Tag Archives: opinion

A Muslim Response to ‘Draw Muhammad Day’

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

I will be the first to defend anyone's right to express their opinion, no matter how offensive it may be to me. Our nation has prospered because Americans value and respect diversity. But freedom of expression does not create an obligation to offend or to show disrespect to the religious beliefs or revered figures of others. In reaction to the recent controversy over a depiction of Islam's Prophet Muhammad in an episode of Comedy Central's “South Park,” a Seattle cartoonist apparently declared May 20th to be “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day.” I say “apparently,” because cartoonist Molly Norris — the creator of the cartoon showing many objects claiming to be a likeness of the prophet — now says she never intended to launch “Draw Muhammad Day.” On her web site, she has since posted a statement that reads in part: “I did NOT 'declare' May 20 to be 'Everybody Draw Mohammed Day'…The cartoon-poster, with a fake 'group' behind it, went viral and was taken seriously…The vitriol this 'day' has brought out, of people who only want to draw obscene images, is offensive to the Muslims who did nothing to endanger our right to expression in the first place…I apologize to people of Muslim faith and ask that this 'day' be called off.” Norris even visited a mosque at the invitation of the local Muslim community. The creator of a Facebook page dedicated to the day also repudiated the “inflammatory posts” it inspired. He said, “I am aghast that so many people are posting deeply offensive pictures of the Prophet…Y'all go ahead if that's your bag, but count me out.” Despite the cartoonist's and the Facebook page creator's seemingly sincere attempts to distance themselves from the fake event, Muslim-bashers and Islamophobes made sure the call to “draw Muhammad” went viral on the Internet. They are hoping to offend Muslims, who are generally sensitive to created images of the Prophet Muhammad or any prophet. [The majority of Muslims believe visual representations of all prophets are inappropriate in that they distract from God's message and could lead to a kind of idol worship, something forbidden in Islam.] So how should Muslims and other Americans react to this latest attempt by hate-mongers to exploit the precious right of free speech and turn May 20 into a celebration of degradation and xenophobia? Before I answer that question, it must first be made clear that American Muslims value freedom of speech and have no desire to inhibit the creative instincts of cartoonists, comedians or anyone else. The mainstream American Muslim community, including my own organization, has also strongly repudiated the few members of an extremist fringe group who appeared to threaten the creators of “South Park.” That group, the origins and makeup of which has been questioned by many Muslims, has absolutely no credibility within the American Muslim community. more….. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-a-muslim-response-to-draw-muhammad-… added by: CarlosBobthe3rd

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Ali Lohan’s Casting Call With Award Winning Porn Director.

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Dina Lohan is ready to roll heads, after learning from TMZ that her 14-year-old daughter had a casting call with a big-time, award winning porn director. Ali Lohan’s rep tells us the girl had no idea that Peter Davy was behind such classics as “Breast Wishes 14” and “Bun Busters 12.” Sources tell us the meeting was actually set up by Ali’s agent. Apparently, no one gave Dina a heads up — pardon the expression. Officially, Dina is upset. Unofficially, we know she went nuclear. Source: TMZ

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Ali Lohan’s Casting Call With Award Winning Porn Director.

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Madonna’s Husband Guy Ritchie Thinks Sugar Is More Dangerous Than Cocaine

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Madonna’s husband Guy Ritchie says sugar is more dangerous than cocaine. Guy — who found fame with his 1998 movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels — believes the sweet substance kills more people than the celebrity drug. He says, “Sugar kills. Think of the calories in sugar. Fat kills more people than anything else. Sugar is responsible for a lot of deaths, arguably more than crack cocaine” Guy, 39, also gave his opinion on British rocker Pete Doherty’s drug habit, telling Empire magazine, “It’s either genius marketing or a happy — or unhappy — accident. It’s creative self-destruction in the sense that he’s doing it creatively.” Guy recently dismissed claims he and Madonna are headed for divorce. At a screening for his new movie RocknRolla last week, he said, “My marriage is fine as far as I’m aware of.”

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Ke$ha: Fighting a War, Posing with Paint

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

In the latest issue of Interview magazine, Ke$ha is described as the “chart-topping, glitter-caked new queen of drunk-girl dance music. [She] might very well be the perfect post-modern pop star: one who lives her life like it’s a reality show.” But is that image contrived? Many critics think Ke$ha is full of $hit, just pretending to be eccentric in order to garner publicity. The singer swears she really is a freak , though, and a quote in the Interview feature seems to back this up: “None of it’s fabricated. Like, I have a belief that if I wear my placenta in a necklace, there’s a possibility of me gaining second sight, like being psychic. I would be wearing it whether or not I was in the public eye… I went yesterday to a past-life regressionist, and he told me that in my past life I was assassinated. I’m pretty sure that I was JFK in my past life.” Well… okay then. The artist, born Kesha Rose Sebert, also refers to herself as a “Dance Commander” instead of a “star” because she says the latter label is “douchey.” What are the responsibilities of a Dance Commander? “I’m not pretentious,” she says . “I’m fighting this war against all that because pop music, in my opinion, should be fun. One of the most important things in the world is having the ability to turn someone’s mood from mediocre to excellent in three minutes. It’s like a fucking magic trick.” Does Ke$ha accomplish that trick for you? Ponder that question as you check out more photos from the magazine pictorial below:

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Ke$ha: Fighting a War, Posing with Paint

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‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Will Have ‘Best Time Ever’ In Miami, Locals Say

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I can’t wait to party with them,’ one fan says. By MTV News staff Cast of “Jersey Shore” Photo: MTV It’s official! The “Jersey Shore” crew will be making their way back to the, uh, Jersey Shore for season two of the reality hit . However, the cast will kick off the new season in Miami before heading back up North. Although they may be out of their element in Florida, fans in the Sunshine State have been very welcoming to Snooki, the Situation and the rest of the crew. “Miami’s where it’s at — but Jersey’s like a miniature Miami, so if you bring them down here they’ll just be twice as big,” Andrew Hyatt said. “I can’t wait to party with them, hit up all the clubs with them … they couldn’t come anywhere better than Miami,” Iliana added. Laura Fontana is also looking forward to clubbing with the Jersey natives. “Oh my God! We’re gonna party and they’re gonna love it and they’re gonna party with us,” she gushed. “They’re just gonna have the best time ever.” “I think it’s going to be really funny,” Nadia Contractor said, noting that residents of the Miami shore are a bit different from their Jersey shore counterparts. “People are different than Jersey and I think we’re going to expect a different vibe.” “Yesterday we saw Ronnie coming out and he was fist-pumping,” Neil Kadlec said. “Ronnie’s just doing the fist pump,” Brenda Oramas added. “It’s gonna be amazing.” Fan Noel summed it up for the fellas, adding, “It’s going to be amazing. It’s one of the most greatest shows that has been on MTV in my opinion. I love to watch it and it’s always entertaining … Snooki and all those other attractive women.” Are you excited for season two of “Jersey Shore”? What do you think the crew will get into down in Miami? Let us know in the comments below! Season two of “Jersey Shore” premieres Thursday, July 29, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there! Related Videos ‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Will Be Returning Home!

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‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Will Have ‘Best Time Ever’ In Miami, Locals Say

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‘American Idol’ Midterm: Experts Grade Ellen DeGeneres So Far

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Jury is mixed on how DeGeneres has fit into the club. By Gil Kaufman Ellen DeGeneres and Randy Jackson Photo: FOX As anyone who has switched high schools mid-year can tell you, it’s never easy fitting in with the cool kids. Midway through her first season on “American Idol,” talk-show host/ comedian Ellen DeGeneres hasn’t tripped and dropped her lunch tray in front of the whole school yet, but she also hasn’t exactly gotten the lead in the school production of “Grease,” according to our panel of experts. DeGeneres was ostensibly brought in to add a touch of humor to the judges’ table following the departure of judge Paula Abdul. But our “Idol” watchers said she was also tapped to beef up the panel before Simon Cowell’s departure, which became an eventuality before Ellen even had a chance to warm up her seat. And while she hasn’t set the show on fire, she’s made her presence felt with some patented wacky metaphors (see “ripe banana”) and her signature “I really like you” compliments. “Ellen started off strong in Hollywood Week,” said MTV News “Idol” aficionado Jim Cantiello. “As a die-hard ‘Idol’ fan, I was relieved that she took the job so seriously. … Ellen was into it. She kept her comic shtick to a minimum. It appeared she had a nice balance between Paula’s compassion and Simon’s acerbic wit. I was stoked.” Once the live shows started, though, Cantiello said DeGeneres’ critiques turned into endless run-on sentences, and the bad reviews almost always ended with “but I like you!” or “you’re adorable!” “I guess she was trying to cushion the blow, but it just clouded her criticism,” he said, lamenting that DeGeneres’ hug for Tim Urban after his cover of “Hallelujah” probably helped the iffy singer solidify a spot in the top 12. Bob Thompson, professor of television and popular culture of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse and an avid “Idol” watcher since day one, said he could sum up his feelings on DeGeneres in one word: disappointment. “Ellen is a very talented comic presence,” he said. “I’ve seen her do stand-up, and she’s really good at off-the-cuff stuff on her talk show. When I first heard she was becoming a judge, I thought two things: What credibility does Ellen DeGeneres have in judging future music stars? And, besides that massive gap in her r

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The Real Housewives of New Jersey Stars Preview New Season, "A Lot of Crazy"

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Brace yourselves for shocking news: the new season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey will be full of drama. At least that’s the case if you believe Dina Manzo. At an event in New York City last week, she specifically called out fellow cast member Danielle Staub. “Danielle loves drama. She loves every second of it and being the center of attention, whether it’s positive or negative,” Manzo told Hollywoodlife.com. And Staub’s response to such an accusation? The former sex tape star attempted to take the high road. “I’m not going to put stock in her opinion,” she said. “People are figuring out I’m not the person that [the wives] make me out to be… I try to live my life and stay away from them. I stay in the positive – look on my Facebook and Twitter. I do my absolute best to inspire people.” So, what can viewers expect on the new season, which premieres on May 3? “We’re Jersey so we keep it real and we’re a little bit more street than the other housewife series,” Manzo hilariously said. “We’re not afraid to show everything – the good, the bad, the ugly. And you don’t mess with us, either!” If you have any brains, or an iota of a live, you also don’t watch them on TV.

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The Real Housewives of New Jersey Stars Preview New Season, "A Lot of Crazy"

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THG Week in Review: March 27-April 2, 2010

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Welcome to The Hollywood Gossip. Here we reflect on the past seven days in Hollywood gossip, celebrity news and rumors in our Week in Review. Highlights from March 27-April 2 include … Lindsay Lohan is going to die unless she gets help. That’s the opinion of friends, professionals and family members close to her. Unfortunately for her, Michael Lohan feels the best use of his time is to email THG about its coverage. Quite a week for Jesse James: Checking into rehab for “personal issues,” posing for Nazi photos , cited for vandalism, claiming to be a “broken” man, and so on. No wonder Sandra Bullock is rumored to be divorcing him. Amid reports his wife wants to bail on The Masters, Tiger Woods continues to be dogged and called out as a liar, cheapskate, etc., by his various mistresses … and even by his kindergarten teacher for good measure. Dr. Conrad Murray needs to keep his medical license so that he can pay for his defense against charges he killed Michael Jackson. But he’s not sorry . This girl needs a whole team of shrinks, ASAP. Ricky Martin came out as a “fortunate” gay man Monday, while on Friday, Oscar-winning True Blood star Anna Paquin admitted she’s bisexual . Angelina Jolie is being called a self-centered, manipulative, psycho control freak who laughs when children cry. But is that really true, people? American Idol bid farewell to Didi Benami , while welcoming guest stars Usher and Justin Bieber. Speaking of Biebs, he’s takin’ over the world. Dancing with the Stars bid farewell to Shannen Doherty, despite the fact that she outperformed Kate Gosselin, who sucks and is a big whiner . The Hills is about to bid farewell to TV. Which is not the worst thing at this point, but you’ve gotta check out the ridiculous final season trailer . Britney Spears was certainly dressed to impress Thursday … as was Mindy McCready on the cover of her hot new sex tape, hilariously called “Baseball Mistress .” Fashion statements of the week: Jennifer Aniston , who continues to tease us with regard to Gerard Butler, and Britney Spears . See above. Enough said. LOL release of the week: The Mindy McCready sex tape , which she claims she is outraged over, and is called Baseball Mistress for no apparent reason. Kim Kardashian is just too mature for Reggie Bush. Even if he went on record on Twitter to deny that he ever cheated on the world’s greatest body. Worst National Anthem performance: Keri Hilson . No wonder Miley Cyrus is quitting music for good. One confirmed Jonas couple, one confirmed breakup this week. Couple news: Nick Jonas and Selena Gomez are over; Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato went public; Taylor Swift and Cory Monteith might be dating; Ditto for Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy; Robsten eloped (on April Fools Day). Wedding bells: Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy tied the knot . Baby news: None from Beyonce and Jay-Z, thankyouverymuch. Police blotter, etc.: Jason Wahler was charged with DUI again; Shaq is being sued for harassment by mistress Vanessa Lopez ; Dwayne Wade’s wife says he gave her an STD; Dennis Hopper’s wife may be trying to kill him. Don’t forget to follow The Hollywood Gossip on Twitter for all the latest news, celebrity gossip, rumors, commentary and humor as it happens, 24/7/365!

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THG Week in Review: March 27-April 2, 2010

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Critics Slam Miley Cyrus, The Last Song

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On more than one recent occasion, Miley Cyrus has said she plans on taking a hiatus from music to focus on acting. Let’s hope her future efforts on the big screen go better than The Last Song . A majority of film critics have come down hard on the movie, specifically citing Miley’s acting as “stiff” and “unconvincing.” Here are excerpts of what they had to say about the flick, which opens this week… A more convincing star could make this a degree more tolerable, although in Cyrus’s defense not much more. Allegedly, this is the film in which Cyrus gets all, like, dramatic. If by ‘dramatic’ one means pouty, sullen, and cute, then OK. — The Boston Globe Acting, for the moment at least, seems almost entirely beyond her… she pouts, slouches, storms in and out of rooms and occasionally cracks a snaggle-toothed smile, but most of the time she seems to be mugging for the camera, play-acting rather than exploring the motives and feelings of her character. — The New York Times Miley Cyrus met boyfriend Liam Hemsworth on the set of The Last Song. That’s about the only positive thing to come from the movie. It’s the worst of both worlds as Disney cash cow Miley Cyrus makes the most dubious “dramatic” debut of any singer since Britney Spears. — The New York Post As likable a performer as she is, Cyrus simply can’t act. Even Sparks’ formulaic material proves too challenging for her. — The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All the obvious elements combine to manipulate the audience into a weepy time at the movies – again. — USA Today Will you go see The Last Song? If so, write in and share your opinion on the movie… and/or your advice as to what field Miley might wish to consider next.

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Critics Slam Miley Cyrus, The Last Song

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Sarah Palin’s opinion on Health Care no longer matters!

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Sarah Palin has taken her rage to Facebook and, through her ghostwriter, thrown herself on the ground to throw a ginormous

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