UK comedy actress Mollie Sugden dies at 86

British actress Mollie Sugden, best-known for her role as Mrs Slocombe in the television comedy series "Are You Being Served?," has died at the age of 86.

Her agent Joan Reddin told newspapers Sugden died on Wednesday after a long illness. "She was a lovely, lovely person. She was a great professional," Reddin said.

With her hair highly coiffed and referring frequently to her "pussy," Sugden played the bossy Mrs Slocombe throughout the run of the BBC's innuendo-laden Are You Being Served? between 1972 and 1985.

Re-runs of the show in the United States in the 1990s gained her a new audience overseas.

"She was great fun, a very good actress, very versatile. She could play serious stuff and comedy," said Frank Thornton, who played opposite Sugden in the series as the stuffy floorwalker Captain Peacock.

"It was a very happy show to work on -- you can't play comedy with people you dislike," he told BBC television.

Mark Freeland, head of BBC comedy, said she was one of television's iconic funny women.

"Her daftly enormous purple rinse and never-to-be-forgotten catchphrase are the stuff of comedy legend," he said.

Sugden had also found success in the BBC TV comedy series "The Liver Birds" and played an occasional role as pub landlady Nellie Harvey in the long-running ITV soap opera "Coronation Street."

Jackson's chimp Bubbles enjoys life out of public eye

Bubbles gained fame over two decades ago as Michael Jackson's simian companion. Now at age 26, Bubbles has retired to the Center for Great Apes outside Wauchula, Florida.

When Bubbles was 5 years old, he and Jackson toured Japan, where the chimp moonwalked for the media. Bubbles' new home has many places for him to hide from the limelight. The nonprofit's tropical forest setting covers more than 100 acres.

Patti Ragan, director for the Center for Great Apes, explained how Bubbles and 41 other chimpanzees and orangutans spend their day:

"They relax. They take naps together. They might go up in the top of the cupola," she said. "They go out in the chutes and lie under a tree in the tunnel system.

Bubbles was born in Texas in 1983, and it's thought he was born in a biomedical facility before being sold. When he lived with a supercelebrity such as Jackson, Bubbles could be seen in videos, posing for fan pictures, attending a news conference, his likeness appearing in a Michael Jackson video game.

"Probably the best tribute that we could pay to Michael Jackson here is to just take excellent care of Bubbles, because I know he loved Bubbles.

Disco tune saves man's life

Debra Bader was taking a walk in the woods with her 53-year-old husband one morning when suddenly he collapsed. At first she thought the situation was hopeless.
The one-minute PSA from the American Heart Association instructed listeners, in the event of cardiac arrest, to perform chest compressions very hard to the beat of the 1970s Bee Gees song "Staying Alive." When someone suffers cardiac arrest, as pop singer Michael Jackson did last week, the heart stops functioning completely, and brain death begins within four to six minutes if the victim doesn't receive help.
Bader says she was surprised you can save someone in cardiac arrest without doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. "And the fact that you have to deliver the compressions that fast was news to me. It's certainly different than what I learned as a Girl Scout back in 1968.
Bader says doctors at the hospital where her husband was treated have an alternative song. "They told me they do CPR to 'Another One Bites the Dust,' which also has about 100 beats per minute," Bader says. "Doctors have kind of a dark sense of humor."

So does Bader like the song "Stayin' Alive"?

Shahid the cause of Priyanka's bad health?

The grapevine is abuzz with the news that Shahid is the cause of Priyanka's bad health. It is said that he being a vegetarian and teetotaller, Wanted Priyanka to give up her drinking habit, which she's not willing. Rumour has it that they had a fight when Priyanka had vodka on Shahid's birthday. Regular fights seem to have stressed out the actress and thus affected her health.

Rumourmongers seem to be reading too much into the silence of Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The alleged couple has not made their relationship public, but stories on them keep hitting the headlines hard one after another. Here is one more bizarre story about them doing the rounds.

Priyanka was hospitalised recently for exhaustion and stomach infection. Shahid was by her side at the hospital and his parents too visited her.

Hrithik hurls abuses, calls choreographer 'baddest m****rf****r in the world'

Spicezee Bureau

In an appalling video doing the rounds on the web, the dishy actor is saying some nasty things and hurling abuses on the sets of his forthcoming flick ‘Kites’. Going in flashback, a similar Britney Spears’ video, wherein she was seen using the F-word, had left many gobsmacked last year.

Mumbai, April 24: With his Greek God looks, athletic built and seemingly devoted hubby façade, Hrithik Roshan once reigned supreme on every girl’s wish list. The actor, who till yesterday inspired us all with his perfect marriage to Susanne, left throats dry and mouths open after his alleged love connection with Mexican seductress Barbara Mori came out in the open recently. And even as we were gulping the couple’s vehement denials about such rumours, the actor has once again come in the line of fire over his imperfect manners.

Done in the heat of the moment, the actor’s foul act is now being flaked by his fans - a reaction not going down too well with Hrithik. According to insiders, the actor is breathing fire over Flexy’s act. Though sources state that the actor was aware that he was being filmed, he didn’t expect Flexy to post it on YouTube. 

Well, words are like arrows, one shot they can’t be taken back.

Abhishek, Ash and Vivek in the same film?

'Tansen' to be one of the costliest Hindi films ever made

The film is set to be shot in Bangkok first and then would also be shot on other international locations in Australia and New Zealand.

The historical epic is going to be a mega project and will be one of the costliest films ever made in Bollywood.

The film is based on the life of Mughal court singer Tansen and has Abhishek as the lead character. It is directed by Satish Kaushik and produced by Rajshri and even Sony is supposed to have put money in it.
Call it rumours or hear-say but the word is that the shooting for film “Tansen” will begin next month and it will star Abhishek, Aishwarya, Anil Kapoor and even Vivek Oberoi.

Apart from this Barjatya project, Abhishek is working alongside wife Aishwarya in Mani Ratnam’s much-hyped “Ravana”. It is also rumoured that he and Ash have been cast in a remake of the Amitabh-Jaya starrer “Abhimaan”.

Katrina Kaif has the sexiest butt!

It’s no secret that Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif is naturally well endowed at all the right places.

Even the half-blind can see what a poll conducted by a website seems to be suggesting – that Katrina Kaif has the sexiest butt, even sexier than the behinds of Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Biel, Beyonce Knowles, Malaika Arora and Yana Gupta . Even the much touted Mallika Sherawat couldn’t match the deadly derriere of Katrina.

Katrina also emerged as the favourite of the voters as the celebrity they want to see as the ambassador of a soft drink. It appears that thirsts aren’t quenched until people see Kat selling the beverage.

Shilpa-Raj have set date for marriage

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is all set to settle down with her beau Raj Kundra. After declaring her love for Raj to the world, Shilpa said that she is ready to marry him. Now, the news is doing the rounds that they are going to tie the knot in October this year.

It is said that the couple has consciously decided not make the announcement following the death of British reality TV star Jade Goody on March 22.

Shilpa said that she has a very traditional view of marriage and that it is made in heaven. She added that she is very sure that Raj is her soul mate. Raj Kundra went further by saying that he has spoken to Shilpa's parents about the marriage and that they have set a date for this year. He added that they would do the Indian way.

Katrina and Kareena strike up friendship

Those who thought that two successful Bollywood actresses of equal stature can’t be friends might just have to eat crow.KareenaKapoor and Katrina Kaif have always been pitted against each other for reasons partly inexplicable. True, Kareena is amongst the talented lot in Bollywood, while Katrina has struck fame by dint of her looks and by hitching her wagon to a star Akshay Kumar. And with Kareena’s lack of diplomacy in expressing her disdain for “expressionless” actors, it was always taken for granted that Bebo has the same opinion about Salman’s babe.

But surprise, surprise, surprise! The two divas are turning out to be chums.

It’s not that the two ladies bonded because the occasion was celebratory. Bebo and Kat bonded like two chirpy sahelis at the wedding of Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak recently. The two ladies just yapped away for hours, much to the surprise of everyone, most of all their beaus – Saif Ali Khan and Salman Khan – both of who must have felt ignored.

Kareena, on the other hand, calls Kat “a sweetheart…who is true to herself”.And we thought two top actresses could only bitch about each other!

Mallika Sherawat being sought by Playboy?

Rumours are abuzz that Bollywood siren Malika Sharawat is set to endorse Playboy.No, the sexbomb isn’t going to strip for the internationally renowned magazine. Rather, she is set to be part of the launch of Playboy perfume in India.The perfume is likely to be launched in mid-April this year. But it isn’t yet clear whether Mallika has been approached to be the perfume’s brand ambassador (which she thoroughly deserves to be) or just for the unveiling of the perfume in India.

Freida Pinto: Highest paid actress in India after Success of slumdog

Freida Pinto, the star in the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire has leaped ahead of her Indian rivals to become the highest paid actress in Bollywood, a news report said.
Following the success of Slumdog, which took home eight Oscars and whose worldwide box office receipts so far are estimated at over $ 270 million, the Indian model-turned-actress has landed a series of lucrative roles with top directors.

Freida is currently in Israel to shoot for a new film that focuses on the interwoven lives of a 'Freida is fast reaching the top status in the international arena. The actress' projects with big filmmakers like Woody Allen have helped her join a league which no other Indian actress has achieved so far,' said a film analyst.
'Freida can't be compared to Aishwarya because we're not pitching her as an Indian girl in international films. Freida is a true global face,' Anirban Das, CEO of her management company, was quoted as saying in the report.

Pink Panthers of Bollywood!

Pink... a colour that defines feminism! It’s not just a favourite amongst girls but hot with men too. Even some of our hottest Bollywood hunks love Pink and make no bones about sporting the ‘girly’ colour! From Akshay Kumar to Hrithik Roshan, Pink has found a place in our actor’s wardrobes. According to our Indian designers Pink is the new Black. Pink is very much in fashion and thus no one is shy to sport it. Fashionista Puja Nayyar tells us, “One can safely say that pink is hot with men globally. I saw entire ranges of jumpers and cardigans for men in pink recently. But maybe pale pink is more a man's color and he will not go for a hot pink." Now that’s a fashion designers take on men and pink... flip on as we present our hot actors in Pink and tell us what you think. Should men be wearing Pink?

Across The Universe

Across the Universe is the story of two lovers (Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood) set to the musical catalogue of the Beatles. A fantastic, gorgeous, and lush assault on your senses, it leaves you with an impression, for better or worse. A hate it or love it film, I loved it: the colors, the fantastic music, and stunning visuals. Julie Taymor was great with Frida; here, she has crafted a fitting tribute and reimagining of the Beatles' music. For all its great and numerous flaws, there's a at least two more wonderful things. I enjoyed the superb supporting cast and the wonderful covers.

Jennifer Aniston Hairstyles

Jennifer Aniston got her big break in 1994 when she was asked to audition for the role of Monica in a pilot called, 'Friends Like These.' Jennifer refused and instead audtioned for the part of Rachel Green. The rest is history.Jennifer Aniston's other credits include, For Dear Life, Dancing on Checker's Grave, Molloy, The Edge, Ferris Bueller, Herman's Head, Saturday Night Live, Picture Perfect, Rock Star, Along Came Polly, Rumor Has It, Burke's Law, Quantum Leap, Leprechaun, Muddling Through, She's The One, The Object of my Affection, The Pink Line, Office Space, The Good Girl, Derailed, Friends With Money, Bruce Almighty, and The Break-Up.

Exclusive Beaut Secret Behind Mila Kunas

At a glance, she might pass for Angelina Jolie. Mila Kunis - who rose to fame with That Seventies Show and Family Guy, among other roles - has grown into her striking facial structure and feminine poise in a way women everywhere envy: just how does she manage to look better every time we see her? At just 24 years old, the Ukranian-American beauty who moved to LA at 8 years old and learned English from watching The Price Is Right, is now a Hollywood star traveling all over the US for her starring role in the film . which is in theatres today!She is no longer the teenager that played Jackie Burkhart beginning at age 15, but a young woman who's face could stop traffic, and whose makeup tips I want! So ConnieTalk got the story for you on the secret behind Mila's makeup for the "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" premiere last week (photo above).I'll give you a clue: the secret behind her look is Emmy Award-winning. The makeup artist who did Mila's radiant look has been the artist behind the scenes on movie sets galore, with Mila and Kristen Bell for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Lake Bell for "Over Her Dead Body," and currently "I Love You, Man" starring Rashida Jones and Jaime Pressly.

Mila is a beautiful woman and I always wanted to play up what she has naturally like her amazing eyes,"

Madonna's man claims he did not cheat on her

Pop star Madonna's new man Jesus Luz claims he did not cheat on her with a lingerie model as his mother was close by.
Luz agreed that he danced with model Luciano Costa at a party in his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but affirms she is just a "friend", thesun.co.uk reports.

He said: "I have nothing with Luciana. The next day I met her on the beach and greeted her normally. The press created this story. Even if it is true that I am with her, I would never reveal these details. I was never one to comment on my personal life and that won't change now. This is a characteristic of my personality."

He said: "I danced with her, but I danced with everyone at the party. My mum was at my side [at the party] and never would I become intimate with a woman if my mum was nearby—even if I was interested in that person."
Luz was photographed embracing Costa as they danced. He claims his mother Christiane was close by, but she wasn't. Luz and Costa were photographed the next day walking hand in hand in a park

Pakistan Cricketer's Doomed Marriage with a Westerner Mirrors Pakistan's Failed Relationship with the West

Mr. Khan's life is the very epitome of what the new ideals of Pakistan as a modern Muslim nation should be. Being born in the Pashtun tribe, his origins are thus inexorably linked to the soil of Pakistan's heritage; raised in a conservative Islamic household, he was nevertheless instilled with the secular values by being educated in a school run by Christian missionaries.

Handsome, toned, hairy-chested Mr. Imran Khan was the international playboy. Once voted as the sexist man of the year by an Australian magazine, he continues to be Pakistan's most respected cricketer.

In his cricketing life, it was under his captainship that Pakistan went on to won its first and only Cricket World Cup victory; later he displayed his kinder instincts by opening a cancer hospital that provides free treatment to poor patients. Gradually he even shed the trappings of his colorful life and started inclining towards Islam - in a powerful but subtle manner. Mr. Khan is deeply religious but never flaunts his born-again religiosity in public.

And finally, Mr. Khan jumped into politics. Though unsuccessful, he is one of the very few uncorrupt politicians in the country whom Pakistanis genuinely admire.
Undoubtedly, Mr. Khan possesses the essence of the best the east and west has to offer. Even the woman he married could not have been a better choice - Jemima Goldsmith, a London-based woman of Jewish origin!
Unfortunately, the marriage ended in a divorce in 2004.

Amitabh Bachchan avoids Rekha at Filmfare Awards

Amitabh Bachchan was in a jittery situation on Saturday evening when Rekha walked up to the Bachchan family to exchange hugs and kisses.

Seeing Abhishek next to SRK, Rekha could not stop planting a neat peck on the cheek of Bachchan junior. Then she turned to Ash, who rose from her seat and hugged Rekha.

Must say everyone’s eyes at the venue were glued to Rekha as she hobnobbed with the Bachchans. If only Big B hadn’t walked away, we might have had a different headline in Sunday’s tabloids.

Since Big B was the only one of the group left, it was obvious that Rekha would at least exchange greetings (if not a kiss or a hug) with the senior Bachchan. But before Rekha could free from the embrace of the Bachchan bahu, Big B stood up from his seat and walked away.

Angelina Jolie 'slapped Brad Pitt, sacked nanny'

ANGELINA Jolie 'flipped out' and slapped Brad Pitt after walking in on him with their nanny who has now been sacked, according to a US report.An American publication reports the actress caught Brad on the bed in the twins' room rubbing the back of their female employee, reports The Daily Mail. He is said to have been comforting her after she was taken ill.

But the sight was enough to throw Angelina into a jealous rage and she allegedly slapped her partner across the face and immediately fired the nanny, according to Star magazine.

Pup' Clarke plans lavish engagement party

News of the loved-up pair's expected engagement filtered through Sydney late Monday, but the blonde duo, still holidaying in New York, were keeping the details to themselves till yesterday.

Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has reportedly arranged a lavish surprise engagement party for his fianc'e Lara Bingle at the Luna Park next week.

Having snared one of the sexiest gals in Sydney to be his wife over the Easter weekend, Pup has invited 300 of the couple's nearest and dearest to the famous big top to celebrate.

The no-expense-spared affair, to be held on April 4, will be cocktail-themed and is Clarke's surprise gift to his bride-to-be and her thrilled family.

Bingle's mum Sharon was similarly ecstatic yesterday, saying she thought the news was "absolutely wonderful" We're all very happy about it - Michael is a lovely and romantic man," she said.

"I'm dying to see Lara and congratulate both of them. We're very proud."