Beloved Actor Tony Curtis, Dead at 85

Tony Curtis, the beloved actor from “Some Like it Hot,” “Sex and the Single Girl,” and “The Defiant Ones” has died at his Las Vegas home, he was 85.  County Coroners are reporting his death as cardiac arrest.

Tony Curtis was a mainstay in Hollywood, lifting himself from comedic hunk to serious actor, receiving an Oscar Nomination for “The Defiant Ones” in 1958. Curtis became one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. He had the ability to pull off both drama and comedy, and was heavily praised in both. Curtis also was known for his art, spending his later years mainly focused there. He still appeared in many movies and television, but his art was his true love. Some of his paintings can easily fetch over $20,000, and can be seen in such museums as The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Tony Vanderploeg Gallery in Carmel California.

“He died peacefully here, surrounded by those who love him and have been caring for him,” his wife, Jill Curtis, told The Associated Press outside their home. “All Tony ever wanted to be was a movie star. He didn’t want to be the most dramatic actor. He wanted to be a movie star, ever since he was a little kid.”

His daughter with actress Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis, spoke in a prepared statement: “My father leaves behind a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings and assemblages. He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world.”

We at YakkityYaks would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Actor’s family and friends. He will be missed.

‘Big Bang’ Co-stars Secretly Together For Two Years

It looks like the love was not only on-screen for this duo. According to the latest edition of the CBS online Watch Magazine, Kaley Cuoco, star of hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, admits to a happy two-year relationship with co-star Johnny Galecki. The love of Penny and Leonard had a real-life component to it and not just a minor fling, either. Cuoco comments, “This is the first time I’ve ever talked about it, ever. It was a wonderful relationship but we never spoke a word about it and never went anywhere together. We were so protective of ourselves and the show and didn’t want anything to ruin that.” But keeping it so quiet was the hardest part of it all. “Everyone was always asking, and we deny-deny-denied. And I’m like, ‘Why am I denying this person that I love?’ It took a little bit of a toll on me and I think it did for him, too.” Even though this relationship ended on good terms, the 24 year old says she doesn’t plan on dating actors again.

Kaley and Johnny still remain great friends and she makes a point to note that this has not affected the cast dynamic on set. While the off-screen romance lasted 2 years, the on-screen romance spanned for about a season on the hit sitcom. No comment regarding the relationship has been made by Galecki. The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8pm EST/7pm CST on CBS.  What do you think? Are you surprised by this secret pairing?  Let us know in our FORUMS or comment below!

Star Wars in 3D

What…?  Lucasfilm announced today that work is under way to convert the “Star Wars” saga to 3D.

Both sagas, that is six pictures, will get 3D make over and theatrical re-release starting with “Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” which is scheduled to return to theaters in 2012.

The exact release date has not been formally announced, but a Lucasfilm spokesperson said the movie will open wide and possibly worldwide.

Lucas wants to reintroduce the flicks to young Jedi audiences who have become accustomed to 3D and only know ‘Star Wars’ from the old home video.

Another source close to the project called the series “perfectly suited” for 3D and said “I expect this to be as much fun for people that have not experienced ‘Star Wars’ as it was for people who were there in 1977 staring at the screen with mouth agape.”

The time between re-releases has not yet been determined, as that will depend on how fast they can convert all six films to 3D.  Another source close to the project said, “that there are no plans to add or fix visual effects on the movies.”

I say whatever, why change a good thing, as there was nothing wrong with the first trilogy and everything wrong with the second.  Just leave it alone.

What do you think? Let us know here or in the FORUM.

Sally Menke, Editor for Tarantino, Dead at 56

Sally Menke, 56, long time film editor to Quentin Tarantino, was found dead near Griffith Park in Los Angeles. According to law enforcement, Menke had gone for a hike with her dog and a hiking buddy around 9am on Monday. Her friend turned back about an hour later, Menke decided to trek on with her dog. Friends and family of Menke called authorities around 4pm when Menke did not return home.

Monday saw record breaking heat in Los Angeles, with the downtown National Weather Service’s thermometer hitting 113 degrees at about 12:15pm before it broke, giving no more readings, so the temperature, according to the NWS, could have even been higher. Law Enforcement Officials believe the heat could have played a factor in her death.

Menke’s body was found Tuesday morning at around 2am at the bottom of a ravine in Bronson Canyon. Her dog was found alive sitting next to her body. Sources close to the investigation believe the heat played a factor, that she may have become disorientated and collapsed. Ed Winter, Asst. Chief of the Los Angeles County Coroners Office, said the office is investigating whether the heat played a role in her death.

YakkityYaks would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Menke’s friends and family.

Sally J. Menke – 1953-2010

Gloria Stuart, “Titanic” Actress Dies.

Gloria Stuart, Actress, died Sunday night at her West Los Angeles home, said her daughter, writer Sylvia Thompson.  Gloria Stuart, 100, had been diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago.

“She also was a breast cancer survivor,” Thompson said, “but she just paid no attention to illness.  She was a very strong woman and had other fish to fry.

Stuart was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild who later became an accomplished painter and fine printer.  Her career had spanned more than 70 years. Stuart was a 1930s Hollywood leading lady who earned an Academy Award nomination for her first significant role in nearly 60 years — as Old Rose, the centenarian survivor of the “Titanic” in James Cameron’s 1997 Oscar-winning film.

Besides her daughter, Stuart is survived by four grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service will be held.

Gloria Stuart 1910-2010

–UPDATE– Lindsay Lohan… SHOCKER!!! –UPDATE–

–UPDATE–

Celebrity Justice Served!  Lindsay Lohan will be bailed out of jail this weekend and must to wear a SCRAM alcohol-monitoring device, her third to date.

“An order has been signed by Judge Patricia Schnegg granting writ of habeas corpus,” court spokesman Allan Parachini confirmed on Friday. “Bail has been set at $300,000.” According to reports, “she is not allowed to be around known drug users … and must submit to search by law enforcement at any time. Additionally, nightclubs are not allowed… Lindsay has to stay out of places where alcohol is the ‘chief item of sale.’”

As reported earlier today, Lindsay was taken into custody after Judge Elden Fox denied bail and ordered that she stay in jail until her next hearing on October 22.

–Stay tuned to the YAK for updates–

Lindsay Lohan is heading back to jail.  Her mother is shocked… Her father is shocked… the whole world is shocked…  this celebrity injustice must be corrected!  The L.A. county jail system is already overcrowded as it is, therefore, how can we allow this saucy young actress to rot in unflattering prison orange… my goodness are we socialist?

It was widely leaked that she had failed a recent drug test, thus a violation of her probation… for if a mere civilian were to do this, it is understood that they should by all reasonable measure head back to jail and serve their full sentence without any form of clemency whatsoever.

But PEOPLE… we are talking about Lindsay Lohan here!  Yes, she has had her slight issues with dependency…  heck, every person has their vices, whom are we to judge, well, other than “The Judge” presiding over her case.

Americans need to take to the streets and start a “FREE LINDSAY” campaign to bring to the forefront her plight from celebrity justice.  Heck, it is almost equal to a jailed Nelson Mandela! If the people can free Paris Hilton after fifteen minutes, how can the people tolerate poor Lindsay being forced to once again don an orange jumpsuit against her fashionably free will? How can she be expected to be held by her lonesome, out of her mansion and away from the paparazzi in a cramped tiny 8-by-12 foot cell, where she must spend approximately 23 hours a day? That is a lot of hours to be spent in confinement with her thoughts and without the guidance of a script, only to be shortened on days when this poor girl is visited by her shocked loved ones.

We as Americans have an obligation to feel sorry for her, forget about Americans:  fighting in two meaningless wars, hunger, homelessness; after all they are just…. mere ordinary people. We are talking about Lindsay Lohan here and she will make a come back… because America loves a comeback!

Are you with me?  Sign our petition or just let us know what you think in the FORUM.

Much Ado About Nothing!

In a post Betty Boop-Betty Rubble-Jessica Rabbit world, it is difficult to fathom the uproar over Katy Perry’s dress on Sesame Street.  Miss Piggy has worn skimpier outfits, therefore, it seems that the uproar is misguided… and she’s a Muppet!   It seems a silent majority is falling victim to a screaming, crying and ranting minority, which has nothing better to do than to draw attention to something which would have aired without much fanfare.

Based on a few comments revealed recently: — “You can practically see her t*ts. [more],  “they’re gonna have to rename it cleavage avenue,” “my kid wants milk now;”  it seems that the mentality of the boisterous minority is just dripping with style and tact.  Most likely these are the same individuals who watch “South Park” and “The Simpson’s” in the presence of the same young children they are trying to protect from the evil breasts, which can only mean that: cussing, fart jokes and animated violence is okay, and breasts (or visually lack thereof) is an evil this world can do without.

Children, if the segment had aired, would most likely be mesmerized by Elmo and his antics rather than Katy Perry’s breasts.  It is relatively safe to say that if this loud mouthed minority had kept their mouth shut, this day would have passed with hardly a notice that Sesame Street was still on the air, then again PBS should milk it for all it’s worth.

Agree? Disagree? Come let us know in the FORUM!

Big Brother 12 Crowns a Winner!

The Jury of 7 crowned Hayden Moss the winner of Big Brother 12, who walked away with a nice chunk of change of $500,000! The jury votes were as follows:

Lane – Rachel, Brendon, Britney
Hayden – Kathy, Matt, Ragan, Enzo

It came down to the last key to be turned, which was Enzo’s, revealing the tie breaker handing the win to Hayden. (Course those with a keen eye saw Lane’s key sticking out of Enzo’s bag on camera after he put Hayden’s key in the box.)

Now, just because Big Brother is over, the Yak still has all your entertainment needs covered! Be sure to check us out! We will be covering all your favorite shows, Reality and otherwise, plus we have the arcade!  Can you be “King of the arcade?”  Some members may disagree!

“The Big C”… get your mind out of the gutter!

[singlepic id=305 w=320 h=240 float=left]What would you do if you learned you had a year, maybe 18 months to live?  A liberating, philosophical question indeed, and one that was posed in a new Showtime series, “The Big C,”  Starring Laura Linney, whose character has been told just that.

The story begins after: Linney’s “Cathy Jamison” has learned of her fatal diagnosis.  “Cathy” a married high school teacher in Minnesota — has been informed she has Stage IV melanoma and has decided to forgo aggressive treatment that, at best, would buy her only a little more time.  Instead, she sets out to make the most of what life she has left.

Cathy decides to go it alone and not tell anyone of her condition — including her husband played by Oliver Platt, who she kicked to the curb; and son played by Gabriel Basso, both of whom seriously do not understand her as a wife, mother or person.  Her husband who seems to be stuck in a “Panesque” syndrome and her son who is in serious need of a reality check, as he apparently has never met discipline he couldn’t crack.   We also get the slightly awkward exchanges between “Cathy” and her doctor (Reid Scott), the one person to whom she can confide as well as a pseudo love interest, whereby she later learns that she was his first [fatal diagnosis] and she offhandedly proclaims that “you always remember your first” something she hadn’t been in a very long time.

Continue reading ““The Big C”… get your mind out of the gutter!”

FCU: FACT CHECKERS UNIT

[singlepic id=302 w=320 h=240 float=left]Just out!  “FCU: Fact Checker’s Unit,” a new web series from NBC Universal Digital Studio. This seven-episode series stars: Luke Perry, Alex Trebek, Dave Navarro, Karolina Kurkova, Donald Faison, Jon Heder and Zach Gilford.

On this show, no celebrity is too big, no fact is too obscure for FCU: Fact Checkers Unit. This very funny series is about the adventures of two overzealous fact-checkers; Russell and Dylan, who work for “Dictum,” an entertainment magazine.

Russell and Dylan stop at nothing to check each and every fact printed in the magazine, even the most absurd celebrity facts do not get by these guys. They might not be respected around the office, but in the fact-checking world, these guys know how to get it done… Fact Checked!

For full info on the show click here

Episode 1: Paranormal Factivity