Jodie Marsh Hogs Red Carpet Roundup

A fourth judge will join American Idol when the program returns in January, 2009. Kara DioGuardi appeared in New York for a promotional event with fellow judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, and Randy Jackson. According to producer Simon Fuller, the format change is supposed to bring "a new level of energy and excitement to the show."


The 65th Annual Venice Film Festival kicked off with a screening of "Burn After Reading," a dark comedy from the madcap Coen Brothers featuring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand. The farcical spy movie is one of only five American entries competing for the Golden Lion, the Festival's top honor for best picture. Organizers blame fallout from last year's writers strike.


Brendan Fraser greeted fans at the premiere of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in Sydney, Australia. The movie, starring Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh and Aussie actor Luke Ford, opens down under on September 11th.


Daylight Robbery premiered at the UK's Apollo West End Cinema with reality star Jodie Marsh hogging the limelight. Actually, that's not all she was hogging. The film follows a group of English football fans using the World Cup as a bank robbery cover.


Star power is in full bloom at The Democratic National Convention. Sighted in Denver: Annette Bening, Spike Lee, Kal Penn, Cyndi Lauper, Anne Hathaway, Sheryl Crow, Danny Glover, John Legend, Dave Matthews, Pete Wentz, Ben Affleck, Alan Cumming, Tim Daly, Josh Lucas, Susan Sarandon, Rachel Leigh Cook, and stars of The GRAMMY's Rock The Convention Concert.



American Idol host Ryan Seacrest rang the New York Stock Exchange closing bell on Tuesday. NYSE Euronext Executive Vice President Larry Leibowitz joined Seacrest for the final gavel. Stocks ended mixed on concerns about the path of Hurricane Gustav, offsetting a better than expected reading on consumer confidence.

All Aboard the 'Pineapple Express' for Highly Addictive Drug Legalization

At the Hollywood premiere of Judd Aptow's stoner flick, Pineapple Express, Hollyscoop dug up a motherload of dirt from the cast, as well as a few choice celebrities.

As the movie involves copious amounts of marijuana smoking, Hollyscoop couldn't resist asking the stars about their personal positions. Probing questions like "What do you think about smoking pot?" And, "Do you think we should legalize marijuana?"

And hoo-boy, did Adrianne Curry ever swallow the bait.

This was so funny because she practically shoved hubby Christopher Knight in the chest (yes, that Peter Brady) -- a "shut-up now honey" sign if ever one existed -- then mounted her soapbox to preach in favor of legalization. The daggers in Knight's eyes as he looked down and away, up in the air, then down again as if pleading for the earth to magically open up and swallow him whole. Easy to tell that embarrassing moments like this must happen to him a lot. An occupational hazard still ruffling feathers whenever Curry joins him for a night out on the town.

"I am the celebrity advisor for the marijuana policy project, so I think that speaks volumes," Curry responded to the reporter's question about legalization

Who knew weed aficionados could be organized enough to create a policy project, let alone influence a former Playboy bunny to be their celebrity advisor? Sounds like Curry found herself a new reality job only this time the stakes are quite high.

"We should legalize all drugs," chimed in Knight, "all drugs."

Come again? During the interview, the two of them acted like they were both on crack or at the very least a might buzzed. Does Florence Henderson know about this?

Our drug war is a failure,' sneered Curry. 'I can score heroin anywhere, cocaine, crystal meth, you name it, I can get it by the end of the night. Why are we wasting our money on this war that isn't working?'

Then she rattled on about some kind of paranoia and people looking at "the crazy b**ch from reality TV," but by then my mouth was hanging so far open I could barely swallow.

In the first place, just because brain fizzies can score crack, heroin, crystal meth, you name it from their local neighborhood drug dealer doesn't mean the stuff should be legalized. Do Curry and Knight have any idea what over-the-counter sales of highly addictive narcotics would do to this country? The only thing staunching the floodgates of people who would readily trade their bleak existences for fleeting highs of a crack pipe or syringe is the inability to score without the threat of getting busted.

I'm not a big fan of the war on drugs either, but don't throw away the baby with the bath water. Addicts deserve a fighting chance to clean up their acts and become productive members of society. Court ordered rehab is a much better alternative to mandatory jail sentencing.

Behind bars, addicts only learn the pain of withdrawal and where to score upon release.

Cannes It, Film Festival Judge Sean Penn

The Cannes Film Festival is in full bloom with overachieving Pandas, starlets clad in attractive summer wear, and loud mouth extraordinaire, actor Sean Penn. There he is on the red carpet for the premiere of opening night film, Blindness, along with a distinguished panel of fellow judges, including the luminous Natalie Portman.

Too bad she and Penn hijacked what should have been a breezy promotion for the film industry, unleashing a Bush bashing, Democratic presidential nominee thrashing, roll your eyes tongue lashing on a topic best left to smoke-filled Hollywood parties. Does Penn honestly believe the current political climate will decide which film walks away with top honors?

Yes, according to an editor at the daily Telegraph who interviewed the actor at length.

Penn said it was impossible to separate film from politics, and promised that the winning film would be a reflection of the current climate.

'One way or another, when we select the Palme d'Or winner, I think we are going to feel very confident that the film-maker who made the film is very aware of the times in which he or she lives.'

This from a man who endorsed dark horse Dennis Kucinich for president. Must be their symbiotic penchant for all things wacky. Penn unleashes tirades against Brad Pitt during movie shoots and Kucinich gives first hand accounts of extraterrestrial encounters.

According to JustJared's account of the event, Penn had choice words for the Dubya administration, essentially charging the President with war crimes.

When somebody operates without a brain and without a heart they kill hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. It is a shame that we have to bastardize the word 'politics.'

Oh puh-leeze. The only one operating without a brain is Mr. Penn. You can't go around vilifying the President for a war approved and ratified by Congress, even if the purported justification was in fact botched intelligence. Especially not when one is an ambassador of some sorts abroad. This kind of nonsense emboldens enemies, fueling battles the majority of Americans would rather put to rest.

Apparently, the left-handed jab at our elected leader wasn't enough because Penn then unleashed his vitriol on likely Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

'I don't have a candidate I'm supporting and I'm certainly interested and excited by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring,' he said, but went on to accuse him of a 'phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional' voting record.

'I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be,' Penn said. 'This is the most important election, certainly in my lifetime, and maybe ever.'

A greater man than HE will ever be?? Was Penn referring to himself? Because honestly, no one will ever become a greater man than that same person will ever be.

As for the candidate's voting record, there is nothing phenomenally inhuman or unconstitutional about it. In fact, it's verbatim the same voting record of Hillary Clinton, save an absence here or there, but you don't hear Penn ragging on her.

The comment itself is inane and idiotic, not to mention a mother load to throw on the shoulders of the first credible African-American candidate for president. A nomination for Barack Obama would be historic, lending an air of credibility to Penn's statement that 2008 is the most important election in his lifetime and perhaps ever.

If elected, however, Barack Obama will serve just like all other prior presidents. With the hope and desire to make this nation strong and secure and to provide a comfortable existence for all of its citizens. We're not talking about a black messiah here, just someone who wants to make his mark in American history.

Although not endorsing any particular candidate, I love how Portman weighs in with more fluffer-nutter trivializing the political process.

[F]or the first time in a while we have to chose between who we like better instead of who we hate less.

Is this supposed to be inspiring? Because from where I sit there's a lot of people who don't particularly like any of the candidates. They're casting ballots for the one they fear less. Doesn't say a whole helluva lot for our political process.

But then again, neither does this lunacy at Cannes.

[Source]

Vida Samdazai 'Runway' Premiere Could Spark International Incident

Is anyone else besides me getting a bad feeling about critic reaction to Former Miss Afghanistan 2003's movie premiere?

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Ashton Kutcher Dishes Dumb at "What Happens in Vegas" World Premiere

Ashton Kutcher must have been a daredevil dolt in his youth. Carmen Diaz, still dealing with the unexpected death of her dad, couldn't make the London world premiere of their light-hearted romp, What Happens in Vegas, leaving Kutcher to wing the red carpet alone.

Kind of feel sorry for the poor sap, spilling intimate personal details of his boneheaded antics under the influence. Guess he was absent from movie star school on the day they taught how to skirt embarrassing questions by scratching one's head and smiling amiably into the camera. Feast your eyes on this interview.

I can't be the only one who thinks Kutcher had a death wish at some point in his life. Mommy Demi should have been in tow for an emergency elbow nudging, although who knows whether that would have stopped him from spouting like a schoolgirl. Must be off spreading pregnancy rumors again. Oh, those two crazy kids.

Maybe we’re all being punk'd. Passed out on a frozen river and survived? Wonder if frostbite nipped Kutcher's unmentionables. Now that might explain a thing or two about those pregnancy rumors.

Judging from tepid fan reaction in the video, Lake Bell's scarlet pom-pom sleeved number made a poor substitute for Diaz. Does anyone else regard Bell as the poor man’s Amanda Peet? They both have that strong sexy nose thing going on, wide mouths, flashing eyes, but Peet seems infinitely more reserved.

Not reading between the lines on this one -- Kutcher and Peet had no chemistry whatsoever in their box office bomb, A Lot Like Love. Maybe Bell got the part in his Vegas film because he's drawn to dark sultry and was going for more wild with his nasty.

Although judging from the latest movie trailer, if Kutcher wants more wild, he should stick to drunken jumps from second story windows.

Comments of Hayden Panettiere Could Sway Super Tuesday

Those eyes. Those lips. That hair. All that and a political conscience too? Be still my heart.

Far be it from me to knock anyone with a cause, but the red carpet report from the Heroes star's The Spiderwick Chronicles premiere reminded me of that twenty something who wangled a press spot at the YouTube CNN Republican debates and stuck her microphone in the face of Governor Mike Huckabee, only to ask some ridiculously absurd question about the movie I Heart Huckabees. Do these people have mush for brains or do they regard the election of an American president as just another opportunity to land a guest spot on Regis and Kelly?

When she's not imitating street puppets, Hayden's alluring hazel-green eyes cast quite a spell, but Jane Fonda she's not. This interview answer makes top Democratic contender Barack Obama look like a five friend on cheerleader T-Mobile:

"I have spoken to Barack about the whales and the situation going on there, and I asked him his views on it, and he grew up in Hawaii. He’s got a very wonderful outlook on it."

Hayden also hopes to powwow with the McCain and Clinton campaigns about their carefully assessed strategies to save the endangered beasts.

Aside from the need for our next President to immediately address more pressing issues such as open borders, energy development, foreign policy, and domestic economy, I can't imagine anyone on this side of the pond severing ties with a foreign government over whaling, unpalatable as it may appear.

Tender-hearted advocates take note. None of the major presidential candidates endorse brutal treatment of dolphins or whales and each plans to address the issue in due time, right after we catch or definitively establish the whereabouts of that pesky rascal bin Laden.

Enchanted Movie Premieres Bring Out Shoes

Recent movie premieres brought out the stars and their red carpet outfits. Can you guess whose shoes?





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Premiere of Reservation Road

Ew! What was she thinking? Even an Academy Award winning actress dressed in Balenciaga can't get away with creep-me-out clogs like that. So they're open toed...so what? I don't care if she is a big name star, she shouldn't have fired her stylist. In fact, her whole outfit is a refugee from Elvira's closet. Can you guess whose shoes?

Update: 10/28/07: Looks like I scooped the next November issue of People. Apparently, their editors also didn't like the outfit. Now that the star's been identified, I wish someone would be brave and post a response.

Gala Movie Premiere

Recently seen on a newcomer at a ritzy titzy movie premiere. With mega watt co-stars in full view, she still managed to hold her own. Since no one seems to be taking a stab at these little guessing games, they're getting easier. I'm even including some of the background and a snippet of her fancy shmancy dress. Can you guess whose shoes? What about the movie?

Baltimore Premieres Hairspray Hooplah

My temples are starting to throb. Yep. I'm starting to get a headache. I know I can't stop the beat, but could you please turn down the volume?

Baltimore hasn't felt this much celebrity buzz since John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix came to town. Oh yeah. Ladder 49. Filmed in Pigtown. Of course, that was before Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly cut funding for Maryland's fledging film industry. Wasn't that supposed to be a division of The Department of Business and Economic Development? No wonder director Adam Shankman filmed the Broadway version in Toronto.

Poor little Charm City. Right when this latest incarnation of Hairspray goes mainstream Hollywood, Baltimore gets blackballed from its own tender story of overweight hons, Dick Clark wannabes, and civil rights riots. You gotta love a town like that. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

I heard Hairspray progenitor John Waters gave Shankman carte blanche on production. As great as Waters is, I'm a little peeved. I think he compromised the location because Hollywood power games aren't his cup of tea. As reflected in films like Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, and Desperate Living, John has been and always will be quintessential Baltimore . His claim to fame is sticking with a genre he invented when Tarantino was pre-pubescent. If Edith Massey was alive to see what Hairspray has become, she'd lock up the Owl Bar and throw away the key.

Speaking of Hollywood mind games, none of the local premiere hype mentions John Travolta or his lovely wife, Kelly Preston. I hope their conspicuous absence isn't related to all the mean-spirited blogging. After Saturday Night Fever, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for John. Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Nikki Blonsky, Brittany Snow, Elijah Kelley...they're all very nice, but not in John's league. Love ya, Vinnie!

I have to think Queen Latifah may show. Reports of P. Diddy in town and living large are starting the make the rounds. That and a surprise appearance by Nicole Richie at an Annapolis fast food restaurant. When do celebrities like that ever come within partying distance of Pigtown? There must be more in the works than meets the eye.

Dare I dream of Michelle Pfeiffer or Christopher Walken sightings? Now that would be something worth jumping the light rail to Charles Street. Then again, the thought of fighting celebrity hungry masses for a fleeting glimpse of Tinseltown satellites only contributes to the pounding between my ears.

With everyone inundating downtown, this may be the perfect night to catch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. May not even have to pre-buy the tickets.

Good Night Baltimore

Just when the Hollywood intelligentsia start gearing up for the movie premiere of Hairspray (the Broadway musical version), Baltimore City's crime problem blazes out of control. The last time the city took this much heat was The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. Well, maybe not that far back, but close. I wonder if Brittany Snow plans to attend the premiere without her bodyguards.

The streets of Pigtown are out of control. Mayoral candidates now bandy about the idea of marshall law. Marshall Freaking Law for cripes sake! Are these people brain dead?

I'm a born and buttered Baltimoron, and the first to crack wise about her hometown roots. Hons, dem O's, seafood, Preakness, the Inner Harbor, Nipper the dog, the Bromo Seltzer Tower...I have a symbiotic relationship with all things Charm City. Baltimore is who I am and what I love about America. It's a big city comprised of many neighborhoods and community groups, a small town that simply got too big for its britches. There's a feeling of belonging in Baltimore I can't put into words. I haven't really found that anywhere else and believe me I've tried.

But Baltimore sure has its problems -- rampant deadly crime for one. It's gotten pretty darn bleak out there. I'm genuinely afraid to walk around my neighborhood at night. And I live in Baltimore County.

Complaining isn't going to change things, but maybe it will help open a dialogue. This town needs some practical solutions, not drivel from vote mongering political candidates. Perhaps if residents cared more about civic pride than partying on city streets and killing one another, this little town could turn itself around. Like that little engine chugging and puffing, "I think we can...I think we can..."

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