Reader Opinion
'A.I.'
Subject: A glaring absence in this year's Oscar nominations
'' I gotta say that, while I'm not surprised, I am very disappointed that
Haley Joel Osment was not nominated as Best Actor for his role in the
movie "A.I."
I know that not many folks saw the movie. I also realize that even
fewer "enjoyed" the movie. Personally, it was one of the more painful
movie experiences of my life; however, I feel that that makes Osment's
performance all the more remarkable.
For those who don't know, A.I. was about an artificial child created to
replace a natural child.
The movie had many shortcomings, but it was still an "experience", which
I think all movies should aim for.
Too bad the Acadamy feels that only "popular" movies and roles should be
recognized. ''
~~ Steve S.
Thanks, Steve. I think Haley Joel is more talented than 99% of the members of the Guild. Sometimes
talent, popularity or bankability isn't enough. Clark Gable, for one, never received an Oscar!
Weekly Review
from Harper's Magazine
HARPER'S WEEKLY REVIEW - 12 February, 2002
President Bush released his $2.13 trillion budget, which includes a
massive arms buildup and severe cuts in popular domestic programs as
well as additional tax cuts for the wealthy. The Pentagon complained
that it needed more money.
New government statistics revealed that the
number of Americans making more than a million dollars doubled between
1995 and 1999 while the percentage of their income paid in federal
taxes dropped by 11 percent; Americans who made less than a million
dollars per year paid 2 percent more in federal taxes.
Interesting details continued to emerge from the Enron scandal, such as the
impressive ability of one company insider to turn a $5,800 investment
into more than $1 million in about two months.
The Senate Commerce
Committee said it would subpoena Kenneth Lay, the former head of
Enron, who canceled his previously scheduled Congressional
appearances. Lay reportedly told a friend that "every fiber of my body
wants to talk and tell my side of this"; Senator Fritz Hollings said
he doubted Lay would testify. Other Congressmen suggested that Jeffrey
Skilling, the company's former CEO, had perjured himself in his
testimony.
Tim Eyman, the man behind several tax-cutting initiatives
in Washington State, admitted that he had diverted at least $45,000 of
the money he had raised into "the black hole, the family budget";
"This entire charade was set up so I could maintain a moral
superiority over our opposition, so I could say our opponents make
money from politics and I don't."
Maine banned the smoking of
cigarettes by prison inmates, pushing the black-market price of a
cigarette up to $10; the high value of tobacco has hurt prison sales
of methadone and heroin.
A federal appeals court in California
declared that sentencing shoplifters to life in prison under the the
state's "three strikes" law was cruel and unusual punishment.
The town of Numidia, Pennsylvania, banned the public display of nudity, sexual
intercourse, deviate sexual conduct, the fondling of genitals, and
"the showing of covered male genitals in a discernible turgid state."
( continued at Weekly Review )
--Roger D. Hodge
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
TV was on in the background...saw some of 'That 70's Show' and some of 'Undeclared'. Then saw portions of
'Smallville' and '24'. Meant to include 'The Guardian', because I really like Dabney Coleman.
Also sat through some of 'Regis', (the ''Aaron Spelling 'Classic' TV Edition'')...with 'entertainment' like this,
'Regis' deserves to be cancelled (even though none of it is Regis' call).
Also managed to get to 'Politically Incorrect' just in time to see that it was 'sponsored in-part' by Paxil!
Tonight, Wednesday, some degree of 'counter-programming the Olympics' finally kicks in...it's Sweeps, for
crying out loud!
CBS is all fresh with '60 Minutes II' and the 2nd half of the TV movie, 'Guilty Hearts'.
ABC is also all fresh with 'My Wife & Kids', 'Jim', 'Drew Carey', 'The Job', and
'Regis' (more of the 'Aaron Spelling Classic TV' ''stuff''.
The WB is all fresh with 'Dawson's Creek' and 'Glory Days'.
Faux also is fresh with 'That 80's Show', 'Grounded For Life', 'Bernie Mac', and 'Titus'.
UPN has a fresh 'Enterprise' and a fresh 'Special Unit 2'.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
74th Annual Oscar Nominations
The Big List
Complete list of 74th annual Oscar nominations announced Tuesday in Beverly Hills, Calif., by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
1. Best Picture: "A Beautiful Mind," "Gosford Park," "In the Bedroom," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge."
2. Actor: Russell Crowe, "A Beautiful Mind"; Sean Penn, "I Am Sam"; Will Smith, "Ali"; Denzel Washington, "Training Day";
Tom Wilkinson, "In the Bedroom."
3. Actress: Halle Berry, "Monster's Ball"; Judi Dench, "Iris"; Nicole Kidman, "Moulin Rouge"; Sissy Spacek, "In the Bedroom"; Renee
Zellweger, "Bridget Jones's Diary."
4. Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent, "Iris"; Ethan Hawke, "Training Day"; Ben Kingsley, "Sexy Beast"; Ian McKellen, "The Lord of the
Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"; Jon Voight, "Ali."
5. Supporting Actress: Jennifer Connelly, "A Beautiful Mind"; Helen Mirren, "Gosford Park"; Maggie Smith, "Gosford Park"; Marisa Tomei,
"In the Bedroom"; Kate Winslet, "Iris."
6. Director: Ron Howard, "A Beautiful Mind"; Ridley Scott, "Black Hawk Down"; Robert Altman, "Gosford Park"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of
the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"; David Lynch, "Mulholland Drive."
7. Animated Film: "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius"; "Monsters, Inc."; "Shrek."
8. Foreign Film: "Amelie," France; "Elling," Norway; "Lagaan," India; "No Man's Land," Bosnia and Herzegovina; "Son of the Bride," Argentina.
9. Screenplay (written based on material previously produced or published): Akiva Goldsman, "A Beautiful Mind"; Daniel Clowes and Terry
Zwigoff, "Ghost World"; Rob Festinger and Todd Field, "In the Bedroom"; Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The
Fellowship of the Ring"; Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Joe Stillman and Roger S.H. Schulman, "Shrek."
10. Screenplay (written directly for the screen): Guillaume Laurant and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, "Amelie"; Julian Fellowes, "Gosford Park";
Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, "Memento"; Milo Addica and Will Rokos, "Monster's Ball"; Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson, "The Royal Tenenbaums."
11. Art Direction: "Amelie," "Gosford Park," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge."
12. Cinematography: "Amelie," "Black Hawk Down," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Man Who Wasn't There," "Moulin Rouge."
13. Sound: "Amelie," "Black Hawk Down," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge," "Pearl Harbor."
14. Sound Editing: "Monsters, Inc.," "Pearl Harbor."
15. Original Score: "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," John Williams; "A Beautiful Mind," James Horner; "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone," John Williams; "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," Howard Shore; "Monsters, Inc.," Randy Newman.
16. Original Song: "If I Didn't Have You" from "Monsters, Inc.," Randy Newman; "May It Be" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the
Ring," Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan; "There You'll Be" from "Pearl Harbor," Diane Warren; "Until" from "Kate & Leopold," Sting; "Vanilla Sky" from "Vanilla Sky," Paul McCartney.
17. Costume: "The Affair of the Necklace," "Gosford Park," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge."
18. Documentary Feature: "Children Underground," "LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton," "Murder on a Sunday Morning," "Promises," "War Photographer."
19. Documentary (short subject): "Artists and Orphans: A True Drama," "Sing!," "Thoth."
20. Film Editing: "A Beautiful Mind," "Black Hawk Down," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Memento," "Moulin Rouge."
21. Makeup: "A Beautiful Mind," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge."
22. Animated Short Film: "Fifty Percent Grey," "For the Birds," "Give Up Yer Aul Sins," "Strange Invaders," "Stubble Trouble."
23. Live Action Short Film: "the accountant," "Copy Shop," "Gregor's Greatest Invention," "A Man Thing (Meska Sprawa)," "Speed for Thespians."
24. Visual Effects: "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Pearl Harbor."
Academy Award winners previously announced this year:
Gordon E. Sawyer Award (Oscar statuette): Edmund M. Di Giulio.
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (Oscar statuette): Arthur Hiller.
Honorary Awards (Oscar statuettes): Sidney Poitier and Robert Redford.
The Big List Of Oscar Nominees
Big Dog Watch Continues
Bill Clinton
People obviously feel they are getting their money's worth when Bill Clinton comes to dinner. Bren Simon, who's
married to international shopping mall magnate Mel Simon, has just arrived back home in the Dominican Republic after
jetting to London to hobnob with the former president, who is an old friend. Bren reports that the speech Clinton
gave to the Princess Diana Foundation was so impressive, there's a move to have it printed and distributed around
the world. Afterwards, Bren gave a dinner at her London townhouse for Clinton and daughter Chelsea, featuring hot
jazz music and lots of Americans mingling with the English aristocracy.
Bill Clinton
Now An Interactive Robot
R2-D2
R2-D2, the lovable droid from the Star Wars movies, is featured in the Hasbro showroom February 12, 2002, at the
American International Toy Fair in New York. The 18-inch version is an interactive robot that responds to voice
commands, with innovative speech and infrared scanning technology. The robotic fellow even has a cup holder arm
(holding a TV remote in the photo). Price is expected to be $99.99 and it is due to be released this fall.
Photo by Ray Stubblebine
New Film, ''Slackers''
Jason Schwartzman
It's been four years since Jason Schwartzman made his film debut in "Rushmore," playing the nerdy Max Fisher,
but he hasn't been idle.
"Right after filming the movie I just went back and finished high school," said the 21-year-old Schwartzman,
one of the stars of "Slackers," now in theaters.
Schwartzman, a nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola and the son of actress Talia Shire, added, "It wasn't
like after that movie my agent was sending me scripts. I didn't even have an agent or head shots or anything.
Jason Schwartzman
'Queen of the Damned'
Aaliyah
When young R&B superstar Aaliyah died in a Bahamas plane crash last August, her fans were left with a recently released CD,
some music videos - and the promise of an unfinished film.
They'll have their chance to see it on Friday, Feb. 22, when the twice-postponed "Queen of the Damned" hits theaters.
It's based on the third book in Anne Rice's "Vampire Chronicles," and even its director admits that it's probably too
lightweight to stand as the ultimate tribute to the dead singer.
Aaliyah's co-star, Stuart Townsend, calls it "sort of cheesy and camp" - the singer struts around in bronze body paint
baring her fangs as the title character, a 6,000-year-old evil Egyptian queen named Akasha.
It's a far cry from the sweet and soulful performer fans know from her videos, but director Michael Rymer promises that
they will see a strong performance from their idol, who made her screen debut in the 2000 film "Romeo Must Die."
Aaliyah
Goody Bags Worth $16,000
Grammy Awards
Presenters and performers at the Grammys will get more than just bragging rights about being on stage.
The goody bags created for the artists to take home are said to be worth $16,000 a piece.
Inside are items like diamond earrings, a sports club membership, a wireless e-mail device and a bust of themselves
in bronze or aluminum.
Since No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani announced her engagement to Gavin Rossdale of Bush, her bag will contain $5,000
worth of dishes from an unusual housewares store.
The bags also include everyday items like deodorant and Tic-Tacs.
Goody Bags Worth $16,000
Ready To Talk Frankly
Rosie O'Donnell
News has already leaked out that she will reveal that she is gay in her autobiography, "Find Me," due out in late April.
And this week, New York magazine reports O'Donnell is ready to talk frankly about her sexuality even before then - in the
edition of Rosie magazine that comes out in early April.
Now comes questions about whether she may tell viewers she is gay sometime earlier still - on her own TV show.
The timing and tone of Rosie's expected announcement has, in recent weeks, taken on the trappings of a political campaign.
O'Donnell is expected to make the publicity talk-show rounds - where Topic A is bound to be her decision to go public
with her sexual orientation - once "Find Me" is published.
She is slated to do her final live "Rosie" show on May 22. Pre-taped new "Rosie" shows will run through June, and
the show will be in repeats in July and August.
Rosie O'Donnell
Freak Golf Accident
Jerry Weintraub
A freak golf accident left "Ocean's Eleven" producer Jerry Weintraub in stitches.
"He hit the ball, it hit a rock and it came right back and hit him over the eye," Weintraub publicist Paul Bloch said Monday.
The producer was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center and it took 16 stitches to close the wound over his right eye, the spokesman said.
Weintraub, who has a home nearby, was playing golf Friday with friends at the Vintage Country Club when he hit the ball
and it hit back. Bloch noted Weintraub is a good golfer.
Jerry Weintraub
Aaliyah's 24-Year-Old Brother
Rashad Haughton
With "Queen of the Damned" in the can, Aaliyah's 24-year-old brother, Rashad Haughton, was brought in to touch up some of
her dialog in post-production.The singer's performance was fine, but her voice lacked clarity and strength in some of the
scenes, particularly those shot on surf beaches in Australia.
"It was a little hard to hear the words properly, so we got Rashad, who has a similar vocal quality, to dub in a whisper
track," director Michael Rymer says. "It just adds a little more body to her consonants and boosts it a little for dramatic effect."
The technique has been used before - James Dean's friend Nick Adams recorded a few lines of dialog when Dean was killed in
a car crash shortly before work was finished on the 1956 film "Giant."
Rashad Haughton
This Stinks!
KCAL-TV
KCAL-TV, the last major independent broadcast station in the Los Angeles market, is reportedly being purchased by media conglomerate Viacom Inc., which owns both the CBS and UPN networks.
The Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter both carried stories Tuesday saying that Viacom would pay Young Broadcasting
Inc. about $600 million for KCAL-TV Channel 9. Viacom already owns the CBS-affiliated station in Los Angeles, KCBS-TV Channel 2.
Operating two stations in a major market, an arrangement called a duopoly, is attractive to media companies because it
allows them to cut costs and gives them more clout with programmers and advertisers. The Federal Communications Commission
lifted a ban on duopolies in 1999.
Viacom owns 34 stations, 15 of them UPN affiliates and the remainder CBS affiliates.
Analysts said it is likely that Viacom will eventually seek to switch KCAL to UPN when UPN's current affiliation deal
with Fox-owned KCOP Channel 13 ends next year.
Young Broadcasting bought KCAL from The Walt Disney Co. in 1996. Disney was forced to sell KCAL to comply with duopoly
restrictions that existed at the time.
KCAL-TV
It Must Be Love
Joan Collins
You have to figure it will be love, not money, when Joan Collins marries her much younger beau, Percy Gibson, in
London on Thursday. There is an iron-clad pre-nup that provides only peanuts for 36-year-old Percy in the event
of a divorce. Joan had to lay more than $1 million on her last husband, Peter Holme, and is determined she's not
going to lose any more of her personal fortune, which is said to be "only" about $5 million. (The diva allowed herself
to be talked out of getting royalties for her hit TV show, "Dynasty."). Joan's novelist sister, Jackie, isn't going
to attend the wedding, but that Joan's kids by the late and much-missed Anthony Newley will be there, along with the
likes of Michael Caine and Roger Moore.
Joan Collins
At UN, Europe HQ In Geneva
Red Hands
A young woman attends a special ceremony with hundreds of symbolic red hands on the lawn of the United Nations European
headquarters in Geneva February 12, 2002. A global campaign to ban child soldiers stepped up a gear with the entry into
force of a treaty against anyone under 18 years old being used to fight.
Photo by Jean-Marc Ferre
Screen Actors Guild's Election - More Trouble Ahead
Version 2.0
The rerun of the Screen Actors Guild's (SAG) election is already in trouble, thanks to another goof by the union's staff.
The flub came when guild staff cleared a campaign email, authored by 1st VP Mike Farrell, to be sent to thousands of guild members
on Sunday even though election rules allow only for candidates to send emails.
SAG had no comment, but the apparent misinterpretation of the email rules could open the rerun to challenges. Ballots were sent
Monday and are due back by March 8, with results to be announced that evening.
Farrell, co-star of NBC drama "Providence," wrote the missive in support of actress Melissa Gilbert, who won the presidency race
last November and is now running again.
Farrell, who won his post in November, blasted the committee's rerun decision as "pathetic," called the violations "technical
flaws," and attacked Gilbert rival Valerie Harper and her running mates for challenging the election.
Screen Actors Guild's Election
Charity Auction For Kids
Catherine Deneuve
A charity gala hosted by French actress Catherine Deneuve raised more than 100,000 euros ($88,000) for Afghan children
by auctioning clothes worn by Julia Roberts and other memorabilia, organizers said Tuesday.
The black tie, 500-euro-a-plate dinner in a grand 19th century concert hall brought together director Robert Altman,
actor Donald Sutherland, former tennis star Boris Becker, musician Bob Geldof, Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit and 450 others.
A short leather skirt and see-through sequined shirt Roberts wore in her Academy Award-winning performance as Erin
Brockovich was auctioned for 7,000 euros at the dinner Monday evening.
German actress Veronica Ferres paid 5,200 euros for a canvas director's chair used by Roman Polanski, and another bidder
paid 5,400 euros for a silver hook hand from the 1991 Robin Williams' film "Hook." Dinner with Spanish opera singer Jose
Carreras brought in 4,200 euros.
The auction raised about 100,000 euros for a UNICEF fund for Afghan children, and the dinner earned additional funds although
the final tally is not complete, said organizer Claudia Evers.
The gala took place midway through the Berlinale film festival, in which 23 films vie for the top Golden Bear prize and thousands
of fans flock to see 400 different films.
Catherine Deneuve
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Barry Manilow & Sting
Barry Manilow writes the songs that make the whole world sing, and now those songs have earned him a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Manilow is among this year's inductees into the hall, along with Sting, Michael Jackson, Randy Newman, and Ashford & Simpson,
the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
The 33rd annual induction and awards dinner is set for June 13 in New York.
Previous inductees include Burt Bachrach, Elton John, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. Founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny
Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond, the academy and hall develop new songwriting talent through workshops,
showcases and scholarships.
Barry Manilow & Sting
Trial In London
Naomi Campbell
The editor of a British newspaper testified Tuesday that it was "absurd" for supermodel Naomi Campbell to sue the tabloid
because it printed a photo of her leaving a Narcotics Anonymous meeting.
Campbell, 31, sued the paper for breach of confidence or unlawful invasion of privacy or both after it published a photograph
of her leaving a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in London a year ago.
The paper said she had been receiving regular counseling in a "courageous bid to beat her addiction to drink and drugs" — although
it later became known that the model didn't have a drinking problem.
On Monday, the London-born model testified that she had illegally used drugs, prompting her to seek treatment. "I knew that it
was wrong and had damaged me, and I decided to try and sort myself out," she said.
The editor accused the model of misleading young people by once telling the media that she had avoided illegal drugs. He also said
the Mirror had been sympathetic in its coverage of Campbell, reporting that she had voluntarily sought help after developing a drug problem.
Naomi Campbell
And Courtney Love?
George & Paul
The mystery of where Beatle George Harrison spent his last days was solved on Tuesday when Los Angeles officials said
that he died in a Hollywood Hills mansion that had been leased by former bandmate Paul McCartney.
Harrison's death certificate was found to be incorrect when it listed his place of death as a fictitious address in Los
Angeles, and reports surfaced that the former Beatle had spent his final hours in a home owned by McCartney.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney released a new address for Harrison's place of
death -- a secluded $4 million, French country-style house once owned by rocker turned actress Courtney Love.
The Los Angeles County Assessor's Office lists the current owner of the home as Mike Walley who purchased it in March of
2001. McCartney had been leasing the house when it was still owned by Love.
The home, which sits on nearly two acres near Griffith Park, features a long, gated driveway and stone walls to ensure privacy.
George & Paul
Writing Reviews Of His Own Work?
Caleb Carr
Last week, the author sent an enraged letter to Salon.com in response to a review by critic Laura Miller of Carr's "The
Lessons of Terror." Carr bitterly attacked Miller and New York Times critic Michiko Kakutani, implying that they should
stick to writing about "bad women's fiction."
With readers calling Carr's remarks "sneeringly sexist" and likening him to a schoolyard bully, the author this week
posted a second message on Salon.
"I do not apologize for the sentiment contained in my reaction ... but I should not like those of my readers who are women
to base their judgments of myself and/or my work on momentary intemperance rather than the considered portraits of strong,
educated women that appear in my books," writes Carr, best known for the historical novel "The Alienist."
"So to any of those readers who were offended or unhappily surprised, I offer the heartiest apologies, the warmest thanks
for your continued support — and a pledge that in the future I shall try to consider my phrasing more carefully."
Meanwhile, Amazon.com has pulled Carr's self-review of "Lessons of Terror." The author had given himself the highest rating,
five stars, and stated, "Several reviews have made claims concerning my credibility that are, quite simply, libelous,
and will be dealt with soon."
According to Amazon spokeswoman Patty Smith, Carr's statement should have been placed among editorial reviews, without a
rating, as opposed to the customer review section.
Caleb Carr
Too Much To Hope For?
Broadcast Reform
With the Enron debacle adding rocket fuel to campaign finance reform, broadcasters stand to lose more than $300 million in political
advertising this year if Capitol Hill approves landmark legislation curtailing how and when a candidate takes to the airwaves.
The showdown is expected to begin Tuesday, when the U.S. House of Representatives begins debate on a complex reform package that
is being vigorously opposed by broadcasters across the country. The measure would restrict political ads in several ways, including
a ban on "soft" money, much of which is spent on TV ads.
In a report released Monday, Bear Stearns & Co. broadcast analyst Victor Miller predicted that $750 million will be spent on
political ads this year. The ban on soft money alone could result in a loss of $225 million to $300 million in ad revenues.
That doesn't even take into account the additional millions that would be lost if broadcasters are forced through the legislation
to offer across-the-board discounts to candidates buying media time.
Top Republican solons say they will do their best to kill the legislation; but even their leader, President Bush, has said he wouldn't veto
it. The Senate passed the bill last fall.
Provisions directly impacting TV stations include:
= A requirement that stations offer the same, across-the-board discount to any and all candidates, no matter the time of day, no matter the
program. For years, broadcasters have been required by the Federal Communications Commission to offer a discount, but there is a
range, depending on the time slot and what is airing.
It's possible the legislation could only require such a discount to be offered within 60 days of a general election and within 45 days of a primary.
= Legislation would ban what is known as "soft money." Under existing rules, unlimited contributions can be made to national political parties. Much
of this money is then shelled out to TV stations for third-party political ads;
= Attack ads would be curtailed. The measure includes a ban on the use of corporate and union money to pay for a broadcast ad that mentions a federal
candidate. The ban would kick in 60 days before a general election and 45 before a primary.
Publicly, the National Assn. of Broadcasters is only opposing the provision requiring stations to offer across-the-board discounts. As veteran lobbyists,
NAB leaders understand that the political climate is not going in their favor and that it would be bad form to oppose the soft-money ban or the attack-ad restriction.
Broadcast Reform?
Mother of Miss America Complains
Katie Harman
Being Miss America may be a dream come true, but being Miss America's mother can sometimes be a nightmare.
That's what Darla Harman, mother of Miss America 2002 Katie Harman, told the Miss America board of directors in a Feb. 3
letter criticizing the way organizers of the 81-year-old beauty contest have treated her, her husband Glen and their
daughter, the former Miss Oregon.
"Katie is your Miss America and I can't tell you how many times she is 'in trouble' for things that are not her fault," the
elder Harman said in an eight-page letter provided to Reuters by the Miss America Organization (MAO) on Tuesday.
Five state pageant directors flew to Atlantic City last week to complain that the nonprofit group that organizes the
annual pageant had not scheduled enough lucrative engagements for Harman, 21, during the first months of her 12-month
reign that began last September.
"What you've got here is a 21-year-old woman who's never been Miss America before, a mom and dad who've never been the
parents of a Miss America before, and a state director from Oregon who's never had a Miss America before," said Robert
Renneisen, the organization's chief executive.
Renneisen said some state directors are unhappy about national staff plans to increase Miss America's outside sponsorship
and marketing potential. Last year, pageant organizers threatened to leave Atlantic City unless New Jersey provided $1
million in new contributions. They gave the state government one year to come up with a proposal.
Mother of Miss America Complains
Man With An Opinion
Ted Turner
In a wide-ranging address Monday, media mogul Ted Turner said the attacks on the World Trade Center the Pentagon
were an outgrowth of poverty.
"The reason that the World Trade Center got hit is because there are a lot of people living in abject poverty out there who
don't have any hope for a better life," he said.
He said the attacks were an act of desperation, and that Americans lack an understanding of a willingness to die for one's country.
"I think they were brave at the very least," Turner said of the 19 airliner hijackers believed to have committed the
attacks, adding that they "might have been a little nuts."
Turner also gave his opinion on the 2000 elections and Al Gore's loss in the presidential race.
"A few more votes in Florida, and we could have had the best environmental president we ever had," he said. "Now we've
got an oil man. He (President Bush) is like another Julius Caesar. Just what we need."
Ted Turner
Try-Outs Over
Limp Bizkit
After hearing thousands of unknown hopefuls in a series of minute-long auditions, hard rock band Limp Bizkit may ask a
few potential bandmates back to see if any strike the right chord, the group's manager said on Tuesday.
The band, fronted by Fred Durst and best known for its raging blend of punk, heavy metal and hip-hop, may sign a
new guitarist through the open-call "Put Your Money Where Your Guitar Is" tryouts, which began in January. But the
group has never guaranteed it would fill the spot left vacant when Wes Borland quit last fall.
Of the nearly 5,000 musicians who turned out for the 60-second auditions in 22 U.S. cities, about 30 hopefuls were called
back to jam with the band, which has sold more than 16 million albums in the last five years. The band may now invite back
some of those musicians for a second jam session, said Peter Katsis, a spokesman for the band's management company, The Firm.
"This isn't a contest and there's no winner, but hopefully, we'll find a guitar player," Katsis said.
At the end of Monday's auditions, three musicians were chosen to jam on the spot with Limp Bizkit, including Monte Pittman, 26, who
lives near the Guitar Center.
While most auditions were harmonious, a few candidates apparently groused about the process or accused Limp Bizkit of using the auditions
to generate publicity or even steal musicians' material.
Durst posted a notice recently on the band's Web site saying that "anyone who is mad about their experience trying out for Limp
Bizkit" had "simply and plainly 100 percent sucked."
The band has asked those auditioning to sign a release form so that their images can be used in a documentary, he said.
Limp Bizkit
Freak Snowstorm Kills Millions
Monarch Butterflies
Hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies have died in a freak snowstorm in the Mexican mountains, where they spend each
winter after a journey of up to 3,000 miles, scientists reported yesterday.
American and Mexican researchers estimated that as many as 270 million frozen butterfly bodies littered the ground after the
storm last month in their pine forest havens west of Mexico City.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Dr Lincoln Brower, an American biologist who has followed the migration for 25 years.
Because their arrival coincides with Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, many villagers believe that the butterflies
represent the spirit of their ancestors.
Monarch Butterflies
Last Night Of Carnival
In Rio
Enthusiastisch tanzt Fabia Borges am Sonntag während einer Parade der Sambaschule Unidos da Tijuca im Sambadrom-Stadion in Rio de Janeiro.
Photo by Sergio Moraes
A Seminal Issue? Oh, Come Again?
Sperm Smuggler
The sperm of a New York mobster is the subject of a court battle between the government and his wife, who helped bribe
a guard to smuggle the fluid out of the prison where her husband is doing time.
The government impounded the frozen sperm in 2000 at the office of Maria Parlavecchio's gynecologist in New York
City and has refused to release it.
Ms. Parlavecchio contends that the sperm is not an illegal substance and that it is not against the law to possess it,
despite the illegal methods used to remove it from the minimum-security Allenwood Federal Prison in Pennsylvania. She
is demanding the government release it.
Ms. Parlavecchio's husband, Antonino, was sentenced in 1992 to 14 years in prison for racketeering and other charges. His
38-year-old wife, who is childless, wants to use his sperm to get pregnant.
While Genoa salami, romano cheese and other creature comforts were smuggled into the prison, Samuelson would not comment on
whether the Parlavecchios were the only ones to take sperm out.
The sperm was smuggled out more than three times over a two-year period beginning in 1998, with a guard getting about $200 to
$300 per trip, prosecutors said.
Sperm Smuggler
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