Hollywood star GEORGE CLOONEY has confessed he has no idea what his forthcoming film BURN AFTER READING is about.
George Clooney (left) and Tilda Swinton (right)
The actor, 47, admits he is baffled by the plot of the "dark spy comedy" and when he tries to get an explanation from directors Joel and Ethan Coen, they just laugh at him.
He says, "I tell the Coens that I don't understand it and they go, 'Yeah... heh, heh, heh'. I seem to play another idiot, who is having an affair with Tilda Swinton."
But Clooney is keen to get to the bottom of the plot - the movie is due to open the Venice Film Festival in Italy next month (Aug08).
ELVIS COSTELLO has taped interviews with TONY BENNETT, LOU REED and SIR ELTON JOHN for an upcoming TV variety show.
ELVIS COSTELLO
The British rocker has recorded four one-hour episodes of Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... for future broadcast.
Costello, who won acclaim when he sat in for ailing U.S. late night host David Letterman on his The Late Show in 2003, has also interviewed former U.S. President Bill Clinton for the show.
Musical highlights have included a collaboration between Costello and John and performances from Elvis Presley's former guitarist James Burton, Allen Toussaint and jazz guitarist Pat Metheny.
Country star MIRANDA LAMBERT faces losing her boyfriend if JESSICA SIMPSON ever moves to Tennessee - because BLAKE SHELTON is smitten by the pop singer.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert at The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Las Vegas, Nevada - 05.18.08
Simpson has hinted she's considering a permanent move to Nashville as she embarks on a career as a country singer - and Shelton admits he'd love for her to become a neighbour.
He says, "If I'm around Jessica Simpson, she might need some bodyguards to keep me away from her."
His comment stems from the fact Simpson employed bodyguards to look after her during a recent showcase at Nashville's Lime nightclub.
Shelton tells Life + Style magazine, "Nashville is probably not the type of town where you need bodyguards. It's a really friendly place."
MEGADETH star DAVE MUSTAINE has revealed he was once involved in a hit-and-run accident with a racist cab driver.
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth at Fields of Rock Festival 2007 - Day 2, Biddinghuizen, Holland - 17.06.07
The heavy rocker is still disturbed by the night he took a taxi ride in Atlanta, Georgia, which ended with a fatality.
He tells GuitarWorld.com the driver appeared to show no remorse after hitting and killing a black woman who stepped out in front of him.
Mustaine recalls, "The driver turned around and said to me, 'I hit that sucker right square clean in the head,' then he made a racist comment and I told him to pull over.
"We all got out on the side of the freeway and waited for the police. I was so freaked out that that guy had just done that and said that.
"I really don't understand that mentality down in the South."
LATEST: Former BEATLE RINGO STARR's childhood home in Liverpool, England is to be demolished.
Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band performing live in concert at 'Hard Rock Live' at the Seminole Hard, Rock Hotel & Casino at Hollywood, Florida, USA - 03.07.08
The rocker's former house in the city's Madryn Street is all set for the bulldozer after officials at the English Heritage association decided against listing the building as a national treasure.
English Heritage executives argue the home has no real links to the Beatles, because Starr moved out of the property when he was four.
And Starr can't call on his fellow Liverpudlians to save the house - they're still fuming about disparaging comments he made about the city earlier this year (08).
Starr told a British chat show host there was "nothing" he missed about the city.
His comments also prompted protestors to behead a topiary sculpture of the singer.
Rock legend MEAT LOAF has vowed never to play at another 'stupid' English music festival, because the crowds are too rowdy.
MEAT LOAF
The Bat Out of Hell hitmaker once took to the stage of one U.K. festival with fellow American rockers Jefferson Starship, but he was left so unimpressed by the audience's behaviour, he has refused to return ever since.
And he insists performing at more historic venues - like the 17th century Castle Howard in York, north east England - is much more pleasurable.
He says, "We played with Jefferson (Starship) at one of those stupid English festivals, and I do call them stupid because people behave like apes who haven't eaten a banana in a week. I refuse to play them.
"I prefer venues like Castle Howard. It feels more like everybody is going to take a bottle of wine and a roasted chicken and pull it off like (late English king) Henry VIII: 'Give me that leg woman...' It is a more carnival-like atmosphere, and I do like carnivals."
Actor JUDE LAW is reportedly romancing British model LILY COLE - who is 15 years his junior.
JUDE LAW and LILY COLE
The Alfie star, 35, has previously been romantically linked to rocker
Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly, but has been spotted with red-haired catwalk beauty Cole in recent weeks.
And their relationship appears to be hotting up, after Cole was snapped leaving Law's London home on Saturday (05Jul08) afternoon having apparently spent the night together.
They had enjoyed a romantic candle-lit meal together in the U.K. capital's Covent Garden on Friday night (04Jul08), where onlookers said they were holding hands.
A source tells Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper, "Jude was keeping low-key. They were deep in conversation and making each other laugh.
"There was no blatant kissing but it was obvious they were more than just friends. Jude was being very affectionate and gazing into her eyes."
MEAT LOAF is focusing his sights on his Hollywood career - because he considers himself an actor first, musician second.
MEAT LOAF
The Bat Out of Hell rocker - real name Marvin Lee Aday - has enjoyed huge success as a singer, but at 60, he wants to be remembered more for his skills on screen than anything else.
When asked whether he's more of a musician or an actor, he tells Britain's Esquire magazine, "I'm an actor. I've done 43 films and I've got offers for a couple more on the table.
"I don't always choose them for the size of the role - there is an old actor saying and it is that there are never small roles, only small actors.
And Meat Loaf - who has starred in movies including Fight Club and The Pick of Destiny - singles out his best-ever performance as that in the lesser known 2001 drama Focus, alongside William H. Macy and Laura Dern.
He adds, "Forget making records, or selling records. That's it, right there, the best thing I've ever done - (Focus), a little film that we shot in Toronto (Canada) and no one knows about it."
Actor VERNE TROYER almost drowned when his ex-girlfriend tried to spice up their love life with a romantic bath.
VERNE TROYER
Aspiring actress Ranae Shrider, who stars in a recently leaked sex tape with Troyer, wanted to surprise the diminutive actor with a sexy soak during an Easter break at the luxury L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills.
But the two foot, eight inch (0.81 meter)-tall Mini-Me star struggled to keep his head above the water after joining Shrider in the bathtub.
She recalls, "I thought it would be fun to do it in the tub. Sadly, I almost killed him.
"While Verne was watching TV I ran the bath, emptied a bottle of bubbles in it and called him in. But the bubbles were so thick and high that once he climbed in, he got lost under the water and I couldn't see him.
"As he disappeared under the water, I heard this tiny yelp for help.
I could just hear him crying, 'Ranae, I can't see! Get me out, I'm drowning!' I was frantic and started to scoop the bubbles out so I could find him.
The bath was only about three feet deep but for someone of Verne's size, it was like he'd fallen into the deep end of a swimming pool - and he can't swim.
"I put my hand under and eventually felt his bald head and hauled him out. I couldn't believe I'd tried to do something sexy and ended up almost killing him. He looked like a drowned rat."
Model CHRISTIE BRINKLEY is seeking comfort from her ex BILLY JOEL after a stressful week in her ongoing divorce trial with estranged husband PETER COOK.
CHRISTIE BRINKLEY and BILLY JOEL
The star's high-drama divorce proceedings kicked off in New York on 2 July (08), and the battle has proved to be emotionally draining for the 54-year-old - especially when she was forced to recall the moment she learned about Cook's affair with an 18-year-old in 2006.
But, over America's Independence Day holiday on Friday (04Jul08), Brinkley "seemed good" as she celebrated with second husband Joel and their daughter Alexa at the singer's home in Sag Harbor, New York, according to People.com.
A pal tells the publication: "She was hugging the kids there, they were all laughing and eating. They seemed really relaxed."
Meanwhile, Cook spent the day on his boat with girlfriend Suzanne Shaw and 13-year-old adopted son Jack, Brinkley's child with former husband Richard Taubman.
An onlooker says, "He seemed fine, relaxed."
Brinkley and Joel divorced in August 1994, after almost 10 years of marriage.
The divorce hearing is due to continue on Monday (07Jul08).
JACKASS star STEVE-O has been transferred from a rehabilitation centre into a psychiatric hospital.
Steve-O smoking marihuana from a can at Gene Simmons Roast held at the Key Club - Arrivals, West Hollywood, California - 27.11.07
The troubled stuntman - real name Stephen Glover - had enrolled in a narcotics programme to treat his drug addictions, but after allegedly getting clean, he has been moved to the secure mental ward at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
In an entry posted on his official website on Thursday (03Jul08), he writes: "I'm back in the loony bin trying to get my s**t right.
"I've now been clean for 115 days and I'm back in a mental institution."
He adds: "I did so much cocaine, Ketamine, PCP, nitrous oxide and all sorts of other drugs that, quite simply, my brain is f**ked up."
Glover was ordered to enter the rehab facility after being charged with cocaine possession following his 3 March (08) arrest on suspicion of vandalising his neighbours' L.A. property.
Earlier this week (beg30Jun08), it was announced the star is set for further legal troubles, after a security guard filed charges against him in relation to an alleged assault at the launch of Paris Hilton's clothing line in August 2007.
Former BUSTED star MATT WILLIS married his TV presenter girlfriend EMMA GRIFFITHS on Saturday (05Jul08) - just days after completing a stint in rehab.
EMMA GRIFFITHS and MATT WILLIS
British pop/rocker Willis, 25, was recently released from a substance abuse clinic, where he had been seeking help to kick his drink and drug addictions.
The couple exchanged nuptials in a civil ceremony at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire, England - with Willis' pal David Gest as his best man.
Music mogul Gest and Willis became firm friends after competing on
U.K. reality TV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2006, which Willis went on to win.
BOYZONE star STEPHEN GATELY is devastated after $160,000 (GBP80,000) worth of jewellery was stolen from his London home.
Stephen Gately arrive at Caudwell Children present 'The Legends Ball' at the Battersea Evolution, London, England - 08.05.08
The Irish singer discovered the items missing after returning to his home in the exclusive area of Highgate to find it had been raided by thieves.
Among the items that were stolen include a $40,000 (GBP20,000) Cartier diamond ring, a diamond encrusted bracelet from his partner Andy Coules, and a $40,000 (GBP20,000) custom-made Rolex watch, which Gately had bought with his first royalties payment from the boyband.
He says, "I'm deeply upset because these items had great sentimental value. They'll probably be sold off for a fraction of their true value."
Rapper/actor NICK CANNON has laughed off rumours his marriage to MARIAH CAREY is on the rocks, insisting they couldn't be happier.
Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon leaving Gyu-Kaku restaurant, Beverly Hills, California - 12.05.08
The couple wed in the Bahamas in April (08) after a whirlwind romance, but earlier this week (ends04Jul08) internet gossips were already speculating about trouble in their relationship.
Reports alleged that Cannon was tiring of the R+B superstar's demands, with one source telling OK! magazine, "He's basically around to attend to her diva-ish ways."
But Cannon has dismissed the claims.
He tells People.com, "Marriage is amazing. It's the best thing that ever happened to me."
AMY WINEHOUSE's incarcerated husband BLAKE FIELDER-CIVIL has reportedly written a letter of apology to the pub landlord he assaulted.
BLAKE FIELDER-CIVIL
Fielder-Civil is currently on remand in London's Pentonville Prison awaiting sentence for causing grievous bodily harm to pub owner James King in an incident in June 2006.
The 26-year-old was later charged with approaching King to try to fix the outcome of the trial by offering him a $400,000 (GBP200,000) bribe.
Now Fielder-Civil has sent a handwritten note expressing his remorse to victim King after pleading guilty to both counts at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London last month (Jun08).
The letter reads: "I hope you don't mind me writing, I think it's okay to now I've gone guilty. I just wanted to apologise again from the bottom of my heart."
But the letter has failed to convince King to forgive Fielder-Civil.
The 36-year-old tells British newspaper The News of the World, "I hope both Blake and Amy rot. The first time I met them was when his boot was smashing my face.
"Since then I've been to hell and back - all because he's stupid enough to think he could buy his freedom through his marriage to her and her millions."
King has also opened up about Fielder-Civil's co-defendant Anthony Kelly, 25, who allegedly threatened to kill him if he didn't withdraw his claims in court.
King adds: "He (Kelly) was very threatening. He told me I wouldn't be giving evidence against Blake. He said Blake would pay me to withdraw my statement and I would be flown to Spain before the trial.
"Kelly's men are not to be messed with. They said I could be knocked unconscious, blindfolded and locked in the boot of the car if necessary. But I still wanted to give evidence."
Winehouse's spouse, who faces up to five years behind bars for his crimes, and Kelly, who pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, are due to be sentenced later this year (08).
Rapper EMINEM is facing legal action after he was accused of assaulting a man in the bathroom of a Michigan strip club two years ago.
EMINEM
Miad Jarbou is suing the Without Me hitmaker - real name Marshall
Mathers III - for allegedly punching him while standing at a urinal at Cheetah's On The Strip Gentlemen's Club in Detroit.
In legal papers filed in Oakland Circuit Court on Thursday (04Jul08), Jarbou claims that on the night of 13 July 2006, he and a pal entered the restroom, where Eminem, who was accompanied by a bodyguard, was relieving himself.
His friend saw the rapper and said, "Hey Eminem, what's up man?', but was allegedly ordered by the star's security to "Shut the f**k up" and "Don't say another word".
Jarbou claims he came to the defence of his unnamed pal and replied, "Hey man, my friend ain't (sic) starting trouble. It's just cool to see Eminem."
According to the lawsuit, Eminem then stepped back from the urinal and "without warning or provocation... drove his fist in a violent punching manner" into Jarbou's face, knocking him off his feet. The star and his bodyguard are said to have then left the toilets.
Jarbou says he has "undergone physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, ongoing serious injuries requiring medical treatment", as well as "embarrassment, humiliation, medical expenses (and) wage loss".
He is seeking more than $25,000 (GBP12,500) in damages.
No charges were brought against the rapper at the time of the alleged incident and his representative has yet to comment on the case.
MADONNA and GUY RITCHIE have attempted to dispel rumours their marriage is in trouble - by stepping out in New York with their children to attend Kabbalah services.
Guy Ritchie and wife Madonna enter the Kabbalah centre, New York City, USA - 05.07.08
The couple has been under intense media scrutiny amid rumours they are on the verge of a divorce.
But the pair - accompanied by children Lourdes, 11; Rocco, seven; and David, two - put on a show of unity after arriving together at the
Kabbalah Centre in New York City on Saturday (05Jul08).
During the ceremony, the singer sat with the kids on the women's side of the aisle, apart from her filmmaker husband, a custom in the religion's worship tradition.
Earlier this week (beg30Jun08), Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg issued a statement denying the pair is filing for a legal separation.
Legendary pop supergroup ABBA will never perform together on stage gain - because they refuse to tarnish their reputation by becoming a “cover band'.
Björn Ulvaeus
The Dancing Queen hitmakers, who enjoyed huge success in the 1970s and early 1980s, reunited in public for the first time in 22 years on Friday (04Jul08) at the Swedish premiere of movie musical Mamma Mia!.
But singer/songwriter Björn Ulvaeus has shot down any talk of a comeback with his bandmates Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog.
He says, "We will never appear on stage again.
"There is simply no motivation to regroup. Money is not a factor and we would like people to remember us as we were - young, exuberant, full of energy and ambition.
"I remember Robert Plant saying Led Zeppelin were a cover band now because they cover all their own stuff. I think that hit the nail on the head."
Gospel singer TIMOTHY WRIGHT is fighting for his life in a Pennsylvania hospital after he was involved in a horrific car crash, which has left his wife dead. The 61-year-old was travelling with his wife and 14-year-old grandson on Friday (04Jul08) when their vehicle was struck by another car, whose driver had been heading the wrong way down the highway in the Greene Township area of the state.
One other car was involved in the pile-up.
Wright's spouse, Betty, died at the scene of the accident, while the singer and his grandson D.J. Wright were taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, according to a hospital spokesman.
The driver of the other vehicle, John Pick, also perished in the crash, police have confirmed.
Geisinger spokesman Thomas Schaeffer adds that a third victim has been hospitalised, but is in a fair condition.
The Wrights had been on their way home after attending a Church of God in Christ conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Aspiring actress RANAE SHRIDER has no regrets about agreeing to star in the recently-leaked sex tape with ex-boyfriend VERNE TROYER, insisting they "really enjoyed" the experience. The explicit footage hit the internet at the end of last month
(Jun08), and Troyer is currently fighting to have the tape removed from celebrity website TMZ.com, which posted the video.
Shrider has admitted to leaking the footage herself, but claims it was Troyer's idea to make the film - because he loves seeing himself on TV.
And she insists she isn't ashamed of her actions as they both had fun filming it.
She tells Britain's News of the World newspaper, "Without a doubt there's nothing Verne enjoys more than seeing himself on screen. “Watching his own films is his favourite hobby. So it was no surprise when he asked if he could film us having sex. He said we could use it to get ourselves turned on.
"Verne ordered champagne and strawberries to get us in the mood. Then we got down to it.
"First the tape shows Verne pleasuring me for 15 minutes which was amazing. The next 45 minutes is us having sex. And we really enjoyed ourselves."
Troyer filed a $20 million (GBP10 million) lawsuit against TMZ's owners in June, claiming they violated his rights by publishing clips from the tape.
A judge initially ordered the footage be taken down from the website, but reversed his decision after learning of Shrider's confession.
However, the judge has still imposed a ban on an adult film distributor from selling or taking orders for the tape.
.jpg)
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Post a comment
