After her tipsy speech at an awards ceremony about two weeks ago, the world knows Mariah Carey likes to drink Champagne.
Now she's going to sell it.
In a Twitter post Friday, the singer announced she's launching a brand of bubbly called Angel Champagne - a rosé.
She also made a joke about her accepting-while-intoxicated appearance at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards gala, where she was honored for her role in "Precious."
"Didn't realize they put the champagne on the tables, So we WOULDN'T drink it! LoL," she wrote.
After she stumbled through her awards speech, Carey explained away her behavior by saying she had a few too many "splashes."
Saturday, January 16, 2010
'Eli' bests 'Avatar' on Day 1 of long MLK weekend
Martin Luther King’s holiday weekend is proving to be an interesting one for the box office, EWonline noted Saturday.
For the first time in five weeks, a film has out-grossed "Avatar."
If early estimates hold, the Denzel Washington-starrer "The Book of Eli" grossed $11.7 million on Friday, while Avatar earned an estimated $10.5 million. The rest of the weekend will be closely watched to see if Avatar can maintain its record-grossing run for its fifth week in theaters.
Third place for Friday went to "The Lovely Bones," which expanded wide this week for the first time since it began its limited run five weeks ago. Its estimated Friday gross stood at $5.7 million.
"Sherlock Holmes," which stars Robert Downey Jr., earned an estimated $2.8 million for its fourth Friday in theaters, while "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakque"l nabbed an additional $2.4 million.
For the first time in five weeks, a film has out-grossed "Avatar."
If early estimates hold, the Denzel Washington-starrer "The Book of Eli" grossed $11.7 million on Friday, while Avatar earned an estimated $10.5 million. The rest of the weekend will be closely watched to see if Avatar can maintain its record-grossing run for its fifth week in theaters.
Third place for Friday went to "The Lovely Bones," which expanded wide this week for the first time since it began its limited run five weeks ago. Its estimated Friday gross stood at $5.7 million.
"Sherlock Holmes," which stars Robert Downey Jr., earned an estimated $2.8 million for its fourth Friday in theaters, while "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakque"l nabbed an additional $2.4 million.
THR: Conan's comedy bits will stay at NBC
The Masturbating Bear is dead.
As a deal nears for Conan O'Brien's exit from NBC, one thing is certain: The characters and recurring comedy bits he originated during his 16-plus years on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show" will not follow the host when he leaves the network.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Peacock owns the intellectual property behind such popular O'Brien characters as Pimpbot 5000 and Conando, as well as recurring segments such as In the Year 3000 and Desk Driving.
Sources involved in the settlement negotiations say NBC is keeping the copyrighted and trademarked elements of O'Brien's shows as part of the deal. That means the bits and characters will likely never be seen after O'Brien's "Tonight" ends its run Jan. 22.
While the vast majority of the characters O'Brien introduced are said to owned by NBC, it's unclear who controls Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the crass canine puppet that is perhaps O'Brien's most popular recurring bit. Triumph was originated by writer and longtime O'Brien pal Robert Smigel, whose reps declined to comment on whether Smigel or NBC owned rights to the character.
In 1993, David Letterman got into a dustup with NBC when he departed "Late Night" for CBS' "Late Show." NBC attorneys attempted to prevent Letterman from taking intellectual property originated on "Late Night" to the comic's new home. Letterman responded by dropping certain bits and renaming other recurring segments -- "Viewer Mail" became "CBS Mailbag" and frequent guest Larry "Bud" Melman began referring to himself by his real name, Calvert DeForest.
Letterman mocked the dispute on his first "Late Show" when NBC anchor Tom Brokaw interrupted the monologue and stole cue cards in the name of securing NBC's intellectual property.
O'Brien, if he lands at another late-night show, might be in a tougher spot.
Unlike comic personalities Letterman and Jay Leno, O'Brien began his career as a writer on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," and his shows relied more heavily on the cleverly scripted bits and outrageous characters. Losing those assets could hurt O'Brien as he looks for another home.
On the other hand, his "Tonight" had featured fewer of the characters than "Late Night" and the host -- who is considered one of the top comedy writers in the business -- may be looking for a fresh start.
Sources close to him said he was not interested in taking his NBC characters with him, THR said.
As a deal nears for Conan O'Brien's exit from NBC, one thing is certain: The characters and recurring comedy bits he originated during his 16-plus years on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show" will not follow the host when he leaves the network.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Peacock owns the intellectual property behind such popular O'Brien characters as Pimpbot 5000 and Conando, as well as recurring segments such as In the Year 3000 and Desk Driving.
Sources involved in the settlement negotiations say NBC is keeping the copyrighted and trademarked elements of O'Brien's shows as part of the deal. That means the bits and characters will likely never be seen after O'Brien's "Tonight" ends its run Jan. 22.
While the vast majority of the characters O'Brien introduced are said to owned by NBC, it's unclear who controls Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the crass canine puppet that is perhaps O'Brien's most popular recurring bit. Triumph was originated by writer and longtime O'Brien pal Robert Smigel, whose reps declined to comment on whether Smigel or NBC owned rights to the character.
In 1993, David Letterman got into a dustup with NBC when he departed "Late Night" for CBS' "Late Show." NBC attorneys attempted to prevent Letterman from taking intellectual property originated on "Late Night" to the comic's new home. Letterman responded by dropping certain bits and renaming other recurring segments -- "Viewer Mail" became "CBS Mailbag" and frequent guest Larry "Bud" Melman began referring to himself by his real name, Calvert DeForest.
Letterman mocked the dispute on his first "Late Show" when NBC anchor Tom Brokaw interrupted the monologue and stole cue cards in the name of securing NBC's intellectual property.
O'Brien, if he lands at another late-night show, might be in a tougher spot.
Unlike comic personalities Letterman and Jay Leno, O'Brien began his career as a writer on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," and his shows relied more heavily on the cleverly scripted bits and outrageous characters. Losing those assets could hurt O'Brien as he looks for another home.
On the other hand, his "Tonight" had featured fewer of the characters than "Late Night" and the host -- who is considered one of the top comedy writers in the business -- may be looking for a fresh start.
Sources close to him said he was not interested in taking his NBC characters with him, THR said.
Friday, January 15, 2010
'Hurt Locker' wins top Critics Choice honor
By SANDY COHEN
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES – LOS ANGELES – Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" and its director took top honors at the Critics' Choice Awards, while Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" and James Cameron's "Avatar" won the most awards.
Director-producer Kathryn Bigelow was named best director at Friday's ceremony for "Locker," winner of the best picture prize.
Accepting the best picture award, screenwriter-producer Mark Boal said the award belongs to Bigelow "for her singular vision, for her endless inspiration and for never taking no as an answer."
Bigelow -- who competed against ex-husband James Cameron's "Avatar" for the top prize --had thanked Boal when she accepted the director's honor, saying, "I stand here really because of one man, and that's Mark Boal."
"It's wonderful to have this honor," she continued, "but the recognition should also go to the men and women who are in the field to this day."
"Crazy Heart" was a double winner, with Jeff Bridges claiming the best actor prize for his turn as hard-drinking country singer Bad Blake. The film's theme, "The Weary Kind," won for best song.
"Up" won a pair of prizes, too: Best animated feature and best score.
"Nine," which came into the contest tied with "Basterds" with a leading 10 nominations, ended up winless.
The "Basterds" cast was the critics' pick for best ensemble. The film's villain, Christoph Waltz, was named best supporting actor and Tarantino won for his original screenplay.
"There's really only one group of people to thank," Tarantino said, "and that's the actors who actually took it from the printed page and put it up on the screen. My material is not easy. It's hard. I cannot have dumb actors do my material."
"Avatar" was named best action movie and it collected a heap of technical awards, including honors for cinematography, editing, art direction, sound and visual effects.
There were actually two winners in the actress category, with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock tying for the honor.
Streep said she loved playing Julia Child in "Julie & Julia."
"I'm really, really thrilled because I really love what I do," she said. "I love to work, and I love food and I love sex. And so did Julia Child. So it wasn't that much of a stretch."
Bullock, who won for her performance in "The Blind Side," said she hadn't prepared a speech, but she used her time at the microphone to honor her fellow actresses and call for compassion for people who are suffering.
"We're all so lucky to be here tonight when so many others are in pain," she said. "I hope we can all send good love and thoughts and whatever we can."
Jason Reitman, who won best adapted screenplay for "Up in the Air" with co-writer Sheldon Turner, thanked his father, filmmaker Ivan Reitman, calling him "one of the best storytellers I know and ... the person who taught me everything."
"I'm so proud I made this film with you, Dad," he said.
Other honors went to Mo'Nique, who was named best supporting actress for her visceral portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious"; Saoirse Ronan, who won best young actress for her work in "The Lovely Bones"; and "The Hangover," which was voted best comedy.
"District 9" won for best makeup, "Grey Gardens" was best TV movie and "The Cove" was named best documentary.
Winners are chosen by members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest such group in North America comprising 200 TV, radio and online film critics.
AP Television Producer Mike Cidoni contributed to this report.
AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES – LOS ANGELES – Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" and its director took top honors at the Critics' Choice Awards, while Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" and James Cameron's "Avatar" won the most awards.
Director-producer Kathryn Bigelow was named best director at Friday's ceremony for "Locker," winner of the best picture prize.
Accepting the best picture award, screenwriter-producer Mark Boal said the award belongs to Bigelow "for her singular vision, for her endless inspiration and for never taking no as an answer."
Bigelow -- who competed against ex-husband James Cameron's "Avatar" for the top prize --had thanked Boal when she accepted the director's honor, saying, "I stand here really because of one man, and that's Mark Boal."
"It's wonderful to have this honor," she continued, "but the recognition should also go to the men and women who are in the field to this day."
"Crazy Heart" was a double winner, with Jeff Bridges claiming the best actor prize for his turn as hard-drinking country singer Bad Blake. The film's theme, "The Weary Kind," won for best song.
"Up" won a pair of prizes, too: Best animated feature and best score.
"Nine," which came into the contest tied with "Basterds" with a leading 10 nominations, ended up winless.
The "Basterds" cast was the critics' pick for best ensemble. The film's villain, Christoph Waltz, was named best supporting actor and Tarantino won for his original screenplay.
"There's really only one group of people to thank," Tarantino said, "and that's the actors who actually took it from the printed page and put it up on the screen. My material is not easy. It's hard. I cannot have dumb actors do my material."
"Avatar" was named best action movie and it collected a heap of technical awards, including honors for cinematography, editing, art direction, sound and visual effects.
There were actually two winners in the actress category, with Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock tying for the honor.
Streep said she loved playing Julia Child in "Julie & Julia."
"I'm really, really thrilled because I really love what I do," she said. "I love to work, and I love food and I love sex. And so did Julia Child. So it wasn't that much of a stretch."
Bullock, who won for her performance in "The Blind Side," said she hadn't prepared a speech, but she used her time at the microphone to honor her fellow actresses and call for compassion for people who are suffering.
"We're all so lucky to be here tonight when so many others are in pain," she said. "I hope we can all send good love and thoughts and whatever we can."
Jason Reitman, who won best adapted screenplay for "Up in the Air" with co-writer Sheldon Turner, thanked his father, filmmaker Ivan Reitman, calling him "one of the best storytellers I know and ... the person who taught me everything."
"I'm so proud I made this film with you, Dad," he said.
Other honors went to Mo'Nique, who was named best supporting actress for her visceral portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious"; Saoirse Ronan, who won best young actress for her work in "The Lovely Bones"; and "The Hangover," which was voted best comedy.
"District 9" won for best makeup, "Grey Gardens" was best TV movie and "The Cove" was named best documentary.
Winners are chosen by members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the largest such group in North America comprising 200 TV, radio and online film critics.
AP Television Producer Mike Cidoni contributed to this report.
O'Brien exit deal near, source says
LOS ANGELES –
NBC is nearing a deal with "Tonight" host Conan O'Brien to leave the network, freeing Jay Leno to reclaim the late-night show he hosted for 17 years.
According to Associated Press, a person familiar with the negotiations says top NBC Universal executives and representatives for O'Brien on Friday were close to settling details of his departure. The person, who did not have the authority to discuss the issue, spoke on condition of anonymity, AP said.
The person says Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer is among those involved in the talks.
The focus is on how much O'Brien, who has time left on his NBC contract, would be paid for leaving and what limits NBC may put on his future employment at another network.
NBC is nearing a deal with "Tonight" host Conan O'Brien to leave the network, freeing Jay Leno to reclaim the late-night show he hosted for 17 years.
According to Associated Press, a person familiar with the negotiations says top NBC Universal executives and representatives for O'Brien on Friday were close to settling details of his departure. The person, who did not have the authority to discuss the issue, spoke on condition of anonymity, AP said.
The person says Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer is among those involved in the talks.
The focus is on how much O'Brien, who has time left on his NBC contract, would be paid for leaving and what limits NBC may put on his future employment at another network.
Overnight sensation
ASSOCIATED PRESS–
He won't be the next American Idol, but the show's hardly over for "General" Larry Platt.
The 63-year-old civil rights veteran -- now the subject of more than 600 news stories and counting, according to a Google search -- has become an Internet sensation after performing his original song, "Pants On The Ground" at an audition for the ninth season of "American Idol." It wasn't really singing or rapping but it was performed with some gusto and even included a little break dancing for good measure.
Platt's fan base exploded after his Wednesday night debut, as his audition hit YouTube and Twitter. Within hours, he had been clicked and tweeted into one of the Internet's most popular topics. Jimmy Fallon reprised a version of the song on his show Thursday night, and Platt is scheduled for an appearance on ABC's daytime talk show "The View" next week.
Clips of Platt's "Idol" performance continued to get Web hits Friday on Twitter and YouTube.
"I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit," skeptical "Idol" judge Simon Cowell reluctantly predicted on the show.
Surrounded by plaques recognizing his work in civil rights and photographs of Platt with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis and others from that era at his home in East Atlanta this week, the e-celebrity seemed dazed by the attention. Platt — given the nickname "General" for his work during the civil rights era — said he hoped his message of personal responsibility doesn't get lost in his popularity.
His message is simple and the lyrics of the song came to him one day after he spotted a young man holding a child, his pants hanging below his waist.
"After all this work I did with Dr. King ... walking around with your pants on the ground?" Platt said. "They're going to have to get them up. I'm sorry."
His show-stealing performance was the last of a round of auditions taped in Atlanta last August. He was allowed to perform even though the age cutoff for contestants was 28.
The spotlight on him, Contestant 103519 began belting out the now infamous verse: "Pants on the ground! Pants on the ground! Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!"
Shaking his head at the end of Platt's song, Cowell offered: "I don't think this is gonna be the last we hear about you. I have a feeling about you, Larry."
For Platt, the song was just another one of his causes. He said Thursday that he and his civil rights colleagues sacrificed too much for today's youth to walk around with sagging pants.
Platt — his black jeans securely fastened — proudly showed off black and white photographs that show him alongside civil rights icons documenting his social justice work as a dedicated foot soldier with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Platt is still an activist, and can frequently be seen in downtown Atlanta holding signs protesting foreclosures, war, violence, racism and "any wicked things that take place."
Bolstered by his newfound fame, Platt doesn't plan to stop singing his "Idol" anthem anytime soon and is grateful for the opportunity for his song to reach a broader audience.
"People around the world are calling about me because they like what I'm doing," Platt said. "Some people tried to steal my song but they can't sing like me. I'm going to go around the world singing my song."
Platt said he's hoping for the same fate as fellow wacky "Idol" contestant William Hung, whose rendition of Latin crooner Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" gained him a cult following and a record deal, even though he didn't make the "Idol" cut.
"He still made it, ain't that right?" Platt said, smiling. "That's what I'm going to do."
He won't be the next American Idol, but the show's hardly over for "General" Larry Platt.
The 63-year-old civil rights veteran -- now the subject of more than 600 news stories and counting, according to a Google search -- has become an Internet sensation after performing his original song, "Pants On The Ground" at an audition for the ninth season of "American Idol." It wasn't really singing or rapping but it was performed with some gusto and even included a little break dancing for good measure.
Platt's fan base exploded after his Wednesday night debut, as his audition hit YouTube and Twitter. Within hours, he had been clicked and tweeted into one of the Internet's most popular topics. Jimmy Fallon reprised a version of the song on his show Thursday night, and Platt is scheduled for an appearance on ABC's daytime talk show "The View" next week.
Clips of Platt's "Idol" performance continued to get Web hits Friday on Twitter and YouTube.
"I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit," skeptical "Idol" judge Simon Cowell reluctantly predicted on the show.
Surrounded by plaques recognizing his work in civil rights and photographs of Platt with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis and others from that era at his home in East Atlanta this week, the e-celebrity seemed dazed by the attention. Platt — given the nickname "General" for his work during the civil rights era — said he hoped his message of personal responsibility doesn't get lost in his popularity.
His message is simple and the lyrics of the song came to him one day after he spotted a young man holding a child, his pants hanging below his waist.
"After all this work I did with Dr. King ... walking around with your pants on the ground?" Platt said. "They're going to have to get them up. I'm sorry."
His show-stealing performance was the last of a round of auditions taped in Atlanta last August. He was allowed to perform even though the age cutoff for contestants was 28.
The spotlight on him, Contestant 103519 began belting out the now infamous verse: "Pants on the ground! Pants on the ground! Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!"
Shaking his head at the end of Platt's song, Cowell offered: "I don't think this is gonna be the last we hear about you. I have a feeling about you, Larry."
For Platt, the song was just another one of his causes. He said Thursday that he and his civil rights colleagues sacrificed too much for today's youth to walk around with sagging pants.
Platt — his black jeans securely fastened — proudly showed off black and white photographs that show him alongside civil rights icons documenting his social justice work as a dedicated foot soldier with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Platt is still an activist, and can frequently be seen in downtown Atlanta holding signs protesting foreclosures, war, violence, racism and "any wicked things that take place."
Bolstered by his newfound fame, Platt doesn't plan to stop singing his "Idol" anthem anytime soon and is grateful for the opportunity for his song to reach a broader audience.
"People around the world are calling about me because they like what I'm doing," Platt said. "Some people tried to steal my song but they can't sing like me. I'm going to go around the world singing my song."
Platt said he's hoping for the same fate as fellow wacky "Idol" contestant William Hung, whose rendition of Latin crooner Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" gained him a cult following and a record deal, even though he didn't make the "Idol" cut.
"He still made it, ain't that right?" Platt said, smiling. "That's what I'm going to do."
T.M.I.
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay –
Julio Iglesias has a reputation as a famous lover, but he told a concert audience he abandoned his prolific sex life 15 years.
During a performance in Punta del Este, Uruguay, he said that when he first performed there at age 24, he was "like a rabbit."
The singer added that he had a "superstition, a quirk or whatever, that I couldn't go onstage to sing if I didn't make love first."
But the 66-year-old singer says "I gave that up completely 15 years ago."
In 1971, Iglesias married Filipina journalist and model, Isabel Preysler and had three children, Chabeli Iglesias, Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias. Their marriage was annulled in 1979.
Iglesias is now married to former Dutch model, Miranda Rijnsburger, with whom he has two sons and twin daughters.
According to Associated Press, Iglesias' comments were reported Friday by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais. Iglesias publicist Paula Montoli didn't comment on whether Iglesias was celibate, but told AP his comments were intended to be lighthearted and "ironic."
Julio Iglesias has a reputation as a famous lover, but he told a concert audience he abandoned his prolific sex life 15 years.
During a performance in Punta del Este, Uruguay, he said that when he first performed there at age 24, he was "like a rabbit."
The singer added that he had a "superstition, a quirk or whatever, that I couldn't go onstage to sing if I didn't make love first."
But the 66-year-old singer says "I gave that up completely 15 years ago."
In 1971, Iglesias married Filipina journalist and model, Isabel Preysler and had three children, Chabeli Iglesias, Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias. Their marriage was annulled in 1979.
Iglesias is now married to former Dutch model, Miranda Rijnsburger, with whom he has two sons and twin daughters.
According to Associated Press, Iglesias' comments were reported Friday by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais. Iglesias publicist Paula Montoli didn't comment on whether Iglesias was celibate, but told AP his comments were intended to be lighthearted and "ironic."
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