celebrity news
Eddie Money drummer hospitalized
Glenn Symmonds
Photo: Randy Miramontez
Longtime drummer for Eddie Money and solo artist Glenn Symmonds was hospitalized Monday morning for the removal of a tumor.
Symmonds’ personal assistant and love interest, Tami Landrum, posted to his Facebook page early Monday morning, “We are on the way to the hospital this morning to have a tumor removed & biopsies done.”
According to Tami’s post, Symmonds was diagnosed with bladder cancer last week and remains optimistic, since CAT scans indicate his kidneys are in good shape.
Read: Eddie Money concert review
After high school, Symmonds headed to California from Spokane where he met Eddie Money. It all happened in Oakland when Money’s drummer didn’t show up for rehearsal. Money had heard Symmonds playing drums next door, so he asked him if he could fill in. Symmonds has been performing with Money off and on for over 39 years and tours regularly with Money and his band.
Symmonds was scheduled to appear this Friday with Eddie Money at the Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair in Thibodaus Louisiana.
Symmonds has performed with a host of other greats including The Cult, Etta James George Benson and many more. When Symmonds isn’t touring with Money he’s touring on his own.
As a singer songwriter and accomplished guitarist, Symmonds has recorded two solo albums ‘Southern Poets, Trains and Troubadours, and his latest album ‘Early California.”
The single “Railroad Man,” off of his first album is a tribute to his father, Robert “Guitar Whitey” Symmonds, an old-time, train-hopping hobo. Symmonds told his hometown newspaper the Spokesman Review, that his father rode the rails before settling down to start a family. When his children grew up and went their separate ways, Guitar Whitey walked to the intersection of Trent and Fancher and hopped the first train out of town.
Tami Landrum and Glenn Symmonds
According to Symmonds he’s out on the road at least 160 days out of the year as he continues to tour with Money and also as a solo act.
Here’s Tami’s post in full:
“For those of you who don’t know me I am Glenn’s personal assistant, faithful sidekick, and basically the love of his life 
Unfortunately, I am not hacking his Fbook with the best of news. Glenn was diagnosed with bladder cancer last week. We are on the way to the hospital this morning to have a tumor removed & biopsies done. On the bright side, a CAT scan showed his kidneys were good! I’ll be posting some updates during his recovery. Prayers are welcomed!”
Tami uploaded this photo prior to Glenn’s surgery with the caption ” ’bout ready to kick some cancer ass!”
UPDATE: Monday afternoon Symmonds was release from the hospital with doctors remaining optimistic. The tumor was removed and he was given a round of chemo directly to the affected area.
According to Tami she’s, “reading him all your comments & posts… all the love, prayers & support have really touched him. Thank you all – much appreciated from me. ~tam”
‘Idol’: Lopez to replace Carey mid-season
Mariah out?
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the waning Fox musical competition ‘American Idol’ planned to replace musical judge Mariah Carey, bringing back fan-favorite Jennifer Lopez, but Carey’s lawyers has something to say about the move.
According to sources that spoke to THR, producers and Fox executives have been working out the details with Lopez. That was until Carey’s lawyers got wind of the change-up. Now executives are backing down, but sources say they are still courting Lopez to replace Carey, and possibly bring in a replacement for fellow judge Nicki Minaj.
Carey was supposed to be the big new judge this season on ‘Idol,’ but has failed to make any significant contributions to the show. In one episode Carey alluded to the fact that she was told she needed to provide more substance when commenting on contestant’s performances.
While Minaj is slowly growing into her role on ‘Idol’ with her brightly painted lips, her ever changing hair, and her over the top commentary, she still has some detractors. At times she’s completely entertaining and engaging and other times she comes across as distracted and bored.
As for Keith Urban’s performance on the show – #winning.
‘American Idol’ has seen it’s worse rating slide in the history of the show with their average ratings in the age category 18-49 plummeting from a 6.0 rating, at the beginning of the season, down to a dismal 4.3 for its most recent episode. The show’s first season in 2001 had 30 million viewers, compared to the poor showing of their last episode which only had a tad over 11 million.
‘Idol’s’ competition, ‘The Voice,’ is doing just fine with a 5.2 rating last week.
Adding to the embarrassing ratings for ‘idol’ is the fact that a rerun of CBS’ ‘The Big Bang Theory’ beat out ‘Idol’ in ratings last week – yes, a rerun.
In typical ‘Idol’ style Fox told THR in a statement, “This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale.”
Rihanna smokin’ in Instagram photos
Rihanna backstage in Atlanta
Photo: Rihanna via Instagram
On Monday night Rihanna posted a topless photo just before taking the stage in Atlanta.
Rihanna celebrating 4/20
Photo: Rihanna via Instagram
The never-shy Barbados native posted a photo on Instagram of herself getting ready for the big show, clad in nothing buy yellow panties and a strategically placed towel.
The 25-year-old pop-star wrote on Instagram, “Show time!! #DWT.”
This was on the heels of RiRi posting photos of her celebrating National Weed Day on April 20. Rihanna tweeted “#420 it’s a celebration bitches!! Thank you to all my ft. Lauderdale and Miami fam that came through…”
Add to all this wonderfulness, Billboard’s announced this week that Rihanna has her 10th #1 single in the shortest amount of time of any other artist, achieving this in less than five years.
Rihanna celebrating 4/20
Photo: Rihanna via Instgram
Here first 10 #1 songs:
1. “SOS” (2006)
2. “Umbrella” (2007)
3. “Take A Bow” (2008)
4. “Disturbia” (2008)
5. “Live Your Life” (2008)
6. “Rude Boy” (2010)
7. “Love The Way You Lie” (2010)
8. “What’s My Name” (2010)
9. “Only Girl (In The World)” (2010)
10. “S&M” (2011)
Cher is not dead – #hashtagsgonewrong
While word of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s death was spreading like wildfire on Monday, others were mourning the death of singer Cher.
Read about Margaret Thatcher’s death
It all started with the UK website, “IsThatcherDeadYet,” who is not a fan of Thatcher’s, and apparently were quite happy about her passing. They wanted to know how people were going to celebrate the passing of Thatcher and to, “Let us know using the #nowthatchersdead hashtag on Twitter, or get to one of the parties near you on Facebook.”
Breaking down the #nowthatchersdead hashtag twitter users were shocked to learn that Cher was no longer part of the living, when they read the hashtag as NowThatChersDead.
Twitter users across the twittersphere tweeted their condolences. One twitter user wrote, “RIP CHER. Just saw the hashtag. Never was a fan myself but you’ve gotta respect her influence.”
Another tweeted, “R.i.p to a truly inspiring strong independent woman who changed a generation, loved by millions”
No word from her publicist, but it appears the 66-year-old is doing quite well.
Mouseketeer Annette Funicello dead at 70
Annette Funicello
Photo: Disney
Disney has announced on their official Disney Fan Club Twitter that Legendary Disney Mouseketeer Annette Funicello died today at 70.
Extra has confirmed through the family that Funicello died due to complications of multiple sclerosis, a disease she had been fighting for the past 25 years.
Funicello became a star at the age of 12 after Walt Disney discovered the young girl and cast her in the original “Mickey Mouse Club.” A show that is responsible for churning out child stars such as Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
Funicello was also an accomplished singer with several hits in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s including “First Name Initial,” “O Dio Mio” and “Train of Love.” They were released under the Buena Vista label.
As she grew up Funicello became a sex symbol attracting a large number of fans. She went on to star in the iconic “Beach Party” films co-starring Frankie Avalon.
Tom Arnold becomes a dad at 54
Tom Arnold has taken to Twitter and Facebook to announce the birth of his son with wife Ashley Groussman. Jax Copeland Arnold was born Saturday to the couple, weighing in at 8lbs 12oz.
Tweeting, the 54-year-old wrote, “Game Changer: Jax Copeland Arnold. 8lbs 12oz. Looking forward to being a 70 year old Little League Coach,”
It appears Arnold remains a fan of the TV show ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ even after his character Georgie Caruso, a porn king, was killed off in season four. Charlie Hunnam’s character’s name is Jax Teller and remains one of the main characters in the hit TV show.
The actor/comedian went on to tweet, “My son wants to watch My Big Redneck Vacation and The After Show right now @CMT…at least I think he does. He’s a man of few words.”
Joking he later tweeted, “Maternity is the only section of the hospital where all the nurses constantly say “congratulations!” Oncology, not so much.”
According to People the couple had been battling fertility issues prior to conceiving their first child.
Arnold, who has been married three times before, told People, “I’ve tried with other people, but since there is a God, we were unable to conceive. Now God said, ‘This is it!’”
Announcing the pregnancy on ‘The View’ Arnold told viewers, “I didn’t think it was in the cards for me, to be honest, and so I was completely shocked. It’s a miracle.”
French ‘Survivor’ Doctor commits suicide
Dr. Thierry Costa
Photo: Koh-Lanta
French TV station TF1 has announced today that the doctor assigned to the French version of “Survivor” has committed suicide, this after the death of one of the contestants last month.
Dr. Thierry Costa killed himself while in Columbia, the location of their current show Koh-Lanta (French for Survivor). Before killing himself, the 38-year-old left a suicide note saying he had been unfairly criticized over the death of contestant Gerald Babin.
Read: Contestant dies in French version of ‘Survivor’
In his note, which was published on TF1’s website, Costa wrote that the media was making, “unfair accusations and assumptions,” about his treatment of Babin.
Gerald Babin
Photo: Koh-Lanta
It was the shows first day of filming in Cambodia, when 25-year-old Babin jumped out of a boat with a group of contestants. Soon after the group started a game of tug-of-war, Babin complained about cramping in his arms. He was treated by staff doctors at the scene and flown by helicopter to a local hospital. During the ride he suffered a series of cardiac arrests before reaching the facility, where he was declared dead.
Costa was criticized for the time it took to treat Babin after he initially collapsed.
Costa wrote, “In the past few days my name has been tarnished in the media,” continuing he writes, “I am certain that I treated Gerald in a respectable manner, as a patient and not as a contestant.”
Adventure Line Productions, the show’s producers were quick to respond that Costa’s suicide should “encourage those who accuse and comment indiscriminately to exercise responsibility”.
This would have been Costa’s fifth season on the reality show.
Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into Babin’s death.
Rapper Too Short arrested for DUI
Too bad for Too Short
Photo: L.A. Police Department
According to TMZ rapper Too Short was arrested early this morning after police pulled him over for a traffic violation in Los Angeles.
Apparently after pulling over Short, whose real name is Todd Anthony Shaw, officers suspected he was under the influence and attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, that’s when Shaw ran for the hills. Only problem is, he tripped and fell before reaching them there hills.
Blowing a .09, which is .01 over the legal limit, Shaw was placed into the back of the cruiser and transported to the station. On the way to the station he tried to dump his narcotics in the back seat of the cruiser.
He was booked for a DUI and felony possession, so far stupidity is perfectly legal.
Photo: Zomba Recording
Short is best known for his hit songs “The Ghetto” and “Blow the Whistle,” along with being one of the pioneer rappers of West Coast hip hop.
In 2010 the platinum rapper was arrested for battery after allegedly trying to beat up three bouncers in Boise, Idaho. The altercation started when guards attempted to stop him from bringing several underage females backstage at a concert.
In 2011 it was widely reported that Short had died from a heart attack, after somebody updated his Wiki page. Frustrated he tweeted, “Stop calling my phone. I’m not dead. Been in the lab working on my 19th album.”
Currently Short is quite alive, albeit not happy, as he wakes to find himself hung over and behind bars.
Lindsay Lohan due in court today
Will Lindsay Lohan show up in court today?
Generally a defendant isn’t required to appear in court for a misdemeanor and can be represented by an attorney. However, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Dabney made it very clear to Lohan’s new attorney, Mark Heller, who appeared in front of the judge on LiLo’s behalf on March 1.
Judge Dabney warned Heller, “Somebody needs to come in to assist you who has some experience in California law for procedure, or Miss Lohan is going to have to come in here and waive her right to have attorneys who are competent in California law and procedure to go forward.”
The trial begins today, but the real question is whether or not Lohan will show?
The 26-year-old tweeted yesterday, “Thanks Mr. Pink for the private jet see you all in a few hours in LA”
Apparently in Lohan style she missed her flight out of New York, so called upon a friend to whisk her away to LA on a private jet.
Mr. Pink is a beverage company out of Los Angeles that makes a ginseng infused beverage. Lohan has done some promotional work for the company in the past.
In the aftermath of an accident where Lohan’s Porsche crashed into a dump truck, she was charged with three misdemeanors: obstruction, providing false information to an officer and driving with wanton disregard.
The false information was when Lohan told police that she was never behind the wheel, but the prosecution has witnesses that say the opposite.
Earlier this month in an attempt to enter into a plea bargain Heller refused to have any type of rehab in the settlement, claiming the star, “does not need rehab,” and he’s hoping was hoping for a “creative out-of-the-box answer.”
Ryan Seacrest Julianne Hough split
Photo: Seacrest – American Idol, Hough – Self Mag
Edited: Randy Miramontez
People Magazine reported yesterday that American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest and Dancing with the Stars Julianne Hough have split, this a day after Hough reported having $100,000 worth of jewelry stolen out of her car. Jewelry that just happened to be gifts from Seacrest.
Sources told People that the couple, who had been together close to three years, are no longer living together. It appears their busy schedules have interfered with their relationship, but are staying in contact with each other and remain friends.
Yesterday TMZ reported that 24-year-old Hough contacted police after her vehicle was broken into while visiting with a friend. The car was allegedly broken into and ransacked, but police say there was no sign of forcible entry.
At the beginning of the year it was a completely different story as Seacrest appeared on the television show “Chelsea Handler,” telling the host “She’s so beautiful, stunning. She is phenomenal. She’s the best part of every day.”
In the beginning of their relationship Hough said that Seacrest wasn’t her type and she, “thought he was gay,” but his persistence paid off when she agreed to go out on a date.
The 38-year-old Seacrest keeps himself busy with numerous television appearences, his own radio show, and Ryan Seacrest Productions.
Seacrest has been plagued with rumors that he is gay, rumors which the Idol host has denied.
