Today’s column is dedicated to our fantastic Thursday perusing two great Pre-MTV Events. Karen, Teena and I couldn’t have had more fun.

Pre-MTV Glee: Yesterday offered up a fantastic look at the latest “hot” products that’ll soon be popping up on the red carpet. Both the Silverspoon Beauty Buffet (organized by reps, the PR firm BWR) and the Luxury Lounge (organized by rep In2It Media and the oh-so-adorable prexy Amy Balsam) were fantastic and fun-filled.

We caught two trendy stars checking in at Silverspoon – Andy Dick and “Six Feet Under’s” Eric Balfour. The Silverspoon Event was held in a parking lot in the heart of Hollywood. Heavily guarded, the heat coming up from the asphalt, it was a warm, but entertaining morning, as Renata from BWR took us around to meet vendors who were in themed tented booths.

Guests were greeted at the entrance by a brand spankin’ new Airstream Trailer (although greeters dubbed the Event “White Trash” heaven, they probably didn’t realize how costly those beauts of trailers actually are).

Andy Dick announced he was “only” on his “third date” with the pretty blonde thing (Sarah Tiefenthaler) he was with. We think that going to this kind of event is a pretty dreamy date. Nicole Richie was there, as was Antonio Sabato Jr., Davleigh Chase, Greg Grunberg, Haylie Duff, Henry Simmons, Jason Mewes, Jason Priestley, Jeremy Piven, Jill Jones, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Kelly Hu, Lauren Holly, Linkin Park, Melissa Joan Hart, Melissa George, Mila Kunis, Neve Campbell, Nicole Eggert, Pink, Rosa Blasi, Third-Eye Blind, Tom Green (who loves these things, we always see him – and Nicole Richie, although not together – at similar events), and Tori Spelling.

There were also a bevy of beautiful gals in super skimpy outfits (many swimsuits), “assisting” vendors.

Jeremy Piven visited with John Cypher of Bullie, a new line of men’s skin care. The line offers up products geared specifically to different needs of skin. They’re Houston, Texas based.

Melissa George checked out the booty at the Lancome booth, which featured their new colors and gave us a yummy Juicy Tube of lip gloss.

Andy Dick was one of the few who did the Carpe Assum (Seize the Ass), which had a retro wooden cutout in which the aforementioned ass was placed in a hole and the guest, well, grabbed it. The new company has t-shirts and hats. Mila Kunis did a little butt touching, too.

Chester of Linkin Park visited the 9022 Salon booth which offered blow-outs and haircuts, where Nicole Eggert had her locks cropped.

Deirdre Hall and Tori Spelling both checked out HeadWear hair products, and their jelly Birkin-style bag.

Hall also liked the Mia shoe booth, which had a gorgeous line of new shoes, just beautiful with great accents. They gave away bright green or bright pink silk shoe bags. Very elegant.

Haylie Duff was one of the MANY who sampled the new Coke2, which is low-carb, half the sugar and other good things, for the all-important low/no carb celeb diets. PLUS having a cool drink helped beat the heat.

Jodie Lyn O’Keefe put on her best biker babe poses for the King Baby Studio which had a chopper and a tank that read “Fuck You Too” that many picked up.

Kimberly Stewart enjoyed the XOXO booth, which had colorful handbags, make-up cases and totes. We got a gorgeous baby pink purse that’ll double as a weekend bag! (Karen and I picked the same one, Teena opted for a hot-pink weekender.)

Aaron Paul got undies at Crown Jewel Boxers, as did Jason Mewes, who grabbed his business for the photogs.

George Stults stopped at the Soul Candy booth. They had these great smelling candles and bath salts and gave a pretty silver bag with one each in them. The scent’s super.

Alison Sweeney picked up some body lotion from the Texas-based Mixed Emotions, a family- run line that featured salts and other bathing goodies in scents like Tutti Fruitti, Sweet Tea, Chocolate and Vanilla.

Greg Grunberg joked around at the Tupperware booth, which was a big hit because they gave away these great colorful lidded cups that they filled with refreshing KoolAid.

Kristen Alfonso liked the Gianni Bini booth, which had amazing summer/fall shoes; shiny with amazingly spiked high heels, elegant and sexy. They had pointy toed pumps and luscious slides.

Lauren Holly hugged her Wedgehead UglyDoll, our absolutely FAVORITE thing at the Beauty Buffet. These are wonderfully cuddly fleecy dolls with personality. They’re even making an animated series. So cute. Check out their website at www.uglydolls.com. They also have these new little ulgydoll keychains, which are also plush.

Everyone enjoyed the booth that featured Ardell Lashes -- false eyelashes are making a huge comeback and are a must-have on the red carpet.

Maya Brenner showed off her trademark feather jewelry designs, and especially the charmed necklaces.

Lip Lush is the latest in lip plumpers, a gloss that enhances. Forget the collagen or restalyn.

Neve Campbell checked out all the different styles of t-shirts and hats at the Amerikan booth, a kind of skater/biker baby themed clothing, not unlike King Baby or the Luxury Lounge’s Made.

Antonio Sabato Jr. brought his baby to the MDSkincare booth. They make popular facial and body peels.

Chez Salon wasn’t only cutting human hair – they actually gave a dog a Mohawk!

Nicole Richie sampled the new Karoke machine that is basically a giant mike with a computer in it. That’s all it is; hooks up into your TV and the TV provides the screen and lyrics.

Soon-to-be wed Tori Spelling got one of the darling POIRE cel phone holders. Various styles, they’re complete cuteness. They come in many different colors and styles (we got a very conservative neoprene black with beige trim). Tori picked a baby pink one with a design.

The King Baby booth featured a real (not henna) tattoo artist.

There was also an Atkins booth, with their latest. Teena recommends the new chocolate mint cookie which she says are a dead ringer for the US version of the Brit’s Girl Guide’s famous one.

Legendary PINK’S had a booth, but we were there a little too early for that much food.

The Luxury Lounge, held at a private estate in Bel Air offered up legendary hairstylist to the stars Edward Tricomi, who actually cut our hair. With his fun stories (days with The Doors), he’s someone who should write a book. But right now he’s too busy with his five east-coast based shops and the one he’s opening at Hollywood’s Argyle Hotel.

Tricomi’s client list includes: Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford, Melanie Griffith, Heidi Klum, Julie Andrews (who we just saw in the fun “Relative Values” on cable – check it out) and Joan Allen (among many others).

We loved the guys from MADE, who are affiliated with the hot band Good Charlotte. They were so incredibly nice and generous and have the COOLEST clothes ever, we predict they’ll do really well. We love the “brass knuckle” MADE necklace – and our six-year-old trotted off to school today wearing one! http://groups.msn.com/ThisIsGoodCharlotte/made.msnw

Tony & Tina were offering manicures and we got introduced to their new skin-care line, which has the same philosophy as their very cool make-up.

Utowa was there doing make-up and also gave out a very cool skin-care line sample. Artist Eduard Duyos (a dead-ringer for our beloved Alan Cummings) was a lot of fun.

Kurtz clothes are fantastic, this beautiful men’s line of clothing with thick, rich cotton in colors men love. We got a great shirt for our husbands. Very quality stuff. Bear in mind that sizes run small and the XL is more like a smallish L.

There was plenty of bling with the new watch line MEYERS USA (they’re San Diego based) which is a kind of delicate fine jewels and jewelry meet watches. There are round and square, small and large and Mary J. Blige is among the stars who already has one. There are tiny jewels that dangle surrounding the watch face. They’re very pretty and unique, but pricey, ranging from $3K to $18K. http://www.meyersusa.com/ or http://www.meyerswatches.com/

One last non-MTV note: last night we had the pleasure of a dinner visit from two of the three MONOLOATORS: Mary and Eli Chartkoff. We got to see rushes of their latest music video and hear their newest CD. We LOVE them and highly recommend you check them out. http://www.themonolators.com/ If you get a chance to see them live, you must do it. Although right now Mary is ready to give birth to the couple’s first son, so their live gigs may be limited.

BeansTalk Biz : Today’s newsletter appears earlier since we’re going to two pre-MTV Award events, the Luxury Lounge in Bel Air and the Silverspoon Beauty Buffet in Hollywood. We’ll be sure to let you know of any new and cool products we come across.

Sad News: Princess Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd has died in Scotland today. She was 68 and had been suffering from a degenerative brain disease. As royal expert Alicia Carroll told us this morning, Kydd had a particularly sad life. In the seven years since Diana's death, she'd only seen her grandsons by Diana, Harry and William, a handful of times (and had not seen Harry in the last two years). She had no say in her daughter's funeral, and it was alleged she was estranged somewhat from Diana right before her daughter's death in a car accident. Kydd was completely ostracized from the royal family, allegedly beaten by her first husband (Diana's father). Her own mother, Lady Ruth Fermoy took Kydd's husband's side, which helped his cause and he was awarded custody of their four children. Until right before her death, she lived alone in a detached bungalow on the Scottish Island of Seil.


Potter Phenom: Everyone around here is super excited about the newest Harry Potter film opening tomorrow. There’s excellent information at http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/harrypotter/. We’ll post a review (something new!) as soon as we see it. Chris Columbus, director of the first two films, attended the London premiere of Alfonso Cuaron’s Potter directorial debut (the latest). Mike Newell is already on board to direct the fourth Potter installment. Newell directed “Mona Lisa Smile” and “Pushing Tin,” as well as “Enchanted April” and more famously, “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

Father’s Day: Still looking for ideas for Father’s Day gifts? Think of gift certificates to bookstores or CD shops, or go the other way and consider jewelry. Neiman Marcus may be touting David Yurman pieces, but who wears cufflinks these days? A great site to find super deals is Goldspeed www.goldspeed.com. They have the gorgeous and substantial Invicta Lupahs at the best price around – we’ve bought from them and it was a pleasant transaction all around.

Hudson’s Back: All those nasty tabloids (think In Touch Weekly) that slammed poor Kate Hudson’s post-baby weight can just shut up, because she was out in L.A. last night at the premiere of "The New Power" at Forbidden City, looking super slender and gorgeous in a navy blue fitted frock with lace overlay at the bosom. We hope she didn’t just cave to pressure, because she looks great at any weight. The dress also featured lace pleated insets at the bottom for a flirty, quirky, very “Kate” touch.

Fashion Notes: White, white, white. It’s still strong and popular – Naomi Watts was at that same premiere wearing a full-on white silk suit. White tank tops, of the lingerie variety (Holly Fields, same event) and of the more casual are also being worn at Hollywood industry events.

Kaley Cuoco (yes, at that same event) was wearing a baby pink version of the Juicy strapless terry cloth ruched top, made popular by Sarah Jessica Parker (hers was green) in the last season of “Sex and the City.” It retails for a relatively affordable $98 and we’ve seen it at Nordstroms. However, if you go to your local mall shop (we go to Style Express in Culver City at the Culver Center) you can get a perfect knockoff for a mere $11.99 – seriously.

At the “Six Feet Under” premiere in Hollywood last night, Rachel Griffiths (also back to gorgeous pre-baby weight) was wearing a very pale lavender silk “tux” coat, ideal summer color and red-carpet casual. Lauren Ambrose chose a geometric silk dress, that perfectly complemented her pretty light red hair.

Meanwhile, Mena Suvari (who has a recurring role on “Six Feet” this new season) opted for major va-va voom, with a fushia silk concoction, with hankerchief edges and a low cut scoop in front.

Most people may not look good with a very close cropped elven haircut and may regret going super short (perhaps Kirsten Dunst and best buddy Maggie Gyllenhaal? We think they’re still beautiful) but wow, Edie Falco, out at the Pierre Hotel in NYC for the The "Forget-Me-Not" Gala Benefitting The Alzheimers Association NYC Chapter looks STUNNING. The cut is perfect for her face. Now there’s a lady who knows how to handle a break-up.

You usually see Diane Sawyer out at evening events in a tasteful, but unexceptional pantsuit (and always elegant), but she was out in NYC last night at Cipriani's at the Second Annual Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala in an amazing single shoulder white flowing dress that made her look like a movie star. Very nice choice.

Mini J-Lo Raquel Castro had to walk the red carpet alone at the London premiere of “Jersey Girl” since Ben Affleck apparently has bronchitis. She looked sweet and lovely in a black background floral print sundress with a kerchief edged bottom and her hair a frothy mass of curls. Was Affleck really sick or was he avoiding the inevitable questions from the aggressive British press about Jennifer Lopez and her now-divorced new boy toy Marc Anthony?

Latest Look in Handbags: The most recent addition to the Lauren Scherr handbag collection is the SASHA handbag. This kidney-bean shaped satin bag is adorned with two velvet daisies placed on the sides of the purse to allow it to slip easily an arm and contour to the body.

A touch of sparkle from the daisies’ Swarovski crystal centers adds a twinkle. SASHA offers a roomier shape and the sturdy fabric exterior is ideal for more everyday wear. Scherr is known for her bag as art style evening bags frequently carried by celebs like Wendie Mallick and Melissa Joan Hart.

Lauren Scherr says she created the bag as a more practical accessory: “I choose colors, shapes, fabric textures, florals, feathers or crystals in varying degrees knowing that women will make a personality statement when choosing my creations.”

Lauren Scherr handcrafted originals are favorites of Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Watts and Renee Zellweger, among others.

SASHA is available in chocolate satin with crème velvet daisies and shiny, crystal-clear Swarovski centers; Navy satin with fuchsia velvet daisies and Capri blue Swarovski crystals and Eggplant satin, fuchsia velvet daisies and heliotrope Swarovski crystals.

Attention Fans of Musicals: The Tony Awards are this Sunday. Here’s a list of nominees, FYI:

BEST MUSICAL
Wicked
Avenue Q
Caroline, or Change
The Boy from Oz

BEST PLAY
I Am My Own Wife
Frozen
The Retreat from Moscow
Anna in the Tropics

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL
Assassins
Wonderful Town
Big River
Fiddler on the Roof

BEST PLAY REVIVAL
A Raisin in the Sun
Henry IV
Jumpers
King Lear

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Hugh Jackman, The Boy from Oz
Alfred Molina, Fiddler on the Roof
Hunter Foster, Little Shop of Horrors
John Tartaglia, Avenue Q
Euan Morton, Taboo

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Tonya Pinkins, Caroline, or Change
Donna Murphy, Wonderful Town
Idina Menzel, Wicked
Kristin Chenoweth, Wicked
Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Avenue Q

BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife
Kevin Kline, Henry IV
Frank Langella, Match
Christopher Plummer, King Lear
Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers

BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun
Tovah Feldshuh, Golda's Balcony
Swoosie Kurtz, Frozen
Eileen Atkins, The Retreat from Moscow
Anne Heche, Twentieth Century

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Raul Esparza, Taboo
Michael Cerveris, Assassins
John Cariani, Fiddler on the Roof
Denis O'Hare, Assassins
Michael McElroy, Big River

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Anika Noni Rose, Caroline, or Change
Isabel Keating, The Boy from Oz
Jennifer Westfeldt, Wonderful Town
Beth Fowler, The Boy from Oz
Karen Ziemba, Never Gonna Dance

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY
Brian F. O'Byrne, Frozen
Tom Aldredge, Twentieth Century
Ben Chaplin, The Retreat from Moscow
Aiden Gillen, The Caretaker
Moar Metwally, Sixteen Wounded

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
Margo Martindale, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Essie Davis, Jumpers
Sanaa Lathan, A Raisin in the Sun
Daphne Rubin-Vega, Anna in the Tropics

BEST DIRECTOR OF A MUSICAL
Joe Mantello, Assassins
George C. Wolfe, Caroline, or Change
Kathleen Marshall, Wonderful Town
Jason Moore, Avenue Q

BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY
Jack O'Brien, Henry IV
Moises Kaufman, I Am My Own Wife
David Leveaux, Jumpers
Doug Hughes, Frozen

BEST SCORE OF A MUSICAL
Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q
Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner, Caroline, or Change
Boy George, Taboo

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL
Tony Kushner, Caroline, or Change
Winnie Holzman, Wicked
Jeff Whitty, Avenue Q
Martin Sherman; Nick Enright (original book), The Boy from Oz

More Moore! Another film we’re excited about is “Fahrenheit 911” and Studio Briefing reports: Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, which won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival last month, has landed not just one domestic film distributor but at least three, Lions Gate Films, IFC Films, and Fellowship Adventure Group (a company set up by Miramax Co-chairmen Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein to handle the politically hot film, which the two bought from the Walt Disney Co. after Disney refused to distribute it). The film has been scheduled for a swift release on June 25, when it will face little new competition. (Spider-Man 2 opens the following week.) Showtime won pay-TV rights for it, but DVD rights are still being negotiated. In a statement, Moore said: "Not only am I in good hands, I am grateful to them now that everyone who wants to see it will now have the chance to do so." In their statement, the Weinsteins indicated that other distributors might be added to the "coalition" releasing the film.

24 Star Engaged: WENN reports that Elisha Cuthbert, 21, is engaged to her boyfriend Tracy Ayala, who is Justin Timberlake’s personal assistant (hence the reason for earlier rumors she was seeing Timberlake).

Break-UpsWENN also reports that David Schwimmer has broken up with Gina Lee (they’d been together a little more than four months), and that Brooke Burns and Bruce Willis have also broken up, after 10 months together.

Charles/Camilla Update: LONDON (Reuters) - The Archbishop of Canterbury denied a media report Thursday that he has given his approval for Britain's heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles to marry his lover Camilla Parker Bowles in church. The Times newspaper said Dr. Rowan Williams, spiritual head of the world's 70 million Anglicans, had dropped his objections to the two divorcees remarrying. But a spokesman for Williams said: "There have been no developments involving the Archbishop in relation to this matter."

Good News: More Americans are surviving cancer for five years or more and cancer rates overall are steadily declining, according to the latest annual report on cancer in the United States issued on Thursday. (Reuters)


Our Favorite Oddities of the Day:
LONDON (Reuters) - British artist Damien Hirst, who uses dead animals in his work, promised to apologize for a "mix-up" Thursday, after a rotting cow was left outside his studio over a long holiday weekend. The artist won Britain's Turner Prize in 1995 for "Mother and Child, Divided," which featured an adult cow and a baby calf, each split in half, pickled in formaldehyde and displayed in glass tanks. Local authorities in Gloucestershire said they were investigating to see whether any regulations were broken when the animal was left in the street.

Fetish: LONDON (Reuters) - A British man with a fetish for medical items has become the first person to be banned from every hospital in England and Wales, the government said on Wednesday. Unemployed Norman Hutchins, 53, has harassed and abused medical staff more than 40 times since January in his quest for surgical masks and gowns, a court in the northern city of York was told. The court banned him from all private and state-run National Health Service hospitals and doctors' and dentists' offices.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A planned nudist bicycle tour in the Netherland's so called bible-belt has upset local churchmen who are holding their own youth charity bike ride the same day.

From AP: Woman's Leg Falls Hip-Deep Into Grave KENAI, Alaska - Hazel Felton did not have a near-death experience over the weekend, but she did have one foot in the grave — literally. Felton was cleaning up around family graves Sunday at Kenai Cemetery when her dog Boo Boo's leash became entangled in a wooden cross beside a nearby headstone. When she stepped onto the grave to get a better angle to free the terrier's leash, the ground collapsed under her foot. "I put one leg in past my hip bone. That's about 34 inches," Felton said. Planting her foot nearly a yard deep in an old grave understandably disturbed Felton, and she got herself out fast. "I just shot outta there like a light," she said. "It just creeped me out." Equally creepy for Felton is the fact she was named after the daughter of the man whose grave she fell into. Warder Showalter's daughter Hazel, who died shortly before Felton was born, was a good friend of Felton's mother.
Felton, who was uninjured in the mishap, called the Showalter family to let them know what happened. After hearing the story, Adeline Chaffin found humor in the incident. "I ask Hazel, 'Were you playing footsie with my dad?'" Chaffin said. Chaffin and her husband were concerned someone else might fall into the grave, so the couple went out to the cemetery the next day to see the hole for themselves and put up some safety measures. Chaffin, whose father was buried in the cemetery in 1983, saw no reason to get upset over the incident. "It's just one of those things that happens in life," she said. Bob Frates, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation, which maintains the cemetery, has never had a grave collapse before. His department routinely compacts the earth over a new grave and allows it time to settle before adding more soil and compacting again, if necessary. Frates speculated the delayed settling of the Showalter plot may have been due to a wood coffin that held out far longer than usual before collapsing. Whatever settling is going to occur usually occurs within the first year, he said.

A Note from Planned Parenthood:
Sweet Victory! Federal Abortion Ban Struck Down in Court!Federal District Court Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton ruled yesterday that the federal abortion ban passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last year is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. The ban, challenged in Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) v. Ashcroft, could have outlawed abortions as early as 12 to 15 weeks in pregnancy, including those that doctors say are safe and among the best to protect women’s health. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles hailed the ruling and questioned the Bush administration’s efforts to enforce the blatantly unconstitutional ban. Yesterday's ruling is a landmark victory for medical privacy rights and women’s health
Judge Hamilton's ruling:
• Prohibits Attorney General Ashcroft and his successors from enforcing the federal abortion ban against doctors who provide abortion services for Planned Parenthood and doctors who Planned Parenthood medical staff refer their patients to.
• Prohibits enforcement against the city of San Francisco and it's medical facilities.
Thank you to all of you who spoke up and participated in our action alerts against the abortion ban. We are still awaiting rulings in related court cases filed in New York and Nebraska.

Science and Ideology Don’t Mix

Over the past few years, many decisions that affect health and reproductive rights have been brought into the political realm and decided based on ideology rather than fact-based science. The most recent example of this politicization of science is the FDA’s rejection of over-the-counter Plan B emergency contraceptive (EC). There is no scientific reason for denying the approval of over-the-counter EC and virtually all major medical and healthcare organizations, such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, support making EC available over-the-counter.

In response to this issue of ideology creeping into scientific decisions, California House Representatives Henry Waxman (D) and Massachusetts House Representative John Tierney (D) proposed an amendment to H.R. 2432, the Paperwork and Regulatory Improvements Act. The Waxman-Tierney Amendment on Science and Ideology was defeated 201-226 http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll187.xml but would have created a commission to examine the politicization of science and make suggestions about how science can be protected from ideological exploitation.

Master Monk: One of the best series on TV is finally coming back for a new season – “Monk.” And, on June 15, 2004, the first season will be available on four-disc DVD set.

Series Synopsis: He’s ingenious, he’s phobic, he’s obsessive-compulsive. Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner “Tony Shalhoub is a riot” (TV Guide) in Monk, the show that critics are praising as “fresh, exciting and utterly original.” (Chicago Tribune)

Monk’s hilarious, offbeat antics have made him unfit for duty but he’s back as a police consultant to help out on their most baffling cases. The brilliant but neurotic Monk is now fighting crime as well as his abnormal fears of germs, cars, heights, crowds and virtually everything else known to man in “the best detective show to come along in decades.” (NY Post)

Funny Ladies : AFTERBIRTH: KATHY AND MO'S GREATEST HITS
starring and written by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy
The Second Stage Theater
397 west 43rd street NYC
June 12th through July 11th
Tues. @ 7:30
Wed.@ 2 pm and 8 pm
Thurs.- Sat. @ 8 pm
Sunday @ 3pm

Pop Stars: What do fashion, fantasy and rock-n-roll have in common? They’re all essential elements found in Princess Ai, TOKYOPOP’s manga (Japanese influenced graphic novels) debuting this summer from Courtney Love and D.J. Milky. In an ‘East meets West’ creative fusion, the leading U.S. publisher of manga has tapped two of Japan’s most renowned artists to bring life to Love’s story -- a spirited fantasy based loosely on the singer’s own experiences in Tokyo. Ai Yazawa (Paradise Kiss) created the character designs and up-and-comer Misaho Kujiradou (Private Troops) has illustrated the series. Add music producer and writer D.J. Milky to the project and the result is a manga trilogy poised to attract music fans, manga devotees and everyone in between.

“With Princess Ai, we’ve meshed music, fantasy and gothic fashion, thrown it all into the crazy streets of Tokyo and mixed in a little adventure and Love… literally,” said series editor Rob Tokar.

Princess Ai chronicles the amazing journey of a mysterious young woman searching for identity and salvation in this world and beyond. After finding herself lost on the cold, hard streets of Tokyo, Ai must piece together clues about who she is, why she’s on Earth and the secret of the heart-shaped box she carries. What the princess experiences along the way is an adventure filled with love, chaos and unexpected fame.

“I have always loved the Japanese culture and the people. Princess Ai is a great character because she feels like my alter ego, but in a fantasy setting,” said Love. “I’m very excited to work with TOKYOPOP, a company that is truly innovative in its approach towards crossing creative boundaries.”

Princess Ai Volume 1 (Destitution) will be available at major book, comic, video, specialty and music stores nationwide at $9.99 (SRP). The series has already debuted in Japan-earlier this year its chapters began appearing in the popular shojo manga anthology Wings and fashion magazine Kera.

Queer Eye for a GAY Guy: BRITISH KHAKI FURNITURE BY ROBERT LIGHTON will be featured on an upcoming "QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY". Working with "Fab Five" interior expert and regular BK client, THOM FILICIA, ROBERT LIGHTON supplied furniture for the show airing on Bravo on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 10 p.m. This episode airs again on NBC at a later date. Wayne, the makeover subject of that show, is the first gay guy to get the full "Fab Five" treatment. The show helps celebrate Gay Pride Month.

From LAURA BUSHNELL: She gave us a fun reading at The Parlour, and she sent us this today:

The Summer Solstice begins this year on Sunday, June 20 at 5:00 PM, which is considered the first day of summer. It is the time of year when the sun reaches its maximum elevation – the days with the greatest number of daylight hours. It is a time for divination and healing rituals. It is the best time of year to relax and enjoy the day and celebrate life and what life brings to you.

What brings light, joy, and laughter to your life? Your willingness to let go and to surrender to the light is what gives you permission to have joy. Without surrender there is no trust and without trust there is very little joy. Each of the four spiritual events of the esoteric year, create initiations in our life. The Initiations start with the Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice and then finally the Fall Equinox. Initiations remove limitations. Trust me they are a good thing! Each initiation that we go through consciously allows all that you have been reading and learning about to be to be absorbed in the psychological and physical bodies. To move into the solstice consciously by setting your intentions creates a quickening of this powerful energy. Here are some ways to do this:

1. Light a yellow candle.
2. Surrender to the divine light (i.e. God, The Mother, Jesus, Buddha).
3. Bless everything in your life and know that it is for your good.
4. Take a few minutes and receive the light into your body that the earth is receiving from our beloved Sun.
5. Tell someone that you love to do the same.

Info: Laura Bushnell
MagickLady Inc.
1031 N. Crescent Heights Blvd, 2A
Los Angeles CA 90046
323-654-9010
Laura@magicklady.com
www.magicklady.com

Elevator Goes Up : The Elevator Gallery in Venice Beach opens its doors. Elevator is an art-infused retail space, bringing together an arrangement of art, antiques, furniture, fashion, and flowers in one space.

Gossip:
Paulina Rubio spent all day getting beautified at Ona Spa and Prive Salon. She got a full makeover, hair cut, color, facial to prepare her for her upcoming concert tour.

WENN news reports that Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal had (as my mother calls it) “relations” in a cubicle of a London Sex Shoppe…

Penelope Cruz is allegedly getting hot and heavy with Matthew McCraze-a-hey…

Julia Roberts rep cannot be more EMPHATIC about how twins “run in” the OSCAR WINNER’s family (as a friend commented last night, when you’ve trying to fertilize five eggs, twins are common – Roberts obviously wants to quelch the consistent rumors of her infertility, ie. She did it naturally, damnit)… The NY Daily News points out that Marcia Gay Harden, Geena Davis, Peri Gilpin and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire have all recently celebrated the arrival of twins. (Gilpin’s were courtesy of a surrogate, Davis is 48, OSCAR WINNER Harden is 45. Not saying anything specific, but that same friend commented on how “aggressive” doctors are being these days with infertile women who HAVE to have a baby.) The NY Daily News ALSO reports There have been reports she wanted a baby so badly that nine weeks ago she underwent an $18,000 in vitro fertilization procedure, in which embryos were implanted in her womb. Another source told the Daily News that Roberts was seen leaving the office of a top Manhattan fertility specialist as long as 18 months ago.

Britney Spears has promised the Chinese government that she’ll tone down her sexy (apparently to detract from the lack of talent) show for them…

Daniel Benzali was at Century City’s Clementine last Friday morning.

Get Your 80s Hair Band Info Here: We at BeansTalk cater to everyone. EMI/Capitol has released Poison's (Yes, you read that right, Poison) 12th CD, Swallow This Live, in conjunction with VH1 Classic's Kiss/Poison tour kicking off at the Verizon Amphitheater in
San Antonio. It contains 15 of their “greatest hits” and CD cuts.

Swallow This Live was recorded at various shows during Poison's '90-'92 Flesh And Blood world tour, including Tampa's Sundome Stadium,Miami Arena, Orlando Arena & Verizon Amphitheatre in Southern California. Poison has sold over 25 million CDs internationally (seriously).


"Swallow This Live" (Single Disc Edition)

1. Intro
2. Look What The Cat Dragged In
3. Look But You Can't Touch
4. Let It Play
5. Good Love
6. Life Goes On
7. Ride The Wind
8. I Want Action
9. Unskinny Bop
10. Something To Believe In
11. Love On The Rocks
12. Fallen Angel
13. Your Mama Don't Dance
14. Nothin' But A Good Time
15. Talk Dirty To Me
16. Every Rose Has Its Thorn


VH1 CLASSIC PRESENTS ROCK THE NATION

Tickets for ROCK THE NATION with KISS and POISON are on sale.For show and ticketing information, check your
local listing or log onto www.cc.com.

KISS/POISON 2004 TOUR DATES:


DATE: CITY: VENUE:

Thu Jun 10 San Antonio, TX Verizon Wireless
Amphitheatre
Fri Jun 11 Dallas, TX Smirnoff Music
Center
Sat Jun 12 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell
Pavilion
Tue Jun 15 Denver, CO Coors Amphitheatre

Wed Jun 16 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion

Fri Jun 18 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Pavilion

Sat Jun 19 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless
Amphitheatre
Sun Jun 20 Concord, CA Chronicle Pavilion

Tue Jun 22 Portland, OR Clark County Amphitheatre

Wed Jun 23 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre

Sat Jun 26 Minneapolis, MN FloatRite
Amphitheatre
Sun Jun 27 Kansas City, KS Verizon Wireless
Amphitheatre
Mon Jun 28 St. Louis, MO UMB Bank Pavilion

Wed Jun 30 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre

Fri Jul 02 Nashville, TN Starwood Amphitheatre

Sat Jul 03 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless
Music Center
Sun Jul 04 Pittsburgh, PA Post Gazette
Pavilion
Tue Jul 06 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center

Wed Jul 07 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Amphitheatre

Fri Jul 09 Chicago, IL Tweeter Center

Sat Jul 10 Columbus, OH Germain Amphitheatre

Sun Jul 11 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music
Centre
Tue Jul 13 Camden, NJ Tweeter Waterfront

Wed Jul 14 Darien Center, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts
Ctr.
Fri Jul 16 Boston, MA Tweeter Center

Sat Jul 17 Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal

Sun Jul 18 Hershey, PA Hershey Park Stadium

Tue Jul 20 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

Wed Jul 21 Wantagh, NY Tommy Hilfiger at Jones
Beach
Fri Jul 23 Scranton, PA Ford Pavilion at Montage
Mtn.
Sat Jul 24 Washington DC Nissan Pavilion

Sun Jul 25 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless
Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 27 Raleigh, NC AllTel Pavilion at
Walnut Creek
Wed Jul 28 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Verizon Wireless
Amph.
Fri Jul 30 West Palm, FL Sound Advice Amphitheatre

Sat Jul 31 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay
Amphitheatre
Tue Aug 03 Birmingham, AL Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

Wed Aug 04 Atlanta, GA Hi Fi Buys Amphitheatre



A Girl’s Best Friend: Simon G. Jewelry wants to do something to a diamond that’s not the standard oval, square or rectangular – they’ve introduced the “Lumiere Cut,” round, it has 121 facets, as opposed to the traditional cut of 56 facets. Detailing can be seen by the naked eye. The line is available at Nordstroms and other retailers. More info, www.simonjewelry.com

Coupling: The fourth season of the British sitcom begins on BBC America June 6, 2004 – we had a chance to watch episodes one, two and six (don’t ask why – that was what was sent out for reviews). Although it has a tendency to be way too over the top (acting-wise, situationally), there are some genuinely funny moments. Ben Miles (“The Round Tower,” one of our favorites) is probably the best actor in the bunch, understated yet effective. Richard Coyle has left the series (third season was his last). Given he showed his real acting mettle in the excellent “Lorna Doone,” perhaps he wants to explore work that isn’t so one-note. Unlike David Schwimmer, Coyle isn’t likely to be remembered only for playing “Jeff.” Not really a spoiler, but a note: The episode where Susan finally has her baby has a very tender moment (rare in this show) with Steve.

Origins of Man: On Saturday, June 12, 2004, at 8 p.m., from Animal Planet premieres JANE GOODALL'S STATE OF THE GREAT APE.

Filmed on location in Africa and Asia, Dr. Jane Goodall joins the
scientists and researchers who are on the front lines of the battle to save the great apes (chimps, orangutans, gorillas and bonobos) in JANE GOODALL'S STATE OF THE GREAT APE. While research has shown that there is no more than 1% difference between the DNA of chimpanzees and humans, chimps and their great ape counterparts are precariously close to vanishing from the wild forever. Many predict that within just 20 short years, they could be extinct or restricted to handful of protected environments. The two-hour program profiles the unique characteristics of each of the great apes, outlines the threats currently facing them, and presents informed recommendations for potential solutions.

Spidey Soundtrack: Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax releases “Spider-Man 2 - Music From and Inspired By on Tuesday, June 22, 2004. The Columbia Pictures film, "Spider-Man 2," opens nationwide on Wednesday, June 30.

Spider-Man 2 - Music From and Inspired By includes lead tracks,
"Vindicated" by Dashboard Confessional (already a #1 Most Added Record at Modern Rock Radio) and "Ordinary," the eagerly-anticipated new track from\ the Grammy-winning rock band Train. Both singles have companion video clips. The album also features new songs from Hoobastank ("Did You"), Jet ("Hold On"), Yellowcard ("Gifts and Curses"), Maroon 5 ("Woman"), Taking Back Sunday ("This Photograph Is Proof [I Know You Know]"), Smile Empty Soul ("Who I Am"), the Ataris ("The Night That The Lights Went Out In NYC"), Ana ("We Are"), and Jimmy Gnecco featuring Brian May ("Someone To Die For"). In addition, Spider-Man 2 - Music From and Inspired By contains the Lostprophets' "Lucky You," formerly available as a UK b-side and"Give It Up," which is also the first single from the major label debut of Midtown. Rounding out Spider-Man 2 - Music From and Inspired By are two compositions by Danny Elfman: "Spidey Suite" and "Doc Ock Suite"

In "Spider-Man 2," Tobey Maguire returns as the mild-mannered Peter Parker, who is juggling the delicate balance of his dual life as a college student and a superhuman crime-fighter. His life as Spider-Man becomes even more complicated when he confronts a new nemesis, the diabolically brilliant Otto Octavius (played by Alfred Molina), who has been reincarnated as the maniacal and multi-tentacled "Doc Ock." "Spider-Man 2" is directed by Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

Spider-Man 2 Music From and Inspired By
Track Listing:

Vindicated Dashboard Confessional
Ordinary Train
Did You Hoobastank
Hold On Jet
Gifts and Curses Yellowcard
Woman Maroon 5
This Photograph is Proof
(I Know You Know) Taking Back Sunday
Give It Up Midtown
Lucky You Lostprophets
Who I Am Smile Empty Soul
The Night The Lights
Went Out In NYC The Ataris
We Are Ana
Someone To Die For Jimmy Gnecco featuring Brian May
Spidey Suite Danny Elfman
Doc Ock Suite Danny Elfman


Need that Summer Glow?: Some of the most popular products out (be sure you get that sunscreen out) include:

Erno Laszlo Multi-pHase Bronzer
Laura Mercier Mercury Rising Palette & Brush Set
Fresh Here Comes The Sun Palette
Nars Body Glow
Sisley Paris Sun Glow Gel
Trish McEvoy Brozer and Charger
Bobbie Brown Bronze Shimmer
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Blush
Chantecaille Compact Soleil Bronzer
Clinque Body Quick Bronze
Versace Beauty Bronzing

Real World Star Gets Real : Jamie Murray - from Real World New Orleans has produced a DVD "Reality Road Trip: Bahamas Spring Break." Murray, who was also a cast member of the RW/RR challenges "Extreme Challenge" (2001) and "Battle of the Sexes" (2003), created a 90-minute video montage featuring new footage from a Real World/Road Rules spring break promotion in Grand Bahamas this past year.

Also featured on the DVD:

Mallory & Ace - RW Paris
Malik - RW Back to New York
Robyn - RW San Diego
Theo - RW Chicago
Kara & Dave & MaryBeth - RR South Pacific
Eric Nies - RW New York
Steven - RW Las Vegas
Sarah - RR Campus Crawl

Available only at www.ggdvd.com for $15.

Slowhand in Concert: Sirius Satellite Radio will broadcast live from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Sunday, June 6, 2004 as part of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, benefiting the Crossroads Centre at Antigua, www.crossroadsantigua.org, the treatment and education center founded by Eric Clapton in 1997.

In addition to Eric Clapton, scheduled to perform include Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Bo Diddley, John Mayer, Jimmie Vaughan, Vince Gill, Jonny Lang, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, J.J. Cale, The Robert Cray Band, Sonny Landreth, Booker T & The MGs, James Taylor, Larry Carlton, Steve Vai, Neal Schon & Jonathan Cain, Eric Johnson, Hubert Sumlin (with SIRIUS' David Johansen on vocals), Robert Randolph, Doyle Bramhall II and so much more.

SIRIUS' Pat St. John and Dave Mac broadcast live from the Cotton Bowl on SIRIUS 16 THE VAULT. This rock n' blues broadcast begins Sunday morning, June 6, 2004 at 10 a.m. ET with a three-hour pre-show broadcast featuring the highlights of the many Guitar Clinics taking place over the weekend as part of the festival, followed by the main stage concert itself live on SIRIUS.

The concert will be re-broadcast Sunday June 13th on SIRIUS BLUES 29.

Fashion Finds: Ever since she’s been engaged, Katie Holmes has been looking even more notably pretty and fresh. She was wearing a silk cowl floral print blouse to the London Premiere of “Harry Potter,” and looked just gorgeous.

At that same event, Emma Watson was wearing a full-length aubergine dress with tule overlay, very adult and elegant. Very pretty in a turquoise print (matching shawl and shoes!) was Bonnie Wrigth who plays Jenny Weasley.

Clive Owen was actually smiling at that premiere (could be he’s as excited as we are about the newest installment).

Who better to launch a lingerie line than one of the world’s most beautiful women? Elle Macpherson Launches New Line of Intimate Lingerie today, June 1, 2004 at Esplanade Apartments St Kilda Melbourne, Australia

They’re Going ON THE RECORD: Actor Ben Stiller, actor Kevin Costner, director Phil Alden Robinson and the rock band Counting Crows head the guest list on this week's edition of HBO's critically acclaimed ON THE RECORD WITH BOB COSTAS, debuting Friday, June 5, 2004 at 11 p.m.

Strong Man: Go to the theater to check out Achilles, but now the adventures of Hercules continue with the nine-disc DVD release of HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS™ - SEASON FOUR. Available July 13, 2004 from Anchor Bay Entertainment & Davis-Anderson Merchandising Corp. ($69.98 SRP), the newest collection features the complete uncut fourth season with bonus materials including interviews with the cast, audio commentaries from stars Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst and producer Eric Gruendemann, dailies from the fan favorite episode “Stranger in a Strange World,” and much more.
In HERCULES: TLJ - SEASON FOUR, Hercules, played by Kevin Sorbo, finds himself in modern day Los Angeles just after an earthquake, time travel to save his mother and a suspicious meeting with his father Zeus. HERCULES: TLJ - SEASON FOUR is fully digitally re-mastered in 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.
HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS - SEASON FOUR bonus material:
• Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and series creators including Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Paul Robert Coyle, Michael Levine, Hudson Leick, Joel Tobeck, Noreen Tobin & Gene O’Neill and others
• Audio and Video Commentary from Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Eric Guendemann and others
• Featurette - “Bringing Monsters to Life at K.N.B. EFX Group”
• Featurette - Dailies from “Stranger in a Strange World”
• Photo Gallery
• CD-ROM features including:
-- Actor, Writer and Director Biographies
-- Series Trivia
-- Hercules Chronicles
-- Production Drawings
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys aired in first-run syndication for six seasons with over 130 episodes. The series also spawned a successful spin-off series, Xena: Warrior Princess™, along with a full-length animated movie, Hercules & Xena: The Battle for Mount Olympus. HERCULES: TLJ - SEASON FOUR devoted fans maintain nearly 1,500 websites.