Today we heard on the news the awful events in Kentucky where a commuter plane crashed, killing 49 people on board a Comair flight. The plane apparently took off from the wrong runway - finding it to be too short causing a crash into a field Sunday and burst into flames, killing 49 people and leaving the lone survivor - a co-pilot - in critical condition, federal investigators said.

Fast forward to this evening - The Emmy Awards broadcast on NBC.

Host, Conan O’Brian spoofs and episode of Lost - The annual TV awards show opened with shots of host Conan O’Brien bouncing inside a plane before it crashed on an island in a spoof of ABC’s hit show Lost.

“It was a live telecast — we were completely helpless,” Gilbert said of the Emmys. “By the time we began to react, it was over. At the station, we were as horrified as they were at home.”

Gilbert said he’ll complain to NBC, but he said an apology won’t make up for insensitivity.

“They could have killed the opening and it wouldn’t have hurt the show at all,” Gilbert of WLEX News in Lexington Kentucky said. “We wish somebody had thought this through. It’s somewhere between ignorance and incompetence.”

Mary Katharine Ham makes a good point:

The Kentucky plane crash happened at 6 a.m. There was plenty of time to alter the intro of the Emmys to something more respectful. It wouldn’t have been polished and post-produced, but it would have been polite.

Michelle Malkin of Hot Air has the video

“I’m sure they have divided loyalties and want to support their own network…Maybe I will entice them with free cupcakes.”
- On inviting her old Today Show pals to her CBS Evening News debut - Katie Couric

Katie Couric lands the Evening News.. it’s like Night and (To)day. Best opening line I’ve heard proposed? “Finally, I get to sleep in!“.

America’s legendary anchorman, Walter Cronkite, will introduce Katie Couric on the new CBS Evening News according to exclusive reports by Matt Drudge of the Drudge report.

Drudge reports that Cronkite is just one of many stars and broadcast legends that will splash Couric onto the nightly news scene.

“It’s going to be a who’s who of Americana,” a top CBS source said on Sunday.

Cronkite will do the introduction of Couric on opening night only, the source said.

CBS brass dismiss the suggestion that adding Cronkite is an attention-grabbing stunt.

“This is a bold statement of continuity and ‘trust,’ a commitment to the quality of the CBS EVENING NEWS,” a top insider explained.

Peter Bart, Variety’s editor, in a column warned: “I realize media companies need to overhype everything, whether it’s a new ‘Pirates’ movie or another faux ‘American Idol’… but all this may be doing a disservice both to Couric’s credibility and to network news… Will Couric actually tell us what’s happening in the world or will she preside over a sort of mini-’Today’ show, complete with its well-worn couch?”

Kurt Andersen in NEW YORK will applaud the coming Era Of Katie Couric:

“Making Couric the anchor and de facto face of CBS NEWS is a very smart, potentially even visionary choice… the real brilliance is that she’s the first network anchor to have a quick, smart, mischievous sense of humor as a major part of her personal persona,” Andersen explains. “If it’s possible to rejuvenate TV news, Couric is among the last best hopes.” Reported by Matt Drudge.

“Kevin Federline’s TV debut as a rapper is getting derided as a not-ready-for-prime-time disaster by critics in cyberspace and the hip-hop community.”

It was the most anticipated performance of the night - and the most ridiculed.

On Sunday, Federline - also known as K-Fed and Mr. Britney Spears - performed his new single “Lose Control” to the peppy crowd at the eighth annual Teen Choice Awards, which aired on Fox. Introduced by his wife, who was dressed in a cleavage-baring mini-dress despite her late pregnancy, Federline stalked about the stage with attitude as he rapped about his bling, popping Cristal (obviously oblivious to the whole hip-hop Cristal boycott) and his amazing rhyming skills.

“Don’t hate because I’m a superstar! And I’m married to a superstar! Nothin’ come between us no matter who you are!” he declared, as dancers pop-locked as his side.

Have a look for yourself:

I have to say… it’s simply… LAUGHABLE!

In next month’s Harper’s Bazaar - Denise Richards dishes like a true diva! About her divorce from Charlie Sheen, her friendship with Heather Locklear and her relationship with Locklear’s ex-husbande, Richie Sambora.

Some snippets:

“I’ve never done drugs, never been around a prostitute, never known any porn stars. I couldn’t even fathom that lifestyle” - she states about her marriage to Sheen, stating they married too fast and blamed his wild past for the split.

On her relationship with her ex-friend’s ex-husband Richie Sambora: “If I was still friends with Heather, I wouldn’t have crossed that line”

On life with Richie Sambora: “People don’t know much about Richie” calling him a “great father” and “so much fun”… “I couldn’t pass it up. I know how hard it is to meet that great guy”

“I’m not predicting my future right now” on rumors of a pending wedding between her and Richie Sambora.

Quote of the day: Alexis Petridis, rock critic for England’s The Guardian really, really didn’t like Paris Hilton’s new album: “She sings like a woman who has heard of something called singing, can’t be sure of exactly what it might entail, but is fairly certain you do something a bit like this . . .

She sounds both distracted and bored stiff . . . Listening to her sing Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, you are gripped by the fear that civilization as we know it is doomed and that brimstone is going to start raining from the sky any minute.” [Source]

Oooooo Ouch!

You be the judge - here’s the video from her newest song “Stars Are Blind”:

My feeling is - Paris needs to decide if she’s making a music video or a porn clip. I’m not impressed with her ‘talent’ - how about you?

Well, this is always fun, isn’t it? This video can get scary . . . but! I think Halle Berry looks good, with or without!

Boy George took to the streets of Manhattan as a Department of Sanitation worker wearing an orange vest, dark capri pants, shoes without socks, and without the wild makeup and androgynous style that made him so recognizable as the ’80s icon

With a city-issued broom in his hand, Boy George started his court-ordered community service early Monday, sweeping leaves and trash off the sidewalks of New York.

It took less than an hour for the former Culture Club frontman to get into a spat with the media.

“You think you’re better than me?” he yelled. “Go home. Let me do my community service.”

“This is supposed to be making me humble. Let me do this,” he said. “I just want to do my job.”

Source

I was saddened to hear this. I think out of all the Hollywood - this hippie duo was my favorite couple of them all.

“You, Me and Dupree” star Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson have separated after six years of marriage, a spokesman for the actress said Monday.

Publicist Brad Cafarelli confirmed that Hudson, 27, and Robinson, 39, had split. He offered no details. The couple, who were married on New Year’s Eve in 2000, have a 2-year-old son, Ryder.

A spokesman for Robinson said he had no comment on news of the separation, which was first reported by People magazine on its Web site.

Source

Michael Douglas died at 5:30 a.m. in a Palm Beach Gardens hospital, said his wife, Genevieve Douglas. She wasn’t sure of the cause, but said he had been admitted Thursday.

Douglas became dehydrated on the golf course a few weeks ago and had been treated on and off since. “He was coming along fine, we thought. It was really a shock,” she said. “We never anticipated this to happen.”

Douglas’ afternoon show, which aired from 1961 to 1982, featured his ballad and big-band singing style, other musicians, comedians, sports figures and political personalities, including seven former, sitting or future presidents.

“People still believe ‘The Mike Douglas Show’ was a talk show, and I never correct them, but I don’t think so,” Douglas said in his 1999 memoir, “I’ll Be Right Back: Memories of TV’s Greatest Talk Show.”

“It was really a music show, with a whole lot of talk and laughter in between numbers.”

Source

RIP Michael Douglas

Ok - this is a joke.. a JOKE I tell you!

And yet - it’s all over the place.. a demostration as to how HUNGRY the public is to get a glimpse of the baby, claimed to be had by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

Check the video for yourself:

Trent, over at Pink is The New Blog is a disbeliever. Trent has not bought into the whole “Suri Cruise” concept and thinks it all a SHAM: “Actually, I wouldn’t have been surprised at all if they had shown “actual footage of Suri” because it’s been so long since the “baby” was “born” that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes could pretty much pass off any baby they may have procured on the sly as their own. I fully expect that we will see Suri Holmes-Cruise at some point (maybe very soon) but I don’t think I’ll ever believe she was borne naturally from the loins of TomKat”

The video was shown last night on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

So, there you have it - - Suri Holmes-Cruise not on videotape. Sheesh.

Michael Jackson says he’s a subject of a conspiracy by former attorneys, associates and advisers to force him into financial ruin.

“In what could be one of the biggest conspiracies in entertainment history, documents have been sent to Michael Jackson and his representatives which reveal a deliberate plan by some former attorneys as well as associates and advisers to force Mr. Jackson into involuntary bankruptcy,”

But Michael Jackson was neither shocked nor surprised. “He’s always been suspicious that some of those whom he entrusted to act on his behalf … may not have acted in his best interests.”

Poor Michael - he plays victim so well.

Several concerts on the Dixie Chicks’ “Accidents & Accusations” tour have been canceled after slow ticket sales, but the group says it has replaced them with other dates.

Kansas City, Houston, St. Louis, Memphis and Knoxville are among 14 cities no longer on the original schedule released in May, according to a revised itinerary posted Thursday on the Dixie Chick’s Web site. [Source]

“We hope that our fans who were looking forward to a stop that is no longer on the tour will be able to join us at a nearby arena this fall, and we are sorry for any confusion or inconvenience these changes have caused,” the Dixie Chicks said.

Many country fans criticized the band after lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 on the eve of war in Iraq that the trio was “ashamed” President Bush was from their home state of Texas.

County radio stations dropped them from their playlists and have been slow to welcome them back, despite strong sales of their latest album, “Taking the Long Way.”

The album, which has more of a rock edge than their previous releases, spent several weeks at the top of the country albums chart and has sold more than 1 million copies.

No surprise that the cities with very low ticket sales are in the heartland of American - a demographic most offended by Natalie Maines’ mouth.

Janet Jackson has never been afraid to expose some skin. The 40-year-old singer, newly svelte after losing some 60 pounds, appears on the cover of Vibe magazine wearing a skimpy bikini bottom and a necklace made of large shells. Her right arm covers her breasts.

Will she ever stop posing for sexy photos? “Of course. When I’m 80,” she tells Vibe. “That’s when I’ll call it quits.” [Source]

I have to say, for 40? Miss Nasty is looking fablulous!

Ahhh…remember the days when she still employed a stylist, publicist and manager? Obviously those three folks are on extended hiatus, else she NEVER would have been allowed out in public view in that dress.

Source

On one hand - the Vatican accuses her of blasphemy and provocation.

On the other hand, fans in Rome, Italy confess pure adoration for her.

Good to know that things in Madonna world are normal

About 200 Kiss fans protested in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to demand that the band be inducted into the hall. Fans, some from as far away as California, carried signs Saturday and had painted their faces in black-and-white to resemble Kiss band members. [Source]

Those participating in the half-hour demonstration were upset that the band, formed more than 30 years ago, has not been admitted, even though it has been eligible since the late 1990s.

Personally, considering the impact KISS had on the music scene when they flew into the mainstream 3 decades ago - I’m surprised that fans need protest on this one. I mean, Gene Simmons tongue, ALONE, should get some recognition, eh?

My personal favorite of the time? Ace Frehley - his pictures, in full make up, adorned the walls of teenage girls bedrooms everywhere! Do you have a KISS fav?

In an interview with the British GQ - after disclosing her intentions to swear off sex for a year (believers.. anyone?) - - she displays the very reason why blondes worldwide just can’t get over that ‘air headed and dumb’ sterotype when asked if she is a fan of Tony Blair:

“Who’s Tony Blair?” she mused. “Oh, yeah…he’s like your president? I don’t know what he looks like.”

Oh to be so caught up in one’s own sexuality and bank account that you don’t have the time or inclination to know even the basics of….well… anything.

h/t: US Weekly

Why I watched this thing, I’ll never know. It’s three minutes that I’ll never get back again, in my entire life. This girl is the living, breathing definition of redneck, I’m sayin! Kevin Federline filmed this little charmer - - why was it released on the internet? Is it a KFed conspiracy to ruin his wife’s career so she can stay at home and keep playing baby factory while he works on his own music career? We’ll never know the truth: