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Showing posts from May, 2018

America's 2nd War of Independence

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TV

This Is Us has already filmed 'pieces' of the show's final scene. No, This Is Us isn't ending any time soon -- see: the ratings -- but it's never too early to talk about the end of the NBC family drama. At a For Your Emmy consideration panel held at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on Tuesday, creator Dan Fogelman dropped a small but intriguing hint about the show's very last episode. Asked by moderator Debra Birnbaum how far out the writers have mapped the show, Fogelman answered, "We're pretty far along. Our writers and I are kind of to the end. We have a path for each season of the show. We've always had a plan... I don't think this show will ever -- despite any success it may or may not have -- will ever overstay its welcome, and we have a story to tell. And we want to do this the right way. And so we have a plan." He added: "I've actually already shot pieces of the final scene in the series." Fogelman also shared that the sho

Movies

Elle Fanning and ''Mom'' Angelina Jolie Reunite on Set of Maleficent 2. Not so villainous after all? Angelina Jolie makes for one adorably dorky Maleficent while behind-the-scenes with co-star Elle Fanning! Four years after Jolie's chilling portrayal of the iconic Disney villain made Maleficent an instant blockbuster hit, production on the sequel has officially started in London. Fanning, who stars as Princess Aurora in the live-action adaptation, took to Instagram on Tuesday with a photo that proves Jolie really is Hollywood's coolest "mom." "It's bring your mom to work day on the #Maleficent2 set!!!!!" the 20-year-old actress captioned the selfie, which features Angelina in her character's horns and red lipstick. Maleficent 2, which does not yet have a release date, marks the Oscar winner's first role in three years. Jolie last acted alongside her now ex-husband, Brad Pitt, in 2015's By the Sea. She stepped behind the camera

Music

Jeff Goldblum to release debut jazz album. Jeff Goldblum is set to record his first jazz album after having signed up with Decca Records Label Group, Decca announced Wednesday. The actor's jazz piano skills caught the attention of Decca executives after he accompanied soul-jazz singer Gregory Porter on a rendition of Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa" on BBC talk show "The Graham Norton Show" last October while promoting "Thor: Ragnarok." "I'm so happy to be in cahoots with the wonderful people at Decca, one of the coolest and most prestigious labels of all time," Goldblum said. The actor, known around the world for his iconic roles in films including "The Fly," "Jurassic Park" and "Independence Day," has played piano since childhood. He regularly plays with his jazz band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, around LA and at the Cafe Carlyle in New York. Goldblum also hosts a weekly jazz variety show at LA's Rock

THE OTHER STUFF . . .

It's been just over 11 days since Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry in a fairy tale ceremony at Windsor Castle, and her transformation into the Duchess of Sussex already appears to be complete. She debuted her new royal look -- complete with polished side chignon (bye-bye, messy bun!) -- during a Buckingham Palace garden party on May 22. And with the royal wedding behind her, Meghan is now ready for the real work to begin. "She's not going to want to be a quiet princess and simply open hospitals or cut ribbons," a royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. Meghan will likely focus on issues concerning "young women and teenage girls. She is familiarizing herself with the landscape in this country," says Lorraine Heggessey, chief executive officer of the Royal Foundation, which oversees the charitable efforts of Prince William, Kate Middleton, Harry and now Meghan. "She's meeting groups and wants to do that privately so she can get to kno

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Brody Jenner's Kardashian half-sisters were too busy to entertain the idea of attending his wedding. "Kendall and Kylie didn't even bother to RSVP" to Brody and blogger Kaitlynn Carter's Bali-based festivities, an insider told Page Six. Page Six previously reported that Brody's dad, Caitlyn, 68, was skipping the wedding trip due to scheduled work commitments. His mom, Linda Thompson, and brother Brandon Jenner are celebrating with him instead. It is unclear why Kendall, 22, or Kylie, 21, couldn't make it to Brody's special day, but Kylie and baby daddy Travis Scott were spotted courtside at the Houston Rockets game on Monday. Kendall spent a "low key" Memorial Day with Kourtney Kardashian and friends. The couple is set to tie the knot in Sumba Island at Nihi Sumba but "there is an LA reception that's going to be planned, so maybe that'll be different," the insider added. (Page Six) Caitlyn Jenner will not attend her son Brod

WEIRD NEWS

Suddenly a Diamond Isn't Forever.  De Beers' diamonds said they'd never ever do what they're now going to do. In a significant about-face, the company has announced plans to start selling synthetic diamonds under the name Lightbox, its new man-made diamond brand that will offer full carat stones from roughly $800 beginning in September. That price point is essentially the point: While one of De Beers' genuine one carat diamonds costs about $8,000, similar lab-made ones currently run about $4,000. That means synthetics made by De Beers' rivals (among them Warren Buffett's Helzberg's Diamond Shops and Leonardo DiCaprio-funded Diamond Foundry) will be extremely expensive in comparison and the gulf between synthetic and real prices will widen, making the two categories more distinct. It's a big change for a company whose execs had pledged to never sell lab-grown stones; it even created a machine whose purpose is rooting out such fakes. It justified the

DID YOU KNOW?

It's estimated that one in every fifty doctors is a phony.  A recent survey of workers found that people who telecommute/work from home work 4-7 more hours every week.  Recent research shows that your Facebook status is more memorable than lines from a book.  Before they were sold nationally, the classic breakfast treat Pop-Tarts were tested in Cleveland in 1963.  If people got more sleep, they would be able to lose weight faster.  According to a recent study, 2 out of 5 people have stopped talking to a friend because of an argument on Facebook or some other online entity.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

So what did President Trump say about Roseanne? He tweeted this on Wednesday: "Bob Iger of ABC called Valerie Jarrett to let her know that 'ABC does not tolerate comments like those' made by Roseanne Barr. Gee, he never called President Donald J. Trump to apologize for the HORRIBLE statements made and said about me on ABC. Maybe I just didn't get the call?"  Months of talks between Jared Kushner and Kim Kardashian resulted in an Oval Office meeting with President Trump to talk prison reform yesterday.  Former Deadliest Catch captain Blake Painter was found dead in his home in Oregon on Friday. He was 38.  Brody Jenner will be walking down the aisle soon but a few family members will not be attending his Bali wedding to fiancee Kaitlynn Carter. He invited Kendall and Kylie Jenner, but never heard back from either of them. His dad, Caitlyn, said she won't be able to attend because of a lucrative business opportunity.  Then there's Louisiana televangelis

ON THIS DAY

On this date in 1787 the Constitutional Convention decided on a bi-cameral Congress. The consensus was that all of them would "walk a mile for a cameral." In 1790, Congress passed the very first copyright law. It actually wasn't their idea: they stole it from a book, word for word. On this date in 1868, the first recorded bicycle race took place in France. It was slower than you'd expect, as the bicycle had been invented... but not the pedal.  This in spite of the No Peddlers signs.  It was very exciting... mostly because bicycle brakes hadn't been invented yet.  At first, everyone thought it was a joke since the only three contestants were a Frenchman, a German and a Brit.  Needless to say, the guy with the training wheels came in second.  In 1894, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to declare a policy of non-interference in the Hawaiian Islands. Hard to believe we ever kept our nose out of anybody's business. It was on this date in 1919 that the very f

Music Calendar...

In 1809 Composer Franz Joseph Haydn dies in Vienna, Austria. In 1956 Buddy Holly sees the John Wayne movie "The Searchers" and the line "That'll be the day" inspires him to write the song. In 1961 Chuck Berry cuts the ribbon on Berryland Amusement Park outside of St. Louis, Missouri. In 1964 The Dave Clark Five makes their first appearance on "Ed Sullivan." In 1969 John Lennon & Yoko Ono record "Give Peace A Chance," with Tom & Dick Smothers singing in the background, during their "bed-in" at Hotel La Reine in Montreal. In 1969 Jimi Hendrix appears on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. In 1969 The Rolling Stones record "Honky Tonk Women." In 1969 "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder and "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat & Tears both enter the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1969 "Love (Can Make You Happy)" by Mercy peaks at #2 on the U.S. top 40 chart. In 1973 The a

Today In History...

In 1787 The Constitutional Convention decides on a bi-cameral Congress. In 1868 The first recorded bicycle race, 2 kilometers in Paris, France. In 1879 The first electric railway opens at the Berlin Trades Exposition. In 1889 More than 2,000 people perish when a dam breaks sending water through Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1894 The U.S. Senate votes unanimously to declare a policy of non-interference in the Hawaiian Islands. In 1910 The Union of South Africa is founded. In 1913 The 17th Amendment to the Constitution, providing for the popular election of U.S. senators, is declared in effect. In 1916 During World War I, British and German fleets fight the Battle of Justland off Denmark. In 1919 The first wedding in an airplane takes place over Houston, Texas. In 1945 World War II production of the B-24 Liberator bombers ended with 18,188 delivered. The largest quantity of one airplane ever made. In 1961 South Africa becomes an independent republic. In 1962 World War II Gestapo official A

Born On This Day...

In 1819 American poet, Walt Whitman (Father of Free Verse in America) In 1841 Industrialist, William Rockefeller (Standard Oil) In 1857 Religious leader, Pope Pius XI (1922-39) In 1872 Scientist/astrophysicist, Charles Greeley Abbot (Sun Constant) In 1889 Actress, Madge Blake (The Real McCoys, Aunt Harriet-TV's Batman) In 1894 Comedian, Fred Allen (Allen's Alley, What's My Line) In 1898 Clergyman/author, Norman Vincent Peale (Positive Thinking) In 1904 Saxophonist, Otto "Toby" Hardwicke (Duke Ellington) [d: 8-5-70] In 1908 Actor, Don Ameche (Cocoon, Trading Places) [d: 12-6-93] In 1912 Actor, Dave O'Brien (Kiss Me Kate) [d: 11-8-69] In 1912 Actress, Barbara Pepper (Doris Ziffel-Green Acres) [d: 7-18-69] In 1916 Actor, John Vivyan (Mr. Lucky) [d: 12-20-83] In 1922 Actor, Denholm Elliott (Marcus-Raiders of the Last Ark) [d: 10-6-92] In 1923 Prince Ranier III of Monaco (Grace Kelly's widow) [d: 4-6-05] In 1929 Actress

Hot weather can mean more tire “gators” on highways

Drivers should pay attention, be alert to possible tread debris  The word likely makes you think of a state like Florida, but Arizona highway drivers should stay alert for “gators” on the highway, especially with summer upon us. Gator is the nickname given to tire treads that wind up on highways after blowouts, creating a risk for other drivers and their vehicles. The Arizona Department of Transportation and state Department of Public Safety are reminding motorists to stay alert to tire treads or other debris that can wind up on highways. Drivers also should regularly check their vehicles’ tire pressure to reduce the risk of blowouts. Whether DPS troopers toss tire gators to the shoulder or ADOT maintenance crews respond after getting a call, it’s impossible to catch everything immediately along more than 6,300 miles of state highways. “We all need to pay attention and be prepared for debris at any time, but tire gators increase in number when the weather turns hot,” said Ra

Top Box Office Week Ending 05-27-18

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TEN THINGS YOUR BABY SITTER WON'T TELL

1. Your House Is Gross Nobody expects a house with kids running around in it to be pristine, but it shouldn't be downright grody. "I once had to give a four-year-old a bath, and the entire area was orange with soap scum and mildew," says a sitter in Chicago. 2. She Bribes Your Kids Savvy bargaining is one way sitters keep things running smoothly when you're away. One promised the children they could watch a movie of their choosing if they were good all day long. That same sitter has openly threatened to never come back again when the kids are behaving especially badly. 3. You Undermine Her If your regular sitter establishes a rule for a child (say, he can only bring his Zhu Zhu Pet to taekwondo class), don't reverse it on a whim when she's not around. That just undermines your kids' respect for their part-time caregiver. In the same way a good sitter makes every effort to respect your rules, she wishes you'd trust her judgment and let her establish

WHAT ICE CREAM FLAVOR ARE YOU?

Icecream.com assembled a list of eight popular flavors of ice cream and then correlated each to personality characteristics, including a romantic compatibility forecast. Choose your favorite ice cream flavor and see how it matches up! Butter Pecan You are the perfect employee -- devoted, conscientious, respectful and fiscally conservative. Not only do you hold high standards for right and wrong and show integrity in all of your actions, but also you are very sensitive to others' feelings. You don't share your own feelings easily, but when you do, you only discuss these deepest thoughts with close family and friends. Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with those who prefer Mint Chocolate Chip. Chocolate Chip Competitive and accomplished in both love and work, you know the value of working hard. You are ambitious, as well as generous with your time and money. You never take your blessings for granted. Because of your captivating personality, you shine in social sit

WELL, EXCUSE US

For 70 years, U.S. presidents have been pardoning turkeys, sparking one bird per year. That tradition had the writers at Women's Health thinking about healthy food that have gotten a bad rap and deserve a second chance: Beans - Please excuse, the tooting "Soaking beans helps them cook faster, and it also removes indigestible substance that make you gassy," says Karen Ansel, R.D. "Rinse under the tap, bring them to a boil in a big pot of water for three minutes and let them soak for an hour. Then drain, rinse again, and cook according to your recipe." Onions - Please excuse, the tears "You can blame substances known as sulfuric compounds for making you cry," says Ansel. "To prevent watery, stinging eyes, pop the onions in the freezer for 20 minutes before you chop them, which halts the action of the enzymes that cause the reaction." Beets - Please excuse, the fuchsia stain "Leave the stems on while you cook them, which prevents the pig

WHAT DOES BODY ART SAY ABOUT A WOMAN?

A small tattoo on a woman's shoulder She's funny and overtly sexy, and loves to tease. A tattoo on the small of the back A woman who is secretly sexual. The sacrum is an overlooked but highly sensual spot, where most women love to be touched. She's telling you to "press here." Body Glitter She's girlish and fun, curious and playful and still believes in magic. She's looking for a prince charming to put some real twinkle on her finger. Check her ID, though, teens love this stuff. Nails Long, elaborately painted fingernails means she's trying to create the illusion of class. She may be a supermarket cashier, a bank teller, or an assembly-line riveter who's trying to disguise the fact that she's a menial laborer. Think high-maintenance. Tongue stud This is the most in-your-face body art a woman can have. She's self-confident and values her tongue almost as much for sex as for talking. She is saying she has so much energy and is in such go

WORDS WOMEN USE

Fine This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use "fine" to describe how a woman looks - this will cause you to have one of those arguments. Five Minutes This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it's an even trade. Nothing This means "something," and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with "Fine." Go Ahead (With Raised Eyebrows!) -- This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over "Nothing" and will end with the word "Fine" Go Ahead (Normal Eyebrows) -- This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don't c

CAN'T GET IN THE MOOD?

If your libido isn't want it used to be -- and you've ruled out medical issues, including depression -- it could be your diet. While hamburgers, fried chicken and cupcakes may feel like old-fashioned comfort food, they could also be tampering with your basic bedroom desires. Taking the advice of Brian Clement and Anna Maria Clement, co-authors of "7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality," Cosmopolitan magazine warns women to avoid or limit these six foods, all of which can lower their sex drive. 1. Soy Lattes Soy in food or beverages is packed with health benefits; studies have shown that soy can help lower cholesterol, protect the heart and possibly reduce the intensity of hot flashes. But soybeans contain plant estrogen, which can interfere with a woman's sex drive. If you must have your latte, switch to reduced-fat milk. 2. Fried Foods Who doesn't love fried food? But all those fries, chips and chicken fingers affect your blood sugar, making you feel lethargic