Report: Stewart loses decorating contest in prison

NEW YORK (AP) — Martha Stewart, who has regaled audiences with countless holiday decorating tips in her magazine and on television, reportedly was unable to lead her team to victory in a prison decoration contest.
Stewart and a team of fellow inmates at a federal prison camp in Alderson, W.Va. crafted paper cranes to be hung from the ceiling, People magazine reported in an article posted on its Web site Wednesday. They lost out to a competing team that built a nativity scene showing "pictures of snow-covered hills and sleds and clouds on the wall," the magazine quoted an inmate as saying.

Each team was given $25 worth of glitter, ribbons, construction paper and glue to build a display based on the theme "Peace on Earth," the magazine said.

Stewart, who built a billion-dollar empire in homemaking, was convicted along with her stockbroker of lying about why she unloaded shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001, just before the price plunged.

She is due to be released in early March from Alderson, then must spend five months confined to her home in Bedford, N.Y.

Following the house arrest, she is scheduled to begin shooting a daytime talk show with a live studio audience.


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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date announced

J. K. Rowling's eagerly awaited new book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is scheduled to be released on July 16, 2005. I'll be the first in line!

Radiation Therapy

Went to see a Radiology Oncologist on Friday and he said I'll be getting radiation therapy only where they removed the tumor. I'm going to get treatments Mon-Fri every week for 6-7 weeks. Treatment only last 5-10 mins. The doctor said the only side effects are skin irritation, sort of like a sunburn, sometimes I may feel tired and the hair will never grow back where on that part of the back. I go to see the doctor on Friday to get pictures taken by x-ray or catscan, maybe both? They do that to find out what area they will treat. I also will get little dots, they will look like small moles, tattooed on my back so they can position me for the treatments and have me lined up just rights. The doctor said there is around a 1 in 3 chance I could have a reoccurrence if I did not get this done, but there is a 1 in 24 chance of reoccurrence if I do get the radiation. That's why I opted to get it done.

Just thought I'd keep everyone updated on how everything is going on all of this. I'm in good spirits, after the holidays, going on a diet. I'm going to get myself in better shape so I can stay around for as long as I can. I have a lot to be thankful for and going to have the best Christmas ever.

Hope everyone has a great holiday and, to those who get days off, enjoy the time off from work.

What's inappropriate for TV?

CNBC - Debates about television sex, violence and censorship have flared in recent days.

Thousands of Americans complained to the Federal Communications Commission about the decision by some ABC affiliates to broadcast ''Saving Private Ryan'' on Veteran’s Day, with most citing the 1998 film’s graphic violence and language.

ABC characterized the film as a tribute to the sacrifice and valor of Americans engaged in service to their country. The network said it was obligated to air the entire Steven Spielberg film without censorship under its licensing agreement with the film's studio.

ABC was in hot water again this week for its attempt to use "Monday Night Football" and its hit “Desperate Housewives" to hype each other in a sexy promo before Monday's game between the Eagles and the Cowboys.

The spot featured "Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan, clad in only a towel, trying to seduce Eagles star Terrell Owens. He resists, until she drops the towel. He says, "Ah hell, the team's going to have to win this one without me" and they embrace.

In an interview with CNBC's Alan Murray this morning, FCC Chairman Michael Powell said he's not yet sure whether the MNF promo violates decency laws. Regardless of the legality, "it was sort of very disappointing," Powell said. "I wonder if Walt Disney (Disney owns ABC) would be proud."

Powell went on, "It would seem to me that, while we get a lot of broadcasting companies complaining about indecency enforcement, they seem to be willing to keep the issue at the forefront, keep it hot and steamy, in order to get financial gain from the free advertising it provides. And I think companies have to make that decision for themselves."

Hanks May Star in 'Da Vinci Code' Film

LOS ANGELES(AP) Will Tom Hanks crack "The Da Vinci Code"? Director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer, the team behind "A Beautiful Mind" and "Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas," said in Newsweek that they wanted the "Saving Private Ryan" star because of the cerebral nature of Dan Brown's best-selling novel.

"Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking," Howard told the magazine. "We probably don't need his status from a box-office standpoint, but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy."

Hanks would play Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist who is in a life-or-death race with a secret society to uncover the secrets of the Holy Grail hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci.

The actor's representatives said he is in negotiations to play the part.

Hanks previously worked with Howard and Grazer on the movies "Splash" (1984) and "Apollo 13" (1995).

Halo 2 reports record $125 million in sales on first day of launch

Don't believe me?

The 4400 fans, the USA Network has ordered a second season.

USA Network has ordered a second season of "The 4400", which holds the record for the highest-rated series debut in basic cable history.

Production on 13 episodes will begin in February in Vancouver, B.C., hopefully to be aired in the US in June. Most of the original cast is expected to return.

If you missed the first season you can get "The 4400" Season 1 on DVD.