WebProNews

Author: Pam Wright

  • Susan Sarandon to Portray Marilyn Monroe’s Mentally Ill Mother in Lifetime Miniseries

    Susan Sarandon will be channeling Marilyn Monroe‘s mentally ill mother in an upcoming Lifetime miniseries.

    According to Entertainment Weekly, Sarandon has signed to play the troubled star’s mother in Marilyn — Lifetime’s four-hour miniseries based on J. Randy Taraborrelli’s New York Times bestseller, The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, which is considered the most definitive Monroe biography. The miniseries will depict “what the iconic superstar succeeded in hiding from an all-too-invasive world.”

    “Marilyn is both the personification of sex, whose first marriage ironically collapses because of her frigidity, and a fragile artist who seeks the approval and protection of men. But after tumultuous marriages with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller, she realizes she has the strength to stand on her own. She becomes the Face and Voice of an era, yet wants most of all to be someone’s mother and someone’s little girl. She’s the Marilyn you haven’t seen before, the artist who, by masking the truth with an image, gives her greatest performance,” said Lifetime’s official release on the miniseries.

    Sarandon will play Gladys Mortenson, a mentally ill and devout Christian Scientist, who pleaded with her daughter to give up drugs and return to her faith.

    Mortenson is described by the Hollywood Reporter as “a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, who is the product of a mother who committed suicide as a result of her own mental illness, and a father who died of syphilitic insanity. Frequently delusional, sometimes violent, Gladys sexually adventurous in her youth but taught her daughter that sex should be avoided at all costs. Deeply devoted to Christian Science, she urges Marilyn to reject her reliance on drugs and that her salvation will be achieved by returning to the tenets of the faith.”

    Stephen Kronish wrote the screenplay for Marilyn and will be directed by Laurie Collyer. The role of Marilyn Monroe has not been cast yet, and the miniseries is expected to premiere in 2015.

  • Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder Breakup Fallout: Nikki Reed Banned From ‘Vampire Diaries’ Set?

    Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder’s breakup fallout has reportedly led to Somerhalder’s new girlfriend, Nikki Reed, being banned from the Vampire Diaries set.

    Breakups are never pretty, but the Dobrev-Somerhalder breakup could affect the future of the popular series.

    Hollywood Life reports that producers are worried that Dobrev may leave The Vampire Diaries after Season 6, alleging Dobrev is having trouble dealing with the on-set PDA between her ex and Reed.

    Dobrev is allegedly more than a little annoyed by Reed’s presence on set while she’s trying to work. Fans seem to totally relate to Dobrev’s distress at having her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend there while filming emotional scenes.

    “Ian and Nikki’s relationship is causing a lot of drama, to the point where the producers have asked Ian not to bring Nikki to set when Nina is there because they are very worried about losing her. They worry that the show would fall apart without her,” a source told Hollywood Life.

    Sources also say producers are bending over backward to keep Dobrev happy on set, because they’re afraid she’ll give up and call it quits after season 6.

    “It’s unlikely that Nina would try to get out of her contract in the middle of this season, but it’s something producers are worried about. It would be very costly for Nina to get out of her contract now, but things like that have happened before, so everyone’s walking on eggshells with her. Not to mention the fact that Nina hasn’t signed anything for anything beyond season six,” a source told the website.

    Apparently, Somerhalder is so taken with Reed that he is completely blind to how much his new relationship is hurting Dobrev.

    Loading

    A day with 3 of the most beautiful ladies in the universe… Wow smiling is such a beautiful part of the human experience-I highly recommend it. Congrats to our little Neitczhe here-1 year ago today, to the minute, you brought 5 beautiful puppies into this world-thank you for your amazing contribution to all of our lives. However, welcome to the wonderful world of being spayed-The world does not need any more puppies, we kill millions and millions per year. These two beautiful creatures right here in this photo or highly intelligent, highly emotional and capable of more love than you can you can ever imagine. The ones that are in shelters are the same-let's adopt them. @iamnikkireed your recent work with Gilt benefiting the @aspca is truly truky extraordinary. Thank you for giving so much of your life and for being a strong voice for those whom can speak. My hat is off to you. You amaze me. Love, Ian

    View on Instagram

    Naturally, the producers — who tried to keep Dobrev and Somerhalder from dating in the first place — are now said to be upset by the entire situation, thinking that it could cause irreparable harm for the future of The Vampire Diaries if Dobrev walks out.

    “This is exactly why producers actually tried to forbid Nina and Ian from dating,” said the source. “They were worried something like this would happen. Ian and Nina tried to hide their relationship for so long because they were very strictly forbidden from that, but obviously they did go there. Exactly what they promised wouldn’t happen, has happened, and it’s getting in the way of their work.”

  • Coffee: Man Claims to Have Found a Mouse in McDonald’s Coffee Cup. Is It a Scam?

    Coffee: Man Claims to Have Found a Mouse in McDonald’s Coffee Cup. Is It a Scam?

    A Canadian man is claiming he discovered a mouse at the bottom of his McDonald‘s coffee cup after consuming the beverage.

    OK. Yuck. But is his claim legit or a scam?

    Ron Morais says he picked up the coffee from McDonald’s on his way into work on Monday and found a dead mouse inside.

    “I always take the lid off to get my last sip of coffee. And when I took the lid off there was a little bit of a surprise in my coffee cup. It was a dead mouse,” Morais said.

    “Oh my God there’s a mouse in my coffee is what he says. I turn around and look at him, I had somebody on the phone,” said Jennifer LaHaye, a coworker.

    Morais’ co-workers couldn’t believe it.

    “Unless I had been there and seen Ron drink all that coffee down to the last drop, I would have been, like, ‘you’re lying.’ I would have just said, ‘you’re lying through your teeth, it’s just not possible.’ I left, I left work. I came out here, and I was almost puking,” said co-worker Brad Patterson.

    “The first few times I looked, I had to look, and I’m like, no it’s real, he’s not joking, is he ok? And then after that, I got a little green to the gills,” LaHave said.

    Morais also claims there were mouse droppings along with the rodent.

    He allegedly called the McDonald‘s customer service line, but they have yet to connect with him.

    Morais contends he’s not planning on suing the company. He says he just wants some answers and the assurance that this won’t happen to someone else.

    “I’d like to know how the mouse got in the cup of coffee. That’s basically what I’m looking for,” Morais said.

    However, a New Brunswick Department of Health Food Inspector examined the restaurant and cleared it, finding no evidence of violations or pests.

    McDonald‘s says it hired an independent pest control company to investigate and it didn’t find any pest issues either. McDonald’s says it wants to analyze the mouse, and it cautions against anyone jumping to conclusions.

    Morais said he took the finding in stride.

    “I mean, hey, you know. I’m here,” Morais said. “And I’m in better shape than the mouse!”

  • Juliette Lewis Questions Death of Friend Misty Upham: ‘She Could Be Murdered’

    Juliette Lewis has doubts surrounding the death of her friend and August: Osage County castmate Misty Upham.

    Lewis, 41, mourned her friend in posts on Twitter and Instagram and speculated that her death was criminal and not an accident nor a suicide.

    “Misty Upham survived many things that many don’t early on in life. She fought for the voiceless fiercely,” Lewis wrote on Instagram alongside a photo her late friend. “She understood suffering and the deepest pain. She had a presence everyone saw and felt. It is this presence that will continue. Out of the dark space in which her light got dimmed. I will remember her as tuff. Wise. Funny. Spiritual. And hopeful. This is another great reminder to call and check on someone when you think to. Not when its too late. RIPMistyUpham.”

    Upham went missing on Oct. 5. On Thursday, she was found dead by family members “at the bottom of a 150 [ft.] embankment near the White River,” according to local authorities.

    Loading

    Misty Upham survived many things that many don't early on in life. She fought for the voiceless feircely. She understood suffering and the deepest pain. She had a presence everyone saw and felt. It is this presence that will continue. Out of the dark space in which her light got dimmed. I will remember her as tuff. Wise. Funny. Spiritual. And hopeful. This is another great reminder to call and check on someone when you think to. Not when its too late. RIPMistyUpham

    View on Instagram

    Tracy Rector, filmmaker and a close friend of the Upham family, told The Hollywood Reporter on Friday that Misty’s father Charles identified his daughter’s body to police. Charles initially believed his daughter — who suffered from bipolar disorder — could have been suicidal after not taking her medication.

    However, the Upham family changed their mind after seeing their daughter’s body on Thursday and believed her death was not the result of a suicide.

    “The family has stated that, after seeing the body, they still do not feel that Misty Upham committed suicide,” Rector told The Hollywood Reporter.

    Rector also told the website that the Upham family was upset with police for allegedly refusing to help find the missing Native-American star.

    “First and foremost, the family wants everyone to know that the Auburn police did not help with this situation at all,” Rector said. “They refused to help. When she disappeared on Oct. 5, the family knew something was seriously wrong — it was out of character for her to be gone so long without being in touch — and they repeatedly went to the police, who insisted there was no cause for concern.”

    Lewis also retweeted a few seemingly sinister messages Upham posted on Twitter in the days leading up to her friend’s disappearance.

  • Maggie Smith Receives Extremely Rare Honor from Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle

    Maggie Smith received a rare, distinguished honor from Queen Elizabeth II Friday during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

    The actress, who portrays Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey, received the honor for her contribution to theater, cinema and television for the past 60 years.

    Companions of Honor is awarded to very few people and is limited to 65 living people “of distinction.”

    Other members include physicist Stephen Hawking, actor Ian McKellen, actress Judi Dench and artist David Hockney.

    Smith has won two Academy Awards for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite. The legendary actress also portrayed Professor McGonagall in all eight Harry Potter films.

    The actress is currently filming The Lady in the Van — A film version of the stage production in which she portrayed a homeless eccentric who parked for years on the driveway of playwright Alan Bennett.

    The honor carries no title but you can add a CH after your name. Maggie Smith has already been knighted by the Queen, so this is just one more feather in the actress’ already impressive cap.

  • Passenger Dies on Plane After Vomiting Fit From Nigeria to JFK Causing Ebola Scare

    A passenger died on a flight from Nigeria to JFK flight after a vomiting fit Thursday. A top lawmaker said officials gave the corpse only a “cursory” exam before declaring that the victim did not have Ebola.

    The unnamed 63-year-old passenger boarded an Arik Air plane Wednesday night out of Lagos, Nigeria, which has had 19 Ebola cases this year.

    “The authorities conducted tests on the body and it was only a short evaluation that suggested he did not have the deadly virus, prompting concerns there are still ‘vulnerabilities’ at airports,” reports Mail Online.

    Rep. Peter King (R-NY) berated airports preparedness for an Ebola outbreak in a letter to Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, saying the handling of the remains exposed some serious flaws.

    Between 70 and 100 passengers a day arrive at JFK from the Ebola-laden countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, King noted, with access to public restrooms and in contact with other travelers before they go through their first screening.

    “Given the high volume of travelers at JFK, it is essential that extraordinary measures are taken to intercept possible Ebola-infected passengers,” King wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Customs Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske.

    “These individuals transit the airport with the rest of the traveling population, including using the restrooms,” King wrote.

    “It is only after they arrive at the Customs and Border Protection primary screening location that they are separated and sent to secondary inspection for a medical check and to complete the questionnaire,” he wrote Johnson.

    His letter demands Homeland Security up measures to identify potentially infected passengers during flights and at the terminal itself before reaching the screening location. King also said Port Authority police and Customs and Border Protection officials who come into contact with high-risk passengers need to be better trained and understand protocols.

    “Based on what I know of this situation, I have very serious concerns about the cursory exam conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official to determine the passenger did not have Ebola, as well as the lack of instructions provided to CBP and [Port Authority] Police regarding handling the remains and the remainder of the passengers,” he wrote.

  • Black Bear Eats Most of California Man’s Body After Heart Attack

    Authorities say a black bear ate the body of a California man after he collapsed and died of a heart attack.

    Marion Lee Williams, 65, died at some point last week not far from his property, within the bear’s territory, said Humboldt County Deputy Coroner Roy Horton.

    “The bear did eat most of this guy,” he said. “He was about 85 percent consumed.”

    Horton speculates the bear probably came across Williams’ body and dragged the body into a cave to eat. Williams had apparently collapsed and died sometime last week. There is no evidence the bear attacked the man.

    “It looks like he collapsed and died,” he said. “The bear comes along and sees a potential food source.”

    Williams was identified via fingerprints, dentures and pieces of clothing.

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife considered searching for the bear to potentially euthanize it, spokesman Andrew Hughan said. But the bear was long gone.

    “The bear does not pose a public threat,” Hughan said. “It was just doing what bears do.”

    “We’re not going to find the bear,” he said. “The bear was behaving naturally.”

    Williams lived a solitary life “off the grid” in a trailer in the community of Briceland, California, six miles west of Redway, according to authorities.

    He was last seen on Oct. 8, but friends didn’t report him missing until Saturday.

    When his friends still hadn’t heard from him, they searched his property and found his remains.

  • Karina Smirnoff May Be Sidelined From ‘DWTS’ For Entire Season After Suffering ‘Serious’ Injury

    Karina Smirnoff may be done with Dancing With the Stars after an injury sidelined the dance pro — at least for this season.

    The professional dancer’s likelihood of returning is not looking all that good after suffering a “serious” injury during rehearsals on Sunday, according to costar Tony Dovolani, who was with Smirnoff when she went to the hospital.

    According to Dovolani, his colleague took a tumble that led to an injury on her shin.

    “She went to wet her shoes so that we could have better traction…she slipped and ran into the stairs with her shin, her arm,” said Dovolani. “I was so afraid because I saw half of it, basically on her way down. I thought she would hit her face or neck or anything like that, so luckily she didn’t.”

    Still, when Dovolani spoke with Karina earlier in the day, he said, “She’s in a lot of pain…I’m just hoping that it’s not a break, that it’s more like a scuff or something on her shin.”

    Smirnoff was eliminated from the competition in week three with celebrity partner Randy Couture. She took to Instagram on Monday to share her condition with fans.

    Loading

    So sad I'm not able to perform tonight on the show. Got hurt yesterday rehearsing. Now, some TLC and I'll be back stronger then ever! thank u for ur support, guys. Love u! @dancingabc

    View on Instagram

    Smirnoff apparently didn’t want to go to the hospital, but Dovolani says that he forced her to go. While she seemed to be okay walking on her leg, Dovolani says that he hopes she takes it easy and that her injury is just a bad bruise. Dovolani said she was still “in pain.”

    It is unclear at this point whether the dancer will return this season.

  • Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston Are ‘Really Normal’ Says Ed Sheeran.

    Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston are really down to earth and friendly, so says Ed Sheeran.

    The British singer says meeting the former Friends actresses restored his faith in Hollywood and said Cox’ Alabama upbringing has served her well.

    “She’s really normal,” the 23-year-old singer told the Daily Mail of Cox. “She’s from Alabama, so it’s bred into her, but everyone she surrounds herself with is the same. Jennifer Aniston’s just as friendly. I’d only ever experienced the darker side of Hollywood and they give you faith in everything.”

    Sheeran said his introduction to the celebrity kingdom of Los Angeles was unusual.

    “Everyone in LA introduces themselves with their first name, last name, what they do, who they work for, how many awards they’ve won, how much they earn, but only if they know who you are,” he said. “I’ve been ignored for a whole dinner party and then someone says, ‘Oh, this is Ed, he does this’ and suddenly I’m being given all these cards.”

    However, hanging with Cox and Aniston was a different story altogether.

    “The first time I went to Courteney’s I brought my cousin Murray, who isn’t a superstar — well, he is in my eyes, but he’s not an actor or a musician. But everyone spoke to him and thought he was cool,” he said.

    It was Sheeran who introduced Cox to her fiancé, Snow Patrol‘s Johnny McDaid.

    “I think I did the ‘Courteney meet Johnny, Johnny meet Courteney’ thing,” Sheeran said. “But Sacha Baron Cohen did the matchmaking. It’s just two people who fell in love and I hope they’re really happy.”

  • Emma Stone ‘Scared S***less’ of Upcoming Broadway Debut

    Emma Stone, 25, is apparently “scared s***less” of making her debut on Broadway next month.

    The Birdman actress will take over the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret from Michelle Williams and says she’s just a wee bit nervous about the undertaking.

    “I’m scared s**tless!” she admitted. “But I’ve wanted to play that part since I was, strangely, nine years old, which is way too young.”

    Stone talked about the first time she saw Cabaret while promoting Birdman on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

    “I saw it in New York for the first time with Alan as the Emcee when I was nine years old, which is the most inappropriate show to take a nine-year-old to,” she said. “Do not bring a child!”

    The girlfriend of Andrew Garfield has been “singing and dancing eight times a week” in preparation for the role, which she admits is “terrifying but fun.”

    Stone will star in the role from Nov. 11 to Feb. 1, 2015.

    The actress has future plans in the works as well, which include starting a family.

    When asked what kind of life she would like to have in 10 years, she told People , “Family, peace, a home and challenging work.”

    The magazine also reports that if the Spider-Man 2 star does have kids in the future, she may teach them about one of her fascinations — astrology.

    “I know way too much about it, and it’s ridiculous,” she said. “I know it’s not real… but it could be. We don’t know.”

  • Nina Pham’s Boyfriend Allegedly Hospitalized and Being Closely Monitored for Ebola

    Nina Pham’s boyfriend is reportedly being monitored very closely, with some reports saying he has been hospitalized and is in isolation.

    Pham, a 26-year-old nurse employed Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital was part of a team that treated Thomas Duncan, a Liberian national who has become known as “patient zero” and who died of Ebola on Oct. 14.

    “A person Khoi described as a friend of Pham’s is also being monitored for the disease,” reported Dallas News, “although he said he didn’t know the friend’s relationship. Others have said the patient being monitored is [Nina] Pham’s boyfriend.”

    Reports claim Pham boyfriend is in isolation after Jeff George, CEO of Alcon in Fort Worth Texas where the boyfriend works, sent an e-mail out to his personnel advising those who may have had contact with the boyfriend to monitor themselves. The email indicates that the boyfriend was checked into a hospital back on Oct. 12.

    “I am writing to make you aware that one of our Fort Worth associates was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. He is being monitored for potential signs and symptoms of the Ebola virus. The associate has not shown any signs of symptoms of the Ebola virus. After consultation with the Texas Department of Health, we are confident that there is no risk for Alcon associates,” wrote George.

    The nurse was transferred to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland for further treatment after receiving an antibody-rich blood transfusion from Dr. Kent Brantly. NBC News cameraman Ashoka Mukpo and aid worker Dr. Rick Sacra have also received transfusions from Brantly.

    The Dallas News reported on Oct. 8 that Pham is confronting “the deadly virus with the prayers of her family and friends — and the blood of an Ebola survivor coursing through her veins.”

    Meanwhile, Pham’s dog, a one-year-old King Charles Spaniel named Bentley, is being held for observation. After the dog of a nurse in Spain was euthanized, Bentley has become a household name as people take to Twitter and voice concerns that the dog may face the same fate.

  • Bernadette Peters Joins Other Theatre Greats in Tribute to Elaine Stritch

    Bernadette Peters will join a slew of other theatre greats to pay tribute to the legendary actress, Elaine Stritch, in Everybody, Rise! A Celebration of Elaine Stritch.

    The all-star tribute, which will feature reminiscences and performances on the life and career of the late Tony and Emmy-winning actress, who died on July 17 at the age of 89, will be held 4 p.m. Nov. 17, at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

    Under the direction of George C. Wolfe, a portion of the contributions collected during the celebration will be donated to the Elaine Stritch Scholarship Fund at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting

    The Honorary Producing Committee for the tribute includes Chiemi Karasawa, Carol Fineman, Rob Bowman, Hal Prince, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Julie Keyes, Rick Borutta, Mindy Cohn, Joseph Rosenthal, Cheryl Wiesenfeld and Will Gaines.

    Everybody, Rise! is a collaborative effort and includes the participation of Jujamcyn Theaters/Jordan Roth, Kinky Boots the Musical and IAC, The Nederlander Organization, Lyn and Norman Lear, Terry Hekker and Steinway & Sons.

    Stritch is known as Alec Baldwin‘s mother on NBC’s 30 Rock, but she was best known for her work in the theatre, which includes her candid one-woman show At Liberty and the Stephen Sondheim musical Company.

    A limited number of tickets will be available to the general public on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, which is located at 302 West 45th Street in New York City.

    Details on how and when tickets will be available will be released closer to the date of the event.

  • Richard Gere and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi Call It Quits

    Richard Gere and his girlfriend of six months, Bravo’s Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, have ended their romance.

    The New York Post‘s Page Six first reported the breakup, with a source explaining that Gere and Lakshmi “decided they would be better as friends.”

    The couple have been very private about their relationship and they were rarely photographed.

    In a recent television appearance, Lakshmi announced that she was single. She also didn’t mention the split during Friday’s appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show nor on NBC’s Today Tuesday.

    Last week, while speaking at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Gere said he’s very proud of his new movie, Time Out of Mind, in which he plays a homeless man.

    “What probably really helped was I was right in the middle of a divorce [from Carey Lowell], so the emotions were right on the surface,” the 64-year-oldstar quipped.

    Lakshmi, 44, was married to author Salman Rushdie from 2004 to 2007. She later dated billionaire Teddy Forstmann until he died of brain cancer in 2011. Lakshmi also has a three-year-old daughter, Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell, with venture capitalist ex-boyfriend Adam Dell, the brother of computer maker Michael Dell.

    Gere is set to begin work on a new film, Oppenheimer, by award-winning Israeli director Joseph Cedar. Meanwhile, Lakshmi has been traveling quite a bit after filming in Boston wrapped for a new season of Top Chef.

    Gere and Lowell have a son together, 14-year-old Homer.

    Time Out of Mind is in limited release and Top Chef airs 10 p.m. ET each Wednesday on Bravo.

  • Pizza Delivery Results In the Tip of a Lifetime for One Domino’s Driver

    An Indiana Domino’s Pizza delivery man’s work day started like every other day last Wednesday, but ended up to be a day that he will likely never forget.

    James Gilpin was surprised with a $1200 tip after he delivered pizza to a group of generous college students.

    At Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, students gather each week at 10 a.m. for worship. Last Wednesday, the president of the residential campus, Dr. Keith Newman, challenged the more-than-3,000 students to “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.”

    “Dr. Newman started off kind of praying, like, ‘lord, let this be a good service even though it’s going to be very untraditional.’ He had this idea, it was a quote from Andy Stanley, and the basic premise is do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. If you can’t bless the entire world, at least care about somebody who is right next to you,” said IWU Chaplain Charlie Alcock.

    The students began the challenge by writing an inspirational note, while Dr. Newman asked to have some pizza delivered.

    “He asked the lady to go and order pizza. At first I thought we were all going to get pizza, but then as he began to talk about it, he revealed that he would be bringing the guy on stage, and we were going to bless him with an offering.”

    So the students took up an offering as the unsuspecting James Gilpin made his way to the college with two hot pizzas.

    “When James, the guy who actually delivered the pizzas, walked into the building, they brought him right on stage, and at that point said, ‘you know what, thank you for all that you do, thank you for, you know, you doing what you do, and we want to say, you matter,’” said Alcock.

    “When I walked up to him and he started talking to me, I was wondering what was going on,” said delivery driver James Gilpin.

    The unsuspecting Gilpin was offered a piece of cake, a sack full of notes, and the biggest surprise of all.

    “He gave him a tip of a little over $1200,” said Alcock.

    Actually, the total amount collected added up to a whopping $1268.

    Gilpin said he planned to use the money to help provide a nice Christmas for his five and six-year-old kids.

    Who’s feeling really happy right now?

  • Amanda Bynes’ Psych Hold Extended, Parents Are ‘Happy She Is Safe’

    Amanda Bynes’ involuntary psychiatric hold has been extended another two weeks.

    People magazine reports that her parents, Lynn and Rick Bynes, are just incredibly grateful that their daughter is safe at a Los Angeles treatment facility.

    “They’re happy she’s safe and that Amanda is finally getting some help,” a source told People.

    The 28-year-old actress was taken to the treatment facility Friday after a ruse was concocted by her parents to get help for their daughter. Bynes thought she was heading to meet her parents and their attorney after landing in LA from New York. Instead, her parents whisked her to the hospital, where she remains.

    The scheme to get Bynes’ help was an orchestrated intervention, which included Sam Lufti, a former Britney Spears confidante, who helped the family get her home, and her parents’ attorney, Tamar Arminak.

    “It was touch and go whether the plan would work,” said the source, who added that currently Bynes “is erratic and disconnected from reality.”

    Last week, Bynes went on a spree of erratic behavior, which included stealing a $200 purse from Barneys Department Store. She also took to her Twitter account to rant on a variety of topics, including an accusation that her father had sexually, verbally and physically abused her as a child.

    She later deleted the Tweets about sexual abuse and blamed “the microchip in [her] brain.”

    Apparently, she often targets her father when she recedes into her illness.

    “When she is in one of these states, her anger and frustration is directed towards her father,” the source told People.

    Lynn Bynes, who generally keeps quiet about her daughter’s troubles, issued a statement through Arminak, refuting the claims and citing her daughter’s “mental state” for the accusations that “have no basis in reality.”

    Bynes’s siblings, Jillian O’Keefe and Tommy Bynes, also released a statement defending their parents.

    “We are disturbed beyond words that Amanda would come up with such a fabrication as a way to avoid getting much needed help or treatment,” they said.

    “We have the most wonderful parents who have ever lived [and] are pained by [Amanda’s] behavior. … We absolutely give our full unconditional love and support to our wonderful parents.”

  • Keyshia Cole Shows Little Sympathy for Ex Daniel Gibson’s Depression Claims

    Singer Keyshia Cole, 32, is showing little sympathy for her ex and estranged husband Daniel Gibson‘s claim that he was depressed after they broke up.

    “As far as his depression is concerned, I think as a friend, he has to understand, as well, that things that bring you to that point of being depressed or losing something that matters to you more than anything, you can’t repeat the same thing that got you there in the first place,” Keyshia told the 106 & Park audience.

    The NBA pro has claimed that life without his wife and son has led to a bout with depression.

    “I’ve learned through the depression I went through after losing Keyshia and I felt like [I lost] my son too in the sense that I couldn’t be with him every day. That whole thing took me into a deep depression, and in that depression I kind of found out a lot of things about myself,” he told Necole Bitchie for her website necolebitchie.com.

    The 28-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers player tried desperately to work things out with Cole after cheating on her and wanted to make their marriage work. However, Cole says she was and is done with the whole thing.

    “As a friend that would be something that I would have to express to him. You gotta just grow up,” she said.

    Cole advised her ex via the interview to learn from his mistakes and deal with the consequences of his actions.

    Isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black?

    What about the consequences of her arrest for assaulting a woman at her alleged boyfriend Birdman‘s party last month?

    Police say the singer wigged out and attacked the woman “leaving scratches all over her face.” She was charged with misdemeanor battery.

    “I really do appreciate my fans rolling with me over the last 10 years, but I’ve learned that some things you just have to keep to yourself,” she has said of the incident.

  • Adolf Hitler: Dossier Reveals New Details on Dictator’s Secret Addiction to Crystal Meth

    Adolf Hitler — the German dictator, who instigated World War II — allegedly had a secret addiction to crystal meth.

    According to the Daily Mail, U.S. military intelligence has compiled a 47-page wartime dossier containing information that suggests Hitler was a hypochondriac and took 74 different kinds of medication and pills, including methamphetamine.

    Intelligence suggests Hitler took crystal meth before a meeting with Mussolini in 1943, and he had nine injections of Vitamultin, a drug which contained methamphetamine, during the final days in his bunker.

    According to the report, Hitler also was given intravenous injections of methamphetamine from 1942 until his death in 1945 by his personal physician Theodor Morell, known by Nazis as the “Reichsmaster of injections.”

    In an interview for the National Geographic Channel’s Nazi Underworld, psychiatrist Professor Nassir Ghaemi said, “It’s not whether Hitler was an amphetamine addict or not – it’s that Hitler had bipolar disorder and amphetamines made it worse.

    “That is the issue. That has never been described before and that would explain a lot why Hitler changed in the late 1930s and the 1940s.”

  • Colin Kaepernick Fined $10K for Wearing Pink Beats by Dre Headphones

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick said Thursday that he was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing pink ”Beats by Dre” headphones during interviews following the Nov. 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

    The NFL has a contract with Bose, so Kaepernick is prohibited from wearing the Beats headphones in any public appearance. The league’s rules supersede an endorsement deal Kaepernick has with Beats.

    The pink version of the headphones were created to recognize October’s breast cancer awareness month.

    Kaepernick knew he could be subject to a fine after wearing the headphones around his neck during the press conference, but chose to wear the pink headphones. He explained his decision to don the headphones in an Instagram post.

    Loading

    I support breast cancer awareness! My grandma is a survivor!……. *shrugs* some things are now important! #IDontGetTired #WhoDoYouLove #Se7enPounds

    View on Instagram

    The NFL released a statement explaining its decision to fine the quarterback.

    “The NFL has longstanding policies that prohibit branded exposure on-field or during interviews unless authorized by the league. These policies date back to the early 1990s and continue today. They are the NFL’s policies – not one of the league’s sponsors, Bose in this case. Bose is not involved in the enforcement of our police,” said the NFL in a statement.

    The quarterback has appealed the decision and it is set to be heard on Tuesday.

    Kaepernick didn’t elaborate when asked if Beats would be picking up the tab for the fine, saying only, ”we’ll let that be unanswered.”

    Loading

    Spotted @kaepernick7 arriving in pink Beats Studios for #BreastCancerAwareness month. Proud to see #beatsfam show support. #BeatsbyDre

    View on Instagram

    Last month, the quarterback announced that he had been fined more than $11,000 for “inappropriate language” following a fourth-quarter interception during the 28-20 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 14. He appealed the penalty saying he did nothing wrong when he and Chicago defensive end Larmarr Houston exchanged words, after which Kaepernick shoved the Bears’ player. Houston said later that Kaepernick didn’t say anything offensive or out of line.

    In any case, Kaepernick can afford the fines. It’s pocket change for the young player, who received a $126 million, six-year contract extension in June, including $61 million in guaranteed money.

  • Sadie Robertson Trades in Mark Ballas For Derek Hough on DWTS, New Pair Have Fun at ‘Duck Dynasty’ Homestead

    Sadie Robertson recently had to switch partners on Dancing with the Stars, and the Duck Dynasty heiress seems thrilled to trade in Mark Ballas for Derek Hough this week.

    A new rule on the popular dancing series calls for partners to switch mid-season.

    There have been reports that the high school student was a little nervous while waiting to find out who her temporary Dancing with the Stars partner would be. Apparently, there was one pro she really didn’t want to be paired with — Val Chmerkovskiy.

    According to Wetpaint, the fan favorite said she was “intimidated” by Val. She shared her thoughts on the dancing pro during an episode of The Badie Show, a YouTube documentary she created with fellow competitor Bethany Mota to share their DWTS experience.

    Loading

    Thanks for putting us together America we are having fun in Louisiana … Ps I got @derekhough to do #thequackpack move todaymissing @bethanynoelm & @markballas though!

    View on Instagram

    Wird geladen

    Meanwhile in Louisiana with @derekhough

    Auf Instagram anzeigen

    Robertson said that she gets “nervous” around Chmerkovskiy, and Mota concurred, saying he can be really “intense.”

    “Yeah, I’m, like, intimidated by him. I really am,” Sadie said, with a nervous giggle. “I don’t know, he’s so scary to me.”

    Chmerkovskiy has been paired with Pretty Little Liars star Janel Parrish, but he’ll dance with Back to the Future star Lea Thompson during the big switcharoo.

    Derek, a five-time Mirror Ball Trophy champion, has been staying with the Duck Dynasty clan in Louisiana, and he and Sadie are having a great time riding four-wheelers and getting in some shooting practice in between their practice sessions.

    Loading

    Getting better ! #DEREKDYNASTY @legitsadierob

    View on Instagram

    Loading

    Uuuuuh #derekdynasty

    View on Instagram

    Načítání

    taking advantage of being back at home

    Zobrazit na Instagramu

  • Selena Gomez Sells Gorgeous Tarzana Starter Home for $3.45 Million, Turning a Nice Profit

    Selena Gomez Sells Gorgeous Tarzana Starter Home for $3.45 Million, Turning a Nice Profit

    Singer-actress Selena Gomez has sold her gorgeous starter home in the Los Angeles suburb, Tarzana, for $3.45 million.

    She bought the property from Jonah Hill in 2012 for $2.175 million. She later remodeled the interior and expanded the house by about 2,000 square feet.

    The Traditional-style, two-story home includes a blue stone patio entrance, replete with a fountain. Other selling points are the bay windows, which flank the red front door. Crossing the threshold, one enters into a high-ceiling entry with a center hall. A coffered-ceiling dining room sits off one side of the hall and a living room with a fireplace off the other.

    The 6,630-square-foot house has a great room, a card room, a media room, six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Sitting on less than an acre of property, the gated grounds also possess a guesthouse, a tennis court and a swimming pool with a spa.

    The listing agent was Craig Knizek of the Agency.

    According to the listing, “The lavish upstairs Guest Suite has its own separate entrance, and is encircled by a balcony to survey the massive grounds. The architectural truss beams and soaring high ceilings are magnificent. A full kitchen, two bathrooms, and two walk-in closets make this a room befitting your most special guest.

    “The newly built downstairs Media room has a bar which opens to the outdoor BBQ and firepit lounge area.”

    Gomez purchased another home this year in Calabasas.

    The 22-year-old singer and actress released her first solo album, Stars Dance, last year. She has also recorded as a member of Selena Gomez & the Scene. Her television credits include Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-12) and Barney & Friends (2002-04).

    Film credits include 2013’s Getaway and this year’s Rudderless and Behaving Badly.

  • Christopher Reeve: A Decade After His Death, Son Sees Dad’s Dream Being Realized

    Christopher Reeve’s son, Matthew Reeve, has a dream, and it’s the same dream his father worked so tirelessly to bring to reality — a day when the world is rid of wheelchairs.

    Matthew Reeve has continued to work as passionately as his father to search for answers to irreparable spinal cord injuries since his father’s death in 2004.

    Following a 1995 horse riding accident that left Christopher Reeve paralyzed from the neck down, the Superman star founded an organization with his wife, Dana Reeve, and countless others, to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

    There has been much progress over the past decade since Christopher Reeve died, although there is still a long road to go before a cure is found. However, Matthew Reeve told Yahoo News the latest breakthroughs would have “excited” his father.

    “When my father was first injured almost 20 years ago, spinal cord injury research was considered a dead end. Since then, we’ve made incredible progress,” he said.

    The greatest advancement in helping those with spinal-cord injuries has been on the technical side, with many new devices targeted at helping the paralyzed move and function once again. These include spine stimulation, brain-computer interfaces, and exoskeletons.

    One such device, called epidural spine stimulation, has been very successful in restoring movement to four paralyzed people who were part of a trial program.

    Matthew Reeve explained to Live Science that the device “reawakens the spinal cord and reminds of its potential. Right now, it’s the most promising therapy today.”

    Kent Stephenson, a Texan who was paralyzed in a Motocross accident, is part of the trial program.

    “When I came out of the hospital, they basically gave me a bag of medicine, a stretching routine and a wheelchair, and that was it,” said Stephenson. But having the spinal stimulation device has “(given) me the ability to take a step forward and overcome my paralysis.”

    With so much promise, the Reeve Foundation has now announced a new campaign, called The Big Idea, with a goal of raising $15 million dollars in order to involve 36 others who have suffered spinal cord injuries in the clinical trial of the device.

    Matthew Reeve said it wasn’t a stretch for him to become so passionate about the research and investing his time to help find a cure that would eliminate wheelchairs. He was a teenager when his father was injured, and it became a part of his family’s identity.

    “It was a big part of all of our lives,” Matthew Reeve says of himself and his siblings, all of whom are involved with supporting the Reeve Foundation. “It’s a huge honor to continue the work he started. I don’t come close to being as effective as he was, in terms of raising money and increasing awareness and his advocacy efforts, but it’s a cause that’s close to my heart… We’re one step closer to (Christopher Reeve’s) vision of a world of empty wheelchairs.”