TV_Paige

Not that all that's been done didn't help out but the actual reason is the avatars have been turned off. Morty, Ranster and Jem announced earlier this might happen if the traffic slowed down the message board to a crawl. Here's a link below that refers to the avatar situation: Avatars.

E! Online Rosie Ready for 'Fiddler' Rosie O'Donnell Rosie O'Donnell finally gets to play matchmaker. The 12-time Emmy winner, who never met a show tune she didn't like on her eponymous chatfest, will join five-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein in the Broadway revival of the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof," the show's producers announced on August 8. Her broadway run will be limited since the producers announced the show will close January 8, following a two-year run. Beginning September 20 at the Minskoff Theater, O'Donnell will assume the role of Golde, the wife of Fierstein's Tevye the milkman, who's trying to uphold his family's Jewish traditions in pre-revolutionary Russia by marrying off his three oldest daughters, despite their wishes to find their own matches. Harvey Fierstein as Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof' "As a 20-year friend of Rosie's, I couldn't be happier that we will finally share a stage together," Fierstein said in a statement about his new costar. "With her understanding of 'Fiddler's' important place in theatrical history, I am positive she will uphold that tradition excitingly." O'Donnell, 43, is no stranger to the Great White Way, having made her debut as Rizzo in Tommy Tune's 1994 revival of "Grease" and starred as the Cat in the Hat in 2001's "Seussical." In 2003, she produced Boy George's autobiographical musical, "Taboo," about the London club scene in the early '80s, and broke the cardinal rule of "The Producers" by underwriting the production's $10 million budget. Despite a massive online publicity push by the 'Queen of Nice,' the show closed after three months due to poor notices and sluggish ticket sales. Meg Ryan and Rosie O'Donnell in 'Sleepless in Seattle' O'Donnell's movie credits include "A League of Their Own," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Another Stakeout" and "Beautiful Girls." On the tube side, she's done guest stints on "Will and Grace," "Suddenly Susan," "Spin City," and "Queer as Folk" and most recently headlined the Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie, "Riding the Bus With My Sister." But it was as a syndicated daytime gabber hosting "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996 to 2002 that O'Donnell made her biggest mark and honed her devotion to Broadway by featuring the singing and dancing casts of many a Tony-winning musical. Fierstein is best known for his semi-autobiographical play and film "Torch Song Trilogy" and notable film appearances in such films as "Mrs. Doubtfire." Before joining the cast of 'Fiddler,' he won a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for "Hairspray."

Associated Press Grammy Winner Marc Cohn Shot in Head Marc Cohn A Grammy-winning musician and husband of ABC news reporter Elizabeth Vargas was treated at a hospital and released on August 8 after being shot in the head during an attempted carjacking following a performance. Marc Cohn, who had a hit with the song "Walking in Memphis" and won the Grammy for best new artist in 1992, was struck in the temple on August 7 when a man fired into his band's van in a parking garage. A suspect was being sought. Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the bullet appeared to have been slowed by the van's windshield and by striking the vehicle's driver first. "Frankly, I can't tell you how he survived," Jackson said. Cohn was alert and talking when emergency workers took him to the hospital from the concert site at Botanic Gardens. The bullet grazed Cohn's driver and tour manager Thomas Dube, who also was treated and released. No arrests were made, but police identified a suspect. Joseph W. Yacteen, 26, allegedly tried to stop Cohn's van in the parking garage after allegedly fleeing a downtown hotel on the evening of August 7, where he had tried to pay his bill with a stolen credit card. Police said Yacteen fired one bullet into the van after Dube, who saw that he had a gun, sped up and swerved trying to avoid Yacteen. The van was carrying four people at the time. Yacteen also allegedly fired several shots while fleeing security guards and trying to take a car from a woman. He eventually disappeared in a stolen SUV. Yacteen is being sought on attempted first-degree murder, robbery and other charges. Authorities said he missed a court date July 15 on a drug and weapons charge.

E! Online Singer Marc Cohn Shot in Denver Marc Cohn Marc Cohn may like to walk in Memphis, but it will be a while before he takes a stroll anywhere near downtown Denver. The "Walking in Memphis" singer was shot Sunday, August 7 in the mile-high city, according to the Denver Police department. Per a DPD statement released on August 8, Cohn was shot in the head late August 7 during an attempted carjacking near the city's convention center. Cohn is said to be recovering after doctors successfully removed a bullet from his temple. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who is married to ABC News' Elizabeth Vargas, is expected to make a full recovery. Vargas is in Colorado with her husband, who has already been released from Denver's Health Medical Center. "All of us at ABC News are thinking of Marc and Elizabeth at this time and wish Marc a speedy recovery," an ABC News publicist said in a statement released to E! Monday. "The good news is that he will be fine. Elizabeth has made her way to Denver to be with Marc, and they are likely to return to New York soon." Cohn, who was in Denver to play a sold-out concert at the city's botanical gardens, was shot by a man named Joseph Yachteen, according to police. Police have released a picture of the suspect, in addition to the license-plate number of the car he was last seen in, to local media--they hope to have him in custody soon. Marc Cohn Yachteen is suspected of attempting to carjack Cohn's vehicle. The 25-year-old allegedly fired a shot into the singer's rented van in the process of the unsuccessful vehicle boost, grazing the driver (Cohn's road manager Thomas Dube) and seriously injuring Cohn after they refused to unlock the van door for the suspect. Both Dube and Cohn were treated and released for their respective bullet wounds after driving away from the armed suspect. Cops nearly arrested Yachteen on August 7 for crimes allegedly committed earlier that same day, but he slipped away by fleeing on Denver's Stout Street, which intersects with the city's 16th Street Mall. He was last seen carjacking a Subaru Forester at 14th and Stout, where he allegedly forced four white males out of the car. An arrested warrant has been issued for Yachteen, who is wanted for first-degree murder and multiple aggravated robbery charges. Cohn, who rose to fame in 1991 after his eponymously titled Atlantic Records debut clicked with fans and critics alike, hopes to rejoin his current tour with Suzanne Vega as soon as he recovers--perhaps even by Thursday when the tour stops in Chicago. If Cohn is unable to rejoin the tour, he said he'll do his best to reschedule the missed gigs.

E! Online Eddie Murphy's Wife Files for Divorce Nicole and Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy's wife just got 'Raw' on the comedian. Citing irreconcilable differences, Nicole Murphy filed for divorce from her comic actor husband of 12 years, Extra reported on August 5. The model filed the papers in Los Angeles Superior Court, and has retained famed divorce attorney Neal Hersh, who has repped the likes of Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger in their respective divorce cases. Murphy and his wife, Nicole, met in the late 1980s and married in 1993. The couple have been separated since July. The 44-year-old funnyman remains best-known for his stint on "Saturday Night Live" from 1980-1984. He also has had success at the multiplex over the past five years with hits like "Doctor Dolittle" and "Daddy Day Care." Murphy's publicist, Paul Bloch, confirmed the split to E! on August 5 with a statement from the thespian saying, "The welfare of our children is our main concern and their best interest is our first priority." The couple have four daughters and one son, ages 3 to 15, according to the recently filed divorce papers. Eddie and Nicole Murphy with three of their children at the 'Shrek' premiere. Nicole fathered five of Murphy's children: Brea, Shayne, Zola, Miles and the recently born Bella Zahra; the comedian has another child, Christian, from a previous relationship. The beauty is asking for custody of the kids and is seeking spousal support, according to Extra. The Murphys have survived Eddie's fluctuating career fortunes and extracurricular shenanigans, including the notorious 1997 incident in which the erstwhile "Beverly Hills Cop" was pulled over by West Hollywood police after giving a ride to a transsexual hooker. (The prostitute, Atison Seiuli, died in an accidental fall from her Los Angeles apartment in 1998.) The "48 Hours" star has been staying busy lately with voiceover work for the 'Shrek' franchise. He is set to reprise his role as the loveable Donkey for "Shrek 3," which is due in 2007. Murphy is also working on a comedic re-imagining of "Romeo and Juliet," as told from the point-of-view of the young lovers' parents, per imdb.com.

E! Online Baby News Michelle Branch and Teddy Landau Michelle Branch Michelle Branch's family tree has a new twig. The "Everywhere" singer and her husband, Teddy Landau, welcomed their first child together, a daughter they named Owen, this week in Los Angeles, People magazine reported. The baby weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Both she and her mother were said to be doing well. Branch, 22, and Landau, who's believed to be 41, swapped vows in spring 2004. They announced they were expecting their first offspring in February. The twosome met on tour when Landau joined Branch's band as a bass player in 2003. Branch, who has made a habit of reaching major milestones at a more tender age than most, started playing guitar at age 14 and was signed to Madonna's former label, Maverick Records, in 2000 at age 16. In August 2001, the talented teen released her successful debut album, "The Spirit Room" and established herself as a slightly more tortured soul than her pop counterparts. Michelle Branch Her second album, 2003's "Hotel Paper," was panned by critics, but went platinum nonetheless. That same year, she nabbed a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration for her vocal contribution to Santana's "Game of Love" off the band's 2002 album, Shaman. Of late, Branch has been collaborating with country singing pal Jessica Harp on a musical side project. The duo, who call themselves the Wreckers, have a song on the "One Tree Hill" soundtrack and toured this spring with other acts featured on the soundtrack, including Tyler Hilton, who stars on the show. According to their Website, thewreckers.com, Branch and Harp expect to release their debut album, "Stand Still, Look Pretty," on Maverick sometime in the near future. In the meantime, Branch will likely be taking some time to just breathe and get used to being a mom.

E! Online 'Baby News' Holly Hunter and Gordon MacDonald Expectant Parents: Gordon MacDonald & Holly Hunter Better late than never for Holly Hunter. The 47-year-old Oscar winner is expecting twins with her longtime boyfriend, British actor Gordon MacDonald. The winsome twosome will turn first-time parents when the new babes arrive this winter, her representative, Nicole Caruso confirms to E! No word if the couple plans to wed prior to the stork's double delivery. A source close to the couple tells Us Weekly that the duo is thrilled about the new additions. "Holly is taking time off from acting to just focus on the pregnancy," the mag's source claims. Hunter is estimated to be nearly four months along. Hunter and MacDonald met in 2004, when the twosome costarred as lovers in London's West End production, "By the Bog of Cats." The Georgia-born actress is an Oscar nominee several times over for her work in "Broadcast News," "The Firm" and, more recently, "Thirteen." She nabbed Best Actress honors for her portrayal of a woman who refuses to speak in 1993's "The Piano." In addition to her upcoming diaper duty, Hunter has a full slate ahead on the professional front, with two films in the works. She's currently in production on the dramatic thriller, "Downloading Nancy," opposite William Hurt and Stellan Skarsg

People Wedding News Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph Marries Senator by Jenny Sundel Senator Vincent Hughes and Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph In true diva fashion, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph showed up nearly two-and-a-half hours late to her own wedding to Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 30, People reports. The former Moesha star, 49, wore an off-the-shoulder champagne-colored silk charmeuse Tadashi gown with Swarovski crystal straps and a seven-foot train, topped by a light gold silk peu de soire brocaded coat. Completing her princess look: a $16,000 Mikimoto pearl-and-diamond tiara fastened to her updo. Preceded by her 10 bridesmaids

People Baby News Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller The ever prolific Ben Stiller just put the wraps on another sequel but this time it's personal. Funnyman Stiller and his wife, actress Christine Taylor, are celebrating after the birth of their baby boy three weeks ago. Quinlin Dempsey Stiller was born on July 10 in Los Angeles, weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces. The low-key couple also have a three-year-old daughter, Ella. Of their first child, Taylor told People last year that the acting gene seems to run in the family. "It's not even funny how much (Ella) is like Ben," Taylor said. "She's definitely a ham." The gene pool is pretty deep with Ella's grandparents. Ben Stiller is the son of actress Anne Meara and "Seinfeld" star Jerry Stiller. Taylor, 34, and Stiller, 39, tied the knot in May, 2000 and have been inseparable ever since, including costarring in 2001's "Zoolander" and 2004's "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story."

Big Brother 6 to "Big Brother 6" for engaging in ageism. The eldest of the CBS reality show's 14 roommates is only 36 (firefighter Eric, the poor man's version of 'Survivor' champ Tom). And when the house's most senior female, Rachel, revealed that she's-gasp!-33, she was showered with backhanded compliments ("Wow, you look great for 33!") When did "Big Brother" turn into "The Real World"?

E! Online Muniz in the 'Middle' of Engagement Jamie and Frankie Muniz Malcolm is moving into the middle of the matrimonial zone. Frankie Muniz, 19, has popped the question to his girlfriend, Jamie, whom he met in New Orleans this spring while shooting the horror movie, "Stay Alive." The actor's publicist, Cara Tripicchio, declined to give out Jamie's age or last name, but said that she is a New Orleans native and is not an actress. No wedding date has been set. Muniz is best known for playing precocious teen Malcolm on Fox's long-running comedy, "Malcolm in the Middle," which enters its seventh season this fall. Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston star as the long-suffering parents to Malcolm and his three brothers. Frankie Muniz in 'Agent Cody Banks Part Two' Muniz's film credits include "Agent Cody Banks," Parts One and Two, as well as this year's "Racing Stripes," in which he provides the voice of a seemingly delusional zebra that believes it's a race horse. Muniz's upcoming film, "Stay Alive," is slated for a spring 2006 release. Samaire Armstrong ("The O.C." and "Entourage"), Sophia Bush ("One Tree Hill") and Jon Foster ("The Door in the Floor") costar in the thriller, which unfolds around a group of teens playing an online videogame who realize that when their characters die, so do they. "Doing this movie was probably my favorite experience I've ever had filming anything," Muniz told MTV.com. "The entire cast was so close and every night we'd go out to dinner and just have a good time." Apparently, Muniz found time to get close to someone besides his fellow cast members while in the Big Easy . . . and landed himself a fiancee as a result.

People Baby News Cindy Margolis Guy Starkman & Cindy Margolis Model and former talk show host Cindy Margolis and her husband, Guy Starkman, welcomed twin daughters on July 17, People reports in its latest issue. The premature girls, Sabrina and Sierra, were born through a surrogate mother in Maplewood, Minnesota. Sabrina and Sierra weighed just over 4 pounds each and will remain in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Margolis, 39, and Starkman, 34, chronicled their attempts to have a child through in vitro fertilization for a VH1 documentary series. 'American Idol's' Julia DeMato Julia DeMato In other baby news, former "American Idol" contestant Julia DeMato, 26, and her fianc

Brad and Angelina Take Home Zahara Marley Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith.' Angelina Jolie and her "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" co-star Brad Pitt are in Ethiopia to pick up the orphaned baby girl she is adopting, an official said July 7. Pitt, Jolie and Jolie's 3-year-old son Maddox arrived July 6. The couple have refused to speak to The Associated Press about the adoption. Jolie has named her 5-month-old daughter Zahara Marley Jolie, according to People magazine's Web site. The twice-divorced Jolie has often talked of adopting a second child. The 30-year-old actress has told People that she and Maddox, whom she adopted in Cambodia, are "very happy to have a new addition to our family." For months, rumors of Pitt and Jolie's off-screen relationship have been circulating. The couple have been photographed together near her Buckinghamshire, England, estate, while he rides a dirt bike with Maddox. They have also been photographed with Maddox on a beach in Africa. Pitt, 41, and his wife, Jennifer Aniston, announced their separation in January. Aniston filed for divorce in March, citing irreconcilable differences. Pitt has denied Jolie is the reason for the split and Jolie has said she's never had sex with Pitt. Tesfeye Berhu, manager of the Wide Horizons agency, which arranged the adoption, said the exact cause of death of the baby's parents isn't clear, but he suspects they died of AIDS, which has killed more than 900,000 people in Ethiopia.

Us Weekly Pink Gives Her 'Hart' To 'Race' To Altar Pink and Carey Hart Multiplatinum pop star and punk rocker Pink is about to race to the altar. The 25-year-old singer has reportedly dramatically proposed to her boyfriend of nearly four years, motocross racer Carey Hart, 29, during a race in Mammoth Lakes, California on Sunday, July 3. The on-again, off-again couple is officially engaged, according to the singer's management and Us Weekly, who confirmed the news. This past weekend Pink, whose real name is Alecia Moore, took the initiative to make the relationship permanent. The proposal to the motocross star came during the Pro 250 class finals. According to eyewitnesses, while Hart was completing his third lap on the track, Pink wrote on a pit board in the pit area, "Will you marry me?" and held it up in front of the grandstands. According to reports, Hart saw the sign but ignored it and continued the race. Then, as Hart continued another lap, Pink wrote on the board again, this time, "I'm serious!" At that point, Hart pulled off the track, letting his competitors pass him, embraced her, and answered "Yes." Carey Hart and Pink Pink and Hart met at the 2001 X Games in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple dated for a few years before shooting a scene together in 2002 for "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." They broke up for a while when she was promoting "Try This," her first album with love songs. "['Love Song'] is definitely more about fear than the average 'I love you, I found you, I'm going to be with you for the rest of my life,'" she told MTV News while promoting that album. "It's more based on the fear that comes along with loving someone." Pink's last two albums "Missundaztood" and "Try This" have reached the top 10 on the albums chart while she has also scored 5 top 10 singles including "Get the Party Started" and "Just Like a Pill." In 2002, Pink won a Grammy as part of the star studded quartet of Pink, Lil' Kim, Mya and Christina Aguilera. The foursome won in the best pop collaboration with vocals for their cover of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade." The song's video was considered one of the sexiest videos and got major air play on music networks. Pink and Carey Hart Carey Hart is considered a freestyle motocross legend. He is the first to successfully complete a flip in competition even though it left him with compressed vertebrae and torn ligaments. Hart has been competing in motocross since the age of 6. Hart will appear on the fifth season of the reality show "The Surreal Life," which will premiere July 10. No dates have been revealed yet for the wedding. Pink and Hart have a relationship that has been stormy at times. Earlier this year they split up briefly after a semi-public spat. Currently they divide their time between homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Angelina Jolie Adopts Ethiopian Girl Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is adopting an orphaned Ethiopian baby girl, an official said July 6. Jolie visited the Horn of Africa nation last week to file her adoption request, accompanied by her 3-year-old son, Maddox, whom she adopted in Cambodia, and actor Brad Pitt, her co-star from the recently released "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." "The paperwork has gone through. Miss Angelina's request was accepted last week. Everything has been completed, so the family can take the baby whenever they want," Hadosh Halefom, head of the country's state-run adoption agency, told The Associated Press. The child "is less than a year old," Hadosh said, refusing to elaborate. Hadosh said Jolie met the 10 conditions for adopting a child from Ethiopia. "The two most important are economic capabilities and check with the police," Hadosh said. "Although she is a film star, she still has to meet the same requirements as everybody else." The country of 70 million has more than 5 million orphans, their parents lost to famine, disease, war and AIDS a catastrophe the government has said is "tearing apart the social fabric" of the east African nation. Caring for the orphans costs $115 million a month in a country whose annual health budget is only $140 million. Because of that, Ethiopia has gone out of its way to make adoption easier. In 2003, a record 1,400 children were adopted from abroad, more than double the number in the previous year. The number of private adoption agencies in Addis Ababa, the capital, has doubled in the past year to 30. Ethiopia has enacted strict laws to thwart dubious adoption agents and to ensure that the orphan really exists, that the paperwork is not fraudulent and that no AIDS-infected children are being passed off as healthy. Agencies charge fees of around $20,000 per child, a relatively inexpensive fee compared to many other countries.

SPOILER ALERT I haven't read all of the "Big Brother" threads so I'm not sure what's been covered so I'm not sure if there are repeats in this article from Variety. I thought the article was interesting and does contain spoilers so readers beware. 'Big Brother' Double Play by Josef Adalian CBS summer staple "Big Brother" is getting a million-dollar facelift for 2005 -- in more ways than one. In addition to the serie's new digs (Daily Variety, May 6), executive producers Arnold Shapiro and Allison Grodner have engineered a twist to the game that could result in the contest winner walking away with $1 million. That's double the game's usual $500,000 jackpot. Getting the coin won't be easy, however. As part of their annual effort to reinvent the game of "Big Brother," producers have come up with a scheme in which every cast member of "Big Brother 6" will walk into the house with a ready-made alliance - a best friend, co-worker or significant other. However, each pair of players will be told they're the only two participants coming into the house with a partner - even though there will actually be seven teams of two playing the game. Teams also will be told to keep their alliances secret - at least if they want to win the big money. "The incentive is (for partners) to get to the end of the game sitting side by side," said Grodner. "If they do, the winner will get $1 million and the second-place person will get $250,000. It's in their best interests to keep it a secret." If a twosome doesn't make it to the finals, winner will get the usual $500,000, while the runner-up will snag a measly $50,000. Viewers won't find out which players are partnered until the season's third episode. But Shapiro and Grodner already are expecting plenty of what latter calls "soap opera stories" to emerge from a house in which everyone already knows someone. "These are people who already like each other, but the question is, will (the friendships) last until the end when money's involved?" Grodner said. Producers are planning myriad mini-twists throughout the season as part of what they're calling "the summer of secrets." "Every year we do something exotic," Shapiro said. "Last year it was a 'twin twist,' the year before it was the 'ex' factor. This year, there are a number of secrets involving the cast, involving the new house and involving the game. And like an onion, they'll be peeled away week after week throughout the summer." One early twist will come early in the game when houseguests discover there are only 10 beds for the 14 of them. That's because the new two-story house contains a secret bedroom. Extreme makeover of the "Big Brother" house includes a second-level master suite (complete with balcony and private bathroom); a full-sized gym; and a new studio for host Julie Chen. There also have been rumblings that producers might allow each week's "head of household" to maintain a blog, likely via CBS.com-- a first for a network reality show. But CBS declined to confirm speculation about Web content related to the show, which has traditionally included a pay-per-view Web feed component. New digs were created by set designer Scott Storey ("Surreal Life"), who was charged with making the house "a character in the show," Grodner said. Shapiro also credited "technical genius" Gene Crow for making sure the new house's control rooms and edit bays worked. "The fact that we're getting a signal (to CBS Television City) is a credit to him," he said. New house boasts five extra cameras (for a total of 47) and 10 new mics (for a total of 76). The 14 cast members are a particularly young lot: 10 are under 30, and the oldest is just 36. So the biggest changes are: Luckily for CBS, if those alliances crumble, the prize is lowered to $500,000, with second place receiving just $50,000. The house itself has secrets: soon, "houseguests discover there are only 10 beds for the 14 of them. That's because the new two-story house contains a secret bedroom." Those who go online to find out more about what's happening inside the house might get more than just shots of the front of the new house. That's because "producers might allow each week's 'head of household' to maintain a blog, likely via CBS.com