The Beat

Amy Winehouse's wild night out

Amy Winehouse has reached the village nutter phase. The person you cross streets to avoid; the one who warn your kids against.

Well, the junkie star could be arrested for attacking two men. At least that's what the reports are claiming .... one look at the pictures and you tend to believe them don't you?

At one of the trendy spots that she visited that night, Amy Winehouse reportedly screamed "'I am a legend, get these people out. I want to take drugs."

Seriously, why is she not hospitalized or in rehab?




Miley Cyrus is acting like any other tween

When Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan started their crazy antics, there was an almost unanimous 'tsk-tsk' from the 'spectators'. When worrying signs of tween celeb Miley Cyrus pops up in the guise of underwear clad pictures and nearly-kissy photos with friends, people jump up to defend. Why the double standards?

Joe Jonas, good buddy of Hannah Montanna star and a young celeb in his own right, he stands up for the tarnished star:

"As much as they say no one's perfect and everybody makes their mistakes, I think it's the way you handle it and come out of it [in] the proper and respectful way,"

Backed by a mogul like Disney and with fiercely conservative roots, there's much at stake here. What can you say, money talks.



Connor Cruise's big movie debut

In other teeny bopper news, Couch-Jumper Cruise's eldest kid is going to make his big break into movies.

At the age of thriteen, Connor Cruise is all set to make a name for himself. Of course, I'm sure it helps to have friends in high places; the rising celeb child is set to star as the younger version of Will Smith in an upcoming movie, "Seven Pounds".

Sounds like something out of Merchant of Venice, doesn't it?


Paris Banned from Hotel

Not another one. Paris Hilton has been banned from yet another hotel. Apparently during her recent stay at the Hyatt Hotel, the 'famous-for-wrong-reasons' star went a little bit crazy with a permanent marker in the prestigious presidential suite.

To that effect, she wrote "Paris Moscow 2008" in the $16 000 per night suite.

Yes, much as she might have adoring fans all over the world this might not be a fancy titbit that hotel managers want to boast about.

Imagine the reactions of traveling business folks and diplomatic delegates - "Ohh, Paris was in this suite. Egads can we swap rooms, who know what she home vid she shot in here".

An update on the Megan Williams case

As of 13th March 2008, both Karen Burton and Frankie Brewster received sentences for their role in torture, assault and kidnapping of Megan Williams.

Burton " ... received separate 2-10 year sentences for malicious assault and assault during the commission of a felony and 10 years for the civil rights charge". Brewster's sentence was a 10-25 years for second-degree sexual assault.

Seven people were arrested in Logan County connection with the rape, sexual assault, torture and kidnapping of Megan Williams. They were Frankie Brewster, her son, Bobby R. Brewster, Karen Burton, her daughter Alisha Burton, George A. Messer and Danny J. Combs.

In February, Alisha Burton and George Messer were handed 10 year sentences for their role in the Megan Williams case.

As for the rest of the guilty party, Bobby Brewster and Danny Combs are awaiting felony charges. Linnie Burton Jr. was indicted on a misdemeanor battery charge.

So far, all those who had been convicted have pleaded guilty in court.

They pleaded guilty for a racially motivated, heinous crime; it seems too lenient to let them off with prison sentences that could amount to 10 years. Especially after hearing the graphic details of torture and assault on Megan Williams.

For instance, Frankie Brewster can apply for parole in 10 years, and Karen Burton in six and a half years!

We are talking about a group of people who brutally violated the rights of another human being! Not only did this group of misfits viciously beat Williams but they also used racial slurs at her; they tried to cut off her foot; whipped and forced to work in their garden; raped by male culprits and sexually violated by some of the women. The list goes on.

Thus, it hardly seems right that lesser pleas were accepted. It is an affront to the victim and her family. Numerous news agencies noted the distress on the side of the family, on hearing the light sentences.

"I just believe he (prosecutor Brian Abraham) shouldn't have plea bargained with any of them," said Williams' mother, Carmen, after the sentencing. "She (Megan Williams) wanted them to do life."

The good news is, Megan Williams recently received a scholarship to help with her education. A generous two-year $40,000 scholarship for ITT Technical Institute. It's good to know that she's rising above this unfortunate incident and opening new chapters of her life. All the best to a new future!

Yoko Ono Sues Expelled Producers

There's no end to the controversy surrounding the movie Expelled.

Expelled:No Intelligence Allowed is a documentary that claims that scientists and teachers are being prosecuted for believing in Intelligent design. Starring Ben Stein, it covers a variety of topics, from attacking atheists to linking Holocaust to Darwinism.

It has been criticized by many, some claiming that the manner in which Stein presents ideas begins to reflect the same rigidity he seeks to expose - i.e. how can you advocate open-minded science if you use the same tactics.

I will not say anymore about the movie being one of the folks who have not ventured off to view it.

However, it is note worthing the most recent hiccup. Yoko Ono is suing the producers of Expelled because they used the famed "Imagine" song without her permission. Oooh painful blow!

Ono's lawsuit claims the producers did not ask for permission either because they knew they couldn't get it or because they did not want to pay for the rights. It objects to the way "Imagine" is listed in the film's credits, saying it suggested to members of the news media and others that the song's use had been approved.

If you are planning to use a song that implies tolerance and understanding of humanity, be sure to check with the correct authorities. If not, a cease-and-desist order will look so bad on your movie record.

Ali Lohan's Ghostly Start

You almost imagine an ominous voice exclaiming "Let the games begin!". What prompts this cry of impending doom?

According to People, Ali Lohan has started filming for her great big screen debut - Mostly Ghostly. A very ironic title when you recall the number of times this little one has talked about following in her big sis' footsteps? The movie is based on an R.L.Stine book series about a young lad who becomes buddy buddies with a bunch of ghosts.

Time for her to break out of the cocoon? Whether she ends up as a pretty butterfly or a drug-crazed wreck is yet to be seen.

Before you call me an alarmist, do consider that Mama Lohan had a blast with the barely legal daughter in Vegas recently. Well, admittedly they were shooting for their own version of the Big Brother Show (i.e. passed off as the scary title: Living with Lohan). But what with the home schooling and now partying at fun destinations, it's the kinda instances that make you nudge your neighbor and go "tut tut" in disapproving gossipy tones.






Did I mention the recent rumor that Baby Lohan might have undergone plastic surgery?

The Sun posted a very telling picture of her; contacts, fuller lips, highlighted hair.

Apparently Dina is just fine with underage children using the "knife" to improve self-esteem.At this rate, the emotional wellbeing of Lohan child no.2 doesn't look very good!

Baz Lurhmann's new flick

This one's for Baz Luhrmann fans. The quirky and creative director is working on his next work of art, which is all set to release in November this year.

Starring Nicole Kidman and the one and only Wolverine (Hugh Jackman in real life), the movie Australia will be, well set in Australia.

It's one of those epic stories; fight against evil villains, run off and survive a crazy desert setting, be sure to watch out for WWII bombings and then fall in love against all odds. Sounds predictable? It's Luthrmann, this storyline will not be a cliché again.

Other than, the flick also boasts familiar faces like 300's David Wenham, Essie Davis from Charlotte's Web and Bryan Brown from Along Came Polly.

Check out the official website for more pictures and updates!

New Racy Pictures of Miley Ray Cyrus!!

Is Miley Ray Cyrus the latest addition to the teen drama queen title?

Nah, she has not thrown a hissy fit in an adult porn shop (i.e Mickey Mouse Spears) or pursued her personal assistant on the highway (Ms. I'm Making a Comeback Lohan).

But new 'sexy' pictures of Miley Ray Cyrus have been distributed over the internet ... again! The first instance of leaked pictures, that can aptly be labeled Roaming Hotel Corridors in Underwear, was brushed off as normal kiddy goofing around.

I believe in the good old days you called it “getting grounded at home with no TV”; now you are lucky if you get a slap on the wrist.

Wonder if the same defensive rule will apply to these pictures? Showing off lacy bra, snuggling up to a guy. What will these digital 'treasures' be called by ardent Hannah Montana Fans? Typical Teen Dating?

How far does a celebrity have to go before everyone denounces it, comes out in droves or simply stops buying the questionable material for their loved ones?

And about all the people who defend this girl, who let's face it is way-too-young to be a fame and fortune globe trotter ... I wonder if they are equally lenient with their own teenagers. If so, then it's their 13 years olds whom I see loitering in the mall in mini-skirts that could pass off as a rather thick belt.

At times you wonder if the Disney gals are jinxed.