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Heidi Murkoff: Oh, Baby: What to Expect When You're Expecting a Movie

2012-05-16T14:15:00Z

Re: Cameron Diaz's breasts.

It wasn't exactly an average subject line, never mind an average subject -- even for someone who spends a fair amount of time talking about breasts (swollen, tender, and otherwise pregnant or lactating, that is).

But there it was, sitting in my morning inbox, making a lot more sense than I ever could have expected. At least, once I opened it -- an email sent by the producer and director of What To Expect When You're Expecting, the movie, asking about how much Cameron's character's breasts might grow from their prepregnancy size by the beginning of her second trimester.

Talk about what I didn't expect when I delivered the proposal for What to Expect When You're Expecting -- true story, two hours before I went into labor with Emma -- a very young, very naive, and very clueless first time expectant mom determined to write a pregnancy guide that would help even a handful of other expectant parents sleep better at night than I had and my husband Erik had.

Fast (and I mean fast) forward 29 years later, and I was consulting on Cameron's breast size, running checks on Elizabeth Banks' pregnancy symptoms, advising on Ben Falcone's Couvade Syndrome, checking out prosthetic bellies and ultrasound images.

Not exactly my day job (which, by the way, I love so much it makes me weak-kneed to think about it), but then again, helping What to Expect When You're Expecting make the unlikely transformation from how to pregnancy guide with one character (you, the expectant parent) into a romantic comedy with an all-star cast of many, has been unexpected right from the start.

Most unexpected was that I said yes to the pitch from Phoenix Pictures in the first place (I had already said no to a Hollywood film several times before). Of course, me being me, it was a yes... but. Yes, but the movie would have to be true to the sensibility of What to Expect (warm, relatable, funny as appropriate, real as possible, sweet but not insipid, sensitive but not sappy). Yes, but it would have to capture as many stories as possible, so it reflected some of the different ways that couples become parents, but also the emotional connection, the fundamentally human and universal bond that parents share. Yes, but you will have to deal with one very protective mom... me.

A ridiculously short time later, Erik and I were executive producers on a major motion picture green-lit by Lionsgate, and we were watching a cast come together that was so insanely talented, so beautiful to look at, that we felt like kids in a candy shop who had just ended up with a huge bag of the really good stuff (not a sucker in the bunch).

Barely a month later, in August, we were sweltering in Atlanta's Piedmont Park, laughing ourselves silly as Chris Rock led his merry band of bros (aka The Dudes Group) through take after take of side-splitting improv. Talking to the adorable Matthew Morrison about what it's like to have a father who's a midwife (really). Watching Jennifer Lopez calm a crying four-month-old like only a mama could, a crew of set designers turn an empty storefront into a fictional store for breastfeeding moms (The Breast Choice), Dennis Quaid and Ben Falcone race golf carts, and Elizabeth Banks rage against the unfairness of her hormones in a very public mega mommy meltdown. Hugging anyone who would hug back (and they all did). And yes, sitting by the side of a very pregnant extra who went into labor in -- you can't make this stuff up -- the very last hours of filming (she's now the mom of a beautiful 7-month old boy named Shay, who I get frequent fixes of on Facebook).

It's now mid May, opening day is in less than a week, and in the midst of a movie media storm, I'm not going to lie... I am one nervous mama. I spend my nights doing my day job... and greedily catching up with my moms on Facebook and Twitter until Erik drags me (or if that fails, carries me) to bed. Nine months from when the day filming began, our newest baby will be delivered. Is it perfect? No baby, like no parent, is. Did the experience of making a movie, like making a baby, give me heartburn? At times. Am I happy? More than I could have ever expected.

Forbes' Celebrity 100 List: Who Is Number 1?

2012-05-16T14:00:00Z

Forbes revealed its annual Celebrity 100 list Wednesday, and Jennifer Lopez lands in the top spot for 2012 -- ousting Lady Gaga, who claimed the title in 2011.

Forbes compiles its annual Celebrity 100 list by looking at both the pretax income (from May 1, 2011 to May 1, 2012) and fame of Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars -- meaning how often we see their names and faces on TV, in movies and online, as well as their social media following.

Taking all of that into consideration, Lopez is sitting pretty atop the high-powered list, and it's no surprise, especially after the banner professional year she's had. According to Forbes, Lopez brought in $52 million in earnings over the past year, and when that's added to her star power, it's clear to see she's no longer just a singer -- she's a brand, and has ample avenues to promote her various endeavors.

Whether she's judging "American Idol," filming a new music video, promoting a new film or chatting about her ex-husband Marc Anthony (or current boyfriend Casper Smart), it's hard to miss Lopez in the entertainment world these days -- and easy to see why Forbes considers her today's top celebrity.

Trailing behind Lopez is Oprah Winfrey, who brought in a whopping $165 million in the past year. She may have ended her talk show in 2011, but she has continued to create headlines thanks to her OWN cable network -- though she may not have the everyday media presence Lopez seems to command.

Justin Bieber lands at No. 3 on Forbes' list and while he's only 18 years old, it's no surprise that the entertainer and mogul-in-training -- he made $55 million in the last year -- made the cut. After all, he makes hundreds of millions of young fans scream on a daily basis.

Rihanna and Lady Gaga round out the No. 4 and No. 5 spots, respectively, on Forbes' 2012 list.

Other stars making the Celebrity 100 list include first-timers Kim Kardashian (No. 6, with $18 million and lots o' divorce drama), Khloe Kardashian (No. 73, with $11 million and a popular reality show) and the one and only Ashton Kutcher, whose personal divorce drama and professional gain with a role on "Two and a Half Men" helped him land on the list for the first time at No. 51, with $24 million in earnings.

For the entire list, including more newcomers, stars to watch, most powerful actors, and stars who didn't make the cut this year, head over to Forbes.com.

Jessica Alba Feels Sexier Since Becoming A Mom

2012-05-16T13:40:35Z

In her exclusive blog for the iVillage blog series CelebVillage, actress and mom (to daughters Honor, who turns 4 on June 7, and 9-month-old Haven) Jessica Alba writes about how motherhood has made her “feel more confident and secure than I ever did in my 20s.”

Kerry Washington Teases 'Shocking' & 'Juicy' 'Scandal' Season Finale

2012-05-16T13:38:42Z

In just six episodes, "Scandal" has become a must-see, nail-biter of a drama from Shonda Rhimes. But the most insane, edge-of-your-seat episode is this week's Season 1 finale, titled "Grant: For the People" (Thurs., May 17, 10 p.m. ET on ABC).

It's the culmination of all of the Olivia-Fitz sexual tension (seriously, how great have Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn been together?), the group dynamic shift and that big cliffhanger ending between reporter Gideon (Brendan Hines) and the vice president's chief of staff, Billy Chambers (Matt Letscher), from last week's episode.

I caught up with "Scandal" star Kerry Washington, who promises that the finale will answer at least one big question, but says there'll still be an "exciting, juicy question mark" left in the end to keep fans wanting more.

Keep reading to find out the future of Olivia and the president, which two players are really bringing it "in a huge way" in the finale, plus some ideas about what clients they can take on next.

Congrats on Season 2! I'm so happy ...
We are too! We're really excited to get back to work. This cast is a little bit obsessed with each other. [Laughs.] ... We're so looking forward to getting back to work for you guys.

My first question when I heard about the renewal was whether or not it'll be another shortened, mini-series-style season? Do you know?
I'm not sure how much of that I'm supposed to share ... when I'm doing press about the show, I feel like I have to be sort of Judy Smith/Olivia Pope about it. I'm managing the information around the show, in my own crisis way. [Laughs.] We've been picked up for the maximum number of episodes that a midseason can be picked up for, which is less than a full season, but I think there's the possibility for that to be more [than six episodes]. There are still a lot of questions around it.

[Editor's note: ABC announced that the show will air in the fall, in its same timeslot, though no exact premiere date or episode order has been set just yet.]

This week's finale is insane. Literally everyone has a secret!
I know, it's really fun! There is a big reveal ... a question mark that gets answered in a huge way, and it's sort of shocking. Like, "Whoa, really? Wow, OK." It's a nice answer to a big question. Then there's another big question mark that remains an exciting, juicy question mark.

It's an interesting episode for Olivia and Fitz as well. What can you tease about that?
For me, one of the most interesting things about doing this show has been how invested people have become in that relationship. But one of the most fascinating things is it hasn't been with the same response -- people are very impassioned, but at opposite ends of the spectrum and everything in between. Some people, particularly after last week's episode, really, really want them to be together, and believe that it's true love, and some people are angrier than ever. I just love that. I will say that the complexity will continue. It's like life in a way -- there's definitely a shift in their dynamic in this episode, but it doesn't suddenly become easy in any way.

My parents were visiting me in New Orleans this weekend, and even my mom and dad were arguing about the state of Olivia and Fitz. [Laughs.] They haven’t even seen the finale yet, and I won't tease it to them because I don't trust my parents -- they'll tell everybody. So my mom and dad are sitting in the back seat as we're driving through Louisiana, arguing about Olivia and Fitz. It's awesome.

You also have some amazing scenes in this finale with the First Lady, played by Bellamy Young. We've seen glimpses of how scary she can be, but wow ...
Oh yeah. One of the things I love about this show is, because the world of crisis management is such a high-stakes world, the show allows for actors to really flex their muscles. You're getting to see really powerful work from really great actors because they're in such heightened situations. Whether it's Liza Weil playing Amanda Tanner or Guillermo Diaz playing Huck, you really see profound performances. And I think that two of the performances that will really sort of rock people's world are both Matt Letscher and Bellamy Young, who I think just really brings the heat in a huge way this week. It's great for me because I feel like every day that I go to work, I'm constantly inspired by my fellow castmates -- everybody's bringing it.

Has there been a particular story that Judy Smith, the woman Olivia is based on, has shared with you guys that you'd love to tackle next season?
You know, not really ... one of the things I really love is that Judy never knows who's going to walk into her office, and that's one of the things I look forward to, week to week. But I know Columbus Short is a big football fan, and loves that Judy has that history of working with some really powerful sports personalities. The show never does ripped-from-the-headlines, even when things seem like they're related to what she's done ... we take that and twist it on its head. So I'm open to anything!

Tell us: Are you excited for the "Scandal" finale? How do you think it'll go down?

Also, when you're freaking out after the finale airs, we'll post a few more thoughts about the big cliffhanger from Kerry Washington, so check back here.

Find out the fates of all your favorite shows here:

Sissy Spacek On Career, Kids And That Bloody 'Carrie' Experience In Her New Memoir

2012-05-16T13:18:00Z

She’s a six-time Oscar nominee with forty years of films to her credit, but Sissy Spacek has always made it clear she’s never wanted to be queen of the Hollywood prom.

From her terrifying turn as Stephen King's anti-heroine in 1976’s "Carrie" to her down-to-the-mannerisms take on Loretta Lynn in 1980’s "Coal Miner’s Daughter," Spacek’s quest for unconventionality has made her one of the most formidable actresses of a generation. As it turns out, that non-conformity extends to her personal life as well: at the height of her career, she and husband Jack Fisk fled Hollywood for a farmhouse in rural Virginia, where they raised daughters Schuyler Fisk, now 29, and Madison Fisk, 23.

While there’s been no shortage of Spacek onscreen in recent years (check out her hilariously off-kilter Mrs. Walters in the 2011 smash "The Help," if you haven’t already), the 62-year-old star has a more literary goal in mind these days. Co-written with friend Maryanne Vollers, "My Extraordinary Ordinary Life" traces Spacek’s Texas childhood to her experiences working with Terrence Malick, Brian DePalma and David Lynch to the challenges of finding juicy roles as an actress over 50 -- all in exquisite, even heartfelt detail.

In the midst of a promotional blitz for her new book, the ever-charming Spacek nonetheless took a few moments to talk to The Huffington Post about her career, her family –- and, of course, that bloody prom night.

Congratulations on your new memoir! How did you decide the time was right to write your autobiography?

Well, I had the opportunity, and there’s no time like the present, since that’s all we’ve got! I wanted to put all my family stories down for my girls, and I remember everything so vividly. I just wanted to put everything down while I still can remember it all.

You’ve written candidly about your brother Robbie, whose death you’ve called "the defining moment” of your life. Do you ever speculate how your life and career may have turned out differently if he were still with us?

He probably would’ve been there with me. He was really the better actor of the two of us. And I’m sure he would’ve gone off first and I would’ve followed after him…it’s a hard thing to know.

I think anything that happens in our lives has the power to change everything, so it’s really impossible for me to speculate on that. If I hadn’t left Texas, I might not have met the director Terrence Malick, and I wouldn’t have met my husband and I wouldn’t have had the children that I’ve had. Life is interesting like that.

You met your husband Jack on the set of Malick’s 1973 film "Badlands," in which you starred and he served as art director. How have you been able to avoid the pratfalls that many Hollywood couples face when they choose to work together?

Well, first we met working together, and throughout the 1970s we just did almost every film together -- from "Badlands" to "Carrie." If I wasn’t working, I helped him out, and if he wasn’t working, he helped me with my research for a role. We really supported one another and we really understood the business. It was what brought us together.

And we were passionate about the same things, including movie-making…we both thought of ourselves as filmmakers. And I think it was a lucky thing for me, not only that I met Jack, but that I was so involved since the very beginning of my career with the entire production of my films. We both had this great passion and love for filmmaking, and that’s something that we continue to share. And we each have an understanding of what making a commitment to a film entails. We both have to give 200 percent.

You talk rather frankly about the difficult audition process you endured for your iconic role in the horror classic "Carrie." Why did you feel so drawn to that particular character?

Well, I really loved Brian [DePalma, the film's director] and I wanted to work with him. It was early in my career and I just connected with the character… I loved the character and it was the title role. And I just needed a job! (laughs)

It was an interesting way that we auditioned. Usually you go in and you audition solely with the director. In this situation with Brian, we would go into a room and there would be 10-15 other actors there, so we’d play all of the different scenes together and then swap roles. All of us played all of those roles. All of the girls played all of the female roles, all of the boys played all of the male roles. That was a new experience. It was just so interesting, very fresh and very different.

"Carrie" has gone on to become a favorite among gay audiences. In your opinion, what is it about that film and that character that makes both so relevant to the gay community?

Well, I think all of it is relevant to anyone who has ever felt persecuted. And that’s why the movie has continued to appeal to teenagers, all of us -- even the teenagers who were popular in school. It just appeals to that persecuted side of us.

It takes place during a time in a person’s life when there’s a lot of angst. So I can see how it would appeal to anyone who’s ever felt persecuted in their own life. There are a lot of African-Americans who have talked to me over the years about how the story has touched them as well.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to dress as Carrie White on Halloween?

Watch out for cars! (laughs) And stage blood is very sticky and flammable, so be careful. And don’t sit down, you might stick to a chair!

You've nabbed an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, recorded an album and now written a book. Is there anything that you're dying to do that you haven't gotten the chance to yet?

You know, I don’t know what the future will bring, but I’m ready for whatever comes!

'Big Bang Theory' Star Welcomes A Daughter

2012-05-16T13:12:58Z

Simon Helberg and wife Jocelyn Towne welcomed their first child, daughter Adeline, on Tuesday, May 8, his rep confirms to PEOPLE.

Happy Birthday, Pierce Brosnan!

2012-05-16T13:06:00Z

Someone get birthday boy Pierce Brosnan a drink -- shaken, not stirred!

One of the elite group of actors in the James Bond franchise, the 59-year-old Brosnan portrayed 007 between 1995 and 2002 before Daniel Craig took the reigns in 2006. Brosnan starred in four Bond films, including 1995's "GoldenEye."

When Brosnan traded his secret agent persona to sing in the film "Mamma Mia!" in 2008, he told Good Housekeeping:

"I'm pretty tried-and-tested in the world of 'suit acting.' So I'm thrilled to be able to tackle something like this. I'm excited to see what will happen next. Really, at this stage in my career, I'm happy to still be at the table."

Before the big screen, Brosnan made a splash on the television show "Remington Steel," which ran 1982 to 1987. In 2011, he made his way back to TV in the screen adaptation of Stephen King's "Bag of Bones," portraying a novelist in the A&E mini-series. People Magazine named Brosnan one of its 50 Most Beautiful People in 1991 and 1996, and Sexiest Man Alive in 2001.

Brosnan was born in County Meath, Ireland and his family relocated to London when he was 11. When his wife Cassandra Harris died in 1991 from ovarian cancer at age 39, Brosnan adopted her two children from an earlier marriage (the couple had a third child together). The actor remarried in 2001 to Keely Shaye Smith, and they have two children.

As an activist, Brosnan has been outspoken on a number of issues, including whale hunting, which he blogged about for The Huffington Post.

Happy birthday, Pierce Brosnan! For more on this debonair post 50 star, check out the slideshow below.

Kardashians Losing Interest From Tabloid Magazines?

2012-05-16T12:59:29Z

Over the years, the Kardashians have made a fortune selling almost every aspect of their lives -- from baby pictures to wedding exclusives -- to celebrity weekly magazines. The sisters have even posed in bikinis to make a little extra cash. But after their long and profitable run, it looks like interest in the family is starting to run out.

"No one wanted exclusive access to Kourtney's baby shower," the editor of a weekly magazine told me. "Kris [Jenner] tried to trick everyone, [saying] the shower was going to other magazines for $80,000 so everyone would bid higher. But it backfired on her and, in the end, she just gave the pictures to US Weekly for almost nothing."

A spokesperson for US Weekly declined to comment on whether the magazine bought the images and, if so, how much they paid.

"The weekly magazine market is changing week by week," another insider tells me. "There are so many reality stars willing to give stories away to get attention that selling access no longer is worth paying the big bucks."

Still, celebrities are continuing to make money from selling their private photos.

Jessica Simpson recently sold her new baby girl's pictures to People magazine for $800,000, but that figure pales in comparison to the record $14 million Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie got for pictures of their twins back in 2008.

And although Kris didn't get as much as she wanted for access to Kourtney's baby shower, insiders tell me to expect momma Kardashian to attempt to sell images of Kourtney's new baby when she arrives.

Mischa Barton Strips Down

2012-05-16T12:57:29Z

From raw meat to panda bears, celebrity photographer Tyler Shields certainly has Mischa Barton playing quite the range of characters.

In her latest shoot with Shields, the 26-year-old "O.C." beauty sits in what looks like the middle of a road, her bare back to the camera. But the sultry image is soon spun to the absurd when Barton is joined by a male subject donning a giant panda head -- the leggy actress even sports the fluffy accessory for a photo or two.

But this shoot wasn't all about still images. Shields also shot a video which shows Barton slow dancing (and making out with?) the panda-headed man.

This is Barton's second run with Shields, who has also famously photographed stars like Lindsay Lohan, Demi Lovato and Heather Morris.

Take a firsthand look at Shields' work at the artist's Los Angeles "Mouthful" exhibition, open to the public on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Wilshire Tower. Click over to Shields' website for more details.

Check out Heather Morris' Tyler Shields shoot below:

PHOTOS: Who Wore It Better?

2012-05-16T12:46:10Z

Growing up with rather petite genes, we were always taught to steer clear of clothes that overpowered us. Yet Kelly Ripa and Ginnifer Goodwin both took the same fashion risk, clothing their diminutive frames in a powerful pink dress with oversized bell sleeves.

Goodwin picked the neon dress by Roksanda Ilincic (a favorite of Lady Gaga) back in January at the 2012 People's Choice Awards, offsetting the bright color with black accessories, that edgy cropped haircut and a rather serious red carpet stance.

Ripa, on the other hand, channeled her blonde, bubbly persona on the "Late Show With David Letterman" this week, wearing her hot pink dress with red and pink platform pumps (and an ankle tattoo we'd somehow never noticed before).

Each star wore the dress her way -- but do the mega sleeves overpower them both?

See more best-dressed stars from the 2012 People's Choice Awards!

John Lennon's Killer Moved From Attica After Over 30 Years

2012-05-16T12:35:53Z

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- John Lennon's killer has been transferred to another maximum-security state prison in western New York after spending more than 30 years in Attica Correctional Facility.

A spokesman for the state prison system says the agency doesn't disclose why inmates are transferred to a new facility.

Chapman fatally shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Manhattan apartment building where the former Beatle lived. Chapman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison.

He was denied parole for the sixth time in September 2010. He's eligible again for parole in August.

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Alexander Vassiliadis: Jack White Stuns Audiences Yet Again

2012-05-16T12:31:01Z

Jack White's the name. Music is the game. Ladies and gentleman, he can play the game all right -- and let's just say he wins every time.

From the beginning, he stunned audiences with his leadership in The White Stripes, his experimental style in The Raconteurs, his rugged musical genius with The Dead Weather and now with his exploration into the world of solo work.

There isn't a soul who is actively engaged in the musical world and unfamiliar with White's masterpiece "Seven Nation Army," released back in 2003 when he was still with The White Stripes playing alongside his ex-wife Meg White. He went on to join The Raconteurs and "wow" audiences in 2008 with his hit single "Salute Your Solution." But he didn't stop there; he brought his brilliance to The Dead Weather, a band that formed accidentally, yet went on to perform before the release of its first single and book its first tour before the release of its first album. Not to mention his venture and creation of the hit single "Another Way To Die," which he performed alongside the breathtaking voice of Alicia Keys in 2008 for the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. The union of Keys's soul-filled vocals and White's whammy-filled guitar truly mixes into an energetic and prototypical piece of grandeur. And do people expect this from White's image? Although some people perceive him as this dark and Goth-like artist, he is in fact so much more than that. He is the definition of musical ambidexterity.

His new album, Blunderbuss, has successfully grasped the same wide span of aesthetically pleasing musical styles that hasn't been done since his last legend of an album, Elephant, when he was still exploiting his charisma with The White Stripes. This album tells the story of the heart-wrenching hell we all know as love. In the hit track "Love Interruption," White sings, "I want love to roll me over slowly/ Stick a knife inside me/ And twist it all around." The song combines a bluesy-acoustic sound with White's agony-filled voice that makes the listener close their eyes and pensively nod their head as if agreeing to the lyrics. The whole album is made up mostly of White's and female vocals; the female vocals in the background emphasize the poetic emotions that White most likely envisioned reaching male and female audiences. Another hit track, "Freedom at 21," brings his audience back to White's Raconteur days. His high-pitched voice mixed with his spunky drum styling induces angst-filled sentiments that bring even the most mature of adults back to a teenage state.

At the age of 36, Jack White has achieved the right to call himself a musical genius. Keep reviving the animalistic sensations inside us, Jack, and continue to remind us why we're all alive.

'Idol' Contestant Gets A Huge Endorsement

2012-05-16T12:16:18Z

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has picked his "American Idol."

The Philippines' leader says he is happy Jessica Sanchez is one of the singing contest's top three finalists and "hopefully she really reaches the top."

The 16-year-old Sanchez is from Chula Vista, California, and has Filipino and Latino heritage. She is being cheered by many in the Philippines and by the Filipino and Mexican communities in the U.S.

The TV talent show airs the finale next week.

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Online:

http://www.americanidol.com/

Liz Smith: Michelle Pfeiffer Talks Trust, Vulnerability And Her Empty Nest

2012-05-16T12:16:17Z

"THE CLASSIC Maya made no known predictions as to what would happen, but it does mark a change of ages in their way of counting time and they surely thought time would go on and another cycle would begin at that point. The Mayan calendar...is actually not an ordinary civil
calendar such as the one we use."

Thus speaks astrologist Bruce Scofield when it comes to the real implications of December 2012 when many think the Mayans were predicting the end of the world.

WELL, KIDS, I already told you that the place to be if you want answers to such moon-planets-stars predictions would be the world's biggest astrology conference in New Orleans, happening May 23-30th. Details are at www.UACASTROLOGY.com.

And world astrologists took plenty of notice recently when the "Super Moon" was close to the earth. Europeans gave it credit for the fact that suddenly, the next day, the governments of France and Greece were no more! Uranus and Pluto are seen to be seeing to it there is very little stability anywhere.

I WAS ASKING the other day about a particular astrology favorite of mine -- Michael Lutin? I see he is going to New Orleans, leading a discussion called "Irregulus"- OMG The Mayans Were Right!"

Well, they were right in that the world as they knew, it did come to an end. The Spanish invaded the Mayan culture and destroyed it thoroughly.

Mr. Lutin tells his fellow believers in the stars: "If you thought Election Day 2000 was wild, wait till November 6, 2012." How does that gibe with the former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich saying that Obama-Clinton will win hands down. Mr. Reich also says, "Astrology has a fairly good record of being correct." But I didn't quite understand his remark because I didn't know a Clinton would be running, not officially anyway.

One stargazer Giselle Terry is saying: "We are embarking on a new age of heightened social awareness. There is a potential for social consciousness that is less devisive than has ever been before." Hmmm, well, that's great but considering the attacks on Planned Parenthood, gays, immigrants, women and unions as well as on disenfranchised-from-voting elders and minorities, it sounds like wishful thinking to me.

More like the reality is market analyst-financial astrologist Ray Merriman. This man who is translated into eight languages, says we are in a period very like unto 1776 in early America, when debt containment could lead to another U.S. credit rating downgrade, paralysis regarding tax compromises, and the same issues arising in Europe. Uh oh!

BUT ALL in all, this biggest ever get together of believers in the stars will still happen in the Big Easy when Venus will be on display as the most brilliant brightest of the planets. And prexy Dennis Flaherty says, "I cannot personally think of a more fitting name than Venus Rising for this illustrious 2012 UAC get together."

THERE WAS an SRO crowd at Cipriani 42 Street the night President Obama was in New York -- he was there to congratulate the women of Barnard College. But the Cipriani crowd was gathered for "The Gloria Awards: A Salute to Women of Vision" and Gloria Steinem deservedly got most of the kudos. They gave her two standing ovations and both Gloria and her co-founder, Marlo Thomas, noted the huge Corinthian columns and the grandeur of the room -- which used to be a bank! Gloria said women's standing had improved with a deserted bank offering more posh accommodations for females and Marlo said we'd take the banks down one by one! The honorees were -- young to old -- all outstanding in what they have accomplished for the Ms. Foundation and their own enterprises, be it Planned Parenthood or Jobs With Justice.

My own table had been provided by philanthropist-documentary maker Perri Peltz and was meant as a salute to all the honorees. But we at the table were particularly devoted to our Wow woman -- the great and beautiful Sheila Nevins of HBO. The excerpts from 1000 documentaries she has made were staggering in their complexity, from Elaine Stritch to movie stars-into-nuns to French movie director Roman Polanski to tiny child prostitutes and several wounded veterans. Sheila hadn't missed anything trenchant.

Ms. magazine celebrates being 40 years old this year and next year the Foundation itself becomes 40. The donors to the Women's Funding Network have raised more than $200 million to help women worldwide.

As Gloria stood with some of us to be photographed, I could only marvel at her stamina and courage. And, to think, when I met her some 45 years ago, I thought she was just another pretty face! I had a lot to learn and all women who so earnestly need her help have a lot to be thankful for.

ENDQUOTE: "It takes years for me to trust; I know that about myself. A lot of it is because I am so private, and so reluctant to make myself vulnerable...Nobody would consciously decide to be guarded and self-protective. I was very open when I was young, but celebrity teaches you. You learn to cope with intense scrutiny." That's "Dark Shadows" star Michelle Pfeiffer, talking with Parade magazine's Dotson Rader.

Pfeiffer is celebrating the 19th anniversary of her marriage to producer David E.Kelly, and beginning to suffer empty-nest syndrome as her children go off to college. The eternally beautiful actress says, "People make a lot of jokes about it. But it's no laughing matter. I feel like I'm going to cry just talking about it!"

OneRepublic Drummer Arrested In Denver, In Court Today

2012-05-16T12:14:34Z

By Associated Press

DENVER -- Denver police say they've arrested the drummer of Denver-based band OneRepublic on suspicion of assault, destruction of private property and disturbing the peace.

ABC 7News in Denver reports ( http://bit.ly/Kd7aoW ) that 38-year-old Eddie Fisher was arrested early Tuesday morning.

Fisher was being held at a Denver jail and is set to appear in court on Wednesday.

Denver police did not immediately return an after-hours call from The Associated Press seeking further details on the arrest.

OneRepublic's website says the band was up for a Grammy in 2008. It's most famous songs include "Apologize," "Stop and Stare," "All the Right Moves" and "Secrets."