Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Robert Redford: Obama 'Not Tall on Experience'
2. Pamela Anderson's Beef With Jessica Simpson
3. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Birthing and Adopting?
4. Rapper Disses Jesse Jackson Over Obama Insults
5. John Cusack Files Suit Seeking 'Pay or Play'
1. Robert Redford: Obama 'Not Tall on Experience'
Robert Redford recently journeyed to Dublin, Ireland to receive an honorary degree from Trinity College.
The actor-director expressed doubts about Barack Obama and the Democrats' chances of winning in the fall.
"I'm not confident of anything," Redford told the Irish Times. "I'm hopeful."
Redford acknowledged Obama's resume deficit.
"I think Obama is not tall on experience . . . but I believe he's a really good person," Redford said, adding that the Democratic presumptive nominee is "smart and he does represent what the country needs most now, which is change."
Redford sees the election of Obama to the presidency as a must-win for the Democrats, or it will mean the end of Hollywood's favorite political party.
"I hope he'll win. I think he will. If he doesn't, you can kiss the Democratic Party goodbye . . .," Redford lamented.
According to the Sundance Kid, it's all about "new blood."
"I think we need new voices, new blood. We need to get a whole group out, get a new group in," Redford said.
2. Pamela Anderson's Beef With Jessica Simpson
It's a meaty issue. And it's got two kitschy Hollywood celebs at odds.
During a recent visit down under, "Baywatch" lifeguard Pamela Anderson had some harsh words for "The Dukes of Hazzard"'s Jessica "Daisy" Simpson.
Longtime PETA spokesperson Pamela referred to Jessica as a "b***h" and a "wh**e" while on a local show in Australia.
Why? Because Jessica had worn a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase: "Real Girls Eat Meat."
Pamela also said that Jessica's shirt was not referring to "cows and chickens, but was referring to, you know, men."
After an Internet eruption over the colorful language, Pamela went back on the air claiming that she was "kidding" and "having a fun conversation." She stopped short of an apology, however.
A source told the U.K. Sun that Simpson "was deeply hurt and upset at the comments. To say Jessica is mad about it is an understatement."
Still, the singer-actress decided to stay mum.
"She is disgusted at Pamela's remarks and fully intended to go after her, until her family made her see sense. Her folks told her not to make a big deal of it — as that would only get Pamela the press she's so desperate for."
They're probably both eating steamed veggies.
3. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Birthing and Adopting?
There's a population explosion in Malibu, Calif.
Mere days after entering a French hospital to give birth to twins, Angelina Jolie is reportedly preparing to adopt another child.
According to the National Enquirer, Angelina and Brad heard about kids who were left parentless due to the destructive earthquakes that hit China. So a fortunate child from the region may get the chance to become a Jolie-Pitt.
Jolie and her significant Pitt already have four children (Maddox, Pax, Zahara and Shiloh) so after the arrival of their twins and adoptee, they'll be at lucky seven.
4. Rapper Disses Jesse Jackson Over Obama Insults
Rapper Nas recently blasted the Rev. Jesse Jackson over the civil rights activist's profane comment in which he spoke of making the presumptive Democratic nominee a member of the castrati.
In an unfortunate audio-recording, Jackson is heard charging the Illinois senator with "talking down" to the black community, and in unholy terms, saying that he wanted to "cut his [Obama's] n**s off."
Nas is furious about Jackson's outburst, insisting that the minister's time in the public eye is over.
The rapper told MTV, "I think Jesse Jackson, he's the biggest player hater. His time is up. All you old n***s, time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. We don't wanna hear that s**t no more."
In rhythmic fashion, Nas spoke as if he were writing the lyrics to a new hip-hop tune, saying, "It's a new day. It's a new voice. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We got Barack, we got David Banners and Young Jeezys."
Then he bid adieu to the reverend's role in the public square.
"We're the voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood. That's the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!"
5. John Cusack Files Suit Seeking 'Pay or Play'
John Cusack has filed a $5.6 million lawsuit in a Los Angeles Superior Court over an entertainment industry contract provision known as "pay or play."
The language in an actor's film agreement can provide for a star to be paid a previously agreed-upon sum if the subject movie is not made.
In Cusack's case, production was halted on the action movie "Stopping Power," which is about a fugitive who carjacks a vehicle that contains a young girl and her father.
In court papers Cusack claimed that he is owed $4.5 million under his "pay or play" provision, plus $50,000 for the cost of his staff on location and other related expenses.
The actor alleges that the production company, Intermedia, fraudulently induced him to commit to the film and travel to Europe. He also claims that the company then tried to renegotiate his fixed fee and change it to speculative deferred compensation.
When Cusack refused to renegotiate, Intermedia stopped the production. Reportedly, a key financial backer had pulled out of the deal.
Most likely, there will be a settlement. The question is, Will it involve pay, play, or delay?
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