Back with Azaria, Jess Origliasso not such a lesbian By Jonathan Moran August 31, 2008 12:00am WHILE his bandmates feared for his life, the lead singer of Sydney indie rock band, The Follow, was living and loving in Las Vegas with The Veronicas' Jess Origliasso.
Daniel "Azaria" Byrne was snapped with Jess at a Vegas party hosted by United States celebrity guru Perez Hilton. See them here.
Speaking exclusively for the first time since disappearing more than a week ago, Byrne, 28, said he needed time to sort himself out.
The hiring of Hugh Jackman as Oscars host has sparked debate among US critics, with one fearing the Australian actor may be so boring that smelling salts should be handed out to the audience.
The Los Angeles Times published duelling columns - one of its critics slammed Jackman, while the other applauded the decision to go with "a classy movie and theatre star instead of a big mouth comic".
Jackman has had a rollercoaster ride in recent weeks, with mixed reviews from critics for his new film, Australia, and a disappointing North American box office opening.
But the Sydney-born actor also was honoured with People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" title, joining past winners Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Mel Gibson.
Jackman's hiring as host of the 81st Academy Awards at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on February 22 represents a major change for the Academy, which traditionally chooses comedians.
Last year popular political comic Jon Stewart hosted, but the US TV ratings plunged 24 per cent. About 32 million people tuned in, compared with 55.3 million a decade ago.
Time magazine columnist James Poniewozik is taking a wait-and-see approach.
"My worry about Jackman is that he means the producers plan to up the stagey musical numbers quotient - and we've all seen how well big musical theatre numbers go over on TV," Poniewozik wrote.
"That said, I'll give half a thumb up now for the Oscars trying something, anything, different."
LA Times columnist Patrick Goldstein has savaged Jackman's Australia co-star Nicole Kidman in recent weeks, declaring she is not a movie star, but he gave Jackman the thumbs up as Oscar host.
"By opting for Jackman, a classy movie and theatre star instead of a big mouth comic, [Oscar telecast producers] Laurence Mark and Bill Condon are signalling that they're trying to turn the Oscars into a party instead of the usual three-hour plus cobwebby, self-congratulatory snooze-athon," Goldstein wrote.
Goldstein's colleague, LA Times TV critic Mary McNamara, disagreed.
"Will the Oscar gift baskets include smelling salts?" she asked.
"Yes, Jackman was just named People's Sexiest Man Alive, and yes, he is Wolverine of X-Men but do we want Wolverine hosting the Oscars?
Ex-private eye to the stars gets 15 years Posted Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:06am AEDT Updated Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:31pm AEDT
Anthony Pellicano, once known as Hollywood's private eye to the stars, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for running a criminal enterprise involving wiretapping and bribery.
The 64-year-old former sleuth, who worked for lawyers representing Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson, was convicted of 76 charges in May after a two-month trial that exposed the seamy side of the movie industry.
Pellicano, who was brought to court in shackles and wearing a green jail jumpsuit, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison by US District Judge Dale Fischer near the end of a two-hour hearing in Los Angeles.
The veteran detective and two of his co-defendants were also ordered to forfeit some $US2 million.
Pellicano, who presented himself to his high-profile clients as the ultimate problem solver, has already served time for weapons and explosives possession.
Movie stars Chris Rock and Garry Shandling, Paramount Pictures chief executive Brad Grey and former Walt Disney Co president Michael Ovitz were among a string of witnesses who testified they hired Pellicano, or were spied on by him, during disputes ranging from cheating spouses and paternity lawsuits to showbusiness contracts.
The prospect of the trial had kept Hollywood abuzz for years, but all of those testifying said they were unaware of any illegal activities by Pellicano and none was charged.
Prosecutors say Pellicano hired an associate who in June 2002 left a dead fish with a rose in its mouth and a note saying "Stop" on the shattered car windshield of Los Angeles Times investigative journalist Anita Busch.
Ms Busch's complaint to police triggered a raid on Pellicano's Hollywood office that eventually led to his trial.
Ms Busch spoke to the court during the sentencing hearing, accusing Pellicano for terrorising her elderly parents and ruining her life's work.
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