Vox

The Case For Meds

Normally, I side with the folks who say Americans are over-medicated.

Rosie O'Donnell, however, is clearly off her meds - someone needs to refill her prescription.

The Church of Oprah

Is Oprah Starting Her Own Cult?

And nothing new for Oprah, who's now so wildly wealthy that shes exceeded literally any famous person she might interview. Parade magazine puts her 2007 income at $260 million, the most of any celebrity and $150 million more than Steven Spielberg, the most successful filmmaker of all time. So what can she do besides anoint presidential candidates or start a religion?

Looking At The Big Picture

A classic case of wanting instant gratification, without bothering to think about the possible long-term consequences.

...thanks to Monroe's own estate claiming that she was a New Yorker, there's no longer a right of publicity for Monroe, and photographers who own Monroe photographs shouldn't have to pay her estate (as they've done since her death).

Oh, Baby

Matthew McConaughey is going to be a dad.

C'mon, people - it's "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage"

Tom Cruise Is Here To Help

"People are turning to the scientologists for help" "We are the authorities" "You are either in or you're out!" niiice.

It is too bad they don't have an acting course in their catalog.....

UPDATE: Didn't take them long to take that off - beware the scientologists. Perez has some comments on it, Cynical-c still has it available.

UPDATE: A response video - heh heh.

Sexy Is...

My nephew has been voted by People Magazine as the Sexiest Man Alive

OK, Matt Damon isn't actually my nephew, but my nephew is the spitting image of Matt Damon. Even their mannerisms are very similar.

I'll track down a picture - you'll see ;-)

Mala Powers - R.I.P.

She was the original Roxanne, uttering the line that always brings the tears: "All my life I have loved but one man, and now I must lose him a second time." [sigh]

I purchased Cyrano de Bergerac on VHS several years back but the quality was poor - and the film cuts out right before she says that line! It starts up again after. A conspiracy, I'm sure. I may have to rent it soon, it has been too long.

Her what?

I just heard that Paris Hilton has been dropped by her talent agent.

Paris Hilton has a talent agent?

Paris Hilton has a talent?

More On A Legend

The tributes for Kitty Carlisle Hart continue.

There will be a memorial service/performance in New York tomorrow at the Majestic Theater.

Too far for me to go, unfortunately. That should be quite a gathering.

UPDATE: Apparently, it was quite a gathering

Kitty Carlisle Hart - redux

Althouse posts an obit, complete with youtube video.

The obit I posted here lacked the multimedia punch.

R.I.P. - Kitty Carlise Hart

I am so sorry that I missed posting this earlier, but only just saw the article.

Kitty Carlisle Hart, a New York Blend of Actress, Singer and Arts Advocate, Dies at 96

Some of you may remember that I was the fortunate recipient of tickets to see her in concert here in Phoenix last year. She was unbelievably elegant, and very entertaining. They really don't make them like that anymore.

Alec Baldwin: Caring Nurturer

As if the poor girl's life wasn't tough enough with him as a father, this is the voicemail he leaves for her?

Not a clue how old she is, no concern for her feeling and/or self esteem, scary and plausible threats. Yep, it just warms the heart.

UPDATE: More on the saga. Typical man, more upset that the information got out, than that he was such an @$$ in the first place.

With Clients Like These

Not to take anything away from the guy, I'm sure he is a fine attorney, but notice the two American Idol clients they mention by name are sort of.....nowhere.

BTW: I agree, Jordin was amazing last night.

R.I.P. - Pat Buckley

Another good one is gone as Pat Buckley passed away Sunday. She was 80 years old.

R.I.P. - Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr passed away Wednesday at the age of 84.

And Vonnegut.

His Welcome to the Monkey House collection introduced me to several ideas that still ring true. I remember clearly the message I perceived from Harrison Bergeron, about a society that tries to ensure complete equality by handicapping in some way those who are stronger and/or brighter. I remember the sweetness of the patient romance in Who Am I This Time? The silliness of Tom Edison's Shaggy Dog....

And who can forget him as Kurt Vonnegut in Back to School? ;-)

UPDATE: From the New York Times obit, a quote from "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater"

Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies — ‘God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.’

R.I.P - John Inman

One of my favorite Brit actors, John Inman, has passed away at 71.

"I'm Free..."

Anna Nicole Smith Dead at 39

I am disinclined to believe anything her lawyers say, but this seems legit.

Such a tragic, wasted life.

Making Lemonade

I definitely think K-Fed is coming out looking much better than ex-wife Brit-Brit. The fact that he is not taking himself too seriously helps a lot

Idiot

I just turned to channel 12 to watch the 10 O'Clock news (leads right into Leno)

The Golden Globes were still on and they introduced the Governator to present the last award. As he made his way out on crutches, they showed audience members applauding - except they also caught Alec Baldwin. He did a very obvious, very deliberate golf-ish clap and made a little "ooooh" pussy face.

Sorry to use this graphic graphic twice in one day, but it fits.

Alec Baldwin is an -hat

Love, Always

Pam & Kid file for divorce

What is wrong with people? I mean, I didn't really see these two living happily ever after, but if they didn't even have enough going for them to last 4 months, why did they get married in the first place?

Tutoring

Remember in the old days, when they used to have tutors on set for child actors. Apparently, Lindsay Lohan didn't get one - or she was a very bad student.

Click here for her nearly incoherent statement re: the death of Robert Altman

One of my pet peeves right off the bat - " am lucky enough to of been able ". Just because you mispronounce it when you are speaking does not make it correct when you write it. It is "to have" have, have, have.

The rest of it is just ridiculous, including where she says "The fighting, the anger, the drama is tedious" and then heads out for some hard core partying drama.

RIP Jack

Jack Palance has passed away. He was 87.

He was always fun to watch. He won his Oscar for City Slickers, but my favorite of his movies, I think, was Bagdad Cafe.

Rest in peace.

Britney Wakes Up...

...realizes shes a celebrity, dumps the baggage.

It was too long coming, and I feel bad for those kids, but this may be the best chance they have at a reasonable life.

Good Sport

This is too funny, Faith Hill is apparently not ready to lose the Female Vocalist award to newcomer Carrie Underwood.

I am surprised that Carrie won because she is such a newcomer - but she really is a great singer and a versatile performer. Faith Hill, on the other hand, has released a bunch of songs recently that ran the gamut from boring to bad - no reason for her to expect it this year. Her reaction, though - priceless!

Found via Perez

All Class

Bill Maher, showing what a pile of excrement he is.

Hypocrisy

Yes, Bono supports the forcible redistribution of wealth - as long as it's not his wealth.

A familiar paradox about leftist celebrities in the entertainment industry is that their embrace of progressivism almost never includes a wholehearted embrace of progressive taxation, i.e., the principle that the richer you get, the larger the percentage of your income you ought to pay in taxes.

Confession

I can't deny it anymore - my secret celebrity crush, Phil Gordon.

SG teased me about it, and I pretended it wasn't true. But it is I can't help it.

I mean, c'mon; he's wicked smart, he's funny, he's tall, he's handsome, he's good looking, he's generous, he's fun loving....

Ah, I feel so much better now that it is out there

Good Intentions

Bono and Alicia Keys were on Oprah today promoting their African relief charities. Noble work, indeed.

But Oprah just introduced them doing "their" new song, Don't Give Up, Africa

Except it isn't their song, it is the old Peter Gabriel song (backed up by Kate Bush)

After hearing them sing it, I have to say - Bono is no Peter Gabriel.

Here is a better clip of Peter Gabriel's Don't Give Up

The Suri Triangle

I love the Suri is Chris Klein's baby theory for a number of reasons, mostly because it covers the necessary bases. All the strange facets of the Cruise/Holmes story and Suri's birth are explained away. Brilliant!

Even better, though, is the Josh Harnett is Suri's daddy theory.

remember she dated him briefly between chris and tom. if it were chris' she might be inclined to go back to him because of their relationship, but she hardly new josh. [sic]

Suri Online

Glitterati Gossip has the snaps - awwwww

She's adorable, too bad her parents(?) are nuts.

Perez has the pic, too - she looks like she is wearing a toupe

Steve Irwin 1962-2006

Steve Irwin, the Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition, Australian media said. He was 44.

One of Irwin's quotes

"If something ever happens to me, people are gonna be like 'we knew a croc would get him!'"

Not Good Enough

Add to the list of gorgeous women whose men apparently think they can do better and cheat:

• Heather Locklear
• Christe Brinkley
• Carmen Electra

I know I had posted about this before, and had a list, but I can't find it in my archives... Found it

Hitler Asks For A Parka

Continuing with all things celebrity here on Vox (and a Hat Tip to Macker), there has been a monumental shift in the cosmos. Several Hollywood heavyweights call out Hamas and Hezbollah for the terrorists for they are.

Idiots On Parade

In yet more stupid celebrity news, country singer Troy Gentry pays big bucks to shoot Cubby, a tame bear in an enclosure, and pretends he is a big game hunter. He then claims to be completely unaware he did anything wrong, despite slapping fake tags on the dead animal. Because he is a celebrity, I doubt he will see any jail time, though, if this charge is true, I certainly think he should (and I really like a lot of Montgomery Gentry's music).

For the record, I have no problem with hunting. There are, however, many reasons for the laws that are in place - and stopping moronic behavior is one of them.

This Coming From JT

(Not that I am the worlds biggest Taylor Hicks fan, but...) Justin Timberlake, proving once again what a pompous schmuck he is, has the gall to suggest that Taylor Hicks "can't carry a tune in a bucket". Justin Timberlake, who wouldn't know the tune if it smacked him upside the head, criticizing someone elses singing ability. You should back up and remember how much you rely on the folks in post production, JT. Seriously.

Also from the mouth of the clueless one

"I wanted (the album) to look to a time when everything was really sexy,"he says."Maybe everybody was coked up, but who cares? It was hot. It was all about sex."

Kate Hudson Wakes Up...

...realizes she is good looking and famous, splits with freaky husband.

Little Man*

Rob Schneider took out an ad to declare that he will never work with Mel Gibson.

Yeah, Rob, like that had an ice cubes chance of happening in the first place.

* Yep, he was in that stinker.

Stone Cold

I saw United 93 and found it to be a well done, and agenda free, accounting of that day. It doesn't flinch from the mistakes we made, yet it doesn't flinch from the truth of the matter - that several Muslim extremist terrorists killed several thousand people that day, mostly Americans.

I have no intention of seeing World Trade Center when it comes out because I know it is impossible for Oliver Stone to make an agenda free movie. It is impossible for him to find the truth in a story and stick to it. He takes a grain of fact and twists it and turns it and pulls it and stretches it and covers it in so much crap it is unrecognizable and then releases it as "a true story" and people believe it.

Jeff Jarvis knows Stone has an agenda to sell, as well. His take:

And so it occurred to me: Here is Oliver Stone, the conspiracy theorists to beat all conspiracy theorist, facing the biggest conspiracy he could imagine — bin Laden terrorists with Saudi money plotting right under our noses to a devastating outcome. But this conspiracy, he’s ignoring. I shake my head.

Scientology in a NUTshell

A nutshell seems an appropriate vessel for the likes of Tom Cruise.

Scientology, by L. Ron Hubbard Jr.

via Glitterati Gossip --> Celebrity Smack

An Evening Out

I was fortunate to be the recipient of a pair of tickets to this show - Kitty Carlise Hart. It was fairly last minute so I was worried I would be going alone. Fortunately, Michelle is spontaneous and, with just a few hours notice, was able to join me.

I want to write about it - because it was AMAZING! However, I am very tired and having trouble putting my thoughts down.

For now, suffice it to say that she is one incredible 95 year old.

Ultimately

Ivanka Trump was on the Tonight Show tonight, and nearly every sentence contained the modifier "Ultimately"

As in, "Ultimately, he made a lot but we know that we have to earn it if we want it" - "Ultimately, the hair has worked for him, its a lucky look, I'm not going to ask him to change it" - "Ultimately, blah blah blah...."

Ultimately, it was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.

Things That Go Bump

I have to agree with gabsmash - What the....

I mean, even if the baby dropped, this is a bizarre bump configuration. Was she not really pregnant? Did she have the baby and is trying to deflect the press coverage for a while? Is it really an alien baby after all?

All Class

Yeah, he and J-Lo seem well suited - what a piece of work.

Contrast

GOP Vixen watched the Oscars, too. She seems to give Clooney about as much regard as I do....

RIP, Mr Limpet

Don Knotts - 1924 - 2006

One of my fondest memories from my teen years is of Don Knotts. He was in a play, "The Mind With The Dirty Man", that was presented at the Celebrity Theater, where I worked. It also featured Rue McClanahan, Randy Mantooth, some blond soap star whose name escapes me, and Don Knotts' daughter, Karen. It was an amusing play, that had Knotts delivering the line, "I'm an a$$ man! You knew it all along, God, but now I'm telling the world. I'm an a$$ man!" Funny to hear those words from Barney Fife.

We had the opportunity to meet and greet with the cast during their run, and he was utterly and completely charming - just as you would expect him to be. He was also quite the generous performer, constantly praising the rest of the cast. A real gentleman who will be missed.

BTW: Not sure what year it was, but Mantooth was married to some witch named Rose at the time (she was SO incredibly rude to everyone who worked at the theater) so it was after '78. Since I left Phoenix in '87 it was prior to that.

UPDATE: I remembered the blond - Shelly Taylor Morgan - I knew it would come to me.

UPDATE: Also passing, to make it not just 3, but 3 D's - Dennis Weaver & Darren McGavin

Could It Be?

The end of TomKat?

Don't Be A Man Ho

I've gotta say, he's got something here:

"I could be with whoever to get my rocks off. Or I could be with this person who is giving and caring, who values me as I really am and believes in me more than I believe in myself. You could fu!k around like a man-ho. Or you could be about something real. I'd rather go for that something real."

Ashton Kutcher

Argh - My Eyes!

Don't stare directly at the alien baby.

Double Standard

I got sucked into watching Lisa Loeb, #1 Single - hard to turn away, like a smash up on the interstate.

On this episode, Lisa meets a writer on an airplane and is intrigued. They go out again and she plans to take her gal pals to his book party.

Then a snippet appears on Page Six about her dating him, and includes a quote from him. She and the girls are appalled, appalled I say! She even tells him that she dated someone famous for years and they worked very hard to stay out of the gossip columns. How dare he use her to advance his career?

Of course I only know all this because she filmed her meeting with him, her dates with him, her emailing him, her confronting him, put it into her new show - and broadcast it on the Entertainment Channel.

British Women Are Insane

Need proof? Here it is.

Ego Overload

Nothing says "I love you" like your resume.

In other Tom Cruise news, a fellow sufferer.

All Class

Howard Stern - what a guy. Guess he forgot she was famous before she met Rod, she managed to continue as a super model and covergirl, even after having babies. I suppose he would have more respect for her if she was famous for saying f***, like him. "That's his accomplishment?!?" BTW: This is the woman he says is "too fat to be a model"

Lori isn't losing any love for big mouthed celebs today, either.

Whoosh

This news surprises me, and not because I saw the show and liked it. I actually meant to watch it and forgot.

What surprises me is that they felt the show was worthy of a pilot, but not worthy of a second show. Either it was so bad it should never have gotten the green, or it deserved a decent shot at getting some footing.

Of course, I do like to watch Heather Graham on screen, so maybe it's just sour grapes.

More Eva

I little full of herself, ain't she?

Engage

Kirk vs Picard?

Make it so-o-o (* Hat Tip Maudie)

Nerds (like me) definitely have too much time on their hands :-)

I Don't Like Eva Longoria

and I'm not the only one.

She has just always rubbed me the wrong way, and every time she opens her mouth it gets worse. She is minimally talented and just mediocre looking - and she is freakin' everywhere - commercials, magazines. I don't get the appeal at all.
Bleh!

I don't like K-Fed, either.

Humility

This chick has always grated on me - stuff like this just makes it worse.

Oprah's Apologist?

Never thought I would be the one defending Oprah.....

Embellishment

Felicity Huffman was on the Tonight Show last night, plugging both a new movie and a new book. The book is a how-to designed to help men be better as boyfriends, so Jay asked if she had any dating horror stories. She decided to tell one that she attributed to her husband, William H Macy, claiming that it happened to him in high school.

Except it was this story.

Had she simply said she had heard about it happening to someone, you could chalk it up to it being an urban legend - lots of people tell it so there is a good chance she heard it. However, the extra element of "this happened to Bill..." removes the wiggle room and makes it a lie. Right?

Is her life so boring she couldn't come up with a real story?
Did he tell her that story and she believed it?

OK, I know it is petty, but it really bothers me that she went on there and lied - and it makes me doubt all the other stories she has told. I mean, why would you lie about something so stupid?

A Downtown Gift

I think it may be time for a blogosphere fund raiser - for Lori's Christmas Present.

Come on, if we really buckle down we can come up with $900,000...can't we? She's on her own for transport and accommodations.

Here's Looking At You

He may be a moonbat, but he is still yummy.

I'm Sure He'll Replace It

In any case, the accident is the latest example of high-end cars with lots of horsepower wasted on the young, rich and famous.

But I guess it is hard to see where you are going - with a jacket over your head. Do you think their parents are proud to have raised such fine, upstanding citizens?

Here's the video

Just waiting for Lawren's update on this one.....

Simon Says

I am having a bit of a disagreement with SG, who insists that Simon Cowell is dating Vanessa Marcil Marsha Thomason, the chick from Las Vegas. (That makes more sense, she looks more like Terry Seymour)

I say he is dating Terry Seymour, E! News correspondent. I've seen pictures and online references.

Vanessa Marcil, previously married to Cory Feldman (!?), has been dating Brian Austin Green for several years and they had a baby a couple of years ago. They appear to still be engaged. Never mind that bit.

He (and his friends, BTW) says he's seen pictures of Cowell & Marcil Thomason together. Anybody else ever get the impression those two dated? Give me the scoop.

UPDATE: OK, I misunderstood who he was talking about. I still think he is wrong, but I can see where he would get that impression - they do look similar. Mystery solved. And, yeah, we having boring arguments - I prefer those.

Oh, Jeez

She should have run away while she still had the chance - now she will be connected to him for the rest of her life. Bad move, Katie

And, just as an aside, wasn't Katie still claiming to be saving herself for marriage? Is this an immaculate conception? Artificial insemination? (that would play into the "Tom is gay" rumors)

In other celebrity baby news, Chris Cagle got screwed. Women like that should be smacked.

Un-Wrapped Music

  Oh My

Oh, yeah - he makes a good point, too. You build your image as a gangster, don't be surprised if that is how people see you. If you embrace the music as a fan, don't be surprised if people suspect you of being a hoodlum.

Tragic News

Financier and real-estate developer Michael Wittenberg, the husband of Tony Award-winning theater star Bernadette Peters, died in a horrifying helicopter crash in Montenegro on Monday

Bernadette Peters is one of my favorite actresses, which may surprise those of you who have only seen her movie work. Though there were a few gems, she mostly played mediocre roles in mediocre films. But on Broadway she is incandescent.

My first Broadway show, on my first trip to New York, was Song & Dance. She was phenomenal. I predicted a Tony award for her, and I was right. I have since heard the soundtrack done by others and it descends into just another Andrew Lloyd Weber show - it was Peters who made it special. Since then I have seen her do, mostly on video; Sunday in the Park with George, Into The Woods... Her concerts are equally entertaining. She never disappoints.

She and her husband had a great "meet cute" story, and too little time together. I can't begin to imagine what she is going through, but my heart goes out to her.

Tripping The Idiot Box Fantastic

Tonight is the Dancing With The Stars dance off - I have money on John O'Hurley so vote early, vote often :-D

I seriously suspect some rinky-dink scoring going on. Kelly Monaco was the worst dancer (yeah, Evander was bad, but he was fun) and she was such a be-yoch, there is no way she had enough of a following to win. However, she is an ABC star, and it is an ABC show... I'm just saying.

She does also have a nice body, but I doubt that would get her enough votes. Lets face it, the crowd that would be impressed with her body wasn't likely to be watching ~ SG sure wasn't setting the timer to remind us it was on. She did a spread for Playboy a few years ago and, based on the publicity from the show, they are rerunning it. It comes out next month, but they show a sneak peek in the back of this months issue which may get her some more votes.

So, I repeat - I have money riding on a John O'Hurley win. Vote, Vote, Vote!

Too Optimistic

Apparently, my giving the marriage 18 months was way too generous. Stacy broke the news to me

Renee Zellweger & Kenny Chesney are annulling their marriage.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Hip Hop artist Nick Cannon goes out on a limb with this song, apparently written about his mother's decision not to abort him when she was 17 because she heard a voice asking "Can I Live?" Bet she's glad she listened.

The song seems to be a hit, and he hasn't been attacked for the message...curious.

Hi Res
Lo Res

You Will Be Assimilated

Apparently, the take over of Katie Holmes' mind is nearly complete.

I really hope this stops soon. When I see pictures of the two of them, it already looks like she is pulling back a bit - I definitely think that when this sinks it will be Holmes who launches the torpedo. She has got to wake up and say, "OK, childhood fantasy realized. Now I know some things are better left in the wish column, time to split"

Long Live Tigger & Piglet

On Friday we lost Paul Winchell, voice of Tigger since 1968.

Saturday we lost John Fiedler, voice of Piglet, also since 1968.

John Fiedler had a much larger career than 'just' the voice of a cartoon character, but the character he brought to life was so special and so loved by generations that it will probably be his strongest public legacy.

Paul Winchell's face is not one you would probably recognize, but reading his biography you certainly see his impact was also greater than a few animated movies (he invented an early artificial heart and a car that runs on battery power, among other things) though the cartoons may be his biggest 'hit'. BTW: Tigger has always been my favorite - he's bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun - and the wonderful thing about Tiggers is, he's the only one!

Odd that Tigger and Piglet's voices would die so close together...they will be missed.

Fine Fellow

To quote The Smoking Gun:

Tom Cruise, what an insufferable load

Cruisin'

I'm not the only one that thinks Tom Cruise has lost it (login "abbaabba1", "abbaabba1")

Marriage in the Pitts

Brad Pitt supposedly opens up about what happened to cause his divorce from Jennifer Aniston. There isn't much info there, but it does include this gem:

''It's talked about like it failed. I guess because it wasn't flawless,'' he said. ''Me, I embrace the messiness of life. I find it so beautiful, actually. The idea that marriage has to be for all time -- that I don't understand.''
emphasis mine

That doesn't exactly say why it failed (yes FAILED) but it does give you an indication of why it never had a chance. The looney left and their newfangled definitions of marriage - for Brad, apparently, it is no more a long term commitment than a cellular calling plan would be. They are truly people different from me.

Good Enough

SG and I were watching The Rookie last night and he commented, "How could you be married to Denise Richards and not be satisfied?"

Which led to a list of famous women who were not enough for the men in their lives:

• Denise Richards
  
• Jennifer Aniston
  
• Halle Berry
  
• Elizabeth Hurley
  
• Angelina Jolie
  
• Rebecca Romjin?

Whoa!

I don't think there is any doubt of my feelings about Keanu Reeves acting ability - that is to say, he has none. It is captured quite well hereIn the words of

Kenny & Renee

Not that I'm cynical....OK, I am. But how can you not be; they met in January and got married in May. Yeah, I'd say they know each other well enough to make that commitment.

Let's start a pool

• How long will it last?
• Is she pregnant?

I say 18 months - 'cause c'mon,let's be realistic
and yes - 'cause he is gaga over Tim and Faith's babies and she said she was feeling her biological clock

Too Young

I am not very familiar with this actress, though I did see her in Meet The Parents. I just can't believe people still die from this - especially someone young and seemingly otherwise healthy. So tragic for her family, and so sobering to realize that there are no guarantees. Tell your loved ones that you love them - every chance you get.

Men Crying

I find this oddly fascinating - I don't quite know why. There are even a couple of pics I would actually hang on my wall.

(Hat Tip to yayaempress)

R.I.P - Jerry Orbach

One of my faves, from Broadway to Law & Order, passed away yesterday.

Jerry Orbach, who played Lenny Briscoe (one of my two favorite L&O characters) for 12 years, recently left the original franchise to work on a new spin off. I have missed him on the origianl show, but have been looking forward to seeing him return with the inaugural season of "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" He was very talented and he will definitely be missed.

Passings

CNN gives us a list of notables in the arts who passed in 2004

For a less reverant list, you can't beat Stiffs.com ~ warning, they have a joke for every celebrity death. Don't go there if you are easily offended. Sample that cracked me up: Ronald Reagan (06/05)
We begin embalming in five minutes.Some are not as clever - read at your own risk.

RIP - Howard Keel

One of my all time favorite musical theater performers has passed away. Howard Keel died yesterday at the age of 85. Such a loss of a great talent

He was so sexy and romantic in shows such as Showboat, Kiss Me Kate, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kismet and many more. I'm sure he and Harve Presnell played a big part in my weakness for a tall man with a deep voice....mmmm.

Voting is for Other People

Those celebrities who made such a fuss over getting you to "Vote or Die" apparently didn't take that slogan to heart:

"...the spokesmodel for Sean Combs' Vote or Die campaign didn't make it to the polls Tuesday. Probably because she wasn't registered to vote.

The News' checks of voting records in California, New York and Georgia - where Hilton and rappers 50 Cent and Ludacris have homes - indicated that the three youth-votemongers weren't registered."

Tragic

I know most of you aren't Country Music fans, so the name Gary Allan may not ring a bell.

Gary's wife took her own life this morning, leaving 6 children behind. Apparently, she woke him up and asked him to get something from the kitchen and while he was out of the room she shot herself. I can't imagine how twisted up you must be inside to do that, especially when you have children. I can't imagine what he, and they, are going through right now. I'm sure your prayers would be appreciated.

Shocking News

[sarcasm]
Boy, didn't see this coming
[/sarcasm]

The List

Goldie brings us, by way of YaYaEmpress, The List.

You know the rules. My 5, in no particular order:

• Brendan Fraser
• Steve Hogarth Yes, I still think he is gay - the rules state 'untouchable', I doubt his sexual orientation is what's keeping us apart
• the Soloflex guy from the 80's
• Wolfgang Ketterle (previously, this spot was held by Richard Feynman )
• unmmm, George Strait or Clint Black or Toby Keith or Brad Paisley - let's just save the number 5 spot for some unnamed Country Music Hottie. Oh, wait - I know Joe Nichols!

semi-Famous Relative

I have a step sister, Piper Pack, who has been pursuing a career as a professional opera singer for several years. Her dedication, determination and guts are a constant source of amazement to me. She moved to New York a couple of years ago, on her own, because that is where the auditions are. And audition she does and does and does. I can't imagine a life that involves constantly putting yourself out there for critique and possible rejection. She lives it and, literally, makes it sing.

She has an interview online this month at Operaworks.

And some swag for sale from a concert she did before she moved to NY.

RIP - Chris Reeve

Actor Christopher Reeve has died

UPDATE: Bettnet

RIP

Janet Leigh has done her final scene. The actress passed away at the age of 77. I had no idea she was sick - 77 just seems too young to go. Though I thouroughly enjoyed her work in Psycho, I always thought it a shame that her other roles didn't garner her more recognition - despite everything else she did, she will always be the girl in the shower.

Rip the Rich

This post over at Uptown Girl got me thinking....

I often hear people running Oprah down for her conspicuous consumption or her lifestyle or, in this case, not understanding the concerns of the 'regular' people. I can't believe that any of these people would actually have the nerve to complain about receiving a free car - because they have to pay the taxes on it.
A car that:
1) they can refuse
2) they can sell
3) they can consider themselves lucky to have gotten for over $20,000 less than anyone else would have paid.

I don't really think it is the audience members, but the press trying to manufacture a story. "How horrible that Oprah didn't consider the consequences of her actions" puh-leez!

But it goes beyond that. Oprah is worth millions (has she reached billions yet?) and she earned it. She made a fortune talking to people. The woman found a niche and exploited the hell out of it. Good for her. That is what our system is all about, folks. She is the American dream - up from poverty to the lap of luxury on her own devices. Then she turns around and gives away lots of her own money, starts foundations that encourage giving in others, makes it hip to make charitable donations.... You don't have to agree with her to respect that.

Yet, when she turned fifty and celebrated like the incredibly wealthy chick she is, people were complaining "think how much good could have been done with that money" "I can't believe she would waste her money on something like that" It's her money people - she has every right to spend it how she wants. She doesn't have to give any of it to charity. How much of your income have you donated? Do you want someone telling you you can't buy that new pair of shoes because it is an extravagance and that money could feed a poor family? NO. It's your money, you worked for it, you get to enjoy it. Why is it the American people hate the rich so much? Is it just envy, "I can't spend like that so she shouldn't either"?

If it helps you feel better; those parties employed a lot of people, many goods and services were purchased, money was flowing into the economy and into the pockets of many people who are not as well off as Oprah.

I have seen the cars/tax story posted all over the blogosphere - I have meant to comment on it sooner. Uptown Girl just happened to post it when I had time to write so she gets credit/blame for my rant.

What's In A Name

An actor I generally enjoy watching is Alan Cumming, starting with when I saw him in the utterly charming Bernard & the Genie.

As an actor he is top-notch.

As a person, though, he is a bit...off. A bit out there. A bit loop-de-loop.

And now his latest business venture - Cumming: the fragrance. (not much there yet)

Sample conversation at a bar: "you smell great. what's that you're wearing?" "Cumming"

It should sell like hotcakes - it's all in the name.

....nice

The Other Side

I don't agree with him politically.

I often agree with him critically - though not always.

I always enjoy his style - even when he is wrong.

James Wolcott gets a blog. Give it a look see, it will infuriate or amuse you - but it won't bore you.

(Hat Tip Buzzmachine)construction