Ellen Leventry: April 2007 Archives

A week or so ago, I suggested that "Idol Chatter" cover the Richard Gere kissing kerfuffle that was consuming India. It seems the "Officer and a Gentleman" exhibited what some Indians consider less than gentlemanly behavior by vigorously kissing Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty several times on the hand and cheek while attending an AIDS/HIV awareness event. At the time, it was decided there were other stories to cover and that the incident would most likely blow over quickly, but like Gere's career, this story has made an incredible comeback, with a court issuing arrest warrants for both Gere and Shilpa.

A local in Jaipur filed an obscenity complaint and Judge Dinesh Gupta issued the warrants stating that the actors, "transgressed all limits of vulgarity and have the tendency to corrupt the society" and called event footage "highly sexually erotic" and against India's strict public obscenity laws.

I agree strongly with Dinesh D'Souza when he says that while he doesn't share the "extreme conservatism of traditional cultures" he thinks it's "naive of us not to recognize that there are deeply-held values in other societies, and it is especially easy for Hollywood types like Gere to outrage the locals."

And while it's important to respect people's beliefs, Hinduism and tradition may not be the only motivations here: "Such cases against celebrities--often filed by publicity seekers--are common in conservative India," notes MSNBC.com. "They add to a backlog of legal cases that has nearly crippled the country's judicial system."

Gere himself mentioned on last night's Daily Show that, "They do this kind of thing quite often. I don't know that anyone has actually gone to jail ... It goes to a reputable court and they throw it out," as TMZ.com reports.

Coming just on the heels of the Elizabeth Hurley matrimony melee, it seems that these publicity seekers are moving to the big leagues, leaving Bollywood for Hollywood. But burning effigies of Gere in the streets? Imagine what would have happened if he'd had a "wardrobe malfunction"?

Sure, his Greenwich Village neighbors were aggravated with him a few years ago for building a Buddhist prayer hut on top of his brownstone, but Gere has done a lot of advocacy work in India, for health issues as well as Tibetan exiles. Heck, the man is buddy-buddy with the Dalai Lama himself, and often visits him in Dharamsala, in Northern India. It goes without saying that conservative traditionalists most likely wouldn't care if Gere has done good works, and might take offense at a "Western" interloper trying to improve/interfere with their culture.

And even though Shetty was raised in a traditional Hindu family, as her mother described in a January 2007 interview with The Times of London, she herself is quoted as saying, "this was not such a big thing, or obscene, for people to overreact in such a manner."

Then again, she has a warrant out for her arrest, too.

What do you think? Is this kiss hotter, so to speak, than his famous cinematic lip-lock with Debra Winger?

Did Simon Cowell contribute to the massacre at Virginia Tech?," asked yesterday's Scoop column on MSNBC.com. It seems that Barbara Coloroso, author of "The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander," thinks so. "I think we are experiencing something amiss culturally where the TV shows, if you turn them on, [show] people are laughing at one another's pain," the parenting expert told Alberta's Daily Herald Tribune, referring to contestants being "voted off the island" on "Survivor" and "enjoying seeing someone go down in flames on 'American Idol.'"

Poor Simon. First there was the misunderstood eye roll during "Idol" contestant Chris Richardson's shout-out to the friends and families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting and now blame for the tragedy is being placed squarely on his Emporio Armani-clad shoulders?

"Whether it be cyber-bullying over the Internet or being pushed around and locked in a school locker," states the article, "Coloroso places the lion's share of the blame with television and movies."

Sure, some studies have proposed that "bullies recognise that aggressive behaviour is reinforced through the media," but they also point out that legitimate forms of authority within the community, say the police, can serve as examples of violence as well. (Most research points lack of maternal affection, chaotic family life, inconsistent and forceful discipline as root causations of bullying.)

So, let's say we accept that the media and the "culture of mean" is behind the seeming uptick of school shootings and bullying. How then to account for the insulting treatment of contestants on "The Gong Show" in the '70s and the brutal reception of many acts on "Showtime at the Apollo," that's been airing since 1987, not resulting in the same?

And, even though I very much dislike the crash-and-burn cheerleading during the "Idol" audition process and covered the 1 year anniversary of Columbine for Beliefnet, I find it hard to blame Simon Cowell for recent violence, instead of say, easy access to guns. In fact, in a way, I think Simon is one of the lone voices of reason--with his harsh, yet honest appraisals--for the generation dubbed "Generation Me."

As The Associated Press reports: "Today's college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society."

Between 1982 and 2006, Professor Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and her colleagues evaluated 16,475 college students nationwide using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory.

The results? The children of "the self-esteem movement" of the 1980s, with its constant "you're special" mantra, are uber-narcissists.

"We need to stop endlessly repeating 'You're special' and having children repeat that back," said Twenge. "Kids are self-centered enough already."

Study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia suggested that narcissism could have some advantages, including auditioning for "American Idol."

But, the bad outweighs the good. "The study asserts that narcissists 'are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors.'"

Over-controlling and violent behaviors? Kinda sounds like bullying, doesn't it?

Perhaps Campbell had the solution for both problems when he told the AP that, "Permissiveness seems to be a component. A potential antidote would be more authoritative parenting. Less indulgence might be called for."

Once upon a time there was an actor named Tom Cruise. He was king of the box office; everyone wanted to work with him. Heck, even Rosie O'Donnell had a crush on him.

And then something odd happened.

He jumped on a couch. On national television.

Tom had been practicing a controversial religion for years without attracting much controversy himself. In fact, he'd credited said religion with helping him overcome dyslexia, and who could find that bad? But with escalating bizarre behavior, people began to wonder; wonder what exactly happened to everyone's favorite All-American actor and what his belief system had to do with it. The once "Top Gun" star had become an anathema, total tabloid fodder.

And now it's not just the gossip mags taking shots at the Scientologist. The NY Post reports that Mayor Bloomberg "blasted" city councilman Hiram Monserrate for drafting an official proclamation honoring Cruise for his founding and work with the controversial New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project--a free clinic providing services to 9/11 rescue workers using theories of "detoxification"--marathon sauna sessions and ingesting massive quantities of vitamins, mainly niacin--as prescribed by Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The late Hubbard is also, reportedly, honored in the proclamation.

The councilman claims that the proclamation "has zero to do with Scientology," and everything to do with philanthropy. But Mayor Bloomberg emphatically disagreed, saying "I don't think it's appropriate to do that."

I think that reputable scientists do not think Scientology has any basis in science. It may be a cult, it may be a religion, it may be beliefs. It's other things, but it's not science, and we should only fund those programs that reputable scientists believe will stand the light of day and the scientific method."

In fact, many scientists fear that the treatments, far from being helpful, are potentially very harmful. The Post points out that Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that the program was not supported by "any legitimate upstanding scientist" and that she would put to the membership a proposal to examine that, in the future, proclamations would be split into two categories: "those signed by the speaker reflecting the view of the entire council and those issued by a single member reflecting just his or her view."

Now, this is news: Tom Cruise is actually affecting the course of a governmental body.

But, not to worry. On the very same day that Tom and his "brainwashed" bride, actress Katie Holmes, were attending a $6,250-a-ticket fund-raiser for the program in Manhattan, they still managed to make it into Page Six territory.

Life & Style Magazine (via MSNBC's Scoop) reports that Katie is "quietly reclaiming parts of her past"--reconnecting with family and friends in Ohio and even consulting a Catholic priest about "kiddie Catholicism" classes! If, as Scientologists claim, you can be any religion and still practice Scientology, should this tidbit about Katie reconnecting with Catholicism be grist for the gossip mill? It shouldn't be a big deal, right? Precisely.

Tom Cruise used to be Scientology's biggest and best salesman. Now, he seems like a cautionary tale. (How many people do you know who wouldn't see "Mission Impossible III" thanks to Cruise’s wacky behavior and literally out-of-this-world beliefs?)

It's too late for Cruise to become a stealth Scientologist like Beck and Jason Lee, who rarely discuss their beliefs in the media. Perhaps he could take it down to Kirstie Alley-esque levels: Sure she talks about it once in a while, but not with crazed evangelical zeal. Plus, she connects with the common people, working with Jenny Craig and shilling for Pier One.

Maybe he can't recapture his "Born on the 4th of July" glory days, even with running his own studio. But, Tom, for the public's sake, please give it a try. I'm tired of seeing Nicholas Cage and his bad hairpieces in roles you were meant to play.

Like the Toyota Prius, "Drive," the FOX network's latest offering is a hybrid. The show is essentially about a group of Americans who are participating in a secret, illegal cross-country road race. It's one-third conventional car chase show (think "Starsky & Hutch," and "ChiPs") and two-thirds thriller with mysterious characters show (think "Lost"). Throw in a dash of "Death Race 2000" and a pinch of "The Running Man" to illustrate the plight of those characters coerced into competing, and you’ve got yourself a new Monday night regular.

Co-executive produced by Tim Minear, who also worked on "Angel," "Wonderfalls," and "Firefly," the show is a ramped up "Amazing Race," pitting couples--related or complete strangers--against each other in cell phone-delivered, clue-driven legs to win $32 million dollars, tax free.

The race, the introductory voiceover tells us, has been around since the dawn of the automobile. We learn that no one is randomly in the race, that each racer is chosen or allowed to participate for a reason. And there are hints given that each racer has a patron. To finish one of the legs last is a bad thing since you will be forced to partake in an elimination. But therein lies the rub, it's not your own elimination. And yes, it's as ominous as it sounds.

Sunday's pilot started a bit slowly, but really revved up by the end. While the people behind the race are portrayed at turns as heartlessly callous, fiendishly evil, and dryly funny corporate types, it dawned on me that "the people" behind the race may be felonious Dr. Phils looking to empower the racers: For instance, abused wife Wendy Patrakas' (played with absolute brilliance by "Heavenly Creature's" Melanie Lynskey) son Sam is held hostage so she'll compete in the race. But at the same time, they are allowing Wendy to defy her abusive husband--something she never would have thought of doing pre-race. The patrons protect her at times, and they help her discover just how far she would go for her son.

Certainly, an argument can be made that the show is in a way all about moral relativism. Here's poor Wendy, whose baby has been kidnapped, forced to drive in this race. She comes in last on the first leg and is given a gun and told to eliminate another contestant. While seated in a diner scouting her target, the waitress--one of several omnipresent bit players who cajole and advise our protagonists--tells Wendy that shooting someone isn't necessarily wrong: "Would anyone blame a lioness for protecting her cub?"

But, it’s the "Thelma and Louise"-like empowerment that is powering Wendy's storyline. In fact, at several points the affable, accountant-looking race host/guide points out her ingenuity and her strength.

The same goes for Alex Tully, a landscaper from Hastings, Nebraska (played by the fantastic Nathan Fillion) who is dragged from his car by a fake state trooper only to be accused of a crime he says he didn't commit. Unlike "Lost" we don't get flashbacks of characters' pasts, just allusions. Realizing he is losing valuable drive time, Tully tells the trooper that he isn't the man he's looking for and that he has to go since he's participating in a secret road race to win back his kidnapped wife. He gets off, and gets a new car to boot. And more secrets are revealed.

Each participant has their own story to tell: The woman who witnessed her parents die in the race when she was a young girl; the dying father with sa assy teen daughter; the just-married soldier just back from Iraq; the local heroes who helped carry hospital patients to safety during Katrina; the rich boy and long-lost hoodlum half-brother. And like "Heroes," we are eager to learn more about each character and are rewarded with interesting plot twists. Suffice to say, "Drive" is intriguing and fun ride.

Lately Sean Penn is known more for his provocative political stances, writing about "human shields" in Iraq and documenting a diplomatic visit to Iran, than his provocative roles in films such as "Mystic River" and "Dead Man Walking." That's why local Oahu residents are angered over the controversy-creating activist-actor's recent vacation at Oahu's Turtle Bay Resort, which has plans to expand along the already crowded North Shore in Hawaii.

Hollywood, Interrupted reports that "Protestors against the Turtle Bay project are concerned that the development scheme to add literally thousands of rooms and additional luxury condominiums to the existing urbanizing blight not only poses an environmental threat to the rural North Shore, but it also desecrates ancestral burial grounds and, overall, will ruin the way of life for the local community."

Locals are not only "disgusted" that Penn spent $1,000 a night to stay at the posh resort, but are confused as to why the normally outspoken star has remained mum about the cause when it seems like something Penn would support.

"It's bad enough that Turtle Bay is built upon my ancestors' bones, but the idea that Sean Penn would pay to support what we've been protesting for thirty years makes me sick," one local told the website. "You'd think even Jeff Spicoli [Penn's stoned, surfer character] would have more sense than that."

Or, as Spicoli might say to Penn, "Hey bud, what's your problem?"

She shares her name with the holy mother, but Marie Osmond's estranged husband is claiming that the Mormon entertainer and entrepreneur doesn't share Mary's maternal proclivities.Even though Osmond and her husband of 20 years, music producer Brian Blosil, issued a...

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue ... something Hindu?Liz Hurley, the one-time face of Estee Lauder, and Arun Nayar's Hindu wedding has already stirred controversy amongst Hindu traditionalists for being performed after the London-based Christian rite, but one...