Farrah Fawcett not included in Oscar memoriam
If you watched the Academy Awards on Sunday (March 7) you probably noticed how the late actress Farrah Fawcett was left out of the memorial segment.
Every year, the academy include a video montage of actors, actresses, film directors etc. who have died during the past year. Fawcett’s name and image were noticeable absent.
Patrick Swayze, Brittany Murphy, Ron Silver and Michael Jackson were included in the segment, but Fawcett was not. Hollywood and the fans were confused why Fawcett was not included.
Leslie Unger, a spokeswoman for the academy addressed the backlash in an interview with E! News. She said
“I would not say that it was an oversight. No matter how carefully and how conscientiously people address who is included, there are people who just simply can’t be. In any given year, there will always be some people that other people think should have been included and that there’s more justification for one person versus another. It is impossible to include everybody.”
Michael Jackson was included in the memorial segment, but he had very little film credits to his resume.
Plus, there were so many people who were included in the memorial segment who were completely unknown to most of the public.
Fawcett was known for her role on the television show “Charlie’s Angels.” But she had roles in various movies, including “Logan’s Run,” “Dr. T & the Women,” “Saturn 3″ and “The Cookout.”
She was nominated for best actress at the Golden Globes for her role in the 1986 film “Extremities.”
Although the academy says Fawcett’s omission wasn’t an oversight, I still think it was oversight. I think academy just forgot about her–plain and simple.
Remember, she died on the same day that Michael Jackson died. So, the coverage of her death was eclipsed by the King of Pop’s death. Therefore, I think they might have forgot she even died.
Poll: The Hurt Locker vs. Avatar at the Oscars
Poll: Did Jeff Bridges and Christoph Waltz deserve to win Oscar?
Poll: Did Mo’Nique and Sandra Bullock deserve to win Oscar?
Sandra Bullock wins Oscar for best actress in a leading role
Sandra Bullock won the coveted Oscar for best leading actress for her role in the film “The Blind Side.”
A photo gallery of Bullock at the Academy Awards is posted below. Click on the Associated Press photos to enlarge them.
Mo’Nique wins Oscar for best supporting actress
Mo’Nique won the Oscar for best supporting actress. She won for her role in the film “Precious,” in which she plays an abusive mother.
She was my favorite pick leading up to the Academy Awards.
During her acceptance speech, Mo’Nique thanked Hattie McDaniel for paving the way for her. McDaniel was the first black actress to win an Oscar for her role in “Gone With The Wind.”
Mo’Nique’s acceptance speech is posted in the rough video clip below. A photo gallery of Mo’Nique at the Academy Awards is posted at the bottom.
The red carpet photos at the Academy Awards
A photo gallery from the red carpet at the Academy Awards. Click on the Associated Press photos below to enlarge them.
Season 10 Dancing with the Stars contestants announced
ABC announced the contestants for the 10th season of “Dancing with the Stars.” The season premiere is March 22.
The contestants include The Bachelor’s Jake Pavelka, “Baywatch” legend Pamela Anderson, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Sherzinger, Reno 911 actress Niecy Nash, NFL player Chad Ochocinco, ”Beverly Hills 90210″ actress Shannen Doherty and gold-medal winning Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek.
The complete list of contestants are posted below. I predict either Lysacek or Scherzinger will be the champion.
Scherzinger does dance routines every night on stage while she’s performing with the Pussycat Dolls and Lysacek won an Olympic gold medal for dancing, jumping, spinning and twisting on the ice.
Dancing with the Stars contestants
Aiden Turner = Edyta Sliwinska
Buzz Aldrin = Ashly Costa
Chad Ochocinco = Cheryl Burke
Erin Andrews = Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Evan Lysacek = Anna Trebunskaya
Jake Pavelka = Chelsie Hightower
Kate Gosselin = Tony Dovolani
Nicole Scherzinger = Derek Hough
Niecy Nash = Louis Van Amstel
Pamela Anderson = Damian Whitewood
Shannon Doherty = Mark Ballas
Vienna Giraldi wins The Bachelor
The Bachelor Jake Pavelka presents a ring to Vienna Giraldi after the final rose ceremony on the season finale of "The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love." (AP Photo/ABC, Mark Brendel)
Saturday Night Live spoofs “We Are The World” remake
Jennifer Lopez hosted “Saturday Night Live” during the weekend (Feb. 27), and she participated in a sketch that spoofed the “We Are The World” remake.
Lopez portrays Rihanna in the sketch. The clip is posted below.
2010 NAACP Image Awards photo gallery
The NAACP Image awards aired live on the Fox network Friday (Feb. 26). A photo gallery of the event is posted below.
Photos were taken by Matt Sayles and Chris Pizzello from the Associated Press. Click on the photos to enlarge them. For a complete list of winners, click here.
2010 NAACP Image Awards list of winners
Keri Hilson won best new artist at the NAACP Image Awards. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The NAACP Image awards aired live on the Fox network Friday (Feb. 26). A complete list of winners is posted below. Click here to view the photo gallery.
Comedy Series: “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”
Actor in a comedy series: Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, “Brothers”
Actress in a comedy series: Cassi Davis, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”
Supporting actor in a comedy series: Lance Gross, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”
Supporting actress in a comedy series: Keshia Knight Pulliam, “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne”
Drama series: “Lincoln Heights”
Actor in a drama series: Hill Harper, “CSI: NY”
Actress in a drama series: Jada Pinkett Smith, “HawthoRNe”
Supporting actor in a drama series: Delroy Lindo, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”
Supporting actress in a drama series: S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law & Order”
Television movie, miniseries or dramatic special: “Gifted Hands”
Actor in a television movie, miniseries or dramatic special: “Gifted Hands”
Actress in a television movie, miniseries or dramatic special: Kimberly Elise, “Gifted Hands”
Actor in a daytime drama series: Cornelius Smith, Jr., “All My Children”
Actress in a daytime drama series: Debbi Morgan, “All My Children”
News/information (series or special): “The Inauguration of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States”
Talk series: “The Mo’Nique Show”
Reality series: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
Variety series or special: “The Michael Jackson Memorial: Celebrating the Life of Michael Jackson”
Children’s program: “Dora the Explorer”
Performance in a youth/children’s program: Keke Palmer, “True Jackson, VP”
New artist: Keri Hilson
Male artist: Maxwell
Female artist: Mary J. Blige
Duo, Group or Collaboration: The Black Eyed Peas
Jazz album: “He and She,” Wynton Marsalis
Gospel album: “Still,” BeBe & CeCe Winans
World music album: “Black President,” Sila and the Afrofunk Experience
Music video: “I Look to You,” Whitney Houston
Song: “God In Me,” Mary Mary
Album: “Stronger With Each Tear,” Mary J. Blige
Literary work, fiction: “The Long Fall,” Walter Mosley
Literary work, non-fiction: “In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past,” nry Louis Gates, Jr.
Literary work, debut author: “A Question of Freedom,” R. Dwayne Betts
Literary work, biography/autobiography: “Michelle Obama,” Deborah Willis
Literary work, instructional: “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man,” Steve Harvey
Literary work, poetry: “Bicycles,” Nikki Giovanni
Literary work, children: “Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change,” Michelle Cook
Literary work, youth/teens: “Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady,” David Bergen Brophy
Motion picture: “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Actor in a motion picture: Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”
Actress in a motion picture: Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Supporting actor in a motion picture: Adam Rodriguez, “Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself”
Supporting actress in a motion picture: Mo’Nique
Independent motion picture: “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Foreign motion picture: “The Stoning of Soraya M.”
Documentary: “Good Hair”
Writing in a comedy series: Halsted Sullivan and Warren Lieberstein, “The Office”
Writing in a dramatic series: Shonda Rhimes, “Grey’s Anatomy”
Writing in a motion picture: Geoffrey Fletcher, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Directing in a comedy series: Ken Whittingham, “30 Rock”
Directing in a drama series: Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy”
Directing in a motion picture: Lee Daniels, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
The 2010 NAACP Image Awards highlights
The cast of "Precious" at the NAACP Image Awards. (from left) Director Lee Daniels, Mo'Nique, Gabourey Sidibe and Paula Patton. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The NAACP Image awards aired live on the Fox network Friday (Feb. 26). Highlights from the show are posted below in the Associated Press article. Click here to view the photo gallery. Click here for a complete list of winners.
ASSOCIATED PRESS via NewsOK.
It was a winning night for “Precious” at the 41st NAACP Image Awards.
The heart-wrenching tale of an illiterate and abused teen who finds hope in a Harlem classroom was named outstanding motion picture and outstanding independent film at Friday’s ceremony. Stars Mo’Nique and Gabourey Sidibe, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher and director Lee Daniels also won.
Daniels excitedly accepted the best-picture prize, surrounded by his cast and fellow producers.
“No one in Hollywood told me they wanted to see a movie about a 350-pound black woman with HIV,” he said.
Sidibe objected, and Daniels corrected himself: “She’s not 350 pounds. This was before you were hired.”
Former "Cosby Show" actress Keshia Knight Pulliam won the award for best supporting actress in a comedy. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
The director twice told the orchestra to stop playing him off, but Daniels was ultimately cut off as gospel duo Mary Mary took the stage and the show came to a close.
Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Image Awards honor diversity in the arts and outstanding achievements in film, television, music and literature.
Sidibe cried as she accepted the award for outstanding actress in a motion picture for her starring turn as Precious, the overweight, twice-pregnant teen who discovers her self-worth through reading and writing.
“It’s so awesome to win! I love winning,” said the Oscar nominee, who made her acting debut with this film. “I want to thank my God for ordering my steps, for everything that my life was and everything that it is now.”
Fellow Oscar nominee Mo’Nique, who has swept the supporting actress prize throughout Hollywood’s awards season for her moving turn as abusive mother Mary Jones, added another trophy to her collection with the Image Award for her role in “Precious.”
“For all the Mary Joneses, I love you unconditionally, baby,” she said. “For all the Preciouses, I love you unconditionally. Let’s start loving each other again.”
Other winners Friday included Keri Hilson, Maxwell, “Brothers” star Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and Chris Rock.
Hilson was named outstanding new artist, Maxwell won for male artist, Mitchell took the award for actor in a comedy series and Rock accepted the documentary award for his film “Good Hair.”
Mitchell was moved to tears as he accepted his trophy.
“As long as you all got legs, I’m going to always walk,” the wheelchair-bound actor said.
Rock said he wasn’t prepared for his documentary win.
“I made this movie just for black people,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of documentaries, and I said I want the blackest movie of all time.”
Tyler Perry was honored with the Chairman’s Award for his philanthropy and career achievements. Wyclef Jean received the Vanguard Award for raising funds and cultural awareness after the earthquake in Haiti. Human-rights activist Van Jones received the President’s Award.
Music mogul Clarence Avant was inducted into the Image Awards Hall of Fame at the ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium, which was hosted by Anika Noni Rose and Hill Harper and broadcast live on Fox.
Patti Labelle says American Idol judges are unqualified
R&B music legend Patti Labelle is not a fan of the “American Idol” judges. The singer even suggested some of them are unqualified.
During an interview with the Associated Press, Labelle said “Some of the judges, I don’t think they’re qualified to even judge. The comments that were made, they could make you like wanna kill yourself.”
Labelle didn’t reveal which judges she felt were unqualified, but through the process of elimination, we might be able to figure out who she was referring to.
Simon Cowell had astronomical success as a music executive and television producer, so I think it’s safe to say he’s qualified to be a talent-show judge.
Kara DioGuardi is a successful songwriter. She has written songs for Leona Lewis, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Plus, most people don’t know this, but Kara can actually sing too. So, she’s qualified to be a judge.
That leaves us with Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres.
Randy was a member of the group Journey. He played musical instruments for them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he knows about judging musical talent.
Ellen is a funny comedian, and she has a successful daytime talk show. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she knows about judging musical talent.
So, there you have it. Patti Labelle was probably referring to Ellen and Randy when she said some of the “American Idol” judges were unqualified.
Again, this is just a theory. I’m not 100 percent certain who she was referring to with that comment.
Growing Pains actor Andrew Koenig found dead
(MySpace)
”Growing Pains” actor Andrew Koenig was found dead at Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Koenig had been missing since Valentine’s Day. His parents reported him missing after he missed a flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles.
His father, Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov on “Star Trek,” said Andrew took his own life. He also said Andrew suffered from depression.
“My son took his own life. Don’t ignore it. Don’t Rationalize it. Extend a hand,” he said during a press conference.
Andrew Koenig was 41 years old. He played Richard “Bone” Stabone on 25 episodes of the sitcom “Growing Pains” from 1985 to 1989, according to Internet Movie Database…. RIP
The Bachelor contestant Rozlyn Papa has a sex tape?
A sex tape scandal is brewing with one of the contestants of “The Bachelor.”
According to TMZ, a sex tape is being shopped around that shows contestant Rozlyn Papa performing sex acts on a male companion.
Papa is a makup artist and a Virginia native. She was eliminated from the show in January during the second episode.
Whenever this sex tape is released to the public, her career will probably rebound like other sex tape stars such as Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson.
Jennifer Lopez to host SNL
(AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez will put her versatile skills to use this weekend on “Saturday Night Live.”
Lopez will host the show Saturday (Feb. 27) and she will be the musical guest.
Lopez is promoting her new movie titled “The Back-Up Plan” due in theaters April 23.
The film also stars Danneel Harris, Alex O’Loughlin and Eric Christian Olsen.
Bristol Palin to guest star on TV show
During the presidential campaign in 2008, Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol Palin unwillingly became the poster child for teenage pregnancy.
Now, Bristol is trying to expand her horizon in the world of acting. Bristol will appear on an upcoming episode of “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” on ABC, the network announced.
Bristol will portray a friend of Shailene Woodley’s character Amy. Bristol’s character will be Amy’s friend at a music class for teenage mothers.
The episode will air sometime this summer.
Sarah Palin lashes out at “Family Guy”
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin believes “Family Guy” crossed the line during an episode that aired earlier this month.
In one episode, a character named Chris went on a date with a girl who has Down Syndrome. Chris asks the girl what her parent’s do for a living.
The girl replied “My dad’s an accountant, and my mom is the former governor of Alaska.”
As we all know, Palin is the former governor of Alaska, and she has son who has Down Syndrome. Palin is lashing out at “Family Guy” because she feels the show was mocking her son Trig.
I watched the “Family Guy” clip, and I thought it was distasteful. In the past, I’ve applauded “Family Guy” producers for not shying away from controversy.
No person or topic is off limits when it comes to that show. But using satire to mock a child with Down Syndrome is below the belt.
You can make fun of Palin for being viewed as an unqualified politician or for the fact she recently wrote notes on her hand to help her during a speech. But her infant child should be off limits.
Palin has released statements and been on television shows lashing out at the “Family Guy” episode. Ironicallly, Palin has a job as a political analyist on the Fox News network, and “Family Guy” airs on the Fox television network.
Both networks are owned by Rupert Murdoch. Maybe Palin should complain to Murdoch too since he has some authority over “Family Guy.”
Will Howard Stern replace Simon on American Idol?
Controversial radio personality Howard Stern confirmed rumors the Fox network is considering him as Simon Cowell’s replacement on “American Idol.”
Cowell is leaving the “American Idol” judge’s panel after this season to focus on another talent show titled “X-Factor.”
On his Sirius radio show, Stern said he’s interested in the job, but they would have to pay him a lot of money if he agreed to take it.
When I first heard about Stern as a possible replacement, I thought Fox executives lost their mind. However, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I don’t think it’s a terrible bad idea.
Cowell is known for making controversial and rude remarks on the talent show, and he shows no mercy when he verbally rips the contestants apart.
The person who replaces Cowell will have to be just as mean. Stern fits that’s description perfectly.
Plus, it would make for good TV to see the battle that would occur between Stern and new judge Ellen DeGeneres, who is known as the nice girl.
Other celebrities I think should be considered as Cowell’s replacement are Kanye West and Rush Limbaugh. Those two are rude and disrespectful just like Cowell.
Tiger Woods mistress lands tv job
Being known as a mistress of Tiger Woods has its perks.
Rachel Uchitel (aka Mistress Number One) has landed a television job on the entertainment news show “Extra.” Uchitel will be a correspondent for the show.
Uchitel previously worked in a nightclub. She had an affair with the world’s most famous golfer and she was upgraded to an entertainment television reporter position.
That’s a slap in the face to people who spent years going to college and paying their dues trying to land a tv job. Maybe they should have an affair with a golfer instead.
Watch the clip below to see Uchitel interview Jake Pavelka, of “The Bachelor.”
Jersey Shore cast to appear on “The View”
The stars of my favorite reality show will be guests on “The View” toward the end of the month.
The cast of the MTV reality show “Jersey Shore” will be on ABC talk show Feb. 23, the network announced.
Meanwhile the show has been picked up for second season. The new episodes will air this summer.
Taylor Swift’s Grammy performance criticized
Taylor Swift, left, performed a duet with Stevie Nicks during the Grammys ((AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Country singer Taylor Swift walked away from the Grammys with four trophies. That’s an amazing feat for any musician, but its phenomenal for any 20-year-old girl.
But Swift also walked away with some criticism regarding her performance at the Grammys. Since the Grammys aired, critics have been vocal about Swift not sounding great during the award show when she performed a duet with Stevie Nicks, of Fleetwood Mac.
Scott Borchetta, the CEO of Swift’s record label Big Machine Records, is coming to her defense. In an interview with the Associated Press, Borchetta said Swift’s problems were due to a technical glitch.
“We had a volume problem in the ear. So, she was concerned that she wasn’t able to hear everything in the mix. That’s just part of live TV. So you’re going to have difficulties on occasion. Unfortunately, on one of the biggest stages, we did have a technical issue. She couldn’t hear herself like she had in rehearsal. She is the voice of this generation. She speaks directly to her fans, and they speak directly back to her. This is not American Idol. This is not a competition of getting up and seeing who can sing the highest note. This is about a true artist and writer and communicator. It’s not about that technically perfect performance.”
I don’t quite understand what all the fuss is over. I watched the Grammys, and I didn’t think it was horrible performance. Swift definitely can NOT sing like Celine Dion or Mariah Carey, but she didn’t sound terrible.
I think people might just be upset because she was paired with Stevie Nicks.
Nicks is a legendary singer who has been around for more than three decades. She’s well respected in the music industry. Swift had the audacity to perform a duet with someone of Nick’s caliber, and I think that rubbed people the wrong way.
Pink’s Grammy performance
Out of all Grammy performances Sunday night, I thought Pink put on the greatest show by far. Not many musicians can dangle from the ceiling while singing.
The performance clip is posted below.
Grammy tribute to Michael Jackson
Usher and Carrie Underwood performed during a Michael Jackson tribute at the Grammys (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
One of the segments during the Grammys Sunday night included a tribute to the late Michael Jackson in 3-D.
A video played on the screen while Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Usher and Smokey Robinson performed Jackson’s “Earth Song.”
It was a great vocal performance from the musicians who participated in the tribute.
However, I was disappointed that Grammy producers chose a laid-back approach.
The Grammys billed the segment as a tribute to Michael Jackson. It was a tribute, but it wasn’t the type of tribute I expected.
At previous award shows, when they gave a tribute to MJ, it included dance segments where artists would perform Jackson’s dance moves. It was high energy, and the audience stayed on their feet.
The MJ tribute at the MTV Awards and the BET Awards are a perfect example of how a tribute should have been done.
The Grammy tribute seemed too subdued. Maybe it was because the Grammys are supposed to be reserved.
Meanwhile, the best part of the tribute was at the end when two of Jackson’s children spoke.
The video clip of the tribute is posted below.
