White House crashers to cash in?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Michaele and Tareq Salahi, the reality-TV aspirants who gatecrashed President Obama's first state dinner, are reportedly trying to sell their first TV interview about the incident for around half a million dollars. The couple has already cancelled an (unpaid) sit-down with Larry King scheduled for today. Meanwhile, lawmakers from both parties are urging that the Salahis be arrested. Should the couple be allowed to reap financial benefitis from an arguably criminal action?

The only reward the Salahis deserve is jail: This "despicable, desperate, duplicitious couple" should be punished severely says Ed Rollins at CNN.com. "Criminal trespassing" at the White House isn't cute or funny and they embarrassed Obama and the nation in front of India's prime minister. The Salahis want a reality show? How about "Trial and jailtime."

More power to them if they can exploit this: I can't decide if Michaele and tareq are "idiots or geniuses," says Verne Gay in Newsday. Expecting $500,000 "would suggest idiots'"--no network will pay that--but "I'm leaning towards the 'genius' side" The couple want reality show fame, but not just for fame's sake. These days, notoriety can also bring lucrative book deals, clothing lines, and more. Payment or not "they're playing the networks like expensive violins."

Don't worry--all swindlers suffer eventually. The Salahis only innovation in the "ancient art" of social climbing, says Anne Applebaum in The Washington Post, is their scheme to "cash in faster--a lot faster." And they'll probably get their reward since "'plenty of legit news outlets are ready to play." Then if we're lucky, they'll meet the same end as their fellow "swindlers" throughout the ages.

This is the price America pays for trashing up its culture: "In an earlier age in America, we would put them in the stocks in the middle of the public square for a public shaming," says Jon Taplin in Salahis are living proof you get the culture you deserve."

White House Receives Christmas Tree

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

First lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Malia and Sasha, received the official White House Christmas tree on Friday: an 18 1/2 foot Douglas fir delivered from a farm in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, by traditional horse-drawn carriage.

The White House is open for Christmas.

Growers Eric and Gloria Sundback officially presented the tree to the Obamas on Friday.

It's the fourth time one of their trees has become the official White House tree.

Asked by reporters whether the tree was the biggest she ever had, the first lady said, "Yeah, I think this wins."

The 12-foot-wide tree is detined for the oval-shaped Blue Room on the State Floor of the White House, where scores of volunteers will decorate it. The tree is the star attraction of Christmas at the White House, and will be oohed and aahed over by thousands of people who will stream through in December for holiday parties and pubic tours of the executive mansion.

The tree was cut down on Wednesday. Besides the official tree, more than a dozen smaller trees from the Sundback farm will decorate other rooms in the White House, including the Oval Office.

The Sundbacks have grown Christmas trees since 1956 and were thrilled by the opportunity to meet their fourth first lady.

Italian-American Groups Ask MTV to Cancel 'Jersey Shore'

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

An MTV reality show that depicts Italian-Americans as beach-loving "guidos" is offensive and should be canceled, two national Italian-American organizations say.

UNICO Nationa Prez Andre DiMino said MTV's "Jersey Shore," which is set to debut on December 3, negatively portrays Italian-Americans as violent, aggressive "buffoons" and relies on blatant stereotyping.

"It continues to perpetuate negative stereotypes about Italian-Americans," DiMino told Fox News.com "If you replace Italian-Americans with any other ethnic groups, would they use such a pejorative term to promote the show?"

DiMino said he was most insulted by MT's usage of the term "guido" to promote the show, which follows eight youngsters at a beach house in Seaside Heights N.J. including cast members "Paulie D," "Jenni J-WOW" and "Vinnie."

"It's really a buffoon-type person who acts crass and vulgar," DiMino said of the slur. "When we saw these promos, it confirmed our fears. Those promotions are a disgrace."

The show has been billed by MTV as the network's newest reality show that "exposes one of the tri-state's most misunderstood species...the GUIDO."

"Beach by day, dancing and partying all night," reads Jersey Shore's Web site. "They'll live, work and rage together until the summerends. There's no spray tan too orange, no hair too spiked and no bod too tight for this crew."

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving originally aired on CBS in 1973 and won an Emmy Award the following year.

The special opens with Lucy enticing Charlie Brown to kick the football she is holding. Charlie Brown at first refuses, correctly suspecting that Lucy will pull it away as always; but Lucy convinces him that kicking the football is a Thanksgiving tradition and that being asked to do is an honor. Charlie Brown decides that Lucy would never pull her trick on a national holiday and ends up getting deceived and landing flat on his back once again.

Charlie Brown gets a call from Peppermint Patty, who invites herself over to Charlie Brown's house for the holiday dinner. Two subsequent phone calls add Marcie and Franklin to the guest list, and since CB cannot get a word in edgewise with Patty, he quickly finds himself in a quandary with no easy solution--at least not until Linus shows up.

Linus suggests to CB that he could have two dinners: the first one for Patty and her friends and then the second one at his grandma's home, forcing CB to admit that all he knows how to make is "cold cereal and maybe toast."

Best part of the show: Linus recruits Snoopy and Woodstock to set up a ping-pong table and chairs in the backyard (setting the table has its own problems as Snoopy goes toe-to-toe with an uncooperative, folding chair that comes to life and tortures him). Snoopy and Woodstock set the table, then help CB and Linus with the food. When the food is readied, Snoopy and a reluctant Woodstock go to Snoopy's doghouse and dress in Pilgrim clothing. They return to the house with Snoopy holding a musket, which fires unexpectedly and causes CB to freak out.

The guests arrive, and they all make their way to the backyard for the feast. Linus leads the group in prayer and Snooopy serves up the food, throwing the plates to each guest Frisbee-style. Each person gets:
- Two slices of buttered toast,
- Some pretzel sticks,
- A handful of popcorn
- A few jelly beans.

'New Moon' sucks up $140 million at box office

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" sucked up $140.7 million in its first three days, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Opening at No. 2 domestically this weekend was the Warner Bros. football drama "The Blind Side" with $34.5 million. The film stars Sandra Bullock in the real-life story of Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher, who was a homeless teen taken in by a wealthy family and enrolled in private school.

As with "New Moon," females were the big fans of "The Blind Side," accounting for 59% of the audience, an unusual split for a movie with a sports theme.

"Football happens to be a part of the story, but it's really more about family and inspiration," said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. head of distribution.

The previous weekend's top movie, Sony's disaster tale "2021," slipped to a third-place with $26.5 million. Sony also had the No. 4 entry with $12.6 million debut for its animated adventure "Planet 51."

Lionsgate's acclaimed drama "Precious: Based on the Noel 'Push' by Sapphire took in $11 million.

The huge spike in business this weekend sets the stage for big crowds over Thanksgiving, one of the busiest periods of the year at theaters. After a strong run in limited release, George Clooney's animated comedy "Fantastic Mr. Fox" expands into nationwide release the day before Thanksgiving.

Bullock Shines in Blind Side

The Blind Side is based on the true story of Michale Oher, a rookie offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. It's also the tale of a homeless African-American teen adopted by big-hearted white yuppies. Here's what some critics had to say about the crowd-pleasing flick.

"The overwhelming reaction upon seeing this Oscar-worthy performance is "finally!" followed quickly by, 'Why the heck did it take so long?'" Mike Granberry of the Dallas Morning News says of Bullock's star turn as Memphis interior designer Leigh Anne Tuohy.

"The overriding virtue of the movie is that it fleshes out the inspiring idea that a young man from a destructive environment can bloom in a caring one," writes Mike Sragow in Oher's new hometown paper, the Baltimore Sun, "even if he's already in his teens when he gets there."

"Despite the accuracy of much of the story, the film still suffers from a saccharine overdose and unnecessary touches meant to lend credibility," Matthew Odam writes for the American-Statesman and Hancock errs when he "chooses to tell his story solely through the eyes of the loving but self-righteous Leight Anne."

Brad Pitt turns down UAE offer of 5 million

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Brad Pitt caused a stir after he failed to show up at a massive event in the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi, costing the actor a whopping $5 million, press reports said today.

Pitt was scheduled to make an appearance at the Grand Prix Ball Abu Dhabi on October 31, but he apparently turned down the event to spend the night trick-or-treating for Halloween in Los Angeles with his six children and partner Angelina Jolie.

"He's spending more time with the family and doing less of these appearances, even though it's a huge sum of cash," a source told Life and Style magazine.

A spokesperson for the event, which featured performances from singers Beyonce Knowles, Aerosmith and Timbaland, and raised money for clean water charity fresh 20, admitted Pitt had been expected to attend and was unsure why he had shunned the huge appearance fee.

"We were told he would be attending as the guest of the Tourism Development and Investment Company. But he was a no-show, and nobody seemed to know why," James Magee, a rep for Global event Management said.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, the critically acclaimed record-breaking Broadway production is now in its L.A. premiere engagement for the holidays at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood.

To my surprise, more adults than children showed up to Tuesday night's performance and they seemed to be having a great time, booing and hissing when Mr. Grinch came on stage.

Thousands of families have been delighted by this heart-warming musical which The New York Times praised as "100 times better than any bedside story." Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animates series.

Max the dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small" decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Tim Mason breathe new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas.

John Larroquette is probably best known for his portrayal of Dan Fielding on the long running NBC sitcome, Night Court. Larroquette won four consecutive Emmys for that role. His numerous television credits include Boston Legal, The West Wing, Law & Order, House, Chuck and many others. Films include Stripes, Richie Rich, Altered States and Blind Date. His stage work began in the mid 1970's in Los Angeles and he has been seen in Enter Laughing, Long Day's Journey into Night and Endgame.

People's Sexiest Man Alive: Johnny Depp!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

For just the third time ever, there is a two-time winner of People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" award.

On Wednesday, Johnny Depp joined Brad Pitt (1995 and 2000) and George Clooney (1997 and 2006) as the only two-time winners of the much-debated title. It was something of a surprise: Usually People's sexiest man is coming off a year spent in the public spotlight because of a major movie release. Depp, who won in 2003, breaks the mold, winning despite his keeping a low profile in 2009.

And according to the U.K. Daily Mail, that profile is about to get a lot larger. Its Web site is reporting that depp has just signed to film a fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "On Stranger Tides," in return for a whopping $35 million payday.

Israel uses Facebook to spy on Arabs and Muslims

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

For Facebook users updating their statuses or posting family pictures is for their select friends list but according to a new report the information most people believe is private is actually being used by Israel to profile and spy on them to obtain valuable information.

According to "reliable" sources quoted in France-based, Israel Magazine, Israeli intelligence focuses mainly on Arabs and Muslim users and uses the information obtained through the FB pages to analyze their activities and understand how they think.

The extensive report allegedly ruffled some feathers in the Israeli government and diplomatic circles and Israel's ambassador to Paris accused the magazine of "making classified information available to the enemy."

Israel's covert activity was uncovered in May 2001, Gerard Niroux, Professor of Pschology at France's Provence University said.

"It is an intelligence network made up of Israeli psychologists who lure youths from the Arab world, especially from countries located within the range of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in addition to countries in Latin America," Niroux said.

Niroux said a huge number of men use the networking site to meet women and warned this was unsafe as it is the best way to lure men and find their weak points.

"It is very easy to spy on men using women," he told the magazine.

This is not the first time Israel has been accused of using FB to spy on people and in April 2008 Jordanian paper al-Haqiiqa al-Dawiliya published an article entitled "Hidden Enemy" making the same claims.

The paper said it was dangerous because people, especially the youth, often reveal intimate and personal details about themselves on FB and similar online communities, making them easy targets for people looking in.

The fact that Israel uses FB to spy on Arabs is not just confined to media reports, but it is a general sentiment shared by people in the region.

Israel has a long history of espionage in the Middle East. During the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars, Israel used to thoroughly examine the obituary pages in Arab newspapers, leading the Egyptian army to ban publishing obituaries of military personnel.

'2012' destroys worldwide box office

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Sony's Roland Emmerich disaster movie "2012" crushed the worldwide box office, grossing an estimated $160 million at the foreign box office and an estimated $65 million domestically for a total haul of $225 million.

According to Variety, other titles making headlines domestically were Lionsgate's "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire," which zoomed to No. 4 even though playing in just 174 locations.

Twentieth Century Fox's prestige family film "Fantastic Mr. Fox," from Wes Anderson, successfully raided the chicken coop, grossing an estimated $260,000 from four runs in New York and L.A.

Focus Features, however, saw a disappointing start for Brit pic"Pirate Radio." The film grossed just $2.9 million.

A Toast to Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in!

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Cast members from the 1960's comedy show "Laugh-In" turned out in full force at the Universal Hilton for a benefit for "Actors and Others for Animals."

Barbara Feldon (Get Smart), Arte Johnson, Loretta Swit, (Mash), Nancy Sinatra, Rip Taylor, George Schlatter, radio announcer Gary Owens, Mary Ann Mobley, Gary Collins and A&O President JoAnne Worley schmoozed with party goers and fans at the benefit which was honoring actor Dick Van Patten.

"I love animals," enthused Van Patten. "I've had them all my life."

"I like both cats and dogs," admitted Barbara Feldon, who showed up in a sophisticated brown pantsuit.

"Every dime we earn goes directly to the animals," said Loretta Swit, who posed for pictures with fans and animal lovers.

"Where ever I go, my Yorkie Harmony goes," shouted JoAnne Worley, who sported a red fluffy boa. "I even snuck her into Sardis restaurant in New York when I was performing on Broadway. She's also a good flight companion and never whines or complains and she even has her own seat!"

Also posing for pictures with celebrities at the silent auction was Aqui a German Shepard bomb-sniffing dog, who was there with his two female handlers. Nancy Sinatra admired some Marilyn Monroe paintings, while Gary Collins chatted up comic Arte Johnson.

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In turned out to be one of the most successful mid-season replacements, ranking right up there with "All in the Family" and it was just as controversial. This groundbreaking variety show gave the world such memorable catch-phrases as "very interesting, " "ring my chimes," "sock it to me," and "Here Comes The Judge."

Hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, this unique variety show was a fast moving barage of jokes, one-liners, running skits, musical numbers as well as making fun of social and political issues of the late 1960s.

Actors and Others for Animals was founded in 1971 to promote the humane treatment of animals and to improve their quality of life while fostering an awareness and appreciation of the importance they have in our lives. Then as now, celebrity members volunteer to use their media ppeal to help educate and shape public awareness about animals in crisis.

Saudi King, Obama top Forbes most powerful list

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

President Barack Obama can add another accolade to his already long list of awards after being named the world's most powerful person by Forbes magazine, while Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz came in 9th.

"The goal in compiling this list is to expose power and not glorify it and over time reveal how influence is as easily lost as it is hard to gain," the magazine said.

World and industry leaders dominated the top 10 of the list, which Forbes said was asessed on the number of people the person influences, their ability to project power beyond their immediate sphere of influence, their control of financial resources and how actively that person wields power.

The top 10 list is as follows:
1. U.S. President Barack Obama
2. Chinese President Hu Jintao
3. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
4. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
5. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page
6. Carlos Slim, of Mexico's Telmex
7. Rupert Murdoch, chairman of media group News Corp.
8. Michale T. Duke, Chief exec, Wal-Mart stores
9. Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz
10. Bill Gates, co-chairman, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Taylor Swift tops CMAs with four awards

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

It's been Taylor Swift's year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year award.

Swift won all four awards for which she was nominated, making history on a historic night that included Darius Rucker's win as new artist.

"I'll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said through tears as she accepted the association's highest honor during ceremonies in Nashville.

Angelina Jolie set to adopt an Arab child

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

After making it on America's "axis of evil," Syria will now become synonymous with Angelina Jolie's brood as the actress looks set to adopt a child from the Arab nation despite her partner Brad Pitt's objections.

The Oscar winning actress, has reportedly started the process to bring home a baby girl from the Arab country, O.K.! Magazine reported today.

Pitt, who already has three adopted children, as well as three biological ones with Jolie, is said to have rejected the idea because he is uneasy about fathering a seventh child, but it seems Jolie is insisting.

A spokesman for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Washington D.C., confirmed that "only Angelina's name was on the adoption papers."

"It is clear that the Syrian people, no matter the challenges or difficulties they may face, have always shown generous hospitality to people in need," local news agency ChamPress quoted Jolie as saying during her October trip to Jaramana, near Damascus.

"I hope that the rest of the world recognizes that we all have to share the burden and continue to take care of Iraqi refugees," Jolie said.

The Hollywood couple reportedly met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife in Syria.

'A Christmas Carol' rakes in $31 million

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

While Disney's "A Christmas Carol" raked in $31 million at the box office this weekend, Lionsgate's "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" scored a specialty record with $1.8 million at only 18 runs in the U.S.

According to Variety, that averages to $100,000 per screen, a record for a film opening in under 50 theaters.

Overseas, "A Christmas Carol" was beat by "This Is it," which grossed $29 million and in No. 3 was George Clooney starrer "The Men Who Stare at Goats," which opened to $13.3 million. Coming in No. 4 was Universal's Milla Jovovich sci-fi thriller "The Fourth Kind," launching to a better-than-expected $12.5 million.

Warner Brother's Cameron Diaz-James Marsden horror film "The Box" didn't fare as well in its debut, grossing $7.9 million in No. 6, behind Paramount's sleeper blockbuster "Paranormal Activity."

Picked up at the Sundance Film Festival in January, "Precious" tells the troubling, but ultimately redemptive story of an obese teenager (played by newcomer Gabby Sadibe), struggling with her life in Harlem. The pic no doubt got a major boost when Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry signed on as exec producers after Sundance to lend their names and clout to help market the picture.

"The challenge was getting people to come in to the theater. We are hearing stories that people didn't want to leave the auditorium because they wanted to decompress," Lionsgate prexy of distribution David Spitz said.

Sesame Street and Big Bird celebrates 40 years

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

The self-renewing "Sesame Street" is forever young.

A realm of sunny days where everything is A-OK, the series starts its new season with episode 4,187, which features the letter H and, naturally the number 40. With it and the 25 new hours that follow, "Sesame Street" will continue to explore its chosen habitat--and experiment with how it does the job.

"We think of every year as experimental," says Carol-Lynn Parente, the show's executive producer and "this new season is just part of that continuing evolution."

To meet expectations of its audience 40 years later, each new episode has been reformatted as an hourlong block composed of modular programming parts.

Murray Monster, a lively orange Muppet, hosts each episode's four segments. These include Abby Cadabby in the new "Abby's Flying Fairy School," which marks the first time a "Sesame Street" character has been transformed into CGI animation.

The program is also kicking off "My World is Green and Growing," a two-year science initiative designed to increase positive attitudes toward nature and environment.

With that in mind, first lady Michelle Obama visits Sesame Street to plant vegetable seeds with Elmo and several young flesh-and-blood gardeners.

Regarding Big Bird, he fast became a signature figure on "Sesame Street." Early on, he appeared solo on the cover of Time Magazine, which dubbed his show "TV's Gift to Children."

South Korean woman passes driver's exam on 950th try.

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

A woman in South Korea who tried to pass the written exam for a driver's license with near-daily attempts since 2005, has finally succeeded on her 950th time.

The aspiring driver spent more than $4,200 in application fees, but until now had failed to score the minimum 60 out of a possible 100 points needed to get behind the wheel for a driving test.

Police said Cha Sa-soon, 68, took the test hundreds of times, but had no specific total. Local media said she took the test 950 times. Now she must pass a driving test before getting her license.

'Yogi Bear' the movie

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Anna Faris, Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake are heading to Jellystone Park as part of Warner Brother's live-action animated film"Yogi Bear."

According to Variety, shooting is expected to start in New Zealand next month.

The amiable blond Faris is in negotiations to portray a documentary filmmaker in "Yogi." She recently voiced a role in "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and toplined "The House Bunny."

Aykroyd is in negotiations to voice Yogi and Timberlake's in talks to voice Boo-Boo, Yogi's cute sidekick.

Yogi's character, inspired by Art Cartney's portrayal of Ed Norton on "The Honeymooners," first appeared in Hanna-Barbera cartoons in 1958 and was voiced by Daws Butler.

Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr.

With "Sherlock Holmes," Robert Downey Jr and director Guy Ritchie also recreate old London while reinventing Arthur Conan Doyle's brainy, monkish detective as an action hero, verbal quipster--and even a bit of a lover.

Downey's Holmes fights with fists, clubs, pistols and hammers, trades odd-couple banter with best buddy and roomate Watson (Jude Law), and shares romantic moments with the only woman (Rachel McAdams), who ever got the better of him.

It was a nice change of pace for Downey after he leaped to the box office A-list with last year's comic-book blockbuster "Iron Man."

"It was such a radical departure," Downey said. "A period piece. A very, very established kind of iconic image comes to mind when you think of Sherlock Holmes. Whereas Iron Man was a relatively unknown quote-unquote second tier superhero...until last year."

Jim Carrey's Scrooge rings in holiday season

Hollywood loves money. So does Ebenezer Scrooge. So what better way to launch the holiday season than putting the old money-grubber at the head of the line to separate movie-goers from their cash?

The latest version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" features Jim Carrey as Scrooge. Coming on Ebenezer's coattails will be everything from vampire romance ("The Twilight Saga: New Moon") and end-of-the-world stories ("2012," "The Road,") to epic science fiction ("Avatar") and a new incarnation of the world's greatest detective ("Sherlock Holmes").

Presented in 3-D, "Disney's A Christmas Carol" is the lateset from Oscar-winning director Robert Zemeckis, who presents Dickens' London with the same performance-capture technology he used on "The Polar Express" and "Beowulf."

Carrey and such co-stars as Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn, Colin Firth and Bob Hoskins worked on a bare soundstage, their bodies covered with sensors so digital cameras could record their performances in 360 degrees. Sets, costumes and other details were filled in later by computer animation.

"It was the idea of being able to actually recreate London and not have any limitations whatsoever. Anything that existed at the time we could present," Zemeckis said. "Then the idea that Jim could play Scrooge in all the different ages and the ghosts, they could be his alter-ego and he could play those. Everything just fell into place."

George of the Jungle Cartoon on DVD

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

George of the Jungle was an animated TV series produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott, who created Rocky and Bullwinkle. It ran for 17 episodes on Saturday mornings from September 9 to December 30, 1967 on ABC.

Based on the popular Tarzan story, George (voiced by Bill Scott), is a dim-witted but big-hearted "ape man" who is called upon each episode to save inhabitants of the jungle from various threats.

In the opening title, George is depicted swinging on vines, repeatedly slamming face-first into trees or other obstacles even as theme-song singers warn him to "watch out for that tree!" Another running gag is that George keeps forgetting that he lives in a treehouse, falling to the ground every time he leaves home.

George's two most frequent foes are a pair of hunters named Tiger and Weevil (as were Boris and Natasha to Rocky and Bullwinkle). Tiger, the taller of the two, wears a pith helmet and khakis and has a pencil moustache; while Weevil wears a white t-shirt and shorts with a hat. George's beloved "mate" is Ursula, a Jane-like character far brighter than George, whom George refers to as "Fella." George's closest friend is an ape named Ape, who speaks with a cultured British accent and like Ursula, is far brighter than George. George also has a pet elephant named Shep, who behaves like a dog. There's also Tooky Tooky bird famous for his call: "Ah ah ee ee tooky tooky."

Unlike previous Ward series, the animation production was done in Hollywood using veteran animators Phil Duncan, Rod Scribner and Rudy Zamora. Each segment's theme song was written by the team of Stan Worth and Sheldon Allman, among others.

In 1997, the segment was adapted into a live action film titled "George of the Jungle." Brendan Fraser played the title role, with Leslie Mann as Ursula, John Cleese as the voice of Ape and Thomas Hayden Church as the villain.

Mel Gibson, girlfriend welcome baby girl

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Mel Gibson became a father for the eighth time on Friday when his girlfriend, musician Oksana Grigorieva gave birth to a baby girl, People confirms.

"This will confirm that Oksana and Mel welcomed the arrival of a baby girl named Lucia on Friday, October 30, 2009, at an undisclosed hospital in Los Angeles," says Gibson's rep, Alan Nierob, confirming earlier reports of the event. No further details were available.

"Everything is great! They couldn't be happier," a friend tells People. "Everyone is healthy and thrilled. He looooves it!"

Gibson, 53, was at Grigorieva's side in LA until she and the baby went home from the hospital, then he flew to New York Sunday to resume shooting The Beaver, costarring Jodie Foster.

Their daughter's birth was first reported by Radar online.

Can a Rabbi save Jon Gosselin?

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Claiming he's "misunderstood," Jon Gosselin of the blockbuster reality series "Jon & Kate Plus 8" has been seeking spiritual guidance from fellow TLC star Rabbi Shmuley Boteach to repair his relationships and reputation." "Jon's a man with a good heart who sincerely wants to correct...mistakes he's made," says the Rabbi, who is counseling Gosselin, 32, to stop dating 22-year-old Hailey Glassman. But does this exercise deserve to be taken seriously?

This is about narcissism, not religion: Boteach is a "snake-oil salesman, and a publicity whore." In fact, "both of them" might be, says Foster Kamer at Gawker, "I'm not sure which behavior here begets the other, but whatever it is, wherever it comes from, this can't be good for the kids, the Jews, Anybody Who's Ever Devoted Faith to Anything."

If it's for real, this consultation shouldn't be happening in public: if the goal is to wean Jon Gosselin from his reckless addiction to fame, asks Vicki Hyman in the Newark Star-Ledger, "maybe Boteach should have continued Gosselin's counseling in private as opposed to this public gawkfest?"

Let's give him the benefit of the doubt: "Maybe it's just the Halloween vibe or something," says Maria Gonzalez at Buddy TV, "but it sounds as though Jon Gosselin is serious about finding his inner peace."

Mickey Rooney Finds God

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Mickey Rooney is an unabashed Christian.

"I've given my life to God," he admitted at the 54th Annual Thalians Ball in Beverly Hills. "I try to do the right thing, but inevitably, and unfortunately, I do the wrong thing."

The turning point in his life, he claims, was when he was eating lunch at a Lake Tahoe diner and he was approached by a blonde, cherubic bussboy who whispered in his ear "Jesus loves you."

"When I turned around again to get a better look at him, he had disappeared!" Rooney marveled. "Then when I asked the manager who that young blonde bussboy was, he said he'd never seen him before. I felt like I was visited by an angel."

Rooney has starred in some of the biggest films in Hollywood history. He became a household name in the Andy Hardy series. He later appeared in classic movies like "A Midsummer's Night Dream," "The Black Stallion," "National Velvet," "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and slew of other flicks.

"I've never had the urge to slow down," Rooney said. "I love working and what I hate in this business is age discrimination. It sucks. I'd like to make even more movies. I say 'Bravo' to Arnold Scharzenegger and 'Bravo' to Bruce Willis. But what's wrong with making a picture with Mickey Rooney?"

When asked how he feels about the religious right he said matter-of-factly, "There is no right or left. It's all been knocked about. I'm not a liberal or a conservative or a middle of the roader or a democrat or a republican--I'm an American and a religious one at that. I believe the world is in such a tumultuous state that we are in the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah."

The 54th Annual Thalians Ball honored Rooney tonight along with founders Debbie Reynolds and Ruta Lee, who hosted the evening.

"I think the Thalians is a wonderful organization," said Debbie Reynolds. "And I'm glad Mickey came out tonight so we could honor him. This is going to be a great evening."

"I love Mickey Rooney," enthused bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno, who is working on an upcoming TV reality series. "I've always been a big fan of his."

Also on hand was director Gary Marshall who happily posed for photogs.