Black Eyed Peas perform at Super Bowl Video

Black Eyed Peas perform at Super Bowl Video XLV Halftime Show: Missing the feeling

In theory, the Black Eyed Peas are the perfect band to play at the Super Bowl halftime show. They’re glitzy, entertaining, and it’s hard to believe that any sporting event of the last five years hasn’t played a song by the group at some point during play. Yet, they seemed to fall short during the halftime show — standing up in front of a live crowd of more than 100,000 people, the Black Eyed Peas seemed… well, as small as peas themselves. The dancers surrounding them might have had to adhere to strict choreography, but the Peas, merely standing next to each other in a line, looked awkward, as if they didn’t have a concrete plan for what would happen after they descended from the sky (a cool effect, I’ll admit) at the beginning of the show. No matter how many awesome LED effects they could distract us with, you couldn’t mistake the fact that we were watching a small pack of four musicians — with plenty of sound problems.

The foursome began singing their feel-good hit, “I Gotta Feeling” and were quickly set off-balance as soon as Fergie’s mic cut off as she began her portion of the song. They followed up with a shrug-worthy “Boom Boom Pow,” and then shifted gears a tad: Out came Slash, playing “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” (The Super Bowl halftime show isn’t the Super Bowl halftime show without an aging rock star!) The guitarist, however, did add some much-needed musicality to the event — that is, until Fergie began singing. As stellar a vocalist the Black Eyes Peas singer might be, classic rock certainly is not her strong suit.

Then came “Pump It” and “Let’s Get It Started,” but the Black Eyed Peas didn’t quite hit their stride, strangely enough, until they began the politically-charged “Where Is the Love,” performed against the backdrop of Valentine’s Day-appropriate red hearts that experienced some technical difficulties of their own — part of that pesky “V” refused to light up. (And, surprise surprise, will.i.am changed the lyrics to the tune during the show.) Usher came along to play as well, handling his “OMG” song-and-dance routine much better than he has in previous live performances. And, shockingly, the band sounded best performing what might just be their worst song to date, “The Time (Dirty Bit).”

But tell me, football and Black Eyed Peas fans: What did you think of the halftime show? Time of your life? Or time to make them stop?

Black,= Eyed Peas perform at Super Bowl Video XLV Halftime Show

New Bikes 2011 New York Motorcycle Show

Top 10 New Bikes 2011 New York Motorcycle Show

This weekend's show will not be the biggest show in terms of public attendance because of mediocre weather. But perhaps more importantly, it won't be a huge show because the motorcycling industry, like the rest of the economy, isn't exactly on fire. There were plenty of bikes in every segment, even if the rate of new-bike intros was a little thin. Several of the major manufacturers had no new-products at all. Nonetheless, there are still some high signs, including a burgeoning adventure-tourer segment and some stunning new bikes. The line at the door seemed plenty long at the noon opening gun—and the floor filled up with bikers mighty fast. Here's what we saw during the press introductions before the show opened to the public. More Pictures

kim richards alcoholic

“Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills” Drama: Lisa Wants Kim Kicked Off Show

Look out, Garden State Housewives: The claws are out and the socialite ladies of Beverly Hills are vying for the title of the “Cattiest Gals on Bravo.”

British restauranteur Lisa Vanderpump has emerged as the reigning diva behind-the-scenes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just a few weeks after the show joined Bravo’s ratings-winning docu-soap franchise, and insiders believe Lisa’s out-of-control ego may leave one of her co-stars out of a job.

Lisa recently fired her longtime trainer after the fitness nut became too comfortable in the reality star spotlight and is now gunning to have former child star Kim Richards — the aunt of socialites Paris and Nicky Hilton — ejected from the series as well, The National Enquirer reported in its Nov. 29 issue.

“Fame has completely gone to her head. She truly believes she is better than everyone else,” according to a well-placed tipster close to production.

Vanderpump has owned 26 restaurants, bars, and clubs during her 28 year marriage to entrepreneur Ken Todd — including LA hotspots Villa Blanca and SUR. Kim, on the other hand, is a rumored alcoholic, who will be forced into rehab by her sister Kylie in upcoming episodes of the Beverly Hills Housewives. Richards’ battle with the bottle is an image Lisa doesn’t want anywhere near her businesses…or her show.

“Not only does Lisa think that Kim is a sad lush, she also feels that Kim isn’t technically a housewife — since she isn’t married,” maintains the insider. “Lisa has demanded that execs fire Kim before next season.”

Thierry Mugler show Lady Gaga Preview New Song Paris Show

Thierry Mugler Lady Gaga To Preview New Song At Paris Fashion Show

Gaga tweets that she'll give a sneak peek of song at Wednesday's Thierry Mugler show.

Lady Gaga has found the perfect forum to unleash some of her new music. The singer, who has made outrageous fashion a huge part of her identity, tweeted on Monday that she plans to preview some material from her upcoming Born This Way album on Wednesday at a Paris fashion show by Thierry Mugler.

"I'm the musical director for the MUGLER fashion show," she told her little monsters. "I'm remixing/previewing a record on Born This Way, tailored for the show + garments." She did not specify which song she would be previewing.

The news is the latest tease of information about the eagerly awaited album, which is due out on May 23. According to Women's Wear Daily, Gaga got the gig because Mugler's new creative director is Nicola Formichetti, the designer who came up with Gaga's infamous "meat dress" for the MTV VMAs last year.

Formichetti told WWD that Gaga will serve as musical director for one of the most anticipated debuts of Men's Fashion Week, which runs through Sunday. This isn't the first time she's used a Paris runway to launch new music: Gaga premiered "Bad Romance" at Alexander McQueen's show in 2009.

Gaga also tweeted photos of her two 2010 Grammys, which she said were just delivered to her house by her dad. The awards, for Best Electronic/Dance Album (The Fame) and Best Dance Recording ("Poker Face"), immediately took up residence in an important space in the singer's home. "Look what just arrived from last year!" she wrote. "My dad put them on the piano I studied on for 14yrs."

The 24-year-old singer is up for six Grammys at next month's awards show, which will air on February 13, the same day she is set to release the first single from her new album. She is also performing on the program, along with Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert.

News From: www.mtv.com

Regis Philbin Retiring fromTalk Show

Regis Philbin I'm Retiring from the Talk Show

Regis Philbin says he's finally ready to give up his talk show gig ... after 28 years on the morning shift.

79-year-old Philbin made the announcement this morning on "Live with Regis and Kelly."

Regis said he'll tape his last show towards the end of the summer -- but he didn't give a specific date.

During his announcement, Regis joked, "There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people."




News From: www.tmz.com

Regis Philbin Retiring From show

Regis Philbin says he's retiring from show

NEW YORK (AP) — Veteran broadcaster Regis Philbin is retiring from his weekday talk show.

Philbin made the announcement at the start of Tuesday morning's "Live With Regis and Kelly," which he has hosted for more than a quarter-century, most recently sharing hosting duties with Kelly Ripa.

Philbin said he would be stepping down from the show around the end of the summer, but he didn't specify a departure date.

"I don't want to alarm anybody," he began, then declared, "This will be my last year on the show.

"It's been a long time. It's been 28 years," he continued, "and it was the biggest thrill of my life to come back to New York, where I grew up as a kid watching TV in the early days, you know, never even dreaming that I would one day have the ability, or whatever it takes, to get in front of the camera and talk to it. ...

"There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera — especially certain old people!" cracked Philbin, who is 79.

"I think I can only speak for America and all of us here," responded Ripa, "when I say it has been a pleasure and a privilege and a dream come true. And I wish I could do something to make you change your mind."

"Now wait a minute," Philbin said slyly.

Nothing was said about the future of the show after Philbin's exit, or what the future holds for Ripa, who is currently marking a decade as Philbin's co-host.

Rilo Kiley as his date to award show

Golden, Globes, 2011, Jake, Gyllenhaal, takes, ex, Jenny, Lewis, Rilo, Kiley, date to award show

Jake Gyllenhaal brought one of his famous exes to the Golden Globes on Sunday - but it wasn't Taylor Swift.

His date for the night was Jenny Lewis, singer of the band Rilo Kiley and a former actress.

The former couple, who dated in 2001, has apparently stayed friends through the years. In 2009, Gyllenhaal brought then-girlfriend Reese Witherspoon to see her perform at Coachella. (Lewis also had a small role in Witherspoon's 1998 film, "Pleasantville.")

Still, Lewis' appearance was a surprise to many who thought Gyllenhaal, 30, would spend the night solo or bring a family member to the star-studded awards show.

The two didn't pose for pictures on the red carpet, but Lewis, 35, was never far from his side and could even be seen sitting next to him during the live broadcast.

And when Gyllenhaal, nominated for "Love and Other Drugs," lost out to "Barney's Version" star Paul Giamatti in the Best Actor (Comedy or Musical) category, it probably helped to have a friend by his side.

According to Us Weekly, the actor's brief relationship with Swift ended via a phone call last month, leaving the 21-year-old singer crushed.






News From: www.nydailynews.com

Loughner Wearing Red G-String, Holding Glock

Photos Show Loughner Wearing Red G-String, Holding Glock

Eric Fuller, a 63-year-old veteran and survivor of the Tucson shootings pulled no punches in assigning authorship for Jared Loughner’s actions. In an interview with Democracy Now, Fuller related the thoughts he wrote down while in the hospital.

“How many other people? How many other demented people are out there? It looks like Palin, Beck, Sharron Angle and the rest got their first target. Their wish for Second Amendment activism has been fulfilled—senseless hatred leading to murder, lunatic fringe anarchism, subscribed to by John Boehner, mainstream rebels with vengeance for all, even nine-year-old girls.”

Not just Palin and Angle, but Beck and even Speaker Boehner? My sympathies to Mr. Fuller and my sincerest wishes for a speedy recovery, but this is profoundly stupid — a kind of distillation of the worst elements of the Left’s reaction to the tragedy that almost rises to the level of pitch-black satire.

Meanwhile, the reality of Loughner is just as darkly absurd. As Mr. Fuller blames the Speaker of the House for his well-known endorsement of “lunatic fringe anarchism,” police are cataloging the photos Loughner took of himself holding his 9mm pistol next to his buttocks as he wore nothing but a bright red g-string:

My friends on the Left will note that it was, after all, a red and not a blue thong. It’s too early to know whether this suggests right-wing sympathies, but odds are it does.

Miss America contestants show

Miss America contestants show their shoes in Vegas

LAS VEGAS—With intricate beading and down-home charm, 53 Miss America contestants strutted outside a Las Vegas Strip casino Friday to show off shoes decorated for their native states.

Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, 19-year-old Miss California Arianna Afsar showed off a high heel decorated as the famed Hollywood sign, then belted out: "Happy birthday, Miss America," to celebrate the pageant's 90th birthday.

"My shoe represents the glitz and glam of Hollywood, and I'd like to thank my mom for spending so much time to make this shoe," Afsar told the crowd.

The "Show us Your Shoes" event outside the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino comes one day before Saturday's televised competition to crown Miss America 2011.

In Las Vegas, the girls held their handcrafted shoes aloft for a crowd of about 3,500. But the event was a nod to the pageant's days in Atlantic City, N.J., when an annual procession on the boardwalk spawned a quirky footwear tradition.

It started when spectators would catcall contestants riding past in open-topped cars, asking them to show their shoes. They hoped to embarrass the girls because they wore elaborate dresses but casual shoes since nobody would see their feet. The girls eventually responded by displaying decorated footwear, and shoes eventually became the highlight of their outfits.

Many shoes this year would have been unwearable as decorated. Miss Connecticut Brittany Decker, 21, displayed a high heel with a basketball hoop and "ESPN" written on the backboard in homage to UConn and the home of the cable sports network, while 24-year-old Miss Alaska Abby Hancock held a high heel turned Christmas sleigh, telling master of ceremonies Robin Leach: "Santa lives in Alaska."

Miss Louisiana Kelsi Crain, 20, said she thought about going with a New Orleans Saints theme but was happy she stuck with Mardi Gras.

"We've coined the phrase 'Bon temps rouler' for 'Let the good times roll,'" she said. "Now the Louisiana delegation is just here to share a little taste of what a Mardi Gras celebration is like."

Crain, a kinesiology student from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, said she was at first surprised when she learned the pageant queens would be showing the shoes instead of wearing them.

"We had to order two pairs of shoes, one that we could wear and then one that we had to decorate, so now I just have a spare shoe sitting at home," she said.

Carson Daly May Host New Singing Competition Show For NBC

They're coming for you, American Idol. Brace yourselves for the ambush!

Sources are reporting that Carson Daly is in talks to host NBC's latest foray into reality television, The Voice.

Marked as a "rival" singing competition show for Idol, the concept for the show is being adapted from a hit in Holland of the same namesake by top reality producers John de Mol and Mark Burnett.

Basically, the show will feature four mentors, each of which will form a team of singers they will coach and mentor for the season. One by one, contestants will be eliminated until each coach only has one team member left. Those four talents will then compete in the finals in hopes of being named The Voice in a live finale.

You know, we think Carson would be an EXCELLENT choice for the job. He has a strong background in music and working with celebrities. He's very personable. Yeah, a perfect fit, we say.

But now, what about the judges? Have you all given any thought to who you'd want in those positions? Because we can think of someone who'd love to do it…

Holly Madison lose weight for Las Vegas stage show

Holly Madison 'shocked' after producers told her to lose weight for Las Vegas stage show

Holly Madison has had no problems performing topless in her nightly Las Vegas burlesque show, but it seems as though her bosses have some concerns.

The former "Girls Next Door" star recently said producers have ordered her to lose weight for her role in the Las Vegas striptease spectacular "Peepshow."

Madison, 32, is required to perform partially nude during the nighttime stage show, which she joined in May 2009.

"I always thought I looked fine," the former Playboy Playmate told RadarOnline.com. "It was a shock to me when they told me to lose weight."

Those familiar with Madison's current E! reality show, "Holly's World," will know that the busty blond doesn't deprive herself when it comes to junk food. However, for all the calories she consumes, Madison's figure has rarely fluctuated past her usual Playboy physique.

"I feel like I changed my eating habits to really healthy. I've lost a few pounds," Madison said, adding that she's still deciding whether she wants to shed the weight.

"I just feel like I market myself as a sex symbol. I don't market myself as a fitness model or a professional dancer, so I feel like the way I look is fine!" she said. "I don't think I need to lose weight!"

Season two of "Holly's World" premieres Jan. 23 at 10:30 p.m. on E!

The Green Hornet Is Back Tv Show

As a kid, I loved comic books. I collected all the latest DC and Marvel titles, starting when they were 10 cents apiece, and through the 1960s, that was my collecting passion.

In 1966, ABC premiered "Batman", and along with Superman reruns on local Channel 11, I was in my element watching these shows, as they brought to the screen the comic book superheroes I had been reading about with such a voracious attitude.

In 1967, ABC, basking in the success they had with Batman, tried to duplicate it with "The Green Hornet." It was put out by the same production company, was highly promoted, and I am sure ABC thought that lightning could strike twice with this series.

It failed miserably.

However, even though I didn't know the Hornet and his valet and sidekick, Kato, from comic books, I did know the name. The Hornet was created in the 1930s for radio as the then up to date reappearance of a modern, more sophisticated Lone Ranger (and yes, Kato was the modern Tonto and the Black Beauty was the modern Silver ... well, I think you get it). In fact, Britt Reid, the Hornet's alter ego, was created as a relative of John Reid, the Lone Ranger himself.

Anyway, I loved the show. I loved the theme song (a modern take on "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Al Hirt), and I loved the whole concept.



It was done straighter than the "Batman" show, with few laughs, fewer weird camera angles, and fewer memorable villains (meaning none).

It was so different than "Batman" was, that I think it turned off the "Batman"-loving audience.

Me, having read the comic books, I knew that the Batman on TV and the Batman in the comic books were quite different. The one on TV was melodramatic and comedic, while the one in the comics was basically melodramatic and serious.

So I was prepared for the Hornet, but after 26 episodes, few others were, and the show went into oblivion. Like the "Batman" TV show, it is in a DVD black hole, as a prolonged lawsuit is keeping both shows from appearing on legitimate DVDs.

Back to the show ...

Van Williams, the Hornet on the TV show, had a sidekick, Kato, played by Bruce Lee, who went onto bigger and better things after the show.

As Kato, he really had to hold back on his martial arts skills, showing them off a few times each episode but not showing them off to the fullest extent that he could.

But ABC knew they had something with Lee. They cast him in "Longstreet," a show about a blind lawyer which starred James Franciscus. That series also didn't last long, and Lee had some bit roles in a few movies.

But during this time, his interest in the martial arts continued to heighten, and he had an idea for a TV series melding his love of the martial arts with a message--of peace, love and harmony.

That show was "Kung Fu." ABC was a little nervous about having a show with an Asian lead, and the lead role eventually went to David Carradine, who, ironically, was a martial arts pupil of Lee.

Lee was discouraged, went to Hong Kong to make several low-budget martial arts flicks, and became a worldwide sensation when these movies made millions of dollars.

But his life was cut short due to cocaine abuse, and well, the rest is history.

Lee, and Williams, live on in their roles in "The Green Hornet," and today, SyFy channel is running the 26 episodes throughout the day to commemorate the Friday opening of "The Green Hornet" feature film, with Seth Rogen in the tile role.

I don't know about the new movie, but I can tell you about the TV show.

Give the show a chance. Remember, it is not "Batman," but it is a straight-forward TV adaptation of the character, which started out in radio, to the small screen.

Williams basically deadpans it, as does Lee, but watch for the brief fighting scenes. You will actually see Lee completely holding back on his kicks and punches, but it is fun to watch nonetheless.

Back in 1967, we weren't really aware of the type of martial arts that Lee was displaying in a limited way on this show. It was so new that it was truly fascinating to watch, a few years before the Kung-Fu craze filled every movie house worth its salt with cheapo fight flicks that made millions.

And yes, the show is a lot of fun, even though it rarely cracks a smile.

By the way, not included in the 26 episodes being shown are the two "Batman" episodes where Williams and Lee made guest appearances. Those shows are as light as air, but Williams and Lee continue to deadpan it, in deference to Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin), who do their usual comedic assault on the Dynamic Duo.

Anyway, watch the 26 "Green Hornet" episodes; you will not be disappointed.

I know that I wasn't more than 40 years ago when these shows were new, and I wasn't when I watched them as an adult years later.

Sharon Van Etten one off London show

Sharon Van Etten one off London show February 13th

Definitely not one to miss, the excellent Sharon Van Etten will be making a one off appearance at London’s Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on February 13th, doors open at 7pm with tickets priced at just £7.00.

Sharon Van Etten’s excellent second album Epic recently made it into my favourite albums of 2010, our album review can also be found here.

The album lays a romantic melancholic lining over the gravel and dirt of heartbreak without one honest thought or feeling spared, watch the excellent acoustic version of One Day taken from the album Epic, here:

Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo 2011

The singer was in his third USO tour in 2011. Travels in the USO tours and visit the troops in our country are impressive and sometimes overwhelming, livestock show and rodeo on 1 March open with a featured artist Clay Walker. Jackson takes the stage 4th March. Twenty artists are expected to play in the 2011 livestock show and rodeo in Houston. Tickets go on sale Saturday 15 January, 2011, 10 hours, 21 performers at the various stars in the 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo represent a variety of musical genres. Monday Rodeo performances begin at 18.45 clock Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at All lectures begin at 15:45 clock with the action of the rodeo, followed by the star actor.

 

Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo 2011

Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo 2011, Twenty-one artists are expected to star in the Salon of 2011 Livestock and Rodeo Houston. Tickets on sale Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 10 am, at www.rodeohouston.com all sites Ticketmaster (excluding Reliant Park Box office until Monday, January 17) and by phone at 1800 .726.1313.

Star Entertainment

The 21 different star performers scheduled to perform at the Salon of 2011 Livestock and Rodeo Houston represent a wide variety of musical genres. Together, these superstars have garnered

numerous awards from the music industry, including 18 GRAMMY ® Awards, 60 Country Music Association, 66 Academy of Country Music Awards and an Emmy ®.

Tuesday, March 1
Clay Walker

Wednesday, March 2 *
Trace Adkins

Thursday, March 3
Sugarland

Friday, March 4 – Black Heritage Day sponsored by Kroger
Janet Jackson

Saturday, March 5
Billy Currington

Sunday, March 6
Selena Gomez

Monday, March 7
Tim McGraw

Tuesday, March 8
Keith Urban

Wednesday, March 9 *
Martina McBride

Thursday, March 10
Rascal Flatts

Friday, March 11
Lady Antebellum

Saturday, March 12
Gary Allan

Sunday, March 13 – Go Tejano Day

Sponsored by State Farm ®
Arrolladora Banda El Limon La, La Leyenda

Monday, March 14 **
Kid Rock

Tuesday, March 15 **
KISS

Wednesday March 16 * **
Miranda Lambert

Thursday, March 17 **
Zac Brown Band

Friday, March 18 **
Alan Jackson

Saturday, March 19 ** – BP RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Championship
Brad Paisley

Sunday, March 20 ** – CINCH RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout
Jason Aldean

* Value Wednesday a day and 10 include upper level tickets Rodeo, more values throughout Reliant Park every Wednesday in Salon. ** During Spring Break Stampede, March 14-20, enjoy extended hours at the carnival.

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RODEO TICKETS

Ticket prices range from Rodeo and 18 to 21 and, more convenience and Ticketmaster handling fees. (A few performances may have a limited number of tickets available from & 24 to $ 86.)
High level of value to the day Wednesday tickets is $ 10.
A limited number of places are available for fall and $ 300 and 200, are located directly behind the fall-off, and include food, drinks, and the ability to watch the artist star arena floor.
Purchase your individual tickets Rodeo:
Online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.rodeohouston.com / rodeohouston
By phone at 1.800.726.1313
In person at all Ticketmaster locations, including Fiesta and HEB stores
Limit of 10 tickets on the opening day of ticket sales only, Saturday, January 15, following representations to Rodeo star:
Janet Jackson March 4
Selena Gomez on March 6th
KISS March 15
Zac Brown Band, March 17
Brad Paisley, March 19
Ticketmaster locations in the Houston area will be distributing linestubs from 9 pm Saturday, Jan. 15. Tickets go on sale at 10 am
VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted online, in person or by phone at 1.800.726.1313.
From Monday, January 17, tickets will be available at the Reliant Park Box Office, toll free service.

SEASON AND Mini-season tickets ARE STILL AVAILABLE

The only sure way to see all 20 performances in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Season Tickets. Season tickets for as little as $ 336.

Mini-season tickets, with nine great performances in each option, and start at 146. Seating is in lodges and upper levels of Reliant Stadium.

Two options are available for mini-season packages:

Option A includes performances March 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18 and 19.
Option B includes performances March 2, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17 and 20.

Black Heritage Day, Friday, March 4 and Go Tejano day, Sunday, March 13, are available through season tickets, but are not included in the options Ticket Mini-season.

HOW TO PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS AND MINI-SEASON

Season tickets and mini-season are on sale now and can be purchased:

Online www.rodeohouston.com
By calling the ticket office at 832.667.1080 Salon
By visiting the Windows Lounge of tickets on the second floor of Reliant Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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Season and Mini-Season tickets are not available to all other windows, including Ticketmaster. Visit www.rodeohouston.com for a Reliant Stadium seating chart and more information. The season ticket costs and Mini-season also include access to Reliant Center, Reliant Arena and the carnival.

The 2011 Houston Livestock show and Rodeo runs Tuesday, March 1, Sunday, March 20. The Show is a Section 501 (c) (3) charity events, committed to benefiting youth, supporting education and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its inception in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has contributed more than $ 265 million in scholarships, research foundations, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence ™, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo SOURCE

Detroit Auto Show 2011 Porsche 918 RSR

2011 Detroit Auto Show: Porsche 918 RSR

We love the phrase "experimental racing laboratory." Well, at least we do when it's a cool future-tech race car and not some roving meth lab. Good thing, then, that the Porsche 918 RSR-- shown today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show-- is of the hyper-tech race car persuasion fitted with a mid-mounted, direct-injected V8 producing 563 horsepower to a six-speed racing transmission.
But that's not very experimental. Let's try adding an electric motor at each of the front wheels. That should help. It should also make the 918 RSR capable, in short bursts, of producing 767 horsepower. The electricity used to power these motors is derived from a kinetic energy recovery system with a flywheel accumulator mounted where the passenger seat would be in less experimental cars. We've seen the same technology used in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid racer.

 

 

 

Video: Porsche teases 2011 Detroit Auto Show concept

Porsche is getting ready to unveil a ‘spectacular’ concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show later this morning. The concept is rumored to be a study version of the 918 Spyder. It will be shown in coupe race car form.

The company has just dropped a teaser on the eve of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show press days to keep us on our toes. The concept will make its debut at 6:30 am.

Check it out after the jump.

The Cape Review

The Cape Review | The Cape TV Show

The Cape Review. What is the new series on NBC? NBC bring a new TV show “The Cape” in this 2011. It premiered on NBC during the 2010–2011 television season as a midseason replacement. The Cape is a hero that is similar to Batman or Superman, a guy who relies mainly on practical training and intelligence. The Cape beginning with a 2-hour pilot episode on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 9 pm Eastern and Pacific Time. An encore is scheduled for Monday, January 10, with follow-up episodes continuing on Monday evenings in the 9 pm timeslot beginning January 17.

The series, set in the fictional metropolis of Palm City, follows Vince Faraday, an innocent police detective who was about to leave the force that has been corrupt. When his police chief is murdered by the mysterious individual known as Chess, Faraday learns of a plot by billionaire Peter Fleming to take over the police department.

Unfortunately, when a e-mail arrives that leads him and his partner Marty Voyt to a cargo train equipped with weapons, Voyt sets up Faraday and is kidnapped by Chess, who frames Faraday for a crime he did not commit and then left for dead after he is caught by the police. Vince is eventually saved by a circus ringleader who prepares him with special abilities to defend himself against his foes. Separated from his wife and son, he tries to clear his name while protecting them from being killed in the event that he should be reported alive. He takes the law into his own hands by taking the guise of his son's favorite comic book hero, The Cape, after he is given a special suit that has unique capabilities. Vowing to get rid of the corruption that has taken over both the city and the police force, Vince goes after the person responsible for setting him up and causing his "demise".

The Cape Series Premiere Review: What Did You Think?

There isn’t much more that I can say about The Cape that I didn’t already say in my advance review. Upon re-watch, I still find many of the same complaints I had before to mostly hold true.
Something Max Malini says in the first hour of the premiere sort of sums up what the The Cape is from my perspective: “I want to say something profound, last words and all.”
The Cape wants to be a dark, edgy twist on the costumed crusader bit, but doesn’t ever really achieve the level it’s striving to reach. The “one man can make a difference” ideal is not a new concept by any means, so if you’re going pull from that well, you better make certain there’s some fresh water in the bucket.
I suppose I’m expected to leave my cynical disbelief at the opening credits, but this is meant to be the story of a man in the real world who adopts a comic-book persona, not simply an adaptation of a comic book. There’s a subtle, but tangible difference. It’s been done before, and far more realistically, in films like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight – which were themselves adaptations.
Perhaps I’m overly judgmental because of my enormous attachment to Batman, but so much seems to be culled straight from those films, such as the scene where The Cape goes after Scales and his crew at the docks, using his cape to yank henchman into the shadows.
Instead of feeling ominous and daunting, it was limp and rushed, ending with Scales easily thwarting him. I wouldn’t fear The Cape if that’s how altercations with him were going to go down. It came across as a paltry ripoff compared to the similar, better executed scene in Batman Begins.
I know, television and movies are practically apples and oranges, but it’s nearly impossible not to make comparisons here when the subject matter is so very much alike. The final scene with The Cape standing on top of one of the tall buildings looking out across the city just couldn’t have been more derivative.
As for the performances, they’re mostly adequate. I don’t find David Lyons nearly as off-putting as some other critics, though he does have one of those “two faces.” In some scenes he’s a handsome fellow, but then at certain angles he just looks… odd. In any case, he does a decent job with the material, and I did find his scene with Trip on the balcony to be surprisingly touching.
Jennifer Ferrin does a decent job as Dana Faraday, but spends more time crying and acting exasperated with Trip than doing much else. When she stood up for her last name trying to get the job at a legal firm, I saw a glimmer of hope that she’ll get better material in the future.I think James Frain is an amazing actor, but when he’s asked to utter lines like “I’ll find out who you are. I’ll find out who you love. I will make them scream,” I can’t help but cringe, half expecting him to break out into a Dr. Evil-style extended maniacal laugh.
Just because this is comic book subject matter, the main antagonist has to feel like a cartoon character? If that wasn’t annoying enough, all the chess references he makes in his villainous speeches remind me the inane snow and ice puns The Governator recited as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin (and we know what a quality film that was).
I do somewhat like the character of Malini, even if if I find his frequent pontificating a little grating. But I guess his role as Vince’s mentor requires some of that. At least he adds a bit of humor to the mix, such as his non-death scene when Vince came to rescue him from Chess.
Summer Glau’s Orwell is easily the character I like best, probably because it’s Glau, but I am curious enough about her backstory to come back for more. It’s a major plus for Glau to finally be in a series where she can emote coherently, and she completely won me over as she elicited shades of Sydney Bristow in the scene where she went undercover.
The second hour, “Tarot,” felt more a bit more realistic than the first, and Cain was a more threatening, if not fully-fleshed, villain, so I’m cautiously optimistic about the direction the series is preparing to take.
The strongest thing The Cape has going for it, I think, is the father-son relationship. If they focus the show on their connection and tell the story of a boy’s faith in his father, and a father’s self-sacrificing love for his son, without getting lost in campy dialogue and one-dimensional villains-of-the-week, there’s a chance it could find its footing and evolve into something that’s actually profound.

Consumer Electronics Show News Reports

Consumer Electronics Show: Three directors ponder film's future

At the Las Vegas expo, Oliver Stone, Michael Mann and Baz Luhrmann talk Blu-ray, 3-D and other technology, the integrity of classic films, and new ways of watching movies.

Filmmakers Baz Luhrmann, left, Michael Mann and Oliver Stone in Las Vegas on Jan. 7. (Michael Tweed)

 Reporting from Las Vegas — —
At the International Consumer Electronics Show, the massive annual expo in Las Vegas devoted to the hard sell of high tech, it's just assumed that the next big thing is always better than what came before. That's why director Oliver Stone managed to sound lonely in a crowded room Saturday when he suggested that, for cinema, the future just doesn't look so bright.

"Watching my children and friends look at a computer screen with a movie — with the lights on, with interruptions, trying to multitask — is very depressing to people like me," Stone said at a filmmaker panel discussion on the Las Vegas Convention Center floor. "Now, my daughter had [a movie on] a phone the other day. I found it, literally, sad. I feel like we are the last of the Mohicans, in a way."

Stone made that fading-frontier analogy for the benefit of director Michael Mann, his generational peer who was sitting beside him and who had just shown the crowd an especially vivid sequence from the new Blu-ray edition of his 1992 epic, "The Last of the Mohicans."Mann chuckled, but Stone wasn't smiling. As Hollywood moves further into the era of portability and pixels, the "Sunset Blvd." words of Norma Desmond spring to mind: "I am big. It's the pictures that got small."

The panel, which also included "Moulin Rouge!" director Baz Luhrmann, was a bit of an anomaly at the hardware-obsessed event. The discussion, organized by Fox Home Entertainment and moderated by this reporter, was focused on high-definition Blu-ray discs.

While all three of the famous perfectionists expressed enthusiasm for the format — Mann said "Blu-ray does a better job [than DVD] by a factor of about 12 or 13" — they voiced less certainty and even flashes of anxiety when the talk turned to other technology topics.

Luhrmann, 48, said he worries about the integrity of classic films when modern technology adds too much clarity to the images — for example, when the wires holding the flying monkeys can be seen in new versions of "The Wizard of Oz." And Mann, who spent months preparing "Mohicans" for last year's Blu-ray version, noted that despite his affection for the format, he could guess that it might last eight more years.

Still, Luhrmann said he is "fantastically optimistic" about technology in general and eager to see where 3-D leads to as stereoscopic approaches and gear improve. Backstage, he spoke with crackling enthusiasm about his investigation into 3-D for an upcoming adaption of "The Great Gatsby." Mann also said he would like to see what 3-D might bring to a carefully constructed dialogue drama as opposed to the action spectacle films that dominate the sector now.

The directors were part of a slightly greater emphasis on content at CES, but gear and gizmos really still ruled the four-day event that came to a close Sunday. More than 2,700 technology companies came to sell themselves to 140,000 hard-wired professionals from 80 countries. Computer tablets, smart appliances and Ford's first electric vehicle were the talk of the show, whereas the entertainment sector seemed to have less eye-popping offerings than last year, when 3-D TV was a hot topic.

Although more and more entertainment is moving toward digital delivery, Stone said the Blu-ray format may be able to extend its life if people consider it a collectible.

"This is about film preservation … it's the last hardware, the best of the last hardware. There won't be any other hardware now," he said. "It's going to be on a digital phone or on a computer or on a TV screen."

The Cape TV Show Promo Trailer And News

The Cape TV Show Debuts Tonight

Do we need another superhero show? Apparently, NBC thinks we do. “ The Cape” tv show debuts tonight at 9/8c on NBC.

A former police officer teams up with misfits to fight crime after he is set up for a crime he did not commit. He becomes “The Cape,” who is the superhero of his son’s favorite comic book. The Cape is played by David Lyons.

Tonight’s episode is two hours, but starting next week, it will be a one hour series, airing at 9pm. The entire series has 13 episodes. I like knowing that a series has a definitive ending like that: it seems to keep the storyline more focused.

NBC’s ‘The Cape’ – Cast, Premiere & Start Date

‘The Cape’ will be premiered on 9th January, 2011 with two-hour special episode (9-11 p.m.), and new episode of the series will be started in its normal time period on 17th January at 9 to 10 p.m.  ’The Cape’ is the creative idea of the Tom Wheeler, who is also the executive producer of the series. The whole series has total 13 episodes. The story of series is based on the one Honest Cop, Vince Faraday, who works with corrupt police force and has been famous for a series of murders and presumed dead that he did not commit. So he takes the laws into his own hands to clear his name and becomes a ‘The Cape’, which is superhero of his son’s favorite comic book.
Role of the Vince Faraday is played by David Lyons (“ER”), who is recognized for his role as Leading Seaman Josh Holiday on the Australian drama Series Sea Patrol. Vince Faraday is innocent policemen. He implicated for crime that did not commit by him and then left for dead after he is caught. At that time, circus ringleader saves him and prepares him with unique skill to prevent himself from his rivals. Alienated from his wife and son, he tries to clear his name as well as defending himself from being destroyed in the event that he must be reported alive. After then he decided to take the law on his hand and change their personality to get the justice. He changes his looks like ‘The Cape’ with special suit that has unique capabilities. Promising to dispose of the corruption that has overtaken both the police force and Palm city, he goes to the person who was responsible for his situation and causing his “death”.
NBC’s ‘The Cape’ Cast:
David Lyons as The Cape: David Lyons played the role of the honest cop, Vince Faraday who is supposed to have dead after he was framed for crime.
Jennifer Ferrin: She plays the role of Vince’s wife Dana Faraday, who thinks that her husband has expired.
Ryan Wynott: Ryan plays the role of Vince’s son, Trip Faraday, who loves The Cape which is the main character of his comic book ‘the Cape’. He gives hope to his father Vince that some good people are still in the world.
James Frain: James plays the role of chess, who was the main person to responsible for framing Vince for the murders.
Keith David: He plays the role of Max Malini, a ringleader of a circus gang of bank robbers who saved Vince and tries to train him to be the strong Cape with ability to fight against antagonist.
Martin Klebba: He plays the roles of Rollo, who is the member of Malini’s circus gang of bank robbers.
Dorian Missick: He plays the role of Marty Voyt, former police detective and friend to Faraday.
Vinnie Jones: Acting as Scales in this series. He is a terrifying criminal danger with a freakish skin condition with a freakish skin disorder that provides him the look of gold and green scales.
Summer Glau: Play role as investigative blogger, Orwell, Who pays battle on the crime and corruption in Palm City. She becomes friend of Vince and helps him.

NBC’s, ‘The Cape’ promo trailer video from youtube

NBC’s ‘The Cape’ season 1 video trailer video from youtube:

New NBC TV show The Cape makes its debut... on iPad

Tablet premiere takes place within DC Comics app

US broadcaster NBC has announced that its new TV drama The Cape will make its debut on iPad, in advance of its TV premiere.

The show airs from 9 January in the US, but the first episode can be watched now within the DC Comics iPad app.

"We thought engaging with DC Comics and the iPad would be a perfect way to create some pre-premiere buzz with fans who have the capacity to be ambassadors," NBC's Adam Stotsky tells Mashable.

It's the latest sign of how high iPad is looming in the priorities of US broadcasters and cable networks - see also Comcast's promise to stream live TV to tablets later this year.

NBC has sensibly chosen to target DC Comics' big userbase with its premiere, rather than launching a specific The Cape app which would have to build an audience from scratch.

National Western Stock Show 2011

National Western Stock Show in Denver 2011

If you happened to be in downtown Denver yesterday, you might have noticed something unusual...

 This isn't the normal mid-day traffic on 17th Street...

Don't let the unseasonably warm temperatures fool you--it's Stock Show time!

The National Western Stock Show Parade is the perfect parade for horse lovers.

Oh, there are a few tractors, 

 cars,

walkers,

 and dogs.

Mostly, however, it's horses, horses, horses!

There are big harness horses...

and little harness horses.

Police horses...

 and cavalry horses.

Horses with fancy tack...

 and horses with working tack.

Horses with big flags...

 and (half) horses with big ears.

There's no doubt, the National Western Stock Show Parade is all about horses!

Of course where there's horses, there's also poop...

So every year the last entry in the parade is a fleet of street cleaners!