Peter, Paul & Others Celebrate Mary
Last night was the memorial for late musician Mary Travers, which took place at the Riverside Church in Morningside Heights. NY1 reports back, saying that her long-time collaborators Peter Yarrow and Noel 'Paul' Stookey were joined by Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton and more. Stookey said, "We dearly miss her. And this thing, death, it's like two shoes dropping. The first one drops when the death occurs. The other one drops a month or two later when you face up to the fact that, yeah, she's really gone."
The Lohan-Ledger Connection
These Lohan family tapes keep getting released, and allegedly the latest recorded conversation between Lindsay's parents reveals that the actress was dating Heath Ledger back in January 2008... when he died! Dun dun dun. Mama Lohan told her ex-husband during this particular phone conversation, "I don't know if you know that, but I know cause I would drop her off and they were friends. Very, very close, okay? That fucked her up. When she's drunk or takes an Adderall with it, she will do something like Heath Ledger did in a second without thinking." She went on to say that Ledger's death set her daughter off into the downward spiral. And the fastest way to help her out of that downward spiral is to release private conversations about her personal life.
Green Day Coming to Broadway, People!
The stage adaptation of Green Day's Grammy-winning rock opera American Idiot is coming to Broadway, following a successful debut at Berkeley Rep. A spokesman for the production tells Playbill, "There is a Broadway future for the show, but at this time no dates or theatre are confirmed." So, you know, get excited... or indifferent. We're no fans of Green Day's simplistic faux-punk mascara rock, but if this thing's a hit, maybe we can look forward to Steady Diet of Nothing: The Musical? Tony Roberts would make a great Justice Brennan.
New Producer: Spider-Man Musical Will Open In 2010
After speculation the expensive Julie Taymor-directed Spider-Man musical might be on the ropes, it turns out there's a new lead producer. The NY Times reports that Michael Cohl, a rock promoter, "was taking command of the financially troubled project at the behest of U2’s Bono and the Edge, who together wrote the music and lyrics for the show" and said the show would go on next year. While he's never been a lead producer, he did co-produce Spamalot and "is widely regarded in the entertainment community as a man with deep pockets, a Rolodex packed with investors and a knack for presenting entertainment spectacles."
MTV Looking For Real People, Real Life Experiences
In preparation for its American adaptation of the UK's provocative television knockout Skins, MTV is holding a casting call in Brooklyn in search of 15-18 year old non-actors of all types in its hunt for "the most charismatic and actually edgy kids." They're looking for genuine alpha males, divas, and "shy-types" to portray their naturally stereotypical selves along the vein of the original series which follows adventurous teens who deal with issues like pregnancy, eating disorders, and fulfilled teacher fetishes. While the series will inevitably take place in Baltimore, casting agent Kim Madalinski tells Brokelyn that looking in Brooklyn is a "no brainer."
Big Tippin'
Jay-Z and Beyonce are spreading the wealth. The Daily News reports that the couple "ran up a $1,200 bill at the Upper East Side Italian restaurant Nello's last week" after savoring their Dom Perignon, white truffles and lobster salad. If they liked it so much why didn't they just put a ring on it! (Sorry.) They were so pleased with the service and food, however, that they dropped a $500 tip. That's over 40%! The News calls out another Nello's diner, a Russian billionaire, for being relatively stingy with a 15% tip of $7,328 tip on a $47,221.09 lunch.
Stabby Hat Makes You Smile
Where was this hat in Sylvia Plath's day? A 22-year-old designer has created a cute little knit cap that literally stabs you in the skull until you smile. It's like Stepford Wife-chic! The claim is that "Through repeated use of this conditioning device you can train your brain to smile all the time." Goodbye sad affect, hello manufactured happiness! See creepy video after the jump. [via Pat's Papers]
Mary Travers Celebrated Next Monday
Mary Travers, of folk singing group Peter, Paul & Mary fame, died at the age of 72 back in mid-September. The NY Times now reports that a memorial celebration of her life and music will be held at 7 p.m. this coming Monday at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights. "The service will be open to the public. Tickets will be available on the day of the event on a first-come-first-served basis. Half the seats will be reserved for invited guests," and everyone from Pete Seeger to Whoopi Goldberg is expected to show.
Penelope Cruz Can't Believe The Times Wants Gossip
Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz and director Pedro Almodovar are the main feature of the NY Times' Holiday Movies section. But don't ask about Cruz's relationship with Javier Bardem! "Asked if a wedding is in the works, she said, with a pleasant smile and eyes of cold steel: 'You are a writer for The New York Times, yes? I think maybe you are not supposed to ask that kind of question.'"