Bosnian Pigeon Jailed

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Bosnian pigeon has been jailed on charges of drug smuggling, according to The Week. Guards at Zenica prison noticed that four inmates became "visibly intoxicated" shortly after the pigeon landed on their windowsill. Officials now believe that the crafty bird, a trained pet of one of the inmates, flew 40 miles to the town of Tuzla and returned with bags of heroin tied to its feet.

"We do not know what to do with the pigeon," said a Deputy Warden. "But for the time being it will remain behind bars."

Mickey Rourke Stars in "The Wrestler."

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Mickey Rourke's new film "The Wrestler" will premiere at the Venice Film Festival this week. Rourke stars as a has-been wrestler who heads back to the ring with hopes of a comeback in this Summit Entertainment drama. Marisa Tomei co-stars as a stripper with a heart of gold who gives Rourke a place to stay and the encouragment to win one last match against his arch-rival.

Rourke replaced Nicolas Cage as the star of the indie drama. No word why Cage left the project. Rourke has returned to acting in recent years after a brief foray into boxing.

According to the New York Times, the number of American films, 10 in various categories, was to some extent reduced because of delays caused by the Hollywood screenwriter's strike. Marco Muller, the festival's director and his team considered 3, 689 features for this year's event for a total selection of 67 films from 18 countries.

Ron Jeremy's Life as a Porn Star

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

If gold medals were handed out for making porn movies, Ron Jeremy would be the all time champion. According to Time, he has made close to 2,000 of them as well as about 100 mainstream movies. He tells the story of his XXX-rated career in a steamy new book, "The Hardest Working Man in Showbiz-Horny Women, Hollywood Nights and The Rise of the Hedgehog!"

"Like many Jewish boys, I was working up in the Catskills as a waiter at the Paramount Hotel. I was making no money so my girlfriend Alice and I took some photos and sent them right to Playgirl. I thought I would try it out and at least get some kind of exposure, pardon the pun.

Then I got the good news--Playgirl called and said that they were going to use the photos we had taken. At the time I used my real name Ron Hyatt from Queens New York. I also had a Masters degree in Special Education. Alot of people started looking up my name in the phone book and they wound up getting my grandmother on the line since she lived with us downstairs. My poor grandmother was being woken up night and day, mostly by guys. Playgirl likes to think that their audience is mostly women, but no, no, the majority is gay. My poor grandma had to move."

When asked what his parents thought of his new profession Jeremy admits they weren't "crazy" about the idea but then they said if he really wanted to be a porn star to go ahead and try it. It may be a short cut to the mainstream. He was cast in his first film "Tigresses and other Man-eaters."

So what's Jeremy's favorite film? "San Fernando Jones and Temple of Poon," he laughs.

What a Croc of Shoes.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Over the last couple of weeks Newsweek writer Steve Tuttle received at least five marriage proposals and a couple of death threats. One guy told him he wanted to shoot him. Another thought a knife would be best. Several women admitted their undying love for him and several men wanted to do something to him with a shoe that is anatomicaly impossible.

His crime? He wrote an essay (Newseek Aug. 11, 08) in which he said that he didn't really like those brightly colored rubber clogs-Crocks, all that much. Well, actually he said he hated them and that people who wear them are dorky.

"I had no idea what I was in for," admits Tuttle. "Within a few days our Web site got thousands of comments on the piece. The people who wrote in were elated. They were furious. They demanded to be heard.

Tip to fellow journalists: forget the presidential election. Never mind Iraq. The death penalty? Gun control? Feh. If you want to inflame the passions of the American people, write about rubber clogs.

Beauty Pageant for Nuns.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

An Italian priest has organized a beauty pageant for nuns. "Miss Sister 2008" will show that nuns aren't all old and dour he says. The priest said Sunday he is organizing an online pageant for nuns to give them more visibility within the Catholic Church and to fight the stereotype that they are all old and dour.

"The "Miss Sister 2008" contest will start in September on a blog run by the Rev. Antonio Rungi and will give nuns from around the world a chance to showcase their work and image.

"Nuns are a bit excluded, they are marginalized in ecclesiastical life," Rungi told the Associated Press after Italian media carried reports of the idea. "This will be an occasion to make their contribution more visible."

Assisted Loving: True Tales of Double Dating with My Dad.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

What would you do if your 80-year-old father dragged you into his hell-bent hunt for new love? Bob Morris, a single son tells you all about it in this warm, witty and wacky chronicle of a year of dating dangerously.

A few months after the death of his wife, Joe Morris, an affable, eccentric, bridge-obsessed octogenarian, starts flapping about for a replacement. If he can get a new hip, he figures why not a new wife? At first his son bob is appalled, but suspicion quickly turns to enthusiasm as he finds himself trolling the personals, screening prospects and offering etiquette tips, to chaperoning services and post-date assessments to his needy father.

But one date is too morose, another too liberal, one's a three-timer, another just needs an escort until Mr. Right comes along. Dad persists and son assist. Am I pimping for my father? he begins to wonder.

According to best selling author Candace Bushnell "No one understands Sex and the Sun Belt better than Bob Morris, though I'm sure he wishes he could forget much of what he saw."

Take the Torahs and Run!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

(New York)- According to Heebe Magazine, eight Torahs, collectively valued at $500,000 have been stolen from a Queens synaogoge. Members of the temple suspect that it was an inside job because there was no sign of forced entry and well, they were "eight frickin Torahs."

Harvey Keitel Movie Angers Muslims

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Remember when the only thing you had to worry about in a Harvey Keitel movie was whether he'd take out his schwanz?? Well Keitel and filmmaker Renzo Martinelli have managed to piss off a Muslim community in Italy over his controversial film "The Stone Merchant."

The Italian film has sparked a debate in the Muslim community for its representation of Islam.

"The Stone Merchant brings back to mind Nazi propaganda against the Jews," accuses a spokesperson of the Islamic-Defamation-League, an Italian group. The movie is controversial as well since all the Muslims it portrays are terrorists. Although Keitel plays one very sexy, charismatic terrorist who manages to seduce actress Jane March in the hills and caves of Turkey, it was hard to imagine the Jewish Keitel playing a convert to Islam.

Seduced in a moment of weakness by Keitel, March is targeted to become the unsuspecting carrier of a dirty bomb aboard a London ship.

Renzo Martinelli, the filmmaker told reporters he goes around armed just in case some militant attacked him and added that he "didn't attack Muslims, but tried to understand them."

The Stone Merchant is out on DVD.

Angelina Jolie to Play CIA Agent.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

If you want action, get Angelina Jolie. According to Variety, the Wanted star is so hot that the title role in the thriller "Edwin A. Salt," about a CIA agent, is being rewritten for a woman.

Once considered for the part: Tom Cruise, 46. According to US Magazine, this isn't the first time a character has undergone a gender swap. Roles played by Jodie Foster (Flightplan), Diane Lane (Untraceable) and Demi Moore in A Few Good Men were reportedly intended for men.

Why Jolie instead of Cruise? "She's got momentum," says Variety's Dade Hayes. As for Cruise, citing the star's personal "baggage," Hayes says that professionally "there's a question mark."

Bush Plays Matchmaker for Daughter

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

President George Bush would love to see his daughter Barbara matched up with Olympic champion Michael Phelps, according to this week's Globe.

"He couldn't resist sending word to Phelps that he would like to honor him at the White House after the Olympics and he would appreciate it if Barbara could act as his escort," the source says.

Insiders say Bush would love to see his daughter matched up with an Olympic champion who is also said to have caught singer Carrie Underwood's eye.

Phelps embodies the spirit of a true American hero," says the source. "There's only a three year age difference between Michael and Barbara. He is just the type of guy George W would love to see as his son-in-law."

Barbara has been dating her former Yale University classmate Jay Blount off and on since 2004. But the insider says there is no hint of an engagement--and she couldn't take her eyes off the hunk at the Olympics.

Warners whips up Banana Splits!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Warners consumer products division has whipped up a new version of (my favorite childhood show), "The Banana Splits." According to Variety, Hanna-Barbara's 1960s phenom is returning in a multiplatform effort starting Sept. 2 with shorts and musicvideos airing on Cartoon Network and its website. Future efforts will include DVD and audio CD releases as well as live performances.

I loved the opening song to the show, "One Banana, Two Banana, Three Banana, Four...." (I forget the rest. It was a long time ago...but the music was catchy and fun for kids and adults alike.)

Turner Animation's Stu Snynder noted that the Splits have "been entertaining kids for years," but the return of the property will capitalize on boomer nostalgia as well. "Go Bananas Your Way," the new splits album is "intended to appeal to kids and parents," according to the release.

Bingo, Drooper, Fleegle and Snorky's web presence is targeted at 4-7 year olds and the live entertainment will include a section of Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

The Dukes starring Robert Davi

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The movie "The Dukes" is about members of a 1960's Doo Wop group who have fallen on hard times and what lengths they will go to in order to survive. The film was featured in the Premiere section of the Rome Film Festival in October of 2007 and has a nifty sound-track of some golden oldies tunes.

According to Variety, vet character actor Robert Davi neatly balances "humor and heart while smoothly moving to a doo-wop beat in the film, his engaging debut effort as a feature helmer." The film is a "low key charmer" about members of a 60's vocal group who, nearly five decades after their fleeting heyday, contemplate crime to fund a long-sought comeback. With Davi and Chazz Palminteri fronting a first-rate ensemble.

Davi, a man of many talents (including singing opera), co-wrote the Dukes with James Andronica. Davi proves gracefully adept at shifting tones and varying moods, sometimes with a single scene.

Visit www.TheDukes-movie.com for more information.

Famed Chef a U.S. Spy.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to the Associated Press, before Julia Child became known to the world as a leading chef, she admitted at least one failing when applying for a job as a spy: impulsivness. The famous chef, cookbook author and TV show host shared a secret with a U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Chicago White Sox catcher Moe Berg at a time when the Nazis theatened the world.

They served in an international spy ring managed by the Office of Strategic Services, an early version of the CIA created in WWII by Prez Franklin Roosevelt. The secret came out today and all of the names and previously classified files iding nearly 24,000 spies who formed the United State's first centralized intelligence effort.

The national archives will make available for the first time all 750,000 pages iding the vast spy network of military and civilian operatives.

The Cho Show

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Margaret Cho is back and better then ever in her new reality TV show "The Cho Show," debuting on VH1. In the premiere we meet her entourage (a midget personal assistant among other humorous characters), and follow her as she receives a Korean-American image award: The banquet crowd applauds her outrageous act--even after she stuns them with a joke about the Virginia Tech murders--and she feels validated and happy.

The last time Cho was on TV was in 1994 in the sitcom flop All-American Girl. This reality show proves to be a much better choice for the amiable comedian and actress.

The Cho Show VH1 Agust 21, 11 p.m.

Waiter Rant: Thanks for the tip-Confessions Of A Cynical Waiter

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

According to The Waiter, eighty percent of customers are nice people just looking for something to eat. The remaining twenty percent, however, are socially maladjusted psychopaths. Waiter Rant offers the server's unique point of view, replete with tales of customer stupidity, arrogant misbehavior, and unseen bits of human grace transpiring in the most unlikely places.

Through outrageous stories, The Waiter reveals the secrets to getting good service, proper tipping etiquette and how to keep him from spitting in your food. The Waiter also shares his ongoing struggle, at age 38, to figue out if he can finally leave the first job at which he's truly thrived.

"For the last four years I've been anonymously chronicling my restuarant exploits at a Web site called "Waiter Rant." I've written about the joys and pains of working at The Bistro. Staying anonymous has let me freely chronicle my customers' bad behavior without fear of retribution and bad tips. I've been fortunate that my writing has attracted millions of readers and given me a little bit of quasi-fame. Despite all the attention I've recieved, very few people know who I am or where the Bistro is located.

I encounter many rich and successful people in my line of work. It never ceases to amaze me how people can be capable in one part of their lives but total fuckups in most of the others. This guy's a super-smart financial type--but he's also a desperate alchoholic who picks up whores. And believe me, I feel sorry for the whores. This guy's a pig!"

For more fun behind-the-scenes restaurant stories visit http://www.waiterrant.net/

House Bunny- She Knows What Boys Want.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Shelley (Ana Faris) is living a carefree life until a rival gets her tossed out of the famous Playboy Mansion. With nowhere to go, fate delivers her to the sororiety girls from Zeta Alpha Zeta. Unless they can sign a new pledge class, the seven socially clueless women will lose their house to the scheming girls of Phi Lota Mu.

In order to accomplish their goal, they need Shelley to teach them the ways of make-up and men--at the same time. Written by "Legally Blonde" screenwriters Kristen Smith and Karen Lutz, the film is slated to released August 22, 2008. The working title of the film was "I Know What Boys Like," from the hit 80's song.

Welcome Back Kotter, the Movie!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Will moviegoers welcome back Gabe Kotter and his beloved group of high school troublemakers? Rapper Ice Cube is banking on it. The hip-hop star is not only coproducing the big-screen adaptation of the popular 1970s sitcome, Welcome Back, Kotter, but according to Star Magazine, he will also take on the role of the Brooklyn teacher.

Ice Cube says "there was no bigger fan than me," adding that he's "very excited to be able to put a new twist on it." As for the old gang, John Travolta, Robert Hegyes and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs will return as visiting alums.

Comedian Margaret Cho Loses 40 Pounds.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

She had tried the raw diet, the macrobiotic diet, the fruits-only-diet and a diet so extreme that in the mid 90s she ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. Still, "I was always fat," Cho tells People Magazine this week.

Then in 2003, she embarked on a diet of "whatever" (which includes pizza and french fries), and lost 40 pounds over the course of the next few years to finally get down to a healthy weight.

"When I was on those crazy diets, I'd gain weight because I would binge on the diet food!" she admits. "I learned that any restriction the kind of food I eat was going to be a problem."

These days nothing is off limits. "I eat ice cream, chips, everything," she marvels. Cho, 39 tries to eat only "when I'm hungry" and early in the day, when she the most active, opting for "a big breakfast and a big lunch," before a small dinner at around 4 p.m.

Alec Baldwin's New Book- Behind the Scenes of a Dirty Divorce

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Alec Baldwin has written a book about his unending fight with his divorced missus Kim Bassinger. According to the New York Post, Alec writes" I have been through some of the worst of contentious divorce litigation....Wisdom has urged me to walk away from this experience...but I have chosen to return to it, to examine it again and share it with you."

Baldwin rages on P. 2 of his book that "To be pulled into the American family law system is like being tied to the back of a pickup truck and dragged down a gravel road late at night. No one can hear your cries, and it is not over until they say it's over."

He also talks of "abused and horrified litigants" and likens the process to "the island of Dr. Moreau in H.G. Well's famous novel." He says the lawyers are "antagonistic" and the professionals are there to "prolong the bleeding, not stop it."

The Sound of Memories.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Seventy years after the von Trapp family of "The Sound of Music" fame fled Nazi-occupied Austria, their Salzburg mansion has reopened as a hotel and museum. Among the first visitors last week to the 22-bedroom villa was 94-year-old Maria von Trapp, the clan's second eldest daughter, who flew in from the United States.

Initially confisicated by the Nazis, the 9,450 square-foot house was bought in 1947 by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, a religious order that worked with business partners to restore it.

"Our whole life is in here, in this house," said von Trapp. "I'm sleeping in the room where my brother slept."

Sixty Six: Bar Mitzvah or World Cup?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

England 1966. A nation gripped by World Cup fever. The entire country willing their national team to World Cup glory. Everyone that is, apart from a 12-year-old boy.

Bernie's elaborate plan for the "Jesus Christ of bar Mitvahs" is about to be over-shadowed by one of the most ecstatic moments in Britain's history: England's unexpected triump at the World Cup Final.

Based on the true life experiences of Paul Weiland, Sixty Six cleverly weaves together a number of themes to its narrative. One one level, it's a nostalgic look back at the World Cup of 1966. It's also a story about growing up, adulthood and responsibility.

The film features some great comic moments, for example, a scene in which the family is reduced to hiring an Irish folk band for the bar Mitzvah reception, which results in a disastrous day out with Bernie and his dad. The film is also narrated by Bernie so we see everything through his adolescent eyes.

Sixty Six could be deemed an ethnic movie, in the vein of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Brothers McMullen as it focuses on London's East End Jews.

Pets Banned in public in Saudi Arabia

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Religious police in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, banned the sale of dogs and cats as pets and prohibted walking them in public.

Why so drastic a measure for Fido and FiFi? According to the Los Angeles Times, an official of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice said the ban was because of "the rising phenomenon of men using cats and dogs to make passes at women and pester families," as well as "violate proper behavior in public."

Previous bans in Mecca and Jidda have been ignored and failed to stop pet sales. The commission official said pets would be confiscasted if found outside with their owners.