6th August 2007
* PEARL JAM TURN POLITICAL AT LOLLAPALOOZA
Veteran rockers PEARL JAM turned political during their closing set at U.S.
music festival Lollapalooza on Sunday , launching a blistering attack
on oil giant BP and calling for an end to the War in Iraq.
The Last Kiss stars wowed crowds with a two-hour set at Grant Park,
performing tracks including Daughter, Evenflo and BetterMan to bring the
three-day Chicago, Illinois event to a resounding close.
But frontman Eddie Vedder - known for his outspoken views and staunch
opposition to U.S. President George W. Bush - used the band's appearance to hit
out at BP Amoco for its involvement in the controversial dumping of waste in
the city's Lake Michigan. He also criticised Bush for launching the War on
Terror, and brought disabled war veteran Thomas Young onto the stage to
emphasise his point.
Vedder's closing performance capped a weekend of surprise appearances by the
star, having joined Ben Harper on stage on Friday and duetting with
Kings of Leon on the track Slow Night, So Long earlier on Sunday.
Other highlights of the festival include sets by Daft Punk, The Polyphonic
Spree, Modest Mouse, Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who attracted a huge
crowd on Saturday evening despite the rain.
However, things didn't go quite so well for British soul star Amy Winehouse -
the audience appeared despondent and sluggish during her performance, which ran
15-minutes late, while Brazilian electro-rockers Cansei de Ser Sexy were
forced to cancel their Saturday set after they were left stranded at New York's
John F. Kennedy International airport.
* 50 CENT ASSOCIATE ARRESTED AFTER MUGGING
An alleged associate of 50 CENT has been arrested on weapons charges after he
was mugged for a $100,000 diamond chain on Friday .
Dwayne McKenzie, 26, claims he is an employee of the G-Unit rapper - real
name Curtis Jackson - and lives at 50's Farmington, Hartford, mansion in
Connecticut.
He was taken into police custody for firing a .40 calibre handgun into a
group of people after an argument with 25-year-old Adolfo Yepez, who McKenzie
claims stole his chain allegedly given to him by the In Da Club hitmaker.
Yepez, who was also arrested after running into local authorities, told cops
McKenzie had threatened him with a gun before shooting it into the air. Police
said no one was injured in the incident, but witnesses have come forward to
identify McKenzie as the gunman.
He was charged with one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless
endangerment in the first degree.
Yepez faces charges of third degree robbery after police found the chain on
his person.
Police spokeswoman Nancy Mulroy says, "We are not going to tolerate people,
whoever they are, firing any kind of fire arm randomly out in the city of
Hartford. It was fortunate no one was injured."
Both men have been released on bond but are due in court to face their
charges on 14 August .
* BON JOVI'S OUTBURST BOOSTS MIJOVI SALES
LATEST: Rocker JON BON JOVI's threats of legal action against energy drink
Mijovi have been dealt a blow - his outburst has resulted in a massive sales
boost of the beverage.
The Bad Medicine singer is demanding the coffee-based product change its name
and label, because he thinks it is too similar to his own name.
The product is also marketed under the slogans 'itsmijovi' and 'itsmilife',
but Marcos Carrington, the owner of the energy drink brand, maintains he was
inspired to name the drink Mijovi after his girlfriend Jovita.
But the publicity generated from the battle has worked to the beverage
maker's advantage.
A source tells the New York Post's gossip column Page Six, "One store had
people coming and getting their pictures taken with the drink. And it's even
spawned a cocktail named the 'Angry Rocker'."
* AILING MIKA CANCELS GIG
British pop star MIKA was forced to cancel his set at England's Big Chill
Festival at the weekend after he was struck down with an
infection.
The Grace Kelly singer has been ordered by doctors to rest his voice for a
week after coming down with an ear, nose and throat infection.
His spokesman says, "Mika has been travelling a lot because of work and has
had a problem with an ear infection on and off for a while.
"He was really upset that he was not ordered to perform. But with ear, nose
and throat infections, you can't take the risk. He has had to cancel a few
things, but he's resting and trying to get well for all his other summer
shows."
Mika is due to perform in New York later this month , and play a set
at the British V Festival on 18 and 19 August .
* McENTIRE EYES MORE TIMBERLAKE COLLABORATIONS
Country star REBA McENTIRE is planning more collaborations with JUSTIN
TIMBERLAKE after he impressed her by writing and producing a song on her new
album.
Timberlake jumped at the chance to write The Only Promise That Remains for
McEntire's Duets album, and admitted he had performed the country song for his
grandfather.
McEntire, 52, enthuses, "I hope to do more with my new friends, especially
Justin."
* IMBRUGLIA HAILS 'GREAT' LONG-DISTANCE MARRIAGE
Australian pop beauty NATALIE IMBRUGLIA has hailed her long-distance marriage
to SILVERCHAIR rocker DANIEL JOHNS as "great", declaring living in different
countries keeps their relationship exciting.
Imbruglia, 32, wed Johns, 28, in 2003 after dating for three years. While
Imbruglia spends most of the year in England, Johns remains in their native
Australia.
And despite the couple often going for months without seeing each other,
Imbruglia insists they have a good marriage because the unusual set-up works.
She says, "Because he is contracted to an Australian label and I've got a
British one, we live in different countries.
"That might seem strange, but it's actually great. The heart knows no
geography after all."
* BEDINGFIELD WANTS DANCE TIPS FROM GERVAIS
Pop star NATASHA BEDINGFIELD wants British funnyman RICKY GERVAIS to show her
the comical dance he performs in comedy series THE OFFICE, so she can teach the
routine to JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.
The Unwritten hitmaker, who recently supported Timberlake on the European leg
of his FutureSex/LoveShow world tour, thinks it would be hilarious for the
singer to incorporate Gervais' dance moves into his next gig - although
Bedingfield is adamant the SexyBack star needs no assistance with his dance
moves.
She says, "I would've liked to have bumped into Ricky. I'm sure he'd have
done his crazy dance with a little nagging. Then I'd teach his routine to
Justin for his next show... Now that would be a funny sight.
" absolutely no way does Justin's choreographer require any help at all,
especially not from me and definitely not from Ricky."
* RICHARDS 'DISGUSTED' AT SHEEN'S LEGAL ACTION
Actress DENISE RICHARDS is "disgusted" with ex-husband CHARLIE SHEEN's plans to
take her to court over parental rights of their two children, insisting he is
simply acting out of spite.
The Platoon star wants more relaxed visitation rights with his daughters Sam,
three, and two-year-old Lola, as he is currently only allowed to spend time
with them under supervision.
But Richards is furious with the timing of Sheen's legal action.
She tells the New York Post's gossip column Page Six, "This is disgusting. He
is doing this now because he's not happy with me and the custody arrangement.
"My mom is going through chemotherapy and I asked Charlie if my mom could see
the kids before she got really sick. That's a valid request. He doesn't stick
to the schedule he has with the kids - that's not my fault."
Richards and Sheen divorced in November 2006 after a turbulent three-year
marriage. The actor is now set to wed 29-year-old real estate investor Brooke
Mueller.
* IS LOHAN IN REHAB INSTEAD OF NEW YORK?
LINDSAY LOHAN has reportedly given the paparazzi the slip by checking into a
rehab clinic in Utah, after reports surfaced claiming she was hiding out in New
York with her mother.
On Monday , Lohan's father Michael confirmed the actress was in Long
Island, New York with mum Dina - taking time out following her arrest for
driving under the influence last month .
But several American publications have alleged Lohan - who has not been seen
since her arrest - is no-where near New York.
When asked by Us Weekly of allegations she is in rehab, her representative
said, "It would be counterproductive to the medical treatment she's receiving
to release Lindsay's whereabouts at this time."
* DAMON EYES EASTWOOD CAREER
MATT DAMON wants to follow in the footsteps of his co-star GEORGE CLOONEY and
idol CLINT EASTWOOD by successfully combining screenwriting, acting and
directing careers.
Damon has already won an Oscar for his script for Good Will Hunting, but he
is yet to put on his directing cap.
He admits, "The career that I aspire to is George Clooney's - he's definitely
doing it right. And Clint Eastwood.
"They're acting, writing and directing and they're doing it on their terms. I
love making movies and I really want to direct. I've been studying directors
for the past 10 years so I feel I'm ready to do it."
Damon's close pal Affleck is set to release his directing debut Gone, Baby,
Gone later this year .
* LOHAN'S FATHER BLAMES HIMSELF FOR LINDSAY'S TROUBLES
LINDSAY LOHAN's father MICHAEL blames himself for the actress' current legal
woes, because he feels he "led by the wrong example".
The Mean Girls star was arrested in Los Angeles on 24 July , and charged
with DUI - for the second time in two months - and possession of cocaine.
And Lohan Snr. - who has served a number of prison sentences, most recently
for attempted assault and driving without a license - sympathises with his
21-year-old daughter, because he knows how difficult it can be to deal with the
consequences of such actions.
He tells the New York Post's gossip column Page Six, "Anyone would be afraid
to face this situation. I feel responsible for what happened. I led by the
wrong example."
* SARA GILBERT PREGNANT?
Actress SARA GILBERT is rumoured to be pregnant with her second child with
lesbian lover ALLISON ADLER.
The couple already have a three-year-old son, Levi, who Adler gave birth to.
Gossip columnist Janet Charlton claims Gilbert has been spotted heavily
pregnant, adding, "Sara and her girlfriend of five years, Allison Adler, are
taking turns having babies."
* INMAN TO BE HONOURED AT COMEDY TRIBUTE
A host of British celebrities are teaming up to honour late English funnyman
JOHN INMAN at a tribute show in London next month .
Inman, who played the camp Mr Humphries in cult 1970s-80s show Are You Being
Served, died in March .
Carry On star Barbara Windsor, boxing ace Sir Henry Cooper and comedians
Danny La Rue and Bobby Davro are set to perform at the Lyric Theatre on 30
September .
Money raised on the night will go to the Entertainment Artists Benevolents
Fund and the charities fund of The Grand Order of Water Rats.
* EFRON STICKS TO ACTING
Teen heart-throb ZAC EFRON has dismissed speculation he is planning to follow
in the footsteps of his HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL co-stars by recording an album,
declaring he wants to focus on acting.
Efron thrilled audiences with his singing and dancing in both High School
Musical movies and Hairspray, but he is determined to prove himself as a
serious actor.
He says, "A lot of people expect me to do singing, but when I started in this
business I really wanted to be an actor. Rather selfishly, I chose roles that I
would love to watch on screen. I want to do roles with more substance and to
show I can change to different characters. Singing is something I'm prepared to
do as part a movie, but not as a career. It's really the acting for me."
Efron missed out of the High School Musical concert tour last year
because he was filming Hairspray in Canada, but insists he won't be gracing the
stage if his castmates do another tour following the release of High School
Musical 2 later this month .
He adds, "I wouldn't want to tour. I mean I'd love the performing aspect of
it, but I want to focus on acting."
* MONTY PYTHON STAR WAIVED RIGHTS TO SPAMALOT
The cast of MONTY PYTHON waived their rights to the stage adaptation of their
1975 movie MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL when ERIC IDLE first wrote SPAMALOT,
because they didn't think the show would make any money.
Spamalot has been a huge hit both on New York's Broadway and London's West
End in recent years and boosted funnyman Idle's fortunes.
Holy Grail star Carol Cleveland, who played Zoot and Dingo in the film, says,
"They originally
waived their full royalties entitlement, wishing Eric well - they had no idea
the show might become a hug money-spinner.
"But then they get so much money from repeats of the Python series. As for
me, the cheques keep coming, but I just wish I'd written some of the sketches.
Then the money would be so much more."
* FASCINATING FACT:
The head of Star Wars character Chewbacca has been sold for $116,000
at an auction in California.
* CHAN SELLS OATCAKES
Action man JACKIE CHAN is teaming up with Scottish food manufacturers Walkers
to launch a range of oatcakes in his native Hong Kong and China.
The Rush Hour star, 53, will appear in TV and poster advertisements for the
oatcakes range, with his salary going to charity.
He says, "It's a great snack for the weight-conscious ladies."
* FASCINATING FACT:
The recent legal woes of LINDSAY LOHAN, PARIS HILTON and NICOLE RICHIE have
prompted the Ferrari Driving School in New York to hold a special drivers'
education day to warn against driving under the influence, reports TMZ.com.
* HARRISON 'SHELL-SHOCKED' BY BEATLES EXPERIENCE
Late BEATLE GEORGE HARRISON was left "shell-shocked" by the band's worldwide
fame, his widow OLIVIA reveals.
The guitarist suffered immense stress as the band were propelled to
superstardom in the 1960s, and spent the rest of his life travelling the globe
with his second wife to find a tranquil haven away from his celebrity, she
claims.
Olivia, who married Harrison in 1978, says, "He was shell-shocked from the
whole Beatle experience. Literally shell-shocked.
"He hated loud noises. And imagine it all day, every day, for five or six
years, people were screaming at you when you opened your door, jumping on the
hood of your car, looking in your window. And then there were the death
threats. He wanted to be far away. And he wanted sunshine.
"George was always on a quest to get as far away as he could... I had the
feeling that he travelled the planet simply to look for solitude."
Harrison died of cancer in a Hollywood Hills mansion in November 2001.
* SONGWRITER HAZLEWOOD DIES
U.S. singer/songwriter/producer LEE HAZLEWOOD has died. He was 78.
The music mogul passed away on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Hazlewood found fame penning Nancy Sinatra's hit 1966 record These Boots Are
Made for Walkin', and later duetted with her on a string of songs including
Some Velvet Morning and Sugar Town. Despite rumours of a romantic attachment,
Hazlewood consistently maintained the pair were nothing more than good
friends.
In 1970, he moved to Stockholm to release an album and TV special, both
titled Cowboy In Sweden, and remained elusive in the country for two decades,
shunning his celebrity.
Hazlewood made a small-scale comeback tour with Nancy Sinatra in 1995 and
released his last album, Cake or Death, in December .
* MAINES' HUSBAND RECALLS DIXIE DEATH THREAT HORROR
DIXIE CHICKS star NATALIE MAINES' husband is still furious at the violent
public backlash following the singer's anti-war comments in 2003.
Maines prompted a barrage of death threats when she told a London crowd at
one of the group's gigs, "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all.
We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed the president
of the United States is from Texas."
And her husband Adrian Pasdar - who plays a politician in U.S. drama Heroes -
is still bewildered her views caused so much controversy.
He says, "It changes you when you have police protection and your wife gets
death threats.
"Our eldest son, Jackson, got used to having the FBI around and a police car
in our driveway.
"At that point I reacted as a spouse and got angry."
* FURY AT BEATLES 'DIAPER' TRACK
LATEST: BEATLES fans are outraged because one of the group's hit songs is
soundtracking a diaper commercial in America.
A cover of All You Need Is Love, released in 1967, was chosen by Luv diapers
to provide a background for their new TV advert.
But fans are furious the peace track is being used so commercially.
One complains in an internet forum, "This is toilet. Why are they allowed to
use an anti-Vietnam war anthem to promote a pants product?"
Liverpool-born Andy Bonnell adds, "I just don't like seeing a Beatles song
being used for such trivial things."
Permission was neither granted by, nor needed from, any of the surviving
members of the Fab Four, as the rights now belong to music publishing company
Sony/ATV.
A spokesperson for Beatles parent company Apple says, "It is out of our
hands."
* HARRIS ORGANISES NATIONWIDE HOUSE PARTY
Scottish music producer CALVIN HARRIS is co-ordinating an enormous simultaneous
house party by posting an invite on his MySpace page.
The project, underwritten by his record company Columbia, is scheduled for 18
August and encourages fans to "hold your own Calvin Harris party and tell
us about it!
"Anything goes - big or small - from a neon nu-rave extravaganza to a boozy
barbecue to a girls' night in."
The stunt - to promote Harris' new single Merrymaking At My Place - boasts a
top prize of £1,500 to the wildest party host, and a private
performance from Harris himself.
Columbia dismisses complaints the idea is irresponsible, with a spokeswoman
for the label saying, "These parties are intended for groups of friends to get
together to celebrate the spirit of merrymaking that went into the making of
his album.
"Provisions have been made to keep parties to personally invited friends and
for permission to be sought where necessary."
* JAMELIA WOWS KAZAKHSTAN'S PRESIDENT
British pop star JAMELIA has made a good impression on Kazakhstan's president
after she was asked to perform at his private party.
Although her compatriot SACHA BARON COHEN infuriated government officials in
the country with his bumbling fictional Kazakh ambassador BORAT SAGDIYEV,
Jamelia is a big hit there, and was personally invited by President Nursultan
Nazarbayev to play at the weekend .
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "Jamelia is huge in Kazakhstan and
the president requested her for his party and she had a ball.
"And, of course, she did a few Borat impressions."
* TIMBALAND TOPS CHARTS FOR SECOND WEEK
Super producer TIMBALAND continues to rock KATE NASH's FOUNDATIONS - keeping
her off top spot in the British singles charts for a second consecutive week.
His collaboration with U.S. singer Keri Hilson, The Way I Are, is a non-mover
at number one, while Rihanna, whose 10-week reign he ended in the charts last
week , drops another place to fourth.
Fergie replaces the Umbrella star at number three with Big Girls Don't Cry,
while Kleerup featuring Robyn round out the top five with dance number With
Every Heartbeat.
It isn't all good news for Timbaland however, as his album Shock Value slips
two places to four in the albums chart.
Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts tops the chart with his One Chance
record - holding off stiff competition from two debut albums - Amy Macdonald's
This Is The Life and Newton Faulkner's Hand Built By Robots - which enter the
chart at two and three respectively.
* LOHAN'S DAD WELCOMES HER FAMILY REFUGE
LATEST: LINDSAY LOHAN's dad MICHAEL has expressed relief the troubled actress
is seeking refuge with her mum in Long Island, New York.
The Mean Girls star was arrested in Los Angeles on 24 July , and charged
with DUI - for the second time in two months - and possession of cocaine.
Her whereabouts were unknown until Saturday after she was released
on $25,000 bail in Santa Monica, California.
But Michael Lohan is pleased his estranged daughter is back with her family,
insisting it's the best place for her.
He tells the New York Post, "If it is true that she's in New York, I hope
we'll have contact. I'll help her in every possible way I can.
"I think it's a good thing that she's back with her family. Hopefully, the
only element missing is myself.
"Lindsay has to get away from the people she's around in L.A. She needs to
have her father and her mother in her life."
* 24 TAKES ON GLOBAL WARMING
Hit U.S. TV show 24 is going green as producers promise
environmentally-friendly measures on set to help curb climate change.
Among the new initiatives promised are an end to diesel generators in the
studio and hybrid vehicles to transport crew.
The issue of global warming will also be incorporated into upcoming plots.
Kiefer Sutherland, who plays agent Jack Bauer in the series, says, "Global
warming is a crime for which we are all guilty, from our cars, our homes and
our workplaces.
"All of us at 24 understand the urgency of this problem and, over the next
year, we will be implementing creative new ways to produce our show and
significantly reduce our carbon footprint."
Sutherland will also front a series of public education videos to raise
climate change awareness.
* GERVAIS AT CENTRE OF TICKET PRICING ROW
British funnyman RICKY GERVAIS has been accused of setting extortionate ticket
prices for his 90-minute one-man show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Entry to The Office star's Fame show, scheduled to take place at Edinburgh
Castle later this month , costs £37.50 - four times the price
commanded by other leading acts at the Scottish festival.
Colin Fox, chairman of the alternative Edinburgh People's Festival, says,
"When tickets for a stand-up comedian cost £37.50 it illustrates how far
today's festival has gone in forgetting its roots."
However, a spokeswoman for Gervais brushes off the criticism, saying, "It is
a big venue and it is sold out. Eight thousand people haven't been put off by
the ticket price - what more is there to say?"
* FASCINATING FACT:
U.S. film critic and historian CHARLES CHAMPLIN was honoured with the 2,344th
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday .
* DUTT 'ILLNESS' BLAMED ON CHANGE IN ENVIRONMENT
Bollywood star SANJAY DUTT's medical worries have been dismissed by a prison
doctor, who blames his condition on a "change in environment".
Dutt was jailed for six years last Tuesday for illegal possession
of arms in relation to the serial bombings in Mumbai in 1993, which claimed 257
lives.
But concern for his welfare behind bars was raised on Saturday
after the actor complained of a sense of "uneasiness".
However, following a medical check-up, a source told local new agency Press
Trust of India, "There is nothing serious about his condition and there was no
cause for worry."
* VINNIE JONES SHUNS BECKHAM
LATEST: Soccer star-turned-movie tough guy VINNIE JONES has laughed off reports
he'll be hooking up with former rival DAVID BECKHAM when he joins him in Los
Angeles.
The former Welsh international is moving to the U.S. city later this year
, just months after England ace Beckham arrived with his family .
But Jones is confident they'll have very little to do with each other,
because their social circles couldn't be more different.
He says, "I don't know them and I don't really want to.
"I'm not into all that red carpet stuff they love."
* LANGHAM RECEIVES JAIL 'DEATH THREATS'
LATEST: British comedy star CHRIS LANGHAM is fearing for his life in jail after
a string of death threats from fellow inmates, according to reports.
Langham was convicted last week of 15 child pornography charges,
after the jury at Maidstone Crown Court in England rejected his claims images
he downloaded from the internet were simply for research.
He was taken from court to Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, to
await sentencing next month , but is allegedly under close
surveillance in a segregation wing following prisoners' violent response to his
arrival there.
A prison officer tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "Some of them
have already reacted badly to Langham. Some of them have been plotting a way to
ambush Langham."
A Prison Service spokeswoman says, "We cannot comment on individual cases and
cannot confirm the location of any inmate."
Langham faces up to 10 years behind bars when he is sentenced in September
.
* FAITH BROWN COLLAPSES AT FESTIVAL
British actress/comedienne FAITH BROWN's Edinburgh Fringe Festival show was
halted on Saturday when she collapsed on stage.
The star is now resting at home after appearing to faint just 25 minutes into
the production of Faith Brown and her Boys in the Buff at the Scottish city's
Pleasance theatre.
Her understudy Anna Stolli has taken over her role in the production, but
Brown has been forced to cancel her one-woman show Faith Brown Up Front, which
charts her career.
Her spokesman Kevin Wilson says, "Faith is desperately sad to let down any of
her fans. She is an old pro from the show must go on school and is devastated
not to be performing her two shows."
* FASCINATING FACT:
British actor JASON STATHAM has moved into every man's dream bachelor pad in
Hollywood - below CHARLIZE THERON's apartment.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"Unfortunately the photographers get me eating at certain places where I
shouldn't really be eating because of being a sportsman. They have pictured me
going out to get hamburgers and have taken pictures of me getting coffees."
Soccer ace DAVID BECKHAM's well-publicised love of fast food lands him in
trouble with the L.A. Galaxy coach.
* RICHARDS: 'HEAD INJURY DRUG FORCED ME TO QUIT COCAINE'
Veteran hellraiser KEITH RICHARDS has been forced to quit cocaine, because he
can't mix it with the drug doctors have prescribed him after he fell out of a
tree last year .
The 63-year-old Rolling Stone, a former heroin addict and longtime party
animal, suffered a head injury when he slipped out of a palm tree in April
2006.
And he now has to take a drug which cannot be taken with cocaine.
Richards says, "Drugs I'm on now - the s**t I've gotta take because of the
brain job, Dilantin. Means you can't take cocaine anymore. Which is fine with
me.
"I mean, I haven't seen coke for, like, a year and a half. Big deal. Y'know I
used to like my little bump here and there after meals. But now I can't do that
anymore, so I don't do it no more.
"I still smoke like a f**king chimney. Get me some good weed."
* ADAMS: 'I WISH FANS WOULD STOP CRITICISING GAP AD APPEARANCE'
Rocker RYAN ADAMS regrets agreeing to appear in a TV advertisement for clothing
chain Gap alongside country legend WILLIE NELSON in 2002 - because fans have
been criticising him for it ever since.
The New York, New York singer can't understand why he continues to be judged
for his appearance, when other stars who appeared in the series - including
Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and rapper LL Cool J - never hear anything about it.
Adams, who was in the midst of drug addiction in 2002, says, "I don't know
when you quit paying dues, but a guy like me does a Gap ad, and I spend six
years trying to explain myself.
"Did anybody give Willie Nelson any s**t for that? Or LL Cool J or Kim
Gordon? F**k, why am I being soloed out?
"I didn't even look up in the f**king thing. I didn't even know I was doing
one, to be honest. They just said, 'Come down and jam with Willie.' I wasn't
that present then, anyway.
"It wasn't like I bought a yacht, it pays the same s**t for everybody that
does it."
* RICHARDS IGNORES DOCTORS BOOZE WARNINGS
ROLLING STONE KEITH RICHARDS insists he'll never stop drinking - because he has
outlived a number of doctors who warned him about his constant partying.
The Brown Sugar guitarist, who was once addicted to heroin for 10 years,
claims decades of hard-partying have taught him to know his limits.
He says, "They keep telling me to stop drinking, but I can't be bothered.
"It's like, 'You don't know me, I know me.' The people who've told me to stop
doing this and that and they've croaked.
"Not that I want to brag about it, but I mean, I've had about three doctors
who told me, 'If you carry on like this, you will be dead in six months.' I
went to their funerals."
* SPEARS SNUBS BECKHAM?
Troubled pop star BRITNEY SPEARS has infuriated SPICE GIRL VICTORIA BECKHAM by
snubbing her at a Los Angeles restaurant, according to reports.
The pair bumped into each other at celebrity hang-out Chateau Marmont last
Tuesday but despite Beckham's best efforts to introduce herself,
Spear allegedly walked off without a word.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "Victoria said, 'Hi Britney. I'm
Victoria from the Spice Girls.' But Britney had no idea who she was. She just
looked at her with a bemused expression and turned and walked away."
Victoria and soccer ace husband David arrived in Los Angeles in July and
have since been welcomed by a string of Hollywood stars including Tom Cruise,
Katie Holmes, Will Smith and Demi Moore.
* KATONA KICKS OUT 'CHEATING' HUSBAND
Former ATOMIC KITTEN singer KERRY KATONA has kicked her husband-of-six-months
out of their home after allegations he cheated on her.
The British reality TV star and magazine columnist, 26, is disgusted by
reports Mark Croft had sex with a former flame just days after proposing to
her, as well as romping with another mystery woman.
Her publicist Max Clifford confirms, "She is absolutely devastated. She's
been on the phone sobbing. I really feel for her.
"Mark denied the allegations but Kerry's very upset. This must be the worst
time of her life."
Katona was previously married to Irish pop star Brian McFadden, who she has
two daughters with.
* SUGABABES DENY AMELLE RIFT
British girl group SUGABABES have dismissed rumours they're ditching band
member AMELLE BERRABAH because of controversy surrounding her boyfriend.
Earlier this year , Freddie Fuller was arrested following accusations of
rape by Berrabah's sister Samiya - a charge he strongly denies.
And Berrabah's bandmates are sticking by him, despite reports her career in
the trio was in jeopardy because of him.
Singer Keisha Buchanan says, We're here to support Amelle no matter what
happens.
"Unfortunately Amelle has been dealt a hard hand when it comes to her
personal life. But she's never had to choose between her boyfriend and the
band."
* MUDHONEY SINGER ARM WORRIES ABOUT BAND'S INFLUENCE
MUDHONEY frontman MARK ARM is horrified by the idea his music has changed
people's lives - because the band's 'slacker' image may have encouraged fans to
ditch ambitious career plans.
The rocker worries that Mudhoney albums have influenced followers' lifestyles
in a negative way.
He says, " a horrifying thought. I would hope it's for the better, but
you never know - 'After listening to you guys, I thought I'd quit my job and
smoke a lot of pot and drink a lot.'
"Great. I'm sorry."
* RIHANNA CONTINUES HER EUROPEAN REIGN WITH UMBRELLA
R&B queen RIHANNA continues to reign over the competition at the top of the
European singles chart - her JAY-Z collaboration, UMBRELLA, is the continent's
top song for an eighth week.
Mika's Relax, Take It Easy sits at number two for a fourth consecutive week,
while Timberland Feat. Keri Hilson climb two places to three with The Way I
Are.
Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry and Enrique Iglesias' Do You Know? both fall
down a position to numbers four and five respectively.
Meanwhile, Mika's Life In Cartoon Motion has moved up a place to claim the
number one spot in the European albums chart.
Nelly Furtado's Loose drops down to number two, while Timbaland's Timbaland
Presents Shock Value is at three.
* NICHOLSON DENIES ILLEGITIMATE CHILD CLAIM
Veteran actor JACK NICHOLSON has dismissed claims made in a new book that he
has an illegitimate handicapped son and that he's done everything in his power
to keep the news a secret.
Author Dennis McDouglas makes the accusations in his forthcoming unauthorised
Nicholson biography Five Easy Decades.
The writer claims the Oscar winner has more than his acknowledged six
children - four of whom were conceived outside marriage - and that he has a
further two illegitimate kids, although he fails to identify either.
McDouglas, who incorrectly alleges five, and not four, of Nicholson's
children are illegitimate, writes: "There are two other possibles whom those
closest to Jack whisper about, including one young man who lives with handicaps
brought on by his actress mother's drug abuse...
"These are among the closely held secrets he has generally succeeded in
keeping from his fans.
But Nicholson's lawyer Abe Somer has poured scorn on McDouglas' claims.
He tells website PageSix.com, "The allegations of the handicapped son are
false and inaccurate. There is no handicapped son of Mr. Nicholson."
* ANDERSON IS ROMANTICALLY INVOLVED WITH MAGICIAN
Actress PAMELA ANDERSON has confirmed she is romantically involved with Las
Vegas illusionist HANS KLOK.
The Baywatch star, whose divorce from second husband Kid Rock was finalised
earlier this year , is currently performing as Dutchman Klok's assistant in
his Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino show, The Beauty Of Magic.
And the pair are working up some magic of their own backstage.
When asked by U.S. TV chat show host Craig Ferguson if she's dating Klok,
Anderson replied, "There's a lot of love backstage. It's very physical, it's
very loving."
* RICHIE BLAMES DRUG ADDICTION ON BOREDOM
Socialite NICOLE RICHIE cites boredom and having "so much, so fast" as the
reasons she became a drug addict.
The 26-year-old, who is four months pregnant with rocker boyfriend Joel
Madden's child, insists her wild partying, drug-taking days are behind her and
now all she wants to be is a responsible mother.
Richie, a former heroin addict, says, "I got so much, so fast that nothing
really excited me anymore. I kind of took matters into my own hands and was
creating drama in a very dangerous way.
"I think I was just bored, and I had seen everything - especially when you're
young, you just want more."
* SCOTT PLAYS DOWN BLADE RUNNER SEQUEL REPORTS
LATEST: Director RIDLEY SCOTT has played down reports he plans on making a
sequel to his cult 1982 movie BLADE RUNNER.
Last week , the 69-year-old filmmaker promised to consider all
Blade Runner sequel script submissions from budding screenwriters.
However, Scott admits he is unlikely to ever film a follow-up, although he
has nothing against a sequel being made.
He says, "There is no sequel. And I intend probably never to do a sequel...
If they want to do a sequel? Fine."
* LOHAN STAYING WITH HER MOTHER
Troubled actress LINDSAY LOHAN has surfaced for the first time since her
driving under the influence arrest last month - she's staying with her
mother Dina in Long Island, New York.
The Mean Girls actress was arrested in Los Angeles on 24 July , and
charged with DUI - for the second time in two months - and possession of
cocaine.
Lohan's whereabouts have been unknown after she was released on $25,000
bail in Santa Monica, California.
The 21-year-old, who was released from a 46-day stay in rehab on 13 July
, 11 days before her latest arrest, is due in a Santa Monica court on 24
August .
* HILTON TURNS SHOE DESIGNER
Reality TV star PARIS HILTON is turning shoe designer after signing a deal to
bring out her own line in footwear.
The 25-year-old is joining forces with Antebi Footwear to create high-quality
shoes which are expected to become available from early 2008.
She says, "My goal is to create a stylish and fun fashion line from head to
toe.
"We chose to partner with the Antebi Footwear Group because the shoes will be
a perfect complement to the sportswear line launching this fall .
"Antebi Group really understands my vision for this line as well as the needs
of the fashion-forward young woman."
* COX & ARQUETTE SELL HOME TO L.A. DODGERS OWNERS
COURTENEY COX and her husband DAVID ARQUETTE have sold their Malibu, California
mansion for close to their $33.5 million asking price.
The couple, who paid $10.2 million for the luxury property six
years ago , has sold it to the owners of baseball team L.A. Dodgers, Frank
and Jamie McCourt.
Former Friends star Cox has a passion for interior design and house
renovation, and in March paid almost $20 million for a wreck
of a property overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
However, the actress jumped at the chance to buy the cliff-top estate because
it comes with stunning views and total privacy.
* MOSS DEVELOPING FRAGRANCE
Supermodel KATE MOSS has confirmed she is developing her own perfume for a
beauty products manufacturer.
The 33-year-old, who recently turned designer for British clothing chain Top
Shop, has teamed up with Coty Beauty to bring out her own fragrance.
She says, "It's something I've thought about for a long time. When I put it
on I want to feel fresh and light and as the day goes on I want to feel
sexier."
* CORNISH DENIES BOND RUMOURS
Australian actress ABBIE CORNISH has dismissed reports she has been cast as a
Bond girl opposite DANIEL CRAIG in the next 007 film.
The 24-year-old beauty insists she has no idea where the speculation linking
her to the Casino Royale follow-up began.
Cornish's agent Belinda Maxwell says, "No, I can tell you that that
information is not accurate. I can reiterate that that's not accurate
information."
* APATOW SHOCKED BY SANDLER'S PENIS DEMANDS
Director JUDD APATOW was shocked when he shared an apartment with his friend
ADAM SANDLER - because the superstar comic was desperate to see his penis.
The Knocked Up filmmaker, 39, and Sandler, 40, lived together in their early
20s and Apatow refused to show his flatmate his manhood.
But Sandler was persistent.
Apatow says, "When we first moved in together, very early on he said, 'Let me
see your penis.' I was like, 'No! What do you want to see that for?' He's like,
'I just want to know what I'm dealing with.'
"He wasn't embarrassed about it... He would tell other people 'Judd won't
show me it, he won't show me it.'
"One day I'm going to the bathroom, standing up and I just see Adam over my
shoulder. All he says to me is, 'All right, man. All right.' I guess it was all
right."
* SUPERSPY DAMON TOPS U.S. CHART WITH BOURNE ULTIMATUM
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM has spied its way to the top of the U.S. box-office chart,
knocking animated contender THE SIMPSONS down to number two.
The Matt Damon sequel thrilled American audiences to net $70.2 million
in its opening weekend, while The Simpsons took in $25.6 million
.
Comedy Underdog debuts at three with $12 million and Adam
Sandler's I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry falls two places to four with
$10.5 million .
Hairspray, starring John Travolta, drops a position to five with $9.3 million
and the magic continues to wane for Harry Potter And The Order
Of The Phoenix, which falls from three to six.
* THE THINGS THEY SAY:
"I know I'm not a good celebrity. I'm boring and closed and probably seem very
safe." Actress ANNE HATHAWAY isn't a party animal.
