When A&E this morning announced the new reality TV show Steven Seagal: Lawman, about the action hero's second act as a New Orleans deputy, we marveled at his gumption and stick-to-it-iveness. We were reminded of other inspirational, unpredictable second acts, and we immediately thought of other admirable men, like the political advertising genius Chuck Norris, the Method actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, and that great American patriot Arnold Schwarzenegger. You know who we didn't think about? Dolph Lundgren.

We knew that pathetic eighties girlie-men like Dustin Hoffman and Chevy Chase would amount to little outside of Hollywood — but we expected more out of Dolph. Other action stars have demonstrated true courage by imagining careers outside of anticommunist action thrillers, while Dolph has cowered in his little corner: a scared little boy, afraid of taking real risks. Just look at the record:

Chuck Norris: With one show, Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris ended history’s shameful segregation of cowboys and martial artists. Then he supported Mike Huckabee, transforming him from also-ran to contender. Had Norris not been held back, he would have kicked Obama's ass.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Schwarzenegger did what he could to change the world within the studio system, using Kindergarten Cop to prove that threatening brutes could be caring fathers too (paving the way for Vin Diesel and the Rock). But that wasn't enough: His election as Governator broke barriers for Austrians, orgy enthusiasts, ass gropers, and Hummer enthusiasts.

Steven Seagal: Thanks to the brave work of this man, action films are no longer the domain of fit or thin action actors. He never spoke about it, but the quiet bulk of his moral authority transformed the genre into something bigger, even as he launched the 240-calorie energy drink Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt. Now he's saving real lives as a deputy in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. With his bare hands.

Jean-Claude Van Damme: Nearly consigned to a life of copycat action films like Lundgren's, Van Damme broke with Lundgren after the Universal Soldier films and reclaimed his dignity in this year’s dizzying metaphysical heist film JVCD, revealing himself to be an introspective postmodern conversationalist and avant-garde animal lover.

And you, Dolph? What have you done? Other than direct yourself in one straight-to-DVD, filmed-in-Bulgaria action flick after the next, as another crazy vigilante, another terrifying Russian, another martial artist named Lance Rockford working to stop the terrorists for a president played by Jerry Springer… What have you done outside of your comfort zone? Nothing. Fraidy-cat.

Dolph, please take a chance. You're from the land of August Strindberg, Ingmar Bergman, Victor Sjöström, and the world's most famous singing chef — don't hide your genius from the light. Rip it out with your bare hands and drop-kick it back into the ring.

Read more posts by Logan Hill

Filed Under: arnold schwarzenegger, dolph lundgren, jean-claude van damme, movies, steven seagal, sylvester stallone, unsolicited opinion

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It’s said that when Victor who officiated Ben and Jennifer’s wedding back in 2005 was asked if Jennifer was pregnant, he replied: “Yes, she is.”

A source close to the couple has said that “Jennifer is five months pregnant. They are both very happy.”

Jennifer has revealed that Ben is a fantastic father to Violet; she said that “You know how as a kid you picture yourself with a tall, handsome husband, and you imagine him cuddling your baby? Ben is like that, like, on crack! Violet prefers him to anyone. He’s a teddy bear of a guy. Nothing makes me happier than to see the two of them together and her little hands on his face. He has a prevailing calm. Of course, he has the benefit of sleep!”

Do you think that Ben makes a great dad?

Congratulations to them both

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Gone Baby Gone director Ben Affleck almost arrested
Jennifer Aniston prepares to adopt a baby boy
Louise Redknapp is expecting Jamie Redknapp’s baby
The Rockford Files James Garner has undergone surgery after stroke
Beyonce Knowles Expecting Baby with Jay-Z?

Page along with friend Stephanie Ford, 25, were both charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, Ford was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Page and Ford were arraigned and released after posting bail, Barenaked Ladies Page had to pay $10,000 bail and Ford $5,000.

Christine Benedito was also arrested later that morning; all three will appear in Village of Fayetteville Justice Court on Thursday.

A rep for the Barenaked Ladies has said that they are not able to comment on the matter before court. However they did say that they are sure that Page will be completely exonerated.

Source

New St Trinian’s from Ealing
Fergie and Duffy feature on Sex And The City movie soundtrack
Robbie Williams has split from his latest girlfriend
The Rockford Files James Garner has undergone surgery after stroke
Tila Tequila: A Shot at Love 2

It is going to kind of feel like a Love Boat episode because there were so many past stars out yesterday and doing press for Hallmark. If they actually made a Love Boat show, I guarantee you Corbin Bernsen would do it.
When is the last time you saw Ben Vereen? Check out the dreads. He actually looks younger than he did 20 years ago. Tenspeed and Brown Shoe anyone?
Buckcherry - Jones Beach, NY

So from what I gather this is kind of like MTV Cribs, but Danish royalty style. With all of the Mamma Mia! photos I have been showing, I somehow passed over Dominic Cooper.
Chloe Sevigny and her boyfriend James Ransone. FYI, he is no stranger to full frontal so they should get along well.
Christian de la Fuente does a little role playing with a cow. Hey, whatever it takes. I don’t judge.
The thing is, there was no wind. Claire Danes’ hair is actually doing that on its own. Guess it was Hugh Dancy’s doing.
This photo of George Clooney was probably taken from about a mile away. I’m guessing that is why it looks like he is drunk off his ass. Oh. Emily Mortimer. She is one of my favorites. You might not have seen her, but she was the “other woman” in 30 Rock, and she is the final piece of the puzzle in my theory that Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral are in fact the same film with just a few minor changes.
Surprisingly I think this is a first time appearance for Eriq La Salle.
Daphne Zuniga. Hey if you didn’t like her in Melrose Place at least she was in a John Cusack film. I know, I know, but she was in The Sure Thing. So, right there you have to love her forever.
Donna Mills completed the smile after a two hour effort.
Gwyneth Paltrow doing her Victoria Beckham impression.

See?
And the obligatory is she pregnant photo.
So here you have piddily diddily and the other guy is actually named Guy. It is Guy Oseary who was fired by Lenny Kravitz a few weeks ago and so to get back at Lenny he started the rumors about C-Rod and Lenny to help Madonna who he manages sell tickets on her tour. Presumably now we can expect Doody to be thrown into the mix as well.
I think it is always a nice touch when actors bring props to the red carpets. Here is Gyton Grantley and some money at the premiere of The Bank Job.

When I think of Sally Homemaker, I’m not thinking Jamie Pressley. In fact, I think she has come out and said she doesn’t like anything domestic at all. So, the whole Purex spokesperson thing only makes sense if you think there were a couple of guys at the ad agency who saw Poison Ivy 2 and said to themselves they wanted a shot at Jamie. Lo and behold she is your new spokesperson. I’m just not sure what it is. Oh, I know I could make some kind of sex toy joke, but seriously, I have no clue.
As a designer your first thought shouldn’t be, “hey, let me design a dress that looks like someone is lifting their shirt and showing off their breasts for Mardi Gras beads.”

Lee Tergesen is another first timer. Katie Lee Joel is one of the few women that Peter Cook did not sleep with in New York. Probably not for a lack of trying though.
So, I thought I would give Kellan Lutz one more shot because that last outfit was a little unfair, but honestly he still looks like a guy who gets his ass kicked on a regular basis.
Jane Seymour and Wedding Crashers. Brilliant career move on her part.
Jason Statham just because I always like his suits.
Hey, here’s a brilliant idea. Lets market lip gloss to the under 5 crowd. Its been too long huh? Well here is some Ryan Gosling for you.
Yet another first time guy. Raoul Bova this time.
Meredith Baxter. Still looks angry doesn’t she?
This device Ludacris is wearing allows him to speak to Xenu directly.

The Hush Sound - New York Thom Filicia just because sometimes I wish they would bring back Queer Eye.
The Cab - New York
Yeah he’s sober.
Taxi Amarillo - New York

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VIA STARTRIBUNE

“American Idol” 2006 contestant Princess P is becoming a mommy.Paris Bennett is expecting a baby girl in October and will be 20 when mommyhood arrives.”This makes five generations,” an overjoyed Jamecia Bennett, told me Thursday.Jamecia, who like her daughter and mother is a singer, is absolutely over the moon about being a first-time grandmother.

“I’m proud of how she did it. I was 16 when I got pregnant,” said Jamecia.

Paris’ great-grandmother is Shirley T. Bennett, 75, of Rockford, Ill.; her grandmother Ann Nesby, a gospel and R&B powerhouse, who lives in Atlanta, was with the Sounds of Blackness.
Who’s the daddy? “He chooses not to be in the public eye,” said Jamecia. “I respect that.” What does he do for a living? “I can’t tell,” she said.

“She has a ring,” said Jamecia, who’s hopeful that she’ll be planning a wedding for Paris.

The planning for an August baby shower is already underway. A few celebrities may fly into town for the show, including Queen Latifah.

Latifah has made it clear that she plans to spoil this baby with gifts and that she won’t be stopped. You’re the princess but I’m the queen, Jamecia said Latifah told Paris.

It’s now said that the soap chiefs have worked round the injury by writing it into a storyline. Steve said last night that “I’m feeling much better.” But BBC bosses took the accident so seriously they have Health and Safety officials investigating at the set in Elstree, Herts.

A friend of Steve said that “He had the operation and was back two days later. He’s a proper geezer and just wants to get stuck into work.”

Steve’s on-screen niece Sam Janus fell downstairs and broke her shoulder in March. Barbara Windsor, Phil’s TV mum Peggy, broke her wrist and sprained an ankle in 2006.

We hope that Steve makes a full recovery soon

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Elizabeth Taylor rushed to hospital
Ted Kennedy to undergo brain surgery then help elect Barack Obama
The Rockford Files James Garner has undergone surgery after stroke
Amy Winehouse rushed to hospital
Kid Rock Rushed to hospital

James Garner, who was hospitalized late last week after suffering a minor stroke, is doing well and should be going home shortly, the veteran television and film star’s publicist said Tuesday.

The star of such TV shows as “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files” went to the hospital after becoming ill at home Friday, said his publicist, Jennifer Allen.

“He’s still in the hospital but my understanding is he is doing well and will be going home soon. When, exactly, we have not been told yet,” Allen told The Associated Press.

Garner, who turned 80 last month, rose to prominence in the 1950s as the star of “Maverick,” playing a wry riverboat gambler who was quicker with a quip than a gun and, unlike his Western counterparts, was faster still to run from trouble than to face it. The show aired from 1957 to 1962 but Garner, who was nominated for an Emmy as Bret Maverick, left in 1960 to pursue a film career.

He has appeared in such films as “The Children’s Hour,” “Victor/Victoria,” “The Great Escape” and was nominated for an Oscar in 1985 as the small-town pharmacist opposite Sally Field in “Murphy’s Romance.”

Garner returned to television full-time in the mid-1970s, playing Jim Rockford, a modern-day private detective who, like his “Maverick” character, also was not afraid to run instead of fight. He won an Emmy for the role in 1977.

Garner also reprised his Maverick role in the short-lived “Bret Maverick” series in the 1980s.

More recently, he played Katey Sagal’s father in the sitcom “8 Simple Rules … For Dating My Teenage Daughter.” Garner joined the cast in 2003 after John Ritter, who played Sagal’s husband, died during the show’s second season.

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