Posted by Bel. The time is 5:11pm here in Wellington, NZ.

I'm a fan of Elizabeth Taylor. Not so much of the big-haired perfume-flogging 1980s Elizabeth Taylor, but more of the big-haired eyelash-batting 1960s Elizabeth Taylor.

When Michael Jackson died earlier this year, my panicked thoughts turned to her. Her health was bad enough as it was! Would the shock of her weird friend passing on finally do her in?

Love you too, Liz!

These tweets are from Taylor's verified Twitter account. (Of course she tweets! Don't question the woman. She'll tweet when she wants and marry when she wants.)

Not to be a fearmonger, but I don't think this bodes well. I think it would be best if we all put on another layer of eyeliner, some sparkly jewellery and though happy thoughts. (If you are possessed by the urge to marry someone, then just go with the flow. WWETD?)

Posted by Lou. The time is 3.55pm here in London, UK.

This blogger is compiling a list - with links - of the Hollywood folks who have spoken out against Polanski and/or his apologists.

Posted by Lou. The time is 4.40pm here in London.


Dear Pedro Almodovar, Tilda Swinton, Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, Monica Belluci, Alfonso Cuaron, Stephen Frears, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Darren Aranofsky, and others,

Drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl - orally, vaginally and anally - isn't merely a "case of morals". It is not cancelled out by him being "one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers". And quite frankly, the right of filmmakers to present their films "freely and safely" is light-years behind the importance of 13-year-old girls being able to live their lives "freely and safely" from the threat of rape.

You say "The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no-one [sic] can know the effects." You know what for me opens the way for actions of which nobody can know the effects? A 44-year-old man raping a 13-year-old girl and effectively getting away with it. No, not just getting away with it, but having people defend his getting away with it and position him as the victim.

You have completely lost my respect.

Yours sincerely,
Lou


Petition for Polanski's release
Polanski defenders lose sight of true victim

Posted by Bel. The time is 3:31pm here in Wellington, NZ.

In a macabre twist, Michael Jackson's sudden death caused a huge spike in his popularity. He went from being regarded as a debt-ridden weirdo with another precarious comeback hanging in the balance, to immediately being revered for his days of glory and various previous successes - with other matters swept aside as we took time to remember why we loved his music.

And it seems the music will be an on-going legacy, with the announcement that R Kelly intends to finish the album he and Michael Jackson were working on in June of this year. There has been a lot of speculation about unfinished and unreleased Jackson recordings, but Kelly seems to think he has the seal of approval: "Michael liked the way I would try to sing the songs just like him".

These two might not be such the odd couple, they have a long history, with R Kelly writing "You Are Not Alone", MJ's smash hit of 1995. His first #1, in fact, since being accused of having sex with an underage boy.

In the archives of Russell Brown's Hard News blog, check out the post from 2005 related to the second highly publicised set of allegations against Michael Jackson: detailing the pornographic magazines, DVDs and books that were found in his bedroom at the time and the implications this has upon someone who so frequently played host to other people's children.

Being found 'not guilty' does not always mean a person is innocent, as this BBC article about R Kelly's aquittal on charges of child pornography elaborates. Time covers the last moments of the trial and the jury's deliberations, including interviews with those who say they are certain it is R Kelly in the recording.

The Chicago Sun-Times lists R Kelly's repugnant past, including when they were first supplied with the tape reportedly showing him filming himself having sex with a 14 year old. It also covers in chronological order the many other attempted law suits and out of court settlements from various other young women who had involvements with R Kelly, and also his falsified and thus swiftly annulled marriage to Aaliyah, who was at that time the 15 year old niece of his manager.

If you have the stomach for it, it's worth a read:
R. Kelly timeline: A chronology from birth to trial (Chicago Sun-Times).

Two superstars, with pop music talent that has helped to sell millions of records around the world. Horrifying that with such success, the personal cost has been inflicted on those who have the least ability to protect themselves.

Posted by Bel. The time is 5:26pm here in Wellington, NZ.

Lou drew my attention to this article in the NZ Herald with its list of the world's most expensive wedding singers (ranging from $12M to a bargain basement $1.2M). I decided that expense was not the only way of ranking this 'big day' deal-breaker, and have added my own notes:

1 The Rolling Stones

These guys would be AWFUL at a wedding because, 1) they would drink all the piss, 2) they would shag half the bridesmaids and the mother-of-bride, and 3) they would steal the spotlight by then having a near O.D. and/or falling out of a tree and no one would remember who caught the bouquet.

2 Sir Elton John

He would be okaaay - except he would make snide comments about how your wedding is nowhere near as awesome as his was. And someone would request "Candle In The Wind" and turn your reception into an instant DOWNER. So scratch him.

2 (equal) Kylie Minogue

Hotter than the bride? She can fuck right off.

4 Christina Aguilera

See above. Hotties have no place at a wedding, this is well established.

3 George Michael

Just no. Isn't he still on probation anyway?

6 Amy Winehouse

I think a recently divorced junkie who is known for her dismal public performances may not be conduit to a happy wedding day. She would be kinda fun to have around beforehand when getting dressed though. (Perhaps not on hair and make-up duty however.)

(EDIT: Just added the photo and am changing my mind again. Dammit, Amy, I just can't quit you.)

6 equal Paul McCartney

I originally simply labelled him 'Boring Beatle', thinking this was reason enough to strike Sir Paul off the list. Then Lou pointed out a glaring omission: he has just been through quite possibly the century's messiest divorce. Let's err on the side of caution and not have our 'something old' not be a jinx on your nupitals.

('Something old' oooh burn, haha.)

6 equal Leona Lewis

Only the flower girls would care.

6 equal Jennifer Lopez

Same issues as Elton John, re: hating on your automatically inferior wedding, plus x1000000 attitude.

10 Barry Manilow

This is a joke, right?

11 Rod Stewart

Lou and I came to a consensus, having Rod there in person to sing the cheesy serenades and then start rockin' out as the night drew out, well, yes, that would be pretty awesome. As long as you kept all leggy blondes off the guest list, things could go just fine.

12 Duran Duran

They could be good to come on for the second half, once everyone is properly pissed and just wants to dance like munters.

Any other thoughts?