India revels in 'Slumdog Millionaire's' Oscar triumph

By Mark Magnier

Forget the global downturn, the wrangling with neighbors, the traffic jams.

Monday dawned with celebration in India as word spread that "Slumdog Millionaire" had snagged eight Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. "Slumdog is Top Dog!" read a television headline.
Many woke up before dawn to watch the results live given the time difference. And for most, it was more than worth it. This was India's day, a time to revel, to emote and beam with pride as the world's largest democracy swept Oscar gold, and how.

"I'm at work, but if I didn't have to be here, I'd be on the street jumping up and down and shouting," said Mohammed Asif, 26, an employee in a coffee bar in New Delhi. "In spite of the weaker economy, 'Slumdog Millionaire' gives us hope. Maybe each of us can go out and win a million dollars too."

Downplayed, at least for a few minutes, was the debate over whether this was a real Indian film. Whether it fairly depicted India. Whether slums were the image the nation wanted to project. There was glory to be had and more than enough to go around.

"What a day it's been for India!" gushed an announcer on one of the nation's 24/7 hyper-active news channels.

"The winners have done India proud," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In the Mumbai slums where the film was shot, children broke into impromptu Bollywood dancing, and crowds cheered as neighbors huddled around the available television sets.

Local television gave extensive coverage to the two slum dwellers who acted in the film, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, highlighting their own rags-to-riches journey as they flew from their shantytown to Hollywood for the awards ceremony.

In Chennai, the hometown of A.R. Rahman, the modest, innovative composer who won Oscars for best original score and best original song, supporters handed out candy, ignited fireworks and cut a huge cake positioned in the middle of the street opposite his home.

"Jai Ho," or "Praise Be," the chorus from Rahman's film's hit song, could be heard on many Indian channels throughout the day.

"This is a great moment. After the Mumbai attack, everyone relates to Rahman as an Indian rather than a Muslim," said P.M. Jagannathan, 56, a chemical engineer from Mumbai. "He's doing the job that politicians should be doing -- uniting people rather than dividing them."

Not everyone was overjoyed by the recognition, however. "This is all a big show," said Nicholas Anthony, 47, who runs a video-game parlor in Dharavi, the Mumbai slum where much of the film was shot. "Just walk around Dharavi and spend a day with the kids here and you will understand that 'Slumdog' doesn't represent Dharavi."

Shiv Vishwanathan, an anthropologist based in the western city of Ahmedabad, said the film reflects neither India's own view of itself nor the outside world's view of India.

By successfully combining an English movie, American recognition, the local Indian view and the sensibility of India's far-flung diaspora, however, the filmmakers has managed to unite elements of the Indian mind set in a unique way, he added.

"It's a Hollywood version of a Bollywood myth that's inverted and speeded up," Vishwanathan said.

"All of my colleagues were the same, we were all up early to watch," he added. "Whether it's a spelling bee or the Oscars, we're desperate for recognition. This is good news, everyone wants it, and today we got it."
source :Los Angeles Times

OctoMom's Ex Says He's OctoDad!

By Lindsay William-Ross

Dennis Beaudoin is married and has two kids, but he's ready to take on more. 8 more, to be precise.

Beaudoin is the ex-boyfriend Nadya Suleman (aka OctoMom). The pair dated in the 1990s for three years, although he admits he believes now she was married at the time. Beaudoin also claimed this morning in a Good Morning America interview that "she asked him to donate sperm and he wants to know if he is the father of her children," according to the Press-Telegram.

"She really wanted to have kids," Dennis Beaudoin said this morning on GMA. "She asked me to donate sperm. ...I thought it was kind of out of the ordinary, but I cared about her so much, and we were in love."

Suleman has said that the same sperm was used to fertilize her eggs for all of her pregnancies, which resulted in her bearing 14 children in total. This possible "OctoDad" believes at least the octuplets are his, but even if they are not, "he would like to help Suleman raise them. He said he doesn't believe Suleman can raise the children alone."

Indeed, if it 'takes a village' to raise just one child, 33-year-old grad student Suleman will need more than just the government aid and disability monies she is reportedly collecting, and the elusive $2 million she wants from the media. Although her PR firm has dropped her as a client after they received multiple death threats as part of the backlash against their choice to rep this unusual mother of multiples, the website they created is still up and accepting donations. Recent reports indicate the Whittier home Suleman, her kids, and her parents live in is facing foreclosure. Beaudoin may soon find his hands full if Suleman accepts his offer of help.
source :laist.com

Oscars 2009: Empty red carpet leaves photographers snappy

Academy Awards ceremonies cannot please everyone - think of all those losing nominees - yet celebrity photographers are not usually among the disappointed. This year, a fiendish bid by producers to boost ratings by asking certain stars not to enter via the red carpet left some snappers fuming.

Actors and presenters playing key roles in the ceremony were asked to enter via a back entrance so that frock watchers were forced to watch the whole show to get their fill of fashion.

"This is a disaster both for us and for the designers who want their dresses seen at the Oscars," one photographer told industry bible Variety. "Magazines want photos from the red carpet - the stars have spent hours getting ready and they're prepared to pose," said one. "We sell these photos all year."

Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Stewart, Katherine Heigl and Jessica Alba were among those who failed to arrive via the red carpet, although many others appear to have defied the directive.

"I didn't just walk into a store and just find this," said singer-actor Miley Cyrus, referring to a particularly ornate Zuhair Murad gown. "This is not a place to be toned down."

The directive from new Oscars screencast producers, Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, was one of a number of moves aimed at boosting flagging ratings, which fell to an all-time low last year. The pair also brought in Hugh Jackman, the first non standup to host the ceremony since 1987, and even had him performing a crowd pleasing song and dance routine with Beyoncé.
source :guardian.co.uk

Nicole Richie pregnant again

Nicole Richie is pregnant with her second child, a year after giving birth to a daughter named Harlow, her partner announced on Sunday.

"I am so happy to tell everyone that Harlow is going to be a big sister," said musician Joel Madden on the website of his rock group, Good Charlotte.

Richie, 27, is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie and a former co-star with Paris Hilton of The Simple Life, a hit reality TV show.

She was sentenced in 2007 to four days in prison for driving under the influence of drugs, but spent only an hour behind bars before being released by the Los Angeles sheriff's office.

source :smh.com.au

Winslet latest victim of "Fakebooking" craze

Miss Winslet, who is tipped to win the best actress award at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, now also has the accolade of having the most sites devoted to her by internet pranksters on the Facebook site.

One fake account, which claimed to have been set up by Miss Winslet, was closed by monitors after she called Miss Jolie a "fat-lipped crazy cow", according to the Sunday Times.

The newspaper reported that false sites in Miss Winslet's name have overtaken the number created for Britney Spears, the singer, Sarah Palin, the colourful Republican former vice-presidential candidate, and President Barack Obama.

On Friday there were still a dozen Facebook sites claiming to have been set up by Miss Winslet, several with nude photographs illegally lifted from her Oscar-nominated film The Reader.

But they were mild versions of the dozens of often libellous sites that have been removed since last weekend.

In one, Miss Winslet appeared to be engaged in a war of words with Miss Jolie, calling her a "blood-sucking vampire".

A fake Miss Jolie responded: "Now I know why you pretended to forget my name at the Golden Globes, bitch. I'm getting out my favorite [sic] blade and I'll be waiting for you on the red, red carpet."

Some reports have claimed that up to 40 per cent of Facebook's 70 million accounts are fake.

The company has tried to clean the site up by "deauthorising" thousands of entries, in the process managing to delete a handful of genuine celebrity sites, including David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy account.
source :Telegrap.co.uk

Hugh Jackman on Hosting Oscars: 'A Night of Celebration'

By KATIE ESCHERICH

Actor Hugh Jackman, who will be hosting the Academy Awards for the first time on Sunday, says that he's "excited" about the honor, not nervous. "My acting teacher always said, 'No, don't say nervous, you're excited,'" Jackman told Barbara Walters in an interview to air on her annual Oscar night special. "And actually, that's the truth."

The 40-year-old actor, who was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" last year, will next be seen onscreen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" this summer. He says that while he likes singing and dancing, his favorite thing to do is act, and he told Walters that he sees all the Oscar-nominated movies each year.

"I love the Oscars. I've loved it since I was a kid," he said.

Hosting the ceremony is "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, literally it may be once," he said, laughing. Asked if there were any stars he's looking forward to seeing on Oscar night, Jackman said he pictures Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row.

"I don't know if he's going to be there, [but] I visualize Jack Nicholson ... hopefully smiling, but you never know," he said, laughing.

He also said he's never met best actor nominee Brad Pitt.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be getting to meet [Pitt]," he said. "I've never met Angelina, either. But I'm not allowed to say that or my wife will kill me, but I'd love to meet her."

Jackman met his wife, actress Deborah-Lee Furness, on the set of the Australian drama "Corelli." At the time, she was a big star Down Under and he was an unknown, but he says his increasing fame hasn't hurt their relationship.

"I want to make it really clear, there is not an ounce of jealousy," he said. "There is not an ounce of competitiveness between us. Deb has only ever had incredibly supportive, excited, sort of, feelings, for anything that's happened in my career."
source : ABCnews

Panettiere, Ventimiglia split reported

Has Hayden Panettiere found an age-appropriate escort?

Ever since Panettiere, 19, started dating fellow "Heroes" star Milo Ventimiglia, 31, age has been an interesting issue.

Now Us magazine is reporting that the chronologically challenged pair have ended their relationship, due to "a lifestyle conflict. They were in very different places."

Seems he was in that "concentrating on work" place, and she was in that "likes to go out in the Hollywood scene" place.Apparently, Panettiere was also in that "sitting in Jesse McCartney's lap" place.

RadarOnline.com reports that the starlet and the 21-year-old pop singer were spotted at Crown Bar in Los Angeles last week.

"The 'Heroes' actress was sitting on Jesse's lap while he kissed her neck," the Web site says. "Then she got up and did some crazy sexy dance in his lap."

The young are so resilient.

source : chicago tribune.com

Michael Jackson auctions awards, albums, art, etc.

The King of Pop is lightening his load. At an April auction featuring more than 2,000 personal items, Michael Jackson is set to sell his American Music Award for "Thriller," a velvet cape given to him by his children for Father's Day in 1998, a pair of rhinestone-trimmed socks from 1981, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan and his own original artwork.

The 50-year-old singer is also parting with his platinum and gold records, a customized Harley Davidson and a Rolls Royce limousine.

The five-day sale was announced in December by Julien's Auctions, but the full extent of the items available wasn't known until Tuesday, when the auction house released images of the lots. The auction begins April 21.
source : The assosiated press

In the Moment, or Not

By CATHY HORYN

Markdowns, discounters and the marketing of designers’ other products, like accessories, have dissuaded consumers from buying expensive clothes. Runway collections are now largely vehicles for promoting a big designer’s image, or helping a new talent get started. You have to wonder then if a significant number of women will care that Donna Karan presented her best collection in years, or that Marc Jacobs channeled his favorite good times, the 1980s.For a while, Ms. Karan has been doing some rather confounding things to clothes, which in essence suggested that she was in a prolonged state of meditation. On Monday, she snapped out of it and showed some terrific clothes. From start to finish (well, almost), this was about as levelheaded a collection as you could expect from a serious designer and businesswoman.

The top note was tailoring: sharp, clean lines in fabrics like a double-faced wool and cashmere blend and stretch wool crepe or tweed. The cosmopolitan palette included navy, charcoal and nutmeg brown, with bursts of scarlet or neon purple. There were few suits per se; Ms. Karan took a contemporary approach and broke up the look, putting a belted jacket — say, in glossy red tweed — over a slinky, below-the-knee skirt in gray jersey. A slim navy wool coat with a mandarin collar paired up with tapered gray trousers. Over the sleeves Ms. Karan added rough-looking shearling gauntlets.

There was plenty of her usual draping, but this time it didn’t look as if the Hindu god Siva had given her a hand. The results were seductive, as when the model Karlie Kloss appeared in a belted gray jersey dress with bare shoulders; or handsome, when a high-neck blouse in rippling nutmeg jersey came out with pleated gray trousers. Either way, the effect was appealing. Another plus in this collection was the relatively natural shoulder line. Extreme shoulders are a recurring fascination with designers, and this week we’ve seen them squared, pinched and inflated like a linebacker’s. Wisely, Ms. Karan didn’t go there.

Mr. Jacobs’s collection was hard to like. It resisted (resented?) the logical, the sober, the prettified. Like a painted lady in a rainstorm, it stood indifferent to the economy. (In at least one respect on Monday night, Mr. Jacobs was all business. His show started two minutes early and didn’t use a set, just a gaudy red carpet.)

The clothes were very much in the spirit of the ’80s, the era of Dianne Brill and Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, when a girl could spend half the day getting her look together. For that reason perhaps, each of Mr. Jacobs’s 60 models had her own look, with hair teased into flips and stacks.

The clothes were equally frothy: teacup silk skirts, a bubbly wool coat in Bazooka pink, satin bustiers with huge fan pleats across the front, metallic peplum jackets and flamboyantly patterned tights. Although kookiness can sometimes be its own justification, there were many desirable pieces lurking in the romp, like glossy black coats dotted with black disks, flowing tunics in murky floral prints and vivid wool caped jackets.

What makes this collection less satisfying than his previous ones is that the visual assault seems forced. We don’t really buy it — and that’s partly because we don’t feel any energy. There is very little sense of enjoyment or relish in the clothes, qualities we associate with ’80s dressing. Maybe that’s something you can only experience once in its true state.

In spite of the grim reports of store budget cuts, this season has seen one or two plainly talented newcomers. Joseph Altuzarra, 25, a former assistant at Givenchy and Proenza Schouler, presented a small collection — his second — on Monday. He said that he has just three store accounts, including Barneys New York and Ikram in Chicago. He was not complaining.
source : The new york times

Although he can cut a mean suit, with little air between flesh and wool, Mr. Altuzarra’s gift is for the soft stuff. He showed delicately ruched dresses in ivory and pale lilac stretch georgette, engineering the fit so that the back was open. What comes through is not his taste, though he has taste, but rather his judgment. Another great look was a one-shoulder tunic in silver lamé, belted and worn over black leggings with sexy booties licked with long black fur.

Tracy Reese sent out a smart collection. There were adorable print minidresses hemmed in black lace, slouchy blazers mixed with flounced dresses, and those mannish pleated trousers in charcoal and pinstripes that suddenly look like money in the bank.

source : The new york times

Celebrating Black History Month

by Sally Sanderson
Since the beginning of our nation’s history, new movements and old prejudices have been intertwined. Our country paved the way for a new world, filled with democracy, free choice and happier lifestyles while still keeping minorities of our citizens in bonds of slavery, forms of mistreatment and in skewed equality. Now, more than ever, is the time to recognize these facts and take into consideration that we are again changing the world: the bells of equality and freedom are ringing yet again.

The election campaign of 2008 changed the face of the U.S. forever: no more can we say that we are a country of unequal rights and old grudges, but a country full of new beginnings and new hope. It marks a new chapter in our country’s history and a tribute to all who have suffered injustice.

As the nation celebrates the election of its first black President, this February we also celebrate a tradition dedicated to remembering those who have been mistreated and discriminated against in our country: Black History Month.

Black History Month was founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which, founded in 1915, has the mission to: “promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community” (www.asalh.org/aboutasalhmain.html). According to Wikipedia.com, Woodson originally chose the second week of February to celebrate “Negro History Week” because the week held the birthdays of two important figures in the revolution of black freedom: former President Abraham Lincoln and former slave Frederick Douglass.

As history progressed, February held more important events for the recognition of African Americans as equal citizens, thus causing the celebration to hold not only a week but a month of recognition. Other important events in February included: the birth of W.E.B. Du Bois on Feb. 23, 1868, the passing of the 15th Amendment on Feb. 3, 1870 and the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Feb. 12, 1909 (www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html).

W.E.B. Du Bois was a significant member in the fight against racial discrimination and an equal rights activist. Du Bois was one of the founding members of the NAACP, an organization with the mission to: “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination” (www.naacp.org/about/mission/index.htm and www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/dubois).

Black History Month marks an important aspect of our culture and history and should be recognized as a celebration of an ever-changing movement for equality and civil rights. To celebrate Black History Month, Michigan Tech has month long programs and activities to participate in. For the next two weeks, these events will be occurring: on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the MUB Alumni Lounge A from 2-3 p.m. “The ‘N’ Word”, a study of the connotations behind one of the crudest words in the English language, performances of jazz, dance and spoken word on Thursday, Feb. 19 in the Rozsa Lobby from 7-11 p.m. and an open mic coffee house from 8-11 p.m. in Wadsworth Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21. Two presentations made by LTC Otha Thornton and C.S. Giscombe relating to topics of BHM will be featured as well. Thornton’s presentation will take place Thursday, Feb. 26 from 12-1 p.m. in the MUB Red Metal Room 105B; Giscombe’s will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Walker 134 on Friday, Feb. 27. Lastly, African Night 2009 will be celebrated from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. African Night includes dinner in the MUB Ballroom followed by performances of dancing and music in the Rozsa Center.

source : LODE

Critic to 'The Real Housewives of New York City': drop dead

by Ken Tucker

In case you don't get the reference in the phrase above, it's an echo of the famous 1975 front-page New York Daily News headline, "Ford To City: Drop Dead," about then-President Ford's refusal to sign a fiscal bail-out. I second that emotion about The Real Housewives of New York City: I sorta wish the show would expire, fast. Not a chance, of course: Too many of us -- I admit it, I've watched -- cannot resist gazing upon the icky-beyond-belief "real" housewives of New York City, whose new season of crass social-climbing begins on Bravo tonight.

There's a new housewife this season: Kelly, who proves in this clip that she's a deluded exhibitionist and even-more-deluded horse-rider (I'm told by a trained eye living in my house that her form is pretty lame).

Me, I put my hands over my eyes and peek through my fingers at Alex McCord's hideous husband, Simon, and the couple's ramshackle summer rental we're taken to tonight. Of course, there's nothing wrong with ramshackle, especially in these economic times, but the way Simon talks up the house as though it was an idyllic mansion worthy of his slippered toes--it's just too, too much.

But, really, that's the only reason to keep tabs on these squabbling, spendthrift people: to goggle at their cluelessness, their disconnection from the very concept of Reality that Real Housewives promotes.
source : EW.com

Judge rejects Polanski's bid to reopen sex case

By Dan Whitcomb and Alex Dobuzinskis

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski lost a bid on Tuesday to dismiss his 30-year-old conviction for having sex with a minor when a Los Angeles judge refused to consider the request as long as the filmmaker was still a fugitive.

But Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza said he would be willing to reconsider his decision if Polanski, who fled the United States for France in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with an underage girl, returned to a Los Angeles courtroom by May 7.

The 75-year-old director of such films as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown, has tried to have his guilty plea thrown out on claims that the now-dead judge in the case was improperly coached by a prosecutor.

Those accusations gained public attention in the documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," in which the prosecutor, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Wells, spoke of his contact with the judge.

Prosecutors have long maintained that Polanski has no standing to reopen his case while he is a fugitive and Espinoza agreed. But the judge gave Polanski a small victory by suggesting in court that the filmmaker's claims could have merit.

"It is hard to contest that some of the conduct portrayed in film on that documentary was misconduct," Espinoza said.

Polanski was originally indicted on six charges, including rape, for having sex with a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and drugs.

He insisted the sex was consensual but pleaded guilty to a single count of having sex with a minor, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

source : Reuters UK

Chris Brown Breaks His Silence About Rihanna Incident

by Jovie Baclayon
Chris Brown says he is seeking counseling from loved ones and family members, one week after an alleged attack against his girlfriend, singer Rihanna.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

The 19-year-old R&B singer issued a brief statement Sunday through publicist Michael Sitrick. In it, Brown also says many of the reports about the incident are incorrect, although he doesn't provide further details.

"Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."

Screengrabs of a fake Facebook page circulated online late last week, but was quickly determined to be a hoax.

Brown turned himself in on Feb. 8 and was booked on suspicion of making a criminal treath, but no charges have been filed yet. He is free on $50,000 bail while the case is being investigated.

On Friday, Brown's father said his son is at home and "very remorseful" over what happened. Rihanna is now at home in Barbados recuperating.
source : E!online

Octuplets' Mom Is 'Not Obsessed with Angelina Jolie'

By Eileen Finan and Johnny Dodd
Facing public outrage over revelations that she supports her family with the help of food stamps and claims that she is fixated with Angelina Jolie, Nadya Suleman tells PEOPLE that she's turning to "a greater strength" to cope with her sudden notoriety.

The California mother of octuplets says she hopes the media frenzy will soon die out and allow her to focus on raising her eight new babies, born Jan. 26, along with her six older children. "Next week it will be okay," she tells PEOPLE, peering outside at a group of reporters camped in front of her Whittier, Calif., home. "No one will be out there, I'm hoping."

Suleman also rejected claims that she is obsessed with Jolie. "All lies. I have no interest in her. None," she says. "I've never been a fan of anybody famous. Now I kinda have a taste. But it's not being famous – it's being infamous. It's a nightmare."

Jolie's rep said reports that the actress received letters from Suleman are untrue.

Meanwhile, Suleman's mother, who last week in a televised interview called her daughter's decision to implant six embryos "unconscionable," appears to be softening her stance. Angela Suleman, who helps care for her grandchildren, appeared on CBS's The Early Show Monday calling her daughter "a good mother."

"I did [resent Nadya], but you know, you can resent your daughter for just so long, and then you see that she's trying so hard to take care of these children, and she's a good mother," Angela Suleman said on the program. She added that their current living conditions – Nadya and her children all live in a three-bedroom house with Angela – will need to change when the babies are released from the hospital.
source : people

T.I.'s 'Dead And Gone' Video, Featuring Justin Timberlake, Pays Tribute To Friend

The clip is dedicated to T.I.'s friend Philant Johnson, who was killed in 2006.

By Jayson Rodriguez
The rapper told MTV News that the clip and his performance at the ceremony the next day would mirror each other and "personify the sentiment of the song and capture that [mood]."
His performances at the award show were among the broadcast's many highlights. For "Dead and Gone," Tip entered through a billow of smoke and Timberlake rode shotgun at the piano. Tip emotionally rapped the track's cautionary tale while JT tickled the keys in a melancholy staging.

"Now you gushin', ambulance rushin'," Tip rapped. "'You to the hospital with a bad concussion/ Plus you hit four times but it hit yo spine/ Paralyzed waist-down and ya wheelchair bound."

The Chris Robinson-directed video premiered on MTV Tuesday (February 17). The clip features the two artists in performance scenes outside the California desert, interspersed with visuals of the song's protagonist, an innocent kid who makes a bad decision and couldn't walk away from a fight. At the end of the first verse, he ends up in a wheelchair as a result of the beating he took, just like the lyrics dictate.

Toward the end of the video, the Atlanta rapper drives his car to a crossroad and gets out of his vehicle to meet Timberlake, who's positioned at the center of the road. The song's bridge begins and images of T.I. with his wife, a pastor, and a serpent flash across the screen, as does the word "good." Then images of a prison yard flash along with the word "evil," before the word "redemption" pops up followed by a picture of Philant Johnson's grave.

Johnson — boyhood friend of the rapper — was tragically gunned down in 2006 after a T.I. show in Ohio; the song is dedicated to his memory. Tip spoke at Johnson's funeral and described their bond.

"It just seems like as long as I can remember, he was there," T.I. said of Johnson. "As long as I can remember, his mama and my mama were partners. His cousin and my uncle were partners. His auntie and my grandmama stayed up the street from one another. And we just always knew each other, and it was cool."

source : Mtv

With Four More Months to Make the Switch, Over 400 TV Stations Are All Digital

By BRIAN STELTER

More than 400 television stations have stopped broadcasting in old-fashioned analog form, according to the Federal Communications Commission, months before the rescheduled transition to digital TV.

Turning off the analog signal allows stations that are short of cash to save money, but it also means a loss of service for viewers who have not yet upgraded their older television sets.

The long-awaited move to digital TV, which promises clearer pictures and more channel choices for over-the-air television viewers, had been scheduled to happen Tuesday, more than three years after the federal government set the day as the deadline for stations to cease analog broadcasting.

This month, however, the government delayed the move until June 12, citing a troubled transition process and a fear that millions of Americans would find that their televisions had been rendered incapable of receiving signals.

Despite the delay, 421 stations, most of them in smaller TV markets, chose to turn off their analog signals Tuesday. When they are combined with the 220 broadcasters that already broadcast solely in digital, the F.C.C. estimates that 36 percent of the nation’s stations will have switched by Wednesday morning.

President Obama signed legislation last week that pushed back the deadline until June and allowed some stations to turn off their analog signals earlier.

Nielsen Media Research estimates that about 5.8 million households, or about 5.1 percent, have not upgraded their sets. Households that rely on rabbit ears and older analog televisions to watch TV over the air need to install a converter box to view the digital programming.

The government’s coupon program to subsidize the cost of the converter boxes is experiencing a backlog; the stimulus bill Mr. Obama signed on Tuesday allots $650 million more for the initiative.

The F.C.C. said it had sought to ensure that at least one ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC affiliate in each market would stay on the air in analog form until June.

In about 20 markets where all the major affiliates intended to turn off the analog signal on Tuesday, the agency pushed stations to keep at least one signal on the air for news and emergency information.

“We are trying to make the best of a difficult situation,” Michael J. Copps, the acting chairman of the agency, said in a statement.

“While this staggered transition is confusing and disruptive for some consumers, the confusion and disruption would have been far worse had we gone ahead with a nationwide transition on Tuesday,” Mr. Copps said.

In major markets like New York, all the major affiliates will remain on the air in analog until June.

San Diego is the largest market where three of the biggest affiliates are turning off their analog signals. In that market, only 7 percent of people rely on over-the-air signals.

“We have been running crawls and stories and spots, everything required by the F.C.C., in great abundance, to try to end whatever confusion there is,” said Ed Trimble, the general manager of KFMB, the CBS affiliate in San Diego.

Most stations across the country are choosing to stay in both analog and digital form until June 12, meaning that viewers will see four more months of reminders to buy a converter box.

“There are still a few consumers who are not quite prepared yet, and that’s why we elected to go with the delay,” said Brent Hensley, the general manager of KOCO, the ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Under the F.C.C.’s current rules, other stations may be allowed to turn off their analog signals in March and June.

Once stations stop analog broadcasting in local markets, the stations are bound to hear from confused consumers.

source : The New york times

Does the Rihanna/Chris Brown Ordeal Lend a View of Relationship Trends?

by: Kimberly H

Does the drama-filled relationship of celebrities like Rihanna and Chris Brown show a trend in contemporary relationships?

The drama-filled relationship of Rihanna and Chris Brown is just the most current of many Hollywood relationships gone wrong. After this weekend, the skeletons came out of the closet when Brown beat up his girlfriend, Rihanna, and police were called. New reports today state that this was not the first time Rihanna had been slapped around by Brown. So what does this say about people today and their outlook on relationships?

In today's world, celebrity relationships are splashed all over the front pages of the media, and it becomes a big deal especially when abuse becomes part of a couple's headlines. But how many people who aren't celebrities are staying in relationships that are abusive, both physically and psychologically? Sadly, it is a growing concern in today's world, but one that is not addressed until it involves the "famous."

Perhaps one reason that abuse is kept behind closed doors and ignored is because of the implications of being weak, being a victim. But it takes courage to come out and speak up, and now Rihanna is under attack by some who say the attack was her fault. The idea that a victim of abuse could be at fault because they 'provoked' the abuse is ridiculous, but still accepted by some. Put blame where blame is due: it is NOT acceptable to be abused in any form, no matter what, or who, started it.

Why has it become so accepted a practice that abuse has become part of a "normal" relationship? It is sad that people and the media are not more supportive for the victim of abuse. Whether or not the rumors of STD's or being 'too clingy' of a girlfriend are true, it is shocking to read that some fans are condoning and even applauding Brown for assaulting Rihanna. This is an appalling eye opener to the views of some people in today's world. No wonder rapes are not reported, girls say they "fell down the stairs" when they show up with a black eye; they can not be sure that anyone would support them and take their side, let alone believe them.

As Valentine's Day grows near, I urge all those in relationships to evaluate their situation. Has he/she ever hit you? Taken advantage of you physically or sexually when you did not want it? Verbally or emotionally attacked you, putting you down and belittling you? Threatened you or your loved one with violence? If you answered yes to any of the above, I ask you to stand up for yourself and, although emotionally painful, walk away from the situation before it gets to the point where you have to be carried away on a gurney.

source :

Is Chris Brown's Career Totally Doomed?

by Leslie Gornstein

I reached out to dozens of crisis PR experts today—people who have handled everything from food recalls to child sex-abuse scandals. Their only point of disagreement: Whether Chris Brown's career is finished, over or merely done.

This is no small fall for a guy who, just last year, was named by Forbes magazine as a "celebrity dealmaker to watch." His biggest sin since the alleged crime? Staying silent.

Of course, what actually happened remains to be sorted out in full view of Lady Justice. But PR people universally agree that Brown should have launched his I'm-an-ass apology tour by now, or at least some sort of self-mutilating statement.

Here's the long-shot strategy he should be following...

Police investigation notwithstanding, crisis PR pro Dave Cieslak tells me he that somebody in Brown's position should "admit his unspeakable mistake and genuinely beg forgiveness from Rihanna and his fans, all with tears streaming from his eyes."

And yet there is a very tiny chance that Brown could crawl and scrape his way back into our collective good graces.

How? Focusing on his fans in the African-American community is a good start, image management consultant Goldie Taylor says. "We have a forgiving heart in the community," Taylor says. "It's happened time and time again. We saw it with Al Sharpton and Tawana Brawley, and look at Michael Vick. He isn't done yet."

(Indeed, Vick gets out of prison in July, and his lawyers are reportedly seeking to get him reinstated into the NFL.)

That focus may take the form of a sympathetic interview with Cousin Jeff on BET or giving us a very public come-to-Jesus moment by joining an African-American church.

He also needs to curb any news leaks coming out of his camp, as well as put out his own strong message, Taylor says:

"That his love for Rihanna is unfaltering, that he has undying love and respect for black women everywhere, that he has sisters and watched his mother struggle as a single mom, and that he can't comment on anything directly but that he has great faith in the American justice system.

"But if they keep up with this radio silence," Taylor says, "he's a dead brand walking."

Of course, Brown's own anti-domestic-violence foundation must follow.

Even after all that, don't look for a Chris Brown live tour anytime soon.

source : E!online

Beyonce, Hudson win Image Awards

By DERRIK J. LANG

It was a dreamy night for a couple of "Dreamgirls." Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson both glided away with trophies Thursday and wowed the audience with individual performances during the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards.

Beyonce, who opened the show with a wind-swept rendition of her song "Halo," won the female artist category while Hudson, who performed "The Impossible Dream" for President's Award recipient Muhammad Ali, picked up the new artist award. They costarred in the 2006 film "Dreamgirls."

"This is where we come from," Hudson said, accepting the trophy. "So it's always an honor to come home and feel welcome and to feel the love. I really cherish this and appreciate it."

Along with Beyonce and Hudson, will.i.am and Seal performed on stage at the Shrine Auditorium ceremony, which was hosted by actress Halle Berry and actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry. The show coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and kicks off a yearlong centennial celebration.

"The Secret Life of Bees" won for motion picture. "Grey's Anatomy" won for TV drama. Several of the winners were awarded before the live ceremony, including Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy" for actress in a drama series, Columbus Short from "Cadillac Records" for supporting actor in a motion picture and singer-actor Jamie Foxx for male artist.

Chris Brown, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, was up against Foxx with Common, John Legend and will.i.am for the male artist trophy. Rihanna was competing against Beyonce with Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey for the female artist award. Neither Brown or Rihanna were in attendance.

Sean "Diddy" Combs picked up the TV movie actor trophy for his role in "A Raisin in the Sun." Other acting winners included Hill Harper for "CSI: NY," Tracee Ellis Ross for "Girlfriends," Taraji P. Henson for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Will Smith and Rosario Dawson for "Seven Pounds."

The awards honor achievements and performances of people of color in TV, film, music and literature. Former Vice President Al Gore and Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai received the Chairman's Award. Boxing legend Ali won the President's Award. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons was given the Vanguard Award.

"I discovered that giving made me happy," Simmons said during his acceptance speech alongside daughters Ming and Aoki, who precariously held up his trophy and counted down his remaining speech time. "As you get older, that's the easy route, so it's always been such an easy thing. It seems kinda crazy to be honored for it."

The inspirational evening was accented with praise and appreciation for President Barack Obama, who received the Chairman's Award in 2005 but was not in attendance at this year's glitzy star-studded ceremony. Smith and others used their time in the Image Awards spotlight to show their love for the newly elected president.

"This is a rare opportunity for me," said Smith. "I stand on this stage today after a dream that I've dreamed for a long time because we have an African-American president. As a child, my parents always told me you could be whatever you want to be. You can do whatever you want to do."

The ceremony ended with Stevie Wonder performing his 1976 song "Black Man," which has lyrics referencing historic figures such as Sacagawea and Matthew Henson. During the song, hosts Berry and Perry recited the name-dropping refrain and added another person at the end: Obama. The audience enthusiastically raised tiny American flags in response.

source : Assosiated press

In Deepest Brooklyn, Affairs of the Heart

By A. O. SCOTT
“Two Lovers” deals with the romantic ambivalence of a young man in Brooklyn, a description that might set visions of mumblecore dancing in your head. But this movie, the director James Gray’s fourth feature (after “Little Odessa,” “The Yards” and “We Own the Night”), is not another low-key, closely observed study in bohemian diffidence. It takes place in Brighton Beach, many subway stops (and sociological light years) from the northwestern sections of the borough, where the hipsters roam. And its palette of emotions, like its rich and somber 35-millimeter cinematography, departs from the hand-held, hi-def, discursive style associated with directors like Joe Swanberg and Aaron Katz, harking back to an older, artistically more conservative film tradition of lush, earnest melodrama.
The story Mr. Gray has to tell (he wrote the screenplay with Richard Menello) is modest in scale, but the feelings that run through it are large and intense. And why shouldn’t they be? The life of Leonard Kraditor might seem ordinary, even drab — he lives with his parents, works for his father’s dry-cleaning business, dabbles in photography — but his desires and sorrows, his fundamental confusion about who he should be, certainly don’t feel trivial to him. Hardly a feckless youth, Leonard is in his early 30s, with a breakup and a breakdown (involving a suicide attempt) just behind him. Played with twitchy sensitivity by Joaquin Phoenix, Leonard is by turns raw and benumbed, at once comforted and smothered by the homey claustrophobia of life with his tactful old-world dad (Moni Moshonov) and his hovering, anxious mother (Isabella Rossellini).



Though it is set in the present, “Two Lovers” takes place in what often feels like an earlier incarnation of New York, a world of lower-middle-class neighborhoods and workaday aspirations that is still very real but that seems less interesting to ambitious filmmakers and writers than it used to be. Leonard’s literary and cinematic kinsmen are guys like Ernest Borgnine’s lonely Bronx butcher in “Marty” and the libidinous, insecure strivers who populate the early fiction of Philip Roth.


Like a Roth hero — and just about every other American Jewish male protagonist from Augie March to Jerry Seinfeld — he struggles with the conflicting demands of filial duty and the longing to strike out on his own. He wants to be a good son, but he also wants to live a life of danger, freedom and impulse. Does he stick with his own kind and risk suffocation, or does he risk rootlessness in pursuit of liberation?



These choices are hardly abstract. They are embodied by two women who contend for Leonard’s attention and affection and who also, to some extent, conform to the ancient archetypes identified by the literary critic Leslie Fiedler of the Good Good Girl and the Good Bad Girl. Vinessa Shaw plays Sandra, the girl Leonard might have brought home to mother if mother hadn’t brought her home first. She’s the daughter of an important business associate of Leonard’s father, and if she and Leonard paired off, there would be advantages all around. Luckily for Leonard, Sandra is also kind, smart, patient and very sexy.


But he can’t help but be distracted by Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a willowy blonde who turns up, to Leonard’s amazement and his mother’s undisguised horror, in their apartment building. Michelle is an exotic transplant in the outer-borough soil, filling Leonard’s nose with the Manhattany perfume of sophistication and sexual adventure. She is also needy, capricious and a little unstable, which allows Leonard’s fantasy of escape to be twinned with a dream of rescue. Michelle is the mistress of a rich, married lawyer (Elias Koteas), and she turns to Leonard as a brotherly confidant even as her vulnerability seems to offer the chance for something more.



Structurally “Two Lovers” is a romantic comedy, with complications and misunderstandings accelerating toward a big decision. But while there are moments of humor — and a sublimely witty, almost surreal performance from Ms. Rossellini — the overall mood is earnest and anguished. The picture’s basic conflict is one Mr. Gray has explored before: the tension between the individual spirit and the ways of the tribe. But previously the tribalism has been that of gangsters or cops, and has been worked out through the violent rituals of the urban crime genre, where sentimentality grows out of the barrel of a gun.


It can be argued that with “Two Lovers” Mr. Gray has traded in one set of clichés for another. But perhaps because the conventions of romantic melodrama have lain dormant for so long, there is something fresh and vivid about the way he uses them here. He is also a generous and sympathetic director of actors, and he makes the most of Ms. Shaw’s grace, Ms. Paltrow’s unpredictability and Mr. Phoenix’s odd, intriguing blend of solemnity and mischief. Their performances go a long way toward preventing the movie from becoming overwrought or schematic.



It’s a little of both, to tell the truth. But the flaws in “Two Lovers” are inseparable from its strengths. You could, I suppose, criticize the movie for being too sincere; too generous to its imperfect, self-deluded characters; too absorbed in their small crises and disproportionate reactions. But that criticism might sound a lot like praise.


“Two Lovers” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for language, some sexuality and brief drug use.



TWO LOVERS


Opens on Friday nationwide.



Directed by James Gray; written by Mr. Gray and Richard Menello; director of photography, Joaquin Baca-Asay; edited by John Axelrad; production designer, Happy Massee; produced by Mr. Gray, Anthony Katagas and Donna Gigliotti; released by Magnolia Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes.


WITH: Joaquin Phoenix (Leonard Kraditor), Gwyneth Paltrow (Michelle Rausch), Vinessa Shaw (Sandra Cohen), Moni Moshonov (Reuben Kraditor), Isabella Rossellini (Ruth Kraditor) and Elias Koteas (Ronald Blatt).

source : The new york times

‘American Idol’ Semifinalist Disqualified

By EDWARD WYATT
The producers of “American Idol” had hoped that a new focus this season on the personal stories of the contestants would stem a slide in ratings. But on Wednesday it was one of those personal stories that apparently spawned this season’s first big scandal on “Idol.”

Hours after Joanna Pacitti, a 23-year-old Philadelphia native, was named one of the 36 semifinalists in the show’s eighth season on Wednesday’s broadcast, the producers of the series disqualified her from the competition and replaced her with another female performer who viewers had been told was eliminated.

The producers would not give a reason for the disqualification, which followed a recent report in Star magazine that Ms. Pacitti had professional or personal relationships with two executives at 19 Entertainment, the company founded by Simon Fuller, one of the creators and an executive producer of “American Idol.”

An “Editor’s Note” tacked on to the end of a news release issued shortly after the West Coast broadcast of “American Idol” on Wednesday said, in its entirety: “It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. ‘American Idol’ contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the top 36.”

Spokesmen for Fox, for 19 Entertainment and for Fremantle North America, which also produces the show, declined to comment further.

Ms. Pacitti attracted attention almost from the beginning of this season because of her previous professional singing career. When Ms. Pacitti arrived to audition before the show’s judges last summer in Louisville, Ky., Kara DioGuardi, who joined the series as the fourth judge this year, said on camera that she recognized Ms. Pacitti and asked if she was the same person who previously had a recording contract with A&M Records.

Ms. Pacitti told Ms. DioGuardi that her contract had ended “a while ago.” “American Idol” requires only that contestants not be under contract with a management or recording company.

Ms. Pacitti was one of 147 contestants — out of the tens of thousands who auditioned — who made it through to the Hollywood round, which was conducted in January but not shown until this month.

“American Idol” on Wednesday showed that Ms. Pacitti twice forgot the words to her songs during Hollywood week performances. Nevertheless, the judges put her through to the semifinals, telling her that she deserved a break.
source : The New york times

Why Are Some People Blaming Rihanna For Alleged Altercation With Chris Brown?

By Gil Kaufman
If the many media reports about the alleged altercation on Sunday between Chris Brown and girlfriend Rihanna are to be believed, she suffered a serious assault from her 19-year-old boyfriend. While police have not named the victim in the case or released details of the assault, a number of media outlets have cited sources who said that Rihanna was the victim and that she suffered serious injuries.
Brown was arrested on Sunday and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats in what has been described as a domestic-abuse incident that was the culmination of a reportedly troubled relationship with an alleged history of previous abusive incidents.
Based on comments MTV News has received on the incident, a surprising number of people — some of whom are apparently female, although screen names often aren't gender-specific — are blaming Rihanna for the alleged incident.

For example, "I don't think Chris would just a hit a girl like that," wrote reader Nika2hot. "She had to do something or say something out the way for him to really hurt her."

"Blaming the victim has gone on as long as I can remember, both in sexual assault and domestic violence," said Kim Gandy, the president of NOW, the National Organization For Women. "When I started working on domestic-violence issues in the 1970s, women would not come forward because they knew they would be blamed, no matter how blameless they knew they were. Maybe they hadn't ironed his shirt right, or burned the toast, or 'done something' to justify being beaten."

Gandy said progress has been made since then, but the cycle of violence has continued, and in fact, has been on the upswing among teens over the past decade. "You hear teenagers now saying, 'He roughs her up when she gets out of line, but that's how he shows her he loves her.' "

She also noted that sometimes in cases of domestic abuse, even women will fall into the victim-blaming pattern, saying, "These men aren't really responsible, they must have been provoked ... a man wouldn't 'just beat her like that for no reason.' "

While the majority of commenters said they were shocked by the allegations and disappointed by the alleged actions of Brown, quite a few pointed the finger at Rihanna, 20, with a few alluding to unsubstantiated Internet rumors regarding intimate details of the couple's sexual relationship. (Some comments have been edited to correct grammar and punctuation.)

"Despite what we think, there are three sides to a story: his side, her side, and the truth. I don't know what that is, because I was not there," said MizDIva34.

"I don't wanna believe all this .... Chris wouldn't be that type of guy," wrote jb&weezyfan. "Well he doesn't seem like that type of guy ... this kinda reminds me of the Michael Jackson case ... Chris' career may be ruined forever ... just like Michael's ... sooo sad. I love all his songs. Well I'm still gonna support him. I just don't believe it ... until he says it ..... cause Rihanna is a ***** .. well she looks like one anyways."

While Rihanna has gotten an outpouring of support on her official MySpace page and Brown has gotten similar messages on his, some of the people posting on Brown's page and a few MTV readers were even harsher in their indictment of the alleged victim in the case.

Another reader, "Zjera_Boo," wrote, "If what I hear is correct and Rihanna gave chris an STD, then she needed it, but they are right he is only human." Also alluding to the Internet rumors, "Boogababe" added, "You guys seem to be forgetting the real reason why he did it in the first place ... He did that coz he was mad * a girl he trusted and which he was with ... which turned around to put his life in jeopardy by infecting him with an STD???!!!?? Comm'on guys Rihanna had what was coming to her...Brusies can heal ova some time but putting your health on the line like that is hectic!"

In keeping with what Gandy said was the typical pattern of victim scapegoating, "Alissa" argued, "Rihanna must have provoked it in some way, that still does not give Chris the right to do what he did so in the end, who's really to blame? They're both super young and need to remember who they were before the fame and who they are now."

Candice Hopkins, director of the Love is Respect Helpline, a national teen dating abuse hotline was not necessarily surprised at the large number of negative comments from females.

"Young people are not necessarily told what a healthy relationship looks like, so they're not sure if someone could or could not be abusive ... what is the line?" she told MTV News. "Domestic violence has been going on for so long, and it's such a part of our culture, on TV and in movies, that it's easy to say, 'She must have done something to deserve it.' "

Hopkins said there might also be a bit of a star factor that is influencing some of the young women calling out Rihanna. "There's a percentage who don't want to believe that this young man who has spoken out against domestic violence and seems to have a positive message can seem as abusive as this incident seems," she said.

And while Brown has not been charged with domestic abuse at press time, Gandy said the incident is an opportunity to talk about what men and women can do to avoid these types of situations in the future.

"It's awfully important for men to be involved in this," she said. "I talk with a lot of men about the joking and banter that goes on [about domestic abuse] and even when they're uncomfortable with it, they don't want to say anything because they don't want to be seen as a stick in the mud. But they need to stand up and say, 'Don't talk about a girl like that, that's not cool.'

"If your buddy is talking about doing something, you can't let it go," she continued. "You have to say, 'Hey, that's wrong. Why would you do that?' It's much easier to not say anything. But when you say it out loud you might get a bad reaction, but maybe he thinks twice about it if he knows his buddies are not backing him up."

source : Mtv

Britney Spears threatens to stop the 'Circus' if kids can't go on tour

By ISSIE LAPOWSKY

Britney Spears is reportedly threatening to cancel her comeback tour unless she can bring her two sons on the road with her.

What's stopping her? Kevin Federline's lawyers.

The pop star, her ex and dad Jamie crafted a plan that would enable Brit to go on tour with her kids, but it was quickly thwarted by Federline's legal team, TMZ.com reports.

Sources say Federline's lawyers weren't thrilled with the deal, which stated that the former couple's sons Sean Preston and Jayden James would divide their time between New Jersey, New Orleans and Los Angeles while Spears tours the country.

Spears also reportedly promised to pay K-Fed more than $4,000 for every week she was on tour and pay for his housing in all three locations.

K-Fed's team disapproves of the deal, but won't say why they insist on blocking the agreement.

Mark Vincent Kaplan, one of Federline's lawyers tells TMZ that the plan could have been handled better if the Spears would have "manned up" and allowed Federline's team to be involved from the get-go.

The controversy is the first public roadblock in months in the former couple's seemingly smooth joint parenting. The exes now share nearly 50/50 custody.

source : Daily News