TUESDAY, JANUARY 7
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
POLAR VORTEX HITS MOST OF U.S. WITH FREEZING TEMPS/JETBLUE CANCELS FLIGHTS
The “polar vortex,” a freezing blast of arctic air, continued to push across the country yesterday, bringing sub-zero temperatures to parts of the Northern Plains and Midwest. The air temperature in Chicago was 15 below – a record for January 6th. Other parts of the region experienced wind chills ranging from 20 to 50 degrees below zero. Twenty-six states were under warnings or watches for severe wind chill. Meanwhile, in the Northeast, JetBlue Airways announced yesterday that they were grounding flights for 17 hours at the three major New York airports and Boston’s Logan Airport. The airline is recovering from a weekend of heavy delays and was preparing for the deep freeze to reach the Northeast. It said the shutdown would provide rest for its equipment and crews. The airline is expected to be fully operational again by 3 p.m. today. Other airlines are also adjusting their schedules; American canceled 900 flights Monday with more to come today.
SUPREME COURT HALTS GAY MARRIAGES IN UTAH
The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted gay marriages in Utah yesterday pending a state appeal. Utah had asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor for an emergency order blocking the unions and she referred the matter to the full court. The state became the nation’s 18th state to extend same-sex marriage rights last month when U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby overturned a voter-approved ban. The state appealed Shelby’s decision. More than 900 couples had tied the knot.
LIZ CHENEY DROPS OUT OF SENATE RACE
Liz Cheney, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has ended her bid for the Wyoming Senate. In an official statement released by her campaign, Cheney cited “serious health issues” in her family as her reason for dropping out of the race. Sources said the health issues involve Cheney's children and not her father, who has a history of heart problems. Cheney had been preparing to challenge Wyoming Republican Sen. Mike Enzi for his seat in the Senate. Her conservative campaign and stance against same-sex marriage prompted her younger sister Mary Cheney, a lesbian, to blast her on social media last November.
APPEALS COURT REVIEWING TEXAS ABORTION LAW
A federal appeals court was reviewing Texas’ new, strict abortion law yesterday. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments over a ruling that declared parts of the law to be unconstitutional. Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights sued to block two of the law's provisions: One that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges within 30 miles of where the abortion is performed and the other that restricts how doctors administer abortion-inducing drugs. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel sided with the groups in October and ruled that the provisions place an unconstitutional burden on women’s access to abortion. But the state believes the law promotes health and safety of abortion patients and advances the state's "interest in protecting fetal life." At least a dozen abortion clinics have closed in Texas since the law took effect.
“JIHAD JANE” GETS 10 YEARS IN PRISON
A Pennsylvania woman known as “Jihad Jane” was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for plotting to kill a Swedish artist. Colleen LaRose, 50, faced a potential life term, but was granted a reduced sentence because of her cooperation with investigators. LaRose said she was once obsessed with jihad, thinking about it from morning to night. U.S. investigators say she participated in a 2009 conspiracy to target artist Lars Vilks over his drawings depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a dog. Muslim extremists in Iraq had offered a $100,000 reward for anyone who killed Vilks.
ROCK NEWS:
HOMME HONES IN ON FALL AS STARTING POINT FOR NEXT ALBUM
While Queens of the Stone Age continues to circle the globe in support of its current album …Like Clockwork, Frontman Josh Homme is already looking ahead to when the band punches the clock to begin work on its next album. Asked if the group is ready to return to the studio, he toldRolling Stone, “Absolutely. We have more than enough songs. We’re booked til September, but after that we plan to jump in the studio and get going.” The band’s North American tour resumes on January 30 in Raleigh, NC.
TREMONTI, BLACK STONE CHERRY ADDED TO SHIPROCKED CRUISE LINEUP
Fans counting the days before they board the 2014 edition of the ShipRocked cruise can now count on seeing Tremonti and Black Stone Cherry at sea, in addition to the previously announced stellar lineup booked to rock the boat January 26-30. The acts already on the bill include Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Sevendust and In This Moment, among others.
ANSELMO ADVERTISES UPCOMING “TECHNICIANS OF DISTORTION” TOUR
As a member of Pantera, Down and now Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals, Philip Anselmo is one of the hardest working guys in rock. This Friday, Anselmo and the Illegals will kick off their U.S. Technicians of Distortion tour in Houston, and to trumpet the trek he released two promo videos. (NOTE CONTENT) In the first, he hypes the first three tour stops, and in the (NOTE CONTENT) second he touts the next three shows. The run wraps January 28 in Dallas.
ALICE IN CHAINS AMONG ACTS ADDED TO UK SONISPHERE FESTIVAL
The already impressive lineup set for UK’s Sonisphere festival set for July 4-6 in Knebworth Park just got bolstered by the likes of Alice in Chains and Slayer, among others. Those acts and others will join previously announced headliners Metallica, Iron Maiden and the Prodigy. Alice in Chains singer William DuVall commented, “We’re very excited to be playing once again at Sonisphere – particularly as this year has us joining our longtime friends in Metallica. It should be a fun ride for everyone, both on and off the stage.”
DREAM THEATER PREPS FOR TOUR, PLOTS NEXT STUDIO ALBUM
The members of progressive metal standouts Dream Theater are looking forward to the kickoff of their North American tour on March 20 in Toronto, while at the same time looking ahead to starting work on their 13th studio album. Guitarist John Petrucci told Billboard, “Some initial conversations have already started. There are some song ideas and little things like that – nothing really official, but the seeds just start to get planted.”
EX-KISS AXEMAN KULICK SAYS “I DO” OVER WEEKEND
Former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick is now a married man after exchanging vows with his former fiancé now wife Lisa Lane last Saturday. Kulick, who is currently laying down licks with Grand Funk Railroad, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday: “Yesterday was my wedding to my sweetheart Lisa Lane! It was a magical day…” Kulick was a member of Kiss for a dozen years, starting in 1984.
NUGENT NAILS DOWN NEW OUTDOOR CHANNEL DUTIES
Rocker Ted Nugent has expanded his longstanding relationship with The Outdoor Network by inking a fresh multi-year deal to be the channel’s principal spokesperson. The Outdoor Channel president and CEO Jim Liberatore said, “Ted Nugent symbolizes everything that is right in our industry and represents our viewers as an outspoken patriot, a skilled outdoorsman and a devoted family man…” Nugent added, “I am proud to be the Ambassador for Outdoor Channel as we continue to celebrate and promote the time honored hand-on conservation lifestyle that has produced the most successful, healthy, thriving wildlife management model in the history of mankind.”
EURYTHMICS EUPHORIC OVER REUNION FOR BEATLES TRIBUTE
The Eurythmics – Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart – will reunite for a special performance to pay tribute to the Beatles for The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, the Recording Academy announced Monday. The event will be taped in Los Angeles on January 27, one night after the Grammy Awards, for the special that will air on CBS on February 9 – exactly 50 years after the Fab Four made their U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums out today: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Wig Out at Jagbags; TOY – Join the Dots; Peter Gabriel – And I’ll Scratch Yours; Legion of the Damned – Ravenous Plague.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
SNL ADDS FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE IN FIVE YEARS
Saturday Night Live announced yesterday that Sasheer Zamata, an African American woman, will be joining the cast starting with the January 18th episode. Zamata, an Uptight Citizens Brigade alum, is the first black female SNL castmember since the departure of Maya Rudolph five years ago. The casting comes just a month after SNL held its first-ever auditions specifically focusing on minority women. They were held after the NBC show received widespread criticism over the new cast’s lack of minority members.
SHEEN NOT MARRIED
Charlie Sheen threw the media into a tizzy over the weekend by claiming on Twitter that he got married to girlfriend Brett Rossi. "This is the house ware M Gorbachev R Reagan did some epic," tweeted Sheen, along with a picture of him and Rossi in front of the French consulate in Reykjavik, Iceland. "It's also where S and I GOT MARRIED! #RumorMilUhPede.” (S is for Skottie, Sheen’s nickname for Rossi.) But a rep for the Anger Management star was quick to clarify that the actor was joking, telling Us Weekly, “he’s only kidding around,” explaining that people should “read the hashtag.” And Rossi seemed to second that. When a fan told her on Twitter that her marriage made the news, she replied, “"hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha epic." As for why Charlie decided to say he was married, he tweeted, "I wanted to give (ex-wife) Denise [Richards] a stroke!!!" One thing Charlie did do this weekend was get a new tattoo, with the initials of all of his children, including Denise’s adopted daughter Eloise.
LUTZ DENIES DATING MILEY
Kellan Lutz has officially denied rumors he’s dating Miley Cyrus. “Are we dating? No,” the 28-year-old Hercules star said during a radio interview. “These rumors are hilarious.” As for the pictures of them hanging out in Las Vegas, Kellan said, “It just makes me laugh. … I’ve been friends with Miley for like six years. She’s a great girl. … We are friends [and] we run in the same circle.” And not only is Kellan not dating Miley, he’s not dating anyone. “I’m happily single. … I’m not [looking] right now,” he said. “I’m enjoying life and traveling quite a bit. … There’s no real time to find the one.”
EMMA ROBERTS ENGAGED
American Horror Story lovebirds Emma Roberts, 22, and Evan Peters, 26, are engaged, according to Extra. Sources tell the show that Peters popped the question over the holidays with a pink and gold diamond ring. The couple has been dating since 2012. In July, Roberts was arrested for domestic violence for allegedly beating up Peters. She was eventually released after Peters declined to file charges.
CANDACE CAMERON SAYS SHE’S SUBMISSIVE TO HUBBY
Candace Cameron Bure says in a new book that she is “submissive” to her husband, and further explained herself during an interview with HuffPost Live. “The definition that I’m using, with the word ‘submissive’ is the biblical definition of that. It is meekness, it is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control, it is bridled strength and that’s what I choose to have in my marriage,” said he former Full House star, who’s been married to former NHL star Valeri Bure since 1996. “And, listen, I love that my man is a leader. I want him to lead and be the head of our family. And those major decisions do fall on him.” Finally, she explains, “It doesn’t mean I don’t voice my opinion. It doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion. I absolutely do, but it is very difficult to have two heads of authority… I allow him to make the final choice, absolutely.”
McCARTHY DENIES STORY CLAIMING SON DOESN’T HAVE AUTISM
Jenny McCarthy is blasting a Radaronline report that claimed she’s now saying her son Evandoesn’t have autism. The site said Evan had been misdiagnosed and included quotes that allegedly came from a new Time magazine interview with The View host. “Stories circulating online, claiming that I said my son Evan may not have autism after all, are blatantly inaccurate and completely ridiculous,” Jenny tweeted over the weekend. “The implication that I have changed my position, that my child was not initially diagnosed with autism (and instead may suffer from Landau-Kleffner Syndrome), is both irresponsible and inaccurate.” Jenny said the so-called “new” Time interview was actually from 2010 and didn’t feature any such statements about Evan’s condition. Said Jenny, “Continued misrepresentations, such as these, only serve to open wounds of the many families who are courageously dealing with the disorder.”
SCOTT DISICK’S DAD DIES
Scott Disick has lost his father just three months after his mother passed away. Radaronline was the first to report that Scott’s 63-year-old dad Jeffrey died, although a cause of death was not revealed. Scott’s mother Bonnie, who was also 63, passed away October 28th after a long illness.
BULLOCK PROBABLY WISHES SHE DIDN’T GOOGLE HERSELF
Sandra Bullock has a pretty thick skin, so it’s not surprising to hear she was able to laugh at the awful comments she read when she made the mistake of Googling her name. “No human being should ever read the comments sections or ever Google one's self at any time,” she told People at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. The Gravity star said she was “very well aware” there would be some negative comments, but she didn’t realize how horrible they’d actually be. "’Sandra Bullock is over 40’ came up a lot,” she said, “and ‘there's absolutely nothing special about her acting."' She also found comments like, “She's not particularly attractive,” and, “I can't stand her.”
SHIA’S PENIS GOT HIM FILM ROLE
Shia LaBeouf had to prove himself in a very odd way before he was cast in Lars Von Trier’supcoming movie Nymphomaniac. “The first info we got — and I'll never forget this, because my entire team reacted with such a fear — the first request from the production end, not from Lars, but from production, was pictures of my penis," he explained in a new interview. Apparently the request was a test to see if Shia was up to the challenge of the role. "I guess the first test was, 'Let's time how long it takes this motherf–ker to send his d**k over the internet,’” he explained. “It was like 20 minutes. They were like, 'All right, kid's ready.'"
LAWRENCE AND OTHERS LAND ON FORBES’ “30 UNDER 30” LIST
Jennifer Lawrence, Miley Cyrus and Anna Kendrick are just a few of the famous faces makingForbes’ 2014 list of the top “30 Under 30.” The mag claims those on the list, including Olivia Wilde, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber and Lena Dunham, are among the “brightest stars” who are “changing the world.” Other entertainers on the list include: One Direction, Katy Perry, Lorde, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and Quvenzhane Wallis.
COPPERFIELD ENGAGED
David Copperfield revealed in a new interview that he is engaged to longtime girlfriend Chloe Gosselin. The 57-year-old illusionist let the cat out of the bag when Hello! magazine asked him about his former relationship with supermodel Claudia Schiffer. “Oh, that’s a long time ago,” he said. “Now I’m engaged and in a committed relationship with Chloe in my mind and my heart.” And the 28-year-old French model, who has a 3-year-old son with Copperfield, seems just as happy. “I’m so lucky to have found David,” she said. “There are very few people in the world like him.”
WAYNE BRADY DATING TLC’S CHILLI
Whose Line is it Anyway’s Wayne Brady is dating TLC’s Chilli, according to Us Weekly. Sources say the couple has been dating only two weeks, but “they really like each other.” And they’ve already gone public with their romance. The two stars were spotted holding hands in Las Vegas Friday night. "They were so cute, stopping to take pictures with fans," an eyewitness tells Us. "He kept her close to him the whole time." Adds a source, “They’ve been friends for years but there has always been this flirtation…They make a really great couple.”
SMITH COMMENTS ON AVERY’S PASSING
Will Smith has made his first public comment since last week’s death of his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star James Avery. “Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in Peace,” he wrote on Facebook, alongside a picture from the “last time we were together.” James Avery died on December 31st.
LONGORIA NAMED MAXIM’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Eva Longoria has been named Maxim’s Woman of the Year and appears on the cover of the January/February issue. The former Desperate Housewives star says the honor is “especially awesome after how long it’s been since my first cover.” She adds, “I’ve had a beautiful relationship with Maxim over all these years… When someone sees the cover of this issue, they’re going to say, ‘¡Que rico!’… Say it when something is really good.”
BARRYMORE FINALLY HAS A FAMILY
Drew Barrymore, who is pregnant with her second daughter, says that thanks to husband Will Kopelman and his parents, she finally knows what it’s like to have a real family. “When I was a kid, everything was so unplanned, my parents were so erratic, and my world was so inconsistent… I was 14 when I moved into my own apartment,” she tells Marie Claire. “I was so scared. I hated growing up alone.” Barrymore says instead she developed a group of close friends, to whom she’s fiercely loyal. “I don’t f*ck anyone over,” she said. “My friends are the loves my life.” But when Drew married Will she also got his family, which has brought her a sense of stability she never imagined. “I didn’t think I would ever get to experience that,” she says. “This is so safe and positive and healthy because they have their values intact. It was huge for me. And that’s what I want for my family.” As for her relationship with her mother Jaid, Drew tells the mag, “Ugh, I mean, my relationship with my mom is so complicated…. we can’t really be in each other's lives at this point.”
EMMA WATSON SINGLE
Emma Watson is single again. Us Weekly reports the Harry Potter star has split from her college beau Will Adamowicz after two years of dating. "Emma and Will separated last summer and are no longer in touch," her rep told Us. The pair had been dating since 2011, and went public with their relationship at the 2012 Coachella Music & Arts Festival.
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS STAR OPENS UP ABOUT EATING DISORDER
Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario reveals in the latest issue of Seventeen that she struggled with an eating disorder and self-abuse while growing up. “I started self-harming when I was a junior. I would withhold food or withhold going out with my friends, based on how well I did that day in school,” she said. “I didn’t know what was right and what was wrong, so I think I created this bizarre system of checks and balances to create order in my world. But it really backfired.” Bellisario says she felt like she was under immense pressure. “It was about wanting to please my father and mother and wanting to be perfect to everybody,” she tells the magazine. “I just thought if I ever expressed [to my parents] any sadness or anger or anything that’s going on with me, they would disown me.” She adds, “I kept a lot of it bottled up inside, and it turned into self-destructive behavior.”
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS PICKS UP HONOR
The National Society of Film Critics has named Inside Llewyn Davis the Best Picture of the Year. The film also took honors for Best Director, Joel and Ethan Coen, and Best Actor, Oscar Isaac. Other winners include: Cate Blanchett, Best Actress, Blue Jasmine; Jennifer Lawrence, Best Supporting Actress, American Hustle; James Franco, Best Supporting Actor, Spring Breakers andBefore Midnight, Best Screenplay.
TV TIDBITS
● The Wolf of Wall Street’s Jonah Hill will host the January 25th episode of Saturday Night Livewith musical guest Bastille. This will be Hill’s third time hosting the late night sketch show.
● The Queen Latifah Show has been renewed for a second season.
