossed $106M and counting! ) and will be backed with a reported under $5M from Paramount for Area 51.


Liu Wen, becomes the first Asian model to appear on the Victoria Secret runway!

(CNN) Five foot-ten Chinese model Liu Wen will be the first Asian model to be featured on Victoria Secret runway in New York, broadcast on CBS tonight. Wen, 21, is the daughter of an interior designer Dad and a stay-at-home Mom. She was born in Yongzhou, in the Hunan province.

Wen was surprised she was chosen for the Victoria Secret show because she "didn't think that Asians would get the job." Wen's rise started from a local modeling contest where the prize was a computer, which she won. Soon, Wen was on the fast track with gigs with Chinese editions of FHM, Marie Claire and Elle. In 2008, she walked the runways in Paris, Milan, and New York. . . and the rest was history.

From dreaming of being a school teacher in China to walking the runway in New York. Amazing!


Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" is selling much better than expected!

(CNN) Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" has sold an astounding 1M copies since debuting two weeks ago! A Harper Collins spokesperson said that they will increase printing to 2.8M copies, that's one million more than the initial order!

In addition, her book sold 700,000 in the first week alone, outselling Hillary Clinton's 2003 book, "Living History" and President Obama's 2006 book "Audacity of Hope" in the first week.


Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer. Sawyer will be taking over the anchor role on World News Tonight for Gibson, who will be departing Dec. 18.

ABC has confirmed that Charles Gibson's last day as anchorman of World News Tonight (WNT) will be December 18. Taking over for Gibson will be Good Morning America (GMA) anchor Diane Sawyer who will take over duties on WNT December 21. Sawyer's last day on GMA will be December 11.

ABC wants the transition to be a low-key affair, unlike the hoopla that surrounded Katie Couric's arrival at CBS News.



Cleveland Cavaliers Center Shaquille O'Neal was so touched by the Shaniya Davis story (the 5 year-old was brutally murdered when her Mom sold her for prostitution), that he offered to pay for her funeral service. Nearly two-thousand people attended Shaniya's funeral.

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (all things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Wednesday (December 2, 2009) "Hump Day" stories developing. . . .

Cyber Monday Numbers Bring Good News for Retailers!



(PC Mag) Cyber Monday spending was up 5 percent compared to 2008, driven largely by a greater number of people using the Web to make their purchases, according to Wednesday data from comScore.

Overall holiday spending since November 1, meanwhile, now totals $12.26 billion, up 3 percent from last year.

In recent years, the Monday after Thanksgiving has been referred to as Cyber Monday, a day for Internet retailers to get in on the Black Friday-esque action. This year, shoppers spent about $887 million on Cyber Monday, up 5 percent from last year's $834 million, comScore said.

Those numbers matched the heaviest online spending day on record: December 8, 2008.

"We've seen an encouraging start to the online holiday shopping season and it would appear that retailers' aggressive and early marketing efforts have so far succeeded in persuading consumers to open their wallets online," comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni said in a statement.

The next thing to watch is whether the "spending continues to grow over the balance of the season – because the heaviest spending day online typically occurs in mid-December," Fulgoni said.

Tiger Woods Willing to Pay Elin "7 figures" To Stay!


Tiger Woods is "dropping to his knees in turmoil!"

Bill Zwecker from The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Tiger Woods is willing to pay his wife Elin Nordegren Woods "7 figures" so that she can remain his wife. The couple has entered marriage counseling and are in the process of re-working their prenuptial agreement. The re-work is reported to "entice" Elin accept this lucrative offer in order to remain his wife. A stipulation that involves a divorce and if they have been together for at least 10 years, Elin will get $20M. . . has been raised to a much higher amount.

Tiger Woods is making the move in order to prevent Elin and his two children from leaving him. If Elin and the kids leave him, his public image would be damaged and the fallout may result in losing endorsements.

In the meantime, it will be interesting what Nordegren will decide since more news of women he had affairs with are surfacing. So far, Rachel Uchitel, NY club hostess/event planner; Jaimee Grubbs, West Hollywood cocktail waitress; and the newest is Kalika Moquin, a Las Vegas marketing manager have been confirmed, according to Life and Style magazine.

Tiger Woods: "I Let My Family Down"


Tiger Woods.

From Tiger Woods' website, his just released statement:

"I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.



But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.



Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."

Tiger's Wife Allegedly Calls and Confronts Alleged Mistress!


Tiger's alleged mistress Jaimee Grubbs.

Us Weekly releases issue of Tiger's sex scandal and a revealing voicemail

Tmz reports that Tiger Woods' wife Elin Nordegren Woods may have placed a call to Tiger's alleged mistress Jaimee Grubbs. According to Grubbs, she received a call from a blocked number and answered the call. The caller was a woman and when Grubbs asked who it was the caller said, "You know who this is because you're f***king my husband!"

Tmz also reported that Grubbs bragged to co-workers at the Stone Rose Lounge in West Hollywood, claiming she was having an affair with Tiger and even playing them the voicemail Tiger left for Jaimee on November 24 -- when he asked her to remove her name from the outgoing message on her voicemail because Elin was becoming suspicious.

Us Weekly has just released their new issue of the Tiger Woods sex scandal:

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews ... ds-2009112

Hear the audio of a person who sounds like Tiger pleading with Grubbs to erase his name from her voicemail:

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews ... ou-2009212

UPDATE: (2:05Pm PST) Life and Style - It has now been confirmed that Tiger Woods was involved with 3 women: Rachel Uchitel, NY club hostess/event planner; Jaimee Grubbs, West Hollywood cocktail waitress; and the newest is Kalika Moquin, a Las Vegas marketing manager.

It's been rumored that more women will surface.

Who is Elin Nordegren Woods?


Elin Nordegren Woods, pictured with husband Tiger, has been a staunch and low-key supporter of Golf's no. 1 player AND will be known as "QUEEN ELIN" from now on in the Woods household!

(Yahoo Sports/Jay Busbee) With the Tiger sex-scandal reverberating everywhere in the media, mostly everyone is asking, "Who is Elin Nordegren Woods, anyway?"

If you were to design the perfect wife for a privacy-hungry superstar like Tiger Woods, she'd look a whole lot like Elin -- low-key, accustomed to celebrity, and, from all appearances on the golf course, totally devoted to her husband's career.

Which is what makes the current questions about her recent behavior -- why did she smash a window in Tiger's Escalade? Is she responsible for his injuries? Why did she change her story to police? -- so challenging. While everything is left to speculation, we'd like to think the best of her, but we simply don't know much about her.

There's only been one major story written about Elin Nordegren Woods -- a 2004 Sports Illustrated profile -- and even that story centered on how little anyone outside of her inner circle knows about her.


Would Elin Nordegren Woods been successful as a full-time professional model? Most men would think so.

The facts: She grew up in Stockholm, and while she did some modeling in her teens, the idea that she was a "Swedish supermodel" is one of those urban legends that grows in the retelling. "She wasn't a high-profile model," as the Daily Beast quotes a source from a New York modeling agency, and, to be fair, she didn't seem to be particularly interested in modeling as a career.

But she was around the world of golf long before she met Woods, serving as the nanny to golfer Jesper Parnevik. She met Tiger at the 2001 British Open, and it wasn't exactly a romantic introduction for the ages.


Could Tiger have asked for a better persona than his wife Elin?

According to SI, Tiger was so nervous about asking her out that he had a friend do it for him. Initially, she declined. But Woods persisted, she relented, and they married in a lavish $1.5 million ceremony in Barbados. That wedding was the stuff of tabloid heaven, with Hootie and the Blowfish as the house band and Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley in attendance.


Tiger and Elin seemed to be the "perfect couple." Hopefully, Golf's royal couple can withstand this latest controversy and it'll take a lot of "a**-kissing" on Tiger's part--ala Kobe.

Being married to the world's richest athlete apparently has done little to change Elin's public persona. We don't see her doing reality shows, we don't see her on the covers of magazines every month, and aside from releasing some photos, she doesn't parade around her children – two-year-old Sam and nine-month-old Charlie – seeking publicity. It's refreshing, really, to see someone in the limelight who's so apparently unconcerned with the fame-hungry world of modern celebrity.

Famous Couples Who Have Survived Infidelity


If Bill and Hillary Clinton can survive infidelity, then Tiger and Elin can do it too!

(Associated Content) The problem that Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Woods are going through is a common problem with high-profile couples in the entertainment world. After the scandal subsides, which it will in the next few weeks, the next step is to repair the trust in a relationship that has been utterly broken. In effect, it will take more than the "Kobe-special" and other elaborate gifts to win their partner's heart but it won't hurt, especially the one who was "victimized."

It's no secret that in order to survive in a relationship where a spouse/partner has committed infidelity that it takes FORGIVENESS, TRUST, and TIME to cope with a painful experience.


Kobe and Vanessa Bryant. At first, Vanessa was kinda' angry about dat "Colorado-thing" but their still together!

Associated Content's tips on "coping with infidelity" are the following:

1) Communicate With One Another - It's more than just talking but listening and understanding one another's emotions and feelings that you didn't realize in your existing relationship.

2) Get Counseling - Getting a relationship expert to help is always a good thing, especially for couples that find it difficult to express their feelings.

3) Accept what happened - Accept what happened and accept the offending partner's apology. Don't be in denial and don't try to find out the reason's why your partner was led astray. For your own mental and emotional health, try to accept and be forgiving. Last thing, accept that "Time Heals All Wounds."


Former Presidential-candidate John and wife Elizabeth Edwards. So far, they're still together, despite rumors that Elizabeth is "going to leave his a** behind and take the money and RUN!"

4) Have a strong support system - You're going to need a "soundboard" of friends and family to listen to you when you're frustrated or just need to vent. Letting out what you need to let-out would be a healthy thing and a way to relieve stress in otherwise stressful situation.

5) Stay busy - Do something productive instead of lying around the house being depressed. Time to involve yourself in something that will keep your mind off the stress. Join a gym or take up a hobby or some political-action group.

6) Treat yourself - Usually, the Ladies who have been victimized have no problem with this. Ladies, get all the gifts you can and if you don't have offer of gifts then go to a beauty salon or to a spa or a vacation with some girlfriends of yours. Same thing for the men who have been cheated-on. Go golfing or join a gym or take a river-rafting adventure with the guys. Why get depressed when you can treat yourself and make yourself feel good.


Josh Duhamel and Fergie. After Duhamel's sex-scandal, looks like Fergie's got Duhamel in the right position!

7) Vacation - Every couple needs a vacation to "get away from it all." Most couples become "rejuvenated and refreshed" from a fabulous vacation.

Laugh and love again - Try not to take it serious, even though the situation is unbearable and difficult. Put on a funny movie or spend time with your friends who are dying to cheer you up!

9) Write it all down - Writing in a journal/diary does help relieve the stress.

10) LAST: If All else fails, time to "Throw in the Towel!" - if your spouse/partner is a serial philanderer then it's time to dump the schmuck and start anew! No need to hang on to this idiot and continue feeling depressed, y'all!


If all else fails, dump'em! That's what Deborah Santana and Robin Wright Penn did!

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!


Pam Anderson's interest in tools began on TV's Home Improvement when she played the "Tool Time girl!"

Pam Anderson is being sued by Codney Construction Corp. in small claims court for refusing to give back their tools. Codney Construction did the construction on Anderson's Malibu home and are now asking for $5,000 from her because she never returned the tools and other supplies from one of their contractors.

Sheesh. You've played with enough tools already!


Michael Jackson. His gift for his children is finally delivered!

Days before he died, Michael Jackson ordered 3 pieces of art from artist Nelson De La Nuez for his children. The artwork was supposed to be dropped off the week of his death but was never delivered due to certain circumstances. However, Katherine Jackson arranged to have the 3 pieces delivered today. The paintings are Nuez originals and entitled "Alice in Dali Land," "Lost Fairy Tales," and "Flavor of the Month."

Almost like a "gift from the grave." Sorry for the morbid thought.


Meredith Baxter Birney. She announces that she's gay.

Meredith Baxter Birney (Family Ties) has just announced that she is gay. Baxter has been married to men 3 times and she has 5 children. She revealed on "Today" that she has been in a relationship with a woman for the past 4 years.


Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian. The couple are now officially married. (yawn)

LA Laker Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian are officially married now because a marriage license was officially recorded in Orange County last month! This comes weeks after the quickie wedding and wrangling over the prenup!


Corey Feldman and Susie Feldman. The couple are headed for a major fight in divorce court!

Corey Feldman said that he won't let his soon-to-be-ex-wife Susie Feldman take his child without a fight! The Goonies star said that she can "kiss" her spousal support goodbye if that's going to be the case.

Susie Feldman filed for divorce in October and is asking for full custody and spousal support.


Famed director Roman Polanski will be sent home and will be under "House arrest" while waiting his fate on being extradited to LA.

Swiss officials have announced that embattled Director Roman Polanski, 76, will be released from jail on Friday in order to return to his Alpine chalet. He was allowed to make bail at $4.5M and will be released under certain restrictions while being monitored.

A Swiss court will also decide on whether Polanski should be extradited to Los Angeles to face sentencing for having illegal sex with a 13 year-old girl 3 decades ago.


Ireland, like Charlie Brown, can go home after another unsuccessful attempt to participate in the World Cup!

(football.com) Ireland's World Cup entry request was officially denied by the World Cup organizers in Cape Town, South Africa. Ireland's request came at the "hands" of French player Thierry Henry who's "handball incident" helped propel France to defeat Ireland 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said that Ireland's entry as the 33rd team would have meant that Costa Rica would also have to be admitted because of their controversial loss to Uruguay due to an illegal goal.


Dodger announcer Vin Scully, 82, will be back for the 2010 season!

(AP) Long-time LA Dodger announcer Vin Scully, 82, will be back for the 2010 season, his 61st season! Scully's 60 years of service is the longest tenure of any broadcaster in sports history!


Socialite Casey Johson is following the "Paris Hilton-style of fast track to success!

(NY POST) The Casey Johnson story! It is a story of a heiress to an empire who is "out of control" in Hollywood. Casey Johnson, 30, was arrested for grand theft when she allegedly stole clothes, jewelry, and other items from a friend who happens to be a supermodel. Johnson is a socialite party-goer who has had her problems with drugs and alcohol. She is an heiress to the Johnson and Johnson pharmeceutical company and daughter of Woody Johnson, the owner of the NY Jets.

With a lifestyle like that, when is Johnson going to get her reality show? This all sounds strangely familiar. Is she following the "Paris Hilton School of Success" program?


TV shows: The debut of "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau" and the season premiere of "Dog the Bounty Hunter"

Two shows worth checking out (check your local TV listings):

"Sports Jobs with Junior Seau" on Versus in which the former linebacker takes on jobs that are "sports-related." Tonight's episode involves Seau doing construction work for the new Jets/Giants stadium and a stint as an LA Dodger ballboy.

"Dog the Bounty Hunter" debuts on A&E tonight. On the anniversary of the fatal vehicular accident that claimed the life of the bounty hunter's daughter, Dog and his team hunt a target with a taste for drugs and a record of reckless driving, on the season premiere.

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!!! (All things that matter in Pop culture!)

Thursday (December 3, 2009) stories developing. . . .

Comcast Acquires Control of NBC/Universal!


Comcast and NBC/Universal will become a force to be reckon with in the entertainment world!

The Joining of the Two Companies Will Create One of the Biggest Entertainment Companies in the World!

(LA Times/Meg James and Joe Flint) In a momentous shift in the balance of power of the entertainment industry, cable television giant Comcast Corp. announced this morning that it was acquiring control of NBC Universal from General Electric Co.

The proposed $30-billion transaction is the fruition of a longtime ambition by Comcast's 50-year-old chief executive, Brian Roberts, to recast his family-controlled Philadelphia company into a leading producer of movies and television shows and a purveyor of prominent cable and broadcast networks, including the venerable NBC.


Some of the cable networks in the purchase include USA, Syfy, and E!

Under terms of the deal, Comcast will contribute its entertainment channels, including E and Versus; nine regional sports networks; and about $6.5 billion in cash in exchange for 51% of the new venture, which will continue to be called NBC Universal for the immediate future.


The Universal Studios backlot. Universal Films will be a welcome addition to the Comcast deal.

The deal underscores how cable television -- not a broadcast network or a Hollywood movie studio -- has become the new profit center for media conglomerates.

GE, which has owned the NBC network for 23 years, will reduce its ownership in the company to 49%. The deal sets up GE for a gradual exit from the entertainment business, granting Comcast the right to buy out GE's interest within eight years. GE placed a value of $30 billion on its NBC Universal businesses.

Comcast said the entertainment assets that it was contributing to the joint venture were worth $7.25 billion.


NBC Sports will add Sunday Night Football and the Olympic Games to the Comcast stable!

Giving up control of NBC Universal represents a significant retrenchment by GE, which has long prided itself on strong management. But the industrial giant no longer appeared to have the wherewithal to navigate the rapidly changing media landscape or the will to make the financial investment needed to revive the slumping peacock network and troubled movie studio.

If the deal wins regulatory approval, the new Comcast-controlled NBC Universal will be one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, with assets spanning the NBC broadcast network; more than a dozen cable channels, including USA Network, Syfy, Bravo, E and Style; nine regional sports channels; the Universal Pictures film studio; Universal Studios theme parks; Spanish-language network Telemundo; more than two dozen TV stations; and a stake in the popular online video website Hulu.


Universal Theme Parks in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan are part of the this giant transaction!

A Comcast-controlled NBC Universal will have an advantage over its content-owning rivals: a cable TV pipeline reaching nearly a quarter of American homes with TVs. That not only will give it an edge when it launches new cable networks but also will provide a huge base of customers to which it can sell pay-per-view programming, including movies from the Universal movie studio and sports programming from NBC. With NBC having broadcast ownership of the Olympic games til 2012, a planned "Olympic Cable Network" is in the works.

Comcast biggest challenge is to fix NBC, which has undergone mismanagement and major cost-cutting, and a troubled film division that has been stumbling since the aptly named, "Land of the Lost."

Latest Tiger Woods Sex Scandal News!!!!


Tiger Woods. He must be thinking, "This is Not a good way to end the year. . . "

(TMZ) A press conference with Attorney Gloria Allred and her client Tiger Woods alleged mistress Rachel Uchitel was set for 8:30AM PST but was abruptly cancelled. Apparently, Tiger and Uchitel have been communicating since the night before. Rumors indicate that Woods may have paid for Uchitel's silence.


Rachel Uchitel, Tiger's alleged mistress no. 1, cancelled her press conference that was scheduled for today!

All About Rachel---Tiger's alleged mistress No. 1!

Rachel Uchitel admitted that she lied about having an affair with Tiger. She also claims that it was SHE--not 2nd Tiger alleged mistress, Jaimee Grubbs--who caused the fight between Tiger and wife Elin on Thanksgiving night. Apparently, about an hour before the fight, Uchitel and Tiger were texting one another when Elin confronted him about WHOM he was texting. An angry Elin grabbed the phone and called Rachel to confront her. Then, Elin and Tiger began to argue and the phone broke in the process.

Tiger and his reps were well-aware that Uchitel was lying since the story broke.

Jaimee Grubbs, mistress No. 2

Alleged mistress no.2 Jaimee Grubbs was reported to have received $150,000 from US Weekly for spilling her guts about her involvement with Tiger. In addition, according to Grubbs, Tiger offered to get her a condo and a "job" to manage the property. Hmmm. . . .

New Endorsement Deals for Tiger?

AshleyMadison, the popular adultery website, is offering Tiger $5M to endorse their website.

Vivid Entertainment will offer $1M to any woman who can prove she had an affair with Tiger and will sign her to a film contract.


Kalika Moquin, Tiger's alleged mistress no. 3, didn't know who Tiger was at first!

Kalika Moquin, mistress No. 3

Third mistress Kalika Moquin had no idea who Tiger was until a friend told her back in 2006. After she was given the info, she started "hooking up with him." Moquin is a PR manager for a number of hotspots in Las Vegas.

John Daly and Charles Barkley offer advice to Tiger

Golfer, John Daly, and basketball announcer and good friend, Charles Barkley, are offering Tiger some advice by urging the No.1 Golfer to "come clean and tell the world what happened on Thanksgiving day." There is some truth to what their saying because Daly and Barkley have had their share of trouble and have met the press "head on," despite their problems.

Barkley is also a close friend of Tiger, along with Michael Jordan. Barkley and Jordan did attend Tiger's wedding in 2004. The trio have hung out out together in the past and their exploits have been well-documented.

Maybe Tiger should take some advice from the former NBA star instead of sticking to his own stubborn principles.

The stakes for "Elin to stay" are going up

Gerald Posner of the Daily Beast reports that if Tiger wants to keep Elin as his wife, it will cost him $5M and up to $55M for two more years. The revised prenup agreement has been upgraded to a staggered schedule of payments to an upward of $75-80M if Elin stays for 7 more years!

When you think about it, it's cheaper than Elin divorcing Tiger and leaving with the kids, which will probably result in the No. 1 Golfer losing his precious endorsements. It has been reported that there are "moral clauses" in his endorsements and staying married and putting up a "good front" is the main priority here! An ugly divorce will utterly "wipe-out" those deals pronto!

Jesper Parnevik regrets introducing Elin to Tiger


Jesper Parnevik, expressed his thoughts on Tiger and it's NOT NICE. . .

Lastly, golfing colleague Jesper Parnevik, who introduced Tiger Woods to Elin Nordegren, is not happy with Tiger Woods in light of the affair scandal. Nordegren started working as a nanny for Parnevik in 2000. She was introduced to Woods in 2001 at the British Open, and then married him in 2004.

Parnevik said this to ESPN reporter Bob Harig:

"I would be especially sad about it since I'm kind of -- I really feel sorry for Elin -- since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with him. We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologize to her and hope she uses a driver next time instead of the 3-iron. It's a private thing of course," he said. "But when you are the guy he is, the world's best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff ... And maybe not just do it, like Nike says."

Parnevik is currently playing in Tiger's tournament The Chevron World Challenge this weekend.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!


Bob Arum, on the left of Manny Pacquiao and Trainer Freddie Roach, is still in P.I. getting the ok from Pac Man for a possible showdown in March with Pretty Boy!

(Inside Fights.com) Fight promoter Bob Arum is still in the Philippines seeking the ok from Manny Pacquiao about the proposed fight against Floyd Mayweather in March of next year.

What's at stake? The numbers of the Manny Pacquiao/Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather/Juan Marquez show a revealing look of what to expect in the fight to be proclaimed "boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter." The Pac Man/Cotto fight last month generated 1.25M pay-per-view buys with a total television gross of $70M while the Mayweather/Marquez fight in September generated 1.05M ppv buys with a gross of $52M.

Combine the two to together in a superfight next year and the record for the richest fight (Mayweather/De La Hoya 2.4M ppv buys with $134M in ppv revenue) may be broken!


Ron Wood. It hasn't been a particulary good week for anyone with the last name of Wood or Woods!

Rolling Stones guitarist Ron Wood, 62, was arrested for assaulting his 21 year-old girlfriend! Yikes! Hopefully, Wood didn't break a hip or pull a hamstring running after the poor child?

Police held him overnight and he made bail.


Adam Lambert. ABC shuts down all Lambert appearances!

Woah! ABC has it in for Adam Lambert! The network has cancelled Lambert appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and their New Year's Eve special!

This comes after Lambert was first cancelled from appearing on Good Morning America, after his controversial "man-kiss and putting a male dancer's face in his crotch" performance on the American Music Awards!

Now, if Adam would stick to singing (which he does extremely well), not this attention-grabbing stuff, he'll be fine!


Will Ferrell says landing a role to play Simon Cowell is "a dream job."

On The Ryan Seacrest Show, 102.7 KISS FM Los Angeles, it was revealed that Will Ferrell wants to be the one chosen to play Simon Cowell in a planned biopic of the snippy talent judge. Ferell considers portraying Cowell in a movie "a dream role."


The Grammy Awards. Music's version of the Academy Awards is set with its nominations for 2010!

Women rule the Grammys. At least for the Grammy Award nominations. Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Lady Ga Ga led the pack of nominees with 10, 8, and 6 nominations respectively. The controversy regarding Lady Ga Ga NOT up for the award for Best New Artist was remedied somewhat when she was nominated for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.


Beyonce. The Grammy's went "against the norm" with Beyonce leading with 10 nominations instead of this year's favorite Taylor Swift.

Other notable nominees include Jason Mraz, Kings of Leon, Katy Perry, Pink, Kanye West, and the Tings Tings.

The Grammy Awards will be on January 31, 2010 on CBS.

Here's the full list of Grammy nominees:

http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/52nd_show/list.aspx


Conrad Hughes Hilton is one lucky high-schooler!

While most high-school kids dream about driving a used car (I had a bug) or getting a new car (normally a Honda, Toyota, Ford, etc.,), Conrad Hughes Hilton , 15, is driving a $200,000 Bentley! The brother of Parish Hilton and great grandson of the Hotel Baron was seen at the wheel leaving Wolfgang Puck's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.


Governor Mike Sanford. The Governor may "get off" from his impeachment trial because the lawmakers "cut him a break."

(CNN) South Carolina Governor Mike Sanford, the one who went on a vacay for 2 weeks to see his mistress AND didn't tell anyone, can breathe a little easier at his impeachment trial because South Carolina lawmakers decided to "throw-out" 28 of the 37 charges against him.

This act will result in Sanford most likely to keep his job since some of the more serious offenses involving using taxpayers money to finance a trip to see his Argentinian mistress and using campaign funds no longer apply.

Have a strange feeling that these lawmakers are probably "fooling around" themselves and they don't want to prosecute "their own."


Josh Duhamel and Fergie. The couple has Tiger to thank, for taking the spotlight away from them after Duhamel's sex scandal!

Lost in the headlines of the Tiger's sex-scandal is the heartache of Fergie, who is distraught about her husband Josh Duhamel's affair with an Atlanta stripper. The National Enquirer showed a photo of Fergie and good friend Kate Hudson enjoying a night at LA restaurant Katsuya. Sources said that Hudson tried to console Fergie, who was venting about her husband's affair to the actress.

At the end of the night, Fergie, who was "downing a few drinks" had to be helped to her waiting SUV.


Fans from all-over were crying when The New Jersey Nets established a record for most losses to start a season!

0-18! The New Jersey Nets are now officially atop the leaderboard of having the most losses ever to start an NBA season, overtaking the LA Clippers and the Miami Heat. The Nets lost to last night to the Dallas Mavericks 117-101 setting the record. The team is still looking for its first win for majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov, the Russian billionaire.

Tom Barisse, the interim coach, took the loss and is probably saying, "Thanks Nets General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe for letting me take the loss and this dubious record."

Low-Budget/Independent/Foreign Films You Must See!

Debuting tomorrow are the big-budget films "Armored," "Brothers," "Up In the Air," and "Everybody's Fine." Alongside those heavily promoted films will be these small and independently-made films that usually have won independent and film-festival awards than those mass-marketed films. Go and see why.

Coming December 4: (At selected theatres only, films are limited release, dates and times are subject to change)

The Last Station - (R for scenes of sexuality and nudity) A literary bio pic of Russian author Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) in his later years. The film highlights the hedonistic author's ambivalence about having taken vows of poverty and chastity. With Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti, and James McAvoy.



Link

Serious Moonlight - (R for profanity) Meg Ryan stars as a high-powered attorney who duct tapes her adulterous husband (Timothy Hutton) to the toilet to prevent him from seeing a younger woman (Kristin Bell). Things get a bit complicated when the house is invaded by burglars.



Link

Breaking Point - (Rated R for nudity, drug use, and graphic violence) Tom Berenger plays a once-successful defense attorney who is attempting a comeback after his struggle with drug addiction. What complicates his return is a murder case that brings back his old demons.



Link

Big River Man - (Unrated) A documentary that films the exploits of Solvenian swimmer Martin Strel as he attempts to enter the Guiness Book of World Records by swimming the entire 3, 375 mile length of the Amazon river.



Link

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (all things that matter in Pop Culture!)

ALOHA FRIDAY (December 4, 2009)!

Division 1 & 2 Hawaii State Football Championships Today!!!!

Division 2 Championship: Iolani versus Kauai at 430PM Hawaii time

Division 1 Championship: Kahuku versus Kamehameha at 730PM Hawaii time

On OC 16, Pay-Per-View on Friday (game day) the price is $49.95.

Neighbor island customers get a discounted rate of $24.95.

It should be noted the PPV broadcast will be found on channels 260 and 1260 - not - 16 or 1016. Likewise webcast is on http://www.oceanic.com and not http://www.oc16.tv

Admission at Aloha Stadium is $12 for adults and $5 for students.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

WWE Confirms the Passing of Former WWE Wrestler Umaga (Eddie Fatu)!


RIP Eddie Fatu, aka as Umaga.

Former WWE Wrestler Umaga (Eddie Fatu) was found by his wife unable to breathe and bleeding from his nose in their Texas home. He was later hospitalized and died.

On its website, the WWE expressed its "deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu's family, friends and fans on his tragic passing".

Fatu was a member of the Anoa'i wrestling family. He was the cousin of wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, and also believed to be related to boxer David Tua.

World Cup Soccer Draw Pits US versus England!


The US Soccer team will face England in their World Cup opening match!

(AP) CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - The United States will face England at the World Cup for the first time since a famous upset 60 years ago, then play Slovenia and Algeria in the first round of next year's tournament.

The U.S. opens against England in Rustenburg on June 12, the teams' first World Cup matchup since the Americans' 1-0 victory at the 1950 tournament in Brazil.

The United States then meets Slovenia at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on June 18 and completes the first round on June 23 against Algeria in Pretoria. The U.S. has never played either nation.

"This is the best draw we've ever had in any World Cup," said former U.S. forward Eric Wynalda, now an analyst for the Fox Soccer Channel. "No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us."


American player Clint Dempsey (in white) played for Fulham in the Premiere League!

Several U.S. players are well known to England because they play in the Premier League, including goalkeeper Tim Howard (Everton), midfielder Clint Dempsey (Fulham), defenders Jonathan Spector (West Ham) and Jay DeMerit (Watford) and forward Jozy Altidore (Hull). U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra played for Fulham.

"It will be like a Premier League game," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "The USA is like a team you meet every week. It's better than meeting North Korea and a style of play you're not used to."

The game could feature a matchup of Los Angeles Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan playing for the U.S. against England midfielder David Beckham. Donovan shrugged his shoulders when the U.S. was picked to play England. "It never ends," he said - apparent reference to his connection to the English star.

"This is going to be awesome," Donovan said. "I can't wait. This is going to be great."


Landon Donovan with David Beckham cheering on his back. The LA Galaxy teammates will be playing for opposing countries in the first match (Donovan for the US and Beckham for England).

The U.S. has beaten England twice and lost seven times in nine meetings. The other victory was 2-0 in a 1993 exhibition at Foxborough, Mass. In the most recent matchups, England won 2-1 at Chicago's Solider Field in 2005 and 2-0 at Wembley last year.

The only official match between the teams was at the 1950 World Cup.

Manny Pacquaio Oks Fight for March 13, Deal Nearly Done!


Manny Pacquaio said okay to Arum's proposal!

Proposal goes back to Mayweather reps and everyone else involved for finalization

(LA Times) Manny Pacquaio has agreed to the date of March 13 for a superfight against Floyd Mayweather. Fight Promoter Bob Arum went to the Philippines earlier in the week to check with Pacquaio about the deal and Pacquaio approved it, with some additional requirements which the Promoter said won't be a problem.

Arum presented "what he thought was the best proposal he can bring" during a two-hour breakfast meeting with Pacquiao in Manila, said Michael Koncz, an adviser of the Philippine boxing idol.

"Manny has some additional requirements, requests, which Arum didn't think was a problem," Koncz said. "The requests of Manny were so realistic that Arum doesn't feel it's a problem and it's pretty much a done deal."

He said the contract still needs "fine tuning," declining to elaborate.

"We all believe that it will be done," he said.

In an interview with GMA television, Pacquiao said, "March 13 is OK."

Koncz, who is in charge of Pacquaio's boxing promotion company in Las Vegas, said that Pacquiao "is confortable" with the date. The March 13 date comes 4 months after his fight with Cotto which is enough time for Philippine boxer to get in shape, according to Koncz.

If the fight is made, a press conference in New York would most be likely scheduled on January 11 to announce it. The bout could be the richest ever, if pay per view projections are accurate.

Representatives of the Superdome in New Orleans and the new Dallas Cowboys' stadium have expressed interest in hosting the fight, as has the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas, where the fighters have fought their biggest fights. There is also a proposal for a 30,000-seat temporary stadium on the Las Vegas Strip across from the Wynn resort.

"Up In the Air" Wins National Board of Review Award for Best Picture!


George Clooney, in "Up In the Air" the actor plays a "corporate hit man" who fires people until his company does the "unthinkable!"

(Zimbio) If George Clooney's "Up In the Air" victory for "Best Picture" by the National Board of Review is any indication, the unreleased film (Opening today) should be a major contender at the Academy Awards next year. Keep in mind, "Slumdog Millionaire" and "No Country for Old Men" were also an NBR winners for best picture and each film later won an Oscar in the same category.

George Clooney also chalked up the Best Actor award.


"Invictus" is a film about South African President Nelson Mandela's life in 1995 during the fall of apartheid, his rise to the Presidency, and during the Rugby World Cup held in South Africa at the time.

Morgan Freeman (Best Actor) and Director Clint Eastwood (Best Director) picked up awards for their unreleased film (due out today as well), "Invictus."

Highly-acclaimed "Precious" was shut out of the top 10 of NBR's list of "best movies" but Best Breakthrough Performance was won by Precious star Gabourey Sidibe.

Other notable winners were Carey Mullian for Best Actress for the critically-acclaimed film "An Education," Woody Harrelson for Best Supporting Actor for "The Messengers," Jeremy Renner for Best Breakthrough Performance for An Actor in "The Hurt Locker," and Best Documentary went to the controversial film, "The Cove."

National Board of Reviews recognized these 10 films for excellence:

• An Education
• (500) Days of Summer
• The Hurt Locker
• Inglourious Basterds
• Invictus
• The Messenger
• A Serious Man
• Star Trek
• Up
• Where the Wild Things Are

For a full list of winners see:

http://www.zimbio.com/George+Clooney/ar ... Film+Award

Tiger News!


Elin and Tiger Woods. The couple is undergoing intense marriage-counseling since the accident!

(Tmz) Rumors of Rachel Uchitel cancelling her scheduled press conference yesterday because she accepted "hush, hush" money from Tiger are being denied. Sources said that Uchitel did not make a deal with Tiger and the reason she cancelled the ballyhooed press conference was because of: fear and secrets.

Uchitel is "fearing for her safety" because of what she knows about the golfer. She acknowledged that she knows about the "other women", other matters, and about Tiger's marriage. She made it clear that she does NOT fear Tiger but the other people who are involved in one way or another.

Michael Jordan

The man who identifies himself as "Tiger's mentor," Michael Jordan, was seen in Miami beach last night having dinner. You think maybe HIS AIRNESS been calling up his protege over the past few days?

Saved by the Bell?

Name is Bell. . . Bryon Bell. The ever reliable sidekick to a "sidebang," Bell, a childhood friend of Tiger, has been Tiger's coverman with Uchitel. It was Bell who bought the plane tickets and booked her room for Uchitel to join Tiger in Australia. He even flew with her on the flight! Wonder what conversation they had during the flight?

Bell is also the President of "Tiger Woods Design." (cough)

Ambien. . for that extra boost!

There are reports that Rachel Uchitel bragged to friends that Tiger liked to take the drug Ambien (used for sleep disorder) before having sex! Apparently, sex is better and crazier while in an Ambien daze! Woah!

Oh the horror, their Moms' Saw All of this "Go down!"

Yes, both Tiger's Mom and Elin's Mom were there during Thanksgiving! One neighbor said that he saw Tiger's Mom at the crash site when neighbors came to help her son.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!


The cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore." The controversial show debut last night and is already received complaints from Italian-American groups and a boycott from Dominos Pizza!

What MTV show is getting "everyone all worked up" and has raised the ire of an Italian-American Organization and caused Dominos Pizza to pull all ads? It's MTV's new reality-show "Jersey Shore," sort of like a "Real World meets Young Italian-Americans and Wanna-Be's" who live in a Jersey beach house. The participants were chosen by the network and refer to themselves as "guidos" and "guidettes" (some of them are NOT Italian) and are proud to represent their "lifestyle."

Let's just say this group fits every negative stereotype imaginable which is infuriating Italian-American groups! For those who haven't seen the show, imagine "The Hills" with a cast of muscled guys, bimbo girls, well-tanned bodies, lots of hair gel, partying, lots of drama, lots of yelling. . . . well, you get the picture!

After last night's debut episode of the reality show, UNICO National -- the "Largest Italian American Service Organization in the USA" -- claims they "can't keep up with the volume of calls" from "outraged" Italian Americans.

A UNICO rep added, "Italian Americans are OUTRAGED and they are helping us reach out to sponsors to ask them to stop advertising with MTV until they agree to pull Jersey Shore."

MTV released a statement about the protest:

“The show continues MTV’s history of documenting various subcultures, rites of passage of young people, and the ways they self-identify. The Italian-American cast takes pride in their ethnicity.”

Hah! For now, MTV is "soaking in" the bad publicity.


Kobe Bryant. The NBA superstar ended an interview when his good friend's name "Tiger" came up.

(ESPN) Tiger Woods considers LA Laker Kobe Bryant to be one of his closest friends. The two had dinner together in Orlando during the NBA Finals this year. When the subject of "Tiger" came up during an interview, Bryant abruptly ended the interview.


Steven Seagal. His show on A&E brought in a record-breaking amount of viewers!

Steven Seagal's new show, "Steven Seagal Lawman," on A&E brought in a record-breaking 3.5M viewers, making it the network's most watched original series premiere! Who knew? The man's got some pull!


The recent popularity of Werewolves in films has Fox and Dreamworks TV developing a show about these creatures!

(EW) Fox and Dreamworks TV are trying to ride the wave of popularity with "vampires and werewolves" by developing a series about werewolves! The show is a depiction of two warring Alaskan families who are werewolves. So far, the initial title of the series is "Howl."


Senator Bob Corker and his family. Daughter Julie is second from the left.

(ABC News) Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker's daughter Julie Corker , 22, was carjacked yesterday in Washington D.C.. Apparently, Corker was stopped at a red light in her SUV when a man approached her, tapped on her window, and looked like he was asking for directions. In a few seconds, the man grabbed her by the neck, opened the door, and threw her down from the vehicle. Then, the man took to the driver's seat and sped off.

Corker called the Police and with the SUV's Onstar device, and law enforcement officials were able to track down the vehicle and apprehend the suspect and a passenger at a Taco Bell. Julie is okay and suffered a sore neck.

Senator Corker recounted the many times he wanted to cancel Onstar but after this experience. . . he's keeping it.


Hulk Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel. Hope this one's the charm!

Legendary Wrestler Hulk Hogan (aka Terry Bollea) has announced his engagement to girlfriend Jennifer McDaniel. The couple met last year. Hopefully, this marriage will be better than the previous one.


Mark Neely, SD Padres announcer, a victim of an anomaly of "the old replacing the new."

(SportsbyBrooks) San Diego Padres fans were happy that legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg, 74, was hired as the new Padres announcer. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell the Padres brass that they already had an announcer, Mark Neely, who was under contract for the current season. Yikes!

In an old-fashioned remove-and-replace, the Padres pushed Neely aside and inserted Enberg who does not have a history with the Padres whatsoever! As for Enberg, who was notified of Neely's situation, he was quoted as saying, "I don't feel that I betrayed anyone."

Neely had worked himself from broadcasting in the minor leagues into the major leagues up until that time. Seems like Enberg didn't have anything better to do than to push "the simpleton" aside and literally take his job! That's showbusiness. . . and in the state of the Padres franchise. . . kind of pathetic like the product on the baseball field.


Michigan Coach Rich Rod likens his team's situation to victims of Hurricane Katrina!

College football coaches have to stop using "significant events" to describe a loss or to the status of their football programs (for example 'Bama Coach Nick Saban who in 2007 described his 3 losses to LSU, Miss. State and Louisiana-Monroe and made comparisons to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor). University of Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez compared his team's losing season to what happened to New Orleans and the Gulf area residents with Hurricane Katrina!

Rodriguez quote: "It’s really kind of ironic that the New Orleans Saints overcame the hurricane a few years back. And we’ve had a few hurricanes of our own. We had a big hurricane in August, and it kind of hit us like a ton of bricks. But you had 120 young men and a bunch of people on the staff that said this is not going to tear our program apart."

To all College football coaches, please don't liken your team's situation to a disastorous event! Keep it in perspective and stop making these asinine statements!


Audrina Patridge. "The Hills" star signs on for a 6th season of the MTV show, foregoing a chance for her own show!

"The Hills" fans rejoice cause Audrina Patridge has signed on for a sixth season of the MTV series, instead of branching out on her own in her own series. People are speculating why she did this, but it boils down to one thing----MONEY $$$$$$$$$


Tom Brokawa and wife Meredith were involved in a 3-car accident. Luckily, they were unhurt but another driver was killed!

Popular newsanchorman Tom Brokaw and his wife Meredith were involved in a fatal 3-car accident that occurred at 1pm EST in New York. The Brokaws were not hurt but a 28 year-old driver of an SUV died when she lost control of her car and was thrown from the vehicle.

The Brokaws posted a statement on their website about the accident: "Tom and Meredith are saddened by this loss of life."


American student Amanda Knox was found "guilty" today by an Italy jury for the murder of British student Meredith Kercher!

(People) American student Amanda Knox, who was accused of masterminding the death of British student Meredith Kercher, 21, in a sadistic sex-game gone awry in 2007, was found guilty by an Italian jury. The trial made headlines in Europe and the press potrayed the University of Washington student who was studying in Italy as an "amoral, pot-smoking, party-girl with an angelic-face."

Alleged to have co-conspired the murder with boyfriend Rafaelle Sollecito, 25, Knox exhibited bizarre behavior the day after the murder when questioned at the Police station. According to Kercher's friends, Knox did cartwheels, handstands, and kissing and joking with Sollecito, while the murdered victim's friends were crying and distraught. Knox explained that she does foolish things when she is nervous or uneasy.

According to authorities, Knox gave conflicting statements about her whereabouts on the night of the murder. Yet the prosecution was not able to link her conclusively to the killing through DNA. In a separate trial in October, 2008, Rudy Guede, a 20-year-old drifter from the Ivory Coast in Africa, was convicted of Kercher's murder and sentenced to 30 years.

Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

LAUGH TO THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!

Let's "Laugh to the Weekend" with Comedian Wanda Sykes and her favorite subject "Obama": (Warning: Explicit Language)



Link


Comedian George Lopez during his monologue on his late night show "Lopez Tonight" talks about Tiger Woods:



Link

Have a great weekend folks!!!!!!!

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!! (all things that matter in pop culture)

Monday (Dec. 6, 2009) stories developing. . . .

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

Elin Moves Out!


Elin Nordegren Woods has moved out of the Windermere mansion!

(Hollyscoop) Amid the reports that 10 women have been having an affair with her husband Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren Woods moved out of their Windermere mansion and staying at another home nearby, according to neighbors and sources.

Meanwhile, TMZ has reported that Tiger took Vicadin and Ambien before his November 27th crash. No word from the Florida Highway Patrol who closed the case a couple days before. If he did take those prescription drugs, that's clearly a DUI, in most cases. Tiger did refuse to take a blood test a day after the accident.

There are reports that 1st mistress Rachel Uchitel has simply disappeared after receiving $1-3M dollars from Team Tiger.

Story developing. . . .

"Blind Side" Takes Over No. 1 At Box-Office!


"The Blind Side." Audiences wanted "warm and fuzzy all over" and Sandra Bullock's film "fits the bill."

(Yahoo/John Young) Proving that Sandra Bullock is having the best year of her career, the football drama The Blind Side rose to first place at the box office this weekend with $20.4 million, according to early estimates by Hollywood.com Box Office. After settling for second place behind The Twilight Saga: New Moon the past two weeks, Blind Side showed its legs by dropping only 49 percent and overtaking the vampire phenomenon. Blind Side, which received mediocre reviews but obtained a rare “A+” rating from CinemaScore moviegoers, has reached a cumulative gross of $129.3 million. It should have no trouble passing The Proposal’s $164 million total to become Bullock’s biggest hit.

New Moon slid 63 percent in its third weekend, draining $15.7 million for second place. That puts the teenage romantic fantasy at $255.6 million, with an even scarier worldwide total of $570.1 million. In third place with $9.7 million was the new drama Brothers, starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman. Two family film holdovers occupied fourth and fifth place: A Christmas Carol (No. 4 with $7.5 million) and Old Dogs (No. 5 with $6.9 million). Carol, which debuted in early November to a somewhat disappointing $30.1 million, has since displayed admirable box-office stamina. Unfortunately for the Jim Carrey movie, James Cameron’s Avatar will be stealing most of Carol’s high-priced IMAX and 3-D screens on Dec. 18.


"Brothers,"a remake of 2004 Danish film, was a moderate success at the Box office.

With the exception of Brothers, the weekend’s other wide-release debuts were left in the dust. The heist movie Armored skidded into sixth place with $6.6 million, while the Robert De Niro holiday comedy Everybody’s Fine barely stuffed its stocking with $4 million — enough for tenth place. However, the weekend’s true lump of coal was the horror comedy Transylmania, which grossed a lifeless $274,000 from 1,007 theaters. Its per-screen average of $272 means that, at each theater, approximately 37 people attended Transylmania this weekend. If one figures that the movie played about five times per day, or 15 times the whole weekend, then each screening of Transylmania attracted an average of two or three moviegoers.

In limited release, the new George Clooney comedic drama Up in the Air showed no signs of turbulence, cashing in $1.2 million from just 15 theaters — an average of $79,000 per screen. The Oscar hopeful, which collected the National Board of Review’s best picture award last week, expands nationwide on Christmas Day.

The Daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley Attempts Suicide!


Alexa Ray Joel with her supermodel Mom Christie Brinkley.

(Daily Telegraph) THE daughter of Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley tried to kill herself by swallowing sleeping pills this past Saturday.

Ambulance turned up to Alexa Ray Joel's apartment after a female friend called emergency from a cellphone to report a possible overdose, reports the NY Post. Alexa was rushed to nearby St. Vincent's Hospital, where she was in stable condition, a family spokeswoman said. Her situation was not life-threatening and she was released last night, a source said.

The friend told 911 operators Alexa had taken eight pills and wanted to die, but felt funny and then wanted to live, sources said. When rescuers arrived, they found she was having difficulty breathing, Fire Department officials said. Brinkley rushed to be at her daughter's side when she heard the news while Joel never appeared although he was the one who kept reassuring the media that "his daughter was never really in danger." According to Perez Hilton, a friend of Joel said that he (Joel) never went to the hospital so that he could avoid making it a "circus atmosphere" and that he was in constant contact with the hospital.


According to Perez Hilton, her Dad Billy Joel was a "no-show" at the hospital!

The family has released no further details on the young woman's medical condition or her mental state. But Alexa, who has been through a series of bad breakups with her on-again off-again former boyfriend and bandmate Jimmy Riot, recently blogged about being a lonely singleton in the city.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!


Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, along with Wide Receiver Golden Tate, are NFL-bound!

(NFL) Not coming as a shock and probably expected by many College Football fans, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish duo of Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and Wide Receiver Golden Tate will forego their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft. Both junior players announced their intentions during a Monday press conference.

Clausen, ranked second in the nation in passing efficiency averaging 310 yards per game behind Boise State's Kellen Moore. Clausen acknowledged that the advice from fired Coach Charlie Weis helped in his decision. Tate, the 5 foot 11 inch wide receiver and ND's most reliable target this past season, finished 3rd in the nation in receiving yards per game (124.67) and 7th in catches per game (7.75) and is a favorite for College Football's Fred Bilitnekoff Award for wide receivers.

Both players are expected to go high in the NFL draft in their respective positions.


Actor John Stamos was a victim of an alleged extortion plot!

John Stamos was a victim of an alleged extortion plot from two Michigan residents Allison Coss and Scott Sippola who threatened to release some photos of the actor at a Florida party in 2004 unless he paid them $700,000!

FBI agents were able to arrest the two and found several photos of Stamos, paper's with the actor's cell phone number, and names and phone numbers of several tabloid magazines in their home. No description of what those pictures of Stamos contained.


Tiger Woods. Playboy's Hugh Hefner gave his endorsement of Woods, who is now reported to have seen 7 women!

(Perez Hilton) The "Tiger Woods list" has gone up to 7 women now, including a porn star! Porn star Holly Sampson is not denying the allegations about her and Tiger Woods and prefers to make a statement through her lawyer.

Oprah Winfrey has reportedly approached Tiger about talking about his side of the story on her show and offer him advice. PR experts are agreeing that he should go on and do some damage control!

Saturday Night Live parody of Tiger Woods

In addition, Saturday Night Live had their Tiger Woods skit featuring "Gossip Girl" actress and guest-host Blake Lively portraying Elin Nordegren Woods:

See the youtube video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI8lJlWs ... re=related[/youtube]


Shock Rocker Marilyn Manson gets "dropped" by Interscope Records!

Shock Rocker Marilyn Manson was dropped by record label Interscope Records! This comes after Manson's last album only sold 121,000 copies. Manson says he feels optimistic and that Interscope "restrained" his creative input in his music.


Singer Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer was injured in a tour bus crash!

(Nowpublic) Frontman Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer was injured in a crash yesterday morning when the band's tour bus slid on the icy New York thruway and crashed into a ditch. Cuomo suffered 3 broken ribs, lower leg injuries, and other internal injuries. Cuomo's family was on the bus but unhurt.

The band plans to cancel the remaining dates of their December tour while Cuomo recuperates.


Amy Adams. The actress is preggers with her first baby!

(Perez Hilton) Academy Award nominated actress Amy Adams (Julie and Julia, Night at the Musuem: Battle at the Smithsonian) is pregnant! Adams and her fiance Darren Legallo have revealed that they're expecting a baby in the coming months, but the couple has yet to reveal how far along Amy is.


Angelina Jolie is reported to be the No.1 earning actress in Hollywood today!

Angelina Jolie is reported to be the No.1 actress in Hollywood these days, pulling in a reported $40M for Wanted and Changeling. She is expected to make $20M for her upcoming roles in Salt and The Tourist.


(Left to right) Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Grace Bumbry, Dave Brubeck, and Bruce Springsteen are this year's Kennedy Center honorees.

(CNN) Legendary performers mingled with Washington heavyweights as the 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors paid tribute to five people on Sunday night.

"On a day like this, I remember, I'm the president, but he's 'The Boss,'" President Obama said as he saluted Bruce Springsteen. The singer and songwriter was honored for his lifetime of contributions to the performing arts, as were writer, composer, actor, director and producer Mel Brooks; pianist and composer Dave Brubeck; opera singer Grace Bumbry; and actor, director and producer Robert De Niro.

This year's celebration is to be shown in a two-hour special on CBS on December 29.


Megan Rickey and Cheyne Whitney were the winners of the 15th installment of the Amazing Race!

(People) The 15th Amazing Race came to an end when Megan Rickey and Cheyne Whitney crossed the finish line in Las Vegas on last night's finale. “The experience is life-changing and the money is not even as important as what we got to do together,” Cheyne explained in his post-win interview segment.

Second place went to the gay brothers from Missouri, Dan, 21, and Sam McMillen, 23, who managed to succeed on “Operation Don’t Kill Each Other.” “We got to see the world and we got to do it together,” Sam said from the final mat. And, Mr. and Miss America Ericka Dunlap, 27, and Brian Kleinschmidt, 27, of Nashville, Tenn., came in third. The interracial husband and wife both cried when Keoghan asked if she thought her family would accept him now.


Brad Pitt, along with Summit Entertainment, is developing a film about the legend of Dracula!

Riding on the wave of their Twilight Sage franchise, Summit Entertainment, and actor Brad Pitt are developing an action-oriented take on Dracula. The story centers around Dracula when he was first known as a young prince, Vlad the Impaler. Vlad's surname Dracul inspired the name of Bram Stoker's horror classic Dracula.

The stories of Vlad the Impaler are about his evil methods of torture during his "reign" in Hungary and the legend of being a vampire. Pitt is planning to produce the project and no word if he will star in it as well.

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all things that matter in pop culture!)

Tuesday (Dec. 8, 2009) stories developing. . . .

UPDATE: Eddie Aikau:


Florida's Kelly Slater leads the first round of the Eddie Aikau Contest. There will be one more round this afternoon!

(Honolulu Advertiser/Dayton Morinaga) Kelly Slater in 1st, Jones 2nd. . . . event is near the end.

Slater, a nine-time former world champion, won the Eddie Aikau contest in 2002.

The Eddie Aikau contest is running today for the first time in five years. Wave-face heights are in the 35- to 45-foot range.

UPDATED: (3:52PM HST)

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Eddie Aikau Big-Wave Surf Contest is On!


Hawaii's much-anticipated event, The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surfing Contest, is happening right now at Waimea Bay!

(Honolulu Advertiser) The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau big-wave surfing contest is running today at Waimea Bay for the first time in five years.

The event began at 8 a.m. and will run throughout the day.

Wave-face heights were in the 30- to 40-foot range early this morning, but it is expected to build as high as 50 feet throughout the day.

The contest runs only when wave-face heights are consistently reaching 40 feet at Waimea Bay. Because of that strict standard, the contest has been completed just seven times in its previous 24 years.

The last time it ran was December 2004, when Kauai's Bruce Irons won it.

The Irons brothers — Andy and Bruce — are expected to compete today, along with Kelly Slater, Sunny Garcia, Brian Keaulana, Shane Dorian, Michael Ho and other top big-wave surfers from around the world.

Hundreds of spectators were already gathered at Waimea Bay at 6 a.m. today in anticipation of the start of the contest.

A live television broadcast of the contest is available on Oceanic digital channel 250 (HD channel 1250). A live Web cast is also available at http://www.quiksilver.com/eddie.

You can also catch The Advertiser's livestreaming of the surf meet at:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/ ... livestream

Hollywood Shorts!!!!



Link
Robert Downey Jr. had a great time putting down his foot and hands in cement at the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood!

(ET Online) Actor Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man and the upcoming "Sherlock Holmes" opening Christmas Day) was honored and immortalized when he had his feet and hands cemented at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard yesterday. His prints are located next to Hollywood "immortals" Judy Garland, John Wayne, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart.

Despite the rain, Downey appeared to have a great time during the induction and acting "goofy" during the process. He enjoyed the moment with his wife Susan and mother.


ESPN Baseball analyst Peter Gammons is leaving the network!

(Star Tribune) ESPN Baseball analyst Peter Gammons will be leaving the sports network after this week's winter meetings!

Said Gammons: "My decision to leave ESPN and move on at this point in my life has been conflicted. I owe a great deal of my professional life to ESPN, having spent more than half of my 40 years in journalism working for the network, and the choice to move on was made with nothing but the strongest feelings for the people with whom I worked. ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am."

Sources say Gammons wanted a new challenge and a less-demanding schedule.


Elin Nordegren Woods. Speculation is raised when news of Elin buying a house in Sweden surface!

(NY Daily News) Reports that Elin Nordegren Woods purchased a house in Sweden "two weeks ago" which coincides with TIGER'S ACCIDENT that took place 13 days ago and the day before the story of Rachel Uchitel in the National Enquirer hit the stands! Hmmmm. . . .

Sources say that Elin purchased the house along with twin sister Josefin, NOT Tiger, according to Poppe Linge of HPG, a Swedish news service. Any chance that Elin might go back to her homeland with the kids? It sure looks that way.


Elin Woods' Mother, Barbro Holmberg, was rushed to the hospital after complaining of stomach pains!

Tmz reports that Tiger Woods' mother-in-law Barbro Holmberg was taken to the hospital after a 911 call was made from Woods' home. Holmberg complained of chest and stomach pains and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Goodness, this happens just a day after daughter Elin moved out of Tiger's house. Furthermore, Elin's Mother had just arrived into the country after taking a week's leave as county governor in Gavleborg, Sweden to be with her daughter during this stressful time. Oh my!

She is currently listed in stable condition.

UPDATE: (12:08pm PST) TMZ reports that Ms. Holmberg was released from the hospital an hour ago and in good condition, according to the hospital spokesperson. Holmberg was admitted due to stomach discomfort.


Tiger Woods. He's learning a hard lesson about the trappings of being a celebrity!

New information about Tiger Woods' stay at Health Central Hospital on November 27th revealed that he was admitted because of an overdose. Woods had trouble breathing and was using a breathing tube.

Was it from the effects from taking Ambien and Vicodin? We'll never know.


Martina Navratilova is being sued by her business partner/lesbian lover!

(Fox News) Former tennis champ turned broadcaster Martina Navratilova is embroiled in an ugly split with her lesbian lover and business partner Toni Layton. Earlier this year, Layton filed suit against the tennis player for dumping her and leaving her with nothing. In 2002, Layton was appointed the grantor and trustee of her "wife's estate" but according to court documents, Navratilova claims that Layton "abused her power" and "engaged in unauthorized actions."

Layton is fighting back and suing Navratilova. "Nine years ago in their promise ceremony they agreed to share their lives, careers and the fruits of their business relationship," said Layton's attorney, Ray Rafool. Rafool said that he intends to sue Navratilova for well over a million dollars based on the tennis star's assets. However, her attorney claims that Navratilova's legal counsel have blocked his client from determing the value of Navratilova's total assets.

Navratilova's legal team said that Layton's claims are "meritless" and that Layton is the one who owes Ms. Navratilova.

The tennis champ has filed motions for protective orders to prevent any information from leaking to the press and to block the press from appearing at all depositions.


Sarah Palin, almost done in by "dirty rotten tomatoes!"

Sarah Palin, who was at a book signing yesterday at the Mall of America in Minnesota, was attacked by a man who tried to throw 2 tomatoes at her but the intended throw was short 10 feet and instead hit two Police officers in the face! The man, Jeremiah Wobbe, was arrested and booked for assault and disorderly conduct for attempting to throw 2 tomatoes at the former Alaskan Governor.

Amazingly, authorities found 2 more tomatoes on his body.


Comedian Pauly Shore and his brother Peter are involved in a fight over the family fortune!

(Perez Hilton) Comedian Pauly Shore is suing his brother Peter for being negligent in the care of their Mother, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease. In addition, the three are directors of the legendary Comedy Store and Pauly is suing Peter for improperly removing him (Pauly) from the Board of Directors as well as skimping on the books!

Pauly is claiming that Peter hasn't provided tax returns and cash flow reports in the past 36 months and he wants to see those financial records!

This sounds like a fight over the family fortune between the two!


Bryant Gumbel reveals he has cancer!

Former Today show host and HBO Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel has just revealed that he has cancer! On Live! With Regis and Kelly, where he is co-hosting with Kelly Ripa, Gumbel said that just had surgery last month to relieve a malignant tumor in his chest. He said that he kept his disease a secret from his Real Sports staff and that only a few friends and family know about his condition.


Former Cardinals Manager and new Hall of Famer, Whitey Herzog, says "Mark McGwire needs to open up."

(Boston Herald) Former St. Louis Cardinals Manager Whitey Herzog said to the media at the Baseball Winter Meetings that if Mark McGwire is going to be installed as the Cardinals hitting coach, "he's going to need to 'open up (about his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs).'" There are rumors that the former home-run hitting champ may balk at accepting the offer as hitting coach for the Cardinals because of the media, should he return back to baseball as a coach.


Mark McGwire, hasn't spoken about Performing Enhancing Drugs since his congressional hearing.

"It’s going to be tough because Mark has to open up and he has to be real honest with the press. He’s got to answer," Herzog said.

"And Tony (Cardinals manager Tony La Russa) can’t get mad about it. He’s got to put up with it."

Herzog said that if McGwire didn’t address the issues before the season, the matter would follow him to every city in the National League.

Since his infamous congressional hearing, McGwire has been reluctant to talk about the issue of PEDS.


Actress Uma Thurman and fiance Arpad Busson have split!

(Perez Hilton) Uma Thurman (Kill Bill 1 & 2) won't be taking a walk down the aisle for the third time afterall! The actress and fiance Arpad Busson have called it quits after being engaged for almost a year and a half.

Why the two have split is yet to be confirmed, but the New York Post is reporting that Arpad lost a lot of money in the Madoff ponzi scheme, which caused some tension between the two.


Lindsay Lohan. Seriously folks!

Lindsay Lohan wants to be taken seriously and she's doing something about it! Lohan will be travelling to India to film a documentary about the trafficking of women and children in the country. She hopes that the film will help others and in the process help herself "heal" as well.

Okay Lindsay, do the film AND also stop the drama surrounding your love-life and your family, restart your film career, and go back to REHAB and maybe. . . just maybe. . . we'll take you seriously.


Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has a restraining order filed against him!

(Baltimore Sun) Baltimore Ravens Terrell Suggs may be out with a knee injury but he has something new to worry about because his fiancee Candace Williams, 26, has filed a restraining order against the NFL player! Why? Williams said that Suggs threw a soap dispenser at her, hit her in the chest with his hand, held a bottle of bleach over her and their 1 year-old son which spilled on them and caused a rash. Baltimore judge Ronald Karasic wrote in court documents that there was a laceration that was visible on Williams' chest. Williams also mentioned that there have been "past injuries."

Suggs has NOT been arrested and claimed on Saturday that he and Williams were NOT involved in a relationship. Court records indicate that the Department of Social Services has gotten involved in the matter.

The Baltimore Ravens organization said that they will discuss matters with Suggs so that "he can tell his side of the story."


CBS announces that soap "As The World Turns" will be cancelled September 2010.

Long-time Soap "As the World Turns" (ATWT) will suffer the same fate as its sister show "The Guiding Light" which was cancelled this past September. ATWT's run of 54 years will end next September when CBS plans to air the final episode.

Ah the end of an era. . .


Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham was released by the team after missing a crucial field goal against the Saints!

(Football News) After missing a crucial 23 yard chip-shot field goal that would've "sealed the fate" of the New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham was released by the team.

With minutes remaining and with the Redskins leading 30-23, Suisham blew the 23 yard field goal that would've made the score 33-23 and defeat the Saints at Fedex Field and restore some pride to an embattled organization. Instead, the missed field goal gave the opportunity for the Saints to eventually tie the game with a touchdown and win in overtime. Suisham had been with the Redskins for two years.

Suisham will be replaced by former Florida State kicker Graham Gano.


The Dodge Challenger was "best loved by its owners" according to a Consumer Reports' survey!

(CNN) The Dodge Challenger, the Chrysler Group's retro-styled muscle car, is the car best loved by its owners, according to Consumer Reports' survey of 380,000 readers of its magazine and Web site.

"Ninety-two percent of Challenger owners said they would definitely buy another one given the same opportunity," reads an article in the influential magazine's January issue.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid ranked second in the magazine's "Predicted Owner Satisfaction" survey, with 91% of owners saying they would buy another. The Prius dropped to fifth place in the survey this year, behind the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911.

The survey -- which asks car owners "considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?" -- tends to favor vehicles that people purchase for design, driving performance, or other emotional reasons rather than to simply fill practical needs.


Pacquaio versus Mayweather finalized deal could be announced as early as next Monday!

(ESPN) Manny Pacquaio signed the deal for his fight with Floyd Mayweather on March 13, 2010 last Friday and now it's all up to "Pretty Boy" to finalize it. Reuters reports that the finalized deal could be announced as early as Monday December 14, once a venue has been selected. The deal calls for a "50-50" split of the money on what is expected to be the top grossing pay-per-view fight ever, which is the 2.44M buys for the De La Hoya vs Mayweather fight in 2007.

Pacquaio is expected to train in the city of Baguio, Philippines for the first half of training and then travel to Wild Card Gym in Hollywood for the final weeks of preparation.

WHO IS SUING MICHAEL JACKSON?


Michael Jackson is deemed a "homewrecker" after leaving the Las Vegas mansion he rented in "shambles."

It's been awhile. . . . one week. . . since we last posted something but this one comes from a Las Vegas mansion owner who said that his past renter Michael Jackson left his home in shambles! Aner Iglesias is demanding $234,000 from Michael Jackson's estate to repair damages to the interior and exterior of the L.V. estate and to replace the phone and alarm system.

Iglesias said THAT ($234k) is just an estimate and that may go up! Oh really?

Yep, time to file THAT claim to the stack of I.O.U's. NEXT!!!!!!!

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Wednesday (December 9, 2009) "hump day" stories developing. . . .

Greg Long Wins Eddie Aikau Surf Contest!


File photo: Californian Greg Long wins the prestiguous big wave event that hasn't had "ideal conditions" since 2004!

(Quicksilver.com) After 25 years with most of those spent waiting, Waimea Bay delivered an event of legendary proportions today at the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy. It was 25 years to the day since the first "Eddie" was held and waves of up to 50 feet poured in to Oahu's North Shore as if on cue. With younger brother Clyde still in the lineup, at age 60, joined by the contemporary top guns of big wave riding, a packed arena celebrated every gutsy ride in brilliant sunshine befitting of a tribute to local hero Eddie Aikau.

When all was said and done, it was California's Greg Long, 26, (San Clemente) who made a late charge in the final heat of the day to claim the $55,000 winner's purse. Long committed to an unbelievable never-say-die attack, securing all four of his top scores - several of them death-defying and one of them a perfect 100-point ride, in macking 40- to 50-foot waves. It was the high point of his career to-date - pretty incredible given that he only rode Waimea for the first time this week.


Waimea's 40-50 foot waves brought crowds and traffic to the north shore!

"I'm so happy just to be here, invited into the biggest event of big waves in the world with all my heroes, I'm so excited," said Long.

"It's a dream come true for me. Riding big waves is my passion and I've been following The Eddie since I knew exactly what it was, I was probably 12-years-old just getting into surfing. Since then, I've had every single poster from Brock Little to Bruce Irons on my wall. I look to those guys for inspiration and to be standing up here with Sunny (Garcia) and Kelly Slater is a dream come true for me. I never would have thought that this is my first year surfing the event and to come away with a victory is really a childhood dream become real.

"I'm still standing here in awe and I want to go check the scores to make sure someone isn't going to come here and take this away.

"It really is about the wave and celebrating the ocean. It's what we do: go out there and ride big waves. The respect and camaraderie in the lineup you don't find in too many places in the world, and this event really encapsulates everything that's great about surfing: the friendships you make in the water and looking out for one another."


Chilean Ramon Navarro won the "monster drop award!"

The Monster Drop Award, for the most hellacious-but-successful takeoff of the contest, went to Chile's Ramon Navarro, who also finished fifth overall. This is his first time as an invitee into the event. Navarro's winning wave was one of the last of the competition; a huge, seemingly endless drop on his backhand, followed by a detonation of whitewater that he emerged from and then stuck with all the way to the beach. He earned a perfect 100 points.

Navarro first came in 2004 to surf Waimea with an invitation from good friend and fellow contestant today, Kohl Christensen. He baked empanadas and sold them to pay his rent and learn the ropes. Today was pay day. Navarro won $10,000 for the Monster Drop Award, and $2,000 for fifth place. It was a great result for someone who almost didn't surf today after his pregnant wife was accidentally injured on the beach.

"This is a dream for me," said Navarro. "I want to say thank you to Kohl Christensen, Dusty Middleton and all the crew because those are the guys that invited me here and taught me how to surf The Bay. I appreciate everything from these guys."


Florida's Kelly Slater was seemingly in charge of the event until a late push by Greg Long!

Nine-time world champion Kelly Slater (Florida, USA), who won here back in January of 2002, placed second after leading the score board from the first second heat of the day. Long turned the tables on him in the final hour of competition. All Slater could do was look on in as much disbelief as the frenzied crowd who were at that point ready to celebrate with anyone. Slater earned $10,000. Third was Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, earning $3,000. Fourth was defending Eddie champion Bruce Irons (Kauai), $3,000.

Navarro's buddy Christensen can lay claim to the most devastating wipeout of the day that remains burned in every mind here today. He also posted several solid scores, but a wipeout like his is as unforgettable as a win.

The call to wait for today and the ensuing result was mind-boggling, especially since many were questioning not running yesterday in 40-foot surf. By afternoon, all concerned were stunned that 79-year-old contest director and big wave icon George Downing had kept his cool so well and timed it perfectly for a second peak in swell energy. The past 48 hours of massive surf is the largest sustained episode to hit the Hawaiian Islands in 40 years.

From the moment the event was declared "on" at dawn, to the final gut-wrenching wipeouts that came with the peaking swell of afternoon, the air was filled with salt spray and adrenaline. Not a square foot of sand or lava rock was empty as a capacity crowd of over 50,000 packed the natural amphitheater of Waimea Bay to experience the pairing of Mother Nature and the men who ride her mountainous surf.

The insane wipeouts that dropped like dominoes, the hairball air drops and perfect scores, the 28 surfers of the event who put their lives on the line in honor of Aikau today - it all made for the greatest day of the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau's history.


The legendary Eddie Aikau

Waimea Bay's best known big-wave rider and first life-guard, Eddie Aikau, was smiling down on his successors today. Along with the surfers, he would have admired Hawaiian Water Patrol for keeping the lineup and the surfers safe all day yesterday and today. There is no greater collection of guardian angels of the sea than the lifeguards of the North Shore.

Everyone came out in support of Hawaii's big wave gift to the world, including football: The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, along with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Oahu Visitors Bureau came together with support that enabled highlights of the day to reach all four corners of the globe.


Kelly Slater pumps his fist in triumph after getting through a monstorous wave!

Mahalo to Hawaii's Oceanic Cable, who along with the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing took today's action live, all day, throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

FUEL TV will air a one-hour highlight show in the United States: 6:30pm PT/9:30pm ET on Friday, December 11, 2009. The show will re-air several times over the weekend.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau, Fueled by Monster Energy, is the only ASP sanctioned big wave event in the world.

RESULTS: Listed in order of 1st through 28th

Greg Long (California)
Kelly Slater (Florida)
Sunny Garcia (Hawaii)
Bruce Irons (Hawaii)
Ramon Navarro (Chile) * Monster Drop Award
Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia)
Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii)
Mark Healey (Hawaii)
Garret McNamara (Hawaii)
Noah Johnson (Hawaii)
Shane Dorian (Hawaii)
Makuakai Rothman (Hawaii)
Reef McIntosh (Hawaii)
Andy Irons (Hawaii)
Grant Baker (Hawaii)
Carlos Burle (Brazil)
Kohl Chrtistensen (Hawaii)
Kala Alexander (Hawaii)
Peter Mel (USA)
Takayuki Wakita (Japan)
Ibon Amatriain (Spain)
Clyde Aikau (Hawaii)
Keone Downing (Hawaii)
Mike Ho (Hawaii)
Darryl 'Flea' Virostko (USA)
Brian Keaulana (Hawaii)
Rusty Keaulana (Hawaii)
Pancho Sullivan (Hawaii)

Tiger Woods' Sponsorship Death Watch!


Tiger Woods' marketability is sinking as the list of women grows!

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- As Tigergate continues to unfold, the million-dollar question -- actually, make that the billion-dollar question -- remains: Will his sponsors stick around?

Chief among Woods' accomplishments is that he's the first athlete said to hit a billion in career earnings -- but most of that kitty comes from endorsements. According to Sports Illustrated, Woods' on-course earnings amounted to only 7% of the nearly $100 million he took home in 2008.

So far, Woods' boosters, including Gillette, Accenture, Nike (NKE, Fortune 500), and Electronic Arts (ERTS), are all still on board. Gatorade, owned by PepsiCo (PEP, Fortune 500), caused a brief stir yesterday when it announced it would discontinue selling Gatorade Tiger Focus in 2010.

But so far, that seems to be unrelated to recent events; the news was first reported in the November 25 issue of Beverage Digest, several days before the golfer's Thanksgiving-day accident that triggered the revelations. (Indeed, Tiger Focus may be the one bust in the world of Woods endorsements: according to Beverage Digest editor John Sicher, sales of the drink were down 34% through October 2009.)


Tiger Woods' ad with Gillette has been a "no-show" on television lately.

Gatorade spokeswoman Jennifer Schmit declined to comment to Fortune on Gatorade's relationship with Woods going forward, but the company released a statement that "Tiger and his family have our support as they work through this private matter."

Tiger's other brands are standing by their man, too. "Nike supports Tiger and his family," was the official statement from the sports brand, which is said to pay him more than $30 million a year.

Electronic Arts, maker of Woods' eponymous best-selling video games, declared its unequivocal support too: "Our strong relationship with Tiger for more than a decade remains unchanged. We respect Tiger's privacy, we wish him a fast recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on the golf course."

Despite the claims of solidarity, though, some observers have begun an endorsement-deal deathwatch. As the number of women with whom Woods is linked grows each day -- and he refuses to address the escalating situation -- it becomes increasingly difficult for sponsors to position him as a credible frontman. Indeed, according to media tracker Nielsen, the last time a commercial featuring Tiger Woods appeared on television was Nov. 29.


One of Tiger's many Accenture ads. . . did Tiger ever foresee his "fall from grace."

It's no wonder, since the ads now drip with irony. Taglines in Woods' ads for Accenture offer such life lessons as, "It's what you do next that counts" and "The road to high performance isn't always paved." Watchmaker Tag Heuer has featured Woods in ads that ask the newly relevant question, "What are you made of?"

But Gillette may win the award for unintended innuendo. In an all-star ensemble campaign for the megabrand, owned by Procter & Gamble (PG, Fortune 500), Woods appears with Roger Federer and soccer star Thierry Henry as dapper men about town, sporting black suits and sly expressions.

In a related feature on Gillette.com, Woods reveals that one of his favorite gadgets is his "phone for texting." He also appears in a blurb about the importance of pre-game rituals, "whether it's getting ready for the big game or the big night out."

A spokesman for Gillette said it is not making any changes to its existing marketing plans and that the company does not comment on future marketing plans.

No one can predict the breaking point for Woods' sponsors. Whether the number of women is 12 or 20, his character has been irreparably tarnished. But it's still unclear if his indiscretions have the potential to completely negate his accomplishments.

Some observers look to past examples, like NBA stars Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, for evidence that Woods could survive this by reaffirming his dominance on the golf course.

Jordan had multiple affairs -- allegedly paying one paramour $250,000 to keep quiet -- and admitted to gambling debt, and his reputation and endorsements remained intact.


Tiger's mentor Michael Jordan was "adept" at keeping his extra-marital affairs a secret and his image intact!

After being accused of rape in 2003, Kobe Bryant lost some of his endorsements, including McDonald's (MCD, Fortune 500) and Nutella. But Nike held on, and though it stopped promoting him, the company started using him again in 2005 after he started playing well again. Last year, Bryant signed a high-profile deal with VitaminWater and took in $35.5 million in total, according to Sports Illustrated.

But there is no real precedent for Woods, the one-man, worldwide, billion-dollar brand. Bruce Lucker, president of Signature Golf, a marketing company serving the golf industry, says sponsors will think long and hard before they give Tiger up if only for one reason: a competitor might jump to sign him.

"Accenture picked up Tiger, so KPMG picked up Phil [Mickelson]," Lucker points out. "Gillette's thinking, 'If I give him up, he's going to Schick.'"

More likely, Lucker says, is that Woods' existing sponsors will use the scandal the way any savvy dealmaker would: as leverage. Woods' endorsers, he suggests, could try to negotiate new deals with lower costs and more access. "Then they'll just reframe how they use him."


Kobe Bryant is proof that one can rebuild one's image. Keep in mind, Bryant was only busted for his affair with ONE woman!

Whatever happens, the scandal could leave a permanent mark on the marketability of golf in general. Marketers say the sport and its athletes are often sought out by big brands precisely because of its mannerly image and the perception that its athletes are better behaved.

"Fundamentally, golf is about honesty and the integrity of the player and calling penalties on yourself," says Lucker. "That's why sponsors choose to support golf instead of the NFL or NBA where these guys are constantly getting into trouble."

UPDATE: Elin and Tiger May Move to Sweden!


The twin sisters Elin and Josefin Nordegren made a saavy move to buy a home in Sweden. . . but they have to take that guy with them!

(Fox News) Hollie McKay of Fox News reports that Elin's twin sister/attorney Josefin Nordegren and Mom Barbaro Holmbeg will not go home to Sweden without Elin and the kids. . . and Tiger. The trip is reported to be just for the holidays and to get away from the media spotlight. As reported, Elin and Josefin purchased a $2M mansion on a private island just outside of Stockholm that is accessibly only by ferry.

There was speculation that Elin and the kids would move to Sweden without Tiger but doing that without the "World's Greatest Golfer's" approval would be impossible. Thus, the reason why Tiger is included in the "family getaway," according to McKay.

Lucky no. 13

Sources say that the number of women who have slept with Tiger is now at 13, including two porn stars! Holly Sampson, was the first porn star to "come out" and now we're hearing Joslyn James has been added to the mix!

Trump, Rodman, and Hefner!

Donald Trump, Dennis Rodman, and Hugh Hefner have stepped forward to support Tiger! So far, no NBA or NFL players and members of Congress have given' their "ringing endorsement" (where's former Seattle Supersonic 'baller Shawn Kemp when you need him?)!

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!


Major controversy at the United Nation's Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen!

(Chinaview) The UN Copenhagen climate talks are in disarray after developing countries reacted furiously to leaked documents that show world leaders will next week be asked to sign an agreement that hands more power to rich countries and sidelines the UN's role in all future climate change negotiations.

The document is also being interpreted by developing countries as setting unequal limits on per capita carbon emissions for developed and developing countries in 2050; meaning that people in rich countries would be permitted to emit nearly twice as much under the proposals.

The draft text obtained by the Guardian newspaper in Britain is likely to have changed considerably since it was issued on Nov. 27 but it has already created a rift between those attending the Copenhagen Climate Change conference.

Three hours after the "Danish text" had been leaked to the Guardian, Lumumba Di-Aping, the Sudanese chairman of the group of 132 developing countries known as G77 plus China, spelt out exactly why the poor countries he represents were so incensed. "The text robs developing countries of their just and equitable and fair share of the atmospheric space. It tries to treat rich and poor countries as equal," Di-Aping said.

The text is a draft proposal for the final political agreement that should be signed by national leaders including Barack Obama and Gordon Brown at the end of the Copenhagen summit on Dec. 18. It was prepared in secret by a group of individuals known as "the circle of commitment" but understood to include the US and Denmark.

Despite the controversy Di-Aping said that the G77 remained committed to the talks. "We will not walk out of the talks at this late hour, because we will not allow the failure of Copenhagen. But we will not sign an inequitable deal; we will not accept a deal that condemns 80 percent of the world population to further suffering and injustice."


Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen have a brand new BOY!

New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel/wife Gisele Bundchen are the proud parents of a BOY! Bundchen gave birth yesterday and no name has been released yet. This is Brady's second son (he and Bridget Moynahan have a 2 year-old son Jack).


Nicolas Cage's Babymama, Christina Fulton, and their son Weston.

Nicolas Cage is being sued by his Babymama Christina Fulton for $13M! Fulton is reputed to be "homeless" because she was told by the actor that the house she was living in was HERS, but that wasn't the case when she tried to sell it and found out the property was still under Cage's name! She was advised in September that she had 60 days to vacate the property. AND, Fulton said that because she gave up her acting career for Cage and gave birth to their son Weston, she should be compensated for her great sacrifice. . . .

Unfortunately, Fulton seems to have been "living under a rock" all this time because Cage is broke and selling all his homes and whatever assets to pay the IRS. He is also suing his former Money Manager Sam Levin for "mishandling his (Cage) assets!"

As if Cage doesn't have enough problems. . . .


Nicky Hilton. Her Hollywood Hills home was robbed!

Paris' sister Nicky Hilton reported to Police that her Hollywood Hills home was burglarized! Police reported that Hilton's laptop and her Lalique crystal were taken!

Let's hope Hilton didn't have scandalous files in her laptop!


George Michael. He's feuding again with his concerned friend, Elton John!

Pop singer George Michael and Elton John are "going at it" AGAIN! Seems that Elton was quoted in an interview that he wanted to help Michael, who has been reported to be abusing drugs again and having unprotected anonymous sex. Michael said, "he (Elton) should shut his mouth and get on with his own life."

Elton's partner David Furnish said that Elton meant no harm in his quote and it was in response to Michael's friends who have told him and Elton about Michael being in a "bad state."


Tiger Woods. No Congressional Award for Tiger!

Tiger Woods was supposed to receive the Congressional Gold Medal from the U.S. Congress which is one of the nation's highest awards given to a civilian, but in light of the scandal, a lawmaker said that it wouldn't be appropriate to give the award at this time.

California Lawmaker Joe Baca released a statement:

"In light of the recent developments surrounding Tiger Woods and his family, I will not pursue legislation awarding him the Congressional Gold Medal this session."

Baca had previously submitted a bill to give Woods the award in recognition of his "service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship, and in breaking barriers with grace and dignity by showing that golf is a sport for all people."

Oh boy.


Kobe Bryant, Vanessa, and his two girls. Kobe's exclusive neighborhood was the sight of a violent "home invasion." So far, two suspects have not been caught!

If there's anyone that can stop Laker Kobe Bryant---besides wife Vanessa---it might be 5 armed robbers! Bryant had a good excuse for not coming to morning practice today because one of his neighbors in his Newport Beach neighborhood was a victim of a "home invasion" that involved 5 armed robbers and 3 residents being struck in the head. All the neighbors, including the NBA player, were called when 2 men escaped from police and they were warned to lock their doors and be on the lookout for the 2 suspects!

As of now, the 2 suspects have not been caught!


Miranda Cosgrove (middle), with Jeanette McCurdy and Nathan Kress, of ICarly is the "Queen of the Tweens!"

Further proof of who is the "Queen of the Tweens," (between Disney's Hannah Montana and NickTV's ICarly), it's Miranda Cosgrove of Nickelodeon TV's "ICarly!" The one hour special "IQuit, ICarly" brought in an incredible 8.8M viewers!

IQuit, ICarly is the third highest-rated cable show for this week behind ESPN's Monday Night Football and USA's Monk! Wow!



Link
Oklahoma's Danny Cahill wins $250K on the season finale of "The Biggest Loser!"

(Right Celebrity) On the season finale of NBC's "Biggest Loser," landscaper and musician Danny Cahill, 40, from Oklahoma took the top prize of $250,000 for losing more than 55.5% of his body weight, losing 239 pounds in the process! As always, the top winner was totally unrecognizable from his before pictures to his present photo! Cahill went from 430lbs to his present 191lbs!

The season finale brings an end to the popular series that was accused by the New York Times of using drugs in addition to the regimen of diet and exercise. "20/20" was set to investigate and interview some past Loser contestants of the NBC show but the idea was "shot down" when Producers of Biggest Loser "reminded" their past and present contestants about the confidentiality form they signed prior to their participation in the series.

[Paul B]

Hollywood News!!!! (all things that matter in Pop Culture!)

Thursday (Dec. 10, 2009) stories developing. . . .

President Obama's Speech After Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway



Link
President Obama accepts the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway

A humbled President Obama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway but he did admit the controversies that surround his choice for accepting the honor. He said he would accept the award as a "War President," after deciding to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

The award, which the Nobel committee said was for Obama's "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," comes as he presides over wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and faces an American public that is increasingly skeptical about the U.S.-led efforts there.

Obama addressed his decision to send troops to Afghanistan and the overall context of the award he is accepting. Obama discussed what the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq mean in the context of peace and his role as president and the role of the United States.

San Diego Chargers' Shawne Merriman Sues Reality-star Tila Tequila!


SD Chargers Shawne Merriman didn't realize what he was dealing with when he got involved with the reality- star!

San Diego Chargers' linebacker Shawne Merriman is suing reality-star and former girlfriend Tila Tequila claiming she lied about him beating her up in an attempt to ruin his career! In his lawsuit, Merriman claims that Tequila posted lies on her website about him "choking and attacking," "sleeping with minors and forcing them to take drugs" and that he manufactures drugs in his home!

Incredibly, the linebacker is NOT suing for defamation but for copyright infringement of his "Lights Out" logo on her website! What? He also claims that her accusations "screwed up a deal he had to sell a line of t-shirts at Wal Mart!"

Merriman was arrested on September 6 after Tequila claimed that he beat her up and trapped her in his San Diego home--but charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.

Story developing. . . .

Liza Minelli Settles $100M Lawsuit with Ex-Bodyguard!


Liza Minelli settles a lawsuit with a former bodyguard who accused her of sexual assault!

(NY Daily News) Actress/Broadway Star Liza Minelli has settled a long-running $100M lawsuit with her bodyguard who claimed that Minelli beat him and forced him to have sex with her! M'hammed Soumayah claimed in a 2004 Lawsuit that Minelli is a "sex-starved maniac" who threatened to dump him from his $238,000 a year job unless he engaged in sexual relations with her.

Fearing the loss of his job, Soumayah tolerated the Broadway star's violent outbursts and demands and did not complain about them to her or anyone else.

Minelli was married to flamboyant promoter David Gest at the time of the suit. The muscle man bodyguard said he has "physical evidence" to prove his relationship with her.

The terms of the lawsuit settlement were kept confidential.

Lawyers from both sides declined comment.

Tag Heuer, the Watch Maker, Pulls Tiger Woods Ads from Stores!


Tag Heuer's ads with Tiger Woods, asks the question, "What are you made of?" (cough, choke, cough)

(SportsbyBrooks) Tag Heuer, the Watch Maker and a major sponsor of Tiger Woods, has pulled brand new Tiger Woods' ads from all jewelry stores across Australia. The company says that the action is purely coincidental in light of the current Tiger Woods drama going on. Yah right. . .

The same spectacular COINCIDENCE can be said for Tiger sponsors Gatorade and Gillette who have pulled ads of the "World's Greatest Golfer" . . . but claim it has nothing to do with the Golfer's alleged infidelity. . . Uh huh. . .

At least, Ron Smales, a Perth watch store owner was honest about his decision for pulling the Tiger Tag Heuer ads he said,

“We’ve only just put them up. Why would you take them down and the other ones aren’t ready to go up? There were no reasons, but at the end of the day we know what’s going on in the news.”

But Tag Heuer general manager Philip Richards claimed, “the removal of the posters from up to 100 distributing stores across Australia had nothing to do with recent developments in Woods’ life.”

Whatever the case, Tag Heuer is distancing itself from Tiger while news of his infidelity increases. There is speculation that some of Tiger's sponsors could either use the scandal as "leverage" with the No. 1 Golfer and sponsor him at a LOWER PRICE when contracts are renewed or just drop Tiger all together. Overall, things are not looking good for Tiger Woods.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!!!!


Tiger Woods' legal team sent out a "warning" . . . oops. . . a court order to UK publications and blogs not to publish any photos or videos of him. . OR ELSE!!!!

(TMZ) Tiger Woods' legal team have sent a court order to many UK publications and blogs from publishing naked photos and videos of the "World's Greatest Golfer." The court order reads. . .

"prevents the publication of private and confidential information contained in the Order.... this Order is not to be taken as any admission that any such photographs exist, and in the event they do exist they may have been fabricated, altered, manipulated and/or changed to create the false appearance and impression that they are nude photographs of our client."

The court order also covers any possible videos. It blocks the publication of "any photographs, footage or images taken or obtained of the claimant [Tiger] naked or any naked parts of the claimant's [Tiger's] body or of him involved in any sexual activity."

The lawyer's letter says, "Our client is not aware of any images and in any event he would not have consented to any such photographs being taken nor would he have consented to the dissemination or exploitation of the same."

Sounds like Tiger doesn't have anything to worry about or does he?

Two PGA Golfers "sound off" on Tiger and Elin!

(Life and Style) Now that the Tiger sex scandal has gone "full-scale," some Golfers are chiming in about how they feel about their "wounded colleague." We've already heard from Jesper Parvenik who introduced Tiger and Elin and how he wished Elin had a much bigger club in her hands to whack her husband! Most Golfers have remained mum about the issue but two golfers didn't hold back about how they feel about the issue of Tiger and Elin.

Pro golfer Ben Crane said this about Tiger and Elin:


Ben Crane.

“He’s a phony and a fake and he can’t retain that squeaky-clean endorsement deal any longer.” Crane also believes Elin (Nordegren) may have known about Tiger’s other women. “She’s no fool,” Crane says, adding that perhaps Elin “turned a blind eye because of the money and the kids and the lifestyle he provides.”.”

Pro golfer Charles Warren said:


Charles Warren

“She (Elin) was very young when Jesper introduced them. She had stars in her eyes and maybe dollar signs too. But no, she should not stay with him. What kind of message would that send to her sister and mother and all the women out there? That your husband can be a bastard but as long as he makes the deal worthwhile, you’ll stay?”

Woah! Looks like there's some animosity brewing at the PGA towards Tiger! Just wait when those golf colleague "haters" meet the No.1 Golfer in person when he returns to the TOUR!

Tiger better develop "rhino skin" when he goes back cause he's going to hear people talking and making funny comments wherever he goes. Suddenly, Golf sounds pretty exciting all of a sudden?

A Madam of a defunct VIP Escort Service Speaks Out About Tiger!


Michelle Braun, was a Las Vegas Madam who had Tiger as a client!

(NY Daily News) Michelle Braun spoke about one of her biggest clients Tiger Woods, when she ran a now-defunct VIP Escort Service in Las Vegas. Braun, now based in Hollywood, said that Tiger was involved with two of her escorts, porn stars Holly Sampson and lingerie model Jamie Jungers. She said that Tiger would drop $30,000 to $40,000 during his trips to her escort service.

No credit cards were used, no phones, just communication only by TEXT! Ah ha! His phone company sure made big money with Tiger's texting plan.


Allen Iverson. Despite a first game sell-out, the Philadelphia icon can't stop fans from staying away because of the team's losing ways!

(Sporting Blog) In the second game of Allen Iverson's arrival as a Philadelphia 76er, only 12,136 showed up (177 more than the season average, in which Philly has the worst average- attendance in the NBA this year) at Wachovia as the 76ers lost against to one of Iverson's former teams, the Detroit Pistons 90-86. A very-rusty Iverson scored only 11 points in the contest. The low attendance in Iverson's second game is in contrast to his first game against another former Iverson team, the Denver Nuggets, which was a sell-out and resulted in another 76er loss!

Is the Iverson-honeymoon over? Well, Philly has lost 11 in a row so the losing has got something to do with it?


Billboard magazine, was one of many entertainment industry magazines that was sold recently!

(Perez Hilton) Nielsen has reached an agreement with the newly formed e5 Global Media Holdings to sell eight of its Business Media brands, which include Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek and Backstage magazines.

The terms of the deal, which will be completed by the end of 2009, have not been released, but it's rumored to be in the range of $70 million to $75 million.

Nielsen’s Film Expo business, including ShoWest, ShowEast, Cinema Expo International and CineAsia trade shows, have also been acquired by e5.

The announcement also spurred closure of several magazines not included in the deal, such as Editor & Publisher and Kirkus Reviews

Now comes speculation on how many people are going to be laid off!


ABC News shows "Good Morning America" and "20/20" are re-shuffling their anchormen/women!

(Variety) ABC News and the "entertainment division" are shuffling! Sunday's This Week's George Stephanopoulos will take the co-anchor spot, along with Robin Roberts, on Good Morning America. Stephanopoulos will do double-duty on GMA and This Week until a replacement can be found for him on TW.


Ju Ju Chang is now a pemanent fixture as anchor at GMA!

GMA anchor Chris Cuomo will head to 20/20 to co-anchor with Elizabeth Vargas while Ju Ju Chang has moved to new anchor spot at GMA. Former 20/20 co-host John Stossel has moved to Fox Business Network.


File Photo: Josh Duhamel, pictured with wife Fergie, made his first appearance last night since his "transgression with a stripper."

In his first appearance since his "trangressions" with a stripper, Josh Duhamel appeared with his wife Fergie during the premiere last night of "Nine," Fergie's acting debut! They appeared to be affectionate and Duhamel said that they planned to spend Christmas with Fergie and her family.

Looks good for the newlywed couple (married Jan. 10 this year) who already have to endure a sex scandal! Sheesh!


A large influx of Chihuahuas are being left in shelters because owners are "over their heads" and unable to handle this small and fragile little dog!

(LA Times) California Animal Shelters are reporting the alarming amount of Chihuahua dogs being left at the shelters. Bay Area Shelters are already asking the public's help to adopt these petite dogs to ease overcrowding. Los Angeles shelters had to airlift their Chihuahuas to another out-of-state shelter in order to alleviate crowding and to find homes for the pooches.

Animal lovers blame Hollywood for California's large surplus. Films like "Legally Blonde" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," television shows like "Simple Life" with Paris Hilton who had a Chihuahua, and the Taco Bell commercial that featured Chihuahuas were cited for popularizing the petite dogs and created a demand for the dogs.

Unfortunately, breeders "over-breeded" and "new pet owners" were overcome by the dog's penchant for being nervous, small, fragile, and not fit for families. In addition, the current economy forced some pet owners to "re-consider" owning such a "high-maintenance" type of dog.

Because the "Chihuahua levels" have reached problem levels, many shelters have staged a "Adopt A Chihuhua Week" in order to find new homes for a large population of petite pooches. Many counties are thinking about changing the rules of "unlicensed" breeders who have been blamed for "irresponsible backyard breeding."

Low-budget/Independent/Foreign films You Must See!

Will return next week!