Friday, March 27, 2009

ghost whisperer season 4

Fans of Ghost Whisperer have always been accustomed to the idea of death given that the show's main premise revolves around a young woman who has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. This season, however, the Grim Reaper makes it personal. Read on to find out what's in store on the new season of Ghost Whisperer.

Spoilers, more often than not, make you excited about future storylines. But reading this article in all its spoilery goodness will make you more than agitated, that is, if you're a hardcore Ghost Whisperer fan.According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, Melinda is about to become a widow!

Producers have reportedly decided to kill off Jennifer Love Hewitt on-screen paramedic husband Jim, played by David Conrad, early in the fourth season. Conrad, who has been cast in upcoming films such as Follow the Prophet and An Entire Body, has been with Ghost Whisperer since 2005.While CBS has declined to comment on the shocking scoop, many sources have already confirmed what has been swirling around the internet for weeks. On the other hand, David Conrad fans need not worry, at least for now.

Given the premise of the fantasy-thriller drama, Jim's death will unlikely mark the end of the actor's run on Ghost Whisperer. The question is: how long will he be sticking around and in what capacity? Fans will just have to stay tuned to find out. Ghost Whisperer returns for a 24-episode fourth season on Friday, October 3 on CBS. Aside from Jennifer Love Hewitt and David Conrad, Ghost Whisperer also stars Camryn Manheim as Melinda's friend Delia Banks and Jay Mohr as Professor Rick Payne. Additionally, comedian Jamie Kennedy joins the cast this season as a psychology student named Eli as Jay Mohr's character takes a sabbatical.

american idol march 26, 2009 updates

Tonight on American Idol 2009, the elimination results for this season’s Top 10 will be revealed.

Stay tuned…American Idol 2009 Top 10 Elimination Results:

Michael Sarver

After coming down to the bottom 3 of Scott McIntyre, Michael Sarver, and Matt Giraud it was revealed that Michael had earned the fewest votes after this week’s performance show.

Michael sang for his Idol-life, but it was not enough.

Michael Sarver has been eliminated from American Idol 2009.

Friday, March 20, 2009

american idol march 20, 2009 updates

American Idol 2009 Top 10 Week Gets Delayed By White House Posted:
19 Mar 2009 09:32 AM PDT

Next week on American Idol 2009 when the season’s Top 10 singers go to celebrate 50 years of Motown they’re going to have a scheduling problem.
President Obama may not be a big fan of the show because for the second time this season he has asked the networks to relinquish their primetime slot for a national speech, bumping American Idol.

Apparently the networks, especially FOX, were not happy, but have made the following schedule adjustments:Fox is arguably the most impacted network and took the longest to agree to airing the speech. The network will move Tuesday’s two-hour performance episode of “Idol” to Wednesday, and the Wednesday episode to Thursday at 8 p.m. That preempts “Lie to Me” and “Bones” and puts mega-rated “Idol” against the mega-rated NCAA finals (which neither Fox nor CBS are all that thrilled about).

Okay, no biggie, but be prepared. Next week’s episodes of American Idol will be shifted by both days and timeslots. Performances will be on Wednesday, not Tuesday, but at the same time of 8PM (ET/PT). The Results show will be shifted to Thursday instead of Wednesday and will air at 8PM (ET/PT), not the usual 9PM. Got it? Be sure to reset your Tivo if you’re gonna miss it!


American Idol 2009 Top 11 Becomes Top 10 - Official List Posted: 19 Mar 2009 05:52 AM PDTLast night’s American Idol 2009 elimination results brought down this season’s Top 11 to the Top 10 with Alexis Grace earning the fewest votes after her Wednesday performances. When it had come down to just Grace and Sarver, Simon revealed they were ready to rescue Grace with the “Judges’ Save” if she was the one set to go. Despite this promise the judges changed their mind and said it was due, in part at least, to her final “save me” performance.Which remaining American Idol finalist stands out to you as the one to win it all?

American Idol 2009 Top 10:

Michael Sarver
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds
Scott McIntyre
Megan Corkrey
Matt Giraud
Anoop Desai

One of these 10 singers is your next American Idol, but all of them will be part of the American Idol 2009 summer tour!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

natasha richardson dies at 45

By Gregg Kilday

Natasha Richardson, who upheld her lineage as part of one of the great acting dynasties by establishing an eclectic career in film, TV and theater, earning a Tony in 1998 for her performance in "Cabaret," died Wednesday in New York. She was 45.

Her death, following a head injury she suffered Monday while taking a skiing lesson in Canada, was confirmed Wednesday evening in a written statement by Alan Nierob, the Los Angeles-based publicist for her husband Liam Neeson. Details about the cause of death were not released, but reports suggested that Richardson was removed from life support Wednesday."Liam Neeson, his sons and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," the statement said. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."At the time of the accident, which occurred at the Mont Tremblant resort north of Montreal, the actress experienced no immediate distress. After developing a headache about an hour later, she was taken first to a local hospital in Ste. Agathe, Quebec, and then was transferred to the Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal.

On Tuesday, she was transported to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, where her family, including Neeson and her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, gathered to keep vigil. For many, it was difficult to reconcile the news of such a seemingly random death with Richardson's vibrant presence that combined a polished bearing with a deep, throaty laugh.In her early 20s, barely out of drama school, Richardson demonstrated her command of the stage in a 1985 production of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," in which she worked for the first time with her mother.

The London Drama Critics' Circle immediately hailed the young actress as most promising newcomer.Nevertheless, at first Richardson appeared to be an unusual choice when director Sam Mendes cast her as Sally Bowles in his reimagining of "Cabaret" when it transferred from London to New York's Roundabout Theatre in 1998.

After all, Liza Minnelli had made the role her own on film, and Richardson generally was not regarded as a musical-comedy performer -- though she played socialite Tracy Lord in a 1987 stage version of "High Society." Instead of portraying Sally as a belting Broadway baby, Richardson grounded her in the dramatic reality of a struggling cabaret performer caught up in the darkening shadows of Weimer Germany.

The New York Times' Ben Brantley wrote of her way with the show's title tune, "What Ms. Richardson does is reclaim and reinvent a show-biz anthem that is as familiar as Hamlet's soliloquy." The theater community agreed, awarding her a Tony and a Drama Desk Award.Tall and coolly elegant, Richardson moved easily between costume drama and contemporary fare.She first appeared onscreen as a child, playing a flower girl in her director father Tony Richardson's "The Charge of the Light Brigade," but she made her first major film appearance as Mary Shelley in Ken Russell's 1986 film "Gothic." She quickly moved on to tackle the title role of a kidnapped American heiress in Paul Schrader's 1988 "Patty Hearst."Schrader also cast Richardson opposite Rupert Everett in 1990's "The Comfort of Strangers," about an English couple who visit Venice to sort out their relationship."

Natasha Richardson was an extraordinary actress, not just for her beauty, lineage and talent but for her intelligence and fearlessness," Schrader said. "She was brave and smart. I was in awe of her from the time we first met and will miss her dearly."

Adam Lambert's Ring of Fire

Country music week on American Idol is specially targeted toward that red state contingency of America that just can't get enough of songs about eating barbeque sauce in their pick-up trucks and cheating on their dogs.

With Obama in the cling to Grand Ole Opry week as a bastion of safety in an otherwise chaotic liberal socialist sea. But look out cowboys, and hang on to your studs and Judds, because Adam Lambert is here to bring the Grand Ole Opry some Southern California flare with his very special performance of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire."


Adam Lambert has been labeled an early favorite to win Season 8 of American Idol, and has become America's latest gay icon. But Wednesday night the American Idol judges had few kind words for his slithery performance of the Johnny Cash classic. Simon Cowell called Lambert's performance "indulgent rubbish" and predicted that many fans of country music were presently throwing their televisions out the window in revulsion. Randy Travis, who coached the contestants for Grand Ole Opry week, could barely contain his homophobia during his taped segment with Lambert. The nail polish and eyeliner were all too much for Travis, who pasted a terrified smile across his face and then politely stated: "I'm speechless," when asked about Lambert's musical interpretation.


Lambert definitely seemed to be grasping for some sort of Led Zeppelin/Jeff Buckley type arrangement of "Ring of Fire," but his performance lacked the transcendence that comes along with the heavy drug use that real rock and roll musicians swear by. Also--Jeff Buckley never stole She-Ra's jacket and tried to pass it off as his own.


Adam Lambert's American Idol performance highlights how easily the American public can mistake "musical theater guy" for "creepy Vegas strip club lounge singer guy." Most people might not have seen it, but Lambert's compulsive lip-curling and thigh rubbing exposed him to be the latter.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

american idol top 11 results


Last night’s American Idol 2009 elimination results brought down this season’s Top 13 to the Top 11 with Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez garnering the fewest votes after their Wednesday performances. The double elimination puts American Idol season 8 back on track after picking up an extra finalist last week.


American Idol 2009 Top 11:


Alexis Grace
Michael Sarver
Danny Gokey
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Adam Lambert
Lil Rounds
Scott McIntyre
Megan Corkrey
Matt Giraud
Anoop Desai


One of these 11 singers is your next American Idol

Saturday, March 14, 2009

ghost whisperer season 4 updates

Recent Episodes:

Delusions of Grandview 3/06/09
Melinda shares some devastating news with Sam and their relationship is left in limbo.

Ghost Busted 2/27/09
Melinda shares her special gift with Sam and his reaction is not what she expects.


Ghost Whisperer: Season 4 Episodes
No.
Episode
Airdate

Firestarter 10/03/08
When a fire breaks out at Rockland University, Jim saves a young psychology professor, Eli, who suffers a near death experience and Melinda befriends him and soon realizes he shares her same ability.

Big Chills 10/10/08
Melinda reconnects with some high school classmates after one of them dies mysteriously.

Ghost In The Machine 10/17/08
When Ned shows Melinda his online gaming community, Melinda discovers a ghost is haunting the game.

Save Our Souls 10/24/08
Melinda and Jim go away on a romantic cruise and Melinda comes into contact with an angry ghost who haunts a newlywed couple.

Bloodline 10/31/08
Melinda investigates the death of a high school athlete whose ghost is following around a family that is not her own.

Imaginary Friends & Enemies 11/07/08
Melinda plays a game of hide-and-seek when a child's make-believe friend causes havoc during a wedding party and Melinda attempts to calm the ghosts running amok.

Threshold 11/14/08
While coping with dramatic changes in her personal life, Melinda struggles in helping a desperate teenage ghost because she no longer feels that her gift of talking to the dead is helpful.

Heart & Soul 11/21/08
Melinda is drawn to a man who is suffering from amnesia and she enthusiastically tries to help him regain his memory.

Pieces of You 12/05/08
Melinda tracks down a girl who has been missing for 12 years and discovers a long-held secret.

Ball and Chain 12/19/08
Melinda assists a ghost who must face hard facts about her marriage.

Life On the Line 1/09/09
Melinda helps a family in turmoil after a freak accident. Meanwhile, Delia has her first haunting and discovers why sometimes it's easier to be a skeptic than a believer.

This Joint's Haunted 1/16/09
Melinda and Sam go on a road trip into his past and end up in trouble, from bar fights to disruptive ghosts, and Melinda comes face to face with the biggest threat yet to her romantic hopes.

Body of Water 1/23/09
Melinda confronts a crisis that grips the whole town - the unearthing of a grave that leads to a mass haunting. But that's not nearly as scary to her as the woman who shows up to accept the engagement ring Sam bought for her.

Slow Burn 2/06/09
Melinda helps the ghost of an overbearing mother who is holding onto a deep, dark secret.

Greek Tragedy 2/13/09
Sam is having second thoughts about his relationship with Melinda when he catches her in several lies.

Ghost Busted 2/27/09
Melinda shares her special gift with Sam and his reaction is not what she expects.

Delusions of Grandview 3/06/09
Melinda shares some devastating news with Sam and their relationship is left in limbo.

Leap of Faith 3/13/09
When Sam rescues Melinda from harm's way, he comes close to death himself.

The 912 Project

The hottest new host on Fox News this year Glenn Beck has launched The 912 Project, a site dedicated to sharing core principles and values that Americans are said to live by.
The site, which is currently offline, defines essential American qualities such as believing in god, being opposed to income tax, being pro marriage (as long as your straight) and many other gems.
It’s more of the same that we’ve seen from the hard right recently, this whole socialism is bad, our money is being stolen for us, Barack is a Communist etc etc. While some of those points might be true, what they continue to overlook is that Bush created the mess the country is in today, and Bush was the one that run up the foreign debt and started the bailouts. But no, it’s only bad now a new, black guy takes over the mess.
In the show launching the The 912 Project, Beck interviewed Chuck Norris, who earlier this week said that thousands of militia were preparing for a military takeover of the United States. If that doesn’t say batshit crazy, I’m not sure what else can.
Here’s the list the 912 Project are based on
The 12 Values:
* Honesty
* Reverence
* Hope
* Thrift
* Humility
* Charity
* Sincerity
* Moderation
* Hard Work
* Courage
* Personal Responsibility
* Gratitude

The Nine Principles

* 1. America is good.
* 2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
* 3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
* 4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
* 5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
* 6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
* 7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
* 8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
* 9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

malaya spot:

i dont know how to describe this politically correct. as per inference, the values where this is based on may uphold a true and real meaning for americans, but i'll describe it as virtually conservative as it views political dynamics as resistant to american values. issues on income tax, racism and political involvement are issues which is full of restrain in the project's perspective. it's vague how they see a state vis a vis citizen relationship to be unilateral and considering the state as the sole institution responsible for their benefit with out regard to their individual liberty and responsibility as a citizen to the state. it is quite ironic to think of a state founded on liberty but strongly bounded by a very individualistic perspective, in my opinion.

pma 2009 class masiglahi graduation

FORT DEL Pilar, Baguio City: Majority of this year’s top 10 graduating members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Masiglahi Class 2009 were raised by middle-income parents but they have proven their worth in the premier military institution in Asia.
A check on the profile of the top 10 class members revealed that their fathers were plain farmer in their respective provinces while their mothers were plain housewives.
Another distinction they shared with one another was having graduated valedictorians or with honors in their secondary education.

Topping this year’s PMA graduation is 23-year-old Air Force cadet Karl Winston Cacanindin of Aurora province whose father is a draftsman while his mother is a high school teacher.
Cacanindin, who will graduate magna cum laude, will receive the Presidential Saber and PGMA Achievement Award for academic excellence from President Gloria Arroyo, who will be the guest of honor and speaker during the graduation rites at the Borromeo Fields on March 16.
The valedictorian will also receive the Philippine Air Force Saber, Athletic Saber, Mathematics and Natural Sciences plaques besides the Joint United States Military Assistance Group or Jusmag award.
This year’s salutatorian is Army Cadet Leemuel Manicdo, 22, from Moncada, Tarlac, whose father is a mechanic and mother, another simple housewife.
Manicdo, who graduated as high school salutatorian, will receive the Vice Presidential Saber, Philippine Army Saber, Academics Group award, Humanities, Management, Social Sciences and Army Professional courses plaques, Jusmag award, Association of Generals and Flag Officers award and for the Australian Defense best over all performance award.
Navy Cadet Roger Flores, 25, of Iloilo City, who was raised by an accountant father and housewife mother, ranked number three in the class. He will receive the Secretary of National Defense Saber, Philippine Navy Saber and Jusmag award.
Fourth is Navy Cadet Nelson Liwanag, 24, of Tanauan, Batangas, whose father is a farmer while his mother is a vendor. He will receive the Navy Professional Courses plaque, Australian Defense Best Over all performance in the Navy and Jusmag award.
Army Cadet Larry Longe Mayao, 25, of Mainit, Bontoc, Mountain Province is ranked fifth and the only Cordillerans to be in the elite rank of topnotch cadets this year.
Mayao, who graduated from Pines City National High School and Pinsao Elementary School, was 10 years old when his mother passed on. His father was once a laborer who had to raise him along with nine other siblings.
Assistant PMA Supt. Brig. Gen. Rommel Martin of Bontoc, Mountain Province and member of PMA Class 1978 congratulated Mayao for proving that a cadet from the minority group was in equal footing with the other cadets.
Another Army cadet, Erick Ryan Mabborang at age 23 is among the younger graduating cadets is the son of farmers from Enrile, Cagayan, ranked sixth over all.
Army Cadet Carlito Santiago, 24, of Isabela, whose parents are farmers and traders, ranked 7th and he will receive the PGMA Achievement Award for Excellence, Chief of Staff Saber and Tactics Group award.
Army Cadet Glenn de Ramos, 22, of Pasay City whose parents are farmer and housewife ranked 8th and one of the brigade commanders of the class.
Just as Filipino women are celebrating the Women’s Month, Air Force Cadet Cynthia Forteza, 22, of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan landed ninth place in the overall roll of merits.
Forteza is also the recipient of the Computing and Info Sciences plaque, Leadership plaque, Air Force Professional Courses plaque and Australian Defense Best Overall Performance award.
Completing the topnotch list is Air Force Cadet Christopher Ian Dupalco, 22, of Bohol, whose father had died and raised by his mother, a teacher.
PMA Supt. Vice Admiral Leo-nardo Calderon Jr. told reporters that the topnotch graduating cadets have good academic records during their elementary and high school days, even with parents from low and middle-income earners.
There are 161 male and 23 female members of the Masiglahi Class 2009. One hundred of them will join the Army, 37 in the Air Force and 47 in the Navy.-- Harley F. Palangchao

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

alabama shooting incident

SAMSON, Ala. — A gunman on a terrifying rampage across two southern Alabama counties Tuesday killed at least nine people, including members of his own family and apparent strangers, and burned down his mother's home before fatally shooting himself, authorities said.

Police were investigating shootings in at least four different locations in several communities, all of which were believed to be the work of a single gunman who had not yet been identified by investigators.

The afternoon of bloodshed began in Kinston, near the Alabama-Florida border, where the shooter burned down his mother's house, according to Coffee County Coroner Robert Preachers. Officials located the woman's body inside the house, but they had not been able to get inside the still-burning house to determine a cause of death or whether she was the 10th victim.

The gunman then headed east, into Geneva County, where he shot and killed five people _ four adults and a child _ at a home in the nearby town of Samson. Then he killed one person each in two other homes. The identities of all the victims were unknown, but Preachers said they included other members of the shooter's family.

"He started in his mother's house," Preachers said. "Then he went to Samson and he killed his granny and granddaddy and aunt and uncle. He cleaned his family out."

"We don't know what triggered it," Preachers added.

The gunman also shot at a state trooper's car, striking the vehicle seven times and wounding the trooper with broken glass.

He then killed someone at a Samson supply store, and another person at a service station.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

american idol updates: best to worst singers

Late in Thursday's "American Idol" wild-card show, Simon Cowell uttered the most honest paragraph in the franchise's history:
Explaining what the judges were looking for when picking the four wild-card contestants, Simon said, "We've gotta cast this next stage. We're not just going to put the boring singers through. We're going to put some personality through, as well."

"Idol" is not a singing competition and never has been. It's a reality show -- sometimes maddening, sometimes silly, usually compelling -- wedded to a popularity contest. Singing's a part of it, but it's not always the most crucial part. It's good for the franchise if the occasional winner turns out to be a popular commercial artist (Kelly, then Carrie, maybe now David Cook), but it hasn't hurt that Ruben and Taylor struggled post- "Idol," because their seasons were so memorable.

By returning to the semifinal format of the first few seasons, complete with three separate groups and a wild-card round, the producers and judges regained greater control over how their show is cast. Under the fourth- to seventh-season formats (where all the contestants performed every week, only a handful going home each time), it might not have been as easy for the producers to set the field the way they wanted. (Nick Mitchell, who performed in character as the campy "Normund Gentle," might have been just memorable enough to squeak through each week under that format, and then the show would have had a self-aware Sanjaya on its hands.) But based on air time in the audition and Hollywood rounds, placement in the semi-final episodes, and the judges' reactions, the top 13 is mainly made up of people that Team Idol wanted to see in the finals.

But it's hard to tell yet how good of a casting job they did. Thanks to the revamped format, we've only seen one full performance from most of the finalists. Who knows how they're going to handle the big stage, the weird theme nights and the overscheduled life of having to rehearse a song, do product-placed commercials, pretend to be impressed by the mentors, choreograph a group number for the results show, etc.?

It's telling that I feel more invested in the futures of the judges' four wildcard picks -- particularly grad student Anoop Desai, whose cover of Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" was one of the few memorable performances of the season so far -- than I do in most of the people who got voted through, simply because I've seen more of them in front of an audience.

It's difficult to handicap how good the season can be, or who the favorites are, but I'll try. Last year at this time looked like it would be an "Idol" classic, with one of the deeper groups of finalists ever, but Cook was the only one who avoided cracking under the pressure and gave consistently great performances. And a year ago, I assumed David Archuleta was a lock to win, and he finished a distant second to Cook.

So keeping in mind that I'm a bad handicapper -- and that it's tough to factor in the theme nights, onscreen meltdowns, scandals, etc. -- here's a look at the field of 13, and how I'd rank their chances of winning, from best to worst:

1. Danny Gokey: The show has been pushing Gokey's backstory -- his wife died suddenly a month before he auditioned -- so much that it's starting to feel distasteful. (That's the show's fault, not Gokey's.) But the combination of sympathy, screentime, a nice-guy personality and a memorably bluesy voice makes him the early favorite. He seems like Archuleta with an added dozen years of maturity, but will he be as predictable?

2. Lil Rounds: One of three young moms in the finals, she got what seemed like excessive praise from the judges for a very shouty performance in Hollywood. Then she came back with a killer makeover and a subtle, professional take on Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" and made that night's other singers seem like they were at a karaoke night.
3. Adam Lambert: Lambert, who was in the touring company of "Wicked," is probably this season's most polarizing finalist after his theatrical take on The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction." But on "Idol," polarizing is a good thing because the people who hate you can't vote against you (until the top two), while the people who love you may become obsessed with you.

4. Alexis Grace: Sounded almost Kelly Clarkson-esque when she tackled Aretha's "I Never Loved a Man," a song that shouldn't sound as convincing as it did from a petite blonde. Like Lil, one of the few women the public actually voted through, and she seems well-equipped for different themes.

5. Anoop Desai: Enormously likable, and not just because it's fun to shout his first name. One of the few contestants who knows how to work the stage, he has a good enough voice and seems to have learned from his semis near-miss not to sing drippy ballads. "Idol" has never had a contestant quite like him. Could be a sleeper.

6. Megan Joy Corkrey: The judges are totally smitten with the pretty, quirky, tattooed woman with the distinctive, but not especially powerful voice. Anoop's polar opposite when it comes to moving on stage -- her spastic arm movements are like a cross between a Molly Shannon character, Elaine Benes dancing and a toddler -- but that's almost part of her charm. A classic case of personality probably being more important than talent.

7. Scott MacIntyre: The level of judge fawning over the blind pianist's semi-finals performance of "Mandolin Rain" -- Kara told him, "You move mountains on that stage." -- came across as patronizing praise of a middling performance, as if Scott needed to be graded on a curve for his disability. At the same time, Scott wouldn't be the first finalist to have a long run fueled by sentimental reasons (see also singing Marine Josh Gracin in season two), and he also may get a boost once he's able to perform behind his trusty piano when instruments are allowed again.
8. Matt Giraud: Like fellow wildcarder Anoop, he's probably learned his lesson after his heinous Coldplay cover a few weeks ago and will stay in his blues box from now on. Another pianist who should benefit from the return of instruments.

9. & 10. Jasmine Murray & Allison Iraheta: Someone needs to draw the "she's just like me!" votes from the teen and 'tween girls who are the show's biggest voting bloc, and if it's not youthful-looking, 21-year-old mom Alexis, it'll be one of the two actual teens. Allison got voted through, while Jasmine was a wildcard, but Allison did it by singing "Alone" by Heart, whose catalog has been historically so kind to "Idol" contestants that anyone who advances with one of their songs has to be looked at like a ballplayer who just had his corked bat taken away.

11. Michael Sarver: Another guy making it through largely on backstory -- he's an oil-rig roughneck trying to provide for his family -- Sarver doesn't seem like he'd adapt well to the themes, and I can envision a few weeks of "You're a nice guy, but ..." from Simon, then the boot.

12. Jorge Nunez: Made it through singing another money-in-the-bank "Idol" song, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," and seems unremarkable.

13. Kris Allen: On the one hand, it's commendable -- and maybe a testament to his non-threatening good looks -- that he was voted through a few weeks ago with virtually no previous airtime, and after a bland take on Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," at that. On the other, Kris who? He still has a substantial personality deficit to overcome compared to the other 12 and could be forgotten quickly.

nba 2009 updates


PORTLAND, Ore. – Brandon Roy scored 27 points and the Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-94 on Monday night in a game marred by Portland's Rudy Fernandez being carried off the court on a stretcher after a hard foul.
Fernandez, a rookie from Spain, was hurt late in the third quarter when he was fouled by Trevor Ariza while going up for a shot. He was carried from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.
Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. But he was experiencing chest pain and was taken to a hospital.
Travis Outlaw added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won 12 straight at the Rose Garden. Joel Przybilla also had 12 points and 18 rebounds, while LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant had 26 points, while Pau Gasol had 18 for the Lakers, who haven't won at the Rose Garden in their last seven tries, with their last victory on Feb. 23, 2005.
It was the Lakers' third straight road loss, although they have one of the league's best overall road records at 21-9.
The Blazers are among the NBA's best home teams with a 27-5 record, and their latest winning streak at home dates to a 104-98 loss to Cleveland on Jan. 21.
The rivalry between the Lakers and the Blazers had cooled in recent years, in part because Portland has not been a playoff contender. But it seems to be heating back up with the demise of the so-called "Jail Blazers" and the potential of the NBA's second-youngest team.
Fans at the Rose Garden chanted "Beat L.A!" and booed nearly every time Bryant took a shot.
Portland jumped out to a 19-12 lead on rookie Nicolas Batum's third dunk, as the Blazers found early success in the paint. The Blazers took off on a 10-2 run midway through the first half that put them up 31-16 after Outlaw's 3-pointer.
Portland extended the lead to 51-32 on Aldridge's dunk on a hand-off from Roy. Outlaw's 17-foot jumper made it 60-36 and the Blazers wrapped up the half with a 61-38 lead.
Outlaw finished the half with 17 points, while Bryant had 12 for the Lakers on 6-of-15 shooting.
Fernandez hit a 3-pointer that gave Portland a 81-51 lead in the final minutes of the third quarter. Shortly thereafter, he was driving to the basket on a fast-break when he was fouled by Ariza.
Fernandez fell hard under the basket, on both his elbow and his hip. He remained prone on the court for more than 10 tense minutes before being taken from the court on a stretcher.
A skirmish broke out among the two teams and Ariza was ejected. The Blazers were assessed a pair of technical fouls.
The Blazers went flat after Fernandez went out, and the Lakers closed the gap to 89-73 midway through the fourth quarter.
But the Blazers wouldn't let Los Angeles get any closer. Roy sealed it with a statement dunk with 2:58 left that made it 106-79. Afterward, he chest bumped his teammates.
The Blazers remained without Greg Oden, who hasn't played since the All-Star break because of a bone chip in his knee. The 7-foot center is expected to be reevaluated this week.
Notes:@ The Lakers also beat the Blazers in the season opener for both teams, 96-76. ... The Lakers' 38 points in the first half were a season low. ... The Blazers normally play a snippet of "I Love L.A." whenever LaMarcus Aldridge scores, but replaced it Monday night for obvious reasons. ... The Lakers play nine of their next 12 away from home. ... Roy did not play because of a sore hamstring when the two teams last met — a 100-86 Lakers' victory in Los Angeles on Jan. 4.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

eraserheads concert part 2 final


RELIVE the Eraserheadsmania one last time as you catch them at the Eraserheads Live! The Final Set on March 7 at the SM Mall of Asia concert ground. See Buddy Zabala, Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro and Raimund Marasigan take the stage for their ultimate reunion marking their very last gig in the country.

According to a reliable source, Ely Buendia signed a contract stating that the March 7 concert is, indeed, their last performance in the Philippines as the Eheads, for the next 10 years. With that said, this final set is being produced to be the biggest local concert that would blow your minds as you get an extraordinary experience only the Eraserheads can offer.

The most-awaited concert Eraserheads Live! The Final Set is an OPM history milestone. It will celebrate the band’s music that captured the spirit of the times. It will take us back to that point in our lives when Eheads songs like “Ligaya,” “Pare Ko,” “Alapaap,” “Sembreak” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo” became the anthems of people. After 13 years of making top-of-the-chart hits, the band will finally conclude its legacy in a one-night-only performance.

Among the 10 million Eraserheads fans, only 100,000 can witness it live on March 7. Be part of that history. Get your tickets now before it runs out. Tickets for the show are priced at P2,910 for the Gold A and Gold B sections; P1,261 for the Silver A and Silver B sections; and P291 for the Bronze section (plus the 3-percent service charge).

For reservations: TicketNet, 911-5555 (www.ticketnet.com.ph) or TicketWorld, 891-9999 (www.ticketworld.com.ph). For information: smartbuddy.eheads.net, keep tuning in to MTV Philippines, or log on to www.mtvphil.com.

Eraserheads Live! The Final Set is presented by MTV Philippines and Smart Buddy, and is copresented by Coca-Cola, GMA, McDonald’s, San Miguel Pale Pilsen, SM Mall of Asia and QTV 11; with the participation of Del Monte Fit and Right and Enervon Multivitamins; Sofitel Philippine Plaza as official residence; and Jaguar and Land Rover as official transport provider. Minor sponsors are Armvet Printing Co., Italianni’s, Petron XCS and Sony BMG.

rob knox


The family of the Harry Potter actor who was knifed to death in south London have broken down in tears as they paid an emotional tribute to the teenager.

Rob Knox's mother and father coud barely contain their grief as they visited the scene of the killing and examined the flowers and messages of sympathy which have been left there.
They later spoke of their devastation at his loss, adding it was "impossible to convey the sadness" they all felt.


His father Colin said: "Rob touched many people's lives. He was a happy, outgoing and fun person to be with.
"Rob always put everyone before himself and was always the first to stand up against wrong."
The 18-year-old died when he and four friends became involved in a scuffle with a man armed with two knives outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup.
Describing his son as "an angel on earth without wings", Mr Knox revealed that the last conversation he had with his son was about knives.
His voice cracking with emotion, he said: "Slightly ironic, but it's true. Whether he listened or not I don't know."
He added: "I did have his ear, he did always listen but unfortunately when someone is threatening his younger brother - he would defend him."
Messages have also been posted on networking website Facebook paying tribute to the "smashing lad" who "knew how to make everyone laugh".
Others express concerns about another young death in the capital - the 14th so far this year.
One wrote: "It's not right. This is getting way too close to home. RIP Rob."
Rob was stabbed just a few miles from where 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen was killed in Lee two weeks ago.
Jimmy and Rob, who plays Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in the forthcoming Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, both played for Sidcup Rugby Club.
Club president Phil West said: "We're still mourning for Jimmy and now we've got a second victim. It's absolutely devastating."
Sky reporter Kitty Logan said the murder has shocked the local community. "It's difficult for people to comprehend," she said.
"Rob and his friends were not involved in drugs or guns or crime, they were just enjoying a night out."
Lyn Costello, of Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, told Sky News it would not be fair to blame Government policies for the youngster's death.
"We must all take responsibility for what is happening to young people," she said.
A post-mortem is being carried out to determine the exact cause of Rob's death.
The four friends who were wounded in the incident are said to be recovering from their injuries.
Police have arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Friday, March 6, 2009

watchmen review

From the start of the Watchmen cult, film people knew two things about the comic book: (1) that it simply had to be made into a movie and (2) that it couldn't.

An epic superhero saga, spanning 45 years, with six major characters who all sport double identities and crucial, intertwined back-stories, does not lend itself to the narrative turbo-thrust of a standard action film. Indeed, the superest hero of the bunch — Dr. Manhattan, once known as Jon Osterman — is not an action hero; he's a passive one, a contemplative godhead, a sinewy blue nude Buddha, emotionally removed from the comic's central whodunit quest: Who killed Eddie Blake? A.k.a. the Comedian.


Complicating this is the possessiveness felt by hardcore Watchmaniacs, who believe that any change is an act of treason. When director Zack Snyder showed clips of the movie last fall to an audience of rapt but wary votaries, one portly fellow told him, "On behalf of the obese-obsessive demographic, I want your assurance that the ending does not puss out." Such is the snakebite of hype, especially for a project with such outsize expectations. The film, budgeted at $100 million and the object of a rights wrangle between Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox, has received less than rapturous early reviews. In his Hollywood Reporter critique, Kirk Honeycutt predicted that the film would be "the first real flop of 2009."


That's the dilemma the director faced: to risk disappointing both the fan base (for diverting from the sacred text) and the agnostic mass audience (for being a confusing, unsatisfying movie experience). Snyder — who had a big hit two years ago with 300, and who took Watchmen on after interesting auteurs from Terry Gilliam in the '80s to Paul Greengrass a few years ago fell out — went with the fan base. He worked from a script written in 2001 by David Hayter, and filigreed by Alex Tse, that was as close to the original as a movie could be. The best and worst thing to say about the Watchmen film is that, if you read the book, the movie you made in your head probably looked a lot like this.

american idol wild card surprise

Thirteen turned out to be the lucky number for Anoop Desai on "American Idol."

After announcing the three remaining finalists at the end of Thursday's wild card round, Simon Cowell announced that the much-loved 22-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, N.C., won a previously unannounced 13th spot in the next round of the popular Fox singing contest. In past seasons, 12 finalists were picked to move on.

"We decided -- recently -- we're going to make this a top 13," Cowell revealed.

The three other wild-card finalists were Jasmine Murray, the big-voiced 16-year-old high school student from Starkville, Miss.; Megan Corkrey, the quirky 22-year-old single mother from Sandy, Utah; and Matt Giraud, the soulful 23-year-old dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich.

The previously dismissed foursome were selected by the show's judges.

Desai's last-minute selection wasn't the night's only seemingly unscripted moment. After oh-so-emotional semifinalist Tatiana Del Toro performed Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love For You," she kneeled and pleaded for a spot from the judges. Then, host Ryan Seacrest came on stage and told her she didn't have to get up off her knees.

"Family show, family show," judge Kara DioGuardi repeatedly proclaimed throughout the awkward moment.

Desai, Murray, Corkrey and Giraud join previously picked finalists Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Jorge Nunez, Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver. The 13 finalists will start competing next Tuesday.

pacquiao vs. hatton winner result

THE HISTORIC BOXING WINNER


The much awaited battle between Philippines Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and United Kingdom's Boxing Pride Ricky Hatton marks another glorious year in Boxing history.


Pacquiao after winning thru a technical knockout against international boxing icon Oscar Dela Hoya has attracted various opponents willing to match the fist of "Pacman".


There are deserving opponents but one stood out from them. It's Ricky Hatton. After weeks of doubt whether this historic boxing event would indeed be placed in history was finally finalized and scheduled on May 2, 2009.

By Andy Samuelson
Manny Pacquiao just completed one of boxing’s most impressive years ever with three wins in three different weight classes, highlighted by his dominant victory over the iconic Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6, 2008, at the MGM Grand.
And while fans line the streets by the thousands in his native Philippines to watch the universally regarded pound-for-pound champ box, another prize fighter thinks he’s got just the type of style to stop Pacquiao’s legendary status from growing.
“To say I'm confident would be an understatement,” said British boxer Ricky Hatton, during a media conference call Wednesday to talk about his May 2 bout at the MGM Grand with Pacquiao being called “The Battle of East and West.”
“Training is going well. I'm feeling really sharp. Me and Floyd have been doing good work,” continued Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), the current Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight Champ, whose lone loss was to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“They're going to see the boxing side of Ricky Hatton.”
Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., wasn’t as politically correct in his prediction for the spring bout.
“We're going to bust his (expletive) up,” Mayweather Sr. said. “Ricky is one of the easiest guys in the world to train. Makes it easy for me and hard for Pac-Man. Ricky surprises me at times. I'm sure he'll surprise Pac. He's an A-1 student.
"Ricky has a very good chance of knocking him out. (Pacquiao) is fighting a man who has real strength, can keep real pressure on him, bang him to the body and the head and smother him at the same time. That's hard to deal with.”
Earlier in the week, Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, avoided any bold predictions in an interview with the United Kingdom newspaper, The Telegraph, but instead insisted the Filipino star (48-3, 36 KOs) will be in the best shape of his life when he takes on “The Hitman.”
“I love training Manny. He doesn't stop between rounds, he doesn't rest,” Roach said.
“He's a machine. He fights like he trains, that's why he's in such great shape. We don't take anyone lightly, and he carries the hopes of many people when he fights. That's why we'll be in 100 percent shape for this fight.”
Hatton, who stopped Paul Malignaggi in the 11th round of their November fight at the MGM Grand, admitted he would have to be weary of Pacquiao’s incredible speed.
But Hatton countered that the former WBC lightweight world champion, WBC super featherweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion and WBC flyweight world champion won’t have an answer for his size and strength.
“Obviously the speed factor is going to be a big factor,” Hatton said. “I've always said at 140 pounds I believe I'm too strong and too big.
“With the hand speed and punching, the things I'm learning with Floyd and my boxing ability, Manny has got something else to worry about besides the sheer size. He has got some technical ability to worry about come the night.”
While it is expected that Hatton’s large legion of fans from Manchester, England, will outnumber Pacquiao faithful 2-to-1 in the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 2, if Tuesday’s news conference in Manchester is any indication, then all bets are off.
"I did not expect it in Manchester because this is Ricky's hometown," said Pacquioa, who was mobbed by fans throughout his three-day press junket.
"I was surprised to see so many of my people in Manchester, and I think Ricky Hatton was surprised to see them, too. Although it is Hatton's place, I think Manchester is now 'Mannychester!'”

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

american idol results

'American Idol': Group 3 results night might be suspenseful!
Mar 3, 2009, 11:34 PM by Michael Slezak

Tonight's episode of American Idol gets an 8 out of 12. And that's not just a subjective number. Indeed, I counted eight contestants tonight who gave themslves at least some small chance of scoring viewer votes or a possible Wild Card performance spot on Thursday. To recap, we saw singers get praised by the judges (Von Smith, Scott MacIntyre), play to smart niche demographics (Kendall Beard), receive special lighting/loving closeups from the producers (Jorge Nuñez), expertly reinvent their songs (Ju'Not Joyner), storm the stage with a purpose (Felicia Barton, Lil Rounds), and even overcome hideous arrangements through pure vocal talent (Kristen McNamara). A few of those folks, in fact, fit more than one category! That's probably not good news for the entertaining Alex Wagner-Trugman. And it's a crushing blow to those who were either forgettable (Taylor Who, Nathaniel Marshall) or unforgettably awful (Arianna Afsar). But in any event, Group 3 Semifinal Performance Night was actually pretty entertaining. And on that jaunty note, I'm off to write my full TV Watch recap, which should be live on EW.com early tomorrow morning. In the interim, do watch our latest two episodes of Idolatry -- they'll play back-to-back -- embedded below, then hit the comments section with your own thoughts on which three singers will and should advance during Wednesday's results show!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

panagbenga 2009 season

baguio celebrates this february the season of a blooming spirit as manifested in the colorful and lively flowers of the city of pines.

this years' celebration respirates in the theme 'panagbenga festival: our festival..yours too!".. this signifies baguio as a growing city that embraces all cultures, its a city where tourists get to have a sense of ownership.

i walked along session road last morning as my eyes were gradually caught by an emerging atmosphere of colors mostly coming from the business stalls in upper session..


like the spectrum of flowers that bloom and catch the hearts of the people in the panagbenga, let baguio grow far more better than it is today..

with out losing its color as it was yesterdays..