Van Tango

Elizabeth Hurley says she's probably one of the world's least-demanding girlfriends. Hurley has been dating Indian businessman Arun Nayer, who recently got a divorce. She declined to say whether the couple would get married soon. "We'll see about that," a magazine quoted her as saying. But Hurley said she was easy to please. "I think I'm probably one of the lowest maintenance girlfriends in the world. I'm very self-sufficient and very independent," she reportedly said. Is that so? Some would find it hard to believe. And many would definitely agree Eliz behaves like a refined lady, unlike a certain has-been disco aunt who just won't retire from the dancefloor...

Don't worry Survivor fanatics. Forget Jeff Probst ending his deal and exiling to some isle - he already does that for a living. The host of Survivor for the past 5 1/2 years intends to keep doing it. Probst has signed a new multiyear deal to remain with the CBS reality series. "I was thinking about retiring and spending my time traveling to exotic locations around the world, meeting new and interesting people. Then I realized, uh, wait a second, I'm already doing that with Survivor and getting paid for it, as well," Probst said in a statement. With his contract due to expire with the current 11th season finale, Probst let it be known in October that he was weighing whether to continue with the gig - which, besides fame and fortune, has also yielded him a partner, former contestant Julie Berry.

In a statement expressing his delight with Probst's decision to stay (financial terms have not been disclosed) Survivor producer Mark Burnett said: "I consider him a friend and look forward to continuing to keep Survivor fresh with Jeff for many more seasons." CBS has already announced that it will air the 13th and 14th versions of Survivor during the 2006-07 season. That 12th edition, being filmed at an undisclosed location, is to be broadcast next spring. Brilliant. Can't imagine a new face saying "I'll go telly the votes." & "The tribe has spoken.". Congrats to Danni Boatright for being the sole Survivor of Guatemala. She made the best move of the game by buying a mystery letter for $200 to help win immunity a few episodes back. And I don't think it mattered who she brings whether it's Steph or Rafe coz both of them have more enemies in the jury than her. During the finale, I thought Fran Drescher(The Nanny) was sitting beside Steph.

Nicole Kidman is set to marry Keith Urban next spring. The pair are planning a low-key ceremony on the beaches of the US Virgin Islands. A source revealed, "Nicole and Keith are very happy together and are planning to wed as soon as possible. They are both busy with work commitments but are hoping to marry in the spring. They have both been to the Virgin Islands and have fallen in love with the place. And Nicole's two adopted children Isabella and Connor will attend the event but she doesn't want any fuss. It will be a chic but simple affair." Naomi Watts, a friend of Nicole's, explained, "Nicole is getting on with it. We have both been busy but we do catch up as often as possible. And yes I can confirm she is very happy." If it's true, then congrats to them. Wonder if Katie and Tom will attend the event; since there are no animosity between both parties.

Bjork's Hyperballad video. She is weird, unique and one of a kind.

Arctic Monkeys performed in Stockholm recently. They were backstage with some dudes of 12:51 and darts of pleasure.

Hard-Fi are on the road again for their sold out, 'packed to the rafters' tour. They're gonna record live versions of the new single 'Cash Machine' and make them available from the official site on Dec 26th.

Some nice pics from Goldfrapp's concert on Dec 5th

Trap2 is an up and coming band from Sheffield that has been the support act for the likes of Kasabian & Arctic Monkeys this year. I think they have a good indie rock vibe especially this song called Tin Pigs. Kasabian have offered to remix this absolute cracker of a song 'Welcome To The Zoo' that smacks of sheer arrogance and confidence. Definitely one to watch for next year. I'm quite excited about the prospects of this band. Was reading through the recommendations after listening to their samples and you can't argue with it..

"Intense, moody groove rock with a vocalist who sounds like a partially castrated Liam Gallagher and a nice line in Kasabian-esque beats" - NME

"A real behemoth beast of a band, like a muscular steroid addicted version of the Second Coming era Stone Roses, but their headset is a much with Ian Brown's grooves as it is with John Squire's riffs" - Designer Magazine


Another chapter in Lindsay Lohan's very public family life has come to a close: Her parents, Michael and Dina Lohan, decided on Monday to settle their contentious divorce, according to attorneys for both sides. "Dina and the children are delighted that this chapter in their lives is finally over." said Dina's attorney, Robert S. Cohen.
Though terms of the agreement are confidential, a source close to Dina says she is happy with the outcome. The strife between Lindsay's parents has very much been in the public eye, and even serves as the basis of several songs on her album A Little More Personal (Raw). Also, in the video for her single "Confessions of a Broken Heart," which Lindsay directed, actors playing her parents argue violently as a horrified young Lindsay (played by her younger sister Aliana) cowers. The actress said: "I don't think any girl wants to see her parents in this situation...I've been hurt."

Colin Farrell has entered an undisclosed treatment facility for exhaustion and dependency on prescription medication related to a back injury. This summer, Farrell sued former girlfriend Nicole Narain, a Playmate, for allegedly trying to sell a tape of them having sex. A Los Angeles judge subsequently granted a restraining order banning her from placing the video on the market. Farrell, who has a 2-year-old son, stars in the upcoming widescreen version of '80s TV favorite Miami Vice, in which he plays Sonny Crockett. Wow. He hasn't even reached his 30s yet and still need to get special medication for his back. Why the Bond directors did not ask him to be the next spy is quite puzzling.

Typically a Hipster can be identified by vintage or thrift-store bought clothing, a taste for obscure or underground music, a penchant for irony and an elitist attitude. True?

Q : Why does he only listen to bands that are never played on the radio?
A : He's a hipster.

They're the same folks, but different Strokes.

Jules - "We were figuring stuff out, but after three or four songs I was thinking in my mind that 'I can't believe we're finally sounding the way I want us to sound'."

The Subways new single No Goodbyes is different from their other usual rocknroll stuff. It's more mellow but the quality is still top notch.

StimTVmusic is a revolutionary new way to discover music on the internet, and the first channel to launch on the stimTV network. Using patented streaming video method, stimTVmusic can expose you to hundreds of bands in just a few minutes. Highly recommended.

Dirty Pretty Monkeys duo to rule 2006? [Courtesy of Allen]
Carl Barat with Alex Turner












































Harry Potter listens to SexPistols, Manic Street Preachers, Libertines, T-Rex & Pulp! Impressive. But I know nuts about this Parry Hotter legacy.

Gary Lightbody has revealed that the new Snow Patrol album has a working title of 'Eyes Open' and is almost finished. He said: "We finally have a working title even though we're in our last week in Grouse Lodge and nearly done actually working." Lightbody added: "We're gonna live with it for a while but as far as the lyrics go it makes perfect sense so it's likely it'll stick." A release date is yet to be set for the album.

Kaiser Chiefs have revealed that they intend to release a 'heavier' follow-up album. The band have long insisted that fans should look beyond the merriment of tunes such as 'I Predict A Riot' and see the depth and unrest in their lyrics. Ricky Wilson said: "People keep asking about the second album - 'Are you under pressure or worried or whatever?' - but we are really looking forward to it." He continued: "We've been on tour all year and we've kind of become heavier as a band - but that's just because we've been enjoying rocking out. And it's a lot of fun to rock out." Errr...okay. It might just backfire on those who prefer to na na na na naa..


Guillemots - Trains To Brazil
If you want to drop just one name in the run up to 2006 market of new music, it would have to be Guillemots. After the success of their debut EP 'I Saw Such Things In My Sleep', which came out earlier this year, Guillemots return with their second release 'Trains To Brazil' on Dec 5th. Hailing from Birmingham, Canada, Brazil and Scotland, Guillemots are led by lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield. Produced by Fyfe and Mike Hedges (U2, The Cure), this single ambitiously combines a soulful double-tracked pop vocal with thunderous Motown drums and an 18-piece brass section. Heavy rotation on music TV, and enough tips from those in the know to sink the enemies' battleship, the hype is becoming almost deafening. Yet they carry it off effortlessly, where other bands might tire of blanket exposure, with Guillemots it simply serves to showcase a very special band. 'Trains To Brazil' has all the inventiveness and raw energy of an Arcade Fire combined with an uplifting edge which refuses to be beaten down. There's something unique going on, and it's going to be very big.