Archive for June, 2009

At least in China!

A new Chinese government-mandated internet filter software deems pictures of Paris Hilton, Garfield, roast pork and Johnny Depp as harmful to your moral health!

Beijing ordered that all personal computers sold in China after July 1 must have the Green Dam software installed, which is designed to block pornographic and violent images.

How is roast pork violent or pornographic?!

Critics of the software fear that it will be used to extend censorship!

When the software is installed, it blocks harmless images such as the film poster for cartoon Garfield, dishes of flesh colored cooked pork and a close up of Johnny Depp's face.

Maybe they are scared that people will start feeling their cat Italian food, roast pork may satisfy the urge for human flesh and Johnny's face would get the ladies all riled up!

With the image filter off, searches with words like "nude" are blocked, but if you're on the hunt for adult websites you can find links to soft and hardcore porn.

Looks like someone need to go back to the drawing board!

Unfortunately, the software has been programmed to filter categories including "gay" and "illegal activities", which health activists fear will limit resources to sexual health and AIDS education.

Government critics worry the "illegal activities" section will cover political and social activities not approved by Beijing, which would further impede on the freedom of their citizens!

Shame!

[Image via WENN.]

He's giving up television - for good it seems like!

After his sudden departure from Grey's Anatomy, T.R. Knight will take the stage! And then taking to the stage again!

As we previously mentioned, Knight will star in a Los Angeles production of the musical Parade this fall.

Now, it has just been announced that the actor will also star in the upcoming Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning musical Lend Me a Tenor.

The show is set to open February 2010 and Stanley Tucci is set to direct!

Tenor centers around a Cleveland Opera Company's production of Othello. Knight will play Max, a production assistant forced to understudy for the lead, who has passed out from a double dose of tranquilizers.

Lots of luck on the stage, but we bet TV is paying the bills!

[Image via WENN.]

When your music is so universal, it will live on forever!

Such is the case with the melodies and tunes of the late Michael Jackson. In spite of the tragedy of his death, his music lives on in his absence, being played on every radio station, every iPod, and every place you can possibly imagine.

It then comes as no surprise to anyone that the King of Pop is back where he belongs: right atop the Billoboard charts. Though the official numbers won't be released until tomorrow, industry experts indicate that three of Jackson's albums, Number Ones, The Essential Michael Jackson, and Thriller, each sold around 100,000 copies last week. (The tracking week ends on Sunday, so really, they sold 300,000 units in 4 days!)

All three titles will rein as the top 3 albums on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog chart, and Jackson may secure anywhere from six to nine slots in tally's the top 10 with some of his other albums. In fact, there is a good chance that the entire top 10 on the Pop Catalog chart may be filled with Jackson albums, counting the two Jackson 5 compilations, making him the first artist to ever pull off the achievement. And if anyone can do it, Michael can!

Of course, in our digital age, the majority of album purchases came from online. Sources say the three aforementioned albums each sold more than 30,000 digital copies, with Essential moving more than 70,000 downloads alone.

We're sure Michael would be proud to see his music see this kind of rejuvenation.

[Image via WENN.]

And in the least surprising MJ news of the week…

Sunday night's live broadcast of the BET Awards-turned-Jackson tribute drew 10.2 million viewers - most likely the highest-rated show in the history of the network!

Even though viewers panned the awards for being "distasteful and offensive," the viewership was up 61% from 2008's BET Awards.

Host Jamie Foxx received the most criticism from the broadcast for his constant self-promotion and distasteful sketch with comedian Martin Lawrence on a night transformed to honor the late King of Pop.

Did U watch the awards??

Thoughts????

[Image via WENN.]

Christian Bale does not have a reputation for being kind and courteous!

While filming his new movie, Public Enemies, with Johnny Depp, the actors barely talked!

"I wish to not talk unless we're doing the scene. I enjoy it that way. Johnny seemed happy to do it that way, too," Bale says. "So the answer is: No, we really didn't get to know each other better between each take."

Yikes!!

"So I guess I'll have to wait and get to know Johnny Depp someday," said Bale.

Maybe he just can't show his appreciation!

Bale claims he signed onto the project because in order to work with Depp and director Michael Mann.

"Michael Mann is one of the finest filmmakers around. His ability to excel at all aspects of filmmaking is stunning. I loved his thoroughness. I loved the research and his attention to detail. This is a director who has a unique perception of what every actor is doing at all moments," continues Bale. "I also did the film because I think Johnny is a superb actor. There is nobody else like him."

We hope they can be friends!

As long as Johnny stays clear of his eye line!!!!

[Image via WENN.]

Royal cuteness!

Here's Princess RiRi, making her way into her hotel on a muggy Monday afternoon in NYC.

Even when Ri keeps it casual with denim shorts and a boxy button-down, she looks as stylish as evs.

Work it!

[Image via JDH/WENN.]

In a famous scene from Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal music video, the pop singer and his dancers leaned forward at a 45-degree angle - much to the confusion of all of us watching.

Well, now the cat is out of the bag!!!

Wires and harnesses were used during the filming of the video, but when performing live they had assistance from special shoes.

The shoes, which were patented in 1993, contain anklets which give the footwear the rigidity of ski boots along with ability to latch on to pegs that rise out of the floor, thereby allowing Jackson to defy gravity.

We want a pair!

Watch Parton's vlog on Jackson (above)!