meonvox’s blog

Crystal looks 'mahvelous' in pinstripes

nobody@vox.com(Kathrina Malik) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:08:02 -0700

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TAMPA, Fla. - Billy Crystal came prepared. Black maple bat in hand, the New York Yankees newcomer brought a well-worn glove with his name neatly stitched on the side, too.The hitting and fielding part, the comedian felt confident about. It was the drug test that had him worried."I'm supposed to bring blood and urine to the umpire tomorrow," he kidded Wednesday. "I might test positive for Maalox."Quite a 60th birthday present for the actor, director, Oscar host and lifelong Yankees fan: A chance to play in an exhibition game Thursday at Legends Field.Crystal certainly looked the part during his day-before workout. He kept the jokes to a minimum, made contact on all 52 swings against batting practice pitcher Tino Martinez and kept up with Derek Jeter in jogging drills."He did fine," Jeter said. "He did a good job."Crystal will become the latest celebrity to play in a spring training game, joining the likes of Garth Brooks, Tom Selleck and Bruce Hornsby.Exactly what Crystal will do against Pittsburgh remains a mystery. He'll get to swing, but it's unclear if the former high school infielder will need his black Rawlings mitt.Asked by a fan what position he'll play, Crystal quipped: "DH designated Hebrew."He did, however, have something special in mind for the Pirates. "A little Mazeroski payback," he said.Crystal was a 12-year-old growing up in New York when Bill Mazeroski hit the famous bottom-of-the-ninth homer that beat the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.Crystal looked like a little boy again as he bantered with Reggie Jackson, hugged Jason Giambi and received his No. 60 jersey from manager Joe Girardi.Spotting newly elected Hall of Famer Goose Gossage in the clubhouse, Crystal made a beeline to the reliever and offered congratulations.While a few tradition-laden critics complained that Crystal's appearance was a stunt that somehow offended baseball, Gossage said he had no problems."It doesn't bother me," the hard-throwing Goose said. "Of course, if ...

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Clooney seeking Chinese aid in Darfur

nobody@vox.com(Kathrina Malik) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:02:36 -0700

Clooney seeking Chinese aid in Darfur

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LONDON (AFP) - Box-office favourite George Clooney is stepping up the pressure on one of the main Olympic sponsors to take a stand over China's foreign policy, the BBC reported on Tuesday.A longtime critic of China's role in the Darfur crisis in Sudan, Clooney advertises Omega Watches, one of the worldwide partners for Beijing 2008."I have talked with Omega (about China) for over a year and will continue to talk to Omega," the Hollywood superstar told BBC Sport."I have and will go to the places I and China do business and ask for help."Clooney's intervention follows the decision of US film director Steven Spielberg to withdraw as an artistic adviser to the Beijing Games in protest at the situation in Darfur.In a statement issued to BBC Sport, Clooney added: "Last year I took Olympic athletes Joey Cheek and Tegla Loroupe to Beijing to meet with the heads of the Chinese government."I have and will continue to ask China to use its considerable leverage with the government of Sudan."Omega Watches is one of 12 "worldwide Olympic partners" for Beijing and has been the official timekeeper for every Olympics since 1932.The company lists Clooney - an award-winning actor, director, producer and screenwriter - as an "ambassador" for its brand on its official website.Clooney's comments were confirmed by Nick Hayek, the chief executive of the Swatch Group which owns Omega.He told BBC Sport: "We have indeed discussed this issue with Mr Clooney."We have full respect for his strong engagement in the fight for the good cause and share his opinion, especially concerning Darfur, and we are proud to work with a person who has such high ethical views."It is our policy not to get involved in politics because it would not serve the cause of the sport which is one most noble human endeavours for creating understanding and peace all over the world."Hayek also confirmed that Omega will continue to monitor the situation in Darfur and China's involvement.Source: AFP

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Ledger's will leaves nothing to daughter

nobody@vox.com(Kathrina Malik) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:12:10 -0700

Ledger's will leaves nothing to daughter

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NEW YORK - Heath Ledger's will leaves nothing to his former girlfriend and their 2-year-old daughter because it was never updated after they became part of his life.A copy of the three-page will, filed in Manhattan Surrogate Court, shows the 28-year-old Australian actor left everything he owned to his parents and three sisters. Kim Ledger, the actor's father, has said the family would make sure the actor's former girlfriend, actress Michelle Williams, and that their 2-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose, would be provided for, according to published reports.Ledger's will has already been offered for probate in Australia, according to an affidavit by his lawyer, Harvey E. Corn. The document, filed in 2003, offers no hint at the size of the estate.Papers filed with the will list the "Brokeback Mountain" star's New York City belongings, valued at $145,000. That amount includes a $25,000 Toyota Prius, $20,000 in furniture and fixtures, and $100,000 in miscellaneous bank accounts.Ledger's only outstanding debt was the February rent due on the Broome Street apartment where he died Jan. 22 of an accidental overdose of prescription medication.Source: AP

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New 'Indiana Jones' trailer is smash hit :: Gossips (celebs101.com)

nobody@vox.com(Kathrina Malik) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:44:39 -0800

New 'Indiana Jones' trailer is smash hit :: Gossips (celebs101.com)

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By REGINA R. ROBERTSON, For The Associated PressLOS ANGELES - Times sure have changed in the 19 years since Harrison Ford last donned the signature fedora of thrill-seeking archaeologist Indiana Jones. The viral spread of the trailer for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is proof of that.The trailer for the May 22 release has drawn highly enthusiastic responses in theaters. But it may have had its biggest impact online, on a younger audience that may not think of Ford, 65, as equal to today's spry action heroes.After premiering Feb. 14 on "Good Morning America," Lucasfilm and Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures sent the trailer to the Web, plus movie theaters and TV stations around the world. Paramount estimates the trailer was seen more than 200 million times worldwide in the first week alone.Harry Knowles, who runs the movie fan site AintItCool.com (his official title is Head Geek), says he first saw a bootleg version of the trailer online, then the official version online, and then saw it twice in theaters.There were cheers in the theater when the familiar theme song kicked in, Knowles said, and comments on his Web site have been positive. "People generally really, really loved the trailer," he said. "Some people think it's a little more cartoonish-looking compared to the prior (films), with him whipping the lights and swinging on them and stuff. But at the same time, it seems that everyone is extremely excited that there's a new 'Indiana Jones' film. The excitement for it is palpable. It's much more aggressively anticipated than anything else that's coming out right now.""The trailer caught on like wildfire, around the world, in all mediums," said Gerry Rich, Paramount's president of worldwide marketing, who's targeting moviegoers "from 8 to 80. The response has been sensational and it shows what technology can do when you have material that is so appealing to audiences."Older audiences certainly remember Indy, but that's not the prime ticket-...

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