Klum goes bananas for Halloween

Heidi Klum and Seal dressed in matching ape outfits for Halloween.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — It was a hair-raising Halloween for Heidi Klum and husband Seal, who donned matching monkey costumes for Klum’s New York party Monday at the Dream Downtown hotel.

Covered head-to-toe in fur, Klum said she was the “link between man and ape.” And though it took the super model a grueling six hours to get ready, she was relatively comfortable in the makeup and prosthetics, saying at least she didn’t have to wear heels.

Celebrity guests included Fergie as a young pageant queen from the TV’s “Toddlers and Tiara’s” and Vinny Guadagnino from “Jersey Shore” as Zoolander.

Fergie dressed as a pageant girl from TV's "Toddlers and Tiaras" for Halloween, 2011.

The “Project Runway” host’s celebrations kicked off Saturday in Las Vegas where Klum arrived on a gurney and then revealed her cadaver costume — a body suit painted like the human body without skin.


Keys to donate instruments to her high school

Alicia Keys

NEW YORK (AP) — Alicia Keys is heading back to high school.

The Grammy-winning singer will visit the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan on Tuesday and donate music instruments to its students.

Keys says her alma mater is underfunded and oversubscribed, “and I hope to make this better for them.”

She will also launch an online contest where people can share how they would use $1,000 “to make the world a better place.” It is part of the global campaign, “World of Betters.”

The contest begins Tuesday and ends Dec. 15.

“World of Betters” also features rapper K’Naan, who will host an event in Johannesburg, and Indian singer Sunidhi Chauhan, who will host an event in Mumbai, India.

———

Online:

http://www.worldofbetters.com

http://www.aliciakeys.com/us


You couldn’t have asked for better/worse timing!

Bad Timing Alert! Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries Get Wedding-Themed Halloween Treatment on Live

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ fairy-tale wedding was the subject of a Halloween stunt by one morning show today.

In a bit of imperfect timing, the hosts dressed up as the duo on their wedding day. Unfortunately, just over an hour later, it was confirmed that Kim would be filing divorce papers.

So why was this pair dressed up as the couple just as news of the break-up hit?

Kelly Ripa and guest host Nick Lachey were the hosts donning replicas of the duo’s wedding outfits, complete with Lachey on stilts and Ripa in a strapless gown, complete with a jeweled headpiece.

The wedding day outfits were just one of nine Halloween costumes the hosts wore during the show.

Kim filed for divorce today after less than three months of marriage, saying in a statement:

“After careful consideration, I have decided to end my marriage,” she said. “I hope everyone understands this was not an easy decision. I had hoped this marriage was forever, but sometimes things don’t work out as planned. We remain friends and wish each other the best.”

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/bad_timing_alert_kim_kardashian_kris/272494#ixzz1cOGgbU3x


Kim Kardashian files for divorce after 72 days of marriage

Kim Kardashian reportedly filed for divorce from Kris Humphries on Halloween.

Sad news for Kim and Kris. Reports are that Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from hubby Kris Humphries after only 72 days of marriage.

The couple, who married in a lavish and very public ceremony last summer, reportedly had a prenuptial agreement. Celebrity lawyer Laura Wasser is on retainer for the case.

According to MTV.com:

“The first few months of Kris and Kim’s marriage will be documented on the second season of ‘Kourtney & Kim Take New York,’ which kicks off on Nov. 27. In previews for the show, fans have gotten a peek at the short-lived marriage. ‘How am I going to have my career and live in Minnesota?’ Kim asks Kris when he suggests they move to his hometown. His response? ‘Baby, by the time you have kids and they’re in school, nobody will probably care about you.’ ”

Nice. How long did you think this marriage would last?

 

 


Meanwhile, Lindsay reports to LA morgue for community service

Lindsay Lohan in court before being taken into custody by Los Angeles Country sheriffs deputies after a judge found her in violation of probation Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Boster, Pool)

Los Angeles (AP) – Lindsay Lohan’s arrival at the morgue for community service — Take Two — had a better result Friday as the actress was quickly put to work after arriving early.

News helicopters hovered over the corner’s facilities and cameras greeted her black sport utility vehicle when Lohan reported for duty, one day after officials turned her away for being 40 minutes late to an orientation session.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Lohan arrived “real early” on Friday, completed her orientation and was put to work before 8 a.m. She had been ordered to report at the coroner’s facilities at 7 a.m., but Lohan’s publicist, Steve Honig, wrote in an email that the actress had been outside for more than an hour before it opened.

Lohan’s days at the morgue, where she must complete 16 hours before a Nov. 2 court hearing, will consist of custodial work. She will be expected to mop floors, clean and stock bathrooms and wash dirty sheets, coroner’s officials have said.

Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner revoked Lohan’s probation during a contentious court hearing on Wednesday after the judge learned the “Mean Girls” star had been fired from doing community service at a women’s shelter. Sautner ordered Lohan to complete 360 hours at the center and 120 hours at the morgue in April as punishment for taking a $2,500 necklace without permission.

Lohan later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge related to the necklace and served 35 days on house arrest.

It is Lohan’s second time doing service at the morgue — she initially completed a program there after a pair of drunken driving arrests in 2007. She has consistently struggled with completely the terms of her sentence.


TMZ: Lindsay Lohan’s Mother Sells Her Down the River in Planned Memoir

Nice graphic illustration, TMZ. But Lindsay's head doesn't look quite large enough.

TMZ is reporting:

Lindsay Lohan’s mom is trying to expose her own daughter’s dark secrets, blowing the lid off of Lindsay’s alleged drug and alcohol use in a memoir that she’s shopping around town — shopping it as recently as 2 weeks ago — as Lindsay was looking down the barrel of a hostile judge and a jail sentence.

TMZ has obtained the draft of a prologue for Dina Lohan’s memoir, which Dina’s rep is shopping to people in the literary world.  In the prologue, Dina writes:

“I blamed her friends, her career and her handlers for an (sic) newfound lifestyle of partying excessively.  Drinking, drugging and behaving irresponsibly became Lindsay’s way of daily living–and it tore me up inside.”

Dina explains why she moved Lindsay from New York to L.A. at such a young age:

“How could I deny my daughter the chance of a lifetime?  How could I hold Lindsay back from her dream of becoming an actress?  So, I listened to others and sent my daughter to Hollywood with a few pieces of luggage and a chaperone.”

When Lindsay began acting crazy, accumulating mugshots and what not, Dina says she was helpless, claiming she couldn’t demand that Lindsay return to New York.  Dina also confesses she was conflicted since she was both Lindsay’s parent and manager.

Dina and her rep were soliciting meetings via email two weeks ago, to brainstorm how to make her book “a best seller.”

Our sources say a ghost writer actually wrote the prologue after long sit-downs with Dina and her rep, and both were solidly on board.

As far as we know … so far, no takers.


Patrick Swayze remembered in wax

Lisa Swayze with the new Patrick Swayze figure at Madame Hussauds Hollywood.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood recently unveiled their latest figure – Patrick Swayze as his “Dirty Dancing” character, Johnny Castle.

Lisa Swayze and Kenny Ortega, choreographer of the original “Dirty Dancing” and Director of the upcoming remake, were on hand to celebrate Patrick and the figure.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood features wax figures of famous people ranging from President Obama to Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga.


Clooney: Think Hollywood is cynical? Try politics

George Clooney

LONDON (AP) — George Clooney says Hollywood can be a ruthless place — but it’s nothing compared to the world of politics.

The star, who plays a U.S. presidential hopeful in “The Ides of March,” says “there’s a certain cutthroat element to the business” of moviemaking, but actors share a spirit of generosity that he doesn’t see in politics.

Clooney is in Britain for Wednesday’s London Film Festival premiere of the movie, which he describes as a “cynical look at politics.”

He directed, co-wrote, produced and stars in the tale of a Democratic contender. Ryan Gosling plays an idealistic aide who grows disillusioned by the dirty world of backroom politics.

Clooney will walk the red carpet again Thursday, at the London Film festival screening of Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants.”


Gordon Ramsay pulls out of Dubai restaurant

Gordon Ramsay

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Celebrity chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay is saying goodbye to Dubai.

The famously foul-mouthed Briton’s company said by email Monday that his consultancy deal with Verre restaurant in the Gulf city-state is coming to an end.

Gordon Ramsay Holdings says it scrapped the deal after a regular review of commercial operations. It didn’t elaborate, though a number of Ramsay’s eateries have taken substantial financial losses.

Verre opened in the Hilton Dubai Creek hotel in 2003. It was Ramsay’s first international restaurant.

Hilton confirmed the deal is ending this month but didn’t say what’s next for the highly rated restaurant. Verre’s top chefs say they are working on a new project that will be unveiled soon.


Selena Gomez granted temporary restraining order

Selena Gomez

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — A judge has granted Selena Gomez a temporary restraining order from a man with a history of mental illness who police say threatened the singer-actress.

Court records show the “Wizards of Waverly Place” star was granted the order Thursday in Burbank, which is north of downtown Los Angeles. Thomas Brodnicki is required to stay 100 yards away from Gomez and her workplace until a Nov. 4 hearing, when the order may be extended for three years.

Gomez wrote in a sworn declaration that she is in “extreme fear” of Brodnicki.

The filings, first reported Monday by celebrity website TMZ, state police were notified by mental health workers that the 46-year-old had threatened to harm or kill the actress while on a psychiatric hold.

Attempts to reach Brodnicki were unsuccessful.


NJ university to hold Bruce Springsteen collection

Bruce Springsteen

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey university will be the new home for nearly 15,000 documents associated with Bruce Springsteen.

Books, concert programs, magazines and newspaper articles formerly kept at the Asbury Park Public Library will be moved to Monmouth University in West Long Branch on Nov. 1.

The material has outgrown the library, which offered viewing by appointment only.

The university’s Bruce Springsteen Special Collection will be accessible to anyone and have enough space for it to grow to include recordings, film footage and other documents.

Monmouth University President Paul Gaffney II says the school’s music industry students will benefit greatly from having access to the documents.

The university is about five miles from Asbury Park, where Springsteen performed in his early days.


Lauren Alaina’s first album a ‘make or break’ debut

Lauren Alaina's debut album, "Wildflower"

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lauren Alaina is growing up quickly.

The 16-year-old “American Idol” runner-up has spent the past four months since the show’s season finale performing in arenas across the country, doing interviews, music video and photo shoots, and recording her debut album, “Wildflower,” released last week.

The former high school cheerleader is hoping the effort will help solidify her in the country music world, because she realizes the stakes are high.

“I feel like this first album is kind of make-it-or-break-it for me, because I just got off national television. So people know who I am, but they don’t know who I am as an artist,” said Lauren in a recent interview. “I just feel like this album is my way of kind of putting myself out there and showing them exactly who I am.”

Billboard’s associate director of charts, Keith Caulfield, believes Lauren is off to a good start. Her first single, “Like My Mother Does,” is in the top 40.

“Even though she has `Idol’ as this great platform to launch her, she’s still a developing artist. You usually don’t see `Idol’ winners with their first single on the country charts fly to No. 1,” he said.

“I think both her and (winner) Scotty (McCreery) are both in a really good position right now, because they’re both young and they’re both singing country music,” he added, noting that the success of Taylor Swift has opened doors for young performers in the genre.

The 12 songs Lauren chose for “Wildflower” reveal experiences she’s gone through or stories she relates to on a personal level. She co-wrote one track, called “Funny Thing About Love,” with Nashville songwriting talents Luke Laird and Brett James.

“I guess when people hear the songs, they’re going to know if I’ve had my heart broken or if I’ve had my first love or all that kind of stuff,” she said. “I just think it’s cool that I can share that with all of (my fans) the way that Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert or someone would.”

Lauren cut a song Underwood co-wrote, called “Eighteen Inches.” As a former “American Idol” winner, Underwood has provided meaningful support to Lauren. The two exchanged phone numbers, and Lauren asks her for advice when she gets upset. Recently, the Georgia native was feeling particularly homesick and reached out to Underwood.

“I just said, `How do you deal with being away from your family for so long and just being gone all the time?’ And she said, `You have to think about all the positive stuff that’s going on, because you have so much going for you right now. Your family will always be there.’ Just hearing that from her, knowing that she had been through what I’m going through, just made me feel 10 times better,” said Lauren.

The respect is mutual.

“She is a breath of fresh air in country music today,” said Underwood in an email. “I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in the future!”

Lauren has performed on the Grand Ole Opry, presented at the CMT Music Awards, and sang with Martina McBride in front of over 60,000 people during CMA Music Fest. She has impressed more than her fair share of industry veterans.

“I think she’s really talented and she’s such a sweet girl,” said McBride in an interview. “I just really hope that she goes far.”

Lauren’s short journey has not been without challenges. The biggest obstacle she has faced so far has been with herself.

Lauren, who has a frame most would consider typical of a teen girl, said she never struggled with her weight until arriving in Hollywood.

“As a girl, a teenage girl, without even wanting to, you constantly compare yourself to other girls. It’s like I was in this competition with all these beautiful girls,” said Lauren. “Sometimes it would swallow me up. I would compare myself to those other girls to the point where it would make me sick, because I’m not like heavy, heavy, but I’m not the skinniest girl in the world.”

Lauren said she had to learn to cut herself some slack and keep her motivations in check.

“I’m actually working out right now. for me. That’s the biggest thing, you have to do it for yourself,” she said. “During the show I thought, `These people aren’t going to like me if I look this way.’ But that’s not true, because then I started realizing that my fan base was growing and I was getting further along in the competition, and I was thinking, `I haven’t changed anything.“’

——

Online:

http://www.laurenalainaofficial.com/


Streisand and others honored; Davis has baby news

Barbara Streisand and James Brolin

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nine women were honored at the annual Women in Hollywood event, yet two ladies in particular stole the show.

Viola Davis surprised her fellow honorees and an audience of Hollywood insiders Monday night by announcing she had adopted a baby boy.

And Barbara Streisand was repeatedly credited by fellow honorees such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Evan Rachel Wood, Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts and Davis for being the inspiration for their success.

It was a love fest that continued throughout the evening at the 18th annual celebration of the industry’s leading ladies sponsored by Elle magazine at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Jennifer Aniston told the 69-year-old entertainer that she loved her, and Pinto said onstage that “sharing the same oxygen” as Streisand was an incredible birthday gift. The actress turns 27 Tuesday.

“You’re a legend not only in Hollywood but literally all over the world,” the “Slumdog Millionaire” star told Streisand. “I can say that because I come from India.”

She said Streisand’s song “Putting it Together” is “like a reality check that every girl that wants to get into this big entertainment industry needs to listen to.”

“That was a truly inspirational song, so thank you so much for that,” Pinto said.

Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow introduced Streisand as “a world icon” and “somebody who has mastered virtually every art form imaginable: directing, acting, composing, singing, producing, writing.”

Streisand returned the love in kind, congratulating her fellow honorees, which also included actress Elizabeth Olsen and DreamWorks Studios chief Stacey Snider.

“They’re all so charming, so well spoken, and so thin,” Streisand said, adding, “I ate the chocolate cake.”

(Also on the menu: Alaskan halibut and a roasted peach salad.)

Streisand said that only seven percent of the top 250 films were directed by women and she urged her colleagues to be fearless about moving forward in the entertainment industry.

“Let’s be bold and don’t wait for the phone to ring,” she said. “Create your own material. Tell me a story.”

The love didn’t stop with Streisand. Olsen said Pfeiffer inspired her to become an actress, and Reese Witherspoon said Aniston had “sex appeal and complete lovability.”

“You just want to get your nails done with her and you want to make out with her at the same time. At least I do,” Witherspoon said. “And that’s what we do sometimes on Saturdays.”

“The Help” co-star Octavia Spencer traded “I love yous” with Davis, and broke the news that Davis was a new mom. Davis said her baby’s name is Genesis, but offered few other details.

The Oscar nominee said it isn’t love that drives her to keep working in Hollywood.

“What keeps me in the business is hope, and that’s the hope that women of color are also part of the narrative,” Davis said. “(I’m) sending a telepathic message to you: Every time some young actress of color comes in a room with a character they’re auditioning for that’s not ethnically specific, that you have a space in your brain that can open up and embrace them and allow them in, because I’m telling you, their lives are just as fascinating and multifaceted.”

The audience gave her a standing ovation, and welcomed Streisand the same way.

The Women in Hollywood honorees are featured in Elle’s November issue.

———

Online:

www.elle.com


Hip-hop star Soulja Boy arrested in Georgia

Soulja Boy

TEMPLE, Ga. (AP) — Authorities say hip-hop star Soulja Boy is facing a drug charge after police stopped his rental car in west Georgia and found marijuana.

Temple Police Chief Tim Shaw tells The Associated Press that police stopped the rented Cadillac Escalade early Tuesday. He says officers found marijuana and guns inside.

The artist, who was booked under the name DeAndre Cortez Way, was brought to the Carroll County Jail on a felony charge of marijuana possession.

Shaw said that based on what he knows of the arrest, all five occupants in the car were very cordial and the arrest went smoothly.

Carroll County Jail Records did not list an attorney for the artist. Authorities said he was being held without bond and his first court appearance was set for Tuesday afternoon.


Actress Shannen Doherty marries for 3rd time

Kurt Iswarienko and his new wife, Shannen Dougherty

NEW YORK (AP) — Shannen Doherty has married for the third time.

Doherty’s publicist confirms the actress married wedding photographer Kurt Iswarienko on Saturday in Malibu, Calif.

The 40-year-old actress is most famous for her performance as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills 90210.” She reprised the role in the CW “90210” spinoff.

She was previously briefly married to actor Ashley Hamilton in 1993 and Rick Saloman in 2002. Saloman is known for making a sex videotape with then-girlfriend Paris Hilton that surfaced in 2003.

Iswarienko is a Los Angeles-based photographer who specializes in celebrity portraits.


Naomi Campbell honored at Gabrielle’s Angel Ball

Naomi Campbell

NEW YORK (AP) — Naomi Campbell put her bad-girl reputation aside as she was honored Monday by the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation.

The supermodel says it meant a lot to be recognized by such an important cause.

Campbell had a few scrapes with the law, and did community service in New York. But on the red carpet, everyone sang her praises. Kim Kardashian called it “very cool,” La La Anthony said it was amazing, and Eve blamed the press, saying “the media tries to play her out for something else, but she’s a good person.”

Former New York Gov. David Patterson empathized, “I’ve had a whole year of things being positive, it’s a lot better on the nerves.”

The foundation was created in 1996 by philanthropist Denise Rich after her daughter died of leukemia.

 


Some sales from Bieber’s new CD to go to charity

Justin Bieber

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Bieber is in the holiday spirit: The singer is the first artist on the Universal Music roster to have part of his album sales benefit charity.

Partial sales from “Under the Mistletoe,” his Christmas album that is out Nov. 1, will go to various charities, including Pencils of Promise and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Universal never actually allowed money from the album to go to charity, so it’s kind of a unique thing and I’m very happy and proud of what we’ve done,” the 17-year-old said in an interview from Lima, Peru, on Monday.

Universal Music Group in the parent company to labels like Interscope Records and Island Def Jam Music Group. Its roster includes Eminem, Rihanna, Kanye West and Lady Gaga.

Bieber said he isn’t sure how much of the sales will go to charity, but thanks his team for helping him achieve his goal of wanting to help others during the holiday season.

“I tell them basically what I want and they kind of go and help me get it done,” said Bieber, who will also donate money to various food banks.

“Under the Mistletoe” features collaborations with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, among others. He said he wanted to “work with people who had great experiences with Christmas albums.”

“They were all great people and fun to be around,” said the Canadian-born entertainer, who appears on a “super festive” version of Carey’s classic song “All I Want for Christmas.”

Chris Brown co-wrote and co-produced the song “Christmas Eve,” which Bieber says “all the ladies will like.” And there are also tunes featuring Usher and the country trio the Band Perry.

“They’ve been really successful and great in the country world, so I wanted to get them on my Christmas album and cross some barriers and try to get some different audience members to listen to my music,” he said.

Bieber, who also raps on the Busta Rhymes-assisted “Drummer Boy,” said he enjoys performing different styles of music.

“I guess I can be pretty versatile — being able to do country music and put out a record of me rapping on the Internet,” he said. “I just think that with the Internet, not a lot of artists can be taken seriously if they try to change lanes and so I made it kind of apparent at first that I love to do everything and people kind of take me seriously when I switch over, so I’m really lucky to be able to have that.”


The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes

Adele's "Someone Like You" is the No. 1 selling single on iTunes for the week ending Sept. 5.

iTunes’ top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending Sept. 5, 2011:

Singles:

1. “Someone Like You,” ADELE

2. “Pumped Up Kicks,” Foster the People

3. “Moves Like Jagger (Studio Recording from `The Voice’ Performance) (feat. Christina Aguilera),” Maroon 5

4. “You and I,” Lady GaGa 5. “Lighters (feat. Bruno Mars),” Bad Meets Evil

6. “Mirror (feat. Bruno Mars),” Lil Wayne

7. “Cheers (Drink to That),” Rihanna

8. “Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine),” Gym Class Heroes

9. “Party Rock Anthem (feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock),” LMFAO

10. “Love On Top,” Beyonce

Albums:

1. “Tha Carter IV,” Lil Wayne

2. “I’m With You,” Red Hot Chili Peppers

3. “21,” ADELE

4. “Nothing But the Beat,” David Guetta

5. “Watch the Throne,” Kanye West, Jay-Z

6. “1,” The Beatles

7. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” Jake Owen

8. “Torches,” Foster the People

9. “Hell On Heels,” Pistol Annies

10. “Sigh No More,” Mumford & Sons


‘Bachelorette’ runner-up Ben Flajnik is newest ‘Bachelor’

Ben Flajnik will be the new 'Bachelor'

LOS ANGELES — Ben Flajnik is getting back in the reality dating game, becoming the newest “Bachelor” on ABC’s long-running dating series.

The 28-year-old Sonoma, Calif., winemaker first made an impression on viewers when he appeared on last season’s “The Bachelorette.” And though Ashley Hebert rejected his proposal (choosing fellow suitor J.P. Rosenbaum instead), Flajnik seems to think there are still plenty of fishes in the reality sea.

“The Bachelor” returns in January.

By Yvonne Villarreal

Los Angeles Times


Carrey launches new website with video love letter

Screen shot of Jim Carrey's video love letter to Emma Stone.

AP Photo NYET406

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jim Carrey is launching his new website with a bang.

The 49-year-old actor posted a video love letter to “The Help” star Emma Stone on www.jimcarreytrulife.com Wednesday that many online deemed “creepy.” The one-minute, 53-second video shows Carrey speaking into a handheld camera and sincerely professing his love for the 22-year-old actress.

Carrey says Stone is “all the way beautiful. Not just pretty, but smart, and kindhearted” and that “if I were a lot younger, I would marry you.” He goes on to say they would have “chubby little freckle-faced kids.”

The popular video crashed Carrey’s new site early Thursday. Carrey said on Twitter that the video “was a comedy routine.”

Stone has not responded publicly to the video. Her publicist did not reply to an email seeking comment Thursday.


Buckingham: Fleetwood Mac could tour, record again

Lindsey Buckingham

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fleetwood Mac could be back on the road soon.

Lindsey Buckingham says the band is considering another tour and even recording a new album in the near future.

The guitarist, songwriter and producer says there have been “a lot of rumblings” about another Fleetwood Mac tour, but that nothing is on the books yet. Stevie Nicks has also hinted at future Fleetwood Mac concerts. The band reunited for an international tour in 2009.

Buckingham is set to begin a solo tour next month to support his sixth solo album, “Seeds We Sow,” which is set for release Sept. 6.


Michael Jackson’s children visit Ind. boyhood home

GARY, Ind. (AP) — Michael Jackson’s children and father visited the late pop star’s boyhood home in Gary, Ind., as the town celebrated what would have been his 53rd birthday.

Hundreds of fans took part in activities outside the house in Jackson Street over the weekend ahead of Jackson’s birthday on Monday.

Thirteen-year-old Paris Jackson told WLS-TV that she enjoyed seeing so many fans at the house when she and her brothers, 14-year-old Prince and 9-year-old Blanket, visited on Saturday.

The Post-Tribune of Merrillville reports that Jackson’s father Joe attended activities at the home on Sunday.

The Jackson family moved from Indiana to California in 1969 after the Jackson 5 struck it big. Jackson died in June 2009.


AP Exclusive: Affleck, Garner expecting 3rd child

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are expecting their third child.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s family is growing — representatives for the actors say the couple are expecting their third child.

A one-sentence statement released Monday says the actors are “thrilled” to have another baby on the way. The couple has two daughters, 5-year-old Violet and 2-year-old Seraphina Elizabeth Rose Affleck.

No other details were released.

Affleck and Garner, both 39, were married in 2005.

Garner, who rose to fame after starring in the television series “Alias,” appeared over the weekend at a Disney expo to promote her upcoming film, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.”

Affleck won an Oscar for co-writing the screenplay to “Good Will Hunting” and recently wrote, directed and starred in the thriller “The Town.”


Richard Gere guitar collection to sell in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Richard Gere has a passion for American vintage guitars.

Christie’s auction house in New York says it will be selling 110 of his guitars on Oct. 11.

Gere says he’s parting with the instruments to support humanitarian causes around the world.

Christie’s says Gere studied trumpet and is a self-taught pianist and guitarist.

Gere said in a statement announcing the sale that he never planned to put together a guitar collection and bought only ones he liked and that sounded good to him.

Included in the sale are brands C.F. Martin, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Epiphone, and guitars once owned by blues guitarist Albert King and reggae musician Peter Tosh.

A selection of amplifiers also is being sold.

The sale is expected to bring $1 million.

 


Author Stephen King offers left-leaning talk show

Stephen King

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Stephen King is offering an antidote to what he sees as the biases of right-wing radio talk shows by hiring a former Green Party vice presidential candidate to co-host a morning talk show on two stations he owns.

In a rare public appearance, the horror writer held a news conference Tuesday in Bangor, Maine, at the headquarters of his three-station Zone Radio network.

“The Pulse Morning Show” will be co-hosted by 50-year-old Pat LaMarche and 43-year-old Don Cookson, a former television reporter. LaMarche ran for vice president as a member of the Green Party in 2004.

During the news conference King said, “We’re a little to the left, but we’re right.”

The show will begin airing on WZON-AM and WZON-FM at 6 a.m. on Sept. 12.