TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN TEXAS ABORTION LAW
A federal judge ruled yesterday that new Texas abortion restrictions are unconstitutional and will not take effect as scheduled. The strict regulations were supposed to be implemented starting today. District JudgeLee Yeakel said the law violated the rights of abortion doctors to do what they think is best for their patients and would unreasonably restrict a woman’s access to abortion clinics. His ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. The new abortion law was passed by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature, despite a filibuster speech in June by Democratic Rep. Wendy Davisand massive protests at the state Capitol. The Texas attorney general's office argued that the law protects women and the life of the fetus, and Attorney General Greg Abbott was expected to file an emergency appeal of Yeakel's order.
PENN STATE AGREES TO $59.7 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR SANDUSKY VICTIMS
Penn State has agreed to pay a $59.7 million settlement to 26 young men who said they were sexually abused by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The settlement ended a year of negotiations. “We hope this is another step forward in the healing process for those hurt by Mr. Sandusky, and another step forward for Penn State,” University President Rodney Erickson said in a statement. Sandusky, 69, was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse last year and is serving 30 to 60 years in prison. He is appealing the verdict.
U.S. DRONE ATTACK IN SOMALIA KILLS 2 TOP AL SHABAAB LEADERS
A military drone attack in Somalia yesterday killed two top leaders of the al Qaeda-linked terror group responsible for the Kenya mall massacre last month. A senior U.S. military official confirmed that the attack on a single vehicle near the town of Jilib killed two leaders of al Shabaab, including its most important explosives expert, a man named Anta. The second man killed was not yet identified. The official said no one outside the vehicle was killed. Al Shabaab fighters attacked the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in September, killing at least 67 people.
BODY OF MISSING MINNESOTA WOMAN FOUND
The body of a missing Minnesota woman was found in a shallow grave over the weekend, officials confirmed. The remains of 24-year-old Mandy Matula were discovered by a hiker in a park along the Mississippi River Saturday. Police said the autopsy report indicated she was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head. Matula, of Eden Prairie, had been missing since May. She was last seen leaving her home May 1 with her ex-boyfriend, David Roe. Roe fatally shot himself in the head in a police parking lot the next day after he was called in for questioning.
CHINESE MURDER SUSPECT WAS JEALOUS OF FAMILY’S AMERICAN LIFESTYLE
Police believe a Chinese immigrant who massacred a mother and her four children in Brooklyn Saturday night was jealous of the family’s lifestyle. According to authorities, 25-year-old Ming Don Chen was envious that the family had been so much more successful in America than him. Chen is a cousin of the children’s father and had been staying with the family for the past week or so. He was unemployed after being fired from a string of restaurant jobs and his last known address was in Chicago. The children’s father was working onLong Island at the time of murders. The mother had tried calling him because she was alarmed about Chen's "suspicious" behavior earlier in the evening. Two other relatives showed up at the home and found the grisly scene. Chen had butchered the family with a kitchen knife. The victims were identified as 37-year-old Qiao Zhen Li and her children – Linda Zhuo, 9; Amy Zhou, 7; Kevin Zhou, 5; and 1-year-old William Zhou. Chen is currently in police custody.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
CONRAD MURRAY IS FREE
Dr. Conrad Murray is out of jail. The 60-year-old, who was convicted of killing Michael Jackson,was released from a California prison early Monday after serving two years of a four-year sentence. There’s little danger of Murray practicing medicine again. After his 2011 conviction, his license was either suspended or revoked in three states. According to TMZ, Murray is hoping to cash in on his infamy with a book deal. Insiders say he spent his time behind bars writing a book about his life and his time with Jackson. So far he does not have a publisher. He’s also telling friends he’d be open to appearing on a reality show, but as of now no offers have been made.
BROWN CHARGE REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR
Chris Brown had some good news in court yesterday. The felony assault charge filed against the R&B star Sunday was reduced to a misdemeanor. Brown immediately pled not guilty and was released without bail. His bodyguard was also charged with a misdemeanor. Brown was arrested Sunday after punching a man outside his hotel and breaking his nose. Cops say the fight started after the man and his friend photobombed a pic Chris was taking with two girls. Sources close to Chris say the fight started when the man tried to get on Chris tour bus.
DOWNEY, JR. IS HOLLYWOOD’S MOST VALUABLE MOVIE STAR
Robert Downey, Jr. has been named Hollywood’s Most Valuable Movie Star by New YorkMagazine. The Iron Man 3 star earned the title for the second year in a row thanks to his huge box office takes, as well as his likability rating, critics’ reviews, social media presence, award nominations and his “tabloid value.” Coming in second was Leonardo DiCaprio, followed byJennifer Lawrence, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Christian Bale, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp. As for the most Well-Liked Stars, Hanks tops that list, followed by Liam Neeson, Christoph Waltz, Bullock and Washington.
COWELL OPENS UP ABOUT IMPENDING FATHERHOOD
Simon Cowell is getting ready for fatherhood, but even he admits he’s got a lot to learn. “I’m not brilliant with babies. I never know what to do,” Cowell, who is expecting his first child with girlfriendLauren Silverman, tells Parade. The X Factor judge says he’s looking forward to when the child grows up so he can “be a good dad in terms of advice.” “I’ll get to do all the things I want to do, like go to Disneyland or Universal Studios, teach him how to drive,” he says, adding, “I love all that.” And it sounds like Simon and his child will have a few things in common for a while. “I pretty much like everything I liked as a kid — the same foods and TV programs,” he says. “I still watch ‘Scooby-Doo.’ I never grew up.”
OSBOURNE REJECTS GAGA’S PEACE OFFERING
Kelly Osbourne is not ready to make nice with Lady Gaga. The pair has been feuding since 2009 after Kelly criticized Gaga for skipping the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. That comment prompted Gaga to berate Kelly on Twitter, and the Fashion Police star called Gaga a hypocrite for not intervening to stop the bullying. Well, on Sunday, Gaga was a guest on Britain’s The X Factor, where Kelly’s mom Sharon Osbourne is a judge, and the “Applause” singer brought along a birthday cake for Kelly as an olive branch. But Kelly was having none of it. “Not to be ungrateful but why would you send me a birthday cake via my MOTHER in a country half the world away? #JustSendItToME #LoveNotWar,” tweeted Kelly. ““#EatMySh*t #Hypocrisy,” she added, along with a picture of the cake, and, “#StefaniStopIt!” Gaga tried to smooth things over some more, tweeting, “I didn’t know it was your B-day until this afternoon. Meant as a peace offering. Happy Birthday,” but Osbourne still didn’t accept it, writing, “You are so far behind you think you are first!”
MILEY NOT DWELLING ON BREAKUP
Miley Cyrus tells Cosmopolitan magazine she is too focused on her career to sit home moping about her breakup with fiancé Liam Hemsworth. "I need to treat my music like a relationship – give it my time and all the attention it deserves – and that's my main love right now," said the 20-year-old. "This is the best time of my life. I'm not going to look back on it and be like, ‘I wish I hadn't been dwelling over a breakup,' you know? Because that's not what God wants my life to be about right now." She adds, “God wants my life to be about being successful and being happy and blessing other people and being blessed. I'm just having the best time ever and everything's falling into place like it's supposed to."
TEEN MOM FARRAH FURIOUS AT BETHENNY
Teen Mom-turned-porn-star Farrah Abraham is furious at Bethenny Frankel. The 22-year-old was a guest on the former Real Housewives of New York star’s talk show yesterday where she was forced to defend her parenting skills to a very critical audience. Farrah says when she agreed to go on the show she was told “it would be a positive and inspirational talk for mothers and businesswomen,” but she tells Radaroline that “as soon as I met Bethenny, it turned into a judgmental zone.” Farrah says, “She did not like how I valued my daughter’s opinion and care so much about her that I will allow her to have her own voice.” (Her daughter Sophia is four.) Farrah called Bethenny “degrading to women,” adding, “overall Bethenny seems to be in a dark place in her life and it was shocking to see how against women she really is.”
CHARMED REBOOT CRITICIZED
Stars of the CW series Charmed are not happy with the recent news that CBS is developing a reboot of the drama, which aired from 1998-2006. "The thing about them doing a #charmed reboot is… it just… it feels like yesterday. It feels too close," wrote star Alyssa Milano on Twitter. Rose McGowan, who replaced Shannen Doherty in the show, also seemed shocked by CBS’s plans, tweeting, "They really are running out of ideas in Hollywood,” adding, "lame lame lame lamertons."
KRIS HELPS BRUCE CELEBRATE B-DAY
Meanwhile, despite their separation, Kris Jenner was on hand Sunday to help estranged hubbyBruce Jenner celebrate his 64th birthday. Kris posted a pic of the family in festive party gear, along with the caption "Just another family Sunday night dinner!!" Khloe Kardashian also postedpictures of the festivities. "Such a fun early Birthday dinner for my Brucey," she tweeted. "I am so lucky!!! I was blessed with TWO phenomenal fathers!!! Family first."
KANYE TO OPEN STORE NEXT TO KARDASHIAN BOUTIQUE
Sure looks like Kanye West doesn’t want to be far away from his fiancée Kim Kardashian. And that goes for his retail endeavors as well. Apparently Kanye is opening up a Yeezus pop up store right next door to the Kardashians’ Los Angeles boutique Dash. Kim tweeted a picture of the side-by-side business ventures, along with the caption “HIS & HERS.”
KHLOE DEFENDS TEEN SISTERS
Khloe Kardashian has taken to Twitter to defend her teen sisters Kendall and Kylie, after they were criticized for partying with Khloe at a nightclub last week. “So sick and tired of people talking s**t about my family. Last night I posted a picture of my little sisters at a CONCERT NOT a club,” tweeted Khloe. “Stop assuming the worst. Stop trying to make us into something we aren’t! It’s NOT going to happen!” She then added, “Come for me all you want BUT LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!”
BELL STILL ON MARRIAGE HIGH
She’s been married less than two weeks, so it’s no wonder Kristen Bell is still as happy as can be. “I'm still on a high," Bell, who wed Dax Shepard on October 17th, told People. "We actually did it. I can officially call him my husband, which is pretty awesome. Other than that, it feels exactly the same." Bell, who gave birth to daughter Lincoln seven months ago, adds, “Life is great. I couldn't be happier."
TORI SPELLING BLASTS KATIE HOLMES IN NEW BOOK
Tori Spelling doesn’t have many nice things to say about Katie Holmes. In her new memoirSpelling It Like It Is, Tori says she first met Katie when she was on Dawson’s Creek, writing “she was shy but engaging, and altogether pretty adorable." But several years later, Tori ran into Katie outside the studio of a vocal coach, and she was very, very different. “I didn't know whether we should hug or shake hands. But the signal from her was immediately clear: Don't even come close. I instantly got nervous. We clearly weren't going to catch up on the last 10 years. And we certainly weren't going to talk about her husband, Tom Cruise,” writes Tori. The 90210 star tried to strike up a conversation about their kids, but she says Katie had no idea Tori was a mom. “Come on. OK, I know you're busy. But you're in the public eye. Don't tell me you don't follow the tabloids. Don't tell me you don't know anything about other celebrities and their kids," she writes. "Then we stood there. She was just plastic. In a perfectly polite way.” Added Tori, “As my anxiety faded, I just felt sorry for her. I felt sad for her. Those paparazzi photos, the ones where she looks like she's miserable but putting on a happy face? That's what she looked like in person."
FRESH PRINCE STAR WELCOMES SON
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro and wife Angela welcomed a baby boy Sunday. "Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro Jr. was born today at 10:45 a.m.," the star tweeted Sunday night. "We are so blessed.." This is the first child for the couple, who married in October, 2012. Alfonso also has a daughter, Sienna, with ex-wife Robin Stapler.
CIARA ENGAGED
R&B star Ciara has gotten engaged to her boyfriend- of-one-year, rapper-producer Future (real name Nayvadius Wilburn). "Future surprised Ciara with an engagement ring this weekend, also her birthday weekend, in New York City," said the couple's publicist. "The ring, which doubled as a special birthday gift, is a beautiful 15-carat emerald cut diamond designed by Avianne & Co." The singer hinted at the happy news on her Twitter page, writing, “Today Has 2 Be Like One Of The Sweetest Days Of My Life! #TheBestBirthdayEver. If I'm Dreaming I Don't Want To Wake Up..Aaaaaahhh!!!:)"
TV TIDBITS
● Cinemax has renewed the drama Strike Back for a fourth and final season.
● Craig Ferguson will host the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game, which is based on the board game Identity Crisis. The show will have celebrities teamed with contestants as they attempt to identify famous names, including actors, singers, athletes and other pop culture figures. The show is slated to launch in fall 2014.
● The Showtime drama Dexter is coming to Netflix. The first four seasons of the series, starring Michael C. Hall, will begin streaming on Thursday, with seasons five through eight premiering January 1st. The series finale aired this past September.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● Into the Wild’s Emile Hirsch will play the late comedian John Belushi in a new biopic. Belushi, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the movie Animal House, was 33 when he died of a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. The film will be adapted from a book written by Belushi’s widow Judith Belushi Pisano. Filming is expected to begin in spring, 2014.
● The recent Fifty Shades of Grey casting drama has delayed the film’s start. The movie, which now stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, was supposed to begin shooting in early November, but has now been pushed back to December 2nd. So far, the film’s current release date, August 1st, 2014, has not been affected by the change.
ROCK NEWS:
REED’S CAUSE OF DEATH CONFIRMED TO BE TIED TO LIVER TRANSPLANT
It has now been confirmed that Lou Reed indeed died from complications following his liver transplant around six months ago. The New York Times reports that Dr. Charles Miller, who performed the transplant on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician at the Cleveland Clinic, revealed Reed was back in Ohio just last week for further treatment. Dr. Miller said, “We all agreed that we did everything we could.” Reed died Sunday at his home on Long Island. He was 71.
PEARL JAM PAYS ONSTAGE TRIBUTE TO REED
The rock world is still mourning the loss of Lou Reed who died Sunday at the age of 71 from what a representative said was an ailment related to his liver transplant in May. On Sunday night, Pearl Jam paid a musical tribute to the late Velvet Underground singer by performing “I’m Waiting for the Man” during their concert in Baltimore. Pearl Jam’s tour continues tonight in Charlottesville, VA, tomorrow in Charlotte, NC and Friday in New Orleans.
ARCADE FIRE’S REFLEKTOR REFLECTIVE OF HAITI, NEW ORDER INFLUENCE
The new Arcade Fire album Reflektor arrived today, and in a radio interview yesterday, band members and real-life husband and wife Win Butler and Regine Chassagne said they had their mothers, 80s rockers New Order and Chassagne’s native Haitian roots in mind when they were crafting the record’s dance-friendly sound. She said, “I’m kind of stuck a little bit in both worlds, so I would like to make something that…my mom could dance to. She wouldn’t dance to a New Order song, but she would dance to the Haitian beat. I want to…do something that everybody can lock into.”
MUSE PREPS PACKAGE OF CONCERT IN ROME’S OLYMPIC STADIUM
Devon, England’s Muse played Rome, Italy’s Olympic Stadium on July 6 and now fans worldwide will have an opportunity to enjoy the spectacle in the comforts of their own living rooms. On December 2, Muse – Live at Rome Olympic Stadium will be released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray and will include powerful performances of some of the group’s greatest hits including “Supremacy,” “Resistance,” “Follow Me,” “Madness,” “Guiding Light,” “Uprising” and “Starlight.”
KINGS OF CHAOS COLLECTIVE CONFIRM SOLE 2013 CONCERT
The all-star combo Kings of Chaos featuring Slipknot and Stone Sour singer Corey Taylor,Velvet Revolver and Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, Deep Purple alum Glenn Hughes and longtime Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens has confirmed its lone 2013 North American concert. The ensemble will assemble on November 18 at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles for the benefit concert “Tokyo Celebrates the Dolphin.” As its title implies, the event will benefit the Dolphin Project, an international organization working to save dolphins from slaughter and exploitation.
MASTODON TO DELIVER DIGITAL RELEASE OF LIVE SET IN DECEMBER
‘Hotlanta heavy metal masters Mastodon will give fans an early holiday gift with the December 10 digital audio and video release of their concert collection Mastodon: Live at Brixton. Captured during the band’s February 11, 2012 gig at London’s O2 Academy in Brixton, the set features 23 bone-rattling Mastodon masterworks including “Dry Bone Valley,” “Blasteroid,” “All the Heavy Lifting,” “Iron Tusk,” “Blood and Thunder” and “Where Strides the Behemoth.”
MOTLEY CRUE’S NEIL, MARS GO ON OFFENSIVE REGARDING RUMORS
Hoping to set the record straight on a couple of separate rumors surrounding a couple of members of Motley Crue, the members in question, Vince Neil and Mick Mars, took to Twitter to take a couple of people to task for spreading misinformation. First, Neil jumped on Twitter to tackle the rumor about him joining the cast of Celebrity Apprentice, writing: “The rumor about apprentice was started by a loser wannabe reporter Norm Clark. I’ve talked to the show, but that’s it! But if I got the offer, I’d do it! Sounds fun!” Next up, Mars made minced meat out of Motley bandmate Tommy Lee’s recent comments regarding the guitarist’s health playing a role in the band planning a retirement tour. Mars tweeted: “Once again, any rumors regarding a farewell tour due to ‘my poor health’ is BS. I am doing fine, my AS (Ankylosing Spondyylitis) has never kept me from touring. Thank all of you for knowing the truth… When I’m done touring, you’ll hear it from me.”
PLANT PLANNED TO SELL USED CARS BEFORE TURNING A PAGE
The history of rock would have missed out on a very significant chapter if Led Zeppelin frontmanRobert Plant’s prediction of a whole different career as a used car salesman would have come true. In a recent interview with BBC radio, the singer recounts how Jimmy Page found him in the aftermath of the breakup of the Yardbirds, saying “Jimmy wanted to carry on and he was looking for a singer. They were looking for someone who might kick ass. And I was a frontman who didn’t play guitar, which was handy…it was just like, anything goes, I’m not going to be thinking of this after [these shows in the US] as I’ll probably be selling cars in Wolverhampton next month.”
DEF LEPPARD GUITARIST WON’T WATCH NEW CONCERT DVD
Don’t expect Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell to give you his opinion on the band’s recently released concert film Viva! Hysteria because he has no plans to watch it. Campbell, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma just before the start of the Las Vegas residency that provided the footage for the film, told Rolling Stone, “I don’t like watching myself. I was really, really sick when we filmed this. When I look at pictures I look very pale because I was anemic and everything. So I’m not in a hurry to see myself on the big screen.”
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
New albums out today: Arcade Fire – Reflektor; Linkin Park – Recharged; Seether –2002-2013; Bad Religion – Christmas Songs; Humble Pie – Performance: Rockin’ the Fillmore – the Complete Recordings; The Devil Makes Three – I’m a Stranger Here.
