First Lady Michelle Obama graces the cover of Glamour magazine's December issue. And she looks absolutely stunning!
In the issue, Mrs. Obama talks about her status as a fashionista.
Michelle Obama: "People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you're the First Lady; you're representing the nation. So I can't be surprised that people are interested. But I've tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else's reflection."
She also talks about what she looked for in a man.
Michelle Obama: "Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, Who are you as a person? Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul...When you're dating a man, you should always feel good...You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole."
Vanessa Carlton was asked not to come back to perform at the Walt Disney World resort on Thursday, October 22 after she uttered profanity during her performance at EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival's "Beats and Eats" concert series.
Carlton dropped the F-word during her first and third sets on Thursday. She was asked to watch her language by officials after her first set. Carlton apologized and promised not to do it again. Apparently, she did it again.
Carlton was due to perform on Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23. A local band was asked to play in place of Carlton for Friday's performances.
Former Smallville star Sam Jones has been arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents for illegally pushing oxycodone.
Jones was busted this morning in his Canoga Park, CA home. Jones is the alleged co-conspirator in a series of large-scale drug deals last year that involved over 10,000 of the little blue pills.
Jones was charged with conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute. If convicted, Jones could face up to 20 years in jail.
A baby doll found at Costco warehouse stores has been pulled from store shelves following complaints from customers that found it offensive. A North Carolina customer filed complaints about the doll and the company pulled the product from stores.
The doll was a part of the "Cuddle with Me" baby doll brand manufactured by BrassKey Keepsakes. The controversy stemmed from an African American version of the doll which was surrounded by monkeys and wore a hat labeled "Lil' Monkey." The Caucasian version is surrounded by pandas and wears a hat labeled "Pretty Panda".
Costco's corporate office received several complaints from customers. An email was sent to its stores prompting employees to take action and remove the doll from shelves.
Arthur Jackson (Costco's Vice President of General Administration): "We offer our sincere apology to anyone who was offended by the product. That was surely never our intent."
Here's Costco's response (sent via email to those who complained):
We appreciate your comments regarding the Cuddle Baby Doll. After stocking the item, which was available either with a Caucasian or an African American doll, we learned from our members that some of them found the item offensive. There was certainly never any intention of offending anyone. On the contrary, we were happy that members were given the option of buying a doll showing different nationalities, which too often is not available. However, once we learned that it was offensive to some members, we decided to discontinue the item. We apologize to anyone who may have taken offense by our carrying the item.
Mary Gustaff (CEO of BrassKey Keepsakes): "It's so unfortunate because now it's being portrayed as a purposeful act to be disrespectful and that's not true. We really apologize."
All versions of the doll have been returned to the vendor.
Big Brother 9 winner Adam Jasinski was arrested Saturday as part of a drug-trafficking bust. Jasinski was attempting to sell 2,000 oxycodone pills to an undercover government witness.
The 31-year-old Floridian was charged yesterday with possession of oxycodone and intent to distribute. The drug sting happened after Jasinski flew from Florida to Massachusetts to meet his would-be client.
They drove from the airport to a nearby strip-mall parking lot, and somewhere along the way, Jasinski pulled out a sock. From the sock, Jasinski produced two plastic bags containing the tiny blue pills. After the car was parked, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration's Tactical Diversion Squad appeared and arrested the reality star.
If convicted, Jasinski faces up to 20 years' imprisonment, with three years' subsequent supervised release and a $1 million fine.
The American Family Association has called for 7-Eleven stores to remove the Marge Simpson-coveredPlayboy magazine from shelves. It argues that if "little boys" see the magazine, it will lure them into a lifestyle dependent on an addiction to porn.
Randy Sharp (American Family Association): "Most American dads know the dangers that porn represents to young males. It's irresponsible of 7-Eleven to display porn in front of boys who pop into 7-Elevens for a hot dog or a Slurpee. The cover will create the kind of curiosity that can easily lead [children] into an addictive porn habit. This is not what American families want to see in their neighborhood convenience store."
Reggae artist Buju Banton met last week with gay activists in San Francisco, CA. After the meeting, he said he would not "surrender" to the group's philanthropy proposals because they would contradict his religion and culture.
Banton also said one of his concerts last week (that was held after the meeting) was pepper-sprayed.
Buju Banton: "This is a fight, and as I said in one of my songs 'there is no end to the war between me and faggot' and it's clear. The same night after I met with them, they pepper-sprayed the concert. So what are you trying to tell me?" I owe dem nothing, they don't owe I nothing."
Apparently the police were not amused by Balloon Boy or his high-flying hijinks. Criminal charges are on the way for the "storm-chasing" Richard and Mayumi Heene.
James Alderden (Larimer County Sheriff): "The hoax [was] a planned event for at least two weeks to launch this spacecraft in order to gain media publicity. To create a situation where it appeared Falcon was in the craft and his life was in danger with an ultimate goal of...obtaining a contract to do a reality show."
The charges will include filing a false report, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy, and could result in a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine including restitution for all of the expenses the country incurred.
The Heene family posted a note on their door earlier today stating they were no longer available for interviews.
The note read: "Thank you for all of your support. We are not taking any interview any more. We are tired. Thank you. Heenes."
Television news programs were fixated Thursday afternoon on a floating weather balloon and the distraught Henne family's pleas that their six-year-old son, Falcon Heene, was someone attached to the floating balloon.
During their time in the spotlight (although it wasn't their first time), the balloon came down and Falcon was discovered hiding in a box in the attic.
Shortly after Falcon was found, Arianna Huffington went on MSNBC's The Ed Show. She was initially asked to discuss a recent post of hers on The Huffington Post about Joe Biden and Afghanistan. Instead, they asked if she would like to comment on the "Balloon Boy" saga, since it recently came to an end. Arianna and Ed Schultz get into a hilarious argument on whether or not the "Balloon Boy" saga should still be talked about. Ed's point is that the news story just came to an end, while Arianna makes the point that when the boy was found, the story ended and the discussion should end.
Here's the clip:
Later on that night, the Henne family were interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Falcon admitted to hearing his parents call his name while he hid in the attic. He was then asked why he didn't come out.
His response?
"You guys said that we did this for a show."
Blitzer attempted to do a follow-up question later in the interview, but was rebuked by Falcon's father, Richard Henne.
Here's the clip:
Earlier today, the Henne family went on NBC's Today show to try to clear the air following last night's appearance on CNN.
As Richard was explaining that Falcon didn't fully understand the question posed by Blitzer, Falcon vomited. It took NBC nearly 30 seconds to cut away from the child.
After yet again being asked if it was a hoax, Richard Henne said: "Absolutely not. And now I'm starting to get a little ticked off because I'm repetitively getting asked this. What have I got to gain out of this? I'm not selling anything, I'm not advertising anything."
"Absolutely not. And now I'm starting to get a little ticked off because I'm repetitively getting asked this," he demanded. "What have I got to gain out of this? I'm not selling anything, I'm not advertising anything."
Method Man (real name: Clifford Smith) was arrested last week on felony charges for not paying $32,799 in taxes from 2004 to 2007. The 38-year-old rapper was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
Method Man: "Myself, I'm a pothead. Sure [the tax department] sent letters to my house saying, 'We need this money.' They started sending them in 2002. Here it is, 2009, and I never paid this shit because I don't think like that!"
Method Man is due back in court on December 9, 2009.
President Barack Obama was "surprised and deeply humbled" by the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award him the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The committee said it honored Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Obama said he viewed the recognition as more of a "call to action."
Obama had not been mentioned as a front-runner for the prize. A room full of journalists gasped when Thorbjorn Jagland, chairman of the Nobel committee, announced that the president was the winner.
Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.
Jagland said the decision was "unanimous" and came with ease.
It was just before 6am when the president learned he won the award. The announcement by the committee caught the White House off guard.
Connick was involved in a one of the variety show's Red Faces segments. Red Faces features three amateur performers or groups that present their routine before a panel of judges.
One of the Red Faces acts was the "Jackson Jive." The group of six performed a Jackson 5 song while in blackface.
It was apparent throughout the routine that Connick wasn't at all amused. He gave the group a score of zero and was allowed to talk about his feelings about the performance later on in the show.
Harry Connick Jr.: "I just wanted to say on behalf of my country, I know it was done humorously, but we've spent so much time trying to not make Black people look like buffoons that when we see something like that we take it really to heart. You know how much I love this show and this country...[but] if I knew that was going to be part of the show, I probably—I definitely—wouldn't have done it."
Biserta, of Brooklyn's Ladder Co. 131, "traded sexually explicit mobile Facebook messages" with Jamie Czerniawski just before she stabbed her husband last Memorial Day weekend.
"I want to let you know just how fucking bad I wanna fuck you right now!!!! Can you get out??" Czerniawski, 30, asks Biserta, 25, in a May 18 text.
Earlier that day, she wrote Biserta: "I miss your lips!"
"Want you," the handsome hose man replied.
"Mmm, can't wait!!!!!!!!!"" she texted.
At one point, Biserta and Czerniawski appear to discuss a firehouse hookup.
In a May 19 exchange, Biserta texted, "I want to see you more ... we gotta make some time."
She replied that she could "def" visit him at the firehouse.
Biserta wrote back: "If your [sic] in Brooklyn you can stop by. [It] won't be like last time so I wouldn't even bother ... it's usually not that quiet around the fh [firehouse] but we'll work something out ..."
At around 3 p.m., May 25, Biserta texted: "This sucks ... I'm working toooo much lately ... I want youuuu."
Ten hours later, Jamie stabbed her husband, Charles, in the arm during an argument. Jamie was charged with aggravated assault. She claims she acted in self-defense. Her husband claims she wanted him to die.
Czerniawski traded places with a freak-show performer in a 2006 episode of ABC's Wife Swap.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has reported that the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) characters on broadcast TV is rising. Their 14th annual TV study found that 18 LGBT characters account for 3% of primetime scripted series regular in the 2009-10 television season. That number is up from 1.3% in 2006, 1.1% in 2007 and 2.6% in 2008.
Jarrett Barrios (GLAAD President): "Our analysis also shows where there's still work to be done. This past year, we've seen real progress from many networks toward making their scripted programming more LGBT inclusive. At the same time, we continue to advocate that other networks including CBS follow suit and that networks across the board better reflect the diversity of the LGBT community."
ABC continues to lead the broadcast networks with eight LGBT characters. FOX (which had no regular LGBT characters two years ago) currently has four characters. NBC has three characters. The CW has two and CBS has none.
New LGBT characters include: bisexual Ella on CW's Melrose Place, gay police officer John Cooper on NBC's Southland, Kurt on FOX's Glee and gay couple Mitchell and Cameron on ABC's Modern Family.
President Barack Obama visited CBS' The Late Show with David Letterman last night. He became the first sitting president to visit the late-night talk show. Obama remarked on the issue of race, which was initially brought into the picture by former President Jimmy Carter.
Barack Obama: "First of all, I think it's important to remember that I was actually Black before the election."
David Letterman: "Really!
Barack Obama: "It's true."
David Letterman: "How long have you been a Black man?"
The witty back-and-forth was set off by Letterman asking whether Obama felt some of the more vitriolic reactions to his health care reform had been racially motivated.
Veteran porn director/performer Rocco Siffredi is being investigated by Italian authorities for alleged tax evasion. Siffredi is being accused of concealing approximately $442,500 in income from the treasury by setting up fictitious companies in tax havens.
Christian Mann (Evil Angel General Manager): "I personally spoke to Rocco this afternoon. Rocco's statement is that he is aware of the investigation, as is his lawyer in Europe. There are many celebrities in Italy who are under investigation for tax issues because the government is encouraging the citizenry to take advantage of a tax amnesty program by using well known figures as 'examples.' Rocco indicated that his lawyer is not unduly concerned and that an investigation in and of itself isn't evidence of anything illegal. Rocco added that his residence is in Hungary and any allegations to the contrary are simply false."
Although Siffredi has lived in Budapest, Hungary for several years, Italian authorities state that his principal place of business remains in Italy. According to Italian law, if the amount of Siffredi's alleged undeclared income surpasses a certain threshold it would trigger a criminal investigation.
Brown began serving out the community labor portion of his assault sentence in Virginia on Wednesday. The 20-year-old R&B crooner was seen picking up trash and cleaning the grounds of a police horse stable.
Paparazzi circled the area that Brown worked on. Could this tweet from Brown have been what tipped them off?
Chris Brown: "On my way to community service..."
Brown also sent a Twitpic of his community labor outfit.
Former President Jimmy Carter said that the recently rebuked Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Barack Obama's joint address to Congress was "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a Black president.
Jimmy Carter: "I think it's based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care. It's deeper than that."
The House of Representatives voted Tuesday to rebuke Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "You lie" at President Barack Obama during last week's joint address to Congress.
The rare resolution of disapproval against Wilson was pushed through the House by Democrats insisting that the Republican South Carolinian had violated the basic rules of decorum and civility with his outburst. Republicans said the vote was just a political "witch hunt" and a waste of time and taxpayers' money.
The final vote tally was 240-179. It was 233 Democrats and seven Republicans voting to rebuke Wilson, while 167 Republicans and 12 Democrats opposed the measure and five Democrats merely voted "present."
The San Diego district attorney's office has found that there is not enough evidence in the Tila Tequila/Shawne Merriman battery and false imprisonment case.
Bonnie M. Dumanis (San Diego District Attorney): "After a thorough review...our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed. This case is now closed. No further comment will be made."
The district attorney's decision came after two days after they received the case, and 24 hours after meeting with Tequila.
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