Pirate suspect arrives in U.S.

The sole surviving Somali pirate from the hostage-taking of a U.S. captain arrived in New York, smiling for journalists as agents led him into custody to face charges in the attack at a court hearing Tuesday.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

NYT: Nonprofits seek lobby rule exceptions

Critics of President Barack Obama’s anti-lobbyist policy say it assumes that all lobbying is suspect, even legitimate advocacy at the heart of a democratic process. Read More...

Teen girl, 3 others found dead in Md. hotel

Staff at a suburban Baltimore hotel unlocked a guest door and discovered the bodies of a man, two women and a teenage girl, according to authorities.

Pirate suspect arrives in U.S.

The sole surviving Somali pirate from the hostage-taking of a U.S. captain arrived in New York, smiling for journalists as agents led him into custody to face charges in the attack at a court hearing Tuesday. Read More...

NYT: Nonprofits seek lobby rule exceptions

Critics of President Barack Obama’s anti-lobbyist policy say it assumes that all lobbying is suspect, even legitimate advocacy at the heart of a democratic process.

Bulls lose to Celtics; playoff series tied

The Boston Celtics beat the visiting Bulls 118-115 tonight on Ray Allen's three-pointer with two seconds left to knot the NBA Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at a game apiece.The Bulls tied the score at 115-all on Ben Gordon's basket with 12 seconds to go. Gordon finished with 42 points.The best-of-seven matchup shifts to the United Center for Game 3 on Thursday night.Read more at chicagotribune.com. Bulls center Joakim Noah reacts after Celtics guard Ray Allen sank the game-winning three-point shot in the closing seconds tonight. (Associated Press photo) MORE PHOTOS

A Day In the Life of American Idol

USA Today was allowed to follow American Idol producer Ken Warwick during his busy show day last Tuesday.  The diary begins at 11 am when the kids gather to rehearse their numbers, and ends at 5 pm when the live show begins. A few interesting tidbits: Warwick knew by the 3rd singer the previous week that the show was running behind schedule and asked the judges to shorten their comments. They didn’t like it much.  “They don’t respond really to telling them to shut up,” he said. By noon, Warwick had the “solution” to the time overrun problem–that only two judges would critique each contestant. The judges are told when they arrive at air time.  Later, he’s called away to attend to a “meltdown”–that’s Paula freaking out when she hears the news. “All the judges weren’t madly happy,” said Warwick. Paula thought the format was changing permanently.”I went and explained it,” Warwick said. “She’s OK now.” The first iteration of the judge pairings had Simon critiquing each contestant paired up with a rotating judge. (They should have stuck with that plan.) There was a big to-do about the Tarantino package containing footage that could upset a sponsor. The package was eventually edited.  Hilariously, the producers didn’t allow the name of Tarantino’s move “Inglourious Basterds” to be said on the air. “Family show” says Warwick. But they allowed Flo-rida to sing about oral sex? Alrighty then. Sacha Baron Cohen may be on the finale, but Warwick is worried he’ll say something offensive on live TV. Oh, I hope so. Matt Giraud decided that day to play piano on “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman”. Warwick complained that Bandzilla was drowning out Allison Iraheta’s performance of “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” during rehearsal. Do check it out HERE. It’s a good read. Plus, Warwick pimps comments on a few Idols that accompany a picture gallery HERE.  He says he’d listen to an album by Matt Giraud (that doesn’t surprise me. If he hadn’t choked, they’d be pimping him more).  He gushes over Allison Iraheta’s vocal maturity, says that Danny Gokey’s sheltered upbringing makes it tough for him to choose songs, and calls Adam Lambert “Out of this world…” Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud Read More...