HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (05-09-11)
Pippa Middleton Has Been Offered $5 Million to Do Porno . . . Not That She'll Actually Take It:
--The smut company Vivid Entertainment is offering Pippa $5 MILLION . . . yes, that's a five followed by SIX ZEROES . . . to do porno. Actually, all they're asking for is, quote, "one explicit scene." And she gets to pick her partner. --They also said they'd pay her brother James $1 million to do a scene of his own. (--Here's the letter from Vivid boss Steven Hirsch to Pippa.) --The last high-profile offer Vivid made was to the Octomom, NADYA SULEMAN . . . and that was "only" for $1 million. She didn't go for it. --And sadly, neither will Pippa. After all, nobody wants to embarrass the Royal Family . . . then have their car mysteriously run into a tunnel wall at an extremely high rate of speed, you dig? (???)
Baby Spice Has Another Kid:
SPICE GIRL EMMA BUNTON . . . a.k.a. Baby Spice . . . gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. This is the second child for Emma and her longtime fiancé Jade Jones. They named him Tate.
Paul McCartney Is Engaged Again:
After the way his last marriage ended, you'd think PAUL MCCARTNEY would never walk the aisle again. But he just got engaged to his girlfriend, Nancy Shevell. --She's 51 . . . he's 68 . . . and they've been making mature love since the summer of 2007. A source says, quote, "They have the right chemistry. They're both cool, chilled out and optimistic." --Paul had that storybook marriage thing going on with his first wife LINDA. They got hitched in 1969, and were together until her death in 1998. --Paul married HEATHER MILLS in 2002. That one ended UGLY. They were officially divorced in 2008, and Heather walked away with about $50 MILLION in cash and property . . . plus ongoing support from Paul for their 7-year-old daughter Beatrice. --Paul's latest love has cleared a hurdle Heather never could: His kids dig her. Even STELLA MCCARTNEY . . . who famously hated Heather's guts . . . is reportedly thrilled for her dad this time around. (--Paul has five kids. His eldest daughter Heather was actually Linda's from her first marriage, but Paul adopted her. Then he and Linda had three kids of their own, who are all adults now. And then there's Beatrice.)
Madonna Broke Up With Her Boyfriend . . . Because they Fought Too Much About Religion:
He's a strict Muslim and she's a fake Jew . . . so you had to know that MADONNA and her 24-year-old boyfriend Brahim Zaibat were doomed from the start. --The not-always-reliable British tabloids say Madonna and Brahim have split after nine months because their different faiths drove a wedge between them. --Brahim's mother was also part of the problem. In addition to worrying about Madonna's alleged Judaism, mom was also concerned that Madonna, at 52, was EIGHT YEARS OLDER THAN HER. --The timing on this story is interesting, though, because there's been talk lately that Madonna is distancing herself from Kabbalah amid rumors of financial improprieties. --The Kabbalah Centre and its founders are reportedly being investigated by both the FBI and the IRS for using nonprofit funds for personal gain. --Some say the fiscal shenanigans are to blame for the fact that Madonna's plan to build a school in the African nation of Malawi went up in smoke.
Johnny Depp Figures That He's Only Here Today Because of a Horrific Rape Somewhere In His Native American Bloodline:
JOHNNY DEPP is playing Tonto in a new movie version of "The Lone Ranger". And he can't wait to put his character on equal . . . or at least slightly more equal . . . footing with his partner. --He says, quote, "I remember watching it as a kid . . . and going: 'Why is the (effing) Lone Ranger telling Tonto what to do?' I liked Tonto, even at that tender age, and knew Tonto was getting the unpleasant end of the stick here. That's stuck with me. --"And when the idea came up [for the movie], I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way [to] try to . . . reinvent the relationship . . . --"To attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in 'The Lone Ranger', but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head." --Johnny's interest in doing that is personal, because his great grandmother was Native American. Although that comes with kind of a depressing downside. --Johnny says, quote, "The interesting thing, if you find out you've got Native American blood, which a lot of people do, is you think about where it comes from and go back and read the great books, Dee Brown's 'Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee' or [John Ehle's] 'Trail of Tears'. --"[And] you have to think, somewhere along the line, I'm the product of some horrific rape. You just have that little sliver in your chemical makeup."
Chris Brown's Mother Thinks He Should Talk About What Happened Between Him and Rihanna:
CHRIS BROWN tends to get all angry and chair-throwy when you ask him what happened with RIHANNA back in February of 2009. --But Chris' mom, Joyce Hawkins, thinks Chris SHOULD talk about it . . . and get it out in the open once and for all. --In an interview with "Sister 2 Sister" magazine, she says, quote, "I think he really needs to talk about the situation in itself, what actually happened to Rihanna; so that he can get that out for himself. He has to learn to deal with it and go on with his life. --"This is something that happened; it was a huge mistake . . . it was not good at all. But he is still a human being and we all make mistakes and we live and we go on with it. But he has to own it, deal with it and move on with his life." --Joyce also admits that she confronted Chris about that now-infamous nude picture of him that surfaced in March. --She says, quote, "He felt kind of embarrassed, because I hit him [up] directly afterwards and he said, 'Mom, I pretty much know who did it,' such and such and such and such, but it's like, you don't do that. --"People either want to make you look bad, or want a check. One or the other, so it's like, you don't do that."
David Beckham Was Involved in a Car Accident Friday . . . But He's Okay:
DAVID BECKHAM was involved in a minor accident Friday on the 405 Freeway near Torrance, California . . . but he's fine. --Police say Beckham's Cadillac SUV hit a car that was stalled in the carpool lane. The driver of the other car was taken to a hospital and treated for minor neck pain. (--Translation: Get out your checkbook, Mr. Beckham.) --Beckham's rep says he swerved to avoid the car and clipped it. His son Brooklyn was in the SUV with him. He wasn't injured, either. Beckham was not ticketed or arrested.
Did Tara Reid Glue Her Tooth Back In When It Fell Out While She Was Partying?
We don't know if this is true, but TARA REID has allegedly fallen off the wagon over the past year or so. This story would seem to support that theory . . . --Tara was reportedly partying at a place called the Oasis Beach Club in India a few weeks ago, when one of her front teeth popped out and hit the floor. --A so-called "source" says, quote, "Tara got on her hands and knees and searched the floor, and when she found it, she pulled out some glue, glued it back in and just continued partying!"
Lindsay Lohan Started Her Community Service on Friday:
LINDSAY LOHAN showed up at the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles Friday for her first day of community service. --According to TMZ, she left at around noon . . . meaning she spent less than three hours there. --Lindsay was sentenced to 480 hours of community service for violating her probation. She was ordered to do 360 hours helping homeless and economically depressed women at the center. There's no word what kind of work she'll do there. --She'll spend the other 120 hours doing janitorial work at the county morgue.
Charlie Sheen Says He's Teaching His Sons the Word "Rehab" . . . So They'll Know Where Their Mother Is:
CHARLIE SHEEN got to spend some time with his 2-year-old sons Bob and Max over the weekend. It was the first time he'd seen them since the judge took them away back in March. --So what did he do with them? He told TMZ, quote, "I am teaching them words, because they're speaking now. I'm teaching them the word 'rehab' so they always know where their mom is."
Kelly Preston Admits Charlie Sheen Did Not Shoot Her:
Last week, CHARLIE SHEEN cleared up that long-standing rumor that he shot KELLY PRESTON when they dated two decades ago. --And over the weekend, Kelly backed up his version of the story: Charlie left a gun in his pants . . . she picked up the pants . . . the gun fell out . . . and she got injured. (--She didn't say whether her injury was caused by the bullet or, as Charlie said, by shrapnel from the toilet after the bullet hit it. Here's video.)
SPORT SHORTS
Check Out Video of Hines Ward's Little Incident with the LAPD Last Week:
Video of Pittsburgh Steeler HINES WARD and his unidentified female friend being accosted by the cops last week has hit the Internet. --It comes courtesy of surveillance cameras at the gas station where police forced the two out of the car at GUNPOINT and cuffed them . . . because the car had been reported stolen. --The car actually belonged to the woman who was driving it. She reported it stolen earlier in the night, then forgot to cancel the report when she got it back. (--You can watch the video here.) --Meanwhile, the paparazzi caught up with Hines and his "Dancing With the Stars" partner KYM JOHNSON over the weekend, and he's still not stressing over it. --He told the photographer that he initially thought he was on "Punk'd". But then he added, quote, "Something about guns pointed at me wasn't very fun." (--Check out that video here.)
Will Smith May Star in Quentin Tarantino's Next Movie:
WILL SMITH is reportedly the frontrunner to star in QUENTIN TARANTINO'S next movie . . . although nothing is official yet. --It's called "Django Unchained". It's a Western about a freed slave who is mentored by a German bounty hunter, and then goes off to seek revenge against the owners of a plantation. (--FYI: Tarantino actually appeared as an actor in a 2007 film called "Sukiyaki Western Django", by Japanese director Takashi Miike.)
Shannon Elizabeth Still Hasn't Signed On for "American Reunion" . . . Because She Hasn't Seen the Script:
SHANNON ELIZABETH is one of the original "American Pie" cast members who still hasn't signed on for the upcoming sequel, "American Reunion". But there's still hope. She just wants to see the script before she commits. --She says, quote, "I haven't signed on to it. I haven't seen a script so I don't know what I'm doing right now. They've been talking to us but as of right now, I'm not signed on." (--So you have to see a script before deciding whether to do an "American Pie" movie? That would be like Bobcat Goldthwait holding out for a stronger character arc before agreeing to do "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol".)
"Thor" Is The New #1 Movie in the Country:
"Thor" instantly became one of my favorite Marvel Comics movies and it left me eager for more from the upcoming "Avengers" flick. So it's not at all surprising that "Thor" dominated the weekend box office. It earned $66 million to go straight to #1. --Frankly, the performance of the other new movies isn't even worth mentioning.
It's Official: Paula Abdul Will Re-Team with Simon Cowell on "X Factor":
Last summer, the biggest question in the world of televised singing competitions was: Can "American Idol" succeed without both SIMON COWELL and PAULA ABDUL? --This summer, the big question will be: Will a Simon / Paula reunion on "X Factor" take down "Idol"? --Yesterday . . . after months of rumors . . . Fox finally made it official: Paula will re-team with Simon on "X Factor". As previously announced, the other two judges' seats will go to L.A. REID and CHERYL COLE. --Simon and Paula both released statements. Simon said, quote, "This show would never have been the same without Paula, and I can't believe I am saying this . . . I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she's on the show." --Paula said, quote, "I am excited beyond words to be a part of 'X Factor'. I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again . . . but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!" (--Somewhere RANDY JACKSON is very unamused.) --Paula's deal apparently came through at the very last minute. "X Factor" was scheduled to begin taping yesterday. It's unclear if Paula made it in time for Day One. "X Factor" will premiere in September.
The "X Factor" Hosts Will Be: Nicole Scherzinger and Some Welsh Guy:
The co-hosts of "X Factor" have been locked in: It's going to be former PUSSYCAT DOLLS singer NICOLE SCHERZINGER, as expected . . . and some Welsh guy named STEVE JONES, as UN-expected. --We'd heard that former "High School Musical" star CORBIN BLEU was in line for the gig, but apparently it came down to Corbin and this Steve Jones guy . . . and they ended up going with Steve. --Steve is 34 years old. Nicole is 32. And for what it's worth, Corbin is 22. --There's no official word what happened with Corbin . . . but several sources are reporting that he didn't have the chemistry with Nicole that Steve had. (--Deadline.com claims Nicole did not want to host with Corbin. A so-called source told them, quote, "Nicole walked in and saw Corbin and his baby face and asked, 'What are you, 15?' And then she walked out.") (--That seems pretty hard to believe . . . especially since it's hard to imagine Nicole jeopardizing this opportunity with drama like that. Regardless, here's a clip of Steve with RICKY GERVAIS on some British show.)
Randy Jackson and Adam Levine Talk Some Smack About Each Other's Shows:
"American Idol's" RANDY JACKSON and MAROON 5 singer ADAM LEVINE . . . who's a "coach" on "The Voice" . . . have engaged in some singing competition show TRASH TALK. --It started last week when Adam said, quote, "The people that we're not turning our chairs around for [on 'The Voice'] could win 'American Idol'." --And now, Randy has shot back . . . quote, "It's a great thing when talent can be simple, honest and revered as opposed to spinning around with gimmicky chairs. --"Maybe Simon Cowell should have people opening doors. Like, 'Knock, knock. Who's singing? I can't see you!'" --He added, quote, "Look, none of these other shows could exist without somebody forging the path before them. I'm happy to say that 'Idol' did that and paved the way. --"My only fear with all these shows coming is that people don't tire of the format. I don't know how much singing at you the public can take." (--Exactly. "Idol" paved the way by being something NEW and FRESH. That's how you create a sensation. If you reproduce "Idol" . . . with a few tweaks here and there . . . it ultimately just BORES us.)
"American Idol" Quick Hits:
#1.) JACOB LUSK is supposedly blaming his elimination on JIMMY IOVINE. According to TMZ, Jacob is telling his friends that Jimmy pressured him into making the lousy song choices that got him booted last week. (Full Story)
#2.) Was JENNIFER LOPEZ'S performance on "American Idol" completely LIVE? "Idol" went out of its way to suggest that it was, but Gawker.com posted a video that seems to prove it was actually several takes, edited together. It all has to do with a "disappearing ass brace." (Video)
#3.) LADY GAGA will give some advice to the four remaining "American Idol" contestants this week. RYAN SEACREST Tweeted that Lady Gaga would be this week's "mentor." (--Remember when "Idol" said they wouldn't have mentors this year? Yeah, me too.) (Full Story)
Monday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)
--"NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Heat" [Eastern Conference Semifinals] . . . 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. Eastern on TNT. (--The Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat.)
--"NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies vs. Thunder" [Western Conference] . . . 9:30 P.M. to Midnight ET on TNT. (--The Memphis Grizzlies host the Oklahoma City Thunder.)
--"Dancing with the Stars" [Performance Show] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on ABC. (--The final five . . . Kirstie Alley, Chelsea Kane, Ralph Macchio, Romeo and Hines Ward . . . perform two dances each, which includes an instant dance.)
--"Justice for Natalee Holloway" . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Lifetime. (--Tracy Pollan reprises her role as Beth Holloway in this sequel chronicling the recent attempts to build a case against Natalee's suspected killer Joran van der Sloot.)
--"Stargate Universe" [SERIES Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Syfy.
--"American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Discovery Channel. (--Paul Jr. learns that he has won his appeal regarding his father's lawsuit. Meanwhile Paul Sr. considers making a settlement offer to Paul Jr.)
--"Bethenny Ever After" [2nd Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Bravo.
--"Vanished with Beth Holloway" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Lifetime. (--Beth Holloway hosts a show about unsolved abduction cases from the family's point-of-view in the hopes of turning up new leads and information.)
--"Quints by Surprise" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on TLC.
--"Unleashed: K-9 Broward County" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:30 to 11:00 P.M. on Discovery Channel.
THIS WEEK'S NEW GAMES
The LEGO "Pirates of the Caribbean" Game Hits Stores Tomorrow:
--"LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean" (E10+) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, Wii, DS, 3DS, and PSP. The latest LEGO adventure game is based on all four "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, including the new one that comes out next week, "On Stranger Tides". This one also includes a split screen option that allows you to explore separately during co-op instead of being stuck on one screen while the other player is dragging their feet. I don't want anyone holding me back while I'm trying to swashbuckle. (Teaser) (Trailer)
--"Brink" (T) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, and PC. A first-person shooter set on a futuristic floating city, after a global environmental crisis has cut it off from the rest of humanity. One key multiplayer feature in this game is each team's deployment area is protected by indestructible turrets, which is VERY appealing to anyone who's ever been spawn-killed. Another feature is the ability to disguise yourself as an enemy you've killed. Brink" also uses a movement system called SMART, Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain. Basically it helps you go over obstacles without having to push additional buttons to jump or climb over things. (Trailer)
--"The First Templar" (T) . . . on Xbox360 and PC. A young knight forms an alliance with a noblewoman to uncover a conspiracy in the Templar knights and solve the mystery of the Holy Grail. You can play it as local split-screen or online co-op. (Trailer)
--"MX vs ATV Alive" (E) . . . on Xbox360 and PS3. This is the fourth off-road racing game in the "MX vs ATV" series. This one actually sells at a reduced price, because they know they'll make up the difference in all the downloadable content. (Trailer)
--"Virtua Tennis 4" (E) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, and Wii. The latest "Virtua Tennis" game features 19 of the best players in the world including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. And supports motion-controller technology for the Kinect, Playstation Move, and Wii Motion+. (Trailer)
ESRB Game Ratings: (E) for Everyone; (T) for Teen; (M) for Mature (18+)
Movies On DVD:
--"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" (G) (In stores Friday)
A documentary about Justin Bieber's rise from being a normal Canadian teenager to becoming a DREAMY, GLOBAL sensation. You may also remember that "Never Say Never" is the name of that "Karate Kid" song he did with Jaden Smith. (Trailer)
--"No Strings Attached" (R)
Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher enjoy carnal relations with each other under a strict "no strings attached" rule . . . until Ashton breaks the rule by falling in love. Their random group of friends includes Ludacris and "The Office's" Mindy Kaling. (Trailer)
--"Blue Valentine" (R)
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams play a married couple spending one night away from their daughter in order to try to save their failing marriage. Much of the story is told through flashbacks to happier times when they first started dating. (Trailer)
TV Series On DVD:
--"Home Improvement: 20th Anniversary Complete Collection" . . . a 25-disc DVD set. (--It ran for eight seasons.)
--"Webster: Season 2" . . . a four-disc DVD set. (--It ran for six seasons.)
NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
This Week's Main CD Releases:
--"Move Like This", The Cars (--This is their first album in nearly 24 years . . . since "Door to Door" came out in 1987. The album is streaming on RollingStone.com.) --Unlike The New Cars, this reunion does feature singer Ric Ocasek. But a full reunion isn't possible because bassist Benjamin Orr . . . who sang several Cars songs, including "Drive" . . . died of pancreatic cancer in 2000.)
--"Matthew Morrison", Matthew Morrison (--He plays Mr. Scheuster on "Glee". This is his debut album. His guests include Gwyneth Paltrow and Elton John.)
--"Lovestrong", Christina Perri (--This is her debut album. Her song "Jar of Hearts" was featured on "So You Think You Can Dance" last year. You can check it out . . . along with some of her other stuff . . . at her MySpace page.)
BIEBER FEVER
Justin Bieber's Manager Is Off the Hook for Creating Mass Hysteria at an Aborted Mall Autograph Signing in 2009:
JUSTIN BIEBER'S manager, Scott "Scooter" Braun, is in the clear. --Scooter had been charged with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance for an incident in November of 2009, when an army of 10,000 teenage girls with Bieber Fever showed up for an autograph signing at a Long Island mall. --Police said Scooter failed to control the situation, because officials ordered him to send a Twitter message out telling fans that the event had been canceled . . . and he REFUSED. One girl was hospitalized after being trampled in the chaos. --The charges against Scooter were dropped in a plea deal on Friday . . . but not without some help from Justin and his label. --Justin agreed to film a PSA for a cyber-bullying campaign, which will be shown at schools . . . and Island Def Jam agreed to cough up $8,000 to cover the cost of having local law enforcement and the fire marshal control the crowd. (--And the crowd was very much out of control. If you want to see the SHEER CHAOS again, turn down the volume on your computer, and watch this video. NOTE: If you suffer from claustrophobia, you should probably pass.)
Justin Bieber Insists He *Is* Going to Japan:
JUSTIN BIEBER shot down reports that his Japanese tour was in doubt over the weekend . . . by Tweeting, quote, "I'm [definitely] going to JAPAN!! #SupportJapan #CitizenOfTheWorld #MakeAChange." --Last week, there was talk that "many" of the tour's crewmembers had safety concerns about going to Japan due to "cancer risks" from the nuclear disaster. --Justin is performing in the Philippines tomorrow before hitting up Japan. He's supposed to be in Osaka next Tuesday and Tokyo next Thursday. For what it's worth, the Philippines show is the only upcoming tour date listed on his website.
Marg Helgenberger Says Justin Bieber "Was Kind of a Brat" on the "CSI" Set:
MARG HELGENBERGER thinks JUSTIN BIEBER was, quote, "kind of a brat" on the "CSI" set. Justin guest-starred on two episodes of "CSI" this season. --In an interview with a French radio show, Marg said, quote, "Uh, Justin Bieber wasn't bad . . . he'd never acted before . . . --"I suppose I shouldn't be saying this, but he was kind of a brat [on the set] . . . actually, he was really nice to me, but he locked one of the producers in a closet. And he put his fist through a cake." (--Here's the audio. NOTE: It's a little complex because an interpreter is interjecting translations in-between Marg's comments and the hosts' questions.) (--Keep in mind, it seems like she's using "brat" more in the 'fun, devilish prankster' sort of way than the 'spoiled, self-centered child-star' way. But it IS hard to tell exactly how she meant it.) (--There are different ways to look at Justin locking a producer in a closet and punching a cake . . . but to me, that seems more jokester-ish than diva-ish.)
Billy Corgan Doesn't Think The Smashing Pumpkins' Classic Line-Up Will Ever Reunite:
If you're holding out hope that BILLY CORGAN will forget his current SMASHING PUMPKINS experiment and reassemble the CLASSIC lineup . . . well, I hope you don't mind waiting for something that's NEVER going to happen. --Billy tells "Rolling Stone" magazine, quote, "[Former drummer] Jimmy [CHAMBERLIN] and I aren't enemies . . . he's just off doing what he wants to do, as he should. --"There's not super bad blood between me and Jimmy [to the point] that we'd never get on stage again. --"But I cannot in any way, shape, or form ever envision standing on a stage, playing music again with [guitarist] James [Iha] and [bassist] D'arcy [Wretzky]. I just don't see any situation where that would be possible. --"That's just one of those things that are never going to happen . . . there's been lawsuits and lots of stupid stuff. It's only made it worse. If it was bad before, it's really bad now." (--Yeah, Billy says this now. But we've seen bands suddenly reconcile, and reform out of the blue. Especially in this era where you can really make a LOT of cash doing a high-profile reunion tour . . . or at least, a lot more than you're making on music sales.)
Tupac's Screenplay . . . Yes, His Screenplay . . . Is Being Made Into a Movie:
TUPAC SHAKUR only lived to be 25, but he sure packed a lot into his last five years: --He put out five albums . . . starred in six movies . . . and guest-starred on three TV shows. He also found time to write a screenplay. And now, 15 years after his death, it's finally being made into a movie. --Tupac's screenplay is ironically titled "Live 2 Tell" . . . and it tells the story of a teenage drug dealer who's struggling to straighten himself out. He wrote it while in prison in 1995. --According to "Variety", production will start next year. There's no word when it might be done. --The producers claim they were interested in the screenplay back when Tupac was still alive. It's unclear why it took so long for things to be set in motion. (--People will probably always be intrigued by anything Tupac-related, but it's strange that no one jumped on this earlier . . . before this kind of story became so played-out. It's sort of cliché at this point, isn't it?)
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
The Kentucky Derby was this weekend. And as usual, everybody showed up wearing stupid hats . . . including Tom Brady, Kate Gosselin, Ian Somerhalder and Kate Walsh. (Gallery) (Sources: E Online / Celebitchy / USA Today)
After easily dispatching SHANE MOSLEY in a 12-round decision, boxer MANNY PACQUIAO hit a club at the Mandalay Bay resort and belted out a few songs. (Video)
BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN . . . the 18-year-old daughter of WHITNEY HOUSTON and BOBBY BROWN . . . was arrested for underage drinking, after cops in Roswell, Georgia broke up a fight involving her adopted brother, her ex-boyfriend and some other guys. A gun was involved. (Full Story)
Some classic movie and TV cars are being auctioned in June . . . including the Mystery Machine from "Scooby Doo", Herbie the Love Bug from LINDSAY LOHAN'S 2005 flick "Herbie: Fully Loaded" and some cars from the fourth "Fast and the Furious" movie. (Full Story)
Remember RON HOWARD'S big plan to tackle STEPHEN KING'S "Dark Tower" series using a combination of movies and TV series? Well, that's apparently been put on hold due to budget and creative issues. (Full Story)
The GUYS from "Glee" take on REBECCA BLACK'S "Friday" on tomorrow night's episode. But we have the audio NOW. (Full Story)
BILL O'REILLY will guest star on the TNT cop show "Rizzoli & Isles". He'll play himself . . . but he'll be a murder suspect. The episode will film in July, and will air sometime at the end of the summer. (Full Story)
CEE LO has re-recorded "(Eff) You" as "Thank You" . . . in honor of volunteer firefighters. It's part of a campaign by the Duracell battery people. (Video)
KESHA is suing a watch company for naming one of its watchstraps "TikTok" . . . which she claims is a rip-off of her song "Tik Tok". (Full Story)
NAZZY’S RANDOM STUFF
Bin Laden Dyed His Beard . . . Flubbed Lines in the Outtakes of His Videos . . . and Surfed Channels With a TV Remote:
The U.S. Defense Department released five videos of OSAMA BIN LADEN to media outlets over the weekend, and some of the stuff in them is pretty weird . . . but not in the way you'd think. --There's nothing violent or graphic, and there's no sound. They're just videos bin Laden made of himself while he was holed up in his compound for five years. They're a small part of the intelligence haul seized during last Sunday's raid. --Here's the weird part: They show him with a gray beard, hunched over on the floor of a shabby room, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a black knit cap, rocking back and forth . . . while he's CHANNEL SURFING with a remote in his hand. --In other words, instead of a terrifying terrorist mastermind, he looks like a frail old man. The TV he's watching looks like a piece of junk from a '70s yard sale. And the images he's viewing are of HIMSELF and PRESIDENT OBAMA on satellite TV. --The idea is that he seems fixated on how he was depicted in the media. Not just because he watched himself on TV, but because he dyed his beard in the OTHER four videos, which are basically outtakes of the threatening messages he used to release. --In one of those videos, he messes up a line and has to re-do it, and in another he's standing in front of a wrinkled sheet. --Not exactly flattering stuff, so people think the release of the videos was meant to make him seem like a regular person . . . instead of a rallying symbol for the other jihad psychos still out there. (CNN / Daily Mail)
The Search for Bin Laden Cost $3 Trillion Over 15 Years?
Was it worth it to track down and kill bin Laden? Of course it was. But check out what it cost us: According to conservative estimates from the "National Journal", it took $3 trillion over 15 years to get him. --If that sounds high, it's because they're not just counting the DIRECT operations to hunt down bin Laden. They're including everything related to him, like: --Disruptions to the economy caused by all the terrorist attacks he masterminded . . . -The heightened security required after those attacks . . . -The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan triggered by the U.S. response to 9/11, which still occupy 150,000 troops and account for a quarter of the defense budget . . . -The creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the bureaucracy that came with it . . . -And soaring oil prices related to the War on Terror . . . --That's one-fifth of a year's gross domestic product, and more than the entire 2008 budget of the United States government. --The other issue to consider is what we've GOTTEN out of it: All wars are expensive, but some have positive benefits: The Civil War brought the end of slavery, World War Two ended the Great Depression, and the Cold War produced technological advances. --So far, all we've got to show for the War on Terror is a boom in the use of unmanned Predator drones. (National Journal)
The Flag at an Ohio Hotel Got Stuck at Half-Mast . . . and People Freaked Out Because They Thought it Was For Bin Laden:
Living in a color-coded War on Terror has been driving us all nuts for years. And if you thought getting bin Laden would put an end to it . . . I think you know the answer. --A couple days before the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama, the Hampton Inn of Springfield, Ohio experienced a flagpole malfunction: A rope broke, and both the Hampton Inn flag and the Stars and Stripes got stuck at half-mast. --No one really seemed to notice or care . . . until Sunday, when they announced that Osama was dead. After that, people got confused . . . and some of them just assumed that the hotel was MOURNING the death of bin Laden, or HONORING him. --So all last week, the hotel and the Hilton hotel group received a stream of angry phone calls and threats . . . even after the flag was fixed on Wednesday. --The story spread on Facebook, and people started calling the newspaper, the police, and the hotel itself, about how upset the flag made them, since they'd lost relatives on 9/11, or had family in the military. --One caller threatened to chop the flagpole down, and another threatened to run the business out of town. --Connie Smith is the assistant general manager of the Springfield Hampton Inn. She says the maintenance guy was trying to replace the flag because it was frayed, and it got stuck halfway down. Then it rained for days, and it was too slippery to finish the job. (MSNBC)
Two Muslims Were Kicked Off a Plane When the Pilot Refused to Fly with Them on Board . . . And They Were on Their Way to an Anti-Prejudice Conference:
Osama bin Laden is dead . . . even al-Qaeda says so . . . but that doesn't mean Americans will stop losing their EVER-LOVING minds over the War on Terror. In fact . . . we're probably more paranoid than ever. --Masudur Rahman is a professor at the University of Memphis. On Friday morning, he and a friend were headed out of Memphis on a Delta flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend a conference on Islamophobia. --The idea was to represent the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, and spend a weekend talking about discrimination against American Muslims. --But Masudur is also an imam . . . a Muslim religious leader . . . and so was his friend Mohamed. Masudur is from India, and was wearing traditional Indian clothing, and Mohamed had on a traditional Arab outfit. They both have beards. --They were both screened by security, again at the gate, and then allowed to board. But when the plane started to taxi, the pilot refused to take off. He announced that the flight was headed back to the gate, where both guys had to get off. --They were screened again, and both were cleared again. But the pilot wouldn't let them back on, and refused to fly with them on board, even after arguing with the ground staff for over half an hour. He was worried what the other passengers would think. --The plane eventually took off, and Delta officials put the two Muslims on a later flight to Charlotte, where they successfully attended the conference on fear of Muslims. (WCNC)
Can You Tell How Old Someone Is Just By Their First Name?
This isn't exactly a scientific study, but "Forbes" looked at the top ten baby names for boys and girls over the last seven decades, to see how they fit in with the ages of the people around you. --They just listed the top ten names for each gender from the first year of each decade, and compared them. And it does seem like each list sort of captures that era, but more for women. Here's a sampling: --1990, Female: Jessica, Ashley, Brittany, Amanda, Samantha, Sarah, Stephanie, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Lauren. (--This would be people in their 20s.) --1990, Male: Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, Daniel, David, Andrew, James, Justin, Joseph. --1970, Female: Jennifer, Lisa, Kimberly, Michelle, Amy, Angela, Melissa, Tammy, Mary, Tracy. (--This would be people in their 40s.) --1970, Male: Michael, James, David, John, Robert, Christopher, William, Brian, Mark, Richard. --1950, Female: Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Susan, Nancy, Deborah, Sandra, Carol, Kathleen. (--And this would be people in their 60s.) -1950, Male: James, Robert, John, Michael, David, William, Richard, Thomas, Charles, Gary. --It's even more noticeable when you look at the popular names today: For girls in 2010 it was Isabella, Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Madison, Chloe, and Mia. --And for boys it was Jacob, Ethan, Michael, Jayden, William, Alexander, Noah, Daniel, Aiden, and Anthony. (Forbes)
Kids Who Aren't Popular Have a Better Chance of Future Success:
The studies seem to go back and forth on this one, so let's not hold our breath . . . but a new book says that unpopular kids actually have MORE future success. --Alexandra Robbins is the author of a new book called "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School". --She tracked a bunch of students and teachers at different high schools, and developed the 'Quirk Theory.' Basically, it means that kids who are considered 'unpopular' by their peers have certain traits, like creativity, individuality, and passion. --And while those traits might make growing up excruciating, because of cliques, bullies, and loneliness, it makes them more interesting and successful adults in the long run, and better able to relate to others. --So what does this mean for unpopular kids, and the parents who love them? Basically, Alexandra says to suck it up. --Because unless the treatment of an unpopular kid is "extreme," it's better to ride it out, avoid encouraging your kid to conform, and avoid letting them change schools. --All of which is difficult, since the book says things are getting WORSE for kids today, and that junior high and high school culture is more stratified than ever. --Alexandra says it's because standardized testing encourages people to conform, and celebrity culture from the Internet and reality TV has become more pervasive. (Washington Post)
A Guy Sent a Tweet From the Top of Mount Everest:
There's an argument about how technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and how there are certain places where you just shouldn't whip out your phone. But I'm not sure where this fits. --Last week someone sent the very first Tweet from . . . the top of Mount Everest. --Yes, THAT Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. It was sent by an English mountain climber named Kenton Cool, and he did it as a marketing stunt for Samsung, the phone he used to update his Twitter page. --He wrote, quote, "Everest summit [number] 9! 1st Tweet from the top of the world thanks to a weak 3G signal & the awesome Samsung Galaxy S2 handset!" (--You can see the tweet here.) --Mount Everest got 3G coverage for the first time in October, but Kenton is the first climber to take the time to use Twitter at the top. -Probably because it's not the first thing you think of when reaching a summit that's killed over 216 people. And because it was Kenton's ninth time doing it, maybe the novelty has worn off for him. (Gizmodo) (--On the one hand, using Twitter from the top of Mount Everest gives it a record-breaking legitimacy I don't want it to have. On the other hand, is there a better time to tell people where you are and what you're doing?)
For Smokers, 'No Smoking' Signs Have the Exact Opposite Effect?
As if it wasn't hard enough to quit smoking, now there's this: According to a team of psychologists at Oxford University, 'No Smoking' signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up. --First of all, the signs are everywhere these days. And second, seeing the signs triggers a subconscious reaction where smokers start thinking of cigarettes, and then wanting them. Makes sense. --According to head researcher Brian Earp, quote, "A lot of public health messages are framed in a negative way . . . say no to drugs, don't drink and drive, no smoking. --"What's interesting is the ironic effect of the negative image. No smoking signs are meant to discourage an activity, but what happens is you get a kick back so that the very item that's supposed to be prohibited becomes more desirable." --The study basically used image association: People who had seen images of the no-smoking signs were drawn favorably to other images related to smoking. --According to Brian, quote, "It's a significant effect which we think would have real life implications . . . When I say 'Don't think of a pink elephant,' I've just put the thought of a pink elephant in your head.'" --He says follow-up research proves it even further, and it'll be released soon. (Daily Mail)
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
A Teenager Asked a Judge to Sentence Him to Nine Months in Jail Instead of Six, So He Could Spend More Time With His Cellmate . . . His Stepfather:
This next story's from Canada, where their penal system must be as delightful as their healthcare system. Because that's the only way this makes any sense. --Justin Beynen is an 18-year-old in Ontario who pleaded guilty last week to breach of probation, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, theft of a vehicle, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and driving without a license. --It all stems from an incident last month, when he was busted for speeding in a stolen car with weed, beer, and a knife, after hitting a street sign and three parked cars. --That got Justin in front of a judge, where his defense attorney and the prosecutor agreed on six months in the clink. But Justin disagreed . . . and asked the judge for MORE time. --See, right around the time of Justin's joyride, his 25-year-old stepdad Jason Hastings was sentenced to nine months in prison, for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop, and a couple other drug busts. --And for the past five weeks, they've been sharing a cell. Justin wanted that to continue, since he has nowhere to stay until his stepdad gets out: His mother's a drug addict, and his dad is long gone. --The judge agreed to Justin's request for the additional three months, but it's not clear whether he'll actually be his stepdad's cellmate during that time. (Toronto Sun)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) Tina Fey Returned to "SNL" as Sarah Palin . . . And Debated Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump:
TINA FEY returned to "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend for a skit where undeclared Republican presidential candidates debated each other. --She was up against Jason Sudeikis as Mitt Romney, Kristen Wiig as Michele Bachmann, and SNL vet Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump. And Bill Hader did a pretty good impression of Shepard Smith from Fox News as the moderator. --One of her best lines was when she said, quote, "I want to acknowledge that this week we finally vanquished one of the world's great villains. And I for one am thrilled to say good riddance to Katie Couric." (--Search for "Tina Fey Returns to SNL.")
#2.) A News Crew Did a Story About the Shake Weight . . . And Went Overboard With Jokes About What It Looks Like:
The other day, the KTLA morning news team in Los Angeles did a story about the Shake Weight, and they went a little overboard with the obvious jokes about the male anatomy. --A white anchor said he was using a "small white one" and asked if it made a difference. So a female reporter mentioned that one of the African-American anchors had "a big black one." --Then she cautioned people to always keep the Shake Weight at least six inches from their face. She said, quote, "You don't want to hit yourself in the face with it. Not even the little white ones." --Meanwhile, everyone in the news studio was using one, including the producers in the booth. (--Search for "Allie MacKay Shake Weight Workout Part 2.")
#3.) A Guy Born With No Arms or Legs Threw Out the First Pitch at a Baseball Game in Japan:
There's a Japanese writer named Hirotada Ototake who was born without arms or legs. And on Friday, he threw out the first pitch at a baseball game by holding the ball between his chin and his shoulder. --He didn't do it from the mound, and it bounced a few times, but made it to home plate. You can see the video on BuzzFeed.com. (--Search for "Man Without Limbs Throws Out First Pitch." He throws it at :35.)
#4.) A Crazy Red Sox Fan Celebrated a Win by Climbing a Streetlight and Doing Pull-Ups:
Some crazy baseball fan in Boston celebrated a Red Sox win by climbing a streetlight a few blocks from Fenway Park . . . and doing pull-ups from about 30 feet off the ground. Amazingly, he did four chin-ups, climbed down, and didn't hurt himself at all. (--Search YouTube for "Red Sox Fan Crazy Drunk Stunt." He starts doing pull-ups at :49.)
RANDOM News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
Two guys in Bulgaria got hammered together, and one of them wanted to show off his samurai sword moves. See where this is going? No you don't: The friend with the sword accidentally chopped off his friend's junk. But the victim campaigned to get his buddy released from a six-year jail sentence . . . so the guy could get a job and start compensating him for his missing peen. (Full Story)
It's Monday, but it could be worse: It could be Saturday in Manila, in the Philippines, where they held "Free Circumcision Day." According to a city health official, nearly 1,500 boys aged nine and up had been circumcised by mid-afternoon, using temporary operating tables inside a sports stadium. They're also applying to Guinness, to snag the world record for number of people attending a mass circumcision. (Full Story)
Let's hope this is the last time: Since he might be picked as a Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has released his birth certificate. (Full Story)
Did you pay way more for your Mother's Day flowers this year? You can blame the flooding in South America, you cheapskate. It created a flower shortage that in some cases doubled and even tripled prices. (Full Story)
Sad news: According to a new study, the 'Wild Ass' is in danger of extinction. It's because fencing and railway lines in Mongolia are cutting the Wild Ass off from its natural habitat. Save the Wild Ass! (Full Story)
Four Ways Technology Is Destroying Our Lives:
Technology is great in a lot of ways, but it's also made us less healthy, since we all just sits around in front of our computers all day. Here are four more ways technology is destroying our lives.
#1.) Texting Can Kill You in More Ways Than One. Between 2001 and 2007, 16,000 people died from texting-while-driving-related accidents. But even texting while WALKING is dangerous. --In 2008, over 1,000 people visited the emergency room because they tripped, fell, or ran into something while using their cell phones. It was twice as many cell-phone-related accidents as 2007, and almost four times as many as 2006.
#2.) Facebook Might Be Causing More Divorces. Basically, it's just too easy to get back in touch with your ex. And if any evidence of an affair shows up online, it's almost always caught by a friend, family member, or your spouse. --But while Internet usage has gone up in the U.S., the divorce rate has actually gone down. So there's not really any hard evidence yet.
#3.) Blind People Are More at Risk Than Ever Because of Electric Cars. They're silent, so you can't hear them coming. And some makers of hybrids and electric cars are actually considering adding noisemakers so you CAN hear them.
#4.) Staring at So Many Screens Is Making Us Live on Less Sleep. Staring at your computer, TV, and cell phone late at night messes with your body's natural rhythm and makes it harder to fall asleep. --And research has shown that if you don't regularly get enough sleep, it can drastically shorten your lifespan. (Business Insider / WSJ)
--The smut company Vivid Entertainment is offering Pippa $5 MILLION . . . yes, that's a five followed by SIX ZEROES . . . to do porno. Actually, all they're asking for is, quote, "one explicit scene." And she gets to pick her partner. --They also said they'd pay her brother James $1 million to do a scene of his own. (--Here's the letter from Vivid boss Steven Hirsch to Pippa.) --The last high-profile offer Vivid made was to the Octomom, NADYA SULEMAN . . . and that was "only" for $1 million. She didn't go for it. --And sadly, neither will Pippa. After all, nobody wants to embarrass the Royal Family . . . then have their car mysteriously run into a tunnel wall at an extremely high rate of speed, you dig? (???)
Baby Spice Has Another Kid:
SPICE GIRL EMMA BUNTON . . . a.k.a. Baby Spice . . . gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. This is the second child for Emma and her longtime fiancé Jade Jones. They named him Tate.
Paul McCartney Is Engaged Again:
After the way his last marriage ended, you'd think PAUL MCCARTNEY would never walk the aisle again. But he just got engaged to his girlfriend, Nancy Shevell. --She's 51 . . . he's 68 . . . and they've been making mature love since the summer of 2007. A source says, quote, "They have the right chemistry. They're both cool, chilled out and optimistic." --Paul had that storybook marriage thing going on with his first wife LINDA. They got hitched in 1969, and were together until her death in 1998. --Paul married HEATHER MILLS in 2002. That one ended UGLY. They were officially divorced in 2008, and Heather walked away with about $50 MILLION in cash and property . . . plus ongoing support from Paul for their 7-year-old daughter Beatrice. --Paul's latest love has cleared a hurdle Heather never could: His kids dig her. Even STELLA MCCARTNEY . . . who famously hated Heather's guts . . . is reportedly thrilled for her dad this time around. (--Paul has five kids. His eldest daughter Heather was actually Linda's from her first marriage, but Paul adopted her. Then he and Linda had three kids of their own, who are all adults now. And then there's Beatrice.)
Madonna Broke Up With Her Boyfriend . . . Because they Fought Too Much About Religion:
He's a strict Muslim and she's a fake Jew . . . so you had to know that MADONNA and her 24-year-old boyfriend Brahim Zaibat were doomed from the start. --The not-always-reliable British tabloids say Madonna and Brahim have split after nine months because their different faiths drove a wedge between them. --Brahim's mother was also part of the problem. In addition to worrying about Madonna's alleged Judaism, mom was also concerned that Madonna, at 52, was EIGHT YEARS OLDER THAN HER. --The timing on this story is interesting, though, because there's been talk lately that Madonna is distancing herself from Kabbalah amid rumors of financial improprieties. --The Kabbalah Centre and its founders are reportedly being investigated by both the FBI and the IRS for using nonprofit funds for personal gain. --Some say the fiscal shenanigans are to blame for the fact that Madonna's plan to build a school in the African nation of Malawi went up in smoke.
Johnny Depp Figures That He's Only Here Today Because of a Horrific Rape Somewhere In His Native American Bloodline:
JOHNNY DEPP is playing Tonto in a new movie version of "The Lone Ranger". And he can't wait to put his character on equal . . . or at least slightly more equal . . . footing with his partner. --He says, quote, "I remember watching it as a kid . . . and going: 'Why is the (effing) Lone Ranger telling Tonto what to do?' I liked Tonto, even at that tender age, and knew Tonto was getting the unpleasant end of the stick here. That's stuck with me. --"And when the idea came up [for the movie], I started thinking about Tonto and what could be done in my own small way [to] try to . . . reinvent the relationship . . . --"To attempt to take some of the ugliness thrown on the Native Americans, not only in 'The Lone Ranger', but the way Indians were treated throughout history of cinema, and turn it on its head." --Johnny's interest in doing that is personal, because his great grandmother was Native American. Although that comes with kind of a depressing downside. --Johnny says, quote, "The interesting thing, if you find out you've got Native American blood, which a lot of people do, is you think about where it comes from and go back and read the great books, Dee Brown's 'Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee' or [John Ehle's] 'Trail of Tears'. --"[And] you have to think, somewhere along the line, I'm the product of some horrific rape. You just have that little sliver in your chemical makeup."
Chris Brown's Mother Thinks He Should Talk About What Happened Between Him and Rihanna:
CHRIS BROWN tends to get all angry and chair-throwy when you ask him what happened with RIHANNA back in February of 2009. --But Chris' mom, Joyce Hawkins, thinks Chris SHOULD talk about it . . . and get it out in the open once and for all. --In an interview with "Sister 2 Sister" magazine, she says, quote, "I think he really needs to talk about the situation in itself, what actually happened to Rihanna; so that he can get that out for himself. He has to learn to deal with it and go on with his life. --"This is something that happened; it was a huge mistake . . . it was not good at all. But he is still a human being and we all make mistakes and we live and we go on with it. But he has to own it, deal with it and move on with his life." --Joyce also admits that she confronted Chris about that now-infamous nude picture of him that surfaced in March. --She says, quote, "He felt kind of embarrassed, because I hit him [up] directly afterwards and he said, 'Mom, I pretty much know who did it,' such and such and such and such, but it's like, you don't do that. --"People either want to make you look bad, or want a check. One or the other, so it's like, you don't do that."
David Beckham Was Involved in a Car Accident Friday . . . But He's Okay:
DAVID BECKHAM was involved in a minor accident Friday on the 405 Freeway near Torrance, California . . . but he's fine. --Police say Beckham's Cadillac SUV hit a car that was stalled in the carpool lane. The driver of the other car was taken to a hospital and treated for minor neck pain. (--Translation: Get out your checkbook, Mr. Beckham.) --Beckham's rep says he swerved to avoid the car and clipped it. His son Brooklyn was in the SUV with him. He wasn't injured, either. Beckham was not ticketed or arrested.
Did Tara Reid Glue Her Tooth Back In When It Fell Out While She Was Partying?
We don't know if this is true, but TARA REID has allegedly fallen off the wagon over the past year or so. This story would seem to support that theory . . . --Tara was reportedly partying at a place called the Oasis Beach Club in India a few weeks ago, when one of her front teeth popped out and hit the floor. --A so-called "source" says, quote, "Tara got on her hands and knees and searched the floor, and when she found it, she pulled out some glue, glued it back in and just continued partying!"
Lindsay Lohan Started Her Community Service on Friday:
LINDSAY LOHAN showed up at the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles Friday for her first day of community service. --According to TMZ, she left at around noon . . . meaning she spent less than three hours there. --Lindsay was sentenced to 480 hours of community service for violating her probation. She was ordered to do 360 hours helping homeless and economically depressed women at the center. There's no word what kind of work she'll do there. --She'll spend the other 120 hours doing janitorial work at the county morgue.
Charlie Sheen Says He's Teaching His Sons the Word "Rehab" . . . So They'll Know Where Their Mother Is:
CHARLIE SHEEN got to spend some time with his 2-year-old sons Bob and Max over the weekend. It was the first time he'd seen them since the judge took them away back in March. --So what did he do with them? He told TMZ, quote, "I am teaching them words, because they're speaking now. I'm teaching them the word 'rehab' so they always know where their mom is."
Kelly Preston Admits Charlie Sheen Did Not Shoot Her:
Last week, CHARLIE SHEEN cleared up that long-standing rumor that he shot KELLY PRESTON when they dated two decades ago. --And over the weekend, Kelly backed up his version of the story: Charlie left a gun in his pants . . . she picked up the pants . . . the gun fell out . . . and she got injured. (--She didn't say whether her injury was caused by the bullet or, as Charlie said, by shrapnel from the toilet after the bullet hit it. Here's video.)
SPORT SHORTS
Check Out Video of Hines Ward's Little Incident with the LAPD Last Week:
Video of Pittsburgh Steeler HINES WARD and his unidentified female friend being accosted by the cops last week has hit the Internet. --It comes courtesy of surveillance cameras at the gas station where police forced the two out of the car at GUNPOINT and cuffed them . . . because the car had been reported stolen. --The car actually belonged to the woman who was driving it. She reported it stolen earlier in the night, then forgot to cancel the report when she got it back. (--You can watch the video here.) --Meanwhile, the paparazzi caught up with Hines and his "Dancing With the Stars" partner KYM JOHNSON over the weekend, and he's still not stressing over it. --He told the photographer that he initially thought he was on "Punk'd". But then he added, quote, "Something about guns pointed at me wasn't very fun." (--Check out that video here.)
Will Smith May Star in Quentin Tarantino's Next Movie:
WILL SMITH is reportedly the frontrunner to star in QUENTIN TARANTINO'S next movie . . . although nothing is official yet. --It's called "Django Unchained". It's a Western about a freed slave who is mentored by a German bounty hunter, and then goes off to seek revenge against the owners of a plantation. (--FYI: Tarantino actually appeared as an actor in a 2007 film called "Sukiyaki Western Django", by Japanese director Takashi Miike.)
Shannon Elizabeth Still Hasn't Signed On for "American Reunion" . . . Because She Hasn't Seen the Script:
SHANNON ELIZABETH is one of the original "American Pie" cast members who still hasn't signed on for the upcoming sequel, "American Reunion". But there's still hope. She just wants to see the script before she commits. --She says, quote, "I haven't signed on to it. I haven't seen a script so I don't know what I'm doing right now. They've been talking to us but as of right now, I'm not signed on." (--So you have to see a script before deciding whether to do an "American Pie" movie? That would be like Bobcat Goldthwait holding out for a stronger character arc before agreeing to do "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol".)
"Thor" Is The New #1 Movie in the Country:
"Thor" instantly became one of my favorite Marvel Comics movies and it left me eager for more from the upcoming "Avengers" flick. So it's not at all surprising that "Thor" dominated the weekend box office. It earned $66 million to go straight to #1. --Frankly, the performance of the other new movies isn't even worth mentioning.
It's Official: Paula Abdul Will Re-Team with Simon Cowell on "X Factor":
Last summer, the biggest question in the world of televised singing competitions was: Can "American Idol" succeed without both SIMON COWELL and PAULA ABDUL? --This summer, the big question will be: Will a Simon / Paula reunion on "X Factor" take down "Idol"? --Yesterday . . . after months of rumors . . . Fox finally made it official: Paula will re-team with Simon on "X Factor". As previously announced, the other two judges' seats will go to L.A. REID and CHERYL COLE. --Simon and Paula both released statements. Simon said, quote, "This show would never have been the same without Paula, and I can't believe I am saying this . . . I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she's on the show." --Paula said, quote, "I am excited beyond words to be a part of 'X Factor'. I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again . . . but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!" (--Somewhere RANDY JACKSON is very unamused.) --Paula's deal apparently came through at the very last minute. "X Factor" was scheduled to begin taping yesterday. It's unclear if Paula made it in time for Day One. "X Factor" will premiere in September.
The "X Factor" Hosts Will Be: Nicole Scherzinger and Some Welsh Guy:
The co-hosts of "X Factor" have been locked in: It's going to be former PUSSYCAT DOLLS singer NICOLE SCHERZINGER, as expected . . . and some Welsh guy named STEVE JONES, as UN-expected. --We'd heard that former "High School Musical" star CORBIN BLEU was in line for the gig, but apparently it came down to Corbin and this Steve Jones guy . . . and they ended up going with Steve. --Steve is 34 years old. Nicole is 32. And for what it's worth, Corbin is 22. --There's no official word what happened with Corbin . . . but several sources are reporting that he didn't have the chemistry with Nicole that Steve had. (--Deadline.com claims Nicole did not want to host with Corbin. A so-called source told them, quote, "Nicole walked in and saw Corbin and his baby face and asked, 'What are you, 15?' And then she walked out.") (--That seems pretty hard to believe . . . especially since it's hard to imagine Nicole jeopardizing this opportunity with drama like that. Regardless, here's a clip of Steve with RICKY GERVAIS on some British show.)
Randy Jackson and Adam Levine Talk Some Smack About Each Other's Shows:
"American Idol's" RANDY JACKSON and MAROON 5 singer ADAM LEVINE . . . who's a "coach" on "The Voice" . . . have engaged in some singing competition show TRASH TALK. --It started last week when Adam said, quote, "The people that we're not turning our chairs around for [on 'The Voice'] could win 'American Idol'." --And now, Randy has shot back . . . quote, "It's a great thing when talent can be simple, honest and revered as opposed to spinning around with gimmicky chairs. --"Maybe Simon Cowell should have people opening doors. Like, 'Knock, knock. Who's singing? I can't see you!'" --He added, quote, "Look, none of these other shows could exist without somebody forging the path before them. I'm happy to say that 'Idol' did that and paved the way. --"My only fear with all these shows coming is that people don't tire of the format. I don't know how much singing at you the public can take." (--Exactly. "Idol" paved the way by being something NEW and FRESH. That's how you create a sensation. If you reproduce "Idol" . . . with a few tweaks here and there . . . it ultimately just BORES us.)
"American Idol" Quick Hits:
#1.) JACOB LUSK is supposedly blaming his elimination on JIMMY IOVINE. According to TMZ, Jacob is telling his friends that Jimmy pressured him into making the lousy song choices that got him booted last week. (Full Story)
#2.) Was JENNIFER LOPEZ'S performance on "American Idol" completely LIVE? "Idol" went out of its way to suggest that it was, but Gawker.com posted a video that seems to prove it was actually several takes, edited together. It all has to do with a "disappearing ass brace." (Video)
#3.) LADY GAGA will give some advice to the four remaining "American Idol" contestants this week. RYAN SEACREST Tweeted that Lady Gaga would be this week's "mentor." (--Remember when "Idol" said they wouldn't have mentors this year? Yeah, me too.) (Full Story)
Monday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)
--"NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Heat" [Eastern Conference Semifinals] . . . 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. Eastern on TNT. (--The Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat.)
--"NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies vs. Thunder" [Western Conference] . . . 9:30 P.M. to Midnight ET on TNT. (--The Memphis Grizzlies host the Oklahoma City Thunder.)
--"Dancing with the Stars" [Performance Show] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on ABC. (--The final five . . . Kirstie Alley, Chelsea Kane, Ralph Macchio, Romeo and Hines Ward . . . perform two dances each, which includes an instant dance.)
--"Justice for Natalee Holloway" . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Lifetime. (--Tracy Pollan reprises her role as Beth Holloway in this sequel chronicling the recent attempts to build a case against Natalee's suspected killer Joran van der Sloot.)
--"Stargate Universe" [SERIES Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Syfy.
--"American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Discovery Channel. (--Paul Jr. learns that he has won his appeal regarding his father's lawsuit. Meanwhile Paul Sr. considers making a settlement offer to Paul Jr.)
--"Bethenny Ever After" [2nd Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Bravo.
--"Vanished with Beth Holloway" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Lifetime. (--Beth Holloway hosts a show about unsolved abduction cases from the family's point-of-view in the hopes of turning up new leads and information.)
--"Quints by Surprise" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on TLC.
--"Unleashed: K-9 Broward County" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:30 to 11:00 P.M. on Discovery Channel.
THIS WEEK'S NEW GAMES
The LEGO "Pirates of the Caribbean" Game Hits Stores Tomorrow:
--"LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean" (E10+) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, Wii, DS, 3DS, and PSP. The latest LEGO adventure game is based on all four "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, including the new one that comes out next week, "On Stranger Tides". This one also includes a split screen option that allows you to explore separately during co-op instead of being stuck on one screen while the other player is dragging their feet. I don't want anyone holding me back while I'm trying to swashbuckle. (Teaser) (Trailer)
--"Brink" (T) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, and PC. A first-person shooter set on a futuristic floating city, after a global environmental crisis has cut it off from the rest of humanity. One key multiplayer feature in this game is each team's deployment area is protected by indestructible turrets, which is VERY appealing to anyone who's ever been spawn-killed. Another feature is the ability to disguise yourself as an enemy you've killed. Brink" also uses a movement system called SMART, Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain. Basically it helps you go over obstacles without having to push additional buttons to jump or climb over things. (Trailer)
--"The First Templar" (T) . . . on Xbox360 and PC. A young knight forms an alliance with a noblewoman to uncover a conspiracy in the Templar knights and solve the mystery of the Holy Grail. You can play it as local split-screen or online co-op. (Trailer)
--"MX vs ATV Alive" (E) . . . on Xbox360 and PS3. This is the fourth off-road racing game in the "MX vs ATV" series. This one actually sells at a reduced price, because they know they'll make up the difference in all the downloadable content. (Trailer)
--"Virtua Tennis 4" (E) . . . on Xbox360, PS3, and Wii. The latest "Virtua Tennis" game features 19 of the best players in the world including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. And supports motion-controller technology for the Kinect, Playstation Move, and Wii Motion+. (Trailer)
ESRB Game Ratings: (E) for Everyone; (T) for Teen; (M) for Mature (18+)
Movies On DVD:
--"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" (G) (In stores Friday)
A documentary about Justin Bieber's rise from being a normal Canadian teenager to becoming a DREAMY, GLOBAL sensation. You may also remember that "Never Say Never" is the name of that "Karate Kid" song he did with Jaden Smith. (Trailer)
--"No Strings Attached" (R)
Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher enjoy carnal relations with each other under a strict "no strings attached" rule . . . until Ashton breaks the rule by falling in love. Their random group of friends includes Ludacris and "The Office's" Mindy Kaling. (Trailer)
--"Blue Valentine" (R)
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams play a married couple spending one night away from their daughter in order to try to save their failing marriage. Much of the story is told through flashbacks to happier times when they first started dating. (Trailer)
TV Series On DVD:
--"Home Improvement: 20th Anniversary Complete Collection" . . . a 25-disc DVD set. (--It ran for eight seasons.)
--"Webster: Season 2" . . . a four-disc DVD set. (--It ran for six seasons.)
NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
This Week's Main CD Releases:
--"Move Like This", The Cars (--This is their first album in nearly 24 years . . . since "Door to Door" came out in 1987. The album is streaming on RollingStone.com.) --Unlike The New Cars, this reunion does feature singer Ric Ocasek. But a full reunion isn't possible because bassist Benjamin Orr . . . who sang several Cars songs, including "Drive" . . . died of pancreatic cancer in 2000.)
--"Matthew Morrison", Matthew Morrison (--He plays Mr. Scheuster on "Glee". This is his debut album. His guests include Gwyneth Paltrow and Elton John.)
--"Lovestrong", Christina Perri (--This is her debut album. Her song "Jar of Hearts" was featured on "So You Think You Can Dance" last year. You can check it out . . . along with some of her other stuff . . . at her MySpace page.)
BIEBER FEVER
Justin Bieber's Manager Is Off the Hook for Creating Mass Hysteria at an Aborted Mall Autograph Signing in 2009:
JUSTIN BIEBER'S manager, Scott "Scooter" Braun, is in the clear. --Scooter had been charged with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance for an incident in November of 2009, when an army of 10,000 teenage girls with Bieber Fever showed up for an autograph signing at a Long Island mall. --Police said Scooter failed to control the situation, because officials ordered him to send a Twitter message out telling fans that the event had been canceled . . . and he REFUSED. One girl was hospitalized after being trampled in the chaos. --The charges against Scooter were dropped in a plea deal on Friday . . . but not without some help from Justin and his label. --Justin agreed to film a PSA for a cyber-bullying campaign, which will be shown at schools . . . and Island Def Jam agreed to cough up $8,000 to cover the cost of having local law enforcement and the fire marshal control the crowd. (--And the crowd was very much out of control. If you want to see the SHEER CHAOS again, turn down the volume on your computer, and watch this video. NOTE: If you suffer from claustrophobia, you should probably pass.)
Justin Bieber Insists He *Is* Going to Japan:
JUSTIN BIEBER shot down reports that his Japanese tour was in doubt over the weekend . . . by Tweeting, quote, "I'm [definitely] going to JAPAN!! #SupportJapan #CitizenOfTheWorld #MakeAChange." --Last week, there was talk that "many" of the tour's crewmembers had safety concerns about going to Japan due to "cancer risks" from the nuclear disaster. --Justin is performing in the Philippines tomorrow before hitting up Japan. He's supposed to be in Osaka next Tuesday and Tokyo next Thursday. For what it's worth, the Philippines show is the only upcoming tour date listed on his website.
Marg Helgenberger Says Justin Bieber "Was Kind of a Brat" on the "CSI" Set:
MARG HELGENBERGER thinks JUSTIN BIEBER was, quote, "kind of a brat" on the "CSI" set. Justin guest-starred on two episodes of "CSI" this season. --In an interview with a French radio show, Marg said, quote, "Uh, Justin Bieber wasn't bad . . . he'd never acted before . . . --"I suppose I shouldn't be saying this, but he was kind of a brat [on the set] . . . actually, he was really nice to me, but he locked one of the producers in a closet. And he put his fist through a cake." (--Here's the audio. NOTE: It's a little complex because an interpreter is interjecting translations in-between Marg's comments and the hosts' questions.) (--Keep in mind, it seems like she's using "brat" more in the 'fun, devilish prankster' sort of way than the 'spoiled, self-centered child-star' way. But it IS hard to tell exactly how she meant it.) (--There are different ways to look at Justin locking a producer in a closet and punching a cake . . . but to me, that seems more jokester-ish than diva-ish.)
Billy Corgan Doesn't Think The Smashing Pumpkins' Classic Line-Up Will Ever Reunite:
If you're holding out hope that BILLY CORGAN will forget his current SMASHING PUMPKINS experiment and reassemble the CLASSIC lineup . . . well, I hope you don't mind waiting for something that's NEVER going to happen. --Billy tells "Rolling Stone" magazine, quote, "[Former drummer] Jimmy [CHAMBERLIN] and I aren't enemies . . . he's just off doing what he wants to do, as he should. --"There's not super bad blood between me and Jimmy [to the point] that we'd never get on stage again. --"But I cannot in any way, shape, or form ever envision standing on a stage, playing music again with [guitarist] James [Iha] and [bassist] D'arcy [Wretzky]. I just don't see any situation where that would be possible. --"That's just one of those things that are never going to happen . . . there's been lawsuits and lots of stupid stuff. It's only made it worse. If it was bad before, it's really bad now." (--Yeah, Billy says this now. But we've seen bands suddenly reconcile, and reform out of the blue. Especially in this era where you can really make a LOT of cash doing a high-profile reunion tour . . . or at least, a lot more than you're making on music sales.)
Tupac's Screenplay . . . Yes, His Screenplay . . . Is Being Made Into a Movie:
TUPAC SHAKUR only lived to be 25, but he sure packed a lot into his last five years: --He put out five albums . . . starred in six movies . . . and guest-starred on three TV shows. He also found time to write a screenplay. And now, 15 years after his death, it's finally being made into a movie. --Tupac's screenplay is ironically titled "Live 2 Tell" . . . and it tells the story of a teenage drug dealer who's struggling to straighten himself out. He wrote it while in prison in 1995. --According to "Variety", production will start next year. There's no word when it might be done. --The producers claim they were interested in the screenplay back when Tupac was still alive. It's unclear why it took so long for things to be set in motion. (--People will probably always be intrigued by anything Tupac-related, but it's strange that no one jumped on this earlier . . . before this kind of story became so played-out. It's sort of cliché at this point, isn't it?)
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
The Kentucky Derby was this weekend. And as usual, everybody showed up wearing stupid hats . . . including Tom Brady, Kate Gosselin, Ian Somerhalder and Kate Walsh. (Gallery) (Sources: E Online / Celebitchy / USA Today)
After easily dispatching SHANE MOSLEY in a 12-round decision, boxer MANNY PACQUIAO hit a club at the Mandalay Bay resort and belted out a few songs. (Video)
BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN . . . the 18-year-old daughter of WHITNEY HOUSTON and BOBBY BROWN . . . was arrested for underage drinking, after cops in Roswell, Georgia broke up a fight involving her adopted brother, her ex-boyfriend and some other guys. A gun was involved. (Full Story)
Some classic movie and TV cars are being auctioned in June . . . including the Mystery Machine from "Scooby Doo", Herbie the Love Bug from LINDSAY LOHAN'S 2005 flick "Herbie: Fully Loaded" and some cars from the fourth "Fast and the Furious" movie. (Full Story)
Remember RON HOWARD'S big plan to tackle STEPHEN KING'S "Dark Tower" series using a combination of movies and TV series? Well, that's apparently been put on hold due to budget and creative issues. (Full Story)
The GUYS from "Glee" take on REBECCA BLACK'S "Friday" on tomorrow night's episode. But we have the audio NOW. (Full Story)
BILL O'REILLY will guest star on the TNT cop show "Rizzoli & Isles". He'll play himself . . . but he'll be a murder suspect. The episode will film in July, and will air sometime at the end of the summer. (Full Story)
CEE LO has re-recorded "(Eff) You" as "Thank You" . . . in honor of volunteer firefighters. It's part of a campaign by the Duracell battery people. (Video)
KESHA is suing a watch company for naming one of its watchstraps "TikTok" . . . which she claims is a rip-off of her song "Tik Tok". (Full Story)
NAZZY’S RANDOM STUFF
Bin Laden Dyed His Beard . . . Flubbed Lines in the Outtakes of His Videos . . . and Surfed Channels With a TV Remote:
The U.S. Defense Department released five videos of OSAMA BIN LADEN to media outlets over the weekend, and some of the stuff in them is pretty weird . . . but not in the way you'd think. --There's nothing violent or graphic, and there's no sound. They're just videos bin Laden made of himself while he was holed up in his compound for five years. They're a small part of the intelligence haul seized during last Sunday's raid. --Here's the weird part: They show him with a gray beard, hunched over on the floor of a shabby room, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a black knit cap, rocking back and forth . . . while he's CHANNEL SURFING with a remote in his hand. --In other words, instead of a terrifying terrorist mastermind, he looks like a frail old man. The TV he's watching looks like a piece of junk from a '70s yard sale. And the images he's viewing are of HIMSELF and PRESIDENT OBAMA on satellite TV. --The idea is that he seems fixated on how he was depicted in the media. Not just because he watched himself on TV, but because he dyed his beard in the OTHER four videos, which are basically outtakes of the threatening messages he used to release. --In one of those videos, he messes up a line and has to re-do it, and in another he's standing in front of a wrinkled sheet. --Not exactly flattering stuff, so people think the release of the videos was meant to make him seem like a regular person . . . instead of a rallying symbol for the other jihad psychos still out there. (CNN / Daily Mail)
The Search for Bin Laden Cost $3 Trillion Over 15 Years?
Was it worth it to track down and kill bin Laden? Of course it was. But check out what it cost us: According to conservative estimates from the "National Journal", it took $3 trillion over 15 years to get him. --If that sounds high, it's because they're not just counting the DIRECT operations to hunt down bin Laden. They're including everything related to him, like: --Disruptions to the economy caused by all the terrorist attacks he masterminded . . . -The heightened security required after those attacks . . . -The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan triggered by the U.S. response to 9/11, which still occupy 150,000 troops and account for a quarter of the defense budget . . . -The creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the bureaucracy that came with it . . . -And soaring oil prices related to the War on Terror . . . --That's one-fifth of a year's gross domestic product, and more than the entire 2008 budget of the United States government. --The other issue to consider is what we've GOTTEN out of it: All wars are expensive, but some have positive benefits: The Civil War brought the end of slavery, World War Two ended the Great Depression, and the Cold War produced technological advances. --So far, all we've got to show for the War on Terror is a boom in the use of unmanned Predator drones. (National Journal)
The Flag at an Ohio Hotel Got Stuck at Half-Mast . . . and People Freaked Out Because They Thought it Was For Bin Laden:
Living in a color-coded War on Terror has been driving us all nuts for years. And if you thought getting bin Laden would put an end to it . . . I think you know the answer. --A couple days before the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama, the Hampton Inn of Springfield, Ohio experienced a flagpole malfunction: A rope broke, and both the Hampton Inn flag and the Stars and Stripes got stuck at half-mast. --No one really seemed to notice or care . . . until Sunday, when they announced that Osama was dead. After that, people got confused . . . and some of them just assumed that the hotel was MOURNING the death of bin Laden, or HONORING him. --So all last week, the hotel and the Hilton hotel group received a stream of angry phone calls and threats . . . even after the flag was fixed on Wednesday. --The story spread on Facebook, and people started calling the newspaper, the police, and the hotel itself, about how upset the flag made them, since they'd lost relatives on 9/11, or had family in the military. --One caller threatened to chop the flagpole down, and another threatened to run the business out of town. --Connie Smith is the assistant general manager of the Springfield Hampton Inn. She says the maintenance guy was trying to replace the flag because it was frayed, and it got stuck halfway down. Then it rained for days, and it was too slippery to finish the job. (MSNBC)
Two Muslims Were Kicked Off a Plane When the Pilot Refused to Fly with Them on Board . . . And They Were on Their Way to an Anti-Prejudice Conference:
Osama bin Laden is dead . . . even al-Qaeda says so . . . but that doesn't mean Americans will stop losing their EVER-LOVING minds over the War on Terror. In fact . . . we're probably more paranoid than ever. --Masudur Rahman is a professor at the University of Memphis. On Friday morning, he and a friend were headed out of Memphis on a Delta flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend a conference on Islamophobia. --The idea was to represent the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, and spend a weekend talking about discrimination against American Muslims. --But Masudur is also an imam . . . a Muslim religious leader . . . and so was his friend Mohamed. Masudur is from India, and was wearing traditional Indian clothing, and Mohamed had on a traditional Arab outfit. They both have beards. --They were both screened by security, again at the gate, and then allowed to board. But when the plane started to taxi, the pilot refused to take off. He announced that the flight was headed back to the gate, where both guys had to get off. --They were screened again, and both were cleared again. But the pilot wouldn't let them back on, and refused to fly with them on board, even after arguing with the ground staff for over half an hour. He was worried what the other passengers would think. --The plane eventually took off, and Delta officials put the two Muslims on a later flight to Charlotte, where they successfully attended the conference on fear of Muslims. (WCNC)
Can You Tell How Old Someone Is Just By Their First Name?
This isn't exactly a scientific study, but "Forbes" looked at the top ten baby names for boys and girls over the last seven decades, to see how they fit in with the ages of the people around you. --They just listed the top ten names for each gender from the first year of each decade, and compared them. And it does seem like each list sort of captures that era, but more for women. Here's a sampling: --1990, Female: Jessica, Ashley, Brittany, Amanda, Samantha, Sarah, Stephanie, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Lauren. (--This would be people in their 20s.) --1990, Male: Michael, Christopher, Matthew, Joshua, Daniel, David, Andrew, James, Justin, Joseph. --1970, Female: Jennifer, Lisa, Kimberly, Michelle, Amy, Angela, Melissa, Tammy, Mary, Tracy. (--This would be people in their 40s.) --1970, Male: Michael, James, David, John, Robert, Christopher, William, Brian, Mark, Richard. --1950, Female: Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Susan, Nancy, Deborah, Sandra, Carol, Kathleen. (--And this would be people in their 60s.) -1950, Male: James, Robert, John, Michael, David, William, Richard, Thomas, Charles, Gary. --It's even more noticeable when you look at the popular names today: For girls in 2010 it was Isabella, Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Madison, Chloe, and Mia. --And for boys it was Jacob, Ethan, Michael, Jayden, William, Alexander, Noah, Daniel, Aiden, and Anthony. (Forbes)
Kids Who Aren't Popular Have a Better Chance of Future Success:
The studies seem to go back and forth on this one, so let's not hold our breath . . . but a new book says that unpopular kids actually have MORE future success. --Alexandra Robbins is the author of a new book called "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School". --She tracked a bunch of students and teachers at different high schools, and developed the 'Quirk Theory.' Basically, it means that kids who are considered 'unpopular' by their peers have certain traits, like creativity, individuality, and passion. --And while those traits might make growing up excruciating, because of cliques, bullies, and loneliness, it makes them more interesting and successful adults in the long run, and better able to relate to others. --So what does this mean for unpopular kids, and the parents who love them? Basically, Alexandra says to suck it up. --Because unless the treatment of an unpopular kid is "extreme," it's better to ride it out, avoid encouraging your kid to conform, and avoid letting them change schools. --All of which is difficult, since the book says things are getting WORSE for kids today, and that junior high and high school culture is more stratified than ever. --Alexandra says it's because standardized testing encourages people to conform, and celebrity culture from the Internet and reality TV has become more pervasive. (Washington Post)
A Guy Sent a Tweet From the Top of Mount Everest:
There's an argument about how technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and how there are certain places where you just shouldn't whip out your phone. But I'm not sure where this fits. --Last week someone sent the very first Tweet from . . . the top of Mount Everest. --Yes, THAT Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. It was sent by an English mountain climber named Kenton Cool, and he did it as a marketing stunt for Samsung, the phone he used to update his Twitter page. --He wrote, quote, "Everest summit [number] 9! 1st Tweet from the top of the world thanks to a weak 3G signal & the awesome Samsung Galaxy S2 handset!" (--You can see the tweet here.) --Mount Everest got 3G coverage for the first time in October, but Kenton is the first climber to take the time to use Twitter at the top. -Probably because it's not the first thing you think of when reaching a summit that's killed over 216 people. And because it was Kenton's ninth time doing it, maybe the novelty has worn off for him. (Gizmodo) (--On the one hand, using Twitter from the top of Mount Everest gives it a record-breaking legitimacy I don't want it to have. On the other hand, is there a better time to tell people where you are and what you're doing?)
For Smokers, 'No Smoking' Signs Have the Exact Opposite Effect?
As if it wasn't hard enough to quit smoking, now there's this: According to a team of psychologists at Oxford University, 'No Smoking' signs actually ENCOURAGE smokers to light up. --First of all, the signs are everywhere these days. And second, seeing the signs triggers a subconscious reaction where smokers start thinking of cigarettes, and then wanting them. Makes sense. --According to head researcher Brian Earp, quote, "A lot of public health messages are framed in a negative way . . . say no to drugs, don't drink and drive, no smoking. --"What's interesting is the ironic effect of the negative image. No smoking signs are meant to discourage an activity, but what happens is you get a kick back so that the very item that's supposed to be prohibited becomes more desirable." --The study basically used image association: People who had seen images of the no-smoking signs were drawn favorably to other images related to smoking. --According to Brian, quote, "It's a significant effect which we think would have real life implications . . . When I say 'Don't think of a pink elephant,' I've just put the thought of a pink elephant in your head.'" --He says follow-up research proves it even further, and it'll be released soon. (Daily Mail)
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
A Teenager Asked a Judge to Sentence Him to Nine Months in Jail Instead of Six, So He Could Spend More Time With His Cellmate . . . His Stepfather:
This next story's from Canada, where their penal system must be as delightful as their healthcare system. Because that's the only way this makes any sense. --Justin Beynen is an 18-year-old in Ontario who pleaded guilty last week to breach of probation, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, theft of a vehicle, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and driving without a license. --It all stems from an incident last month, when he was busted for speeding in a stolen car with weed, beer, and a knife, after hitting a street sign and three parked cars. --That got Justin in front of a judge, where his defense attorney and the prosecutor agreed on six months in the clink. But Justin disagreed . . . and asked the judge for MORE time. --See, right around the time of Justin's joyride, his 25-year-old stepdad Jason Hastings was sentenced to nine months in prison, for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop, and a couple other drug busts. --And for the past five weeks, they've been sharing a cell. Justin wanted that to continue, since he has nowhere to stay until his stepdad gets out: His mother's a drug addict, and his dad is long gone. --The judge agreed to Justin's request for the additional three months, but it's not clear whether he'll actually be his stepdad's cellmate during that time. (Toronto Sun)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) Tina Fey Returned to "SNL" as Sarah Palin . . . And Debated Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump:
TINA FEY returned to "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend for a skit where undeclared Republican presidential candidates debated each other. --She was up against Jason Sudeikis as Mitt Romney, Kristen Wiig as Michele Bachmann, and SNL vet Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump. And Bill Hader did a pretty good impression of Shepard Smith from Fox News as the moderator. --One of her best lines was when she said, quote, "I want to acknowledge that this week we finally vanquished one of the world's great villains. And I for one am thrilled to say good riddance to Katie Couric." (--Search for "Tina Fey Returns to SNL.")
#2.) A News Crew Did a Story About the Shake Weight . . . And Went Overboard With Jokes About What It Looks Like:
The other day, the KTLA morning news team in Los Angeles did a story about the Shake Weight, and they went a little overboard with the obvious jokes about the male anatomy. --A white anchor said he was using a "small white one" and asked if it made a difference. So a female reporter mentioned that one of the African-American anchors had "a big black one." --Then she cautioned people to always keep the Shake Weight at least six inches from their face. She said, quote, "You don't want to hit yourself in the face with it. Not even the little white ones." --Meanwhile, everyone in the news studio was using one, including the producers in the booth. (--Search for "Allie MacKay Shake Weight Workout Part 2.")
#3.) A Guy Born With No Arms or Legs Threw Out the First Pitch at a Baseball Game in Japan:
There's a Japanese writer named Hirotada Ototake who was born without arms or legs. And on Friday, he threw out the first pitch at a baseball game by holding the ball between his chin and his shoulder. --He didn't do it from the mound, and it bounced a few times, but made it to home plate. You can see the video on BuzzFeed.com. (--Search for "Man Without Limbs Throws Out First Pitch." He throws it at :35.)
#4.) A Crazy Red Sox Fan Celebrated a Win by Climbing a Streetlight and Doing Pull-Ups:
Some crazy baseball fan in Boston celebrated a Red Sox win by climbing a streetlight a few blocks from Fenway Park . . . and doing pull-ups from about 30 feet off the ground. Amazingly, he did four chin-ups, climbed down, and didn't hurt himself at all. (--Search YouTube for "Red Sox Fan Crazy Drunk Stunt." He starts doing pull-ups at :49.)
RANDOM News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
Two guys in Bulgaria got hammered together, and one of them wanted to show off his samurai sword moves. See where this is going? No you don't: The friend with the sword accidentally chopped off his friend's junk. But the victim campaigned to get his buddy released from a six-year jail sentence . . . so the guy could get a job and start compensating him for his missing peen. (Full Story)
It's Monday, but it could be worse: It could be Saturday in Manila, in the Philippines, where they held "Free Circumcision Day." According to a city health official, nearly 1,500 boys aged nine and up had been circumcised by mid-afternoon, using temporary operating tables inside a sports stadium. They're also applying to Guinness, to snag the world record for number of people attending a mass circumcision. (Full Story)
Let's hope this is the last time: Since he might be picked as a Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has released his birth certificate. (Full Story)
Did you pay way more for your Mother's Day flowers this year? You can blame the flooding in South America, you cheapskate. It created a flower shortage that in some cases doubled and even tripled prices. (Full Story)
Sad news: According to a new study, the 'Wild Ass' is in danger of extinction. It's because fencing and railway lines in Mongolia are cutting the Wild Ass off from its natural habitat. Save the Wild Ass! (Full Story)
Four Ways Technology Is Destroying Our Lives:
Technology is great in a lot of ways, but it's also made us less healthy, since we all just sits around in front of our computers all day. Here are four more ways technology is destroying our lives.
#1.) Texting Can Kill You in More Ways Than One. Between 2001 and 2007, 16,000 people died from texting-while-driving-related accidents. But even texting while WALKING is dangerous. --In 2008, over 1,000 people visited the emergency room because they tripped, fell, or ran into something while using their cell phones. It was twice as many cell-phone-related accidents as 2007, and almost four times as many as 2006.
#2.) Facebook Might Be Causing More Divorces. Basically, it's just too easy to get back in touch with your ex. And if any evidence of an affair shows up online, it's almost always caught by a friend, family member, or your spouse. --But while Internet usage has gone up in the U.S., the divorce rate has actually gone down. So there's not really any hard evidence yet.
#3.) Blind People Are More at Risk Than Ever Because of Electric Cars. They're silent, so you can't hear them coming. And some makers of hybrids and electric cars are actually considering adding noisemakers so you CAN hear them.
#4.) Staring at So Many Screens Is Making Us Live on Less Sleep. Staring at your computer, TV, and cell phone late at night messes with your body's natural rhythm and makes it harder to fall asleep. --And research has shown that if you don't regularly get enough sleep, it can drastically shorten your lifespan. (Business Insider / WSJ)
posted by Nazzy @ 5:59 AM
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