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2011-09-13T17:25:00.003+08:00

Emma Watson Among Newest Celebs to Endorse Designer Products

2011-03-15T01:23:00.068+08:00

From 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson representing Lancôme to Blake Lively in Chanel, Hollywood starlets are the new faces of designer clothing, accessories and beauty products

Watson hinted at her new job via Twitter, writing: "A new venture is starting - what can it be? Follow my clues and you will see... It starts with an L and ends with an E. I’m sure you have guessed the new face of Lancôme is me!"

Back in January, it was confirmed by Women's Wear Daily that Lively would be fronting a new campaign for Chanel Mademoiselle handbags and some pics of her ads have hit the Internet just this week.

In addition to her winning award season, Natalie Portman also landed a contract with the prestigious Dior brand. She revealed to WWD magazine that the beauty house had created clothing and accessories that accommodated her vegan sensibilities. However, most recently, Portman spoke out against Dior's creative director John Galliano, who was recently caught on tape making anti-Semitic remarks. "As an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way," Portman said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Marion Cotillard is another celeb to represent Dior. The actress appeared in a short film to promote Christian Dior's Lady Dior handbag. The short exposes Cotillard's sexuality and dazzles with Dior accessories.

Source: ETonline

Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart Get Their Flirt on in Vintage MTV Interview (VIDEO)

2011-03-15T01:09:00.002+08:00

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time in all our lives when the Twilight phenomenon didn’t exist, making Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart merely a couple of actors cast in some vampire film.

Evidence: MTV posted a vintage interview (dating all the way back to 2008) with Twilight‘s then rising stars — even then you could sense the chemistry between the two:In preparation for MTV First: Robert Pattinson, a countdown of MTV’s five favorite Rob moments was compiled. At number five was an interview shot on set of the first film.

Rob jokes about K-Stew being the world’s best actress, and his sharp teeth. Check out the throwback video below:

'How I Met Your Mother' Renewed for Two More Seasons

2011-03-05T20:56:00.001+08:00

The CBS comedy has performed steadily in the ratings this past year; its last original episode drew 9.2 million viewers.

CBS' How I Met Your Mother is returning for two more seasons.

The half-hour Monday night comedy has been performing well in its sixth season, anchoring the 8 p.m. time slot.

Featuring an ensemble cast made up of Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris, the show debuted on CBS in September 2005 and has since developed a loyal following.

Mother's last original episode, "A Change of Heart," drew 9.2 million viewers and a 3.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

In its current season, the multicamera comedy has averaged roughly 9.1 million per episode. It reached its series high in total viewership in Season 1 with "The Pineapple Incident," drawing 12.3 million.

The series, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for 20th TV, centers on Ted Mosby in 2030 (voiced by Bob Saget) telling his children how he met their mother. With the two-year renewal, it is more and more likely that audiences won't be finding out the identity of the mother any time soon -- at least not until 2013.

Guest stars throughout the series have included Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Jennifer Morrison, Wayne Brady, Sarah Chalke, James Van Der Beek, Rachel Bilson and Laura Prepon.

Mother will be back this fall, but it remains unclear whether CBS' ratings juggernaut Two and a Half Men will.

Source: Philiana Ng

'Rango' Easily Tops Friday Box Office

2011-03-05T20:52:00.003+08:00

Toon could hit $40 million for the weekend; "Adjustment Bureau" sets its sights on $20 million opening.

Paramount and Nickelodeon Movies’ quirky toon Rango -- voiced by Johnny Depp -- easily topped the Friday box office with an opening day take of at least $10 million. The family friendly film is on track to score the best opening of 2011, and could hit $40 million for the weekend.

More conservative estimates show Rango opening to $38 million.

Rango, reteaming Depp and his Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski, is the first animated film made by George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic.

Coming in No. 2 on Friday was Universal’s Matt Damon-Emily Blunt starrer The Adjustment Bureau, which grossed between $6.5 million and $7.5 million on its first day. Film should open to at least $19 million or $20 million for the weekend, unless traffic drops off more than expected.

CBS Films’ Beastly, a retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, grossed roughly $3.5 million and should hit $8 million to $10 million for the weekend. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer.

New Line and Warner Bros.' R-rated comedy Hall Pass looked to come in No. 4 Friday with a gross north of $2.7 million.

Sony's romantic comedy Just Go With It continued to show impressive legs, grossing roughly $2 million to place No. 5.

Unknown, from Warner Bros. and Dark Castle, also was looking at a Friday gross of $2 million.

Oscar winner The King's Speech grossed at least $1.5 million on Friday, dipping just 11% from the previous weekend.

Final numbers for Friday will be available Saturday morning.

Rango and Adjustment Bureau also are opening this weekend in a number of territories at the international box office.

Source: Pamela McClintock

Sean Penn Speaks About Charlie Sheen’s Planned Haiti Trip

2011-03-05T20:47:00.000+08:00

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --Sean Penn spoke up late Friday regarding Charlie Sheen’s statement that he plans to visit Haiti next week alongside the former “Milk” star.

“I think his energies, intelligence and passion could be both of service and servicing to him, as it is to all who are touched by the struggle of the Haitian people,” Sean said of Charlie in a statement issued to Access by his rep on Friday. “Charlie is one of the very few public people who cannot be accused of using the media to his own benefit.

“I would very much like to show my old friend the world of needs on the ground in Haiti, and introduce him and his tremendous wit to our hard working Haitian staff,” the statement continued. “If he chooses to give support, I’ll trust it.”

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Charlie announced that he plans to travel to Haiti next week with friend and fellow actor, Sean Penn, in a phone interview with Access Hollywood Live’s Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Friday.

“We’re going to do a couple things first and then it looks like we’re heading down [to Haiti],” Charlie told Billy and Kit of his plans to visit the earthquake-ravaged nation with the Oscar winning actor. “And I’m excited as hell because, you know, if I can bring the attention of the world down there, then clearly this tsunami keeps cresting.”

Sean Penn founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization immediately following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and frequently visits the struggling country to continue his charity work. Sean previously weighed in regarding the Sheen saga in an interview for the April issue of GQ, offering his support for the embattled actor.

Read the full story at Access Hollywood

Simon Cowell to Charlie Sheen: 'There's a Lot of People Worse Off Than You Are'

2011-03-05T20:39:00.000+08:00

Simon Cowell is bringing his new talent competition show "The X Factor" to FOX this fall, and the always-opinionated former "American Idol" judge has a few choice words of advice for Charlie Sheen.

"The world is a messy place right now," says Simon. "I would say stop feeling sorry for yourself. I genuinely would. There's a lot of people worse off than you are -- and you sort it out yourself."

"The X Factor" is based on the British television show by the same name that features individuals as well as groups in a singing competition with no age limit.

Auditions for "The X Factor" begin March 27 in Los Angeles, and Simon says, "What we've done is we've just taken the rules off. We basically said, we've dropped the age limit to 12, the lower age limit, we've taken the upper age limit off, because of people like Susan Boyle. Any age now should be allowed to enter these shows."

Simon also says that groups can compete on the show, and credits "Glee" for changing the way people perceive singing categories.

"'Glee' has proven that groups can sell as many records as solo artists," he says. "I like the idea that you've got different categories competing with each other."

"The X Factor" contestants will compete for a $5 million Syco/Sony Music record deal.

Source: ET

WATCH: David Arquette's Los Angeles Car Accident

2011-03-05T20:33:00.000+08:00

ET was on the scene immediately following David Arquette's car accident today and brings you footage of the wrecked cars and cleanup operations -- plus we talk to an eyewitness who describes what he saw.

A man who witnessed the crash tells ET: "I was outside my house, I live down here, and you know, I heard a big collision and I ran up here and it was the Cadillac -- David Arquette was driving the Cadillac -- went head-on into the Jeep."

Arquette spoke out about his car accident via Twitter, saying "I got into a car accident but I'm fine."

Source: ET

Does Scott Disick Really Toss Kourtney Kardashian's Designer Shoes Over the Ledge?

2011-03-05T18:07:00.000+08:00

Kourtney Kardashian has a shoe collection rivaling that of "Sex and the City"'s Carrie Bradshaw. What's a girl to do when boyfriend Scott Disick threatens to toss her heels off the balcony?

With Kourtney resistant to give him back his latest fashion accessory, a cane, Scott packed up all of Kourtney's Fendi and Prada shoes as "collateral" and dangled them over the railing. At the count of three, he threatened to drop them to the street below.

Not taking him seriously, Kourtney called the scenario "absurd." Did the footwear become road-kill in the concrete jungle? Tune in to an all-new "Kourtney & Kim Take New York" Sunday night on E!.

Also in the upcoming episode, Kim Kardashian enjoyed a luncheon with girlfriend Ciara. The seasoned recording artist gave Kim tips about stepping up to the mic and recording a song.

She also broke news to Kim that The Dream expressed interest in working with her. Kim said shyly, "I would be so nervous to get into a studio and sing in front of other people, especially The Dream."

Kim's debut single "Jam" is now available on iTunes.

Source: PAIGE FEIGENBAUM

Kristen Stewart & Julia Roberts: Dueling ‘Snow White’ Deals?

2011-03-05T18:03:00.000+08:00

Rumors of Kristen Stewart‘s involvement with an upcoming Snow White adaptation have been circulating for the last couple months, but could K-Stew finally be making it official?

According to Deadline, the 20-year-old actress is in final negotiations to take on the famous character alongside co-stars Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen.

This isn’t the only upcoming film that is going to take on the fairest of them all:

K-Stew’s reported Snow White adaptation will go up against a take on The Brother’s Grimm version, which will star Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen.

If and or when the deal is finalized, Kristen would begin filming in August.

Do you think K-Stew would make a good Snow White?

Source: Amanda Hasaka

David Arquette ‘Fine’ After Head-On Car Crash

2011-03-05T17:58:00.000+08:00

David Arquette has been involved in a head-on car crash in West Hollywood, and while TMZ reports that the actor was on the ground bleeding, Arquette’s publicist tells Celebuzz the actor is “fine and on his way to be treated.”

In photos posted on TMZ, Arquette is seen laying on the grass just feet away from the accident. Arquette reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic in his silver Cadillac to avoid hitting a car that stopped short, hitting a black SUV head-on. The passenger-side airbag in the other car is seen deployed, and Arquette’s hood is totally folded in.

Arquette has made headlines for his erratic behavior over the last few months following his split from wife Courteney Cox, which eventually led to him entering rehab.

In late February appeared on Oprah to talk about his struggles with addiction. He told Oprah he “got really into drugs before I got serious with Courteney. It was something that scared her early on in our relationship. My mother was dying and … I used that to numb the feelings.” Watch a clip below:

Lady Gaga vs. Taylor Swift: DJ Mashup (VIDEO)

2011-03-05T17:51:00.000+08:00

Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga together at last?! Well, sort of…

These two music superstars couldn’t be more different, making them the ultimate mashup challenge by creating an ear-pleasing pairing. In addition to the musical medley, the video by Tracey Remix juxtaposes Taylor into Gaga’s video, as she casually strums her guitar while dancers writhe around on the floor.

Through the magic of editing the two duet on stage, chat on the phone with one another, send messages on cue cards, hang out backstage and even cuddle on the couch.

Clearly, superfans are ready to see these two together — any way they can!

Source: Wes Ferguson

MLB and union open talks

2011-03-04T01:14:00.000+08:00

Bet this is just what you wanted to hear on the day that the NFL labor contract is set to expire, but Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Michael Weiner said this morning that the union held it's first formal bargaining session with the ownership bargaining team in Tampa.

The meeting was attended by many of the player reps, including Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. Weiner, who was at the Ed Smith Complex to brief the Orioles on union business as part of the union's annual tour of the spring training camps, described the bargaining session as "introductory,'' but said it was a productive start.

Most of the labor news is going to come out of the NFL for the next few months, but Major League Baseball's Basic Agreement is set to expire after this season, so it's about time for the players and owners to get to work. Weiner wouldn't characterize the position of the two sides, but he did say that the past history of the baseball labor relationship is instructive -- both for the coming baseball talks and the NFL dispute.

"Our history has helped us,'' he said. "We've had our fights and I think the owners respect the players much more now than in the 1980s and early 1990s."

The baseball owners and players have managed to avoid another cataclysmic labor fight like the one that shut down the sport in 1994 and stretched into the 1995 season. Since then, baseball revenues have risen dramatically, which should prevent either side from walking the sport off another cliff.

Not so with the NFL, which appears to be headed for a lockout when the current NFL CBA expires tonight. The NFLPA could move to decertify today to head that off.

Weiner said he does see some similarities between the NFL labor battle this year and the 1994 labor disaster in baseball.

"There are some similarities to '94, though there already is a salary cap in football,'' Weiner said. "In '94, baseball owners came in seeking massive concessions. It's hard to make a deal when one side comes in seeking massive concessions like that."

SANCHEZ, KAMPMANN SET TO SQUARE OFF AT UFC LIVE 3

2011-03-04T01:11:00.000+08:00

Diego Sanchez has put the nightmare behind him.

The 29-year-old welterweight has left San Diego to return to his roots in Albuquerque, N.M., changed his training camp and looked to put past demons behind him.

"I've totally restructured my whole life," Sanchez told a media conference call in advance of meeting Martin (The Hitman) Kampmann in the main event of a televised card Thursday from Louisville's KFC Yum! Center.

"It showed in my last fight (a win over Paulo Thiago) and I plan on it showing in this fight."

That includes dropping his Nightmare nickname.

"I let that go, I let the Nightmare go," he said. "To me, I see some negative in it. The nightmare is something's that negative and kind of evil. I don't want to represent that. I want to represent positivity. And I want to represent the good.

"I look back on my whole career and I'm like 'The Nightmare, the Nightmare was myself. I was my own nightmare.' All the times that I fell off track and got into drinking and got into smoking weed -- the things that brought me down. The partying. That was my nightmare. I was my own nightmare.

"I said 'You know what? I'm grown up. I'm going to let that name go and I just want to be Diego Sanchez.' I don't even need a nickname, I'm me and that's it."

He said he had briefly considered changing his nickname to The Dream, but opted against it. Still the UFC website now lists him as The Dream and that's how he was introduced at Wednesday's weigh-in.

Both Sanchez and Kampmann were 171 pounds.

Winner of Season 1 of "The Ultimate Fighter," Sanchez won his first six fights in the UFC, earning a reputation as a man possessed, who walked to the cage chanting "Yes."

Losses to rival Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch in 2007 set him back. He won his next four and then the wheels fell off again

Prior to beating Thiago at UFC 121 last October, Sanchez was roughed up in losses to John Hathaway at UFC 114 and B.J. Penn at UFC 107.

A rampant Penn manhandled Sanchez for five rounds in a lightweight title fight December 2009, sending him to hospital with a giant gash on his forehead, possible broken nose, lip torn apart in two places and the rest of his face battered and swollen.

"In 10 years in this business, I don't know if I've ever seen anyone more busted up than Diego is right now," UFC president Dana White said that night.

For Sanchez, the pain lasted a long time.

"I hit rock bottom after the B.J. Penn fight, I really did. I blew through all my money, I made some very bad decisions. I had this scam artist scam me real bad. I was embezzled over $175,000.

"I really hit rock bottom and I had to come back home. I needed my family love. I just was humbled, 100 per cent. I was humbled back down to zero. I had no ego, no nothing."

One fight later, in May 2010, Sanchez was almost knocked senseless by an early Hathaway knee in a welterweight bout he lost by unanimous decision.

"I was still in the funk for John Hathaway," Sanchez said. "I was training, I was going to the bar and drinking beer after training. I didn't even take him seriously at all. I thought I'm going to go in there, I'm going to knock this guy out, I'm going to take him down.

"And first round I got hit with the knee in the face real hard and I couldn't recover from it. I wasn't in the physical shape or the spiritual or the mental (shape). I shouldn't have been in the ring for that fight, period.

"After that fight, I said 'You know what I'm going to get back to what got me there' and that was Greg Jackson's (gym), high altitude and just earning it. And No. 1, my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I let go of the sinful life and just started living my life for Jesus Christ and just doing the right things. Not being on that party-fame bus."

Sanchez (24-4) left the city and moved into the mountains.

"That's the best thing I've ever did. Just being out there away from the city, I don't even have cable at my house. I feel very spiritual and real close to God and I just make sure I get my work done and I rest well. I'll have fun after the fight."

Sanchez said life and temptation led him down the wrong path.

"Temptation will lead anybody off the path. And I've been back and forth in my career several times. But when I turned 28, I was like 'Man, I've got two years until I turn 30. I better get myself together.'

"I've just been through a lot. In the end, I really really had to hit rock bottom one last time and it was the best thing that ever happened to me because I was humbled and I came back home. I'm where I belong now."

Quitting his sport was never an option, however.

"MMA's my life," he said. "When I'm not training, that's when my life gets worse. ... I've got to be in the gym. If I'm not in the gym, I start to fall apart."

Sanchez, winner of Season 1 of "The Ultimate Fighter," has fought at lightweight in the past but says he has closed the door on 155 pounds. He will remain at welterweight and, in fact, has bulked up by virtue of weightlifting sessions with Willie Parks, a former Olympic wrestler and aspiring MMA fighter.

"I think the fans are going to be real surprised when they see just the way I look, the way I feel, and the way I'm able to impress my will with my physical strength."

Sanchez is back at Greg Jackson's gym, a training home he abandoned some years ago when other welterweights like Canadian Georges St-Pierre came on board.

Jackson, he says, has reminded him that his fighting style is that of a predator -- "a relentless ground-and-pound guy with unlimited endurance."

Being back with Jackson means having a game plan.

"That's something that I never had before ... I'd just get in there and scrap."

Whatever Sanchez's life path, the 28-year-old Kampmann (17-4) is preparing for a handful Thursday.

"He always brings it and I admire his tenacity in the cage," Kampmann said of Sanchez. "I'm definitely expect a tough fight but that's what I want."

The Las Vegas-based Dane is coming off a loss to Jake Shields at UFC 121.

Notes -- The lighweight bout between Danny (Last Call) Castillo and Joe (Daddy) Stevenson, and light-heavyweight matchup of Cyrille Diabate and Steve Cantwell will be shown on the UFC Fan Page on Facebook, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Source: www.tsn.ca

Revised SMB-Air21 trade okayed

2011-03-04T01:06:00.000+08:00

A REVISED blockbuster deal between San Miguel Beer and Air21 was given the green light yesterday.

The revised swap had Express players Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra going to the Beermen in exchange for veterans Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi.

With the inclusion of Hontiveros and Pena into the fray, the deal was approved yesterday. The first proposal was rejected by Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Chito Salud Monday.

San Miguel Beer coach Ato Agustin and Air21 owner Bert Lina explained what swap will do for their respective squads.

‘’This is the right time to rebuild the San Miguel Beer Team. So with this in mind, the trade with Air 21 Express will be the important first step for us to ensure the continuing success of the San Miguel Beer franchise,’’ said Agustin, who admitted that this will mark a rebuilding stage for the Beermen after giving away their long-time reliables.

Lina, on the other hand, said: ‘’We think that having these gentlemen in our team, although at the expense of Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guavarra, is the right direction as we would want to blend experience with youth and this will hopefully provide us with immediate results.’’

Meanwhile, B-MEG Derby Ace listed its much needed first victory by humiliating Air21, 121-92, to move up in the 2011 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome in Pasay City last night.

Enigmatic Nino Canaleta stepped up big time by dropping 28 points, including six triples in eight attempts for a 75% accuracy, He also had five rebounds and two dimes, while James Yap played second banana with 22 markers and two assists to lead five Llamados in twin-digits.

B-MEG upped its standing to 1-2 to get back into the thick of things, while dropping Air21 to 1-1 in the process.

Knowing that they badly need the win after dropping their first two assignments, the Llamados wasted no time and went right on their assault from the opening tip as they established a 28-15 headway after the first and a gigantic 22-point spread, 54-42, at the half.

It only got worse for the Express from then on.

B-MEG didn’t let its guard down as it was sizzling hot from all over the floor the entire game. The Llamados just couldn’t do no wrong as they made the game look like a target practice by shoting 57% for the game and 63% in the opening half where they took the game right away.

‘’Everyone woke up today with energy. We played very well as a team and everyone did their part. We needed this win,’’ said B-MEG Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent. ‘’KG (Canaleta) was unbelievable today. He stepped up for us.’’

Source: Manila Standard

13 teams compete in short D-League

2011-03-04T01:03:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen teams divided into two groups will compete in the inaugural tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Developmental League (PBA D-League) set to be unveiled on March 12 at the Arena in San Juan.

In Group A are Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), Freego Jeans, RnW PacificPipes, Black Water Elite, Pharex Naproxen Sodium and PC Gilmore.Comprising Group B are Maynilad Water, Junior Powerade Tigers, Max Bond SuperGlue Sumos, Cobra Energy Drink Ironmen, Café France and FCA.

“This is a short tournament so every game counts. Obviously, the format adds up to the excitement,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud of the first D-League tournament to be known as the PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

The eliminations will be a single round robin. But because Group A has only six teams, each of them will play an extra game, the pairings of which has been decided by lottery.

The two bottom-ranked teams in Group B will play a knockout game for the last playoff spot.

The top two teams of each group after the elimination round earn outright passage into the second round of the playoffs while the third to sixth placed teams in Groups A and B will advance to the first round of the playoffs. The first and second round of the playoffs as well as the semifinal will be decided by knockout games while the Finals will be a best-of-three series.

Source: The Philippine Star

2011 PGA Honda Classic Picks & Predictions

2011-03-04T01:00:00.000+08:00

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL (TheSpread) – The 2011 PGA Honda Classic tees off Thursday morning with some of the top golfers in the world vying for the title. Here is some picks to consider for the event.

View Current Golf Odds

While the field features the likes of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, my golfer to look out for this weekend is fellow European Graeme McDowell. According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com, McDowell has 8/1 odds to win the tournament and that is very possible for him as he has won two of his last nine tournaments and placed in the top 10 in five others.

In terms of matchups, I like Donald (-120) to finish ahead of Westwood. Donald is coming off a win in the match play championship last week and he is a former winner of this tournament while Westwood is currently struggling, as he hasn’t finished in the top 10 in any event this year.

Another matchup I like is Matt Kuchar (-140) over Rickie Fowler. Kuchar is one of the hottest golfers in the world right now in terms of consistency as he has placed in the top 10 in four of his last five tournaments. Fowler has been well as of late too, but he tends to be streaky, following a good performance with a bad one. After playing well in the match play last week, look for Fowler to struggle this weekend.

Source: TheSpread.com

Champion Course is a worthy test

2011-03-04T00:55:00.000+08:00

PALM BEACH GARDENS -- The toughest course and the most unpredictable winners. That’s the marriage at this weekend’s PGA Tour stop, PGA National Resort & Spa for the Honda Classic, which begins Thursday morning.

Although you can debate the latter or whether the latter is a product of the former, the numbers say the former is true. And should the winds whip as expected, ill scores once again will mark the full Honda leaderboard.

“It’s long, there’s plenty of rough and it’s always blowing,” Nathan Green said. “Around here, when you get some wind, you’ll have five or six really hard holes.”

No course, outside the majors, played harder in 2010 than the par-70 Champion Course with an average round of 1.64 strokes over par. The Champion Course also ranked dead last in birdie percentage inside 125 yards (17.3 percent) and par 5s with the birdie or better percentage when going for the green (the 604-yard 18{+t}{+h}, 22.22 percent).

Maybe it’s that players reach the 18{+t}{+h} tee still mentally mangled from The Bear Trap, the watery 15th, 16th and 17{+t}{+h} holes that comprise 2010’s second toughest PGA Tour threesome. Throw in 14 and you’ve got the toughest four consecutive holes on tour last year — Nos. 14, 15 and 16 were third in difficulty among trios.

So it’s no surprise that only Pebble Beach, site of the 2010 U.S. Open, induced higher scores on the back nine.

“Last year, especially, the last four holes were playing tough because of the wind,” Green said. “There aren’t many holes where you think, “This is a really good birdie chance. You’ve really got to earn it.”

Although most courses favor long drivers, precision optional, those who can be low-ball hitters during the four days might have the best of it.

“You want to be able to control your flight off the tee,” Green said. “You don’t want to be hitting it too high, especially on holes like 10, which today was playing a driver 3…”

Wind obscured whatever Green said next, as if making a playful pre-tournament cameo.

“I love it. It makes you pay attention,” Palm Beach resident Brett Wetterich said. “Seems like I play better on courses like this, where I’ve got to pay attention and not just go out there and hit the ball, if you’re in the rough, who cares?”

Instead of pushing the most decorated players to the top of the leaderboard by making consistency as difficult to catch as the wind, the course chomps players indiscriminately. Surprise winners don’t surprise (yeah, like you had Y.E. Yang in 2009).

Perhaps no player knows PGA National’s Champion Course better than Robert Allenby and nobody rolled into last year’s Honda with a more consistent record in the tournament: fifth in 2007, fourth in 2008, fifth in 2009. So, of course, in 2010, Allenby missed the cut.

Logically — or, rather, logistically — that should have happened to Camilo Villegas. Villegas’ commitments to the PGA Tour and the first Nationwide Tour event in Colombia had him careening around the Western Hemisphere during last year’s Honda week. Villegas didn’t even get in a practice round, settling at his Jupiter home for good Wednesday night, hours before his Thursday tee time.

So, of course, he won by a record-tying five shots with a course record 13-under-par 267.

“You can be long hitter, short hitter,” Wetterich said. “I don’t think this course favors anybody. There are a couple of long holes, par 5s that they’ve brought to par 4s. But I think anyone can win on this course.”

Source: The Miami Herald

Europeans flex their muscles on PGA Tour

2011-03-04T00:52:00.000+08:00

With Europeans on the rise in the world golf ranking, how soon will it be before they become the face of the PGA Tour?

It's not likely to happen any time soon simply because of numbers as Americans are the majority on the PGA Tour and probably will be forever. But you have to now think, if not expect, the Europeans, and we're talking European Tour members, will make their presence felt even more than in the past.

For the first time in 20 years, Europeans hold the top four spots in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by Martin Kaymer of Germany, who became the new No. 1 by reaching the final of last weekend's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Kaymer's rise dropped Britain's Lee Westwood to second and with his victory in match play last Sunday, Briton Luke Donald moved into third ahead of reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.

The top-ranked Americans this week are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, both of whom are obviously struggling with their games and might even be losing their battles. It also is the lowest Woods has been ranked before winning the 1997 Masters in record-setting fashion.

Only two other Americans are in the top 10, with Steve Stricker ninth and Matt Kuchar 10th. In the top 20, there are only eight from the U.S.

Europeans last occupied the top four positions in the world ranking in March 1992. Welshman Ian Woosnam was No. 1, followed by Britain's Nick Faldo, and Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros. None won a regular PGA Tour event that year, but Faldo captured the British Open for the second consecutive year.

Donald's victory at match play was the first by a European Tour member on the PGA Tour this season and odds are it won't be the last because of an emerging presence evident last season.

Along with McDowell's win at the U.S. Open, Europeans won two of the other three major championships with South African Louis Oosthuizen taking the British Open, and Kaymer, the PGA Championship.

In all, and led by a pair of wins each by South Africa's Ernie Els and Justin Rose of Britain's, Europeans combined to win 13 of 46 official money events on the PGA Tour in 2010, or as many as they combined to win in 2009 and 2008 together.

It remains to be seen whether the Europeans can rack up similar or more success on the PGA Tour in 2011, but they do appear to have more in their favour at the moment than their U.S. counterparts.

No. 1 up for grabs again: Westwood could regain No. 1 in the OWGR by finishing third or better at this week's Honda Classic. Kaymer isn't playing this week and as such could lose his status as world No. 1.

Weir Watch: Mike Weir plays the last of his five events on his major medical exemption at the Honda Classic that starts today at the PGA National Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The 2003 Masters champion needs to earn $217,097, at best a solo finish for fifth, to regain exempt status for the remainder of the PGA Tour season.

He came into the season needing to match the amount earned by the player who finished 125th on the money list last season.

Weir is now inside the top 150 (non-exempt status) from what little he's earned after four events this season ($10,788) and should be able to play in a number of events throughout the season if he fails to win big this week based on sponsor exemptions.

He also could use his status as a past champion to better his overall standing, but is reluctant to use what is a one-time option at his point in his career.

Source: The Montreal Gazette

TV show reveals Mike Tyson, pigeon racer

2011-03-04T00:46:00.002+08:00

Long before Mike Tyson became a world champion heavyweight boxer, he threw his first punch over a pigeon.

In fact, Tyson says, pigeons were his first love as a bullied kid on the tough streets of Brooklyn, and later on, birds gave him a sense of peace and tranquility before and after some of his most bruising professional fights.

Now, the man nicknamed "Iron Mike" for his ferocious boxing style is sharing that passion and showing a gentler side of himself in "Taking on Tyson", a six-part documentary starting on the Animal Planet cable TV channel on Sunday, March 6.

"The first thing I ever loved in my life was a pigeon. I don't know why...I feel ridiculous trying to explain it," Tyson, 44, says in the documentary.

"Pigeons are part of my life. It's a constant with my sanity in a weird way; this is just what I do. If I am lucky enough to die an old man. I'm going to have birds."

"Taking on Tyson" is part reflection on a life that has scaled the heights of boxing and the lows of prison, and part glimpse into the sub-culture of competitive pigeon racing.

"I love pigeons and I thought (the TV series) would broaden the horizons of people who are not knowledgeable about pigeons," Tyson told Reuters.

Tyson, who declared bankruptcy in 2003 and retired from professional boxing in 2006, has 2,500 birds in various locations. He had never raced them before, but set his sights on becoming a world champion in pigeon racing with all the determination he once brought to boxing.

"You gotta train every day, you gotta prepare. Just like a fight, you gotta prepare or you're not going to do well at all," he said of the regime for his pigeons.

"But you can have all the training in the world and it all comes down to the tenacity of the birds, their perseverance, and the will to win."

"Tyson's Corner"

The TV series focuses on the 300 racing pigeons in his "Tyson's Corner" pigeon coop, next to the gym where he once trained for his most famous bouts in the ring.

For non-pigeon enthusiasts, the documentary also takes Tyson back to the places where he grew up, without a father and with a mother who died when he was 16 years-old.

He recalls that his first fight, at age 11, was with an older boy who pulled the head off one of his pigeons. By 13, he had been arrested multiple times for fighting and for petty crimes, and he was sent to juvenile detention.

The TV portrait paints a picture of Tyson that is far removed from the boxer who notoriously bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear in a 1997 heavyweight bout, or the man who served three years in prison for rape in the early 1990s.

Tyson says he is trying to "outprogram" himself from the crazy, out-of-control person he once was, and is humbler now. He has been writing poetry, and will share one piece "with a deep personal meaning" in the April edition of Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine.

But what will his boxing fans make of Mike Tyson, pigeon fancier?

"I don't know what people are going to think,' he said. "The guys that fly pigeons are not the daintiest people in the world. They are pretty aggressive."

Elsewhere, Tyson recently filmed another cameo as himself in the upcoming "Hangover" movie sequel, and is due to play an alien in the 2012 release "Men in Black III".

There could be more to come. "I'm going to give acting a try and see what happens. I'd like to try acting on stage -- comedy, drama, anything. I could do 'Othello'," he said, referring to Shakespeare's tragedy about a jealous lover.

"I know Othello pretty well."

Source: Reuters

Serena back home after blood clot treatment

2011-03-04T00:40:00.000+08:00

Serena Williams was recovering at her Los Angeles home after undergoing emergency treatment for a blood clot in one of her lungs, the former world number one confirmed on Wednesday.

"This has been extremely hard, scary, and disappointing," Williams said in a statement. "I am doing better, I'm at home now and working with my doctors to keep everything under control."

The 29-year-old Williams was photographed on Sunday at an Academy Awards party in Hollywood but fell ill the following day and was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she underwent surgery.

Doctors discovered the blood clot after Williams travelled to New York last week for a treatment on a foot injury that has sidelined her for eight months, according to her spokeswoman Nicole Chabot.

"Serena did indeed suffer from a pulmonary embolism last week and the hematoma was another unexpected scare," Chabot said. "Thankfully everything was caught in time. With continued doctor visits to monitor her situation, she is recuperating at home under strict medical supervision."

Williams has not played competitively since winning last year's Wimbledon championship. Shortly after the victory she cut her foot on broken glass at a restaurant in Germany.

The American has had two operations on her foot since then and was preparing to return to training soon in the hope of making a comeback in Miami later this month.

Williams has won 13 grand slam singles titles but has slipped from number one to 11th on the world rankings during her extended absence and now faces an uncertain future.

"I know I will be OK but am praying and hoping this will all be behind me soon," she said. "While I can't make any promises now on my return, I hope to be back by early summer. That said, my main goal is to make sure I get there safely."

Belgium's Kim Clijsters, the new world number one, posted a message of support to Williams on her Twitter account shortly after landing at a New Jersey airport with her daughter Jada. "Just read about Serena!!!! Very scary, hope she is ok!fingers crossed!" she tweeted.

Embolisms, often caused when blood clots form in the legs or arm then travel toward the leg and hearts, are usually treated by blood thinners.

"Athletes travel a lot. Air travel and prolonged sitting in one spot can lead to blood clots," said Dr Mark Adelman, director of Vascular Surgery and member of the Cardiac & Vascular Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center.

"If a person has a pulmonary embolism they would need to be on an anti-coagulant like Coumadin for six to 12 months.

"They would be able to play sports and be back on the court with an anti-coagulant. If the clot comes back the patient may need an implanted filter device to catch future blood clots."

Source: Reuters

Christina Aguilera Lands ‘Voice’ Job After Drunk Fiasco

2011-03-04T00:04:00.000+08:00

What started out as a horrible week for Christina Aguilera just got a little bit better.

Days after being detained for public intoxication (while her boyfriend was arrested for DUI), EW confirms that Aguilera has landed a coaching-judging gig on NBC’s upcoming reality series The Voice. The Mark Burnett-produced show, which hopes to be a direct competitor to American Idol, already has an all-star lineup of current singers as judges, as Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine have inked deals with the new show.

Aguilera said in a statement:

“I am so excited to be part of such a wonderful project that celebrates music and the talent behind it … To be given the opportunity to help shape new artists’ careers and mentor them to see their dreams come to fruition is a task I welcome with open arms.mI am so happy to be working with fellow Grammy Award winners Adam and Cee Lo as I feel there is so much we can all bring to The Voice.”

The news is definitely a step in the right direction, and takes the negative attention that Christina’s recent woes have brought upon the songstress. The Voice premieres on NBC in late April.

Source: Mike Hess

Ashton Kutcher's Twitter Account Hacked

2011-03-04T00:02:00.000+08:00

TV prankster Ashton Kutcher has been Punk'd - jokers hacked into his beloved Twitter account on Wednesday.

The actor famously fooled celebrities including Beyonce, Kanye West, and Pete Wentz on his MTV hidden camera show in which he played outrageous practical jokes on his unsuspecting victims.

However, computer hackers have now turned the tables on Kutcher - they broke into his Twitter blog on Wednesday and wrote, "Ashton, you've been Punk'd. This account is not secure... P.S. This is for those young protesters around the world who deserve not to have their Facebook & Twitter accounts hacked like this."

Kutcher's page is one of the most popular on the microblogging website, attracting 6.3 million followers.

Source: Starpulse.com

Justin Bieber apologizes for middle-finger salute

2011-03-03T23:59:00.000+08:00

LOS ANGELES - Justin Bieber apologized on Wednesday for angrily hoisting his middle finger at paparazzi who buzzed the squeaky-clean pop star and his girlfriend after his birthday dinner in Los Angeles.

The fracas occurred on Tuesday evening when Bieber and Disney starlet Selena Gomez left an Italian restaurant where they had celebrated his 17th birthday.

A grim Bieber made the spontaneous gesture after he took the wheel of their vehicle and Gomez shielded her face. It was a rare outburst by the pop sensation, who is publicly unflappable and upbeat in the toughest of circumstances.

"I'm sorry," he wrote on Twitter Wednesday. "It's not always easy but I know better than to react in anger."

He added that life has its "ups and downs" and that he would make mistakes, but he would learn from them and try to do the right thing.

On the positive side, he told his 7.8 million followers that they had raised more than $40,000 for a charity that provides clean water in poor nations. Separately, TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres said she sold a lock of Bieber's hair at auction for $40,668 with proceeds going to an animal charity.

Equally famed for his soulful voice and the casual flick of his lustrous head of hair, Bieber is the latest in a long line of lovable balladeers to whip up a frenzy among young girls. In little more than a year he went from an obscure singer on YouTube to a pop hero mobbed by screaming girls worldwide.

The Canadian native was the fourth best-selling albums artist in the United States last year, received two Grammy nominations this year, and is currently in theaters with a hit 3D concert movie.

Source: GMA

PEP: Illac Diaz still mad at Giselle Sanchez

2011-03-03T23:56:00.000+08:00

Umaga nitong Huwebes, March 3, nakatanggap uli ng mensahe sa text ang PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) mula sa entrepreneur na si Illac Diaz.

Reaksiyon ito ng dating actor-model sa naging sagot ni Giselle Sanchez sa paglilinaw ni Illac sa "love triangle" issue na kinasangkutan ng pangalan niya, pati na rin sina Julia Clarete at Angelica Jones.

Si Julia ang girlfriend ngayon ni Illac, samantalang si Angelica naman ay ka-deal ng dating model-actor sa mga proyekto ng isang socio-civic organization, ang Shelter Foundation, na kanyang pinamumunuan.

Ang pagtutuwid ni Illac ay lumabas dito sa PEP nitong Miyerkules. Agad namang sumunod ang sagot o reaksiyon ni Giselle hinggil sa mga pahayag ni Illac.

Narito naman ang sagot ni Illac—na ipinadala niya sa PEP through a five-page text message—sa reaksiyon ni Giselle:

"There can be no justification for baring false witness; even in the Bible. The issue here is the responsibility of media, which over the years there has been an evolution of the proper ways of using and not abusing the power of media.

"I do not understand why in response to a failure in journalistic integrity and creed, she answers Psalms when she should answer in plain English.

"She abused her privilege given by the editors and newspaper to print a lie in simple malice, either in partnership or just in reckless abandon of all the proper rules of balanced news. Even gossip columnists have guidelines somehow.

"She confuses civic responsibility with religion which confuses the issue. She abused her right and abandoned all rules by attacking innocent people with a poisoned pen!

"The last refuge is not the Bible but the truth, and that she printed lies to fill up her column, abandoning her responsibility as a writer, abandoning her responsibility as a journalist, abandoning her responsibility to the newspaper's integrity, as a human being, for injuring another, and using the Bible as a shield for wrongdoing.

"Just because you have a gun doesn't mean you could just fire in the air when you want, or wherever you want. People get hurt. The issue is that there was an abuse of free media clause because it means responsible media and not shooting down reputations and disrupting lives.

"The issue that she published a plainly proven lie is secondary now. There is no fact or witness supporting her statements. The issue that she abused her column, for harming innocent people is the big issue. Bad journalism is the big issue, and based on the comments, people want media to be responsible with the rights they are given.

"We want to believe in truth and responsibility even in a flawed democracy because what can we look forward to when there is no self-restraint with power? Anarchy and Ampatuans?"

Sa mga pahayag na ito ni Illac ay posibleng makaapuhap din ng katwiran ang kabilang panig, o gaya ng nabanggit ni Giselle sa kanyang reaksiyon na nais ni Illac na palakihin, or "blow the issue out of proportion."

Samantala, nabanggit ni Giselle na handa siyang ilathala ang pagtutuwid mismo ni Illac sa issue, pero hindi na hinintay ng dating actor-model at pilantropo ang minarapat niyang gawin.

"Why should I let the person that did me wrong be the one to air my side of the story?" tanong naman ni Illac, bilang kontra-reaksiyon.

"The person who irresponsibly caused you harm will be the one to flog herself? Plus, she already does not show penitence so I doubt it if she knows how to write a retraction. That's the most insane proposition.

"Second, why will she air it in two weeks time while I wait for the rumors to turn from a wound to a tumor?"

FURTHER REACTION FROM GISELLE. Again, PEP sought Giselle for further comments/reactions.

Nag-reply agad sa text si Giselle, saying, "I commented na. Karen [Pagsolingan, PEP managing editor] called me last night, and I sent her my message [as posted online]."
At sa panayam ng PEP sa kanya sa telepono, sinabi nitong pinayuhan siya ng kanyang mga editors na ang susunod na statement ay lalabas sa kanyang column sa Manila Bulletin.

Source: William R. Reyes, PEP

Actor Paquito Diaz passes away at 73

2011-03-03T23:51:00.000+08:00

Sumakabilang buhay na nitong Huwebes ng gabi ang character actor na si Paquito Diaz sa kanilang tahanan sa Daraga, Albay.

Sa late-night newscast ng GMA News Saksi nitong Huwebes, sinabing kinumpirma sa panayam sa telepono ng misis ni Paquito na si Nena, ang pagpanaw ng beteranong aktor.

Sa isang ulat naman ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), isang malapit sa pamilya Diaz ang nagbalita pagpanaw ni Paquito na maging markado bilang paboritong kontrabida ng pumanaw na ring action king na si Fernando Poe Jr.

Bago ang kanyang pagpanaw ay na-confine si Paquito sa Estevez Memorial Hospital sa Albay. Nitong Miyerkules, Marso 2, lamang daw siya naiuwi sa kanilang bahay.

Noong nakaraang linggo ay napabalitang pumanaw na ang aktor ngunit mabilis itong pinabulaanan ng kanyang mga kaanak.

Pero kanina ay tuluyan nang binawian ng buhay si Paquito, na itinuturing na isa sa pinakamahusay na kontrabida sa kasaysayan ng pelikulang Pilipino.

Ayon pa sa source ng PEP, paluwas na ng Albay ngayon ang mga anak ni Paquito, kabilang na ang aktor na si Joko Diaz.

Sa mga hindi nakakakilala kay Paquito, madalas siyang gumanap na kontrabida sa mga pelikula nii FPJ. Ilan sa mga pelikulang nagawa nila ay ang mga sumusunod: Asedillo (1971), Totoy Bato (1977), Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979), Bandido sa Sapang Bato (1981), Partida (1985), Musim Magnum 357 (1986), Kapag Lumaban Ang Api (1987), Agila ng Maynila (1989), Kapag Puno na Ang Salop Part II (1989), Kahit Konting Pagtingin (1990), May Isang Tuper ng Taxi (1990), Mabuting Kaibigan...Masamang Kaaway (1991), Hindi Pa Tapos Ang Laban (1994), Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko (1996), Ang Pagbabalik ng Probinsiyano (1998), Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko (1999), Ang Dalubhasa (2000), at Pakners (2003).

Noong 2004 ay na-stroke si Paquito. Sumailalim siya sa major brain surgery, na naging dahilan ng pagkaubos ng kanyang ipon at nagpahina rin nang husto ng kanyang katawan.

Source: GMA News

SMB-Air21: Breaking down the seven-man swap

2011-03-03T23:32:00.000+08:00

It has finally happened, the San Miguel Beermen and the Air 21 Express have pulled off the trade that has gotten our basketball crazy world abuzz. On the surface, it looks like SMB has pulled off a coup, but looking at it a little closer, it does seem like it makes sense for both sides.

On the one hand, the Beermen took in the top three picks from this season’s draft in Silverino “Noy" Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra. The youth movement they desperately needed following their back-to-back bridesmaid finishes is now a reality. The Express, on the other hand, got veterans Danny Seigle, Don Don Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi.

What the Beermen got

Three young guns with a world of potential in front of them. But make no mistake about it, this team will still revolve around back-to-back BPC Jay Washington. Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo will still make up their core, while Danny Ildefonso, Sunday Salavacion and Lordy Tugade will still fill their roles.

And from having four point guards to now just two (with the retirement of Olsen Racela), Denok Miranda will have more playing time.

Young legs are what the Beermen really got in this deal that would go along the balance that they can potentially obtain. Baclao may just be the perfect guy for this team, think Marc Pingris who was around the last time they won it all.

How about Air 21?

If healthy, Danny Seigle has the potential to become dynamite once again. Hontiveros will definitely be their starting 2 guard (an upgrade from Reed Juntilla), Dorian Pena will back up JayR Reyes and Paul Artadi epitomizing the monicker of the Express.

Another big plus for Air 21 is the marketing angle these four championship-caliber players bring. The names they put on the back of that ube jersey can only mean better mileage for the company. Of course their winning savvy is also on the table now, the intangibles they bring is, as local folks say, “di matatawaran."

But something tells me this episode just isn’t done. Artadi is joining a team already stacked at the 1. Wynne Arboleda, Marcy Arellano, Josh Urbiztondo and Lou Gatumbato rotate at that position with Juntilla also capable as a combo-guard.

They did fill the gaping hole at the 2-guard spot with the Cebuano Hotshot and will still be massive up front. Pena joins Reyes and Carlo Sharma while Seigle shares time with Leo Najorda and Wesley Gonzales acting as the swingman. But 5 ½ point guards just seems way too many, even for a team known for their express delivery.

It really does seem both teams got what they wanted and needed. Seeing Danny Seigle in another uni might be the weirdest thing that comes in the next few weeks, but seeing him actually playing will definitely be a welcome sight for everybody.

All seven guys debut this weekend, and every one of them has a fresh chance at delivering a whole new first impression once again.

Source: GMA News

NBA: Garnett keeps Celtics thriving in win over Suns

2011-03-03T23:30:00.000+08:00

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics continued their strong form since trading away center Kendrick Perkins last week, recording a 115-103 triumph over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Kevin Garnett scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Eastern-Conference leading Celtics cruised to victory after opening up a 20-point advantage before halftime.

Despite sending Perkins to Oklahoma City after he helped them win the 2008 NBA title and reach last year's finals, the Celtics (44-15) have won three of four games since the deal to dampen fears that the team will regress.

Phoenix (31-28), pushing to move into a playoff position, had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell 1.5 games behind the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference. — Reuters

NBA's top scorer Durant sprains ankle in Thunder win

2011-03-03T23:20:00.000+08:00

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - Oklahoma City face a spell without NBA-leading scorer Kevin Durant after the forward sprained his ankle in the 113-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Durant went down in the third quarter when he stepped on the foot of an Indiana defender and had to be helped to the locker room.

"I just know it's a sprained ankle, I don't have any other update," Thunder coach Scott Brooks told reporters.

Durant, who wore a protective boot following the game, finished the night with 21 points after entering the contest with an NBA-best 28.5 points per game average.

The fourth-year forward missed two games earlier this season after spraining the same ankle.

Source: iGMA.tv

Talk 'N Text back on track

2011-03-03T23:12:00.000+08:00

Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes insisted his team still has a lot of work to be done though nailing a first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night.

Reyes pointed to their 27 turnovers – the most they committed in any game in the season and the most by any team in a game in the conference.

But though still out of their championship form, the Texters managed to keep their domination of the Powerade Tigers, squeezing out a 94-80 win.

Jimmy Alapag, the 2003 Rookie of the Year awardee, marked the game with a 16-point performance that sealed his inclusion in the league’s elite 5,000-point club.

The crack Fil-Am guard was the 67th player to hit the plateau and only the 20th to have made at least 5,000 points and 2,000 assists.

Paul Harris and Kelly Williams both churned out double-double numbers, helping the Texters break into the win-column after a losing debut versus Smart Gilas Friday.

The Tigers slid to 1-2.

“At halftime, I was thinking there’s no way we can win the game as we committed 17 points against a team playing zone,” said Reyes.

“Luckily, the players took it upon themselves to come together and hammer out the win. But there’s no doubt that we’re not playing well. We’re rusty, a step slow. There’s no fluidity in our game,” Reyes added.

“Hopefully, we can grind out some wins before we hit some stride. We’re playing out-of-town Saturday then take a rest. Hopefully, we get better. We’re really not in shape. Madami pa kaming kakaining bigas.”

The Tigers were obviously worse.

Russel Carter fired 27 points and Gary David rifled in 26 but the rest were non-factors.

Thus, Talk n Text, the Philippine Cup ruler, re-stamped its class on Powerade, dealing the Tigers an 11th straight beating in their head-to-head matches.

The Tigers have not beaten the Texters since a 103-96 decision on June 8, 2008.

Alapag knocked in four of seven three-point attempts, the second giving him 5,000-point production over eight seasons in the league.

He made it 67-58 with 1:04 left in the third period with that historic shot.

Pumped-up, Alapag fired two more three-pointers and a total of 11 points in the fourth quarter, and the Texters kept the Tigers at bay to the finish.

Talk n Text held Powerade to 27.7-percent field shooting in a tough defensive battle in the first half ending with the Texters on top at 40-30.

The Texters built a double-digit spread right in the first quarter and held a 10-point lead at the half, beating the Tigers on hustle plays.

TnT outscored Powerade 17-6 on fastbreaks; 9-6 on second-chance points and 9-7 off turnovers.

Harris got the Texters to a good start leading to a 23-13 advantage in the opening period. (SB)

The scores:

Talk n Text 94 – Harris 18, Alapag 16, Williams 12, Carey 10, Reyes 9, Fonacier 9, De Ocampo 8, Dillinger 4, Castro 4, Peek 4, Aban 0.

Powerade 80 – Carter 27, David 26, Anthony 6, Gonzales 6, Antonio 5, Reyes 3, Lanete 3, Macapagal 2, Cruz 2, Rizada 0, Espino 0.

Quarterscores: 23-13, 40-30, 69-60, 94-80

Source: PBA.ph

Three more fights for Ana Julaton this year

2011-03-03T23:08:00.000+08:00

WBO women’s superbantamweight champion Ana (Hurricane) Julaton will be busy in the ring the rest of the year.

Her manager Angelo Reyes said yesterday promoter Allan Tremblay of Orion Sports Management plans three more fights before the year ends and the next bout could be in Manila this April.

Julaton, 30, pounded out a unanimous 10-round decision over Kansas City challenger Franchesca (The Chosen One) Alcanter to retain her 122-pound title at the Craneway Pavilion, Point Richmond, California, last Friday. It was the first defense of the crown she won on a split verdict over Mexico’s Maria Elena Villalobos in Ontario last June.

Trainer Freddie Roach was not in Julaton’s corner for the Alcanter fight but his influence was evident in the way she dominated the action.

“Freddie is the best trainer in the world,” Reyes told The STAR from California. “With several world champions in his stable, he was busy preparing for a title fight. I honestly felt that Freddie from the beginning of the camp to the final day before the weigh-in, believed Ana was too fast for Franchesca. He coached Ana in all the sparring and mitts sessions, realizing that her speed and jab would be the keys to beating Franchesca. He called up Ana the night of the weigh-in and the morning of the fight to go over the fight plan one more time and to tell her, ‘you’ll beat her, you know what to do.”

Julaton had no difficulty breaking down Alcanter and the three judges concurred on their choice of the superior fighter. The scorecards told the story, 99-92, 97-93, 96-94. Reyes said while Julaton was the clear winner, it wasn’t a cakewalk. Julaton displayed a swollen left cheek and a few bruises. Alcanter was battered and bloodied. Julaton’s left hand was bruised, too, because of the countless jabs she landed.

“It’s hard to say if Franchesca could’ve been knocked out if she engaged more,” said Reyes. “Franchesca is bigger and stronger. She went the distance with Ina Menzer who is one of the hardest power-punching fighters in female boxing. But I think Ana beat Franchesca worse than Ina did.”

Reyes said Julaton was never worried but admitted there were anxious moments during the fight. “Franchesca hurt Ana in the fourth with a power right hand,” recalled Reyes. “The fight was never in the bag because we knew Franchesca carried power until the last round. We made a few adjustments during the fight. Ana worked her body in the first two rounds then went aggressive and tried to set up some power shots but by the sixth, Franchesca figured out Ana’s single jab pattern. She jabbed with Ana in the eighth which I think was the closest for Franchesca to win a round as she hit Ana with a couple of big right hands and three great power jabs. In between rounds, we suggested for Ana to go back to the triple jab rhythm to set up the right hand which she used to dominate the previous rounds.”

Julaton’s parents Cesar and Emilia were at ringside. So were her brother Cesar Jr., cousins, aunts and her martial arts family from West Wind School in Berkeley. “There were chants of Ju-la-ton,” said Reyes. “Definitely, it was extra motivation as Ana knew this would be her one and only Bay Area fight this year. The next one is to be in the Philippines.”

Before the fight, Julaton said it would be a thrill to put on a show for her relatives because her family wasn’t around when she won the title last June. “My mom especially gets very excited when she watches my live fights,” said Julaton. “She’s always shouting ‘get her, Lucian’ or ‘watch out’ and I can hear her screaming.” Julaton’s first name is Luciana.

Julaton’s victory dinner was hosted by Tremblay, a former Canadian airline executive.

“We celebrated with Team Julaton, some members of media, her brother and Los Angeles Raiders Pro Bowl linebacker Sam Williams, who watched at ringside, Ana’s personal friend,” said Reyes. “The extravagant Chinese dinner was treated by Allan who started the celebration with a toast where everyone stood up and cheered, ‘To Ana and her victory.’”

Reyes said Julaton dedicated the win to all Filipinos worldwide. “She wants to continue to unite all Filipinos everywhere in the world,” said Reyes.

Source: Joaquin Henson | philstar.com

De la Hoya predicts Pacquiao-Mayweather fight

2011-03-03T23:05:00.000+08:00

LOS ANGELES, California - Plans for a mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have so far come to naught but boxing great Oscar De La Hoya believes the blockbuster long desired by fans will eventually take place.

Eight-times world champion Pacquiao and Mayweather, who has never lost a professional bout, are the two biggest draws in the sport and a showdown between the two would decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Mayweather had been expected to meet Filipino southpaw Pacquiao early last year until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing. Both fighters ended up taking on different opponents.

"I believe that fight will take place," De La Hoya told Reuters in a telephone interview. "I believe Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao understand that it has to take place.

"They are the best fighters out there and I feel they both really want this fight to happen. When the time comes, people will enjoy a tremendous fight because styles make fights."

De La Hoya, who held world titles in six different weight classes, predicted that a clash between the aggressive Pacquiao and defensive genius Mayweather would emulate the great battles between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in the 1980s.

Asked to predict the victor should the bout take place, De La Hoya replied: "I see Floyd Mayweather winning and I say that not only as an ex-fighter and a promoter but as a student of the game.

"I really love dissecting styles, studying styles and Mayweather has a style to beat anybody. He calculates his punches and his timing. When he is ready to punch with power, he always connects in the right place.

"There is a lot of thinking behind the strategy of winning a fight and Mayweather has to be the best at that."

De La Hoya, a gold medal winner at the 1992 Olympics, announced his retirement from boxing in April 2009, four months after being stunned by Pacquiao in an eighth-round TKO in a non-title fight in Las Vegas.

He ended his career with a record of 39-6, including 30 knockouts, and has since spent most of his time working as a boxing promoter while continuing to raise money through his various charitable initiatives.

Boxing regrets

Asked if he had any regrets from his boxing career, De La Hoya replied: "I wouldn't change anything with my career or my life. Everything always happens for a reason.

"But if there was one fight that I could really change it would have to be the last three rounds when I boxed Felix Trinidad in 1999. For me, that was the biggest fight in non-heavyweight history at the time.

"And that fight was fairly easy for me but over the last three rounds I lost the fight. So if I could change anything from my career, it would have to be those last three rounds."

De La Hoya, a keen amateur golfer, said he still missed the thrill of competing in the ring.

"Competitive boxing has been my life," he added. "I started boxing when I was four so it's difficult to cope with the whole retirement thing and not putting on the gloves for the rest of my life.

"But I will tell you one thing. When I get out on that golf course and I make a birdie or I hit a beautiful shot, that adrenaline rush that I get really does make up for any left hook that I can throw inside that ring."

While speaking to Reuters, De La Hoya announced the move by his Golden Boy Promotions company to link up as a business partner with the Mexican tequila brand, Tres Generaciones.

"I come from a third generation of fighters because my grandfather and my father also fought. My family are consumers of tequila so ... it was just a natural fit."

Source: Reuters.com

Roach set for Manila camp

2011-03-03T23:00:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach is getting ready to head to the Philippines to kick off the eight-week training camp of Manny Pacquiao, who collides with Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach is leaving this Sunday, the day after he turns 51, and should be in Manila on Tuesday.

He will be joined by super-welterweight Shawn Porter and super-lightweight David Rodela, who will serve as sparring partners during the Philippine phase of the training camp.

Roach and Pacquiao are actually training in the country for less than four weeks as the trainer bared that he would like to fly back to Los Angeles on April 2 to begin the Wild Card stage – the most crucial period – of the preparations.

Porter was Pacquiao’s main sparmate during the buildup to the Migel Cotto fight in 2009 because of his sheer size and speed, while Rodela had been utilized many times in the past for his resiliency.

Roach said two other sparmates are on standby and will be tapped once they get back to the Wild Card.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza will be back after key members of Team Pacquiao apparently were able to iron out some kinks.

In fact, Roach said Ariza is on his way to Manila and is raring to start the pre-conditioning work.

Roach said there are plans for Pacquiao to spend a few days training in General Santos City before heading to the City of Pines.

The weather up in Baguio might be more conducive this time of year to training unlike in the previous stints when Team Pacquiao had to go through heavy rains, howling winds and landslides.

Source: mb.com.ph

Ariza sees Mosley at his best vs Pacquiao

2011-03-03T22:57:00.000+08:00

One thing Alex Ariza learned from Freddie Roach, he said, was how to gauge an opponent.

“The very first thing Freddie said to me was ‘never judge a fighter by his last fight,’” said Ariza, the strength and conditioning coach to Manny Pacquiao.

Ariza, who’s been involved in some controversies recently, is not going anywhere soon but the Philippines for the start of Pacquiao’s training camp.

The Filipino superstar is set to face American Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand, and Ariza said he’d carry on Roach’s early instructions.

“I’m going to think of Mosley as the fighter that fought (Antonio) Margarito,” he said, without mentioning that Mosley knocked Margarito out in 2009.

Margarito, of course, is the same fighter who lasted 12 rounds against Pacquiao last November, and did some damage on the Pinoy icon.

Ariza also said he’d think of Mosley as the one who stopped Ricardo Mayorga in the 12th round in 2008, and who outpointed Oscar dela Hoya in 2000 and 2003.

“That’s how I’m going into this fight. That’s the Mosley I’m expecting,” said Ariza.

He wouldn’t think of Mosley as the one who almost quit against Floyd Mayweather last May, and who drew with Sergio Mora last September.

His main focus, the conditioning coach from Colombia said, is to get Pacquiao ready for this fight, the moment he comes in from Los Angeles.

“My job is to get Manny ready for that fight,” said Ariza.

Pacquiao’s training should start March 7 in General Santos City, before shifting to Baguio by March 13, and to Los Angeles four weeks after.

“I think it would be irresponsible to think of Mosley as the same Mosley who fought Mayweather, as the Mosley that got tired, the Mosley that quit.

“I’m thinking that this is the Mosley that fought Margarito, the Mosley that fought Dela Hoya. You’ll never know. What if he shows up like that?” Ariza asked.

He said he’ll make sure Pacquiao will be ready for that.

Source: philstar.com

Davis Cup tickets nearly sold out

2011-03-03T22:51:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – The Davis Cup-Asia Oceania Zone Group I first round tie between the Philippines and Japan that starts tomorrow at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City has generated so much interest that tickets for the opener are nearly sold out, Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said yesterday.

“(The tickets) are practically sold out,” Villanueva said.

The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) said 1,500 tickets were available for the match, and 1,200 have been taken. The remaining 300, he said, will be reserved for walk in patrons.

The tickets were being sold at P500 for a one-day free seating, which is located at the farthest rafters, while P2,500 were charged for the three-day, reserved season pass, which is inclusive of a shirt and a cap.

For VIPs, the tickets are pegged at P5,000, which is also inclusive of a shirt and cap.

With the apparently warm reception of fans, the PH team is confident it can finally emerge victorious over a Japanese side which has beaten them three straight.

“The crowd will definitely play a big role in our campaign, just like in any other home-and-away tournaments. We’re hoping that more people will come and support the squad,” Villanueva said.

The PH squad is composed of Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla, Elbert Anasta and alternate player Patrick John Tierro.

Japan, on the other hand, has Tatsuma Ito, Go Soeda, Suichi Yugita and Takao Suzuki.

Except for Anasta, the three PH netters, along with Francis Casey Alcantara, bowed to the same Japanese team in the opening round in March last year, 0-5, in Osaka.

The Filipinos yielded to the Taiwanese, 1-4, in Kaoshiung last July but outplayed South Korea, 3-2, in Changwon last September to keep their Group I seat.

After winning over the PH team, Japan lost to powerhouse Australia, led by Lleyton Hewitt, 0-5, last May.

Source: Kristel Satumbaga

Mayweather eyes South Africa fight

2011-03-03T22:47:00.000+08:00

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Unbeaten US boxer Floyd Mayweather, who is facing felony charges that could bring in 34 years behind bars, is talking about staging a fight in South Africa in July, his uncle Jeff says.

Jeff Mayweather, a former fighter himself, told the website www.fighthype.com his nephew was in talks with the family of Nelson Mandela about a possible fight around the time of Mandela's 93rd birthday on July 18.

Having Floyd Mayweather, 41-0 with 25 knockouts, fight anywhere has become a rare event. His last bout was 10 months ago when he won a unanimous decision over Shane Mosley, who will fight Filipino star Manny Pacquiao on May 7.

Floyd Mayweather’s only other fight since December of 2007 was a 2009 decision over Juan Manuel Marquez that ended an 18-month hiatus from the ring.

Fight fans have dreamed of a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown, although it is unlikely “Pretty Boy Floyd” would take on such a fight in South Africa after a layoff and that Pacquiao would return to the ring so soon to meet Mayweather.

A fight in South Africa in July could set the stage for a possible November or December fight against Pacquiao.

“I know he is talking to Nelson Mandela’s daughter,” Jeff Mayweather said. “Of course, in the midst of that, they are also trying to make the fight between Floyd and Manny.”

Mayweather, who turned 34 last Thursday, also faces two court fights in Las Vegas, the most serious of which is a domestic violence case.

Mayweather faces an evidence hearing next week on charges that he struck and threatened former girlfriend Josie Harris, stole her telephone and threatened two of their children in an incident last September.

Azkals not stymied by cold Ulan Bator

2011-03-03T22:43:00.000+08:00

Filipino striker Phil Younghusband remains convinced that the abject wintry conditions in Ulan Bator will not pose much of a problem for the Philippines in the second leg of its AFC Challenge Cup qualifying duel with Mongolia.

The 23-year-old striker believes he has played in even worse conditions while seeing action for Chelsea in the Reserve League in England.

“I just think as long as you’re running around the pitch that won’t be a problem,” Younghusband, who scored one goal in the 2-0 win over Mongolia in the first leg in Bacolod City, told the Inquirer.

“On that day, I would rather be playing on the pitch than just watching the game [from] the stands.”

Younghusband said he was disappointed at the way Mongolia played the first leg, where the visitors opted to just sit back and defend.

“I expected them to be better,” said Younghusband. “At least they should have shown some composure on the ball.”

Younghusband added: “I don’t think I can be called complacent that even without Neil (Etheridge) and Rob (Gier) we can get a result in Mongolia.”

The scorer of 13 international goals for the Philippines believes the Azkals can come away with at least a 4-nil victory in Mongolia and move into the group qualifying in Yangon, Myanmar.

Temperatures in Ulan Bator were recorded at -13 degrees Celsius yesterday. The second match on March 15 is set at 1 p.m., which is already considered the hottest time of the day in the Mongolian capital.

The National Stadium in Ulan Bator has an artificial pitch and the Azkals have been familiarizing themselves with the surface by training at the International School Manila.

The Azkals underwent an unconventional training routine yesterday, walking through “Winter Wonderland,” one of the attractions in a theme park in Manila, before practicing at the ISM.

“We want the players to get a feel of the weather, see if they can really handle it,” said Azkals manager Dan Palami.

Palami, who will receive the Executive of the Year award for his work with the Azkals during the Philippine Sportswriters Association-Coca Cola Awards Night on Saturday, expressed confidence of the team making an impact beyond the Mongolia match.

Chandler will miss 2 games with ankle injury

2011-03-03T22:39:00.000+08:00

"The Dallas Mavericks breathed a collective sigh of relief today when they learned that center Tyson Chandler will only miss two games with a sprained right ankle.

Chandler will miss home games against Indiana on Friday and Memphis on Sunday, and should be ready to play in Monday night's game in Minnesota.

Chandler suffered the injury just before halftime Tuesday night at Philadelphia when he rolled his ankle while inadvertently stepping on the foot of Sixers' center Spencer Hawes. With Jason Terry scoring 30 points and Jason Kidd registering a triple-double, Dallas went on to defeat Philly, 101-93.

Forward Dirk Nowitzki used his Twitter account to tweet about Chandler's injury."

Celtics agree to terms with Pavlovic

2011-03-03T22:35:00.000+08:00

The Celtics were edged out on Corey Brewer by the Dallas Mavericks, who offered the swingman a multi-year deal, so they nabbed former Cavalier Sasha Pavlovic for the remainder of the season, according to an NBA source.

Pavlovic was a contributor on those Cleveland clubs that were a primary competitor with the Celtics, but was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in June 2009 in the trade that netted Shaquille O'Neal.

He spent last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and played with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets this season on 10-day contracts. The Hornets released Pavlovic on Feb. 14 and he was a free agent.

In 466 NBA games, Pavlovic has averaged 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. He is a career 35 percent 3-point shooter and canned 7 of 21 in 14 games this season.

Pavlovic won't log heavy minutes, but he will spell Paul Pierce and Jeff Green occasionally and will provide depth.

Source: Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Utah Jazz: Tyrone Corbin inks multi-year deal with Jazz

2011-03-03T22:33:00.000+08:00

SALT LAKE CITY — Ty Corbin has been the head coach of the Utah Jazz since Feb. 10. Now Jerry Sloan's replacement even has a contract to go with his fancy new title and responsibilities.

The 48-year-old Corbin signed a multi-year deal with the Jazz on Wednesday, securing his position as Utah's bench boss for the foreseeable future. Terms of the contract were not released.

Corbin has not expressed concern about being head coach sans a contract, saying on multiple occasions he trusted the deal would be worked out between Jazz brass and his agent and that coaching the team was his top priority.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to lead the Jazz, and to get to follow a legendary figure like Coach Sloan," said Corbin. "I am truly grateful that the Miller family has the confidence in me to allow me to lead this team into a new era."

After making the announcement on 1320 KFAN, Jazz president Randy Rigby spoke highly of Corbin's character and said, "He really is the right man."

Jazz CEO Greg Miller expressed his confidence in Corbin, a former Utah player who'd been a Sloan assistant for seven seasons.

"I am confident that Tyrone is the right man to lead this team into the future," Miller said. "He is someone with longstanding ties to the Jazz and this community, and who has embraced the core philosophies and ideals this organization holds true. I feel that his character and leadership qualities will be true assets to the Jazz moving forward for many years to come."

Corbin is now officially the seventh head coach in Jazz franchise history, dating back to the New Orleans era, and the fourth since the team relocated to Utah in 1979.

Despite being the second assistant behind Phil Johnson, Corbin was voted as the No. 2 top assistant coach in a vote by NBA general managers.

Corbin played 16 seasons in the NBA — spending the 1991-94 seasons in Utah as The Milkman — and also spent the 2003-04 season as the New York Knicks' player development manager. He was a two-time honorable mention All-American at DePaul before being drafted 35th overall by San Antonio in the 1985 NBA Draft.

"He is ready for this job," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "and we feel certain he will excel as a head coach just as he excelled as an assistant coach and as a player."

Corbin isn't quite ready to hire a third assistant coach just yet. And it's possible, he said, that the Jazz could finish off this season with the three-man coaching crew of Corbin and assistants Scott Layden and Jeff Hornacek.

Because the Jazz are so deep into the season, bringing a new coach in would have an element of difficulty because he will have to catch up to speed to Utah's system before being able to fully help the players.

Without naming names, Corbin said the Jazz have no shortage of applicants, though.

"We're looking at a lot of guys," he said. "We've got a ton of calls of guys interested in coming, which is a good thing because they like what we're doing here. We want it to be a stable situation for everybody."

Source: Jody Genessy, Deseret News

Serena Williams treated for blood clot in lungs

2011-03-03T22:28:00.000+08:00

Serena Williams' absence from tennis could stretch to almost a year after two new health scares — a blood clot in her lungs followed by a hematoma — have added to her injury woes.

Her agents confirmed Wednesday that Williams was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism last week and later needed treatment for a hematoma. The 13-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played an official match since winning Wimbledon last July because of a foot injury she sustained not on the court but at a restaurant.

Her latest health problems have been "extremely hard, scary and disappointing," Williams said in a statement. "I am doing better. I'm at home now and working with my doctors to keep everything under control. I know I will be OK, but am praying and hoping this will all be behind me soon.

"While I can't make any promises now on my return, I hope to be back by early summer. That said, my main goal is to make sure I get there safely."

People magazine first reported on Williams' condition, quoting spokeswoman Nicole Chabot as saying Williams underwent "emergency treatment" Monday for a hematoma suffered as a result of treatment for "a more critical situation," the pulmonary embolism.

The 29-year-old Williams was treated at a Los Angeles hospital then returned to her home in the city.

"Thankfully everything was caught in time," her agents said in a statement. "With continued doctor visits to monitor her situation, she is recuperating at home under strict medical supervision."

Williams' mother, Oracene Price, tweeted: "Thank you for your concern. She is fine."

The tennis star attended Sunday night's Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. On Tuesday night, Williams posted on her Twitter account, "Tough day." A few minutes later, she retweeted Kim Kardashian.

The younger sister of seven-time major champion Venus Williams has been out of competition since she cut her right foot on broken glass at a restaurant shortly after winning her fourth Wimbledon title July 3. Her comeback has been repeatedly delayed by complications with the injury.

Williams had surgery after initially hurting her foot and pulled out of the U.S. Open. She resumed practicing in September, but kept pushing back her return and needed an additional operation in October.

Williams missed the Australian Open in January, where she was the two-time defending champion.

Chabot told the magazine the embolism was discovered after Williams returned to Los Angeles from New York, where she had gone "for doctor appointments for the ongoing issues with her foot."

Dr. Mark Adelman, chief of vascular surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, said a patient with a pulmonary embolism would need to take an anticoagulant for six to 12 months but could play sports on the medication.

"A blood clot can occur in any vein or extremity, most commonly in the leg, and can travel to the lung," Dr. Adelman wrote in an e-mail. "Prior surgery, air travel, prolonged sitting, birth control pills, obesity and pregnancy can predispose a patient to a blood clot in the leg that can travel to the lung."

Adelman said if a clot-dissolving agent is used to treat an embolism, it can result in bleeding around the catheter used to deliver the drug. Williams' agents said the hematoma was removed.

Williams has a wide range of business, fashion and charitable interests that keep her in the public eye even when she's not on the court. Since winning her first Grand Slam title in 1999, she has struggled with injuries on several occasions only to come back to win more championships.

"Serena is a champion and a fighter," tennis great Billie Jean King said in a statement. "I know she is the kind of person who faces challenges with complete optimism and guts and I don't think this situation will be any different for her."

Source: Associated Press

Keith Richard's daughter arrested for graffiti, drugs

2011-03-03T22:25:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK – The daughter of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards appeared in a New York court on Wednesday after being arrested for spraying graffiti on a building and drug possession.

Theodora Richards, 25, was taken into custody Tuesday night after plainclothes officers spotted her using an acrylic paint marker to spray the letters "T" and "A," with a heart symbol in between them, on the side of a building in New York's trendy Soho neighborhood, police said.

Richards, the daughter of Richards and former model Patti Hansen, was also charged with unlawfully possessing marijuana as well as a controlled substance, which police say they believe to be hydrocodone, a prescription pain killer.

Richards was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon in State Supreme Court in Manhattan. She turned down an offer from prosecutors of two days worth of community service and one day of substance abuse classes. No plea was entered and she was released without any bail.

She is due back in court on April 21.

Richards, a model, has appeared in campaigns for fashion giants Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry.

Source: ABS-CBN

Pokwang denies financial woes

2011-03-03T22:22:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Actress-comedienne Pokwang denied that she is now in financial mess.

Rumor has it that the former host of ABS-CBN noontime shows “Wowowee” and “Pilipinas Win na Win” is now in dire need of money. It has also been said that the actress-comedienne got depressed after her 2 noontime shows went off the air.

Pokwang, however, was surprised by the rumors, noting that although she is not frequently seen on television these days she is nonetheless working almost everyday.

"Bakit ako maghihirap ng bonggang bongga na kagaya ng sinabi nila? May trabaho naman akong ginawa halos araw-araw,” she said.

"May naipon naman ako, wala naman akong bisyung malala, marunong naman akong humawak ng pera," she added.

As for her supposed depression, the comedienne merely shrugged off the speculation.

She added: "I-share naman natin ang blessings na dumarating. For ilang years, ang ginawa ko na naman siguro enough na at napatunayan ko sa kanila na puwede akong mag-host. Gusto ko ding ipakita sa kanila na hindi lang ako sa pagho-host."

There were also circulating rumors that Pokwang was removed from the cast of the “Temptation Island" remake because of her purported attitude problem.

She did not dispute that she was “pulled out” of the project, but she maintained that it was not because of her so-called attitude problem. She, however, declined to divulge the reason.

"Na pull-out na ako doon kasi nga mahabang istorya. Hindi po 'yon dahil sa kumakalat na chika na attitude daw. Alam naman ng management kung bakit at sila na po ang magpapaliwanag," Pokwang said.

Pokwang is part of Star Cinema's upcoming movie featuring Bea Alonzo and Vic Sotto. She will also do a fantasy series on ABS-CBN.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

Sarah, Gerald excited over their first movie

2011-03-03T22:14:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo and Drama Action Prince Gerald Anderson are both ecstatic over their upcoming movie, "Catch Me...I'm In Love," which is set to premiere this month.

"Catch Me...I'm In Love" is the first on-screen partnership of Geronimo and Anderson.

"Ito ‘yong first time na magkasama kami ni Sarah ever and sa movie pa kaya kami excited," Anderson told ABS-CBN News.

Geronimo, on the other hand, shared that working with Anderson is a breeze. She said her leading man is a "gentleman" and "professional" actor.

"Nabawasan na po ‘yong ilangan. Nahahampas ko na siya. Okay na kami, mas komportable kami sa isa't isa. Ngayon lang kami nakakapag-usap. Surprisingly, okay naman, parang matagal na rin kaming nagka-trabaho. Mukhang okay naman kay direk ‘yong performances namin," said Geronimo.

"Kapag nasa set na kami talagang mararamdaman mo 'yong dedication niya para mapaganda yong trabaho niya, napaka-professional," she added.

Anderson affirmed their good working relationship.

"Nag-shooting kami sa Tanay for 4 days straight, 'di kami umuwi kaya doon kami naging close lahat," he said.

He even praised Geronimo for being "focused" and "down to earth."

"Nakita ko na talagang focused siya. Talagang she will make it sure na maganda ang kalabasan noong project namin. Alam naman natin na superstar siya pero kapag magkasama kami, hindi mo mararamdaman kasi super down to earth siya" he said.

Will they have a kissing scene in the movie?

Anderson said: "Hindi pa tapos [ang shooting], 50% percent pa lang, but we will see."

"Hindi ko po alam. Hindi po namin alam ang magiging ending," Geronimo chimed in.

Veteran actress Dawn Zulueta and bankable actor Christopher de Leon are also part of Star Cinema and Viva Films' summer offering.

Directed by Mae Cruz, "Catch Me... I'm In Love" will premiere on March 23 in over 100 theaters nationwide.

Angelica hits Phil on Twitter, draws flak

2011-03-03T22:09:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Sultry actress Angelica Panganiban on Thursday drew flak after tweeting her reaction to Azkals’ midfielder Phil Younghusband’s supposed second shot at show business.

Panganiban took to microblogging site Twitter to voice out her "sadness" upon learning that Younghusband is about to appear in an independent film.

The actress's tweet was: "Si Phil may indie film? Akala ko ba football player siya??? Lahat na lang artista na. Sad.”

The "Banana Split" star also advised Younghusband to focus more on his football career rather than pursuing his showbiz ambitions.

"Masama. Sana lang mag-focus muna silang lahat sa Football. Para sa Pinas kasi yun. #justsayin' after na lang ng tourny mag artista," she added.

Minutes after she posted her opinion, fans of the Philippine football team quickly berated the actress.

mieloveskyu told Panganiban: "Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. Hayaan mo na!"

frapaecoors tweeted: "@IamAngelicaP judging much? wow way to motivate new actors. smh"

happiemom808 said: "@IamAngelicaP thats their life! Di pag may opportunity na edi i-grab na! Ikaw nga hindi nag-aral dahil gusto mo mag artista!!!!"

anilmorales tweeted: "@IamAngelicaP bakit? wala kang pakialam kung kami ni phil or not in the same way wla karing pakialama kung may movie siya oh wala!"

Panganiban was also reminded of Younghusband’s earlier attempt to join showbiz.

Prior to his football stardom, Younghusband gave showbiz a try by joining singing contest "Celebrity Duets" in 2008. However, the showbiz career of Younghusband, who was then rumored to be dating actress Rhian Ramos, had failed to take off.

Amid the frenzy, Panganiban appealed to her critics: "Ang kitid ng utak ng iba. Di ko sinasabing ang gusto ko eh ako lang ang artista. Kung gusto pala nya mag artista, sana di na sya nag-football."

As for Younghusband’s brief showbiz stint in 2008, Panganiban tweeted: "Sana sa PBB [Pinoy Big Brother] siya sumali, 'di sa Azkals. Baka mapuyat siya sa shooting di siya makalaro ng maayos. Gets niyo ba ko? O buong araw natin to issue?"

Panganiban, however, is not the only one on Twitter who has the same sentiments. Some of her Twitter followers even defended her from criticisms.

im_so_MARIE said: "@IamAngelicaP Tama ka!! Sobrang nakaka lungkot.. pano sila makaka focus sa sports nyan kung magaartista sila? CHAKA!!!"

simplicrissy tweeted: "@IamAngelicaP hahaha! wag mo na lng patulan ang makikitid ang utak. di yata nila na getz ang ibig mong sabihin. react kc ng react! kalokah!"

enyeala said: "Try to understand one's opinion po,don't use harsh language against @IamAngelicaP nagmumukha kayong walang pinag-aralan"

mynameisdinaa tweeted: "Mas maraming nagmamahal sayo @IamAngelicaP kesa sa nangaaway sayo, kaya ganyan yan e naghahanap ng attensyon."

This was not the first time that Panganiban exchanged heated words in the social networking site.

In 2010, Panganiban was forced to delete her original Twitter page after she became a target of invectives and demeaning comments from some of her followers.

Aside from Panganiban, sexy actress Cristine Reyes, drama icon Claudine Barretto, and entertainment journalist Ogie Diaz were among the celebrities who got involved in the so-called "Twitter war."

Piolo Pascual renews contract with ABS-CBN

2011-03-03T22:02:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - He is still a Kapamilya star.

Actor Piolo Pascual renewed his exclusive contract with ABS-CBN on Thursday, ending persistent rumors that he is moving to a rival network.

Pascual signed a 2-year contract with the Kapamilya network in Rockwell in Makati City. Under his contract, he will do a television series, an album and a movie.

Present during the signing were ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Eugenio Lopez III and president Charo Santos-Concio.

Source: Reyma Buan-Deveza

Murphy joining Celtics

2011-03-03T10:54:00.001+08:00

Just days after overhauling their second unit with a flurry of trades, the Celtics continued their late-season dealing yesterday by taking Troy Murphy off the buyout market, bolstering their frontcourt with a nine-year veteran who can rebound and spread the floor with his long-range shooting.

Murphy, 30, who was traded from New Jersey to Golden State and then bought out by the Warriors, agreed to sign with the Celtics for the veteran’s minimum. He wavered between Boston and Miami, the top two suitors and also the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, and he went with the Celtics because of their tradition and recent NBA Finals history.

“It was a very tough decision,’’ said Murphy. “The Celtics and Heat are both great organizations that really do play the right way.

“Going to the Celtics, I feel like I could help them, being another piece that could help them. They have had a lot of success over the past couple of years in the playoffs and I look forward to being out there.’’

The Celtics were still waiting for Murphy to clear waivers, so team president Danny Ainge declined to comment.

Another move could be on the horizon, as the Celtics have two roster spots open, not counting the spot currently filled by Chris Johnson, signed to a 10-day contract last week.

They may have their sights on Corey Brewer, who was bought out by the Knicks Monday after being traded from Minnesota as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal with Denver. Brewer, a 6-foot-9-inch swingman, was taken by the Timberwolves with the seventh pick in the 2007 draft, and though he is a below-average shooter, he is coveted for his defense at the wing spot.

Dallas, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City are among the teams also interested in Brewer.

The Heat had strong interest in Murphy, a 6-11 forward who has shot 39.1 percent on 3-pointers in his career and averaged 8.5 rebounds a game. Murphy’s agent, Dan Fegan, said Murphy wrestled with the decision between Miami — with its new Big Three of Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade — and Boston, which won a title in 2008 and went to the Finals last year behind Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce.

“It’s rare when a player is in a position to choose between two teams and not make a mistake,’’ Fegan said. “Both Miami and Boston are great situations, and in the end, Troy went with his heart. Or I guess I should say his shamrock.’’

Murphy has finished in the top 10 in rebounding in five of his nine seasons. In 2008-09, he was third in the league in 3-point percentage (45 percent). After a strong 2009-10 season in Indiana (14.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg), he was traded to New Jersey in a four-way deal that involved the Rockets and Hornets.

Because of health issues (strained back, sore right foot, viral infection) and a wealth of players vying for minutes at his position, Murphy’s production plummeted in New Jersey.

He has played in just 18 games this season, averaging 3.6 points and 4.2 rebounds, missing 19 of his 23 3-point attempts. He hasn’t played since the Nets’ 97-77 loss to Washington Jan. 7.

“I was injured in the summer, before the season started, and it kind of got me behind the 8-ball a little bit for training camp,’’ he said. “They’re a young team and going in one direction, and they wanted to play those younger guys and I really didn’t fit into their plans. So I’m just happy to be moving on and happy to be coming up to Boston.’’

The Nets traded him to Golden State last week along with a second-round pick for center Dan Gadzuric and forward Brandan Wright, with a buyout a foregone conclusion.

The Celtics now have a frontcourt full of shooters after giving up Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to get Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic and now adding Murphy. Green can play both forward spots, while Krstic can stretch the floor from the center position with his shooting ability.

The Celtics have had mixed results with late-season signings the last few years. They picked up Michael Finley last season, Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore in 2009, and cashed in with Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown in their championship season of 2008.

“I’m beyond thrilled,’’ Murphy said. “This team has had success in the playoffs, had deep playoff runs, and when I was looking at teams to go to, I was looking at one that could make a deep playoff run and I’m just excited to be part of that and very excited to be coming up.’’

Source: Julian Benbow and Gary Washburn

PEP: EB host Julia Clarete opens up about unfortunate incidents in her life

2011-03-03T01:10:00.000+08:00

Na-interview ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) noong Lunes ng gabi, February 28, ang actress/TV host/singer na si Julia Clarete.

Naganap ito sa set ng indie film na Bisperas—a Cinemalaya 2011 Directors' Showcase entry directed by Jeffrey Jeturian—sa Daily Mirror Street, West Triangle Homes, Quezon City.

"Ang role ko dito, si Ara," pagtukoy ni Julia sa simula ng interview, in between takes, at around 9 p.m., sa labas ng gate sa tapat ng malaking bahay na pinagsu-shooting-an ng eksena.

"Ako yung medyo palaban na daughter nina Tito Tirso [Cruz III] at Tita Quellie [Racquel Villavicencio]. Kapatid ko dito si Edgar Allan [Guzman] at Jennifer Sevilla. Hindi naman siya bratty, malakas lang ang personalidad. Agresibo. Thirty-something.

"In fairness, nakakatuwa siya. Interesting!" pagtukoy ni Julia hinggil sa indie project na ginagawa niya.

"Tinanggap ko siya agad kasi bukod sa na-miss ko ang pag-arte—siyempre, naka-concentrate ako sa Eat Bulaga!—the director is very good! Malinaw siyang magbigay ng instructions, and I must say, I'm lucky to be part of his comeback [as film director]."

'SWARDIKA.' Maraming kuwento si Julia sa maikling interview sa kanya ng PEP, na na-extend pa nang ipakilala niya sa amin ang current boyfriend niya—ang former model and actor na si Illac Diaz.

Pangalawang pagkakataon na raw 'yon ng pagbisita ni Illac sa set ng Bisperas.

Before Julia introduced Illac to us, she was talking about her current stints on TV at mga nagawa niyang CD albums, na posible raw madagdagan this year.

"Ngayon po, habang nagsu-shooting, may early call times din po ako dahil naglo-location shoot naman ako para sa segment din ng Bulaga!. Today, 5:30 a.m. kami umalis ng bahay para pumuntang Batangas," banggit niya tungkol sa segment ng Eat Bulaga! na "Ikaw Na! Da Best Ka, E!"

Sa dakong hapon hanggang gabi naman, up to past midnight, ang shoot para sa Bisperas.

Julia has never been so busy in all her 19 years in show business. Sampung taon nito ay bahagi siya ng ABS-CBN, na nag-buildup sa kanya as part of Star Circle Batch 4.

Six years ago, in 2005, lumipat siya ng GMA-7, at nag-regular TV co-hosting sa Eat Bulaga! simula last year.

Na-mention din ni Julia ang pagkanta niya sa music lounges. "That was a long time ago. I was lounge singer in Heritage, Calesa Bar. Enjoyed it tremendously!" aniya.

At ang pagkakaroon niya ng CD albums na merong "drama."

"Actually, I have three [CD albums]," banggit niya. "First one was with Dyna [Records]. Next was an indie label na kami nung band ko, Swardika. Swardika [o Sawasdee, ayon sa internet], means hello or goodbye 'yon sa Thai.

"And then, itong huli kong album [under Ivory Records, titled Bumalik Ka Lang], parang dedication ko dun sa nag-suicide na lovelife," pagbababalik-tanaw ni Julia, na medyo lumungkot ang mukha.

Tuluy-tuloy na nagkuwento pa si Julia sa PEP:

"Nag-suicide siya, matagal na," sabi niya.

Binanggit ni Julia ang pangalan at iba pang detalye sa dating relasyon nila ng yumaong boyfriend:

"Chico Molina, lead guitarist siya [ng band]," sabi niya.

"Medyo complicated nga yung relationship namin noon, kasi parang walang basbas. We went on for a long time, parang a couple of years. I was in my early 20s. We met and we fell in love, and then up until my mid-20s when he died. ABS pa ako noon when we met."

Pero na-dramatize daw ang kuwento ni Chico Molina nang lumipat si Julia sa GMA-7 via the defunct drama anthology Magpakailanman, hosted by Mel Tiangco.

"Si Boy2 Quizon ang gumanap. Nadaanan din yung phase na 'yon," sabi ni Julia, referring to her career beginnings sa Kapamilya network.

"NON-ISSUE" WITH BARON. Before Cherry Pie Picache, at halos kasabay ng pangyayaring nagtulak din kay Yasmien Kurdi para magsampa ng kaso laban sa aktor na si Baron Geisler, ang napabalitang pambabastos din ng aktor kay Julia.

Sandali lang naging usap-usapan ang nangyari kay Julia. And as far as the singer-actress-TV host is concerned, sabi niya, "Well, the Baron issue was never an issue to me!"

Maaaring nanahimik, o hindi na lang masyadong nagsalita si Julia, dahil naramdaman niyang siya rin ang "dehado" at that time.

Katuwiran niya, "Kasi naman, maski nung nabiktima ako ni Baron, parang ang dami-daming mga write-ups, na kung anu-ano nang sinabi [ni Baron] tungkol sa akin. Na hindi naman yata tama, na dada siya nang dada! Nabastos na nga ako, magpapabastos pa ba ako [lalo]?"

Ipinagtapat ni Julia ang sexual harassment na ginawa sa kanya.

"Merong dinaanan niya [hinipuan] ako sa likod [buttocks], tapos pinahagingan din niya yung chest [dibdib] ko," sabi ni Julia.

Hindi na raw siya masyadong nag-ingay noon, "Kasi, it's for me also. I should not have put myself in a position where I will be compromised. Pero you don't know rin when someone is gonna do something bad to you, especially if you're a good person and you mean well.

"So, lumabas din ang totoo, di ba? Deny siya [Baron] nang deny. 'Si Ate Julia, parang ate ko na 'yan! Hindi ko siya hinipuan!'" pagre-recall ng aktres sa sinabi daw ni Baron sa interviews nito.

"Tapos, 'eto, si Cherry Pie, 'Parang nanay ko na 'yan!' Gano'n ba talaga tingin niya sa nanay niya, at mga kapatid niya?" tanong na ipinagkibit-balikat na lang ni Julia, lalo't aware siya ngayon sa nangyaring pag-suspinde ng PAMI (Professional Artists Management, Inc.) at tuluyang pagpapa-rehab ng aktor.

Source: William R. Reyes, PEP

Bb. Pilipinas bet in nude photo scandal out of pageant

2011-03-03T00:51:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Beauty queen hopeful Roxanne Cabanero has been removed from the official list of the Binibining Pilipinas candidates over a nude photo scandal.

A nude photo of a woman who looks like Cabanero has been circulating on the internet, and it has been a hot topic in several online fora and blogs.

Recently, a blog post claimed that the nude woman is Cabanero.

The Bb. Pilipinas candidate, however, vehemently denied that she is the woman in the picture.

"Nang tinignan ko, parang gumuho ang mundo ko dahil hindi ako iyon," she said.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Cabanero said that she was actually the one who approached Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) to report the scandal.

According to her, she underwent an investigation conducted by BPCI itself.

However, she was suddenly caught off guard when she was asked by a BPCI lawyer to just drop from the competition to quell the speculations.

"Parang lumalabas na ako iyong suspect when the fact na ako ang biktima dito," Cabanero said.

Cabanero said BPCI’s decision is not fair since, she said, she is the victim in the incident.

"Sana naman konsiderasyon na matagal ko ring pinangarap 'to and then it's not easy to go this process. Ang sakit," she added.

Because of pressure, Cabanero was left with no choice but leave the pageant.

Cabanero approached the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to help her identify the controversial blogger who posted her alleged photo.

Meanwhile, BPCI maintained that they merely implemented their rules and regulations.

They said they are stringent in screening their candidates, and if an incident such as this happens, they quickly call the attention of those involved.

“Bb. Pilipinas is governed by stringent rules and policies that are acceptable internationally. We strive to be very thorough in our screening but when violations or misinterpretations albeit deliberate or not unravel, we call the candidates’ attention to the matter," BPCI said.

BPCI said it is hoping “that all speculations regarding this incident will cease as BPCI is not inclined to delve into the issue any further in order to preserve the integrity of the pageant and the reputation of the concerned parties.”

Phil Younghusband on Luis-Angel: That's none of my business

2011-03-03T00:14:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Azkals striker Phil Younghusband has nothing to say over reports claiming that Angel Locsin and Luis Manzano are now back in each other’s arms.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, the heartthrob football player said he does not want to delve on things like that. He said his only focus is his blossoming relationship with Locsin.

“That's none of my business, I mean that's between them. The only thing I can do is concentrate on myself and my relationship with her. I don't want to waste any time thinking about it. I don't think there is any need,” he said.

Younghusband also revealed that he does not really know what Locsin and Manzano went through.

He is hopeful though that things between him and the actress will turn out positively.

“I mean I don't know the history [of their relationship] and I don't know the business but hopefully the future is positive,” he said.

Asked if he and Locsin are planning to have another date, he said: “I'm not sure. We don't have any plans right now at the moment but hopefully soon.”

Younghusband has been very vocal about his admiration for Locsin. Last February, he blatantly asked the actress to be his Valentine’s date on Twitter.

In his recent interview, Younghusband disclosed that things seem to be going smooth between him and Locsin.

The 2 reportedly went out several times. They went target shooting on their first date.

Locsin and Manzano, on the other hand, are rumored to have rekindled their romance.

Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

Charlie Sheen's Children Whisked Away From His Home

2011-03-02T17:57:00.001+08:00

Charlie Sheen's twin boys with estranged wife Brooke Mueller were carried off from Sheen's home on Tuesday, according to Los Angeles television reporter Brandi Hitt from KTLA.

"My fangs are dripping tiger blood," Charlie told RadarOnline as his 2-year-old sons were reportedly taken away.

Following the event Charlie took to his Twitter account, writing, "My sons' are fine... My path is now clear... Defeat is not an option..!"

The news regarding Charlie's twins follows earlier reports that Mueller obtained a restraining order against the actor Tuesday.

Source: ETONLINE

Christian Bale's mother Jenny: 'I hope an Oscar can bring us together' after 3 year feud

2011-03-02T17:51:00.001+08:00

Christian Bale’s career might have reached a new peak of success after picking up his Oscar this week, but his mother Jenny is still desperately trying to repair their broken relationship.

The actor, who won Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Fighter, hasn’t spoken to his mother in three years and as she watched her son accept his award from her home in Bournemouth, she was only able to email him ‘Well done, love mum X’, without receiving a reply.

Bale’s 63-year-old mother says Christian hasn’t sent her a response but said she hopes his Oscar can bring them closer together since a family feud tore them apart in 2008.

Jenny said: ‘I stayed up late to watch on TV. I was nodding off but had to stay awake to see my son’s big moment…. The family are so pleased for him. This Oscar is well deserved.’

Despite proudly watching her son alongside his wife Sibi on the small screen, Jenny says she cried as she saw other celebrities there with their mothers, while she hasn’t spoken to hers in years.

‘I’d love Christian to walk through the door right now. I’d give him a big hug and a kiss and we could forget about the last three years.’, she told The Sun.

She says her son has also ignored her Christmas and birthday cards since the feud kicked off when the 37-year-old actor was arrested and bailed in July 2008 after allegedly ‘flying off the handle’ at London’s Dorchester hotel.

Bale’s mother and sister accused the star of assault after the argument on the night of his Batman premiere for The Dark Night, leading to the demise of their relationship.

Jenny says she went to her son’s hotel suite alongside Christian’s sister Sharon, 43, and her daughters Ruby, 15, Florence, 12, and Keira, four, where he apparently soon lost his temper.

Jenny, who is a counsellor and former circus clown, said: ‘We were going for dinner. He was running late and kicked off, shouting at us. I’d never seen him lose his temper before.’

After the incident Sharon went to Ringwood Police Station and reported the incident, alleging that her son had shoved her and his mother and threw them out of the hotel room.

Christian’s assault charge was later dropped but he has since cut ties with his family and Jenny is desperate to reconnect with him.

In her interview with the tabloid, she said: ‘Sharon never forgave him for upsetting her kids. He never forgave her for calling the police.

‘If I had done something wrong I would apologise but I really don’t know why it’s all come to this. Maybe because he’s an actor he can go into character and the blinds just come down.’

Although she hasn’t been able to congratulate him face to face, Jenny has commended Christian for his award winning role as crack addict boxer-turned trainer Dicky in The Fighter.

She says he puts 200 per cent into his roles and even grows his hair and beard in-between jobs just in case he needs them for his next part.

Before their feud, Christian had bought his mother a £241,000 three-bedroom home and also supported his father David, who died from cancer seven years ago.

But his generosity has been overshadowed recently by the family rift and a his famous foul-mouthed rant from that was caught on tape and played over the internet.

On the set of Terminator Salvation, Bale was recorded during his famous meltdown, in which he yelled the F word 35 times as someone walking behind him on set.

Christian is no stranger to foul language though and recently let off steam during an interview with the Australian edition of Empire magazine, saying he wanted to ‘p*** on the shoes’ of a critic who wrote about his ‘trademark weight loss’ acting,.

He said: ‘To be honest, I find it laughable that it’s considered to be some f****** gimmick – it’s so patronizing.

‘For God’s sake, do people not understand what a pain it is to do?’

Source: Daily Mail Reporter

Katie Holmes Sues Magazine for Libel, Seeks $50 Million

2011-03-02T17:45:00.000+08:00

The centerpiece of the lawsuit is the headline, “ADDICTION NIGHTMARE - Katie DRUG SHOCKER! – The Real Reason She Can’t Leave Tom” -- while the actual article does NOT allege any drug use by Katie we’re told she feels the suggestive cover is deliberately defamatory and is libelous on its own.

The lawsuit states, "[Katie] has no intention of leaving her husband, and is not prevented from doing so by any drug addiction."

Holmes' attorney tells TMZ, "Star Magazine's malicious claims about Katie are untrue, unethical and unlawful. Not only do they cruelly defame Katie, they play a cheap trick on the public, making ridiculously false claims on the cover unsupported by anything inside."

And, the attorney adds, "Someone should bring a class action to get all buyers their money back."

Holmes is seeking $50 million in damages from American Media Inc.

Source: TMZ

Expert: Selena Gomez Should ‘Lay Low’ Following Bieber Twitter Hate

2011-03-02T17:33:00.000+08:00

Selena Gomez/Justin Bieber

Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber recently broke millions of young girls’ hearts when he publicly confirmed his romance with pop star Selena Gomez by sneaking in some PDAs at the Vanity Fair Oscars party on Sunday. Justin’s hardcore fans aired their grievances over “Jelena” on Twitter and some even went so far to make threats on the Disney star’s life.

How can Justin and Selena both deal with the fan hate surrounding their romance without alienating their fans? Celebuzz spoke with Monica Cost, celebrated columnist for EURWeb and branding expert, who helped map out the next steps for the young couple.

Monica explains that it can be hard for male teen stars to get into relationships with women (famous or not famous) since they are often placed “in a position where the fans feel that they are in a place of ownership” over the celeb. Justin’s fans are an important and involved part of his life and he actively pursues an engaged relationship with his Beliebers through Twitter and Facebook, so it is easy to see why many of his fans would feel like they “own” the young star.

Monica also explains that Justin and Selena’s relationship may prove to problematic for some fans since she is older (18) and he is still viewed a “the young teen heartthrob.”

As for how they should address the Twitter hate, Monica suggests that Justin make the first move.

“He has to say something first,” Monica explains. “I would have him address it on Twitter but not in a deliberate [separate press] interview since it would give the haters a voice. Selena should lay low for awhile.”

“He should say something like, ‘I just want the fans to know that I still love them and I’m still here’,” says Monica. However, Monica notes that Justin shouldn’t shy away from the fact that he is “acting like a normal teenager” and getting into a relationship with girl. That’s what teenagers do, after all!

“On Twitter, the fans forget that [the celebrity they're bashing] is human,” Monica continues. “Over the computer it is just so easy to just…say it and there is no accountability on Twitter. When you are getting bullied or hated on, you have to pull back.”

As for how the Biebs and SelGo should act now that they are an official item, Monica says she wouldn’t change anything about their behavior.

“I wouldn’t have them do more [press appearances] than they are doing,” Monica explains. “However, I would brand Selena in a less sexy way, more jeans and t-shirts and not so much red lipstick and high buns.” Those looks, says Monica, may draw attention to the fact that Selena is older than Justin.

What do you make of the Jelena hate? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Maria Mercedes Lara

Lindsay Lohan Denied Phone, Twitter Access in Rehab

2010-10-08T23:43:00.000+08:00

The reason you haven't seen many tweets from Lindsay Lohan is because she's not allowed on Twitter in rehab.

According to a source, the actress, who is getting treatment for substance abuse problems at the Betty Ford Center, is "only allowed to use her phone for two hours a day, and only to keep in touch with family and close friends," The New York Post reports.

"Before, she would repeatedly and compulsively e-mail her friends if she was ever in a situation where she felt lonely, and she would vent on Twitter," the source continued.

The phone policy is standard for all Betty Ford patients, so the troubled starlet can "concentrate on herself," the insider explained.

Lindsay is back in rehab after failing two court-ordered drug tests. Earlier this summer, Lohan spent 13 days in jail and three weeks in a treatment facility when she violated her probation stemming from a 2007 DUI arrest.

Source: www.popeater.com

Michael Copon: Kim Kardashian's New Boyfriend?

2010-10-08T23:37:00.000+08:00

Kim Kardashian is filming her new reality series 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York' in NYC, and she already has a new man, In Touch Weekly reports.

Just this week, Kim said that she'd be "down for some hookups" if friends wanted to set her up on dates.

In Touch's press release follows:

It's all about new beginnings for Kim Kardashian -- she has a new TV show, a new zip code, and now, a new man, too! A galpal of Kim's tells In Touch that she's dating actor and musician Michael Copon, who's best known for his role on One Tree Hill. "Kim is dating Michael," the source tells In Touch. "They have known each other for years, but he and Kim just recently reconnected." Kim and Michael are currently in New York, where she's filming Kourtney and Kim Take New York, and fans can expect to see more of her new hottie. "He'll definitely be making appearances on Kim's new TV show," the source adds. Kim and Michael met in 2006 when they filmed Beyond the Break together, in which they played boyfriend and girlfriend. "They have been running in the same circles and going to the same events forever, but now they are hitting it off romantically," the source says. "The timing is right for both of them."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Glee's Comatose Dad Mike O'Malley: I'm Not Dead – Yet

2010-10-08T23:12:00.000+08:00

Fear not: If Kurt's dad on Glee doesn't come out of a coma, Mike O'Malley will still be employed.

The actor who plays blue-collar Burt Hummel is coy about this week's cliffhanger that left his character in a hospital bed on the brink of death, but in real life O'Malley is doing just fine.

He has another project as a writer/producer on Shameless, a Showtime series set to air in January starring William H. Macy, and keeps busy as a playwright and coach to his son's baseball, basketball and soccer team.

O'Malley caught up with PEOPLE to dish on the emotional episode that had everyone talking:

1. No Burt Ghost
"There's been some conversation about whether or not at the end of that episode, I did indeed move my finger," O'Malley says. "I did move my finger. But it doesn't necessarily mean – Okay, I'll put it this way – I'm not dead at the end of last week's episode." He won't elaborate on what viewers can expect next week, but says, "I doubt very much that there's going to be a ghost character."

2. Method Acting as a Near-Corpse
"They told me, 'You know what, Mike? You don't need any makeup. You're fine as is,' " he says. "I thought they were going to try to make me look somewhat deathly. I was like, 'Don't you need to add anything to this?' So, I'm walking around in my normal life, looking like I just had a heart-attack. That's what that notion is telling you when they tell you that you don't need any makeup."

3. A Big Post-Coma Number?
"I think it would be awesome if Burt lives, if part of his moment is him picking up the guitar," O'Malley says. "There doesn't seem to be any clamor for a song from Burt, but I would love if it happens. Is there an actor who wouldn't want to sing on one of the top-rated shows in the country? Of course I want to sing!"

4. His Family Didn't Watch
"My kids are 3, 5, and 7, so they don't have any notion of me as an actor, really," O'Malley says. "The kids don't really watch Glee. We try to follow the TV ratings guidelines, and I think Glee is 12-plus, and it deals with some of the cruelty that people in high school perpetuate on one another. My kids have plenty of time before they have to be introduced to the cruelty of the world."

Source: www.people.com

'Two and a Half Men' -- Kid Scores MASSIVE Contract

2010-10-08T22:52:00.000+08:00

While most 16-year-olds are scrounging around for minimum wage jobs ... the kid from "Two and a Half Men" just locked up a brand new contract worth $300,000 per episode ... TMZ has learned.

Angus T. Jones -- who plays Charlie Sheen's nephew Jake Harper on the show -- signed a minumum 26 episode deal on May 12, 2010 ... which means dude will make $7.8 mil over the next two seasons ... plus a $500,000 signing bonus.

That's just the minumium he's guaranteed. The reality is ... CBS has guaranteed 48 episodes over the next two seasons, which means Angus would pocket $14.4 mil total, plus that $500,000 signing bonus.

Right around the time Jones inked his deal ... Charlie Sheen signed a contract worth $2 mil an episode ... which translates to $52 mil over the next two seasons.

Because Jones is a minor, his contract had to be approved by an L.A. County Superior Court judge ... who makes less in a year than Jones makes in a week.

By the way -- today is ATJ's 17th birthday ... he should probably go buy himself something nice.

Source: www.tmz.com

Mark Zuckerberg gives his take on 'The Social Network'

2010-10-08T22:47:00.000+08:00

Despite previous statements that he had no plans to see "The Social Network," Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg did, in fact, watch the film on the company's field trip to the movies last Friday.

I just wrapped up an interview with Facebook's iconic founder and Groups Product Manager Justin Schaffer at the company's headquarters in Palo Alto, California. We discussed the new Groups feature and data portability, but I did also manage to sneak in a question or two about the film, specifically about Zuckerberg's take on it.

While Zuckerberg skirted questions about his opinion of Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of his early years, the 26-year-old CEO did say he's interested to see what effect "The Social Network" has on entrepreneurship. He told me that he gets "lots of messages" from people who claim that they have been very much inspired by what he's done; some say he's inspired them to go into computer science, others to start their own company.

I couldn't get him to rate the film for me, but I did get him to talk about what effect he thought it would have on the company he's built.

He's been asked a lot of questions about what exactly happened during Facebook's early years, he said in our interview. However, he added, "We build products that 500 million people see... If 5 million people see a movie, it doesn't really matter that much."

In other words, the movie is a drop in the bucket compared to Facebook's bigger ambitions to make the entire world more social. It seems like he's stopped worrying about the potential impact of the movie on Facebook's image and is focused on building and launching new products.

We've said all along that Zuckerberg should like the Facebook movie. I don't think you'll see him promoting it for an Oscar anytime soon, but it doesn't seem like he fears it anymore, either.

Source: cnn.com

Michael Douglas Has Just One Cancer Treatment Remaining

2010-10-08T22:44:00.000+08:00

After a grueling eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, Michael Douglas is almost done with his treatment for throat cancer.

The Oscar-winning actor, 66, has one more treatment left, and after this week "no further treatments are scheduled," says his longtime friend and publicist Allen Burry. Douglas's recovery is expected to take about another six weeks. Then, he'll have periodic check-ups.

"He's really happy about it ending," says Burry.

Although the treatment can make it painful to swallow and as a result difficult to eat, Douglas "was determined not to have a feeding tube, and he didn't have to have one," says Burry.

He also still had enough energy to walk his 7-year-old daughter Carys to school and came out to promote "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," appearing at the New York premiere with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Source: www.people.com

Johnny Depp: Part-Time Pirate, Full-Time Awesome

2010-10-08T22:34:00.001+08:00

Smooth sailing for Johnny Depp, straight into the hearts of dozens of school children.

The movie star, in London shooting the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean flick, took time out Wednesday to surprise the kids at Meridian Primary School in Greenwich after an intrepid 9-year-old asked for his help in waging mutiny against their teachers.

Guess who's a shoo-in for student body president this year?

"Captain Jack Sparrow, At Meridian Primary School, we are a bunch of budding young pirates and we were having a bit of trouble mutiny-ing against the teachers, and we'd love if you could come and help," wrote the wee Beatrice Delap, who signed her entreaty, "a budding pirate."

And Depp, dressed in full Pirates regalia, happily obliged, although he told Beatrice they were going to have to hold off on the mutiny because of the police escort waiting for him outside.

According to London's Daily Mail, no one knew Depp was coming until 10 minutes before he arrived (smart, that one), but school administrators swiftly got everything in order so that Capt. Jack Sparrow himself could meet the students.

During his visit, Depp asked Beatrice to come forward for a hello hug and showed her classmates the letter (illustrated with a skull and crossbones, of course) she wrote him.

We're thinking the teachers, who probably didn't even know they were thisclose to a mutiny, have probably earned at least a few points with the kids for helping Depp pull off what we're safely going to call the highlight of the school year so far.

Source: www.eonline.com

Robert Downey Jr. Picking Up Where Steve McQueen Left Off

2010-10-08T22:27:00.000+08:00

The King of Cool is getting a lift from the King of Comebacks.

Robert Downey Jr.'s production company has acquired the treatment for the Steve McQueen passion project Yucatan, an adventure film McQueen drafted the concept for in the late 1960s but which never got made.

So, Warner Bros. has hired Sherlock Holmes scribe Anthony Peckham to write the script and Team Downey (actually his company's name) is definitely onboard to produce.

But, more importantly, is Downey going to play the renegade treasure-hunter envisioned by McQueen years ago?

The film is definitely being written with Downey in mind for the starring role, but his rep could not immediately confirm that the in-demand actor will be in front of the camera for this one.

Downey has no fewer than three films coming up, including the Sherlock Holmes sequel and the all-star superhero flick The Avengers, in which he'll suit up as Iron Man.

Yucatan will be the first movie from the Team Downey shingle, which the actor started with his wife, Susan.

Source: www.eonline.com

Did John Mayer 'Trash' Hotel Suite in Manila?

2010-10-08T22:20:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Rock star John Mayer has left the country after his concert last Oct. 1 but the buzz about him and his alleged “antics” while he was in Manila perpetuates.

A few days ago, Mo Twister revealed on showbiz talk show “Paparazzi” that model Georgina Wilson received a thinly-veiled proposal of sorts from the singer-songwriter when she interviewed the latter for show sponsor Channel V.

According to the diminutive radio personality turned talk show host, Mayer offered his number to Wilson after the latter inquired about his now defunct Twitter account.

“You don’t need my Twitter. Here’s my number,” Mayer supposedly said to Wilson.

This was confirmed by a friend of Wilson, Raymond Gutierrez via Twitter.

“ Hahaha! John Mayer offered his number to @ilovegeorgina and she just giggled away. Watch out Borgy!” he tweeted.

Borgy, a Marcos scion, is Wilson’s current boyfriend.

Meanwhile, a separate report has it that Mayer and his entourage “trashed” the presidential suite of the EDSA Shangrila Hotel, where they were billeted.

According to blogger Chuvaness of Chuvaness.com, Mayer allegedly destroyed furniture worth PHP 300,000.

More, Jennifer Aniston’s ex boytoy was also supposedly very rude to the hotel and media staff.

“He refused to have his picture taken, and had specific instructions: ‘If I don't say yes, that means NO,’" wrote Chuvaness.

The report was supported by Harold Geronimo, supposedly a lifestyle columnist of Manila Standard Today who tweeted about the matter.

“Confirmed: Singer John Mayer paid almost US8000 for destroying furniture & fixtures in d Presidential Suite of EDSA Shangrila Manila,” he tweeted.

Geronimo added, “Mayer apparently ran wild inside the Presidential Suite, broke expensive vases, lamps, desks etc. The result: temporary closure of d suite.”

According to Geronimo’s tweets, his source is from within “the group” and that Mayer eventually paid for the damage.

Source: www.mb.com.ph

X Factor Wannabe Cher Lloyd Accused Of Bullying

2010-10-08T22:14:00.000+08:00

And making a former fellow pupil's life 'a misery'...

X Factor's Cher Lloyd is already beginning to get a reputation for herself as we reported here yesterday and it seems as though she's got a bit of a dark past too.

In fact, The X Factor wannabe has been accused of being a bully, making the life of her fellow school pupil, Opehlia Blakeway 'a misery'.

Opehlia told the Sun that Cher bullied for for two years when they attended Dyson Perrins High School between 2006 and 2008.

She revealed: "I want people to hear the truth about what Cher was like.

"Everyone is making her sound like an angel but she caused me a lot of pain.

"I've had problems ever since. I'm still trying to get over depression. I had counselling, I cried, I was self-harming. It's not nice because I have the scars."

Not only that but she also revealed that Cher had "been in a lot of fights" and had "control" over a group of friends who were "scared of her".

What do you think of Cher now?

Source: www.entertainmentwise.com

Polanski victim 'very relieved' he wasn't extradited to U.S.

2010-10-08T22:09:00.000+08:00

Samantha Geimer, who was 13 when director Roman Polanski had unlawful sex with her in 1977, said she is "very relieved" that the filmmaker was not extradited from Switzerland.

Polanski was arrested in Switzerland last year on a U.S. fugitive warrant.

"I think they did the right thing," Geimer said in an exclusive interview with "Larry King Live," her first since the Oscar-winning filmmaker was arrested in September 2009. "I am happy they didn't extradite him. I don't want to see him go to trial."

Geimer said that she doesn't want to deal with the media circus that would surround Polanski's return to the U.S.

"If just the arrest brought such a ruckus into my life and into my backyard in a literal sense ... I'm sure his coming back would just be a thousand times worse."

Geimer publicly forgave Polanski in 1997.

On Thursday night, she blamed Polanski's decision to flee the country before he was sentenced on the judge in the case, who she said had been dishonest with Polanski.

Prosecutors had dropped rape and other charges in exchange for his guilty plea. But Polanski fled the country after learning the judge might not grant the short prison term Polanski expected in exchange for his plea.

"He served his time and he did everything he was asked to do," Geimer said Thursday. "We had a corrupt judge who was being dishonest. (Polanski) had no reason to trust the system was going to work for him, and I've been so much more damaged by the court system and by the media than by him."

Asked if she protested during the sexual episode with Polanski, Geimer said, "a little, not a lot."

"I was scared, I had been drinking, I was alone," she said. "I didn't know how to handle it."

On Thursday, Geimer urged the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to drop its case.

"If people want to protect children, then right now there are children being trafficked online, in classified ads -- they should do something about things happening now," she said. "Going after Roman Polanski doesn't protect anybody. It just distracts maybe from more important things."

In July, Switzerland announced it would deny a U.S. request to extradite Polanski to face sentencing and set him free.

The Swiss rejected the U.S. request because the United States did not supply all the legal records Switzerland requested and because Polanski had a reasonable right to think he would not be arrested if he visited the country, Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said at the time.

"We are deeply disappointed," said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, head of the Justice Department's criminal division, said in July. "We thought our extradition request was supported by the facts. We're going to review our options."

Polanski was 43 at the time he had unlawful sex with Geimer. He is now 76.

He has been a fugitive since 1978 and lived in France before his arrest.

Source: cnn.com

Ryan Seacrest to Have His Own Cable Channel

2010-10-08T22:04:00.000+08:00

It seems like somebody wants to be the next Oprah Winfrey, eh?

Ryan Seacrest, who has been the only remaining original member of the global talent show ‘American Idol’ along with Randy Jackson, has been reportedly engaging in talks to launch his very own cable channel.

Yup, you read it right. That’s Ryan Seacrest’s “own cable channel.”

The 33-year-old multifaceted Seacrest, who also runs his own company “Ryan Seacrest Productions,” is currently in talks with talent firm Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and entertainment company Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) to co-launch a new cable television network, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

Seacrest, who is hosting and co-producing “E! News” and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” will still be able to fulfill his commitment with the network as the soon-to-be launched cable network will not be competing with E!

The business venture is in very preliminary stages, but the network's concept is described as music, pop culture and lifestyle oriented.

The network would pull programing from AEG's worldwide concerts and live venues, such as the Staples Center, L.A. Live and The 02 in London, and leverage Seacrest's entertainment industry relationships and insight as a reality producer.

The first hurdle for the Seacrest/CAA/AEG network will be to secure cable and/or satellite distribution. Parties are in talks with various companies. One big question has been whether Comcast will carry the network. There's been "serious discussions" with the cable titan, but as of right now Comcast is not involved in the venture and has no plans to carry it.

Even without carrying the Seacrest/CAA/AEG channel, Comcast chiefs in Philadelphia are said to be "very supportive" of Seacrest and searching for ways to give him new opportunities after the company's NBC Universal merger.

Seacrest was featured in several gossip sites over the weekend after reports about a brewing feud between him and newly-named ‘American Idol’ judge Jennifer Lopez started circulating.

“Ryan was the one who first suggested Jennifer, but now he’s starting to regret it, because she’s acting like she’s a much bigger star than he is,” an insider told In Touch Magazine. “Ryan knows the diva behavior is likely to get worse before it gets better. Producers are trying to get them to make peace, but their egos are both pretty big.”

Launching a cable network in 2010 is no easy task. A cable land rush in the 1990s and early 2000s had companies launching networks left and right. That dried up after the arrival of bandwidth-hogging high-definition content, which cramped the ability of cable operators to distribute new channels. At the same time, the proliferation of so many niche content choices began to offer programmers diminishing profit margins. Most new cable brands nowadays are rebranded from underperforming networks -- like how Discovery Health is converting to Oprah Winfrey's new network, OWN.

Seacrest and his partners' most likely path to distribution would be to convince one of the cable channel-owning power players (like MTV Networks or Discovery Communications) to let them rebrand a struggling channel that already has a fair amount of distribution. (With reports from The Hollywood Reporter)

Source: www.mb.com.ph

Donny and Marie Osmond: Not So Nice After All?

2010-10-08T22:00:00.000+08:00

Donny and Marie Osmond's variety show is a big hit in Las Vegas. But what's the story backstage?

The siblings were sued last week by the show's producer, who claims they conspired to "defraud the William Morris Agency" out of its cut for renegotiating the Osmonds' contract and then retaliated when the producer refused to join the conspiracy.

Most interesting of all, though, is what plaintiff Chip Lightman claims Donny is spending his $1.6 million salary on...

"The clear goal of actions has been to line his own pockets with ill-gotten gains to fund his lavish lifestyle of exotic cars, luxury hotel suites and private jets—all off the backs and hard work of those who worked tirelessly to support his career," reads Lightman's complaint.

Earlier this year, Donny and Marie inked a contract extension that will keep them in residence at the Flamingo Las Vegas for another two years.

They each are being paid a base salary of $1.6 million, plus 40 percent of the box office gross, according to the lawsuit.

Lightman is seeking unspecified damages for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and defamation. He says that Donny threatened to not show up for their scheduled dates at the end of the summer unless Lightman agreed to take a 50 percent pay cut and sign away his producer's credit.

In response, the Osmonds' attorney, Howard King, said in a statement obtained by the Hollywood Reporter that they had not yet seen the lawsuit, so couldn't comment on it specifically, but that they're sorry to hear about it.

"Of course, we are surprised and disappointed that Mr. Lightman took such precipitous action," King said, "especially in light of the substantial sums he has been paid, despite the facts that he neither created, financed or owns the show, nor does he engage the talented and dedicated people who produce and perform the show each night."

Source: www.eonline.com

Justin Bieber Making Life Hard for...Justin Bieber

2010-10-08T21:55:00.000+08:00

Will the real Justin Bieber please stand up?

Well, that depends on which Justin Bieber you mean.

There's the teen singing sensation, the one who's hounded by screaming girls, touring the world and rolling in dough.

But there's also the 35-year-old pinball whiz from Jacksonville, Fla., who can't maintain a Facebook account with that famous name because the site accuses him of being a fake.

And there's the small-town father of three who says his family was getting phone calls 24/7 from people—including girls who claimed to be Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez— who apparently think the Bieb might be hiding out in Bowdle, S.D.

"We'd come home and our voice box would be completely full of girls screaming or hang-ups," Bieber No. 3 told E! News recently. "So we ended up changing our phone number after 15 years of having it."

("Bieber!" We picture Stephen Colbert yelling that and shaking his fist.)

Florida Bieber is also inundated with unwanted attention. He tells E! that he gets tons of fan mail each day and had to unplug his phone because he was getting too many late-night calls. He's even been offered duet opportunities with some very famous singers.

"I started getting calls form Sony on my cell, then a call from a company wanting me to work with Lady Gaga. They said she wants to do a duet. I said she can call me, but it's not the right place."

A Sony honcho even rudely instructed him to change his name after realizing he reached the wrong Bieber, he says.

But the bespectacled Florida Bieber, an online tech support worker who keeps his hair far more closely cropped than his 16-year-old doppelgänger, just wants to be able to hang with his wife and hit the arcade in peace.

"It's pretty annoying," he says. "I first noticed it when my wife Googled the name and there were YouTube videos of Justin Bieber. Then about about a year and a half ago, teenagers started calling. At first it was cute and I'm like, 'Why are they trying to talk to me? Why would a 15-year-old have a house in Florida?' "

This Bieber's house phone has now been unplugged for the past two months.

He's also tried to contact Facebook in order to get reinstated, but has had no luck yet. After having an account for six months, it was suddenly disabled with no warning, seemingly just because he was born Justin Bieber.

About 21 years before Justin "Baby" Bieber was born.

"I can't reach anyone there," he says. "I've filled out forms, but they kicked me off due to 'using a fake name.' "

Wisely, his cellphone voice mail says, "You've reached me," lest anyone think they had actually found the singing sensation's number.

On the plus side, at least people now know the correct pronunciation of his name.

"Before, everyone said Justin Byber," he says.

Source: www.eonline.com

Cheryl Cole Accused Of Racism Over Gamu Axe

2010-10-05T23:57:00.000+08:00

The singer didn't put her through despite talent...

Cheryl Cole has been accused of racism after she failed to put Gamu Nhengu through to her final 3 in The X Factor despite her unarguable talent.

But all may not be as it seems as according to sources, Cheryl was under pressure from the show's bosses not to choose the 18-year-old Zimbabwean.

During the judge's houses stage, Cheryl told Gamu: “You are extremely adorable. You’ve got a great voice.

“It’s just a question for me now as to whether you brought the star quality that I was looking for yesterday.”

Gamu clearly has star factor, blowing both Cher Lloyd and Katie Waisell out of the water with her final audition, so it is not her talent in question.

It has been claimed that it was the concerns over Gamu's immigration status that orevented her from being chosen for the live shows. Her mother's visa is due to be renewed during the course of the show and the producers were concerned by any problems that may occur during that process.

A friend of Cheryl's told the Daily Mail: “Cheryl is a professional to her core and she loves the show. She was told by the producers that Gamu had some visa issues and they were worried about problems occurring later on during the show.”

Source: www.entertainmentwise.com

Lisa Rinna Goes Under Knife to Reduce Upper Lip

2010-10-05T23:54:00.000+08:00

She swore she'd never touch her infamous pucker again, but on Aug. 26, Lisa Rinna did just that – surgically reducing the size of her upper lip.

"My lips started to define who I am," Rinna, 47, tells PEOPLE about why she decided to undergo the procedure. "That bothered me."

Public reaction to her plastic surgery confession last year also upset her. After finally admitting that in 1986 she had silicone injected into her upper lip – an impulsive decision she made with a girlfriend and likens to getting a tattoo – Rinna says, "I took a big hit for being honest. It gave everyone online permission to lambaste me. It hurt my feelings."

Now, the star of TVLand's upcoming reality show Harry Loves Lisa (with husband Harry Hamlin) – as well as the author of the new novel Starlit – is ready to keep a stiff upper lip about her new upper lip. "It doesn't matter what other people think," she says. "I did it for myself."

As a result of the procedure, she says, rather than feeling "bumpy and uneven … my lip has no lumps! It's smooth."

But her mouth is still swollen from the procedure and will require six months to heal fully. "It's a work in progress," admits Rinna, "but I feel fantastic."

Source: www.people.com

Dwyane Wade's Ex -- Psych Tests Demanded in Court

2010-10-05T23:51:00.000+08:00

Dwyane Wade's ex-wife needs a checkup from the neck up ... according to the attorney appointed to look out for the former couple's kids during their ongoing child custody trial.

According to new documents filed in Chicago -- and obtained by TMZ -- the attorney, Lester L. Barclay claims, "There is a question as to the mental condition and violent tendencies" of Siohvaughn Wade.

In the filing, Barclay claims Siohvaughn's own testimony has revealed a history of extreme violence -- and he believes she has "homicidal" and "suicidal" tendencies.

Bottom line ... Barclay is asking the court to force Siohvaughn to undergo a psychiatric evaluation with a court-approved psychiatrist -- and he wants their two kids to stay with Dwyane while the trial continues.

Source: www.tmz.com

Nicholson to Oksana's Dude: You Don't Know Jack

2010-10-05T23:46:00.000+08:00

Oksana Grigorieva's bodyguard/key adviser told her none other than Jack Nicholson was footing the bill for his services because Jack was so concerned for her safety ... but his story is pure BS -- sources tell TMZ.

We know Kristian Otto Herzog -- a twice-convicted felon who impersonated a cop with a loaded firearm -- told Mel Gibson's baby mama he would protect her free of charge, because Jack was graciously covering the bills.

Herzog showed Oksana this photo -- posted on his Facebook page -- to show he's done work for Nicholson in the past. The photo was taken at The Ivy restaurant. But we're told Nicholson doesn't know Herzog from Adam ... and Herzog just inserted himself in the photo as Jack was leaving the restaurant.

Herzog has become Oksana's key adviser who is now calling all the shots. TMZ broke the story ... Judge Scott Gordon issued a restraining order Monday against Herzog, ruling he posed a danger to baby Lucia and prohibited him from going near her.

Source: www.tmz.com

Lil Wayne Gets Solitary Confinement Punishment

2010-10-05T23:38:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK — Lil Wayne is facing the music after being accused of breaking jail rules by having gear for listening to tunes: He can expect to go solo for the rest of his time behind bars in a gun case.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper was moved Monday into what city jail officials call "punitive segregation" for a month, until his expected November release date, Correction Department spokesman Stephen Morello said. It's his punishment for stashing a charger and headphones for a digital music player in his cell earlier this year, officials said.

Lil Wayne generally will now be confined to his new cell 23 hours a day, with such exceptions as visits and showers, instead of being allowed to mingle with other inmates most of the day. He'll eat in his cell and won't get to socialize even during his hour a day of recreation, Morello said.

Lil Wayne also will have to forego TV, and he'll be limited to one phone call a week instead of a chat a day or more, except for calls to his lawyer, Morello said.

The lawyer, Stacey Richman, had no immediate comment.

The 28-year-old rapper, one of the genre's biggest stars, has been held since March in the Rikers Island jail complex. He pleaded guilty in October 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, admitting he had a loaded semiautomatic gun on his bus in 2007.

He got a one-year sentence but is expected to serve eight months because of time off for good behavior, despite the music-player gear episode.

Officials said the headphones and charger were found in May, tucked in a potato chip bag in a garbage can in the rapper's cell.

The items are considered contraband, as inmates can listen to music only on radios and headphones sold at the jail commissary. Officers said the music player itself turned up in another inmate's nearby cell.

Both men were charged with infractions that weren't crimes and were subject to a jail disciplinary process, not a court. Information on the other inmate's punishment wasn't immediately available Monday.

Lil Wayne's penalty was within norms for his infraction, Morello said.

"Possession of contraband is serious," he said, though not as grave as violent offenses or being caught with a weapon, for example.

Born Dwayne Carter, Lil Wayne had the best-selling album of 2008 with "Tha Carter III," which won a best rap album Grammy.

As he faced incarceration, he told Rolling Stone he planned to keep up the beat behind bars.

"I'll have an iPod, and I'll make sure they keep sending me beats," he told the magazine for a February story.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Deadliest Catch Coming Back for More Despite Loss of Key Captains

2010-10-05T23:32:00.000+08:00

Phil Harris' sons are keeping hope alive for the Discovery Channel.

The seventh season of Deadliest Catch is a go, despite the abrupt departures of Capts. Andy and Jonathan Hillstrand and Sig Hansen, E! News confirmed Monday.

WIth shooting scheduled to start next week to coincide with the beginning of crab season, Jake and Josh Harris are picking up where their late father left off on the Cornelia Marie, which is now being helmed by Derrick Ray.

"Our Dad made a tremendous connection with so many fans and it is such a fitting tribute to his life that we, his sons, can remain fishing on the boat that he skippered for so many years," the Harris brothers said in a statement.

The Hillstrand brothers, who skippered Time Bandit, announced they were leaving the show last week after being sued by Discovery for breach of contract. Hansen, captain of the Northwestern and a big fan favorite, resigned in solidarity.

Source: www.eonline.com

Oksana Grigorieva's Bodyguard Never Worked for Jack Nicholson, Report Says

2010-10-05T23:29:00.000+08:00

Oksana Grigorieva's bodyguard/key adviser told her none other than Jack Nicholson was footing the bill for his services because Jack was so concerned for her safety.

But his story is not standing up, sources tell TMZ.

We know Kristian Otto Herzog -- a twice-convicted felon who impersonated a cop with a loaded firearm -- told Mel Gibson's baby mama he would protect her free of charge, because Jack was graciously covering the bills.

Herzog showed Oksana this photo -- posted on his Facebook page -- to show he's done work for Nicholson in the past.

The photo was taken at The Ivy restaurant. But we're told Nicholson doesn't know Herzog from Adam ... and Herzog just inserted himself in the photo as Jack was leaving the restaurant.

Herzog has become Oksana's key adviser who is now calling all the shots.

TMZ broke the story ... Judge Scott Gordon issued a restraining order Monday against Herzog, ruling he posed a danger to baby Lucia and prohibiting him from going near her.

Source: www.foxnews.com

Life Imitates Art for Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley

2010-10-05T23:25:00.000+08:00

Life imitated art for Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley last fall.

“We were going through the same things that she was going through in the movie at the same time,” Kelley, 30, told PEOPLE at the New York City premiere of Life as We Know It on Thursday.

In the film, the actress plays a woman forced to raise a baby with Josh Duhamel’s character — a former blind date that soured fast — after tragedy strikes their mutual friends. In real life, the couple’s adoption of 22-month-old daughter Naleigh unexpectedly went through a week before filming began.

“It was a zoo, a full on circus,” adds Heigl, 31. “Most of the time I just felt guilty that I wasn’t spending enough time with my own daughter, and I was spending too much time with the triplets [who played the baby in the film] on set.”

She’s since made up for it! “Katherine’s a phenomenal mother,” raves Kelley. “She’s just got the instinct, man. She’s a really, really great mom. And she keeps [Naleigh] on a strict regimen. I think that’s really important when you’re raising a child. You have to keep it consistent.”

With little Naleigh about to turn two, “she’s starting to really be able to formulate sentences,” Kelley, whose new single “Georgia Clay” is out now, says. “I think that’s pretty cute. ‘I love you Dada. I love you Mama.’ I love that. She’s able to mimic really well. It’s phenomenal.”

Source: people.com

Susan Sarandon: I didn't think split with Tim Robbins would ever happen

2010-10-05T23:21:00.000+08:00

When Susan Sarandon's rep announced nearly a year ago that the actress' 23-year relationship with Tim Robbins had ended several months prior, there was a collective gasp amongst celebrities and fans alike.

Sarandon, 63, is now admitting no one was more shocked than her.

The couple, who famously never wed though they raised two sons together, was seen as committed to acting and public activism as they were to each other.

In fact, the public saw them as so solid, that some upset fans even approached her following the split.

"People were coming up to me in the street and saying, 'I cried and cried when I heard,'" she told London's Telegraph. "Well, I was sadder! I didn't think it would ever happen, either."

So, what went wrong?

Nothing, really. Sarandon suggests that she and Robbins, 51, were simply finished with each other.

"You bring people into your life at certain times. Maybe you have a relationship to have children and you realize that it's fulfilled after that point," she explained.

The self-proclaimed "serial monogamist," who can currently be seen on the big screen in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," added that she has "always liked the idea of choosing to be with somebody."

But whether she's "with" Jonathan Bricklin, 31, her business partner in table tennis club SPiN New York, she's not saying.

"You have to have a sense of humor" about the rumors, she says. "There are lots of people in my life at the moment."

Source: www.nydailynews.com

Bruno Mars Says Doo-Wops Will Take Fans On 'A Journey'

2010-10-05T23:11:00.000+08:00

'These are my greatest hits,' singer/producer says of first full-length album.

For most of 2010, Bruno Mars has been the unlikeliest of hitmakers, the unassuming mastermind behind smash hits like Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" and Cee-Lo's "F--- You."

But on Tuesday (October 5), Mars will officially make the leap to bona fide frontman status when he releases his full-length debut, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. And if you think he's not yet ready for prime time, well, then you don't know Bruno Mars.

"The EP I put out [this year's It's Better If You Don't Understand] just had a couple songs that I've written, but the album is the body of work," he said. "It rounds everything off, you know. These are my greatest hits."

And though Mars is facing felony drug possession charges following his arrest in Las Vegas last month, that speed bump is hardly affecting sales. Aside from all those aforementioned hits, he's also riding high on the success of "Just the Way You Are," the first single off Doo-Wops, which currently sits at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He's accomplished more in one year than most artists achieve in a lifetime, but Mars isn't content to rest on his laurels.

"There's no way to describe the feeling of seeing your music being recognized. ... As an artist, that's what you hope for," he said. "I want the world to fall in love with my music, that's what I'm doing music for. I want to be able to do shows and have people come and see me do my thing."

So, if you only know Mars for his hits, well, he hopes you check out his album, too. After all, everything up to this point has been the coming attractions. With Doo-Wops & Hooligans, he's ready to give listeners the full motion-picture experience.

"I put my heart and soul into any record I do, and I just want them to know I mean what I'm saying. Everything that I write down and perform is coming from me," he smiled. "So I want fans to be like, 'You know what, I want to see the Bruno Mars movie,' and I want them to put on my album, and I want to take them on a journey."

Source: www.mtv.com

Zack Snyder is tapped to re-launch Superman

2010-10-05T23:00:00.000+08:00

LOS ANGELES - Zack Snyder, the director of the edgy comic-book films "300" and "Watchmen," will direct the Warner Bros. revival of Superman, the first and most famous costumed superhero of them all.

The 44-year-old Snyder will work side-by-side with producers Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas, the tandem that pulled the Batman character back toward cinematic credibility with the films "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," the latter grossing more than $1 billion at theaters worldwide. David S. Goyer ("Batman Begins") is writing the script and shares the story credit with Nolan.

Snyder has shown a flair for kinetic hyper-reality and, in an interview Monday, he said that in recent days he finds that he "lays awake at night" thinking about the ways to present a Man of Steel who flies.

He declined to talk about story or casting - "He has to be a man ... that's as far as I've gotten" - but did say the film will target a holiday 2012 release.

"I have a fondness for the character and a real desire to understand him and present him to a new audience," Snyder said. "The challenge is huge ... it is a hard character to crack."

The perception that the character may have a bigger past than future may have been reinforced by the solid but unspectacular performance of Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns" in 2006.

Snyder, though, said the concept can still fly. "I think he is viable, yes," the filmmaker said. "He endures. We all want to know, 'How will he come to us now?'"

Source: www.kansascity.com

Susan Boyle -- Screw 'Talent', I'm Going 'Dancing'

2010-10-04T23:35:00.000+08:00

Not everyone in the U.S. hates Susan Boyle -- TMZ has learned the singer will return to The States to perform on "Dancing with the Stars" ... just weeks after she left "America's Got Talent" in tears.

Sources tell us Boyle is scheduled to perform on Tuesday's live show -- and unlike her experience on "Talent" ... we're guessing she'll make "Dancing" producers clear the song she wants to sing -- "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen -- before she touches down on American soil.

As TMZ first reported ... Boyle was blindsided moments before she was supposed to perform on "America's Got Talent" last month ... when she found out Lou Reed wouldn't give her permission to sing his hit "Perfect Day." Boyle was so devastated, she broke down in tears and caught the first plane back to the U.K.

But Susan has a pretty good history with "Dancing" -- last year, she appeared on the show to perform her signature song, "I Dream a Dream" ... and that went off without a hitch.

Source: www.tmz.com

Oksana's Closest Advisor -- Gun-Toting Felon

2010-10-04T23:31:00.000+08:00

A convicted felon with a history of firearms abuse has become Oksana Grigorieva's key man and constant companion, and friends of Mel Gibson say he is deeply concerned about the safety of baby Lucia.

Kristian Otto Herzog has been working as Oksana's bodyguard for months, but multiple sources in the case say he has become so involved in the custody war, he is calling the shots. Herzog is the reason Oksana has changed lawyers so frequently -- when he doesn't like them, they go.

Herzog -- who now has what is described as a "deep relationship" with Oksana -- is constantly around 11-month-old Lucia, and Gibson is worried.

For starters, Herzog is a felon twice over who has repeatedly impersonated a police officer with loaded firearms.

In 2009 alone, he was arrested twice and each case involved firearms. According to court records, in April, Herzog chased two men who were driving in Hollywood, confronted them and accused them of cutting him off. Authorities say Herzog impersonated a cop in his Crown Victoria, with a placard on the dash which read "Police Interceptor." Herzog was carrying a loaded semiautomatic firearm.

In May 2009, Herzog followed a woman out of a Ralph's supermarket, turned on lights and a siren he rigged on his car ... and after she stopped, he began asking her personal questions. She freaked out, drove away and found a nearby cop, who arrested Herzog. At the time of his arrest, Herzog had a knife in his boot as well as a loaded semiautomatic handgun which was not registered to him.

Herzog was charged with multiple crimes and pled no contest in October, 2009 to two counts of impersonating an officer -- both felonies. He was sentenced to one year in jail but was given credit for time served -- he was in jail for 255 days after his second arrest in May. He is on three years probation and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

But recently, two people accused Herzog of making death threats against them for not testifying against Mel Gibson in the ongoing war.

Herzog, who has an explosive temper and uses it frequently with the players in the current case, including Oksana's lawyers, has been convicted of two other crimes.

It's ironic -- since their mediation, Oksana has claimed Mel Gibson is a danger to his children, yet she is allowing a convicted felon with a history of firearms abuse and a nuclear temper to essentially live at her home, where he is constantly around the baby.

Sources tell us ... Mel's people have asked Oksana to keep Herzog away from the baby, but she refuses.

No comment from Oksana's camp.

Source: www.tmz.com

Perez Hilton expands web empire with fitness site

2010-10-04T23:26:00.000+08:00

LOS ANGELES Perez Hilton is losing and gaining - losing weight and gaining a website, that is.

After dropping more than 60 pounds over the past three years, the celebrity blogger is launching a fitness-focused site Monday called FitPerez.com.

"It's an organic next step for me," said the 32-year-old, whose real name is Mario Lavanderia.

Hilton said the new site is all about encouraging his readers to be healthier and happier. It will feature recipes, celebrity workout tips and photos of stars showing off their fit physiques. Hilton also plans to include interviews with celebrities and their trainers, food and fitness trends and stories about fertility, mood issues and other health concerns.

He will also share some of the exercise and eating tips he has used to whittle his figure. Though he relies on four trainers for his seven-days-a-week exercise plan, he said he started his road to health with daily 30-minute walks and careful portion control.

Though he was overweight when he launched his main website, PerezHilton.com, in 2004, the blogger has regularly blasted popular stars for bad health habits, such as smoking and heavy partying.

FitPerez.com is the latest site in what's become Hilton's Internet empire. Within the past year, he has launched a fashion site, CocoPerez.com; an animal site, TeddyHilton.com (named after his dog); and an adult-oriented celebrity site, UnratedPerez.com.

FitPerez.com will include real health information, presented in a "fun and sassy" way, Hilton said.

Inaugural content includes "Glee" star Lea Michele discussing her vegan diet and over-40 actresses Teri Hatcher and Cybill Shepard sharing their views on aging.

Source: www.tri-cityherald.com

Charice Talks About ‘Botox’ Issue on People Mag Feat

2010-10-04T23:19:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time, Filipina international singer Charice talked about the much-debated issue of the Botox and thermage procedures she had last July.

In a one-and-a-half-page spread feature on popular U.S. magazine People in its Oct. 4 issue, Charice clarified—as what her publicists previously said—that she did not undergo the procedure for vanity purposes.

“I got it for jaw pain, not for wrinkles—I don’t have any,” the young pop singer maintained.

Asked if she was surprised at the “backlash,” Charice said:

“It was so ridiculous. You can check pictures of me before and after; I’m still the same. I’m never going to change my face. God gave it to me, and I’m proud of it.”

Apart from what could well be the biggest controversy she was beset with as an international star (so far), Charice also shared her thoughts on being cast on the second season of “Glee,” dreaming of becoming a “singing lawyer,” and boys and dating.

Charice, albeit already in the legal age of 18, said she is not yet ready to go out with someone.

“I’m happy being a kid. Oprah told me, ‘Boyfriends can wait. Being a kid is once in a lifetime’,” she said.

But just like any normal teenager, Charice has her own list of gush-worthy guys—whose names, coincidentally, all begin with the letter j.

“Justin Timberlake. Josh Groban. Jake Gyllenhaal. When I met Justin, I thought I was going to faint. He was like, ‘Charice, you’re so great!’ But Jessica Biel (Justin’s girlfriend) was there, so I was like, ‘This is not my night…’”

Should she be ready to date, Charice said her main requirement for a guy is a good sense of humor. “Because I’m funny. Well, that’s what my friends tell me,” she quipped.

Having stayed in the US intermittently, Charice also has observations about the difference between Filipino guys and American guys.

“Boys in America are more mature; 13-year-old boys here [U.S.] have girlfriends! But Filipino boys are so romantic. They give roses and chocolates. In high school six guys sang a Korean song I couldn’t understand in front of my house. It was so cute,” she told People.

Prior to Charice’s feature in People, Newsweek, USA Today and Billboard (as part of the “21 Under 21: Music’s Hottest Minors”—ranking at number four) also placed the spotlight on the Filipina pride in their respective stories.

And last Sept. 28, another renowned publication, Wall Street Journal, featured Charice in its “Speakeasy” blog.

There, the “Pyramid” singer intimated that she might appear next on the fourth or fifth episode of “Glee.”

But more than being pitted against Lea Michele’s character, Rachel Berry, is there a possibility for Charice’s character, Sunshine Corazon, to find love in McKinley High?

Should such twist be employed on her story, Charice said she would want to be paired with the wheelchair-bound Artie (Kevin McHale), who, coincidentally, has recently split with Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz).

“Sunshine’s character is a bit nerdy, so I think they would be cute together,” she said.

Charice’s Q&A on Wall Street Journal also included her “Glee” song wishlist (any song from Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera), being compared with fellow international singer-actress Lea Salonga (“She’s a professional and I’m just starting out”) and her dream guest on the show (Justin Timberlake).

Her newfound success on “Glee” continues with her recent feat of having beat Beyonce’s debut of “Listen” on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Charice’s rendition of the “Dreamgirls”’ theme song, which she performed for her audition in the glee club, debuted at number 38. Beyonce’s version, meanwhile, charted at number 61 when it was released back in 2007.

Her other “Glee” duet with Lea, Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone,” landed at number 23, while the original made its debut at the third position.

And her achievements do not stop there. Just last Oct. 1, Charice happily tweeted that her international debut album has reached gold status in one of the Philippines’ neighboring countries, Japan.

“Chyeaa! My Album "Charice" is now certified GOLD in Japan! Thank you so much for the support!!! Japan, thank you so much :)” she posted.

Source: www.mb.com.ph

Bret Michaels Naked: 'I Didn't Eat for a Day and I Did About 2,000 Sit-Ups!'

2010-10-04T23:14:00.000+08:00

For a guy who's been through the health-scare wringer this year, Brett Michaels is looking good.

So good, in fact, that Billboard magazine asked the 47-year-old rocker to pose naked—yes, naked—on the cover of its new "Maximum Exposure" issue...

"I said, 'Listen, I have two requests—good lighting and a warm room. That's all I'm asking for,'" Michaels tells me. "If I'm walking out with it all f**king hanging out there for the world to see then, well, I need good lighting and a warm room."

And some sit-ups! "I didn't eat for a day and I did about 2,000 sit-ups," he says.

As we all know by now, Michaels hasn't let his bad health get in the way of him living life. In January, he'll be back on the operating table to repair a hole in his heart. "I'm going in there thinking very positively that it's going to be great and I'm going to feel a whole lot better," he says, before adding, "I'd be lying to say that somewhere in my subconscious there's not a little bit of gulling. When they're going through your body to operate on your heart, it's going to hit you somewhere that they're toying with the ticker. There's definitely a little fear in there somewhere."

But until then, he's got a lot on his plate. His new VH1 reality show, Brett: Michaels: Life As I Know It, premieres Oct. 18. And tomorrow, he headlines the Land Shark Tailgate Stage before Monday Night Football (Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots). "It's the ultimate high," he says. "My whole rock-jock dream has come true....I get to go into the stadium, get to throw some football and I get to play music. That, for me, is a dream come true."

Will all of Michaels' good fortune (and what can only be described as multiple second leases on life) lead him to finally marry Kristi Gibson, his longtime on-again off-again girlfriend and mother of his two daughters? Sounds like it could be the perfect final episode of the new reality show.

"If it naturally happens, I promise you I will, but if it doesn't we'll at least make out in the back of a minivan or something," he laughs. "We'll at least give you some action."

Source: www.eonline.com

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston: Is This the Video That Broke Them Up?

2010-10-04T23:09:00.000+08:00

A domineering mother, an angry slap in the face and a run-in with the law all combine to (possibly) end a young romance in this exclusive premiere of Brittani Senser's "After Love" video, which costars Senser and noted Playgirl model Levi Johnston as her beau.

Check out this exclusive premiere and decide for yourself: Is all this video dramz based on real life or just part of a big misunderstanding between Levi, Bristol and her mom, Sarah Palin?

Who really knows? Senser does say this about the clip, "Yeah, it plays in with his life. It also plays in with mine."

Senser, a season 3 finalist on Making the Band, released the full album After Love (MN Finest Records/Bungalo Records/ UMVD) last year, but has been making headlines since she tapped Johnston to be in the clip.

"We added Levi because he's handsome—truly we thought we'd get a couple hundred thousand Youtube hits," says Senser. "We had no idea that it would become this grand-scheme publishing phenomenon that it's become in the last few weeks."

In the video, directed by Evan Winter, Levi and Brittani play a couple on the verge of a breakup due to the meddling ways of Brittani's slap happy, on-screen mother. In real life, the video appeared to at least play a part in the demise of Bristol and Levi, Take Two. Or maybe not.

While the video ends with Levi left out in the rain, we can only hope for sunnier skies for the real Bristol and Levi, who share a son Tripp and a lifetime of parenting together.

Source: www.eonline.com

Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s PDA-Filled Dinner!

2010-10-04T23:04:00.000+08:00

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are both back in L.A. before Breaking Dawn duties start up, and they wasted no time getting together.

A clean-shaven Rob and a naturally glowing K.Stew were spotted at Soho House in West Hollywood Saturday night totally displaying their affection for one another during a dinner with friends.

"They were staring at each other throughout dinner and kept stealing quick kisses from one another during the night," an eyewitness tells E! News. "Rob's arm was around her for most of dinner and they kept looking at each other and giggling throughout the evening. They are definitely into each other."

Stewart arrived home to L.A. less than a week ago from filming On the Road in New Orleans and Arizona, while Pattinson just returned from London. And it seems like distance hasn't kept these two apart!

"They were by each other's sides the entire night," adds the eyewitness. "After dinner, Rob, Kristen and their friends moved to the patio where the group was smoking and the guys were drinking. Everyone was laughing and having a good time together, but you could tell Rob was doting on Kristen and making sure she was comfortable. They were next to each other everywhere the group went."

One friend in the six-or-so-person entourage was Tom Sturridge, Kristen's On the Road costar and one of Rob's best mates. And yes, although Rob has shaved that beard to get into Edward form, Tom still had the yummy scruff going on.

Stewart, dressed casually in jeans and a black hoodie sweatshirt, was sporting lighter hair still, def not her Bella 'do, while Pattinson covered his hair with a black beanie that showcased his freshly shaven face.

Hooray!

We're told the two were having a great time with pals and were undisturbed by the many gawking patrons, even tho Soho is the hottest and most exclusive hang in LA right now.

Guess everyone loves them some Twilight romance!

The happy couple's free time is a tickin' with Breaking Dawn right around the corner so we think it's totally cool they can hang and not be bothered.

Source: www.eonline.com

Dog Chapman Hospitalized in Los Angeles

2010-10-04T23:00:00.000+08:00

Duane "Dog" Chapman was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles last night after he was injured while on a bounty hunt, this according to his wife Beth.

Dog was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he was treated for internal bleeding. His wife posted a statement on Dog's official website, saying, "He was admitted for tests for a possible blood clot following an injury he suffered on a bounty hunt. Duane is in very capable hands and and we thank everyone for their prayers."

He was released and is expected to make a scheduled appearance at at the Cathedral of Faith Church in San Jose, CA.

UPDATE: This morning, Beth tweeted: "Yes dog is injured it is an occupational hazard that we deal with he is very strong and in excellent condition he will 4 sure survive."

Source: www.tmz.com

Flight Attendant Gurls: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga Spice Up Airline Safety

2010-10-04T22:55:00.001+08:00

Passengers, please direct your attention to the Lady Gaga dancers for important safety information.

During one flight on Cebu Pacific Airlines, which serves the Philippines, flight attendants took a few extra steps to make sure people paid attention to the safety demonstration. With the help of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Katy Perry's "California Gurls," they went through all the motions — seatbelts, life jackets, oxygen masks, the works — with added choreography.

"Cebu Pacific has always been known as a fun airline," said Candice Iyog, the company's vice president of marketing. "We wanted to get the message across to our customers that flight safety doesn't have to be boring."

For now, this was a one-time experiment, though Iyog says the airline is planning on repeating it. We'll have to wait and see if the practice takes off in the U.S.

Source: time.com

Jon Stewart, friends mock Rick Sanchez at charity event

2010-10-04T22:49:00.000+08:00

Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars, where Jon Stewart played host in New York Saturday night, had several of them lining up to take shots at CNN's Rick Sanchez, reports USA TODAY's Gary Levin.

Anchor and reporter Sanchez, a frequent target for mockery on Stewart's Daily Show, called him a "bigot" in a radio interview last week and said CNN and other media were run by "people like him." CNN promptly fired Sanchez. The jokes at his expense were never based on his Hispanic heritage: "The only issue is he's a meathead doofus," explained correspondent John Oliver at the after-party.

Opening the three-hour taping, Stewart suggested that donors feeling guilty about something should pony up the bucks for the benefit's good cause, raising funds to educate autistic children: "If you dented a car, $50. If you cheated on something to get ahead, $500. And if you went on radio and said Jews run the media, in that case you better hold onto your money," he said. Surprise guest David Letterman got into the act, explaining he was in Manhattan over the weekend helping Sanchez "clean out his office," and even former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw joked that he and Stewart had more in common than each thought: "In junior high I didn't want to sit next to Rick Sanchez either."

But it wasn't all topical humor at the benefit, which airs Oct. 21 as part of a telethon, live from Los Angeles. In fundraising gambits, Tina Fey sought donations with a Photoshopped "Tina Fey swimsuit calendar," since "sadly, the Tina Fey glasses calendar did not sell well."

Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, donning pilot uniforms, offered their own choreographed novelty song, Everybody's Talking 'Bout Sully, but conceded it had been sitting around for awhile. Chris Rock raised $20,000 from a woman by calling her ex from the stage and cursing him out. (She'd found out he was cheating on her through Facebook photos). And Carell raised $10,000 from bidder Naomi Watts and another woman by holding their hands and moaning their names while "simulating orgasm."

Letterman brought out an actor portraying the president of the TV Academy, who complained that Stewart's record eight Emmys were just too many: "People hate you." So Letterman handed Stewart four more statutes, saying "Here, now get out of the business."

Jimmy Fallon, Sarah Silverman, Jim Gaffigan, Lewis Black, Joel McHale, Lewis Black, Robin Williams and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog also appeared. So did Paul Simon, offering to help out as Morgan and Rock closed the show with an off-key, lyrics-mangling version of Scarborough Fair.

Source: usatoday.com

Lady Gaga duets with Yoko Ono at US concert

2010-10-04T22:45:00.000+08:00

Pop star Lady Gaga joined Yoko Ono on stage to perform two songs at the end of a three-hour gig from the Plastic Ono Band in Los Angeles.

The Poker Face singer, 24, paid tribute to Ono, 77: "Thanks for being so brilliant and such an inspiration to so many women."

The pair ended the evening lying next to each other on the top of a grand piano.

Ono's late husband John Lennon founded the Plastic Ono Band in 1969.

Their son Sean Lennon is now the musical director.

The concert comes ahead of a weekend of celebrations planned for Saturday 9 October, which would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday.

Ono is planning a series of peace-promoting events in Iceland that day and will light the Imagine Peace Tower, as she does every year on that day.

The tower was unveiled in 2007 near Reykjavik as a memorial to John Lennon from his wife.

It is inscribed with the words: "I dedicate this light tower to John Lennon, my love for you is forever, Yoko Ono."

That will be followed by the Plastic Ono Band playing a special concert.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tiger Woods's Brother Says Dad Would Be 'Disappointed'

2010-10-02T23:38:00.000+08:00

It has been a question many people have asked since last year's accident thrust Tiger Woods into a sex scandal. What would his late father, Earl Woods, think about the golfer's infidelity?

Earl Jr., the oldest half-brother of the golf champ, says that his father would not approve of his son's behavior. "I think my dad would be very disappointed with him," says Earl Jr. in an interview with KSAZ Fox 10 in Phoenix. "He would probably want to know how he's going to fix it. You're grown enough to get into this mess; how are you going to repair it?"

The relationship between Elin Nordegren and her father-in-law was one of respect. "She was family," says Earl Jr. "My dad and her really connected."

Earl Jr. says that Tiger has paid a steep price for his dalliances. "It cost him a family," he says. "He'll never have the same relationship with his kids. There's always a possibility that [Elin] will go back to Sweden. That distance with the kids will tear him up."

"He got caught up in being human," continues Earl Jr. "He made mistakes, and unfortunately, those mistakes were magnified, because he is who he is, and where he's at."

And what was life like in the Woods home growing up? "It was very disciplined," says his brother. "Tiger had his duties he had to perform. My dad would have him do practice rounds in the afternoon. They would be out there for two and three hours. Most of that was fun time, because he was so young, but my dad would slip in some instruction."

And what was Tiger like as a kid? "He wasn't obnoxious," says Earl Jr. "He was kind of a nerd, a bookworm, a computer geek."

With the past behind him, Earl Jr. is hopeful for his brother's future. "Once the dust settles, he'll start being productive," he says. "Once he gets back on track, he'll be right back to where he was, if not better."

Source: www.people.com

Tiger Woods Mistress Sued Over 'Whore' Allegations

2010-10-02T23:33:00.000+08:00

Once again, Devon James' dirty mouth has landed her in some controversy -- after she allegedly accused a woman of being a "whore bag," "slut" and a "thief."

James -- aka Tiger Woods mistress 12³ -- is being sued by her former manager Gina Rodriguez -- aka David Boreanez's alleged mistress #1 -- after the two had a major falling out over commissions Gina said she earned after locking down deals for a porn movie and a website.

In the suit, filed a few days ago in L.A. County Superior Court, Rodriguez claims James got pissed over the 20% that Gina was making from the deals -- and posted some nasty stuff on the Internet such as:

-- "[Gina] doesn't pay her people and fck her"
-- "She is a fcking whore bag slut"
-- "Gina Rodriguez is a liar and her atty is a nut, see you in court ladies"
-- "[Gina] smokes crack"

Now, Gina claims James' cyber-attack has damaged her business -- and she wants a cool $10k to make things right. She also wants a judge to force Devon to stop harassing her on the Internet.

It's a sad day when two alleged homewreckers can't get along ...

Source: www.tmz.com

Will Robert Pattinson Ever Get A Music Career Off The Ground?

2010-10-02T23:25:00.000+08:00

Things aren't looking promising so far...

We all know that Robert Pattinson is a phenomenally talented musician (his Twilight co-stars have told us enough times), but will the British heartthrob ever be taken seriously as a recording artist?

Having recorded two songs for the soundtrack to the first film in the vampire saga, the actor hasn’t ruled out recording an album in the future.

In fact, his agent Stephenie Ritz has reportedly been urging Rob to release some material sooner rather than later.

“She’s encouraging him to get his music career off the ground, which Rob is hugely passionate about,” says a source.

Despite this, it seems Rob isn't quite yet ready to treat music like work.

"Rob needs to seriously rethink his musical career," a source told the National Enquirer.

"He didn't manage to get anything done because he invited a bunch of his rowdy friends and brought tons of booze to the studio. He ended up goofing off all night with his buddies and getting drunk."

They added: "Rob mostly joked around with the musicians and kept them there for hours.

"He got so wasted that he couldn't get it together long enough to complete one track."

Here’s a little reminder of what we’ve been missing – and what we might have to look forward to should Rob ever be sober enough to record something…

Do you think Rob should embark on a music career or should he just stick to acting?

Source: www.entertainmentwise.com

Kim Kardashian As Big As Princess Diana? In France....

2010-10-02T23:17:00.000+08:00

We know Kim Kardashian is well known in America and England, but it seems Kim is even bigger in France.

So much so that the attention the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was getting in Paris was similiar to that Princess Diana attracted.

Who would have thought a princess and a reality star would one day be compared with each other?

According to the Metro, Kim, who spent time traveling around Europe last month said: "When we went to Paris there'd be so many fans and so much paparazzi.

"The guy at the Ritz was like, 'I've never seen it like this since Princess Diana,' and I was like, 'Are you serious?'."

Source: www.entertainmentwise.com

Call Girl Hits Back at Beckham, Files Lawsuit Claiming She Told Truth

2010-10-02T23:10:00.000+08:00

As if he didn't have enough issues to deal with, David Beckham is getting hit with a countersuit by former call girl Irma Nici.

Nici has been making the rounds claiming she had a one-night stand with the soccer stud—leading him to sue In Touch, which first printed her story. Now, she says the backlash sent her to the hospital and Beckham must pay!

Nici and her lawyer, Paul Rolf Jensen, issued a carefully worded statement Friday announcing their legal action seeking to have Beckham's lawsuit tossed.

"The former call girl who was sent to the hospital earlier this week as a result of the hounding she received at the hands of David Beckham and his legal team has struck back," their statement began.

Without specifically mentioning any affair or the In Touch report, they claim that Nici did "tell the truth to the press" and that should keep her from being targeted in a lawsuit.

"California law does not allow public figures like David Beckham to stifle free speech. Maybe he didn't live here in Los Angeles long enough to learn how precious we here consider our rights to tell the truth in print," says Jensen.

"Beckham must have confused American law with the law back in his home country, where there isn't a such a sacred respect for free speech."

We're not certain how up to speed Becks is with American law, but he's sure getting a crash course this week.

Source: www.eonline.com

Russell Brand To Drink Katy Perry's Breast Milk

2010-10-02T22:46:00.000+08:00

A soon-to-be married Russell Brand has revealed in front of hundreds of people that he would like to drink Katy Perry's breast milk.

Thanks to Russ, we've just done a little sick...

The comedian, who was performing at London's Hackney Empire, revealed that fiancee Katy "doesn't mind" if Russell helps himself to a bit of boob juice.

"She likes it which bodes well for the first pregnancy," he (hopefully) joked.

If Katy's tweet, which we reported on yesterday, is anything to go by, Russell won't have to wait long...

Source: www.entertainmentwise.com

CNN Anchor Fired for Jon Stewart Rant

2010-10-02T22:40:00.000+08:00

Mr. Fake News just wound up making some real news.

CNN has booted anchor Rick Sanchez after he went off on The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, on a radio show this morning.

So what was the beef?

Appearing on Sirius XM's Stand Up! With Pete Dominick, Sanchez addressed the issue of racism in the media. And that's where things got dicey.

"I think to some extent Jon Stewart and [Stephen] Colbert are the same way. I think Jon Stewart's a bigot," Sanchez said, noting Stewart's upper middle class suburban upbringining and claiming he was biased against "everybody else that's not like him."

Stewart has frequently mocked Sanchez's reporting on The Daily Show. Apparently Sanchez decided it was time to punch back.

After going off on Stewart, Sanchez then bit the hand that fed him.

"[Stewart]'s such a minority, I mean, you know...Please, what are you kidding?...I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart, and a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart, and to imply that somehow they—the people in this country who are Jewish—are an oppressed minority? Yeah."

Bad move?

You bet. It didn't take long for CNN to bring down the hammer.

"Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company," the network said in a statement. "We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well."

Translation: don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Source: www.eonline.com

Alicia Keys Plans to Teach Her Baby About Charity

2010-10-02T22:33:00.000+08:00

Pregnancy isn’t slowing Alicia Keys down.

The singer, who is due to give birth to her first child with husband Swizz Beatz later this fall, planned, hosted and performed at the seventh annual Black Ball for her Keep a Child Alive foundation in New York on Thursday night.

A glowing Keys, who co-founded the organization to raise money and provide treatment to families affected by HIV/AIDS, says it’s important to her that she teach her child about the impact of charity.

“The baby is going to see everything we do and I think that we are giving individuals,” she said. “[Even] something small like reaching out to one person in the world can change that one person. That’s a big deal. I plan to show that [to my child].

Helping her along the way is husband Swizz Beatz, who serves as an ambassador to the charity. He told PEOPLE: “Having a partnership with my wife with this organization is so amazing because it’s one thing to donate to something else, but it’s different when you donate to something when you see the blueprints. You see the force behind it. You see how hard people are working to save the kids and you see the results.”

As for how Keys remained calm planning the star-studded event as she’s also preparing for motherhood, she reveals her secret in one word: “Zen,” she says.

At the event, Keys, Sade, Janelle Monae and Jay-Z all performed for an audience, which included Usher, Whitney Houston, Uma Thurman, and Jane Krakowski. The ball raised $2.4 million for AIDS care in Africa and India and launched the new “Buy Life” campaign.

Source: people.com

Oksana Grigorieva Boxes Herself In

2010-10-02T22:28:00.000+08:00

Oksana Grigorieva may have painted herself into a corner in the Mel Gibson domestic violence investigation, by telling TMZ Timothy Dalton never assaulted her.

We broke the story Friday ... the L.A. County Sheriff's Department is in possession of at least one email from Oksana to Mel, in which she clearly states Dalton physically abused her.

But Oksana told us yesterday ... "Any implication that he [Dalton] ever struck me is untrue."

We also know ... during the time Oksana was with Mel, she complained that Dalton wasn't paying enough child support and went to two lawyers to get more -- though she claims it was all Mel's idea.

Now here's the problem. If Gibson is prosecuted for domestic violence, his lawyers can use the email to argue she made up the claim against Dalton, around the same time she wanted more money from him.

That's precisely the same M.O. Gibson's lawyers will argue to the jury -- that Oksana lies to rake in money.

Source: www.tmz.com

J.K. Rowling and Oprah bond in Scotland: Will there be more Potter books?

2010-10-02T22:23:00.000+08:00

The Oprah Winfrey Show devoted its full hour today to Oprah’s interview with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. I confess, no matter how many times I hear Rowling’s backstory, I’m still drawn in, partly because the details are just so extraordinary. How does an average person who came from humble beginnings — single mother on the dole, writing in cafés — go on to create something so huge? The big news — or almost news — from the interview is that Rowling is definitely open to writing “an eighth, ninth, tenth” Potter novel, though she quickly followed up by saying, “I feel I’m done, but you never know.” A slight quote to hang your hat on, but it’s a measure of the influence she commands that even the barest hope of future Potter novels could set the publishing and movie worlds a-tizzy.

The rest of the interview covered familiar ground with an Oprah spin. Rowling discussed her battle with clinical depression, her short-lived first marriage, and the death of her mother and how heavily that influenced the Potter series. And she and Oprah had some good-old-fashioned bonding time over how fantastically loaded they both are. (It went something like: “You’re a billionaire! Me too!”)

Did you watch? Do you think Rowling will change her mind one day and write another Potter book?

Source: ew.com