Custom Search
| ADVERTISEMENTS |
| Find Local Businesses FAST |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| ADVERTISEMENT |
If Tom Cruise is ever in need of some therapy, Dr. Drew Pinsky will not be his first choice,
after the doc raised questions about the actor’s mental health in next month’s issue of
Playboy magazine.
“Dr. Drew meant no harm to Mr. Cruise and apologizes if his comments were hurtful,” Pinsky’s
rep said in a statement Thursday.
Pinsky told the magazine, “Take a guy like Tom Cruise. Why would somebody be drawn into
a cultish kind of environment like Scientology? To me, that’s a function of a very deep cation:
after the doc raised questions about the actor’s mental health in next month’s issue of
Playboy magazine.
“Dr. Drew meant no harm to Mr. Cruise and apologizes if his comments were hurtful,” Pinsky’s
rep said in a statement Thursday.
Pinsky told the magazine, “Take a guy like Tom Cruise. Why would somebody be drawn into
a cultish kind of environment like Scientology? To me, that’s a function of a very deep cation:
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
| ROCK COUNTY NOW DAILY NEWS: Entertainment |
'Mentalist' performs real trick: it's a TV hit
BURBANK, California (AP) -- In a ho-hum TV season in which most
new shows have been greeted with a collective shrug and a click of
the remote control, CBS' freshman "The Mentalist" has managed to
deduce what viewers want.
It offers tousle-haired charmer Simon Baker ("The Guardian," "The
Devil Wears Prada") as Patrick Jane, a faux psychic jolted by
personal tragedy into newfound ethics and a job helping California
state crime fighters. There's the appeal of a mystery wrapped up
within each episode, joined with Patrick's quest to catch the serial
new shows have been greeted with a collective shrug and a click of
the remote control, CBS' freshman "The Mentalist" has managed to
deduce what viewers want.
It offers tousle-haired charmer Simon Baker ("The Guardian," "The
Devil Wears Prada") as Patrick Jane, a faux psychic jolted by
personal tragedy into newfound ethics and a job helping California
state crime fighters. There's the appeal of a mystery wrapped up
within each episode, joined with Patrick's quest to catch the serial
killer who took the lives of his wife and child. And there's creator and executive producer Bruno Heller,
fresh off the triumph of HBO's miniseries "Rome" and looking for a new challenge, who's deftly mixed a
traditional whodunit with the journey of an emotionally wounded hero.
During shooting on the Warner Bros. lot recently, Baker looked very much the part of the carefree actor
with a hit series: He blithely pedaled a bicycle, a gift from his family, between his studio trailer and a cabin
standing in for a witch's house.
Asked to dissect the appeal of "The Mentalist," however, Baker was far more cautious than flip.
"I don't want to touch it. I'm really happy. Knock on wood. ... This day and age, it's a very competitive world,
the television world. If people want to turn the television on and watch 'The Mentalist,' then I'm very, very
happy."
So are his wife, actress Rebecca Rigg, and teenage daughter, he added, who were the first to tell him
"The Mentalist" had a shot. The Australian-born Baker, 39, also has two sons.
Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti co-star in the drama, airing 9 p.m. EST
Tuesday.
For his part, Heller is glad to heap praise on Baker for the show's out-of-the-gate top 10 ratings
performance, with weekly audiences of about 16 million.
"He's a genuine TV star and we were very lucky to get him. Especially in tough times, he has the kind of
positive spirit and sense of life that appeals to people," Heller said, adding, "I think the camaraderie and
family feel of the ensemble works very nicely. But beyond that, it's a mystery."
Other shows incorporate supernatural elements, whether framed as real or fraudulent -- think "The Ghost
Whisperer," "Medium" or "Psychic." But "The Mentalist" is cut from different cloth, say Baker and Heller.
"This show probably draws more parallels to 'Columbo"' than to series with an otherworldly tinge, Baker
said. "My character just has a different way of looking at things. He looks at things outside of the box."
To clarify Patrick's skill, Baker notes that "a mentalist doesn't have powers. A psychic does. A mentalist
has power to suggest ideas to someone," akin to a professional magician like Criss Angel.
"The Mentalist" isn't about "whether you believe or don't believe that people have powers," Baker said.
Heller drew his inspiration for the drama from the streets of Los Angeles, where "every block has a
storefront" with a psychic.
"There's an interesting moral ambivalence in people who do that job, who say they can get in touch with
the spirit world or say they can read your mind," he said. "In one way, I think it's rubbish. ... But on the
other, they're performing a genuine therapeutic function in people's lives."
In contrast to forensics-heavy shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," Baker welcomes the fact that
the mind, rather than the microscope, is his character's weapon of choice.
"It brings the crime-solving back into the fabric of human nature, so it's prescience in the sense those old
shows were. It's more about reading someone. As an audience member you can sit there and meet all the
potential suspects ... so the audience gets involved in the show."
When the series began production, Baker waved away suggestions that he conduct research into
weapons training and other aspects of police work.
"I'm not a policeman. I'm not that guy. I'm not even officially a detective. I'm a consultant that uses my
powers of observation and ability of suggestion to influence people's thoughts and ideas to solve crimes,"
he said.
"It's best I make as many police mistakes as possible, because it creates something interesting within the
show. If I do the wrong thing, it gives them (his colleagues) something sort of to react to and play with."
fresh off the triumph of HBO's miniseries "Rome" and looking for a new challenge, who's deftly mixed a
traditional whodunit with the journey of an emotionally wounded hero.
During shooting on the Warner Bros. lot recently, Baker looked very much the part of the carefree actor
with a hit series: He blithely pedaled a bicycle, a gift from his family, between his studio trailer and a cabin
standing in for a witch's house.
Asked to dissect the appeal of "The Mentalist," however, Baker was far more cautious than flip.
"I don't want to touch it. I'm really happy. Knock on wood. ... This day and age, it's a very competitive world,
the television world. If people want to turn the television on and watch 'The Mentalist,' then I'm very, very
happy."
So are his wife, actress Rebecca Rigg, and teenage daughter, he added, who were the first to tell him
"The Mentalist" had a shot. The Australian-born Baker, 39, also has two sons.
Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman and Amanda Righetti co-star in the drama, airing 9 p.m. EST
Tuesday.
For his part, Heller is glad to heap praise on Baker for the show's out-of-the-gate top 10 ratings
performance, with weekly audiences of about 16 million.
"He's a genuine TV star and we were very lucky to get him. Especially in tough times, he has the kind of
positive spirit and sense of life that appeals to people," Heller said, adding, "I think the camaraderie and
family feel of the ensemble works very nicely. But beyond that, it's a mystery."
Other shows incorporate supernatural elements, whether framed as real or fraudulent -- think "The Ghost
Whisperer," "Medium" or "Psychic." But "The Mentalist" is cut from different cloth, say Baker and Heller.
"This show probably draws more parallels to 'Columbo"' than to series with an otherworldly tinge, Baker
said. "My character just has a different way of looking at things. He looks at things outside of the box."
To clarify Patrick's skill, Baker notes that "a mentalist doesn't have powers. A psychic does. A mentalist
has power to suggest ideas to someone," akin to a professional magician like Criss Angel.
"The Mentalist" isn't about "whether you believe or don't believe that people have powers," Baker said.
Heller drew his inspiration for the drama from the streets of Los Angeles, where "every block has a
storefront" with a psychic.
"There's an interesting moral ambivalence in people who do that job, who say they can get in touch with
the spirit world or say they can read your mind," he said. "In one way, I think it's rubbish. ... But on the
other, they're performing a genuine therapeutic function in people's lives."
In contrast to forensics-heavy shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," Baker welcomes the fact that
the mind, rather than the microscope, is his character's weapon of choice.
"It brings the crime-solving back into the fabric of human nature, so it's prescience in the sense those old
shows were. It's more about reading someone. As an audience member you can sit there and meet all the
potential suspects ... so the audience gets involved in the show."
When the series began production, Baker waved away suggestions that he conduct research into
weapons training and other aspects of police work.
"I'm not a policeman. I'm not that guy. I'm not even officially a detective. I'm a consultant that uses my
powers of observation and ability of suggestion to influence people's thoughts and ideas to solve crimes,"
he said.
"It's best I make as many police mistakes as possible, because it creates something interesting within the
show. If I do the wrong thing, it gives them (his colleagues) something sort of to react to and play with."
Actor-turned-junkie goes on trial in cop killing
NEW YORK (AP) -- Both sides in the murder trial of Lillo Brancato
agree on one thing: The once promising actor was a junkie who hit
bottom on December 10, 2005 -- the night an off-duty police officer
was killed during a burglary.
In opening statements Monday, jurors were asked to decide whether
Brancato was a partner in crime with a man already convicted of
shooting and killing the officer or merely a bystander.
Brancato -- who got his start in the film "A Bronx Tale" and later
agree on one thing: The once promising actor was a junkie who hit
bottom on December 10, 2005 -- the night an off-duty police officer
was killed during a burglary.
In opening statements Monday, jurors were asked to decide whether
Brancato was a partner in crime with a man already convicted of
shooting and killing the officer or merely a bystander.
Brancato -- who got his start in the film "A Bronx Tale" and later
appeared in "The Sopranos" -- was led into the courtroom in a neatly tailored gray suit and handcuffs.
Prosecutors say Brancato and Steven Armento tried to break into the Bronx apartment to swipe
prescription drugs after a night of drinking at a strip club.
"In their effort to get drugs to satisfy their own desires, they took the life of a New York City police officer,"
said Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb.
Brancato's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, told the jury his client was an addict who "ruined his life" with drugs
and was "clearly strung out" at the time of the slaying.
But he argued that the true culprit was Armento, who was convicted of first-degree murder on October 30
and has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
"Lillo was there to satisfy his addiction, but he wasn't there to do violence," Tacopina said. "Lillo didn't try
to hurt a single person that night."
Brancato, 32, made his debut in 1993 in "A Bronx Tale" opposite Robert De Niro. He has appeared in
more than a dozen other movies and played a doomed aspiring mobster in HBO's "The Sopranos."
By law, prosecutors were allowed to charge Brancato with second-degree murder in the death of Officer
Daniel Enchautegui because they say the killing occurred while both he and the actual shooter were
committing a felony -- a break-in. If convicted of murder and burglary, he faces a possible life term.
Enchautegui, who lived next door to the apartment where prosecutors say Brancato and Armento were
trying to steal drugs, grabbed his gun and came out to investigate. Armento shot the 28-year-old officer in
the heart. Enchautegui fired back, wounding both men.
The case could turn on whether the jury believes Brancato knew Armento was carrying a loaded revolver.
Prosecutors say Brancato's drug dealer will testify that Armento had pulled the weapon on the dealer
earlier in the night in front of Brancato.
But Tacopina branded the drug dealer a liar angling for leniency in his own legal troubles. Brancato was
startled that his friend opened fire, and didn't know the man firing back was a patrolman, he said.
Prosecutors say Brancato and Steven Armento tried to break into the Bronx apartment to swipe
prescription drugs after a night of drinking at a strip club.
"In their effort to get drugs to satisfy their own desires, they took the life of a New York City police officer,"
said Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb.
Brancato's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, told the jury his client was an addict who "ruined his life" with drugs
and was "clearly strung out" at the time of the slaying.
But he argued that the true culprit was Armento, who was convicted of first-degree murder on October 30
and has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
"Lillo was there to satisfy his addiction, but he wasn't there to do violence," Tacopina said. "Lillo didn't try
to hurt a single person that night."
Brancato, 32, made his debut in 1993 in "A Bronx Tale" opposite Robert De Niro. He has appeared in
more than a dozen other movies and played a doomed aspiring mobster in HBO's "The Sopranos."
By law, prosecutors were allowed to charge Brancato with second-degree murder in the death of Officer
Daniel Enchautegui because they say the killing occurred while both he and the actual shooter were
committing a felony -- a break-in. If convicted of murder and burglary, he faces a possible life term.
Enchautegui, who lived next door to the apartment where prosecutors say Brancato and Armento were
trying to steal drugs, grabbed his gun and came out to investigate. Armento shot the 28-year-old officer in
the heart. Enchautegui fired back, wounding both men.
The case could turn on whether the jury believes Brancato knew Armento was carrying a loaded revolver.
Prosecutors say Brancato's drug dealer will testify that Armento had pulled the weapon on the dealer
earlier in the night in front of Brancato.
But Tacopina branded the drug dealer a liar angling for leniency in his own legal troubles. Brancato was
startled that his friend opened fire, and didn't know the man firing back was a patrolman, he said.
Amy Winehouse hospitalized for drug reaction
LONDON, England (AP) -- Troubled singer Amy Winehouse has
been admitted to a London hospital after suffering a bad reaction to
medication, her representative said Tuesday.
Winehouse, 25, went to the private London Clinic on Sunday, said
her spokesman, Chris Goodman. He said Winehouse's medication
made her ill and her doctors asked her to come in so they could
investigate.
Goodman did not disclose what type of medication was involved,
been admitted to a London hospital after suffering a bad reaction to
medication, her representative said Tuesday.
Winehouse, 25, went to the private London Clinic on Sunday, said
her spokesman, Chris Goodman. He said Winehouse's medication
made her ill and her doctors asked her to come in so they could
investigate.
Goodman did not disclose what type of medication was involved,
saying only it is part of her "ongoing treatment." It was not clear Tuesday whether she had been
discharged.
Yesterday Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil lost his appeal against his 27-month jail term for
assault and perverting the course of justice.
Earlier this month he was moved from prison to a drug rehabilitation unit.
The Grammy-winning Winehouse has suffered a string of health problems in recent years, many related to
her battles with drug addiction.
She spent two weeks in a drug rehabilitation clinic in January.
One of her biggest hits is the song "Rehab," describing her reluctance to enter a clinic.
Another bad reaction to medication prompted Winehouse to enter a London hospital in July, but she was
discharged the next day.
Winehouse won five Grammy awards earlier this year -- three for "Rehab," as well as Album of the Year
and Best New Artist.
discharged.
Yesterday Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil lost his appeal against his 27-month jail term for
assault and perverting the course of justice.
Earlier this month he was moved from prison to a drug rehabilitation unit.
The Grammy-winning Winehouse has suffered a string of health problems in recent years, many related to
her battles with drug addiction.
She spent two weeks in a drug rehabilitation clinic in January.
One of her biggest hits is the song "Rehab," describing her reluctance to enter a clinic.
Another bad reaction to medication prompted Winehouse to enter a London hospital in July, but she was
discharged the next day.
Winehouse won five Grammy awards earlier this year -- three for "Rehab," as well as Album of the Year
and Best New Artist.
Britney Opens Up About Her Dating Disasters
It's all work and no play for Britney Spears as she prepares for the release of
her new album, Circus.
"I feel like an old person now," she says in Rolling Stone's next issue, out
Friday. "I do! I go to bed at, like, 9:30 every night, and I don't go out or
anything."
And when she does find time to go on a date, Spears says the experience
makes her wish she had just stayed home.
"Right when we got there, we just knew it was just bad," Spears tells Rolling
Stone of one recent bad date. "He looked like an older version of Harry Potter,
but skinnier. … So I had to get dessert first.
her new album, Circus.
"I feel like an old person now," she says in Rolling Stone's next issue, out
Friday. "I do! I go to bed at, like, 9:30 every night, and I don't go out or
anything."
And when she does find time to go on a date, Spears says the experience
makes her wish she had just stayed home.
"Right when we got there, we just knew it was just bad," Spears tells Rolling
Stone of one recent bad date. "He looked like an older version of Harry Potter,
but skinnier. … So I had to get dessert first.
"And the other date I had, the guy was really, really tall and a lot older. … We're trying to ask him
questions, like, 'OK, you're into martial arts, so what kind of martial arts are you into?' And he was like,
'Oh, all kinds.' "
So instead of partying and dating, Spears is focusing on promoting Circus, which comes out Dec. 2 – her
27th birthday – with a live performance that day in New York City on Good Morning America. Her first
single, "Womanizer," has been slowly climbing the charts, and Spears debuted the album’s title track
Tuesday on Elvis Duran’s Z100 morning show in New York City.
She’s not taking a break for Thanksgiving, either. The pop star boarded a plane Monday, headed to
Europe to promote Circus overseas.
Spears has also been busy spending time with her two sons, Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2. After winning
more visitation time with the boys earlier this year, Spears recently took her sons to visit her home state of
Louisiana.
The boys spend most of their time with dad Kevin Federline, and Spears says she is critical of some of
his parenting choices.
The children "are starting to learn words like 'stupid,' and Preston says the f-word now sometimes," she
says. "He doesn't get it from us. He must get it from his daddy. I say it, but not around my kids."
questions, like, 'OK, you're into martial arts, so what kind of martial arts are you into?' And he was like,
'Oh, all kinds.' "
So instead of partying and dating, Spears is focusing on promoting Circus, which comes out Dec. 2 – her
27th birthday – with a live performance that day in New York City on Good Morning America. Her first
single, "Womanizer," has been slowly climbing the charts, and Spears debuted the album’s title track
Tuesday on Elvis Duran’s Z100 morning show in New York City.
She’s not taking a break for Thanksgiving, either. The pop star boarded a plane Monday, headed to
Europe to promote Circus overseas.
Spears has also been busy spending time with her two sons, Preston, 3, and Jayden, 2. After winning
more visitation time with the boys earlier this year, Spears recently took her sons to visit her home state of
Louisiana.
The boys spend most of their time with dad Kevin Federline, and Spears says she is critical of some of
his parenting choices.
The children "are starting to learn words like 'stupid,' and Preston says the f-word now sometimes," she
says. "He doesn't get it from us. He must get it from his daddy. I say it, but not around my kids."