I didn’t realize Lauryn Hill was still making a musical go of it. I guess this is the reason why. Last Wednesday, Hill took the stage to a sold-out show at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre and mixed unfamiliar material with hits from the past that were “rendered unrecognizable by radical new arrangements and a blaring, poorly balanced sound mix.”
Aural audience response was divided between cheers and boos. Others sat and stood in silence, their mouths agape at what they were hearing and seeing.
Her hair in an unkempt rust-colored Afro, Hill wore a green-and-yellow plaid jacket that appeared to be made of wool and an ankle-length black skirt, looking not unlike a bag lady one might encounter at a taco truck on International Boulevard. She held a microphone in her right hand and a black handkerchief in her left, frequently wiping sweat from her face as she paced the stage.
At one point during the show, the singer tripped and fell, landing flat on her backside. “That’s what I get for wearing high heels,” she said as she rose to her feet.
Some concert goers, who paid almost $90.00 per ticket, were requesting refunds before she took the stage two hours and 15 minutes late. Others left during her first song and the theatre mostly emptied after a speech late in the show during which the vocalist attempted to explain her new musical direction.
I guess eight Grammy’s and a Columbia University education doesn’t get you too far these days.
I commend Britney Spears… for taking that beat up weave off her head and rocking the au natural.
However, the incessant partying mother of two, just doesn’t know when to stop. Britney partied again last night at Les Deux, following the intense meeting with her mother, where she handed Lynn a letter demanding that she stay away from her children, Sean Preston and Jayden James.
What Other’s Are Saying:
Dlisted says, Ugh, that lollipop has more dignity than she does!
This falls under the “I’ll believe it when I see it category,” but it would be interesting to say the least if it did happen. Lindsay Lohan has reportedly been picked to play Paris Hilton in a movie about her life. What makes it even better? Britney Spears is reportedly singing on the soundtrack. I think they should just use the song ‘Toxic’ and be done with it.
The source is saying:
“There have already been negotiations with a major film company to make the Paris Hilton biopic with Lindsay Lohan playing Paris – with Britney Spears singing the soundtrack.”
You’ll recall not too long ago when the three were seen out on the town:
But last year, Paris and Lindsay reportedly had a heated argument in Hollywood nightclub Hyde, after the hotel heiress accused the flame-haired actress of using her name to get publicity and for romancing ex-lover Stavros Niarchos. Paris and Britney also seemed to have had a falling out since they have not been seen together after their week long party stint. Now, however, the trio are set to be reunited for the film and Paris is said to be excited about the project.
Besides horrible acting and binge drinking, there will be more crotch flashing in this movie than ‘Basic Instinct.’
Criss Angel is married. Well, he was, but not for long. Apparently he kept his wife, Joanne Sarantakos, a secret “to increase his sex appeal to female fans.” That plan kinda backfired, huh, seeing as how there is a huge lack of any appeal.
Now Joanne is filing for divorce on the basis of mental cruelty and abandonment. (Whatever happened to just plain irreconcilable differences?) She is accusing Criss of having an affair with Cameron Diaz and claiming their marriage fell apart because he slept with her. Joanne’s attorney says he will subpoena Cameron to testify about the romance.
Joanne also says that even though Criss hit the big time last year earning $7 million, and is getting even bigger signing a $200 million contract in Vegas, he refused to give her a dime.
Apparently Criss’ ego took a little too big of a boost. Joanne’s father had this to say:
“When his career took a jump forward, he became a different person. He’s in love with himself. He’s a narcissist. My daughter was never acknowledged as his wife. He told her it was a better single image, than a married image.”
Her brother also chimed in:
“It’s almost as if he played the ‘Mindfreak’ game on her. He was controlling her. He’s basically living in a TV persona. Chris Sarantakos is dead – Criss Angel has taken over. He killed off his old self and morphed into his new self – it’s scary, really.”
When he declared himself the Mindfreak, at least he got half of it right.
Vivica A. Fox apparently thinks only white people should be arrested for drunk driving.
Vivica A. Fox called a state patrol officer a “racist white cop” during her drunken
The 42-year-old actress, who is black, was pulled over in March after passing a California Highway Patrol officer who said her Cadillac was doing 80 mph and weaving in its lane on the Hollywood Freeway.
The officer noticed that Fox’s eyes were red and watery and that she had a “strong odor” of alcohol, according to the report. After she failed sobriety tests, he arrested Fox for investigation of driving under the influence.
“Fox began to walk away, yelling at my partner, ‘Brother, help a sister, are you going to let this racist white cop do this. … Well, are you?’” according to the report.
Somehow, I don’t think this will get as much attention as Mel Gibson‘s drunken rant about Jews.
Source: CHP report: Fox called cop a ‘racist’ (AP-YahooNews)
Joel Siegel, a movie critic for ABC’s “Good Morning America” since 1981, died Friday at 63.
Siegel, who got his start at the network by working for New York affiliate WABC-TV, had battled colon cancer, the station said. “Joel was an important part of ABC News and we will miss him,” ABC News President David Westin said in a statement. “He was a brilliant reviewer and a great reporter. But much more, he was our dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joel’s family.”
Siegel was known for his sense of humor, movie acumen and sharp judgment. He never let an actor off the hook if the performance was lackluster. “The appeal of Matthew McConaughey has long evaded me both as a pinup and as an actor,” Siegel said in his review of 2006′s “We Are Marshall.” “His constant ticks, bad hair and strained syntax as a coach fumble what should have been the tragic and inspirational story of the rebuilding of Marshall University’s football team after a devastating plane crash.”
Dave Davis, president and general manager of WABC-TV, said Siegel loved to poke fun at uninspiring movies. “No one had more fun writing about a bad movie than Joel,” Davis said.
ABC anchor Charles Gibson said Siegel knew how to tell a story. “He had an inexhaustible supply of stories — most funny, many poignant, all with a point or a punch line,” Gibson said.
I actually like Matthew McConaughey and tend to find movie critics annoying. Siegel was entertaining, though, and seemed like a good guy. And 63 is far too young to go.
Source: ABC movie critic Joel Siegel dead at 63 (AP/YahooNews)
Billy Bob Thornton is currently living in the house he previously shared with Angelina Jolie when they were married. Rumor has it, however, that the five-time divorced Oscar-winner is now buying a $2.4 million house in the Malibu area.
The house was recently built, sporting four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a backyard with bamboo tress for complete privacy. It’s also just a few short miles from the ocean front property of Brad, Angelina, and their diverse Brady Bunch.
Nothing like having Uncle Bobby only a few blocks away.
Serena Williams won her first match at Wimbledon and is playing again today. Alright, enough about tennis let’s discuss the bikini. “It’s All About Me” is gracious, but maybe it should say “It’s All About The Booty.” That thing puts Kim Kardashian to shame.
Actress Jodie Sweetin arrives at the launch of the Pink Taco on June 28, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) – The middle daughter of the Tanner household in which she is D.J.’s younger sister and Michelle’s older sister. She is known to have an energetic and talkative personality. She also has two catchphrases, “How rude.” and “Well pin a rose on your nose.”
It’s always shocking, to see a young TV personality, years after the show ends. Especially when they can be classified as a hottie!
Every fall in Los Angeles, The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) gathers to present its Britannia Awards, which recognize individuals for their acting chops. This year, Denzel Washington will be honored with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film.
“Denzel is a remarkably talented actor who always entertains the audience with the rich array of characters that he has portrayed onscreen,” BAFTA/LA chairman Peter Morris commented. “As both an actor and director he continually takes on challenging projects, and we are thrilled to honor and celebrate his immense talents.”
Here’s a look at the latest addition to Denzel’s mantel:
This would seem a great accomplishment at first glance, but Tom Cruise won the same award in 2005 and now a good chunk of the world thinks he’s off his rocker. Careful, Denzel.
No really, Isaiah Washington is still talking about the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ drama. He dropped the f-bomb way back in October, when he tried to save face for a few weeks, and he got fired on June 7 or thereabouts – that’s three weeks ago, and he won’t shut up. First, he told E! that he was “mad as hell”. Then, last week, he told the Houston Chronicle that they fired the wrong guy and blamed T.R. Knight for the entire episode (no, Isaiah, no one but you used homophobic slurs).
Now, Isaiah is throwing race into the mix in an interview with Newsweek on the set of the upcoming indie flick ‘The Least of These’.
On how the f-bomb slipped:
“Patrick and I had a philosophical disagreement that got out of hand and that I regret a great deal. I said a lot of negative things that were never reported, but there was one word that caught everyone’s attention, particularly someone who wasn’t even in the room with us…someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me.”
On the existing prejudice on set:
“Well, it didn’t help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn’t a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn’t speak like I’d just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime. I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that ‘some people’ were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I’m a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn’t go around saying ‘Yessah, massa sir’ and ‘No sir, massa’ to everyone?”
On the lessons learned:
“My mistake was believing that I would get the support from my network and all of my cast mates across the board. My mistake was believing I could correct a wrong with honesty and sincerity. My mistake was thinking black people get second chances. I was wrong on all fronts.”
He goes on to say that he probably used that word because he’s from the South, and that it says a lot about the U.S. when a black man can’t get forgiveness.
I have an idea, Isaiah. Just stop talking. Trust me, people will like you more – you just keep digging deeper and deeper.
What others are saying:
A Socialite’s Life says, “I don’t know if Isaiah was truly the subject of racial discrimination, but for someone just trying to do his job, as he says he was, he sure does have a lot of anecdotes that involve him losing his temper with co-workers.”
dlisted says, “I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to go cut off my ears now. Click here to read the entire article, but please don’t. Unless you like the taste of bullshit.”
Former Happy Days star Scott Baio debuts his new ‘celebreality’ show on Vh1 next month ‘Scott Baio is 45…And Single.’ There’s just one small problem with the show’s premise. Producers found out he’s been in a committed relationship with former Playboy Playmate, Renee Sloan, for two years. Sloan was Pamela Anderson’s stunt double on ‘Baywatch.’
When initially approached, Baio did not like idea of doing a reality show. But then he said,”
“This isn’t Scott Baio getting a colonoscopy. It’s about a guy trying to get his life together, trying to figure out why he’s never been married.”
Sources say the couple was dating throughout the taping of the show and are talking about starting a family.
What’s the bigger question…the fact that Scott Baio is dating a playmate or that he decided to lie to have his own reality show. Why didn’t he just eat a lot and then go on Celebrity Fit Club?
Pop star Lily Allen has been arrested for allegedly attacking a photographer outside a nightclub.
Lilly Allen was released on police bail after being questioned over an alleged assault on a male in his 40s near the Wardour club in London’s Soho on March 13.
Scotland Yard said: “At 9.30am yesterday, a 21-year-old woman attended a central London police station by appointment.
“She was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. She has been bailed to return on a date in late July.”
Allen built up a huge following via her MySpace page before releasing her debut single, Smile, which topped the chart last July.
The star, daughter of actor Keith Allen, recently postponed her US tour, saying she wanted to get back into the recording studio.
Bob Dylan, currently on the ‘Never Ending Tour’ where he’s been since 1988, won’t play without the Oscar statue he won in 2001 for Best Song. Dylan’s ‘Things Have Changed’ from the movie ‘Wonder Boys’ earned him the golden trophy, and now he insists on taking it with him whenever he’s on the road.
I find it a little odd because when I think of Dylan I don’t think of a guy with a lot of keepsakes. But I’m not judging. If I won an Oscar I’d find a sweet chain and roll Flava Flav style with that thing around my neck saying “hey, wanna see my Oscar?”
Aural audience response was divided between cheers and boos. Others sat and stood in silence, their mouths agape at what they were hearing and seeing.
“When his career took a jump forward, he became a different person. He’s in love with himself. He’s a narcissist. My daughter was never acknowledged as his wife. He told her it was a better single image, than a married image.”
Lilly Allen was released on police bail after being questioned over an alleged assault on a male in his 40s near the Wardour club in London’s Soho on March 13.
