Richard Roth is pissed at Delta Airlines.
He planned a family vacation for himself, his mother, his wife, and his two teenage kids to Buenos Aires. It was for his mother's 80th birthday - she had grown up there.
Their initial flight was delayed, they booked with another airline, arrived three days late, and had to spend a fortune buying replacement clothes and hotel rooms.
Roth has filed a lawsuit for a total of 1mil USD.
At one point, a Delta employee walked away laughing when the family could not make their flight.
Season 7 AMERICAN IDOL winner David Cook is in the mood romance. He was spotted on a date with Season 2 contestant (and TV Guide's IDOL Correspondent) Kimberly Caldwell. When asked about their romance Cook stated that the two had a dinner date after meeting on the show, that they had a good time, and will probably go out again. Cook is currently sitting atop the iTunes chart with his debut single.
Oscar winning Actor/Director Sydney Pollack has passed away from cancer at age 73. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Interpreter" and I remember him most for his role as Will's dad on "Will & Grace". He will be sorely missed in Hollywoodland.
Some of his Directing Credits:
The Interpreter
Out Of Africa
Tootsie
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Producing Credits:
Leatherheads
Michael Clayton
Catch A Fire
Cold Mountain
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Sliding Doors
Searching For Bobby Fischer
Acting Credits:
Made Of Honor
Will & Grace
Radio rip of the upcoming Monrose single "Strike The Match" from their 3rd album. It was produced by Jiant and Snowflakes. The group will perform the song on the Season Finale of Germany's Next Top Model. The CD single will include the instrumental of "Strike The Match" as well as a new song titled "After Making Love".
Now that EuroVision is over, I figured it was time to help out those countries in need who have never won or haven't won in a decade or so. Here are a few tips on how to boost your success in the EuroVision Song Contest...
-The song should be in the English language. This gives it a wide appeal and boosts the chances of international press before the contest. If it's in English, music blogs will carry the song as far away as the US and Australia.
-The song should be inspirational or uptempo. Nobody likes a slow downer, but everyone loves sexy dancers with hot moves. If that's not available, at least uplift the spirit with an anthem.
-Have your respective country's Idol winner be the talent who performs the song. POPSTARS contestants don't cut it, Idol runner-ups don't cut it.
-Drop the gimmicks! It worked for Finland one time...animated Turkeys and crews of Pirates do not spell success.
-Don't cheat the talent portion with a foreigner. It may have worked for the UK and Sweden previously, but casting a foreigner to represent your country doesn't cut it for the modern EuroVision crowd.
-Producers and writers...now is the time to go foreign. Hire a hot writer and/or producer to create the song. This year's winner was created by Usher/Timbaland...neither are even European!
-Lastly, don't be so pessimistic. If you think a certain country won't vote for you, turn your attention elsewhere and build your own voting block!
P.S.
Why did the UK not get Leona Lewis to represent them with "Footprints In The Sand"? Why did Germany not get Monrose to respresent them with "Hot Summer"? Honestly...get it together BIG FOUR!
Russia's Dima Bilan with "Believe"!
Kalomoira (Greece) came in 3rd and No Angels (Germany) landed at an abysmal #23 and the UK was right about block voting because Andy Abrahms came in DEAD LAST!
Fairly happy that Kalomoira placed third, she will be incredibly successful. My favourites always land at third! Israeli hottie Boaz came in 9th. Very disappointed in Germany and the UK...Germany had a good music group with a poor choice of song, the UK's entry sucked completely and they deserved last place.
Early favourite Charlotte Pirelli (Sweden) landed at a poor #18. Here's the full Chart:
1. Russia - Dima Bilan "Believe"
2. Ukraine - Ani Lorak "Shady Lady"
3. Greece - Kalomoira "Secret Combination"
4. Armenia -Sirusho "Qele Qele"
5. Norway - Maria "Hold On, Be Strong"
6. Serbia - Jelena Tomasevic "Oro"
7. Turkey - Mor Ve Otesi "Deli"
8. Azerbaijan - Elnur and Samir "Day After Day"
9. Israel - Boaz "The Fire In Your Eyes"
10. Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka "Pokusaj"
11. Georgia - Diana Kurtsgaya "Peace Will Come"
12. Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea "Wolves Of The Sea"
13. Portugal - Vania Fernandes "Senhora do Mar"
14. Iceland - Euroband "This Is My Life"
15. Denmark - Simon Mathew "All Night Long"
16. Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre "Baila el Chiki Chiki"
17. Albania - Olto Boka "Zemrem E Lame Peng"
18. Sweden - Charlotte Perelli "Hero"
19. France - Sebastien Tellier "Divine"
20. Romania - Nico & Vlad "Pe-o Margine de Lume"
21. Croatia - Krajevi Ulice and 75 Cents "Romanca"
22. Finland - Terabestoni "Missa miehet ratsastaa"
23. Germany - No Angels "Disappear"
24. Poland - Isis Gee "For Life"
25. United Kingdom - Andy Abraham "Even If"
Here is the list of the 25 participants in the Eurovision Song Contest Finals:
01 Romania Nico & Vlad "Pe-o Margine De Lume"
02 United Kingdom Andy Abraham "Even If"
03 Albania Olta Boka "Zemrën E Lamë Peng"
04 Germany No Angels "Disappear"
05 Armenia Sirusho "Qele, Qele"
06 Bosnia & Herzegovina Laka "Pokušaj"
07 Israel Boaz "The Fire In Your Eyes"
08 Finland Teräsbetoni "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa"
09 Croatia Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents "Romanca"
10 Poland Isis Gee "For Life"
11 Iceland Euroband "This Is My Life"
12 Turkey Mor ve Ötesi "Deli"
13 Portugal Vânia Fernandes "Senhora Do Mar (Negras Águas)"
14 Latvia Pirates Of The Sea "Wolves Of The Sea"
15 Sweden Charlotte Perrelli "Hero"
16 Denmark Simon Mathew "All Night Long"
17 Georgia Diana Gurtskaya "Peace Will Come"
18 Ukraine Ani Lorak "Shady Lady"
19 France Sébastien Tellier "Divine"
20 Azerbaijan Elnur & Samir "Day After Day"
21 Greece Kalomira "Secret Combination"
22 Spain Rodolfo Chikilicuatre "Baila El Chiki Chiki"
23 Serbia Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic "Oro"
24 Russia Dima Bilan "Believe"
25 Norway Maria "Hold On Be Strong"
Watch the finals live here. The finals begin at 21:00 in Belgrade, 14:00 (2 PM) EST.
Click here for EuroVision wallpapers...
Design One:
Design Two:
THE SUN is claiming that Eurovison voting blocks are campaigning against the UK. Three seperate voting blocks have emerged that vote for each other and give the UK the dreaded "nul points". The three voting blocks are: Balkan/Yugoslavian, Russian/Ukrainian, and Scandinavian/Baltic States.
These blocks are giving high points to countries inside their block and giving outside countries lower scores...this ensures that Eastern states are more likely to win Eurovision. The Eurovision Finale is tonight, the top two contenders are Greece's Kalomoira with "Secret Combination" and Sweden's Charlotte Perelli with "Hero".
VERIZON is meeting with industry regulators and consumer groups to have the Cell Phone Contract Cancellation Fees reduced. They actually want to protect consumers from having to pay inordinate amounts to end services that they are unhappy with.
Big business doing better by their consumers? The Earth may end tomorrow.
Here is a list of Madonna's Top 8 songs from iTunes and what she thinks of them:
-Eminem "Shake That" This song is amazing to dance to, it has a great beat and is a little naughty!
-Sia "Breathe Me (Mylo Remix)" I love the remix of this song. Sia has a beautiful voice and I warm up to this song when I work out.
-Janet Jackson "Feedback (Moto Blanco Full Vocal Remix)" This is a great song to dance to.
-50 Cent "In Da Club" 50 Cent makes amazing beats, this is a club classic that will never die.
-Faithless "Drifting Away" I love the combo of hip-hop and opera.
-Rihanna "Don't Stop The Music (Wideboys Club Mix)" This is a great song. It gives me an extra burst of energy when I feel like I have no more!
-Kylie Minogue "Speakerphone" Best song on the record. I love Bloodshy & Avant.
-50 Cent "Ayo Technology" Another naughty song that inspires me.
I read rumours that Dr. Torres and Dr. Hahn would finally let their inner lesbians out on the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. It happened in the last few minutes of the show...and it was explosively HOT!!! Check it out below:
Rumours of a Rachel Stevens return have been floating around the internet since 2006. Everyone expected a single release of "Crazy Boys" or "Nothing Good About This Goodbye" but neither materialized due to the label's disappointment in her sales. However, they have not given up completely and never dropped Rachel from the label.
While we've heard rumours about songs, such as "Rhythm Junkie", the first credible rumours are surfacing this year. Rachel has quietly been working behind the scenes and hopes to capitalize on the recent pop success of acts like Robyn, Britney Spears, Sugababes, and Girls Aloud. Rachel was once lumped as one of Britains top pop acts with Sugababes and Girls Aloud. We can expect her to work with Xenomania and Richard X again, but the first single features Alexis Strum at the helm and it's called "No One Does It Better".
Are the rumours true? There's a like in "Crazy Boys" that goes 'nobody does it better' so it could be a bunch of talk. If the label hasn't dropped her and she's not knocking down rumours of new work, I think it's safe to say we'll be hearing from her soon.
What's on the table for AI now that its much talked about season is over? One big change that fans will welcome is the cutting back of the results shows. FOX announced at it's Upfront this month that AI's Wednesday night result shows would be cut from an hour to thirty minutes.
Fans have been complaining about the success achieved when winning the contest. Most winners are forced to sing whatever sludge they are given...many have no writing or producing talent. Will American Idol achieve credibility now that an actual artist has won the show? That remains to be seen...but all signs point to yes. David Cook's "Time Of My Life" coronation song has already reached #1 on the iTunes chart and it's only been available for roughly eleven hours.
AMERICAN IDOL is welcoming the necessary changes to it's format and the audience will be receptive to changes. With the appropriate responses, AMERICAN IDOL can expect to flesh out its shelf life.
Once upon a time at the Nokia Stage in far away Hollywoodland, there were two magical creatures. The Cookie Monster was known for its gruff voice and ability to astonish everyone with its creativity. The Gasping Dwarf was very likeable. Everyone had loved the Gasping Dwarf for so long, that they had not anticipated the Cookie Monster’s attack. As the Cookie Monster began its attack, everyone realized how tired they had grown of the gasping dwarf. When the Gasping Dwarf was defeated, everyone rejoiced at the Cookie Monster’s victory…at least that’s how I predict this throw down will go tonight. In all seriousness, it appears that Archie gave the stronger performances last night, but Cookie has been number one for weeks now and he simply was able to rely on his fan base. Most people are rooting for him and he’s predicted to win. But hell, that wouldn’t be fun…let’s drag this out for two hours.
We start off with another gay undertoned stare-off between the Davids...throw Ryan into the mix and we’ve got ourselves some sort of Michael Jackson production. The stage is huge and the crowd is huge too. Look who’s in the audience: Constantine Maroulis, Robin Givens, and Lori Laughlin. There were 97.5 million votes, the highest yet. The votes were split 56/54…did I hear that wrong or can Ryan not add? Mikaila Gordon is in Kansas City holding it down for Team Cook. Matt Rogers is in Salt Lake City holding it down for the Arch Angels. If this was a Jeopardy category, it would be titled “Places Most People Wouldn’t Want To Live”. Time for our first performance: the Top 12 and the cast of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. I don’t and hopefully the Top 12 don’t either. The song is “Get Ready ‘Cause Here I Come”. I am glad to see those folks I missed so much…Tranniele, the Oily Aussie, the Irish Songbird, the Country Anti-Christ, and the Gay Stripper. I don’t see Amanda, she must not be sporting the skunk-hair. It’s easy to spot Brooke because she is the world’s most awkward mover. I could do without the white outfits…it feels like someone’s funeral dream in heaven.
We come back from the commercial break for one of the most dismal songs ever…David and David singing “Hero” from the Spiderman Soundtrack. Again, our sound crew has pulled off another stunner – we can hear crew members mumbling and Archie’s mic is very low. This song was definitely in Cookie’s favour. They are definitely not in tune and it seems that only the mosh pit is enjoying this number. I, for one, am in physical pain at this abysmal, out-of-tune, clunker. Even the last note on the guitar went south. It’s now time to plug another FOX movie…”The Love Guru”. Unlike “Horton Hears A Who”, this movie does not have hit written on it. The David’s got to go to a screening of the film and then they participated in a vignette where they got to meet with Mike Meyers dressed as the Guru. There are some funny jokes like “Sitar Hero” and “Mariska Hargitay”. Mike makes lots of lewd jokes that I’m surprised to see on AmIdol and Archuleta proves that he cannot act his way out of a paper bag. Thankfully, Cook is a good sport and the segment is not totally lost. Guru Pitka even goes so far as to join Ryan on stage. Though Mike Meyers is definitely funny in this role, it’s Jessica Alba who is a curse on all movies. Justin Timberlake definitely doesn’t inspire a successful film either. Ryan almost manages to cruise off of the stage while trying to introduce Syesha. Syesha gets our first top five performance of the night. She is doing a duet with Seal and unfortunately she sounds terrible, but she looks amazing. She actually sounds like she is losing her voice…AGAIN. As Heidi Klum says “You’re either in or you’re out” and dear Syesha…you are out. Seal has seriously got some junk in his trunk, work it for the big folks!
Ryan acknowledges that Jason is a terrible interview. He’s also a terrible singer. Anyhow, Jason opted to sing a solo tonight rather than a celebrity duet. He repeats his finest moment…”Hallelujah”. Everytime I hear this song all I can think of is all the TV moments it’s been used for…the most prominent of which is Imogen Heap’s cover performed during Marissa’s death sequence in THE OC. Jason seems a bit short of breath and has trouble with that last note, but at this point we all know what he’s been doing. We are then treated to a vignette of all the Ford commercials. Carly and Kristy looked smoking hot in a car sequence and Michael Johns was hot in a business suit. I’m just trying to give them a little career advice, that’s all. Each of the Davids wins a Ford Escape hybrid…promoting the “Go Green” effort, earth day, and Ford. The top six girls do a Donna Summer medley. Amanda looks absolutely miserable…did I mention Brooke is an awkward mover? Kristy and Syesha look absolutely smoking hot tonight, so kudos to them. Tranniele and Amanda just look very out of place. Brooke is beautiful, but she shouldn’t be aloud to move. Carly would be gorgeous tonight if it weren’t for those awful black stockings. Donna Summer joins the gals on stage to perform her new single. WOW…let me change that to…The Man Formerly Known As Donna Summer. I haven’t seen a drag queen with a weave that bad since Britney Spears performed at the VMAs last year. “Stamp Your Feet” is a very catchy song and will probably make a surprising debut thanks to the AMERICAN IDOL and iTunes connection. After the new single, Donna takes us back to the “Last Dance”. It is perhaps her greatest hit…the opening is legendary. It was Ryan Starr’s final performance in season one…so unfortunate for her. Syesha sounds much better in this number than she did with Seal.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: I forgot to mention that I did catch Fantasia’s performance of “Bore Me” from one of the results shows. Oh…my…seriously, what was that? That was undoubtedly the worst thing I have ever seen on AMERICAN IDOL. That’s another tranny with some scary hair. She should have her title taken from her and given to Diana DeGarmo for that. Did I just see that commercial? Visa is endorsing the 2008 Olympic games? A vote for Visa is a vote for Chinese Communism in Tibet. Then Carrie Underwood plugs a video game with her dog. Am I hallucinating? I am now seeing people rap at the drive thru of Taco Bell. I got too much sun this week.
Ryan believes Carly Smithson and Michael Johns should have lasted longer in the competition. They would have if they knew how to turn the yelling down and the harmonies up. They would have made a far more interesting top two. I am totally re-imagining tonight in my mind with Carly and Michael and I am loving it. They are much better duet partners than David and David. When is someone going to confiscate Carly’s black stockings? She looks like she should be working at Hot Topic. Jimmy Kimmel comes back to give us his dark brand of humor. He is spot with every joke…I just love him. The Top Six guys come onstage to duet with Bryan Adams. Michael Johns finally has an appropriate song choice. Oh, I love how that gay stripper moves. Please make Jason and ChiChi stop. “Summer of 69” was a fresh tune from the guys, but Archie has already done “Heaven”. I can’t actually think of any other Bryan Adams songs…that’s a good thing because the top six guys don’t harmonize well. Bryan Adams finally comes onstage and I can only guess he’s performing a new song because I don’t know it. For an old guy, he is crazy hot…like Kristy Lee’s dad. Bryan is singing another song so I’m guessing these are not new…am I alone here?
Jordin Sparks and her giant fuzzy hair are endorsing the new American Idol park at Disneyland. David Cook and ZZ Top perform “Sharp Dressed Man”. I actually have to pause before I can decide what I want to say here. Uhm…let’s see. Let’s just forget how weird ZZ Top looks and just say that the performance is very good indeed. Brooke is performing with Graham Nash, isn’t this exciting? I have no idea who he is either, but the song title is very appropriate for a nanny. She is very much in her element with this performance…a far cry from those horrendous group numbers.
David Cook is in his undies and t-shirt on my TV screen…I can’t believe I’m having this dream again! It’s odd that he already has his own commercial considering he hasn’t won…yet. The Jonas Sisters open the second half of the program. I’m disappointed that Metro Station don’t have their success. Logically, Metro Station should be the brother act of Hannah Montana seeing as the group is composed of the siblings of two stars from the show. Don’t make me get started on my Hannah rants…the point of this story is that the Jonas Brothers have not gone through puberty yet and I hope they allow David Archuleta to join their group. Actually, since he has no personality and singing talent is not a requirement of the group, Sanjaya is a much better fit. Speaking of non-talent, it was genius to put this montage of horrible contestants together. I often wonder how many of these people do an awful job on purpose so that they can get on TV. I also wonder how many think they are actually doing a great job. The great Renaldo Lapuz joins us onstage again. I hope this will turn into a duet with Jason Castro. Even better! The USC marching band joins him onstage! That was crazier than the Fantasia performance…but more coordinated.
OneRepublic bring us back from the break with “Apologize”. I have to say that Ryan Tedder is the number one force in music right now…he writes for EVERYONE across the globe: Timbaland, Monrose, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, and Natasha Bedingfield. Unfortunately, Archuleta’s emotionless voice joins us turning the number into a duet. While Archie may be devoid of emotion, he sounds much better than Ryan Tedder. David Archuleta’s father looks like such a jackass with that Fedora on…probably because he is a jackass, but still someone should take that hat from him. Gee willy, gosh…Archie turns out to be Hispanic. Anyway, it’s time for Jordin Sparks to sing one of the many bland tunes you can find on her self-titled debut. This one is called “One Step At A Time”, this number is thankfully more pop oriented. Jordin has been the Idol for a year now and has still not managed to fix her annoyingly bad posture. I had to sound like someone’s grandfather but if she doesn’t straighten up she will get a hump in her back. I hesitate to say this, but this may actually be the first Jordin Sparks song I like. It’s very…Disney magic. Blake Lewis looks absolutely shag-a-licious out in the audience…should be seen and not heard.
Now for the big talked about comedy bit tonight. Reusing the technology that made it possible to have Celine Dion duet with Elvis, Gladys Knight is now performing with a new set of Pips – Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr, and Ben Stiller. The money raised from that bit will go to charity, those three always team up for IDOL GIVES BACK. The sexy country goddess queen that is Carrie Underwood is here to sing the prequel to “Before He Cheats” – it’s her new single and it’s called “Last Name”. She has come such a long way since her stint on AMERICAN IDOL…remember how down home K-Mart she was? This girl was the textbook definition of ‘plain looking’ and she has come such a long way. Now, I can pick her out of any crowd and that’s a good thing for her career. The Tiz-master joins us in the audience. I am totally feeling some sort of “High School Musical” and Disney collaboration coming on tonight.
Okay, I now see why David Cook’s ‘Guitar Hero’ commercial aired first…I keep forgetting that David Archuleta is useless. The Top 12 are now joining with George Michael for a big performance. This time they opted for black rather than white…much better. Are they saying that George Michael is evil? They are called Gay Rights people! The sound crew is backstage being fired as we speak…they are screwing up big time. The girls did better with “Faith” than the guys did with “Father Figure” but to be honest, the lyrics are a bit incestuously grotesque so I can understand the discomfort. The only way this finale could be better would be if Danny Noriega won and the Top 24 did an hour long Madonna medley and they joined her onstage and they all made out. Would that be weird? You know it could happen…you know it deep in your heart. Again, Michael Johns’s voice sounds more appropriate with this song than anything he sang while he was still in the competition. George finally comes onstage and sings “Praying For Time” which you’ll recall Carrie performed on this year’s IDOL GIVES BACK…will she join him onstage? Paula is actually moved to tears. She’s hoping her career come back will be as well received as this performance. I honestly did not know that he was this talented. He starts his first American tour in 17 years this summer.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: I can’t believe the two hours is finally up. Tonight was the best episode since the first episode of the Top 12 and definitely the best finale I’ve seen. We’ve been waiting for this all season…I am totally amped and expecting Cookie to bring it home. Will I be upset? Let’s find out.
I hope no one is Tivoing, because we will definitely run over two hours. Final thoughts: Randy says it was the best year ever, Paula says it’s only the beginning for these two, and Simon actually apologizes to Cook. I think that’s the obvious signal that he’s really taking home the gold. Apparently American Idol wants us to believe the votes are super secure and that they have a third party company keeping tally. No one buys that story. The winner of American Idol season 7 2008 is…David Cook! My heart is racing and I’m so happy! Jeff Archuleta looks furious and Cookie better hire a bodyguard. I can’t believe this moment is happening. I haven’t had a favourite win in years! When this show began, I never would have seen him as the winner…but he has totally earned it and will probably eclipse the success that has so far only reigned upon the female winners. His coronation song “Time Of Our Lives,” though cheesy, is extremely enjoyable and catchy.
In closing, I want to acknowledge all the great things that have happened this season: Danny Noriega’s fierceness being unleashed upon the world, getting to know the talent that is David Cook and actually having him win the contest, being moved to tears by Brooke’s emotional performances, being moved to tears by shock eliminations of Alaina and Danny, but most of all I’m thankful for all of you wonderful people out there watching the show and reading my reviews. In good times and bad, I’ll see you next year.
-Carrie Underwood will perform "Last Name". Two idols from each of the past seasons will perform. Jordin Sparks and Bo Bice are among the confirmed post-Idol contestants.
-Kanye West will perform.
-George Michael will perform.
-Bryan Adams will perform.
-Only the Top 12 from this season were invited, everyone else had to buy tickets. They will perform eight new songs.
-The cast of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will perform.
-There will be a hologram performance (like Celine's with Elvis for IGB) of Gladys Knight with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, and Jack Black as The Pips. -Paula will perform/debut a new song from her upcoming album. She will also perform with the Top 12 in tow.
-Donna Summer will perform.
-Seal will perform.
-The Jonas Brothers will perform "SOS"
-David Cook and ZZ Top will perform. Archuleta will perform with OneRepublic. Brooke will duet with Graham Nash on "Teach Your Children Well". Syesha will also duet with someone. Jason will perform "Hallelujah" solo.
-Predictions: DialIdol predicts Cook as the winner. Zabasearch confirms that David Cook has won. I predict Archuleta will be given the crown regardless of the votes.
As you've heard by now, the long awaited R. Kelly trial is finally on. He is accused of molesting/raping a fourteen (or maybe it's thirteen) year old girl. She denies it's her in the tape. He denies it's him in the tape. Hell, even the FBI couldn't identify it was him in the tape. The key argument from Kelly is that the man in the video does not have Kelly's prominent tattoo/birthmark on his lower back.
I think we're losing sight of what's important here...how long until Rick Solomon sells this thing on eBay??? That's what everyone is anticipating. I mean, yes, we all think R.Kelly is a nasty freak so whether or not he gets convicted is not an issue - he's already guilty in the eyes of the public...just like Michael Jackson and his molestation scandal. At a certain point, regardless of whether or not you've done something - it will always be assosciated with your persona.