Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The entrance to The Walt Disney Studios on South Buena Vista in Burbank

 Actor Rob Lowe reportedly part of the group that bought Miramax

Miramax, a hot commodity in Hollywood, has been sold to a group of investors led by Billionaire/Construction Magnate, Ronald Tutor. The price tag — somewhere between $600-$675 million. The announcement came out yesterday. Late today, The Wrap reported that Actor Rob Lowe is among the investors.

The prestigious Miramax library includes such films as “My Left Foot”  (1989), “Pulp Fiction”(1994), and “Shakespeare in Love” (1998).  The Wrap has several reports on the deal and the behind the scenes drama.

President Obama’s appearance generates the best ratings ever for “The View”

Thursday’s edition of “The View” is now historic for two reasons. President Barack Obama’s appearance was the first ever on a daytime talk show by a sitting president. Also, the show’s rating went through the roof.  

Obama’s chit-chat with the ladies of “The View” was  reportedly watched by an average of 6.6 million viewers — the most ever for the talker.

“We were honored to have President Obama on ‘The View.’ The ratings indicate that our show continues to break new ground. ‘The View’ has proven to be an important stop for political candidates and is appointment television for our loyal audience who value our opposing views,” Barbara Walters, the co-executive producer and one of the show’s hosts, is quoted as saying on TV by the Numbers website.  Also, Walters returned to the show yesterday for the first time since having heart surgery.

And a first for the “Black Eyed Peas”

Super successful rockers, the” Black Eyed Peas” keep racking up the accolades. The latest involves the SoCal band’s single, “I Gotta Feeling,” which has become the first digital download to pass the 6 million mark.

The song is from the group’s Grammy-winning album, “The E.N.D,” which has sold more than 7 million worldwide.  “The E.N.D.” won a 2009 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Also, it’s the first album in two decades to deliver five top ten hits.

In a PR Newswire press release band members reacted to their latest milestone:

“I am so proud to be leading our industry with 6 million digital sales,” said will.i.am. “It means so much for the future of the music industry.”

This is an incredible accomplishment for us,” said Taboo. “Of all the exciting news that has happened to us over the past year, reaching this 6 million mark with ‘I Gotta Feeling’ stands out as one of our proudest achievements.” “Congratulations to all the people behind the scenes who made this happen, and most of all the fans – they are the best!” added Fergie.

Meanwhile, the “Peas” are on the final leg of their “The E.N.D. World Tour 2010.” As of June, the 100-date tour has raked in nearly $50 million and it’s not over until August 23. 2010 is shaping up to be one heck of year for the “Peas.” More on what’s happening with the “Peas” on their website.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House ---The cameras were clicking and flashing during a break in the taping of President Obama's appearance on "The View" on July 28, 2010

Cheers, criticism, and kudos for President Barack Obama’s appearance on the daytime talker, “The View,” today.  President Obama’s visit to the program was taped at ABC Studios in New York, yesterday.

 AOL has some reaction and reviews of the sit-down on “The View” by the Prez. Here’s a link to the post and the more than 300 comments.

The weather is doing a serious flip-flop. A few days ago, Burbank was sizzling in triple digit temperatures along with the rest of the valley. Today, the high here in Media City reached only 75. More like a spring day in April, than late July heading into August.

The forecast is calling for low clouds and fog through much of  Tuesday morning — with mostly sunshine in the afternoon. The high is expected to be in the upper 70s-to-mid-80s. 

The cooler temps help save energy and water.  No need to crank the air conditioners or water the yard as often. And that’s really a good thing here in B-town, where officials keep jacking up the utility rates.

Logo courtesy PR Newswire

Some heavyweight stars have signed on to produce a series of two-hour documentaries with OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, scheduled to debut next January.

Julia Roberts, Forest Whitaker, and Goldie Hawn will be joined by Gabriel Byrne and Mariel Hemingway in this venture.  The subjects range from:  a look inside a hospice at the Louisiana maximum security prison in Angola, to Hemingway’s exploration of her family’s legacy of suicide to an in depth report on extraordinary mothers and their desire to make a better world for all children.

“All of these documentaries fundamentally explore human interaction, relationships and emotions,” said Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer, OWN, in a PR Newswire press release today. ”We’re excited to provide viewers with new perspectives and new ways of looking at core themes that shape and affect their lives.”

The Oprah Winfrey Network is set to go on the air January 1, 2011, to approximately 80 millions homes, on what is now the Discovery Health Channel.

A great movie poster, solid reviews, and a debut estimated at $36.5 million were not enough for the new Angelina Jolie film, “Salt,” to win the weekend domestic Box Office derby. The Leonardo DiCaprio sci-fi action flick, “Inception,” held onto the number one spot for the second week in a row with around $43 million.

“Salt” opened in second place. The spy thriller is about a CIA agent who gets fingered as a sleeper KGB operative and must go on the run to clear herself. The project was originally set up with Tom Cruise in the lead role.

The animated film, “Despicable Me” raked in somewhere in the range of $24 million to take third, followed by “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with just under $10 million, and rounding out the top five, “Toy Story 3″ with an estimated $9 million.

Another big story, Comic-Con, that huge comic book convention-turned-media-event in San Diego. The Wrap and Deadline.com have several posts on the stars, events,  movies, panels, and the deals.

A hot topic in Hollywood and politics — President Barack Obama’s planned appearance on “The View.” Obama is scheduled to visit the program this Thursday. He will become the first sitting U.S. president to appear on a daytime talk show. Details on The Hollywood Reporter.

Late Night TV host, Jay Leno, will soon be heading down South to perform a benefit for some victims of that devastating Gulf Coast oil spill. The host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” will take to the stage in a theater at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,  next month, on Saturday, August 21.

“It’s great to be able to do shows like this,” Leno said in a PR Newswire press release. “We did it for flood victims in Iowa; we did it for auto workers in Detroit; we did it for victims of Katrina and others. We tell a few jokes and help out people.”

Proceeds from ticket sales, which range from $40  to $150, will go to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Mississippi Oil Spill Recovery Fund.

Meanwhile, work on the damaged BP oil well and other spill operations in the Gulf have been halted due to the approaching Tropical Storm, Bonnie. The April 20 explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, which  killed 11 workers, unleashed a massive oil spill that has caused an environmental and economic disaster in the Gulf Coast region. The cost is in the billions of dollars. More on Bonnie and the Gulf Coast on CNN.

Some days ya gotta keep rolling, no matter what.  Rolling right over the bad stuff to the weekend!!

Two Burbank City Council members speak out on two very different issues

Burbank City Councilman Dr. David Gordon photo from Burbank website

Burbank City Councilman Dave Golonski photo from Burbank website

In the past few days, two members of the Burbank City Council have sent letters to two different newspapers about two very different concerns –  producing quite a contrast.

As Dr. Gordon stated in his letter, he began asking questions after”… it was brought to my attention that millions of school bond, state grants and $23 million provided by the city for district-wide modernization of school facilities had been inappropriately used, were not properly account for or simply disappeared.” Gordon criticizes the Leader’s article for its “…distorted and inaccurate..” portrayal of his position.  Here’s the link to Gordon’s letter on the Leader website.

Also, Burbank City Councilman Dave Golonski was prompted to write a letter to the Orange County Register for a personal reason — a project in San Clemente where he owns property.  Apparently, Golonski is concerned because he says ”…the project is upside down financially and the City Council is considering bailing it out using taxpayer funds.”

I first saw a post about this letter on the Semichorus blog, where there’s a discussion going on about how Golonski supported a project in Burbank where developer, Michael Cusumano, got a piece of city land for only $100. The property is at Third Street and Olive Avenue. It’s where the $20 million Cusumano Plaza was built.  

Burbank city officials react to yet another lawsuit

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Activist Mike Nolan is a frequent speaker at Burbank Police Commission and Burbank City Council meetings

 In another strange twist in Burbank politics, Activist Mike Nolan has joined forces with Burbank Business Owner, Greg Bedrossian, to try to legally block the development of the 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport Center, at 1903 Empire Avenue.

Nolan and Bedrossian (the owner of the Burbank Athletic Club), have sued the city on the grounds the Burbank City Council’s vote/decision on May 18 approving the controversial project ”… failed to comply with the applicable provisions of the law.”

In a Burbank Leader article, Burbank Spokesman, Keith Sterling, would not comment directly on the lawsuit, but is quoted as saying city officials were “vigorously defending our position and the decision that was made.”  Isn’t that the knee jerk reaction of Burbank officials lately? Rather than looking at the merits of a recent slew of  lawsuits involving the police scandal — they are fighting them all by spending thousands and probably millions of dollars of taxpayer funds. Great for the lawyers, not so good for the city and taxpayers paying the bills.

Controversial tape of the BPOA President’s shaky testimony  

You gotta wonder what the fallout will be from that tape up on YouTube of Burbank Police Officers’ Association President, Detective Mike Parrinello.  The tape shows a portion of Parrinello’s deposition given in matters dealing with the Burbank Police Scandal/Corruption/ mess. It’s spliced with snippets of an audio tape and transcriptions, which appear to demonstrate that Parrinello told less than the truth under oath.

The audio tape is hard to understand at times, but Parrinello’s body language speaks volumes. Get the hook up for the tape on the Semichorus blog.

Gripes & complaints

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — A Burbank city inspector recently checked out the repair work on East Angeleno Avenue in the hillside area

I’m still hearing the unhappy stories from hillside residents about  what they consider as tacky work done by Kalban — a contractor hired by the city of Burbank to repair sidewalks and ramps in the area.

I first reported about the complaints from homeowners in a City Buzz column last month on June 23. And I’m hearing new complaints. Also, the homeowners are apparently doing their own investigating. I’m told the initial inspectors of the project were freelancers hired by Kalban not by the city of Burbank.

I did spot a Burbank inspector recently checking out the repair work done by Kalban on East Angeleno Avenue. The Burbank inspector admitted hearing complaints of so-called substandard work and damage done to some properties by Kalban from homeowners. However, the inspector dismissed those  complaints and told me he approved of Kalban’s work.

Clearly there is a disconnect between the city standards and the expectations of homeowners. The construction project is expected to be completed by the end of August. More details on the Burbank city website.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is blowing up huge on the big screen. DiCaprio is two-for-two — with his second film this year, “Inception,” debuting at the top of the domestic Box Office this weekend.  

Last February, DiCaprio starred in the psychological drama, ”Shutter Island,” which opened in first place with $41 million.  Now, the sci-fi thriller “Inception” cleans-up with an estimated $60.4 million to become the number one movie in the country. “Inception” also stars Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page, and Michael Caine.

Directed and written by the talented Chris Nolan, “Inception” is the highly anticipated original thriller about a thief’s ability to steal from his victim’s mind during the dream state and how he has to bump that skill up to an even higher level  in one last operation. Nolan, who’s successes include “Batman Begins, “The Dark Knight,” “Memento,” and “Insomnia,” reportedly started working on ”Inception” 10 years ago.

The computer-animated film, “Despicable Me,” slipped from first to second with around $32.7 million. The new fantasy adventure, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” landed in third with an estimate $17.3 million. Based on a number of sources, the film is about a sorcerer who finds his apprentice in modern day New York and must give this college student a crash course in magic and sorcery to help save the world from destruction. Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel star.

In fourth, the vampire fantasy ”The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” with about $13.5 million and rounding out the top five, the 3D animated  ”Toy Story 3″ with an estimated  $11.7 million.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G –A couple enjoys some ice cream at Baskin- Robbins on South Victory Boulevard in Burbank, back in May 2007

Hey, what’s going on? The ice cream giant, Baskin-Robbins, is sending an old favorite, French Vanilla, to its “Deep Freeze,” as part of the company’s 65th birthday celebration. Last week, BR announced the retirement of not one, but five of the 31 signature flavors.  Also getting the boot Caramel Praline Cheesecake, Campfire S’mores, Apple Pie a La Mode, and Superfudge Truffle.            

Srinivas Kumar, Chief Brand Officer, Baskin-Robbins Worldwide, explained the decision in a press release on PR Newswire : “Over the decades we have retired some of our iconic flavors into our Deep Freeze — like Miami Ice from the 1980s and Beatle Nut in the 1960s — but never before have five flavors gone into the Deep Freeze at one time. By retiring these great flavors we are marking Baskin-Robbins milestone birthday celebration but also making room in our flavor library for new flavor innovation.”

Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream speciality shops. The company got its start right here in the Southland by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in the mid-1940s. 

I haven’t been to a Baskin-Robbins shop in a while, probably since the 2009 31 Cent Scoop Night event. This new development just might be the excuse, I mean, reason I need to go by a BR shop for a final scoop or two of their French Vanilla and Superfudge Truffle. Apparently, the BR outlets have received their final shipments of the retired flavors — so supplies aren’t expected to last very long.

Oh, July is National Ice Cream Month — another reason to go get your scoop on!

There’s something hotter than the weather in the Southland this weekend. It’s a jackpot winning Mega Millions lottery ticket from yesterday’s draw. The jackpot, $64 million. The lucky ticket was sold at the Smoke N’ Stuff, 750 West 7th Street, in Los Angeles.

The winning numbers: 2, 15, 18, 20, 39 and the Mega Ball 34.  Two tickets sold in California had all of the numbers, except the Mega Ball. Each of those tickets is worth $110, 076.

Next Mega Millions draw is Tuesday, July 20, with a jackpot of $12 million on the line.

Wow, we’re really getting slammed by the summer heat now. After a hot week, the weekend is bringing predictions of 90s in Los Angeles and triple digit temperatures for Burbank and the valleys. Temps are up even in the beach communities like Santa Monica, which could see a high of 95 today.

In the Media City, the high is expected to reach 101 today — it was 90 and soaring at around noon. Tomorrow, more of the same.  Not only is it time to plug in the fans, but crank-up the air conditioners as well.

The New York Yankees paid a special emotional tribute to the late team owner, George Steinbrenner, last night at Yankee Stadium, before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Also, honors were dished out to long-time Yankees announcer, Bob Sheppard, who died last Sunday at the age of 99.  New York Daily News has details on the tribute and the Yankees’ 5-4 victory over the Rays.

Steinbrenner, known as “The Boss,”  passed away on Tuesday, July 13, following a massive heart attack. Steinbrenner was 80. In 1973, he bought the struggling Yankees and built them into a Major League success story. Also, Steinbrenner’s style of paying high-salaries for players had a huge impact on sports ownership as well as the game of professional baseball. Nice obit on The New York Times website.

The Dodger organization joined the tributes to Steinbrenner by releasing the following:

STATEMENTS ON THE PASSING OF
GEORGE STEINBRENNER (1930-2010)

“George was a friend who I admired very much.  He was a giant in our game and he built an empire.  All he was was a winner.  He wanted to give the fans a winner, and that’s exactly what he did.”                                         

- Dodger Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda

“I will always remember George Steinbrenner as a passionate man, a tough boss, a true visionary, a great humanitarian and a dear friend.  I will be forever grateful that he trusted me with his Yankees for 12 years. My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed in New York, Tampa and throughout the world of  baseball. It’s only fitting that he went out as a world champ.”

– Dodger Manager Joe Torre

“I am deeply saddened to hear the news of George Steinbrenner’s passing.  His vision, passion and commitment to winning, recharged the New York Yankees and revolutionized the game. I remember a man driven to succeed.   He was the owner, “The Boss” and number one fan of the Yankees.  Our relationship was built on mutual respect.  I will never forget and always be grateful for how he treated me and my family both during my playing days and after I retired. I will miss him very much and extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and all the members of the Steinbrenner family.”           

– Dodger Hitting Coach Don Mattingly

“George Steinbrenner was the first owner to contact me to congratulate me when I purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers.  From that day forward we built a strong and meaningful friendship.  He was a larger than life owner who cared deeply about winning.  George helped shape the game of baseball during his incredible stewardship of the Yankees.  My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Joan and his four children, Hal, Hank, Jennifer and Jessica and the entire Steinbrenner family.”

– Dodger Owner Frank McCourt

Photo: Pete Souza/White House -- Investor Warren Buffett meets with President Obama on July 14, 2010

A heavy discussion in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, July 14, when Billionaire Investor, Warren Buffett, dropped by for a chat with President Barack Obama. Main topics: the struggling economy and jobs.  

The Caucus blog on The New York Times website reported on the meeting and mentioned a funny incident with Buffett’s tie.  The President reportedly noticed Buffett’s tie was a bit worn — offered one of his own– and the offer was accepted.

Buffett is consider one of the most successful investors in the world. Last March, this smart guy from Omaha placed third on Forbes’ list of the riches billionaires.  Buffett’s net worth — $47 Billion. Also, Buffett is a well known philanthropist who donates generously to charities including around $30 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bristol Palin to marry Levi Johnston

That Palin family – never out of the media spotlight for long. The latest news,  Bristol Palin is engaged to former boyfriend and father of her son, Levi Johnston. The couple broke the news to US magazine, which posted the exclusive story and some photos on its website today. The Palins really like US magazine. Remember, Sarah Palin on the above US cover with the couple’s son, Tripp, back in 2008?  

Online vampire book sells to major publisher

Photo from www.martaacosta.com

San Francisco Bay Area Author Marta Acosta has a thing for vampires. Acosta sold her latest fang book by posting it on the website scribd. The YA novel, “The Shadow Girl of Birch Grove,” got tons of reads and was bought recently by Tor Books. GalleyCat has the scoop on how Acosta’s novel scored with online readers and the sci-fi fantasy publisher.

 Tribute to Dennis Hopper

“Dennis Hopper Double Standard” now showing in The Geffen Contemporary at the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Los Angeles. Celebs like Liv Tyler, Diane Keaton, and Reese Witherspoon turned out for the opening party last Saturday, for this exhibit showcasing the art career of the late, Dennis Hopper. The actor/artist died last May,after a battle with prostate cancer.                                                                                                                            
Vogue website has more on the star-studded affair. The MOCA site has details on the exhibit, which runs through September 26.

Now where are those sunglasses? I need them today!  This feels like a real July day in Burbank. Gone are those light breezes, mild temperatures, and overcast skies of the past few weeks.

Here in Media City, the sun is big and bright and the temps are in the upper 80s at 1 p.m.  Sigh, I’m not loving this weather change, but I realize a real Southland summer is going to come sooner or later.

The winning bid for Manny’s Porsche is in

Photo: Jon SooHoo/L.A. Dodgers -- Dodger Manny Ramirez's Porsche

After 10 days and more than two dozen bids on eBay, a rare Porsche owned by Dodger Slugger Manny Ramirez sold today — for $50,100.  Apparently someone got a good deal. Recently, the bright red Porsche reportedly appraised at around $58,000.

Ramirez donated the 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 964 to a couple of worthy causes.

The  proceeds will be split between ThinkCure!, the Dodgers’ official charity, and Maryvale, a local residential placement home for orphan girls.

Swiss set Director Roman Polanski free

Director Roman Polanski

Fugitive Director, Roman Polanski, is a free man once again. Swiss authorities have refused to extradite Polanski due to alleged discrepancies in his case. In 1977, the director pleaded guilty to a sex crime against a 13-year-old girl and then jumped bail before his sentencing. For Polanski money, fame, and influence have always trumped accountability. The Los Angeles Times website has details  here.

More ranting from Actor/Director/Producer Mel Gibson 

Another audio tape of Mel Gibson trashing his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. On the tape, Gibson reportedly admits to hitting the Russian singer and threatens to repeat the offense. More on LA Observed.

Family 3D movies are rampaging at the Box Office these days,  The latest, “Despicable Me,” ran all over its rivals to debut with an estimate $60.1 at the domestic Box Office to become the number one film in the country.

The computer animated feature is about a strange neighborhood criminal who’s planning to steal the moon until he meets up with three orphan girls.  “Despicable Me” stars Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, and Julie Andrews.

Last week’s top film, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” is still going strong with a second week estimate of $33.4 million, good enough for second place. As I predicted, “Eclipse” leaped the $200 million mark on Thursday, before the weekend. Its domestic tally is around $237 million.  The worldwide total for the third movie in this vampire love story series stands at $456 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

In third, the  new sci-fi horror flick, “Predators,” with an estimated $25.3 million. This a sequel to the 1987  “Predator,” and it has Adrien Brody leading a group of humans in a battle against the alien predators.

Another popular family animation, “Toy Story 3,” landed in fourth with around $22 million. Rounding out the top five, the fantasy adventure, “The Last Airbender” with an estimated $17.1 million.

Mel Gibson’s mouth gets him in trouble again

The Internet and Hollywood are buzzing about Actor/Director/Producer Mel Gibson’s latest foot-in-mouth performance.  An audio recording of Gibson using the “N-word” in a tirade against his ex-girlfriend, Russian singer, Oksana Grigorieva, was followed by reports that the entertainer is being investigated for domestic violence. And there’s more. WME agency has confirmed it recently fired Gibson as a client.

Remember, Gibson was hit by an onslaught of bad publicity after a tape revealed the drunken actor making anti-Semitic remarks during a DUI stop in Malibu, back in 2006.

Gibson is working on a number of projects right now. It will be interesting to see if Hollywood will again be forgiving of Gibson in order to keep the money and projects flowing.  Nikki Finke over at Deadline.com/Hollywood has a post about Gibson’s latest troubles, with over 200 comments, check it out  here.  The Wrap covered the story as well.

Summer reading:  Bestsellers at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

At the top of the Barnes & Noble bestselling paperback list, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Millennium Trilogy Series #1). The thriller/murder mystery is about the disappearance of a Swedish heiress and it’s by Journalist, Stieg Larsson. The novel was a big smash in Europe. Now it’s a hot seller here.

Number two on the list, Larsson’s “The Girl Who Played with Fire”  (Millennium Triligy #2), and in third, the romance  ”One Day,” by Screenwriter/Novelist,  David Nicholls.

Over on Amazon, Larsson’s hardcover thriller,”The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” is number one, followed by the paperback version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” in second place.

Man plays same lottery numbers for two years and wins $10 million

It took two years, but a Southern California player finally hit the jackpot in the SuperLotto Plus game on June 20, 2010.  Last Wednesday, July 7, the man, who wants to remain anonymous, cashed in the winning ticket worth $10 million.

Lottery officials say he told them the numbers came to him in a dream two years ago. He played them religiously and it paid off.  The ticket was bought at Jack’s Liquor, 3720 West Olympic Boulevard in L.A. The store gets $50,000 for selling that winning ticket.

Meanwhile, a winning lottery ticket bought more than two months ago at the El  Mexicano Market, 6625 South Avalon Boulevard in L.A., has not been cashed in yet. That ticket is worth $179,428.

It had five of the winning numbers, but not the Mega Ball, from that historic May 4, 2010 Mega Millions draw. Those numbers are: 21, 9, 36, 43, 31, and the Mega Ball 8.  You might remember, the jackpot of $266 million was won by a producer at NBC-4 here in Burbank and her husband.

Speaking of Mega Millions, the jackpot today stands at $52 million. No one had all of last night’s winning numbers: 1, 31, 33, 34, 50, and the Mega Ball 41. However, three lucky tickets sold in the Golden State are each worth $178, 516.