HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (06-08-11)
Hayden Panettiere Might Be Dating One of Mark Sanchez's Teammates:
Maybe HAYDEN PANETTIERE isn't dating Jets quarterback MARK SANCHEZ . . . because she's nailing one of his teammates. --"Us Weekly" says Hayden is dating Jets receiver SCOTTY MCKNIGHT . . . who's also a childhood friend of Mark's. (--Here are some pics of Scotty.) (Google Images)
Gabrielle Union Was Raped When She Was 19 . . . And She Tried to Shoot Her Attacker:
RIHANNA'S "Man Down" has caused a lot of controversy . . . because both the song and the video are about a woman who shoots and kills a man who raped her. --Well, GABRIELLE UNION can identify with that concept, because she was raped when she was 19 . . . and she tried to shoot her attacker. --The assault occurred when Gabrielle was working part time at a shoe store. A man came in with a gun to rob the place, and he forced her to have sex with him. --During the rape, the man put the gun down. Then a few minutes later, he actually asked her to pick it up and hand it to him. --Gabrielle did pick up the gun . . . but instead of giving it to the guy, she TOOK A SHOT at him. Unfortunately, she missed. A struggle ensued for the gun, and the rapist got it back. He then proceeded to beat her, quote, "beyond recognition." (--The guy was caught two weeks later and he's now serving 33 years in prison. Gabrielle described the incident on "Oprah Radio" a few years ago. You can listen to it here.) --Now that we've got the history down, here's what Gabrielle had to say about the "Man Down" video on Twitter . . . --"Saw 'Man Down' by @rihanna. Every victim/survivor of rape is unique, including how they THINK they'd like justice to be handed out." --"During my rape I tried to shoot my rapist, but I missed. Over the years I realized that killing my rapist would've added insult to injury." --"The DESIRE to kill someone who's abused/raped you is understandable, but unless it's self defense in the moment to save your life, [that] just ADDS to your troubles." --"#Mandown video did a GREAT job of getting the ENTIRE world TALKING about RAPE. I hope that it leads to HEALING & PREVENTS RAPE."
Emma Watson Did Not Quit Brown University Because of Bullying:
When EMMA WATSON announced she was taking time off from her studies at Brown University, the inevitable stories started popping up that she was leaving due to BULLYING. --Supposedly, her fellow students were busting her for being like her "Harry Potter" character, Hermione Granger . . . and they were teasing her by tossing out quotes from the movies. --Well, Emma would like you to know that's not true. She says, quote, "It made me so sad when all this stuff came out . . . It made no sense at all. Brown has been the opposite. --"I've never even been asked for an autograph on campus. I threw a party for nearly 100 students and not a single person put a photo on Facebook. --"Anyway, even if I was being given a hard time, I wasn't going to wuss out of university because someone said 'Wingardium leviosa' to me in a corridor, or 'Ten points for Gryffindor.' --"I've been dealing with the media since I was nine. If I can't stand up to a few people giving me a hard time, it's a bit pathetic, really. I've had so much worse."
Dakota Fanning Graduated from High School Monday . . . Check Out a Picture of Her in Her Cap and Gown:
DAKOTA FANNING graduated from Campbell Hall Episcopal High School in Hollywood on Monday. (--Check out a picture of her in her cap and gown here.) (People) --The ceremony was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. --Dakota was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She's 17 years old.
Did Sean Connery Participate in the First Gay Kiss for TV or Film?
The "National Enquirer" says that SEAN CONNERY participated in a man-on-man kiss for a 1960 BBC-TV drama. --Researchers reportedly found footage that was believed lost of a 50-year-old TV-movie called "Colombe" . . . in which Connery kisses a man on the lips in order to understand why his wife left him for the guy. --Sean was 29 at the time it was filmed. And it might be the first male-on-male kiss in film, TV or stage history. (--Not including underground gay porno, of course. And you know it existed back then . . . even though your grandpa didn't talk about it.) --There's no word if, how or when we'll ever be able to see this.
Was Nicolas Cage's Son Hospitalized Yesterday for a Mental Evaluation?
TMZ is reporting that NICOLAS CAGE'S 20-year-old son WESTON was hospitalized last night for a psychiatric evaluation. --Sources say Weston was trying to order a meal at the Farmer's Kitchen restaurant in Hollywood, when his trainer told him he couldn't eat something on the menu. --Weston freaked out and started shoving the guy. Then he tried to roundhouse-kick him. --The trainer took Weston down and restrained him . . . but he couldn't calm him down. Weston got up and continued having a fit. --Police showed up and had to threaten to TAZE Weston in order to get him on the ground. They ended up strapping him to a gurney and taking him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. --It's not clear if he was under the influence, but witnesses said he appeared to be on something. -A source also says Weston got into a huge argument with his wife yesterday morning and stormed out of their house. --Nicolas Cage was said to be at the hospital last night, and had cleared his schedule so he can be there as long as he's needed. (--Weston is a pretty scary dude. Here are some pics.) (Google Images)
THE SCHWARZENEGGER CHRONICLES
Arnold is Starting to Accept That He's Not Getting Maria Back:
The ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER / MARIA SHRIVER divorce his humming along . . . and Arnold is finally being forced to recognize that he fudged his marriage up beyond all repair. --A source says, quote, "Maria has already begun to move on from her failed marriage. She and Arnold do talk, they have to . . . they have four children together. --"But, Maria has made it clear to Arnold that there is no chance at a reconciliation. Arnold finally seems to be accepting this, but he doesn't like it."
Tiger Woods is Skipping the U.S. Open:
TIGER WOODS pulled out of the U.S. Open yesterday due to ongoing issues with his left leg. He said, quote, "I am extremely disappointed that I won't be playing in the U.S. Open, but it's time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future. --"I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed." --Tiger says he hopes to be back in action for the AT&T National, which begins June 30th. He hasn't missed a U.S. Open since 1994. --This year's U.S. Open begins next Thursday . . . and it'll be the 12th straight major tournament that Tiger doesn't win. This is the longest drought of his career. --Before his sex scandal, people considered it a no-brainer that he was going to break JACK NICKLAUS' record of winning 18 majors. He remains four short of that goal.
A "Salt" Sequel Is In the Works:
Sony pictures has begun work on a sequel to "Salt" . . . last year's spy thriller starring ANGELINA JOLIE. --There's actually no word yet whether Angelina is coming back . . . but she has said in the past that she's interested. --At last year's London premiere, she said she HOPED there'd be a follow-up, adding, quote, "I love doing action. I love to punch things, jump off things and shoot, so I'm lucky I got the job."
The Cast of the Fifth Season of "Celebrity Rehab" Has Some Big Names:
VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" has always put more of an emphasis on "celebrity" than "rehab" . . . and that ratio should reach a new level on the fifth season, which starts June 26th. --That's because the cast was announced yesterday . . . and it's arguably the most famous group overall that's ever been featured on the show. Here's the list:
--Lindsay Lohan's fame-whore dad Michael Lohan.
--'80s actress Sean Young . . . who starred in "Blade Runner" and "No Way Out".
--Actress Bai Ling . . . who starred in "The Crow" and "Anna and the King".
--Amy Fisher . . . the "Long Island Lolita" who shot her lover Joey Buttafuoco's wife.
--Former "Baywatch" star Jeremy Jackson . . . he played Hobie, the son of David Hasselhoff's character.
--Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dwight Gooden . . . he spent most of his career with the New York Mets.
--Jessica "Sugar" Kiper . . . she came in third place on "Survivor: Gabon", which aired three years ago. She returned for the "Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains" season, but was the first to be eliminated.
--Original Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler. He's a returning star. Steven was on the second season of "Celebrity Rehab", and the first season of its spin-off, "Sober House".
Glenn Beck Has Launched His Own Channel . . . on the Internet:
We've heard that GLENN BECK might launch his own cable channel. That hasn't happened yet, but he has launched his own ONLINE "channel." It's called "GBTV" . . . and it's the home of Glenn's new two-hour Internet show, which will premiere this fall. --But here's the catch: It's NOT free. You'll have to shell out $4.95-a-month for a subscription . . . or $9.95-a-month, if you want the "PLUS" package. (--For more details, hit up GBTV.com. Supposedly, he already has 80,000 subscribers.)
Keith Olbermann Could Make $100 Million at Current TV?
KEITH OLBERMANN may have had several reasons for choosing Current TV as his new home, and MONEY was probably one of them. Keith is reportedly making $10 million a year . . . a 40% raise over the $7 million he was making at MSNBC. --On top of that, he also has an equity stake in the company, which . . . all things considered . . . could make his five-year deal worth $100 MILLION.
Is Katie Couric's Show Going to Be Called "The Katie Couric Show"?
KATIE COURIC'S publicist has registered the Internet domain names TheKatieCouricShow.com and KatieTVShow.com . . . so that means one thing: Katie's new talk show will probably have a boring, uncreative title.
The "NBA Finals" Took the Top Two Spots in the Ratings:
The 6th season premiere of "America's Got Talent" pulled in 15.3 million viewers to come in 3rd in the ratings and set a record for the show's season premieres. --The first three games of the "NBA Finals" rounded out the top four spots. Game 2 led the week with 15.5 million viewers.
1.) Game 2 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.5 million viewers (--Dallas won the game, 95-93.)
2.) Game 3 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.3 million viewers (--Miami won the game, 88-86.)
3.) The 6th season premiere of "America's Got Talent", NBC, 15.28 million viewers
4.) Game 1 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.17 million viewers (--Miami won the game, 92-84.)
5.) "The Voice", NBC, 14.4 million viewers
Wednesday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)
--"NHL Stanley Cup Finals" [Game 4] . . . 8:00 to 11:00 P.M. Eastern on Versus. (--The Boston Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks.)
--"2011 CMT Music Awards" . . . 8:00 to 10:30 P.M. on CMT. (--Kid Rock is your host, and the performers include Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan and the Zac Brown Band.) (--Red carpet chaos starts at 7:00 if that's your thing. Here are the nominees.)
--"Minute to Win It" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on NBC. (--"Jackass" co-stars Steve-O and Ryan Dunn compete for charity. The airing was delayed a week.)
--"So You Think You Can Dance" [Callbacks] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Fox.
--"America's Got Talent" [Audition Show] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC.
--"Operation Repo" [9th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 9:30 P.M. on TruTV.
--"Extreme Couponing" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:30 to 10:00 P.M. on TLC.
--"South Park" [15th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on Comedy Central. (--Randy and Sharon argue about Stan's taste in music.)
--"The Real World: Las Vegas" [Reunion] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on MTV.
--"Workaholics" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:30 to 11:00 P.M. on Comedy Central.
--"The Electric Barbarellas" [1st Season Finale] . . . 11:00 to 11:30 P.M. on MTV.
Barry Manilow's Next Album Was Inspired By . . . Britney Spears' 2007 Head-Shaving Meltdown?
BARRY MANILOW'S upcoming album "15 Minutes" is a concept album that was inspired by . . . BRITNEY SPEARS, and her 2007 head-shaving meltdown. -Barry explains, quote, "The thing we started to think about was when Britney Spears was being hounded by the paparazzi. They were driving her crazy. --"She couldn't have a life without them pulling up next to her car and following her and driving her crazy to the point where, that was around the time she shaved off her hair. I think they actually helped to drive her crazy. --"We all looked at it in horror . . . and I said, 'Is this what happens these days?' So it seemed like a thing to be writing an album about." --"15 Minutes" comes out next Tuesday. (--It's unclear if Barry caught any of the CHARLIE SHEEN insanity that went down earlier this year . . . and if he plans on writing an album about that.)
The Night Barry Manilow *Almost* Lost His Marbles:
Here's the story of the night BARRY MANILOW realized that being a celebrity isn't everything it's cracked up to be . . . and almost went CRAZY. Almost -Barry tells the "Los Angeles Times" that it happened a few years after "Mandy" went big. He says, quote, "It knocked me for a loop. It turned me into a person I didn't like. I felt I was being demanding. I felt like I was not treating people kindly. --"But most of all I didn't like where I found myself. I remember this night in Florida about five years, four years into my beginning of this trip . . . I don't like the word 'celebrity' . . . my fame trip. --"I was outside in a rocking chair looking at the stars, and I realized that everybody in my house that I was renting on a beach in Florida I was paying. Everybody around me I was paying. My friends had seemed to have disappeared. --"And this craziness becomes a job, a job that I'm grateful for and that I like, but it's not my life. I had to rethink everything." (--Barry did not shave his head that night . . . he did not rampage through the beach house, going "Mortal Kombat" on everyone. At least as far as we know.) (--And that's a shame, because if there's anything more awesome than Barry Manilow, it's BELLIGERENT Barry Manilow. Kicking ass and taking names.)
Johnny Rotten Is Trying to Clean Up His Teeth, and It's a Mess, Naturally:
SEX PISTOLS legend JOHN LYDON . . . you know, JOHNNY ROTTEN . . . has actually been going to the dentist, and surprise: There's a LOT of work to be done. --He's had oral surgeries to fix up some of the very GNARLY dental problems he's dealing with . . . including gum infections and of course, rotting teeth. But it sounds like he GETS IT now. --Johnny says, quote, "I have very few real teeth left. That's something my parents didn't pass on to me. They passed many good things on, but dental health wasn't one of them. I have to keep having them done and they keep getting infections. --"I'm just recovering from a double abscess. I've had eight stitches in the front of my mouth so my top lip is sewn over the top gum so I'm talking a little strange. Every time I laugh the stitches pull."
Check Out This Lady Gaga / Judas Priest Mash-Up:
Someone put together a clever mash-up of LADY GAGA'S "Judas" and JUDAS PRIEST'S "Painkiller". (--You can check it out, here.)
Does Selena Gomez's New Song Praise Her New Boyfriend Justin Bieber . . . and Slam Her Old Boyfriend Nick Jonas?
SELENA GOMEZ has a song called "Bang Bang Bang" . . . and if the lyrics are as literal as they seem, it sounds like she's telling off her ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas, and bragging about her NEW love Justin Bieber.
--Here are some of the lyrics:
"My new boy used to be a model,
He looks way better than you, he looks way better than you
My new boy gets it how to get me,
His love is deeper you know. He's a real keeper you know.
"Bang, bang, bang, I'm breakin' in.
Stealin' all my love back, giving it to him.
Bang, bang, bang, this time I win.
I thought your love was all that, 'til I let him in.
"My new boy knows the way I want it.
He's got more swagger than you, he's got more swagger than you do.
My new boy really likes to flaunt this,
He's not hiding me you know, he's showing me off you know?"
(--You can listen to the song, here. For what it's worth, Selena did co-write it. It'll be on the new SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE album, "When the Sun Goes Down", which comes out on June 28th.)
Katy Perry Has a Geeky Teen Alter Ego Named Kathy Beth Terry:
KATY PERRY has created a geeky teen alter ego named Kathy Beth Terry to promote the video for her song "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". --She already has her own Facebook and Twitter accounts. (--Here's the Facebook page . . . and here's the Twitter feed.) --According to her Twitter profile, Kathy says she's, quote, "13 and in the 8th grade. I like Sudoku puzzles, the solar system, high-school science fairs, Skip-It, Weenie Babies and LOVE JTT!" (--That would be the incomparable Jonathan Taylor Thomas. He's 29 now but he used to be quite the teen heart throb when he was on "Home Improvement".) (--Here's a 30-second teaser of the video. The whole thing drops next Tuesday.)
A New Beyoncé Track Has Leaked Online:
Another track from BEYONCÉ'S new album has hit the Internet. This one's called "Party", and it features ANDRE 3000 from OUTKAST. KANYE WEST also provided a few lines. (--You can check it out by scrolling down to the audio player, here.) (--WARNING: Andre 3000's part contains UNCENSORED PROFANITY. Beyoncé's album hits stores on June 28th.)
Taylor Swift and Shania Twain Taped a "Thelma & Louise" Parody for Tonight's "CMT Music Awards":
Tonight's "CMT Music Awards" will open with a "Thelma & Louise" video parody starring SHANIA TWAIN and TAYLOR SWIFT. I'm guessing Taylor is playing the GEENA DAVIS part, while Shania will try to fill out the SUSAN SARANDON role. --There's also a special cameo from "Glee" stud CHORD OVERSTREET . . . most likely revisiting BRAD PITT'S breakout role. (--Side note: Chord is the son of country legend TOMMY OVERSTREET. But you already knew that.) --The video was shot Monday in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, which is near Nashville. (--You can check out some photos of the shoot, here.) --Speaking of Shania Twain: She has a "big announcement" coming up today at 3:00 P.M. --She's not saying what it's about, but . . . we DID just find out she's premiering her new single, "Today Is Your Day", this Sunday during the final episode of her show, "Why Not? with Shania Twain". --Perhaps she'll be announcing details about the release of the album. (--Shania's "Big Announcement" will stream live today on her website. Here's the link.)
WESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
JON STEWART cut his hand during an ANTHONY WEINER sketch on "The Daily Show" yesterday . . . but he didn't stop the bit. (Video) (--WARNING: The clip contains bleeped profanity, and John Oliver says an UNCENSORED P-word.)
"Dancing with the Stars" minx KARINA SMIRNOFF will marry Detroit Tigers pitcher BRAD PENNY on January 21st, 2012 in Cozumel, Mexico. (Full Story)
Do you love this whole "jack-of-all-trades" thing JAMES FRANCO is doing, or does it annoy you? Either way, he's about to add another line to his resume . . . because he's working on an ALBUM. (Full Story)
ANNE HATHAWAY jammed the butt of a gun into a stuntman's eye socket on the set of "The Dark Knight Rises", leaving him with a nasty shiner. (Full Story)
If BLAKE LIVELY really did leak nude photos of herself, it's not hurting her relationship with LEONARDO DICAPRIO. The two of them spent Sunday night at Disneyland. (Full Story)
At a meeting with his probation officer yesterday, PLAXICO BURRESS learned that he is not allowed to possess guns or other deadly weapons for two years. (Full Story)
Deadline.com says LAURENCE FISHBURNE is NOT returning to "CSI" this fall. Supposedly, it was his decision to walk away. Laurence replaced WILLIAM PETERSEN two and a half years ago . . . and his character murdered a serial killer as the cliffhanger of this year's season finale. (Full Story)
NBC beat out FOX and ESPN to win the domestic broadcasting rights for the next four Olympic Games . . . from 2014 until 2020. The deal cost NBC $4.38 billion. (Full Story)
Another "Glee" star is releasing an album. This time it's NAYA RIVERA, who plays the street-tough closeted lesbian Santana Lopez. It's too early to say when it might be out. (Full Story)
Now that "American Idol" is over, AEROSMITH guitarist JOE PERRY says they're hitting the studio "the second week of July" to begin working on their next album. (Full Story)
RANDOM STUFF
Two Out of Three People Have Walked Out of a Store Because of Bad Customer Service:
The next time you're at a store and realize you've been waiting for a salesperson FOREVER . . . just know EVERYONE'S been there. --According to a new survey by "Consumer Reports", two out of three people say they've walked out of a store because of bad customer service in the past year alone. --Two-thirds have also hung up during a customer support call because they were stuck on hold or not getting the help they needed. --But when it comes to in-store complaints, people say RUDE or pushy salespeople are actually worse than no salespeople at all. --The thing people complain about the least are long lines at the register. --On the phone, the biggest complaint by far is how hard it is to get an actual human on the phone. --The thing that gets the fewest complaints is . . . a company that has bad taste in its hold music. (PR Newswire)
56% of People Have Forgotten Where They Parked . . . And 3% Have Called Roadside Assistance To Help Them Search:
It must take a LOT of patience to work for Triple-A. Because I bet the team there gets calls for STUPID stuff like this WAY more than we realize. --According to a new survey, 56% of people say that, at some point, they've completely forgotten where they parked their car. And 3% actually called roadside assistance to come and help them search. --25% of people have locked their keys in the car, and 10% have called roadside assistance for help with that. --10% have filled their car with the wrong kind of gas, usually diesel . . . and 5% have called for help. --3.5% have called when they got lost. --2% have called when their GPS stopped working. --9% of men and 5% of women have called when they ran out of gas. --And finally . . . 21% of people have called roadside assistance to get help changing a tire. (Webwire)
Quadriplegics Can Now Steer Their Wheelchairs With Tongue Rings:
Get ready to see a lot more wheelchair-bound people flashing their TONGUE RINGS. And it's not because quadriplegics are getting SKANKIER. We don't actually have any data on that . . . although it would be nice. --At the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, researchers are testing out a special TONGUE STUD that quadriplegics can use to STEER their wheelchairs. --The tongue rings are magnetically connected to their chair's control system. A person can fully control their wheelchair just by moving their tongue in the direction they want to go. It's so responsive that you could navigate an obstacle course. --The researchers say they came up with the idea because they wanted paralyzed and severely disabled people to be able to control their chairs in a subtle way, using one of the functions they maintain complete control of. --For their tests, everyone who's participated HAS had to get their tongue pierced. More than 20,000 people applied to be part of the program, 200 were accepted, and all of them were happy to get the piercing. --There's no word on when this technology could get out of the testing phase. (New York Times)
You Can Buy a Copy of Every Email Sarah Palin Sent as Governor . . . For $725.97:
The state of Alaska knows that people want to see SARAH PALIN'S email records from her time as governor. --Whether they're fans, they want to find scandals, or they simply want to see how many times she typed "y-o-u-r" when she meant "you are" . . . her emails are going to be a popular read. --So Alaska's trying to cash in. On Friday, you can buy 24,199 pages featuring every one of Palin's emails from her 21 months as governor. It'll cost you $725.97. --That comes out to 3 cents a page, which is way down from Alaska's initial plan . . . which was to try to sell the emails for $15 MILLION. --Oh, and the $725.97 doesn't include shipping, so if you want them, you'll either have to head to Alaska to pick them up . . . or prepare to pay a lot more. --They aren't going to be selling an electronic copy, but some websites are certainly going to scan all the emails after they're released. --As governor, all of her emails ARE legally considered part of the public record, as long as they pass through the state's mail computers. But there are some emails that have some information blacked out. (MSNBC)
The Iranian Women's Soccer Team Forfeited Their Olympic Bid . . . Because They Wouldn't Play Without Head Scarves:
Over the weekend, Iran's women's soccer team had a qualifying soccer match for the 2012 Olympics in London. --They came to the match wearing head scarves . . . because, as we know, women in Iran and other strict Islamic countries keep their heads covered. --And because of that . . . they had to FORFEIT. --Back in 2007, head scarves were BANNED in international play. FIFA, the organization that governs soccer, determined they're a CHOKING RISK on the field. (--So they have something in common with the British national team . . .) --The Iranian team knew that going in, but the players wore the head scarves anyway. As for whether that was actually THEIR choice or an order from higher up, we're not sure. --Since they refused to remove them, they forfeited their matches against Jordan and Vietnam. So, barring some kind of miracle, the Iranian women won't be competing in the 2012 Olympics. (Yahoo Sports) (--Here's a photo of the team in their head scarves.)
A City in Connecticut Shut Down Its New Public Fountain . . . Because People Wouldn't Stop Using It as a Toilet:
Last month, the city of New London, Connecticut unveiled a brand new, $11 MILLION fountain. It's sculpted to look like a whale's tail that has water spilling over the top. As the summer gets hotter, they want people to run through the water. --At least . . . they USED to want people to run through the water. Over the weekend, they turned off the water in the fountain indefinitely. --The reason: Homeless people have been magnetically drawn to the fountain and are treating it as a public bathroom. --Ever since it opened, the police keep getting calls about people peeing in there . . . defecating in there . . . showering in there . . . and also using it to rinse off BLOOD when they're injured. --The city plans to turn the fountain back on once they figure out a better way to police it. (Connecticut Post) (--Here are photos of the fountain, pre-befouling.)
Site For Sore Eyes:
http://optimistworld.com
Want to escape from all the bad news in the world for a day? This site is full of good-news headlines and inspiring stories about charities, positive corporate social responsibility activities, sustainable travel and more. It’s all good!
www.dosomething.org
This site aims to inspire, support and celebrate young people and encourage a generation of “do-ers.” This online community is a place where young people can share what they’re doing to make the world a better place and find volunteer opportunities.
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
Police Spot a Drunk Driver Because She Was Driving Topless:
Over the weekend, in Marin County, Florida, the cops noticed 21-year-old Keila De Oliveira Leite was driving drunk. --They noticed her because she illegally crossed double yellow lines. They noticed her because she swerved around them, and because she was going 20 miles-per-hour UNDER the speed limit. But mostly, they noticed her because she was TOPLESS. --According to the arrest report, she has tattoos and piercings, but there's no word on whether they were in her topless region . . . or WHY she was driving topless. She was arrested for DUI. (Treasure Coast Palm) (--Here's her mugshot.)
A Woman Locks Her Keys In Her Car . . . And Starts a Half-Acre Brush Fire to Attract Help:
This woman is probably going to jail, all because she didn't have a Triple-A membership. They should probably use this in their ads. --On Friday, around 4:00 A.M., 48-year-old Jena Liberty of Fresno, California locked her keys in her car. And her plan to get help was . . . to start a BRUSH FIRE to attract attention. --She lit some branches on a hillside and ended up causing a brush fire that stretched HALF AN ACRE before the fire department could put it out. Fortunately no injuries were reported. --After the fire was out, instead of helping her get her keys out of the car, the police arrested her on suspicion of arson. (Los Angeles Daily News)
A Man Is Arrested For Leaving His 87-Year-Old Mom Locked In a Hot Car While He Buys Crack:
You always hear about parents locking their kids in the car while they buy drugs or hit the strip club. Or both. So it's a change of pace when the CHILD goes off to do stupid crap and locks the PARENT in the car. --On Saturday afternoon, 65-year-old Kenneth Lawson of Brooksville, Florida wanted to go buy himself some CRACK. So he loaded his 87-year-old MOTHER into his Chevy Impala and brought her along on the crack run. --Kenneth parked behind a gas station to meet his crack dealer. And he left his mom locked in the hot car with the engine off and the windows rolled all the way up. --Police spotted her, helped get her out of the car, and waited for Kenneth to get back. --He was arrested for neglect of an elderly or disabled person. His crack dealer never showed, so he wasn't hit with any drug charges. --His mother is listed in good condition. (--And just because her son's a senior citizen too, that doesn't mean she can't smack him upside the head.) (CBS 10 - Tampa)
A Man Wants to Blow Up a Courthouse, Convinces His Girlfriend to Help . . . Then Tries to Get a Reward By Turning Her In:
If Donny Love Senior of San Diego, California WASN'T about to go to prison, it would STILL be impossible for him to get another girlfriend. Because he's CLEARLY not relationship material. -Back in 2008, Love decided he wanted to bomb a federal courthouse in San Diego. He read a book about bomb making, then talked his girlfriend, Rachel Carlock, into helping him. --He convinced her to buy or steal all of the bomb-making materials, scope out the courthouse . . . and even plant the pipe bombs around the court house. And for some reason, she DID. --Around 1:40 A.M. on May 4th, 2008, the bombs went off. They blew out some windows, but thankfully no one was hurt. --Then, after the bombing, Love had a brilliant idea. He would go to the FBI, rat out his girlfriend, and convince them to give him $75,000 in reward money. --But when he actually sat down with the FBI, they started putting the information together and realized HE was really the one behind the bombing. --During his trial, prosecutors were able to convince the jury that it was ALL Love . . . his girlfriend only did the work because, quote, "she wanted to do anything to be considered his girl . . . he knew it, that she'd do anything for [him]." --Yesterday, he was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and use of weapons of mass destruction. He's looking at up to 30 years in prison. His girlfriend pleaded guilty to possessing a destructive device . . . she's waiting on sentencing. (MSNBC)
Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
Bank of America tried to foreclose on a couple in Florida by accident, but wouldn't pay their legal fees when they realized the mistake. So the couple's lawyer had moving trucks pull up in front of the branch . . . to foreclose on THEM. (Full Story)
Here's a list from TruTV of the 24 dumbest things to waste your money on in a recession. And actually, the list itself is pretty dumb. It includes stuff like organic food, tanning, pure bred dogs, Starbucks, movie candy, and designer jeans. (Full Story)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) A Woman Had the Profile Pictures of 152 Facebook Friends Tattooed on Her Arm:
Some woman had the profile pictures of 152 Facebook friends tattooed on her arm, and posted a video of it online. Oddly enough, the video doesn't show HER face. (--Search YouTube for "My Social Tattoo." See the finished product at 1:06.)
#2.) An Ad for Disneyland Shows Darth Vader Riding the Kiddie Rides:
Disneyland opened a revamped version of the "Star Tours" ride last weekend, and they released a video of DARTH VADER hanging out with a couple Stormtroopers, riding the kiddie rides, and using the force to make the ride reopen. (--Search YouTube for "Star Tours: Darth Vader Goes to Disneyland.")
#3.) Here's the Crazy Fighter Jet Fly-By From the Pilot's Point of View:
A video of a fighter jet doing an insanely low fly-by in Argentina made the rounds online last week. It was so low, people thought the video was fake. But apparently it's real. --Now you can watch it from the PILOT'S point of view, and see a group of people run for their lives when it goes by. (--Google "Pilot's View of That Crazy Fly-By." It passes them at 1:04.)
Four Everyday Things That Are Bigger Cancer Risks Than Your Cell Phone:
If you've been holding your cell phone a foot from your ear ever since you heard that it's a "possible carcinogen," relax. It just means cell phones MIGHT cause cancer. Here are four things people use every day that are even riskier.
#1.) Coffee. Yeah, it's been shown to PREVENT some types of cancer: A study last month said men who have six or more cups a day are 60% LESS likely to develop fatal prostate cancer. But coffee's still classified as a PROBABLE carcinogen. --It's been linked to bladder cancer since 1991, and a 2010 study found that two or more cups a day increases your risk of developing lung cancer by 14%.
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#2.) Alcohol. It's a KNOWN carcinogen. According to a German study in April, almost 10% of cancers in men, and 3% in women, can be linked to excessive drinking. That includes cancers of the colon, liver, upper digestive tract, and breast cancer.
#3.) Salt. It's also classified as a "known carcinogen," because foods that are high in salt have been linked to ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
#4.) The Sun. It's a known carcinogen, because obviously too much sun can lead to skin cancer. And tanning beds are even worse because some of them emit ten to 15 times more UV radiation than the midday sun. --A 2010 study found that young people who have EVER used a tanning bed are 1.4 times more likely to get the deadliest form of skin cancer: melanoma. And people who have used them more than ten times have double the risk. --Melanoma rates in young women have tripled over the past 30 years. And researchers think it's largely because of tanning beds. (Healthline.com)
Maybe HAYDEN PANETTIERE isn't dating Jets quarterback MARK SANCHEZ . . . because she's nailing one of his teammates. --"Us Weekly" says Hayden is dating Jets receiver SCOTTY MCKNIGHT . . . who's also a childhood friend of Mark's. (--Here are some pics of Scotty.) (Google Images)
Gabrielle Union Was Raped When She Was 19 . . . And She Tried to Shoot Her Attacker:
RIHANNA'S "Man Down" has caused a lot of controversy . . . because both the song and the video are about a woman who shoots and kills a man who raped her. --Well, GABRIELLE UNION can identify with that concept, because she was raped when she was 19 . . . and she tried to shoot her attacker. --The assault occurred when Gabrielle was working part time at a shoe store. A man came in with a gun to rob the place, and he forced her to have sex with him. --During the rape, the man put the gun down. Then a few minutes later, he actually asked her to pick it up and hand it to him. --Gabrielle did pick up the gun . . . but instead of giving it to the guy, she TOOK A SHOT at him. Unfortunately, she missed. A struggle ensued for the gun, and the rapist got it back. He then proceeded to beat her, quote, "beyond recognition." (--The guy was caught two weeks later and he's now serving 33 years in prison. Gabrielle described the incident on "Oprah Radio" a few years ago. You can listen to it here.) --Now that we've got the history down, here's what Gabrielle had to say about the "Man Down" video on Twitter . . . --"Saw 'Man Down' by @rihanna. Every victim/survivor of rape is unique, including how they THINK they'd like justice to be handed out." --"During my rape I tried to shoot my rapist, but I missed. Over the years I realized that killing my rapist would've added insult to injury." --"The DESIRE to kill someone who's abused/raped you is understandable, but unless it's self defense in the moment to save your life, [that] just ADDS to your troubles." --"#Mandown video did a GREAT job of getting the ENTIRE world TALKING about RAPE. I hope that it leads to HEALING & PREVENTS RAPE."
Emma Watson Did Not Quit Brown University Because of Bullying:
When EMMA WATSON announced she was taking time off from her studies at Brown University, the inevitable stories started popping up that she was leaving due to BULLYING. --Supposedly, her fellow students were busting her for being like her "Harry Potter" character, Hermione Granger . . . and they were teasing her by tossing out quotes from the movies. --Well, Emma would like you to know that's not true. She says, quote, "It made me so sad when all this stuff came out . . . It made no sense at all. Brown has been the opposite. --"I've never even been asked for an autograph on campus. I threw a party for nearly 100 students and not a single person put a photo on Facebook. --"Anyway, even if I was being given a hard time, I wasn't going to wuss out of university because someone said 'Wingardium leviosa' to me in a corridor, or 'Ten points for Gryffindor.' --"I've been dealing with the media since I was nine. If I can't stand up to a few people giving me a hard time, it's a bit pathetic, really. I've had so much worse."
Dakota Fanning Graduated from High School Monday . . . Check Out a Picture of Her in Her Cap and Gown:
DAKOTA FANNING graduated from Campbell Hall Episcopal High School in Hollywood on Monday. (--Check out a picture of her in her cap and gown here.) (People) --The ceremony was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. --Dakota was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. She's 17 years old.
Did Sean Connery Participate in the First Gay Kiss for TV or Film?
The "National Enquirer" says that SEAN CONNERY participated in a man-on-man kiss for a 1960 BBC-TV drama. --Researchers reportedly found footage that was believed lost of a 50-year-old TV-movie called "Colombe" . . . in which Connery kisses a man on the lips in order to understand why his wife left him for the guy. --Sean was 29 at the time it was filmed. And it might be the first male-on-male kiss in film, TV or stage history. (--Not including underground gay porno, of course. And you know it existed back then . . . even though your grandpa didn't talk about it.) --There's no word if, how or when we'll ever be able to see this.
Was Nicolas Cage's Son Hospitalized Yesterday for a Mental Evaluation?
TMZ is reporting that NICOLAS CAGE'S 20-year-old son WESTON was hospitalized last night for a psychiatric evaluation. --Sources say Weston was trying to order a meal at the Farmer's Kitchen restaurant in Hollywood, when his trainer told him he couldn't eat something on the menu. --Weston freaked out and started shoving the guy. Then he tried to roundhouse-kick him. --The trainer took Weston down and restrained him . . . but he couldn't calm him down. Weston got up and continued having a fit. --Police showed up and had to threaten to TAZE Weston in order to get him on the ground. They ended up strapping him to a gurney and taking him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. --It's not clear if he was under the influence, but witnesses said he appeared to be on something. -A source also says Weston got into a huge argument with his wife yesterday morning and stormed out of their house. --Nicolas Cage was said to be at the hospital last night, and had cleared his schedule so he can be there as long as he's needed. (--Weston is a pretty scary dude. Here are some pics.) (Google Images)
THE SCHWARZENEGGER CHRONICLES
Arnold is Starting to Accept That He's Not Getting Maria Back:
The ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER / MARIA SHRIVER divorce his humming along . . . and Arnold is finally being forced to recognize that he fudged his marriage up beyond all repair. --A source says, quote, "Maria has already begun to move on from her failed marriage. She and Arnold do talk, they have to . . . they have four children together. --"But, Maria has made it clear to Arnold that there is no chance at a reconciliation. Arnold finally seems to be accepting this, but he doesn't like it."
Tiger Woods is Skipping the U.S. Open:
TIGER WOODS pulled out of the U.S. Open yesterday due to ongoing issues with his left leg. He said, quote, "I am extremely disappointed that I won't be playing in the U.S. Open, but it's time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future. --"I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed." --Tiger says he hopes to be back in action for the AT&T National, which begins June 30th. He hasn't missed a U.S. Open since 1994. --This year's U.S. Open begins next Thursday . . . and it'll be the 12th straight major tournament that Tiger doesn't win. This is the longest drought of his career. --Before his sex scandal, people considered it a no-brainer that he was going to break JACK NICKLAUS' record of winning 18 majors. He remains four short of that goal.
A "Salt" Sequel Is In the Works:
Sony pictures has begun work on a sequel to "Salt" . . . last year's spy thriller starring ANGELINA JOLIE. --There's actually no word yet whether Angelina is coming back . . . but she has said in the past that she's interested. --At last year's London premiere, she said she HOPED there'd be a follow-up, adding, quote, "I love doing action. I love to punch things, jump off things and shoot, so I'm lucky I got the job."
The Cast of the Fifth Season of "Celebrity Rehab" Has Some Big Names:
VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" has always put more of an emphasis on "celebrity" than "rehab" . . . and that ratio should reach a new level on the fifth season, which starts June 26th. --That's because the cast was announced yesterday . . . and it's arguably the most famous group overall that's ever been featured on the show. Here's the list:
--Lindsay Lohan's fame-whore dad Michael Lohan.
--'80s actress Sean Young . . . who starred in "Blade Runner" and "No Way Out".
--Actress Bai Ling . . . who starred in "The Crow" and "Anna and the King".
--Amy Fisher . . . the "Long Island Lolita" who shot her lover Joey Buttafuoco's wife.
--Former "Baywatch" star Jeremy Jackson . . . he played Hobie, the son of David Hasselhoff's character.
--Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dwight Gooden . . . he spent most of his career with the New York Mets.
--Jessica "Sugar" Kiper . . . she came in third place on "Survivor: Gabon", which aired three years ago. She returned for the "Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains" season, but was the first to be eliminated.
--Original Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler. He's a returning star. Steven was on the second season of "Celebrity Rehab", and the first season of its spin-off, "Sober House".
Glenn Beck Has Launched His Own Channel . . . on the Internet:
We've heard that GLENN BECK might launch his own cable channel. That hasn't happened yet, but he has launched his own ONLINE "channel." It's called "GBTV" . . . and it's the home of Glenn's new two-hour Internet show, which will premiere this fall. --But here's the catch: It's NOT free. You'll have to shell out $4.95-a-month for a subscription . . . or $9.95-a-month, if you want the "PLUS" package. (--For more details, hit up GBTV.com. Supposedly, he already has 80,000 subscribers.)
Keith Olbermann Could Make $100 Million at Current TV?
KEITH OLBERMANN may have had several reasons for choosing Current TV as his new home, and MONEY was probably one of them. Keith is reportedly making $10 million a year . . . a 40% raise over the $7 million he was making at MSNBC. --On top of that, he also has an equity stake in the company, which . . . all things considered . . . could make his five-year deal worth $100 MILLION.
Is Katie Couric's Show Going to Be Called "The Katie Couric Show"?
KATIE COURIC'S publicist has registered the Internet domain names TheKatieCouricShow.com and KatieTVShow.com . . . so that means one thing: Katie's new talk show will probably have a boring, uncreative title.
The "NBA Finals" Took the Top Two Spots in the Ratings:
The 6th season premiere of "America's Got Talent" pulled in 15.3 million viewers to come in 3rd in the ratings and set a record for the show's season premieres. --The first three games of the "NBA Finals" rounded out the top four spots. Game 2 led the week with 15.5 million viewers.
1.) Game 2 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.5 million viewers (--Dallas won the game, 95-93.)
2.) Game 3 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.3 million viewers (--Miami won the game, 88-86.)
3.) The 6th season premiere of "America's Got Talent", NBC, 15.28 million viewers
4.) Game 1 of the "NBA Finals", ABC, 15.17 million viewers (--Miami won the game, 92-84.)
5.) "The Voice", NBC, 14.4 million viewers
Wednesday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)
--"NHL Stanley Cup Finals" [Game 4] . . . 8:00 to 11:00 P.M. Eastern on Versus. (--The Boston Bruins host the Vancouver Canucks.)
--"2011 CMT Music Awards" . . . 8:00 to 10:30 P.M. on CMT. (--Kid Rock is your host, and the performers include Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan and the Zac Brown Band.) (--Red carpet chaos starts at 7:00 if that's your thing. Here are the nominees.)
--"Minute to Win It" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on NBC. (--"Jackass" co-stars Steve-O and Ryan Dunn compete for charity. The airing was delayed a week.)
--"So You Think You Can Dance" [Callbacks] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Fox.
--"America's Got Talent" [Audition Show] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC.
--"Operation Repo" [9th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 9:30 P.M. on TruTV.
--"Extreme Couponing" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:30 to 10:00 P.M. on TLC.
--"South Park" [15th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on Comedy Central. (--Randy and Sharon argue about Stan's taste in music.)
--"The Real World: Las Vegas" [Reunion] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on MTV.
--"Workaholics" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:30 to 11:00 P.M. on Comedy Central.
--"The Electric Barbarellas" [1st Season Finale] . . . 11:00 to 11:30 P.M. on MTV.
Barry Manilow's Next Album Was Inspired By . . . Britney Spears' 2007 Head-Shaving Meltdown?
BARRY MANILOW'S upcoming album "15 Minutes" is a concept album that was inspired by . . . BRITNEY SPEARS, and her 2007 head-shaving meltdown. -Barry explains, quote, "The thing we started to think about was when Britney Spears was being hounded by the paparazzi. They were driving her crazy. --"She couldn't have a life without them pulling up next to her car and following her and driving her crazy to the point where, that was around the time she shaved off her hair. I think they actually helped to drive her crazy. --"We all looked at it in horror . . . and I said, 'Is this what happens these days?' So it seemed like a thing to be writing an album about." --"15 Minutes" comes out next Tuesday. (--It's unclear if Barry caught any of the CHARLIE SHEEN insanity that went down earlier this year . . . and if he plans on writing an album about that.)
The Night Barry Manilow *Almost* Lost His Marbles:
Here's the story of the night BARRY MANILOW realized that being a celebrity isn't everything it's cracked up to be . . . and almost went CRAZY. Almost -Barry tells the "Los Angeles Times" that it happened a few years after "Mandy" went big. He says, quote, "It knocked me for a loop. It turned me into a person I didn't like. I felt I was being demanding. I felt like I was not treating people kindly. --"But most of all I didn't like where I found myself. I remember this night in Florida about five years, four years into my beginning of this trip . . . I don't like the word 'celebrity' . . . my fame trip. --"I was outside in a rocking chair looking at the stars, and I realized that everybody in my house that I was renting on a beach in Florida I was paying. Everybody around me I was paying. My friends had seemed to have disappeared. --"And this craziness becomes a job, a job that I'm grateful for and that I like, but it's not my life. I had to rethink everything." (--Barry did not shave his head that night . . . he did not rampage through the beach house, going "Mortal Kombat" on everyone. At least as far as we know.) (--And that's a shame, because if there's anything more awesome than Barry Manilow, it's BELLIGERENT Barry Manilow. Kicking ass and taking names.)
Johnny Rotten Is Trying to Clean Up His Teeth, and It's a Mess, Naturally:
SEX PISTOLS legend JOHN LYDON . . . you know, JOHNNY ROTTEN . . . has actually been going to the dentist, and surprise: There's a LOT of work to be done. --He's had oral surgeries to fix up some of the very GNARLY dental problems he's dealing with . . . including gum infections and of course, rotting teeth. But it sounds like he GETS IT now. --Johnny says, quote, "I have very few real teeth left. That's something my parents didn't pass on to me. They passed many good things on, but dental health wasn't one of them. I have to keep having them done and they keep getting infections. --"I'm just recovering from a double abscess. I've had eight stitches in the front of my mouth so my top lip is sewn over the top gum so I'm talking a little strange. Every time I laugh the stitches pull."
Check Out This Lady Gaga / Judas Priest Mash-Up:
Someone put together a clever mash-up of LADY GAGA'S "Judas" and JUDAS PRIEST'S "Painkiller". (--You can check it out, here.)
Does Selena Gomez's New Song Praise Her New Boyfriend Justin Bieber . . . and Slam Her Old Boyfriend Nick Jonas?
SELENA GOMEZ has a song called "Bang Bang Bang" . . . and if the lyrics are as literal as they seem, it sounds like she's telling off her ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas, and bragging about her NEW love Justin Bieber.
--Here are some of the lyrics:
"My new boy used to be a model,
He looks way better than you, he looks way better than you
My new boy gets it how to get me,
His love is deeper you know. He's a real keeper you know.
"Bang, bang, bang, I'm breakin' in.
Stealin' all my love back, giving it to him.
Bang, bang, bang, this time I win.
I thought your love was all that, 'til I let him in.
"My new boy knows the way I want it.
He's got more swagger than you, he's got more swagger than you do.
My new boy really likes to flaunt this,
He's not hiding me you know, he's showing me off you know?"
(--You can listen to the song, here. For what it's worth, Selena did co-write it. It'll be on the new SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE album, "When the Sun Goes Down", which comes out on June 28th.)
Katy Perry Has a Geeky Teen Alter Ego Named Kathy Beth Terry:
KATY PERRY has created a geeky teen alter ego named Kathy Beth Terry to promote the video for her song "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)". --She already has her own Facebook and Twitter accounts. (--Here's the Facebook page . . . and here's the Twitter feed.) --According to her Twitter profile, Kathy says she's, quote, "13 and in the 8th grade. I like Sudoku puzzles, the solar system, high-school science fairs, Skip-It, Weenie Babies and LOVE JTT!" (--That would be the incomparable Jonathan Taylor Thomas. He's 29 now but he used to be quite the teen heart throb when he was on "Home Improvement".) (--Here's a 30-second teaser of the video. The whole thing drops next Tuesday.)
A New Beyoncé Track Has Leaked Online:
Another track from BEYONCÉ'S new album has hit the Internet. This one's called "Party", and it features ANDRE 3000 from OUTKAST. KANYE WEST also provided a few lines. (--You can check it out by scrolling down to the audio player, here.) (--WARNING: Andre 3000's part contains UNCENSORED PROFANITY. Beyoncé's album hits stores on June 28th.)
Taylor Swift and Shania Twain Taped a "Thelma & Louise" Parody for Tonight's "CMT Music Awards":
Tonight's "CMT Music Awards" will open with a "Thelma & Louise" video parody starring SHANIA TWAIN and TAYLOR SWIFT. I'm guessing Taylor is playing the GEENA DAVIS part, while Shania will try to fill out the SUSAN SARANDON role. --There's also a special cameo from "Glee" stud CHORD OVERSTREET . . . most likely revisiting BRAD PITT'S breakout role. (--Side note: Chord is the son of country legend TOMMY OVERSTREET. But you already knew that.) --The video was shot Monday in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, which is near Nashville. (--You can check out some photos of the shoot, here.) --Speaking of Shania Twain: She has a "big announcement" coming up today at 3:00 P.M. --She's not saying what it's about, but . . . we DID just find out she's premiering her new single, "Today Is Your Day", this Sunday during the final episode of her show, "Why Not? with Shania Twain". --Perhaps she'll be announcing details about the release of the album. (--Shania's "Big Announcement" will stream live today on her website. Here's the link.)
WESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS
Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
JON STEWART cut his hand during an ANTHONY WEINER sketch on "The Daily Show" yesterday . . . but he didn't stop the bit. (Video) (--WARNING: The clip contains bleeped profanity, and John Oliver says an UNCENSORED P-word.)
"Dancing with the Stars" minx KARINA SMIRNOFF will marry Detroit Tigers pitcher BRAD PENNY on January 21st, 2012 in Cozumel, Mexico. (Full Story)
Do you love this whole "jack-of-all-trades" thing JAMES FRANCO is doing, or does it annoy you? Either way, he's about to add another line to his resume . . . because he's working on an ALBUM. (Full Story)
ANNE HATHAWAY jammed the butt of a gun into a stuntman's eye socket on the set of "The Dark Knight Rises", leaving him with a nasty shiner. (Full Story)
If BLAKE LIVELY really did leak nude photos of herself, it's not hurting her relationship with LEONARDO DICAPRIO. The two of them spent Sunday night at Disneyland. (Full Story)
At a meeting with his probation officer yesterday, PLAXICO BURRESS learned that he is not allowed to possess guns or other deadly weapons for two years. (Full Story)
Deadline.com says LAURENCE FISHBURNE is NOT returning to "CSI" this fall. Supposedly, it was his decision to walk away. Laurence replaced WILLIAM PETERSEN two and a half years ago . . . and his character murdered a serial killer as the cliffhanger of this year's season finale. (Full Story)
NBC beat out FOX and ESPN to win the domestic broadcasting rights for the next four Olympic Games . . . from 2014 until 2020. The deal cost NBC $4.38 billion. (Full Story)
Another "Glee" star is releasing an album. This time it's NAYA RIVERA, who plays the street-tough closeted lesbian Santana Lopez. It's too early to say when it might be out. (Full Story)
Now that "American Idol" is over, AEROSMITH guitarist JOE PERRY says they're hitting the studio "the second week of July" to begin working on their next album. (Full Story)
RANDOM STUFF
Two Out of Three People Have Walked Out of a Store Because of Bad Customer Service:
The next time you're at a store and realize you've been waiting for a salesperson FOREVER . . . just know EVERYONE'S been there. --According to a new survey by "Consumer Reports", two out of three people say they've walked out of a store because of bad customer service in the past year alone. --Two-thirds have also hung up during a customer support call because they were stuck on hold or not getting the help they needed. --But when it comes to in-store complaints, people say RUDE or pushy salespeople are actually worse than no salespeople at all. --The thing people complain about the least are long lines at the register. --On the phone, the biggest complaint by far is how hard it is to get an actual human on the phone. --The thing that gets the fewest complaints is . . . a company that has bad taste in its hold music. (PR Newswire)
56% of People Have Forgotten Where They Parked . . . And 3% Have Called Roadside Assistance To Help Them Search:
It must take a LOT of patience to work for Triple-A. Because I bet the team there gets calls for STUPID stuff like this WAY more than we realize. --According to a new survey, 56% of people say that, at some point, they've completely forgotten where they parked their car. And 3% actually called roadside assistance to come and help them search. --25% of people have locked their keys in the car, and 10% have called roadside assistance for help with that. --10% have filled their car with the wrong kind of gas, usually diesel . . . and 5% have called for help. --3.5% have called when they got lost. --2% have called when their GPS stopped working. --9% of men and 5% of women have called when they ran out of gas. --And finally . . . 21% of people have called roadside assistance to get help changing a tire. (Webwire)
Quadriplegics Can Now Steer Their Wheelchairs With Tongue Rings:
Get ready to see a lot more wheelchair-bound people flashing their TONGUE RINGS. And it's not because quadriplegics are getting SKANKIER. We don't actually have any data on that . . . although it would be nice. --At the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, researchers are testing out a special TONGUE STUD that quadriplegics can use to STEER their wheelchairs. --The tongue rings are magnetically connected to their chair's control system. A person can fully control their wheelchair just by moving their tongue in the direction they want to go. It's so responsive that you could navigate an obstacle course. --The researchers say they came up with the idea because they wanted paralyzed and severely disabled people to be able to control their chairs in a subtle way, using one of the functions they maintain complete control of. --For their tests, everyone who's participated HAS had to get their tongue pierced. More than 20,000 people applied to be part of the program, 200 were accepted, and all of them were happy to get the piercing. --There's no word on when this technology could get out of the testing phase. (New York Times)
You Can Buy a Copy of Every Email Sarah Palin Sent as Governor . . . For $725.97:
The state of Alaska knows that people want to see SARAH PALIN'S email records from her time as governor. --Whether they're fans, they want to find scandals, or they simply want to see how many times she typed "y-o-u-r" when she meant "you are" . . . her emails are going to be a popular read. --So Alaska's trying to cash in. On Friday, you can buy 24,199 pages featuring every one of Palin's emails from her 21 months as governor. It'll cost you $725.97. --That comes out to 3 cents a page, which is way down from Alaska's initial plan . . . which was to try to sell the emails for $15 MILLION. --Oh, and the $725.97 doesn't include shipping, so if you want them, you'll either have to head to Alaska to pick them up . . . or prepare to pay a lot more. --They aren't going to be selling an electronic copy, but some websites are certainly going to scan all the emails after they're released. --As governor, all of her emails ARE legally considered part of the public record, as long as they pass through the state's mail computers. But there are some emails that have some information blacked out. (MSNBC)
The Iranian Women's Soccer Team Forfeited Their Olympic Bid . . . Because They Wouldn't Play Without Head Scarves:
Over the weekend, Iran's women's soccer team had a qualifying soccer match for the 2012 Olympics in London. --They came to the match wearing head scarves . . . because, as we know, women in Iran and other strict Islamic countries keep their heads covered. --And because of that . . . they had to FORFEIT. --Back in 2007, head scarves were BANNED in international play. FIFA, the organization that governs soccer, determined they're a CHOKING RISK on the field. (--So they have something in common with the British national team . . .) --The Iranian team knew that going in, but the players wore the head scarves anyway. As for whether that was actually THEIR choice or an order from higher up, we're not sure. --Since they refused to remove them, they forfeited their matches against Jordan and Vietnam. So, barring some kind of miracle, the Iranian women won't be competing in the 2012 Olympics. (Yahoo Sports) (--Here's a photo of the team in their head scarves.)
A City in Connecticut Shut Down Its New Public Fountain . . . Because People Wouldn't Stop Using It as a Toilet:
Last month, the city of New London, Connecticut unveiled a brand new, $11 MILLION fountain. It's sculpted to look like a whale's tail that has water spilling over the top. As the summer gets hotter, they want people to run through the water. --At least . . . they USED to want people to run through the water. Over the weekend, they turned off the water in the fountain indefinitely. --The reason: Homeless people have been magnetically drawn to the fountain and are treating it as a public bathroom. --Ever since it opened, the police keep getting calls about people peeing in there . . . defecating in there . . . showering in there . . . and also using it to rinse off BLOOD when they're injured. --The city plans to turn the fountain back on once they figure out a better way to police it. (Connecticut Post) (--Here are photos of the fountain, pre-befouling.)
Site For Sore Eyes:
http://optimistworld.com
Want to escape from all the bad news in the world for a day? This site is full of good-news headlines and inspiring stories about charities, positive corporate social responsibility activities, sustainable travel and more. It’s all good!
www.dosomething.org
This site aims to inspire, support and celebrate young people and encourage a generation of “do-ers.” This online community is a place where young people can share what they’re doing to make the world a better place and find volunteer opportunities.
MEATBALL CRIMINALS
Police Spot a Drunk Driver Because She Was Driving Topless:
Over the weekend, in Marin County, Florida, the cops noticed 21-year-old Keila De Oliveira Leite was driving drunk. --They noticed her because she illegally crossed double yellow lines. They noticed her because she swerved around them, and because she was going 20 miles-per-hour UNDER the speed limit. But mostly, they noticed her because she was TOPLESS. --According to the arrest report, she has tattoos and piercings, but there's no word on whether they were in her topless region . . . or WHY she was driving topless. She was arrested for DUI. (Treasure Coast Palm) (--Here's her mugshot.)
A Woman Locks Her Keys In Her Car . . . And Starts a Half-Acre Brush Fire to Attract Help:
This woman is probably going to jail, all because she didn't have a Triple-A membership. They should probably use this in their ads. --On Friday, around 4:00 A.M., 48-year-old Jena Liberty of Fresno, California locked her keys in her car. And her plan to get help was . . . to start a BRUSH FIRE to attract attention. --She lit some branches on a hillside and ended up causing a brush fire that stretched HALF AN ACRE before the fire department could put it out. Fortunately no injuries were reported. --After the fire was out, instead of helping her get her keys out of the car, the police arrested her on suspicion of arson. (Los Angeles Daily News)
A Man Is Arrested For Leaving His 87-Year-Old Mom Locked In a Hot Car While He Buys Crack:
You always hear about parents locking their kids in the car while they buy drugs or hit the strip club. Or both. So it's a change of pace when the CHILD goes off to do stupid crap and locks the PARENT in the car. --On Saturday afternoon, 65-year-old Kenneth Lawson of Brooksville, Florida wanted to go buy himself some CRACK. So he loaded his 87-year-old MOTHER into his Chevy Impala and brought her along on the crack run. --Kenneth parked behind a gas station to meet his crack dealer. And he left his mom locked in the hot car with the engine off and the windows rolled all the way up. --Police spotted her, helped get her out of the car, and waited for Kenneth to get back. --He was arrested for neglect of an elderly or disabled person. His crack dealer never showed, so he wasn't hit with any drug charges. --His mother is listed in good condition. (--And just because her son's a senior citizen too, that doesn't mean she can't smack him upside the head.) (CBS 10 - Tampa)
A Man Wants to Blow Up a Courthouse, Convinces His Girlfriend to Help . . . Then Tries to Get a Reward By Turning Her In:
If Donny Love Senior of San Diego, California WASN'T about to go to prison, it would STILL be impossible for him to get another girlfriend. Because he's CLEARLY not relationship material. -Back in 2008, Love decided he wanted to bomb a federal courthouse in San Diego. He read a book about bomb making, then talked his girlfriend, Rachel Carlock, into helping him. --He convinced her to buy or steal all of the bomb-making materials, scope out the courthouse . . . and even plant the pipe bombs around the court house. And for some reason, she DID. --Around 1:40 A.M. on May 4th, 2008, the bombs went off. They blew out some windows, but thankfully no one was hurt. --Then, after the bombing, Love had a brilliant idea. He would go to the FBI, rat out his girlfriend, and convince them to give him $75,000 in reward money. --But when he actually sat down with the FBI, they started putting the information together and realized HE was really the one behind the bombing. --During his trial, prosecutors were able to convince the jury that it was ALL Love . . . his girlfriend only did the work because, quote, "she wanted to do anything to be considered his girl . . . he knew it, that she'd do anything for [him]." --Yesterday, he was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and use of weapons of mass destruction. He's looking at up to 30 years in prison. His girlfriend pleaded guilty to possessing a destructive device . . . she's waiting on sentencing. (MSNBC)
Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:
Bank of America tried to foreclose on a couple in Florida by accident, but wouldn't pay their legal fees when they realized the mistake. So the couple's lawyer had moving trucks pull up in front of the branch . . . to foreclose on THEM. (Full Story)
Here's a list from TruTV of the 24 dumbest things to waste your money on in a recession. And actually, the list itself is pretty dumb. It includes stuff like organic food, tanning, pure bred dogs, Starbucks, movie candy, and designer jeans. (Full Story)
NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY
#1.) A Woman Had the Profile Pictures of 152 Facebook Friends Tattooed on Her Arm:
Some woman had the profile pictures of 152 Facebook friends tattooed on her arm, and posted a video of it online. Oddly enough, the video doesn't show HER face. (--Search YouTube for "My Social Tattoo." See the finished product at 1:06.)
#2.) An Ad for Disneyland Shows Darth Vader Riding the Kiddie Rides:
Disneyland opened a revamped version of the "Star Tours" ride last weekend, and they released a video of DARTH VADER hanging out with a couple Stormtroopers, riding the kiddie rides, and using the force to make the ride reopen. (--Search YouTube for "Star Tours: Darth Vader Goes to Disneyland.")
#3.) Here's the Crazy Fighter Jet Fly-By From the Pilot's Point of View:
A video of a fighter jet doing an insanely low fly-by in Argentina made the rounds online last week. It was so low, people thought the video was fake. But apparently it's real. --Now you can watch it from the PILOT'S point of view, and see a group of people run for their lives when it goes by. (--Google "Pilot's View of That Crazy Fly-By." It passes them at 1:04.)
Four Everyday Things That Are Bigger Cancer Risks Than Your Cell Phone:
If you've been holding your cell phone a foot from your ear ever since you heard that it's a "possible carcinogen," relax. It just means cell phones MIGHT cause cancer. Here are four things people use every day that are even riskier.
#1.) Coffee. Yeah, it's been shown to PREVENT some types of cancer: A study last month said men who have six or more cups a day are 60% LESS likely to develop fatal prostate cancer. But coffee's still classified as a PROBABLE carcinogen. --It's been linked to bladder cancer since 1991, and a 2010 study found that two or more cups a day increases your risk of developing lung cancer by 14%.
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#2.) Alcohol. It's a KNOWN carcinogen. According to a German study in April, almost 10% of cancers in men, and 3% in women, can be linked to excessive drinking. That includes cancers of the colon, liver, upper digestive tract, and breast cancer.
#3.) Salt. It's also classified as a "known carcinogen," because foods that are high in salt have been linked to ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.
#4.) The Sun. It's a known carcinogen, because obviously too much sun can lead to skin cancer. And tanning beds are even worse because some of them emit ten to 15 times more UV radiation than the midday sun. --A 2010 study found that young people who have EVER used a tanning bed are 1.4 times more likely to get the deadliest form of skin cancer: melanoma. And people who have used them more than ten times have double the risk. --Melanoma rates in young women have tripled over the past 30 years. And researchers think it's largely because of tanning beds. (Healthline.com)
posted by Nazzy @ 5:54 AM
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