Van Tango

Is this really true? Katharine McPhee = the next Wonder Woman? Kat is one of the candidates for the highly coveted lead role in the big-screen adaptation of "Wonder Woman." Everyone from Sandra Bullock to Kate Beckinsale has been rumored to be in the running for the starring role in the movie, which will be directed by Joss Whedon, creator of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". I can see this runner-up looking fit as that superheroine but not too sure about her acting ability. Kat will soon be on the upcoming issue of Shape magazine wearing a bathing suit. Good idea to show the world her nonbulimic wonder figure.

Scarlett Johansson put on a show of 40s glamour at the world premiere of her new film. She wore a vintage silk gown at the first showing of The Black Dahlia, in Venice. The Forties-inspired look echoes the costumes Scarlett wears in the film. The show is based on James Ellroy's novel about the real-life murder of wannabe actress Elizabeth Short, whose mutilated body was found dumped on wasteground in Los Angeles in 1947 and the killer has never been found. "What attracted me most to the character was her will to survive. She's a survivor, she's had this crazy life and she will do anything she can to get away from it," she said on the red carpet. Sounds like a cool movie.

A tanned Scarlett Johansson at "The Black Dahlia" premiere (30/08/2006)


Bob Dylan new vid 'Modern' feat Scarlett Johansson - [Dylan-Vid]

Meanwhile, Scarlett's darling Josh Hartnett has recently criticised Paris Hilton and insisted she was lucky to have a career. Paris admits she was taken aback by his comments - because he has never even met her and has no idea how hard she works. She fumes: "He doesn't know what I do. I've never met him. I work hard, I do my own thing, and I've been successful at it. I don't see him with his own clothing line." Why does he need to have his own clothing line?? That girl isn't trained in the Charlotte's verbal-attacking skills... Seeing stars after album sales flop?

So.. Nicole is really not pregnant... Nicole Kidman's spokesperson Catherine Olim has insisted that magazines paying for images of Nic looking pregnant are wasting their money. Olim insists it's just lies and fakery on behalf of the paparazzi. After one magazine paid $20,000 for a photo of "pregnant" Nicole, Olim told MSNBC: "I'm afraid they wasted their money. She's not pregnant. Nicole wouldn't be shooting a film, traveling to Rome for another film, then shooting another film if she were. Incidentally, I'm virtually certain paparazzi are distorting photos to make her look pregnant. I've seen her, she's her regular slender self." First it was Halle Berry somehow losing that suspicious looking tummy and now Nic isn't preggers. Kinda stale and boring then.

Pete Doherty has developed a new addiction... to cooking. WTF?? He is currently fighting his numerous vices at the north London rehab with fellow rock casualties Tom Chaplin and J.Hawkins. He has befriended an Irish chef whom he always met after his umpteenth rehab stint. The culinary guru has put Pete back in touch with his Irish roots, by teaching him how to make intriguingly-named dishes including Dublin Coddle, Boxty and Buttermilk Bannock. A source said: "He would just grab a dirty kebab or some noodles to keep him going. But his new friend has taught him to care about what he puts into his body. So Pete has spent most of his time in the kitchen eagerly learning new recipes. He's convinced this new passion will keep him off drugs for good. And he can't wait to treat Kate Moss to some of his delicious dishes." Hopefully those new meals don't lead to frequent visits to the loo.

Robbie Williams has revealed that he is thinking about quitting the music business as it has taken over his life. He feels his career has taken its toll on him but at the same time worries that he is addicted to the attention. The singer told the Daily Star: "I've got to take the view over the next 18 months and see if I want to be part of the machine anymore, because I don't see me singing again. It's a question of what I want and where I want to be." He pondered: "Can I live without radio picking my song and putting it on the playlist? Or is this fame thing something I'm addicted to? Do I take things into my own hands and dismantle this monster and have a nice life?" The last of the big time pop playboys probably..


No wonder those kissers looked weird. Jessica Simpson has finally confessed that she did undergo a surgical procedure to plump up her lips. It became apparent late last year that her lips had more pout than before, but at the time she was silent on the matter. Now Jessy has admitted to having injections of protein-based gel Restylane, a popular alternative to traditional collagen. She revealed to Glamour magazine: "I had that Restylane stuff. It looked fake to me. I didn't like that. But... it went away in, like, four months. My lips are back to what they were. Thank God!" What if it doesn't go away? Arabian look perhaps..


The Hives are out with the video to their new single 'A Little More for Little You', from the album 'Two Timing Touch and Broken Bones'. [Hives-Little-More]

Snow Patrol and Dirty Pretty Things performed live during the T On The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland on Friday (August 25). [LFI]

Gorillaz have announced details of a new DVD, which will be released on October 30. 'Phase Two - Slowboat To Hades' will collect the group's videos, performances and short animated films that accompanied their second album 'Demon Days'. There is also an interview with the animated band member Noodle. Bloody cartoons. Must check it out.





Alyssa Milano chips in some charm into the Baseball society - [AM-Baseball]






Lindsay Lohan's continuing poor footwear choices [Boots-Not-Made-For-Lohan]


Avril Lavigne - Spanish Mag Citizen K:


Be Your Own Pet have split with their drummer Jamin Orrall who has left to concentrate on his record label and going to college. The official statement reads: "Jamin Orrall has left the band Be Your Own Pet in order to focus on his family owned label, Infinity Cat as well as looking at colleges for the near future. However he is still staying musically active with the band he formed with his brother Jake, Jeff." There has been no announcement yet as to who will replace Orall's place. This band is totally cool.

Wow! Arctic Monkeys new song 'Baby I'm Yours' is absolutely beautiful!! [audio] A throwback to the good old 60s. Your granddads would probably have sang it during high school back then. The original singer was Barbara Lewis.

Kate Hudson is back with husband Chris Robinson. They seem to have patched things up just fourteen days after the pair announced they had split. A source close to couple said, "They never really split. They love each other. Chris can be sarcastic and biting, but not with her." Maybe Senor Wilson is just a fling??

Keira Knightley has gone beyond the pale... well beyond. Filming the latest episode of Pirates, her face appeared to take on a distinctly orange glow. Maybe she had just finished shooting a scene where she was stranded at sea with no cover from the sun when this photograph was taken. Or maybe the make-up department was just having a little fun with her by caking on too much rouge. Either way, Keira definitely looked a brighter shade of pale as she joined other cast members on a boat powering out to a set off the California coast. Doesn't look too bad being orangey.


The Devil Knows Nada? The trickle-down theory of fashion holds that what designers show on the runway one season will be adopted by the masses in the next. Meryl Streep, as Miranda Priestly, illustrated this progression stirringly in "The Devil Wears Prada" with her treatise on the journey of cerulean blue from the evening gowns of Oscar de la Renta to the remainder bins of Casual Corner...[more]

Kate Moss has been named as Britain's best hat wearer. Moss was chosen alongside Robbie Williams by Luton First; a consortium that aims to promote the town's tradition of hat wearing. A spokesman said: "Kate manages to wear the most elaborate and extravagant millinery designs with great confidence and aplomb and, most importantly, without the hat seemingly wearing her. She has the face to launch a thousand hat collections and has done much to promote hat wearing in recent years." And of Robbie they said: "He doesn't take fashion too seriously and appears to treat clothes as a bit of fun." What? No Pete?

Babyshambles have reportedly signed a whopping 1 million pounds record deal. A friend of Pete told The Daily Mirror: "He's over the moon because The Beatles were with Parlophone. That means a lot to him. The band can't wait to get their new music on the shelves." The paper says that Pete and his bandmates Drew McConnell, Mick Whitnall and Adam Ficek will be cashing in on 60% of royalties. Sounds like good business.

Irish music mogul Louis Walsh has launched a scathing verbal attack on Doherty and Moss. The Westlife and Girls Aloud manager insists Doherty's only talent is generating publicity and taking drugs. Walsh is highly scornful of the relationship those two share, saying the couple are not as high-profile or legendary as they think they are. "I think he's got a little bit of talent but this thing with Kate Moss is not exactly (Mick) Jagger and Marianne Faithful, is it? They're poor man's versions of that, maybe. He doesn't sell out big venues, he doesn't even sell out small venues because he doesn't bother turning up." Is he unhappy that his pop bands are being overshadowed by the Shambles community?

So...Keira Knightley thinks she is a "scrub". Which means she is just a down to earth girl at heart and feels like an "idiot" when she has to dress glamorously for awards ceremonies and film premieres. Keira said: "I don't know why I'm a scrub, but I am. "I've got some great clothes but I'll put them on, do my hair and make-up, stand in front of the mirror and feel like such an idiot. I feel stupid if I've made an effort. It's ridiculous." All these are part of the package, babe. Maybe she could try the 'junkie' look ala Depp-y next time. That would raise many eyebrows.





First shot of The White Stripes upcoming show (as in September 19th) appearance on The Simpsons. Millhouse doesn't seem impressed..


Transformers - New Video footage from the set [Trans-Vid]

Liz McClarnon watched her boyfriend play during the soccer match between Swansea City vs Wycombe Wanderers in Swansea, Wales on Tuesday (August 22). [RexFeatures]

Jenny Frost posed with her pet dog for Rod Stewart's fiancee Penny Lancaster, who has photographed a calendar for animal charity PDSA. [Wenn]

Sophie Ellis Bextor was named the new face of Monsoon's 'Create A Storm' campaign on Thursday (Aug 24) at a photocall in London, England. Pics [Wenn, FilmMagic, GlobePhotos, Rex, LFI and WireImage]


Anyone who tries to be a naughty boy and 'kiss kiss' Holly Valance without prior warning better think twice. Valance now keeps a stun gun close in case she is ever bothered by intruders. She has a Taser weapon and is happy to use if she feels threatened. Valance says, "You have to know how to take care of yourself. There are some weirdos out there. I don't want to have a gun in the house because I think that gives your home bad energy, but I do have a Taser. "If I came across an intruder, I'd zap them with 50,0000 volts and electrocute them till the police came". So now she would surely have a better state of mind with the new toy.


Michelle Rodriguez out in West Hollywood with longtime girlfriend Kim (29/08/2006)

Sneak Peek At Pirates Of The Caribbean 3 - [Pirate-III]

The Raconteurs performed at the T in the Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland on Wed (Aug 23). [Wenn]

Franz Ferdinand performing live at the Forum in London on Wed (Aug 23). Pics [Wenn, FilmMagic, RexFeatures and Getty]

Nike Commercial - Maria Sharapova [Cool Ad]

Some feel-good tunes:



Lily Allen has reportedly wants to hook up with New York hip hop DJ Mark Ronson. Mark "discovered" Lily after a friend of hers gave him her tape and he went on to produce several of the songs on her album and the pair are set to headline together at the unofficial Notting Hill Carnival after-party tomorrow night. But Lily wants more than a professional relationship: "She admires Mark because he is a great DJ who is really well respected in the industry. The last few times they've been out they have flirted outrageously with each other. It's still very early days, but things look very rosy indeed for the pair of them." Lily's spokesperson has confirmed that the pair "are great friends". Hmm. Watch this space.

Lily Allen interview on Australian TV show, "Backstage Pass with Angela Pulvirenti" (26/08/2006) [lily-aust-ytube]


Hotel Supernova? Liam and Noel G are to launch a hotel chain in America. They are reportedly planning to use titles of their smash hits as room themes in hotels located across the US, including Miami, New York and West Hollywood. A source told Daily Star: "The plan is to open as many hotels as possible by the end of 2007 and name each venue Supernova Heights, after Noel's former home in north London. They want to base rooms at one of the Miami venues around 'The Hindu Times' song." Liam and Noel are also said to have got some of America's most influential financial investors interested in the project. The source added: "They will both fly to New York and meet a business developer who has worked for a string of leading property moguls, including Donald Trump." Despite the hype surrounding the plans, it appears some of Liam and Noel's more wild ideas have not gone down well with developers. The source explained: "Their plan to install alcohol and cigarettes in every room of their New York hotel, in honour of their track 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' has gone down like a lead balloon because so many people are anti-smoking." Ka-ching!

East 17 shouldn't be holding their breath for a new album, because they could be waiting a very long time. After a one off show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in May, they had planned to reform and release a new album. However, old tensions managed to bubble to the surface while they were in the studio when main guys Tony Mortimer and Brian Harvey can't work together. Brian arrived late one day which made Tony lost it. Band mate John Hendy explained: "Brian refused to work with Tony again after their punch up. Brian thought that if Tony reacts like that every time he's late then what's the point? "I don't think Tony's heart was in it really. There was too much of an ego clash between him and Brian." Should they carry on just the three of them? Don't think they are gonna stay another day.

Elton John has revealed that for his next album he hopes to make a hip hop record with... Dr Dre! His latest record 'The Captain And Yhe Kid' is out next month but Crocodile Man already has his sights on his next rather strange project. He told Rolling Stone: "I want to bring my songs and melodies to hip-hop beats - a bit like no
'No Diggity' by Blackstreet. I love these beats, but I have no idea how to get them." Maybe he is inspired by Robb's new music direction? John added: "I want to work with Pharrell, Timbaland, Snoop, Eminem and just see what happens. It may be a disaster, it could be fantastic, but you don't know until you try." We'll reserve judgement on this one till it actually happens.

Lily Allen - LDN (New Version)


Franz Ferdinand have revealed the downside to touring . . . male streakers on stage and exploding toilets. The band were playing in Switzerland recently when an overzealous fan stripped in front of them. Kapranos said: "This guy pulled his pants down during Walk Away. I just saw this pink thing flash at the side of my eyes, but I managed to sing on." LOL! The indie boys have spent the last few months on the road touring the world's biggest music festivals. And it wasn't all luxury coaches and five-star hotels. Nick said: "We've seen some horrors. There was an exploding toilet at one of the festivals we played. It was like an explosion of a sewage truck. There were jobbies everywhere." The pipe choke must have been 40ft deep.

Jessica Simpson spoke with Us Weekly about how she lost 8 pounds in two weeks ahead of her Teen Choice Awards co-hosting gig. "I have been working out five days a week for two hours a day," she told the tabloid. "There are no tricks. There is no easy way." Read more. [Jess-article]

Listen to Jessica Simpson's entire album 'A Public Affair' here - [Jess-PA]

Keira Knightley shops at Barney's Of New York in LA (18/08/2006)

Vid sightings:
- Lindsay Lohan and Harry Morton spend the day together in Beverly Hills. [lohan1]
- La Lohan and Harry Morton get coffee at the Coffee Bean in West Hollywood. [lohan2]
- Brooke Shields leaves Club Monaco clothing store in Beverly Hills with daughter Grier. [brooke]
- Christina Aguilera sings to her fans during a free summer outdoor concert. [xtina]

Ashton Kutcher insists he doesn't hate critics who bash his lack of talent because he shares their sentiments. He was a former model before making a name for himself in a string of roles including That '70s Show and Dude, Where's My Car? He told Details mag, "I'll read how shitty they think I am. I don't necessarily think all the critics are wrong...I don't think I'm that good. And they don't think I'm that good. So I'm not pulling that feeling out of my a**. They're just backing up that feeling that I already have about myself." Weird. This guy is quite a talented actor. Kutcher claims he knows his limits when it comes to dramatic roles and insists that's why he dropped out of the running for Superman Returns. He adds, "Could anybody f**king take me seriously as Superman? Let's be honest about that!" Yup. He can be that superhero, but only in the next Scary Movie series.

Charlize Theron ending her acting career? Theron wants to give up her Hollywood career as she no longer considers acting to be a "real job". She took on the role of producer for new film East Of Havana - and the experience has convinced the beauty that acting is not enough to fulfil her anymore. But Theron is afraid Hollywood won't accept her as anything other than an actress, despite her previous production work on Monster. She says, "I think it's going to take a while in this industry. Especially for a woman to step up and say I am capable of actually doing the job, and it's not just a vanity thing, it's something that I actually consider a real job. "I think that's been the biggest bump for me in the road, but it's something that I really, truly enjoy doing." Let's hope she doesn't stop appearing in starring roles.

Charlize Theron at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (17/08/2006)

No more kids for Dougy & Zeta? Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have decided not to have any more children. The pair had planned to add to their brood, Dylan, six and Carys three but have decided to settle on two. Douglas says, "I think Catherine's resigned to the fact. "She's gone back and forth on the subject, but when she gets back into work, I think she realises that two's enough and I say to her, 'Just think of your stepson as your third child.'" Is there something they are hiding from us? Zeta-Jones was said to have been in extreme agony after having a toenail ripped off on her new movie set. Ouch. She was filming a scene for "Death Defying Acts," a biopic about Harry Houdini, at London's Savoy hotel, when a strong, heavy-built member of the crew accidentally stepped on her foot. A source revealed, "It virtually took the toenail clean off. The nurse was called in. She was in pain but didn't have a tantrum." Producer Dan Lupovitz played down the incident, saying she quickly recovered from the toe mishap. "It was as minor incident which hardly disrupted filming. She's fine," he said. This lady won't whine about it unlike some spoilt-new-ones out there.

THERE WILL BE AN X-MEN 4 MOVIE!!! [link]

Evangeline Lilly candids arriving LAX: ...still suffering some jetlag?


Scarlett Johansson hates going to the dentist. The Match Point star needs to have her wisdom teeth removed but is too afraid to have the painful procedure. She said: "I hear it's painful and horrible. Every time a dentist tells me I have to get them removed, I just change and get a new one!" Haha. Meanwhile, Scarlett is taking the rest of the summer off to go on a girlie holiday to the Caribbean. She finished shooting four films in the last year, including Woody Allen's project 'Scoop' and 'The Black Dahlia', so feels she deserves a holiday. She said: "I've been working non-stop. And I think it's time I treated myself to a little vacation. What I'm planning to do is go with a couple of my girlfriends to the Caribbean. I have decided I definitely need the Caribbean." A hard worker indeed.


Kimberley Walsh was photographed at Embassy Club in London, England on Saturday (August 19). [GlobePhotos]

Pete Doherty was photographed buying a bagel from a local bagel shop in London, England on August 17th. [Photorazzi]

The Prodigy's Maxim tells us the scary-looking band are one big, happy family again after a turbulent few years. The twisted Firestarters - Liam Howlett, Keith Flint, below, and Maxim - first flew into the charts with rave song Charly in 1991. And their third album, Fat Of The L and, was one of the, biggest sellers of the 90s. But the group fell apart amid rows and solo projects. Now they've re-formed and Maxim tells us: "There's no bullshit any more, we've got over that. We're like a big family now. We've put it all behind us and there's no splitting us up." Phew! This band is one of the few acts that really revolutionized the dance-punk-rock genre. Nice to see them worked out the differences and probably should tell those East 17 boys to sod off...

New Music Vids:
The Veils - Advice For Young Mums To Be [link]
Cassius - Toop Toop [link]
Robbie Williams - Rudebox [link]
Muse - Starlight [link]