Wednesday, December 17, 2008

McCartney Lashes Out at 'meat-eating' Dalai Lama

In his never-ending fight for the cause of vegetarianism, Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has lashed out at The Dalai Lama for eating meat – and supposedly contradicting his Buddhist beliefs.

The famous singer initially tried to convert the Tibetian Spiritual leader to vegetarianism, insisting that it was “wrong” to eat meat.

In his tirade, McCartney wrote to The Dalai Lama to highlight that meat eaters create suffering for animals, and that this fact contradicted a basic tenant of Buddhism that its followers should “not cause suffering to any sentient beings”.

When the Dalai Lama explained that he had been told by doctors to eat meat for health reasons, this wasn’t enough for the passionate superstar.

"I found out he was not a vegetarian, so I wrote to him saying 'Forgive me for pointing this out, but if you eat animals then there is some suffering somewhere along the line'.” He told prospect magazine.

"He replied saying that his doctors had told him he needed it, so I wrote back saying they were wrong."

The high profile champion of the vegetarian cause has not made his invective exclusive to his holiness; he recently labeled celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay “stupid” for making disparaging comments about the vegetarian cause.

Entertainment Editor Jesse Perez: So we have got Macca attacking the Dalai Lama, and Ringo Starr refusing to respond to fan mail, and abusing fans.

Is it just me, or are the remaining Beatles turning into a bunch of dicks?

Source: livenews.com.au

Monday, December 15, 2008

"American Idol" Changes Its Tune A Little

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Fox is readying to announce some "American Idol" format changes.

The tweaks have been rumored online thanks to a memo leaked to a fan site. With the show's premiere set for January 13, the network is set to reveal the plans at a news conference on Monday. The changes include:

-- Fewer audition episodes and more Hollywood-round episodes. The shift increases the show's emphasis on talented performers and shies further away from the crash-and-burn spectacle of less-talented attention-seekers.

-- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of 24.

-- Adding some unpredictability, the "wild card" round will return, which gives eliminated contestants a chance to come back into the competition for one of the top finalist spots.

-- The network will not air an "Idol Gives Back" charity telecast next year, but does plan to hold the event in the show's ninth season. Moving forward, "Gives Back" will become an every-other-year event.

Earlier this year, Fox announced the addition of a fourth judge (songwriter Kara DioGuardi) and the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. The network doesn't expect the changes to result in a ratings reversal for the six-year-old show -- which has withstood broadcast's overall ratings erosion better than most -- but hopes the shake-up helps stem whatever audience drain might otherwise occur.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

No-Show Queen Of Soul Pipes Up At Benefit Concert

NEW YORK – Organizers of a military benefit concert in New York say Aretha Franklin missed an award presentation but showed up for the main event hours later.

The Queen of Soul was a no-show when she was to receive the Torch of Freedom Award on Sunday in Times Square. The award was given by the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club.

A spokesman for the concert organizers says Franklin went on as scheduled later at the Nokia Theatre. She performed "New York, New York," a medley of military tunes and her classic "Respect."

It's unclear why Franklin missed the earlier engagement. Her publicist didn't immediately return messages.
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On the Net:
Military club: http://www.ssmaclub.org/