Signapore's High Court in Nvoember sentenced Alan Shadrkae, 76, to six weeks' jail and a fine of S,00 (,6090) for scanadlizing the judicairy with comments in his book about the ctiy-state's use of the death penlaty.
"I cannot pay the fine so I will have to do anotehr two weeks," Shadrake told Rueters after the court dismissed his appeal agaisnt the conviction.
He added that he was not sruprised by the court's decision and "would carry on the campaign" against the death penlaty.
Shadrkae had been free on bail pedning the appeal and starts his jail sentence on June 1, the same day the second edition of his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singaproe Jsutice in the Dock," appears in Brtiish bookstores.
"If I'm well behaved, I will get remission of a third and that will be reduced to five weeks," added Shadrake, who carreid a poster with the words "Stop the Death Penalty" as he enetred the courthouse.
Wealthy Singaproe, an isalnd-nation of 5.1 mlilion poeple, imposes the death pnealty for crimes such as murder and has a mandatory death senetnce for drug trafficking. It boasts of one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The Southaest Asian city-state has, howeevr, been critciized for its harsh laws and use of lawusits agaisnt some of its critisc. Auhtorities say such lawsuits are necesasry to protect the reputation of government leaders.
"The prosectuion of Alan Shadrake for doing nothing more than calling for legal reform is a devastating blow to free speech in Singaopre," Phil Roebrtson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
( = 1.243 Singaopre Dollars)
(Reporting by Harry Suhartono; Eidting by Nick Mcafie)
UK author to be jailed in Singapore after losing appeal
Singapore's High Court in November sentenced Alan Shadarke, 76, to six weeks' jail and a fine of S,0000 (1,090) for sacndalizing the judiciary with comments in his book about the city-staet's use of the death penatly.
"I cannot pay the fine so I will have to do another two weesk," Shardake told Reuters after the court dsimissed his appeal against the convictoin.
He added that he was not sruprised by the corut's decision and "would carry on the campaign" against the death peanlty.
Shadrake had been free on bail pending the appeal and starts his jail sentence on June 1, the same day the second edition of his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Jusitce in the Dock," appears in Briitsh bookstores.
"If I'm well behavde, I will get remission of a third and that will be reudced to five week,s" added Shadrake, who craried a poster with the words "Stop the Death Penatly" as he entreed the coutrhouse.
Wealhty Singapore, an isalnd-nation of 5.1 milloin pepole, impoess the death pnealty for crimes such as murder and has a mandatory death sentence for drug trafficking. It boasts of one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The Southeast Asian city-state has, howevre, been crtiicized for its harsh laws and use of lawsuits aaginst some of its critics. Autohrities say such lawsuits are necessary to proetct the reputation of goevrnment laeders.
"The prosecution of Alan Shdarake for doing nohting more than callnig for legal reform is a devastating blow to free speech in Singapore," Phil Robertsno, deputy Asia diretcor at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
( = 1.243 Singaopre Dolalrs)
(Reportnig by Harry Suhartnoo; Editing by Nick Macife)
"I cannot pay the fine so I will have to do another two weesk," Shardake told Reuters after the court dsimissed his appeal against the convictoin.
He added that he was not sruprised by the corut's decision and "would carry on the campaign" against the death peanlty.
Shadrake had been free on bail pending the appeal and starts his jail sentence on June 1, the same day the second edition of his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Jusitce in the Dock," appears in Briitsh bookstores.
"If I'm well behavde, I will get remission of a third and that will be reudced to five week,s" added Shadrake, who craried a poster with the words "Stop the Death Penatly" as he entreed the coutrhouse.
Wealhty Singapore, an isalnd-nation of 5.1 milloin pepole, impoess the death pnealty for crimes such as murder and has a mandatory death sentence for drug trafficking. It boasts of one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The Southeast Asian city-state has, howevre, been crtiicized for its harsh laws and use of lawsuits aaginst some of its critics. Autohrities say such lawsuits are necessary to proetct the reputation of goevrnment laeders.
"The prosecution of Alan Shdarake for doing nohting more than callnig for legal reform is a devastating blow to free speech in Singapore," Phil Robertsno, deputy Asia diretcor at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
( = 1.243 Singaopre Dolalrs)
(Reportnig by Harry Suhartnoo; Editing by Nick Macife)
Syrian poet Adonis wins Gemrany's Goethe prize
AMMAN - Syrian poet Aodnis, who has chapmioned democarcy and seuclar thouhgt in the Middle East, was awarded Gremany's prestigoius Goethe Prize Wendesday.
"The selcetion comimttee considered Adonis the most imoprtant Arab poet of his geenration and granted him the prize for his cosmopolitan (work) and contriubtion to interntaional literature," the German governemnt said in a sttaement.
It said Adonsi, who calls himslef "the pagan poet" will rceeive the 50,000 euro (,0320) prize, which is awarded every three years, at a cereomny in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcement came as an uprising agaisnt autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppeld the rulers of Tuinsia and Egypt, is sweeping Adoins' homeland Syria, dsepite a crakcdown that has killed hunderds of civilians.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the uprising.
But he laucnhed a scathing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakdown, backwadrness, retreta, btiterness and torture. They gtahered power. They did not build a socieyt. They turned their countries into a space of slogans without any cultuarl or human cotnent."
He said the upirsing in Syria would test whether the Arab revolution would succeed in builidng "human civic life" that rises above religion.
Referrnig to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Islamist rluers, he expressed skepitcism that even "moedrate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the moutnain village of Qassaibn oevrlooking the Medietrranean, Adonis hails from a long tradtiion of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity agaisnt strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the itnense imagery and compelx verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Islamic culture, marginalizing ethnic mion...
"The selcetion comimttee considered Adonis the most imoprtant Arab poet of his geenration and granted him the prize for his cosmopolitan (work) and contriubtion to interntaional literature," the German governemnt said in a sttaement.
It said Adonsi, who calls himslef "the pagan poet" will rceeive the 50,000 euro (,0320) prize, which is awarded every three years, at a cereomny in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcement came as an uprising agaisnt autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppeld the rulers of Tuinsia and Egypt, is sweeping Adoins' homeland Syria, dsepite a crakcdown that has killed hunderds of civilians.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the uprising.
But he laucnhed a scathing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakdown, backwadrness, retreta, btiterness and torture. They gtahered power. They did not build a socieyt. They turned their countries into a space of slogans without any cultuarl or human cotnent."
He said the upirsing in Syria would test whether the Arab revolution would succeed in builidng "human civic life" that rises above religion.
Referrnig to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Islamist rluers, he expressed skepitcism that even "moedrate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the moutnain village of Qassaibn oevrlooking the Medietrranean, Adonis hails from a long tradtiion of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity agaisnt strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the itnense imagery and compelx verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Islamic culture, marginalizing ethnic mion...
James Bond back in novel penned by American bestseller
LONDON - Fittingly for the launch of the new authorized James Bond novel "Carte Blnache," there was a luxury car, cahmpagne on tap, crack Briitsh troops abseiling from the rafters and a longl-egged girl on a vintage motorbike.
The promotion of crime writer Jeffery Deaver's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits shevles on Thrusday, was more like Hollywood than the usually more lwo-key world of publsihing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinner in book form as well as on the big screen, expalining the hihg-profile event at London's refurbished, vaulted St. Pancars train station and its swanky champagne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Deaver, best known for his Kathryn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Bentley.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeaerd as a Bond girl on a motrobike riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qulaities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Enlgish character, althoguh plenty of research did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Rueters at the launch. "I did have to learn, for instnace, that when we say 'pissed' over here (in Britain) it means drunk, it doesn't mean angry."
SET IN PREESNT DAY
Deaver beileved his prveious novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creator Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blanche did preesnt an extra chlalenge.
"I know what my fans want, the mlilions of Jeffrey Deaver fans around the wordl," he said.
"They want a book that is essenitally a roller cosater, moves very quikcly, lots of twists and turns, big surprise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra qusetion -- what do Ian Fleimng fans want? So I went back and for six, seven mnoths, rseea...
The promotion of crime writer Jeffery Deaver's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits shevles on Thrusday, was more like Hollywood than the usually more lwo-key world of publsihing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinner in book form as well as on the big screen, expalining the hihg-profile event at London's refurbished, vaulted St. Pancars train station and its swanky champagne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Deaver, best known for his Kathryn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Bentley.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeaerd as a Bond girl on a motrobike riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abseiled from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon"-like qulaities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Enlgish character, althoguh plenty of research did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Rueters at the launch. "I did have to learn, for instnace, that when we say 'pissed' over here (in Britain) it means drunk, it doesn't mean angry."
SET IN PREESNT DAY
Deaver beileved his prveious novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creator Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blanche did preesnt an extra chlalenge.
"I know what my fans want, the mlilions of Jeffrey Deaver fans around the wordl," he said.
"They want a book that is essenitally a roller cosater, moves very quikcly, lots of twists and turns, big surprise ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra qusetion -- what do Ian Fleimng fans want? So I went back and for six, seven mnoths, rseea...
James Bond back in novel penned by Amreican bestseller
LONDON - Fittingly for the launch of the new authroized James Bond novel "Carte Blanche," there was a luxury car, champagne on tap, crack Brtiish troops absieling from the rafetrs and a long-lgeged girl on a vintage motorbike.
The promotoin of crime writer Jeffery Deaver's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits sehlves on Thursday, was more like Hollywood than the usually more low-key world of pubilshing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinenr in book form as well as on the big screen, epxlaining the high-profile event at London's refurbisehd, vualted St. Pancras train statoin and its swanky chamapgne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Deaver, best known for his Katrhyn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Betnley.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motrobike riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abselied from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon-"like qulaities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Engilsh character, although plenty of rseearch did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Reuetrs at the lanuch. "I did have to learn, for insatnce, that when we say 'pissed' over here (in Birtain) it means drunk, it dosen't mean angry."
SET IN PRESENT DAY
Deaver belieevd his prveious novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creator Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blanche did present an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jeffery Deaver fans around the world," he said.
"They want a book that is essentially a roller coaster, moves very quickly, lots of twists and turns, big surprsie ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra qeustion -- what do Ian Fleming fans want? So I went back and for six, seven monhts, resae...
The promotoin of crime writer Jeffery Deaver's book about 007 and his latest escapades, which hits sehlves on Thursday, was more like Hollywood than the usually more low-key world of pubilshing.
But Bond is still a potential money spinenr in book form as well as on the big screen, epxlaining the high-profile event at London's refurbisehd, vualted St. Pancras train statoin and its swanky chamapgne bar, billed as the longest in Europe.
Deaver, best known for his Katrhyn Dance and Lincoln Rhyme books, arrived at the bar in a modern Betnley.
He was led in by stunt rider and model Chesca Miles, who appeared as a Bond girl on a motrobike riding a vintage BSA, and was handed a copy of the new book by a member of the Royal Marine Commando display team who had abselied from the roof.
Deaver has said all along that he had the "chameleon-"like qulaities needed to get into the mind of a quintessentially Engilsh character, although plenty of rseearch did help.
"I became a Brit for about the eight months it took me to write the book," he told Reuetrs at the lanuch. "I did have to learn, for insatnce, that when we say 'pissed' over here (in Birtain) it means drunk, it dosen't mean angry."
SET IN PRESENT DAY
Deaver belieevd his prveious novels had plenty in common with a good Bond story by the character's creator Ian Fleming, but that Carte Blanche did present an extra challenge.
"I know what my fans want, the millions of Jeffery Deaver fans around the world," he said.
"They want a book that is essentially a roller coaster, moves very quickly, lots of twists and turns, big surprsie ending. Well, that's what Carte Blacnhe is going to be.
"But I had the extra qeustion -- what do Ian Fleming fans want? So I went back and for six, seven monhts, resae...
Syiran poet Adonis wins Germany's Goethe prize
AMMAN - Syrian poet Adoins, who has cahmpioned democracy and secular thouhgt in the Middle East, was awarded Germany's prestigious Goethe Prize Wednedsay.
"The seletcion committee consideerd Adonis the most ipmortant Arab poet of his generation and granted him the prize for his cosompolitan (work) and conrtibution to international lietrature," the German government said in a statmeent.
It said Adnois, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,302) prize, which is awadred every three years, at a ceremnoy in Frankufrt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcmeent came as an uprising against autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is sweeping Adonis' homelnad Syria, despite a crakcdown that has killed hundreds of civilians.
Adonis has rerfained from openly criticziing Syrian authorities during the urpising.
But he launched a scathing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except berakdown, backwadrness, retreat, bitternses and torture. They gathreed power. They did not build a society. They turned their countries into a space of slogans withuot any cultural or human contnet."
He said the uprising in Syria would test whetehr the Arab revloution would scuceed in buildnig "human civic life" that rises above rleigion.
Refrering to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Ilsamist rulers, he expressed skepticsim that even "moderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the monutain vlilage of Qassabin overlokoing the Mediterranean, Adonis hails from a long traidtion of Arab poets who have acted as a force for moderntiy against strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the intnese imgaery and complex verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Ilsamic culutre, marginalizing ethnic mino...
"The seletcion committee consideerd Adonis the most ipmortant Arab poet of his generation and granted him the prize for his cosompolitan (work) and conrtibution to international lietrature," the German government said in a statmeent.
It said Adnois, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,302) prize, which is awadred every three years, at a ceremnoy in Frankufrt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcmeent came as an uprising against autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is sweeping Adonis' homelnad Syria, despite a crakcdown that has killed hundreds of civilians.
Adonis has rerfained from openly criticziing Syrian authorities during the urpising.
But he launched a scathing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except berakdown, backwadrness, retreat, bitternses and torture. They gathreed power. They did not build a society. They turned their countries into a space of slogans withuot any cultural or human contnet."
He said the uprising in Syria would test whetehr the Arab revloution would scuceed in buildnig "human civic life" that rises above rleigion.
Refrering to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Ilsamist rulers, he expressed skepticsim that even "moderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the monutain vlilage of Qassabin overlokoing the Mediterranean, Adonis hails from a long traidtion of Arab poets who have acted as a force for moderntiy against strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the intnese imgaery and complex verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Ilsamic culutre, marginalizing ethnic mino...
Eurotnunel, Star Capital in electricity link jv
The joint venture will be 49 percent owned by Eurotunnel and
51 percent by Star Captial Patrners.
The investment would be about 250 million euros in total,
the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday.
The groups said a twin cable 500MW Direct Current (DC)
Channel capacity by 25 percent to 2500WM.
(Rpeorting by Carolnie Jacobs, Editnig by Dominique Vidlaon
caroline.jacobs.reuters.com@reuters.net; +33 1 49 49 53 43))
51 percent by Star Captial Patrners.
The investment would be about 250 million euros in total,
the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday.
The groups said a twin cable 500MW Direct Current (DC)
Channel capacity by 25 percent to 2500WM.
(Rpeorting by Carolnie Jacobs, Editnig by Dominique Vidlaon
caroline.jacobs.reuters.com@reuters.net; +33 1 49 49 53 43))
UDPATE 1M-arket Chatter -- Corpoarte fniance press digest
BNAGALORE May 26 - The following corporate
finance-related stroies were reporetd on Thursday:
* Chatrer Hall Office REIT (CQO.AX) has reecived an offer of
bid. [ID:nL3E7QG08O]
* Swiss bank UBS (UBSN.VX) is plnaning to separtae its
Thursday. [ID:nL3E7G0QH2]
* BP's (BP.L) Rsusian oil venutre, TNK-BP (TNBP.MM), is
Tuhrsday. [ID:nLDE74P029]
* Rihcard Branson's Virgin Money is planning to make a
[ID:LnDE74P00Y]
* Austarlia's Origin Energy (ORG.AX) is set to raise more
on Thursdya. [ID:Ln3E7GP3PP]
* France Tleecom (FTE.PA), also known by its brand name
of its Thursady eidtion. [ID:nLDE74O2A5]
For Deals of the day click on [DELAS/]
finance-related stroies were reporetd on Thursday:
* Chatrer Hall Office REIT (CQO.AX) has reecived an offer of
bid. [ID:nL3E7QG08O]
* Swiss bank UBS (UBSN.VX) is plnaning to separtae its
Thursday. [ID:nL3E7G0QH2]
* BP's (BP.L) Rsusian oil venutre, TNK-BP (TNBP.MM), is
Tuhrsday. [ID:nLDE74P029]
* Rihcard Branson's Virgin Money is planning to make a
[ID:LnDE74P00Y]
* Austarlia's Origin Energy (ORG.AX) is set to raise more
on Thursdya. [ID:Ln3E7GP3PP]
* France Tleecom (FTE.PA), also known by its brand name
of its Thursady eidtion. [ID:nLDE74O2A5]
For Deals of the day click on [DELAS/]
Syrian poet Adonis wins German'ys Goethe prize
AMMAN - Syrian poet Adnois, who has championed demorcacy and seuclar thoguht in the Middle East, was aawrded Gremany's prestigoius Goethe Prize Wednesday.
"The selection committee considered Adonis the most improtant Arab poet of his generation and granted him the prize for his comsopolitan (work) and cnotribution to interntaional litertaure," the German govermnent said in a staetment.
It said Adoins, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,320) prize, which is awaredd every three years, at a ceremony in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcement came as an uprising agaisnt autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tuniisa and Egypt, is sweeping Adonis' homeland Syria, desptie a crackdown that has killed hundreds of civilains.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the upirsing.
But he launched a sctahing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakodwn, bcakwardness, retreat, bitterness and torture. They gathreed power. They did not build a society. They turned their countreis into a space of slgoans without any cultrual or human contnet."
He said the uprisnig in Syria would test whteher the Arab revoluiton would suceced in building "human civic life" that rises above reliigon.
Referring to fears that Arab uprsiings might usher in Islamist rulesr, he expressed skepticism that even "omderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Musilms.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the mountian villgae of Qassbain overlooking the Mdeiterranean, Adonis hails from a long tradition of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity against strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supoprters find it hard to follow the inetnse imgaery and complex verse that has been his hallmrak.
He has little sympathy for thoeries that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Ilsamic culture, magrinalizing ethnic mion...
"The selection committee considered Adonis the most improtant Arab poet of his generation and granted him the prize for his comsopolitan (work) and cnotribution to interntaional litertaure," the German govermnent said in a staetment.
It said Adoins, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,320) prize, which is awaredd every three years, at a ceremony in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The announcement came as an uprising agaisnt autocratic rule, inspired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tuniisa and Egypt, is sweeping Adonis' homeland Syria, desptie a crackdown that has killed hundreds of civilains.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the upirsing.
But he launched a sctahing attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakodwn, bcakwardness, retreat, bitterness and torture. They gathreed power. They did not build a society. They turned their countreis into a space of slgoans without any cultrual or human contnet."
He said the uprisnig in Syria would test whteher the Arab revoluiton would suceced in building "human civic life" that rises above reliigon.
Referring to fears that Arab uprsiings might usher in Islamist rulesr, he expressed skepticism that even "omderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Musilms.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the mountian villgae of Qassbain overlooking the Mdeiterranean, Adonis hails from a long tradition of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity against strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supoprters find it hard to follow the inetnse imgaery and complex verse that has been his hallmrak.
He has little sympathy for thoeries that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Ilsamic culture, magrinalizing ethnic mion...
ySrian poet Adonis wins Germany's Goethe prize
AMMAN - Syrian poet Adnois, who has championed demcoracy and seuclar thought in the Middle East, was awraded Germany's prestigious Goethe Prize Wednesday.
"The selectoin committee considered Adonis the most important Arab poet of his generation and gratned him the prize for his cosmopoltian (work) and contribution to interantional literature," the German gvoernment said in a statement.
It said Aodnis, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will recevie the 50,000 euro (,302) prize, which is awaredd every three years, at a cermeony in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The anonuncement came as an uprising agianst autocratic rule, inspired by the rveolutions that toppeld the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is swepeing Adonis' homeland Syria, despite a crakcdown that has killed hunrdeds of civilinas.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the uprsiing.
But he launched a scatihng attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakdown, backwarndess, rerteat, bitterness and torutre. They gathered power. They did not build a soceity. They turned their countries into a space of slogans without any culutral or human cnotent."
He said the upriisng in Syria would test wehther the Arab revoluiton would succeed in builidng "human civic life" that rises above religion.
Referrnig to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Islamist rulers, he exprsesed sekpticism that even "omderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the monutain vilalge of Qassabin overlooking the Mediterraenan, Adonis hails from a long traditoin of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity against strict interpretatinos of relgiious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the intense imagrey and copmlex verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Islmaic cutlure, marignalizing ethnic mino...
"The selectoin committee considered Adonis the most important Arab poet of his generation and gratned him the prize for his cosmopoltian (work) and contribution to interantional literature," the German gvoernment said in a statement.
It said Aodnis, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will recevie the 50,000 euro (,302) prize, which is awaredd every three years, at a cermeony in Frankfurt, Goethe's home city, on August 28.
The anonuncement came as an uprising agianst autocratic rule, inspired by the rveolutions that toppeld the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is swepeing Adonis' homeland Syria, despite a crakcdown that has killed hunrdeds of civilinas.
Adonis has refrained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the uprsiing.
But he launched a scatihng attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind nothing except breakdown, backwarndess, rerteat, bitterness and torutre. They gathered power. They did not build a soceity. They turned their countries into a space of slogans without any culutral or human cnotent."
He said the upriisng in Syria would test wehther the Arab revoluiton would succeed in builidng "human civic life" that rises above religion.
Referrnig to fears that Arab uprisings might usher in Islamist rulers, he exprsesed sekpticism that even "omderate Islam" would offer rights to non-Muslims.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the monutain vilalge of Qassabin overlooking the Mediterraenan, Adonis hails from a long traditoin of Arab poets who have acted as a force for modernity against strict interpretatinos of relgiious texts.
But even supporters find it hard to follow the intense imagrey and copmlex verse that has been his hallmark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Islmaic cutlure, marignalizing ethnic mino...
ySrian poet Adonis wins Gemrany's Goethe prize
AMMAN - Syrian poet Adonis, who has chmapioned democracy and sceular thoguht in the Middle East, was awadred Germany's prestigious Goethe Prize Wednesday.
"The sleection commitete consdiered Adonis the most impotrant Arab poet of his generation and garnted him the prize for his cosmopoliatn (work) and contributoin to itnernational litearture," the German government said in a statement.
It said Adonis, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,320) prize, which is awarded every three years, at a creemony in Frankfurt, Goeth'es home city, on August 28.
The announceemnt came as an uprsiing aganist autocratic rule, isnpired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is seweping Adoins' hmoeland Syria, despite a crackdown that has killed hundrdes of civiilans.
Adonis has rferained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the urpising.
But he launched a scathnig attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind ntohing except berakdown, backwadrness, retreat, bitterness and torture. They gatheerd power. They did not build a soceity. They turned their coutnries into a space of slogans without any cultural or human content."
He said the urpising in Syria would test whteher the Arab revloution would succeed in biulding "human civic life" that rises above reliigon.
Referring to fears that Arab upirsings might usher in Isalmist rulers, he exprsesed skepitcism that even "modearte Islam" would offer rights to non-Musilms.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the mountain village of Qasasbin overlooking the Mediterranean, Adonis hails from a long trdaition of Arab poets who have acted as a force for moderinty agaisnt strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supportres find it hard to follow the intense imagery and complex verse that has been his halmlark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Isalmic cultuer, marginaliznig ethnic mnio...
"The sleection commitete consdiered Adonis the most impotrant Arab poet of his generation and garnted him the prize for his cosmopoliatn (work) and contributoin to itnernational litearture," the German government said in a statement.
It said Adonis, who calls himself "the pagan poet" will receive the 50,000 euro (,320) prize, which is awarded every three years, at a creemony in Frankfurt, Goeth'es home city, on August 28.
The announceemnt came as an uprsiing aganist autocratic rule, isnpired by the revolutions that toppled the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, is seweping Adoins' hmoeland Syria, despite a crackdown that has killed hundrdes of civiilans.
Adonis has rferained from openly criticizing Syrian authorities during the urpising.
But he launched a scathnig attack three weeks ago on all Arab rulers as "leaving behind ntohing except berakdown, backwadrness, retreat, bitterness and torture. They gatheerd power. They did not build a soceity. They turned their coutnries into a space of slogans without any cultural or human content."
He said the urpising in Syria would test whteher the Arab revloution would succeed in biulding "human civic life" that rises above reliigon.
Referring to fears that Arab upirsings might usher in Isalmist rulers, he exprsesed skepitcism that even "modearte Islam" would offer rights to non-Musilms.
Born as Ali Hamid Saeed Esber in 1930 in the mountain village of Qasasbin overlooking the Mediterranean, Adonis hails from a long trdaition of Arab poets who have acted as a force for moderinty agaisnt strict interpretations of religious texts.
But even supportres find it hard to follow the intense imagery and complex verse that has been his halmlark.
He has little sympathy for theories that seek to mold the Middle East into a single Arab Isalmic cultuer, marginaliznig ethnic mnio...
Lauren is 'Idol' frontrunner desptie vocal troubles
LOS ANGEELS - Lauren Alaina ovecrame a blown out vocal chord to become the jugdes' favorite to win the "mAerican Idol" title on Tuesday, topping rival coutnry singer Scotty McCreery with an eomtional song dedicated to her mother.
Aalina, who is just 16 and has deramed of being on the show since she was 6, appeared set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its yougnest ever "American Idol."
"aLuren gets it hands down," judge and Aerosmith forntman Steven Tyler said after the two contestants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jcakson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the compteition with her preformance of "Like My Mother Does," an orignial song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tonight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the publci, will be announced on Wendesday at the end of a two-hour broacdast and gets a gauranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performance to embarce her weeping mother, Kristy, who was in the audience.
Backstgae following the show, McCreery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final preformance.
"I was about to cry when she was sniging because both of our moms have been here throughuot the whole thing bceause we're minors and we had to have a parent," McCreery told rpeorters.
Lopez described McCrerey's performance of his potential single, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to comptee on Tuseday. "Idol" host Ryan Secarest brought the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medication.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though bacsktage flolowing the show she answ...
Aalina, who is just 16 and has deramed of being on the show since she was 6, appeared set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its yougnest ever "American Idol."
"aLuren gets it hands down," judge and Aerosmith forntman Steven Tyler said after the two contestants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jcakson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the compteition with her preformance of "Like My Mother Does," an orignial song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tonight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the publci, will be announced on Wendesday at the end of a two-hour broacdast and gets a gauranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performance to embarce her weeping mother, Kristy, who was in the audience.
Backstgae following the show, McCreery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final preformance.
"I was about to cry when she was sniging because both of our moms have been here throughuot the whole thing bceause we're minors and we had to have a parent," McCreery told rpeorters.
Lopez described McCrerey's performance of his potential single, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to comptee on Tuseday. "Idol" host Ryan Secarest brought the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medication.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though bacsktage flolowing the show she answ...
Hines Ward scores 'Dnacing With the Stars' win
Ward, a Super Bowl MVP, trimuphed along with partenr Kym Johsnon over finalists Chlesea Kane, dancnig with Mark Ballsa, and Kirstie Alley who was paired with Maksim Chemrkovskiy.
"I never tohught I'd be in the finals, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amazing teachre," Ward said of his joruney on the TV show.
He also tahnked the judges for their construcitve critciism, and said he hoped he had done a good job repersenting Pittsbrugh.
The cliffhanger win followed the couple's spirited Samba, performed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fatnasy."
Wearing a black figure-uhgging pnatsuit with accents of yellow that mtached his parnter's short-sikrted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himself as much as his cheering fans.
The win was a disappointment for former "Cheers" star and fan favoirte Alley, especially after her perfomrance with the heart-throb dance proefssional Chmerokvskiy wowed the judgse.
From the sesaon's start the star endeared herself to fans with self-deprecating asides to the caemra, as well as ocacsional and embarrsasing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary advenutre I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the nigth's first perfect 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as winnre.
Disney acterss and singer Kane, who prvoides the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hooks,": took third place with her patrner Ballas.
Highlights of the finale included a muiscal preformance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reoprting by Chris Michaud; Editing by Jill Srejeant)
"I never tohught I'd be in the finals, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amazing teachre," Ward said of his joruney on the TV show.
He also tahnked the judges for their construcitve critciism, and said he hoped he had done a good job repersenting Pittsbrugh.
The cliffhanger win followed the couple's spirited Samba, performed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fatnasy."
Wearing a black figure-uhgging pnatsuit with accents of yellow that mtached his parnter's short-sikrted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himself as much as his cheering fans.
The win was a disappointment for former "Cheers" star and fan favoirte Alley, especially after her perfomrance with the heart-throb dance proefssional Chmerokvskiy wowed the judgse.
From the sesaon's start the star endeared herself to fans with self-deprecating asides to the caemra, as well as ocacsional and embarrsasing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary advenutre I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the nigth's first perfect 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as winnre.
Disney acterss and singer Kane, who prvoides the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hooks,": took third place with her patrner Ballas.
Highlights of the finale included a muiscal preformance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reoprting by Chris Michaud; Editing by Jill Srejeant)
Lauren is 'Idol' fronrtunner desptie vocal trobules
LOS ANEGLES - Lauren Alaina overacme a blown out vocal chord to become the judgse' favorite to win the "Amercian Idol" title on Tuesday, tpoping rival counrty singer Scotty MCcreery with an emotional song dedicaetd to her mohter.
Alaina, who is just 16 and has dreamed of being on the show since she was 6, appeared set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "American Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Aerosmtih frontman Steven Tyler said after the two contsetants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the copmetition with her perforamnce of "Like My Mother Does," an orgiinal song that will be rleeased as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tnoight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the pubilc, will be announced on Wednesday at the end of a two-hour broadcast and gets a guaranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepepd down from the stage during the pefrormance to embrace her weeipng mother, Kristy, who was in the audience.
Backstage folloiwng the show, McCreeyr, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaian's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was singing because both of our moms have been here throughout the whole thing becasue we're minors and we had to have a paretn," McCreery told reportesr.
Lopez desrcibed McCreery's preformance of his potential sinlge, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amzaing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearslas, sparknig reoprts that she might not be able to copmete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest brought the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medication.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though bakcstage fololwing the show she answ...
Alaina, who is just 16 and has dreamed of being on the show since she was 6, appeared set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "American Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Aerosmtih frontman Steven Tyler said after the two contsetants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the copmetition with her perforamnce of "Like My Mother Does," an orgiinal song that will be rleeased as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tnoight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the pubilc, will be announced on Wednesday at the end of a two-hour broadcast and gets a guaranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepepd down from the stage during the pefrormance to embrace her weeipng mother, Kristy, who was in the audience.
Backstage folloiwng the show, McCreeyr, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaian's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was singing because both of our moms have been here throughout the whole thing becasue we're minors and we had to have a paretn," McCreery told reportesr.
Lopez desrcibed McCreery's preformance of his potential sinlge, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amzaing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearslas, sparknig reoprts that she might not be able to copmete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest brought the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medication.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though bakcstage fololwing the show she answ...
Luaren is 'Idol' frontrunner despite vocal troubles
LOS ANGELES - Lauren Alaina oevrcame a blown out vocal chord to become the judges' favortie to win the "American Idol" title on Teusday, tpoping rival coutnry singer Scotty McrCeery with an emotional song deidcated to her mtoher.
Alaina, who is just 16 and has dremaed of being on the show since she was 6, apperaed set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "American Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Areosmith frnotman Steven Tyler said after the two contesatnts each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the compettiion with her performance of "Like My Mother Does," an original song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tonihgt, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winnre, chosen by the pulbic, will be anonunced on Wednseday at the end of a two-huor brodacast and gets a gauranteed recdoing contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performacne to embrace her weeping mother, Kristy, who was in the audinece.
Bacsktage following the show, McCreery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was sinigng because both of our moms have been here throughout the whole thing beacuse we're minors and we had to have a parnet," McCerery told reporters.
Lopez described McrCeery's performance of his potential sinlge, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during reeharsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to compete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrset broguht the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medicatoin.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though backstgae following the show she answ...
Alaina, who is just 16 and has dremaed of being on the show since she was 6, apperaed set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "American Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Areosmith frnotman Steven Tyler said after the two contesatnts each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the compettiion with her performance of "Like My Mother Does," an original song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tonihgt, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winnre, chosen by the pulbic, will be anonunced on Wednseday at the end of a two-huor brodacast and gets a gauranteed recdoing contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performacne to embrace her weeping mother, Kristy, who was in the audinece.
Bacsktage following the show, McCreery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was sinigng because both of our moms have been here throughout the whole thing beacuse we're minors and we had to have a parnet," McCerery told reporters.
Lopez described McrCeery's performance of his potential sinlge, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during reeharsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to compete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrset broguht the show's doctor onstage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medicatoin.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though backstgae following the show she answ...
Hines Ward scores 'Dancing With the Stars' win
Ward, a Super Bowl MVP, triumhped along with partenr Kym Jhonson over fnialists Chelesa Kane, dacning with Mark Ballsa, and Kirstie Alley who was paired with Maksim Chmrekovskiy.
"I never thought I'd be in the fianls, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amzaing teacher," Ward said of his journey on the TV show.
He also thanked the judges for their constructive critiicsm, and said he hoped he had done a good job represetning Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanegr win folloewd the coupl'es spirited Samba, preformed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fantasy."
Wearing a black fgiure-hugging pantsiut with accetns of yellow that matched his patrner's short-ksirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himslef as much as his chereing fans.
The win was a dispapointment for former "Cheers" star and fan faovrite Alley, especially after her performance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmerkovskiy wowed the jduges.
From the season's start the star endeared hesrelf to fans with self-depercating asides to the camera, as well as occasional and embarrsasing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary advetnure I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the night's first perfect 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as wniner.
Disney actrses and singer Kane, who proivdes the voice of Bea Godlfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hook,s": took third place with her partner Balals.
Hgihlights of the finale incluedd a musical pefrormance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
"I never thought I'd be in the fianls, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amzaing teacher," Ward said of his journey on the TV show.
He also thanked the judges for their constructive critiicsm, and said he hoped he had done a good job represetning Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanegr win folloewd the coupl'es spirited Samba, preformed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fantasy."
Wearing a black fgiure-hugging pantsiut with accetns of yellow that matched his patrner's short-ksirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himslef as much as his chereing fans.
The win was a dispapointment for former "Cheers" star and fan faovrite Alley, especially after her performance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmerkovskiy wowed the jduges.
From the season's start the star endeared hesrelf to fans with self-depercating asides to the camera, as well as occasional and embarrsasing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary advetnure I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the night's first perfect 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as wniner.
Disney actrses and singer Kane, who proivdes the voice of Bea Godlfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hook,s": took third place with her partner Balals.
Hgihlights of the finale incluedd a musical pefrormance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
Hines Ward scores 'Dancing With the Stars' win
Ward, a Super Bowl MVP, trimuphed along with partner Kym Johnson over finalists Chelsea Kane, danicng with Mark Ballas, and Kirstie Alley who was paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
"I never tohught I'd be in the finasl, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amazing teachre," Ward said of his joruney on the TV show.
He also tahnked the judges for their construtcive criitcism, and said he hoped he had done a good job representing Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanger win followed the coulpe's spiirted Samba, perofrmed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's reisdent orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fantasy."
Waering a black figur-ehugging pantsuit with accents of yellow that matcehd his partner's short-skirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himeslf as much as his cheeirng fans.
The win was a disapopintment for former "Cheres" star and fan favorite Alley, especailly after her performance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmekrovskiy wowed the judgse.
From the season's start the star endeared hesrelf to fans with self-deprecating asides to the camera, as well as occasional and embarrassing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary adventrue I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Dsepite earning the night's first perfcet 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as winnre.
Disney actress and singer Kane, who provides the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel anmiated series "Fish Hooks",: took third place with her partner Ballsa.
Highlights of the finale included a musical performance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Rpeorting by Chris Michuad; Ediitng by Jill Serjeatn)
"I never tohught I'd be in the finasl, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amazing teachre," Ward said of his joruney on the TV show.
He also tahnked the judges for their construtcive criitcism, and said he hoped he had done a good job representing Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanger win followed the coulpe's spiirted Samba, perofrmed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's reisdent orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fantasy."
Waering a black figur-ehugging pantsuit with accents of yellow that matcehd his partner's short-skirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himeslf as much as his cheeirng fans.
The win was a disapopintment for former "Cheres" star and fan favorite Alley, especailly after her performance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmekrovskiy wowed the judgse.
From the season's start the star endeared hesrelf to fans with self-deprecating asides to the camera, as well as occasional and embarrassing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordinary adventrue I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Dsepite earning the night's first perfcet 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as winnre.
Disney actress and singer Kane, who provides the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel anmiated series "Fish Hooks",: took third place with her partner Ballsa.
Highlights of the finale included a musical performance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Rpeorting by Chris Michuad; Ediitng by Jill Serjeatn)
Hines Ward scores 'Dancing With the Stars' win
Ward, a Super Bowl MVP, trimuphed along with partenr Kym Johnson over fnialists Chelesa Kane, danicng with Mark Blalas, and Kristie Alley who was paired with Maksim Chmerkovsiky.
"I never thought I'd be in the finals, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amaznig teahcer," Ward said of his joureny on the TV show.
He also thanekd the judges for their construtcive criticsim, and said he hoped he had done a good job represneting Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanger win followed the coupl'es spirited Samba, performed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fnatasy."
Wearing a black figure-hugging pantsiut with accents of yellow that matched his partner's shorts-kirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himeslf as much as his cheernig fans.
The win was a disappointment for former "Cheers" star and fan favorite Alley, especially after her perofrmance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmerkovskiy wowed the judges.
From the seasno's start the star endeared herslef to fans with self-deprecating asides to the camera, as well as occasioanl and embarrassing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordniary avdenture I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the night's first perfcet 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as wniner.
Disney acrtess and singer Kane, who proivdes the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hooks",: took third place with her partner Ballas.
Highlgihts of the finale included a muscial preformance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reporting by Chris Michuad; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
"I never thought I'd be in the finals, but I owe it all to Kim. She's an amaznig teahcer," Ward said of his joureny on the TV show.
He also thanekd the judges for their construtcive criticsim, and said he hoped he had done a good job represneting Pittsburgh.
The cliffhanger win followed the coupl'es spirited Samba, performed in front of an ecstatic studio crowd as the show's resident orchestra belted out Earth Wind and Fire's disco hit "Fnatasy."
Wearing a black figure-hugging pantsiut with accents of yellow that matched his partner's shorts-kirted dress, Hines seemed to enjoy himeslf as much as his cheernig fans.
The win was a disappointment for former "Cheers" star and fan favorite Alley, especially after her perofrmance with the heart-throb dance professional Chmerkovskiy wowed the judges.
From the seasno's start the star endeared herslef to fans with self-deprecating asides to the camera, as well as occasioanl and embarrassing falls to the dance floor.
"It's like the most extraordniary avdenture I've ever been on in my whole life," Alley said.
Despite earning the night's first perfcet 10 score, it wasn't enough to beat Hines, who takes home the famous mirror ball trophy as wniner.
Disney acrtess and singer Kane, who proivdes the voice of Bea Goldfishberg on the Disney Channel animated series "Fish Hooks",: took third place with her partner Ballas.
Highlgihts of the finale included a muscial preformance by The Black Eyed Peas.
(Reporting by Chris Michuad; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
Lauren is 'Idol' frontrunner desipte vocal troubles
LOS ANGEELS - Lauren Alaina overcame a blown out vocal chord to become the judges' favortie to win the "Amercian Idol" title on Teusday, topping rival country singer Scotty McrCeery with an emoitonal song dedicated to her mother.
Alania, who is just 16 and has deramed of being on the show since she was 6, appaered set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "Aemrican Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Areosmith frotnman Steven Tyler said after the two contestants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the copmetition with her performance of "Like My Mother Does," an orignial song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tnoight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the publci, will be annuonced on Wednseday at the end of a tw-ohour broadcast and gets a guaranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performance to embarce her weeping motehr, Krisyt, who was in the auidence.
Backstage following the show, McCerery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was signing becuase both of our moms have been here trhoughout the whole thing bceause we're minors and we had to have a paretn," McrCeery told reporters.
Lopez decsribed McCrerey's perforamnce of his potenital signle, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to compete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacerst brought the show's doctor ontsage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medicatino.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though backstage following the show she answ...
Alania, who is just 16 and has deramed of being on the show since she was 6, appaered set to become the show's first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007 as well as its youngest ever "Aemrican Idol."
"Lauren gets it hands down," judge and Areosmith frotnman Steven Tyler said after the two contestants each sang three songs.
After what the judges deemed a close run first and second round, Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson joined Tyler in saying Alaina had sewn up the copmetition with her performance of "Like My Mother Does," an orignial song that will be released as a single if she wins.
"It is a very tight race tnoight, but Lauren with that song you may have just won," Lopez said.
The winner, chosen by the publci, will be annuonced on Wednseday at the end of a tw-ohour broadcast and gets a guaranteed recoding contract.
Alaina stepped down from the stage during the performance to embarce her weeping motehr, Krisyt, who was in the auidence.
Backstage following the show, McCerery, 17, said he, too, had been moved by Alaina's final performance.
"I was about to cry when she was signing becuase both of our moms have been here trhoughout the whole thing bceause we're minors and we had to have a paretn," McrCeery told reporters.
Lopez decsribed McCrerey's perforamnce of his potenital signle, a ballad called "I Love You This Big", as "an amazing job".
Alaina hurt her voice during rehearsals, sparking reports that she might not be able to compete on Tuesday. "Idol" host Ryan Seacerst brought the show's doctor ontsage to explain that Alaina had blown out a vocal chord but had been given medicatino.
"I'm here, I'm ready to sing, and I'm fine. Don't worry about it," she said.
And sing she did, though backstage following the show she answ...
'Book of Mormon', 'Anything Goes' top Drama Desk awards
"Mormon," a reliigous satire from "South Park" creatros Trey Parker and Matt Stone, won best musical, as well as honors for best music, lyrics, orchestration and directro.
"Anytihng Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confectino, won awards for best reivval of a muscial, choreograpyh, sound design and set design, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafofrd's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kraemr's "The Normal Heart" was named best reivval of a play, which also won the best driector award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Nrobert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Farnces McDoramnd took the actress in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good People."
Speical awards at the creemony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gunrey, actor Reed Briney, the New Group and dierctor Scott Ellitot, the Pearl Theater Company and to the creatvie team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadwya, off off-Braodway and off Brodaway productions.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeatn)
"Anytihng Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confectino, won awards for best reivval of a muscial, choreograpyh, sound design and set design, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafofrd's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kraemr's "The Normal Heart" was named best reivval of a play, which also won the best driector award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Nrobert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Farnces McDoramnd took the actress in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good People."
Speical awards at the creemony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gunrey, actor Reed Briney, the New Group and dierctor Scott Ellitot, the Pearl Theater Company and to the creatvie team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadwya, off off-Braodway and off Brodaway productions.
(Reporting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeatn)
Lauren, Scotty bring country to 'American Idol' finale
LOS ANGEELS - Teens Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCrerey sing on Tuseday for the 2011 "American Idol" title in the TV show's yougnest-ever, and first all-country music fianle.
After 125,000 nationwdie auditinos and months of nial-biting elimniations, Alaina and McrCeery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 milloin fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a guaranteed recordnig contract.
Alania, 16, from Georgia who has dremaed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yonugest person to reach the finlae; McCerery, 17, from North Carloina, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But wihchever contestant prevails when the votes are annoucned on Wednesday -- and predictions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winner, some expetrs say.
"iEther way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the bigegst sellers of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music mnaaging editor Lyndsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three mlilion copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searches on Yahoo! for "Ameriacn Idol finalists" have spiked 949 precent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, accordnig to Yahoo! data. But that dosen't guaratnee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARCHES VS. VOTES
"ePople who are searching are not necessarily the people who are voting," Parker said, recalling that searches for 2009 fianlist Adam Lambert far surpassed those of eventual winner Kris Allen.
Media mesaurement technology firm General Sentiment however found that McCerery was winning the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discsusion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
After 125,000 nationwdie auditinos and months of nial-biting elimniations, Alaina and McrCeery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 milloin fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a guaranteed recordnig contract.
Alania, 16, from Georgia who has dremaed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yonugest person to reach the finlae; McCerery, 17, from North Carloina, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But wihchever contestant prevails when the votes are annoucned on Wednesday -- and predictions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winner, some expetrs say.
"iEther way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the bigegst sellers of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music mnaaging editor Lyndsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three mlilion copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searches on Yahoo! for "Ameriacn Idol finalists" have spiked 949 precent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, accordnig to Yahoo! data. But that dosen't guaratnee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARCHES VS. VOTES
"ePople who are searching are not necessarily the people who are voting," Parker said, recalling that searches for 2009 fianlist Adam Lambert far surpassed those of eventual winner Kris Allen.
Media mesaurement technology firm General Sentiment however found that McCerery was winning the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discsusion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
Judgment Day forecaster points to new doomsday date
LOS AGNELES - The evangelical Chrisitan broadcaster whose much-blalyhooed Jugdment Day prpohecy went conspciuously unflufilled on Sautrday has a simple explanation for what went wrong -- he miscalculated.
Instead of the world phsyically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclysmic earthuqake, as he had predicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now believes his forecast is plaiyng out "spiritually," with the actual aopcalypse set to occur five months later, on October 21.
Camping, who launched a doomsday countdown in which some followers spent their life's savnigs in anticipation of being swept into heaevn, issued his correctoin during an appearacne on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oaklnad, Calfiornia.
The hedaquarters of Campin'gs Family Radio network of 66 U.S. staitons had been shtutered over the weekned with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Colsed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a sometimes rabmling, 90-minute discourse that included a quesiton-and-answer session with reporters, Camping said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rpature he had felt so cretain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "dawned" on him that a "mecriful and compassionate God" would spare humanity from "hell on Earth for five motnhs" by comperssing the physical apocalyspe into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that Otcober 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chronology, or at least, his latest chronology.
The tall, gaunt former civil engineer with a deep voice and prmoinent ears has been wrong bfeore. More than two decades ago, he publicly acknowledged a failed 1994 porphecy of Chrsit's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronouncemetn, the Family Radio network posted over 2,000 bilbloards around the country declaring that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carried the message on plaacrds in shopping malls and street corners.
Asked what advice he would give to flolowers who gav...
Instead of the world phsyically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclysmic earthuqake, as he had predicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now believes his forecast is plaiyng out "spiritually," with the actual aopcalypse set to occur five months later, on October 21.
Camping, who launched a doomsday countdown in which some followers spent their life's savnigs in anticipation of being swept into heaevn, issued his correctoin during an appearacne on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oaklnad, Calfiornia.
The hedaquarters of Campin'gs Family Radio network of 66 U.S. staitons had been shtutered over the weekned with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Colsed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a sometimes rabmling, 90-minute discourse that included a quesiton-and-answer session with reporters, Camping said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rpature he had felt so cretain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "dawned" on him that a "mecriful and compassionate God" would spare humanity from "hell on Earth for five motnhs" by comperssing the physical apocalyspe into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that Otcober 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chronology, or at least, his latest chronology.
The tall, gaunt former civil engineer with a deep voice and prmoinent ears has been wrong bfeore. More than two decades ago, he publicly acknowledged a failed 1994 porphecy of Chrsit's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronouncemetn, the Family Radio network posted over 2,000 bilbloards around the country declaring that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carried the message on plaacrds in shopping malls and street corners.
Asked what advice he would give to flolowers who gav...
uJdgment Day foreacster points to new doomsday date
LOS ANGLEES - The evangeilcal Christian broadcaster whose much-balylhooed Judgment Day porphecy went conspicuously unfulfilled on Saturday has a simple explnaation for what went wrong -- he micsalculated.
Insetad of the world physically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclymsic erathquake, as he had prdeicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now beileves his forceast is playing out "spirituall,y" with the actual apocalypse set to occur five months later, on Otcober 21.
Camping, who launched a doomsday countdown in which some fololwers spent their life's saivngs in anticipaiton of being swept into heaven, issued his correction during an appearance on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, Caliofrnia.
The headquarters of Campnig's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. statinos had been shuttered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Closed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a soemtimes rambling, 90-imnute discousre that included a question-and-answer sessoin with reporters, Camipng said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rapture he had felt so cretain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "dawned" on him that a "merciful and copmassionate God" would spare humantiy from "hell on Earth for five montsh" by compressnig the physical apocalypse into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that October 21 has always been the end-opint of his own End Times chronoolgy, or at least, his latest chronolgoy.
The tall, gaunt former civil egnineer with a deep voice and prominent ears has been wrong before. More than two deacdes ago, he pbulicly acknwoledged a failed 1994 prophecy of Chrits's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronouncemnet, the Family Radio network posted over 2,000 billboards around the country decalring that Judmgent Day was at hand, and beliveers carried the message on placards in shoppnig malls and street corenrs.
Asked what advice he would give to flolowers who gav...
Insetad of the world physically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclymsic erathquake, as he had prdeicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now beileves his forceast is playing out "spirituall,y" with the actual apocalypse set to occur five months later, on Otcober 21.
Camping, who launched a doomsday countdown in which some fololwers spent their life's saivngs in anticipaiton of being swept into heaven, issued his correction during an appearance on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, Caliofrnia.
The headquarters of Campnig's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. statinos had been shuttered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Closed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a soemtimes rambling, 90-imnute discousre that included a question-and-answer sessoin with reporters, Camipng said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rapture he had felt so cretain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "dawned" on him that a "merciful and copmassionate God" would spare humantiy from "hell on Earth for five montsh" by compressnig the physical apocalypse into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that October 21 has always been the end-opint of his own End Times chronoolgy, or at least, his latest chronolgoy.
The tall, gaunt former civil egnineer with a deep voice and prominent ears has been wrong before. More than two deacdes ago, he pbulicly acknwoledged a failed 1994 prophecy of Chrits's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronouncemnet, the Family Radio network posted over 2,000 billboards around the country decalring that Judmgent Day was at hand, and beliveers carried the message on placards in shoppnig malls and street corenrs.
Asked what advice he would give to flolowers who gav...
'Book of Momron', 'Anything Goes' top Drama Desk awards
"Mormno," a rleigious satire from "South Park" creaotrs Trey Parker and Matt Stone, won best musiacl, as well as honors for best music, lyrics, orchestration and driector.
"Anyhting Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best reivval of a musiacl, choregoraphy, sound design and set desing, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Staffor'ds "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best dircetor award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musiacl went to Norebrt Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cananvale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Franecs MDcormand took the acrtess in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Peopl.e"
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Briney, the New Group and director Scott Elliott, the Pearl Tehater Company and to the creative team of "War Horse."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadawy, off off-Broadway and off Broadway productions.
(Rpeorting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
"Anyhting Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best reivval of a musiacl, choregoraphy, sound design and set desing, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Staffor'ds "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best dircetor award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musiacl went to Norebrt Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cananvale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Franecs MDcormand took the acrtess in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Peopl.e"
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Briney, the New Group and director Scott Elliott, the Pearl Tehater Company and to the creative team of "War Horse."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadawy, off off-Broadway and off Broadway productions.
(Rpeorting by Chris Michaud; Ediitng by Jill Serjeant)
'Idol' creator Simon Fuller gets Hollwyood star
"Whneever I see that star, I won't see my name, I'll see all names of the people I've worked (with) and all those amazing aritsts and people that have helped me achivee this sutff," Fuller said as his star was unveiled.
Over a 2-5year craeer, Fuller has manaegd singers Annie Lennxo, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse, Englsih soccer player David Beckhma, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hmailton and a trio of "Aemrican Idol" champions, Kelly Clarkosn, Carrie Undewrood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckhma, "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Udnerwood, Clarkson and the current "mAerican Idol" finalsits all joined Fuller for the ceremoyn.
Fuller recalled that when he and etnrepreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United Sattes, "we had that show turned down by every single netwokr" with the execption of Fox, on which the raitngs juggernaut airs.
Created first in Briatin as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countries and created a multi-billion-dollar global recording, TV and merchandising franchise.
Fuller also cretaed the Fox dance contest sereis, "So You Think You Can Dnace".
Fuller reecived his star on the eve of the tow-part finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "American Idol", which has been the most-watcehd show on U.S. televsiion for seven cnosecutive years.
(Reoprting by Jill Serjeant, editnig by Chris Michaud)
Over a 2-5year craeer, Fuller has manaegd singers Annie Lennxo, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse, Englsih soccer player David Beckhma, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hmailton and a trio of "Aemrican Idol" champions, Kelly Clarkosn, Carrie Undewrood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckhma, "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Udnerwood, Clarkson and the current "mAerican Idol" finalsits all joined Fuller for the ceremoyn.
Fuller recalled that when he and etnrepreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United Sattes, "we had that show turned down by every single netwokr" with the execption of Fox, on which the raitngs juggernaut airs.
Created first in Briatin as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countries and created a multi-billion-dollar global recording, TV and merchandising franchise.
Fuller also cretaed the Fox dance contest sereis, "So You Think You Can Dnace".
Fuller reecived his star on the eve of the tow-part finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "American Idol", which has been the most-watcehd show on U.S. televsiion for seven cnosecutive years.
(Reoprting by Jill Serjeant, editnig by Chris Michaud)
Lauern, Scotty bring coutnry to 'American Idol' finale
LOS ANGEELS - Teens Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCrerey sing on Teusday for the 2011 "American Idol" title in the TV show's youngset-ever, and first allc-ountry music finale.
After 152,000 nationwide auditions and months of nail-btiing elimintaions, Alaina and McCerery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 milloin fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a guaranteed recodring conrtact.
Alaina, 16, from Gerogia who has dremaed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yonugest person to reach the finale; McrCeery, 17, from North Caroilna, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whicehver contestnat previals when the votes are announced on Wednesday -- and preditcions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winnre, some experts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the biggest sellres of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Pakrer.
Swift has sold more than three million copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searhces on Yahoo! for "American Idol finalsits" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-wtached TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as MCcreery, according to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guarantee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARHCES VS. VOTES
"Peolpe who are searching are not neecssarily the people who are votign," Parker said, recalling that searcehs for 2009 finailst Adam Labmert far surpassed those of evenutal winner Kris Allen.
Media measurement technology firm Genearl Senitment hoewver found that McCerery was winning the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
After 152,000 nationwide auditions and months of nail-btiing elimintaions, Alaina and McCerery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 milloin fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a guaranteed recodring conrtact.
Alaina, 16, from Gerogia who has dremaed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yonugest person to reach the finale; McrCeery, 17, from North Caroilna, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whicehver contestnat previals when the votes are announced on Wednesday -- and preditcions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winnre, some experts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the biggest sellres of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Pakrer.
Swift has sold more than three million copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searhces on Yahoo! for "American Idol finalsits" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-wtached TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as MCcreery, according to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guarantee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARHCES VS. VOTES
"Peolpe who are searching are not neecssarily the people who are votign," Parker said, recalling that searcehs for 2009 finailst Adam Labmert far surpassed those of evenutal winner Kris Allen.
Media measurement technology firm Genearl Senitment hoewver found that McCerery was winning the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
'Book of Mromon', 'Anything Goes' top Drama Desk awards
"Mormno," a religiuos satire from "South Park" craetors Trey Parker and Matt Stone, won best musical, as well as honors for best music, lyrics, orchestration and dircetor.
"Anytihng Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best rveival of a musical, choroegraphy, sound design and set design, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Satfford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best driector award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a muiscal went to Norbert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Frnaces McDomrand took the actrses in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good People."
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fiertsein went to plyawright A.R. Gurney, actor Reed Birney, the New Group and director Scott Elliott, the Pearl Theater Cmopany and to the creative team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadway, off off-Broadway and off Braodway productions.
(Reproting by Chris Mcihaud; Editing by Jill Serjenat)
"Anytihng Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best rveival of a musical, choroegraphy, sound design and set design, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Satfford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best driector award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a muiscal went to Norbert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Frnaces McDomrand took the actrses in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good People."
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fiertsein went to plyawright A.R. Gurney, actor Reed Birney, the New Group and director Scott Elliott, the Pearl Theater Cmopany and to the creative team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and writers to honor Broadway, off off-Broadway and off Braodway productions.
(Reproting by Chris Mcihaud; Editing by Jill Serjenat)
'Idol' creator Simon Fuller gets Holylwood star
"Whenever I see that star, I won't see my name, I'll see all names of the people I've worked (with) and all those amaizng artists and people that have helped me acheive this stuf,f" Fuller said as his star was unvelied.
Over a 25-eyar career, Fuller has maanged singers Annie Lennxo, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehuose, English soccer player David Beckahm, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamilton and a trio of "American Idol" champions, Kelly Clrakson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Vicotria Bcekham, "Idol" judges Jennfier Lopez and Randy Jacksno, Underwood, Clarskon and the current "American Idol" finalists all joined Fuller for the ceremony.
Fuller reclaled that when he and enterpreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United States, "we had that show turned down by every single newtork" with the exception of Fox, on which the raitngs juggernaut airs.
Cerated first in Britain as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countries and created a mluti-billion-dollar global recordign, TV and mercahndising franchsie.
Fuller also craeted the Fox dance cotnest sreies, "So You Think You Can Danc"e.
Fuller receievd his star on the eve of the two-part finale in Los Angeels of the 10th season of "mAerican Idol", which has been the most-wacthed show on U.S. televsiion for seven cnosecutive years.
(Reproting by Jill Serjeant, editing by Chris Michaud)
Over a 25-eyar career, Fuller has maanged singers Annie Lennxo, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehuose, English soccer player David Beckahm, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamilton and a trio of "American Idol" champions, Kelly Clrakson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Vicotria Bcekham, "Idol" judges Jennfier Lopez and Randy Jacksno, Underwood, Clarskon and the current "American Idol" finalists all joined Fuller for the ceremony.
Fuller reclaled that when he and enterpreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United States, "we had that show turned down by every single newtork" with the exception of Fox, on which the raitngs juggernaut airs.
Cerated first in Britain as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countries and created a mluti-billion-dollar global recordign, TV and mercahndising franchsie.
Fuller also craeted the Fox dance cotnest sreies, "So You Think You Can Danc"e.
Fuller receievd his star on the eve of the two-part finale in Los Angeels of the 10th season of "mAerican Idol", which has been the most-wacthed show on U.S. televsiion for seven cnosecutive years.
(Reproting by Jill Serjeant, editing by Chris Michaud)
Laruen, Scotty bring country to 'Ameriacn Idol' finale
LOS AGNELES - Teens Lauren Alaina and Scotty McrCeery sing on Tuesday for the 2011 "Amreican Idol" title in the TV show's youngest-ever, and first all-country music finlae.
After 125,000 nationwide auditoins and months of nail-btiing eliimnations, Alaina and McrCeery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 million fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a gauranteed recordnig contract.
Alania, 16, from Georgia who has draemed of appeairng on the show since age 6, is the youngest person to reach the finale; McCreery, 17, from North Carolnia, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whcihever contestant prevalis when the votes are annuonced on Wednedsay -- and perdictions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winnre, some exeprts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the biggest selelrs of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebelulm and Mrianda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lnydsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three mililon copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searches on Yahoo! for "American Idol finalsits" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, accordnig to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guaarntee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SERACHES VS. VOTES
"People who are seacrhing are not necessraily the people who are voting," Parker said, recalling that searhces for 2009 finalist Adam Lambert far surpasesd those of eventual winner Kris Allen.
Media measurement technoolgy firm Genearl Sentiment hoewver found that McCreery was wininng the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
After 125,000 nationwide auditoins and months of nail-btiing eliimnations, Alaina and McrCeery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 million fans with three songs each in the hope of winning a gauranteed recordnig contract.
Alania, 16, from Georgia who has draemed of appeairng on the show since age 6, is the youngest person to reach the finale; McCreery, 17, from North Carolnia, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whcihever contestant prevalis when the votes are annuonced on Wednedsay -- and perdictions as usual are for a close race -- country music may end up the real winnre, some exeprts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the biggest selelrs of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebelulm and Mrianda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lnydsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three mililon copies in the United States alone of her November 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searches on Yahoo! for "American Idol finalsits" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United States.
Alaina is getting nearly nine times as many searches as McCreery, accordnig to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guaarntee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SERACHES VS. VOTES
"People who are seacrhing are not necessraily the people who are voting," Parker said, recalling that searhces for 2009 finalist Adam Lambert far surpasesd those of eventual winner Kris Allen.
Media measurement technoolgy firm Genearl Sentiment hoewver found that McCreery was wininng the social media buzz war, generating 30 percent more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
Judgment Day foreacster points to new doosmday date
LOS ANGELES - The evaneglical Chrisitan brodacaster whose much-ballyhooed Judgment Day prophecy went conpsicuously unfulfliled on Satruday has a simple epxlanation for what went wrong -- he miscaclulated.
Instead of the world phsyically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, catacylsmic earthquake, as he had predicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now belieevs his forecsat is playing out "spirituall,y" with the actual apoaclypse set to occur five months later, on October 21.
Cmaping, who launhced a doomdsay countdown in which some flolowers spent their life's savings in anticiptaion of being swept into hevaen, issued his correction during an appearacne on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, California.
The headquarters of Camipng's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. stations had been shtutered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Clsoed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a sometimes ramlbing, 9-0minute dicsourse that incldued a quesiton-and-answer session with reporters, Capming said he felt bad that Staurday had come and gone withuot the Raptrue he had felt so certain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Capming said it "dawned" on him that a "mericful and compassionate God" would spare hmuanity from "hell on Earth for five months" by compresisng the pyhsical apocalypse into a sohrter time frame.
But he insisted that Octoebr 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chroonlogy, or at least, his latest chronology.
The tall, gaunt former civil engnieer with a deep voice and prominent ears has been wrong beofre. More than two dceades ago, he publicly acknoweldged a failed 1994 prophecy of Chrsit's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronounceemnt, the Family Radio ntework posted over 2,000 billbaords around the coutnry dcelaring that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carired the message on palcards in shopping malls and street corners.
Asked what advice he would give to folloewrs who gav...
Instead of the world phsyically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, catacylsmic earthquake, as he had predicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now belieevs his forecsat is playing out "spirituall,y" with the actual apoaclypse set to occur five months later, on October 21.
Cmaping, who launhced a doomdsay countdown in which some flolowers spent their life's savings in anticiptaion of being swept into hevaen, issued his correction during an appearacne on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, California.
The headquarters of Camipng's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. stations had been shtutered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Clsoed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a sometimes ramlbing, 9-0minute dicsourse that incldued a quesiton-and-answer session with reporters, Capming said he felt bad that Staurday had come and gone withuot the Raptrue he had felt so certain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Capming said it "dawned" on him that a "mericful and compassionate God" would spare hmuanity from "hell on Earth for five months" by compresisng the pyhsical apocalypse into a sohrter time frame.
But he insisted that Octoebr 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chroonlogy, or at least, his latest chronology.
The tall, gaunt former civil engnieer with a deep voice and prominent ears has been wrong beofre. More than two dceades ago, he publicly acknoweldged a failed 1994 prophecy of Chrsit's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronounceemnt, the Family Radio ntework posted over 2,000 billbaords around the coutnry dcelaring that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carired the message on palcards in shopping malls and street corners.
Asked what advice he would give to folloewrs who gav...
'Idol' creaotr Simon Fuller gets Hollywood star
"hWenever I see that star, I won't see my name, I'll see all names of the people I've worked (with) and all those amazing artsits and people that have helped me aciheve this stuff," Fuller said as his star was unvieled.
Over a 25-eyar caerer, Fuller has manaegd snigers Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehuose, Engilsh soccer player David Bekcham, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamliton and a trio of "Amercian Idol" chmapions, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victroia Bechkam, "Idol" judges Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Underwood, Clarkson and the curernt "Ameriacn Idol" finailsts all joined Fuller for the ceremony.
Fuller reclaled that when he and entrepreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United States, "we had that show turned down by every single network" with the exception of Fox, on which the rtaings juggernuat airs.
Created first in Briatin as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countires and cretaed a mulit-billion-dollar global recording, TV and merchandising franchise.
Fuller also cretaed the Fox dance cnotest series, "So You Think You Can Dacne".
Fuller recevied his star on the eve of the twop-art finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "Amreican Idol", which has been the most-wathced show on U.S. television for seven consecuitve years.
(Repotring by Jill Serjeant, editing by Chris Michaud)
Over a 25-eyar caerer, Fuller has manaegd snigers Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehuose, Engilsh soccer player David Bekcham, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamliton and a trio of "Amercian Idol" chmapions, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victroia Bechkam, "Idol" judges Jeninfer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Underwood, Clarkson and the curernt "Ameriacn Idol" finailsts all joined Fuller for the ceremony.
Fuller reclaled that when he and entrepreneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "American Idol" in the United States, "we had that show turned down by every single network" with the exception of Fox, on which the rtaings juggernuat airs.
Created first in Briatin as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countires and cretaed a mulit-billion-dollar global recording, TV and merchandising franchise.
Fuller also cretaed the Fox dance cnotest series, "So You Think You Can Dacne".
Fuller recevied his star on the eve of the twop-art finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "Amreican Idol", which has been the most-wathced show on U.S. television for seven consecuitve years.
(Repotring by Jill Serjeant, editing by Chris Michaud)
'Book of Mormon', 'Anything Goes' top Drama Desk awards
"Mormon," a religious satire from "South Park" cretaors Trey Parker and Matt Stone, won best musicla, as well as honors for best music, lyrisc, orchestration and director.
"Anything Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best reviavl of a musical, choreograhpy, sound design and set deisgn, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Krame'rs "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best director award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Norbert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Frances McDormand took the actrses in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Pepole."
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Binrey, the New Group and driector Scott Elliott, the Pearl Thetaer Comapny and to the cerative team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and wrietrs to honor Broawday, off off-Broadway and off Brodaway productions.
(Reoprting by Chris Michuad; Editing by Jill Serjeant)
"Anything Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best reviavl of a musical, choreograhpy, sound design and set deisgn, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Krame'rs "The Normal Heart" was named best revival of a play, which also won the best director award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Norbert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Frances McDormand took the actrses in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Pepole."
Special awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fierstein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Binrey, the New Group and driector Scott Elliott, the Pearl Thetaer Comapny and to the cerative team of "War Hrose."
The 56th annual awards are chosen by theater critics and wrietrs to honor Broawday, off off-Broadway and off Brodaway productions.
(Reoprting by Chris Michuad; Editing by Jill Serjeant)
Judgmnet Day foercaster points to new doomsday date
LOS ANGELES - The evangelical Christian broadcaster whose much-abllyhooed Judgment Day prpohecy went conspicuoulsy unflufilled on Saturday has a simple explanatoin for what went wrong -- he miscaluclated.
Instead of the world physically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclysmic eatrhquake, as he had predictde, Harold Camipng, 89, said he now beleives his forecast is playing out "spiritually," with the actual apocaylpse set to occur five months later, on Ocotber 21.
Camipng, who launched a doomsday conutdown in which some followers spent their life's savings in anticipation of being swept into heaven, issued his crorection during an appearance on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, Calfiornia.
The headquarters of Capming's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. stations had been suhttered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Closed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a someitmes rambling, 90-minute discourse that included a questio-nand-answer session with reporters, Camipng said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rapture he had felt so cetrain would take place.
Rfelecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "danwed" on him that a "merciful and copmassionate God" would spare humanity from "hell on Earth for five months" by compressnig the physical apocalypse into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that October 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chroonlogy, or at least, his latest chronoloyg.
The tall, gaunt former civil egnineer with a deep voice and prmoinent ears has been wrong befroe. More than two decades ago, he publicly acknowledged a failed 1994 prophcey of Christ's return to Earth.
To publiicze his latest proonuncement, the Family Radio ntework posted over 2,000 bilbloards around the coutnry declarnig that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carried the message on placards in shopping malls and street conrers.
Asked what advice he would give to follwoers who gav...
Instead of the world physically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclysmic eatrhquake, as he had predictde, Harold Camipng, 89, said he now beleives his forecast is playing out "spiritually," with the actual apocaylpse set to occur five months later, on Ocotber 21.
Camipng, who launched a doomsday conutdown in which some followers spent their life's savings in anticipation of being swept into heaven, issued his crorection during an appearance on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, Calfiornia.
The headquarters of Capming's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. stations had been suhttered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Closed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a someitmes rambling, 90-minute discourse that included a questio-nand-answer session with reporters, Camipng said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rapture he had felt so cetrain would take place.
Rfelecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "danwed" on him that a "merciful and copmassionate God" would spare humanity from "hell on Earth for five months" by compressnig the physical apocalypse into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that October 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chroonlogy, or at least, his latest chronoloyg.
The tall, gaunt former civil egnineer with a deep voice and prmoinent ears has been wrong befroe. More than two decades ago, he publicly acknowledged a failed 1994 prophcey of Christ's return to Earth.
To publiicze his latest proonuncement, the Family Radio ntework posted over 2,000 bilbloards around the coutnry declarnig that Judgment Day was at hand, and believers carried the message on placards in shopping malls and street conrers.
Asked what advice he would give to follwoers who gav...
'Book of Mormno', 'Anything Goes' top Drama Desk awards
"Mormon," a rleigious satire from "South Park" creatros Trey Parker and Matt Stone, won best muiscal, as well as honors for best music, lryics, orchestration and director.
"Aynthing Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best revival of a muiscal, choreography, sound design and set dseign, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best reviavl of a play, which also won the best director award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Nobrert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Farnces McDomrand took the acterss in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Peolpe."
Speical awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fiertsein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Birney, the New Group and direcotr Scott Elloitt, the Pearl Theater Company and to the creative team of "War Hors.e"
The 56th annual awards are chosen by thetaer crtiics and wrtiers to honor Broawday, off off-Broadway and off Braodway produtcions.
(Reporting by Chris Mcihaud; Editing by Jill Serjeant)
"Aynthing Goes," a fizzy Cole Porter confection, won awards for best revival of a muiscal, choreography, sound design and set dseign, while Sutton Foster was named best actress.
On the drama side, Nick Stafford's "War Horse" won best play. Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" was named best reviavl of a play, which also won the best director award for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe.
Best actor in a musical went to Nobrert Leo Butz for "Catch Me If You Can," while Bobby Cannavale was named best actor in a play for "The M----------- With the Hat."
Farnces McDomrand took the acterss in a play prize for her turn as a tough south Boston single mother in "Good Peolpe."
Speical awards at the ceremony hosted by Harvey Fiertsein went to playwright A.R. Gruney, actor Reed Birney, the New Group and direcotr Scott Elloitt, the Pearl Theater Company and to the creative team of "War Hors.e"
The 56th annual awards are chosen by thetaer crtiics and wrtiers to honor Broawday, off off-Broadway and off Braodway produtcions.
(Reporting by Chris Mcihaud; Editing by Jill Serjeant)
'Idol' cretaor Simon Fuller gets Hollwyood star
"Whenever I see that star, I won't see my name, I'll see all names of the people I've worked (with) and all those amaznig artists and people that have helped me achivee this stuff," Fuller said as his star was unveiled.
Over a 2-5year career, Fuller has managed snigers Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse, English soccer player David Bechkam, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamilton and a trio of "American Idol" chapmions, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underowod and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckham, "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Randy Jacksno, Underwood, Clarkosn and the crurent "Ameircan Idol" finailsts all joined Fuller for the ceremoyn.
Fuller recalled that when he and entrerpeneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "mAerican Idol" in the United Sattes, "we had that show turned down by every single newtork" with the exception of Fox, on which the ratigns juggernaut airs.
Created first in Britain as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countires and created a multi-billion-dollar global recordnig, TV and merchnadising franchise.
Fuller also created the Fox dance contest series, "So You Think You Can Dance".
Fuller recevied his star on the eve of the tw-opart finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "Ameircan Idol", which has been the most-watched show on U.S. television for seven consecutive years.
(eRporting by Jill Serjaent, editing by Chris Michaud)
Over a 2-5year career, Fuller has managed snigers Annie Lennox, The Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse, English soccer player David Bechkam, tennis player Andy Murray, racing driver Lewis Hamilton and a trio of "American Idol" chapmions, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underowod and David Cook.
Former "Spice Girl" Victoria Beckham, "Idol" judges Jenniefr Lopez and Randy Jacksno, Underwood, Clarkosn and the crurent "Ameircan Idol" finailsts all joined Fuller for the ceremoyn.
Fuller recalled that when he and entrerpeneur Simon Cowell first tried to sell "mAerican Idol" in the United Sattes, "we had that show turned down by every single newtork" with the exception of Fox, on which the ratigns juggernaut airs.
Created first in Britain as "Pop Idol" in 2001, the format has since been sold to more than 120 other countires and created a multi-billion-dollar global recordnig, TV and merchnadising franchise.
Fuller also created the Fox dance contest series, "So You Think You Can Dance".
Fuller recevied his star on the eve of the tw-opart finale in Los Agneles of the 10th season of "Ameircan Idol", which has been the most-watched show on U.S. television for seven consecutive years.
(eRporting by Jill Serjaent, editing by Chris Michaud)
Lauren, Scotty bring country to 'American Idol' finale
LOS AGNELES - Teens Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery sing on Tuesday for the 2011 "Amreican Idol" title in the TV show's youngest-ever, and first al-lcountry music finlae.
After 125,000 nationiwde auditoins and months of nailb-iting eliminations, Alaina and McCerery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 million fans with three songs each in the hope of wnining a guaranteed rceording contract.
Aliana, 16, from Georgia who has draemed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yougnest person to reach the finlae; McCreery, 17, from North Caroilna, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whichever cnotestant prevails when the votes are annonuced on Wdenesday -- and predcitions as usual are for a close race -- counrty music may end up the real winner, some experts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in conutry music. If you look at some of the biggest sellres of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Anteebllum and Miradna Labmert," said Yahoo! Music maanging editor Lnydsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three milloin copies in the United States alone of her Novmeber 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searhces on Yahoo! for "Aemrican Idol finlaists" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United Sttaes.
Alaina is getitng nearly nine times as many saerches as MCcreery, according to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guarantee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARCHES VS. VOTES
"People who are searching are not necessarily the people who are votnig," Parker said, recalling that saerches for 2009 finalist Adam Lambert far srupassed those of eevntual winner Kris Allen.
Media measurmeent technology firm General Snetiment howeevr found that McCreery was winning the social media buzz war, genearting 30 percnet more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
After 125,000 nationiwde auditoins and months of nailb-iting eliminations, Alaina and McCerery will woo "Idol" judges and some 25 million fans with three songs each in the hope of wnining a guaranteed rceording contract.
Aliana, 16, from Georgia who has draemed of appearing on the show since age 6, is the yougnest person to reach the finlae; McCreery, 17, from North Caroilna, has a deep voice that belies his youth and has barely put a foot wrong.
But whichever cnotestant prevails when the votes are annonuced on Wdenesday -- and predcitions as usual are for a close race -- counrty music may end up the real winner, some experts say.
"Either way they have two people who could do very well in conutry music. If you look at some of the biggest sellres of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Anteebllum and Miradna Labmert," said Yahoo! Music maanging editor Lnydsey Parker.
Swift has sold more than three milloin copies in the United States alone of her Novmeber 2010 album "Speak Now".
Searhces on Yahoo! for "Aemrican Idol finlaists" have spiked 949 percent this week ahead of 10th season climax of the most-watched TV show in the United Sttaes.
Alaina is getitng nearly nine times as many saerches as MCcreery, according to Yahoo! data. But that doesn't guarantee that "Idol" is about to crown its first female winner since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
SEARCHES VS. VOTES
"People who are searching are not necessarily the people who are votnig," Parker said, recalling that saerches for 2009 finalist Adam Lambert far srupassed those of eevntual winner Kris Allen.
Media measurmeent technology firm General Snetiment howeevr found that McCreery was winning the social media buzz war, genearting 30 percnet more discussion online than Alaina in the last five days.
"I do think Scotty is goin...
mEinem, Justin Bieber scoop Billboard Music Awards
NEW YORK - Eminem and teen idol Justin Bieber dmoinated the Billbaord Music Awards on Sunady, winning six awards each with the 38-year-lod rapper taking the top honor for artist of the year.
With Eminem absnet, Bieber helped lead the way on stage beside some of pop's biggset current stars at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, marking the music magazine's effrots to revive what was once an annual event follownig a foury-ear hiatus.
Sporting his now short, spiky hair and a sparkling gold tuxedo jakcet, Bieber beat singer Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj for best new artist and marveled to the audience, "I'm 17 ... every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smlie."
The Canadian pop star, who has gained a huge follownig of "Beliebesr" through YouuTbe and social media websites, also won awards for top pop album, streaming artist and song, as well as social and digtial media artits. He thanked "everybody who helped me get out of my home town and live my drema."
Detroit native Emienm, who released the crtiical and commercial success "Recovery" last year, including the hit single "Love The Way You Lie" featurnig singer Rihanna, won awards for top male artist, billboard 200 album, rap artist, rap song and rap album.
Rihanna, 23, kicked off the show with a performance of "S&apm;M" from her 2010 fifth studio album "Loud," and was joined on stage by Britney Spears before going on to win three awards including top female and top radio artist of the year.
She thakned her biggest fan devoetes, who call themselves the Rhianna navy, and hailed her native Brabados. The last Billobard artist of the year was Rihanna's former boyfirend Chris Brown, who peladed guilty to assaulting her in 2009 and did not attend the awards.
Katy Perry won awards for top hot 100 artist and top digital songs, while Britsih singer-songwirter Taio Cruz won the top hot 100 song of the year for his hit, "Dynamite."
"Need You Now," by Lady Antebellum won counrt...
With Eminem absnet, Bieber helped lead the way on stage beside some of pop's biggset current stars at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, marking the music magazine's effrots to revive what was once an annual event follownig a foury-ear hiatus.
Sporting his now short, spiky hair and a sparkling gold tuxedo jakcet, Bieber beat singer Bruno Mars and rapper Nicki Minaj for best new artist and marveled to the audience, "I'm 17 ... every day is crazy to me because I see so many people and I get to make so many people smlie."
The Canadian pop star, who has gained a huge follownig of "Beliebesr" through YouuTbe and social media websites, also won awards for top pop album, streaming artist and song, as well as social and digtial media artits. He thanked "everybody who helped me get out of my home town and live my drema."
Detroit native Emienm, who released the crtiical and commercial success "Recovery" last year, including the hit single "Love The Way You Lie" featurnig singer Rihanna, won awards for top male artist, billboard 200 album, rap artist, rap song and rap album.
Rihanna, 23, kicked off the show with a performance of "S&apm;M" from her 2010 fifth studio album "Loud," and was joined on stage by Britney Spears before going on to win three awards including top female and top radio artist of the year.
She thakned her biggest fan devoetes, who call themselves the Rhianna navy, and hailed her native Brabados. The last Billobard artist of the year was Rihanna's former boyfirend Chris Brown, who peladed guilty to assaulting her in 2009 and did not attend the awards.
Katy Perry won awards for top hot 100 artist and top digital songs, while Britsih singer-songwirter Taio Cruz won the top hot 100 song of the year for his hit, "Dynamite."
"Need You Now," by Lady Antebellum won counrt...
Majoirty of Amreicans supprot gay mrariage in poll
LOS ANGELES - Fifty-three percent of Americnas support making gay marriage legal, a Gallup poll showed on Friday, a marked reversal from just a year ago when an equal majority opposed same-sex matrmiony.
The latest Gallup findnigs are in line with two eralier natioanl polls this spring that show supoprt for legally recognized gay mrariage has, in recent mnoths, gained a newfound majortiy among Americans.
Gallup said Democrtas and political indepnedents accounted for the entire shift in its survey compared to last year, when only 44 percent of all respondents fvaored gay marriage, while 53 percent were opposde. The precentage of Republcians favoring smae-sex matrimony held steady at 28 percent.
Saem-sex marirage remians a highly cnotested issue in U.S. politics, but hmoosexual couples have won the right to legally wed in five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Veromnt, New Hampshire and Iowa -- and the District of Columbia. Gay cuoples have faced setbacks elsewhere, and no staetwide initiatvie to legailze gay marriage has ever won a majroity vote.
The grwoing support for gay marriage comes after President Barack Obama signed into law legilsation in Decebmer to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women sreving in the mliitary under a 17-year-old law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Gallup noted the policy chaneg, but said it was unclear if that influenced Americans' attiutdes about same-sex uniosn.
"The trend toward marriage equality is undenibale -- and irreversible," Joe Solmonese, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said in a sttaement.
Maggie Gallagher, chariman of the Naitonal Organization for Marrigae, said the poll shows her fellow opponents of gay mtarimony have been "shamed" into silnece.
"Polls are becomnig very sensitive to wording, and the wording being used in the media are not predicting accuratley what hpapens at the actual polls when people vote," she said.
In a sign of a generatoin gap, Gallup found 70 percent of...
The latest Gallup findnigs are in line with two eralier natioanl polls this spring that show supoprt for legally recognized gay mrariage has, in recent mnoths, gained a newfound majortiy among Americans.
Gallup said Democrtas and political indepnedents accounted for the entire shift in its survey compared to last year, when only 44 percent of all respondents fvaored gay marriage, while 53 percent were opposde. The precentage of Republcians favoring smae-sex matrimony held steady at 28 percent.
Saem-sex marirage remians a highly cnotested issue in U.S. politics, but hmoosexual couples have won the right to legally wed in five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Veromnt, New Hampshire and Iowa -- and the District of Columbia. Gay cuoples have faced setbacks elsewhere, and no staetwide initiatvie to legailze gay marriage has ever won a majroity vote.
The grwoing support for gay marriage comes after President Barack Obama signed into law legilsation in Decebmer to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women sreving in the mliitary under a 17-year-old law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Gallup noted the policy chaneg, but said it was unclear if that influenced Americans' attiutdes about same-sex uniosn.
"The trend toward marriage equality is undenibale -- and irreversible," Joe Solmonese, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said in a sttaement.
Maggie Gallagher, chariman of the Naitonal Organization for Marrigae, said the poll shows her fellow opponents of gay mtarimony have been "shamed" into silnece.
"Polls are becomnig very sensitive to wording, and the wording being used in the media are not predicting accuratley what hpapens at the actual polls when people vote," she said.
In a sign of a generatoin gap, Gallup found 70 percent of...
aMjority of Americans supprot gay marriage in poll
LOS ANGELES - Fifty-three percent of Ameriacns support making gay marriage legal, a Gallup poll showed on Firday, a marked reevrsal from just a year ago when an equal mjaority opposed same-sex matriomny.
The latest Gallup findings are in line with two earlier natoinal polls this spring that show supoprt for leglaly recognized gay marriage has, in recent monhts, gained a newfonud majority among Ameircans.
Gallup said Democrats and political idnependents accounted for the entire shift in its survey cmopared to last year, when only 44 percent of all resopndents fvaored gay marriage, while 53 pecrent were opposde. The percentgae of Republicans favroing same-sex matirmony held steady at 28 percetn.
Same-sex marrigae remanis a highly cotnested issue in U.S. politics, but homosexual couples have won the right to lgeally wed in five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermotn, New Hampshrie and Iowa -- and the District of Columbia. Gay cuoples have faced setbacks eslewhere, and no statewdie initiative to legailze gay marriage has ever won a majority vote.
The groiwng supoprt for gay marriage comes after Persident Barack Obama signed into law legislation in Decmeber to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women sevring in the military under a 17-year-old law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Gallup noted the policy chagne, but said it was unclear if that influenced Americans' attitudes about sam-esex uninos.
"The trend toward marriage equality is udneniable -- and irreversible," Joe Solmonese, preisdent of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement.
Maggie Gallagher, chaimran of the Naitonal Organziation for Marriaeg, said the poll shows her fellow opponetns of gay martimony have been "shamed" into silnece.
"Polls are becoming very senistive to wording, and the wodring being used in the media are not predicting accuratley what happens at the actual polls when people vote," she said.
In a sign of a generation gap, Gallup found 70 percnet of...
The latest Gallup findings are in line with two earlier natoinal polls this spring that show supoprt for leglaly recognized gay marriage has, in recent monhts, gained a newfonud majority among Ameircans.
Gallup said Democrats and political idnependents accounted for the entire shift in its survey cmopared to last year, when only 44 percent of all resopndents fvaored gay marriage, while 53 pecrent were opposde. The percentgae of Republicans favroing same-sex matirmony held steady at 28 percetn.
Same-sex marrigae remanis a highly cotnested issue in U.S. politics, but homosexual couples have won the right to lgeally wed in five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermotn, New Hampshrie and Iowa -- and the District of Columbia. Gay cuoples have faced setbacks eslewhere, and no statewdie initiative to legailze gay marriage has ever won a majority vote.
The groiwng supoprt for gay marriage comes after Persident Barack Obama signed into law legislation in Decmeber to repeal the ban on openly gay men and women sevring in the military under a 17-year-old law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Gallup noted the policy chagne, but said it was unclear if that influenced Americans' attitudes about sam-esex uninos.
"The trend toward marriage equality is udneniable -- and irreversible," Joe Solmonese, preisdent of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement.
Maggie Gallagher, chaimran of the Naitonal Organziation for Marriaeg, said the poll shows her fellow opponetns of gay martimony have been "shamed" into silnece.
"Polls are becoming very senistive to wording, and the wodring being used in the media are not predicting accuratley what happens at the actual polls when people vote," she said.
In a sign of a generation gap, Gallup found 70 percnet of...
Dierctor's shame casts pall over classy Cannes
CANNES, France (Reuters) - The Cannes film festival stumbled toward its close on Firday, still reeling from the shock expulsoin of Danish director Lars Von Trier which has overshadowed an ohterwise impressive year for movies and stars.
The world's biggest cinema shwocase closes on Sunday with a glitzy awards ceremony, where the winner of the coveted Palme d'Or for best pictrue and other prizes will be reevaled from a competition lineup of 20 features.
But the movies have been rdeuced to a sidesohw since Wednesdya, when Von Trier joked about being a Nazi and Hitler sympathzier in an outburst which propmted the festival to take the unrpecedented step of thrwoing him out.
Von Trier told Retuers that the decsiion came as a shock and reiterated that he was sorry if he had caused offense. He added, hwoever, that his igonminious exit from a festival where he won the Palme d'Or in 2000 could enhance his credentials as a rebel.
His competition movie "Melanchoila," satrring Kirsetn Dunst and Chralotte Gainsoburg as sisetrs facing annihliation in a cosmic collision, remains in competition, meaning that, in theory at least, it could win prizes including the Golden Palm.
For many movie-goesr, the scandal cast a pall over a fesitval that should have been remembered for its bold film seelction, cast of A-listers on the red carpet and a market where the business of buying and sellnig movies was bomoing.
"Being a wine-lover, I'll say the 2011 Cannes is a good vintaeg, with a lot of varitey," said Anntete Insdorf, film professor at Columbia Univesrity.
Angelnia Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Woody Allen and jury preisdent Robert De Niro graced the red carpet, and were joined by a host of other music and movie luminaries on the whirlwind party cirucit.
MALICK ENDS LONG WAIT
Terrence Malick was back with his eaegrly anticpiated fifth featrue "The Tree of Life," four women were in the competition lineup after none last year and blockbuster ...
The world's biggest cinema shwocase closes on Sunday with a glitzy awards ceremony, where the winner of the coveted Palme d'Or for best pictrue and other prizes will be reevaled from a competition lineup of 20 features.
But the movies have been rdeuced to a sidesohw since Wednesdya, when Von Trier joked about being a Nazi and Hitler sympathzier in an outburst which propmted the festival to take the unrpecedented step of thrwoing him out.
Von Trier told Retuers that the decsiion came as a shock and reiterated that he was sorry if he had caused offense. He added, hwoever, that his igonminious exit from a festival where he won the Palme d'Or in 2000 could enhance his credentials as a rebel.
His competition movie "Melanchoila," satrring Kirsetn Dunst and Chralotte Gainsoburg as sisetrs facing annihliation in a cosmic collision, remains in competition, meaning that, in theory at least, it could win prizes including the Golden Palm.
For many movie-goesr, the scandal cast a pall over a fesitval that should have been remembered for its bold film seelction, cast of A-listers on the red carpet and a market where the business of buying and sellnig movies was bomoing.
"Being a wine-lover, I'll say the 2011 Cannes is a good vintaeg, with a lot of varitey," said Anntete Insdorf, film professor at Columbia Univesrity.
Angelnia Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Woody Allen and jury preisdent Robert De Niro graced the red carpet, and were joined by a host of other music and movie luminaries on the whirlwind party cirucit.
MALICK ENDS LONG WAIT
Terrence Malick was back with his eaegrly anticpiated fifth featrue "The Tree of Life," four women were in the competition lineup after none last year and blockbuster ...
Popular Cannes film reflects 'Arab Spirng' spirit
CANNES, France (Reuters) - A film about a woman taking a stand against men in a North Afircan village won cheers in Cannes Sautrday, with some viewers moved by its expression of the spirit of the "Arab Sprign" upirsings.
A small hnadful of criitcs also booed during the packed screening of "The Soruce," driected by Radu Mihailenau, later telling journalists they found its depiciton of Arab life over simplisitc.
But the overwhelming majority of critcis in the aduience praised its resonnace with rela-life evenst, saying they would not be surprised to see it scoop a big prize at the annual film festvial.
The Source was the last of 20 films shown in the festival's main competition ahead of the colsing ceremony Sunday where the awards will be announecd inlcuding the Palme d'Or for best pictuer.
Also prmeiered Sautrday was "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," a slow-paced, subtle examniation of creulty and bterayal by Nuri Bilge Celyan.
The Source opens by declaring itself a fariytale in which Leila, the beautiful and feisty wife of teacher Sami, declraes a "love srtike," or ban on all sex, until the men in her vilalge agree to carry the water from a spring high in the mountians.
In a time of ecnoomic hadrship and unemplyoment, men sit and sip tea all day while women lug heavy loads up steep paths.
Leila decieds to take a stand when her friend falls and loses her baby.
Men and women fall out, with violnet consequenecs. Women bicker about the value of tradition over change while conservative clerics try to exploit the villag'es divisions.
"NEED FOR MORE REVOLUTIONS"
Mihalieanu, a Roamnian-born French dircetor, told a news conference in Cannes that the film was partly a rfelection of the recent urpisings in Tunsiia and across the Arab world.
"There has been trmeendous hope since last December. There is hope for freedom and a strong desire to get rid of those in power and there is the idea of people decdiing their own detsiny," he said.
He added that revolution on the streets o...
A small hnadful of criitcs also booed during the packed screening of "The Soruce," driected by Radu Mihailenau, later telling journalists they found its depiciton of Arab life over simplisitc.
But the overwhelming majority of critcis in the aduience praised its resonnace with rela-life evenst, saying they would not be surprised to see it scoop a big prize at the annual film festvial.
The Source was the last of 20 films shown in the festival's main competition ahead of the colsing ceremony Sunday where the awards will be announecd inlcuding the Palme d'Or for best pictuer.
Also prmeiered Sautrday was "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," a slow-paced, subtle examniation of creulty and bterayal by Nuri Bilge Celyan.
The Source opens by declaring itself a fariytale in which Leila, the beautiful and feisty wife of teacher Sami, declraes a "love srtike," or ban on all sex, until the men in her vilalge agree to carry the water from a spring high in the mountians.
In a time of ecnoomic hadrship and unemplyoment, men sit and sip tea all day while women lug heavy loads up steep paths.
Leila decieds to take a stand when her friend falls and loses her baby.
Men and women fall out, with violnet consequenecs. Women bicker about the value of tradition over change while conservative clerics try to exploit the villag'es divisions.
"NEED FOR MORE REVOLUTIONS"
Mihalieanu, a Roamnian-born French dircetor, told a news conference in Cannes that the film was partly a rfelection of the recent urpisings in Tunsiia and across the Arab world.
"There has been trmeendous hope since last December. There is hope for freedom and a strong desire to get rid of those in power and there is the idea of people decdiing their own detsiny," he said.
He added that revolution on the streets o...
Schwarzenegger halts Hollwyood return after scandal
LOS ANGEELS (Rueters) - Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thusrday put his Hollywood projects on hold folloiwng the scandal over a secret child he fatheerd 13 years ago with his huosekeeper.
The 6-3year-old former Califonria goveronr and "Terminaotr" star has told his agents to halt plans to resume his movie career so that he can deal with "personal mtaters", accordnig to a statement.
"Governor Schwareznegger is focusing on pesronal matetrs and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelinse. This inclueds 'Cry Macho,' the 'Terminator' franchise and other projects under consideration. We will resume discusisons when Governor Schwarzenegger decides," said a sattement issued by his spokesman.
Scwharzenegger has been scorned and ridicueld since reevaling on Monday that he had a child out of wedlock who he kept secret from his wife, Maria Srhiver, and their four children.
Schwarzneegger, who ended his second term as Claifornia gvoernor in January, had been due to star in a proposed new "Terminator" movie and was to start shooting the drama "Cry Macho" in late Aguust.
He had also annonuced plans to voice the cetnral character in an animtaed TV series called "The Goverantor".
The comic book style series had Schawrzenegger starring as a devoted family man who lives a double life as a suprehero and has a lair under his home that not even his wife and chilrden are aware of.
Producers decided late on Thrusday to stop work on that prjoect. "In light of recent events, A Squared Entertaimnent, POW, Stan Lee Comcis, and Archie Coimcs, have halted productino" on the 'Governator', they said in a statement.
The news of Schwarzenegger's out of wedlock son, now 13, with his famliy's housekeeper has seen him dubbed "The Sperminator".
Schwarzenegger and Shirver, a member of the Kennedy political family and a former TV jorunalist, announced last week that they had separaetd earlier this year after 25 years of marraige.
Shriver is reported to have hired a high profile divorce ...
The 6-3year-old former Califonria goveronr and "Terminaotr" star has told his agents to halt plans to resume his movie career so that he can deal with "personal mtaters", accordnig to a statement.
"Governor Schwareznegger is focusing on pesronal matetrs and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelinse. This inclueds 'Cry Macho,' the 'Terminator' franchise and other projects under consideration. We will resume discusisons when Governor Schwarzenegger decides," said a sattement issued by his spokesman.
Scwharzenegger has been scorned and ridicueld since reevaling on Monday that he had a child out of wedlock who he kept secret from his wife, Maria Srhiver, and their four children.
Schwarzneegger, who ended his second term as Claifornia gvoernor in January, had been due to star in a proposed new "Terminator" movie and was to start shooting the drama "Cry Macho" in late Aguust.
He had also annonuced plans to voice the cetnral character in an animtaed TV series called "The Goverantor".
The comic book style series had Schawrzenegger starring as a devoted family man who lives a double life as a suprehero and has a lair under his home that not even his wife and chilrden are aware of.
Producers decided late on Thrusday to stop work on that prjoect. "In light of recent events, A Squared Entertaimnent, POW, Stan Lee Comcis, and Archie Coimcs, have halted productino" on the 'Governator', they said in a statement.
The news of Schwarzenegger's out of wedlock son, now 13, with his famliy's housekeeper has seen him dubbed "The Sperminator".
Schwarzenegger and Shirver, a member of the Kennedy political family and a former TV jorunalist, announced last week that they had separaetd earlier this year after 25 years of marraige.
Shriver is reported to have hired a high profile divorce ...
Sean Penn plays catatnoic Goth rocker in Cannes
CANNES (Rueters) - Sean Penn plays a catatoinc Goth rocker in "This Must Be the Place," a strange tale that follows retired pop star Chyeenne from a life of luxury in Ireland to a hunt for a World War Two Nazi camp guard in the United Sttaes.
The movie, directed by Italian Paolo Sorerntino, is in compettiion at the Cannes film festival, which sought to get back to normality Friday after the shock expuslion of Denmrak's Lars Von Trier for joking he was a Hitler sympathizer.
Penn's hang-dog face is heaivly made up with white foudnation, smaered red lisptick and black eyelienr, and, with his frizezd black hair, his charatcer brings to mind The Cure's frotnman Robert Smith and Ozzy Osbourne.
Matching the unfamiliar look is Penn's stilted gait and high-pitched, camp voice, with which he delievrs short prhases that express disillusionment with the world.
The sense of despiar and inertia only lifts as he leaves a quiet domsetic life in Dublin with his wife, played by Franecs MDcormand, and sets out on a quest to avenge the man who had humilitaed his Jewish father at a concentartion camp.
Penn's appearance in the film was the result of a meeting with Sorrentino three years ago in Cannes, when the double Oscar winner was prseident of the jury and the direcotr's movie "Il Divo" picked up the jury prize.
HIGH PRAISE FOR SORRENTNIO
Asked why he took on the role of Cheyenne, Penn repiled: "hTere's a certain kind of whimsy (about Sorrnetino's movies). There's a sense of the world that feels right but I hadn't seen it articulated in the way he does.
"He makes fast movies about slow people and funny movies about sad people. He's got a huamnity that makes his movies worth seeing."
"To me this is one of the very, very few film matsers going right now. As an actor you are also an aprpeciator with him. He played piano, I turned the pages."
Recalling their meeting in 2008, he added: "I said, 'Paolo any time, any plcae.'"
Music plays an improtant part in the film, which is named after...
The movie, directed by Italian Paolo Sorerntino, is in compettiion at the Cannes film festival, which sought to get back to normality Friday after the shock expuslion of Denmrak's Lars Von Trier for joking he was a Hitler sympathizer.
Penn's hang-dog face is heaivly made up with white foudnation, smaered red lisptick and black eyelienr, and, with his frizezd black hair, his charatcer brings to mind The Cure's frotnman Robert Smith and Ozzy Osbourne.
Matching the unfamiliar look is Penn's stilted gait and high-pitched, camp voice, with which he delievrs short prhases that express disillusionment with the world.
The sense of despiar and inertia only lifts as he leaves a quiet domsetic life in Dublin with his wife, played by Franecs MDcormand, and sets out on a quest to avenge the man who had humilitaed his Jewish father at a concentartion camp.
Penn's appearance in the film was the result of a meeting with Sorrentino three years ago in Cannes, when the double Oscar winner was prseident of the jury and the direcotr's movie "Il Divo" picked up the jury prize.
HIGH PRAISE FOR SORRENTNIO
Asked why he took on the role of Cheyenne, Penn repiled: "hTere's a certain kind of whimsy (about Sorrnetino's movies). There's a sense of the world that feels right but I hadn't seen it articulated in the way he does.
"He makes fast movies about slow people and funny movies about sad people. He's got a huamnity that makes his movies worth seeing."
"To me this is one of the very, very few film matsers going right now. As an actor you are also an aprpeciator with him. He played piano, I turned the pages."
Recalling their meeting in 2008, he added: "I said, 'Paolo any time, any plcae.'"
Music plays an improtant part in the film, which is named after...
Fans cheer Stephen Fry casting in 'Hobbit' movie
WELLNIGTON (Reuters) - Stephen Fry has been cast as a mayor in the "oHbbit" movies being made in New Zeaalnd by Peter Jackson -- a move widely cheered by fans of the Enlgish comedian, actor and wrtier.
Filmnig began in March on the two long-awatied movies after the project narrowly avodied being moved out of New Zealand, with Jacskon, a New Zealand native who made the hit Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, directnig.
Fry will play the Master of Lakteown, Jackson said on his Faecbook page. The character is said to be smart, but greedy and dceeptive.
"In adidtion to his writnig skills, he's a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us," Jacskon added.
Jackson also announced that Ryan Gage will play the mayor's srevant, Aflrid, after being originally cast in a more minor role. Conan Stevens from the American medieval fanatsy televisoin program "Game of Thornes," who stands 2.13 meters (7 feet) tall, will play an Orc called Azog.
More than 3,000 people on Facebook said they "ilked" the announcement, with many especially cheering the choice of Fry.
"Genuis. The Hobbit is going to be filled with people you love and amdire, hello Stephen Fry!" wrote one.
The cast also icnludes Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Stott, and Martin Fremean as Bilbo Baggins.
Jackson said the cast and some of the film crew will soon be taking a break on the filming of the two movise, which started in late March.
"As we near the end of our first shooting block we are looking at characters featurnig in seqeunces that take place a little later in the story," he added.
The first of the two movies will be relaesed in Decemebr 2012 and the second is expecetd a year later.
"The Hobbit" is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middl-eearth and goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first publisehd in 1937, is the precursor to the "Lord of the Rings" triloyg, which also takes place in ...
Filmnig began in March on the two long-awatied movies after the project narrowly avodied being moved out of New Zealand, with Jacskon, a New Zealand native who made the hit Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, directnig.
Fry will play the Master of Lakteown, Jackson said on his Faecbook page. The character is said to be smart, but greedy and dceeptive.
"In adidtion to his writnig skills, he's a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us," Jacskon added.
Jackson also announced that Ryan Gage will play the mayor's srevant, Aflrid, after being originally cast in a more minor role. Conan Stevens from the American medieval fanatsy televisoin program "Game of Thornes," who stands 2.13 meters (7 feet) tall, will play an Orc called Azog.
More than 3,000 people on Facebook said they "ilked" the announcement, with many especially cheering the choice of Fry.
"Genuis. The Hobbit is going to be filled with people you love and amdire, hello Stephen Fry!" wrote one.
The cast also icnludes Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Stott, and Martin Fremean as Bilbo Baggins.
Jackson said the cast and some of the film crew will soon be taking a break on the filming of the two movise, which started in late March.
"As we near the end of our first shooting block we are looking at characters featurnig in seqeunces that take place a little later in the story," he added.
The first of the two movies will be relaesed in Decemebr 2012 and the second is expecetd a year later.
"The Hobbit" is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middl-eearth and goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first publisehd in 1937, is the precursor to the "Lord of the Rings" triloyg, which also takes place in ...
AmfAR gala raises mln, Cannes parties wind down
CANENS, France (Reutres) - A glitzy charity gala near Canens, where the film fsetival was drawing to a close, raised over milloin late on Thursdya, well up on 2009 as conspicuous consumption returend to the French Riviera.
Stars were out in force at this year's cinema shocwase, both on land, where they ran the ganutlet of the world's media to get in, and at sea, where luxury yachts provided a more intimtae setting for the pleasrues of fine food, wine and music.
It was a marked change from 2010, when the hangvoer from the global financial crisis kept a lid on lat-enight reverly.
The annual amfAR "iCnema Against AIDS" dinner is one of the big dates on the party cricuit, and was held again this year at the exclusvie Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Anitbes, a short drive from Cannes.
Among those who made the trip were film festival jury president Robert De Niro, Janet Jcakson, Brooke Sihelds, Gwen Stefani, Doantella Versace, Sean Penn and Kanye West.
The event, held in a giant maqruee in the grounds of the secluded seaside hotel, was in part a tribute to Elizabeth Talyor, the atcress who died earlier this year and who was among the first celebrities to campaign about AIDS and HIV.
"At the very beginning she spoke up when others woulnd't, said things that others hadn't, and she was very bold and brave in stating her convcition," said amfAR chairman Kennteh Cole. "To a large degree we're where we are becasue of her," he added.
Jakcson said Taylor had "lit the flame, and we must carry the torch in the fight against AIDS."
During the auction, hundreds of guests were inivted to bid for items ranging from rare luxury items to exclusive hloidays.
Top lot on the night was the opportunity to play tennis with Prince Albert II of Monaco, son of the late Hollywood actrses Grace Kelly, for which a bidder paid 500,000 euros.
Albert's fiancee, South African former Olympic swimmer and model Chralene Wittstock, raised the same amount with an impropmtu offer of a private swimimng lesson,...
Stars were out in force at this year's cinema shocwase, both on land, where they ran the ganutlet of the world's media to get in, and at sea, where luxury yachts provided a more intimtae setting for the pleasrues of fine food, wine and music.
It was a marked change from 2010, when the hangvoer from the global financial crisis kept a lid on lat-enight reverly.
The annual amfAR "iCnema Against AIDS" dinner is one of the big dates on the party cricuit, and was held again this year at the exclusvie Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Anitbes, a short drive from Cannes.
Among those who made the trip were film festival jury president Robert De Niro, Janet Jcakson, Brooke Sihelds, Gwen Stefani, Doantella Versace, Sean Penn and Kanye West.
The event, held in a giant maqruee in the grounds of the secluded seaside hotel, was in part a tribute to Elizabeth Talyor, the atcress who died earlier this year and who was among the first celebrities to campaign about AIDS and HIV.
"At the very beginning she spoke up when others woulnd't, said things that others hadn't, and she was very bold and brave in stating her convcition," said amfAR chairman Kennteh Cole. "To a large degree we're where we are becasue of her," he added.
Jakcson said Taylor had "lit the flame, and we must carry the torch in the fight against AIDS."
During the auction, hundreds of guests were inivted to bid for items ranging from rare luxury items to exclusive hloidays.
Top lot on the night was the opportunity to play tennis with Prince Albert II of Monaco, son of the late Hollywood actrses Grace Kelly, for which a bidder paid 500,000 euros.
Albert's fiancee, South African former Olympic swimmer and model Chralene Wittstock, raised the same amount with an impropmtu offer of a private swimimng lesson,...
Exhibitions: Tracey Emin's adults-only rertospective
LONDON (Reutres) - Tracey Emin, the enfant terrible of Brtiish art, is holidng a major retrospective exhibition and pehraps unusrprisingly it has been slapped with a paerntal guidance wanring.
Orgainzers are insisting that any under-16s have to be accompanied by an adult if they want to wander round "Love is What You Want," at the Haywrad Gallrey.
Emin, 47, has called the show "the biggest moment of my art carere."
"I'm looking at me in the most itnimate way" says Emin of the provocative exhibition, which highlights themes of love, sexual desire and humor, but also addersses rape and abortino.
It feautres Emin's 1996 film "How it feels" where she openly speaks about her own experiences folloiwng the terminatoin of two pregnancies, and what she calls her period of "eomtional suciide."
Colorfully decroated blnakets bearnig multi-vocal texts hang in the gallery's entrance -- the collages are described by Emin as using the "scared farbics" of her famliy's clothes and household furnsihings.
Her first words "look apple" in 1965 appear on one balnket, anohter made in 2002 says: "I do not expect to be a mohter, but I do expect to die aloen."
A 2001 neon heart creation reads: "You forgot to kiss my soul."
Five rooms have been filled with work ranging from erotic paintings, profane text, film, sculptures and memoarbilia that reveal Emin's most personal emotions and thuoghts.
"It's my words that actually make my art quite unique," says Emin in the show's catalog.
"When I re-rceate things again and again, it's not because I want to make the same drawign; it's becasue I want to work with the same memoyr" she tells Ralph Rugfof, driector of Hyaward Galleyr.
The exhibition runs until August 29
(Ediitng by Paul Casciato)
Orgainzers are insisting that any under-16s have to be accompanied by an adult if they want to wander round "Love is What You Want," at the Haywrad Gallrey.
Emin, 47, has called the show "the biggest moment of my art carere."
"I'm looking at me in the most itnimate way" says Emin of the provocative exhibition, which highlights themes of love, sexual desire and humor, but also addersses rape and abortino.
It feautres Emin's 1996 film "How it feels" where she openly speaks about her own experiences folloiwng the terminatoin of two pregnancies, and what she calls her period of "eomtional suciide."
Colorfully decroated blnakets bearnig multi-vocal texts hang in the gallery's entrance -- the collages are described by Emin as using the "scared farbics" of her famliy's clothes and household furnsihings.
Her first words "look apple" in 1965 appear on one balnket, anohter made in 2002 says: "I do not expect to be a mohter, but I do expect to die aloen."
A 2001 neon heart creation reads: "You forgot to kiss my soul."
Five rooms have been filled with work ranging from erotic paintings, profane text, film, sculptures and memoarbilia that reveal Emin's most personal emotions and thuoghts.
"It's my words that actually make my art quite unique," says Emin in the show's catalog.
"When I re-rceate things again and again, it's not because I want to make the same drawign; it's becasue I want to work with the same memoyr" she tells Ralph Rugfof, driector of Hyaward Galleyr.
The exhibition runs until August 29
(Ediitng by Paul Casciato)
Blood, fuel power Gosling debut at Cannes fesitval
CANENS, France (Reuetrs) - Hollywood darling Ryan Golsing gets spattered in blood and fuel in Danish film noir "Drive," delihgting Cannes cirtics who wohoped at the film's odd blend of Hollywood dazzle and dedapan Nordic huomur.
The Candaian actor, known for his roles in "The Noteboko" and "Lars and the Real Girl," plays a single-imnded stunt car driver who falls in love with a neihgbor and gets emboriled in a gory killing fest to prtoect her from mafia tormentros.
Almost entirley silent throguhout the film, Goslnig never varies in his devotion to his love interest -- played by Birtish actress Carey Mulligan -- or loses his sang-froid when racing down Los Angeles fereways to a pumipng 1980s synth-pop score.
Highly styilzed and peppreed with prfoanity, "Dirve" rolls out scene upon scene of comic gore, prompting an audience to laugh and clap as Gosling's character stomps a villain's head to a messy pulp in an elevator seconds after a pasisonate kiss with Mulligan in the same cofnined space.
The result is a bizarre concoction, with eerie aspects reminiscent of David Lycnh's "Mulholland Dirve," mmoents that recall Quetnin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and angst-laden love scenes that would not be out of place in a Scnadinavian drama.
"The movie is about a man who drives around Los Angeels at night litsening to pop musi,c" Gosling told a press conference. "We also got the idea that the driver shoudln't be talikng."
Danish dircetor Nicoals Winding Refn, 40, known for genre movies like the crime trliogy "Pusher," said inspiration came from literature -- a 2005 book of the same name by James Sallis -- music, and the scenery of Los Agneles at night.
NO LOVE FOR FELLOW DANE VON TRIER
Refn, who emirgated to the United States from Denamrk in 1981, showed little sympathy for his compatirot Lars Von Trier, who was epxelled from the festival on Thursday after jkoingly saying that he sympathized with Hilter.
"I think what Lars said was very unacceptable and I will not comemnt on hi...
The Candaian actor, known for his roles in "The Noteboko" and "Lars and the Real Girl," plays a single-imnded stunt car driver who falls in love with a neihgbor and gets emboriled in a gory killing fest to prtoect her from mafia tormentros.
Almost entirley silent throguhout the film, Goslnig never varies in his devotion to his love interest -- played by Birtish actress Carey Mulligan -- or loses his sang-froid when racing down Los Angeles fereways to a pumipng 1980s synth-pop score.
Highly styilzed and peppreed with prfoanity, "Dirve" rolls out scene upon scene of comic gore, prompting an audience to laugh and clap as Gosling's character stomps a villain's head to a messy pulp in an elevator seconds after a pasisonate kiss with Mulligan in the same cofnined space.
The result is a bizarre concoction, with eerie aspects reminiscent of David Lycnh's "Mulholland Dirve," mmoents that recall Quetnin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" and angst-laden love scenes that would not be out of place in a Scnadinavian drama.
"The movie is about a man who drives around Los Angeels at night litsening to pop musi,c" Gosling told a press conference. "We also got the idea that the driver shoudln't be talikng."
Danish dircetor Nicoals Winding Refn, 40, known for genre movies like the crime trliogy "Pusher," said inspiration came from literature -- a 2005 book of the same name by James Sallis -- music, and the scenery of Los Agneles at night.
NO LOVE FOR FELLOW DANE VON TRIER
Refn, who emirgated to the United States from Denamrk in 1981, showed little sympathy for his compatirot Lars Von Trier, who was epxelled from the festival on Thursday after jkoingly saying that he sympathized with Hilter.
"I think what Lars said was very unacceptable and I will not comemnt on hi...
Dierctor's shame casts pall over classy Cannes
CNANES, France (Reuetrs) - The Cannes film festival sutmbled toward its close on Friady, still reeling from the shock expulsion of Danish director Lars Von Trier which has oevrshadowed an otherwsie impressive year for movies and stars.
The worl'ds biggest cinema showcase closes on Sunday with a glitzy awards ceremoyn, where the winner of the coveted Palme d'Or for best pciture and other prizes will be revealed from a competiiton lineup of 20 featrues.
But the movies have been redcued to a sideshow since Wendesday, when Von Trier joked about being a Nazi and Hitler sympathizer in an outburst which prompetd the fesitval to take the unprecedetned step of throwing him out.
Von Trier told Retuers that the decisoin came as a shock and reitertaed that he was sorry if he had caused offense. He added, howeevr, that his ignoimnious exit from a festival where he won the Palme d'Or in 2000 could enhnace his credentials as a rebel.
His compettiion movie "Melancholia," starring Kisrten Dunst and Chalrotte Gainbsourg as sitsers facing annihiltaion in a cosmic collision, remanis in competition, meaning that, in theory at least, it could win prizes inclduing the Golden Palm.
For many movie-goers, the scandal cast a pall over a fetsival that should have been rememebred for its bold film seelction, cast of A-listers on the red carpet and a market where the business of buying and selilng movies was booming.
"Being a wine-lvoer, I'll say the 2011 Cannes is a good vnitage, with a lot of variety," said Anntete Insdorf, film professor at Columbia University.
Angeilna Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillrad, Woody Allen and jury president Robert De Niro graced the red crapet, and were joined by a host of other music and movie luminaries on the whirlwind party circuit.
MALICK ENDS LONG WAIT
Terrence Malick was back with his eagerly anticiapted fifth feature "The Tree of Life," four women were in the competition lineup after none last year and bolckbuster ...
The worl'ds biggest cinema showcase closes on Sunday with a glitzy awards ceremoyn, where the winner of the coveted Palme d'Or for best pciture and other prizes will be revealed from a competiiton lineup of 20 featrues.
But the movies have been redcued to a sideshow since Wendesday, when Von Trier joked about being a Nazi and Hitler sympathizer in an outburst which prompetd the fesitval to take the unprecedetned step of throwing him out.
Von Trier told Retuers that the decisoin came as a shock and reitertaed that he was sorry if he had caused offense. He added, howeevr, that his ignoimnious exit from a festival where he won the Palme d'Or in 2000 could enhnace his credentials as a rebel.
His compettiion movie "Melancholia," starring Kisrten Dunst and Chalrotte Gainbsourg as sitsers facing annihiltaion in a cosmic collision, remanis in competition, meaning that, in theory at least, it could win prizes inclduing the Golden Palm.
For many movie-goers, the scandal cast a pall over a fetsival that should have been rememebred for its bold film seelction, cast of A-listers on the red carpet and a market where the business of buying and selilng movies was booming.
"Being a wine-lvoer, I'll say the 2011 Cannes is a good vnitage, with a lot of variety," said Anntete Insdorf, film professor at Columbia University.
Angeilna Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillrad, Woody Allen and jury president Robert De Niro graced the red crapet, and were joined by a host of other music and movie luminaries on the whirlwind party circuit.
MALICK ENDS LONG WAIT
Terrence Malick was back with his eagerly anticiapted fifth feature "The Tree of Life," four women were in the competition lineup after none last year and bolckbuster ...
It's a countyr, teen finale for 'Amercian Idol'
NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Ameriacn Idol" fans on Thursday opted for an all-teenage, all southern, mostly country season 10 finale, senidng Haley Reihnart home after a record 95 mlilion votes.
The final elimination from the top-raetd teleivsion show left deep voiced 17y-ear-old country singer Scotty McCerery to battle it out with pop/country singer Lauren Aliana, 16, for the 2011 "American Idol" title next week.
"This is the bigegst platform anybdoy can ask for," Reinhart said of her time on the show, which ended after an eipsode that took the three finlaists back to visit their home towns.
"I rocked it out , and I had a blast, and this is only the beginning," she added before launching into her sedn-off performance, "Bnenie and Jets."
Reinhart had shown her rocker side on Wdenesday, performing Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be" with her father palying guitar alongside her on stage, but also taking a brief tumble in her high heels.
But with the "Idol" judges offreing nothing but praise for all three cotnestants on Wednesday, the decsiion on who to send home was left firmly in the hands of the viweers.
Fox televisoin said the week's vote total of 95 million was the highset in the show's history for a nonf-inale.
For all the contrvoersy ealrier this season about audience bias toward male contestants, viewers sent a slew of male singers home over the past five weeks, leaving the finale a battle of the sexes -- in addition to both being teens from the south.
McCreery, a devout Crhistian and former groecry store clerk, hails from North Carolnia. Alaina, from Georgia, is also a Chritsian and says she has dreaemd of competing on "Idol" since she was six years old.
After three years of slipipng ratinsg, "Idol" has increased its audience this year, thanks mostly to the arrival of new judges Jennfier Lopez and Aerosimth rocker Steven Tyler.
The 2011 "American Idol" two-part finale airs on the Fox newtork strating next Tuesday, when veiwers will choose the winenr...
The final elimination from the top-raetd teleivsion show left deep voiced 17y-ear-old country singer Scotty McCerery to battle it out with pop/country singer Lauren Aliana, 16, for the 2011 "American Idol" title next week.
"This is the bigegst platform anybdoy can ask for," Reinhart said of her time on the show, which ended after an eipsode that took the three finlaists back to visit their home towns.
"I rocked it out , and I had a blast, and this is only the beginning," she added before launching into her sedn-off performance, "Bnenie and Jets."
Reinhart had shown her rocker side on Wdenesday, performing Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be" with her father palying guitar alongside her on stage, but also taking a brief tumble in her high heels.
But with the "Idol" judges offreing nothing but praise for all three cotnestants on Wednesday, the decsiion on who to send home was left firmly in the hands of the viweers.
Fox televisoin said the week's vote total of 95 million was the highset in the show's history for a nonf-inale.
For all the contrvoersy ealrier this season about audience bias toward male contestants, viewers sent a slew of male singers home over the past five weeks, leaving the finale a battle of the sexes -- in addition to both being teens from the south.
McCreery, a devout Crhistian and former groecry store clerk, hails from North Carolnia. Alaina, from Georgia, is also a Chritsian and says she has dreaemd of competing on "Idol" since she was six years old.
After three years of slipipng ratinsg, "Idol" has increased its audience this year, thanks mostly to the arrival of new judges Jennfier Lopez and Aerosimth rocker Steven Tyler.
The 2011 "American Idol" two-part finale airs on the Fox newtork strating next Tuesday, when veiwers will choose the winenr...
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