Jessica Simpson News Blog

Entertainment highlights in history

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

Entertainment highlights during the week of July 1-7:

1956: Elvis Presley appeared on Steve Allen's variety show singing "Hound Dog" to a bassett hound.

1969: John Wayne won his first Oscar for playing Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit."

Fame is the game at Ghostbar

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

For those of us in the celebrity-watching industry, Ghostbar atop the W Hotel has been the gift that keeps on giving. This weekend, the 33rd-floor sky lounge will celebrate its first anniversary with a Friday night party featuring rapper and actor Nick Cannon as guest DJ.

Has it been only a year?

In those 12 months, Ghostbar has squeezed more celebrities through its doors than the LA County Jail.

Mayer bland but not to fans

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

Internet surfers who click on the celebrity-gossip page TMZ know the star of the Tuesday night concert at U.S. Bank Arena as Jessica Simpsons on-again, off-again borefriend. Judging by the cheeky nickname we assume the editors of that esteemed website have attended a John Mayer show.

Mayer, a constant touring act who never fails to stop through Cincinnati, put on another performance showcasing his three main forms teen heartthrob, bluesy guitar slinger, pop craftsman. The trick for Mayer is combining these modes into one exciting rock show, which hasnt happened yet, at least around these parts. The hour-and-40-minute set had moments that sparked, but for the most part the three-headed beast of cute-blues-pop created an environment as bland as the earth tones that colored the backdrop of the stage.

Mayer certainly isnt lacking in talent, although at this point his guitar chops are far ahead of his throaty singing voice. Hes been called a guitar god by Rolling Stone magazine and likened to Eric Clapton, although if hes channeling Clapton at all he has skipped the good Clapton of the 60s and early 70s. Instead, he plays the blues like Clapton the moderate elder statesmen, like the Clapton who got toasted by Robbie Robertson in The Last Waltz and who chose to play with Phil Collins in the 80s.

The WHEELS of : FASHION : SPIN BACK to the: ROLLER : DISCO DAYS

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

Dust off that satin bomber jacket and pull on those tube socks -- right to the knee, please -- then delve into the attic on a mission to find your roller skates: "Xanadu" is opening on Broadway this month.

Could this be the start of a roller disco redux?

Before you shake your head in disbelief, consider that Macy's giant Herald Square store plans a "Roller Boogie"-themed in-store boutique, leggings already have become ubiquitous, and gold lame

Ellen Gray | Lens is on Abdul in Bravo's 'Hey Paula'

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

YOU KNOW those I.Q. tests that occasionally pop up online?

Here's a much easier way to find out if you might be Mensa material.

Start with 100. Heck, you're reading a newspaper - start with 120.

Does Britney Spears want K-Fed back?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:00:33 +0000

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline together again?

The "Oops I Did It Again" singer plans to stop divorce proceedings against K-Fed and wants to get back together with him, according to the upcoming issue of the National Enquirer. Federline reportedly isn?t so keen on the idea.

?I?m not divorcing you!? Spears told a ?stunned? K-Fed during a recent phone conversation, reports the tab. ?I want my family back!?

Eddie's the daddy

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:08:18 +0000

The results are in and Eddie Murphy is indeed the daddy of Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown's baby.

A DNA test the actor took earlier this month confirms that Murphy, 46, is the father of Brown's 2-month-old daughter, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, according to People magazine.

Brown has been saying for months that Murphy is the papa, but in December he told a Dutch television show, "I don't know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test."

Pop Tarts: Britney Spears to File Restraining Order Against Her Mom?

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:08:18 +0000

Gossip Web site X17 Online reported that Spears has made inquiries into filing a restraining order to avoid her mother having contact with her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

The Britster is reportedly still raging at Lynne for rushing her into rehab earlier this year, and also for apparently supporting her ex-husband Kevin Federline during their custody battle.

Bulimic 'Breakaway' for Kelly Clarkson

Living the L.A. life

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:18:22 +0000

One of the best things about being a student at UCLA is getting to live in Los Angeles. With the world of entertainment literally right outside the dorm, there are plenty of things for students to do besides study. From the best spot to see a celebrity, to the best place to go hiking, to the best spot to watch a film with dead celebrities, we?ve compiled a list of diversions that are not to be missed.

Best place to spot a celeb: Robertson Boulevard (between Third Street and Beverly Boulevard)

Anyone who is hot and young in Hollywood is dropping big bucks on Robertson Boulevard. Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan and Nicole Richie are just a few of the faces that have been photographed on numerous occasions shopping at the boutiques on this small but high-scale section of Robertson.

In a Rush Not to Hurry

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 16:43:44 +0000

ON an evening in early June, Emmy Rossum, the 20-year-old Hollywood actress, gathered a few friends in a recording studio near Times Square for an advance listen of her coming debut album.

Dressed in a pale pink chiffon dress, her trademark brown curls tumbling over her shoulders, Ms. Rossum introduced her first single, Slow Me Down, which is set for release next month as part of an iTunes bundle. Its about how if you dont slow down youre going to miss all those little things in life, Ms. Rossum said in all earnestness.

The three friends Ms. Rossum had gathered for the listening party, Jillian Demling, the entertainment editor at Vogue; Tiffany Koury, the fashion designer; and Alexandra Wirz, a hairstylist and artist from Los Angeles, nodded their heads knowingly.

Mayer skillfully refutes 'fluff' label

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 16:43:44 +0000

DALLAS -- Would he crack? Would John Mayer slip and say something about ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson in her hometown?

He never did acknowledge his offstage life Friday night at Dallas' Smirnoff Music Centre, preferring to keep the evening strictly professional -- which is just what the shrieking, swaying crowd wanted.

Backed by a seamless septet, Mayer doled out 75 minutes of purposeful pop-rock, tarted up with a blistering solo or two.

That's a rap

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 16:43:44 +0000

It didn't help either that he's a native of El Salvador, not exactly a culture with a history of frenzied electric guitars. Yet, he still thought he could make the union work. So he uprooted his family from Napa in 2001 and moved to Vacaville to serve as front-man for the band Zero Belly.

Playing the area club circuit, Villatoro tried to sneak a few rap lyrics into the songs and even convinced the Advertisementband to perform a rock version of the popular rap song "Baby Got Back," but he said, the band was reluctant to travel the road of rap-rock fusion like Papa Roach or Linkin Park.

"I was feeling a bit stifled, like I couldn't spread my wings as an artist," Villatoro said.

What's old is new again

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:19:15 +0000

Your guide: Music

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:19:15 +0000

Where: The Vogue, 6259 N. College Ave. Tickets: $20. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.This reunited band is inextricably linked to filmmaker John Hughes, who titled his 1986 movie "Pretty in Pink" based on a song the Psychedelic Furs recorded five years earlier.Following Thursday's date at the Vogue and shows in Chicago and Detroit, the Furs will join fellow 1980s bands the Alarm and the Fixx for a nine-date national tour.In 2006, Furs vocalist Richard Butler issued a self-titled solo album through independent label Koch Records.Nick Colionne

When: 8 p.m. Friday. Where: Music Mill, 3720 E. 82nd St. Tickets: $30. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.Recently named "International Instrumental Artist of the Year" at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, guitarist Nick Colionne is on the road to promote his "Keepin' It Cool" album.The album's first single, "Always Thinking of You," ranked No. 9 among 2006 hits on the Radio & Records jazz chart.Chicago native Colionne recorded "Keepin' It Cool" track "John L" as a tribute to Indianapolis music great John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery.John Mayer

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Where: Verizon Wireless Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St., Noblesville. Tickets: $53, $29. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.Five-time Grammy Award winner John Mayer returns to Verizon Wireless Music Center to promote his "Continuum" album for the second time within a year. He shared a bill with Sheryl Crow last September at the venue.If you believe the celebrity gossip surrounding Mayer, he and Jessica Simpson are "off" in terms of...

ZaZa glasses clink for Mayer, Gagne

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:19:15 +0000

Before their recent breakup, Dallas-raised Jessica Simpson must have given musician John Mayer tips for her favorite places in Dallas. The Simpson family regularly camps out at Hotel ZaZa during their visits back home. That's also where Mr. Mayer ended up before his Friday show at Smirnoff Music Centre.

Accompanied by his band, he showed up at ZaZa's Dragonfly restaurant on Thursday evening. Showing a very educated taste in whisky for one so young, the musician ordered a Laphroaig single malt Scotch made on the Scottish island Islay.

When Herbie Hancock's song "Stitched Up," came on the sound system, Mr. Mayer pleased nearby patrons by happily singing along.

Something to talk about: CelebritiesAnnamaria Longo / El Paso TimesArticle Launched: 06/24/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT var requestedWidth = 0;

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:19:15 +0000

The whole Paris Hilton debacle has got me thinking about the nature of fame.

Of all the things in the world to get bent out of shape about, we choose a celebutante. Some of us said, "Hey, she violated probation. She should go to jail. If I violated probation, I'd be sent to jail."

Others said, "That judge was too harsh. What harm did she do?"

Summerfest: Still smilin' after 40 years

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:19:15 +0000

Dancing on picnic tables. Huddling with hundreds of others in beer tents during sudden thunderstorms. Running into forgotten friends and making new ones. Checking out the latest halter-top fashions. And listening to hours and hours of great music, soaking up sun and suds.

Music, beer and a cool lake breeze on a sunny summer day - does it really get any better?

Although I haven't lived in Milwaukee for nearly three decades, I've always timed my annual trek to visit family and friends in Brew City to coincide with Summerfest.

Mayer looking to let loose

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:18:28 +0000

Grammy winner John Mayer is playing it loose and easy this summer. He's talking music and not his ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson.

"I've gotten older and learned how to have a little fun and stop taking myself so seriously all the time," Mayer told Billboard.com. "I have this idea for a summer tour that's really relaxed and less a display of musicality and more like a conversation. I just want to take off all the pressure and play as loose as I can."

Mayer's 90-minute set should do just that when he performs at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion tonight.

Today's events: Friday, June 22

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 08:18:28 +0000

1 TRA LA LA John Mayer, Jessica Simpson's maybe-ex- boyfriend, and Ben Folds (above), whom we've had a crush on forever, perform at Smirnoff. 7:30 p.m. 1818 First Ave. $35.50 to $55.50. 214-373- 8000 or ticketmaster.com.

2 BELLY UP There's a new bar in town – Bennigan's Sport, the first sports-bar concept in the Bennigan's chain. They've got 25 flat screens, 20 beers on tap and free WiFi. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 5260 Belt Line Road, Addison. 972-233-2107 or benniganssport.com.

3 A BIT OF VINO? Sam's Club is hosting a tasting of Chile's Concha y Toro wines. It's free and open to the public. 4 to 7 p.m. 8282 Park Lane. 214- 373-3058 or samsclub.com.

PeopleWatch

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:18:02 +0000

Anybody who ever played in a high school garage band

has dreamed of making the big time and going out on

tour. You're fooling yourself if you don't

The wheels of fashion spin back to the roller skate disco days

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:18:02 +0000

NEW YORK - Dust off that satin bomber jacket and pull on those tube socks - right to the knee, please - then delve into the attic on a mission to find your roller skates: "Xanadu" is opening on Broadway this month.

Could this be the start of a roller disco redux?

Before you shake your head in disbelief, consider that Macy's giant Herald Square store plans a "Roller Boogie"-themed in-store boutique, leggings already have become ubiquitous, and gold lame had a presence on the red carpet at the Oscars this year (a Carolina Herrera gown worn by Jada Pinkett Smith).

The wheels of fashion spin back to the roller disco days

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:37:34 +0000

NEW YORK Dust off that satin bomber jacket and pull on those tube socks right to the knee, please then delve into the attic on a mission to find your roller skates: Xanadu is opening on Broadway this month.

Could this be the start of a roller disco redux?

Before you shake your head in disbelief, consider that Macys giant Herald Square store plans a Roller Boogie-themed in-store boutique, leggings already have become ubiquitous, and gold lame had a presence on the red carpet at the Oscars this year (a Carolina Herrera gown worn by Jada Pinkett Smith).

Jessica Simpson Loses 25 Pounds in One Month!

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:06:59 +0000

The pop star was on celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak's 5-Factor Diet and Fitness plan. Thursday, June 21, 2007

Click here to watch Jessica Simpson's video "I Belong To Me"

Jessica Simpson has stunned fans by shedding an estimated 25 pounds in a month.

Hard news important for info diet

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:06:59 +0000

Finished the crossword? Take these two pop quizzes:

1. Name Georgia's senators.

2. Who is Ban Ki Moon?

A peek at an iron lady

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:06:59 +0000

We all know Angelina Jolie is a great international humanitarian, but a recent call from a source close to the actress has revealed some less-than-flattering details about her. For example:

• Jolie's reaction to the news Jane Pitt -- Brad's mother -- had spent Father's Day with Jennifer Aniston at Jen's home in Malibu, Calif.

''She immediately grabbed her cell phone, called Brad and read him the riot act. ... She was mad as hell, screaming, 'What the hell was she thinking -- did she do this just to embarrass me?' "