Category: Who Gives A Rat’s Ass

Fantasia Barrino Crowned America’s Idol
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Feisty soul singer Fantasia Barrino was voted the newest “American Idol” on Wednesday after a nationwide television search for the nation’s next pop star.
Barrino, 19, edged out rival Diana DeGarmo at the end of the hit reality TV show that saw 70,000 wannabes audition in a bid to win a recording contract and instant stardom.
Victory was sweet for Barrino, a black single mom from North Carolina who had twice narrowly escaped being booted off by viewers earlier in the season in favor of cuter but weaker singers.
The close calls, along with the early exit of two other powerful black singers, prompted cries of racism. “This has been a very unpredictable season,” record producer and “Idol” judge Randy Jackson said on Wednesday.
Producers said a total of 65 million votes were called in by telephone or text message on Tuesday after lines were kept open an extra two hours and extra numbers added to counter logjams and busy signals that have called voting procedures into question.
“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest told Access Hollywood that the two finalists were separated by a margin of just over 1 percent.
Barrino’s style, which ranged from tender to earthy, moved the three-judge panel to tears and captivated audiences.
In an emotional final on Tuesday night watched by some 25 million viewers, acerbic British judge Simon Cowell declared her the best contestant ever in the “Idol” phenomenon which has swept more than 20 countries worldwide.
YOUNGEST FINAL CONTESTANT
DeGarmo, 16, was the youngest contestant to reach an “Idol” final. Her show-stopping voice and poise belied her youth while her bubbly friendly personality won fans alienated by Barrino’s cheeky backchat. “My lips are big but my talent is bigger,” Barrino quipped earlier in the season.
DeGarmo, a Georgia schoolgirl who started singing when she was 5 years old, suffered uncharacteristic pitch problems in the Tuesday night finale before a live audience at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater.
DeGarmo is unlikely to go home empty-handed. Both last year’s winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken secured recording contracts. Tone-deaf contestant William Hung, who won the hearts and laughter of the nation in early auditions, has already released his own album.
“American Idol” has proved Fox TV’s biggest hit and one of the hottest shows in the nation during the past three years, averaging some 25 million viewers.
But the show has been a victim of is own success, with jammed phone lines causing frustration among fans trying to cast their votes each week.
Hours before the winner was announced, Fox Broadcasting Entertainment President Gail Berman defended the integrity of the vote, which is independently audited.
“When you have a show this big, you are going to hear from some people who are not satisfied with whatever you do … We are confident that we have the most sophisticated telephone voting system that you can put in place in this country,” Berman told reporters.

BEHIND JERRI’S WALKOUT
Former “Survivor” all- star Jerri Manthey is not handling rejection well.
The wanna-be actress and three-time reality show star spent part of yesterday explaining why she stormed off the set of Sunday’s live “Survivor” reunion during a commercial break.
“I was pretty upset. I didn’t get to finish making my point,” Manthey – a veteran of two editions of “Survivor”- said on yesterday’s “The Early Show.”
She was booed by the nearly 5,000 people in the audience at Madison Square Garden during a “Survivor” wild-and-woolly telecast that crowned winner Amber Brkich, 25, and allowed runner-up “Boston Rob” Mariano, 28, to propose marriage to her.
“The point was that this show for entertainment comes at a price,” she said of “Survivor.” “Some of the costs for us [are] friendships and feelings.”
With 25 million viewers, the ratings for the reunion were in fact slightly better than the two-hour finale, which drew more than 24 million viewers.
Manthey, who had a lot to say while on “Survivor,” was uncharacteristically taciturn on “The Early Show.”
She could not be reached for comment yesterday – even by CBS officials who said she was tired and had returned to her hotel room but was not answering the phone.
Manthey is expected to appear Thursday with all of the “all-star” castaways in a Manhattan studio for a live 8 p.m. telecast in which one will be awarded $1 million, based on viewers’ votes.

Pregnant Debra Messing Out of ‘Will & Grace’ Finale
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actress Debra Messing, co-star of the NBC hit comedy “Will & Grace,” has been ordered to stay off her feet for the rest of her pregnancy, forcing her to miss the show’s final four episodes this season, the network said on Tuesday.
An NBC spokesman said production of the Thursday night sitcom has been quietly proceeding for the past three weeks without Messing, 35, who is eight months pregnant and expecting her first child with screenwriter-husband Daniel Zelman at the end of April.
Messing’s spokeswoman, Annett Wolf, said the flame-haired actress is doing “great,” though her doctor “ordered her to be careful and take it easy, and preferably bed rest.” She added there were “no complications” with the pregnancy.
As a result, her character is being written out of the final episodes, including the one-hour season finale set to air April 29 with a guest appearance by singer-actress Jennifer Lopez.
Messing won an Emmy Award last year as best actress for her role as Grace Adler Markus, a straight interior designer who is best friends with a gay lawyer named Will.
The finale, which is being filmed this week, will center around the wedding of Grace’s outlandish friend, Karen, who is played by Megan Mullally. She is getting married to a character played by British comedian John Cleese.
The network spokesman said he did not have details about how Messing’s character was being written out of the show for the finale but said it would involve Grace being sick and unable to attend the wedding. Last season, Grace married her new love interest, played by Harry Connick Jr.
Although a previous story line involved Grace attempting to have a baby fathered by Will, Messing’s character is not pregnant on the show, which requires producers to obscure her condition this season with a lot of shots of her sitting down and wearing loose-fitting clothes.
“Will & Grace,” nearing the end of its sixth season, is one of NBC’s top-rated shows in prime time and has averaged about 15.4 million viewers this season.

Gibson’s ‘Passion’ Opens Amid Controversy
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Mel Gibson’s controversial movie “The Passion of the Christ” opened in cinemas across the United States on Wednesday as Jewish groups decried it as anti-Semitic and New York’s Roman Catholic cardinal stressed Jews did not kill Jesus.
Manhattan cinemas opened doors early and did brisk business all day among people eager to see a film harshly criticized by some prominent film reviewers before its release in 3,006 theaters nationwide — an opening normally reserved for blockbusters like Gibson’s “Lethal Weapon” series.
“People are being too sensitive about it,” said Elsie Figueroa after a morning showing on the Upper East Side. “The Romans are the ones who nailed him to the cross and the Jews helped. It was everyone.”
Jewish and other religious groups held small, scattered protests later in the day. A couple dozen Jewish protesters wore concentration camp uniforms outside one Upper West Side theater as they sought to link the film’s portrayal of Jews to the sort of hate that led to the Nazi Holocaust.
Carrying signs saying “Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion’ is cruci-fiction,” they were outnumbered by a media throng.
In Wichita, Kansas, one middle-aged woman died of an apparent heart attack while watching the film’s climactic crucifixion scene, a local television station reported.
New York Cardinal Edward Egan wrote to parishes to stress Jews were not responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.
“He gave His Life for us,” Egan wrote in a column to appear in next month’s issue of Catholic New York. “No one took it from Him. This is, and has always been, Catholic doctrine.”
Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman said he was troubled by Gibson’s claim of historical accuracy.
“He made his choice,” Foxman told a news conference after viewing the film. “And it’s to blame the Jews.”
He said he was concerned about reaction to the film outside the United States, particularly in the Middle East.
PROVOKING DEBATE
The film produced spirited debate outside one East Side theater as the audience left.
“Give us a chance to see the movie,” Exodus Nicholas shouted at a Jewish woman who was complaining about the film.
“Jews should give us a chance to know who Jesus was, to know our history. If we really believe in Jesus and what he stood for, we come out of this movie loving people,” she said.
Rabbi Avi Weiss, president of Jewish group Amcha, saw the same screening. “I care deeply about Jewish-Christian relations,” he said. “This is a tremendous, tremendous setback. It is this lie, the lie that Jews were responsible for the murder of Jesus, which planted the seeds of the Holocaust.”
Thousands in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas, flocked through the predawn darkness for a free screening at a Cineplex showing it on 20 screens throughout the day.
†
In recent days, the movie’s producers have manufactured a buzz around the opening by arranging advance screenings in U.S. cities for church groups. The official opening was orchestrated for Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent — the Christian season of penance before Easter.
BREAKFAST VIEWING
While moviegoers enjoyed their breakfast-time viewing of the blood-soaked movie — many of them with their foreheads dabbed with ash from earlier church services — many critics complained Gibson had lost the plot.
The New York Times said the film was half “horror movie” and half “slasher film” and likened its cruelty, brutality and violence to that of Quentin Tarantino, best known for directing “Pulp Fiction” and the more recent “Kill Bill.”
The newspaper played down accusations of anti-Semitism leveled at Gibson’s directorial work, saying the villainous portrayal of Jews in the film “does not seem to exceed what can be found in the source material.”
“To condemn ‘The Passion of the Christ’ for its supposed bigotry is to miss its point and to misstate its problems,” A.O. Scott wrote in the Times.
“‘The Passion of the Christ’ never provides a clear sense of what all the bloodshed was for, an inconclusiveness that is Mr. Gibson’s most serious artistic flaw,” he added.
Not all critics panned the film. Some praised it, including Roger Ebert who called it “a very great film.”

Jackson’s CBS Special Heading To DVD
The Michael Jackson special that aired Jan. 2 on CBS will be released on DVD March 9 via Epic. Titled “The One,” the hour-long retrospective program draws on highlights from throughout Jackson’s storied career.
Among the clips included are a rendition of “Ben” on “American Bandstand,” a live clip of “Rock With You” from a Japan stop on the Bad tour, Jackson’s iconic performance of “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special and a run through “The Way You Make Me Feel” at the 1988 Grammys. Also featured are snippets from Jackson’s music videos plus a discography.
The special was originally scheduled to run Nov. 26 in conjunction with the release of Jackson’s greatest-hits disc “Number Ones,” but was pulled less than a week before its scheduled premiere when the latest child molestation allegations against Jackson surfaced.
At the time, CBS cited the “gravity” of the charges leveled against the singer, though the network did reserve the right to reconsider running the special “after the due process of the legal system runs its course.” In late December, Jackson granted his first interview about the charges to reporter Ed Bradley of CBS flagship news magazine “60 Minutes.”
Last month, Jackson pled not guilty to nine felony counts of child molestation. His next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Friday (Feb. 13).
In related news, March 9 will also see the release of the single-disc set “The Essential Jacksons,” drawing on the group’s late-career tenure on Epic. The 14-track album boasts the top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hits “Enjoy Yourself,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” and “State of Shock” with Mick Jagger. Also included is a live version of Michael’s solo hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” from the sibling group’s 1981 U.S. tour.

BENNIFER’S GONE BUST
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have officially called it quits.
“I am confirming the reports that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy,” said a statement from her rep.
According to Us Weekly, Lopez broke off their engagement January 20 but the decision to split was allegedly mutual.

Friends, CSI, Pirates of Caribbean win at 30th annual People’s Choice Awards
PASADENA, Calif. (CP) – The 2004 awards show season kicked off Sunday night with some of North America’s favourite stars of television, film and music on hand to accept People’s Choice Awards.
It was a Friends kind of night as the sitcom, now in its final season, won its sixth award for favourite comedy series. And one of its stars, Jennifer Aniston, was voted favourite female television performer. “I love my job and I love that the people have supported our show for the last 10 years,” said Aniston, who didn’t attend the ceremonies, but sent along her thanks and acceptance via a video message.
Friends cast members Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry were there to accept the prize on behalf of the show.
“We’ve had a great 10 years, but if it weren’t for the brilliant people behind us – the writers – we would have been cancelled after 13 episodes,” said Perry.
The 30th annual awards, held this year at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, were hosted by Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen of the new comedy Two and Half Men.
They opened the show with Cryer’s declaration that this is the awards show “by the people, for the people and of the people,” prompting Sheen to remark that he sounded “like my dad.” It was a reference to his father, Martin Sheen, who was nominated for his role as the U.S. president on The West Wing.
He was beaten by Ray Romano of Everybody Loves Raymond, who won favourite male television performer.
Alliance Atlantis’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation was the most popular dramatic show.
Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was the favourite motion picture. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers took the dramatic motion picture award, while Bruce Almighty, starring Canadian actor Jim Carrey, won for comedy.
A grinning and manic Carrey accepted the Bruce Almighty award, saying: “Not only is this an important win for the movie, it’s just great to know… the whole Hollywood community has decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and saviour… thank you, my Jewish friends.”
When Mel Gibson picked up his actor award, he seemed somewhat perplexed by the choice.
“I’m rather surprised at winning this since I wasn’t actually in a motion picture much this year or last year – maybe that’s why, huh?”
Julia Roberts was favourite motion picture actress, and Tom Hanks was voted all-time entertainer.
Faith Hill and Beyonce Knowles tied for favourite female musical performer; Canadian singer Shania Twain had been the third contender in the category. Tim McGraw won male performer.
Survivor: Pearl Islands was best reality-based program, and executive producer Mark Burnett accepted the prize surrounded by cast members.
“The crew is about 400 people living months on end in jungles and these people” – he motioned to the cast – “I’m starving for 39 days,” he said.
“Thank you very, very much for the award, four years in a row.” †
Oprah Winfrey was best talk show host, beating Jay Leno and David Letterman.
“I thank you for the opportunity to speak and talk and use my voice in a way that I believe is a force for something really good on the air,” she said.
Winners were selected through a Gallup poll of the general public.
A glittering array of stars attended the event , including Mandy Moore, Lance Bass, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and Faith Ford.
Winners of the People’s Choice Awards, presented Sunday night in Pasadena, Calif.:
TELEVISION:
Male Performer: Ray Romano
Female Performer: Jennifer Aniston
New Dramatic Series: Joan of Arcadia
New Comedy Series: Two and a Half Men
Dramatic Series: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Comedy Series: Friends
Reality-Based Program: Survivor: Pearl Islands
Talk Show Host: Oprah Winfrey
MUSIC:
Male Performer: Tim McGraw
Female Performer: Faith Hill, Beyonce Knowles (tie)
Group or Band: Matchbox Twenty
FILM:
Favourite Motion Picture: Pirates of the Caribben
Dramatic Motion Picture: Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Comedy Motion Picture: Bruce Almighty
Actor: Mel Gibson
Actress: Julia Roberts
ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ENTERTAINER:
Tom Hanks

Spears, Aguilera Trading Insults
NEW YORK – Britney Spears (news) and Christina Aguilera aren’t exactly in the same Mickey Mouse Club anymore.
The pop stars, who both kissed Madonna a few months ago during a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, are now trading insults about each other’s careers and personalities.
In the December issue of Blender magazine, Aguilera said of Spears, “She seemed very distant, even during rehearsals. Every time I tried to start a conversation with her ó well, let’s just say she seemed nervous the whole time. … She seems to me like a lost little girl, someone who desperately needs guidance.”
Spears responds in the magazine’s January issue, “I can’t believe Christina said that about me.”
Then she relates a story about seeing Aguilera, her former friend and fellow Mouseketeer, for the first time in two years: “She comes up to me in a club in front of all these people and tries to put her tongue down my throat!
“I say, ‘It’s good to see you,’ and she goes, ‘Well, you’re not being real with me.’ I was like, ‘Well, Christina, what’s your definition of real? Going up to girls and kissing them after you haven’t seen them for two years?’
“A lost girl?” Spears says. “I think it’s probably the other way around.”

‘World Idol’ Pits Winners From 11 Nations
NEW YORK – Who will be the world’s favorite pop superstar? On “World Idol,” a two-part special airing the evenings of Christmas and New Year’s Day, “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson and “canadian Idol” winner Ryan Malcolm will compete in London with winners from 10 other countries including Germany, South Africa, England and Poland.
The program will air at 8 p.m. EST on Christmas Day and 9 p.m. EST on New Year’s Day. Elton John will perform on the final-results show, the Fox network Web site said Friday. Fox is the home of “American Idol.”
Viewers worldwide will have the chance to vote.
The competitors are all winners of the first season of the “Idol” series in their respective countries ó making second-season U.S. winner Ruben Studdard ineligible, the network has said.
The third season of “American Idol” will premiere Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. EST. Special episodes also will air on Jan. 20 and 21, according to Fox.

TOP OF THE WORLD
It’s a small “World Idol” after all.
A new global talent show airing on Christmas night on Fox will pit the winners of 11 different versions of “American Idol” against each other in a two-hour contest. The winner will be announced in a separate telecast on New Years Day.
The voting will not be a straight popular vote. The organizers realized that Kelly Clarkson could likely win in a walkover – because the U.S. is so much bigger than other competing countries.
Under a special voting system, the winner will be decided – electoral college-style – by how many countries they carry.
“Each territory’s own performer will automatically win in their territory,” says Ken Warwick, “World Idol” executive producer. “From each country, we will want to know who’s second and third and so on.”
The system evens the playing field so that countries with small populations can compete fairly against countries with large populations.
Competitors include Clarkson, U.K. winner Will Young, Australia’s Guy Sabastian along with top “Idol” winners from Poland, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, Norway, South Africa and the winner of the Pan Arabic Idol competition that airs in 22 Middle Eastern countries.
Each singer is allowed to choose a song that they feel best represents their vocal talent.
Clarkson, who favors Aretha Franklin tunes, is slated to sing “Respect.” With the exception of the Jordanian Diana Karazon, most of the singers will sing in English, says Warwick.
“Most universal, commercial songs are in English,” he said.
Viewers vote by phone.
Producers in each country will count viewer’s votes and rank the singers in first place through 11th based on how many votes are cast for each performer.
First place is worth 12 points, second is worth 10 and so on. At the end of the competition, when all the points from each territory are added together, the performer with the most points wins.
The contest will also feature 11 on-air judges – one to represent each territory in the competition. But you won’t hear the comments of each judge either. Because of time constraints, producers will keep the most entertaining or interesting comments.
“Generally speaking, we’ll use the most caustic and the most kind com ments,” said Warwick. Not surprisingly, U.S. judge Simon Cowell is expected to get the most airtime. “He has far and away the most caustic reputation in the world,” Warwick said.