Madonna sued over “Material Girl”  clothing line

Entertainer, Madonna, has launched a “Material Girl” clothing line with daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon. Oops!  L.A. Triumph, claims it’s been selling clothes under that label since around 1997 and at some of the same high-ended retailers involved in the new Madonna deal.

This week, the California company sued Madonna. More details in a story on The Los Angeles Times website.

Dr. Laura’s controversial farewell

In the wake of a controversy over her use of the N-word on the air, Conservative Radio Talk Show Host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger,  announced she would pull the plug on her program at the end of the year. Dr. Laura made the surprise announcement on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”

Dr. Laura says she’s taking the drastic step because she wants  her  ”… First Amendment rights back.” Not everyone is buying that reasoning — here’s a good post about it all on The Wrap. Dr. Laura’s radio program can be heard locally on KFWB News Talk 980. 

Oh, click here for Dr. Laura’s blog where she talks about the controversy, her apology, and the support she’s getting from Sarah Palin.

Betty White’s new two-book deal

UPDATED:  Sunday,  August 22, 2010                                                                                                                                                       

 Actress Betty White has another Emmy to add to her collection. White won number  seven last night for best guest actress in a comedy series for her hosting of a “Saturday Night Live” episode, back in the spring.

That award winner was announced during the creative arts section of the 62 Annual  Primetime Emmy Awards, at the Nokia Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.  The winners in some of the major Emmy categories will be announced on a broadcast next Sunday, August 29, 2010, on NBC. 

Actress Betty White is 88-years-old and has a career that’s on the upswing. The Emmy Award-winning actress has gained new fans with her appearance in a hit Super Bowl TV commercial back in February, then in May as a guest host on NBC-TV’s, “Saturday Night Live,” and now she has a role on cable network TV Land’s popular series, “Hot in Cleveland.”  This week it was disclosed White has sealed a two-book deal with G. P. Putnam’s Sons.

The first book, “Listen Up,” will be about life lessons learned during White’s many years in Hollywood. It’s due out in hardcover next spring. By the way, she has been nominated for 20 Emmy Awards and has won six — including two for her role in the 1970s ”The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and one for starring in the hit 1980s series, “The Golden Girls.”

The second book, “The Zoo and I: Betty and Her Friends” will showcase stories and photographs of White and her friends at the Los Angeles Zoo – scheduled to hit the market in 2012.

In a PR Newswire press release, White said she’s enjoying the new challenge: “Much as I love what I do for a living in show business, I love writing even more – so I am thrilled to be working on not only one new book but two of them.”  White is the author of five other books.

President Obama raises $1 million & snarls traffic in Southland  

It happens almost every time a U.S. President visits the Southland. The bad traffic situation gets worse. That’s what occurred today, when President Barack Obama dropped in for one of those high-ticket priced Hollywood -type fundraisers.

Obama reportedly raised $1 million dollars for the Democrats and the ire of some Southlanders over the traffic problems caused by his visit. Nice report and photo on the Los Angeles Times website.

“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”

Photo: PR NewsFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actress Rooney Mara

 Actress Rooney Mara has won one of the most sought after roles in Hollywood. Columbia Pictures announced today that Mara has been selected to star in the film version of  Stieg Larsson’s mystery blockbuster, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” and the other two adaptations in The Millennium Trilogy. David Fincher will direct.

Since being published in the U.S., “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” has sold over 5 million copies. The Millennium Trilogy has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, according to a PR Newswire press release.

 All three books, including “The Girl Who Played With Fire” and “THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” currently are at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List.  The  Millennium Triology is considered a literary phenomenon.

Photo: PR NewFoto/Columbia Pictures/Merrick Morton -- Actor Daniel Craig

Also, Actor Daniel Craig is set to star in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” Deadline.com has more on the casting and the upcoming productions.

Sylvester Stallone king of the Box Office

Actor and Filmmaker, Sylvester Stallone, is hot again. Stallone co-wrote, directed, and starred in the number one film in country right now, “The Expendables.” The action flick about a group of mercenaries out to take down a South American dictator, debuted over the weekend with a winning $34.8 million.  The cast includes Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, and Jet Li as well.

“Eat Pray Love,” the move version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling memoir about her adventures traveling the world, opened in second place with $23 million. Julia Roberts stars, but that was not enough for this chick flick to win the race to number one.

The action-comedy, “The Other Guys” grabbed third with  $17.4 million, the sci-fi thriller, “Inception” earned $11.4 million for fourth and rounding out the top five, the new action-comedy, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World ” with $10.6 million. Based on a graphic novel, “Scott Pilgrim”  is about a 20-something musician who’s life chances dramatically when he falls for a mysterious woman. Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead star.

Jamie Foxx’s new production deal

Actor Jamie Foxx has hooked-up a new production deal with Writer/Producer/Director, Deon Taylor. No Brainer Films reportedly will be scouting for films and TV projects under $10 million. Details over on Deadline.com

Lady Gaga & her fans invade Staples Center

Photo:Kirk McKay/Los Angeles Times -- Two of the many fans who dressed in Lady Gaga-style for the singer's concert at Staples Center in L.A., August 11, 2010

Pop sensation, Lady Gaga, wraps up a two-concert gig at Staples Center tonight. Some of the fans at last night’s concert showed up in Gaga-inspired outfits. More photos and a review of Gaga’s Monster Ball show on the Los Angeles Times website.

Billy Idol still rocking

A flash from the past, 80s Rocker Billy Idol, can still put on quite a performance. Last night Idol took to the stage for two shows at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. Inland SoCal Music Blogger, Vanessa Franko, was there and posted a review on her AudioFile blog today. Franko’s got Idol concert photos, too. Also, Idol is set to rock that same venue again at a sold-out concert tomorrow.

“Show Me the Polyester”

If you look great in polyester and dig rock singer/songwriter, Jackson Browne, here’s a contest for you. Browne is touring the U.S. right now with musician David Lindley. Apparently, Browne and Lindley are sporting flashy polyester shirts on stage during their performances this summer.

The duo is encouraging fans to show-off their best eye-catching polyester shirts in a photo contest going on at the “Show Me the Polyester” website, according to a PR Newswire press release. Fans have until August 25 to upload photos of themselves wearing  polyester shirts to the site. One winner will get a travel package to New York City and two-front row seats for the duo’s Beacon Theatre concert on September 14, 2010.

The latest release from  Browne and Lindley is “Love is Strange,” a 2-CD set of a tour they did in Spain back in 2006.

Profits soar for Disney, the other big studios, and the networks

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G — Disney Studios in Burbank

The money is rolling in for Disney, which this afternoon reported third quarter profits leaped 40%. Disney is not the only entertainment giant enjoying a good year. Despite the bad economy, other studios and the networks are doing well, too. Nikki Finke over at Deadline.com asks why so many folks in the entertain biz are out of work with this kind of upbeat financial picture in Hollywood? Check out Finke’s post here.

“The Other Guys” shoot to the top of the Box Office 

The action-comedy, “The Other Guys,” won the weekend domestic Box Office and is continuing to rake in the dough at theaters.  “The Other Guys” debuted with $35.5 million to become the number one film in the country. On Monday, the teaming of Will  Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as wantabe- hero  New York City detectives earned nearly $5 million more at theaters. 

After three weeks at in the top spot, the dreamscape sci-fi flick, “Inception,” dropped to second collecting $18.5 million– bringing its four-week domestic total to around $227 million. The new dance movie, “Step Up 3D” boogied into third place with $15.8 million. Adam Sevani and Alyson Stoner star in this third installment of the Step Up trilogy, where the battle of the dance moves to the college arena. 

Rounding out the top five, the spy thriller “Salt” with $10.9 million and the comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks” with $10.3 million.

Rosie O’Donnell gets new daytime talk show

Comedienne/Talk Show Host Rosie O’Donnell is headed back to daytime television on the new Oprah Winfrey Network. O’Donnell’s new talker will debut next year on OWN.

“Rosie is an undeniable talent who has captivated TV audiences for nearly 20 years,” said Oprah Winfrey in a PR Newswire press release. “She’s a true original, who brings her authentic voice, dynamic energy and pure passion to everything she does.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work with Oprah Winfrey on her network,” said Rosie O’Donnell. “I’m excited to be back on daytime television.”

O’Donnell has won six consecutive DayTime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host.   “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” ran from 1996 to 2002.

Hollywood producers buy novel for $2 million-plus

Author Nicholas Sparks just scored a major Hollywood deal.  Movie rights for Sparks’ new novel, “Safe Haven,”were snatched up in a bidding war. The book plot centers on romance and a mysterious woman with a dark secret in a North Carolina town. The selling price – $2-$5 million.

“Safe Haven” publishes next month. Reviews and more on the novel up on the Barnes & Noble website.

Hollywood has had a love affair with Sparks’ romantic novels for some time. Several have been turned  into successful films including “Dear John” (2010) , and “The Notebook” (2004), and “Message in a Bottle” “1999.  Deadline.com has more on Sparks’ new deal.

Unauthorized bio of Angelina Jolie

Actress Angelina Jolie has a hot new movie out, “Salt.” In two weeks of release, the spy thriller has racked up about  $79 million at the domestic Box Office, but a new book about Jolie may be even hotter. The  Los Angeles Times has a review of “Angelina” by Andrew Morton. Check it out  here.

Another Hollywood celebrity faced a judge in court, today.  Actor Charlie Sheen pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in a deal that resulted in more serious charges being dropped. Sheen got a break from the Aspen, Colorado judge who suspended a 30-day jail sentence as well.

The assault charge came out of a nasty Christmas Day altercation Sheen had with his wife, Brook Mueller. Also, Sheen was sentenced to 30-days in rehab, but he may not have to do that time either. The Wrap has more on Sheen’s day in court.

Meanwhile, Actress Lindsay Lohan began a 90-day rehab at UCLA Medical Center today. Lohan finished 13 days of a 90 day jail sentence and was immediately carted off to the medical center. Lohan was sentenced to jail and rehab for violating probation in a DUI  case. People magazine has more on the troubled actress’ latest ordeal.

SoCal congresswoman’s husband buys Newsweek Magazine

It’s a done deal. Wealthy Businessman and Philanthropist, Sidney Harman, is the new owner of Newsweek magazine. Harman, a 91-year-old stereo equipment magnate, is the spouse of California Congresswoman, Jane Harman, who represents the 36th District out in the South Bay.

Sidney Harman met with the staff of the struggling news magazine today. The full story on the Newsweek website.  

Summer movies still hot

Despite rising theater ticket prices, folks are continuing to go to the movies. Over the weekend, the dreamscape thriller “Inception” held onto the number one spot at the  Box Office with a take of  $27.4 million — bringing its three-week domestic total to $193.3 million.

The new screwball comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks,” debuted in second with $23.5 million. This is a remake of a French film, “The Dinner Game” (1998),  about an executive who finds just the right guy to take to his boss’ dinner for dummies. The movie stars Steve Carell and Paul Rudd.

The Angelina Jolie spy thriller, “Salt” raked in $19.4 million good enough for third.  The animated flick, “Despicable Me” took fourth with $15.5 million. And rounding out the top five, the new romantic-fantasy starring Zac Efron called “Charlie St. Cloud” with $12.3 million.

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.