Relieved of his duties as captain of the biggest environmental catastrophe in history, after last week’s stonewalling in D.C., BP’s CEO Tony Hayward, former head of exploration and production for the oil giant, got a piece of his “life back” this weekend by participating in a yachting competition!
Originally the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., the multinational later changed the name to British Petroleum, then BP. And who can forget the other principles, Halliburton and TransOcean. In this intense piece, 60 Minutes speaks to a survivor of the Deepwater Horizon blowout, who revealed problems long before the spill.
In a thrilling series against the Celtics, the Lakers won back-to-back championships in a 7th-game nail-biter at Staples Center! The teamwork was great, led by Kobe and Pau Gasol. Fisher, Odum, and Sasha Vujacic, off the bench, made important hoops.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1ewIkVRdEo]
On the national stage since Sept. ’08, I had hoped that by now Sarah Palin would be long over. But she has just begun: bestseller, handsomely-paid speaking engagements, Fox News forum–and the ear of a constituency. I watched her endorse candidates in the last weeks. Here in California I saw Carly Fiorina’s ads proudly announced: “Endorsed by Sarah Palin!” 3 of her 4 picks won their primaries. She speaks in sound bites, the media loves to cover her; she knows her audience, and how to incite them. A male friend told me that’s she’s sexy. Her whiny voice is slightly more modulated; she must be taking lessons. This woman is very calculating…and dangerous.
Mickey Cohen sweet talks "girlfriend," legendary stripper, Candy Barr. Sunset Strip, 1959. Photograph by Fred Tschantre / Los Angeles Times
For those awaiting my forthcoming book,Mickey Cohen: The Life and Crimes of L.A.’s Notorious Mobster, publication date is May 1, 2012. I’m happy to shamelessly proclaim: This is a book I’d want to read! Filledwith provocative revelations about Hollywood, and it’s self-promoting Hollywood mob boss (circa 1940s-76), readers will learn much juicy info about many prominent figures of the mid-20th century (including Shirley Temple’s encounter w/ the mobster) and how Mickey Cohen, a hyperphobic, asexual tough guy, learned to manipulate the media so well,that among other things, he managed to be acknowledged as a bonafide ladies’ man—bogus history that still holds. The high drama that constitutes the material is so operatic, I would love for it to become one! Check out MickeyCohenBook.com
I’m currently interested in the New York City Ballet’s upcoming Call Me Ben, a ballet about Bugsy Siegel, as conceived by Angeleno dancer and choreographer, Melissa Barack.
Speaking of Siegel, Warren Beatty is Bugsy-obsessed.Examples: He lived in Siegel’s penthouse at the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel for years; did not just make Bugsy, a movie about the handsome gangster, he also married the leading lady; he titled Bulworth, another of his cinematic efforts, after a Siegel horse; and most tellingly, his first-born son is named Ben.
(several times), but this is the first time I’ve gotten a real feel for Chicago. I’m impressed! We stayed at the tiny chic Talbott Hotel. Located in Chicago’s Gold Coast on a beautiful tree-lined street, it’s in the middle of the action. Although time was short, we managed to take in the Loop, seeing many significant skyscrapers, from early buildings of 19th C. architect Louis Sullivan to contemporary showpieces. The multitude of European-style parks and Beaux-Arts public buildings near Lake Michigan, were standouts. Big and bold, downtown Chicago, boasting both the Chicago River and a Great Lake, makes even Manhattan pale in comparison. Driving north on Lake Shore Drive, which becomes bucolic Sheridan Road, we saw luxury high-rises turn into forty miles of historic lakeside mansions. Our sightseeing ended in the platinum village of Glencoe–the hometown of my great friend Michael Bloomfield. No time for the Frank Lloyd Wrights–they were in another direction–but dinner at Il Mulino, a terrific Italian in the Victorian Biggs mansion, was a special treat. Will be back.
