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Into the Woods: Has Disney gone too far cleaning up Sondheim's naughty forest?

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Meryl Streep in Into the WoodsPhoto credit: Walt Disney Studios

It looks like Into the Woods fans are in for a few shockers when the film hits theaters this December. Disney, the studio behind the musical adaptation featuring A-list celebrities like Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp, has decided that some of the twisted fairy tales the musical presents are a little too naughty for the Disney label.

5 Things the Jersey Boys and Les Mis movies have in common >>

Into the Woods tells the story of a witch who plots to teach important lessons to various characters from popular children's stories, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel. The fairy tales address adult themes and involve a number of violent deaths and broken hearts, all punctuated by some truly fabulous songs.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

With Disney making changes to the story line, however, some of those songs find themselves in danger of being cut.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, the musical's author, Stephen Sondheim, explained that Disney objected to more than a few key plot twists, including the lascivious nature of the Big Bad Wolf (played by Johnny Depp). In the stage musical, the wolf lusts after Little Red Riding Hood, which dramatizes the danger older men can be to young women. Disney was uncomfortable with the idea of Depp seducing a young girl on screen, however, and the story has been modified as a result.

Johnny Depp romance hasn't affected Amber Heard's career >>

Other changes include not killing off Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy) and doing away with an adulterous scene between one of the story's princes (Chris Pine) and the Baker's Wife (Emily Blunt).

"Disney said, we don't want Rapunzel to die, so we replotted it," explains Sondheim. "I won't tell you what happens, but we wrote a new song to cover it.”

And with the adultery scene cut, there's little reason for the prince to sing "Any Moment", crushing fans everywhere.

While it's certainly no surprise that Disney wants to be sensitive to its family base, one has to wonder if they're going overboard with some of the demands they're making of the script. Fans will no doubt be upset that the story has changed (and that one of the best songs has been cut as a result), but what about the story's originator?

"You know, if I were a Disney executive I would probably say the same thing," said Sondheim. "Censorship is part of our puritanical ethics. There has to be a point at which you don't compromise anymore, but that may mean that you won't get anyone to sell your painting or perform your musical."

Disney responds to call for more Princess Leia toys >>

Sondheim's response may sound a little pessimistic, but we have to admit, we're looking forward to hearing the new Rapunzel song. Changes may be in the works, but since the man making the changes is the master himself, maybe a slightly different forest won't be such a bad thing, after all.

Into the Woods opens in theaters this December.



Thanks, HBO: Beyoncé returns to TV with X10

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BeyoncePhoto credit: WENN

HBO announced today that they're bringing Beyoncé back to their network for an exclusive 10-part series. Obviously, we're thrilled. But don't get too excited yet. We're not talking whole show-length episodes or anything.

The Carter family speaks out about elevator fight >>

In what has to be the biggest crime against humanity in weeks days today, Beyoncé's HBO show, Beyoncé: X10, will only come in five-minute spurts. In other words, the entire 10-episode "series" is only 50 minutes long. Is it just us or does this feel less like awesome news and more like that time we waited two years for three episode of Sherlock? In essence, each "episode" will feel more like a five-minute commercial that runs prior to each episode of True Blood. That means that if you want to see it, you'll probably need to figure out how to manipulate your DVR settings for True Blood and have it start recording the show five minutes earlier. Seeing as how once you set a series to DVR it feels nearly impossible to manipulate it, chances are the vast majority of us will never actually see the episodes.

Mordor Photo credit: YouTube

There is one pretty awesome aspect of this series, though. Each five-minute episode is a cut of her performances from her last tour, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. If you happened to be at one of those shows, feel free to spend hours rewinding and scanning for your face among the throngs of people. We're sure you're there somewhere.

VIDEO: Beyoncé's "Partition" video shows us how to be sexy? >>

This is also a great chance to see the tour if you couldn't afford the hefty ticket price. HBO says we should expect performances of "Blow/Cherry," "Drunk in Love," "Ghost/Haunted," "Flawless/Yoncé," "Get Me Bodied/Baby Boy/Diva," "Girls," "Heaven," "Partition," "Why Don't You Love Me?" and "XO." We wonder if she keeps her clothes on for "Partition" or if she'll recreate that super-cray music video.

Only one way to find out: Beyoncé: X10 premieres June 29 at 8:55/7:55c. Now, where is that remote?

For more TV and music news, sign up for our newsletter >>

VIDEO: Game of Thrones done in Brady Bunch style

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Game of ThronesPhoto credit: WENN.com

A new Game of Thrones alternate opening credits sequence was given The Brady Bunch treatment to hilariously explain the crazy relationships between the show's characters.

VIDEO: Best ever Game of Thrones spoofs and parodies >>

The Wil Wheaton Project thought it would be helpful to fans if they came up with an alternate title sequence to Game of Thrones, explaining the characters' "complicated relationships." The end result is a hilarious clip depicting the show's cast in the classic Brady Bunch TV squares fashion.

"Here's the story of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three kids, one a pest. He had hair of gold like his uncle, because of incest," the lyrics begin as the Lannister family is shown in their squares.

Game of Thrones review: You killed my sister, prepare to die >>

It goes on introducing the rest of the cast with super-funny explanations for the labyrinth of plot lines and stories that happen within the popular HBO hit.

The video continues with more of the characters' doings, going over the many murders and deceptions. "Here's the story of a man named Stark, he was noble so he was killed pretty quick. Then there's one man with the name of Balon Greyjoy, they cut off his d***."

10 Reasons Game of Thrones Season 5 may suck >>

The sequence then goes on with, "Till one day when these ladies met these fellows, and they slipped each other very graphic bones. And this group would somehow murder families. That's the way we all play the Game of Thrones."

Wil Wheaton then ends the clip with saying he can't wait for the "special episode where they go to Hawaii."

You can watch the hilarious Brady Bunch-like sequence in the video below.

5 Influential women standing up for gender equality in the U.S.

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Beyoncé

Beyonce

Photo credit: Larry Busacca/PW/WireImage/Getty Images

If you are one of the few people who hasn't heard Beyoncé's latest self-titled album, then you may not have heard her stance against gender equality. In the track "Flawless," Beyoncé samples Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists" speech at TEDx. And Beyoncé wrote a very powerful essay for The Shriver Report titled "Gender Equality is a Myth"! An extremely successful woman, Beyoncé isn't afraid to stand up for gender equality and for other women across the nation as she continues her crusade in interviews and other public forums. Referring to herself as a "modern-day feminist," Beyoncé not only pens tracks about girl power, she lives it.

Maria Shriver

Maria Schriver

Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Beyoncé couldn't have possibly chosen a better medium on which to post her essay than on Maria Shriver's website. Founding the nonprofit organization A Woman's Nation, meant to raise awareness about the "issues and fundamental changes facing modern women and their families," Shriver uses her public connections for good causes. Not only working to empower women and for gender equality, Maria Shriver works with a number of other organizations, campaigns and companies to constitute change for children and the entire country as a whole.

Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg

Photo credit: Ramin Talaie/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The Facebook CEO is clearly the definition of a successful businesswoman. Bestselling author of the book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, Sandberg believes that women must "lean in" to the business world and stand up for themselves against their male coworkers and superiors. Realizing that she is one of the mere 14 percent of female CEOs, she hopes to not only empower women but help them as well with her website LeanIn.org. Often referred to as a "feminist crusader," Sheryl Sandberg is happy to take a front seat to busting through the glass ceiling.

Stephanie Sonnabend & Malli Gero

Stephanie Sonnabend & Malli Gero

Photo credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Stephanie Sonnabend and Malli Gero work together for gender equality with the 2020 Women on Boards campaign. The goal of this grassroots effort is to "increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20 percent or greater by the year 2020." Sitting on two boards herself, Stephanie Sonnabend, a magna cum laude Harvard graduate, was frustrated with the small number of women on boards in comparison to men. When starting the organization with Malli Gero, a public relations consultant and active women's leadership activist, the women had no idea the momentum they were to gain on this previously untouched issue. Already making a large impact, the 2020 Women on Boards campaign has already seen a 1-2 percent increase from 2012 to 2013.

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VIDEO: 5 offensive standards T.I. wants from his "No Mediocre" women

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T.I.
Photo credit: SIPA/WENN.com

After this week, we've learned that T.I. is man of strong opinions. Just take a look at his scathing response to Azealia Banks after the femcee made some not-so-subtle jabs at his wife Tiny, which all began after the hip-hop heavyweight dropped his new collaboration "No Mediocre" featuring Iggy Azalea. SheKnows had some time to let the lyrics to the new song sink in, and we've come to the conclusion that the guy has some pretty strong and offensive standards for his women.

1.) T.I. doesn't waste any time with his expectations, spitting, "Right hand in the air/ I solemnly swear/ I never f*** a b**** if she don't do her hair." There you have it, ladies. Grand Hustle honcho has laid down the lines. If he catches you without your hair done, you are mediocre.

Tracy Morgan wants T.I. to shut up >>

2.) Later on, the emcee confesses that if you don't have a "pretty face fat a**," then he's going to pass on you. Is he still watching reruns of MTV's 2005 show Next? Well, excuse us.

3.) Let's face it. The majority of a standard rap video consists of beautiful women, lots of expensive jewelry, and, of course, cars. But you'd better know your automobiles if you want to live up to T.I.'s standards. Toward the end of this second verse, he lays down some bars that focuses primarily on that price tag. "I just handed her the keys to a new drop Jag/ When she took it I took it back/ You shoulda asked for a Benz/ That's mediocre b****," he raps.

4.) Aside from styled hair and Dunks that rival those of Kim Kardashian, T.I. is looking for a lady that wears heels. "Get her out dem tennis shoe/ Throw some heels on a b****," he raps later on in the song.

T.I. back to prison for 11 months >>

5.) In the end, you'll find his standards loud and clear in the hook as he rhymes, "From they head to they toes they so far from mediocre." Funny thing is, T.I. rapped a very different tune in "Change Your Life," his last collabo with Azalea. Instead of spewing a list of unrealistic standards for his women, he was interested in treating his girl to fashion luxuries. It sounds like someone had a change of heart.

Biological fathers denied legal parenthood of their children

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Gay couple holding hands | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Westend61/Getty Images

But it is an article about gay marriage.

Because as far as I can tell, there is no other reason in the world why two loving fathers would be denied the legal parentage of their own biological children.

Denied parenthood

Joe Riggs and Jason Hanna, a legally-married gay couple, were denied the right to be on their sons' birth certificates — even though each man is the biological father.

The situation seems a bit hard to wrap your head around, but it goes something like this. The couple was married legally in Washington D.C. and now reside in Texas, where the law does not recognize gay unions. In fact, under Texas law, no two men are permitted to be on the birth certificate together, and the only way gay couples can have children is to legally adopt each other's children. Gay marriage is outlawed and judges have the right to personally deny any gay couple's request to adopt.

Got all that?

But Riggs and Hanna were still shocked when they learned that a judge had turned down their petition to file as the legal parents of their twin sons, as many other gay parents in Texas have "worked around" the law, garnering judges who would legally permit them to be parents together.

In their case, however, that just didn't happen.

The proof is in the DNA

Now here is where I think the story gets a little tricky — the truth is, both Riggs and Hanna are biological fathers to one of their sons. Because the couple used a surrogate with donated eggs, they were able to each have one egg fertilized with their separate sperm. As a result, their surrogate (whose eggs were not used) is carrying one son from each father.

The two fathers had planned on having two separate birth certificates for each boy, adhering to Texas law that mandates that a man and woman be named on the birth certificate by also having the surrogate's name placed. And then, they planned to remove the surrogate's name (also a legal move done in the past with surrogates) and cross-adopting each other's sons so they were one big happy family.

And then they found out they wouldn't be allowed to legally adopt each other's sons, since Texas law mandates adoptions only occur for married couples, and doesn't recognize their marriage as valid.

And then they found out that not only would they not be legal guardians to both sons, but each father was also denied legal parentage of their own sons as well. The men's lawyers petitioned that if they couldn't cross-adopt as a gay couple to at the very least, have each father named on the birth certificate of his own biological son with the surrogate, but the judge denied that request.

In fact, the only person who the judge decreed could be legally named on the birth certificates is the surrogate mother —a woman with no biological connection whatsoever to the twins, and a woman who calls surrogacy her "part-time" job (she's carried four other babies for families). In other words, she doesn't exactly want legal guardianship of the boys either.

The right call?

I understand that the issue of gay marriage is a heated one, to say the least, and I'm not even going to try to pretend to take a stance on it or get into the complexities of recognizing gay marriage legally. But in looking at this situation? When each man is biologically a father to a baby and is still denied legal guardianship to that child simply based on his relationship choices?

Well, something seems a little off there.

Working in labor and delivery, I will say that I've seen a lot of interesting family situations and the truth is, there is no such thing as a "perfect" family. Fathers who will never be actual fathers are allowed on birth certificates every day, fathers who aren't biologically the fathers are mandated to be on the birth certificate (even if a woman has an affair, if she's married, her husband has to be named) and then you have circumstances such as this, when a father chose parenting — even went so far as to save money for his child before his own wedding — and yet is not deemed worthy enough to be a legal father.

Regardless of your feelings on gay marriage, don't you think there's something wrong with that picture?

More on parenting

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20 Ways to love peas this summer

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Garden peas, snow peas, snap peas — no matter what you call them, they're what leisurely summer days are all about. Do you have memories of snapping peas out of their pods, pound after pound, on the family porch? Having a huge bowl of peas out of their shells made you feel proud and get excited about what dinner recipes would await them.

1. Portuguese-style braised peas with eggs recipe

Portuguese-style braised peas with eggs

Blog: Crumb Blog

Portuguese-style braised peas with eggs are the perfect hearty breakfast before a long day. You can also serve this dish as dinner alongside some crusty bread, but make sure to use authentic chouriço for that gorgeous red-colored sauce.

2. Peas with prosciutto recipe

Peas with prosciutto

Blog: A Family Feast

A classic combination, these peas with prosciutto make for a quick but impressive side dish.

3. Sweet pea and crispy bacon risotto recipe

Sweet pea and crispy bacon risotto

Blog: Diethood

This sweet pea and crispy bacon risotto is a well-balanced dish. The fresh, sugary peas pair well with the salty, savory bacon.

4. Zucchini, mint and pea fritters recipe

Zucchini, mint, and pea fritters

Blog: Crumb Blog

An abundance of zucchini makes for creative recipes, like these zucchini, mint and pea fritters. It's great when served either as an appetizer or meat-free main dish for summer parties.

5. Green pea salad with bacon and almonds recipe

Green pea salad with bacon and almonds

Blog: The Law Student's Wife

We're loving this green pea salad with bacon and almonds for a couple reasons, the main one being that the textures sound fantastic. Sweet peas, salty bacon, crunchy almonds — what else can you ask for?

6. Sweet pea and Parmesan tartines recipe

Sweet pea and parmesan tartines

Blog: Simple Bites

The perfect little party appetizer, these sweet pea and Parmesan tartines are basically mashed peas with a few essential flavors like garlic and olive oil to make them into a spread for a crisp baguette.

7. Sweet pea soup recipe

Sweet pea soup

Blog: Crumb Blog

This sweet pea soup takes barely 15 minutes to make, includes Greek yogurt (making it a healthier version) and showcases the natural pea flavor.

8. Spring pea salad recipe

Spring pea salad

Blog: Flavor Mosaic

Made with six simple and accessible ingredients, this spring pea salad can be made with frozen, canned or fresh peas for a delicious take on a family salad.

9. Bacon pasta salad primavera recipe

Bacon pasta salad primavera

Blog: Flavor Mosaic

For all the bacon lovers out there, you have to make this bacon pasta salad primavera. Pasta salads are perfect for summer parties and get-togethers.

10. Pea-camole recipe

Pea-camole

Blog: Simple Bites

Instead of the classic guacamole, make this pea-camole, and get picky eaters to eat peas.

11. Spring green risotto with peas, asparagus and fennel recipe

Spring green risotto with peas, asparagus, and fennel

Blog: The View from Great Island

Serve up this spring green risotto with peas, asparagus and fennel, which screams of fresh summer produce, and your guests will be delighted.

12. Summer vegetables carbonara recipe

Summer vegetable bacon carbonara

Blog: Bran Appetit

Most summer dishes with peas are light, but this rich summer vegetables carbonara will leave you wanting more. Comforting, flavorful and fresh, you must try it.

13. Spring pea salad with crème fraîche and herbs recipe

Fresh spring pea salad with crème fraiche and herbs

Blog: The Tomato Tart

This spring pea salad with crème fraîche and herbs is the perfect salad to use up all the herbs your garden will be producing this season.

14. Quinoa salad with asparagus, peas and avocado in lemon-basil dressing recipe

Quinoa salad with asparagus, peas, avocado, and lemon basil dressing

Blog: Two Peas & Their Pod

This spring quinoa salad is packed with fresh seasonal produce like peas and asparagus and then dressed with a fresh basil-lemon dressing.

15. Beet and potato salad recipe

Beet and potato salad

Blog: Taste Love & Nourish

Pack this beet and potato salad with fresh peas for your next picnic, and delight your guests with a twist on the classic potato salad. Plus, the color the beets add is gorgeous.

16. Spring leek and pea risotto recipe

Spring leek and pea risotto

Blog: The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Take your time and stir into this spring leek and pea risotto to serve to a special someone. Creamy and rich, it's a meal all on its own.

17. Asparagus, peas and goat cheese empanadas recipe

Asparagus, peas, and goat cheese empanadas

Blog: Laylita's Recipes

Give your empanadas a seasonal twist with these asparagus, peas and goat cheese empanadas.

18. Spring pea soup recipe

Spring pea soup

Blog: Nutmeg Nanny

Sip on this spring pea soup on a cool summer night, and bask in all the summer glory.

19. Tuna pasta salad recipe

Tuna pasta salad

Blog: The Novice Chef

Sometimes all you need is total comfort food, and this tuna pasta salad is just that.

20. Pea and radish salad with goat cheese recipe

Pea and radish salad with goat cheese

Blog: Not Just Baked

Pair three great ingredients to make this pea and radish salad with goat cheese, which makes the perfect side dish to your grilled proteins this summer.

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These animals love dancing to Salt-n-Pepa's "Push It"


Annie Leibovitz said she never agreed to shoot Kimye wedding

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Kimye

Photo credit: WENN.com

A week after being publicly attacked by Kanye West for bailing on his wedding to Kim Kardashian, Annie Leibovitz has responded to his claims. West accused the famous photographer of canceling as Kimye's wedding photographer only a day in advance, leaving them to fend for themselves.

PHOTOS: See Kim Kardashian's wedding dress & official pics! >>

West also complained that it took him four days to get the wedding photo just right, and it ruined his honeymoon.

"She was exhausted because we worked on the photo so much," West explained. "Annie Leibovitz pulled out, because I think she was scared of the idea of celebrity."

But a rep for Leibovitz issued a statement to TMZ, explaining that West was frustrated he couldn't "collaborate with Annie" and that the photographer never actually agreed to be there.

"Unbeknownst to Kanye, she was never confirmed," the rep added. "She would have loved to have taken their wedding portrait and was disappointed it didn't happen."

Leibovitz is a photographer to the stars, so the idea of her being "scared of the idea of celebrity" is pretty far-fetched. The rep also said that West never blamed Leibovitz for not showing up.

Leibovitz shot Kardashian and West for their Vogue cover, but said she is "not known to shoot weddings."

Kimye wedding: N.Y. Post write-up proves it was a flop >>

Kimye's wedding photo was released by the couple on Instagram and Twitter, but not before West offered a snarky comment about Leibovitz.

"The most-liked Instagram photo of all time, shot by Annie Leibovitz. Oh, I'm sorry for dreaming out loud. Again."

50 Cent calls Jay Z the most overrated rapper of all time

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50 Cent

Photo credit: WENN.com

50 Cent is not on the Bey Z bandwagon — but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The rapper appeared on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday night, June 18, and was asked by host, Andy Cohen, if he thought Jay Z was overrated.

VIDEO: 50 Cent throws out horrible first pitch at Mets game >>

"Overrated? Umm... I mean Jay Z. He would say he was overrated," 50 Cent said. "Rather be overrated than underpaid!"

The rapper added that he believes Jay is "the most overrated hip-hop star of all time."

50 Cent didn't stop there. He joked about Jay Z and Beyoncé's incident with Solange Knowles at the Met Gala, and Cohen used it to bring up 50 Cent's own incident with Beyoncé on New Year's Eve.

"It's not really bad, like her breath doesn't smell," 50 Cent said. "But it's one of those things, like, the paparazzi and people were taking pictures of us at the same time, so there's not really a right way to respond. You've just got to accept it."

"Right, you just passively accept it," Andy agreed. "Is it scary at all?"

"No, you just have to have an expression on your face like, 'What the f*** is the matter with you?'" 50 Cent replied. "'Cause you know if you do something back... it's like if you're in an elevator and you get attacked, you can't do nothing."

Kanye omits Jay Z's name in song lyrics, fuels feud rumors >>

50 Cent also commented on rumors he dated Kim Kardashian in the past, and Cohen asked him what sex with her was like.

"I never, I never," he said. "No. I just took pictures. We took pictures with each other in Australia at the [2008] MTV Awards and I posted the pictures. You know, social network, people say all kinds of things."

Miley Cyrus sends well wishes to dying 12-year-old fan

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Miley Cyrus

Photo credit: Judy Eddy/WENN.com

Miley Cyrus may have a bad rap for displaying erratic and somewhat outlandish behavior, but the young star has proven that she really is all heart.

REVIEW: Ed Sheeran's The Fault in Our Stars track >>

Cyrus sent her well wishes via video to Caley Camarillo, a 12-year-old fan who had endured a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. The songstress sent her sincere prayers and love to Camarillo, who passed away last Friday shortly after viewing the message, according to the Facebook page of the young girl's mother, Teresa Camarillo. "Miley Cyrus sent this to Caley and she was able to watch it one hour before she passed," wrote Teresa. "We have a video of Caley watching the vid but that we will save for ourselves. She managed to let out a smile. I take great comfort in this for some reason."

The "Wrecking Ball" singer sent a message to Caley that was sweet and simple, just to let the girl know that she was thinking about her. "Hey, Caley; it's Miley. I've been talkin' to your mama the past few days," Cyrus said in the video. "I know we met a few years ago, so I just wanted to let you know that I'm still praying for you, I'm still thinking about you, because you need some love. I just wanted to let you know that you are on my mind and in my heart and I wanted to send you a quick message to say hello to you," the songstress added before blowing a kiss.

Cyrus, who is currently on her Bangerz North American tour, also tweeted a message for Caley on Sunday night before performing.

The situation is eerily reminiscent of an encounter involving Ed Sheeran and a teenage fan just a couple of months ago. Sheeran learned in April that 15-year-old Triona Priestley's dying wish was to hear him sing his song, "Little Bird." Word got to Sheeran via Twitter that the teen did not have much time left, and he serenaded her over the phone just moments before she passed away. "Ed rang Triona and personally sang 'Little Bird' to her as she took her last breaths," said Lucy Hanlon, a close friend of the Triona's.

Songwriter Gerry Goffin, Carole King's ex-husband, has died

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Gerry Goffin

Photo credits: WENN.com

Sometimes, some of the most impactful figures in music are those who are not known by everyone. Gerry Goffin may be one of those people. The songwriter died on Wednesday, June 18 at the age of 75.

Carole King, Lenny Kravitz, Spike Lee and more mourn Nick Ashford via twitter >>

Goffin wrote or co-wrote more than 50 top 40 hits, including "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," "The Loco-Motion" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." The songs were co-written by his ex-wife, singer Carole King.

"Gerry Goffin was my first love," Carole King said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "He had a profound impact on my life and the rest of the world. Gerry was a good man and a dynamic force, whose words and creative influence will resonate for generations to come. His legacy to me is our two daughters, four grandchildren, and our songs that have touched millions and millions of people, as well as a lifelong friendship. He will be missed by his wonderful wife Michele, his devoted manager, Christine Russell, his five children, and six grandchildren.

Gerry Goffin

"His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say," she continued. "If you want to join his loved ones in honoring him, look at the names of the songwriters under the titles of songs. Among the titles associated with me, you'll often find Gerry's name next to mine."

Goffin was born in 1939 in Brooklyn and married King when he was only 20 years old (she was 17). The two met while attending Queens College, and eventually had two children. They divorced in 1968.

Legendary music producer Don Kirshner dies at 76 >>

The songwriter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (along with King) in 1990. Some of his other songs include The Monkees' "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the Everly Brothers' "Crying in the Rain," Bobby Vee's "Take Good Care of My Baby," James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend," Gladys Knight and the Pips' "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You."

Goffin also had an eye for talent — he hired Kelly Clarkson to sing some songs for a demo for his album, Back Room Blood, back in 1995, before she was made a household name by American Idol (coincidentally, the show paid tribute to the music of Carole King back in 2011).

Exclusive: Friends of mom accused of son's poisoning speak out

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Woman typing on laptop | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: moodboard/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

The death of Lacey Spears' 5-year-old son Garnett rocked the world of those she connected with — in real life as well as the extensive online community in which she participated. This tragic situation was compounded by the revelation that she was a suspect in her son's death and had also likely fabricated many components of her life.

Lacey and Garnett | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Garnett's Journey

A life cut short

Spears was raising her little boy by herself and had developed a strong online presence. She was not a "mommy blogger" (even though she did have a blog with two posts), but she was like many of us moms — she ingrained herself into an online community and had friends, both online and in the "real" world, who supported her in her struggles.

For her son Garnett was ill, and was ill often. Spears described him as a sickly little boy, and spoke often of his medical history. He had endured many hospitalizations and procedures, and he even had a feeding tube in place so he could receive essential nutrition for what she described as "failure to thrive."

Authorities suspect the feeding tube was how Garnett ultimately passed away. Neighbors reported seeing her feed the boy with the feeding tube shortly before he arrived at a hospital after suffering from a seizure, and after transfer to another hospital, the staff discovered that his sodium levels were dangerously elevated. A call from Spears to a neighbor asking her to dispose of the bag wound up revealing that it had contained high levels of sodium when it was handed over to the authorities. He ultimately succumbed from the effects of sodium poisoning.

Constant social media presence

Throughout Garnett's illnesses, and even his final illness, it's reported that Spears continued to post often on social media, complete with photographs, and even documented his final moment with a Facebook post. It has been suggested that she may suffer from a psychological disorder called factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy), which is where a person neglects or intentionally causes harm to someone in their care for medical attention or financial gain.

The prevalence of social media gives a new angle on this condition, where one can receive support from virtually anywhere, and investigators suspect that the ease of sharing was a manifestation that had not played out in earlier cases similar to this.

Hear from Spears' friends

One of Spears' former friends talked with us about the awful circumstances surrounding the little boy's death. Like everyone in Spears' life, she was filled with concern for the small family and was devastated when the news reached her ears that he didn't make it. "When Garnett was in the hospital for the last time I sent my love and thoughts to Lacey," she tells us. "I sent her messages telling her how sorry I was that all of this was happening. When she posted he was brain dead I was in shock. He was so young, how did this happen?"

She does admit that she did have a fleeting thought that Spears had a part in Garnett's death, and felt guilty for thinking that way. However, she found out that she wasn't alone. "As I was talking to others that were close to her, I wasn't the only one with suspicions, so when I heard she was being investigated, it broke my heart — but at the same time I was not surprised," she explains.

Caught up in a web of lies

And it wasn't only the nature of her boy's illness that raised suspicions, for in talking about Garnett's father who passed away, it was eventually revealed that that story was concocted as well. "Me and most of her friends in Florida cut ties with Lacey a few years ago because we caught on to her lies," she shares. "She lied about everything from Garnett's father to the house she lived in. Pretty much everything and anything that came out of her mouth was fabricated or just a flat out lie and we all caught on to that."

Seeing the disparity between Spears' online presence and how she was in person was distressing for her former friend. "I think she left Florida with not many friends except for those who followed her on Facebook in which she created another world for herself," she says. "Made herself out to be this gentle, raw-food-eating, Waldorf mom when in person she was very odd and short tempered with Garnett."

Another former acquaintance spoke with us and said that since she didn't know Spears well, that her online posting didn't seem too out of the ordinary at all. She tells us that she had shared her story but didn't make it a point to shove it in the face of others, and that even when things didn't seem to add up, it wasn't a huge deal. "When I saw red flags, I pretty much chalked them up to the fact that I didn't know enough about their situation to make a judgment call," she explains. "That maybe anything that I saw that was off or off-kilter was because I didn't know the whole situation or know them well enough to be concerned."

However, it makes you wonder, too, about how we often rush to the aid of another mother in distress, a mom with a sick child, or who has experienced a sudden death or another tragedy. Nearly all of these situations are legit, but can you imagine what a huge blow it would be to find out that your feelings had been played the entire time? Because once you become a mother, all children, in a way, belong to you. The desire to help and protect every child is natural, and to have that inherent trust destroyed is devastating.

Spears has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting a July 2 court date.

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Jersey Boys cast says Justin Bieber is nothing like Frankie Valli

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Justin Bieber

Photo credit: WENN.com

Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake may be the flavors of the month (or, the last few years), but will their music be around decades from now? The cast of the new Clint Eastwood-directed Jersey Boys talked to MTV about the staying power of JT and the Biebs.

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"I don't know if we're going to be singing Justin Bieber songs 20 years down the line," said actor Erich Bergen, who plays band member Bob Gaudio. "We may be, but I can tell you that 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You,' and 'Sherry,' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry' — how many years has it been? These songs hit in the early-to-mid '60s. We're still singing them all over again, and I think great songs will always outlast the artist."

Jersey Boys is the film version of the Broadway play of the same name, and follows Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons through their rise to fame and their struggles. Although many of the real-life band members spent time in jail, it was before the internet and the paparazzi, and their lives remained mostly private. Bieber is no stranger to controversy, but the cast said he doesn't compare to Valli.

"Justin Bieber's crime doesn't even compare to this kind of crime," John Lloyd Young, who plays Valli, explained. "These guys went into the slammer and did hard time. Justin Bieber peed in a bucket. Come on."

TRAILER: Jersey Boys heads to the big screen >>

Young added that the band members are probably more like today's hip-hop stars than any pop stars.

"I think that's probably a closer analogy now," Young said. "A rough upbringing, and getting huge success in music. The hip-hop world is probably more of a parallel to these guys."

Jersey Boys will be in theaters June 20.

Driver in Tracy Morgan crash was 20mph over speed limit

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Tracy Morgan

Photo credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on their investigation into the accident that critically injured comedian Tracy Morgan and the evidence points to the fault of the Walmart truck driver who allegedly caused the crash, according to CNN.

Tracy Morgan leg amputation rumors are fabricated >>

The NTSB report states the driver of the Walmart-owned Peterbilt truck, 35-year-old Kevin Roper, was speeding at 65 miles per hour in the minute leading up to the accident. Roper allegedly ignored signs warning of construction, lane closures and reduced speed limits.

The report also claims that Roper was dangerously close to federal limits on how long he could legally be behind the wheel of a vehicle. Federal law dictates that commercial drivers must limit themselves to 14-hour shifts with less than 11 hours on the road before they must rest. Roper's shift had started 13 hours and 32 minutes before the crash and his drive time total was 9 hours and 37 minutes.

Information in the report is based on a small computer in the truck which gauges factors such as speed and vehicle performance.

Roper has been charged with vehicular homicide for the death of James McNair and assault by auto for injuring Morgan, Ardie Fuqua, Jeff Millea and Harris Stanton in the crash on the New Jersey Turnpike. Roper has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is out on a $50,000 bond. The truck driver recently launched a series of tweets in which he claimed the only reason he was being charged criminally was because there was a celebrity involved in the accident.

Walmart released a statement last week that they believed Roper was operating within federal guidelines, but will take full responsibility if the investigation proves that their truck was to blame for the horrific accident. "The details are the subject of an ongoing investigation, and we are cooperating fully with the appropriate law enforcement agencies," said a spokesperson for the company.

Good news came two days ago when Morgan was upgraded from a critical to a fair condition. "Happy to pass along that Tracy has been upgraded to fair condition, which is a great improvement," Morgan's publicist, Lewis Kay, said to CNN. "His personality is certainly starting to come back as well."


PHOTO: Kelly Rowland shows off adorable baby bump on FB

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Kelly Rowland

Photo credit: Brian To/WENN.com

For someone who hasn't officially announced her pregnancy, Kelly Rowland is not trying very hard to hide the fact that she is pregnant.

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The mom-to-be posted a photo on Facebook on Thursday, June 19 with a very visible baby bump.

The first-time mom is obviously excited about the arrival of her impending bundle of joy, and wants to share it with the world.

Rowland married Tim Witherspoon on May 9 in a secret ceremony in Costa Rica. Although there is not much info on their nuptials, Rowland's Destiny's Child bandmates, Beyoncé and Michelle Williams, were both reportedly in attendance.

The singer first announced her pregnancy on June 10 — sort of. She posted a photo of two pairs of Air Jordans — one adult and one baby — along with the caption, "I'll be stuntin like my daddy…"

According to People, Rowland and Witherspoon were spotted out in West Hollywood buying baby items just after their wedding. Rowland also appeared out on the red carpet earlier this month for the premiere of Think Like a Man Too wearing a belly-covering shirt and jacket.

Michelle Williams recruits Kelly Rowland & Beyoncé for new song >>

Besides her pregnancy, Rowland is staying busy these days. She got back together with Beyoncé and Williams for a Destiny's Child reunion, of sorts. The three girls recorded a new track for Williams' new album, Journey to Freedom.

They also got together to shoot the video for the song. Watch it here.

Mark Wahlberg lost 60 pounds on a miserable liquid diet

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Mark Wahlberg

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Mark Wahlberg spent four months on a "miserable" diet in order to prep for his role in the upcoming film, The Gambler. The process was anything but fun for the beefcake of a star, who knows plenty about great-tasting food as part of the Wahlburgers restaurant team.

"I lost 60 pounds jumping rope and being on a liquid diet," the 43-year-old actor recently shared with USA Weekend. "It was me being miserable for four months."

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The transformation was so severe that Michael Bay, director of Transformers: Age of Extinction, was shocked by Wahlberg's drastic appearance change.

"(Bay) said that he thought I was dying," the father of four explained.

"I craved everything and anything, mostly the (stuff) I don't eat. Like pizza," the typically health-conscious star went on to say, adding that along with cravings, he suffered mood swings while on the liquid diet.

As soon as filming was done, Wahlberg went into binge mode on breakfast food. "I had pancakes, eggs-over-easy, hash browns, real bacon and English muffins," he said. "I felt sick for two days."

EXCLUSIVE: Does Transformers' Nicola Peltz think Mark Wahlberg is sexy? >>

The star previously told Extra his goal was to get "as thin as possible" for the gangster film, but being around his kids while they were eating sometimes felt like torture.

"Anytime I smell food, I get crazy," he shared in January. "My daughter was eating this blueberry scone, and I wanted to like — I was going to jack her for it. I was literally going to rob my almost-4-year-old daughter for her little blueberry muffin."

In all, Wahlberg went from 197 pounds to 137 pounds for The Gambler, but is now back to his normal weight.

Slim and trim or beefcake: How do you think Mark Wahlberg looks best?

Willow and Jaden Smith share their bed with snakes

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Willow and Jaden Smith

Photo credit: Guillermo Proano/WENN.com

While most people are terrified of snakes, it seems that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's children, Willow and Jaden, have taken a special shine to the species and are so close with their many serpent friends that they even like to cuddle them, according to Us Weekly.

Will Smith: "Every young man needs an Uncle Phil" >>

"Willow is obsessed with snakes," the source said. "She has ten sleeping in her room and some aren't in cages!" The insider also described how Jaden calls the pets his "girlfriends" and "they slither into his bed and curl up with him!"

This isn't the first creepy thing that's been in the bed of one of the Smith children of late. The family came under fire in May when a photo of 13-year-old Willow in bed with an older male went viral. The photo, which showed Willow lying down with a shirtless 20-year-old actor named Moises Arias, even reportedly caught the attention of Child Protective Services.

Jada told the story last July of how the family initially welcomed their first snake, a boa constrictor named Beauty, into their home back in 2008. "I've always loved snakes but was afraid of them. But Willow wanted this one snake forever," the actress said in an interview with Redbook magazine. "She'd go in the pet store and pick it up and wrap it around her. I'd never touched a snake before, and I put out my hand, and Beauty (mimics the snake slithering up her arm.) I've been in love with her ever since. I said to Willow, 'You did mommy a big favor. You helped me overcome a fear.'"

The Smith family is not alone in their obsession. Anderson Cooper told the story of his beloved childhood pet snake, Sam, on his talk show a couple of years back. "I was heartbroken when Sam finally died and I was so upset that my dad came up with a plan to encase Sam in Lucite so that I would always have Sam," Cooper said, holding the Lucite-encased reptile in his hands. "I know, it's a little creepy. It's becoming a little Silence of the Lambs," the journalist joked.

Ben & Jerry’s launches SNL-themed ice cream

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Ben & Jerry’s launches SNL-themed ice cream

Photo credit: Ben & Jerry's/Business Wire

Hilarious SNL skits are turning into amazing ice cream

In honor of 40 (sometimes amazing, sometimes agonizing) years of Saturday Night Live, TV's most popular sketch comedy show, Ben & Jerry's has released two new products inspired by SNL skits. The first flavor, Lazy Sunday, is named for the epic Chris Parnell/Andy Samberg rap short "Lazy Sunday" and the second, Gilly’s Catastrophic Crunch, is based on Kristin Wiig's too-strange-not-to-crack-up Gilly.

Lazy Sunday

Due to Parnell and Samberg's love for cupcakes (particularly a baker's dozen from The Magnolia Bakery), Lazy Sunday features a vanilla cupcake base and pieces of chocolate and yellow cupcakes. Missing from the mix, of course, is the Chronic… les of Narnia or any of the foods one might have in that land of magic. Though one can only assume Lazy Sunday would make a great dessert if one were to experience the Chronic… les of Narnia.

It's a good mix. Still, if anything, the ice cream's major failing is that it's missing both Mr. Pibb and Red Vines, two foods both rappers note are "crazy delicious."

Gilly's Catastrophic Crunch

On the other hand, Gilly's Catastrophic Crunch is a mixture of chocolate and sweet cream ice cream, caramel clusters, fudge-covered almonds and a marshmallow swirl. Ben & Jerry's declares the mix to be as "frantic" and "mischievous" as Gilly herself. Still, it lacks the strong food ties of Lazy Sunday or Ben & Jerry's 2011 creation Schweddy Balls. With that said, it sounds like a fine blend of flavors.

Both flavors are currently only available in Ben & Jerry's stores and there are no plans to sell them by the pint. Of course, you can buy them to go and enjoy them during your favorite SNL episode.

Ben & Jerry’s launches SNL-themed ice cream

Photo credit: Ben & Jerry's/Business Wire

The future of SNL ice cream

Ben & Jerry's isn't stopping there. They plan to release two more SNL-themed flavors in the coming months. They have yet to tip their hand as to what those flavors might be, but with Saturday Night Live, there are so many possibilities: Canteen Boy's campfire s'mores, Mango's mango, or maybe something inspired by Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley's Chippendales routine? (Too much?)

Let us know what SNL flavors you most want to see.

More on Ben & Jerry's

Schweddy Balls ice cream shortage
Ben & Jerry's launches 30 Rock flavor
Ben & Jerry's announces new flavor: Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Snack

Amy Poehler & 9 other celebrity authors' books you should read

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Amy Poehler

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1.
Choose Your Own Autobiography
by Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris book coverPhoto via Amazon

Who is Neil Patrick Harris? In this case, he's you. Always interested in the unusual, Harris presents his memoir in the form of an interactive adventure. Written in the second person, the book casts readers in the starring role, offering choices in each chapter that dictate how the story reads. It's a wonderfully clever approach that, not surprisingly, manages to tell the story of his life just as successfully as everything else NPH does.

On shelves: Oct. 14, 2014

2.
Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned"
by Lena Dunham

Not That Kind of Girl book coverPhoto via Amazon

At only 28 years old, award-winning creator and star of the HBO hit show Girls Lena Dunham has entrenched herself as a creative force of nature, and she's only just begun. Now a debut author, she shares autobiographical essays that mix introspection, cultural observation and shameless humor — completely consistent with her admiration of and friendship with Nora Ephron.

On shelves: Sept. 30, 2014

3.
Yes Please
by Amy Poehler

Yes Please book coverPhoto via Amazon

Described as an "illustrated, non-linear diary," this memoir by comedian and star of the sitcom Parks and Recreation may sound structurally similar to buddy Tina Fey's wildly successful Bossypants, but the voice is pure Amy Poehler. Focusing on what she describes as the middle of her life, it includes funny anecdotes (both true and fictional), life lessons (both helpful and not) and, of course, plenty of tales from her time on Saturday Night Live.

On shelves: Oct. 28, 2014

4.
Not My Father's Son: A Memoir
by Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming book coverPhoto via Amazon

Theater, television and film star Alan Cumming shares both his professional and incredibly personal story, including his relationship with his abusive father. It promises to be a moving read even for those who don't typically gravitate toward celebrity bios.

On shelves: Oct. 7, 2014

5.
Glow: The Autobiography of Rick James
by Rick James

Rick James book coverPhoto via Amazon

With the timelessness of his best-known song "Superfreak" and the viral sensation of Dave Chappelle's impersonation, it's hard to believe it's been 10 years since disco-funk bad boy Rick James died. In this autobiographical collaboration with prolific ghostwriter David Ritz, we'll follow James' upbringing and witness his musical growth and impact well beyond that one megahit song.

On shelves: July 8, 2014

6.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride
by Cary Elwes

As You Wish book coverPhoto via Amazon

Nearly three decades since it first hit theaters, The Princess Bride remains a cult classic, and one of the most quotable films ever made. Inspired after a 25th anniversary screening and cast reunion, Cary Elwes set out to capture — from the perspective of a young actor being given his first big break — a behind-the-scenes look at how the movie and the people involved changed his life. It's full of sweet making-of vignettes and a whole lot of love for folks like director Rob Reiner and Andre the Giant.

On shelves: Oct. 14, 2014

7.
Joss Whedon: The Biography
by Amy Pascale

Joss Whedon book coverPhoto via Amazon

Best known as the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joss Whedon is a fan favorite, inspiring cult followings for his projects, and earning big box office bucks with The Avengers. For the story behind one of the hottest writer/directors of the moment, fans will want to pick up this biography.

On shelves: Aug. 1, 2014

8.
You Might Remember Me: The Life and Times of Phil Hartman
by Mike Thomas

You Might Remember Me book coverPhoto via Amazon

After eight seasons on Saturday Night Live, four seasons as Bill McNeal On NewsRadio and nine seasons voicing Troy McClure on The Simpsons, Phil Hartman's comedic reputation has been well established. What festers is his tragic death at age 49, when his third wife shot him and then committed suicide. Mike Thomas tries to make sense of a senseless act through intense research and genuine admiration for a star that should have shined much longer.

On shelves: Sept. 23, 2014

9.
Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film
by Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt book coverPhoto via Amazon

Patton Oswalt is an unabashed fanboy known for his love of movies. In this memoir he revisits his early career, and the impact his film habit had on it. The book won't be out until January 2015, but for film buffs, comedy fans and geeks in general, this promises to be a compelling read.

On shelves: Jan. 6, 2015

10.
Diary of a Mad Diva
by Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers book coverPhoto via Amazon

Given a diary by her daughter, Joan Rivers documents her day-to-day activities and thoughts. Celebrity gossip fans will find plenty of fodder here as she lives up to her reputation for zinging fellow celebs with her unfiltered, biting opinions.

On shelves: July 1, 2014

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