November 17th, 2008

The rich and famous couldn’t keep back the flames that threatened the homes of Oprah, Rob Lowe, Snoop Dogg, Christopher Lloyd and other powerful persons in the entertainment industry when fires raged throughout LA’s most elite communities during the past week.

Lowe reportedly got out just in the knick of time with his two children in tow, while flames raged not too far behind them. Oprah, far from home while taping her show in Chicago, was reportedly concerned over the safety of her dogs and home staff and made arrangements for her loved ones to be put up in a hotel. Snoop Dogg and his family and neighbors were evacuated as the flames approached their neighborhood.

And actor Christopher Lloyd, best known as “Doc” in the Back to the Future films with Michael J Fox, lost his home to the stubborn fires that eventually destroyed 10,000 acres, including 150 other homes. The towering inferno ate through Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

On the heels of losing his Neverland ranch, Michael Jackson is being sued by the son of the king of Bahrain, Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Reps for Khalifa say the self-proclaimed King of Pop owes him more than $7 million in a breach-of-contract case which claims Jackson promised to record an album for Khalifa’s record label in 2006, but the job was never done.

Just last week Jackson signed over the title of his much-loved Neverland ranch, after years of speculation that the King of Pop was actually…uh, let’s just say…not financially stable.

Since Jackson’s 2003 allegations of sexual misconduct with a 13-year-old at the ranch, and his subsequent acquittal, things have gone south for the singer. Way south. So stay tuned. There’s always more on the “Say what?!” lifestyle that has become Michael Jackson.

His tagline was: “Love, peace and soul,” but Soul Train’s most prolific emcee, Don Cornelius – and the hippest dude on any music show anywhere – apparently wasn’t filled with love or peace when police showed at his residence in October for what is labeled a domestic violence situation.

Cornelius was charged with three counts of spousal battery, one count of dissuading a witness from reporting to police, and a count of assault with a deadly weapon. Each count carries a maximum of one year in jail. The 72-year-old Cornelius, who entered his plea just two days ago, is free on bail.

Hilary Duff, better known in younger circles as Lizzie McGuire, is headed back to the small screen – this round with NBC. Seems the peacock network signed McGuire to a yet-to-be-named series, in addition to signing her on with several network shows.

McGuire, who grew up before our eyes as the Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, took a break from acting in TV and film to pursue (surprise!) a singing career.

Though McGuire didn’t strike the big-time with her first CD, there’s still hope for her in that department. (She’s one of the few actresses who actually can carry a tune.)

Still, apparently her past came calling – or maybe she just missed a regular gig. Whatever the reason, we’re anxious to see what NBC comes up with for the young starlet. Welcome home, Lizzie.

Every James Bond movie’s got a Bond girl. They’ll forever remain in the notorious Bond Girl club, but most are simply just known for their femme fatale roles. Where are they now? How did the Bond movies change their lives? Well, one’s a dame and another’s married to a Beatle. Here’s the scoop on some of the most famous Bond girls:

Honey Ryder (played by Ursula Andress) The original Bond girl and Swiss-born actress starred in Italian movies and dated Marlon Brando before coming to America where she married John Derek and starred in 1962’s Dr. No.  Her popularity subsequently rose, and she became a fixture of 1960s movies co-starring with Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra and Woody Allen. The now 72-year-old had a son with now ex-boyfriend Harry Hamlin, a brief stint on Falcon’s Crest and last starred in an art-house movie in 2005.

Pussy Galore (played by Honor Blackman) The British-born actress’ most famous role of her career was 1964’s Goldfinger. Before that she starred in The Avengers and secondary roles, and afterwards she acted in mediocre films but earned rave reviews on stage. She had a one-woman stage show and up until about 10 years ago the now 81-year-old starred in the British TV show, The Upper Hand.

Traci di Vicenzo (played by Diana Rigg) The Bond girl of 1969’s Majesty’s Secret Service made quite an impression on England’s real majesty. In 1994, the now 70-year-old was made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to theater and film. Yet, the British actress most made her mark in the theater winning a Tony Award and collecting many other acting wins and nominations.

Anya Amasova (played by Barbara Bach) Besides being best known for her role in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, Bach is also known for being married to the Beatles’ Ringo Starr since 1981. Before the movie, she starred in an Italian movie with two other Bond girls and after the movie the now 61-year-old starred in Force 10 from Navarone. She hasn’t worked in films since the mid 80s.

Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green) The French-born actress was best known for European art house films before going on to play opposite Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven. Since 2006’s Casino Royale, the 28-year-old has appeared in The Golden Compass. Her voice is heard in Quantum of Solace, but she can next be seen in a movie about students at an elite British boarding school called Cracks opening next year.

NBC announced on Friday that the former Disney Channel tween-queen will be joining the network and starring in her own series.

“Hilary is an incredibly versatile talent with a huge following whose career we know will continue to soar on NBC,” Teri Weinberg, Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment said in a statement on Friday.  ”We are confident we will develop great ideas that would feature her vast talents and are thrilled to have this opportunity.”

According to the press release, the one-year contract will allow Duff, 21, to also guest appear in other NBC series.

Duff is no rookie to the small screen after starring and gaining fame in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, which aired from 2001 to 2004.

She continued to find success with a music career. Her latest album, Best of Hilary Duff, released November 4.  No premiere date has been set for the series so far.

Alright, here’s the skinny.  I am obsessed with Twilight.  I know, I know.  Vampires?  Honestly, I have never been obsessed with bloodsuckers (other than lawyers and politicians) until this fall (for reference, please see prior post on HBO’s True Blood). 

Something about this autumn got me (and seemingly everyone) into the whole un-dead scene.  For those that don’t know, Twilight is a book series by Stephanie Meyer.  The four books have done quite well in the post-Harry Potter tween/adult/horror/magical/romance/thing niche. 

I hitched a ride on the Vamp express quite late.  The first novel came out in 2005 and I didn’t read it until 2008.  I had thought I was above it, until a value and trusted friend (several, in fact) showed me the error of my ways.  After 30 pages, I was hooked.

The story, simply, revolves around Bella and her love affair with Edward.  Not only do the pair face the perils of everyday high school, they have to worry about Edward going one step too far and killing Bella as they lock lips. Yes, he’s a vampire.

Why should you care?  Good question.  Let me tell you:

1) The books, although long (too long in my mind–200 pages could easily be trimmed and the overall story tightened up in each book) are quick reads and mindless fun.

2) It’s this falls hottest new film.  Next Friday, girls and their mothers (and yes, me too) will be waiting in line for the premiere of the film.

Let’s hope it lives up to expectations!

Last week the body of an American Idol wannabe, Goodspeed, was found near the home of Paula Abdul. Since then rumors have been flying, speculating that Goodspeed was obsessed with the AI judge, even changing her birth name (Sandra) to Paula – in honor of Abdul.

Since her 2005 debut on AI, where she was harshly dismissed by judges, Goodspeed sent Adbul over 100 letters, called her numerous times, and even appeared uninvited on occasion. Just before her apparent suicide, Goodspeed sent Abdul a bouquet of flowers with a note containing her new cell number.

Goodspeed’s mother reported her missing days ago and directed police to Abdul’s neighborhood, saying she believed her daughter was suicidal. Police found Goodspeed dead in her car from what they believe was a drug overdose.

Goodspeed’s obsession with Abdul is unmistakable: as if her name change wasn’t a clue, she also has a collection of her own drawings of Abdul. Her personalized license plate reads “ABL LV,” and from her rearview mirror hangs a photo of Abdul herself.

Somehow Goodspeed’s audition, which is all over the Internet since her death, can’t be seen in the same light-hearted manner as it was when she first appeared on the seen. Our hearts should go out to Abdul, Goodspeed and her family at this time.

Though she is still in mourning over the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson is moving forward with her life. Featured in a hopeful and cheery Gap campaign, some might feel the campaign is ill-timed but Gap assured reporters Hudson approved the use of her image – though she had the option to drop out of the campaign following her personal tragedy.

The ad includes the tagline, “Shine Your Own Star,” and will be shown in magazines, newspapers, and billboards in NY and Los Angeles. Hudson is one of several celebrities who participated in the new campaign, which includes Mary-Louise Parker, Milla Jovovich, Ashanti, Jason Bateman and his 21-month-old daughter Francesca, Rainn Wilson and many others.

Taylor Swift is going to rule the world; you could make the argument that she already does, at least among teenagers. (Swift’s debut album sold 3 million copies to a primarily young fanbase.) Not since Avril Lavigne has a teenage artist made such an impact on popular music, and this teenager, only 18, is classified as a country artist. Don’t get it twisted, though, Swift’s sophomore effort, “Fearless,” is a pop album through and through.

The only overtly country number here is the self-assured, “Tell Me Why,” in which Swift chronicles a relationship gone sour with the proclamation: “I took a chance, I took a shot/and you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not.” Swift presents herself as a vulnerable woman, mindful of the pain of past relationships gone bad and ever hopeful for the success of present ones. She wants true love; it’s all she has ever wanted and this album’s 13 tracks read like a diary of one teenager‘s love life.

Although Swift packs on the sentimentality in every one of these tracks, you can’t dismiss the fact that the music is great; the album as a whole is brilliantly executed and if you are a sucker for a charming ballad that tugs at the heartstrings, this album serves them up in abundance. “Love Story,” “Hey Stephen,” and “You’re Not Sorry” are all standout tracks on an album that is sure to ride the top of the charts for the remainder of the year.