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The real-life lesbian lover of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres will join Rosie O'Donnell and Oliver Platt among the special guests in the upcoming season of the hit show.
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Saturday, June 30, 2007
Portia De Rossi to Play a Lesbian on 'Nip/Tuck'
The real-life lesbian lover of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres will join Rosie O'Donnell and Oliver Platt among the special guests in the upcoming season of the hit show.
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
Tammy Lynn Michaels Blasts Larry King for 'Bumping' Michael Moore for Paris Hilton
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The respected talk-show titan admits he took seconds to agree to landing the scoop interview with the socialite--rescheduling his chat with director Moore, which upset fan Michaels, the lesbian lover of rocker Melissa Etheridge.
In an open letter to King, posted on her Web site hours before the newsman sat down with Hilton, the 'L' Word star first praised the talk-show host: "There are not many people who are blessed to have a position such as the one in which you find yourself today.
"I used to find your questions imaginative, original, and somewhat interesting and clever... Your show used to have movers and shakers on it. Your show was once significant to the American society, as your show was not only entertaining, but educational and provokative [sic] as well. What a legacy you had going."
But then she turned on him, asking, "Is it true you bumped Michael Moore from your show to interview a celebrity famous for her porn and drunk driving? Really?
"Larry, I am sure you are hitting yourself. I know, I can't imagine if I had to be you and sit there across from some poptart... I can't imagine what you will have to tell yourself as you prep for that interview in the make-up chair."
The angry actress ends her missive wishing King a "good interview," adding, "I'm off to see (Moore's film) Sicko, and try to see about changing this world, not my ratings."
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Paris Hilton's CNN Chat Was a Ratings Winner
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More than 3.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the socialite's first TV interview since her release from jail on Tuesday.
But although the chat brought him big ratings, King admits he wasn't sold on Hilton: "I'd have liked a bit more introspection."
And King was far from impressed when his special guest lied about reading the Bible in jail. When he asked her to name her favorite passage from the good book, Hilton was lost for words and looked awkwardly away.
King says, "I don't think Paris reads the Bible."
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Isaiah Washington: 'I Did Not Go Into Rehab'
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The Grey's Anatomy star infamously made an offensive comment about castmate T.R. Knight last October and repeated it at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year.
But Washington has denied he was forced to seek counseling for homophobia but admits he did seek treatment for his angry outburst.
He says, "There is no rehab for homophobia--that was just some crap being put out by the network.
"I went into an executive counseling program which many people in this industry know about and go to. They knew what the program was but chose to call it what they wanted to fit their agenda.
"And more importantly, I volunteered for it because I wanted to understand my fight with Patrick [Dempsey] and how it got out of hand like that."
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Paris Hilton Accused of Lying to Larry King
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Speaking just a day after she was released from jail in California after serving a 23-day sentence for violating her probation, the heiress told King on Wednesday she had never been addicted to or taken drugs.
But TheSmokingGun.com has video footage of Hilton talking about "smoking pot," taking magic mushrooms and a clip it claims show Hilton "smoking hash in an Amsterdam coffee shop."
She is also filmed discussing smuggling drugs from the Netherlands to the U.S.
In one segment her sister Nicky asks Paris, "Do you have herb?" Paris replies, "Yeah, the best pot. You wanna smoke pot? I have the best pot. I have the best pot."
Paris--who is filming at the time--then says to a friend, "Dude, we're smoking pot if you guys want to smoke."
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Isaiah Washington: 'I Was Fired Because I'm Black'
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Washington infamously made an offensive comment about castmate T.R. Knight last October and repeated it at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year.
But the 43-year-old claims he was fired from Grey's Anatomy earlier this month because America can't find it in its heart to forgive an African-American.
He cites the examples of actor Robert Downey Jr., who has rebuilt his career despite multiple run-ins with the police over his drug problems, and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has fought allegations of sexual misconduct.
Washington tells Newsweek magazine, "I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone.
"If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances... I think that says a lot about race and this country, where we stand."
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Michael Moore Pleased That Teenagers Like His Rebel Status
 Michael Moore |
Moore, whose 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 slammed President George W. Bush's response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, is proud his films are teaching a new generation to question their surroundings.
The 53-year-old tells MTV.com, "The reasons my films have been popular amongst teenagers is because I'm an adult your dad's age, but I'm telling you to stick it to the man!
"I want young people to rebel. I want them to break the rules, to not just do what they're told."
And Moore is also pleased that many teenagers, some of whom are not old enough to watch his movies in theaters, are viewing his work via illegal DVDs and Internet leaks.
He adds, "I've always been happy in the past when teenagers have downloaded pirated copies of my movies because my movies, to this point, have always been R-rated.
"Teenagers should be able to see my movies, and they haven't been able to, so they're downloading them and they're sharing them, and I think that's great."
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Pixar Rat Set to Eat Bruce Willis' Lunch
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Live Free or Die Hard, from 20th Century Fox, took in $9.1 million Wednesday on its first day of national release, the studio said.
Still, Willis' John McClane character, who has handily defeated effete Eurotrash in the past, is destined to find himself overshadowed this weekend by a Parisian rat with a refined palette.
The fourth Die Hard didn't set any records--the current record-holder for an opening Wednesday is Spider-Man 2, which bowed to a single-day gross of $40.4 million on June 30, 2004.
But Fox executives pronounced themselves pleased with both the day's opening number--which included some Tuesday night showings--as well as positive responses from audiences.
By the time the dust settles Sunday night at the North American box office, Remy the rat, the animated hero of Pixar Animation Studios' Ratatouille, is expected to emerge as the weekend winner, outgrossing Willis' time-tested and constantly embattled ex-cop--at least on the basis of the Friday-Sunday returns. Nevertheless, McClane could have the last sardonic laugh if Die Hard ends up with a larger cumulative gross after five days in the marketplace.
Buena Vista's release of Ratatouille is arriving on a wave of rave reviews for the latest film from director Brad Bird. Disney-owned Pixar--whose brand has been front and center in the marketing of the film--and Bird have set themselves a tough challenge because Bird's last movie, The Incredibles, opened to $70.5 million in November 2004. In fact, when Pixar's Cars debuted in June 2006 to $60.1 million, it was regarded as something of a disappointment.
The G-rated Ratatouille does face obstacles, what with a rat as its protagonist and a title that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but the film is sure to reach out to families as well as college-age and older adults. It should easily nudge aside the previous weekend's No. 1 film, Evan Almighty, which also is courting the family crowd but which appears destined to fall to third place overall.
Still, some weakness in the tracking suggests that whatever its ultimate take, Ratatouille might be hard-pressed to climb above the $40 million mark for the weekend.
Die Hard, on the other hand, should easily outperform earlier installments in the franchise. The original first started blowing things up nearly 20 years ago in a different movie universe--it grossed $7.1 million during its first wide weekend on its way to a cumulative $83 million domestic haul. The 1990 sequel, Die Hard 2, bowed to $21.7 million and eventually grossed $117.5 million, while 1995's Die Hard: With a Vengeance scored an opening of $22.2 million and a $100 million total.
Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld: Evolution), the latest Die Hard has been designed as a PG-13 rather than an R rating. The weekend is aiming for a three-day tally that crosses the $30 million mark.
Focus Features' Evening and the Weinstein Co.'s Sicko both are opening in fewer than 1,000 theaters--977 and 441, respectively--but Michael Moore's latest documentary, which takes on the ills of the health-care industry, enjoys the edge.
Sicko has been generating news stories even before it debuted at Cannes in May even as the Weinstein Co. has been working hard to downplay expectations, insisting that the documentary is more likely to perform similarly to 2002's Bowling for Columbine, which finished up with $21.6 million in the U.S., than 2004's Fahrenheit 9/11, which scored $119.2 million. Insiders are pegging Sicko's bow at about $4 million, but it could reach the $5 million-$7 million range.
Making a bid for the older female audience--just like The Devil Wears Prada, which countered Superman Returns on the comparable weekend last year--Focus will unwrap Evening, director Lajos Koltai's adaptation of Susan Minot's novel about a dying woman looking back on her life.
Starring Vanessa Redgrave, the film boasts one of the most impressive lineups of actresses in some time, with Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Natasha Richardson, Claire Danes and Toni Collette among others vying for screen time along with Patrick Wilson and Hugh Dancy. However the film fares over the long run, though, it probably will face a modest beginning, bowing somewhere less than the $5 million mark as it attempts to establish a foothold in the top 10.
Report Reveals Richard Jeni Had History of Mental Illness
HOLLYWOOD - Comedian Richard Jeni was suffering mental illness before he committed suicide last year, a coroner's report has revealed.
The star shot himself in the head at his Hollywood home in March 2006.
Shortly after his death, Jeni's family revealed he had been diagnosed with "severe clinical depression coupled with bouts of psychotic paranoia."
A report from Los Angeles County coroner's officer now reveals he had a history of mental illness and was hospitalized last year suffering from suicidal depression.
The report also reveals he had a history of schizophrenia and had taken antidepressants and a sleeping aid before he died.
Although he had made no known suicide attempts in the past, the report claims Jeni's girlfriend heard him talking to himself a week before his death, saying, "Just squeeze the trigger."
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The star shot himself in the head at his Hollywood home in March 2006.
Shortly after his death, Jeni's family revealed he had been diagnosed with "severe clinical depression coupled with bouts of psychotic paranoia."
A report from Los Angeles County coroner's officer now reveals he had a history of mental illness and was hospitalized last year suffering from suicidal depression.
The report also reveals he had a history of schizophrenia and had taken antidepressants and a sleeping aid before he died.
Although he had made no known suicide attempts in the past, the report claims Jeni's girlfriend heard him talking to himself a week before his death, saying, "Just squeeze the trigger."
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Brad Renfro Violates Probation
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A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and L.A. Deputy District Attorney warned Renfro in court on Thursday that if he fails to enroll in an 18-month to three-year outpatient program he could be jailed.
He has been given two more chances. If he violates for a third time he can be sentenced to a live-in program or a jail sentence, reports People.com.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted possession in February 2006 after he was caught in a police sting in December 2005.
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'Potter' Film Premieres in Japan
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The 17-year-old star told fans Harry Potter was "an honor" to play as he attended the premiere for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Japan on Thursday.
He says, "It's just absolutely brilliant. He's an icon. He is somebody whose character has gotten his generation of kids into reading.
"It's an honor to play him."
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Daniel Radcliffe Signs on for Final Two 'Potter' Films
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The Potter star, who has played the boy wizard in the first five films, will be paid $25 million for each of the films, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows.
Radcliffe has already begun planning for life after Potter, as he proved this year with Equus on the London stage.
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Chris Benoit Passed Random Drug Test
HOLLYWOOD - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has dismissed reports illegal substances played a long-term role in the demise of late wrestler Chris Benoit--he passed a random drug test in April.
Cops believe the wrestling superstar murdered his wife and 7-year-old son before killing himself at their Atlanta home, after authorities discovered their bodies on Monday afternoon.
Detectives believe 40-year-old former World Heavyweight Champion Benoit asphyxiated his wife Nancy and son Daniel on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before hanging himself on Sunday.
Anabolic steroids were found at the wrestler's home--the scene of the murders--suggesting the drugs played a role in the family's deaths.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard alleges needle marks were found on Daniel's arms--insinuating Benoit had injected his son with steroids before killing him.
But the head of the WWE believes Benoit's use of illegal substances must be a relatively recent development, because there was no trace of drugs in his system when he undertook a surprise test earlier this year.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon says, "The last test that Chris Benoit took of a random nature was in April which he was totally negative.
"Whether or not there were other aspects involving his life that had something to do with his behavior, hopefully we can find out in some way."
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Cops believe the wrestling superstar murdered his wife and 7-year-old son before killing himself at their Atlanta home, after authorities discovered their bodies on Monday afternoon.
Detectives believe 40-year-old former World Heavyweight Champion Benoit asphyxiated his wife Nancy and son Daniel on Friday and Saturday, respectively, before hanging himself on Sunday.
Anabolic steroids were found at the wrestler's home--the scene of the murders--suggesting the drugs played a role in the family's deaths.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard alleges needle marks were found on Daniel's arms--insinuating Benoit had injected his son with steroids before killing him.
But the head of the WWE believes Benoit's use of illegal substances must be a relatively recent development, because there was no trace of drugs in his system when he undertook a surprise test earlier this year.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon says, "The last test that Chris Benoit took of a random nature was in April which he was totally negative.
"Whether or not there were other aspects involving his life that had something to do with his behavior, hopefully we can find out in some way."
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Office of Chris Benoit's Doctor Raided by Drug Authorities
HOLLYWOOD - Drug authorities have raided the office of Chris Benoit's doctor over claims the physician provided the late wrestler with the steroids found at the scene of his death.
Detectives believe 40-year-old former World Heavyweight Champion asphyxiated his wife Nancy and son Daniel last Friday and Saturday, respectively, before hanging himself on Sunday.
Anabolic steroids were found at the wrestler's home--the scene of the murders--suggesting the drugs played a role in the family's deaths.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) searched the office of Dr. Phil Astin in Carrollton, Georgia, on Wednesday, after the medic's name was found printed on prescription bottles at Benoit's Fayetteville, Georgia, home.
Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell says a team of agents working with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office spent four hours at Astin's office, reviewing records and taking documents for evidence.
He tells People.com, "There's definitely a nexus between the death investigation and the steroids that were given to Mr. Benoit.
"(At this stage in the investigation) we just don't know what the medical situation was and to what extent steroids played a part (in Benoit's actions)."
Capt. Mike Pruitt, commander of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office drug task force, adds, "The doctor is a person of interest to us at this stage."
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
Detectives believe 40-year-old former World Heavyweight Champion asphyxiated his wife Nancy and son Daniel last Friday and Saturday, respectively, before hanging himself on Sunday.
Anabolic steroids were found at the wrestler's home--the scene of the murders--suggesting the drugs played a role in the family's deaths.
Agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) searched the office of Dr. Phil Astin in Carrollton, Georgia, on Wednesday, after the medic's name was found printed on prescription bottles at Benoit's Fayetteville, Georgia, home.
Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell says a team of agents working with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office spent four hours at Astin's office, reviewing records and taking documents for evidence.
He tells People.com, "There's definitely a nexus between the death investigation and the steroids that were given to Mr. Benoit.
"(At this stage in the investigation) we just don't know what the medical situation was and to what extent steroids played a part (in Benoit's actions)."
Capt. Mike Pruitt, commander of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office drug task force, adds, "The doctor is a person of interest to us at this stage."
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
Paris Hilton Hides Out in Hawaii
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The recently freed star was spotted arriving on the islands on Thursday.
But her attempts to avoid the prying eyes of the press aren't fooling anyone--paparazzi photographers quickly unraveled her unsophisticated disguise of a black wig and straw hat.
Hilton was released from Lynwood, California's Century Regional Detention Center on Tuesday after being jailed for violating her probation from a drunk-driving arrest.
News Reader Refuses to Report on Hilton Release
A news reader repeatedly refused to report on Paris Hilton's release from jail earlier this week and attempted to set fire to the script live on air to make her point.
Mika Brzezinski, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC, objected to leading her bulletin on Tuesday with the news of Hilton's freedom over stories about the War in Iraq and the White House.
Brzezinski--whose father, Zbigniew, was a national security adviser to former President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s--told her producers, "I hate this story and I don't think it should be our lead," before scrunching up the script.
She was given a new version of the news bulletin but still didn't agree with the ordering of the items and tried to burn the script with a cigarette lighter. A third script was also destroyed, after the 40-year-old presenter put it in the newsroom's paper shredder.
She then said, "My producer Andy Jones isn't listening to me. I'm about to snap. I'm not doing it. I'm not doing the story."
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More Legal Woes for David Hasselhoff's Ex
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Pamela Bach, who recently lost custody of her teenage daughters to Hasselhoff, was reportedly not booked in properly when she was arrested in January after colliding with a car in North Hollywood and then fleeing the scene.
And on Friday morning, Los Angeles County Superior Court demanded the singer/actress turn herself in so she can face a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge.
According to TMZ.com, Bach has been given a week to surrender to police.
Bach's attorney claims the whole thing is a giant misunderstanding, adding Bach did, in fact, get out of the car to check the damage after her accident.
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Britney Spears Delivers Lawyer's Letter to Her Mother
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The troubled singer reportedly fell out with her mom, Lynne, earlier this year for being 'pushed' into rehab after months of hard partying following her split from husband Kevin Federline.
Spears was spotted visiting a Valencia, California, movie set on Thursday where her younger sister Jamie Lynn is currently working, and was seen handing over a document to her mother while exchanging a few brief words, before the 25-year-old stormed back to her parked Mercedes.
Video footage of her impromptu visit has since surfaced on the Internet.
Media reports allege Spears was serving her mother with a restraining order, but TMZ.com claims it is actually a letter from an out-of-state lawyer. The site claims the "Toxic" hitmaker could not legally deliver such an order if she was the one seeking it.
According to TMZ.com, the letter was a blunt request to Lynne to keep her distance from Britney's two young sons, 19-month-old Sean Preston and nine-month-old Jayden James, if she is on medication that could "impair her ability to be around them."
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Lindsay Lohan 'On Cocaine & Double the Legal Alcohol Limit' at Time of Crash
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The Mean Girls was charged with driving under the influence after smashing her car in Beverly Hills. She checked into rehab facility Promises shortly afterwards.
According to Web site TMZ.com, Lohan was heavily intoxicated on both cocaine and alcohol at the time of the accident.
Beverly Hills cops are currently sending reports on the Lohan case to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for consideration.
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Friday, June 29, 2007
'Idol' Employee Told to Settle Harassment Claims
HOLLYWOOD - An American Idol employee who claims he was fired for complaining of sexual harassment by a male contestant has been told his lawsuit will be decided by arbitration in accordance with his contract.
Magdaleno Olmos, who worked as an assistant production accountant on the hit show, sued American Idol Productions, Fox, Fremantle Media and contestant Mario Vasquez for wrongful termination in March, alleging he was fired after complaining to executives about Vasquez.
In a lawsuit filed in California, Olmos accuses Vasquez of making "inappropriate" advance towards him in February 2005, including exposing himself in a men's bathroom.
Olmos is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for "economic losses, depravation of civil rights, humiliation, physical anguish, and mental and emotional distress".
But Superior Court Judge Michael C. Solner denied Olmos the chance to air his claims before a jury and ruled arbitration.
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Magdaleno Olmos, who worked as an assistant production accountant on the hit show, sued American Idol Productions, Fox, Fremantle Media and contestant Mario Vasquez for wrongful termination in March, alleging he was fired after complaining to executives about Vasquez.
In a lawsuit filed in California, Olmos accuses Vasquez of making "inappropriate" advance towards him in February 2005, including exposing himself in a men's bathroom.
Olmos is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for "economic losses, depravation of civil rights, humiliation, physical anguish, and mental and emotional distress".
But Superior Court Judge Michael C. Solner denied Olmos the chance to air his claims before a jury and ruled arbitration.
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Jimmy Kimmel Returns After Appendectomy
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Kimmel, 39, underwent emergency surgery last Wednesday to remove his appendix, and now insists he's ready to return to work.
He says, "I feel much better now and am delighted to announce that Brad and Angelina may choose to adopt my appendix and give it a loving home."
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Mary-Louise Parker and Jeffrey Dean Morgan Split
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Parker and Morgan, who play husband and wife on the hit show, started dating late last year.
However, Morgan admits his relationship with his costar is over.
He says, "I am a single guy. I look for somebody with a sense of humor, someone that laughs at my bad jokes and wants to have fun in life. That's kind of the key."
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Jennifer Hudson Triumphs at an Emotional BET Awards
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The Oscar-winning star picked up two prizes at the ceremony at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, where she was named Best Actress and Best New Artist for her role in Dreamgirls.
After performing alongside original Broadway Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday on "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical-turned-movie, Hudson was shocked to have been awarded the awards, telling the audience, "I can't believe I'm still winning awards!"
Hudson's Dreamgirls costar Beyonce also picked up two awards for "Irreplaceable"--which was named Video of the Year--and Best Female R&B Artist, despite being nominated in six categories.
O Jays singer Eddie Levert paid a moving tribute to his late son, Gerald, who died in November last year, by performing "Wind Beneath My Wings" alongside Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams. An emotional LaBelle later described Gerald as "one of the best voices around."
Hip-hop star Ne-Yo, who was named Best Male R&B Artist, dedicated his win to the late singer, who was also nominated in the same category.
Legendary performer Diana Ross was given a Lifetime Achievement award, with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and Chaka Khan paying individual tributes to the star.
Ross told the crowd of her career, "I have tried to keep the standards high. We do not have to say the f-word, we do not have to pump and grind, we do not have to do some of these things to have longevity in our career... I will do the diva master class for you!"
50 Cent, T.I., Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, Diddy, Keyshia Cole and Lil' Kim were among the stars who performed at the star-studded award ceremony.
The full list of winners is:
Video of the Year: Beyonce--"Irreplaceable"
Best Group: Gnarls Barkley
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker
Best Actress: Jennifer Hudson
Best Hip-Hop Artist: T.I.
Best Collaboration: Ludacris Featuring Mary J. Blige--"Runaway Love"
Best New Artist: Jennifer Hudson
Best Male Athlete: Lebron James
Best Female Athlete: Serena Williams
Best Cool Like That: Gerald Levert
Best Gospel Artist: Kirk Franklin
Best Male R&B Artist: Ne-Yo
Best Female R&B Artist: Beyonce
Viewers Choice Award: Birdman and Lil Wayne--"Stuntin' Like My Daddy"
Humanitarian Award: Don Cheadle
Lifetime Achievement Award: Diana Ross
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Portia De Rossi to Play a Lesbian on 'Nip/Tuck'
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The real-life lesbian lover of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres will join Rosie O'Donnell and Oliver Platt among the special guests in the upcoming season of the hit show.
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Tammy Lynn Michaels Blasts Larry King for 'Bumping' Michael Moore for Paris Hilton
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The respected talk-show titan admits he took seconds to agree to landing the scoop interview with the socialite--rescheduling his chat with director Moore, which upset fan Michaels, the lesbian lover of rocker Melissa Etheridge.
In an open letter to King, posted on her Web site hours before the newsman sat down with Hilton, the 'L' Word star first praised the talk-show host: "There are not many people who are blessed to have a position such as the one in which you find yourself today.
"I used to find your questions imaginative, original, and somewhat interesting and clever... Your show used to have movers and shakers on it. Your show was once significant to the American society, as your show was not only entertaining, but educational and provokative [sic] as well. What a legacy you had going."
But then she turned on him, asking, "Is it true you bumped Michael Moore from your show to interview a celebrity famous for her porn and drunk driving? Really?
"Larry, I am sure you are hitting yourself. I know, I can't imagine if I had to be you and sit there across from some poptart... I can't imagine what you will have to tell yourself as you prep for that interview in the make-up chair."
The angry actress ends her missive wishing King a "good interview," adding, "I'm off to see (Moore's film) Sicko, and try to see about changing this world, not my ratings."
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Anna Nicole Smith's Mom Is Cut from Biopic
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Ford, who will play the late former Playboy model in an upcoming movie, claims Arthur "does not deserve" to be part of the film.
The actress tells the New York Daily News, "We didn't write the mother into the film on purpose. She is not in the movie at all.
"She just doesn't deserve to be in the film. If there is one thing Anna wouldn't want, it's her mother in a movie about her life."
Smith died earlier this year from an accidental drug overdose.
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Michael Moore Blasted for Eating Meat
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The controversial director is accused of being a "hypocrite" by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for criticizing the healthcare system in his new documentary Sicko.
PETA claims Moore should not have publicly slammed the health authorities because they say he's in such poor health himself.
President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in a letter to Moore: "There's an elephant in the room, and it is you."
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
Tom Cruise Responds to German Filming Ban
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The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film, he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II.
However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government.
However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterization and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg's homeland.
His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, "Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise's personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes or content.
"And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice."
Von Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning.
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Sam Raimi 'Unsure' About 'Spider-Man' Future
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Despite this year's release of Spider-Man 3 setting the box office alight, it's rumored Raimi will not be back for the fourth installment if actors Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst do not return.
He tells MTV News, "Sony Pictures is going to be making many more Spider-Man pictures. I just don't know what (my) future holds yet."
"It would be really hard for me to make a movie without Tobey and Kirsten playing the two leads.
"I would still hope that Sony would offer it to me (to direct) first.
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Tom Sizemore's 16-Month Drug Sentence Halved
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The Black Hawk Down star was sentenced to serve jail time for violating his probation in a 2004 crystal methamphetamine possession case.
But he's already received the good news that his original sentence has been cut in half--to eight months.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge credited Sizemore with 213 days for time already spent in jail and in two live-in drug treatment programs on Tuesday.
Sizemore will serve his sentence at Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego, California.
The 45-year-old star previously admitted violating his probation when police found two bags of crystal methamphetamine and pipes in his possession during an arrest last month in Bakersfield, California.
In a court appearance last week, he tearfully begged the judge to give him another chance to overcome his drug problems.
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
Michael Moore Pleased That Teenagers Like His Rebel Status
Michael Moore |
Moore, whose 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 slammed President George W. Bush's response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, is proud his films are teaching a new generation to question their surroundings.
The 53-year-old tells MTV.com, "The reasons my films have been popular amongst teenagers is because I'm an adult your dad's age, but I'm telling you to stick it to the man!
"I want young people to rebel. I want them to break the rules, to not just do what they're told."
And Moore is also pleased that many teenagers, some of whom are not old enough to watch his movies in theaters, are viewing his work via illegal DVDs and Internet leaks.
He adds, "I've always been happy in the past when teenagers have downloaded pirated copies of my movies because my movies, to this point, have always been R-rated.
"Teenagers should be able to see my movies, and they haven't been able to, so they're downloading them and they're sharing them, and I think that's great."
COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
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