Operation Hug-A-Hero Helps Military Kids Who Are Missing Mom or Dad

Operation Hug-A-Hero, has come up with a creative way to help the children of service men and women to cope with the stress of missing Mom or Dad.

OHAH, in cooperation with the military family support organization Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, have developed a huggable stuffed doll silk-screened with the image of the absent military parent. The dolls serve as a soft, tangible reminder of their "hero" in service and are intended to help young children better cope with the emotions of having an estranged parent far away.

Organizers say a donation of $25 covers the cost of providing one child with a doll, and the OHAH website is filled with greatful testimonials from doll recipients and the adults who care for them.
http://www.operationhugahero.org/

Lawyers for Stow Suspect Claim Police Got It Wrong

A lie detector could show that suspect Giovanni Ramirez was not one of the two men who attacked Bay Area Paramedic Bryan Stow on the opening day of baseball at Dodger Stadium last month.

Lawyers for Ramirez said Tuesday that they've emailed other evidence to authorities that shows police have the wrong man in custody.

The evidence includes statements from 11 witnesses who contend Ramirez was elsewhere when the attack took place.

"What we've tried to do is account for his whereabouts," said Ramirez' attorney Anthony Brooklier.

Co-counsel Jose Romero alleged there are multiple locations "with witnesses that are confirming that the story lines that we forwarded are in fact true."

The lawyers would not say whether they've hired a polygraph examiner although Ramirez has said he wants to take a lie detector test.

.

Polygraphs are not admissible in criminal courts in California so there is no downside for a suspect to take such a test.

LAMediaWatch.com

Sean Kingston expected to fully recover

(CNN) -- Sean Kingston's injuries from a Miami jet ski crash should be healed in about six weeks, two sources close to the hip-hop artist told CNN Tuesday.

Kingston, 21, suffered a broken jaw, fractured wrist and water in his lungs, according to the sources, who both asked not to be identified since they were not authorized to speak to the media.

A publicist for Epic Records, which distributes his music, issued a statement Tuesday morning saying Kingston was in "critical but stable condition" in the intensive care unit of a Miami hospital.

Kingston had just bought the jet ski days before, as he was moving into a new house in Miami, one source said.

His life vest apparently fell off during the crash, causing Kingston to sink below the water, according to witnesses.

Kingston shot to fame in 2007 when his debut song "Beautiful Girls" became a No. 1 hit in the U.S.

LAMediaWatch.com

LRG hip hop clothing designer found dead

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- The co-founder and creative director of the Irvine-based hip-hop inspired clothing company LRG was found dead this morning in his Laguna Beach Home.

Jonas Bevacqua was 34-years old.

The cause of his death is still unknown and is being investigated by the Orange County Coroner, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino.
Bevacqua and Robert Wright founded the Lifted Research Group (LRG) in 1999.

Entrepreneur magazine reported the company had sales of $150 million in 2006, placing it at No. 5 on that year's list of the 500 fastest growing companies.

LRG began as strictly a clothing company but has branched out to include sales of electronic devices, music and other items.

LRG’s clothing has been worn by Kobe Bryant, Reggie Bush, Kanye West and Quentin Tarantino.

LAMediaWatch.com

'In Plain Sight' Star Busted for Child Neglect

"In Plain Sight" star Nichole Hiltz was arrested early Tuesday morning in L.A. on suspicion of child neglect ...  TMZ reports her young child was taken into protective custody.

Law enforcement originally responded to a call about a disturbance in Hiltz's West Hollywood apartment.

After cops checked out the situation, officers made the decision to arrest Hiltz and take the minor child into protective custody. The 32-year-old actress was taken to a nearby station where she was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor child neglect around 3:30 AM.

Hiltz has since been released from custody.

Hiltz's attorney tells TMZ, "It was an unfortunate misunderstanding. No charges have been filed and absolutely no harm was done to the child."

LAMediaWatch.com

Lady Gaga album sells 1.1 million copies in first week

(Reuters) - Flamboyant pop star Lady Gaga has sold more than one million copies of her new album to top the U.S. pop chart for the first time, according to sales data published on Tuesday by Billboard magazine.

Fans scooped up 1.11 million copies of her much-hyped release "Born This Way" during the week ended May 29, with a bit of help from a hugely popular 99-cent promotion by online retailer Amazon.com Inc.

It marks the biggest first-week sales total since rapper 50 Cent's "The Massacre" debuted to 1.14 million copies in March 2005. The last album to break the million mark was country starlet Taylor Swift's "Speak Now," which started with 1.01 million copies last November. Boy band 'N Sync holds the first-week record with 2.4 million copies for its 2000 album "No Strings Attached."

Billboard estimated that Amazon downloads accounted for upward of 440,000 downloads of "Born This Way." Overall digital downloads totaled a record-breaking 662,000 copies, Billboard said.

LAMediaWatch.com

Brooke Shields speaks at Princeton

Brooke Shields recently told new graduates of Princeton University, her alma mater, that she would have "never survived" a return to the entertainment industry had it not been for her college experience and joked that the Class of 2011 is made up of "a bunch of tools."

The actress, who turned 46 on Tuesday, May 31, spoke at the school's annual Class Day the day before.  She graduated with honors from Princeton in 1987 and majored in Romance languages and literatures.

Shields said: "I say this in the most respectful way - you are all a bunch of tools. Yes, Brooke Shields is calling the entire class of 2011 a bunch of tools because you are tools that we need. Tools that we need to fix this country. Go out and be bankers, be politicians, scientists, artists, thinkers - but, you need to choose what kind of tool you want to be."

LAMediaWatch.com

California State Assembly Passes Bill to Extend Film, TV Tax Credit Program

The bill, which would extend the program for five more years, was approved by a vote of 72-1 and next moves to the state Senate.

California's State Assembly has passed a bill that would extend California's film and television tax credit program for five more years.

The bill was approved by a vote of 72-1, the Los Angeles Times reported. It next moves to the state Senate, where a vote will take place later this summer.

It would provide an additional $500 million in funding for the credit program, which is currently set to expire in fiscal year 2014.

Designed to keep film and TV productions within the state, the incentive program was launched in 2009 and offers filmmakers a tax credit equivalent to 20%-25% of qualified production expenses.

So far, the state has allocated $300 million in credits, and according to the California Film Commission, the incentives have generated 31,000 jobs and $2.2 billion in production spending.

In the last fiscal year, it distributed its $100 million annual budget to 43 productions on the first day, forcing the rest of the applicants to join a waiting list.

A new round of $100 million will become available July 1 for the next fiscal year.

LAMediaWatch.com

Dodgers make payroll thanks to corporate sponsors

Embattled Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was able to make the team’s payroll on Tuesday by securing cash advances drawn on the team’s corporate sponsorship arrangements, according to an ESPN report.

According to the report, current team sponsors were contacted and offered discounts on their on annual bills and luxury box stadium seats in exchange for cash up front.

McCourt has been unable to secure traditional loans to fund the team.

McCourt could have trouble making the team’s next payroll on June 15 and the report indicates that he is looking for funding to make that payroll. If McCourt can not make payroll, Major League Baseball would cover it and seize the team.

McCourt has been urging commissioner Bud Selig to approve a 17-year contract with FOX that could be worth more than $3 billion and would also include a front-loaded payment of roughly $300 million to the cash-strapped club.

Selig has appointed former Texas Rangers president Tom Schieffer to oversee the team’s operations.

LAMediaWatch.com

CHP: 1 person - not 3 - died on LA County roads during Memorial Day weekend

LOS ANGELES - The California Highway Patrol today revised its Memorial Day weekend statistics, saying just one person -- not three -- died on Los Angeles County roads it patrols.

 

The CHP logged 323 drunken driving arrests, up from 302 over the Memorial Day weekend 2010.

The CHP patrols all freeways and some county roads in unincorporated areas. Earlier, the agency reported three deaths over the 78-hour holiday period, but Hsu said that was a mistake.

The recording period started at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Statewide, 24 people died in wrecks over the weekend, up from 17 last year, he said. Drunken driving arrests totaled 1,367 statewide, down from 1,541 last year.

Rolling Stone publisher not a fan of digital magazine subscriptions

Rolling Stone Publisher Jann Wenner: Gung-ho for print magazines. Not so much for publications on Apple’s iPad.

His company, Wenner Media, publishes Rolling Stone, Us Weekly and Men’s Journal. Last year he organized an ad campaign touting the “power of print.”

The concept of digital magazines on tablet devices will take decades -- “maybe two generations” -- to really take off, he told Advertising Age in a very opinionated interview aboard his private jet.
Other publishers who are rushing to offer subscriptions to their magazines via iPad are making “a mistake,” "The tablet is "a small additive; it’s not the new business.”

Wenner said he planned to offer Rolling Stone to paid subscribers free on the Web or the iPad.
“As long as people want the magazine product we'll deliver it,” he said.

LAMediaWatch.com

Mark-Paul Gosselaar -- Divorced

Mark-Paul Gosselaar is officially back on the market ... now that a judge has finalized his divorce from Lisa Ann Russell.

The 37-year-old "Saved By the Bell" star married Russell back in 1996. They have two children together.

According to documents filed May 27 in L.A. County Superior Court, the two worked out a private arrangement for custody and spousal support.

Getty Center Closed July 16-17 as part of 53-hour 405 Freeway closure

LOS ANGELES -- In conjunction with a planned 53-hour weekend closure of the San Diego (405) Freeway, the Getty Center will close its doors for two days in July.

With access to the famed museum essentially eliminated due to the freeway closure, the Getty Center will be closed to visitors and most staff during the weekend of July 16-17, museum officials said.
The museum will be open as usual on Friday, July 15, and it will reopen on Tuesday, July 19. The Getty Center is closed on Mondays.

The 405 Freeway will be closed July 16-17 between the Ventura (101) and Santa Monica (10) freeways. Crews will begin demolishing the Mulholland Bridge as part of a project to improve the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials are urging motorists to avoid the area, since traffic is expected to be snarled for much of the weekend.
LAMediaWatch.com

Babs OK with Calif. selling donated estate

MALIBU, Calif. – Barbra Streisand says she understands that California has to sell her donated 22-acre Malibu ranch to help balance the state budget but hopes the buyer will preserve its "special habitat."

The singer released a statement last week about Gov. Jerry Brown's decision to put Ramirez Canyon and other state-owned properties up for sale.

Streisand donated the property to California and the state's Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1993. It contains rolling meadows, creeks and custom homes.

Streisand wanted the property that was valued at $15 million to become an environmental conference and study center.

However, the conservancy scrapped those plans, angering Streisand.

LAMediaWatch.com

LA Highways Claim 3 Lives, 208 DUI Arrests Over Memorial Day Weekend

Over this year's Memorial Day Weekend holiday, three traffic-related deaths were recorded on LA County highways in the first 36 hours, notes California Highway Patrol reports the Daily News. From 6:01 p.m. on Friday to Sunday at 6 a.m., six traffic-related fatalities were recorded statewide, one less than the previous year.

Also this weekend In Los Angeles County, CHP arrested 230 motorists on DUI suspicion, compared with 208 last year, reports the Daily News. Statewide, there were 897 DUI arrests, down from last year's total of 1,029, notes the CHP.

LAMediaWatch.com

Mike Brown -- Lakers Make It Official Today

The new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers is to be officially introduced today in El Segundo.
Team executives say they plan on explaining to the public for the first time why they hired Mike Brown despite heavy criticism from the media and fans.

Brown will replace Phil Jackson, who retired after coaching the team for the past 12 season and guiding the team to five NBA championships.

Brown coached the Cleveland Cavaliers for five seasons but spent the past year as an NBA analyst for ESPN.

LAMediaWatch.com

PBS to Add Commercials

PBS is breaking from its long-term model and adding commercials to shows, PBS officials told member stations at a recent conference in Orlando.

Instead of airing breaks every 50 minutes, as the public broadcaster does now, it will air them every 15 minutes beginning this fall, according to the New York Times. 

Nature and Nova are two of the shows that will contain corporate and foundation sponsor ads, promotional messages and branding every 15 minutes.

Feelings about the move are mixed.

John F. Wilson, the chief programming executive for PBS, pointed to the steep drop off of audience members once the promotional spots aired at the end of the shows: "It’s almost as if someone pulled the fire alarm and they scrambled for the exits."

Now producers will have to restructure their shows to contain breaks.

LAMediaWatch.com

Donate items to L.A. animal shelters

Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services accepts gently used fleece blankets, bath towels, washcloths, plastic cat carriers, large dog crates and clean and empty coffee cans for use in its shelters.

For a list of city shelters, Click Here

WHO: Cell phone use may increase cancer risk

(CNN) -- Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform.

Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established.

A team of 31 scientists from 14 countries, including the United States, made the decision after reviewing peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. The team found enough evidence to categorize personal exposure as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."

What that means is that right now there haven't been enough long-term studies conducted to make a clear conclusion if radiation from cell phones are safe, but there is enough data showing a possible connection that consumers should be alerted.

Manufacturers of many popular cell phones already warn consumers to keep their device away from their body.

TV Ratings: ABC topped Monday night ratings

On a quiet night, reality series helped ABC to the nightly victory

With four networks airing reruns on Memorial Day, the latest installment of ABC's The Bachelorette (7.1 million, 2.1) sank double digits from last week’s season premiere.

The new summer reality series Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition (7.1 million, 2.3) debuted at 10 p.m., up 28 percent from the premiere of True Beauty in the same time slot last summer. Extreme Makeover retained all of The Bachelorette’s audience — even drawing a higher rating in the key 18-49 demographic.

ABC swept total viewers and the demo, averaging 7.1 million and a 2.2.

LAMediaWatch.com

'Southland' cast & producers talk in Beverly Hills tonight

BEVERLY HILLS - Cast members and producers of "Southland" will discuss the TNT police drama tonight at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. with screenings of highlights from the series. A question-and-answer session with cast members and producers will follow.

Cast members Ben McKenzie, Regina King, Michael Cudlitz and Shawn Hatosy and executive producers John Wells and Christopher Chulack are scheduled to participate in the discussion at The Paley Center for Media, 465 N. Beverly Drive. Tickets are $20, $15 for center members.

More information on the program is available by calling 310-786-1000.

"Southland" premiered on NBC in 2009, was canceled later that year, then picked up by TNT. It was renewed for a fourth season in March.

LAMediaWatch.com

Kingston's Passenger -- 'We Were Going REALLY Fast'

Sean Kingston's female jet ski passenger tells TMZ Sean was driving "REALLY fast" when they crashed into a bridge this weekend ... and insists she begged him to slow down before the accident.

Cassandra Sanchez -- Sean's longtime friend -- who tells us she arrived to Miami Beach with another female friend to ride jet skis with Sean and his buddy on Saturday evening.

Sanchez tells us, "Both jet skiis pulled out of the dock at the same time and we were going so fast we just blasted past them. When we turned a corner and crashed ... they were so far behind us they didn't even see us crash."

Sanchez says ... as Sean was racing towards the bridge, she screamed out, "We can't fit under there?? Are we going to try and go under there? Sean stop!"

Sanchez tells us .... she believes Sean tried to turn away from the bridge at the last minute ... and
lost control because they were going "REALLY fast."

The next thing Sanchez remembers is waking up in the water in pain. Sanchez says her friends on the other jet ski raced over and tried to help out ... with Sean's buddy trying to position the injured singer so he wouldn't swallow any more water. They all signaled for help until a boat came to the scene to help out.

Sanchez says, "[Sean] was coughing up blood, foam and pink stuff" ... and when he finally opened his eyes, he kept repeating the words, "I'm hurting. I'm hurting"

Sanchez says her ribs and her jaw are still sore -- but overall, she's OK.

As for Sean, Sanchez says "They have a tube down his throat so he can't really talk, but he is lucid and understands what's going on." Sanchez says doctors plan to keep Sean in the hospital for "a couple more weeks."

LAMediaWatch.com

Tommy Lasorda Released From Hospital

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda is recovering from a bacterial infection that caused the 83-year-old to be hospitalized.

Team spokesman Josh Rawitch says Lasorda was resting at home Monday. He spent four days in the hospital last week.

Lasorda currently serves as a special adviser to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. He retired as manager in 1996 after having a heart attack. Lasorda’s 20-year managerial tenure with the Dodgers included World Series titles in 1981 and ’88.

Hangover Part II Leads Biggest Memorial Day Ever

Happy Memorial Day!

Especially in Hollywood, where, the film industry is winding down its most lucrative Memorial Day frame ever — for nearly half of which the town can thank the team behind The Hangover Part II.

Overall five-day theatrical estimates totaled $279.4 million, led by The Hangover Part II’s staggering $137.4 million and buttressed by Kung Fu Panda 2’s respectable $68 million and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ second-weekend haul of $50.3 million.

Meanwhile, back at the art house, Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life continued its scorching run into the holiday, racking up $489,000 on four screens — a $122,250-per-screen average.

Your revised top 10 through Monday (estimated):

1. The Hangover Part II: $105,765,000 ($137,375,000)
2. Kung Fu Panda 2: $62,200,000 ($68,000,000)
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: $50,372,000 ($163,967,000)
4. Bridesmaids: $20,987,000 ($89,594,000)
5. Thor: $12,030,000 ($162,375,000)
6. Fast Five: $8,166,000 ($197,576,000)
7. Midnight in Paris: $2,610,000 ($3,520,000)
8. Rio: $2,400,000 ($135,441,000)
9. Jumping the Broom: $2,350,000 ($34,631,000)
10. Something Borrowed: $2,320,000 ($35,234,000)

[Numbers via Box Office Mojo]

LAMediaWatch.com

Hackers pirate PBS, post fake story about Tupac

(CNN) -- Online hackers have pirated the PBS website and posted a false story claiming the rapper Tupac Shakur -- who has been dead for almost 15 years -- is alive and living in New Zealand.

The group -- called The Lulz Boat -- also posted what it said were passwords of journalists, login information for the PBS series "Frontline" and sensitive information about PBS stations.

The Lulz Boat claims it was "less than impressed" after watching the network's program "WikiSecrets" and "decided to sail our Lulz Boat over the PBS servers for further... perusing."

PBS acknowledged the hack early this morning.

The fake Tupac story claims the rapper was "alive and well in a small resort in New Zealand," citing "locals." It goes on to say a small town there -- unnamed due to security risks -- also housed the late rapper Biggie Smalls for years.

A slogan under a "LulzSec" banner online reads, "Laughing at your security since 2011!"

LAMediaWatch.com

Christopher Knight And Adrianne Curry Split

Actor Christopher Knight and model Adrianne Curry have separated, announcing the split on their fifth wedding anniversary.

The couple met on VH1 series The Surreal Life in 2005 and subsequently landed their own show, My Fair Brady, which documented their relationship.

They televised their 2006 nuptials and the first months of marriage, and the union hit headlines again in 2007 when Curry revealed they were seeking couples' counseling.

Knight and Curry have now parted ways, releasing a statement about their split on Sunday, exactly five years after their wedding.

The couple's manager Phil Viardo tells Hollyscoop.com, "Actor Christopher Knight and his wife, model and television star Adrianne Curry have announced today on their five-year wedding anniversary that they are separating.

The decision was mutually reached after it became clear to both that some perspective was needed in order to assess their unique union. Not unlike all marriages, work must be put in.

"Both Knight and Curry decided to release this joint announcement today in order to pre-empt any potential rumors and gossip and ask that their fans and the media respect their privacy during this delicate period.

LAMediaWatch.com

Memorial Day Celebrations in Los Angeles

Cemetery Ceremonies

El Toro Memorial Park

25751 Trabuco Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 951-8244
Monday, May 30, 11 AM
Rifle salute and speech, to commemorate 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518
(909) 653-8417
More Info
Ceremony: May 30 at 12:00 p.m.

Col. Bill Barber Memorial Park

4 Civic Center Plz
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 724-6711
Ceremony and memory board writing May 30 at 10AM

Redondo Beach Memorial Day Ceremony and BBQ

Veterans Park

S Catalina Ave and W Torrance Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 372-1171
More Info
This remembrance ceremony is free for Veterans and service members, and just $5.00 for all others. There will be music and tributes and a barbecue at the adjacent Elks Lodge after the ceremony.

Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade

Location: Corner of Sherman Way and Owensmouth the head east towards Desoto Ave, turning South toward Vanowen.
7248 Owensmouth Ave.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 884-4222
More Info
Canoga Park’s small town parade gives you a taste of what it might be like to live in a simpler area of the world. A celebration with music and food will follow after the parade.

Queen Mary

1126 Queen’s Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90802
More Info
The Queen Mary is offering free admission to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show.

St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival

9501 Balboa Blvd.,
Northridge, CA
(818) 886-4040
More Info
This annual Valley Greek festival features music, food, dancing and clothing and art wares for sale. Be sure to arrive with plenty of time to park and walk to the festival, and wear a hat or sunscreen. A stop into the cool interior of St. Nicholas Church is a must – you can’t miss the intricate beauty of this valley landmark.

The Topanga Community House

1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
More Info
A wacky parade kicks off this free-wheeling celebration in the dusty hills of Topanga Canyon, this annual event showcases the best in local music and entertainment. There are activities for the kids, and arts and crafts for sale by local artisans. The food is also the best of local vendor cuisine. Parking lines Topanga Canyon Boulevard, so be careful when you walk to and from your car for those drivers careening around the turns.

UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival

UCLA Intramural Field
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
More Info
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the festival organized by undergrads at UCLA. They make their best effort to provide food and music from many different cultures, giving visitors a chance to experience something they’ve never seen, heard, or eaten before.

Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster has an annunal service @ 11pm. Dana Rohrbacher this year. Margie Rice, Westminster Mayor and free hot dogs for the families.

LAMediaWatch.com

Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo -- The Wedding Shower in West Hollywood

(PEOPLE.com) -- Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo celebrated their upcoming nuptials Sunday with a sunset wedding shower at the London Hotel in West Hollywood.

The couple arrived at 7 p.m. for the rooftop cocktail celebration. As one eyewitness told PEOPLE: "Nick and Vanessa greeted guests hand-in-hand. Vanessa looked gorgeous in a white dress with a black sash. She and Nick both seemed very excited to celebrate with their families and friends."

While taking in the panoramic views of Los Angeles skyline and the Hollywood Hills, guests enjoyed sophisticated dishes prepared in chef Gordon Ramsay's hotel kitchen.

A deejay entertained with a wide array of music. "Everyone seemed to have a great time. It was a laidback, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Guests danced until the late hours," adds a source.

The couple are registered at Williams-Sonoma and Geary's, and shower gifts included Juliska Berry & Thread whitewash dinnerware, Waterford champagne flutes and a Feinberg English Silver wine funnel.

LAMediaWatch.com

Sean Kingston -- In Critical But Stable Condition

Sean Kingston has been transferred from the trauma unit to the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital -- where he is in critical condition, but has been stabilized ... this according to his rep

Kingston and a female friend were injured in Miami last night in a jet ski accident. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Kingston's rep tells us, "Sean's family thanks everyone for their prayers and support during this time."

LAMediaWatch.com

Memorial Day TV: Marathons, sports and specials

MONDAY

A&E: "Criminal Minds," "Breakout Kings," 7 a.m. to midnight

ABC7: New "The Bachelorette," 8 p.m.

AMC: Military movies 2 am to 5:40 a.m. the next day ("Twelve O'Clock High," "Patton," "The Longest Day," "Midway," "The Dirty Dozen")

BBC America: "Top Gear," 8 a.m. to midnight

BET: "The Game," 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bravo: "RHONY," "RHONJ," 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., "Platinum Hit" premiere at 10 p.m.

Chiller: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Twilight Zone," Stephen King movies, midnight to midnight

Cooking: "United Tastes," 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Discovery: "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior," 9 a.m. to midnight

E!: "Sex and the City," "Khloe and Lamar," 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

ESPN2: "World's Strongest Man," 7:30 p.m. to midnight

Food: "Grill It With!," 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FX: "Two and a Half Men," noon to midnight

HGTV: "House Hunters," 8:30 a.m. to midnight

History: "Pawn Stars," new "Gettysburg" special, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ID: "Disappeared," "Sins & Secrets," 9 a.m. to midnight

IFC: "Arrested Development," 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Logo: "Noah's Arc," 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

MSNBC: "Caught on Camera," noon to midnight

MTV: "Jersey Shore," 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

SCI: "Oddities," "How It's Made," 3 a.m. to midnight

Sleuth: "Law & Order: SVU," "Royal Pains," 1 a.m. to midnight

Spike: "Star Wars," movies 9 a.m. to midnight

Style: "Jerseylicious," "Project Runway," 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sundance: "My So-Called Life," 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Syfy: "Star Trek" movies, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TBS: "Seinfeld," "Family Guy" 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

TCM: Military movies, 2 am to 6:30 a.m. the next day ("Ashes to Diamonds," "The Paratrooper," "Screaming Eagles," "Objective, Burma!," "The Green Berets," "Kelly's Heroes," "The Devil's Brigade," "A Bridge Too Far," "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Since You Went Away," "The White Cliffs of Dover," "Homecoming")

TLC: "Cake Boss," 6 a.m. to midnight

TNT: "Law & Order," 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Travel: "Paradise" shows, "Man v. Food," noon to midnight

TRU TV: "In Session," "World's Wildest Police Videos," "Cops," "Bait Car," "All Worked," "Most Daring," 9 a.m. to midnight

TV Land: "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "Sanford & Son," "All in the Family," "M*A*S*H," noon to midnight

USA: "NCIS," 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Versus: "Heads-Up Poker," 4 p.m. to midnight

VH1: "Mob Wives," "Basketball Wives," 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

LAMediaWatch.com

Roseanne in talks with Chelsea Handler for new show

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Roseanne Barr is in talks to appear on NBC's newly ordered midseason comedy "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea."

"I'm talking to Roseanne Barr to do some guest episodes as my aunt," show creator/executive producer Chelsea Handler told The Hollywood Reporter. "She's interested in doing it, so it should be fun."

The multicamera comedy is based on Handler's autobiographical book of the same name about her prefame life as a waitress. Barr joins Laura Prepon ("That '70s Show"), who stars as the lead, and Handler in a recurring role as her own sister, Sloan.

The casting marks an upgrade in the project for Barr. Writers Julie Larson and Dottie Dartland Zicklin originally had Barr in mind for a cameo in the pilot as a lesbian prison inmate who befriends Chelsea after her arrest for a DUI. That role went to "Glee"'s Dot Jones.

LAMediaWatch.com

David Beckham -- Speeding Recklessly Before Crash

David Beckham was driving like a MANIAC before swerving into another lane at a dangerously high speed ... and rear-ending a stalled vehicle earlier this month -- this according to multiple 911 calls.

One caller -- who claims she was driving behind David for several miles-- reported that David was "driving recklessly" and "speeding really bad" before slamming into the stalled car on May 6.

Another caller claims David was "definitely speeding" -- pulling in and out of the carpool lane ... "breaking a couple traffic laws."

As we previously reported, Beckham rear-ended another car with his Black Escalade ... on one of the busiest highways in L.A. -- and the other driver had to be taken to the hospital.

Beckham -- whose son Brooklyn was in the car with him at the time -- has not been arrested or cited.

A spokesman for Beckham tells us, "As unfortunate as accidents are, David was not cited by the police at the scene for any violations."

CLICK HERE to listen to the 911 calls.

LAMediaWatch.com

Sean Kingston In Critical Condition

Hip-hop star Sean Kingston is in critical condition in a Miami Beach hospital after being injured in a bad jet skiing accident Sunday evening ... TMZ has confirmed.
According to Local10.com, the "Beautiful Girls" singer had a female passenger on board his watercraft when it crashed into a bridge around 6 PM local time.

We're told both Kingston and his passenger were rescued from the water by a good Samaritan.

The Miami Fire Dept. responded to the scene and both Kingston and his female passenger were transported to nearby Jackson Memorial Hospital. We're told Kingston's injuries are so severe, he is being treated in the trauma ward.

We're told ... at this moment, officials do not believe alcohol played a role in the crash.

Kingston's rep tells TMZ .... "Sean Kingston was in an accident today. No further details are available at the moment. He and his family thank everyone for the well-wishes."

Officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

Story developing ...

'Saddle Ranch' Star -- On The Run From The Law

One of the stars of VH1's "Saddle Ranch" is officially wanted by police ... after a bench warrant was issued for her arrest stemming from a DUI incident last year.
Rachel Lay was ordered to appear at L.A. County Superior Court on March 23 to deal with a March 9 arrest. According to court docs ... Lay had been driving with a blood alcohol lever of .22 ... almost 3 TIMES the legal limit in California.

But Lay blew off her appearance -- so the judge issued a warrant for her arrest.

TMZ contacted Rachel -- who said she's got an appointment with the court on May 31 to sort the whole thing out.

LAMediaWatch.com

Blood Drive @ LAPD West LA Station, June 1st from 9.30a to 3p.

Please Help Save A Life!Help others get a chance to enjoy the sunshine - Give blood this summer!

Blood Drive at the LAPD West Los Angeles Area Police Station.
1663 Butler Ave, West LA, 90025.
The Blood Mobile bus parked in front of station.

June 1, 2011, Wednesday, 9.30am to 3.00pm
All donors receive a voucher for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream.

Done by Cedars-Sinai Blood Services
www.cedars-sinai.edu/blood

Address/Location
LAPD - West L.A.
1663 Butler Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Emergency: 9-1-1

LAMediaWatch.com

So Cal highways claim three lives so far over Memorial Day weekend

There were three traffic-related deaths on Los Angeles County highways during the first 36 hours of this year's Memorial Holiday, the California Highway Patrol said Sunday.
 
The reporting period began at 6:01 p.m. Friday and concluded Sunday at 6 a.m. Statewide six traffic-related deaths reported during that time.

During the same time period last year, the CHP reported seven traffic- related deaths statewide. Also, during that same reporting period last year, there were two traffic-related deaths in Los Angeles County.
This year the CHP has arrested 230 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Los Angeles County, compared with 208 last year.

Statewide, the CHP reported 897 DUI arrests, down from last year's total of 1,029.

LAMediaWatch.com

Estella Warren -- No Charges For Felony Escape

Model turned actress Estella Warren has been given a lucky break and will not face felony escape charges.

The Planet of the Apes star had slipped out of her handcuffs after being arrested on a DUI charge on Monday night and tried to flee.

But because of a major technicality, she will not face felony escape charges. TMZ is reporting that because officers had not actually booked Warren into the system before she made a run for it then she technically did not commit felony escape.
She will still face assault, hit and run and driving under the influence charges though.

The actress and model was taken into custody around midnight on Tuesday and left jail this afternoon after posting $100,000 bail.
Warren was driving in Los Angeles when she struck three parked cars in her Toyota Prius.
Warren then allegedly drove away but police spotted her and placed her under arrest for driving under the influence, though not before she resisted and kicked an officer.

The star, who is listed as 5ft 8in and 115lbs, was then taken to the police station in handcuffs and, reports TMZ.com during the booking process she managed to get out of her handcuffs and then run out the back door.

Warren was quickly recaptured and booked at 3.10am for felony escape.

According to TMZ, she will also be booked for assault, hit and run and DUI.
After the crash, the unnamed man claims: 'When I approached her she was obviously drunk and acting crazy.

A few more residents approached her, but she started yelling and accused us of stealing things from her.

'When I told her she had to wait for the police to arrive she lashed out at me and started to "girl-slap" me on my chest and arms.

'To be honest, I felt sorry for her because she was obviously really wasted and would not listen to anybody, but she caused damage to several cars.

'Luckily, nobody was badly hurt because she should not have been driving in that state.'

LAMediaWatch.com

The Memorial Day Classic Horse Show is being held through May 30th at the L.A. Equestran Center.  Great fun for the entire family.

111 Dincara Rd. in Burbank.

LAMediaWatch.com

Fire breaks out at Dodger Stadium during game

LOS ANGELES -- Firefighters quickly extinguished a small storage room fire at Dodger Stadium during Saturday night's game.

Fans sitting in the upper deck near the first base side were moved out of the area, but there were no evacuations or injuries reported.

Public address announcer Eric Smith informed the crowd of the situation.

The game between the Dodgers and Florida Marlins was unaffected.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LAMediaWatch.com

Dodgers slate Sunday autograph sessions for tornado relief

LOS ANGELES -- In an effort spearheaded by reliever Scott Elbert, a native of Joplin, Mo., manager Don Mattingly and several Dodgers players will hold an autograph session during Sunday's Viva Los Dodgers Day to benefit Salvation Army relief efforts for the recent tornado in Joplin.

Expected to participate, along with Mattingly and Elbert, are pitchers Ted Lilly, Chad Billingsley, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jansen, Javy Guerra, Mike MacDougal and Ramon Troncoso. Donations of $5 are encouraged and monitary donations of cash and checks will be accepted.

The autograph session will be held in Lot 6 at Dodger Stadium from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

LAMediaWatch.com

‘The Hangover Part II’ Winning... Duh

It looks like we’re never getting rid of this Hangover.

After a record-breaking opening day on Thursday, The Hangover Part II earned another $30 million on Friday, the largest-ever Friday for a live-action comedy.

By comparison, The Hangover--the highest grossing R-rated comedy ever--grossed $31.8 million in the first two days. It’s on track to take in beat Austin Powers in Goldmember $87 million for the largest three-day opening and possibly make over $110 million for the four-day Memorial Day weekend.

LAMediaWatch.com

Niecy Nash Ties the Knot!

Niecy Nash is a married woman.

The former Dancing with the Stars hoofer and Clean House host wed electrical engineer Jay Tucker Saturday at the Church Estate Vineyards in Malibu, Calif., according to People.

Nash and Tucker swapped vows in front of 200 guests, including Sherri Shepherd, who served as a bridesmaid (and will soon be tying the knot herself) and matron of honor Sheryl Lee Ralph. The Game star Wendy Raquel Robinson and Holly Robinson-Peete were in the wedding party as well.

Tucker popped the question to the 40-year-old Style Network star in September 2010, after they dated for a year.

This is the second marriage for Nash, who split from ex-hubby Don Nash in 2007.

LAMediaWatch.com

Tony Romo Marries Candice Crawford

Tony Romo scored.scored with Candice Crawford Saturday at the historic Arlington Hall at Lee Park in Dallas, according to People.

Among those looking on were the bride's older brother, Chace Crawford, and a host of Dallas Cowboys, including team owner Jerry Jones and his family.

Romo popped the question Dec. 16, his bride-to-be's 24th birthday, after about a year and a half of dating. Crawford, who was named Miss Missouri in 2008 and was a top-10 finisher for Miss USA, was a sports reporter for KDAF-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth at the time.

Romo, previously romanced Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson before settling down
Read more

LAMediaWatch.com

Cadillac Ride & Drive at The Grove This Weekend

Test drive a Cadillac at The Grove this weekend and get a $10 Visa card! Come to Circle Valet or Central Valet from 11am - 7pm this Saturday and Sunday, May 28 & 29.

Saturday and Sunday, May 28 & 29
11am – 7pm
Circle Valet & Central Valet

Funeral for M-Bone Attracts Thousands In Inglewood

More than 2,000 people gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of hip-hop artist Montae "M-Bone" Talbert in Inglewood, California on Friday, MTV News reported. The rapper, who made up one fourth of hip-hop group Cali Swag District, was killed in a drive-by shooting on Sunday, May 15. He was 22.

The remaining members of Cali Swag District joined with family, friends and fans at the Faithful Central Bible Church to mourn M-Bone's death. "Since the sixth grade, me and him been dancing together," CSD member Yung told the crowd, "but I never got to tell him this: He taught me a lot." PHOTOS: Notable names gone too soon

The Inglewood Police Department has not made any arrests in connection with M-Bone's murder. The department is asking anyone with information to call its homicide division at (310) 412-5246 or its 24-hour anonymous hotline at (888) 412-7463.

LAMediaWatch.com

Malibu Housewives Audition for Reality Show Pilot

Producers say the program, which has not been sold to a network yet, would help local businesses in Malibu but a city leader says she fears it may not portray the town in a flattering light.

Reality star hopefuls lined up at Charlie’s restaurant Friday for on-camera auditions with David Katz, who is producing a Real Housewives of Malibu pilot that has some people excited and others fearing the town's image could be harmed.

"A reality show about Malibu is long overdue and I think it would be great for our business," said Charlie DiLorenzo, owner of Charlie's and a longtime Malibu resident.

When asked if the show would be part of Bravo's Real Housewives franchise, Katz said the pilot for the show has not been sold and is in the preproduction/casting phase. But he said he is confident it would find a home.

But not everybody is excited about the prospect of a reality show about Malibu housewives.

"I really hope the show doesn't happen," Mayor Pro Tem Laura Zahn Rosenthal said in an interview earlier this week. "These shows don't portray women in a good light and they tend to bring out the worst in people."

The show would be a huge long-term revenue booster for Malibu.

LAMediaWatch.com

DUI Campaign In Effect for Memorial Day Weekend

(Los Angeles County, CA) – The Avoid the 100 Los Angeles County DUI Campaign, in which the Los Angeles County Sheriff‟s Department is a participating agency, will be deploying officers and deputies this holiday weekend at DUI/DL Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols in order to arrest impaired drivers who still don‟t get the message.

The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial “kick-off” of summertime recreation and holiday travel, along with many college and high school graduations where thousands will celebrate their accomplishments. Unfortunately, the next 100 days will also see a rise in deaths and injuries as far too many individuals get behind the wheel impaired.

DUI Saturation Patrols will be out on Saturday and Sunday nights. The Los Angeles County Sheriff‟s Department will be deploying all available deputies Memorial Day weekend within our contract cities.

Law enforcement officials throughout the county are asking for your support during this holiday weekend and all summer:

• Be responsible when hosting a party. Don‟t allow friends and family to drink to excess
• Always promote a Designated Sober Driver
• Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!

Funding for the Avoid Campaign is through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Campaign will also deploy checkpoints and DUI patrols during the Independence Day Holiday and for the August/Labor Day DUI Mobilization.

LAMediaWatch.com

Newport Beach Has New Location For Reagan Statue

The winding road in the Newport Beach saga of where to install a privately funded statue of the late Ronald Reagan has taken another turn.

Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said Thursday that the future statue of the 40th president and former California governor would be installed in Bonita Canyon Sports Park, and not in Castaways Park as planned, according to a news release.

The change comes from a new recommendation by the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission that Bonita Canyon Sports Park would be a "better fit for good public access to the statue," the release stated.

"Additionally, the location they proposed might accommodate more statues should the city and community want to develop a patriot's walk or similar place of honor for other noteworthy individuals," Kiff said in the release.

LATimes: Read here.

LAMediaWatch.com

Jeff Conaway Autopsy Taking Place Today

The LA County Coroner is conducting an autopsy on "Grease" star Jeff Conaway this afternoon ... TMZ has learned.

According to our sources, the coroner is expecting the results to be inconclusive and a cause of death will not be able to determined until toxicology results are in ... which take about 4-6 weeks.

Conaway passed away yesterday at the age of 60 after he had reportedly fallen into a coma earlier this month.

LAMediaWatch.com

'Two and a Half Men' Bomb Threat

A NYC man -- who allegedly takes his sitcoms way too seriously -- was arrested for calling a local television station and threatening to blow it up if it kept airing "Two and a Half Men" re-runs.

The calls -- made to WPIX on May 11 and May 23 --- were traced back to a man named Freddy Caldwell ... according to the NY Post.

According to the paper, Caldwell was charged with falsely reporting an incident and aggravated harassment.

TMZ spoke to a WPIX employee who confirmed the alleged threatening calls were received in their newsroom, but didn't know why the caller was so ticked about 'Men.'

Charlie overkill?

LAMediaWatch.com

JLo Loses Battle Over Intimate Home Video

American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez has been fighting for years to prevent her ex-husband Ojani Noa from releasing private video footage that was filmed during their marriage. The fight is over and …. gasp … she lost.

They were married from 1997 to 1998. During their short-lived union, they recorded video footage of a very personal nature. Lopez and her lawyers have alleged that the release of the tapes would be a direct violation of the confidentiality agreement that Noa signed during their marriage.

The tide turned dramatically in court for Ojani after he discovered a loophole in the law. He revealed to the judge that he sold the footage to his current girlfriend Claudia Vazquez, who plans to release the video on his behalf. The judge has agreed to that arrangement.

Claudia is working with Ed Meyer to move things along quickly. The executive producer reports: “The project will deal with J-Lo’s rise to fame, and her marriage to Ojani. Claudia will be meeting with video distributes on Tuesday, and hopefully, a deal can be made soon.”

A year ago Noa came forward with allegations that he suffered spousal abuse during his marriage to Lopez.

LAMediaWatch.com