Slate V Podcast Feed

Dear Prudence: Dog Owner in Mourning

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:41:23 +0000

Slate's advice columnist counsels a widow about the sad prospect of losing the last of her and her late husband's two dogs.

Brazen Kabul Attack Organized by Haqqani Network: Afghan Officials

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:41:00 +0000

The dust is finally starting to settle in Kabul, Afghanistan after NATO and Afghan forces were able to contain a well-coordinated and brazen attack by insurgents in its capital and three other cities. The 18-hour battle engulfed several neighborhoods and buildings near the Afghan parliament, leaving a reported 38 insurgents, nine Afghan forces, and several civilians dead. Early Monday the Associated Press reported a captured militant confessed that the Haqqani network—which has ties to the Taliban, al-Qaida, and Pakistan—coordinated the attacks. President Hamid Karzai condemned the assault but also criticized what he called an "intelligence failure" by NATO forces. Some officials hailed the low count of civilian deaths and Afghan force-led ground battle as proof that local authorities were prepared for a U.S. withdrawal. But the bold attack on Afghanistan’s capital, after a decade of war, also showed a continuing battle for even the country’s most basic strategic strongholds.

Coachella: Tupac’s Hologram, Lohan’s Definition of “Clubs”

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:01:57 +0000

The Coachella Music Festival in Indio, Calif. has seen some great bands resurrected over the years, but nothing like this. Rapper Tupac Sahkur was brought back to life as a hologram at the weekend opener for the festival season, performing some of his greatest hits, including "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" with Snoop Dogg. Lindsay Lohan may soon wish she appeared at the festival in hologram form as well. TMZ is reporting the troubled star has been banned from attending any clubs during her probation, but went to Coachella anyway, insisting it doesn’t count. Lohan also said she didn't have a drop of alcohol the entire weekend, and was just there for the music. Good point, Lindsay—Coachella isn’t known for huge club-like parties and clubs aren’t really known for playing music.

Tax Day Deadline Approaches, Ruining America’s Weekend Plans

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:11:59 +0000

The taxman cometh, and for those of us who haven’t yet filed, it’s going to be a weekend spent with the calculator and receipts shoebox. Granted, we should be thanking the IRS. After all, we get another extension this year. Instead of the usual deadline of April 15, a Sunday, and Emancipation Day on Monday, we get to file two days later, on April 17. While President Obama pushes the “Buffett Rule” on the campaign trail, the 99 percent will be filling in their 1040 forms by the millions. The IRS estimates it will receive 144 million individual tax returns this year, 91 million of which have already been sent in, according to CNN. If you're bummed out about having to file, remember this: Warren Buffett paid $6.9 million in taxes in 2010. Then again, he probably paid a lower rate than you, so while you might not want his bill, you probably wouldn't mind being in his bracket.

North Korea’s Failed Missile Launch: Memes and Speculation

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:57:19 +0000

North Korea's botched missile launch has sparked two things: Internet memes mocking the failure, and speculation about what might happen next. Some wonder whether the failure could incite Kim Jong-un and North Korea to test a nuclear weapon in order to save face. The country has twice tested plutonium-based weapons underground, and could be moving toward using uranium for the first time at its Punggye-ri excavation site. Foreign ministers of the G-8 countries condemned the launch and called for North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programs, and the United States has canceled a proposed food aid deal with the country, calling the missile launch a "provocative action." Meanwhile the international community is waiting to hear the state controlled media "explanation" of the rocket's failure to properly launch.

Fox Mole Joe Muto Fired After Gawker Columns Reveal His Identity

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:30:54 +0000

Joe Muto, the Fox News employee who anonymously penned several popular columns about his work for the website Gawker from within the news organization, has been fired.

Coachella’s Holographic Nate Dogg Performance from Beyond the Grave

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:41:01 +0000

As music fans descend en masse on Indio, Calif. for the 2012 Coachella music festival this weekend, concert organizers won’t let anything stop them from putting on a good show … even death. And to that end, it’s rumored deceased R&B star Nate Dogg will make a special appearance on stage this weekend via hologram, performing along side former collaborators Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Warren G. TMZ reports the digital specter of Nate Dogg, who passed away from a stroke in March 2011, will croon on several songs, possibly becoming the first laser enabled zombie to headline a summer music festival. If true, this could be the most exciting moment for hip-hop holograms—or the biggest train wreck—since Will.I.Am appeared on CNN live-via-hologram to opine on Obama’s 2008 presidential victory. Either way: Regulators, mount up!

Caine’s Arcade: Nine-Year-Old Kid’s Cardboard Project Lands Him College Fund

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:52:42 +0000

Whether or not there was any danger before, Caine Monroy won’t likely ever be told he’s got too much time on his hands. The 9-year-old who created a cardboard box arcade dubbed Caine’s Arcade in his dad’s auto part store is now a viral sensation with a scholarship fund. Filmmaker Nirvan Mullick discovered the kid’s cutout creations, built from shipping boxes in his dad George’s auto parts store in East Los Angeles, while looking for an auto part. A nine-minute video released this week about Caine’s Arcade, and shows the creative tyke building and talking about his creative project. Mullick and others started a college fund for Caine, which has already raised over $65,000. Not a bad haul—and a lesson for parents and kids: Your wacky creative project idea might just turn into a cardboard goldmine.

Ozzie Guillen’s Love For Fidel Castro Gets Marlins Manager Suspended

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:27:53 +0000

America’s laws protecting free speech may beat the heck out of Cuba’s, but only to a point. Outspoken Miami Marlins Manager Ozzie Guillen has been suspended for five games and Major League Baseball is investigating after positive comments he made about Fidel Castro created a firestorm. Guillen said in a recent Time.com interview that he loved and respected the Cuban leader—in part for staying alive when so many wanted him dead. He has since apologized for the statements, but the Marlins Manager’s words angered many in the large Cuban American communities in South Florida and there have been calls for his resignation. The controversy comes at a tough time for the team, which is trying to re-establish itself and just moved into a new taxpayer-funded stadium that got much of its funding from Miami’s Little Havana. Guillen’s future with the Marlins seems intact for now, but he should be careful. Every manager knows the phrase “you’re outta here!”

Trayvon Martin Shooter George Zimmerman Launches Website for Supporters

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:25:22 +0000

George Zimmerman, who fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, has launched a website, to quote “ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries." Zimmerman's lawyer confirmed the authenticity of the website, which includes a PayPal link noting the media attention’s severe impact on his life since the shooting, and encouraging donations to help support his legal and living expenses. While there is no account from Zimmerman concerning the night of the shooting, he assures visitors, "the facts will come to light." On one of the site’s pages, titled “Race,” a Thomas Paine quote says, “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” The site also includes a photo of graffiti saying, “long live Zimmerman,” which is reportedly from a vandalized black cultural center at Ohio State University.

Mike Wallace’s Death Spurs Wave of Journalist Elegies

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:21:12 +0000

Famed 60 Minutes anchor Mike Wallace died this past weekend at the age of 93. During a seven-decade career that started in radio and moved into broadcast television, Wallace gained a reputation for a confrontational interview style that skewered athletes, celebrities, and political leaders alike. His most memorable interviews included talks with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, an at times heated sit-down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and this [[link?]] 1979 interview with the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran. Wallace’s tenacity as a reporter and interviewer made him one of the most recognizable and successful personalities in hard-hitting TV journalism, even when he reportedly missed his mark. He was portrayed in 1999 film The Insider as buckling under corporate pressure to kill a story about a big tobacco whistleblower. Journalists around the world are still tipping their hats to the tireless interviewer, but Ann Curry’s tweet summed up his passing better than many could: “Tough questions are being asked in heaven today. RIP Mike Wallace."

Whitney Houston’s Daughter Bobbi Kristina Wants To Play Mom in Biopic

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:50:21 +0000

Everyone knows the formula: tragic celebrity death plus time equals a Hollywood biopic, and TMZ is reporting that when it's eventually applied to Whitney Houston's story, her daughter Bobbi Kristina wants to play the lead. Hearing rumors that Rihanna expressed a similar interest in portraying Houston, Bobbi apparently told her friends it should be her, since no one knew her mom better than she did. Houston died earlier this year at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Her body was found submerged in the bathtub. Authenticity on the screen is important, but might that role be a little close to home? With reports that Bobbi has herself struggled with drugs, a performance might get a little too real.

Razorbacks Coach Petrino Admits “Inappropriate Relationship” With Employee

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:27:47 +0000

Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino has joined the ranks of college coaches engaging in inappropriate relationships. When Petrino was in a recent motorcycle accident, he told reporters that he was alone—but he was actually riding with Jessica Dorrell, a former Arkansas volleyball player Petrino had hired as the student-athlete development coordinator. In a statement this week, the coach admitted a relationship with Dorrell. “My concern was to protect my family and a previous inappropriate relationship from becoming public,” he said. “In hindsight, I showed a serious mistake in judgment when I chose not to be more specific about those details.” Petrino is on administrative leave while the University of Arkensas Athletic director Jeff Long reviews his case. Hopefully he’s saved some of his $3.5 million annual salary—he might need it for legal fees.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Dating Rumor Forms Ultimate Nexus of Gossip Universe

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:43:39 +0000

That screeching sound you hear is the tabloid machine lurching into overdrive after finding out Kanye West is reportedly dating Kim Kardashian. The two went to see The Hunger Games together, and ever since, they’ve become the paparazzi’s newest unicorn to chase. Kanye's new song "Theraflu" even supposedly references Kardashian: "I admit I fell in love with Kim, 'Round the same time she fell in love with him." "Him" most likely refers to Kim’s erstwhile husband Kris Humphries. Maybe their embarrassingly short 72 days of marriage is Kanye's fault! "Yo, Kris, I'm really happy for you, and I'ma let you finish, and by finish I mean it's my turn." Either way we’re trying to come up with a name for the couple. KK? Kimanye? Westashian? The terrible possibilities are endless.

Opening Day Kicks Off … Sort Of

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:19:02 +0000

It’s opening day for Major League Baseball … sort of. Depending on whether you’re counting games that count or the biggest set of match-ups, the beginning of the regular season started when the A’s played the Mariners in Japan last week—or when the real flurry of contests happens as this week ends. 2012’s soft launch of baseball already has fans up in arms though. The grand opening of the Miami Marlins’ fancy air-conditioned stadium impressed owner Jeffrey Loria even if his team lost to World Series champs, the St. Louis Cardinals. But Loria’s choice of a frail Muhammad Ali to toss the first pitch had some fans accusing the owner of exploitation. The Marlins don’t have much time to think about it—they play Cincinnati today. Other fans will be watching everyone from the newly favored Detroit Tigers and their pitcher Justin Verlander, to Dogers stars Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp as they go up against San Diego. Clear starting point or not—the national anthem’s over and the first inning is under way.

Jim Marshall, Creator of the Marshall Amp, Dead at 88

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:23:09 +0000

Jim Marshall, founder of Marshall Amplification and creator of the amplifiers that provided a raw, overdriven, and loud sound to purveyors of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, has died of cancer at age 88 in London. After deconstructing an American Fender amp in his London drum shop in 1962, Marshall was positive he could make a louder and cheaper amp. The resulting JTM 45 was a hit, and soon young rockers John Entwistle and Pete Townshend approached Marshall to create an amp loud enough that they could actually hear themselves over drummer Keith Moon. For them, Marshall created the classic two cabinet stack, which has become possibly the most iconic form of rock amplification—worthy of both praise and parody. Favorited by everyone from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to Angus Young and Slayer, Jim Marshall was known as “the Father of Loud” for single-handedly changing the sound of rock music from across the pond. His legacy? The shredding of generations of rockers. Not a bad way to be remembered.

The New York Auto Show: Flying Cars, Nissan Taxis, New Chevy Impalas

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:21:51 +0000

The New York Auto Show is kicking off with some slick vehicle rollouts that might help it rival Detroit’s big annual event. Among the ranks of shiny new autos: Fisker’s Atlantic luxury electric car, Nissan’s winning design for the new New York yellow taxi, and a revamped 2014 Chevy Impala from General Motors. A more cushy interior and more quiet ride, GM hopes the new Impala will wow purchasing customers, even though a large portion of recent versions of the classic model have gone to rental agencies. And Nissan’s new taxi, the NV200, got a glowing intro from New York City’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg. But the biggest splash at the event may be made by the Transition—a flying car from a Massachusetts company that costs a mere $279,000. Better keep stuffing that car-shaped piggy bank!

Joe Flacco of the Ravens Thinks He’s the Best QB in the NFL

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:50:05 +0000

Humility—do great quarterbacks have it? Not if the Ravens’ Joe Flacco is defining “great.” Asked if he considers himself a “top five” QB, Flacco did an interviewer one better. “What do you expect me to say?” Asked Flacco. “I don’t think I’m top five, I think I’m the best. I don’t think I’d be very successful at my job if I didn’t feel that way.” Former first-round draft pick Flacco—who recently has been more famous on Twitter for sporting a unibrow—is about to finish serving out his rookie contract, and is looking for a new one that matches his opinion of his own abilities. Of course, the QB efficiency metric used by Football Outsiders ranks him somewhere between 15th and 18th among his NFL peers. But a sense of ultimate self-worth may be part of the football head game.

James Murdoch Steps Down as BSkyB Chairman

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:24:32 +0000

The Murdoch media empire continues to lose blood and leadership from self-inflicted wounds. James Murdoch, whose position at BSkyB has been threatened since last year's phone hacking scandal broke, has decided to step down as chairman of the British pay-TV group. He will remain on the company’s board. In 2011, News Corp's tabloid News of the World admitted to hacking the cellphones of numerous celebrities, crime victims, even people killed during the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11 in order to generate news stories. Though acknowledging that his role could be a “lightning rod” in a letter to the board, Murdoch, the 39-year-old son of Rupert Murdoch and supposed heir to his media empire, has repeatedly maintained his innocence in the scandal. In removing the younger Murdoch, BSkyB hopes to distance itself from its 39-percent owner News Corp. He was re-elected to the broadcaster’s board last November.

DEA Raids Marijuana College Oaksterdam University

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:34:03 +0000

Students diligently studying for finals at Oaksterdam University, California’s unaccredited cannabis industry training school, are getting a lesson in Federal Law 101 this week, after agents raided the institution. The raid comes as DEA officials are increasing pressure on medical marijuana dispensaries, which they claim violate national restrictions. University head Richard Lee, a prominent Oakland citizen and marijuana activist who was instrumental in pushing California legalization effort Proposition 19, was not arrested during the raid and his lawyers appear confident his school and coffee shops will reopen. Despite increasing federal attention, local support for the medical marijuana learning institutions and dispensaries remains strong, and just three weeks ago, city officials approved four new dispensaries. Too bad they may now face a lack of trained staff.

Geraldo Rivera Apologizes to Trayvon Martin’s Parents

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:03:17 +0000

Open mouth … insert foot ... make apology ... open mouth again … Geraldo Rivera knows the drill. The gaffe-prone Fox News anchor made an on-air apology to the parents of Trayvon Martin, less than a week after claiming on-air that Martin's hoodie was just as responsible for the teenager's death as alleged killer George Zimmerman. Many have protested Rivera’s comments—from LeBron James and the Miami Heat to Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush. Martin's parents have since accepted Rivera's apology. An apology, however, isn't likely to appease the growing movement calling for George Zimmerman's arrest, stoked further last week when surveillance footage allegedly showed Zimmerman unharmed after the shooting that left Martin dead. Thousands rallied in Martin's hometown to protest over the weekend, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Alonzo Mourning, and Rev. Al Sharpton. They likely aren’t going anywhere soon—new analysis suggests screaming on a 911 call was not Zimmerman, casting further doubt into his story of being attacked before he shot the teenager.

Country Music Awards Anoint Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:21:10 +0000

The 47th Academy of Country Music Awards took the stage in Vegas and offered plenty of drama, musical performances, and even some rock, with surprise appearances by U2's Bono and the rock group KISS. Taylor Swift took home her second consecutive entertainer of the year award, while Miranda Lambert won female vocalist and album of the year with Four the Record, beating out Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, and Eric Church. Lambert's husband Blake Shelton, who co-hosted the evening with country-loved Reba McEntire, won his first male vocalist award. KISS presented Lady Antebellum with their award for vocal group while Bono introduced Dierks Bentley's performance of "Home." But the biggest winners of the night may have been Christina Davidson and Frank Tucci, who were married during the evening’s festivities to the tuneful voices of Martina McBride and Train’s Pat Monahan. We thought country music was supposed to be about marriages going wrong—but hey, good luck newlyweds!

“Bohemian Rhapsody” Performance by Canadian Charged With Drunk Driving Goes Viral

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:10:33 +0000

Move over Wayne and Garth. Canadian Robert Wilkinson drunkenly serenaded his arresting police officers with the entirety of Queen's hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” from the backseat of their squad car after being picked up for drunk driving. And now he’s famous—or infamous. When they finally make it to the station and the officer comes around to let the home brewer out, the Freddie Mercury wannabe asks if he has to be handcuffed, assuring the policeman that, "Physical violence is the least of my priorities." Apparently neither was driving under the legal limit. Hopefully he was able to hold it together for processing. Once in the station, we can only assume he was given a Dixie cup and told, "If you're gonna spew, spew in this."

“Bohemian Rhapsody” Performance by Canadian Charged With Drunk Driving Goes Viral

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:27:42 +0000

Katie Couric Will Guest Host Good Morning America, Big Deal for Morning

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:23:51 +0000

Unless it's an April Fools’ joke, Katie Couric is returning to mornings—for a week, at least. ABC announced that the former Today anchor will guest host on Good Morning America, taking the place of a vacationing Robin Roberts.  There's a storied ratings competition between Good Morning and Today. The NBC show has been on an incredible streak since December1995, winning the ratings battle for 850 consecutive weeks.  The tide may be turning though, as Today awaits a decision from Matt Lauer about whether or not he'll continue with the show.  Couric co-hosted Today for 15 years before leaving the network in 2006 and it remains to be seen if her presence on GMA will be enough to break its decades-long ratings drought.

Zimmerman Video Draws New Questions About Trayvon Martin Shooting

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:45:46 +0000

As calls increase for justice after the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, questions continue regarding the story of his shooter George Zimmerman. Newly released surveillance video of Zimmerman on the night he says he shot Martin in self-defense shows the neighborhood watch volunteer at the Sanford, Fla. Police Department—and he doesn’t look very beat up. Police reports had suggested the 28-year-old Zimmerman had a bloody nose and blood on the back of his head, but the admittedly gritty surveillance footage doesn’t seem to show evidence of those wounds. Police reportedly gave medical attention to Zimmerman—who has yet to be charged with a crime. But the new video is likely to further anger those who believe the shooter’s claims that Martin attacked him are false. Investigations by local prosecutors, along with the Justice Department and the FBI, are ongoing.

Anchorman 2 Is Happening, Will Ferrell Appearing as Ron Burgundy

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:17:17 +0000

We don’t know how to put this, but it’s kind of a big deal. Will Ferrell appeared on Conan as the legendary Ron Burgundy, hilariously overstaying his welcome on set to announce big news: a sequel to broadcast news parody, Anchorman 2. Though director and former SNL writer Adam McKay had said as recently as 2010 the film was a no-go, the ever-gentlemanly Burgundy declared that a deal had been struck with Paramount to get the gang back together. Anchorman, released in 2004 to tepid critical praise, has gone on to be one of the most memorable comedies of the last decade (Empire’s 100 Greatest Characters, 500 greatest films, EW praise). Equally exciting is the possibility of reuniting a cast that has gone on to become some of the top names in comedy, including: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Chris Parnell, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen. So rub on some Sex Panther cologne and comb your mustache, the film will be arriving … eventually. Until then, there’s plenty of jazz flute to listen to.

JetBlue Pilot’s Bomb Threat Redefined The Phrase “This is Your Captain Speaking”

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:08:25 +0000

Is JetBlue where flight crewmembers go to go bonkers? The company is reeling from its second public meltdown, after a flight from New York’s Kennedy airport to Las Vegas was diverted to Amarillo, Texas because captain Clayton Osbon began acting erratically, had to be expelled from the cockpit and subdued by passengers. Osbon, who has been a commercial pilot since 1989, reportedly started flipping switches in the cockpit and yelling about al-Qaida and a possible bomb on board the plane. Six passengers and flight crewmembers, including a former corrections officer, had to subdue the disturbed captain while his partner landed the plane. The incident recalled another public blow-up, from JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater, who berated a passenger, grabbed a beer, and deployed the emergency exit and inflatable slide while on the Kennedy tarmac in 2010. If you ask us, Slater’s got Osbon beat on style points. Nobody likes a bomb scare, especially if it starts with “this is your captain, speaking.”

Dennis Rodman’s Alcohol Problem Preventing Child Support, Say Reps

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:18:08 +0000

Alcohol is a heckuva drug—just ask Dennis Rodman’s outstanding child support payments. The former NBA star, who for years has publicly struggled with addiction, may face prison time if he can’t come up with $860,376 by the end of May, according to an Orange County court commissioner. But representatives for the 50-year-old tattooed Chicago Bulls rebound machine say his ongoing battle—combined with the depression felt by a painful divorce and not seeing his kids—has made the amount of money owed “unjustified.” With a history like Rodman’s—a marriage to Carmen Electra, a relationship with Madonna, a memoir, and a turn on Celebrity Apprentice, the hard-partying Rodman can hopefully get some help from friends in high places. Has he liquidated his assets yet, like that 47-foot speedboat named “Sexual Chocolate” ? Playing the addiction card only works when you’re truly down and out.

Transgender Jenna Talackova Excluded from Miss Universe Canada Competition

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:24:51 +0000

Beauty apparently IS more than skin deep for the Miss Universe Canada competition. The pageant organization has decided to disqualify contestant Jenna Talackova, who was born male and underwent gender reassignment surgery at age 19. The Donald Trump owned organization, which feeds into the international Miss Universe competition, stated that though they “respect her goals,” Miss Talackova can’t compete in 2012 “because she does not meet the requirements … despite having stated otherwise on her entry form.” Said requirements are not more specific than stating contestants must “be female” and never have been married or pregnant. But the contestant from Vancouver says she won't give up the fight against being excluded and discriminated against. Talckova described herself at a 2010 Transgender Pageant by saying “I regard myself as a woman—with a history.”

U.S. Soccer Team Loses Chance at Olympics After Tie With El Salvador

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:59:48 +0000

Quiet the vuvuzelas for a moment of silence; for only the second time since 1976, the United States soccer team has failed to qualify for the Olympics and will not be going to London this summer. With the United States leading El Salvador 3-2 with seconds to go during a qualifying match in Nashville, Tenn., El Salvador kicked a long shot that bounced off United States' goalkeeper Sean Johnson's hands back into the net, tying the game 3-3 and preventing the Americans from reaching Saturday's semifinals and the 2012 Olympic games. "This is probably the worst feeling I've ever felt in my life so far as a pro athlete," U.S. captain Freddy Adu said. Well get ready Freddy: It’s probably about to get worse. Now the rest of the world’s football fans have yet another reason to make jokes about our soccer skills. Time to start practicing for 2016.

Wife of U.S. Army Sgt. Says He Couldn’t Have Committed Massacre

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:39:35 +0000

The wife of a U.S. service member accused of massacring 17 Afghans in the dark of night has come to his defense. "It's not him," Karilyn Bales told Matt Lauer on the Today Show. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, is accused of leaving his Afghan army base and murdering 17 Afghan civilians, including nine children. Karilyn Bales said her husband was a "big kid himself," and the thought of him killing children was "unbelievable" to her. Sgt. Bales is currently being held for 17 counts of premeditated murder in a Kansas military prison. His alleged actions have further stoked high tensions between the United States and Afghanistan, where a growing number of people are calling for a full U.S. troop withdrawal. Investigators now believe Sgt. Bales committed the murders in two separate episodes during the same night in March. Karilyn Bales says that her husband displayed no telltale signs of PTSD, and that she doesn’t think anything will change her belief of his innocence.

Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” Will Soon Be Impossible To Escape

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:25:59 +0000

Justin Bieber is all grown up, and he wants to be your boyfriend. The 18-year-old pop star has reportedly found a little swagger with his latest single, recalling early Justin Timberlake from his Justified days. The song opens with a sparse, thumping beat and kicks into a chorus heavy with R&B-influenced instrumentation, as Bieber promises to "Swag, swag, swag on you." Whatever that means? Bieber fans who have grown up alongside their teen idol may appreciate the more adult tone he's taking on this and other songs from his new album Believe, which hits stores later this year. If he can manage the move from pop puppet to widely loved mainstream innovator and SNL digital short star, the younger Justin will have followed in the right footsteps. But he still has to avoid being torn to shreds by crazed teenage fans.

Whitney Houston Death Was Drowning, But Cocaine May Be Factor

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:54:24 +0000

The Los Angeles County Coroner's office has released an initial autopsy report for Whitney Houston's death, saying the singer drowned after collapsing in the bathtub following a possible heart attack. Toxicology tests revealed Houston had cocaine in her system and that she had used the drug "in the time period just immediately prior to her collapse." Many have wondered if those around her and in her entourage played a part in Houston’s drug problem. Bobby Brown's sister, Leolah Brown, suggested singer and record producer Ray J was to blame for Houston's death, because he was enabling her cocaine use. But Ray J has denied her claims, saying he had no idea Houston was even doing drugs at the time of her death.

Geraldo Rivera: Trayvon Martin’s Hoodie Sweatshirt As Guilty As George Zimmerman

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:59:08 +0000

As protests continue in Sanford and all across Florida after the killing of Trayvon Martin, Geraldo Rivera dropped by Fox & Friends to place the blame for the incident where he said it really belongs: on Martin's hooded sweatshirt. "I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman was," said Rivera. "I'll bet you money: If he didn't have that hoodie on, that nutty neighborhood watch guy wouldn't have responded in that violent and aggressive way." Thousands attended a rally in Sanford Thursday, where civil rights leader Al Sharpton spoke, saying, "We cannot allow a precedent when a man can just kill one of us … and then walk out with the murder weapon. We don't want good enough. We Want George Zimmerman in court with handcuffs behind his back." Fox & Friends hosts also seemed to criticize a "Million Hoodie March" earlier in the week in New York that was attended by Martin's parents. More protests are planned for today and over the weekend.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino Worried Rehab News Will Hurt His Nightclub Paychecks

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:32:50 +0000

When you get paid for going to the club, how do you avoid the bottle full of bub? Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is struggling with this question, as the Jersey Shore cast member tries to downplay the impact of his rehab stint on future nightclub appearances. Sorrentino has reportedly been battling a prescription drug and alcohol abuse problem that developed from the hard-partying lifestyle of MTV’s most schadenfreude-friendly program. But his club appearances—some of which can mean a six-figure check for The Situation—also escalated his alcohol abuse, according to sources. When he gets out of Cirque Lodge in Utah, will he stay clean? Depends on whether the “GTL”-innovator can rake it in sober. Since the reality star leads an expensive lifestyle, Radar Online reports Sorrentino wants to be sure his biggest source of income—appearing at nightclub parties—isn’t hurt by news of his attempt to get clean. Way to focus on the important stuff, Mike.

Amelia Earhart Mystery: Old “Enhanced” Photo May Offer New Clues

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:27:13 +0000

Seventy-five years later, could an old photo of Amelia Earhart solve the mystery of her disappearance? Newly enhanced, a 1937 photo taken just three months after the female aviator was lost over the South Pacific may show part of the wreckage of her plane. An object in the water on a beach of an island source of distress signals that year bears strong resemblance to the landing gear of a Lockheed Electra—the aircraft Earhart was famously using to circumnavigate the globe. Nearing the end of her famous quest to be the first woman to circle the world, Earhart was headed to Howland Island for her last refuel before crossing the rest of the Pacific. She never landed. The photo’s subject, which even enhanced is so fuzzy that researchers have jokingly named it “Nessie” after the Loch Ness Monster, is still a strong clue, they say. A 10-day search with sonar starts in July. We’ll believe it when we see some photos taken in the 21st century.

Twitter Birthday: Social Media’s Little Birdie Turns 6

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:09:28 +0000

On March 21, 2006, creator Jack Dorsey sent out the first tweet, an appropriately self-focused declaration of boring information: “just setting up my twttr.” It was the modest beginnings of what has become quite the powerful little bird—one given credit for fomenting revolution in Iran and the Arab world, bringing down certain popular American politicians, and spreading nude celebrity photos …140 characters at a time. At 6 years old, Twitter’s 250 million active users and estimated $13 billion valuation has it firmly in the shadow of Facebook’s giant numbers. But the shorthand social network has offered up some pretty unique characteristics, like the ability to break news first and fast, and granting a direct line between regular and famous users. If ad revenue and active user numbers continue to grow, so will this little birdie's wingspan. Just don't tell your parents about it ... being friends with them on Facebook is more than enough.

Michael Bay: My Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Will Be Aliens

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:03:24 +0000

If Michael Bay has anything to say about it, turtle power now comes from alien planets, not radioactive waste in the sewer. The bombastic movie director is getting lots of heat today from fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for suggesting he may adjust the origin story of karate [[missing word?]] Donatello, Rafael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo in the upcoming remake of the ’90s franchise. Angry TMNT fans got a little backup with the help of Robbie Rist, the voice actor for Michelangelo. In a comment that perhaps matched the quick temper of his old character, Rist suggested Bay was “sodomizing” the story about heroes in the half shell. What’s next? Splinter is a giant chinchilla instead of a rat sensei? April O’Neal is a reality-TV star? At least there’s one thing from the original movie that could use an improvement: Michael Bay will hopefully get a better musical cameo than Vanilla Ice.

Feds Investigating Trayvon Martin Shooting

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:00:19 +0000

After intense public pressure, federal authorities will investigate last month’s fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. Martin was shot and killed by crime-watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who was patrolling his neighborhood, Sanford, after a rash of break-ins. Zimmerman reported the 17-year-old to 911 as suspicious, but despite being told by police that they would handle the situation, he claims he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense. Tensions are high in the community, and the incident has brought new debate about the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows people to claim self-defense without retreating a perceived threat. The Department of Justice and the FBI have announced they will "conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation."

Mets Owners Settle With Madoff Trustee

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:32:54 +0000

Sorry court sketch artists—Mr. Met won't be taking the stand after all. A trustee for victims of disgraced financier Bernie Madoff and the owners of the New York Mets have settled for $162 million out of court. Trustee Irving Picard had claimed that the owners knew of Madoff’s fraud and encouraged thousands of other investments. The owners had countered that like many, they had no idea of Madoff’s fraudulent practices. Jury selection was set to begin in the civil case today. Had the case gone to trial, owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz could have been on the hook for over $300 million. Met fans can only hope that after dropping $162 million, Wilpon and Katz have something left in the bank to chase better pitching.

Kony Director Jason Russell’s Breakdown Up Close in New Video

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:26:42 +0000

A new video of “Kony 2012” director Jason Russell’s strange rant surfaced over the weekend, showing him pacing naked, swearing, and muttering about Satan on a San Diego street corner. Russell's viral video about the war crimes of African Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony has been viewed over 100-million times this month. The director hasn’t been charged for his strange episode on Friday, and the video seems to dispel early reports that he was masturbating in public. But Russel, 33, has been placed in a psychiatric hospital for monitoring. A video posted on TMZ.com and shot from a passing car shows the director in an agitated state, walking back and forth on a sidewalk without his clothes on, directing expletives at the devil, and at one point appearing to applaud. The chief executive of Invisible Children, the organization for which Russell directed “Kony 2012,” expressed his support for the troubled director, saying recent weeks have “taken a severe emotional toll on all of us.” The real question maybe whether Russell’s second viral video this month will rival the view count of his first.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Wishes Begin as Celebrations Kick Off

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:27:14 +0000

'Tis the luck o' the Irish! With sunny weather and warm temperatures expected in many places this weekend St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will likely be bursting at the seams with merriment. New York City's 251st St. Patrick's Day parade is expected to have a huge turnout this year for its 40-block procession, with attendance likely to top the 3 million spectators and 300,000 marchers who turned out in 2002. But the festivities are promising to be just as boisterous overseas in the motherland. Dublin will have its own celebratory parade, while Belfast boasts a musical performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers—a band with few Irish credentials, yes, unless you count their ability to party on St. Patrick’s Day.

Dark Shadows Trailer Offers Camp Via Depp and Burton

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:25:14 +0000

The trailer for the remake of Dark Shadows, the gothic soap opera that originally aired on ABC in the late 60’s, has been released, and it looks...appropriately campy. As you might expect from a film directed by Tim Burton, Johnny Depp plays the lead role of Barnabas Colins, an 18th century vampire who wakes up in the 1970's to experience a very different world. Other names involved in the project include Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, and, of course, Helena Bonham Carter. The original Dark Shadows is regarded as a camp classic, and still has a cult following today. Those fans that've loved the show since it ended in 1971 can finally get a little more Barnabas when the new film is released on May 11.

Dwight Howard: Just Kidding, I want To Stay in Orlando

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:08:13 +0000

Dwight Howard sure likes to keep it interesting. The Orlando Magic star has led fans and teammates on a wild goose chase of career moves this week, announcing he’d stay with the team, then saying he’d terminate his contract early, then saying again that he would stay in Orlando after all for the 2012-13 season. The decision to leave the only team and town he’s known since he joined the NBA out of high school has been tough for the star center, whose advisers have reportedly been nudging him to leave the Magic early and join the Nets in their new Brooklyn home. “I apologize for this circus I have caused to the fans of our city,” the player told website RealGM.com. “They didn’t deserve none of this.” Howard plans to sign a waiver with his agent sometime Thursday that would keep him in Orlando through next season … unless he changes his mind again, of course!

“Beware the Ides of March” Turns 2066

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:06:17 +0000

Don’t turn your back on your friends today, because it’s the 2066th anniversary of the infamous Ides of March, when Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C. Caesar, Who conquered Gaul and was Dictator of the Roman Empire from 48 B.C. to 44 B.C., was assassinated by a conspiracy of 60 senators who had become wary of his growing power. The term Ides, from the Latin Idus or “half division” comes from the most famous depiction of the story, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, when Caesar is warned unsuccessfully by a soothsayer to “Beware the Ides of March.” Also made famous by Shakespeare’s play are Caesar’s supposed last words to his back-stabbing former friend Brutus. The saying “Et tu Brute?” Or “You too, Brutus?” was apparently a popular one in Shakespeare’s day, leaving us to wonder what the equivalent would be in 2012

Jennie Garth, Peter Facinelli File for Divorce

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:33:21 +0000

Another week, another high-profile celebrity divorce—this time between actors Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli. The couple announced Tuesday they would split after 11 years of marriage. Garth played Kelly Taylor in the 1990s hit series Beverly Hills, 90210; Facinelli has starred in a series rabidly consumed by a more current set of hormonal teenagers: Twilight. The couple, who married in 2001, said in an announcement that they are still “dedicated to raising our beautiful daughters together.” Reports surfaced last July that the couple’s relationship might be on the rocks, suggesting Garth and Facinelli were living separately while trying to work through differences. Sad news for the marriage success rate in Hollywood, but there is a silver lining: As current and former heartthrobs, Garth and Facinelli shouldn’t have any trouble finding a new squeeze.

Bear Grylls’ Discovery Channel Contract Won’t Survive Man vs. Clause Battle

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:01:44 +0000

Bear Grylls has finally met his match: A contract dispute the world-renowned survivalist can’t stomach. The Discovery Channel has terminated the Man vs. Wild star after a six-year run, claiming that Grylls refused to participate in two new projects under development. Grylls’ extreme survival techniques in some of the most remote and rugged terrain on the planet developed quite a fan base over the show’s seven seasons, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Will Ferrell, and Ben Stiller. But his show also drew early criticism for staging stunts and misleading viewers about whether Grylls was truly stranded all alone in certain situations. A Grylls representative says he hopes to keep making “life-empowering shows.” In the meantime, fans can look forward to reading his memoir, Mud, Sweat and Tears—due out in May. It’s OK Bear, we have faith in your ability to keep finding gross things to eat and ridiculous places to eat them!

Jon Hamm, Kim Kardashian Trade Insults Over Kardashian’s Fame

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:48:33 +0000

Don Draper might not mind getting involved with Kim Kardashian, but you will be shocked to learn that actor Jon Hamm is not a fan. In an interview with Elle UK, the Mad Men star complained about Kardashian’s fame, saying that “being a f—king idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture, because you’re rewarded significantly.” Kardashian responded via Twitter by taking a perhaps unfamiliar route: the high road. “I respect Jon and I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” said the celebrity record-holder for brief marriages, suggesting his comments were “careless.” Add Hamm to a long list of people who have complained about Kardashian—one that includes President Obama, Daniel Craig, Snoop Dogg, and a group of orphans in Haiti the reality star bussed to her luxury hotel rather than have to meet them where they lived. It may be officially time to pick a side in the Kardashian wars!

Hunger Games Premiere Offers New Possible Object of Your Twilight Disdain

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:05:37 +0000

Massive crowds gathered at last night’s Los Angeles premiere of The Hunger Games, proving the film’s success may be inevitable regardless if it’s any good or not. Hundreds of fans lined up for the chance at tickets to see the first of a three-film series, based on Suzanne Collin’s blockbuster young-adult novels about a deadly contest in a post-apocalyptic world. Some camped out two days in advance to proclaim allegiance to Team Peeta or Team Gale, the two suitors of Jennifer Lawrence’s character Katniss, played by Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Fan enthusiasm has led to speculation that the film will easily top $200 million in ticket sales, and be a huge hit for producer Lionsgate, possibly even rivaling the juggernaut Twilight franchise, which releases its last film later this year. If only Edgar Rice Burroughs had written a love triangle between an innocent young lady and two smoldering hunks into his John Carter of Mars books 100 years ago, perhaps that film wouldn’t have been such a flop.

Doonesbury Strip About Abortion Legislation Dropped by Some Papers

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:44:12 +0000

Doonesbury is getting blocked by some papers for only the second time in the comic strip's 40 year syndication, thanks to taking a stance on the same controversial subject: abortion. This week's edition of the long-running liberal comic by Gary Trudeau features a woman trying to get an abortion who has to get a mandatory exam with a "10-inch shaming wand," and wait in the "Shaming Room," after filling out her forms. The strip is in response to recent legislation proposed in Virginia and Texas requiring women to get costly ultrasounds before getting abortions. The Portland Oregonian and Gainesville Sun are amongst papers refusing to run the comic, which also happened in 1985 when the comic satirized the film Silent Scream. Amid the backlash Trudeau gave a very Doonesbury response: "To ignore it would have been comedy malpractice."

Crystal Cathedral Loses Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman in Shake-Up

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:11:56 +0000

The Crystal Cathedral will no longer be Pastor Schuller’s fortress of fellowship. The Orange County, Calif. congregation, already struggling after the megachurch filed for bankruptcy in October 2010 and the forced the sale of its 40-acre campus, is losing its senior pastor in a new shake-up. Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman told congregants she's leaving to start a new church, citing her family's "adversarial" relationship with the church's board of directors. Her announcement came one day after her father, church founder Robert H. Schuller, resigned from the board. There's no word yet on the future of the ministry's trademark Hour of Power broadcast, but Reverend Bill Bennett assured congregants that Crystal Cathedral Ministries would hold services next Sunday. Meanwhile, Schuller Coleman says, “my entire family has been experiencing a hostile work environment.” Apparently she’s willing to throw a few stones, since it’s no longer her glass house of worship.

Daylight Saving: Time To Spring Forward

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:41:06 +0000

Time again to begrudgingly give up an hour of sleep on Sunday. Why in the world do we do this? Blame the Germans, who started the trend of daylight saving time during World War I to conserve coal. But the idea is much older—ancient Romans used a water clock that varied at different times of year depending on the season and available light. People adjust fairly easy when travelling time zones, but experts say daylight saving time can be more difficult, because it works against our internal body clocks and how we react to more or less light during seasonal changes. There are some things we can do to minimize this man-made disruption, like getting some early morning sunrays on Saturday and Sunday, avoiding evening sunlight on Sunday and Monday, and taking a low-dose of melatonin over the weekend. We could even push our bed times up by 10 to 15 minutes this weekend ahead of Sunday morning. Earlier bedtimes during the weekend? Good luck with that, everybody.

Heidi Klum Breaks Silence on Split With Seal

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:04:08 +0000

Two months after separating from her husband of six years, Heidi Klum has broken her silence and spoken publicly for the first time to Elle Magazine.

Pat Robertson Loves: Jesus, Legalizing Pot

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:39:06 +0000

Probably not, because the evangelist and 700 Club host says he’s never toked. But Robertson does support legalization.

Stop Kony Campaign Galvanized by Invisible Children Video

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:41:05 +0000

Stop Kony Campaign Galvanized by Invisible Children Video Propaganda is important, whether you’re the brutal leader of a violent army or the people trying to stop him. The organization Invisible Children has a new video about Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony, and the 30-minute take down piece has gone viral online. Kony, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, has been on a violent campaign against the Ugandan government since 1986. Since then, the warlord and his army have reportedly displaced more than 2 million people and abducted 66,000 children. Filmmaker Jason Russell’s video, titled “Kony 2012,” scored nearly 3 million views just this week, with some social media help from the likes of Roger Ebert and a groundswell of young people sharing the 30-minute piece online. Will it make a difference? Invisible Children hopes the video will keep the pressure on.

Peyton Manning Cut from The Indianapolis Colts

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:02:57 +0000

Peyton Manning will soon gallop away from the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts reportedly opted to pass on a 28 million dollar bonus owed to the four-time league MVP, and didn't pick up the four remaining years of his contract. A press conference was scheduled for the official announcement, and Manning's older brother Cooper confirmed the split, according to USA Today. A Super Bowl MVP, Manning sat out the entire 2011 season while recuperating from neck surgery, and speculation of his future became a hot topic after the Colts won the number 1 draft pick, which they're likely to use on former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III from Baylor. The Colts may not want him, but Manning's future as a free agent could serve him and his next team well. According to sources, the historically durable Manning was throwing at full strength last week, and many teams including the Jets, Dolphins, and Redskins may benefit by signing the 35 year old veteran.

Robert Sherman, Disney’s Hit Maker, Dies at 86

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:46:55 +0000

Robert Sherman, one half of the prolific pair of song writing brothers who created the now classic songs for Disney’s Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, died peacefully in London this Monday. He was 86. Along with his brother, Richard, Sherman has hundreds of songwriting credits, two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, a Grammy, 23 gold and platinum albums, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a National Medal of Arts awarded by George Bush in 2008. But Robert will likely be best remembered for composing one of the most played and most instantly recognizable songs in the word, the theme song to Disney’s It’s a Small World theme park ride, which plays continuously, in a multilingual loop every few minutes at each of the five Disney theme parks, to the delight of children and mild irritation of generations of theme park employees. “We’ve driven teenagers crazy in every language,” joked Robert. Now that's a legacy we all aspire to.

Buckyballs Send Toddler to Hospital After She Swallows 37 Magnets

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:18:49 +0000

Too much candy will get you a stomachache, but too many Buckyballs will get you stomach surgery. A 3-year old girl is recovering after swallowing 37 of the rare earth magnets, which are marketed as desktop toys for adults. Payton Bushnell's parents thought the toddler might have the flu after she complained of stomach pains. An X-ray at the doctor’s office revealed the high-powered magnets and Payton underwent surgery to remove them. The Buckyballs company released a statement on their website that read, "We urge all consumers to read and comply with the warnings we place on all our products, on our website, and in stores. Please keep these products out of the hands and reach of all children." If swallowed, linked magnets can perforate the digestive tract. In 2006, 4 million building sets of the magnetic toy Magnetix were recalled after the Consumer Product Safety Commission deemed them unsafe.

Alleged Christina Hendriks Topless Photos Leaked, Rep Denies Authenticity

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:46:40 +0000

For naughty fans of Mad Men, it’s the unholy grail: alleged photos of Christina Hendrix topless. Pics of the voluptuous Mad Men star Christina Hendricks were supposedly leaked over the weekend, after an anonymous user on the blog Motherless asked other users what celebrities they'd like to see nude. A Hendricks rep says her phone was indeed hacked, but that the topless shots aren't authentic. The anonymous user also posted nude photos of actress Olivia Munn and less scandalous shots of Sarah Silverman and January Jones. This leak follows a slew of other recently hacked celeb photos including those of Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, and Vanessa Hudgens. A forensic analysis is surely coming. In the meantime, we remain suspicious of all parties. The fifth season of Mad Men debuts in just a few weeks, and leaked nude photos of one of the show’s stars seems like a pretty lucky coincidence.

Bully Movie Proponents Campaign To Lower R Rating

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:48:30 +0000

If a movie about bullying plays in theatres with an R rating, does it make a sound for those who need to hear its message? The Weinstein Co. is fighting the Motion Picture Association of America's rating of their new film Bully, a documentary about the consequences of bullying that they want younger kids to see. The R rating covers a broad range of adult situations considered inappropriate for people under 17, including racy simulations of sex acts and full frontal nudity, as well as persistent and extreme violence. The ratings sin of Bully? Six bad F-words—if it had just one, it could get a PG-13 rating. A Twitter campaign to lower the rating, supported by some high-profile young stars like actress and singer Demi Lovato, is underway. Meanwhile Harvey Weinstein is no doubt screaming some R-rated language on phone calls to the MPAA. Bullying could be a problem in Hollywood, too.

Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose Are Engaged

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:19:23 +0000

Khalifa, the skinny, tattooed rapper from Pittsburgh, is best known for the wildly popular single from his 2011 album Rolling Papers called “Black and Yellow.” Amber Rose, also from Pennsylvania, is a model/artist/socialite who began dating Wiz after a tumultuous relationship with Kanye West which at least in part inspired his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Wiz took to Twitter (naturally) with the announcement, and posted a picture of Rose's hand bearing a rather enormous diamond engagement ring. Amber responded with the tweet "He has made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!!" While the date of the ceremony is uncertain at this point, we can pretty much guarantee what the couple's wedding colors will be.

Joe Arpaio Relieves Abuse of Power Investigation Stress With Birtherism and Lack of Evidence

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:09:12 +0000

Arizona’s most infamous sheriff is focused on the country’s most famous supposed illegal: Barack Obama. Arizona's Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has revealed the preliminary results of his investigation into President Obama's birth certificate, claiming the long-form document released by the White House was a computer-generated forgery. Unfortunately this particular law office seems short on evidence. "I'm not going after Obama," said Arpaio, "I'm just doing my job." There is however ample evidence that the office of Arpaio, whose crusade against undocumented immigrants in Arizona has made him a national figure, has ignored over 400 sex crimes against Arizona residents because of their race and has committed other acts of racial profiling. Critics think the Justice Department’s federal grand jury investigation into Arpaio’s alleged abuse of power might have something to do with his sudden birtherism. In law enforcement terms, that sort of thing might be called a diversion. We expect next Sheriff Joe will team up with James Cameron for a deep-sea investigation of whether or not Osama bin Laden is really dead.

Obama Knew About Linsanity Before You Did

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:48:55 +0000

It wasn’t in his daily secret security brief, but Obama was aware of Linsanity before you were. In what he claimed was the first podcast conducted with a sitting president, Grantland editor-in-chief Bill Simmons recently chatted with the president on sports and pop culture topics, including new NBA super star Jeremy Lin. POTUS revealed he’s been on the Lin train for a while now, having been alerted to the young star’s potential by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who was captain of the Harvard basketball team back in his day. Obama spent much of the interview stoking his hipster cred, revealing he had a podcast before they were cool, and discussing his affinity for Omar, a stick-up artist who robs drug dealers on the cult HBO show The Wire. Obama first revealed his appreciation of Omar on the campaign trail in 2008, then clarified, saying it wasn’t an “endorsement.” For that kind of official support, Omar would probably have to register to vote.

Snooki is Pregnant After All

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:31:08 +0000

Snooki is pregnant after all! Rumors that the 24-year-old Jersey Shore reality star is expecting have been swirling for weeks. But TMZ reports the hair-poof innovator kept mum about the baby because of the tradition of not making pregnancy public until after the uncertain first trimester. Who is the daddy? Perhaps Nicole Polizzi’s [[should probs say that this is Snooki’s real name]] boyfriend of over a year, Jionni LaValle. LaValle, who is studying to be a teacher, reportedly has little interest in the celebrity world and does his best to stay out of the spotlight. So while rocket scientist seems like a stretch, depending on Snooki’s baby daddy, the kid might actually have a chance at a normal life that contributes to society. Either way, we can’t wait to see what the new baby’s hair looks like, and when Snooks gives it a tattoo.

James Murdoch Steps Down From News International Position

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:12:52 +0000

The News Corp phone-hacking scandal has claimed another high-profile victim, and this one is in the family. James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, has stepped down as executive chairman of News International, the print media arm of News Corp’s empire. The younger man, who oversaw operations of the company in Europe, became a familiar face last summer, while being grilled alongside his father by members of British Parliament in the wake of a massive phone-hacking scandal that ended publication of Tabloid staple News of the World. Replaced by News International chief executive Tom Mockridge, James Murdoch will now work at the media company’s headquarters in New York. Just this week, police investigators suggested senior executives at the Sun and News of the World had systematically paid large sums of money to police, military and government officials for news tips and gossip. Don’t expect a New York Post headline out of this one, but just in case, we suggest: “King James, Decrowned!”

Lane Garrison Domestic Dispute With Playmate Girlfriend Was About Funeral Invite

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:30:23 +0000

Fighting about a funeral seems like a terrible idea no matter who’s involved, but that’s what prompted a domestic abuse dispute between Lane Garrison and his playmate girlfriend. The Prison Break star got a visit at his apartment from police this week, following a 911 call. The reason for the call? He was quarreling with girlfriend Ashley Mattingly, who is in the running for Playmate of the Year, about why Garrison got invited to her ex-boyfriend’s funeral and she didn’t. TMZ reports that Mattingly was upset that Garrison went to Craig Rogers’ funeral, because she felt it was disrespectful to her. No one was arrested and no injuries were reported, but Garrison—who was released from real prison in 2009 after serving 40 months for vehicular manslaughter, drunk driving, and providing alcohol to a minor—reportedly suffered a panic attack and was taken to the hospital. Having done the reality thing, Garrison apparently prefers playing a prisoner on TV.

Angelina Jolie’s Leg Launches A Million Memes

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:31:02 +0000

In what was described as a “totally unplanned” vamp for the cameras on the red carpet Sunday, beyond-famous Angelina Jolie managed to stir up the nation’s collective unconscious with an instantly iconic sexy leg pose. The strut, initiated during her red carpet walk and repeated during her presentation for best adapted screenplay, was perhaps first snarked upon by the winners of said Oscar, which included Community star (and Internet darling) Jim Rash. The Leg spread like wildfire across the web, and in just two days has spawned a fake Twitter account, numerous Photoshop jokes, and of course a Leg Bombing meme of its own.

Dancing With The Stars Cast Announced: Features Gladys Knight and Urkel

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:44:23 +0000

The latest Dancing With the Stars cast is low on disgraced politicians or their kids, high on former TV stars and singers, and boasts a dash of fancy football footwork. DWTS has announced its latest set of actors, singers, and athletes to hoof it up on national television. The hopefuls include Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Gilbert, The View's Sherri Shepherd, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, singers Gladys Knight and Gavin DeGraw, and Family Matter's own uber-nerd, Urkel—aka Jaleel White. They'll all take the stage on March 19 to kick off the show's 14th season in a two-hour special. And chances are we will be watching. Why? Any chance to see famous dances like the tango and the Lindy Hop joined by “The Urkel” is a chance we will definitely take.

WikiLeaks Releasing Millions of Stratfor Emails; Window Into Private Intelligence Companies

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:41:11 +0000

Wikileaks is at it again. Its latest cache: Five million emails hacked from the databases of the Texas-based intelligence gathering firm Stratfor. The Stratfor emails came not from a whistleblower but from a series of hacks in December by the online group Anonymous. Wikileaks says the emails expose "the revolving door that operates in private intelligence companies in the United States" and cites over 4,000 emails that mention Wikileaks or its founder Julian Assange that show a campaign to subvert the organization. Wikileaks and some 25 media partners will analyze the documents in the days and weeks ahead. For its part, Stratfor is refusing to talk about the stolen emails that they claim may be forged or tampered with. It's unclear what the fallout of this latest information will be, but in certain circles it's sure to cement Julian Assange's place as the most irritatingly self-righteous person on the Web.

Sacha Baron Cohen Spills Ashes on Ryan Seacrest at Oscars

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:12:24 +0000

There were plenty of daring fashion displays at the Academy Awards, but none were as unpredictable as Sacha Baron Cohen's. He showed up on the red carpet in character, despite warnings he'd be removed from the show for such a stunt. The Borat actor's latest creation, Admiral General Aladeen from his upcoming movie The Dictator, had bodyguards, promised death to the West (and the Academy), and was carrying an urn containing the ashes of his late fellow dictator and "doubles tennis partner" Kim Jong-il. Cohen proceeded to dump the ashes all over Ryan Seacrest, giving new meaning to the old red carpet chestnut "Who are you wearing?"

Bill Maher Pledges $1 Million to Priorities USA Action, Obama Super PAC

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:19:51 +0000

Bill Maher is giving $1 million to Priorities USA Action, a pro-Obama Super PAC. Maher announced the donation at the end of a streaming hourlong special of his CrazyStupidPolitics show on yahoo.com. Super PACs, as we've learned mainly from Colbert's "Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow," can raise unlimited amounts of money to support political causes, however they can't "coordinate" with their favored candidates. In a statement released after the show, Maher said that if Obama beats any of the Republican contenders it would be "worth a million dollars" and that "this is the wisest investment I think I could make."

Rapper Lil Wayne Signs Limp Bizkit to Cash Money Record Label

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:17:54 +0000

Rapper Lil Wayne announced that his label, Cash Money Records, has added 90s nu metal icons Limp Bizkit to the roster. Frontman Fred Durst confirmed the news on Twitter, and his band joins other artists including Nicki Minaj, Drake, and T-Pain under the Young Money Entertainment umbrella. The acquisition has raised a few eyebrows as Limp Bizkit, now the only rock band on Cash Money's primarily rap and R&B lineup, released their latest album Gold Cobra last year to tepid reviews after a six-year hiatus. Industry insiders can only assume Weezy did it all for the nookie.

National Enquirer's Dead Whitney Houston Photo Sparks Controversy

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:30:24 +0000

Get ready to be appalled or intrigued in the checkout line: The tabloid National Enquirer has run a photo on its cover of what appears to be Whitney Houston lying in her casket. Reportedly taken at the Whigham Funeral Home in New Jersey and showing the pop queen in a golden coffin, the photo has already sparked outrage among other press outlets. The Washington Post, for instance, said a line had been crossed in publishing the photo. But as the Guardian points out, photos of dead celebrities in the press aren’t exactly a new trend, especially when it comes to tabloids. The Enquirer famously printed a photo of Elvis in his casket in 1977, and more recently a long list of publications ran a photo of Michael Jackson’s corpse after it became part of the trial of his former doctor Conrad Murray. Nobody wants to be remembered next to Bat Boy, but don’t expect the Enquirer to get classy—they’re in the business of selling papers.

Fearing Hijinks, Academy Aims to Curtail Sacha Baron Cohen Appearance at Oscars

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:30:18 +0000

Edgy and arguably hilarious character comedian Sacha Baron Cohen may make an appearance at the Oscars in character as the dictator from his upcoming film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has denied reports that it revoked Sacha Baron Cohen’s tickets to the event after he and Paramount pictures refused to guarantee he would not show up in his Dictator costume and character. But representatives claim they do want know exactly what he plans, and that he is not welcome to use the red carpet as a staging area for any promotional stunts. The decision seems to put one more tally in the “old and stuffy” column for the ceremony, which now seems to be relying solely on 63-year-old comedian Billy Crystal to provide levity. And considering it’s almost a foregone conclusion the best picture award will go to The Artist, a film about a talented performer stifled by dogmatic Hollywood conventions, they seem to have a pretty good grasp on irony too… NOT!.

Ash Wednesday Observed Around the World as Lent Begins

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:11:04 +0000

Hopefully everyone got their fill of gluttony and revelry during Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday because today’s observance of Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and a 40-day period of penance, prayer, and self-denial for Christians around the world. Christian faithful are getting down with penance, from a Mass in Rome’s Basilica of St. Sabina presided over by Pope Benedict, to a Methodist church in Cincinnati offering drive-thru blessings to on-the-go parishioners. A moveable fast occurring annually 46 days before Easter, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting meant to symbolically correspond with the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and fighting temptation by Satan. Modern observers place ash crosses on their heads to signify repentance, as well as attempting to forego various vices and indulgences.

Brady Quinn Apologizes for Tebow Takedown

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:01:27 +0000

Every quarterback needs to master the art of backpedaling, and Brady Quinn appears to have that down. The Denver Bronos free-agent backup QB is apologizing to Tim Tebow for comments he made about the star quarterback in an article printed in GQ. In the piece, written by Michael Silver and titled “The Year of Magical Stinking: An Oral History of Tebow Time,” Quinn suggests the team’s quarter-final finish last season was due to “a lot of luck.” He also suggests that fans were the reason Tebow passed up Quinn in the line for starting quarterback, and even hints that his fellow Christian’s expression of faith doesn’t “seem very humble to me.” But now Quinn’s saying the article doesn’t accurately depict his level of respect for No. 15. He took to Twitter for damage control, writing his fellow Bronco QB “deserves a lot of credit for our success, and I’m happy for him and what he accomplished.” Is forgiveness part of Tebowing? Time will tell.

Chris Brown and Rihanna’s Half-Baked “Birthday Cake” Collaboration

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:22:53 +0000

Older doesn’t necessarily mean wiser—especially when another birthday means collaborating with a guy who physically abused you. Case in point: Rihanna and Chris Brown have a new song together, called “Birthday Cake.” Released just in time for Rihanna’s 24th birthday, the tune features sexually explicit lyrics that production duo Da Internz told MTV News would “shock the world.” They might be right. In 2009 Chris Brown was arrested for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna and eventually sentenced to 5 years probation, community service and anger management classes. A judge recently called his ongoing rehabilitation “ commendable.” But the court of public opinion may have a different verdict. Since his recent Grammy win, Brown has been sounding off on Twitter. "HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now! That's the ultimate F**** OFF!" Some say Brown deserves a second chance. Artistically, Rihanna seems to be giving him one. But this “Birthday Cake” may have been baked in poor taste.

Afghanistan Koran Disposal Sparks Violent Protests, NATO Apology

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:55:15 +0000

NATO in Afghanistan is trying to contain violent protests at military bases near Kabul, after reports of personnel burning a load of Korans and other Islamic religious material. General John Allen, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, issued a candid apology and indicated an investigation was already underway at Bagram Air Base, where the incident reportedly occurred. "I offer my sincere apologies for any offence this may have caused, to the president of Afghanistan, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and most importantly, to the noble people of Afghanistan," he said. Protesters have fired slingshots and firebombs at the base; guards have responded with rubber bullets. Last year, similar violent protests left 12 dead and more injured in Afghanistan, after American pastor Terry Jones publicly burned the Koran in Florida.

Mardi Gras and King Cakes Coming on Fat Tuesday

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:06:14 +0000

Get out your beads and prepare for poor decision-making. Fat Tuesday, otherwise known as Mardi Gras, is just around the corner, and plenty of people in New Orleans and beyond will be celebrating with the help of fatty foods and alcoholic drinks before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Along with colorful parades and outrageous outfits, the holiday started in 1857 has one particularly traditional fatty food to offer: the king cake. Baked in an oval shape with the colors purple, green, and gold it’s a pastry confection often filled with fruit and cream cheese. A small plastic baby Jesus and some trinkets are part of the fun; they’re baked into the cake. Whoever gets baby Jesus in their piece of cake can be king for a day. King of what? Your guess is as good as ours, but with hundreds of thousands sold each year, it’s a sweet—and popular—deal.

Whitney Houston Funeral To Be Streamed Online

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:41:17 +0000

Fans wanting to pay their respects to Whitney Houston can get into church after all—as long as they have Internet. Houston, who passed away last week from unknown causes, will be memorialized in a closed ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey, where she used to sing in as a child growing up. But the platinum-selling singer’s private funeral will be streamed online so that fans around the world will have a chance to say their goodbyes, according to the Washington Post. Her godmother Aretha Franklin, as well as Stevie Wonder, have been invited to sing, while ex-husband Bobby Brown, Oprah Winfrey, and Houston's Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner are expected to be in attendance. Newark police director Samuel DeMaio reportedly has asked fans to avoid the church services and to “stay home and watch the service on television.” With a several block radius already being blocked off around the church, it may be good advice—unless you love a spectacle.

Jason Mraz Releases New Video for “I Won’t Give Up”

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:00:37 +0000

Only a guy as popular as Jason Mraz could rock a goatee like that and get away with it. The acoustic pop singer has released the video for new single “I Won’t Give Up,” including all the ingredients of a sensitive-yet-pensive monster ballad. Pretty woman crying? Check. Old guy in a suit shuffling around? Check. Wounded soldier posing with his uniform? Check. Mraz, whose 2008 hit “I’m Yours” was ubiquitous on pop radio and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, has based his latest attempt at a hit around the acoustic guitar again—a winning combination in the past for the blue-eyed soul balladeer. His new album, Love is a Four Letter Word, comes out April 17.

Jeremy Lin Craze Continues After the Knicks’ Tuesday Buzzer Beater

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:03:49 +0000

You know the buzz around Jeremy Lin isn’t going away any time soon when the New York Knicks star continues a winning streak by hitting a game-winning three pointer. That’s what the point guard did Tuesday night, bringing his team a 90-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Harvard grad’s sudden rise in the headlines has been fueled by social media and stellar stats; in six starts, Lin has managed to tie the Knicks’ all-time team record for most consecutive games with over 20 points and seven assists. But it doesn’t hurt that a narrative about being overlooked in a sport with few Asian players to begin with continues to interest fans and reporters—and landed the 23-year-old on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Add to that the fact that two men in California are already in a trademark battle over a growing social media vocabulary standout—“Linsanity”—and you’ve got a recipe for a Cinderella story that’s far from over. Stay close to the phone, Jeremy—Fruit of the Loom could call any minute.

Honduras Prison Fire Kills Over 300 Inmates

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:02:30 +0000

At least 272 inmates have died in a massive prison fire that tore through a Central Honduras jail Tuesday night. Many more of the 800 held there are missing and unaccounted for. Many prisoners were burned or suffocated in the blaze, the BBC reports—some beyond recognition. Others broke through the roof of the Comayagua prison and jumped off of it in order to survive. Families of those incarcerated at the facility flocked to the site desperate for news of survivors. Many expressed anger by throwing rocks at police and military guarding the prison. A spokesman for firefighters who reported to the blaze said prisoners were stuck in their cells. “We couldn’t get them out because we didn’t have the keys and couldn’t find the guards who had them,” the spokesman said. Forensic workers speculate that inmates may have started the fire in a riot, or that an electrical short circuit is to blame.

Michael Bay To Continue Assaulting Your Senses With Another Transformers Film

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:55:26 +0000

Sensing there just may be some gold left to be mined from Hasbro’s ’80s Plastic Toys, Paramount and Michael Bay will team up again for another entry in the Transformers film franchise behemoth. The news was leaked by producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura at this weekend’s New York Toy Fair. The studio and profitable director confirmed Monday night that Transformers 4 will be produced for 2014 as the second of a two-picture deal for Bay, following the bodybuilding crime caper film Pain and Gain, which stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The new Transformers film may start Jason Statham, and has already been labeled a “reboot,” since Shia LaBeouf’s has stated he would not return. MichaelBay.com states the next film “will bring audiences a new take on the Transformers franchise.” Will the fourth film finally offer more than meets the eye? We’re not holding our breath.

Kate Upton’s Sports Illustrated Cover Coup: A Lesson in Viral

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:22:42 +0000

Move over Tyra and Heidi: the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition has leaked online and cover girl Kate Upton is all smiles. Forgoing the traditional path to model superstardom, the curvaceous 19-year-old landed on everyone’s radar after a video she posted on YouTube went viral. In it, Upton is seen doing the “Dougie” at a Los Angeles Clippers game—a dance popularized by hip-hop group Cali Swag District. A New York Times article exploring Upton's swift rise via social media—which is becoming more of a driving force behind movies, music, and other cultural endeavors—notes that "If you become a YouTube star among teenagers, you have even more recognizability than a TV star. Kate Upton is the perfect example of that." Maybe that’s why SI moved Upton from the inside pages to the cover. If that’s the route they're going, we can't wait for the Star Wars kid to be featured.

Westminster Kennel Club Pageant Gets Underway

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:51:14 +0000

It's time for the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club pageant! 2,000 purebred dogs have gathered in New York for the showing at Madison Square Garden, where one lucky dog will trot home with the best in show blue ribbon. Looking forward to the contest, an article in the Wall Street Journal profiled one dog favored to win, and his daily routine rivals that of any Manhattan socialite: Oscar, or the Greater Swiss Mountain No. 18—as he'll be known at Westminster—eats a carefully selected diet of raw foods, sleeps in a special bed with his Mickey Mouse plush toy, and is adorned with expensive jewelry. Some dogs go to heaven on earth apparently—at least when they’re in the K-9 1 percent. Asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Oscar replied via his owner, "an investment barker." Sorry Oscar, the correct answer is Underdog.

Bon Iver’s Grammy Win Reminds Viewers They Don’t Know Who Bon Iver Is

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:21:39 +0000

Bon Iver has won the Grammy for best new artist, and the Twitterverse wants to know: Who the heck is Bon Iver? Within hours of lead man Justin Vernon accepting his award, that question spawned a dedicated Tumblr site of angry or confused tweets featuring the artist, and a new twitter handle, @whoisbonniebear, playing on peoples' mispronunciation of the band's name. Vernon—who randomly collaborated with Kanye West on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy —accepted the award with an awkward and unpolished speech, sparking further questions how the indie music darlings band beat Nicky Minaj, Skrillex, and The Band Perry. The Arcade Fire sent a similar maelstrom across the Web last year after winning the Grammy for best album for the Suburbs. Sorry, J. Cole fans—maybe next year?

The Grammys Set To Honor Popular Music This Weekend

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:31:45 +0000

Tired of hearing the same half-dozen songs in every waiting room, grocery store, and hotel lobby? The Recording Academy certainly isn’t! This Sunday the 54th annual Grammy awards are set to honor popular music’s biggest stars, with hip-hops temper tantrum Kanye West, British songstress Adele, Hawaiian crooner Bruno Mars, and grunge rock stalwarts Foo Fighters all tapped for six or more awards. The show’s best new artist category also contains crowd pleasers like rapper Nicki Minaj and dubstep prophet Skrillex, as well as folk rockers Bon Iver, who prove releasing your first album in 2007 is no reason not to be a new artist in 2012. Bon Iver actually declined to perform at the ceremony after they were asked to play other groups’ music, saying “We kind of said ‘fuck you’ a little bit, and they sort of acted like they wanted us to play, but I don’t think they wanted us to play.” Artists ACTUALLY performing at the show this Sunday will be a smorgasbord of chart-toppers including Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Maroon 5, Chris Brown, Tony Bennett, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, and a newly reunited Beach Boys.

Marine Photo With Nazi S.S. Flag Won't Mean Punishment for Marines

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:05:56 +0000

Posing with Nazi symbols might be fine if it’s part of a ridiculous movie like Iron Sky, but what if it’s in a real war zone? A U.S. Marine sniper unit is under fire for posing next to a logo that closely resembles that of the Nazi S.S., in a photo taken in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in 2010. The Marine Corps decided this week the soldiers in the photo would not be punished, saying the behavior was unacceptable but that it was a naive mistake. Apparently, the unit intended the lightning bolt “SS” logo banner as a shout out to sniper scouts, not as a glorification of atrocities committed by the S.S. in World War II. Some groups say the Marine explanation is not believable, and that the soldiers—no longer with the unit in question—should be investigated. Meanwhile the Marines have added the photo to a long list of training exercises about what NOT to do.

Happy Chocolate Day

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:20:17 +0000

For the romantics, there is Valentine’s Day, but for the hardcore chocolate lover there is Chocolate Day. On Feb. 9, cocoa consumers have an excuse to indulge [[in? I think you indulge a person/or a craving you indulge in something]] a little extra. Is it actually a holiday? Well, only if you’re paying attention to Twitter, the chocolate industry, or your sweet tooth. But why not? Research suggests chocolate can be good for your heart and reduce blood pressure. It also gives a little endorphin zap to the brain with mood-enhancing Theobromine. Historically cultivated and used by the Aztecs and Mayans, the cocoa bean didn’t enter the European or colonial American diet on a mass scale until the 1800s, when some of the first chocolate companies like Cadbury and Nestlé were started. Now, it’s a global product, and a sweet one at that.

Will Ferrell’s Hilarious Bulls/Hornets Starting Lineup Introduction

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:40:26 +0000

Last night’s Bulls/Hornets NBA game in New Orleans got an extra dose of hilarity when Will Ferrell was brought in to announce the starting line ups. Adding fake facts and insults to the standard Name/Height/Position intros, the star of basketball spoof Semi Pro laid down some real gems. Not a bad way to start the game, considering that without Farrell, the '80s theme night would have only featured a dancing Rubik's cube. The Bulls went on to a 90-67 victory, and Will Ferrell's comic skills will again be on display when he plays a Mexican rancher saving his father’s farm from drug barons in March’s Casa de Mi Padre.

Russell Brand Doesn’t Want Katy Perry’s Money in Divorce

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:07:39 +0000

Could it be possible that chivalry in the celebrity Hollywood world is not extinct? Actor and comedian Russell Brand will reportedly not seek a huge chunk of pop star Katy Perry’s fortune as part of the couple’s divorce—even though he has a legal right to do so. According to TMZ, Brand’s lawyers filed divorce papers this week and notably lacking was an attempt to split up Perry’s $44-million earnings during the marriage, from singing about cherry chapstick and kissing girls and whatnot. Sources tell TMZ there was no prenuptial agreement, and though he’s no pauper, Brand will walk away from the reportedly amicable divorce with a lot less money. More proof that Russell Brand acts better off the big screen than on it.

Giants’ Brandon Jacobs: Gisele Should Stay Cute and Shut Up

slatev@slate.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:23:41 +0000

Yes, the Super Bowl is over, but the trash talk and personal fouls continue! Before the game, Tom Brady's supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen asked people to pray for him to win. After the game, she publicly complained about his receivers not being able to catch the ball—defying the long-standing cardinal rule of sports: You're supposed to win as a team, lose as a team. Enter Brandon Jacobs, loudmouthed running back for the Super Bowl winning Giants, who told reporters that Gisele "just needs to continue to stay cute and shut up." Granted, some might say the same of star running backs, but we digress. Was Jacobs statement sexist? Many are saying yes. Was Bundchen's comment unsportsmanlike? Arguably. The game's over folks. Can we all stop talking about it now? Please? TNC, Super Bowl, Gisele, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Brandon Jacobs, Giants, Patriots, Tom Brady Wife, Gisele Husband, Patriots running back

Randy Travis Found Drunk in Church Parking Lot

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:16:41 +0000

North Texas is a long way away from Giants country, but that didn’t stop country singer Randy Travis from celebrating too much. During the wee hours of Monday morning, the Denton County Sheriff’s Department said an officer found Travis sitting in his car next to an open bottle of wine, and smelling like alcohol in the parking lot at the First Baptist Church. At first Travis used the oldest country singer excuse in the book for public intoxication—a fight with this girlfriend. But after a short stay in the Denton County jail, the performer released an apology for “what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl.” At least he didn’t try and say his dog died and his truck broke down.

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball Set Design Released

slatev@slate.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:48:46 +0000

Mama monster has given all of her little monsters a gift: Lady Gaga has released a sneak preview of the stage design for her upcoming tour, the Born this Way Ball. Gaga tweeted the artist's rendering at midnight, which revealed an elaborate medieval castle replete with a fortress wall that doubles as a runway. She explained the set via Twitter, writing: "To give you a bit of insight on the design of my new tour, the central area within the stage will be known as 'The Monster Pit.' ” She goes on to say that the enclosed area will be reserved for fans with general admission tickets who waited all night and are "dressed to Ball." Gaga released the set design after a strategic build up on Twitter, and perhaps not coincidentally, she's the first earthling (we assume) to hit 18 million followers.

Chrystler’s Popular “It’s Halftime in America” With Clint Eastwood a Hit

slatev@slate.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:37:56 +0000

As the dust from Super Bowl XLVI settles, fans are taking to the Internet to debate who won. Yes, the New York Giants, but more importantly, who scored the best commercial? Despite costing around $3.5 million for 30 seconds of airtime, many are complaining this year’s ad showing was lackluster. But Chrysler's “It's Halftime in America,” voiced by Clint Eastwood and touting Detroit's rebound from financial ruin, is drawing praise. A sort of follow-up to last year's "Born of Fire" ad featuring Eminem, which was viewed over 20 million times on YouTube, "Halftime in America" uses Chrysler's rebound as a pep-talk for America's economy. After nearly collapsing in 2008, Chrysler was rescued as part of a $12.5 billion bailout headed up by the White House. "This country can't be knocked out with one punch," Eastwood said. "It's halftime America. And our second half's about to begin." Hopefully the second-half of America’s big economic game won’t be as much of a nail-biter.

Josh Hamilton’s Addiction Goes Public…Again

slatev@slate.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:05:38 +0000

Battling with addiction is an extremely difficult, and when you’re in the limelight, it can be even harder—just ask outfielder Josh Hamilton. The Texas Ranger All-Star player, who has been outspoken about his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, was drinking in a bar on Monday night in Dallas at Sherlock’s Pub & Grill, according to the Dallas Morning News. His teammate Ian Kinsler even showed up for what seemed to be an attempt at bringing Hamilton home, but he was reportedly unsuccessful. It was the second alcohol relapse in three years—an earlier incident of excessive drinking occurred in 2009 in Arizona, forcing Hamilton to speak publicly about his addictions. After being the number one draft pick in 1999, Hamilton missed seasons early in his career because of his alcoholism, but staged a big comeback. Hopefully his team and his family can keep him from having to stage another one.

Angelo Dundee, Legendary Trainer to Muhammad Ali, Dies at 90

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:59:11 +0000

Muhammad Ali’s legendary trainer Angelo Dundee has died, and the sport of boxing has lost a man who defined what it means to have a guy in your corner. Dundee, who was 90, passed away in his Tampa, Fla. apartment after a brief illness according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He left behind one of the most storied training careers in boxing, having motivated Sugar Ray Leonard to win his biggest match and accompanying heavyweight champ Ali through most of his legendary career. In a bloody and violent sport, Dundee was known for his kindness; a great ambassador for boxing who often said, “It doesn’t cost anything more to be nice.” That may not have always been true for the 1992 boxing hall of fame inductee, who famously motivated Leonard during a fight with Tommy Hearns by yelling, “You’re blowing it son! You’re blowing it!” Leonard came back and won the fight with a knockout. Rest in peace, Angelo. Boxing misses you already.

Courtney Love Crazier Than Previously Thought, According to Frances Bean Cobain Deposition

slatev@slate.com — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:57:57 +0000

A newly released biography of Courtney Love (humorously titled Courtney Comes Clean) contains shocking but predictable revelations from Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of Love and grunge god Kurt Cobain. The details, in the form of an unsealed deposition from a 2009 restraining order against Love, include such zingers as Frances’ claim that her mother “basically exists now on ... Xanax, Adderall, Sonata and Abilify, sugar and cigarettes," and that Love’s excessive habits led to the death of two family pets: A dog that ODed on Love’s pills and a cat that became trapped in piles of hoarded fabrics, trash, and paperwork. Love, who fronted the ’90s rock group Hole, is quoted in the book, saying, "I'm sober. I'm fabulous. I have a few character defects, but I'm not dishonorable, and I'm not a liar. I have a good heart." Frances Bean is now a model and artist in L.A.