forgus beylan

Wow. Just wow.

Charlie Sheen...wacko actor loses custody of boys! Slippery slope to hell!



Happier daze!

After catching Charlie Sheen's 20/20 interview last night on the old boob tube (with bodacious babes frolicking around in the background), I was not surprised to learn on the morning news that Police protective services whisked away the troubled actor's twin sons overnight.

Uh-huh!

On the heels of a mind-boggling one-on-one with a network news reporter, the children's mother - Brooke Mueller - charged into court and secured an "order" for custody of the young innocents.

In addition, Sheen's estranged wife urged a "restraining order" (she alleges Charlie threatened her) - requiring that show-biz-land's Superman incarnate "stay away" - a plea that was duly granted by the Judge presiding over the proceedings at the crack of dawn.

For Sheen, it was "business-as-usual".

Streaming videos - capturing the bleary-eyed Dad handing over the children to authorities in the spooky dead-of-night - capped a week-long rant  - that raged in the mainstream media and wildly over the blogosphere (ultimately culminating in the cancellation of his popular highly-rated TV sitcom).

Insults levelled at the top brass at the Network were the final straw.

In announcing the cancellation of "Two and a Half Men" the suits ushered in the final blow.

If necessary, John Stamos (a lesser talent) would take on the role once inhabited by the drug-addled star.

Ouch!

In a knee-jerk reaction, the hazard-around-town (or any other), threatened to sue the Network for $300 million (or thereabouts, give-a-buck or two).

Meanwhile, it was quite evident from the 20/20 spot, that Sheen had lost quite a bit of it.

The once-handsome actor was tired-looking, spoke in a wonky fashion, and looked for all-the-world like a loser!

Say it ain't so, Charlie!

I recall the first time I met the actor.

Casting booked me to work in a scene for a feature film - "Boys Next Door" (Penelope Spheris/Director) - which was shot at the old Revolver (Gay Bar) in West Hollywood.

During a break, I stepped outside, and came face-to-face with Mr. Sheen.

I was immediately struck by how short he was.

But, the up-and-coming talent was fresh-faced - a hottie - and possessed a kind of "it" quality which could not be denied.

But, slim pickings next to co-star Maxwell Caulfield, of course (hunk city, alright!).

Sheen shifted on one foot, and gave me a quick once-over, with a noticeable gleam in the eye.

Was he light in the loafers?

Years later, I strolled into Ermenegildo Zegna in Beverly Hills, and spied an older-wiser Sheen holding court.

The high-profile celeb sported a chic goatee, pencil-thin moustache, and was decked out in chi-chi designer threads to-the-nines.

Each word was punctuated with a wave of one hand or a puff on fat cigar.

A bigger man, somehow.

Was Sheen wearing lifts in his expensive footwear, I wondered to myself, as I gave him a polite little nod.

Probably, what irked me most about the interview last evening, was the flagrant way he flaunted his debauched lifestyle in front of the wee lads.

A foster child myself, I can't help but worry about their sad demise in the end scenario.

I applaud the court for stepping in!

Charlie boasted about his "Goddesses" - which must have been a slap in the face to his is ex-wives - too.

Of course, the self-styled stud (a Hugh Hefner wannabee?) is living the dream of most hot-blooded males across the country.

Two bimbo babes at his beck and call, catering to his every whim, damn straight!

And, why are they "Goddesses", pray tell?

Well, for starters, when he says "suck" - they whisper in his ear - "how hard?"

It was also shameful the way he put-down his father Martin Sheen.

Years ago - I was cast to play a news reporter on an MOW titled "News at 11" - in which Martin starred.

At the end of the last day's shoot, the director informed Mr. Sheen that there wasn't enough time to do the required close-ups (coverage) on both him and me.

Most actors - vain ego-maniacs that they usually are - would demand the close-up for themselves.

"Shoot him," Martin instructed the director, without-batting-an-eye.

Yeah, the man said give the kid a break, that's how totally selfless he was (and is).

If there is a hand reaching out from his direction now, it is only a loving one with decent intentions, I daresay.

Don't turn your back on your father, Charlie, he's a good man!

On that note, how was your day?

http://www.thetattler.biz

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Respected Actor

HAIR...memories of Gerome Ragni & rock musical! Revival @ Pantages Theatre!

 

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

Chances are - you are keen to the fact that the above lyrics are from the hit song (Aquarius) penned for the Rock Musical "Hair" which was written by a good friend of mine - Gerome Ragni (and his sidekick James Rado).

 

I originally met "Jerry" in an odd way!

 

In the sixties, I was a street performer (known as "The Dancer"), who garnered a lot of public attention in the downtown streets of Toronto, during that heady era.

 

In fact, on one occasion on Baldwin Street, I was arrested for dancing on a police car during a scuffle that ensued during a rally (which was launched in a bold-faced effort to convert the tiny thoroughfare into a marketplace "sans" motor vehicles along the lines of the Farmer's Markets springing up around the Nation today).

 

Morley Markson - a filmmaker who was travelling around North America shooting footage on the sixties hippie movement - happened to be in attendance that day with his crew in tow and captured the whole episode on film.

 

Subsequently, the hilarious scene ended up being broadcast on the National News (CBC) in Canada with a Beatles's tune blaring in the background!

 

Later, Mr. Markson included the footage in his documentary - "Breathing Together"  - which was also known as the "Revolution of the Electric Family" - which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1972.

 

Of course - clips of Abbie Hoffman, John Lennon, and Buckminster Fuller - didn't hurt when it came to drumming up interest in his delightful take on that outrageous unique era.

 

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the horizon, Mr. Ragni - the innovative writer/composer of the Broadway sell-out show - was in Toronto in preparation for the launch of a HAIR production at the Alexandria Theatre. 

 

One day I was dancing on Bloor Street in downtown "Cow" town, when Mr. Ragni happened to be cruising by in a taxi. 

 

As soon as he spied me outside of the passenger window of the cab, he bolted out the side-door, and dashed up to me on the street.

 

"You've got to be in Hair," he exclaimed excitedly.

 

Due to my highly-original dance routines and ubiquitous bohemian presence (coupled with scraggly curly locks similar to those featured on the album cover) it was pretty much a given to folks in Toronto that I was a perfect fit for the production of "HAIR"

 

Unfortunately, after I danced up-a-storm and warbled a heart-felt spirited tune at my audition, the producers arrived at their own conclusions.

 

"He's stoned," they lamented.

 

Next!

 

Understandably, a reporter - sitting in on the auditions - was quick to pose a question in the aftermath.

 

"What were you on?"

 

"The stage," I quipped without blinking-an-eye!

 

 Ba-dump!

 

Although I didn't end up on stage in the Toronto production of HAIR in a role, I was invited to the opening night celebrations, nonetheless.

 

Old photographs at the Toronto Star (Weekend Magazine) bare witness to the fact that I was center stage - and dancing alongside the cast (with Ragni) - when the final explosive scene rang down the curtain that night.
 

Needless to say, Jerry and I became good friends.

 

In fact, we were casual lovers - too - on the sly.

 

Jerry was married after all, and had a young son. 

To further complicate matters, I was underage (17).

 

The last time I was in the company of Jerry, it was a bizarre experience, too.

 

I was tripping around West Hollywood one day when I ran smack dab into Jerry near Duke's Restaurant (which used to be at the Tropicana Hotel on Santa Monica Blvd before it moved up to Sunset Blvd on the busy strip).

 

Jerry invited me up to his Hotel room (at the Sunset Marquis) for a light snack and coffee, but - wouldn't 'ya know it - our chance encounter ended up turning into a roll in-the-hay.

 

Just as we finished up doing the nasty (a phrase we used in those days), the front desk clerk called up from the lobby of the Hotel, with a message which struck like a bolt of lightning.

 

Treat Williams was downstairs and on his way up.

 

OMG!

 

Jerry was in a panic because he instinctively knew that Treat would figure things out at the drop of-a-hat once he spied us together in his suite. 

 

So, Jerry urged me to hide in the closet (!) until the two of them took off for an engagement across town (which had allegedly slipped his mind).

 

"Just let yourself out when we're gone," Jerry laughed.

 

And, that was the last time I saw his cheerful mug.

 

Gerome Ragni passed away in the 1980's but left a legacy of song!

 

"Hair" wasn't a hit at first, though.

 

According to Jerry, the musical languished off-off Broadway for weeks without much recognition or fanfare.

 

"It wasn't until we put in the nude scene," joked Jerry,"that we rustled up all the attention. At which point, the show took off."

 

"Hair" is slated for a revival at the Pantages Theatre next month from January 5th thru 11th.

 

If you have the opportunity, catch it if you can!

 

It's still a wonderful musical that is uplifting, spirited, and chock full of exuberance.

 

http://www.thetattler.biz/

 

 

Treat starred in film version of Hair!

Lindsay Lohan..."Reform School Girls" next? B Movie limbo...

 

 

Lately, Lindsay Lohan's life has started to emulate a bad B Movie script, don't 'ya think?

One minute, the sexy starlett is struggling with her sanity (some would prefer she be trussed up in a straight jacket pronto), the next - she's giving a Judge the finger (well - ten - actually).

Now, it appears that Ms. Lohan is either in rehearsal for a flick about "Reform School Girls" - or just maybe - she's auditioning for the juicy role of "Frances Farmer" in an upcoming film bio.

Who knows?

According to insiders, Ms. Lohan assaulted a staff member at the Betty Ford Clinic, during her (um) respite from the after-hours night-club scene - at a resort for the humbled elite - who tend to be drug-adled or prone to gulp down a drinkie-pooh (or two) a tad too ambitiously!

Say it ain't so, Lindsay!

At a Press Conference yesterday, authorities confirmed that they responded to a 911 call - at which time - an employee of the infamous Betty Ford Drug Rehab Center accused the troubled show-biz personality of physical battery.

On the heels of the scandalous outburst - behave now, bitches! - the worker was terminated apparently.

But, the unexpected turn-of-events, only added grease to the fire!

"Wrongfully terminated," a lawyer has lamented to all within earshot.

The legal eagle has argued that the filing of a police report does not rise to the level of a breach of confidentiality, after all.

Picky! Picky! Picky!

His client only seeks compensation for her injuries (and the insult), after all!

What position does management at the reputable Betty Ford Clinic take?

"The worker violated patient confidentiality by speaking with the media," a spokesperson asserted for the record, without batting a sober eye.

A little bird tells me Ms. Lohan may be trotting back to Court in the event the incident is construed as a breach of her probation.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Los Angeles Sheriff's Dept...sweeps Metro's Westlake/McCarthur Park station with dogs!

Say, that was quite a show of force by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, today at the Metro Line's Westlake/McCarthur Park station!

About a half-a-dozen-or-so armed officers - with dogs in tow - stood at attention near the turn-styles on the lower level as passengers scurrying to work were checked for tickets & passes at the crack of dawn.

Were they looking for drugs?

If not, just maybe, the canines were bomb-sniffers on the alert?

A short dumpy uniformed female officer gave me the once-over as I approached the gate, but allowed me to pass, once I offered up my tap card for proof of payment.

Golly, thanks, Missie!

And, how was your day?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Frank Zappa...The Torture Never Stops! DVD release!

Way back in my hippie daze, I tripped the-magical-fantastic to the remarkable musical strains of Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and Jeff Beck.

In fact - I vividly recall scaling the walls of a downtown concert hall in Toronto (alongside two-dozen-or-so other delirious yahoos) way back in the heady sixties - in a bold-faced attempt to crash a sold-out concert for Zep that was the hottest psychedelic ticket of the day!

SOL!

Those roadies were a posse of tough dedicated dudes to get by, eh?

Groupies can attest to that fact.

Just ask Cherry Vanilla, dudes!

Meanwhile, heads in San Francisco - and elsewhere in communes around the country - were grooving on the unique sounds (and zany antics) of legendary Frank Zappa.

Now - my friends at Eagle Rock Entertainment have informed me - that they are releasing a DVD this week featuring Zappa's celebrated Halloween concerts which were the rage of the day (held at the infamous Palladium in 1981).

"The Torture Never Stops” was created in its entirety by the mad musical man - Zappa himself - from an original concert production which were live! and intended for broadcast as 1 of 3 Television Specials.

"You Are What You Is" and "Dumb All Over" - the two other specials in the series - actually aired previously and are shorter in length that "Torture".

Halloween was Frank Zappa’s favorite holiday, and New York was the site of Frank Zappa Halloween concerts for years, as die-hard fans will fondly recall (in spite of drug-induced stupors that may have enhanced them).

In fact, all Zappa shows were unique experiences featuring the legendary musician on guitar and baton, as he led his band on wild flights of improvisation throughout remarkable unforgettable performances on stage.

“The Torture Never Stops” DVD Collection (just released) now cements Zappa’s reputation as one of the most innovative and challenging composers and performers of the 20th century.

Line-up

Frank Zappa (guitar, vocal); Ray White (vocal, guitar); Tommy Mars (keyboards, vocal); Scott Thunes (bass, vocal); Chad Wackerman (drums); Ed Mann (percussion, vocal); Bobby Martin (keyboard, sax, vocal), Steve Vai (guitar, vocal)

TRACKLISTING

1) Black Napkins; (2) Montana; (3) Easy Meat; (4) Beauty Knows No Pain; (5) Charlie’s Enormous Mouth; (6) Fine Girl; (7) Teen-Age Wind; (8) Harder Than Your Husband; (9) Bamboozled By Love; 910) We’re Turning Again; (11) Alien Orifice; (12) Flakes; (13) Broken Hearts Are For Assholes; (14) You Are What You Is; (15) Mudd Club; (16) The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing; (17) Dumb All Over; (18) Heavenly Bank Account; (19) Suicide Chump; (20) Jumbo Go Away; (21) Stevie’s Spanking; (22) The Torture Never Stops; (23) Strictly Genteel; (24) The Illinois Enema Bandit.

Additional performances & Bonuses

*Teen-Age Prostitute (live)
*City Of Tiny Lites (live)
*You Are What You Is
*Discography
*DVDography
*Liner Notes
*Photo Gallery

Enjoy, eh?





 http://www.thetattler.biz