(CelebrityAccess News Service) – There have been many contests bands offer its fans over the years, but Puddle of Mudd's "Puddle Of Mudd Platinum Pass" contest has numerous prizes but the grand prize is quite unique. That winner becomes the fifth member of the band for seven days.
The winner and a guest will have their own bus accompanying the foursome on tour next year, joining the band in all their rock n' roll activities, including: "oversleeping, showing up late for meet-and-greets and being chased by girls down hotel hallways," according to the band. The winner will also receive an autographed guitar. Ten other top winners will each receive an autographed guitar.
The Platinum Pass contest coincides with the band's new album Life On Display (Flawless/Geffen) set for release November 25. The winning Platinum Pass and 10 first prize passes will be enclosed in eleven random pressings of the initial run of the CD.
As extra value for consumers, the enhanced CD features interviews with the band, footage of the making of the album, and will also allow fans to access exclusive content on the Puddle Of Mudd website ( www.puddleofmudd.com ), making them eligible to attend special concerts, purchase band merchandise and more. –Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
Showtime to Resume Stand-up Comedy With Dave Chappelle
(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Showtime
makes its return to stand-up comedy with comedian Dave Chappelle, who will star in an upcoming one hour comedy special to be taped from a live event during the spring of 2004 at a venue to be determined. It is slated to air in early summer.
Showtime has long supported stand-up comedy and has spawned the careers of Tim Allen, Garry Shandling, Ellen DeGeneres, Denis Leary, Brett Butler, Robert Schimmel, and many others. The network also broadcast the Montreal Just For Laughs International Comedy Festival for a number of years with hosts Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Kelsey Grammer, the late John Candy and others.
"Showtime is proud to return to its stand-up roots," Robert Greenblatt, president of Entertainment for Showtime Networks Inc. said. "There are some very edgy and talented comedians out there, and we want to showcase them. Now more than ever, the American public has a huge appetite for great humor. Dave Chappelle is a polished comedian whose irreverent commentary goes way beyond his young years. I'm thrilled that someone with his talent is on board with SHOWTIME as we come back to stand-up in a very big way. Comedy connoisseurs out there are in for a very big treat."
Chappelle, one of comedy's preeminent stars, earlier this year completed his Dave Chappelle Is BlackZilla Comedy, which hit 60 markets with 95 sold-out shows over a 12-week run. Chappelle is represented by UTA, Rick Greenstein and attorney Matt Johnson.–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
Illusionist Roy Horn Moved to New Hospital
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Illusionist Roy Horn of "Siegfried and Roy" has been moved to a new hospital almost a month after a tiger attacked him during a sold-out performance, his publicist said.
Horn, 59, had been in an intensive care unit at University Medical Center in Las Vegas until he was transferred Tuesday to a Los Angeles medical facility. UMC is Nevada's only top-level trauma center.
Publicist Dave Kirvin declined to say where Horn was taken or discuss his condition.
"We can't comment on the specifics of his care or treatment at the request of his family," Kirvin said.
Doctors haven't released many details since the Oct. 3 attack at The Mirage hotel-casino. Physicians have said Horn is improving. Horn was able to move his hands and feet after suffering a stroke and severe blood loss.
The 380-pound tiger sunk his fangs into Horn's neck and dragged him off stage, almost killing him.
Horn's prognosis remains unknown, but MGM Mirage officials have said the performer will have a long recovery period.
Dee Snider Has New Halloween Project
LONG ISLAND, New York (AP) — Dee Snider of the '80s hair band Twisted Sister thinks its time to get rid of the "Ghostbusters" and "Monster Mash" approach to Halloween music.
His project is Van Helsing's Curse, named for the vampire hunter in Bram Stoker's "Dracula."
"Van Helsing's curse is a rock orchestra that is attempting to create the soundtracks for Halloween. This is a holiday desperately in need of music," he said.
Snider narrates a story about the fight against evil, accompanied by classic rock songs, classical music and Latin chanting.
"There's something very disturbing about choirs singing in Latin. There's just an ominous tone to the whole Gregorian chant. I think that has great fright factor," he said.
Snider wanted someone else to do the narration, but his record company and friends persuaded him to do it himself. Snider says he's finding he's developing a reputation as "Dee 'Mr. Scary' Snider."
Snider says he plans to resurrect Van Helsing's Curse again for Halloween next year.
Twisted Sister's profanity-laced rock shows in the 1970s and '80s drew the ire of the United States Senate, where Al and Tipper Gore accused them of endangering the morals of America's youth and undermining parental authority.
Singer Reed Producing Nashville Musical
FRANKLIN, TN (AP) — Singer-actor Jerry Reed, best known for his role in the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, is producing an original musical to be performed at a theater in a Nashville suburb.
"I thought this would be an opportunity for me to help some great young talent introduce themselves to middle Tennessee," Reed told The Review Appeal newspaper Monday.
"Cod Roaster" will be performed Nov. 7 at Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin. Written by songwriter Bryan Kennedy, the musical centers on three men sitting around a campfire singing songs.
Reed, 66, said family friend Kennedy told him about the play while the two played golf, and he then traveled to the town of Hampshire to see a performance.
"The audience just ate it up, and I did too," Reed said.
A songwriter and guitarist, Reed's hits include "Amos Moses," "When You're Hot You're Hot" and "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)."
NYC Mayor Bloomberg Finally Meets J.Lo
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben and Jen finally made it to City Hall, but it had nothing to do with a marriage license.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were there to visit Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who expressed his admiration for Lopez a few months ago.
"For those of you who were wondering, I finally got my date with Jennifer Lopez," Bloomberg said Tuesday as Hollywood's most overexposed couple arrived late for a scheduled event.
"This is worse than the Oscars," Lopez said amid a crowd of television cameras and photographers.
Bloomberg earlier said he would be charmed to meet the pop star who hails from the Bronx.
"The Blue Room isn't exactly … some romantic restaurant, but you know, heck, Ben's here, and you take what you can get," Bloomberg joked.
Lopez showed up at City Hall, with Affleck in tow, for the formation of a new commission to attract Latino entertainment and media to the city. Lopez will be its honorary chairwoman.
"I never thought I'd be here next to such greats as (salsa star) Willie Colon and with the mayor of New York City here at City Hall," Lopez said. "It's a real honor for me."
Lopez was wearing the now-famous $1.2 million pink emerald-cut diamond engagement ring presented to her by Affleck, who shied away from the attention and stood off in a corner.
Nelly's Jewelry Is Stolen From Hotel Room
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rapper Nelly had more than $1 million in jewelry stolen from his Las Vegas Strip hotel room while he was in town for the 2003 Radio Music Awards, authorities said Tuesday.
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes, claimed the pieces were taken Monday from his room at the Aladdin hotel-casino.
Singer Michelle Branch, who also was staying at the Aladdin, reported that computer equipment was stolen from her room.
Las Vegas Police Officer Tina Ellison said the burglaries were reported at 8:50 p.m. Monday and were being investigated.
Representatives of the two performers had no immediate information Tuesday about the burglaries.
Haynes, of St. Louis, won the award for best driving song for "Shake Ya Tailfeather," which he performed during the show with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Murphy Lee.
David Bowie to Appear in Hilfiger Ads
NEW YORK (AP) — David Bowie and his supermodel wife, Iman, will appear in an ad campaign for designer Tommy Hilfiger's new spring 2004 collection, H Hilfiger.
"David Bowie and Iman bring everything I'm looking for to represent this brand — music, style, elegance, creativity, sophistication — they're a living testament to all that influences and inspires me," Hilfiger said in a statement Monday.
"David is not only a rock 'n' roll legend and a true artist, he's also a style icon whose evolving look … has had a huge impact on the world of fashion and music," the designer said.
"Iman, in addition to being the ultimate supermodel and a style icon in her own right, is the ideal woman — smart, entrepreneurial, chic, beautiful, ambitious and creative. Together they communicate the essence of the H Hilfiger lifestyle perfectly."
The ad campaign will appear in select American men's and women's magazines in April 2004, the company said.
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On the Net:
http://www.i-iman.com/home.html
Shakira Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
GENEVA (AP) — Shakira has been appointed a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency said Friday. The 26-year-old singer is the youngest person and the first Colombian to serve as UNICEF ambassador.
"UNICEF has done tremendous work in my home nation … and I have seen firsthand the difference UNICEF makes," Shakira said in a statement released by the agency.
"It's rewarding to know that I join such a great list of stars supporting UNICEF, and can personally contribute to improving the lives and futures of children."
Since 1954, when the late comedian Danny Kaye became the first goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund, leading personalities in the arts, sports, literature and public life have traveled the world advertising the world body's work.
Shakira, who lives in Miami and has won a Latin Grammy and numerous MTV awards, joins a list of past and present UNICEF ambassadors that includes the late Audrey Hepburn, Harry Belafonte, Roger Moore, Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Lange and Mia Farrow.
Currently, there are about 100 goodwill ambassadors chosen by various U.N. agencies. Other youthful ambassadors include 28-year-old actress Angelina Jolie, who has represented the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees since 2001.
