BOP Daily News
April 14, 2006
The spirit of BOP News lives on in
This is So Last Week,
our pop culture week-in-review,
presented in a pleasing quiz form.
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Here is yet further proof that George Clooney should just take over Hollywood entirely. The Oscar-winning actor, accolade-receiving director, screenplay-writing Hollywood genius auctioned off the goody bag he received at the Academy Awards and donated the money to charity. The winning bidder was not identified, but the $45,000 raised in the auction will go to the United Way in support of their hurricane relief efforts. And just what did the lucky winner receive? Here are a few of the items reportedly included in each bag given out at the Oscar awards: a Canadian travel package complete with luxury hotel stay, dinner at five swanky restaurants, spa treatments, and yoga sessions; a Krups Premium Pump Espresso Machine and illy's Limited Edition Pistoletto Foundation Espresso Cup Collection (must have been a really big bag); a special collection of Moonstruck Chocolates (Portland, Oregon) truffles set within a hand-crafted Thai silk and teak wood box; a Kay Unger vintage silk kimono; one year’s supply of Manni olive oil; a two-night stay (plus surfing lessons!) at the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California; and an "at-home artisanal cheese experience," courtesy of The Cheese Impresario.
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We have "No Child Left Behind," and the Brits get Monty Python. Or at least Michael Palin, a veteran of the famous comedy troupe who has lately made a name for himself as a travel writer and documentary host. Palin's book "Himalay" is now required reading for high school geography classes in the UK. The book describes Palin's six-month, two thousand mile trek through India, China, and Pakistan that ended in 2004. British School Minister Lord Adonis (that's his actual name) selected the book in order to boost students' interests in geography following a report from the government's Office for Standards in Education that said geography was the worst taught subject. The report's drafters cited too much emphasis on rote memorization of facts and too little time spent engaging students in learning about other countries and cultures. Palin seemed honored by the announcement, reportedly saying "To really understand the world, you need to get under the skin of the people and places. In other words, learn about geography. I can't imagine a subject more relevant in schools." We're waiting to see if the opening scenes of The Meaning of Life will become required viewing for religious studies courses.
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Everyone else can bring you news about Naomi Campbell giving the beat-down to her household staff, but at BOP, we bring you the news that really matters. Like Britney Spears giving birth while crouching naked over a bearskin rug ... which is the latest work of art from sculptor Daniel Edwards'. The man who previously sculpted Ted Williams' decapitated and frozen head will open his latest work -- "Monument to Pro-Life: The Birth of Sean Preston" -- at the Capla Kesting Fine Art Gallery in Brooklyn. So get your tickets now! The sculpture is of the pregnant and utterly naked pop idol crouching on all fours, face down over the head of the bearskin rug with ... well, let's just say she's in the very late stages of labor. Edwards reportedly described his work as "a new take on pro-life," saying that he wanted to provoke dialogue "greater than the issues presented by either pro-life or pro-choice advocates." He did not meet with the singer during the time he made the sculpture, using photographs to model her head and face and his own imagination for the rest of her. So far, neither Spears nor her publicists have commented on the artwork.
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"You are in the middle of this, whether you like it or not. Okay? You wanna be a hero? You want a medal, or are you a coward? "
Box Office Prophets offers quality, reliable news about the entertainment industry. BOP is also entertaining. To that end, please be advised that some content in this column is intended to be humorous and should not be considered factual.
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