TUESDAY, JANUARY 28
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
OBAMA TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
President Obama is delivering his State of the Union address tonight amidst sagging approval ratings and a divided Congress. In the weeks leading up to the speech, Obama has hinted that he’ll go it alone in order to get his agenda rolling. His remarks tonight are likely to prompt discussion of what he can or can’t do to bypass Congress completely. Obama is also expected to talk about income inequality, which he hopes will fire up Democratic voters to vote in midterm elections for proposals including a nearly 40 percent hike in the federal minimum wage and an extension of long-term unemployment benefits. He’ll also likely renew calls for immigration reform and stricter gun control laws.
SECURITY OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF SOCHI OLYMPICS/SOCHI MAYOR SAYS NO GAY PEOPLE IN HIS CITY
Security officials aren’t sugarcoating the dangers of this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi and they’re telling attendees to be on their guard. On Sunday, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said that while he would not discourage people from attending and supporting the American team, he called the security threat to this particular Olympics the greatest he’d ever seen. And yesterday, CBS News senior security contributor Michael Morell, a former CIA deputy director, said these are the “most dangerous Olympics” he’s experienced in his adult life. The days leading up to the Games in Russia have been marred with suicide bombings and terrorist threats, leading many to fear for the safety of athletes and guests. The State Department has updated travel warnings for tourists, and American athletes are being asked not to wear USA logos outside Olympic venues.
Meanwhile yesterday, the mayor of Sochi claimed there are no gay people in his city. “It’s not accepted here in the Caucasus where we live. We do not have them in our city,” Anatoly Pakhomov said. He said gays were welcome to visit Sochi as long as they “respect Russian law” and “don’t impose their habits on others.”
COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SET SELF ON FIRE IN CAFETERIA
A student at a Colorado high school set himself on fire in the school’s cafeteria yesterday. The 16-year-old was in critical condition with severe burns following the incident at Standley Lake High School inWestminster. Authorities did not know why the boy set himself ablaze and were talking to his friends, school employees and his parents in the hopes of getting some answers. A female teacher was also treated for minor cuts after she broke a pane of glass to access a fire extinguisher. A school custodian used the extinguisher to put the fire out.
ELDERLY CATHOLIC NUN TO BE SENTENCED FOR SABOTAGE
An elderly Catholic nun faces sentencing today after being found guilty of sabotage. Sister Megan Rice, 83, could face the rest of her life in prison for breaking into a nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in July 2012. She is one of three Catholic peace activists convicted in the break-in at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The government has recommended sentences of about six to nine years each for Rice, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed. It is also seeking nearly $53,000 for damages incurred when the three cut through fences and painted slogans on the outside wall of the plant. The activists are asking for leniency, saying their actions were meant to draw attention to America’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, which they call immoral and illegal.
HILLARY CLINTON ADMITS SHE HASN’T DRIVEN SINCE 1996
You won’t find Hillary Clinton behind the wheel! The former Secretary of State said she hasn’t driven a car since 1996. Clinton made the confession at the National Automobile Dealers Association meeting in New Orleans yesterday. “The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996,” she said. “And I remember it very well, and so does the Secret Service, which is why I haven’t driven since then.” The 66-year-old admitted that one of the biggest disappointments about her public life is that she can’t drive anymore.
ROCK NEWS:
REZNOR TELLS GRAMMYS TO F-OFF
Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor was very unhappy after the Grammys Sunday night. Reznor was performing the show’s closing number, “Copy of A,” backed by Foo Fightersfrontman Dave Grohl (on drums), Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham, when the performance was cut short and credits began to roll. Reznor immediately took out his frustration on Twitter, writing, “Music's biggest night… to be disrespected. A heartfelt F*** YOU guys.” This isn’t the first time Reznor has expressed his displeasure with the Grammys. In a Hollywood Reporter interview in 2011 he said, “Why don’t the Grammys matter? Because it feels rigged and cheap — like a popularity contest that the insiders club has decided."
GRAMMYS SNUB LATE SLAYER GUITARIST
Meanwhile, metal fans were upset Sunday night by the Grammy snub of the late Slayer guitaristJeff Hanneman. Hanneman, who was also one of the main songwriters for Slayer, died in May of liver failure, but was left off the broadcast’s “In Memoriam” segment. Another metal musician left out of the tribute was Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr.
CHILI PEPPERS’ DRUM TO BE AUCTIONED OFF FOR CHARITY
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing the Super Bowl half-time show Sunday, and will also help raise money for a good cause. The custom Pearl drum set Chad Smith will use during the February 2nd performance will be auctioned off at an NFL charity event, with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish America. Also up for auction will be three pairs of autographed drumsticks used by Smith.
COREY TAYLOR ON DECISION TO FIRE DRUMMER
Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor is opening up about the band’s decision to fire drummer and co-founder Joey Jordison this past December. Although he wouldn’t go into specifics for legal reasons, Corey said the move was the only thing they could do to keep the band going. “It's hard. Really hard,” he said. “But the only other thing was shutting the band down – and none of us wanted to do that, so we're pushing on." As for Jordison’s replacement, Taylor says they are looking at “a few people,” adding, “It comes down to someone who can play the old stuff, but bring in a certain creativity. As soon as we know the fans will know."
McCARTNEY & NIRVANA REFLECT ON GRAMMY-WINNING SONG
Paul McCartney and the guys from Nirvana won the Grammy for Best Rock Song for “Cut Me Some Slack” Sunday night and Paul says he realized pretty early on there was something special about their recording session. "It was magic for me playing with these guys," McCartney said backstage at the awards. "I knew who Dave (Grohl) was because I'd met him, and he said ‘I have a couple of friends coming along.' And during the session I hear them talking: ‘Wow, we haven't played since Nirvana.' So I found myself in the middle of a Nirvana reunion." Meanwhile, Davemakes no secret about being a huge Beatles fan and has even passed on that love to his two daughters. "There aren't too many things that last forever and I honestly think what Paul and the band did will last forever," he said. "It has the same effect on this generation of kids as it did on my generation. It's really important that kids understand that everything comes from what's come before and there's this lineage that's really important."
CLASSIC SABBATH ALBUMS RETURN TO CHARTS
Two classic Black Sabbath albums have re-entered the Billboard 200 chart. The group’s debutBlack Sabbath landed at number 194 and the album Paranoid made it to 121. The increased sales were likely caused by the band’s catalog being re-mastered and re-released on iTunes January 14th. Eight studio albums were released, and were sold individually and as a bundle. Sabbath picked up the Best Metal Performance award at Sunday night’s Grammys for “God is Dead” from their reunion album and say they are more than willing to do some more recording together. "We're going back on the road," said Ozzy Osbourne, adding. "We haven't really spoken about it beyond that. I'm down for it."
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
KLUM SPLITS FROM BEAU
Heidi Klum is single again. Us Weekly reports that the Project Runway host has split from her boyfriend/bodyguard Martin Kristen. The pair had been dating for more than a year. In addition the end of their romantic relationship, their professional one is over as well. “He is no longer working with her or her family," an insider tells Us
KIMYE WEDDING TO BE TELEVISED
Kim Kardashian claims she wants a more private life, but that isn’t stopping her from sharing another wedding with the world. According to Radaronline, Kim and Kanye West plan to tie the knot in France in June and the entire “fairytale” wedding will be filmed for Keeping Up With the Kardashians. “Kim persuaded Kanye to let the cameras roll because E! will pick up most of the cost of the wedding and it’s a lot easier for a network to deal with logistics of a foreign wedding than if it were just the two of them planning it,” claimed a source, who adds that “even though Kim’s marriage to Kris (Humphries) was a disaster, she was very happy with how the wedding and reception turned out.” The source describes Kimye’s wedding as an “over-the-top affair,” and adds that it will be “like a festival.”
LAW LEARNS ABOUT FAMILY BETRAYAL ON WITNESS STAND
Jude Law took the stand during a UK phone hacking trial yesterday and found out that a member of his family had been selling secrets to the press. The 41-year-old Sherlock Holmes star was asked about a 2005 story sold to News of the World that claimed his then-girlfriend Sienna Millerwas having an affair with Daniel Craig. When the prosecutor asked him when he first found out a family member had sold the story to the tab, Jude replied, “today.” The lawyer then wrote down the name of the person and gave it to Jude, although the name was not revealed in court. Jude said he knew someone close to him was leaking info, but didn’t know they did so for money.
RAMONA SINGER SEPARATED FROM HUBBY
Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer has separated from her husband Mario, according to Us Weekly. The couple was married for 27 years and sources say they are both already dating other people. And apparently the split isn’t quite amicable. According to the New York Post, Ramona and Mario recently got into such a big fight at their Hamptons home that cops had to be called.
WHITNEY’S DAUGHTER TO START GETTING INHERITANCE
Whitney Houston’s daughter Bobbi Kristina is about to become a very wealthy woman. The 20-year-old is about to inherit the first $1.2 million from Whitney’s estate, and will receive a total of $12 million by the time she reaches 30. Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston is reportedly worried her granddaughter, who just married her “adoptive brother” Nick Gordon, will blow through the money quickly. “It’s a terrible thing, but maybe it is only to be expected,” a family friend told The Sun.“Whitney’s lasting legacy has just been more drama and more trouble.”
BELL & SHEPARD CALL FOR MAG BOYCOTT
Kristen Bell and hubby Dax Shepard, who welcomed daughter Lincoln last March, are asking the public to stop buying magazines that feature pictures of celebrity kids. “Please boycott magazines that run pics of ‘celebrity children.’ They shouldn’t be punished for who their parents are,” tweeted Shepard. “Children shouldn’t be stalked. #boycottusweekly #boycottstar #boycottpeople #boycottintouch #boycottboycottboycott.” Bell later added, “I wont do interviews 4 entities that pay photogs to take pics of my baby anymore. I care more about my integrity & my values than my career.” She added, “Now think about how you play the MOST NECESSARY role in the sad chain of events-the consumer. Things won’t change till the consumer does.”
AMAZING RACE ALL-STARS ANNOUNCED
CBS yesterday announced the All-Star lineup for the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. Teams include: cousins Leo Temory and Jamal Zadran from season 23; Brendon Villegas andRachel Reilly, newlyweds from season 20; Country singer friends Jennifer Wayne and Caroline Cutbirth from season 22; Brothers Cord and Jet McCoy from seasons 16 and 18; David andConnor O'Leary, father and son cancer survivors from season 22; Herbert "Flight Time" Langand Nate "Big Easy" Lofton, "The Globetrotters" from seasons 15 and 18; John Erck andJessica Hoel, engaged couple from season 22; Margie O'Donnell and Luke Adams, mother and son pair from seasons 14 and 18; Twins Natalie and Nadiya Anderson, from season 21; Joey Graceffa and Meghan Camarena, best friends from season 22 and William "Bopper" Mintonand Mark Jackson from season 20. E! reports that in a major twist, one of these teams won’t even make it to the starting line. Season 24 of The Amazing Race premieres Sunday, February 23rd.
ROSIE RETURNING TO THE VIEW
Rosie O’Donnell is coming back to The View. Rosie, who left the daytime talker on bad terms seven years ago, will return to the ABC show on February 7th. "I am happy to welcome her back to the program,” said producer Barbara Walters in a statement. “She is always a lively and engaging guest and a part of the show's successful history." Rosie’s time on The View was fraught with controversy. She often clashed with guests, and had an especially dicey relationship with then-co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
LENO & FALLON GIVE JOINT INTERVIEW
Jay Leno and his Tonight Show successor Jimmy Fallon gave a joint interview yesterday onToday, proving there is no bad blood between them. Unlike his 2010 departure when Conan O’Brien took over, Leno seems okay with the handover. “I mean this time I was asked,” he said. “The last time I was sort of told, ‘this is what’s happening.’” As for whether he plans to do another late night show following his departure, Leno said, “no I’m not.” Fallon seems to have the utmost respect for his predecessor, saying he admires “his attention to detail and how he roots for me all throughout late night,” adding that he and Leno talk “every couple of weeks or something like that.” As for advice, Leno told Fallon, “Don’t do any joke you don’t believe in,” and “never put your personal opinion ahead of a joke.” Leno’s last Tonight Show airs February 6th. Jimmy debuts as host February 17th at midnight, following Olympic coverage. He moves to 11:35 pm on February 24th.
TARANTINO SUES OVER LEAKED SCRIPT
Quentin Tarantino is really mad the script for what was supposed to be his next film leaked on the internet. Tarantino announced earlier this month he scrapped plans to make The Hateful Eight after the script started circulating around Hollywood. Not long after, Gawker Media (which owns both Gawker and Defamer) posted a link to the script. Well, now the director has filed a copyright lawsuit against the company, claiming they have “made a business of predatory journalism, violating people’s rights to make a buck." The suit says they have also refused several requests to take the script down.
LAWRENCE RE-UPS WITH DIOR
Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence is close to signing a multi-million dollar deal to continue as spokeswoman for the Dior fashion house. The three-year partnership, reportedly worth between $15 and $20 million, would extend Lawrence’s current Dior contract, which began in 2012.
THEATER OWNERS WANT SHORTER TRAILERS
Theater owners don’t want you spending all your time watching movie trailers. The National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) has issued voluntary guidelines which call for movie trailers to be no longer than 2 minutes, which is 30 seconds shorter than the industry standard. They also specify that trailers cannot be shown more than five months before a movie’s release. The guidelines take effect October 1st.
GRAMMYS SPELL GLEE STAR’S NAME WRONG
Fans of the late Glee star Cory Monteith were upset Sunday night after the Grammy Awards misspelled his name in the “In Memoriam” segment. Fans of the show quickly commented on Twitter about the mistake, in which the show’s producers spelled the late actor’s name “Cory Montieth.”
TV TIDBITS
● Ronan Farrow’s MSNBC show will debut Friday, February 24th at 1 pm.
● Queen Latifah will perform “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl’s pre-game festivities this Sunday.
● Sunday night’s Grammy Awards attracted 28.5 million viewers, the show’s second largest audience in 21 years.
● Jonathan Banks will reprise his role of Mike Ehrmantraut in the Breaking Bad spin-of Better Call Saul. Banks will be a series regular on the show, which stars Bob Odenkirk. The show is expected to premiere in November.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● Elizabeth Banks has signed on to make her big screen directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2, a sequel to the 2012 Anna Kendrick comedy. Banks co-starred in and produced the original. She is expected to appear in the sequel as well.
