Las Vegas...Phantom tickets @ $109.00! Carrot Top $72.00! Nathan Burton (& Buffet) $19.99!

Depending on your budget (and eclectic taste) there are a handful of entertaining acts to take in right now on the Vegas strip. 

"Carrot Top" - the once-wimpy dude with the shock of bright red hair who used to juggle power-saws when he first broke into show biz - is snapping up seventy-two bucks a shot for his show.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nathan Burton offers up a mesmerizing Magic Show (rife with a bevy of mystifying illusions that baffle even the most observant ticket-holder) for the bargain price of $19.99 (a buffet included).

I met Mr. Burton once on the red carpet at the Cinevegas film festival. 

Cool down-to-earth guy!

Phantom of the Opera is going strong at the Venetian @ $109.00 a pop! 

"An over-the-top spectacle," according to a stage critic at the Arizona Republic.

The Chicago-Sun Times raved, too.

"It will take your breath away."

As I strolled down Paradise just yesterday, I was surprised to spy a bilboard touting Charo's "concert" at the Riviera.

After I trundled on home from school as a lad, I often caught the effervescent "coochie coochie" girl reving up giggling audiences on the Merv Griffin show.

The Las Vegas Sun astutely quipped about Charo:

"A stick of dyamite exploding on stage."

Most Americans are unaware of the fact that the little spitfire is a skilled guitarist.

"A musical sensation" according to some.

Catch her act if you can!
The ever-popular "Blue Man Group" continues to pack the tourists in, but is a much pricier offering, with tickets selling for $129.00 (& skwywards!).

The dazzling stage show has been highly-touted as  "visually stunning", "wildly inventive", and "hysterically funny."

"An ecstatic experience," raved USA Today.

Chippendales (for the lusty at heart) is raunchy bill-of-fare for a hefty price tag of $58.00. (The Rio)

Ladies (and you gay dudes) take note!

In the event of unexpected up-close and -in-your-face lap dances, it may be wise to have a fistful of bills on hand to tuck into bulging g-strings.

Across town, Hooters is trying to steal some of the Chippendale's thunder with their own sexy male stud tease, known as the "Men of X".

In view of the newly-packed Beatles tunes this past week, a slew of die-hard Liverpudlian fans may want to take in the always-popular FAB Four at Planet Hollywood ($57.50).

"Legends" consists of 5 Fabulous acts in one spectucular stage extravaganza at Harrah's.

The longest running tribute show in entertainment history, Legends in concert features dancers, live musicians, and the world's greatest celebrity impersonators.

"The Show of Shows," according to the International Press Association.

"Grand. It's a cosmic curtain call of Legends," lauded another media outlet.

"American Superstars" at the Stratosphere is in a similar vein and offers one stage performance a night Sunday thru Tuesday.

There are wo shows nighty from Wed/Sat @  6:30 p.m & 8:30 p.m. respectively.

$49.50 will land you a show, dinner, and Tower (Stratosphere panoramic view of Vegas strip) , and two cocktails.  Good deal, eh?

"Bodies" is an macabre exhibition at the Luxor.

Critics are hailing the novel display as "innovative, real, and groundbreaking".

It is a showcase of real human bodies that have been preserved to allow the curious to explore the human body in a fascinating way never seen before.

If you can stomach it!

The "Titantic Exhibition" of memorabilia at the Luxor may appeal to a handful of history buffs, too.  And, the entrance fee of $27.00 won't bankrupt your Vegas budget.

The perennial favourite - "The Lion King" - is still wowing stage musical fans at the princely sum of $109.00 a ticket at Mandaulay Bay.

Of course, a little sunbathing at the pool may be the best route to go if the sweltering heat persists in the desert oasis (!!!) . 

All that it will cost you is the price of a cocktail or two!

Enjoy!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Whitney Houston...whacked wash-out performance stalls comeback trail! Rusty pipes crack sound barrier...

Media outlets were awash with all the tawdry details!

No sir!

Whitney Houston's much-ballyhooed comeback concert - staged outdoors to accomodate throngs of excited fans and hopeful industry-insiders  (broacast live! on Good Morning America to far-reaching rapt audiences around the globe) - was anything but the triumphant return the former Diva (and her handlers who- no doubt - wrung their hands in dismay along the sidelines) was shooting for.

Critics far-and-wide not only trounced the troubled crooner's lackluster stage performance - but also shed an unflattering spotlight on a once-glorious voice that now cracked and faltered and wheezed from the get-go - casting doubts on her songbird future.

Whitney was quick to blame an alleged hours-on-end interview (the day before) with Oprah Winfrey for ravaging her golden pipes - and ultimately - snatching the wind out of her sails the following day at the ill-fated concert that brought the curtain down on her lofty dreams of a place in the sun once again.

The Oprah excuse was ludicrous, at best.

Granted, it is wholly possible to suffer a strain from too-much blabbing.

For example, last year at a Film Festival in Dallas, I chatted up so many filmmakers and members of the press one long drawn-out media event, that my own pipes caved in for about a half-a-day or so.

But, in that circumstance, I was straining to make myself  heard over a few dozen voices in a packed overheated screening room.

In a one-on-one interview - with quiet on the set - it is highly doubtful that Ms. Houston would ever encounter a smidgen of circumstances inclined to rob her of her ability to vocalize thereafter in any capacity.

Drugs - whack, for instance - just might, however!

Notwithstanding the obvious, Houston's decision to perform in the specific venue chosen for the - um - auspicious occasion -  live on stage, outdoors, before a huge crowd in an open-park setting - was (quite simply) a bad career move.

For starters,  the accoustics for a concert under the foregoing circumstances, would be pretty much non-existent. 

Consequently, any vocalist worth their weight, would have been battling the elements to rise up and be heard above the din (to their detriment).

A smaller more-intimate stage would have been preferable.

Here, Houston was forced to charge about a wide-open expanse like a galloping horse in search of a proper gait to build on, with a hope and a prayer.

Well, they shoot horses, don't they?

But, there's always studio work, Whitney.

And, a dollop of sweetening in the sound-mixing phase,  to take the edge off that crack in your voice!

Save going cold turkey, I guess.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...reality film to screen in limited run!

Dangerous only to himself?

Rehearsal footage shot over a span of a scan few weeks (leading up to Michael Jackson's much-anticipated return to the stage for a series of sold-out concerts to kick-off in London before his unexpected demise) has been edited into a feature film slated to screen in a limited two-week run.

"This is it" (in retrospect, it truly was) premieres on October 28th with advance tickets expected to go on sale at Box Offices September 28th.

Sony's Columbia Pictures allegedly coughed up $60 million for the rights to transform the rare rehearsal footage into a viable commercial project intended to take a last-gasp peek at the backstage persona of the King of Pop.

With Kenny Ortega at the creative helm, Sony couldn't go wrong, in my estimation.

Prior to creatively partnering with Jackson on both the "Dangerous" and "HIStory" tours, Ortega established a solid reputation in the industry by virtue of successful collaborations on celebrated hits such as "Dirty Dancing" and "High School Musical".

In an interview recently, Ortega - a visionary with a myriad of creative skills - described the Jackson footage as raw, emotional, moving and powerful.

"For the first time ever, fans will see Michael as they have never seen him before. A great artist at work."

And, catch him on film, making his final bow!

Life in a gilded frame!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...Las Vegas tribute party August 29th! Star performers to attend...

Word from that dazzling gem in the desert is that on August 29th a Tribute party for the late Michael Jackson will be held at the Pearl @ the Palms Hotel just off the Vegas strip.

At press time, the organizers announced that headliners from a handful of live shows dazzling tourists currently, will be putting in surprise appearances.

Erich Bergen, one of the "Jersey Boys" will host the event to commence at 3 pm in the afternoon - on what would have been - the King of Pop's 51st birthday.

Proceeds will be used to fund music education programs in Las Vegas schools.

The venue has the capacity to seat 2500 guests strong, so fans may want to contact the party-planners as quickly as possible to check for availability of seats.

Info: http://www.ticketmaster.com/


See 'ya there!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...tributes, media frenzy, & ugly underbelly warts & all! July 7th spectacle pulled off without hitch...

Sure was!

The morning newspapers were all awash with coverage of the Michael Jackson send-off in downtown Los Angeles yesterday - with the big spotlight focused squarely on the star-studded Memorial Service - which did not disappoint.

Usher, Mariah Carey - even one of the Jackson boys - graced the tastefully-decorated stage to perform on cue during the much-ballyhooed televised event that was simultaneously broadcast with lightning speed around the globe.

Reporters left no stone unturned in their treasure hunt for newsworthy gems.

There were up-close stills of fans wearing their hearts on their sleeves - and a bevy of high-profile entertainers captured on film in a poignant moment or two as they were solemnly whisked in by motorcade.-

And - to underscore just how exclusive MJ's final gig was - aerial views of curious throngs being kept at bay.

But, it was the awesome spectacle of the gold casket being ceremoniously hoisted up and tenderly placed just beyond the footlights and in the eye-line of grief-stricken mourners, that caused tears to well up in the most stalwart of onlookers in the packed stadium.

Usher, Mariah Carey - even one of the Jackson boys - sang out and touched the hearts of dedicated fans and family members in tow - even rapt viewers glued to the boob-tube at home - without an ounce of melodrama clouding the uplifting renderings that swept everyone within earshot away.


In spite of an angelic presence which wafted over the proceedings, a little drama was injected into the scenario, nonetheless.

A few cynics were inclined to wonder aloud if an estranged sibling (La Toya Jackson) would alight with the inner family circle - thus confirming - that an untimely passing of a loved one has the capacity to heal all wounds.

On this occasion, it surely did.

Speculation that two former wives (gosh, he had more spouses than you could toss a stick at, in spite of the fact gossip-mongers alleged he was "gay") might attend - even pass a civil word between 'em - fell flat when it was evident there would be no-shows by either.

One awkward moment just about upset the apple-cart, too.

CBS reported in a News Flash that an irate man disrupted the Memorial Service outside of Staples briefly when he shouted out angrily that the King of Pop was a child molester.

In tandem with his unexpected outburst, a posse of cohorts thrust up a half-a-dozen or so hand-made signs, that sullied the dearly departed's name and reputation further.

The LAPD quickly rushed in and ejected the rabble-rauser - at which point - an AP photographer jockeyed into position and ably captured a still to bolster the report broadcast live online at the CBS website.

Because the incident was in sharp contrast to the ongoing peaceful events - and a pay-out to one alleged victim to the tune of an astounding $20 Million still raised a spectre of doubt long after charges were officially dropped - I was inclined to pen a post on behalf of Journalistic Ethics.

To ignore the ugly incident would have been morally wrong, in my estimation.

A short time later, a news update informed viewers that after a brief discussion with the disgruntled protester, the men-in-blue were inclined to release the upstart without filing charges.

In spite of a logged account, top brass at the LAPD proceeded to misrepresent the facts at the end of the frenzied day - either to save face - or to protect the image of the force.

"There were no arrests, no traffic incidents, no uses of force by officers, and nothing resembling a problem," Bratton stated for the record matter-of-fact without batting an eye.

Golly, was the crusty old Police Chief, just clueless about what went down?

For starters, he was way off-base on one count.

The problem with the protester was obviously a serious one - why else would it be deemed necessary to detain the individual for a brief spell out on the sidelines - out of harm's way?

Notwithstanding that glaring falsehood, the AP photo posted here clearly establishes that the LAPD did - in fact - forcibly "haul" a gentleman away in a less than polite or orderly fashion!


I understand now why the melee in MacArthur's Park last year didn't faze the Chief one bit .

For the LAPD, that was just a routine salute to the Citizens of this fair city, eh?

Fortunately for the LAPD, reporters were too-hyped over the glittering non-stop real-time events unfolding before 'em, to give a rat's a** about one embarrassing moment well-heeled guests preferred to cast a blind eye to.

Sure, I applauded one Congresswoman who had the b**s to lash out and condemn the ugly interruption in no uncertain terms, which cast a momentary pall on the Memorial Service.

And, for good reason.

At a funeral - friends, family, and members of the community - are entrusted with the serious task of ensuring there is a loving send-off on the deceased's day-of-all-days.

What of judgment, you say?

Left to the good Lord, of course!

But, documentarians are not barred from drafting a thumbnail character sketch on any sentient being who walked this mortal coil (celebrated or not) to ensure the annals of history resonate with truth and are not bound with fluff.

Therefore, in spite the fact a Steve Lopez column in today's morning newspaper agitated a smattering of die-hard Michael Jackson admirers who waxed annoyingly near-and-far that the journalist's less-than-flattering portrait was in poor taste on the heels of the Memorial Service, I say "kudos" go out all-around.

Oscar Wilde said it best:

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple."

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...brief encounter on set of Music Video! Directed by MJ...

Years ago, a casting office rang me up out-of-the-blue, and offered me a gig on a high-budget Michael Jackson Music Video shooting on the backlot at Universal Studios.

I was particularly keen on the fact that MJ was directing!

One of the main characters in the evil plot line was a nasty villain with a gang of thugs always on the lookout for trouble.

Although, I generally steered away from night shoots, it was difficult to resist a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the legendary Pop Icon on the fast-track to super stardom.

Michael was at the height of his creative powers, having just come off of the gargantuan success of the multi-million-dollar best-selling album, "Thriller".

Although a few unsubstantiated rumors abounded about the King of Pop's fascination with plastic surgery (and an obsession over the alleged benefits of pure oxygen) the celebrated hit-maker appeared for-all-the-world a down-to-earth musical genius.

Shortly after I strolled up to the backlot at Universal to check in with the 1st Assistant Director, the wardrobe department corralled me and a handful of actors cast to play the mean dudes, and hustled us off to get fitted for our ubiquitous costumes which consisted of warrior-style uniforms - custom-made in imposing durable black plastic - with helmets to match.

Right from the get-go it was obvious the assignment was not going to be a piece of cake.

For instance, all the actors required assistance to facilitate the task of fitting each snugly into the high-tech threads in a body-fitting fashion, from behind.

In addition to being difficult to maneuver around in, the sinister slabs of armour were also inclined to obstruct the eyesight and hinder breathing as well.

Too late to back out.

No matter; after all, I was what you called a "trooper" in those days.

The show must go on, 'ya know, and all that sentimental crap.

The production company was relentless.

The shoot often ground on for hours on end and required a lot of painstaking detail to satisfy the "man" in the chair.

Michael was a stickler for perfection, after all.

To make matters worse, the cameras didn't generally start rolling 'til around the witching hour, or wind down until the sun started to climb lazily in the East the following morning.

Maybe Michael was a Vampire - like the one he play-acted in Thriller - after all.

As to the elusive Pop Icon?

During the duration of the shoot he remained out-of-sight, directing from afar.

Yup!

One of his lowly handlers was assigned the heady task of hustling us in-and-out of our trailers, positioning us on the set, calling us into action, and what-have-you.

Not a peep from MJ the mega-Star at the helm of the million-dollar extravaganza!

On occasion when logistics slowed production down - the other dudes and I would twiddle our thumbs, chew the fat, or huddle up in the trailer to stay warm whenever a night chill chose to usher itself in unexpectedly.

The lot of us - trekked in-and-out, back and forth, this way 'n that - as directed.

But, no MJ in sight!

One fine night under a starlit sky - just as we were about to wrap - I spied the mysterious superstar nimbly stepping out of a trailer across the lot.

For one brief second he glanced in my direction - burst into a wide smile for a second or two - then departed into the good night with little ado.

A close encounter of the 3rd kind, alright!

And that, as they say, was that.

In spite of the fact the shoot was long and drawn-out and terribly boring - quite stressful, too - one thing made it all worthwhile.

Why, of course, all the pretty checks that flew into the mailbox shortly thereafter with gobs of golden time tacked on.

Time to party-hearty and raise a mug to MJ in thanks!

The King of Pop paid the rent that month, too.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...tickets! Gone, Gone, Gone...

If you're as antsy as me, you probably checked your e-mail box non-stop yesterday, to determine if you'd been blessed with a couple of coveted tickets for Michael Jackson's Memorial Service downtown Tuesday (July 7th) at the Staples Center.

Fortunately, Ryan Seacrest zipped off a tweet and I was warned in advance that the organizers for the much-anticipated Jackson service, were not going to contact ticket recipients until Monday, July 6th (today).

So, I slipped out the door at dusk last night and hit the nightclub circuit to catch the tail-end of the 4th of July festivities.

This morning, when I plucked up the Los Angeles Times to give it a quick peruse, I suddenly spied a newspaper article which noted briefly that a handful of winners were informed by e-mail communication at about 5:45 pm yesterday afternoon of the outcome of their entries in the draw .

One thrilled couple back East were jubilant that their names were selected by the high-tech computer that must-have whizzed through the entries like lightning and quicker than you can say google!

At first, they were highly-suspicious, according to the reporter.

"They thought they were being scammed."

But, under close-scrutiny, they determined they pulled off the invite of the decade!

Heh, these folks deserve the privilege.

Imagine that, the dedicated fans are laying out cold hard cash to book flights, and fly in from out-of-town to attend the Memorial Service.

later, when I first logged on to the Internet - and opened up Yahoo - I didn't spy one peep from the Jackson folks.

Boo Hoo!

But, when I was scrolling down the in-box a couple of minutes later - an e-mail communication from staples.com - caught my eye.

I clicked on the link not knowing what to expect.

Darn, it was a polite message informing me that the computer ticket-picker, passed me by.

Here it is verbatim:

Thank you for your registration. Sorry, we regret to inform you that your registration to attend the Public Memorial Service for Michael Jackson was not selected. Hundreds of thousands registered, but only a few can be in attendance. S

Even still, I think the event-planners exhibited a lot of class!

I mean, instead of leaving a host of wistful hopefuls twisting in the wind - they were truly thoughtful enough to inform us first-hand - before the lucky few started boasting near and far.

Hats off to Staples, the Jackson's, and the whole slew of handlers organizing the event.

Cool, dudes!

Ironically, a curious news item published nearby in the same edition of the Los Angeles Times, caught my attention - and likewise - signalled that Jackson organizers may have to put up with uninvited guests, nonetheless.

According to the management at Staples, Barnum & Bailey is set to ring up the curtain on their 5-day Circus extravaganza at the stadium day-after tomorrow.

Get this!

Just shy of the hour the Jackson entourage, invited guests, and fans are scheduled to descend on the staples center to pay their last respects, a herd of Elephants is slated to parade down the causeway, too!

Although the organizers were trying to avoid a zoo-like atmosphere at the Memorial Service - ironically, as fate would have - a 3 ring Circus will head up the funeral procession!

Getting hit with a bit of bird sh** may be lucky, but a paddie of Elephant dung, I wonder?

In view of Michael's love for animals, all I can offer up in closing is, what a way to go!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Adam Lambert...Hi Fi recordings continue to duke it out!

If American Idol fans have been following the Adam Lambert/ Hi Fi Recordings cat fight - the latest "just in" - won't send 'em into a tailspin.

Yeah, it's all just a lot of - they said, she said - eh?

In a nutshell, it was announced last week - after the single "Want" was released on iTunes - that Hi Fi would press a full-fledged album later this summer from a bulk of musical musings Lambert apparently conjured up in a recording studio with little ado over the past two or three years.

Understandably, Lambert has a legitimate reason to be upset, if what he asserts is true.

"Last Friday I was surprised to find out that songs I recorded in 2005 were being released."

"Since then I discovered the entire track listing revealed online today."

"I was shocked to learn that songwriting demos of songs that I co-wrote and recorded over the past few years may be released in an album. Like a rough draft that a writer does before finishing a book, I did not intend my work on these demos to be heard by the public.

"I was unaware that anyone intended to release these recordings until I heard about it in the press and I'm very disappointed by this entire situation."

If you can't trust your handlers, then might as well pack it in, kiddo.

Those kind of woes obviously led to Michael Jackson's early demise if the truth be known.

Will Adam have to cut Hi Fi loose?

Maybe not, but the two need to confer, and get their creative differences squared away.

It's a messy kind of train wreck spilling out all over the music industry landscape in living color.

In an effort to effect damage control - and prevent their meal ticket from jumping ship - Hi Fi released their own version of the tawdry tale.

"As we've already outlined, releasing this music was always the plan. That plan was changed by 19 Recordings after Adam won America over with his extraordinary talent."

"It's a shame that his management/record company choose to disavow their client's work and discredit him as a songwriter.

"As an independent company whose role it is to help put this out, we at Hi Fi think this is an absolute slap in the face to Wilshire Records."

"That small indie music company, run by an experienced music producer, Malcolm Welsford, thrives on finding, nurturing and championing new talent, and now they find themselves at a tremendous potential loss."

"Adam's songwriting partner, Monte Pittman, now finds himself at a tremendous potential loss. Via the press, in the words of the musician they dedicated so much time and money to, they are being told that their work with Adam should never see the light of day."

Or, be given half-the-chance to take a stab at the unpredictable pop charts.

In a kissy-face effort to salvage the ship before it goes down, a Hi Fi rep rebounded a tad in the eyes of Adam - no doubt - when he ended his press release with a statement rife with glowing tributes about Adam's musical gifts.

To save their necks? No doubt.

"We apologize for what has become a tiresome tit for tat, particularly on a day that we mourn the loss of a truly original, game-changing entertainer, but unfortunately, each statement released in Adam's name contains a different story."

"We remain steadfast in our assertion that we seek only to share the music Adam wrote, according to plan, so his fans know the depth of his talent and see that he will be handsomely rewarded for his work."

But, here comes the kicker!

On the heels of the mud-slinging, Hi Fi noted for the record one stickler which may back someone into a corner they can't squeeze out of.

Not even with a king-size jar of KY.

Yeah, someone may get fu**ed - um - in the end.

After all, record execs are now alleging that they have a bona fide recording contract with Adam, which was signed on Feb. 12 (2008).

Holy American Idol, Batman!

In fact, it was because of that little piece of binding legal "tender", that the CD track - "Want" - got the "green light" to be released through iTunes a scant few days ago.

Oops!

Well, 'ya know what they say: the proof is in the pudding.

Someone may have to fess up pronto to save face - and more importantly - avoid litigation.

In the final analysis, I lean on Adam's side when it comes to a course of action.

Any true artist who is a professional would balk at the idea of cutting a CD that wasn't up-to-snuff - especially in view of the stunning turn-of-events which occurred in recent weeks on American Idol - which has turned Adam Lambert into a household "brand" name, for starters.

Nor is it to the advantage of Hi Fi to release recordings of their top dog which are demo-grade - and quite possibly - below professional recording standards.

Adam and Hi Fi need only tweak and rearrange the material on the demos in order to strike a potential mother lode, in my estimation, as I noted in a blog post earlier this week.

After all, an artist's early recordings - coming on the heels of International success - are often deemed the most valuable to collectors, connoisseurs, and music-lovers in general.

Haven't the dueling partners ever heard of the phrase musical roots?

Into the studio, girls!

www.julianayrs.com

Prince...Purple Rain screens at midnight! Tickets $7 @ New Beverly Cinema in Tinseltown...

Got insomnia like some reclusive rock star pining for the glory days?

Then get your butt over to the New Beverly Cinema at the witching hour (midnight) to catch a screening of the hit! classic film! starring PRINCE!

Tickets: $7.00

http://www.julianayrs.com

American Idol...No. 1 TV Entertainment show teams up with No. 1 Blog! The Tattler is all a-twitter...

Well, although I was too old (their opinion, not mine) to audition - and in spite of the fact I practised for weeks to break my stage fright on ego-stroking Karaoke nights - I have now found a way to slip my formidable warbling talents before the likes of Simon Cowell at American Idol.

Yup, the tweet came down from the Heavens like golden manna, the other morning.

American Idol is now following MOI on Twitter.

Do you suppose my sleeping buddy Adam Lambert (kidding!) put in a good word with Simon between the silky bed sheets (wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall in that scenario) or was it just the fickle finger of fate following God's precious pop-idol cookie-cutter plan?

No matter, not unlike wacky Lucy (who schemed ad nauseam to break into elusive show business under the watchful eye of Ricky's thick - um - Cuban accent) I've hatched a clever plan to connive my way onto American Idol - and ultimately - bring down the house!

Right, the men-in-blue chasing me around a packed house of Hollywood hopefuls with middle America watching from the sidelines in their armchairs at home, should be good for a hearty guffaw or two!

All kidding aside, I am truly flattered that the glitterati at top-rated Idol have deemed me worthy of a click or two, as I report on the dazzling Entertainment landscape here on the West Coast, around this great country, and beyond.

Of course, I am a fan of Idol, so it is a painless responsibility.

Moreover, it should be noted that I have even given the No. 1 Entertainment Show a glowing review or two in the past, so it is no skin off my back to be sure dudes!

Just last year I penned a post on "Idol Gives Back", which was well-received here and a-broad, according to globe-trotting socialite pal Dame Edna.

There's nothing like a bit of philanthropy to uplift a dude's heart.

Post: 04/10/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/04/american-idol-gives-backalong-with.html

Meanwhile, if there are special promos, events (oh-so-chic high-society soirees?) that I should be duly informed about and invited to (hint! hint!) do - um - belt it out, eh?

Finally, a few parting words from a wise old musical Saint, worth paying heed to!

"If music be the food of life, then eat on."

Uh, did I get that quote right?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Michael Jackson...media circus @ UCLA! Debacle reminiscent of Elvis...

By late afternoon, once the shocking news of Michael Jackson's death streaked across the Internet - and beyond into local businesses and the cozy homes of devoted fans - the skies here in picturesque Westwood were black with helicopters buzzing the frenzied masses below.



Meanwhile, on land routes that normally accessed the state-of-the-art UCLA hospital with ease, were now cordoned off for the most part as University security hand-directed the traffic flow in a bold-faced effort to avoid a potentially dangerous gridlock.



Two dozen or so media outlets were inclined to screech to an abrupt halt in their vehicles and park along the median strip haphazardly - at which point - they bolted up to the front doors of the medical facility where the Pop Icon passed into spirit a few scant hours ago.



It was an impromptu media blitz, if ever there was one, and was reminiscent of the debacle that followed in the wake of Elvis' death decades ago.



Fans held brightly-colored signs etched with loving tributes - and on occasion - broke into a hypnotic chant.



"Michael! Michael! Michael."



Did they half expect their Crown Prince to rise up from the dead - and "moon walk" once last time - before taking a final bow forever?



One fan turned up the sound on his CD Player - and within minutes - bodies were writhing to the strains of the "Man in the Mirror".



My own included.



Catchy little ditty, that!



Did the emboldened hordes descend on Michael's final resting place because the image of the man - though distorted and misguided at times - still inspired them to recognize the power of song?



All of the media heavyweights were in attendance, too.

(MTV, CNN, NBC).



Each news team waited patiently (albeit a bit frustrated with the cards they had been dealt) for the doors of the temporary press room to swing open wide so they could surge forward - animals that they are - and stake a claim at a News Conference guaranteed to satisfy not only their audiences but the curious madding crowd to boot.



One reporter next to me in line shrugged.



"What can the doctors or Police Officials tell us that we don't already know?"



She answered her own question in a cynical tone of voice.



"Time of death. Who he is survived by. Yada Yada Yada."



On the contrary, I pointed out.



In this instant case, enquiring minds were probably pining for all the juicy tidbits.



Was the death accidental?



"No way," one reporter snapped back incredulous at the thought.



Was the unexpected death brought on by natural causes, his own hand, or due to drugs?



Also, there were nagging questions surrounding the hour of death.



Allegedly, Jackson died at approximately 1:21 pm this afternoon.



But, for some inexplicable reason, the legendary POP star was not pronounced dead until about two hours later at approximately 3:23 pm.



I know.



I was sitting at a computer terminal when MSNBC flashed a news alert to that effect.



Bottom line?



Expect the unexpected.



And, a lot of drama, Hollywood-style!

Adam Lambert...Fox TV (Chicago) reports that the American Idol darling laments to fans: "Don't Buy my album"...

Adam's American Idol travelling Adonis Show!

In a brief news flash all-a-twitter, Adam Lambert & fans (followers) provided a link to a Fox News outlet in Chicago that issued the following release about high noon today:

"Adam Lambert: "Don't By My Album"

Updated: Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 1:12 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 1:12 PM CDT

The musical chairs scenario unfolding in Lambert's camp - if true - are getting curiouser and curiouser by the scintillating minute.

Yesterday, on the heels of the release of the "WANT" iTunes single, a press notice tipped off fans about the next ambitious offering - "On with the Show" - a sizzling album to debut on the unpredictable (!) musical horizon in the near future.

But, after TMZ stepped into the fray last evening and posted a memo questioning the origins of the material (did the tunes spring up from the Diva's creative well?), fans (and the charismatic songbird) have remained tight-lipped.

We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!

Well, not so fast!

Just maybe, the mysterious turn-of-events merit a bit of surreptitious investigation by the master sleuth, moi!

News at 11!

Meanwhile, the trussed up Pop Icon prepares for the July 5th kick-off of the much-anticipated American Idol tour.

Got tickets?

Front row seats, center, Dudes!

Thomas Carlyle (Wordsworth) opined:

"Who is there that, in logical words, can express the effect music has on us?"

"A kind of inarticulate unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite and lets us gaze into that."

On the other hand, Simon, I agree with your two cohorts & their sentiments pictured above.

Silence is golden!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Yogurt Stop...I pumped & he pumped! Whew...

Two gal pals threw open the doors of Yogurt Stop a few scant weeks ago and have already succeeded in rustling up a trendy dessert hot spot featuring delicious mouth-watering flavors and toppings. And, a clientele that positively sizzles at Sunset and on 'til dawn.

The secret?

Guests don't have to stand in a pesky line.

Nope.

Just grab a cup, pump your own from the spiggot, and then saunter over to a side counter where fresh fruit and fanciful sweet toppings invite the creative to decorate their own one-of-a-kind yogurt delight.

Catchy upbeat music and a lot of eye-candy (hot men! sexy bodacious babes) are sure to keep the Yogurt spot ringing up the busy cash register for years to come!

HD Video captured by Julian Ayrs @ The Tattler.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Kenny Loggins...plastic surgery? Fan says so...

Yesterday, when I received info from Universal Music Group for a trailer featuring Kenny Loggins' new CD, I included the link in a post I penned on the release due out this week.

Then, I proceeded to alert fans of the handsome singer.

Today, when I returned to the site to play back the trailer once again, I spied a comment posted below from someone by the name of David LaCrone.

The individual - unknown to me - was inclined to utter up an observation.

"Looks like Kenny is having a hard time singing expressively, probably because of all that horrible plastic surgery."

Gosh, I didn't pay that much attention to Kenny's face when I first viewed the video, since I was primarily focused on verifying it was broadcasting properly before I directed readers to the Amazon.com site.

You can bet your sweet bippy I replayed the trailer on the heels of LaCrone's analysis of Loggins' on-camera performance, though.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mMRRVMZU6YYPB

Well, the skin looks a little stretched, and the overall complexion a bit ruddy in texture.

Too much face-time under a sun lamp prior to lensing?

A face peel!

If I knew he was a drunkard, I'd speculate he tossed down too many ales in the backwoods somewhere before the cameras rolled.

Kenny, enquiring minds want to know!

By the way, they say you get the face you deserve at fifty, 'ya know?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Kenny Loggins...trailer for CD released this week!

One of my contacts @ Universal Music Group zipped off an e-mail yesterday to inform me that the new Kenny Loggins CD will be released this week.

It's a catchy tune featuring playful children in a video titled:

There is a Mountain!

To take a gander @ the trailer click on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mMRRVMZU6YYPB

http://www.julianayrs.com

Britney Spears...in-between sheets with Agent! Talk about protecting a meal ticket...

Is this the kind of gal a dude takes home to meet Mom, Jason?

The news flash zipped around the globe in about two seconds flat!

Britney pregnant?

Naw!

Fell flat on her tush in the midst of a high-energy gig?

Nope.

Britney has crawled between the designer sheets with her - egads - Agent?

I say, the couple that eats, works, copulates, and snoozes together, are in for big trouble in little China!

The truth?

Just betcha her Agent can't afford to lose his big meal ticket.

Why do I think that?

In a recent report of celebrity earnings, it was duly noted that Brit (boo hoo) only rustled up about a measly million or two greenbacks. last year.

No doubt Jason Trawick opted to pull out all the stops.

By slipping into the private (oh so public) perimeters of her topsy-turvy (mostly turvy) life, maybe "the suit" figures he'll be able to steer her mental & emotional selves onto a more stable nurturing landscape away from the hangers-on.

In the alternative, if the Pop Diva's career fails (flavours of the month often run out or lose favor with the fickle public) at least he'll have palimony to feather his nest somewhere down the line.

Unless Brit cries foul and uses the old "Louisiana" (home State) rule of law.

In that event, a division of property may amount to simple traditional hetero (breeder) standards.

What's yours is ours and what's mine is mine.

My advice?

Brit, settle down with a boy-toy or man-stud with no interest in the business.

And, with stacks of his own cash, naturally!

What do they say?

God bless the man that's got his own!

Amen

Judging by the bod, Jason won't be out late carousing, Brit!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Twitter...Alan Lambert fans following moi! Quips an alert?

Adam Lambert doll on sale now!

(movable parts optional)

Shortly after I penned a tongue-in-cheek post about Adam Lambert's announcement that he is - oh my gosh - "gay", the twitter site revealed that a gaggle of the Pop Siren's fans have jumped on the (uh-huh) "bandwagon".

They're following moi!

How festive...

But, a thought did cross my mind.

Are they chuckling along with me, or keeping an eye-out for impropriety?

News @ 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Shoshana Bean...A Happening @ the Ford Theatre! Official kick-off night-out event for LA Pride 2009!

Singing Sensation - Shoshana Bean - will be appearing at the local Ford AmphiTheatre on Thursday, June 11th.

Christopher Street West and LA Pride are billing the dazzling one night (two-part) performance as the Pride Night kick-off event for LA Pride 2009.

You are invited to rub shoulders with her adoring fans, and witness the evolution of a young Diva, as she climbs from relative obscurity to the heights of superstar status.

Bean will perform tunes from her album - Superhero - which debuted as #5 on iTunes in December (2008).

In addition, Ms. Bean will no doubt wow the rapt audience with her dazzling tribute to lengendary Barbara Streisand.

The talented chanteuse is no stranger to the stage, though.

Shoshana Bean garnered a lot of attention when she performed in the off-Broadway production of Godspell in 2001, at which point, there was no looking back.

The "Wicked" star also landed rave reviews for her show-stopping warbling alongside the original cast of "Hairspray" in NYC.

Notwithstanding, her Thursday night performance will be bolstered up by the considerable talents of recording star - Billy Porter (Stage Director) - and Music Directors Gerald Sternback & Matt Curson.

Music presented by Chris Isaacson & Shane Sheel.

Tickets: http://www.fordtheatres.org

Discount Tickets

(excluding VIP seating)
40% off sale price

Available by telephone only (323) 461-3673) with discount code: EqualityPal

VIP Tickets
Best seats & post show Artist Meet & Greet with drinks courtesy 10 Cane.
*Rum & tasty Hors D'oeuvres courtesy of Vermont Restaurant & Bar.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Carl Ferris...LIVE PERORMANCES nightly @ Fremont Street experience! Dazzling sax player...(4th) HD Video capture by Julian Ayrs...

Check out the finger work on this sax playing which I caught on HD Video last week when I was in Vegas at the Fremont Street experience.

Soulful original sounds by Mr. Ferris will leave 'ya warm & fuzzy @ the end of the night!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Carl Ferris...5 Star performance rating! Vegas talent dazzles...

Since I posted a couple of HD Video captures of LIVE PERFORMANCES by sensational saxophone player Carl Ferris on YouTube, fans around the globe have gotten warm & fuzzy over his soulful playing - and likewise - been dazzled by his remarkable finger-work on the instrument.

And, I just noticed when I played back a couple of the Videos this morning, that he has been getting a 5 star rating for his high-energy "feel-good" performances on the Vegas strip.

Hats off to Carl!

HD Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ-OFTipDyM

http://www.julianayrs.com