The Loquacious Limey

Harry Potter actor admires Emma Watson

Joining a select brotherhood that only comprises every sentient, non-gay male on the planet, Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint has confessed he has quite a crush on fellow star, Emma Watson.

Rupert, whose work as Ron Weasley has made him a millionaire at the age of just 20, is quite coy on the news, “A lot of people think there’s something going on between us because I have to kiss Emma on film.” he says. “I’ll be honest – it’s not something I’m dreading. As for who has the worst crush on her – me or Radcliffe – I’d rather not say.”

But Rupert confirms that the much-lauded smooch, shown in ‘Half-Blood Prince,’ which bows on July 15, was a ‘weird’ experience. “We’ve known each other for ten years, so it was a bit like kissing my sister,” he told News reporters.

That must be one smokin’-hot sibling.

But not all his success has been schmoozing and spells; The redheaded actor, who has a deep fear of spiders, has also experienced the down-side of fame, “It’s taken me years to get used to being recognized in the street,” he admits. “But the most terrifying thing was a newspaper photo of a book-burning in the deep south. There was picture of me on the fire, because those folks thought the films endorsed witchcraft. That’s when it hit me how big all this had become.”

On the upside, Mr. Grint, who earns $6-million a film, has now left his hand-prints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, alongside most of the Hollywood greats.

But Rupert has not let either fame or the money affect him too much; While most famous actors have fleets of fast cars, Rupert’s transport of choice is a broken-down pickup, and a working ice-cream truck for when he needs fun.

And he’s also no fool about love, “I know I could use the fame to meet women, but I don’t want to meet a girl who’s trying to take advantage of that. And I don’t Google myself because the results are too scary.”

Oh, that we all had his problems…

Photo: Sean McGrath

Quincy Jones announces plans to save Vibe

The music world has been far from immune to a failing economy, but one recent victim of this unwelcome downturn may be about to be saved.

Yesterday, the once-popular hip-hop and urban culture magazine, Vibe, announced plans to shut down. And with no sign of a phone booth, or even his cape, iconic producer Quincy Jones is now on a mission to save it from doom.

Having founded the shingle in 1993, Jones says he’s ‘dismayed’ by the way it’s been handled since he sold it in 2006. “They just messed my magazine all up,” he says sadly. “But I’m gonna get it back. You better believe it.”

Facing sales of under one-million copies and withering debt, current owners, the Wicks Group slashed salaries and even changed to quarterly publishing in a bid to save money – but none of it helped. Chief bean-counter, Angela Zucconi, confirmed the mag’s closure late Tuesday, and said their fifty employees would be laid off at once.

And that’s when Q got the news.

The 76-year old guru is now deep in discussions to revive his creation, and has major plans to update its overall view, “We gotta get into the 21st century, you know?” Jones said. “Print and all that stuff is over. They’re over the same way as the record business. We have got to get into this century.”

Quincy is the same creative savant who turned ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller.’ into platinum sales. If anyone can save Vibe, this is the man.

Perhaps when he’s done he could fix NBC?

Source: NME

Fat actors rarely find fame

This is a wonderful time of the year – Beautiful days, long balmy nights and acres and acres of lightly tanned flesh…Some of which is actually meant to be yours.

But if you’ve got a few pounds, that’s not a good move – Who needs to tease the vultures that much?

Diets are hard, and all the pills are a nightmare. If you could tell without fail which diet pills really worked you’d be richer than Oprah by Thanksgiving at least.

As an actor you need to look good in all kinds of clothing, and you’re dealing with people who have lots of choice – so extra weight is really not a good plan. Some very smart people have done the tests for you, so look at that link and read what they say…

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

‘Good-night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest’

Ryan Reynolds to co-star with a coffin

After weeks of high-profile promotion for his current venture, the Sandra Bullock two-hander, ‘The Proposal,’ Ryan Reynolds has now signed on to spend six weeks in a box.

The 32-year old Vancouver-born star of X-Men is said to be eager to put his skills to the test, and has now agreed to make a new Indie film simply called, ‘Buried.’ In it, Ryan plays a civilian contractor based in Iraq, who is kidnapped by unknown assailants and rendered unconscious. When he recovers, he finds himself encased in a coffin, with just a cellphone, a candle, a knife…and that’s all.

Oh, and just to mix in some stress – he’s in uncharted desert

The movie is Ryan’s first foray into independent productions and will be shot entirely at locations in Spain. No release date has been floated as yet, but production begins in Barcelona next month.

Source: Variety

Barbara Streisand to cut new Jazz disk

In a welcome return after three-years of silence, Barbara Streisand is releasing an album.

Winner of no less than ten Grammy’s, the 67-year old singer, turned actress is teaming with singer and pianist, Diana Krall in an all-studio album of Jazz standards and skits. Due out in September, the album, ‘Love Is The Answer’ is said to showcase the New York-born star as ‘a cabaret and jazz singer of emotional clarity, depth and maturity,” according to Columbia Records, the home to all Bab’s recordings since mid-’63.

From her debut as a minor voice on the Broadway-cast album for, ‘I Can Get It for You Wholesale,’ in 1962. Barbara’s audience appeal has been unswerving. Already the only artist in history to score Billboard #1’s in four different decades, Bab’s new disk will be her first collaboration with Diana’s quartet, and a welcome reunion with songwriter Johnny Mandel, who worked on her double-platinum CD, ‘Back to Broadway’ in 1993.

No playlist for the new disk is available yet, but with 72-million albums already sold you can be sure that her choices will meet unbounded success.

Farrah Fawcett and Ryan to be man and wife

In a story whose implicit love and conviction is diluted only by how rare such tales are, it’s been reported that Ryan O’Neal and long-term love, Farrah Fawcett, are finally planning to be man and wife.

“I’ve asked her to marry me, again – and she’s agreed,” O’Neal, 68, tells ABC’s Barbara Walters, in an exclusive interview for ‘20/20′ on Friday.

Ryan has proposed several times since the couple first met in mid-1980, but the 62-year old actress has always politely declined. “I used to ask her to marry me all the time,” he explains in the ABC show. “But it got to be a joke; We just joked about it.” With his lover now in advanced stages of cancer, his latest proposal proved a welcome success. “I promise you, we will marry,” he tells Barbara, firmly. “Absolutely.”

The former ‘Charlie’s Angels’ star has been battling cancer for over three years and is now “fighting for her life,” according to Ryan. But humor helps keep them sane – Ryan often teases that he’ll dress like a gigolo for their wedding day. “You know? A little thin mustache and slicked-back hair. We have fun, we tease about that.” he explains.

It’s not known yet if their son, Redmond, 24, will share the big day. He’s still in rehab after being arrested in April, but Ryan is applying for short-term parole so Mother and Son can share time before Farrah must leave.

In the last few minutes Farrah was admitted to hospital and is ‘not doing well.’ according to a source close to the couple. Her overall condition is said to be deteriorating, but it’s believed she will be well enough to leave some time today.

Work out your route to fame

It’s said that large actors are spoiled for work in this curious town, but it’s usually wiser for both your work and your wallet not to even consider that route. Being in shape can help you get chosen, but gyms are expensive and running outdoors can too hot to even consider.

If you need to lose a few pounds but you’re not mad on jogging, a decent elliptical will solve all your woes. You pay for it once but enjoy it forever. If you’re still waiting for stardom just give it some thought.

Sarah Jessica surrogate robbed – by Police?!

As we all know, the glorious Sarah Jessica Parker is a forthcoming mom. And the lady selected to carry her child has just been subjected to one of the most deviant plots in the history of crime.

Two Ohio police chiefs, Barry Carpenter of Martin’s Ferry, and Bridgeport’s Chief of Police, Chad DoJack are currently being investigated for breaking into the surrogate’s home, apparently aiming to steal information they could then sell to the tabloids and score a fat fee.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation [the Police's internal police,] are now on the case and are expected to report very soon.

One bright note is that – as you might expect from people this dumb – they robbed the wrong house. The surrogate mom no longer lives there, having been forced out some time ago by the media’s relentless pursuit.

Both Sarah Jessica and husband, Matthew, have complained about this – revealing that the poor woman has suffered endless harassment, and her phones and computer have been the focus of repeated attempts at intrusion. “Matthew and Sarah Jessica have complete faith in the legal system,” Matt’s rep says in a statement. “But because it’s a criminal investigation we will not be making any more comment.”

If you needed proof that this country is now dangerously obsessed with ‘celebrity,’ here it is.

Source: E

Photo: Laura Latham

Carrie Prejean loses second meal-ticket

Hard on the stiletto heels of being pink-slipped as Miss California, it seems Carrie Prejean just can’t catch a break. She’s now lost her job as a spokesman for Sledge.

The clothing firm, whose upcoming brand is a long-standing favorite of celebs like Beyonce, have confirmed Carrie’s been dropped as the spokesmodel for their scheduled Fall / Winter line.

And just to rub salt in the wound, her replacement’s the same girl that just ’stole’ her crown – The new Miss California, Tami Farrell.

Sledge’s brand manager, Vered Nisim, told reporters the reasons for Prejean’s exit were simple – She never showed up. “She didn’t keep her appointments,” he told the LA Times‘ scribes. “She refused to confirm dates, even though we were on a very tight schedule.” But Vered made it clear the dismissal has no connection with Prejean’s anti-gay stance, or her being recently dumped by Donald Trump and the ‘Miss California’ folk.

Sledge’s original plan was to replace Carrie with the new ‘Miss Teen USA,’ Stevi Perry. but they went with Ms. Farrell, 24, after learning more of her style from the exec director of Miss California, Keith Lewis. “We have not worked with Tami before, but we understand she’s great to work with. Very sweet.” a relieved Nisim told the press.

Cue Carrie’s tearful, blame-shifting reaction in 3…2..1…