Thursday, July 01, 2004

Monolator Baby: Mary and Eli Chartoff welcomed Baby Ivan Joel on June 28, 2004. For photos, check out http://alcasid.com/photos/babyivan.asp. Congrats! We love you all!

Who’s Wearing What: Brandy wore a gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab for the 2004 BET Awards held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, on June 29, 2004. Brandy is performing and presenting an award at this event. Brandy chose sage green chiffon dress with gold embroidery that emphasizes a plunging neckline and floating train. The one of a kind piece is from Elie Saab’s 2004 Autumn Winter Couture collection, shown this past fall in Paris.

Wendy Wilson, of Wilson-Phillips, attended last Friday night’s Hollywood Bowl celebration honoring her father’s musical contributions as Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson. For her appearance on the red carpet, Wendy paired a vibrant fuchsia tulle tank top, by Diane Von Furstenberg for A Pea in the Pod, with a classic pair of black slacks. Wendy is expecting her first child later this year.

Erika Christensen wore Jenni Kayne to the Los Angeles premiere of "The Terminal." She chose a pair of lightweight wool trousers paired a hand-painted red and gold silk print halter top. The look was shown in Kayne’s Autumn/Winter 2004 runway show inspired by Diana Riggs’ character in the James Bond film “Her Magesty’s Secret Service.”

Looking Low-Carby Like Christine Taylor (who we enjoy as an actress), Dominique Swain (have you seen her film “The Intern”? It’s great!), appearing last night at the premiere of "LA Twister" at Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, was looking scarily too low-carby and painfully thin. You can see it in her knees and her face. And, like gorgeous beautiful Jordana Brewster (who thankfully, while still super thin, is looking more like herself), when you’re so skinny you’re unrecognizable, it’s become an issue. Swain is an extremely pretty woman, but really, she needs to eat something.

Madonna Watch: In NYC, that is. The London-living super mega pop star was in Manhattan (Central Park, to be specific) yesterday sporting low-riding camouflage pants with a thick leather belt, a black tank (showing off those amazingly tan muscled arms), coordinating black hat and Jackie O size sunshades. She hooked up with a friends and a massive burly bodyguard toted son Rocco Ritchie around. She also had closed toe, open back slipper slides on. Madonna had been in NYC for her “Reinvention” tour – she performed June 21, 2004 at Madison Square Garden. On June 26, 2004, she was spotted visiting and leaving New York’s Kabbalah Center and June 27, 2004 she was in Boston for her tour.

Working It Out: Christian Slater and his wife Ryan Haddon, whose marriage has been rocky (and the media knows this because the police have been called in), are in Porto Cervo, Italy on a family vacation.

Oh Please: Britney Spears cannot seriously want privacy.

Why in heaven’s name would she announce not only her sordid engagement (fiancĂ©/dancer Kevin Federline has an ex-girlfriend – actress Shar Jackson of “Moesha” – who’s EXPECTING their second child), and her wedding date? She’s got to know that will set a frenzy of media attention to cover the wedding (since she gave PEOPLE Magazine’s Todd Gold the exclusive interview, she probably will give PEOPLE exclusive – translate official -- wedding coverage).

And what is Lynne (with whom she wrote that corny mother-daughter book) saying to her? She quickly guided Spears out of her 55-hour RECENT January marriage to her childhood friend Jason Alexander, flying to Vegas in a flash, but wouldn’t she be advising her super lucky pop-star daughter to at least wait for Federline to finish his business and, above all, keep everything as low-key as possible?

Still, an announcement like that will set designers and anyone remotely associated with the wedding biz into their own frenzy of free gifts – everyone wants to be able to say that Spears gave away their blah-blah to her bridesmaids, or she that she had her bachelorette party at their club. You get it.

I wonder if Federline is prepared to be thrown into the limelight – he was once a backup dancer for Spears’ ex, Justin Timberlake. You remember, the one she publicly announced she lost her virginity to? Think about it – what chance would someone like Federline have to be on the cover of PEOPLE other than to be the future Mr. Spears?

Jackson, for her part, has said she hopes that Spears will be ready to be a stepmother and Spears told Gold that she hadn’t – at presstime – met Federline’s daughter (the one that’s already born, of course).

For those of you who haven’t been up on the tabloids, Jackson became pregnant in November 2003. Federline and Spears hooked up in February or March of 2004. You might remember that Spears was linked, previously, to another backup dancer whose girlfriend (it was uncertain if she was actually his ex girlfriend at the time), was ALSO pregnant. PEOPLE’s coverline boasts ‘I’ve found my happily ever after,” Britney says. Famous last words of the famous.

Johansson for Winslet: It was widely reported that Kate Winslet had dropped out of the latest Woody Allen feature because it would take her away from her family for too long (she has a daughter Mia, from her Mia, from her first marriage to Jim Threapleton and a baby, Joe, born December 2003, with her current husband, director Sam Mendes). Allen was also reportedly displeased that Winslet pulled out so late in the production process. The 19-year-old star of Lost in Translation Scarlett Johansson has now been recast in the role. British actors Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Emily Mortimer have also been cast, with filming due to begin in October. It’s Allen’s first U.K. shot movie.

Venice (California) Fashion Show: If you’re in Los Angeles on July 8, 2004… The Elevator Gallery, In Conjunction With Blackbook Magazine Present…

The Heike Jarick Summer And Fall ’04
Fashion Show

July 8th, 2004
7pm-10pm
The Elevator Gallery
55 N. Venice Blvd
Venice, Ca 90291

Designer Gets New Rep: SPR is now representing Los Angeles Fashion Designer Kate O’Connor.

Word: Wordsworth’s debut solo album is due out on Halftooth Records in September. The album’s called Mirror Music. The first single “Gotta Pay,” hit radio and stores June 29, 2004.

Sampling: “Nothing good to say keep silent/Cause the things that I wouldn’t want to say you keep rhyming/Keep firing, I seek like a missile heat guided/And I’m so hot I’m a be on top cause heat rises,” Wordsworth rhymes on first single “Gotta Pay,” urging MCs that “Y’all don’t need to dumb it down, y’all dudes is dumb already.”

Throughout his storied career, Wordsworth has never dumbed it down. A college graduate who wrote all his papers in rhyme, Wordsworth first hit the scene at the famed Lyricist Lounge showcases, where he and partner Punchline impressed host Q-Tip so much he invited them to spit on “Rock Rock, Y’All,” for A Tribe Called Quest’s 1998 album The Love Movement. The duo then went on to drop unforgettable verses on Black Star’s “Twice Inna Lifetime,” eventually releasing their own album, Punch ’N’ Words.

Wordsworth co-created, -scripted, and -starred in MTV’s sketch comedy series, The Lyricist Lounge Show, in 2000. The show featured a mix of scripted and improv sketches, most memorably showcasing Wordsworth and Mos Def freestyling on a ledge, with Wordsworth rhyming Mos Def out of jumping.

Wordsworth has continued to perform on mix tapes and radio shows throughout the country and writing for television. Wordsworth’s single “Gotta Pay” is available for sale worldwide, at records stores and online, and will contain the b-side “Trust,” produced by Dox 1. (www.halftooth.com).

“Obsessed” Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Alexander Rivkin, owner of Westside Medical Spa in Westwood, CA, says, "I am obsessed with new products and the latest in skin care technology." He’s against what he calls, "today¹s reality show plastic-surgery mania."

He is seeing a trend at his Westwood Village practice. Extreme makeovers are not, he says, what the public is now seeking. "Young professionals and the 40-50 set are seeking subtle work with significant results," says Dr. Rivkin. People are less willing to undergo the downtime and pain of extensive plastic surgery. With the advances in laser technology and the advent of injectables like Botox and Restylane, transformative change is quick and painless with no down-time and immediate results.

The demand for injectables has greatly increased in 2003 from 2002. Most requested were Botox injections, up 157 percent from 2002 to 2003, and collagen injections, up 30 percent. "The concept of cosmetic injectables has become more mainstream. It has become accepted by the public at large," says Rivkin.

The future prospect of lunchtime cosmetic procedures is strong and getting stronger, says Rivkin. "New substances will last longer, be safer and deliver superior results". Does this mean no more Extreme Makeover? "Not necessarily," says Rivkin, "but people want a result that is more natural." He questions the reality of a person undergoing six weeks of extensive plastic surgery at a cost of some $250,000, resulting in radical change. "Essentially," says Rivkin, "injectables partnered with laser rejuvenation procedures,regular facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels can postpone facial surgery for many years."

Rivkin points out that a brow lift costs $6,000 and takes four hours of surgery compared to Botox at $500 and 10 minutes. For information www.westsidemedicalspa.com or 310.443.5273. Dr. Alexander Rivkin received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, earned his M.D at Yale Medical School, and underwent residency training in facial plastic surgery at the University of California, San Diego.

Get Dirty Thursdays: Donovan Leitch, Apple Via & Kelly Cole Invite you to “Dirty Thursdays” At Spider Club 1737 N. Vine Street in Hollywood, today, Thursday, July 1, 2004
Nancy Boy!
Donovan Leitch¹s first group, disbanded in
the mid-90s, reunites as he joins Jason Nesmith,
Nigel Mogg and Mike Williams
for a one-off. Thursday, July 1, 2004
Doors open at 9:00 - Shows start at 10:00 dinner and live music For dinner reservations (323)462-1307 To rsvp: applevia@earthlink.net Present your membership card for entry &
discounted parking across the street at 1704 N. Vine St.


Outback Jack: OUTBACK JACK Episode 5 Tuesday, July 20 , 2004 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). TBS's new reality series "Outback Jack" sends the competition to Perth, Western Australia, where the tables are turned on Jack, and now it's he who is out of his element. OUTBACK JACK, from Bruce Nash's Nash Entertainment (Meet My Folks, For Love or Money, Who Wants To Marry My Dad?), puts a group of pampered city women to the test as they vie for the affections of their rugged leading man. The series is hosted by JD Roberto (Shop Til You Drop, Shark Chasers). In Episode 5, Jack (athlete-outdoorsman Vadim Dale) and the four remaining women travel to Perth for two days of being pampered. But this is quite uncomfortable for Jack, who is accustomed to roughing it in the wild. Now he's being massaged, wrapped, waxed and trimmed, while the women finally get to enjoy some of the comforts they've been missing.

Also during their stay in Perth, Jack gets one-on-one "city" dates with each of the four women, giving him a chance to get to know each one a little bit better. On their final day in Perth, host JD gives each woman a choice: she can stay in Perth enjoying luxury accommodations for two weeks, or she can return to the Outback with Jack. If all of the women decide to stick with Jack, then he will have to eliminate one of them before returning to the wilderness. But another surprise is thrown their way.

G-Phoria: Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro will host the second annual “G-Phoria – The Award Show 4 Gamers.” This is the first time they’ll host an awards show together. Airing on G4techTV, G-Phoria is the nation’s original video game awards show that celebrates the year’s top games, stars, music and trends that define the gamer lifestyle. Presented by EB Games and Jeep, G-Phoria will take place on Saturday, July 31, 2004 at 6 p.m. PT at the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles.

More than 1,000 guests are expected to turn out to “G-Phoria” where they’ll play the year’s hottest video games and celebrate winners in categories ranging from “Hottest Character” to “Best Voice Performance.”

Electra has starred in more than 20 movies, including “Starsky and Hutch” and “Scary Movie.” She and Navarro star in MTV’s reality series “‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave.” Guitarist Dave Navarro’s of Jane’s Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers fame is a member of the L.A.-based, Camp Freddy, along with Donovan Leitch, Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction, Alanis Morissette), Billy Morrison (the Cult) and Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver). “G-Phoria – The Award Show 4 Gamers” premieres on G4techTV on Friday, August 6, 2004 at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT, with a pre-show broadcast at 7:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. PT.

“G-Phoria – The Award Show 4 Gamers” will premiere on G4techTV on FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, with the pre-show broadcast starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.
About G4techTV Formed by the May, 2004 merger of G4 and TechTV, G4techTV is a 24-hour television network plugged into games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Available to 44 million cable and satellite homes nationwide, G4techTV airs 24 original series. To learn more log onto www.g4techtv.com.

Faultline Update: Faultline's "Your Love Means Everything" To Be Re-Issued With Three New Songs Lost Electronic Gem Features Guest Vocals From Coldplay's Chris Martin, R.E.M.'S Michael Stipe, The Flaming Lips And Others. The sophomore album from Faultline (aka U.K. electronic artist David Kosten and guests), Your Love Means Everything, will be re-issued in the U.S. by Capitol Records with three new songs on August 24, 2004. The album, which was originally released two years ago. Faultline have a new U.S. label, Capitol Records. And two of the guests on the album have since become major international stars. Coldplay's Chris Martin hadn't even begun recording A Rush of Blood to the Head when he sang on two Faultline tracks: "Where is My Boy?" and "Your Love Means Everything Part 2."And The Flaming Lips were just outgrowing their cult status when they collaborated on the gripping and gorgeous "The Colossal Gray Sunshine." R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe collaborated on a cover of "Greenfields," a bit of dark Americana from late-50s folk revivalists The Brothers Four. The re-issue of Your Live Means Everything also includes three new songs not on the original. "We Came from Lego Blocks" is an fractured, downbeat lullaby featuring vocals from Vordul Megilah of east coast underground hip-hop duo Cannibal Ox. Cult singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur collaborates on a truly eerie cover of the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses." And the rubbery, cosmic "Biting Tongues" features Ras B, a ragga-styled MC from Adrian Sherwood's On U-Sound crew.

London-based art school dropout Kosten spent the better part of the nineties in a room with a four-track recorder, teaching himself recording and production technique as well and exploring far-flung combinations of sound. The result was debut album Closer, Colder, the heady, critically acclaimed introduction to his beautifully unsettling sound.

Released three years later, Your Love Means Everything was a testament to the fruits of Kosten's ongoing sonic experimentation, as well as his skill at creating an extraordinary environment in which inspiration can strike his many collaborators. It's an album ripe for rediscovery and one whose allure has only intensified in the years since its original release.

FAULTLINE, YOUR LOVE MEANS EVERYTHING
1. Your Love Means Everything
2. Where is My Boy? (vocals by Chris Martin)
3. We Came from Lego Blocks (vocals by Vordul Megilah)
4. Theme for Half Speed
5. Wild Horses (vocals by Joseph Arthur)
6. Sweet Iris
7. Biting Tongues (vocals by Ras B)
8. Clocks
9. The Colossal Gray Sunshine (vocals by The Flaming Lips)
10. I Only Know Myself
11. Greenfields (vocals by Michael Stipe)
12. Lost Broadcast
13. Your Love Means Everything Part 2 (vocals by Chris Martin)
Visit www.faultline.co.uk

: Travel Channel hits the open road to explore America’s little-known localities and regional flair with the new road trip series. "Road Trip" with premiere episodes beginning Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) on the Travel Channel, allows viewers to embark on a journey each Tuesday night that showcases unfamiliar routes, gorgeous landscapes, roadside attractions, local characters and new discoveries.

Hosted by Steven Lee and Tina Maddigan, ROAD TRIP takes viewers off the interstates, and onto the “blue highways” – two-lane state and country roads – the asphalt arteries from the heart of America. With Tina and Steve venturing to a mix of off-the-beaten-path locations and interjecting their own style into each visit, viewers never know what will happen next. Every trip has a destination, but what makes ROAD TRIP special is what happens along the way!

ROAD TRIP: Los Angeles to San Francisco (Tuesday, July 13 at 10 p.m.) kicks off on Rodeo Drive, where the big spenders buy, buy, buy. Without the bills to spare, Tina and Steven head south to Randy’s Donuts where donuts are served fresh 24-hours-a-day! Next, the duo heads to the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and on to sailing and sidewalk cafes in the quaint town of Santa Barbara. Then, it’s time for a quick stop in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn. Ready for some excitement, Steven and Tina put the pedal to the metal and head to Pismo Beach, where cars can drive right on the sand. Later, it’s off to San Simeon, to see the famous Hearst Castle, and explore its 165 rooms! Tina and Steven soon dash along the twisting Big Sur and check out the sea life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the U.S. And there’s more fun to come in Santa Cruz, where Steven and Tina get a tour of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and some pointers from a real surfing pro. The touring twosome drive on to San Francisco to see the sights, visit Chinatown and catch a ride in one of the city’s bustling cable cars.

In ROAD TRIP: Dallas to Corpus Christi (Tuesday, July 20 at 10 p.m.), Tina and Steve run with the bulls at Pioneer Plaza and take a ride on the mechanical variety at Gilley's in Dallas. Then it's off to Fort Worth for real live pro-rodeo bull riding at Billy Bob's before heading to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco to investigate the history of these legendary crime fighters. From there, it's on to Austin, where the largest colony of urban bats makes for an out-of-this-world tourist attraction. Continuing south to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Steven and Tina experience an African safari -- Texas-style -- with over 500 animals that can be viewed and fed from inside their car. Only in Texas does the zoo come to you. With a short jog west to Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World, they learn the fine art of roping at the Dixie Dude Ranch and then it’s on to San Antonio for a weeklong celebration of the city's diverse heritage known as Fiesta. Their final destination is Corpus Christi to visit a haunted battleship and check out the beaches of the Padre Island National Seashore.

ROAD TRIP: Seattle to Portland (Tuesday, July 27 at 10 p.m.) sets out from the Bainbridge Island Ferry and then Steve and Tina hit the streets of Seattle to check out the flying fresh seafood at Pike Place Market. Soon, they’re off to a jam session in the Sound Lab at the Experience Music Project. After a sunset trip to the top of the Space Needle and dinner in the rotating restaurant, Steve and Tina settle into their rooms at the beautiful Edgewater Hotel. The next morning, it's off to Mount Saint Helens for a glimpse of nature's wrathful side. Cruising down the beautiful Oregon coast, they stop for kite flying and a surfside bonfire at Cannon Beach and then visit hundreds of wild sea lions in Florence and climb aboard the Spruce Goose - the world's largest airplane - in McMinnville. At Fort Vancouver, Washington, they try blacksmithing, before heading to Portland, Oregon for a brewery tour. Finally, cruising down the homestretch along the breathtaking Historic Columbia River Highway, they ultimately end up on the riverbank for a windsurfing lesson.

ROAD TRIP is a new series on the Travel Channel, airing Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.

ROAD TRIP is produced by Pangolin Pictures for the Travel Channel. Kathleen Cromley is the executive producer for the Travel Channel. Executive in charge of production is Rick Rodriguez. http://travel.discovery.com.

Moby and Public Enemy Team : Moby and Public Enemy have teamed up for the iTunes exclusive download “Make Love F*ck War” due for release through V2 which is being made available today.

The music for “Make Love F*cK War”” was written by Moby while the lyrics were penned by Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy in response to recent world events.

Chuck D, "Working with Moby on this theme and project again shows that music can be a universal language of peace. Knowing his great work and concerns of the planet made this project one of like mindedness and world spirit."

Moby says of Public Enemy, "I've always been a huge fan" and talking about the role of music and protest he states "we do still ostensibly live in a democracy, so my hope is that at some point the people will vocally rise up and let the current leaders know that they've had enough."

Adds Chuck D, "The song is a request that being a citizen of the world should transcend nationality in the name of peace"


TRACKLISTING for the iTunes exclusive download is:
“Make Love F*ck War”
Dirty Version
Accapella
Clean Version

The iTunes exclusive download will be accompanied by Moby’s top 10 “Protest Songs.”