Pop Stand

Morning Links: Video game to use Beatles tunes

Big news for Beatles fans: The Fab Four's music will be used in a video game to be created by the makers of the game "Rock Band." Details remain sketchy, but the game will be based on the band's evolution and is not part of the "Rock Band" franchise.

Music producer Phil Spector's retrial on a charge of murder began in Los Angeles and he sported a hairstyle that would draw stares on any other 68-year-old, but was much more conservative than the enormously grayish frizzed-out 'do he sported in 2005. But he made up for it with his eccentric clothing. Spector is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003; his last trail ended with a hung jury.

John Cleese, getting divorced for the third time, says marriage licenses should expire every five years, and people should have to pass tests before having children.

Supermodel Niki Taylor and NASCAR-racing husband Burney Lamar are expecting their first child together in the spring. Taylor, who married Lamar in 2006, is mom to twin 13-year-old boys Jake and Hunter.

Soleil Moon Frye and her husband, producer Jason Goldberg, renewed their wedding vows in their Hollywood Hills home after 10 years of marriage. Among those at the party were their daughters Poet, 3, and Jagger, 7 months, as well as Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Eric Dane.

Ryan Seacrest says he is praying for former contestant Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered. "I always liked her spirit, her strength, her charm, her charisma," he said. "She's a strong girl and a special girl."

Jennifer Hudson and her sister, Julia, will mourn their slain family at an invitation-only memorial service Monday. Instead of flowers, they ask for donations to the new Hudson-King Domestic Violence Protection Fund. TMZ.com reports that Julia, who has logged onto her MySpace page since the murder, retains her estranged husband, William Balfour, as a "friend" on her page although he is a "person of interest" in the murders. Balfour refuses to take a lie detector test, police sources say.

Mindy McCready is getting sprung from jail today, and was already planning to attend a Halloween party tonight. She was sentenced to 60 days, but served just 30, on a charge of prescription drug fraud that violated her parole.

Kate Moss was photographed looking her age -- except spectacular -- without makeup at Heathrow Airport, while Hayden Panettiere showed off a new tattoo, the word "Vivere," or "to live," in Italian.

Neil Young canceled a concert at the Forum in Los Angeles last night rather than cross a picket line planned by members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a union that has given honorary memberships to Young and his wife.

-- Anne Neville

The best of 'The Office'

    Now that it's this close, it's getting sort of weird, isn't it?   Like -- wow, this is really going to happen.  No one has any idea what the outcome will be.  And in only four weeks, we'll....

    Yeah, four weeks. Why? 

    Oh, wait, hang on, you thought we meant this election thing or whatever?   Ha.  No.   

   We mean the end of NBC's "The Office," which has four -- four! -- episodes left to redeem itself from what's been a generally lame season (except for Jim & Pam at the gas station, and the addition of Human Resources rep Holly Flax who is basically Michael Scott in drag).

    This is completely possible, though.  Check out the title of the last show: "Frame Toby"  WTF?  Last time we saw this hapless boob he'd bolted for Costa Rica, tried paragliding and wound up in hospital in halo-traction.  Frame him for what?  Oh God, a month of waiting for this?

   OK, we need serious distraction and wallowing.  So, each Thursday from now until the Nov. 20 season finale, we want your "Best Of 'The Office' "   A lot of it. 

   Specifically, we'll be asking for your all-time favorite scenes from various categories, and your all-time favorite lines from two characters.  And we'll throw one or two of ours in each category to get things rolling.   This week we begin with:

                                      The all-time, best-ever, must-leave-the-room moments: (Ours)

(1) Michael's pre-wedding private chat with Phyllis about her wedding night, hair and...other things. 

(2) Jan & Michael's dinner party from Hell -- from the candle room and 4-hour late osso bucco to Michael's disclosure of multiple vasectomies and Jan's drunk dancing to her ex-P.A.'s crappy ode to cougar seduction, "That One Night" (shudder)

                                                   The all-time best pranks ever pulled:  (Ours)

(1) Jim and Pam heave Andy Bernard's cell phone into the ceiling tile and then call it repeatedly, forcing everyone to hear his four-part harmonized "Rockin' Robin" ring-tone as he screams in frustration

(2) Forced to grief-share after an ex-colleague dies, Pam discloses that her boxing-champ aunt fell during a match and was paralyzed; Ryan details the horrific death of his cousin Mufasa, Kevin talks about the weekend when Uncle Bernie died.

                                            The all-time best things Dwight ever said/did: (Ours)

(1) "I am now going to read your submitted medical conditions. When you hear yours, raise your hand to indicate that it is real. If you do not raise your hand, it will not be covered."

(2) "The Schrutes have their own traditions. We usually marry standing in our own graves. Makes the funerals very romantic, but the weddings are a bleak affair."

                             The all-time best things Creed ever said/did: (For us, this says it all)    

Next week: The best horrifying moments; the best Andy Bernard screw-ups; the best things Ryan ever said/did; the best things Darryl ever said/did.

-- Lauri Githens Hatch

Morning Links: Carol Alt loses suit against ex

A judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by former model Carol Alt seeking a cut of the profits of a business run by her ex-husband, a former New York Ranger.  The judge ruled that Ron Greschner didn't owe ex-wife Alt the million she wanted because her suit was filed two years after the statute of limitations had run out.

Chicago police have found a gun they believe was used in the murder of Jennifer Hudson's family. The handgun was found in a rubbish-filled vacant lot near the spot where the body of Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian, was found. Meanwhile, TMZ.com has found records that show that Jennifer's brother, Jason, her sister, Julia, and Julian's father, Gregory King, were arrested in 2002 at the Hudson house. Only Gregory was convicted of drug-possession charges.

Patrick Swayze, who revealed eight months ago that he has pancreatic cancer, says the disease is "a battle zone," adding, "Chemo, no matter how you cut it, is hell on wheels." Yet he is working 12-hour days taping his new show, "The Beast," and is halfway through filming the 12-episode season.

On the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Zac Efron confesses that his trendy tousled hairstyle isn't original. "I actually modeled it [after] 'Ellen' Season 2," he told her on the air.

Gwen Stefani's second son, Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale, has been seen in public for the first time two months after his birth. He's .. pudgy and bald, like most babies. Gwen and husband Gavin Rossdale brought Zuma to Kate Hudson's Halloween party -- Gwen dressed as a fried egg, Gavin as bacon. Cute!

"I Kissed a Girl" singer Katy Perry also wore an egg costume at a concert, but dressed up differently for a party celebrating her 24th birthday. She wore skintight white top and pants under a short yellow jacket. The thick, dark mustache gave it away -- she was dressed as Freddie Mercury!

Golfer John Daly spent the night in a police station cell after the staff of a Hooters restaurant called for help in dealing with him. Police said he was extremely intoxicated and uncooperative, refused to go to a hospital and didn't have any transportation.

Lil Wayne hasn't identified the mother of his newborn son, Dwayne Michael Carter III, but he says he was at her side in the delivery room. "He's the best thing to ever happen to me, after my daughter," said Wayne. He and his high-school sweetheart, Antonia "Toya" Johnson, have a daughter, Reginae Carter, 8.

A paparazzo named Alison Silva, who is suing Keanu Reeves for allegedly hitting him with his car, says he has not worked since the incident and had to see a psychologist for insomnia. But still Silva says he's a fan of Keanu's movies! A verdict is expected soon.

-- Anne Neville

Costume conundrum: Is Burger King cute or creepy?

It's almost Halloween, and that means it's time to prepare for a doorstep onslaught of wee witches and Spidermen, cute plush ladybugs and lions, and a Hannah Montana or two.

I can handle all that. What I dread is the Burger King.

Last year my co-blogger Dave Valenzuela, while admitting, "you wouldn't catch me dead in it," gave a big shout-out to the Burger King costume, the oversized head with the fixed, open-mouthed grin, the be-ringed fingers and gold medallion that would make Michael Phelps jealous, white tights on the nimble legs that make him a showboating threat on the football field.

Here is what may be the creepiest of the Burger King commercials:

Just to prove that I'm not the only person with the urge for regicide, here's the best of the Burger King "HitMoms" series:

Now it's your turn. Tell me what you think -- would a visit from the King make you scream and slam the door or smile and double up on the KitKat bars?

-- Anne Neville

Morning Links: Britney's dad is permanent conservator

Britney Spears' father, Jamie, has been named permanent conservator of her affairs and co-conservator of her estate with an attorney. Her court-appointed attorney says Britney asked him not to contest the conservatorship, which is expected to allow her more time with her sons and "support for her music and work goals," according to a friend of hers. Although called "permanent," the conservatorship may not last forever, but allows the parties not to have to repeatedly renew a temporary situation.

In a blog posting on fancast.com, Julianne Hough writes about the endometriosis that sidelined her from "Dancing With the Stars." She says the pain last week was from a ruptured cyst on her ovary, and she has been ignoring abdominal pain "for about the last five years," but was always too busy to get it checked. Both her mom and sister also have endometriosis, and while her managers tried to think of a lie about her medical issue, she said, "I was like, don't worry. I want to be a good role model. I want to be honest."

Julia Hudson, Jennifer's sister and mother of the slain 7-year-old Julian King, has updated her MySpace page with a sad message thanking people for looking for her son and for their support, even though she knew some would wonder "why is she logging onto MySpace at a time like this?" She concluded, "I take comfort in knowing that Julian is with my mother and my brother and most of all the Lord ..."

Dina Lohan says reports of a feud on the "Ugly Betty" set between her daughter Lindsay and America Ferrera "was just silly. America's a doll." Reports that LiLo brought a posse and wrecked her dressing room weren't true, she says, and she doesn't know why Lindsay's number of show appearances was cut from six to four.

In other good news for Lindsay, a former bodyguard has settled a lawsuit he filed against her for back wages.

El De Barge, real name Patrick Eldra DeBarge, was sentenced to two years in state prison for violating probation by having crack cocaine. He was on probation after a drug case in 2007.

Steven Page, the Barenaked Ladies frontman, avoided jail in his drug possession case by agreeing to get treatment and stay clean for the next six months. Page was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substances after police found him, his girlfriend and her roommate with cocaine in July in Fayetteville, near Syracuse.

Guy Ritchie has reportedly rejected estranged wife Madonna's offer of more than $30 million, and the two are said to be fighting over where their sons, Rocco, 8, and David Banda, 3, will live and be educated.

-- Anne Neville

The King of Beers, Tears and Cheers

    There are so many versions of this flying around you don't have time to YouTube yourself to death finding the best, so here it is: The original "Whassup?" Budweiser ad we never thought we'd want to see again -- and right after it is a new one we never thought possible: Funny, piercing and perfectly timed:

-- Lauri Githens Hatch

Welcome to the Jumble

    If you were such a gibbering financial wreck last week to notice the shattering cultural event that took place, pop another Ativan and we'll be happy to tell you -- and we'll do it the Band-Aid way, just rip it off all in one go so it'll hurt less.

    Ready? Here: After 15 years of wondering which would arrive first, Guns 'n Roses torturously long-awaited album "Chinese Democracy" or actual Chinese Democracy, we now know.  And here's a hint: It may make you want to go stand in front of a tank somewhere.

    Here's one place to find it.  And here's another place to hear it. 

     You actually want to go back to watching your 401k swirl the drain now, don't you?   Sorry.

Lauri Githens Hatch

Morning Links: Surgery keeps Hough from 'Dancing'

Julianne Hough, who left the set of "Dancing with the Stars" for "a bad stomach ache," after last week's elimination show, is expected to have her appendix removed today after being diagnosed with endometriosis. She hopes to return to dance in next week's contest, but in the meantime Edyta Sliwinska will take her place, dancing with Cody Linley. This has been an incredibly first-aided season of DWTS, which opened with two injuries suffered in practice -- Karina Smirnoff's twisted ankle and Jeffrey Ross's eye injury. Beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor was scratched with a ruptured Achilles tendon injury in early October and Brooke Burke had X-rays after hurting her foot during a jitterbug on Oct. 19.

"American Idol" judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell offered their condolences Monday to former contestant and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, whose missing 7-year-old nephew was found slain. Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death Friday; the little boy's estranged stepfather is in custody. Out of respect for Hudson, who won the Oscar for her portrayal of Effie White in the movie "Dreamgirls," casting for the national touring version of the show was postponed.

Things may have turned ugly in the Madonna-Guy Ritchie divorce. Both are said to be competing to get household staff members to testify against the other. Guy is saying that Madonna seldom took care of her kids and had a rage problem; Madonna hopes they'll back up her claims that Guy was "emotionally distant." Meanwhile, her Kabbalah rabbi is said to be pressuring Madonna to reach an immediate out-of-court settlement, lest the fight damage the image of the mystical religion.

Just a few days after she reunited with ex-lover John Mayer for a couple of cozy dinners, Jennifer Aniston was spotted dining and being "very affectionate" with actor Gerard Butler, who appears in Guy Ritchie's film "RocknRolla."

Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker appeared in public for the first time after the September plane crash in which four people died, with one leg still bandaged and burn scars on the other.

Amy Winehouse was back in the hospital, but her spokesman said she was being checked out for a chest infection and not going back into rehab. The MailOnline called her skin "scabby" and said she looked "painfully thin."

Disney Channel star Selena Gomez turned 16 in July, but, she says, doesn't have a driver's permit yet. "It's pretty embarrassing!" she added, before complaining about the number of tests she had to take to get a California driver's license. "I'm assuming I'll be 30 before I get my license," she quipped.

Paris Hilton, who raked in more than $100,000 in "appearance fees" for showing up at nightclubs in London the last time she visited, is being pinched by the economic downturn. The MailOnline calculates she's gotten just $39,000 this time. Things are tough all over!

-- Anne Neville

Morning Links: Body 'believed to be' Jennifer Hudson's nephew

Police in Chicago have found the body of a boy inside the SUV belonging to Jennifer Hudson's slain brother, and family members were expected at the morgue this afternoon to identify the body. The FBI says the body is "believed to be" that of Julian King, 7, and the Amber Alert asking people to search for him has been canceled.

The discovery followed the murder of Jennifer's mother and brother and dread over the fate of Julian, whose mother is Jennifer's sister, Julia.  Julia's estranged husband, William Balfour, is in custody, and police say there was "trouble in the marriage"  although earlier reports say the problem may have been a dispute over a car. Balfour's mom says he's innocent; on his MySpace page, Balfour calls himself a "proud parent" of his stepson.

On her MySpace blog, Jennifer, a former "American Idol" contestant and Oscar winner for her role in "Dreamgirls," thanked fans for their prayers. Jennifer had to identify the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason, in the morgue.

Barack Obama, who represents the Hudson family's hometown of Chicago and who invited Jennifer to sing the national anthem at the Democratic Convention, said he and wife Michelle "are absolutely heartbroken." Also issuing condolence statements were Jennifer's "Dreamgirls" co-star Anika Noni Rose and Idol judge Randy Jackson, as well as other former Idol contestants.

Amy Poehler and husband Will Arnett have welcomed their first child, an 8-pound-1-ounce boy they named Archie Arnett. Poehler appeared on the Thursday pre-election show, and last weekend rapped about Gov. Sarah Palin (with Palin keeping time at the end of the desk).

Amy Winehouse blew off an appointment to give London police an interview in connection with an incident last month in which Winehouse allegedly struck a fan who asked to have her photo taken with the troubled singer.

One of the best costumes at Kate Hudson's Halloween party was Cindy Crawford as Amy Winehouse, although Courtney Cox as a witch and David Arquette as a wizard looked pretty good too.

Michael Jackson, wearing flannel pajamas, visited Liz Taylor for a pajama party just days after appearing unmasked in public for the first time in forever.

Jerry Lewis referred to the sport of cricket as "a fag game" on an interview for Australian TV, the second time he's used the slur on the air; the first time was during his telethon last year.

Try a Little Britain

   In junior high, were you the one desperately trying to explain to friends what was so funny about that new show on WNED, Monty Python somethngorother?

   Twenty-five years later, were you the one trying to explain to co-workers the inexplicable awfulness of Ricky Gervais as David Brent on BBC America's "The Office"? 

   If so, you've probably already seen -- and screamed at -- The Beeb's latest offering, "Little Britain USA," the American version of the UK sketch show notorious for vicious and sometimes shocking parodies of British life.  If you have no clue what we're talking about, a new episode airs every Sunday on HBO at 10:30 p.m. 

That said, if this weekend is going to be your first, um, experience with "Little Britain USA," here are a few characters you need to be seriously prepared for:

Marjorie Dawes: An obese, self-loathing weight-loss club leader who chirps "Hello, fatties" at each meeting, and makes incredibly wounding comments in a sweet tone to every member. When Rosie O'Donnell guest spoke, Dawes revealed she's also wildly homophobic.

   Carol Beer: A profoundly vindictive receptionist given to blank stares, unreasonable replies and answering most questions by tapping away at her computer and responding flatly "Computer says nooooo."

   Bubbles DeVere: A self-described "international socialite" who, despite morbid obesity, routinely strips nude and merrily offers sex to cancel the gambling debts she's accrued on a cruise.

   Vicky Pollard: A white-trash teen who compulsively gets into trouble and, when caught, babbles indignation and a stream of incoherent gossip utterly unrelated to the situation at hand.

    Harvey Pincher: We saved this one for last because, frankly, words fail us here -- and that's saying a lot. But this pretty well covers it.

    Bottom line: If you like TV watchable only through the fingers you've clamped over your eyes while muttering "OhmyGodohmyGod," this is your show.

Lauri Githens  Hatch