Harry Potter Trailer Released
Here’s a trailer for the first part of the movie version of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
The Who2 Blog
Scientists Discover the ‘Homer Simpson Gene’
“Deleting the gene in mice made them more skilled at navigating mazes and remembering objects.”
New American Idol Judges
Thank goodness, the wait is over, and now we know who the judges will be for the next season of American Idol.
Former pop star, movie star and tabloid star Jennifer Lopez will join the panel, and so will Steven Tyler, the sometime-former-maybe frontman for the rock group Aerosmith.
Kara DioGuardi is out after two seasons.
Bill Murray is 60!
Happy birthday to Bill Murray, who turns 60 today. He was born on this day in 1950, just five short years after the end of World War II.Now see a photo of Bill Murray in a canary-yellow parachute outfit >>
Randy Quaid: Why Is He Homeless?
LA Weekly asks the question:
Liberace Museum to Close
The museum in Las Vegas that’s devoted to popular pianist Liberace — “Mr. Showmanship” — is going to shutter their doors after 31 years in business. I first read about it here.
Randy Quaid Arrest: Mirrors, Mailboxes and More Details
Randy Quaid update: He and his wife Evi Quaid made themselves at home while squatting in their old Montecito house, according to TMZ:
Randy Quaid 2.0: Now With More Burglary
Randy Quaid is at it yet again. He and his wife Evi have been charged with burglary after they were caught squatting in the guest house of their former home near Santa Barbara.
Joaquin Phoenix Documentary: It Was a Gag After All
“It’s a terrific performance, it’s the performance of his career… I never intended to trick anybody. The idea of a quote, hoax, unquote, never entered my mind.” That was director Casey …..
TIME Announces New Edition for Adults
From The Onion:(Hat tip: Lyle Hehn)
Woody Allen Has Never Seen His Own Movies
I’ve never once in my life seen any film of mine after I put it out. Ever. I haven’t seen “Take the Money and Run” since 1968. I haven’t seen “Annie Hall” or “Manhattan” or any film I’ve made afterward. If I’m on the treadmill and I’m scooting through the channels, and I come across one of them, I go right past it instantly, because I feel it could only depress me. I would only feel, “Oh God, this is so awful, if I could only do that again.”
Jean Piaget +30
Psychologist Jean Piaget died 30 years ago today.He was a specialist — a pioneer, really — in child development. See our full Piaget profile.
On Location: Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis film a scene from their movie Friends With Benefits yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport.Yahoo Movies previews the plot:
Jon Stewart, Meet Helpless Brian Williams
“The thing that shocked me the most when I first met reporters was the
people who would step aside and say, ‘Boy, I wish I could say what
you’re saying.’ You have a show! You are a network anchor! Whaddya mean
you can’t say it?”
Jon Stewart, quoted in America is a Joke, New York Magazine’s new article about The Daily Show.
Bruce Springsteen, Lookin’ Older
He’s still The Boss, of course, but Bruce Springsteen looks a wee bit older these days.Springsteen turns 61 next week, so it’s a testament to his rugged longevity that we’re only noticing now. Here he is with his wife, Patti Scialfa, at the Toronto Film Festival yesterday:
Prince Harry on His Birthday
Today is the 26th birthday of Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne.
Lt. Harry Wales will spend his birthday in training to become an Apache attack helicopter pilot in the British Army Air Corps. It’s not just a one-day, birthday thing — Harry’s been in training since July, and he still has 6 months to go.
Kevin McCarthy Dead at 96
Actor Kevin McCarthy has died at the age of 96. McCarthy is best known for his starring role in the original version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the 1956 science fiction classic.
McCarthy also had a cameo in the 1978 remake starring Donald Sutherland and Leonard Nimoy.
Claudette Colbert’s Birthday
On this day in 1903 film star Claudette Colbert was born. Colbert is best remembered for her role opposite Clark Gable in the 1934 movie It Happened One Night.
Claudette Colbert won an Oscar for that performance, and was nominated twice more after that, 1935’s Private Worlds and 1944’s Since You Went Away.
She also famously didn’t want the right side of her face photographed, and for publicity stills and in the movies went to great lengths to avoid it.
Just a Nice Photo: Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters and her daughter, Jada, after the tennis star won her second straight U.S. Open yesterday.
Sobbing Pete Rose: “I Disrespected the Game”
He was at a casino, yes. But still.