Entertainment Archives

Harpo Studios announced today that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday, Nov. 16, in what it is dubbing a "world exclusive."

Like Tetris simple.

Seriously - playing Tetris can improve your intelligence after repeated play, according to a new study, "leading to improved brain efficiency and a thicker cortex."

As word gets out that 'Little Fockers,' the third installment of the 'Meet the Parents' series, is filming in Chicago this week, tweets are popping up about celeb sightings around town.

It's a show that has been talked about for days now, many thanks to Lady Gaga's "s-bomb" and an appearance from Madonna. But the real impact of the latest SNL seems to be a viral video on the Web, depicting President Barack Obama's accomplishments, or lack thereof.

If you like television, this list of actors, writers, and directors is for you.

Many thanks to the Chicago Tribune's Mo Ryan for piecing this together and giving us permission to republish it.

To those who grew up in the Chicagoland area, Kiddieland in Melrose Park has been a staple of classic, low-cost family fun. 

Legendary DJ, turntablist and producer Roc Raida, also known as Anthony Williams, died today at the age of 37, according to the Twitter accounts of Busta Rhymes and multiple other DJs.

It turns out Google Chrome isn't just a new Web browser. It's also a place you can play classic Nintendo video games, Mashable discovered, which helped "Good Old NES Games" vault to Twitter's Trending Topics.

When ABC Nightline co-anchor Terry Moran tweeted to his one-million-plus followers that President Barack Obama called Kanye West a "jackass" for his VMAs outburst at Taylor Swift's expense, Moran became the jackass.

Oprah Winfrey has not been shy about the fact she'd like to interview Jaycee Dugard, the 29-year-old woman who was kidnapped at age 11 and was recently found.

Some 65,000 lucky fans are attending the first of two U2 concerts at Soldier Field tonight, and if TwitPics are any indication, it's quite a spectacle. Here's a collection of photos from the scene thanks to Twitter.

Ernest Wilkins of RedEye is conducting a social experiment to re-create the events of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." He posted a schedule on the RedEye blog hoping for people to tweet and Facebook the link to spread the word.

Many have said that it's awfully selfish of Oprah to shut down a portion of North Michigan Avenue for more than 48 hours and disrupt countless Chicagoans' commute fresh off a holiday.

But was it really her idea or could there be more to this behind the scenes? Let's mull over the evidence, shall we?

Oprah will be taking her show to the streets.

The Big O will be shutting down three blocks on Michigan Avenue to kickoff the 24th season of her program next week.

News spread to the Twitterverse from An Improvised Blog that Michael Pat O'Brien of Second City and The Reckoning will be making the big move to New York City to write for Saturday Night Live.

By: Tim Healey and Natasha Roman

Chicago residents might be noticing an unusual sight in the sky: Fighter jets. That's because it's almost time for the annual Chicago Air & Water Show, which is entering its 51st year.

There's been all sorts of interesting sights at Lollapalooza 2009, and a number of Twitter users are capturing the scene via TwitPics on this third and final day.

Here's a compilation of TwitPics from the day.

Chris and Mike Schuba, owners of Schubas on Southport Ave. will open a new music venue on 2424 N. Lincoln Ave, taking the place of the now defunct Three Penny Cinema.

The new venue, Lincoln Hall, will be three times as large as Schubas, according to Greg Kot's article in the Chicago Tribune.

By: Natasha Roman

Let the neighborhood partying begin, Wicker Park Festival starts this Saturday! On north Milwaukee Avenue (between North Avenue and Wood Street) the two-day fest will feature performances from over twenty different indie music groups, some of the tastiest foods from local eateries, arts, handcrafts, and family activities.

The Twitter reviews are in: John Legend put on an outstanding performance at Ravinia tonight. Those who will be attending tomorrow's show will get their money's worth, according to the Twitterverse.

News hit the Twitterverse today that the Beastie Boys will not appear at Lollapalooza this year due to Adam Yauch a.k.a. MCA's newly diagnosed cancer. The group posted a youtube video on their website explaining the details of his cancer and treatment.

The Chicagoist reports Day two of Pitchfork was much rowdier than the first.

One would argue, with a band name like F**ked Up in the mix, rowdiness is bound to ensue.

Pitchfork Music Festival is still worth the trip according to Sun Times pop music critic Jim DeRogatis. The cutting-edge music scene is still alive and well; and DeRogatis says Pitchfork is everything a music festival should be.

By: Natasha Roman

The annual Pitchfork Music Festival begins tonight in Union Park. This year's three-day event will feature "over 40 of independent music's best bands and artists on three stages," according to the Pitchfork Music Festival website. Package passes are available as single day passes at $35, Saturday and Sunday two-day passes at $60 and three-day passes are $75.

By: Natasha Roman

Elton John and Billy Joel performed to a sold out crowd of 41,000 last night at Wrigley Field. The 62-year-old Elton John and 60-year-old Billy Joel jammed on their pianos for 3 non-stop hours proving to fans that they "still got it." This is only the third concert to be held in Wrigley Field following Jimmy Buffet in 2005 and The Police in 2007 according the the Chicago Tribune.

By: Natasha Roman

Wrigley Field hosted music legends Billy Joel and Sir Elton John last night. Here is a collection of TwitPics by various Chicagoans who attended the event.

According to Chicago's Twitter feed, Bravo is in the process of a new reality show called "Artist" and is in town sifting through our city's most talented people who are willing to stand in long, long lines.

Five-hundred thousand new followers later, Oprah Winfrey has finally broken her Twitter silence.

In her longest hiatus since joining the social networking site in April, Oprah sent a pair of tweets at about 6 a.m. local time today...

The tweeples have spoken: seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at midnight is a hot item on their "to do" list.

Rap mogul Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, performed at Charter One Pavilion with female hip-hop artist Ciara.

Breaking Tweets Chicago Correspondent Gia Teolis gave us the "blueprint" of the concert from traffic in the parking lot to funny, but familiar smells in the midst of the crowd...

Like the rest of the world -- some say this will be more widely viewed than the funeral of Princess Diana (2.5 billion) --, Chicago is watching the Michael Jackson Memorial Service today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

According to Chicago tweets, Millennium Park is hosting a massive Twister game, along with free wine tasting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sounds like quite the Chi-town lunch break!

Sixteen-year-old musician Nick Jonas may have tried to keep his visit to Northwestern University on Monday under the radar, but it made its way around Twitter quick.

Posted by @Willie_Day26 with the caption, "New MJ Tattoo"

By: Maria Khan

As Chicagoans continue their weekend long July, 4th celebrations, the weather seems to have taken a toll. Despite rain forecasts, Local Twitterers are already buzzing their plans to hit the Lakefront for another dazzling night of fireworks.

If you dared to venture to the loop this weekend, you witnessed how wild Chicago can get in the summer time. But for those of you who still haven't gone out of your way to taste Chicago and see the fireworks, let Breaking Tweets Chicago be your eyes and ears on the scene.

BT Chicago contributing editor Craig Kanalley and correspondent Maria Khan survived the large gathering that is July 3rd in Grant Park and lived to tweet about their adventures.

One of Chicago's craziest weekends is upon us and if you're still not sure what kind of activities to partake in, Metromix Chicago has the "schedge" laid out for you.

Most of the city has the day off today, and locals are tweeting up their weekend plans. Take a look and you might find some ideas!

Oprah sends her first tweet with Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, left

Be Oprah.

She had 1,336,827 followers when she sent her last tweet on June 6. Today she has 1,801,684 (and counting). That's the power of Chicago's top Twitter user.

Chicago, what exactly happened last night? Do tell...

Johnny Depp and Christian Bale's newest flick, "Public Enemies," is causing quite a stir in the Windy City. Filmed at various locations throughout Chicago and based on the life of John Dillinger, "Public Enemies" has the Chicago Twitterverse buzzing.

Local media reports are denying a widespread Twitter rumor this morning that police were investigating R. Kelly and raiding his Olympic Fields home, apparently based on this report by MediaTakeOut.com.

A local police spokeswoman told Chicagoist, "All rumors are completely false information. There is no investigation into R. Kelly at the present time. We have been fielding calls for the past three days."

PRIDE Chicago had a successful weekend of activities for the GLBT community that was capped by the 40th annual Pride Parade on Sunday.

A free Broadway in Chicago concert will be held tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Petrillo Music Shell as part of Taste of Chicago. Jersey Boys and Mary Poppins could make an appearance, says Michael Lehet over at "What's a boy to do?".

Twitterers post their best views of today's Gay Pride Parade on Halsted.

GenArt's 3rd annual Indie film festival at the Music Box Theatre and AMC Piper's Alley began June 23 and its finishing up, but there's still time to participate. Closing night is tomorrow Saturday, June 27.

The Chi Guide explains that each day since June 23 GenArt features a new Indie film and throws an after-party at various lounges all over the city. Saturday it will feature "Shrink" with an after-party at Loft Six Ten, 1332 N. Milwaukee Ave.

"This year's slate features outstanding performances by actors Kevin Spacey, Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Saffron Burrows, Dallas Roberts, Justin Long, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Scott Caan," according to ChiGuide.

Chicago locals have been tweeting about the festival since it began.

1. 
   wickerparkliz Liz is going to the GenArt Film Fest. Should be pretty cool . 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   mikehernalsteen Anyone in Chicago headed to the opening of the GenArt film festival tonight? 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   KelliZink tonight begins the GenArt Film Fest- I will be watching all 4 films as a juror. Getting my popcorn ready as @terrellowens81 would say... 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   kathrynswartz Spent tonight at @ GenArt's Chicago Film Festival opening night for (500) Days of Summer and after party #fb 24 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   iamBolaji dang! had an email for comp admit plus guest 2 GenArt film fest and afterparty and completely missed it 24 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   billyrood Photo: So I just did the opening night of the GenArt Film Festival on Tuesday and was there to photograph... http://tumblr.com/xaa25gyd6 25 Jun 2009 from Tumblr
7. 
   MerrittPR Excited for the Baby Shower for one of our marketing and sales team members after work today! Then tomorrow night is GenArt movie premier! 25 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck

Find out what hotspots the locals are hitting up to start their weekend.

1. 
   joegrock Preparing for a Public Enemies Movie Party tonight with Upscale TV at the Erie Cafe in Chicago tonight! RSVP at upscaletv.com 26 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   whereivebeen Heading to the Twenty-Something bloggers event tonight. Who else is going? http://short.to/hmd3 #chicago #travel 26 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   CTalarico Yachting adventure tonight on lake michigan! Can't wait! 26 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
4. 
   philipadrian Come see The Seldoms perform TONIGHT at the A.W.A.R.D. Show! 8pm at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. Tickets are only $15 26 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   Kyleramos RT @MetroChicago: @PetLions play Metro at 9 tonight. Tix are still available at doors. If you're getting antsy, there's always exoticcatz 26 Jun 2009 from Tweed
6. 
   Toughcrowd @bstemmler I'm a stickler for making my own pizza... But Giordano's is always good... I'm heading to a new place called Rocco's tonight!!! 26 Jun 2009 from web in reply to bstemmler
7. 
   TotallySwtChi Weekend update: great show tonight: Bird Names, Killer Whales, Golden Birthday http://tinyurl.com/mqqg84 26 Jun 2009 from web
8. 
   beerinator Headed to Map Room tonight around 8 or so. Someone go down there now and hold a table for me! :) 26 Jun 2009 from twidroid
9. 
   illxica MJ special on the Hot Mix show tonight @ 9pm. - Midnight with DJ Greedy. 26 Jun 2009 from TwitterFox

People "from all around" are stopping by Michael Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, a part of the Chicago metropolitan area, and paying their respects, per WBEZ.

According to CBS-Chicago, crowds began assembling outside the modest house, 2300 Jackson St., within minutes of word that he had died Thursday in Los Angeles, after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Twitter users in and around Gary are providing an inside look at the scene today and sharing their condolences with the Jackson family:

1. 
   thetruedon7 I live in Gary, Indiana and its so crazy out by michael jackson's house.... lol. michael jackson impersonator out there.... lol. 26 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   mikebrownLCR Sending out my deepest sympathies to the Jackson family on the loss of Gary's native son, Michael Jackson the King of Pop. 26 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   JED1230 853am... the region is mourning...tons of people out at 23rd and jackson, the old jackson family house... gotta walk 3-4 blocks to get there 26 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   NikNoble @afrocenchic might take the kids to 2300 Jackson St. in Gary to leave flowers, it's about 30 mins from my house. Wanna come with? 26 Jun 2009 from UberTwitter
5. 
   PostTrib Mayor Rudy Clay wants Michael Jackson's funeral to take place in Gary. www.post-trib.com 26 Jun 2009 from web
6. 
   TheCalculation I rode down MJ's old crib a few months agohttp://bit.ly/mypyK
   not a soul was out there 26 Jun 2009 from web

Here's a few other tweets from the Gary area:

1. 
   clwise6 I was driving to work listening to the radio station play all of MJ's jams getting teary eyed!! I remember my black pleather pants and ... 26 Jun 2009 from txt
2. 
   NiaMalia WTF man!!!! Like Seriously... WHAT THE [expletive]!!! the should cancel the TASTE in tribute to MJ today..dont trip its just the TASTE 26 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   cris_travis I am still really shcoked. I thought MJ was invincible 26 Jun 2009 from UberTwitter

The hottest Chicago link on Twitter today referred to Johnny Depp leaving a $4,000 tip for a waiter during a recent visit to Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in the city. The Yahoo! Movies link was tweeted 105 times as of this post, while other Tweeters linked to the story at Examiner, Radar Online, Windy Citizen and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Per Yahoo! Movies, Depp spent about three hours at the restaurant with "Public Enemies" co-star Marion Cotillard, director Michael Mann and others. The bill reportedly came to $4,400, meaning Depp nearly doubled it. The lucky waiter was Mohammed A. Sekhani, who says he has waited on Depp before.

Some Chicago Tweeters shared their thoughts about the big tip.

1. 
   lsilverman Johnny Depp left his server a $4000 tip at dinner after the Public Enemies premiere... makes me want to start waitressing again 23 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   thefabgiver I'm in the WRONG business! RT @Audarshia: BLOG: Johnny Depp leaves Gibsons server $4,000 tip! http://bit.ly/4NBjF 23 Jun 2009 from UberTwitter in reply to Audarshia
3. 
   SHEisI Johnny Depp dined at Gibson's in Chicago and left a $4000 tip!!! Lucky waiter! http://bit.ly/MawcG 23 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   pmac8732 Johnny Depp dropped a $4K tip on a $4K meal...God I wish I had his money...actually I just wish I was him... 24 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   PRluna I think Johnny Depp should teach a "how-to-tip" class...seriously, this is cool- http://bit.ly/1avZ2L 24 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   SubZeroMK Johnny Depp leave a $4k tip for a Chicago waiter, WOW I need to work at that steakhouse! 24 Jun 2009 from web

What's your reaction to the tip? Let us know by replying to @BTChicago on Twitter or leaving a comment here. Breaking Tweets Chicago: Your place for Chicago news, Twitter-style.

Per the Chicago Tribune, the former governor's wife was voted off the island in the reality TV show, "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here."

Rod Blagojevich originally was tapped to appear on the show, however, when a judge ruled against his participation Patti stepped up to play. "She kept a low profile for much of her run on the show," according to the article.

Twitterers from Chicago were following closely when Patti was booted.

1. 
   PaigeWiser YES!!! Patti Blagojevich has been evicted from "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" 24 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   CoryMD Crying with @theroyaldirt over patti blagojevich's departure recap video from "I'm a celeb, get me outta here". Ridic. 24 Jun 2009 from twidroid
3. 
   lovememazda3 i may be the one and only person, living in the state of IL, who thinks that patti blagojevich really isn't that bad...rod however, yikes. 24 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   waddie1976 I cannot believe that Patti Blagojevich was voted out of "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here." 24 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   AFrangias [about time-I could only stand 10 mins of only 1 day of that show] @ChicagoBreaking: Patti Blagojevich off reality show http://tr.im/pxdL 24 Jun 2009 from Twitterena
6. 
   Borisasaurus "Patti Blagojevich's 'Celebrity' adventure ends." Now it's back to "Out of Touch with Reality" once again. 24 Jun 2009 from web

According to Ellen Degeneres' Twitter account, she was in town this week giving away tickets to the TBS Just for Laughs Comedy Tour in Chicago which took place June 17-21 in venues all over town.

Ellen was spotted by the Millennium Park bean Monday. The first five people to find her and bring her garbanzo beans received free tickets to her show.

Other acts in the comedy tour include David Alan Grier, Andy Dick and Martin Short.

Ellen tweeted to let Chicago fans know of her location and how to win tickets.

1. 
   TheEllenShow Do you wanna win tickets to my sold out Chicago show? You'll find out how in a few hours! 15 Jun 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   TheEllenShow I'm about an hour away from personally giving away tickets on the streets of Chicago stay tuned 15 Jun 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   TheEllenShow First 5 people to show up to the bean with garbanzo beans wins tickets to my show go now! 15 Jun 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   TheEllenShow I'll be at the bean in one minute 15 Jun 2009 from mobile web

Twitterers from Chicago are hoping to get their hands on some free tickets.

1. 
   lspurge getting a pedicure and stalking ellen were the most productive things i did today. stellar. 16 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   marina81 Just missed seeing Ellen at The Bean. Congrats to the lucky people that got free tickets to her comedy show in Chicago! 16 Jun 2009 from web
3. 
   MLB_ChiVino @YogiJones ooooo I want tickets!!! I love Ellen! 16 Jun 2009 from web in reply to YogiJones
4. 
   workinggirltwo #squarespace Dear Man Upstairs, I'd love to win free Ellen tickets AND an iPhone today. Can you make it happen? Great! Thanks! 16 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   isatrava Waiting for ellen degeneres tickets to fall from the sky into my hands. My mom leaves back to Venezuela on Sunday. The tickets would be nice 16 Jun 2009 from web

Per WLS-TV, "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven appeared at Rockit Bar and Grill Saturday for his annual Piven Theatre Workshop benefit.

Piven's parents started the workshop where "many Chicago actors trained before making it big in Hollywood," according to the article. Rockit Productions CEO Billy Dec co-hosted the event.

The Chicago Tribune reported that many local sports stars attended the event such as Brian Urlacher and Luol Deng.

Several locals tweeted about going to the event, including Miss Illinois USA Ashley Bond.

1. 
   DrewDoleski Going to Le Passage w/ @ViSusan to hang out with Jeremy Piven tonight. 20 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   MisILAshleyBond Rockit for the jeremy piven billy dec fundraiser 21 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   SydneyOwen Piven in the house at underground. 21 Jun 2009 from Tweetie
4. 
   npwrites http://twitpic.com/7zk5l - I told you Jeremy Piven was here, "hug it out!" 21 Jun 2009 from TwitPic
5. 
   mpbullship Jeremy Piven said Billy Dec has more celebrity friends than he does, "without a doubt -- hands down.".....http://bit.ly/80cpW 21 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck