WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
FISHERMEN SUPPORT CASTAWAY’S TALE
While some remain skeptical of his story, fellow fishermen in Mexico supported Pacific castaway Jose Salvador Alvarenga's claims that he spent more than a year lost at sea. Alvarenga, 37, washed ashore on the Marshall Islands last week, saying he spent 13 months eating raw fish, birds and turtles to survive. Fellow fisherman said they remember when Alvarenga disappeared and assumed he was dead. "We even laid flowers in the palm hut where he lived," fisherman Belarmino Rodriguez Solis said. "When fishermen leave and do not return we look for them." Alvarenga said he came close to committing suicide after his boat companion, a teenager named Ezekiel, starved to death after about a month at sea. His vessel finally washed up on land last Thursday. Islanders found Alvarenga in ragged underwear, sporting a bushy beard and long hair. Officials have not yet verified Alvarenga's identity or his account of what happened.
4 FAMILY MEMBERS KILLED IN PLANE CRASH NEAR NASHVILLE
Four family members were killed Monday in a plane crash near Nashville, Tennessee. The small plane was flying from Grand Bend Municipal Airport in Kansas to John C. Tune-Nashville International Airport when it went down just before 5 p.m. ET. The pilot, indentified a prominent Kansas rancher 62-year-old Glenn Mull, was being hailed a hero yesterday for maneuvering the plane away from a nearby YMCA just before it crashed. Officials said this action saved many lives. Officials identified the other victims as Elaine Mull, 63, his wife; Amy Harter, 40, their daughter; and Samantha Harter, 16, their granddaughter.
TARGET EXECS FACE CONGRESS OVER BREACH
Target executives appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday to discuss the massive data breach that affected millions of customers. The store’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,John Mulligan, apologized for the lapse in security. “I want to say how deeply sorry we are for the impact this incident has had on our guests – your constituents,” he told the committee. He testified that a hacker stole a vendor’s credentials to access Target’s system and place malware on store sale registers in order to steal shoppers’ credit card information. The breach affected guests who shopped at Target stores in the U.S.between Nov. 27 and Dec. 18. Card data was compromised for up to 40 million people and personal data, including name, mailing address, phone number or email address, was compromised for up to 70 million guests.
FBI RECOVERED 16 MINORS IN CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING STING
The FBI announced yesterday that 16 minors were recovered and more than 45 pimps and their associates were arrested in a Super Bowl sting targeting child sex trafficking. The juveniles ranged in age from 13 to 17. According to the FBI, they included high school students and children who had been reported missing by their families, as well as international human trafficking victims. Some of those arrested in the operation claimed to have traveled to New Jersey specifically to prostitute women and children at the Super Bowl. The operation spanned more than six months and was led by the FBI in conjunction with over 50 law enforcement agencies.
TEXAS TEEN WALKS A WEEK AFTER SKYDIVING ACCIDENT
A 16-year-old Texas girl who suffered a horrific skydiving accident just over a week ago is already starting to walk again. Doctors said Makenzie Wethington is making an “incredible” recovery. She fell 3,500 feet when her parachute only partially opened during her first ever skydiving attempt in Oklahoma. She somehow managed to survive the fall, but sustained fractured vertebrae, pelvis, ribs and a hip bone. She also suffered bleeding on her brain. But as of Monday, she was able to walk about 80 feet with the help of a walker. Her family said she remembers little of the incident and is in good spirits.
ROCK NEWS:
BONO POINTS TO PUNK, EDM AS GUIDE POSTS FOR UPCOMING ALBUM
In a recent interview with BBC Radio 1, U2 frontman Bono talked about the sounds that inspired the band’s upcoming album and recently debuted song “Invisible.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer said, “We listened to all this extraordinary music in the late ‘70s and started to think about those times and the things that made us who we are. We went back to why we wanted to be in a band in the first place. Punk rock and electronic music is when it started for us. We were listening to the Ramones and Kraftwerk and you can hear both of those things on ‘Invisible.’”
U2’S “INVISIBLE” RAISES OVER $3M FOR GLOBAL FUND
Irish rockers U2 and Bank of America teamed to premiere the band’s new song “Invisible” during a Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, and the group offered a free download on iTunes, with B of A pledging to donate $1 for each download up to $2 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. But with well over 3 million fans downloading the tune in a period of 36 hours, Bank of America decided to up its offer to $3 million. “Invisible” is now available for sale for $1.29, and all proceeds will be donated to the Global Fund as well.
ARCADE FIRE EARNS SIX JUNO AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Montreal-based Arcade Fire has received six Juno Awards nominations, leading all nominees hoping to take home Canada’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards. The rock troupe will vie for trophies in the following categories: Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Group of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year and Fan Choice. The Juno Awards will be handed out on March 30 in Winnipeg.
SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO TWO-WEEKEND FORMAT
The annual Sasquatch! Music Festival held in George, WA will expand to a two-weekend format featuring an entirely different lineup each weekend. The Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) lineup will include Outkast, The National, Queens of the Stone Age, M.I.A., Foster the People, HAIM,Cage the Elephant, Violent Femmes, plus many more. The Fourth of July weekend (July 4-6) bill will feature Kraftwerk, Soundgarden, Spoon, New Order, Broken Bells, Tegan and Sara,Frank Ocean and Local Natives, among many, many more. Tickets go on sale this Saturday.
PERRY POINTS TO POSSIBLE BREAKTHROUGH IN JOURNEY REUNION TALKS
Several sources are reporting that former Journey frontman Steve Perry said in a recent interview that he and guitarist Neal Schon are discussing a possible reunion. The reclusive rocker reportedly said, “We’re trying. It’s tough. I’m doing my best in that area, and I can only do so much.” Perry added, “The older I get, the more I do realize how important what we had all together and how it worked. I brought things out of them, and they certainly brought a lot of my vocal stuff out of me… I think that’s probably the biggest chemistry thing I recognize now.”
SKATERS SET SPRING HEADLINING TOUR SCHEDULE
New York City-based four-piece Skaters will head out on a 15-stop headlining tour, starting March 18 in Santa Ana, CA and wrapping up in Philadelphia on April 4. The trek, designed to trumpet the February 25 release of their debut full-length album Manhattan, also includes shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Columbus, OH, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. The group recently shot a video for the track “Miss Teen Massachusetts.”
WATERS WRITES TO STARLET OVER TIES TO ISRAEL-BASED DRINK MAKER
Starlet Scarlett Johansson finds herself in Roger Waters’ crosshairs after the actress inked a contract to become a spokesperson for Israel’s SodaStream which has factories in the contested West Bank. The signing cost Johansson her role as an ambassador for Oxfam, “which is opposed to all trade from Israeli settlements.” The Pink Floyd principal, a strong Palestinian supporter, wrote on his Facebook page: “I have written privately…to Scarlett Johansson (a couple of times)… sadly, I have received no reply… Scarlett’s choice of SodaStream over Oxfam is such an act of intellectual, political, and civil about face… Scarlett, you are undeniably cute, but if you think SodaStream is building bridges towards peace you are also undeniably not paying attention.”
STYX, FOREIGNER, FELDER TO PROVIDE THE SOUNDTRACK OF SUMMER
Veteran road warriors Styx and Foreigner will team with former Eagles guitarist Don Felder for a three-month summer tour they’re calling The Soundtrack of Summer Tour. The trek will commence on May 16 in Oklahoma City and go silent on July 27 in Santa Barbara, CA. Combined, the three hit making acts have sold over 250 million albums worldwide and produced 36 No. 1 singles. Finally, the three acts have recorded a new version of the Eagles anthem “Hotel California” that will be included in a compilation album that will be released in conjunction with the tour.
THE BEATLES: WE LOVE THEM, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH
In anticipation of this Sunday’s 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, we’ve collected some rare soundbytes from John,Paul, George and Ringo talking about the dawning of Beatlemania. First, George talks about the lack of crime committed in New York City while the Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show. Next, John Lennon tries to explain what it was like being in the middle of Beatlemania.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
WOODY’S ATTORNEY BLAMES MIA
Woody Allen’s attorney was on Today yesterday, where he insisted the director’s ex Mia Farrowis behind Dylan Farrow’s recent New York Times letter in which she once again accused Allen of sexually assaulting her. "[Dylan] was a pawn in a huge fight between [Allen] and Mia Farrow years ago, and the idea that she was molested was implanted in her by her mother," Elkan Abramowitzsaid in the interview. "And that memory is never going to go away, so the fact that she says this now, that it happened 20 years ago, is totally understandable." Abramowitz added that Allen’s reaction to the letter was “one of overwhelming sadness because of what has happened to Dylan.” He also suggested the accusations are resurfacing because Mia is upset about the accolades Allen has been receiving for his film Blue Jasmine. "I think it's a continuation of Mia Farrow's desire to hurt Woody Allen," Abramowitz said. "Woody Allen is now riding high…and I believe it revived the anger she has toward him."
WALTERS DEFENDS WOODY
Another person on Woody Allen’s side is Barbara Walters, who defended him on The Viewearlier this week. "I have rarely seen a father as sensitive, as loving and as caring as Woody is and Soon-Yi to these two girls," Walters said (Woody and Soon-Yi are parents to 14-year-oldBechet and 13-year-old Manzie). "I don't know about Dylan. I can only tell you what I have seen now. That it's a good marriage, and he's a loving, caring father. I think that has to be said." Co-hostSherri Shepherd didn’t seem to buy it, saying, “We've heard so many cases of people going, 'He was the most wonderful person in the world. I would have never thought he would've…,’” but Walters insisted that was not what she meant. Shepherd also mentioned Allen’s track-record of being attracted to younger women, which led to more fighting with Walters.
THE LATEST ON PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN’S DEATH
Philip Seymour Hoffman reportedly admitted his addiction problems in an off-handed comment to a stranger just two weeks ago. Magazine publisher John Arundel bumped into Hoffman at the Sundance Film Festival and didn’t recognize him at first. When he asked Hoffman what he did for a living, he replied, “I’m a heroin addict.” Arundel later recognized the actor, who admitted as he walked away that he “just got out of rehab.” Hoffman, who had been clean for over 20 years, had a relapse last year and it had gotten so bad his girlfriend of 14 years Mimi O’Donnell, mother of his three children, had kicked him out of their Greenwich Village apartment. “It was known that he was struggling to stay sober, and his wife had given him some tough love and told him he needed some time away from the kids and to get straight again,’’ a source told The New York Post.
HOFFMAN’S FUNERAL TO BE PRIVATE
Funeral arrangements for Philip Seymour Hoffman were announced yesterday. A rep said the actor, whose body was discovered Sunday, will be buried “in a private service held in New York for family and close friends.” A date for the service was not announced. The rep added “plans are also underway for a memorial service later in the month also to be held in N.Y.” In addition, the family asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Phil’s name to either The DreamYard Project or the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
BROADWAY TO HONOR HOFFMAN
The Broadway community will honor Philip Seymour Hoffman tonight by dimming the lights on all theaters for one minute starting at 7:45 pm. Hoffman was a fixture on the Broadway stage, having been nominated for three Tony Awards: for revivals of Death of a Salesman (2012) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2003), and for Sam Shepard’s True West (2000).
VANITY FAIR EDITOR DISHES ON PALTROW CONTROVERSY
Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter has gone public with the battle his magazine went through when they attempted to write an article about Gwyneth Paltrow. Carter insists the idea for the story was sparked after noticing “that people tend to have passionate opinions on the actress.” “What began so innocently quickly took a turn, however,” he admits in this month’s Editor's Letter. “Once the story was assigned, the writer reached out to Paltrow’s representatives and friends, and Paltrow sent the now-infamous email to her show-business pals. She asked that they not speak to Vanity Fair about her, or about anything else ever again. Ever. Never.” He added, “Kim Jong-Un couldn’t have issued a more blanket demand.” After news of Paltrow’s email hit the press, speculation began as to what exactly Gwyneth wanted to keep quiet, including rumors she had an affair.
BIEBER GETS A TRIAL DATE
Justin Bieber has a court date. The singer will go on trial March 3rd in connection with his recent arrest in Miami on charges of DUI, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license. Bieber has pleaded not guilty to all three misdemeanors.
BIEBER WANTED TO BE BAPTIZED IN NYC
Justin Bieber seems to be on a destructive path these days, but apparently he hasn’t given up on his faith. The New York Post reports that while the 19-year-old was in New York for Super Bowl weekend, his entourage was looking for a Manhattan property with a private pool so he could be baptized by the Hillsong Church NYC. Said one source, “Justin is serious about his Christian faith, and after recent events, he needed to take a pause.” But apparently Justin never went through with his “cleansing ritual” because they couldn’t find a location in time.
LITTLE COUPLE STAR’S CANCER IN REMISSION
The Little Couple’s Dr. Jennifer Arnold, who’s been battling a rare form of cancer, is sharing some happy news. "I had my official last chemo treatment," Arnold, 39, told People. "And while I'm hesitant to say I'm cancer-free – maybe that's common for people who have had cancer – I'm doing great. Everything is moving in the right direction. I am very excited." Jennifer’s cancer is in remission and from now on her blood count will be monitored to make sure it does not return. She tells the mag that she couldn’t have gotten through it without her husband Bill Klein, and their two children. "Bill knows when I'm not doing well and he takes such good care of me," she says. "That was huge. That and enjoying watching my children play was a huge uplifting part of my treatment. With kids running around, you don't have much time to feel sorry for yourself."
DISICK SUES MERCEDES
Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Scott Disick is claiming Mercedes-Benz sold him a lemon. The reality star is suing the auto company claiming his 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is “virtually useless” because it breaks down so much. It’s so bad, he says, the $190K vehicle is almost always at the repair shop. Disick wants his money back, plus expenses.
SEINFELD LAUGHS OFF DIVERSITY CRITICISM
Jerry Seinfeld doesn’t care about diversity in comedy. When asked during a CBS This Morninginterview about online criticism that his web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, has predominantly featured white male comedians, Jerry laughed it off. “People think it’s the census or something,” he said. “This has gotta represent the actual pie chart of America? Who cares? It's just funny. Funny is the world that I live in. You’re funny, I’m interested. You’re not funny, I’m not interested. I have no interest in gender or race or anything like that.”
GLANVILLE SAYS EX GAVE HER AN STD
Brandi Glanville is stirring up trouble again. In her new book Drinking and Dating: P.S. Social Media is Ruining Romance, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star once again bashes her ex-husband Eddie Cibrian and his new wife LeAnn Rimes. “It’s been five years now since I discovered my ex-husband was sleeping with half of the women in Hollywood …” she writes. “Sometimes it feels like just yesterday that my ex and my baby boys were snuggling on the couch with me in our gorgeous Calabasas home. Other times, it feels like it was all a crazy dream.” She adds, “But I have three permanent reminders of my marriage that I live with every day, [my sons]Mason, Jake, and HPV.” She blames her STD on being “foolish enough to believe (Eddie) was faithful.” As for LeAnn, Brandi takes a crack at her in a list of her top “favorite lessons learned,” listing one of them as “when you write an entire c*nt-ry album about your affair with a married man, most people won’t buy it.”
A LONELY HOUSEWIFE
Kyle Richards is having a hard time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. According to Radaronline, Richards feels particularly alienated from the rest of the cast, and has gone so far as to reach out to former Housewives stars for support. Said a source, “The fights with Brandi, Lisaand the new ladies have ruined Kyle’s relationships on the show and she really feels like she is alone and doesn’t have any friends.” The source adds that “Kyle’s only friend on the show is her sister, Kim.” The source adds that Kyle is so desperate she’s actually called Camille Grammerand Adrienne Maloof to try to rekindle their relationships. Said the insider, “She is hoping that they will help her and be on her side in fights.”
DANCING WITH THE STARS FIRES BAND
The upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars is going to sound a bit different. ABC announced Monday that longtime music director Harold Wheeler and his 28 member live backing band will not be returning to the show. They will be replaced with sound recordings and a “small electric band” in order to “attract a younger demographic.” But the move has angered the American Federation of Musicians. "People who love Dancing With the Stars also love the superb performances of the orchestra because it is such an integral part of the show," president Ray Hair said. "The tight, elaborate musical productions that catapulted the show into the top 10 in 17 countries can't be duplicated by recordings and a small combo. Viewers, whether they are young or old, will reject that as artistic fraud."
ANISTON HAIR-RAISING ISSUE
Jennifer Aniston has decided that short hair is not for her. About three months ago, the formerFriends star got a short crop hairdo but has now decided it makes her look too old. So instead of just waiting for the hair to grow back, the 44-year-old reportedly spent “five hours” in the salongetting new extensions that perfectly match her real hair. “Jen had been complaining to friends that she didn’t like the short hairdo… she thought she wanted a drastic change, but felt it wasn’t the right look for her,” said a source, who added, “She felt having the short hair made her look older, which she is trying to avoid. Having long hair, according to Jen, makes her look younger.”
TV TIDBITS
● There’s good news for fans of the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Although original reports claimed Laura Prepon, who plays Alex Vause, would only be returning for a few episodes in season two, the show’s creator now says she will be back for “most” of the upcoming season. “Yes, yes, she is coming back. Not the whole season, but…you'll see her for most of it,” creatorJenji Kohan told Us Weekly. Netflix has yet to announce a premiere date for the second season.
● Netflix has renewed House of Cards for a third season. Season two starts streaming on February 14th.
● New Girl’s Max Greenfield (Schmidt) will guest star on an upcoming episode of Fox’s The Mindy Project. Greenfield will play Lee, a “hot player at a bar who is up to no good.” His episode is expected to air April 22nd.
● Party Down’s Ken Marino will join Happy Endings’ Casey Wilson in the NBC comedy pilotMarry Me. The series centers on a longtime couple who face a series of challenges after getting engaged.
● Sons of Anarchy’s CCH Pounder and JAG alum Zoe McLellan are the latest stars to join the upcoming NCIS spin-off, NCIS: New Orleans. Scott Bakula also stars in the pilot, which will be introduced as a springtime NCIS two-parter.
● Ryan Phillippe is in talks to star in the ABC drama pilot Secrets & Lies. The series would star Phillippe as a family man who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a young boy when he finds the body. He must then find the killer on his own in order to save his marriage and reputation.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● The Wolf of Wall Street co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill will reunite for a film aboutRichard Jewell, the security guard who was wrongly suspected of bombing the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The film will be based on a Vanity Fair piece called The Ballad of Richard Jewell. Hill will play the title character, while DiCaprio will play his lawyer.
