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AND THE EMMY NOMINATIONS ARE…: 'The Wire' dissed again; Rashad, Wilson, Woodard, McDonald, Carroll, Williams and Turman pick up nods.
*Emmy nominations were announced at the crack of dawn Thursday morning and HBO's critically-acclaimed series "The Wire" lost its final chance to be nominated in the drama category.
The program about police and drug dealers in Baltimore, which wrapped its fifth and final season this year, received just one nomination – for writing.. Meanwhile, HBO's mini-series, "John Adams," was the overall frontrunner with 23 nods.
ABC's "A Raisin in the Sun" was nominated for Outstanding Made for Television Movie, while acting nominations went to its stars Phylicia Rashad (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie) and Audra McDonald (Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie).
Alfre Woodard, star of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation "Pictures of Hollis Woods," faces McDonald in the category of Actress in Miniseries or a Movie, while Glynn Turman picked up an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nod for his turn in HBO's "In Treatment."
"Grey's Anatomy" stars Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh are competing in the Outstanding Supporting Drama Actress category that last year was won by castmate Katherine Heigl — who took herself of the running this time, blaming her decision on a lackluster storyline..
"Ugly Betty's" Vanessa Williams competes in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, and Diahann Carroll earned a spot in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series category for her role as the mother of Isaiah Washington's character in "Grey's Anatomy."
Making history Thursday were AMC's "Mad Men" and the FX series "Damages." Both became the first basic cable programs to earn best-series nods. Last year's best comedy winner, "30 Rock," was the top nominee among sitcoms with 17 bids. "Mad Men" was the leading drama series contender with 16 nominations.
The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held Sept. 21 and broadcast on ABC. Other Emmy honors, including those for technical achievement and guest actors and actresses in series, will be given at the creative arts ceremony on Sept. 13.
Here's a list of the top Emmy nominees:
Outstanding Drama Series
• Boston Legal • Damages • Dexter • House • Lost • Mad Men
Outstanding Comedy Series
• Curb Your Enthusiasm • Entourage • The Office • 30 Rock • Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• James Spader, Boston Legal • Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad • Michael C. Hall, Dexter • Hugh Laurie, House • Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment • Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
• Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters • Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer • Glenn Close, Damages • Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
• Tony Shalhoub, Monk • Steve Carell, The Office • Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies • Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock • Charlie Sheen, Two And A Half Men
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine • Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? • Tina Fey, 30 Rock • America Ferrera, Ugly Betty • Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
• Ralph Fiennes, Bernard and Doris • Ricky Gervais, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • Paul Giamatti, John Adams • Kevin Spacey, Recount • Tom Wilkinson, Recount
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
• Catherine Keener, An American Crime • Susan Sarandon, Bernard And Doris • Judi Dench, Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre) • Laura Linney, John Adams • Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• William Shatner, Boston Legal • Ted Danson, Damages • Zeljko Ivanek, Damages • Michael Emerson, Lost • John Slattery, Mad Men
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• Candice Bergen, Boston Legal • Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters • Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy • Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy • Dianne Wiest, In Treatment
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
• Jeremy Piven, Entourage • Kevin Dillon, Entourage • Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother • Rainn Wilson, The Office • Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
• Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies • Jean Smart, Samantha Who? • Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live • Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men • Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
• David Morse, John Adams • Stephen Dillane, John Adams • Tom Wilkinson, John Adams • Denis Leary, Recount • Bob Balaban, Recount Outstanding Supporting
Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
• Eileen Atkins, Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre) • Ashley Jensen, Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • Alfre Woodard, Pictures of Hollis Woods (Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation) • Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun • Laura Dern, Recount
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
• Stanely Tucci, ER • Glynn Turman, In Treatment • Robin Williams, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • Robert Morse, Mad Men • Oliver Platt, Nip/Tuck • Charles Durning, Rescue Me
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
• Shelley Berman, Curb Your Enthusiasm • Rip Torn, 30 Rock • Will Arnett, 30 Rock • Steve Buscemi, 30 Rock • Tim Conway, 30 Rock
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
• Polly Bergen, Desperate Housewives • Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives • Sarah Silverman, Monk • Carrie Fisher, 30 Rock • Edie Falco, 30 Rock • Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
• Ellen Burstyn, Big Love • Dihann Carroll, Grey's Anatomy • Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • Anjelica Huston, Medium • Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck
Outstanding Reality Program
• Antiques Roadshow • Dirty Jobs • Extreme Makeover Home Edition • Intervention • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
• The Amazing Race • American Idol • Dancing With the Stars • Project Runway • Top Chef
Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
• Ryan Seacrest, American Idol • Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars • Howie Mandel, Deal Or No Deal • Heidi Klum, Project Runway • Jeff Probst, Survivor
Outstanding Miniseries
• The Andromeda Strain • Cranford (Masterpiece Theatre) • John Adams • Tin Man
Outstanding Made for Television Movie
• Bernard And Doris • Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale • The Memory Keeper's Daughter • A Raisin In The Sun • Recount
CHRIS ROCK TO FILM NEW HBO STAND UP SPECIAL: 'Kill the Messenger' shot in South Africa; will air in September.
*Chris Rock brings his stand up back to HBO this fall with a new special shot from three different performances.
Debuting Saturday, Sept. 27, "Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger" combines footage shot at South Africa's Carnival City Casino, New York's legendary Apollo Theatre and the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London.
"Chris Rock is a master of insightful comedy who never fails to engage his audience," notes Nancy Geller, senior vice president, HBO Original Programming. "He has a unique voice that surpasses mere comedy."
"I wanted to do the type of stand-up special that I've never seen before, and the only place that I could see doing that is at HBO," says Rock. "I love HBO because they want to take chances."
"It is certainly a fun challenge doing something radical with an artist of the magnitude and talent of Chris Rock," observes Marty Callner, who is directing the special, and executive producing along with Rock. "Of course, it shouldn't be a surprise when you blend a brave artist with a brave network."
WHOOPI, ELISABETH SPAR OVER JESSE'S N-WORD: Things get heated on 'The View' during discussion about Jesse Jackson's gaffe.
*"The View's" Elisabeth Hasselbeck shed tears during a heated exchange with co-host Whoopi Goldberg during a discussion about Jesse Jackson's use of the N-word in his Fox News interview debacle.
Goldberg, who earlier in the broadcast used the N-word repeatedly, argued that the word is only as powerful as a society allows it to be and advocated for using the word to give it new meaning.
Hasselbeck, meanwhile, couldn't understand how society could move forward if blacks, including Whoopi, kept saying the epithet. Her argument was that blacks and whites: "don't live in different worlds."
Whoopi fired back: "We do live in different worlds …It isn't balanced, and we would like it to be, but you have to understand, you have to listen to the fact that we're telling you there are issues, there are huge problems that still affect us."
Elisabeth replied, in tears: "When we live in a world where pop culture then uses that term, and we're trying to get to a place where we feel like we're in the same place, where we feel like we're in the same world...how are we supposed to then move forward if we keep using terms that bring back that pain?"
View clip here: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid285859616/bclid294430730/bctid1674033088
In related news, Jesse Jackson has issued an apology for using the N-word, which was uttered while he wore an open microphone during an interview break on Fox News.
After stating that Barack Obama talked down to African-Americans during a Father's Day speech and making a crude remark about the Illinois senator, Fox News confirmed this week that Jackson also used the "N-word."
"There is really no justification for my comments and I hope that the Obama family and the American public will forgive me," said Jackson in a statement issued from Spain, where he's traveling. The Obama campaign has yet to comment.
AND THE ESPY WINNERS ARE…: Tiger Woods, NY Giants among night's big winners.
*ESPN's 16th Annual ESPY Awards took place Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre L.A.. Live in Los Angeles with golfer Tiger Woods and the New York Football Giants among the evening's big winners.
Woods had a record night, winning his fifth Best Male Athlete ESPY, his fourth straight ESPY for Best Golfer, and the Best Championship Performance award for his victory at the 2008 U.S. Open with a severely injured left leg. Woods’ three wins builds his record to 21, more than anyone in ESPYs history.
The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants won ESPYs in three categories: Best Game, Best Upset and Best Play, the latter for David Tyree’s epic "helmet catch" of an Eli Manning pass that kept the Giants’ game-winning drive alive.
This year’s number one overall WNBA draft pick, Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker, took home two ESPYs, for Best Female Athlete and Best Female College Athlete.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which each year recognizes individuals whose contributions transcend sports, was presented by Samuel L. Jackson and Steve Nash to 1968 Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos who raised the black power fist on the victory stand as the national anthem played – an action the two men said represented not only the American struggle for racial equality but the universal struggle for basic human rights.
Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett was presented the Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance, in honor of the late Jim Valvano and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Everett, after suffering what was deemed a paralyzing spinal cord injury during an NFL game, has gone through rehab and is walking again, and was on hand at The ESPYs to accept his award.
Other ESPY winners included Floyd Mayweather (Best Fighter), the Boston Celtics (its first Best Team ESPY), Tyson Gay (Best Track & Field Athlete) Alex Rodriguez (Best Baseball Player) and Kobe Bryant (Best NBA Player).
Ashanti, Fergie, Tony Gonzalez, Terrell Owens, Forest Whitaker and Venus Williams were among the presenters, while Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco entertained the crowd as part of this year’s house band.
For the fifth-straight year, winners for all ESPYs were determined by online fan voting (except for the Arthur Ashe, Jimmy V and Best Comeback awards). Below is a complete list of 2008 winners. The program will air Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
ARTHUR ASHE COURAGE AWARD: John Carlos and Tommie Smith, 1968 Olympic medalists JIMMY V AWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE: Kevin Everett, former Buffalo Bills TE BEST COMEBACK: Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers BEST IN SPORT BEST FEMALE ATHLETE: Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball/Los Angeles Sparks BEST MALE ATHLETE: Tiger Woods, Golf BEST MOMENT: “Great Sportsmanship” (Central Washington University’s Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky) BEST TEAM: Boston Celtics BEST COACH/MANAGER: Pat Summitt, Tennessee Women’s Basketball BEST GAME: New York Giants over New England Patriots at the Super Bowl BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE: Tiger Woods, 2008 U.S. Open BEST PLAY: New York Giants Eli Manning’s pass to David Tyree at the Super Bowl BEST FINISH: Western Kentucky over Drake in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, winning on a buzzer beater by Ty Rogers BEST UPSET: New York Giants over New England
Patriots at the Super Bowl BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings BEST RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers BEST SPORTS MOVIE: Semi-Pro BEST MALE COLLEGE ATHLETE: Tim Tebow, Florida Football BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE: Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball BEST MALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY: Ryan Kocer, Wrestling (Wagner, SD) BEST FEMALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY: Shay Oberg, Softball (Montana State-Billings) BEST INTERNATIONAL MALE ATHLETE: Rafael Nadal, Tennis BEST INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ATHLETE: Lorena Ochoa, Golf INDIVIDUAL SPORTS BEST BASEBALL PLAYER: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees BEST NBA PLAYER: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers BEST WNBA PLAYER: Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm BEST NFL PLAYER: Tom Brady, New England Patriots BEST NHL PLAYER: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins BEST MLS PLAYER: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy BEST MALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE: Shaun White, Skateboarding/Snowboarding BEST
FEMALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE: Gretchen Bleiler, Snowboarding BEST BOWLER: Norm Duke BEST DRIVER: Jimmie Johnson BEST FIGHTER: Floyd Mayweather, Boxing BEST GOLFER: Tiger Woods BEST JOCKEY: Kent Desormeaux BEST OUTDOOR ATHLETE: Captain Scott Smiley, Mountain Climber BEST MALE TENNIS PLAYER: Roger Federer BEST FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER: Maria Sharapova BEST TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE: Tyson Gay
JEFFREY WRIGHT TASED DURING ARREST?: Authorities reviewing footage from patrol car cameras; TMZ says cell phone video shows cop brutality.
*Jeffrey Wright and Josh Brolin, who were arrested this past weekend in Shreveport, La., were reportedly pepper sprayed and tasered by cops following their now infamous bar brawl.
Local station KTBS is reporting that Wright was repeatedly pepper sprayed and hit with tasers as he lay face down on his stomach in the street. TMZ.com reports of witnesses hearing the officers directing extremely foul language at Wright, including the N-word.
Cops said they have audio and video recordings of the arrest, but they're keeping quiet about what's on the tape.
The bar fight took place during the wrap party for the film "W," the Oliver Stone-directed picture starring Brolin as President George W. Bush and Wright as retired Gen. Colin Powell.
The two, arrested along with several crew members, are charged with interfering with police. Each posted a bond of $384, according to court records.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE PLAN CD/DVD PACKAGE: Project likely to be available exclusively for a major retail store.
*Earth, Wind & Fire is looking to release a major three-disc CD/DVD package to be sold exclusively for a major retailer by mid-2009.
Frontman Philip Bailey tells Billboard.com that the project is expected to include a CD of original material -- its first since "Illumination" in 2004 -- a live CD and a concert DVD.
"(Management) has done this twice with (the Eagles and Journey, both via Wal-Mart) and they've expressed interest in doing this with Earth, Wind & Fire," Bailey says. "That's the new thing today, so we're taking a template out of that whole thing. We have a history and a catalog and everything, so you don't have to 'break' us. We're still viable. Now, they're able to make really good deals and make more money for (the acts), so it's a pretty good day for us old guys."
Bailey says EWF hopes to start recording the new album after the end of its current tour in October.
"We're writing," he notes, "and we're gonna write with some of these writer-producer guys, and then make it happen."
KANYE, WYCLEF BOOKED FOR DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION: Artists scheduled to perform during event beginning Aug. 25 in Denver.
*Kanye West, Wyclef Jean and N.E.R.D. have been tapped to perform at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver to support the presidential nomination of Sen. Barack Obama.
According to Billboard, West is rumored to be performing on behalf of Bono's One Campaign, which landed the rapper in conjunction with the RIAA. Jean and N.E.R.D. are expected to headline a party thrown by MTV and Rock the Vote.
The convention, which begins Aug. 25 at Invesco Field in Denver, will culminate with the party's nomination of Obama three days later.
NEW DEATH ROW OWNERS SUED: Venture capitalist claims purchase of company was done in deceit.
*The financial curse of Death Row Records has extended from previous owner Marion "Suge" Knight to its new owner, Susan Berg, who purchased the label along with a team of investors for $24 million at an auction last month.
According to reports, a man is suing Berg and her Death Row co-owners for $25 million, claiming that he encouraged her and other investors to purchase the bankrupt label, only to be cut out of the deal later.
Venture capitalist Ron Goldberg – who had also sought to purchase Death Row – says in his lawsuit that Susan Berg's Global Music Group president Anthony Marotta conspired with investors who were originally recruited by Goldberg and closed the deal behind his back.
He also claims officials at Global Music Group used Goldberg's "contacts" and "confidential know-how" to seal the deal.
Knight lost control of the business when he filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and the firm was placed into receivership.
MANDELA'S FAVORITE FOLKTALES IN AUDIOBOOK: Alfre Woodard to serve as creative director; Goldberg, Smollett to lend voices.
*In honor of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday this week, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) announced plans to produce an audiobook version of Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales.
Those already signed on to voice stories include America Ferrera, Whoopi Goldberg, Samuel L. Jackson and Jurnee Smollett. Nobel laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will record a special message to the world's children that will be featured on the audiobook.
Alfre Woodard, who co-founded ANSA in 1989, will serve as the audiobook's Creative Director.
"I was privileged to be with Nelson Mandela recently in London, where he challenged us, saying, '... our work is far from complete," said Woodard. "Where there is poverty and sickness, including AIDS, where human beings are oppressed, there is more work to be done ... after nearly 90 years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens.. It is in your hands now.' With this audiobook, ANSA pays tribute to our friend and our hero, Nelson Mandela, on his 90th birthday. It will take the hands of all mankind to lift that burden and carry on the work. We hope you will join in and support this effort."
The audiobook, slated for a Summer 2009 release, will be published and distributed by Hachette Audio, a division of Hachette Book Group USA.
LA TIMES DROPS CHUCK PHILLIPS: Paper's longtime music critic let go due to budget cuts.
*Veteran Los Angeles Times music critic Chuck Phillips became the latest casualty in the newspaper's ongoing efforts to cut costs.
The journalist, most recently in the news for his controversial stories surrounding the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., was let go as part of the paper's cost reduction campaign.
Phillips won a Pulitzer in 1999 for covering corruption in the music business. In 2002, he wrote an investigative story implicating B.I.G., (real name Christopher Wallace), in Tupac's murder.
The story alleged that Wallace ventured to Las Vegas the day of Shakur’s murder and paid the Southside Crips to be the hitmen, and that he also gave them a specific gun he wanted used in the killing.
In March, Phillips wrote an article claiming Tupac’s 1994 shooting, was orchestrated by moguls Sean "Diddy" Combs and James “Jimmy Henchmen” Rosemond.
However, The Smoking Gun web site revealed that Phillips based his story on forged FBI documents written by James Sabatino, a con man incarcerated in federal prison.
The Times retracted the story in April and wrote an apology to Combs and Rosemond, stating that the “report relied heavily on information the Times no longer believes to be credible.”
SERBIA TO GET BOB MARLEY STATUE: Unveiling ceremony to take place next month in hamlet of Banatski Sokolac.
*A statue of late reggae legend Bob Marley will be erected in Serbia ahead of a huge rock music festival, organizers announced Thursday.
"We are honored to announce that the first monument in Europe of the reggae legend Bob Marley will be erected in Banatski Sokolac," said the Internet site of the Rock Village festival.
"Our village thus enters into history and supporters and all those who respect this 'liberty fighter armed with a guitar' can take part in the unveiling ceremony on August 23," the Web site stated.
The rock festival, first held in the northeastern village in 2005, will be opened by Del Arno Band, one of the most influential reggae groups in the Balkans, and Jamaican act Ras Abraham & the Irie Vibes.
ITTY BITTY BITS: 'Work for Diddy'; Banner's OZONE nods; Wayne Brady CD; BET's 'Girls Camp'; Stewart's 'Rent'; Crunk drink expands.
*VH1’s new competitive reality series “I Want To Work For Diddy” debuts on Monday, Aug. 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The show tracks 13 applicants as they compete to land the job of Diddy's assistant. Each one-hour episode showcases a range of challenges, many based on the real life experiences of Diddy’s previous assistants. In addition to completing these tasks, the applicants must also impress a panel of judges: Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group Kevin Liles, Sean John Marketing Director and former Diddy assistant Capricorn Clark and Diddy’s ultimate henchman, Island Def Jam Chief of staff, Phil Robinson.
*Rapper David Banner, who just released his fifth studio album "The Greatest Story Ever Told," has been nominated for two OZONE awards - the Pimp C Award (Trillest Artist) and Best Rap/R&B Collaboration for the first single off his new project "Get Like Me" ft. Chris Brown & Yung Joc. The 2008 Ozone Awards will be held in Houston, Texas, along with the TJs DJs Tastemaker’s Conference, August 8-11.
*Comedian Wayne Brady's debut album, "A Long Time Coming," will be released on Sept. 16 via Peak Records/Concord Music Group. The 12-track R&B collection features Brady's own compositions along with his reinventions of such classics as Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" and Stevie Wonder's "All I Do." Brady linked with The Heavyweights, the production team composed of Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones and Jason Pennock, to write and record the album.
*The BET Foundation returns with its acclaimed "Summer Camp For Girls" running from July 20-27 at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center campsite located in Columbiana, AL. The week-long camp was specifically designed as an effective approach to help African-American girls and their parents identify and practice lifestyle changes that will assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight and a positive self-image through health literacy, physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, proper nutrition, and self-appreciation. Toccara Jones, Keri Hilson, Tiffany Evans, Teyanna Taylor and Miss Black USA, Kristen White, will be on hand.
*Gwen Stewart, who was part of the original cast of Broadway's Rent, will return to that long-running musical at the Nederlander Theatre, reports Playbill.com. Stewart, who introduced the solo vocals in the show's anthem, "Seasons of Love," will reprise her original role beginning July 21. She will stay with the production through its final performance, which is scheduled for Sept. 7.
*Solvi Brands has announced that it will expand the distribution of Crunk!!! Energy Drink to the Northeast through a partnership with Polar Beverages, Inc. – one of the country’s largest independent soft-drink bottlers. Polar Beverages’ 125 plus-years of experience and distribution success throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and upstate New York will ensure Crunk!!! Energy Drink continues to reach new consumers, and meet their demand for the growing brand.
WOMAN ACCUSED OF BRIBING COP WITH SEX AND MONEY: Suspected drunk driver offers herself and cash to get out of DUI arrest.
*A woman from Iron Mountain, Mich. is accused of trying to bribe cops in Wisconsin with sex and money to get out of a drunken driving arrest.
According to the Associated Press, 30-year-old Elizabeth Ann Kommes was driving out of a Wisconsin Dells parking lot when witnesses called police to report her as intoxicated.
She was given a sobriety test and arrested, a criminal complaint states. It was then that Kommes offered police her services, which included sex as well as $10,000.
Kommes, whose Michigan license plate reads "TROUBLE," is charged with drunken driving as a fifth offense, bribing a public official and driving with a revoked license.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening July 18, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
The Dark Knight (PG-13 for menacing and for intense violence) Christian Bale returns as The Caped Crusader in an action
thriller co-starring the late Heath Ledger as Batman's archenemy, a psychopathic clown known as The Joker.
Cast includes Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart and Michael Jai White.
Mama Mia! (PG-13 for sex-related material) Screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, set on an enchanting Greek island,
where an 18 year-old bride-to-be (Amanda Seyfried) has invited all three of her mother's (Meryl
Streep) ex-lovers to her wedding, hoping to determine which one is her
father: the businessman (Pierce Brosnan), the adventurer (Stellan Skarsgard) or the banker (Colin Firth).
Space Chimps (G) Animated adventure about a trio of chimp astronauts (Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines and Patrick Warburton)
rocketed to another galaxy to rescue the peaceful inhabitants of an uncharted planet from the clutches of an evil tyrant
(Jeff Daniels). Voice cast includes Kenan Thompson and Stanley Tucci.
Transsiberian (R for violence, torture and profanity) Crime thriller about an American couple (Woody Harrelson and Emily
Mortimer) traveling by train from China to Moscow who become unwittingly involved with Russian cops and mobsters after being
befriended by another couple (Eduardo Noriega and Kate
Mara) en route. Cast includes Ben Kingsley and Thomas Kretschmann.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
Before I Forget (Unrated) Jacques Nolot wrote, directed and stars in this new lease on life drama about a suicidal, 58
year-old, HIV+ former gigolo who decides to deal with his depression by indulging his every sexual fantasy. (In French with
subtitles)
Disfigured (Unrated) Body dysmorphic disorder drama chronicles the unlikely friendship which evolves between an obese sales
clerk (Deidra Edwards) and a woman (Staci Lawrence) recovering from anorexia who meet at a fat acceptance group meeting.
The Doorman (Unrated) Manhattan mockumentary about NYC's most powerful doorman's (Lucas Akosin) being humbled by losing his
job at the city's trendiest nightclub. Cast includes Oscar-nominated director Peter Bogdanovich.
Felon (R for brutal violence, brief nudity and pervasive profanity) Stephen Dorff portrays the title character in this prison
drama about a family man who ends up behind bars with a mass murderer (Val Kilmer) for a cellmate after being convicted of
manslaughter for killing an intruder during a home invasion.
Hounddog (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama, set in rural Alabama in the late Fifties, revolving around a young girl (Dakota
Fanning) whose obsession with Elvis Presley serves as an avenue of emotional escape from a dysfunctional home life shared
with an incapacitated father (Daddy Morse) and a strict, religious grandmother (Piper Laurie). With Jill Scott as Big Mama
Thornton.
Lou Reed's Berlin (PG-13 for brief profanity) Oscar-nominee Julian Schnabel (for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) directs
this concert flick, shot over the course of five nights inside a Brooklyn warehouse in 2006, featuring Lou Reed's performance
of his 1973 concept album "Berlin" with an orchestra which included his band, backup singers, strings, horns and a choir.
Mad Detective (Unrated) Psychological crime thriller about a young cop (Andy On) who teams up with a retired psychic
detective (Ching Wan Lau) to track down an AWOL colleague (Kwok-Lun Lee) only to suspect the missing man's partner (Ka Tung
Lam) of being a serial killer. (In Cantonese and English with subtitles)
A Man Named Pearl (Unrated) Uplifting documentary about Pearl Fryar, a son of sharecropper denied a chance to buy a house on
the white side of town in Bishopville, South Carolina because he was black who settles across the tracks in the
African-American community where he garners international fame by cultivating an award-winning topiary garden.
No Regret (R for profanity, nudity, violence and graphic sexuality) Homoerotic drama about a teenage orphan (Young-hoon Lee)
working as prostitute in a gay bar who becomes the boy-toy of a rich kid (Han Lee) whose conservative family expects him to
proceed with an arranged marriage to a woman he isn't in love with or even attracted to. (In Korean with subtitles)
Take (R for violent and disturbing content) Flashback flick about a still-grieving mother (Minnie Driver) on her way to
witness the execution of the Death Row inmate (Jeremy Renner) who murdered her young son (Bobby
Coleman) during a supermarket robbery.
A Very British Gangster (Unrated) Mob documentary paints a cinematic portrait of Dominic Noonan, the charismatic Irishman
running one of England's most vicious crime families.
Wonderful Town (Unrated) Romance drama, set in a Thai town devastated by the tsunami, revolves around the relationship
between a rebuilding architect (Supphasit Kansen) and the owner (Anchalee Saisoontorn) of the hotel where he's staying. (In
Thai with subtitles)
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Big goals get big results. No goals get no results or somebody else's results." — Mark Victor Hansen
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
July 18: Former South African President Nelson Mandela is 90. Singer Martha Reeves is 67. Actor Vin Diesel is 41.
Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (NBA) is 37.
July 19: ESPN anchor Stuart Scott is 43.
July 20: Guitarist Carlos Santana is 61. Ray Allen (NBA) is 33.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Independent author Jenna Marie Christian's wants you to know her mission is to Inform, Entertain, and Uplift her
community. You can support her at: www.missjenaamarie.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
July 18, 1863: The 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment launched its assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina.
July 19, 1925: Entertainer and singer, Josephine Baker, makes her Paris debut.
July 20, 1950: Black troops (the 24th Infantry Regiment) win first U.S. Victory in Korea. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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