'TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Reader Links
from Tiera
This is an interesting commentary on the morality of Bush's war in Iraq, from an equally
interesting website.
Enjoy!
~~ Tiera H.
Thanks, Tiera!
Reader Link
'The Smirking Chimp
from that Mad Cat, JD!
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny, breezy day.
The kid learned to tape his own fingers. The pinkie is healing well, but still a bit swollen, and starting to show the expected bruise.
Took a quick trip out to the Valley to see some old pals. Even got to go alone (!) - first time in a long time the radio was all mine. Woo Hoo.
Tonight, Sunday, as is tradition, CBS is supposed to open with '60 Minutes', follow with a RERUN
'Fat Greek Life', and then a RERUN movie, 'Deep Impact'.
NBC is supposed to start with a FRESH 'special' - 'Making of Fear Factor', followed by a 'special'
'extended' (RERUNs) 'Fear Factor', followed by the RERUN movie, 'Billy Madison'.
ABC is supposed to have the '75th Oscar Awards'.
The WB is supposed to have the weekly RERUN 'Gilmore Girls', followed by the RERUN movie, 'Blade'.
Faux is supposed to regurgitate the RERUN movie, 'True Lies'.
UPN is supposed to have the usual RERUN 'Enterprise', followed by 'Stargate SG-1'.
SCI FI has all 3 episodes of 'Frank Herbert's 'Children of Dune'', back-to-back.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
23rd annual Golden Raspberry Award
Razzie® 'Winners'
WORST Picture
SWEPT AWAY (Screen Gems)
WORST Actor
Roberto Benigni*# (Dubbed GODZILLA-Style by Breckin Meyer) PINOCCHIO
WORST Actress (tie!)
Madonna#/SWEPT AWAY and Britney Spears/CROSSROADS
WORST Supporting Actor
Hayden Christensen/STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES
WORST Supporting Actress
Madonna#/DIE ANOTHER DAY
MOST FLATULENT TEEN-TARGETED MOVIE (New Category!)
JACKASS: THE MOVIE (Paramount)
WORST Screen Couple
Adriano Giannini & Madonna#/SWEPT AWAY
WORST Director
Guy Ritchie/SWEPT AWAY
WORST Remake or Sequel
SWEPT AWAY
WORST Screenplay
STAR WARS: EPISODE II: YADA-YADA-YODA, Screenplay by George Lucas* and Jonathon Hales
WORST 'ORIGINAL' SONG
"I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" from CROSSROADS,
Written by Max Martin, "Rami" & Dido Armstrong
KEY: (*) Indicates Former Oscar® Winner or Nominee
(#) Indicates Former RAZZIE® Winner or Nominee
'WINS' PER FILM:
SWEPT AWAY – 5 Awards
(Worst Picture, Actress, Screen Couple, Director and Remake or Sequel –
This is the FIRST time the same film has "won" BOTH Worst Picture and Worst Remake)
CROSSROADS – 2 Awards
(Worst Actress, Worst "Original" Song)
STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES – 2 Awards
(Worst Supporting Actor, Screenplay)
Roberto Benigni's PINOCCHIO – 1 Award
(Worst Actor)
DIE ANOTHER DAY and JACKASS: THE MOVIE – 1 Award Each
Madonna's 3 "Wins" for 2003 bring her career totals to 9 RAZZIE® "Wins"and 15 Nominations -- The most for any female in RAZZIE® History.
Madonna & Guy Ritchie are the first Husband-and-Wife/Worst-Director-and-Worst ActressRAZZIE® "Winning" Team since John and Bo Derek.
This is the second year in a row that a Pop Star making her Screen Debut has "won" Worst Actress.
Golden Raspberry AwardS
Thanks (again), to Joe Bacon!
Musical Guests: David Bowie, and the Ghost of Woody Guthrie.
Good Reading
Clear Channel & Rallies
By Tim Jones
Some of the biggest rallies this month have endorsed President Bush's strategy against Saddam Hussein, and the common thread linking most of them is Clear Channel Worldwide Inc., the nation's largest owner of radio stations.
In a move that has raised eyebrows in some legal and journalistic circles, Clear Channel radio stations in Atlanta, Cleveland, San Antonio, Cincinnati and other cities have sponsored rallies attended by up to 20,000 people. The events have served as a loud rebuttal to the more numerous but generally smaller anti-war rallies.
The sponsorship of large rallies by Clear Channel stations is unique among major media companies, which have confined their activities in the war debate to reporting and occasionally commenting on the news. The San Antonio-based broadcaster owns more than 1,200 stations in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"I think this is pretty extraordinary," said former Federal Communications Commissioner Glen Robinson, who teaches law at the University of Virginia. "I can't say that this violates any of a broadcaster's obligations, but it sounds like borderline manufacturing of the news."
A spokeswoman for Clear Channel said the rallies, called "Rally for America," are the idea of Glenn Beck, a Philadelphia talk show host whose program is syndicated by Premier Radio Networks, a Clear Channel subsidiary.
"They're not intended to be pro-military. It's more of a thank you to the troops. They're just patriotic rallies," said Clear Channel spokeswoman Lisa Dollinger.
Dollinger denied there is a connection between the rallies and the company's pending regulatory matters.
For the rest of this great read, Clear Channel & Rallies
Reader Comment
Re: Clear Channel & Rallies
This goes way beyond staging of pro-administration rallies. Once-intelligent-and-moderate-to-liberal KFI morning host Bill Handel and once-brilliant-and-liberal-to-apolitical comic and radio-caricature-creating Premiere Network personality Phill Hendrie (also heard on KFI) have now become Bush administration shills.
(Wow, thirteen hyphens in one sentence! A new record for hyphen-man, I believe.)
Mandated, I assume, to be compatible with Limbaugh who remains as the station's and network's standard-bearer. Amazing that KFI keeps Wayne Resnick on the air (albeit a mere 4 hrs./wk.). Plus KFI and a good many other major-market CC/Premiere stations run "Coast to Coast" (sans Art Bell) overnight (hey, it's cheap).
To say nothing of the intellectual giants John and Ken, whose handlers are writing the book on "borderline manufacturing of the nows".
Even though at the moment we're out-cheaping Cheap Channel, I'm glad I work for some other guys.
"Anonymous"
Thanks, ''Anonymous''! Sent this to 'Anonymous' last night, knowing there'd be a smart response.
The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
Muzzle Festive Mood
Oscar Planners
The hoopla hushed and the merriment muted, the show still goes on Sunday for the Academy Awards, whose organizers promise a tastefully toned-down celebration considering the war with Iraq.
Missing from the 75th Oscars will be the splashy red-carpet arrival area where stars preen, pose and prattle about their designer gowns. Formal evening wear remains a must, though Oscar guests are expected to moderate the glitz and glamor out of respect for U.S. soldiers fighting to topple Saddam Hussein's regime.
The traditional tight security at the Oscars has been increased, including a National Guard mobile lab to test for suspicious biological or chemical substances. Pierson said Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton told Oscar planners that "he felt the safest place to be in America was probably at the Academy Awards on Sunday night."
If the show goes off as planned, a few notable firsts might come out of the Oscars. Some possibilities:
_ Best-picture front-runner "Chicago" might be the first musical since 1968's "Oliver!" to win best picture. Four cast members of "Chicago" are nominated, with best-actress contender Renee Zellweger and supporting-actress nominee Catherine Zeta-Jones appearing to have the best shot at becoming the first acting winners from a musical since Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey for 1972's "Cabaret."
_ Jack Nicholson could walk away with his fourth Oscar, tying Katharine Hepburn for most acting awards. Nicholson is up for best actor for the black comedy "About Schmidt," earning his 12th nomination.
_ Martin Scorsese could finally win an Oscar, though for a movie considered inferior to his best work. Scorsese is up for best director for "Gangs of New York," after losing with his previous nominations for "Raging Bull," "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "GoodFellas."
Host Steve Martin is expected to crack wise, delivering what Cates called a "don't miss it" opening monologue. Presenting awards will be Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Harrison Ford, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, while Peter O'Toole will be honored with a lifetime-achievement Oscar.
All that revelry aside, organizers are aiming for a sober, dignified mood, much like the Oscar ceremonies of World War II.
Oscar Planners
Anti-war protester Madeleine Joseph takes a rest during a protest in front of the United States Consulate in Toronto Saturday, March 22, 2003. Tens of thousands of chanting, banner-waving Canadians took to the streets across the country Saturday to protest the war on Iraq.
Photo by Kevin Frayer
Hosted by Sharon & Elton
Fundraiser
Justin Timberlake and Elizabeth Taylor were the guests of honor at a benefit hosted by Elton John and Sharon Osbourne at the Osbourne's home in Beverly Hills, California on Wednesday (March 19). The evening benefited John's AIDS foundation and Osbourne's own colon cancer charity.
Despite the gala affair, the evening's conversation was dominated by the subject of war with Iraq. "We all discussed whether to move forward with this event tonight," Osbourne told the guests, according to the New York Daily News. "We decided to continue because, war or no war, we are all fighting the war against AIDS and cancer. At the same time, we should all say a big prayer for the American and British men and women who are risking their lives."
Osbourne struggled to mingle with guests, as she had just undergone a chemotherapy treatment and was very tired. One attendee in particular was thrilled to see her up and around. "Sharon, I f--king adore you," said the party guest. "My drag name is Sharon. So you get two Sharons for the price of one."
Among the celebs in the crowd were Tony Bennett, Sylvester Stallone, and his wife Jennifer Flavin.
Fundraiser
Bono, Robert Plant, Ray Davies & Jeff Beck Among Guests On New Album
Jools Holland
U2's Bono, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, and Jeff Beck are among the guests appearing on British bandleader Jools Holland's next album, Small World Big Band Volume Two: More Friends! The collection comes out May 27 and is the follow-up to 2002's Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues all-star project, which featured Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, the late George Harrison on one of the last songs he wrote and recorded, "Horse To The Water."
Plant's vocals are featured on "Let The Boogie Woogie Roll," while Beck contributes guitar solos on "Drown In My Own Tears," the Kinks' Ray Davies fronts "Yours Truly, Confused N10," and Bono takes his turn on "If You Wear That Velvet Dress."
Also joining ex-Squeeze member Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on the album are the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry, Marianne Faithfull, Sam Moore, Jimmy Cliff, Edwin Starr, Dionne Warwick, Norah Jones, Tom Jones, Stereophonics, Fun Lovin' Criminals lead singer Huey, Badly Drawn Boy, Ruby Turner, Beverley Knight, George Benson, and the Blind Boys Of Alabama.
The full tracklisting for Small World Big Band Volume Two: More Friends! includes: Sam Moore and Sam Brown, "Together We Are Strong"; Norah Jones, "In The Dark"; Edwin Starr, "Snowflake Boogie"; Bryan Ferry, "The Only Face"; Dionne Warwick, "What Goes Around"; Tom Jones, "Don't You Kiss My Cheek"; Chrissie Hynde, "Out Of This World"; the Blind Boys Of Alabama, "Rock Me"; Stereophonics, "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"; Huey of Fun Lovin' Criminals, "Fly Me To The Moon"; Badly Drawn Boy, "The Can Is Open"; Ray Davies, "Yours Truly, Confused N10"; Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, "Tuxedo Junction"; Robert Plant, "Let The Boogie Woogie Roll"; Jeff Beck, "Drown In My Own Tears"; Ruby Turner, "Count Me In"; Marianne Faithfull, "You Got To Serve Somebody"; Jools Holland, Chris Barber, and Guy Barker, "Anglegrinder Blues"; Beverley Knight, "Change Is Gonna Come"; George Benson, "Teardrops From My Eyes"; Jimmy Cliff, "Dreams"; and Bono, "If You Wear That Velvet Dress."
Jools Holland
Delayed by War Coverage
Meg Ryan Movie
Paramount Pictures said it has postponed the upcoming release of the Meg Ryan boxing comedy "Against the Ropes" because TV coverage of the war in Iraq could make it difficult to publicize the film.
The movie, about a woman boxing manager trying to succeed in the male-dominated sport, was originally set for release April 25. No future release date was set.
Meg Ryan Movie
Boyhood Home Not Selling
Dwight Yoakam
The boyhood home of country music star Dwight Yoakam has been on the market a month, and Kentucky tourism officials are surprised that it's not sold yet.
"I could see a country music lover making a good income supplement, buying the house and opening it to fans," said Fred James, spokesman for the Kentucky Tourism Cabinet. "It has appeal, no question about it."
List price for the single-story house is $89,500. According to a local advertisement, the house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It's completely remodeled, with new carpet.
Yoakam lived in the house only briefly as an infant, before his parents moved to Columbus, Ohio. He returned often, though, to spend weekends with his grandparents, Luther and Earlene Tibbs, said country music promoter Billie Jean Osborne.
Dwight Yoakam
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
'Far From Heaven' Sweeps
Independent Spirit Awards
"Far From Heaven" swept the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, gathering five awards, including best feature.
"Far from Heaven" also won honors for best director for Todd Haynes, female lead for Julianne Moore, male supporting lead for Dennis Quaid and cinematography.
The nonprofit Independent Feature Project/Los Angeles-presented awards honor movies that have been at least partially independently financed. Nominees are expected to have an original and provocative subject matter, been produced economically and show a "uniqueness of vision."
Director John Waters served as master of ceremonies, with actress Halle Berry as honorary chair. Elvis Costello performed live during the ceremonies, held in a tent on the Santa Monica beach.
A partial list of this year's Independent Spirit Award winners:
Best Feature: "Far from Heaven"
Best Director: Todd Haynes, "Far from Heaven"
Best Screenplay: Mike White, "The Good Girl"
Best First Feature: "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"
Best Female Lead: Julianne Moore, "Far from Heaven"
Best Male Lead: Derek Luke, "Antwone Fisher"
Best Supporting Female: Emily Mortimer, "Lovely & Amazing"
Best Supporting Male: Dennis Quaid, "Far from Heaven"
Best Foreign Film: "Y Tu Mama Tambien"
Independent Spirit Awards
Musicians Elvis Costello and girlfriend Diana Krall pose for photos at the 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, March 22, 2003. Costello opened the show with a musical number.
Photo by Brian Snyder
Public Service Set
Fred 'Mister Rogers' Rogers
A public memorial service has been scheduled for Fred Rogers, host of the pioneering TV children's show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," who died in February.
Family Communications Inc., the company that produced "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for WQED in Pittsburgh, said Friday the memorial service will be held May 3 in the auditorium of Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh.
Rogers produced the children's show that appeared nationally on public television for more than 30 years. He was buried in a private ceremony March 1.
The show always opened with Rogers donning a zip-up cardigan and sneakers and singing, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood." He would then talk about children's feelings and take his audience on a magical trolley ride into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where puppet creations — including X the Owl, King Friday XIII and Daniel Striped Tiger — interacted with each other and adults.
Fred 'Mister Rogers' Rogers
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Family Communications
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
Displaying Air Force One
Reagan Library
A Boeing 707 airliner that served as Air Force One for seven U.S. presidents should be on display sometime next year at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush used the plane.
The Air Force gave the plane to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation in 2001 after its last presidential flight that July.
The plane was on view for a private ceremony Friday to mark the start of lengthy process of getting it ready at its new home, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It will have to be taken apart, transported in pieces and reassembled at the library.
Reagan Library
Thousands of anti-war protesters demonstrate outside CNN Building on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles Saturday, March 22, 2003. War protesters complained that news coverage is slanted. One sign showed a photo of an Iraqi mother with a wounded child and said, 'Collateral damage has a face.'
Photo by Nick Ut
All Better
Elin Nordegren
Tiger Woods said that his girlfriend Elin Nordegren was fine after collapsing earlier in the day at the Bay Hill Invitational.
Nordegren was walking next to the clubhouse when she passed out shortly before 2 p.m. The Swedish model was taken by ambulance to hospital, accompanied by Woods, who returned to the course in time for his tee time.
"She is doing well but is a little sick," Woods said after darkness halted play in the second round.
"She had some food poisoning and obviously was dehydrated. They were going to put some IVs in her and get her some fluids and she was going to be released."
Elin Nordegren
Record Las Vegas Slot Jackpot
$39 Million
A young man visiting America's gambling capital hit pay dirt on Friday -- a world record $39 million on a slot machine.
The 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles, who requested anonymity, came up big at the Excalibur Hotel-Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, according to International Game Technology, which made the Megabucks slot machine.
He was visiting family and keeping track of college basketball's "March Madness" tournament with some friends in Las Vegas, where betting on the games is legal. His uncle had told him about the Megabucks machine, which can pay out $5,000 for a $1 bet. If you play for $3 a pull, the winnings increase dramatically.
Friday's winner said he'd put in about $100 when he turned his head away for an instant. When he looked back, the winning symbols had lined up and he was $39,713,982.25 richer.
$39 Million
Indians covered in colored powder celebrate the Rang Panchmi festival during a procession through the old quarters of Bhopal on March 22, 2003. Rang Panchmi is a festival of color celebrated in many parts of the country.
Photo by Raj Patidar
'The Osbournes'
Freshly updated! 'The Osbournes' ~ Page 4
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 3
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 2
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 1
