Author: Castina

Is this Barbie dressed inappropriately?

Along with Cabbage Dolls and G.I. Joe action figures, Barbie owns a place in the record books as one of the most treasured toys in American history. After all, she’s a quintessential icon of modern femininity. But she’s no stranger to controversy, and the plastic dynamo — who masquerades as everything from a doctor to and entrepreneur — is in hot water once again: this time over her wardrobe.

The outfit featured on a new adult collector’s edition Barbie doll has some parents questioning whether the item should be displayed on the toy aisle.

Each doll in the new “Barbie Basic Collection” is dressed in that essential must-have for all fashionistas, the little black dress. The toy creating the controversy is Doll No. 10 in the Basic Collection. One of four African-American dolls in the series, Desiree — who sports a long-flowing weave, a clevage-baring top, and stilettos — has been nicknamed “Busty Barbie” by some critics. The New York Daily News even calls the doll’s dress has “a deep, plunging neckline – revealing bowling-ball cleavage that would make one of Tiger Woods’ mistresses jealous.”

Ouch!

Mattel’s website has a different take on things; the toy manufacturer describes the doll like this: “Model No. 10 features the Desiree face sculpt, African American skin tone, a striking black dress with plunging neckline, and long sleek hair.”

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The site states the the doll is for the adult collector; a fact that hasn’t done much to curb the cries of angry mothers, who complain that the Barbie Basic Collection is available for sale on the toy aisle — where impressionable children are treated to a plastic peep show.

“I don’t want (my daughter) to think she has to be this, you know, busty Barbie who’s constantly wearing heels and these low-cut shirts,” Minnesota mom Andie Whitaker told NBC this week. “And that’s really the image I think a doll that you’re going to buy for a child is portraying.”

For now, the doll remains on store shelves. National chains are selling the doll for around $19.99. Target, for one, has said it will continue to carry the line. Mattel has refused to comment.

Gary Coleman died Friday, days after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage, a rep for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center confirmed to The Associated Press.

He was 42.

There really are no words. It’s just too sad. Coleman’s death comes at the end of a decades-long road of sorrow for the diminutive former child star we once lovingly called “Arnold.” He’d battled poor health and money woes, and struggled to find himself personally and professionally in the years since first finding fame on the ’80s TV hit Diff’rent Strokes.

His wife pulled life support in one day…Is that normal, guys? Look at Bret Michaels. According to doctors, he should have died weeks ago! I hope I’m not speaking out of turn, but people have to have a little more faith. I just find this disturbing and very sad. Poor guy…

May Gary find the peace in death that often seemed to elude him in life.

According to the hospital rep, Gary’s wife of three years, Shannon Price, made the decision to remove him from life support today. Gary was surrounded by his family and friends when he was pronounced dead at 12:05 in Utah.

“Child actor Gary Coleman died at approximately 12:05 p.m. Mountain. Standard Time at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Family members and close friends were at his side when life support was terminated,” the rep said in a statement, adding that a press conference would take place later in the day.

On Wednesday, Gary was hospitalized with severe brain bleeding after falling in his surburban Utah home. Coleman suffered intracranial hemorrhage and had been slipping in and out of consciousness before taking a turn for the worse on Thursday.

Gary was no stranger to health woes. The actor was born with congenital kidney disease, which required frequent dialysis, and has undergone two kidney transplants. He suffered two seizures — one on the set of the TV newsmagazine The Insider – early in the year.

Todd Bridges remains the only suffering child star featured on the small screen hit Diff’rent Strokes — which aired from 1978-1986. Dana Plato, who played Kimberly on the series, died in 1999.

It seems homicidal tendencies are the leading side effect of Bieber fever!

A new application will scrub teen heartthrob Justin Bieber from your computer, but the software has inspired a dangerous backlash for the program’s creator.

The Free Art and Technology (F.A.T.) Lab has teamed up with computer software designer Greg Leuch to create an application called Shaved Bieber, which allows users to block all traces of the 16-year-old Canadian from their computers and web searches. The app will blackout Bieber’s name and pictures of the mini mop top from your PC.

The ingenious Firefox software has put Leuch in the line of fire of Bieber fanatics; He’s now the target of death threats from hundreds of angry fans.

“He’s taking the threats in stride and has posted them online as they appear. Other fans have been reduced to tears by the new application. One Belieber used her Twitter account to tweet the horror of having the Internet without Justin Bieber after her parents downloaded the program….” The Toronto Sun writes.

This isn’t the first time Biebs Lovers have gone bonkers; just last month, socialite Kim Kardashian was flooded with homicidal hate mail after she posed for a photo with the heartthrob at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

He says he’s received requests for software to block out other celebrities including Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears!

The sinking ship that is CNN is at the center another humiliating debacle.

The network has apologized after it broadcast the N-word during a tory about a 103-year-old Black woman who still gets behind the wheel to get around her Pennsylvania hometown.

And you thought the time they fell for the 140-year-old hot dog hoax was embarrassing!

For reasons that made sense at the time, the network opted to use the mid-90s Coolio track “Fantastic Voyage” to accompany the piece. The lyrics in the song include the words: ‘Ain’t no punk-ass n***gas set tripping.”

Anchor Kyra Phillips apologised for the use of the song and the racial slur later in the broadcast.

“We aired some music just a few minutes ago, and obviously for those of you that heard it, it was the wrong music that aired. We apologise for that. It was a terrible mistake. And we’re working very hard to make up for it.”

Ozzy Osbourne scares the tourists! That Ozzy’s always horsing around. The singer pranked visitors at the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City this week by standing in for his wax figure. In anticipation of the release of his new album Scream out June 22, the Black Sabbath star decided to have some fun and provoke some screams by scaring unsuspecting tourists at Times Square hotspot.

In the name of Rosa Parks, Martin Louis The King Jr. (also known as Kanye West) insists that artists boycott Arizona over its controversial new immigration law, which makes failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give law enforcement officials the authority to quiz residents on their immigration status.

The rapper is supporting Rage Against The Machine frontman Zack De La Rocha, who is spearheading a campaign against the clause opponents call legally-sanctioned racial profiling. Yeezy compares the plight of Arizona residents to that of the civil rights activists who boycotted buses in Montgomery after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger in 1955.

“When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, they arrested her. As a result, people got together and said, ‘We are not going to ride the bus until they change the law.’ It was this courageous action that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. What if we got together, signed a collective letter saying, ‘We’re not going to ride the bus’, saying ‘We are not going to comply. We are not going to play in Arizona. We are going to boycott Arizona?!”

Cypress Hill, Massive Attack, rapper Pitbull, comedian Jack Black, and Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore have also joined the boycott effort against Arizona.

Backstreet has jumped ship on Jive. The once popular boy band — known for their pop melodies and R&B rhythms — has parted company with its longtime label home in a split that crooner Brian Littrell calls “amicable.”

(Yes, I’m aware that no one cares, but I’m a child of the ’90s and a hardcore BB fan of more than 13 years. Plus, my heart will always belong to AJ. Sue me….)

The Never Gone stars made the announcement on their Official Website on Thursday.

“This is the best thing, at the best time that could have ever happened for us”, Brian says. “We are confident in the future of our band, and are looking forward to the new things to come. 2011 is going to be a great year for us!”

During their reign at Jive, the Backstreet Boys had 13 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 100 million albums, making them the best-selling boy band of all time. They released This Is Us, their final album on the label, in November.

Oh no…We’re heading into Memorial Day Weekend with a serious case of The Sads. Troubled ex-child star Gary Coleman has slipped into a coma and is on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of a Salt Lake City hospital, his spokesman John Alcantar confirmed to Salt Lake ABC affiliate KABC on Friday.

Gary is best remembered for his stint on TV’s Diff’rent Strokes, which aired from 1978 to 1986.

The 42-year-old entertainer was hospitalized with severe brain bleeding after falling in his surburban Utah home on Wednesday. ABC News says Coleman suffered intracranial hemorrhage and has been slipping in and out of consciousness since doctors performed emergency surgery on his brain two days ago.

Gary’s no stranger to health woes. The actor was born with congenital kidney disease, which requires frequent dialysis, and has undergone two kidney transplants. He suffered two seizures — one on the set of the TV newsmagazine The Insider – early in the year.

Gary’s wife, Shannon Price, remains by his side.

Sending prayers and good vibes to Gary…..

Concerned about the possible decline in viewers that may to follow this week’s Lost series finale, Word on the Curb claims ABC is in discussions to reboot J.J. Abrams’ Emmy-winning espionage thriller Alias, which starred Jennifer Garner as CIA agent Sydney Bristow and featured Victor Garber and Bradley Cooper in supporting roles.

We hear producers are considering a new version of the series — which aired from 2001 to 2006 — that would borrow some elements of the original show.

Take a peek at the newly-released trailer for the new Showtime Original Series, The Big C.

The network has picked up cancer-themed drama The Big C for 13 episodes. The series stars Oscar-winning actress Laura Linney as a suburban mother and teacher whose life is changed forever when she learns that she has cancer.

Ghost Whisperer, the cult supernatural drama that was surprisingly axed by CBS last week, will not crossover to ABC.

“After five wonderful seasons and over 100 episodes, we are disappointed to announce Ghost Whisperer will not be returning for a sixth season,” executive producers Kim Moses and Ian Sander said in a statement Thursday. “We’ve had an incredible experience and owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved. We continue our relationship with ABC Studios and look forward to developing many more successful projects together in the future.”

The release came in response to reports suggesting that Ghost Whisperer would be given a new lease on life on The Alphabet Network after ABC chiefs expressed interest in the series. The network ultimately passed on the show after talks with Whisperer producers fell through.

The long-running Friday night series starred Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon a medium who can communicate with the dead and helps them settle “unfinished business” and crossover to the other side.

The Daytime Emmy Awards will honor American Bandstand host Dick Clark as part of its 37th annual telecast on CBS next month.

Marie Osmond, Cher, Barry Manilow, Garth Brooks, Ann-Margret, Frankie Avalon, The Spinners, Jay Leno, and Simon Cowell are among the stars who will be saluting the iconic television personality, who has helped a many an American ring in the New Year as part of his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve specials on ABC. Clark has kept a low profile since suffering a stroke in 2004.

The Daytime Emmys, hosted by Regis Philbin, will air Sunday, June 27 on the CBS.

Gene Simmons has been accused of sexual assault and sexual battery by a California makeup artist.

Victoria Jackson has filed a lawsuit against the KISS singer – whose real name is Gene Klein – alleging he inappropriately-touched her while she was working at Los Angeles’ ESPN Sports Center last November.

According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court May 14, Jackson says Simmons, dressed in his famous KISS costume and makeup, approached her and said in “a lecherous and inappropriate manner, ‘I like you.’” The Family Jewels star then allegedly “grabbed and hugged” Jackson and rubbed his groin on her backside. Victoria claims she has suffered humiliation, shame, embarrassment, anger, anxiety, loss of sleep, and depression. She describes the rocker’s behavior as “vile and inexcusable” and is seeking over $500,000 in damages.

The “Crazy Crazy Nights” star has filed a countersuit against Victoria, arguing that no assault occurred and branding Jackson’s suit as financially-motivated.

Nick Jonas is set to make his London theater debut with an appearance in Les Miserables.

The well-coiffed Jonas Brothers crooner has been cast as Marius in Britain’s longest-running musical in the English capital’s prestigious West End Theater District. Nick’s three-week engagement kicks off at The Queen Theater on June 21.

“I went up to him at the closing night party in New York and told him he was terrific and hoped that he would one day return to play Marius. We’ve been in touch a lot and, of course, since then he has become this world-famous star,” Les Miserables producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh confirmed in a chat with Britain’s Daily Mail Friday. “He and his father and I agreed that it would be great if he came and played Marius here in London. He has bent over backwards to fit it all into his schedule.”

Nick is no stranger to singing his heart out for a theater audience. A Broadway stalwart as a child, Jonas performed in a number of productions on the New York stage before embarking on a pop career with his older brothers, Kevin and Joe.

-VH1’s new series Dad Camp premieres on Monday, May 31. Here’s a sneak peek….

-Homer Simpson has topped a new list of the Best TV and Movie Characters of the last 20 years. Entertainment Weekly celebrates its 20th birthday with the 100 Greatest Characters, including Carrie Bradshaw, Homer, and The Joker….

–The Klumps of The Joy Behar Show!

-The Bra’s 100th Birthday Bash….

-Meet The Lovely Ladies of The Fashion Institute of Technology….

–SATC 2 off to a good start raking in $3 million in midnight shows, already surpassing the original’s 2008 midnight debut of $2.5 million….

–Prince of Persia star Jake Gyllenhaal on The Early Show…

-A Texas woman has been banned from Six Flags after employees at the theme park branded her multiple tattoos “offensive….”

-Here’s a trailer for the new comedy Love Ranch, starring Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren….

-Have you seen the list of candidates shortlisted to replace Tobey Maguire in the Spider-Man franchise?

–Alice in Wonderland is the first spring release to ever hit $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office…..

–Sherlock Holmes 2 due out in Dec. 2011….

-Heather Locklear escapes DUI charges…

-It’s no wonder The TODAY Show’s Matt Lauer is putting the kibosh on his rumored affair with singer Alexis Houston. Chick used to be a dude!

-Lil Mama is a big thief!

-Brandy covers Etta James’ “At Last…”

-There are two Project Runway spinoffs in the works…

-Eminem Recovery Album Tracklisting….

– Diane Keaton and Ellen Page have signed on for HBO’s new show about a celebrity blogger….

-Brides Take On VH1’s Bridal Bootcamp! The weight-loss reality series premieres June 9…..

-In Jesse James news: The sister of the biker enthusiast backs his abuse claims, while his stepmother insists he is a racist….

–American Idol bandleader Rickey Minor is leaving the hit show to head up The Tonight Show band. Unfortunately for him, no one really cares….

-Katy Perry slapped Russell Brand for offering up their new kitten Krusty for sale on YouTube….

Happy Friday, all! We hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

A Shotgun Wedding: How charming! This should last at least 18 months….

Alicia Keys — Grammy-winning songbird and alleged homewrecker — is expecting her first child with fiance Swizz Beats, a newly-divorced anteater DJ and producer who reportedly began dating the “Un-Thinkable” star while his relationship with his now ex-wife, R&B singer Mashonda, was still ongoing.

“Un-Thinkable” indeed! Got yourself a winner there, honey….

Mashonda claims Swizz admitted that he was having an affair with Alicia back in 2008, after she stumbled across credit card statements and other documentation from their trysts in various hotels across the country.

The couple went public with their romance at the Gotham Magazine Gala in March, much to the chagrin of Swizz’s ex.

Although reps for the pair have refused to comment, a friend of the “very happy” lovebirds has divulged that Swizz and Alicia will be married in a private ceremony later this year, Entertainment Tonight reports.

In addition to Alicia, Swizz (whose real name is Kasseem Dean), 31, has produced music for Jay-Z, T.I., Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Gwen Stefani. He has one son with Mashonda — Kasseem Jr., 3 — and an older child from a prior romance. There are also reports that the Abe Lincoln doppleganger has two other children, one who lives in Russia, conceived with former groupies — but you didn’t hear that from me.

At least one person won’t be breaking out any bubbly for the expectant parents. You guessed it; Mashonda. The bitter songbird is dragging the soon-to-be Mr. Keys back into court for later this month for failing to fork over more than $300,000 in maintenance payments.

Whatever happened to all those rumors accusing Alicia of being a lesbian?

The anchors of Good Day New York have dubbed Bret Michaels the new Balloon Boy! The rocker has been accused of “faking” his recent health woes for publicity.

The former frontman of glam metal band Poison shocked American Idol viewers when he braved deteriorating health to appear as one of the surprise performers on Wednesday night’s Idol finale. He shared the stage with top-three finalist Casey James as the two sang a duet of Poison’s hit ’80s song “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

The performance was a huge triumph for Michaels, who has cheated death countless times in the past four weeks. He was hospitalized twice in April; once for an appendectomy and a second time just one week later with an almost fatal brain hemorrhage. As if that weren’t enough to deal with — Bret was admitted to the hospital again last week for what’s been called a “warning stroke.”

He even has a hole in his heart! (He’s set to undergo surgery for that this fall.)

It’s all a little too “Hallmark Movie of the Week” for the anchors of the Big Apple’s Good Day New York. In fact, during this morning’s broadcast, the news team was vocal about their inability to buy Bret’s claims of “miraculous recovery.” HIT PLAY For An Earful Of The Tomfoolery:

Filing this under: “Oblivious Asshats Who Need To Zip Their Lips!” Keep on singng, Bret!

Lindsay Lohan is giving fans their first look at her in character as adult film legend Linda Lovelace.

The carrot-topped star — who’s masquerading a blonde these days — appears in two theatrical posters promoting her lead role in Lovelace’s buzzed-about biopic, Inferno.

The posters were snapped by photographer Tyler Shields and uploaded to his website on Thursday.

(Sidebar: Shields, as you’ll recall, was the brainchild behind the blood-soaked, gun-totin’ images of LiLo that lit up the blogosphere last month.)

Naturally, the Inferno posters leave a bit more to the imagination: Lindsay is featured as the Deep Throat star, with one poster done in all yellow in homage to the original promo for Lovelace’s X-rated 1974 movie.

Inferno, directed by Matthew Wilder, is set to begin shooting later this year.

Emma Roberts has joined the cast of New Line’s hotly-anticipated slasher flick, Scream 4, Entertainment Weekly said Thursday.

The Nancy Drew star, 19, has landed the role of Jill, a main character in the horror revival — directed and produced by veteran lensman Wes Craven.

“Emma’s talent, beauty and range will add immensely to the sophistication, intensity and fun of the Scream franchise as it returns to the screen once more,” Craven said praising the rising starlet in a statement issued this afternoon.

“I’m so excited to be part of this groundbreaking franchise,” an ecstatic Emma exclaimed. “It’s the perfect opportunity for me to do something completely different than I’ve ever done before.”

According to a scoop from The Hollywood Reporter, Twilight actress Ashley Greene, former Heroes starlet Hayden Panettiere, Lake Bell, and Rory Culkin of Twelve fame have also been offered starring roles as the new generation of murder victims in Scream 4.

David Arquette, Courteney Cox, and Neve Campbell — who starred as Dewey, Gail, and Sidney, respectively, in the first three Scream films — will reprise their roles in the forthcoming flick.

Scream 4 opens in theaters April 15. Shooting is expected to begin in Chicago in early July.

It’s here! On Thursday, Her Madgesty and The Design Gods commonly known as Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana released the first commercial promo for their joint line of sunshades, adeptly-titled MDG. In the ad, the crimson-lipped music legend romps around with a sexy twentysomething as she works it for the camera.

The sunglasses will each bear the logo MDG and are set for release at Sunglass Hut locations and D&G flagship stores across the globe next week. In August, The Material Mom — who models the latest D&G collection in the high-end label’s Spring/Summer ad campaign — will release her own line of children’s clothing — on sale exclusively at Macy’s.