Actress KATE BECKINSALE has taken aim at those who call pal VICTORIA BECKHAM grumpy, insisting the former singer is actually "a hoot".

The Pearl Harbor star, who met Beckham through mutual friend Eva Longoria Parker, claims the public's perception of the former Spice Girl as a non-smiling curmudgeon couldn't be further from the truth.

She explains, "Just recently I've been seeing a lot of Victoria (Beckham).

Victoria is hilarious. That's the thing I like about her most. She's a hoot.

"She is also a very normal girl. We have a good laugh and it's great when suddenly people get your jokes and reference points." (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

The manager of rock band KISS has confirmed the group are in talks to launch a TV talent show to find replacements for frontman PAUL STANLEY and guitarist GENE SIMMONS - when the duo eventually retire.

It has long been rumoured that founding members Stanley and Simmons hope to keep the band running when they decide to quit - but both men have been evasive when asked about whether any new members have been signed up and if the takeover will happen after their current (08) world tour.

The rock veterans are the only original members left in the band, which was marred by the departure of Ace Frehely and Peter Criss and the death of Eric Carr in 1991 - the group now includes replacements Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer.

But their longtime manager Doc McGhee insists that there are indeed plans to replace all four band members and keep KISS alive for a new generation - they are close to signing a deal to find their replacements through an American Idol-style TV show.

McGhee says in a new TV documentary about the band, "I believe that KISS can go on forever. I believe that there is a way - and we are talking to people and we're pretty close to getting it done - about finding the four new members of KISS." (pr-inside.com)

ROBERT De NIRO, JACK NICHOLSON and DUSTIN HOFFMAN refused to star in a movie by filmmaker WOODY ALLEN because they were not offered enough money.

The Oscar-winning moviemaker claims the Hollywood actors snubbed the chance to star in one of his movies, because he could not match their huge salaries.

He says, "There are plenty of actors and actresses that have said - even after saying 'I'm dying to work with you so I'd do anything' - that they're not available or they can't work for the pay I'm offering because they have a chance to make a movie for £4 million or £5 million and they need the money.

"For Deconstructing Harry I tried to get De Niro, I tried to get Hoffman, I tried to get Elliot Gould." Allen claims Nicholson and Tom Hanks both turned down roles in The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion. (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

ROBERT De NIRO, JACK NICHOLSON and DUSTIN HOFFMAN refused to star in a movie by filmmaker WOODY ALLEN because they were not offered enough money.

The Oscar-winning moviemaker claims the Hollywood actors snubbed the chance to star in one of his movies, because he could not match their huge salaries.

He says, "There are plenty of actors and actresses that have said - even after saying 'I'm dying to work with you so I'd do anything' - that they're not available or they can't work for the pay I'm offering because they have a chance to make a movie for £4 million or £5 million and they need the money.

"For Deconstructing Harry I tried to get De Niro, I tried to get Hoffman, I tried to get Elliot Gould." Allen claims Nicholson and Tom Hanks both turned down roles in The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion. (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

LOS ANGELES - Sultry singer Stephanie Reese is no stranger to A-list global gigs.She has performed for royalty in Malaysia, for diplomats in Russia, the elite social circles in Manila, Thailand and Indonesia, and for celebrity events across Europe. But recently, she took Hollywood by storm with her powerful rendition of songs from Broadway and classic operas.

Just a few months ago the famous Crustacean Restaurant in Beverly Hills - located one block from famed Rodeo Drive - celebrated its 10th anniversary and held a three-night star-studded celebration attended by the likes of Jamie Foxx, Magic Johnson, Michael Bolton, Angela Basset, Oliver Stone and Paris Hilton. (pr-inside.com)

Former supermodel JERRY HALL's youngest son is so protective of her, he has banned her from having a boyfriend.

The Texan beauty, 51, admits 10-year-old Gabriel - from her marriage to rocker Sir Mick Jagger - is sickened by the thought of his mother bringing someone home, and has even threatened suicide to persuade her to continue to live her life as a single mother.

She says, "Gabriel gets very angry with me if I work too much. And he absolutely hates the idea of me having a boyfriend. He says, 'If you get a boyfriend, I will kill myself.' "I say to him, 'But darling, you will grow up and get married one day and it would be nice for Mum to have some company.' And he says, 'No Mum, I am never going to leave you.' But that's what boys are like, isn't it?"

And Hall insists she's in no rush to marry again, because she's happy on her own: "I think having a partner is a bonus, but I don't think it's a necessity. I've always had my own money and worked and looked after myself.

"I do see people and have dates and I think love is a wonderful thing, but that hasn't really happened to me. I haven't fallen in love. Maybe it will happen one day. But I think it would probably be idiotic to marry again. I seems to me that you do that when you want to have children. And I've had mine."

Hall has three other children with ex-husband Jagger: Elizabeth, 24; James, 22, and Georgia, 16. The couple split in 1999. (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

ROLLING STONES star MICK JAGGER has scuppered plans for director JOHN MAYBURY to use DYLAN THOMAS' poems in his upcoming biopic MAP OF LOVE.

Jagger owns the copyright to a selection of the Welsh playwrights poems and has refused Maybury permission to use them in his movie - because the rocker is planning his own picture.

Maybury says, "We had access to few poems. Unfortunately, Mick Jagger owns quiet a lot and he has his own Dylan Thomas project.

"There were parts of the set where we used elements of Map of Love but we had to CGI (edit) them out because Mick threatened to sue if we kept them in there." (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

LATEST: A fire that ripped through the heart of Universal Studios in Hollywood on Sunday (01Jun08) was an accident, fire chiefs have ruled.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman says the blaze was accidentally sparked by workers using heating tools on a film set.

The fire destroyed a King Kong exhibit and the set from the Back To The Future movies.
It's the second blaze at Universal Studios in 18 years. The last one, in 1990, was started by a security guard and caused $25 million (£12.5 million) worth of damage. (pr-inside.com)

Actress SHARON STONE has fallen victim to the global credit crunch - she has put her luxurious Hollywood home up for sale at a loss.

The star bought her expansive Los Angeles mansion for $5.5 million in 2006, but has been forced to put the property on the market for a shocking $500,000 less than its original price, according to reports.

The U.S. real estate market has been driven into crisis mode since the worldwide credit crunch hit at the beginning of the year (08) - seeing fuel and food prices soar, while the property market has slumped.

Stone, 50, is one of a number of Hollywood stars who have been effected by the market slowdown - Cheers star Ted Danson and actress Angela Bassett have both seen their property's hit the market for less than they originally paid.

LA property expert Ann Brenoff tells the U.K.'s Daily Star newspaper, "These Hollywood types are feeling the market's slowdown just like everyone else and they are having to lower their asking prices as a result." (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

SOPRANOS actor ROBERT ILER owns an apartment in a New York block that was struck by a crane that fell and killed two construction workers on Friday (30May08).

Iler - who played A.J. Soprano in the hit series - was at home in the Upper East Side building when the tumbling 62 meter (200 foot) tower crane struck.

The crane was working on a new 32-story-apartment block when it collapsed and destroyed many apartments in Iler's neighboring building.

According to TMZ.com, the 23-year-old actor - who had lived in the block for several years - felt the impact and heard people screaming, although his home was not affected.

Two men were killed and number of others hospitalized by the incident, the second crane collapse in New York in just two months.

ANGELINA JOLIE has given birth to twins, according to reports in France.

The Tomb Raider actress and partner Brad Pitt are rumored to have welcomed their twins at a Catholic clinic in the country's Aix-en-Provence on Sunday (25May08).

Jolie confirmed she was expecting at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month (May08) and admitted she wanted to give birth in her late mother's native country.

The couple has three adopted children, Maddox, Pax and Zahara and biological daughter, Shiloh, who turned two on Tuesday (27May08).

A representative for the couple was unavailable for comment as WENN went to press. (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

The troubled singer has been meeting with TV executives to discuss possible projects following her recent successful appearances on hit US TV sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother'. A source said: "Britney met Roy Bank, the president of Merv Griffin Entertainment, on Wednesday (28.05.08). It was a serious meeting and they spoke about various program ideas - including a new music show."

The 26-year-old 'Toxic' star is attempting to get her career back on track following a difficult period, which included her shaving her head and being hospitalized for mental illness. She received rave reviews for her performance as a ditsy receptionist in the sitcom, and has also reportedly been approached to star as Sandy in a new production of musical 'Grease' on Broadway.

Meanwhile, mother-of-two Britney will have to wait a little longer to regain full control of her life. Los Angeles commissioner Reva Goetz ruled yesterday (29.05.08) that Britney's medical and psychological condition is still "somewhat tenuous" so she will remain under the conservatorship of her father Jamie.

After reviewing Britney's condition, Goetz said: "Her medical condition remains the same. Though there have been changes in her medication, I think in terms of her diagnosis, it's not complete."

The singer's condition will be reviewed again on June 17. A trial has been set for July 31 to decide whether Jamie's conservatorship should be extended or dissolved. (pr-inside.com)

Johnny Depp is nominated for the Best Comedic Performance award for his role as Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End', and for the Best Villain award for his lead role in 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.

Other big names set to present awards at the June 1 bash include Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Wahlberg, Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway.

'Austin Powers' star Mike Myers will host the awards, while Coldplay and the Pussycat Dolls are set to perform. Nominees were announced earlier this month, with 'Superbad' leading the board with five nominations.

'Juno' is up for four awards, while 'Enchanted', 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End', 'Knocked Up' and 'Transformers' each have three nominations. The awards take a lighter look at films, with categories including Best Fight, Best Kiss and Best Villain. (pr-inside.com)

Ellen DeGeneres is set to marry long-time girlfriend Portia de Rossi on US President George W. Bush's ranch in Texas.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are set to marry on US President George W. Bush's Texas ranch. The US talk show host was interviewing the president's newly-married daughter, Jenna Hager (nee Bush), when Jenna showed off a picture of the ceremony.

Ellen said: "So, the ranch was a great place to get married - it looked like nobody could fly over and get pictures or bother you, really! So, can Portia and I borrow it for our wedding? Can we get the ranch?" Sitting next to her mother Laura Bush, Jenna laughed and replied: "Sure!"

Ellen and Portia's nuptials are set to be a star-studded affair. 'SexyBack' star Justin Timberlake recently offered to pen a song for the ceremony. Appearing on Ellen's show, Justin said: "You should have an original wedding song - I think it's only fitting. Write down everything you want to say to Portia and Portia write down everything you want to say to Ellen and I'll put it to music and it will be amazing!"

Ellen confirmed earlier this month she and Portia are planning to get married in California, after the top court in the state ruled against the ban on gay marriage. (pr-inside.com)

UGLY BETTY star MICHAEL URIE has let slip TV bosses are planning on taking the hit U.S. show to Broadway.
The cast of the programme are soon going to be able to showcase their vocal talents in a musical episode - and now Urie admits there are plans afoot to stage a full theatrical production in New York.
Urie insists that if the Broadway show is given the go ahead, he would like all of the original cast to take part.
He tells British radio station Heart FM, "They do want to do an Ugly Betty musical, a full-on Broadway musical, but it's all hush-hush. I think it would be great, and they should use the cast from the show.
"I think we would all do it, although we maybe don't dance and sing as well as professional singers and dancers. I think it would be fun for us to do it for a while, and then they could get real people in. They definitely want to do an episode that is a musical one, but then they want to do a full stage show. I think it's a great idea. It would definitely work."

The former wife of incarcerated cocaine kingpin and label founder Michael Harris says of Marion "Suge" Knight: "Suge brought this on himself! When he's for the good of an artist, he's for the good and when he's for the bad, he's for the bad!"

The woman that bought down DEATH ROW RECORDS speaks ONLY to HIPHOSSIP! Infamously known as Death Row's ENEMY #1. She's got a book out "Married to the Game", She talked to Managing Editor ^Kemi^ in a phone interview from California to Toronto about Snoop, Dre, Warren G, Tha Dogg Pound, Lady in Rage, Tupac and of course the infamous Marion "SUGE" Knight and the bankruptcy auctioning away of all those classic recordings of these artists that Suge kept!

Hear what she had to say about Suge's latest tryst in the media--the beatdown by a young barber in California, her ex-husband Michael "HarryO" Harris and Deathrow founder/drug Kingpin who has been incarcerated for the past 19 years out of his 28 year sentence for conspiracy to murder and drug trafficking! Hear about her $107 million judgement against Death Row and her upcoming star studded company launch party for "Lady Boss Entertainment" and her future plans. Also learn how her faith in God has helped her to SURVIVE all this mess.

She started a Literacy Foundation, coming out with a Jewelry line, has a cook book and more merchandise available to order online. Visit HIp Hossip at www.hiphossip.com, Canada's leading hip-hop and R&B music blog for the complete 20 minute interview.

GEORGE CLOONEY has led the tributes his MICHAEL CLAYTON co-star SYDNEY POLLACK, branding the actor/director a "class act".

Pollack died aged 73 on Monday (26May08), after a nine-month battle with cancer at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

The Oscar-winning star recently directed and starred alongside Clooney in 2007's Michael Clayton.

Clooney says, "Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better. A tip of the hat to a class act. He'll be missed terribly."

And actress Sally Field - who starred in Pollack's 1981 movie Absence of Malice - has also paid tribute to the star.
She says, "Having the opportunity to know Sydney and work with him was a great gift in my life. He was a good friend and a phenomenal director and I will cherish every moment that I ever spent with him."

Pollack won two Academy Awards for the 1985 movie Out of Africa - Best Picture and Best Director. (pr-inside.com)

By Ted Halpeart

If playing the guitar is a desire you've been wanting to take
hold of, there are basics to learn in the beginning. After
you've spent the time learning all the notes and strings on a
guitar, it won't mean you know how to play. There are several
factors to take in and grasping the tempo of a song along with
being able to flow from one note to another will be just as
important.

This is where it all starts by memorizing the six different
strings, and then learning how to read tablature. The closest
string to you or the "highest" string on the lines is called the
"e" strong. It is thinner than any other and since tabs are
written in lines, it's the first one on top. As you move your
way down the other five strings (B,G,D,A,E), you will notice
each one becomes thicker, which the bottom E is the thickest.

Next there will be numbers placed within each line on a tab
that needs to be played. Each number represents how you position
your fingers on the fret board which is the long wooden shaft of
a guitar. These are used to create vibrating lengths by simply
pressing down against the fret. If you see the number zero on a
guitar tablature, it simply means to play an open string -- i.e.
you don't need to put any fingers on the fretboard.

As you become more familiar with how to utilize both hands
while playing, you will then begin to implement all the other
symbols which will be seen on the tablature. These will allow
the music to have a creativity of its own by angling sections
throughout the song with various techniques to make it your own
masterpiece, especially if you plan to write at some point.

Things like hammer on, pull off, bend string up, release bend,
slide up, slide down, vibrato, palm muting, legato slide, and
several other terms will be used as you progress. Each have
their own signs on a guitar tablature where they can be
integrated with the rest of the music. For instance, hammer on
addresses you to use the second note to echo the first by
"hammering on" the fret board in the designated area.

One of the things that starts confusing a lot of people when
they first start trying to learn tab is that they don't
understand that tablauture won't show tempo or rhythm. To be
sure, this is a drawback to learning songs in this way. But if
you're already familiar with it, or can listen to it on a site
like iTunes, then this shouldn't really make a difference.

We couldn't actually write an entire book about piecing
together guitar tablature and figuring out how to read it.
However, there isn't any sense in loading you up with a plethora
of information for you to wind up confused. Try one thing at a
time, take it slow, and you'll be amazed how easy and fast you
will learn how to read tabs. Someday in the near future, we may
end up seeing you play on YouTube!

About the Author: Download the free Guitar Tabs guide at
http://www.GuitarHack.com. Also visit the guitar tabs guide on
Squidoo -- http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-read-guitar-tabs-fast
and the Guitar Tabs guide on Scribd --
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2440945/How-to-Read-Guitar-Tabs.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=256643&ca=Entertainment

BON JOVI star RICHIE SAMBORA has offered English soccer ace DAVID BECKHAM free guitar lessons.

The guitarist is a big fan of the L.A. Galaxy star and has urged him to give call him if he ever feels like learning the instrument.

He says, "Beckham is a good guy. He's done so much for soccer in the U.S. He's such a big name and brought soccer to a different level and its now played in schools. It's just a pity that he doesn't get to play more as he's been injured. David should come and see me. I'd gladly give him lessons. I'd be privileged." (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

MOTLEY CRUE star TOMMY LEE is to lend his voice to a new cartoon - based on his life story.
The rocker has signed up to take part in the making of The Life and Times of Jimmy Jaxx, which will be produced by the team behind the 2007 film Blades of Glory.

The Fox TV show is currently under development but is said to follow a rocker who tries to balance his experiences in a band with his calmer home life - but is constantly distracted by his tattoos which come to life and attempt to lead him astray. (pr-inside.com)

Here's a sneak peek of the straight-to-DVD cover for Ashley Tisdale latest tween schlock. She is best known for Disney's "High School Musical" films, but she's trying to branch out. Apparently, not too far from her what she knows best... High School!

Here's the synopsis on IMDB:

"Ashley Tisdale stars in this hilarious teen comedy as Mandy, an unpopular high school senior
who lands a date to the biggest party of the year with Drew, the schools hottest guy. But while her dreams are finally coming into focus, with the help of her friends, shell have to battle her overprotective dad and Drew's ex-girlfriend, who's determined to keep Mandy away from the bash. In one crazy, adventure-filled day, Mandy strives to get to the party and discovers that popularity can come and go, but good friends will always be in the picture!"

Ms. Tisdale also takes on the behind the scenes challenges as "Executive Producer." Can't wait to see it!


Author:
Kimberly Ybarra
e-mail
Web: http://getdagoss.com
Phone: 646-682-9106

LATEST: CHARLIE SHEEN and DENISE RICHARDS took their bitter ex-marital battle to breakfast U.S. TV screens on Wednesday (21May08), when they clashed over an email the actress allegedly sent begging for a sperm donation from her ex-husband.

Richards laughed when The Today Show host Matt Lauer showed her an email Sheen claims she sent his fiancee Brooke Mueller after their divorce in 2006, asking for sperm so she could have a child on her own.

The former Bond girl insisted she never sent the email - and didn't need Sheen's sperm, because she was dating Richie Sambora at the time.

She told Lauer, "That is a doctored e-mail... I would never send an e-mail to his girlfriend.
"If I wanted anyone's sperm, I would have asked for Richie's. What Charlie doesn't know is that on the date of that e-mail, I found out through my mother's doctor that she had two to six months to live. I wasn't looking to get pregnant, especially with my ex-husband."

But Sheen - who has two young daughters with Richards - has hit back, with a statement released to the NBC show that reads: "Her claims that her e-mail has been fabricated or altered in any way to create this story are absurd. The mere fact that she continues to publicly discuss and harass both Brooke and me three years after our separation, which for the record is longer than the actual length of the marriage, is beyond desperate and speaks volumes." (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

LATEST: JESSICA ALBA was so desperate to keep her nuptials private on Monday (19May08), she didn't invite any guests.

News of the wedding leaked out on Tuesday (20May08), a day after the pregnant star and her fiance Cash Warren had exchanged vows at Beverly Hills Courthouse. Alba reportedly wore a long blue dress for the ceremony.

According to People.com, the website which broke the news of the union, the newlyweds applied for a marriage license on Monday morning and waited for the paperwork to be processed before a staff member from the courthouse married them.

The couple announced its engagement in December (07), shortly after Alba revealed she was pregnant. (pr-inside.com-photo© ddp)

Victoria Beckham is set to return to 'Ugly Betty.' The former 'Spice Girl' will be making regular appearances on the hit US TV show, about Mode fashion magazine, after impressing bosses with her cameo last year.

A series insider said: "The producers are delighted she will return. She is going to feature quite a bit." When she appeared as herself in an episode last year, Victoria was locked in a cupboard by publishing executive Wilhelmina Slater.

The role is Victoria's latest venture into acting. She is also set to star alongside Steve Coogan as Lynn - his long-suffering PA - in 'Alan Partridge: The Movie', after Felicity Montagu, who played Lynn in the original TV series, refused to travel to Hollywood for the shoot. Victoria's footballer husband David Beckham has also starred as himself in the 'Goal' film trilogy.