AD FAD? CBS Adds Ad Alternatives To Online TV Viewing

by Don Rose

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If you like watching TV shows online, you have probably encountered brief ads you must watch at the beginning and/or middle of episodes. Hulu.com does this when you watch shows from NBC or Fox, for example. Typically, you have no choice about what ad to watch, and you have to watch them when the site says so (in order to get to the content you desire).

But CBS is trying another way: decoupling the ad viewing from the show/content viewing. Each full episode posted online by CBS has a required number of "ad credits" you must accumulate before you can watch that episode. Just watch the number of ads required, whenever you have time, and then you can watch the ep. YOU decide when to watch the ads, and YOU decide which ads to watch.

In short, this method gives us all more choice and control. Such "ad hoc" ad viewing may be TV's first friendly trend for 2010. Learn more at http://cbs.ntorus.com/.

Now if CBS would only make shows I wanna watch, we'd really have something here.

FEB 21: "TAG THE WORLD" TO HOST LA LAUNCH ON OSCAR EVE WITH HOLLYWOOD'S BRIGHTEST STARS

TLR Featured Event - posted by Don Rose

On Saturday, February 21st, 2009, Tag the World will welcome the Oscar crowd to raise money for their latest cause from 9pm until Midnight. Tag the World Charities will be having its official Los Angeles launch at Hollywood’s hottest new nightlife destination, MyHouse (6621 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles). In conjunction with the launch, Tag the World has partnered with the American Humane Film & Television Unit, known by its famous movie end-credit, “No Animals Were Harmed”. American Humane protects the welfare of animals on more than 1,000 productions each year and was on the set of many of this years Oscar-nominated movies including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk, The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man and The Changeling.

Tag the World is a non-profit organization with new innovative charitable concepts. Its mission: to raise awareness and funds for world causes while creating a fashionable way to support charities. Tag the World’s purpose is to help many established charities under several main causes: Cancer, Africa, Global, Green, Children and Animals. Tag the World founder Robert Parks-Valletta has partnered with the exclusive designer Michael Barin to create a set of beautiful sterling silver tag necklaces that help spread the word about their unique cause. The necklace tags are antiqued in finish emphasizing the original handcrafted design. This unique style of jewelry is fashionable, personal, and will catch the eyes of many.

Every time a tag is purchased, the individual gets to choose which charity their proceeds will benefit. By providing this opportunity, that individual is able to help improve the world and feel as of their donation is going towards a charity that may hit close to home.

Proceeds from the event on February 21st go to Tag the World and The American Humane Society. Tag the World is partnering with the American Humane Society’s Film and Television Unit to provide a unique Oscar weekend event that attracts Hollywood’s most exclusive A-list clientele. One of the biggest nights in Hollywood, it will be an evening to celebrate and be fashionable yet also enjoy the ability to help others as role models through their own stories.

Robert Parks-Valletta of Tag the World and the American Humane Film & Television Unit are proud to have this event launch on such an honored weekend -- with event hosts Amber Valletta and Mark Walberg, two big supporters of the charity -- at Hollywood’s most sought after new nightlife venue, MyHouse.

For more information on Tag the World, please go to www.tagtheworld.com.

JAN 9-10: GBK TO HOST ARTFUL GIFT SUITE HONORING 2009 GOLDEN GLOBES AWARD NOMINEES AND PRESENTERS

Featured Event - Posted by Don Rose

Famed GBK Gift Suite to Benefit Actor Isiah Washington’s Gondobay Manga Foundation; Homeless Not Toothless; Educating Young Minds; Hollywood Note Foundation

Los Angeles (December 29, 2008) - - GBK (www.gbkproductions.com), the luxury lifestyle gift suites and special events company, will honor the 2009 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters with its 4th Annual GBK Golden Globes Suite on January 9 & 10, 2009 at the 9900 Club (9900 S. Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills) from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily. GBK, the recipient of BizBash’s 2006 Award for Emmy’s “Best Gift Bag,” will once again offer invited guests an opportunity to experience an artful array of products, services and beauty treatments, and the Nominees and Presenters will be able to walk away with more than $50,000 in gifted luxury items, travel and beauty packages. Gavin B. Keilly, Owner and CEO of GBK, states, “We are looking forward to not only honoring the 2009 Golden Globes Nominees and Presenters, but also we’re very excited to introduce them to our benefiting charities and the brands taking part of our Suite. It’s a ‘win-win’ for all involved.”

To honor their continued commitment to charitable giving, GBK will donate 20% of its profits from this year’s suite to four specially chosen charities: Actor/Activist Isiah Washington’s Gondobay Manga Foundation; Homeless Not Toothless; Educating Young Minds & Hollywood Note Foundation. Additionally, each charity will be given a GBK celebrity gift bag from this year’s Golden Globes Suite (valued at over $35,000) so they’ll be able to auction off the bag at future fundraisers to garner more awareness and funds for their individual causes.

Situated right around the block from the Beverly Hilton Hotel where the Golden Globes Awards will be telecast, GBK’s Gift Suite at the 9900 Club will be a convenient place for presenters and nominees to visit. Celebrities invited guests will have the opportunity feast upon artful pleasures meant to enhance the mind, body and soul, and they’ll take home GBK’s exclusive gift bag filled with one-of-a-kind artwork, health and beauty procedures, trendy fashions and accessories, trips and much, much more.

Some of this year’s fantastic highlights include the opportunity to be gifted with pieces from some of the most amazing artists in the world including JEFF OWEN METAL SCULTPURES; and JROK DESIGN which will be doing 'Exclusive Custom Collages' where the personalized aspect of the artwork will represent the celebrities own, style, flavor, influence…in essence, the greatest work of art of all because you dreamed it (valued at $25,000). Other outstanding products and services include: attending ROCK N ROLL FANTASY CAMP (valued at over $8,000) where the camp allows you to move from spectator to the stage; sharing the limelight with rock n roll royalty including Duff McKagan (Guns n Roses/Velvet Revolver), Bruce Kulick (KISS), and other legends; Getting DNA TSTING thru DNA ANCESTRY so Nominees & Presenters can know their own, personal heritage; receiving a gift certificate to the only 5 star and new DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE HOTEL in Park City, Utah (over $3000 for 3 Night Stay); Receiving a year’s worth of medical facials, botox, restalyn and other services from BEVERLY HILLS PLASTIC SURGERY Inc.

Other great products include high end rose gold necklaces and rings from renown Israeli Jewelry Designer DAVID TISHIBI; eco-friendly kids toys and furniture from JENNY BECS TOY STORE, DX HANDBAGS, SHARE BUDS patented ear phones that allows two people to listen to the same MP3 player at the same time; HOPE JEANS, a clothing line for kids and dogs, ORIGINAL BELLY WORKS, YOGA PRO, VEEMA NUTRITION COMPANY, EARRING-AID, SURE FOOT CUSTOM SKIBOOTS (Valued at over $900.00), and one-of-a-kind salt lamps from ROCK OUR WORLD. Lastly, guests will also be pampered with on-site beauty treatments and beauty products such as hair extensions from HAIRLOCS (valued at over $3,000); MISTURA BEAUTY makeovers, REVITIALASH eye lash conditioner; METROPOLIS high end curling and flat irons; and other surprises…

GBK, formerly GBK Productions, is a luxury lifestyle gifting and special events company, specializing in entertainment marketing integration. Formed in 2000 by Gavin B. Keilly, the company’s Founder and CEO, GBK consists of five divisions: GBK Celebrity Gifting Suites; GBK Giftbags; GBK Events; GBK Weddings; and GBK Charitable Consulting. Widely known in the entertainment industry for bringing that little extra something into the Gifting Suites environment, GBK offers it’s clients a full range of marketing services. For more information on Gavin B. Keilly or GBK, please go to gbkproductions.com.

For More Information on THE GONDOBAY MANGA FOUNDATION , go to www.gondobaymangafoundation.org.

For More Information on HOMELESS NOT TOOTHLESS, go to homelessnottoothless.org.

For More Information on EDUCATING YOUNG MINDS, go to educatingyoungminds.org.

For More Information on HOLLYWOOD NOTE FOUNDATION, go to hollywoodnotefoundation.org.

NOV 15: THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! Benefit Bash For The Alzheimer’s Association

Featured Event Listing by Don Rose

The LA Report recommends you go to Culver City's Digital Fusion on November 15th, 2008 for a great fundraising gala benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. Experience excellent entertainment (live music), food and drinks, an art and gift sale, and opportunities to shop for cool "Make Love Not Trash" items at special prices. Click here for details.

Saturday, November 15th, 2008, 6:30 – 10 pm, at Digital Fusion, 3525 Hayden Avenue, Culver City, California 90232. Map + Directions. NOTE: Online tickets no longer available, but tickets can be purchased at the door.

MARILYN, MICK, KAT AND HARRISON: HOLLYWOOD STAR NEWS

Tuesday August 5 is the 46th anniversary of iconic actress Marilyn Monroe's untimely passing. A memorial hosted by the Marilyn Remembered fan club begins at 11 a.m. in the Pierce Brothers' chapel in Westwood.

That evening, at 10:30 pm on Time Warner Cable, there will be a special broadcast of 'The Ultimate Marilyn - Volume 3' hosted by actor Harrison Held featuring Monroe friends and colleagues. Stanley Rubin (esteemed producer of 'River of No Return'), actress Kathleen Hughes ('Universal's Marilyn'), Sylvia Barnhardt (hairdresser to the stars and 'the woman who made Marilyn blonde'), actress/artist Diana Herbert (from Marilyn's first film 'Scudda Hoo, Scudda Hay') and renowned author John Gilmore ('Inside Marilyn Monroe') are all part of this exciting, informative and entertaining show. Marilyn fans may also watch it online in the very near future at www.HarrisonHeldStarMedia.com.

Speaking of Hollywood icons, Kat Kramer (daughter of legendary director/producer Stanley Kramer as well as Katharine Hepburn's god-daughter, singer, actress and producer) is very pleased to announce the trailer for her new web series entitled 'My Duet With Mick'! Inspired by the acclaimed film 'My Date With Drew' about pursuing one's dreams, Ms. Kramer's goal is to get legendary rock star Mick Jagger to join her in a duet, performing one of his songs on her CD entitled 'Gem Stone', a collection of Jagger songs she has covered. Proceeds from the CD will go to Music Education.

Plate by Plate 2008, Positively Great; Project by Project’s Annual Food/Beverage Tasting Benefit Hosts Hundreds at California Science Center Downtown

Project by Project Returns to Wallis Annenberg Building at the CSC for Annual Benefit Bash

Event Report by Don Rose

(July 26, 2008 - Los Angeles CA) After years of success in hosting its signature event, in both New York City and in Los Angeles, Project by Project hosted its Sixth Annual Tasting Benefit tonight, to a large crowd of upscale professionals, foodies, VIPs and media. As they did last year, PbP featured many food and beverage booths along with an excellent silent auction, a lively live auction (someone got a guitar signed by the Rolling Stones for just a few thousand), a VIP lounge and an early private reception for VIP ticketholders.

This year, Project by Project’s partner is the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization whose mission is to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community.

The PbP gala once again showcased savory food and dessert delicacies prepared by talented chefs from the best restaurants in Los Angeles (such as Bashan, above), as well as samplings from premier wineries and beverage companies. My fave libation was GuS -- as in Grownup Soda -- no high fructose corn syrup, not overly sweet, refreshing carbonated taste.

The amazing dessert assortment is one of the hallmarks of the PbP soiree every year, and 2008 was no exception. Valerie featured Petit Fours, ginger toffee and square chocolate bites with a real kick (below, left). Another popular booth featured yummy cakes (below, right), including a Vietnamese green tea coffee cake and, to satisfy your dark side, chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting. Mmmmmm...




















The silent auction, like last year, featured great items, filling a room off to the side of the main party area. 2008 seemed more focused on sports memorabilia, with one of a kind items like a signed "Apology" ball from baseball legend Pete Rose (below, left) and Joe Dimaggio photos with a signature from the Yankee great (below, right).

























And there were some very cool entertainment-related items up for bid as well, like Walt Disney photos and an actual Disney check (below, left); Shrek and Donald Duck were also present (below, right, next to a Jeter jersey).























And what LA party is complete without Jack? Nicholson, that is. The Jack Pack seen here not only had film items but even featured the actor's head (see middle bottom of photo, below). Another similar collection with pics and head bust featured fellow actor Johnny Depp. There were also guitars, one signed by the Eagles, another by Willie Nelson. The PbP gala is getting a reputation for having one of the best auctions of any LA event, one of many reasons you should plan to attend in 2009. More information at http://atb.projectbyproject.org/.

AUG 2: ERIC IDLE BRINGS HIS "NOT THE MESSIAH" PRODUCTION TO HOLLYWOOD BOWL; ADAPTATION OF MONTY PYTHON FILM "LIFE OF BRIAN" SOUNDS HILARIORATORIOUS

Will Audiences Laugh A Lot As We Did For "Spamalot"?

by Don Rose

On July 24, NPR (see their great podcast archive at http://www.npr.org/) aired a wonderful interview with Eric Idle that featured an enticing overview of his latest adaptation of Monty Python material for the stage. This time, Idle has masterminded a musical masterwork entitled "Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)," based on the 1979 banned-in-several-nations movie "Life of Brian" (one of The LA Report's all-time favorite films).

We in LA will be lucky enough to experience this comic oratorio on August 2nd at the Hollywood Bowl. Will we be bowled over by the Bowl production, the way Broadway patrons have been by "Spamalot" (Idle's previous adaptation, based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail")? Only time will tell, but note: "Not The Messiah" is not the musical that "Spamalot" was. So will we find it hilarioratorious?

I think our favorite American Idle (who calls Los Angeles home) is taking the right approach. If you're gonna nick stuff to make new creations, it's best to follow 2 rules:
1. Stick to nicking yourself, and
2. Nick your best stuff.
Idle has now done both, twice. So has fellow comic genius Mel Brooks, first with the monster hit "The Producers" and then, speaking of monsters, "Young Frankenstein." With musicals as well as investing, the trend is your friend. Some may say redoing your own work is like How to Succeed in Musicals Without Really Trying, but who can blame them; as long as it's funny, it's sure to make money.

The story in "Not The Messiah," as in "Life of Brian," revolves around a man named Brian who lives in biblical times and, tragically, is mistaken for Jesus. Of course, given the Python treatment, this tale of mistaken Messiahhood leads to comic gold. And if you know the Christ story, you kind of know how it all ends -- but then, a twist in the midst of death: the classic Idle tune "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life." Perhaps only the theme from "The Bridge on the River Kwai" contains more irresistable whistling.

One thing we know for sure about August 2nd: no one will be able to leave the Bowl without singing "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life," which Idle proudly pointed out is one of the Top Ten most requested songs at funerals. Check out a taste of "Not The Messiah" in the excellent NPR piece, and we think you'll agree that the show sounds very promising indeed.

JUL 12: VH1 ROCK HONORS & STARRY NIGHT GALA: MUSICAL ROYALTY DESCENDS ON LOS ANGELES IN GREATEST 1 DAY LINEUP OF ROCK/POP PERFORMANCES IN LA HISTORY

LA music fans, today is your lucky day. The number of A-list rock/pop bands playing on this date could be the greatest single-day collection in Los Angeles history.

For starters, The Who will get their due. VH1 is dedicating their annual tributefest to the seminal UK rock band. VH1 pays homage to the band in the network's third annual "VH1 Rock Honors" -- a celebration of artists who now represent the pinnacle of rock music. As a result of The Who's revolutionary influence on rock music, this will be the first "VH1 Rock Honors" that salutes just one band.

The event tapes in Los Angeles today at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus (301 Westwood Plaza). Starting around 8pm, the lineup of bands paying their musical respects is incredible: PEARL JAM, FOO FIGHTERS, THE FLAMING LIPS, TENACIOUS D, INCUBUS and THE WHO themselves are all scheduled to be there. The "VH1 Rock Honors" show will then premiere July 17 at 9pm on VH1, VH1 Classic and MHD. The Who will be celebrated with a two hour tribute that will salute their music and lasting impact. Their influence will be felt through spoken tributes, filmed packages and performances. More info on the VH1 website.

But that's not all, folks. There is ANOTHER incredible musical event that takes place today, July 12th, as the Grammy Foundation presents their annual Starry Night gala starting at 6pm on the USC campus (McCarthy Quad). The tribute dinner and concert honors famed Beatles producer George Martin, with an amazing roster of musical legends set to perform, including America (the other huge band that Sir George produced), Tom Jones, Jimmy Webb (singer/songwriter extraordinaire), Burt Bacharach, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Jeff Beck and more. VIP arrivals begin at 6pm, with dinner at 730, followed by award presentation and performances around 9pm.

I know some of you may be asking: can I do both events? Catch all of these stellar acts? Well, that may be tough to do, since the concert times are not far apart. If you simply must try, and you somehow got tix to both events, we suggest going to UCLA first for the first few VH1 Rock Honors bands starting at 8pm, then hightail it to USC since that musical show will probably not start until 915 or 930 -- and with so many acts scheduled to pay tribute to George Martin, you could still catch quite a few. But the better advice is to pick only one event. Tickets to VH1 Rock Honors were still for sale on Craigslist as of Saturday afternoon, and Starry Night is almost certainly the tougher ticket to obtain at this point. If you like your rock/pop a little harder edged, and want a better chance of getting a last minute ticket, the VH1 event seems the one to choose. (Perhaps Pauley Pavilion patrons can possibly provide a pass for purchase? Perfect!)

JUL 10: PMA LA's ANNUAL SCHMOOZE-A-RAMA GETS SIMPSONIZED FOR 2008 AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Here is the scoop on this year's Schmooze-A-Rama, an always-excellent event for marketing and promotion professionals produced annually by PMA LA (the Promotion Marketing Association of Los Angeles):

Hear why & how smart brands are teaming up with The Simpsons. Get the inside scoop why America's favorite family from Springfield has been a key player in several of the most successful marketing campaigns in the last 15 years -an amazing success story told by the people behind the Simpsons campaign. Then eat, drink & mingle at the industry's top annual networking party, Schmooze-A-Rama! After you are all 'Simpsonized', we’ll take you to Krustyland - for a ride at Universal’s hottest new attraction … Grab your milk bottle and get ready to scream, laugh and schmooze!

AGENDA:
5:45 PM (SHARP) - Welcome
6:10 PM - Anatomy of a Super REGGIE - Simpsons/7-Eleven - Rita Drucker, SVP Feature Film Promotions, Twentieth Century Fox Feature Film - Bonnie Carlson, President, PMA - Tom Baer, SVP Agency & Client Services, Launch Creative Marketing
6:30 PM - Simpsons Movie Partnerships - Rachel Spiegelman, VP Marketing, The Pitch Agency (Burger King)
6:50 PM - Break
7:05 PM - Sponsor Presentation by TellX
7:25 - 7:50 PM - Fox/Universal Relationship - The Simpsons Ride - Howard Nelson, Vice President Worldwide Promotion, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising - Donna Mirus Bates, VP Brand Marketing, Universal Orlando Resort
8:00 - 10:00 PM - Schmooze-A-Rama®, The Simpsons Ride, Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres

COST: PMA Members: $195 ; Additional PMA Member: $175; Non-Members: $255.

For more info, please visit this PMA webpage: https://www.pmalink.org/shop/pmala_0710.aspx

THE ONION MOVIE DVD: A NEWS SATIRE WONDER, A FUNNER SUMMER STUNNER, LIKE AN SNL-DAILYSHOW LOVE CHILD ON STEROIDS (IF YOU DON'T LAUGH, YOU MAY BE DEAD)

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/305252/The-Onion-Movie/trailers

The Onion Movie (it's about time!) stars veteran actor Len Cariou as the news anchor (remember Len in "Executive Decision" when he made all those super serious executive decisions?), and Steven Seagal (yes, I said Steven Seagal -- who ALSO happens to be in "Executive Decision"). Watch the trailer above, and you will understand (and laugh your ass off). I can't wait to get my hands on this DVD. It should make for a funner summer, and help me forget how much gas is a bummer. ---D.R.

DAYTIME EMMY WINNERS "DAZZLED" AT BRITE SMILE’S SUPER SUITE IN BEVERLY HILLS; 2008 DAZZLING DAYTIME EMMY SUITE HOSTS TV STARS, CELEBS, VIPS AND MEDIA

Guests Treated To Luxury Services, Lifestyle Elegance and Great Gifts During Two Day Event

Event Report by Don Rose

(Beverly Hills) – On June 18-19, 2008, BriteSmile®, the world-famous and foremost leader in the teeth-whitening industry, opened its spa doors to host the 2008 Dazzling Daytime Emmy Suite to honor the television industry’s Daytime Emmy Nominated actors, presenters, major Daytime icons/personalities, film stars, producers and industry VIPs. Guests attending this intimate and unique “camera ready” suite in preparation for their red-carpet appearances enjoyed BriteSmile’s ultra-luxury new high-tech teeth whitening process, a plethora of top beauty services for him and her along with fabulous fashion, exotic trips, premium hotel stays, delectable goodies, exotic spirits and more!

Over 200 guests attended the exclusive 2-day suite including 2008 Daytime Emmy Winners, Jeanne Cooper (for Best Actress “Katherine Chancellor” Young & The Restless), Kristoff St. John (for Best Supporting Actor “Neil Winters” Young & The Restless) and Gina Tognoni (for Best Supporting Actress “Dinah Marler” Guiding Light). Adrienne Frantz, Amelia Heinle, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin, Bryan Datillo, Crystal Chappell, Carolyn Hennesy, Christian LeBlanc, Don Diamont, Cindy Ambuehl, Darrin Brooks, Diedre Hall, Emily O’Brien, Ashley Jones, Greg Rikaart, Jason Cook, Judi Evans, Kate Linder, Kent King, Leann Hunley, Marcy Rylan, Mary Beth Evans, Melissa Archer, Melody Thomas Scott, Nicole Forrester, Patrika Darbo, Rachel Melvin, Tracey Bregman, Vail Bloom, Shawn Christian, and Tammin Sursock were among the bevy of stars who were treated to ‘the best of the best' products and services.

But the influx of celebs didn't stop there. Actors Ernie Hudson, James Wilder, Lou Ferrigno (the ORIGINAL Hulk!) and Maria Conchita Alonzo joined in on the fun, as did Angie Everhart, Omorosa, Traci Bingham, Reichen Lehmkuhl, Erin Hamilton, Lena Yada and 'Deal or No Deal' girls Leila Milani and Katie Cleary. KTLA reporter Sam Rubin received a teeth whitening, and Fox News' Christine Devine was, well, simply divine!

“I can’t believe I’m going to Spain – I’ve never been there,” said Diedre Hall when she was gifted with a 4 night stay at the Hotel Marques de Riscal. “We’re being treated like kings here – this suite has great stuff for men, too!” declared Kristoff St. John. “This was the best suite we have ever attended!” said Don Diamont. "This generosity is overwhelming!" said Ernie Hudson.

Of course, the many services and gifts provided in the Dazzling Daytime Emmy Suite were the real stars. Spa 415 provided facials for guests, while Nailtini provided picture perfect manicures. HAI Elite gave out their signature hair products (including hair dryers and irons for straightening hair without damaging/frizzing your cuticles). Sensual Mistique Lingerie showed off beautiful corsets, some of the best designs I've ever seen.

Eton of Sweden featured their sophisticated formal shirts (ideal for the red carpet or any other night on the town), including "slim cut" styles that are very flattering and flattening to the physique. The very friendly representative from Eton explained that the cotton they use is woven in a unique way to help prevent stretching and wrinkling. Eton also featured coordinating neckwear and cufflinks.

Glo To Sleep graciously gifted guests with their unique sleep-aid product. Shaped like oversized glasses but made with a very soft Nerf-like material, you put their product on over your eyes before going to bed, and the small lights inside guide you to a deeper and more restful sleep.

Other sponsors included Nicole Barr Belts, Hotel Marques de Riscal, Caribbean Escapes, Hotel Le Petit, The Cheesecake Factory, Poleci Couture Clothing, Beautorium, Porsche Design, Tarte Enbrightenmint, Twisted Silver, Choconella, Honest Tea, Fancy Flip Flops, Syrup Swimwear, Olivier Napa Valley Orange Honey Grilling Sauce, AIRA Signature Mink Eyelashes, Liz Alpert of Jewelry of The Spirit, Electric Body Healthy Skin Care®; Twin Magic Lashes, Friar Tux, The Charlie Lapson Collection (who showed off their signature handbags and clutches for the ladies and watches, plus beautifully crafted wallets and messenger bags for gentlemen), Heavenly Sinful Jewels; Lowd Suga’ Boutique Jewelry Designs handcrafted by “Days Of Our Lives” star Arianne Zucker; The Devani Couture Footwear Line; Model In A Bottle (our pick for best named product at the Suite!), Vinomex’s super premium Tequila; PAMA Pomegranate Liquer; Hypnotique Liquer and Fred water.

Refreshments were plentiful at the Suite as well. Aroma Café Culture provided the java and BODEGA provided the sin with the amazing chocolates they are famous for (including my favorite, the Dark Bark with Almonds, which is almost addicting). The two-day affair was catered by Michael Ferradine and Raymond Sage of Sage Restaurant and Lounge.

The 2008 'Dazzling Daytime Emmy Suite' was produced by Anita Talbert and Doris Bergman. Westside Today was the media sponsor.

HARRY SHEARER, SIMPSONS VO STAR AND RADIO SHOW HOST, GETS STAR ON WALK OF FAME; OVER 20 PERFORMERS HONORED WITH ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S HIGHEST KUDOS

KCRW’s Harry Shearer to receive Hollywood Walk of Fame star; Host of flagship public radio station’s “Le Show” among over 20 performers and personalities named by the star committee today

Shearer will also emcee LA Press Club Awards this Saturday night, June 21st

Radio personality... actor... author... director... comedian... musician... philosopher... political satirist... multi-media artist... and one of the best “voices" in the business (just ask “The Simpsons”), HARRY SHEARER is one of the most prolific entertainers of this – or any – generation. Today, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's Walk of Fame Committee announced that Harry Shearer is one of two LA-based radio personalities who will be honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame next year.

For 25 years, Harry Shearer has been dissecting headlines, impersonating news makers, creating topical songs, writing/acting/producing sketches about political figures, news anchors and entertainers, and inventing unique feature segments and characters for Le Show, his weekly Sunday morning program, produced for and distributed nationwide by 89.9 KCRW-Santa Monica and www.KCRW.com. Le Show is one of the station’s most popular podcasts—available here: (www.KCRW.com/etc/programs/ls). He writes, produces and presents all of the material on the show himself.

Vogue magazine called Le Show “a wildly clever, iconoclastic stew of talk, music, political commentary, readings of inadvertently funny public documents or trade magazines and scripted skits.” Los Angeles Magazine described Harry’s talent for writing and performing this way: “Shearer is a one-man renaissance assault force on the conventions of our culture and a much-needed antidote to the current gloom and doom.”

An LA native and child actor, Shearer appeared on radio with Jack Benny and in the pilot episode of TV’s “Leave it to Beaver” as Eddie Haskell. A political science major at UCLA in the early 60's (where he was a writer and editor for the school's humor magazine), Shearer also did graduate work at Harvard and served a political internship in Sacramento. As a freelance journalist, Shearer covered the Watts riots for Newsweek before teaching high school English for two years in South Central Los Angeles. He cut his performance and satirical teeth with the legendary 70s stage troupe, “The Credibility Gap,” writing for, producing and performing on their albums and tours.

Shearer’s TV work currently includes “THE SIMPSONS,” the longest running primetime animated series, where he is never seen but always heard as three of the show's leading characters (Mr. Burns, Smithers and Ned Flanders) as well as dozens of other "friends" who visit the Simpson family. Other television credits include “Saturday Night Live,” “Murphy Brown” and “Chicago Hope,” to name just a few, and he starred in his own HBO hour-long special: “Comedy Hour Live: The Magic of Live.” He is a two-time Cable Ace Award winner for his rap music video “Shredding Party,” and “The News Hole,” a current events gameshow. These days, he appears in his own productions on “My Damn Channel,” an Internet-based entertainment website.

Shearer earned multi-media artist status by creating several acclaimed museum exhibits of public figures, captured via satellite in silence as they waited for their television interviews to begin. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles presented Shearer's installation, Wall Of Silence, featuring key figures from the O.J. Simpson trial in their least soundbite-stealing moments.

Shearer, along with his wife, singer-songwriter Judith Owen, created Courgette Records; among other albums, they released Shearer’s CD “Songs Pointed and Pointless,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007. His new CD, “Songs of the Bushmen,” will be released July 7 as a digital download at www.harryshearer.com.

Today’s announced Walk of Fame star-honorees: Harry Shearer, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Cameron Diaz, Robert Downey Jr., Tim Burton, Leslie Caron, Charles Durning, Ralph Fiennes, William Petersen, Kyra Sedgwick, John Stamos, Mark Burnett, Chuck Lorre, Kenny "Baby Face" Edmonds, Dave Koz, The Miracles, Doug Morris, Rush, Shakira, KFI radio personality Bill Handel.

JUN 16-17: HOME MEDIA MAGAZINE PRESENTS DVD CONFERENCE "TransFORMATions": THE 7TH ANNUAL HOME ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT

A major home entertainment industry event returns to Los Angeles on June 16 and 17, 2008 when Home Media Magazine presents the Seventh Annual Home Entertainment Summit: transFORMATions

Event posted by Don Rose

This year’s summit, again held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California, is a favorite of The LA Report, and will examine several key issues facing the future of home entertainment. Consumers, media outlets, bloggers, industry experts and studio representatives will be on hand to weigh in on these issues.

Another highlight of the two-day event is the fourth annual DVD Critics Awards, honoring the best DVDs and high-definition discs of 2007, as chosen by a panel of DVD experts and entertainment journalists.

Other highlights:

* A State of the Industry presentation, looking at both the domestic and international facets of home entertainment.

* Panels examining the challenges in transitioning from DVD to Blu-ray Disc, and what it will take for America to convert, as well as new innovations of Blu-ray Disc spurred by the Internet and increased interactivity.

* A look at the state of electronic sellthrough, and why it hasn’t caught on with movies as it did with music.

* The It’s Blu cocktail party, celebrating the end of the format war with a selection of special “Blu” beverages and snacks.

The summit is produced by Home Media Magazine in cooperation with DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group. Registration fees are $595 for DEG members and $645 for nonmembers. Cost to attend only the dinner and cocktail party is $200 if registered before June 9, $250 after.

For more information on Home Media Magazine's TransFORMATions conference, please visit the official TransFORMATions website. Additional details are also available at HomeMediaConferences.com and by contacting Kristina Kronenberg at kkronenberg@questex.com or 714-338-6743.

MAY 29: HEAL THE BAY ANNUAL "BRING BACK THE BEACH" DINNER BASH, SANTA MONICA

Join us (us being the fine folks at Heal The Bay) on May 29, 2008, for Heal the Bay's “Bring Back the Beach” Dinner. The annual event begins at 5:00pm with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner, live auction and musical entertainment will follow. Location: Barker Hangar (or is it Barkar? I have seen both spellings in print), on Airport in lovely Santa Monica (from the 10 freeway, take Bundy south, pass Ocean Park, go Right on Airport, then look for the signs and all the pretty people; the Hangar is on the right side).

Brian Wilson, a fave of The LA Report, was one of last year's dinner Honorees, and actresses Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Amy Smart both enjoyed last year's dinner. 2008 promises to be just as fun and rewarding. We recommend you attend.

FREERICE.COM - ANSWER RIGHT, DONATE RICE; HAVE FUN AND HELP END HUNGER AT THE SAME TIME

The LA Report's no-brainer do-gooder site of the day: FreeRice.com. Have an entertaining time while learning new words and helping the planet. In the FreeRice online game, you see a word and must decide which of four possible meanings (words or phrases) best defines that word. Answer correctly, and FreeRice donates rice; every right answer means FreeRice.com donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program, to help end hunger. You can keep playing (matching up definitions for new words) as long as you like. It's fun, educational, and helps other people; what could be better? Go now!

(If 20 grains of rice doesn't sound like much, remember the power of Collective Action, repeated often. The power of many people acting together for a unified purpose is a very potent force indeed -- and that is something the Internet excels at. Example: according to the FreeRice site, 86,732,200 grains of rice were donated yesterday alone.)

RUTLES RE-INVADE AMERICA! RUTLEMANIA CONCERTS, RUTLE RADIO HOUR AND RUTLE REUNION EVENT MARK 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF "ALL YOU NEED IS CASH"

RUTLES Special Event! Ron, Dirk, Stig and Barry Reunite March 17th as Original Film and Rarities Screen at the Egyptian

Event Listing by Don Rose

March marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of the Rutles film "All You Need Is Cash" and you are invited to celebrate. The Mods & Rockers Film Festival (a perennial Best Bet of The LA Report) is presenting the official 30th anniversary celebration of The Rutles at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Eric Idle, Neil Innes, Ricky Fataar and John Halsey (Rutles Dirk, Ron, Stig, and Barry respectively) will be the guests of honor at the March 17th special event.

What is planned, you ask? There will be a screening of the original 1978 version of the film. There will also be a treasure trove of Rutles rarities that will be presented at the event including the rarely-seen 1975 British TV skit that inspired the film, Rutles-related footage from "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) and highlights from the 2003 film "Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch."

In case you've been living under a rut, The Rutles (a fab band that satirized The Beatles) first entered American consciousness on SNL, in a Hard Days Night type video featuring the Beatlesque band "whose legend will last a lunchtime" (and mirrors the history of The Beatles to a tea). Neil Innes penned the fresh, fun tunes in "All You Need in Cash," which are not only clever recombinations and reinventions of Beatle musical DNA, but just plain great pop songs in their own write (to borrow a bit o' Lennon). The LA Report recommends you GO-go to this once-in-a-lunchtime event!

March 17. Two Shows: 730pm and 1030pm. Q&A between shows. First show sold out. The Rutles will partake in a Q&A after the first screening (7:30pm show) and will introduce the 10:30pm show. Plus, we hear the evening may feature a couple of musical surprises! More information on the Rutles special event, taking place at the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Blvd near Highland, is available at www.modsandrockers.com. You can also read the recent LA Times article about The Rutles.

Also recommended by The LA Report are two other Rutle-related events. On Sunday March 16, KLOS FM's excellent "Breakfast With The Beatles" show will have all four Rutles in the studio during the 11am hour. Plus, there are RUTLEmania concerts all week! Read on:

RUTLEmania! Concerts by the "Pre-Fab Four" at the Montalban

Not the Rutles, but an incredible simulation! That's right, a simulation of a satirization. But since the Rutle songs are fantastic, and they parody the best band ever, The LA Report loves it. The Fab Four (a Beatles tribute band in "real" life) will become The PRE-Fab Four for FIVE nights of live Rutle classics! GO!

The location is the Ricardo Montalban Theatre on Vine, just a couple of blocks south of the Capitol Records building and the John Lennon star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! But enough about the real Fab Four, this is about the tribute band called The Fab Four, who will be transformed into the "PRE Fab Four" for this tribute concert of all-Rutles music! If you actually understand all this, then groovy, baby -- grab your Number One or Goosestep Mama, eat some Cheese And Onions till you scream Ouch!, then Get Up And Go to the show! The LA Report will be there, so you should too.

Dates: Saturday, March 15 at 8 pm; Sunday March 16 at 5 pm; Wednesday, March 19 at 8 pm; Thursday, March 20 at 8 pm; and Friday, March 21 at 8 pm.

BUZZ MUSIC: "TWO LIPS: THE LOST ALBUM" (aka HOMER'S BEATLES HOMAGE)

"TWO LIPS: THE LOST ALBUM" is the brainchild of The Simpsons' voiceover star Dan Castellaneta. Premise: what if you discovered a lost Beatles album circa 1967, chock full of pop gems? This would be it!

I just heard some tracks from "Two Lips" on Chris Carter's "Breakfast with the Beatles" show this morning. Great stuff! March on over to SpiralFrog (or Amazon or other music sites) and take "Two Lips" for a spin. Lovers of great pop music (especially The Beatles and The Rutles) will not be disappointed ("Dog Chasing a Ball" and "Disillusion Street" being two great tracks highlighted on BWTB today).

http://www.spiralfrog.com/download/album/466043/Two%20Lips:%20The%20Lost%20Album

FEB. 18-24: SHM SUITE RETURNS TO LUXE HOTEL BEVERLY HILLS DURING ACADEMY AWARDS WEEK AFTER SUCCESSFUL GOLDEN GLOBES SUITE

PRESENTED BY MAGGIE FERRARI JEWELRY, NATALIE K DIAMONDS, NICOLE BARR B.E.L.T.S. INC & JELLY BELLY GOURMET JELLY BEANS, WITH UNVEILING OF ONE OF A KIND ITEMS, THE SHM SUITE TAKES PLACE RIGHT BEFORE OSCARS, WITH MANY NOMINEES, STYLISTS, DESIGNERS, STARS AND VIPS IN ATTENDANCE

The SHM Academy Awards "Get Ready for the Red Carpet" Suite will open at 9:00am on Monday Feb 18th and run through Oscar Day on Sunday Feb 24th. The suite will be open daily from 9:00am- 7:00pm at the Luxe Hotel, 360 N. Rodeo Dr in the Rodeo Drive Penthouse Suite. Oscar Nominees and Film Stars will be in attendence daily.

As a way of helping writers affected by the recently ended strike, SHM designers will donate an item from their collection that will be worn by stars on the red carpet, or to the upcoming award shows, which will be auctioned off. All proceeds will benefit the WGA Strike Fund.

Many stars will be visiting the SHM suite and autographing a Nicole Barr belt, which will be auctioned off. They will join Garret Dillahunt from the OSCAR NOMINATED MOVIE NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, as well as Nikki Blonsky, the star of HAIRSPRAY, in helping children across this nation. Barr just donated $50,000.00 to the Oklahoma City Food Bank.

Madonna’s Facialist Iduna Spa - which features Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion Facials - will be giving stars oxygen facials, while Joico will have Celebrity Stylists in the Suite doing hair. Celebrity eye lash extension experts Daniel Dinh of TWIN LASHES will be giving eyelash extensions to stars that visit the suite.

Stars who come to the suite will leave with a gift bag valued at $15,000.00 which includes one of a kind items, and a stay at the exclusive Sedona Rouge Spa in Sedona, AZ - or a stay in the Caribbean or Jamaica from caribbeanescapes.com. In addition, several stars will get a stay at the Palazzo Magnani Feroni in Florence, Italy or at the Relais Villa L’Olmo in Tuscany.

SHM's unique $15,000 VIP giftbags will include: Clive Christian Est. 1872, Queen of England Perfumer, Perfume and Cologne for men and women, the world's most expensive cologne and perfume; Archipelgo Botanicals Royal Seal Candles; Dirt Candles; Edelweiss Chocolate Beverly Hills Truffles; Nuvo French Sparkling Liquer; Sedona Rouge Hotel/Spa Stays; Caribbeanescapes.com stays in Caribbean and Jamaica; Cell Phone watches and Cell Phone Flashing Protector Case from www.turtlewireless.com (the first ones in the U.S.); Nicole Barr Swarovski Belts; Rural Revolution Black Cherry Walnut Body Scrub; China Glaze Diamond Dust Nail Lacquers; Amanda Adams Couture Embellished T-shirts; Moroccanoil Olivier Napa Valley for Sonoma Williams Orange Honey Molasses Sauce; Don Francisco Specialty Coffee, Arizona Loco; Cocoa Custom Six-Pack; Fiji Water in Custom Gold Sleeve; JOICO Design Collection; Pink Dot P.I.N.K. Fusion Vodka; Tylers Fine Coffees; 2002 Summit Lake Vineyards Zinfandel Ltd. Reserve; 2002 "Emily Kestrel" Cabernet Sauvignon – Ltd Reserve; 2002 Clair Riley's Pirate Reserve Zinfandel Port Ltd. Reserve; Lilyfield Hatbox Cakes & Shortbread; Elizabeth Leitz Antique Crystal Necklaces; Red, White & Bling by License 2 Bling; Porsche Design Leather Golf Gloves, Lamps Plus Crystal Grape Clusters. (Wow!) IN ADDITION: select guests/stars will receive a 3-day, 3-night stay Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, rated as a 5-star hotel by Conde Nast, in magnificent Sedona, Arizona, replete with luxury suite, complete spa services and dinners at their 5-star restaurant Reds. Plus, select Nominees will get a 5 night stay at the Palazzo Magnani Feroni -- which is a 1,500 yr old former Palace now a luxury hotel in Florence Italy -- as well as a 3 night stay at the Relais Villa L’Olmo in Tuscany, Itlay in a private Luxury Country Villa.

SHM Suite at the Luxe Hotel in Beverly Hills. Dates: Feb 18- 24th, 2008, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm daily. For more information, contact: Roger or Lynn Neal of Neal Public Relations, 714-883-0231, 951-797-3205 or prstarus2000@yahoo.com.

FEB. 21: FIRST NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALISM AWARDS TO BE ANNOUNCED BY ACTRESS MAUD ADAMS AT LA PRESS CLUB

Swedish film star Maud Adams, who holds the distinction of being the only lead actress to appear in two James Bond films, will announce the winners of the first national contest for entertainment iournalists at 7 p.m., Feb. 21, at a reception held at the Los Angeles Press Club.

The LA Press Club website says: "The cocktail celebration at the club's Hollywood Boulevard headquarters is open to all. The event is free to press club members and out of town entertainment journalists -- $10 to all others."

The LA Press Club is located in the Steve Allen Theater at 4773 Hollywood Boulevard, two blocks west of Vermont Avenue, an easy walk from the Vermont/Sunset station on Metro's Red Line. For more information contact Los Angeles Press Club executive director Diana Ljungaeus at 323-669-8081 or email her at Diana@lapressclub.org; L.A. press club publicist Edward Headington can be reached at 818-720-7181.

STRIKE NEWS: LIONSGATE & MARVEL STUDIOS SIGN INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH WRITERS GUILD

LIONSGATE SIGNS INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH WRITERS GUILD

LOS ANGELES – Leading independent filmed entertainment studio Lionsgate is the latest company to sign an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America. The company is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.

The agreement is similar to the deals the WGA has recently announced with United Artists, The Weinstein Company, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment.

“We are pleased Lionsgate has joined the growing number of companies that have signed interim agreements with the Writers Guild,” said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, and Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East, in a joint statement. “Lionsgate is considered a leader in the industry, and its signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably.”

Upcoming Lionsgate films include Rambo, The Eye, Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns, Forbidden Kingdom, My Best Friend's Girl, Punisher 2, Saw 5, and The Spirit. Upcoming television series include Weeds (Showtime, fourth season), Mad Men (AMC, second season), and Fear Itself (NBC, debut season).

WGA AND MARVEL STUDIOS ANNOUNCE INTERIM AGREEMENT

LOS ANGELES – Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced today that they have reached an interim comprehensive agreement that will put writers immediately back to work on the Marvel Studios development slate. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We’re very excited about our summer releases, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and look forward to resuming work with writers on our future projects including Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man, and The Avengers,” said Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel.

“Marvel Studios’ signing of an interim agreement with the Writers Guild is more good news for our membership,” said WGAE President Michael Winship and WGAW President Patric M. Verrone. “Marvel is committed to fairly compensating their writers and now they can move forward with their planned production schedule.”

Marvel Studios recently launched its independent live-action film studio to develop, produce, and fully finance Marvel movies, which will include two of this summer’s most anticipated releases – Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man will be released by Paramount Pictures on May 2, 2008, and stars Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow. The Incredible Hulk, which will be released by Universal Pictures on June 13, 2008, is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt. In cooperation with other studios, Marvel previously produced a long succession of hits, including the Spider-Man, X-Men, and Fantastic Four franchises, Ghost Rider, and Daredevil.