HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (06-03-11)

Bradley Cooper and Olivia Wilde are "Definitely" Hooking Up:

According to "Us Weekly", BRADLEY COOPER and OLIVIA WILDE are, quote, "DEFINITELY hooking up." And you know what that means: There's at least a 25% chance they're hooking up. --Bradley and Olivia were flirting at a party for "The Hangover Part 2" and, apparently, that wasn't a fluke. They've been spending a lot of time together lately. --An anonymous source says they met when Olivia read for a part in Bradley's movie "Limitless" . . . which she obviously didn't get, since she wasn't in the movie. Both Bradley and Olivia ended long-term relationships in March.


Ellen Barkin Has a Live-In Boyfriend Who's Half Her Age:

Back in 1982, ELLEN BARKIN was 28 and had her breakout role in the movie "Diner". It was directed by BARRY LEVINSON. Three years later, he would have a son named Sam. --And today . . . 57-year-old Ellen and 26-year-old Sam are a couple. --Sam is now an up-and-coming writer-director . . . and he lives with Ellen in her townhouse in New York. They met when she starred in his directing debut, a film called "Another Happy Day". It premiered at Sundance this year. --Apparently, they've been together for almost two years now. By the way, in addition to their 31-year age gap . . . Sam is only five years older than Ellen's SON, Jack. (--Here's a photo of them together, although in a professional manner.)


Did John Edwards Just Get Dumped By His Mistress?

If this is true, you can't say JOHN EDWARDS didn't deserve it. According to the "National Enquirer", John has apparently been DUMPED by his mistress, Rielle Hunter. --John, of course, cheated on his wife Elizabeth while he was a senator and she was dying of breast cancer. He and Rielle had a child together. Elizabeth died from cancer back in December. --A few weeks ago, the Justice Department decided to pursue criminal charges against John for allegedly using more than $1 MILLION in campaign contributions to try to cover up his affair. --The "Enquirer" says that Rielle just dumped John because he was begging her to lie to the Justice Department to protect him and she was afraid if she was caught she'd be separated from their daughter and thrown in jail.


Justin Timberlake's Rep Says He's Not Giving the Business To an Olsen Twin:

Earlier this week, there were rumors that JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE had made the strange, strange decision to start giving the business to one of the OLSEN TWINS. --He and ASHLEY OLSEN were seen watching a play in New York last Friday and, of course, everyone went wild with speculation. --Well . . . according to one of his reps, nothing's going on. Quote, "Justin is not romantically involved with anyone. [He and Ashley] have mutual friends. They were hanging out as a group."


Apparently Scarlett Johansson and Sean Penn Have Broken Up:

50-year-old SEAN PENN dating 26-year-old SCARLETT JOHANSSON never felt quite right . . . and now it looks like they could be over before they ever really got going. --According to "People" magazine, Sean and Scarlett have broken up. --Their source didn't give any more information, but there were rumors that he was seen cheating on her at the Cannes Film Festival a few weeks back.


Schwarzenegger Affair Updates: Wedding Rings, a Father-Son Reconciliation Lunch, and Birth Certificate Signings:

#1.) MARIA SHRIVER has been photographed without her wedding ring ever since she and ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER split up over his affair and secret love child. But it looks like Arnold isn't quite as ready to let go. --On Wednesday he was photographed at a hotel in Los Angeles still wearing his wedding ring. (--You can see the photo here.) (Us Weekly)

#2.) Right after the news of Arnold's affair broke, his 17-year-old son PATRICK changed his name on Twitter from Patrick Schwarzenegger to Patrick Shriver. And if someone changes their name on Twitter, you KNOW it's serious. --Anyway, yesterday afternoon, Arnold and Patrick actually met face-to-face . . . quite possibly for the first time since the Twitter name change . . . at a restaurant in Santa Monica, California called Umami Burger. They left together in the same car.


#3.) PATTY BAENA, the woman who had Arnold's love child, says she didn't commit fraud on the birth certificate. Arnold's name doesn't appear anywhere . . . Patty's husband, Rogelio Baena, is listed as the father. --But Patty says she didn't commit fraud because she never told anyone to put down his name . . . and NEVER SIGNED the certificate. --She says Rogelio knew the baby wasn't his, but put down his name because he thought it would help his case for U.S. citizenship.


Lindsay Lohan's Ankle Bracelet Went Off . . . But To Everyone's Disappointment, It Was Just a Malfunction:

On Monday, LINDSAY LOHAN'S electronic ankle monitor went off. YES! What could it be? Was she violating house arrest? Drinking booze? Snorting drugs? Drinking a smoothie made of Xanax and Bud Light while leaving her house? --Nope. When some probation staffers rushed to her house they found . . . the bracelet had a minor malfunction and had accidentally tripped the alarm. Lindsay was just hanging out, reading scripts. Sorry to disappoint.


After Less Than a Week, Amy Winehouse is Already Out of Rehab:

I guess AMY WINEHOUSE has finally beaten her addictions and will be clean for the rest of her life. --Yesterday, after less than a WEEK in rehab for her alcohol abuse, Amy checked herself out. --Her publicist says she, quote, "finished her assessment" at the rehab center and is going to continue rehabbing "on an outpatient basis" while she gets ready for a European tour that kicks off in two weeks. She's, quote, "raring to go." --This was Amy's second trip to rehab. Her first time was in 2008.


Is Whitney Houston Battling Life-Threatening Emphysema?

We hate to spread deathbed rumors from anonymous quotes in not-very-reputable publications . . . but in today's gossip climate, there ain't time to hold back. --So . . . here's an unnamed source in the "National Enquirer" who says WHITNEY HOUSTON is dying. --According to this source, at age 47, Whitney is in the early stages of the lung disease emphysema . . . and if she doesn't quit smoking immediately, she's going to DIE. --After this story came out yesterday, one of Whitney's reps told E! that it's, quote, "completely untrue" and Whitney doesn't have emphysema.


Leslie Nielsen Made Sure There was a Fart Joke On His Gravestone:

Even in death, LESLIE NIELSEN still knows how to sell a fart joke. --A photo of his gravestone in Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has been released. And it's clear Leslie made sure he went down swinging. --Instead of saying "R.I.P.", his stone reads "Let 'er rip" . . . in other words, it's a mixture of rest in peace, and ripping some flatulence. And the bench facing his gravestone says, "Sit down whenever you can." Read into that what you will. (--Check it out here.) (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)


Is Not Hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Going to *Kill* Jerry Lewis?

JERRY LEWIS isn't hosting the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon on Labor Day . . . and his friends are worried that's going to KILL HIM. --An anonymous friend says, quote, "Jerry's being allowed on camera to sing his trademark song 'You'll Never Walk Alone', but that's it. It's the end for him. He's shattered. In recent years, the telethon has been his life." --He's 85 now and since his health started going, Jerry has suffered two heart attacks, prostate cancer, diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis, and crippling back pain.


Frank Sinatra Used To Take 12 Showers a Day?

Here's a completely random piece of information about FRANK SINATRA to amuse your grandparents with. Apparently, he was OBSESSED with staying clean . . . and he used to take 12 showers a day. --His fourth and final wife, Barbara Sinatra, revealed that in her new memoir "Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank". She does say that thanks to the showers he, quote, "always smelled like lavender." --Barbara and Frank were together for 22 years. He died of a heart attack in 1998 and her book just hit stores last week.
NEW MOVIES THIS WEEKEND

"X-Men: First Class" Hits Theaters Today . . . Check Out Kevin Bacon as the Villain, plus the Individual Trailers for Beast, Havok, Mystique, and Magneto:

#1.) "X-Men: First Class" (PG-13)

A prequel about the early days of the X-Men . . . when Professor X and Magneto were actually friends. James McAvoy is Professor X, Michael Fassbender is Magneto, and Jennifer Lawrence is the new Mystique. (Trailer) --Kevin Bacon plays the main villain, a guy named Sebastian Shaw, who's gathering mutants to help him take over the world. The rest of the cast includes Zoe Kravitz, January Jones from "Mad Men", and Rose Byrne from "Damages". (--You can see the cast in costume here. From left to right, their characters are: Magneto, Moira McTaggart, Emma Frost, Azazel (a.k.a. Nightcrawler's dad), Beast, Havok (a.k.a. Cyclops' brother), Angel, Mystique, and Professor X.) (Photo Source) (--Kevin Bacon has the ability to absorb energy attacks. You can see him in action here. And here are a few other trailers you may not have seen yet . . .) (Beast) (Havok) (Magic Trick) (Emma Frost) (Never Again)

#2.) "Beginners" (R) (Limited)

Ewan McGregor learns to embrace life after of his father announces two things: That he's dying . . . and that he's gay. Christopher Plummer plays his dad, and "ER" stud Goran Visnjic is his father's much younger boyfriend. (Trailer)

#3.) "Love, Wedding, Marriage" (PG-13) (Limited)

Mandy Moore plays a marriage counselor who has trouble with her own marriage when she finds out her parents are getting divorced. "Twilight" stud Kellan Lutz plays her husband, and her folks are played by Jane Seymour and James Brolin. (Trailer)

#4.) "Beautiful Boy" (R) (Limited)

Michael Sheen and Maria Bello struggle with guilt when they find out their son went on a shooting spree at his college campus before taking his own life. (Trailer)


Barbara Walters Would Supposedly Be Cool with Meredith Vieira Returning to "The View" . . . But It Probably Won't Happen:

MEREDITH VIEIRA'S last day on the "Today" show is next Wednesday. --It seems like she's looking forward to doing NOTHING but spending time with her family, but BARBARA WALTERS has supposedly left the door open for her to return to "The View" . . . if Meredith is interested. --A "'View'-insider" tells PopEater.com, quote, "Barbara adores Meredith and would welcome her back on 'The View' in a second. Meredith returning home would be a great ratings boost, and Barbara likes nothing better than ratings success . . . --"Even if it means asking one of the regular women to have a less active role." The insider points out that JOY BEHAR was initially just a part time co-host who subbed in for Barbara. So, Meredith wouldn't have to be a full-time yenta. --But in a new interview with "People" magazine, Meredith said she was just looking forward to chilling with her family and, quote, "enjoying life." She also reiterated that she did not leave the "Today" show to be a caretaker for her husband. --She said, quote, "It was being distorted, because it looked better to make it, 'Poor Meredith, she triumphs through it all,' but that wasn't the case." (--Her husband has battled multiple sclerosis and colon cancer, but he's doing OK now.) (--Meredith was on "The View" from its launch in 1997 until mid-2006, when she left to take over for KATIE COURIC on "Today".)


Chelsea Handler Might Quit "Chelsea Lately" to Do Something That "Utilizes Her Brain A Little More":

CHELSEA HANDLER'S contract with E! Network is up at the end of 2012 . . . and she's hinting that she may walk away from "Chelsea Lately" to do something more intellectual. --She tells the "Hollywood Reporter", quote, "I want to do something that's going to utilize my brain a little more than this show. If 'Lately' is the show that I'm going to do, it's going to change. But it may turn out that I'm done with it altogether. --"I can't keep doing the same thing . . . my brain is bleeding. I want to do something that's more mindful and isn't celebrity-centered. I'm not looking to totally bail on E! They've done a lot for me, and I like it here . . . if you take away the Kardashians." (--Chelsea also stars on the E! sitcom "After Lately", which is loosely-based on "Chelsea Lately's" behind-the-scenes shenanigans . . .) (--And she's appearing on the upcoming NBC sitcom based on her book, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea". Laura Prepon from "That '70s Show" plays Chelsea, and Chelsea has a recurring role as her own sister.)
Jane Lynch Will Host the Primetime Emmys:

JANE LYNCH has been tapped to host the Primetime Emmys this year. The ceremony will air live September 18th on Fox. The nominations will be announced on July 14th. --Jane took home a Best Supporting Actress Emmy last year for her role as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on "Glee".


NBC Is Bringing "Fear Factor" Back:

NBC has announced that they're bringing back "Fear Factor". --There aren't many details yet. So we don't know when the new episodes might premiere . . . or, more importantly, if original host JOE ROGAN will be back. "Fear Factor" originally ran on NBC for six seasons, from 2001 through 2006. --OK, here's the elephant in the room: WHY is "Fear Factor" coming back? --Well, an NBC suit spins it like this: Quote, "No one has come close to doing what they've done on that show. You go back and they've stood the test of time. It always had this incredible spectacle to it."


WEEKEND TV REMINDERS

Friday TV Reminders:

--"CMT's Next Superstar" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on CMT. (--Trace Adkins guest judges as the final two contestants perform three songs.)

--"MusiCares Person of the Year" . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on VH1 Classic. (--John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Elton John, Sheryl Crow and Wilco are among the artists paying tribute to Neil Young.)

--"Urban Legends" [3rd Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 10:30 P.M. on Syfy.

--"20/20" . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on ABC. (--PFC Channing Moss, a soldier who survived having his body impaled by an unexploded RPG.) (Video)

--"Storytellers" [Special Presentation] . . . 11:00 P.M. to Midnight on VH1. (--My Morning Jacket performs and discusses their music.)

Saturday TV Reminders:

--"NHL Stanley Cup Finals" [Game 2] . . . 8:00 to 11:00 P.M. ET on NBC. (--The Vancouver Canucks host the Boston Bruins.)

--"The Ultimate Fighter" [13th Season Finale] . . . 9:00 P.M. to Midnight on Spike.

--"Saturday Night Live" . . . 11:30 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. on NBC. (--Scarlett Johansson guest hosts and Arcade Fire is the musical guest.) (REPEAT)

Sunday TV Reminders:

--"The NBA Finals" [Game 3] . . . 8:00 to 10:30 P.M. Eastern on ABC. (--The Dallas Mavericks host the Miami Heat. "Jimmy Kimmel Game Night" will air before the finals on the East Coast . . . and after the game on the West Coast.)

--"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" [6th Season Finale] . . . 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. on MTV. (--"America's Best Dance Crew" is crowned along with coverage of celebrity red carpet arrivals at the MTV Movie Awards.)

--"So Random!" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 8:30 to 9:00 P.M. on Disney Channel. (--This spin-off is what's left of "Sonny with a Chance" after Demi Lovato quit the show. Cody Simpson guest stars as himself and performs "All Day".)

--"2011 MTV Movie Awards" . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on MTV. (--"Saturday Night Live's" Jason Sudeikis hosts with performances by the Foo Fighters, Lupe Fiasco and Trey Songz.) (--Here are this year's nominees.)

--"The Next Food Network Star" [7th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Food Network. (--Courteney Cox, Paula Deen and Mario Lopez guest judge.)

--"Ice Road Truckers" [5th Season Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on History.

--"Sister Wives" [2nd Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on TLC.

--"Hogs Gone Wild" [1st Season Finale] . . . 9:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Discovery.

--"The Real Housewives of Orange County" [6th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Bravo.

--"The Real L Word" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Showtime.

--"The Glades" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on A&E.

--"Coming Home" [1st Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Lifetime.

--"Freaky Eaters" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on TLC.

--"Finding Bigfoot" [Part 1 of 6] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Animal Planet.


Rihanna Has Slammed the PTC for Criticizing Her "Man Down" Video . . . Saying That It's Not Her Job to Parent Your Kids:

RIHANNA'S violent new "Man Down" video has sparked some "controversy," and yesterday Rihanna lashed back at her critics in a tirade on Twitter. --Here's the situation: In the video, Rihanna guns down a man who assaulted and possibly raped her. And it includes the lyric: "Momma, I just shot a man dead . . . I never been so proud." The video premiered Tuesday evening on BET. (--Here's a link to the video.) --A few organizations . . . including the Parents Television Council . . . have ripped the video. Basically, their point is that Rihanna is a role model, and her video seems to send the message that killing someone is an acceptable form of revenge. --One critic even made it PERSONAL . . . arguing, quote, "If Chris Brown shot a woman in his new video and BET premiered it, the world would stop. Rihanna should not get a pass." --Well, Rihanna responded by sending out a reality check. -She Tweeted, quote, "I'm a 23 year old rock star with NO KIDS! What's up with everybody wanting me to be a parent? I'm just a girl, I can only be your / our voice --"Cuz we all know how difficult / embarrassing it is to communicate touchy subject matters to anyone especially our parents! --"And this is why! Cuz we turn the other cheek! U can't hide your kids from society, or they'll never learn how to adapt! This is the REAL WORLD! --"The music industry isn't exactly Parents R Us! We have the freedom to make art, LET US! It's YOUR job to make sure they don't turn out like US." --Rihanna also re-Tweeted this comment from a fan: Quote, "It's really ironic how women are always exploited in videos. We watch women being raped and murdered. Now a woman flips the coin, and look!" (--That's a great point. Think about it.)


(NC-17) Is This the Most Awesome Music Video of All Time?

A lot of music videos these days are lazy and uninspired, but I just came across arguably the COOLEST one I've ever seen. Seriously. It's even better than all those elaborate OK GO videos. --A British pop band called IS TROPICAL did it for their song "The Greeks". --Now, I realize this might not be for everyone . . . --The video features a large-scale suburban shoot-out . . . with guns, drugs, and creative, gory deaths. But here's the catch: It stars a bunch of little kids who shoot each other with super-soakers, and all the carnage is ANIMATED. --It's violent. It's shocking. It's hilarious. And . . . if you ever played shoot-out games with your friends as a kid . . . it's fun. Oh, and this isn't just something that was quickly thrown together for shock value, it's incredibly well done, especially the sync between the animation and live-action. (--All right, here we go. If animated gore and kid-on-kid pretend violence isn't your bag, I understand. But if you're down, you can check it out, here. Enjoy.)
Selena Gomez Has Cut the Controversial Painted Horses from Her Video:

A few weeks ago, PINK blasted SELENA GOMEZ on Twitter when she noticed that horses were being PAINTED for a music video. (--She didn't realize it was Selena's video at first.) --Selena's people insisted that it was done humanely . . . but apparently, Selena doesn't want any part of it, because she's scrapping all the painted horse footage. --A so-called "production insider" says it was NOT Selena's idea to paint them . . . quote, "No one informed her the horses would be painted and she had assumed they would be colored in [with special effects] post-production. --"When she showed up to the set she was very surprised to see them painted." There's no word when the video will be released. It's for Selena's upcoming single "Love You Like a Love Song".


Check Out the New Foo Fighters Video, Which Was Inspired By the Michael Douglas Movie "Falling Down":

The FOO FIGHTERS have released their "Walk" video . . . and it's an homage to "Falling Down", the 1993 flick starring MICHAEL DOUGLAS as a normal guy who snaps and goes on a rampage across L.A. --Like a lot of Foo Fighters' videos, it's pretty funny. It includes a scene where singer DAVE GROHL attacks guitarist PAT SMEAR, who's playing a liquor store clerk, with a Slim Jim. (--Here's the link.)


Shia LaBeouf Directed Kid Cudi's New "Marijuana" Video:

KID CUDI has dropped the video for his cut, "Marijuana". And get this: It was directed, shot and edited by SHIA LABEOUF. --If you haven't heard it, the song is all about weed . . . obviously . . . and so is the video. It's shot in a grainy, home video style, and follows Cudi around as he hangs out, parties, performs, and smokes pot. (--WARNING: It contains uncensored profanity. Check it out, here.) --Shia makes a few brief cameos in the video. --By the way, this isn't his first hip-hop video. He also directed and appeared in CAGE'S "I Never Knew You" video. (--Here's that video.)


Amazon Lost $3 Million on Their 99-Cent "Born This Way" Promotion:

"New York" magazine estimates that Amazon.com lost more than $3 MILLION by selling LADY GAGA'S new "Born This Way" album for 99 cents last week. --Amazon sold around 440,000 digital copies during the two-day promotion. And even though it cost fans just 99 cents . . . Amazon had to pay the wholesale value, which is roughly $8 or $9. --So, if they ate $7 per copy sold, that means they're in the hole almost $3.1 million. --Since I'm NOT a higher-up at Amazon, it's impossible to say whether or not it was worth it. The 99-cent deal was done to promote Amazon's new "Cloud Drive" service, which can store your music in "lockers" on a remote server. --Meanwhile, Lady Gaga will NOT sell 1.11 million copies of "Born This Way" for a second straight week . . . with or without Amazon. --But Billboard.com says she should remain at #1 on their Top 200 albums chart. --They expect her sales to drop to somewhere around 200,000 copies for the week ending Sunday . . . and apparently, they don't see anyone else matching that. The final numbers won't be revealed until next Wednesday.


A Woman Is Ticked Off That She Got Kicked Out of a Kid Rock Concert for Flashing Her Boobs:

A woman was kicked out of a KID ROCK concert in Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday because she FLASHED HER BOOBS. And she's TICKED OFF about it. --The woman's name is Andrea Irwin. --Here's her side of the story: Quote, "There were two strippers on stage and pornographic pictures in the background with women with their breasts exposed. It was very X-rated. So I thought what I was doing was just part of the concert."--It wasn't Kid Rock's security that booted Andrea . . . naturally . . . it was the arena security, which was enforcing its policy that, quote, "guests are required to wear shirts and shoes at all time[s]." Even during a Kid Rock concert. --But Andrea thinks this was a case where they could've been a little more lenient. --She says, quote, "[Kid Rock] sells sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. All of his CD covers have explicit content stickers . . . clearly it's not a place for children. There were lots of women [flashing]. We're living in 2011. Get over it. It's a pair of boobs, man." --Andrea wants a refund. And if she doesn't get one, she's threatening to sue.
FRIDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS

Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


The ever-rolling release date of LIL WAYNE'S next album "Tha Carter 4" continues to roll on. Now, he claims it's dropping on August 29th. (Full Story)



The last episode of GLENN BECK'S Fox News show will air on Thursday, June 30th. (Full Story)



From today through June 9th, you can audition ONLINE for "X Factor". Both solo artists and groups are welcome, but you have to be at least 12 years old. All you have to do is upload a video of yourself on "X Factor's" YouTube channel. (--You can find the rules and instructions, here.)



MICHAEL CERA will lend his voice to an episode of "The Simpsons" next season. He's playing a boy that Lisa is interested in. There's no airdate yet. (Full Story)



PINK gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. She named her Willow Sage Hart. (Full Story)



GWYNETH PALTROW decided this was the month to step into the 21st century and join Twitter. In just two days, she's already got over 75,000 followers, and her first two tweets were a video of herself . . . and a pic of her kids, Moses and Apple.


NAZZY’S RANDOM

Here are the Five Most Common Regrets People Have on Their Deathbed:

There's a nurse named Bronnie Ware who worked for years with people who'd left the hospital and gone home to die. And in those last few weeks of their life, she found people drop all the pretense and start being totally honest. --She's heard tons of people on their deathbeds share their biggest regrets. Here are the five she heard most often. It's a really interesting list . . . and a lot to think about for those of us NOT on our deathbeds.

#1.) I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life that others expected of me. This is the most common regret, and generally comes from people whose dreams went unfulfilled.

#2.) I wish I didn't work so hard. This was the most common regret from male patients.

#3.) I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. Bronnie found people would suppress their feelings to try to keep peace . . . but ultimately, it would make them miserable.

#4.) I wish I'd stayed in touch with my friends. As people got older, they let more and more friendships slip away. In their last few weeks, many people would try frantically to track down their long lost friends.

#5.) I wish I'd let myself be happier. It takes a lot of people almost their whole lives to realize that they can break their old patterns and habits and CHOOSE to be happy. (Inspiration and Chai)
The New Trend in Russia Is . . . Burying Yourself Alive?

Like most people, I have a healthy fear of two of the worst ways to die: Drowning, and being buried alive. But apparently in Russia, being buried alive isn't all bad. --We don't have too much information on this story, but we know this: One, a 35-year-old Russian computer programmer died after persuading his friend to bury him alive in a coffin overnight . . . --And two: There's currently a trend in Russia where bloggers post about the positive aspects of supervised self-burial. (???) Here's what happened. --The guy lives in the eastern part of Russia in a city called Blagoveshchensk. We don't know his name, but he dug a hole in his garden . . . grabbed his phone and a water bottle . . . and climbed into a coffin he'd made, with holes for air pipes. --Then he had his friend cover the coffin with eight inches of dirt . . . called to tell his friend that he was okay . . . and told his friend to leave. --When the friend came back the next day, the guy in the coffin was dead. --According to the cops, heavy rainfall overnight might have blocked the guy's air supply, and trapped him inside. In other words, he drowned . . . suffocated . . . AND was buried alive. (--In Russia, bear hunt YOU!) --Supposedly there's an Internet 'craze' in Russia where people talk about this nonsense, and this guy wanted to test his endurance and bring himself good luck for the rest of his life. He left behind a young son. (BBC)


A Survey Finds That Laughter is the Best "Simple Pleasure" In Life:

In a new survey, people were asked to name the best "simple pleasures" in life. My first instinct . . . "sexual relations" . . . did not make the list. I guess most people don't think it's simple. I just kinda lay there, so it's very simple.

--Anyway, here's how the real top 10 came out . . .

#1.) Laughing, 22% of the vote.

#2.) Eating food with friends, 21%.

#3.) Getting a hug, 19%.

#4.) Feeling the sun on your face, 10%.

#5.) Reading a good book, 8%.

#6.) Walking on the beach, 7%.

#7.) Laying down in freshly-washed sheets, 5%.

#8.) Watching a sunset, 3%.

#9.) Reminiscing over old photos, 3%.

#10.) The smell of fresh-cut grass, 1%.

(PR Newswire)


Most Condiments Don't Need To Be Refrigerated . . . As Long As You Use Them Quickly:

A friend of mine claims he split up with his girlfriend because of a fight over peanut butter. (???) She insisted on putting it in the fridge . . . he thought it should go in the pantry. --Too bad they couldn't work it out, because it turns out they were BOTH RIGHT. Peanut butter can be stored in either the pantry or the fridge, even after it's been opened. --It lasts nine months on a shelf unopened, one month after opening, and much longer if you refrigerate it. (--But still, who eats COLD peanut butter? That's just weird.) --Here's the verdict on whether other condiments need to be kept in the fridge: --Ketchup: Surprisingly, it DOESN'T need to be refrigerated, even after opening. But open ketchup will only last about a month in the pantry, versus six months in the fridge. --Mayonnaise: Um . . . it's made from EGGS. Refrigerate it! Unless it's unopened. Then the pantry is okay. --Soy sauce, Jelly, and Mustard: Think of them as the Twinkies of condiments. They'll last years on a shelf unopened, and months even after they've been opened. (Yahoo)
Michelle Obama Has Replaced the Food Pyramid . . . With Something Even Lamer:

Years ago, the government decided the best way to battle poor nutrition and obesity was with lame clip art: They developed something called the Food Pyramid . . . that colorful, confusing triangle that tried to show us how much of each food group we should be eating. --Critics in the nutrition industry said it encouraged obesity, while most regular people didn't really understand it at all. --Well, that has changed. As part of MICHELLE OBAMA'S Get Fit campaign, the government has scrapped the pyramid and replaced it with something even lamer: A plate. --The First Lady unveiled 'My Plate' . . . a plate divided into four sections: fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. It's supposed to show you how much of each food group should cover your plate. --If you're wondering where the dairy group went, there's a cup next to My Plate labeled Dairy. (ChooseMyPlate.gov) (--Here's the My Plate diagram.)


Habitat For Humanity Is Building An Anti-Obesity Housing Development In the Bronx:

If you're having trouble losing weight, it may not be your fault. Your home could be making you fat. --Habitat For Humanity and real estate developers in the Bronx are creating the first Anti-Obesity apartment building. It'll be ready for tenants to move in sometime this summer. --What makes it Anti-Obesity housing? Well, the building will feature the following things . . . -Colorful workout equipment in the backyard so adults can work out while their kids are playing. --Indoor and outdoor fitness centers. --Silhouettes of dancing women on the walls and smooth jazz playing in the lobby. --And signs scattered around the building nagging you to exercise more. For instance, a sign near the elevators will remind you that taking the stairs might be a healthier option. --The building has 63 apartments available for low-income families, including 14 units reserved for Habitat families. (NBC New York)


Check Out Yahoo's List of the Top Ten Urban Cars:

If you live in a city, you want lower insurance premiums, and you've ever had your driver's side mirror nailed by the jerk in the next lane . . . you'll appreciate this next list. It's the 'Top Ten Urban Cars' according to Yahoo and Cars.com. --It's based on vehicle length, turning radius, driving visibility, parking aids, city mileage ratings . . . and whether or not the car has side mirrors that fold in. Here's what they came up with, and they're all 2011 models.

#1.) Mini Cooper

#2.) Chevrolet Cruze

#3.) Ford Fiesta

#4.) Honda Fit

#5.) Hyundai Elantra

#6.) Kia Forte

#7.) Kia Soul

#8.) Nissan Leaf

#9.) Volkswagen Golf TDI

#10.) Toyota Yaris (Yahoo Auto)


Was Osama bin Laden Shot With a Pork-Coated Bullet?

If you're one of the 3% of Americans worried that Osama bin Laden is in heaven, enjoying the company of 72 virgins, the makers of Silver Bullet Gun Oil have some good news for you. -According to their website, bin Laden was shot with a PORK-COATED BULLET, which keeps him out of heaven. --Silver Bullet Gun Oil is made with 13% LIQUEFIED PIG FAT. And when you use it in a weapon, it insures that the bullet comes out covered in pork juice. --That way, according to Silver Bullet's website, potential Muslim victims wouldn't be able to collect on their virgins: They reference the Koran and say that anyone, quote, "contaminated by swine at the time of his death will be denied entry to my paradise forever, I hate the stench of swine." --Unfortunately, most reputable websites disagree with this interpretation of the Koran. Yeah, Islamic law prohibits Muslims from EATING pork and drinking pig blood, but nothing about smelling like it, or being hit by bacon-tipped bullets. --And while the website claims that the U.S. military is a huge customer, exposing Muslims to pork products would violate their policy against disrespecting local customs. So, yeah . . . nice try Silver Bullet. (Mother Jones)


Three Out of 10 Men Wax Down Below Before a Beach Vacation?

From what I'm used to seeing at the beach, men are putting LESS care into grooming and fitness than ever. A new survey says I'm just going to the wrong beaches. And staring at the wrong men. --In the survey of 1,000 men, 30% say that they WAX DOWN BELOW before a beach vacation. And six of the 1,000 men . . . not 6%, but six total guys . . . say that they get a full BRAZILIAN wax before vacation. That's full crack, man. --The survey also found that two-thirds start a workout plan up to eight weeks before their trip. (Express.co.uk)


The "Booty Pillow" Lets You Feel Like You're Sleeping On a Woman's Buttocks:

Are you a man who thinks sleeping on a pillow is nice . . . but nestling your head on a woman's fleshy buttocks is a true slice of heaven? No? Well . . . tell your friends who DO to get this pillow. --There's a new product called the Booty Pillow that's designed to look and feel like a woman's buttocks. Plus, the pillow is wearing a thong. But somehow it doesn't come off as erotic. --It sells for $29.99, plus $6 for shipping, and comes in five different colors: Chocolate, caramel, burgundy, white, and cheetah print. (???) (Jezebel)
(--Here's the store where you can see photos and buy one.)


A Woman Got Her Arm Stuck In a Drive-Thru ATM, and Had To Be Rescued by the Fire Department:

If you've ever been running late . . . and the drive-thru ATM doesn't give you your money right away . . . and you're tempted to stick your hand in there to pull out the cash . . . yeah, don't do that. --There's a 22-year-old woman in Pittsburgh who learned this lesson the hard way on Monday. --Her name wasn't released, but she went to the drive-thru ATM at First Commonwealth Bank in a suburb of Pittsburgh called Moon Run. --The ATM didn't give her any money. So the woman decided to reach up inside the machine to see if her cash was stuck. --Her hand got stuck in the cash slot, and the woman was wedged up against the machine. Luckily, she had a passenger who was able to call 911. --Firefighters used a small pry bar and pliers to free her. They said that her fingers looked a little, quote, "chewed up", but otherwise the woman was fine. (WPXI)


There's a New Highly Addictive Drug Sweeping Brazil That Can Kill You In a Year?

Supposedly there's a street drug in Brazil that's like crack on steroids. It's called oxidado. Oxi for short. (--Not to be confused with America's homegrown hillbilly heroin, oxycontin, which is also called oxy.) --Oxi costs about one dollar a hit, and supposedly it gets people addicted the first time they try it. A lot of users BLOW OUT their LIVER within two months and TURN YELLOW. Most of them are dead within a year. --It's made from cocaine paste, like crack. But crack is 40% cocaine, while oxi is 80%. (--That's like switching from cheap tequila to Bacardi 151.) --The cocaine paste is then soaked in GASOLINE and mixed with limestone powder. -Oxi's actually been around for years. Until recently, it was mainly found in the Amazon region. It's making news now because Brazilian police have seen it spread to large cities. (AOL News)


Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


According to new research, there are four things that will get you bitten by mosquitoes more often: Wearing dark clothing, moving around too much, drinking beer, and having a fast metabolism. (Full Story)


It's time to play the totally politically-incorrect game, 'Ghetto Spelling Bee.' It's a stupid Twitter game where people submit sentences that sound like they make sense . . . but use words incorrectly. For example: Initiate . . . "Greedy ho. She ate all the cereal, initiate all the cookies." (Full Story)


Check out a list from CNN of the Top Ten Ways to Get Your Kids to Eat More Vegetables. I like number ten: Straight-up bribe them with dessert. (Full Story)


Seven teenagers in California decided to test the $5 all-you-can-eat pancake deal at Denny's . . . by staying there for 24 hours in a row and eating 43 pancakes each, until the restaurant had to go out and get more batter. If you're doing the math, that's 301 pancakes. On behalf of Haseena, Pushpa, and the other street children of Mumbai, I salute them. (--Not fair . . . they did it as a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior charity. Greed is good!) (Full Story)


Exciting news, people-obsessed-with-dogs: The American Kennel Club has recognized three new breeds. They are: The American English Coonhound, the Finnish Lapphund, and the Cesky Terrier. Now you know. (Full Story)


NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DA

#1.) Have You Ever Noticed How Many Times Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet Call Each Other 'Jack' and 'Rose' in "Titanic"?

Far be it from us to call JAMES CAMERON a sucky writer. He's responsible for the two highest-grossing movies of all time, and we're responsible for . . . the radio show you're listening to right now. Having said that: James Cameron is kind of a sucky writer. --If you don't believe me, take it from the awesome writer / director / actor ALBERT BROOKS. The guy responsible for underrated classics like "Defending Your Life". He was on ADAM CAROLLA'S podcast the other day, and pointed this out. Quote: --"There are things I can't stand in movies that can be so easily fixed. I don't like peoples' names . . . Just to say it all the time . . . it's sloppy writing. --"I'll tell you a fun game when you have nothing to do. Watch 'Titanic' and count how many times he says 'Rose.' It must be five thousand. I think he even says it underwater." --Well, someone made a video of all the times LEONARDO DICAPRIO and KATE WINSLET do just that, and it's pretty ridiculous. (--Search YouTube for "Titanic Supercut: Jack & Rose Say Each Others' Names. A Lot.")


#2.) A Woman Screaming About How the TSA Sexually Assaulted Her:

If you're into videos of people flipping out at the TSA, we've got your fix. Over Memorial Day weekend, a woman refused to go through the full-body scanner at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, so the TSA gave her a pat-down. -The female agent touched her breast at some point, so the woman started crying, screaming, and flipping out about how she'd been sexually assaulted, and wanted the police to intervene. --The cops eventually showed up and took her to a private area, and told her she had to submit to one form of screening or another if she wanted to board. It's not clear what the outcome was. --A couple times a TSA agent tells the woman's son . . . he's the guy who's filming the whole thing. . . that he's done with the screening process, has to move on, and that quote, "we've already gone through this with you guys once before." --That's because the family filmed pretty much the exact same incident from the same airport this past New Year's Eve, and posted THAT one on YouTube too. So it sort of seems like a stunt. (--Search YouTube for "TSA Sexually Assaults My Mother." The mom starts freaking out in the beginning, then reappears at 5:30. The New Year's incident is called "TSA - How Many Laws Did You Just Violate?") (--Warning: There's unedited profanity in the New Year's clip.)


Four Classic Things Men Do That Annoy Women:

Last month, we gave you a list of five classic things women do that annoy men. Well, today we're turning the tables . . . with a list of four things MEN do that annoy WOMEN.

#1.) Trying To "Fix" Things Instead of Listening. It's one of the classic gender differences . . . women want to vent, men want to fix. But when you don't let a woman vent and you go right into "fixing" mode, she's going to think you don't care. --So, sorry to break it to you guys, but there's no easy way around this one. You're just going to have to suck it up and LISTEN to her when she needs to vent about her horrific day at work, or how she's jealous her friend bought the same shoes SHE wanted first.

#2.) Being Lazy or Forgetful. Women HATE it when men are lazy, don't maintain their appearance, or are forgetful about plans. If you can't handle this basic stuff, you probably can't handle having a girlfriend anyway.

#3.) Paying Too Much Attention to Gadgets. I know . . . you love your iPad, your Xbox, and your smartphone. But if you're spending more time looking at a screen than the person you're with . . . that's a problem.

#4.) Taking Her For Granted. Everyone needs time to socialize outside their relationship. But if you spend most of your free time with your buddies at the bar, playing video games, or watching sports, your girl is going to feel neglected. --Besides, if that's how you want to spend all your time, why even bother having a girlfriend? (Match.com)

HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (06-02-11)

Justin Timberlake Says Jessica Biel is "The Most Significant Person" In His Life:

Even though they're no longer together, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE still has mad love for JESSICA BIEL. --In the new issue of "Vanity Fair", he says, quote, "She is the single-handedly most significant person in my life. --"In my 30 years, she is the most special person, okay? . . . I don't want to say much more, because I have to protect things that are dear to me . . . for instance, her." --Justin doesn't say why he and Jessica broke up, but maybe this is a hint . . . quote, "I think the mistake is that people commit to who that person is right then and not the person they are going to become. --"That's the art of staying together, is changing together. When you say it like that, it seems damn near impossible, right?" --Justin also talks about BRITNEY SPEARS . . . quote, "I wish her the best . . . that goes without saying. We haven't spoken in 9 or 10 years. -"We were two birds of the same feather, small-town kids, doing the same thing. But then you become adults, and the way you were as kids doesn't make any sense . . . We spent way too much time being the biggest thing for teenyboppers." --It sounds like those were pretty AWESOME years, though. Justin says, quote, "It was exciting that we were having so much success and we could do whatever we wanted. --"And I mean that about everybody: Backstreet Boys, 'N Sync, Britney, Christina [Aguilera]. --"At that time, we could literally go, 'Oh, man, let's go to Bali,' and we'd be on a plane to Bali. We were little kids with big toys. You do the math . . . that's not going to last." --Justin also discussed getting NAKED with MILA KUNIS for their upcoming movie, "Friends with Benefits". He said, quote, "It was fun, but I can't say I'm going to be butt-naked in a movie again. --"I only did it because I'm young now, and everything's where it's supposed to be. I figured this is the time, before gravity gets the best of me." (--The movie comes out July 22nd. Here's the trailer.)


Ashley Olsen . . . Is Justin Timberlake Dattin' That?

When it comes to the ladies, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has perhaps a bit wider selection than the rest of us. Which is why it's kind of surprising that he might be fornicating with ASHLEY OLSEN. --A so-called "source" tells "Us Weekly", quote, "They are hooking up. They're really trying to keep it on the down-low." --Of course Justin's rep is denying it . . . quote, "They are friends. They are not romantically involved." --In recent months, Justin has also been linked with his "Friends with Benefits" co-star MILA KUNIS and OLIVIA WILDE . . . whom he's known since they appeared together in the 2006 film "Alpha Dog".


Check Out Tony Romo and Candice Crawford's Wedding Gift Registries:

Some websites are making a big deal out of the fact that TONY ROMO and CANDICE CRAWFORD set up wedding gift registries at Macy's and Crate & Barrel, and asked for a bunch of expensive stuff. --But the truth is, everybody does that. It's not necessarily greedy. You're just tossing everything out there to see what you can get. (--You're also giving your quick-acting friends a chance to save a few bucks by getting first crack at the cheap stuff.) (--Anyway, if you'd like to see what Tony and Candice were asking for, there are links to their registries here.)


Kim Kardashian Is Not Pregnant:

There's a rumor going around that KIM KARDASHIAN is pregnant. She's not. Yesterday on her blog, she said, quote, "This is crazy. I am NOT pregnant! . . . One day I want a baby! But I'm not pregnant!" (--By the way . . . Kim pocketed $300,000 by selling photos of her engagement party to "People" magazine. Her sister Khloe made the same amount by selling her wedding photos to "OK!" and their big sister Kourtney also earned 300-grand from "Life & Style" for pictures and stories about her baby.)--Meanwhile, "Life & Style" claims that Kim and KRIS HUMPHRIES will be husband and wife before the end of the summer. A source says, quote, "The wedding is going to be at the end of July or the beginning of August. --"The reason they're rushing it is because they want to do it before the basketball season starts again, so that they have time to have a romantic honeymoon!"


Selena Gomez Is Still Getting Death Threats From Justin Bieber Fans:

Dating JUSTIN BIEBER is probably fun . . . if you can handle the DEATH THREATS. And SELENA GOMEZ is still getting them. Here are a few recent Tweets . . . --"Stay away from Justin pedophile...I'm gonna kill ya in the night underneath your smell bed." (???) --"I will kill selena and dispose her body." --There are also numerous "I Hate Selena Gomez" Facebook pages. (--You can see one of them here.)



Justin Bieber Now Has Three Tattoos:

JUSTIN BIEBER took Selena Gomez to Toronto to meet his dad and his half-siblings. And he also got another tattoo. It's the outline of a star on his elbow . . . which his dad has, too. --This is the second tattoo Justin and his dad share. They also both have the small outline of a bird on their hips. It's a tribute to the book "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". Justin also has "Yeshua", which means "Jesus", in Hebrew on his left side. (--Here's a pic of Justin's new tat . . . plus a few photos of the family together in Toronto.) (Sources: PopEater, Us Weekly, People)


The Octomom's Fertility Doctor Has Lost His License:

Michael Kamrava . . . the fertility doctor responsible for NADYA SULEMAN becoming the Octomom . . . has LOST HIS LICENSE. And yes, it's because of the Octomom! --The California Medical Board says Kamrava, quote, "did not exercise sound judgment" when he implanted a whopping 12 EMBRYOS inside her in 2008. Those embryos resulted in the birth of Nadya's octuplets. --At a hearing last year, Kamrava apologized for doing so instead of recommending Nadya undergo a mental health evaluation. --Kamrava was also negligent in his treatment of two other patients: A 48-year-old woman who had complications after becoming pregnant with quadruplets, and a 42-year-old woman who contracted ovarian cancer after fertility treatments.


Sean Kingston Should Make a Full Recovery in Six Weeks:

SEAN KINGSTON will be laid up for a good six weeks following his jet ski accident in Miami on Sunday. But the good news is that he's expected to make a full recovery. --CNN says he suffered a broken jaw, a fractured wrist and water in his lungs. --Kingston had purchased the jet ski just days before the accident. He was preparing to move into a new house in Miami. --Meanwhile, Kingston's passenger Cassandra Sanchez has no plans to pursue charges. She says, quote, "I know this whole thing was just an accident. I won't be pressing any type of charges or hiring a lawyer. Sean is a good guy." --She added, quote, "I am going to be visiting him in the hospital at some point soon and hope he has a speedy recovery."


The "National Enquirer" Says Maria Shriver Knew About Arnold Schwarzenegger's Love Child for Five Years . . . But Her Uncle Ted Kennedy Made Her Keep Quiet:

We've heard that MARIA SHRIVER didn't know about ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER'S love child until earlier this year. But the "National Enquirer" tells a different story. --They're saying Maria knew for FIVE YEARS. But she kept quiet on the advice of her uncle, Senator TED KENNEDY. --Teddy supposedly thought it would be a blight on the Kennedy name if Arnold had a sex scandal while in office. And it could affect the political aspirations of the next generation of Kennedys. --A so-called "source" says, quote, "Teddy was convinced Arnold had been seen as a member of the Kennedy clan for 20 years. If he went down while governor of the nation's biggest state, the family would bear the shame and dishonor with him. --"Teddy felt if she waited until after he was out of office to blow the whistle, Arnold would just be thought of as a Hollywood actor behaving badly, not as a disgraced politician."


Shaquille O'Neal Is Retiring:

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL is retiring after 19 years in the NBA. He made the announcement in a video he posted online. --He said, quote, "We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire. Thank you, talk to you soon." (--Watch the video here.) --Shaq played for the Boston Celtics this season, but sat out most of it with an injury to his Achilles' tendon. --He tells ESPN, quote, "I really, really thought about coming back, but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done the recovery would be so long we'd have same outcome as this last year . . . everyone sitting around and waiting for me. --"I didn't want to let people down two years in a row. I didn't want to hold Boston hostage again. --"I would love to come back, but they say once the Achilles is damaged it's never the same. I don't want to take that chance." --Shaq retires with four championships under his belt: Three with the Lakers and one with the Miami Heat. He was league MVP in 2000 and made 15 All-Star appearances. (--Check out an 8-minute highlight reel here.)
Ron Artest Helped Break Up a Fight Between a Man and a Woman:

There was a time when any fight involving RON ARTEST was usually STARTED BY Ron Artest. Those days are gone apparently. --Artest . . . who currently plays for the Lakers . . . found himself in the middle of fisticuffs between a man and a woman outside an L.A. club over the weekend. And he helped break it up. --He later told TMZ, quote, "Unfortunately there was a situation at the club and some people had too much to drink, and got unruly and aggressive. I tried to diffuse the situation. --"Some people just don't think clearly when they've had too much to drink . . . it's an unfortunate reality." (--You can see video here. WARNING!!! It's loaded with unbleeped profanity.)


NEW MOVIES THIS WEEKEND

Enjoy Some New Trailers for "X-Men: First Class", Which Comes Out Tomorrow:

#1.) "X-Men: First Class" (PG-13)

A prequel about the early days of the X-Men . . . when Professor X and Magneto were actually friends. James McAvoy is Professor X, Michael Fassbender is Magneto, and Jennifer Lawrence is the new Mystique. (Trailer) --Kevin Bacon plays the main villain, a guy named Sebastian Shaw, who's gathering mutants to help him take over the world. The rest of the cast includes Zoe Kravitz, January Jones from "Mad Men", and Rose Byrne from "Damages". (--You can see the cast in costume here. From left to right, their characters are: Magneto, Moira McTaggart, Emma Frost, Azazel (a.k.a. Nightcrawler's dad), Beast, Havok (a.k.a. Cyclops' brother), Angel, Mystique, and Professor X.) (Photo Source) (--And here are a few trailers you haven't seen yet.) (Beast) (Havok) (Magic Trick)


#2.) "Beginners" (R) (Limited)

Ewan McGregor learns to embrace life after of his father announces two things: That he's dying . . . and that he's gay. Christopher Plummer plays his dad, and "ER" stud Goran Visnjic is his father's much younger boyfriend. (Trailer)


#3.) "Love, Wedding, Marriage" (PG-13) (Limited)

Mandy Moore plays a marriage counselor who has trouble with her own marriage when she finds out her parents are getting divorced. "Twilight" stud Kellan Lutz plays her husband, and her folks are played by Jane Seymour and James Brolin. (Trailer)


#4.) "Beautiful Boy" (R) (Limited)

Michael Sheen and Maria Bello struggle with guilt when they find out their son went on a shooting spree at his college campus before taking his own life. (Trailer)


Check Out a Commercial for the Trailer of the New "Twilight" Movie:

This is how insane we are over this "Twilight" business: The new trailer for "Breaking Dawn - Part 1" will premiere Sunday night on the "MTV Movie Awards". And to hype it, MTV put together a 10-second preview of the trailer. --In other words, there's now a TRAILER FOR THE TRAILER. It gives a VERY brief glimpse of Edward and Bella's wedding. (--You can check it out here.)


Check Out the New Trailer for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo":

The American version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" hits theaters on December 21st. There's a new trailer for it online. (--You can check it out here.) (--The music behind the trailer is a cover of LED ZEPPELIN'S "Immigrant Song" by KAREN O of the YEAH YEAH YEAHS and TRENT REZNOR from NINE INCH NAILS. That's Karen singing, obviously.)
"The Hunger Games" Will Be Four Movies Long:

There's this weird new trend in movie franchises that are adapted from book series: You make one more movie than there were books. --They're making eight "Harry Potter" movies to cover the seven books . . . They're making five "Twilight" movies to cover the four books in that series . . . oh, and "The Hobbit", which is ONE book, is being made into TWO movies. --And now, you can add "The Hunger Games" to that list. Author SUZANNE COLLINS wrote it as a trilogy . . . but Lionsgate announced yesterday that they're making four movies. (--The first movie hits theaters next March.)


Here's a Mash-Up of "Black Swan" and Rebecca Black:

MTV did another movie parody to hype this Sunday's "MTV Movie Awards". This one is a mash-up of "Black Swan" and superstar "Friday" singer REBECCA BLACK. (--Check it out here.)


The Top 15 Shows That Old People Watch:

The "Hollywood Reporter" has put out a list of the top 15 TV shows that old people watched this past season, and not surprisingly, most of them air on CBS. Nine of the 15 to be exact . . . that's 60%. (--CBS has been the "oldest-skewing" network in primetime for years now, although they've also been the most-watched network for most of the past decade. That's the Catch 22 for advertisers . . .) (--CBS shows get eyeballs, but most of them are not in peak working condition.) --Interestingly enough, the show with the oldest median viewer-age is CBS' police drama "Blue Bloods", which stars TOM SELLECK and DONNIE WAHLBERG. --The average age of its viewers is a shocking 60.6. Essentially, that means that for every 21-year-old watching "Blue Bloods" . . . there's a 100-year-old tuning in. Or, for every 21-year-old, there are NINE 65-year-olds. (--Which is equally stunning.)

--Here's the Top 15 . . . along with each show's median age:

1.) "Blue Bloods" (CBS) . . . a median age of 60.6

2.) "Chaos" (CBS) . . . a median age of 59.8 (--It's since been canceled.)

3.) "CSI: New York" (CBS) . . . a median age of 59.5

4.) "The Good Wife" (CBS) . . . a median age of 59

5.) NBC's "Harry's Law" . . . a median age of 58.7

6.) ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" performance show . . . The average age of people who tuned in for the Tuesday repeat of the performances is 58.3, but the age for people who watch the live performance on Mondays is slightly lower, at 57. (--This makes no sense. Old people can be so bewildering. They should watch the live broadcast on Monday night . . . when there's nothing good on CBS . . . because if they wait until Tuesday's recap, they'll miss "NCIS"!)

7.) "NCIS" (CBS) . . . a median age of 58.3

8.) "The Mentalist" (CBS) . . . a median age of 58.2

9.) NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" . . . a median age of 58

10.) "NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS) . . . a median age of 57.6

11.) ABC's "Body of Proof" . . . a median age of 57.5

12.) "The Defenders" (CBS) . . . average age: 57.5 (--It's since been canceled.)

13.) ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" results show . . . a median age of 57.4

14.) NBC's "Outlaw" . . . a median age of 57.2 (--It's since been canceled.)

15.) "Medium" (CBS) . . . a median age of 57 (--It's since been canceled.)

(--You may be wondering why four of these shows have already been canceled. Well there are two reasons for that. First off, remember that this is merely a list of shows that old people watch . . . it isn't saying anything about the ratings.) (--Also, advertisers are less inclined to pay primetime money for spots during shows with such a high median age of viewers . . . unless it has a HUGE overall audience, like "NCIS" or "Dancing with the Stars".) (--Advertisers are targeting the much more impressionable, spend-happy demographic of 18- to 49-year-olds. Plus, denture creams can be advertised a lot cheaper during "The Price Is Right".)


The Top 15 Shows That Young Whippersnappers Watch:

The "Hollywood Reporter" also has the Top 15 TV shows that YOUNG PEOPLE watched this past season, and all but two of them aired on either Fox or the CW. The CW's "Gossip Girl" has the youngest median viewer-age at 29.3. (--So basically, for every NINE 21-year-olds watching "Gossip Girl" there's one creepy 100-year-old man enjoying the eye-candy.) (???)

--Here's the Top 15 . . . along with each show's median age:

1.) The CW's "Gossip Girl" . . . a median age of 29.3

2.) Fox's "Cleveland Show" . . . a median age of 30.8

3.) Fox's "Family Guy" . . . a median age of 30.9

4.) Fox's "Bob's Burgers" . . . a median age of 31.5

5.) Fox's "American Dad" . . . a median age of 31.5

6.) The CW's "Hellcats" . . . a median age of 31.7 (--It's since been canceled.)

7.) The CW's "90210" . . . a median age of 31.8

8.) The CW's "One Tree Hill" . . . a median age of 32

9.) Fox's "The Simpsons" . . . a median age of 32.4

10.) The CW's "Shedding for the Wedding" . . . a median age of 33.3

11.) The CW's "Vampire Diaries" . . . a median age of 33.6

12.) The CW's "Life Unexpected" . . . a median age of 33.6 (--It's since been canceled.)

13.) The CW's "America's Next Top Model" . . . a median age of 34.5 for Season Nine and 35.7 for Season Ten

14.) NBC's "The Office" . . . a median age of 35.9

15.) NBC's "Parks and Recreation" . . . a median age of 37
Scotty McCreery Is OK with Being the "Country Bieber":

Apparently, people are calling 17-year-old "American Idol" winner SCOTTY MCCREERY the, quote, "Country Bieber." And Scotty is OK with it. --He says, quote, "Country Bieber . . . I mean, Justin Bieber is the epitome of [a] big star, so it was cool for me. I mean, Justin's a whole lot further ahead than I am . . . so, I guess it's mainly because of our age. --"Me and Justin are pretty much two young guns." --"Idol" runner-up LAUREN ALAINA adds, quote, "Girls love Scotty McCreery like they love Justin Bieber."


Pauly D Says He Has a Better Body Than The Situation and Ronnie:

Ladies, we have an important question for you today: Who has the best body of the guys on "Jersey Shore" . . . PAULY D, THE SITUATION or RONNIE? --I ask because when Pauly D was asked for his own humble, unbiased opinion, he went with HIMSELF. Naturally. --Pauly told "Us" magazine, quote, "Me, Ronnie and Sitch always compare bodies. I have the best, because everything's defined, tight and well-proportioned." --And here's his advice for the guys out there: Quote, "You shouldn't have huge muscles, and you shouldn't have no muscles. They should be just right . . . like an Abercrombie & Fitch model."


Italian Authorities Have Revoked Snooki's Driver's License:

The authorities in Italy have confiscated SNOOKI'S international driver's license . . . after she crashed into a police car that was serving as her escort earlier this week. --An official said the license had to be revoked by law, because the two officers in the other car did suffer minor injuries. Although contrary to earlier reports, they were NOT hospitalized. Snooki will be without a license for "at least 15 days."


The Season Finale of "Glee" Cracked the Top 5 in the Ratings . . . Right Behind the "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars" Finales:

"Glee" doesn't always make a splash in the ratings, but that doesn't mean it's going anywhere. In fact, last week's second season finale just cracked the top 5 with 11.8 million viewers. --"Glee" came in behind the season finales for "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars", which took the top four spots. More than 29 million people tuned in to watch SCOTTY McCREERY be crowned your tenth American Idol. --Meanwhile, the 8th season of "So You Think You Can Dance?" premiered with 9.5 million viewers in 9th place, while the new season of "The Bachelorette" drew 9 million viewers.


TV REMINDERS

Thursday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)

--"The Scripps National Spelling Bee" . . . 8:30 to 10:00 P.M. Eastern on ESPN.


--"The NBA Finals" [Game 2] . . . 9:00 to 11:30 P.M. Eastern on ABC. (--The Dallas Mavericks host the Miami Heat for the NBA championship.)

--"Jimmy Kimmel Game Night" . . . 8:00 P.M. Eastern OR 11:30 P.M. Pacific on ABC. (--This airs before the NBA Finals in the Eastern and Central time zones . . . and after the game in the Pacific and Mountain time zones.)

--"So You Think You Can Dance" [Audition Show] . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on Fox.

--"Love Bites" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC. (--A comedy about love, sex and dating, that stars Constance Zimmer from "Entourage" and Greg Grunberg from "Heroes" as a married couple.) (. . . He played the telepathic cop on "Heroes" and she was studio exec Dana Gordon on "Entourage". Jennifer Love Hewitt guest stars in the first episode.)

--"NY Ink" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on TLC. (--"Miami Ink's" Ami James opens up his own tattoo parlor in Manhattan.)

--"Pride Comedy Jam" . . . 10:30 to 11:30 P.M. on Showtime. (--Suzanne Westenhoefer hosts stand-up sets from gay and lesbian comedians Raneir Pollard, Renee Santos, Jackie Monahan, Nico Santos and Julie Goldman.)

--"Son of A Gun" [1st Season Finale] . . . 11:30 P.M. to Midnight on MTV.

--"Childrens Hospital" [3rd Season Premiere] . . . Midnight on Adult Swim.


Brad Paisley, "Glee", and the Combined Efforts of New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys, Barely Sold ONE FOURTH of What Lady Gaga Sold:

If it wasn't for LADY GAGA, then BRAD PAISLEY would have had this week's #1 album. You know, if he'd sold like a million more albums. As expected, Gaga's "Born This Way" won the week on the album charts. (--You can read more about it, here.) --It's kind of amusing when you consider that Brad, the latest "Glee" disc, and the combined efforts of the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK and the BACKSTREET BOYS couldn't even earn one fourth the sales Gaga did.

1.) (NEW) "Born This Way", Lady Gaga (1,108,000 copies)

2.) (NEW) "This Is Country Music", Brad Paisley (153,000 copies)

3.) "21", Adele (126,000 copies)

4.) (NEW) "Glee, the Music: Season Two, Volume 6" (80,000 copies)

5.) (NEW) "Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Volume 1" (59,000 copies)


Lady Gaga Doesn't Think a Digital Version of Her New Album Is Worth More Than 99 Cents?

LADY GAGA didn't have a problem with Amazon.com selling her "Born This Way" album for 99 cents last week. --That seems to go without saying, since it helped her sell 1.11 million copies in a single week, which is something that hasn't been done in SIX YEARS. --But did Lady Gaga mind the idea that her ART was reduced to a measly 99 cents? --No. In fact, she thought that price was about right. She told the "Wall Street Journal", quote, "I absolutely do not [mind], especially for MP3s and digital music. It's invisible. It's in space. --"If anything, I applaud a company like Amazon for equating the value of digital versus the physical copy, and giving the opportunity to everyone to buy music." --Of course, Lady Gaga wasn't the one losing money. She added, quote, "It also wasn't really 99 cents, because Amazon paid the difference on all of those purchases as part of their promotional campaign for one of their new services. --"I think it's amazing and it was a really nice surprise and I felt honored that they chose my record to be part of it." (--I'd like to know how much Gaga thinks her "invisible" MP3s are worth when she's NOT still getting the full value in return.)


Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" Quality Control Guarantee:

If you bought LADY GAGA'S new album, here's her quality control guarantee: --Gaga personally handcrafted . . . and MOLESTED . . . every detail of "Born This Way". She says that she, quote, "licked and touched and kissed and made love to every single note and melody and lyric on that album."


Cee Lo Green Impersonates Liberace in His "I Want You" Video:

CEE LO GREEN has released his video for "I Want You (Hold on to Love)". --The video takes place in Vegas, with Cee Lo playing a flamboyant LIBERACE-type character. (--You can check it out, here.)


Check Out Beyoncé's New Single "Best Thing I Ever Had":

BEYONCÉ unleashed her new single "Best Thing I Ever Had" on her website yesterday. The song is on her new album "4", which comes out June 28th. (--You can listen to the song, here. The media player is at the top of the page.)


The Most Influential Rock Bands of the Last 30 Years:

In honor of their 30th anniversary, the British music magazine "Kerrang!" has conducted a poll to find The Most Influential Rock Bands of the Last 30 Years . . . so that's dating back to 1981. Here's the Top 10, as voted by "Kerrang's" readers.

1.) Metallica

2.) Green Day

3.) Iron Maiden

4.) Slipknot

5.) My Chemical Romance (--Unfortunately, I could see this being legit.)

6.) Linkin Park

7.) The Welsh metal band Bullet for My Valentine (--Seriously?)

8.) Blink-182

9.) Ozzy Osbourne

10.) Foo Fighters


THURSDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS

Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


SARAH PALIN continues to tool around the country on her unofficial "I'm Sooo Not Running for President Yet" tour. Yesterday in New York City, somebody taped a sign to her overly-patriotic bus, calling her a MEDIA WHORE. (Full Story)



CLARICE TAYLOR . . . who played BILL COSBY'S mother on "The Cosby Show" . . . died Monday at the age of 93. She was also the Good Witch of the North in "The Wiz", and David's grandmother Harriet on "Sesame Street". (Full Story)



MATTHEW FINLEY . . . who played Luke Williams in Disney's "Camp Rock 2" . . . went over a 100-foot cliff in Malibu after losing control of his motorcycle last week. Despite multiple fractures and injuries to his head and face, Finley is doing well. On Tuesday, he Tweeted, quote, "Ducati off cliff.. more surgeries 2morrow. I WILL Survive!" (Full Story)



The American Diabetes Association would like STEVE-O to know that meat is not necessarily off-limits to people with the disease. (Full Story)



CHARLIE SHEEN and BROOKE MUELLER have reached a custody agreement. (Full Story)


NICK JONAS has teamed up with Quaker Chewy Granola Bars . . . (???) . . . to launch an online singing competition to find America's next child sensation. Only kids between the ages of eight and 14 can take part. (Full Story)



NBC may have canceled "The Event" . . . but now there's talk that it could be resurrected as a miniseries on Syfy. (Full Story)



Actor TIM ROBBINS . . . from "The Shawshank Redemption" . . . is putting out his first album. It's a folk album that Tim recorded with his backing group, the ROGUES GALLERY BAND. It's coming out on July 19th. (Full Story)



The ARCTIC MONKEYS say some stores in the U.S. want to censor the title of their next album, "Suck It and See", which comes out next week. They didn't say which stores had a problem with it, but Wal-Mart wouldn't be a bad guess. (Full Story)


NAZZY’S RANDOM STUFF

The Issue That's Dividing the Country the Most Is . . . Doctor-Assisted Suicide?

Did we just travel back in time to 1991? Because right now, in one of the most politically-divided eras of our lifetime, the issue that's dividing the country the most is . . . doctor-assisted suicide. Really? --Gallup just released the results of a poll asking Americans whether certain behaviors were morally acceptable or morally wrong. And doctor-assisted suicide was the closest thing to a 50-50 split. 45% say it's acceptable, 48% say it's wrong. --It easily beat out the number two finisher . . . abortion. Interestingly, 39% of people say abortion is morally acceptable, 51% say it's morally wrong. --Homosexuality, which I think most people would point to as the most divisive issue in the country right now, tied for fourth-most divisive. 56% of people say it's morally acceptable, 39% say it's wrong. --The issue with the most consensus is married people having affairs. 7% say that an affair is morally acceptable, 91% say it's wrong. Polygamy got the next-highest consensus . . . 11% say it's acceptable, 86% say it's wrong. --Of all of the controversial issues on the list, DIVORCE has the most morally acceptable votes. 69% of people say it's acceptable versus 23% who say it's wrong. It even beat out premarital sex, which only 60% of people approved of. (Gallup) (--The whole list is a pretty fascinating view on the weird buffet-style approach to morality we seem to have. It's worth taking a look at all the results here.)


Nobody Panic . . . But Here are the Five U.S. Cities Most Due For a Hurricane:

After everything we've seen in the past decade, it's hard not to worry at least a little bit that a major natural disaster could strike where you live. Unless you live underground in a concrete bunker. Which might be smart at this point. --Just to get you a little more prepared, a weather expert named Dr. Rick Knabb put together this list of the five cities most overdue to be hit by a major hurricane. --NO ONE PANIC . . . but maybe stock up on canned goods and come up with an emergency plan.

#5.) Tampa, Florida.

#4.) Savannah, Georgia.

#3.) New York City.

#2.) San Diego, California.

#1.) Honolulu, Hawaii. (MSNBC)
A University of Alabama Student Survives the Tuscaloosa Tornado in April, Then Goes Home To Her Family In . . . Joplin:

20-year-old Emily Fuller should buy a lottery ticket, because she's due for some good luck more than anyone else in this country. --Emily is a student at the University of Alabama. She was at school in April when tornados ripped through Tuscaloosa, devastated the city and the university, and took 42 lives. --The semester ended early, so Emily went back home to her family . . . in Joplin, Missouri. --And a few weeks ago, a tornado hit Joplin and caused another wave of horrible devastation. --Emily and her family rode out the tornado in their basement. Their house somehow managed to avoid being destroyed, even though it was less than a mile from the area of Joplin that was hit the worst. --Yesterday, Emily headed back to the University of Alabama to start summer school. (CNN)


People Are More Likely to Believe in Global Warming If You Ask When It's Warm Outside:

So, yeah, turns out there are a lot of people out there who still aren't entirely sure if there's a difference between "global warming" and "man, it's warm outside." --According to a study by Columbia University's Center for Decision Sciences, they found that people are more likely to believe in global warming if you ask them when it's hot outside. And the researchers say this is actually human nature. --The report reads, quote, "When asked about the reality of global warming, a complex and contentious topic, respondents may substitute their judgments about . . . the weather, a far easier quantity to evaluate." (Time)


One Out of Eight People in Washington State Has Either Seen Bigfoot or Know Someone Who Has:

If Bigfoot exists, odds are, he's in the Pacific Northwest. That's what all the legends say. Oh . . . and it's also what all the people who live there say. --According to a new survey, 13% of people in Washington state . . . or about one out of eight . . . say that they've either seen Bigfoot themselves, or know someone who has. --Overall, two out of five Washingtonians believe that he exists. The survey also found that they're not just believers in Bigfoot . . . 55% believe that UFOs exist. (PR Newswire)


A New Survey of Global Happiness out of North Korea Ranks China First, North Korea Second . . . and the U.S. Dead Last:

North Korea's state-run Chosun Central Television just released the findings of a brand new global happiness index. The North Korean government did all the research themselves. So . . . you should know what to expect. --China ranked first, as the happiest country in the world. They JUST beat out North Korea, which finished as the second happiest place on Earth. Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela round out the top five. --As for the U.S.? DEAD LAST, the unhappiest country in the world, coming in 203rd. The North Koreans rated South Korea as the 152nd happiest place. So, near the bottom but not as horrible as America. (Shanghaiist)


A Woman Left Her Estate To the Group That Predicted the Rapture . . . And Now Her Family Wants it Back:

Doris Schmitt of Queens, New York was one of the people who bought the hype about the Rapture happening on May 21st. She totally believed that HAROLD CAMPING of Family Radio was right. --On May 2nd, 19 days before the Rapture was supposed to happen, Doris died at age 78. And when the lawyers checked her will, they found out she'd left her $300,000 estate to Family Radio . . . not to her ACTUAL family. --Her surviving heirs were shocked. -Then, on May 21st, as we all know, the Rapture somehow didn't happen. And now . . . Doris's family wants that money back. --One of her nieces, Eileen Heuwetter, says the family is desperately talking to lawyers, trying to see if there's any way that Doris's money won't go to Family Radio. After all, they say Doris willed it because she believed in the prediction. --Eileen says, quote, "This man is going to get hundreds of thousands of dollars from my aunt. She would have been devastated [the prediction didn't come true]." --She also says that if Doris had just survived 20 more days and seen that the Rapture didn't happen, she would've given the money to her family instead. --BUT . . . from everything they've heard from lawyers, it looks like they're fighting a lost cause, and the money is going to Family Radio. (CNN Money)
More and More Restaurant Servers Are Getting Rid of the Pen and Paper and Taking Orders By Memory:

Personally, I HATE when a server takes my order and doesn't write it down. At least when they write it down there's, like, a 75% chance they'll get it right. When they do it from memory it seems like that drops to about 10%. --But we all may have to get used to that. Apparently, more and more restaurants are encouraging their servers to get rid of the pen and paper and take orders by memory. Here's why . . .

#1.) It helps the server keep eye contact, which creates a better bond and leads to a better tip.

#2.) It makes the servers concentrate harder, which leads to better service.

#3.) And, most important to the restaurant, it makes the server look like more of a pro . . . which makes people more receptive to 'upselling.' You know . . . when the waiter suggests appetizers, drinks, or desserts that you and your chubbiness probably don't really need or want.

--All that being said . . . people really don't like it. The "New York Post" mentioned the trend, with a poll asking people if they trust servers who don't write down their orders. 81% say no. (New York Post)


MEATBALL CRIMINALS

A Man Reports a Fake Robbery and Stabs Himself To Make it Convincing . . . All to Avoid Paying Child Support:

This a-hole REALLY didn't want to give his children a few thousand dollars toward food, clothing, and shelter. --On Tuesday, 51-year-old Michael Cherubino of Spring Hill, Florida was due in court to explain why he hadn't paid $4,000 in back child support. And he sure as hell didn't want to go. --So Cherubino decided to stage a ROBBERY. He called the police and told them that he was at home with the $4,000 in child support when two men barged into his house, STABBED HIM in the stomach, and stole the money. --Believe it or not, as far as we can tell, he did NOT describe his attackers as black or Hispanic men . . . which might be the first time in the history of made-up crimes that they haven't gotten the blame. --And to really sell the story, Cherubino took a piece of glass . . . and STABBED HIMSELF. -While he was in the hospital, the police quickly unraveled his story. He ended up confessing that he'd made the whole thing up. --Now, on top of owing back child support, he's also been charged with giving a false report to law enforcement. (Hernando Today)


A Man Gets Three DUIs In Three Different Cities In Three Days:

Even if this is some kind of a record, it's really NOT something this guy should even be remotely proud of. --A few weeks ago, 50-year-old Timothy McGowan of Mill Valley, California managed to get three DUIs in three different cities in three days. --On May 18th, he got a DUI in San Rafael, California when he pulled up to a closed bank and tried to go inside. A cop spotted him and arrested him when he left the parking lot. --On May 19th, he was busted for drunk driving when he was swerving in San Francisco. --And on May 20th, he was caught in Novato, California when he staggered out of his Volkswagen Beetle, asked a woman for directions to Burger King, then got back into his car and drove off in front of a cop. --His blood-alcohol levels from the first two arrests weren't released . . . in the third one, he blew a 0.15 on the breathalyzer, about twice the legal limit. --He's looking at up to two years in prison. --McGowan has prior convictions for DUI, petty theft, resisting arrest, and drug possession. He's also been arrested on suspicion of public intoxication four times . . . this year. (San Francisco Chronicle)


Police in Florida Are Able to Figure Out Who Bit a Man at a Party . . . Because Most of the Guests Didn't Have Teeth:

This one feels almost too good to be true . . . but it comes straight off a police report so we're inclined to believe it. --On Memorial Day, in East Naples, Florida, 33-year-old Tina Gonzales was throwing a birthday party for her son. The kids ate cake, and the adults got hammered. --Tina's neighbor eventually got into an argument with people at the party . . . we're assuming over the noise . . . and someone from the party BIT HIM. No one would own up to it, but they were able to pin it on Tina. How? --The police found that none of the other adults had ENOUGH TEETH to make the bite pattern in the neighbor's arm. Most had no teeth. Only Tina had enough. She was arrested. (Naples News)
RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS


Random News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


This study's out of Britain, but it's still amusing: Female drunk drivers are more likely to be older, alone, unmarried . . . and better educated than men. (Full Story)


The driver of a car struck by a train in Connecticut will be billed for the damage to the train, since . . . according to the train company . . . quote, "The train was where it was supposed to be. The car was not." (Full Story)


An announcer covering the Casey Anthony trial on TruTV was caught talking about her cans on a live mic yesterday. He'd already made a comment about her form-fitting outfit, then during a lull in her questioning, he said, quote, "The only thing you're gonna see now are her boobs sticking out today." (Full Story)


Two new studies on video games kinda seem to cancel each other out: One says that playing video games helps kids lose small amounts of weight . . . the other says kids eat bigger lunches after playing video games. (Full Story)


Do you suck at math? There's a developmental disability for that. There's a gene that can cause "dyscalculia" . . . it's like dyslexia for math. (Full Story)



NAZZY’S VIDEOS OF THE DAY

#1.) A Reporter in Houston Accidentally Said the S-Word on Live TV:

Fox26 in Houston accidentally aired a clip of a reporter named Pattie Shieh saying the S-word when she screwed up her report. The anchor said they aired a, quote, "inadvertent piece of video tape." (--Search YouTube for "Pattie Shieh Blooper.") (--WARNING: This video includes the S-word.)


#2.) A Soldier Proposed in a Pre-Recorded Message on a Stadium's Jumbo Screen . . . Then Showed Up in Person to Give His Girlfriend the Ring:

At a Kansas City Royals game on Monday, they played a message on the jumbo screen from a soldier asking his girlfriend to marry him. Then the soldier showed up in person to give her the ring. --The sound in the video is horrible, but it doesn't really matter. The best part is when she sees him on top of the dugout, sprints to him, and gives him a huge hug. (--Search YouTube for "Marriage Proposal - Kansas City Royals Baseball Game." The message starts at :10, and he shows up in person at :41.)


#3.) A Kid Gave an Inspirational Speech About Learning to Ride a Bike . . . Then Yelled, "Thumbs Up Everybody, For Rock and Roll!":

There's a new video online of a kid giving an inspirational speech for kids who can't ride a bike. And he yells, quote, "If you believe in yourself, you will know how to ride a bike! If you don't, you just keep practicing!" --Then . . . for some reason . . . he yells, "Thumbs up, everybody! For rock and roll!" (--Search CollegeHumor.com for "Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll." The speech starts at :20.)
Four Summer Activities and How Many Calories They Burn:

The unofficial start of summer was this week. And summer OFFICIALLY starts June 21st. So here's some advice on how to slim down while you enjoy the warmer weather. --DietsInReview.com posted a list of popular summer activities, and how many calories they burn. Here are the top four.

#1.) Water Skiing. In 30 minutes, a 150-pound person burns around 200 calories. And it works your upper and lower body.

#2.) Swimming. Depending on your body weight, just swimming around casually burns between 250 and 400 calories an hour. And if you swim laps, you can burn a lot more.

#3.) Hiking. If you're 150 pounds, you'll burn about 400 calories on a one-hour hike, depending on how steep it is. If you weigh MORE than that, obviously you'll burn more calories, because each step requires more energy.

#4.) Playing Nine Holes of Golf. If you walk AND carry your clubs, you'll burn around 700 calories, or 1,400 if you do 18 holes. Just be careful about how many calories you CONSUME on the golf course. --If you golf 18 holes, but have four or five beers on the course and a cheeseburger for lunch, they cancel each other out. (DietsInReview.com / CalorieKing.com)

HOLLYWOOD DIRT OVERFLOW (06-01-11)

Is Hayden Panettiere Dating New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez?

HAYDEN PANETTIERE recently broke up with her boxer-boyfriend WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO . . . but there might be a new athlete in her life. --Hayden was seen getting flirty with New York Jets quarterback MARK SANCHEZ at In-N-Out Burger in Laguna Hills, California on Monday. Although a source says they're, quote, "just friends." (--If they're NOT just friends, Hayden should have an easier time with Mark between the sheets. Remember, she told Ellen that she and Wladimir could make it work, despite the fact that he was 6-foot-5 and she's 5-foot-2.) (--Well, Mark is 6-foot-2, so he's still got a foot on Hayden. But one would assume it's at least a little bit more manageable.)


Christopher Knight Says He and Adrianne Curry "Just Need Some Perspective":

A paparazzi scumbag caught up with CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT yesterday and asked him to comment on his separation from ADRIANNE CURRY. --All he would say is, quote, "We just need some perspective . . . that's all it is . . . I love her dearly." (--Here's video. And I have to give the cameraman props for working in a reference to Christopher's classic "Brady Bunch" line, "Pork chops and apple sauce.")


The Girl Who Was on the Jet Ski with Sean Kingston When He Crashed Describes the Accident:

SEAN KINGSTON remains in critical but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. He has a tube down his throat and he's breathing with the help of a ventilator. --But his rep says, quote, "He is aware of what is going on around him . . . [he is] sedated but fully conscious." --Meanwhile, the woman who was on the back of the jet ski when it crashed described the accident yesterday. Her name is Cassandra Sanchez, and she's a longtime friend of Sean's. Turns out she only suffered minor injuries. --Cassandra says she and a girlfriend went to Miami Beach to ride with Sean and one of his friends. The four of them hit the water on two jet skis. --She says, quote, "Both jet skis pulled out of the dock at the same time and we were going so fast we just blasted past them. When we turned a corner and crashed . . . they were so far behind us they didn't even see us crash." --What they crashed into was a bridge. Cassandra says that as they approached it, she screamed, quote, "We can't fit under there! Are we going to try and go under there? Sean, stop!" --Sean tried to turn, but they were going so fast he lost control. The next thing Cassandra remembers is waking up in the water in pain. Their friends on the other jet ski were there, and Sean's pal was trying to position him so he wouldn't swallow too much water. --Cassandra says, quote, "[Sean] was coughing up blood, foam and pink stuff." When he regained consciousness, he kept repeating, quote, "I'm hurting. I'm hurting." --They were eventually assisted by two men who were out on a boat nearby . . . one of whom just happened to be an off-duty Coast Guard member. --Kingston is expected to be in the hospital for at least the next few weeks. (--Here are some pictures of the jet ski. You can't really see any damage, but supposedly, one of the handlebars was ripped off.) (TMZ)


Michael Lohan and the Situation's Dad May Box Each Other:

There might not be any two guys on the planet right now that I'd rather see beat the tar out of each other than MICHAEL LOHAN and FRANK SORRENTINO . . . a.k.a. the father of "Jersey Shore" moron MIKE "THE SITUATION" SORRENTINO. --Lohan is a proud member of "The Celebrity Boxing Federation" . . . which is kind of a misnomer, because he's probably the most famous guy involved in it. --Be that as it may, Lohan doesn't like the fact that Frank has been making those Internet videos trashing his own son. So he made a comment that he'd like to get Frank Sorrentino in the ring. --Well, Sorrentino issued a video response . . . peppered with F-bombs, as usual. And while he didn't specifically accept the challenge, it sounds like he's game. --He said, quote, "I heard Michael Lohan passed a comment on me, or about me regarding my boy and that he wants to fight me. --"Hey Mike, let me send you a [effin'] message so you get this [effin'] loud and clear, okay? You should be careful what you ask for because you may get it. --"I don't know who the [eff] you think you're talking to or who the [eff] you think you are, but I'll tell you one thing my friend . . . you bit off more than you can chew." (--There's a lot more to the video, and you can watch it here. WARNING!!! THIS THING IS LOADED WITH UNBLEEPED PROFANITY.) --Lohan and Sorrentino are actually going to see each other this weekend. On Saturday, Lohan is boxing a guy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida . . . and Sorrentino is supposed to be the guest referee. (--This is what people in the sporting world would call a DREAM MATCH. But not because it represents two top-notch opposing forces doing battle to establish ultimate supremacy in an honorable contest of mind, body and will.) (--No, it's a dream match because these guys are going out there to hurt each other . . . and nothing would be more pleasurable than to see both of these guys get hurt!) (--It's like Alien vs. Predator . . . Megashark vs. Giant Octopus . . . or Freddy vs. Jason. Having one of them out of our hair for good would be nice . . . but imagine how much better the world would be if they DESTROYED EACH OTHER!)
Naomi Campbell is Mad at the Cadbury People . . . For Comparing Her to a Chocolate Bar:

NAOMI CAMPBELL is RAGING again . . . but this time she might have a good reason. She's thinking about suing the Cadbury candy people, after they ran an ad in U.K. newspapers that compared her to a chocolate bar. --The ad . . . which ran last week . . . shows the new Dairy Milk Bliss candy bar sitting on a pile of diamonds. And it says, quote, "Move over Naomi . . . there's a new diva in town." (--Check it out here.) (Independent) --Apparently, Naomi asked them to pull the ad and they refused. So she's now considering her legal options.
-She says, quote, "I am shocked. It's upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me, but for all black women and black people. I do not find any humor in this. It is insulting and hurtful." --A rep for Cadbury . . . which is owned by Kraft Foods . . . said the ad was meant as, quote, "a light-hearted take on the social pretensions of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bliss." --He added that the campaign was no longer in circulation, and the company has no plans to repeat it.


Check Out a Spoof of "Harry Potter" and Charlie Sheen for the "MTV Movie Awards":

MTV did a mash-up of "Harry Potter" and CHARLIE SHEEN to hype this Sunday's "MTV Movie Awards". --It's Harry Potter . . . who's NOT played by Daniel Radcliffe . . . giving a Charlie Sheen-style interview. (--Check it out here. It's pretty amusing if you can get past "Harry's" TERRIBLE accent.)


Angelina Jolie Says Cleopatra Was Not a Sex Symbol:

A lot of people think of CLEOPATRA as some kind of sexy, voracious nymphomaniac. That image was NOT dispelled by the 1963 film "Cleopatra" . . . featuring ELIZABETH TAYLOR at her sexiest in the title role. --And now, with ANGELINA JOLIE set to star in an update, you'd think the trend would continue. And you'd be WRONG. --Angelina wants to throw some TRUTH TORPEDOES at the Cleopatra story . . . and portray her as historians have come to know her. -She says, quote, "My performance will never be as lovely as Elizabeth's. We are trying to get into a different truth about her as a pharaoh in history and not as a sex symbol, because she really wasn't. --"Even this idea of her having many lovers . . . it was possible that it was only two. She is very interesting, but she wasn't a great beauty." --She adds, quote, "She has been very misunderstood. I thought it was all about the glamour, but then I read about her and she was a very strong mother, she spoke five languages and she was a leader." (--Angelina's Cleopatra movie isn't scheduled to hit theaters until 2013. It's being directed by DAVID FINCHER, who did "The Social Network".) (--He's also worked with her husband BRAD PITT three times . . . on "Seven", "Fight Club", and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".) (--With all due respect to both Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie, the only Cleopatra who ever truly mattered on the big screen was CLEOPATRA JONES. Right on, sweet sister!)


Snooki Was Spotted Wearing a Neck Brace, But She Was Just Messing Around?

SNOOKI was spotted wearing a NECK BRACE in Italy yesterday . . . which was strange because she reportedly refused medical treatment after crashing her car into a police car over the weekend. --But don't worry, Snooki's fine. Apparently, it was all a JOKE . . . because at one point, she yanked it off, and started laughing. (???) (--All this MUST be endlessly amusing to the two police officers who WERE treated for whiplash, cuts and bruises after the accident. You can check out the pictures of Snooki's neck brace here.)


It's the End of an Era: PBS Is Adding Commercials to Their Shows:

PBS will no longer be free of commercial breaks. Yesterday, network executives announced that they're going to start running ads during at least some of their shows beginning this fall. --The ads will be the usual corporate and foundation sponsor ads that currently air in between shows. Except now, they'll air every 15 minutes . . . so they'll actually interrupt the shows, just like on regular TV. --They're doing it because, A.) Everybody needs money these days . . . and, B.) There's a HUGE viewer drop-off when the promotional spots come on after shows.


Patrick Dempsey Said the Next Season of "Grey's Anatomy" Will Be His Last, But His Rep Said It Might Not Be:

PATRICK DEMPSEY appeared to drop a little bomb in an interview with the Italian "Vanity Fair" . . . when he said that he was on his way OUT of "Grey's Anatomy". (--For all the dudes, Patrick plays Dr. Derek Shepherd . . . a.k.a. McDreamy.) --He said the show's upcoming season is, quote, "gonna be my last. I do not know what's going to happen to the other characters, but for me it's done." --He added that leaving after eight seasons would be, quote, "bittersweet because it's been great, and a great part of my life. But I can't see me doing it anymore." --That seems pretty cut and dry . . . but Patrick's rep later "clarified" his comments, saying, quote, "He was referring to the fact that his contract is up at the end of next season and we have no idea what the future holds." Sure. --Regardless, it's not even a sure thing that the SHOW will be back next year. --A while back, Ellen Pompeo said she isn't planning on renewing her contract beyond this coming season, and last month, "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes said she's approaching the next season as if it could be the last.


Wednesday TV Reminders: (--Check your local listings.)

--"NHL Stanley Cup Finals" [Game 1] . . . 8:00 to 11:00 P.M. Eastern on NBC. (--The Vancouver Canucks host the Boston Bruins.)

--"Minute to Win It" . . . 8:00 to 9:00 P.M. on NBC. (--"Jackass" co-stars Steve-O and Ryan Dunn compete for charity.)

--"So You Think You Can Dance" [Audition Show] . . . 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Fox.

--"America's Got Talent" [Audition Show] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on NBC.

--"Franklin & Bash" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on TNT. (--"Saved by the Bell" superstar Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer play attorneys who aren't above breaking the law to help their clients at a stuffy law firm.)

--"Haunted Collector" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Syfy.

--"Love in the Wild" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on NBC. (--What do you get when you strand 10 single men and 10 single women in the jungles of Costa Rica to find love? The newest form of reality dating shows, that's what.)

--"Men of A Certain Age" [2nd Season Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on TNT.

--"The World According To Paris" [SERIES Premiere] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on Oxygen. (--Paris Hilton returns with a new reality show about her life as she struggles with the HORROR of turning 30.)

--"The Real World: Las Vegas" [25th Season Finale] . . . 10:00 to 11:00 P.M. on MTV.


Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" Sold 1.11 Million Copies in Its First Week, and Came Close to Being the Best Debut in a Decade:

It's official: LADY GAGA'S "Born This Way" had an epic debut. --Billboard.com reports that the album sold 1.11 million copies in its first week. More specifically, it moved 1,108,000 copies. (--It was almost 1,108,001 . . . I found myself trying to download the album off Amazon for 99 cents last Monday night. I'd had a few ill-advised shots of Jagermeister. But fortunately, Amazon was slammed at the time, and my order didn't go through.) -According to Billboard, it was the best single-week sales number since 50 CENT moved 1.14 million copies of "The Massacre" in its first week back in March of 2005. --Had "Born This Way" sold 40,000 more copies and edged out 50 Cent, it would've become the best debut in a decade . . . since 'N SYNC'S "Celebrity" debuted with 1.88 million in sales back in 2001. --Here are some more stats on Lady Gaga's big week: --"Born This Way" became just the 17th album to sell a million copies in one week since Soundscan began tracking sales data 20 years ago, in 1991. --It's Lady Gaga's first #1 album. Her first album "The Fame" peaked at #2 . . . her "Fame Monster" EP only reached #5 . . . and "The Remix" topped out at #6. --It became only the third album in the past three years to sell a million. The others were TAYLOR SWIFT'S "Speak Now", which did it in October of last year . . . and LIL WAYNE'S "Tha Carter 3", which did it in June of 2008. (--And again, it outdid both of those.) --Gaga is only the fifth woman in the past 20 years to have a million-plus week. Britney Spears leads that list . . . she sold 1.3 million copies of "Oops! I Did It Again" back in 2000. Whitney Houston, Norah Jones and Taylor Swift also did it. --There still aren't any concrete numbers on Amazon's role in this . . . but from what we've heard, they sold close to 500,000 copies during their two 99-cent promotions last Monday and Thursday.

Is Lady Gaga on a Diet of Baby Food?

Does LADY GAGA survive on a diet of BABY FOOD? A so-called "source" tells "Heat" magazine, quote, "She's not eating healthily at all. She's substituting meals for jars of baby food." Apparently, this is called the, quote, "goo diet." (???) (--Or she could keep herself in shape in a more normal way . . . by working closely with a personal trainer. That's what we heard last week.)


Panic! At the Disco Singer Brendon Urie Broke His Ankle Onstage:

PANIC! AT THE DISCO singer BRENDON URIE broke his ankle while performing onstage in Florida over the weekend. --He suffered the injury while climbing back onstage after going into the crowd. --But Brendon went on with the show . . . although he had to take off his shoe and sock for the rest of the gig. --He told the crowd, quote, "There's like a softball in my ankle . . . my left leg is done for the show, if you don't mind . . . the show will go on if you'll have us." --He added, "Oh, it's gross people . . . it's pretty nasty . . . it looks like my grandma's goiter. It's disgusting, it's not fun." (--You can see video of him taking off his shoe and sock, here. ***Note***: The video shows the MASSIVE SWELLING on his ankle. If that's not something you want to see, you might want to pass on it.) (--Brendon also posted a few pictures on Twitter. Here's a look at his swollen foot, and here's a less-gross picture of his leg all wrapped up in a bandage.)


Check Out Video of Weezer Covering Radiohead:

A video has surfaced online, which features WEEZER covering RADIOHEAD'S "Paranoid Android". It wasn't at a gig, it was recorded in a studio. (--It's unclear how or if the cover will be released . . . but it's pretty good.) (--You can check out the video, here.)


Rihanna Has Released Her "Man Down" Video:

RIHANNA unleashed her "Man Down" video on BET yesterday. --On Twitter, Rihanna described the video as, quote, "#Gritty #GULLY #Emotional #JAMRock Very strong underlying message 4 girls like me! #ListenToYoMama." (--You can check it out, here. It kind of cuts out at the end, but it's the best version that was available online last night.)


WEDNESDAY'S SHOWBIZ EXTRAS

Showbiz Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


DR. DREW PINSKY continues to say JEFF CONAWAY did NOT die of an overdose . . . he died from over-USE of prescription opiates. (Full Story)


"Jackass" jackass STEVE-O walked out on a charity event for the American Diabetes Association over the weekend, because they served meat for lunch. He said, quote, "It's like serving alcohol at an AA meeting." (Full Story)



The entire KARDASHIAN clan made a video lip-synching to KATY PERRY'S "E.T." (Video)



HARRISON FORD says that when he was young someone told him he'd have to change his name to become famous. Here's what he came up with: KURT AFFAIRE. (Full Story)



After "The Hangover Part 2" smashed all manner of box office records over the weekend, this was a foregone conclusion: They're already working on the screenplay for Part 3. (Full Story)

DONALD SUTHERLAND has been cast as President Snow in "The Hunger Games". (Full Story)



NBC will host the next Super Bowl on February 5th . . . and they've decided to give "The Voice" the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot. NBC has not said whether or not that episode will be the second season premiere. (Full Story)



Adele has postponed five upcoming North American tour dates because she has laryngitis. She's planning on resuming the tour June 4th in San Francisco. No make-up dates have been announced yet. (Full Story)



Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have put out a promo video for their upcoming reality talent show, "Q'Viva! The Chosen". In the clip, J-Lo says it's, quote, "probably going to be the biggest thing that I've been involved with yet." (--It's probably NOT going to be bigger than "American Idol". At least not in the U.S.) (Video)



Here's the latest on GEORGE LUCAS' "Star Wars" TV show: George says he's written 50 hours of scripts for a live-action show, but he's not going to begin production until technology advances to the point where the show is, quote, "economically feasible." (Full Story)



If you would've liked CHICKENFOOT'S debut album if it was heavier and better . . . there's good news! Guitarist JOE SATRIANI says they're recording their next album and it's, quote, "heavier and better than the first one." (Full Story)



The "National Enquirer" claims 47-year-old MELISSA GILBERT . . . who played Laura on "Little House on the Prairie" . . . is doing the next season of "Dancing with the Stars". (Full Story)


NAZZY’S RANDOM STUFF

Osama Bin Laden Offered Surprisingly Good Salaries and Vacation Time:

Let this sink in for a second: OSAMA BIN LADEN gave his Al Qaeda employees more vacation time than your company gives you. No joke. --The CIA has been digging through the files that were recovered during the raid on bin Laden's compound, and they came across what basically amounts to Al Qaeda's human resources manual. Here's what they found. --Married employees got seven paid vacation days for every three weeks they worked. For unmarried employees that dropped to five days. Again, both of those policies are better than any American company we've ever heard of. --Employees with one wife got a salary of $108 per month. --That's considerably less than any of us make, but pretty decent for Pakistan, where the average person makes $41 a month, or Afghanistan, where the average is $14 a month. --Single employees got slightly less money. Employees with more wives got slightly more money. --There's no word if this kind of salary and vacation package is still available now that bin Laden's gone. (NPR)
You Need To Take a Vacation Day Every 62 Days . . . Or You Could Become "Aggressive or Ill":

The stereotypes say we're lazy, but Americans are NOT good at taking vacation days. But according to a new study, even if you don't take a lot of actual vacations . . . you really do need to take a day off every few months. --The study found that it's actually bad to go more than 62 days without a vacation day. That's the average tipping point when people go from being, quote, "fresh and focused [to] anxious, aggressive, and ill." (Metro)


Goldman Sachs Once Lost $1.3 Billion of Gaddafi's Money . . . And Needed Security to Get Out of Libya:

Now THIS is choking under pressure. Because when a crazy, war-prone dictator picks you to invest his money . . . that's the one time when you REALLY shouldn't poop the bed. --In 2009, MUAMMAR GADDAFI, the dictator from Libya who's our new public enemy number one, had Goldman Sachs invest $1.3 BILLION of his money. And they didn't do a good job. Or even a remotely passable job. --In fact, they made such bad investments that they lost 98% of his money. --Two Goldman bankers actually went to Libya personally to tell Gaddafi his $1.3 billion was now down to $26 MILLION. --And he was SO ANGRY that Goldman actually had to send in a security team to help get its bankers out of the country. (Wall Street Journal)


Twitter Can Accurately Predict the Stock Market?

Hey, maybe Twitter's NOT 100% frivolous. Maybe. --According to a study out of Indiana University, Twitter might be able to accurately predict the STOCK MARKET. --Researchers took almost 10 million tweets from people in the U.S. and looked for keywords to indicate people's moods when they tweeted. --They found that when people were calm and happy, the stock market would rise about three or four days later. When people were alert and negative, the stock market would drop a few days later. (Scientific American)


And Now, Three New Things to Worry About:

#1.) It's been a while since a 'CELL PHONES CAUSE CANCER' study, but here we go. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, says cell phones MIGHT be a carcinogen that MIGHT be linked to cancer. --Of course, your genetic makeup and how long you're exposed are the real reasons why ANY carcinogen would give you cancer . . . from phones to pesticides to coffee. So take this for what it's worth. (Yahoo Health) (--For more info, you can try emailing the WHO's Chris Black at blackc@who.int. And check out a list of five ways to reduce cell phone radiation, here.)

#2.) Does FACEBOOK MAKE YOU LESS FRIENDLY? In a new British survey, two out of three people said they regularly interact with people on Facebook who they'd never interact with in real life. --70% also said they think basic conversation and friendliness is DYING because of texting, emailing, and social media. (ANI)

#3.) How can the number be this high? According to an American Red Cross survey, 21% of Americans, or one in five, SAY THEY'RE FAIR OR POOR SWIMMERS. 3% can't swim at all. --About 78% of people say they plan to do at least one water-related recreational event this summer. (PR Newswire)


The Average Person Will Spend $106.49 on Father's Day:

Here's an easy way to figure out how much to spend on your dad for Father's Day this year: Just follow what everyone else is doing. Thinking for yourself always has been vastly overrated. --According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend about $11.1 BILLION on Father's Day this year, which is an all-time high. That means . . . the average person will spend $106.49 on dad, up from $94.32 last year. --The survey also found that the most popular gift is an outing . . . 42.3% of people plan to take their father out either to a meal, golf, the movies, or something similar. (MediaPost)

Did You Know There Are Things Your Credit Card Company Won't Let You Buy?

You know, if the credit card companies REALLY want to fully replace cash in our lives, they should let us be as SKETCHY as we want with the stuff we buy. --According to the website CardRatings.com, both Visa and MasterCard ban their card holders from buying chips at a casino, paying for online gambling, or even donating to certain charities. Like, for example, a fund for the document hacking site WikiLeaks. --And American Express takes it even further. It has all of those bans, plus they won't let cardholders pay for legalized medical marijuana or sign up for online porno sites. --All of the companies say they aren't blocking those transactions out of any moral code, but rather that those have the highest rate of risk for them. (Smart Money)


15% of Divorces Are Now Caused By Video Games?

You'd never suspect them, but the Mario Brothers are trying to break up your marriage. --According to an annual study by Divorce Online, up to 15% of the divorces in the last year cited VIDEO GAMES as a contributing factor to the marriage breaking up. "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty" were the games cited most frequently. --The year before, video games were cited in 5% of divorces. The researchers say the jump is probably because of the recession . . . more people are staying indoors, and that can feed video game addiction. (Deseret News)


A Man Survives Being Shot In the Face When His Dentures Deflect the Bullet:

81-year-old Zacarias Pacheco de Moraes of Alta Floresta, Brazil should be dead. And not from old age. --Last week, Zacarias was working in a bar he owns when a robber came in, demanded money . . . and SHOT HIM IN THE FACE for resisting. --The bullet was headed for Zacarias' brain and would've killed him. Only it hit his DENTURES on the way . . . deflected off them . . . and ended up lodging in his throat. --The bullet is still there because the hospital felt that removing it right away would be too risky. Zacarias is still recovering . . . and there's no word on whether the police have tracked down the shooter. (Washington Post)


A Man Spends 100 Hours and $2,100 to Rescue His Dog From Under a Boulder:

I think we'd probably all be appalled to hear how much the average dog owner would spend to save their dog's life. It's got to be more than the price of a Kia. Arguably more than the price of a Lexus. --And considering all that . . . Steve Porter of Melbourne, Australia got a decent bargain. --Last week, Steve's four-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Jessie, was chasing a rabbit and got trapped under a 45-TON BOULDER. She couldn't get out. But Steve wasn't letting her life end that way. --He stayed by the boulder for about a week, feeding liver to Jessie by attaching pieces to a long piece of wire. --And, he hired a company with hydraulic equipment to come and move the rocks. It took almost the whole week, but they managed to get the rocks moved and free Jessie. --She was dehydrated but otherwise okay. --And the entire thing cost Steve $2,100. (Melbourne Herald Sun)


A Woman Goes to Chanel, Tries On a $10,000 Ring . . . And Is Now Suing Because She Couldn't Get It Off:

In New York, a woman named Rosy Mizrachi Gindi went to a Chanel store and tried on a $10,000 ring. She could get the ring on . . . but she couldn't get it off. --After she and the employees tried desperately to get the ring off her finger, she had to go to the emergency room. It took doctors about three hours to remove the ring without having to cut it. --And now, the stupidity . . . Rosy is SUING Chanel. She's seeking unspecified damages for the PAIN and EMBARRASSMENT caused by getting the ring jammed on her finger. Chanel hasn't commented on the suit. (New York Post)


MEATBALL CRIMINALS

A Man Is Arrested For Destroying a Security Camera So He Wouldn't Get Caught Breaking Into . . . His Own Apartment:

There was absolutely no reason for 27-year-old Jesse Allen Hottinger of Akron, Ohio to be forever branded as a stupid criminal. He just made one completely ILLOGICAL, unnecessary decision. --Over the weekend, Jesse locked himself out of his apartment and decided to break in. But for some reason, he was afraid of being caught on the building security camera breaking into his own apartment. Even though, ya know, that's legal. --So Jesse decided to DESTROY the camera before he broke in. Unfortunately for him, the camera DID catch footage of him destroying it . . . so he's been charged with vandalism. (Akron Beacon Journal)


In Maryland, a Man Talks Loudly on His Cell Phone About How He's Wanted . . . Other People Turn Him In, and He's Arrested:

There's just something so perfect about a guy getting arrested because he was being loud and obnoxious on his cell phone. If only that could happen more often. --On Monday night, 32-year-old Richard Vermalyea of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware was staying at the Traveler's Motel in Delmar, Maryland. And in the middle of the night, he was talking loudly on his cell phone. --People in other rooms could hear what he was saying . . . and he was telling a friend that there are warrants out for his arrest for failure to appear in a theft case and a probation violation. So another guest called the cops . . . and Richard was arrested. (Delmarva Now)


RANDOM NEWS EXTRAS


News Extras . . . Random Links to Additional Stories:


All you 'hookah' lovers who think it's safer than cigarettes . . . Oops. Since a hookah session can last up to an hour, with people taking long, deep breaths, it can actually equal 100 cigarettes. And because it's a communal hose, it can spread TB and herpes. (Full Story)


Bob Krause turned 90 in Los Angeles last week . . . and celebrated living 85 years with diabetes, a world record. (Full Story)



Someone in Washington captured footage of Bigfoot! Yeah, it's probably a hoax, but you know you're going to check out the video anyway. (Full Story)


53% of people aged 16 to 30 would give up their sense of smell before their phone?
(Full Story)


STUPID VIDEOS OF THE DAY

#1.) Two Videos of Dads Sacrificing Their Kids to Catch Foul Balls:

You've probably seen videos of dads at baseball games who catch foul balls while they hold on to their kids. But in the last few days, two dads have done the EXACT opposite. --At a Dodgers game against the Florida Marlins on Saturday, a guy DROPPED his daughter to try to catch a foul ball . . . and didn't even catch it. And at Monday night's game between the Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks, a guy in the stands made a diving catch . . . and took out at least one little kid in the process. (--Search YouTube for "Dad Drops Daughter at Dodgers Game" and "Dad Takes Out Kids to Catch Foul Ball.")


#2.) A Softball Player Fouled a Ball Off Her Own Face . . . and Her Eye Immediately Started Gushing Blood:

In a game against Georgia on Saturday, the freshman catcher for Baylor University's softball team fouled a ball off her own face . . . and immediately started gushing blood from her right eye. --It's amazing it doesn't happen more often, because when you watch the video, it's a direct hit. According to reports, she suffered multiple fractures and got some stitches, but she's okay. (--Search YouTube for "Baylor Softball Player Fouled Ball in Face.")


#3.) Here's a Circus Elephant Helping with the Tornado Clean-Up in Joplin, Missouri:

The Piccadilly Circus was supposed to perform in Joplin, Missouri this week. But because of all the tornado damage, they couldn't. So instead of going to the next city, they volunteered their elephants to help with the clean up. --There's a video online of one of them pulling a car out of the wreckage. (--Search YouTube for "Elephant Assists in Joplin Tornado Clean Up." It starts pulling at :21.)


#4.) A Drug Cartel Killed Five People Outside a Mexican School, and a Kindergarten Teacher Calmed Her Students by Leading Them in a Sing-a-Long:

Suspected drug cartel members killed five people outside a school in Monterrey, Mexico on Friday (--about 90 miles from the Texas border.) --And a kindergarten teacher kept her students calm and out of harm's way by having them lie down on the floor, and leading them in a sing-a-long. She took cell phone video of it, and you can see the kids starting to panic when they hear automatic gunfire. --Then they calm down and start singing. And one of them even smiles. (--Search NYDailyNews.com for "Mexican Kindergarten Teacher Has Students Sing Songs as Gunbattle Rages." You can hear gunfire at :23 and :31. The singing starts at :42.)


Five Ways to Minimize Cell Phone Radiation:

Yesterday, the World Health Organization announced that it's adding cell phones to its list of carcinogens. In other words, the radiation from your phone might be giving you cancer. And in general, the smarter your phone is, the more radiation it gives off.

--So here's a list from CNN of five ways to make cell phone use safer.

#1.) Start Using a Wired Headset. A headset that plugs into your phone only emits radiation from the wire, and it's not very much. A wireless device like a Bluetooth gives off less radiation than your phone does, but it's still quite a lot.

#2.) Use Your Speakerphone More Often. Obviously, don't use it when you're sitting in Starbucks. But keeping your phone a few inches away can make a big difference. --For example, when you hold your phone two inches from your head, you're exposed to four times less radiation.

#3.) Switch Sides. If you always hold your phone in your right hand, then the right side of your head gets all the radiation. And the same goes for a Bluetooth. A lot of people only use it on one ear. But it's better if you alternate.

#4.) Don't Talk on Your Phone While You're Driving. First of all, it's not safe because it's distracting, even if you're talking hands-free. --But your phone also emits more radiation when it's in motion, because it has to constantly connect to new cell phone towers. And it gives off more radiation when you have a weak signal too, because it has to work harder.

#5.) Send More Text Messages. The less time you spend with your phone next to your face, the better. (CNN.com)