Superiorpics.com: Entertainment News Saturday, August 26, 2006

HICKS PLAINTIFF HITS BACK IN COPYRIGHT BATTLE

LATEST: The producer being sued for releasing tracks AMERICAN IDOL winner TAYLOR HICKS recorded in the late 1990s, insists he's only trying to show fans just how good the singer truly is.

Taylor Hicks performing live on 'Good Morning America Summer Concert Series' on ABC at Bryant Park. New York City, USA - 21.07.06

Nashville, Tennessee-based producer WILLIAM SMITH is being sued by Hicks' attorneys for releasing three lost tracks to Internet download warehouse iTunes.

But he wants Hicks' fans to know that he didn't release the tunes to enrich himself, adding, "I'm being sued because I am a better producer than American Idol."

Smith insists he chose to hand over the lost tracks Hicks had recorded after the silver-haired singer's debut release, DO I MAKE YOU PROUD, was panned by critics.

Smith says, "He was getting killed by that goofy single, and I knew he was better than that.

"I love Taylor Hicks. I had a three-year relationship with him. That single sucks, and this was purely altruistic on my part. I wanted to show critics that were killing him that he was way more than American Idol."

Hicks is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $75,000 (GBP41,670).

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

JACKSON LEFT 'UNCOMFORTABLE' BY GENTLEMAN JERMAINE

JANET JACKSON insisted on having a stern heart-to-heart with boyfriend JERMAINE DUPRI right at the beginning of their romance - because she disliked the way he paid for everything.

JANET JACKSON and JERMAINE DUPRI

The pop superstar was accustomed to paying her own way or financially supporting her ex-lovers and felt "uncomfortable" when gentleman Jermaine took his wallet out after every meal.

She explains, "I was never used to having someone take care of me... That made me really uncomfortable.

"I've been taking care of myself my whole life - I even paid my school tuition at a very young age.

"And when I was married (to JAMES DeBARGE and RENE ELIZONDO), I took care of us. I thought that was the way life was.

"I never desired to have anybody take care of me, so to have a man do things for me was very different. I thought, 'I can't do this.'

"Finally, we had a conversation about it and agreed that we'd take turns paying. But it was hard for me."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

MAYER CAUGHT UP IN TV CRIME DRAMA

Rocker JOHN MAYER will play himself in the new season premiere of hit crime drama CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, which airs in America next month (21SEP06).

John Mayer performing live on the NBC Toyota concert series. New York City, USA - 25.08.06

The singer/songwriter will perform two new songs from his upcoming third album in the two-hour special.

Mayer, who is currently on tour with SHERYL CROW, will be caught up in an investigation on the drama when he has to perform at a Las Vegas, Nevada crime scene.

Former PARTRIDGE FAMILY star DANNY BONADUCE will also make a cameo in the special - as a fallen rock star who is found dead.

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

FUNNYMAN MASON NOT LAUGHING ABOUT JEWS FOR JESUS PAMPHLETS

Beloved US comedian JACKIE MASON has filed a lawsuit against missionary group Jews For Jesus after they used his name and likeness on a pamphlet without permission.

JACKIE MASON

The funnyman is seeking $2 million (GBP1.1 million) from the organisation and the immediate destruction of the pamphlet, which Jews For Jesus members have been handing out across New York.

Mason, 75, was far from amused when he saw his likeness on the pamphlets, next to the words, "Jackie Mason... A Jew for Jesus."

He says, "While I have the utmost respect for people who practice the Christian faith, the fact is, as everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzo ball or kosher salami."

In court papers filed in New York, Mason adds, "The pamphlet uses my name, my likeness, my 'shtick' (if you will), and my very act, which is derived from my personality, to attract attention and converts."

Jews For Jesus officials have since hit back at Mason, with one spokeswoman stating yesterday (25AUG06), "Shame on him for getting so upset about this."

The Jews For Jesus organisation is a Christian group which practices aspects of Judaism.

Related News:

- MASON LANDS IN RACISM ROW

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

DID BROADBENT QUIT HAIRSPRAY FOR SWEENEY TODD?

The mystery surrounding Oscar winner JIM BROADBENT's decision to quit the HAIRSPRAY movie musical has been solved - he was offered a part in the film's rival project, SWEENEY TODD.

Jim Broadbent at the UK Premiere of 'Volver', held at Curzon Mayfair. London, England - 03.08.06

Broadbent initially signed on to play a cross-dressing JOHN TRAVOLTA's husband in the quirky all-star musical, but he recently walked away from the film, prompting producers to replace him with CHRISTOPHER WALKEN.

Now, Broadbent's name has been mentioned in connection with TIM BURTON's SWEENEY TODD movie, which will star JOHNNY DEPP as the demon barber of London's Fleet Street.

If internet reports are true and Broadbent plays JUDGE TURPIN in Burton's film, his new project will hit cinemas at the end of next year (07) - exactly the same time as his former project, Hairspray.

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

LLOYD WEBBER TO TACKLE CONTROVERSIAL RUSSIAN NOVEL

Musicals mogul ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER's next stage spectacular will be inspired by MIKHAIL BULGAKOV's Russian novel THE MASTER AND MARGARITA.

Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Opening of 'The Phantom of the Opera' production run at The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada - 24.06.06

The theatre impresario made the announcement on his website yesterday (25AUG06), calling the project his "most ambitious undertaking I have ever embarked upon".

The brains behind hits like CATS, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and EVITA says, "After six months of agonising about what I should write next I am going to attempt the impossible. I am going to see if I can turn Mikhail Bulgakov's extraordinary novel... into a stage musical or, more probably, an opera.

"I know it has been done many times before but never, that I am aware of, completely in music... I am very aware that this will be almost certainly the most ambitious undertaking I have ever embarked upon.

"It will therefore almost certainly falter and will depend on who my collaborators are. At the moment I have not approached anyone."

Bulgakov's novel, set in JOSEF STALIN's regime, follows the exploits of Satan as he wreaks havoc on Moscow and is challenged by the beautiful Margarita. The book was completed in 1940, just before the author died, but it wasn't published until 1966, when it became an instant classic.

Until 1973, parts of the book were censored in the Soviet Union.

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

DILLON EMBARRASSED BY BOOZY BACKPACKER BRAWL

Movie star MATT DILLON was left so stressed out after making his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed CITY OF GHOSTS, he fell into a boozy stupor that led to a frightening bar brawl.

MATT DILLON stars as Jimmy in 'City of Ghosts'

The CRASH star recalls returning to Cambodia, where he made the 2002 film, and finding himself hooked on local alcohol.

But what started as a break from Hollywood led to a boozed-up Dillon picking a fight with a backpacker.

He recalls, "I got into an altercation with some a**hole Australian backpacker."

The traveller reportedly headbutted Dillon in the fracas that followed and the actor admits he just went crazy.

He adds, "I got up. I don't talk about it much, because it's kind of embarrassing. I started pounding him. He was trying to get away from me. I was out of my mind."

Dillon now tries to keep himself busy because he accepts beer and boredom do not sit well with him.

He concludes, "I wasn't used to being idle and just being alone with my thoughts and feelings."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

CAGE CREDITS RAMONE FOR WICKER MAN INSPIRATION

NICOLAS CAGE's first horror movie is a tribute to late pal JOHNNY RAMONE.

NICOLAS CAGE and wife ALICE KIM at the unveiling of a statue in memory of guitarist Johnny Ramone held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Hollywood, California - 14.01.05

The movie star is producing and starring in a remake of cult 1973 EDWARD WOODWARD film THE WICKER MAN - a nod to punk icon Ramone, who introduced him to the spooky psychological thriller.

Cage explains, "I've been wanting to make a horror film for quite some time. It was my late friend Johnny Ramone who showed me the original and I was very affected by that."

And the actor is thrilled he took the trouble to remake the classic - because he's convinced the project will scare film fans senseless.

He adds, "I don't want you to just go 'Arrrrgh.' I want you to four nights later wake up in your bed at 3am and go, 'I can't get that image out of my head.' That's how I want to scare you with The Wicker Man."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

BANKS WAS THE PERFECT CHOICE TO PLAY FOOTBALLER'S WIFE

Actress ELIZABETH BANKS was the perfect choice to play American footballer's wife in new movie INVINCIBLE because she's a sports nut.

MARK WAHLBERG and ELIZABETH BANKS in 'Invincible'

The SEABISCUIT star plays legendary Philadelphia Eagles star VINCE PAPALE's wife JANET in the biopic and insists the producers couldn't have picked a better person for the role.

She says, "I just knew that world growing up and I knew those types of guys. We made the film in Philadelphia, where I went to college and we shot the football scenes on the field on which I graduated from college.

"I really grew up on baseball but I love football... I grew up going to games. I'll still get into a football game.

"Also my husband is a football fanatic and writes for Yahoo! Sports. So, unless I want to be a Sunday widow, I got to participate in football in some way. I get into it."

Banks reveals she would have been a professional athlete had it not been for an unfortunate break: "The only reason I became an actor is because I broke my leg sliding into third base in a softball game and I needed something else to do after school."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

ORDINARY BOY WEDS

British rocker SAMUEL PRESTON married his reality TV lover CHANTELLE HOUGHTON after a whirlwind romance in London on Friday (25AUG06).

Samuel Preston and Chantelle Houghton at the Prada - GQ Style party and Spring/Summer preview held at Prada Store. London, England - 30.03.06.

The ORDINARY BOYS frontman met Houghton on British reality TV show CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER in January (06) - while he was dating long-term love CAMILLE AZNAR, but ended his relationship so he could start dating Houghton, before proposing just three months later.

Houghton was planted alongside TV and music personalities in the Big Brother house as a 'fake celebrity', but won the competition, going in to star in her own TV show called CHANTELLE: LIVING THE DREAM.

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

ELTON THE RAPPER?

Superstar SIR ELTON JOHN is determined to take over the hip-hop world in a musical crossover.

Sir Elton John performing live at the stadium Kassam. Oxford, England - 24.06.06

The rock veteran clearly developed a taste for rap after his collaboration with late rapper TUPAC and now he wants to explore rap further by uniting with hip-hop heavyweights such as TIMBALAND and KANYE WEST.

John says, "I want to bring my songs and melodies to hip hop beats - a bit like NO DIGGITY by BLACKSTREET. I want to work with PHARRELL WILLIAMS, Timbaland, SNOOP DOGG, Kanye West, EMINEM and just see what happens."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

BEYONCE'S FURIOUS FATHER

Pop superstar BEYONCE KNOWLES' father MATHEW has lashed out at the endless speculation surrounding his daughter before her upcoming album launch.

Beyonce Knowles' father MATHEW KNOWLES with his grandson Daniel at NBC's Toyota Concert Series at the Rockefeller Centre where DESTINY'S CHILD performed. New York City, USA- 29.07.05

Mathew, who is also Beyonce's manager, is convinced that there is a deliberate campaign against his daughter in an attempt to ruin her career.

He fumes, "It kills me that there is a plan by some to create chaos around Beyonce's B'DAY album release on September 5 (06) in the US.

"What will be next? Beyonce's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

JAGGER'S BEAUTY SECRETS

Rock veteran MICK JAGGER maintains his looks by indulging in $230 (GBP130) a time beauty treatments.

Mick Jagger leaving the Amstel hotel for the Amsterdam Arena where The Rolling Stones are performing tonight in their sold out concert. Amsterdam, Holland- 31.07.06

The 63-year-old prepares for his concerts with the ROLLING STONES by having caviar facials at swanky health spas.

Jagger also has an oxygen mask backstage as well as a cardiac defibrillator in case any of the aged rockers have a hearty attack.

Jagger is a regular at the Health and Fitness Suite in London's Mayfair - and spent hours there last Sunday (20AUG06) after noticing a spot on his nose.

A source tells British newspaper Daily Mail, "Mick is a real ladies man but surprisingly was very open to the suggestion of facials. After a 15 minute consultation, in which his face was examined under a harsh white light, he was told that he needed a caviar facial.

"His skin texture is fine, if a little saggy, but his main concern is spots. Last Sunday, he came in with a rather painful-looking spot on the end of his nose and was worried that it would show up when he was on stage and appeared on TV.

"So his face was steamed and then extracted. In other words, specialist tweezers were used to squeeze the offending spots and rid his pores of surplus serum and toxins."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

SIMPSON SPOTTED CUDDLING UP TO EX-BANDMATE'S GIRL

FIGHTSTAR rocker CHARLIE SIMPSON caused controversy at the Kerrang! Awards, by cuddling up to his former BUSTED bandmate MATT WILLIS' girlfriend.

Charlie Simpson and Emma Griffiths attends the Kerrang Awards afterparty at Turnmills nightclub and leaves in an extremely drunk state. London, England - 24.08.06

Simpson and MTV UK presenter EMMA GRIFFITHS were photographed looking intimate at the London ceremony on Thursday (24AUG06), despite the singer's long-term relationship with CAMILLA SMITH.

However, Griffiths insists their relationship is platonic, despite the photos, saying, "I wanted to get up on stage and say to Charlie that his new band Fightstar had won. But it was the LOSTPROPHETS. Charlie is great. We're really good mates. We've known each other for years."

Simpson says, "I love Emma, she's a great girl."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

DYLAN REGRETS 1980S DOUBLE ALBUM CONFLICT

BOB DYLAN regrets trying to record two albums at the same time in the late 1980s - because he failed to give his best on either.

A scheduling conflict meant the folk-rock icon was recording with supergroup the TRAVELING WILBURYS by day and then hitting the studio with producer DON WAS for night sessions that became UNDER THE RED SKY.

Dylan recalls, "I worked with GEORGE (HARRISON) and JEFF (LYNNE) during the day... and then I'd go down and see Don Was, and I felt like I was walking into a wall.

"He'd have a different band for me to play with every day, a lot of all-stars, for no particular purpose.

"I wasn't bringing anything at all into the studio, I was completely disillusioned. I'd let someone else take control of it all and just come up with lyrics to the melody of the song.

"It was sort of contrary to the Wilburys scene, which was being done in a mansion up in the hills. Then I'd go down to these other sessions, and they were in this cavelike studio, where I'd spend the rest of the night, and then try to get some sleep.

"Both projects suffered some - too many people in the room, too many musicians, too many egos."

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

SNOW PATROL PERFORMING AT THE MEADOWBANK STADIUM

Edinburgh, Scotland - 25.08.06

| Saturday, August 26, 2006

TODAY'S NEW TRAILERS

In Theaters: Sleeping Dogs Lie (September 29, 2006), Facing The Giants (September 29, 2006), Infamous (October 13, 2006)

SLEEPING DOGS LIE

Director: Bob Goldthwait
Cast: Melinda Page Hamilton, Bryce Johnson, Colby French
Synopsis: Amy is a seemingly normal young girl, adored by her parents and golden-boy fiance. Her future looks bright until her fiance suggests they tell each other their darkest secrets…things they have never told anyone. When Amy finally relents and reveals her secret, everything falls apart.

FACING THE GIANTS

Director: Alex Kendrick
Cast: Alex Kendrick, Shannen Fields, Chris Willis, Tracy Goode, Bailey Cave
Synopsis: The story of Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick), a coach who has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. But if six years of lackluster games have been dismal, today tops everything: his star player is transferring to another school, a group of fathers are secretly meeting to fire him as head coach, and he and his wife, Brooke face infertility.

INFAMOUS

Director: Douglas McGrath
Cast: Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Peter Bogdonovich, Jeff Daniels
Synopsis: What starts out as the humorous journey of the openly gay writer Truman Capote as he moves through the elegant circles of Manhattans sophisticated cafe society, turns darker as he becomes increasingly consumed by a murder case.

| Saturday, August 26, 2006