Elizabeth Edward's Breaks Her Silence

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Dove 'Real Women' Craigslist Ad a Mistake: 'Not Approved,' - What is True Beauty? -

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. Photo: Courtesy of Dove

Dove's most recent iteration of the "Real Beauty" campaign has put them in hot water with these same websites.

The beauty giant put out casting call on Craigslist on June 25, soliciting a new crop of real women models. Although the ad has since been taken down (see the full screenshot, below), it stated, "Beautiful arms and legs and face will be shown! Must have flawless skin, no tattoos or scars! Well groomed and clean...nice bodies...naturally fit, not too curvy, not too athletic. Beautiful hair and skin is a must!"

While the ad did also state, "Absolutely no actresses/models or reality show participants or anyone carrying a headshot! Real women only!" Jezebel editors were not convinced.

"Its definition of 'real women' (a loathsome term if ever there was one) is fairly narrow and does, in fact, adhere to typical beauty standards. The emphasis on being 'real' but also being totally flawless is somewhat hilarious and tragic, in that the entire point of the Dove campaign is to challenge the definition of the word 'beauty,'" the writer "Hortense" penned on the pop culture website.

But a spokesperson for Dove tells StyleList that the Craigslist posting was an unplanned gaffe, and isn't indicative of their overall campaign message.


"Unfortunately, this casting notice was not approved by the brand or agency team and did not reflect the spirit of the brand team's vision. We appreciate that this has been brought to our attention, and we are taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening in the future. We believe our images demonstrate that real beauty comes in many shapes, sizes, colors and ages and we remain committed to featuring realistic and attainable images of beauty in all our advertising."

The Dove spokesperson also defends the Campaign for Real Beauty, and its rich history of raising thousands of dollars for self-esteem focused charities for young girls.

"Dove is committed to representing beauty of all ages, ethnicities, shapes and sizes, and actively works toward raising self-esteem in women and young girls globally. We have used a variety of women in our images. We have shown women as young as 20 and as old as 95, women with blond hair, red hair, short hair, long hair and no hair; with freckles, without freckles; with wrinkles, with tattoos and real curves.

Exercise Obsession

A Shy Singer Stuns 'America's Got Talent' Judges

Some Train Riders Can Be Annoying...

Ok so here's one. She has this look most days and heaven forbid if you talk to your friends she gets all kinds of upset and then grunts, shakes her head, and gives you looks as she rolls her eyes. Now excuse me if I'm wrong but we all paid to ride on this train so we should be allowed to speak to one another while traveling to work. Especially so when we are not yelling.

But this one is a hypocrite. There have been several times where she has had full on conversations with her friends, speaking LOUDER than me or my friends ever do when conversing on the train. Just yesterday she was yapping it up with a fellow passenger whilst I was watching a movie on my iPhone 3GS (shameless plug) and it was loud enough that I could hear the whole conversation but did I roll my eyes, grunt, shake my head or (gasp) get up out of my seat and search for another? NO!

The moral of this story is simple, we all pay to take the train to work but some train riders can be so damn annoying and self centered. And ps; don't trust the ones with their headphones on and looking as if they are sleeping. Chances are they are like our friend here and not sleeping and listening in to your full conversation!

Verizon iPhone Coming In January 2011?

An iPhone for Verizon Wireless, the no. 1 U.S. carrier, will be introduced next January, according to a Bloomberg report citing "two people familiar with the plans."

If true, this is good news for Verizon and Apple, which will be set to sell a LOT of iPhones. And it'll be bad news for AT&T, which has been the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier so far, and Google Android, which has been the dominant smartphone platform at Verizon as of late.

The timing of this latest leak is suspicious, given Apple's product secrecy and the recent launch of the new iPhone 4. We wouldn't be surprised if this was Verizon's doing, in an attempt to get people to wait before upgrading to the iPhone 4 and extending their AT&T contracts another two years.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Trailer

New Sheryl Crow - "Summer Day" - 2010

The Farce that is The Bachelorette

You know I'm not one to put stock into these reality shows but I must say that this season the Bachelorette has really sunk to a whole new level. And don't get me going about the Bachelor. After this years bad press (Jake & Vienna's People & Star Magazine interviews after the breakup) I mean can this brand even survive? I would have said "be taken seriously" but come on do we or have we ever taken it seriously? LOL

iPhone4 vs HTC Evo

How much money do soap actors make?

Have you ever wondered how much your favorite soap star is earning per year? Many fans have asked this same question before, but for some reason the salaries of soap stars always seem to remain very private information. Yet, it seems to be no secret for the stars on hit shows such as Two and a Half Men, starring Charlie Sheen, who makes an astonishing $825,000 per episode, or actor William Petersen, who earns $600,000 per episode for his role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Currently, some of the highest paid actresses in primetime are Mariska Hargitay, who earns a remarkable $400,000 per episode on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and actress Kyra Sedgwick from The Closer, which earns her a whopping $275,000 per show. Talk show host Oprah earns over $385 million per year, and Simon Cowell, best known as a judge on American Idol, earns a hefty $50 million per year for his work. The opposite holds true, however, when it comes to the world of daytime soap stars, where it seems no one really knows for sure what the actors are earning. Gathered below is information collected from an industry insider, and may certainly vary from one soap star to another.

So for starters, let's look at the minimum a soap star can expect to make on daytime television. For someone new to the business and what you could call an "unknown," the minimum would be around $700/per episode or even much less, depending on many different factors. This might initially sound like fairly good day’s pay; however, a newcomer on soaps will be lucky if they work one or two days a week. Typically, all soap stars are only guaranteed 1-3 days of work per week, even for some of the veterans on the show. So although some weeks may be good, others may not. Of course, the longer they are on the show, the more money the actors may make per episode, and the more likely they will be guaranteed more days of steady work. So once a newcomer has been on a show for awhile, they can generally expect to make anywhere from $700 to $1500 per episode.

For soap stars who have been around the block a little longer, typically 5-10 years, their salaries can now be upwards of $1500 to $3000 per episode, which again may only be anywhere from 1-3 days per week of actual work guaranteed. Again, there are a lot of other factors involved here, including how popular they are with the fans, what major storylines they may be involved with, and if they are doing any other promotional work for the studio.

Lastly, for the soap star veterans, those who have been in the business for more than 10 years, the range of salaries can now be found around $2000 to $5000+ per episode. Only a small percentage of soap stars are actually in the $5000 or more range, but it's not unheard of for some of daytime's most popular actors or actresses. Plus, with the growing salaries of many primetime actors, there is no doubt that some daytime soap stars are most likely offered substantial incentives to stay put in daytime. There are also a few exceptions in daytime with those who have been with a show for many years, including daytime actor, Tony Geary (Luke, GH) and actresses Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) and Susan Lucci (Erika Kane, AMC) whom are probably more in the range of 7-10 million or more per year, which also includes special privileges including limited work hours and extended vacations.

So for those of you who are considering a career in daytime television, or those whom are just curious what the stars earn, here's a run-down of a typical annual salary for year one, five, and 10 or more years.

1st Year Mark - $72,800 - $156,000/per year

5 Year Mark - $156,000 - $312,000/per year

10 Year Mark - $208,000 - $520,000/per year

These numbers are based on a typical work week of two days per week, times 52 weeks per year, which does not account for holidays, vacations, etc. These numbers are also just estimates, and may or may not be typical of the actual earnings. Also, as mention above there are many other factors which can influence the actor's salary as well, including how much they pay their agent, their current contract status, bonuses, length of contract, and which network they work for. Many soap stars also take time off in the slow months to do movies, commercials or other television projects which certainly adds to their annual take-home pay.

While most soap stars may not earn millions of dollars a week like some of their primetime colleagues may bring home, their work on a soap opera may certainly turn out to be much more steady and perhaps even more profitable in the long run.

Angelina Jolie On The Cover of Vanity Fair

The actress also discusses her kids, marriage and whether we'll see a 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' sequel.

Will she marry Brad Pitt? "It's just like we already are. Children are clearly a commitment, a bigger commitment [than marriage]. It's for life."

Her kids: "Mad's a real intellectual, which I can take no credit for genetically. He's great at school, great at history. He feels like he could be a writer or travel the world and learn about places and things. Zahara's got an extraordinary voice and is just so elegant and well spoken. Shiloh's hysterically funny, one of the goofiest, most playful people you'll ever meet. Knox and Viv are classic boy and girl. She's really female. And he's really a little dude."

Co-starring with Brad again: "I'd love to. We've talked about it. We'd have to figure out who's going to watch the kids, but it's really about finding the right thing, because we've looked. When you're a couple, there are certain things people don't want to see you do. It becomes too indulgent, too personal. I don't think people want to see people who are really together intimate on-screen. Maybe we have to play bad guys that try to kill each other, so it's just fun and aggressive, not dealing with some man-woman deal."

A 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' Sequel: "People have tried. And it's strange: do we have kids in the movie? We've thought about that, but it becomes personal now that we actually have kids. And if we work on it, we pull from our own life, which is funny to us, but you feel strange sharing too much. We did ask somebody to look into 'Mr. & Mrs.' to see if they could crack a sequel, but there wasn't anything original. It was just, Well, they're going to get married, or they've got kids, or they get separated. Never great."

Lady Gaga Debut's new song; "You & I"

At Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball last Thursday in New York City, Lady Gaga graced the crowd with a brand new, rock-tinged piano ballad titled 'You and I.'

"This song is very, very dear to my heart, and I just wrote it," Gaga said in her introduction. "It's a bit of a rock 'n' roll tune, which means it will most likely never get used as one of my singles."



Lyrics we were able to glean:

It's been a long time since I came around
It's been a long time, but I'm back in town
And this time, I'm not leaving without you
You taste like whiskey when you kiss me
Oh, I'd give anything again to be your baby doll
Yeah, this time, I'm not leaving without you

He said sit back down where you belong,
In the corner of my bar with your high heels on'
Sit back down on the couch where we made love the first time, and you said to me
Something, something about this place
Something about lonely lights and my lipstick on your face

We love a catchy, dancey Gaga tune as much as ... well, everyone ever, but this passionate rocker is certainly tasty. And it's great to get back to the music de Gaga, rather than the spectacle and the Seinfeld feud.

American Express: Movie Pitch

Desperate Housewives - Update for next season

The series is looking to cast three new roles. First, Maxine, a sweet lady in the 60-80 year-old age range. She is Mike and Susan's new neighbor in their apartment building, and she has an unusual job that brings in some additional income. Secondly, Beth, a quirky, sweet thirtysomething woman who was Paul Young's prison pen pal-cum-wife. She's damaged emotionally but also capable of humor. Finally, Keith. A sexy 30-year-old contractor described as a charming playboy who turns up on Wisteria Lane. The show is also looking for a 12-year-old actress to take over the role of Penny Scavo.

How Exactly Did Jesus Die? Gunnar Samuelsson, of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, recently finished his doctoral thesis on the topic.

As early as I can remember I recall seeing the pictures of Jesus in various forms along with statues showing him on a cross. But even as I child I was puzzled as to how ones body could be made to hold itself in such a position. To me it didn't seem possible. And before you discount this child you should understand that there were several subjects that I was rather gifted at in school and science was one of them. Straight A's from my youngest years and onto college.

Years later I would do my own research into the death of Jesus and like Gunnar Samuelsson, through careful reading of the Greek text I would see that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross but on a pole ("stauros") and it was that discovery that would help to formulate my understanding of the Gospels. Flashforward to 2010 and a thesis by Gunnar Samuelsson is getting some major attention - why so?

The episode of Jesus’ crucifixion is based more on traditions of the Christian church and artistic illustrations than antique texts, says a Swedish researcher.

“The problem is that descriptions of crucifixions are remarkably absent in the antique literature,” Gunnar Samuelsson, of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, who recently finished his doctoral thesis on the topic, said.

He added: “The sources where you would expect to find support for the established understanding of the event really don’t say anything.”

The 400-page thesis offers the reader samples of antiquity’s most terrifying texts and gives examples of mankind’s amazing resourcefulness in terms of mind-boggling cruelty against fellow human beings.

Samuelsson has studied the available ancient Greek, Latin and Hebrew/Aramaic literature all the way from Homer to the first century A.D.

While the texts indicate a vast arsenal of suspension punishments, they do not say much about the kind of punishment the Christian tradition claims Jesus was forced to endure.

The thesis clearly shows that although the studied texts are full of references to suspension of objects and the equipment used to this end, no reference is made to ‘crosses’ or ‘crucifixion’.

When the Gospels refer to the death of Jesus, they just say that he was forced to carry a "stauros" out to Calvary." Many scholars have interpreted that ancient Greek noun as meaning "cross," and the verb derived from it, "anastauroun," as implying crucifixion. But during his three-and-a-half-year study of texts from around 800 BC to the end of the first century AD, Samuelsson realized the words had more than one defined meaning.

“Consequently, the contemporary understanding of crucifixion as a punishment is severely challenged. And what’s even more challenging is that the same can be concluded about the accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus. The New Testament doesn’t say as much as we’d like to believe,” said Samuelsson.

"'Stauros' is actually used to describe a lot of different poles and execution devices," he says. "So the device described in the Gospels could have been a cross, but it could also have been a spiked pole, or a tree trunk, or something entirely different." In turn, "anastauroun" was used to signify everything from the act of "raising hands to suspending a musical instrument."

The manner in which Jesus died is further thrown into question by Samuelsson's discovery that crucifixion may have been an unusual form of punishment in the Roman Empire. Descriptions of crucifixions contained in the thousands of Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin and Greek manuscripts he examined most commonly referred to dead prisoners being placed on some form of suspension device, or living captives skewered on stakes. The first century Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger, for example, wrote about seeing a great many prisoners of war on "crosses" after one campaign. But the scribe then describes how a large number of the dead had been impaled.

"If you search for ancient texts that specifically mention the act of crucifixion [as we understand it today]" he says, "you will end up with only two or three examples." He also points out that the actual execution texts do not describe how Christ was attached to the execution device.

That revelation stands in stark contrast to claims that appear in many books on the historical Jesus, as well as more general surveys of life under Roman rule, which state that prisoners were routinely nailed to crosses. (The Encylopaedia Britannica, for example, says crucifixion was an "important method of capital punishment" in Rome.)

“This is the heart of the problem. The text of the passion narratives is not that exact and information loaded, as we Christians sometimes want it to be,” The Telegraph quoted Samuelsson, as saying.

“If you are looking for texts that depict the act of nailing persons to a cross you will not find any beside the Gospels.”

Samuelsson added: “That a man named Jesus existed in that part of the world and in that time is well-documented. He left a rather good foot-print in the literature of the time.

“I do believe that the mentioned man is the son of God. My suggestion is not that Christians should reject or doubt the biblical text.

“My suggestion is that we should read the text as it is, not as we think it is.

We should read on the lines, not between the lines. The text of the Bible is sufficient. We do not need to add anything.” (ANI)

In conclusion should we really be surprised of the latest discovery or note in history? Not really. One need only get a copy of the Catholic Encyclopedia to see that many of the things that they teach as doctrines are actually pagan celebrations to the Gods. Need I remind you of Easter & Christmas?

Jackson Family Mourns King of Pop in Las Vegas

The tribute will take place in Las Vegas on Saturday, and Joe, Katherine Jackson and La Toya Jackson have all confirmed they'll be attending. During the event, Trent Jackson will be performing a special serenade. There is no word on what song he has prepared.

Earlier this week, video surfaced of Katherine urging fans to attend a fan tribute event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. VoicePlate.com will present "Forever Michael," a red carpet event to pay tribute to the King Of Pop on the anniversary of his death. Katherine also invites fans to indulge in her new book, 'Never Can Say Goodbye.'

Bad Botox for Kate Gosselin?

You be the judge? Makes one think of The JOKER from the Batman movies...

Lou Ferrigno on training Michael Jackson for the This Is It Tour

In the months before Michael Jackson's sudden passing, the King of Pop was back in training mode to prepare for his 'This Is It' tour. To get into shape, he employed none other than Lou Ferrigno of 'The Incredible Hulk' fame. Author Ian Halperin chatted with Lou about his experiences with Michael in his last days for his documentary 'Gone Too Soon,' which will air on the TV Guide Channel on June 25 -- the one-year anniversary of Michael's death. In the exclusive clip given to PopEater, Ferrigno tells Halperin that Jackson was very concerned about being seen, and that he was overly worried about his weight.

Farrah Fawcett - Dies a year ago today

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Fawcett's career spanned several decades. She got her start in the early '70s, scoring a key role in 'Myra Breckinridge' in 1970. She tied the knot with actor Lee Majors in 1973, and in 1976 landed jobs in both 'Logan's Run' and 'Charlie's Angels.' Fawcett co-starred alongside Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson on the Aaron Spelling-produced show. 'Angels' was an instant smash, pulling in a whopping 23 million fans per week.

Though she lasted just one season as a regular character on 'Angels,' the success of the show made her a worldwide star. Her infamous red bathing suit pin-up poster still holds a record with 12 million copies sold.

She left 'Angels' for a career in movies, but the results were mixed. Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, she starred in film flops like 'Somebody Killed Her Husband,' the comedy 'Sunburn' and the sci-fi whopper 'Saturn 3.'

Fawcett fared better with television movies like 'Poor Little Rich Girl' and the 1984 drama 'The Burning Bed.' She portrayed an abused wife in 'Bed,' and earned an Emmy nomination for her performance. (That the bulk of her most known work happened on television led to her omission from the 2010 Oscars in memoriam tribute, upsetting many, including O'Neal.)

In 1995, a 50-year-old Fawcett posed nude in Playboy magazine and later starred in a video for the lad mag called 'All of Me,' in which she sculpted and painted while wearing little clothing.

Snooki the Italian Smurfette?

Well at least that's what she kinda resembles in this photo.

Write a snippy one-liner for this photo of Jersey Shore star Snooki.

Michael Jackson's Death - A Year Ago Today

It hardly seems like a year has passed since ambulances were called to the rented Los Angeles home of Michael Jackson, but June 25 marks the one-year anniversary of the pop star's death. He was pronounced dead at a LA hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. So much has happened during those twelve months, not the least of which is that his estate earned $783 million from album and DVD sales, his 50 percent stake in the Sony/ATV music catalog and various publishing deals. Let's take a look at what's happened in the year since his death.

His Kids -- Prince Michael, Prince Michael II (Blanket) and Paris. Remember when Jackson used to wrap scarves around his kids' faces to shield them from the prying eyes of the paparazzi? He must be rolling over in his grave at the thought of how visible they've become, beginning with his memorial service on July 7, 2009. Jackson's will named his mother, Katherine, as the guardian of all three children.

Last summer, a custody battle arose between Katherine and Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Paris and Prince Michael. Rowe was eventually granted visitation rights, and has forged a relationship with Katherine, as well. The will cut out Rowe and his father, Joe Jackson, leaving his $500 million estate in trust for his kids, his mother and various charities.

His Personal Physician -- Dr. Conrad Murray. Controversy and scandal have surrounded the doctor since Jackson's death, which was officially ruled a homicide in August of last year. The cause was acute intoxication of the anesthetic propofol combined with other sedatives. Six months later, on Feb. 8, 2010, Dr. Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter by prosecutors in Los Angeles. He pleaded not guilty, was released on $75,000 bail and is currently awaiting trial.

Joe Jackson recently alleged that Murray had been drinking at a strip club hours before he administered the fatal dose of propofol. Murray and his reps have denied this.

The Estate. As mentioned, Jackson's estate has earned a whopping $783 million in the year since he died. The documentary 'This Is It' was released in theaters in October of 2009 and delved into Jackson's rehearsals for a series of comeback concerts in London. The film has earned $260 million worldwide and is the most successful concert movie ever.

In March, the Jackson estate and Sony Music Entertainment announced a $250 million deal to release 10 albums of new and re-issued Jackson material through 2017. The first album of new music is scheduled for a November 2010 release.

The Autopsy. On Feb. 8, 2010, a full autopsy was released, confirming that Jackson suffered from the skin pigmentation condition vitiligo, wore a wig, weighed 136 pounds and was covered with small scars on his nose, knee, shoulder, neck, wrists and behind both ears.

His Music. In November, Jackson won four posthumous American Music Awards, but was beaten for the Artist of the Year award by Taylor Swift. In February, more than 70 stars, including Miley Cyrus and Barbra Streisand, recorded a new version of 'We Are the World' (co-written by Jackson in 1985) for Haiti earthquake relief. On April 20, the Jackson estate and Cirque du Soleil announced plans for Las Vegas touring and permanent shows, as well as a Jackson-themed nightclub, opening in late 2012.

Other Stuff. In September, Jackson was buried in a Renaissance-themed mausoleum near Los Angeles in a private ceremony attended by Elizabeth Taylor, Lisa Marie Presley and 200 other guests and family members. A tribute concert was planned by Jermaine Jackson, but scrapped in December as organizers went bust.

Jason Bateman Cuts in iPhone Line - BOOOOED

iDrama!

Jason Bateman outraged 2,000 people Thursday when he cut in line to get a new iPhone at a Los Angeles Apple store.

A line was wrapped outside the store when the actor, 41, arrived.

After just a short time waiting, he was plucked out and escorted straight inside!

"Everyone literally started booing and hissing!" Adds another witness, "The crowd freaked and booed, and he put his head down."

The Boondocks - Create a 'Madea' type character?

South Park‘s decade-plus of brilliantly skewering celebs has made that type of satire de rigueur for adult-oriented animation. But when The Boondocks‘ latest episode featured a sassy, gun-waiving, bump-and-grinding Madea-esque character that ruled stage, film, and TV — and the Jesus-praising male auteur who plays her — it still got folks talking. The “Pause” episode’s Ma Duke character was clearly Madea, and it stands to reason that the Winston Jerome character was Tyler Perry (neither Perry’s office nor Turner Networks would comment on the episode). Jerome’s works were portrayed as poorly written and almost buffoonish and set him up as a closeted, cultish leader, who created his Ma Duke empire as a way to solicit sex with men. In the episode, Huey and Riley’s grandpa gets cast in Jerome’s new play, “Ma Duke Gets a Man.” First he’s asked to kiss Ma Duke on stage, then Jerome asks him straight out for sex.

Even though shows like South Park have taught us that there are no sacred cows, did Boondocks go too far with “Pause”? A satirical take on the kind of work Perry does and the “prosperity Christianity” he seemingly espouses is one thing, but some folks are up in arms because the episode also calls into question his motivation and brings his sexuality into the mix. What do you think? Is that all fair game? Did you see the episode? Funny, mean, both?

Unseen Portraits of Michael Jackson To Be Auctioned...

Michael Jackson was one of the most photographed human beings in history. Countless iconic images of Jackson were published during his lifetime, and a year after his death, new ones are still surfacing. For instance: This fall, 12 previously unseen, one-of-one prints of the King of Pop will go up for auction.

Rolling Stone has more details on the portraits, which were taken by French photographer Arno Bani in 1999 for potential use on Jackson’s Invincible album. Instead they remained in an archive somewhere until now. Bids for each print will start at a hefty 1,000 Euros.

The sole image that the auction house has released so far is a striking one. Take a look to the left of this post: Jackson stands in a reflective pose, both eyes shut with one encircled in aquamarine glitter. The make-up and the contours of his face recall Aladdin Sane-era Bowie.

What do you think of this news? Are you looking forward to seeing the other portraits from this previously unseen session?

You can find more about this at; http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/121182

Friggin' Twilight - The Jersey Shore

LaToya Jackson visits with Bubbles for a documentary

After 20 years of estrangement, La Toya Jackson has reunited with her late brother's pet chimp for an emotional Animal Planet documentary, "Michael Jackson & Bubbles: The Untold Story."

Jackson, 54, is seen visiting the Center for Great Apes in Florida, which 27-year-old Bubbles - who toured with Michael and appeared in his music videos - has called home since 2004.

Though Michael had been to the sanctuary several times before his death last year, this was the first visit by any other Jackson family member, reports the Highlands Today newspaper.


"Oh, I want to kiss you, I want to hug you but I know I can't because you're so big!" Jackson tells Bubbles before breaking down into sobs. "You remember me, don't you? I miss you, Bubbles."

"He looks the same to me," she says later in the documentary, which airs tonight. "The eyes, everything's the same. You see just a more mature person."

According to Highlands Today, Jackson's visit brought back memories of her brother. "She is still mourning her brother's death," said sanctuary director Patti Ragan, "and Bubbles reminded her of Michael."

And I say, has her career gotten so bad that she has to revisit Bubbles? Probably.

Showbiz Tonight's AJ Hammer looks into whether the guys of "Jersey Shore" got tricked into posing for a gay cover story.

Naked Cowboy Showing Another Kind of Brief - A LEGAL BRIEF

For more than 12 years, the Naked Cowboy has made a name a for himself by performing music while clad only in a cowboy hat and tighty-whitey briefs.

Now he's whipping out his legal briefs.

Back in 2008, the Naked Cowboy (aka Robert Burck) sued Mars Inc. for trademark infringement after the company played a short animation of the blue M&M character playing a guitar while dressed in a white cowboy hat, cowboy boots and underpants on the electronic animation display that hangs outside the M&M's store in New York City's Times Square -- the Naked Cowboy's main venue.

For nearly three years, Brodsky has been performing ditties like "Tits My Party" dressed up -- or down, as it were -- as the "Naked Cowgirl," complete with cowboy hat and a skimpy red, white and blue bikini.

But now the Naked Cowboy has his panties in a bunch and has sent his female counterpart a cease-and-desist letter through his attorney, Todd Rubenstein.



Brodsky is confused by the legal threats, in part because she has been friends with Burck and also because of the timing.

"They waited three years?" she asked in a voice that reminiscent of Fran Drescher. "Plus, how can they trademark the word 'Naked'? There's Naked Juice and the Barenaked Ladies. ... I was born naked. It doesn't make sense."

And if you ask me all of this is rather foolish and you know what, Brodsky has a point. We were all born naked so why don't we all just go around calling ourselves "Naked - So&So" just to tick the Cowboy off!

Harry Potter Ride Turns Some Muggles Away for Being Too Big...

When most people get in line at Orlando, Fla.'s new Harry Potter theme park, they're worried about the wait -- not their weight.

But according to some Harry Potter lovers, pudgy muggles -- those who weigh about 265 pounds or more -- are getting tossed from line at the most-hyped ride in Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter amusement park.

Harry Potter fanatic Jeff Guillaume said he was "quite disappointed" after park officials turned him away from the Hogwarts-touring attraction because his 5-foot, 8-inch, 265-pound frame was deemed too large for the ride's safety harnesses.



"What it boils down to for me, and what surprised and disappointed me the most, was that many of Universal's other rides contain 'modified seating' rows for larger guests, and -- let's face it -- a good number of people in the Harry Potter fandom are a bit heavy, so why didn't Universal anticipate and accommodate us here?" he wrote on his website, the Harry Potter Automatic News Aggregator (HPANA to Potter maniacs).

Now if you ask me, the theme park is only doing what it must to protect those who are riding the rides. Weighing in at 265 pounds what did the 5-foot, 8-inch (who btw clinically he's obese) think - that he could actually fit into it? I mean come on, at his weight I'm sure they would make him purchase TWO seat tickets on Jet Blue just to travel. I think he should be a little less worried and bothered about not being able to be harnessed to a ride and a little more concerned for his overall health. Here's a suggestion; How about loosing about 165 pounds and bring yourself into the average weight class for someone your size and THEN go onto the ride. I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience a hell of a lot more then!

Just sayin' - thoughts?

For those who may want to book a travel or see more information on the ride itself go to the link below;

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

Don't Text & Drive...

Brazilian Baby Boy Getting Down to the Samba...

I think he should have been on Dancing With The Stars or America's Got Talent!

Nurse Captured in Iconic 1945 photo passes away...

Time Life Pictures / Getty Images

Edith Shain, the nurse in this iconic photo taken in Times Square as thousands celebrated the end of World War II, died Sunday at age 91.

The nurse captured in the iconic 1945 photo of her kissing a U.S. sailor in New York's Times Square at the end of World War II has died at age 91, her family said.

The young nurse's identity was a mystery until the 1970s, when Shain wrote the photographer and said she was the nurse in the photo, taken on Aug. 14, 1945, while she was working at the Doctor's Hospital in New York City. The sailor's identity is still unknown.

Shain is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

New Jersey housewife Danielle Staub releases her own new single "Real Close"

On last night’s post-Housewives edition of Watch What Happens Live, the adorable Andy Cohen had the pleasure of chatting with New Jersey housewife Danielle Staub. But chatting was not the only thing on Danielle’s agenda, of course: She was really there to premiere her new single “Real Close.” Ok, so outside of "Tardy for the Party" this one isn't all that bad.

Danielle is now the fourth Housewives star to embark on a singing career.

Lady Gaga's Rolling Stones Magazine Cover

It’s never a dull moment for Lady Gaga.

If she’s not wearing undergarments to a baseball game or carrying a bloody heart through the snow in her music video, the singer is posing for the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a pair of machine guns - and not much else.

Gaga, who last appeared on Rolling Stone in 2009 wearing her famous bubble getup, is back with what the magazine calls “the most extensive interview the pop star has ever given.”

And though this probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone, Gaga says she’s all about the fantasy.

“I don't even drink water onstage in front of anybody, because I want them to focus on the fantasy of the music,” the singer told Rolling Stone.

Greenpeace campaigners hijack BP Chief of Staff Steve Westwell's speech at the World National Oil Companies Congress.

Robert Redford discusses the Gulf Oil Spill

Law Schools becoming more lenient in gradings?

Samuel Liu, right, of Loyola Law School Los Angeles, which is adding 0.333 to every grade.
By CATHERINE RAMPELL

One day next month every student at Loyola Law School Los Angeles will awake to a higher grade point average.

But it’s not because they are all working harder.

The school is retroactively inflating its grades, tacking on 0.333 to every grade recorded in the last few years. The goal is to make its students look more attractive in a competitive job market.

In the last two years, at least 10 law schools have deliberately changed their grading systems to make them more lenient. These include law schools like New York University and Georgetown, as well as Golden Gate University and Tulane University, which just announced the change this month. Some recruiters at law firms keep track of these changes and consider them when interviewing, and some do not.

read more about this at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/business/22law.html?emc=eta1

The Gary Coleman Hot Mess Keeps Brewing Over...

Now this is such a hot mess. After you read this article you'll probably agree with me that this woman probably killed Gary Coleman and we'll never get the full story since she was quick to take him off life support. Why? Probably because if he came through he would have told police that she did it!

Gary Coleman secretly took out a restraining order against his ex-wife just months before she took him off life support, and RadarOnline.com exclusively has the never-before-seen documents.

The official documents were filed under John Doe VS. Jane Doe, which is why they weren't discovered until now.

Coleman says that ex-wife Shannon Price has moved back into his home against his wishes while he is hospitalized.

And contradicting the picture that Price has painted of herself as a loving ex-wife, Coleman writes that Price "has shown a tendency to damage, destroy and steal my property and I believe she will continue to do so in my absence and while she is trespassing in my home."

Price posed for photos with Coleman while he was on his deathbed and profited from them.

She also sold interviews about Coleman within 24 hours of his death - all while telling the world how much she loved him.

Coleman was granted the restraining order on February 19, 2010 but never served it on Price.

The Diff'rent Strokes star's former agent Robert Malcolm explained the situation to RadarOnline.com.

"The dynamics of their relationship were very unhealthy," Malcolm told RadarOnline.com exclusively.

"This time he knew he needed to break away so he made sure she was not allowed in his home, but then he had feelings for her even though she was abusive and so he allowed her back into his home."

Coleman was hospitalized when he had his lawyer make an ex parte court appearance to get the restraining order.

His affidavit shows not only the volatility of his relationship with Price but his fear of her vindictiveness.

"I believe if she is given any warning of this pending order to require her to immediately vacate the home, she will cause more damage and destroy more irreplaceable memorabilia, documents, personal papers and other such valuables," Coleman writes.

"I would therefore ask the Court to issue this order ex parte requiring her removal from the home and restraining her from going upon the premises of my home under any circumstances."

He also requested that police be present when Price removed any of her belongings.

Malcolm, one of Coleman's long-time friends and associates, is highly critical of Price's actions both before and after Gary's death.

"Shannon knew how to get what she wanted, and he tried to give her everything to make her happy," he told RadarOnline.com.

"She was incredibly jealous of his fame, she was a nobody, and she didn't like to be known as a nobody, so now she is having a ball."

The temporary restraining order was granted on February 19.

Just months later, Coleman fell in the same house he wanted Price evicted from.

She called 911 and told the operator she couldn't stand to be in the same room with all the blood.

Coleman suffered an intracranial hemorrhage and died May 28 after Price made the decision to take him off life support. He was 42. He had signed a document saying that he wanted to be kept on life support.

'The Bachelor' - Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi Split

'The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love' seemed to end perfectly, with Jake Pavelka, 32, proposing to blonde beauty Vienna Girardi, 24. But just three months later, they've gone their separate ways.

"Jake and Vienna have split," Janice Lee, a rep for the couple said in a statement. "They appreciate the respect for their privacy at this time."

TheHollywoodGossip pegs ABC's 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' series at 2-for-19 in producing successful marriages.

Jake participated in the most recent season of 'Dancing with the Stars,' being ousted fifth, afterward stating he and Vienna needed to focus on their relationship "and just see where life takes us right after that."

After the series finale in March, Jake and Vienna spoke to E! Online. "It's a giant love story," Jake said, turning to Vienna and saying, "You're my best friend in the whole world, and that's the most important thing to me."

Radar previously reported that Jake, a pilot from Texas, continued some form of involvement with his ex-girlfriend after his stint on 'The Bachelor' and subsequent engagement to Vienna.

Biggest Loser Dangerous for the Participants?

Kai Hibbard, a finalist on the third season of 'The Biggest Loser,' reveals how dangerous she feels the show really is to its contestants.

When asked to clarify about her "a week is not a week on TV" comments, she said, "I'm saying that it would be, most times, longer than a week and I believe once, in my season, it was less than a week." (Contestants weigh-in on the show every week to determine who may get voted off.)

Hibbard also claims that the techniques they were taught to lose weight weren't always healthy. "The weight loss for that show is for ratings. People have to remember that 'The Biggest Loser' isn't a weight-loss camp that happens to be filmed for TV. It's a TV show that's made to look like a weight-loss camp. So there was pressure from production and everybody involved in the show to make sure you had as big of numbers as possible every week."

Jon Voight calls out Barack Obama

Jon Voight reads a special message to America about Barack Obama on FOX News's Huckabee show.



All I can say is WHOA! Anybody have any thoughts? I'd like to hear them.

White Actors in Minority Roles - Why?

There was a time when if a white actor or actress was cast in the role of a character of color, there was very little outcry.

When Swedish actor Warner Oland portrayed Asian detective Charlie Chan or Elizabeth Taylor was cast as Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, there was no call for boycotts or publicized outrage.

But times have changed, and these days some fans ask the question why, with so many talented black, Latino and Asian actors, does Hollywood continue to pass them over?

The latest example is the controversy surrounding the news that Angelina Jolie has been tapped to play the Queen of the Nile in a planned film based on the forthcoming biography "Cleopatra: A Life."

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Costner Pleads for Oil Fix

Actor Kevin Costner tells the Senate that he is prepared to be a part of the solution to the Gulf spill.

Female condoms with 'teeth' to fight rape

South African Dr. Sonnet Ehlers has developed a female condom with teeth to fight rape.

Ehlers is distributing the female condoms in the various South African cities where the World Cup soccer games are taking place.
The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said.

Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest.

Critics say the female condom is not a long-term solution and makes women vulnerable to more violence from men trapped by the device.

It's also a form of "enslavement," said Victoria Kajja, a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the east African country of Uganda. "The fears surrounding the victim, the act of wearing the condom in anticipation of being assaulted all represent enslavement that no woman should be subjected to."

Kajja said the device constantly reminds women of their vulnerability.

However, its one advantage is it allows justice to be served, she said.

Various rights organizations that work in South Africa declined to comment, including Human Rights Watch and Care International.

South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world, Human Rights Watch says on its website. A 2009 report by the nation's Medical Research Council found that 28 percent of men surveyed had raped a woman or girl, with one in 20 saying they had raped in the past year, according to Human Rights Watch.

In most African countries, rape convictions are not common. Affected women don't get immediate access to medical care, and DNA tests to provide evidence are unaffordable.

Women take drastic measures to prevent rape in South Africa, Ehlers said, with some wearing extra tight biker shorts and others inserting razor blades in their private parts.

Critics have accused her of developing a medieval device to fight rape.

"Yes, my device may be a medieval, but it's for a medieval deed that has been around for decades," she said. "I believe something's got to be done ... and this will make some men rethink before they assault a woman."

Desperate Housewives - New Season Scoop!

Image Credit: Janet Mayer/PR Photos; Danny Feld/ABC

Details about Vanessa Williams’ new housewife character on Desperate Housewives are starting to trickle out, and it looks like producers are set to have her feuding with Felicity Huffman’s super-fierce mom Lynette Scavo. Yet another showdown on Wisteria Lane seems likely!

Williams will be introduced on the Lane as Renee Filmore-Jones, an old college pal of Lynette’s. But calling the pair “pals” might be putting it too kindly, since they were supposedly at odds during their collegiate days in the ’80s — no doubt that will bubble over into present-day lady-fight situations, too.

To which I say: Yes, please! Lynette is always at her best when she’s on alert, especially if she’s having to protect her children.

Additionally, Renee comes with a longtime husband, who’s most likely an athlete; no children; and — dun dun dun! — a big ol’ secret. Secrets on Wisteria Lane? Well, I never thought we’d see the day…

Jaleel White is all grown up and starring in his own web show

"Fake It Til You Make It" Trailer - watch more funny videos

Snoop Dogs 'True Blood' Music Video "Oh Sookie"

Snoop Dogg - "Oh Sookie"

Ian Somerhalder asks where all the Hollywood help is for the BP Oil spill?

Ian Somerhalder, Louisiana native and 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries' star Ian Somerhalder is upset about BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But he's especially miffed at Hollywood's weak support for the catastrophe.

"Coming from the entertainment world, I'm really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is," Somerhalder, 31, tells E! Online. "And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I'm really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. This is ground zero right now. This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line."

Somerhalder recently told the LA Times, "I never talk about politics, but right now is a time to be angry and sad."

Somerhalder, who hails from Covington, Louisiana, is doing his part assisting at the animal shelter St. Tammany's Humane Society where pelicans harmed by the oil slick are being treated. He recently filmed a public service announcement in his hometown.



""There's so many people here working around the clock to try and tame this beast," he says of the situation. "If you look at all these beaches right here. It's a June afternoon -- this beach would be littered with families, kids playing, dads on the pier with their buddies fishing. None of that's here ... The things you remember, the times you spent with your parents or your grandparents, brothers, sisters, fishing and learning about the ecology here is ... it's your base, it's your root and you'll do anything, you will fight tooth and nail to protect it."

14 year old in Florida accused of kidnapping for trying to help a girl back to her parents...

Oil Absorbing Polymer - Oil Spill Cleanup Powder

Now we need to get to using this kind of stuff PRONTO!

Technology exists and the government is just taking their good old time because let's face it everyone has an agenda here.
Don't let any of this fool you. BP might be loosing market share and having their name tarnished but this is just the perfect storm that has been allowed to happen.

Why else does a US President sit behind his desk at the White House when the countries borders and fishing industries are being attacked for 8+ weeks before coming out to even address the American People? Pure nonsense!

Obama speech too 'professorial' for his target audience

President Obama's speech on the gulf oil disaster may have gone over the heads of many in his audience, according to an analysis of the 18-minute talk released Wednesday.

Tuesday night's speech from the Oval Office of the White House was written to a 9.8 grade level, said Paul J.J. Payack, president of Global Language Monitor. The Austin, Texas-based company analyzes and catalogues trends in word usage and word choice and their impact on culture.



This shouldn't be surprising to any of us since America falls behind numerous countries where education is concerned. People no longer care to come here to get a great education when they can get it elsewhere for far less.

Smurf Movie Trailer - First Look

Hope you didn’t get your hopes up about that Smurfs teaser trailer: it has arrived (via Yahoo), and it has about two seconds more of Smurfage than could be gleaned via today’s first still. But! There is a brief snatch of the new theme song, and it’s been remixed with Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing,” because why wouldn’t it be? (Here is why: because the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel already took “Single Ladies.”)

Enjoy! And just remember: Smurfette needs fifty dollars to make you holler.

ABC strikes back in Nicollette Sheridan vs. Marc Cherry assault case

Photo credit: ABC/Getty Images

After months of silence and rumors of a settlement, ABC has begun fighting back against former "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan's lawsuit against former boss Marc Cherry.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC has hired on high-profile employee litigation specialist, Adam Levin. Levin is best known for successfully defending Warner Bros. Television against a harassment suit from a former "Friends" writer's assistant.

"We intend to delve into the merits of her claims, all of which we strenuously dispute," Levin told the publication.

Apparently, he hasn't wasted any time. Levin has already requested private documents from Sheridan's reps surrounding her alleged assault. He also seeks to depose her on tape as early as August.

Additionally, ABC is requesting documents and information from Sheridan's agents at Innovative Artists and Don Buchwald & Associates, and publicity company BWR, among others. They're also seeking documents for medical records revolving around Sheridan's assault claim.

Sheridan filed her lawsuit in April in Los Angeles Superior Court. She is suing Cherry for assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination and seeks more than $20 million in damages.

What do you make of ABC's aggressive move?

ShamWow Guy Promotes Eminem's New Album

The rapper has recruited infomercial master Vince Shlomi, best known for his ShamWow and Slap Chop commercials, to promote his new album Recovery.

Shlomi pitches the album to viewers by demonstrating the various uses for the disc, including smashing tomatoes and serving as a coaster. And, if you cut the disc in half, you have yourself a food slicer and chopper.

As a bonus, you'll get a ShamPon for free (you're going to have to watch if you can't figure that one out from its name).

Indiana Jones & Ally McBeal say "I do!'

Harrison Ford and 'Brothers and Sisters' star Calista Flockhart tied the knot yesterday in New Mexico. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson performed the ceremony, which took place at the Governor's mansion in Santa Fe. LA radio station K-Earth 101 was the first to break the news.

The couple's marriage license was filed today in New Mexico.

The Hollywood power couple has been together for over eight years and got engaged in February of 2009. Harrison proposed over Valentine's Day weekend while away on family vacation.

This will be Ford's third marriage and he has four children and two grandchildren from previous marriages. This is Flockhart's first marriage and she has a son, Liam, whom she adopted in 2001.

Harrison is currently filming the 2011 flick 'Cowboys and Aliens' in New Mexico.

Archie to Parody MTV's 'Jersey Shore'

This July Archie and the gang will spoof none other than MTV's "Jersey Shore" in "Archie & Friends" #145.

According to an interview with Archie creator Dan Parent at Comics Continuum the "Riverdale Shore" story will reference orangey tans, big hair, bickering, the influence of cameras on otherwise normal behavior and other iconic components of "Jersey Shore" without replicating sexual content or referencing Italian Americans in a demeaning manner (the word "Guido" won't get tossed around). The content balance seems like pretty much exactly what you'd expect from an all-ages Archie book, although Parent did acknowledge a certain hot tub scene:

"There's a hot tub, but nothing racy happens, although Jughead does make a mess of it!"

The issue will arrive just in time to coincide with the second season of "Jersey Shore," which is set to begin on MTV on July 29.

Judge Judy is the new Queen of Daytime!

In the recent May sweeps period, 'Judge Judy,' the syndicated courtroom reality show presided over by former jurist Judith Sheindlin, was the most-watched daytime show of all with nearly 6.4 million total viewers per episode. That's an increase of over 10 percent from a year ago and good enough to topple 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' from the top slot.

What is it about 'Judge Judy' that makes it such compelling viewing?

1. She's smart as a whip. It's not surprising that Judy is smart. She's like a wise owl who has been around and knows it all. When you see people come into the courtroom thinking they're oh-so-clever and have their cases all figured out, she sees right through them and tells them what's what.

They invariably get their comeuppance from Judge Judy. She's smarter than any person who thinks they're going to outwit her. And she's a legal eagle. You can only imagine how great she was as an attorney.

2. She doesn't suffer fools gladly. In other words, Judge Judy is unwilling to tolerate stupid people. She calls them out on their foolishness, and there's nothing as refreshing as watching Judge Judy identify a dumb situation or ridiculous plaintiff and cut them down to size.

For instance, a recent plaintiff tried to claim hundreds of dollars in custom rims and tires for his car as a gift. It was a gift he gave himself! Judy blasted him and refused to let him get them back in the suit. Judy and Byrd, her trusty bailiff, often share a good laugh over some of the more ridiculous participants.




3. She's an antidote to bull. If you watch enough daytime television, you're liable to hear a lot of filler and malarkey. The cable news shows, for instance, are loaded with hot air. I love the soap operas, but they can spend a week on one scene or storyline, going over the same points over and over again. If you turn on game shows, you'll hear plenty of loud squeals and over-hyped happiness. Well, click on 'Judge Judy' for clarity.

There's no hot air or spin or hype. She tells it like it is whether people want to hear it or not. Today, as an example, she gave it to a woman who admitted to texting her boyfriend while at dinner with a friend. Going off on a rant, Judy wondered how someone -- anyone -- could be so rude. She added that texting in theaters, while others are there to see a movie, was distracting and disturbing.

4. She's got charisma. Yeah, I mean it. I love watching Judy in action. She's hilarious! Her facial expressions, her turns of phrases, her asides to Byrd. The show is entertaining as hell because of her charisma.