23rd July 2007
* WHIBLEY DEFENDS ANTI-BUSH TRACK
LATEST: SUM 41 frontman DERYCK WHIBLEY has defended his decision to write a
song criticising GEORGE W. BUSH, insisting he doesn't want the U.S. president
dead.
The Canadian rocker's controversial track March of the Dogs contains the
words: "Ladies and gentlemen of the underclass/ The president of the United
States of America is dead... And now the president's dead/ Because they blew
off his head/ No more neck to be red/ I guess to heaven he fled."
But Whibley is adamant, while the song is a stinging critique of Bush's
regime, it wasn't written as an incitement to kill the president.
He explains, "I don't want him dead. He's so bad at his job that
somebody on life support could be better than him.
"He's so terrible. He's dead at his job. He has killed his legacy. He will
forever be known as one of the worst presidents of all time. He's historically
not as low as a few, but I still think he's worse. So that's what I meant by
the lyric."
* LIL' FLIP ARRESTED ON CREDIT CARD FRAUD CHARGES
Hip-hop star LIL' FLIP has been arrested on suspicion of credit card abuse in
his Houston, Texas hometown.
The rapper - real name Wesley Weston - was reprimanded at 2.30pm local time
on Saturday after turning himself into authorities at Harris County
Courthouse.
Weston was released on $2,000 bond and is due to appear in court on
Monday , reports AllHipHop.com.
* AGUILERA FUELS PREGNANCY SPECULATION WITH DONUTS
Pop star CHRISTINA AGUILERA has fuelled speculation she is pregnant - by
filling up with glazed donuts on a recent visit to Australia.
The singer, who is rumoured to be carrying husband Jordan Bratman's baby,
arrived at Sydney airport on Sunday night from Brisbane, before
ordering her limousine driver to make a brief stop at a local Krispy Kreme
outlet.
Bratman is reported to have bought a large box of mixed donuts for the star,
who was photographed with the snacks in the back of her luxury vehicle.
Earlier this month , Aguilera's estranged father Fausto 'confirmed'
the pop star was pregnant.
* SIMMONS FEARS FOR THE FUTURE OF RAP
RUSSELL SIMMONS fears for the future of rap after discovering not one of the
top selling songs in the US this year was hip hop.
The mogul adds that emerging rap talent isn't helping the cause.
Simmons says, "I do wonder if there's enough diversity, 'cause I've pulled
the top 10 records for the year and they're all f**king dance records. Nobody's
saying nothing."
* CAREY: 'I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO FANS SINCE 1802'
Pop star MARIAH CAREY has trouble keeping in touch with her pals - and insists
she hasn't been in contact with her fans since the 19th century.
The Dream Lover star admits she is too busy to spend time calling her friends
and admirers, and laments her heavy work schedule, something which infuriates
those around her.
In a message to her fans, she says, "Hello! I know I haven't called you since
1802. Actually, I haven't called anyone.
"I've been really busy and when I do get free time, I'm on vocal rest so I
can like get back in the studio for 20 billion hours. So everybody's mad at me
but whatever."
* UB40 WERE TARGET OF DRUG FRAMING PLOT
British police officers planned to frame UB40 on drugs charges at the height of
their fame in the 1980s, according to a former undercover police officer.
Ronnie Howard claims his former colleagues were attempting to frame the Red
Red Wine group in an operation code-named There's A Wrap In My Kitchen -
inspired by the band's hit Rat In Mi Kitchen.
Howard, who served in the West Midlands, England police force for 23 years,
writes in his book Ronnie's Looking For Trouble, "They needed a high-profile
bust and I was disgusted because all they were interested in was fitting people
up.
"I told them I wanted nothing to do with it."
* BEDINGFIELD: 'I DID WEAR KNICKERS AT DIANA GIG'
LATEST: British pop star NATASHA BEDINGFIELD has slammed reports she performed
at the Concert For Diana earlier this month without wearing any
underwear.
The Unwritten star was alleged to have told the crowd at the tribute event
for late British royal, Diana, Princess of Wales, "I've got nothing on
underneath this dress!"
But Bedingfield insists her choice of outfit - a mini-dress - and her
proximity to the crowd below proves she wasn't without underwear at the gig.
Posting on her website, she writes, "Ok let's set the record straight! Anyone
who believed the rumour that I wore no knickers at the Diana gig needs to go
and look at the meaning of the word gullible in the dictionary and apply it to
themselves.
"Think about it... I wore a mini dress.. The cameras and audience were
directly below where I was standing and it was windy... that's just asking for
trouble at best or intentionally staging a sensational story at worst. I'm not
about to expose myself to 500,000,000 viewers and Princes ."
* JIMMY PAGE CALLED AS WITNESS IN BOOTLEGGING CASE
Former LED ZEPPELIN guitarist JIMMY PAGE is set to testify in a Glasgow,
Scotland court in a bootlegging trial.
Page, 63, will give evidence in the case against businessman Robert Langley,
who has been accused of attempting to sell thousands of illegally pirated DVDs
and CDs at a Glasgow fair in 2005.
The rocker was invited to give evidence by the prosecution because many Led
Zeppelin performances were among those found on the illegal DVDs.
* HEROES AND SOPRANOS SCOOP TV CRITICS AWARDS
The U.S. Television Critics Association has named fantasy superhero drama
HEROES its TV programme of the year.
Other winners at an awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday
were American Football drama Friday Night Lights - which scooped the
Outstanding New Show prize and the U.S. version of the The Office, which won
Best Comedy.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Programme Of The Year: Heroes
Outstanding New Programme: Friday Night Lights
Outstanding Achievement In Drama: The Sopranos
Outstanding Achievement In Comedy: The Office
Outstanding Achievement In News & Information: Planet Earth
Outstanding Achievement In Children's Programming: Kyle XY
Outstanding Achievement In Movies, Mini-Series & Specials: Planet Earth
Individual Achievement In Comedy: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Individual Achievement In Drama: Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Heritage Award: The Sopranos
Career Achievement: Mary Tyler Moore.
* VIN DIESEL MOVIE 'HAD TO BE BAILED OUT'
Action star VIN DIESEL's new sci-fi movie BABYLON A.D. had to be rescued by a
insurance company after running so far over-budget and behind schedule it faced
being axed.
Film Finances Inc, a firm which insures movies to ensure they will be
completed, handed over $1.5 million to pay for additional filming in
Paris and Prague, according to the New York Daily News.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed it had paid out, but refused to
reveal the amount. The unnamed source added that only "10 of 15 per cent" of
the 250 films insured each year need to be bailed out.
An insider claims the movie ran into trouble because of an ongoing battle
between Diesel and French director Mathieu Kassowitz. The source tells the
Daily News, "These guys really didn't get along. I think they wouldn't mind if
they never saw each other again."
But Diesel's representative Meredith O'Sullivan, insists, "The movie wrapped
and everyone's really happy with it. Vin is not a diva."
* WINSTONE ASSISTS IN MURDER INVESTIGATION
SEXY BEAST star RAY WINSTONE is turning real-life detective in a bid to
overturn his nephew's best friend's murder conviction.
Winstone's nephew Bobby Hopwood's pal Sam Hallam was jailed for life in 2005
alongside Bullabeck Ring-Biong for the 2004 murder of Ethiopian refugee Essayas
Kassahun, who was killed in Whitecross, East London.
A campaign has been started in a bid to quash the ruling with many witnesses
insisting Hallam was not at the murder scene at the time of Kassahun's death.
The actor is appearing on U.K. TV show Tonight With Trevor McDonald on Monday
to highlight Hallam's plight.
Winstone says, "I've gone through all the paperwork. I've looked at all the
evidence. I've looked at photographs. I've spoken to people.
"I cannot for the life of me, putting myself in the place of a juror, see how
I can come to the conclusion of guilty. There were no forensics to link Sam to
the crime and no CCTV of him even being in the area."
* GEST: ''I QUIT ITV'
LATEST: DAVID GEST has slammed U.K. television network ITV over allegations he
was fired, claiming he quit the channel to concentrate on other projects.
Liza Minnelli's ex-husband signed a one-year contract with ITV after
impressing producers with his appearance on British reality show I'm A
Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here last year .
Earlier this month Gest was reportedly dropped after The David Gest
Show and Grease Is The Word struggled to attract viewers - but the star claims
he severed ties with ITV due to other work commitments.
He says, "My lawyers negotiated an early release so I could host
The Friday Night Project on Channel Four."
* HASSELHOFF: 'DRUNKEN VIDEO GAVE ME CLOSURE'
DAVID HASSELHOFF credits the drunken video of him eating a burger off the floor
with bringing "closure" to a troublesome period in his life.
The former Baywatch star has battled alcohol problems in the past and during
a relapse this year his 17-year-old daughter Taylor Ann filmed him drunk
to show him his behaviour.
The tape was subsequently leaked to the media.
Despite the furore over the video, Hasselhoff decided to take time out of
work to devote himself to his two daughters Taylor Ann and Hayley Amber, and
was thrilled when a judge awarded him full legal custody of the girls during
his court battle with ex-wife Pamela Bach.
He says, "I guess that is a good word for it -
nonsense.
"It was really nonsensical and none of that needed to happen. But in the end,
you know, I tried to find a reason for it all and I found that reason. And that
reason was that everything had to come to some sort of closure to move on. That
has helped.
"It hasn't been easy for me or my children, or my ex, but it was life is
about."
* BROOKS TURNS TO DVD FOR YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN INSPIRATION
Theatre/film legend MEL BROOKS has started watching his 1974 movie YOUNG
FRANKENSTEIN in a bid to inspire the forthcoming stage adaptation of the horror
musical.
Brooks admits he isn't totally happy with the show's ending - just a month
before it is due to start previewing in Seattle, Washington - ahead of its
opening on New York's Broadway in November .
But the director claims he has been finding inspiration in deleted scenes and
outtakes from the Young Frankenstein movie after watching the DVD's extras.
He tells the New York Post's PageSix column, "Hey, I don't even remember
shooting that! But I'm not surprised - it's damn good."
* IRWIN SET FOR RESERVE HONOUR
Late Crocodile Hunter STEVE IRWIN is set to be posthumously honoured with an
Australian wildlife reserve in his name.
The Queensland government has devoted a 33,585 acre chunk of land near Weipa
to be named Irwin Park.
The area will house endangered northern quoll - a carnivorous marsupial - and
the speartooth shark.
Irwin's widow Terri enthuses, "Steve was in awe of the prolific wildlife of
the Wenlock and Ducie rivers bordering the reserve and he would have been proud
to see the property protected as a wildlife reserve."
Australian Prime Minister John Howard says, "This is a fitting tribute to a
passionate environmentalist and a great Australian."
* MORAN MISSED OUT ON EXORCIST
HAPPY DAYS star ERIN MORAN missed out on a role in The Exorcist because of her
strict parents.
The actress was up for the role of possessed 12-year-old Regan MacNeil in the
seminal horror movie, but was forced to turn down the part because her parents
disapproved of the film's evil subject matter.
She tells RetroCrush.com, "My mom said, 'You're not going to do this whether
you get it or not.'
" were real strict. I went to a Catholic school for eight
years."
Linda Blair later won the role of MacNeil in the 1973 classic.
* FASCINATING FACT:
Porn star RON JEREMY has recorded a public service advertisement for a
Christian organisation, warning kids not to watch adult movies until they are
of legal age. Alongside a doll named 'Pete the Porno Puppet', he tells viewers,
"Don't watch porn 'til you're over 18 years of age. It's for adults only."
* SPICE GIRLS TO EXTEND WORLD TOUR?
Reformed British pop group the SPICE GIRLS are set to extend their forthcoming
world tour to add another 25 dates to their schedule, according to reports.
The Nineties pop sensations - who originally split in 2001 - have already
announced 11 gigs across the world, starting in Los Angeles on 7 December
and ending in Buenos Aires on 24 January .
Plans for an additional 14 concerts are currently being finalised, but their
manager Simon Fuller is keen for the girls to make the most of their official
farewell tour and has suggested they play a 50-date world tour instead - if
they can juggle family commitments.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "The girls really want to do a huge
tour but they're worried about how much time they'll be able to commit to it
because of their families.
"It's going to be a huge commitment for the girls, who are extremely devoted
to their families. But they are overwhelmed by the world-wide response from
their fans and don't want to let them down."
Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell
all have young children, while Baby Spice Emma Bunton is
expecting her first child in August .
* McCREADY ARRESTED FOR BATTERY HOURS AFTER RELEASE
Country star MINDY McCREADY has been arrested and charged with battery and
resisting arrest - just hours after she was bailed for a driving conviction.
The Guys Do It All The Time singer, 31, was taken into police custody early
on Saturday morning in Florida, where she was booked on the two
misdemeanour charges.
Local authorities - the Lee County Sheriff's Office - have refused to divulge
further information regarding the circumstances surrounding McCready's arrest,
according to TMZ.com.
This is the latest in a string of legal problems facing McCready - on 19 July
she was found not guilty of a driving under the influence charge stemming
from a prior incident, but was convicted of driving with a suspended license.
She was released on Saturday on $1,000 bail and is due back in court
to be sentenced on 14 August .
* BANTON AGREES TO REFRAIN FROM HOMOPHOBIA
Dancehall artist BUJU BANTON has agreed to refrain from writing homophobic
lyrics after signing up to the Reggae Compassionate Act.
The Deportees star was heavily criticised for the anti-gay statements made in
his 1992 song Boom Bye Bye, in which he advocates the shooting of homosexuals.
But Banton - real name Mark Anthony Myrie - has now joined his peers Beenie
Man, Sizzla and Capleton in the historic agreement, which renounces
homophobia.
The deal, brokered between reggae promoters and Stop Murder Music activists,
also states, "We agree not to make statements or perform songs
that incite hatred or violence against anyone from any community".
Carl Edmonson, from the Jamaican gay rights group J-Flag, says, "I really
hope that his actions are genuine and it is not just because international
pressure is hurting his pocket. We hope it is a sincere commitment that will
end homophobic violence."
Peter Tatchell, campaigner for British human rights group OutRage!, is also
pleased at the campaign's latest development, adding, "Our number one priority
is to stop murder music."
* RUSSELL SIMMONS IS 'TOO OLD' FOR DATING
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is having difficulty finding love again - because
he believes he's 'too old' to be dating.
The Def Jam founder, 49, has been linked to a number of beauties since his
split from wife of 15 years, Kimora Lee, in 2006, but admits his age is a
"problem" when it comes to courting.
He says, "Being single at my age is a problem. I see old, rich, day men in
the club with 12-year-old models, and they're like, 'Hey, Russ, sit with us!'
And I'm like, 'I gotta go home!'
"You don't think of yourself as old until you see those guys and they're
asking you to come join them."
Simmons has two children with Lee - daughters Ming Lee, seven, and Aoki,
four.
The former supermodel is reportedly romancing Blood Diamond actor, Djimon
Hounsou.
* RIHANNA'S UMBRELLA REIGNS OVER EUROPE
R&B queen RIHANNA continues to reign over Europe - her Jay-Z collaboration
UMBRELLA is enjoying a sixth week at the top of the continent's singles chart.
The American singer's summer dance anthem is proving unimpeachable as it
keeps the competition at bay.
Mika's Relax, Take It Easy sits at number two for a second week, while
Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry is in third place.
Falling a position to four is Enrique Iglesias' Do You Know? , while Timbaland Feat.
Keri Hilson is a new entry at five.
Meanwhile, Nelly Furtado's Loose climbs a place to become this week's number
one European album.
Smashing Pumpkins are a new entry at two with Zeitgeist, while Interpol's Our
Love To Admire claims the number three spot.
* ORANGE PENS TV COMEDY
TAKE THAT star JASON ORANGE is using his pop comeback to launch his career in
TV - he's penned a sitcom called Popstars And Pilots.
The Back For Good hitmaker, 36, has been working on the series - about a
group of thirtysomethings living in London - with songwriter Karen Bishko and
the programme has already garnered interest from British TV networks BBC and
Channel 4.
A source tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "The show is going to have
some serious themes but there will be plenty of comedy elements, too.
"It will take a look at modern city life, interweaving storylines with songs
and contemporary dance."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I have crazy thoughts. I can get a little psycho-y. I'm just a get-even
person, really. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum, I'd rather do something
worse to whoever hurt me." Country singer MIRANDA LAMBERT is not to be messed
around with.
* CRUISE ATTACKED BY GERMAN CHURCH AS 'GOEBBELS OF SCIENTOLOGY'
LATEST: The German Protestant Church has attacked TOM CRUISE over his
Scientology beliefs, likening the actor to the Nazi propaganda minister Joseph
Goebbels.
Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who led
an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film
Rubicon, formerly titled Valkyrie.
However, efforts to shoot the movie on military sites have been thwarted by
Germany's Defence Ministry, allegedly because Cruise's Scientology beliefs are
viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of a legitimate church by the German
government.
And now the German Protestant Church has further ignited the feud by
comparing the actor to one of Hitler's closest allies, renowned for his zealous
and outspoken nature.
Thomas Gandow, the Church's chief spokesman on religious cults, dismissed
Cruise's controversial religion as a "totalitarian organisation" with the Top
Gun star equivalent to "the Goebbels of Scientology".
Gandow added, "This film will have the same propaganda advantages
for Scientology as the 1936 Olympics had for the Nazis."
* 'BORING' LOHAN DUMPED BY BEST
Actress LINDSAY LOHAN has been dumped by her on-off boyfriend CALUM BEST -
because she's "too boring" when she's sober, according to British tabloid
reports.
The Mean Girls star ended a 45-day stay at Malibu, California's Promises
Clinic on 13 July , having checked herself in May after being arrested on
suspicion of driving under the influence, following a car crash in Hollywood.
Since leaving rehab, the 21-year-old promised fans she will be leading a much
quieter life, crediting her family and her romance with reality TV star Best
for helping her stay out of trouble.
But the couple's relationship seems to be at an end, after 26-year-old Best
claimed the reformed Lohan was too "dull" for him to put up with.
A source tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "Calum called Lindsay on
Friday and said that he was finding her post-rehab existence dull and
that he didn't want to give up partying.
"Calum loves Lindsay, but he's simply not in the same place as her anymore."
The Hollywood star has recently been spotted voluntarily wearing an ankle
bracelet which monitors the wearer's alcohol intake to prove her sobriety.
* MOSS FEARS VIDEO DIARY HUMILIATION
Supermodel KATE MOSS is desperate for ex-boyfriend PETE DOHERTY to return two
videotapes documenting the former couple's unusual daily activities - because
she doesn't want to be humiliated.
The British catwalk star reportedly dumped the Babyshambles singer earlier
this month and is said to be anxious about the whereabouts of the
missing video diaries, fearing they could fall into the wrong hands and end up
on the internet.
She and Doherty regularly took a video camera with them on their travels and
some clips have already surfaced online - one of which shows the troubled
rocker singing to a half-naked Moss.
But the 33-year-old is allegedly worried Doherty could resort to selling the
footage for money after he suffering a relapse in his efforts to kick his
heroin habit.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "There are still some bits and
pieces floating about of Pete with Kate.
"She has got rid of most of it. Six out of eight tapes have been destroyed.
But she wanted to bury the lot before he could humiliate her by selling them or
putting them on the internet. Pete could do what he wants with them."
Referring to the video clips previously posted online, the source adds, "If
they made that public, just think what could be on the tapes they held back."
Doherty is believed to have recently sought treatment at the clinic under the
order of a judge following a conviction for driving illegally while in the
possession of Class A drugs last month .
* LAILA ALI WEDS RETIRED FOOTBALLER CONWAY
MUHAMMAD ALI's boxer daughter LAILA has married former American football star
CURTIS CONWAY in a private ceremony in Los Angeles this weekend .
The Dancing With The Stars finalist wed retired sportsman Conway in a "simple
but elegant" ceremony in front of 200 guests on Sunday.
Among those in the wedding party were Laila's parents, Muhammad and Veronica,
her sister Hana, and Conway's 12-year-old sons from a former relationship,
Kelton and Cameron.
The twin boys served as ringbearers for the ceremony, while Conway's
eight-year-old daughter Leilani took part as the flowergirl.
The blushing bride - who had been dating Conway for two years - walked down
the aisle in a champagne-coloured strapless silk gown designed by Amy
Michelson.
Wedding planner Juliet Ryan says, "Laila's approach to the wedding was simple
but elegant. There were no lions and tigers and bears. It was about the love."
* SIR ROGER MOORE: 'I'M HAVEN'T RETIRED'
Former JAMES BOND star SIR ROGER MOORE has denied reports he is to quit the
film industry, insisting he's not yet ready to retire from Hollywood.
The 80-year-old actor has featured in a string of made-for-TV movies in
recent years, but has not been seen on the big screen for the last five years,
prompting speculation he is preparing for retirement.
But Moore admits he is simply holding out for a "decent script" and a good
wage.
He says, "I'm not retired yet. If someone offers me a decent script with a
nice schedule and a bit of dosh to sweeten the deal, then I'm for
hire!"
* RUFFALO AND PEARCE UP FOR ICONIC BRANDO ROLE
ZODIAC star MARK RUFFALO and Australian actor GUY PEARCE are battling it out
for the lead role in a new stage version of ON THE WATERFRONT - in the part
made famous by the late MARLON BRANDO.
The two actors are said to be director Steven Berkoff's top choices to play
the role of fading boxer Terry Malloy in the West End adaptation of the
Oscar-winning movie, having secured a deal with 93-year-old Budd Schulberg, who
penned the original screenplay.
Brando garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of Malloy in the 1954
film, leading to his Best Actor Academy Award in 1955.
* MEGAN FOX LOVES KISSING LaBEOUF
TRANSFORMERS star MEGAN FOX enjoyed her on-screen romance with co-star SHIA
LaBEOUF so much, she reckons he is the "best kisser" in the world.
The 21-year-old beauty is currently dating 32-year-old actor Brian Austin
Green, but that didn't stop her from praising LaBeouf for the great smooch.
She exclaims, "Shia is the best kisser ever. Really, it's true!"
* FASCINATING FACT:
A rare first edition of J.K. ROWLING's HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
is expected to fetch an estimated £1,500 when the book goes up for
auction in Fife, Scotland, on Monday .
* DIRTY SANCHEZ PRANK ENDS IN SURGERY
DIRTY SANCHEZ star LEE DAINTON was recently admitted to hospital to undergo
surgery on his backside after a prank with a garden tool went drastically
wrong.
The Welsh stuntman - whose crew is known as Team Sanchez in the U.S. -
received a two-inch long laceration on his posterior from the
incident with the garden strimmer, which soon became infected.
He says, "The crowd wanted to see the strimmer chew my arse!"
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"He's not letting me get away with anything. The other night I was sitting with
him on the steps before MATTHEW and I went out to the theatre, and
he looked up at me and said, 'Mama, this has got to stop. Go upstairs and take
that dress off.'" SARAH JESSICA PARKER's four-year-old son JAMES WILKE doesn't
like his parents going out at night.
* FASCINATING FACT:
HARRY POTTER star DANIEL RADCLIFFE will finally get his hands on his £23
million fortune as he turns 18 on Monday .
* SPEARS TO TELL ALL IN EXCLUSIVE OK! INTERVIEW?
Pop superstar BRITNEY SPEARS is to set the record straight about her
much-publicised personal problems in a revealing interview with OK! magazine,
according to reports.
The troubled star, 25, is said to have personally called the American
magazine's main switchboard and asked to speak to the publication's
editor-in-chief, Sara Ivens, to negotiate a deal for the interview, according
to TMZ.com.
And the mother-of-two is expected to tell all about her rift with her mother,
Lynne, her custody battle and impending divorce from ex Kevin Federline, and
her one-month stint in rehab in February .
The issue of OK! magazine is reportedly due to hit news stands later this
month .
* SLASH HANDS BACK HARD ROCK GUITAR
VELVET REVOLVER guitarist SLASH showed his gratitude at a recent Hard Rock
dedication ceremony honouring his music - by returning a guitar he stole from
the organisation.
The ex-Guns N' Roses rocker's career was celebrated at the Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino in Las Vegas on 14 July , and Slash surprised officials by handing
back a long-lost instrument he took without asking years before.
He says, "The guitar has the best story. I stole that from the Hard Rock in
Orlando .
"It was in the dressing room. I didn't know what it was doing there, so I
took it. I mean, it was in the dressing room and no one claimed it. So I've had
it all these years and been playing it.
"But then I thought what better way to honour the Hard Rock for honouring me
than to give it back, sort of."
* SMITH UNLIKELY TO WORK WITH SIMPSON THIS YEAR, IF AT ALL
THE CURE frontman ROBERT SMITH has refused to deny reports he plans to work
with pop star ASHLEE SIMPSON, but admits a collaboration is unlikely to take
place this year .
In April , the pair was reported to be working together to create a new
sound for the follow-up to Simpson's debut album I Am Me, after meeting in
London in 2006 when the 22-year-old was performing in West End musical
Chicago.
However, Smith claims a collaboration is far from definite.
He tells website Billboard.com, "I would be hugely surprised if I end up
working with Ashlee this year, but I haven't ruled it out.
"I went to see her in Chicago. We have people we both know, and I have some
nephews and nieces who think she's really good. I was impressed. The fact is,
when she got on stage and sang, she was really good."
He adds, "It was staggering the amount of coverage that got.
"I was encouraged to issue a denial, but I thought, 'Why?' I don't deny
anything. I don't see the point. I've worked with lots of different people down
the years."
* INCUBUS ROCKER WRITES CLASSICAL SYMPHONY
INCUBUS guitarist MIKE EINZIGER's new musical direction is guaranteed to
surprise fans of the U.S. rockers - he's writing a classical symphony.
Einziger has been working on his project since March , after undergoing
surgery to relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a nerve condition which leads to
pain, paresthesias and muscle weakness in the forearm and hand.
Although he has no plans to quit Incubus, the 31-year-old is so serious about
the currently untitled symphony, he has been studying classical composition for
five days a week with a teacher.
He tells website Billboard.com, "I couldn't play guitar for a few months, so
I just started studying music again. I started working on , and I
learned very quickly that there were a lot of gaps in my musical knowledge.
"I'm just kind of writing it in small pieces, because it's very intimidating
to think of it as a whole body of work. It'll probably be three movements and
40 minutes of music, and that's a lot of music to write.
"And I completely realise that it can't just be interesting only because it's
the guitar player of a rock band writing it. It has to stand up to the work of
other composers as well. It's a pretty hefty task for me to endure, but I'm
actually excited about it."
* WEILAND DECLARES HIS ALL-AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE
Reformed wildman SCOTT WEILAND insists his family life is as wholesome as it
gets, comparing his household to that of U.S. TV's THE CLEAVERS.
The singer's wife Mary Weiland was arrested in March on arson charges
after she was spotted burning his clothing outside their California home. She
later blamed her behaviour on an imbalance in medications used to treat her
bipolar disorder.
However, the Velvet Revolver frontman claims their home life is actually just
like that of the All-American Cleaver family in '50s sitcom Leave It To
Beaver.
He says, "There's definitely a Cleaver sense about our household.
"We get our kids to bed at 8pm. We tuck them in. We lay down with them at
night. There are three square meals - the whole shebang."
* RHIANNA REIGNS SUPREME IN TENTH WEEK AS UK NUMBER ONE
RHIANNA is still holding her UMBRELLA high at the top of the U.K. singles chart
- the Bajan beauty is enjoying her 10th week at number one.
The R&B star's collaboration with Jay-Z has now become the longest-running
number one in over a decade, since Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All Around scored 15
weeks at the top in 1994.
The 19-year-old fought off competition from British pop newcomer Kate Nash
with her single Foundations climbing one spot to number two.
Timbaland takes third place with The Way I Are, while Fergie and Enrique
Iglesias are at numbers four and five respectively with Big Girls Don't Cry and
Do You Know? .
In the album chart, Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts has entered at
number one with his debut release, One Chance.
Brit rockers The Enemy slip down one place to second with We'll Live And Die
In These Towns and Travelling Wilburys are in third.
Mika's Life In Cartoon Motion is at number four, while Timbaland's Shock
Value climbs 12 spots to round out the top five.
* WENTZ FEARED USING LIL' WAYNE'S NICKNAME COULD GET HIM SHOT
FALL OUT BOY rocker PETE WENTZ has stopped checking into hotels using LIL'
WAYNE's nickname, because he began to worry somebody might want to shoot the
rapper.
Wentz stays in hotels under a false name so fans can't track him down and has
now decided to use a safer moniker when checking in.
He tells American magazine Blender, "Last night I got home from the bar, and
there was this whole Little League team waiting outside my room.
"I don't know how they find me. Right now, I'm staying under the name Nick
Papagiorgio from National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation.
"I used to stay under Weezy F. Baby, Lil' Wayne's nickname, but then I
thought, 'What if somebody shows up and wants to shoot this dude?'"
* CLARKSON: 'I'VE ONLY KISSED FIVE BOYS'
Singer KELLY CLARKSON has only kissed five boys in her life because she fears
contracting mouth herpes.
The American Idol winner, 25, credits her low smooch rate to worrying about
what she might catch from an unhealthy flame.
She tells American magazine Blender, "I have major trust issues. I just don't
make out with people. That's a waste of my kisses and time.
"And it's so personal - it's, like, my face. Plus, I'm afraid of mouth
herpes."
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Basically what I'm trying to say is, rock 'n' roll is an insatiable bitch
goddess, but I love her, and I'm just looking for that one woman in my life to
participate in that threesome." POISON singer BRETT MICHAELS defines what it
means to be a veteran rocker.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"My biggest connection is with Batman - he's a dark dude, he has women trouble,
he may or may not have been a drunk. I can identify with those things." RYAN
ADAMS is a comic book fan.
* FASCINATING FACT:
Funk star SLY STONE wowed fans at London's Lovebox music festival at the
weekend with his first appearance in the U.K. in over 20 years.
* TRAVOLTA SUES HOMETOWN AIRPORT
Actor JOHN TRAVOLTA has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a Florida
airport, claiming they falsified records to prevent him from landing his plane
there.
The Get Shorty star is suing Greystone Airport owners James and Christine
Garemore for allegedly lying to the Federal Aviation Administration in a
2006 report by saying their landing field cannot accommodate large airplanes
such as his Boeing 707.
Travolta claims that when he moved to the exclusive 'fly-in' community of
Ocala, Florida in 2001 he was assured he would be allowed to land his airplane
at Greystone Airport.
Travolta's lawyer Michael Ossi says, "Mr. Travolta has been severely
mistreated as a consequence of these acts and intends to vigorously pursue all
appropriate legal recourse against these responsible parties."
The lawsuit is seeking an injunction for the Garemores to withdraw their 2006
report and to authorise flights as had previously been permitted.
James Garemore has responded to the legal action, saying, "The runway is not
suitable for heavy aircraft. It is cracking and breaking. They are bringing
this lawsuit against me and all I was doing was trying to maintain safety
here."
* ANAND JON WAS 'OBSESSED' WITH UNDERAGE MODELS
Fallen fashion designer ANAND JON has an obsession with underage models and
would often give them alcohol, his former personal assistant has claimed.
Indian-born Jon has pleaded not guilty to 32 counts of sexual assault,
including charges of rape, sexual battery, lewd acts on a minor and
contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The alleged victims are aged
between 14 and 23-years-old and are all linked to the fashion industry.
And Juan Mendez, who worked as Jon's personal assistant for two months in
2005, "wasn't surprised" when he first read about the allegations.
He tells the New York Post's gossip column PageSix, "Anand seemed like a
decent guy. Sometimes I did question what was going on behind closed doors...
I never saw any girl come back crying.
"When I heard the initial rape accusations, I was appalled but not surprised.
There were situations where alcohol was involved with minors. I figured because
of that, a girl could always speculate about what had happened afterward and
fabricate a story. Then it could easily happen that one girl could build on the
story of another. But then it was five, 10, 20 kids coming forward..."
He adds, "I have not been questioned by the police yet because none of the
rape accusations are during the time I worked for him."
Jon, 33, faces life behind bars if he is found guilty.
* BRAEDEN HONOURED ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
Veteran actor ERIC BRAEDEN has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame.
The 66-year-old is best known for his long-running role as ruthless Victor
Newman on popular U.S. TV soap The Young and the Restless, and he was awarded
an Emmy for his part in the show in 1998.
He was presented with the 2,342nd star on the Hollywood Boulevard landmark on
Friday , with his The Young and the Restless co-stars on hand to
celebrate the achievement.
* GORE'S SON CHARGED WITH DRUGS POSSESSION
Former U.S. Vice-President and Live Earth co-organiser AL GORE's son has been
charged with possession of illegal drugs after being arrested for allegedly
speeding on Independence Day .
Al Gore III was pulled over by police on an Orange County, California
freeway. During a search of his hybrid Prius, cops claim they found a stash of
prescription drugs and marijuana.
The 24-year-old has been charged with two felony counts of possessing a
controlled substance, and two misdemeanour counts of possessing a drug without
a prescription.
He also faces charges of possessing marijuana and of speeding.
If convicted on all counts, Gore could be sentenced to three years and eight
months in prison.
He is currently free on $20,000 bail and is next due in court on 1
August .
* CELEBRITIES WATCH BECKHAM'S U.S. SOCCER DEBUT
A galaxy of stars including KATIE HOLMES and EVA LONGORIA gathered to watch
DAVID BECKHAM make his American soccer debut on Saturday .
The British superstar is recovering from an ankle injury, so only played for
his new team L.A. Galaxy for 13 minutes in the second half of the exhibition
match against London side Chelsea.
Although L.A. Galaxy ended up losing 1-0, Beckham was cheered on by
celebrities including Holmes and her baby daughter Suri, Longoria, California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mary-Kate Olsen, Brooke Shields, Alicia
Silverstone and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Speaking after his brief appearance, during which soccer-mad locals
constantly chanted his name, Beckham said, "The ankle has swollen up slightly,
but that was going to happen. We'll see how it is tomorrow.
"It was a good performance from the team. We just lost one-nil. My 15
minutes, it was nice to get out there. I haven't trained all week. I hadn't
kicked a ball yet today. I enjoyed it."
* LILLY PLEASED HOME WAS DESTROYED IN FIRE
Actress EVANGELINE LILLY found the experience of having all her possessions
destroyed when a fire swept through her home "really liberating and exciting".
The Lost star's Hawaiian property burned to the ground in December 2006.
Despite being homeless, the optimistic 27-year-old decided the blaze, which
was caused by an electrical fault, was a good thing.
She says, "It was a really liberating and exciting thing to happen.
"All that I lost were the things inside. I've always believed things are more
of a chain than a vehicle. To not be tied down to anything was a great
feeling.
"I was at work and I was like, 'So I've got the clothes on my back, my wallet
and my car and that's everything I have in the world.'
"It was like I was 20 again and the world was my oyster and I could go
anywhere, do anything and be free.''
* COWELL IS AMERICAN TV'S SECOND HIGHEST-PAID STAR
British music mogul SIMON COWELL's annual earnings of £22.5 million has earned him
second place in a new poll of U.S. TV's highest-paid
stars.
The 47-year-old is the brains behind popular talent shows America's Got
Talent and American Idol, with the latter attracting more than 30 million
viewers per episode.
But Cowell's impressive salary still cannot touch Oprah Winfrey's massive
earnings - she remains top of the TV Guide magazine's rich list with a whopping
£130 million a year.
* SANDLER COMEDY TOPS U.S. BOX-OFFICE CHART
Comedian ADAM SANDLER has ended HARRY POTTER's spell on the U.S. box-office -
his new film I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry has debuted at the top of the
American movie chart.
The comedy, about two heterosexual men who pretend to be a gay couple, made
$34.8 million over the weekend .
After jumping straight in at the top of the chart last week , Harry
Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix falls to second place with $32.2 million
.
Musical Hairspray has sung its way straight in at three with $27.8 million
, while Transformers slips a place to number four with $20.5
million .
Rounding out the top five is animated movie Ratatouille, which took $11
million .
* FASCINATING FACT:
Author J.K. ROWLING's final installment of the popular boy wizard series, HARRY
POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS has become the fastest-selling book in the world
- 15 million copies of the highly-anticipated novel were sold worldwide in the
first 24 hours of its release at midnight on Saturday .
* FASCINATING FACT:
PARIS HILTON's socialite sister NICKY is buying a luxury three-bedroom
Hollywood Hills home for $3 million .
* FASCINATING FACT:
Actor ASHTON KUTCHER is learning French for an upcoming role as a substitute
teacher in new U.S. TV series MISS GUIDED.
