Balloon Boy incident was a hoax
A Colorado sheriff said the incident involving the Balloon Boy was a hoax. The Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The parents who set off a worldwide drama by reporting their 6-year-old son was inside a flying saucer-like helium balloon hurtling over Colorado concocted the stunt to market themselves for a television show, a sheriff said Sunday.
Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said no charges had been filed yet, and the parents weren’t under arrest. He said he expected to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant.
Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Alderden said the parents Richard and Mayumi Heene “put on a very good show for us, and we bought it.”
Alderden said at an extraordinarily candid news conference that the boy, Falcon Heene, may not have even been hiding in the rafters of the family’s garage during the intense five-hour search for him Thursday afternoon.
“For all we know he may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park,” the sheriff said.
Richard and Mayumi Heene were shopping at a Wal-Mart with their three sons as Alderden told reporters at the sheriff’s station that the whole thing was a hoax.
Richard Heene said he’s “seeking counsel,” though it was unclear whether he was talking about hiring an attorney.
“This thing has become so convoluted,” Heene told The Associated Press as tears welled up in his eyes.
He said his wife was holding together better than he was.
The sheriff said all three of the Heenes’ sons knew of the Thursday hoax, but likely won’t face charges because of their ages. The oldest son is 10. One of the boys told investigators he saw his brother get in the balloon’s box before it launched.
Heene, a storm chaser and inventor, and his family have appeared on the ABC television reality show “Wife Swap.” Alderden said the couple met in acting school in Hollywood. Richard Heene has described himself as an amateur scientist, but Alderden said Heene has only a high school education.
“He may be nutty, but he’s not a professor,” Alderden said.
Alderden said interviews with the parents Saturday resulted in enough information to get a warrant to search the house. He said they were looking for computers, e-mails, phone records and financial records.
Alderden said the children were still with the parents Sunday morning, and child protective services had been contacted to investigate the children’s well-being.
Alderden was asked whether officials had concerns for Falcon’s safety after the child’s comment on CNN that raised doubts for investigators. The boy turned to his dad during the interview Thursday night and said what sounded like “you said we did this for a show” when asked why he didn’t come out of his hiding place.
On Friday, Falcon got sick during two separate TV interviews Friday when asked again why he hid.
“Clearly, from all indications, Mr. Heene has somewhat of a temper,” Alderden said.
Alderden said officials tried Saturday to persuade Mayumi Heene to go to a safe house, but she declined.
“We talked to her at length about domestic violence, about her safety, about her children’s safety,” the sheriff said. “We have a concern, but we didn’t have enough that would allow us or child protective services to physically take the kids from that environment.”
A Colorado State University physics professor, using dimensions given by Richard Heene, had told sheriff’s officials as they were tracking the balloon Thursday that it was plausible for it to lift off with 37-pound (17-kilogram) Falcon inside.
Once the device landed, sheriff’s officials discovered it was made with plastic tarps taped together and covered with aluminum foil, with a utility box made of a very thin piece of plywood, cardboard on the side, held together with string and duct tape, Alderden said.
Using the true dimensions, the professor determined it could not have launched with the boy inside, Alderden said.
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 17 and Oct. 18)
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 17)
Eminem – 37 (rapper)
Wyclef Jean – 37 (rapper/producer)
Chris Kirkpatrick – 38 (N’Sync singer)
Wood Harris – 40 (actor)
Norm MacDonald – 46 (comedian)
Alan Jackson – 51 (country singer)
Howard Rollins Jr. - 59 (In The Heat Of The Night actor)
Margot Kidder – 61 (Superman actress)
George Wendt – 61 (Cheers actor)
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 18)
Zac Efron – 22 (High School Musical actor)
Freida Pinton – 25 (Slumdog Millionaire actress)
Ne-Yo - 30 (R&B singer)
Wynton Marsalis – 48 (musician)
Erin Moran – 49 (Happy Days actress)
Jean-Claude Van Damme – 49 (actor)
Martina Navratilova – 53 (tennis player)
Pam Dawber – 58 (Mork and Mindy actress)
Mike Ditka - 70 (former Chicago Bears coach)
Dawn Wells – 71 (Gilligan Island actress)
Peter Boyle – 74 (Everybody Loves Raymond actor)
TLC network is suing Jon Gosselin
Jon Gosselin exited a courthouse (AP Photo by Matt Rourke)
More bad news for Jon Gosselin. The TLC network is suing him for breach of contract.
The Associated Press story is posted below via NewsOK.
ASSOCIATED PRESS BY FRAZIER MOORE
The TLC network has sued Jon Gosselin for allegedly breaching his contract as a star of the hit reality show “Jon & Kate Plus 8.”
The lawsuit, filed Friday in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Md., alleges that Gosselin has failed to meet his obligations as an exclusive employee of the network, while appearing on rival networks’ programs for pay and making unauthorized public disclosures about the show.
Gosselin has starred since 2007 on the weekly “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” a ratings hit for the network that has been rocked in recent months by marital turmoil as Gosselin and his wife, Kate, feuded, then filed for divorce.
Gosselin, like his estranged wife, became mainstays on tabloid TV shows and magazine covers as Jon Gosselin was seen in the company of other women.
The couple are the parents of young twins and sextuplets whose family home is in Wernersville, Penn.
The suit is seeking from Gosselin unspecified compensatory damages and demanding he return income gained as a result of his breaches of the agreement, as well as to refrain from future violations of his contractual agreement.
“The network has been trying privately and patiently for months to get Jon to honor the contract he signed and to comply with his obligations relating to public appearances and statements,” said TLC in a statement on Friday. “Those efforts have been unsuccessful.”
Gosselin’s lawyer, Mark Jay Heller, said he had not yet read the filing and had no immediate comment.
The lawsuit says that, last June, in recognition of “the Gosselins’ difficult personal circumstances, TLC asked both parents to refrain from making public statements about each other, the divorce, or the program, and negotiated an agreed ‘cooling off’ period with respect to media communications” for 45 days.
Nonetheless, the suit alleges that Gosselin “in violation of his contractual exclusivity” to his own show, “entered a lucrative arrangement to appear regularly on ‘Entertainment Tonight’ and its companion show, ‘The Insider,’ to discuss his family and the problems he was having with Mrs. Gosselin, and he routinely sold photographic rights to various media outlets �.”
The lawsuit also claims that on Sept. 18, TLC requested that Gosselin be present for filming six days hence. He didn’t respond to the request, and no filming took place on Sept. 24, the lawsuit says.
In light of Gosselin’s alleged “erratic public behavior, unprofessional conduct and serial disregard for his contractual obligations,” TLC on Sept. 29 announced the program would be relaunched in November as “Kate Plus Eight,” with Jon Gosselin taking a back seat role to single mother Kate and the eight kids.
The lawsuit claims that he responded with a request to be released from his exclusive arrangement to pursue other paying opportunities while continuing to be compensated by TLC.
When TLC declined to comply with such a release, Gosselin notified TLC that he would attempt to bar TLC’s access to the family property and filming of his children, the suit says, “on the grounds that it is purportedly detrimental to the children.”
A few days later, Gosselin told CNN’s “Larry King Live” that it’s “not healthy” for his kids to continue appearing on the TLC reality show. He said he had had “an epiphany one day” and realized his 5-year-old sextuplets and 9-year-old twins shouldn’t be filmed at the family’s Pennsylvania home while their parents are going through a divorce.
TLC has since granted a judge’s request that filming of the eight children be suspended.
TLC spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said that, while both Kate and Jon Gosselin remain under exclusive contract to the network, the show’s longtime future remains in question.
Meanwhile, Gosselin was been embroiled in a separate legal matter. Earlier this week, he was ordered to return $180,000 in marital funds by Oct. 26, according to a lawyer for his estranged wife. Kate Gosselin, meanwhile, must provide an accounting of past expenses by the same date, lawyer Mark Momjian said. And an arbitrator will review another $55,000 she says she spent on household and child-related expenses.
Richard Hatch released from prison
The original “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch was released from prison Friday (Oct. 16) after serving a sentence for tax evasion.
Hatch was convicted in 2006 after he failed to pay taxes on the $1 million he won on the reality show “Survivor.”
Earlier this year, Hatch maintained the judge and prosecutor were discriminating against him because he’s gay.
Hatch was declared the champion on the first season of “Survivor” in 2000.
Nicolas Cage blames manager for financial trouble
Actor Nicolas Cage recently found himself in financial turmoil when the IRS came knocking on his door.
Uncle Sam told him that he owes more than $6 million in back taxes.
But Cage isn’t taking any of the blame. Instead, he’s passing the blame to his business manager.
Cage filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County accusing his business manager Samuel Levin of improperly handling his money and investments and failing to file taxes on his behalf (which was part of his job description).
Cage also alleges the business manager never told him about his negative financial situation.
Let this be a lesson to Cage. It’s good to have someone handle your financial matters for you, but when it comes to dealing with millions of dollars, you should always keep an eye on the person who is handling your money.
The good news for Cage is he can easily recover his financial losses because he has four movies scheduled for release in 2010.
They are “Season of the Witch,” “Kick-Ass,” “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Drive Angry.”
New movies at the box office (Oct. 16)
“Law Abiding Citizen” starring Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Viola Davis
“The Stepfather” starring Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley
“Where The Wild Things Are’ starring Benicio Del Toro, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 16)
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 16)
Jeremy Jackson -29 (actor)
John Mayer – 32 (singer)(in photo above)
Kellie Martin – 34 (actress)
Terri J. Vaughn- 40 (Steve Harvey Show actress)
Flea – 47 (of Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Tim Robbins - 51 (actor)
Suzanne Somers – 63 (actress)
Angela Lansbury – 84 (actress)
Judge rejects marriage license for interracial couple
Every now and then I like to take a break from writing about celebrities and post a blog about an issue of significance, and this certainly is a significant issue.
A judge in Louisiana actually denied a marriage license to a couple because they were an interracial couple.
The judge said interracial marriages don’t last. (Yes, this happened in the year 2009).
The full Associated Pressstory is posted below via NewsOK.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.
Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.
“I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house,” Bardwell said. “My main concern is for the children.”
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.
“I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves,” Bardwell said. “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.”
If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.
“I try to treat everyone equally,” he said.
Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.
Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell’s wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.
“It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009,” said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. “The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry.”
The ACLU was preparing a letter for the Louisiana Supreme Court, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and see if they can remove him from office, Schwartzman said.
“He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it,” Schwartzman said.
According to the clerk of court’s office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.
Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.
The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk’s office.
Billboard Top 25 Songs
Britney Spears during a concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa (Photo by Steve Maupin, The Oklahoman)
Billboard Top 25 Songs (week of Oct. 14)
1. “3″ by Britney Spears
2. Down by Jay Sean and Lil Wayne
3. Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus
4. Whatcha Say by Jason DeRulo
5. Run This Town by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West
6. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
7. Paparazzi by Lady Gaga
8. You Belong To Me by Taylor Swift
9. Fireflies by Owl City
10. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
11. Obsessed by Mariah Carey
12. Sweet Dreams by Mariah Carey
13. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
14. Replay by Iyaz
15. Forever by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem
16. One Less Lonely Girl by Justin Bieber
17. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas
18. Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti, Spearhead, Cherine Anderson
19. Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson
20. Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood
21. One Time by Justin Bieber
22. Hotel Room Service by Pitbull
23. Break Up by Mario, Gucci Mane, Sean Garrett
24. Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
25. Sexy Chick by David Guetta and Akon
Taylor Swift to host Satuday Night Live
Taylor Swift is known for her catchy country songs, her songwriting and a innocent nice-girl persona.
But can she do comedy? The 19-year-old singer has been selected to host “Saturday Night Live” on Nov. 7.
Swift will be featured in a variety of comedy skits during the episode.
I’m willing to bet the writers will incorporate a skit about the Kanye West incident that occurred during the MTV Video Music Awards.
In fact, I think it would be great if Kanye made an appearance in the skit as himself.
Although “SNL” will be Swift’s first attempt at sketch comedy, she guest starred on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” earlier this year.
She also has a role in the upcoming film “Valentine’s Day” starring Taylor Lautner, Julia Roberts and Queen Latifah. Click here for details about the movie.
Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield to appear on Oprah together
Mike Tyson, left, bit off a part of Evander Holyfield's ear during a boxing match in 1997 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (AP photo by Jack Smith)
Mike Tyson is returning to the Oprah Winfrey Show for the second time this week. But this time, his rival Evander Holyfield will join him on the show.
Remember in 1997, when Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear during a boxing match? The two boxing legends will discuss the ear-biting incident. It will be the first time they have spoken since that match.
Tyson also will take questions from the audience. The show will air Friday (Oct. 16) on ABC.
Lady Gaga announces new tour dates
Lady Gaga attend the Human Rights Campaign national dinner. (AP Photo by Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Pop singer Lady Gaga announced the new dates for her upcoming tour titled The Monster Ball.
Gaga had to rearrange the dates when Kanye West back out of their joint tour. Now she’s hitting the road solo with rapper Kid Cudi as her opening act.
The 22-city tour kicks off Nov. 27 in Montreal. The tour dates are posted below.
Nov. 27 – Montreal, Quebec, Canada @ The Bell Center
Nov. 28 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada @ Air Canada Center
Nov. 29- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada @ Scotiabank Place
Dec. 1 – Boston, MA @ Wang Center
Dec. 2 – Boston, MA @ Wang Center
Dec. 3 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna
Dec. 9 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Dec. 10 – Vancouver, BC, Canada @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Dec. 13 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic
Dec. 18- Las Vegas, NV @ To Be Determined
Dec. 19 – San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
Dec. 21- Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre
Dec. 29 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theater
Dec. 31 – Miami, FL @ Knight Center
Jan. 3 – Orlando, FL @ The Hard Rock
Jan. 7 – St. Louis, MO @ The Fox
Jan. 8 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Jan. 9 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Jan.12 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theater
Jan. 16- Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata
Jan. 20 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Jan. 21 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 15)
Ginuwine during a photo shoot in New York (AP Photo by Jim Cooper)
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 15)
Keyshia Cole – 28 (R&B singer)
Ginuwine – 39 (R&B singer)(in photo above)
Eric Benet – 43 (R&B singer)
Vanessa Marcil – 41 (soap opera actress)
Sarah Ferguson – 50 (former Duchess of York)
Emeril Lagasse – 50 (celebrity chef)
Tanya Roberts – 54 (Charlie’s Angels actress)
Penny Marshall – 66 (film director)
Is Garth Brooks coming out of retirement?
Oklahoma State University donor Boone Pickens talks with country singer Garth Brooks in Stillwater. (Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman)
Country superstar and Oklahoma native Garth Brooks might be coming out of retirement in 2010.
In 2001, Brooks retired from concert tours at the young age of 39. I know it sounds odd to hear about someone retiring in their 30s.
I hope the speculation is true because he’s one of my favorite country singers, but I’ve never seen him perform live.
Click here to read BAM’s Blog for the details about his un-retirement (Yes, I made that word up).
Man hits Leona Lewis in the head
(from left) Leona Lewis, Clive Davis and Carrie Underwood attended a Grammy party in 2008 (AP Photo by Chris Pizzello)
The cover to Leona Lewis' autobiography. The book will be in stores Thursday (Oct. 15).
Pop singer Leona Lewis was hit in the head Wednesday (Oct. 14) while she was signing autographs for fans.
The 24-year-old was hit by a man at a bookstore while she was promoting the release of her autobiography.
Her publicist issued a statement on Facebook that said “Leona was the victim of an unprovoked attack this afternoon at her book signing. The police were called immediately and medical attention has been sought. Leona is understandably shaken and apologises to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings.”
According to the Associated Press, a 29-year-old man was taken into police custody, and his motive is unknown.
Lewis became famous in 2006 when she won the U.K. talent show “X Factor,” which is similar to “American Idol.”
Her hit songs include “Bleeding Love,” ‘I Will Be” and “Better In Time.” Her autobiography titled Dreams will be in stores Thursday (Oct. 15).
Billboard Top 10 albums (Oct. 14)
Michael Buble during a photo shoot in New York (AP Photo by Jeff Christensen)
Billboard Top 10 albums (Oct. 14)
1. Crazy Love by Michael Buble – 132,000 copies
2. Sonic Boom by Kiss – 108,000 copies
3. American Ride by Toby Keith – 90,000 copies
4. Love Is The Answer by Barbra Streisand – 75,000 copies
5. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z – 65,000 copies
6. Doin’ My Thing by Luke Bryan – 58,000 copies
7. Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel – 54,000 copies
8. The Time Of Our Lives by Miley Cyrus – 47,000 copies
9. This Is Us by Backstreet Boys - 42,000 copies
10. Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin – 41,000 copies
Info on TLC singer Chilli’s reality show
TLC singer Chilli during an MTV appearance in New York City (AP Photo by Paul Hawthorne)
Flavor Flav, Tiffany “New York” Pollard, Bret Michaels, Antonio Sabato Jr., Ray J and Tila Tequila have all tried to find their soul mates by participating in reality dating shows.
R&B singer Chilli from the group TLC will follow in their footsteps. Chili’s reality show will air sometime next year on VH1.
During the show, Chilli will go on several dates until she finds a suitable match.
Chilli has had a string of failed relationships with celebrity men including music producer Dallas Austin and R&B singer Usher. Hopefully, she’ll find better luck on this show.
Tracy Morgan slams Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri
Comedian/actor Tracy Morgan during an appearance on MTV (AP Photo by Evan Agostini)
Chris Kattan during an appearance in Los Angeles (AP Photo by Branimir Kvartuc))
Former “Saturday Night Live” star Tracy Morgan spent 10 years on the popular sketch comedy show, but he didn’t always get along with his cast mates.
In his new autobiographytitled “I Am The New Black,” Morgan took a stab at his former SNL cast mates Cheri Oteri and Chris Kattan.
In an excerpt from the book’s audio version, Morgan said “I can remember being on “Saturday Night Live” and feeling like i was at the bottom of the totem pole. I can remember when people like Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri probably looked down upon on me. I can remember especially those two treating me like I was the invisible guy. Now, look where they at now? Cheri Oteri, she can’t even get arrested. Where’s Chris Kattan now? They never going to host “Saturday Night Live.”
“That’s what happened to me over there. They never treated me well. There were people that treated me beautifully like Will Ferrell and Colin Quinn and Molly Shannon–I love them. But Cheri Oteri and Chris Kattan I never cared for them either (explicative).”
Morgan’s book will be in stores Oct. 20.
Dick Cheney’s daughter criticizes Obama
Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, is doing something that I enjoy doing myself. She’s exercising her right to free speech and her right to criticize politicians (which I often do myself).
Liz Cheney recently created an organization titled Keep America Safe. The purpose of the organization is to oppose President Barack Obama’s foreign policy.
Liz made the following statement on the organization’s Web site, “We have watched with concern and dismay as the Obama administration has cut defense spending, wavered on the war in Afghanistan, and launched investigations into Americans serving on the front lines of the war on terror, while at the same time expanding legal protections for the terrorists that plot to attack this country. These policies, along with President Obama’s abandonment of America’s allies and attempts to appease our adversaries are weakening the nation.”
Again, I’m a huge supporter of free speech. I just wish Liz would also use the Web site to mention how her father (Dick Cheney) was responsible for leading us into the Iraq War by falsely telling Americans that Saddaam Hussein was responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.
If anything, leading us into a war for false reasons weakened our nation more than anything President Obama has done.
Celebrity birthdays (Oct. 14)
Usher speaks at the Clinton Global Iniative in New York Clinton Global Initiative (AP Photo by Stephen Chernin)
Celebrity birthdays (Oct. 14)
Stacy Keibler – 30 (former wrestler)
Usher – 31 (R&B singer)
Natalie Maines – 35 (Dixie Chicks singer)
Harry Anderson – 57 (actor)
Ralph Lauren – 70 (fashion designer)
David Archuleta new CD and tour
“American Idol” season seven runner up David Archuleta is definitely in the Christmas spirit this year.
The singer, 19, released a new Christmas CD today (Oct. 13) titled “Christmas From The Heart.”
He will also embark on a Christmas tour to promote the CD beginning Nov. 24 in Salt Lake City.
The Christmas CD features standard holiday classics, including “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
The tour dates are posted below along with snippets from his Christmas CD.
| Nov. 24 – 25 | Salt Lake City, UT | Abravanel Hall |
| Nov. 27 | Ann Arbor, MI | Hill Auditorium |
| Nov. 28 | Bakersfield, CA | Rabobank Theater |
| Nov. 29 | Santa Rosa, CA | Wells Fargo Center for the Arts |
| Nov. 30 | San Francisco, CA | Warfield Theatre |
| Dec. 2 | Anaheim, CA | Grove of Anaheim |
| Dec. 4 | Rexburg, ID | Hart Auditorium |
| Dec. 6 | Beaver Creek, CO | Vilar Performing Arts Center |
| Dec. 8 | Kansas City, MO | Midland Theater |
| Dec. 9 | St. Paul, MN | Fitzgerald Theater |
| Dec. 11 | Waukegan, IL | Genesee Theater |
| Dec. 12 | Cleveland, OH | PlayhouseSquare |
| Dec. 13 | Montclair, NJ | Wellmont Theater |
| Dec. 15 | Baltimore, MD | Lyric Opera House |
| Dec. 17 | Mashantucket, CT | MGM Grand at Foxwoods |
| Dec. 18 | Stroudsburg, PA | Sherman Theater |
| Dec. 19 | Boston, MA | House of Blues |
| Dec. 20 | Westbury, NY | Capitol One Bank Theatre |
American Music Awards nominations announced
Taylor Swift performed during last year's American Music Awards (AP Photo by Matt Sayles)
The 2009 American Music Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, and Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson garnered the most nods.
Swift was nominations six times, and Michael Jackson received five nominations.
I was surprised to see the late M.J. on the nominations list because he didn’t release new music this year. But I’m not one to argue.
So far, the musicians scheduled to perform are Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez and Black Eyed Peas.
The show will air Nov. 22. The nominations are posted below.
Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson during the American Music Awards in 1993 (AP photo by Mark Terrill)
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.
Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback
Favorite Pop/Rock Album
Lady Gaga / Fame
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Carrie Underwood accepted an award during the American Music Awards in 2006 (AP photo by Kevork Djansezian)
Favorite Country Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban
Favorite Country Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Country Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Favorite Country Album
Rascal Flatts/ Unstoppable
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Zac Brown Band / Foundation
Jay-Z on the red carpet at the American Music Awards in 2006 (AP photo by Danny Moloshok)
Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Male Artist
Eminem
Jay-Z
T. I.
Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album
Eminem / Relapse
Jay-Z / Blueprint 3
T.I. / Paper Trail
R&B CATEGORIES
Favorite R&B/Soul Male Artist
Jamie Foxx
Michael Jackson
Maxwell
Favorite R&B/Soul Female Artist
Beyonce
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Favorite R&B/Soul Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Day26
Mary Mary
Favorite R&B/Soul Album
Beyonce / I Am…Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas / The E.N.D.
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Beyonce on the red carpet at the American Music Awards in 2007 (AP photo by AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Favorite Soundtrack Album
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack
Favorite Alternative Rock Artist
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Shinedown
Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist
Daughtry
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift
Favorite Latin Artist
Aventura
Luis Fonsi
Wisin Y Yandel
Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary
Artist of the Year
Kings of Leon
Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST NOMINATIONS
Pop/Rock Breakthrough Artist – Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga
Country Breakthrough Artist – Gloriana, Zac Brown Band
Soul/R&B Breakthrough Artist – Keri Hilson, Jermiah
Rap/Hip-Hop Breakthrough Artist – Drake, Kid Cudi
Jamie Foxx discusses Roman Polanski
Jamie Foxx attended the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. (AP Photo by Jae C. Hong)
Numerous Hollywood celebrities expressed outrage when filmmaker Roman Polanski was recently arrested 32 years after he was convicted of having a sex with a 13-year-old girl. (If you’re not familiar with the Roman Polanski saga, click here to read the back story).
Many celebrities came to Polanski’s defense saying he shouldn’t have been arrested because the underage sex incident occurred more than three decades ago.
However, one celebrity finally stood up and spoke out against Polanski. In an interview with Parade magazine, actor/singer Jamie Foxx gave his opinion on the Polanski incident.
Foxx said “If it had been my daughter who was barely a teenager–my daughter is 15–Roman Polanski would be missing . . . period. It wouldn’t even get to the court case. But, that’s me and I wouldn’t want anyone else to follow that because you should let the justice system work it out. On the other hand, I don’t know Roman Polanski, but maybe if I had a relationship with him my answer would be different. I just think this whole issue is bigger than Roman Polanski.”
I’m glad one celebrity has the guts to stand up and recognize that it’s wrong for a middle-aged man to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. (Polanski was 44 years old at the time of the incident).
I hope more celebrities follow Jamie’s example.
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 13)
Celebrity Birthdays (Oct. 13)
Ashanti – 29 (R&B singer)
Sacha Baron Cohen – 38 (comedian/actor)(in photo above)
Tisha Campbell-Martin 41 (actress)
Mel Jackson 39 (actor)
Kelly Peston – 47 (actress/John Travolta’s wife)
Jerry Rice – 47 (former NFL player)
Marie Osmond – 50 (singer)
Beverly Johnson 57 (model)
Sammy Hagar – 62 (of Van Halen)
Paul Simon – 68 (singer)
Jerry Jones – 67 (Dallas Cowboys owner)
Shirley Caesar 71 (gospel singer)
Shauna Sand is fighting sex tape release
Shauna Sand and ex-husband Lorenzo Lamas (AP Photo by Damian Dovarganes)
Another celebrity sex tape is getting ready to be plastered on the Internet.
This time, the victim is Playboy playmate Shauna Sand. Shauna is trying to prevent Vivid Entertainment from releasing her sex tape that shows her with her boyfriend.
I haven’t actually seen the tape (yet), so I can’t offer any further details at this time.
Sands is the ex-wife of actor Lorenzo Lamas. Vivid Entertainment is the same company that released Kim Kardashian’s and Ray J’s sex tape online without their consent.
Although it was embarrassing at first, Kim became famous because of the tape.
Instead of fighting the tape’s release, maybe Shauna should embrace it. She might become more famous like Kim.
Besides posing for Playboy, Shauna also appeared on the Aaron Spelling drama “Charmed,” the USA Network’s series “Renegade” and the NBC show “Las Vegas.”
