The road to frenzied Black Friday

Pepper-sprayed customers, smash-and-grab looters, beatings and bloody scenes in the shopping aisles.
How did Black Friday devolve into this?
Experts say a volatile mix of desperate retailers and cutthroat marketing has hyped the traditional post-Thanksgiving sales to increasingly frenzied levels that resulted in shopping-related violence from Los Angeles to New York last weekend.

With stores opening earlier, bargain-obsessed shoppers often are sleep-deprived and short-tempered. Add in the online-coupon phenomenon, which feeds the psychological hunger for impossible bargains, and you've got a recipe for trouble, said Theresa Williams, a marketing professor at Indiana University.
"These are people who should know better and have enough stuff already," Williams said. "What's going to be next year, everybody getting Tasered?"
Across the country during the holiday weekend, there were signs that tensions had ratcheted up, with violence resulting in several instances.
A woman turned herself in to police Saturday after being accused of pepper-spraying 20 other customers at a Los Angeles-area Walmart on Thursday as they struggled to get to a crate of Xbox video game consoles.
In Kinston, N.C., a security guard pepper-sprayed unruly customers scrambling for electronics.
In New York, crowds looted a clothing store in Soho. A man was shot during an attempted robbery outside a store in San Leandro, Calif.; shots were fired at a mall in Fayetteville, N.C.; there was a stabbing outside a store in Sacramento, Calif., and a near riot broke out over $2 waffle irons in Little Rock, Ark.
"Instead of a nice sweater, you need a bulletproof vest and goggles," said Betty Thomas, 52, shopping Saturday with her family at a mall in Raleigh, N.C.
The wave of violence revived memories of the 2008 Black Friday stampede that killed a Walmart employee and put a pregnant woman in the hospital on New York's Long Island. Walmart spokesman Greg Rossiter said Saturday that Black Friday 2011 was safe at most of its nearly 4,000 U.S. stores despite "a few unfortunate incidents."
Black Friday -- named that because it puts retailers in the black -- has become more intense as companies compete for customers, said Jacob Jacoby, a consumer behavior expert at New York University.
The idea of luring in customers with a few doorbuster deals has long been a staple of the post-Thanksgiving sales. But now stores are opening earlier, and those deals are getting more extreme, he said.
There's also a new factor, Williams said: the rise of coupon websites like Groupon and LivingSocial, the online equivalents of doorbusters that usually deliver a single, one-day offer with savings of up to 80% on museum tickets, photo portraits, yoga classes and the like.
The services encourage impulse buying and an obsession with bargains, Williams said, and get businesses hooked on quick infusions of customers.
"The whole notion of getting a deal, that's all we've seen for the last two years," Williams said.
The violence has prompted some analysts to wonder whether the sales are worth it, and what solutions might work.
In a New York Times column last week, economist Robert Frank proposed slapping a 6% sales tax on purchases between 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and 6 a.m. Friday in an attempt to stop the "arms race."
Small retailers, meanwhile, are pushing Small Business Saturday to woo customers turned off by the Black Friday crush.
Next up, today, is Cyber Monday, when online retailers put their wares on sale. But on Saturday, many shoppers said they still prefer buying at stores.
Thomas said she likes the time at the mall with her family too much to shop online.
To her, the more pressing problem was that the Thanksgiving weekend sales didn't seem very good.
"If I'm going to get shot, at least let me get a good deal," Thomas said.

Google Music Splashes Down in Hollywood with Drake and Maroon 5

On the day that Google Music unveiled its cloud-based music service, T-Mobile hosted one of its infamous mega bashes to flex the new service with performances by Drake, Maroon 5, and Bustah Rhymes Wednesday night.

(At left, Miley Cyrus and boyfriend Liam Hemsworth enjoy the show.)

John Stamos (a repeat guest at these events), Audrina Patridge, Kevin Connolly (in a suit), Serena Williams, Zac Efron, and Nick Cannnon saw the second call of duty for Rhymes in one day, with the rapper having appeared at the launch event in L.A. earlier Wednesday.

Also Read: Google Unveils New Music Service, Courts Indie Artists

After “Maroon 5’s” set, two of the three nominees for this weekend’s American Music Awards “Favorite Band, Duo or Group” category -- Maroon’s James Valentine and Drew Brown of “One Republic” -- spent time chatting about the odds.

Both said they definitely did not want to lose to party rockers “LMFAO”.

(At right, Jerry Ferrara and Jamie-Lynn Sigler inside the party.)

While rumors of a major T-Mobile event had been circulating for the last week, the Google Music unveiling brought the marketing blueprint in to focus.

In addition to the obvious music component, T-Mobile activated several listening stations and their new analog to the “Can you hear me now?” guy, actual product manager/web personality “Des” to show off the new service in a pop up shop.

It marked a turn in allegiance for headliner Drake, who launched rival Blackberry’s Torch last August at a Miracle Mile party.

Bustah Rhymes kicked off the night with a set similar to the one he performed at Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Los Angeles” the night before the MTV VMA Awards back in August.

PMK*BNC, Grace Fernandez and Hollywood prom king Jeffrey Best (event producer) filled 2,000 guests in to the space on La Brea known as the studio for “Exit through the Gift Shop” artist Mr. Brainwash.

This was the second consecutive  unconventional space for T-Mobile, the last one taking over the old Robinson’s May parking garage next to the Beverly Hilton in April with a performance by “The Strokes” the week after Coachella.

Recent PMKBNC brand marketing executive Rick Faigin, now the head of marketing at Paradigm.  made a return visit as a guest.

Related Articles:  Google Unveils New Music Service, Courts Indie Artists 5 Secrets of “The Artist” Revealed at AFI Premiere

Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson Shared the Same Lead Investigator

The trials of Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson have drawn comparisons for their notoriety, their shocking acquittals, extraordinary media attention and public abomination.

They shared one other link. The lead investigator working to bolster their defense was Pat McKenna.

McKenna was the man who unearthed the racist rant tapes of Los Angeles cop Mark Fuhrman that undermined the prosecution of Simpson. He also helped Kennedy scion William Kennedy Smith beat rape charges in another high profile case.

But the Casey Anthony trial is special for McKenna.

"This case was the sweetest victory of all the cases I have ever worked because there was so much hatred toward Casey and her lawyers. We had no money, no resources and we were working against a firestorm of bad press," McKenna said.

Anthony's lawyer, Jose Baez, told ABC News that she is facing a tougher "uphill battle" than OJ. Simpson had.

"Casey's current fight is a lonelier one too," he said.

Although Simpson spent several years after his acquittal largely golfing, in 2008 he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to 33 years in prison.

Baez says Anthony has been passing the time since her release from jail reading and is committed to getting well. He says she is still grieving from the more than three years of traumatic events since her daughter Caylee died.

Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson Shared the Same Investigator

She was acquitted of charges she murdered Caylee, but spent three years in jail waiting for a trial that tore apart her family. Since her acquittal Casey Anthony has received death threats and been ordered to return to Florida to serve a year's probation.

"Casey is at a much bigger disadvantage than OJ because he had money, a support system and he was a significant part of the African-American population who believed he was innocent. There was no division beyond racial lines with Casey," Baez said.

McKenna reflected on both verdicts saying, "I was more surprised by Casey's acquittal than OJ's because I had more confidence in OJ's jury. There was just more science to back up his case than Casey's."

McKenna, who is still in touch with Simpson, said the former football great and star of the "Naked Gun" movies, was an excellent witness for himself, which was another bonus for him. Casey Anthony didn't testify at her trial.

While Simpson had a fan following, Anthony was an unknown single mother reviled for not telling police for a month that her child was missing.

"The media attention and absolute conviction by the public that Casey and OJ were guilty early on, without any consideration of the evidence, was so intense in both cases," McKenna said.

"But they had stark contrasts too. Casey had absolutely no money, and OJ had millions of dollars. Casey's lawyer, Jose Baez, was a young, fairly new lawyer compared to OJ's high profile lawyer, Johnnie Cochran. Baez was an underdog," he said.

For the first year of Casey Anthony's case, McKenna admits he did not follow the press reports and knew few details. He got a phone call from Casey's defense team the day Caylee Anthony's remains were found.

OJ Simpson's Investigator Says Casey Anthony Acquittal Was 'Sweetest'

Still knowing little about the case, McKenna's first move was a visit to the Anthony house where he met Casey's parents, George and Cindy Anthony, and spent time in the bedroom Casey and Caylee shared.

"The room was a shrine of pictures to Caylee, hundreds of loving photographs. I was stunned by the neatness and organization of the room and all the photos. It was this lovely room, like a young kid that has a baby she loves. It was the opposite of what was being portrayed in the media," he said.

His first impressions of George and Cindy Anthony were not as favorable.

"I walked out of that house and thought to myself, 'I don't think this kid committed first degree murder. There is something really disturbing about this family. I was shocked by their lack of emotion. There was no sense of loss or despondency. Their granddaughter's remains had just been found and they're sitting around booking television interviews and talking about how much money their foundation is making," McKenna recalls.

He also says George and Cindy Anthony were not cooperative with him at first, even though he was there to help their daughter.

"George was bizarre. He would go around and around for hours and he wouldn't answer a question directly. And he is a former detective, so he knows the drill. There was something off with this guy," McKenna said.

He shared his instincts with Baez and suggested looking into the family dynamics - and any dark secrets -- of the Anthony family.

Some of the alleged family secrets famously unfolded at trial, with Baez accusing George Anthony of molesting Casey Anthony and having an affair during the search for Caylee.

"After I read the discovery and George's interviews, I thought, "This guy is way too eager to throw his daughter under the bus."

McKenna's theory of what happened to Caylee Anthony mirrors Baez's court defense of Casey Anthony.

"It was an accident that spun out of control and George disposed of the body, but I can't say exactly how," McKenna said. "If Casey wanted to be free, she would have dropped Caylee in the pool, called 911 and been a grieving mother."

Report: 'Desperate Housewives' to end this year

Bad news, fans of the ladies of Wisteria Lane.

According to TV Line, long-running ABC series "Desperate Housewives" is signing off after the upcoming season. A source who talked to TV Guide in July hinted that the end may be coming, but thought the decision

wouldn't be made until after the season began. “It’s all dependent on the ratings,” the insider told TV Guide at the time.

Media reps for "Desperate Housewives" told TODAY.com that reports of the show's conclusion in May is "all speculative at this point." They also confirmed to TODAY.com that ABC will have the official word on Sunday, when the network presents at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour in Los Angeles.

When TODAY.com asked actor Kevin Rahm, who plays Lee McDermott, on Friday about ABC's rumored decision to end the show after the eighth season, he said, "They haven’t told me yet."

But he does have an idea of how he'd like Lee's story on Wisteria Lane to end. "Artistically, I want to go down big. I want to knock someone off, or die, or have been a secret agent the whole time," he told TODAY.com.

However, it's not yet clear if Rahm will return for the potential final season. He said that "Housewives" offered him a one-year contract last year, and allowed him to do pilot season. He then landed the role of Jack on the upcoming Fox sitcom "I Hate My  Teenage Daughter," which Rahm was promoting at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour in Los Angeles Friday. "I got this job ("Daughter"), then they kind of lost their chance at me," he said.

Should ABC want him back for "Housewives," Rahm told TODAY.com, "Time will not be the issue. It’ll be an issue of ... contracts and Fox and ABC. It’ll be out of my hands. If it were up to me, I would do both for the rest of the year."

When asked about the "Housewives' " eighth season, Rahm said, "Like all shows, anything after seven years is different than it was in the beginning. But I think it’ll go down as being a very influential show and a fun show. I still love it."

"And at the same time, I’m ready to close that chapter and move on to this one," Rahm told TODAY.com. "I’m excited."

The new season of "Housewives" premieres Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. on ABC. "I Hate My Teenage Daughter" debuts on Fox at 9 p.m. on Nov. 23.

Arnold Schwarzenegger to File Revised Divorce Papers, Not Denying Spousal Support

Arnold Schwarzenegger will file a revised response to his wife Maria Shriver's divorce petition on Monday that will not ask the judge to deny Shriver's spousal support, according to TMZ.
Earlier this week, Schwarzenegger filed documents asking the judge to force Shriver to pay her own

legal fees and deny her financial support.
Schwarzenegger signed the papers without reading them, in part because he was in the midst of a family medical crisis, unidentified sources told TMZ.
The revision comes in the aftermath of their son's boogie board accident.
A 911 recording captured Maria Shriver's call for help after her 13-year-old son Christopher was injured in a boogie board accident earlier this week.
"He's awake and breathing," Shriver told an emergency operator according to a recording of the call obtained by ABC News Los Angeles station KABC-TV. "He just can't move. He's having trouble breathing."
Christopher, the son of Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger, is expected to make a full recovery after suffering injuries from a boogie board accident on Escondido Beach in Malibu, Calif., on July 17.
On Friday, TMZ.com reported that the teenager has been in the intensive care unit "for days" after enduring "multiple broken bones and a collapsed lung" during a surfing accident.
"It's like a boogie board accident, I think," Shriver said on the recorded emergency call. "He can't move off the beach. Maybe like broken ribs or something like that."
According to a written Los Angeles County Fire Department statement, "L.A. County Fire responded [with] an engine, paramedic squad and lifeguards. ... A male juvenile on the beach was treated for an injury and transported to a local hospital with L.A. County Fire paramedics accompanying the patient."
Since the accident, Shriver and Schwarzenegger have been at their son's side despite their public falling out and divorce.
"A few days ago our son Christopher suffered an accident at the beach," a representative for Shriver said in a statement to ABC News. "While it has been a very scary week, Christopher is surrounded by his family and friends. He is a brave boy and is expected to make a full recovery."
A source close to the family told ABC News that the couple has been "amicable."
"The family remains very close," the source said.
It's been a difficult week for the former couple.
According to TMZ, Schwarzenegger is trying to get out of paying spousal support to Shriver and is fighting her request to make him pay for her attorney's fees. TMZ also reported that they had no prenuptial agreement. Their estimated net worth of $400 million would be split between the two of them.
Shriver and Schwarzenegger have moved on since May, when the former California governor revealed that he fathered a child with another woman while married to Shriver and the couple announced their split.
The other woman was later revealed to be Patricia Baena, a housekeeper who had worked for the family for years.
Earlier this month, Shriver reportedly bought a $10 million home a few miles from the residence she and Schwarzenegger used to share.
Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger is attempting to revive his movie career. He's signed on to star in "Last Stand" as a disgraced Los Angeles cop. The movie is due out in January 2013.

Mila Kunis maps out a singular path to stardom

NEW YORK — When Marine Sgt. Scott Moore famously asked Mila Kunis to a formal dance via YouTube, he likely had no idea that he'd be the first to extend such a chivalrous invitation to the red-hot actress.

"I've never been asked out on a date," says Kunis, who plans to attend the Marine Corps Ball with Moore in November. "A real date, like a dinner and a movie? No. And I respect the guy for having big enough cojones to do it."

Watching Kunis, 27, discuss her latest film, the romantic comedy Friends With Benefits, in a Midtown restaurant, one is inclined to agree. The woman who came into public consciousness as the oft-irritating teen Jackie Burkhart on That '70s Show has evolved into a forbiddingly goddess-like creature. Wearing a speckled white sundress, gold-and-turquoise hoop earrings framing her enormous hazel eyes, she speaks animatedly but with the relaxed poise of someone who has never had to strain to command attention.

Yet there is an accessible quality to Kunis, whose career trajectory and personal life hardly evoke Hollywood it-girl clichés. After honing her comedic chops on a pair of sitcoms — she also voices the insecure, affection-starved Meg Griffin on the animated Family Guy— the actress, by her own admission, "auditioned for everything, just to prove that everyone who assumed I could only do TV was wrong."

PHOTOS: A Mila Kunis collection

Kunis landed female leads in male-dominated fare such as the action flick Max Payne and the Denzel Washington vehicle The Book of Eli. But her most high-profile film roles, in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the best picture Oscar-nominated Black Swan, found her cast as foils and rivals to characters played by then-bigger names (Kristen Bell and Natalie Portman, respectively).

In Benefits, Kunis is squarely the leading lady and very much on equal footing with her male co-star, Justin Timberlake. She plays Jamie, a Manhattan headhunter who lands Timberlake's Dylan, founder of a Los Angeles-based tastemaker blog, a plum job as art director of GQ. After the two meet at an airport, a camaraderie develops, along with a clear if unspoken chemical spark.

Determined not to let stereotypical relationship issues sabotage their platonic bond, Jamie and Dylan resolve to enjoy casual sex while remaining just buddies. What follows is a sweetly bawdy updating of classic rom-com trials and themes, in which the genders emerge as separate but plainly equal.

"It took me five years after (shooting) Sarah Marshall to venture back into the romantic-comedy world," says Kunis, who identifies that 2008 movie as a "turning point" in proving her diversity to audiences. "Every script was the same. What attracted me to (Jamie) is that I think she stays true to what a twentysomething-year-old is nowadays — as opposed to today's romantic-comedy version of that, which is more fairy tale-based, with the woman a little ditzier. Jamie's smart and honest and grows as a person; it's less about the man here than about how these two characters grow together."

Benefits director Will Gluck also promised Kunis, he says, "that I wouldn't make the movie unless her voice came through." Kunis notes that the script "was originally PG-13, but we wanted to make it R-rated, make it a little more modern. We sat around and improv(is)ed scenes for close to two months, so I had more input into this character than I've ever had before."

Timberlake, who signed on before Kunis, says Benefits benefited as a result. "Will and I wanted this to be an honest two-hander, and we needed someone who could play what's real and who also had a very quick wit. Mila is that girl. She's ridiculously beautiful, and at the same time she comes across as someone who can hang with the guys, make lowbrow jokes. You can throw anything at her and she'll roll with it."

Forced to be funny

Some of that affinity may date back to Kunis' youth. "I never thought of myself as funny, but I grew up in a very sarcastic household," she says. "My dad is very funny, very dry. So since I was little, I've learned to roll with the punches — and punch back a little bit."

Kunis still lives just 10 minutes away from her parents, who fled Ukraine as the Soviet Union was collapsing in 1991 to settle in West Hollywood. "My parents told me that we were moving across the street, because it wasn't OK to leave and they didn't want me to say anything to anyone," Kunis says. "Then we just got on a train one day, went to Moscow and got on a plane to America."

Though she entered second grade in the USA without understanding a word of English, Kunis performed well at school and maintained, she insists, "a very normal life," even after she began acting at 9. "I went to public school in Los Angeles, had friends at school who weren't in the industry. I still do. My best friends Julie and Kat and I grew up together; Julie's a teacher at L.A. High and Kat is a dentist — she just got married."

Kunis' mother still works full time, she adds, "as the manager of a Rite Aid. And my dad's a cabdriver in Los Angeles." She still speaks with them in Russian, though she concedes her skills are "not that great now. It's conversational."

Kunis is less forthcoming about certain aspects of her life that have gotten more attention in the press. For eight years, she was in a relationship with fellow child actor Macaulay Culkin, a subject she refuses to broach. In contrast, Kunis speaks openly, and effusively, about life as a single gal.

"I'm loving it," Kunis says. "I've always been pretty independent, and it's an amazing feeling to just be by yourself and be OK with it. I had never experienced that. To know that I can do what I want to, that there's no one to check in with — that can be freeing."

There are drawbacks, as she alluded to in discussing her Marine suitor. "Since I became single, it's not possible to date. If I meet a guy and think he's great and go out to dinner with him, the next day the whole world will know about it."

Not a fan of social media

In her desire for privacy, Kunis shuns Facebook and Twitter. "Why would I want to share my life with the world when it's being shared already, without my consent? The only problem with not having an account is that there are fake accounts, pretending to quote me. But what am I going to tweet about? 'Today I'm eating dinner, and here's what I'm eating.' Whoo-hoo! I can understand politicians or people running charities or doing something productive using it. But no one should follow me. Why, so that I can tell you that I got my hair done?"

Patricia Clarkson, who plays Kunis' mother in Benefits, notes that the younger actress is "rather egoless. She's exceptionally warm and available, and that's rare with young girls who are on this fast track. She's a real professional, and at the same time she's just getting started in that now she's in a place where she can do anything she wants, anything she feels capable of."

Kunis has two more movies on the horizon. She just completed filming Ted, directed and co-written by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, in which her character lives with a boyfriend (Mark Wahlberg) and his talking teddy bear. And she's now shooting the prequel Oz: The Great and Powerful, in which she, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams play witches and James Franco is the title character, "a man coming to terms with who he is."

Eventually, Kunis would like to balance her busy schedule with a boyfriend, though "marriage is not something that's ever been that important to me. I love the idea, and understand why other people want it. But I see no need. I'll be with somebody because I want to, not because a piece of paper tells me I have to. That said, if the future love of my life thinks it's important, fine, I'll get married. And maybe if I have children, because kids ask questions."

Her own positive experiences notwithstanding, Kunis wouldn't want her own offspring to follow her into show business. "I guess I'd have to cross that bridge when I get to it. But if my kid could be a doctor or a lawyer, that would be great. Because this whole industry is based on rejection. That's the first thing you learn: the word no."

It's not a word that Kunis has heard much lately, one suspects, nor one she's likely to encounter a lot in the near future. But even as her star continues to rise, the actress tries to remain pragmatic.

"I wish I could play this industry like chess, but I can't," Kunis says. "It's too unpredictable. All I want to do is put out work that I can be proud of. After That '70s Show, I just wanted to learn; and I can only do that by surrounding myself with brilliant directors and co-stars — with people who are 10,000 times better than I am. That's still what I want."

Royal couple visit skid row arts center on final day in L.A.

Growing up poor in South Los Angeles, Lorenzo Perez never imagined he would one day dance for British royalty.
"I didn't think there was still kings and queens," said Perez, 19, who got his chance on Sunday. "It's like a

Disney movie."
On the last day of their whirlwind visit to the United States, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, saw a less glitzy side of Southern California, visiting a children's arts center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles' skid row and a job fair for military veterans and their families in Culver City.
The appearances highlighted some of William's charitable interests: helping homeless youth, promoting the arts and supporting troops. Sunday's itinerary contrasted with the couple's previous engagements, which included a charity polo match near Santa Barbara and red-carpet dinners with Hollywood celebrities.
The day began with a morning reception in Beverly Hills to raise money for the Tusk Trust, an African wildlife conservation group.
The couple then rode across town, escorted by Cynthia Harnisch, president of Inner-City Arts, a nonprofit that provides free arts instruction to poor children. The drive ended in the gritty neighborhood that has become known as the country's homeless capital.
As the motorcade of SUVs and motorcycles passed San Julian Street, Harnisch said, the royal couple seemed "astonished" by the number of people on the streets.
When they pulled into the leafy campus, they were greeted by half a dozen elementary school students holding a welcome banner painted with ladybugs, butterflies and flowers. Catherine wore a navy and white crochet top over an ivory pleated skirt by the British retailer Whistles. William wore a navy suit with a light-blue shirt and maroon tie.
Sneh Chachra, who studies at the center with her fifth-grade class from Frank Del Olmo Elementary School, escorted the couple to the center's black box theater. She was so nervous, she and her mother had practiced what she would say.
"I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, what if they don't like me?' " the 10-year-old said. But the couple quickly put her at ease. "They are just like regular people; regular people in these really important positions."
The royals put on aprons and worked with the children on ceramics projects and painting Hindu and Buddhist mandalas.
In the visual arts studio, with a blank canvas in front of her, Catherine turned to William and said, "William, do you know what you're doing? Start from the center."
After a few moments, he turned to his wife and said, "Catherine, what are you supposed to do?" She laughed and showed him again.
In the ceramics studio, the couple left their handprints and signatures in slabs of clay that will be displayed on campus.
They clapped along as a troupe of 16 teenage dancers performed two pieces: a high-energy display of urban youth culture and a plea to end world poverty.
"I never imagined myself dancing for one of the most famous couples," said 15-year-old Iliana Samaniego. "It means … anything is possible in life."
William gave the performance two thumbs up. And Catherine told Harnisch she was "moved to tears."
Dozens fans gathered outside the arts center in hopes of catching a glimpse of the royal visitors. Even in Los Angeles, where encountering celebrities isn't out of the ordinary, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were worth waiting for.
"We see celebrities all the time," said Shannon Tompros, 37, "but we never get to see royalty."
Also in the crowd were a mother and daughter who woke up early to drive from Mission Viejo. Julie Collins, 39, carried a picture of herself shaking hands with Princess Diana while on a trip to London when she was 18. In the photo, Collins is wearing the same tiara that her 9-year-old daughter Emily was wearing Sunday.
As the motorcade swept by en route to Culver City, they spotted William waving out the window.

"We were a little sad that they didn't stop, but we had a blast," Collins said.

Some longtime skid row residents were less impressed.

"It's a dog and pony show," said Victor Greenwood, 53, who sat on a piece of cardboard in a patch of shade on 7th Street. "It's not going to change anything."
At their last stop, William and Catherine attended a job fair for veterans, active military and military families at Sony Studios hosted by the group Mission Serve.
Addressing a crowd of hundreds from a stage draped with floor-to-ceiling U.S. and British flags, William, a rescue helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, gave a brief speech that focused on his commitment to the armed forces and "our other halves — the half that makes their loved one's duty and sacrifices possible and worthwhile."
"As this is my last opportunity before we leave this afternoon, I would just say on behalf of us both how grateful we are to be welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and City of Angels," William said. "Thank you so much."
The visit was over late Sunday, less than 48 hours after it began, when the couple and their entourage boarded a British Airways commercial airliner at LAX bound for London. After saying their goodbyes, the duke and duchess paused at the top of a staircase leading to the plane to pose for one last photo.

Kate Hudson and Victoria Beckham both gave birth over the weekend

KATE HUDSON and Victoria Beckham both gave birth over the weekend! Kate welcomed a baby boy with her fiance, Muse star Matt Bellamy, yesterday in L.A., her rep told People magazine. She has a 7-year-old son, Ryder Russell, with her ex-husband, Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson. Victoria and her soccer stud

hubby, David Beckham, welcomed a baby girl yesterday, People said. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces, their newborn daughter is the fourth child for the couple, known across the pond as Posh and Becks. They have three sons: Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, 8, and Cruz, 5.

William and Kate given Hollywood star treatment(Photo-Video)

LOS ANGELES — William and Kate outshone even Hollywood's brightest stars, as the glamour couple lobbied for up-and-coming British actors in the home of the US film industry.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given the full red carpet treatment in Los Angeles -- and

generated more excitement than A listers including Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman attending the star-studded event.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Belasco Theater in downtown LA, cheering as the usual celebrities arrived for the red carpet entry -- but screaming the place down when William and Kate arrived.
"They're not just actors, their position is so much greater," said LA local Sarah Pijuan, 28, after meeting the royal couple who stopped to shake hands and talk to some of the fans.
The couple, on the last night of a 12-day trip to Canada and California before flying home Sunday, used the event to lobby for 42 lucky young British actors invited to network with some of Hollywood's top talent.
William is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), which hosted the black-tie dinner.
Earlier in the day they had wowed the crowds at a charity polo match in Santa Barbara, an hour north of Los Angeles up the Pacific coast -- especially after the prince's team won the afternoon's tournament.
Tickets for the one-off event went for $400 dollars -- $4,000 for the privilege of lunching with the royal couple before the on-field action.
The 29-year-old future king drew whoops of approval when he took the field under a blazing West Coast sun at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, as Catherine watched admiringly from the stands.
"They're great role models for young people, they're elegant and great ambassadors for their country," said Santa Barbara resident Victoria Hines, 65, dressed up for the exclusive event an hour north of Los Angeles.
Kate's clothes have also impressed -- she reportedly brought 40 outfits for the 12-day trip. On Saturday she was in a silver and marble grey dress by Jenny Packham to the polo, and a light blue dress to the evening BAFTA event.
The couple arrived in Los Angeles on Friday for the weekend trip following a nine-day tour of Canada.
Officially, the Californian mini-tour will aim to "contribute to deepening and strengthening the multi-layered links between the United States and the United Kingdom," according to a British official briefing.
Unofficially, all eyes have been on who they meet -- after David Beckham and Stepehen Fry on Friday, Saturday's celebrity crop included Jennifer Lopez and Jack Black.
On Sunday, they visit "Skid Row" in downtown to visit the Inner-City Arts school, a nonprofit academy that provides free classes in visual and performing arts to children from poor neighborhoods.
Later Sunday they attend a job fair for military veterans at Sony Studios in Culver City, before leaving Los Angeles to return to the United Kingdom after their 12-day north American trip.

Loughner attorneys seek halt to forced medication

Lawyers for the accused gunman charged with wounding Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in a deadly shooting rampage told a federal appeals court on Thursday that forcing him to take anti-psychotic drugs could cause him irreparable harm.

But 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Kozinski expressed skepticism during the hearing, which was held in Pasadena, a few miles from Los Angeles, saying of the defense team's argument, "I don't buy it."
The three-judge panel adjourned after 90 minutes without issuing a ruling and gave no indication how long it would deliberate before deciding whether to lift an earlier court order that temporarily bars prison officials from medicating Jared Loughner against his will.
Loughner did not attend the hearing. He remains held at a hospital for federal prisoners in Missouri after a lower-court judge in May declared him incompetent to stand trial on charges he killed six people and wounded 13 others, including Giffords, at a public event in Tucson, Arizona.
The 22-year-old college dropout, described by his own lawyers as "gravely mentally ill," has since been undergoing psychiatric evaluation to determine whether his ability to understand court proceedings against him can be restored.
U.S. District Judge Larry Burns denied an emergency petition filed by Loughner's attorneys in June seeking to bar prison officials from forcibly medicating him. Burns said he would defer to the judgment of doctors treating Loughner.
But the appeals court days ago ordered a halt to the involuntary medication while it reviewed the matter.
Federal prosecutor Christina Canabillis argued on Thursday that doctors were prompted to medicate Loughner against his will due to a number of outbursts in which he threw chairs in his cell and spat at one of his own attorneys. Such behavior clearly poses a danger to the medical personnel trying to determine his competency, she said.
But defense lawyer Reuben Cahn argued that forcing anti-psychotic drugs on Loughner amounted to a "serious invasion on personal liberty" resulting in "irreparable damage." Prison officials coerced Loughner by threatening to strap him down and inject him if he refused to take pills prescribed by his doctors, Cahn said.
"Nothing can reverse the injury done to him," Cahn said.
Kozinski expressed doubt about permanent harm, comparing the situation to a person taking pain medication.
Loughner is accused of opening fire on Giffords and a crowd of bystanders outside a Tucson supermarket on January 8. Six victims were killed and 13 were wounded, including Giffords, who is still recovering from a gunshot to the head.
He pleaded not guilty in March to 49 charges stemming from the shooting rampage at the "Congress on Your Corner" event, including multiple counts of first-degree murder.
At the competency hearing in May, Judge Burns cited the conclusions of two medical experts that Loughner suffers from schizophrenia, disordered thinking and delusions.

Dodgers' Kershaw knocked around by Angels

Just six days after Clayton Kershaw outlasted Jered Weaver in a marquee pitcher's duel, the major league strikeout leader was no match for the pitcher with the AL's best ERA in a one-sided rematch.
Weaver got a measure of payback against Kershaw with eight solid innings and Vernon Wells homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-1 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday night.
This was the third time Weaver and Kershaw have hooked up in their young careers. Last Sunday at Dodger

Stadium, Kershaw struck out 11 in a complete-game 3-2 victory, while Weaver yielded a run over seven innings in a no-decision. On May 22, 2009, the Angels won 3-1 with each pitcher allowing a run and receiving a no-decision.
"When you don't have your best stuff, you've gotta limit them to three runs over six—not six over six—especially against a guy like Weave," Kershaw said. "It's a guaranteed loss if you give up six."
Kershaw (8-4) was charged with a season-high seven runs, six earned, and nine hits in six innings. He struck out 10 and walked one.
It was the first time in the left-hander's four-year career that he reached double digits in Ks in three consecutive starts, and he increased his season total to 138—seven more than Philadelphia's Roy Halladay.
"I think Kersh likes getting a matchup like Weaver—or (Justin) Verlander if it's Detroit, or (Tim) Lincecum if it's San Francisco, if it's any one of those guys in Philly. I think he likes that challenge," manager Don Mattingly said.
"It's like facing Randy Johnson. I mean, somebody's got to take him on for six innings and give you a chance to scratch a run out. You may not want that matchup, but you've got to be willing to be the guy that says: 'I'm throwing zeros today with you.'"
Kershaw struck out the side on 15 pitches in the fifth, but that was after the Angels had staked Weaver to a 6-1 lead. Kershaw was 6-0 with a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts since his previous loss on April 26 at Florida.
"The guys came out and did a heck of a job tonight and got to one of the best pitchers in the game," Weaver said. "Anytime you get a six-run lead, it takes a lot of pressure off me. It was great to see. We were able to get some two-out hits in key situations. Obviously, Vernon hit a big home run to get it going. And when he goes, we go."
The Angels grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third after No. 9 hitter Jeff Mathis led off with a double. Mathis scored from third when rookie shortstop Dee Gordon tried for the out at the plate on a grounder by Erick Aybar and threw the ball over Dioner Navarro's head.
One out later, Wells drove a 2-0 pitch to left for his 12th homer and seventh in 17 games. He also homered against Kershaw the last time the ace faced the Angels.
The Angels made it 6-0 in the fourth. Aybar had a two-out RBI single and Bobby Abreu singled in a pair of runs.
"Balls found some holes, and some of them were bloops," Kershaw said. "I made some bad pitches. I probable needed to throw one out of the strike zone right there to Abreu with two strikes. And then, obviously, the pitch to Wells was a misfire. Those were two pitches I would like to have back."
Weaver (10-4) won his fourth straight decision over six starts, allowing a run and four hits and striking out eight. Last season's major league strikeout leader reduced his ERA to 1.92, giving up his only run in the fifth on Trent Oeltjen's sacrifice fly.
"I'm focused regardless of who's out there," Weaver said. "I'm not going up against the other pitcher. I'm going up against the other team."
It was the second time in their respective careers that Kershaw and Weaver have been matched up against the same pitcher in consecutive starts during the regular season. Kershaw won both outings against San Diego's Kevin Correia in May 2010. Weaver's final two starts in 2009 were against Oakland's Gio Gonzalez, and he won the rematch with Gonzalez after losing the first one.
"You think that you need to change things up just because you faced them not too long ago," Weaver said. "But I've learned that you've just got to keep pitching to your strengths and try to hit their weaknesses. So you don't want to change too many things. You just want to keep going with what worked last time."
The Dodgers threatened in the fourth, but Weaver retired Matt Kemp on an inning-ending double-play grounder to third. Kemp, who began the day first in the NL in homers, second in batting average and third in RBIs, has grounded into a team-high 11 double plays.
NOTES: The Angels are averaging 38,775 in attendance through their first 40 home dates. The Dodgers are averaging 36,084 through 43 home dates. The Angels have never finished a season with a higher home attendance total than their Southern California rivals. ... A ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Garret Anderson, who helped the Angels win Game 7 of the 2002 World Series with a tiebreaking three-run double against San Francisco. He spent his final big league season with the Dodgers last year. ... Mike Scioscia's 131st interleague victory as a manager tied Joe Torre's record. Sunday's series finale ends the Angels' slate against NL clubs.

Pence diagnosed with elbow sprain after MRI

LOS ANGELES -- The Astros got good news out of Houston on Sunday when an MRI on Hunter Pence's injured left elbow showed no tears or ligament damage. Pence was examined by team doctor Tom Mehlhoff and diagnosed with an elbow sprain. His range of motion has significantly improved since he was scratched from Saturday's starting lineup during batting practice, and he is listed as day to day. "He's questionable now for the Texas series, but at the same time, we're thrilled to death it's nothing more than that,

" Astros manager Brad Mills said. "We want to make sure he's OK before he comes back." Pence, who flew back to Houston Sunday morning to see Mehlhoff, is hitting .321 with nine homers this season. He injured his left elbow attempting a head-first slide into first base in the sixth inning Friday. With Pence out of the lineup Sunday, Mills used Jason Bourgeois in right field for the second straight game. In Pence's absence, Houston fell, 1-0, to the Dodgers.

Corporan makes fourth straight start for Astros LOS ANGELES -- Typically, when a day game follows a night game, the catcher is the first person the manager will offer a day of rest to. Given Saturday's collision at home plate that Astros catcher Carlos Corporan was on the receiving end of, it would seem even more likely the rookie might get a reprieve from his duties behind the plate. But starting catcher J.R. Towles is still banged up, and as a result, Corporan's name was inked in the eighth-spot in the lineup Sunday, marking his fourth consecutive start. He has started seven games in nine days since being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Asked if he felt sore, Corporan shrugged the bumps and bruises off with his usual smile. "A little bit, nothing bad," Corporan said. "When you're a catcher, you get used to it. You expect to get hit. That's my job." Corporan, who missed a month in Oklahoma City with a broken finger, was called up to the Astros on June 10 and got his first start the next day. Manager Brad Mills praised the 27-year-old from Puerto Rico for his hard work during that time learning a new pitching staff. "It's a tough situation, for a catcher anyway, when you have to learn the staff down in Triple-A," Mills said. "Then you have to learn a whole other staff, especially with the amount that we're asking him to catch." Towles hasn't played since he fouled a ball off his ankle Wednesday, but Mills said he is available should Corporan get hurt. For now, Mills is very pleased with what Corporan offers, especially defensively. The last two days, Corporan has caught two of Houston's best-pitched games this season. Friday, Brett Myers tossed a complete-game four-hitter, and Saturday, four Astros pitchers combined for the team's first road shutout of the season. "That's what it's all about," Corporan said. "I got a CG, I got a shutout. What more can you have?" The switch-hitting Corporan hasn't been able to adjust to big league pitching, however, saying he simply hasn't felt comfortable at the plate yet. He has just three hits, all singles, in his 21 at-bats entering Sunday. It wasn't one of his best seasons at the plate in Triple-A, either. A year after hitting .290 with 12 home runs, his average dipped to .250, with just seven extra-base hits in 80 at-bats. "I'm going to start feeling better," Corporan said of his struggles at the plate. "But it's the big leagues. Every pitcher's good here. That's why they're here. I just need to put the ball in play more often, and I'll be all right." 

Astros to honor 'My Dad, My MVP' winner LOS ANGELES -- For the Rochford family, Alan Rochford is truly an MVP. He helps the homeless during the winter holidays, he volunteered during the hurricanes, and when he and his wife both had cancer at the same time, he waited until his wife was treated to receive his own treatment, just so he could be there for her. On Father's Day, he was recognized by Major League Baseball as a "My Dad, My MVP" contest winner. One MVP Dad was chosen for each team, and Rochford, who continues to be a great father at age 74, was the Astros' winner. Rochford will be honored by the Astros on Friday before their game against the Rays. Here's an excerpt from Rochford's winning entry: "Doesn't miss a ballgame, dance recital or band concert, is front center camera ready. Dad leads by example, the way he lives his life."

Bourn, Mills ejected in finale against Dodgers LOS ANGELES -- Michael Bourn took exception to a 2-2 fastball that was called a strike on the inside corner. Home-plate umpire Jeff Nelson took exception to Bourn's reaction. Bourn was ejected from Sunday's game against the Dodgers in the fifth inning after he argued with Nelson following the called third strike. He appeared to yell at Nelson as he walked back to the dugout, and after a few words, Bourn was tossed. He went 0-for-3 in the game. Manager Brad Mills came out to argue, and did so for a couple minutes, but he was not tossed until the following inning when he reemerged to talk with Nelson. Bourn was last ejected for disputing a call at first base on May 8, 2010, in an Astros loss to San Diego. Mills has now been ejected three times this season. Jason Bourgeois moved to center field in Bourn's place, and Jason Michaels entered the game in right.

Astros playing complete baseball in LA LOS ANGELES -- Something always seemed to be missing. That was the way shortstop Clint Barmes described the Astros' struggles this season. They have played well in different phases of the game, but haven't been able to play complete baseball. The Astros won the first two games in their three-game weekend series against Los Angeles, but more importantly to Barmes, is the type of baseball they've played. "It just seems like we haven't been able to put it together on both sides in all aspects of the game, and it's hurt us this year," he said. "But the last two days, it's one of those things where we've played good ball." For manager Brad Mills, he sees the last two victories -- both relatively easy wins -- as a reward for his club's hard work. "They had a knowledge that they're going about things the right way," Mills said. "They're always preparing and so forth, coming out and getting ready to play. Those things that they're doing are getting paid off for." Barmes said the two games have given the clubhouse some life after a disappointing stretch in which Houston lost 11 of 14 games. Saturday, they won despite right fielder Hunter Pence and catcher J.R. Towles being scratched during batting practice. Barmes said there is no reason the Astros can't continue playing the baseball they have in the last couple days. "We feel like for the most part, we've swung the bats pretty well as a whole," he said. "There have been a lot of times where we've had situations to drive runs in that we've needed and we've come up short on it."

Lohan begins stint under house arrest

Actress Lindsay Lohan turned herself in to Los Angeles jail authorities early on Thursday and has begun serving a sentence for jewellery theft under house arrest, officials said. Lohan, 24, turned up at a Los Angeles jail at 5:00 am on Thursday (local time), according to official records. Los Angeles Sheriff's department spokesman Steve Whitmore told People magazine she was deemed eligible for home confinement, fitted with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and released to her home within an hour.

"She is now confined to the interior premises of her home at all times," Mr Whitmore told People. Lohan's lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment. The Mean Girls actress was sentenced two weeks ago to four months in jail and 480 hours of community service after pleading no contest to stealing a $US2,500 gold necklace from a shop in January. It was not immediately clear how much time she would be confined to house arrest. But Mr Whitmore said earlier this month she would likely serve 16-17 days at home under programs for non-violent offenders, good behaviour and because of overcrowding in the city's jails. Lohan has already started her community service at a women's jail. Lohan has been in and out of jail and drug and alcohol rehab for the past four years following a 2007 arrest for drunken driving and cocaine possession. Her troubles have derailed her once-promising Hollywood career, but she was cast in April in an upcoming movie about New York crime boss John Gotti, alongside actors Al Pacino and John Travolta.

Lindsay Lohan expected to serve jail term at home

Actress Lindsay Lohan was sentenced on Wednesday to four months in jail after changing her plea and effectively admitting stealing a $2,500 gold necklace from a Los Angeles store.

But Lohan, who was not in court on Wednesday, will likely serve just 16-17 days of her sentence -- most likely under house arrest, officials said.

"I am glad to be able to put this past me and move on with my life and my career," Lohan said in a statement. "I support the judge's decision and hold myself accountable for being in this situation."

Lohan's lawyer entered a no contest plea on behalf of the actress to a reduced misdemeanor theft charge. Under California law, a no contest plea is an admission of guilt.

Lohan, 24, who has been in and out of jail and drug rehab for almost four years, had previously insisted she was not guilty of deliberately walking out of a store in January without paying for the necklace she was wearing.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner sentenced the "Mean Girls" actress to 120 days behind bars, 480 hours community service and ordered her to report to jail on or before June 17.

Sautner last month had imposed the same sentence on Lohan for violating her probation, and the two terms will run concurrently.

However, Lohan's lawyer said the actress had applied to serve her sentence at home under a house arrest or electronic monitoring program designed to combat overcrowding in Los Angeles jails.

"As they would with any other defendant with a similar sentence and a minimal criminal history, the Sheriff's Department will determine whether she is eligible for electronic monitoring and early release," attorney Shawn Holley told reporters after the hearing.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore, said that under programs for good behavior and because of overcrowding and budget constraints, Lohan would likely end up serving 16-17 days at home.

Whitmore denied that Lohan was getting special treatment because she was a celebrity. "Absolutely not. This is a lower level crime and it is certainly non-violent. It appears that a person like Ms Lohan would be eligible."

Lohan was also ordered to complete psychological counseling and an anti-shoplifting program. "I don't think the root of her problems is substance abuse. I think she has other problems for which she self medicates," Judge Sautner said.

Lohan started her community service last week by working at a women's shelter in Los Angeles.

But Sautner said she could not undertake her community service at the same time as being under house arrest.

"I only hope that she benefits from seeing how other people's lives can become when you lose a couple months pay check," Sautner added.

Lohan's once promising Hollywood career has been stalled since a 2007 drunk driving and cocaine possession arrest, five trips to rehab, and at least three brief stints in jail.

However last month, she landed her first part in a major movie for several years in an upcoming feature about the New York Gotti crime family, alongside actors John Travolta and Al Pacino. Filming is due to start later this year.

Giovanni Ramirez not yet charged

Los Angeles prosecutors have yet to charge Giovanni Ramirez, the suspect in the beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day, despite meeting with detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday afternoon.

The police generally have 48 hours after an arrest to bring information related to the case to the D.A.'s office, which then reviews the information and decides whether to file charges.

However, Ramirez will remain in custody on a parole hold, pending the outcome of a parole revocation hearing, while detectives continue their investigation, the LAPD said in a statement on Tuesday.

Chip Matthews, who is representing Ramirez, told The Associated Press Tuesday that his client is willing to take a polygraph test to show he was not at the stadium when Stow was viciously attacked.

 Matthews says Ramirez spent the day at his aunt's house with several family members who are willing to testify he was with them.

Ramirez, 31, who has two prior felony convictions, was booked Sunday evening on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. He was apprehended in an early-morning raid by LAPD SWAT officers at an East Hollywood apartment complex after an intense, seven-week manhunt.

The district attorney's office had no comment when reached by ESPNLosAngeles.com late Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, a spokeswoman said the D.A.'s office was "reviewing the arrest."

Police said that a tip from Ramirez's parole officer was the key break in the case.

Because the Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate the March 31 beating of Stow, the D.A.'s office said it would have no further comment.

Stow remains in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital.

The investigation was complicated on Monday however, when photos of Ramirez were leaked to several news agencies, which briefly posted them on their websites, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Times, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, reported on its website Tuesday evening that the delay in charging Ramirez was not a reflection of the strength or weakness of the evidence against Ramirez, but a routine procedure.

Detectives have scheduled a physical lineup for Wednesday, the Times reported, where witnesses to the assault on Stow will be asked whether they can identify the attacker.

Previously, police have only shown those witnesses photographs of Ramirez.

Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck said Sunday that Ramirez is believed to be the "primary aggressor" in the Stow beating. Police are still looking for the other suspect in the attack, and a woman wearing an Andre Ethier jersey who helped the suspects flee in a white Mitsubishi or Acura after the attack. Witnesses have described her as a 5-foot-2 or 5-foot-3 Latina in her 20s with brown or dyed hair in a ponytail.

'Dark Knight Rises' Production Kicks Off With First Official Photo

Better late than never, right? We had hoped and assumed Christopher Nolan's third "Batman" flick was going to kick off production not too long after "The Dark Knight" wrapped up its record-breaking run in 2008. Instead, the filmmaker pushed forward with "Inception," and as even the most diehard Bat-fan must surely admit, Nolan's twisty dream-world thriller was quite a fine cinematic diversion.

Now though, principal photography on Nolan's third and reportedly final Caped Crusader flick — "The Dark Knight Rises" — has officially begun, with the production expected to span three continents, from India, Scotland and England to Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles. And to celebrate this highly anticipated beginning, Warner Bros. has released the film's first official photo and fired up a viral marketing campaign.

The photo features Bane, the heavily muscled villain played by "Inception" vet Tom Hardy. With Bane bathed in shadows, his back to the camera and a freaky mask on his head, the pic offers an excellent introduction to a character not very well known to the masses but one who is cherished by comic-book fans.

The Bane photo was the payoff of a brand-new viral effort that began with a muffled audio file on the film's official website. Savvy technophiles were able to analyze the audio and discover a Twitter hashtag (#thefirerises) and account, which in turn led to the discovery of a hidden image at Thedarkknightrises.com. Expect the marketing campaign to continue for quite a while — the film doesn't hit theaters until July 20, 2012. "We're very much excited about really finishing a trilogy and giving a conclusion to our story," Nolan told us in February. "And that's what we're doing."

Casey Abrams Likens 'American Idol' Judges' Input To 'Jelly Beans'

It's a lot to take in. Imagine being on TV for the first time in your life, in front of several hundred screaming fans in a Los Angeles studio and more than 20 million at home, and not only performing a cover of a song you may not even know, but listening to feedback on your work from three judges, mentor/ record industry legend Jimmy Iovine and the show's producers.

It can be a head-swimming proposition, but for just-booted "American Idol" bass-slapper Casey Abrams, filtering all of that information was not as hard as it sounds.

 "I tended to listen to the coaches more," he said of the "Idol" team of behind-the-scenes vocal coaches that includes associate music director and arranger Michael Orland. "He's sick and he's funny in a weird way. And I just trusted him musically."

But Abrams, who studied music and music theory at California's Idyllwild Arts Academy, also combined that with the words of wisdom from the producers, Iovine and the judges' comments from the previous week. "You piece it together and it's like the jelly beans in a big jar," Abrams explained. "You're not gonna be like, 'Hey producer what do you think? Oh, you think that?' "

In other words, none of those other voices are enough to push a performance in one direction or another, but rather, they're all pieces of a tapestry. There are always those weird flavors in a jelly bean jar, though, like your cotton candy or root beer, right?

"The buttered-popcorn jelly bean would have to be J.Lo," Abrams said of the judge he famously smooched on the show. "Right? She's buttery?"

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon Welcome Newborn Twins

Congratulations to new parents Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon who welcomed twins - a boy and a girl - on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, Mariah gave birth at 12:07 p.m. at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles. The Cannon's bundle of joy come at the same time as the couples fourth wedding anniversary.

Nick Cannon shared his excitement over the news on his Twitter page.

"My wife just gave me the most incredible anniversary gift ever in life!" Cannon wrote. "I won't ever be able to top this!"

Back in February Mariah broke the news that she was expecting twin babies.

"Even before we announced it was twins, I was trying to keep everything gender-neutral, because I didn't want to impose an identity on them too soon," Mariah told Life & Style magazine. "There were fan contests on Twitter about what gender they are and rumors about them being two boys or two girls — but nobody guessed this!"

Friends couldn't be happier for the duo, including one who tells the mag: "It's all about pink and blue these days. It's truly going to be a dream come true for them. They get a son and daughter." The magazine reports that the couple's twin babies are expected sometime in April.

Despite trying to keep details about the pregnancy as private as possible, Cannon admitted in December that the couple were expecting twins. He explained that the pop powerhouse let the news slip during a conversation with the president and first lady backstage at TNT's "Christmas in Washington 2010."

NBA Playoffs: Round 2 predictions.

Now that each of the teams have one series under their belt, it’s a little more clear as to what is going on. Obviously, the one huge surprise was Memphis over San Antonio in six games – although I have never heard so many people giving so much chance to a #8 seed before the series began. Still… a #8 over a #1 in six games is pretty incredible.

A few days ago I wrote about the biggest choke jobs in history. In the NBA, the biggest almost certainly was in 2007 when #1 Dallas lost to #8 Golden State.

Both Golden State in 2007 and Memphis in 2011 had 42-40 records. Both won four games to two. Dallas had 67 wins in 2007, San Antonio had 61 wins in 2011. So, I guess you would have to say the Dallas choke was bigger than the San Antonio choke simply because Dallas had more victories during the season.

And, that also underscores how often the playoffs are about matchups. As I mentioned in my choke job post, Golden State had played Dallas three times during the regular season in 2007. They won all three and by an average of 16ppg! So, it wasn’t even as big a surprise as Memphis over San Antonio even though they split during the regular season.

I think the Grizzlies are probably better than most people realized and they did finish the second half the season very strong whereas the Spurs stumbled into the playoffs. So, the stars were aligned and an eight beat a one. What does it mean?

COOL FACTOID: Prior to the San Antonio series, Memphis had never won a single playoff game – having been swept the three previous appearances.

MEMPHIS vs OKLAHOMA CITY

Oklahoma City should have an easier second round opponent than what was expected. But, again, Memphis has proven they are no pushover and with Durant and Westbrook being a little streaky at times, they might be vulnerable.

The two teams played four times during the season and Memphis won three of the four – scoring 100+ in each game. But, it is also worth noting that Kendrick Perkins did not play in any of the games. So, whether his presence on the inside will affect Memphis ability to score in the paint (#1 in the NBA)… it remains to be determined.

Of course, Grizzly fans are lamenting more than ever the loss of Rudy Gay for the season – and who can blame them. But, they have been getting outstanding help from other players and should be able to make this a very competitive series.

My pick: OKC 4-3.

BOSTON vs MIAMI

Everyone knows the actors in this play! The obvious question is whether or not the Celtics “team” can beat the greatest collection of “individuals” of our era. I say no. But then, I’ve underestimated the Celtics before. My opinion is not based upon how good Boston is as much as it is based upon how good Miami is.

The Celtics have collapsed in the second half the season each of the four years this group has been together. But, that didn’t keep them from winning one title and almost a second. So, just because they ended 11-11 doesn’t mean you can draw a lot of conclusions from it. They did, after all, sweep the Knicks in the first round even if a couple games could have gone either way and even though Billups and Stoudemire were injured.

Miami did what they needed to do dispatching Philadelphia 4-1.

The most likely reference that you will hear is that Boston beat Miami 3-1 during the season. But, that has to be looked at in context. Boston was fortunate enough to play Miami twice within the first nine games of the season, winning once at home (+8) and once on the road (+5).

As I’ve pointed out in the past, the Heat were only 9-8 early on while trying to get familiar with each other as well as dealing with a Dwyane Wade injury. From there, they were 49-16 (62 win rate). And, after that, they played the Celtics twice – losing by three in Boston and winning by 23 late in the season in Miami when the #2 seed was at stake.

Miami has the home court advantage and I simply don’t think the Celtics can beat them. The big advantage Boston was to have was inside the paint, but I don’t think that’s going to be all that big of a deal. I think this series is going to be decided on the perimeter and driving to the basket. I don’t think it’s going to be decided by O’Neal vs Ilgauskas or even Garnett vs Bosh. It’s going to be Wade and James vs Rondo, Allen and Pierce. Wade and James are two of the best handful of players in the NBA. Rondo, Allen and Pierce are good, but not nearly that good… and I mean both offensively and defensively.

My pick: Miami 4-2.

ATLANTA vs CHICAGO

The Hawks surprised a lot of people by beating Orlando 4-2 despite a super human effort by Dwight Howard. The big question is whether it says more about Atlanta or more about Orlando. I say it says more about the Magic – that they have tremendous weaknesses apart from Howard. Consequently, I don’t give Atlanta as much credit as perhaps they deserve.

On the other hand, the Bulls were less than impressive against Indiana. They did win in five games, but the first three Chicago wins could have gone either way.

Rose had a good series, but the NBA MVP is going to be held under a microscope and with justification. No PG should be shooting 21 FGA per game! If he continues to do that, THEY WILL LOSE – if not to Atlanta, then to the winner of Boston/Miami. Rose also only hit 7.8 FG per game, so his FG% was sub 40%. That ain’t going to cut it.

Additionally, Boozer was abysmal in the series. His EFF for the playoffs so far is 12.40. Ok, “abysmal” is a little strong, but his season average was 19.85. That loss of production will be devastating unless he recovers. Deng and Noah are playing well. So, they need a little less domination by Rose and quite a bit more production out of Boozer.

Even so, Atlanta is far too skitzoid for me to pick them. They lost to the Bulls in two late-season games by 18 (road) and 33 (home). Plus, they don’t have the leadership necessary to beat Chicago. Not that Hinrich is in the category of Smith or Johnson or Crawford or Horford, but his injury is significant. He’s a glue guy on a team that needs glue badly.

My pick: Chicago 4-1.

LOS ANGELES vs DALLAS

This is a no-brainer. The Lakers are a far superior team to Dallas – assuming two things – no injuries and Bynum plays the way he’s been playing. There is no team in the league that is as talented up front with Bynum and Gasol. Dallas will get taken to the cleaners inside.

Although Nowitzki is great, his game is more of a small forward. He’s not going to bang with Gasol and Bynum – although their willingness to “bang” along with that of Odom and Artest is oftentimes a function of what kind of mood they are in.

The Lakers have been so good that they don’t always feel the need to get down and dirty, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Dallas pulled a couple games out. But I’m a believer that LA can (and will) turn it on when necessary. Now that San Antonio is out of the picture, it’s hard to see how Jackson will be able to convince his players that they aren’t a shoe-in for the finals.

Of course, Dallas has more weapons than just Nowitzki, but if LA plays shut-down defense – which they are capable of – I can’t see Kidd or Terry or Marion or Chandler making any difference. If Caron Butler hadn’t been injured… maybe. Otherwise…

My pick: LA 4-1.

Lohan to Leno: I'll be back with an Oscar!

Lindsay Lohan, whose career has been derailed by drunken driving convictions, probation violations and a shoplifting charge, admitted in an interview with talk show host Jay Leno to "poor decisions in the past" -- but predicted an Oscar is in her future.

Lohan, in a "Tonight Show" interview taped Monday and broadcast Tuesday, said she's "willing to do the work that I have to do to follow through with being an actress."

She hopes to be back on Leno's show in a few years with an Oscar, Lohan said.

"I've made a lot of mistakes and I've recognized that, but I'm in the clear now and I feel like as long as I stay focused then I will be able to, you know, achieve what I want to be able to achieve," Lohan told the NBC show's host.

When Leno asked what one thing she would like to change about herself, Lohan said it would be the public perception of her.

"I want the public knowledge to be about my work, not about things that I didn't get into this business for, that I've put myself into positions where that was the bigger story than what I was working on," she said.

Lohan, 24, said she's been cast to play mobster John "Junior" Gotti's wife in a movie, but a 120-day jail sentence and several months of community service for a probation violation threatens to keep her out of the movie. It starts shooting in October.

She is also scheduled to go on trial in June for allegedly stealing a gold and diamond necklace from a Venice, California, jewelry store. If convicted, Lohan could face up to a year in jail.

The 13 days she spent in a Los Angeles jail last summer "was an interesting experience and it was definitely a wake-up call," Lohan said. "And I think when it happened, everything happens for a reason. I don't know exactly what will happen."

Her latest legal setback came Friday when Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner ruled that Lohan violated her probation on two 2007 drunken driving convictions by being arrested for the necklace theft.

Lohan said she was "kind of numb" when Sautner sentenced her to 120 days in jail and 480 hours of community service.

"I was kind of shocked, I didn't really expect the outcome to be what it was, but I'm a big girl and I'm going to do what I'm told to do, continue on with working in my life and I'm taking responsibility," she said.

The actress has admitted a drug addiction in the past, and she's spent at least eight months in substance abuse rehab in the last four years.

She blamed her youth on her bad choices.

"Being young and being in a position that I was in, you don't really take the time to appreciate what you have, and it's all kind of a whirlwind and people make decisions for you," she said. "But I'm not a kid anymore."

Lohan's most optimistic statement came when Leno asked where she sees herself when she turns 30 -- six years from now.

"Hopefully, sitting here after winning an Oscar," Lohan said.