Ashley and Jill Dobson on the red carpet!

Plenty of cowboy hats and a couple of boots made it onto the red carpet at the CMA’s tonight, as all the country stars dressed to the nines to celebrate the night and honor their peers. 

To name a few we caught up with… Reba McEntire, who wore her own “Reba” line dress! A shiny black floor length gown fitting for county royalty. The multi-tasking star discussed all her latest projects and from clothing to furniture and of course new music this year, she’s been busy.

Several former American Idols made there way over too like Diana Degarmo in bright pink and Danny Gokey (who we spoke to already earlier in the day, but we wanted to know how his first CMA red carpet was going!)  

The Judds (Wynonna and Naomi) came by too and made sure to recognize Veterans Day. They also spoke with us about working together and what this year means to them since 25 years ago today they won their first award as The Judds at the CMAs. 

Now the show is going on and we are backstage waiting for all the winners to tell us if it really is an “honor just to be nominated” or… if its always better to win!
Stay tuned for more from here at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

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Sesame Street celebrates its 40th anniversary Tuesday. FOX News visited every kid’s favorite neighborhood to chat with Elmo, Grover and Abby Cadabby. It was great to get a behind-the-scenes look at the people who bring these furry friends to life. Our cameraman had to be very careful not to show too much – we didn’t want to ruin the Elmo mystique for any young fans! Speaking of young fans, I prepared for the interview by getting question suggestions from my nieces and nephews. And of course, I couldn’t help but mention my “research team” to Abby Cadabby, Grover and Elmo:

The characters all told me that they love to learn. Abby Cadabby told me, “”The thing about learning, it happens all the time in every single moment.” Grover proudly told me he can count to 20. And Elmo said, “Elmo loves to learn. It’s really cool!” Sesame Street Executive Producer Carol-Lynn Parente says education has been the top priority since the start, but, “The methods we’ve used to teach the curriculum, the ABCs and 123s, that’s changed a lot over the years.”

Sesame Street also focuses on current concerns, such as obesity, with segments on healthy eating. The show has had its criticisms through the years, from this recent report, all the way back to its inception. Parente tells FOX, “If you look at those early years of Sesame Street, there was lots of concern that we were creating short attention spans in kids because the show was so fast-paced, because it was modeled after commercials and advertising. But if you watch those shows now, they look so slow-paced.” Parente also tells me that since the show has been around for so long, some of its original viewers are now parents and even grandparents, who can enjoy Sesame Street again with the little ones in their lives. The best part of our visit — I now have the answer to the age-old question, “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?”.

Reporting from Sesame Street: FOX News Crew Jill, Ravelle, Brian & Rich

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Backstage Blog from Laura Ingle

For a fan of Rock N Roll … it just doesn’t get bigger than this!!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert was the kind of line up that you could only *dream* of making up, just for fun to see who you could think of pairing up on stage to jam.

Who better to tell the story of Rock and Roll (the show’s concept), than the people who have lived it best, along with a little help from their friends.

The shows, featured Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, U2, Paul Simon, Metallica, Jeff Beck Band, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Friends, Simon and Garfunkel, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger… Each band, had it’s own dream list of performers to bring up on the big stage.    Stevie Wonder, jammed with Smokey Robinson, John Legend, and Sting.   At one point, Stevie Wonder busted out a tribute to Michael Jackson and played “The Way You Make Me Feel”  … the place went nuts.  I was standing in the “stage right, house left” area and looked up and saw actor Michael Douglas, his actress wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, actor and concert co-producer Tom Hanks, and his actress wife Rita Wilson dancing in the aisles.  They were really going for it… laughing, singing and had their hands up in the air.  When I looked closer, I saw that Yoko Ono, Robbie Robertson, and Dennis Miller were in the same section (though Miller, Robertson and Ono were not partaking in the dancing in the aisle fun)

Another amazing musical moment; Crosby, Stills, and Nash with Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, B.B. King and Jackson Browne.  Hard rockers Metallica provided a heavy metal dream come true when they invited  Ozzy Osbourne on stage.  One of the more honest, and respectful moments came when lead singer James Hetfield admitted, “We’re not the most jammy kind of band, we’re kind of a tight little unit, we don’t usually let people in”.  Hetfield smirked, then smiled, then asked Ozzy to come on out.   One of my favorite things to see Ozzy do when he performs is that “frog jump” thing that he does – and he did it repeatedly while singing “Iron Man” and “Paranoid”.  What a Rock moment that was.  Look at the bottom of this post for Ozzy talking about his daughter’s upcoming wedding, he really sounds like a concerned dad!    Metallica also had  Ray Davies of The Kinks, and Lou Reed join them on stage.  I mean honestly, isn’t this all enough to make your head spin?

So who’s idea was this anyway?  Well, the team that put together the 2 day event is also quite impressive. Joel Peresman, the CEO of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame pulled in the creative might of actor Tom Hanks, his producing partner Gary Goetzman, singer-songwriter Robbie Robertson, and Academy Award winning-screenwriter Cameron Crowe to produce and film the event for HBO.

Tom Hanks having fun in the press room

When Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson came by the press room Thursday- Hanks talked about helping put this show together like a true music fan. He said he is just like the rest of us, “happy to be in the same venue as all these artists.”

As Tom Hanks was wrapping up his time in the press room, someone asked what his favorite song of 2009 is so far, and why… he cracked everyone up when he said “That Ring On It” song… Check out the video below … (he was referring to Beyonce’s hit song, “Single Ladies” (Put A Ring On It”)

The anniversary show will be presented Thanksgiving weekend on HBO — with lots of behind the scene interviews and unscripted moments.   As Bonnie Raitt said when asked what it was like to be a part of the show and backstage with so many artists… she said “all I can say is… there’s a LOT happening in the hallways around here”.   Indeed.   

Can you imagine what it was like to hang out backstage with U2, while Bono was chatting up Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, and Fergie before they all went on stage? 

Check out the slide show at the bottom of this blog from the second night (photo credit Kenny Kramme), and these select shots from Thursday. I wish you could have been there with me, but with this backstage blog pass, doesn’t it feel a little like you were?    Rock on!

Sounds of Silence

James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt in Press Room

Backstage in the Press Room: Crosby Stills Nash

Stevie Wonder backstage at Rock Hall of Fame concert

Laura hangs with Little Stevie Van Zandt

Laura and John Legend after exclusive interview with Fox!

Check out the shots we got in the Press Room during the 2nd night

Here’s Ozzy on what it was like to be asked to play with Metallica – what he thinks of his daughter getting married, and why. 

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The rollout of horror film “Paranormal Activity” has been called the “marketing story of the year” by The New York Times. The ultra-low-budget film cost about $15,000 to make. Early studio estimates show it raked in about 7 million dollars over the weekend.

“Paranormal Activity” has been marketed more as an “experience” than anything else, with the trailer mainly showing terrified moviegoers reacting to scenes, rather than the scenes themselves.
Ad Age credits part of the success with “letting consumers play distribution chief,” rather than studio executives.

It originally played in college towns with midnight shows only. But the film’s website added a feature to allow fans to request the movie be shown in their area. Demand grew for the “Paranormal Activity,” leading it to open nationwide Friday. The online buzz also included chatter about the film on social networking sites such as Twitter.

“Paranormal Activity” is being compared to another small budget film with huge box office returns, “The Blair Witch Project.” That film was made for about $25,000 in 1999. Since then, it has banked more than 140 million dollars.

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There are several celebrity scandals breaking this week, and I’ve got the latest for you on Fox News Radio and right here on the web!

Kate Gosselin of "Kate Plus Eight"

My daily radio entertainment wrap-up, “The Daily Dobson,” is focused today on TLC network’s top-rated show, “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.”

The network announced today that the show will drop Jon Gosselin from the title.  The reality show will now be known simply as “Kate Plus Eight,” and will mainly feature Kate Gosselin and the couple’s twins and sextuplets, with occasional appearances from Jon.

Roman Polanski’s recent arrest in Switzerland on a 1977 statutory rape case – and his battle against extradition to the US – is another story we’re covering on Fox News Radio.  This topic also led to heated discussions on the Strategy Room Entertainment Hour.

Jill Zarin of the “Real Housewives of New York” joined the panel and debated all the hot topics with us today.  She also dished on meeting Kate Gosselin recently and called Kate “cold as ice.”  Celeb feud alert!

Jill Zarin of "Real Housewives of New York"

Tune into the Strategy Room Entertainment Hour LIVE weekdays 12-1et and stay tuned to Fox News Radio for all the latest news from Hollywood and beyond.  And, as always, we want to hear from you.

Click “comments” below and share your thoughts on Polanski, Jon and Kate, The Real Housewives and more!

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The Emmys are known as “TV’s Biggest Night,” but the red carpet also makes for one of fashion’s biggest nights. As your favorite TV stars walk the red carpet, fashion stylist Hitha Prabhakar takes notes.

Heidi Klum

BEST DRESSED

Prabhakar tells me the very pregnant reality host nominee Heidi Klum is “a winner” in her Marchesa gown. Us Weekly’s Fashion Director Sasha Charnin Morrison adds Klum is “having her 4th child and she looks that good. What a pro!”

Blake Lively

Morrison calls presenter Blake Lively “sexy, hot, fierce” in Versace. And Noelle Watters of FNC Imag loves Olivia Wilde of “House,” also in Marchesa.

Olivia Wilde

WORST DRESSED

Melora Hardin

Watters gives “The Office” actress Melora Hardin worst-dressed honors for “looking like a lemon meringue.” Both Watters and Morrison put Tina Fey in the worst-dressed category. Morrison calls Fey’s black gown “a downer.”

Tina Fey

And Prabhakar gives the worst-dressed award to reality host nominee Padma Lakshmi of “Top Chef.” Prabhakar didn’t think the dress was right for Emmy night – especially if Lakshmi had won. “She could’ve potentially gone on stage with that atrocity,” says Prabhakar. (That possible sartorial crisis was averted, though, when Jeff Probst of “Survivor” won the Emmy for reality competition host.)

Padma Lakshmi

For all your style and celebrity scoop, catch the Strategy Room Entertainment Hour weekdays at 12-1et.  And, as always, we want to hear from you. Click “comments” and tell us whether you agree with our fashionistas!

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By Ashley Dvorkin, FNC Entertainment Producer

Aside from chatting with Megan Fox and her humor-horror flick co-stars about their gig coming out this week “Jennifer’s Body” (see past “On the Scene” entry), there were other A-listers who lent us their time to dish about their latest projects.

Multi-tasking entertainer Mariah Carey turns actress again for the drama “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” an intense film in which she plays a social worker trying to help a troubled 16-year-old abuse victim (played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who’s name I predict we will all know soon).  It’s the film Mo’Nique is already getting awards buzz for and the one Oprah is producer on.

This is the role you may have also heard features a make-upless Mariah (with a wardrobe circa 1987).  She has a fun sense of humor when talking about stripping down her usual glamorous look to get into this heavy role that she calls “more than a plain Jane”.  It was a welcomed challenge and she trusted the director, but admits to trying to sneak a little blush and laughed when she added “it didn’t matter, like blush was going to solve that issue.”  So as you can tell, no Diva-attitude here!  I think we’ll be seeing more of the Hollywood-bound Carey who admits she’d like to keep pursuing this route.

(Stay tuned for more on this film when it gets closer to the November release date!)

Meanwhile, Matt Damon was also in town for “The Informant!”, due out this week, a dark comedy based on true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in the US.  Although when it comes to undercover spy work Matt said, “I don’t think I’d be particularly good at it, I’m not very good at keeping secrets in general.”  And bringing things back to his Academy Award win for writing, I asked if he’ll be doing more behind the camera work, “I’d like to keep writing and eventually want to direct”

It was also fun to spend time with Ricky Gervais who pretty much does everything on his upcoming film “The Invention of Lying” as star, writer, and director.  Set in a world where everyone tells the truth because they have to and “saying nothing at all” isn’t an option – it co-stars Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe among other big-time cameos.  We talked about having fun on the set (nerf balls were apparently a toy of choice) and Lowe clarified the theory that just because they make believe on the big screen doesn’t mean they are good at lying in real-life he says “good actors are bad liars, bad actors are good liars”.  I also tried to throw a statistic at Gervais about how many times people lie in a day just to have him play along but – I didn’t have the number on me!  So although a funny moment, it was a failed attempt – guess I’m not that good a liar either!

You only have to wait until October for this one.

(and yes, there will be plenty more video and information on those films too coming up on Foxnews.com!)

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Season 5 of the comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” hits F/X tonight. To celebrate, the Paddy’s Pub crew thrilled fans of the show last night at New York’s Beacon Theater with a performance of last season’s memorable musical episode, “The Nightman Cometh.”

Photo courtesy Patrick McElhenney

Cast member Danny DeVito says this season, the show will tackle the recession and the Bernie Madoff headlines. DeVito’s character, Frank, is the father figure to the rest of the gang. When economic woes hit Paddy’s Pub, his character helps out. “So I dig into my secret capital,” says DeVito, “And I keep them afloat. But I got hit hard by a Ponzi scheme guy. So it affects everybody.”

The gang also gets into WWE-style wrestling – for a good cause. The characters aim to entertain the troops, but something tells me their USO tour won’t go smoothly. Star Glenn Howerton, who plays egocentric Dennis, gives me the scoop: 

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” premieres on F/X tonight at 10pm.

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By Ashley Dvorkin, FNC Entertainment Producer

Aside from chatting with Megan Fox and her humor-horror flick co-stars about their gig coming out this week “Jennifer’s Body” (see past “On the Scene” entry), there were other A-listers who lent us their time to dish about their latest projects.

Multi-tasking entertainer Mariah Carey turns actress again for the drama “Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire” an intense film in which she plays a social worker trying to help a troubled 16-year-old abuse victim (played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who’s name I predict we will all know soon).  It’s the film Mo’Nique is already getting awards buzz for and the one Oprah is producer on.

This is the role you may have also heard features a make-upless Mariah (with a wardrobe circa 1987).  She has a fun sense of humor when talking about stripping down her usual glamorous look to get into this heavy role that she calls “more than a plain Jane”.  It was a welcomed challenge and she trusted the director, but admits to trying to sneak a little blush and laughed when she added “it didn’t matter, like blush was going to solve that issue.”  So as you can tell, no Diva-attitude here!  I think we’ll be seeing more of the Hollywood-bound Carey who admits she’d like to keep pursuing this route.

(Stay tuned for more on this film when it gets closer to the November release date!)

Meanwhile, Matt Damon was also in town for “The Informant!”, due out this week, a dark comedy based on true story of the highest-ranking corporate whistleblower in the US.  Although when it comes to undercover spy work Matt said, “I don’t think I’d be particularly good at it, I’m not very good at keeping secrets in general.”  And bringing things back to his Academy Award win for writing, I asked if he’ll be doing more behind the camera work, “I’d like to keep writing and eventually want to direct”

It was also fun to spend time with Ricky Gervais who pretty much does everything on his upcoming film “The Invention of Lying” as star, writer, and director.  Set in a world where everyone tells the truth because they have to and “saying nothing at all” isn’t an option – it co-stars Jennifer Garner and Rob Lowe among other big-time cameos.  We talked about having fun on the set (nerf balls were apparently a toy of choice) and Lowe clarified the theory that just because they make believe on the big screen doesn’t mean they are good at lying in real-life he says “good actors are bad liars, bad actors are good liars”.  I also tried to throw a statistic at Gervais about how many times people lie in a day just to have him play along but – I didn’t have the number on me!  So although a funny moment, it was a failed attempt – guess I’m not that good a liar either!

You only have to wait until October for this one.

(and yes, there will be plenty more video and information on those films too coming up on Foxnews.com!)

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By Ashley Dvorkin, FNC Entertainment Producer

In Diablo Cody’s dark comedy “Jennifer’s Body” the academy-award winner’s version of High School has the popular girl in class as a literal “maneater” (think horror film) and is played by constant headline grabber Megan Fox.  Surprisingly, Fox says high school for her was actually “torturous.”  And when we talked about whether playing a role in the lockered hallways makes you nostalgic, she said she’d like to “go back to a time where I didn’t have any responsibility, but not necessarily high school.”

Also, when it comes to all the attention she gets these days, she doesn’t even have Twitter, Myspace or any other online way to respond directly or talk to fans.  She said “I don’t need to get on and address things that happen publicly to everyone. I feel like I cling to my privacy and I don’t need to expose myself further to people. I would love to interact with fans but I don’t think that something like Twitter is the appropriate forum for me to do that.”

Click here for more of the interview with Megan Fox and her “Jennifer’s Body” co-stars Johnny Simmons, Amanda Seyfried & Adam Brody!

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Kanye West has apologized for interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards.  Click here for more on West’s outburst.

Despite West’s apology, some music fans don’t seem ready to forgive him just yet.  Many are speaking out on social networking sites this morning.  In fact, each of the top ten trending topics on Twitter is related to West’s outburst.  In my search of the comments on Twitter and Facebook, it appeared the vast majority are outraged.

On Facebook, Jenny Smith-Davids writes, “Kanye needs to take a step back. When he wins a VMA then he can have the stage. Taylor Swift is incredibly gifted (as is Kanye) but this time the VMA was awarded to Taylor and he showed no respect. Booo Kanye – you just lost a fan.”

On Twitter, a user with the handle GOPMommy writes: “Another classless Kanye move.”

And a Twitter user known as Floobernino says, “What Kanye did was inappropriate but he has a history of this type of behavior so none of us should be surprised by this.”

What do YOU think about the incident?  Did 19-year-old Taylor Swift handle it well?  What do you think motivated Kanye West to take the mic from Swift?  Is this just part of the craziness that always surrounds the VMAs? Click “comments” below and share your thoughts.

We’ll also discuss this topic today on Strategy Room – tune in online 12-1et at http://bit.ly/fxfxfx and join the conversation!

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“Revolution” is one of 45 songs on “The Beatles: Rock Band” game hitting stores today.  Many in the gaming industry are hoping the Beatles will revolutionize how video games are played!  Creators hope game-loving teens and Beatles-loving parents will strum along to the Fab Four songs together.

Getting parents to pick up the game is key, since the biggest gamers — teenage boys — might not know much about the biggest band of the British Invasion.  Remember American Idol contestant David Archuleta during Lenon-McCartney week last year?  The then-17 year old failed to wow the judges with his rendition of “We Can Work it Out.”  He explained that he wasn’t too familiar with the Beatles, but did know the Stevie Wonder version of the song!  Of course, shows like American Idol are introducing Beatles song to a new generation of potential fans … which game distributor Electronic Arts is probably very happy about.

The Fab Four tell us “All You Need is Love.” But to play this game, you also need a console, microphone, a plastic guitar and drum set!   The console can sell for up to $300 dollars — it’s another $250 for a package with the game and instruments.  If fans actually shell out for all that, it could mean a boost to the video game industry.  Total sales for hardware and software are down about 30% from last year.

We want to hear from you.  Click “comments” below and tell us:

• Are you a Beatles fan?
• Do you play many video games?
• Will you pick up this game?
• And, if you don’t mind … are you closer in age to Paul McCartney or David Archuleta?

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I sat down with Renée Zellweger this week to talk about her role as a 1950s-era mother in “My One and Only.”  In the film, her character embarks on a cross-country road trip with her two sons, Robbie and George.  The story is loosely based on the life of actor George Hamilton.  Hamilton says he actually cried when he saw Zellweger’s portrayal of this mother on the bigscreen.  “I felt like I was there,” he told me, “With my mother.”

Zellweger told me she loved “everything” about working on the period piece.  “It was so much fun. The clothes, the styling, the houses, the car.  Oh, the car.”  Zellweger had much more to say about the Cadillac in the film (and not all of it positive)!  Watch the clip below to hear for yourself:

As you can see on the clip, Zellweger was very cheerful and full of laughs.  She was a joy to interview from the moment I arrived.  In fact, here’s a behind-the-scenes moment that you won’t see on TV:  She kept complimenting me on my black wrap dress, and asked if it was Diane von Furstenberg.  I couldn’t remember the designer, and she kept asking, so finally I turned around so she could peek at the tag.   Once that was settled, we started the interview.  After we finished discussing the movie, I thanked her and left the room.  Just as I walked out the door, I heard her say to her stylist, “White House/Black Market, we have to go there.  I liked that dress.”  I never, ever thought an Oscar winner would be taking fashion notes from me.  She probably knew I was within earshot and was just being nice, but it still made for a memorable moment.  Thanks, Renee!

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Liam Neeson talks to Jill Dobson and shooter Paul Alvarez

Neeson spoke to the press about his new film, “Five Minutes of Heaven.” The film was shot in his native Northern Ireland. He told me he left Ireland about 30 years ago, and said returning there to shoot this film, “was very emotional for me, on a lot of levels.”

The film focuses on violence between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland during the 1980s. A heavy topic, but Neeson brightened up a bit when I asked whether we might soon see him star in a sequel to his recent blockbuster “Taken.” Watch the clip to see his response, and to hear more about his other projects:

Neeson has been a widower since March, when Richardson died following a skiing accident. The couple have two sons. When an AP reporter asked Neeson’s idea of “Five Minutes of Heaven,” he said being with his sons and said he’s “kind of living it at the moment.”

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America’s highest-rated show must go on—without Paula Abdul.  Abdul says she’s sad to leave and will miss “nurturing all the new talent.”  Idol executives issued a statement noting, “She’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.” 

 Today, fans are reacting to the news.  On Twitter, one American Idol fan says “I hope she will change her mind.”  Another says, “I’ll miss her but it won’t be as devastating as losing Simon for example, he’s more crucial.”

 Alex Ben Block, a contributing editor to The Hollywood Reporter, tells me, “Paula is the sympathetic face of the show, a good balance to Simon.”  But Block expects Idol to remain the highest-rated show on television, even without Abdul.  He says he believes people tune in for two things: the competition and to hear what judge Simon Cowell will say.

 What do YOU think of Paula Abdul’s decision to leave American Idol?  Click “comments” and share your thoughts.  For more on Abdul’s departure, check out the video clip below.

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Meryl Streep in "Julie and Julia"

Meryl Streep channels ‘The French Chef’ Julia Child on the bigscreen this weekend in “Julie and Julia.”  The two-time Academy Award winner (and 15-time nominee!) tells me she loves a good meal with good company.  Streep also says she doesn’t understand the appeal of cooking competition shows.

 “I just think that sports basically has ruined everything,” says Streep, “Certainly movies.  And now cooking. So everything’s a competition to get to the finish line or to achieve some numerical score. I can’t think of anything less quantifiable than a wonderful meal with friends.”

Even more delicious, to co-stars Amy Adams and Chris Messina, is Streep’s transformation into the towering TV chef with the trilling voice.

“We did this table read,” says Messina, “And she came the first day with the wig and these high heels that make her taller. She had the accent, the voice, and she was Julia from the first day.”

 Adams adds, “She was able to bring the essence of Julia, the voice of Julia, without ever feeling like it was an impersonation.”

Watch the clip for yourself to see Meryl as Julia – and hear what the Oscar winner says about marriage, her inspirations and more.

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Camera 1: Guests Brooke Hogan, Mattie Roberts. Camera 2: Host Jill Dobson

Brooke Hogan joined Strategy Room today to talk about her new album, “Redemption,” her famous father, Hulk Hogan, and her feud with her mother Linda.

The singer and star of Vh1 reality show “Brooke Knows Best” told us her mother called her a liar and bashed Brooke’s music career.  In response, Brooke wrote the scathing song “Dear Mom.”  In it, Brooke addresses Linda with lines like, “selfish… you mistreated your own kids.”  Brooke also told us she’s still very close with her father, and shared some funny stories about the Hulk’s overprotectiveness.

Brooke visited the Strategy Room Entertainment Hour on our first day on a new set.  I’m including a photo of the set, just as the show was starting, as well as a photo of the monitor in the new control room.  I don’t know why it says “prompter” on the screen (above) – I guarantee you there’s no prompter or script of any kind on Strategy Room!  Any of our regular viewers will back me up – it’s a very loose format!

Producer Joshua Belsky welcomes Brooke Hogan

Check out Strategy Room LIVE weekdays 9am-5pmET online here. Every hour brings a different host and panel of guests – and the noon eastern hour is all about entertainment.  Click on soon and join the fun!

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Emma Watson and Rupert Grint on the press line

Famous fans, screaming onlookers and the incredibly polite cast of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” all converged at the Ziegfeld theatre tonight for the film’s North American premiere.  Daniel Radcliffe (also known as Harry Potter) arrived early, signed autographs and gave thoughtful interviews to all the TV crews.  Cast members including Emma Watson (Hermione), Rupert Grint (Ron), Bonnie Wright (Ginny) and Tom Felton (Draco) all told us they had lots of laughs working together on the set.  Several cast members described how weird it is to have romantic scenes with each other in this film!  Diane Sawyer told me she loves Harry Potter because we all want a bit of magic in our lives.  We captured a great moment on tape when I interviewed Kelsey Grammer.  The crew next to me was interviewing Daniel Radcliffe, but when Radcliffe noticed Grammer, he starting telling Grammer repeatedly, “I’m such a fan.”  Radcliffe then greeted Grammer’s young daughter, who looked so happy she could cry.  Very sweet.  

Marcia Gay Harden and two young wizards

Marcia Gay Harden, recent Tony award winner for her role in the Broadway play “God of Carnage,” brought her daughter and a friend — dressed as wizards — to the premiere.  Then Harden had to hurry to the theater for tonight’s performance of “God of Carnage” — the show must go on!  

Daniel Radcliffe works the red carpet

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I hit the social networking sites to ask people if they’ll be watching the Michael Jackson memorial. On Facebook, Tenzin writes:

he’s a pop god i would surely have attended the concert if i could … but i can only watch it on tv …

The memorial is on TV today, including LIVE coverage on FOX News hosted by Shepard Smith. But for those who aren’t near a TV today, we’re also streaming live right here on FoxNews.com. I’ll be covering the memorial itself and the lead-up to it from 12-2pmET on Strategy Room. Reporters Anita Vogel and Adam Housley are covering the expected family funeral and the public memorial in Los Angeles for Fox News, and may also be joining us with live reports on Strategy Room. At 2pm, I’ll head over to FOX News Radio, where I’ll join host Todd Starnes to discuss the performances, the attendees, and more. We’ll be sure to discuss the cost of today’s events, which has some fans very concerned. On Twitter, Jeff writes:

Label me a fan, but this thing about taxpayers paying for the funeral security is off the wall.

And others say they aren’t fans of Jackson at all, but will still check out today’s memorial. On Facebook, Jeffry writes:

I may watch it out of curiosity because it’s demanding so much attention. If I were out there and if I had a ticket I might attend because it’s an historic event not because I’m a Michael Jackson fan.

Will you be watching today’s coverage? If so, is it because it’s become such a huge news story, because you’re a fan, or for another reason? We want to hear from you. Click “comments” below and share your thoughts.

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OK, I must admit, I wasn’t the hugest of Michael Jackson fans.   I, like millions of others, own a copy of Thriller (the vinyl edition sits in a box in my father’s basement on Long Island).   And I, like millions of others, danced many a disco night (including at Studio 54) to “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” et. al.

But after the 80s, Jackson, and I, had moved on.

So it was with a little cynicism I took on the assignment of covering the Jackson death in London.  But almost right away I realized how special he was to a lot of people.

Getting my Friday morning coffee at our cafeteria, I chatted with a young woman who was very sad.  She was disappointed that she hadn’t been able to buy one of the 750,000 (!) seats for Jackson’s planned series of concerts in London which were sold out in a matter of hours.

When we were doing man-on-the-street interviews near the Michael Jackson sound-alike show “Thriller” in London’s West End, we ran into, by coincidence, two New York musicians who played with Jackson in 2001.    Their deep, profound and heartfelt regard for his artistry moved me.

As did other warm comments from people ranging in age from around 12 to 60+.

By sheer coincidence, this has been a huge Rock weekend in the London area.   The UK’s annual version of Woodstock, the Glastonbury festival, was being staged outside of the city.  That drew artists to gigs in London.

Jackson’s death and these concerts got me thinking about what “Pop” music (remember he was the “King of…”) means to me…and us.

Last Thursday night I saw, for the first time, one of my more modern groups, The Dave Matthews Band.   They usually play huge arenas in the States but as their following is smaller here, they played in a cozy smallish theater.

Friday, a venue in my Chelsea neighborhood hosted Roger McGuinn, founder of the legendary Byrds group. It was a bit forced, but he performed wonderful, absolutely iconic (there I said it), tunes from the Byrds’ catalogue.

Then, the big time.  The Hard Rock Café sponsored a set of concerts at one end of Hyde Park in London getting a crowd of some 50,000 for each day’s set.   The headliner Saturday night was one of my favorites, that old rock warhorse, Neil Young.

Sunday night at Hard Rock Calling, the headliner was none other than New Jersey’s hometown boy, Bruce Springsteen.   He’s arguably been my favorite singer since the first time I heard “Rosalita.”   His music a constant of passion, politics and hard–driving, good-natured rock.  Sunday he didn’t disappoint.

The age of the audiences for all the shows literally spanned decades.   And nearly everyone seemed to know the words to all the songs.  And nearly everyone got into it.

At my relatively advancing age, I’m still belting out  “Born to Run,” “Rockin’ in the Free World”  “My Back Pages” and more.

When I was young, rock’n’roll was the music of youth and rebellion.    You always kind of thought you’d eventually grow out of it and by the time you were thirty you’d be listening to classical music and Frank Sinatra.   But funny, that didn’t happen to me and it didn’t happen to a lot of other people.

One song at the Neil Young concert summed up the generation-spanning emotion-grabbing character of pop music.    These days, Neil Young’s encore tune is an odd choice, the Beatles’ 1967 Sgt Pepper anthem, “A Day in the Life.”

Saturday night it was perfect :

After Young did the first part of the song (the bit Lennon wrote and sang, “I read the news today ‘O boy’…”), out came Paul McCartney from the side of the stage where he’d been watching the concert.  And he sang the bit he wrote and performed  (“Woke up, fell out of bed…”).  They then finished it together including the endless final note, with back up vocals and cheers from EVERYONE in the crowd.

So what does this all have to do with Michael Jackson?

While a few acts at the Glastonbury festival paid tribute to Jackson, funnily enough, Jackson wasn’t mentioned at any of the four concerts I attended.

Disregard?  Emm, not really.

Most of the acts had some link to Jackson.  McCartney performed with him.    Springsteen’s ‘80s albums dueled with Jackson’s. Both Young and Matthews use or have used backings that would not have been not out of place on any funky Jackson album.

No.  I think tribute was paid by all of these performers simply by performing the music he championed, and made even bigger.

And again while “Beat it” might not have been in my pantheon of rock classics, I defy anyone to sit still when the riff  “ABC….It’s easy as 1,2,3….It’s simple as Do-Re-Mi…” blasts out of the radio.

All the best, Michael.

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by FNC reporter Alicia Acuna

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By Alicia Acuna
Reporter, Denver Bureau

Fox News field producer Faith Mangan and I arrived on scene at the home Michael Jackson about an hour ago. The exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood, located next to Beverly Hills and BelAir, has been taken over by news trucks, tour buses and fans.

The neighbors are not happy. A few second ago, a woman who lives adjacent to Jackson’s rented property snapped at a Los Angeles Police officer, “When are these people going to leave?!?!?!” A tour bus was kicked out, but got stuck in neighborhood traffic, further infuriating the locals. We’ve seen one vehicle go into the Jackson home, but not one leave. There is no family representative here on scene, so we are still awaiting word on what happens next for the Jacksons. The home that Jackson has been renting here, goes for a reported 100,000-dollars a month. More later….

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Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon in 1989

Fans and fellow celebrities are celebrating the life of legendary television personality Ed McMahon, who passed away early this morning.

He may have been best known for his resounding introduction of Johnny Carson on the “Tonight Show.” When I interviewed him at a film premiere in July 2007, he worked MY name into his famous catchphrase, saying “Herrrrrrre’s Jillly!” into the microphone. What an honor! He was friendly and generous throughout our interview, and I truly enjoyed meeting him.

Those who knew him much better than me are sharing their memories today. Doc Severinsen, “Tonight Show” bandleader during the Carson era, said in a statement today, “He was one of the greats in show business, but most of all he was a gentleman.”

McMahon’s publicist, Howard Bragman, tells Fox News Channel that fans should remember the highlights of McMahon’s “wonderful life.” Among them, working as an announcer on the Jerry Lewis telethon, hosting “Star Search,” and laughing along with Dick Clark on “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes.”

In addition to his long list of career accomplishments, McMahon will be remembered for his upbeat spirit. As he told Fox in an interview last October, “The best thing I say is to try to look to a brighter sunrise. Tomorrow’s going to be a better day. Feel that way, live that way, and do your job that way.”

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NKOTB's Joey McIntyre with Jill Dobson

I’m backstage with Joey McIntyre and the rest of The New Kids on the Block!  They were the Jonas Brothers of their day… beloved by throngs of screaming preteens in the late 80s and early 90s.  These days, the fans are more composed (and all grown up)… but they tell me they are just as excited as ever to catch the group on their Full Service Summer Tour.

Twenty-two-year-old Jesse McCartney is opening for the group, after previous tours with FloRida, Fergie and Jordin Sparks.  He tells me this is a different audience than he’s used to. “It’s a nostalgic crowd, really,” says McCartney.  “There are a lot of women in their 30s.”  Come backstage with Danny, Donnie, Jordan, Jonathan and Joey!  Click here:

The New Kids on the Block will bring “The Right Stuff” to another 18 cities nationwide before their tour wraps next month.

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Demonstrators protest David Letterman

As fans of David Letterman’s “Late Show” lined up for tonight’s taping, protesters gathered across the street chanting “Fire Dave!  Fire Dave!”  One audience member from Detroit told me he’d seen the Letterman-Palin feud on the news.  He told me, “At first I was concerned, but Letterman apologized, it’s over now.”  Others say Letterman’s joke that Gov. Sarah Palin’s daughter was “knocked up by Alex Rodriguez” is unforgivable.  Some said he should be fired, others called for suspension, and many said they hoped corporations would stop advertising on Letterman’s show.

 The protest may have been small — I’d estimate 35-50 demonstrators attended — but it was chaotic as passersby stopped to check out the scene, tourists took photos, and the NYPD tried to keep the sidewalks clear enough for pedestrians to walk by.  Also, a few people turned out to protest the protest!  A handful of people held up anti-Palin signs.  They had their own fenced-off area to stand, separate from the larger protest.  Meanwhile, some passersby were offended that we were covering this story at all. One man told us we should be covering Iran.  He walked off before I could tell him that my Fox News Channel co-workers are doing a great job of providing in-depth Iran coverage around the clock.  Overall, plenty of passionate people sharing their viewpoints — and another interesting day on the job as Fox Entertainment Correspondent.

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