Love Nuke

Annie Duke

Born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire, Annie Duke grew up in a family that had cards and competition in the blood. In a home where card playing was the glue that held the family together, everybody not only wanted to win but needed to win.Early in her childhood, Duke struggled to fit in as a liberal product of two teachers in a sea of conservatism and privilege on the grounds of the prestigious St. Paul’s prep school. Never feeling like she quite fit in, at the age of 18, Duke matriculated at Columbia University and thought to try her luck in New York. Annie Duke completed a major in English and Psychology at Columbia University. After completing her undergraduate work at Columbia, she enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Cognitive Psychology.

In 1991, while Annie Duke was knee deep in doctorate research, she proposed marriage to an old friend, Ben Duke, packed up her life and research and left academia behind for Billings, MT. Living in romantic poverty with her husband, Annie Duke began to play poker in local pokers rooms to pay the mortgage on their first home. In 1994, at the suggestion of her brother, famed poker player Howard Lederer, Duke tried her hand at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. She ended up placing 14th in her first tournament, 3rd in her second event and making the money in the Main event. After winning 70K in her first month of competition, Annie Duke and her husband made the move to Las Vegas so she could pursue poker professionally.

Over the course of the next decade, Duke established herself as one of the best poker players in the world. In 2004, Duke beat out an assembly of 234 players in the WSOP $2000 buy-in Omaha Hi/Lo Split and won her first WSOP bracelet. In September of the same year, Duke knocked out nine of the worlds’ greatest poker legends and won $2 million in the No-Limit Texas Hold’em winner-take-all, invitation-only WSOP Tournament of Champions, established by ESPN and Harrah’s Entertainment. In 2010,Annie Duke won the prestigious NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship, besting poker legend Erik Seidel in the finals.In recent years, Duke has increased her focus on teaching, getting back to her original aspirations to follow in the footsteps of her parents. She is now sought after for her poker skills and knowledge, coaching the likes of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on their poker game and teaching poker seminars through the World Series of Poker Academy. In June of 2011, Duke published Decide to Play Great Poker with her coauthor, John Vorhaus. The no-limit hold’em strategy book has remained a best seller in the genre since its release.

Annie Duke also has a passion for charity. In 2006, she founded Ante Up for Africa along with actor, Don Cheadle, and Norman Epstein. The organization has raised over $4,000,000 for Africans in need, with a particular focus on helping victims of the conflicts in Sudan. Annie Duke can often be found playing in and hosting poker events to raise money for various charities including Life Rolls On, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Boston. In 2009, Duke appeared on NBC’s hit show Celebrity Apprentice, finishing runner-up to Joan Rivers. Through the show, Annie Duke helped raise $730,000 for Refugees International, a charity that advocates for refugees around the world. In 2011, Duke became commissioner of the Epic Poker League, a professional league which stages poker tournament for the best players in the world. Through her work with Epic, Duke co-created the Global Poker Index, the definitive poker ranking system, along with Eric Faulkner.Currently single, Annie Duke resides in Los Angeles with her four children, Maud, Leo, Lucy and Nelly.

Should poker celebrities be considered role models? It’s a question that many would answer, “Absolutely not!” And watching poker tournament pro Phil Hellmuth throw a temper tantrum at the poker table may not help the case much either. But before you rush to judgment, consider some of the other poker celebrities. For example, five time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Chris “Jesus” Ferguson earned a Ph.D. in computer science from UCLA before hitting it big in poker. He used his knowledge of game theory and computers to run simulations that helped him net the big bucks in poker tournaments. Not too shabby, and not usually what one would imagine when the thought of a poker player comes to mind.

Poker Celebrities

It is actually quite amusing that this dilemma only exists concerning poker celebrities players. You could be the most successful live blackjack player or the world champion at bingo, and probably almost nobody will have heard of you. Other than the fact that poker is more popular than both of those games, it probably has something to do with the fact that being one of the top poker celebrities really does require having very unique skills, and perhaps also a somewhat quirky character. Chris “Jesus” Ferguson is just one example.

Then there’s 23 year old internet poker celebrities sensation Tom “durrrr” Dwan, an engineering major who dropped out of college to pursue online poker games full time. He made over 5 million dollars playing online poker in 2008 alone. And let’s not forget poker tournament and cash game player Phil Laak, who has worked as a mechanical engineer and a day stock trader prior to his poker career. Not only that, but he is currently dating the beautiful movie actress and World Series of Poker celebrities bracelet winner Jennifer Tilly. Not bad, and in addition to all of that Laak also has his own television show that he co-hosts along with his best friend and fellow poker pro Antonio Esfandiari. And even the “Pokerbrat” Phil Hellmuth, whom we mentioned earlier, has launched numerous entrepreneurial endeavors in addition to his poker tournament career, including his own clothing line and energy drinks.

So as you can see, poker celebrities can come from many various and diverse walks of life. Gone are the days when poker players are only seen as macho, cigar chomping chauvinists. Today poker is for everybody and with options available to play free poker people are quickly able to learn it and shed their fear of getting involved with this game. And in many ways a poker tournament is an apt metaphor for life, teaching skills such as: being good at reading other people; being able to assess risk in relation to reward; and how to not just survive a situation, but how to thrive. All of these qualities that make poker great also make for an admirable set of skills when it comes to entrepreneurship and the pursuit of new ventures. Poker celebrities as role models you ask? It’s not as unlikely as you might think.

If Arnie and Sly wanted to make a point that action movies are a young man’s game, they demonstrated the point rather amply in separate stunt-related mishaps recently; and ended up next to each other in the hospital in the process.

Veteran of several action movies, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, having long been professional rivals, seemed fairly comfortable with each other indicating a fair degree of camaraderie. That’s also the opinion of the general public posting on various celebrity news websites

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Image courtesy: whosay.com

Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California who recently announced a return to action movies, posted a picture on his WhoSay account, showing Stallone and himself next to each other.

Celebrity Gossip: Shooting Action Movies, Getting Along Just Fine

Schwarzenegger had the following text accompanying the picture: ‘After all the action, stunts and physical abuse shooting (action movies) The Expendables 2 and The Last Stand, it was time for a little tune up on my shoulder. Look who was coincidentally waiting in line behind me for his shoulder surgery.

‘Now we’re ready for another round of great times and action when we shoot The Tomb.‘

Well into their sixties at 64 and 64 respectively, Arnie and Sly—as their many fans like to call them—must already be wondering if they should leave the action  movies genre to the younger men after all.

Celebrity Gossip Rags Taking it With a Pinch of Salt

This photo has been greeted with a far degree of skepticism in celebrity gossip columns as both of them have a few action movies to promote, including Expenables 2, which features both of them. If one looks at it that way, the coincidence does seem to be a little too well-timed for it to be real; that the photo shows a syringe sticking out of Stallone’s neck lends credence to the spoof theory.

Arnold and Sly were massive rivals in the 80s, and continually tried to outdo each other in the race to be the top action movies star in Hollywood.

While Sly starred in perhaps the two most enduring franchises in the world of action movies—Rocky and Rambo to be precise—the Austrian Oak  had an edge due to his massive box office successes with action movies such as Terminator 2, Total Recal, Red Heat and True Lies.

Forgetting Old Rivalries from the Golden Days of Action Movies

They seem to be over the rivalry now, what with their regularly co-starring in big-budget action movies hinting at a fast friendship: The Tomb would be their third movie together. Arnold also had a guest appearance in 2010′s The Expendables, while he has an extended part in the upcoming sequel.

In their latest project Stallone will play a man who designs an inescapable high-tech prison, but is trapped there himself after being double-crossed. Luckily he will be helped in his quest to escape with the help of a friendly fellow inmate played by Schwarzenegger. The seven-time Mr. Olympia winner has also just finished filming The Last Stand, Arnold’s first foray into action movies of the Western genre.

There are celebrities and then there are celebrity gossip celebrities: the ones who are famous for being famous (or even infamous). Kim Kardashian is a case in point. Every action by her seems orchestrated for the celebrity gossip rags, each one more tabloid fodder than the last. This time, though, even she would perhaps be uneasy over the attention her short-lived marriage to Kris Humphries is receiving from the celebrity gossip tabloids.

In fresh news to emerge from the ashes of her 72-day broken marriage to basketball player Kris Humphries—a union that had set tongues wagging in celebrity gossip circles—it turns out that Humphries just isn’t interested in any money whatsoever from a possible settlement.

Sources have revealed to certain celebrity gossip sites that there have been informal settlement talks between the legal teams of the two celebrities.

Humphries’ team has clarified that Kris doesn’t want a penny from Kim, and that the only contention from his end is that the marriage was a fraud. Sources have also revealed that a compromise on that point is unlikely as Kim is only willing to state that the marriage didn’t work out.

Celebrity Gossip: ‘Leaked Backstage Footage’ Strengthens ‘Fraud’ Claim, say Team Humphries Lawyers

Humphries’ legal team wants to study the video footage from the reality show Kourtney & Kim. This footage is of an emotionally charged talk, purportedly backstage on Kourtney & Kim, between Kim and her mother about the ‘failing marriage’. The lawyers representing Humphries are not claiming that this so called heart-to-heart was staged and actually happened in December on soundstage, not October as suggested. If true, his strengthens Kris’ claim about the marriage being a ‘fraud’.
In the “slice-of-life” scene that was allegedly leaked (as if it wasn’t meant to be seen!), Kim is telling her mother about how the marriage isn’t going as planned and asking her advice. Sounds touching, but the writers at this celebrity gossip blog aren’t sure what to think when news emerges that Kim and her mother emerged from a Hollywood TV studio wearing the same outfit and hairstyle as seen on the video.

Kim is Unperturbed by Celebrity Gossip Reports about ‘Fake Video’

Kim looked remarkably unruffled by Kris’s claims last night as she arrived looking happy and relaxed to take a flight out of LAX.

Wearing shiny black leggings, flip flops and a black blazer, the star looked fashionable.

Humphries has cited fraud as the official response to Kim’s divorce petition and is seeking an annulment instead. To that end, he wants his estranged wife, her mother and the show staff to be questioned by his lawyer regarding the aforementioned, allegedly fake conversation Kim had with her mother.

Kris feels that proving the whole conversation to be faked would lend credibility his own contention of being married to Kim under fraudulent circumstances.

Meanwhile, Kim wants her divorce petition heard by a mediator.

She’s reportedly keen to have her marriage to 26-year-old NBA star Humphries legally ended as soon as possible and plans to request that the proceedings are held in private. The latter is routine practice in California, since it’s a no-fault state.

Keep watching this space for more celebrity gossip updates.

Music journals and entertainment news publications are all excited about this week’s release of Ringo 2012, Ringo Starr’s latest music album.

In his recent interview with British comdedian Russel Brand, widely reported in the entertainment news media, he spoke about a lot of other things, as the two Britons enjoyed some light banter.

No Autobiography, says Ringo Starr to the Entertainment News Media

During the “Town Hall” broadcast on SiriusXM on January 30, Ringo reflected on how he’d been asked time and again by various entertainment news publications about the speculations regarding his self-penned memoirs.

Brand (left) and Ringo Starr share a light moment (Image courtesy: rollingstone.com)

“I’ve been asked to write an autobiography of myself, but they really only want those eight years,” he quips, in reference to The Beatles years. “And I say, ‘But there are 10 volumes before we get to that, and 20 afterwards.’”

The Essex born Brand reportedly held his own even as he had a look of boyish glee on his face, reported some of the entertainment news publications covering the event.

Entertainment news: Ageing Beatle Fields Audience Questions

The occasion for the interview was the release of Ringo 2012, and an intimate group of satellite radio listeners tuned in with prepared questions for the legendary drummer. Some of them caught even the unflappable Starr by surprise; for instance a fan mentioning that the 30^th of January was the 43^rd anniversary of the Beatles’ rooftop concert. That performance was the last time the Beatles would ever perform in public.

Starr harkened back to the 1969 concert, documented by a camera crew for the film Let It Be: “The police came to stop us, and I was on the roof: ‘Come on, drag me off!’ It would be so dramatic, and the damn cop wouldn’t drag me off!”, he says about what he calls his only disappointment from the concert.

Starr discussed his planned U.S. tour in 2012 and fielded questions on his life and music, including his ‘different’ drumming style, which he attributes to being born left-handed while his grandmother forced him to write with his right. He remains a southpaw in every other regard.

Among other things, he talked about the digital revolution, and how music lovers today prefer to pay for and download individual songs instead of buying an entire album. In his trademark easygoing way, he said it is just something one has to accept with the times, “It’s a different time, and I’m afraid to say that’s what I do.” He does admit he was a little averse to modern technology initially, but the possibilities excite him now.

Brand was spot on with his biting deadpan humor, as one rambling fan found out to his expense. When the said fan started going on and on, Brand declared, “You’re the worst audience member since John Wilkes Booth.”

Ringo and a Four Piece Band

Producer Don Was joined Starr for some questions, followed by a  four-piece band for some classic Beatles songs as well as some of Ringo’s solo tunes.

He sang “I Wanna Be Your Man” from behind the drumkit, and several other hits such as “Wings”, closing with the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from my Friends”.

‘I wouldn’t Change a Thing’ Says Ringo Starr

Looking back at the days gone by, Ringo Starr said he wouldn’t go back to change anything. He’d rather deal with what’s going on in the day-to-day right now, something he says isn’t always pleasant but is turning out rather okay right now.

So here we must bid you goodbye till the next time. Watch this space for more entertainment news and celebrity gossip in the coming weeks.

Here’s time for yet another helping of  Hollywood News to keep you abreast of the latest in show-biz. In entertainment news, several A-list actors and directors  have been lining up a bevy of upcoming projects. Enough, suffice it to say, to keep them busy and us fans in anticipation.

Hollywood News Update: Catherina Zeta Jones Coming Back with a Boom

After a long absence from the celluloid, it looks like Catherine Zeta Jones intends to make up for that by the sheer weight of numbers. Piggybacking on the the word of her comeback is the news that she already has four projects lined up, and possibly more in the pipeline. Three of these are already in the post-production stage: Adam Shankman’s Rock of Ages oppsite Tom Cruise, romantic comedy Playing the Field with Gerard Butler and Stephen Frear’s Lay the Favorite co-starring Bruce Willis.

Now, she’s in talks to star in the Allen Hughes crime thriller Broken City that already includes Mark Wahlberg and Russel Crowe in the cast. Sketchy details about the plot-line reveal that the film follows an ex-cop (Wahlberg) in a good guy on the run story in the Chinatown mould.

Steven Soderbergh’s Twin Labors of Love Shaping Up

Director Steven Soderbergh’s HBO project, Behind the Candelabra, based on the life of legendary pianist Liberace and his  relationship with lover Scott Torson. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon have been roped in for the roles of Liberace and Torson, respectively.

In the meanwhile, another ambitious project of Soderbergh’s, the film version of the 60s espionage based TV show The Man from U.N.C.L.E., has recovered from the setback of losing its leading man. Soderbergh had intended for this movie to be the platform to reunite him with George Clooney; the actor, however, had to drop out of the project just prior to commencement of shooting. The reason for this, as has been reported in various film rags, is the reemergence of the back injury that Clooney had suffered on the sets of Syriana. Hollywood news has it that The Hangover actor Bradley Cooper is now being considered for the lead role of Napoleon Solo, past candidates for which include Johnny Depp and Matt Damon among others.

It is noteworthy that along with Magic Mike, these two films are the list three Soderbergh would be involved in. The man himself has already announced his intentions of retiring from film direction to pursue his interest in painting.

Hollywood News: Matt Damon’s Directorial Debut

Matt Damon, who’s often in Hollywood news for his love of poker as much as for his acting prowess, is all set to graduate to a stint behind the megaphone with the crime drama Father Daughter Time: A Tale of Armed Robbery and Eskimo Kisses. This newly announced Warner Bros. production is scheduled for a 2013 release. Damon has also co-written another unnamed Warner Bros. project with John Krasinski and Dave Eggers; Hollywood News has it that Damon is supposed to direct this drama film as well. After engaging us with diverse roles which included the quasi-Bond character Jason Bourne, it looks like the talented Mr. Ripley is all set to break out another facet of his talent.

That’s all for now, stay tuned to this entertainment news blog for the latest celebrity gossip and Hollywood news updates.

Hello and welcome to yet another update as we bring you the latest celebrity gossip and news from the world of entertainment.

Kutcher’s Hotel Fling, Sara Leal, Spills All in Exclusive Celebrity Gossip Interview

Starting with the juicier gossip: Sara Leal, the hitherto unknown 22-year-old whose only claimed to fame is her self-alleged affair with Ashton Kutcher, has spoken at length about the affair in her first interview with US Weekly. Leal has reportedly stated that Kutcher claimed to be separated from his wife, actress Demi Moore, when he entered the affair with Leal.

Leal’s rather detailed and sordid revelations have made her the darling of celebrity gossip paparazzi. Leal claims that he told a group of women, including herself, at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, where they met. What makes Leal’s account more damning is her revelation that the ‘cheating’ took place on September 24^th, Kutcher and Moore’s sixth wedding anniversary, followed by the subsequent fling.

While  gossip rags have been quick to pounce on these revelations, making an instant celebrity out of 22-year old Leal, it is quite plain that her revelations will only harm all involved parties: Kutcher, Moore, and in the longer run, herself.

Celebrity Gossip: Diddy Saves Harlem Boys & Girls Club with Emergency Donation

Moving from salacious gossip to more heartwarming news, Sean “Diddy” Combs has recently come to the rescue of The Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, which was facing closure due to a cash crunch. As reported by some celebrity gossip papers, Combs donated $60,000 to the club.

Comb’s contribution would go a long way in directly benefiting underprivileged youth in the Harlem area, predominantly populated by those of African-American and Hispanic ethnicity. The club carries out educational recreational and social enrichment programs, which shall now resume after being interrupted due to the club’s financial difficulties.

Pressed for comment by some celebrity gossip publications, Diddy simply expressed his willingness to help, owing to past familiarity with the club: Diddy hails from Harlem himself.

Bravo Backs Bethenny Frankel’s Lost at Sea Story

Bethany Frankel, creator of “SkinnyGirl” and ex-New York Real Housewife, was recently subjected to rather scathing write-ups by celebrity gossip rags over the validity of her reported 20-hour ordeal of being stranded at sea. However, Bravo has jumped to her defense, reportedly confirming the story.

“It is accurate that Bethenny, Jason and their therapist were stranded at sea when the navigation on their boat broke during a taping for the new season of Bethenny Ever After,” a Bravo spokesperson said in a statement.

Frankel said she and husband, Jason, were lost at sea after the GPS on their boat malfunctioned. They had to wait 20 hours for the Coast Guard to come save them. However, one of the men who helped rescue them told some celebrity gosip publications that Frankel and her husband were fine. He claims it was staged for her reality show.

Keep reading for more celebrity gossip and entertainment news.

You know that we love to bring you the latest in entertainment news and celebrity gossip, so here’s another piece from our end. The year 2011 has just entered its last quarter, and its perhaps the right time to take a look at the actors who left a mark on 2011.

Entertainment News: Alex Pettyfer

This British youngster is fast becoming a favorite for the fantasy genre of movies, especially the ones adapted from literary sources. His film I am Number Four fared well at the B.O. even though it wasn’t very highly regarded by critics. His later release Beastly, a modern retelling of the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast is another commercial success that was critically panned. In both of these, however, Pettyfer’s performance has been appreciated. With his third movie for the year, In Time (aka Now) lined up for a late October release, this is turning out to be quite a year for Alex Pettyfer. Not to mention that his looks have made him quite the darling of various entertainment news periodicals.

Entertainment News: Chris Hemsworth

Hemsworth was noted and widely appreciated when he played Captain Kirk’s father in the 2009 film Star Trek. His breakout role, and one which has really made him famous, didn’t come till he starred in and as Thor in 2011. A critical and commercial success, Hemsworth in Thor has also set high standards for his reprisal of the role in the highly-anticipated 2012 release The Avengers. Outside of his armor and cape superhero escapades, two of his long delayed releases, Red Dawn (remake of the 1984 film) and The Cabin in the Woods are also lined up for 2012.

Entertainment News: Anton Yelchin

Anton Yelchin has been around for quite a while, but his has been a case of slowly gradually into a finer actor as the spotlight steadily grows. Starting off as a child actor, he has finally begun to come of age as a performer. His first release of 2011, Like Crazy went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival; from then on, the year only got busier for young Yelchin. He starred in Jodie Foster’s Beaver, horror-comedy remake Fright Night, had a voice-role in the highly anticipated animated comedy Smurfs. Seeing as he’s also set to reprise his role as Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek sequel, as reported by several entertainment news publications, things can only get better from here for Anton Yelchin.

Entertainment News: Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill being cast as Superman in Zach Snyder’s Man of Steel has received a decidedly mixed reaction, from movie industry insiders and neutral observers alike. While some admired his work in The Tudors and considered him as having the right physique, there were quite a few who doubted if he could measure up to the actors who’ve donned the red cape in the past. For that matter, there were also those who’d prefer any of the other probables over Cavill to fill in the red boots. That movie, however, is not set for release till 2013. After being suitably impressed by his range of histrionic talent as seen in 2009′s Blood Creek and Whatever Works, we shall be watching out for the man in the year-end release Immortals co-starring Mickey Rourke and Freida Pinto.

So this was about the impressive actors we noted in 2011. For more entertainment news, stay tuned to this blog.

This week we’re bringing you material that is a little off the beaten celebrity gossip track. All you entertainment buffs out there already know about the recently concluded Toronto International Film Festival 2011 and its huge roster of over 200 feature films, including new works from Luc Besson, Francis Ford Copolla, Steve McQueen and Pedro Almodóvar among others.

Here’s a list of some of the must-watch titles being screened at the TIFF 2011.

Entertainment News: The Lady at TIFF 2011

The Lady is the astonishing saga of Aung San Suu Kyi and her struggle, the quest of the woman who’s at the heart of Burma‟s democracy movement, not budging from her Gandhian ideals in the face of a tyrannical junta. It also tells of her heartwarming relationship with husband Michael Aris; through the travails of distance, long separations, and the danger of being alone against a brutal regime, their love endures. Directed by the legendary Luc Besson, it is a tale of love and devotion against the backdrop of the political tumult prevalent in Burma.

Entertainment News: Machine Gun Preacher at TIFF 2011

Machine Gun Preacher is based on the inspiring true storyof Sam Childers, a former underworld figure, drug peddler and gun-runner who turns over a new leaf in the most absolute and drastic sense when he finds his calling to rescue hundreds of abducted and orphaned children in Africa. Gerard Butler  of 300 and Rocknrolla fame delivers a tour de force performance as Childers in a emotionally charged tale of violence and redemption.

Entertainment News: Winnie at TIFF 2011

Winnie portrays the life and times of Nelson Mandela’s better half Winnie Mandela: always in the spotlight, yet reticent and media-shy to the point of being mysterious. It tells a sensitive story about her life journey, the undying love between her and Nelson Mandela, and their struggles for democracy in South Africa. Winnie paints a vibrant picture of one of the world’s most remarkable women.

Entertainment News: In Darkness at TIFF 2011

In Darkness tells the true story of Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief in Nazi-occupied Lvov, Poland. Stumbling upon a group of Jews in the sewers, he agrees to hide them for a price. What starts out as a straightforward business arrangement becomes something unexpected, as they all try to outwit certain death during 14 months of intense danger. Starring Robert Wieçkiewicz and Benno Fürmann.

Entertainment News: We Need to Talk About Kevin at TIFF 2011

Based on a novel of the same name by Lionel Shriver, it is a gripping exploration of the pscychology of a teenage mass murderer, and of his mother coming to terms with the unthinkable deed done and searching for answers all the while. Directed by Lynne Ramsay and featuring a stunning performance by Tilda Swinton as Kevin’s mother, this is a movie you must watch.

These movies are but a small selection from the maelstrom of film-making and acting talent that Toronto International Film Festival offered in its 2011 edition.

We’ll keep bringing you more entertainment news and hot gossip, so watch this space.

Actor Andy Whitfield, who starred in the title role in the Roman-era period series “Spartacus,” passed away in Australia on Sunday, the 11th of September, at the age of 39.

Celebrity News: Snuffed out in his Prime

Andy Whitfield, the muscle-bound actor best remembered for playing the slave-gladiator Spartacus, lost the battle of his life to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a kind of blood cancer. The diagnosis had been confirmed in March 2010, as reported by some newspapers.

Andy Whitfield, aged 39, passed away on September 11, 2011

Andy Whitfield was born in Wales on July 17, 1972. He completed his education at the University of Sheffield, graduating with a degree in Engineering, and worked in that line for some time. In 1999, Andy Whitfield moved to Australia where he felt the calling of ashow-biz career; to that end, he attended Sydney’s Screenwise Film & TV School for Actors. Andy Whitfield went on to star in several Australian television serials, such as Opening Up, All Saints, The Strip, Packed to the Rafters and McLeod’s Daughters.
Whitfield first came to be noted for his performance in the Australian supernatural-themed movie Gabriel. His most memorable role came in the 2010 television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, shot in location in New Zealand. He played the title role of the historical figure Spartacus, a warrior forced to be a gladiator in the Roman arenas and who ultimately leads an uprising against his Roman masters (the Third Servile War).

After being diagnosed with the fatal disease last March, Whitfield underwent treatment in New Zealand; though this disrupted the production of the second season of the show, producers were quick to conceive and shoot a six-part prequel, which featured Whitfield in a brief voice-over. After an apparently successful course of treatment that led to his being declared cancer-free a few months after treatment, he suffered a relapse later in 2010 that forced him to quit the show.

His wife, Vashti, issued a statement on Sunday confirming the unfortunate demise of Andy Whitfield and thanking fans and well-wishers for the love and support that carried him through the eighteen-month long struggle with lymphoma.

Starz Network, the cable network that airs ‘Spartacus’ released a statement by CEO Chris Albrecht expressing sorrow, commending the stellar work done by Andy Whitfield and offering condolences to the bereaved family.

Andy Whitfield is survived by his wife Vashti and their two children.

For more celebrity news and gossip, keep watching this space.

Hip-hop superstar Eminem gave fans an extraordinary treat during his slot at Britain’s V Festival on Saturday night (20 Aug 11), when Rihanna joined him for a surprise duet.

Marshall Bruce Mathers III a.k.a Slim Shady a.k.a Eminem was headlining at the festival in Weston Park, Staffordshire when the Umbrella hit-maker, who played her own set on the Virgin Media Stage earlier in the evening, stepped on to the Main Stage.

Rihanna, who was wearing a black leather dress, amazed the crowd by teaming up with Eminem to sing their 2010 hit single “Love the Way You Lie”.

Earlier in his set, Eminem played some of his hits, as well as a medley of The Real Slim Shady, Without Me and My Name Is, in addition to songs, The Way I am, Stan and Cleaning Out My Closet.

Marshall Mathers has come a long way since dropping out of the 9th grade at the age of 17, He found a way to put across his zeal for language, as well as to release his youthful anger, through the up-and-coming musical genre of hip-hip. He identified with the nihilistic rage of late-1980s and early-1990s rap music, and he was particularly taken with N.W.A, an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the most influential acts of the gangster rap sub-genre. Eminem proved highly skilled at battle rhyming sessions and, regardless of his race , quickly became one of the most respected personality in the underground rap scene in Detroit.

Is Jennifer single Again??? This the most common question that can be heard after Jennifer herself has declared that she is getting separate from Marc, her third husband, after seven years of their marriage.

Lopez, 41, and Anthony, 42, were married secretly on June 5, 2004 at her home in Beverly Hills, California and have two children together, twins Max and Emme.
After her first marriage to Ojani Noa in 1997, and again in 2001 to her backup dancer Cris Judd, this will be Jennifer’s THIRD divorce whereas for Marc’s it will be his second divorce.

News of Lopez and Anthony’s split was announced late Friday, when the couple issued a joint statement.
The couple just released a statement, claiming, “We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters.”

So what next for the couple???
The couple will be working jointly in another program, South American talent competition Q’Viva (“The Chosen”). And, both Lopez and Anthony will both be on board when the show begins taping in the fall.

Names of few famous celebrities where making headlines last week for their alleged involvement in an illegal celebrity poker tournament. The name which was most dragged into the whole issue was Tobey Maguire who is facing lawsuit for his connections with former hedge fund manager Brad Ruderman. Apart from Tobey other celebrity names that were associated include Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon though none of them are facing any legal issues surrounding the controversy. The game, run by convicted con man and former hedge fund manager Brad Ruderman, attract a fairly well-heeled clientele of the Hollywood elite.

Tobey Maguire, star of the Spider-Man films, has hired a lawyer to argue that the poker gameisn’t illegal, as he’s being sued in connection with them and a $300,000 debt that was paid off with money Ruderman took from investors.

Reports now indicate that cocaine and hookers were also present at the games, with inside sources saying that

“It was known to a handful of us that one player would keep two hookers down the hall of the hotel in another room. He would disappear for 30-minutes at a time, leaving the main players in the game frustrated. In reality, he was getting to do blow (in a room with) two hookers.”

How Maguire plans to argue that a poker game run by a convicted con artist(a game in which Maguire himself is reported to have been winning over a million dollars a month in) ought to be interesting. But even more interesting than that is the unknown identity of the “one player”. No indication yet on who that might be, but it will probably be very newsworthy when it gets out, as it almost certainly will.

Peace made between Lady Gaga and Laurie Ann Gibson. Some had reported rumors of an impending split between the two: the pop star was accused of neglect because the choreographer ‘too busy with the preparations of “Dance Scene”, the reality show devoted to dance, after the United States, will debut’ in Italy June 12 at 20:30 on channel E!(124 Sky).The rumors of a possible rupture but are ‘already’ been denied by a spokesman for the singer.

Gibson has recently stated: “When I met Gaga she was still famous. I put all my determination, passion and professionalism ‘in working with her, because’ it was clear his stuff from a great artist.”Storm came back then.

Laurie Ann Gibson ‘was the author of some of the most’ important video clips of Lady Gaga, including “Alejandro”, “Poker Face”, “Love Game”, “Paparazzi” and the last “Judas” for which the choreographer has had to defend his client against charges of blasphemy.With “Dance Scene” Gibson back on camera after participating in the reality show “Making the Band” and the movie “Honey” (2003) with Jessica Alba.

Since Black Friday, online poker in the United States has never seen worse days, even after the UIGEA came into force in 2006 and the biggest poker site in the United States PartyPoker, withdrew from the U.S. market. Player poker online casual all levels of the chain for high stakes online pros and everything had to adapt to life with fewer poker sites in the United States.

Online poker pros who live in the U.S. and earned a living playing poker online now in financial difficulties, especially when a large portion of their portfolio and if some are still linked to the seizure of their online poker account. After moving to Europe, as difficult as it seems.

Such an online poker pro Brian Mogelefsky, who had left the family in North Carolina after being forced to close its mortgage business because of the national financial crisis, it is now facing another crisis, as its sole means of income Poker Online is annihilated by the Government of the United States.

Head of the Poker Players Alliance John Pappas says that Mogelefsky’s story is not rare, as 50,000 online poker players who made a living playing online poker are now out of work since Black Friday when Poker Stars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker were all shut down to US players. Now this sector of the US public has now joined the unemployed Americans group.

Some players whose cash is tied up in an account at one of these online poker sites that no longer accepts US players may or may not get their money back. If they had a Poker Stars account, their chances are better, as Poker Stars has paid out some players; therefore, it seems likely they will continue to make pay outs.

It may be months if ever before Full Tilt or Absolute pays back any of their former US players. Most have already accepted the fact that their money is gone.

Given the state of affairs in the U.S. market for online poker, professional poker players to leave their jobs, their businesses have closed, and depended on their revenue base online poker now face bleak financial times and is a new way of doing so month, whether to return to his original career or find new ones.

Steven Levitt, of “Freakonomics” fame, plays poker. His wife loves to play more than he does, as he has written on his blog.

It should be hardly surprising then that Mr. Levitt would take his analytical eye to the card game and revisit the age-old question of whether poker is a game of skill. The question is the subject of a new paper he wrote with Thomas Miles, one of his University of Chicago colleagues who was a former student. Their research could not be timelier.

The future of online poker is hazy after federal authorities last month shut down popular Internet poker sites and charged their founders with bank fraud and money laundering. The question of whether poker is a game of skill or luck goes to the heart of the debate over the legality of online poker. Games of chance are considered gambling under federal law.

Analyzing results from the 2010 World Series of Poker, the researchers looked at poker the way an investor would study a stock portfolio. They found that highly skilled players earned an average return on investment of more than 30 percent, compared with a 15.6 percent loss for all other players. They concluded that the large gap supported the idea that poker is a game of skill.

Mr. Levitt wrote on his Freakonomics blog earlier this month that “this finding has serious implications on the legality of online poker, as that debate is heavily dependent on whether the game is based on skill or luck.”

Other studies have come to the same conclusion, and yet state courts have consistently ruled that poker is gambling, said Chuck Humphrey, a Colorado lawyer who specializes in online gambling.

“It boils down to what the courts say,” Mr. Humphrey said.

Mr. Levitt became interested in studying poker after the passage of a federal anti-gambling law in 2006 that tried to shut down the online poker industry, Mr. Miles said.

Mr. Levitt could not be reached for an interview.

The 2006 law did not directly outlaw online poker sites but made it a federal crime to knowingly accept most forms of payment for Internet gambling. That move blocked access to U.S. banks, and thus, the ability to accept wagers from U.S. gamblers. Popular online poker sites took operations offshore and continued to operate.

Mr. Levitt has written that he found the logic underlying the 2006 law deeply flawed. Under the law, games of skill are exempted.

Mr. Levitt had a casual conversation about the gambling statute with Mr. Miles, a law professor who has a Ph.D. in economics.

When the World Series of Poker made its 2010 data available, “it appeared to us to be an ideal opportunity to test for the importance of skill in poker,” Mr. Miles said.

The annual event, held in Las Vegas, had 57 events last year that drew more than 32,000 participants. The researchers separated players they rated as highly skilled based on lists of rankings found in poker magazines and other sources. The pair found that the 720 players rated as highly skilled earned an average of $1,200 per tournament, while other players lost more than $400 on average

Small-screen stars of the big screen in competition at the home of the best poker Foundation Celebrity Poker Tournament Casino Royale. Celebrities, and honestly did quite well.

Professional poker player Annie Duke has been a fan favorite, but the winner WSOP not get to the final table with “American Pie” star Shannon Elizabeth and “Off the Map” actor Nicholas Gonzalez.

But the true stars of the show were the two charities that benefited from the event, SPCALA and the I’m Too Young For This Cancer Foundation—well and of course Corey Feldman.

According to H.O.M.E., the Celebrity Casino Royale poker tournament was a success and the foundation is now well “on its way” to reaching its $200,000 fundraising goal for the two non-profits.

Congrats on a successful event!

Photos below are Shannon Elizabeth, Nicholas Gonzalez, Tiffany Michelle, Maria Ho, The Miz, Carl Weathers, Michael Gladis, Josh Henderson, Annie Duke, and Alexis Bellino.

Female poker phenomenon, Women in Poker Hall of Fame inductee, and World Series of Poker bracelet-winner Jennifer Harman will host her fifth annual charity poker tournament benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Harman, 100 Hollywood celebrities, famous poker players, and industry VIPs will be available for photo opportunities and interviews.

A red-carpet walk with companion animals will start at 11 a.m. The tournament will start at 1. All proceeds will go to the charity, further enhancing the sanctuary, its services, and humane education.

There has never been a better opportunity for the Reno community to witness all of these players at one venue.

Laci Sopeland likes to thank all the volunteers who contributed to the third annual Lorraine Cline Memorial Poker Ride a great success.

“A big thank you to the family Cline Ranch in the OC bar,” he said. “It’s been a great day for many wonderful people and their families. We hope you all come back next year.”

A record number 205 poker hands were sold, but Sopeland says the number who went along just for the ride was much larger because it included some 18-years-of-age and under entrants prohibited from purchasing hands.

All proceeds from the ride will benefit local cancer victims and their families.

The Poker winners were: first, Shannon Hounshell, Payson, $300 payout and she donated $100 back; second, Jeremy Wilson, Globe, $200 payout and he donated $100 back; third, Denise Bishop, Phoenix, $100 payout and she donated it all back.

Softball stats

The official statistics from the Lady Longhorns’ 3-2 state opening round loss to Santa Cruz are in and they show that freshman Devann Runzo turned in a sterling pitching performance, giving up just one base hit, a single.

Offensively, the Horns pounded out seven hits and were led by senior Rylee Halenar who was 2-for-4.

Kaitlyn Wessel slugged a triple, Natalie Black had two singles and Taylor Petersen and Runzo each singled.

Petersen and Black each drove in a run.

Golf continues at PGC

Jan Parsons is touting the fun, camaraderie and skill enhancement that beginning women golfers can enjoy during the “Drive, Wine and Dine” nights and also the healthy competition that traditionally highlights the Wednesday Businessmen’s Twilight golf play.

The Drive, Wine and Dine events, which are priced $15 for each night, will be held at 5 p.m., May 17 and May 24.

Parsons says the sessions are designed to “teach golf basics, practice what you learn, eat, drink and socialize.”

She says the sessions are also for ladies who want to learn to play golf as well as those who are beginning golfers.

The weekly businessmen’s twilight league plays at 5 p.m. each Wednesday at PGC.

The fee is $25, which includes nine holes of golf, prize money and dinner catered by Teri’s Good Stuff.

Little League golf benefit

Payson Little League is hosting its annual benefit golf tournament on May 21 at Payson Golf Course.

The four-man scramble tees off at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $65 per player and is tax deductible.

The fee includes 18 holes of play, cart, catered lunch, prizes and contests.

Among the contests will be closest to the pin, longest drive and a “Las Vegas hole” where players can wager on whether they can slap a tee shot into a pre-drawn circle.

Also, Little League is in need of whole, prize and team sponsors.

Tournament co-director Duane Kaufman said the program of the Little League local desperately dependent on the funds earned in the annual tournament and invites all golfers to submit in support of Rim Country adolescents.

All poker fans must be familiar with the guy, behind the WSOP – World Series of Poker; yeah I am referring to Jeffrey Pollack. Jeffrey Pollack has rolled out new poker league for poker celebs only., solely for poker celebrities and poker pros.

Well it was often preached by him that poker could be anyone’s game. He used to tell that one should always remember that if you have got the poker skills into you, you’ve got that potential to make millions out of nothing. Now, however, he’s changing his tune. No fish allowed!

Pollack is launching a pro league aimed at showcasing poker’s biggest names including Phil Hellmuth, Scotty Nguyen, Vanessa Selbst, Chris Ferguson, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negrenu. However, it’s not just poker celebrities that are going to be the stars of Pollack’s league. He is basing his league off of overall consistent winnings and cashes, which leaves out 2006 WSOP winner Jamie Gold. After Gold’s $12 million win, he struggled to earn cashes in the poker circuit.

“I think I coined, ‘Anyone can enter; anyone can win,’ ” says Pollack. “… That’s great, and that’s the mantra for every other poker tournament. …This is about celebrating the best live event tournament players in the world.”

The eligibility rules were set by poker pro Annie Duke, who will not be among the pros in the league, but will serve as commissioner.

“It’s not that I’m happy about giving up poker (in the league). It’s that I would make the trade in order to be able to be able to execute this concept. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do,” Duke said. “We put a lot of thought into it just thinking about what it is that would define one of the best live tournament players in the world.”

Players who meet the criteria will be given cards for the first season were announced, with cards awarded based on major titles, and cashes. Players have to have had a lifetime achievement of wins and to have won since 2008.

“We wanted to make sure that we were grabbing the best of the best today,” Duke said.

Therefore, also ineligible is Chris Moneymaker, whose 2003 WSOP win helped to reinvent the poker industry.

Duke acknowledges Moneymaker’s contribution to the poker world, however, adding, Moneymaker is “on the bubble.” The list will be updated after Aug. 1 following this year’s WSOP Main Event.

In this poker league there is a buy-in of $20K and it is going to be held at the Palms Hotel and casino. There will be four “Main Events” held in August, September, December and February. The top 27 players advance to the championship Feb. 13-14 where contenders will vie for the $2.6 million in prize money. At present, there are all in all 218 players with tour cards. Well we cannot be a part of it but off course we can keep an eye on updates..!