(Display Name not set)August 2006 Archives

In eschewing the usual "thank you to everyone I've ever come into contact with" speech at the Emmy's last night, "My Name Is Earl" writer Greg Garcia decided to enumerate those for whom he did not feel any gratitude. Among them: an eighth-grade teacher and an old boss. And he saved the funniest for last:

And finally God. I am sure you are responsible in some way, but you took my hair and that's not cool, man.

Hopefully, Garcia's success will offer him the resources to seek a man-made solution for what God took away.

Last night on The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert--in his phony pundit persona, of course-- mentioned that he'd visited Beliefnet.com (where he goes, he said, "after sinning on other sites") and found our Atheists in Foxholes article by Rebecca Phillips.

Upset by the phrase "there are no atheists in foxholes," Colbert argued that it is atheists who should be in foxholes, since they're "not afraid to go to hell and be tortured by Satan for all eternity (which is what's going to happen)," and so that good Christian boys can stay safe at home.



-- Posted by Lisa Schneider

I emailed with Liz Rosenberg, Madonna's longtime publicist, seeking comment from the Material Girl about the brouhaha concerning her on-stage crucifixion. Here's what she (Rosenberg, not, alas, Madonna herself) had to say about the act that has German authorities reportedly threatening prosecution:

There were reports of a huge controversy when Madonna played Rome with her current show and the reality is (as I saw with my own eyes) that there was absolutely no controversy. Madonna performed before 70,000 adoring fans who cheered her arrival on the Crucifix. There were no protests at her hotel, at the Olympic Stadium or anywhere in Rome for that matter - not even the media made a big deal out of it. I frankly do not think that Madonna has any reason to worry about prosecution in Germany. I have not seen any official statement released from the Catholic Church.

Madonna's appearance on the Crucifix is not at all disrespectful to the Church or Catholicism. In fact, it's a poignant beautifully moving segment of her show. She is bringing attention to the millions of orphaned children in Africa and pleading for her audience to pay attention to citizens of the world who are in desperate need of help. She should be applauded - not condemned. Don't believe everything you read in the media.

No doubt, being Madonna's publicist requires taking the long view and not reacting to every quasi controversy surrounding the singer or her faith. And prosecution for her crucifixion act does seem extreme, shocking as it may be to Christians to see the Kabbalah Queen up on that cross. Here's hoping, though, that Rosenberg is right, and that Madonna succeeds in bringing that much-needed attention to African orphans and not to the German legal system.

Before we get a glimpse of Madonna in handcuffs for her on-stage mock-crucifixion scene--German authorities are threatening prosecution for mocking religion--take a look at the offending scene and judge for yourselves:

As if he hasn't already done enough good for the Jewish people by giving the world "The Hanukkah Song," Adam Sandler is now donating 400 Sony Playstations to Israelis whose homes were damaged by missiles in the recent conflict with Hezbollah, the Jerusalem Post reports.

It's a comfort to know that, though the recipients may not have a roof over their heads, they'll at least have the latest in videogame technology to help pass the time.

I promised myself: No more Mel Gibson blog pieces. But I can't resist sharing this thought, one insightful point in a long article full of insightful points, by Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman:WAS IT MEL'S RAGE, OR HIS BETTER ANGELS, THAT...

With Mel's anti-Semitic antics making headlines, it seems like as good a time as any to revisit a classic "South Park" episode. Though, really, who needs an excuse?(Warning: It's "South Park," so there's some bad language and other potentially offensive...

The Anti-Defamation League has formally accepted Mel Gibson's apology for his anti-Semitic outburst last Friday. After calling Mel's first attempt at apology "unremorseful," the ADL has helpfully offered to take the "Passion of the Christ" creator up on his offer...

Last week, Donna blogged on Stephen Colbert's interview of Bill Donahue, leader of the Catholic League. It's now up on youtube.com, so you can judge for yourself:Click to watch....