Specter of AIDS haunts Fugard's play
Athol Fugard's latest play, "Coming Home," a sequel to his "Valley Song," is having its world premiere at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. The South African playwright is one of the most honored in the theater and this new work is filled with his familiar insightful and poignant observations about life in his home country.

Sex, violence intertwine in 'Dying City"

Torre defends tell-all Yankees book
Los Angeles Dodgers baseball manager Joe Torre's new book about his old club has been burning up best-seller lists even before it hits stores.
Ted Haggard's Wife, Gayle, Admits To Knowing About His Bi-Sexual Tendencies
Ted Haggard, former evangelical pastor's wife, Gayle Haggard, says she knew about his struggles with same-sex attraction for years and felt he was "winning the battle" before a scandal involving a male prostitute triggered his downfall in late 2006. She made the remarks in an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Gayle Haggard said she was shocked when Haggard first told her the truth about the allegations against him. "The first words out of my mouth were, 'Who are you?"' she said, according to a publicity release issued by Harpo Productions.
Sex, violence intertwine in 'Dying City"
Twins, in particular identical twins, have always been an intriguing subject in literature and drama. The idea of two beings, so alike -- yet maybe not -- so close to one another, is more eerie than amazing.Wethersfield playwright Christopher Shinn's "Dying City," now at Hartford Stage, focuses on two twin brothers -- Peter, a moderately successful gay actor, and Craig, about whom we learn after his death in Iraq.

Brakes put on Prison Break’s run

Grammy nominee 'scared' of Jonas Bros.
After a long apprenticeship, it's been an astonishingly fast rise for R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan.
EUR This N That | Dishin' Dirt on Kanye West, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats ...
What's up y'all?! Here is the dirt... Swizz Beats and Mashonda Now I know y'all heard about the Swizz Beats/ Alicia Keys drama. If not, you know I'm 'bout to tell it. Rumor had it that Alicia was messing around with the VERY MARRIED Swizz Beats and because of their ongoing affair he and his wife split up. At first, I did not want to believe that the VERY CONSCIOUS Alicia Keys would have anything to do with a married man (Swizz Beats at that) but y'all it's true. Recently Mashonda "Beats" stopped by to dish the dirt with Kendra G and she told it all. She wasn't nasty or hateful but she did keep it real. Now I know that many of y'all (like myself) was a lil' shocked to hear that Alicia was creeping with a dude, especially after seeing the pictures of her getting arrested after "allegedly" beating up her "alleged" lesbian lover, but so far the rumors about her and Swizz Beats have proven to be true. Hmmmm ... could this be a ploy to throw people off of the scent of BOTH of their sexual preferences? It's not far fetched. Please know that more than likely the sex symbol you love the most loves the same thing you love. Anyway, check out the complete interview here. Nuff said...
Video: Local fans make Super Bowl picks and share tips for Bowl parties>Video: Local fans make Super Bowl picks and share tips for Bowl parties
I could manage without Thanksgiving, or the Fourth of July, and definitely without Valentine's Day. But without the Super Bowl? No way!
Brakes put on Prison Break’s run

THERE were warning signs. No one can complain. Perhaps Prison Break “jumped the shark” when they chopped Sara Tancredi’s head off? Or maybe it was when they sent Michael Scofield to the tattoo parlour to have all his prison blueprint tattoos removed that the wheels had really fallen off this former Fox juggernaut. Either way, Prison Break is finished.

The Hollywood Reporter announced today:

“The show just played out,” says Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly. “Creatively everybody feels enough stories were told ... we want it to finish strong and not just gimp out next season.” Prison has four more episodes set to air, and might shoot a could extra series-ending episodes as well. “They have a cool ending,” Reilly reassured.

Still, Prison Break had two of the finest male and female villains on the small screen in Gretchen and T-Bag. Here they are together in action:

Making Neil Diamond uncomfortable

Making Neil Diamond uncomfortable
The day CNN interviewed Neil Diamond, he was sitting in a little room to the side of a studio, and a makeup artist was smacking him in the face with a powder puff. He looked like he wanted to flee. But the legendary musician offered a thoughtful and revealing chat.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/6uJOJ-iiWNc" height="1" width="1"/

Music legend, 68, shines on

Music legend, 68, shines on
The day CNN interviewed Neil Diamond, he was sitting in a little room to the side of a studio, and a makeup artist was smacking him in the face with a powder puff. He looked like he wanted to flee. But the legendary musician offered a thoughtful and revealing chat.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/6uJOJ-iiWNc" height="1" width="1"/

Neil Diamond continues to shine

Neil Diamond continues to shine
The day I interviewed Neil Diamond, he was sitting in a little room to the side of a studio, and a makeup artist was smacking him in the face with a powder puff. He was wearing a white wife-beater T-shirt and looked like he wanted to flee.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/6uJOJ-iiWNc" height="1" width="1"/

Silly comedy duo shows true colors

Silly comedy duo shows true colors
Even the most banal question is met with an entertaining and thought-provoking response from Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, the two quipsters behind "Flight of the Conchords." The two play scrappy, clueless musicians trying -- and failing miserably -- to break into the music business in New York City.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/Vi07rGfsy-c" height="1" width="1"/

Hanging out with the 'Flight of the Conchords'

Hanging out with the 'Flight of the Conchords'
Even the most banal question is met with an entertaining and thought-provoking response from Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, the two quipsters behind "Flight of the Conchords." The two play scrappy, clueless musicians trying -- and failing miserably -- to break into the music business in New York City.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/Vi07rGfsy-c" height="1" width="1"/
Secrets of the herb lady
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- From growing seeds on her windowsill as a child in Buffalo, N.Y., to selling plants for a living, Donna Torrey takes great satisfaction from bringing things to life. Especially herbs. "I love their smells. They make me happy," says Torrey, owner of Garden Gate in the Pompano, Fla.

Dick Van Dyke tells 'Mary Poppins' stories

Dick Van Dyke tells 'Mary Poppins' stories
Decades after it was released in movie theatres, "Mary Poppins" is also a hit stage show, with excerpts of the Broadway production featured on a new 45th-anniversary DVD. Dick Van Dyke took a few minutes to talk about the film, his much-maligned Cockney accent and Michelle Obama's fondness for his old TV show.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/Z3hxzIx2d1w" height="1" width="1"/

Fraser, co-star find warmth in 'Inkheart'

Fraser, co-star find warmth in 'Inkheart'
The new fantasy film "Inkheart" has at its center the relationship between dad Mortimer "Mo" Folchart and his 12-year year old daughter Meggie, played by Brendan Fraser and Eliza Hope Bennett. The two got along as well in real life as they did in the movie.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/Hsr-crvVHXA" height="1" width="1"/

Big win for 'Slumdog'; 'Button' gets zip

Big win for 'Slumdog'; 'Button' gets zip
The actors of "Slumdog Millionaire" won outstanding performance by a cast in a movie, and Heath Ledger posthumously won ideal supporting male actor at the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was shut out.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/71sx_e5S00c" height="1" width="1"/

'Today' show nabs interview with US Airways pilot

'Benjamin Button' faces major challenge
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was the massive name when the Academy Award nominations were announced Thursday. But it's "Doubt" that leads the pack going into the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will take place Sunday night.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/mLoUc1ZfO4I" height="1" width="1"/
'Today' show nabs interview with US Airways pilot
pNBC says 'Today' show host Matt Lauer will be the first to interview the US Airways pilot hailed as a hero for his cool work landing a jet into the Hudson River./ppNBC says Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger will be interviewed Monday from Washington, a day before Barack Obama is inaugurated./ppSullenberger became an instant, if not absent, celebrity after ditching the plane in the river when he lost engine control after hitting a flock of birds. All 155 people on board survived./ppSince then, he has been given the key to New York by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, called a hero by the governor and even got a congratulatory call from the White House./ppa href="http://feedads.googleadservices.com/~a/walrAYg2wZMtaZAEx_27mx-tXbs/a"img src="http://feedads.googleadservices.com/~a/walrAYg2wZMtaZAEx_27mx-tXbs/i" border="0" ismap="true"/img/a/p
Mite fights: Cold water can control spider mites
One quite common houseplant pest that I just noticed on those lovely variegated ivies I'm overwintering is the spider mite. Mites have four pairs of legs so they're not true insects, but are placed in a separate group of creatures called arachnids. Spiders are also included in this group.

Oscar picks deserving -- mostly
The Academy Awards got it right, for the most part, with the nominations Thursday morning, says CNN.com's Tom Charity. But a ideal picture nod for "The Reader"? That shouldn't have happened.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/A8x_U91dmjA" height="1" width="1"/
With baby in tow, Charlotte Martin returns to the road
Most artists will readily name their greatest musical influences, which, in the case of singer-songwriter-pianist Charlotte Martin, are British pop-rock acts. But for Martin, having her first child, Ronen Joseph Andrews -- born May 4, 2008 -- has given her a new type of inspiration.

Can 'Dark Knight' leap into Oscar contention?
When it comes to the Academy Awards, Hollywood has some biases. Summer blockbusters get short shrift. Comedies aren't taken seriously. And animated features? They almost never get drawn.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/H5MZ0mTjXHI" height="1" width="1"/
Kevin James is 'King' of the mall
After playing a regular Joe in "The King of Queens" during its nine-year run on prhyme-time television, actor Kevin James has landed his first lead role on the silver screen ... as another regular Joe. James co-wrote, co-produced and stars in "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," a film about a police academy reject who, despite being lonely, overweight and socially awkward, takes pride in protecting a suburban shopping mall.

Chris Rock on making fun of Barack Obama
Chris Rock is ideal known for two things: being funny and being crass. He's also known for his political commentary, but there's one person he's having a lot of trouble making fun of -- president-elect Barack Obama.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/7ICWABM8M84" height="1" width="1"/
'Defiance' stars had to endure primitive conditions
Think Holocaust movie. What do you see? Lines of weary men, women and children being herded to their deaths? That's the conventional view. But in the based-on-fact World War II drama "Defiance" three Jewish brothers fight the Nazis to a standstill in the forests of what's now Belarus.

People looking for green alternatives to looking and feeling better
Lisa Agee, owner of New Milford-based Goatboy Soaps, said she sticks to the philosophy of "if you can't pronounce it or spell it, why would you want to put it on your skin?" Some of those complex ingredients she's talking about include parabens and propylene glycol, which many people looking to live a "greener life" avoid because they aren't natural and could be harmful.

People looking for green alternatives to looking and feeling better

Stars converge for inaugural celebrations
There's no debate about Barack Obama's ability to draw famous and talented Americans to his inauguration. Dozens of major celebrities will perform on several nationally televised shows, as well as 10 inaugural balls the evening after Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president.img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/rss/edition_entertainment/~4/eauKxCL3B4s" height="1" width="1"/
'Today' show nabs interview with US Airways pilot
pNBC says 'Today' show host Matt Lauer will be the first to interview the US Airways pilot hailed as a hero for his cool work landing a jet into the Hudson River./ppNBC says Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger will be interviewed Monday from Washington, a day before Barack Obama is inaugurated./ppSullenberger became an instant, if not absent, celebrity after ditching the plane in the river when he lost engine control after hitting a flock of birds. All 155 people on board survived./ppSince then, he has been given the key to New York by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, called a hero by the governor and even got a congratulatory call from the White House./p pa href="http://feedads.googleadservices.com/~a/walrAYg2wZMtaZAEx_27mx-tXbs/a"img src="http://feedads.googleadservices.com/~a/walrAYg2wZMtaZAEx_27mx-tXbs/i" border="0" ismap="true"/img/a/p
People looking for green alternatives to looking and feeling better
Lisa Agee, owner of New Milford-based Goatboy Soaps, said she sticks to the philosophy of "if you can't pronounce it or spell it, why would you want to put it on your skin?" Some of those complex ingredients she's talking about include parabens and propylene glycol, which many people looking to live a "greener life" avoid because they'ren't natural and could be harmful.

Tom Hanks Says Mormon Supporters of Proposition 8 'Un-American'

Stars converge for inaugural celebrations
There's no debate about Barack Obama's ability to draw famous and talented Americans to his inauguration. Dozens of major celebrities will perform on several nationally televised shows, as well as 10 inaugural balls the evening after Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president.
Tom Hanks Says Mormon Supporters of Proposition 8 'Un-American'
Tom Hanks, an Executive Producer for HBO's controversial polygamist series "Big Love," made his feelings toward the Mormon Church's involvement in California's Prop 8 (which prohibits gay marriage) very clear at the show's premiere party on Wednesday night.

EUR This N That | Dishin' Dirt on Tameka Foster, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Keith Sweat

How Mickey Rourke fought back from the edge
Despite early promise, Mickey Rourke gained such a terrible reputation for self-destructive behavior and on-set antics that no one in Hollywood would touch him. His critically-acclaimed role in "The Wrestler" might finally allow the actor to shake off the notoriety.
EUR This N That | Dishin' Dirt on Tameka Foster, The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Keith Sweat
The Real Housewives of Atlanta have let go of one of the original cast members. According to Essence.com, DeShawn Snow has been asked by Bravo not to return and according to DeShawn, she didn't see the termination coming.

Now here is the dirt...rumors began to surface that Tameka Foster was going to replace DeShawn! Other names thrown in the hat were Tonya Rodriguez, former Baltimore radio personality, and also the wife of Atlanta radio personality Frank Ski and Dorys Erving, the wife of Julius "Dr. J" Erving.

Of course everyone was PRAYING that Tameka was going to replace her, but Tameka hurriedly set the record straight. In an interview with Essence.com Tameka stated that although Bravo stepped to her with an offer, she had to decline. I'm guessing they weren't paying enough...but that's just me. Tonya "Ski" also declined. The sista is much too classy to be involved in something so déclassé. Not only that, folks have been going after Tonya for years...just because of who her husband is and she ain't finna give these "hatin" heifers any ammo.

Dorys on the other hand just may join the cast. I don't know much about her, but from what the streets are sayin' Sheree had betta watch out because a REAL diva is in town! Check out the interview here
Wheatus song-by-song
Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown recently discussed with me some of the stories behind the songs that have shaped the band's career. Here's what he had to say: ä "Real Girl," from 2009's "Pop, Songs & Death, Volume 1: The Lightning EP" "I worked on the video treatment myself and I shot the video myself after seeing a couple girls on YouTube who made a video for 'Teenage Dirtbag.

Albums that shaped your lives

Albums that shaped your lives
We asked what albums changed your lives. Check out what you chose as your personal soundtracks, and the stories behind the picks.
Bikini-Clad Katrina Darrell Fires Up American Idol

Billed as new fourth judge Kara DioGuardi's first episode, the eighth season of American Idol started with a bang, or rather, a near catfight as Katrina Darrell showed up wearing a barely-there bikini.

Enjoy Sun Winefest 2009
UNCASVILLE ­-- Sun Winefest 2009 will feature an all-star cast of celebrity chefs, wine, spirit and ale experts this weekend. The festival runs Saturday and Sunday at Mohegan Sun. Among the celebrity chefs are Todd English, Jasper White and Robert Irvine.
Brakes put on Prison Break?s run

THERE were warning signs. No one can complain. Perhaps Prison Break “jumped the shark” when they chopped Sara Tancredi’s head off? Or maybe it was when they sent Michael Scofield to the tattoo parlour to have all his prison blueprint tattoos removed that the wheels had really fallen off this former Fox juggernaut. Either way, Prison Break is finished.

The Hollywood Reporter announced today:

“The show just played out,” says Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly. “Creatively everybody feels enough stories were told ... we want it to finish strong and not just gimp out next season.” Prison has four more episodes set to air, and might shoot a could extra series-ending episodes as well. “They have a cool ending,” Reilly reassured.

Still, Prison Break had two of the finest male and female villains on the small screen in Gretchen and T-Bag. Here they are together in action:

EUR This N That | Dishina Dirt on the Golden Globesa

It's a golden night for 'Millionaire'
"Slumdog Millionaire," the film about a poverty-striken Mumbai man who goes on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," won best drama and three other honors at the Golden Globes Sunday night. Kate Winslet won two, for best actress in a drama and best supporting actress.
EUR This N That | Dishina Dirt on the Golden Globesa
What's up y'all?! Here is the dirt ... Last night was the Golden Globes and all of the beautiful people were out in full effect.

The Golden Globes are by far one of my favorite "mainstream" awards ceremonies because it is very relaxed and the award recipients will say just about anything. However, I don't watch the Globes for the speeches. I watch to see who looks a hot azz mess! Y'all know how I do.

Let me start things off with Diddy. His made for TV movie, "A Raisin in the Sun," was nominated for the best Mini Series or TV movie. The clip they showed of the film was ALL Diddy ... ACTING ... a DAMN FOOL! I guess they needed to prove to us WHY that movie lost to "John Adams" and boy did they do a good job.

"Dexter" and Sister Tie the Knot
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter, who play brother and sister on the hit Showtime drama "Dexter," are now husband and wife in real-life. Craig Bankey, Hall's spokesman, said on Friday that the couple eloped on New Year's Eve, in Big Sur, California.
Westport Country Playhouse names new artistic director
After a year-long, nationwide search, the Westport Country Playhouse has named Sherman's Mark Lamos as artistic director. Lamos is a veteran not only of Connecticut theater -- he is notable for his image-building tenure as artistic head of Hartford Stage from 1980 to 1997 -- but Broadway and opera companies around the world.

Patrick Swayze checks into hospital with pneumonia

Golden Globes promise a party
Well, at least this year there will be a show. Last year the Golden Globes presented their honors at a press conference, but this year will mark a return to the party, promise executives. The annual awards show has no certain front-runners. It airs Sunday.
Patrick Swayze checks into hospital with pneumonia

Patrick Swayze has checked himself into the hospital for observation after contracting pneumonia, A&E President Abbe Raven announced Friday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association. Swayze was scheduled to appear to discuss his upcoming drama 'The Beast.'

Robert DeBitetto, A&E's programming senior vice president, explained his absence.

'Patrick has asked that I tell you that this morning he checked himself into the hospital for observation,' said DeBitetto. 'Chemotherapy can take its toll on the immune system, and illnesses are a part of that. Patrick wishes me to tell you that he's very sorry he cannot attend, but plans to get back to promoting `The Beast' soon.'

Obama to Appear In Spider-Man Comic: Marvel appreciated Prez-elect's love for superhero as a kid.

Review: 'Gran Torino' offers great Eastwood
"Gran Torino" is a crude but pungent stab at popular filmmaking, blue-collar and bare-knuckle. Which is not to say it's disappointing. On the contrary, it's an entertaining star vehicle that does its job well.
Obama to Appear In Spider-Man Comic: Marvel appreciated Prez-elect's love for superhero as a kid.
*To reward Barack Obama's childhood love for Spider-Man comics, Marvel Comics has announced it will give the president-elect a "shout-out back" by featuring him in a bonus story, said Joe Quesada, Marvel's editor-in-chief.

celebfux: Thursday 8th of January 2009

People's Choice Awards: 'Dark Knight' shines
"The Dark Knight" took home top honors at the People's Choice Awards, walking away with five awards. The movie won the award for favorite movie, favorite action movie, favorite cast, favorite on screen match-up (Christian Bale and Heath Ledger) and favorite superhero (Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman).
OJ Reportedly Lovin' Jail Digs: 'If I have to be in prison, this is the place to be,' he says.
*The New York Post's Page Six is reporting that O.J. Simpson is having himself a ball in prison since he was transferred to the Lovelock Correction Center near Reno last month.
Try fondue for a tasty meal that's fun to eat
With winter's cold temperatures taking hold, The Melting Pot fondue restaurant offers tips for some indoor fun, fondue-style. Fondue is an interactive experience, which makes it perfect for socializing. Shane Schaibly, manager of culinary development for The Melting Pot, says "most people have a fondue pot, whether it's left over from the disco days or a new wedding gift, and can easily throw together a great meal to share with friends.

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