Heath Ledger gets final send-off in hometown of Perth  added Feb. 9/08

Min Lee - Associated Press PERTH, Australia – Heath Ledger's family, his former fiance Michelle Williams and Australia's entertainment elite bade him farewell at a private memorial service Saturday in his hometown. Ledger's family returned to Perth earlier this week to bury the actor, who died in his Manhattan apartment at age 28 from a prescription drug overdose on Jan. 22. The family attended a memorial service in Los Angeles last weekend. Several hundred people gathered at a Perth local girls' school, Penrhos College, for a memorial that mixed personal tributes, modern rock and traditional Aboriginal music. Williams, who became romantically involved with Ledger while filming the gay romance “Brokeback Mountain,” arrived at the service with Ledger's parents in a six-car motorcade. Wearing black sunglasses and a white dress with black trim, she clutched the arm of Ledger's older sister Kate. The 75-minute service kicked off with the performance of a didgeridoo, a traditional Aboriginal wind instrument, performer Levi Islam said. Rock songs were also played – Bob Dylan's “The Times They Are A-Changin,” the Beatles' “Here Comes the Sun,” “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd and Neil Young's “Old Man,” according to a program of the service. Organizers also showed footage from Ledger's films and of 2-year-old Matilda – his daughter with Williams. The event also drew members of the Australian entertainment industry, where Ledger got his start. Barbara Scott, a state lawmaker who attended the service, said many attendees were emotional. Fellow Australian-turned-Hollywood star Cate Blanchett, who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan biopic, “I'm Not There,” recalled their time spent together in New York and Los Angeles, Scott said. Other speakers included his parents, sister and Neil Armfield, who directed Ledger in his last Australian film, “Candy,” released in 2006. Ledger's father Kim said the service would be followed by a private funeral in Perth. He appealed for privacy and did not disclose the time or location. “It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world,” he said. “Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe,” he added. Saturday's events ended with a wake at a colonial-style waterfront restaurant at scenic Cottesloe Beach that overlooks the Indian Ocean, one of the actor's favorite spots in this small and remote city on the verge of the Outback in Australia's southwest. Nine Network national television showed Williams and other mourners taking a dip in the waters, some still dressed, including the actress. The group later stood on the sand cheering and applauding as they watched the sun set into the ocean. Ledger was one of the biggest stars Perth has produced. Locals mourned his early death and scoffed at speculation of illegal drug use before the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday Ledger died from the effects of taking six types of painkillers and sedatives. Scott called Ledger a “wonderful west Australian, an outstanding guy with great talent.”

Spice Girls Continue Jet-setting World Tour --
added Jan. 23/08

Annamaria Maxston - Associated Press

Spice Girls fans will not disappoint as the girls continue their world tour promoting their newest Greatest Hits Album. The show which has received rave reviews from London, to Vancouver and everywhere in between is nearing it's end with two final concerts in Toronto Canada at the end of February. Toronto won the title of "Spice City" during an online competition when the tour was first announce and the girls will have performed four sold-out shows before their tour comes to an end.
Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton has said "The tour is so special for us, it has been so great being back together again and seeing all our fans. This is a dream come true, all over again!". The tour has not been able to avoid all controversy however after the Spice Girls cancelled previously scheduled shows in Asia, Australia and South America. Reports surfaced it was due to poor attendance but Spice Girls representatives insist it was for personal reasons.
The Girls have yet to confirm whether or not the tour marks a full comeback for the all-girl band or if this is just a once in a lifetime revival of the 90's powerhouse band. Rumours have been swirling that the Spice Girls might reunite for a fifth studio release although this has been denied by the Spice Girls' camp.

Carrie Underwood's Impressive Carnival Ride Debut -- added Nov. 5/07

By Christopher Rocchio and Steve Rogers

Carrie Underwood's new "Carnival Ride" album has debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's The Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums album sales charts after moving 527,000 copies in its first week of release."Carnival Ride," the American Idol fourth season champ's second album, is the first Underwood album to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200.  "Some Hearts," her 2005 debut album, sold 315,000 units and peaked at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on Top Country Album chart after its November 15, 2005 release.  However since then, the album has gone on to sell nearly 6 million copies and remained in The Billboard 200 rankings for over 100 weeks.

Due to "Carnival Ride's" first-week success, Underwood became the first former Idol champ to post a debut sales week of more than 500,000 copies and was also the first to have his or her second album outsell their debut, according to Daily Variety. (American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, remains Idol's all-time debut week sales champ.  "Measure of a Man," his 2003 debut album, sold 613,000 copies in its first week of release.) Carnival Ride's" first week sales performance is the biggest Idol-related album debut since original Idol champ Kelly Clarkson moved 311,000 copies of her third album "My December," which made its debut at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 when it was released in July.

In addition, "Carnival Ride" had the best sales week for a female solo country artist since Shania Twain's "Greatest Hits" started with 530,000 in November 2004.  "Carnival Ride" was also the highest-selling album for a female artist on The Billboard 200 since Beyonce's September 2006 "B'Day," which moved 541,000 in its first week of release. 

The first single from "Carnival Ride" -- "So Small" -- was released on July 31 and currently sits at No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, its peak position.

"Some Hearts" currently ranks at No. 60 on The Billboard 200.  Although it was released two years ago, "Some Hearts" still ranks as 2007's top selling country album (a distinction that will likely end when "Carnival Ride" overtakes it in several weeks) and has sold 1.3 million copies so far this year.

Brooke Smith added to Grey's Anatomy Cast -- added Nov. 5/07

By: Fillipa Montelano AP

Actress Brooke Smith, a former guest star on the U.S. medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy," has signed on as a series regular, the Los Angeles Times said Friday.
Smith will again play heart surgeon Erica Hahn on the popular prime-time show.

"I've been dabbling over there in Season 2 and then in Season 3," Smith said. "After every time, I would hope that they would call and also hope not, too -- kind of like when I used to be single. And they finally, actually called."

Smith told The Times she already knew most of the cast from past projects.

"I haven't met anyone who's not nice there," she said. "I did a movie with Patrick (Dempsey), and I did a play with Sandra (Oh) in New York called, 'Stop Kiss.' We were lovers. ... When I first got to 'Grey's,' she told the producers I was a good kisser. Ooh, very controversial. And I did a 'Law & Order' a million years ago with Ellen (Pompeo). And T.R. (Knight) I met T.R. at the O'Neill Theater Festival. Very highbrow. What can I say?"                    
 

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Spice Girls Pick Canada -- added Aug.6/07
By Andrea Baillie, CP

 

The Ontario capital has been named the winner of an online contest that invited Spice Girls fans to vote on which city the girl group should add to their upcoming tour.

 

Cities including Rio, Chicago, Paris, Melbourne, Manchester and even Baghdad came close but Toronto was ultimately crowned "Spice City."

 

"We are delighted to be going to Toronto," the quintet said Friday in a statement.

 

"We have such incredible fans there and we are amazed at such a positive reaction. It's a great place and we can't wait to get back there. Well done Toronto."

 

The Spice Girls - Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Victoria Beckham - had a phenomenal chart run in the 1990s with hits like "Wannabe," "Say You'll Be There," "Stop" and "Spice Up Your Life."

 

Earlier this summer, the group - known for its "girl power" mantra and the catchy nicknames given to its members - announced a reunion tour that kicks off in Vancouver in December.

 

Britain's Mirror newspaper reported that the glamourous singers - also known as Sexy Spice, Sporty Spice, Posh Spice, Baby Spice and Scary Spice - nearly ended up taking their choreographed moves to the Iraqi capital.

 

Baghdad benefited from a strong online campaign to send the girls to the war-torn locale, a source close to the group told the newspaper.

 

The Spice Girls have had a memorable relationship with Toronto.

 

Nine years ago, then-mayor Mel Lastman made headlines around the world after he wrote a letter to Halliwell upon hearing she might leave the group.

 

"Please get over your differences and make your appearance in Toronto with the rest of the band members," Lastman wrote. "I know you can work things out to make an appearance in Toronto."

 

He later became angered, however, when plans for an appearance by the British pop group fell through, declaring: "I don't give a damn about the Spice Girls."

 

Many of the group members have continued to make headlines since the Spice Girls broke up in 2001. Chisholm, Bunting and Halliwell all continued to record.

 

Brown has been in the news of late because of her messy breakup with actor Eddie Murphy. She says he is the father of her four-month-old daughter and is suing him for child support.

 

Beckham, is, of course, the wife of soccer superstar David Beckham. The pair have long been a staple in the British tabloids and recently moved to the United States, where Beckham now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

 

He is set to make an appearance at a game this weekend in Toronto.

The Spice Girls are expected to perform in the city in January. Details had yet to be announced.

 

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 Justin Timberlake goes ring shopping for Jessica Biel
 added Aug.6/07
By JAN LURDLER, AP

Justin Timberlake has fuelled rumours he's getting serious with new girlfriend Jessica Biel by shopping for rings.

Biel recently quashed reports she'd be walking down the aisle with the pop star anytime soon explaining: "What's weird is: You're single for 20 or 30 years, and you're married for like 70. It doesn't seem like a good ratio, does it?"

But her firm words haven't deterred Timberlake, who reportedly snapped up a promise ring in Santa Monica, California, recently to make their relationship more official. A source tells Life & Style magazine: "Justin isn't ready to propose, but he wants to make a commitment to her.

"Justin says Jess is his dream girl. He wants to give her a symbol of his affection and love."

The couple has been dating since May.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

 

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Aretha Franklin Forgives NFL for Snub -- added Feb.2/06