Canadian Jerry Levitan has collected yet another accolade for his short animated film I Met The Walrus, garnering a Daytime Emmy.
The Torontonian's six-minute film, using pen and ink-style animation, features audio of John Lennon ruminating on global conflict and the need for peace.
"I am stunned that the kindness John Lennon extended to me as a child reverberates to this day around the world," said Levitan in a message to CBCNews.ca on Sunday.
"The support Yoko Ono has given me in telling my story has been a blessing to me."
The audio was recorded by a 14-year-old Levitan, a rabid Beatles fan, who banged on every door of a Toronto hotel until he found Lennon — in Canada for his Montreal bed-in for peace with wife Yoko Ono.
Directed by Josh Raskin, the film captured the Emmy for New Approaches, Daytime Entertainment for its YouTube appearance.
The award acknowledges the team that put the unique film together, which includes pen illustrator and animator James Braithwaite and digital illustrator Alex Kurina, as well as Raskin and Levitan, who is listed as the producer.
The film has been collecting acclaim ever since its first unspooling in late 2007. It also garnered an Oscar nod for best animated short film in 2008.
Levitan recently released it as a book.
I Met The Walrus has travelled the world at various festivals, winning awards at the Middle East International Film Festival, the Manhattan Short Film Festival and the Hawaii Film Festival.
PBS wins big
Many other trophies, including ones for makeup, lighting, sound mixing and editing, were handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday.
PBS was the big winner with 15 prizes in all, followed by ABC with 10 and Nickelodeon with eight.
Some of the winners included:
* Children's Program: Wordworld (PBS).
* Writing in Animation: Wordworld (PBS).
* Pre-School Series: Between the Lions (PBS).
* Writing in a Children's Series: Between the Lions (PBS).
* Culinary Program: Grill It! With Bobby Flay (Food Network).
* Lifestyle: This Old House (PBS).
* Lifestyle/Culinary Host: Ina Garten in Barefoot Contessa (Food Network).
* Directing in a Children's Series: Sesame Street (PBS).
* Directing in a Talk Show: The View (ABC).
* Directing in an Animated Program: El Tigre (Nickelodeon).
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Naomi Klein breaks with Shock Doctrine director
Canadian activist and writer Naomi Klein has distanced herself from a film adaptation of her book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by asking to be removed from the documentary's credits.
"I can confirm that the original idea was for me to write and narrate the film," she revealed to The Independent newspaper.
"For that to have worked out, however, there would have needed to be complete agreement between the directors and myself about the content, tone and structure of the film."
She admits that she and British director Michael Winterbottom — whose previous films include 24 Hour Party People and the acclaimed documentary The Road to Guantanamo — had their differences on how to build the book's argument into the film.
"This is Michael's adaptation of my book, and I didn't want there to be any confusion about that. I wish the film success," Klein said.
The article indicates Klein, whose previous work No Logo was a global bestseller, felt there should be less narration and more interviews.
Klein's third book, first published in 2007, has been translated into 27 languages and became an international bestseller.
In the thesis in her latest book, Klein notes that the U.S. and its allies have exploited disasters all over the world and imposed a type of unfettered capitalism to the benefit of big corporations.
In an interview with The Globe newspaper, Klein denies that she left in a huff: "Nobody threw a fit or walked away."
Klein's husband, Avi Lewis, remains one of the film's producers.
Financed by Britain's Channel 4, Winterbottom's documentary is slated to air in the U.K. on Sept. 1.
"I can confirm that the original idea was for me to write and narrate the film," she revealed to The Independent newspaper.
"For that to have worked out, however, there would have needed to be complete agreement between the directors and myself about the content, tone and structure of the film."
She admits that she and British director Michael Winterbottom — whose previous films include 24 Hour Party People and the acclaimed documentary The Road to Guantanamo — had their differences on how to build the book's argument into the film.
"This is Michael's adaptation of my book, and I didn't want there to be any confusion about that. I wish the film success," Klein said.
The article indicates Klein, whose previous work No Logo was a global bestseller, felt there should be less narration and more interviews.
Klein's third book, first published in 2007, has been translated into 27 languages and became an international bestseller.
In the thesis in her latest book, Klein notes that the U.S. and its allies have exploited disasters all over the world and imposed a type of unfettered capitalism to the benefit of big corporations.
In an interview with The Globe newspaper, Klein denies that she left in a huff: "Nobody threw a fit or walked away."
Klein's husband, Avi Lewis, remains one of the film's producers.
Financed by Britain's Channel 4, Winterbottom's documentary is slated to air in the U.K. on Sept. 1.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Cranberries reunion lures O'Riordan from Ontario cabin
Dolores O'Riordan is ready to emerge from her log cabin in Northern Ontario and become a Cranberry again.
The former lead singer and driving creative force behind the Cranberries has announced a reunion tour of the Irish band famous for 1990s hits such as Zombie and Linger.
And a new album may not be far behind, she told CBC's cultural affairs radio show Q on Friday.
O'Riordan has been pursuing a solo career since 2002, when the Cranberries began their hiatus, and just released her latest album, No Baggage. She's also had three children with Canadian husband Don Burton, now her manager.
"I'm always writing — it's part of you, it's part of your soul, of who you are. It's a gift you are given," said the singer, who added that the Ontario bush has been an inspiration. From her cabin home, she has seen foxes, bears and wolves, and she said she loves being surrounded by trees.
The impetus for the reunion was a letter from Trinity College in Dublin admitting O'Riordan to its Philosophical Society, alongside such luminaries as W.B. Yeats.
"I asked the boys to come up from Limerick and play with me and I hired a quartet, and it was the first time seeing them in 6½ years — and it was like I saw them yesterday," she said. "When we started playing together, it felt so right."
The "boys" are Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, her Cranberries bandmates. They also had a few children in the interim, none of whom would have imagined their parents as famous.
"We're kind of excited about getting together again, because our kids are kind of now going, 'Were you in a band?' and we kind of have to play for our kids now, just to show them we're still cool," she said.
O'Riordan was close to a breakdown in her 20s from the pressure of being with such a prominent band. She said she went back to her cabin in Ontario and thought about how much she'd missed the band before making the decision to tour again.
"They're a big part of my heart and soul," she said. "There's only three people in the world who understand that journey that I went through and that's Mike, Ferg and Noel, who were there with me."
The live tour begins at the end of this year in North America, though no dates have yet been announced. The band plans to play O'Riordan's solo material, as well as old Cranberries songs and new works they are writing together even now.
She estimates another album could come out of the collaboration, perhaps as soon as next year.
"We kind of had to go through whatever it was — kind of taking a break, creative, go out there and find what it's like not to be a Cranberry," she said.
The former lead singer and driving creative force behind the Cranberries has announced a reunion tour of the Irish band famous for 1990s hits such as Zombie and Linger.
And a new album may not be far behind, she told CBC's cultural affairs radio show Q on Friday.
O'Riordan has been pursuing a solo career since 2002, when the Cranberries began their hiatus, and just released her latest album, No Baggage. She's also had three children with Canadian husband Don Burton, now her manager.
"I'm always writing — it's part of you, it's part of your soul, of who you are. It's a gift you are given," said the singer, who added that the Ontario bush has been an inspiration. From her cabin home, she has seen foxes, bears and wolves, and she said she loves being surrounded by trees.
The impetus for the reunion was a letter from Trinity College in Dublin admitting O'Riordan to its Philosophical Society, alongside such luminaries as W.B. Yeats.
"I asked the boys to come up from Limerick and play with me and I hired a quartet, and it was the first time seeing them in 6½ years — and it was like I saw them yesterday," she said. "When we started playing together, it felt so right."
The "boys" are Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, her Cranberries bandmates. They also had a few children in the interim, none of whom would have imagined their parents as famous.
"We're kind of excited about getting together again, because our kids are kind of now going, 'Were you in a band?' and we kind of have to play for our kids now, just to show them we're still cool," she said.
O'Riordan was close to a breakdown in her 20s from the pressure of being with such a prominent band. She said she went back to her cabin in Ontario and thought about how much she'd missed the band before making the decision to tour again.
"They're a big part of my heart and soul," she said. "There's only three people in the world who understand that journey that I went through and that's Mike, Ferg and Noel, who were there with me."
The live tour begins at the end of this year in North America, though no dates have yet been announced. The band plans to play O'Riordan's solo material, as well as old Cranberries songs and new works they are writing together even now.
She estimates another album could come out of the collaboration, perhaps as soon as next year.
"We kind of had to go through whatever it was — kind of taking a break, creative, go out there and find what it's like not to be a Cranberry," she said.
Friday, August 28, 2009
"Dollhouse" makes room for cast additions
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – This fall, "Dollhouse" is going to be a geek-TV haven.
Josh Whedon, creator of the Fox series about a futuristic laboratory that rewrites people's memories, has chosen actors from the network's recently canceled "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and Syfy's concluded "Battlestar Galactica" to join the show.
Most notably, he's recruited "Terminator" fan favorite Summer Glau, whom he previously cast in Fox's "Firefly." Glau plays Bennett, a Dollhouse employee who shares a secret past with Eliza Dushku's Echo.
Jamie Bamber (from "Battlestar") will appear as a charismatic businessman who is Echo's new husband. Michael Hogan ("Battlestar") comes to Dollhouse hoping to stop a psychotic family member's killing spree. Alexis Denisof ("Angel") is cast as a U.S. senator leading a witch hunt to track down the underground organization. Keith Carradine ("Dexter") plays the nemesis of Dollhouse leader Adelle.
"Dollhouse" struggled on Friday nights last season, and the network is hoping the cast additions, along with some creative tweaks, will help the show gain a broader audience.
Josh Whedon, creator of the Fox series about a futuristic laboratory that rewrites people's memories, has chosen actors from the network's recently canceled "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and Syfy's concluded "Battlestar Galactica" to join the show.
Most notably, he's recruited "Terminator" fan favorite Summer Glau, whom he previously cast in Fox's "Firefly." Glau plays Bennett, a Dollhouse employee who shares a secret past with Eliza Dushku's Echo.
Jamie Bamber (from "Battlestar") will appear as a charismatic businessman who is Echo's new husband. Michael Hogan ("Battlestar") comes to Dollhouse hoping to stop a psychotic family member's killing spree. Alexis Denisof ("Angel") is cast as a U.S. senator leading a witch hunt to track down the underground organization. Keith Carradine ("Dexter") plays the nemesis of Dollhouse leader Adelle.
"Dollhouse" struggled on Friday nights last season, and the network is hoping the cast additions, along with some creative tweaks, will help the show gain a broader audience.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
UK's Channel 4 to ditch Big Brother reality show
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain's Channel 4 said on Wednesday it was ditching the once-popular "Big Brother" reality television series amid falling ratings for this year's show.
Launched in Britain in 2000, the show in which the public votes to evict contestants from a house and garden where they are continuously filmed made celebrities out of Jade Goody and "Nasty" Nick Bateman.
It was at the center of a major broadcasting scandal in 2007, when contestant Goody was accused of racist bullying of Indian housemate Shilpa Shetty, prompting tens of thousands of complaints and dominating media headlines.
Goody was evicted in a public vote and Bollywood actress Shetty went on to win the series.
Some commentators said 'Big Brother,' owned by a consortium comprising Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Italy's Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group, never fully recovered from the race row, after which they said it was "watered down."
Others believed the show had grown stale and failed to win over the "Facebook generation" of young viewers more likely to find their entertainment on the Internet.
Estimates show that around two million people have been tuning in to the latest 'Big Brother' series, the 10th -- a fraction of its peak audience of 10 million.
Even bookmakers have felt the effect, with gambling on the outcome of this year's show down 75 percent on 2008, according to William Hill.
Endemol suggested in a statement that it may seek a deal with another broadcaster: "As for 2011, stay tuned. 'Big Brother' will get back to you ..."
TIME TO MOVE ON
Kevin Lygo, director of television and content at Channel 4, said next year's series of "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Big Brother" would be the last on the network.
"'Big Brother' is still profitable for Channel 4 despite its reduced popularity and there could have been the option to renew it on more favorable terms," he said in a statement.
"That's what a purely commercial broadcaster would have done, but Channel 4 has a public remit to champion new forms of creativity.
"The program ('Big Brother') has reached a natural end point on Channel 4 and it's time to move on."
Lygo said dropping "Big Brother" would not solve the company's funding shortfalls, adding that the channel had nearly 125 million pounds ($200 million) less to spend in 2009 than two years ago. Next year may be even worse, he added.
"However ... the significant sums that have been committed to 'Big Brother' in the past should now be available to boost budgets in genres such as drama that have had to be cut back sharply during the downturn."
Channel 4 said original drama spending would be boosted by 20 million pounds ($32 million) from 2011.
Launched in Britain in 2000, the show in which the public votes to evict contestants from a house and garden where they are continuously filmed made celebrities out of Jade Goody and "Nasty" Nick Bateman.
It was at the center of a major broadcasting scandal in 2007, when contestant Goody was accused of racist bullying of Indian housemate Shilpa Shetty, prompting tens of thousands of complaints and dominating media headlines.
Goody was evicted in a public vote and Bollywood actress Shetty went on to win the series.
Some commentators said 'Big Brother,' owned by a consortium comprising Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Italy's Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group, never fully recovered from the race row, after which they said it was "watered down."
Others believed the show had grown stale and failed to win over the "Facebook generation" of young viewers more likely to find their entertainment on the Internet.
Estimates show that around two million people have been tuning in to the latest 'Big Brother' series, the 10th -- a fraction of its peak audience of 10 million.
Even bookmakers have felt the effect, with gambling on the outcome of this year's show down 75 percent on 2008, according to William Hill.
Endemol suggested in a statement that it may seek a deal with another broadcaster: "As for 2011, stay tuned. 'Big Brother' will get back to you ..."
TIME TO MOVE ON
Kevin Lygo, director of television and content at Channel 4, said next year's series of "Celebrity Big Brother" and "Big Brother" would be the last on the network.
"'Big Brother' is still profitable for Channel 4 despite its reduced popularity and there could have been the option to renew it on more favorable terms," he said in a statement.
"That's what a purely commercial broadcaster would have done, but Channel 4 has a public remit to champion new forms of creativity.
"The program ('Big Brother') has reached a natural end point on Channel 4 and it's time to move on."
Lygo said dropping "Big Brother" would not solve the company's funding shortfalls, adding that the channel had nearly 125 million pounds ($200 million) less to spend in 2009 than two years ago. Next year may be even worse, he added.
"However ... the significant sums that have been committed to 'Big Brother' in the past should now be available to boost budgets in genres such as drama that have had to be cut back sharply during the downturn."
Channel 4 said original drama spending would be boosted by 20 million pounds ($32 million) from 2011.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Paramount, Redbox in trial DVD rental program
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Paramount Home Entertainment and Coinstar Inc's Redbox said on Tuesday they have entered into an agreement that will provide the DVD rental kiosk service with access to Paramount Pictures releases on a trial basis through the end of the year.
Following the four-month trial period Paramount, a unit of Viacom, will have the option to extend the program through 2014, with an out clause after two years.
Under a revenue-sharing agreement, Redbox estimates it would pay Paramount roughly $575 million if the deal runs through the extended period, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Paramount's DVDs will be made available to Redbox on the so-called "street date," when the title is released to the public. In addition, as part of the agreement, Redbox has agreed to destroy DVDs once the company removes them from the kiosk.
Redbox expects the DVDs licensed and purchased from Paramount to represent close to one-fifth of the Redbox's 2009 total.
Redbox operates more than 15,000 rental kiosks across the country, and the company is battling multiple video providers over its distribution service.
Some Hollywood studios fear the chain's $1 rentals are hurting rental revenue and DVD revenues even as the overall DVD market is shrinking.
Redbox has sued Time Warner Inc unit Warner Home Video, News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Studios for trying to stop it from renting out films on the day of retail release.
Following the four-month trial period Paramount, a unit of Viacom, will have the option to extend the program through 2014, with an out clause after two years.
Under a revenue-sharing agreement, Redbox estimates it would pay Paramount roughly $575 million if the deal runs through the extended period, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Paramount's DVDs will be made available to Redbox on the so-called "street date," when the title is released to the public. In addition, as part of the agreement, Redbox has agreed to destroy DVDs once the company removes them from the kiosk.
Redbox expects the DVDs licensed and purchased from Paramount to represent close to one-fifth of the Redbox's 2009 total.
Redbox operates more than 15,000 rental kiosks across the country, and the company is battling multiple video providers over its distribution service.
Some Hollywood studios fear the chain's $1 rentals are hurting rental revenue and DVD revenues even as the overall DVD market is shrinking.
Redbox has sued Time Warner Inc unit Warner Home Video, News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Studios for trying to stop it from renting out films on the day of retail release.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Jessica Biel named `most dangerous celebrity'
NEW YORK – Jessica Biel is the most dangerous celebrity on the Web.
Security technology company McAfee Inc. on Tuesday reported that searches for the 27-year-old actress are more likely to lead to online threats such as spyware and viruses than searches for any other celebrity.
McAfee said fans searching for the actress have a one-in-five chance of ending up at a Web site designed to damage one's computer. Its the third annual report on the subject from McAfee, which last year found that Brad Pitt was the "most dangerous" celeb online.
"Cybercriminals are star watchers, too," said Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee's product development. "They latch onto popular celebrities to encourage the download of malicious software in disguise."
Following Biel in the report, in order, were Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Brady and Jessica Simpson. McAfee noted President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are curiously safe searches, ranking no. 34 and no. 39, respectively.
Security technology company McAfee Inc. on Tuesday reported that searches for the 27-year-old actress are more likely to lead to online threats such as spyware and viruses than searches for any other celebrity.
McAfee said fans searching for the actress have a one-in-five chance of ending up at a Web site designed to damage one's computer. Its the third annual report on the subject from McAfee, which last year found that Brad Pitt was the "most dangerous" celeb online.
"Cybercriminals are star watchers, too," said Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee's product development. "They latch onto popular celebrities to encourage the download of malicious software in disguise."
Following Biel in the report, in order, were Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Brady and Jessica Simpson. McAfee noted President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are curiously safe searches, ranking no. 34 and no. 39, respectively.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Blue Rodeo readying new double-disc album to be released in October
TORONTO - Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy feels the wind of change sweeping through a record industry that is increasingly moving away from traditional album releases.
He just doesn't care.
"It was funny 'cause just recently, (Radiohead lead singer) Thom Yorke said he couldn't be bothered making albums anymore - that the album was dead, and he was going to make singles from now on," Cuddy told The Canadian Press in a recent telephone interview.
"Well we're making a double record. In an effort to swim completely cross-current - we're very excited about this - we're making a double record, so we'll have a double vinyl and a double CD."
Cuddy says Blue Rodeo is just finishing the new album at their Toronto studio now, and it'll be released at the end of October. The title, he thinks, will be "All The Things We Left Behind."
"It's just sort of a massive work," Cuddy said. "It's 16 songs, and it's very enjoyable for us to be thinking about splitting it into two sections, and then splitting each one into a different side."
Cuddy said the record would feature vocals from Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti. Unsurprisingly, the album sounds like it'll be a throwback of sorts.
"It's pretty organic, acoustic-y," Cuddy said. "It's got a lot of vocals on it. We're kind of harkening back to Neil Young, CSNY, that kind of vocal sound - much more falsetto, bigger choirs. "
"There's a couple songs that are very different for us, instrumentation-wise too. It's got a pretty wide range, as I think you'd expect from a double record."
And Cuddy says he's particularly excited about the prospect of laying the record out on double vinyl.
"I'm becoming more of a vinyl-phile, all the time, as more become available, which is great," he said. "How to split it up - an A-side is different than a B-side, is a B-side heavier, or more sleepy, or whatever? - it's been a very enjoyable little conundrum for us to try to figure out how to arrange this."
Blue Rodeo will play the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto on Aug. 27 with September shows scheduled in London, Ont., and Carp, Ont.
He just doesn't care.
"It was funny 'cause just recently, (Radiohead lead singer) Thom Yorke said he couldn't be bothered making albums anymore - that the album was dead, and he was going to make singles from now on," Cuddy told The Canadian Press in a recent telephone interview.
"Well we're making a double record. In an effort to swim completely cross-current - we're very excited about this - we're making a double record, so we'll have a double vinyl and a double CD."
Cuddy says Blue Rodeo is just finishing the new album at their Toronto studio now, and it'll be released at the end of October. The title, he thinks, will be "All The Things We Left Behind."
"It's just sort of a massive work," Cuddy said. "It's 16 songs, and it's very enjoyable for us to be thinking about splitting it into two sections, and then splitting each one into a different side."
Cuddy said the record would feature vocals from Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti. Unsurprisingly, the album sounds like it'll be a throwback of sorts.
"It's pretty organic, acoustic-y," Cuddy said. "It's got a lot of vocals on it. We're kind of harkening back to Neil Young, CSNY, that kind of vocal sound - much more falsetto, bigger choirs. "
"There's a couple songs that are very different for us, instrumentation-wise too. It's got a pretty wide range, as I think you'd expect from a double record."
And Cuddy says he's particularly excited about the prospect of laying the record out on double vinyl.
"I'm becoming more of a vinyl-phile, all the time, as more become available, which is great," he said. "How to split it up - an A-side is different than a B-side, is a B-side heavier, or more sleepy, or whatever? - it's been a very enjoyable little conundrum for us to try to figure out how to arrange this."
Blue Rodeo will play the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto on Aug. 27 with September shows scheduled in London, Ont., and Carp, Ont.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Exiled Cubans threaten Juanes over Havana concert
An international concert to be headlined by Colombian rocker Juanes in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution has come under fire from some exiled Cubans in Miami.
The second Peace Without Borders concert, scheduled for Sept. 20, is being criticized for supporting Cuba's communist government.
Juanes, who now lives in Florida, told Key Biscayne police that he had received death threats via his Twitter account. The Associated Press said police are taking the threats against him seriously, and are watching his home and the home of his business manager.
The Miami Herald added that the criticism seems to have surprised the Grammy winner, 37, whose songs are known for their messages of love, humanity and family.
But Juanes is also well known for his social activism. His first Peace Without Borders concert in March 2008 drew tens of thousands of fans to the border between Venezuela and Colombia when tensions were high over a Colombian commando raid into neighbouring Ecuador that killed a leading rebel commander.
He also runs a foundation that helps land-mine victims in Colombia.
Other performers scheduled to perform in Havana are Cuban folk legend Silvio Rodriguez and Cuban salsa stars Los Van Van.
Promoters insist the concert will have no political overtones despite being staged in the plaza, which has a six-storey homage to revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara on the side of a building.
Cuba has condemned the threats made against Juanes. Its state news agency, Prensa Latina, said on Saturday the show will go ahead as planned.
The second Peace Without Borders concert, scheduled for Sept. 20, is being criticized for supporting Cuba's communist government.
Juanes, who now lives in Florida, told Key Biscayne police that he had received death threats via his Twitter account. The Associated Press said police are taking the threats against him seriously, and are watching his home and the home of his business manager.
The Miami Herald added that the criticism seems to have surprised the Grammy winner, 37, whose songs are known for their messages of love, humanity and family.
But Juanes is also well known for his social activism. His first Peace Without Borders concert in March 2008 drew tens of thousands of fans to the border between Venezuela and Colombia when tensions were high over a Colombian commando raid into neighbouring Ecuador that killed a leading rebel commander.
He also runs a foundation that helps land-mine victims in Colombia.
Other performers scheduled to perform in Havana are Cuban folk legend Silvio Rodriguez and Cuban salsa stars Los Van Van.
Promoters insist the concert will have no political overtones despite being staged in the plaza, which has a six-storey homage to revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara on the side of a building.
Cuba has condemned the threats made against Juanes. Its state news agency, Prensa Latina, said on Saturday the show will go ahead as planned.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Kids in the Hall return with murder mystery
Fifteen years after The Kids in the Hall aired on CBC Television, the five original members of the Canadian sketch comedy team have reassembled in North Bay, Ont., to shoot an eight-part TV series.
Death Comes to Town will premiere on CBC in January.
The series is about a killing spree in a small town and the trial that follows. It opens with the character of Death, played by Mark McKinney, getting off a Greyhound bus.
"It's our version of comedy… with a whodunit as the engine," Kids co-founder Bruce McCulloch told CBC Radio's cultural affairs program Q from North Bay on Friday.
The troupe's five members — Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, McCulloch, McKinney and Scott Thompson — reunited at Montreal's Just for Laughs festival in 2007 and toured across North America last year. "We never broke up," McCulloch said. "We just didn't do anything."
The Kids in the Hall ran on CBC from 1988 to 1994, and on two U.S. networks until 1995.
Troupe members came up with new material for the tour. "And we had just enough juice left in the pear that we felt we had to do something" with it, McCulloch said.
"It felt like the passion, as they say in Los Angeles, within the group was to do a little, weird TV series so we could have deeper drawers for weird characters and stories."
McCulloch came up with the idea for the series. Thompson coined the name Shockton, the small town in which the murder mystery is set. And all five Kids co-wrote the show.
Even though the Kids have been working on individual projects in recent years, McCulloch said the troupe's style has not significantly changed "in terms of what we like. And we all know what each other is going to say in terms of a point of view on a comedy moment. But it's interesting to come back with our different ideas and even the different phrases that we've learned and use."
And although most of them are now based in the United States, he contends the group is even more uniquely Canadian than ever. "But I don't think we ever really made fun of Canadians," he said.
His character is a 600-pound former hockey star; wearing the fat suit required for the part can be physically daunting, McCulloch said. "When you get into the suit, you realize it isn't as funny as you thought."
Now that they are in sync again, fans may see more of the Kids. "We're setting ourselves up to do something every so often," McCulloch said.
Death Comes to Town will premiere on CBC in January.
The series is about a killing spree in a small town and the trial that follows. It opens with the character of Death, played by Mark McKinney, getting off a Greyhound bus.
"It's our version of comedy… with a whodunit as the engine," Kids co-founder Bruce McCulloch told CBC Radio's cultural affairs program Q from North Bay on Friday.
The troupe's five members — Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, McCulloch, McKinney and Scott Thompson — reunited at Montreal's Just for Laughs festival in 2007 and toured across North America last year. "We never broke up," McCulloch said. "We just didn't do anything."
The Kids in the Hall ran on CBC from 1988 to 1994, and on two U.S. networks until 1995.
Troupe members came up with new material for the tour. "And we had just enough juice left in the pear that we felt we had to do something" with it, McCulloch said.
"It felt like the passion, as they say in Los Angeles, within the group was to do a little, weird TV series so we could have deeper drawers for weird characters and stories."
McCulloch came up with the idea for the series. Thompson coined the name Shockton, the small town in which the murder mystery is set. And all five Kids co-wrote the show.
Even though the Kids have been working on individual projects in recent years, McCulloch said the troupe's style has not significantly changed "in terms of what we like. And we all know what each other is going to say in terms of a point of view on a comedy moment. But it's interesting to come back with our different ideas and even the different phrases that we've learned and use."
And although most of them are now based in the United States, he contends the group is even more uniquely Canadian than ever. "But I don't think we ever really made fun of Canadians," he said.
His character is a 600-pound former hockey star; wearing the fat suit required for the part can be physically daunting, McCulloch said. "When you get into the suit, you realize it isn't as funny as you thought."
Now that they are in sync again, fans may see more of the Kids. "We're setting ourselves up to do something every so often," McCulloch said.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Billy Bob Thornton in the ring for boxing movie
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) – Million Dollar Billy Bob? Billy Bob Thornton is attached to star in "Pound for Pound," a boxing drama based on a novel by F.X. Toole, the author of the book that was the source for "Million Dollar Baby."
Ron Shelton will write and direct the indie film.
The project centers on the parallel lives of a retired, widowed boxer who's beset by depression after his grandson is killed in a car accident and an up-and-coming teenage Latino fighter from a difficult background. The lives of the two intersect in unexpected ways.
Toole was the pen name for the late boxing cutman Jerry Boyd. Two years after he died, the stories in his collection "Rope Burns" became the basis for the Clint Eastwood/Paul Haggis drama "Million Dollar Baby." The 2004 movie earned $207 million worldwide, was nominated for seven Oscars and won four, including best picture.
"Pound' was published two years later, the manuscript shaped by Toole's agent, Nat Sobel, and a freelance editor.
Among Thornton's upcoming projects is the baseball drama "Three Nights in August," which he will produce and star in.
Shelton also plans to direct "Q School," a golf comedy he wrote that Tim Allen and Dennis Quaid are eyeing for starring roles. The movie takes the director, known for a range of sports-themed movies such as "Bull Durham" and "White Men Can't Jump," back into the ring for the first time since "Play It to the Bone," a Las Vegas-set boxing picture he wrote and directed which starred Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson.
Ron Shelton will write and direct the indie film.
The project centers on the parallel lives of a retired, widowed boxer who's beset by depression after his grandson is killed in a car accident and an up-and-coming teenage Latino fighter from a difficult background. The lives of the two intersect in unexpected ways.
Toole was the pen name for the late boxing cutman Jerry Boyd. Two years after he died, the stories in his collection "Rope Burns" became the basis for the Clint Eastwood/Paul Haggis drama "Million Dollar Baby." The 2004 movie earned $207 million worldwide, was nominated for seven Oscars and won four, including best picture.
"Pound' was published two years later, the manuscript shaped by Toole's agent, Nat Sobel, and a freelance editor.
Among Thornton's upcoming projects is the baseball drama "Three Nights in August," which he will produce and star in.
Shelton also plans to direct "Q School," a golf comedy he wrote that Tim Allen and Dennis Quaid are eyeing for starring roles. The movie takes the director, known for a range of sports-themed movies such as "Bull Durham" and "White Men Can't Jump," back into the ring for the first time since "Play It to the Bone," a Las Vegas-set boxing picture he wrote and directed which starred Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Reality TV contestant sought in death of CA model
BUENA PARK, Calif. – Police said Wednesday they want to question a reality television contestant about the death of a former swimsuit model found dead in a trash bin after a stormy relationship with the man.
Police say Ryan Jenkins may be heading to his native Canada after reporting the model, 28-year-old Jasmine Fiore, missing Saturday night to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Jenkins, 32, appeared on the reality TV show "Megan Wants a Millionaire."
Lisa Lepore says her daughter Fiore married Jenkins in Las Vegas in March but had the marriage annulled in May. However, she says Jenkins convinced her daughter to take him back.
Fiore's nude body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a Buena Park trash bin on Saturday. Officials say she may have been strangled.
Fiore, of Los Angeles, was last seen alive with Jenkins at a poker game in San Diego.
"At this point, he's merely a person of interest, simply because of the suspiciousness of his disappearance. We can't find him," Lt. Gary Worral said.
"We find it suspicious that with all the media coverage that he has not made himself available to us," he said.
Jenkins, variously described as an architect, real estate developer and investment banker from Calgary, appeared in three episodes of the VH1 reality series "Megan Wants a Millionaire," about a woman seeking to land a wealthy bachelor by putting suitors through their paces, such as designing a marketing campaign for her Chihuahua.
On the show, Jenkins was identified as an investment banker with a couple of million dollars in the bank.
Lepore says her daughter modeled about two years ago but had left the business. She said Jenkins had his eyes on Hollywood.
"He had stars in his eyes," she said. "He was totally jazzed, like, being a star."
Police say Ryan Jenkins may be heading to his native Canada after reporting the model, 28-year-old Jasmine Fiore, missing Saturday night to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Jenkins, 32, appeared on the reality TV show "Megan Wants a Millionaire."
Lisa Lepore says her daughter Fiore married Jenkins in Las Vegas in March but had the marriage annulled in May. However, she says Jenkins convinced her daughter to take him back.
Fiore's nude body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a Buena Park trash bin on Saturday. Officials say she may have been strangled.
Fiore, of Los Angeles, was last seen alive with Jenkins at a poker game in San Diego.
"At this point, he's merely a person of interest, simply because of the suspiciousness of his disappearance. We can't find him," Lt. Gary Worral said.
"We find it suspicious that with all the media coverage that he has not made himself available to us," he said.
Jenkins, variously described as an architect, real estate developer and investment banker from Calgary, appeared in three episodes of the VH1 reality series "Megan Wants a Millionaire," about a woman seeking to land a wealthy bachelor by putting suitors through their paces, such as designing a marketing campaign for her Chihuahua.
On the show, Jenkins was identified as an investment banker with a couple of million dollars in the bank.
Lepore says her daughter modeled about two years ago but had left the business. She said Jenkins had his eyes on Hollywood.
"He had stars in his eyes," she said. "He was totally jazzed, like, being a star."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
'President' Spears administration would include free pie for everybody
NEW YORK - What would a President Spears administration be like? Apparently, very tasty.
Britney Spears appeared on David Letterman's "Late Show" on Tuesday to deliver a Top Ten list of ways the country would be different if she were president. "Free pie for everybody," Spears declared. For No. 10 on the list, Spears said she'd be "the first president since Nixon to wear eye shadow."
The pop star appeared eager to show off her buff new body. She delivered the list in a bikini.
Spears also joked that her situation room would be a cabana at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, and she'd challenge the U.S. to put a nightclub on the moon within a decade.
Her top reason?
"Finally," she said, "the media would pay some attention to me."
Britney Spears appeared on David Letterman's "Late Show" on Tuesday to deliver a Top Ten list of ways the country would be different if she were president. "Free pie for everybody," Spears declared. For No. 10 on the list, Spears said she'd be "the first president since Nixon to wear eye shadow."
The pop star appeared eager to show off her buff new body. She delivered the list in a bikini.
Spears also joked that her situation room would be a cabana at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, and she'd challenge the U.S. to put a nightclub on the moon within a decade.
Her top reason?
"Finally," she said, "the media would pay some attention to me."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Sean Cullen to sub for injured Stratford regular
Canadian funnyman Sean Cullen is returning to the stage to replace an injured Stratford festival regular in the musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announced Monday that Cullen will step into the role of Pseudolus in the company's current production of the bawdy, ancient Rome-set, award-winning farce by Stephen Sondheim, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
Actor Bruce Dow — a Stratford regular whose roles have included the Emcee in Cabaret, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha and Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls — is withdrawing from the rest of the season after suffering an injury that requires an extended recovery.
Comedian and actor Cullen, who played one of the leads in the Canadian run of The Producers, will take over the role in early September.
"He'll be surrounded by our extraordinarily talented and supportive troupe of players," artistic director Des McAnuff, who is also helming the production, said in a statement from the festival in southwestern Ontario.
"This is a setback but we look forward to [Dow's] return. He is deeply loved by our audiences and will be missed during his recovery," added general director Antoni Cimolino.
Cullen, who rose to fame as a member of comedy troupe Corky and the Juice Pigs, is an author of young adult books, a regular at comedy festivals around the globe also has a host of television credits, include talk show performances, being a finalist on the reality competition Last Comic Standing and his eponymous CBC-TV program.
This year's Stratford Shakespeare Festival continues until Nov. 1.
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announced Monday that Cullen will step into the role of Pseudolus in the company's current production of the bawdy, ancient Rome-set, award-winning farce by Stephen Sondheim, Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
Actor Bruce Dow — a Stratford regular whose roles have included the Emcee in Cabaret, Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha and Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls — is withdrawing from the rest of the season after suffering an injury that requires an extended recovery.
Comedian and actor Cullen, who played one of the leads in the Canadian run of The Producers, will take over the role in early September.
"He'll be surrounded by our extraordinarily talented and supportive troupe of players," artistic director Des McAnuff, who is also helming the production, said in a statement from the festival in southwestern Ontario.
"This is a setback but we look forward to [Dow's] return. He is deeply loved by our audiences and will be missed during his recovery," added general director Antoni Cimolino.
Cullen, who rose to fame as a member of comedy troupe Corky and the Juice Pigs, is an author of young adult books, a regular at comedy festivals around the globe also has a host of television credits, include talk show performances, being a finalist on the reality competition Last Comic Standing and his eponymous CBC-TV program.
This year's Stratford Shakespeare Festival continues until Nov. 1.
Monday, August 17, 2009
'District 9' lifts off with No. 1 weekend at $37M
LOS ANGELES – The acclaimed sci-fi thriller "District 9" has given Hollywood a late-summer box office boost.
The alien saga produced by "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson led the weekend with a $37 million debut.
Another sci-fi tale, the romance "The Time Traveler's Wife," opened a solid No. 2 with $19.2 million.
The two movies led a rare wave of new wide releases for mid-August, when Hollywood's summer output normally is petering out.
The weekend's other debuts: The used-car comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," opening at No. 6 with $5.4 million; the animated adventure "Ponyo," coming in at No. 9 with $3.5 million; and the teen rock 'n' roll tale "Bandslam," which tanked at No. 13 with just $2.3 million.
The alien saga produced by "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson led the weekend with a $37 million debut.
Another sci-fi tale, the romance "The Time Traveler's Wife," opened a solid No. 2 with $19.2 million.
The two movies led a rare wave of new wide releases for mid-August, when Hollywood's summer output normally is petering out.
The weekend's other debuts: The used-car comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard," opening at No. 6 with $5.4 million; the animated adventure "Ponyo," coming in at No. 9 with $3.5 million; and the teen rock 'n' roll tale "Bandslam," which tanked at No. 13 with just $2.3 million.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Producers evict Chima Simone from 'Big Brother 11'
LOS ANGELES - Chima Simone is no longer in the "Big Brother" house.
CBS said producers removed the 33-year-old freelance journalist from the voyeuristic reality series for breaking the show's rules. The network also said Simone will not be part of the jury that selects the $500,000 grand prize winner.
"Chima has been evicted by the producers from the 'Big Brother' house for violating the rules," CBS said in a statement released Saturday. "She will not be part of the show's jury. Her eviction will be addressed on an upcoming broadcast of the show."
A CBS spokeswoman did not immediately return messages seeking further comment.
Simone, from West Hollywood, Calif., was last seen on the show conjuring conspiracy theories after her ally, bodybuilder Jessie Godderz, was spontaneously nominated for eviction Thursday because of the "coup d'etat," a power secretly voted on by viewers that was used to overthrow Simone's nominations.
"Looks like me and the producers need to have a little bit of a talk," she said.
Since entering the "Big Brother 11" house last month, Simone has been one of the season's most outspoken houseguests. When she was nominated for eviction during the first week, CBS censored her live last-plea speech, which referenced derogatory terms used by her competitor.
Seven contestants remain on "Big Brother 11."
CBS said producers removed the 33-year-old freelance journalist from the voyeuristic reality series for breaking the show's rules. The network also said Simone will not be part of the jury that selects the $500,000 grand prize winner.
"Chima has been evicted by the producers from the 'Big Brother' house for violating the rules," CBS said in a statement released Saturday. "She will not be part of the show's jury. Her eviction will be addressed on an upcoming broadcast of the show."
A CBS spokeswoman did not immediately return messages seeking further comment.
Simone, from West Hollywood, Calif., was last seen on the show conjuring conspiracy theories after her ally, bodybuilder Jessie Godderz, was spontaneously nominated for eviction Thursday because of the "coup d'etat," a power secretly voted on by viewers that was used to overthrow Simone's nominations.
"Looks like me and the producers need to have a little bit of a talk," she said.
Since entering the "Big Brother 11" house last month, Simone has been one of the season's most outspoken houseguests. When she was nominated for eviction during the first week, CBS censored her live last-plea speech, which referenced derogatory terms used by her competitor.
Seven contestants remain on "Big Brother 11."
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Michael Jackson label see sales boom
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain's Chrysalis Group, publisher of Michael Jackson hit songs including "Thriller" and "Rock With You," has seen a huge surge in the sale of his work, and is set to see the benefit in the coming months.
Chrysalis, which on Friday reported a rise in quarterly normalized operating profit, said it held the rights to a number of Jackson's best-known hits through their writer Rod Temperton.
"The unexpected death of Michael Jackson has resulted in an extraordinary surge in the sale of his work," Chrysalis said in a statement.
Jackson died on June 25 and the increase in sales would not be seen in the third-quarter results for April to June, but the regular playing of Jackson songs on radio, TV and in public are likely to have an impact on the fourth quarter and beyond.
"There will be some income coming in from the mechanical sale of CDs and downloads, from the frenzy after he died, and undoubtedly there will be performances coming through from when he was played on the radio," Finance Officer Andy Mollett told Reuters.
"But none of that income comes in immediately. We'll get it probably in the next financial year."
Apple Inc.'s iTunes, the biggest music retailer in the United States, said shortly after Jackson's death that his albums accounted for the top nine sellers, led by a hits package and his 1982 blockbuster "Thriller.
Chrysalis said that its quarterly financial performance had been in line with its expectations, following good performances from The Gossip, Bat for Lashes and The Fleet Foxes.
The net publisher's share (NPS), a key revenue metric for the group based on royalties, was up 9.9 percent for the nine months, but down 3.8 percent on a constant currency basis.
Despite uncertainty of macro-economic and exchange rate effects, Chrysalis said it expected an annual consolidated NPS growth for 2009 on a constant currency basis and that the fiscal fourth quarter was usually its strongest.
Shares in the group were up 14.8 percent at 77.5 pence, giving it a market value of about 52 million pounds ($86 million).
Chrysalis, which on Friday reported a rise in quarterly normalized operating profit, said it held the rights to a number of Jackson's best-known hits through their writer Rod Temperton.
"The unexpected death of Michael Jackson has resulted in an extraordinary surge in the sale of his work," Chrysalis said in a statement.
Jackson died on June 25 and the increase in sales would not be seen in the third-quarter results for April to June, but the regular playing of Jackson songs on radio, TV and in public are likely to have an impact on the fourth quarter and beyond.
"There will be some income coming in from the mechanical sale of CDs and downloads, from the frenzy after he died, and undoubtedly there will be performances coming through from when he was played on the radio," Finance Officer Andy Mollett told Reuters.
"But none of that income comes in immediately. We'll get it probably in the next financial year."
Apple Inc.'s iTunes, the biggest music retailer in the United States, said shortly after Jackson's death that his albums accounted for the top nine sellers, led by a hits package and his 1982 blockbuster "Thriller.
Chrysalis said that its quarterly financial performance had been in line with its expectations, following good performances from The Gossip, Bat for Lashes and The Fleet Foxes.
The net publisher's share (NPS), a key revenue metric for the group based on royalties, was up 9.9 percent for the nine months, but down 3.8 percent on a constant currency basis.
Despite uncertainty of macro-economic and exchange rate effects, Chrysalis said it expected an annual consolidated NPS growth for 2009 on a constant currency basis and that the fiscal fourth quarter was usually its strongest.
Shares in the group were up 14.8 percent at 77.5 pence, giving it a market value of about 52 million pounds ($86 million).
Friday, August 14, 2009
Plinth 'sculpture' told to don pants
A man participating in a public art project used his hour on top of a plinth in London's Trafalgar Square to strip down on Wednesday, only to be ordered to put his pants back on by police.
The man, who gave his name as Simon, was serving as a sort of living sculpture as part Antony Gormley's One and Other art project, which involves people standing atop a plinth in Trafalgar Square for an hour each.
The man was fully clothed when he was lowered onto the plinth, which stands against a backdrop of the National Museum in central London.
But he proceeded to strip everything off, to cheers and laughter from onlookers.
Organizers then told him: "Simon, you're going to have to put something on or [the police] want you down ... some pants or something. Thank you."
He then donned his boxers and finished out his hour on the plinth.
In a post on the project's website, Simon explained why he wanted to take part.
"Am just about to hit 50. Presently going through a difficult but long-anticipated separation," he wrote.
"Feeling renewed, though. This event will serve to symbolize the beginning of a new age for me. Always wanted to be a sculpture."
Gormley had expected nudists when he created the project, a spokeswoman said, although all participants must sign a release agreeing not to do anything lewd or illegal.
In July, one woman went topless and painted her breasts as part of her performance on the plinth.
The project will display 2,400 people, selected by lottery, over a 100-day period ending in October.
The man, who gave his name as Simon, was serving as a sort of living sculpture as part Antony Gormley's One and Other art project, which involves people standing atop a plinth in Trafalgar Square for an hour each.
The man was fully clothed when he was lowered onto the plinth, which stands against a backdrop of the National Museum in central London.
But he proceeded to strip everything off, to cheers and laughter from onlookers.
Organizers then told him: "Simon, you're going to have to put something on or [the police] want you down ... some pants or something. Thank you."
He then donned his boxers and finished out his hour on the plinth.
In a post on the project's website, Simon explained why he wanted to take part.
"Am just about to hit 50. Presently going through a difficult but long-anticipated separation," he wrote.
"Feeling renewed, though. This event will serve to symbolize the beginning of a new age for me. Always wanted to be a sculpture."
Gormley had expected nudists when he created the project, a spokeswoman said, although all participants must sign a release agreeing not to do anything lewd or illegal.
In July, one woman went topless and painted her breasts as part of her performance on the plinth.
The project will display 2,400 people, selected by lottery, over a 100-day period ending in October.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
'America's Got Talent' narrows field to 5
LOS ANGELES – A trio of singing siblings, five sisters who tap dance, three tenors from Texas, a husband-and-wife dance team and a man and his dog are advancing to the next round of "America's Got Talent."
Voices of Glory, a singing trio from Highland, New York; the Fab Five, dancing sisters from Morgan, Utah; the Texas Tenors of Houston; Paradizo Dance from Brooklyn; and Tony Hoard and his dog Rory from New Castle, Ind., learned Wednesday that they will compete in the show's semifinals. All are vying for a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show in October.
Nick Cannon hosts. Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff preside over the competition and offer advice, but viewers choose who wins the NBC talent show. Fans can vote for their favorites via phone, e-mail and text message, with a limit of 10 votes per phone number or address.
Morgan was disappointed that Hoard and Rory advanced instead of a piano-playing singer from California.
"If Charles DeWayne does not go through tonight, it will be the biggest scandal in the history of 'America's Got Talent,'" he said.
Apparently, scandal ensued.
Other contestants advancing to the semifinals earned unanimous praise from the judges. Osbourne called the Fab Five and Rory the dog "brilliant." Morgan called Paradizo dance "incredible" and lauded the Texas Tenors, saying their performance made him "proud to be American, and I'm not even an American." Hasselhoff said the Voices of Glory are "fantastic" and "what this show's about."
Wednesday's episode also featured a performance by the band LMFAO and magicians Penn and Teller.
Voices of Glory, a singing trio from Highland, New York; the Fab Five, dancing sisters from Morgan, Utah; the Texas Tenors of Houston; Paradizo Dance from Brooklyn; and Tony Hoard and his dog Rory from New Castle, Ind., learned Wednesday that they will compete in the show's semifinals. All are vying for a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show in October.
Nick Cannon hosts. Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff preside over the competition and offer advice, but viewers choose who wins the NBC talent show. Fans can vote for their favorites via phone, e-mail and text message, with a limit of 10 votes per phone number or address.
Morgan was disappointed that Hoard and Rory advanced instead of a piano-playing singer from California.
"If Charles DeWayne does not go through tonight, it will be the biggest scandal in the history of 'America's Got Talent,'" he said.
Apparently, scandal ensued.
Other contestants advancing to the semifinals earned unanimous praise from the judges. Osbourne called the Fab Five and Rory the dog "brilliant." Morgan called Paradizo dance "incredible" and lauded the Texas Tenors, saying their performance made him "proud to be American, and I'm not even an American." Hasselhoff said the Voices of Glory are "fantastic" and "what this show's about."
Wednesday's episode also featured a performance by the band LMFAO and magicians Penn and Teller.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
U.S. drug agents conduct new raid in Jackson probe
Police conducted a new raid of a Las Vegas medical facility Tuesday in their continuing probe into the death of Michael Jackson, this time searching a pharmacy for documents and computer records.
Officials with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, which is assisting Los Angeles police in their investigation of the pop star's sudden death on June 25, said agents conducted the raid at a business called Applied Pharmacy Services.
DEA spokesman Jose Martinez declined to say whether the search was tied to Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, whose house and medical offices were raided last month in Houston and in Las Vegas. But Martinez did confirm that Tuesday's raid involves the probe into Jackson's death.
Jackson suffered cardiac arrest and died at age 50. Since then, numerous media reports have said investigators are focusing on his use of prescription drugs, particularly the powerful anesthetic propofol, and Murray's possible involvement in providing it.
On Monday, the Los Angeles County Coroner said it had completed its autopsy report on Jackson's body, but their findings remain under seal while police continue their investigation.
Officials with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, which is assisting Los Angeles police in their investigation of the pop star's sudden death on June 25, said agents conducted the raid at a business called Applied Pharmacy Services.
DEA spokesman Jose Martinez declined to say whether the search was tied to Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, whose house and medical offices were raided last month in Houston and in Las Vegas. But Martinez did confirm that Tuesday's raid involves the probe into Jackson's death.
Jackson suffered cardiac arrest and died at age 50. Since then, numerous media reports have said investigators are focusing on his use of prescription drugs, particularly the powerful anesthetic propofol, and Murray's possible involvement in providing it.
On Monday, the Los Angeles County Coroner said it had completed its autopsy report on Jackson's body, but their findings remain under seal while police continue their investigation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
First Quantum Minerals reports Q2 profit of US$101.5 million, down from year ago
VANCOUVER, B.C. - First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (TSX:FM) said Monday it earned US$101.5 million in its latest quarter, down from a year ago, due to lower copper prices and a $52.7-million hedging charge.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, said the profit amounted to $1.31 per share for the quarter ended June 30 compared with a profit of $208 million or $3.06 per share a year ago.
Sales in the quarter totalled $420.5 million, down from $652.6 million.
In its outlook for the year, the company lowered its gold production guidance down to 220,000 ounces from earlier estimates of 240,000 ounces.
Copper production was unchanged at 380,000 tonnes, but cash costs are now expected to be 88 cents per pound due to a shortfall in local smelting capacity compared with earlier estimates of 80 cents.
Shares in the company, which reported its results after the close of markets, were up 23 cents at C$68.73 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, said the profit amounted to $1.31 per share for the quarter ended June 30 compared with a profit of $208 million or $3.06 per share a year ago.
Sales in the quarter totalled $420.5 million, down from $652.6 million.
In its outlook for the year, the company lowered its gold production guidance down to 220,000 ounces from earlier estimates of 240,000 ounces.
Copper production was unchanged at 380,000 tonnes, but cash costs are now expected to be 88 cents per pound due to a shortfall in local smelting capacity compared with earlier estimates of 80 cents.
Shares in the company, which reported its results after the close of markets, were up 23 cents at C$68.73 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Monday, August 10, 2009
ABC Family teen star crossing over to R&B charts
NEW YORK (Billboard) – R&B singer/actor Mishon has co-starred on ABC Family's "Lincoln Heights" for four seasons. But the 16-year-old was still thrown for a loop when the video for his first single, "Just a Kiss," premiered on BET's "106 & Park."
"It was amazing to see myself on the TV screen with my new joint," Mishon says. "I've been doing this music thing since I was 9; it's my first passion."
"Just a Kiss" has climbed to No. 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since debuting nine weeks ago, while its video is No. 5 on the "106 & Park" top 10 countdown. The song connects with teens because its lyrics about young romance are age-appropriate without being patronizing.
Born Mishon Ratliff, the southern California native signed with the independent label Dynasty Records at age 10 and released his first two albums at 11 and 13, respectively. His third album, "The Yearbook," will be distributed in October by Interscope in partnership with Dynasty and Streamline Records, the home of Lady GaGa.
Interscope has booked Mishon to perform at high schools and teen-centric events like Disney World Grad Night and Boys & Girls Club summer camps.
Additionally, SingersRoom.com launched a contest in which fans can submit their "first kiss" stories for the chance to win a date with Mishon. Similar promotions are in the works with TeenDiariesOnline.com and MyYearbook.
Meanwhile, Mishon, who plays a singer on the show and has performed his own songs as his character, Tay, is still getting used to being famous for all of his talents. "It's funny," he says, "because I started off singing, but now people are like, 'Oh, it's that kid from "Lincoln Heights"!'"
"It was amazing to see myself on the TV screen with my new joint," Mishon says. "I've been doing this music thing since I was 9; it's my first passion."
"Just a Kiss" has climbed to No. 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since debuting nine weeks ago, while its video is No. 5 on the "106 & Park" top 10 countdown. The song connects with teens because its lyrics about young romance are age-appropriate without being patronizing.
Born Mishon Ratliff, the southern California native signed with the independent label Dynasty Records at age 10 and released his first two albums at 11 and 13, respectively. His third album, "The Yearbook," will be distributed in October by Interscope in partnership with Dynasty and Streamline Records, the home of Lady GaGa.
Interscope has booked Mishon to perform at high schools and teen-centric events like Disney World Grad Night and Boys & Girls Club summer camps.
Additionally, SingersRoom.com launched a contest in which fans can submit their "first kiss" stories for the chance to win a date with Mishon. Similar promotions are in the works with TeenDiariesOnline.com and MyYearbook.
Meanwhile, Mishon, who plays a singer on the show and has performed his own songs as his character, Tay, is still getting used to being famous for all of his talents. "It's funny," he says, "because I started off singing, but now people are like, 'Oh, it's that kid from "Lincoln Heights"!'"
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tour bus carrying Christian rock band MercyMe hits car in Indiana; 2 in car die in crash
FORT WAYNE, Indiana - FORT WAYNE, Indiana (AP) - The Christian rock band MercyMe cancelled a show Saturday in the St. Louis area after its tour bus collided with a car in northeastern Indiana, killing two passengers in the car and injuring the pregnant car driver, who had a miscarriage.
No one in the band was seriously injured, sustaining what they described as "minor bumps and bruises." A news story on the crash and a photo of the damaged front of the bus were posted on the band's Web site Saturday.
"MercyMe would like to express their incredible heartache over this horrible accident," the band said in a statement. "They are praying for the families of all who this will affect, and are asking others to please pray as well."
Fort Wayne police Officer Liza Thomas said witnesses told police the bus was going through a green light about 1:15 a.m. when the car made a left turn in front of it. The band from the Dallas area had been in Fort Wayne for a Friday night show at Parkview Field.
"Their hearts are heavy," the band's statement said. "They appreciate the concern they have received from people all over the world."
Two passengers in the car, a male and female, were pronounced dead. Driver Kara Klinker, 18, was in her third trimester of pregnancy and the baby died. Klinker was hospitalized Saturday in critical condition, Thomas said.
Authorities haven't released the names of those killed because their families haven't yet been notified, Thomas said.
Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri, issued a statement saying MercyMe's Saturday show had been rescheduled for Sept. 5.
The band expected other tour stops to go on as scheduled.
MercyMe, known for its 2001 single "I Can Only Imagine," started in 1994 in Greenville, Texas, where several band members live. In July, the band was ranked ninth on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums list for "10," (INO/Provident-Integrity).
MercyMe has sold more than 5 million records, won several Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, an American Music Award and been nominated for a Grammy.
No one in the band was seriously injured, sustaining what they described as "minor bumps and bruises." A news story on the crash and a photo of the damaged front of the bus were posted on the band's Web site Saturday.
"MercyMe would like to express their incredible heartache over this horrible accident," the band said in a statement. "They are praying for the families of all who this will affect, and are asking others to please pray as well."
Fort Wayne police Officer Liza Thomas said witnesses told police the bus was going through a green light about 1:15 a.m. when the car made a left turn in front of it. The band from the Dallas area had been in Fort Wayne for a Friday night show at Parkview Field.
"Their hearts are heavy," the band's statement said. "They appreciate the concern they have received from people all over the world."
Two passengers in the car, a male and female, were pronounced dead. Driver Kara Klinker, 18, was in her third trimester of pregnancy and the baby died. Klinker was hospitalized Saturday in critical condition, Thomas said.
Authorities haven't released the names of those killed because their families haven't yet been notified, Thomas said.
Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri, issued a statement saying MercyMe's Saturday show had been rescheduled for Sept. 5.
The band expected other tour stops to go on as scheduled.
MercyMe, known for its 2001 single "I Can Only Imagine," started in 1994 in Greenville, Texas, where several band members live. In July, the band was ranked ninth on Billboard magazine's Top Christian Albums list for "10," (INO/Provident-Integrity).
MercyMe has sold more than 5 million records, won several Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, an American Music Award and been nominated for a Grammy.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Beckham on hand as 'Idol' resumes post-Paula
DENVER – There was no Paula, but there was a Posh.
Victoria Beckham was on hand Friday for the first round of "American Idol" auditions in the post-Paula Abdul era. The former Spice Girl arrived at a downtown Denver hotel where call-back auditions were being held as scores of onlookers crowded against rope barriers, many snapping photos.
Fox, which airs the popular singing show, said Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges in Abdul's place. But it wasn't immediately clear whether Beckham did any judging Friday, and "Idol" spokeswoman Alex Gillespie declined to say what her role was. Perry was nowhere to be seen.
Judge Kara DioGuardi arrived in a limo wearing a black dress, telling local Fox affiliate KDVR that she was wearing black to mourn Abdul's absence. DioGuardi called Abdul her mentor and the heart of the show.
"She was very kind, she showed me the ropes, so I have to give her the props for that," DioGuardi said. "I hope she is happy and I hope she reconsiders.
Abdul announced this week she was leaving "Idol" after eight seasons. She would not discuss details about her "Idol" exit Thursday in a phone interview, nor would she address whether the door was still open for a return.
Lilly Scott, a contestant at the Denver auditions, told KDVR-TV in Denver that the show was "kind of lame" without Abdul. "I was really excited, but three is still good," she said.
Beckham and host Ryan Seacrest were the first to arrive at the Denver hotel Friday. Seacrest chatted with fans and posed for pictures. He grabbed the cell phone of a woman who was taking video of him, aimed at her for a few seconds, then shook her hand and returned the phone.
Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell arrived last, and the crowd grew boisterous, some chanting "We love you Simon!"
Wearing his trademark white shirt and aviator sunglasses, Cowell joked with fans and shook hands.
"Why don't you call me anymore?" he teased one woman. "I thought we were friends."
One fan shouted, "I love how mean you are."
"Good," Simon replied. "I'll be mean today."
Melinda Doolittle, an "Idol" fan favorite who finished third in the show's sixth season, said on her blog Friday that Abdul's departure made her "incredibly sad."
Each judge has a role, Doolittle wrote, "But Paula ... sweet Paula, is the heart ... the artist ... the mama ... the one who understands what you're going through and empathizes with you."
Victoria Beckham was on hand Friday for the first round of "American Idol" auditions in the post-Paula Abdul era. The former Spice Girl arrived at a downtown Denver hotel where call-back auditions were being held as scores of onlookers crowded against rope barriers, many snapping photos.
Fox, which airs the popular singing show, said Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges in Abdul's place. But it wasn't immediately clear whether Beckham did any judging Friday, and "Idol" spokeswoman Alex Gillespie declined to say what her role was. Perry was nowhere to be seen.
Judge Kara DioGuardi arrived in a limo wearing a black dress, telling local Fox affiliate KDVR that she was wearing black to mourn Abdul's absence. DioGuardi called Abdul her mentor and the heart of the show.
"She was very kind, she showed me the ropes, so I have to give her the props for that," DioGuardi said. "I hope she is happy and I hope she reconsiders.
Abdul announced this week she was leaving "Idol" after eight seasons. She would not discuss details about her "Idol" exit Thursday in a phone interview, nor would she address whether the door was still open for a return.
Lilly Scott, a contestant at the Denver auditions, told KDVR-TV in Denver that the show was "kind of lame" without Abdul. "I was really excited, but three is still good," she said.
Beckham and host Ryan Seacrest were the first to arrive at the Denver hotel Friday. Seacrest chatted with fans and posed for pictures. He grabbed the cell phone of a woman who was taking video of him, aimed at her for a few seconds, then shook her hand and returned the phone.
Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell arrived last, and the crowd grew boisterous, some chanting "We love you Simon!"
Wearing his trademark white shirt and aviator sunglasses, Cowell joked with fans and shook hands.
"Why don't you call me anymore?" he teased one woman. "I thought we were friends."
One fan shouted, "I love how mean you are."
"Good," Simon replied. "I'll be mean today."
Melinda Doolittle, an "Idol" fan favorite who finished third in the show's sixth season, said on her blog Friday that Abdul's departure made her "incredibly sad."
Each judge has a role, Doolittle wrote, "But Paula ... sweet Paula, is the heart ... the artist ... the mama ... the one who understands what you're going through and empathizes with you."
Friday, August 7, 2009
Jeanine is viewers' pick on Fox dance competition
NEW YORK – Viewers said Jeanine Mason can dance best as they crowned her the winner of Fox network's "So You Think You Can Dance."
Jeanine beat out Evan, Kayla and Brandon on the dance competition's fifth-season finale, which aired live with the results Thursday.
The vivacious 18-year-old brunette from Pinecrest, Fla., won $250,000 and the title of "America's Favorite Dancer."
The runner-up was 19-year-old Brandon Bryant of Miami.
"Dance" handicappers had split their votes for favorite between the two contestants. As the two-hour broadcast neared the end, host Cat Deeley ended the suspense.
The hopped-up audience in Hollywood's Kodak Theatre erupted on hearing Jeanine's name.
"I've spent my whole life looking up to amazing dancers and amazing people, and I've always wanted to be a role model," Jeanine said. "And just to have 3,000 people in here ..." She choked up as the crowd roared again.
Earlier in the program, Kayla Radomski, a 19-year-old native of Aurora, Colo., was revealed as the least popular among the remaining four.
A few minutes later, 21-year-old Evan Kasprzak of West Bloomfield, Mich., got the news that he had placed third.
More than 21 million votes from viewers had been submitted following the broadcast of "Dance" the night before.
With the winner already decided, Thursday's edition was devoted to encore performances by the finalists and past contestants.
There was also lots of padding and plenty of chatter from the judges' table, with ample praise directed at Jeanine.
"I never saw Jeanine coming, I never saw you coming," judge Adam Shankman told her after she had performed a steamy number with Evan. "And you have dominated, week after week."
"You are feisty, you are strong, you are tomboyish!" marveled Nigel Lythgoe, who is also co-creator of the show and its executive producer.
Next month, the process starts again with a sixth season of "Dance," which will bridge the gap for Fox until next January, when "American Idol" returns.
Jeanine beat out Evan, Kayla and Brandon on the dance competition's fifth-season finale, which aired live with the results Thursday.
The vivacious 18-year-old brunette from Pinecrest, Fla., won $250,000 and the title of "America's Favorite Dancer."
The runner-up was 19-year-old Brandon Bryant of Miami.
"Dance" handicappers had split their votes for favorite between the two contestants. As the two-hour broadcast neared the end, host Cat Deeley ended the suspense.
The hopped-up audience in Hollywood's Kodak Theatre erupted on hearing Jeanine's name.
"I've spent my whole life looking up to amazing dancers and amazing people, and I've always wanted to be a role model," Jeanine said. "And just to have 3,000 people in here ..." She choked up as the crowd roared again.
Earlier in the program, Kayla Radomski, a 19-year-old native of Aurora, Colo., was revealed as the least popular among the remaining four.
A few minutes later, 21-year-old Evan Kasprzak of West Bloomfield, Mich., got the news that he had placed third.
More than 21 million votes from viewers had been submitted following the broadcast of "Dance" the night before.
With the winner already decided, Thursday's edition was devoted to encore performances by the finalists and past contestants.
There was also lots of padding and plenty of chatter from the judges' table, with ample praise directed at Jeanine.
"I never saw Jeanine coming, I never saw you coming," judge Adam Shankman told her after she had performed a steamy number with Evan. "And you have dominated, week after week."
"You are feisty, you are strong, you are tomboyish!" marveled Nigel Lythgoe, who is also co-creator of the show and its executive producer.
Next month, the process starts again with a sixth season of "Dance," which will bridge the gap for Fox until next January, when "American Idol" returns.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Judge in LA delays sentencing of singer Chris Brown in beating of Rihanna
LOS ANGELES - A judge has delayed sentencing R&B singer Chris Brown on an assault charge to seek more input from Virginia authorities about whether Brown could do community labour in that state.
Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said at a hearing Wednesday she will sentence Brown on Aug. 27 in the beating of Rihanna, who did not attend the hearing.
With Brown in the courtroom, the judge met with a prosecutor and defence attorney briefly before Brown's scheduled sentencing.
When she emerged, Schnegg said Virginia had yet to say if it could accommodate her requirement that Brown serve community labour, rather than community service.
The Virginia Department of Corrections said earlier that it typically doesn't consider whether to supervise a person on probation until after they are sentenced.
The 20-year-old Brown pleaded guilty in June to one count of felony assault stemming from the altercation with his then-girlfriend.
A plea deal calls for him to serve five years of probation and six months of community labour.
The judge has said she wants Brown to do community work comparable to graffiti removal or roadside cleanup.
The "Run It!" singer pleaded guilty before a preliminary hearing in which Rihanna was likely to testify.
The former couple never faced each other at that hearing. As Brown left through one door, Rihanna entered the courtroom from a private entrance.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Brown's recommended sentence was in line with what others received when charged with similar crimes and have no prior criminal history.
The office does not provide specific information on comparable cases, spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Brown said in a public apology video posted on his Web site July 20 that he had repeatedly apologized to Rihanna for the attack. He called his conduct "inexcusable" and pledged to do better.
"I saw firsthand what uncontrolled rage can do," he told viewers. "I have sought and am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again."
Brown's career has suffered, with radio stations refusing to play his music and sponsors dropping him.
Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said at a hearing Wednesday she will sentence Brown on Aug. 27 in the beating of Rihanna, who did not attend the hearing.
With Brown in the courtroom, the judge met with a prosecutor and defence attorney briefly before Brown's scheduled sentencing.
When she emerged, Schnegg said Virginia had yet to say if it could accommodate her requirement that Brown serve community labour, rather than community service.
The Virginia Department of Corrections said earlier that it typically doesn't consider whether to supervise a person on probation until after they are sentenced.
The 20-year-old Brown pleaded guilty in June to one count of felony assault stemming from the altercation with his then-girlfriend.
A plea deal calls for him to serve five years of probation and six months of community labour.
The judge has said she wants Brown to do community work comparable to graffiti removal or roadside cleanup.
The "Run It!" singer pleaded guilty before a preliminary hearing in which Rihanna was likely to testify.
The former couple never faced each other at that hearing. As Brown left through one door, Rihanna entered the courtroom from a private entrance.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Brown's recommended sentence was in line with what others received when charged with similar crimes and have no prior criminal history.
The office does not provide specific information on comparable cases, spokeswoman Jane Robison said.
Brown said in a public apology video posted on his Web site July 20 that he had repeatedly apologized to Rihanna for the attack. He called his conduct "inexcusable" and pledged to do better.
"I saw firsthand what uncontrolled rage can do," he told viewers. "I have sought and am continuing to seek help to ensure that what occurred in February can never happen again."
Brown's career has suffered, with radio stations refusing to play his music and sponsors dropping him.
Adam Beach to shoot The Stranger in Vancouver
Manitoba-born actor Adam Beach is to play an FBI agent seeking a witness involved in a top-secret investigation in a film being shot in Vancouver this week.
He stars opposite wrestling star Steve Austin in The Stranger, directed by Rob Lieberman, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Austin plays a man on the run in the action film. Canadian actress Erica Cerra of Battlestar Galactica is to play a psychiatrist.
The Stranger is being produced by Nasser Entertainment Group and Caliber Media.
Beach, who had a continuing role as a detective in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this season, also has accepted a recurring role in HBO's polygamy series Big Love.
Beach is a Saulteaux who grew up on the Dog Creek Native Reserve and in Winnipeg, where he began his career as an actor.
He has had roles in films such as Flags of Our Fathers and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and also has begun to move into production work.
He stars opposite wrestling star Steve Austin in The Stranger, directed by Rob Lieberman, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Austin plays a man on the run in the action film. Canadian actress Erica Cerra of Battlestar Galactica is to play a psychiatrist.
The Stranger is being produced by Nasser Entertainment Group and Caliber Media.
Beach, who had a continuing role as a detective in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this season, also has accepted a recurring role in HBO's polygamy series Big Love.
Beach is a Saulteaux who grew up on the Dog Creek Native Reserve and in Winnipeg, where he began his career as an actor.
He has had roles in films such as Flags of Our Fathers and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and also has begun to move into production work.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
$17M Ottawa building to preserve nitrate film
Library and Archives Canada has begun construction on a new storage facility for Canada's film heritage.
The $17-million project in west Ottawa will include a building to store 5,000 movies made using nitrate-based film and 600,000 photo negatives dating back to 1912.
The federal government awarded the construction contract for the 12,700-square-foot facility to Ottawa-based Laurin Group last week. A design by Ottawa-based Schoeler & Heaton Architects Inc. was approved in 2005.
All of the historic and archival works from 1890 to 1950 are on nitrate-based film, including one of Canada's earliest dramas, Back to God's Country.
Canada has been at risk of losing this history because the current storage building is inadequate, according to Mario Gasperetti at Library and Archives Canada.
"The building is not up to international conservation standards," he told CBC News, speaking in French. "Here, the strong rooms are kept at 10 C, but they should be maintained at 6 C. The lower temperature slows the decomposition of the film chemicals."
Nitrate-based cellulose film has the potential to combust if storage temperatures are too high.
The new building will have 22 individual "vaults" measuring about 1.8 metres across by 4.2 metres deep.
Michel Prévost, head archivist at University of Otttawa, says it is increasingly rare to find heritage film in good condition.
"There are many works that you could store [in this facility]," he said. "When you realize that there is a lot of nitrate-based film that has already disappeared, it's a great loss to our heritage."
He welcomed news that the project is going ahead but said the federal government has been slow in awarding the necessary financing.
The building is expected to be ready in a year. The current site, built in the 1940s on the Rockcliffe Air Base, is being turned over to the Canada Lands Corp. for future redevelopment.
The $17-million project in west Ottawa will include a building to store 5,000 movies made using nitrate-based film and 600,000 photo negatives dating back to 1912.
The federal government awarded the construction contract for the 12,700-square-foot facility to Ottawa-based Laurin Group last week. A design by Ottawa-based Schoeler & Heaton Architects Inc. was approved in 2005.
All of the historic and archival works from 1890 to 1950 are on nitrate-based film, including one of Canada's earliest dramas, Back to God's Country.
Canada has been at risk of losing this history because the current storage building is inadequate, according to Mario Gasperetti at Library and Archives Canada.
"The building is not up to international conservation standards," he told CBC News, speaking in French. "Here, the strong rooms are kept at 10 C, but they should be maintained at 6 C. The lower temperature slows the decomposition of the film chemicals."
Nitrate-based cellulose film has the potential to combust if storage temperatures are too high.
The new building will have 22 individual "vaults" measuring about 1.8 metres across by 4.2 metres deep.
Michel Prévost, head archivist at University of Otttawa, says it is increasingly rare to find heritage film in good condition.
"There are many works that you could store [in this facility]," he said. "When you realize that there is a lot of nitrate-based film that has already disappeared, it's a great loss to our heritage."
He welcomed news that the project is going ahead but said the federal government has been slow in awarding the necessary financing.
The building is expected to be ready in a year. The current site, built in the 1940s on the Rockcliffe Air Base, is being turned over to the Canada Lands Corp. for future redevelopment.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Gosselins are apart, but show goes on with new 'Jon&Kate Plus 8' segments
NEW YORK - Reality TV mom Kate Gosselin says she feels a sense of peace after making the decision to separate from her husband, Jon.
So should fans of "Jon&Kate Plus 8," who may have fretted that this family-oriented reality show would be jeopardized by the co-stars' estrangement. For better or worse, the TLC series is as warm and fuzzy as ever, if two new episodes that aired Monday are any indication.
The episodes marked the end of a hiatus that began in June, when the Gosselins revealed to a huge audience of 10.6 million viewers their decision to split. The TLC network said then the couple needed time to "regroup," an odd word choice for a broken marriage.
But the revamped show's focus on "separately parenting" (another TLC term) is still focused on everyday family activities with the couple's eight kids - 5-year-old sextuplets and 8-year-old twins.
With a kitchen renovation project under way at the Gosselins' Pennsylvania home, Kate fled the chaos with the kids for a beach in North Carolina. Jon stayed home to oversee the construction.
Then, with Kate and the youngsters back home, Jon had taken his leave.
"This was my first official turn with the kids," Kate said. "It didn't feel very much different. It just felt more like the future."
Kate supervised a camp-out for the kids in the yard.
"This is a very, very difficult time right now," she told the camera from her interview chair, a change from the couch she and Jon had shared on the series in the past. "But my main goal is to make this transition as easy and painless ... for the kids as possible."
As co-stars of TLC's biggest hit, Jon and Kate also have been a magnet for the tabloid press since their marriage began to crumble.
But "Jon&Kate" fans (and TLC) needn't worry about the scandalmongering. The show still tells a different, squeaky-clean story - almost as if nothing had changed.
So should fans of "Jon&Kate Plus 8," who may have fretted that this family-oriented reality show would be jeopardized by the co-stars' estrangement. For better or worse, the TLC series is as warm and fuzzy as ever, if two new episodes that aired Monday are any indication.
The episodes marked the end of a hiatus that began in June, when the Gosselins revealed to a huge audience of 10.6 million viewers their decision to split. The TLC network said then the couple needed time to "regroup," an odd word choice for a broken marriage.
But the revamped show's focus on "separately parenting" (another TLC term) is still focused on everyday family activities with the couple's eight kids - 5-year-old sextuplets and 8-year-old twins.
With a kitchen renovation project under way at the Gosselins' Pennsylvania home, Kate fled the chaos with the kids for a beach in North Carolina. Jon stayed home to oversee the construction.
Then, with Kate and the youngsters back home, Jon had taken his leave.
"This was my first official turn with the kids," Kate said. "It didn't feel very much different. It just felt more like the future."
Kate supervised a camp-out for the kids in the yard.
"This is a very, very difficult time right now," she told the camera from her interview chair, a change from the couch she and Jon had shared on the series in the past. "But my main goal is to make this transition as easy and painless ... for the kids as possible."
As co-stars of TLC's biggest hit, Jon and Kate also have been a magnet for the tabloid press since their marriage began to crumble.
But "Jon&Kate" fans (and TLC) needn't worry about the scandalmongering. The show still tells a different, squeaky-clean story - almost as if nothing had changed.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Julianne Hough's Best 21st Birthday Gift? A Camera!
Though boyfriend Chuck Wicks wasn't on hand for Julianne Hough 's 21st birthday blowout at club mur.mur at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., on Saturday night – where she threw back celebratory shots and threw her hands in the air while dancing to Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" – he was definitely on her mind.
"Chuck was at my real birthday party," Hough told PEOPLE about her beau and former Dancing with the Stars partner, who had gifted her with a coveted camera during a low-key private celebration days earlier (her actual b-day was July 20). "I've been wanting a camera for so long and he got me one of those nice Nikon D5000s," she reported. "It's awesome. I'm addicted."
So, who's her favorite subject? "I've got a thousand pictures and they're all of my dog Lexi," Hough admitted. And it turns out the Dancing champ-turned-country singer, who's touring with George Strait, isn't the only one obsessed with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
"I did a show last night in Madison, Wis., and [fans] had signs that said 'Go, Lexi!', 'She's the cutest dog in the world!' and 'We love Lexi!' I'm like, 'Okay, my dog is more famous than I am," said Hough. "People are always like, '[Lexi] needs to have her own Twitter account!'"
Should we be on the lookout for Lexi's Tweets in the near future? "I don't think so," laughed Hough. "I'll keep my dog humble."
"Chuck was at my real birthday party," Hough told PEOPLE about her beau and former Dancing with the Stars partner, who had gifted her with a coveted camera during a low-key private celebration days earlier (her actual b-day was July 20). "I've been wanting a camera for so long and he got me one of those nice Nikon D5000s," she reported. "It's awesome. I'm addicted."
So, who's her favorite subject? "I've got a thousand pictures and they're all of my dog Lexi," Hough admitted. And it turns out the Dancing champ-turned-country singer, who's touring with George Strait, isn't the only one obsessed with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
"I did a show last night in Madison, Wis., and [fans] had signs that said 'Go, Lexi!', 'She's the cutest dog in the world!' and 'We love Lexi!' I'm like, 'Okay, my dog is more famous than I am," said Hough. "People are always like, '[Lexi] needs to have her own Twitter account!'"
Should we be on the lookout for Lexi's Tweets in the near future? "I don't think so," laughed Hough. "I'll keep my dog humble."
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Liberal leader says Tories need to 'get serious' on EI reform
MONTREAL - Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he's not looking for an election - he just wants to make Parliament work.
"People say I'm threatening an election," he told the Canadian Press in a phone interview on Saturday. "Let's all just relax here. My main preoccupation is making sure that we have a structural and substantial reform of employment insurance this summer and if possible bring in the self-employed."
Ignatieff said that he and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed in June to look into EI reform but only got to work in July.
"That tells you a lot on how serious the government is on doing substantial EI reform," the Liberal leader said.
A six-member panel made up of three Conservatives and three Liberals looking at ways to reform the EI program held their first meeting last week.
Ignatieff also criticized the Conservatives on their handling of the isotopes crisis and the H1N1 flu crisis.
"It's not just unemployment insurance, there's a lot of areas where the government is not doing a good job and they need to do better," he said.
Ignatieff is spending the weekend meeting supporters in eastern Quebec.
"People say I'm threatening an election," he told the Canadian Press in a phone interview on Saturday. "Let's all just relax here. My main preoccupation is making sure that we have a structural and substantial reform of employment insurance this summer and if possible bring in the self-employed."
Ignatieff said that he and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed in June to look into EI reform but only got to work in July.
"That tells you a lot on how serious the government is on doing substantial EI reform," the Liberal leader said.
A six-member panel made up of three Conservatives and three Liberals looking at ways to reform the EI program held their first meeting last week.
Ignatieff also criticized the Conservatives on their handling of the isotopes crisis and the H1N1 flu crisis.
"It's not just unemployment insurance, there's a lot of areas where the government is not doing a good job and they need to do better," he said.
Ignatieff is spending the weekend meeting supporters in eastern Quebec.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Suspicious bag outside Harpo Studios is harmless
CHICAGO – Bomb and arson detectives say a suspicious package discovered outside Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios in Chicago is harmless.
Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak says security personnel found a dark backpack with wires hanging out of it early Friday in a flower bed near the studios.
Police blocked off nearby streets as bomb and arson detectives investigated early Friday.
Police say the investigation using "remote diagnostics" determined there was no bomb. But police will not say what was in the backpack.
The investigation was completed and the streets reopened a few hours later. The building was not evacuated.
Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak says security personnel found a dark backpack with wires hanging out of it early Friday in a flower bed near the studios.
Police blocked off nearby streets as bomb and arson detectives investigated early Friday.
Police say the investigation using "remote diagnostics" determined there was no bomb. But police will not say what was in the backpack.
The investigation was completed and the streets reopened a few hours later. The building was not evacuated.
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