July 20, 2005

The shortlist unveiled at a reception in London yesterday mentioned British rock act Coldplay as one of the 12 contenders competing to win the Mercury Award. The band's third album "X&Y" has been decided to be of such good quality, especially when performed live, and is mentioned as the third nominee. And so, this is the 3rd times that Coldplay has been nominated for the award after it lost the 2000's to Badly Drawn Boy and the 2003's to Dizzee Rascal.

Settled on the top nominee seat is singer-songwriter KT Tunstall's debut album "Eye To The Telescope." In between is rockers Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm" as second.

Her name is Jamie, she is a New Orleans native and is not an actress. That's all the details that American actor Frankie Muniz willing to share about his newly fiancee, whom he met in New Orleans this spring while shooting the horror movie "Stay Alive." Jamie's age or last name yet being revealed nor does the wedding date.

Martial artist and film actor Jet Li pays a very deep concern towards the high number of suicides in China that he's been encouraged to think of the solution on how to cut short the act. Thus, he comes to a great idea, which is making an inspiring movie.

At last, Li comes with the movie about kung-fu master Huo Yuanjia, which he hopes would inspire youngsters to live life to the fullest just like Huo did. Titled "Huo Yuanjia," the movie has begun filming in Shanghai on Sunday.

While Exodus Film Group is busy preparing its next production of "Igor: Unholy Frijoles," a sequence of artists are in discussions to voice roles in the feature. Some actors joining the movie cast, among others Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese and Jay Leno.

As for Slater, he will give voice to "Igor," a mad scientist's hunchbacked lab assistant who dreams of winning the coveted first-place award at the annual Evil Science Fair and becoming a mad scientist in his own right. Cleese will voice Dr. Glickenstein, Igor's evil master, Buscemi will voice the part of Scamper, a super-intelligent and sarcastic lab rabbit, and Leno is voicing Brian the Brain.

Hollywood actress Mandy Morre is going to make an appearance on the series of sitcom "Scrubs," thanks to her beau actor Zach Braff who's getting her a job on the show. Confirming that report, "Scrubs" producer Bill Lawrence says, "I think we got Mandy Moore on the show. Zach is friends with her, so he got her to come on the show for fun."

Further Lawrence says, "I'm hoping that I can get her to do a couple more shows." Besides Mandy, the show also previously had Tara Reid, Matthew Perry and Heather Graham joined in.

Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill, who is also former member of the rap trio The Fugees, is set to perform at the 22nd edition of the Stockholm Jazz Festival starting Tuesday in the Swedish capital. The star will take the stage late Tuesday at Skeppsholmen. Joining her is Beninoise diva Angelique Kidjo performs Thursday, while some other acts include Roy Haynes, Toots Thielemans and Swedish pop singer Robyn.

The fete will cover six different venues around the city, including the main outdoor stage on the banks of the Skeppsholmen Island and the Stockholm Concert Hall - home to the annual Nobel Prize award ceremony. Some 27,000 people are expected to attend.

British rock and roll band The Rolling Stones issued on its Web site (http://www.rollingstones.com) they will add a second show at the Hollywood Bowl, which is part of their On Stage tour begins August 21 at Boston's Fenway Park. Fans of them could enjoy their additional performance at the bucolic outdoor amphitheater on November 8, in addition to the previously announced November 6 date. Tickets for the new gig will go on sale to fan club members on Tuesday, and to the public on July 25.