Rumor: Apple To Release New iPods On September 9th

There have been rampant rumors on the net about new iPod nanos, a less expensive iPod touch, and iTunes 8. The Apple Event is scheduled on September 9th.

September is the traditional month for an iPod refresh.  There has been discussion about a “stick” nano and it appears the new design is increasingly likely. MacRumors recently posted images of redesigned nano cases from obscure Chinese web sites.  More information to come…

Time Magazine’s 10 Questions for Stephenie Meyer

You came up with the story for your first book, Twilight, in a dream. From there, how did you come up with the characters? —Theresa Kolberg, PHOENIX
I think you only get one dream like that in a lifetime, and it was all I needed. Once I unlocked the door, there were a lot of stories waiting to get out. Apparently, there are enough people in my head to supply me for a while.

What do you think makes your writing attract the attention that it gets? —Ashlie Meyer CINCINNATI, OHIO
All I can guess is that when I write, I forget that it’s not real. I’m living the story, and I think people can read that sincerity about the characters. They are real to me while I’m writing them, and I think that makes them real to the readers as well.

How do you feel about being compared to J.K. Rowling? —David Sobalvarro WASHINGTON
It’s mixed. On one hand, it’s really flattering. I’m a huge fan. On the other hand, there is a bit of backlash because then people say, “Who does she think she is?” And then I feel bad, like I’m the one going around and saying this, which I’m not. I don’t enjoy that side of it.

How do you write in a way that attracts readers of all ages? —Pamela Dorn, CHICAGO
I didn’t write these books specifically for the young-adult audience. I wrote them for me. I don’t know why they span the ages so well, but I find it comforting that a lot of thirtysomethings with kids, like myself, respond to them as well–so I know that it’s not just that I’m a 15-year-old on the inside!

Throughout the Twilight saga, there are many different kinds of love between the characters–romantic, paternal, etc. Do you have a message about love that you want the reader to walk away with? —Marissa Parisi BURLINGTON, VT.
I never write messages. I always write things that entertain me, and one of the things that I find really enjoyable to explore is the idea of love. I like looking at my own life and my friends and family and how love changes who you are. It fascinates me.

Music is obviously a huge creative influence on you. Has music always been a part of your life? —Karen Medley, SEATTLE
Actually, growing up, I didn’t listen to a ton. My parents were pretty strict. I only discovered music as an inspiration later in life.

Aside from Mitt Romney, you seem to be the most popular Mormon right now in the U.S. Do you feel that you are a good representative of your religion? —Mary-Jean Corriss CENTRAL, ISLIP, N.Y.
Being Mormon is a big part of who I am, and I try very hard to live the right way, but I don’t know that I’m an example. I hate to say, “Yes, look at me. I’m a good example of being Mormon.” I want to be the best person I can be, so in that aspect, maybe I’m a good example.

What kind of research on vampires, if any, did you do before writing Twilight? —Jen Potcher, BOISE, IDAHO
The only time I really did any research on vampires was when the character Bella did research on vampires. Because I was creating my own world, I didn’t want to find out just how many rules I was breaking.

What advice do you have for other women raising families at home who want to branch out and achieve something like you have done? —Jocelyn Gibbons ALEXANDRIA, VA.
Go for it! I didn’t plan to start a new career when I did this, and it took a lot of courage to send out those query letters. I sent 15, and I got nine rejection letters, five no responses and one person who wanted to see me. If it’s something you enjoy, put the determination and will behind it and see what happens.

If you were a vampire, what would your special power be? —Melanie Konstantinou TRENTON, N.J.
I have a hard time imagining that I would have one. I think I would just be happy with not having to sleep and not aging. That would be kind of cool.

In Breaking Dawn it seems as though you purposefully avoid a fight scene at the end of the book. Had you planned that all along? —Travis Baldwin, Oxford, Alabama
That is the original ending to the first rough draft I ever did of Breaking Dawn, back in 2003. It was always for me more like a courtroom drama, which is one of my few TV addictions, rather than a battle scene. It was always about outmaneuvering someone mentally; I knew that if it turned into a physical battle, there was never going to be a winner. That was the ending that really felt true to the characters to me — because it was a mental game.

Did your views on religion affect your way of writing in the Twilight series? —Margarita Galvez, Manila
Really, not so much. Not consciously at all. When I’m writing the stories I’m just looking to have a good time. But I do think that because I’m a very religious person, it does tend to come out somewhat in the books, although always unconsciously.

After reading TIME’s article about you in April, I believed that a main attraction of the Twilight novels was the way your teenage audience could relate to Bella and her “squeaky-clean” relationship with Edward. Now, in Breaking Dawn, you’ve introduced these characters to marriage and pregnancy, both milestones that are many years distant for your young readers. Why did you decide to take the story in this direction? —Kathryn Blackley, Jamesville, N.Y.
To me, the story was realistic. Things do change, you do grow up, and the world changes. Maybe an influence was the Anne of Green Gables series, which is one of my favorites because it didn’t end at the wedding. It wasn’t a kiss and then everything was happily ever after. [The main characters] were married for years and they had kids and then their kids had stories. I really liked the book didn’t end that way. I wanted to see reality, and the reality is that things don’t fade to black when you get married.

Are the characters you wrote about based on any real-life people? Did anyone in your life influence the personalities of the characters? —Theresa Kolberg, Phoenix
Every now and then there will be a character that is a combination of people I knew — some of the girls in Bella’s high school definitely reflect people I knew at that stage in my life — but for the most part, they come out of nowhere. It’s amazing, some of the characters are so completely rounded and as soon as I think of them, I know everything about them. And then there are others that I have to work for a little bit harder, and sort of get down to their motivations. A few of them — Rosalie, for example — were difficult. It took me a while to figure out what her thing was.

Did you think that your books would have such a huge impact on readers? —Gail Schulman, Warren N.J.
Gosh no! And I keep getting surprised. When Twilight hit the New York Times bestseller list at number 5, for me that was the pinnacle, that was the moment. I never thought I would be there. And I keep having moments like that where you just stop and say, wait a minute — how is this still going up? I’m waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under me. I have from day one because I’m kind of a pessimist. But it just keeps being huge and no, I had no idea. I still have no idea.

 

 

Michael Moore’s Election Guide 2008

Michael Moore’s first book in five years-a hilarious and informative guide to the 2008 election! Perfectly timed to coincide with the national political conventions. Michael Moore’s previous bestseller, Dude, Where’s My Country?, sold over one million combined copies and spent 24 weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The man revered by liberals and feared by conservatives answers the tough questions everyone who cares about the American democratic process is asking, including:

Can I get into the Electoral College if I only have a 2.0 grade point average?

Will Republicans marrying each other be outlawed once Democrats are in power?

The 10 most frequently asked questions about voting (#6: Why do Iowa and New Hampshire go first? I don’t know anyone from there.)

Why are the Democrats scared of their own shadow?

The 12 things Michael Moore would do if elected president (#12: Free HBO for everyone!)
And most importantly…Who Would Jesus Vote For?

The 272 paperback book is available at bookstores now or can be ordered HERE.

Cher To Play Catwoman In Next Batman Film?

This could just be a rumor and I was surprised to read it myself…

The 62-year-old singer and actress is reported to be in talks to play Catwoman opposite Christian Bale in the third Batman film from British director Christopher Nolan.

The Oscar-winner will join a cast that includes Johnny Depp as The Riddler as she plays the whip-carrying burglar. The character has also been played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry.

A studio executive said: “Cher is Nolan’s first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years.

“The new Catwoman will be the absolute opposite of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry’s purring creations.”

Filming of the new Batman installment, provisionally entitled The Caped Crusader, is due to begin in Vancouver early next year.

The Dark Knight, this summer’s blockbuster, has become the most successful of the Batman movies. Warner Bros expects the film to make about $530m.

It stars the late Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his Manhattan apartment after taking an accidental drugs overdose. His performance as The Joker is widely expected to garner an Oscar nomination.

Cher’s recent acting performances have included Tea with Mussolini in 1999 and Stuck on You, in 2003 in which she played herself. (From the UK Telegraph)

LOST Resurrects Michelle Rodriguez!

Michelle Rodriguez, arguably one of the more polarizing personalities to have ever gotten LOST, is returning to the show this season, multiple sources confirm to EW exclusively.

Details of her comeback are, not surprisingly, shrouded in secrecy, but here’s what EW can tell you:

•    Rodriguez is back for one episode, most likely this season’s second.

•    Given that Ana Lucia’s bullet-riddled body is probably entering the final stage of decomposition, conventional LOST wisdom points to her appearing in someone’s flashback or via hallucination. The fact that Cheech Marin is also on the guest list for episode 2 suggests that it’s most likely a Hurley-centric outing. And after his encounter with Charlie’s ghost last season, it’s certainly feasible that Hurley would have an imaginary run-in with Ana Lucia. There’s also this theory, put forth by EW’s own Doc Jensen: “Maybe Ana Lucia busted L.A.-based Ghost Hustler Miles during her pre-crash LAPD days, and now the freighter folkster is seeing visions of the late Tailie on the Island!” (From Entertainment Weekly)

 

 

The Most Used Letters in The Sopranos?

Today’s Sesame Street is brought to you by the letters “A” and “O”?  (Raw Language)

American Idol Adds Fourth Judge, Kara DioGuardi

Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has joined “American Idol” as a fourth judge. She will sit alongside Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson at the judges’ table and use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to praise or critique the wannabe hopefuls throughout the competition. The eighth season of “American Idol” premieres January, 2009, on Fox.

“We are turning the heat up on ‘Idol’ this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

“We had originally intended for ‘American Idol’ to have four judges,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”

Mike Darnell, President, Alternative Programming of Fox, added “For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table. She’s been as an island of consideration and gentle criticism between Randy and Simon, offering her invaluable expertise as a performer and No. 1 artist to the thousands who have competed on ‘American Idol.’ With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some back-up and now there is going to be a lot more ‘girl power’ on the show.”

One of the industry’s most sought after songwriters and producers, DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on more than 100 million records. Her songs have been recorded by Grammy award-winning artists including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Santana, and Pink. Scores of major recording artists including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Jewel, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony have also released DioGuardi’s songs.

Over the last four years, she has been awarded 10 BMI Pop Awards for having written the most performed songs on radio. From her catalog of several hundred songs, over 264 have been released on major labels worldwide; and over 165 have appeared on multi-platinum selling albums. DioGuardi co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, where she develops and mentors fellow hit writers, producers and artists. (From ComingSoon.net)

 

Sheryl Crow Offering Free Album Download To Voters

Sheryl Crow is giving away free music — a tactic she calls the “Tupperware” party approach to inspiring young people to vote. The singer announced a plan today to give a digital copy of her album “Detours” to the first 50,000 people who register three friends to vote.

“I hope people wake up and emotionally engage in issues,” Crow told the Associated Press in a telephone interview during a visit to Los Angeles.

Crow’s giveaway is a kickoff to Rock the Vote’s voter registration drive.  You can sign up and get more information HERE.

 

DOWNLOAD Sheryl Crow – Gasoline MP3

Fall 2008 TV Schedule

Now that the Olympics are over, you’re probably interested in what the Fall 2008 television schedule looks like. It’s time to fire up the DVR’s.

 

 

Brandi Carlile – Folsom Prison Blues

Here is a video of Brandi Carlile performing the Johnny Cash song, Folsom Prison Blues. We had a chance to hear Brandi play the song live at her great concert last Friday at the Oregon Zoo.

 

For her tour dates, please click HERE.