THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES LIMITED MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted yesterday in favor of limited military attacks on Syria. The resolution, which was passed 10-7, forbids President Obama from using ground troops in Syria and allows the military response to last no longer than three months. The yes votes were made up of seven Democrats and three Republicans, including Sen. John McCain. The full Senate could vote on the resolution as early as next week. Earlier yesterday, Obama was in Stockholm, where he tried to garner international support for military action in Syria. Regarding his statement last year that Syrian use of chemical weapons would be a “red line,” Obama said, “I didn’t set a red line — the world set a red line. The international community’s credibility is on the line, and America and Congress’ credibility is on the line because we give lip service to the notion that these international norms are important.”
CASTRO HANGS SELF IN CELL, CALLED A COWARD
Ariel Castro, who was convicted of kidnapping and abusing three women in his Ohio home, committed suicide by hanging himself with a bedsheet in his prison cell Tuesday night. The 53-year-old’s suicide was quickly characterized as a cowardly act by the prosecutor from his case. "These degenerate molesters are cowards," Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said in a statement. "They con and capture vulnerable children. This man couldn't take, for even a month, a small portion of what he had dished out for more than a decade." He added, "Let this be a message to other child kidnappers: There will be a heavy price to pay when you are caught. You won't enjoy the captive side of the bars." Castro had been sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years for his crimes.
1 KILLED, 3 INJURED IN TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL STABBING
One student was fatally stabbed and three others were injured yesterday during a cafeteria fight at a Houston, Texas high school. Police said three persons of interest were in custody. An argument reportedly escalated into a physical fight at Spring High School, and at some point a weapon was produced and used. A 17-year-old male student was killed. Two of the injured students were in stable condition while one was undergoing surgery yesterday. A motive for the altercation was not confirmed, but police indicated it could have been gang-related.
CHELSEA MANNING PETITIONS FOR PRESIDENTIAL PARDON
Chelsea Manning, formerly known as U.S. soldier Bradley Manning, is seeking a presidential pardon for leaking classified government documents to WikiLeaks. Manning is serving a 35-year sentence for disclosing the top secret information while working as an intelligence analyst in Iraq in 2010. In the petition sent to the White House, Manning said she is seeking a pardon for her actions because she did it “out of a love for my country and sense of duty to others.” The White House said last month a pardon request from Manning would be considered just like any other. Following Manning’s trial last month, Manning revealed she wants to live as a woman and receive hormone therapy for gender dysphoria.
LEGALLY MARRIED SAME-SEX COUPLES ENTITLED TO VETERAN’S BENEFITS
The Obama administration concluded yesterday that legally married same-sex couples are entitled to military veteran’s benefits. The decision was announced in a letter to Congress by Attorney General Eric Holder. The letter said President Obama has directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to stop enforcing two federal laws that define a surviving spouse as "a person of the opposite sex who was the spouse of a veteran." This action is based on the wording of the Defense of Marriage Act ruling in June, which said it's unconstitutional to treat legal same-sex unions any differently from heterosexual marriages.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
LAMAR ODOM GOES TO REHAB
Lamar Odom has finally realized he needs help. People reports that the NBA star, husband of reality star Khloe Kardashian, has checked into rehab for treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. “He realized he needs help," a source claims. Not only has Lamar’s addiction caused problems in his marriage, but just last week he was arrested for DUI.
DANCING WITH THE STARS TEAMS ANNOUNCED
ABC yesterday announced the cast for this season’s Dancing with the Stars. Teams include:Jersey Shore’s Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Sasha Farber; Rhoda’s Valerie Harper and Tristan McManus; Showgirls’ Elizabeth Berkley and Valentin Chmerkovskiy; Glee’s Amber Riley andDerek Hough; former NFL star (and Justin Bieber neighbor) Keyshawn Johnson and Sharna Burgess; High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff; King of Queens star (and former Scientologist) Leah Remini and Tony Dovolani; singer Christina Milian and Mark Ballas;Bill Nye (The Science Guy) and Tyne Stecklein; Pretty Little Liars’ Brant Daugherty and Peta Murgatroyd; Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke and comedian Bill Engvall and Emma Slater. Season 17 of Dancing with the Stars premieres Monday, September 16th.
JACK NICHOLSON RETIRES
Jack Nicholson has reportedly retired from acting. Sources tell Radaronline.com the three-time Oscar winner has decided he no longer plans to work. “Jack has – without fanfare – retired,” said an insider. “There is a simple reason behind his decision – it’s memory loss. Quite frankly, at 76, Jack has memory issues and can no longer remember the lines being asked of him.” Nicholson’s last film was the 2010 bomb How Do You Know. He was reportedly offered a part in the upcoming movie Nebraska, but turned it down. The part went to Bruce Dern.
Q-Can you name the three films for which Jack Nicholson won his Oscars? One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Best Actor), As Good As It Gets (Best Actor), Terms of Endearment (Best Supporting Actor)
WOMAN CLAIMS TO HAVE HOOKED UP WITH THICKE
The woman photographed with Robin Thicke’s hand on her butt at a VMA party last month claims more than just a little groping went on. 20-year-old Lana Scolaro tells Life & Style she hooked up with the “Blurred Lines” singer, even though his wife Paula Patton was with him. Lana claims the 36-year-old Thicke approached her at the 1Oak party and told her, “I just love the fact that you’re so young.” She then accompanied Robin and Paula to a party at a suite in the Greenwich Hotel. “He turned off the lights so no one could see us, and he started making out with me.” she said. “He was grabbing me. He was like, ‘I want to get you into bed.’” And while you’d think the story would have Paula fuming, she doesn’t seem worried about the tale. A rep for the actress told Life & Style, “It’s just a girl looking for some attention. Paula and Robin aren’t concerned.”
CLINT’S MESSY LOVE LIFE
This sounds like an odd version of Celebrity Wife Swap… Just days after it was revealed thatClint Eastwood and his wife-of-17-years Dina had separated, Clint was spotted with a new woman, Erica Tomlinson-Fisher. Erica is the ex-wife of Dina’s friend of 33 years, Scott Fisherand Erica got together with Clint after she suspected Scott was with Dina. “After Scott and Erica divorced, Erica was sure Scott was romancing Dina,” claims a source. “Erica called Clint’s office last February to discuss her suspicions and then he fell for her.” What makes this even more crazy is that while Dina and Scott were not together at the time, Us Weekly says they started dating casually after Clint and Erica got together.
SIMON SAYS IT’S A BOY
Simon Cowell and girlfriend Lauren Silverman are expecting a baby boy, according to the New York Daily News. Simon and Lauren reportedly found out at an ultrasound last week. The X Factorjudge recently told reporters he’s feeling “very paternal right now.” He added, “It was a surprise initially and some of the circumstances around this were very uncomfortable to say the least, but it happened…Once I got used to the idea I was going to be a dad, then I was really happy.”
WHO DIDN’T GET FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Fans are still up in arms over the Fifty Shades of Grey casting, but they may not realize how many people turned down the roles before Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson were cast. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ryan Gosling was the first choice to play Christian Grey, but he had no interest. Then Tron Legacy’s Garrett Hedlund was offered the role but he “couldn’t connect with the character.” As for Anastasia Steele, Like Crazy’s Felicity Jones was up for the part but was considered too old, and Shailene Woodley had “conflicting press obligations.” Elizabeth Olsen was also reportedly on the list.
THE BALDWINS DEBUT BABY CARMEN
Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria are showing off their new bundle of joy, daughter Carmen Gabriela. Alec told Extra, “I hope she looks like her mother, what a waste of time it would be to marry a woman like that (and) have the kid look like me.” Baldwin also told People that Carmen “is a second chance for me in a way. Everybody knows I had a pretty unpleasant custody battle forIreland.” He adds, “we just want things to be easy, to be nice.” Said Hilaria, “I knew I was going to love her a lot, but it’s incredible how deeply.”
GWEN STEFANI PREGNANCY RUMORS
Gwen Stefani may be adding to her family. In Touch Weekly claims the 43-year-old No Doubtfrontwoman and husband Gavin Rossdale are expecting their third child. “Gwen and Gavin couldn't be happier,” claims an insider. “She’s just trying to focus on resting right now. She wants to make sure that all is well with the baby.” The couple, who married in 2002, are already parents to sons Kingston, 7, and Zuma, 5.
NICK JONAS DATING MISS UNIVERSE
Nick Jonas was spotted kissing Miss Universe Olivia Culpo earlier this week, confirming rumors the two stars are dating. The couple shared a smooch while attending the U.S. Open with Nick’s brother Joe and his girlfriend Blanda Eggenschwiler Tuesday. Nick even posted a picture of the group on Instagram, with the caption, “US Open was so fun. Good people. Good tennis.” Nick and Olivia have reportedly been dating since meeting at the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas in June.
VERGARA IS THE HIGHEST PAID WOMAN IN TV
Modern Family star Sofia Vergara has topped Forbes’ list of the Highest Paid Women in TV. The actress earned the spot for the second year in a row, making $30 million between June 2012 and June 2013. Sharing the number two spot is The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco and Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, who both earned $11 mil. Tina Fey, Bethenny Frankel, Melissa McCarthy, Ellen Pompeo and Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian are all tied for fourth with $10 million in earnings.
Forbes’ Highest Paid Women in TV
1. Sophia Vergara
2. Kaley Cuoco (tie)
2. Mariska Hargitay (tie)
4. Tina Fey (tie)
4. Bethenny Frankel (tie)
4. Melissa McCarthy (tie)
4. Ellen Pompeo (tie)
4. Kim Kardashian (tie)
4. Khloe Kardashian (tie)
4. Kourtney Kardashian (tie)
KIM’S LATEST PHOTO SPREAD
Kim Kardashian is featured in the new magazine CR Fashion Book, from former Vogue Pariseditor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld. The photos were shot while Kim was still pregnant with babyNorth, and feature the reality show star wearing gold grills, showing off her baby bump, and covered in a black veil and Yankees hat. The edition is due out on September 12th.
STALKER ARRESTED AT CUSACK HOME
A 45-year-old woman was arrested for trying to break into John Cusack’s Malibu home Tuesday night. Cops tell TMZ Elizabeth Pahlke first tried to get in through a window and failed, and was later caught by security trying to scale a fence on the grounds. She was arrested for felony stalking and burglary. Apparently Pahlke and Cusack have some sort of history, because earlier Tuesday, his security team served her with a restraining order. Sources say she immediately headed to Cusack’s home after receiving it. It is unclear why Cusack took out a restraining order against her.
FRIEND INSISTS BIG BROTHER’S AARYN IS NOT RACIST
Evicted Big Brother contestant Aaryn Gries insists she is not racist, and now she’s got someone backing her claims. Shawn Onyechi, who is African American, is a friend of Aaryn’s from Texas and insists she is being portrayed unfairly. In fact, Shawn says he and Aaryn were good friends, and were even Valentines this year. He tweeted yesterday, “Who thinks Aaryn Gries from big brother is racist? I've heard her comments, but personally I KNOW otherwise."
TV TIDBITS
● Jeff Daniels announced Tuesday that HBO has renewed The Newsroom for a third season. Although the network has yet to confirm the report, Daniels called it “official” on his Twitter page.
ROCK NEWS:
LIVE “MASTER OF PUPPETS” FROM METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER OUT
A sizzling live version of Metallica’s classic “Master of Puppets” from the forthcoming Metallica Through the Never 3D film and soundtrack debuted yesterday on Rollingstone.com. The two-disc soundtrack, Metallica Through the Never (Music from the Motion Picture) will be available September 24, and the feature film, Metallica Through the Never, opens in North America on September 27 in over 300 IMAX 3D Theatres, and expands into additional theaters on October 4.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD’S HAIL TO THE KING RULES THE BILLBOARD 200
All hail to Avenged Sevenfold, whose Hail to the King album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album sales survey, giving the Huntington Beach, CA group its second chart topper in a row. Hail to the King sold 159,000 copies its first week out, compared to 2010’s Nightmare, which also debuted at No. 1 on the strength of first-week sales of 163,000 copies. The band’s North American arena tour will get underway October 3 in Chicago and runs through the 26th in Las Vegas.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH GO TO THE BRINK ON “ANYWHERE BUT HERE”
Hard rock heavyweights Five Finger Death Punch have tag teamed with In This Moment singerMaria Brink for a knockout performance on “Anywhere But Here,” another bruising cut off FFDP’s bone-crushing album, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell Volume 1. Commenting on having Brink in their corner, FFDP guitarist Jason (right? left?) Hook said, “Maria came in and sang on the chorus for this song and did a great job; it’s certainly a stand out track…”
U2 BASSIST SAYS “I DO” TO BRAZILIAN MODEL MARIANA TEIXEIRA
Presumably, two hearts beat as one yesterday morning when U2 bassist Adam Clayton and Brazilian model Mariana Teixeira exchanged wedding vows at a Dublin, Ireland registry office, the BBC reports. Clayton proposed to his beautiful Brazilian bride at Rio’s famous Carnival earlier this year, and the two will celebrate their union with 150 guests during a three-day reception this weekend in the south of France.
WHITE NAMED HONORARY DEAN OF MEXICO CITY MUSIC ACADEMY
Musicologist Jack White was recently named Honorary Dean of the Fermatta Music Academy in Mexico City during the school’s 20th anniversary celebration last month. White told over 150 students as well as family members and media, “The sense of being a musician is making art, and I do not care whether it is solo or as part of a collective project. At all times, I seek to express myself, and different circumstances of my life could also become multiple creative and stylistic channels.”
STP GEARS UP TO RELEASE FIVE-SONG EP HIGH RISE
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Robert DeLeo and the band’s new frontman Chester Bennington discussed the impending release of their five-song EP,High Rise, and the decision to replace Scott Weiland with Bennington. On joining STP, Bennington said, “From an outsider, this is something I expected was going to happen. At the same time I have a chance to write songs with two of my favorite songwriters that have ever written,Robert and Dean [DeLeo]. Writing songs with these guys, that’s something I can check off my list of s*** to do.” Robert added, “We’re all complimenting each other very nicely.” Bennington chimed in, “We just want to go out and f***ing play and have fun doing it – play rock & roll really loud and smile.” Robert reacted by saying, “Loud is allowed.”
ROLLING STONES TO DELIVER HYDE PARK GIGS DVD ON NOVEMBER 11
The Rolling Stones have set a November 11 release date for the DVD and Blu-ray discs of their two concerts at London’s Hyde Park which went down on July 6 and 13. The aptly titled The Rolling Stones Sweet Summer Sun – Hyde Park Live includes a top shelf list of the band’s biggest hits, including “Start Me Up,” “Street Fighting Man,” “Midnight Rambler,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Brown Sugar” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The collection will also be available as a two-CD/DVD package, a three-LP/DVD box and a Deluxe Edition featuring DVD, Blu-ray, two CDs and a 60-page book.
