Lil Wayne Has Hometown Farewell Show Before Jail-Jamie Foxx Upgrades 'Body' With Lil Wayne
0 comments at 12:19Lil' Wayne
Lil Wayne emerged as a top-selling musician known for his clever wordplay and risque lyrics, but like rappers before him, he's staring down a year behind bars at the peak of his career.
The artist returned to his hometown of New Orleans for a performance Monday on what he's calling his farewell tour. The 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, pleaded guilty in October to a weapons possession charge and will be sentenced Feb. 9. His plea deal calls for a year in jail.
The charge stemmed from a 2007 traffic stop of his tour bus in New York when authorities said they smelled marijuana, and as they approached, he tossed aside a bag with a loaded .40-caliber handgun.
In a separate case, he also faces trial in March on felony drug possession and weapons charges in Yuma County, Ariz. More recently, he had to postpone a show one day after authorities stopped two of his buses in Texas and found marijuana. The case has been referred to the sheriff's office.
As thousands of fans filed through the New Orleans Arena doors Monday, many said they were disappointed with the rapper's legal troubles.
"It's kinda sad, the stereotype and that he fell into it," said 19-year-old Lee Farrell of New Orleans.
Lil Wayne is set to follow some of rap music's biggest names — from Tupac Shakur, Lil' Kim, Beanie Sigel and Shyne to New Orleans natives Mystikal and C-Murder — who have served a few months to several years behind bars for crimes committed after they became famous.
Corey "C-Murder" Miller was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder for the 2002 shooting of a fan during a nightclub brawl. He was sentenced to life in prison.
T.I. reported to a federal prison in May for his conviction on weapons charges. He is expected to serve a year and a day.
"I hope Lil Wayne will follow in T.I.'s footsteps," said 32-year-old Jed Wright of Metairie, who brought his 11-year-old stepson to the show as a Christmas present. "T.I. promised to turn his life around. Lil Wayne can do the same thing."
Lil Wayne has been rapping since he was a teenager. Over the past two years, his career has reached new heights with several Grammys and gold records. His "Tha Carter III" topped all album sales in 2008 with 2.8 million copies sold. The record had the No. 1 smash "Lollipop," and last year he won a Grammy for best rap solo for "A Milli."
"He's very unique," said 18-year-old April Nguyen, of Metairie, La. "He expands his genre, even does rock music, and is constantly reinventing himself."
Lil Wayne's next album, "Rebirth," is due for release Feb. 1. After New Orleans, he is scheduled to play a couple of dates in Texas and another show in southern Louisiana.
Jamie Foxx will be ringing in the new year with more than film-related projects. The Oscar winner is in fact poised to hit the stage with new music thanks to recent collaborations with Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane.
Kicking things off with a club-ready anthem titled "Straight To The Dance Floor," Foxx plans on releasing a new album in March.
Titled Body, the effort picks up where he left off on hits like "Blame It" and "Digital Girl," with Lil Wayne giving "Straight To The Dance Floor" a hip-hop-driven boost.
Written by Rico Love and produced by Los Da Mystro , "Straight To The Dance Floor" follows the album's Gucci Mane-featured buzz single "Speak French."
While little else has been revealed about the chart-topping entertainer's fourth studio album, sources say Body could arrive in stores as early as March 2. Body follows the 2008 effort Intuition, which spawned the hit singles "Just Like Me," "She Got Her Own," "Blame It," "I Don't Need It" and the Kanye West and The-Dream-guested "Digital Girl."
Jon Gosselin's lawyer says while the reality TV star was away for the Christmas holiday somebody ransacked his New York apartment. Gosselin apparently came home to find furniture broken, clothing...
A private memorial service and funeral for actress Brittany Murphy is slated to take place Christmas Eve (December 24) in Los Angeles. Watch all the reports and videos only at
Senate Passes Historic Landmark Health Care Bill! Prersident Barack Obama addresses news media hours after Senate passes health care bill!! Democrats takes the leadership for America best interests.
A Christmas Story Ultimate Collectors Edition on Blu-Ray and DVD. It's Christmas time and there's only one thing on Ralphie Parker's Christmas list this year: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, R...
A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story is a 1983 American/Canadian Christmas comedy film on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, including material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. It was directed by Bob Clark. The film has since become a holiday classic and is known to be shown numerous times on television during the Christmas season.
Directed by Bob Clark, Produced by Bob Clark, René Dupont & Gary Goth, Written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown & Bob Clark, Narrated by Jean Shepherd, Starring by Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin & Melinda Dillon, Music by Carl Zittrer & Paul Zaza, Cinematography by Reginald H. Morris, Editing by Stan Cole, Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (theatrical). Warner Bros./Turner Entertainment (later), Release date(s) November 18, 1983. Running time 93 min. Country United States, Canada. Language English, Budget $4,000,000, Gross revenue $19,294,144Best Christmas Movies
Elf in 2003
Frank Ricard. Ron Burgundy. Ricky Bobby. They're all unforgettable Will Ferrel personas, but the role he might be remembered for most in 50 years is Buddy the Elf from '03's instant holiday classic. This non-stop laugher exemplifies all-ages entertainment.
Love Actually in 2003 So you love rom-coms? Try eight in one. Though some storylines better than others (horny Brit has American threesome), even the grinchiest among us will find something to heart here. It's a valentine to love all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.
Bad Santa in 2003 There are two types of movie fans: those who expect their Santa noble and god-fearing, with perhaps a hint of safe Tim Allen-esque humor, and those who'll allow him the occasional slip into vulgarity, promiscuity and armed burglary. To the latter group, this black comedy's a classic. To the former, we're sorry.
The Polar Express in 2004
Sure, the performance-capture technology may have rendered the children a touch frightening to look at, but there's still plenty of joy to be had in this fast-moving adaptation of the beloved children's book starring an ensemble of Tom Hankses.
Joyeux Noel in 2006
This moving Oscar-nominated drama tells the true story of German, French and Scottish troops in WWI who called a ceasefire for Christmas Eve. If they can find peace on earth for this most special of nights, surely you can grin and bear the in-laws.
Christmas movie 2009. 1ste movie with sony vegas pro 9 Movie made bij JescoNL and Joris579 Movie editor : JescoNL Pictures: Joris579 Made with Sony vegas pro 9 Merry christmas and ...
Top Christmas Gift 2009 The Best of the Best - News results for top christmas gifts 2009
0 comments at 22:20Top Christmas Gift
Welcome to the Top Christmas Gift of the year. Below you'll find a wonderful, quick-shop gift guide spotlighting both popular & unique Christmas gift ideas they'll love, at prices you'll adore. Plus, in addition to all the great shopping for the best Christmas gifts of the holiday season, we feature a cool interactive visitor poll to determine our top 4 Christmas Gifts for 2009. What makes it special is that anybody can add to the best Christmas gifts list, and everyone is encouraged to vote for the hottest Christmas gift ideas, so it's the best list around.
It's great when you find the perfect Christmas gift for someone, isn't it? The look on their face when they open it, and knowing they're really going to enjoy the Christmas gift you gave them this Xmas. But that's the trick isn't it? Getting the right gift. Here we are featuring exceptional Christmas gift ideas for newborns through college, boys, girls, kids, mom, dad, geeks, photographers, everybody! Christmas gifts they are really going love.
Brittany Murphy, the actress who got her start in the sleeper hit "Clueless" and rose to stardom in "8 Mile," has died in Los Angeles.
Senator Collins discusses why she will be voting against the partisan senate health care bill.
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson wins male Athlete of the Year- Jimmie Johnson named AP Male Athlete of the Year
0 comments at 15:01Jimmie Johnson
There was little recognition outside the racing world when Jimmie Johnson won his first NASCAR championship. Same with his second, and again with his third. But four straight championships? That’s a different story. Johnson, the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive titles, earned mainstream recognition Monday when he was honored as the Male Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press. Johnson received 42 votes from editors at U.S. newspapers that are members of the AP. Tennis star Roger Federer and Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt were the only other athletes with totals in the double-digits. Although Tiger Woods was named Athlete of the Decade, the golfer received only nine votes for Athlete of the Year, tied with NBA star Kobe Bryant and slugger Albert Pujols in fourth place. For Johnson, the first race car driver to be named the AP’s Athlete of the Year in its 78-year history, the award is the validation he’s been waiting for since he began his historic run in 2006. "We’d been wondering the last few years, ‘When is this going to hit?’ " he said. "It seems like the answer is now. … The fourth straight title takes it out of our sport and makes it a point of discussion — like, ‘Wow, a race car driver won this thing.’ " The 34-year-old Californian again schooled the competition, winning four of his seven races this season when the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship began in September. Johnson and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team turned it up when the stakes were highest. In the 10 Chase races, Johnson finished outside the top-10 only once: when he wrecked at Texas with Sam Hornish Jr. three laps into the eighth race. Johnson said the AP honor reinforces what he’s always believed — that even though he’s a driver, he’s "100 percent" an athlete. "I’ve looked at other sports, particularly baseball, and I’ve seen plenty of out-of-shape, fat players," Johnson said. "So to anyone who wants to go head-to-head with me in athletic ability, let’s go."Joe McKnight
The owner of the SUV that USC Trojans running back Joe McKnight has been seen driving says it was bought for the junior's girlfriend as a favor. In e-mails to the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News, Scott Schenter, a Santa Monica, Calif., businessman, said the car is driven by Johana Michelle Beltran -- McKnight's girlfriend -- and that he helped purchase the Land Rover because Beltran's family had trouble qualifying for a loan."It is her car," Schenter wrote. "She makes the payments and she is responsible for insurance. The payments are a little over $500/month." McKnight has denied driving the car, but the Los Angeles Times said in a story that one of its reporters has seen USC's leading rusher driving the SUV several times. The Times first reported the story Friday night. Schenter also said he is a University of Washington fan who has "nothing to do with agents, marketing players or representing athletes" despite his ownership of the Web domain www.4joemcknight.com, which he says has not been renewed. "I own so many Web site domains that I only purchased www.4joemcknight.com because I thought it was clever along with the many other ones I own/owned," Schenter wrote in the e-mails. Schenter said a company he founded in May 2008, USC Marketing, stood for "United States China Marketing," and that despite being an employee for the Los Angeles County Assessor's office, he would "rather be known for my expertise in marketing and finance ventures." USC, already under review by the NCAA and Pac-10 regarding accusations that running back Reggie Bush and basketball star O.J. Mayo received improper benefits during their time at the school, is investigating McKnight's use of the vehicle. If McKnight is in violation of NCAA rules, it could affect his eligibility. It is against NCAA rules for athletes to accept benefits from agents or marketing representatives, or to accept "extra benefits" based on their ability. Despite being in attendance for a USC men's basketball game against Tennessee in Los Angeles on Saturday night, athletic director Mike Garrett was not made available to local reporters."I read the letter and found it interesting," said a statement from Garrett, read by a Trojans spokesman to the reporters at halftime as Garrett sat next to him. "Our compliance people are handling the matter. I have nothing more to say." USC plays Boston College in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 26 in San Francisco.Taylor Swift has been voted The Associated Press entertainer of the year. The country starlet was chosen by newspaper editors and broadcast producers across the country in a survey of AP members.
Hollywood star Keira Knightley's stage debut divides critics-Hollywood star Keira Knightley's London stage debut
0 comments at 20:26Keira Knightley
Critics were sharply divided over Hollywood star Keira Knightley's London stage debut, with one calling her "strikingly convincing" and another accusing her of "having all the charisma of a goldfish". The 24-year-old Pirates of the Caribbean star was playing an American movie star in an updated production of Moliere's 17th Century classic satire The Misanthrope. She had said before opening night at the Comedy Theatre that she had not been expecting great reviews. She told the BBC: "I thought if I don't do theatre right now, I think I'm going to start being too terrified to do it ... so I just thought, okay, dive in and give it a go. "If my best isn't good enough, then so be it." In the event, the tabloid newspapers were the most scathing about her portrayal of the ambitious Jennifer, while others ranged from faint praise to wholehearted approval. "The critical knives were unsheathed and quivering," noted The Independent. "So it's a tonic to report that Knightley finesses all this ethical fussing by turning in a performance that is not only strikingly convincing but, at times, rather thrilling in its satiric aplomb. "She has real stage presence and knows how to use it." The Guardian was similarly impressed. "Since she's playing a movie star in her 20s, one could say that she is not unduly stretched," it said. "But Knightley brings to the role fine, sculpted features, palpable intelligence and a nice mix of faux-innocence and flirtiness. Even if she doesn't always know what to do with her hands, she gives a perfectly creditable performance." The Daily Telegraph thought she warmed to her role opposite a famous playwright, played by another Brit made good in Hollywood, Damian Lewis, as the evening went on. "In the early scenes Knightley seems a touch tentative, lacking in both energy and presence," it said. "In the second half however, in which she bitchily insults a false friend and has a real humdinger of a row with the jealous Alceste, she reveals both power and poignancy." But the Daily Mail was not impressed. "Keira Knightley may be one of 21st century cinema's revered objects but on stage she proves little better than adequate," its critic wrote. "She has all the charisma of a serviceable goldfish. Miss Knightley has a flawless face but it does not move about much." The Daily Express criticised her projection.
"Her lack of stage experience is sometimes painfully evident," it wrote. "Here there are no close-ups, no re-takes and no stopping for the make-up girl. Miss Knightley delivers her lines very clearly in an occasionally small voice." It added of the southwest London-born star: "Her American accent is fine but too much of her acting is on one note." The Times agreed, saying she lacked authority: "Partly the reason is physical," it said. "She's so wispy, she could fit into an umbrella stand. "Partly it's a want of vox, partly a lack of the assurance that more time on the stage may bring her." The play, directed by Thea Sharrock and also starring Kelly Price and Tara Fitzgerald, is due to run until March 13, 2010.Brittany Murphy November 10th 1977-December 20th 2009. This is dedicated to the wonderful & lovely Brittany Murphy. I was very sad to hear of her passing...she will be missed. I hope you are resti...
Why are these videos so quet like this? WTF? Brittany Murphy Died :( I'm trying to be more healthy music at end of vid is mine :d
News results for Actress Brittany Murphy dies at age 32 -Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32
0 comments at 14:53Brittany Murphy
Actress Brittany Murphy, known for her roles in films such as "Clueless" and "8 Mile," died after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home, police and hospital officials said. She was 32. Murphy's mother discovered the star slumped unconscious in a shower at her home in Los Angeles before her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, called emergency services, entertainment website TMZ.com reported. The actress was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills where she was confirmed dead at 10:04 am (GMT), spokeswoman Sally Stewart said. No other information was released by the hospital. Los Angeles Police Department officers were at Murphy's home asking preliminary questions, police confirmed. Investigators later said foul play was not suspected in the death. Murphy's family meanwhile appealed for privacy. "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy," read a statement released by the actress's spokeswoman. News of Murphy's death comes after a medical drama involving her husband Monjack last month, when an ambulance was called to a Los Angeles airport arrival gate as the couple returned from Puerto Rico. On that occasion, it was the actress's husband who was rushed to hospital. Reports said the couple had been returning to Los Angeles after Murphy was thrown off the set of a movie and fired for difficult behavior. Murphy made her name in television sitcoms during the 1990s before grabbing notable roles in "Clueless," "Girl, Interrupted," "Sin City," "8 Mile" and "Happy Feet." She provided the voice of Luanne Platter in more than 200 episodes of the animated television sitcom "King Of The Hill." Born in Atlanta, Murphy was raised by her mother, Sharon, in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles. The star scored her first role in 1991 on the television show "Blossom," before landing a starring role that same year in "Drexell's Class." She also had recurring roles in "Sister, Sister," "Party of Five" and "Boy Meets World." In addition to acting, Murphy also enjoyed a successful foray into music, collaborating with British DJ Paul Oakenfold on the single "Faster Kill Pussycat," a club hit that reached number one on the dance charts. In the dancing penguin animated hit film "Happy Feet," she performed a cover version of Queen's "Somebody to Love" and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland." Before marrying Monjack in 2007, she was engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz and previously dated actor Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher, now married to actress Demi Moore, offered condolences on Sunday via his page on micro-blogging site Twitter. "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon," the actor wrote. "See you on the other side kid." Murphy's co-star from "Clueless," Alicia Silverstone, said she had always felt connected to the actress even though they had not stayed in close touch. "I feel love in my heart for her -- and hope she is at peace. This is truly sad," Silverstone told People magazine. "I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm and so sweet."
Senate Democrats reached a compromise on Saturday with a holdout senator that secured the 60 votes they need to pass a broad healthcare overhau...
James Cameron
The place of Los Angeles in April 2008, in a windowless warehouse where Howard Hughes built his airplanes some 70 years earlier, James Cameron, in a hockey jersey and jeans, was doing something élite directors do not do - holding a camera. "Why can't I see anything?" he yelled from an apparently empty warehouse floor to a small crew huddled over computer monitors in a corner. "Oh, oh, oh, I'm in the monster's head!" Cameron backed up, and a peek through his camera lens revealed blackness giving way to a thick and vivid rain forest where a tall, blue, alien version of Sigourney Weaver was battling the monster whose head had just blocked the director's view. On the warehouse floor there was no rain forest, no monster, no Weaver - just a bunch of guys and their computers. But Cameron's camera was allowing him to shoot inside a virtual universe of his own creation. He swooped in over the monster's shoulder and entered the world of Avatar. Equal parts artist and gearhead, Cameron, 55, has brought to film the time-travel saga of The Terminator, the watery depths of The Abyss and the sinking deck of Titanic. But more than any of his previous movies, Avatar is wholly Cameron's world. The 2½-hr. sci-fi epic follows an ex-Marine named Jake Sully as he struggles for survival on an alien moon called Pandora, home to a tall, blue, humanoid species called the Na'vi and to a mysterious resource called unobtainium, which draws humans in a future century to colonize the planet. Jake (Sam Worthington) must inhabit the body of a human-alien hybrid, or avatar, to breathe the noxious air on Pandora. There he falls in love with a Na'vi woman and finds himself at the center of a human-Na'vi battle. The story had been knocking around in Cameron's brain since the 1970s, when, while driving a truck for Southern California's Brea Olinda Unified School District, he began to paint some fanciful scenes that would linger in his mind: flying jellyfish, wood sprites, blazingly colorful bioluminescent forests, fan lizards and big-eyed cats. Years in the making, and with a production budget from $200 million to $300 million plus marketing costs, Avatar arrives in theaters on Dec. 18 to colossal expectations. The movie industry hopes its immersive special effects spark a big-screen renaissance. Fans crave the next Star Wars. It's a heavy burden, even for a man who seems to enjoy doing only things that are hard. Cameron first laid out his vision for the technology he would use in the film in a digital manifesto in the early 1990s; he then labored to perfect it over the course of a decade and a half, creating cameras that let him peer into virtual worlds and pushing for the industry's adoption of a digital 3-D format. The result is as if the director has broken through the screen and pulled the viewer by the hand into a new, exotic world.
Preview Mary J. Blige's new album "Stronger withEach Tear" featuring Drake, Trey Songz, and T.I. In stores 12/21.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley gets paid top dollar to star in Hollywood movies. But it’s a different story when it comes to a West End production. The actress, 24, is said to be taking home just £750 a week for her role alongside Damien Lewis in The Misanthrope at London’s Comedy Theatre. “Keira was more than happy to do it at a basic rate,” a source told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper. “She will be taking a percentage of the box office sales as well, but she’s doing this for experience more than anything else. She has been a joy to work with.” It was recently claimed that Keira’s role in the play is causing tensions in the actress’ relationship with her boyfriend Rupert Friend. “This play is a big deal for Keira,” said a source close to the the star. “Unlike films, there are no second takes on stage. “She knows she’s got to get it right. “She’s been pretty wound up and it’s meant quite a bit of tension at home with Rupert.”LeAnn Rimes husband files for divorce in Los Angeles, seeks - LeAnn Rimes husband files for divorce
0 comments at 21:24LeAnn Rimes & Deane Sheremet
Court records show LeAnn Rimes' husband Deane Sheremet has officially filed for divorce.
The couple announced a divorce was in the works in September, but no paperwork had been filed. Court records show Sheremet filed in Los Angeles on Thursday. The couple were married in February 2002 and have no children together. The filing cites "irreconcilable differences" for the breakup, and Rimes has been linked with TV-movie co-star Eddie Cibrian for months. Cibrian filed for divorce from his wife of eight years in August. Sheremet is seeking spousal support and to have his attorney's fees paid by Rimes, who is a country singer and actress. The couple have apparently already worked out how to divide their property.
New (AP) Mike Holmgren buzz surrounds Browns but sides yet to talk salary - Mike Holmgren hints he's heading to Browns
0 comments at 14:16Mike Holmgren
Mike Holmgren left Cleveland on Wednesday without a contract to take over as the Browns' director of football operations. Team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said money has not been discussed, despite reports that Holmgren could command upwards of $10 million a year, but that the two sides agreed to talk again in the coming days. He would not offer specifics of the conversation, or whether the Browns have brought in other candidates. Before Holmgren can be hired, the Browns would have to interview a minority candidate to comply with the NFL's "Rooney Rule." "We're aware of the rule," Bonsiewicz said. "So much so that we contacted the league office to make sure we're clear on it." Browns coach Eric Mangini wants his 2-11 team to focus on Kansas City, Sunday's opponent, but all the buzz about Holmgren has clearly infiltrated the locker room. "Have they hired a czar yet?" one player asked a group of reporters, poking fun at the title that has been assigned to owner Randy Lerner's search for a "serious, credible leader" to overhaul the Browns again. A few minutes later, Williams began shouting his unsolicited campaign. Williams has been vocal about his lack of playing time this season, although injuries have made him one of the most productive players on defense in recent weeks. He had two sacks in the Browns' most recent game, a stunning upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams came to Cleveland from Green Bay, but Holmgren was long gone by the time Williams landed in Wisconsin. Still, Williams heard all the stories about the man who has coached in three Super Bowls and appears to be Cleveland's clear No. 1 target. "I heard a lot of great things about him," Williams said on Wednesday. "It's a great thing he came in and I hope he gets the job." The list of available landing spots for the 61-year-old Holmgren was trimmed Thursday when Washington hired Bruce Allen as the team's general manager an hour after Vinny Cerrato resigned as vice president of football operations. Holmgren is considered a candidate in Seattle, where he is still popular after coaching the Seahawks to a Super Bowl three years ago. Holmgren has previously served as the team's GM and could be a contender to reclaim the role after the resignation of Tim Ruskell earlier this month.
STEVEN SPIELBERG to adapt World War I novel into movie -STEVEN SPIELBERG TAKES ON WORLD WAR I
0 comments at 14:04STEVEN SPIELBERG
STEVEN SPIELBERG is teaming up with BILLY ELLIOTT writer LEE HALL to take a World War I novel to the big screen. The Hollywood icon has bought the rights to Michael Morpurgo's 1982 book Warhorse, which follows the relationship between a boy and his horse in the backdrop of the Great War. Spielberg has recruited Hall to adapt the book for Hollywood, and he will produce the project. It is unknown if he will also direct. The filmmaker, who tackled World War II in Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers, tells Daily Variety, "From the moment I read the book, I knew this was a film I wanted to make. Its heart and its message provide a story that can be felt in every country."Anne Hathaway
Authorities say a paparazzo has crashed his bicycle into actress Anne Hathaway's car in West Hollywood. No one was seriously injured.
Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Thursday the unidentified cyclist ran into Hathaway's car on Wednesday as the car made a right turn. The Oscar-nominated star was a passenger in her black Audi being driven by her boyfriend Adam Shulman. Whitmore says investigators determined the rider was a paparazzo because he was carrying a camera with a long lens. Witnesses told deputies he was traveling fast but there was enough time for him to avoid the crash. Whitmore says the paparazzo was at fault but no arrests were made.
ABC Newsman Charles Gibson's end of the 'World News' to come on Dec. 18th-Charles Gibson signing off Dec. 18
0 comments at 20:45Charles Gibson
Considered one way, Charles Gibson 's career in TV news seems to be a model of stability: 34 years logged with one employer, ABC. There, he did his job well and rose to the top echelon of his profession, forming a firm bond with his viewers and offering his gracious signoff, "I hope you had a good day." On the other hand, Gibson, who Friday retires from the "World News" anchor desk and from ABC as a full-time employee, is bowing out as more than an admired network news star. At 66, he's a proven utility player, game to handle a range of positions and scramble to the rescue when needed. It was in 1975 that Gibson joined ABC News, where he was named White House correspondent a year later. After numerous other assignments, he began a long stretch as co-anchor of "Good Morning America" in 1987, then left in 1998 to serve as a co-anchor of the "Primetime Thursday" newsmagazine for six years. This might seem like a steady-as-he-goes career climb. But in 1999, less than a year after exiting "GMA" for prime-time prominence, Gibson was summoned back for supplementary service in the morning-show trenches. He and ABC News colleague Diane Sawyer were good soldiers and resumed setting their alarm clocks for the middle of the night. Their first morning together they were chipper as they greeted their audience: "Hi, I'm Diane Sawyer from Louisville, Ky. — the new kid on the block." "And I'm Charles Gibson, originally from Evanston, Ill. I hope you remember the old kid on the block." Their mandate: to stanch the ratings hemorrhage at "GMA" during Gibson's brief time away. The chemistry between them worked, and what was conceived as stopgap triage continued for more than seven years. Then Gibson announced his departure for a second time. Demonstrating his versatility that final week on "GMA," he reported on terrorists and politicians. He also furnished his audience with another kind of news flash: You can potty train your toddler in just 24 hours. But Gibson was already involved in another mission for ABC News.A year earlier, in 2005, "World News" anchor Peter Jennings died from lung cancer. Then, early in 2006, Jennings' co-successors were both forced to give up their roles at the anchor desk: Bob Woodruff was gravely injured on assignment in Iraq, and Elizabeth Vargas was dealing with a difficult pregnancy. Again, the network turned to Gibson. For several weeks, he even did double duty. There he was, at the crack of dawn on "GMA," then at dinner time on "World News."By July 2006, he was finally free to concentrate on "World News" while serving, at last, as the face of ABC News. Since then, he has led "World News" in its spirited battle with customary ratings champ Brian Williams at NBC's "Nightly News" as well as Katie Couric, who in a whirlwind of publicity arrived at "The CBS Evening News" shortly after Gibson's "World News" induction, only to languish in third place. It is this high office that Gibson is vacating after Friday's "World News" broadcast. In an orderly and low-key passing of the torch, Sawyer will replace him Monday at the "World News" anchor desk. Meanwhile, in Gibson's new life of much-earned retirement, he presumably will still be hoping viewers tuned to "World News" have "had a good day."Alex Rodriguez says hip is holding up fine - Alex Rodriguez won't need more hip surgery
0 comments at 18:55Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez is all set to start his winter workouts.The New York Yankees star found out this week that his surgically repaired right hip is holding up fine."Great news," he said Thursday. Rodriguez had surgery last March for torn cartilage and missed the first month of the season. At the time, Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the operation, thought Rodriguez would need a more extensive procedure in the offseason. But Philippon recently examined Rodriguez, and an MRI test helped show the three-time MVP had properly healed. The doctor told A-Rod that he was A-OK on Monday. Otherwise, Rodriguez probably would've been "having surgery today," he said at a Yankee Stadium news conference to formally introduce Curtis Granderson. Rodriguez was the Yankees' top hitter in the postseason, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs as they won the World Series. He had 30 homers and 100 RBIs during his injury-shortened regular season. Philippon checked Rodriguez during the first round of the playoffs and liked what he saw. "I have to say, I'm impressed with his progression and the way the season went," Philippon said then. "I wouldn't say I'm surprised because you're dealing with a world-class athlete who has a lot of discipline." Rodriguez said he threw Wednesday for the first time this offseason and could start hitting anytime he wanted. The All-Star third baseman said he was eager to begin his full winter conditioning program. The Yankees gave Rodriguez a regular day of rest last season, but he said didn't anticipate needing the same breaks next year. As for occasionally taking a day to be the DH, he said that would be fine "once a month."
Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn urges protesters to help defeat health bill- sen. Tom Coburn stalls health care bill
0 comments at 15:15Tom Coburn
Coburn shut down Senate debate of sweeping health care legislation for nearly three hours Wednesday when he forced the reading of a lengthy amendment. Coburn had planned to force the reading of the entire health care bill — which is more than 2,000 pages long — when debate began three weeks ago, but other Senate Republicans persuaded him not to make that move. Coburn, R-Muskogee, objected to a routine request to waive the reading of an amendment, forcing Senate clerks to read the document aloud. Typically, senators are allowed to explain their amendments in lieu of having them read in their entirety.
The amendment was offered by Sen. Bernard Sanders, an independent from Vermont and the aim was to establish a single-payer, or government-run, health care system in the US. Under Sanders’ amendment, the nation’s Medicare program would have been extended to every U.S. citizen. Sanders withdrew his amendment about three hours into its reading and criticized Republicans for preventing a debate and vote on it. "That is an outrage!” he shouted. "In this moment of crisis, it is wrong to bring the United States government to a halt.” Sanders said he knew his amendment would have failed, but he predicted that the United States would eventually adopt a single-payer system.
LOS ANGELES (AP) Disney biographer remembers Roy E. Disney - Disney family biographer recalls personal moments with Roy E. Disney
0 comments at 14:56Roy E. Disney
Van Nuys Airport was the scene in the San Fernando Valley. Patty and Roy E. Disney were preparing for a flight to New York to help promote a book about Roy's father who found the money to realize the dreams of his brother, Walt Disney. Patty and Roy were seated in the right front row. They were holding hands as the plane, which Roy owned, trundled down the runway to prepare for the flight. They still held hands as the plane climbed over Burbank and began the flight east. They finally loosened their grips over the mountains and Roy commented to a fellow traveler, "We always hold hands at the takeoff. So far we've never had a problem." It was 1998 and we were on our way to New York to tout the book I had written about Roy O. Disney, older brother of Walt Disney. We would also visit where both Disneys were born in Illinois, and Kansas City, Mo., where they lived before their arrival to Los Angeles. Roy Edward Disney, who died Wednesday at age 79, had been an ideal source about his father and Uncle Walt, whose biography I had also written. He recalled that his father was ambivalent about whether his son should join the studio. "I think he was apprehensive about that if I did get involved in doing things for Walt, that he would not treat me as well as he did other people," Roy told me, adding "Of course he treated everybody pretty rough. "I have always said he was very, very fair to me, If I did crappy work, he told me so. If he liked what I did, he told me that too." Young Roy tried out on the studio's "True Life Adventures" nature film series and suggested two scripts to Walt but got no reply. Then he clicked on the idea for "An Otter in the Family." He made four more "True Life Adventures" before Walt died. 
Roy found cooperative co-workers in far-off locations, but the studio workers were not as understanding. They concocted derogatory terms for the son of the boss. It would be a long time before they would recognize his contributions. Roy Edward's work required long periods in the wilds, but he was able to court Patricia Dailly, New Orleans-born daughter of newsman Pete Dailly. On one of his flights back to L.A. from Utah, Roy was greeted by his mother and Patricia. His mother said to her son, "Well, aren't you going to kiss her?" He did. When Roy started on a trip back to Utah, he mused, "I've got to go back and propose to the girl." But out of his shyness he didn't. Instead, when he got to Salt Lake City, Roy wrote a five-page letter to Patty. At the end he suggested, "By the way, I think we ought to think about getting married." She sent a telegram: "Hell yes!"Paul McCartney Lands In 50 Cent rhymes-Paul McCartney Lands in 50 CENT new rap song rhymes
0 comments at 21:45PAUL MCCARTNEY
PAUL MCCARTNEY has name checked in a 50 CENT new rap song after meeting the former BEATLE on a plane flight. The rapper insists McCartney didn't know who he was when he asked the Brit for an autograph - but the fact he agreed to sign for him was enough to land the Yesterday singer a place in 50's Do You Think About Me' Unfortunately, it's a lyric McCartney won't be pleased to hear.
50 Cent rhymes, 'It's like Paul McCartney stuck in my head/fell inlove with a bitch walked away with one leg/she ain't even have to run to get away with the bread/that's some f**ked up shit/think about that kid.' The rhyme references McCartney's divorce from amputee Heather Mills. 50 says, 'That's interesting. You figure if you're gonna marry a woman with one leg, she's gonna stay!'
Tiger Woods
Woods can still salvage his tarnished image around the world despite the scandal that has forced him to take an indefinite break from golf, according to several global brand experts. In Europe, where people are traditionally more liberal when it comes to social attitudes, the scandal has hurt the American, but his power to sell is not beyond repair. In countries where cultural taboos about infidelity are greater, it may take a little longer for the world’s No. 1 golfer to recover, but the consensus is that it will happen. “He may never achieve those peaks again that he’s done, but he will be a significant sportsman and a significant figure in the world of golf in a few years’ time. I have no doubt about it,” said Simon Middleton, a British brand consultant. “Nobody just writes people off like that.” In the last two weeks, Woods was involved in a minor car accident, acknowledged adultery, announced an indefinite leave from his sport and was dropped by a major sponsor. All of that, the experts say, will have an effect on what he can persuade the public to buy. “People will struggle to look at him as a role model to represent good business decisions,” said Julian Stubbs, a global branding expert in Stockholm. “His marketability will definitely change.” Woods’ squeaky clean image from continent to continent has been tarnished since he crashed his car outside his Florida home late last month. That came shortly after an American tabloid published a report saying Woods was having an affair with New York nightclub hostess Rachel Uchitel. Since then, the number of reports of alleged infidelities has increased significantly, and Woods—who has yet to speak publicly—finally admitted to cheating on his Swedish wife of five years, Elin Nordegren. The couple have two young children. Zeng Zhaohui, a Chinese branding expert, said people in China will likely get over the negative publicity and again focus on his ability as an athlete. “Chinese people are becoming more open toward this kind of scandal,” Zeng said. “People will like him again if he plays well.” Stubbs, who said Woods’ wife has become the “shining star” of the saga in Sweden, added that Swedes, too, will eventually move on and accept Woods again. “Swedes as a society are pretty good at forgiving and forgetting,” Stubbs said. “Golf is a significant sport here and I actually think depending on what he decides to do and how he handles it, I think he could recover. “I don’t think he will ever be quite the same again as a brand, as a marketable brand, but I think he’s capable of recovering.” Many big-name athletes and leading politicians have overcome the fallout from affairs or alleged affairs, including David Beckham. The former captain of England’s national football team was accused of cheating on pop star wife Victoria in 2004 but nothing was ever proven. Comparing what has happened to Woods to what may have happened to Beckham in similar circumstances is a moot point, Middleton said. “It will have probably had a similar impact, we’d have been similarly horrified,” Middleton said, but also noted that the 34-year-old Beckham is closer to the end of his career than the 33-year-old Woods. “The career of elite footballers is shorter inevitably … and I think therefore the recovery might have been more challenging were it Beckham.” Stubbs compared the Woods scandal to the drug allegations that surrounded supermodel Kate Moss in 2005. “The first six months was probably awful for her,” Stubbs said. “But she actually came back, in many respects, stronger, earning more money the following year because it actually added a little bit of an edge to her brand.” Like Beckham and Moss, Woods is a huge name and a major personality around the world. But that can create other problems in more conservative countries, where adultery is treated as a major crime rather than mere “transgressions,” as Woods put it in one of his statements. “The value difference is a factor, but it’s not a very big issue here,” Zeng said. “I believe the scandal won’t be a lethal blow.”Tiger Woods
Woods Dubai, in Dec. 16 part of Dubai Properties Group, said it is committed to completing its Al Ruwaya golf course and continues to make progress on the first course created by Woods's design firm. “The Tiger Woods Dubai does not comment on the personal lives of our valued partners,” Tiger Woods Dubai said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. Tiger Woods Design, a Windermere, Florida-based company headed by Woods, announced plans for the Al Ruwaya course in December 2006. Dubai Properties is part of state-owned Dubai Holding, which may join another state-owned investment company, Dubai World, in restructuring debt, Morgan Stanley said in a Dec. 8 report. Dubai received a $10 billion bailout this week from Abu Dhabi after seeking a standstill from creditors. Woods, 33, said Dec. 11 that he was taking an indefinite break from professional golf, citing infidelity and the need to focus on being a “better husband, father and person.”Accenture Plc and Procter & Gamble Co.'s have announced plans to drop him from advertising campaigns. Upper Dacek Co., a provider of trading cards and other sports memorabilia, said yesterday it is continuing its relationship with Woods. Upper Deck will maintain its exclusive agreement with Tiger in both our sports cards and memorabilia categories and we look forward to his eventual return to the PGA Tour,” Chief Executive OfficerRichard McWilliam said in an e-mailed statement. Woods has been an exclusive golf spokesman and autograph signer for Upper Deck since 2001.
Beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh pregnant with second child - Two time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh pregnant aganin
0 comments at 15:10Kerri Walsh
Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball star has her heart set on bump, set, spiking her way to the gold once again at the 2012 games in London. But first, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is preparing for another baby. "I'm pregnant again so I'm taking this year off," Walsh reveals to Universal Sports. Due May 30, she plans to spend her spring enjoying her new family of four, including husband Casey Jennings and their son Joseph Michael, 6 months. "I'll be taking care of my family and starting to creep back into shape and I'll be ready for the 2011 season," Walsh, 31, says. Kerri's time off will leave her partner Misty May-Treanor in search of a new sidekick for the first time since the pair began playing together in 2001. "I'm definitely a little jealous, but I'm really excited for her," admits Walsh. "I know she's going to kick butt and it'll be a great team to root for. And also be motivating because I want my partner back." Still, she notes, the switch is only temporary. "My hope and plan is for Misty and I to get back together and be better than ever," she says. "The goal is to play together and win in 2012, to win an Olympic gold medal." 
Rihanna moved by singer Marvin Humes from British boyband JLS.-Rihanna has reportedly confided in friends Marvin Humes
0 comments at 14:13Rihanna
Russian Roulette pop star is disappointed that she never got to meet the ‘Beat Again’ singer when they were both partying at London nightspot Mahiki and has now set her sights on setting up an encounter with the handsome Brit. She is quoted by The Sun newspaper as telling friends: “JLS are super-talented and super sexy. It would have been cool if Marvin had come over and said hi. “Maybe next time. Or if they are ever over in the States we could hook up.” However, Rihanna faces competition for Marvin’s affections after he recently confessed to having a crush on Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole and The Saturdays singer Rochelle Wiseman. He said: “It's not a secret, I fancy Cheryl Cole because she is beautiful but married, sadly. She is perfect. Me and Cheryl would be great lovers. "I also like Rochelle from The Saturdays. I saw her the other day and she looked hot." However, Marvin has also admitted he can’t get a girlfriend. He said: “We get girls throwing themselves at us. But it’s difficult to find a girl you can trust. It’s winter, we’re going home to our cold beds on our own.” JLS shot to fame on UK TV talent show ‘The X - Factor’, in which they came second last year. For their final performance, they had been scheduled to duet with Rihanna on a version of her hit ‘Umbrella’, but the Barbados-born beauty pulled out at the last minute, leaving Irish boyband Westlife to step in.Rihanna
Rihanna is to play Belfast next year as part of an Irish and UK tour. The Grammy award-winning pop star will be back at the Odyssey Arena on May 24, 2010. The tour was announced hot on the heels of her recent X Factor appearance, when she debuted her new single Russian Roulette. The track, the first single from her new album Rated R, is number two in the charts. She has had a string of top ten singles, including Umbrella, Shut Up and Drive and Don’t Stop The Music. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am. Businesswire Comcast,Exclusive Shakira Partnership with Brings Consumers More Great Music Content On Demand
0 comments at 21:17Shakira
Shakira partnership with in comcast, is providing customers the first and only On Demand video collection showcasing Shakira, the world famous Latin singer and 10-time Grammy winner. Beginning December 15, Comcast will premiere this one-of-a-kind Shakira-dedicated video collection including her newly released single, “Give It Up To Me,” as well as many other hot music videos, biography footage and live performances – all provided exclusively to On Demand viewers in HD. “On Demand allows another way for me to connect with my fans,” said Shakira. “My American fans can now see me and hear my music whenever they like." Comcast will feature Shakira’s chart-topping music videos including Underneath Your Clothes, Whenever, Wherever and one of the top-performing On Demand R&B singles of all time – Hips Don’t Lie, as well as special programming including Shakira’s biography footage in Live and Off the Record in HD On Demand. Shakira fans also have a special bonus option to view the entire Shakira collection without stopping or having to hit play again. This exclusive collection is available to Comcast customers through the On Demand menu by selecting “Top Picks” then “Shakira.”
"One of today's hottest stars Shakira is capping a phenomenal year of exclusive Comcast On Demand music events that also featured U2, Green Day, Taylor Swift and others," said Derek Harrar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video and Entertainment Services for Comcast. "The great news is that we built momentum with the music industry this year so 2010 will be even better." Music continues to be one of the most popular categories of On Demand programming with 50-60 million views every month. Comcast offers everything from music videos to live performances across a wide range of music genres giving customers an immersive music experience. Recent artists featured On Demand include Taylor Swift, Green Day, U2, Foo Fighters and ZZ Top.
Axl Rose Denies Issuing Press Releasing Initial Statement On LAX Pap Fight - Rose Denies Release On LAX Paparazzi Incident
0 comments at 12:54Axl Rose
Axl Rose will always be in the news for some ridiculous incident whether involves love, drugs, or paparazzi. Last week, Rose was supposedly in a throwdown with one of the photographers at Los Angeles’ International Airport. A spokesperson from the airport said there were no airport officials around to see it, but it was caught on tape by the RMZ. Now, it seems that Rose is in a fight with himself. According to MTV, front man Rose is denying authorization on a statement about LAX’s paparazzi incident. Yes, he is in a fight with some words he was supposed to have said himself! MTV reports that there are a total of two blog posts on Guns N’ Roses MySpace with each saying different things about last week’s incident. MySpace is the band’s official site for many thing such as tour dates, VIP packages and twitter, so the fist statement was taken seriously when he said things such as he was “unhurt last evening when he was accosted by an unruly group of paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport” and that he “was not injured during the unprovoked attack.” However, when Rose found out that such a statement was even posted on the MySpace in the first place, he grew furious replying back with the 2nd statement. He said “I did not release any statement or authorize either any statement or anyone to release a statement regarding anything at any airport anywhere. We had recently began working with newer individuals in management in relation to our current Asian tour in support of our Guns n’ Roses album Chinese Democracy in addition to Azoff’s though as it happens we are once again touring Asia without management of any kind. Imo this nonsense may be some type of manufactured or publicity stunt.”
Julianne Moore oscar nominated - Film festival to honor Oscar-nominated Julianne Moore
0 comments at 20:01Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore, four-time Oscar-nominated actress is the latest announced celebrity who will be honored at the coming Santa Barbara International Film Festival, organizers said this week. Moore, currently onscreen opposite fellow festival honoree Colin Firth in “A Single Man,” will receive the Montecito Award on Feb. 11 at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. The Montecito Award is given for a series of career standout performances, and Moore fits the bill. She’s received four Academy Award nominations for her work in “Boogie Nights,” “The End of the Affair,” “The Hours” and “Far From Heaven.” The latter two represent an Oscar rarity — nods for two acting roles in the same year (2002). Roger Durling, the festival’s executive director, called the 49-year-old Moore “a cinematic treasure,” adding that her Oscar-nominated performances and other work are “the stuff of legend.” The versatile Moore’s other credits include “I’m Not There,” “Children of Men,” “The Shipping News,” “Magnolia,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Vanya on 42nd Street,” “Short Cuts,” “Benny & Joon” and “The Fugitive.” Previous Montecito Award recipients are Kate Winslet, Javier Bardem, Naomi Watts and Annette Bening. Moore joins a star-studded list of celebrity honorees coming to the festival’s milestone 25th edition that includes Firth, Sandra Bullock, director James Cameron, Vera Farmiga, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard and Christoph Waltz. The 2010 Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run Feb. 4-14 at various venues around town. In addition to the celebrity tributes, the 11-day event typically screens more than 200 films, hosts several discussion panels and draws 60,000 to 70,000 people. Tickets for the Moore tribute are 20 percent off through Dec. 31, and other discounts on film screening packages and passes are also in effect.
Michael Jackson and his Brothers and Sisters performed intheir TV-Show- The Jacksons Varietè Show- the Song I shot the Sheriff!! See Mike as a Cowboy.....
Saoirse Ronan - Ronan Aims To Avoid Celebrity Status - Saoirse Ronan Aims To Avoid Celebrity Status
0 comments at 13:49Saoirse Ronan
Ronan is convinced it's hard for young stars to stay grounded amid all the pressures of fame, but she's determined to steer clear of trouble and keep her name out of the gossip columns.
She tells the Los Angeles Times, 'I don't think I would ever want fame like them . I have to say, I think Miley Cyrus is still quite young. She's what' Seventeen' I think she's very brave for all that fame to be thrown at her so young. She's like another Britney Spears. I don't envy her at all - or any of those girls who get that much attention.
'I suppose we're different kinds of actors. I focus on my work. The stuff that comes afterward - the press and premieres - it's fine, it's fun... but what I really want to do is work on my acting.'
Obama wishes Jews happy Hanukkah-Food, games, fun ideas for a happy Hanukkah party
0 comments at 13:34Barack Obama & First Lady
Barack Obama (US President) on Friday offered his "warmest wishes" to Jews around the world at the start of Hanukkah. First Lady (wife of US President) "Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all who are celebrating Hanukkah around the world," Obama said in a statement. The annual "Festival of Lights" marks the rebellion of Maccabee Jews against the Greeks in 165 BC, which some believers say included a number of miracles pointing to divine providence. "The Hanukkah story of the Maccabees and the miracles they witnessed reminds us that faith and perseverance are powerful forces that can sustain us in difficult times and help us overcome even the greatest odds," Obama said."Hanukkah is not only a time to celebrate the faith and customs of the Jewish people, but for people of all faiths to celebrate the common aspirations we share."As families, friends and neighbors gather together to kindle the lights, may Hanukkah's lessons inspire us all to give thanks for the blessings we enjoy, to find light in times of darkness, and to work together for a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow."
Hanukkah is a joyful holiday that comes with its own rituals, foods, games, songs and stories. That makes it easy to throw a party, especially since the traditions can be enjoyed by guests of all ages and backgrounds. Everyone loves latkes and the sight of those beautiful menorah candles lighting up a dark winter's night. But the parties are not only a way for Jewish families to share their heritage; they also provide a way to connect with friends and neighbors at a busy time of year. Here are some ideas for creating the perfect Hanukkah party.
Recent News result of Matt Damon-Matt Damon Morgan Freeman Discuss The 'Danger' Of 'Invictus ...
0 comments at 13:22Matt Damon
From "Ray" to "Hotel Rwanda," from "Monster" to "Milk," the Hollywood biopic has proved to be a rich source of both storytelling and awards-season recognition. Often, though, it is the legacies of the real-life people who the likes of Charlize Theron and Sean Penn portray — rather than their accents, their mannerisms, their quirks — that have stayed in the public consciousness. Not so in the case of "Invictus," the true story of Nelson Mandela and the South African national rugby squad's World Cup journey in 1995. Morgan Freeman plays Mandela and Matt Damon plays Francois Pienaar, the team's captain and a hero in his native land. "He's Michael Jordan in South Africa," Damon told MTV News in a recent interview. Damon hit the gym to bulk up to the size of a professional athlete and admitted to feeling a bit of pressure in becoming Pienaar. Yet his challenge paled in comparison to Freeman's. "I had the advantage of every time I got nervous about it, I looked over at Morgan and he is playing Mandela," he said. "He's definitely got a bit more of a burden." It was a burden of which Freeman was well aware. "This may be one of the most challenging I've ever attempted simply because you're playing an extant, living person — one who lives now — and who all of the world knows, is very familiar with, the way he walks, him," he told MTV News. "The challenge is to get that nailed in such a way you're not laughable — you're not caricaturing in an attempt to get it." The danger, particularly with Morgan because Mandela's so recognizable and so unique, the way he talks and the way he is — to not fall in imitation," Damon explained. "Morgan can do an imitation of Mandela that is just literally perfect. But that's not what this is about. It has to come through him." Added Freeman, "You have to sustain it."
Hanukkah party in the first of Obama White House-Washington Fuss Over White House
0 comments at 18:55Hanukkah party
Hanukkah party in the first of Obama White House, a Jewish student choir will sing in sweet harmony, the two young children of a soldier deployed in Iraq will light a 19th-century silver menorah from Prague and President Obama and his wife, Michelle, will greet more than 500 guests in a celebration that is expected to spill from the State Room to the East Room.But to the dismay of some administration officials, the plans for next week’s party — one of the hottest holiday events for the nation’s Jewish elite — have been overtaken by feverish debate over the size of the guest list, the language on the invitations and what this says about Mr. Obama’s relationship with Jews. President George W. Bush, who began the tradition of White House Hanukkah parties, invited 600 people to his last party, administration officials say. But rumors spread wildly, first in the Israeli press and then locally, that President Bush had invited 800 people and that the Obamas were planning to invite only 400. The invitations have also caused some consternation because they make no mention of Hanukkah, inviting guests to “a holiday reception” on Dec. 16. In an opinion article published by JTA, the Jewish news agency, Tevi Troy, a former Bush administration liaison to Jewish groups, warned that the Obama White House had given Jewish Americans “a number of reasons to fear that it takes its votes for granted.” Mr. Troy cited as examples the administration’s call for a freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the decision to honor Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, who has been accused by some Democratic lawmakers of anti-Israel bias. Mr. Troy said the reduced guest list created “a nagging sense that there may be a studied callousness at work here.” His commentary, published on Nov. 23, and an article a week earlier in The Jerusalem Post, touched off a flurry of news articles, blog postings and kitchen table discussions. This week, the Israeli newspaper Yediot Achronot published photographs of President Bush lighting a menorah and Mr. Obama standing with Santa Claus alongside an article headlined, “Obama Downsizes Hanukkah in the White House.”
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who is overseeing the process of making the White House kitchen kosher for the party, said he was besieged with questions about the issue on a recent trip to Israel. “I usually get asked when I came and how long I’m staying; this time, all anyone wanted to know was whether I was getting invited to the White House Hanukkah party,” said Rabbi Shemtov, who heads the Washington office of the American Friends of Lubavitch, which lobbies for the Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Shemtov, who has attended Hanukkah parties at the White House, said he raised an eyebrow when he received his invitation, but noted that the Bush administration once sent invitations out with Christmas trees on them. “This is all one big overblown latke,” the rabbi said. “I feel that we need to save our communal kvetching in reserve for when it’s more called for and really matters,” he continued.
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