TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
OUSTED UKRAINIAN PREZ WANTED FOR MASS MURDER
Ukraine’s acting government issued a warrant yesterday for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych. He is wanted for the mass murder of protesters who demonstrated against his rule. Yanukovych fled Kiev following months of protests Saturday, and was last seen in the pro-Russian Black Sea peninsula ofCrimea. At least 82 people, mainly civilian protesters, were killed in clashes in Kiev last week. As of Sunday, parliament handed presidential powers temporarily to the speaker of parliament, Oleksandr Turchinov. New elections are to be held in May.
DEFENSE SEC. PROPOSES DEEP CUTS TO U.S. ARMY
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel yesterday called for cuts to the U.S. Army that would shrink it to its smallest size since before World War II. The Army had already been preparing to decrease to 490,000 active-duty members from a wartime peak of 570,000, but Hagel is proposing to slash numbers further to between 440,000 and 450,000. Hagel defended the reductions in troop strength as a trade-off for better technology and new cyber resources. "We are repositioning to focus on the strategic challenges and opportunities that will define our future: new technologies, new centers of power, and a world that is growing more volatile, more unpredictable, and in some instances more threatening to the United States," Hagel said.
2 SECURITY WORKERS BOARD MAERSK ALABAMA POSSIBLY DIED FROM DRUG USE
Police said yesterday two security workers found dead aboard the ship Maersk Alabama last week died of respiratory failure and were suspected to have had heart attacks, possibly brought on by drug use. A syringe and traces of heroin were found in the men’s cabin. Police said samples will be analyzed to determine if the men had consumed “a substance” that could have caused their death. Mark Daniel Kennedy, 43, and Jeffrey Keith Reynolds, 44, were both former U.S. Navy SEALs. They were working security aboard the ship off the coast of Africa. The Maersk Alabama was the ship made famous when it was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009, an incident that was the basis for the movie Captain Phillips.
S.C. COUPLE ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF MISSING 20-YEAR-OLD
A South Carolina couple was charged yesterday in the disappearance of a 20-year-old woman. Tammy andSidney Moorer were arrested Friday after police executed a search warrant at their home and found evidence that gave them probable cause. The two have been charged with the kidnapping and murder of Heather Elvis, as well as obstruction of justice and indecent exposure. Elvis was last heard from in the early morning hours of Dec. 18, after she went on a date. Her car was found abandoned the next day. Elvis allegedly had a relationship history with Sidney Moorer, 37, and had communicated with him on the morning she disappeared. Her body has yet to be found.
MISSOURI SPELLING BEE RUNS OUT OF WORDS
The Jackson County Spelling Bee in Missouri had to temporarily shut things down when they ran out of words over the weekend. After 19 rounds only two of the 25 contestants remained Saturday – 11–year-old Sophia Hoffman and 13-year-old Kush Sharma. The two went head-to-head for another 47 rounds before organizers were forced to break. They had blown through all of the available words provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The contest will resume March 8 at an undetermined library site.
ROCK NEWS:
ORIGINAL KISS MANAGER’S PARTNER SAYS BAND SHOULD PLAY INDUCTION
Add Roman Fernandez, the former partner of original Kiss manager Bill Aucion, to the long list of people pissed at the band’s decision not to perform at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10. Aucion died of prostate cancer in 2010, but Fernandez said in a recent interview, “I’m pretty sure this is what Bill might have said in light of all this nonsense. Find a compromise, put everything aside for one night, be the larger than life rock stars you know you are.” Fernandez added, “Life is too short to waste such a precious opportunity. If for no other reason, do it for Bill Aucion.” Aucion was Kiss’ manager from 1973-82.
ALBARN ANXIOUS TO LAUNCH SOLO TOUR
Late April is when Damon Albarn of Blur, Gorrilaz and The Good, The Bad and the Queenfame will begin his first real solo tour in support of his upcoming solo debut, Everyday Robots, available April 28. Albarn told Rolling Stone, “It’s going to be really interesting and I’m looking forward to every minute of it.” When asked about the future of Blur, he said, “There is material. But I can’t foresee us in the near future being in a position to finish it.” Regarding Gorrilaz, he said, “Apart from the visuals, I am Gorrilaz. What makes Gorrilaz? So, is Gorrilaz here or is it not here? We always have different musicians when we play live. The only constant thing, I suppose, is myself. And I’m still here.”
SOUNDGARDEN SET TO SERVE UP SUPERUNKNOWN ANNIVERSARY SETS
Seattle sound superstars Soundgarden are gearing up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of their smash album Superunknown with some super reissues. On June 3, the band will reissue the album via two deluxe versions including a two-disc deluxe edition featuring a remastered version of the original album and a second disc containing rare demos, rehearsal recording, B-sides and more, and a five-disc super deluxe edition featuring the album mixed in Blu-ray, plus more.
LEE READY TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE FOR FOURTH TIME
Drummers know all about playing in four-four time, and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee knows all about getting married, having already said “I do” three times in the past. Well Lee has announced he will walk down the aisle for a fourth time, this time with German singer and dancerSofia Toufa, who goes by her professional name SOFI. The 51-year old Lee and 30-year old SOFI each took to Twitter to confirm their engagement, with Lee writing: “There comes a time in a man’s life when you just know your partner is for LIFE!! Say hellow to my fiancé and soon to be wife @SOFIofficial.”
PUSSY RIOT MEMBERS REENTER REVOLVING JAILHOUSE DOOR
Despite the spotlight being off Russia now that the Sochi Winter Olympic Games have ended, Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhinahave made headlines yet again following yet another arrest. The pair of protesters and an estimated 200 additional activists were arrested on Monday after taking part in a protest outside a Moscow courthouse during the sentencing of eight people arrested during a demonstration in 2012. The two Pussy Riot members spent 18 months behind bars following a protest in a church in 2012 but were released just prior to the start of the Sochi Olympics.
INXS’ HUTCHENCE PLANNED TO SPLIT WITH GIRL PRIOR TO PASSING
During a recent interview, INXS multi-instrumentalist Kirk Pengilly revealed that late frontmanMichael Hutchence was planning to leave Paula Yates, the mother of his daughter, Tiger Lily, just days before his death in 1997. Pengilly told Australia’s Channel 7 Sunday Night, “Just prior to his death, that week or so, what he told me was that he had a plan in place to basically split up with Paula. It’s all very personal stuff and it’s a long time ago too, so I don’t want to dwell on it. What can I say? That’s what he told me.”
MYSTERY CHILD IN 45-YEAR OLD UNRELEASED HENDRIX FILM IDENTIFIED
French music promoter and Jimi Hendrix fanatic Yazid Manou has finally tracked down the identity of the small child who appeared onstage at the late guitar great’s February 24, 1969 show at London’s Royal Albert Hall which was filmed but never released commercially. The lucky youngster was Charley Weber, son of Swinging Sixties London era couple Tommy and Sue Weber. Having been shown a still shot of the encounter, Weber, now in his mid-40’s, told Ultimateclassicrock.com, “I’ve never seen the picture before, but I remember very clearly being backstage before the photo happened. My father introduced me to Hendrix. He was just a lovely guy; a beautiful guy with lovely energy. He was my hero. That’s why I was so excited to watch that performance. He spoke to me deeply at a very early age.”
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums out today: Beck – Morning Phase; Bayside – Cult; Bob Mould – Workbook 25; Phantogram – Voices.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
THICKE & PATTON SEPARATE
“Blurred Lines” singer Robin Thicke and Baggage Claim’s Paula Patton announced yesterday that they have separated. "We will always love each other and be best friends, however, we have mutually decided to separate at this time," they told People in a statement. The couple, who has been married since 2005, has one son, Julian, who is almost four.
COMEDY LEGEND HAROLD RAMIS DIES
Comedian Harold Ramis, best known for his work in Ghostbusters and Stripes, died Monday morning in Chicago. He was 69. According to TMZ, the writer-director passed away from complications from a rare autoimmune disease. In addition to his acting work, Ramis wrote and directed the hit comedies, Caddyshack (his directorial debut), Groundhog Day and Analyze This, and was a co-writer on such hits as National Lampoon’s Animal House and Meatballs.
JIMMY KIMMEL TO BE A DAD AGAIN
Jimmy Kimmel revealed to Ellen DeGeneres in an interview airing Wednesday that he and wifeMolly McNearney are expecting their first child together. The couple married last July. Jimmy is already dad to two kids, Kevin, 20 and Katie, 22, from his previous marriage. “I’ve really forgotten everything,” said Kimmel. “I told my daughter, ‘Listen, there’s only so much love I have to give — you’re gonna have to split it up with the new kid. There’s a finite amount of love and that’s that.’ So they’re dealing with it, but it is very weird at my age. I’m going to be one of those old dads.”
SNOOKI REPORTEDLY PREGNANT
The New York Post reports that Jersey Shore’s Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is expecting her second child. She and fiancé Jionni LaValle have yet to confirm the report. The couple’s first child,Lorenzo, was born in August, 2012.
COWELL WORRIED DOGS WON’T LIKE BABY
Simon Cowell reportedly hired a top dog expert to help his two Yorkshire Terriers get used to his new son Eric, who was born on Valentine’s Day. According to the New York Post, Cowell hiredEdward Alava, owner of an Upper East Side pet store, to watch his dogs Squiddly and Diddlywhile he was with baby mama Lauren Silverman during Eric’s birth. Simon also sought Alava’s advice on how to get the pooches to accept the child. And judging from recent pictures it may have worked. Simon and Lauren bought baby Eric to a beach in Miami over the weekend and a photographer caught one of the pooches licking the 10-day-old, who seemed to sleep through the entire thing.
AMERICAN IDOL LOSING MONEY
The days of American Idol making a lot of money for Fox are apparently over. According to TMZ, the once successful show is expected to lose money this year and the judging panel is to blame. Sources say the reality show is taking a beating because of the huge salaries paid to the judges, including more than $15 million to Jennifer Lopez. And Ryan Seacrest makes just about as much. In addition, the network reportedly spent between $5 and $7 million on a new set and they are still paying off two executive producers who were fired last year. And it doesn’t help that the ratings are down about 26% which affects the show’s advertising dollars. But the loss of money isn’t expected to result in a cancellation, since there are too many open holes in the network’s schedule.
DEEN BEGINS COMEBACK
Paula Deen is slowly making her way back into the public eye. The former Food Network chef appeared at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival over the weekend and addressed the crowd about her recent troubles. Without ever mentioning her racial-slur scandal directly, Paula told the cheering crowd, “I am not a quitter. We have come off of a very hard summer my family and I, my team, my partners." She then added, "But you know, I have heard on more than one occasion … that I've never apologized. So if anybody did not hear me apologize, I would like to apologize to those who did not hear me." Later Food Network chef Robert Irvine, who went through his own scandal in 2008 for discrepancies on his resume, joined Deen on stage, telling her, “you’ve apologized enough. You’ve eaten crow. You’re done. Don’t do it anymore.” Irvine then got down on his hands and knees and Deen straddled his back and told the crowd, “I’m back in the saddle!”
ALEC BALDWIN’S LEAVING NEW YORK
Alec Baldwin penned a 5,300-word essay for New York magazine where he rants about everything from his run-ins with paparazzi, to the scandal surrounding his work with Shia Labeoufin the play Orphans, to his canceled MSNBC show. He also announced that he’s ready to give up public life and move out of New York because the paparazzi have made it difficult for him and his family to live happily. “I probably have to move out of New York…Everything I hated about LA I’m beginning to crave,” he wrote. “LA is a place where you live behind a gate, you get in a car, your interaction with the public is minimal. I used to hate that. But New York has changed, Manhattan is like Beverly Hills and the soul of New York has moved to Brooklyn, where everything new and exciting seems to be. I have to accept that.”
AVATAR STAR ARRESTED IN PAPARAZZI ALTERCATION
Avatar’s Sam Worthington was arrested in New York City Sunday after punching a paparazzo who attacked his girlfriend. According to reports, Worthington punched photographer Sheng Li in the face after he kicked the actor’s girlfriend Lara Bingle in the shins. Worthington was issued a desk appearance ticket and released, while Li was held for arraignment on charges of reckless endangerment, assault and harassment.
JOSH BROLIN’S LATEST SQUEEZE
Looks like Josh Brolin has a new woman in his life. The actor, whose divorce from wife Diane Lane became final last year, was photographed over the weekend kissing Kathryn Boyd, whoPeople claims used to work as his assistant. The pair was spotted getting cozy as they took in the sites of Rome.
AMANDA BYNES TAKES A PLEA IN DUI CASE
Amanda Bynes scored a plea deal in connection with her April, 2012 DUI arrest in West Hollywood. The actress’ lawyer was in court yesterday where he pleaded no contest on her behalf to a charge of “wet reckless” which TMZ says is a drinking-related offense but not as serious as DUI. As part of the deal, Amanda will be on three-years probation and must attend a three-month alcohol education class.
SHEEN UPSET OVER FIANCÉE’S IMAGE
Charlie Sheen is reportedly furious the press continues to call his new fiancée a porn star. “It’s absolutely making Charlie crazy that the media keeps referring to Brett as a porn star, because she no longer is doing that. She recently graduated from nursing school,” an insider told Radar. He’s also mad that the press keeps using her stage name Brett Rossi, when her legal name isScottine Ross. “He wants people to refer to her as Scotti, which is the name she goes by in her personal life,” said the source. “Charlie has told his publicist to tell media outlets to stop calling her a porn star.” It was recently revealed that Brett, um Scotti, is actually still married, although her exJonathan Ross filed for divorce on July 18th, 2013. Rossi just filed her response to the divorce on January 30th, and is now being represented by Sheen’s attorney.
DUNHAM SHOCKED AT BEAU’S CELEBRITY EX
Girls creator Lena Dunham told the New York Post recently she was shocked to find out her boyfriend Jack Antonoff of the band fun. once dated Scarlett Johansson. Dunham said she made the discovery while checking out the Tumblr blog Old Loves, which features pictures of celebrities that are no longer together. “The craziest thing that ever happen[ed] to me, was like, Old Loves is my passion, I check it, like, once a week,” she said. “It’s how I kick back on a Friday night is to see what Old Loves has done. And I was going through it and I saw my boyfriend and his girlfriend from high school. Scarlett Johansson.” Not that Dunham has a problem with Jack’s ex. “I’m not jealous. It’s very sweet. I love looking at pictures of them,” she said.
ZARA PHILLIPS RELEASES PIC OF BABY MIA
Zara Phillips and her rugby player husband Mike Tindall released the first photo of their daughter Mia, who was born January 16th. Mia is the Queen’s fourth great grand-child, and the 16th in line for the throne.
VERONICA MARS MOVIE NEWS
Veronica Mars fans don’t even have to leave the house to catch the movie when it opens March 17th. Warner Bros. announced that on the same day the film is released in about 270 theaters it will become available to buy or rent online. In other Mars news…fans can now win a chance to attend the Los Angeles premiere alongside the film’s star Kristen Bell. The actress is taking part in anomaze.com contest in which anyone who donates money will be in the running to win a trip for two to LA, where they’ll walk the red carpet and enjoy the film’s after-party. Proceeds from the contest will go to PATH, which helps to fight homelessness throughout Southern California. Entries must be received by March 7th.
ABRAHAM WON’T STOP DAUGHTER FROM GETTING PLASTIC SURGERY
Farrah Abraham is not opposed to letting her now five-year-old daughter Sophia go under the knife one day. “I have to say, we very much believe that we are pretty,” the former Teen Mom star tells Radaronline. “We are secure people. But if there’s something that she can’t live with, then yes go for it!” But Farrah has one rule regarding plastic surgery. “Like myself, I waited till I was 18,” she says. “If she would like to do that, she’s her own adult. And … if it’s for a real reason.” But Farrah doesn’t think her daughter will need to make any changes. “I’m supportive, but I don’t think in any way shape or form she will need that,” she said. “She’s a very adorable, good looking, great kid.”
THE END OF MOVIEFONE
Mr. Moviefone is saying goodbye. The automated telephone service, in which moviegoers in big cities could call 777-FILM to find listing information and buy tickets, is about to go silent. Instead of the normal, “Hello, and welcome to Moviefone,” callers over the weekend heard a message which revealed the numbers “will no longer be in service in the near future” and directed them to download the Moviefone app in order to get their information in the future. Moviefone is expected to be disconnected in about a month.
TV TIDBITS
● ABC on Monday confirmed the rumors that Erin Andrews will be replacing Brooke Burke-Charvet as co-host of Dancing with the Stars. She will be joining returning host Tom Bergeronwhen season 18 kicks off March 17th. The new cast of DWTS will be revealed on Good Morning America, Tuesday, March 4th.
● Angelina Jolie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Kevin Spacey, Channing Tatum and John Travolta are just a few of the stars added as presenters for the 86th Annual Academy Awards, airing Sunday, March 2nd on ABC.
● NBC yesterday announced that MSNBC’s Tamron Hall will join Natalie Morales, Al Roker andWillie Geist as co-host of the third hour of Today. Hall often sits in at the show, filling in for Morales at the news desk, or for Carson Daly in Today’s “Orange Room.”
● Nominees for the 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards were announced yesterday with One Direction,The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Katy Perry leading the pack. Online voting began yesterday. The show, hosted by Mark Wahlberg, airs March 29th on Nickelodeon.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● Dennis Rodman’s so-called diplomacy trips to North Korea may soon be the subject of a big screen comedy. 20th Century Fox just purchased the rights to the film Diplomats, which was inspired by Rodman’s trips.
● Amanda Seyfried will replace Mila Kunis as the female lead in Seth MacFarlane’s Ted 2. Kunis, who played Mark Wahlberg’s love interest in the first film, may make an appearance in the sequel, but she will have much less screen time. Sources say casting Seyfried was a “creative decision.”
