Entertaining Posts: 08/23/10

Monday, August 23, 2010

Greg Grunberg on Lifetime film, Heroes fate omg

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Mexican woman wins Miss Universe contest

LOS ANGELES | Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:48am EDT

LOS ANGELES Reuters - Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old model from Mexico, was named Miss Universe in Las Vegas on Monday, extending Latin Americas domination of the pageant to three consecutive years.

The first runner-up was Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps, while Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell, was second runner-up. Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska came in fourth, ahead of Miss Philippines, Venus Raj.

Navarrete, a nature enthusiast from Guadalajara, revealed earlier in the competition that she wanted to work with women who suffer from eating disorders.

I studied nutrition and I would like everyone to understand that it is not about your looks it is how you feel inside, the 5-foot-nine 1.75-meter brunette said through an interpreter. And when you feel good inside you look good.

She becomes the second Mexican to take the crown, following Lupita Jones in 1991. Venezuela claimed the title in 2008 and 2009, but in a surprise the country failed to make it past the first cut, when the 83 contestants were reduced to 15.

Also eliminated at the outset was Miss USA Rima Fakih, a Muslim of Lebanese heritage who recently declared her opposition to a planned mosque near the former site of the World Trade Center.

From the start, the pageant was a close race among Mexico, Jamaica and the Philippines, whose contestants all rated strongly in the swimwear and evening wear sections. But Miss Philippines bombed during the question section, failing to detail her biggest mistake and what she did to fix it.

Miss Jamaica, a self-confessed adrenaline junkie who likes to jump off cliffs and swim with sharks, may have been too strong-willed for organizers. She boldly declared her opposition to the death penalty, saying only God has the right to take lives.

Miss Mexico, helped by an interpreter, had no problem answering an easy question about the perils of the Internet for the children.

Miss Australia, at 19 the youngest to make it to the final five, was also forthright during the question segment, saying governments have no right to regulate womens religious clothing. But Miss Ukraine took a pro-authority stance by backing airport body scanners that see through clothes.

The pageant, in its 59th year, was hosted by rock musician Bret Michaels and TV news personality Natalie Morales at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

While the event remains popular overseas, its appeal has long been on the wane in the United States. Viewershop dropped to a record low last year of 6 million, down 55 percent from 1997, the first year under the new ownership of property investor Donald Trump and General Electric Cos NBC. Viewership peaked at 37.8 million in 1980.

Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Peter Cooney

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Mexican woman wins Miss Universe contest omg

LOS ANGELES Reuters - Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old brunette from Mexico, was named Miss Universe in Las Vegas on Monday.

The first runner-up was Miss Jamaica, Yendi Phillipps, while Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell, was second runner-up.

Navarrete, a nature enthusiast from Guadalajara, defeated favorites from Ireland, the Philippines and Venezuela to become the 59th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world.

She received the crown from reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, Venezuelas second winner in as many years. In a major shock, this years Miss Venezuela failed to make it past the first cut, when the 83 contestants were whittled down to 15. Miss USA, another favored contender, was also eliminated at the outset.

Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Peter Cooney

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Real Housewives of New Jersey ends 2nd season AP

LOS ANGELES The tables were safe on the season finale of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The sophomore edition of Bravos reality TV drama concluded Monday with a tense exchange at an empty restaurant between Danielle Staub and Caroline Manzo, but neither woman flipped any furniture. Throughout the chilly second season, Staub tussled with sisters Caroline and Dina Manzo, their sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita and family friend Teresa Giudice.

Giudice infamously attacked a table in last seasons finale when the women confronted Staub about her alleged criminal past. The confrontation between Staub and Manzo in Mondays episode was decidedly less heated. Manzo, a 49-year-old mother of three, lashed out at Staub, but the 48-year-old mother of two departed the scene after Manzo called her garbage.

Amazingly, I dont need you to validate my life, Staub told Manzo.

The drama will apparently become physical in next weeks reunion episode, which will bring the women together for the first time since last year. Previews prominently feature Giudice and Laurita screaming at Staub and shoving Andy Cohen, Bravos senior vice president of original programming and development who also hosts The Real Housewives reunion shows.

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Covert Affairs Liane Balaban: Make-Out Scene with Chris Gorham Was Pretty Cool omg

Playing a Russian computer hacker on Covert Affairs was awesome enough for Liane Balaban. But getting to make out with Christopher Gorham on top of it? More than I can ask for, she says.

I cant lie. That was a lot of fun, Balaban tells TVGuide.com. Doing a romantic scene is just like doing a technical scene, like even when I watch the clip, I see that he was very good about brushing my hair away from my face so the camera can see me. Its not as romantic as it may seem. But still, it was pretty cool to make out in a train car

Check out photos from Covert Affairs

Fans will get to see the train hook-up on Tuesdays episode, which will focus on Gorhams blind CIA special ops officer Auggie Anderson. Longing to do field work again, Auggie gets his wish when he is assigned to track a computer hacker who shut down Washingtons communications system. The hacker turns out to be ex-girlfriend Natasha Petrovna Balaban, whom he dumped years back.

She is the woman scorned. Theres anger definitely when they first meet again, but it doesnt stay too long Balaban says. I think in learning more about his situation as the episode unfolds, she begins to understand his motivations. At the time, it was out of left field ï¿½ so painful because it was so unexplainable.

Watch full episodes of Covert Affairs

Helping Auggies case is that hes now blind. He still had his sight when they were dating. She has a line about how its not fair [because] shes the one who should be mad at him and he comes back with this horrible injury [from the field] thats deserving of so much sympathy, Balaban says. Obviously she feels bad, but its one of lifes cruel ironies as well.

Though Natasha was hurt by Auggie, Balaban doesnt think she staged D.C.s communications blackout to seek him out again. Impulsive and hot-blooded Natasha is more politically motivated. I think shes someone who speaks truth to power and has always been incredulous of government and authority figures, she says. Natashas described as chaos in a bottle by Annie Piper Perabo. I think thats pretty indicative of who she is. Shes also very passionate and has strong convictions about whats right and wrong.

USA renews Covert Affairs

But is Natasha the right woman for Auggie? Noting that Auggie gets pretty emotional when they reconnect, Balaban thinks Natasha is the one that got away and definitely needs to come back again. Balaban, who will appear in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles next season, was only attached for one episode and has not yet heard about returning for Season 2.

I would love to come back. What a wonderful character to play, she says. If she comes back, I would like to see Natasha called on as an expert for something. Id like to see them use her mind. The CIA might need an extra hacker from time to time.

Covert Affairs airs Tuesdays at 10/9c.

Related Articles on TVGuide.com

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83 beauty queens start final Miss Universe run AP

LAS VEGAS A panel of judges has narrowed the field of beauty queens competing for the Miss Universe title in Las Vegas to 15.

The final contestants Monday night were: 21-year-old Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente, 23-year-old Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska, 22-year-old Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, 19-year-old Miss Belgium Cilou Annys, 20-year-old Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell and 22-year-old Miss South Africa Nicole Flint.

Also chosen were 23-year-old Miss France Malika Menard, 19-year-old Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, 24-year-old Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, 18-year-old Miss Russia Irina Antonenko, 24-year-old Miss Albania Angela Martini, 23-year-old Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro, 20-year-old Miss Guatemala Jessica Scheel, 18-year-old Miss Czech Republic Jitka Valkova and 22-year-old Miss Philippines Venus Raj, 22.

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Taylor Lautner sues over RV planned for movie sets AP

LOS ANGELES Taylor Lautner is suing an RV dealership he claims didnt deliver a customized coach in time for use on his current movie shoot.

The star of the Twilight series sued the Irvine, Calif., dealership of McMahons RV in Los Angeles on Monday. The lawsuit claims McMahons missed a June deadline to deliver a $300,000 customized 2006 Affinity Country Coach RV.

The lawsuit doesnt specify what special features the 18-year-old wanted for the RV, which would serve as his dressing room. He is currently filming the action-thriller Abduction and is reprising his role as Jacob Black in the two-part Twilight finale, Breaking Dawn.

A phone message left at the McMahons dealership Monday was not immediately returned.

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Simon Cowells X Factor Fesses to Auto-Tune Use omg

Simon Cowells U.K.-based singing competition The X-Factor caused an uproar this week after fans online suspected foul play via the use of Auto-Tune, an audio processor that corrects a singers pitch and tone.

Allegations that Auto-Tune played a role in the Season 7 premiere arose shortly after it aired Saturday, according to Deadline.The episode featured an 18-year-old contestant named Gamu Nhengu performing Katrina and the WavesWalking On Sunshine. It was followed by outrage in online forums over what many thought were altered vocals.

What Idol stands to lose without Ellen, Kara and Simon

Shame about the auto tuner - its like air brushing, said one fan on the X Factor Facebook page. Why give a false impression of talent? Real singers dont need auto tune

A spokesperson for X Factor said that Auto-Tune was used to fix disruptions caused by the many microphones used on stage specifically for the telecast. He added that producers used the processor in an attempt to deliver the most entertaining experience possible for viewers.

Foxs musical comedy Glee has been known to use Auto-tune, and even the shows iPhone karaoke app comes equipped with such a pitch-correcting function.

Nigel Lythgoe: Idol judge announcement coming within 3 weeks

But, as distraught viewers have pointed out, X Factor is a singing contest and not a scripted program. The shows spokesperson insisted that the judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, rather than what is heard after post-production.

A U.S. version of X Factor is slated to debut in 2011 on Fox, with Cowell set to produce and judge. Is the use of Auto-Tune in singing competition shows OK? Or is it cheating?

Related Articles on TVGuide.com

What Idol stands to lose without Ellen, Kara and Simon
Nigel Lythgoe: Idol judge announcement coming within 3 weeks

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Michael Jackson manslaughter case pushed into 2011

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Mystery ruling coming in Lindsay Lohan case AP

LOS ANGELES A court official says the judge handling Lindsay Lohans criminal case plans to issue an unspecified ruling in the case a day before her attorneys are due in court.

Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Monday that Judge Elden Fox plans to issue the ruling Tuesday afternoon. Parachini said he had no additional details.

Lohan is currently serving a 90-day sentence in a rehabilitation program, but there have been unconfirmed reports that she will be released early.

Lohan spent 14 days in jail and was taken to rehab on Aug. 2 after another judge determined she violated her probation in a 2007 drug case.

A prosecutor and Lohans attorney are due in court for a hearing Wednesday.

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Martin Shorts wife dies AP

LOS ANGELES Martin Shorts wife, Nancy Dolman, has died. She was 58.

Shorts manager, Marc Gurvitz, said Monday that Shorts wife of 30 years had died but provided no cause of death or any additional details. Short, best known for his comedic roles on Saturday Night Live and in the Father of the Bride franchise, married Dolman in 1980 after the pair met while working together in a production of Godspell.

They have three children: Katherine, 27, Oliver, 24, and Henry, 20.

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Mystery ruling coming in Lindsay Lohan case omg

LOS ANGELES - A court official says the judge handling Lindsay Lohans criminal case plans to issue an unspecified ruling in the case a day before her attorneys are due in court.

Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Monday that Judge Elden Fox plans to issue the ruling Tuesday afternoon. Parachini said he had no additional details.

Lohan is currently serving a 90-day sentence in a rehabilitation program, but there have been unconfirmed reports that she will be released early.

Lohan spent 14 days in jail and was taken to rehab on Aug. 2 after another judge determined she violated her probation in a 2007 drug case.

A prosecutor and Lohans attorney are due in court for a hearing Wednesday.

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Avatar returns to theaters with extra footage

By Carl DiOrio

Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:29pm EDT

LOS ANGELES Hollywood Reporter - Its ba-a-a-ck ... and longer than ever.

James Camerons sci-fi epic Avatar revisits global multiplexes this weekend in a quest to pad its record $2.74 billion worldwide box office and hype DVD and Blu-ray Disc special editions planned for the fall. In fact, the theatrical rerelease is billed as a special edition of the eco-themed fantasy based on an extra 8-1/2 minutes of footage featuring additional action segments and other scenes.

The 2D DVD and Blu-ray Disc special editions expected to hit store shelves in November will feature at least 16 minutes of extra Avatar footage, a source told The Hollywood Reporter. A 3D version of the movie wont be available for home entertainment until next year.

Avatar producer Jon Landau said in an interview that new scenes included in the now 171-minute theatrical special edition involve action sequences and narrative-deepening extensions of key scenes involving the blue-skinned Navi of Pandora and their human visitors.

We tried to look at what people have responded to in the film and give them more of that, Landau said. Theres a whole new scene that takes place in the Navi school, theres more night bioluminescence, theres new creatures, and there is a new action scene. The scenes dont just feel like added scenes -- they are very organic to the story and embellish it.

Avatar originally bowed in 2D and 3D on December 18, but the theatrical special edition will be shown only in 3D venues.

About every 15 minutes youll get something new that you havent seen before, which is kind of cool, Fox domestic distribution chief Bruce Snyder said. People want to go back to Pandora on the big screen.

Starting Friday, Fox will distribute the stretched Avatar in more than 800 U.S. and Canadian theaters, including roughly 125 Imax venues, though most of the latter specialty auditoriums will play Avatar for two weeks only. Cameron shot several Avatar scenes using Imax cameras, and the global blockbuster stands as the specialty exhibitors top-grossing title with $236 million worldwide.

To date, Avatar has rung up $749.8 million domestically and $1.99 billion in foreign coin. Prerelease projections have Avatar fetching somewhere in the mid- to high-single-digit millions this weekend, but execs are more uncertain about what to expect from the rerelease in total.

The version 2.0 Avatar also is being released on more than 1,000 locations in 14 foreign territories including the U.K., Russia and Taiwan this week, including 50 overseas Imax sites. The pics theatrical special edition will bow later in some other countries, with Japan set to get the super-sized Avatar in October.

Fox Home Entertainment released a 2D version of the original 162-minute Avatar on DVD and Blu-ray on April 22. Neither version offered any special features, yet the DVD remains the top-grossing disc release of the year, and the Blu-ray version set a format sales high in just its first four days. Fox hasnt announced a specific date for 2D special editions of Avatar, which will feature even more extra footage and several bonus features.

The pictures release in 3D Blu-ray is delayed until 2011, because Fox and Camerons Lightstorm Entertainment want to allow time for the installed base of 3D capability home entertainment systems to grow. Similarly, Paramount Home Entertainment has yet to release Camerons 1997 theatrical opener Titanic on Blu-ray, continuing to hold out for a bigger installed footprint of the high-def format. Plans now call for a 3D conversion of the disaster classic for a theatrical 3D rerelease in 2012, but Paramount remains mum regarding home-entertainment release plans for Titanic.

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Ansel Adams trust sues over garage sale negatives AP

SAN FRANCISCO The Ansel Adams Publishing Trust is suing a California man for selling prints and posters under the name of the famed nature photographer.

The case, filed Monday in federal court in San Francisco, is the latest salvo in a dispute over a trove of glass negatives bought at a garage sale by Rick Norsigian and purported to be Adams lost work.

The lawsuit seeks to stop Norsigian and consulting firm PRS Media Partners from using Adams name, likeness and trademark to sell prints not authorized by the Trust. The suit alleges trademark infringement and other claims.

Last month, Norsigian and his lawyer, Arnold Peter, said a panel of experts authenticated the work and valued it at about $200 million.

Peter said the lawsuit is without merit and designed to harass his client.

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Madonna Sued Over Material Girl Clothing Line omg

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Madonna only just launched her Material Girl Clothing line, and already shes been hit with a lawsuit from a company that claims theyve been using the same brand name since 1997.

In a suit filed on Aug. 19 in Los Angeles Central District Court, LA Triumph claims they started a clothing line under the Material Girl name in 1997 and have sold their wares at a host of stores ever since.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywoods Hottest Moms & Their Loveable Little Ones

LA Triumph and its predecessor have sold millions of dollars of the Material Girl brand of clothes in commerce throughout the United States, and have spent large sums in its promotion and advertisement, the lawsuit stated.

The company claims Madonnas line is infringing on their use of the name Material Girl.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Madonna - Musics Royal Madgesty

They are asking the court to declare that LA Triumph is the rightful owner of the Material Girl name with respect to clothing, according to the lawsuit, obtained by Access Hollywood.

LA Triumph is also asking for damages of an unspecified amounts and the profits Madonnas Material Girl line has made.

Madonna released her Material Girl single in 1985 and has been referred to by that moniker ever since.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Crazy Sexy Cool The Planets Hottest Pop Stars Take The Stage

When reached for comment by Access, a rep for the pop star was unaware of the suit, while a rep for her clothing line had no comment.

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Madonna - Lawsuits - Music

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Red Carpet Fashion Choices at Creative Emmys omg

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Fantasia denies allegations she is a homewrecker AP

NEW YORK Fantasia said she was so upset about allegations that she broke up a marriage she was ready to die.

I felt like if that would have happened, I would have been fine with that ï¿½ I would have been OK with that, she said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday afternoon, nearly two weeks after she attempted suicide.

The former American Idol champ took a mixture of aspirin and sleeping pills after she was named in divorce papers as the cause of a couples breakup. The 26-year-old said she was so devastated and upset about lies being spread about her that she couldnt function anymore.

I had never experienced that ï¿½ I was very numb, she said.

As for the accusations that she knowingly dated Antwaun Cook even though he was married with kids, she said he was already separated when they started dating: I dont think I would stand for going in and breaking up somebodys home.

While she called Cook a good guy and a great friend, she said they are no longer together, and havent been for a while.

Fantasia shares some of her story on VH1s Behind the Music, airing Tuesday, and a new season of her reality show Fantasia for Real debuts in September. She is hopeful the show will tell her side of the story: The best way for me to clear my name is through my show, she said.

Her focus now, however, is on her album, Back to Me, out on Tuesday. She is in therapy, and said shes now better able to cope with her problems.

I must say it was probably a blessing to be in the hospital, she said, adding: It aint time for me to go yet.

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John Lithgows Killer Dexter Emmy Acceptance Speech Mistake omg

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Its good to be bad - just ask John Lithgow.

The veteran stage & screen star very deservingly took home the award for Best Guest Actor in a drama at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, for his role as the maniacal Trinity Killer in Showtimes hit series Dexter.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Scenes With The Devious Cast Of Dexter

And while the win - Lithgows fifth Emmy of his career - was certainly reason to celebrate, there was one small problem - he thanked the wrong network

Im glad to have every chance to thank [Showtime CEO] Matt Blank and [Showtime President] Bob Greenblatt at HBO, Lithgow said on stage at the ceremony in Los Angeles.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Emmys 2010: And The Nominees Are...

Following the show, Lithgow was made aware of his gaffe.

Ill never live that down. Theyll probably be taking this back now, he joked with reporters in the press room backstage.

Prior to his big win, Access Hollywood caught up with the star on the red carpet, where he offered praise for both his co-stars and for the shows writers for developing such a devious script for his Arthur Mitchell character.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Small Screen, Big Fashion Emmy Awards Red Carpet 2009

The Trinity Killer was such an amazing character they created and such a wonderful piece of suspenseful storytelling, it just kept people wanting to see the next weeks episode, he told Access.

Although Lithgows character met his ultimate demise at the hands of Michael C. Halls title character in the Season 4 finale, the star said he expects the show to carry its momentum into the upcoming fifth season.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Emmy Winners 2009

When a show can do that in its fourth season, its on its way, he added.

When contacted by Access Hollywood, Showtime wouldnt comment on the faux pas, instead offering their press release higlighting the networks five wins from Saturday night, which included a statement from Lithgow, saying, Its great to get an award for a show that I loved so much. I want to thank Showtime.

HBO also did not want to comment on the matter.

Dexter is up for Best Drama at this Sundays Emmy Awards, as well as Michael C. Hall for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dexter - John Lithgow - Emmys - TV - Showtime

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Expendables retains box office crown omg

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Expendables endures at No. 1 with $17 million AP

LOS ANGELES Sylvester Stallones action tale The Expendables led the box-office for a second-straight weekend with $17 million.

A rush of newcomers had so-so debuts, led by the Twilight spoof Vampires Suck, which opened at No. 2 with $12.2 million.

The top 20 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Sunday, followed by distribution studio, gross, number of theater locations, average receipts per location, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Monday by Hollywood.com are:

1. The Expendables, Lionsgate, $16,968,032, 3,270 locations, $5,189 average, $65,357,117, two weeks.

2. Vampires Suck, Fox, $12,202,831, 3,233 locations, $3,774 average, $18,566,733, one week.

3. Eat Pray Love, Sony, $12,111,162, 3,082 locations, $3,930 average, $47,214,078, two weeks.

4. Lottery Ticket, Warner Bros., $10,652,297, 1,973 locations, $5,399 average, $10,652,297, one week.

5. The Other Guys, Sony, $10,163,337, 3,472 locations, $2,927 average, $88,253,482, three weeks.

6. Piranha 3D, Weinstein Co., $10,106,872, 2,470 locations, $4,092 average, $10,106,872, one week.

7. The Switch, Miramax, $8,436,713, 2,012 locations, $4,193 average, $8,436,713, one week.

8. Nanny McPhee Returns, Universal, $8,407,685, 2,784 locations, $3,020 average, $8,407,685, one week.

9. Inception, Warner Bros., $7,838,179, 2,401 locations, $3,265 average, $262,031,594, six weeks.

10. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Universal, $5,201,970, 2,820 locations, $1,845 average, $20,898,255, two weeks.

11. Despicable Me, Universal, $4,662,065, 2,236 locations, $2,085 average, $231,056,990, seven weeks.

12. Dinner For Schmucks, Paramount, $3,520,805, 2,149 locations, $1,638 average, $65,800,919, four weeks.

13. Salt, Sony, $3,410,012, 1,794 locations, $1,901 average, $109,895,105, five weeks.

14. Step Up 3D, Disney, $3,150,401, 1,592 locations, $1,979 average, $36,868,951, three weeks.

15. Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, Warner Bros., $1,701,134, 1,580 locations, $1,077 average, $39,660,611, four weeks.

16. Toy Story 3, Disney, $1,523,124, 730 locations, $2,086 average, $403,803,642, 10 weeks.

17. The Kids Are All Right, Focus, $818,213, 404 locations, $2,025 average, $18,239,725, seven weeks.

18. Get Low, Sony Pictures Classics, $713,794, 146 locations, $4,889 average, $1,697,877, four weeks.

19. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Summit, $566,864, 557 locations, $1,018 average, $297,216,798, eight weeks.

20. The Sorcerers Apprentice, Disney, $476,035, 472 locations, $1,009 average, $60,605,526, six weeks.

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Universal Pictures and Focus Features are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disneys parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of The Walt Disney Co.; 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox Atomic are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a consortium of Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Sony Corp., Comcast Corp., DLJ Merchant Banking Partners and Quadrangle Group; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC Films is owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corp.; Rogue Pictures is owned by Relativity Media LLC; Overture Films is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corp.

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Jan. 4 hearing set for doctor in Jackson case AP

LOS ANGELES A preliminary hearing where prosecutors will lay out some of the evidence against a doctor charged in Michael Jacksons death will begin Jan. 4 in Los Angeles, a judge said Monday.

The hearing had been expected to begin later this year but was pushed back due to issues involving witness availability and the ongoing investigation, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said.

After the hearing, which is expected to last at least two weeks, Pastor will determine if there is enough evidence to order cardiologist Conrad Murray to stand trial.

Several members of Jacksons family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph, attended Mondays hearing. They waved to fans who were allowed into the courtroom wearing T-shirts seeking justice for the pop singer.

Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson in June 2009 at the age of 50. Authorities have accused Murray of administering a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson in the bedroom of the singers rented mansion.

Murrays attorneys have said the doctor did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him.

Murrays defense team wants permission to retest three chemical samples currently held by the coroners office. Attorney J. Michael Flanagan said the samples were obtained from two syringes and an IV, but he did not elaborate.

Prosecutor David Walgren sought more information about the tests and whether the samples might be destroyed.

Pastor urged both sides to work out a deal on the request.

Murray is due back in court on Oct. 26 for another status hearing.

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AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this story.

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Hostess wont wear Disneys head scarf alternative AP

ANAHEIM, Calif. A woman who accused the Disney Co. of discrimination for refusing to let her wear a Muslim head scarf at work says she wont wear a specially designed hat instead.

Imane Boudlal, whos a restaurant hostess at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, says Disneys suggested hat-and-bonnet is embarrassing and makes a joke of her religion.

She has gone home without pay seven times rather than remove her hijab or accept jobs away from customers.

Disney spokeswoman Suzi Brown says the head covering accommodates both Boudlals beliefs and Disney costuming guidelines. She says it was one of several options Disney made after Boudlal requested alterations to her approved apparel.

Last week, Boudlal filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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ROLL CALL: Elizabeth Hurley Says No To The Knife omg

By Jesse Spero

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans

No Enhancements For Liz: British beauty Elizabeth Hurley took to her Twitter on Monday shooting down reports that she recently had breast implants. I read that Ive just had breast implants-happy to report still au naturel, she Tweeted on Monday. But I do wear exceptionally well cut bikinis. We applaud a Hollywood star whos keeping it real

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywoods Hottest Beach Bods

Vivienne & Knox Are In Hungary: Vivienne and Knox Pitt-Jolie have been keeping a low profile lately, but the adorable twins turned up Monday in Budapest, Hungary with mom Angelina Jolie, Us Weekly reported. The actress reportedly brought the 2-year-old twins on a location-scouting trip for a just-announced movie that the actress is slated to shoot there in the fall. See Angelina and her Budapest babies, HERE

Levi Actually Running For Office?: In what may be the worst thing to happen to politics since California let any old D-list celebrity run for office during the 2003 recall election, Playgirl model and Americas favorite baby daddy, Levi Johnston, appears to be going through with his plan to run for office According to documents filed on Friday and obtained by TMZ, Levi filed his letter of intent to run for state or municipal office in the City of Wasilla, Alaska. He reportedly did not specify which position he would run for, but he previously said hed be running for Sarah Palins old position of mayor. We can only dream or have nightmares of a day when Levi is announced as a Vice Presidential candidate

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Brangelinas Family Album

Dirty Gossip: Do you want your Gossip Girl a little dirtier? A 10-minute blooper reel from the Season 3 DVDs has popped up on YouTube filled with your favorite CW stars cutting loose and letting the expletives fly...dont worry, the really harsh one have been bleeped We have to agree with The New York Posts Pop Wrap that Penn Badgleys moment at the 8:50 mark is quite classic - not to mention Georgina Sparks Michelle Trachtenberg final words of the clip. Check out all the flubs and fun, HERE

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Roll Call - Gossip Girl - Politics - Sarah Palin - YouTube

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Michael Jackson doctors manslaughter hearing set for Jan

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True Blood stars to present at Emmys AP

LOS ANGELES Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer will be spending part of their honeymoon at the Emmys.

The newlywed True Blood stars, who were married last Saturday in Malibu, Calif., have been added to the list of presenters at next Sundays 62nd annual prime-time Emmy ceremony, along with True Blood co-star Alexander Skarsgard.

Previously announced presenters include Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais.

On the HBO series, 28-year-old Paquin stars as Sookie Stackhouse, a mostly human waitress who falls for vampire Bill Compton, a Confederate veteran turned into a bloodsucker played by 40-year-old Moyer. Paquin is no stranger to award shows. The X-Men star won a supporting-actress Academy Award at age 11 for 1993s The Piano.

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Judge sets hearing for doctor in Jackson case AP

LOS ANGELES A judge says a preliminary hearing for the doctor charged in Michael Jacksons death will begin Jan. 4.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor scheduled the hearing for Dr. Conrad Murray during a brief court session Monday, with Murray in attendance.

Prosecutors will lay out some of their evidence at the hearing, with Pastor then deciding whether to send Murray to trial.

The 57-year-old cardiologist has pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Also present were several members of Jacksons family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph.

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Britney Spears may return to Glee

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Music Review: Katy Perrys new CD is a hit factory AP

Katy Perry, Teenage Dream Capitol Records

Katy Perrys new CD is like a magical slot machine: Select any song and youll hear a hit.

Teenage Dream, the singers sophomore release, is a 12-track set that has many flavors: Thumping dance jams, groovy midtempo numbers and pop ballads that are subtle and soft ï¿½ just the like the cloud Perrys nude body lays atop on the album cover.

Much of the credit for the hit factory goes to the albums producers, which includes Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Max Martin, Stargate, Tricky and Greg Wells. Theyre hit-makers who clearly saved their best material for Perry.

But another big reason for the albums magic is Perry herself. She has a booming voice, and can out-sing pop tarts like Britney Spears and Ke$ha, whose vocals are usually whispery and weak. They usually fade into the background of the albums beat. Perrys vocals not only ride with the beat, they advance it.

Teenage Dream also explores the 25-year-olds roller-coaster of emotions: Shes horny on the explosive Peacock, lost on Who Am I Living For? and mysterious on E.T. She builds you up on the pulsating and addictive Firework, but brings you down well not you, but Travis McCoy on Circle the Drain. On the latter tune, about McCoys drug addiction, a bitter Perry spits firebomb lyrics like: Wanna be your lover, not your expletive mother.

Perry closes the album with Not Like the Movies, a slow, but sweet ode to her fiance, actor-comedian Russell Brand. Picture perfect? Guess so.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: Perry, who used to be a Christian singer, uplifts with both her vocals and lyrics on the Stargate-produced Firework.

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Judge sets hearing for doctor in Jackson case omg

LOS ANGELES - A judge says a preliminary hearing for the doctor charged in Michael Jacksons death will begin Jan. 4.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor scheduled the hearing for Dr. Conrad Murray during a brief court session Monday, with Murray in attendance.

Prosecutors will lay out some of their evidence at the hearing, with Pastor then deciding whether to send Murray to trial.

The 57-year-old cardiologist has pleaded not guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Also present were several members of Jacksons family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph.

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American Idol Fantasia says overdose was suicide bid

NEW YORK | Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:38pm EDT

NEW YORK Reuters - American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino said she intended to take her own life when she overdosed on aspirin and sleeping pills two weeks ago, according to a TV interview released on Monday.

I didnt have any fight in me. I didnt care about anything. I just wanted out, the American Idol winner, 26, told U.S. cable channel VH1 in an interview to be aired on Tuesday. Celebrity magazine website People.com ran advance excerpts on Monday.

The R&B singer, who won the TV singing contest in 2004, took an overdose after being named in divorce papers filed by the wife of her long-time boyfriend and was overwhelmed by media attention.

I just sat in the closet and looked at the mirror and took all the pills in the bottle, Fantasia said in the interview. I wanted to go to sleep and just be at peace. I knew exactly what I was doing. You cant accidentally take a whole bottle of pills.

She thanked the nurse that helped her after her overdose, saying she had been a blessing.

Fantasia was taken to a North Carolina hospital after overdosing and released several days later. She issued a statement saying she was heartbroken over the relationship and sorry for any pain she had caused.

She releases her third album, Back to Me, on Tuesday.

Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Jill Serjeant

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Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren Divorce omg

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren have divorced.

The couples divorce became official Monday in Floridas Bay County Circuit Court, their lawyers said in a statement. Terms of the divorce were not disclosed, other than that they will share parenting of their children, daughter Sam, 3, and son Charlie, 1.

Check out photos of Tiger Woods

We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future, the couple said in a statement. While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us.

Tiger Woods: I felt I was entitled

Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being, the statement continued. The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them as we adjust to a new family situation, which is why our privacy must be a principal concern.

Tiger Woods: I regret my transgressions and will strive to be a better person and husband

The divorce comes nine months after the golfer crashed his SUV outside their Florida home, leading to admissions that he had cheated on his wife and a loss of endorsement deals. Woods ï¿½ whose participation in a tournament typically meant a TV ratings boost ï¿½ took a five-month hiatus to go to rehab before coming back at the Masters in April. Overall, he has struggled since returning to the game.

Gatorade drops Tiger Woods

Woods, 34, and Nordegren, a 30-year-old Swedish former model and au pair, met in 2001 through Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik. They married in October 2004.

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Kenny Chesney tackles football with Boys of Fall AP

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Everything Kenny Chesney needed to know about dominating country music he learned from football.

Whether hes firing up the tour bus or heading into the studio, he uses the principles he learned while playing at Gibbs High School outside Knoxville. This epiphany came to Chesney while he was recording for his latest album, Hemingways Whiskey, and eventually grew into the documentary film Boys of Fall, which airs on ESPN this Sunday.

Its no different if youre playing football, if youre on the road like I am, if youre running a company, Chesney said. Everybodys got to work together if they want to achieve something thats special.

Chesneys documentary started out as a simple video shoot for the single, The Boys of Fall. He followed friend and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton to the coachs hometown in Napierville, Ill., where Payton gave the season-opening pregame speech last year to his old high school team.

It was a special experience and Chesney started to think about all the sports figures he has become friends with over the years.

Thats when I thought it might be cool for me in my year off I took from the road to go around and talk to these people and see what we get, Chesney said. It ended up being one of the best journeys of my life, and I think one of the most important things Ive done in my career to this point.

Chesneys journey took him to places like Hattiesburg, Miss., where he had barbecue at Brett Favres house, Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Austin, Texas. He met with the giants of the game ï¿½ Bill Parcells, Peyton Manning, Nick Saban, Bobby Bowden, John Madden ï¿½ but also spent time filming peewee players in Nashville.

There were fun moments: John Madden cooked what is the equivalent of Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner together for us. He told me when I walked in there, When it comes to cooking I can take Brett Favre to the woodshed.

But he also came away with experiences that had a larger impact on him than he could ever imagine.

Listening to those guys talk about the heart of and the emotions and everything that goes into loving people and living life and trying to get the most out of it and how it all relates to football, it stops and makes you think and look at your own life, Chesney said. And sometimes Im too busy. I dont do that.

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Kanye West to release new songs weekly

Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:22pm EDT

LOS ANGELES Billboard - Although his fifth album is due to drop November 16, Kanye West is tirelessly working to give his fans some weekly fun through the holidays.

The rapper has announced on Twitter that he plans to release a new song every weekend until Xmas.

Im calling it good Fridays. Yall know every Friday yall gone have a new joint from our family. We look at the game completely different now, West tweeted.

The rapper said that the new songs could be one of his own tracks or it may be a new Jay song, etc. West is currently working on new tunes for several other artists, including Raekwon, Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell and Clipses Pusha T.

Swizz looked at me the other night and said man are you getting sleep and I told him I cant sleep... My people need this new music, West tweeted.

The rapper recently finished work on a remix of Justin Biebers Runaway Love with Raekwon. West also released the remix of Power, featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz, on Friday and premiered See Me Now, a new track with Beyonce and Charlie Wilson, earlier this month.

Its about the fans. No more holding back, said West. Thats why I dropped See Me Now... It wasnt about me it was about the Summer the BBQs etc.

West is set to perform at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12 after infamously interrupting Taylor Swifts acceptance speech at last years ceremony. He also tweeted a vague update on Monday that he is working on the Movie... Unicorns and Rza beats yo.

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Access Exclusive: New Anna Paquin / Stephen Moyer Wedding Details omg

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Access Hollywood has learned exclusive new details about Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyers weekend wedding.

The couples Saturday beachside wedding in Malibu was presided over a True Blood script supervisor, who is also an ordained minister.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Scenes From True Blood Season 3

The couples non-denominational ceremony included Apache, Buddhist and other elements - none of which were vampire-themed.

The couples co-workers also lent their skills when it came to the music. The shows music director lead a string quartet during the ceremony and co-star Todd Lowe Terry Bellefleur brought his band, Pilbilly Knights, to play at the reception.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywoods Smokin Hot Couples

In true dramatic Hollywood style, Stephen walked down the aisle to Led Zeppelins Cashmere.

After the ceremony, the actor and six of his friends changed out of their tuxedos and into swimsuits and took a dip in the Pacific Ocean, as seen in photographs by Pacific Coast News. In more photos from the ceremony, taken by Splash News and posted on TMZ, the bride remained dry in her gown, but watched her new groom and his pals make their splash.

On Sunday, Stephen continued his beach weekend celebration in Venice, Calif., Radar Online reported.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: True Blood Season 3 Premiere

In more True Blood news, on Monday it was announced that Stephen and Anna, along with their co-star Alexander Skarsgard, would be presenters at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards this Sunday, airing live on NBC at 5 PM.

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Egypt deputy minister detained over van Gogh theft AP

CAIRO Egypts top prosecutor ordered on Monday the detention of the deputy culture minister for four days in connection to the theft of a Vincent van Gogh painting, the state owned news agency reported.

Thieves made off with the canvas, known by the titles of Poppy Flowers and Vase with Flowers, on Saturday from the Mahmoud Khalil Museum in Cairo. None of the museums alarms and only seven of 43 surveillance cameras were working at the time of the robbery.

Prosecutor General Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud ordered the detention of Deputy Culture Minister Mohsen Shalaan, along with four security guards, for neglect and professional delinquency, according to the Middle East News Agency.

No formal charges have been filed.

According to MENA, investigation revealed lax security measures and careless museum officials.

The prosecutor implicated Shalaan in the theft because he has a permanent office inside the museum and he enjoys the ministers authority in handling all financial and administrative affairs of the museum.

Shalaan, according to the investigation, neglected his duties and didnt improve lax security measures by replacing the broken cameras and alarms.

The guards were also accused of neglect for not checking the museum visitors.

The prosecutor said that his office had warned Egypts museums last year to implement stricter security controls after nine paintings were stolen from another Cairo institute, the Mohammed Ali Museum. Similar security lapses were to blame in that theft.

The van Gogh painting is worth an estimated $50 million.

This is the second time the painting by the Dutch-born postimpressionist has been stolen from the Khalil museum. Thieves first made off with the canvas in 1978, before authorities recovered it two years later at an undisclosed location in Kuwait.

The 12-inch-by-12-inch 30-centimer-by-30-centimeter canvas, believed to have been painted in 1887, resembles a flower scene by the French artist Adolphe Monticelli, whose work deeply affected van Gogh. The Monticelli painting also is part of the Khalil collection.

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Jennifer Aniston reteams with Courteney Cox on TV show

By Zorianna Kit

LOS ANGELES | Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:58pm EDT

LOS ANGELES Reuters - Jennifer Aniston is to guest star on her former Friends star Courteney Coxs current television comedy series, Cougar Town, the ABC TV network said on Monday.

Aniston will appear in the shows second-season premiere airing September 22 on U.S. network. The actress will play a therapist giving advice to Coxs character -- a divorced 40something woman who is getting back into a dating scene filled with younger men.

It is the not first time Aniston has teamed with Cox, who is also her real-life best friend, after Friends ended in 2004. She also appeared on Coxs previous TV series, Dirt, in 2007.

Cougar Town executive producer Bill Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly, Cox wanted her to establish the show first before calling on Aniston.

Once we did and once it was clicking, I think that not only did Courteney feel comfortable talking to Jen about doing it, but comfortable in how funny she thinks the show is and that Jen would like it and fit into this world really well, said Lawrence.

Shooting on the episode will begin next week. Industry sources said the TV show happens to be shooting near the set of Anistons latest movie Horrible Bosses making it convenient for Aniston to coordinate her schedule.

Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly that they are intentionally implying that its a therapist Courteney has been using for a while leaving the door open for Aniston to return if all goes well.

Aniston is not the first Friends star Cox has called on to guest star on Cougar Town. Last season, Lisa Kudrow played a dermatologist whose services Coxs character sought out.

Editing by Jill Serjeant

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Lady Gaga assumes reign as latest Twitter queen AP

NEW YORK Lady Gaga has surpassed Britney Spears as the most followed person on Twitter ï¿½ for now.

She has more than 5.7 million followers. She overtook Spears over the weekend and posted a video late Saturday on YouTube.

Gaga called her fans her little monsters as she thanked them for beginning my reign as Twitter queen.

Spears, Ashton Kutcher, Ellen DeGeneres and an account run by President Barack Obamas political organization, Organizing for America, all have more than 5 million followers.

The most followed title often shifts rapidly, and fans frequently organize to boost their favorites tally.

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Jennifer Aniston to guest on `Cougar Town AP

NEW YORK Jennifer Aniston will pay a visit to old friend Courteney Cox on the season debut of ABCs Cougar Town next month.

ABC said Monday that Aniston will portray a therapist who is being seen by Coxs character. Its a one-episode visit, scheduled for Sept. 22.

The two actresses starred for many years on NBCs Friends.

Cox is in her second season of Cougar Town, where she plays a character hungry for younger men.

Aniston is promoting her new movie, The Switch.

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Curb Your Enthusiasms Cheryl Hines Getting Divorced omg

Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines and her husband, producer and manager Paul Young, are divorcing after nearly eight years of marriage.

Check out photos of Cheryl Hines

The couple filed papers July 20 and will remain extremely close friends, Hines rep said.

Hines and Young have a 6-year-old daughter, Catherine Rose, and plan to raise her together, the rep added.

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Howdy Doody Show writer Edward Kean dies at 85 AP

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. A family friend says Howdy Doody Show writer Edward Kean has died at the age of 85.

Kean was the primary writer for the show and penned the theme song to which millions of American children sang along each week during the shows run on NBC from 1947 to 1960.

Family friend Del Reddy said Monday that Kean died Aug. 13 at a nursing care facility in Oakland Countys West Bloomfield Township from complications of emphysema.

Reddy says the New York City native wrote the song Its Howdy Doody Time, which was sung during the shows opening.

Kean is credited with creating the exclamation, kowabunga, made popular by one of the shows characters and borrowed by Bart Simpson, the animated problem child on the long-running comedy The Simpsons.

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Error caused World Cup TV gaffe

23 August 2010 Last updated at 12:22 ET

An unfortunate error in a control centre led to ITV HD viewers seeing a car advert instead of an England goal during the World Cup, Ofcom has ruled.

The regulator received 823 complaints from angry viewers who missed Steven Gerrards goal four minutes into the England v USA match on 12 June.

ITV said the incident had been caused after an advert break trigger was inadvertently activated.

It added it deeply regretted the incident and had apologised to viewers.

The unscheduled break began with a Hyundai sponsorship segment, followed by a series of black frames.

During the 21 second interruption, the goal was scored.

Viewers watching ITV1s standard service were largely unaffected.

ITV stated that it took additional measures after the incident to ensure it could not happen again, including manufacturing special covers to avoid accidental activation of equipment.

Ofcom took this into account and, in acknowledging that presenter Adrian Chiles made an on-air apology, considered the matter resolved.

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Review: Ushers `Versus is an uneven effort AP

Usher, Versus Jive

Its only been a few months since Usher released Raymond V. Raymond, but hes back with another album ï¿½ kind of.

Versus is a nine-song project that will be available as a single disc or part of a deluxe, rereleased version of Raymond V. Raymond. But Versus isnt all new material. It has two songs youve already heard ï¿½ his current hit, There Goes My Baby, which was on Raymond V. Raymond, and the remix to Somebody to Love, which features protege Justin Bieber and is on Biebers album.

So, with only seven new tracks, its more like an EP, and like Raymond V. Raymond, its another uneven effort from an artist talented enough to do better.

Songs like DJ Got Us Fallin in Love, featuring Pitbull, will get you moving on the dance floor, but that has more to do with the standard club beat than Usher, who makes little impact on this song. Hot Tottie is another so-so track, despite the guest appearance of Jay-Z, who delivers a surprisingly uninspired verse; maybe hes had one too many cameos of late.

Usher shines when hes able to display his sterling voice, plus his signature sensuality and swagger. On the albums best song, Lay You Down, he seduces with every note, every moan. The uptempo Lingerie sounds like its circa the 5-year-old Confessions, but given the excellence of that album, thats actually a good thing. And Love Em All and Get in My Car feature Usher at his playboy best.

If we had more of these kind of songs, this would be a tight, must-get song collection; as is, youre better off cherry-picking and creating your own, even shorter Usher EP.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: Any points Usher loses for being crass, he gets back from the bombastic groove on Get in My Car, where he croons, Theres too many girls in here to waste my time on you, what you gonna do?

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Sandra Bullock & Tom Hanks Wanted For Post-9/11 Movie omg

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Warner Bros. and Paramount are reportedly going after Sandra Bullock for the big screen adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foers novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, in what would be the actress first movie since her Oscar-winning performance in The Blind Side.

According to Variety, the studios have made offers to Sandra and Tom Hanks to star in the movie, set in 2003, which centers around a boy who lost his father on September 11. The boy embarks on a search across New York City to find a lock that matches a key that belonged to his father.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Sandra Bullock: Americas Leading Rom-Com Queen

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was one of the first American novels to use the events of 9/11 in its plot.

Director Stephen Daldry, who helmed The Reader, is reportedly attached to direct and Oscar winner Eric Roth, who penned Forrest Gump has adapted the novel.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Take A Peek At Sandra Bullocks New Orleans Home

The studio has reportedly yet to start formal negotiations with Bullock and Hanks.

On Monday, a rep from Paramount told Access Hollywood, Theyre all in talks, no deals in place. Access has also reached out to Warner Bros. for comment, but has not yet heard back anything.

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Schiele art back in Austria after ownership feud AP

VIENNA A 12-year battle over the possession of a painting that was stolen from a Jewish Austrian by the Nazis came to a close on Monday when the work by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele was displayed at a Vienna museum.

The oil painting was returned over the weekend after the Leopold Museum agreed to pay $19 million 15 million euros as part of the settlement to the estate of art dealer Lea Bondi Jaray, the original owner.

U.S. authorities had refused to return the painting to the Leopold Museum after it was exhibited in 1998 at the New York Museum of Modern Art because of a claim by her descendants.

Bondi Jaray was forced to sell the painting, Portrait of Wally, at an unrealistically low price in the prelude to World War II as part of a widespread Nazi campaign that stripped Jews in Austria, Germany and later other European countries of their possessions.

Portrait of Wally ï¿½ which pictures Valerie Wally Neuzil, a woman Schiele knew and used as a model ï¿½ was among more than 100 works the Leopold Foundation had leant to MoMA.

U.S. customs refused to let the work leave the country after Henry Bondi of Princeton, New Jersey, filed a claim that said his late aunt was forced to give up the painting before fleeing Vienna in 1939 to escape to London when Germany annexed Austria.

She died in 1969. Henry Bondi also has since died.

The controversy over the portrait, which the Leopold Museum acquired after the war, contributed to Austria passing a 1998 law that stipulates the restitution of property taken from the countrys Jews by the Nazis.

But the restitution law applies to state institutions, not to private museums such as the Leopold Foundation ï¿½ something that Viennas Jewish community asserts was exploited by Leopold.

The museum was created by the late Rudolf Leopold. He is credited with assembling Austrias largest and most important private art collection, which includes more than 5,000 works by renowned artists such as Schiele, Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka.

According to the Jewish communitys website, paintings by Schiele, Klimt and Egger-Lienz that were looted by the Nazis were bought by the Austrian state with public funds and given to the Leopold Foundation.

The foundation acknowledges that it is not ruled by the restitution law, but denies any wrongdoing.

Andreas Noedl, who sits on the Leopold museums board, acknowledged the gross injustice done to Austrias Jews, telling reporters on Monday that the portrait reflects the history of the horrendous atrocities during the Holocaust.

Leopold Museum chief Peter Weinhaeupl called the return a symbolic day for the museum.

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Birkhead returns to stand at Anna Nicole trial AP

LOS ANGELES The man who fathered Anna Nicole Smiths daughter is taking the witness stand again in the drug conspiracy trial of her boyfriend and doctors.

Larry Birkhead is scheduled to resume testimony Monday in Los Angeles. He told jurors last week that Smith suffered from seizures and other ailments. Birkhead also testified that he thinks Smith exhibited loopy behavior during a 2004 awards show appearance and he believes drugs were partly to blame.

Smiths boyfriend, Howard K. Stern, and two doctors have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to provide the former Playboy model with massive doses of opiates and sedatives.

They arent accused of causing her 2007 overdose death.

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Kecks Exclusives: Smallville Suits Up Supergirl omg

Smallville offers an exciting glimpse of whats to come for Clark Kent in the shows final season with the October 8 return of Vs Laura Vandervoort as Clarks cousin Kara, who has been MIA for almost two years. Kara returns in a very heroic way, Laura tells me. When I found out this could be my last episode, I thought it would be great to see a quick glimpse of her in the uniform before she takes off. Lucky Lauras getting her wish

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You really see her as Supergirl, says exec producer Kelly Souders. Not the whole outfit, but her wardrobe will have evolved even a little more than Clarks. Shes less Kara and way more Supergirl. Watch for Kara to don her new look for a photo shoot after she becomes a media darling following a heroic save that reveals her flying capabilities to the world. To protect her superhero identity, Youll see Kara in the [brunette] wig and glasses [as] a bit of an homage to her other identity from the comics, Linda Lee Danvers, Laura says.

Might Clark be inspired to further define his own blurred personas? Souders hints, Kara has a lot of input down the road in Clarks transformation into Superman.

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HarperCollins in Stig legal spat

23 August 2010 Last updated at 11:12 ET

Publisher HarperCollins is in a legal dispute with the BBC over a book that reveals the identity of Top Gears The Stig, BBC News understands.

Both sides appeared in Londons High Court on Monday after the BBC confirmed it was trying to halt its publication.

The Stig regularly takes to the track on the BBC Two show, but never removes his helmet on screen.

The BBC says the publication of the book breaches contractual and confidentiality obligations.

HarperCollins declined to give any official comment.

The dispute comes amid suggestions from several newspapers speculating that the characters true identity is former Formula Three driver Ben Collins, based on the financial reports of his company.

A BBC spokeswoman said: The BBC is in a legal dispute over the publication of a book relating to Top Gear as this breaches agreed contractual and confidentiality obligations relating to the show.

It was no surprise that Ben Collins company listed Top Gear amongst its work as Ben had appeared numerous times on the programme and he often supplied other drivers for both the programme and Top Gear Live.

The BBC has never confirmed who The Stig is and maintain revealing his identity would spoil viewers enjoyment of the show.

The Stigs identity has puzzled fans for years with many speculating the role is shared by several drivers.

Former Formula 1 driver Perry McCarthy was the original Stig, wearing black overalls for his appearances.

He left the show in 2003 and then a new Stig dressed in white took over.

McCarthy later disclosed his identity in an autobiography.

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UK reality TV program branded freak show

LONDON | Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:00am EDT

LONDON Reuters - A new British reality TV show, which will film two people -- one disfigured, the other attractive -- living together in a house full of mirrors, has been branded a freak show by critics.

In each episode of Channel 4s Beauty and the Beast, a different pair will be followed by cameras both inside and outside the house, to explore how peoples lives are shaped by their looks.

Channel 4 pledged an end to this kind of voyeuristic programing when they announced the finish of Big Brother, said Vivienne Pattison, director of campaign group Mediawatch UK.

Putting a disfigured person in a mirrored house in the name of entertainment is neither a healthy nor an appropriate subject for a television program, she said.

It sounds like an extraordinary freak show.

The six-part series is however being made with the co-operation of disfigurement charity Changing Faces.

Channel 4, which is publicly owned but funded by advertising, has defended the program: The series aims to challenge peoples narrow definition of beauty in a frank and engaging format, said a spokesman.

Details of the program came to light just as Channel 4s Big Brother nears the end of its 11th and final series.

That program had come under fire for featuring someone suffering from Tourettes syndrome, dwarves and plastic surgery obsessives which critics said exploited vulnerable people for television.

Beauty and the Beast is expected to air later this year or early next year.

Reporting by Isabel Coles; Editing by Steve Addison

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Michael Franti Gives Back On Tour omg

Remember that video for Say Hey I Love You last year where Michael Franti runs through the flavellas in Brazil spreading his message of oneness? Well, the singer, who hasnt worn shoes in 10 years, is now doing it on the road as he launches his The Sound of Sunshine Tour and partners with Soles4Souls on 9 of the dates. Hoping to reach the goal of sponsoring 100,000 pairs of shoes and marking the 10 millionth pair of shoes the org has given to people in need check out how here.

Franti also chatted with UsMagazine.com about his new album The Sound Of Sunshine, out September 21 and his lack of footwear.

Oh, and want to see Franti on the road? Click here for tour dates.

UsMagazine.com: You formed your band Spearhead in the mid-90s. Youve gone from a punk band to hip-hop. What would you classify it as?

Michael Franti: I came up playing in both punk rock bands and hip-hop bands and I found a more universal way of reaching people, especially with music that has a message to it. Id play music on the street, especially in developing nations where a lot of kids couldnt wear shoes. In order to relate with kids that would be following me barefoot, I would take off my shoes and they would all laugh at me because I couldnt go three steps without wincing. I decided when I got home, I was going to go three days to see if I could toughen up my feet. Those three days have now stretched into 10 years of being barefoot, apart from hotel lobbies, planes and restaurants.

US: How did you initially hear about Soles4Souls?

MF: I read a story about it and wed been looking for a way to do what they were doing on our own. When we discovered them I said, Lets create a partnership here. Im really excited because in addition to being a group that provides shoes, they partner with different aid organizations in developing countries. The goal is not just to hand out shoes to people who need them, but to help people break the cycle of poverty.

US: Youve been going without shoes for 10 years and they are just celebrating giving away their 10 millionth pair. What do you think about the significance of all that?

MF: When I heard that they were giving away their 10 millionth pair, I thought, This is really good synchronicity. Ive always been quite quiet about the fact that Ive been barefoot, but since it was 10 years I was thinking maybe well do a special show and raise some money for shoes.

US: Do you come across people who question why you arent wearing shoes?

MF: All the time. One time I was doing this interview at VH1 and this woman said, Michael, I noticed you dont have a wedding ring on. I said, Yea. She said, Is that because you dont wear shoes? People often come up to me on the street and say, You know youre not wearing shoes? People have questions and its just something Ive grown to be really comfortable with.

US: Are you getting excited for touring again?

MF: Weve been out most of the summer and we just had four days off at home. But were really excited because we have a new record that comes out on September 21, so its fun to be out on the road and play all these new songs for people who have never heard them before.

US: Your single, The Sound of Sunshine, is already moving up on the charts. How do you feel about that?

MF: Really excited. Weve been playing music as a band since 1994 and weve never had a song in the top 40 or maybe even the top 40,000, and then last year we had a hit with Say Hey I Love You and this summer its The Sound of Sunshine. We feel really grateful to be at this stage of our career, having songs that people want to hear on the radio everyday.

US: Your last album really hit it big. Did you expect that kind of success?

MF: Not at all. We put the record out in September of 2008 and it already had a little run at radio and it kind of went away. And then in the summer of 2009, while we were starting to record a new album, the single Say Hey went into the Top 40. It was actually the same week that my appendix ruptured and I ended up in the hospital having surgery. That hit songs are great but my health and my family and the people that I love and who are around me are really the most important things in my life.

US: Do you think thats inspired you in any way in your upcoming album?

MF: Most of this new record was written after my experience of being in the hospital. Everyday Id look out the window and see if the sun was shining, and if it was, Id get this optimism that it would be a great day. I wrote all these songs about that feeling and seeing the sun for the first time, of being around family, being around friends and finding ways to get through difficult times.

US: What do you think makes your upcoming album different than all the other work youve done?

MF: This album is much more upbeat than anything that weve ever done. There are songs about overcoming hard times but they also go into what it feels like to be down. The music is really optimistic and will hopefully help people get through their day.

US: I read that you would record songs and then play them for your audiences later. How do you think that affected how your album turned out?

MF: We would play songs live on stage and then wed watch their reaction we were receiving immediately, if people were dancing and singing along. If they werent, then wed go into the dressing rooms of the different NBA teams that we were playing in their arenas and wed change the songs right there. Wed rerecord them and set up the drums in the shower rooms of the Chicago Bulls or something and we would record the beat of the song there. The fans had a real direct influence on this record.

US: Youve recorded in different places, like Jamaica and Bali. Why those places?

MF: In Bali, I travel there a lot. I just opened up a yoga retreat center in Bali. In Jamaica, weve been working on the last three records with this great production team of Sly and Robbie. Its really great recording in Jamaica because the studio door is always wide open and people will come in off the street and youll see immediately their response to the song.

US: Youve done a lot of humanitarian work and you have an award-winning documentary I Know Im Not Alone. Tell me about your experience with that.

MF: I took a trip in 2004, a year after the war started in Iraq. I played music on the streets of Baghdad for Iraqi civilians. Id also play for U.S. soldiers at night when they were off duty in the bars. Then I would talk to people and I would film them and ask them about their life and the conflict. I also went to Israel and the Palestinian territories and Gaza and talked to people on both sides of that conflict and what their life is like there.

US: How do you think that experience affected how you view things now?

MF: I saw people on all sides: Iraqis, U.S. soldiers, Israelis and Palestinians who are all willing to take incredible risks to achieve peace. My perception before going there was that I was going to meet people who hated each other. And everywhere I went I met people who said, more than anything else, We want to achieve peace and we want to live side-by-side. I was really encouraged by that.

US: Is there anything else I should know?

MF: We have a kind of informal Spearhead Idol competition that we do where we invite fans to write to us on Facebook a song that theyd like to sing on stage before our show. Every night, we have five fans come up before the show and sing a cover song and then we video tape them. Were going to be putting them up on our website so people can vote for the winner.

By Ian Drew for UsMagazine.com. To read more of Ians blog, click here, and dont forget to follow him on Twitter.

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