IN THE NEWS...

[stallion]

It's good to see that other countries are getting in on the blaming of the entertainment industry for bad parenting-

GTA linked to homicide in Japan

Game industry suffers more troubles as a 15-year-old accused killer is reported to be a fan of Grand Theft Auto III.
TOKYO--Japan was shocked this week by an incident where a 15-year-old boy has allegedly murdered his parents, by battering them and then slashing them to death. He then concealed his crime by blowing up their Tokyo apartment, using home-made explosives.


Today, some media outlets are reporting that the boy's schoolmates have described him as an average student who loved playing video games, and that he was a fan of Grand Theft Auto III.

The boy was arrested yesterday at a hot springs resort in Gunma prefecture. According to police, the boy admitted to his crime when confronted, reportedly saying, "I wanted to kill my father since he made a fool out of me. I decided to kill my mother as well, since she was always saying that she wanted to die because of all the work she had to do. I felt sorry for her."

Grand Theft Auto III's Japanese publisher, Capcom--and the entire Japanese game industry--have been facing an onslaught of criticism recently, primarily in Kanagawa prefecture where the local government has decided to put age restrictions on the sale of the game.

By Hirohiko Niizumi -- GameSpot
POSTED: 06/22/05 06:28 PM PST

[MASON]

I am too lazy to post the article, but Lil' Kim was sentenced to a year and a day in jail and fined $50,000 for perjury. This just proves that the system works. Money will not buy your way out of jail. Michael Jackson is innocent; Lil' Kim is not.

[CaticusRex]

Correction:

Michael Jackson IS guilty

Lil Kim is guilty too

Thank you

THIS I COMMAND

[MASON]

"Not Guilty"

Those two words started the Summer Of Pa$$ion!

[stallion]

And look how well it's gone for you so far.

[muthagoose]

David Lee Roth is rumored to be replacing Howard Stern

FMQB.com is reporting that former VAN HALEN frontman David Lee Roth is rumored to be replacing Howard Stern as Infinity Broadcasting's next radio star after The King Of All Media winds down his run on terrestrial radio. The Roth rumor, which has legs, was started by a report from Steppin' Out magazine's Chaunce Hayden.

In an online post, Hayden wrote: "Howard Stern's successor has been found! It's none other than '80s rocker David Lee Roth. Infinity Broadcasting isn't commenting and Roth has been asked to keep mum until it's officially announced. But an inside source at Infinity has confirmed the signing. Roth auditioned for the job both in L.A. and Boston and got very positive feed back from listeners. Roth has been running ads in trade publications looking for a producer 'For a HUGE radio show.' Roth is said to be taking over for Stern in early September, three months before the shock jocks contract is due to expire."

When reached last night (July 6) about this report, Infinity VP of Communications Karen Mateo told FMQB the company was "looking at a number of personalities to replace Howard" and added there was not an announcement pending. A call by FMQB to Roth's management has gone unreturned.

The Roth rumor could fit though. Diamond Dave has done a couple stints at Infinity outlets WZLX/Boston and KLSX/Los Angeles. If the rumor comes to fruition, it remains to be seen what stations Roth would pick up, as Infinity chairman and CEO Joel Hollander has stated that numerous personalities would likely replace Stern across his current affiliates.

[Üncle Snake]

LAS VEGAS (AP) – A fan who was smacked by comedian Gallagher during a performance has filed a lawsuit, claiming he was severely injured.
The complaint filed by Edwin May III in Clark County District Court on Monday follows a decision last week by prosecutors not to file misdemeanor battery charges against the 58-year-old comedian.
In the lawsuit, May said Gallagher became agitated during a May 27 show at the Riverside hotel-casino in Laughlin and struck him on the side of the head, damaging his hearing and inflicting extreme emotional, physical and psychological harm.
Gallagher, whose real name is Leo Anthony Gallagher, couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The comedian has said he struck May as part of his act.
May is seeking a minimum of $80,000 in damages plus lawyer's fees from Gallagher and the Riverside resort, which is named as a co-defendant.
Hotel officials have said they fired Gallagher after the Memorial Day weekend incident, though the comedian says he quit.
Gallagher is best known for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer.


Isn't simply going to a Gallagher show enough to inflict "extreme emotional, physical and psychological harm?"

[muthagoose]

Sandra Bullock Reportedly Weds Mechanic
Monday, July 18, 2005

SOLVANG, Calif. — Actress Sandra Bullock married mechanic and reality TV star Jesse James at a ranch near Santa Barbara, according to reports.

Bullock, 40, and James, 35, exchanged vows Saturday in front of several hundred guests at the Folded Hills Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley's wine country.

Guests included actor William Shatner, actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Regina King, and Metallica lead singer James Hetfield, according to "Entertainment Tonight" and Us Weekly magazine.

Many in Hollywood have been surprised at the pairing of the tattooed bad boy James and the on-screen good girl Bullock. They met in 2003.

It's the first marriage for "Miss Congeniality" star Bullock, who had been engaged to actor Tate Donovan. She recently played the wife of a district attorney in the film "Crash."

James, who previously married twice and has three children, appears on The Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage."

- - - >

Muthagoose says: Now that is a pairing for ya. ETL style fool!

[mavhimself]

very etl yes. the etl equivelent would be the girl was a school teacher and the dude would be unemployed and have 3 kids.

mav himself.

[stallion]

I'm glad to see the eastern shore syndrome has struck Hollywood.

[muthagoose]

Howard Stern, who is literally counting the days before he leaves terrestrial radio for satellite, pumped up the volume on widely circulating replacement rumors by revealing on the air Monday that comedian Adam Carolla and ex-rocker David Lee Roth will take over his popular morning time slot, at least in the Los Angeles and New York markets respectively.

If true, the personnel moves by Infinity Broadcasting — whose contract with Stern expires at the end of the year — suggest that multiple radio personalities in regional markets will be used to fill in for the shock jock who routinely bills himself as the "king of all media."

Infinity officials did not return phone calls for comment about Stern's on-air revelations. Since rumors about Roth began swirling earlier this month, the Viacom-owned company has maintained that no announcement regarding Stern is imminent.

Meanwhile, radio analysts — and Stern himself — have speculated that Infinity may dump the New York-based personality as early as September, reasoning that advertisers would be reluctant to buy ads knowing that Stern would soon be off the air.

Roth, best remembered for his rowdy rocker days as front man for the rock group Van Halen and later as a solo artist, has been experimenting with his "Diamond Dave" morning show at a classic-rock station in Boston. The singer still tours occasionally and has a performance scheduled July 29 in Redding.

Carolla is currently cohost, along with Dr. Drew Pinsky, of the nationally syndicated radio program "Loveline," which broadcasts often sexually explicit advice, mostly to teens and twentysomethings. The show is heard locally on KROQ-FM (106.7). The longtime comic, who has been a frequent guest on Stern's radio show, earned a reputation for dry wit and ribald humor as the previous cohost of Comedy Central's "The Man Show."

Phone calls for Roth and Carolla were not returned.

Stern made his announcement Monday morning on his show — broadcast locally on KSLX-FM (97.1) — following an elaborate hourlong ruse he staged in which it appeared Roth already had taken over the show and the longtime shock jock has been summarily bounced out of his job. In fact, Stern used comic Bill Mira, who has been doing a credible Roth voice imitation for months for the show, to be "Diamond Dave." Monday was Stern's first day back on the air after a two-week vacation.

The hoax fooled several television and radio outlets in New York, which dispatched news crews to cover the story. Meanwhile, irate fans phoned into register their disgust and dismay over the unexpected switch while others expressed their shock on fan websites. For example, "Bong-Hit Eric," a frequent caller to the show, phoned in alarmed that his marijuana might have been tainted with angel dust after hearing "Diamond Dave" instead of Stern.

The 51-year-old radio personality is a recognized master at manipulating the media and is famous for his embellishments and exaggerations. On Monday's show, for instance, reacting for the first time to the London terrorist bombings, Stern suggested that the United States should start dropping nuclear bombs on countries suspected of hiding Osama bin Laden until he is turned over to the U.S.

Last year, Stern signed a five-year agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio worth an estimated $500 million. The network is betting that much of Stern's fan base will follow him to a subscription-only service, which charges about $13 per month, but is free of much of the language and taste restrictions imposed by the Federal Communications Commission on traditional radio formats.

[muthagoose]

Pam and Tommy to Wed.... again....

World Entertainment News Network is reporting that MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has confirmed he and his ex-wife Pamela Anderson are set to exchange vows for the third time.

After days of speculation about the couple's on-off love affair after they were spotted holidaying together in Hawaii, Lee has revealed they are planning another big day.

In an e-mail to entertainment news show "Access Hollywood", Lee answered the marriage question by stating, "Yes, I love Pamela. That's my girl."

As for a date for the big day, he added, "No date yet, baby. Soon!"

The pair tied the knot on a beach just days after they met in 1995. They remarried shortly after, wearing space suits — and went on to have two sons together, but divorced in 1998 after Lee was arrested for spousal abuse.

[mavhimself]

speaking of very etl.

mav himself.

[stallion]

That reminds me of a joke-
Q: What do you tell a woman with two black eyes?



A: Nothing! You already told her twice!
(From the Jason ...oh my God... I can't fight it.... I love the cock... ummmmm tasty! True ETL Story)

[The Duke]

hahahahahahaha That is pretty damn funny Stallion!

[stallion]

Duke, I've said it before and I'll say it again-It would be funny if it weren't true. I think it's time that I unleash some Stallion's True ETL Stories on the messageboard....stay tuned.

[muthagoose]

Sex scenes force re-rating of best-selling game
Company admits explicit sex built into game disc

Wednesday, July 20, 2005; Posted: 7:47 p.m. EDT (23:47 GMT)

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" contains explicit sexual content that players can unlock.


SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- The video game industry on Wednesday changed to adults-only the rating of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," a best-selling title in which explicit sexual content can be unlocked with an Internet download.

The decision followed intense pressure from politicians and media watch groups.

Grand Theft Auto's producer, Rockstar Games, said it was now working on a new version of the game that would satisfy the original "M" for mature rating. It said it would provide new labels to any retailer willing to continue selling the version currently on store shelves.

Rockstar's parent, Take Two Interactive, also admitted for the first time Wednesday that the sex scenes had been built into the retail game -- not just the PC version but also those written for Xbox and PlayStation2 consoles.

Company officials had previously suggested that a modification created by outsiders added the scenes to the game, last year's best seller in consoles.

"There is sex content in the disc," Take-Two spokesman Jim Ankner told The Associated Press. "The editing and finalization of any game is a complicated task and it's not uncommon for unused and unfinished content to remain on the disc."

Rating change will hurt company

The sex scenes, inserted in a game whose main character seeks bloody vengeance on gang-filled streets while pickup scantily clad women, had prompted outrage from parent's groups and politicians including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York.

In a statement, the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) said the sex scenes were programmed by Rockstar "to be inaccessible to the player."

But ESRB chief Patricia Vance also acknowledged that the "credibility and utility" of the industry-run board's initial "M" rating had been "seriously undermined."

Many retailers sell "M" rated games, which "may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older," according to the rating board, but won't sell "AO"-labeled games at all.

Take-Two also said Wednesday that it expects to suffer financially. It lowered its expectations for its current quarter and fiscal year to set aside funds for returns of the games, and figured that net sales could decrease by more than $50 million during the quarter ending July 31.

Shares of Take-Two rose 12 cents to close at $27.07 on the Nasdaq, but later dropped $3.07, or 11.3 percent, in after-hours activity.

The ratings change was vindication for Patrick Wildenbourg, the Dutch programmer who developed and freely distributed the modification that unlocked the controversial content in the game's PC version.

Such "mods" are wildly popular in the hardcore gaming community and -- authorized or not -- exploit the medium's interactive nature to extend the playing life of many popular titles.

Group calls for recall, refunds

Take-Two president Paul Eibeler stressed in a statement that only an unauthorized "mod" makes the sex scenes available, and said "the decision to re-rate a game based on an unauthorized third party modification presents a new challenge for parents, the interactive entertainment industry and anyone who distributes or consumes digital content."

That prompted an angry reaction from David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on the Media and the Family, a Minneapolis-based group that monitors the industry.

Walsh criticized Rockstar for what he called a "carefully worded statement" that leaves the impression that "modders" are responsible for the content. "They did not take responsibility for the fact that this code was created within their company and placed on disks and shipped to responsible retailers."

The Parents Television Council, another group that monitors sex and violence in the media, said it was pleased with the rating switch but called on Rockstar to voluntarily recall the game and offer refunds to anyone who purchased it.

"I tip my cap to that first step of showing responsibility," said Tim Winter, the council's executive director. "Phase two needs to be absolutely getting to the bottom of this coding issue. How did it get into that game? How did it get past the ratings board?"

The ESRB was formed 11 years ago amid congressional pressure to crack down on violent video games. The board now issues ratings for more than 1,000 game titles each year.

Game makers must submit a lengthy form describing the most extreme content, and turn over visual samples and scripted dialogue as each game nears the final stages of development.

[mavhimself]

more bleeding heart mothers out there trying to save the children. the game was rated m for mature for crying out loud. why is this always the game makers fault. if you were a responsible parent you'd research this stuff and know what your kids were getting and make your decisions based on what you think was appropriate. that would be responsible parenting. this shit always slays me, its like when people get cancer from smoking cigarettes and then blame the tobacco companies, hello, mcfly, its fucking smoke! its not exactly vitamin c you're taking in there. as a parent you set the morals for your kid, you set the example, you set the boundries for what is appropriate and inappropriate. rockstar games is trying to make money plain and simple and don't really care who provides that money. if you don't think your children should play the game, its pretty simple, don't let them own it. but that would require some responsibility and standing up to your kids and holding them accountable, which in today's world seems like a little too much work.

mav himself.

[muthagoose]

O.J. Told to Pay $25G For Stealing DirecTV (just like Stomper)
The question is: How long until Stomper is involved in a double homicide?

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

MIAMI — A federal judge has ordered former football star O.J. Simpson to pay $25,000 in damages for pirating satellite television signals from DirecTV .

U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard awarded the damages, plus attorneys' fees and other costs, after granting a motion for summary judgment in a civil suit against Simpson.

In a raid on Simpson's Miami home in 2001, federal agents seized illegal devices known as "bootloaders" that authorities said were used to steal television programming.

Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, said Tuesday that the judge "basically denied us our right to a jury trial. ... This was a decision made by a judge in chambers. They say he did it; we say he didn't. A jury should be able to make that decision."

Simpson was aware of Friday's ruling, Galanter added. Asked whether Simpson would pay the damages and other costs, the attorney said: "We are examining our legal options. ... We want our day in court."

Galanter has 10 days to respond, or the summary judgment stands.

DirecTV executives were pleased with the ruling.

"The evidence was overwhelming since the devices seized in Simpson's home were connected to his TV and in operation and receiving unauthorized signals at the time of the raid," said Dan Fawcett, an executive vice president with El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV Inc.

Simpson moved to Florida from California after he was acquitted of murder charges in the 1994 stabbing deaths of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson , and her friend Ronald Goldman .

A civil jury in 1997 held Simpson liable for the killings and ordered him to pay the victims' survivors $33.5 million. Much of that judgment remains unpaid.

[muthagoose]

Rodman Ticketed Twice in Charity Rally Race

Thursday, July 28, 2005

DENVER — Even when he's doing good, Dennis Rodman (search) comes across as bad, bad, bad. The former NBA (search) star was pulled over for speeding twice Tuesday while driving his gold-and-black Lamborghini (search) in a charity rally race, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

In between, Rodman was involved in a minor crash and later accused of stealing a hat in what he says is a "misunderstanding" at a gas station in Glenwood Springs.

"It's been that kind of day for me," Rodman said by phone late Tuesday.

A clerk at the gas station told police that Rodman tried on a cowboy hat, said he liked it, signed an autograph, then put $20 on the counter for gas.

"Unfortunately $40 worth of gas was put in the car, and there was the cost of the hat to consider," Glenwood Springs Police Chief Terry Wilson told the city's Post Independent newspaper.

Rodman said he went into the gas station to prepay for his gas, then signed several autographs. A female employee gave him a hat, he pumped his gas and left.

"The lady gave it to me," he said, adding that he has the gas receipt. "If they want me to pay for the hat, I'll give them double for it."

Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, said he and Rodman learned of the accusations through the media and hadn't been contacted by authorities.

Prince said Rodman also was in a minor crash when a Ford Mustang with people taking photographs and video of Rodman for his sponsor apparently lost control and hit the bumper and the driver's side of Rodman's car. No one was hurt.

Rodman said he believed Colorado authorities were targeting him because of his flashy car and his celebrity status. He said he would fight the citations.

"They're doing their job," he said, "so there's nothing I can do about it."

[stallion]

Some people just can't get a break. Can't say I feel sorry for either one of them.

[muthagoose]

Police: Man's Testicles Locked In Padlock

Man Could Not Remove Lock For Two Weeks

BRENTWOOD, N.H. -- Emergency workers helped a New Hampshire man out of a difficult situation over the weekend after a friend apparently locked a padlock around his testicles.

According to the Portsmouth Herald, police reported that the 39-year-old man was intoxicated when they arrived at the scene on July 30 at about 3:40 a.m. The man, who was not identified, told them that he had the padlock around his testicles for two weeks.

The man said that a friend put the lock on while he was drunk and passed out. When he woke up, the friend was gone.

"Never in my 13 years have I seen anything like this," Cpl. H.D. Wood told the Herald.

The man told police that he tried to remove the lock with a hacksaw because the key had broken off in the lock.

He was taken to Exeter Hospital, where a locksmith removed the padlock. He was treated and released, and the hospital said he had no lasting injury.
Police said that they did not know the motive for the incident.Police: Man's Testicles Locked In Padlock

Man Could Not Remove Lock For Two Weeks

BRENTWOOD, N.H. -- Emergency workers helped a New Hampshire man out of a difficult situation over the weekend after a friend apparently locked a padlock around his testicles.

According to the Portsmouth Herald, police reported that the 39-year-old man was intoxicated when they arrived at the scene on July 30 at about 3:40 a.m. The man, who was not identified, told them that he had the padlock around his testicles for two weeks.

The man said that a friend put the lock on while he was drunk and passed out. When he woke up, the friend was gone.

"Never in my 13 years have I seen anything like this," Cpl. H.D. Wood told the Herald.

The man told police that he tried to remove the lock with a hacksaw because the key had broken off in the lock.

He was taken to Exeter Hospital, where a locksmith removed the padlock. He was treated and released, and the hospital said he had no lasting injury.
Police said that they did not know the motive for the incident.

[muthagoose]

Strange things are afoot in Mav Himself Country...

- - - >

Strip club stirs outrage with less-than-subtle sign

What's obscene and what isn't? Frankly worded billboard infuriates merchants along Century Boulevard near LAX, but the owner says he's merely promoting his business.

By Andrea Sudano
Daily Breeze



A McDonald's near LAX has a big poster outside showing hamburgers, and a neighboring gas station mini-mart ad displays its snacks and beverages.

And now a nearby strip club and adult shop on Los Angeles' Century Boulevard is advertising exactly what it has to offer -- in very plain language.

Passersby on the busy thoroughfare were greeted Tuesday with a freshly posted sign outside the Century Lounge proclaiming "Vaginas R' Us."

As no surprise, the less-than-subtle advertisement has heads turning and adjacent businesses calling for the sign's removal.

"We don't appreciate the signage and we're working with the city (of Los Angeles) to make sure this establishment is adhering to all codes," said Laurie Hughes, executive director of Gateway to L.A., an association that promotes airport-area businesses along Century Boulevard.

The association has urged its board of directors -- mostly managers and owners of surrounding hotels and businesses -- to write letters to the city government and the owner of land on Century and Aviation boulevards.

Juan Garcia, a manager at the Carl's Jr. restaurant next door to the club, said it was just a matter of time until he receives complaints from customers about the sign.

"It'll bring some comments," he said. "It shouldn't be up there."

But Century Lounge owner Howard White insists he's simply advertising his business, and says it's no different than a Broadway marquee hawking a popular play.

"In sort of a naive way, I felt that there was nothing terrible about it since the 'Vagina Monologues' was on Broadway forever," he said. "I didn't feel there was anything terrible about it."

And technically, there isn't, Los Angeles city officials say.

"The word 'vagina' is not an obscene word and we're not in a position to question the First Amendment," Councilman Bill Rosendahl said.

But White won't get off that easy.

Pasted over a portion of the original sign heralding "Live Nude Nude Nudes," the addition is made of plastic vinyl. The material is combustible and violates municipal code standards for pole signs.

White was served with a citation Thursday, and has until close of business Sunday to replace the sign, said David Keim, chief of code enforcement for the city.

White, whose family has used the corner of Century and Aviation boulevards for various businesses for almost 70 years, does not own the land.

Joe Lumer, a representative for landowner LRW Investment Co., declined to comment on the sign but said, as a tenant, White has his rights. His lease from LRW expires in 2009.

The business association has also contacted popular toy store chain Toys "R" Us in hopes a cease-and-desist letter might speed the sign's removal.

Susan McLaughlin, a Toys "R" Us spokeswoman, said the company was aware of the situation and would be "looking into it immediately."

But surrounding businesses better not get their hopes up. While White says he'll change the materials, the wording is staying -- even if Toys "R" Us' Geoffrey the Giraffe is breathing down his neck.

"If I hear anything from them, I'll just change 'us' to 'Vaginas is Us' or 'Vaginas Are Us,' " he said.

This isn't the first time White has pushed the envelope.

In the 1980s, he was told he couldn't use "nude" in a sign. Instead he displayed "N-U-D-E" in big letters and placed a small "g" between the "d" and "e."

No "nude." Just "nudge."

He kept it up for two weeks.

Association members argue the newest sign only reinforces a seedy image the area has worked hard to shed, and shouldn't be one of the first things visitors to Los Angeles should see after leaving the airport.

Toronto resident Martin McCann has spent the past two weeks traveling throughout California with his wife and two sons.

The Century Lounge wasn't on the family's list of attractions to visit while in Los Angeles, and McCann thought the sign was offensive and unnecessary.

"The 'nude, nude' part already gives you a good idea of what's inside," he said.

But some tourists took a more lighthearted approach.

"I love it," said Andrew Mates, from Sydney, Australia. "It's hilarious. I've never seen anything like it. It's the first thing I saw when we got here."

- - ->

Original Story:
www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/1775087.html

[muthagoose]

The Associated Press is reporting that a breach-of-contract lawsuit brought by the rock group VAN HALEN against the Baltimore Orioles seeking at least $2 million from a failed concert deal will go to trial, a lawyer for the rockers said Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. last week denied the Orioles' motion for summary judgment, and a trial in District Court in Los Angeles is "imminent," according to Howard King, who represents VAN HALEN.

A trial was to have begun this month, King said, but the judge became ill.

A hearing on the Orioles' request for summary judgment was held in July, King said, and Byrne handed down the denial on Aug. 4.

The band contends in the suit filed in August 2004 that the baseball team sought to have it perform the first-ever concert inside Camden Yards and then backed out of the deal.

The proposed deal would have paid VAN HALEN $1.5 million plus 80 percent of ticket and merchandise sales.

[muthagoose]

Pornos rot slower than other magazines: Mason Thrilled

An investigation into the rate of degredation of wood-pulp products in an Australian landfill has determined that porn magazines -- with their coated, glossy pages -- outlast other types of printed matter and will be the last printed items in the landfills to rot away. Fark concludes that this means that "porn will be this civilization's gift to the next civilization."

He found that magazines, newspapers and old bits of wood thrown away up to 46 years ago were in almost perfect condition, with pornography lasting the best of all.

He displayed a 1979 copy of the men's magazine Playboy which was in near mint condition, and said its thick wax coating could be the reason for its longevity.