Results tagged “lizaminnelli”

The death of Michael Jackson continues to be the focus of much media attention. Audio of the 911 call from Michael Jackson's home was released today. On the call, a caller mentions that a 50-year-old man is not breathing and the the 911 operator suggests that he be moved from the bed to the floor; the caller also mentions that there's a doctor present. According to TMZ, "When EMTs arrived at Michael Jackson's home yesterday, the medics wanted to pronounce him dead on the scene -- but Michael's personal doctor refused to let them 'call it.'" Additionally, EMTs also allegedly saw "evidence [that] someone had been performing CPR on Michael for 'quite some time'" and saw "evidence of Lidocaine -- an old-school drug that can be used to treat disturbances in the heart's rhythm."

And not only that, they're getting Chevy Chase to star as a star who is anti-Semitic AND has blood on his clothes. What Law & Order season this will be - Cobrasnake-lite, murder victim photographs posted online on Friday's episode - we suppose the sensationalism needs to be extra high now that they are on Friday nights. Producer Dick Wolf said that they are in production for an episode about "a former television star who is arrested for drunk driving," and NBC added, "while wearing blood-soaked clothes, and whose religious prejudice comes out after his arrest." Zap2It says the murder victim is a Jewish producer of the star's show (no word on whether the phrase "sugartits" will be used). Well, it is cool that they got a former television star to play a former television star. Maybe he'll be a former television star with a terrible talk show!

Maybe we were asking for it: We were stunned and fascinated by the marriage and divorce of Liza Minnelli and David Gest - the bizarre displays of public affection, the acrimonious claims that a boozed-up Liza could beat David. But now we surrender. We do not like David Gest's new claims that Liza Minnelli failed to disclose that she was a "violent alcoholic with herpes" because we did not need to know that Liza might have an STD. Because our imagination tends to run wild, and this would imply that they would have maybe had...sex. Gest is trying to get their prenuptial agreement voided, because she should have disclosed the "alleged medical condition." The NY Times has some bits from the court papers:

Ms. Minnelli’s lawyer, Israel Rubin, who represented the singer in court yesterday, declined to comment on specific allegations, and would say only, “This whole thing is ridiculous.”

Continue reading "When Too Much Information is Too Much Information"

THEATER: "A black comedy about a family tree that is gradually rotting away": Brutality of Fact, Keith Reddin's play about two sisters -- one an alcoholic and one a newly converted, zealous Jehovah's Witness -- their crazy mother and an estranged husband, sounds a bit like something from the Fringe gone uptown a few blocks, which in our book is a very good thing; previews start tonight for this show that is likely to provoke plenty of laughs in some unexpected places. - Mallory Jensen

Yesterday's July 4th celebrations went off without a hitch. The rain managed to stay away during the display and New Yorkers got to enjoy the biggest fireworks show in the world. Smiley face and rolling dice fireworks were in display, but in our book, the coolest fireworks were the ones that looked like jellyfish swimming around. This year's display was themed "It's About U.S." and the New York Pops played state-and-city themed songs, as well as songs that mentioned the 300 million U.S. citizens and the usual songs you hear during July 4th (Stars and Stripes Forever, etc.). And if you watched the NBC Fireworks show, you would have had musical performances from Bo Bice, Nick Lachey, Lionel Richie, and Liza Minnelli to make up for not really being there. Yeah, waiting out with thousands of other New Yorkers might well be the better option.

- Butch/Femme Fashion Showdown

- Man robs midtown check cashing joint of $100,000

We'll refrain from commenting on how Rachael Ray's bra is totally showing in the NY Times photograph that accompanies her big Dining section feature, and we'll not take potshots at her because it's a little too easy (and there are people who do it better, anyway). But Gothamist would like to point out this part of the RR's history:

She had grown up around Lake George, but the cycle of small-town life and low-paying jobs was wearing thin. In 1995, Ms. Ray headed to New York City. She worked first at the Macy's Marketplace candy counter and moved up the ranks quickly, learning about everything from buying cheese to how to shop for Liza Minnelli's holiday food gifts. When Macy's tried to promote her to a buyer in accessories, she moved to Agata & Valentina, the specialty foods store.

Continue reading "Rachael Ray: The Lady Emeril"

As if the whole Liza Minnelli-David Gest tableau couldn't get any weirder, David Gest confounds us again. Gest now accuses Minnelli of spousal abuse. Seriously.

Ah, mystery solved: It has been confirmed that Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, lately seen lurking about a NY editing facility, has directed two new eBay commercials that will break on Thursday. While the seemingly cerebral Mendes seems an odd choice for the online auctioner's dance-happy commercials, Mendes has roots in the theater, and in NY, he is beloved for his collaboration with Rob Marshall that rescued Cabaret from the death-grip of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey to be wittily reimagined by Alan Cumming and a motley group of stage and screen actresses as well as helping the Roundabout Theatre resurrect Studio 54. Cabaret's last performance is on November 2; no word on whether Cumming and Natasha Richardson will reprise their roles for the final performances.

And they seemed so happy! Sigh, another storybook romance turned separation. Poor Liza. Man, is this what happens when Michael Jackson is best man and Elizabeth Taylor is matron of honor? And Cindy Adams is one of the bridesmaids? And David Hasselhoff and Gene Simmons are on the invite list? Maybe Gothamist is wrong in thinking that those things actually line up to summon the devil, Ninth Gate style. Maybe there was just too much passion in that marriage.