On reflection and given the way I have been treated, I now have sympathy with much of what the British Press has reported about her.

Ouch, that sucks. Especially since the Brits (God love them and their humor/humour) are especially vicious when reporting the news and celebrity gossip.

Anyway, here is Page Six's headline/six word memoir.

"Heather loses her P.R. leg, too"

Snap!

[Posted by Kathleen]

WARREN BUFFETT, BILL GATES AND LUDACRIS ATTEND TEAM USA VICTORY OVER CANADA IN LAS VEGAS

KIM KARDASHIAN

For a picture of Kim Kardashian's bare ass click:      HERE

Balelicioius and his adorable daughter spotted leaving Heathrow airport on July 25th.

BET gave a Mariah fanatic an opportunity to interview her when she stopped by the studio last week. She's so annoying, she's like a robot.

Thank heaven for Amanda Peet, one of the few celebrities who has actually conducted educated research on the topic of vaccines, and is speaking out against those who are still refusing to vaccinate their children.

A light of common sense in the dark world of celebrity causes, where popularity apparently validates uneducated opinions, and trumps all logic and science.

Peet was interviewed by "Cookie", a parenting magazine, and described her own concerns about vaccines for her own child, and the steps she took to research her legitimate concerns. Peet, a university graduate, came to the conclusion that was supported by science.

Now, anyone can have critical thinking skills, but perhaps those who are educated actually utilize them?

This is in direct contrast to Jenny McCarthy, who was applauded when she went on the "Oprah" show and proudly described how her research into autism started with "Google". McCarthy continued to receive applause for spouting her unscientific and inaccurate opinions about autism and vaccines.

I have to say that I don't believe Amanda Peet should be listened to because she is a celebrity, I am saying that her opinion on vaccines is more credible.

Why? Because she supports it with scientifically accurate facts, and understands that evidence-based findings are to be believed over inaccurate media reporting and emotion-based responses.

Bravo, Amanda Peet. Thank you for being a responsible parent to your son, and for agreeing to the interview in "Cookie" magazine.

The interview that started it all.. (In Part, Emphasis Mine)

I was shocked at the amount of misinformation floating around, particularly in Hollywood," says Peet, who quickly boned up on the hot-button controversies surrounding the topic, including the unproven link between certain vaccines and autism; the safety of preservatives like mercury-based thimerosal; and the fear that the relatively high number of shots kids receive today can overwhelm young immune systems. Her conclusion? Well, not only is Frankie up-to-date on her vaccines (with no staggering), but her mom will soon appear in public-service announcements for Every Child by Two. "I buy 99 percent organic food for Frankie, and I don't like to give her medicine or put sunscreen on her," says Peet. "But now that I've done my research, vaccines do not concern me." What does concern her is the growing number of unvaccinated children who are benefiting from the "shield" created by the inoculated—we are protected from viruses only if everyone, or most everyone, is immunized: "Frankly, I feel that parents who don't vaccinate their children are parasites."

The apology for the "parasite" comment.. (In Part, Emphasis Mine)

I believe in my heart that my use of the word "parasites" was mean and divisive; I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness. For this I am truly sorry. Since my mom has Parkinson's Disease, I know what it feels like to want a concrete cause, and a concrete cure, as soon as possible.

And the best summary of the vaccination "debate" from a celebrity who actually has a post-secondary education: (In Part, Emphasis Mine)

However, I still believe that the decision not to vaccinate our children bodes for a dangerous future. Vast reductions in immunization will lead to a resurgence of deadly viruses. This is as indisputable as global warming. I know a lot of parents who secretly use as a justification, "Well, enough other people are vaccinating, so therefore, we don't have to."

In this era of cynicism, it's hard to believe that any corporation, medical or otherwise, has our best interests at heart. But it's irresponsible to suggest that virtually the entire medical community, and the CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics are behind a massive cover-up about vaccine safety. Fourteen studies have been conducted (both here in the US and abroad), and these tests are reproducible; no matter where they are administered, or who is funding them, the conclusion is the same: there is no association between autism and vaccines. How many more studies do we need to conduct on vaccines, before we start re-channeling our efforts and money towards research on autism?

The real question is why the media and journalists are still presenting vaccine safety as a controversy. There are a few fringe medical groups and parent advocacy groups who claim that vaccines cause autism, or that they have too many "toxins," or "viral challenges" for our tiny babies' bodies to handle. In fact, although there are many more vaccine doses given today, the entire vaccine schedule contains far fewer antigens—components of viruses or bacteria—than vaccines of the past. (In other words, it's more shots, but less vaccine.) Why doesn't anyone talk about this? There are still fringe scientists who claim that HIV is a government conspiracy, but these people do not get a lot of media coverage, as it's accepted that this theory has no medical/biological plausibility.

My concern is for our children and their futures. In the fifties, vaccines were recognized as life-saving. My mom had polio and was quarantined when she was 6 years old. It's so hard to appreciate vaccines now that so few children are dying from preventable diseases today, but that could all change if we're not vigilant. There are currently multiple measles outbreaks in the United States. Hopefully children do not have to die before people start to realize the cost of withholding vaccines.

Dr. Steven Novella:"Celebrity Smackdown", Amanda Peet Vs. Jenny McCarthy (In Part)

The problem comes, in my opinion, when actors and actresses feel that their political opinions or ideology are somehow more valuable than anyone else’s because of their fame. I don’t necessarily blame them - they have a right to express their opinions and their fame gives them an outlet. I do think that if they are going to trade on their fame then they have a responsibility for what they promote, but I am not questioning their right to promote whatever they choose. Rather I maintain that the public should largely not care what celebrities think about issues that have nothing to do with their art and profession.

Recently I have been very critical of actress Jenny McCarthy for becoming the celebrity spokesperson for the anti-vaccinationist movement. My criticisms have focussed on what she has said - endorsing nonsense about toxins in vaccines, the “too many too soon” slogan which is not evidence-based, and generally promoting the false controversy about a link between vaccines and autism.

But hooray for Amanda Peet. Again - I don’t think this is an issue to be decided by celebrity endorsements, but at least she came down on the side of science and evidence.

Another Valid Point from Dr. Steven Novella.. (In Part)

While I appreciate Amanda Peet’s support, I feel strongly that scientific questions should be handled by the scientific community. Celebrities are great when they support causes - but when they second guess the scientific community and decide to advocate for their own scientific conclusions, they are more likely to cause harm than good.

More Wisdom from Orac.. (In Part, Emphasis Mine)

Peet's remarks were intelligent and scientifically accurate, in marked contrast to those of another celebrity mother, Jenny McCarthy, whose output of stupid and scientifically ignorant anti-vaccine propaganda is enough to risk an IQ drop of 10 points in just about anyone subjected to her malignant pseudoscientific nonsense.

Nippy's back ya'll!

Check out Whitney's new track called "Like I Never Left" ft. Akon, who ruins the song with his annoying voice.

The Angelicas confess

... I guess I arrive "to the house of George Clooney, that I live with him, and he comes with my son Georgito Junior in the van ... . we can also be nominated to the Oscars and arrive together. My dream is to arrive at the Oscars, be the first Mexican actress to win an Oscar, "she said.

"It's incredible, but this would be the biggest thing in my life," added "The most beautiful ugly girl" 32-year-old, who aspires also to release a music cd to let the world hear her voice.

For her part, Angelica Maria said that she would like to die acting on a stage and acknowledged in a more serious tone than her daughter, with the passing of time she do not have all doors open as years ago.

"It is increasingly difficult because every time I see less doors open. "There are opportunities for young people" , said the veteran actress and singer, who after 20 years of absence from the U.S. theaters returned in September 2007 with Mexican-American production "Sea of Dreams", directed by her compatriot Jose Bojorquez.

The 63 year old artist, who plans to record a new album in five or six months, said that the most important thing is that she continues to work and that she is as "stubborn" to continue to seek opportunities acting. "I'm going to continue while I can " , she said seriously in the interview, conducted in the Univision Network dressing room.

Mother and daughter worked in the successful soap opera "La Fea Mas Bella", which remained in first place of harmony during their 14 months of transmission, with a total of 580 chapters.

For the first time since working together, Angelica Maria played a secondary role while Vale was the protagonist.

"I knew that Angelica Vale was going to reach a big success with the telenovela and wanted to be with her," said the mother, who hopes that her daughter will achieve their dreams for their abilities as an actress. "I have talent, but she has exceeded, "said the proud mother of her daughter, who in 2007 was among the 50 most beautiful people of the People en Espanol.

According to the oldest of the Angelicas, the mother, who worked in more than 17 plays, 17 telenovelas, 57 films, 64 fotonovelas and 600 television programs, Vale not only inherited her talent but also her father's, the comedian, actor and singer Raul Vale, who died in 2003 because of a lung cancer, which she described as "extraordinary". "We did this monster together which is really crazy," added the mother with affection. Both said they are in Miami to thank the public for "La Fea Mas Bella" full support and affection in a series of meetings organized by a brand of soft drinks. "How can we fail to give back the people a little of that love?" Said Vale.

I think I'm about 2 generations out of my league.  I miss real teen crushes like JTT, Devon Sawa, and Jonathan Brandis.  Hell, even Hanson and the Backstreet Boys!  BRING BACK THE 90'S!  Remember when Ryan Phillipe became everyone's middle school obsession in Cruel Intentions?

Nicole Richie attended traffic school in Hollywood on July 25th.

Courtesy of VIBE.com

Between 1998 and 2008 how have you developed musically? 

Mashonda: My writing skills have gotten better because I’ve experienced so much more and have more to write about.  Vocally, I’m 100 percent better, I’ve been training and touring, so I have more confidence and swag. 

Are you still on Swizz’s label? 

Let me clear that up, Full Surface is our label.  And, yes I am still on the label, I don’t know if it’s going to change, but that’s what it is right now. 

Where are you with the production of the album? 

I’m still in the studio, being very selective with the sound and feel. I want to be careful how I express everything. 

What’s the title of the album? 

The Renovation Series –it’s me, a renovation of my life. Meaning I’ve been in one situation for ten years and feel like it was time.. I want people to be not afraid of change, because I know I was.  Living any other way than how I was living didn’t seem realistic.  I want people to know change is possible, and sometimes for the best.

Speaking of changes what producers do you have on your album, will production still include Swizz? 

I am going with a lot of unknown people that have heart.   Like Drop, one of Swizz’s protégé’s, produced “No Panties,” and then there is Tony Kelly a big reggae producer who did “All or Nothing.” Swizz definitely wants to be involved and he should be. I got to give t it to him, Swizz is the most hard working motivated person in the music industry. 

Talk about the singles, “No Panties” and “All for Nothing”. 

 I feel people expect me to do a lot of scorned man hating songs, but “No Panties” is my man loving song.  “All or Nothing,” is a polite but sarcastic tell off.  It’s when a man wants all from a woman, and when she needs something it’s task, so you begin to do you and let them do them. Honestly when I wrote that song, I did not have Swizz in mind. Even when he listened to it he thought the song was about him. It really wasn’t, but maybe it was subliminally coming out on the paper. 

We mentioned Swizz a couple of times, let’s go back when you first met. 

I had a picture hanging on the wall in the studio, and he had the guy that owned the studio call me.  We talked for a whole month before we met up for a semi-blind date.  When I met him he looked like he was 15, but he was so sweet and charming he won me over. We moved in together, got our first apartment together, and became a support system for each other.Married for how long? 

We wed February 15, 2003 so 5 years, but we been together for 10 years. 

For people who don’t know Swizz Beatz, who is he as a man? 

He is definitely a laid back type of guy.  He is a people’s person, a great talker, and a charmer. 

Who is Mashonda? 

I believe in real things like morals and ethics. I’m cool, fly, and anyone who knows me can’t deny I am extremely loyal.  When I was in my relationship I gave him 100.  Like I wouldn’t even talk to other people. There’s not one person who I can say I gave them air play in the last 10 years. Not one number, not one conversation, nothing.  

How about now? There were some rumors regarding [Alicia Keys’ fiancée´] Krucial Keys. 

The media turned this whole Krucial Keys thing into some ridiculousness.  Went out to D-Nices’ birthday party – a very good and mutual friend of both Swizz and I – to have a good time and promote the album. I get caught up in all the unnecessary shit for no reason.  I don’t even want to make a big deal about it because I’m not worried.  Everything I’m going through in my personal life is not for publicity. People don’t risk their marriage, personal beliefs and children for bullshit publicity.  I want to dead the assumptions, fake media rumors, and All the Krucial rumors – it’s crazy.

When I say Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz how do you feel? 

No comment. 

Okay. 

No comment says a lot, right? Yeah, no comment says a whole lot. 

So you and Swizz were married, had a son, when did you find out it was a wrap? 

For legal issues I can’t discuss, but eventually I will.  I just want people to understand that in January 2008 at my birthday party, in my eyes my husband and I seemed perfectly happy.  Hip-Hop Weekly did an exclusive, and things were fine. Whatever happened after that, I wasn’t aware. I didn’t know about anything, it was a rude awakening. I feel like I gave too much already, but just know I am in no way shape or form using what is going on to push my music. The media is creating a scandal, and I’m creating music, it’s not apart of each other. 

Understood. What are you doing for your career so you’re not labeled just Swizz Beatz ex-wife? 

There is no ex-wife situation yet, we’re not even legally separated yet. We are still in the beginning stages. 

So it’s a break? 

Maybe it’s a break, I don’t know. I don’t know if shit will ever be the same, and I don’t honestly see how it could.  Maybe this is God saying we need to do us for a minute, and I’m not pushing for anything but peace at this point. I’m not wanting him to crawl back and I’m not on his heals. All I want is peace and to be on decent terms for our son. 

For so long you were Mashonda, Swizz Beatz, wife, and not Mashonda the artist. How are you going to change that? 

It’s hard. I’ve had the label as Swizz’s wife forever. I was in a box. There were times I would cancel shows because he was sick, people would look at me like I had ten fucking heads, like ‘Are you serious?’ It was a part of why people didn’t take me seriously, and I understand it was my fault. They were my decisions and mishaps. But when you are someone’s wife you want do right by them 100 percent. No matter what anyone says Swizz always wanted me to be just his wife, he didn’t want the artist and the wife.  He wanted the wife! Then I respected it.  But music was still inside of me, and didn’t go anywhere when I met him.  When I met him I was on my shit. He tried to be supportive, but it’s my turn to take it to another level independently and put out good music.

Describe your relationship. 

Our relationship, compared to others, was the most sacred, private relationship. We weren’t the paparazzi type couple, we more normal than anything else, but in any relationship, shit happens. We’ve been together for ten years and got together really young. I don’t blame him per se’ for what happened, because it’s life and people make mistakes and people regret their mistakes. 

Was there a change in Swizz as he got deeper in the industry? 

Oh girl, yes! But with Swizz it took time. There was definitely a slight change. 

Slight? 

Let’s use the word-different, not really the same person I knew 10 years ago. 

Did you change? 

I got smarter. He might say I got comfortable. 

What hurt the relationship? 

Swizz went from producer to rapper and that’s where the shift started. I was pregnant at the time. I didn’t even know about his song “It’s Me Bitches” until after I got out the hospital. I’m like, ‘Word, your doing a video and the baby is three weeks old?’ I was happy for him, it was just bad timing. I know he had to promote, but I had just had our son, and had to ask ‘Am I doing this alone?’ 

What song would describe you and your situation right now? 

Definitely, Joss Stone’s “Bruised but Not Broken.” I stopped asking God for strength, but for patience. When you ask God for strength you are asking for a challenge, I don’t want to be challenged, I pray for patience. I put everything in God’s hands and give it back to him. This is not my fight.

So now, is it love or are you still in love? 

No. It’s love. 

How quick does “in love” go away in ten years? Do you resent anyone? 

(Silence) That’s deep. No. I love him. He’s been a part of my life for ten years… I still don’t believe that this is really him.  He’s going through whatever he’s going through and that is fine.  But, it’s still a lot of love.  He’s the father of my child, you know… and he’s a human being; we’re both human beings.  And I don’t put fault on him entirely.  I’m sure we both had some parts to do with it.  In the beginning there was resentment, but not now. We are all under God, and so there’s no reason to resent anyone, there’s nothing that I can do or say to change this, we’ll all be well taken care of. 

http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2008/07/mashonda_bruised_but_not_broken/

It seems that there’s always a constant struggle between good and bad with Amy Winehouse.  And yesterday the troubled singer ditched her healthy lifestyle for more of her partying ways.

Earlier in the day, her family came to her home to support her during the first visit with her new personal trainer.  But the positive direction was quickly replaced by her self-destructive tendencies.

Last night, the “Rehab” songstress was spotted drinking (a bottle of Smirnoff) and smoking (what looked like a hand-rolled cigarette, hopefully!) with Mick Whitnall of Babyshambles and gal pal Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace.

And by 8am this morning, Winehouse had finally had enough - as she and her pals hopped in a cab and headed home.  The Back To Black singer clutched a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand, and her inhaler in the other.

Read the whole story at http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/amy-winehouse-ditches-healthy-kick-for-partying-205070/

See video at http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/26/amy-winehouse-a-jack-of-all-trades/

So the series finale of Avatar: The Last Airbender recently aired on Nickelodeon.  I really enjoyed the series, well if you know me I love action and cartoons so all together it was great.  However, the Airbender movie is in pre-production.  Why?  The series ended on a good note, evil firelord defeated, true love, albeit mix-matched, prevails, all in all a happy ending.  So why is there a movie?  What will it be about, why is it live-action, and why is M. Night Shyamalan attached to it as the director?  This all equals one thing: CRAP.  Has anyone seen M. Night's last movie The Happening?  Or his movie before that, Lady in the Water, or the one before that The Village, or the one before that Signs?  Ok, ok Signs was ok.  Except for the ending...water? Aliens with super advanced technology to even detect Earth and then travel there, who also have a deadly reaction to water come to a planet that is 80% water?  Yeah, that killed it for me.  Its like me, with a deadly reaction to shellfish, going to an all you can eat seafood buffet, and actually trying to eat all I can.  Smart.

Anyways, all of M. Night's movies have the same ending...a twist!  Woo-hoo, a twist.  I'm sick of his twists. Stop with the twists ok, it worked with The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable but then we saw it coming, and after Signs we really saw it coming.  Aren't there any up and coming directors we can promote and give jobs to, instead of squandering money on M. Night's repetitive, crappy movies.  Why is Hollywood being so lazy and stupid?  Ok, that's rhetorical, but come on! Don't give him anymore money until he actually writes something worthwhile, and not pretty ok, but F***ing Amazing!!!!

Also Live-Action?  WTF are they thinking?  How is this not going to be the goofiest looking movie ever?  Especially since M. Night is at the helm.  Ok, I can actually almost handle the Live-Action, since look what Christopher Nolan did with Batman, its possible to bring comics and cartoons to life.  Duh.  However, why not get someone with vision like Nolan, you know someone dedicated to not making crap.  Or someone who likes good plots, and visuals.  Just someone like that, hmmm....a quality director.  All I'm saying is they should rethink this whole thing, before they end up  with another M. Night Shyamalan flop.

Oh, and if they use a bunch of white people as the clearly asian/middle-eastern characters, I'm really gonna throw up.

One last thing, at the end of the finale Ang and Katara kiss like make-out style.  Um...isn't Ang like 12-13?  Isn't Katara like 15?  That's gross, when I was 15 I would never have thought to have my first kiss with a 12 year old.  Sick, if  I was Katara (and when I dyed my hair brown and had the grey/blue eye color I looked like her, but now I look more like Azula, evil I know) I would totally have gone for Zuko, and that Mai chick would have had a run for her boring money.

Tatyana Ali attended the "Hotel California" premiere during the 9th Annual New York International Latino Film Festival in NYC on July 25th.

a spokesperson said: i gather kevin federline is celebrating because he expects to have at least £50 a month left over, after he's paid the kids their pocket money.

Please ensure you change your bookmarks, and RSS feed settings accordingly to the new site.

We will keep this page up for the near future, but news posts, etc. will be going to the new blog at gigglemal.com

Here are a few of yesterday's players that got posting on time: Jag, Slarti, Ginger, 'Coma, Heartbreaktown and Squirrel Queen. I know I missed a few players but you know who you are.

Have a good Saturday!

I was glad to be a part of another huge event for Pinoy music lovers, Lifehouse live in Manila! I just got home from the Araneta Coliseum, and the music is still ringing in my ears (in a good way, and not just in a tinnitus way). We got there pretty early, with most of the seats still empty.

Eventually the seats started filling up, and before we knew it, the venue runneth over. True enough, it was a sold-out event. I knew Lifehouse had a strong following in the Philippines, but I didn't expect the fans to be as rabid as say the fans of Maroon 5 or even Vertical Horizon. But the minute the band hit the stage, with their charismatic lead, Jason Wade, the deal was sealed.

It was actually nice that like Maroon 5, they didn't have a front act. Nothing against local bands, but if you're wired to see a certain act, local or foreign, it's a bummer to have to sit through a set of a band you didn't really go there for. That's why it's a thankless job to front for anyone. The band was incredible. You know how a lot of recording artists sound great on CD but sound only about 70% as good live? Lifehouse sounded like one of their records and then some. Jason Wade hardly wavered with his musicianship, hitting every note and emotion perfectly.

They ripped through most of their hits, but most notably, they brought the house down with "Hanging By A Moment", "Whatever It Takes", "First Time", and the inescapable anthem, "You and Me". By the end of their encore, fans were shouting "Everything!" for the band to sing the song. But like "Sick Cycle Carousel", they skipped that. But it was nice that they ended with their latest single, "Broken".

By the end of their show, the band was gushing about the audience, which we always enjoy, and they were saying (as a lot of acts do) that we were so warm and they just loved being here and even wanted to extend a couple of days. It would've been nice to have caught them at RX when they dropped by for an interview, but when I went home to get my camera, I laid down for a minute, and without meaning to, fell fast asleep. By the time I woke up, the band had long gone from RX. Trust me to miss out on a once in a lifetime chance because of a nap.

What I really liked about the band was that they performed with all their might and all their heart. Even the songs that they knew weren't popular, they performed like it was their biggest hit. They sold me one song that I never heard before but instantly loved, just based on how well they performed it, a song called, "Better Luck Next Time". Loved it.

Again, thanks to She and Mario for an unforgettable evening.

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