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News Interviews Gone Wrong

2012-01-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

News Interviews Gone Wrong

News interviews gone wrong - Interviews Gone Wrong, All the teleprompters, cue cards and station breaks in the world couldn’t have saved these interviews from becoming such memorable train wrecks. Check out the best of the worst interviews that spiraled out of control — from sports Q&A’s gone awry to a press conference that took on a life of its own.

BBC UK Riots Interview

When the BBC’s Fiona Armstrong interviewed a 68-year-old West Indian journalist about last summer’s unrest in the UK, she pegged the man as a past rioter. He replied with a scolding that went viral.

Lars Von Trier press conference

While giving a film fest press conference in May, director Lars Von Trier responded to a question about his German heritage with a joke about Nazi sympathizing.

The walk-off on “The View”

Two hosts of “The View” walked off the stage in October 2010 after a heated discussion with TV personality Bill O’Reilly. Which sentiment set them off?

Kanye West on “Today”

After he made incendiary remarks about President George W. Bush’s response to a natural disaster, the rapper joined Matt Lauer to discuss the impact of his words. West, however, did not care for the flow of the interview.

CNN’s Spelling Bee champ interview

Things got off to a bad start when CNN’s Kiran Chetry mispronounced the name of her guest, the 2007 Spelling Bee Champion. The gawky teen then proceeded to make Chetry sweat over every question.

Tom Cruise argument with Matt Lauer

Back in 2005, the “Today” host tried to discuss Cruise’s religion and his take on psychiatric drugs, but the star proved combative. What was his two-word affront?

Bjork attacks reporter

The “interview” never got past the greeting phase when the typically meek Icelandic singer knocked down a reporter awaiting her at a Bangkok airport.

Jim Rome taunts quarterback

A 1994 ESPN2 interview turned into a schoolyard brawl when host Jim Rome taunted his NFL quarterback guest, likening him to a less-than-manly female athlete.

Geraldo Rivera skinhead brawl

Daytime talk show brawls are hardly unique, but Geraldo’s infamous skinhead interview got dangerous for the host and the audience, as well.

Crispin Glover on Letterman

The late-night host didn’t even pretend to understand Crispin Glover's ramblings, wardrobe and karate kicks during his 1987 guest spot

Halle Berry is 45 years old

2011-12-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

Halle Berry is 45-year-old actress won again against her baby daddy. A judge rejected Aubry's request of seeing the couple's 3-year-old daughter Nahla alone, unaccompanied by the nanny.
The French model wanted more alone time with his daughter, but the actress opposed.

According to TMZ, the judge issued an order on October 17, upholding the original agreement requiring supervised visitation for Aubry.
Now Aubry is upset and will probably blame Berry for destroying his relationship with little Nahla.
The custody battle between these two started last year when the couple split after dating for almost five years.

Exes-Who Starred Together

2011-06-24T15:50:00.001-07:00

Exes-Who Starred Together

Cameron Diaz’s latest comedy, “Bad Teacher,” premieres today. She appears with an ex-boyfriend in the film, so we’re taking a look at other famous exes who have shared the big screen after a breakup.

Justin Timberlake & Cameron Diaz
What movie: “Bad Teacher”

Their relationship: Diaz met Timberlake in 2003 at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards. Though seen together at events, they remained hush-hush about their relationship.

The breakup: In early 2007, the pair released a statement to announce the end of their “romantic relationship.”

Julie Christie & Warren Beatty
What movie: “Heaven Can Wait”

Their relationship: The British-born Christie was a “Darling” of the film industry when she began dating Beatty in 1967.

The breakup: In 1974, Beatty’s legendary womanizing got the best of their relationship, and they parted ways. But they maintained a friendship, working on films together in 1975 and 1978. In 1981, Beatty dedicated his Oscar for “Reds” to Christie.

Drew Barrymore & Justin Long
What movie: “Going the Distance”

Their relationship: They started dating while filming “He’s Just Not That Into You”. Their relationship blossomed over next year, and Long told Oprah Winfrey that Barrymore was “the most compassionate person I’ve ever met”.

The breakup: It’s not clear why, but in the summer of 2008 they broke up. Since then, they’ve both stated their continued friendship and admiration of one another

Diane Keaton & Al Pacino
What movie: “Godfather III”

Their relationship: They met while being cast in this masterwork by a notable director and vintner. They hooked up a few years later, dating off and on through the ’70s and ’80s.

The breakup: While working on their last film together, it surfaced that Pacino had fathered his assistant’s child a year earlier, and the couple separated. Oprah Winfrey asked Keaton about Pacino in 2006

Bruce Willis & Demi Moore
What movie: “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”

Their relationship: They eloped in Las Vegas in 1987. They went on to have three children and settled into an Idaho estate.

The breakup: They separated in the late ’90s and eventually divorced. Moore made news when she began dating and a married a much younger man. Willis and Moore have maintained good relations through the years

Jack Nicholson & Anjelica Huston
What movie: “The Crossing Guard”

Their relationship: Huston and the free-spirited Nicholson lived together through the ’70s and ’80s, appearing together in a number of films.

The breakup: Their romantic relationship ended in 1989 when an actress became pregnant with Nicholson’s child. In an interview with Parade magazine, he remarked, “Anjelica’s first response was, ‘You have to support this woman.’What was her second response?

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez What movie: “Jersey Girl”

Their relationship: Their romance and engagement is referred to as the “Bennifer era”, during which they made the forgettable “Gigli”.

The breakup: The two co-stars postponed their September 2003 wedding. Affleck and Lopez made their breakup official the following January, two months before the premiere of their comedy, directed by Kevin Smith.

Woody Allen & Mia Farrow
What movie: “Husbands and Wives”

Their relationship: Allen had a child and adopted three more with Farrow, yet they preferred to live apart.

The breakup: When it came out that he was having an affair with Farrow’s adopted daughter, Allen and Farrow soon engaged in an explosive custody battle. Farrow later wrote a book about her time with Allen, “What Falls Away”

Courteney Cox & David Arquette
What movie: “Scream 4″

Their relationship: The “Cougar Town” actress met Arquette while making a ghoulish classic in 1996. They married three years later and had a daughter in 2004.

The breakup: They separated in 2010, explaining it this way. A distraught Arquette had TMI moments on the radio and TV. As of yet, there has been no public reconciliation.

April Deaths 2011

2011-04-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

April Deaths 2011

Let’s take a quick look back at a few of the marvelous people we lost this month. If you feel like adding someone to the list, please do so by commenting at the end of the article.

Phoebe Snow

Phoebe Ann Laub was born in 1951 and died this April 2011. She is best known for her 1975 hit “Poetry Man”, but will never be forgotten. The Phoebe Snow biography reads like a wonderful tale of a person married to her career and life of excellence.

Poly Styrene X-Ray Spex

1958 to 2011

Marion Elliott-Said was an incredible singer in an punk rock band you couldn’t forget if you wanted to, X-Ray Spex. There were only two albums recorded by them, she is given created for sparking the Riot grrrl movement.

Poly Styrene, X-ray Spex bio is like taking a walk back into time with songs like Sex Pistols and Oh Bondage Up Yours

Larry Finch, Memphis

1951-2011

Larry Finch, african-american, as a basketball star was outstanding. Finch & Walton 1973 championship was very special to his playing career. However, as a coach he really excelled. Finch, Memphis winningest basketball coach of all time was very impressive.

The Larry Finch, Memphis biography is one full of dedication, hard work, and a will to succeed in a world trying to hold him back. He had some special years in his life and basket ball including the Larry Finch 1973 season Memphis, Finch 1992 season Memphis elite eight and the Finch 1995 season Memphis sweet 16 seasons. He never won the big championship as a coach, but he won our hearts nevertheless.

Skip O’Brien actor

1950-2011

Skip O’Brien as detective Ray O’riley on the hit show CSI is how he will be best known. And although the Skip O’Brien actor biography doesn’t read like many of Hollywood’s elite actors, he will never be forgotten and missed.

Bill Brill sportswriter

1931-2011

Brill, a North Carolina & Virginia Tech, sports writer had a lot of passion for the game. +Brill covington “roanoke times” herald-sun, worked very had at being the best and giving you a special insight to the game you never considered before.

He once made a comment that inspired a team to do their best. Brill said virginia tech would never win a championship and they set out to do just that. Virginia Tech 2004, acc championship was the result of his words that got them fired up and working on the same page.

The Bill Brill biography sports legacy is a strong one. He has won “Virginia sportswriter of the year.” Brill is considered one of the best in his profession and won the “Francis Award.” Brill has been elected into the “sports hall of fame.” Brill was an amazing man and will be missed.

Tul Bahadur Pun

1923-2011

This was a special man. He received the British Pun Victoria Cross and ”burma star”. His bravery was second to none. Pun Burma single Japanese stand during a World War II battle will never be forgotten by historians, nor those he fought for.

There were many victories in the life of this extraordinary individual, Tul Bahadur Pun. The Pun London immigration appeal is one that comes to mind. The Tul Pun memorial gates chindits was successfully erected. Pun “India service medal” was another that will never be forgotten.

All of these wonderful people left their marks on the world and will never be forgotten. May they all rest in peace. - April Deaths 2011

Ed Reed's Brother Missing

2011-01-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

Ed Reed’s brother Brian Reed is missing since he jumped into the Mississippi River to save himself from police.

Brian, the 29-year-old brother of the American football free safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League, jumped into the river in St. Charles, Louisiana to avoid being arrested. He soon went under water and then disappeared.

Authorities noticed his hands and head intermittently popping out of water for few minutes but finally he went under the water and did not resurface.

Reed was probably driving a stolen car according to the police; however his mother Karen Reed said it was a family car.

Brian and Ed Reed’s mother denied all allegations and revealed that her missing son was addicted to drugs but otherwise he was not a bad person. She hoped her son had not drowned in the river.

Jesse Ventura and FEMA

2010-12-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

Jesse Ventura has an interesting show called "Conspiracy Theories with Jesse Ventura". One of his episodes from last season had it's rerun pulled. Checkout the main story here.

Ron Santo

2010-12-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

I can't believe baseball great, Ron Santo has died. This is a great loss. Go here for more on the story.

Sarah Palin Book: Best Seller List

2009-11-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

Former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue: An American Life, has become a New York Times best-seller – more than six weeks before it’s released.

Going Rogue will be released November 17, yet pre-orders on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com have pushed the book to the number one position.

The book is out-selling Senator Ted Kennedy’s True Compass and Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol (The previous New York Times best-seller), his first novel since The Da Vinci Code and one of the year’s most anticipated releases.

Limbaugh vs. Obama

2009-11-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

The feud between Limbaugh and Obama seems to be one that will never die.

Limbaugh said he “hopes Obama will fail” while in office. He also claimes that Obama is “immature and inexperienced”. Obama seems to be lashing out at Fox News and avoiding head on collision with Limbaugh. The President seems to have issues with conservatives as a whole rather than one individual.

The only way he would indirectly attack Limbaugh is if he censored/banned all conservative radio and television. Then there would be no illusions that we have a “free” country if he did that.

Cholesterol Drugs Could Help Stop Flu

2009-10-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

I found an interesting post about how cholesterol drugs could help you survive the flu.

Read about it here.

Cool Blog: Take a Look

2009-10-21T11:53:00.001-07:00

Take a look at this new blog, it's pretty cool.

911 Call Reports Fire At Dispatcher Home

2009-09-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

A 911 call reports a fire at a local dispatcher from Massachusetts home.

The dispatcher apparently shares the apartment with his parents and couldn't believe it was happening to his family. This seems to be a very ironic but unfunny situation.

My New Favorite Blog

2009-09-24T13:57:00.001-07:00

Hey readers, checkout my favorite blog Morning News Network!

Russell Crowe Bike Duel?

2009-09-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

(AP)An Australian newspaper mocked Russell Crowe for smoking and shoveling down a fatty meal during a recent bike ride, so the notoriously salty actor set out to prove he is still in gladiator shape — by challenging the paper's gossip columnist to a duel by bicycle.

Crowe, who has been photographed looking slimmer in recent months, was apparently none too pleased by a column published in Sydney's The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday entitled "Smokes and fatty foods the fitness regime for Rusty." The paper mocked Crowe after he was photographed pausing during a recent bike ride with his personal trainer to puff on a cigarette and chow down on three tacos and a soft drink.

In a story published Friday, the paper said Crowe's spokesman called up gossip columnist Annette Sharp the next day and said, "Get on your bike. Russell wants you to go riding with him. Are you ready to die?"

Sharp accepted the challenge and the pair met a dawn for a 12-mile (20-kilometer) ride through the city. Video of the race shows Sharp struggling to keep up while Crowe zooms along unfazed. At one point, Sharp fell off her bike.

Still, Crowe gave Sharp some credit, telling her she was a better biker than Australian director Baz Luhrmann. "You're twice the man Baz is," he said.

Crowe's manager Grant Vandenberg had no comment. "I think everything's been said in the paper," he said.

Oregon Football Player Blount Suspended for Rest of Season

2009-09-04T16:19:00.001-07:00

Oregon Football Player LeGarrette Blount has been suspended for the rest of the season after sucker punching a Boise State Player.

The punch came at the end of the game after Oregon lost to Boise State 19-8. Running back Blount was in a sore mood and when DE Byron Hout of Boise tapped him on the shoulder and taunted him - he snapped. He punched him across the jaw, then he shoved his teammate in the face, then he went after Boise fans to cap it all off.

Most fans of college football expected a one game suspension, but Oregon set a good example by making him sit out his senior year as a consequence. It will likely cost him in the NFL draft as well, he was likely a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but now scouts are saying he may be undraftable or a late pick in the 6th or 7th round.

What a way to kick off college football! Really made the sport look bad, when the focus for this year was supposed to be sportsmanship! Here's hoping nobody else makes the same mistake this season.

One of My Favorite Blogs

2009-09-01T18:25:00.001-07:00

Hey readers, here is one of my favorite blogs, Planetary News Network

You should subscribe to the feed there to get all the news from around the world.

Kiss & Surprise

2009-08-27T13:10:00.000-07:00

A little town called Oshawa in Canada thought they were in for a surprise visit from KISS but ended up getting dissed.

KISS ran a contest back in April and asked their fans to vote for their hometown to be included in the band’s upcoming tour, with the top vote getter getting a concert in their town. Oshawa topped the list, but when the list of the “KISS Alive 35″ concert dates/cities was released this week, Oshawa was nowhere to be found.

The band was asked why Oshawa was dissed and the KISS camp responded that the town was skipped for “logistical reasons“, and a rep added that they would still “get something special”.

Of course, major media coverage and angry fans ensued, which forced KISS to announce that they are in fact playing in Oshawa on October 7th.

Oshawa mayor John Gray was contacted by KISS’ manager, informing him of the performance. Gray said:

“Details are still a little sketchy. I’m ecstatic. This is an opportunity to have Oshawa shine — we have a great facility we want to show visitors our city.”

The concert was planned all along, and KISS had wanted to surprise the town. Simmons said:

“Because of who and what Oshawa is – which is near and dear to our hearts because (they) won the No. 1 spot above and beyond New York, L.A., Toronto, Vancouver – we wanted to do a huge campaign and literally premiere Sonic Boom, our new album, Oct. 7 in Oshawa.”

Simmons has voiced his anger at the media since the KISS & surprise for Oshawa was foiled.

Shia LaBeouf Dating Co-Star Carey Mulligan?

2009-08-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Shia LaBeouf might have a new love in his life, co-star Carey Mulligan.

The pair star together in Oliver Stone's Wall Street sequel, "Money Never Sleeps," which shoots in New York, but they might be more than just acting partners.

According to reports, the pair were sighted in Greenwich Village on Sunday, "kissing and cuddling," at the sidewalk cafe Extra Virgin.

Mulligan, 24, is a British actress who most recently starred in Michael Mann's Public Enemies, while LaBoeuf, 23, is of course well known for his role in the summer blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

$260 Million Jackpot Winner

2009-08-26T10:06:00.001-07:00

(AP) A retired South Carolina state employee who spent two bucks on the lottery was all smiles Tuesday as he became a $260 million Powerball jackpot winner.

"For once in my life, I really experienced the old saying, pinch me to see if I'm still alive, or if this is real," Solomon Jackson Jr. said.

South Carolina Education Lottery officials say the Powerball jackpot is the largest ever won with a ticket bought in the state, which has the nation's fifth-highest unemployment rate. Powerball is played in 30 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Jackson, a lifelong Columbia resident, shared few details about himself or his plans for the money. He did say he is married and has 10 siblings, though he would not say how many children he has or give his age.

He also did not say whether he will take his winnings in yearly payments over three decades or in a $129 million lump sum, which would work out to about $88 million after taxes.

He did reveal he had been an assistant supervisor for the state Revenue Department until taking early retirement in 2000 and using his free time to return to school to get a degree from Midlands Technical College.

"It is a beautiful day for education," Jackson said. "I said, 'Well, why can't I throw $2 at the lottery, to help education?' Come to find out, I did not need $2 to win, so I wasted a dollar. Thank God. Thank God. Thank God."

Jackson, who said he has played the lottery before, appeared at a claims center in Columbia on Tuesday with I.S. Leevy Johnson, an attorney whose wife taught Jackson in high school and said he has known the man for years. But Johnson said he was still somewhat taken aback when he fielded Jackson's call Monday.

"He said to me, Mr. Johnson, I want to talk to you about something. And being a criminal defense lawyer, I said, 'Oh Lord,'" Johnson said. "We matched the numbers up, and we learned that truly he was a winner."

Jackson picked up the only ticket that matched all the winning numbers for the Aug. 19 drawing — 14, 24, 31, 43 and 51, with a Powerball of 27 and a multiplier of 5 — at a Columbia gas station after shopping at a nearby Walmart. He says he won't let his winnings affect who he is, only dropping hints that eventually someone else will benefit from his good fortune.

"I'm already retired, I've already got a good income, and God has blessed me, so I won't do a bunch with it," Jackson said with a smile. "But somebody's going to be blessed."

Lottery officials say Jackson's chances of winning were one in 195 million.

"That's a lot of people," he said. "And yet, little ole me, of all the people."

Dakota Fanning & 'Wizard of Oz'

2009-08-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Is there a reported Dakota Fanning & 'Wizard of Oz' sequel?

Yep, Dakota Fanning reportedly has been tapped to play the 15-year-old granddaughter of Dorothy, in the Warner Brothers remake of the classic film, Wizard of Oz, which starred Judy Garland as Dorothy.

The film will reportedly take place in the present, and will chronicle Fanning’s adventures as the granddaughter of Dorothy Gale.

Warner Bros. has described the sequel as “darker and more action-packed” than the original. Hmmm. It’s hard for me to imagine the Wizard of Oz as “darker”, but if anyone can pull off slipping on those ruby slippers in a “darker” role, Dakota Fanning is a wise choice.

According to the Daily Express, filming for the sequel could begin as early as next year, reportedly in the UK. Todd McFarlane, co-producer of the film, said:

“You’ve still got Dorothy trapped in an odd place, but she’s much closer to the Ripley character from Alien [Sigourney Weaver] than a helpless singing girl.”

Veterans Told They Have Fatal Disease, Lou Gehrig's Disease

2009-08-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

1200 Veterans were told that they have the fatal Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS.

They were sent a letter telling them of the news. It was an error and the diagnosis was wrong, the letters apparently had a 'coding' error. Veterans and others are outraged as one can imagine the panic of reading a letter from the government that states you have a fatal disease.

According to Kids' Health, "Lou Gehrig's disease damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord." The report notes, "Motor neurons are nerve cells that control muscle movement. Upper motor neurons send messages from the brain to the spinal cord, and lower motor neurons send messages from the spinal cord to the muscles. Motor neurons are an important part of the body's neuromuscular system."

Eric Bruntlett Triple Play

2009-08-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Eric Bruntlett made an amazing solo triple play for the Phillies against the Mets.

The play was indeed history making, as it was only the second game ending unassisted triple in major baseball league history, and the 15th overall, as Eric Bruntlett was able to get final three outs on his own thus securing the victory for the Philadelphia Phillies’ over the New York Mets. The final score: Phillies 9 and Mets 7.

The last such play, was on May 31, 1927 and was performed by Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun and resulted in a 1-0 victory over Cleveland.

Regarding the unassisted triple play (video below) Eric Bruntlett, 31, a utility player who has variously played second base, shortstop, and left field, told the media:

“It was kind of a reaction and after it was over I was just trying to figure out what happened,” Bruntlett said. “The opportunities I’ve had, I haven’t done that well with them. So it was certainly nice to have a good day at the plate and end up feeling good about what I’m doing.”

According to Reuters, quoting the Major League Baseball Web site mlb.com he further said:

“It’s hard to know how to react to it. I was almost laughing. That doesn’t happen. What do you do there? Game is over. High fives.”

Watch the Eric Bruntlett triple play video from Sunday August 23 and see happened when he caught a line drive from Jeff Francoeur, tagged second base, doubled off Luis Castillo, and went on to tag Daniel Murphy as he attempted to run to second base.

The final score that night: Philadelphia Phillies 7 and New York Mets 6, as a result of the remarkable play.

KFC "Double Down" using Chicken Instead of Bread

2009-08-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

KFC is test-marketing their “Double Down”… which is using fried chicken breasts instead of bread:

The creation features a dollop of the Colonel’s secret sauce wrapped in a slice of both Pepperjack Cheese and Swiss Cheese, between two slices of bacon and two filets of KFC original recipe chicken that serve as the ‘buns’ of the burger.

It's still fried and has BACON in the middle smothered with cheese. If they were going for healthy they kinda missed the mark! Can you imagine how greasy your hands would be from holding that?

Madoff Dying of Cancer

2009-08-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

There are rumors circulating that Bernie Madoff is dying of cancer.

He supposedly has been telling his cell mates that he is not long for this world. The NY Post is reporting that Madoff is dying of pancreatic cancer.

The paper cites inmates at the prison in North Carolina who say the convicted Ponzi schemer takes about 20 pills a day to treat his terminal illness.

"He talks about it all the time. He's doing very well"- The Post quotes an inmate.

He's also, reportedly, undergoing Native American cleansing rituals.

According to the paper, Madoff's lawyer will not confirm or deny the rumors.

Madoff, 71, is serving 150 years at a federal prison for swindling more than $65 billion from investors.

Is this just another scam to get people feeling sorry for him? Or did Madoff know he had cancer a long time ago and conned people out of billions so he could live the high life during his last years on earth?

We may never know the truth.

2,500 Year-Old Mummy

2009-08-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

(AP) Scientists trying to unwrap the mysteries of a more than 2,500-year-old mummy believed to be an ancient Egyptian priest conducted computer scans Thursday to help determine how the man died, what was buried with him and what he looked like.

In a basement lab at Stanford University Medical School, Iret-net Hor-irw's mummy lay tightly wrapped in tattered linen as a handful of scientists looked on. Starting with his feet, the scanner rotated around the mummy, snapping X-ray type images that appeared on nearby computer screens.

The pictures, showing well-preserved bone structure, were then mathematically manipulated to generate 3-D images that give a fuller picture of the skeleton.

The highly sophisticated scanning technology allows scientists to learn about the 5-foot-4 inch mummy in remarkable detail without doing invasive or damaging procedures.

"You begin to see features that relate to paleopathology, diseases that may have been suffered by the individual, also mummification style and patterns -- how they may change through time," said Dr. Jonathan Elias, director of the Pennsylvania-based Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium, which directs CT scans of mummies and archives the research.

The digital images will also be useful for teaching anatomy to everyone from small children through medical school, said Paul Brown, Consulting Associate Professor at Stanford's Department of Surgery.

"We'll be able to look at every bone in the body, see if there are any fractures ... any artifacts," he said. "It's a mummy, so it makes the interest factor high."

Iret-net Hor-irw's mummy belongs to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. It was dug up from a cemetery in Akhmim, on the east bank of the Nile. Elias said Akhmim was an important provincial capital and the site of one of Egypt's major temples. The maternal relatives of the more famous King Tut also came from there, Elias said.

"The big picture is this is not just the analysis of one mummy," Elias said. Studying Iret-net Hor-irw, for example, can lead to a better understanding of changes in population from his time to the Tutankhamun period.

Scientists have not been able to pinpoint Iret-net Hor-irw's age when he died or his cause of death. The scanning tests may help them get a little closer. For now, they can only date him to around 500 B.C., just before the Persian conquest, when the last native Egyptian dynasty ruled.

"This is one era which is very poorly understood at this point," Elias said. "So if this mummy is of that period, which we believe that he is, we'll be able to begin to write a history that has never been written."

After scientists are finished with him, Iret-net Hor-irw's mummy will be the centerpiece of an exhibit starting in October at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. The mummy has been out on loan from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco since 1944, and the exhibit, "Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine," is considered his homecoming.

Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Phelps

2009-08-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

In the battle of the wills, Shaquille O'neal will face off against Michael Phelps in the pool.

This is set to take place September 15th at the Meadowbrook Aquatic in North Baltimore. This is all part of ABC sports new reality series, "Shaq Vs." The giant basketball star will also take on the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Albert Pujols and Serena Williams at their own sports.

I personally think the basketball court would be a fairer match up since Phelps is tall and athletic. But we all know how Shaq likes an insane challenge since he wanted an MMA fight and is now challenging Ray Lewis as well.

Checkout the press conference with the two super stars:

Obama, Woods to Tee Up

2009-08-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

Who would have ever thought that Obama and Tiger Woods would tee up for some golf?

The Boston Herald reported Friday that the world famous golfer will likely hit the links with President Obama at the exclusive Vineyard Golf Club during the president's vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

Tipsters informed the Herald that Secret Service agents recently invaded the country club.

“The Secret Service was all over the course,” one source told the newspaper. “They’re hard to miss in those big black Suburbans with the blacked-out windows.”

The paper added that Mr. Obama's and Woods's schedules share a gap that would allow them to take in 18 holes. The president is expected to leave the Vineyard Aug. 30, a day or so before Woods is expected to arrive at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Former President Clinton's golfing companion Vernon Jordan, a Washington and New York power broker, arranged the outing, the Herald reported. The White House wouldn't return the newspaper's calls.

The Herald calls the club "one of the country’s most expensive private courses with a reported $350,000 membership fee — down in deference to the recession from $500,000."

Cat Earns GED Diploma On The Internet

2009-08-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Now we've seen everything! A cat earns her GED Diploma on the internet!

MSNBC reported Friday that in an effort to expose diploma mills, the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia decided to enroll “Oreo” in an Internet GED program. Hey, it’s for the sake of her future too.

The 2-year-old black and white cat, full name Oreo C. Collins, did quite well in her Internet based GED courses. Her owner wasn’t surprised at all to hear his cat earned mostly A’s.

The president of the BBB of Central Georgia, Kevin Collins, who rescued her from a precarious situation when she was just a kitten, said: “Oreo’s a really smart cat.”

It turns out that Collins actually took the GED test for her, but learned that when you miss a question, you’re given a second chance and a hint that makes it glaringly obvious.

As part of the “life experience” essay part of the exam, he included how “(Oreo) always lands on her feet.”
Also written in the essay was the truth behind where Collins found her—in a ditch on the side of the road. The only falsehood on the entire application was that she met the minimum age requirement (18).

The Internet school from which Oreo now holds a GED Diploma is called Jefferson High, which is located in the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. It cost $200 to enroll in the program.

Educators who prepare students for the real GED exam claim diplomas such as Oreo’s don’t hold much real value. In fact, Oreo would most likely be declined entry into most colleges because of the illegitimacy of the school.

Some of the ways to identify GED diploma mills are as follows:

–if diplomas are awarded based on life experience
–if you’re guaranteed that you will receive a degree/diploma within a short period of time
–if the Administration building’s address is a PO Box or contains a suite number

Jamie Foxx a Dad Again

2009-08-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

It turns out Jamie Foxx is going to be a dad again!

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, a former co-star of Jamie Foxx, slipped up while on the Wendy Williams show and told her Jamie Foxx was a dad again. Read more on Jamie Foxx’s “secret” baby below.

Garcelle co-starred with Jamie on The Jamie Foxx Show in the 1990s, and totally spilled the beans on Jamie Foxx’s baby.

Starpulse reports:

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon said she was still close with Foxx and told Wendy Williams, “We’re very cool, we saw each other on Easter Sunday… and he told me that he had a new baby and I said, ‘Jamie, wow! Do I know the babymama?’ and he goes, ‘No.’ And I go, ‘Do you know the babymama?’”

Wendy Williams was shocked at the news and even asked her studio audience if they knew Foxx was a new dad, adding, “Thank you for the hot topic tidbit.”

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon seemed embarassed at the slip-up and looked into the camera and said, “J, I’m sorry!”

Jamie Foxx, 41, has a daughter named Corinne Bishop that was born in 1995.

Matt Damon Too Busy To Twitter

2009-08-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

It seems Matt Damon is much too busy to Twitter.

In a time where celebrities and movie stars now use Twitter to purvey information more than press releases, some have resisted. Some cite personal reasons, others are just tired of hearing about it.

Ironically, Twitter was essentially “made” by celebs, who many felt were using the site for purposes other than it was intended. Now some celebrities are expressing their distaste or lack of interest in it.

Matt Damon, who claims it basically began to consume his wife, says of Twitter:

“I’m actually so busy. I’m out of touch with a lot of people that I want to be in touch with, but I’m afraid to go on one of those networks. My wife did it recently, and she was so inundated that she kind of ran out of time.”

Damon does have an imposter out there tweeting though, a problem that has caused Twitter to experiment with a new “verified account” feature.

Another celebrity who seems to dislike Twitter is Jennifer Aniston. Leading up to her split with John Mayer she was rumored to have grown irritated that he spent more time updating his page than with her.

Kid Rock recently had an anti-Twitter rant, saying:

“It’s gay. If one more person asks me if I have a Twitter, I’m going to tell them, ‘Twitter this mother***er.’ I don’t have anything to say, and what I have to say is not that relevant.”

Vick Eagles Jersey on Sale

2009-08-15T12:54:00.001-07:00

Now that Michael Vick has signed with the Eagles his jersey is already on sale!

The sale of the jersey was nearly immediate after the announcement yesterday (August 14) at a press conference attended by Vick himself, along with Andy Reid and Tony Dungy, announcing that the former Falcon had signed a two-year deal with the Eagles. Reportedly, it could be worth more than $6 million. However, his full reinstatement to the NFL will not occur until the sixth week of the season, in October, at which time, if reinstated, he will be able to play a regular season game.

The news of the signing of the 29-year-old former Falcons quarterback, who recently completed a 23 month sentence in federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas for felony charges of financing a dog fighting operation in Virginia, has brought mixed reactions from fans, as you can read here. Previously, the NFL had suspended him indefinitely in August 2007 in the aftermath of his guilty plea to the felony charges.

Reactions have been various from animal charities and animal rights organizations, with said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States striking a tone of reconciliation in a statement, as the organization is already working with him in outreach programs to prevent dog fighting in inner cities.

“We didn’t endorse his return to the N.F.L. or vouch for his character with any team,” “We said we’ll give him a chance to fulfill his pledge to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem,” he added.

Nonetheless the Michael Vick Eagles jersey which you can see here is available via the NFL merchandise Web site. During the press conference, Eagles rep Dave Spadaro made views and fans aware of the new jersey and its availability.

And, as the Atlanta Journal Constitution notes, sales of tickets have been brisk for December 6 game where presumably, Michael Vick will be playing with Philadephia Eagles against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome.

Jennifer Hudson Welcomes Baby Boy!

2009-08-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Hudson welcomes a baby boy to her family!

Jennifer Hudson gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Monday. Though the former American Idol never confirmed her pregnancy, it was pretty clear she was pregnant when she sang at Michael Jackson’s memorial service. The Oscar-winning actress and Grammy-winning singer gave birth to David Daniel Otunga Jr. who weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz., at birth.

Her rep confirms, “The baby is beautiful and perfect,” says Hudson’s rep Lisa Kasteler. “His parents are ecstatic.”

This is very happy news for Jennifer, who back in October of 2008, lost her mother, brother, and nephew, as they were brutally murdered. The tragic murders outraged the country, and an outpouring of public support for Jennifer ensued.

We are happy for her and hope the baby grows up healthy and happy.

Saudi Princess Robbed Of $15 Million

2009-08-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

A Saudi princess (who has not been identified), was robbed of $15 million of cash and jewelry from her room at the Colonna Pevero Hotel in Porto Cervo, Italy.

The robbers apparently used a master key to get into her room and tore out the wall safe containing her cash and jewelry. The princess was not in the room when the burglary occurred.

A Moroccan businessman was also the target of a recent burglary, who was staying at a private villa near the hotel.

Porto Cervo is widely known as a destination for millionaires who own yachts, with villas housing the “rich and powerful”.

Kansas Man Wins Lottery For Second Time in 1 Year

2009-08-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

(AP) Edward Williams is the definition of lucky after winning the lottery for a second time in less than a year.

The 47-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, won $75,000 in September playing a $10 scratch ticket. Then on Wednesday, he defied the odds again when matched all the numbers in the Super Kansas Cash drawing to win a jackpot worth nearly $900,000.

He said when he won the $75,000, he bought a car and put the rest into the bank. This time, he said, he's saving it for retirement - which he hopes to do at 55. After taxes, the jackpot is worth more than $627,000.

Williams says he has been playing Super Kansas Cash, Powerball and other lottery games consistently for 17 years. He says the best advice he can offer is for people to just keep playing.

51 Brides: Wedding Shop Ripped Them Off

2009-08-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

(AP) Police have launched an investigation after a Colorado bridal shop closed and allegedly failed to deliver wedding gowns that were bought and paid for.

Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis says that as of Tuesday, 51 brides had contacted authorities, saying Mountain Avenue Bridal had failed to provide them with dresses they purchased.

Davis says police and employees of the bridal shop are working with the brides to find an appropriate dress from 50 sample dresses seized from the store. Only one bride has taken a dress, while two have chosen veils.

A call Wednesday to a number listed for store owner Patty Burling was unanswered and the voice mailbox was full. The Coloradoan newspaper reported a similar occurrence involving prom dresses at a shop owned by Burling in Glenrock, Wyo., that closed earlier this year.

Davis declined to say what charges Burling may face.

Is Halle Berry Pregnant Again?

2009-08-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

It is appearing that Halle Berry could be pregnant again! Berry and her model boyfriend Gabriel Aubry already have one child together and are trying for another.

Berry's first daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry was born on the 16th of March this year. The little girl is now walking with a bit of help from mom and dad.

Although they have two kids on the way Gabriel Aubry told US magazine that they are not planning on making their union official any time soon. Gabriel said they were "more married than ever."

We'll late you know as soon as anything develops on this story.

Limbaugh, Rove to guest on 'Family Guy'

2009-08-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe but Rush Limbaugh and Carl Rove will actually guest star on 'Family Guy'. Limbaug and Rove are right wing and the show is very left wing.

In an episode being produced for next season, the Griffins' liberal dog, Brian, gets bored and frustrated because he feels he no longer has anything to complain about with Barack Obama in the White House. So Brian becomes a Republican and starts listening to Rush Limbaugh (who, apparently, also sings a song).

"'Family Guy' tends to be very liberal because it's written by liberals," creator Seth MacFarlane said. "So we thought let's give the other side some face time. So we put it out there to a lot of Republicans -- 'we're doing this show, who wants in?' -- and we got some bites. I'm sure the reaction from some will be 'you monsters, how could you have Karl Rove on your show?' "

Why the kind gesture? I'm sure MacFarlane doesn't mind a ratings boost from a bit of controversy from having them on the show.

Here is an interview with MacFarlane:

Drunken Breast-Feeding Mother

2009-08-13T10:48:00.001-07:00

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Police responding to a domestic disturbance arrived at Stacey Anvarinia's home to find the mother breast-feeding her 6-week-old baby in front of them. And she was drunk, they said.

Officers arrested the woman, who later pleaded guilty to child neglect and faces up to five years in prison. Now her case has touched off a debate among moms about breast-feeding, alcohol - and privacy.

Since Anvarinia's arrest, blogs have been abuzz with comments questioning whether breast-feeding mothers could risk criminal charges if they drink even modest amounts. Authorities insist police were right to make the arrest, even if the mother had not been breast-feeding, out of concern for the child's welfare.

"Since when is breast-feeding while drunk a crime?" said Dr. Amy Tuteur, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist in Boston who has been following the case on her Web site, the Skeptical OB.

If the 26-year-old woman had been bottle-feeding her baby, "no one would have bothered to check what was in the bottle," Tuteur said. "You can do a lot more damage by mixing formula wrong."

Medical research on alcohol and breast-feeding is murky, mainly because the issue is difficult to study. Researchers cannot ethically conduct controlled research on intoxicated women who breast-feed. So doctors rely on anecdotal evidence.

The breast-feeding advocacy group La Leche League International advises women to nurse their children only when "completely sober."

In published advice to mothers, the group says: "Drinking to the point of intoxication, or binge drinking, by breast-feeding mothers has not been adequately studied. Since all of the risks are not understood, drinking to the point of intoxication is not advised."

The American Academy of Pediatrics says excessive alcohol consumption by a breast-feeding mother can lead to drowsiness, deep sleep, weakness and abnormal weight gain in an infant.

Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, who helps oversee breast-feeding policy for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the group considers limited alcohol consumption compatible with breast-feeding.

"A mother who becomes intoxicated should not breast-feed," said Winter, who also heads the division of adolescent medicine at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. "After drinking one glass of wine, a woman should abstain from breast-feeding for two to three hours."

La Leche, which knew of no similar cases to Anvarinia's, says the effect on a baby is directly related to how much the mother drinks.

In general, "Feed the baby first, and then wait until it leaves your bloodstream," McCallister said.

The group says it takes up to three hours for one serving of beer or wine to be eliminated from the body of a 120-pound woman.

Melissa Peat, a mother of three in Topeka, Kan., said she has had an "occasional beer or glass of wine" while breast-feeding. Peat said the topic of alcohol and breast milk comes up in conversations with other mothers.

"The conventional wisdom among breast-feeding mothers is that alcohol, coffee, spicy food - everything in moderation is acceptable for the breast-feeding mom," said Peat, 32, a former high school math and science teacher who now is a stay-at-home mom.

Arrests involving intoxicated breast-feeding mothers have been difficult to prosecute.

The city of Bethel, Alaska, paid two women $2,500 apiece in 1992 to settle a lawsuit they filed over their arrest on charges of endangering their children by drinking alcohol before breast-feeding. The women had been charged with misdemeanor reckless endangerment in 1990, but prosecutors later dropped the charges, saying no crime had been committed.

It's unclear how much Anavarina had to drink. Police never conducted a blood-alcohol test. Investigators believed she was drunk, and her arrest on a charge of child abuse and neglect did not require a test.

"The majority of our problems are caused by alcohol," said Grand Forks Police Capt. Kerwin Kjelstrom. "Our officers handle it so much that it is pretty much a general knowledge thing to know when someone is intoxicated. It's pretty obvious."

When police came to the home on April 13, Anvarinia, who had a criminal record, told them that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend. A police report said she had swelling on her nose and chin and a small scratch on her left cheek.

The boyfriend was not home and has not been charged, and authorities have not said who has custody of the child. Anvarinia's court-appointed attorney, David Ogren, did not return repeated telephone calls.

Authorities insist the woman's decision to breast-feed was not the only factor in her arrest.

"This case is more than just the breast-feeding. It was the totality of the circumstances," said Grand Forks Police Lt. Rahn Farder. "It is quite unusual for a mother to be breast-feeding her child as we are conducting an investigation, whether she was intoxicated or not."

Giant Florida Jumping Fish (Video)

2009-08-13T09:55:00.001-07:00

Giant Florida Jumping Fish have been spotted in some lakes in Florida. These fish can grow up to eight feet long and cause massive havoc if they hit you.

They are actually Gulf Sturgeon and they are no docile fish. They are leaping out of the Suwannee River and causing serious harm to boaters.

One six year old girl had her leg broken when one of these sturgeon shot out of the water at rapid speed.

Evidently, these fish have been causing problems for boaters since 2005.

Here is a video about these fish

Kourtney Kardashian is Pregnant!

2009-08-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Kourtney Kardashian is going to be a mom! She is the youngest Kardashian and is now pregnant.

While the reality star has confirmed the news, she has kept the father nameless.

As to the rumors of her getting back together with ex Scott Disick, "You're going to have to see on the show," she said, referring to Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami, which debuts this Sunday.

Oddly enough, there were rumors going around that Kourtney may be bisexual because she shared a kiss with friend Jackie while shooting the upcoming reality TV show.

"I feel like I'm definitely into men," she said.

Yes, we can see that now.

Schwarzenegger on Eunice Kennedy Shriver: She Changed My Life

2009-08-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Schwarzenegger's speech on Eunice Kennedy Shriver. He talks about how much she changed his life. Eunice died Tuesday morning at the age of 88.

“Eunice was the light of our family. She meant so much, not only to us, but to our country and to the world. She was a pioneer who worked tirelessly for social and scientific advances that have changed the lives of millions of developmentally disabled people all over the world. Inspired by her faith in God and her love of her sister, Rosemary, she was on a life-long mission to expand opportunities for those with intellectual challenges and to prove that they are capable of great achievements. Apart from her family, her greatest legacy is the Special Olympics, which started as a summer camp in her backyard in 1962, and has grown into a global movement and organization that has transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Eunice was the devoted mother of five children, including my dear wife, Maria. My mother-in-law changed my life by raising such a fantastic daughter, and by putting me on the path to service, starting with drafting me as a coach for the Special Olympics. I will miss her every day, but I know her spirit endures through her amazing children and grandchildren, and through the many lives she changed.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Eunice Kennedy Shriver
August 11th, 2009

Hillary Clinton's Congo Outburst

2009-08-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

During her visit to the Congo, Hilary Clinton had an outburst after a local reporter accidentally offended her.

In a communication break down a reporter asked Hilary what her husband thought about a certain foreign policy issue. He meant to ask what Obama thought, this lead to Hilary lashing out at the foreigner.

Here is the video:

Oprah & Jay-Z

2009-08-12T10:20:00.001-07:00

Could Oprah & Jay-Z end up being best friends?

Oprah phone into her best friend Gayle King's satellite radio show to report the good news.

"Oh, Jay-Z, my new best friend," Oprah told King.

Oprah has had issues with rappers for a while but recently she's opened up to inviting rappers, including Common and Ludacris, appear on her show.

It is very possible, the two spent a lot of time together outside Jay-Z's old neighborhood in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn. They even sat on the steps of his Grandmother's old building. While Winfrey doesn't agree with all of Jay-Z's music but she likes him as a person.

The media mogul was smitten, King teased.

"He was so charming and delightful, and he smelled so good," Winfrey said. "And it's that kind of thing where you hug a guy, and the scent is sort of buried in them. When we went to the second location, I could still smell him on me. It was like, 'Oh, this is wonderful.' "

Winfrey said the two interview would make a good piece for her magazine, O, though she didn't say which issue the piece would show up in or what they discussed. She said it dealt more with Jay-Z the person so it would be more appropriate for magazine than TV due to there being no commercial breaks.

"It was really a conversation, and at the end of the day, you feel like you get to know someone," she said. "I feel like I met a new friend. It was really great."

Facebook Lite

2009-08-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

What is Facebook Lite? It's not a drink, it's a low interface version of Facebook.

Lite will have all the minimum functions like adding friend, commenting, viewing photos and writing wall posts. It was created in mind of people with slower internet and computers since it hogs less bandwidth.

The new site was being tested this month. No release date has been set so far.

Obama Launches "Reality Check" Website

2009-08-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

Obama launches a "Reality Check" website that tries to convince people to trust the health care reform.

According to the site which has 6 interview videos with people on Obama's team giving their scripted opinions on why you should trust the "stability and security" of the new health care plan that Obama wants to implement.

Evidently trying to push their health care plan through new media outlets just isn't effective enough in convincing people. So the White House team is changing their strategy to fit the modern "tech world".

I'm sure Obama and his staffers sat around saying "how can we come up with a way to really convince people to trust this plan?" To which someone responded "build a website."

Look up the facts people, read sections from the bill, don't trust that what they tell you is the truth. If you are opposed to the bill, e-mail or write your congressman to complain.

Here is the website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

Visit with your own discretion and tell us what you think of this site.

Awards Pole Dance Miley Cyrus (Video)

2009-08-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

At the Teen Choice Awards last night Miley Cyrus may have gone to far with her pole dance.

While performing her song "Party In The USA" she was on top of an ice cream cart holding on to a metal pole and doing moves that could be interpreted as "stripper" dancing. While 16-year-old Miley may not have intended the visual to come off that way, the choreographers had to have known it wouldn't look so innocent.

Fox News is calling it "raunchy and racy." This all comes amid risqué photos of her surfacing online, and after she endured a fake pornographic picture melee as well. She is supposed to have a clean image, but it is starting to look like she could be sucked into the secular pop world.

Another highlight of the night, Cyrus walked away with six “surfboards” for a variety of categories, including Best Comedy TV Actress and Best Show, Best Music/Dance Movie, Best Hissy Fit for her Hannah Montana movie, Best Music Single for The Climb, and Best Summer Song for Before The Storm.

Ben Stein Fired

2009-08-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Unexpectedly, Ben Stein has been fired from his job at the New York Times.

The New York Times cited Ben Stein for violating the newspaper's ethic guidelines. You would think a guy who mastered ethics and economics would know to conduct himself accordingly.

"Ben Stein's fine work for us as a columnist for Sunday Business had to end, we told him, after we learned that he had become a commercial spokesman for FreeScore, a financial services company. Ben didn't understand when he signed on with FreeScore that this might pose a potential conflict for him as a contributing columnist for the Times, because he hadn't written about credit scores or this company. But, we decided that being a commercial spokesman for FreeScore while writing his column wouldn't be appropriate.

We are sorry to lose him as a columnist, and appreciate his work for the Times over the years." says Times spokesperson Catherine Mathis.

Billy Mays Cocaine

2009-08-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

New reports are revealing that Billy Mays was using cocaine prior to his death and the use most likely contributed to his heart attack.

A Hillsborough County press is saying:

“From the presence of metabolites of cocaine and the absence of cocaine itself, it was concluded that Mr. Mays used cocaine in the few days prior to his death but not immediately prior to death.”

In a summary of his autopsy, it was concluded that cocaine had a hypertensive effect on Billy Mays, causing the wall of his left ventricle to thicken, which ultimately lead to “atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries.”

But just how much cocaine had America’s most well known pitchman allegedly been using? Hillsborough County, FL spokeswoman Lori Hudson stated:

“I don’t know that that necessarily is known…Clearly it was in his system…but the exact amount over how much of a period of time, we wouldn’t have that.”

Mays also had evidence of other drugs in his system, including xanax, valium, hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol, some of which were being used to treat a knee-condition. It is also worth mentioning that he has a family history of heart disease.

Billy Mays’ family claims the autopsy “contains speculative conclusions.” The family issued a statement following the report, which said in part:

“Given the hectic nature and pace of Billy’s life…it was not surprising to hear that hypertension was the cause of his death. We were totally unaware of any non prescription drug usage and are actively considering an independent evaluation of the autopsy results.”

It is likely the family will pursue a second opinion on the autopsy to keep Billy's name from being ruined.

Kim Kardashian Goes Blonde

2009-08-10T09:51:00.001-07:00

Kim Kardashian has made a big change to her hair as she goes blonde!

Wow, didn't see this coming! I thought she would have raven hair forever. While she didn't go bleach blonde, she just lightened it up a tad. Doesn't look half bad, but it changes her look so much I wouldn't have recognized her if I saw her in the street.

"This time it's for real, guys! I went blonde!!! I had been considering it ever since I wore that blonde wig, and I just decided to go for it!! What do you think? I am really loving it! My hairstylist Clyde Haygood orchestrated the whole thing and Rebecca from Goodform salon dyed it!"

We'll see how long this trend last for the most popular girl of the Kardashian tribe.

Forrest Griffin: Broken Jaw

2009-08-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

There is some speculation as to why Forrest Griffin ran out of the ring. Some say it was his broken jaw, others say it was the embarrassing defeat that caused him to flee.

In the UFC 101 match, Anderson Silva knocked down Griffin with a right in hand at 3:23 in the first round. The punch was so severe that it dislocated Forrest's jaw. After the knock down Griffin raised his hand to signal he was done fighting.

After that he bolted out of the ring, even pushing past medical staff. This confused many fans as well as UFC head hauncho Dana White.

“He might be in Georgia by now, he ran out and I haven’t seen him since,” White, the UFC president, joked.

I doubt that he ran away because of shame. At that stage if you can handle a loss, then you shouldn't be in the sport. I think the knock down stunned him and he was in a daze when he was running around. If you imagine how much pain he was in, it's almost like being on fire, you run around acting crazy even though it doesn't help the situation.

Manson Followers Haunted

2009-08-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

The Manson Followers have been and are still haunted by their unspeakable crimes.

(AP) Forty years ago, they were kids.

Vulnerable, alienated, running away from a world racked by war and rebellion. They turned to a cult leader for love and wound up tied to a web of unimaginable evil.

They were part of Charles Manson's family and now, on the brink of old age, they are the haunted.

"I never have a day go by that I don't think about it, especially about the victims," says Barbara Hoyt, who was 17 the summer of the Sharon Tate-LaBianca murders.

The ones who aren't in prison are scattered across the U.S. Some live under assumed names. Some have undergone surgery to remove the X that Manson ordered them to carve on their foreheads. Some live with endless regret.

Those who escaped taking part in the spasm of terror that snuffed out at least nine lives seem to be lucky. But their lives have been linked forever to one of the craziest mass murders in history.

"Manson made a lot of victims besides the ones he killed," said Catherine Share, who once lived with the Manson family under the nickname Gypsy.

"He destroyed lives. There are people sitting in prison who wouldn't be there except for him."

It was 1969, the summer of the first moon landing. War raged in Vietnam. Hippies were on the streets of San Francisco. For many, that summer is remembered for one thing -- the most shocking celebrity murders ever to hit Los Angeles.

On the morning of Aug. 9, a housekeeper ran screaming from a home in lush Benedict Canyon. She had found a scene of unspeakable carnage -- five bodies scattered around the estate.

The most famous, actress Sharon Tate, 26, the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski, had been stabbed multiple times. Abigail Folger, 25, heiress to a coffee fortune, Jay Sebring, 35, celebrity hair stylist, Voyteck Frykowski, 32, a Polish film director, and Steven Parent, 18, a friend of the caretaker, were found stabbed or shot.

On the front door the victims' blood was used to scrawl the words, Death to Pigs.

The city was thrown into a state of fear. Then, a similar scene was discovered the next night.

Wealthy grocer Leno La Bianca, 44, and his wife Rosemary, 38, were found stabbed to death in their home across town. The killer had carved the word WAR on Leno La Bianca's body. The words Helter Skelter were written in blood on the refrigerator.

"These murders were probably the most bizarre in the recorded annals of American crime," said Vincent Bugliosi, the former deputy district attorney who prosecuted the killers and wrote the book Helter Skelter.

It would be more than three months before the name Charles Manson was linked to the crimes. And then the story became even weirder.

The discovery of Manson's clan, maybe 30 of them, living in a high desert commune opened up the astounding story of an ex-convict who had gathered young people into a cult and ordered them to kill.

"It was a real-life horror story," recalled Stephen Kay, who also prosecuted the Manson Family. "Manson is the real-life Freddie Kruger."

Those cult members lucky enough not to have killed for Manson have spent decades trying to bury their past and free themselves from his grasp.

Some never succeeded. Sandra Good and Lynette (Squeaky) Fromme later committed crimes that they said were for Manson and went to federal prison.

When Good, 65, was paroled she moved near Manson's maximum security prison, reportedly so she could "feel his vibes." Fromme, 60, is due for parole soon after serving 33 years for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford.

Those who are free are still trying to sort out how they fell under his spell and how close they came to one of the worst crimes of the 20thcentury. This is the anniversary of their nightmare.

They were very young when they found Manson -- or he found them.

"We were just a bunch of kids looking for love and attention," recalls Share, 66. "He was everything to us. He was a con, a manipulator of the worst kind."

Hoyt was a 17-year-old who left home after an argument with her father. She was eating her lunch under a tree when a group of Manson followers came along in a van and asked her to go with them to a house in the San Fernando Valley.

"I met Charlie the next morning," she said. "He took me for a motorcycle ride, and we went for doughnuts. He was very nice. I thought he was pretty neat."

She said she was told by others of Manson's prediction of a race war that would destroy all but his followers. They would go to the desert to live in a bottomless pit until it was safe for them to emerge and take over the world. She said she didn't believe much of it, but they were fixing up dune buggies for their escape and it was fun.

Hoyt and Share eluded being tapped for the Tate-LaBianca murders for different reasons.

"He asked me one time if I could kill, and I said if someone asked me, I would talk my way out of it," Hoyt said. "I wasn't as dead in the head as others."

Others had joined the family long before she had and had been subject to Manson's deprogramming, which included group sex and LSD trips.

Share said she wasn't asked, because she was older and also because she was heavy and couldn't climb through a window.

"I was just short of murdering for him. If he had told me to get some black clothes and get in a car, I would have."

Share went to prison for five years for involvement in a Manson family robbery and later did more time for credit card fraud. She said the time in prison helped her recover, and she became a Christian. She went into retail sales and has just finished a book about her experiences with the Manson family.

Hoyt went to college and became a nurse. She is proud of her accomplishments.

"I raised my daughter. I have my own home, and I've had some vacations," she said. But memories haunt her, and she doesn't reveal where she's living.

She keeps track of the Manson family members in prison and writes letters urging they never be released.

Paula Replacement on 'Idol'

2009-08-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

The search is on to find the right replacement for Paula Abdul on 'American Idol'.

Two guest judges have already been confirmed - Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry will serve as guest judges during the audition rounds.

As far as either of the two becoming permanent replacements for Paula, Peter Rice, of Fox Broadcasting told the New York Times:

“All of the people we are talking to have successful careers. I don’t even think they would be available.”

According to TMZ, Abdul was looking to ink a contract with Fox to the tune of around $10 million this season, but execs reportedly wanted her to sign a $4 million contract. Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest both recently signed lucrative contracts to stay on with the Idol franchise.

I am still shocked that Paula Abdul will not be returning to Idol for its ninth season. It truly will not be the same without her. A Paula replacement on ‘Idol’? Sure, they may find their fourth judge, but no one could ever fill her shoes. Leave me your thoughts below.

'Bachelorette' Cheating Reports

2009-08-06T09:11:00.001-07:00

As soon as 'Bachelorette' Jillian Harris selected Ed Swiderski, reports of cheating started to surface.

People were starting to wonder exactly what he was doing in Chicago while on hiatus from the show. Was he seeing a girlfriend? Some suspected he was not only cheating with one, but with two women!

Ed himself claims that he was simply trying to save his job. About the reports that he was cheating, he says: “It’s actually not true at all.” He claims there is hostility toward them because they are one of the few couples remained together after the ‘Bachelorette’ ended.

The couple laughed off the reports. Ed even said “I feel like I’m in high school.”

Us Weekly claims that during the filming of the ‘Bachelorette’ Ed was cheating on Jillian (pictured above) with one woman named Bethany Steffan, and another named Lindsay Johnson.

The magazine also reportedly got their hands on a message from Ed, where he discusses his relationship with the women, which supposedly continued even after his engagement to Jillian.

Still the couple insists there was no cheating, and that those women were from past relationships.

In an attempt to crush those rumors, Jillian said: “This is the last time I’m talking about this.”

But it won't be the last time the tabloids talk about it.

George Sodini Blog: The Details

2009-08-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now the details are coming out through George Sodini's blog with his thoughts the day before he went on a shooting spree at L.A. Fitness. He tried to carry out the LA Fitness health club shooting once before back in January but backed out.

August 3, 2009:
I took off today, Monday, and tomorrow to practice my routine and make sure it is well polished. I need to work out every detail, there is only one shot. Also I need to be completely immersed into something before I can be successful. I haven't had a drink since Friday at about 2:30. Total effort needed. Tomorrow is the big day.

Unfortunately I talked to my neighbor today, who is very positive and upbeat. I need to remain focused and absorbed COMPLETELY. Last time I tried this, in January, I chickened out. Lets see how this new approach works.

Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell. Christ paid for EVERY sin, so how can I or you be judged BY GOD for a sin when the penalty was ALREADY paid. People judge but that does not matter. I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them.

I will try not to add anymore entries because this computer clicking distracts me.

Also, any of the "Practice Papers" left on my coffee table I used or the notes in my gym bag can be published freely. I will not be embarased, because, well, I will be dead. Some people like to study that stuff. Maybe all this will shed insight on why some people just cannot make things happen in their life, which can potentially benefit others.

The blog also details his lust for women, his lack of a girlfriend and his anger with his family, especially his mother and brother. You can see through his blog that he just let his anger build and build until he snapped.

This is the link leading to Sodini blog: http://georgesodini.com/20090804.htm

African-Born Farmer Wants to be Russia's Obama

2009-08-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

(AP) An African-born farmer is making an improbable run for office in Russia, inspired by President Barack Obama and undaunted by racial attitudes that have changed little in decades.

Joaquim Crima, a 37-year-old native of Guinea Bissau who settled in southern Russia after earning a degree at a local university, is promising to battle corruption and bring development to his district on the Volga River.

In Russia, a black man running for office is so unusual that Crima is being called "the Russian Obama."

"I like Obama as a person and as a politician because he proved to the world what everyone thought was impossible. I think I can learn some things from him," Crima said, sitting on his shady verandah in this town of 11,000, where he lives with his wife Anait, their 10-year-old son and an extended clan of ethnic Armenian relatives.

In truth, Crima's quest to be elected head of the Srednyaya Akhtuba district in October is highly unlikely, not least because he lacks the political capital and connections to make it happen. He faces the reality of being a black man in Russia, a country where racism and racial stereotypes are deeply ingrained.

"They are often taunted on the metro and in the market,'" said Lydia Troncale of the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, a nonprofit organization that works with African immigrants.

Crima gets along well with his fellow townspeople, but to play it safe he is accompanied almost everywhere by his muscular brother-in-law.

Last December, a black American exchange student was stabbed and badly wounded in Volgograd, the nearest large city, in what was believed to be a racially motivated attack.

Crima, who came to Russia in 1989 and holds a degree from Volgograd State Pedagogical University, believes he has what it takes to fix problems in his district, where some residents still lack potable water and use outhouses. Unpaved streets, where goats graze, turn to mud after a rain.

About 55,000 people live in the district's 18 villages and towns.

"The current district head has been in power for 10 years, but he hasn't done anything for people here," said Crima. "There are young families that need housing, who need opportunities. This town and Russia are ready for a change."

Crima wanted to come to the Soviet Union because it supported his West African homeland when it gained independence in 1974. He describes Russia as a "great power" and admires Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He married a local woman, learned to speak fluent Russian and earned his citizenship.

He farms 50 acres (20 hectares) of land, growing watermelons and other melons, which he and his wife sell along the town's main road. He employs about 20 people to help.

But for many of Crima's neighbors, that's not enough.

"He hasn't lived all of our issues and he didn't grow up around us; he's not a kolkhoznik," said produce vendor Vladimir Kachenko, using the term for people who work on collective farms. "If I need help building a house, he can't help me get the required permits because he hasn't gone through it himself."

Still, many in town admire Crima's audacity. When he walks down the street in a crisp white shirt and tie, residents shake his hand and congratulate him on his decision to run.

"I haven't heard his platform, but he's a nice person," said Dennis Duma, 27. "I would change my party affiliation for him."

Privately, however, some laugh at what they see as Crima's naivety. A department store saleswoman who refused to give her name said she would not vote for him because she doesn't want to "live in Africa." Another said she would not vote for a black person.

In Russia, such baldly racist sentiments are common. Crima himself put up billboards that read: "I will toil like a Negro" — a phrase Russians use to mean they will work hard.

The billboards were up for only a couple of days before being replaced by ads for the main pro-Kremlin party's candidate, Yuri Khrustov, a former teacher.

Crima is a member of Russia's main party, United Russia, but is running in the Oct. 11 election as an independent. There are five other candidates.

His candidacy is part of a standard tactic in Russia used to draw the protest vote and allow people to vent frustration while posing no threat to the government's favored candidate, said Anna Stepnova, editor of Delovoye Povolzhye, a newspaper in Volgograd.

Crima's campaign manager, Vladimir Kritsky, acknowledged that a victory for his client was close to impossible, but said the Kremlin has promised Crima a seat on the district council in 2011.

"He will be able to do a lot of good for the region," said Kritsky, a 33-year-old former special operations commander. "He's a very smart guy, he speaks five languages ... this is an experiment that the Kremlin will be interested in supporting."

There is deep dissatisfaction with the current head of the Srednyaya Akhtuba district, who locals say sold a lot of land to out-of-towners while purchasing a large villa and a plane for himself. The incumbent is not running for re-election.

Despite that, many in Srednyaya Akhtuba see no point in voting in elections they say are already predetermined.

"I've lost hope in our system and our people," said Taisya Kirilova, 64. "He can want to change things, but alone, he can't accomplish anything."

Crima shrugs off voters' cynicism.

"If local residents want a change, they need to vote for it," Crima said. "Plus, I like surprising people."

Penelope Cruz Pregnant

2009-08-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

Can it be that Penelope Cruz is actually pregnant?

Penelope Cruz is pregnant, according to sources. Javier Bardem, Cruz’s long-term boyfriend, is the alleged father.

Website Just Jared has come out with the news, saying, “Penelope is about four months pregnant. She’s really healthy now and will be a great mother.”

Recently Penelope told Psychologies magazine, “When I have babies, I want to do it really well. I want it to be my best project in life. I don’t know if I believe in marriage. But I believe in family, love and children.”

We wish them all the best!

Ryan Seacrest Bummed

2009-08-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ryan Seacrest is extremely bummed to find out Paula Abdul is leaving American Idol.

At around 11pm last night, Abdul cleared up any confusions about whether she would stay in a tweet to her fans:

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL.”

Seacrest stated how he felt on his morning show for KISS FM located in LA.

“She’s a dear friend. I love her to death and am really sad that it came to fruition. I’m just bummed because we’ve worked together for so many years. It’s sad.”

There has been much talk beforehand that this was all a publicity stunt. Idol's ratings had been faltering and the show was looking to phase out after a couple more seasons. All this hype and controversy could be exactly what Idol needed to stay on the air longer.

Fox cleared up any rumors of a rouse, saying: “While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

A very bummed out Ryan Seacrest also helped to dispel claims that the drama was faked, stating: “As far as I know, it’s real. At this point she’s decided to leave.”

One website reports that Paula wanted $20 million to stay on the show, but was miffed when she learned they would only dish out around half of that. Ryan Seacrest, however, just worked out a $45 million deal to stay with the show for a few more seasons.

I'm sure Seacrest is not pouting over that.

Michael Douglas Son Arrested

2009-08-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Cameron Douglas who is the son of Michael Douglas was arrested for trying to sell Meth at a New York City hotel.

Sources are saying that Douglas was arrested on July 28th due to a Meath dealing charge at the Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan.

The New York Post reported that the younger Douglas was staying at the Hotel which was being rented by his father. When police found the 30-year-old they said he was "very strung out".

Supposedly he was the middleman in a deal to move a pound of Meth from California to New York to sell.

This is not the first time that Cameron has had encounter with law enforcement. In 2007 he was arrested after he was pulled over and police found liquid cocaine and a syringe in the vehicle. In 1999, he was arrested after he and a friend bought cocaine from a dealer who was, coincidentally, being followed by police.

Nicolas Cage Tax Bill $6.2M!

2009-08-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Nicolas Cage has dug himself into quite a dilemma, he owes a $6.2 Million Tax Bill!

According to IRS reports from 2007, Cage started to fall behind on his taxes that year.
He allegedly failed to pay $6,257,005 in income taxes that year.

To pay the multi-million dollar tax bill, he plans to sell his house in Louisiana.

The state of Louisiana has reportedly put a lien on the home, which is only worth a portion of the $6.2 million he already owes. If the government is able to cash in on the $3.55 million dollar home, Cage will still owe $2.65 million.

Nicolas Cage has had tax trouble before. In September of 2008 the IRS made allegations that he improperly deducted personal expenses. That claim resulted in an agreement by Cage to pay more than half a million dollars in back taxes, including interest and penalties.

Seth Rogen Rejected by Megan Fox

2009-08-04T10:10:00.001-07:00

Wow! I can't believe how bad Seth Rogen got dissed by Megan Fox!

The first time Megan Fox was on the Jimmy Kimmel show she was nervous and asked Seth Rogen to stay on so that someone else would be up on stage. Well Rogen thought this would be the perfect opportunity for a kiss on the cheek. He went in for it... and SHE WALKED RIGHT BY HIM!

Man that sucks. Well now on Rogen's next appearance on the show he tells Kimmel of the embarrassment of that night. He thinks it's in the past and no one stills has the clip from the show.
Guess again! Kimmel has the clip, and makes Rogen relive the embarrassment over and over.

Checkout the video:

Obama Joker Poster

2009-08-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

An Obama poster that resembles the “Heath Ledger” Joker is showing up in the L.A. area. At the bottom of the poster it reads ‘Socialism’.

The poster has an image of Obama with the same face makeup as “The Joker” from “The Dark Knight”. No one knows who put is posting this image on street posts and walls or why.

They obviously see Obama as a madman who tricked us all into socialism. It is a very powerful message that gets the point across. Much more effective than sitting around complaining about the president.

Do you view Obama as a socialist?

Aaron Buerge: Second Bachelor to Wed

2009-08-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Aaron Buerge will end up being the second bachelor to wed. He is looking forward to getting hitched and settling down with elementary school psychologist Helene Eksterowicz.

"Long story short, I got some hot dog mustard on her the first time we met," says Buerge, 35, the banker and restaurant owner who confirms to People magazine that he will marry his bride-to-be, Angye McIntosh, 33, a commercial insurance agent, on Aug. 8 in their hometown of Springfield, Mo.

This is going to be Buerge's first marriage and his first proposal since doing so on "The Bachelor."

"I'd like to have a family," he says. "I'm not getting any younger. At this point, when you're in your mid-30s, most of the drama of dating has gone away. There's a lot more maturity in your relationship. I know from my experience what I'm looking for, what makes me happy. I'm not gun-shy. I'm amazingly calm about the whole situation, believe it or not. That's kind of a good sign."

Oddly enough, they actually met through one of Buerge's ex-girlfriends.

"My ex-girlfriend and I thought we would get together for some beers with some other people, and that's how I met Angye," Buerge says. They've now been together "for a couple of years," he says.

When asked why his future wife wants to be with him, he quirked:

"That's a very good question," Buerge says. "I wish I had the answer to that!"

Plaxico Burress Indicted

2009-08-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

A New York grand jury has indicted Plaxico Burress on weapons charges.

The former N.Y. Giants football player was indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment.

Plax clumsily shot himself in the leg in a NYC nightclub back in November 2008. The gun was unlicensed and no one initially called police.

Antonio Pierce, a former teammate of Burress who was with him that night, was not indicted.

Rush Limbaugh Lost 90 Pounds

2009-08-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Can you believe Rush Limbaugh has lost 90 pounds in 5 months?

The popular conservative radio talk show host said he has a secret diet that allowed him to lose a whole lot of weight since march.

"It's just the easiest one, and it's the fastest. I'm 58-years-old. I never lost weight this fast, almost 90 pounds here since March 9, not even six months yet," Limbaugh said on his radio show recently.

The secret to his slimming, Limbaugh said, is Quick Weight Loss Centers, a Florida-based company that combines a low-calorie diet, office visits and supplements. The supplements include protein boosters, carbohydrate blockers and appetite suppressants.

Jude Law Wants DNA Test

2009-08-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Jude Law wants a DNA test to confirm he is the father of his reported fourth child.

Samantha Burke is claiming the baby belongs to Jude, but the popular actor is not so sure of these allegations.

The British actor wants to make sure the baby is his before helping the 24-year-old raise the child.

"At the moment Jude doesn't know for sure he is the father," News of the World quoted a close friend as saying.

"He thinks he is - but he wants to be 100 per cent certain."

"There has been a lot of speculation. But if it is his baby girl he'll be there for her every step of the way," the friend added.

Oprah Free Download: Let the Great World Spin

2009-08-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Oprah is being very generous by making her new book, Let the Great World Spin available for free online.

Random House will offer Colum McCann’s new novel, Let the Great World Spin, as a free download for 48 hours exclusively on Oprah.com. The book will be available for download from 11 a.m. ET Monday until 10:59 a.m. ET Wednesday August 5, 2009.

Oprah.com membership will be required to download your copy. If you’re already a member, you can check your screen name and password by logging in .

Jet Blows 5 Tires

2009-08-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

How would you like to be on a jet that blows 5 tires while it's landing?

Well that's exactly what many passengers experienced on a Northwest Airlines flight in Minneapolis St. Paul. Everyone on board the flight was safe. The plane blocked the runway for three hours causing delays for many other flights.

The Boeing 747 was flying in from El Paso, Texas and sure enough was scheduled for maintenance in Minnesota. The Northwest Airlines pilot radioed in to the control tower that his breaks were overheating before landing.

Tell us your worst in-flight experience?

Eminem vs Mariah

2009-08-02T12:20:00.001-07:00

Eminem dissed Mariah on his Sirius Satellite Radio show recently.

He is upset that she is denying that they ever dated. The rapper used his Shade 45 channel on radio to explain the situation to his listeners.

"Yes, me and Mariah did have a relationship for about a good six, seven months," Eminem said recently on his Shade 45 channel, according to the Detroit News. "(But) it didn't work. I wasn't really into what she was into; our personalities collided. She's a diva, and I'm a little more regular, I guess."

"I can never deny her talent, but the fact that she denied we ever had something, that's bad," he said.

Eminem met Carey in 2001 to discuss a possible collaboration. Asked the following year if the pair had dated, he told Rolling Stone, "There's truth to that. But on the whole personal level, I'm not really feeling it. I just don't like her as a person."

Asked the same question by Larry King in December 2002, Carey said, "I hung out with him, I spoke to him on the phone. I think I was probably with him a total of four times. And I don't consider that dating somebody."

Sarah Palin Divorce?

2009-08-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

Is it true that Sarah and Todd Palin are getting a divorce?

Despite the surge of rumors and hearsay, the ex-vice presidential candidate and her husband are not leaving each other anytime soon.

Thanks to a misleading story by the Alaska Report, this topic has been the highest searched story on the internet this weekend.

Supposedly this is a nasty rumor about the ex-governor that has been floating on the internet and even on her former governor facebook page.

Meg Stapleton, a spokeswoman for Palin had this to say:

“Yet again, some so-called journalists have decided to make up a story. There is no truth to the recent ’story’ (and story is the correct term for this type of fiction) that the Palins are divorcing.”

She went on to explain how dedicated Todd and Sarah are to one another.

Kim Kardashian Single?

2009-08-01T11:27:00.001-07:00

Kim Kardashian has split with longtime boyfriend and NFL star Reggie Bush and is now single.

Kim, 28, began dating the 24-year-old NFL star in April 2007.

According to a source close to the former couple, the split was a “mutual decision.”

“Nobody cheated. This was just a case of conflicting schedules and their lives going in different directions,” the source told Access.

In June, Kim hit her blog to dispel rumors the two were set to walk down the aisle.

“I am not engaged!!!” she wrote at the time. “I don’t know where all this comes from!… Don’t worry guys, you will be the first to know if and when I get engaged!!… Well after I tell my family, of course!”

The couple first met at the 2007 ESPY Awards after they were introduced by mutual friend — and Reggie’s former USC teammate, fellow NFL star Matt Leinart.

“We met at the [2007] ESPY Awards,” Kim previously told AccessHollywood.com of her initial encounter with Reggie. “My stepdad, Bruce, and I were walking to our seats and Matt called my name. When I went over, he was sitting with Reggie…. Matt introduced me to the love of my life and we will always be grateful.”

LeAnn Rimes and Husband Split

2009-08-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

After all the rumors of infidelity, LeAnn Rimes and her husband have now split.

Just last week Rimes was spotted out and about without her wedding ring, a tell-tale sign.

"LeAnn and her husband have been separated for quite some time now, but they continue to try and work through their relationship," a Rimes pal tells People magazine.

Like we thought, they've basically split, they just haven't made a divorce official yet.

LeAnn and Eddie Cibrian have been having an affair for about four months now. So the separation in Rime's marriage doesn't really shock anyone in the celebrity news world.

Eddie's wife Brandi said the reason she was splitting with her husband was because Eddie and Rimes "deserve each other".

Steve McNair's Wife: "Thanks for the Support"

2009-08-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Steve McNair's wife is now issuing thanks for all the support that has been given to her during this rough time.

She not only found out McNair was cheating on her, but she lost her husband as well. Sahel Kazemi, McNair's girlfriend committed a murder-suicide with a handgun killing her self as well as the famous quarterback.

Mechelle McNair (Steve's Wife) had this to say:

"Mere words are inadequate to express the gratitude that my family holds for all of the countless expressions of sympathy for the loss of my husband, Steve McNair. Your prayers, kind deeds and outpouring of support throughout this difficult time have been of tremendous comfort to us."

On behalf of herself and her family, she added, "May you be richly blessed for all that you have done and continued to do. You are appreciated beyond measure..."

Jackson's Mom To Get custody Of His Jackson Kids

2009-07-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

In a new deal Michael Jackson's Mom is set to get custody of his kids.

Apparently Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe (The kids biological mother) have come to terms.

“It's an agreement, an agreement for the best interests of the children. This is not a money deal. This is not about money. ... "There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson," L. Londell McMillan, Mrs. Jackson's attourney told Price.

We hope that this is the best situation for the children.

The 50 Greatest Coaches of All Time

2009-07-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here is the list of the 50 greatest coaches of all time.

1. John Wooden, college basketball
2. Vince Lombardi, NFL
3. Bear Bryant, college football
4. Phil Jackson, NBA
5. Don Shula, NFL
6. Red Auerbach, NBA
7. Scotty Bowman, NHL
8. Dean Smith, college basketball
9. Casey Stengel, MLB
10. Knute Rockne, college football
11. Pat Summitt, women’s college basketball
12. Paul Brown, NFL
13. Joe Paterno, college football
14. George Halas, NFL
15. Chuck Noll, NFL
16. Bob Knight, college basketball
17. Joe Gibbs, NFL
18. Tom Landry, NFL
19. Mike Krzyzewski, college basketball
20. Bill Belichick, NFL
21. Adolph Rupp, college basketball
22. Joe McCarthy, MLB
23. Eddie Robinson, college football
24. Bobby Bowden, college football
25. John McGraw, MLB
26. Bill Walsh, NFL
27. Woody Hayes, college football
28. Connie Mack, MLB
29. Bud Wilkinson, college football
30. Pat Riley, NBA
31. Pete Newell, college basketball
32. Joe Torre, MLB
33. Bill Parcells, NFL
34. Tom Osborne, college football
35. Walter Alston, MLB
36. Bo Schembechler, college football
37. Toe Blake, NHL
38. Sparky Anderson, MLB
39. Al Arbour, NHL
40. Amos Alonzo Stagg, college football
41. Tony La Russa, MLB
42. Geno Auriemma, women’s college basketball
43. Dick Irvin, NHL
44. Ara Parseghian, college football
45. Chuck Daly, NBA
46. Bobby Cox, MLB
47. Hank Iba, college basketball
48. Tommy Lasorda, MLB
49. Gregg Popovich, NBA
50. Herb Brooks, NHL

Clooney's New Girlfriend is Elisabetta Canalis

2009-07-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Take a look at at George Clooney's new Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis.

The couple were spotted in Italy together with George getting close and personal with the Italian model/actress. On July 22nd the two were seen dining at the Hotel Majestic on a double date in Rome. Sounds like the good life to me!

George currently resides in Italy and will also shoot his next film there, so their love has time to flourish.

Bud Light for Obama?

2009-07-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

Did Obama pick the nation's most popular beer Bud Light with political outreach in mind?

Well you might think, like I mistakenly did, that Bud Light is as American as apple pie. But after some research I discovered that both you and I would be wrong. Despite the fact that the beer is brewed in the U.S. it is owned by a Belgium company therefore making it foreign. It was bought in 2008 though, so it was a very recent transition. Kind of a trick question, I know.

So Obama would have been better off picking Coors or Miller Light to look more American.

This was all part of the sit down with Henry Louis Gates Jr and his arresting officer Crowley. It was an attempt to quell the situation and slow the mounting racial tension. Gates Jr picked Red Stripe and Crowley picked Blue Moon as his favorite beer.

I just think it's odd for the President to try to solve such low level disputes in person. Doesn't he have bigger issues and foreign leaders to deal with? I guess it was because he stuck his nose in the matter that he ending up forcing himself to solve the dispute.

Man I would love to have heard the conversation between the three of them, too bad it was private. Would it have been extremely awkward or would it be Barack having to calm them both down the whole time?

No bar fights please!

Jon Gosselin Scavenger Hunt

2009-07-31T10:44:00.000-07:00

Jon and Kate Plus 8 has resumed filming and Jon Gosselin was seen enjoying a scavenger hunt with his kids yesterday morning.

The scavenger hunt occurred at the Gosselin's family home in Reading, Penn. Viewers are going to have to tune in for this adventurous episode.

It seems Jon and Kate have put their difference by the way side for the sake of their kids. However, some bickering is still going on with regards to the money.

One source reports, “Jon is sure Kate’s keeping money from him, more than a million dollars. He thinks some of the money she’s made from her books and tours has been put someplace where he can’t access it. Jon says he found out Kate had been hiding about $100,000 in cash in the house…. It’s turned into an all-out war over money. Jon says Kate’s books and speaking engagements were based on their children and their relationship, so he rightfully deserves a cut.”

Jon's friends seem to have a different angle on the situation:

“Kate controlled the money for the longest time in their relationship,” a close friend of Jon’s tells Life & Style. “Now I don’t think he’s worried about money at all. He’s taking a bunch of us to Las Vegas at the end of August. It’s going to be wild!”

It would be hard being under the spotlight and having friends spill their guts about your financial situation. Then again, they did sign up to be on reality TV.

Cancer Study Shows Tanning Beds as Deadly as Arsenic

2009-07-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

In a recent cancer study, expert research shows suspects that tanning beds can be as deadly as arsenic or mustard gas.

For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.

The research was published online in the medical journal Lancet Oncology on Wednesday, by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization.

"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

Most lights used in tanning beds give off mainly ultraviolet radiation, which cause skin and eye cancer, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research.

The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators.

"The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.

But as use of tanning beds has increased among people under 30, doctors have seen a parallel rise in the numbers of young people with skin cancer. In Britain, melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. Normally, skin cancer rates are highest in people over 75.

Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them. In the past, WHO warned people younger than 18 to stay away from tanning beds.

Cogliano cautioned that ultravoilet radiation is not healthy, whether it comes from a tanning bed or from the sun. The American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.

Brad Pitt's Partying Ends at 6

2009-07-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

Long gone are partying till the wee hours of the night for Brad Pitt. Now his fun with friends ends when the clock strikes 6.

He said:
“I’m a dad now. My partying ends at 6 p.m.”

Brad also joked about his tough life as an actor;

“It’s so hard being an actor. I sometimes don’t get coffee, or they bring you coffee and it’s cold and sometimes you don’t have a chair to sit on…It’s really hard.”

But Brad clearly knows how to enjoy himself. According to reports, Brad brought a beer into the screening and had a few more at the after party. You can see in the picture he does look a bit tired.

Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie took their gorgeous daughters shopping at Toys R’ Us in the Valley.

Heidi Montag Pratt to Sing at Miss Universe Pageant

2009-07-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

No stranger to the spotlight, Heidi Montag Pratt is going to sing at the Miss Universe Pageant.

The ex-Hills star has decided to sing "Turn Ya Head" from her upcoming debut album, Unleashed.

I am guessing she is either going to lip sync or else we will get to hear what she sounds like outside the recording studios which may not be very pleasant (think Ashley Simpson at the Rose Bowl).

Maybe I should watch the show just to see Heidi tank, that would be an instant viral video!

Vick Gets Second Chance

2009-07-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

Will Michael Vick Get a Second Chance at life in the NFL?

Vick is suspended indefinitely by the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell had agreed to meet with Vick only after he sees remorse and change from the 29-year-old former Falcon. If he does get reinstated by the NFL, he won’t be sporting a Falcons jersey; they severed all ties with the player in June.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said:

“The review of Michael Vick’s status is ongoing. We are providing no other details right now.”

It has been reported that he can play for the UFL, but as far as Vick is concerned, that would be a last resort.

As Vick’s sentence ends, so does the removal of the ankle monitor he has had to wear the last two months of his 23 month sentence while being confined at home.

Mischa Barton Back at Work

2009-07-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Finally, Mischa Barton will be back at work after her recent stint in a psychiatric ward.

Mischa Barton’s worst days may very well be behind her. Just days after being put under a 5150 psychiatric hold, she’s reportedly doing much better. In fact, Mischa is apparently ready to return to work.

Her rep Craig Schneider told Us Weekly, "I can confirm that she's left the hospital with the intention to resume production."

Well, it looks like she was released just in the nick of time! Production on The Beautiful Life is set to begin this Friday.

Mary Jo Buttafuoco Book

2009-07-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Mary Jo Buttafuoco has come out with a book titled "Getting It Through My Thick Skull: Why I Stayed, What I Learned. The book is set to hit shelves soon, and she is going on a book tour.

Mary Jo has already appeared on several TV shows promoting her book and also done several interviews in which she talks about her reasons for writing the book.

She tells Time:

"Two years ago, I was complaining about the latest stunt that he had pulled, which was being out with Amy Fisher on a date and walking all over Central Park. I just was shaking my head for the umpteenth time, going, “why does he do this stuff?” And Paul, our son, very matter-of-factly said to me, “he’ll never get it, Mom. He’s a sociopath.” And that word — I didn’t like it. I thought it just sounded like a crazy, murderous person. That night I went on the computer and I looked up sociopathic behavior, and a light bulb went off in my head. I said, “Oh, my God, this is what I have been living with all my life.” So I thought, if I wrote it down and relived some of my own personal experiences, and tried to educate people, maybe they won’t have to go through what I went through."

Since that dreadful day back in 1992, Mary Jo has gone through a lot. She even stayed with her husband Joey after his mistress, Amy Fisher, shot her. She and Joey divorced in 2002, and now Mary Jo hopes to help others with her book, Getting It Through My Thick Skull.

Mary Jo says her mother always referred to he as having a thick skull when talking about her stubborn nature. And it became a joke in the hospital about how her thick skull finally served a good purpose.

Obama, Cop & Professor: Beer on Thursday!

2009-07-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Black professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. says he would have a beer at the White House with President Obama and the Cambridge, Mass., cop who arrested him.

Gates, a professor at Harvard University and friend of Obama, told The Boston Globe in an e-mail that he would join the other two.

“My entire academic career has been based on improving race relations, not exacerbating them,” Gates said. “It is time for all of us to move on, and to assess what we can learn from this experience.”

Sgt. James Crowley charged Gates with disorderly conduct after a confrontation that began with a call about a burglary in progress. The burglary turned out to be Gates, with help from a cab driver, trying to force open the door
of his own house after returning from a trip to China.

Obama angered police officers in Cambridge and elsewhere by telling reporters Crowley acted “stupidly.” But he cooled the dispute Friday with calls to both men.

“Sergeant Crowley was profoundly grateful that the president took time out of his busy schedule to attempt to resolve this situation,” three Massachusetts police unions said in a statement.

Kate Hudson and A-Rod?

2009-07-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

A-Rod and Kate Hudson seem an unlikely pair, but the two were spotted at The Mustang Grill in New York City having a date in the back room.

This comes after A-Rod and Madonna went their separate ways. She got a younger Brazilian model and now he's with a younger, hotter actress. So neither are probably complaining.

There are reports that the two were making out in the closed off back room of the fancy restaurant:

“a bartender at the Southwestern joint at 85th Street was asking patrons not to go in the back room around 1 a.m. because A-Rod and Kate Hudson were back there making out.” an anonymous source reported.

It's pretty thin evidence, but we wouldn't doubt A-Rod's abilities to round third base with a popular celebrity.

Harry Patch Death

2009-07-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

Mr. Harry Patch, who was known as the Last Fighting Tommy, was the last living soldier to have fought in bloody battle of Passchendaele, at Ypres, in 1917 in which more than 70,000 troops died.

The veteran's death follows that of Henry Allingham, also a veteran of the Great War who died on July 18 at the age of 113.

Mr Patch, who was a machine-gunner in the Duke of Cornwalls's Light Infantry, died on Saturday morning at Fletcher House care home in Somerset where he was living.

The Queen paid tribute to him, saying: "I was saddened to hear of the death this morning of Harry Patch, the last British survivor or the First World War. We will never forget the bravery and enormous sacrifice of his generation, which will continue to serve as an example to us all."

The Prince of Wales also expressed his sadness, telling the BBC: "The Great War is a chapter in our history we must never forget, so many sacrifices were made, so many young lives lost. So today nothing could give me greater pride than paying tribute to Harry Patch from Somerset.

"Harry was involved in numerous bouts of heavy fighting on the front line but amazingly remained unscathed for a while. Tragically one night in September 1917 when in the morass in the Ypres Salient a German shrapnel shell burst over head badly wounding Harry and killing three of his closest friends.

"In spite of the comparatively short time that he served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Harry always cherished the extraordinary camaraderie that the appalling conditions engendered in the battalion and remained loyal to the end."

Chief Executive of Somerset Care, Andrew Larpent, said Mr Patch had been unwell for some time and had died peacefully in his bed.

He said: "His friends and his family have been here. He just quietly slipped away at 9am this morning. It was how he would have wanted it, without having to be moved to hospitals but here, peacefully with his friends and carers."

Mr Patch never revelled in the fact that he was one of the last survivors of a war which had claimed the lives of so many of his friends. "I don't like it," he once said when asked what it was like. "I sit there and think. And some nights I dream – of that first battle. I can't forget it."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt said: "I know I speak on behalf of all ranks of the British Army in expressing my sadness on hearing the news of the passing of Harry Patch. Self-effacing about his experiences in the trenches he was no less effective in describing the horror they represented when invited to speak to schoolchildren about the realities of war. He was the last of a generation that in youth was steadfast in its duty in the face of cruel sacrifice and we give thanks for his life – as well as those of his comrades – for upholding the same values and freedom that we continue to cherish and fight for today."

Gordon Brown, added: " "I had the honour of meeting Harry, and I share his family's grief at the passing of a great man. I know that the whole nation will unite today to honour the memory, and to take pride in the generation that fought the Great War. The noblest of all the generations has left us, but they will never be forgotten. We say today with still greater force: 'We will remember them'."

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones, who has also met Mr Patch added: "It was my great pleasure to have met Harry Patch and I am deeply saddened by his death. Harry was a dignified and thoughtful representative of a brave and selfless generation. I am sure that I speak on behalf of veterans and serving members of our forces when I express my pride in his conduct as the last Tommy.

When Mr Patch was born in Coombe Down, near Bath, on June 17, 1898, the Marquess of Salisbury was Prime Minister and Queen Victoria had two and a half years still to reign.

Kitchener was 11 weeks away from fighting the Battle of Omdurman and the outbreak of the Boer War lay 16 months into the future. H G Wells's latest work, The War of the Worlds, had just been published in book form following its successful serialisation in Pearson's Magazine.

He grew up in Coombe Down, near Bath, left school at 15 and trained as a plumber. He was 16 when war broke out and reached 18 just as conscription was being introduced. He joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

"I knew what it was going to be like: dirty, filthy, insanitary," he said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

He was removed from the front line on September 22 1917, after being injured in an artillery bombardment which killed his friends.

Mr Patch recalled: "I can remember the shell bursting. I saw the flash, I must have passed out. The next thing I could remember was the dressing station. A wound in my groin. The nurse painted something around it to stop the lice getting at it. I was given a good hot bath. The lice came off – you could pick them up with a shovel – bloody things.''

He was too old to fight in the Second World War and worked as a sanitary engineer in American army camps in the south-west. He retired in 1963. Following his first wife's death in 1976, he married again at the age of 81. His second wife died seven years ago.

In March, Mr Patch received the insignia of the Legion d'Honneur from the French Ambassador, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, at his Somerset nursing home. Mr Allingham received the same honour the following week.

'Star Wars in Concert'

2009-07-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Star Wars: In Concert, a unique multi-media event featuring music from all six of John Williams' epic Star Wars scores, begins its worldwide arena tour on October 1, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Narrated live by Anthony Daniels (the actor who portrayed C-3PO in all six films), the production features a full symphony orchestra and choir, accompanied by specially edited footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, high-definition LED super-screen -- one of the largest ever put on tour. The live music and film elements are synchronized in order to create a full multi-media, one-of-kind Star Wars experience.

"We've taken the key themes from the music and cut together all the images that fit with each theme, so you can really get a sense of how the music played into the images," said George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars Saga. "The whole soundtrack is a testament to John Williams' creativity and his extraordinary ability to enhance the emotional aspects of the films."

"Creating the music for the Star Wars films has been an exciting and wonderful experience for me, and I therefore have derived particular pleasure in assembling a compendium of themes from all of the films to be presented in Star Wars: In Concert," said Williams. "The editors at Lucasfilm have created original film montages to accompany each of the musical selections, and in the process, I believe that a singular and unique Star Wars experience has been born."

"This event has been crafted to present Star Wars from many points of view; for the first time, the full dramatic sweep of Williams' iconic scores can be heard performed live in one evening," said Another Planet Touring Producer Spencer Churchill. "The show is a new way of experiencing the epic scope of the saga."

Accompanying the concert is an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props, artifacts, production artwork and specially created behind-the-scenes videos from the Lucasfilm Archives. Many of these pieces are leaving Skywalker Ranch for the first time. The exhibit features many classic fan favorite artifacts, as well as several new and never-before-seen items, including:

* Full costumes for Jedi Masters Kit Fisto and Plo Koon will be on display.

* For the first time ever, pages from John Williams' original hand-written sheet music for Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace will be exhibited for the public.

* Also on display will be various never-before-seen props from the films, including blasters and helmets from Coruscant, Tatooine and other iconic Star Wars locations.

For more information, please visit www.StarWarsInConcert.com.

Armstrong to Ride for Radio Shack

2009-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Lance Armstrong is going to ride for Team Radio Shack in 2010.

With today's convergence between technology and sports maybe this pairing isn't as odd as it initially sounds.

We were pulling for Amstrong in the last Tour de France, however he only came in a very unsatisfying third place. After a three year absence from cycling I suppose it would be more difficult to compete. We're hoping that the 7 time gold winner of the Tour de France can come back next year and win one more.

Bill Gates Quits Facebook

2009-07-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates, the man practically known mostly for technology and innovation, quits Facebook. Now a shocked and saddened social networking industry is left to wonder why.

In October, after Microsoft acquired 1.6 percent of Facebook for a whopping $240 million, Gates began receiving more than 8000 friend requests per day, causing him to quit using the site, according to the UK newspaper The Sun.

Also factoring into Gates' decision was the emergence of bizarre Facebook groups which bear his name, according to The Sun. Maybe Gates was spooked by the existence of groups such as "Kick Microsoft out of Facebook!" and "F--- You Bill Gates."

Or, perhaps Gates took issue with "Bill Gates Reads Your Facebook," a group that appeared shortly after Microsoft announced its Facebook investment, which warns members to "make sure anything you post online isn't something you wouldn't want Microsoft to take and resell."

It's even possible that Gates was still skittish about Facebook's controversial "Beacon" feature, which angered users late last year by sharing their personal user data and purchasing history with advertisers and other 'friends' on the network, prompting an apology from Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Whatever the reason, most industry analysts would agree that Gates would be best served by focusing his attentions on figuring out what he's going to do after his last day at Microsoft, just in case he's got any free time left over after his upcoming transition to the field of philanthropy.

Michelle Obama's New Do

2009-07-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Michelle Obama's new do. She didn't quite pull a Solange and take most of it off.

First Lady Michelle Obama pulled into the Department of Transportation last Friday wearing a houndstooth check blazer by Chicago designer Peter Soronen — and a shocking new shorter hairstyle.

What do you think of the First Lady's new hair cut?

Good or Bad? You decide.