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Hussey & Tendulkar controversies show spirit remains only in cans & bottles!

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:07:01 GMT

The David Hussey episode does not seem to be going off the radar. And it may get consigned to the bins only if India pull off a victory over Sri Lanka in their final game with the bonus point, and the Aussies put it across the Sri Lankans in their last game before the Commonwealth Bank (CB) Series finals.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was emphatic that David Hussey was indeed run out. He minced no words in expressing that the David Hussey and the Sachin Tendulkar incidents went against India.

The wordings of the law, one that was debated when the match was on, and the other ‘handling the ball’ law that got into focus after the game got over, have been scrutinised over and over again, and there will not be a final word as either party, arguing in favor or against, seem to be convinced of their view point.

Had the David Hussey incident gone to a law court, Dhoni’s attorney may have argued that the moot point is how much was the arm ‘extended’ in the case of David Hussey and where it was positioned when the flight of the throw was interrupted. The attorney may well argue, “My Lord, anyone protecting himself from injury would place his palm or hand to a part that is close to where he felt the danger was – perhaps cover his face or protect his ribcage and not extend his gloved hand far enough to come in the way of the sizzling throw from one of India’s best outfielders! If you were to see the slow motion replays, My Lord, it would be very evident that David Hussey is running with his eyes on the ball and his hand is below his shoulder level when he is patting the ball down! A batsman intent on avoiding injury to his person would have swayed away from the line of the ball or ducked or did whatever in that instant, and not put his hand out to stop the ball, Your Honour!

“David Hussey is quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying, "I just saw it and thought, 'Oh no, it's going to hit me in the head,' and I just put my hand up to stop the ball”. The hand was never put UP, Your Honour! It was BELOW his shoulder level, and the distance between body and the interrupted ball is a foot plus. It was a malafide act, and you need to rescind the decision of the ignorant umpires and award India the wicket, and order a replay of the game from that point onwards, My Lord!”

And yes, the learned counsel will also probably argue the case of Sachin Tendulkar vs Brett Lee with the following argument: “Learned Judge Sahib! Here is the video replay of the incident, My Lord! You can see Brett Lee bowling around the stumps to left-handed Gautam Gambhir, who pats it down for a single. And what does Brett Lee do, My Lord? He crosses the pitch when there is no possibility whatsoever for him to field the ball, and then plants himself right in the path of Tendulkar with absolute intent to impede him from reaching the crease, My Lord! As you can see there was absolutely no intent other than blocking Tendulkar from reaching the crease!”

Whilst nothing can be done over what has happened, right or wrong, the only positive aspect of these incidents could be the learning derived, and how they can be applied to ensure that similar situations are either avoided in future or handled without any team feeling bitter, again whether with justification or not.

But will the International Cricket Council (ICC) wake up? Very unlikely. Let us look at the fiasco at the toss during the World Cup game between India and Sri Lanka at Mumbai in April 2011. There was confusion over who had won the toss. How was it resolved? By the suggestion of Ravi Shastri, there as a TV Presenter, and going beyond his mandate by suggesting a re-toss!

Did the ICC learn from it and include a provision in the October 2011 amendments? No! The law only speaks of a toss, and does not provide for anything in case there is some dispute or mishap during the toss.

Does the law provide for a third umpire to reverse his decision by displaying the appropriate light, to indicate either “out” or “not out”? No! Does the law provide for how to deal with a ball bowled short in an innings? No!

Imagine what would happen if the umpire called it an over after five deliveries, in the last over of a match in a close game? Would no one convey to him that there is yet another delivery to be bowled? You can bet your last buck that there would be some communication from some quarter and the last ball will be bowled. Right? How then, can an over bowled short during the middle of an innings, be any different from the last over of the game?

It is time for the ICC to ensure that they not only plug any grey areas in the laws, but also provide for illustrative examples on how the law will be applied. Providing explanatory notes and visual aids as collateral to help understand the law and how it is to be applied to respective Boards, with the objective that it is the Board’s responsibility to educate their cricketers could be a positive step. Neither Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at the post-match press conference, nor Sunil Gavaskar, as expert on NDTV, seemed to be aware that in this tournament the net run rate will not be applied in case two teams were on level points!

Playing cricket in the spirit of the game? Let us take a hypothetical situation, ridiculous as it sounds. A batsman, unaware that one of the shoe spikes has come off, steps out to play a shot; loses foothold, slips and falls; missed the ball completely, and is stumped. Would any captain recall him to continue batting in the ‘spirit’ of the game?

The game has changed and is no longer what it was in very many aspects. As for the much- vaunted ‘spirit’, it may be best for the rival teams to get together after the game, and enjoy the ‘spirit’ that comes out of either bottles or aluminium cans! Let the game on the ground go by rules.

Controversies in Sydney over run-outs

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:01:44 GMT

Two separate incidents put the onus on the umpires to take some big decisions in the ODI between India and Australia at Sydney. Both incidents made them go back to the rule book to make a call.

The action unfolded in the 24th over of the crucial India-Australia CB series match which Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men had to win to stay afloat in the series. At 119 for four, Australia were rather precariously poised when wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade took off for a single off R Ashwin's final delivery of the over. Non-striker David Hussey answered his partner's call but as he was completing the run, the Aussie put his right hand out to stop the ball from hitting him.

India skipper Dhoni appealed for an obstructing the field dismissal allowed under the ICC rules. On-field umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel referred the matter to third umpire Simon Fry, who decided in favour of the batsman by concluding that he was merely trying to avoid getting hit rather than saving the stumps.

Dhoni was not quite happy with the decision and had an animated chat with the umpires for quite some time. The Law regarding obstruction of field states ""Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action. Furthermore, it shall be regarded as obstruction if while the ball is in play either batsman wilfully, and without the consent of a fielder, strikes the ball with his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, after the ball has been touched by a fielder. This shall apply whether or not there is any disadvantage to the fielding side."

The appeal could have been interpreted as one for the handling the ball but the law in that case states that a batsman can use his hand to take evasive action in an attempt to prevent injury. That was not the end of the controversies though. The run-out of Sachin Tendulkar (14) became quite dramatic during India's chase. The action unfolded after the final delivery of the Indian innings' seventh over, being bowled by Brett Lee.

Gautam Gambhir called for a single to which Tendulkar responded only to be run out by David Warner. The twist in the tale was Lee's presence in Tendulkar's way while the Indian was sprinting towards the crease. Lee ran across the pitch towards the ball and then stopped to observe as Warner ran in from point and sent down a direct hit.

Tendulkar threw his arms up in frustration when the ball hit the stumps, making it clear that he wasn't happy with Lee blocking his way but umpires Simon Taufel (at square leg) and Billy Bowden ruled against the batsman after some deliberation.

Saif Ali Khan: The Nawab of controversies

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:53:53 GMT

Known all this while for his charm and mild mannerisms, it seems the newly crowned Nawab of Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan has dropped the qualities he was known for. Till yesterday, the actor was in news for keeping his ladylove Kareena Kapoor away from the media lights, even at the cost of his movie promotions, all of a sudden the suave gentleman is in news for all the wrong reasons. His recent scuffle with Iqbal Sharma, a South African trade official at Taj Hotel's high profile restaurant Wasabi, is making a lot of noise. An FIR has been filed against the actor for assaulting a man called Iqbal Sharma with fist blows, causing fracture to his nose bone.

However, this is not the first time that the actor has got himself into a controversy. In 2008, a case was reported to have manhandled a photojournalist in Patiala during the filming of Love Aaj Kal.

Earlier in 1998, Saif, along with Salman Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, was charged with poaching two blackbucks in Kankani during the shooting of their film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’. But, the charges were dropped soon after Khan was acquitted.

His personal life has also been subjected to a lot of scrutiny. The National Award winning actor wsa slammed for ending his marriage of thirteen years with actress Amrita Singh in October 1991. He was later reported to be dating Rosa Catalano. His relationship with Rosa, too, hit a roadblock and then entered Kareena Kapoor. Rosa, on the other hand, miffed post her breakup, hit back suggesting that Saif had apparently kept her in dark about his marriage and kids and it was only when she came to India, she got to know about Saif's marital status.

Kareena and Saif have been going steady for a long time now and they are apparently ready to tie the knot after the release of Saif’s ambitious project ‘Agent Vinod’. Interestingly, Kareena was also present at the time the Saif-Iqbal scuffle took place!

Nine movies in the running for best picture Oscar

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:48:27 GMT

Nine films are competing for the biggest prize in the U.S. film world — the best picture Oscar. Hugo (Eleven Oscar nominations) Oscar-winner Martin Scorsese’s first foray into 3D is a tribute to the early days of cinema. It portrays the adventure of Hugo, a wily orphan, who lives in the main Paris train station. His search for his father’s legacy thrusts him into the path of a cinematic pioneer, whose love for film is reignited by the boy’s exuberance.

The Artist (Ten Oscar nominations) A silent black-and-white tour de force by French director Michel Hazanavicius. It stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo as two actors whose fortunes diverge when Hollywood switches from silent movies to talkies around 80 years ago. A critical favourite and one of the few contenders actually shot in the U.S. movie capital, this French production is considered the overwhelming frontrunner in the Oscar race but has failed to generate much excitement among the ticket-buying public.

Moneyball (Six Oscar nominations) Moneyball stars Brad Pitt as an innovative baseball coach, who uses modern statistical techniques to turn a team of disadvantaged underdogs into the talk of the league. Based on a true story written by economics journalist Michael Lewis.

War Horse (Six Oscar nominations) Directed by Steven Spielberg, War Horse in an adaptation of a children’s novel and 2007 play of the same name. A World War I drama about a young man’s quest to find his horse, which has been conscripted by the British army, the film was popular in the early awards season but has since been overtaken by other Oscar hopefuls.

The Descendants (Five Oscar nominations) Director Alexander Payne’s wry comedy stars George Clooney as a low-key lawyer faced with a mountain of challenges — including an unfaithful dying wife, a wayward teenage daughter and a controversial business deal that’s the talk of all Hawaii. Earned great reviews and plenty of awards buzz but lags far behind The Artist in the best picture race.

The Help (Four Oscar nominations) A civil rights drama set in the 1960s U.S. South, in which a young white journalist decides to write about the daily racism suffered by the black women, who work as maids in the houses of wealthy Americans. A box office and critical success, which has received particular praise for the performances of its cast.

Midnight in Paris (Four Oscar nominations) The ever-mercurial Woody Allen directs a romantic comedy that stars Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams as a yuppie couple on a pre-wedding trip to Paris, where Wilson’s character begins having magical experiences that lead him to reconsider his life. Critics have called it Allen’s best film in 20 years.

The Tree of Life (Three Oscar nominations) A masterpiece by Terence Malick, who is widely regarded as America’s premier film auteur. The Tree of Life stars Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain in an impressionistic account of a Texas family in the 1950, focusing on the memories of a man as he struggles to understand the modern world. The Tree of Life won the coveted Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Two Oscar nominations) Director Stephen Daldry’s adaptation of the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, the film portrays the experiences of a nine-year-old inventor as he searches high and low for the purpose of a key left behind by his father who died in the attacks in the World Trade Centre in September 2001.

Silence does the trick for Kangana

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:08:22 GMT

Barring TANU WEDS MANU, which also stays on to be the biggest success ever for Kangana Ranaut and DOUBLE DHAMAAL which was basically an all boys show, 2011 was pretty much a forgettable year for her. Whether it was the biggie GAME or a film which (as per own confession) was done for monetary reasons, none of them did wonders at the box office. RASCALS was the final nail in the coffin and the controversies that emerged out of it were ugly enough to force her into oblivion.

"Thankfully for Kangana, a dignified silence all along has kept things under control for her, if not improved them in a major way," says a friend of the actress, "Of course the moment she starts interacting in a major way all over again, some of the ghosts from the past would be raked up again and difficult questions would be waiting to be answered. However as is a known fact in the industry, it is one's work which speaks the loudest and all Kangana needs at this hour is a film like TANU WEDS MANU (or any other good movie with a promising subject for that matter) that places her in a position where she gets a good enough role to dig her teeth in and silences her detractors."

Though one doesn't quite see TEZZ to be one such film since it is an action adrenalin pumping affair which would be primarily driven by the leading men in the cast, one still sees a better outing ahead for Kangana.

"Once that happens, and something that is bound to happen if her inherent talent is any indication, all affairs, misadventures, body jobs and controversies would be well forgotten to make way for something that she would want most - an acceptance as an actress despite no film background or a sugar daddy to help her sustain herself in a long run," the friend continues, "Of course this would also mean that a certain maturity, confidence and the sheer strength to keep her head high in the most adverse of circumstances would have to be consciously worked upon."

Well, with age on her side and the girl-woman just about getting ready to turn 25 (well, that's what she claims and we want to believe her on that) exactly a month from now, there is a lot that Kangana can go on to achieve in many more years to come.

‘Bigg Boss’ led to Meera and Shoaib Akhtar’s affair?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:14:22 GMT

Mumbai: The reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ has been the breeding ground of many controversies and the site of contestation of many others. The ‘Bigg Boss’ house has been a witness to Pakistani actress Veena Malik’s success on the show. And walking along the same lines, Meera, another Pakistani actress, has her eyes set on entry into the show.

Recently, the actress had accused Pakistani ex-cricketer Shoaib Akhtar of proposing to her and her cousin on the very same day. The ex-cricketer, however, had trashed the accusations. Meera has claimed that Akhtar and she had been seeing each other, and was deeply involved with him in a year-long affair.

Pakistani actress and ex-Bigg Boss inmate Veena Malik had had a silky-smooth entry into the Bigg Boss house following her claim of having secretly married Pakistani ex-cricketer Mohammad Asif. If you thought controversies were not good for a celeb’s image, you’ve got to think again! Veena Malik earlier and Meera now, are both riding high on the success of the controversies that had them playing the lead roles. However, whether or not there is any truth in the claims of Meera is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Shoaib’s take on the actress’ accusations: “I have met Meera on barely two occasions where we exchanged glances. If greeting and smiling at each other means affair, I’m afraid one can’t say much further on this. She is doing this for publicity sake.”

Meera, sure, is floating on the success of the controversy. Whether that procures a ticket to ‘Bigg Boss’ for her or not, is something that we need to wait and watch out for!

...Controversies trail her rerun election victory

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:03:51 GMT

The rerun election in Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia and Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State election was characterized by intrigues Wednesday night. The usual machinations during elections in the country were manifest again, reminding the people of politics of bitterness.

Although movement was restricted by the security operatives as directed by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), their presence in some areas left much to be desired. There were reported cases of fake uniform men parading themselves about and driving away ACN agents from the polling centres.
At Anaocha Local Governmennt Area which has eleven polling units at Adazi Nnukwu, Agulu, Aguluzoigbo, Akwaeze, Nri and Obeledu had security agencies present at the centre. The story was not different at Dukukofia and Njikoka LGAs which have polling units at Umunachi, Enugu Ukwu and Nimo respectively. But some of the security agents demonstrated that they were in support of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the House of Representatives, Mrs Uche Ekwunife.

There was also huge presence of government functionaries, especially serving commissioners in Anambra State, at the polling units. Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were all around Ekwunife, giving her an edge. When journalists visited Nri, regarded as the stronghold of the APGA candidate, a cameraman of the Africa Independent Television was manhandled.

When the news filtered in, the Action Congress of Nigeria Candidate, Mr Ferdinand Nwankwo reacted, he said: "We have heard that there are some security threats and we have lodged complaints with the security agencies. We have, however, put in some measures to secure the lives of our people. There are so many things that we cannot imagine and they are happening in the constituency. Our opponents have brought in thugs and tried to be violent.

"I appealed to the Federal Government to always take the issue of insecurity during elections very seriously. We are aware that in some areas in Nri, all our agents were chased away. I wrote to the security agencies before the polls to watch out for violence in those hot spots, but I’m surprised that this is still happening. What I heard was not what I expected."

Nwankwo who was accredited at about 11:25am remained calm despite the alarming report making the round as he went back to his car only to return at 2:15pm to cast his vote.

Meanwhile, the winner, Mrs Uche Ekwunife who was accredited at about 10:35am, said shortly before she voted that materials arrived on time and accreditation started at 10:00am prompt in most of the units.
Some ACN supporters, who witnessed the proceeding at Nri where Mrs Ekwunife voted questioned the closeness of Mrs Ekwunife to polling units, and how she was also going about exchanging pleasantries and pleading with voters while voting was on. Ekwunife, however, dispelled the rumour that she hired thugs to disrupt the election process. She said the election was peaceful and as such credible.

No ego clashes between IPL franchisees, says Shah Rukh

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:37:55 GMT

MUMBAI: The IPL is entering its fifth year and once again there is plenty of gossip and controversy surrounding it. Legal tussles, deals going sour, falling TRPs and a dip in the glamour quotient have made more news than cricket itself. Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan talks about it all in an exclusive interview with TOI. Excerpts:

Cricket isn't looking up lately. India's losing, IPL in controversies and there's negativity...

India haven't played well in Australia, but that doesn't mean you completely write them off. That kind of thinking is deep in our psyche. We believe if we are winning we are sportsmen, otherwise we are not. It's sad that every time IPL is about to start, some controversy or the other takes precedence. If it's not actually a controversy then sometimes it gets reported wrongly and turns into one.

This happens when something is popular. Everybody tries to feed off it. If we're losing in Test matches, it's because of IPL. If we're winning the World Cup, it's because of IPL. I understand media has a job to do but there should be a perspective too.

What is the relationship between franchises? Is there a common understanding, a common goal?

Somebody asked me the other day about Mumbai Indians playing five players in the Champions League and Sahara not getting to do the same in the IPL. Now, that person doesn't even know the rules. There are different sets of rules for Champions League and IPL. If Mumbai Indians actually wanted to change a rule, I can assure you they would have called the other franchises, sat together and discussed it. And chances are that franchises would be willing to agree. As for the business of it, I think it's doing really well. I can speak for Knight Riders. We have been making a decent profit out of running this show.

Because of so many powerful individuals involved, ego seems to a big factor.

The IPL should once allow the media to attend a franchise meeting and see how it works. It's an even field. Of course, everybody would like to win and there's good competition. But isn't that healthy?

You opted out of I-League racing...

That's because I got busy with too many things. The league was supposed to take place in January and I was too busy around then.

Veena Malik denied spying charges, Delhi Police tell court

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:03:10 GMT

NEW DELHI: Controversial Pakistani actress Veena Malik has denied allegation of spying for the ISI, Delhi Police on Tuesday told a court here which had asked it to look into a complaint seeking lodging of an FIR against her after her alleged nude photographs appeared in an Indian magazine.

This was stated by the Delhi Police in its action taken report (ATR) filed by it in compliance with the court order after Malik's purported photograph was published on a magazine cover with an 'ISI' tattoo on her arm.

The complaint had said that the tattoo indicated that she was spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency which should be probed. Malik had denied that she posed naked for the magazine, claiming the cover photo was doctored.

The court took the ATR on record and posted the matter for detailed arguments on March 2. "Action taken report has been filed by the SHO, Jamia Nagar Police Station. Veena Malik's statement is given (in the ATR). To come up for arguments on March 2," metropolitan magistrate Purva Sareen said.

Earlier on January 12, the magistrate had asked the Police as to what action, if any, was taken on the complaint against Malik which was also filed in the Jamia Nagar police station.

Mahidul Hassan, the imam of mosque in Jamia Nagar, had filed the complaint through advocate Anwar Ahmad seeking registration of FIR against Malik under section 124A of the IPC dealing with sedition charges.

The complainant had alleged that Malik's semi nude photograph published in the magazine had hurt public sentiments and said she was staying in India for spying for ISI. Apart from Malik, the magazine and its owner have also been named as party in the complaint.

New Jersey remembers Houston before she was a pop queen

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:51:28 GMT

Reporting from East Orange, N.J.— Outside the Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts, the flag flew at half-staff in the icy wind as Principal Henry W. Hamilton remembered the gangly 15-year-old who lived up the road, and who excitedly showed off her modeling portfolio to him one afternoon in 1978.

Back then, before the red brick school had been renamed for the future pop queen, Hamilton didn't expect Whitney Houston to become a star. Houston died Saturday of undetermined causes.

"She was in the choir and the chorus. She used to sing at church. But I didn't expect she'd become a great singer — the greatest singer in the world," said Hamilton, who admits he missed the explosive talent that developed in the young girl as she made her way through the halls of this school in suburban New Jersey, where her first classroom, No. 6, sits just to the right of the main entrance.

Hamilton isn't normally at school on Sunday. But after his phone began ringing Saturday evening with news of Houston's death, he knew this would not be a normal day for anyone who knew Houston as a child or who had seen her sing at the New Hope Baptist Church in neighboring Newark.

"That voice. You could have heard her and not even turned around, and you'd know it's her," said Donna Thorn, whose eyes filled with tears as she arrived at the church to leave flowers. Thorn's voice quavered as she talked of the drugs that had plagued Houston, and of her hopes that the singer would be remembered for her voice, not her addictions.

It was a sentiment echoed by others in this area, which has been plagued by crime and other problems fueled by the recession. Many saw Houston's success as proof that talent and determination could overcome any obstacles, and they said her success as a singer and actress had inspired youngsters growing up here.

"Her start was a beautiful, innocent thing," said Hassan Munford, who attended the school now named for Houston and who grew up in the same neighborhood.

"I remember when she first made it, she bought a red drop-top and drove it down Dodd Street," Munford said with a smile as he left flowers outside the school.

"You always have your controversies," he said of Houston's well-publicized struggle with drugs and her turbulent relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown. "But at the end of the day, the influence she had on the community — on the kids and aspiring musicians and singers — far outweighs the controversy."

Thorn, a former addict, agreed. "If you were never an addict, you don't know what it's like to struggle and stay clean … to hit rock bottom," she said, adding that the "fast life" of Los Angeles' entertainment scene could not have helped Houston as she fought her demons. "When you've got people on the outside looking in, they don't know the struggle. But for me, my memory is that she came from my hometown, she made it out of Newark, and she was on top of the world."

Throughout the day, fans brought flowers, candles and heart-shaped balloons to the school and the church, which shares a nondescript street with an auto shop and a tavern and which, on this frigid February morning, was the only building with any hint of life or color.

Parishioners and fans, bundled up in fur coats, down jackets or flimsy sweaters too thin to block the cold, began arriving at the church before dawn for a morning memorial and kept coming throughout the day for additional services.

"Our hearts are very heavy today," said the Rev. Jesse Jackson as he headed into the church to address the third and last service of the day. "The suddenness of it all … we're just traumatized."

Every seat was filled inside the 112-year-old church, where Houston sang as a teenager and where her mother, Cissy Houston, and cousin, Dionne Warwick, also were regulars in the choir.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called Houston "a true New Jersey treasure."Hamilton said the Board of Education had ordered schools to lower their flags to half-staff in Houston's memory.

He has been principal of the Whitney E. Houston school for 40 years, since the days when it was the Franklin School. It was renamed for Houston in 1997.

Hamilton's office is decorated with photographs, including ones of him and Houston over the decades. He eagerly showed off the bright yellow classroom where the young Whitney spent her earliest days at the school, which today is covered in colorful cutouts of animals and other child-like adornments.

When his phone rang Saturday night and a nephew told him Houston had died, Hamilton initially did not believe it. But it's never easy to accept when one of your pupils dies, Hamilton said.

"It's hurtful. Sometimes we say, 'Is there something we could have done to save that youngster?' " said Hamilton, acknowledging that there is only so much the school can do once students move on.

"Once she left here, we felt she was on the right path," he said of Houston. "The things that happened later, that's show biz. Unfortunately, some survive and some don't."