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Fans Pick the winner of the NBC-Sprint 'Create Your Hero' Campaign to star in the new micro-series HEROES DESTINY

2008-11-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

After more than one million votes were casted, today NBC and Sprint announced the winning hero in the "Create Your Hero" campaign. The winning character will star in the new online live action micro-series, HEROES: DESTINY. The first of four episodes will premiere tonight exclusively on online at NBC.com and on Sprint phones, one episode to be released every Monday at 9pm et/pt starting November 10.

The character of Santiago was the winning hero, with more than 1 million fans voting in the contest. He will be played by the columbian born actor Roberto Urbina.

Also in the micro series Heroes Destiny, created by the show’s writers, will include stars Lina Esco and Andrea Thompson.

“For the first time ever, Sprint and NBC gave ‘Heroes’ fans a hand in the creative process,” Bill Morgan, senior VP of corporate marketing for Sprint. “And with the ability to vote and ultimately watch the new microseries exclusively on mobile with their Sprint phones, we are demonstrating even more ways that our technology allows people to interact and be entertained.”

Source: http://tvweek.com

Hank Baskett PHOTOS

2008-11-07T16:50:00.001-08:00

WBNS 10 TV anchorwoman Heather Pick of Columbus, OH died battling an illness

2008-11-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

Heather Pick, a popular former WREX-13 news anchorwoman, died today in her Hilliard, Ohio, home surrounded by family after her often-public battle with breast cancer.

Pick, 38, was an evening news anchorwoman at WREX-13 for six years before she left in 2002 to anchor the morning news at WBNS 10 TV news in Columbus. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. In 2004, she discovered the cancer had returned and spread.

In Columbus, Pick took her viewers with her on an educational wig-shopping trip as she battled her cancer. She appeared on the noon newscast, which she also anchored, for the last time in early October from home. She wore a pink wig in a nod to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A year ago, she recorded and released a 13-track CD, the inspirational “Circle of Support." Proceeds of that release benefit cancer programs. Heather Pick is survived by her husband, Joe Cygan, and their children, Julia and Jack.

John Ivanic, who anchored at WREX-13 with Pick for about three years, said today that in Pick’s death, he “lost a kid sister.” Pick was two years younger than Ivanic, who left WREX-13 in 1998 to become a weekend and fill-in news anchor at NBC-4 in Columbus. Four years later, Pick was working at the competing CBS affiliate.

In Rockford, he remembered Pick used to sit on telephone books “the size of New York City’s, so we would look even” in their anchor desk chairs. “She was so tiny, so slight and so energetic. No one in the newsroom outworked her.”

In Columbus, Ivanic said, he occasionally anchored morning shows. “We would compare the (ratings) numbers the next day. She would call and tell me she kicked my butt.” Sometimes, it was vice-versa.

Ivanic, who now works as communications director for the Columbus City Council, also remembers Pick outside of work thanks to a Rockford connection: They attended a few Cheap Trick concerts in Columbus.

Maggie Hradecky, news director at WREX, said Pick stood out, despite her small stature. “Her bravery and her will to live set her apart from the crowd,” Hradecky said in an e-mail.

Pick also stood firm on the presentation of her breast cancer series at WREX, though station managers questioned whether the series was too real, Hradecky said. “She said breast cancer wasn’t pretty, and her story shouldn’t sugarcoat it.”

Those who would like to make donations in Pick’s memory are being asked to consider The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Nationwide Children’s Hospital or the Stefanie Spielman Fund.

A bench in Pick’s honor will be dedicated by a pond near the entrance to the Columbus Zoo, where she liked to visit with family.

In lieu of flowers and cards, Heather Pick requested this, according to an e-mail from family friend Miguel Perez: “Don’t wait. Give someone an unexpected gift just because you appreciate them.

Take your own loved ones to a cherished community treasure or try something completely new.”

Source: http://rrstar.com

'Girls next door' Kendra Wilkinson breaking up with Hugh Hefner and engaged to NFL star Hank Basket

2008-11-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

It didn’t take long for “Girls Next Door” star Kendra Wilkinson to move on following her breakup with Hugh Hefner. Wilkinson is engaged to NFL Philadelphia Eagles star Hank Baskett.

“Kendra Wilkinson has met someone who she would like to spend the rest of her life with. His name is Hank Baskett, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, and he popped the question last Saturday,” Hugh Hefner replied.

Baskett proposed to the bubbly blonde atop the Space Needle in Seattle while being there for the Eagles and Seahawks game last weekend. Both familys were present at the proposal and Kendra was shell shocked at the revealed ring. Mr. Baskett even got down on one knee. How charming.

Kendra Wilkinson, who has never been shy about her love for sports, isn’t the only “Girl Next Door” to find love besides Hef. There is Holly Madison who has been dating “Mindfreak” illusionist Criss Angel. One of my favorite magicians ever.

Meanwhile, Hefner has also found a new object, or in this case, objects of affection.

Hugh Hefner being 82 years of age is now dating 19-year-old twins Karissa and Kristina Shannon. Hopefully the new girls to star in "Girls Next Door".

What a life. You the man Hef!

Caitlin Davis Photos

2008-11-05T18:55:00.001-08:00

No more cheerleading for Caitlin Davis in the New England Patriots organization

2008-11-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Meet Caitlin Davis, who now holds the title of former New England Patriot Cheerleader. The 18-year old hot blonde from Foxboro, Massachusetts was dropped from the Patriots' cheerleading squad after she publicized scandalous photos from her facebook profile of her drawing penises and swastikas on her passed out drunk friend.

According to the Boston Herald report about her dismissal, the fact that she and her friends put the word or an image of a penis on their friend at least 14 times wasn't the problem. However, there were also swastikas drawn on her chin and upper back.

Patriots owner Bob Kraft is a big supporter of the Anti-Defamation League, and doesn't take kindly to anything involving anti-semitism. Not that it takes membership in the ADL to realize that there's something wrong with drawing swastikas on someone's face...

Some of the photos included these:

Ironically, in a Caitlin Davis interview with the Sun Chronicle that took place during the auditions, she talked about how she looked forward to the community service aspect of the cheerleading job, noting that she has had some experience helping humanitarian groups like Habitat for Humanity, as well as food pantries with her church.

Check out more photos of Caitlin Davis

Source: http://www.faniq.com

The 'Jurassic Park' author Michael Crichton died at the age of 66

2008-11-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

Michael Crichton who is the author of best-selling science fiction adventures such as "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain," died of cancer at the age of 66 in Los Angeles, California.

"Michael Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles Tuesday, November 4, 2008 after a courageous and private battle against cancer," said a statement posted on the author's website. Some of Crichton's work sold more than 100 million copies and translated into 30 different languages worldwide. He is also the creator of the international hit television series "E.R.", being viewed around the world.

"The Andromeda Strain," which catapulted him to Hollywood fame after it was published in 1969, told the story of US scientists battling an alien virus that lands in New Mexico from outer space and drives humans to bizarre and grisly deaths.

In "Jurassic Park," which was made into a blockbuster 1993 movie, Crichton's human characters were chased around by rampaging dinosaurs created genetically on an island run by an ambitious scientist.

With free downloads, more of his movies included:

Rising Sun (Starring Wesley Snipes)
Disclosure (Starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore)
Twister
The Great Train Robbery

"The world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so," the family statement said.

His "family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," it added.

"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," it said.

"He leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world." The family appealed for privacy and said no details of the writer's funeral would be released.

Crichton was born in October 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. He studied anthropology at Harvard and also taught at Cambridge University in England before spending time in Europe and North Africa.

He then returned to the United States to train as a doctor, writing thrillers to pay his school fees.

In 2005 Crichton's 600-page best-seller "State of Fear" sparked controversy by casting doubt on claims of the dangers of global warming.

US film director Steven Spielberg, director of the Jurassic Park movie, paid tribute to Crichton.

"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park," Spielberg said in a statement. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the earth.

"Michael Crichton was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."

Source: http://afp.google.com