PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

RONNIE WOOD will never forget the night he played guitar with BOB MARLEY - and impressed the reggae legend with an hour-long encore.
The Rolling Stones rocker was drafted in as a last-minute replacement at a 1979 Marley concert in California, and admits he was intimidated by the Buffalo Soldier hitmaker.
But Wood managed to win over Marley after a flawless performance - and the pair celebrated the successful gig by sharing a joint afterwards.
Wood tells Britain’s Uncut magazine, "(We played) at the Oakland Coliseum. Al Anderson, Marley’s guitarist, had his guitar stolen and I was living in Mandeville Canyon in L.A., so I flew over and took him a new one. Al asked if I wanted to play that night. I thought it should be cleared with Bob Marley first, but Al said it would be find and took me in to meet him.
"Marley didn’t say much, he just looked at me as if to say, ‘If you can cut it, you’re OK. If you can’t, I’m throwing you off the stage.’ I ended up doing the encore which lasted about an hour and I got the nod from Marley during the set, which was very satisfying. After the gig we played football and had a huge spliff."

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

Veteran entertainer BETTE MIDLER dedicated a full year to preparing for her Las Vegas revue, and endured months of gruelling exercise to ensure she could hit every note.
The Grammy Award winner has been performing her colourful live show The Showgirl Must Go On at Sin City’s Caesars Palace since February, 2008.
And Midler, who turned 65 on 1 December (10), admits it was a huge feat to prepare for the stage revue, in which she belts her biggest hits alongside 20 back-up dancers, back-up singers The Harlettes and a 13-piece band.
She tells Reuters, "A year before we even started rehearsals, I started doing my warm-ups, getting on the treadmill again and lifting weights. It’s fascinating to get onstage and run for an hour and a half, wringing wet at the end." But the Divine Miss M has no regrets. She insists, "I loved every minute of it."

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

Actress/singer KRISTIN CHENOWETH is facing a coast-to-coast New Year’s dash, so she can appear onstage in New York for the finale of her musical PROMISES, PROMISES.
The stage and screen star is currently in Los Angeles rehearsing for her New Year’s Eve (31Dec10) performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. She’ll then spend the early hours of 2011 jetting to the Big Apple for Sunday’s (02Jan10) final performance of Promises, Promises on Broadway.
The show is closing after 280 regular performances.
So far, New York’s weather woes haven’t hampered Chenoweth’s plans, and now she’s hoping she can stay awake for her demanding start to the New Year.
She tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "I’m tired even thinking about it. But it’s a good kind of tired. When you’re a singer, New Year’s Eve is always a work night. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had that day off, and I’m so used to it." And, to add to everything Chenoweth has to deal with, her West Hollywood home has been wrecked by water damage from a burst pipe.
But the fun-loving star is refusing to let the drama bring her down: "There are people out there without roofs over their heads, so I’m not complaining."

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

RONNIE WOOD is convinced his band THE FACES could never have achieved THE ROLLING STONES’ lasting success - because they were too lazy.
The British rocker joined the Ooh La La hitmakers in 1970 before Keith Richards invited him to play guitar for the Stones five years later (75) - the same year The Faces announced plans to split.
Wood has remained a member of the Stones ever since and insists it takes "real commitment" to play with Mick Jagger and Richards’ band, while revealing the Faces lacked the focus to establish any longevity.
He tells Britain’s Uncut magazine, "We (the Faces) didn’t have their (the Stones’) polish or commitment. There was too much jangling the car keys in that band, everybody wanted to get out of the studio quick or get off stage and go down the pub.
"But when you’re in the Stones you make a real commitment. You get together and you might be there for six weeks, but you don’t go home until the job has been completed." Wood and bandmates Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones reformed The Faces in 2010 after trying to persuade frontman Rod Stewart to join them for over a decade. Wood finally gave up and asked ex-Simply Red star Mick Hucknall to front the new-look group.

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

A representative for R&B singer RAZ-B has moved swiftly to distance the singer from violent online threats his brother made towards rival CHRIS BROWN.
The former B2K singer and Brown have become embroiled in an online feud after Raz-B posted a message on Twitter.com, in which he took aim at his rival for beating up his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.
He wrote, "I’m just sittin here thinking how can n**gas like… Chris Brown disrespect women as intelligent as… Rihanna." The Kiss Kiss hitmaker, who split from the Umbrella beauty in 2009 after a violent bust-up, hit back with an offensive comment about Raz-B’s past, when the singer claimed to have been the victim of sexual assault during his time in B2K, writing, "Tell me this… Why when the money was coming in u won’t complaining (sic) about getting bu**plugged!" The barbs escalated, with Raz-B, real name De’Mario Thornton, accusing Brown of being a "homophobe" - an allegation the singer swiftly denied.
The feud took a violent turn when Thornton’s brother, singer Ricky Romance, got involved, posting a video message, in which he stated, "If I see you in L.A. my dude, I’m gonna put my mother f**king pistol in your mouth." He added, "Step your game up homeboy… when I see you, my n**ga, I will smack you in the mouth, beat you, drag you down the street and treat you like a little b**ch, my n**ga. This ain’t no mother f**king game homeboy. You ain’t welcome in L.A. and if I catch you alone, watch what I’ma do to you." But Raz-B’s rep. tells TMZ.com the singer does not back his brother’s comments. He tells the website, "Raz B wanted to make sure everyone knows that what his brother says does not represent him. Those are just a brother’s tendencies to protect his brother coming out. Raz-B has already spoken to his brother and told him to chill out." Meanwhile, the threats haven’t prompted Brown to back down. He tweeted a response after Romance’s video was posted, writing, "Ill be in LA REAL SOON!!!!!!"

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

AMERICAN IDOL host RYAN SEACREST has once again dismissed reports he’s planning to wed JULIANNE HOUGH in the New Year - insisting he hasn’t proposed to the dancer-turned-singer.
Country music star Hough has been dating Seacrest since earlier this year (10) tabloids are keen to marry the hot new couple off.
Recent reports suggested Seacrest proposed to the Burlesque star during a romantic trip to Paris over Thanksgiving (25Nov10). The couple dismissed the speculation - but now the media has hinted the pair will ring in 2011 with big news and a ring.
Seacrest, who is hosting annual New Year’s Eve (31Dec10) TV festivities in New York, appeared on U.S. breakfast programme Good Morning America on Thursday (30Dec10) to set the record straight - insisting he’s not ready to take their relationship to the next level - yet.
He said, "I’m not engaged - but I’m very happy."

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

ELIJAH WOOD is joining the TRON franchise after signing up to voice a character in an animated TV spin-off.
The 1982 science fiction classic was rebooted with a big screen sequel, with the original film’s star Jeff Bridges reprising his role as the software engineer who created the arcade game universe.
Tron: Legacy has proved popular with film fans, grossing more than $165 million (£110 million) worldwide since its release earlier this month (Dec10), and now it has been revealed the sequel will be followed by a TV show featuring the voice of Wood.
Tron: Legacy screenwriter Adam Horowitz tells Boxofficemagazine.com, "There’s a 10-part micro series that will premiere next summer… We’ve hired an incredible team… We hesitate to tell too much just yet, but it will fill in the blanks of some things, and also explore some new areas as well… Bruce Boxleitner is in it, Elijah Wood, Linda Moore, Paul Reubens, Lance Henriksen. I mean, we’ve got a really cool group of actors."

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

North Korean censors have lifted a movie ban to give citizens to a rare treat this week - a televised screening of British film BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM.
Western films are largely banned in the country but an edited version of the 2002 movie, starring Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Myers, was broadcast on 26 December (10).
The hour-long edit, arranged by the British Embassy and monitored in Seoul, was a break from the regular state programming of news, documentaries and soap operas.
Bend it Like Beckham, referring to soccer star David Beckham, features several topics considered taboo in North Korea, including interracial relationships, homosexuality and religion.
In a Twitter.com posting on Thursday (30Dec10), British Ambassador to South Korea Martin Uden called it the "1st ever western-made film to air on TV" in North Korea.

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

QUEEN ELIZABETH II has become a great-grandmother for the first time - and she’s "delighted" with the baby news.
The British monarch’s grandson Peter Phillips - the son of the Queen’s daughter, Anne, Princess Royal and Mark Phillips - and his wife Autumn welcomed their first child, a girl, at a hospital in Gloucestershire, south west England on Wednesday (29Dec10).
The birth was announced on Thursday (30Dec10) and a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said the Queen and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are overjoyed at the addition to the family.
A statement reads, "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Autumn’s family have been informed and are delighted with the news." The baby weighed in at eight pounds, eight ounces (3.9 kilograms) and her name had not been confirmed as WENN went to press. She becomes 12th in line to the British throne.

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

PAMELA ANDERSON spread some Christmas cheer over the festive season - she visited two charities in Britain to lend her support to their cause.
The former Baywatch star spent the holidays in the U.K., where she is appearing in a pantomime stage production in Liverpool, England.
And she took a break from traditional celebrations on Christmas Day (25Dec10) to visit an animal shelter and a home for victims of domestic violence.
In a series of posts on her Twitter.com page, she writes, "On Christmas Day I visited the Liverpool RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). There were 120 beautiful dogs… And 20-30 gorgeous cats and kittens… I brought treats and toys… but truly they all need wonderful homes… Please rescue animals from shelter… pet stores are not the way to go." She later posted a link to a domestic violence helpline, adding, "On Christmas Day I also discreetly visited a home for families that have been victims of domestic abuse…"

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

BEN STILLER’s new comedy LITTLE FOCKERS has flown straight to the top of the British box office after dominating the holiday season.
The latest installment in the hugely successful Meet the Parents franchise toppled the third Chronicles of Narnia film from the top of the sequel-heavy chart this week (ends02Jan11).
Little Fockers took $4.5 million (£3.03 million) ahead of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader with $1.39 million (£929,958).
Britain’s festive box office chart was dominated by follow-ups, with Tron: Legacy ($729,975/£486,065) in third place, followed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ($624,834/£416,556).
Bollywood action film Tees Maar Khan rounded out the top five, with $479,805 (£319,870).

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

Model/singer CARLA BRUNI has been named the most irritating celebrity in France.
The country’s First Lady polled 52 per cent of the vote, pushing veteran actor Alain Delon into second place in the list of the European nation’s most annoying stars. Hollywood’s Gerard Depardieu was voted third.
And it was a double blow for Bruni and her husband, French President Nicolas Sarkozy - he was voted one of the most irritating politicians in the country.

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

NAOMI WATTS acted as maid of honour at the wedding of one of her longtime friends in Australia on Thursday (30Dec10).
The Hollywood actress, who grew up Down Under, spent the festive season in Sydney and this week (ends02Jan11) fulfilled a promise to her friend, film publicist Emma Cooper, by acting as her chief bridesmaid.
Watts’ partner Liev Schreiber was also involved in the nuptials at Sydney’s Shore Chapel, giving a reading during the ceremony, while Australian actor Simon Baker and Without A Trace star Anthony La Paglia were also in attendance.
Cooper, daughter of director Guy Cooper, married Australian television writer Henry Cripps. Watts is godmother to the couple’s six-month-old son Casper and they all live in the same New York neighbourhood.

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

Hip-hop star Q-TIP is planning to thank his loyal fans around the world by recording tracks in three languages for his next album.
The Vivrant Thing hitmaker is heading into the studio in February (11) to begin work on The Last Zulu, which will feature songs in English, French and Spanish.
And he’s now studying hard to master his language skills, as he wants to show his gratitude to all his devotees.
He tells Entertainment Weekly, "I feel like my fans have been so gracious over the years.
"They’re so smart that I want to extend the grace back to them and speak to them in their tongues. I’m going to have to brush up… It’s going to have a lot of that energy, and it’s going to feel really big and anthemic. It’s going to be unlike anything I’ve done before."

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

THE CHARLATANS drummer JON BROOKES will rejoin the band onstage on New Year’s Eve (31Dec10) to play his first full gig since he was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year (10).
Brookes collapsed during a show in Pennsylvania in September (10) and was subsequently flown back to Britain to be treated for brain cancer.
Former The Verve star Pete Salisbury has been filling in for the percussionist during his recovery and Brookes proved he is getting better by taking to the stage with the group to play one song at a gig in Birmingham, England in October (10).
Frontman Tim Burgess has now confirmed his pal will be back behind the drums for the band’s New Year’s Eve show in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he is expected to play a full set.
Burgess tells Scotland’s Daily Record, "Jon is doing really well… It’s really crazy what happened. It still doesn’t feel that real to us. Obviously, it does to him. It’s amazing and a big deal to be asked to play what is the biggest party of the year. It means we’re going to end the year in style.
"It’s going to be Jon’s first gig back since September. So that’s going to be an emotional time for us as well."

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

ROLLING STONES rocker RONNIE WOOD is supporting his son JESSE as he battles his personal demons in rehab.
The veteran guitarist, who has endured seven stints in treatment centres over the last 30 years, is currently six months sober after giving up alcohol and drugs.
Wood has credited Jesse with helping him through the tough times, and in return he is backing his son’s own efforts to turn his life around.
He tells Britain’s Uncut magazine, "Jesse’s going through rehab. We’re helping each other out. I’m over six months clean and good with it.
"Boredom is a killer as is the idea that I can always have just one drink. Once I got rid of that, I could take my life back and be more focused at everything, my music and my painting."

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

An autopsy performed on the body of late soul star TEENA MARIE has failed to determine the cause of her death, and her family will now have to wait up to six weeks for the results of toxicology tests.
The singer/songwriter passed away in her sleep at her home in Pasadena, California over the holiday weekend (25-26Dec10).
Officials looking into her death initially suggested she may have died of natural causes, but a post-mortem examination carried out this week (beg27Dec10) hasn’t provided any firm answers.
Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter has confirmed Marie’s body showed no signs of trauma, and he admitted toxicology tests which could determine the cause of death will now take about six weeks to come through, according to the Associated Press.

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

SPIDER-MAN musical director JULIE TAYMOR has axed plans to discuss the beleaguered Broadway production at a public speaking engagement.
Taymor had agreed to appear at a New York Times event on 8 January (11) to be interviewed by theatre reporter Patrick Healy about Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
But she has now withdrawn from the talk to continue overseeing rehearsals of the stage show.
Her representative explains, "With the changes to the Spider-Man production schedule, Julie will be deep in rehearsals and will not be available to participate." Refunds are being offered to ticket holders.
Taymor’s show has suffered a number of setbacks, including delays and onstage stunt accidents. The musical is due to open in February (11).

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