Superiorpics.com: Entertainment News Tuesday, March 21, 2006

'SOUTH PARK' CHEF BACK AFTER SCIENTOLOGY SKIRMISH

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Soul singer Isaac Hayes may have quit his job as the voice of Chef on "South Park" after a disagreement over religion, but his character will live on when the satiric cable TV cartoon returns to Comedy Central this week, the network said on Monday.

Hayes and his "South Park" alter ego are at the center of an ongoing flap over an episode last November that poked fun at the Church of Scientology and its celebrity adherents, including actor Tom Cruise.

The tenth season of "South Park" will launch on Wednesday with a new episode titled "The Return of Chef!", marking the "triumphant homecoming" of lusty school cafeteria cook James "Chef" McElroy to the show, the network said in a statement.

Hayes, 63, himself a follower of Scientology, surprised producers a week ago by announcing he was leaving the series because he objected to its "inappropriate ridicule" of religion, though he made no reference to the show's spoof of Scientology last fall.

Two days later, Comedy Central abruptly pulled a scheduled repeat of that episode, titled "Trapped in the Closet." Sources close to the show said the rerun was canceled after Cruise threatened to boycott promotion of his upcoming film, "Mission: Impossible III," for sister studio Paramount Pictures.

Representatives for Cruise and the studio denied this. But "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone fed the furor by issuing a statement suggesting the Church of Scientology was behind the decision to scrap the rerun.

The network has also noted that various religions including Christianity, Judaism and Islam have been targets of the show's satire since its inception.

The network statement announcing Chef's return for the "South Park" season premiere this Wednesday was a clear sign that Parker and Stone planned to use the Hayes imbroglio as further grist for their comedy.

"Knowing these guys as I do, I can't imagine that they're not going to do just that," Comedy Central spokesman Tony Fox told Reuters. He added that the producers routinely "turn around" new episodes in just six days, leaving them ample time to incorporate last week's dust-up into their season debut.

Fox said he assumed someone besides Hayes would supply Chef's voice. Details of the new episode were vague.

But a network synopsis said the fictional town of South Park, Colorado, is "jolted out of a case of the doldrums when Chef suddenly reappears," leading to new antics by the group of foul-mouthed fourth graders who are the show's stars.

"While Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman are thrilled to have their old friend back, they notice that something about Chef seems different. When Chef's strange behavior starts getting him in trouble, the boys pull out all the stops to save him."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

GEORGE CLOONEY IS BACK WITH KRISTA ALLEN

George Clooney during the filming on West Broadway of his movie " Michael Clayton " New York City, USA - 09.03.06

KRISTA ALLEN Rising Star 2005 Gala Beverly Hilton Hotel Beverly Hills, California - 11.11.05

Rumor has it that George Clooney and Krista Allen are an item once again. Clooney, 44, who won an Oscar this month for his role in Syriana, and Allen, 34, have a long history of being on-again and off-again. Clooney reportedly skipped the post-Oscar parties in favor of spending the evening reuniting with Allen. While the rumor mills temporarily swirled that George might have been hooking up with actress Teri Hatcher back in January, it was never actually confirmed. Thanks to Krista, it looks like the famous bachelor may be off the market - for now.

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

DONALD TRUMP IS A FATHER AGAIN

DONALD TRUMP and pregnant wife MELANIA KNAUSS at the Fashion Group International 22nd Night of Stars held at Cipriani New York City, USA - 27.10.05

Donald Trump, 59, and wife Melania, 35, announced today that they are the proud parents of a baby boy. The new bundle of joy, named Barron William Trump, weighed in at 8 1/2 lbs. and was born at 5 am. "It's a beautiful baby and she's a beautiful mother," the new father beamed. Barron William is Donald’s fifth and Melania’s first child. Donald also has children by former wives Ivana Trump and Marla Maples. Don't worry ladies..those child support checks will still be in the mail on time.

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

ARE NICK LACHEY AND KRISTIN CAVALLARI AN ITEM?

The divorce papers from Jessica Simpson haven't even been drawn up yet and Nick Lachey may already be on the prowl. Nick Lachey, 32, and Kristin Cavallari, 19, of Laguna Beach fame, hooked up at the W Hotel on February 23 in LA and reportedly even spent the night together. Now they've been spotted out on another hot date at Stanley's Restaurant in Sherman Oaks last week. Though both have publicly been claiming that they are "just friends", it sure doesn't look that way to the rest of us. When Us Weekly asked 100 people in New York City if they trusted Kristin, 56% said no. Looks like Nick may have his hands full with this one.

Nick Lachey General Motors Annual Ten Celebrity Fashion Show - Arrivals 1540 Vine Street Los Angeles, California - 28.02.06

Kristin Cavallari Cosmopolitan Magazine honours Patrick Dempsey as Fun Fearless Male of the Year Los Angeles, California - 13.02.06

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

SUGABABES VICTIMS OF OWN LYRICS

SUGABABES star KEISHA BUCHANAN hates being approached by men who think it's clever to use the band's lyrics as chat-up lines.

The 21-year-old singer thinks it's "embarrassing" men can't think up something more original with which to charm her and bandmates HEIDI RANGE and AMELLE BERRABAH.

She says, "When FREAK LIKE ME came out there was a couple saying 'I'll be your freak,' but PUSH THE BUTTON has been the worst.

"'I'd like to push your button', and 'Are you gonna push my button?' and 'Oooh! I wanna push your button'.

"That whole pushing the button thing? Fellas, please, stop it. It's embarrassing."

Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah, and Keisha Buchanan of Sugababes at HMV store, Oxford Street
London, England - 06.03.06

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

SANTANA SLAMS BUSH

Latin rock guitarist CARLOS SANTANA has slammed US President GEORGE W BUSH, using the words of late superstar JIMI HENDRIX to attack the war in Iraq.

Carlos Santana (L) and President George W Bush (R)

The SMOOTH hitmaker is horrified by the US-led military action and is urging American citizens to speak-out against war.

And he insists the political leader needs to take notice of Hendrix's philosophies.

He says, "I have wisdom. I feel love. I live in the present and I try to present a dimension that brings harmony and healing.

"My concept is the opposite of George W Bush.

"There is more value in placing a flower in a rifle barrel than making war.

"As Jimi Hendrix used to say, musical notes have more importance than bullets."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

FATHERHOOD SOFTENS GROHL

Pending fatherhood is turning FOO FIGHTERS star DAVE GROHL soft - he's hoping to write piano lullabies.

Dave Grohl and wife Jordyn Blum
Sony BMG host a celebration for its 2006 Grammy Award Nominees with an afterparty held at Tropicana Bar in the The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel,
Los Angeles, California - 08.02.06

The rocker insists he'll be using the piano his wife bought him for his last birthday to create tunes - and he'll be using his baby, which is due next month (APR06), as inspiration.

He says, "I've never played piano, and I've always wanted to. I taught myself how to play every instrument that I play. I've never taken lessons.

"Just before my birthday, I sat down and started to figure out how to play piano, just by ear. I'm not f**king LIBERACE, but I'm figuring it out."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

WYNONNA GOES PUBLIC WITH REHAB NEWS TO BEAT THE TABLOIDS

Country superstar WYNONNA went public with her food addiction problems on CNN talk show LARRY KING LIVE on Sunday (19MAR06), to beat US tabloids to the scoop.

The singer was trying to play down the 42 days she spent fighting her eating disorder in a Texas rehabilitation centre at the beginning of the year (06), but an upcoming tabloid article led her to tell all about her food battle.

When family friend LARRY KING asked why she had chosen to go public with her rehab news on his show, she replied, "There's a tabloid story out next week and it just so happens you're here today. I trust you."

Wynonna told King she has lost 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) since checking into rehab and she has been "abstinent" from sugar for 60 days, adding, "I don't get hungry... Newsflash, Wynonna's not hungry, ladies and gentleman."

The singer also told King she's hopeful she'll beat her food addiction for good.

She explained, "This heartbeat, this breath, this minute, I'm OK, and I live 12 hours at a time. Can I do it right now? Yes I can. Will I mess up tomorrow? I don't know, I'm not there yet."

But Wynonna's recovery isn't easy: "I go where I know I'm safe. I don't go through drive-throughs because I know it's going to be too hard for me. I'm not quite there yet."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

PINK DITCHES DRAMA FOR GLOBAL ISSUES

PINK has vowed to leave the drama of every day life behind to focus on more pressing concerns, such as world affairs.

The STUPID GIRLS singer's message has become more political and less self-involved as she gets older.

She explains, "I guess I've pretty much done everything I wanted to do since I was six years old, but now that I'm 26, my goals have completely changed.

"I feel like I haven't accomplished anything.

"It's funny - I always hated when older people said, 'With age comes wisdom.' I was like, 'Screw you, I'm going to the club. I don't want the wisdom!'

"But now every year I care a little bit less about my drama and a little bit more about the world.

"I didn't touch a newspaper until last year, and now I read The New York Times every day.

"As far as the tabloids go, I've done it all. But as far as the world, I've done nothing. I've got so far to go."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

ARCTIC MONKEYS 'FALL SHORT' ON AMERICAN TOUR

British indie sensations ARCTIC MONKEYS have received a critical mauling at the hands of the American press - despite being the major crowd-puller at the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas last week (ends19MAR06).

Arctic Monkeys perform as part of SxSw 2006 at La Zona Rosa nightclub, Austin, Texas - 17.03.06

The teen band, whose album WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT became the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history earlier this year (06), looked set to storm America's charts following their current US tour - which sold out in minutes.

But reviews of the I BET YOU LOOK GOOD ON THE DANCEFLOOR hitmaker's American shows have failed to mirror the high levels of devotion displayed by fans.

The Miami Herald writes, "The drummer sang out of tune harmonies, the singer wasn't especially charismatic, the music felt catchy but unexceptional."

And the Oakland Times goes a step further, "You'll have to excuse the folks who might still be hanging around out front of the Great American Music Hall looking under rocks and hoping to find something more.

"Few bands have fallen short to a greater degree than the Arctic Monkeys did in San Francisco."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

AGUILERA SIGNS ORANGE DEAL

CHRISTINA AGUILERA has signed a Pan-European partnership deal with mobile phone operator Orange and handset manufacturer Sony Ericsson - even though she has yet to confirm upcoming release or tour dates.

Christina Aguilera launches Sony Ericsson and Orange Sponsorship Deal, Mandarin Hotel, London, England - 03.03.06

When the DIRRTY star does release new material later this year (06), Orange customers who use Sony Ericsson phones will have access to exclusive downloads.

Aguilera is following in the footsteps of British pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS, who signed a similar deal with Orange's rival T-Mobile in 2005.

She says of her recent recordings, "Some of the songs are kept authentic, sticking to a really raw, old-soul sound, where others combine elements of old blues, jazz and soul with a hard modern-day edge."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

STONES TO PLAY TO ONE-MILLIONTH TOKYO FAN

Veteran rockers THE ROLLING STONES will play to their one-millionth Japanese fan at the Tokyo Dome tomorrow night (21MAR06).

Rolling Stones performs at half-time in the Super Bowl XL, Detroit, Michigan - 05.02.06

The (I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION rockers will kick of the Asian leg of their A Bigger Bang world tour at the 50,000 capacity venue - their 23rd performance in Japan since their first visit in 1990.

Singer SIR MICK JAGGER told a press conference in Tokyo yesterday (20MAR06), "I can't believe we are playing to the millionth people in Japan this week. That's going to be very exciting to me."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

THREE HILARIOUS CLIPS FROM THE FILM LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR

A hilarious comedy in the vein of 'Something About Mary' and 'Dumb and Dumber' and chock-full of Larry the Cable Guy's trademark, take-no-prisoners humor, LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR marks the arrival of a new low-brow hero.

The film is directed by Trent Cooper, and also stars Joanna Cassidy, Tony Hale, Tom Wilson and Joe Pantoliano.

Clips (Windows Media):
Meeting Mom
Later Bathroom Moment
Backup Plan

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

JOLIE TOP LESBIAN FANTASY

A new poll reveals that Angelina Jolie is the woman most lesbians want to have sex with.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has been voted the ultimate girl-on-girl fantasy by readers of popular gay magazine Diva.

The magazine reports, "She's our undisputed dream-girl sending pulses racing and sales rocketing every time she graces the magazine."

The Tomb Raider star, who admits to having a bisexual experience, beats former 'Ally McBeal' star and real-life lesbian Portia De Rossi, who is the girlfriend of talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

Other beauties to complete the top ten list are Gina Gershon, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Queen Latifah, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Salma Hayek, and Drew Barrymore in the last place.

Portia De Rossi, Gina Gershon, Sharon Stone

Jodie Foster, Queen Latifah, Halle Berry

Charlize Theron, Salma Hayek, Drew Barrymore

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

JUDD TACKLES FOOD ADDICTION IN REHAB

Country star WYNONNA JUDD has tackled her food addiction problems head on - by spending 42 days in rehab.

The singer checked into the Shades of Hope clinic in Buffalo Gap, Texas, on 8 January (06) after realising her constant need for food was a disorder.

Judd has since lost 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) and she's now determined to live a healthier life.

She says, "I just didn't want to come into 2006 like I had so many years of just being so tired... I just wasn't able to really take care of myself like I needed to and I couldn't figure out what was wrong.

"(Going into rehab) was like going to college and learning why it is such an addiction... I learned about myself... why I do the things I do. We are so distracted by so much in life. I slowed down to a pace where I could think thoughts, feel things."

Judd admits the rehab experience was tough - she was forbidden from snacking on the things she loves.

She adds, "The first thing they do is they take away the addiction and I went through detox, literally. I detoxed through caffeine and sugar which is some of the worse detoxing you can do. You want somebody to be miserable take them off sugar and caffeine for a week.

"By the fifth day I got really sick and by the second week I felt clear. I was no longer in food fog, they call it."

Judd credits her new healthy life to a strict diet, which follows the Association for Diabetes food guides: "It's plenty of food, it's just not white flour, no sugar, no caffeine. It's all vegetables and healthy protein and starches."

WYNONNA JUDD at the Angel Ball, New York City, USA - 14.11.05

Related News:

- COKE'S TOO SWEET FOR WYNONNA

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

FOXX USED BBQ BUDDIES ON DEBUT ALBUM

Actor/singer JAMIE FOXX credits his brilliant barbecues with convincing a host of stars to collaborate on his debut album UNPREDICTABLE.

Unpredictable by JAMIE FOXX, USA - December 2005

SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS, MISSY ELLIOT and SHAWN 'JAY-Z' CARTER

The GOLD DIGGER star is convinced his years spent serving up the best home-cooked hamburgers and hotdogs in Hollywood were enough to tempt SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS, MISSY ELLIOT and SHAWN 'JAY-Z' CARTER into the studio.

He says, "They've been coming for years so when I asked them to be on the record it was cool."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

BROCCOLI BEGINS WORK ON CASINO ROYALE SEQUEL

JAMES BOND producer BARBARA BROCCOLI is so certain DANIEL CRAIG will be a huge hit playing 007, she has already started working on the sequel to forthcoming movie CASINO ROYALE.

Craig has come under intense scrutiny since he was announced as PIERCE BROSNAN's successor last year (05), with die hard fans setting up a website encouraging cinema-goers to boycott his debut as Bond.

But Broccoli is convinced Craig is the perfect person to give the traditionally suave superspy a grittier, rawer edge. And she has shown her commitment to Craig's appointment by announcing his second role before Casino Royale has even completed filming.

She says, "We are already working on the sequel. We're in the early stages of that. It will be an original story but will continue part of what the story is in Casino Royale."

Related News:

- CRAIG KISS RAISES $38,000

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

CHEF RETURNS FOR SOUTH PARK PREMIERE

LATEST: TREY PARKER and MATT STONE have filmed a last-minute episode of SOUTH PARK in response to Scientologist ISAAC HAYES' request to be released from his contract because the show mocked his religion.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone talk about their tenth season of South Park on Late Show with David Letterman, USA - 15.03.06

The creators are launching the tenth season of the series on US network Comedy Central on Wednesday, (22MAR06), with an episode featuring Hayes' character CHEF.

Because South Park episodes only take six days to create, Stone and Parker were able to react to the current controversy soon after it happened.

According to a Comedy Central press release, the show will feature, "The triumphant homecoming of school chef JEROME McELROY.

"While STAN, KYLE, KENNY and CARTMAN are thrilled to have their old friend back, they notice that something about Chef seems different.

"When Chef's strange behaviour starts getting him in trouble, the boys pull out all stops to save him."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

STONE: 'DIVORCE WAS TREMENDOUS FAILURE'

Actress SHARON STONE was devastated after her divorce from newspaperman PHIL BRONSTEIN, because she felt like a tremendous failure.

Sharon Stone & Phil Bronstein in Paris

The actress - who was married to journalist Bronstein for six years between 1998 and 2004 - took a break from her career to join him in San Francisco and raise a family.

And she found it hard to return to Los Angeles when her marriage collapsed because she feared how her peers would treat her.

She explains, "It's hard. I don't think anyone who's ever been divorced can tell you divorce is easy or fun or that it feels like anything other than a tremendous failure. I kind of slunk back to LA.

"I wondered how people were going to treat me like, 'Well, here she is, she's back...' (But) everybody was like, 'You're back! Yeah!'"

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

SHERIDAN SMOOTHED WAY FOR LONGORIA

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star EVA LONGORIA has slammed reports suggesting the stars of the show struggle to get along, claiming co-star NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN helped ensure sure she was accepted by the group.

EVA LONGORIA, NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN and FELICITY HUFFMAN at The 57th Annual Emmy Awards, Los Angeles, California - 18.09.05

Longoria is the youngest member of the cast and Hollywood veteran Sheridan stepped in to make sure the newcomer didn't receive the same shabby treatment she was subjected to while starring on hit show KNOTS LANDING in the 1980s.

She explains, "Nicollette took me aside when we first started and said, 'When I was on Knots Landing, I was the youngest and the hottest, and everyone was mean to me.

"Not one person was nice to me on that show. If anybody is ever mean to you on this set, you come to me and tell me, and I'll deal with them.'

"She was so determined that I not have that experience of not being welcomed and accepted."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

PACINO TO STAR AS HEROD ON LA STAGE

Hollywood legend AL PACINO has signed up to star as KING HEROD in a Los Angeles theatre production of OSCAR WILDE's play SALOME.

AL PACINO at the American Cinematique Moving Picture Ball held at the Beverley Hilton in his honour, Los Angeles, California - 21.10.05

The GODFATHER icon will star as the Jewish king in a one-month run from 14 April to 14 May (06) at the Californian city's Wadsworth Theatre.

Pacino, 65, worked for two years developing the Broadway, New York City, adaptation of the play with director ESTELLE PARSONS, before it debuted in 2003.

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

QUAKER STAR SAINT TURNED HER BACK ON GAMBLING

Quaker actress EVA MARIE SAINT begged director ROBERT MULLIGAN for a remote hotel suite when she filmed THE STALKING MOON in 1968 - because she couldn't stand the sights and sounds of casino gambling.

The 71-year-old THE SANDPIPER star grew up thinking gambling was evil, and when she found herself staying in a casino complex in Nevada with co-star GREGORY PECK, she struggled to keep her cool.

She says, "It was filmed outside of Las Vegas in the mountains. We were in a hotel where people gambled and I had to walk through the casino to get to my suite.

"I'd see all the women gambling at five in the morning, with all their make-up running, and it was awfully hard for me to play SARAH CARVER, this lady who is snatched by the Indians with her half-breed son.

"I said to Bob Mulligan, 'May I have another room, where I have a back door, so I don't have to see the gamblers?' You're very much affected by the things around you."

Saint returned to Nevada to film new WIM WENDERS movie DON'T COME KNOCKING and again refused to gamble, but she admits she did once suffer a moment of weakness.

She adds, "I did put 10 cents in the slot machine only once and I said, 'If I win anything I'm gonna split the money with my two children.' I think I won $10."

EVA MARIE SAINT at the Nate N' Al's 60th anniversary, Beverly Hills, California - 24.05.05

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

NOTRE DAME COMPOSER JAILED

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS composer RICHARD COCCIANTE was sentenced to 10 months behind bars for tax fraud by a Paris, France, court today (20MAR06).

The 60-year-old and his wife CATHERINE were found guilty of concealing profits from the hit musical, believed to be in the region of six million euros ($7.3 million/GBP4.3 million). The couple, who were not present in court, insist they intend to appeal against the ruling.

Notre Dame De Paris took the French capital by storm when it opened in 1998 and has since enraptured audiences across the globe.

Cocciante enjoyed a successful recording career in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing pop songs in several European languages.

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

CELTIC BAND INVOLVED IN FATAL CAR CRASH

Celtic band LEAHY are recovering after their touring motor home was involved in a fatal car crash at the weekend (18MAR06).

A 21-year-old New York woman was killed on Saturday when the car she was driving collided with Leahy's tour bus.

The group was driving the wrong way on a freeway near Danbury, Connecticut, when they hit the car head-on, killing the driver immediately.

All eight members of Leahy were on board, but none of the 18 passengers in the motor home were injured.

The band, which has toured with SHANIA TWAIN, was heading to a concert in New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the time of the accident.

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006

MOSS HELPS LAUNCH TSUNAMI CHARITY

Supermodel KATE MOSS has helped launch a new charity set up in remembrance of her friend who died in 2004's Indian Ocean tsunami.

The British beauty was devastated when she learned model booker SAMANTHA ARCHER FAYET, who she befriended early in her career, had died in Thailand along with her six-month-old daughter RUBY ROSE.

The SamandRuby charity, which has been set up by Samantha's husband PATRICE FAYET, will be funded by sales of a new rose created in their memory.

Moss says, "Sam was one of my oldest and closest friends. If my support for the charity helps kids get a better education and start in life, it's the least I can do in memory of Sam and Ruby Rose."

| Tuesday, March 21, 2006