Before I begin, you all need to know that I have not -- nor will I ever -- inject something into my ass. Now that we've cleared the air, anyone else watch this Roger Clemens thing this afternoon? What's up with this whole thing? And why does it have to turn into this ridiculous circus, with athletes testifying in front of Congress -- reports, analysis, blah blah blah. How does this help? When little Jimmy finds out that Roger Clemens won 150 Cy Young awards because of steroids, he won't touch the stuff ... because? Yes, great, they all did steroids. Let's test everyone from now on. Perfect. Problem solved! Oh no, there needs to be another investigation. And then another hearing. And then more people need to testify. Why? WHY?
Look, steroids are a big problem. Parents need to teach their children not to trust people who want to stick needles in places reserved for a little light smacking on an alcohol-fueled Friday night. And if these kids don't listen, then we need to use some scare tactics. Show them what steroids really do to a person. And since I'm a nice guy who wants to help, you can point your son or daughter toward the video below. After they watch it, you say: "This is what steroids do dammit! Love your body! Don't give into peer pressure!" Then you can come back here and thank me. No, wait, don't thank me. I'm just doing my job.
Okay, I don't know whether this shit (Hi-yo!) is true, but the buzz is model/diva Tyra Banks crapped her pants during Fashion Week in New York. Here's the horribly written first-hand account from magazine blogger Fabian Basabe. Then again, if I witnessed a Tyra bowel movement, I'd probably have trouble effectively communicating and maintaining consciousness:
I was asked to film an interview for a new project but being busy reporting the massacre it is during fashion week for paper magazine - by far my favorite assignment - I had to squeeze the interview in between shows and, in order to have it easy for everyone, i arranged to do it backstage at the tents in the w suite. Just when I start getting comfortable and ready, a group of madmen and madwomen storm in and take possession of the suite because... ready?... Tyra Banks messed herself and needed to change. Now, let’s break this down: messing oneself should not happen if you are older that 5 or younger than 90. if it happens and in fact you are older than 5 or younger that 90, then it should be one, single, very unfortunate episode which will bound you to be made fun of forever and you can’t complain about it. Now I would like to bring to your attention that Tyra’s people carried a change of clothes for her at NYC fashion week. Hmmmh... could it be that Tyra messed herself before? or just that her entourage is so organized that in case tyra would ever, maybe, possibly mess herself that one time, they have a change of clothes? I don’t know... but all these thoughts were twirling in my mind when in horror I was watching such an abomination, feeling so alone in the world. Meanwhile, everyone is looking at me, to see if i was going to throw a fit because i now have a production crew and no place to shoot. Excuse me please, the suite is great but i think I’m gonna go, you know...
Could Tyra Banks be a serial pants-pooper? I've always sort of suspected but never really had the journalistic integrity to voice such a theory. What's most surprising is that Janice Dickinson isn't running naked through the streets proclaiming to the world that Tyra shit herself. I figured she'd be all over this and even take out a billboard in Times Square. I'm sure it would read something classy like, "Hey, Tyra, I'm 90 and I don't need Depends. Love, Janice. P.S. Lose weight." Ah, the bonds of sisterhood.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 13, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- On February 11, 2008, the Board of Directors of Equity Media Holdings Corp. (EMHC) determined that Henry G. Luken III, the existing Chairman, would also assume the roles of President and CEO of EMHC. Mr. Luken is Chairman of Covista Communications and has extensive business and telecommunications experience. Mr. Luken founded long distance telephone provider Telco Communications and Long Distance Wholesale Club.
Here's something interesting ... Jeff Wells at Hollywood Elsewhereposted a "salute" yesterday afternoon to Steven Spielberg, who announced yesterday that he's withdrawing as an artistic advisor to the Beijing Summer Olympics. Here's the kicker though ... Spielberg didn't pull out because of the Chinese government's continued human rights abuses within its own borders, or for its oppression in Tibet, but over Darfur.
According to this piece over on Variety, which broke the story, "I have made repeated efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan," Spielberg wrote. "Although some progress has been made ...the situation continues to worsen and the violence continues to accelerate."
As Wells noted, Spielberg's "enlightment" about China may be due, at least in part, to Mia Farrow's ripping him a new one over China's human rights issues (and bankrolling of the genocide in Darfur) back in March. So kudos to Spielberg for finally getting on the human rights bandwagon here, but geez, how about getting on China for all its human rights issues, while you're at it? And while we're on the subject, how do you feel about celebs and political issues?
SEATTLE, Feb. 13, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Calling it a beer for hope and in honor of the passing of a long time friend, SBS Imports will once again offer its specially crafted Reunion Beer(tm).
Summer Palace - Trailer China, 1989. Two young lovers play out their complex, erotic, love/hate relationship against a volatile backdrop of political unrest. Beautiful country girl Yu Hong (Hao Lei) leaves her village, family and lover to study at Beijing University, where she discovers a world of sexual freedom. When she falls in love with fellow student Zhou Wei (Guo Xiaodong), their relationship, driven by passions neither one can understand nor control, becomes one of dangerous games - betrayals, recriminations, provocations - as all around them, students begin to demonstrate, demanding freedom and democracy. As the protests collapse, Yu and Zhou lose each other amidst the social chaos and panicked crowds. Zhou is sent to a summer military camp, and moves to Berlin upon his release, fleeing his country and memories of Yu. In Germany, social unrest is mounting too; as the Berlin wall crashes down, Zhou, weary and still haunted by Yu, returns to China and finds her living in a small town. With their uncertain future stretched out before them, they are two changed souls in a changed world. Will they survive together or alone? Directed by: Ye Lou Starring: Zhou Wei, Yu Hong, Wang Bo, Xiao Jun, Tang Caoshi
The Bank Job - Trailer 1A Inspired by an extraordinary true event, THE BANK JOB is a highly-charged thriller which interweaves a heady combination of intrigue, danger and scandal in early ‘70s London. In September 1971, thieves tunneled into the vault of a bank in London’s Baker Street and looted safe deposit boxes of cash and jewelry worth millions and millions of pounds. None of it was recovered. Nobody was ever arrested. The robbery made headlines for a few days and then suddenly disappeared - the result of a UK Government ‘D’ Notice, gagging the press. This film reveals what was hidden in those boxes, involving murder, corruption and a sex scandal with links to the Royal Family - a story in which the thieves were the most innocent people involved. Directed by: Roger Donaldson Starring: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Richard Lintern, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays
The vote passed, with 92.5% of members calling to end the strike. Tomorrow, it’s back to the word factory.
Voting today was my last chance to see some of the WGA staffers I’ve gotten to know during the strike. Some were hired on just to manage specific areas (like picketing), and will be laid off in the next few weeks. I had the chance to thank a big group of them for their tireless work at a meeting two weeks ago, but for the folks I missed: thanks. Your devotion to a fight that won’t directly benefit you was remarkable. I’m sure there is a political campaign out there eager for your expertise.
The extra two days have been something of a blessing, allowing for a gentle re-entry to industry madness. There haven’t been any studio folks on my phone sheet yet, but there were several crucial what’s-still-standing conversations with agent and producer-types. I have no idea what movie I’ll be writing tomorrow afternoon. It’s a strange but exciting time.
Three cheers for ... someone!!! The writer's have voted, and this strike is officially over. Everyone is expected to be back at work immediately (and that means you, Mr. Writer, even though you've enjoyed watching The Biggest Loser: Couples in your pajamas eating peanut butter and ice cream). My only question: So, does Nikki Finke get to go to sleep now? An official WGA announcement went like this:
"On Tuesday, members of the Writers Guilds East and West voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the restraining order that was invoked on November 5th. The strike is over.
Writing can resume immediately. If you were employed when the strike began, you should plan to report to work on Wednesday. If you're not employed at an office or other work site, call or e-mail your employer that you are resuming work. If you have been told not to report to work or resume your services, we recommend that you still notify your employer in writing of your availability to do so. Questions concerning return-to-work issues should be directed to the WGAW legal department at 323.782.4521 or the WGAE's assistant executive director Ann Toback at 212-767-7823."
I was quite sceptical about seeing Sweeney Todd, as I couldn’t quite comprehend how a gruesome story about a serial killer could also be a musical. I was drawn to the cinema though, out of curiosity and the knowledge that the film had the winning combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, who in my opinion, never fail to impress. Although Tim Burton is not new to musicals with The Nightmare Before Christmas amongst his film titles, I had trouble imagining actors of the calibre of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter singing. However, I was very relieved to find that the majority of the cast could actually carry a tune. The music itself, that is consistent all the way through the film is not amazing or memorable in the slightest, but it certainly doesn’t take anything away from the film’s disturbing brilliance. (more…)
Here's something interesting ... Jeff Wells at Hollywood Elsewhere 
I was quite sceptical about seeing Sweeney Todd, as I couldn’t quite comprehend how a gruesome story about a serial killer could also be a musical. I was drawn to the cinema though, out of curiosity and the knowledge that the film had the winning combination of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, who in my opinion, never fail to impress. Although Tim Burton is not new to musicals with The Nightmare Before Christmas amongst his film titles, I had trouble imagining actors of the calibre of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter singing. However, I was very relieved to find that the majority of the cast could actually carry a tune. The music itself, that is consistent all the way through the film is not amazing or memorable in the slightest, but it certainly doesn’t take anything away from the film’s disturbing brilliance. 
