| Watch: Warner Bros. Releases A ‘Harry Potter Vs. Lord Voldemort’ Video Featurette Posted: 09 Jul 2011 01:50 PM PDT We are mere DAYS away from the very, very FINAL end of the Harry Potter film franchise and to promote the release of The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 next week and to celebrate, Warner Bros. has released a video featurette focused on the good vs. evil battle between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. The clip features new scenes from The Deathly Hallows as well as interviews from the cast. As you countdown the days (hours, seconds) to the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, take some time to check out and enjoy the video below. I am so freaking ANXIOUS to see the final movie but, man, am I SO not ready for it to be over. I’ve never been so happy and so bummed to see a movie before in my life. I can’t wait … but I know it, I’m gonna bawl my eyes out :( [ Source]  |
| Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino Reportedly Moves OUT Of The MTV ‘Jersey Shore’ House Posted: 09 Jul 2011 01:17 PM PDT Earlier this month it was reported that Vinny Guardino decided to pack up his bags and move OUT of the MTV Jersey Shore house. Today we are hearing, from US Weekly magazine, that fellow castmate Mike The Situation Sorrentino has done the same. Now, I’m having a hard time believing that The Sitch would move out and give up the limelight for anything but … I suppose it’s possible he decided to bail on the show. Click below to read what supposedly went down. 
MTV has quite a situation on their hands. Days after Vinny Guadagnino stopped filming Jersey Shore’s fifth season, an insider tells Us Weekly that Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has decided to follow in his costar’s footsteps and head home early. “Mike walked off the show. He’s so over the whole thing,” the insider says of the 29-year-old reality star. “I don’t think he’s coming back. Everyone in the house is so unhappy.” The rest of the cast — which includes Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Sammi “Sweeatheart” Giancola, Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio and Deena Cortese — recently returned to Seaside Heights, NJ to begin work on the fifth season.
HMMM … again … I don’t know that I believe this just yet but … if this is true then MTV does have a big problem. If they go down 2 castmembers then they’d either need to replace them or just go with the dwindling number of people. I honestly thought it would be the TV-viewing public to tire of Jersey Shore first, not the castmembers. HMMMM. What do y’all think … is it possible The Sitch decided to punk out and bail on the show early? [Source]  |
| Dearly Beloved Posted: 09 Jul 2011 12:50 PM PDT As I mentioned yesterday, David and I met up with Emma and Josh – as well as our other friend Josh and his new friend Jay — at the Odyssey Theater to see another performance of Blood Wedding. Josh Z. is starring the production and Josh R. wanted to see it so we all decided to go together. It was a veritable Joshfest. After the show, we convened at Upper West for a late dinner and some drinks. Nothing to exciting but ’twas a very nice Friday night, indeed. 
Last night’s performance of Blood Wedding was, IMHO, a bit better than the first one we saw. I think the cast is loosening up, which is very good for the show. Josh’s performance improved as well. I’m not sure … I *might* have to see it at least one more time before the production ends next month ;)
This afternoon, David booked us for a pre-birthday spa day which will be VERY nice, I’m sure. Can’t wait. As for the rest of the night, not sure … but it’s Saturday again so … it’s gonna be a great night.  |
| Les News, 070911 Posted: 09 Jul 2011 11:58 AM PDT |
| Watch: Rihanna’s Tour Stage Catches Fire In Dallas, TX Posted: 09 Jul 2011 10:45 AM PDT Rihanna, currently on tour here in the US, brought her Loud Tour to Dallas, TX last night and set the place on fire … literally. Apparently, something went amiss with the pyro on stage and a large portion of the stage caught fire … causing Ri Ri to flee for safety and bringing an early end to the show. Click below to read Rihanna‘s tweets about the mishap and watch video of her stage on fire last night. 
It sounds like Rihanna was trying to downplay the accident but from the looks of the video shot by a fan, last night’s fire looked pretty serious:
To be honest, with all the pyrotechnics used in concerts, you’d think this kind of thing would happen more. I’m just really glad that no one was injured. it remains to be seen if any future Loud Tour shows have to be canceled but according to Rihanna, she is meeting with her production team to find out what happened. It sucks that the folks in Dallas got robbed of their show but I’m sure Rihanna will make good on her promise and make up the date. [ Source, Source]  |
| ‘Dexter’ Season 6 Will Jump Forward A Year In Time Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:59 AM PDT When the upcoming 6th season of Dexter returns this Fall, the action will not pick up from where season 5 left off … the action will begin with a fresh, “clean start” one year after the end of the season 5 drama. According to Dexter producer Sara Colleton has revealed that the plan is to put some distance between the death of his wife Rita (in season 4) and the loss of love interest Lumen (season 5) to move Dexter‘s story forward … which sounds like a great idea to me. Click below to read all about it. 
Dexter’s executive producer Sara Colleton has confirmed that the show will have jumped forward a year when it returns for its sixth season. Colleton explained that the team behind the drama wanted to see Dexter (Michael C Hall) in a “positive place in his life”. “We thought a clean start to this season would be to jump ahead a year, so he’s not getting over Lumen and he’s not still in the throes of dealing with the Rita thing,” Colleton told TV Guide. “We wanted to jump ahead a year and find that Dexter has gotten his groove back. He’s gotten over Rita and Lumen.” Colleton hinted that “it’s like the Dexter we know and love is back, and he still wants to play”, but added that he will still have some problems to cope with. “There are things in life that Dexter’s dealing with and one of them is that Harrison is now 2 years old and he has to go to school,” she said. “There are things that he has to start thinking about with his son, and he’s become keenly aware of what it is that he doesn’t want to pass on to Harrison, namely his Dark Passenger. But Dexter has no idea what it is that he does want to pass on.” Colleton’s fellow executive producer Scott Buck has previously suggested that Dexter will be a “more evolved serial killer” in the new season, while Showtime president David Nevins has hinted that Dexter and Deb’s relationship will be explored during the episodes.
Personally, I think this is a great idea. The “one year later” thing worked very well for True Blood this season. The time jump gives writers a lot of leeway with the story. They can allude to things that happened in the last year and/or jump off entirely new storylines that might not have worked had they picked right up from the end of season 5. I am LOVING everything that I’m hearing about the upcoming 6th season of Dexter. I can’t wait to see how things play out. As I understand it, Dexter‘s relationship with Deb (and the increasing risk that she will find out Dexter‘s secret) will play a very important part in season 6. I. Can’t. Wait! [Source]  |
| Betty Ford Passes Away At 93 Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:28 AM PDT Sad news to pass along today … after a very long 93 years, former First Lady Betty Ford passed away while surrounded by family and friends at the Eisenhower Medical Center. The cause of death has not yet been announced but one certainly hopes she passed away peacefully. Even tho she is a former First Lady, Betty Ford is more famous for her work with substance abuse therapy. The Betty Ford Clinics are credited with helping countless people (including celebrities) overcome their addictions. It is for her work with addiction therapy that she will be forever remembered and sorely missed. 
Betty Ford, the widow of President Gerald Ford and a co-founder of an eponymous addiction center in California, has died.
She was 93. Ford died at the Eisenhower Medical Center Friday evening, according to Matt McLogan, a spokesman with the Gerald R. Ford Foundation.
A family member said she was surrounded by relatives at her bedside. No other details were immediately available. The family is expected to release a statement later, said Elaine Didier, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Condolences began pouring in soon after news broke about her death — including from celebrities who sought treatment at the Betty Ford Center. “As far as I’m concerned, Betty Ford saved my life,” Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks said. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, who revealed in his recent autobiography that he was treated at the Betty Ford Center for drug addiction, also praised Ford’s work. “Betty Ford took a risk at one of the worst times of her life and came forward to share a message of recovery in order to serve others,” Tyler said. “Her vision, passion and amazing heart led to the Betty Ford Center, the gold standard of treatment facilities. She will be missed, but her work in recovery will live on.” President Barack Obama remembered the former first lady as a “powerful advocate for women’s health and women’s rights” and someone who “helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction” … Some of the many others offering praise and sympathy included Nancy Reagan (calling Ford “an inspiration”), and former presidents George H. W. Bush (describing her as a “wonderful wife and mother, a great friend and a courageous first lady) and Jimmy Carter (saying she was “a close personal friend” and “a remarkable political spouse.”) … Betty Ford became first lady when her husband was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States. Gerald Ford took office after Nixon resigned in the wake of his impeachment following the crisis and cover-up of the break-in at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington. Betty Ford soon made headlines, holding news conferences and publicly discussing her diagnosis with breast cancer. The first lady talked about abortion, pre-marital sex and equal rights in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” in 1975 — the same year Newsweek named her its “Woman of the Year.” Her candidness initially drew some criticism, but in a short time, 75% of Americans approved of her in public opinion polls, according to the Ford library and museum’s website. But in 1978, just over one year after leaving the White House, Ford made headlines of a different kind. She entered the Long Beach Naval Hospital to seek treatment for alcohol and prescription painkiller abuse. That same year, she published the first of two autobiographies, entitled “The Times of My Life.” Ford would go on to become a high-profile example of substance abuse issues and was a tireless advocate for drug- and alcohol-abuse treatment. “My addiction was a combination of alcohol and the prescription drugs that … both were a part of my life, but they did not become a problem until they overrode my common sense,” Ford told CNN in 2003. “I didn’t know what was happening, I just knew that I felt great and the pain was gone.” Her work paid dividends in October 1982 when, along with Leonard Firestone, she opened the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. To this day, the center remains one of the most well-known and respected places nationwide for treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Ford also fought to promote awareness and research on breast cancer, with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation eventually naming an award in her honor.
Betty Ford was an amazing woman and a First Lady way ahead of her time. She managed to turn her personal tragedy into triumphs not only for her but for so many other people in need. While I was never a Gerald Ford fan at all, I have always respected and admired Betty Ford for being such an incredibly strong and brave woman. Her impact on modern society is stunning and the work done in her name to save the lives of others will live on, hopefully, forever. Betty Ford will be sorely missed and loved, again, forever. Rest well, Betty. [Source]  |
| Prince William & Kate Middleton Arrive In The US Posted: 09 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT At last … they have arrived. Prince William and Kate Middleton, the newlywedded Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, made their grand arrival here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. after they completed a weeklong tour of Canada early yesterday. This visit to the US is the first for Prince William in many years and the first for Kate Middleton ever. The royals landed at LAX Airport here in LA, CA yesterday afternoon and were greeted with a very warm welcome. Later in the day, they were received at a private event in Beverly Hills by a few British ex-patriots … like David Beckham. Click below to see some photos of Will and Kate‘s first night in California last night. 
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the toast of Hollywood last night as they attended a reception on their first official visit to America. The couple were joined by 200 guests for drinks and canapés in the garden of the Consul General's residence in Los Angeles including David Beckham, Stephen Fry and Lord Freddie Windsor, who now lives in the city with his actress wife Sophie Winkleman. Prince William was greeted warmly by David Beckham who had attended the couple’s wedding in April. Although he was not on the official guest list for the party, royal aides said that he particularly wanted to welcome the couple to Los Angeles and deliver several signed LA Galaxy shirts which Prince William will auction for one of his charities. Dressed in a black suit with a blue spotted tie, Beckham attended without his wife Victoria, who is due to give birth to a girl next week. The footballer told Prince William: ‘Victoria really wanted to come but she is just so tired at the moment. She sent you both lots of love. How was Canada? It looked amazing.’ Prince William replied: ‘Don't be silly, send her all our love and tell her good luck with it all. It's been an amazing few days – we've been so lucky with all the incredible places we've been able to see and we've met so many fascinating people. It's been amazing, amazing.’ Beckham also spoke about the media frenzy surrounding the birth of his first daughter. He said: ‘I woke up on Wednesday to a tonne of messages on my voicemail from our friends congratulating me on the birth of our daughter. ‘I turned to Victoria and said: "Did I miss something?" Apparently it's being reported every day that she's already been born. One way or another, fingers crossed, she'll be with us in the next few days.’ The reception was held at the home of Dame Barbara Hay, the Consul General, where Catherine and Prince William are staying during their visit. The couple arrived at 6pm to cheers from a small crowd of local residents. The surrounding roads in the area had been closed hours beforehand … William and Kate flew into Los Angeles on the back of a successful tour of Canada – their first official overseas visit as a married couple. The newly-weds have a busy schedule ahead of them in the U.S., which will take them from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the poverty of Skid Row. Kate, stepped off the plane in a lavender dress from London-based designer Roksanda. The Prince wore a more formal blue suit. She was presented a red, white and blue bouquet. In a bid to protect their privacy, police have enacted strict anti-trespassing measures to ensure that the city’s notoriously keen paparazzi are kept at a distance … As the group of 15 dignitaries came to meet the large grey plane embossed with the Canadian flag, the airport employees had trouble getting the stairs to attach to the door of the plane. A motorcade of security gathered by the plane including CHP, police bikes and CIA agents in suits, dark sunglasses driving Range Rovers and black suburbans. After a brief delay adjusting the ladder, William and Kate walked down to meet the dignitaries on the tarmac. She wore a light grey chiffon dress and was given a bouquet of red, white and blue roses by the governors wife. Governor Jerry Brown told the Prince ‘Welcome to California.’
The British are here, y’all. Even tho Wills and Kate will not be spending too much time with the common folk, they will be doing various things around town pressing the flesh with the yankees. I understand the royal couple will visit, among other places, a community center on Skid Row in downtown LA … then there’s that polo match that Wills will be participating in in Santa Barbera, CA. I don’t think Becks will be spending much time with the royals after last night’s reception. They’ve got a bizzy schedule and he’s got a new baby coming any day now. I believe this is the first time Becks and the royal couple hung out since the royal wedding back in April. I can’t wait to see photos of Will and Kate‘s visit here in SoCal. I hope they have the best time ever :) [Source, Source]  |
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