tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43589225395793100022024-03-19T15:28:48.678-07:00Google News Entertainment.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-33374309253257841892013-06-24T05:56:00.001-07:002013-06-24T05:56:34.328-07:00Google News Entertainment Test post content<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Google News Entertainment Test post content</div>
.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-25865918719957339672013-05-16T22:08:00.000-07:002013-05-16T22:08:07.229-07:00Andrew Symonds 'wins' Celebrity Splash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds performed a dive any soccer player would be proud of to win the the reality series Celebrity Splash.<br /><br />He is also likely to be the only winner of Celebrity Splash as the show's grand final drew a paltry 650,000 viewers to rank 15th on the night, one spot below Ten News at Five.<br /><br />The show launched on April 29 to a respectable audience of 1.3 million, backing that up with a respectable 1 million viewers the following night. It sank to 821,000 viewers for the first semi-final, which saw the second semi-final dumped from the schedule with the episode merged with last night's final which was also moved to a lower profile timeslot.<br /><br />Symonds accomplished a challenging half twist off the 10m platform to win the Seven Network series from Tamsyn Lewis, Koby Abberton and Derek Boyer on Thursday night.<br />Advertisement<br /><br />"It's rewarding to win because it was quite challenging and difficult at times, especially mentally," Symonds said after taking out the title.<br /><br />"This makes all the effort and all the pain worthwhile."<br /><br />Boyer, who was eliminated in the first round, returned to replace veteran TV star Denise Drysdale in the semi-final.<br /><br />It was the second time Boyer was called in as a replacement after initially joining the series to fill in for the injured Laura Csortan.<br /><br />The former Gladiator star and Abberton advanced to the grand final after defeating model Nick Bracks and Adam Richard in the semi final.<br /><br />Besides the celebrities showing off their diving skills, judges and Olympic champions Greg Louganis and Matthew Mitcham wound back the clock.<br /><br />The pair performed their first ever dive together - a flying front one-and-a-half somersault pike.<br /><br />For any keen-eyed (and long suffering) viewers who spotted a rogue individual leaping into the pool in the background of the show's final shot as host Larry Emdur bid Australia farewell. Seven have confirmed it was Pauly Fenech, a non-finalist, who nonetheless sat pool-side for the duration, unable to resist the urge to take a final dive.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/andrew-symonds-wins-celebrity-splash-20130517-2jq2b.html">http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/andrew-symonds-wins-celebrity-splash-20130517-2jq2b.html</a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-35665070495352675782013-04-12T01:45:00.002-07:002013-04-12T01:45:23.906-07:00Twitter Acquires Music Service We Are Hunted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><br />Twitter confirmed Thursday it had acquired We Are Hunted, a San Francisco-based music startup that tracks the most popular songs across the Internet and social media.<br /><br />"While we are shutting down wearehunted.com, we will continue to create services that will delight you, as part of the Twitter team," We Are Hunted wrote on its website. "There's no question that Twitter and music go well together. Artists turn to Twitter first to connect with fans, and people share and discover new songs and albums every day. We can't wait to share what we've been working on at Twitter."<br /><br />The acquisition announcement follows news in March that Twitter plans to release its own music app. At the time, CNet reported that the micro-blogging social network was about to release an application dubbed Twitter Music designed to help people find new music.<br /><br />Launched in Brisbane, Australia in 2009, We Are Hunted is a music discovery service that scours the Web to find trending songs and artists (the company recently relocated to California). Its dynamic playlists, or charts that can be streamed in sequence, are a reflection of what people are talking about and streaming online. The service skews toward underground music -- the default chart is the Emerging Chart -- but We Are Hunted also has a Mainstream chart that is usually filled with popular songs from a variety of genres.<br /><br />It appears the We Are Hunted brand will be retired and Twitter will launch a standalone app using the acquired technology. A post at WeAreHunted.com explains that the website is being shut down and all user accounts will be deleted. All that's left of the website is an announcement of the acquisition and a field where users can enter their email address or user name to retrieve songs they have favorited on the service. No information was given on the future of the popular We Are Hunted app for Spotify (it was still operational Thursday evening).<br /><br />Evidence of the existence of an app came Thursday in two tweets by Ryan Seacrest. One of the tweets said the app "shows what artists are trending, also has up and coming artists." The app could be released on iOS by the end of March, according to CNET.<br /><br />Twitter's foray into music has the potential to be one of the world's most popular music apps and destinations for music discovery. The service passed the 200 million active user mark in December and has over 500 million registered users worldwide. Music identification apps Shazam and SoundHound have more than 300 million and 130 million registered users, respectively.</div>
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Source <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1557293/updated-twitter-acquires-music-service-we-are-hunted">http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1557293/updated-twitter-acquires-music-service-we-are-hunted</a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-37369698522670520882013-03-22T03:10:00.001-07:002013-03-22T03:10:20.033-07:00Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart living together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are reportedly living together again.<br /><br />Stewart moved into her own home in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles after the couple split last year, and even though they later reconciled, they remained in separate houses until he returned from filming in Australia this week.<br /><br />"Rob is living at Stewart's. He considers it his home, Stewart's there, their dogs are there and most of his stuff is there. He considers Stewarts' home, his home too. I guess his home is where is heart is. And right from the get go Kristen made it clear that it was also his home," contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.<br /><br />Their friends believe the enforced separation while Pattinson was working on The Rover in Australia was a good thing as it has brought them closer.<br /><br />"Again they have been inseparable since Pattinson's gotten back. I think the distance did them good. He isn't showing any signs of needing any sort of space from her, that's for sure," the source added.<br /><br />"Stewart is confident that her relationship With Pattinson is stronger than ever and has no problem whatsoever with Pattinson wanting to take things slow. They have been together pretty much non-stop since he's been back. He has just only arrived, but the first person he wanted to see and spend time with is Stewart," the source added.</div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-86304434252078949292013-02-19T01:57:00.003-08:002013-02-19T01:57:30.609-08:00Hacked off the system: Logie votes audit comes after Underground actor's joke<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A fringe actor's bid to influence the Logies Award voting may have had the desired effect after organisers started a random audit.<br /><br />TV Week and market research company Roy Morgan have been conducting the voting and for the Logies nominees which ended on February 13.<br /><br />During the voting period Jordan Raskopoulos, who had a supporting role in Underground: The Julian Assange Story on Network Ten, held the Logies up to ridicule on an online forum.<br />Jordan Raskopoulos.<br /><br />Raskopoulos played Julian Assange's hacker buddy Trax and also appeared in the 2008 series Stupid Stupid Man.<br />Advertisement<br /><br />In attempting to influence the online voting for the Logies to claim Most Popular Actor, Raskopoulos said he would reward those who voted for him by letting them write lines of his acceptance speech.<br /><br />However, an audit is underway of the voting and emails are believed to have been sent to selected individuals on Friday asking them to verify their vote and personal details.<br /><br />They have until today to respond.<br /><br />A TV Week spokeswoman says if there are any discrepancies during the collation of votes, an audit is conducted.<br /><br />The magazine would not confirm if voting for Raskopoulos had set off alarm bells.<br /><br />"The data is collated by Roy Morgan, audited by Ernst & Young, and all votes are scrutinised," the spokeswoman said.<br /><br />"Where there is uncertainty about the legitimacy of a vote, numerous methods are employed to determine the vote's validity, and email is amongst them.<br /><br />"If Roy Morgan haven't received a response by the deadline, other methods are used to scrutinise the legitimacy of the vote.<br /><br />"Unfortunately, Roy Morgan can't share the verification methods with you, for privacy reasons."<br /><br />Immediately after Raskopoulos made his bid to win online votes, Ten sought to distance itself from the fringe actor and said it "in no way endorses Jordan's campaign or comments".<br /><br />In the online forum Raskopoulos included a draft of his speech, where he quoted from Lord of the Rings and Monty Python, and also promised to "lick Richard Wilkins" if the opportunity arises.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/hacked-off-the-system-logie-votes-audit-comes-after-underground-actors-joke-20130219-2eoah.html">http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/hacked-off-the-system-logie-votes-audit-comes-after-underground-actors-joke-20130219-2eoah.html</a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-12554176822959508702013-01-29T00:00:00.001-08:002013-01-29T00:00:13.928-08:00Entertainment attorney Mike Novak dies at 57<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mike Novak, one of Detroit's top entertainment attorneys, died Sunday of a heart attack at his Grosse Pointe Shores home. He was 57.<br /><br />Novak was Bob Seger's attorney for decades, and the singer was hit hard by the loss.<br /><br />"I never knew a better guy," Seger said Monday, "and I know a lot of people. Just a truly good, good guy. He was always positive, my lawyer forever, and one of my best friends. He should have had a lot more years. Life isn't fair."<br /><br />Novak was a clerk for Seger's attorney Patrick Freydl in the 1980s. When Freydl moved to California, Novak started working directly with Seger and his manager Punch Andrews.<br /><br />"He's always been like a little brother to me. I mean, the guy was in our office every other day," Seger said. "He was our consigliere. We asked him about everything."<br /><br />Novak also represented many radio clients as an attorney/agent, including WRIF-FM's morning team Drew and Mike.<br /><br />The lifelong Detroiter attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven school in Detroit and was president of the class of 1973 at Detroit's Osborn High School. He received a bachelor's degree in film studies from New York University and, in 1980, earned his law degree from Wayne State University.<br /><br />Film publicist Ken Droz met Novak when he was the attorney for Detroit promoter Brass Ring Productions in the 1980s. Droz remembered him as "a really fine attorney; he would never try to poach a client. Very high integrity."<br /><br />"He was a true mensch," Droz said. "Always offering to help someone if he could, be it a musician, filmmaker, journalist, artist, friend or whatever."<br /><br />In the 1970s, before he went to law school, Novak played drums in several blues bands, including the Progressive Blues Band, alongside former Detroit News reporter Lowell Cauffiel. Cauffiel recalled Novak's generosity.<br /><br />"He never sent a bill to me when I was struggling," said Cauffiel, a writer/producer in Los Angeles. "My son Johnny got an offer for a two-record deal for his band, and Mike handled it without charge. He would just say, 'Catch me later, when you hit the big time.'"<br /><br />For many of his clients, there would never be a big time, but Novak worked on their behalf anyway.<br /><br />The attorney had many enthusiasms, including golf. "I loved playing golf with him," Seger said. "He turned me on to every course I play! The one I play down in Florida, he told me about that one. He's so interwoven into my whole life."<br /><br />Along with his independent practice, Novak was counsel with the Troy firm Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton P.C.<br /><br />He is survived by his wife, Loretta Ames, a sister and two brothers.<br /><br />Visitation will be 2-9 p.m. Thursday at Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park.<br /><br />On Friday, visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and a funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms.</div>
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Source <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130129/OBITUARIES/301290357/Entertainment-attorney-Mike-Novak-dies-57?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Entertainment|p">http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130129/OBITUARIES/301290357/Entertainment-attorney-Mike-Novak-dies-57?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Entertainment|p</a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-92198672620419826562012-12-06T23:04:00.003-08:002012-12-06T23:04:57.800-08:00'I'm ready': Jackman jokes about becoming Bond<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hugh Jackman is ready to don a tux and sip a martini with the Aussie
screen star joking that he is willing to wait for his chance to play
famous fictitious British spy James Bond.</div>
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Jackman, 44, said he was too busy playing Wolverine in the <i>X-Men</i> series in 2006 when he was approached to take on the 007 part.</div>
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The good thing about Daniel [Craig] is he's, what, 62 now, isn't he? He's falling apart at the seams. </blockquote>
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Instead Briton Daniel Craig, 44, got the gun and has now made three Bond films - <i>Casino Royale</i> (2006), <i>Quantum of Solace</i> (2008) and <i>Skyfall</i> (2012).</div>
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"At the time it was wrong for me, but when I saw Daniel in the movie I
thought maybe I should have been more interested, because it was
great," Jackman told British newspaper <i>The Sun</i>.<br />
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"But I am great mates with Daniel. When he was in Australia we caught up and, you know, no one could have played Bond better."<br />
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But the Sydneysider has not given up on the chance to serve
Her Majesty's secret service and took a swipe at his mate's unflattering
physique.<br />
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"I will just wait," he quipped. "The good thing about Daniel
is he's, what, 62 now, isn't he? He's falling apart at the seams. So I
just keep telling him, 'I'm ready, whenever you want to let him (Bond)
go, I'm ready.'<br />
"The good thing is I have also got a British passport."<br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/im-ready-jackman-jokes-about-becoming-bond-20121207-2az9b.html#ixzz2ELZylbFU" style="color: #003399;">http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/im-ready-jackman-jokes-about-becoming-bond-20121207-2az9b.html#ixzz2ELZylbFU</a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-29201210824848577402012-11-26T03:34:00.000-08:002012-11-26T03:34:15.716-08:00 Taylor Swift to present top gongs at the ARIA's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong>SUCCESS may be the best revenge for heartbreak but Taylor
Swift's lovelorn anthems have created an elite fan club of the world's
top songwriters. </strong></div>
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Swift, who is in Australia to perform at the ARIA awards on Thursday,
said she sought out the world's hitmakers to help her compose the songs
for her multi-platinum smash record <em>Red</em>.</div>
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But it turned
out they were already lining up to work with her, including Snow
Patrol's Gary Lightbody and Swedish legend Max Martin.</div>
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One of the
first to approach her for a studio session was British balladeer Ed
Sheeran, who has also penned songs for One Direction's two records.</div>
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''I
decided I need to learn more and as a 22-year-old musician, I wanted to
go and do almost like an apprenticeship with Max Martin and Shellback
and Ed Sheeran and (Snow Patrol's) Gary Lightbody,'' she said.</div>
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''I heard Ed's music for the first time when I was on tour in
Australia last year and when I got home I told my management I wanted to
write with him and it turned out Ed and I were reaching out to each
other at the same time.''</div>
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She met Lightbody through the ginger-haired hitmaker.</div>
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''Ed and I had hung out with my friends having jam sessions and singing Snow Patrol songs and he knew I was a huge fan.</div>
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''Then
one day he asks if his friend Gary could come by and Gary Lightbody
came by and listened to the song Ed and I had written and he said he
wanted to work on the record too.</div>
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''And then I passed out.''</div>
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Swift somehow manages to keep herself together and not pass out when she enters the public eye.</div>
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Yet she said that big smile and poised grace is practised rather than perfection.</div>
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''To
be honest, nothing ever really gets to feel normal about the massive
amount of attention when you walk onto a red carpet, all the bright
flashes and screams,'' she said.</div>
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''You get better at pretending like it's normal to you but it never feels like something that is just another Wednesday.</div>
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''It's always going to feel like 'Don't mess up, don't mess up, don't mess up.''</div>
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Swift
said she is channeling the Mad Men style of Grace Kelly and Audrey
Hepburn in the vintage floral dresses which have become her uniform
since releasing<em> Red</em>.</div>
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But fans can expect something with a
little more bling when she rocks up to the ARIA Awards on Thursday
night where she will be performing as well as presenting the major
gongs.</div>
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Of course there will also be a lot more red lipstick, with Swift sharing the tips on how to keep it off your teeth.</div>
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''There's
a trick to it. You put it on, blot one time, powder your lips and blot
again, reapply the red lipstick and then cover with a tissue again and
power through the tissue,'' she said.</div>
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Source <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-to-present-top-gongs-at-the-arias/story-e6frf9hf-1226524441447" target="_blank">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/taylor-swift-to-present-top-gongs-at-the-arias/story-e6frf9hf-1226524441447 </a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-83802346787101729192012-11-12T00:06:00.000-08:002012-11-12T00:06:03.479-08:00Google fined $208,000 in defamation suit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Google">Google</a>
was ordered to pay Aus$200,000 (US$208,000) in damages to an Australian
man on Monday after a jury found the internet giant defamed him by
publishing material linking him to mobsters. </div>
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<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Milorad-Trkulja">Milorad Trkulja</a>, an entertainment promoter who is now 62, was shot in the back in 2004 in a crime that was never solved.<br />
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He accused Google of defaming him with material he said implied he was a
major crime figure in Melbourne and had been the target of a
professional hit.<br />
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Searches of his name brought up references to
the city's gangsters including crime boss Tony Mokbel and a now defunct
site called "Melbourne Crime" chronicling gang-related incidents.<br />
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Google denied publication in the Supreme Court of Victoria, saying it
had innocently disseminated material published by others, and also
disputed that the material conveyed the defamatory implications claimed
by Trkulja.<br />
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But a jury ruled in his favour, finding the internet
firm had been on notice and failed to act on the issue from October
2009, when Trkulja's lawyers wrote to them demanding action over the
"grossly defamatory" content.<br />
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Judge David Beach ordered Google
to pay Trkulja Aus$200,000, likening their role in publication to a
library or newsagent, which have "sometimes been held to be publishers
for the purposes of defamation law" in Australia.<br />
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"Google is like the newsagent that sells a newspaper containing a defamatory article," Beach said in his judgement.<br />
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"While there might be no specific intention to publish defamatory
material, there is a relevant intention by the newsagent to publish the
newspaper for the purposes of the law of defamation."<br />
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Beach said
the jury was "entitled to conclude that Google Inc intended to publish
the material that its automated systems produced, because that was what
they were designed to do upon a search request".<br />
Trkulja, who
argued that his reputation was central to his work and had been
seriously damaged by the defamatory material, had already won
Aus$225,000 from Yahoo in an earlier case on the same matter.<br />
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Source <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/internet/Google-fined-208000-in-defamation-suit/articleshow/17190254.cms" target="_blank">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/internet/Google-fined-208000-in-defamation-suit/articleshow/17190254.cms </a></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-23056110114840728832012-08-03T03:42:00.000-07:002012-08-03T03:42:11.642-07:00River Phoenix's final film to be shown at last<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nearly two decades after his much publicised death, actor River Phoenix's last movie <em>Dark Blood</em>, which co-stars Australian actress Judy Davis, will premiere at a Dutch film festival.</div>
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"<em>Dark Blood</em> by director George Sluizer will premiere
on Thursday evening, September 27 at the Netherlands Film Festival in
Utrecht," a statement on the festival's website announced.</div>
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The Dutch director had finished four-fifths of the movie when
Phoenix, playing one of the three main roles, collapsed and died of a
drug-induced heart-failure outside a Hollywood nightclub on October 31,
1993.</div>
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The 86-minute film was left unfinished until 80-year-old
Sluizer's deteriorating health prompted him to restart post-production
two years ago, his daughter Anouk Sluizer said.</div>
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It was finished in January this year.</div>
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"My father is ill and he decided to resume the movie's post-production after almost 20 years," she said, adding "he had shot about 81 per cent and there was enough material to make a suspenseful movie."
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<em>Dark Blood</em> tells the story of Boy (played by
Phoenix), a young widower who retreats into the desert to live a
reclusive life after his wife died as a result of nuclear testing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He saves a stranded couple on their second honeymoon, only to
keep them hostage as he fell in love with the female lead character
(played by Davis), according to a statement published on the Netherlands
Film Festival's website.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because of Phoenix's death, Anouk said: "My father had to
find a creative solution, about which I cannot say much as there is an
element of surprise."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Phoenix died aged 23 and at the time was regarded as one of
the most promising rising young actors of his generation, together with
his peers including Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His death at the time was compared to that of another silver
screen legend James Dean, who perished in a car crash in 1955 at the age
of 24.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
<br />Read more: <a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/river-phoenixs-final-film-to-be-shown-at-last-20120803-23jtd.html#ixzz22TjNie7b" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/movies/river-phoenixs-final-film-to-be-shown-at-last-20120803-23jtd.html#ixzz22TjNie7b</a></div>
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</div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-56439269674396686912012-07-03T22:30:00.001-07:002012-07-03T22:30:44.319-07:00Crown application signals Packer can bide time before Echo takeover bid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>JAMES Packer's Crown has signalled
it is in no rush to make a full takeover bid for rival casino group Echo
Entertainment after amending its application to up its stake in the
takeover target to a specific limit. </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong> </strong>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the latest twist in the battle for control of Echo, which owns
The Star in Sydney and three casinos in Queensland, Crown today said it
was seeking approval from regulators to acquire up to 25 per cent of
Echo.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the amendment has been accepted by the regulators, no decision to grant Crown's application has been made.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A
statement by Crown today said: "If Crown is eventually granted approval
to increase its ownership in Echo to up to 25 per cent, then Crown
would not be able to acquire additional Echo shares such that Crown's
ownership would increase above 25 per cent without first making another
application."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That application "would then be subject to further investigation and ultimately a determination by regulators", Crown said.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Crown's application today came after Perpetual yesterday won approval
to acquire up to 15 per cent of Echo, in decisions by the NSW
Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority and the Queensland Office of
Liquor and Gaming.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Under Echo's constitution, no party can own
more than 10 per cent of the company without regulatory approval, and
potential predators Crown and Malaysia's Genting are awaiting the nod
from the state watchdogs to move beyond that limit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today's move
marked the first time Crown has specified a shareholding target, unlike
Perpetual, which is understood to have applied for up to 15 per cent.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In
early sharemarket trading today, Echo shares slid 2 cents to $4.28,
while Crown gained 3c to $8.50 in a broadly positive market.<br /> <br />Nomura
analyst Nick Berry yesterday told The Australian that the regulators
may only approve potential bidders to up their stake in Echo in
increments, so as to assess whether they are adequately capitalised to
take over Echo's casinos.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While Genting's and Crown's appetite for
a full bid for Echo are unclear, several analysts have questioned Crown
and Mr Packer's desire and financial ability to launch a $3.3
billion-plus takeover of Echo. A full bid would also be a departure from
Genting's corporate strategy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Crown applied to the regulators to
move beyond 10 per cent in March, ahead of Genting last month, pointing
to a drawn out process for approval. Crown today said the regulators
have not made a decision to grant's Crown's amended request.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It
comes as Genting chief KT Lim and his corporate lieutenants seek
meetings in Australia this week with the NSW and Queensland regulators.
Observers said the Genting moves were not surprising, given the group
recently acquired 9.9 per cent of Echo.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Deutsche Bank analyst Mark
Wilson told clients today: "We view the receipt of the regulatory
approval by Perpetual Investment Management to increase its shareholding
in Echo from 10 per cent to 15 per cent to be instructive for Crown and
the Genting Group as to timing and process.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Perpetual's
application took about eight months to be approved and we believe those
of Crown and Genting could take a similar amount of time. Based on this
timeline, this would imply an October 2012 approval for Crown and
February 2013 for Genting."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But Mr Berry pointed out that any
predator for Echo could still bid for Echo in the meantime, subject to
regulatory approval to up their holding beyond 10 per cent.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While
Perpetual has reduced its holding to below 5 per cent, to reap some of
the stock's recent gains, the fund manager is understood to have not
ruled out buying back in and could again emerge as a key player in any
corporate activity.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/crown-bid-signals-packer-can-bide-time-before-echo-takeover-bid/story-fn91v9q3-1226416503730" target="_blank">http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/crown-bid-signals-packer-can-bide-time-before-echo-takeover-bid/story-fn91v9q3-1226416503730 </a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-55763899657918149162012-06-13T20:38:00.001-07:002012-06-13T20:38:10.219-07:00Australians failing to warm to Paul Henry's show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ratings for the Australian Breakfast programme fronted by former
TVNZ broadcaster Paul Henry are continuing to slide.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Channel Ten's Breakfast programme launched in February with
51,000 viewers, compared with the 300,000-plus who tune in to rival
shows Today on Channel Nine and Sunrise on Channel Seven, the
Sydney Morning Herald reported.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By March Breakfast's audience dropped to around 45,000, but has
since regularly dropped to below 30,000 - twice falling to a paltry
22,000 viewers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, Channel Ten's director of news and current affairs and
former TVNZ executive Anthony Flannery, told the Herald the key to
the show's success was giving Henry "more time to be himself".</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Breakfast is mostly unscripted and has three presenters instead
of two.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Henry left TVNZ's Breakfast show in 2010 after a furore erupted
over comments he made about former Governor-General Anand Satyanand
and Indian politician Sheila Dikshit.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He has continued to stir controversy across the ditch when he
made "sick" remarks about asylum seekers including a suggestion
they could live in linen cupboards earlier this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/australians-failing-warm-paul-henry-s-show-4928732" target="_blank">http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/australians-failing-warm-paul-henry-s-show-4928732 </a></div>
</div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-43090050867320782002011-12-06T23:02:00.000-08:002011-12-06T23:05:16.658-08:00Cummins blow for Australia<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins is expected to be out of action until at least mid-January after his heel injury was more serious than first thought.<br /><br />The 18-year-old suffered the problem during the second Test against South Africa - but Cummins still managed figures of 6-79 and hit the winning runs.<br /><br />Cummins was initially expected back in time for the second Test against New Zealand, which starts on Friday.<br /><br />However, team doctors have now discovered a bone stress problem which will keep Cummins sidelined until the new year and mean he will miss the start of the series against India.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12175/7356896/Cummins-blow-for-Australia">http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12175/7356896/Cummins-blow-for-Australia</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-79801856386070676202011-10-04T21:40:00.000-07:002011-10-04T21:42:37.656-07:00Leonardo DiCaprio splits from Blake Lively while in Sydney<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">THE whirlwind, transcontinental romance between Leonardo DiCaprio and Blake Lively has ended.<br /><br />And Lively is reportedly already on the rebound.<br /><br />Sources say the sexy blonde is picking up with her Green Lantern costar Ryan Reynolds, after the pair spent the weekend together in Boston where Reynolds is filming his next project, according to the Boston Herald.<br /><br />Lively, 24, and Reynolds, 34, dined together last Friday and the actress was spotted going grocery shopping Saturday, apparently to stock up the fridge for her new love.<br /><br />The pair met in 2010, filming the superhero flick, while Reynolds was still married to actress Scarlett Johansson.<br /><br />Reynolds and Johansson, 26, officially divorced this July.<br /><br />Representatives for Lively and DiCaprio, who is in Sydney filming The Great Gatsby, told US Weekly the pair would "remain friends" despite their relationship coming apart.<br /><br />The pair at first tried to keep their affair under wraps but they were spotted getting cosy at the Cannes Film Festival in May, shortly after the Titanic star split from his supermodel girlfriend Bar Refaeli.<br /><br />After the star-studded movie fest, DiCaprio, 36, and Lively, 24, travelled along the French Riviera before stopping in Italy.<br /><br />The Gossip Girl star then returned to her home base of New York, where she was photographed bike riding with DiCaprio.<br /><br />Lively then came for a visit to Australia to celebrate her 24th birthday while DiCaprio worked on his title role of Jay Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of the great American novel.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/leonardo-dicaprio-splits-from-blake-lively-while-in-sydney/story-e6frf96o-1226159202896">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/leonardo-dicaprio-splits-from-blake-lively-while-in-sydney/story-e6frf96o-1226159202896</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-40573542817675339972011-07-22T02:54:00.000-07:002011-07-22T02:56:02.528-07:00Russians love Raymond. Da?<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Just ask Phil Rosenthal. Having struck comic gold with Everybody Loves Raymond in the US, this writer-director assumed his hit sitcom about a dysfunctional US family had global appeal.<br /><br />"I had to assume that," he says, on the line from New York. "Our show was about families and we all have families. It's a universal subject. But when I got to Russia, that wasn't necessarily true."<br /><br />Exporting Raymond - a laugh-out-loud highlight at the 2011 Melbourne International Film Festival - is about Rosenthal's attempt to make a Russian version of Raymond.<br /><br />Cameras follow him to Moscow's decidedly insalubrious TV studios and from his first meeting there is a gaping cultural divide.<br /><br />A scriptwriter wonders why Ray (renamed Kostya) is bossed around by women. A costume designer imagines a wardrobe big on bling. And when Rosenthal asks for a live studio audience, he is told there are no chairs.<br /><br />"I was very shocked at how hard it was going to be," Rosenthal admits.<br /><br />Even when he visits the famous Moscow Art Theatre in the hope of "borrowing" one of its best actors, he is stonewalled by the company's tsar-like chief.<br /><br />"Nothing was manipulated," he insists.<br /><br />But Rosenthal can take comfort knowing new versions of Raymond are taking root in India, Egypt, Israel and Poland.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/russians-love-raymond-da/story-fn7euh6j-1226099671206">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/russians-love-raymond-da/story-fn7euh6j-1226099671206</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-84287899805968274552011-07-06T00:36:00.000-07:002011-07-06T00:39:48.239-07:00Jolie tops list of Hollywood's richest women<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.smh.com.au/2011/07/06/2475316/gal-port-Jolie-600x400.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="http://images.smh.com.au/2011/07/06/2475316/gal-port-Jolie-600x400.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker have topped the list of Hollywood's highest paid actresses, with each earning an estimated $US30 million ($28 million) this year, according to Forbes magazine.<br /><br />Forbes's blogger Dorothy Pomerantz, said Jolie's success stemmed from her ability to handle action, drama and directing, and her fortunes were boosted by earnings from In the Land of Blood and Honey, Salt and The Tourist.<br /><br />Parker's fortune, on the other hand, was almost exclusively tied to the success of Sex and the City, said Pomerantz.<br /><br />Trailing behind Jolie and Parker were Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, who each earned $US28 million. Julia Roberts came fifth on the list with $US20 million in annual earnings.<br /><br />"Aniston has had more than her share of flops, like 2009's Management, which earned less than $US1 million at the US box office. But lately, even films that looked like they were going to flop [The Bounty Hunter and Just Go With It] have turned out to be hits," said Pomerantz.<br /><br />Less fortunate was Witherspoon with How Do You Know earning only $US50 million on a budget of $US120 million.<br /><br />The annual list is made up of earnings estimates suppled by agents, lawyers, producers and other industry insiders.<br /><br />Overall, the top 10 female earners made a total $US218 million between May 2010 and May 2011, said Forbes.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/jolie-tops-list-of-hollywoods-richest-women-20110706-1h21h.html?from=smh_sb">http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/jolie-tops-list-of-hollywoods-richest-women-20110706-1h21h.html?from=smh_sb</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-44170659539862326762011-05-06T01:36:00.000-07:002011-05-06T01:37:44.255-07:00Mad Bastards actor jailed for stabbing death<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">An Aboriginal woman who starred in the newly released Mad Bastards film has been jailed for three years for stabbing to death her drunk and abusive partner in a case of life imitating art.<br /><br />Roxanne Maree Williams was pregnant with her second child when she took a large butcher's knife and thrust it once into the chest of her partner Joseph Anthony Johnston in their Wyndham home on May 15 last year.<br /><br />Williams tried resuscitating Mr Johnston and immediately called police and paramedics, who rushed him to the local hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.<br /><br />The pair already had a seven-year-old daughter together and in November last year she gave birth to their second child while being held in custody at Bandyup Prison over his death.<br /><br />Williams pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter and yesterday Supreme Court Justice Michael Murray sentenced her to three years jail to be backdated to when she was first incarcerated in May.<br /><br />He has granted her the opportunity to apply for parole which means she could be released as early as her child's first birthday, which is when the baby would be expected to be taken from her to be raised outside the prison.<br /><br />In sentencing Justice Murray acknowledged the rave review Mad Bastards director Brendan Fletcher gave Williams, saying: "He speaks highly of Ms Williams and her qualities in a way which gives the court some confidence for her future, that she may be able to complete successfully the process of rehabilitation upon which she has embarked."<br /><br />In an act of life imitating art Mr Johnston was stabbed during one of his rages, which was fuelled at the time by nine beers and 10 tequila shots. The film depicts the violent and alcohol-fuelled dysfunction in Kimberley communities.<br /><br />Justice Murray said in considering the seriousness of the case he could not put a value on the life that was taken but did acknowledge Williams had been subjected to years of abuse by her partner, who "under the influence of alcohol and other illicit substances, he was a man whose frustrations with life and the raw deal that he had received bubbled to the surface, and it expressed itself in quite savage violence at times".<br /><br />"If he commenced the violence, it was often without reason, and he would persist in it, and she was afraid. I think her fear was fear with some real cause," Justice Murray said.<br /><br />He said whatever the cause of the argument that night, her fear for further reprisals that may also jeopardise her unborn child made her fearful that she could not escape.<br /><br />"She did not threaten him defensively with the knife, she went to him and she stabbed him. The stab wound was a single stab wound," he said.<br /><br />"The deceased was immediately disabled and dropped to the ground.<br /><br />"I think on all the evidence it is clear that Ms Williams' remorse was instant. She endeavoured to resuscitate him.<br /><br />"She knew that she would have to deal with the police in relation to the matter and she did not run but she sought to have the police engaged. That is all very much to her credit."<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/imad-bastardsi-actor-jailed-for-stabbing-death-20110506-1ebqx.html?from=watoday_sb">http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/imad-bastardsi-actor-jailed-for-stabbing-death-20110506-1ebqx.html?from=watoday_sb</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-44686663046979164712011-04-19T21:40:00.000-07:002011-04-19T21:41:49.320-07:00Kate Middleton and Princess Diana - worlds apart<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">From the moment Prince William put his mother's sapphire and diamond ring on Kate Middleton's finger, comparisons between his wife-to-be and the late princess Diana became inevitable.<br /><br />More than a decade after Diana's death, the "People's Princess" remains adored and the new royal bride will be measured against the young, shy blonde who captivated the world at her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.<br /><br />The royals are understandably wary of comparisons between the two women, and William himself insisted soon after the engagement that "no one is trying to fill my mother's shoes".<br /><br />Diana's marriage was a famously unhappy union which broke down amid infidelity on both sides, ending in a bitter divorce and then tragedy, when the princess died in a Paris car crash in 1997.<br /><br />It is not a tale to comfort a nervous bride, but fortunately, commentators see more differences than similarities between the two women.<br /><br />Despite her lack of aristocratic blood, Kate will be far better prepared than Diana ever was for royal life when she walks down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on April 29.<br /><br />"Kate's been very carefully groomed, it's been a long process over a period of time and she's got people around her who understand the modern media.<br /><br />"She knows exactly what she's getting," said Max Clifford, a top British PR man who has represented many celebrities.<br /><br />Kate and William have been together for eight years, whereas Diana was courted for just six months. In fact, Kate has been waiting so long for her boyfriend to pop the question that the press dubbed her "Waity Katy".<br /><br />But Clifford says the length of time puts their relationship on a strong footing, saying "William seems to be totally in love with her and vice versa".<br /><br />The young couple have had a very modern courtship.<br /><br />They lived together while at St Andrews University in Scotland, where they met, and in recent months Kate has stayed with William on the island of Anglesey in Wales, where he works as a helicopter search and rescue pilot.<br /><br />At the age of 29, Kate also has considerable life experience compared to Diana, who was only 20 on her wedding day, 12 years younger than Charles. Just five months separate Kate and William, who is 28.<br /><br />Diana had left school before finishing her studies and her work experience was limited to a stint at a nursery.<br /><br />By contrast, Kate graduated with a degree in art history from a top university, although her jobs as an accessories buyer for a clothing brand and then for her family's party goods firm have been criticised as lightweight.<br /><br />Kate also had a happier and more stable childhood than Diana, whose parents divorced when she was young. Kate is close to her mother Carole and sister Pippa, her maid of honour, and says her family is a major source of support.<br /><br />Up to now, William's bride has also had a better relationship with the press, which hounded the late princess right up to the moment of her death.<br /><br />Despite a rocky start following Kate's move to London after graduation, when photographers mobbed her every time she left the house, warning letters from lawyers and the palace have caused the media to back off.<br /><br />Kate "is an intelligent girl. She has a good head on her shoulders and is so much older than Diana was and she knows William," said royal historian Hugo Vickers.<br /><br />The royal family "must be delighted. She's cautious. She's very measured -- confidence is not quite the right word, but she is assured," he added.<br /><br />Diana was beautiful, charismatic and almost universally loved, but she was also unstable and the explosive fallout of her split with Charles cast a pall over the royal family that is only now starting to lift.<br /><br />She also overshadowed the other royals, staying firmly in the limelight even after the divorce through her charitable causes.<br /><br />"Diana became far more popular worldwide than the royal family, and in this country -- she was the one everyone wanted to see, wanted to hear, wanted to be around," said Clifford.<br /><br />The royals "would have learned from that", he said.<br /><br />Kate has shown no sign of Diana's love of publicity, although only time will tell how far her careful plans survive the pressure of being a fully paid-up member of the royal family.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iqEXHrt9ra9O_CkIsoPIBEVlkJXA?docId=CNG.77e54f793e67c67ebcf11ff9cd03e517.1d1">http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iqEXHrt9ra9O_CkIsoPIBEVlkJXA?docId=CNG.77e54f793e67c67ebcf11ff9cd03e517.1d1</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-64825263464639251482011-04-05T20:39:00.000-07:002011-04-05T20:43:04.979-07:00Dix climbs into Crawlspace<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Production is underway on Crawlspace, a sci-fi thriller which marks the directorial debut of Justin Dix, head of Australian make up studio Wicked of Oz.<br /><br />The story sees a group of elite soldiers break into a secret science research facility where they discover a woman who has had her memory wiped. It stars by Ditch Davey (TV's Underbelly Files) and Amber Clayton (TV's Three Rivers and Rush).<br /><br />Production through Wicked of Oz, Maker Films and Wolf Creek Pictures sees Greg Mclean (Red Hill, Rogue, Wolf Creek), James Hoppe (Shadow Play, Blind Company, Summer Coda), Craig McMahon (Red Hill), Pete Ford (Storm Warning), Silvio Salom and Stephen Wools as executive producers and John Finemore (Shadow Play) and Nicholas Sherry as producers, with Steve Topic as co-producer.<br /><br />Dix has various design, creature effects, make-up credits on Star Wars episodes 2 and 3, Red Hill and Rogue.<br /><br />Filming of Crawlspace will take place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne (pictured) until the end of May.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dix-climbs-into-crawlspace">http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/dix-climbs-into-crawlspace</a><br /></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-69690608766095582532011-03-23T21:37:00.000-07:002011-03-23T21:41:30.725-07:001.3m watch Tassie Tiger eliminated<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">More than 1 million people tuned in to watch a contestant nicknamed the Tassie Tiger eliminated from reality cooking show My Kitchen Rules.<br /><br />A panel of celebrity chefs voted Melanie and James Maddock, from Hobart, off the show on Wednesday night after their three-course meal was deemed inferior to that of fellow contestants Kane Lillywhite and Lee-Ying Chan, from Melbourne.<br /><br />Viewers had dubbed Melanie Maddock the Tassie Tiger because of her catty critiques of other competitors' food.<br /><br />The Seven show attracted an audience of 1.333 million viewers, making it the most-watched program on Wednesday night.<br /><br />Seven had the four most-watched shows on Wednesday and had five of the top 10.<br /><br />Seven News was in second place (1.190 million), Criminal Minds third (1.170 million) and Today Tonight fourth (1.144 million).<br /><br />Long-running Seven soap Home and Away had 940,000 viewers and was in eighth place.<br /><br />Nine had three shows in the top 10. Its news was the sixth most-watched show with 974,000 viewers.<br /><br />A Current Affair was in ninth spot with 921,000 and matchmaking reality show The Farmer Wants a Wife just scraped into 10th with 919,000.<br /><br />Ten and the ABC had one show each in the top 10.<br /><br />Reality weight loss program The Biggest Loser attracted an audience of 978,000 putting it in fifth place and ABC News was in seventh spot with 945,000.<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/24/3172723.htm?section=entertainment">http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/24/3172723.htm?section=entertainment</a></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-45282746303885766642011-03-08T20:01:00.000-08:002011-03-08T20:02:55.826-08:00Aussie starlet joins Silent Hill: Revelation 3D<p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="first">Rising Australian star Adelaide Clemens has been cast in the lead role of Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, the sequel to the 2006 video game adaptation.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Clemens will star as a young woman on the eve of her 18th birthday who is plagued by the nightmares of her father's disappearance and is slowly beginning to realise that she may not be who she thought she was.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The film, which also stars American newcomer Kit Harington, began shooting in Toronto on Monday.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Fellow Australian Radha Mitchell starred alongside Sean Bean in the original film, which was based on the bestselling Konami video game franchise.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Clemens' profile has been on the rise in the US since she appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">She recently appeared in local indie flick Wasted On The Young by first-time director Ben C Lucas, and is slated to star in the upcoming George Miller movie Mad Max: Fury Road.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Adelaide is breaking out of the indie world with commercial features such as X-Men and the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road," producer Don Carmody said in a statement.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">"She and Kit are emerging young talent and their chemistry and dynamics make them a brilliant addition to the Silent Hill team."</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Source <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/09/3159342.htm?section=entertainment">http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/09/3159342.htm?section=entertainment</a><br /></p>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-6781185370466608312011-02-22T21:17:00.000-08:002011-02-22T21:19:30.927-08:00The truth about Hamish and Andy's TV deal<p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Reports that <a href="http://www.hamishandandy.com/">Hamish Blake and Andy Lee</a> will earn a "fee" of between $15 million and $17 million for their rumoured television series for Nine are somewhat misleading.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The full details of the still-unconfirmed deal are unlikely ever to be made public. But whatever the amount they are to be paid, it will cover the cost of making the show as well as the fee the pair can expect to earn directly for their involvement.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Their personal cut ultimately will depend on the type of show they produce, and the number of episodes they make.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;" id="adspot-300x250-pos-3" class="hidden"> <small>Advertisement: Story continues below</small> <noscript> <iframe id="dcAd-1-4" src="http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/adi/onl.smh.ent/ent/tvandradio;cat=ent;cat1=tvandradio;ctype=article;pos=3;sz=300x250;tile=4;ord=4.1124783E7?" width="'300'" height="'250'" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"> </iframe> </noscript> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Although Nine is rumoured to have signed the comedy duo to a two-year deal, for what is variously said to be 15 episodes or two batches of 10 hours, the network has refused to offer any details or even confirmation of a deal. Any news about what viewers can expect is likely to come via the pair’s Facebook page, which has nearly 1.24 million fans, or on their radio show, which is next on air on Friday.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Assuming there really is a deal, the boys could still do very handsomely out of it despite not earning anything like the "fee" that has been quoted.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Typically, a comedy show that is made using a mix of studio and location settings could be expected to cost between $400,000 and $500,000 an hour to produce.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Based on those figures, the costs of making the show would range from $6 million (for 15 episodes at $400,000 each) to $10 million (for two lots of 10 episodes at $500,000 each).</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">That would leave Blake and Lee with a fee somewhere between a low of $5 million and a high of $11 million.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">At the higher end of the scale, the total cost per episode (based on 15 episodes at $17 million) would be slightly more than $1.13 million.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">That is high by Australian standards, but not without precedent: Channel Seven is rumoured to have paid in the region of $1.3 million an episode to lure the Working Dog crew's show <em>Thank God You're Here</em> away from Ten.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">As one industry figure points out, given the show rated around the 1.5 million viewer mark in its 2009 season on Seven, that equated to almost a dollar per viewer.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">At the lower end of the scale, 20 episodes at $15 million would equate to $750,000 per episode, which is high for a comedy show but about the same as an hour of short-run quality drama. </p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">These are, however, no more than very rough estimates. Depending on the number, nature and location of the shows, the cost per episode could be much higher or slightly lower.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">And depending on the deal struck between the pair and Nine Lee and Blake will be smiling quite broadly or extremely broadly. Either way, they’re highly likely to be happy little campers.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blake and Lee had parlayed their incredibly successful Austereo radio program into a burgeoning television career, with one-off specials and appearances on Ten’s <em>Rove</em> variety program, before last year announcing they would cut back their daily radio commitment to a single weekly show in order to further explore film and TV opportunities.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blake is currently filming the low-budget comedy <em>Two Little Boys</em> on the south island of New Zealand, with <em>Flight of the Conchords</em> star Bret McKenzie.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> In response to queries about his well-being in the wake of yesterday’s earthquake, which has devastated Christchurch, Lee posted the following comment on Facebook last night: "Thanks for concerns, Ham is much further south than where the earthquake is. Our thoughts are with those in effected areas. I’m also fine."<br /><br />Source <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-truth-about-hamish-and-andys-tv-deal-20110223-1b4sn.html">http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-truth-about-hamish-and-andys-tv-deal-20110223-1b4sn.html</a><br /></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-45421309116465571392011-02-15T02:49:00.001-08:002011-02-15T02:50:00.779-08:00Grammy awards watched by more than 26 million in US<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51268000/jpg/_51268981_011273041-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 171px;" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51268000/jpg/_51268981_011273041-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This year's Grammy awards were watched by 26.66 million TV viewers in the US, its biggest audience for 11 years. </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Viewing figures were up around 3% from last year's audience of 25.87m, broadcaster CBS said.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The show saw Lady Gaga emerging from a giant egg and an all-star tribute to soul queen Aretha Franklin.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Reviews for Sunday's show have been mixed, with the Hollywood Reporter's critic calling it "lousy" and "badly paced".</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">"The 53rd annual Grammy awards went on longer than a Bruce Springsteen concert," wrote <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/bastard-machine/grammy-review-grump-grump-grump-99258">Tim Goodman</a>. "And not in a good way."</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yet the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-0214-grammy-critics-notebook-20110214,0,2799366.story">Los Angeles Times</a> was more positive, saying "the line-up's generational range was impressive".</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">"In the end the spirit belonged to the future, as unpredictable and fragmented as it may be," wrote Ann Powers.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Country trio Lady Antebellum won five prizes, including song of the year and record of the year for their hit Need You Now.</p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lady Gaga went home with three awards, as did rapper Jay-Z and soul star John Legend.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Source <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12462960">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12462960</a><br /></p>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-15726809069486147612011-02-08T02:54:00.000-08:002011-02-08T02:56:00.907-08:00Two badly beaten in Cronulla gang attack<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>THE violent attack on two teens by a gang armed with baseball bats and metal pipes at Cronulla beach last night was a pre-planned fight over a girl, police say. </strong> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The 18-year-old man and 17-year-old boy were at South Cronulla beach about 8.30pm on Monday when they were approached by a group of up to 12 armed teenagers.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">An argument broke out, with members of the gang producing baseball bats and metal pipes.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The man was struck a number of times, suffering suspected fractured eye sockets and a broken jaw.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">He was taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Miranda Local Area Commander Detective Superintendent Jenny Hayes said inquiries have revealed the pre-planned fight was over a girl.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">“The 18-year-old discharged himself from hospital and has told us he plans to seek treatment from his family doctor,” Detective Superintendent Hayes said.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The 17-year-old was severely bruised in the attack but didn't require hospital treatment.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The gang ran from the area immediately after the attack.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Police are hoping to speak with a number of witnesses who were in the area at the time.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Source <a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/two-badly-beaten-in-cronulla-gang-attack/story-e6frfkvr-1226002212408">http://www.news.com.au/national/two-badly-beaten-in-cronulla-gang-attack/story-e6frfkvr-1226002212408</a><br /></p>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4358922539579310002.post-9593212123240556442011-01-18T23:40:00.000-08:002011-01-18T23:43:39.698-08:00Jamie Oliver offers free meals in Ipswich<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2010/11/08/1225949/545611-jamie-oliver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 474px; height: 236px;" src="http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2010/11/08/1225949/545611-jamie-oliver.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has sped up his arrival in the flood-ravaged city of Ipswich, offering free meals to 250 people a day. </strong> <p>Oliver's Ministry of Food kitchen in Ipswich, his first such centre in Australia, was due to open around March.<br /><br />"Construction for the new Ministry of Food Ipswich was due to commence this week. However given the devastation to the local area, we've put those plans on hold for now to help get the community back on its feet," said program manager for the Ministry of Food Australia, Alicia Peardon.<br /><br />The centre will be open for two weeks as a drop-in centre for the Ipswich community.<br /><br />Jamie's Ministry of Food Flood Relief Program, funded by electrical goods retailer The Good Guys, will provide free meals to 250 people per day from Wednesday at the Ministry of Food Centre Ipswich in d'Arcy Doyle Place.</p><p>"I've been as shocked as anyone by the scenes of devastation in Queensland and the tragic stories to go with them," Oliver said in a statement.<br /><br />"It's only right that the Ministry of Food Centre in Ipswich plays its part in helping the community, so I hope that providing free freshly cooked meals for those who need them most will go some way to helping the local community and relief workers in the coming days and weeks.<br /><br />"The people of Queensland are always in my thoughts at the moment," the British chef said.<br /><br />Residents and volunteers have been invited to drop in throughout the day for tea and coffee and to collect a meal voucher for a nutritious dinner served between 6pm and 7.30pm (AEST) daily.<br /><br />Boystown Counselling service will move into the venue in the Ipswich CBD as it becomes a community hub where people can come and get information, support services and a meal for no cost.<br /><br />Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he was delighted to hear of the support being offered by the service.<br /></p><div style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Source <a href="http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/jamie-oliver-offers-free-meals-in-ipswich/story-e6frfmqi-1225991171970">http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/jamie-oliver-offers-free-meals-in-ipswich/story-e6frfmqi-1225991171970</a><br /></div>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07599611802072312048noreply@blogger.com0