Thursday, September 30, 2010

?The Flintstones? Turn 50

Big Birthday Lurve goes out today to everyone’s favorite prehistoric animated show, The Flintstones, which is celebrating its 50th birthday/anniversary this week. Modeled on the very popular TV series The Honeymooners, The Flintstones have been entertaining us for the last half-century. At the very least, hitting the 50 year mark warrants a hearty Yabba Dabba [...]

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Last Comic Standing?s Greg Giraldo has died after overdose (Update)

[HMG Celebrity News] – Greg Giraldo, the popular comedian and judge on ‘Last Comic Standing’ who was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital late Saturday night after reportedly overdosing on prescription pills has died on Wednesday.
The 44-year old father of three who was due to perform earlier that day at ‘The New York Recovery Rally,’ [...]

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Arthur Penn, 'Bonnie And Clyde' Director, Dies

Pioneer, 88, 'paved the way for the new generation of American directors,' writer/director Paul Schrader says.
By Kara Warner


Arthur Penn and Melanie Griffith on the set of "Night Moves" in 1975
Photo: Alan Band/Keystone/Getty Images

Revolutionary theater, television and film director Arthur Penn died Tuesday at his home in New York City, just one day after celebrating his 88th birthday. The The New York Times reports that the director, perhaps most well-known for 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde," passed away from congestive heart failure.

The Times calls Penn "a pioneering director of live television drama in the 1950s and a Broadway powerhouse in the 1960s," and praises his ability to develop an "intimate, spontaneous and physically oriented method of directing actors that allowed their work to register across a range of mediums."

Penn was born on September 27, 1922, in Philadelphia. He began his career in television and made a name for himself in 1957 with the production of "The Miracle Worker," adapted from the stage for television on CBS' "Playhouse 90," for which he earned an Emmy nomination.

Two years later, Penn took "The Miracle Worker" to Broadway, and he and star Anne Bancroft were awarded Tonys. In 1962, he directed the feature-film version with Bancroft, who went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress, alongside a young Patty Duke, who picked up a statue for Best Supporting Actress.

Penn also advised then-Senator John F. Kennedy during his debates with Richard Nixon in 1960 and directed the broadcast of the third debate.

All of these events led up to his most memorable work, directing Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in "Bonnie and Clyde."

"Arthur Penn brought the sensibility of '60s European art films to American movies," writer/director Paul Schrader told The New York Times. "He paved the way for the new generation of American directors who came out of film schools."

Penn continued to work in film, television and theater with some of the biggest and brightest names in the business, though none of those projects reached the level of critical mass as "Bonnie and Clyde" had done. His last theatrically released film was the apartheid drama "Inside," in 1996. Penn served as an executive producer on several episodes of "Law and Order" in his later years, followed by one of his final theatrical productions, "Fortune's Fool," which earned Tonys for Alan Bates and Frank Langella in 2002.

Penn is survived by his wife of 54 years, Peggy Maurer, a son, Matthew, a daughter, Molly, and four grandsons.

Share your well-wishes for Penn's family in the comments.

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Photos | Janet Jackson Performs A Tribute To Michael Jackson At The VMAs

Janet Jackson Performs A Tribute To Michael Jackson At The VMAs

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Justin Bieber To Release Line Of Dolls

Pop star's figurine collection, due in December, will sing and re-create looks from videos like 'Baby' — signature 'do included.
By James Dinh


Justin Bieber doll
Photo: Splash News

Move over, Barbie, there's a new doll in town. Justin Bieber has cemented his pop-star status with a line of dolls set to hit stores in December. The line of collectible figurines will feature the Biebs decked out in a variety of looks borrowed from his music-video and red-carpet appearances.

Merchandise company Bravado and the Bridge Direct Inc. announced Tuesday (September 28) that fans will be able to purchase the toys in time for the holiday season as they're expected to hit retail stores "on or around" December 4, according to Billboard magazine.

One set, the Justin Bieber Music Video Collection Singing Figures, plays 30-second snippets of the pop star's hits, like "Baby" and "One Less Lonely Girl." The musical dolls are priced at $27.99. Another set, priced at $17.99, is called the JB Style Collection and has the teen sensation flashing his street style or sporting some looks familiar to fans from awards shows and red-carpet events. (The toys are available for pre-order this week.)

One figurine shows Bieber holding a guitar and wearing the green hoodie and jeans from his "One Less Lonely Girl" video. But it doesn't stop at dolls: The Bieber toy line will include a microphone with concert-like sound effects that play snippets of his hits "One Time" and "Somebody to Love." Beliebers can also choose from plush bears, caps and "Team Bieber" tees.

The next chapter in the expanding Bieber empire will be the publication in October of his first book, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story." In a statement, Justin said he was excited for fans to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of his life.

"Every day I wake up and count my blessings. My fans have played such a large part in all of this and they help me live my dreams every day. I'm excited to share just a little bit more of my world with them through this book. Between the behind-the-scenes pictures and the story I think this is going to be something they can all enjoy. This is just another way for me to say thank you to my fans."

Will you be the first to buy a Justin doll? Tell us in the comments!

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hugh Jackman: Handprint Hunk

He’s been working overtime promoting his upcoming flick “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” and yesterday (April 21) Hugh Jackman was honored with a very special ceremony in Hollywood. The “Australia” stud put his hand and footprints into cement outside the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, celebrating his success as a movie star. Hugh addressed the crowd, “I have to [...]

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More KStew Ungratefulness!

You know, one day, Kristen Stewart, you are just going to have to accept the fact that had you never done Twilight, no one would give a shiz about you and your acting career would be as successful as LiLo's legal team!
In a recent interview, KStew insists that her parents pushed her to become a [...]

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