National scandal in Britain as Prime Minister joins calls for government censorship
By David Blake
Fawlty Towers a classic off limits for comedy
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/31/08 - In a year when BBC has been riddled with scandals, this may be the most alarming yet as British government-run BBC is being accused of censure of comedy skits. In America, President Bush is not allowed to fire Jay Leno for making fun of him. Not necessarily so in the UK, where Leno/Howard Stern-type counterpart Jonathan Ross has been censured and suspended for a stunt involving multi-continent BBC hit John Cleese show “Fawlty Towers.”
“Fawlty Towers” Spanish waiter Manuel, actor Andrew Sachs 78, had rejected any need for censure after ‘Britain’s Leno’ Johnathan Ross and fellow ‘shock jock’ Russell Brand, left messages bragging about sex with Sachs’ grand-daughter, Georgina, 23.
Although only two people complained when the taped radio show was originally broadcast, after four days of media pressure and millions of hits on Youtube, 35,000 complaints were whipped up by London’s right wing Puritan press.
Cue Big Brother. The farce was only missing John Cleese or it would have made a longed for new episode. It’s not like the original show didn’t make fun of the character in the first place — he was a bumbling waiter who didn’t fit in to a British society.
Ross was suspended without pay for three months and Brand resigned from the BBC permanently.
The widely respected head of Britain’s most popular station Radio 2, Ms. Lesley Douglas 45, also resigned after 23 years with the BBC, despite not having heard the tape prior to broadcast. She was accused of a “lax regime of control over presenters.”
One of her more conservative presenters claimed that he had written to her warning that Russell Brand was a “time bomb that would go off eventually”.
Ross “and others” were told by the self governing BBC Trust, that this was a “final warning” and that the BBC must “demonstrate the highest level of editorial standards at all times.”
The BBC Governor had spent seven hours at Westminster apparently explaining how the “Editorial Standards Committee” failed to stop the offending material Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Ferrari, the very definition of F1 racing, may leave to start it’s own circuit By David Mirsky
F1 wants no more innovations from Ferrari for fairness to lesser cars, Ferrari says that's what F1 all about
HOLLYWOD , CA (Hollywood Today) 10/31/08 — Here’s something we thought we’d never hear. Let us preface this, Formula 1 fans already know about Formula 1’s commitment to the advancement of technology and development in the racing world. It’s basically what Formula 1 racing is all about, making it the pinnacle of motor sports. There are only 10 Formula 1 racing teams. There are only 20, active drivers with Super Licenses, which allow them to compete in Formula 1 racing. As a matter of fact, you’re supposed to have a Super License just to drive a Formula 1 car, that’s how advanced and intense these cars are. Very few people outside the Formula 1 world have ever driven one of these cars. NASCAR’S multi-champ, Jeff Gordon drove an F1 car a couple of years ago at Indy, and when he finished his laps, and got out of the car, his knees were wobbling. In certain words, Gordon said it was scary. Formula 1 is a true international sport, where billons of dollars a year are spent. Most of the money spent in Formula 1 are by manufacturers such as Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Renault, Honda, etc., huge corporations that make their money selling cars. And what better way to advertise and promote your product than to have it marketed to the largest television sporting audience in the world. Formula 1 has averaged around 3 billion viewers a year…the top of the heap. And it works for them, to the point where for every dollar they spend, a dollar is returned to them in some form or another. This is some serious money.
Okay, I hope I’ve laid a little ground work on the spectacle of the sport, so here is the meat of this article. Today, Ferrari announced that it would most likely pull out of racing if Max Mosley’s idea of a single engine supplier for all Formula 1 racing teams came to fruition. Can you imagine associating Formula 1 racing without hearing the word Ferrari? Ferrari chairman, Luca di Montezemolo said that after meeting with his board of directors that the company would have to re-evaluate their presence in the sport. Toyota has already made their position known to the FIA, much the same as Ferrari. Nearly all of the companies involved in racing feel the same way.
Let’s face it, this is how these companies make their money…selling cars with their engines in them. That certainly makes sense to me, and just about everyone else, except for outgoing FIA president, Mosley. Mosley’s argument is that this would reduce the cost of the sport to all of the teams, and create a more level playing field for them. Call me crazy, but that is the exact contradiction to the spirit of Formula 1 racing…TECHNOLOGY and DEVELOPMENT. It’s what makes competition. It’s what makes people come and watch races, which usually average over 100,000 people at each event. It’s what creates commerce of the sport. Can Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Britney Spears must petition the court to dissolve the conservatorship if she ever wishes to run her own affairs again
Court states singer still ‘susceptible to undue influence’
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 10/29/08 – Britney Spears’ star has been rising over the past several months, with largely watched TV appearances, more time with her children and a new album completed in time for a holiday release.The “Baby One More Time” singer still apparently hasn’t proven herself fit to run her own personal and business affairs, however, with Los Angeles Superior Court extending her father’s conservatorship indefinitely.
Commissioner Reva Goetz explained Tuesday’s decision by stating her belief that Spears was still “susceptible to undue influence” and that it was “necessary and appropriate” to allow her father, James, and attorney Andrew Wallete to continue their co-management of her career and finances.
A court relinquished legal control over Spears’ assets to her father and Wallete on Jan. 31, following two highly publicized hospitalizations for psychiatric evaluation.The following day, a temporary restraining order was instituted against Sam Lutfi, an individual whose Spears’ mother, Lynne, alleged had drugged the pop star and kept tight control over her.
Spears’ legal team unsuccessfully attempted to use her conservatorship as grounds to delay her recent traffic-related court case, which ended in a mistrial earlier this month, arguing that if she were unfit to manage her own life, she should have also been considered unfit to assist in her own defense.
The entertainer’s latest CD, “Circus,” is due for release on Dec. 2.It features, “Womanizer,” which has so far been Spears’ first single since 1998 to chart at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.It has also reached number one on several international charts, including those in Canada, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and Turkey.
Coldplay's Chris Martin and wife Gwyneth Paltrow are the proud parents of two children
Chris Martin wears homemade armband and makes impromptu shout-out
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 10/26/08 – These days, it seems one can’t mention John McCain, Barack Obama or Sarah Palin without also including NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in the conversation.Chris Martin, lead singer of the English band Coldplay, ensured the show would remain the center of political discussion this week by endorsing Obama’s presidential campaign twice during Saturday night’s broadcast.
During Coldplay’s second performance during the show, which was hosted by “Mad Men’s” Jon Hamm, Martin sported a white armband with the Democratic presidential nominee’s name handwritten on it.At the end of the third song, Martin, who had removed the armband, yelled out “Barack Obama!”
The 31-year-old musician, who is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow, previously expressed his support for Obama during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine released in June, where he suggested foreign opinion of the United States would improve if the Illinois senator won the election.
“If Obama was to be president, it would immediately change the whole outside world’s opinion of America overnight,” Martin posited in the publication.
Coldplay went on four times during the hour-and-a-half program, instead of the standard two times for musical guests, possibly because regular cast member Amy Poehler had given birth earlier in the day.TV Guide reported Saturday that portions of the show had to be rewritten due to the baby boy’s arrival.
Idol Jennifer Hudson’s Mother and Brother Shot Dead By Jeffrey Jolson
Hudson: From triumphs to tragegy
Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were found shot dead in their Southside Chicago home and her 7-year-old nephew is missing.
Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were confirmed dead by Chicago police, who said domestic abuse figured into the crimes, according to police spokesperson Monique Bond.
An Amber Alert has been issued for the child, Julian King, seeking a 19994 white Chevy Suburban. The child is believed to be in the hands of one William Balfour, the suspect in the double-murder, and a prior convict for attempted murder and carjacking.
The two could also be in a green Chrysler Concorde with a temporary license plate, a left front headlight hanging out and scratches on the left side of the vehicle, police said.
It is likely that Balfour had some connection with the Donerson-Hudson household as police said there was no apparent forced entry, as well as bringing up the “domestic” issues question, one of the nation’s largest motives behind killings and especially kidnappings.
Balfour, 27, is considered “armed and dangerous” and those sighting him and the boy are warned to call police and not to try to apprehend Balfour themselves.
Seven-year-old Julian is the nephew of Jennifer and granddaughter of Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 10/21/08 – An extra day of deliberations failed to break the jury deadlock in the Britney Spears driver’s license case, leading the judge to declare a mistrial and the prosecution to throw in the towel.Apparently, a miniscule fine and unlikely jail time was not worth the money and resources required for the district attorney’s office to retry the pop star with a new set of jurors.
Spears, who did not attend the trial, was accused of driving with an invalid license when she struck a parked car in August 2007.The “Womanizer” singer had a current Louisiana-issued license at the time, but prosecutors tried to convince the jury that since she lived fulltime in California, she was a legal resident and should have applied for a California-issued one.
The trial began on Thursday and featured Spears’ father, Jamie, as the star witness, testifying on his daughter’s behalf.Deliberations began at the end of the day Friday, which led to a hung jury by Monday.The judge ordered the jurors to discuss the case further, but they still could not reach a consensus Tuesday, forcing a mistrial to be declared.The jury’s final vote was 10 for acquittal and two for conviction.
Spears grew up in Louisiana, owns property in the state and is registered to vote and pays taxes there.The defense claimed she only lived in California in order to fight for custody of her two young children, Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2.The prosecution pointed to an incomplete application for a California license filled out by Spears as proof the entertainer considered herself a legal resident.
New Kilburn DVD helps explain why, new tour underway By Kat Kramer
Who are these Brits that helped shape a generation in US?
WASHINGTON, DC (Hollywood Today) 10/21/08 — It is rare that overseas artists receive the Kennedy Center Honors, usually reserved for classic American acts. Yet it was announced recently that reunited founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the legendary rock band “The Who,” and part of the second (70s) British music invasion, will receive the tribute.
They join an illustrious group of top artists also receiving lifetime achievement awards on that historical evening of December 7, 2008. They include Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, George Jones, and Twyla Tharp.
To understand why “My Generation” and “Tommy” helped define the 70s in America as much as any U.S. act, check out a new DVD of some of the most memorable performances on “The Who: At Kilburn 1977.”
The performance was a landmark by “The Who” and will be out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Newly mastered in high-definition with state-of-the-art sound for a spectacular home theater experience, the legendary Kilburn show at the Gaumont Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
It is unknown if the majority of jurors favor conviction or acquittal
Jurors cannot agree if Spears’ Louisiana license was valid
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 10/21/08 – After taking the weekend to think over the validity of Britney Spears’ Louisiana driver’s license when she hit a parked car last year, jurors were no closer to coming to a decision when discussion resumed Monday.After being informed the jury was “hopelessly deadlocked,” with only two jurors out of 12 preventing a unanimous verdict, the judge ordered the group to continue deliberations.
At issue is Spears’ state citizenship.If she is a legal resident of Louisiana, as the defense claims, her license was valid at the time of the August 2007 accident.If she is a legal resident of California, as the prosecution claims, her Louisiana-issued license was void.The “Womanizer” singer faces potential, though unlikely, jail time and a fine, if found guilty.
If every member of the jury is unable to agree on a verdict after continued deliberations, the judge will be forced to declare a mistrial.If that happens, the district attorney’s office will either retry Spears with a new jury or drop the charge against her.
Britney Spears is hoping for an acquittal, having rejected an earlier plea deal
At issue is Spears’ residency in either California or Louisiana
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 10/18/08 – The jury in the case involving entertainer Britney Spears allegedly driving without a valid license began to deliberate Friday night, and the determination of her guilt or innocence will depend on which state she’s considered a resident of—California or Louisiana.
If her peers decide Louisiana, Spears’ childhood home, she will be off the hook.If they decide California, she will be in violation of a law requiring new residents to get a California driver’s license within 10 days and face possible, though unlikely, jail time of up to six months and a fine as large as $1,000.
Spears held a current Louisiana driver’s license on Aug. 6, 2007, when she hit a parked car, and her defense team has argued that since she pays income tax to that state, owns property there and is registered to vote there, she should not legally be considered a California resident.
The prosecution claimed that since Spears has lived fulltime in the Los Angeles area for several years and allegedly began, but did not complete, an application for a California driver’s license, she was actually a California resident, making her Louisiana license void.
The trial spanned only two days before jury deliberations began, including Friday, when Spears’ father, Jamie, testified.He is currently the co-conservator of Spears’ estate—a position to which he was appointed on Jan. 31, following his daughter’s two hospitalizations for psychiatric evaluation.
An attorney for Spears originally attempted to delay the trial by claiming that since her personal and professional lives were still under the control of her father, she was not fit to stand trial—a claim that was rejected by the court.
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today/RushPRNews) 10/17/08–- On the tail of the recent divorce announcement of pop queen Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie — following months of rumors about her liaison with star Yankee third- baseman, A-Rod — the Material Girl makes her directorial debut in the off-beat film “Filth and Wisdom” that hits theaters across North America today.
“Filth and Wisdom” is the story of three roommates who delve into the dark side of city life, trying to make a name in London. The film boasts a jamboree of eclectic characters turn social misfits; the pill-popping pharmacy assistant; a wannabe ballerina forced through poverty to Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
50 Cent recently announced his new reality show would be airing next month on MTV.
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today/RushPRnews)10/17/08–In typical reality show format, Hit Rap artist 50 Cent: The Money and the Power, will focus on 14 competitors vying for the chance to be next to the rapper, reports Yo!Raps Magazine. The contestants will be shacked up in a warehouse called “Camp Curtis” where they will compete in various “mogul-related” challenges presented by 50.
One contestant will face the reality show guillotine during the show’s ten episode run with the winner cashing a $100,000 check.
The Money and the Power will premiere on November 6 at 10 p.m. It will feature appearances by LL Cool J, Aubrey O’Day, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo.
In other 50 Cent news, the rapper will be releasing his fourth solo album on December 9.
Keri Hilson and Timbaland performed their duet, "The Way," for the bevy of charitable guests (Photo by Isobel Scott)
Mark Wahlberg, Forest Whitaker and Timbaland host party for charity
By Isobel Scott
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 10/17/08 – Vertiginous heels, silky ties and camera flashes—the glitz and glamour was all for a good cause at the GQ Gentlemen’s Ball on Wednesday night at Manhattan’s Edison Ballroom. Stars were dressed to impress, as they highlighted their commitment to education, opportunity, mentorship, health and the environment. GQ magazine and The Gentlemen’s Fund hosted the gala, which featured a myriad of celebrities there to show their support for various benevolent endeavors.
Proud of his skull-themed moccasins, GQ’s “Better Men Better World Search” winner Blake Mycoski was hounded by eco-friends. They swooned over his organic lifestyle (he lives on a sailboat) and charity/business.
By Erin T. McMillon 