Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Welcome To The Dollverse
I'm impressed with what I see ... and I'm surprised to know that one of the dolls in the show is a dude. Interesting. The debut of this new show is still many months away but at least we know that it's gonna kick all ass when it finally debuts. [Source via ONTD!]
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Bursting With Flavor
Because Alanis has a reputation for channeling all her negative energy into her art, I was kind of expecting an album full of miserable and sad/angry songs directed towards her ex-fiancée Ryan Reynolds who broke off their engagement last year and recently got engaged to Scarlett Johansson. I wouldn't have been surprised if Alanis hit back with another You Outta Know in retaliation. Actually, Flavors is a generally up-beat album with bits of electronica worked into her songwriting. Her usual enunciation is kept in tact but the faster tempo of the songs lend Alanis a new voice that I'm not all that used to. I like it tho, I really like the whole album. Only the songs Torch (I miss your smell/And Your Style/And your pure abiding way/Miss your approach to life/And your body in my bed) and Not As We (Day one, day one start over again/Step one, step one I'm barely making sense/For now I'm faking it 'til I'm pseudo making it/From scratch, begin again but this time I as I and not as We) seem to address the breakup with Ryan (Torch is especially heartbreakingly poignant -- a poignancy that I haven't heard since the demo version of her song Unsent from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie). Giggling for No Reason seems to show that she's doing OK since the breakup (I can feel the bones are smiling in my body) but, in Moratorium she makes it kinda clear that she is not really looking to get into another relationship right away (I declare a moratorium on things relationship/I declare a respite from the toils of liaison/I do need a breather from the flavors of entanglement/I declare a full time-out from all things commitment). It'll take me a few more listens to form a full opinion of the album but I have to say, I'm happy that Alanis is back with some new tunes. I've not enjoyed an entire album like this in some time ... and that says a lot. Flavors is due for release on June 10. [Source]
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Back In Action
Photo credit: Splash News
Britney Spears wasted no time in getting back into the swing of things after she returned from her Costa Rican vacation on Monday evening. The pop star, 26, first got down to some important business: Spending time with her sons, Jayden, 1, and Preston, 2, who came to Spears's Studio City home for a visit early Tuesday. That evening, Spears joined pal George Maloof, who owns the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, for dessert at the West Hollywood Italian eatery Il Sole. Though the singer tried for a low-key entrance through the back of the restaurant, she was caught in the glare of paparazzi flashes.
Hanging with billionaires is much preferable to the days she'd spend in the company of those losers Adnan Ghalib and Sam Lutfi. Isn't it great that we don't ever have to think about those lowlifes anymore? I wonder what they're up to these days and who they're leeching off of now. Actually, I don't really care, to tell the truth. It is my sincere hope that I never have to utter the names of these two ever again. [Source]
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Open For Business
Photo credit: X17
Click above to see larger, NSFW image
Now, I'm not exactly sure what can be seen in the larger, NSFW image but I do know that it's something I could prolly go a lifetime without ever having to see again. It's unclear if she's wearing something down there or if that's just the way she looks ... down there ... but in either case, it's not a very pretty picture. You'd think that Sharon Stone would be more careful when getting out of a boat while wearing a dress ... for all our sakes. [Source]
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Now Showing: Madonna
Photo credit: Splash News
Click above to see larger, uncensored images
HMMMM ... if I recall correctly, Madonna was more covered up back in the early 90s when she attended the Cannes Film Festival for her racy documentary Truth or Dare -- at the very least she wore a bra. I have to say, her mostly-exposed breasts are very distracting despite the fact that her new film, I Am Because We Are, has a very serious message and tone. I realize that Maddy is not afraid to show off her ... assets ... but I really think that this expose on her part is unintentional. Ah well ... it's not like we haven't seen her exposed breasts before, right? [Source]
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The TV Guide: Soup-y Sales
I was looking forward to seeing Indiana Jones last night only to learn that the showing is tonight instead ... so that's all I got on the agenda thus far. I fly out to NYC early tomorrow afternoon so I need to start packing at some point as well. I hate to leave all this beautiful sunshine but I hear it'll be warming up in NYC this Memorial Day weekend. I think I'm gonna try and see Legally Blonde: The Musical sometime this weekend since Laura Bell Bundy (Elle Woods) is leaving the show this summer. I *must* see her in the show at least one more time before her run ends.
But anyways ... that's all that's been going on with me ... and it's not much. I am very much looking forward to seeing David again :)
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Les News: Kenny Says He's Grateful, Wesley Wants Bail, Steven Goes To Rehab
- Kenny Chesney says he is very grateful for his ACM award despite having bitched about it as soon as he won it.
- Wesley Snipes is trying to avoid going to jail on June 3 ... good luck, buddy.
- Wicked will be leaving Chicago in January of 2009.
- Steven Tyler admits himself to rehab.
- I'd demand a refund.
- Um, EW!
- Chuck Palahniuk talks to The Advocate.
- Facebook gets a nip/tuck.
- Former boyband mogul, Lou Pearlman gets 25 years in prison for being a bad man.
- It's about time that a hot dude got nekkid on The Real World.
- Ugly Betty vlogs to Madonna
- When In Rome, Kristin Bell dresses sporty.
- Jessica Simpson and the Curse of the Tan Lines.
- Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson get married.
- Someone got a haircut.
- Fairuza Balk (The Craft) is 34, Mr. T is 56 and Carol Potter (Beverly Hills, 90210) is 60 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
- Flex and the City
- Death Cab for Cutie scores their first #1 album.
- Is THIS David set to win American Idol? Do AI producers want THIS David to win over the other?
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Jouets Sont Nous
Photo credit: Splash News
It's funny to see pics of this famous couple doing their own toy shopping but Brangelina does strike me as kind of parents that would insist on a hands-on approach to shopping for their kids. They'll prolly end up buying toys for all their kids, not just Shiloh cuz it's her birthday. I'm actually very surprised that Brangelina can even find anything in that store that they haven't already procured for their kiddies. What does one get for the golden child of the Brangelina brood? [Source]
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Exiled Again
As the icing on the cake atop the recent rash of rockers performing their landmark records track-for-track, Liz Phair will wield an acoustic guitar June 25, descend on New York City's Hiro Ballroom, and strum out her time-honored 1993 album Exile in Guyville in its entirety to celebrate its 15-year anniversary. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, May 21, but exact details have not been announced. New York fans will not be the only beneficiaries: Shows in San Francisco and Chicago will be announced in the coming weeks. As previously announced, Phair's Guyville will re-released via ATO records June 24 with additional tunes, including B-sides and previously unreleased demos, as well as a DVD on the indie rock scene in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, featuring interviews with Ira Glass of NPR's This American Life, actor John Cusack, producer Steve Albini, and members of Urge Overkill.
Exile in Guyville has to be among the most influential albums of the 90s and to be able to hear Liz Phair perform it in its entirety live and in person would be an honor. Many of her diehard "indie" fans have long-snubbed her for daring to take her music into the pop market but I have always remained a steadfast fan thruout her entire career. Her songwriting ability is amazing and cannot be diluted no matter how popular (or unpopular) her songs turn out. I am so happy that I will be able to attend this show ... now, if I could just figure out a way to see the first night's show as well I'd be over the moon! Additionally, Liz is planning a new album later on this year to be released on ATO Records. Some see this as a return to her indie roots, I see it as another opportunity to hear more music from the hugely-talented Liz Phair :) [Source]
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Indiana Jones Does TRL
Photo credit: Wireimage
Harrison and Shia were on the show to promote the new movie, yada yada yada. The final push before the movie opens in theaters tomorrow has been going full steam ahead -- they really want to ensure that the movie does well in its opening weekend. I bought tickets to see Indiana Jones at 12:01 AM Wednesday which should've been earlier this morning but meant, in fact, late tonight. Apparently, the folks at the movie theater don't know how to tell time. At any rate, I didn't get to see the movie last night (much thanks goes out to Pink reader Camden who suggested I check in with the theater to make sure when exactly the showing would be taking place) but Jim and I are still planning to see it at midnight tonight. All this Indiana Jonesness better mean the movie is good ... or else ;) [Source]
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Indiana Jones Comes To Harlem
Photo credit: Wireimage
You know, I've been noticing that a lot of folks have been courting BET lately when, in years past, they never did before. BET and especially their show 106 & Park is now as important to promoting movies and albums as MTV's TRL is. It always made sense that Mariah Carey would make promo appearances on BET (after all, she has a huge R&B audience) but for the first time ever, Madonna paid a visit to 106 & Park to promote the release of her new album Hard Candy ... and now Indiana Jones is courting the BET market as well. I love it! It appears that the BET audience is no longer being ignored and is just as important as MTV or any other entertainment network or show is. The youth market is a very important market to tap into ... at last Hollywood is finally realizing that networks like MTV aren't the only ones with a lock on that market. [Source]
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Making HisHerstory
Last night the final results from this season's competition of Dancing with the Stars were announced on ABC and, for the first time in 5 seasons of the show (not since season one), a female competitor took home the top prize to become the Dancing with the Stars champ -- Congratulations Kristi Yamaguchi. Here are photos of the winner and her partner in jubilant celebration after being awarded the championship mirror ball trophy:
After five seasons of watching the men win Dancing with the Stars, Kristi Yamaguchi broke the curse and raised the mirror-ball trophy in triumph for the ladies. "I love it! I guess 'k' is a good initial to have," Yamaguchi gushed to host Tom Bergeron moments after she and partner Mark Ballas learned they had won. Not since General Hospital actress Kelly Monaco's win in season one has a female contestant been Dancing champ. And Yamaguchi pulled it with absolute perfection, scoring 10s for all three of her finale dances–a first in Dancing history. "I've had the experience of a lifetime," Yamaguchi told PEOPLE. It's great to know after having two kids and not competing for 16 years that I can still push myself." Yamaguchi's closest competitor, NFL star Jason Taylor, who was partnered with pro Edyta Sliwinska, was runner-up. Cristian de la Fuente and his partner Cheryl Burke finished in third place. With a perfect 90 out of 90 from the judges, Yamaguchi and Ballas also won the viewers' vote. Praised all season-long for her technical ability, Yamaguchi fell short when it came to showing more of her personality in the dances. But the gold medalist figure skater was the complete package during the two-night finale, showing off complicated lifts, flips and everything in between. She and Ballas headed into Tuesday night's third and final dance at the top the leader board, having scored perfect 10s for their previous two dances, the cha-cha face-off and their high-flying hip-hop flavored freestyle, which even blew away the usually conservative head judge Len Goodman. They completed their perfect set of scores with another set of 10s for their jive on Tuesday.
Now, I'm not a huge fan of DWTS but I did take a marginal interest in the show after I attended a taping of the show earlier this year when they had Kylie Minogue perform live in studio. My BFF Sarah is a big fan of the show so I've seen it a few times at her place as well. Even tho I didn't watch the show very often, I did keep hearing how well Kristi was performing thruout the competition and since she and I share the same birthday (July 12 - tho she is older than I am) I kinda felt a kinship with her. And can I just say, it's about damn time that a woman took home the DWTS prize again ... it's been way overdue. Much congrats to Kristi and Mark on their win, it sounds like it was well-deserved. [Source]
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Setting A Good Example
Photo credit: Wireimage
This from the event's press release: Honorees from the sports and entertainment industries include producer Cash Warren, NBA point guard Baron Davis and professional skateboarder Stacey Peralta. Debrah Constance, who founded "A Place Called Home" youth center in South LA will be honored as a true Community Hero. The organization will also be handing out its first Visionary Award to YMC Founding Board Member and President & CEO of Frederick's of Hollywood, Linda LoRe. LoRe, who founded the nonprofit organization with her brother Tony, has envisioned this level of success for the Youth Mentoring Connection since its inception seven years ago. "Youth Mentoring Connection is an opportunity for individuals to really make a difference in the life of a young person," states LoRe. "No matter where you come from or what profession you are in, these kids look to you to be a teacher, friend and mentor."
This sounds like an amazing event and I suspect that Cashica would've attended this ceremony even if Cash wasn't among the night's honorees. It's rare to see Jessica look this happy and ... smiley. She looks beautiful in pregnancy but she looks absolutely gorgeous when she adds a smile to her face. Much congrats to Cash for this recognition and much congrats to the happy couple on their nuptials. [Source]
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Meet The Wentzs
Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz's weekend wedding may have looked like the ultimate rocker event – complete with 10,000 black magic roses, red-and-black décor and chandeliers dripping with crystals – but for the couple and their 150 guests, it felt more like a sweet fairy tale, PEOPLE reveals in its new issue. "She looked like a girl right out of a movie," the groom, 28, says about his new bride, 23, who wore an ivory lace Monique Lhuillier gown and a cathedral-length veil during the nondenominational ceremony officiated by her father, Joe Simpson.
I kinda love that Pete's first true love of his life, his dog Hemmingway, is as predominantly featured on the cover of the mag as his new bride is. And, uh, WTF? is up with that smaller inset pic of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's the pic that Papa Joe Simpson authorized to be released to show the world that Jessimo is still a happy couple?! It always seems like poor Jess has to try so hard to stand apart from her younger, more successful sister ... bless her heart. It seems to me that the order of importance goes something like this:
In any event, I am very anxious to see the rest of the Ashl33n wedding pics so I'll be hittin' up the newsstand come Friday morn. [Source]
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