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Leo DiCaprio Defends Al Gore's Energy Excess James Hirsen
THE LEFT COAST
REPORT
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories): 1. Leo DiCaprio Defends Al Gore's Energy Excess Leonardo DiCaprio has been busy pitching his self-narrated global warming documentary called "The 11th Hour" at the Cannes Film Festival. While at a press conference, the actor took the opportunity to come to the defense of his Big Green idol, Al Gore. DiCaprio shared that he tries to live his life in a "green manner." In addition to installing solar panels on his house and driving a hybrid car, he said that he flew to the press conference on a commercial plane rather than taking a private jet.
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He then went on to defend Gore's excessive energy consumption. The former veep has a massive carbon footprint thanks to, among other things, his jet setting around the globe to deliver hot air speeches. "Don't shoot the messenger," DiCaprio said. "This person is trying to relay a message to the public and the way that he travels should not be splayed out like that." According to DiCaprio, Gore should get a hypocrisy pass. And so should he. A lawsuit claims DiCaprio excavated his neighbor's property without permission and damaged plants and hedges so that a basketball court could be installed in his L.A. pad. The suit also alleges that the actor's construction activities weakened a hillside and left the neighbor's deck and pool in danger of collapse.
2. Britney Spears' Dim Lights After dumping your spouse, compromising your baby's safety, shaving your head, exposing your privates and hopping in and out of rehab, what do you do for an encore? Well, if you're Britney Spears you apparently try to rile Christians. Evidently, it's a mandatory step for getting maximum attention, according to the Madonna formula. Spears has been trying to revive her career by performing mini-concerts at various House of Blues locations. She plans to release a new album this year, too, and in addition has restarted her Web site. But despite having a faith-based background, the pop star recently posted on her site the following message to her fans: "We are all lights of the world and we all need to continuously inspire others . . ." This on the same site that features her in a topless photo. Along with the nudity affront, Christians are likely to be offended at the "lights" reference because it is Jesus Christ who is "the Light of the world." 3. Oprah Winfrey's Broadway Show Accused of Racism Shawnique Hill, a former stylist for Oprah Winfrey's Broadway show, "The Color Purple" (from the film of the same name), has filed a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. "My client is a true heroine . . . for the rights of all people of color who are underrepresented and mistreated behind the curtains on Broadway even when the most powerful black woman in America is the key investor," Hill's lawyer, Christopher Serbagi, told the press. Hill's suit claims that she was fired after making a complaint that there were too few "people of color" working behind the scenes. In addition to discrimination, Hill is suing for breach of contract and wrongful termination. The producers of the show responded with a statement to the New York Post: "We are confident that there has been no violation of the law." 4. Hugo Chavez Shells Out for Danny Glover Films South American dictator Hugo Chavez has arranged a $20 million financing package so his like-commie-minded Hollywood pal Danny Glover can produce two movies. The tyrant-backed films are "The General in His Labyrinth," which deals with the life of South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar, and "Toussaint," which documents the life of Haitian revolution leader Toussaint L'Ouverture. Glover, one of the most reckless lefties to ever emerge from Tinseltown, has repeatedly demonstrated his support for anti-U.S. thugs like Fidel Castro and his Venezuelan Mini-Me, Chavez. The truth is, if our country had any resemblance to the pit holes he adores, Glover's behavior and rhetoric would have gotten him 80 years in the slammer. To see Glover rewarded for his betrayal of the country is appalling, but my concern is that others in Hollywood will follow suit and go for the dictator dollars. 5. Commercial Brake When it comes to TV audience, size matters. And nowhere does it matter more than in commercials. New stats are on their way from Nielsen Media Research that will reveal how many people are tuned in during TV ads. This has the industry scrambling to find new ways to keep eyeballs glued to the set for the latest car, clothes and Viagra commercials. Approximately one-fifth of American households have digital video recorders (DVRs), which makes it oh-so-easy to fast forward through all those commercial spots.
ABC network has responded via an arrangement with cable companies Cox Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Cable, Inc. to stop the nasty little viewer practice. But a more promising trend has come along, and it fits the short attention span of today's TV watchers, whets the entertainment appetite and effectively pushes product at the same time. I call it "advertainment." Some clever broadcasters have come up with a way to combine short programming with big name talent while integrating a commercial message. For example, the Fox network recently aired a series of shorts in which the storyline centered around a taxi driver. In between commercials, viewers were treated to animated clips of a cabby named Oleg. "It's something that pops up that is unexpected and the viewer says, What the hell is that?' It may keep them around for a while longer," Jon Nesvig, Fox Broadcasting's president of sales, told the Wall Street Journal. This fall NBC will air similar programming to that of Fox, which will feature Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld has reportedly taped 20 short episodes for the network, which are part entertainment and part commercial. I predict another trend for this fall campaign advertainment.
Picture this. The score is Bears 17, Packers 3. In pops Hillary with a "Closet Palooza" promo, telling everyone how pleased she is now that she has her new closet organizer with its roll-out sock drawers, built-in hamper and double pant racks. Or smack dab in the middle of a "Heroes" episode, John Edwards arrives to give Quaker Oats a plug as a skin exfoliator. Or as "Grey's Anatomy"'s George and Izzie are exchanging furtive glances, in walks a cranky John McCain applying HeadOn directly to his forehead. That's advertainment, and it's coming to a plasma near you. Editor's Notes:
The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax The Left Coast Report Archives Get your FREE copy of James Hirsen's new book 'Hollywood Nation' Click Here Now.
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