Celebrity News, Photo and Videos

Jennifer Hudson says fiance saved her life when family was killed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:39:00 +0000

www.writemania.net

Entertainment Woman Who Allegedly Slept With Ashton Kutcher Shopping Story as Star Holes Up in Home With Demi Moore

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:42:00 +0000

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have parted ways amid allegations that Kutcher spent their sixth wedding anniversary partying in San Diego and sleeping with a 23-year-old blonde named Sara Leal, according to multiple reports.

An independent source confirmed to FOX411’s Pop Tarts column that Kutcher did indeed check into the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego on September 26 with former “That’s 70’s Show” co-star Danny Masterson.

We’re also told that quite a shake up went down at the Moore/Kutcher residence on Wednesday as the scandal broke, with extra security being called in as “the issue” was being dealt with behind closed doors, raising speculation that Kutcher could be packing his bags.

As reports surface of Ashton Kutcher's possible infidelity, we take a look back at his girls throughout the years.

Radar Online reported that Leal has net with an attorney to “explore her options” (and presumably leverage some sort of financial deal for a tell-all of the whirlwind affair).

According to TheDirty.com, which initially broke the infidelity story, Kutcher assured the young mistress that he and his wife were, “separated, but the public just didn’t know yet.”

So is Kutcher is just returning to his pre-Moore roots?

“Ashton was always kind of a player, even when he was just becoming a star, he was always trying to act cool and had this sense of wanting to be a player, but didn’t have a ton of girls offering themselves up at that point,” an insider, who has known Kutcher for several years, told this column. “I thought he changed when he started dating Demi but perhaps not… He disappeared from the single, Silverlake social scene. Demi is a strong woman and I can’t imagine she would put up with any BS.”

But this isn’t the first time that Kutcher has been fingered for wandering ways.

In 2010, he was accused of having an affair with the then 21-year-old aspiring chef, Brittney Jones. She claimed the A-list couple had an “open marriage,” “have threesomes often," and even auctioned off a sweater on eBay she claimed was Kutcher's. The new "Two and a Half Men" star denied the claims and threatened legal action against Star magazine over the reports, but to date, no lawsuit has been filed.

"I think Star magazine calling me a 'cheater' qualifies as defamation of character. I hope my lawyer agrees," Kutcher wrote via Twitter "STAR magazine - you don't get to stand behind ‘freedom of the press’ when you are writing fiction."

In the wake of this fresh round of cheating rumors, the typically Twitter savvy twosome has stayed strangely quiet. However, Moore did send out a tweet on the eve of her wedding anniversary, the night her husband allegedly hit the town, quoting Greek philosopher Epictetus: “When we are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.”

Moore also stepped out solo to last Friday’s Variety Power of Women event, and again on Monday at the red carpet at the premiere of the Lifetime movie “Five” in New York City, where jaws dropped at the sight of her super skinny body.

“Weight loss, for both men and women, isn’t surprising when a marriage come under extreme stress. What is particularly sad about Demi and Ashton is that their admirers know that their passion for each other has been genuine. They've been together over 12 years out of a love that's real," said Los Angeles-based celebrity life strategist, Suzannah Galland. "You can't fake that. The age difference between them was going to be challenge, in any event."

The last time to two were spotted together was leaving a movie theater at Westfield Century City Mall on September 18. We’re told Moore was “not looking too pleased” as she spoke to her husband, and the less-than-smiley duo exited the facility hurriedly.

Alyssa Milano: I’m a lucky mother

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:06:00 +0000

Alyssa Milano looks like she’s been “dropped off on Planet Mom” because her son is so well-behaved.

The 38-year-old actress and husband David Bugliari welcomed son Milo Thomas into the world last month in Los Angeles.

Milo is Alyssa’s first child, and the star has joked he is so good he makes her look like she knows what she’s doing.

"Everything is going so well," she gushed in an interview with US magazine. "David told me, 'It's like you were dropped off from Planet Mom!' I said, 'No, he's such a great baby, he's just making me look good!'"

Alyssa loves watching her husband and newborn son interact with each other. The stunning star – who wed her Hollywood agent husband in 2009 – loves seeing him being hands-on with their child.

"There is nothing like seeing the man you love with your child," she revealed.

"The other day David was carrying him in a BabyBjorn while making work phone calls! It was so sweet and beautiful."

Alyssa announced she was expecting a son in March on her Twitter page.

She previously said that her husband would be “the most amazing father ever” and added that she was having a great pregnancy.

Leisha Hailey denies 'spectacle'; airline offers goodwill, refund

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:52:00 +0000

Leisha Hailey, "The L-Word" actress who was one of two women removed from a Southwest Airlines flight Sunday, issued a statement with Camila Grey on Tuesday regarding what happened at a stop in El Paso, Texas. The airline followed with further information of its own.

The Uh Huh Her bandmates were escorted off the plane following an exchange with crew members that began after Hailey and her girlfriend kissed; the airline on Monday said the situation escalated into one that "was better resolved on the ground, as opposed to in flight."

Hailey and Grey weren't apologizing, they said, only explaining their experience in advance of filing a formal complaint with the airline. "We were simply being affectionate like any normal couple," they said. Southwest's customer service team had "reached out to extend goodwill and a full refund for an experience that fell short of the passengers' expectation," the airline said Tuesday.

"We want to make it clear we were not making out or creating any kind of spectacle of ourselves, it was one, modest kiss ...," the women said in the statement. "We were simply being affectionate like any normal couple."

In their statement, the two, who said they were onboard less than five minutes total, took "full responsibility for getting verbally upset with a flight attendant after being told it was a 'family airline,'" adding that they were not told why they were approached and "scolded" by the flight attendant.

Southwest said Tuesday that the removal of the two from Flight 2274 had little to do with their kiss and lots to do with their alleged loud use of profanity and "aggressive reaction." The airline did not get specific about what anyone was reacting to, though it did say a family that was offended by the language two passengers were using was moved to another part of the cabin.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance against Defamation took a broad view Tuesday, with Herndon Graddick, GLAAD's senior director of programs, saying in a statement, "Corporations need to ensure that employee training programs include best practices for welcoming all customers and that those practices are enforced." Graddick characterized the "widespread outrage" around Hailey's report as a sign that "fair-minded Americans" in general weren't down with discrimination against same-sex couples.

Meanwhile, over on Uh Huh Her's Twitter feed, the women's point was made more pithily: "One Kiss to Make out to Air Humping? Amazing how mangled stories can get by press. I've also been shown the power of the tweet."

Ricki Lake tops, Bono flops on 2nd week of 'Dancing'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:31:00 +0000

Ricki Lake wins 23 points: Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine who is ousted each week. Basketball star Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, was the first contestant to go.

Nancy Grace (r.) and Ricki Lake pose together at Variety's 3rd Annual Power of Women Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Sept. 23. The luncheon celebrates the philanthropic and charitable contributions of women in entertainment.
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LOS ANGELES

TV talk show host Ricki Lake celebrated her top-scoring 23 points and 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) of weight loss; TV news commentator Nancy Grace celebrated some quick thinking in the control room; and Chaz Bono celebrated just getting through his routine on "Dancing With the Stars."

"My knees just hurt so much," Bono said before landing in last place Monday night. The activist and only child of the musical duo Sonny and Cher is counting on viewer votes to carry him through Tuesday's episode, when a second celebrity will be eliminated from the hit ABC show.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine who is ousted each week. Basketball star Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, was the first contestant to go.

IN PICTURES: 'Dancing with the Stars' 2011 lineup

Judges said Monday that Bono's quickstep was just too slow and gave him 17 points out of 30.

"The bottom line is it's a quickstep and I've moved faster through the car wash," judge Len Goodman said.

Grace was perhaps moving a little too fast. She suffered a wardrobe malfunction during a bouncy number danced to "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing").

Viewers saw little if nothing of the mishap, however, thanks to a quick cut-away to the studio audience. After the number, host Tom Bergeron consoled the flustered Grace.

"On the European version," he said with a laugh, "that would be perfectly fine."

The 42-year-old Bono blamed his aching knees for forcing him to "(take) out some of the flashier stuff that was just really hurting my body," but said he'll push himself to the limit to stay on the show.

Lake's flashy moves during the jive earned her and partner Derek Hough the highest score of the night, and she's as happy about that as she is about her shrinking body. Lake, who said last week that she was inspired by former contestant Kirstie Alley's "Dancing" weight loss, has dropped 4 inches (10 centimeters) from her hips, 4 (10 centimeters) from her waist and another 4 (10 centimeters) from the rest of her after three weeks of rehearsals.

"I'm really getting in great shape," she said after the show. "I'll be wearing less and less clothing. The smaller I get, the less will be covered."

Rob Kardashian revealed his own weight woes before collecting 21 points for what judges called a "confident" jive.

"It's official. Rob Kardashian is a better dancer than (sister) Kim Kardashian!" judge Carrie Ann Inaba said Monday. (Kim lasted just three weeks when she was part of the show's 2008 cast.)

"You have the dancing gene," Inaba said.

IN PICTURES: 'Dancing with the Stars' 2011 lineup

Kardashian's 21 points were good for third place, where he tied with Grace, singer Chynna Phillips and Italian actress (and Clooney ex) Elisabetta Canalis.

Actor J.R. Martinez and reality star Kristin Cavallari both finished second with 22 points.

Joining Bono near the bottom of the scoreboard were actor David Arquette and TV personality Carson Kressley, who each earned 18 points.

Arquette said before his performance that he wanted to "blow people's minds," but the judges slammed his routine.

"Any connection that had with the jive was a coincidence," Goodman said. "The technique wasn't there."

Kressley turned in hours of extra rehearsal time, but his quickstep was still "a little wobbly," Inaba said.

Soccer pro Hope Solo scored 19 points for a jive that earned a mixed response from the judges.

The new "Dancing" set, however, which made its debut last week, is winning unanimous raves from the cast of pros. The revamped ballroom features a three-tier balcony, cocktail-table seating and a grand staircase that splits to reveal the orchestra.

"It's so epic. It's an honor to dance on it," said Mark Ballas, Cavallari's professional partner. "It's got a cool energy. You step out into it. It feels like a Roman coliseum."

Roundtable: Taking stock of Serena Williams on her 30th birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:51:00 +0000

Serena Williams celebrates her 30th birthday on Monday, so we asked SI.com's tennis writers to assess her career and contributions to the sport.

1. Is Serena Williams the best women's player of all time?

S.L. Price: Nope. Yes, she's great, the most dominant player of her age, with probably the best serve of all time. But her dominance has come in a weak age, and is complicated by the fact that her chief rival -- whom she beat in six of her 13 major finals -- was her unquestionably formidable, yet unquestionably related, sister Venus. More important, though, is the question of greatness itself.

For me, you've got to be great at a sustained level for a long time, not just dominant when you are fit and able to play. The sport's history is rife with on-their-best-day players -- ask any oldster about Lew Hoad in his healthy prime -- so I give the nod to Steffi Graf, who won each major at least four times, completed a Golden Grand Slam in 1988 and finished with 22 major singles titles. Tennis is the one sport that, because of so many historical factors that discount the tyranny of mere numbers, should and does allow for such a subjective view of "The Greatest"; after all, some believe that Pancho Gonzalez, with just two major titles to his name, was the best ever. But I'll go with Graf.

Jon Wertheim: Most accomplished? No. Even accounting for the increased depth of the field, the doubles success and the Olympic gold, etc., it's hard to make an empirical case that Serena's career accomplishments surpass those of Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. (Though we should note that Serena is still going strong here: She's won 13 majors -- spanning more than a decade -- and I suspect still has more winning in her.)

Best? Here's where I think there's at least a conversation to be had. Qualitatively, I maintain that no female player has performed at a higher level. Optional homework: Spark up YouTube. Then watch some of Serena's matches. Then watch some of the other candidates play. It's like comparing Albert Pujols to Rogers Hornsby, Tiger Woods to Sam Snead. It's barely the same sport. This will sound sacrilegious and is not meant to diminish the other candidates, but -- even accounting for everything from technology to training and more Gatorade flavors -- I firmly believe that Serena would beat any comers head-to-head. Surely that counts for something.

Classic photos of Serena and Venus Williams

Bruce Jenkins: There's no question that in a mythical tournament, each player in her prime, Serena could beat anyone who ever lived. But we deal here in reality, and I rate her No. 5 at best. Graf won 22 majors to Serena's 13, she was just as fearsome to the opposition in her day, she was superior as an all-surface player (six French Open titles to Serena's one) and she was a better athlete. Navratilova won 18 majors and had an infinitely superior all-around game. Evert (18) competed just as hard as Serena, and with more class. I also give a nod to Billie Jean King (12 majors, plus 27 more in doubles) for athleticism, impact and for basically inventing the women's pro tour. All four of them had the benefit of stiffer competition than what Serena has faced over the years, and all of them devoted their lives 100 percent to tennis. It's too bad we didn't see more of Serena, on the biggest stages, against the likes of Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova. But she still has time to improve her historical standing.

Richard Deitsch: I wish you had asked me an easier question, like who was the best James Bond (Sean Connery, of course). For me, there's only three candidates for the top spot: Graf, Navratilova and Serena. Each has an argument: Steffi won the most majors (22) among the three, Martina owns the career titles mark (122) and Serena has the best single stroke (her serve) and has dominated the best depth of competition. One big metric that favors Martina and Steffi is end-of-the-year finishes, which reflects sustained dominance. Graf finished the year No. 1 eight times, Navratilova seven. Serena finished the year as the world's best only two times: 2002 and '09. I know my pal Bruce Jenkins and others argue that the era of Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, Gabriela Sabatini and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is better than the 2000s lot, but Serena has had to defeat much better players in early rounds than Graf and Navratilova, and I'd argue that Henin, Hingis and Clijsters were tougher foes than Steffi's crew. In the end, I think I put Graf at No. 1 and Martina and Serena as 1A. But if all three played head-to-head in their prime, I think all could win, depending on the surface and the day.

Courtney Nguyen: Is Serena the best woman to ever pick up a racket and play tennis? I'd say yes if you were to base it purely on her level of play. Her power combined with her movement can't be matched historically. But that's not typically how these questions are measured. To be at the top you have to consistently prove you're the best in your era, and that's measured by Slam wins. She's still fourth in the Open era with 13 major titles, behind Graf, Evert and Navratilova.

Bryan Armen Graham: The three greatest women's players of all time are (in reverse chronological order): Serena, Graf and Navratilova. The problems inherent to comparing greatness across eras make it impossible to place one ahead of the other two. I don't know if there's ever been a player better than Serena, but a prime Steffi and/or Martina are no worse than her equal.

2. What's the most impressive part of her game?

Price: Her serve, her ability to round into form after such long absences, her competitive zeal.

Wertheim: To me, it's mental. Sure, there are occasional lapses, not least her most recent match. But overall, I can't recall an athlete (never mind a tennis player) who consistently competes at her level, ritually bringing out her best at the most critical junctures, fighting through rough patches and (cliché alert) simply refusing to lose. If tennis had better metrics, we'd be able to furnish an actual number. But anecdotally, how many times have we seen Serena trail in a set and then -- as if simply toggling a switch -- dial in her strokes, take advantage of some jitters across the net, come back and then close out the match? There are players who serve just as hard, hit forehands and backhands, as well, run just as fast. No one competes like she does. Not even close.

Jenkins: Serena has the best first serve the game has ever seen, her groundstrokes rank with the very best, and without needing to speak a word, she carries an element of intimidation that defeats many opponents before they even take the court. I find her movement nothing short of astonishing, considering that she's gained a considerable bit of weight over the years. She's done whatever it takes to stay on top.

Deitsch: The most impressive part of Serena's game is her steel to win. No player in my lifetime has been better at channeling her best when the moment calls for it. Obviously, in terms of strokes, she has the best first serve in the history of the game. Like Graf and Navratilova, she has a pathological disgust for losing.

Nguyen: Her ability to flip a switch seemingly at any time. Her will to win is legendary -- whether it's fighting off debilitating cramps to defeat Daniela Hantuchova at Wimbledon in 2007, or winning the Australian Open that same year despite coming in unseeded and out of shape. How many times have we seen her struggle through a match only to almost "decide" she wants to win and kick her game up another level? In a non-contact sport, Serena seems to have the ability to break her opponents' will. It never ceases to amaze me.

Graham: Mental toughness and intimidation are central to her legacy, but Serena's accurate, overpowering first serve (128 mph at last year's French Open!) and weapons-grade forehand are nothing to scoff at. When it's all clicking, Serena can seem unbeatable.

Video: Serena's memorable (and infamous) moments

There's no telling how much longer the unpredictable Serena Williams will play.

David Callow/SI

3. How much longer will she play, and how many more Grand Slams can she win?

Price: I see Serena going another two years, and winning -- at most -- three more Slam titles. Time, and the attendant injuries, will make each comeback harder and tougher to pull off. Ask Henin and Clijsters.

Wertheim: The Williams family -- Serena, particularly -- has mocked conventional tennis thinking and tested our capacity for surprise. She could retire tomorrow to open a karaoke bar and it wouldn't be shocking. She could play (and win) into her late-30s and it wouldn't be shocking either. The guess here is that a) she plays at least three or four more years and b) will win a few more big prizes. She may be 30, but she doesn't have 30 years' worth of tennis mileage on her, not with her scheduling, her various injury breaks and her relatively scant travel. While she may lose a step, her power shows no sign of diminishing. And did you catch the remarks of her opponents in New York? Playing against her is "painful." Yes, more than a full decade into this gig, Serena still holds a psychological edge over the field. Why retire?

The biggest factor in her longevity is, of course, motivation. While Serena has always had "outside interests," she has also reached the inevitable conclusion that, while she might enjoy acting/designing/Portuguese, her true talent is hitting a yellow ball over the net with more force and accuracy than any other woman on the planet. And that, finally, is the engine the drives everything else.

Jenkins: Before Venus went public with her illness, the sisters were talking about riding into the sunset together, at some undetermined time. Now that Venus' future is so much in doubt, Serena will take her own path -- and as much as she loves the celebrity lifestyle, she gets the Hollywood treatment because of her tennis. I think she loves the game more than many suspect. I see her playing three more years, but sporadically, and winning five more Slams.

Deitsch: I think Serena plays three more years and wins three more Slams, giving her a final total of 16.

Nguyen: This is always a dangerous question with Serena, because who would have thought she and her sister would be playing past 30 in the first place? But they manage their schedules well (much to the chagrin of the WTA) and they gear up for the Slams and nothing else. I could see her playing through two more Olympics and winning three more Slams. Her serve will always make her a favorite at Wimbledon if she's healthy, and it will still take a monumental effort from the field to stop her at the other Slams. Lest people forget, Serena was untouchable at the U.S. Open until the final, and had Samantha Stosur played even a tick below her form from that night, Serena very well could have been the champion. All that is to say that at 30, she's still capable of playing at a dominant level for a sustained amount of time. The only question is whether she wants to. I was disappointed to see her withdraw from Tokyo and possibly Beijing. It would have been a tremendous statement to tear through the Asian/Europe swing and qualify for the Year-End-Championships. But who am I to question her scheduling decisions? It's worked for her so far.

Graham: Serena will play at least another five years and win three (or more) majors. Yes, she's 30, but she's averaged around only nine tournaments per season and the lack of mileage will pay off as she nears the end of her career -- ultimate validation for a limited scheduling policy that drew criticism for years.

Lady Gaga towers over Obama fundraiser in Northern California

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Lady Gaga was front and center at a fundraiser starring President Obama held Sunday in Atherton, north of Palo Alto, near the San Francisco Bay.

Her tune "Poker Face" was playing in the house around 8 p.m., and Lady Gaga entered a party tent in the backyard moments later. She towered over the group of donors and even the president, courtesy of sky-high heels plus a bouffant black-and-blond hairdo that on its own added six inches to her stature.

Wearing a floor-length sleeveless lacy black dress, Gaga took a seat at the middle table in a seven-table setup and stood up with the rest of the guests when Obama entered. He spoke for about eight minutes, and though he didn't acknowledge the pop star's presence, it was likely they'd crossed paths earlier during greetings inside the house.

The New York resident had performed Saturday at the I Heart Music festival in Las Vegas, dedicating a song to Jamey Rodemeyer, a gay teen who committed suicide last week after being teased about his sexuality. "I am meeting with our President," Gaga said Wednesday on Twitter. "I will not stop fighting. This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey."

[Updated, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 26: During a Q&A session after the speech at the $38,500-a-head fundraiser, Gaga referenced 14-year-old Rodemeyer, read a letter from a fan about another bullying victim and thanked the president for what he's accomplished thus far in office.]

Lady Gaga, a champion for the gay community, had been outspoken in rallying her fans to support the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which Congress in December voted to rescind. Obama and military leaders certified in July that lifting the policy wouldn't adversely affect the military, kicking off a 60-day waiting period that resulted in DADT coming to an end last week.

But another community that heard from the president over the weekend was not quite as rallied.

In response to an Obama speech Saturday to the Congressional Black Caucus, which he ended by saying, "Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes, shake it off, stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying, we are going to press on, we've got work to do, CBC," Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) expressed some confusion about whom the president had been talking to.

Waters noted Monday that Obama "would never say that to the gay and lesbian community, who really pushed him on 'don't ask don't tell.'" (Or, she said, to the Hispanic or Jewish communities.)

Might Obama benefit from soaking up some essence of Gaga, as posited in a recent business-school case study suggesting entrepreneurs could learn a thing or two from her meteoric rise to success?

The top Lady Gaga-style moves, boiled down by Smart Money magazine: Build a community, rewrite the rules if they don't work for you, and position yourself as the underdog.

Makes sense, though we can't quite imagine Obama comfortable with a speech including the Gaga quote cited by the mag: "I was never the winner. I was the loser."

The president's West Coast fundraising trip -- with appeals tailored to each group he meets with, according to Politics Now -- hits L.A.'s Westside on Monday.

Ana Ortiz of 'Ugly Betty' welcomes her second child

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Ana Ortiz of ABC's "Ugly Betty" gave birth to her second child with husband, musician Noah Lebenzon, on Saturday, September 24.

The actress confirmed the news to Latina magazine and revealed that she and her husband named the child Rafael Lebenzon. The boy weighed in at 7 pounds and 7 ounces at birth.

Ortiz and Lebenzon have one daughter, 2-year-old Paloma Louise. The couple got married in June 2007 in Puerto Rico.

Ortiz first announced her pregnancy back in May. "We know it's a boy," Ortiz said at the time. "[We] are trying to come up with some names that we can agree on. It has to be Spanish, but something non-speakers can pronounce without mauling."

The actress, who played Betty's sister Hilda on the hit show, has also had appearances on "Boston Legal," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and "ER." Ortiz has a recurring role on the third season of the HBO series "Hung," which premieres on October 2.

Ricki Lake finishes first, Chaz Bono lands in last on 'Dancing With the Stars'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:12:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Ricki Lake celebrated her top-scoring 23 points and 12 inches of weight loss; Rob Kardashian celebrated being a better dancer than his sister Kim; and Chaz Bono celebrated just getting through his routine on "Dancing With the Stars."

"My knees just hurt so much," Bono said before landing in last place Monday night. The author and activist is counting on viewer votes to carry him through Tuesday's episode, when a second celebrity will be eliminated from the hit ABC show.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine who is ousted each week. Basketball star Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, was the first contestant to go.

Judges said Monday Bono's quickstep was just too slow and gave him 17 points out of 30.

"The bottom line is it's a quickstep and I've moved faster through the car wash," judge Len Goodman said.

Nancy Grace was perhaps moving a little too fast. She suffered a wardrobe malfunction during a bouncy number danced to "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing"). Grace had a little too much swing in partner Tristan MacManus' arms and her breast spilled out of her dress.

Viewers saw little if nothing of the mishap, however, thanks to a quick cut-away to the studio audience. After the number, host Tom Bergeron consoled the flustered Grace.

"On the European version," he said with a laugh, "that would be perfectly fine."

Lake's flashy moves during the jive earned her and partner Derek Hough the highest score of the night, and she's as happy about that as she is about her shrinking body. Lake, who said last week that she was inspired by former contestant Kirstie Alley's "Dancing" weight loss, has dropped four inches from her hips, four from her waist and another four from the rest of her after three weeks of rehearsals.

"I'm really getting in great shape," she said after the show. "I'll be wearing less and less clothing. The smaller I get, the less will be covered."

Kardashian revealed his own weight woes before collecting 21 points for what judges called a "confident" jive.

"It's official, Rob Kardashian is a better dancer than Kim Kardashian!" judge Carrie Ann Inaba said Monday. (Kim lasted just three weeks when she was part of the show's 2008 cast.)

"You have the dancing gene," Inaba said.

Kardashian's 21 points were good for third place, where he tied with singer Chynna Phillips, TV personality Nancy Grace and Italian actress (and Clooney ex) Elisabetta Canalis.

Actor J.R. Martinez and reality star Kristin Cavallari both finished second with 22 points.

Joining Bono near the bottom of the scoreboard were actor David Arquette and TV personality Carson Kressley, who each earned 18 points.

Arquette said before his performance that he wanted to "blow people's minds," but the judges slammed his routine.

"Any connection that had with the jive was a coincidence," Goodman said. "The technique wasn't there."

Kressley turned in hours of extra rehearsal time, but his quickstep was still "a little wobbly," Inaba said.

Soccer pro Hope Solo scored 19 points for a jive that earned a mixed response from the judges.

"It's so epic. It's an honour to dance on it," said Mark Ballas, Cavallari's professional partner. "It's got a cool energy. You step out into it. It feels like a Roman coliseum."

Patti Stanger’s latest advice offensive to gay men, Jewish men, smart women

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger. (Bravo) Patti Stanger makes a living telling single people how to find love. But her latest dose of “advice,” delivered on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live,” probably left potential clients looking for another matchmaker.

On the talk show’s premiere Sunday, “The Millionaire Matchmaker” answered calls from love-seeking viewers. When one caller asked if long-distance, open relationships are possible, Stanger gave an unclear answer before asking if the person was gay.

He was. This prompted Stanger to declare that gay men are not capable of monogamy. “There is no curbing gay men,” Stanger said. “I have tried to curb you people.”

Host Andy Cohen, who is openly gay, seemed to take offense. “I’m down for monogamy,” he said. She began to laugh.

When a gay male viewer Skyped in to ask about finding a long term relationship, Stanger opened with, “First of all, you're very handsome. I thought you were straight.” The Bravo exec. looked at the woman he made famous: “I don't know why being straight is a compliment.”

“Because he's not queen-y,” she replied.

She also took the opportunity to state, ”Jewish men lie.”

Cohen, who is also jewish, looked a tad exasperated.

Watch a compilation of the offending clips via Gawker.

The reaction from some viewers on Twitter was just as harsh, with many asking for Stanger to be fired. She seemed unaware of the criticism, instead celebrating that she was trending on the social media site.

In case there are any ladies out there who are dying for a piece of Stanger advice, she has some words of wisdom for you too.

Here’s what she said in an interview with “New York Live” recently: “[Men] like [smart women] after marriage. They don't like them before they are married. You got to dumb it down a little because men are not that bright.”

Kat Von D, Jesse James split (again)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:30:00 +0000

Let’s hope this is the last we hear of Kat Von D and Jesse James.

The tattoo-happy twosome have called it quits yet again after nixing their engagement in July and reconciling the following month. “I am not in a relationship,’’ Kat wrote on her Facebook page. “And I apologize for all the back and forth if it’s caused any confusion.’’

We were so looking forward to her Gothic wedding dress. Not!

Christina Milian My Kobe Salad Was Tainted with ABC Gum!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:03:00 +0000

Christina Milian got a little something extra at an L.A. restaurant last week ... after she took a bite of her Kobe beef salad ... and allegedly got a mouthful of ABC gum.Sources close to Christina tell TMZ ... she was out to dinner at Mexicali restaurant in Studio City ... and halfway through her salad, she felt a weird, chewy substance in her mouth.Christina spit it out, and looked in horror as she eyed a giant wad of chewed gum. She then made a beeline for the bathroom and threw up.We're told the restaurant comped her meal. But Christina is still freaked out about what happened, and filed a complaint with the L.A. Department of Health.TMZ spoke with a rep for the Dept., who confirmed a complaint was indeed filed.Christina tells TMZ, she's lookin' for a lawyer, but says, "The most important thing to me is to make sure my health is okay. Ever since the incident I have not eaten out."

The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Roasts are the one time that being a bully is allowed and encouraged because everyone knows that it’s all for fun. I had been looking forward to the Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen since I first heard about it and it was on last night.

15 minutes before the roast came on, there was a red carpet event with all of the celebrities coming in to the theater to take their seats and some of them stopped to talk with the cast of Comedy Centrals Workaholics; Anders Holm, Blake Anderson and Adam DeVine.

The show starts and we see our roastmaster is the creator of Family Guy, American Dad and the Cleveland Show Seth Macfarlane. He was really funny but he made a joke about the recently deceased Amy Winehouse. I know I’m told that I shouldn’t feel sorry for her, that she did it to herself so somehow that makes it right. But… I still think it’s too soon.

The roasters were Jon Lovitz who was very funny. He always cracks me up so go Jon. Then Kate Walsh who was in Private Practice and is now in Greys Anatomy. I’ve never seen those shows. For some odd reason there were 2 jokes at William Shatner’s expense about his “Grey Anatomy” (his balls). It was funny the first time and when the 2nd comedian heard it said he (or she I forget) should have crossed that off of their joke list. It’s only funny once. William Shatner who was just so hilarious. I didn’t think he had it in him but he was pretty funny.

Then there was the always funny Jeff Ross who was dressed as a dictator, funny. Mike Tyson, scary but he turned out to be funny until the end when I thought he was going to rip someones head off. Anthony Jeselnik who I think is hilarious despite the fact that I’ve never seen him on anything but the last couple of roasts. I guess I missed his stand up special.

Steve-O who wasn’t quite as funny as the rest of them but he was humorous. He decided that he was going to do what he does best and do something stupid like running into Mike Tysons fist hoping to get a black eye. At the very last minute of the show he did it again but this time he broke his nose.

Amy Schumer… who is this broad? I’ve never even heard of her. She was funny right up until she made that really sick joke to Steve-O about Ryan Dunn. That crossed the line. I vaguely remember her joke now but she basically said that she was sorry that Ryan Dunn died and that she thinks that Steve thinks that it should have been him and everyone else wishes it were him that died. I’m sorry but that is not funny. Not funny and not cool.

Then the last roaster was Patrice O’neal who was such a good sport with all of the racist jokes at his expense. Most of the jokes about him were about his weight, the unknown Amy Schumer even said something about his foot having to get cut off because of his diabetes. Is that funny?

Then at the very end Charlie Sheen came up and roasted everyone. He basically said you can tell all the little jokes you want about me and it’s not going to bring me down. Good for you Charlie.

I don’t endorse, condone or agree with everything that went down but it’s really none of my business to decide whether he did anything wrong or not. Who am I? He’s Charlie effing Sheen.

The Roast was hilarious as they always are and I wish Charlie Sheen well in his future adventures with whatever it is that he does with the rest of his life.

Alec Baldwin Doesn’t Care if You Care He Wasn’t at The Emmys

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:50:00 +0000

www.writemania.net

George Clooney on Turning 50: I’m Now a Character Actor

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:35:00 +0000

PARADE has a terrific George Clooney cover story coming up in this weekend’s issue. Political analyst David Gergen interviewed the actor at his Italian villa about turning 50, dealing with failure, his philanthropy work in South Sudan and more. Here are some highlights from the PARADE story:

On continuing his public life and maintaining privacy at the same time…
“I don’t tweet, I don’t go on Facebook. I think there’s too much information about all of us out there. I’m liking the idea of privacy more and more. There will be funny things, like I’ll read something I’ve said about a woman somewhere. And I haven’t spoken about my relationships in 15 years.”

On turning the big 5-0 and what it means to his career…
“I look at myself on-screen and go, ‘I don’t look like I did when I was 40–I know that.’ The people I’ve respected most in the industry over the years — Paul Newman, for instance. I just loved the way he handled growing old on-screen. It’s understanding that you’re now basically a character actor.

“I find that as you get older, you start to simplify things in general. By the time you get a subscription to AARP, which I just got, you have some idea of who your friends are, at least. [Getting the AARP subscription] shocked me–’Are you kidding?’ [laughs] I told them they should do ‘The Sexiest Man Still Alive.’

On his latest film, The Ides of March, where he plays an inspirational presidential candidate…
“We were in preproduction on this film in 2007, before the Obama election. And then we realized that a good portion of the country was elated with what happened in that election, so we had to shelve the movie until people were cynical again. I didn’t think it would be quite this quick. [laughs]”

Morgan Freeman Sees Tea Party as 'Weak, Dark Underside of America'

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:22:00 +0000

www.writemania.net

Heather Locklear turns 50: Is a reality show with Jack Wagner in the works?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:17:00 +0000

Happy birthday, Heather Locklear!

The actress turns 50 on Sunday, a month after announcing her engagement to her former "Melrose Place" co-star Jack Wagner. Yes, those two crazy kids finally made it work.

Limelife reports that the couple briefly considered starring in a reality show about their relationship and their life together. Word is that Wagner explored the idea of a family show that would include his two sons with ex-wife Kristina Malandro (of "General Hospital" fame) and Locklear's daughter from her marriage to Richie Sambora, Ava.

Locklear, however, vetoed the idea. "She considers herself a serious actress, and the thought of letting lights and cameras into her home in the morning before she puts on her makeup really fills her with dread," a source says.

It's for the best -- look what happened to Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey with "Newlyweds."

Jennifer Aniston buys $450,000 painting at Haiti benefit auction

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Jennifer Aniston and boyfriend Justin Theroux hit up Christie's Artists for Haiti auction in New York on Friday night and they didn’t go home empty-handed. The couple stepped up for the cause and won a spendy painting for a whopping $450,000.

Theroux did the bidding on the 6-foot Glenn Ligon abstract titled “Stranger #44,” while Aniston clapped enthusiastically after the win, reports US magazine. With the painting valued at just $150,000 to $200,000, the purchase was also a hefty donation.

Ben Stiller’s Stiller Foundation, in partnership with Zwirner, organized the fundraiser to help the people of Haiti. Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn and others joined Stiller and friends at Almond restaurant for the benefit dinner, raising $14 million for the cause, according to Reuters.

Artists Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns and Chuck Close teamed up for the Artists for Haiti event, many creating pieces specifically for the auction. Marlene Dumas’ “My mother before she became my mother” was the top seller at $2 million.

Chelsea Clinton leads family reunion as Clinton Global Initiative closes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:39:00 +0000

www.writemania.net

Ashley Judd Weight Loss Ashley Judd Diet Program

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:36:00 +0000

www.writemania.net

Morgan Freeman Calls Out Tea Party as "Racist"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:33:00 +0000

It's safe to say that one-time pretend U.S. President Morgan Freeman is not a fan of the Tea Party.

After vehemently denying that he provided narration for a Tea Party-supported Republican's attack ad last November, Freeman is blasting the über-conservative political group again, calling their aggressive ambitions "racist":

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In a sit-down on Friday's Piers Morgan Tonight, the Oscar-winning actor referred to the right-wing political movement as "a racist thing" for their efforts to boot President Barack Obama from office.

"Their stated policy, publicly stated, is to do whatever it takes to see to it that Obama only serves one term," Freeman said. "What underlines that? 'Screw the country. We're going to whatever we can to get this black man outta here.'"

But, that wasn't the end of Freeman's Tea Party bashing.

MORE: Who killed Morgan Freeman?

The Invictus star went on to say the party's agenda "just shows the weak, dark, underside of America."

"We're supposed to be better than that," Freeman continued. "We really are. That's, that's why all those people were in tears when Obama was elected president. 'Ah, look at what we are. Look at how, this is America.' You know? And then it just sort of started turning because these people surfaced like stirring up muddy water."

When asked if he was disappointed that the President has not fought back against the group and their tawdry allegations yet, Freeman said, "Kind of, but I understood that he was trying to hold onto his own promise that he would be president of all the people."

Meanwhile, it's a sure bet he and the Palins won't be teaming up on any projects any time soon.

Inside Tori Spelling's Star-Packed Baby Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:29:00 +0000

Tori Spelling is nearly ready to welcome baby number three with husband Dean McDermott -- and last Saturday Sept. 17, the actress and reality star, 38, celebrated with celebrity pals at a baby shower in Malibu.

The bash's big activity? Crafting!

"Tori loves crafting," an insider tells Us Weekly. So the bash, hosted by Michael's (the mega-chain of crafting stores), featured a scrapbook table and jewelry making, the insider explained.

Guests included Alison Sweeney, Ali Landry, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards (with her new daughter Eloise in tow), Brooke Burke-Charvet and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards. (The group meets every month for potluck dinner they call the Celebrity Moms' Club.)

In lieu of gifts, Spelling asked her pals to donate baby supplies to baby2baby.org.

Due next month, Spelling told Us recently that her third pregnancy isn't any easier than it was with son Liam, 4, and daughter Stella, 3.

"People always think the first one was the hardest. But I'm like, 'No the first one was easy for me because I could lay around all day. I didn't have two little ones to take care of,'" Spelling said. "This is the hardest one because I'm always going with the kids."

And though she "can't wait to have sushi again," the pregnant star has been enjoying home-cooked meals from hubby McDermott, who's currently enrolled in culinary schools.

"He's been cooking every night. Homemade pastas...fresh croissants," she told Us. "I reap the benefits of his hard work!"

Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux Splash Out $450K For Painting At Haiti Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux splashed out $450,000 for a painting at Christie's Artists For Haiti fundraising auction in New York City Friday night, and RadarOnline.com has details of their pricey purchase.

The painting, by American artist Glenn Ligon, is called Stranger #44, measures 72 x 60 inches and is an abstract work of oil, charcoal and graphite on canvas.

The painting was estimated to fetch between $150,000 - $200,000, but bighearted Jen upped the ante, topping the record for an amount paid for a Ligon painting.

The black and gray painting should fit right in with the couple's love for all things monochrome. As usual both Jen and Justin were dressed in black, although Jen mixed it up a little with a white and gray pattern on her cute mini dress.

There was a high profile turnout for the event, along with Aniston and Theroux, Bill Clinton, Sean Penn and Ben Stiller also made an appearance.

It total, the event raised a whopping $13,662,000, with all proceeds expected to benefit the health and education initiatives in Haiti.

Laurie Metcalf of ‘Roseanne’ Files for Divorce

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Actress Laurie Metcalf, 56, has filed for divorce from husband of nearly seven years, Matt Roth.

Metcalf is probably most recognizable for her role as Roseanne Conner’s slightly flaky but still sarcastic sister Jackie on the 80′s and 90′s hit Roseanne, where she was a constant presence- working alongside the titular Roseanne at the plastics factory, as well as the sandwich shop that appeared later in the series. Chronically single and unlucky in love, Metcalf’s character Jackie was a staple in the Conner family house- eventually taking a spouse whom she divorced and raising her son, Andy, as a single mom.

Metcalf- in real life- married the actor who played her on-screen boyfriend, Fisher. The couple met and fell in love on the set of Roseanne and have three children together- 18-year-old Will, 11-year-old Donovan and 6-year-old Mae. In the divorce filings- which cite irreconcilable differences as grounds for the divorce- Roth seeks joint legal and physical custody of the couple’s three children.

Metcalf is no stranger to successful, post-marriage parenting arrangements. Prior to her marriage to Roth, she was married to Jeff Perry. Although the pair later divorced, they happily raised daughter Zoe, born in 1984- together, co-parenting the now adult child. Of her relationship with her ex’s wife Linda, Metcalf said:

“I don’t know what to call my relationship with Linda, it’s so solid and strong… There’s not really a term for it, but I love her, so I call her my sister-in-law.”

Perry commented on parenting Zoe with Metcalf and his new wife, saying the experience was positive:

“Laurie was fine, or pretended to be, when Zoe called Linda ‘Linda-mom,’ …It led to a pretty great menagerie.”

Court papers indicate that Metcalf and Roth have been separated since November of 2008.

Emily Deschanel: 'Bones' has a baby boy with hubby David Hornsby

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Emily Deschanel and David Hornsby are the parents of a new baby boy, Henry Hornsby, a first child for the acting duo.

Henry was born Wednesday to "Bones" star Deschanel, 34, and her "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" alum husband, her rep confirmed to People magazine. The two got married not quite a year ago in Pacific Palisades, with their one-year anniversary coming up on Sunday.

Like Alicia Silverstone before her, Deschanel stuck to her longtime vegan diet during her pregnancy. Deschanel went vegan -- no meat, eggs, dairy or wearing leather -- 18 years ago, and told Ladies Home Journal this summer that she had to defend her dietary choice even more while pregnant because "people don't understand." (The Ministry had a harder time understanding Silverstone's baby name, actually, but that's another story.)

Deschanel's pregnancy has been worked into her character Temperance Brennan's story line on "Bones," Entertainment Weekly reported. The show costarring David Boreanaz will premiere a bit later than most, on Nov. 3, with an emphasis in the first half of the season on Bones' preparation for motherhood.

Hornsby has traded "Sunny" this season for a new sitcom with "Entourage" alum Kevin Dillon, "How to Be a Gentleman," premiering in a week on CBS. And now aunt Zooey Deschanel has a little boy to go with her "New Girl," which launched Tuesday on Fox.