This is Really Happening?

Because one can never have too much Star Wars, this is happening:

Not content with seven feature films or myriad TV spinoffs ranging from the current Clone Wars cartoon series to the Star Wars Holiday Special, the Jedi masterminds are readying a stage show. George Lucas has signed off on Star Wars: A Musical Journey, a two-hour live musical event featuring John Williams' Oscar-winning score. Premiering next year in London's O2 arena, the production will be performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in sync with movie clips from the six live-action films. The show will play in chronological order, from The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi. The production will blast off April 10 in the U.K. and then embark on a European tour, complete with an exhibition of rare Star Wars collectibles including never-before-seen models, props, costumes and production artwork. No word when it will visit America. (source)

I'm not so sure about this one. I mean, I like Star Wars as much as the next person (though maybe not as much as some people), but I really don't think this show is necessary. At least they're not trying to make an actual musical out of it. Someone must have learned something from the Lord of the Rings fiasco.

Later!

Kids get political?

This story came out a couple of days ago, but, with the busy holiday season, this is the first time I've been able to write about it. I totally love this!

Nickelodeon TV, the children's' network, is getting ready to cover its first presidential inauguration. Young reporters Lily Collins, rocker Phil Collins' daughter, and J.J. (Nick would not release his last name) will be in Washington on Jan. 20 to show Barack Obama's inauguration from a pint-sized perspective. Throughout the presidential campaign, Nickelodeon found that interest among its young viewers matched that of the adults. Nick's own online "election" had 2.2 million children voting, with kids supporting Obama over John McCain (51 percent to 49 percent) in a closer margin than the real election. The coverage will show up during commercial breaks and, most prominently, during the periods between regular shows in prime-time. Nick will offer a retrospective of past presidents taking the oath of office and interviews with young people about Obama's election and his inaugural address. Nick won't cover the speech live, but will take excerpts shortly after it is done from coverage on a news network and package it for its viewers. Nick reporters covered the primary this year for the first time (another online poll found kids selecting Obama and McCain as the nominees before Super Tuesday) and went to the Democratic and Republican party conventions. Republicans didn't allow Nick TV reporters on their convention floor; the Democrats did. (Source)

Boy, Nickelodeon sure has changed since I was watching it. I mean, most of the break ins then involved someone getting slimed, and their idea of political was who won Double Dare! Not that I'm bagging on the Nick of old, I spent numerous hours watching Clarissa Explains It All, Hey Dude!, You Can't Do That On Television, Nick Rocks (they once sent me a record of the La Bamba soundtrack!) and that one show that had the mannequin that turned into a human when he had his hat on and there was a puppet mouse and a puppet named Sam running security. Does anyone know the name of this show? I used to watch it before I went to kidergarten every morning, so my recollection of it is rather hazy. Anyway, Nickelodeon has definitely evolved and I think its evolved for the better. I love the idea of getting kids involved with what's going on in the country. I mean, its their country too, shouldn't they know what's happening in it?

And the winner is...US Weekly!

Well that didn't take long! US Weekly is already confirming the Speidi nuptuals and even has pictures!

Introducing, Mrs. Heidi Montag Pratt! The Hills star wed her longtime beau, Spencer Pratt, in a secret ceremony in Cabos San Lucas, Mexico, on Nov. 20, Us Weekly reports in its newest issue. See exclusive photos wedding photos in Us Weekly's new issue, on stands Wednesday. "The minute we said our vows, I couldn't stop crying," Montag, 22, tells Us. At the altar, Pratt, 25, told his bride: "Heidi, from the moment you came into my life, I knew my life would never be the same without you. You are the light in my life like the sun to the earth! Your loving warmth makes me want to be a better person. Being with you, I feel complete. I'm honored to even be able to call you my wife. You are the most amazing, loving and caring womanFor all the details on Pratt and Montag's romantic wedding, pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands Wednesday. on this planet. I will love you forever and always." (source)

So I guess its true. You heard it here first. Now, please excuse me while I vomit up my lunch.

Later!

Yes, this means the end of the world is eminent!

Some rather disturbing news is making the rounds today, via Perez Hilton and WENN.com:

The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have married in a secret ceremony. The couple - which began dating in 2006 - exchanged vows while on vacation. A source says, "They got married in Mexico." And reality TV star Montag has now confirmed the reports, telling PerezHilton.com, "The minute we said our vows, I couldn't stop crying." Montag spoke of her plans to wed Pratt in August, when she told reporters, "I'm just waiting for that big ring!"(source)

Granted, these two sources are not always the most reliable when it comes to celebrity gossip. And I'm sure these two publicity hungry people will soon be all over the web, giving statements and sharing pictures with US or Star or Hello, or whoever the highest bidder is. I just find it difficult to believe, given past interviews with the the terrible twosome, that they just snuck away and got married. They've been quoted as saying they would basically sell their wedding to whoever would sponsor it and definitely televise the resulting media car crash. Maybe they couldn't find anyone to pay for this crime against humanity. How is it that Speidi can marry, yet the gay population can't? I'm just waiting for that very special episode of The Hills to air. Not that I'll watch it, but I'll read about it online I'm sure. Blurg! This whole thing is making me a little nauseous. And it forced me to break my rule about not blogging about Then Hills or any of its minions. Damn you Speidi! I blame you for all that is evil in this world! At least in Hollywood. I guess we'll find out soon enough if its true. If it is, remember, you heard it from me first! Or third. Or whatever.
Later!

Am I a bad person...

...because the first thing I thought of after reading this story:

A woman described as being obsessed with Paula Abdul has been found dead after apparently killing herself in a car parked outside the American Idol judge's hillside home, police confirm to E! News. LAPD officers found the body around 6 p.m. Tuesday, after responding to a call in the 3800 block of Beverly Ridge Drive in Sherman Oaks. Authorities have not released the name of the woman, who was in her 30s, but say she seemed to be fixated on the "Forever Your Girl" singer. The cause of death appears to be a suicide, and the body has been transported to the county coroner for autopsy. Abdul's camp tells E! News that she is aware of the incident and plans to release a statement later today, after finishing up some Idol taping. (source E Online)

... was "Why Paula Abdul?" I know! I'm an awful person! I mean, I feel bad for this woman, who was obviously disturbed, and her poor family. Hell, I even feel bad for Paula. It would totally suck to have someone obsessed with you kill themselves in front of your house. But... Paula Abdul? Really? I don't get it. If you were going to be so obsessed with someone to actually take your own life in front of their house, why wouldn't you choose a better celebrity? Like Brad Pitt or Madonna or someone actually famous? Unless this woman felt a kinship with the crazy that is Paula. I mean, I could see the crazy being a bonding experience or something. Yup, I'm a very bad person. Definitely going to hell for this one. Maybe I should start going to church or something to make up for this.
Later!

Will it never end?

Depressing news in the world of entertainment. I'm not talking about the whole Jennifer Hudson family tragedy thing, because that's beyond depressing and I can't even begin to wrap my mind around it. No, I'm talking about the fast tracking of the remake of Footloose, starring Zac Efron.

Paramount Pictures is doing everything it can to make sure Zac Efron is Footloose and roadblock-free. In the wake of the box-office domination of the Zefron-juiced High School Musical 3: Senior Year, the studio has put its remake of the Kevin Bacon classic on the fast track, with production slated to begin on the musical next spring. According to Variety, Paramount is doing what it can to ensure a smooth run-up to the start date, including offering the 21-year-old star a "mid-seven-figure salary" and script approval. Along for the potentially lucrative ride is HSM3 director Kenny Ortega, who will once again shepherd Efron through the lofty big-screen endeavor. Because the studio is hoping the Footloose audience skews slightly older than Efron's current demographic—aiming for older teens and adults in lieu of Disneyfied tweens—Paramount has enlisted the slightly more edgy talents of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist director Peter Sollett to give the script a once-over. Bringing out all the stops, the studio has also commissioned new songs to be written for the flick. While the original was, without question, a music-heavy venture, the remake will go one step further and actually branch into musical genre territory. As further insurance for success, the studio has roped in two Chicago producers to lend a hand on the movie. (source)

Yup, yet another movie remake in the near future. This time, its an 80's classic that really doesn't need to be remade. Especially by Zac Efron. Is there no creativity left in the world? Or is Zac just not a fan of being in creative movies? Lets look at his resume so far: High School Musical. While original enough to satisfy most tweenagers, not really the most novel of story lines. But at least it had original music and choreography. High School Musical 2. Losing credibility here. Hairspray. A remake of the Broadway play that was a remake of a John Waters movie. From the 80's. High School Musical 3. Pretty much all credibility garnared from the first movie has been sequeled out by now. Upcoming projects include 17 again, which is basically Big in reverse. Not an original concept. And now this Footloose remake. Wow, this is a guy who really takes chances! I bet he plays basketball in all of them too! I shouldn't judge too much though. He may not get offered any other kind of role. But, if he wants to stick around like he says he does, he may want to find a new kind of role to play or else he's going to be cast in a lot of direct to DVD movies before spluttering off into obscurity once the next hot stud debuts. That's just my opinion though. Is anyone excited about this remake? Aside from the people making money off of it?

Everyone Relax! Its totally not true.

Earlier today, The National Enquirer release a story alledging that Jamie Lynn Spears, who gave birth to daughter Maddie only three months ago, is up the spout again. Here's the Enquirer story:
Whoops – she did it again! Teen Prego Queen Jamie Lynn Spears has another bun in the oven, The NATIONAL ENQUIRER is reporting exclusively – and her pals are begging her to abort. In a blockbuster world exclusive, The ENQUIRER has learned that the 17-year-old Zoey 101 starlet is now expecting for the second time – a mere three months after giving birth on June 19 to baby Maddie Briann. Jamie’s desperate to keep the shock­ing news secret and some people close to her are urging Jamie Lynn to consider ending the pregnancy, sources say. “Jamie Lynn is about eight weeks pregnant, and she and her mom Lynne are hysterical,” revealed a close source. “Neither of them knows what to do, but for now they’re trying to keep the news from getting out.” Too late. The unplanned pregnancy came as a shock to Jamie Lynn, who’d been breast-feeding her infant daughter Maddie Briann, insiders say. “Jamie Lynn believed she couldn’t get pregnant while she was breast-feeding,” said the close source. “She’d expected to have her period by early September.” A home pregnancy test came back positive and Jamie Lynn cried her eyes out, said the source. Her mother Lynne was livid when she found out, divulged an insider. Meanwhile, insiders say that those close to Jamie Lynn are urging her to abort! “They’ve reminded Jamie Lynn how much trouble she had adjusting to motherhood with Maddie, and pointed out that having a second baby now would only be a recipe for disaster,” said the close source. (source)
Thankfully, this news is apparently untrue. Shocking I know! I always believe what The Enquirer says, don't you? Anyway, here's what the Spears camp had to say:

In response to a story in today's National Enquirer claiming Britney's sister is again with child, a rep for the 17-year-old confirmed to OK! magazine that "she is not pregnant." What's more, a source who lives in Jamie Lynn's native Kentwood, La., tells E! News: "I talk to [her mom] Lynne all the time. Believe me, she would have mentioned if that little girl is expecting again. That's just a bunch of made-up crap." (Source)

I must say, I'm a bit relieved. It was bad enough when Jamie Lynne announced her first pregnancy at the age of 16, I don't think I could have handled the media storm that would inevitably happen if she got knocked up again less than a year later. Oh yeah, and I'm also glad for Jamie Lynne and whoever that guy she's doing. Apparently, they're super happy and in love. If you believe OK! Magazine, that is. And I obviously do, because I have no free will. But at least I know how to use a freaking condom!

On to other Spears news, the suddenly reformed, now "good egg", Britney is still dealing with the fallout from her year long ride on the crazy train. And I'm pretty sure her lawyer is just in it for the billable hours. Here's the latest:

The attorney in Britney Spears' forever-pending driving-without-a-license case has rejected a final deal from prosecutors. The seemingly no-brainer offer would have had Spears pay a measly $150 and spend a year on probation in exchange for copping to the misdemeanor charge and avoiding an embarrassing trial in the case. But the "Womanizer" singer's attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, is sticking to his guns that the 26-year-old comeback queen, who long ago corrected the violation and obtained a valid California driver's license, should face nothing more than a $10 fine for her misdeed. "We don't want a misdemeanor," he told E! News. "This should be an infraction. No probation." That means the trial is on for Oct. 15. (source)

I know I've got my calendar marked for that trial. How stupid! Are we seriously wasting all of our tax dollars to send a pop singer to court for an invalid license? Aren't there more, I don't know, important things the court could be deliberating on? I seriously don't understand why this particular issue must go to trial. I realize that the lawyer is making it happen this way, but can't someone, a judge, a clerk, another lawyer, someone, make this stupidity go away? Ugh!

That's it for me. I need to go brush this bad taste out of my mouth.

Later!