Don't Miss Monk: The new season of our favorite show "Monk" begins this evening at 10 p.m. on the USA Networks.

Madonna's (Colorist) Man: Celebrity hair colorist Steven Tapp will be touring with Madonna throughout the U.S. for her color touch-ups. Tapp says, “To maintain her new very light, bright blonde locks that I created for the tour, I fly out to see Madonna every few weeks. She’s a wonderful person to work with.” His celebrity clientele includes Carmen Electra, Naomi Watts, Christina Applegate and Cameron Diaz.

New Cinemax Documentary: More than 20 years ago, college student Steve James became a Big Brother to Stevie Fielding, a troubled 11-year-old from rural Illinois. After graduating, James moved away and lost contact with Stevie. Ten
years later, James returned to find out about who Stevie had become.

From the award-winning director of "Hoop Dreams," the acclaimed feature documentary "Stevie" takes a compelling look at how years of poverty, neglect and abuse have affected the development of a troubled young man. Debuts Tuesday, July 27, 2004 on Cinemax.

Inaugural Event: Discovery Health Channel's inaugural Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors celebrates the nation’s premiere health and medical pioneers of the 21st Century for their remarkable discoveries and lifesaving contributions to the field of medicine.

Discovery Health Channel will honor those unsung individuals and organizations dedicated to improving and protecting health around the world. The unprecedented Hollywood-style Honors, in association with the National Health Museum, will be held June 23, 2004 at D.A.R. Constitution Hall and hosted by famed TV personality and talk show host, Regis Philbin. Discovery Health Channel will broadcast the event on July 8, 2004 at 8 p.m.

Partnering Organizations:
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• American Heart Association
• American Hospital Association
• American Lung Association
• Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Consumer Healthcare Products Association
• The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Celebrity presenters include:

Dr. Drew Pinsky
Marlo Thomas
ER's Yvette Freeman
Christoper Reeve (via tape)
Dr. Ben Carson

Da Ali G Show's Back: According to Rolling Stone, "The best interviewer working in television today is not the host of 'Nightline' or 'Meet the Press.' His name is Ali G." Called "the funniest British comedy invasion since 'Monty
Python'" by the Detroit Free Press and "irresistibly, corrosively
funny" by the New York Times, he's back on HBO for a second season of six new episodes when "Da Ali G Show" returns Sunday, July 18, 2004 at 10:30 p.m. following the new comedy series "Entourage," with other editions debuting on subsequent Sundays at the same time.

Sacha Baron Cohen crosses America exploring different aspects of our culture through the unique points of view of his three alter-egos: Ali G, a "wanksta journalist," dressed in his trademark yellow track suit, wraparound glasses and pullover hat; Borat, Kazakhstan's premier journalist; and Bruno, the übercool Austrian fashionista.

Each show features real-world encounters between Ali G, Borat and
Bruno and real-life celebrities and everyday American citizens in a variety of settings. Among the notables interviewed on the show this season are journalist Sam Donaldson, conservative icon Pat Buchanan, former governor and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman and educator-linguist Noam Chomsky.

Edition #7: "Respek"

Ali G talks with Sam Donaldson, "boss man of ABC News," about
Nixon's "Waterworld" crisis, journalist biases and TV ratings, among other critical issues. Borat over-imbibes with a pair of genial gents at a wine tasting in Mississippi. Ali G probes the legal travails of "The Simpsons" with former LAPD police chief Daryl Gates, then questions a pair of ATF dog trainers about bomb-sniffers and canine discrimination.

Edition #8: "Peace" debuts Sunday, July 25, 2004

Ali G has a serious sit-down with conservative icon Pat Buchanan,
pondering the prospect of presidential partnerships, "him"igration pros and cons, and Iraq's possession of "BLTs." Borat hits the campaign trail in Oklahoma with a congressional candidate, then delivers a speech to the City Council after getting tips from the state's Republican Party chairman. Ali G presides over a family roundtable discussion with Michael Easley (senior pastor, The Immanuel Bible Church), Karen Mulhauser (Veteran Feminists of America), Diane Knippers (president of the Institute of Religion and Democracy) and Roger Lancaster (professor of Anthropology and Cultural Studies), then visits a farm in search of the answer to a question on everybody's mind: Why are there are so many Vietnam veterinarians?

Around the World in 80 Days: The BeansTalk Review In Jackie Chan’s latest film, he gets to show off those amazing choreographic skills – not just the masterful martial arts – but the ability to use props in a calculated chaotic fluid way. The film is a remake of the classic 50s film, starring David Niven and Cantinflas (Chan plays the latter’s part), in which a London-based eccentric inventor (Steve Coogan, as Phineas Fogg) must travel around the world in 80 days to win a bet (as well as his future career and pride). Along the way, the once introverted scientist finds friendship and love – and plenty of wacky adventures.

In the 1999 documentary in which Chan proudly shows where his ideas come from (he clips articles, photographs, keeps massive binders, bulletin boards, anything that might turn into one of his signature exchanges) and each of those – here, using a wooden bench, the Statue of Liberty, among many – is used to great effect.

But the notion of building a film around Chan’s brilliance doesn’t quite work. For starters, the original “Around the World in 80 Days” was so steeped in the pop culture of the time it was made (1956). What’s unfortunate in this remake is that little effort was affected to make this version funny to a contemporary audience. There are, in all seriousness, probably only a couple of laughs in this two-hour film. One is in Chan’s trademark fight sequences and the other is from a cameo by his “Shanghai Knights” co-star, Owen Wilson.

The audience isn’t ever really catapulted into 1872, when the film is set. It uses its version of “magical realism” – beautiful, colorful transitional art – to move between the many locations the film is supposed to take its characters and audience to, but moreover, director Frank Coraci is more about the wink-wink celebrity cameos, holding the camera lovingly and pointedly on each of his “guest stars.” Never mind that many of these are wholly nonsensical.

Even the costumes and make-up in this film – which is sweeping in its very premise – seem thrown together carelessly. But most disappointing is the script and dialogue, none of which can be saved by the pretty sets or even Chan’s charm.

Stylish Gatherings:
Eva LaRue wore a white Banana Republic t-shirt over a baby blue asymmetrical Pucci skirt at Entertainment Weekly's Celebration of "The Must List: The 137 People & Things We Love This Summer" Issue.

Miss USA Shandi Finnessey wore a flouncy hot pink Carlos Meile dress; Ashanti went total Christian Dior (a sunny yellow sheath dress and matching sandals); “Rich Girl” Jaime Gleicher carried a Gucci bag and chose a Marc Jacobs dress; Model and rock daughter Theodora Richards also wore Marc Jacobs; Ashlee Simpson wore Punk Royal Capri length khakis, with a black white-lettered NEW YORK DOLL T; Fashionista Bai Ling wore a cropped black tank top with a low-riding matching skirt – all of her own design; Vanessa Minnillo chose a lightening bolt printing Sheri Bodell mini; Tovah Feldshuh wore a bright turquoise and yellow Valentino…

The cool event to have been at last night was 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival - "Garden State" Opening Night Premiere: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Ruffalo, Rose McGowan, Christa Miller, Zach Braff, Evan Rachel Wood, Monet Mazur and Gillian Anderson were among the attendees.

2004 Crest Whitestrips Style Awards on the 16th featured Maggie Gyllenhaal (elegantly garbed in a soft pink sheath under a white blazer, pearls around her neck, and her mom as her date), Kate Beckinsale (in a bright turquoise dress with deep blue pointy toed, high heeled boots), Sharon Stone (in slinky halter topped aubergine), Jewel (in a printed pink silk skirt, black tshirt top and a hot pink purse), Mena Suvari (in distressed gray denim Capri jumpsuit), Sarah Wynter (in ivory), Sigourney Weaver (in a crisp ivory, “plaid” tie-dyed 60s style dress with wide belt), and even La Toya Jackson (in a bright white suit).

NOT “Dirty Dancing, Havana Nights”: Siegfried and Roy present the U.S. debut of “Havana Night Club—The Show” Friday, July 30, 2004 at the Stardust Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The contemporary Cuban music and dance features a cast of more than 50 Cuban dancers, musicians and singers and is the first show of its size and caliber to emanate from Cuba and play on U.S. soil in more than a half century. It’s played to more than two million fans in 16 countries around the world since 1999 . Siegfried and Roy exclaim, "We've witnessed the magic of this show and felt compelled to bring its electrifying energy to Las Vegas. This is one party you can't miss!" The show also features the 13-piece award-winning Cubaximo band and singers. "I wanted the world to see, through this show, the glorious untouched talent of Havana," said Nicole "ND" Durr, producer, creator and artistic director. "Every beat and every note is filled with vitality and unbridled energy. The audience is invited to a party made up of glorious colors, rhythm, dance and music."

Durr joined forces with presenters and associate producers Siegfried & Roy, the illusionist team who began their careers in Las Vegas on the same stage at the Stardust over 28 years ago, along with Emmy-Award winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega (Barbra Streisand, Cher, Madonna, Opening Ceremony/Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Games) and set designer Michael Cotton, (Gloria Estefan, N'Sync, Michael Jackson and Aerosmith) who designed each of the show's 16 elaborate scenes. Tickets are on-sale now at the Stardust Resort and Casino Box and by calling 1-866-525-2077 for show ticket reservations.

This is NOT Your Father’s Arthur Godfrey: There’s a new Arthur Godfrey -- the blue-collar son of a Boston fireman returns to New York for a June 30, 2004 showcase at the Laurie Beechman Theater beneath the West Bank Café. In May, Godfrey got a Page 6 notice in the New York Post after playing a private party at the West Bank hosted by Sean Penn. His show was seen by Al Pacino, Chris Noth, Catherine Keener, Sean Lennon, Elizabeth Jagger and others.

Penn tracked Godfrey down after catching one of his sets at a Memphis dive two years before, and has been one of his biggest supporters ever since. Penn flew Godfrey and band out to perform at the wrap party for "21 Grams." Godfrey even has a brief cameo in Penn's forthcoming film
about Richard Nixon.

Several of Godfrey's songs from his two independent releases have won awards. In 2001, "Simple Man" won the Grand Prize in the Folk Category of the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest. He repeated as a Grand Prize Winner two years later, with the song "Amen. In the Billboard Songwriting contest of 2001, his song "Danielle" took second prize. He's currently in the studio working on a third record, and the recent media attention has drawn the interest of several major record labels.

While spending 20 years working for the U.S. Postal Service in towns across the country, Godfrey never forgot about growing up on the wrong side of the tracks on the outskirts of Boston. He collected stories that would blossom into vivid character sketches of the shattered and downtrodden, as well as the blue collar everyday heroes of American life. "I just want to make a working man's living by playing music, case closed," he says.

Captured One of the most talked-about films of 2003, the Academy Award nominee “Capturing the Friedmans” landed on more than 150 top ten film critics' lists last year and won a host of major awards, including the 2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Debuting Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 9 p.m. on HBO, director Andrew Jarecki's documentary feature film debut riveted viewers with its exploration of a seemingly normal family embroiled in one of the strangest criminal cases in American history. “Just a Clown,” the short film Jarecki was making when he discovered the Friedmans' story, debuts the following evening, Friday, July 9, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

With a predilection for hamming it up in front of home-movie cameras, the Friedmans were a seemingly normal middle-class family living in the affluent New York suburb of Great Neck. One Thanksgiving, as the family gathers at home for a quiet holiday dinner, their front door explodes, splintered by a police battering ram. Officers rush into the house, accusing Arnold Friedman and his youngest son Jesse of hundreds of shocking crimes.

“Capturing the Friedmans” follows their story from the public's perspective and through unique home-movie footage of the family in crisis, shot inside the Friedman house. Sullied by scandal, vilified by the media and haunted by damning secrets from the past, the family begins to disintegrate, raising provocative questions about justice, family and, ultimately, truth.

The New Yorker called the film "a masterpiece" that "demonstrates the audacity, the evenhandedness, the sense of detail and structural power worthy of such accomplished documentary filmmakers as Marcel Ophuls and Frederick Wiseman." The New York Times hailed the documentary as "one of the most astonishing debut features ever," while Entertainment Weekly described it as an "extraordinary film...gripping, lacerating, moving and haunting."

Miracle Towels: Bleachsafe towels, (available to both the professional beauty trade and consumers at retail) are featured on Bravo’s reality series, “Blow Out” and are revolutionary in that bleach and stains poured directly on the 100% organic cotton towels, robes and sheets wash right out with ordinary detergent while the colors stay in. No fading, no staining -- no chance of germs and bacteria from lower washing temperatures.

Hot Dude: With a RIAA-gold-certified self-titled Capitol Nashville album in hand, Dierks Bentley was named Top New Artist from the Academy of Country Music at ceremonies held last month in Las Vegas. He was also named one of People Magazine’s Hottest Bachelors, in the issue that comes out tomorrow, June 18, 2004. Bentley can also boast: CMT’s 2004 Flameworthy Breakthrough Video of the Year (for "What Was I Thinkin¹") Best New Country Act in the 2003 Country Music Critic¹s Poll; #1 Top New Country Artist of 2003 in Billboard Magazine; Music Row Magazine¹s Breakout Artist of 2003; and Best New Act by the Country Music Critics Poll.

Discovery Channel’s Animal Olympics : On Monday, August 2, 2004, starting at 9 p.m., the Discovery Channel will present the world's first-ever "Animal Games," pitting animal athletes head-to-head in classic track and field events, no matter how many legs, fins or claws they've got. Teams of Mammals, Birds, Fish, Herpitiles and Insects will vie for gold, in events such as the 100-Meter Dash, 100-Meter Swim, High Jump, Long Jump, Weightlifting and Shooting.

Poised: In the aftermath of opening for Britney Spears on the “Onyx Hotel Tour,” Skye Sweetnam’s debut album, NOISE FROM THE BASEMENT, from the 16 year-old Capitol recording artist is due in stores later this summer. Her girl-power anthem, "Number One,” is currently being featured in national TV spots for the WNBA.

Scot Rockers : Scottish rockers Idlewild will play two special acoustic shows previewing material from their forthcoming new album at L.A.'s Hotel Cafe on July 5th and 6th. Idlewild's last album, The Remote Part (2003), was one of the year's best-loved albums, a mainstay on endless "best of" lists and critics' polls. In a four-star review, Rolling Stone called it the band's "third and strongest LP...elevating them heads above their musical kin." Formed in Edinburgh in 1995 as a quartet of distortion-wielding punks, Idlewild quickly ranked among the brightest of a new crop of tuneful, punk-influenced bands overseas. But 2001's 100 Broken Windows, a breakthrough hit with U.S. critics and fans, made them *the* literate alt-rock find of that year and beyond.
IDLEWILD
July 5th and 6th
The Hotel Cafe
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
323.461.2040
7:00 pm doors/9:00 pm show
$12 adv/dos

Stylish Gatherings:

Sharon Stone, who stars in this summer's atwoman, wore a 1940's inspired dress by Elsie Katz Couture to host the First-Annual Crest Whitestrips Style Awards on Wednesday afternoon (June 16, 2004). The actress chose a black and lavender silk chiffon tea dress with ruched bodice and fishtail hem.

Erica Courtney jewelry had a presence at the June 16, 2004 premiere of “White Chicks”. Actresses Brittany Daniel and Jennifer Carpenter wore jewelry suites of Erica Courtney, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.

On Brittany Daniel:
• Gold Gypsy Earring on Open Flower Clover Earring with Diamond Briolettes on Small Gold Huggies
• 2 Wavy Gold Ring Bands with a Wavy Diamond Flower Matte Ring
• Gold Bar Bracelet with a Gold Rose Cut Diamond Cross Charm
On Jennifer Carpenter:
• Platinum & Gold Tulip Earrings with Cognac Diamonds on Large Gold Huggies
• Gold Diamond Cross Shape 16” Necklace
• sterling silver & gold oval and cross bracelet

Moisten Up : Summer got you dry? Check out Madgic Moisture, a moisturizer from Elements by Madge. Created by Hollywood make up artist Madge (aka Meg Thompson), it provides moisturizer, enchancer (gives skin a delicate golden radiance and adds barely-there shimmer), cover up and Sunscreen. It’s suitable for allages, with an anti-acne product for the younger and hydration and nutrition for more mature skin. Madgic Moisture ($19.50) and all Elements by Madge cosmetics can be purchased separately or as part of an Elements by Madge Kit with No-Smadge Mascara, Dream Team Triple Shadow, Lip-Locked gloss, First Blush Créme Blush, Mini Tool Kit, and a chic little Seersucker Bag to hold it all.

Not So Shabby: Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic (the iconic furniture line that launched a host of imitators) recently launched a new sleepwear collection. They are perfect for getaways or cozying up at home! Since the collection hit stores, Tallulah Belle Willis bought a set and Sharon Osbourne bought four. It’s the perfect thing to cuddle onto that Shabby Chic (now a universal descriptive, but it was Ashwell’s first) couch.
We Want Our Satellite Radio: We actually have it and love it. Check out the power behind the voices:

SIRIUS PROGRAMMING STAFF:

Kid Kelly, Director of Pop Programming
The Wall Street Journal and VH1 have both credited Kelly with launching the 1980s revival sweeping the country. An award-winning 19-year industry veteran, Kelly created and hosts the nationally syndicated show "BACKTRAX USA." He's responsible for the programming of: SIRIUS HITS 1, STARLITE, SIRIUS LOVE, TOTALLY '70s, BIG '80s, THE PULSE and THE STROBE.

Greg Steele, Director of Rock Programming
Greg Steele has cris-crossed the U.S., handling music director and program director duties for a variety of rock stations in Fargo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami and elsewhere. He's been named Operations Manager/Program Director of the year by a variety of publications, including Billboard. Steele oversees the programming of the following rock channels for SIRIUS: HARD ATTACK, OCTANE, SIRIUS GOLD, Œ60s VIBRATIONS, CLASSIC VINYL, CLASSIC REWIND, THE VAULT, BUZZSAW, HAIR NATION and SIRIUS BLUES.

Gary Schoenwetter, Director of Rock Programming
As operations manager for ClearChannel in San Francisco and San Jose, CA, Schoenwetter ran KSJO, KUFX, KCNL and KIOI for five years. He oversees the programming of these rock channels for SIRIUS: JAM_ON, THE SPECTRUM, ALT NATION, FIRST WAVE, SIRIUS DISORDER, LEFT OF CENTER, FACTION, THE BRIDGE and REGGAE RHYTHMS.

Kaaren Hushagen, Director of Classical Programming
Kaaren, a trained opera singer, has worked extensively in classical and public radio and has created and produced a variety of nationally syndicated programs. She oversees programming of SIRIUS¹ three classical music channels: SYMPHONY HALL, CLASSICAL VOICES and SIRIUS POPS. She can be heard weekdays as 6am to 12pm ET host on CLASSICAL VOICES.

Shirley Maldonado, Director of Jazz & Latin Programming
A 20-year veteran of the radio and recording industries, Maldonado has worked for a variety of the nation's top jazz and Latin music format stations in addition to Polygram Distribution and Chappell Music. She is responsible for programming of the following SIRIUS music channels: Latin (UNIVERSO LATINO, TROPICAL, MEXICANA), Jazz (PLANET JAZZ, JAZZ CAFÉ), and World Music (HORIZONS).

Scott Lindy, Director of Country Programming
Radio Ink has named Lindy one of the most influential programmers in the country, as well as the number one country music program director. Lindy oversees the programming of SIRIUS¹ six country music channels: NEW COUNTRY, PRIME COUNTRY, THE ROADHOUSE, OUTLAW COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS and FOLK TOWN.

Geronimo, Director of Hip-Hop & Dance Programming
Geronimo has worked with some of the most successful radio stations in the country, including WPLJ, WBLS, WKTU and HOT 97 in New York. He was also one of the founders of Republic Records, now owned by Universal Music Group. Geronimo oversees all dance and hip-hop programming, which includes these eight channels: HIP-HOP NATION, WAX, BACKSPIN, STREET BEAT, REMIX, PLANET DANCE, CHILL and THE BEAT.

BJ Stone, Director of R&B Programming
Stone, the host of the Billboard Award-winning "Star Magic Dance Party," has been given nearly 20 Gold and Platinum records for his early support of hit songs. His urban radio experience includes WILD, WNJR and WRKS and he produced "The Ashford & Simpson Radio Show."

Steve Blatter, VP of Music Programming
Blatter developed the formats for the wildly successful stations KLYY in Los Angeles and Y107 in New York. He has produced live radio coverage of the GRAMMY Awards, CMA Awards and MTV Video Music Awards and was named one of the Top Major Market Programmers in America by Radio Ink Magazine.


SIRIUS ON-AIR MUSIC PERSONALITIES:

David Johansen
David Johansen, one of modern music¹s most innovative and versatile artists, hosts ³David Johansen¹s Mansion of Fun Show² on SIRIUS DISORDER // 24 every Friday from 3pm to 6pm ET. The show is an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, rock, folk, soul, opera and more. Known as the leader of the glam/punk pioneers the New York Dolls and as his nightclub singer alter-ego Buster Poindexter, Johansen's work spans an extraordinary range of genres.


Vin Scelsa
Vin Scelsa, one of the most respected figures in New York radio, is host of ³Vin Scelsa¹s Sunday Night Idiot¹s Delight,² broadcast live each Sunday night from 8pm to midnight ET on SIRIUS DISORDER // 24. ³Vin Scelsa¹s Sunday Night Idiot¹s Delight² is a free-flowing mix of music, monologues, and live performances and interviews with a wide variety of guests. Scelsa¹s sensibility and eclectic tastes make any edition of ³Idiot¹s Delight² a unique radio journey.


Kurtis Blow
Award-winning rap music pioneer Kurtis Blow is host on SIRIUS¹ classic rap channel BACKSPIN // 43 every weeknight from 6pm to midnight ET. Previously, he hosted a hip-hop radio show on Los Angeles¹ KPWR-FM (POWER 106). The first rapper ever to be signed to a major label, Blow has worked with the likes of Russell Simmons, Run DMC, Wyclef Jean and many others.

Carol Miller
Miller is a daily host on two rock channels on SIRIUS: THE SPECTRUM // 18 (weekdays from 6am to 12pm ET) and CLASSIC VINYL // 14 (nights from 6pm to midnight ET). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has only honored a handful of broadcasters. When visitors to the Hall come across the radio exhibit, they hear the work of legendary radio performers like Alan Freed, Scott MuniŠand Carol Miller! Miller is a veteran of influential stations including Philadelphia's WMMR and New York's WNEW.

Mark Goodman
Mark Goodman hosts 5pm to 9pm ET weekdays on BIG Œ80s // 8 (where his former MTV colleagues Alan Hunter and Nina Blackwood also host daily programs). He is best known to a generation to Americans as one of MTV's original five VJs. He's also an experienced radio personality, having worked at WMMR/Philadelphia, WPLJ/New York, KROQ/Los Angeles and others.

Pat St. John
Well-known radio personality Pat St. John is Format Manager of SIRIUS BLUES // 29. Pat St. John can be heard weekdays on SIRIUS BLUES from 6pm to midnight ET. John is also a host on classic rock channels CLASSIC VINYL // 14 and THE VAULT // 16. St. John hosted a six-hour special blues program with Eric Clapton for SIRIUS in March 2004, and has recently interviewed such blues greats as Kim Wilson, Tower of Power, Charlie Musselwhite and Bo Diddley for SIRIUS BLUES.


Liquid Todd
One of the original tastemakers in the American electronic music scene, Liquid Todd is probably best known as the award-winning host of ³Solid State,² New York¹s first-ever Saturday night electronic show (10pm to 2am ET on 92.3 K-ROCK), now in its seventh year. Liquid Todd also programs and hosts ³The Liquid Todd Show² Fridays 9pm to midnight ET on ALT NATION // 21. Todd also consults for SIRIUS and was one of the developers of the new, critically acclaimed CHILL // 64 channel.


Seth Rudetsky
Writer/performer Seth Rudetsky, weeknight host from 6pm to midnight ET on BROADWAY¹S BEST // 77, has played piano or conducted more than a dozen Broadway shows, including ³The Producers,² ³Mamma Mia² and ³The Phantom of the Opera.² He wrote and starred in his own off-Broadway comedy called ³Rhapsody in Seth,² for which he won a Playbill Leading Man award. He was nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work as a comedy writer on TV¹s ³The Rosie O¹Donnell Show.²


Jim Kerr
Longtime NYC radio personality Jim Kerr can be heard on two SIRIUS channels: NEW COUNTRY // 31 on weekdays from 6am to 12 pm ET, and weekends on Œ60s VIBRATIONS // 6. Kerr spent a successful 15 years at WPLJ-FM, where he was the youngest person in New York radio history hosting mornings. He also held down morning duties at additional tri-state area radio stations including WYNY, WMXV-FM, WQCD-FM, and Y107. Kerr also spent five years as the permanent substitute host of the ³Rush Limbaugh Show² and frequently hosted programs on NY¹s WOR and WABC radio stations.


Richard Blade
Richard is the 3pm to 9pm ET host of SIRIUS¹ classic alternative channel FIRST WAVE // 22. Within a few months of landing his first American radio gig in Los Angeles, the UK-born Blade became the #1 Arbitron-rated radio personality on the West Coast. Blade went on to build a successful career as a radio and TV personality, as well as an actor. In addition to hosting ABC's "Countdown to the AMA's," "Video One" and others, he's appeared in the TV classic "Square Pegs" and the film ³Girls Just Want to Have Fun.²


MC Lyte
For 13 years, MC Lyte (born Lana Moorer) has been a leading female rap star. She hosts 12pm to 6pm on weekends on HOT JAMZ // 50 on SIRIUS, and has been part of the SIRIUS on-air lineup since before its 2002 launch. MC Lyte was one of the first female rappers to point out the sexism and misogyny that runs rampant in hip-hop, often addressing the subject head on in the lyrics of her songs, which helped open the door for such future artists as Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott.

Meg Griffin
Meg Griffin is Format Manager for SIRIUS DISORDER // 24, which she also hosts from 12pm to 6pm ET weekdays, and for FOLK TOWN // 38, which she hosts from 6am to 12pm ET. Griffin has worked for New York City stations WNEW, K-ROCK, WFUV and others. She's also been an on-camera host on VH1 and hosted a series of live shows at the Bottom Line in Greenwich Village.

This Week’s Costas : Actor Kevin Kline, actress Phylicia Rashad (a recent Tony winner for "A Raisin in the Sun") and musician David Byrne head the guest list on the season finale of HBO's critically acclaimed “On the Record with Bob Costas,” debuting Friday, June 18, 2004 at 11 p.m. on HBO. This episode concludes the 45-minute talk show’s 12-week run.

Must-See Movie:

Eli Pariser MoveOn PAC Wednesday, June 16, 2004, sent this out:

Fahrenheit 9/11 isn't just the most powerful and complete indictment of the Bush administration that I've ever seen - it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's a knockout blow: a poignant, darkly funny film that deftly interweaves footage of the President, his allies, and the Americans his policies betrayed. As Fox News' reviewer put it, the movie "is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty - and at the same time an indictment of stupidity and avarice." (See http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122680,00.html for the full review.)

Despite years of television coverage on Iraq and the war on terror, most of the movie consists of footage you'd never see on TV. There are heart-breaking interviews with troops in Iraq, chilling scenes of the civilian consequences of that war, and footage of Bush so candid and revealing that it's hard to imagine how Moore got his hands on it. In one unforgettable scene from the morning of September 11th, Bush blithely reads a children's book to a classroom of kids for seven long minutes after his chief of staff quietly informs him that the second plane has hit the World Trade Center and "we're under attack." The film is filled with this stuff, and it's hard to imagine seeing it and not being moved, shocked, and outraged.

Fahrenheit 9/11 opens with footage of Bush administration officials putting on their TV makeup. Paul Wolfowitz sticks his comb in his mouth, slathers it with spit, brushes it through his hair, and grins a toothy grin. Colin Powell eyes the camera nervously as a makeup artist dusts his face. And, moments before President Bush goes on TV to somberly announce the beginning of the Iraq war, we see him goofing around, making funny faces at the folks behind the camera.

These candid portraits encapsulate the genius of Moore's documentary. Compared to his other films, there's little pranking or moralizing. Moore basically stays out of the picture: he doesn't have to indict the Bush administration, because with powerful and indisputable video, Bush and the rest indict themselves.

As Moore unravels Bush's story, he joins it with the stories of the real Americans who have shouldered the burden of the post-9/11 war policy. In Flint, Michigan, we hear from a group of inner-city kids whose only option for education and a better life is to enlist in the Army - and then, in a scene that's both humorous and deeply creepy, join two Marine recruiters as they case a local mall for possible enlistees. We watch a California peace group that was infiltrated by the local police department under the Patriot Act. And, in the final heartbreaking scenes, we witness the pain of a mother who lost her son in Iraq.

In the hands of other directors, the content could easily feel exploitative. But Moore is grounded by a patriotism that rings through every frame of the film. Compassion and love of country give the film its striking authenticity: it's clear that what stings most about the President's behavior, for the subjects of the film, is Bush's betrayal of our country's soul.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a film with the power to change hearts and minds. It's brilliant, funny, moving, and authentic. And together, we can make it a huge success.

Watch the trailer and pledge to see the film opening night at:

http://www.moveonpac.org/f911/?id=2948-1547258-xva_fZ2eyRIuqIPzEFwMQw

additional reviews:

Roger Ebert, "Less is Moore in subdued, effective '9/11'," Chicago Sun Times, May 18, 2004
"Despite these dramatic moments, the most memorable footage for me involved President Bush on Sept. 11. [Ebert goes on to describe the scene.] The look on his face as he reads the book, knowing what he knows, is disquieting."
http://www.suntimes.com/output/eb-feature/cst-ftr-cannes18.html

Mary Corliss, "A First Look at "Fahrenheit 9/11," Time Magazine Online, May 17, 2004
Corliss calls the film, "Moore’s own War on Error."
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,638819,00.html

Frank Rich, "Beautiful Minds and Ugly Truths," International Herald Tribune, May 21, 2004
"'Fahrenheit 9/11' is not the movie Moore watchers, fans or foes, were expecting. (If it were, the foes would find it easier to ignore.)"
http://www.iht.com/articles/521066.html



Stylish Gatherings:

Iman honored the designer by wearing a dress of his own design at the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2004 Fashion Show held at Cipriani in NYC. She wore a deep green satin halter fitted gown with a bandeau of lime green at the torso. Stunning.

At the Mizrahi show, Bebe Neuwirth chose black silk satin -- a Nanette Lepore blouse, Dolce & Gabbana skirt and Aerosoles shoes (she opted for stylish comfort!).

Gayle King was in the colors of spring, in a black-and-white geometric Narciso Rodriguez sleeveless sheath at the Ziegfield Theater in NYC for "Fahrenheit 9/11" Special New York Screening.

Fashionista Chloe Sevigny (at "Fahrenheit 9/11" ) was also in black-and-white, by Yves St. Laurent. Sevigny’s was more of a black-linen sleeveless shirt dress with white button accents and white tie up the ankle espadrilles. She carried a curiously eccentric vintage green snakeskin evening bag with a gold chain handle.

Linda Evangelista had a cel phone and digital camera as accessories, as she wore a Jil Sander beige linen jacket, over a dark t-shirt and jeans at “Farenheit.”

At Capitale, Denise Rich wore a frilly, flowery silk floral printed Ungaro (black background, with silver and lavender accents) for the 10th Annual Michael Awards Benefiting the National Childrens Leukemia Foundation.

At that same event, a very flashy Janice Dickenson (whose former beau, Edward Tricomi cut our hair recently), wore a two-tone half turquoise half canary gold halter dress (60s inspired cocktail ensemble), with a wide buckled canary yellow belt.

Star Jones chose a vibrant lime-green Carmen Marc Valvo ensemble that included a cotton strappy tank and a mult-hued knee-length straight skirt. Her impressive gold necklace coordinated with her frilly gold sandals and she carried a yellowish lime green purse that somewhat went with the rest of the outfit.

A toweringly tall Karolina Kurkova chose a deep purple Rowland Mouret with an asymmetrical tie neckline and so sleekly fitted, it hugged her curves (she does have some, slender as she is).

Judith Leiber clutches continue to be a favorite among celebs: Sarah Jessica Parker carried one at the Fifi Awards, the Judith Leiber Tuxedo Pleat Clutch in alligator $4,195 and Catherine Zeta-Jones toted one at the New York Premiere of Terminal-Judith Leiber Crystal Bean Clutch $745.

At the “Dodgeball” premiere in Los Angeles last night, actor Brad Rowe, green bandana do-rag on his head, showed his political inclinations with a white long-sleeved shirt declaring John Kerry as his presidential candidate. You go, Brad.

As we noted a couple of days ago, Christine Taylor (star of “Dodgeball,” wife of Ben Stiller) is looking too no-carby, what used to be called “painfully thin.” She wore a gold sleeveless sheath to the premiere with a dangle bead matching purse, and gold sandals that criss-crossed at the ankle.

Tanya Tucker was in NYC yesterday, promoting and signing her new book "Music Row Dogs and Nashville Cats.” The singer wore a fitted ivory lace top, gave a little shout out to her country roots with a narrow suede fringed belt. The skirt was simple, long and also ivory.

The latest “it” girl, Paris Hilton was out at David Letterman earlier in the day yesterday wearing a champagne silk dress, her hair up. That evening, she was at MTV, in a turquoise dress, her long locks down, showing off new bangs. Both were photo ops and she was photo ready.

New HBO Comedy: HBO knows its comedy. Hell, HBO knows its series – they do it exceedingly well. Here’s a look at its latest, “Entourage.” Vince is a sexy young movie star whose career is just taking off. To share the fun of the ride and keep him grounded, Vince looks to Eric, Drama and Turtle, his longtime pals from Queens. Together, they share the highs and lows of life in the fast lane of Hollywood, where the stakes are higher, and the money and temptations greater, than ever before.

From executive producer Mark Wahlberg, the new eight-episode comedy series “Entourage” kicks off Sunday, July 18, 2004 at 10 p.m. on HBO. It’ll be followed by other episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time, immediately following new episodes of "Six Feet Under" – what a great lead-in! Wahlberg also makes a cameo appearance in the first episode of the show, which draws on the experiences of industry insiders.

Adrian Grenier (who we at BeansTalk love -- "Drive Me Crazy," "Hart's War") stars as Vince, who slips easily into stardom. Kevin Connolly ("Antwone Fisher," "John Q") plays Eric, who's learning the rules of Hollywood as he tries to help Vince make the right choices. Kevin Dillon ("The Doors," "Platoon") plays Vince's half-brother Drama, whose own acting aspirations have been eclipsed by Vince's success. Jerry Ferrara ("Grounded for Life," "Leap of Faith") plays Turtle, the least experienced of the group, who's always up for a good time. Jeremy Piven ("Old School," "The Larry Sanders Show") plays Ari, Vince's aggressive, high-powered agent, who clashes with Eric over his client's decisions.

Also appearing are Debi Mazar ("The Tuxedo") as Vince's publicist Shauna, Samaire Armstrong ("The O.C.") as Ari's assistant Emily, and Monica Keena (who we think doesn't work enough -- she's great! -- "Undeclared") as Eric's ex-girlfriend Kristen.

In addition to Mark Wahlberg, cameo appearances include Jessica Alba, Gary Busey, David Faustino, Sara Foster, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman.

Filmed at Hollywood locations, “Entourage” is created by Doug Ellin ("Kissing a Fool," "Life with Bonnie"), who also writes for the series. Other writers include Larry Charles (HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld"), Stephen Levinson and Rob Weiss. Among the directors are Dan Attias (HBO's "The Sopranos"), Adam Bernstein ("Scrubs," HBO's "Oz"), Julian Farino ("Flesh and Blood") and David Frankel (HBO's "Band of Brothers" and "Sex and the City").

Episode 1: Hollywood "It" actor Vince Chase basks in adulation at his latest movie premiere, joined by childhood pals Eric, Drama and Turtle. Meanwhile, Eric, Vince's de facto manager, incurs the wrath of Vince's agent Ari by advising Vince to pass on a script he hasn't even read. On the domestic security front, Turtle agrees to test the mettle of the entourage's new guard dog, a Rottweiler named Ahnold.

Episode 2: To take his mind off a bad review, Vince ramps up his already-excessive spending by leasing a new Rolls-Royce. Ari urges Vince to get a "real" manager, causing a wounded Eric to do some soul-searching; Drama skips an acting class to join Vince and the entourage at a wild party hosted by actress Jessica Alba.

Episode 3: After meeting Jimmy Kimmel at a boxing after-party, Vince agrees to appear on his show - despite a long-standing rift between Kimmel and Drama. Eric and Kristen share a long good-bye; Ari puts the full-court press on Sarah Silverman; and Luke Wilson tells Turtle how to score a free home-theater system for Vince.

“Entourage” is created by Doug Ellin; executive produced by Mark
Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Doug Ellin and Larry Charles; co-executive producer, Timothy Marx; co-producer, Rob Weiss.

MONOLATORS!: From the awesome about-to-be-parents 2/3rds of the Monolators (That would be Eli and Mary Chartoff):

First, our new album has just arrived. It will be available on CDBaby.com in the next week. You can listen NOW at our website. Check it!
http://www.themonolators.com/audiovideo/

Second, if you really want the raw live experience of our shows, you can listen to a live set that we did with No-Fi Magazine about a week ago. It contains the first recording of our song "Let's Be Best Friends In Space" from our forth coming EP of the same name. If you haven't read the article on the No-Fi site, browse it while you listen and check out Mary's hugeness.
http://www.nofimagazine.com/nfradio.htm
http://www.nofimagazine.com/monolatint.htm

Love Those Weitzmans: Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman announces his 4th Annual Stuart Weitzman Celebrity Breast Cancer Awareness Shoe Auction.

This year he’s has invited Hillary Duff, Paula Abdul,Christina Aguilera, among others, to decorate a stiletto shoe and along with an autograph picture to be auctioned off on Stuart Weitzman’s web site, www.stuartweitzman.com starting throughout the month of October. All money raised will go to established organizations that fund breast-cancer research.

In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the shoes and autographed photos will be on public display in the New York, Beverly Hills and Boston Stuart Weitzman store windows.

Breast cancer is the No. 2 killer of women today. This year 1,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 of them will die.

Some of the stars decorating a Weitzman pump include:

Hilary Duff
Paula Abdhul
Pam Tillis
Alison Krauss
Tanya Tucker
Luciano Pavorati
Kimberly Locke of American Idol
Christina Augulara

Duran2 Replay: The original members of Duran Duran -- Simon LeBon (vocals), Andy Taylor (guitar), John Taylor (bass), Roger Taylor (drums) and Nick Rhodes (keyboards) -- have announced the impending release of their first new album together since 1983's multi-platinum 'Seven & the Ragged Tiger.' Epic Records will release the as-yet-untitled record worldwide in October 2004.


Writing in the south of France and recording at Sphere Studios in
London, the band members are currently working with producers Rich Harrison (Mary J.. Blige, Alicia Keyes, Beyonce, Usher) and Don Gilmore (Good Charlotte, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, Sugar Ray), thereby drawing on a unique combination of R&B and alternative rock experience.

The poignant "What Happens Tomorrow" and the electric/rock “Sunrise” (a version of which was featured on the “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” soundtrack), both of which the band members have played live since reuniting in 2003, are slated for inclusion on the new album. Other song highlights include the moody, noirish "Still Breathing" and the mischievous "Bedroom Toys." Stylistically adventurous, the album showcases the diverse influences and abilities of each band member, blending brash rock guitar with slick synths and LeBon's distinctive lyrics and melodies.

The album will also feature a one hour bonus DVD including live
Footage shot over two nights at London’s Wembley Arena this past spring and exclusive behind-the-scenes video.

The announcement comes on the heels of a remarkable run of seventeen sold-out arena dates in the UK and Ireland and a victory at the BRIT Awards where the band members were honored for their "Outstanding Contribution to Music." They've also received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York and the Q Magazine Awards in London in the past year.


"When we decided to reunite, the first thing we did was head to France to test our chemistry. It became really clear that the magic was still there,” explains LeBon. “Since then, playing together live has cemented it. We've really rediscovered an incredible musical relationship."


In 2003, Duran Duran celebrated their 25th anniversary.

Prime Suspect Returns : Internationally acclaimed actress and two-time Academy Award nominee Helen Mirren (Calendar Girls, Gosford Park) stars as tough-talking Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison in BBC AMERICA’s latest addition to Mystery Mondays, Prime Suspect, starting August 9, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Set against a seedy backdrop of prostitution, pornography, sickening abuse, serial killings and abduction, three seasons of the multi-award winning drama make their channel premiere on BBC AMERICA this summer.

Winner of the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding mini-series, the third season of Prime Suspect sees Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jane Tennison transferred to a new station with the job of “cleaning up the streets” of London’s Soho. But it’s not long before Jane and her new team find themselves involved in the dark world of vice, investigating the mystery of a young male prostitute, burnt to death in the apartment of a frightened transsexual.

In the fourth season of the critically acclaimed drama, Jane Tennison finds herself newly promoted to Detective Superintendent (DS), assigned to spearhead a number of major inquiries including the death of a baby, copycat killings and the death of a manager at an exclusive suburban country club.

And in the Emmy Award-winning fifth season, Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison finds herself relocated to Manchester to investigate a drug related murder. Encountering a corrupt reprobate who rules over the local crime scene and believing him to be her prime suspect, Jane discovers her every move in the investigation anticipated – but how?

Final “Coupling” : Winner of the prestigious Silver Rose of Montreux, Best TV Comedy Award and recent winner at the 2003 British Comedy Awards, the season finale of Coupling premieres Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with another chance to see the entire fourth season in an encore presentation, Sundays staring July 18, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Brought together by the relationship between two of the six friends – Steve (Jack Davenport, Pirates of the Caribbean) and Susan (Sarah Alexander) – the award-winning comedy about love, lust and everything in between navigates the treacherous waters of modern day romance, made all the more complicated by the baggage of best friends, exes, and potential lovers.

As Susan goes into labor, Steve swings into action – doing his best to remain unruffled even though Susan’s determination to have a natural childbirth tests his physical and mental strength.

Even Jeff makes a return from the Greek islands for the big event, but there’s something definitely different about him…

Sally (Kate Issitt) is troubled by a secret from Patrick’s (Ben Miles) past and can’t resist opening up a box labeled: “Sally, don’t look in this box.” Meanwhile, Oliver (Richard Mylan) and Jane (Gina Belman) look to go one step further, but can the life-long losers in love finally get it together?

As the new season of Coupling wraps up, find out if Steve is prepared to be a father or will he always be “epidural man”? Has Jane finally met her match in Oliver? Can Sally forgive and forget? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…

No Savior : Two disturbing murders… no motive – so begins a complex and shattering story of treachery and revenge in BBC AMERICA’s two-part original psychological thriller, Messiah. Part one premieres Monday, July 26, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET, 9:20 p.m. PT, concluding Monday, August 2, 2004 at 9 p.m. ET, 9:20 p.m. PT.

Critically acclaimed Ken Stott (The Vice, The Singing Detective) stars as Detective Chief Inspector Red Metcalfe, a brilliant detective who once turned in his own brother for murder. Ten years later, Red has earned a reputation for his impressive ability to get into the minds of killers – but two disturbing murders on the same day spark the most baffling and damaging case of his career. Both killings bear the murderer’s trademark – as do the grisly deaths that follow – the victim’s tongue is cut out and a silver spoon is inserted in their mouth.

As the killings mount up, Red is taunted by the fact that he can find no motive, no pattern – nothing to connect the victims apart from the killer’s grisly trademark:

May 1 – Philip Blake, caterer, Fulham, West London. Hanged.
May 1 – James Perch, bishop, Wandsworth, South West London. Bludgeoned to death.
July 25 – James Buxton, soldier, Putney, South West London. Decapitated.
August 24 – Bart Miller, tanner, Wapping, East London. Skinned alive.
September 21 – Matthew Fox, civil servant, Hackney, North East London. Killed with a machete.

But the killings continue and cracks begin to appear in Red’s handpicked team – young fast-tracker Jez (Jamie Draven, Billy Elliot), newcomer Kate (Frances Grey, Murder in Mind, Vanity Fair) and cynical Duncan (Neil Dudgeon, Mrs. Bradley’s Mysteries, Common as Muck).

As the murderer stays effortlessly ahead, killing seemingly random victims in new and ever more creative ways, it becomes clear that Red is confronted with evil beyond even his own experience. When a pattern at last starts to emerge, what began as a murder hunt turns into Red’s worst nightmare…

Messiah is a Louise Mickery adaptation of Boris Starling’s best-selling novel of the same name, directed by Diarmuid Lawrence. It is produced by Louise Berridge with executive producers Robert Cooper, James Dowaliby and Kate Triggs. It is a BBC Northern Ireland and Paramount International Television Production in association with Messiah Films.

BeansTalk Note: Today the company's/newsletter's namesake has his final day of first grade -- summer officially has begun for us. But he'll be taking "Math Mania" (his choice, seriously) for summer school starting newt week. He's happy to note that his buddies Michael (from Tae Kwon Do) and Ruby (from school) will also be in the class. Bean's also going to be taking swim lessons since a recent pool safety article we did was absolutely terrifying.

Today the BeansTalk Newsletter takes a look at some of the latest products in fashion and beauty, among our other “regular” features.

Ladies Lingerie : Angelina Jolie and Paris Hilton are among the fans of Honeydew Intimates, which includes matching sets or separates with boy shorts, bralettes, camisoles, g-strings, thongs and pajama pairs in mesh, knits, microfiber and cotton. Retails from $8 to $30, at Fred Segal, Macys West. Check out www.honeydewintimates.com

Bustin’ A Cellulite Move: If you’re in Santa Barbara, Calif. You might want to check out the six-week Cellulite Buster Program at the Avia Spa. The program “facilitates fat loss thorugh a four-pronged approach combining Ionithermie treatments, Ionithermie products, instruction on nutrition and diet, and exercise for overall toning and strengthening.” During the six-weeks, there’s unlimited yoga and exercise classes, Thai Boxing and Yoga dance, too. Visit www.aviaspa.com for more details.

The Old Bamboo (Remember that from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?”): The recently debuted line Spa Sciences introduces White Tea & Bamboo Extracts Mask, “a professional-quality cloth mask that’s pre-formed and ready to use, and continues accelerator ingredients for maximum penetration into the skin and longer retention of benefits.” It includes, notes the company: Potent White Tea Extract (a potent anti-oxidant) which neutralizes free radicals caused by environmental pollutants, sunlight and carbon monoxide, which damage collagen, elastin and crucial skin elements; Bamboo Extracts and Aloe provide smoothing and wrinkle-reducing benefits; Hyaluronic Acid brings the skin’s moisture level up, delivering key nutrients and leaving cells plumped and vital. Three masks retail for $11.95. www.spasciences.com (products can also be found at Target, Eckerd, Ulta and Harmon stores).

Triple Treat: 3Lab combines three laboratories and three chemists and have the “Perfect Skin Care Collection.” The latest additions to the line are “One Perfect Soap” (retails $10) and “The Perfect Cream” (retails $160 for 2 oz.). For more info, visit www.3lab.com, or www.cosmeric.com.

PJ Party?: One of the cutest PJ lines out now is the P.J. Salvage line. They’re currently showing their fall/holiday 2004 line up. Fans include Scarlet Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Debra Messing, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Garner, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Katie Holmes and Destiny’s Child. The line is very popular on TV series. Retails for $17 to $110. Cute prints include Hollywood, Lasso, Pigs Can’t Fly, Kitty Cats, Movie Stars, Paws and more. More info: www.pjsalvage.com

Family Secrets: We had a chance to see HBO’s “Heir to an Execution” last night and highly recommend it. While it skips over the basic historical facts (and assumes that viewers have at least a basic familiarity with the story), it’s the touching and wholly earnest attempt of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg’s granddaughter, Ivy Meeropol to find out what really happened (the Rosenbergs executed as traitors in 1953 after being accused of relaying the secret of the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union). The six-year effort was a 2004 Sundance Film Festival selection. They left behind two young children, Ivy’s father Michael and his brother, Robert. When neither the Greenglass (Ethel’s family) or the Rosenberg families would take in the boys while their parents were imprisoned and later executed by the electric chair, they were adopted by NY intellectuals the Meeropols (and had a happy life with them). Meeropol interviews both her father and uncle, associates of her parents and experts on the case. Interviewing old footage and new, she presents to the audience what she herself is uncovering – that her grandparents were deeply in love, deeply committed to their political causes, deeply committed to their children. Ultimately, Ethel (resoundingly innocent) gave up her life for the love of her husband. It’s also revealed that they opted out of a chance for a reprieve because they didn’t want to name names of their associates (and it is discovered that while they were innocent of the crime they were executed for, Julius Rosenberg was actually a spy). It’s informative, moving and captivating. HBO’s synopsis can be found here: http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/heir/synopsis.html.

“Extreme” Injustice? : With the bevy and popularity of make-over shows (and the recent article BeansTalk did for a national magazine), it was interesting to note in today’s news that author Diana Locke (who’s written two books on plastic surgery and is considered an expert) has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Endeavor Agency, talent agent Sean Perry, producer Howard Schultz and his company Lighthearted Entertainment (of the TV series "Extreme Makeover", charging they stole her idea for a show on the experiences surrounding plastic surgery and sold it to ABC for a reality show. She says that she pitched the idea back in 2001.

Summer of the King On Monday, June 21, 2004, the digitally re-mastered Elvis '68: Comeback Special, featuring previously unreleased footage, will debut on the big screen as an exclusive, coast-to-coast, one-night-only movie theatre screening.

The oncert event, which marked Elvis' famed comeback, originally
aired on December 3, 1968 as an NBC television special. Now, using
today's state-of-the-art digital technology, the concert will be shown as a 100-minute nationwide premiere on the big screen with cinema surround sound at select REG theatres on the eve of the June 22nd release of:

* Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - Deluxe Edition DVD, a three-disc set containing seven hours of Elvis concert footage and
* ELVIS, Aloha from Hawaii - Deluxe Edition DVD, a two-disc set featuring all the performance material from Elvis' historic concert event seen in more than 40 countries by 1.5 billion people on its initial airdate in 1973.

The Elvis: '68 Comeback Special is presented by Regal CineMediaSM (RCM)entertainment services, BMG Strategic Marketing Group, AEG Live and AEG TV in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Advance tickets are available now at participating box offices and online at www.Regalcm.com for $12.50. Day-of-show ticket price is $15.

In the Los Angeles area, the show is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Edwards Long Beach 26 located at 7501 East Carson Blvd. in Long Beach, CA Elvis: '68 Comeback Special big screen events will be shown at select Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres nationwide, Monday, June 21, 2004 at 7 p.m. (local time).

CITY, STATE THEATRE
Abingdon, MD Regal Bel Air Cinema Stadium
Albany, NV Regal Crossgates
Albuquerque, NM UA Cottonwood Theatre Stadium
Atlanta, GA Regal Perimeter Pointe
Austin, TX Regal Metropolitan
Butler, PA Regal Moraine Pointe Cinema
Birmingham, AL Regal Trussville
Columbus, OH Regal Georgesville Square
Denver, CO UA Denver Pavilions
Emeryville, CA UA Emery Bay Stadium
Fort Wayne, IN Regal Coldwater Crossing
Garner, NC UA Garner Towne Square
Glen Allen, VA Regal Virginia Center
Greenville, SC Regal Hollywood Stadium
Harrisburg, PA Regal Harrisburg Stadium
Houston, TX Edwards Houston Marq*E Stadium
Indianapolis, IN UA Galaxy Stadium
Irvine, CA Edwards Long Beach
Knoxville, TN Regal West Town Mall Stadium
Las Vegas. NV Regal Village Square Stadium
Lincolnshire, IL Regal Lincolnshire Stadium
Lexington, KY Regal Hamburg Pavilion
Minneapolis. MN Regal Brooklyn Center Stadium
Nashville, TN Regal Opry Mills
New York, NY Regal Union Square Stadium
Norfolk, VA Regal Macarthur Center
Oklahoma City, OK Regal Crossroads Mall Stadium
Philadelphia, PA UA Riverview Plaza Stadium
Portage, MN UA Crossroads
Portland, OR Regal Lloyd Center Stadium
Sacramento, CA Regal Natomas Marketplace Stadium
San Antonio, TX Regal Cielo Vista Stadium
San Diego, CA UA Horton Plaza
Scottsdale, AZ UA Scottsdale Pavilions
Seattle, WA Regal Bella Botega 11 Cinema
Solon, OH Regal Solon Commons Cinema
Spokane, WA Regal Northtown Mall Stadium
St. Louis, MO Regal St. Louis Mills Stadium
Sunrise, Fl Regal Sawgrass
Tampa, Fl Regal Citrus Park Stadium
Westbury, NY UA Westbury Stadium
Williamsville, NY Regal Transit Center

Vassar Man: Phil Vassar is preparing for the release of his third Arista Nashville album while the collection's first single rises up the charts.

"In A Real Love," the first release from the as-yet untitled album, earned Breaker status on this week's Radio & Records Country Top 50 Singles chart. The song moves into the top 30 in only its sixth week. Vassar, meanwhile, is expected to complete the album this month in advance of a planned September release. Taking a different approach in the studio, Vassar used his own band on much of the records rather than the familiar Nashville studio players.

The aim was to tap his strength as a vocalist and musician by recreating the live sound that has earned fan support and widespread critical acclaim. Some songs feature only Vassar's vocals and piano playing. Songwriting legend Jimmy Webb says of Vassar, "Phil Vassar is an awesome pianist, performer and songwriter. He is not a man to cross keyboards with. Hear that, Billy Joel, Elton John and whoever!"

Vassar maintains a full touring schedule, with between 110 and 120 dates scheduled over the course of the year. He's currently out doing fairs and festivals, and plans are in the works for a late fall headlining tour of theaters. Upcoming dates include:

June 13: Parrot Island, Baltimore
June 16: Symphony Center, Dallas
June 18: H'town's Arena Theater, Houston
June 19: Whittington Park, Greenwood, MS
June 24: Milwaukee Summerfest, Milwaukee
June 25: Star Spangled Celebration, Richland Center, WI
June 27: Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI
July 2: Rocky Mountain Stampede, Greeley, CO

”Beauty”ful Death : Following its UK release, Virgin Records will domestically release They Died For Beauty, the debut album from San Ilya (known as Ilya abroad). The single 'Bellissimo,' is currently featured in Revlon's television and long-form movie theater commercials starring Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Jaime King and Eva Mendes – which you will not have missed if you’ve been to the movies in the last couple of months. They Died For Beauty will be released on July
27, 2004.

They Died For Beauty Tracks:

1. Bellissimo
2. Quattra Neon
3. Bliss
4. Heavenly
5. Soleil Soleil
6. Pretty Baby
7. All For Melody
8. Happy And Weak
9. They Died For Beauty

Diana Krall Tour! : Diana Krall, riding high on the success of her new RIAA Gold album “The Girl in the Other Room,” will embark on a 34-date tour to celebrate the release of the CD this Saturday, June 19, 2004, in Philadelphia, PA. The tour will wrap up in New York City on August 24th. She’ll headline a benefit for the MMRF (Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation) on September 11, 2004
at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco in memory of her mother who passed away from the disease in May 2002. For more information on the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, visit www.multiplemyeloma.org.

Who’s Wearing What: Paris Hilton wore a cocktail dress by Pamella Roland to the Fox New Season Launch Party on Friday night. The hotel heiress chose a vibrant coral reef print jersey dress from the Pamella Roland Spring 2004 collection.

The hot party at CineVegas 2004 seems to have been the Vegas Magazine and Cadillac Host the Opening Night Party for CineVegas, held June 11, 2004 - Caesar's Palace. A bevy of beauties were there, including Courtney Peldon in a fire red halter mini, Daisy Fuentes in skin-tight jeans and super sexy floral print halter top, Lake Bell in a Pat Benatar-inspired black and hot pink striped spandex dress, as well as legends Dean Stockwell and Dennis Hopper – who lit up stogies together.

Magazines may be speculating about Lindsay Lohan’s romance with “That ‘70s Show’s” Wilmer Valderrama (she’s underage! He has to wait until she’s 18! And other salacious commentary), but she was awfully pretty in a empire waist, halter topped, loose fitting 60s influenced soft baby blue dress at the London premiere of “Mean Girls” (which, if you haven’t seen it, is quite funny, even though it does get unruly in the middle).

Dennis Quaid, in a casual linen blazer was looking, uh, rather “refreshed” on the red carpet premiere of “Around the World in 80 Days.” Star Jackie Chan had a fantastic Chinese themed outfit on, with a white silk Madarin collared shirt under a blue-and-white floral patterned Mandarin collared jacket and white pants.

Our friend Kathy Najimy was at A Voice For A Choice June 13, 2004 at G Lounge (she’s doing her show there – if you’re in NYC, you MUST check it out). Najimy looked very pretty in a simple forest green dress – she made a speech, too. T-shirts for the group read “WAX BUSH VOTE 2004” how clever is that? We want one of those t-shirts. Buying Wax Bush T shirts helps support the documentary to get the word out about choice! Legend Gloria Steinem was at the event, too. Texas born and raised director Andrea Buchanan spoke about how this current American Government will end a woman's right to choose and Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood, talked about the need for a new US President who will help protect a woman's rights.

It was a kind of Hollywood’s Hot at Maxim Magazine Hot 100 Party in celebration of the Grand Opening of Body English, In the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 12, 2004 – at – where else? The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. All those who frequent the party scene were there: Danny Masterson, Cris Judd, Paris Hilton (in a hot pink 20s-style beaded low-waisted dress), Nicole Richie, Dave Navarro, J.C. Chasez, Howie Dorough, Jared Leto, Adrian Brody, Aaron Paul, Josh Duhamel, Aisha Tyler Matthew Perry, Kelly Hu, Shane West (so ridiculously hip-hopped out, in a tank, navy knit watchman’s cap and surly expression -- he was like his own silly "Stryker" character in "Get Over It"), Seth Green, Simon Rex (who we think is very sweet, in a black fedora), Snoop Dog, and Vince Vaughn. Snoop performed and even “serenaded” Paris Hilton. Even “Pearl Harbor” director Michael Bay flashed faux gang signs for the cameras.

Guy Pearce (who we love) was look scarily like Wilem Dafoe (greasy long hair, unshaven, sunken cheeks) at the Universal Studios premiere of “Two Brothers”… David Duchovny looked the happy maroon t-shirted jeans wearing dad with his two beautiful children…

Toby’s Taliban Tune: Country music singer Toby Keith is on a USO Tour. While visiting and performing for U.S. troops at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan, Keith gained new fans: local Afghanis working at the base.

Sung from the perspective of an average Afghani (how Keith came up with the perspective of the average Afgani is anyone's guess), the song laments the governance of The Taliban. A typical line reads, "Now I ain’t seen my wife's face since they came here/They make her wear a scarf over her head that covers her from ear to ear." The song later has husband issuing the Taliban a derogatory farewell salute.

When Afghanis heard the song at Camp Phoenix, they reacted immediately. They had already purchased Toby's CD "Shock'N Y'all" at the base's PX so they could own a copy of "The Taliban Song," and asked for autographs and pictures with the singer-songwriter.

"They loved the song," says Keith's manager, T.K. Kimbrell, "because it speaks highly of them and poorly of the Taliban. They constantly asked for Toby's autograph, telling us what an awesome song they thought it was." (A BeansTalk note: we had little doubt that Keith's song was going to be anything but deragatory about the Taliban.)

The Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Keith
concludes his USO tour this month, and his 2004 Big Throwdown summer tour presented by Ford Super Duty kicks off July 24, 2004 at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

Really Reagan: From a Sy Hersh speech at University of Chicago: Then a story from one of his intelligence sources, whom Hersh says didn't find it an unflattering story: some time in 1986 or 1987, Reagan was given a long chart presentation of what actually happened with Iran/Contra and began sleeping five minutes in to it, then snoring on Nancy's shoulder. After twenty minutes it was over, the helicopter was fired up for the Friday trip to Camp David, Nancy aroused him, he awoke with a start, glanced at the charts, and asked, "What's that." Sy said something like "That's MY Ronald Reagan."...