WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
HOUSE AND SENATE TO PROPOSE COMPETING PLANS TO RAISE DEBT CEILING AND END SHUTDOWN
The House and Senate are both poised to propose competing plans to lift the debt ceiling and end the government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., negotiated a compromise Monday that would fund the government through Jan. 15 and raise the nation's borrowing authority through Feb. 7. But that plan was reportedly put on hold to see if House Republicans can pass a plan first. The House was readying a bill similar to the Senate bill, with some changes to the implementation of Obamacare designed to appease more conservative members. Reid said the House plan "blindsided" the Senate. He said the plan could not and would not pass the Senate and said it was "nothing more than a blatant attack on bipartisanship." The two chambers would have to come to some sort of agreement in order to avoid reaching the debt ceiling by tomorrow’s deadline.
SUSPECT IN 1998 EMBASSY BOMBINGS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
An alleged suspect in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa has pleaded not guilty on terrorism charges.Abu Anas al Libi, 49, was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list before he was captured on the streets of Libya on October 5th. He was then interrogated on a U.S. Navy ship and appeared for the first time in a New York Citycourtroom yesterday. His move to the U.S. was hastened because officials said his health is failing. One official told ABC News he feared al-Libi would not live long enough to "see justice served in a courtroom." Al-Libi reportedly suffers from hepatitis C. The accused al-Qaeda member was believed to have been involved in the dual bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania which claimed more than 200 lives, 12 of them American.
EX-SAN DIEGO MAYOR PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT CHARGES
Former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner pleaded guilty yesterday to sexual harassment charges involving three women. One of the more serious charges alleged false imprisonment "by violence, fraud, menace and deceit" but did not elaborate on the circumstances. Filner, 71, resigned in late August after at least 17 women came forward with allegations against him. He had been on the job less than nine months into a four-year term. The first woman to go public was Filner's former communications director, Irene McCormack Jackson. She claimed her ex-boss asked her to work without panties, demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see her naked and dragged her in a headlock while whispering in her ear. Sentencing for Filner is set for December 9.
2 FLORIDA GIRLS ARRESTED FOR BULLYING 12-YEAR-OLD WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE
Two Florida girls have been arrested for cyber-bullying a 12-year-old girl who then took her own life, police said yesterday. Authorities said they sped up the arrest of the girls, ages 14 and 12, after the older girl said on Facebook Saturday that she bullied Rebecca but she didn't care. "We decided that we can't leave her out there. Who else is she going to torment, who else is she going to harass?" Polk County Sheriff Grady Juddsaid. The 14-year-old girl was accused of threatening to beat up Rebecca Sedwick while they were sixth-graders at Crystal Lake Middle School, telling her "to drink bleach and die" and repeatedly saying she should kill herself. She was also accused of convincing the younger girl to bully Rebecca. Rebecca jumped to her death from an abandoned tower on Sept. 9. Authorities said as many as 15 girls may have bullied Rebecca and the investigation was continuing.
AFGHAN WAR VET RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
A former Army captain was awarded the Medal of Honor yesterday for his bravery in the Afghanistan war.William D. Swenson, 34, was honored for his “extraordinary heroism” during a lengthy firefight against the Taliban in the Ganjgal valley near the Pakistan border on Sept. 8, 2009. The battle claimed the lives of five Americans, 10 Afghan troops and an interpreter. Swenson risked his life to recover bodies and help save fellow troops, and all of his actions were captured on helmet cam video. "In moments like this, Americans like Will remind us of what our country can be at its best," President Obama said. And in a rare move, Swenson – who has been retired from the military since 2011 – asked to return to active duty in the Army. He has submitted a formal request to the Army and officials are working with him to allow his return.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
TWO MORE YEARS OF TINA & AMY AT THE GLOBES
Sounds like the Golden Globes are going to be a lot of fun for the next two years. The Hollywood Foreign Press announced yesterday that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will return as hosts for the 70th and 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards. The funny gals first hosted the ceremony back in January, and ratings increased 17% from the previous years. The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards airs January 12th, 2014 on NBC.
TWO AND A HALF (RICH) MEN
It sure does pay to star on Two and a Half Men. According to Forbes, stars Ashton Kutcher andJon Cryer have landed at one and two on their list of the Highest Paid TV Actors. And not only that, the show’s former star, Angus T. Jones, also made the list (in seventh) , as did Charlie Sheen, who left the show in 2011. Kutcher made $24 million, to top Cryer, who made $21 mil. Coming in at number three is Ray Romano, who took home $16 mil last year, followed by NCIS’sMark Harmon and How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris, who tied for fourth with $15 mil.
Forbes List of the Highest Paid TV Actors
1. Ashton Kutcher ($24 mil)
2. Jon Cryer ($21 mil)
3. Ray Romano ($16 mil)
4. Mark Harmon ($15 mil)
5. Neil Patrick Harris ($15 mil)
6. Patrick Dempsey ($13 mil)
7. Tim Allen ($11 mil)
7. Angus T. Jones ($11 mil)
9. Michael C. Hall ($10 mil)
10. Charlie Sheen ($10 mil)
KIM’S ENGAGEMENT RING SELLS FOR $620K
Kris Humphries has gotten rid of one big reminder of his marriage to Kim Kardashian. The 16.21-carat Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring Kris gave Kim was auctioned off at Christie’s Tuesday for $620,000. With the auction house’s markup, the anonymous buyer will spend $749,000 for the ring, which is still a deal since it was reportedly worth $2 million when Kris first bought it.
MODEL CLAIMS TO BE DATING LEO
Leonardo DiCaprio is known to date models, but one claiming to be his latest girlfriend appears to be lying. Twenty-four-year-old Kat Torres told the Brazilian newspaper Extra that she is dating theGreat Gatsby star, saying they met while attending the Cannes Film Festival back in May. “Leo is amazing, but I worry about what he will think about me talking to you,” she said. “We have a pact that nothing can ever be said about our relationship.” But apparently the real reason she can’t say anything about the relationship is because it doesn’t exist. Gossip Cop talked to sources close to Leo who say he never “dated” or even “hung out” with Torres. Insiders say that while they were at the same place once during the Cannes Film Festival, they were with other people and Leo “hasn’t seen her since.”
VANITY FAIR TO PUBLISH PALTROW EXPOSÉ
Here’s one magazine Gwyneth Paltrow won’t be buying. Vanity Fair Editor-in-Chief Graydon Carter has confirmed they will publish their rumored exposé on the Shakespeare in Love star. “We started a story on her,” he told The Times of London. “We have a very good writer and it’ll run.” Earlier this year it was reported that Paltrow personally emailed friends asking them not to cooperate with the magazine. She also vowed to never work with Vanity Fair again. But apparently her move backfired. Carter told the paper the actress’ behind-the-scenes shenanigans pushed him to continue with the piece. Said Carter, “Well, she sort of forced my hand.”
IVANKA WELCOMES BABY BOY
Ivanka Trump is a mom again. Ivanka and husband Jared Kushner welcomed a baby boy,Joseph Frederick Kushner, Monday. “My beautiful daughter Ivanka just had a healthy baby boy,” proud grandfather Donald Trump tweeted. “Jared and Ivanka are very proud!' The Trump heir is the second child for the couple. Their daughter Arabella is two.
MANZO EXPLAINS HOUSEWIVES DEPARTURE
Caroline Manzo says she’d be a “hypocrite” if she returned for a sixth season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. The 52-year-old confirmed her departure from the reality show Monday, and is now explaining why she decided to leave. "Over the past few years my outlook on the show has changed from something I couldn't wait to show my future grandchildren to something I hope my future grandchildren never see," she revealed on her blog. "Going back to film another season of Housewives would only make me a hypocrite. For me, peace and integrity cannot be bought with money or fame… and as I said on the reunion, I'm done. I simply feel that my role has run its course and I have nothing more to give." And we’re sure her upcoming Bravo spinoff Manzo’d with Children has nothing to do with it…
JEAN KASEM FIGHTS BACK AGAINST CASEY’S KIDS
Casey Kasem’s wife is challenging his children’s attempt to win a conservatorship over their ailing father. Jean Kasem, who has been married to Casey since 1980, says the kids only want money from their father, who has loaned them between $100K and $150K a year for school, housing, cars, travel and other items. Jean has not let the three kids from Casey’s previous marriage see their dad for months. She says that if anyone should be Casey’s conservator it should be her. She says she takes great care of her husband, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, and even gives him manicures and pedicures.
GLOVER REVEALS WHY HE LEFT COMMUNITY
Donald Glover has opened up about why he decided to leave NBC’s Community this year. (He’s expected to appear in only the first five episodes this season.) In a series of posts on Instagram, the 30-year-old shot down the misconception that he left the series to concentrate on his music career (he raps under the name Childish Gambino). “Didn’t leave Community to rap. I don’t wanna rap,” reads a handwritten note on the page. “I wanted to be on my own. I’ve been sick this year. I’ve seen a bunch of people die this year. This is my first time I’ve felt helpless… Kept looking for something to be in with. Follow someone’s blueprint. But you have to be on your own.” In another note he writes, “I’m afraid [Community creator] Dan Harmon hates me. I’m scared I won’t know anything ever again. I’m scared I never knew anything. I’m afraid I’ll regret this. I’m afraid this doesn’t matter at all.”
WINSLET SAYS HER KIDS ARE FINE
Kate Winslet is sick of people who criticize her personal life. The actress is currently expecting a baby with her third husband, Ned RockNRoll, and has two children from her previous marriages toJim Threapleton and Sam Mendes. “People go, ‘Oh, my God! Those poor children! They must have gone through so much.’ Says who?,” she tells Vogue. “They’ve always been with me. They don’t go from pillar to post; they’re not flown here and there with nannies. That’s never happened.” She adds, “My kids don’t go back and forth; none of this 50/50 time with the moms and dads. My children live with me; that is it. That is it!”
WATTS MADE FIRST MOVE ON SCHREIBER
Naomi Watts reveals in the new issue of Allure magazine that she was the one who made the first move on long-time boyfriend Liev Schreiber. “It was a lot more ballsy than I would ever normally be,” she explained. “Normally I want a guy to make the first move, and he wasn't.” The pair, who now has two sons, was introduced at the 2005 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala. “He got up to say he was leaving and I was like, “Oh s***. Probably another couple years are going to pass by,” she explained. “I was wildly attracted to him and his work, so I said something cheeky as he was about to walk out. I said, ‘Don’t you want my digits?’ Because I couldn't possibly say, ‘Would you like my phone number?’” Liev took her number and texted her just five minutes later asking her to meet him for a drink right away. She responded, “no, I’ll meet you for breakfast tomorrow.”
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● Kate Beckinsale will star in the Michael Winterbottom-directed drama The Face of an Angel. The film’s plot is loosely based on the Amanda Knox case. It stars model Cara Delevingne as the suspect in a murder, while Beckinsale will play the journalist pursuing the case.
● Orange is the New Black’s Taryn Manning will star in the indie drama A Light Beneath Their Feet. The film follows a high school senior who must choose between college or taking care of her bipolar mother (Manning).
● Contraband’s Ben Foster will play Lance Armstrong in Stephen Frears’ untitled flick about the disgraced cyclist. Bridesmaids’ Chris O’Dowd will also star in the film, playing journalist David Walsh. The screenplay is based on Walsh’s book Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit Of Lance Armstrong.
● Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is in talks to star in the earthquake disaster movie San Andreas. He’ll star as a rugged helicopter pilot attempting to rescue his estranged daughter after an earthquake hits California.
● Chris Pine has signed on to play one of the horrible bosses in Horrible Bosses 2, the sequel to the 2011 flick. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day and Jamie Foxx will reprise their roles for the sequel.
TV TIDBITS
● Just how popular is CBS’s The Big Bang Theory? Media buyers tell Adweek magazine it costs a whopping $326,260 for a 30-second spot during the show. That’s over $60,000 more than the next best-seller, NBC’s The Voice for which ads cost $264,575. Coming in at number three is ABC’sModern Family ($257,435) followed by Fox’s The Simpsons ($256,963) and Fox’s New Girl($231,570).
● Susan Sarandon and daughter Eva Amurri Martino will play mother and daughter in the new NBC sitcom Growing Ivy. Martino will play Ivy Davis, who has focused most of her life on her career, instead of her personal life. In an attempt to find love, she invites her freewheeling, eccentric mom Franckie (Sarandon) to move in with her and work on their relationship.
● First Lady Michelle Obama will turn up on The Biggest Loser during November sweeps to promote her campaign that encourages people to drink more water. This will be her second appearance on the NBC weight loss show. She previously appeared in April 2012, to promote her Let’s Move anti-obesity campaign.
ROCK NEWS:
ULRICH WON’T ADMIT METALLICA: THROUGH THE NEVER FLOPPED
Despite simple math that proves otherwise, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich isn’t prepared to declare the band’s 3D movie, Metallica: Through the Never, a box office bust. In the three weeks since its release, the movie has made $3.2 million, and reports suggest it cost $18 million to film. But when asked if the film was a flop, Ulrich put his Politian hat on before saying, “That remains to be seen! Ask me when I come back and talk about the new record two years from now… It’s slightly more complicated than that, and that kind of breaking it down to absolutes really doesn’t interest me.”
ARCADE FIRE ADDS MORE TOUR DATES, INCLUDING BRIDGE SCHOOL GIG
Canada’s Arcade Fire continues to trumpet the October 29 release of their album Reflektor by adding a few one-off shows, including an appearance at fellow Canadian Neil Young’s annual Bridge School Benefit concert. On October 24, the band will perform at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami, and on the same day the album arrives, the rock troupe will perform at an as-yet undisclosed outdoor location in Los Angeles. The group is scheduled to perform at the Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, CA on October 26. Finally, posters have been spotted around Brooklyn advertising shows by “The Reflektors” this Friday and Saturday.
COLDPLAY NABS HOLLYWOOD FILM AWARD FOR HUNGER GAMES’ “ATLAS”
British rockers Coldplay will receive the Hollywood Song Award at the Hollywood Film Awards ceremony taking place this Monday, October 21. According to The Hollywood Reporter, frontmanChris Martin will be on hand to accept the trophy for their song “Atlas,” the first single off The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack, which arrives November 19, three days before the film opens nationwide.
NEW MOTORHEAD ALBUM AFTERSHOCK STREAMING ONLINE
The new Motorhead album, Aftershock, won’t be available for purchase until this Tuesday, but fans clamoring for a foreshock of sorts can listen to the entire record right now on Yahoo! Music. The metal master’s 21st collection of head banging-inducing tracks is their first record since 2010’sThe World is Yours. Meanwhile, frontman Lemmy, who has faced a series of recent health scares, said yesterday, “Death is an inevitability, isn’t it? I don’t worry about it. If I die tomorrow, I couldn’t complain. It's’ been good.”
STP BASSIST SHARES BIGGEST SURPRISE OF HAVING NEW FRONTMAN
In a recent interview, Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo was asked what has been the biggest surprise so far now that Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington is in the band, having replaced original frontman Scott Weiland. DeLeo declared, “Well, it’s a completely different vibe. We just got back from being on the road for a month, what I realize is that he’s [Bennington] present. I…spend a lot more of my energy where it should be onstage performing instead of wondering if someone is going to make it to the show. I think Chester bringing that, that he’s present and he’s there and he’s a pro.”
LYDON LAUDED, LEAVES SEX PISTOLS IN THE PAST
Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon was handed the Icon Award from BMI at last night’s ceremony in London. Ask by Rolling Stone how he felt being called an icon, the man who famously snubbed the Sex Pistols induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said, “Fantastic. This is slightly more serious, and…it’s the British music industry saying, ‘Well done, Jon.’” Asked whether he’d consider doing anything with the Sex Pistols again, Lydon answered as Johnny Rottenmight, saying, “No. Finished. I had a very good conversation with Paul [Cook], and I’m in full agreement with him. I just can’t shift the gears backwards. My engine doesn’t do reverse.”
HAGAR HITS 66, WRAPS 24TH ANNUAL BIRTHDAY BASH IN CABO
He still can’t slow down enough to drive 55, but Sammy Hagar sure knows how to put the pedal to the metal to celebrate his 66th birthday. On Sunday, the “Red Rocker” wrapped his 24th annual Birthday Bash at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with a once-in-a-lifetime jam session featuring current and previous bandmates includingMichael Anthony (Chickenfoot, Van Halen), Denni Carmassi (Montrose) and his longtime partners in crime, The Wabos. Later, stellar drummer Alex Gonzalez of Rock en Espanol superstars Mana surprised the birthday boy by jumping onstage to pound skins on “Poundcake,” “Runaround” and “Best of Both Worlds.” Hagar’s new album, Sammy Hagar & Friends, is available now.
