PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

HEROES star HAYDEN PANETTIERE has praised celebrities for getting involved in the upcoming U.S. presidential election - insisting their influence has brought politics to a new generation.
America goes to the polls on Tuesday (4Nov08) to decide whether Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama will take the White House.
The campaign has been littered with celebrity endorsements, with stars including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Jay-Z, Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson all encouraging young people to cast their votes.
And 19-year-old Panettiere is convinced that all of the extra publicity has been a great help to both candidates.
She says, "One of the major reasons why, especially young people, have come out and done so much to play a part in this election - and who are really getting out there and voting this time around - is because of the celebrity endorsements, because of how popular this election has become, and how much in the news, and how much it’s taken over, you know, our society.”

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Soul singer DUSTY SPRINGFIELD has topped a poll to find the U.K.’s favourite song, with SON OF A PREACHER MAN.
The 1969 hit saw off competition from artists including Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley to land the top spot.
The Rolling Stones came in second place with Paint It Black and Queen’s iconic hit Bohemian Rhapsody was voted third.
Rounding out the top five was The Beatles’ classic Hey Jude and British singer Robbie Williams with Angels.
Jackson was at seven with Thriller and Presley came in at 10 with 1969 track Suspicious Minds.
Also in the top ten were Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, after a survey of 2,000 Britons.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Former FRIENDS star DAVID SCHWIMMER has quashed rumours of a movie version of the hit TV series - blaming the press for fuelling speculation about a reunion.
The show came to an end in 2004 after 10 seasons, but the cast have been dogged by rumours of a possible big screen adaptation ever since.
TV shows including The Simpsons and Sex and The City have translated into hit movies - and it was rumoured that Friends would be the next programme to make it to the big screen.
But Schwimmer insists there has never been any plan to reunite the cast one last time.
He tells Parade magazine, "I’d like to say in regard to the rumours that - I think are only perpetuated by the press - there’s never been any talk of a Friends film, at least as far as I know.
"The series is definitely not a part of my daily consciousness until either a fan comes up or I’m asked about it in some interview. It is like having a relative visit because it’s been more than four years since really we all were in the same room even."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

OASIS rocker NOEL GALLAGHER blames his brother LIAM for the band’s failure to crack America.
The Wonderwall hitmakers were one of the biggest British bands of the 1990s and were expected to replicate their success in the States when touring their hit album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? in 1996.
But singer Liam pulled out of several shows at the last minute - telling reporters he had to go house-hunting.
And guitarist Noel is still fuming that his brother blew the band’s chance of becoming as big as fellow rockers U2.
He says, "I still blame him for the fact that we never cracked the U.S. When we had one of the biggest selling albums in the world, and were about to begin a crucial U.S. tour, he arrived at the airport, gave some ludicrous excuse that he couldn’t get on the plane, and left us stranded."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Pop star ANASTACIA has decided not to undergo an operation to correct a serious heart condition - because she is sick of surgery.
The singer went under the knife in 2003 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And she was subsequently found to be suffering from supraventricular tachycardia - a condition which causes varied and rapid heartbeats.
But the 40-year-old has opted to postpone surgery and treat the condition with medication instead, even though the cocktail of drugs leaves her feeling permanently exhausted.
She tells British magazine Hello, "The doctors say it’s a weakness triggered by stress. I’ll be sitting chatting and suddenly my heart will beat like I’m running a marathon. I’ve fainted backstage because I can’t get rid of the palpitations.
"They can fix it by putting two electrodes into my heart and shocking it, but I don’t want more surgery right now, so I’m on medication. The side effect is fatigue."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

LATEST: STEVEN TYLER performed with LED ZEPPELIN in a bid to "light a fire" to get ROBERT PLANT to reunite with the group, according to his AEROSMITH bandmate BRAD WHITFORD.
Plant has frequently refused to rejoin the band for a new tour and the legendary rockers announced this week (begs 27Oct08) that they are seeking a replacement singer so they can hit the road and record new material without him.
And reports that Tyler was set to join the Kashmir hitmakers emerged after Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones revealed they had been rehearsing together.
Aerosmith guitarist Whitford has confirmed Tyler has been singing with the rockers, but is convinced it is part of a plan to win Plant back.
He says, "First of all, they did it for fun. I actually think Jimmy (Page, Led Zeppelin guitarist) wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because, I think, he was trying to light a fire under Robert (Plant)." And Whitford thinks Page wanted to send Plant a message to persuade him to tour with the band: "Come on! Come on, Robert, let’s go!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

The concert promoter of MADONNA, JAY-Z and U2 has donated $50,000 (£30,500) to fight a ban on gay marriage in California.
Bosses at Live Nation gave the sum of money to help fight the Proposition 8 bill - a high-level state vote in the upcoming November (08) election to make same-sex marriages constitutionally illegal in California - because they feel it takes away individual rights.
A spokesperson for the company says, "Live Nation has always offered equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners. It is in this spirit that we have made the decision to donate $50,000 to the No on Prop. 8 campaign." Gay unions were legalised in the state in May (08), which led to a spate of celebrity weddings including TV host Ellen DeGeneres’ marriage to longtime partner Portia de Rossi in August (08).
Stars including Brad Pitt and Steven Spielberg have donated money to the fight against the bill.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

DAVID ROCKWELL, the brains behind the Oscars’ Kodak Theatre home in Hollywood, has been hired as stage designer for the 81st Academy Awards next year (09).
It will be Rockwell’s first time masterminding the Oscars set.
The in-demand designer and his Rockwell Group have also created stages for the upcoming Broadway productions Catch Me If You Can and Houdini, as well as the sets for the stage productions Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Rocky Horror Show.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actress ELIZABETH BANKS is hoping hit movies will afford her the chance to make her parents’ lives easier - because she worries they’ll freeze to death in Massachusetts every winter.
The W star admits she has had her fair share of financial struggles, but it’s nothing compared to what her folks have put up with over the years.
She tells WENN, "I grew up in a working class town in Massachusetts, where it’s freezing in the winter… My parents still struggle every day. I’m worried about them heating their houses this winter.
"The lowest point, which I didn’t realise was low at the time, was when my mother said, ‘Let’s go to grammie’s house and take baths tonight. That’ll be fun.’ It turns out we were going to grammie’s because we didn’t have hot water."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JOAQUIN PHOENIX has underlined his pledge to turn his back on Hollywood - he has reportedly put his Californian home up for sale.
The Walk The Line actor announced earlier this week (29Oct08) that he would quit movies to concentrate on his music career.
And he has shown he is serious about the move - his mansion in the Hollywood Hills is said to be on the market.
The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home, complete with swimming pool and hot-tub, is on sale for almost $4 million (£2.45 million), according to TMZ.com.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actor KEVIN CONNOLLY reportedly stepped in as peacemaker when a brawl broke out at a wedding.
The Entourage star was at a pal’s reception in Naples, Florida last weekend (25-26Oct08) when a scuffle involving 50 people broke out.
And the actor didn’t hesitate to help - he intervened and broke up several fights, according to website TMZ.com.
Although no arrests were made or charges filed, a police report of the incident note that "each subject interviewed was heavily intoxicated, making obtaining a written sworn statement difficult."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British comedian RUSSELL BRAND plans to flee to Los Angeles to escape the furore surrounding his controversial prank calls to actor ANDREW SACHS, according to reports.
Brand quit his job as a BBC radio presenter after outrage over a stunt in which he and fellow broadcaster Jonathan Ross recorded voicemail messages for Fawlty Towers star Sachs.
In the calls, the pair made lewd comments about Brand’s fling with 78-year-old Sachs’ granddaughter.
And the funnyman is apparently keen to leave the U.K. when filming has wrapped on his TV show Ponderland, according to Britain’s The Sun.
A source tells the newspaper, "He just wants to get on the next plane out of England - and get away from this mess.
"Russell rushed along the filming so he could get to L.A. as soon as possible."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

ARMIN VAN BUUREN has been crowned Europe’s top DJ for the second year in a row.
Van Buuren took top honours at the 2008 DJ Mag poll on Wednesday night (29Oct08).
This year marks the seventh successive year he has featured in the Top 100 poll since his debut in 2001.
The Dutch DJ has made his mark with stunning live performances and well-received albums, while his award-winning, weekly radio show A State of Trance, has an estimated 25 million listeners.
The thrilled DJ says, "This is an incredible honour, because it’s an award from the votes of so many dance music lovers that went online to vote."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Soul star DUFFY is enjoying the extra male attention fame brings her - she’s now got men around the world.
The Welsh singer, 24, rose to fame with her debut single Mercy, which has become a big hit across the U.S. and Europe.
And the star is making the most of her time in the spotlight - with a number of male admirers kept on her phone’s speed dial.
She says, "There are a couple of good-looking gentlemen dotted around to keep me entertained. I have different phones which work in different areas. I lost my English one so the English guy is just going to have to understand.
"Getting to spend time with them is another thing. It’s all based on a little bit of text banter. My phone bill was a whopper last month.
"There is one guy who is a plumber. He keeps coming in and out but he’s a text pest."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

SIGUR ROS frontman JON POR ‘JONSI’ BIRGISSON can relate to British comedy LITTLE BRITAIN, because the gay Icelandic star’s rural upbringing made him feel like one of the characters in the show.
Birgisson admits he struggled to feel accepted in the local community when he was growing up and dealing with his sexuality - much like the character Daffydd Thomas, played by funnyman Matt Lucas, in the hit TV show.
He says, "Being gay seemed natural, but I didn’t come out until I was 21.
Living in the countryside meant I didn’t meet anyone, so it was isolating.
"When I saw Little Britain, I even identified with the Only Gay In The Village guy."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British rock band OASIS plan to step up security after NOEL GALLAGHER was attacked on stage - but insist they will not "get like Madonna" and have a huge entourage.
The guitarist was injured at a show in Toronto, Canada in September (08) when a man ran onstage and pushed him into monitor speakers.
Gallagher admits the band’s security arrangements need to be reviewed - but is adamant they will not employ a huge team of minders to shield them from fans.
And he has laughed at those who say his brother Liam protected him during the incident - because the singer only got involved once bouncers had waded in.
Gallagher says, "People are talking about how well Liam reacted. You can see him on the clip going to hit the guy who attacked me. But if you look carefully, you’ll see he only starts to react when I’m surrounded by security guards.
"The guy had been backstage where it had been raining. He hit me from behind and I fell on to the monitor. I immediately felt a sharp pain in my back where the ribs had cracked.
"Then I looked down at my leg and he had left wet footprints on me. I thought it was blood. I was sh**ting myself… Next thing I know, I’m in hospital.
Where were security? "Obviously now we have to rethink our security situation, but we don’t want to get like Madonna and travel around with 400 people."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Singer JORDIN SPARKS has offered her condolences to fellow former AMERICAN IDOL star JENNIFER HUDSON following the murder of three members of her family.
Sparks admits the Oscar-winner is constantly in her thoughts since the shooting of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson, and seven-year-old nephew Julian King last weekend (24Oct08).
The bodies of Donerson and Hudson were found at the family home Chicago, Illinois on the day of the shooting (24Oct08), while King’s remains were discovered three days later in an abandoned car in the city.
Detectives are reportedly working on the theory that the youngster was shot dead in the sports utility vehicle (SUV) after being taken from the house alive.
But Sparks insists that Hudson will recover from the tragedy.
She tells UsWeekly.com, "I just want to tell her that I love her and I’m praying for her. She’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, so I hope I get to see her soon. I’m pretty sure she got strength from her Mom. Now that she is not here anymore, I’m pretty sure she’s drawing it from her other family members, her really close friends and the people who are telling her she can do it. She will be okay." Hudson is reported to have taken refuge in a Chicago hotel, with close family members and fiance David Otunga, as she prepares to bury her loved ones on Monday (03Nov08).
Police are currently quizzing William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, over the slayings, but authorities have not filed any charges against him.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JANET JACKSON has cancelled a concert in Connecticut altogether, just weeks after postponing it because of illness.
The Nasty hitmaker was forced to cancel a string of shows at the start of October (08) after suffering from a bout of vertigo, but she returned to the stage on 15 October (08) and resumed the remaining dates on her Rock Witchu tour.
But she has now scrapped the Connecticut gig completely amidst reports of poor ticket sales.
A statement released by concert venue bosses at Mohegan Sun Arena reads: "Mohegan Sun regrets to announce that the concert featuring Janet Jackson has been officially cancelled
. There will not be a rescheduled date." Fans have been advised to return to their point of sale to get a refund.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)